CHAPTER 7: OPFOR Operations on Special Terrain

7-4 Night Combat.

    In the OPFOR view, night cannot be a reason for decreasing activity. On the contrary, they use the dark of night to achieve surprise, to increase the rate of advance, and to win time. The OPFOR considers darkness to be more of an advantage and an opportunity than a reason for interruption of combat.

    Combat at night is normally an extension of combat actions during the day. The battle may be carried on into the night to retain the initiative with a high offensive tempo.

    a. Characteristics. The OPFOR characterizes fighting at night by the following factors:

• Darkness favors the performance of marches and maneuvers

• Easier to concentrate men and material

• Hampers enemy use of most weapons, airborne troops, and aviation

• Provides favorable conditions for achieving surprise

• Can fulfill their mission with smaller losses in personnel and equipment

• More difficult to orient

• Effectiveness of aimed fire is reduced

• Reconnaissance and target selection is more difficult

    March. Regardless of their difficulty, night marches are a necessary. Their preparation, organization, security, and execution require a great deal of attention. The successful execution of a night march depends to a large degree on the general maintenance, organization, concealment, and rapid movement of all units.

• Greater emphasis on planning and security than day marches.

• Intervals between vehicles are shorter.

• Security elements are closer to the main body.

• Reconnaissance is conducted before and during the night march.

• No long halts

• Darkness must be used to the maximum extent of movement.

• Strict light and noise discipline are maintained.

    c. Offense. A night attack may be the continuation of daytime combat, or it may be the start of a new attack. A continuation of a daytime attack must be carried through without a break so that the enemy will not have time to bring up his reserve or to regroup.

• Night attacks are often launched 2-3 hours before dawn to permit daylight exploitation of success.

• To achieve surprise, a night attack may be launched without artillery fires.

• A night counterattack is usually conducted in one echelon to simplify control.

• In an attack from positions in direct contact, illuminated markers designate lanes through mine fields and obstacles.

• In an attack from the march, units attack on an azimuth. Lines of deployment from the march to prebattle formations and to attack formations may be designated by ground markers, signal lights or flares.

• Complicated maneuvers are avoided. The most common attack formation is the line formation.

• Mechanized Infantry units normally attack dismounted.

• Intervals between units and vehicles may be reduced.

• Each artillery battalion normally designates one platoon for illumination missions.

• Artillery illumination may be either continuous or periodic. In continuous illumination, a round is fired every 20 to 30 seconds to turn "night into day."

    Defense. Night creates many difficulties for the attacking forces but offers considerable advantages to the defender. Darkness reduces the effectiveness of an attacker’s reconnaissance, observation, and aimed fires. Darkness also provides the defender with better concealment than the attacker.

• Requires a comprehensive defense operation order.

• Additional observation posted are established if required.

• Illumination plays a critical part of the defense at night.

• An illumination plan will include:

- Illuminating the area forward of the main defensive area.

- Blinding the enemy.

- Support to counterattacks.

• Illumination may be provided by artillery, mortars and flares.
• Defense plan may include establishing ambushes and using patrols to cover gaps between strongpoints.