WELCOME

CSS, TRADOC, PA 1
CSS, TRADOC, PA 2
 SCOPE
5 PRIMARY BATTLEFIELD MISSIONS
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
ENGINEER SUPPORT IN OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
ENGINEER SUPPORT IN DEFENSIVE
OPERATIONS

CSS, TRADOC, PA 3
ENGINEER SUPPORT SYSTEM
Consists of engineer assets in division
Support/serve in the combined arms
team in all combat operations
Provides a combat multiplier that
reinforces terrain to the advantage of
friendly forces.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 4
CSS, TRADOC, PA 5page
5 MISSIONS OF THE ENGINEER
SYSTEM
MOBILITY
COUNTER-MOBILITY
SURVIVABILITY
GENERAL ENGINEERING
TOPOGRAPHIC ENGINEERING

Engineers also fight as infantry when

required.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 6
PURPOSE OF ENGR SUPPORT
Mobility
Enables commanders to maneuver
combat assets to gain decisive action.
Countermobility
Prevents the enemy from achieving his
objectives --- his movement is impeded,
delayed, disrupted, dispersed,
channelized, or stopped.
Survivability
Provides fighting and protective positions
CSS, TRADOC, PA 7
CSS, TRADOC, PA 8page
 OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
In offensive operations, the attacker
takes the initiative & sets the tempo of
the battle in order to:
Destroy enemy forces
Secure key terrain
Disrupt
Delay
Deceive the enemy
Deprive the enemy of resources
Gain information
CSS, TRADOC, PA 9
 TYPES OF OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
The purpose is to gain or regain enemy contact.
COORDINATED ATTACK
In order to shock the enemy.
EXPLOITATION & PURSUIT
Exploitation follows a successful attack. It is the
relentless destruction or capture of fleeing enemy
forces who have lost the capability to resist.
Pursuit is luanched against a withdrawing enemy.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 10
 ENGINEER SUPPORT
ENGINEERS DURING MOVEMENT TO
CONTACT
Mobility support has first priority
Division movement - at least 1 supporting
combat engineer company equipped and
trained for…
Armored earth moving
Rapid minefield breaching
Assault bridging
Hasty gap crossing under fire
CSS, TRADOC, PA 11
 Engineers in the flank & rear guard must
block the enemy approach into those
areas.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 12
ENGINEERS DURING COORDINATED
ATTACK
Help the command visualize the battlefield.
Enhance the movement of combat maneuver
elements and supporting units by bypassing
and breaching mines and obstacles
Assists in the assault of strong points
Increase flank protection by creating
obstacles on avenues of approach to the
flank.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 13
 Support hasty crossing of tank ditches
and other gaps.
Establish and maintain routes for combat,
CS and CSS units.
Assists in organizing captured ground
against counter-attack.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 14
ENGINEERS DURING EXPLOITATION &
PURSUIT
Usually attached to the exploiting or
pursuing forces.
Missions are like those for movement to
contact and attack.
Engineers must accept to meet obstacles
that can be employed quickly.
Examples: destroyed bridge, road
craters, abatis, scatterable mines.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 15
CSS, TRADOC, PA 16page
CSS, TRADOC, PA 17page

MOBILITY SUPPORT
Engineer Priority in the Offense
To bypass, or
To breach minefields and obstacles.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 18
 Mobility Support Provided by
Engineers includes:
Breaching minefields and obstacles
Gap Crossing
Maintenance and construction of
combat roads and trails
Forward aviation combat engineering

CSS, TRADOC, PA 19
2 Options Re Mines & Obstacles
BYPASS
BREACH

CSS, TRADOC, PA 20
BYPASSING – is done by maneuvering
around, under, or over the obstacle or
minefield.
BYPASS CATEGORIES:
BYPASS EASY
BYPASS DIFFICULT
BYPASS IMPOSSIBLE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 21
BYPASS EASY –
requires little effort to clear existing route
or force a trail upon the obstacle area.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 22
BYPASS DIFFICULT –
in this case, a suitable bypass may
require additional resources, resulting in a
temporary loss of momentum.
Example: construction of a 100-meter
combat trail through a wooded area
around a crater.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 23
BYPASS IMPOSSIBLE –
The obstacle is tied into existing terrain or
other obstacle in such a way as to make
all bypass effort impractical.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 24
FUNDAMENTALS OF BREACHING
The primary goal of forces
encountering obstacles is to continue
the mission as swiftly as possible.
Breaching, like pass, is a means to
that end.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 25
Immediate Goals of Breaching
Suppress enemy direct fire and
observation of the obstacle or
minefield.
Establish forces on the far side of the
obstacle or minefield.
Neutralize or reduce a portion of the
obstacle or minefield.
Cross the main body safely through
the obstacle or minefield.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 26
 BREACHING (ELEMENT)
FORCE ORGANIZATION

SUPPORT FORCE
ASSAULT FORCE
BREACHING FORCE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 27
SUPPORT FORCE
Delivers direct fire and defend the
obstacle areas.
Includes units providing:
Overwatching fires
Other support such as artillery,
including counter-battery fire and
smoke.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 28
ASSAULT FORCE
Suppresses enemy fires in the breach
area, cross the obstacle, and destroy the
enemy on the far side.
Infantry and armor units
Engineer assists the movement of the
assault force.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 29
BREACHING FORCE
Creates, and if necessary, mark lanes in
the minefield or obstacle which allow
passage of the assault force into the
objective.
Composed of:
Engineers
Infantry
Armor

CSS, TRADOC, PA 30
Methods of Breaching Available
to the Force Commander

HASTY BREACHING
DELIBERATE BREACHING
FORCING THROUGH

CSS, TRADOC, PA 31
HASTY BREACHING
Done to maintain the momentum of the
attack.
Attempts to breach “in stride” as it
encounters the obstacle.
Done by maneuver units with immediately
available assets & often w/o engineer
participation.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 32
DELIBERATE BREACHING
Conducted when it is not possible to take
in stride or after a hasty breach has
failed.
More time is required for…
Reconnaissance
Planning
Build-up of necessary resource

CSS, TRADOC, PA 33
FORCING THROUGH
Is the crossing of an obstacle without the
benefits of a countermine or counter
obstacle equipment.
Visual observation is the only means used
to avoid obstacles or mines.
Involves the highest risk
Attempted only when it is imperative to
maintain the momentum of the attack or no
other means is available.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 34
 Methods of Breaching
Conventional Mine Areas

MECHANICAL
EXPLOSIVE
MANUAL
EXPEDIENT MEANS

CSS, TRADOC, PA 35
MECHANICAL
Mechanical devices attached to the front
of an armored vehicle remove the mines
from the area in front of the vehicle or
explode them.
Examples:
Rollers
Full width plows
Track width plows

CSS, TRADOC, PA 36
EXPLOSIVE
Explosives are detonated setting off
nearby mines by sympathetic detonation
or blowing them away from the breach
lane.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 37
MANUAL
Personnel move
into the minefield
to detect, mark,
and then remove
the mines to clear
the lane.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 38
EXPEDIENT MEANS
Done when other breaching methods are
not available.
Examples:
Pushing disable vehicle through a
minefield.
Using earthmoving blades to clear mines.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 39
 Crossing Gaps
SHORT GAP CROSSING
RIVER CROSSING
HASTY CROSSING
DELIBERATE CROSSING

CSS, TRADOC, PA 40
SHORT GAP CROSSING
Examples of small gaps:
Small streams
Anti-tank ditches
Craters

CSS, TRADOC, PA 41
RIVER CROSSING
Are among the most critical, complex and
vulnerable combined arms operations.
When possible, rivers must be crossed in
stride as the continuation of the attack.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 42
HASTY CROSSING
Are decentralized operations using
organic, existing, or expedient means.
Executed as a continuation of the attack
with little or no loss of momentum.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 43
DELIBERATE CROSSING
When forces and equipment must be built
up to ensure success, deliberate
crossings are centrally planned and
coordinated.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 44
 ENGINEER TASKS IN THE
CROSSING
Identifying crossing sites.
Improving routes from the assembly
area or attack positions to the
crossing sites.
Removing land and water mines &
obstacles
Preparing crossing sites
Operating assault boats.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 45
Operating engineer regulating points
Assembling and operating rafts
Assembling and maintaining heavy
vehicular bridges.
Familiarizing, repairing & maintaining
approach roads and access & egress
sites.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 46
 Constructing & maintaining
combat routes
Concentrates on:
Preserving the mobility of the maneuver
elements in forward areas
Removing the obstruction that hamper
the advancing unit.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 47
CSS, TRADOC, PA 48page

COUNTER-MOBILITY
SUPPORT
 Countermobility Support
Halts or slow the enemy counter
attacks.
Isolate the battlefield.
By means of:
CONSTRUCTING OBSTACLES
EMPLOYING MINES

CSS, TRADOC, PA 49
 Battlefield Isolation
Purpose:
Prevents the enemy from reinforcing
weak areas under attack.
By means of:
Interdicting critical routes to hinder
movement of reserves & logistics.
May employ:
Scatterable mines

CSS, TRADOC, PA 50
 Security
Some natural features that may
contribute to flank security during
offensive operations:
Rivers
Ridgelines
Mines & obstacles maybe emplaced in
critical areas along flanks of
advancing force to protect them
against counterattack.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 51
CSS, TRADOC, PA 52page

SURVIVABILITY SUPPORT
Fighting & Protective Positions
Construct fighting positions for:
tactical vehicles
weapon systems.
Protective positions when maneuver
unit stop for breaching operations:
Anti-tank
Indirect fire weapons
Critical supplies such as ammunition

CSS, TRADOC, PA 53
 Camouflage
Good visual deception is first & most
important step in camouflage.
Done by confusing: color, shape,
texture, movement, position, and
shadow by human received
information.
Individual and command
responsibility.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 54
CSS, TRADOC, PA 55page
Defensive Operation Achieve one or
more of the following objectives:
Cause enemy attack to fail
Cause forces elsewhere
Control essential terrain
Retain tactical, strategic, or political
objectives
Gain time
Wear down enemy forces prior to
offensive operation.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 56
 Defensive Advantage

Better knowledge of terrain.

Could be reinforced with mines &
obstacles.
Operate from protected positions.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 57
CSS, TRADOC, PA 58page
CSS, TRADOC, PA 59page

MOBILITY SUPPORT
Purpose of mobility operation
in the defense
To preserve the freedom…
To maneuver
To engage the enemy
To move to other battle positions
To sustain the force logistically

CSS, TRADOC, PA 60
Engineers preserve mobility by:

Maintaining & constructing combat

routes.
Bypassing or breaching mines &
obstacles.
Supporting friendly counterattacks.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 61
CSS, TRADOC, PA 62page

COUNTER-MOBILITY
SUPPORT
Countermobility Operations
Reduce enemy’s ability to…
mass
maneuver
Increases enemy’s vulnerability to
friendly fire.
Make the best use of existing terrain
supplemented & integrated with
obstacle and mine systems (combat
multiplier for the defense).

CSS, TRADOC, PA 63
 Obstacles
EXISTING OBSTACLES
Are natural man-made features.
Examples: swamps, waterways, lakes,
tidal estuaries, forest, mountain, ditches,
urban areas, cut and fill

REINFORCING OBSTACLES
Constructed to reinforce & tie together
obstacles.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 64
Types of Reinforcing Obstacles

CONSTRUCTED OBSTACLES
DEMOLITION
EXPEDIENT

CSS, TRADOC, PA 65
CONSTRUCTED OBSTACLES
Anti-vehicular obstacles
Examples: log cribs, concrete blocks,
tetrahedrons, anti-tank ditches
Anti-personnel obstacles
Examples: wire entanglements

CSS, TRADOC, PA 66
RECTANGULAR OR TRAPEZOIDAL
DITCH

3.0 TO 3.5 M wide, 1.5 to 2.0 m deep and 1.2

to 1.5 m high for the uncompacted parapet can
no longer bridge and cross by tanks.
CSS, TRADOC, PA 67
TRIANGULAR

The steeper the wall the better 1.5m

deep, 5 to 6 m wide and 1.5 to 2.0 m of
uncompacted parapet in hard clay soil
can no longer breach by tanks alone.
CSS, TRADOC, PA 68
SIDEHILL CUT

1.5M DEEP AND 4.5 TO 6M WIDE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 69
 POST

CSS, TRADOC, PA 70
LOG
HURDLES

CSS, TRADOC, PA 71
TRIANGULAR LOG CRIB

CSS, TRADOC, PA 72
RECTANGULAR LOG CRIB DESIGN

CSS, TRADOC, PA 73
STEEL HEDGEHOGS

CSS, TRADOC, PA 74
STEEL TETRAHEDRON

CSS, TRADOC, PA 75
CONCRETE CUBES

CSS, TRADOC, PA 76
CONCRETE TETRAHEDRON

CSS, TRADOC, PA 77
CSS, TRADOC, PA 78
CSS, TRADOC, PA 79
CSS, TRADOC, PA 80
CSS, TRADOC, PA 81
CSS, TRADOC, PA 82
CSS, TRADOC, PA 83
CSS, TRADOC, PA 84
CSS, TRADOC, PA 85
CSS, TRADOC, PA 86
CSS, TRADOC, PA 87
DEMOLITION OBSTACLES
Are created with conventional nuclear
explosives.
Examples: road crater, blown bridges,
rubbles
Two (2) Categories:
Reserve demolitions - Located on AA,
counter-attack routes or routes of
withdrawal.
Preliminary demolitions – prepared &
blown either immediately or shortly after
preparation.
CSS, TRADOC, PA 88
EXPEDIENT OBSTACLES
Created by imagination & ingenuity from
existing resources in the battlefield.
Examples:
Rubbling of buildings
Large rocks bulldozed into roads
Flooding

CSS, TRADOC, PA 89
 CATEGORIES OF MINES
CONVENTIONAL
Mines that do not self-destruct.
Designed to be directly emplaced by hand
or by mechanical mine planting equipment.
SCATTERABLE
Self-destruct after a set period of time.
Remotely delivered by a group system,
artillery, and helicopters.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 90
 Use of Mines
To destroy, delay, disrupt, and
channel enemy forces.
To disrupt enemy formation and lines
of communication in rear areas .

CSS, TRADOC, PA 91
 Typical Conventional Mine Fuze

Main body

Main charge
Detonator

Booster

CSS, TRADOC, PA 92
 MINE EMPLACEMENTS
Method 1

M1 pull firing device

Activator
Secondary fuze well Activator
Secondary fuze well

M5 pressure-release firing device

CSS, TRADOC, PA 93
Method 2

Detonating Cord
C4 Explosive

M142l firing device

PRM
Blasting Cap

CSS, TRADOC, PA 94
 Maximum cover: 1 cm
Excess spoil is removed

Burial of Pressure Fuzed AT Mine

CSS, TRADOC, PA 95
 Burial of Tilt-Rod
Fuzed AT Mine Use natural cover to hide tilt-rod

Steep slopes to prevent tipping

Firm, Level base

CSS, TRADOC, PA 96
CSS, TRADOC, PA 97page

SURVIVABILITY SUPPORT
 Survivability Support
Protective Positions for:
command & control
critical equipment and supplies
Individual & crew served weapons
positions
Fighting vehicle positions
Cover for personnel & vehicles

CSS, TRADOC, PA 98
 Strong Points
Are heavily fortified, static position
designed to repel combined arms
attacks.
Built around a series of:
Fighting positions
Obstacles
Minefields
Located in critical terrain features
Its establishment is a major engineer
mission
CSS, TRADOC, PA 99
Typical Engineer Operation On
Deception & Camouflage
Provide assistance in camouflage &
concealment.
Provide planning assistance for
dummy positions & decoys.
Portray larger or different tactical
units.
Construct dummy positions & decoys.

CSS, TRADOC, PA 100

CSS, TRADOC, PA 101
 SUMMARY
5 PRIMARY BATTLEFIELD
MISSIONS
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
ENGINEER SUPPORT IN OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
ENGINEER SUPPORT IN DEFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
CSS, TRADOC, PA 102
CSS, TRADOC, PA 103
 THAT’S ALL
FOLKS. HAVE A
NICE DAY!!!
HIYAAAA…

CSS, TRADOC, PA 104

CSS, TRADOC, PA 105
 TRUSS BRIDGE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 106

 Arch Bridge
CSS, TRADOC, PA 107
 ARMORED VEHICLE LAUNCH BRIDGE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 108

 FLOATING BRIDGE
CSS, TRADOC, PA 109
 FLOATING BRIDGE
CSS, TRADOC, PA 110
 MEDIUM
GIRDER
BRIDGE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 111

 RIBBON BRIDGE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 112

 MOBILE ASSAULT BRIDGE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 113

CSS, TRADOC, PA 114
 FLOATING BRIDGE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 115

 FLOATING BRIDGE

CSS, TRADOC, PA 116

 ARMORED VEHICLE
LAUNCHED BRIDGE (AVLB)

CSS, TRADOC, PA 117

CSS, TRADOC, PA 118
CSS, TRADOC, PA 119
CSS, TRADOC, PA 120