U. S. CONCEPT OF GUERRILLA WARFARE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00036R001100010013-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 23, 2002
• Sequence Number: 13
• Content Type: REPORT

4 aw
is ofte difficult, particularly in denied areas, every effort wi.ll'be
made to develop them. The disturbed or even chaotic conditions'i edt-
ately preceding and following the outbreak of hostilities may be a major
factor in producing , potential recruits.'
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6. In peaoetima the United.
,
collaboration with friendly goYe lt tts '
3.11, uhhen authorised't
1
appropriate national autthority, establish'? gua rri la ca+3resnuclei'
agent-vrgaanf sers in a eacs for x d$r ao'o" ' co itro1' or 1'.l.kel:y, to be?
overrun in the event of . w~tr, or will, pecpuit, - train, a$$d, hold euc
personnel outside the area o .us
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either, uailatira.ly or in
In addttion, the U.:#.
i0h
authorized by the appropriate nstio . aut orhity, 8toclkpi a ana
lateral U. S. guerrilla warfare activities but may be modified as
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establish operational, bases&,, ;fin op atio ial a
operational plans. On dr ti+er D? List , .. the guerrilla cadres ,4nd jbol e+
with be activated,, contact ll~..b 'eetabl hed.; t ?ot'aer guerri14
potentials and attempts 'W$U j,a made to rate additional
operational teams will } be i. troducee to ..a uerrilla sa''tt o
Such teases. will organise, tram "equip arid exploit guerrillas, In, sv ipo
of conventional mili r Operations' and will, through coo m nitcatione
ore guerrilla potential . as i is and preferably where.
S. agents
ve. previously established contact "or at"L east roconnotte . F t~aat .
base, arrange for appropriate,,lagistical, tactical, technical intel UZe ca
ltitro .
and psychological support. Additional specialist personnel ~ "be.
duced to assist the guerrilla for se in .carrying, taut' such~.su ort oper*tions
and to coordinate' such operations with independent U. S. activities in-
similar fields.
7. After liberation, g
a may be usecj as poli ce, aacurity
troops, or conventional forcpss,a or a rratngerriente will ba de, prefer`abS.y
through indigenous authorities, pay,; decorate, thank, sand de obilize
. s~
them. Timely considerat4.of is. bey given`,.to the demobilisation and
arming of guerrilla forces ii 'order to, obviate dissident groups Within
them from caching arms for possible' future action or use against pollcalr
groups favorable to the U. S
I. BASIC PRINCIPLES
A. Scope
1. This paper is intended to outline the U. S. concept of guerrillas,
warfare when sponsored and waged in support of; U.
military operations.
S. and allied cernvesitional`'
2. The principles set forth in this paper apply spent fic~ally ,to.
required e
 this concept.
B. llefinitions
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required so as to apply to U. S. psi ticipation in'coi"bined guerrilla
warfare enterprises with Allied Governments when authorized by the
appropriate national authority.
3. This document does not attempt to allocate a roepQnatbilitie
to U. 3, Government departments car agencies in the - ixaplementatisna at
1? Guerrillas - Highly marina 4table,. lightly. armed, predomin n
indigenous forces which are organised On a military or pars-gal ].i.taxr ,
basis and which are based on and Operating in ensay territory.
2. Guerrilla lla Ware
a. Guerrilla warfare is comprised of operations conduct
by .guerrillas and consists principally, of ;raida - ' ambushes, harassment
,tactics, demolition, and other disruptive opOrattons. It nasally in--
volves short, sharp, surprise encounters, followed by quick vithdraawal
it rarely involves sustained defensive maneu s or direct a attack on
deployed enemy combat units, except in direct support of friendly con-
ventional forces.
IN The field of guarr4lla varfara" includes not only the
tactical operations conducted by gu illaa, but all the activities.
both overt and covert, connected, with the generation, supports organi-
zation, administration, and demobilization Of guerr13a forces. Certain.
subsidiary activities in which guerrillas may participate are pa'
gtcal warfare, intelligence activities, evasion and escape and asubrei on.
Guerrillas should'be distinguished from:
(1) Commandos, iihi sometimes operate behind et y;
and often employ guerrilla tacti.ce, but base themselves in friendl,
territory.
(2) Underground resistance forces, some of whom may
conduct operations very similar to guerrLlla operationsa, but who live'
under cover Inside the enemy control system.
(3) ; pecial Mission teams who may employ guerrilla
techniques but who operate on a specific mission basis and are normally
based behind friendly lines.
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 some time prior to its activation,-
resistance organisation'
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3. Clandestine Operations Operational cond4oted in such
r r~i Yl~~~n ~~
as to conceal the true nature of the activity itself ' or to conceal" the
mission and sponsor of the 'persons arigaged in iti,' applies principally'
to intelligence and "underground" reait+e aotivity. ' Guerrilla
operations themselves are not considered clandestine, but a guerrilla;
awe `rosy have clandestine auad.l upits engaged in'resistance
intelligence, or support activitiep..:1in addition, a guerrilla
or cadre may be clandestinely, generated and may remain clanduest{.ne for.
4. Agent Any person engaged in clandestine operations in behW..
of and under the direction of a government service, military service, Q
5. Operational. Ted The term "operational teams* as employe
this paper refers to selected teams of U. S. or mixed team of 71.
and indigenous personnel infiltrated into enemy rear areas for the ,par-.
pose of prosecuting guerrilla warfare in support of U. S. plane.
United States Interest
The United States interest in guerrilla Warfare is primarily that
of a sponsor and will be primarily, military; The United States is coo-
earned with the generation, organisation, traaining, support, control,
and employment of guerrilla forces in supportof conventional Mil .taz7
operations.
D. Decision to Prosecute Guerrilla Warfares
The relationship between guerrillas and a sponsoring power
based generally upon .the defeat of ,.& common energy and the estabitiibmen
of a satisfactory political system,
2. The decision to prosecute guerrilla Warfare -in a given $ree
wtlt primarily depend upon military necessity and the overall-value of
such a movement as an adjunct to military operations in respect to
prosecution of war aga; not a hostile state, However:;, political conatdert-
tiona will also generally exercise,
an important influence in the eelectio
of the specific guerrilla elements ; or resistance groups whidh are to
ceive support. Other factors to be 'given consideration:
Area,
Guerrilla potential in' d giv,
Extent of logistical s pport required in terms of
guerrilla yields
c. The degree to which efXect1.rne U. S. control and exploitation
can be assured.
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d. The proximity (time-wise) to liberation of given area by,
troops*
 operations.
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The number of guerrillas rralsed itthin'a given area should be In
ltlonal. zvwl 'em.n V for eu4h a vsces and he
ability. to support the forces locally or from .eocternal sources. Duey to
the inherent difficulties of. ext. rn&.L .upper u of guerrilla 1f1,:
maximum effort will be made to ca; ~4upport for 'guerrilla. Zr
sources so as to reduce U.. S. s ort to the mird153a required for effective
The degree of support required will vary according .to ,the
local situation. Support for guerrilla warfare may encompass only
types. of support necessary for conventional fore" but may ,also
special items and devices; financial support,
air infiltration; specially trained personnel;.
means for land
teo2mical support; int+ ll-
genre support, and psychological warfare end tactical fire support.
F. Guerrilla Sn ort to F Conventional Forces
1. The support which guerrilla fosses can render to friendly
conventional forces will be influenced by many factors but generally
guerrillas will conducts raids, ambushes,'
attacks and other offensive actions against the, enemy. These actions wills
a. Reduces enemy combateffectivensss by delaying, enY
b. Disrupt enemy lines of comtminiaatton.
c. Cause the enemy tto'canalize'his.LDC's by harassing altsrnatb
secondary routes.
do Disorganise enemy command and communicat'.on aye
e? Lower morale of 6131MV troops.
Divert enemy forces from, combat operations to seouritl
operations.
2. Guerrillas can provide tactical and strategic irttelli.getae
acquired in support of their own op"tons.
3, Guerrillas can provide asaistance to downed air-crew ors
and other friendly personnel evading or escaping from the enemy.
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 be increased as a result of ens. sot-backs. During, this periods.
not unreasonable to assume that the guerrilla recruitment potential will
2. Following. retardation. of the initial enemy offensive it is
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C.. Discussion: (Coat' d)
guerrillas will be concerned not only with current operations but also
preparation for support of a frte~dly advance.
guerrilla activity in the future.. The disruptive effect of attack with
strategic weapons will reduce the effectiveness of the enemy's security
system, and should open up yeas to guerrilla operations in terrain which
is normally unsuitable for irregular forces. Furthermore, the dispersion
3. Atomic warfare will probably increase `the significance of
immediately available to exploit the resulting military and political
elements of an occupying force if V. S. or'Allied ground forces are not
the event of attack with high-yield weapons, guerrillas may act as advance
the number of the homeless and those seeking refuge in rural areas.' In
targets may increase the guerrilla manpower potential through augmenting,
guerrilla troops. And finally, actual or threatened attack on strategic
atomic weapons will create advantageous conditions for harassment by
of enemy forces to reduce their vdlnerability to tactical and strategic
vacuums
phase, though in certain operations the exploitation phases may be launched
broad phases, the preparatory phase, and the exploitation phase. The first
phase, the preparatory phase, may take place in peacetime or, following the
outbreak of active hostilitiesa The second phases, the exploitation phase,
normally occurs during wartime and generally is preceded by a preparatory
A. General Guerrilla warfare, operations may be divided into two,
Iii. CONCEPT or- 0PERATIINS
without an elaborate or time consuming preparatory phase-
.B. Preparatory Phase
1. Peacetime
two general areas In which a requirement for guerrilla support will exists
a. Preparatory operations in peacetime are directed against
(2) Friendly areas outside of enemy control but which
These areas may be divided,.into:
(1) Areas controlled by the enerr.
will in all likelihood be over-run in the event of war.
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 which guerrilla support in desired." operational
establish their own contacts ti
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b F n areas within the enemy orbit where' 'a: requirement for
guerrilla support exists and a guerrilla'. potential,- to available, the U, 9
w . attempt to organise nuclei or cadres - capable of de ieelop~E gue r .].l a'
organia.atio"ne- Failing this, this TJ Sa~xill4 attempt.. to establiph agent
personnel capeble of reporting the exiirtencs aril status of miss goer
potential and of establishing contact with -,existing guerrilimee, provS4ixeg
landir areas reception Pies, and ~We, haven for U< S. oi Kati R
i .~;_ . it n 4
teams introduced into the areao..
Further the.U
(1) Recruit, tr lc-,, lnd bald in . readiness both ages is T
and operational teas capable of `fr fi tration after. li a r to 1devoiop ;
ganiae and conduct guerrilla warfare4.
(2) Establish apeeation&1, base
and coeununicate with guerrilla forces
(3) Stockpile suPpllea,
. eary to prosecute gue ?rilla warfarea
dO In areas presently] friendly to.then Ue.. S and outside:
the enemy orbit which in all probablity will be occupied by eene yr forces
guerrilla potential exists,. the Up S. wills Through the medium of aocori
and liaison with the foreign power in question :assist in establishing the
capability to conduct guerrilla, warfare agai not a coz On enesT.
areas where official sanction ,for ~ such plans is impt'actioal, the 12a 5'. tat
by covert means, attezt to tetabliih the, necessary e
guerbiUa warfare in time of waro,
21, Wartime
Prior, to the outtreak of hostil:itieoi' the U, S wi ,l
pare agents and teams o?.operational personnel .to be'introduced into ems:
areas of significant Interest to e+s'tablieh contact with auerrllu, bands
nd to organize dissident elements Into guerrilla forces* firmer nc-rmal
conditions, agent Personnel will establish `Ltdtisl contact with guerrilla
eleebents and prepare for the subsequent infiltration? of operational teams
However, in areas where no satisfactory contacts have been made and In 't
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C. Exploitation (Operational' Phase
1. The exploitation or operational phase of guerrilla warfare.
will commence on D -Day or as soon therafter as.poasibleo.
20 The U. S. will introduce operational teams into enemy rear
areas to generate and exploit guerrilla forces in support of military planed
ao operational teams may be infiltrated into areas already
organized by previously infiltrated 'agent organizeers o
b. Operational teams 'may be infiltrated without prior agent
contact into enemy areas to orgenlse guerrilla eiemenzso
co Operational teams may themselves conduct. operations as
required in order to accomplish their mission.
D. Discussion During the expaoitation or operational phase of
guerrilla. warfare, tactical operations are conducted openly against the
enemy and are characterized by series of offensive actions. However, the;
operational phase is also one, of substantial covert, activity, particularly
in the field of support activities, psychological'warfare, sabotage,
-escape and evasion, and underground resistance outside guerrilla areas
and of clandestine intelligence ectivityo Guerrilla, warfare must gersergUy
rely on clandestine Support for cofttinned and effective operations, and
guerrilla forces will normally develop their own capabilities in regard
to local civilian support relating. to early warning, intelligenoe, supply,
services, recruits, and'moral eupparto
1V tJo S. CONTROL
U a S. control and support of guerrillas will be. ~ mat ntai ned at
levels, i.e., at the BASE level and at the "M levelo
A* Base Activities
The' U. S. operational base behind friendly lines wills
1o Keep the theater commander informed of the capabilitie
activities of guerrilla forces.
2. Make plans for the utilization of the guerrilla force, on the,
basis of missions assigned by the theater commander,, and communicate with.
the guerrilla force to'undertake specific tasks,
3,, Determine the types and amounts of. support to be provided t1
the guerrilla force and to arrange for the delivery of such supporto"
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!~ P Upon demobilization t 1e. U. S. WASt make 'arrangiametkte to
reimburse, indemnifya decorate, thank, and otherwise,discharge U- SID,
responsibility incurred with respect to didofl'arg+ed uerrilla-s.. Tt
is desirable that the reeponsibili y `t'or gay ai4 se t ement ofy argr
claim arising out of guerrilla. opekat errs Oopport i f the U.
Allied effort be made the responsibility Of the local , iriligenoue go rme
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AREA OR COUNTRY(S) ORGANIZATI FUNCTIONS @ TOPICS - PERSONALITIES DOCUMENT
HQ G/W DATE r
PM undated
War Plans
U7
CLASS.tS
IDENTIFICATION OF DOCUMENT (author, form, addressee, title & length)
Staff Study entitled: U.S. Concept of Guerrilla Warfare.
11 pages.
Paper is intended to outline the U.S. concept of guerrilla
warfare when sponsored and waged in support of U.S. and allied
conventional military operations.
FORM 2523 OesOLtTE PhtYIOU5
4 6O #0ITIONS
HISTORICAL STAFF SOURCE INDFX
LOCATION!
HS/CSG-
1514 1-'