Offensive Ops - Principles & Considerations

I’ve listed below the Key Principles and Basic Considerations for the various
phases of Offensive Operations as used in most western countries.

The Principles of War

Selection and Maintenance of the Aim Offensive Action

Concentration of Force Surprise
Economy of Effort Flexibility
Co-operation Administration
Security Maintenance of Morale

Key Principles Basic Considerations

Advance
Economy of Effort Acquisition of Information
Offensive Action Air situation
Surprise Protection
Flexibility Routes
Administration

Attack
Concentration of Force Acquisition of Information
Co-operation Timing
Security Objectives
Offensive Action Phases
Surprise Firm bases
Fire Plan
Rate of Advance (Assault)
Flank Security
Reserves (Own, Enemy)
Air situation
Administration

Pursuit
Selection and Maintenance of the Aim
Co-operation
Offensive Action

So for each type of Offensive Operation the relevant Principles (concepts if you
like) are listed as well as some of the Basic Considerations (a check list if you like
of things you need to think about / consider when developing your plan – and
indeed things the enemy has probably also given some thought to in his attempt
to counter it).
Note:

This is not meant to replace detailed tactical level publications such as “FM-17-
15-Tank-Platoon” (which is available from the “downloads” area), which cover the
“micro” level Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), but rather a more
generic overview.

Nor is it meant to replace METT-T, MAP, The Seven Questions, Auftragstaktik* (or
whichever other planning process/tool you maybe familiar with), or the sort of
detailed analysis that a MCOO or OCOKA provides.

If you are familiar with those acronyms, then you should know what I’m talking
about and if you aren’t then I’m sure there are UNCLAS sources to give you a
deeper insight into the whole “Art” vs “Science” discussion.

* Of course I had to include one polysyllabic German term, but one in what
twenty documents isn’t bad. 

(rev. 2.654).