TERRAIN INTELLIGENCE Ifope~}M' Oy QUARTERMASTER SCHOOL Lubflar
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MHI tI"Copy ? ·_aI i-,I C'opy 31 77 /; DEPARTMENT OF 'THE ARMY FIELD MANUAL TERRAIN INTELLIGENCE IfOPE~}m' Oy QUARTERMASTER SCHOOL LUBflAR. U.S. ARMY QUA. TZ. MSIR SCL, FORT LEE, VA. 22YOlS ,O.ISTx L.at. : , .S, HEAD QU ARTER S, DEPARTMENT OF T HE ARMY OCTOBER 1967 *FM 30-10 FIELD MANUAL HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY No. 30-10 I WASHINGTON, D.C., 24 October 1967 TERRAIN INTELLIGENCE CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ..........................-- 1-3 2. CONCEPTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Section I. Nature of terrain intelligence _____.______ .__. 4-7 II. Responsibilities -. ------------------- 8-11 CHAPTER 3. PRODUCTION OF TERRAIN INTELLIGENCE Section I. Intelligence cycle __ …...__…____-----__-- 12-16 II. Sources and agencies ….................... .--- 17-23 CHAPTER 4. WEATHER AND CLIMATE Section I. Weather ..................................... 24-39 II. Climate -.................................. 40-47 III. Operations in extreme climates _................. 48-50 CHAPTER 5. NATURAL TERRAIN FEATURES Section I. Significance .................................. 51, 52 II. Landforms __________ _------------- ------- 53-61 Drainage............................. 62-69 IV. Nearshore oceanography ................. 70-75 V. Surface materials ............................ 76-81 VI. Vegetation ................................... 82-91 CHAPTER 6. MANMADE TERRAIN FEATURES Section I. Significance -.............................. 92, 93 II. Lines of communication ….................... 94-103 III. Petroleum and natural gas ____. _._______.___ 104-108 IV. Mines, quarries, and pits ….................... 109-112 V. Airfields ----------------------------- 113-115 VI. Water terminals _______…-------- ----------- 116-118 VII. Hydraulic structures -........................ 119-121 VIII. Urban areas and buildings ................... 122-128 IX. Nonurban areas ___ _--------------------- 129-131 CHAPTER 7. MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE TERRAIN Section I. Military use of terrain _....._________._____._ 132-139 Ii. Special operations ......................... 140, 141 III. Water supply ----- --------- ---------- 142-147 CHAPTER 8. TERRAIN STUDIES Section I. Basic features _…-------…--------------------148-153 II. Terrain and climate _-___.._____._____..__ 154-156 III. Military aspects _____- _-------------- ---- 157-166 IV. Coastal hydrography .......................... 167, 168 CHAPTER 9. TRAFFICABILITY -......................... 169-178 APPENDIX A. REFERENCES -- ---------------------- B. OUTLINE FOR TERRAIN STUDIES __________ C. SAMPLE TERRAIN STUDY ................ D. SAMPLE CLIMATIC STUDY ______._________ E. NATURAL TERRAIN FEATURES -------------- F. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT FORMS 1396 AND 1396C ................................. INDEX . ................ *This manual supersedes FM 30-I10, 28 October 1959. 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1. Purpose and Scope 2. Changes and Comments a. This manual serves as a guide in the pro- Users of this manual are encouraged to sub- duction and use of terrain intelligence. It mit recommended changes or comments to im- shows how terrain and weather are evaluated prove it. Comments should be keyed to the in military planning and how terrain influ- specific page, paragraph, and line of the text ences combat. The manual also serves as a in which the change is recommended. Reasons guide in understanding the purpose, scope, should be provided for each comment to insure limitations, and applications of terrain analy- understanding and complete evaluation. Com- sis. The manual provides information con- ments should be forwarded to the Comman- cerning the acquisition and use of terrain in- dant, U.S. Army Engineer School, Fort Belvoir, telligence at unit level in a theater of opera- Va., 22060. tions. 3. Relation to Other Manuals b. This manual covers basic characteristics of the natural and manmade features of an The material presented in this manual is area and their effect on military operations. related to material in FM 5-30, FM 30-5, and It defines terrain intelligence and explains the TM 5-545. Other manuals of the FM 30- series intelligence process of collection, evaluation, cover specialized intelligence activities. FM interpretation of information, and dissemina- 100-5, FM 100-15, and FM 101-5 cover intel- tion of the finished intelligence. It discusses ligence in general staff activities and in the some of the sources of terrain information, plans and operations of large units. Field man- including their relative value and use. Guid- uals of the 5-series contain detailed informa- ance is furnished for the preparation of the tion on the operation of engineer troop units terrain study. The material presented herein and their intelligence functions. is applicable to both nuclear and nonnuclear warfare. 3 CHAPTER 2 CONCEPTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Section I. NATURE OF TERRAIN INTELLIGENCE 4. Definitions rain intelligence, he will be able to exploit the a. Terrain is part of the surface of the advantages of the terrain and avoid or mini- earth, including natural and manmade fea- mize its unfavorable aspects. By the proper tures. Both its natural and manmade features utilization of terrain, a numerically inferior affect military operations. force may achieve combat superiority over a larger enemy force. The compilation of terrain b. Terrain intelligence is processed infor- intelligence is not limited to enemy areas. It mation on the military significance of the also covers the area natural and manmade characteristics of an occupied by the friendly area. force and also the adjacent terrain. c. Terrain analysis is the process of inter- 6. Classifications preting a geographical area to determine the a. Mission. Terrain intelligence is classified effect of the natural and manmade features on according to the mission and level of the com- military operations. It includes the influence mand at which it is used. These categories are of weather and climate on those features. considered broadly as strategic and tactical or d. A terrain study is an analysis and inter- operational. Terrain intelligence is one element pretation of natural and manmade features in the intelligence requirements of a com- of an area, their effects on military operations, mander. Engineers have considerable interest and the effects of weather and climate on these in terrain because they are trained and equip- features. ped to make terrain studies and to conduct e. A terrain estimate is that portion of an field reconnaissance. analysis of the area of operations concerned b. Strategic. Strategic terrain intelligence with the military aspects of the terrain, and is concerned with large-scale plans and may in- the effects of the characteristics of terrain on clude the military capabilities of nations. Stra- enemy and friendly courses of action, including tegic intelligence is produced continuously and the possible use of nuclear weapons. requires the compilation and interpretation of information by highly specialized personnel. 5. Purpose Included in strategic intelligence are descrip- The purpose of terrain intelligence is to ob- tions and analyses of beaches, water terminals, tain data about the terrain, weather, and cli- inland waterways, urban areas, and major ter- mate, thereby assisting the commander in rain features; transportation and communica- making decisions and the troops in attaining tion systems; soils, rock types, underground their missions. In planning an operation, the installations, climate and weather, vegetation, commander and his staff analyze the effects state of ground, and hydrography. that the terrain and weather conditions will c. Operational. Operational terrain intelli- have upon the activities of both friendly and gence is produced for use in planning and con- enemy forces. The commander must make the ducting tactical or other operations. It is based most effective use of the terrain assigned to upon information secured locally or provided his unit. If he is furnished with adequate ter- by higher headquarters and is concerned pri- 4 marily with the effects of weather and ter- plans, particularly those prepared for special rain upon the particular operations of the unit. operations or for operations under extremes of Route reconnaissance reports are of greatest climate. Special studies, prepared from a logis- importance in providing current information tical viewpoint, are essential in planning op- about routes of communication. erations in mountains, jungles, or deserts, in d. Objectives. The difference in the type of snow and extreme cold, and for airborne and terrain intelligence required by strategic and amphibious operations. tactical planners reflects their objectives. The b. Problems. Research and development strategic planner may consider an entire coun- agencies are concerned with the problems re- try or continent, while the tactical planner is sulting from adverse climate, weather, and concerned only with the terrain in the area terrain. Terrain intelligence is necessary to of his operations. Where the strategic planner determine the requirements for new means of often studies problems that may arise some transportation, types of shelter and construc- years ahead and applies terrain intelligence in tion, weapons, and clothing. It is a basic re- a wide variety of hypothetical situations, the quirement in the development of new equip- tactical planner is primarily engaged with ment and in the maintenance and modification problems that currently involve his unit, al- of existing equipment. though he will study the