AirLand Battle and the Division Artillery Counterfire Dilemma

<p>This monograph searches for an answer to the question: Does the current division artillery have the capability to perform both its direct support and counterfire missions effectively within the demands of AirLand Battle Doctrine? Historically the counterfire mission was accomplished by corps artillery. However the increased frontage of a corps on the dispersed battlefield envisioned by the Active Defense Doctrine led to a change in counterfire doctrine. This was appropriate for the Active Defense Doctrine developed in 1973 but this paper will argue that the current AirLand Battle Doctrine imposes different demands. These demands require a new counterfire doctrine for corps and division artillery. This monograph searches for a means to reconcile the demands placed on division artillery by its direct support mission its counterfire mission and its limited artillery assets. A lessons-learned examination of counterfire from World War Two until the present is the starting point highlighting those historically key elements which counterfire doctrine should address. Secondly the monograph examines the missions of division artillery in the perspective of AirLand Battle Doctrine. Thirdly we will compare American and Soviet artillery doctrine and weapon systems. This comparison seeks to understand the artillery employment on a European battlefield and to answer the question whether the current division artillery structure can accomplish its mission. Finally the paper proposes a possible solution to reconciling the dilemma faced by the division artillery commander and his counterfire mission. This proposal will suggest a doctrinal change which once again places the counterfire mission primarily with the corps artillery commander. Along with this doctrinal change will be the formation of counterfire battalions consisting of target acquisitions assets and multiple launched rocket system batteries. These counterfire battalions will be located at corps artillery.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>