Chapter 1 Smoke Operations Overview
FM 3-101-1 CHAPTER 1 SMOKE OPERATIONS OVERVIEW Combat commanders refer to smoke as a two-edged sword. Smoke can assist a unit to succeed in battle or lead to its failure. There are many systems capable of providing smoke support: artillery, mortars, pots, grenades, aircraft, vehicles, and smoke generators. But only smoke generators are capable of providing a sustained, large-area smoke screen. This chapter will summarize the principles and applications of smoke in support of combat operations. FM 3-50, Smoke Operations, provides detailed guidance on the employment of smoke. Smoke unit leaders must understand the enemy, how the Army fights, and how smoke functions as a countermeasure to sensors and enemy reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition (RISTA). Potential enemy forces, how the Army fights, and electro-optical systems/sensors are explained in great detail in other publications (See References). This manual explains, in general terms, what the smoke unit leader needs to know about integrated smoke support (Chapter 1), explains the organizations and equipment available for generated smoke (Chapter 2), discusses planning and training necessary to engage smoke targets (Chapter 3). How to move and generate smoke is discussed in depth in Chapter 4. Chapters 5 - 6 outline the tactics, techniques and procedures for executing smoke support. Logistical planning considerations are found in Chapter 8. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE In September 1944 the 84th Smoke Generator Company was hastily recalled from its transportation duties to support the XX Corps crossing of the Moselle River near the town of Arnaville in eastern France. At the site of the crossing in the narrow valley of the Moselle, a railroad, a canal, and the river roughly parallel each other in a 500 yard belt (figure 1-1).
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