University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln DOD Military Intelligence U.S. Department of Defense 1-1946 Handbook on USSR Military Forces, Chapter VI: Fortifications War Department (USA) Robert L. Bolin , Depositor University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dodmilintel War Department (USA) and Bolin, Robert L. , Depositor, "Handbook on USSR Military Forces, Chapter VI: Fortifications" (1946). DOD Military Intelligence. 27. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dodmilintel/27 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Department of Defense at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in DOD Military Intelligence by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Technical Manual, TM 30-430 Handbook on USSR Military Forces Chapter VI Fortifications Robert L. Bolin, Depositor University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Technical Manual, TM 30-430, Chapter VI 1 January 1946 Handbook on USSR Military Forces Chapter VI Fortifications War Department Washington, DC Comments The copy digitized was borrowed from the Marshall Center Research Library, APO, AE 09053-4502. Abstract TM 30-340, Handbook on USSR Military Forces, was “published in installments to expedite dissemination to the field.” TM30-430, Chapter VI, 1 January 1946, “Fortifications,” is a detailed discussion of earthworks and structures used for defensive purposes. This chapter is illustrated with numerous drawings, diagrams, and charts. This manual is listed in WorldCat under Accession Number: OCLC: 19989681 1 Jan 46 TM 30-430 CHAPTER VI FORTIFICATIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Figure Section I. FORTIFICATIONS DOCTRINE VI-l 10. Development of personnel shblters. VT-14 and 15 1. General ............................ VI-l 11. Observation posts .............. VI-17 2. Organization of a defensive system ..... VI-2 ]2. Development of artillery emplacements. VI-I8 and 19 Section II. DELIBERATE CONSTRUCTION VI-6 13. Antiaircraft emplacements ........... VI-20 OF FORTIFICATIONS 14. Tank emplacement with camouflage remoTed VI-21 1. Organization of a strongl'oint ......... VI-6 15. Fire protection of obstacles .............. VI-22 2. Construction standards ............... VI-26 16. Machine-gun position covering an anlit.ank 3. Prefabricated pillboxes ............... VI-27 ditch ............................... VI-23 4. Permanent fortifications .............. VI-28 17. Antitank trap pattern ................... VI-24 5. Organization and priority of fortification 18. Profiles of antitank ditches ...... VJ-2S work ............................. VI-34 19. Escarpment and counterescarpment ....... VI-26 Section III. WINTER FOHTIFICATIONS .. VI-36 20. Antitank log barrier .................... VI-27 1. Winter modification of field fortifications. V1-36 21. Stone slide. ......... VI-28 2. Employment of snow, ice, and frozen 22. Density of minefields and t jme required to' ground ........................... VI-38 lay minefields ........................ VI-28 23. Hasty antipersonnel minefield ............ VI-29 24. Hasty antitank minefield ................ VI-29 List of Illustrations 25. Hasty mining of a road, ravine, or gully .... VI-30 Figure Page 26. Deliberate mining of a road. ....... VI-31 1. Organization of antitank defenses ......... VI-l 27. Protective thicknesses of various materials 2. Organization of an army defensive zone .... VI-3 used in Soviet fortifications. VI-32 and 33 3. Fortification of a center of resistance ...... VI-7 28. Prefabricated pillbox. VI-33 4. Fortification of a strongpoint. ............ VI-8 29. Typical permanent casemate... VI-34 5. Squad trench ........................... VI-9 30. Time and labor required for the organization 6. Standard trench profiles, showing develop. of a strongpoint. VI-35 ment of a commnnication trench ....... VI-lO 31. Winter modification of a firing position. VI-37 7. Built-up fortifications in swampy terrain .. V]-ll 32. Winter modification of an open machine-gnn 8. Open machine-gun emplacements ......... VI-12 emplacement. VI-38 9. Covered, reinforced, and concrete machine- 33. Reconstruction of a trl'nch into a shelter in gun emplacements .................... VI-13 winter. V 1-39 VI-I 1 Jan 46 TM 30-430 CHAPTER VI FORTIFICATIONS Section I. FORTIF'ICATIONS to delay and channelize the enemy advance, thus DOCTRINE facilitating destruction of the enemy by artillery and air counterpreparations and by counterattacks. 1. GENERAL Properly sited and effectively developed systems of The length of the U. S. S. R.'s frontiers and the size obstacles are the foundation of Soviet fortifications. of her territory have precluded the construction of These obstacles bar the enemy from access to tactical a continuous, permanent system of frontier fortifica­ objectives. A system of fire is built up to defend tions such as the Westwall or the Maginot Line. the obstacles. Machine guns and individual anti- Figure 1.-0rganization of antitank defenses. Shaped and developed by the impetus of modern tank guns provide local cover. Artillery and mortar armored and motorized warfare, the Soviet system defensive barrages supplement the obstacles and of defense is primarily an antitank defense capable interdict secondary approaches independently (fig­ of rapid development. It is based on natural and ure 1). artificial obstacles covered by and coordinated with With the development of the defensive system in an elaborate system of fire from field fortifications depth, the obstacles form a more and more cellular grouped into centers of resistance. Its purpose is system containing individual centers of resistance. VI-l TM 30-430 I Jan 46 In planning the cellular system, it is essential that time. Important strategic centers and naval bases friendly counterattacks against terrain seized by the are protected by forts, often old, with armored tur­ enemy not be impeded. As a result, the Soviets rets housing heavy guns. These must be ~upported do not employ complete all·around defense of a by field works and minefields to make possible their strongpoint, but provide a lane through which sup· close-in defense. porting strongpoints can lay down fire on a lost Experience of the war has shown that populated strongpoint without endangering counterattacking centers, especially large cities, can be developed friendly troops. Similarly, switch positions are into extremely formidable fortifications (see City designed for effective resistance in one direction Warfare, chapter V). Houses provide excellent only, when natural obstacles cover other approaches. defensive positions, particularly in basements. Rub­ The Soviets stress the importance of providing an ble serves for camouflage and protection against blast adequate reserve of fire in fortified areas. Key areas action. In addition, field fortifications of normal must be covered by several types of weapons­ types are readily constructed in parks and streets. artillery, mortars. and automatic weapons. Local Sewers and subways afford unusual possibilities for . over-saturation of defensive weapons must, however, unexpected counterattacks, shelter, and mining . b~ carefully avoided since it discloses the system of defense, is vulnerable to artillery fire, and leads to 2. ORGANIZATION OF A DEFENSIVE SYSTEM unnecessary losses. On the other hand, a reserve Soviet defensive positions are designed to stop the of weapons in protected positions must be available enemy in front of the main line of resistance, to to replace losses from enem\" fire. localize the· enemy's penetration, and to prevent his The construction of shelters, particularlv of a expansion frontally or in depth. The organization permanent type, for large numbers of troops is con­ of defensive positions is ordinarily based on an inter­ trary to Soviet doctrine. No more personnel is connected system of defensive cells, often arranged maintained within the defensive zone than is essen­ in a staggered, checker-board pattern. tial for the conduct of local defense. Mobile re­ a. Army defensive zone. An army defensive serves are maintained under centralized control for zone (figure 2) includes ~n outpost zone; several general counterattacks supported by powerful ar­ zones echeloned in depth, of which the first is the tillery counterpreparations. main zone of defense; switch positions; and an ob­ The Red Army also stresses the necessitv for stacle system (minefields and antitank areas) to fill deception in a defensive system. Camouflage tech­ the gaps between individual defense zones and link niques and discipline have been highly developed. them together into a single operational system. An Dummy positions of the most elaborate description Army defends a zone 18 to 30 miles deep and 30 to are often constructed and may be defended by small 50 miles wide. An infantry divisional defensive zone garrisons with equipment to simulate intensive fire. is 2112 to 3V~ miles deep and 5 to 7 miles wide. Generally, the dummy positions, particularly the Within the division, two regiments normally defend dummy forw ud lines, are sited so as to induce enemy on line with three battalions abreast; the third regi­ attack in a direction flanked by the actual positions. ment is held out as a rilObile reserve or to man the Forward slopes are often used for dummy positions. rear defensi~e position, and to provide troops for with the main positions on reverse slopes. Crests the outpost zone of defense.