FIRE CONTROL TACTICS OF THE 12TH INDEPENDENT AIR ARTILLERY OBSERVATION SQUADRON IN MIERZECICE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A038300200001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 26, 1957
• Content Type: REPORT

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CEN - IGENCE AGENCY
This matsrit-t eontains Inf
ormation afseting the e[ the United States within the meaning of the Sspionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. tleos. 790 and 794. the transmtadm eri~i~ --
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SUBJECT Fire Control Tactics of the
Independent Air Artillery 0
Squadron in I4ierzecice
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE AC
NO. PAGES
REQUIREMENT
SOURCE EVALUATIONS ARE DEFINITIVE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TFMTATIVc
fire control tactics of the 12th Independent AiriArtillex7Obse?rvation the
Squadron in Xiierzecice, Poland.
ec
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STATE IXARMY I#X AVY X IR st AEC
(NoN: Wachinpton distribution indicated by "X"j Field distribution by "#".)
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PROCESSING COPY
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COUDMY : Poland DATE: 16 October 1957
SUBJECT : Fire Control Tactics of the 12th NO. OF PAGES: 2
Independent Air Artillery Observation
Squadron in Mierzeoice, Poland.
General Information
1. The 12th Independent Air Artillery Observation Squadron (12 Eskadra Samodzielna
Lotnictwa Artyleryjskiego) was stationed at Mierzeoioe Airfield near Mierzeoice
(N 50-27, E 19-08). 1 The mission of this squadron was to spot, direct and
control artillery fire. This unit was equipped with 12 IL-10 aircraft and
its overall strength was 114 men. The commander was Major Roman Harasimowioz.
Combat Exercises
2. There were two basic types of combat exercises in which the 12th IAAOS
participated: major exercises, which took place once a year during annual
Joint maneuvers; and local exercises, which were accomplished in the vicinity
of the airfield. Major exercises lasted approximately three months during
which time each pilot and artillery observer of the squadron participated in
approximately eight to 15 problems, each problem lasting from one to one
and one-half hours. Local exercises took place once or twice weekly through-
out the remainder of the year. During major exercises pilots and observers
directed actual artillery fire, but in local exercises training grenades,
resembling exploding artillery sheels when detonated, were used.
3. One IL-10 aircraft, with pilot and observer, was assigned to one artillery
unit for each problem. The size of the artillery unit varied from a platoon
to an entire regiment, depending on the type of problem. However, during
certain problems two aircraft were assigned to one unit; one directed the
fire while the other observ d from a higher altitude, standing by asr-eplaoement
in case the spotting aircraft went out of commission.
Fire Control Tactics During a Trpj.oal Combat Problem
4. The pilot was instructed to arrive over the target area at a specific time.
Enroute the artillery observer established radio contact with the ground
radio station from which he received the general location of the target.
The flight altitude to and from the target was from 300 to 400 meters. Upon
arriving over the area, both the pilot and observer scrutinized the terrain
for the target, which was usually a camouflaged wooden tank or cannon. The
flight altitude during this operation was not prescribed; it was the pilot's
prerogative to fly at the most convenient altitude in order to spot the target.
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Upon location of the target the artillery observer recorded its location
on his map (1:25000)-and radioed the pinpoint location to the ground radio
station which acknowledged the message and relayed it to the artillery
unit. After the artillery unit accomplished the necessary computing,
the aircraft was notified of the artillery's readiness to fire, and the
altitude of shell trajectory. The pilot then adjusted his altitude
accordingly, not losing sight of the target. Immediately after the
battery fired, the ground radio station notified the aircraft. The
observer and pilot then searched the target area for explosions. As soon
as exploding shells were sighted the observer notified the ground radio
station by saying "observing"; if no explosions were seen he said "not
observing", and asked for another volley. After having recorded the
points of impact on his map, the observer computed the distanoes,'often by guess-
,, 4104- notified the battery of his findings. The battery then
tired another volley. After the target was thoroughly hit each cannon
fired individually to-determine the accuracy of each piece. Upon the
completion of individual firing, barrage firing was executed by the
entire artillery unit assigned to the problem. In this type of firing
each gun crew was free to fire as rapidly as possible. The target was
considered covered-and destroyed when hits were made within 50 meters.
After the firing was accomplished, aerial photographs of the target area
were taken by the observer to determine fire accuracy. Photographs of
the target were also taken prior to the artillery bombardment in order
to spot faulty camouflage. The camera used was a Russian AFA-Im. This
concluded the problem. On the following day, the air crews and artillery
.personnel attended a joint debriefing.
Communications
5. Radio Frequencies: radio frequencies used during problems were always
between 2200 and 4000 kilooyoles. Frequencies differed for each
problem.
6. Call Signs: call signs used during combat problems consisted of a.
certain name and number for the aircraft, such as "Ptak 2", and of
just a name for the ground station, such as "Domek". Call signs were
different for each problem.
7. Emergency Signals In Case of Radio-Communications Failure: ground
signaling was accomplished with the use of white canvas strips laid
on the ground forming letters, crosses, etc. Example: a cross meant
"I cannot hear you". The canvas strips were rectangular in shape and
measured approximately 4 x 1 meters. Ground signals were also accomplished
with the use of colored flares, mainly red and green. A series of red
flares (usually 5) meant "clear the area immediately", a series of green
flares meant "all is clear and everything is ready". Ground signals were
not standard and were changed for each problem; however, the two basic
flare signals "clear out" and "all is clear" were usually the same.
Emergency air signals were made by the aircraft by performing a series of
movements such as 7dipping, These signals were standard; 50X1-HUM
wing dripping meant "I cannot hear you", flying
with the e wing low meant "fire to the left" and flying with the right 50X1-HUM
wing low meant "fire to the right".
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