For the successful conduct of modern combat it is necessary, first, to know well the enemy, his forces, means and nature of action. To provide these data to commanders and headquarters of all degrees, there is an important type of combat support for troops — intelligence.
Only where intelligence is being conducted successfully and actively, purposefully, are combat missions being carried out successfully and with the least losses. On the contrary, poorly organized intelligence has always been the main reason for the failure of military operations. This is evidenced by the experience of combat operations during the Great Patriotic War, the actions of a limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, and actions to combat the Navy in Chechnya.
The role of intelligence has increased immeasurably in the modern combined arms battle, which is characterized by rapid and sharp changes in the situation, a large spatial scope and diversity of the means of struggle used.
At the same time, the process of detecting the enemy has also undergone changes due to the use of various countermeasures, both passive — hiding their actions and active — conducting counter-intelligence activities.
The main part.
1.1 Tasks and methods of reconnaissance by reconnaissance patrol
Exploration is organized and conducted in any conditions in order to obtain information about the enemy and terrain in the area of the forthcoming actions. The main requirements for exploration are purposefulness, continuity, activity, efficiency, secrecy, reliability and accuracy of determination of coordinates of explored objects (targets).
The information obtained is passed on to the commander (chief) who has set the task to conduct reconnaissance. Especially important information is reported immediately.
Reconnaissance Watch (RR) is usually deployed as a part of the reconnaissance platoon, and from the reconnaissance unit, in addition, as a part of (TV). RD operates at a distance of up to 15 km from its bases, and sent from the reconnaissance detachment — up to 10 km from its main forces.
Removal of patrols at night in the city is usually reduced.
The platoon assigned to the RD can be reinforced by engineering and engineering under-runs and one or two reconnaissance chemists, if necessary.
Watchdogs conduct reconnaissance by sentinels, observers and foot patrols. Intelligence is obtained by surveillance, eavesdropping, ambushes, raids, interviews with residents, interrogation of prisoners, study of documents, weapons and equipment of the enemy.
Tasks of the reconnaissance patrol.
The tasks of the RD are:
Determining the coordinates of WMD applications (this is the primary task of reconnaissance in any situation);
Observation of the enemy and terrain, the actions of their units and neighbors in these sectors and observation lanes, in the direction and lanes of intelligence operations;
Identification of gaps, joints, open flanks in combat order of the enemy or its weakly defended areas;
Detection of the enemy, determination of its areas of deployment, composition, grouping, nature of actions, intentions, combat capabilities, numbering of units and units;
Establishing the exact location of command posts, communication centers, radio equipment, firepower, tanks (BMP, APC, BRD Ms), artillery, mortars, ATV and other types of weapons;
reconnaissance of defensive structures and chemical engineering fences;
Study of character and protective properties of terrain, relief, natural obstacles, condition of roads, bridges, water obstacles, areas of forthcoming actions and influence of terrain on the database of units;
Capturing new enemy WWT samples in order to study their combat qualities and effectiveness of combat application.
The commander who organizes or conducts reconnaissance always performs these tasks both in the interests of his combat mission and in the interests of the combat mission of the senior commander (chief).
Peculiarities of the reconnaissance of a populated area.
When conducting reconnaissance in a locality, the platoon leader must take into account the following features.
The main force of the platoon must not enter a town or city quarter until it has been inspected by separate paired sentinels and the situation has been reported to the platoon commander.
Sentinels must enter the village covertly, from the gardens, gardens and back of the houses. When approaching a small town, the platoon is deployed in shelters on its outskirts, in the vicinity of the nearest outskirts in readiness to open fire and to inspect the town sent out sentries. If the enemy is absent, the platoon passes through the main street at maximum speed and, having taken the sentinels, continues to move forward.
If there is an enemy in a settlement, the sentinels establish the strength and composition of the enemy, and the main forces of the platoon seek to surreptitiously bypass the settlement and, having taken the sentinels in the designated place, continue the reconnaissance in the specified direction.