Download pdf - Afrika Playbook

7/27/2019 Afrika Playbook

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AFRIKA TANK SCHOOL


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1. What level of play are you focused on?2. What are the fundamental principles tankers must know & understand?

1. Principles of War

2. Principles of Armored Combat.3. The four basic functions of armored combat

1. Shoot- Gunnery & fire planning

2. Move- Formations & battle drills

3. Communicate- Multi-tiered coms

4. Command- Strats & how to document them4. The four basic fundamentals of basic tactics

1. Find em,

2. Fix em,

3. Flank em,

4. Forget em.5. Tank/team survival

1. Inside the Decision cycle

2. Movement, contact, & action drills

6. How to understand what's happening around you.1. Situational Awareness2. Area of Operations, Interest, and Influence

7. Missions/Plays8. Operational Art and its application In Clan Wars9. Murphys laws10. The After Action Review


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Movement

Gunnery

Basic

tactics

Individua

l Skills

Coordination

Synchronization

Joint Tactics

Team

Skills

Diplomacy

Strategic

planning

Operational

Tactics

Operational

Skills

Is it drive tanks around and fight as a lone wolf?

Is it get with a group of friends and fight as a wolf pack?

Is it more of an intellectual challenge to negotiate a new alliance,

develop a winning team or develop a killer strat for the new map?

Your answer will determine which level of play you are interested in

and which skill set you should begin working on.


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Confidence- We can win anytime,anywhere, under any conditions

Commitment- We are committed to thepursuit of excellence

Discipline- We will take the time topractice, train and rehearse wheneverpossible.

Mental agility- We will develop andreinforce innovative thinking

Reinforce success- We will seek outopportunities to excel and reward stellarperformance

Positive attitude- As a team we willmaintain a "Can do" attitude


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Confidence- We can win anytime, anywhere, under any conditions because we areproficient in a host of sophisticated tools techniques and procedures that describehow we envision fighting tanks.

Organization- We are committed to the pursuit of excellence and we have taken theintellectual effort to develop a unifying doctrine that governs how we approachfighting tanks.

Discipline- We will take the time to develop focused practice sessions, trainingevents and rehearsals whenever possible.

Mental agility- We will develop and reinforce innovative thinking. We will know ourdoctrine inside & out and apply that to a rapidly changing and dynamic tacticalenvironment.

Reinforce success- We will seek out opportunities to excel and reward stellarperformance. We will bond as a team of successful clan wars competitors and thatcohesion and tactical competence will lead to consistent success in clan warsengagements.

Positive attitude- As a team we will maintain a "Can do" attitude. Its not the size ofthe dog in the fight; Its the size of the fight in the dog!

Technical and tactical proficiency- Through study, training, and practice we willdevelop a suite of battle drills that will enable us to think, act, and react faster thanour opponents.


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Or the theory behind why & how things work in combat


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Point of

Decision

Relative

Combat

Power

MassSynchroniz

ation

Mental

Agility

OPTEMPO

Unity of

EffortStated

Objective


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Stated Objective- Every battle has an objective, stated or unstated. In order to focusyour combat power and the efforts of your team one must envision, describe andarticulate that objective to your team.

Point of Decision- a point in space and time where the relative strength of therespective sides will decide who wins the battle

Relative Combat Power- A comparison of the available number of weapons systems,& crew and equipment capabilities

Mass- the density or number of tanks at the point of decision. Can be number ofguns, tanks, or size of the units in contact.

Synchronization- the degree of coordination and cohesion of your force. The ability tofocus combat power in space and time.

Optempo- the rhythm or timing of an operation. Has a direct bearing on how youobtain mass and synchronize actions at the point of decision.

Mentalagility-the ability to rapidly and efficiently adapt to a dynamic and fluid battleenvironment

Unity of Effort- All available resources are committed to support the main effort inorder to achieve the stated objective.

Tactical proficiency-The grasp an individual has on the underlying doctrinal rules ofhow to fight tanks.


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Shoot, Move, Communicate & Command (SMCC-

SimSee)


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Tank model manipulationcomplex mixture of eye-hand coordination, visual & audible

cueing from your computer(feedback from views, reticle data, map data, sounds, etc.) and

your situational awareness of what's going on around you in cyberspace.

That 6th sense youve heard about is real; even in cyberspace. If it dont feel right, it aint

right learn to trust that 6th sense and see how it saves your bacon.

Formation driving- Ability to maintain relative location to a lead tank

Use Defilade- Whenever possible shoot from hull defilade or cover

The Hide and firing platform- use firing position hide position to protect your tank

Three types of gunnery-

Long-range- sniping

Short-range- Arcade view Melee- Shoot on the move

Crew management- Techniques for managing crew skills, and rotating crews .,

Consumables management- Techniques for selecting & managing consumables

Equipment management- Techniques for selecting & managing special equipment.


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How to engage targets effectively both as an individual

as a team.


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Make the first shot count; you maynot get a second.

Select the right munitions for the

selected target Learn each tanks weak points and

target them Aim small, Miss small If in doubt; hit it again. Life is

precious, ammo is cheap! Continue engaging a target until its

destroyed- A dead tank cant hurtyou!


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Types- Short Range-

Long Range,

Melee Ammo-

Armor piercing- Main anti armor round

High Explosive- HE a hardened shell filled with explosivecompound. Useful against higher tier tanks or softertanks

Gold Rounds Sabot- armor piercing discarding sabot APDS Kinetic energy

penetrator

HEAT- High Explosive Anti-Tank- uses focused jet of an explosivecharge to cut through armor

Sight reticles Sniper vs normal modes

Auto aim- Moving targets or in a Melee

Aim small; miss small


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THE STEPS The Alert- Target! Volley or

fire at will The Description- IS-4 at 11:00

oclock, The response- up number 1-4!

When you have seen and IDdthe target (Number of tank 1-A Section Leader, 2-Wingman, 3- B SectionLeader 4- wingman)

The Command- on Ready 1-Ready 1

The response- UP number 1-4!When you are reloadedand ready to engage.

To do it again- Repeat onReady 1; Ready 1.

THE METHOD BEHINDTHE MADNESS This opens the ball and alerts your group of

tanks that you plan to mass fires on one tank

or position.

Describe the target and locate it near a

readily recognizable terrain feature- A tree,

Ridge, wrecked or specific tank. Use the T

key to designate the target.

Your subordinates respond with UP tank #when they have the target located and in

their sights.

When you hear response from your group of

tanks and are ready; issue the command of

execution Ready 1

Continue to fire until the target is destroyed.

Repeat has a very specific meaning when

working with fire support. Repeat means

reshoot the previous fire mission, Do not

change any data on the guns. So be careful

when your talking to the Gun Bunnies If you

need them to retransmit the previous

message the correct phrase is Say Again

Not Repeat!


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Line of Site

Firing or

Hull

Defiladeposition

Turret

defilade

position

Hide

position

Engage from cover whenever possible, protect your tank from direct

Fire by using your surroundings to mask the vital parts of your tank.


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Tank positioning-

Defilade- the part of your tank

masked by the terrain.

Cover- Protection from direct

fires Concealment- protection from

threat observation

The Hide & Firing Platform

Technique.


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Light Tanks- Scouts, Dedicated CAP, Mobile defense, Screeningmissions, etc.

Super Light Tanks- Sub category of lights with unusually high speed,maneuverability, & armor.

Medium Tanks- Workhorse of the Force/Multirole tanks- Scouting,Dedicated cap, general engagement, Custom missions.

Super Medium Tanks- Sub category of medium with unusually high speed,

maneuverability, & armor. Super Medium Frenchy- A whole new class of tank. Marriage of an autoloading

cassette with a very fast chassis, and armored just enough to sustain a fewcritical hits.

Heavy Tanks- They provide the punch and the armor to blaze a trailwherever we as a team need to go.

Super Heavy- Behemoth tanks that are slow, ungainly, incredible armorand require special attention to kill.

Super heavy Frenchy- A whole new class of tank. Marriage of anautoloading cassette with a very fast chassis, and armored justenough to sustain a few critical hits.

Tank Destroyer- A vehicle especially designed and built around a biggergun than was possible to mount within a turret proper. Kill tanks atextreme ranges.

Self Propelled Guns- a specific category of armored vehicles where theguns can hyper elevate to achieve indirect fires. The King of Battle


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Targeting- A systematic method of analyzing thethreat force structure and equipment andassigning engagement priority to specific targets.

Priority categories- High Payoff targets- This category is usually

assigned to the vital items that comprise the threatCenter of Gravity i.e. BFGs, SPGs, Heavys, orfast movers

Critical targets- Usually the mediums and TDs. Maybe area denial, or prepping a choke point prior to anassault.

General orRoutine targets- the ash & trash Targets of opportunity- a target that develops on

the fly. Can be equipment, area denial, or arty prep.


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Fire

Support

GeneralSupport

Direct

Support

Direct

Support

Task Organization

1 Tier 7-8 Gun GS to

team-

2 Medium to Heavy guns

DS to team

General Support (GS) A category of Fire

Support where the fires from the SPG

are dedicated to a particular mission

such as counter battery. Fires from the

gun in GS can be requested anywhere on

the map.

Direct Support- (DS) A category of FireSupport where the fires from the SPG

are dedicated to a particular maneuver

element.

Priority of Fires- a designated list of

targets; prioritized in the following

manner:

High Pay-off targets

Critical targets

On-call targets.

Targets of Opportunity

When processing in-coming calls for fire;

The gun crew shoots the targets

following the priorities developed in

planning.


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How to maneuver successfully through Battlespace

both as an individual and as a team.


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The foundation of Maneuver techniques andformations are either: TwoTank Section-usually called A&B or Red/Blue or Three Tank Platoon

Four Tank Platoon. The four tank platoon is made upof two; two tank sections.

In theory these movement formations shouldprovide: Improved speed of maneuver

Enable a formation to move as a team with guntubes always oriented towards the threat.

This system will improve our ability to move rapidlythrough Battle Space and change orientation veryquickly to meet whatever threat with sufficientcombat power to dominate that opponent.


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The norm in every battle is that you willencounter a threat and must respond to thatthreat. In order to win you need to think, act, andreact faster than your opponent.

Youre in the game and moving through the map;all of a sudden you see a threat Icon popup onyour right.

You must decide quickly and correctly what, how,where, and when to respond to the threat.

Types of responses: Contact Drill

Action Drill

Battle/Mission drill.


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The Goal: Hear command, react immediately.

Four types-

Movement drills- Cobra-L/R/Front/Box-the team practices formation changes until itsautomatic and instinctive.

Contact drills- Contact L/R/Front/Rear-These drills are for initial contact or enemysightings. The leader must decide whether to continue on his direction of march,engage with maingun only, deploy or bypass. If he deploys then it becomes an actiondrill.

Action Drill- Action (Threat description- Arty, tank in village tanks on ridgeline, etc.)L/R/Front/Rear-The Action command triggers an immediate turn to face the threat.Usually in anticipation of going to gunline and engaging. With incoming arty a modifiersuch as prepare to maneuver or give a direction of movement i.e. Section Cobra left2 Oclock 600 Meters; Go

Mission drills- understanding the type of mission your on helps shape your responsesand as a result the types of fire and maneuver you will use in that battle.

This is the most complex Battle drill we will tackle.

Getting fifteen tanks, each with specific roles and responsibilities in the drill, to work inconcert and putting just the right combat power, at just the right place, at just the right timeis our objective.

How will we do it? Practice, Practice, Practice!

Repetition combined with thorough After Action Reviews is and will remain the key.

I propose we focus on the fundamentals first. Movement, Contact and Action drills mustbe mastered first. But the different phases and considerations of the mission drills canbe discussed and phased into the match play now.


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BASIC MANEUVERELEMENTS A section is made up of

two tanks led by the mostexperienced tanker.

B section is led by the

second most experiencedtanker. They can and do operate

independently but thereal power of thisformation is when twosections work together.

One covers or supports

by fire while the othermaneuvers to a flank andassaults the objective byfire and maneuver.

(A & B) OR (RED & BLUE)SECTION

Blue Section Red Section


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CONTACT DRILLS CONTACT Contact L/R/Front/Rear- As an element moves

downrange it will spot an

enemy unit on the left. Thelead must decide whether toengage, deploy or bypass. Inthis example he decides toengage with main gun andcontinue his advance. Thecommand is

Contact left- Target- tanks in the wood line Maingun, Identified Engage The section continues on its

axis of advance and engageswith main gun


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ACTION DRILLSACTION

Action L/R/Front/Rear As an element moves downrange it

will spot an enemy unit to its front.The lead must decide whether toengage, deploy or bypass. In thisexample he decides to deploy andengage. The go signal is to executethe maneuver. Set means the crewis in position and ready to fire;

Identified means they haveacquired the target and are readyto engage. Engage is the commandto open fire on the designatedtarget.

The command sequence is: Action front Guns. 2 o'clock Target- tank next to farmhouse Go Set- up #1 Set- up #2 On 1 Ready 1 Engage The section deploys to gunline and

orients to 2 oclock. Upon getting aSet from both tanks, they engage inunison.


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ACTIONAs a section moves downrange it detects an enemyunit to its front. The lead must decide whether to

continue to march, deploy, bypass or execute a fire

on the move technique. In this example he decides

to go to guns and initiate Rolling Guns. The go

signal is to execute the maneuver. Moving informs

the covering tank that movement is in progress.

Set means the calling tank is in position and ready

to execute the maneuver.

The commands are:

Section! Target- tank in the open!

Guns 12 oclock Rolling guns- Go!

Moving preset 2.

Moving

#2 Moving;

up! #2

On Fire, Ready, Fire.

The section deploys to gunline and orients in the

direction of movement. Upon getting the alert

Moving & preset two from his lead. #2 initiates

his move and selects speed control #2. He acquires

the designated target and waits for the fire

command. As the section rolls forward they

continue to engage targets while on the move until

all targets are destroyed

ROLLING

GUNS

ADVANCED ACTION DRILLS


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The norm in match play when faced by a superior tank or

Arty is to find and hide behind the biggest rock or duck

behind the nearest corner to evade getting hosed by your

opponent. Having a plan on when, where and how to

position your tank behind that obstruction and how to

stack a series of tanks behind an obstruction will be

instrumental in deciding the match.

Key Points

Trigger- Anticipate observation and fields of fire andinitiate the tap-dance Drill as early as possible. i.e

a Watch the minimap and keep track of your location

and route. Look for cover and concealment both on-

screen and on the map.

Angle of attack- try and angle your tank so you arenot broadside when you pop out to engage.

Build the Stack- with multiple tanks align your tankwith the lead vehicle. Dont crowd in behind andblock the lead from his retreat path.

Coordinate- If at all possible cross talk with theother tanks and try and time your pop-out

maneuvers so only one tank is exposed at a time.

Types- two basic types-Volley fire- all tanks pop-out simultaneously.Fire at will- tanks pop-out independently as they reload.

Rock


45deg


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Quite often in match play when faced by a superiortank or Arty we need to disengage and reposition .

Having a plan on when, where and how to

disengage while in contact will be instrumental in

deciding the match.

Key Points

Trigger- Anticipate changes in the tacticalsituation that will drive a bump and run Drill

as early as possible. i.e Watch the minimap

and keep track of your location and route.Look for threat disposition and combat power

changes both on-screen and on the map.

Step 1- mass fires get a good volley on targetand the trail tank backs down, spins and

moves rapidly to the next position. When he

calls set the next tank gets a shot, backs

down and moves as rapidly as possible to the

next position.

Step 2- disengage. As each successive tankfires, backs down and then spins and moves

rapidly to the next position this will enable

the team to reposition and maintain contact. Step 3- set up new position- As each tank

bounds back it assumes its position in the

stack and prepares to defend. Coordinate- If at all possible cross talk with

the other tanks and synchronize your actions

to reduce you exposure to hostile fire and

provide covering fire for moving tanks.

Rock

Rock



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Quite often in match play when faced by a tank orArty on the flank of our formation. We need to

secure that flank and suppress or destroy that

threat. Having a plan on when, where and how to

dispatch an element while on the move will be

instrumental in deciding the match.

Key Points

Trigger- Anticipate changes in the tacticalsituation that will drive a Flanker Drill as

early as possible. i.e Watch the minimap and

keep track of your location and route. Lookfor threat disposition and combat power

changes both on-screen and on the map.

Step 1- P re-designate- Develop a plan for andassign two tanks to execute the drill.

Step 2- Maneuver- . As the march formationmoves through sector the designated

flankers watch for and identify likely firing

point. Upon Command Action L/R/Front/Rear

Flanker the 2 tanks drop from formation moveto covered and concealed firing line and

engage any targets on that flank.Step 3- Rejoin- Immediately upon destructionof threat thr remaining tanks rejoin the march

formation as quickly as possible

Coordinate- If at all possible cross talk withthe other tanks and keep track of their

frontline trace so you can rejoin the main

body quickly and efficiently.

Rock

ADVANCED ACTIONDRILLS


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ADVANCED ACTION DRILLSAs an element moves downrange it suspects anenemy unit to its front. The lead must decidewhether to continue to march, deploy, bypass ormove by bounds. In this example he decides tomove by bounds. There are two types of boundingoverwatch. Rabbit 1 is move by bounds. RabbitII is move by successive bounds. The go signal is toexecute the maneuver. Moving informs the coveringtank that movement is in progress. Set means the

calling tank is in position and ready to execute themaneuver.The commands are

Section Rabbit one(move by bounds)# 2 cover my moveon GoLet me know when youre SetSetGo, MovingSet

#1 cover my move. MovingThe section deploys to gunline and orients to thedirection of movement. Upon getting a Set fromboth tanks, #1 initiates the move with go and thecommand Moving When he reaches the limit ofhis bound he says set. #2 initiates his move andinforms his lead by the command #1 cover mymove, Moving. When he comes even with the leadhe stops and issues the command Set then thedrill repeats

ACTION


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How to communicate successfully both as an individual

and as a team.


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Bandit- Scout in-bound

Starlight-Immediate

suppression byarty

Hammer-Coordinatedattack

Anvil- HastyDefense Smoke-Frontal

Screen Fog- Flank Screen

Backdoor- Reverseslope Defense

Strongpoint-strongpoint

Defense Thor- Time on

Target Bounty Hunter-

Counter Recon

Gun Runner-Deepzone Recon


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INDIVIDUAL SKILLS Roger- understand

your message

Wilco- Understandand will comply Phonetic alphabet Keep it short and to

the point. One person has the

floor at all times-Dont be a channelpig.

Battle Coms- If it aintrelevant keep it toyourself

TEAM SKILLS Codewords convey a

great deal of meaning

in simple terms Individual skills formthe foundation formore complex teamsynchronization andcoordination traffic.

Brevity, clarity, andprecision in what yousay, when and howyou say it makes orbreaks a team


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A=ALPHA B=BRAVO C=CHARLIE D=DELTA E=ECHO F=FOXTROT G=GOLF H=HOTEL I=INDIA

J=JULIET K=KILO L=LIMA M=MIKE

N=NOVEMBER O=OSCAR P-PAPA Q=QUEBEC R=ROMEO S=SIERRA T=TANGO U=UNIFORM V=VICTOR

W=WHISKEY X=XRAY Y=YANKEE Z=ZULU


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Traffic ExamplesBattle

commandsGo here, do this,

Battle

statusIm in position awaiting orders, Imat guns , ready to engage, what isyour current status? Etc.

Intellupdates Weve got a strong pushdeveloping on the 8 line; Arts up!Current

situationForce is down, Blue Platoon is at%100 & moving to cap.

Movement

Instruction

s

X Red platoon go Start yourmovement.Fire

commands

Gold Platoon; Target! T1110 onridge, volley on !Fire

MissionsArty: Fire Mission; T34 in volleyWest of aquaduct.

routine That @#$* arty just hosed me.Logistic or

Admin infoWhat basic load should I take as aTD

The chart to the leftdepicts some examplesof the types of traffic tobe passed on a commonTask Force suite ofchannels.

We replicate this in team

speak by setting whisperlists and combining theCommand, Operationsand Intelligence, andAdmin Log channels intoone channel we callBattle Command.

*Note the following twoslides


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Traffic TFCMD O&I CoCMD A/LBattle

commandsX X

Battle

statusX X X X

Intellupdates

XCurrent

situationX X X

Movement

Instruction

sX X

Fire

commands XFire

MissionsX

routine XLogistic orAdmin info

X

The chart to the leftdepicts types of trafficto be passed on acommon Task Forcesuite of channels.

We replicate this in

team speak by settingwhisper lists andcombining theCommand, Operationsand Intelligence, andAdmin Log channelsinto one channel we

call Battle Command.


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Traffic BTLCMD PLTBattle

commandsX X

Battle

statusX X

Intellupdates

XCurrent

situationX X

Movement

Instruction

sX X

Fire

commands XFire

MissionsX

Routine XLogistic orAdmin info

X

The chart to the leftdepicts types of traffic tobe passed on a TeamSpeak Battle Command orPlatoon Commandchannel

We plan to have two

options for evaluation- Opt I- all members monitor

BTL CMD and only PltLdrs, arty, scouts andcommander may transmit

Opt II- All platoonmembers are onrespective Platoon

channels and Plt leaders,arty, scouts &Commander are on BTLCMD


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1. Set whisper listto: New

2. Set new Hotkey3. Set Whisper to:

Groups4. Set Group

Whisper Type to:ChannelCommander

5. Set Groupwhisper Targetto: Completechannel Family

1

2

34

5


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1. Go to your name &right click

2. Select: ChannelCommander

3. Your transmit buttonshould change toorange when yourenot transmitting

4. Your transmit buttonshould change tored when you press

the Whisper GroupHotkey

1

2


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How to command successfully both as an individual in

a team and as a team.


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INDIVIDUAL Learn how to follow

first.

Be Ready. Be able to follow

directions andexecute your missionwith precision and

audacity. Master the individual

skill sets discussedabove Know yourtanks inside and out

TEAM LEADER Be- competent, calm,

courageous, honestconsistent, authentic

Know- leadershipprinciples, basic tactics,relative strengths &weaknesses of allclasses of tanks

Do- Lead from in front,treat your team withrespect, nevercompromise yourintegrity.

Visualize, Describe andDirect your Team tosuccess.


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Types of Commands- Fire commands- general, volley, guns, rolling guns

Maneuver commands- Cobra, Action, Contact Elements Or Parts Of A Command-

Alert-

Prefix (Squad, Platoon, Section etc.) Type- (Target, FireMission, Guns, Rolling guns, Tap Dance etc.)

Description-Describe the target in as much detail as youcan ( tank 2 oclock in treeline, on ridge etc.)

Location or orientation-(reference a grid, knownlocation, or target reference point)

Command of execution-Go, fire, engage, booty, whatever!

Inflection/audible cue- use the inflection or emphasis ofyour voice to reinforce the importance of your message.Section!;Target!... Tank in treeline at 11:00 oclock; Fireat will


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Field commander(FC) Deputy Commander(DC)

*Battle Captain (BC)

*Logistics Officer(LO)

**Net Control

Station(NCS)

**Tech Support

Officer(TSO) *These positions are filled temporarily on an as needed basis

before, during and after a clan war engagement. They are

empowered to perform duties in their functional areas as

needed. ** These positions are filled temporarily on an as needed basis

before, during and after a clan war engagement. They are

empowered to perform duties in their functional areas as

needed. They are drawn from the general membership as

volunteers to assist in technical skillsets that are required as

needed. i.e. Database, TS3, video recording, training

preparation etc.

FC- Overall Battle Manager. He is responsible for allactions necessary to achieve victory in designated

engagements.

DC-stationed in team room. Manages and directs all

actions necessary to prepare for, fight and recover

from a clan engagement.

BC- Coordinate, direct and manage the Teams

execution of designated missions while in Battle.

Alternative tactical commander.

LO- Collects, updates and passes team logistic

status to Clan leadership. Excel spreadsheet- Each

player who reports for an engagement should fill

out and keep current the Team inventory and status

spreadsheet. (TBP) .

NCS- Monitors, controls and directs traffic on

TeamSpeak Channels. Ensure Battle Command,

Intell, and Admin/Log traffic channels are free and

clear of all unnecessary chatter.

TSO- Provides subject matter expert or technical

support to the Team i.e. TS3, Graphics T, EXCEL,

Twiddle A, 7th ID website, etc.


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The chart to the left depicts the key

positions which must be filled, trained and

practiced to ensure successful coordination,

preparation for, and conduct of Clan wars

Matches.

Functional areas-

Battle Command- This functional area

pertains to all command, control,

communication & training functions

of the team

Political- this functional area involvesthe negotiation, preparation and

management of diplomatic operations

between other clans, alliances, and

strategic level planning.

Intell- this functional area is primarily

focused on how other clans fight and

the preparation of intell summary

reports. These reports are focused at

the tactical level and educate and

inform the players on how theircurrent opponent fights.

Logistics- This functional area is

focused on the management of the

battle roster, preparation of standard

load plans for ammunition, equipment

& consumables and clan Gold

distribution plan for the team

TO BE PUBLISHED


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IPB is critical. you must define the threat and yourown Center of Gravity (CoG) and develop a plan toprotect yours and hammer his. This will drive the restof your task organization, maneuver, and firesplanning.

Analyze 1-6 below from both perspectives- threat andfriendly. Then you can develop a plan to control thedecisive terrain or focus on the force. Defining theTwo types of targeting- force oriented or terrainoriented. Which one you pick will determine the restof your targeting analysis.

1) Observation/Fields of fire

2) Cover and Concealment3) Key terrain & Decisive terrain

4) Obstacles & Engagement Areas

5) Avenues of approach/ Axes of advance

6) Choke points, dominant hills, Exits from broken terrain

7) Targeting drills- High Pay-off, priority, on-call and targets ofopportunity.

* Center of Gravity- Those things that a force must have or control to ensure its success.


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The ultimate objective of a battle plan is to focusthe relative combat power of your team at thepoint of decision to defeat your opponent.

The key to successful execution of a battle plan iseach team member must clearly understand their

role in the battle strat and know what the otherteam members roles are as well.

Its this knowledge combined with the ability tothink on your feet and adapt to a rapidly changingtactical situation that makes for mentally agileand successful teams.

Operations or maneuver graphics help describeand define the actions a maneuver force will taketo execute a battle plan.


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Find Em, Fix Em, Flank Em, Forget Em


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FIND EM Key Points-

Reconnaissance/Count

er-reconnaissance isalways the mostimportant phase of anyoperation

Dedicate enoughresources to achievethis mission

Support deep Reconefforts with fast firingarty.

Use your assetswisely A dead scoutdoes no-one any good.

FIX EM Key Points-

Dedicate sufficient

resources to fix thethreat with direct orindirect fires.

The fixing force mustdecisively engage thethreat and close withhim.

Support Fixing effortswith DS Arty.

Use your assetswisely A dead fixingforce does no-one anygood.


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FLANK EM Key Points-

Flanking force is the

main maneuverelement

Dedicate enoughresources to achievethis mission

Support flanking effortswith fast firing arty and

direct fires. Use your assets

wisely A deadassault force does no-one any good.

FORGET EM Key Points-

Dedicate sufficientresources to destroy the

threat with direct fires,indirect fires and closeassault

The assault force mustdecisively engage thethreat and close with himin order to overwhelm him

Support assaulting effortswith massed fires from allavailable weapons.

Synchronize your assetswisely A poorlycoordinated attack isdoomed to fail..


55/73

How to make sense of a dynamic and fluid tactical

situation.


56/73

Watch both the screenand the minimap. Theyare your window intoBattlespace.

Learn to compute the

relative combat powerat decisive points. The key is to achieve

mass at the point ofdecision.

At some point in thematch there will be a

point in time and spacethat will give you adecided advantage. Youmust be ready to actdecisively when thisoccurs.

Look for weaknesses orgaps in the enemiesdisposition that you canexploit.

Also look for changes in

the threats forcestructure where he isweakened by losses.Reinforce success.

Identify and defineTrigger Points wherewhen the threat forces

reach a certain levelthat event will trigger aresponse from you likea counter attack or atransition to a hastydefense.


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BATTLE SPACE Organized into three

areas around your

tank. Area of Operations- the

area in which youconduct operations.

Area of Influence- Thesurrounding area that

you can influence byyour actions.

Area of Interest- Theoutlying area in whichyou have an interest

BATTLE SPACEArea of

operations

Area of

influence

Area of

interest


58/73

FRIENDLY 5-IS7s @ RELATIVE

RANKING = 5

2- T30s@ RELATIVERANKING = 4

3-E100s@ RELATIVERANKING = 5

3-T92S@ RELATIVE

RANKING = 5 2-BATCHATS @RELATIVE RANKING =4

TOTALS=70

OPPONENT 5-T110s@ RELATIVE

RANKING = 5

2- T30s@ RELATIVERANKING = 4

2-MAUSs@ RELATIVERANKING = 5

4-T92S@ RELATIVE

RANKING = 5 2-AMX50BS@RELATIVE RANKING =5

TOTALS=72


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Scenario: Youre in Steppesmoving down the 1 line lowerroad with 3 other tanks. Youcheck the minimap and notice 9threat tanks moving through therock garden along the 8-9 line.

Those tanks are located in thearea of interest. You need toknow where the threat maineffort is.

But they reveal that your 4 tankplatoon is probably thestrongest force on the east side.

This observation influences howyou will fight the rest of thebattle.

This assessment is reinforcedwhen you destroy a 3 tankplatoon in short order to yourfront.


60/73

Some ideas on standard missions or plays


61/73

Characterized by two attacksFirst by fires from the support section who use

long range gunnery to suppress the defense.

The second by maneuver hitting the flank with

speed and agility. Run 'in and gun 'in at its best.

Use any arty to help suppress the defense

This takes a few extra seconds to set up and

takes practice to get the choreography right. But

when it is done properly it is awesome. Use the

terrain to your advantage.

Support element goes to gun line ideally on a

reverse slope. On the Go signal they move inunison to a hull defilade and start engaging

targets.

The assault element moves along covered and

concealed route to staging area called an attack

position.

They orient in their designated battle formation

and prepares to assault

On GO the lead moves rapidly but in unison with

his/her wingmen to either flank and Runs And

Guns THROUGH the enemy position.Once they are into the position and decisively

engaged; the support element assaults into the

position and complements the attack by

Swarming the defense

Learn to fight as a pair, Teamwork and

communication can compensate for varying skill

levels

Battle formation is driven by terrain and will

change as both forces move through the

landscape. Be flexible and mentally agile.

Base

Attack

Positio

n

AssaultElement

EASupport

by Fire

Element


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Hasty Defense Key Points

Target Reference Points- Designatedterrain features (Trees, rocks, buildings, ordestroyed tanks) that are used tocoordinate and direct fires.

Engagement area- Designated terrainwhere you want the threat to go. The KillZone.

OPTEMPO- Be patient, let them come, Uselong range direct and indirect fires to attrithim down to to 1/3 of your force. Then

Counterattack using the CoordinatedAttack system.

Mass Fires- The more the merrier; puteverything that shoots engaging targets intheir sector.

Anticipate pushes- As the threat moves tobuild up sufficient combat power to assault,youll see a bunch of red indicators massingbeyond the engagement area.

Reposition teams or sections to reinforcethat flank.

Hammer the assembly area or ATK positionwith arty. Anything you can do to attrit anddisrupt his OPTEMPO will aid your defense.

Be patient Be observant Anticipate his moves Use your long range gunnery skills Use the Hide and Firing platform of defilade

to conserve your force. Watch force ratios closely- Attrit to 1/3 or

of your force and counterattack.

Objectiveo

ne

Threat

Threat

Threat

Defensive lineEngagement Area

C

C

C

D

TRP

3

TRP

2

TRP

1

Massed fires


63/73

Frontal ScreenTask Organization-French Heavies, Bat Chat,Superlights, etc.

A screening mission is usually performed by designated scoutsor multirole mediums if additional combat power is required.

Front Line Trace- A linear description of where the leadelements are on one or several axes of advance.

The screening force is organized based on the requirements forcombat power to delay and harass the threat.

The screen performs the following tasks;1. Observe and report

2. prevent threat scouts from observing friendly disposition3. Deceives the threat by showing a front line trace forwardof our main body.

4. prevents or delays a threat penetration on a designatedaxis.

Frontal screen-Usually requires significant combat power to achieve desiredeffect.

Tank sections may work in concert to delay and harass athreat push down a major axis.

Usually employed when faced by superior force

Sections delay by execution of the battle drills Bump & Run,Punt, or Hasty Defense as depicted in the playbook.

Lead scout element should be within one terrain feature inadvance of main body. Within range of direct fire supportingfires.

Additional scouts may be dropped at key or decisive terrain toprovide overwatch and direct observed arty fires on flankavenues of approach.

CharacteristicsMobile DefenseFluidity of maneuver & action; Stick and move, Avoids decisiveengagement.Speed and agility is required of both vehicles and crews.Semper Gumby!!!

Base

PHASE I- The approachPHASE II- TransitionPHASE III- Frontal Screen

Front Line Trace


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Screen Flank

A screening mission is usually performed by scouts

or Multi-role mediums

Key Points:

May be performed by Mediums if additional combat power is

required.

Front Line Trace- A linear description of where the lead

elements are on one or several axes of advance.

The screening force is organized based on the requirements for

combat power to delay and harass the threat.

The screen performs the following tasks;

1. Observe and report

2. prevent threat scouts from observing friendly disposition

3. Deceives the threat by showing a front line trace forward

of our main body.

4. prevents or delays a threat penetration on a designated

axis.

Flank screen-

Lead scout element should be within one terrain feature in

advance of main body. Within range of direct fire supporting

fires.Additional scouts may be dropped at key or decisive terrain to

provide overwatch and direct observed arty fires on flank

avenues of approach.

Characteristics

Mobile Defense centered on getting kills in engagement ares

along designated flank

Fluidity of maneuver & action; Stick and move, Avoids decisive

engagement.

Speed and agility is required of both vehicles and crews.

Semper Gumby!!!

Base

PHASE I- The approachPHASE II- TransitionPHASE III- Frontal Screen

Front Line Trace

EA


65/73

Invariably, some teams will collapse andwe will have to conduct a retrograde orfighting retreat. The fight will be short anddecisive. Having a plan on when, where andhow to transition from the attack to theretrograde will be instrumental in decidingthe match.

Key Points Trigger- Plan for some trigger to initiate the

Punter Drill i.e a dramatic drop in forceratio, collapse of the main attack, or failedscreen etc.

Rally Point- designate a rally point or HastyBattle Position that you can defend inplace.. As each tank or section disengagesthey move quickly and efficiently back tothe next Hasty BP and prepare to engagewhen the threat drives into their sector.

Designate Multiple Engagement Area-Synchronize and coordinate all fires into aseries of designated engagement areasthat lead back to your designated Battleposition.

Designate Target Reference Points- Withinthose EAs pick two distinctive featuresthat are in the sector of fire. Designatespecific tanks to cover sectors or thirds ofthe engagement areas or sectors of fire.

Successive bounding- Sections or individualtanks move by bounding from position toposition. Always keeping their front andgun tubes oriented towards the threat.

Tenacity and violence of action- Tradespace for attrition

BP


66/73

Key points- Quite frequently, we must have a base

of operations to start from, or

transition to some form of defense

overlooking the cap

Villages make excellent strongpoints

with plenty of cover and excellent

fields of fire.

Designate interior routes within the

ville for repositioning and reinforcing

sections of the perimeter.

Use terrain, buildings, rocks etc. to

mask you from fires to the front.

Ensure interlocking fields of fire.

Designate target reference points to

coordinate and control fires.

Each tank covers the front of adjacent

tanks and engages threat tanks from

the flank.

TRP-A1

TRP-A2

TRP-C1


67/73

A positional defense whereby the defender

occupies a battle position behind a hill mass,chokepoint or other obstacle.

The defense uses the terrain to mask his BP

and expose the threat advance to

concentrated fires as they crest the hill or

transition through the chokepoint.

Organization-

Any section, platoon, or element can

execute maneuver

Key Points-

All tanks occupy covered and concealed

positions on the reverse slope or the backside

of an obstacle.

As tanks assume their position they call set.

Lead coordinates fires using TRPs and focused

volley fire on designated targets is the goal.

Section continues to engage individual targets

as they are called by the leader.

Volley fire whenever possible.

Focus fires on individual targets until they are

destroyed . Use the T key to help control

designated fires.

Base

TRP-C1

TRP-B1


68/73

Op-Art is a bridge between strategy and tactics.


69/73

OPERATIONAL

ART

STRATEGY

TACTICS

INDIVIDUALTANK SKILLS

Encompasses all levels of playin World Of Tanks. It is both ascience and an art in itsapplication.

Tactics alone cannot accomplishstrategic objectives in WoT or win clanwar engagements; results of tactical

actions are useful only when linkedtogether as a part of some larger designframed by strategy and orchestrated byoperational art

Operational art sequences andsynchronizes a series of tactical actionsto accomplish operational objectivesthrough the conduct of majoroperations. Strategic objectives in clanwars are normally accomplishedthrough a series of what Operational art

calls major operations.

MitaySeMi

tayA


70/73

Operational Art

Operational Art is the bridge between strategy, tactics, and diplomacy inthe clan wars MetaGame. It describes, integrates and synchronizes a widerange of processes, actions, and theoretical concepts into a cohesive andrational explanation of what we must do to succeed in clan wars.

It is both a science and an art and It requires a high level of sophistication

to apply successfully.

Operational

Art

Strategy

TacticsDiplomacy


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Sequenced and synchronized employment of all availablecombat power, diplomatic power and other forms of appliedpower or influence in pursuit of our goals and objectives.

Marked by development of a strategic vision; fully supportedby a suite of tactical plans, resources , and capabilities; and

executed by resourceful, well-trained, and capable players. Requires a high degree of sophistication, resourcefulness,

and mental agility to rapidly identify potential threats, and theability to translate that recognition into action, i.e. Developand execute a counter to those threats at the appropriate levelof response.

This will require carefully crafted strategic plans; to be skillfullyexecuted by the respective divisions and their respectiveteams; all supported by well-trained and proficient players whoare well versed in the playbook tools , techniques andprocedures.


72/73

1. You are not superman- Marines, fighter pilots and tank jocks

take note!

2. No plan survives the first engagement intact.

3. Ifits stupid but works it isnt stupid.

4. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

5. Any thing you do in conflict can get you hurt; Including

doing nothing. So, get off your duff and do something

constructive.

6. Be mentally agile; Semper Gumby- Always Flexible

Semper Durus- Always Tough7. If both sides are convinced they are about to lose; They are

probably both right. Its the little guy at the pointy end of

the spear who refuses to lose that has kept us free for the

last 200 + years.

8. A medal for valor just proves that were you smart enough to

think of a plan, stupid enough to try it, and lucky enough to

survive.

9. Friendly fire - isn't.

10. Suppressive fires - won't.

11.Try to look unimportant; the enemy may be low on ammo andnot want to waste a shell on you.

12. If at first you don't succeed, call in an artillery strike.

13. Never forget that your tank was made by the lowest bidder.

14. If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.

15. The enemy diversion you're ignoring is their main attack.

16. The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions:

when they're ready. And when you're not.

17. There is no such thing as a perfect plan.

18. The important things are always simple; the simple are

always hard.

19. The easy way is always mined.

21. Teamwork is essential; it gives theenemy other people to shoot at.

22. Don't look conspicuous; it draws fire. For

this reason, it is not at all uncommon for

SPGs to be known as priority targets23. Never draw fire; it irritates everyone

around you.

24. If you are short of everything but the

enemy, you are in the combat zone.

25. When you have secured the area, make

sure the enemy knows it too.

26. Incoming fire has the right of way.

27. If the enemy is within range, so are you.28. The only thing more accurate than

incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly

fire. .

29. If you take more than your fair share of

objectives, you will get more than your

fair share of objectives to take.

30. The Cavalry doesn't always come to the

rescue.

31. The one item you need is always in short

supply; and its usually time or ammo.

32.It's not the one with your name on it; it'sthe one addressed "to whom it may

concern" you've got to think about.

33. Never stand when you can sit, never sit

when you can lie down, never stay awakewhen you can sleep.

34. The complexity of your tank is inversely

proportional to your IQ.

35. Battle experience is something you don't

get until just after you need it.

36. The newest and least experienced tanker

will usually win the Battle


73/73

TTD- BY WHOM & SUSPENSE1. TASK RESPONSIBLE PARTY S: DATE

Improve1. List those things that need to

be improved or deleted.2. Try and identify the specific

tool, technique, procedure orpolicy which needs to changein order to improveperformance.

3. Focus on process notpersonality.

LESSONS LEARNED- Consolidate & document those things discussed above: organize andarticulate the key lessons of this performance iteration. Assign a responsible party to accomplishany specified or implied tasks generated as s result of the discussion, analysis & documentation ofthe AAR.

Sustain1. List those things that you want to

keep doing.

2. Be specific. Again you want to

document and ultimately reinforce

what's going well.

The Plan- Describe the plan which you just executedPerformance- Describe how the organization performed relative to the plan. Documentbelow those tasks, tools, techniques & procedures that need to be improved or sustained.