WARSAW PACT JOURNAL: COMBAT ACTIONS BY NAVAL FORCES IN THE PROCESS OF ACHIEVING SUPREMACY AT SEA

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
0005508939
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RIPPUB
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U
Document Page Count: 
9
Document Creation Date: 
June 19, 2017
Document Release Date: 
June 19, 2017
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Case Number: 
SC-2007-00006
Publication Date: 
February 15, 1979
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE CIA HISTORICAL RELEASE PROGRAM JUNE 2017 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 AR 70-14 TOr TIM; DOCUl ENT MAY NOT LE nErroDucED CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505 15 February 197 MEMORANDUM FOR: The Director of Central Intelligence FRCP, : John N. McMahon Deputy Director for Operations SUBJECT : WARSAW PACT JOURNAL: Combat Actions by Naval Forces in the Process of Achieving Supremacy at Sea 1. The enclosed Intelligence Information Special Report is part of a series now in preparation based on articles from a SECRET Soviet publication called Information Collection of the Head9uarters and the Technical Committee of the COMbined Armed Forces. This article is an overview oT the basic factors invoivenn attainin s ?remac at sea in an enc ose naval theater with t e en _purpose 0 supporting the coastal Tlanks of ground forces in the capture of straits zones. The various asi---7e7ar7fcc--51-321--------digactivelyan passively with the mine threat are presented. Mention is made of the need for air supremacy, support for amphibious operatims, and blockade actions. This journal is published by Warsaw Pact Headquarters in Moscow, and it consists of articles by Warsaw Pact officers. This article appeared in Issue No. 12, which was published in 1976. 2. Because the source of this report is extremely sensitive, this document should be handled on a strict need-to-know basis within recipient agencies. For ease of reference, nnrts from this publication have been assigned the Codeword 6 TS #79803.19 Copy #.5.0Z1 ALL PORTIONS CARRY CLASSIFICATION AND CONTROLS Or OVLRALL Docum7 -Top-SICREj_ Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Distribution: The Director of Central Intelligence The Director of Intelligence and Research Department of State The Joint Chiefs of Staff The Director, Defense Intelligence Agency The Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Intelligence Department of the Army Director of Naval Intelligence Department of the Navy The Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence U. S. Air Force Director, National Security Agency Deputy Director of Central Intelligence Director of the National Foreign Assessment Center Director of Strategic Research Director of Weapons Intelligence Page 2 of 9 Pages 1ThrSC-CREI, Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 TS #798030 Copy 4 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 -10P-SECRF-L_ COUNTRY USSR/WARSAW PACT DATE OF INFO. 1976 SOURCE THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT DE REPRODUCED Intelligence Information Special Report Page 3 of 9 Pages SUBJECT DATE 15 February 1979 WARSAW PACT JOURNAL: Combat Actions by Naval Forces in the Process of Achieving Supremacy at Sea Documentary Summary: The following report is a translation from Russian of an article from a SECRET Soviet publication called Information Collection of the Headquarters and the Technical Committee of the Combined Armed Forces. 'this journal is published by Warsaw Pact Headquarters in Moscow, anTit consists of articles by Warsaw Pact officers. This article Was written by Commander T. Mandat. This article is an overview of the basic factors involved in attaining supremacy at sea in an enclosed naval theater with the end purpose of supporting the coastal flanks of ground forces in the capture of straits zones. The various aspects of coping actively and passively with the mine threat are presented. Mention is made of the need for air supremacy, support for amphibious operations, and blockade actions. Discussing the combat for supremacy at sea, it touches upon the organization for combat, combat methods, reconnaissance requirements and tasks, coordination, and control. This article appeared in Issue NO. 12, which was published in 1976. Comment: End of Summary Commander Tadeusz Mandat is Deputy Chief of Staff of the Polish Navy. The names of authors are given in Russian transliteration. ?ftr1"--SiCRLf Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 TS #7980M0 Copy # Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Page 4 of 9 Pages Combat Actions by Naval Forces in the Process of Achieving Supremacy at Sea by Commander T. MANDAT Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy of the Polish People's Republic Under modern conditions combat actions at sea may be characterized by extensive scope and the massive employment of multiple-arm forces, an increase in the depth of mutual actions, the massed employment of nuclear weapons, and also a significant growth in the number of support forces and means. The achievement and retention of supremacy at sea has acquired special significance. The accomplishment of this task will be predetermined largely by the effectiveness of the combat activities of the naval forces. The basic factors determining the attainment of superiority over the enemy and the achievement of supremacy at sea, in our view, are associated with: the ability to forestall enemy actions, exploiting the element of surprise; the establishment of qualitative and quantitative superiority; ? the achievement of air supremacy; the attainment of a higher degree of combat readiness by [our] forces, and of a superior morale and political level by [our] personnel; and also the better preparation [by us] of the theater of military operations. Success in combat actions within an enclosed naval theater can be ensured through the active and systematic utilization of multiple-arm forces for the purpose of destroying the enemy in specific regions and of preventing (or impeding) him from from without. It is impossible to attain the ultimate goal -- the achievem-? 1. :411. a -- b a sin e. To achieve this requires combat activities of the navy within the framework of one or several operations. TS #7981 Copy # Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Page S of 9 Pages It should be noted that the achievement of supremacy in an enclosed naval th no - ? r. ose-lIFITIMI---=1:17IS an essential stage in a ieving the purpose of the operation. The accomplishment of this task enables naval forces to establish favorable conditions for the effective support of the coastal flank of the ground forces. Of great importance (in addition to the problem of air supremacy) are blockade actions, which include not only the isolation of specific groupings of enemy forces, but primarily aggressive combat against them so as to simultaneously rule out the possibility of having them penetrate deeply into our operational zone and also prevent the shifting of enemy forces from adjacent sea areas. The course of blockade actions in a straits zone will depend on the general situation in the theater of military operations, foremost on the balance of forces of the sides, and likewise on the nature of the operations being conducted by the front troops. Attention should be focused on the important matter of mine threat.. Bearing in mind the technical sophistication of modern mines and their high combat resistance to minesweeping, one can draw the conclusion that the most effective method of combatina_mines will be to prevent their_laving. Thus, while still at peace, those enemy ships capable of transporting and laying mines of various types as well as the depots for mine armaments must be the object of constant interest for reconnaissance forces, and from the instant war breaks out -- one of the chief targets for the actions of 0,g3: strike forces. No lets important is the creation of-a reliable system for antimine surveillance and for the constant monitoring and adjustment of the physical fields of ships and vessels, and likewise the correct choice of their courses and speeds on sea crossings. Our navy must use mine weaponry in a manner that will not limit the maneuvering capability of our forces. Bearing in mind that the blockading of straits is, as a rule, terminated by actions to capture them, mines must be laid with self-destruction devices. It should be emphasized that the accomplishment of the tasks related to the achievement of supremacy at sea demands the closest cooperation between the forres of thenavy and thq_ground forces. During this operation, the allied fleets will be charged with ?ffe embarkation, sea lift, and debarkation of landing force troops while fully providing antimine and antisubmarine defenses, and also with covering the landing force detachments against attacks by enemy naval forces; with participation TS #7980.3p Copy # Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 -"Tcyp-sEGREL Page 6 of 9 Pages in the air defense, the neutralization of the enemy's antilanding defense, and the fire support for the landing force troops operating on shore. Subsequently, the naval forces will provide the shipment of military cargo/ to supply the ground forces engaged in actions on the islands and shores / adjacent to these straits. The navy's main tasks in the battles for the achievement of supremacy at sea involve the following: the destruction or significant weakening of the enemy strike groupings, the disruption of their rear and disorganization of their system of bases and supply system, and also the curtailment of the enemy's opportunities to receive support from adjacent sea areas. These tasks can be fulfilled under conditions of the employment of both nuclear weapons as well as conventional weapons. It is unnecessary to emphasize that nuclear weapons can have a radical effect in modifying the situation and changing the balance of forces. This being the case, the matter of delivering preemptive nuclear strikes on the enemy's most vulnerable installations, in order to eliminate his nuclear potential, assumes exceptional significance. Combat actions by naval forces directed toward the achievement of supremacy at sea require further study in the light of the experience of combined exercises. Let us state our viewpoint on this matter. It appears advisable to us to establish three operational groupings whose function is to fight for the achievement of supremacy at sea and the capture of straits zones: -- first grouping -- for actions on adjoining open seas, made up mainly of missile-delivery aircraft and submarines. Its tasks would be the disruption of sea lanes, blockade. actions, and the destruction of the enemy's naval forces in these water areas; -- second grouping -- for combat actions within the enclosed naval theater. This grouping could be made up of large and small missile boats, submarines, bomber and ground attack aircraft, and also coastal missile forces. In specific circumstances it could operate onteveral axes; -- third zrouping -- for supporting blockade actions, made up primarily of missile, torpedoland mine forces, and also almisl forces. TS #798010 Copy #12_ Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 -rap-seGRET._ Page 7 of 9 Pages Supremacy at sea can be achieved as a result of the first operation alone. The preparation for it must be carried out quickly and secretly. Depending on the situation the enemy's naval groupings can be destroyed as they are being radar tracked (the instant war begins); by strikes guided by reconnaissance forces; and by strikes preceded by independent search or surprise rapid strikes (raids) on ports, bases, or selected coastal areas. The last method can be successful only if we possess detailed data on the targets planned to be struck, which makes it necessary to study them comprehtnsively utile still at peace. The organization of the system for obtaining full and reliable information on the enemy affects greatly the result of combat actions. Therefore reconnaissance, which includes organizational and technical measures, and also the aggressive actions of specialized forces and means, must be characterized by precisely channeled application (in keeping with the specific tasks of the navy) and continuity and secrecy of actions. The main tasks of reconnaissance during the struggle for supremacy at sea should involve: the collection and collation of data on the situation throughout the entire water area; the detection, classification, and surveillance of the enemy's groupings, including those forces and means of his considered to be the maig_tlEgets of action by our forces (ship strike S minela ers landin craft the antilandin: defense s c. ewise the gro de ensive mine ields the s ste survei ? channels e an ance o those enemy forces which constitute a threat to our fleet (delivery means for nuclear weapons, missiles, and mines); the ascertaining of the system used to prepare the theater; and also the acquisition of data on the actions of those of our forces with whom communications have been temporarily lost. The successful fulfillment of these tasks can be achieved only by an integrated system of reconnaissance. The organic units of this system will be the specialized subsystems for antimine surveillance, reconnaissance of the surface, air underwater, and shore situation; observation of nuclear bursts, and the_like -- which will be equipped with the most modern and highly automated means. Meriting special attention is the organization of cooperation, that is to say, the coordination of efforts as to place and time, and also regarding specific enemy targets, since it enables us to more effectively exploit the combat qualities of our fleets. This cooperation must ensure a full synchronization of the actions of our forces on the main axis or TS #7980N Copy # 81 -itr-sficazt,' Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 TOP-tec-Ru_ Page 8 of 9 Pages against the main enemy targets with the undertakings on the secondary or diversionary axes. The correct organization of cooperation is especially important under conditions of the employment of nuclear weapons. Only effectively organized communications, complete knowledge of the situation in the theater of military operations, as well as firm and consistent leadership (control) and skillful foreseeing of the changing situation can provide the necessary continuity and reliablity of control, and the capability of rapidly restoring the combat effectiveness of our forces even under the most unfavorable conditions. During the combat actions the situation in a theater of military operations will undergo fast-moving changes. This will necessitate rapid correction of previously adopted decisions, which is possible only when the systems of control are functioning reliably. Moreover, the successful employment of the forces and means of the allied fleets in the struggle for supremacy in an enclosed naval theater is possible, in our view, only if we have a centralized and reliably operating system of control. Within the framework of such a centralized system, the individual fleets and the operational-tactical large units (flotillas, bases) must have smoothly functioning subsystems of control which allow the individual commanders some freedom in choosing the method to accomplish the assigned tasks and make it possible for them to react rapidly to sudden changes in the situation. In our view, the overall system of control for the forces of a planned operation must include a primary system composed of fixed command posts for the fleets and operational-tactical large units (flotillas, bases), an alternate system consisting of alternate (mobile) command posts for the fleets and operational-tactical large units, and also a zonal system, which would function in the operational zones of the individual fleets. It is not necessary to emphasize that the matter of the functioning of such a system will to a significant degree depend on its advance preparation and peacetime development. Therefore, during all exercises in which multiple-arm coalition forces participate and while they fulfil other tasks, it is essential to constantly improve the control system's organizational structure and the methods of command under the different situational conditions. TS #798030 Copy # -Itir-SECREL Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 Page 9 of 9 Pages -1:61"?SECREL Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05508939 TS #798030 Copy # 4