Tanks in the Street

<p>In December 1994 Russian armored forces assaulted Grozny Chechnya in an attempt to subdue armed opposition groups seeking independence. Within twenty-four hours of urban combat the Chechens destroyed two brigade-sized units while suffering minimal casualties. Analysts speculate that fundamental errors committed by Russian forces caused the uneven battle. They determined the Russians committed poorly trained and improperly organized armored forces into an urban environment. Are those subjective assessments correct? One way to test those conclusions is through simulation. Through a controlled set of computer simulations it was possible to test the evaluations made by the analysts. Important elements of the urban battle are replicated using commercial software. After developing a suitable control scenario of the initial battle a number of factors were examined by varying the settings in the simulation. The results from the different iterations provide evidence that confirms many of the analysts' observations. The Russians might have been successful in their initial assault into Grozny had they employed properly trained and organized forces for urban combat. Armored forces can play a significant role in successful urban combat operations. The US Army is currently revising their doctrine concerning the application of armored forces in urban terrain. Since doctrine is best derived from experience it is useful to examine a very difficult contemporary example of armor operations in a city and from that example begin to develop concepts for mounted combat in an urban environment.</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>