Volume 46 March-April 1978 Number 2

The Field Artillery Journal is published bimonthly at the US Army

Field Artillery School for the same purpose stated in the first Field
Artillery Journal in 1911:
THE FIELD ARTILLERY
"To publish a Journal for disseminating professional knowledge and
furnishing information as to the field artillery's progress, development, SCHOOL
and best use in campaign; to cultivate, with the other arms, a common
understanding of the powers and limitations of each; to foster a feeling COMMANDANT
of interdependence among the different arms and of hearty
cooperation by all; and to promote understanding between the regular MG Jack N. Merritt
and militia forces by a closer bond; all of which objects are worthy and
contribute to the good of our country."
ASSISTANT COMMANDANT
Unless otherwise stated, material does not represent official
policy or endorsement by any agency of the US Army.
COL Eugene S. Korpal
Funds for the printing of the publication were approved by the
Department of the Army, 1 September 1973.
All articles and information submitted are subject to edit by the THE FIELD ARTILLERY
Journal staff; footnotes and bibliographies may be deleted from text
due to limitations of space. JOURNAL STAFF
All letters and articles should be addressed to Editor, Field Artillery
Journal, PO Box 3131, Fort Sill OK 73503. AUTOVON 639-5121/6806 or
Commercial (405) 351-5121/6806.
EDITOR
The Field Artillery Journal is pleased to grant permission to reprint MAJ William A. Cauthen Jr.
articles. Please credit the author and the Field Artillery Journal.
Subscriptions to the Journal may be obtained through the Field
Artillery Association, Fort Sill, OK 73503. The rate is $9 per year to US MANAGING EDITOR
and APO addresses. Canadian and Mexican addresses should add $2 Ms. Mary Corrales
for postage, and all other foreign addresses should add $3 for postage.

ASSISTANT EDITOR
Mr. William Finnegan

CIRCULATION MANAGER AND

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Ms. Ann Reese

POSTMASTERS: Controlled
circulation postage paid at Lawton,
OK, Department of the Army, DOD 314.
Bottom photo from book, Artillery, by John
Batchelor and Ian Hogg.
Articles
Evolution of Soviet Self-Propelled Artillery
by Mr. Andrew W. Hull 8
The Journal Interviews . . .
MG Albert B. Akers 13
Calculators and The Field Artillery Missions
by CPT Thomas H. Barfield 20
How Much Is Enough?
LTC (Ret) Roy E. Penepacker and 30 page 16
Mr. Lonnie R. Minton
Munitions Effectiveness
by CPT Larry D. Aaron 34
The Baron Rides Again
by COL (Ret) Arthur R. Hercz 37
Fort Sill . . . Fifty Years Ago
by COL (Ret) Numa P. Avendano 44
Gun and Run
by CPT Allan M. Resnick 48
At Sea With The Field Artillery
by CDR D. L. Davidson, USN 55 page 55

Decontaminate and Survive

by CPT Kenn Riordan 58
Features

On The Move . . . 2
Incoming 4
Right By Piece 16 page 50
View From The Blockhouse 25
Commander's Update 29
Redleg Newsletter 40
FA Test & Development 50
With Our Comrades In Arms 52
Redleg Review
60
page 30
On The Move . . .
by MG Jack N. Merritt

For want of a nail, a shoe was lost;

for want of a shoe, a horse was lost;
for want of a horse, a king was lost;
for want of a king; a battle was lost.

I am concerned that the Field Artillery System is

faced with this succession of cause and effect
relationships expressed by the poet George Herbert in
the 17th century. I think you in the Field Artillery
community ought to have an appreciation of this
situation.
The Legal Mix V Study and other analyses
conducted at Fort Sill and by other agencies have
identified improvements in existing materiel or new
materiel which can make a significant contribution to
overall FA System effectiveness on the modern
battlefield. We have been looking at the FA from a total
systems standpoint in order to identify where we can
improve our system by making doctrinal or materiel
improvements. Changes in counterfire doctrine and the
FIST concept are products of this effort. We are
making some great strides in materiel development
with the M198, TACFIRE, Copperhead, and the like
and we are grateful for the help we have received in is traditional with field artillery meteorological
these important areas. equipment, the FAMAS is experiencing severe funding
However, it appears to me that we have a "horseshoe problems. Its predecessor developmental system, the
nail" problem. Meteorological Data Sounding System, AN/UMQ-7,
We have a number of low visibility and relatively suffered the same type of funding problems and, after
low cost items which we have problems in getting over 14 years of development, was finally cancelled. FAMAS
the budget/acquisition hurdle. Specific items which are is headed down the same road. Current funding
key to modern fire support but are difficult to bring limitations might delay FAMAS fielding until at least
into being are: 1985. By the time all units receive FAMAS, the GMD-1
will be more than 40 years old. Meteorology is the only
• Field Artillery Meteorological Acquisition System
part of the FA System that has not been upgraded
(FAMAS). Our current meteorological system is the
during the past 30 years, even though meteorological
Rawinsonde System, AN/GMD-1. This system was
effects are the greatest contributor to the overall FA
classified Standard A in 1949 and has been in
System error. Delaying development of FAMAS will
continuous use since that time. The GMD-1 uses World
preclude us from maximizing the capabilities of other
War II electromechanical technology, is cumbersome,
elements of the FA System; e.g., longer range weapons,
requires manual data reduction, lacks mobility, and
improved ammunition, and our modern automated
does not interface with TACFIRE. Over the years, the
TACFIRE/BCS system. Most serious of all will be the
equipment has become increasingly more expensive to
delay in achieving the Field Artillery's ultimate goal of
maintain because of its age and relative low density
first round fire for effect.
within the Army. In many cases, depots must fabricate
replacement parts. The GMD-1's lack of required • Field Artillery Acoustic Locating System (FAALS).
capabilities and its low reliability render it inadequate Sound ranging is the only passive target acquisition
for employment on the modern battlefield. However, as system currently in the Army inventory. The technique

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of sound ranging in our Army has remained virtually of enhancing the survivability of the softest element in
unchanged since it was first employed in World War I. our gun positions, the cannoneer. The exposed posture of
Nevertheless, sound ranging is a viable target the M110 howitzer crew and the M548 ammunition
acquisition technique as evidenced by the fact that every vehicle which serves both the M110 and the M109 must
major army in the world employs it. However, to remain be corrected. Legal Mix V analysis shows beyond doubt
an effective target acquisition system, sound ranging that protection of the people in these two vehicles results
must be automated and then its concept of employment in significantly fewer personnel casualties and therefore
changed to keep it from being saturated by battlefield increased operational availability of cannons. In addition
noise. It would provide us with a passive, extremely to the ballistic protection for the M548, improved
rapid and accurate means of locating enemy cannon materiel handling equipment is needed for better
artillery. FAALS will be employed as a complementary handling of packaged ammunition in the firing position
system to our FIREFINDER radars, acting as a cuing to improve response time and perhaps identify personnel
system that will cut the emitting time of the radars, savings.
thereby increasing the radar's survivability. To counter The above items may appear insignificant to many
the massive artillery employment of the threat forces, since they don't have the visibility of a Pershing
rapid and accurate location of their artillery is critical. missile, a tank, or an aircraft, but these are the weak
Survivability in the electronic warfare environment is links — the "horseshoe nails" in the Field Artillery
also critical. In spite of these critical needs, development System. Moreover, these are not gold plated frills — to
and fielding of the FAALS has been cancelled. the contrary; the potential savings in ammunition alone
• Field Artillery Radar Chronograph (XM90). The by providing a better meteorological system to improve
current radar chronograph (M36) is used to determine the accuracy of our system offers enormous reduction
the muzzle velocity variations of cannons. It is bulky, in the logistics burden from factory to gun tube.
heavy, difficult to maintain and operate, and requires a The Field Artillery "horse" and "rider" are in good
dedicated vehicle, generator, and crew. To assist in shape and deserve your full confidence, but I am
achieving good first round accuracy without registration concerned about some of the "nails." I will devote my
or adjustment, a better system is needed. Commercial best efforts to filling out the system and I solicit the
items have been undergoing testing and evaluation since support of Redlegs everywhere in this important work.
1971. In 1973 USAFAS submitted a requirement for a
lightweight doppler radar system that could be attached
to a howitzer. Such a system would be operated by the
howitzer crew and not require additional people, Salute to MG Akers
vehicles, or equipment. Three competitive models were
submitted for testing and evaluation in 1976-77. None
This issue of the Journal includes an interview with
of the models met all the desired performance
a fine Artilleryman — MG A1 Akers who spent a
characteristics; however, one model was considered
crucial 40 months at the School before leaving to
acceptable without additional testing. We are hopeful
become the Director of Materiel Plans and Programs,
that procurement actions now under way will move this
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research,
project along and we can get our hands on this sorely
Development, and Acquisition at DA. Colonel Akers
needed item soonest.
came to Sill from Fort Hood in August 1974. He
• Intrabattery Radio Communications System. In became the Director of Instruction and was involved in
the past, field artillery moves were mostly deliberate, the formulation of many of the innovations being
well-planned, and infrequent. However, our studies developed in the newly formed TRADOC.
indicate that, in the battlefield of the 1980s and beyond,
an artillery battery may move 10 to 12 times per day — On 1 August 1975 he was promoted to Brigadier
with the majority of the moves being hasty. General and became the Assistant Commandant and
Consequently, an intrabattery system providing undertook the task of directing the reorganization of
instantaneous communications to supplement our the School. Many of the training and management
current wire system is essential. The Small Unit concepts found throughout TRADOC are the result of
Transceiver (SUT), AN/PRC-68, is therefore being things A1 Akers started here at Sill. And, he was
developed. The SUT is a short-range FM radio to be responsible for developing an effective team to bring
issued one per howitzer, one per battery FDC, and one about the many changes in the Field Artillery.
per battery operation center. On behalf of Redlegs everywhere, I want to express
• Protection from enemy artillery. Materials are our deep appreciation to A1 Akers for his great
now available which, properly applied, offer the potential contribution.
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 letters to the editor
"There are improvements to be made in nearly everything we do, if we will but
exploit all the resources available to us, including soliciting the ideas of all
soldiers, from private to senior general." –GEN Bernard W. Rogers, 17 Aug 76
Pershing is FA Individual training — at the To pursue our concerns a bit further,
crossroads? let's look at the officer training proposals.
I, along with other Pershing missilemen The Lieutenant's Manual is a reality.
throughout the world, am offended by the Most of us have been part of a four-year Currently, it does not have the same
term "Artillery related MOS" in reference evolution led by General DePuy. impact as the Soldier's Manual. However,
to 15E (Pershing missile crewman) SRBs TRADOC, under DePuy's leadership, led in its fledgling form, the Lieutenant's
in the Redleg Newsletter (FA Journal, the Army to some fundamental changes in Manual represents a first step toward a
Nov.-Dec. 77). thought and force structure. The motive move to officer's qualification tests. Yet
I was of the opinion that we in Pershing force for the changes was basic: Prepare the manual now is little more than a
were full-fledged Field Artillerymen and for the war we are likely to fight rather laundry list of disjointed tasks, most of
not just some second cousin to the tube than devote too much study to reruns of which have little to do with "how to
types. the last war — a syndrome which has fight." As such, the manual serves very
Pershing is the Army's longest range historically given rise to faulty preparations. little use as a working document for
and most powerful weapon system and the The new TRADOC focus provided two training officers. This flows from a
only Field Artillery system with a full positive results. First, it fostered an fundamental problem which has been
time Quick Reaction Alert role. environment alive with the excitement of recognized for more than a decade by
Let's remember that those of us who study and debate of the tactics necessary to leaders in education and military training
serve in missiles are not, and will never be, win the central battle of the next war. research. Subjective skill identification
second class artillerymen. Second, it precipitated a new drive toward and follow-on performance-oriented
training soldiers and units how to fight and instruction is difficult, if not impossible,
Douglas J. Middleton win. to develop. On the other hand, the
MAJ, FA A third effect is not quite so positive. An objective skills required in our enlisted
Fort Sill, OK environment for change exists which may career management fields have proved
see us overextend the successes of the last generally easier to identify and place into
There was certainly no slight intended. four years. We must resist the temptation well defined tasks, conditions, and
The term you objected to arose through the to build more complex tactical and training standards. Thus, it is not accidental that
editorial process of taking a DA release on systems simply because the model from the officer courses in our service schools
Army-wide MOS changes and extracting which to do so exists. are still wrestling with something called
only those MOSs that are of interest to Individual training in the Army is "criterion referenced instruction" more
commanders of artillery units. For coming perilously close to being an than a decade after researchers
example, the item listed 31D which is a abberation of anything that could have introduced the schools to the concept of
Signal Corps MOS, but a Pershing unit been remotely intended by General DePuy. training keyed to tasks, conditions, and
would certainly be interested in the We are turning out voluminous Soldier's standards. Our error is one of
availability of TRC-80 operators. Manuals and are developing the Skill commission, in that, in our zeal to
Despite the fact that Pershing Qualification Test (SQT) as a measure of coordinate individual training programs
battalions make up less than four percent the soldier's job proficiency and suitability for officers, we force the issue of an
of the Active Field Artillery, that is the for promotion. Most of this was done officer's manual akin to the Soldier's
only caliber to which an issue of the thoughtfully. The skill concept appears Manual without giving careful
Journal has been devoted (May-June sound, but there are recognized pitfalls in consideration to the very real differences
1977). To help allay any concern that the testing. between the basic nature of the skills of
Journal is strictly "cannon" oriented, we • How much should we test hands-on the officer and enlisted soldier.
have changed our "Right by Piece" logo to versus written?
• What happens to the administrative There are some who have heard the
include a missile.
overhead in the field as the percentage of DePuy "best soldier" theory which, put
It is time to put to rest the feeling that performance sampling goes up? simply, says that the unit leader must be
there are two US Field Artilleries — tube • Can we afford such luxury? (If not, are the best of each type soldier in the unit —
and missile. There is only one, with we compelled to reduce the proposed role the field artillery battery executive officer
different calibers, and it is the best artillery of SQTs in personnel management should be the best cannoneer in the
in the world! — Ed. decisions?) battery. Should the officer leader be

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 Incoming
the most skillful member of the unit in
Soldier's Manual tests, or are we off the
mark by establishing such
requirements? There is no evidence to
support other than the latter. The officer
leader must not get embroiled in detailed
task performance of those career fields
under his supervision. He must, however,
know weapons systems capabilities and
how to employ them. He must know the
enemy in detail and must supervise the
individual training of subordinates,
promoting their welfare and inspiring
them to win in the face of sometimes
overwhelming odds. This is "officer
business" and must be the focus of
our officer training — lieutenant to
general officer.
The first four years of TRADOC
have been good years. We however
stand at a crossroad. We must
consolidate the positive gains in training
the individual and move continually, but A Minolta SRT 201 with a 50-mm
Super shot
thoughtfully, forward in order to extend f/1.7 lens was used with the following
our system of individual training, setting: shutter speed 1/1000 seconds at
I thought you might be interested in
especially as it applies to officers. f/1.7.
this picture because of its rarity. Many
David S. Jackson "old timers" tell me this is the first time Phillip D. Parks
LTC, FA they've seen such a picture. Specialist 4
Fort Ord, CA 6th Bn, 9th FA
I took the picture at Grafenwoehr APO New York
The USAFAS department responsible for during our unit's ARTEP. The 175-mm Thanks a million. We welcome good FA
the Lieutenant's Manual says that the round "caught" is traveling at action shots. Any other good
manual is not intended to be a vehicle for approximately 3,000 feet per second. photographers out there? — Ed.
officer's qualification tests. While the tasks
listed may seem like a laundry list, the
purpose was to provide a comprehensive chief can refer to this form to find out The data you are talking about is so
starting point for subsequent refinement into what the soldier has been taught and voluminous it would take about half the
a valid task list. The rationale for the task how well he performed in training. pages of each issue. The information you
list and plans for its future use are want should be available in every FA unit
Paul Green orderly room in at least one of the following
explained in detail in this issue's "View
CPT, FA
From The Blockhouse." — Ed. formats:
FA Training Center
Fort Sill, OK • USAFAS Circular 135-1, published
FATC corrections
annually, mailed to every Reserve battalion
One point needs clarification in the As long as we are correcting the record, and separate battery listing staff refresher
article I wrote which appeared in the there are two typographical errors in the red courses.
January-February 1978 Journal. The charts on page 20 of that issue. Line 1 of
Field Artillery Training Center (FATC) block 1 should read "Apply first-aid • The USAFAS "Schedule of Classes"
does not teach all skill level 1 tasks. We procedures" and title of block 3 should (the "Red Book"), published annually and
teach only the skill level 1 tasks read "(individual and crew served mailed to every state Adjutant General and
identified in the 13B Commander's weapons)." — Ed Readiness Region, lists the start dates of
Manual which have been designated to every session of every resident course.
be taught in the institutional setting. This Distribution is being expanded to include
Resident training schedules
is, in fact, less than half of all skill level every battalion and separate battery.
1 tasks. The remainder must be taught at
It is almost impossible to keep up
the unit of assignment. To help clarify
exactly where each individual stands in
with what resident courses are available • DA Pam 351-4, available to all units,
for Reserve Component Artillerymen. lists the courses but not the start date of each
individual training, the soldier reporting
Why don't you publish course titles and class. This data, or any USAFAS training
to his first unit from the FATC brings
starting dates in the Journal? data, can be obtained from the School's
along in his 201 file an individual
Directorate of Course Development and
training record (TRADOC Form 578-R). A Guardsman Training. — Ed.
The receiving commander or section
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Incoming
SSB solves NG training problem appeared to be the best solution as each winning our most crucial peacetime battle
unit maintains an SSB receiver/transmitter — that against the "hostile training
Now that recognition of the "hostile for state emergencies. environment."
training environment" exists at all levels of Finding a location to fire is a constant
command, it is time to act to counter this Richard E. Bond
problem for units remote from military LTC, COARNG
common enemy. It is surprisingly easy for installations. After some research, we
commanders and operations personnel to Longmont, CO
requested and received permission to fire
blame their lack of training on this live ammunition on Bureau of Land
environment; unfortunately, it is much Countermortar training
Management land near a small town
harder to come face-to-face with the named Delta, about halfway between My unit has devised what we believe is
problems and use resourcefulness to Montrose and Grand Junction in western an excellent aid to training countermortar
overcome them. Perhaps a good look Colorado. It was then planned for A and C radar crews. We use an inexpensive
should be taken at what National Guard Batteries to fire live at Delta while B commercial model rocket, with aluminum
units are doing to overcome their training Battery would participate in a dry exercise foil attached for reflectivity (see photo), to
problems. Not only are these units at a training area on the outskirts of simulate hostile weapons. The rockets
operating under extremely limited budgets, Denver. available range in size from one to three
but they are forced to train units based on Ammunition was brought from Fort feet and can achieve heights of a few
two days training a month plus a two-week Carson, howitzers were transported by hundred to more than 1,000 feet.
annual training session. In spite of this, lowboy, and all other logistical aspects Each rocket costs about $4 and each
many units have become very efficient in were resolved. Reservations about the engine (propellant charge) costs about 80
the training field. Obvious techniques, exercise from State officials and Regular cents. A built-in recovery parachute
such as using the M31 trainer and wheel Army advisors were assuaged, and the enables multiple launchings, so we get
vehicles to simulate tracks, are routine. operational planning emerged as an "lots of bangs for a few bucks."
Real training accomplishments are gauged operations order. We devised some conversion formulas
by innovations going beyond these simple
Finally on 21 May 1977, two firing and firing tables to account for difference
training techniques. My battalion went
batteries rolled onto parched earth near in scale. We have found this system works,
much farther and overcame overwhelming
Delta, established communications with a it saves money over using service
obstacles in order to provide battalion
battalion FDC 250 miles away, and ammunition, and it adds some fun to
level control to its field operations on a
commenced shooting. training. Anyone desiring details may
routine basis.
write to me.
The 1st Battalion, 157th Field Artillery, While Operation Longshot was not an
Colorado Army National Guard, has a end in itself, it was certainly a beginning. Douglas M. Hurst
TOE similar to the active component Enormous obstacles were overcome and a LT, USMC
nondivisional, 8-inch general support dispersed battalion was able to function as HQ Btry, 12th Marines
battalion. There the similarity ends. My a single entity. The operation was viewed FPO San Francisco, 96602
battalion has its headquarters in Longmont, as a success by even the most skeptical,
and it exhibited what can be accomplished Thank you for sharing your ideas with us.
CO, its service battery in Boulder, and its Always good to hear from our Marine
firing batteries spread throughout the state with a combination of initiative and
aggressiveness. This exercise far exceeded Redlegs. — Ed.
in Golden, Grand Junction, and Montrose.
In the best weather (summer), it is a my expectations. For the first time, the
six-hour drive from the eastern Rocky unit was able to mass fires and compute
Mountains slope to the two units on the missions from a common focal point on a
west side of the mountains. In the winter, weekend drill using distance to our
travel through the Rockies is difficult at advantage.
best. While active component units find On 1 October, the whine of diesel
integration of battery and battalion engines and the echoes of exploding
operations difficult, this battalion faced the rounds were again heard by the inhabitants
ultimate challenge. The goal was to of western Colorado. It is extremely
provide for battalion controlled operations impressive to note that a battalion, not
on a weekend drill period — a necessity to having fired in five months, was able to
meet the operational readiness goals put rounds out within two hours of arrival
outlined in ARTEP 6-165. in the simulated combat arena. This time
We devised Operation Longshot, aimed included both reconnaissance of position
at integrating the battalion's control of and operator's pre-operation checks.
both operations and fire direction. Even though SSB radio cannot solve
every unit's training problems, this
The obvious initial problem was
example of aggressively meeting and
communications. FM communication was
overcoming training obstacles can have
definitely out because of the 14,000-foot Modified hostile weapons simulator with
impact on all training situations. It is aluminum foil attached to body and fins.
peaks and distances in excess of 250 miles.
without question, a remarkable example of
Single sideband (SSB) communications
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 Incoming
Mil versus meter shift? • Fourth, in contrast to the chart FA Commemorative print
syndrome, mil shifting is an extremely
Before I comment on the School's note simple problem for a computer or a A major project is underway by the
at the end of my article "Improving the calculator because the subroutines are Field Artillery Association in
Adjustment of Fire" in the already there and the capability to store cooperation with one of the most famous
January-February 1978 Journal, I should almost any number of FO locations (our wildlife artists in America to help
like to commend the Journal for their 3.5-pound calculator stores 9) adds preserve our branch heritage.
outstanding accomplishments in keeping practically nothing to the cost.
field artillerymen informed on what is From another viewpoint, doesn't it The artist, Ray Harm, is widely
going on in their branch. I am biased seem incongruous that in our observer acclaimed for his West Point eagle
perhaps, but to me the Field Artillery polar plotting procedure we plot initially painting and other works. A limited
Journal is the most interesting of the with an azimuth (mils) and distance and edition color print of the American Bison
service publications, and I read most of then revert to the inaccurate (mil relation) or buffalo will be made from an original
them. The articles in the Journal are very meters for subsequent shifts? Is this painting by Harm.
closely tied to the intellectual and going backwards?
I do not agree with the statement that The buffalo is both a national symbol
pragmatic needs of all field artillerymen,
the observer has the full burden of and a symbol of the West. In the 19th
and the variety of articles and the way
locating himself. It can be done by PADS, century, buffalo were more numerous
they are presented are exceptional. In the
PLARS, laser, etc.; by having the FDC than any other large game animal on
last issue, there were two unusually
compute his location from azimuth and earth. Countless thousands of these great
outstanding contributions — the one from
distance from a known point; or by beasts roamed the Fort Sill area in Indian
the Commandant, Major General Merritt,
measuring and reporting angles between Territory days. They served as the Plains
and the one from Doctor Bloustein.
known points, simultaneous bursts, or Indians commissary and as a welcome
Now to the main objective of my letter staple in the diet of early-day troopers.
successive bursts. There are many more
— my rebuttals to the Editor's note:
existing techniques, and new technology Few who have visited the Field
• First, let me say that the implication
will keep adding to this. If we fight in Artillery Museum will forget the old sign
that I was recommending a replacement
Europe, we will have the best maps in the at the entrance to the Geronimo
for the meter shift (mil relation) procedure
world, so the observer should have no Guardhouse, "The shooting of buffalo
is not valid. I never mentioned exclusivity;
difficulty, even under the most mobile from barracks windows is prohibited."
and by telecon I emphasized several times
conditions, in locating himself to Ancient buffalo wallows can still be seen
that my article was not meant to restrict
near-survey accuracy. on the firing ranges, and the nearby
the observer to any one type of procedure
The Editor's comment about the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is
and that an optional "either/or" capability
number of artillery observers under FIST home to one of the nation's largest
(mil shift, if the observer is roughly
is correct, but this is because the infantry buffalo herds.
located; meter shift, if he is not) was what
mortar platoons have lost their observers The buffalo print will be
I meant.
to the artillery. Actually, before FIST, we approximately 24 by 30 inches. Four
• Secondly, I agree that there are
had a greater combined number of hundred prints will be released on the
situations when the observer may not be
infantry and artillery observers. first day of issue at Fort Sill in June of
able to locate himself, even roughly. In
In conclusion, my question as stated in this year. These prints will be signed by
this case, we have no alternative except to
the article still stands. "Is there now any the artist and bear a "First Day of Issue"
fire the meter shift. Thus, the "either/or"
basis left for keeping the observer tied to seal and a special FA Museum seal. An
option harms nothing; it is simply
the meter shift?" additional 800 signed prints will be
available to provide flexibility and greater
accuracy and responsiveness when Hopefully, my article, as well as these available later with the Museum seal and
feasible. comments, will be read and the matter inscription.
• Third, to prove that my idea is not as explored further to stimulate comments Members of the Field Artillery
wild as some may think, I should like to and suggestions from the field. Association will be given first priority in
add that the Swiss have a S. Rizza ordering these prints. Inquiries should be
super-outstanding artillery force (500 COL (Ret), FA addressed to the FA Association, c/o the
batteries), and they have incorporated the Van Nuys, CA FA Museum, Fort Sill, OK 73503.
dual capability in their new battery
computer systems. In fact, in the only Funds derived from the project will be
instances where we [Litton] made this Reunion used to obtain vitally needed
suggestion to other countries (Norway, environmental control equipment for the
Sweden, and Germany), all have not only The Washington Artillery Museum's Conservation Laboratory and
expressed their desire to add this Veterans Association will meet its collection of perishable, irreplacable
capability to their calculators, but have May 5-7 in Lawton, OK. artifacts.
been extremely enthusiastic about it. With Contact Eddie P. Benezech,
this start, I am sure that the fire direction 1200 Friscoville Ave., Arabi, James W. Wurman
computer of the future will have this dual LA 70032. COL, FA
capability. President, FA Association

—7—
 design bureaus began to develop systems which
Evolution of merited more extensive production and introduction
into Soviet military units. And, as with earlier
experimental models, these systems emphasized
supporting infantry and armor operations. Several of

Soviet these guns, particularly the SU45 and the SU57, were
of such quality that they saw extensive action in the
fighting with Finland and in the early phases of the
German invasion.

Self-propelled Wartime tank destroyers (1942-1945)

Originally during 1941 and early 1942, members of

the Artillery Committee2 planned for the "fastest

Artillery development of SAU (self-propelled artillery) designed

to accompany infantry" — concepts in keeping with
prewar designs.3 These plans conceived of many new
systems (table 2), including a self-propelled pillbox
by Mr. Andrew W. Hull destroyer outfitted with a 152-mm gun-howitzer.4
Although the State Committee for Defense had
approved these plans, it changed its decision in October
D espite the Soviet military's interest in
1942 and ordered concentrated development and
production of antitank SP artillery systems.
self-propelled (SP) artillery stretching back to the This change of plans was virtually complete; that is,
1930s, developmental objectives and operational only one system was fielded throughout the rest of the
requirements for these weapons have varied greatly war which aimed at infantry support — the SU76. And
from one decade to the next. This changing emphasis is even this system was originally intended as an antitank
of particular note since it is in marked contrast to the weapon, but the thinness of its armor made it too
developmental pattern of other Soviet ground forces vulnerable to German tank guns and consequently it was
weapons, such as tanks or towed artillery, which have relegated to infantry support duties. Soviet disregard for
had fairly consistent design objectives and operational the value of a specialized infantry support SP gun is well
roles over the last 30 to 40 years. illustrated by the fate of the SU122 which began
Prewar systems (1930-1941) production in January 1943 but was withdrawn in
autumn of that same year. The SU122, according to an
Soviet developmental efforts through the mid-1930s article in the September 1976 edition of Soviet Military
concentrated on creating SP artillery configurations Review, was "an effective antipersonnel weapon;
suitable for supporting infantry and tank operations. In however, owing to the low initial velocity, its
fact, of the 12 systems known to have been designed armour-piercing characteristics were inadequate." This
between 1932 and 1936, only one — a coastal defense same Soviet article reported that, because of its poor
weapon — had a role other than infantry or armor performance as a tank killer, the SU122 was soon
support (table 1). Such design and development replaced by the SU85 which was later praised as "an
emphasis was predictable since the 1931-1932 Armor excellent tank buster and tank support gun."
Program called for SP artillery configurations capable of Despite Soviet disinterest in specialized infantry
direct support for armor, cavalry, and infantry offensive support SP artillery, existing tank destroyers sometimes
operations.1 Although the Soviets devoted considerable did provide such service. This is suggested by the fact
resources to creating these early SP guns, most of the that the tank destroyers carried high explosive shells in
systems never got beyond the prototype or limited addition to armor-piercing rounds; however, regardless
production stage. Nevertheless, these experiences of this capability, accounts of World War II actions
provided the groundwork for later Soviet designs. make it clear that this was a limited secondary function.
After this lengthy period of experimentation, Soviet
———————
1
John Milsom, Russian Tanks 1900-1970 (Galahad Books, New York, 1970), p. 36.
2
The Artillery Committee was apparently subordinate to a main administration charged with production of self-propelled artillery.
3
"Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery," Technology and Armament, No. 2, February, 1973, p. 162.
4 Ibid., p. 162.
—8—
 Table 1. Prewar SP artillery (1930-1941)

Experimental and limited production models

First year
Designation Chassis Caliber/type Purpose
identified

M1932 1932 T28 medium tank 152-mm gun/howitzer Direct support of armor units
Modified T28
M1933 1933 152-mm Coastal defense
medium tank
203-mm gun/howitzer
SU7 1933 Unknown or interchangeable Infantry support
305-mm howitzer
Reinforced &
AT1 1933 modified T26 76-mm tank gun Tank support
light tank
SU5-1 1934 T26 light tank 76-mm divisional gun Tank and cavalry support
122-mm divisional
SU5-2 1934 T26 light tank Tank and cavalry support
gun/howitzer
152-mm divisional
SU5-3 1934 T26 light tank Tank and cavalry support
gun/howitzer
SU6 1935 T28 medium tank 152-mm gun/howitzer Probably infantry support
SU8 1935 T28 medium tank 76-mm Tank support
M1935 1935 T26 light tank 76-mm Tank support
T28 and T35 medium
SU14 1935 tank chassis 203-mm Probably infantry support
components
T28 and T35 medium
SU14-1 1936 tank chassis 152-mm naval gun Probably infantry support
components

Series production models

First year
Designation Chassis Caliber/type Purpose
identified
Destruction of bunkers &
SU14-Br.2 1939 Unknown 152-mm gun/howitzer
strong fortifications
T199/SMK heavy
SU100Y 1939 130-mm Infantry support
tank
Komsomolets
SU45 1940-1941 45-mm Armor support
tractor
Komsomolets
SU57 1940-1941 57-mm Armor support
tractor

Analysis of Soviet articles dealing with World War II Developments from 1957 through 1962
weapons design and production suggests several major
reasons why they concentrated on SP artillery as The first signs of postwar Soviet SP artillery design
antitank weapons. For one thing, the large tank battles did not emerge until 1957 when four new systems (table
with the Germans from 1942-1944 caused an extensive 3) were unveiled: the ASU57, the M1957 310-mm gun,
requirement for more tank killers. Manufacture of SP the M1957 400/420-mm mortar, and the M1957
artillery provided an attractive alternative to increased 122-mm gun. Significantly, three of these four systems
tank production since these weapons could be produced were special-purpose weapons. The ASU57, for instance,
more quickly than tanks, as SP guns required no turret came in two models (one with steel armor and the other
assemblies. In addition, SP artillery mounts could be with aluminum armor); both models, however, were
equipped with larger caliber guns than could be fitted on developed as air transportable systems so that airborne
a tank with an equivalent chassis. For example, the T34 troops could use them as either assault or antitank
tank carried a 76-mm gun, but the SU85, using the same weapons. The 310-mm gun and the 400/420-mm mortar
chassis, was fitted with an 85-mm gun. also seems to have been a departure from World War II

—9—
 Table 2. World War II tank destroyers (1942-1945).

First year
Designation
identified
Chassis Caliber/type Purpose
SU76 1942 T70 light tank 76-mm Tank destroyer & later
infantry support
SU122 1942 T34 medium tank 122-mm howitzer Tank destroyer
SU76M 1942 T70 light tank 76-mm Infantry support (SU76M
had improved motive power)
SU152 1943 KV1S heavy tank 152-mm howitzer Tank destroyer
SU85 1943 T34 medium tank 85-mm tank gun Tank destroyer
SU100 1944 T34 medium tank 100-mm naval gun Tank destroyer
JSU122 1944 Joseph Stalin 122-mm gun Tank destroyer
heavy tank
JSU122S 1944 Joseph Stalin 122-mm tank gun Tank destroyer
heavy tank
JSU152 1944 Joseph Stalin 152-mm Tank destroyer
heavy tank

practices since they were evidently intended to out the dual purpose of antitank and assault missions.
provide indirect fire support — a role indicated in part During this period, the Soviets also developed
by their relatively light armor protection. It should also another 100-mm SP gun which they revealed in May
be noted that the 310-mm gun was special in that it was 1962. Although the intended use of this weapon was
capable of firing both nuclear and conventional never disclosed, it may have been another attempt to
rounds. The 1957 Moscow May Day parade also produce an upgraded tank destroyer.
displayed a 122-mm gun mounted on a T54 tank
Soviet satisfaction with the seven prototypes
chassis in a configuration reminiscent of World War II
which came out between 1957 and 1962 can be
tank destroyers.
gauged in part by the extent of their production and
Another 420-mm mortar, possibly an improvement of deployment. Only the ASU57 and ASU85 were
the 1957 mortar, was disclosed in 1960. Two years later, extensively produced and used. The 310-mm gun,
two new SP systems appeared in the May Day parade. the 400/420-mm mortar, and the 420-mm mortar
One of the new systems was the ASU85, another air were fielded in only very limited quantities, and the
transportable SP artillery piece. Like the ASU57 which two systems which may have been tank destroyers
it replaced, the ASU85 apparently was intended to carry (the M1957 122-mm and the M1962 100-mm)

Table 3. Systems of the 1950s and 1960s.

First year
Designation Chassis Caliber/type Purpose
identified
An air transportable assault
ASU57 1957 T70 light tank 57-mm antitank gun and antitank gun for airborne
troops
122-mm SP gun Unknown (possibly a
1957 T54 medium tank 122-mm field gun
M1957 tank destroyer)
310-mm SP gun Joseph Stalin Fired nuclear and conventional
1957 310-mm
M1957 heavy tank rounds
Probably, heavy infantry
400/420-mm SP Joseph Stalin
1957 400/420-mm mortar support and destruction of
mortar M1957 heavy tank
heavily fortified positions
Probably, heavy infantry
420-mm SP
1960 Unknown 420-mm mortar support and destruction of
mortar M1960
well fortified positions
PT76 light An air transportable assault
ASU85 1962 85-mm gun
tank gun for airborne forces
Unknown (possibly a tank
SU100 1962 T54 medium tank 100-mm gun
destroyer)

—10—
 desire to reduce defense expenditures — mostly at the
expense of the ground forces. Also, Soviet military
doctrine of the time was not stressing mobility to the
degree of present doctrine, and so the fielding of SP
artillery similar to that deployed in the West may have
had a low priority within overall ground forces materiel
requirements.
SP artillery for the 1970s
After an 11-year hiatus, the Soviets introduced two
more SP artillery pieces (table 4) in 1973 and 1974. Both
these weapons diverged from designs of the previous
periods in that they incorporated fully-enclosed turrets
which could rotate 360 degrees. The M1973 152-mm and
the M1974 122-mm SP guns were also unique in that
they combined both larger caliber guns with relatively
Soviet 76-mm gun SU76. light armor protection.6 In contrast to Soviet SP
artillery
were not introduced into the Soviet operational
inventory.5 Consequently, this period marks a departure
from the previous one in that the operational concept of
specialized tank destroyers was abandoned in favor of
special-purpose SP artillery weapons (e.g., air
transportable systems and tactical nuclear artillery).
A possible explanation of why the Soviets ceased
producing SP guns as tank destroyers is found in a book
entitled Tanks and Armored Troops, by A. Kh.
Babdzhanyan, Chief Marshal of Soviet Armored Troops.
Babdzhanyan, discussing worldwide SP artillery
developments, may have been commenting on Soviet
experience too when he noted, "In peacetime, when
enough time is available for the design and development
of perfected tank models, this method of creating SPAs
(producing SP guns as substitutes for tanks) is hardly
desirable; hense, their production was discontinued in all
countries."
There are several other potential explanations for
Soviet conservatism in introducing new SP artillery Soviet 152-mm SP gun/howitzer M1973.

designs in the late 1950s. For one thing, many of these

new designs may have fallen victim to Khrushchev's designs of the previous three decades, Soviet
designers did not use an existing tank chassis on the
basis for the new guns. Rather, they devoted
considerable resources to building chassis especially
for the M1973 and M1974.
Even though Soviet military journals have not directly
discussed the roles of these new weapons, it seems clear
from oblique references that the M1973 and M1974
were intended to support infantry and armor units in
Soviet 85-mm gun ASU85. offensive actions. The new armor support

5
The M1962 100-mm SP gun, was not used by Soviet troops, but appeared in limited quantities with East European forces.
So, perhaps it was never intended for the Soviet army.
6
There is some discrepancy between US Army sources and information published by non-Army sources. These non-Army
sources usually designate the 122-mm as the M1973 and the 152-mm as the M1974 — just the reverse of Army sources.
—11—
 Table 4. Systems of the 1970s.
First year
Designation Chassis Caliber/type Purpose
identified
Modified SA4
M1973 1973 152-mm (probably Infantry and armor
Ganef transporter
gun/howitzer) support
M1974 1974 Somewhat 122-mm (probably Infantry and armor
similar to PT76 gun/howitzer) support
light tank

function was not for direct confrontation with enemy • From 1930 to 1941, the Soviet military was
tanks as during World War II. Instead, the new SP guns interested in SP artillery which equally emphasized
were probably built to provide mobile firepower which infantry and armor support functions.
could suppress US crew-served antitank missile systems • From 1942 to 1945, the emphasis shifted to
at the point of the Soviet attack. Such a mission for development and production of specialized tank
artillery is indicated by Lieutenant General of the destroyers which had only a limited secondary role in
Artillery, V. Koritchuk, in the June 1975 issue of infantry support actions.
Military Herald, "As we see, combatting the antitank • From the 1950s through the early 1960s, Soviet SP
systems of the enemy is becoming one of the most artillery designers concentrated on developing
important missions of artillery." special-purpose weapons. Only two systems were
Despite the probable availability of armor-piercing developed which could be used as tank destroyers, but
rounds for the M1973 and M1974, they are too lightly these systems were not fielded.
armored for direct confrontation with enemy tanks; so • During the 1970s, the Soviet military seems to have
any antitank role must be a remote secondary mission.7 turned to lightly armored, but heavily armed, systems
This impression of the M1973 and M1974 is reinforced which could provide assistance to infantry or armor units.
by Babdzhanyan's book in which it was noted that, with Direct antitank operations, however, seem possible only
the exception of the West German "Widder," SP artillery as a remote secondary mission.
today is not produced for destroying tanks or for Although the inconsistencies in Soviet SP artillery
suppressing other armor targets. development priorities are obvious, the reasons for these
Superficially the designs of the M1973 and M1974 changing priorities are obscure. Unfortunately, no
are in keeping with US SP artillery concepts; however, it Soviet writer directly addresses the rationale for shifting
is unlikely that the Soviet systems were prompted by a design objectives; nevertheless, it is possible to offer at
desire to mimic the United States. Rather, Soviet least a few potential reasons for such Soviet weapons
military perceptions of new operational requirements acquisition behavior.
posed by future battlefields probably spurred
(Continued on page 33)
development of the M1973 and M1974. Today's antitank
guided missile threat is one other obvious stimulus to
the development of a new type of SP artillery. In
addition, the Soviet emphasis on speed of the offensive,
particularly at the point of attack, seems to provide a
further rationale for concepts of the type embodied in
the M1973 and M1974. The new systems, unlike
traditional towed artillery, will have the added ability to
keep pace with advancing Soviet armor columns. The
Soviet assumption that battle areas of the future will be
radioactive may have also stimulated the design of SP
artillery systems, wherein the crew could function in an
enclosed, protected, environment.
Conclusions
Soviet operational and design priorities for SP
artillery guns have varied considerably since the 1930s.
In fact, the preceding analysis of Soviet equipment
suggests four distinct periods: Soviet 122-mm SP gun/howitzer M1974.

7
Christopher F. Foss, Jane's World Armoured Fighting Vehicles (MacDonald and Jane's, London, 1976), p. 357.

—12—
The Journal interviews . . .

MG Albert B. Akers
Journal: Sir, of all the accomplishments of the
School in your 3½ years, what one thing do you
consider most important or take greatest pride in?
Akers: First off, I'd like to make the point that nothing
the School has done should be attributed to me
personally, but rather to the members of the Fort Sill
team, military and civilian. If I had to cite the most
significant accomplishment that this team has brought
about, it would be the teamwork and spirit of
cooperation and harmony, the tearing down of the "red
fence," and the beginning of open, direct
communication with the field. The field and the School
should have a continuing direct dialogue. We should
not agree on everything. We can disagree without
being disagreeable. We should explore new ways to
fight and win, through conferences, meetings, and
written and telephonic communications. Fostering this
teamwork and keeping this essential communication
open is paramount in my opinion.
Journal: Is there any one thing you wanted to do that
wasn't accomplished?
Akers: I would like to have seen developed a real,
viable combined arms ARTEP (Army Training and
Evaluation Program). The first letter that I wrote to
the Training and Doctrine Command in July 1975 was
on this subject and we still have not been successful. I
think the reasons are simple. It is a tough nut to crack.
It is very, very difficult to develop an ARTEP that
brings together the elements needed to evaluate all Prior to leaving Fort Sill in January to
the members of the combined arms team. But if you
assume his new duties as Director of Materiel
really believe we must train the way we are going to
fight, then you must have a combined arms ARTEP. It Plans and Programs, Office of the Deputy
is something we have to attack and defeat in the Chief of Staff for Research, Development, and
coming year if indeed we are going to follow through Acquisition, DA, MG Albert Akers granted an
on what the Chief of Staff of the Army says — that interview with the Journal. General Akers
training has to be the number one priority in the Army. was the Assistant Commandant for 30 months
I believe that, and one of the ways to accomplish that under three commandants and was promoted
goal is to develop, implement, and keep alive a
to his present rank on 13 January 78. During
combined arms ARTEP.
Journal: There are still those who think the ARTEP is his assignment to Fort Sill, the Field Artillery
a product-improved ATT and do not believe the evolution became a revolution with an
ARTEP philosophy. Why is this new philosophy explosion of programs and concepts in the
important and can the concept succeed? areas of doctrine, training, and materiel that
Akers: General Rogers, the Chief of Staff, enunciated will have profound effects on fire support for
the Army's philosophy on ARTEPs very well and the next quarter century.
—13—
clearly in May 1977 when he talked about the as a system if the Army is to reach its potential as an
importance of the ARTEP. The ARTEP is basic to our effective force in the 1980s.
understanding of the difference between the ATT which Journal: Admittedly there hasn't been much official
basically drove the unit through peaks and valleys in its word from the Division Restructure Study, but what do
training, and the new philosophy which says you must you see as the major impact of DRS on the Field
be trained and ready to fight on any given day. Any Artillery?
peaks and valleys that occur now are minimized Akers: The Division Restructure significantly upgrades
because the ARTEP is being employed continually as a the Field Artillery in the "heavy" division. It is
diagnostic tool — as an assist for the commander, and hardware-driven. The effectiveness of the Field
that includes the noncommissioned officer. It would Artillery in the restructured division is tied very
seem to me that the ARTEP philosophy should pervade directly to TACFIRE and BCS. Our analyses and
every aspect of training that a unit is involved in. The studies show that the division of the 8-gun battery into
ARTEP will succeed because it is the best way to two platoons is an effective way to improve our
evaluate our state of training and guide commanders to survivability and disrupt the enemy's target acquisition
corrective training to achieve combat readiness. capability, and yet does not impede the uniqueness of
Journal: Concern is being voiced over the multiplicity of US Field Artillery — our ability to mass quickly and
special purpose munitions being developed and that their effectively. So I am a strong supporter of DRS based on
introduction into the inventory may affect our ability to the studies I have seen and participated in. The final
carry enough "iron shells." Are we becoming judgment will have to be made in the field, based on
oversophisticated at the expense of being able to provide testing by the 1st Cavalry Division.
close support to the maneuver elements? Journal: Is the ARTEP for nuclear units going to
Akers: No, I don't think so. On this issue, there are become a reality?
traditionalists, conservatives, and liberals — and each has Akers: By nature I'm an optimist. I feel that we will
their place. It is vitally important that the Field Artillery come as close as possible to the objective that has been
take full advantage of the opportunities offered by laid out with the current leadership that exists within the
technology. To me it seems very logical to explore Army today. This leadership understands the need to
possibilities of defeating an enemy at 15,000 meters and change the way we have conducted NSIs in the past.
beyond as opposed to defeating him in the direct fire Army leaders are conversant with the nuclear albatross
mode. But we cannot and must not forget the close that has been hung around the Artillery commander's
support battle. The combined arms team is essential to neck for the last 20 years and recognize that we must be
future success on the battlefield, and we understand the decisive to bring into proper perspective the nuclear
Artillery's role as a full-fledged member of that team. At training of the Field Artillery. Basically, our objective
the same time, we must capitalize on the opportunities to with the noncustodial units is to place battlefield nuclear
defeat the enemy at longer ranges. That is what FASCAM requirements within the ARTEP philosophy. It says
(Family of Scatterable Mines), CLGP (Cannon Launched simply, "we must train the way we are going to fight."
Guided Projectiles), and indeed TACFIRE is all about. If Journal: We frequently hear that the Field Artillery unit
the United States Army does not take full advantage of commander's prime responsibility in the next war will
technology, we run the risk of falling behind not only our be the survivability of his unit — staying operational
adversaries but our allies as well. This has serious long enough to deliver his fires. What should unit
ramifications for us on the next battlefield. commanders do to enhance their survivability?
Journal: Each element of TACFIRE — the battalion Akers: In the last two wars that this country has fought,
and div arty computers, the VFMED, and DMD — is so counterbattery has not been a major factor; nor has
critical to the Field Artillery's success in a future war. enemy airpower. So in the last four to five years we have
Are you concerned about the budgeting or had to rethink the whole problem of the survivability of
developmental aspects of any element of that system? fire support on the battlefield. Survivability becomes
Akers: We need these new systems. It does no good to increasingly important when you are fighting
improve the quantity, quality, and the range of our outnumbered and each single tube or launcher is key to
weapons and ammunition if at the same time we fail to the outcome of the battle. Survivability is a state of mind
upgrade our ability to control and command these — a mental set, if you will. It requires close teamwork
weapons. At the present time the "choke point" is in and understanding by every soldier within the fighting
"command and control"; and that is why TACFIRE is so element. Camouflage, offset registrations, dummy
essential to the Field Artillery System. We must make positions, firing only at significant targets, movement
our case within the Army, at DOD, at OMB, and in when necessary, false radio transmissions, tight radio
Congress on the need for improving the Field Artillery discipline — all are elements that must become part of
—14—
training. Attitude, state of mind, determination to Akers: Again, the concepts you mention are addressed
survive — a good commander will bring his unit in FM 100-5 which promulgates the way the Army is
through. going to fight. The corps commander, because of the
Journal: It seems we are about to make a quantum jump immense distances involved, is probably not in a
in our ability to acquire targets with the FIREFINDER position to influence the battle on a daily basis. He is an
radars but we still have only limited tubes/launchers. Is allocator — he oversees the battle; he moves forces in
an inability to attack all the lucrative targets going to and out. He sees the enemy; he interprets intelligence
create havoc in tactical fire direction? and sets plans into motion. Now the Field Artillery
Akers: I think what you really are asking is do we need brigades will not in all cases be attached to the divisions.
TACFIRE, because what TACFIRE does is provide us, The corps commander will have a string on them. He
through digital transmissions, the ability to quickly sort can pull the brigades away and place them where he
out significant targets from those that aren't. We'll be wants. He also has tactical air and other elements of
able to determine rapidly whether to shoot at a target or combat power. If the battle lasts longer than the
not. Our guns must remain silent — and unlocated by heralded "30 days," other combat elements — more
enemy target acquisition — if significant action is not artillery units — will enter the corps and be allocated by
taking place. Because of limited quantities of the corps commander.
munitions, problems inherent in ammunition resupply, Journal: Thank you.
paucity of tubes and launchers, we must choose very Akers: There are a couple of things I ' d like to add
carefully where and when we will shoot and every round before I say "farewell" to the unbelievably rewarding
must count. So in short, the new radars are essential, job I've had here in the School.
along with TACFIRE, to eliminate the command and One very important thing is that this Journal belongs
control bottleneck. to Field Artillerymen worldwide. It does not belong to
Journal: In moving counterfire responsibility to the the School, the Commandant, or the Assistant
division artillery commander, how can he convince the Commandant. The Journal must continue to present
division commander, who really sets the priorities, to varying views from a variety of sources, both from the
take full advantage of our range in lieu of attacking a Active Army and the Reserve Components. It's the
lesser but more visible and immediate close support way we learn and understand the views of others.
threat? Doctrine is not written in stone. In fact, doctrine at any
Akers: The counterfire doctrine stems directly from the one time reflects the opinion of 51 percent of those
Army's capstone manual, FM 100-5. Accordingly, the involved. Consequently, in the worst case, 49 percent
responsibility for the close support fight and the may disagree. We must keep the avenues of
counterbattery fight rests with the division commander, communication open so that varying viewpoints can be
not the div arty commander. The division commander is presented and we can all read and think about the issues.
seized with making the tough decisions. He is the man to I would like to see more articles — more letters to the
whom time and space factors are paramount — he is the editor — from the fine noncommissioned officers in the
man who sees the entire battle most clearly. His chief Army. Many of these soldiers are thoughtful men with
advisor on how fire support is to be employed is, of considerable experience in a variety of units. They should
course, the division artillery commander. And I see the not hesitate to write and espouse their views, for certainly
division artillery commander in combat as being very they have a vital stake in the future of the Field Artillery.
close to the division commander, able to advise on the Finally, the fact that I am leaving is not important.
capability of the artillery to meet the varying situation. I do The team at Fort Sill has never been better. We are now
not see a problem in the division commander making in a posture where good soldiers of all ranks want to
judgments, because if his troops are being hit heavily by come here. The letters from the field have never been of
enemy artillery, or the battle is hotter in two of the three greater volume. The momentum within the Field
brigade areas, he will be fully capable of determining Artillery which stems from the field is vital to the future
where to allocate his fire support. A lot depends on the success of our operations. One of the things that we
teamwork, competence, confidence, and have done here is to insure that any idea developed here
professionalism of these two men. It all comes back to in "buffalo country" was fully exposed and tested in
training — if the division has trained in a combined troop units — had mud slung on it, so to speak. That
arms environment, then I'm confident the division must continue. We must continue to tell the artillery
commander will make the right decision based on the story of how we fit into the combined arms team. I am
recommendation of the div arty commander. fully confident that the future of the Field Artillery is
Journal: Under the counterfire doctrine with all of the upon us and that there are vital days in the remaining
nondivisional artillery now responsive to the division, years of this decade if we are to reach the potential that
how can the corps commander influence the battle? technology offers us in the 1980s.
—15—
Artillerymen celebrate on Recruiting Command and Readiness Group Sheridan,
ARR V, saw Redlegs from Wisconsin and Illinois share
shores of Lake Michigan good friends and good spirit in what is hoped will
become an annual affair.
FORT SHERIDAN, IL — MG Jack N. Merritt, General Merritt was the guest speaker, and he also
Commander of the Field Artillery Center, traveled to inducted three gunners into the Order of Saint Barbara:
the shores of Lake Michigan to participate in a unique • From the retired community LTG (Ret) Charles E.
celebration of the Field Artillery's 202d birthday. Hart, former Artillery School Commandant and CG,
Thirty miles north of Chicago and south of the Second Army, was reinducted into the order at the age
Wisconsin border sits historic Fort Sheridan. Once a of 73.
famous cavalry post, Fort Sheridan is now the home of • From the Reserve Component was BG Wilbur J.
the Army Recruiting Command and US Army Bunting, Commander 86th US Army Reserve
Readiness Region V. This year, Fort Sheridan hosted a Command, Arlington Heights, IL.
Field Artillery Ball and tribute to Saint Barbara which • From the Active Component, was BG Floyd C.
embodied the true spirit of the "Total Army." In Adams, Deputy Commander USAREC.
attendance were some 100 gunners and their ladies from
the Active Component, the Reserve Component, and
the retired community.
The ball, co-hosted by the Midwestern Regional
New artillery
raid record set
FORT CAMPBELL, KY — Redlegs of B Battery, 320th
Field Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault),
teamed up with the "Pachyderms" of A Company,
159th Aviation Battalion, to break the division record
for an artillery raid.
The dynamic duo took the banner home by shattering
the two-year-old record of seven minutes, 14 seconds.
Their time was six minutes and 18 seconds.
The mission of an artillery raid is to airlift artillery to
a forward location to place a critical target within range
of the 105-mm howitzer, attack the target rapidly, and
airlift the battery from the firing point before enemy
counterfire can be delivered. Going "cold turkey" into
an area in six minutes and 18 seconds is quite an
accomplishment.
A lot of muscle power is required in an artillery raid
as the soldiers must manhandle the large howitzers to
The Order of Saint Barbara Medallion is presented to BG achieve record time. The second hand on the timer
Floyd C. Adams Jr., USAREC Deputy Commander, by started when the lead Chinook touched down at the
MG Jack N. Merritt, Commandant of the Field Artillery landing zone. Seconds later, guns, men, and equipment
Center, as BG Wilbur J. Bunting, 86th US Army Reserve
Commander, observes. raced against the clock.

—16—
 Right By Piece
Once set, the crews received a fire mission and fired
four rounds per gun. Mission completed, the Chinooks
were called back where the 3,300-pound howitzers were
loaded back into the helicopters. Timing stopped when
the last Chinook lifted off the ground.
The record-breaking artillerymen feel they can do a
better and faster job the next time out. The artillery and
air units received duplicate awards, called the "Rapid
Raider," for their team performance.

Survivability practiced
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI — Working under the
maxim that "If the enemy can find you — he can kill
you," the 2d Battalion, 11th FA, recently practiced
camouflage discipline in an area poorly suited for natural
concealment.
Equipped with the new lightweight camouflage
screening system (LCSS), the battalion was located A new canopy being tested by the 41st Field Artillery
7,000 feet above sea level at the 25th Infantry Division Group will protect crewmen from the shrapnel of incoming
training area on the big island of Hawaii, where there is rounds landing as close at 50 meters. (Photo by David
little or no vegetation due to the lava covered terrain. Beebe)
With the LCSS, the unit camouflaged itself from the
air as well as ground level. Gun positions, vehicles, Cannon cover
machinegun positions, observation posts, and
individuals manning the positions were camouflaged. works in tests
The LCSS can be partially open in any one of four
BABENHAUSEN, GERMANY — Artillerymen on
quadrants to permit multidirectional fire missions. The
today's battlefield must be able to deliver a high
howitzers can be concealed within 60 seconds after "end
volume of fire even when receiving incoming rounds.
of mission." Survivability can be enhanced by using
The "open deck" design of today's heavy artillery
maximum position dispersion and employing terrain gun
provides no crew protection from hostile fire.
position corrections.
A protective canopy for the self-propelled howitzer
is one solution to the problem. It provides protection
from shrapnel of artillery rounds exploding as near as
50 meters.
The 41st Field Artillery Group is experimenting
with the concept using a device designed to protect
TOW firing crews from shrapnel. The nylon canopy is
attached to the winterization kit of the 175-mm gun.
It was anticipated that the canopy would vibrate
loose because of recoil during firing. The device
remained in place on a 175-mm gun during a recent
ARTEP. Also, the canopy of the 2d Battalion, 5th
Field Artillery, didn't falter through two days of
moving and shooting.
Recommendations have been made to have a
protective canopy designed and fielded for the
8-inch/175-mm artillery pieces to insure that fire
Can you spot the 10 camouflaged positions? We've
helped by circling one of them. The battery is employed support is continuous even when the artillery unit is
in a "V" configuration — Ed. under attack.

—17—
Right By Piece
A large crowd, including the artillerymen's wives and
children, observed the shootout from a nearby mountain
vantage point.
The hipshoot super bowl culminated a season-long
intensified training program through the div arty.
Striving for speed, accuracy and professionalism, firing
batteries rehearsed the techniques necessary to deliver
supporting fires while the unit was enroute to a new
location. Battalions then conducted an elimination
competition to identify the best battery as their
respective super bowl representative.
Anyone interested in conducting similar training may
contact the 2d Armored Div Arty, Fort Hood, TX 76544
for a copy of their plan, grading sheets, etc. - Ed.

Desert combined arms

training for 1-5th FA
FORT RILEY, KS — Redlegs of the 1st Battalion, 5th
Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, recently
supported division troops in Exercise "Devil Strike" in
Men of the 1st Battalion, 92d Field Artillery rush to prepare the Fort Irwin, CA, desert. The six-week exercise
their M110 8-inch howitzer for firing during the recent 2d
included almost every element of combat arms, with live
Armored Division Artillery hipshoot super-bowl
competition. (Photo by Jorge Ramirez.) fire close air support being provided by the Marine Corps
and Air Force.
Opposing forces for the exercise included the 2d
Artillery super bowl Battalion, 63d Armor, which took the offensive against
the dug-in 1st Infantry Division troops and their
at Hood supporting artillery. Barriers of training mines were laid,
FORT HOOD, TX — "Hell's Fires," otherwise known as trenches dug, and barbed wire strung by the engineers.
the 2d Armored Division Artillery, recently held a super A Fort Bliss based unit provided air defense, and an
bowl-type contest between its best batteries, airborne infantry battalion from Fort Bragg added a
demonstrating their abilities to get off the road rapidly vertical envelopment threat, providing realistic training.
and neutralize a target. Fort Irwin's 640,000-acre training site allowed the
Batteries competing in the "hipshoot" were C, 1-14th integration of the several kinds of combat arms units to
FA; C, 1-3d FA; C, 1-16th FA; and B, 1-92d FA. work with and against each other in a rough desert
Each battery took its turn weaving around a back road environment.
and out into an open field where a call for fire was
received from a forward observer. Then the mad
scramble for firing positions began. Dust shot up into
the air as the self-propelled howitzers churned forward
into various positions in the field.
Soon the first howitzer was laid and began adjusting
for the entire battery. The ground shook, and clouds of
smoke rose as the battery blasted away at the distant
target.
The winner was the 1-16th FA, scoring 86.8 of a
possible 100 points. The 1-14th FA, was runner up with a
score of 84.6. Because of a malfunction in one of their
weapons, the 1-3d FA scored only 47.9. The 1-92d FA
was not scored because they were using 8-inch howitzers A 155-mm SP howitzer of the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery,
as opposed to the 155-mm howitzers of the other units. prepares to fire during Exercise "Devil Strike" at Fort Irwin, CA.

—18—
 Right By Piece
test. The test is designed specifically for unit weapons
and available training areas. A 90 percent score is
required before certifying a section chief.
Assumption of safety duties by the NCOs is
compatible with the section chief's responsibilities for
skill qualification test training and the unit's NCO
professionalism program.
Advantages that have become apparent from the
NCO safety program are:
• Firing is faster.
• The "safety lag" upon occupation appears to be shorter.
• They train as they will fight.

Kids get together

A Molotov cocktail sails toward the target during
artillery-infantry cross-training at Fort Bragg. with weather
King and Queen still FORT HOOD, TX — Fifty-seven elementary school
children recently took a first class tour of the 2d Armored
happily married Division Artillery's meteorological section to find out
FORT BRAGG, NC — The enduring relationship how the weather is predicted.
between the Redlegs of the artillery and those "grunts" of The children were shown several balloons and were
the infantry has been flourishing at Fort Bragg. C Battery, told how the balloons are filled with gas and set free
1st Battalion, 39th Field Artillery, and C Company, 2d with a little box called a radiosonde attached to them.
Battalion, 504th Infantry, have been cross-training in They learned that the radiosonde transmits the
their combat roles. temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed to a
Starting in June of 1977, the units engaged in machine on the ground that makes a printout of
machinegun, hand grenade, light antitank weapon, and atmospheric conditions.
field expedient antiarmor training. The Redlegs in turn After this, the children were taken outside to watch a
trained the infantry on the towed 155-mm howitzer and balloon being released. When the balloon got too high
then answered their call for fire. to see, section workers picked up the children one by
Placing each other in the "aggressor" role, Charlie one so they could watch it through a scope.
Company made a night airborne assault on the Charlie Helium-filled bright red balloons were given to the
Battery position. students before their departure. The looks on their faces
Gaining confidence in the combined arms team has indicated that they had spent too short a time at
been very beneficial in the training programs of both Disneyland.
units. It just shows that a happy marriage exists between These school children are getting a first-hand look at some of
the King and Queen of Battle in the XVIII Airborne the equipment used by the 2nd Armored Division Artillery
meteorological section. SFC Madison Cunningham explains
Corps.
the equipment to the children and their teacher. (Photo by
Edgar Reyes.)
Safety NCO program
outlined
BAUMHOLDER, GERMANY — Safety procedures
for service practice firing in the 8th Infantry Division
Artillery now require each section chief to safety his
own weapon. The battery executive officer is
responsible for the firing battery while the
officer-in-charge is responsible for those safety
requirements associated with the chart and the
computations of quadrant and deflection limits.
Each NCO is sent to range safety briefings and
completes a locally designed safety course and a safety
—19—
Calculators And The
Field Artillery Mission
by CPT Thomas H. Barfield
W ith continuing emphasis on speed and accuracy of
fire in today's field artillery, fire direction procedures must
be constantly reviewed and improved. But the character
of tomorrow's war will never be known far enough in
advance so that primary equipment and techniques can
be concentrated upon, to the exclusion of alternate and
emergency methods. Thus, such reviews should
examine not only the actual process of fire direction and
its relationship to field artillery employment doctrine,
but also how modern technology can aid the artilleryman
in maintaining his responsiveness and accuracy of fire,
regardless of circumstances.
When one examines current research and
development goals, fire direction procedures, and future
employment doctrine objectively, it is clear that fire
direction procedures are to be centralized at battery and
battalion levels. Moreover, studies are now underway to
determine the feasibility of increasing the firepower of
the division artillery by adding two guns to each firing
battery in direct support battalions. To achieve the
troop and equipment survivability necessary to remain
combat effective, tactical doctrine will probably call for
the habitual employment of two 4-gun platoons
operating as a split battery. The shift to split-battery
operations will place a heavy burden on both personnel
and equipment in the firing battery, and the fire
direction center (FDC) will be one of the sections
particularly affected. One solution to the problem
would be to augment the current battery FDC so that it
too could be split to support separate gun platoons.
Unbelievably, this can be done without additional
personnel, and at a cost of less than $1000 per battalion!
To survive on the modern battlefield, units must be able
to disperse widely, camouflage completely, and operate
effectively with long and tenuous supply lines.
Furthermore, war in Western Europe is likely to be very
fluid, characterized by rapid offensive and retrograde
operations. Unstable situations such as these will tax
command and control capabilities at every level to the
limit. Developments such as TACFIRE and the Battery
Computer System (BCS) will increase considerably the
HP-25C calculator (photo courtesy of the Hewlett-Packard commander's ability to deliver timely and accurate fires,
Company). but the two data systems force centralization of fire
—20—
direction at battery and battalion levels. If artillery keyboard without affecting a stored program. The
batteries are required to split into two platoons, the process of keyboard-program simultaneous operations
vulnerability of the FDC is increased tremendously. The is fast, easy, and straight-forward (instructions are
extensive communications network the FDC must included in the HP-25C owner's manual). A two- or
maintain to allow both platoons in the battery to take three-man mini-FDC could produce all required firing
advantage of the central computer makes targeting by data using a calculator at least as fast as they could
the enemy a simple matter. Radio, rather than wire, using the manual system.
would probably be used, and reliable radio Such problems as meteorological corrections, nuclear
communications are extremely vulnerable. In the delivery, special ammunition corrections, and executive
absence of either wire or radio communications officer's minimum quadrant elevation could be quickly
between platoons, the only current alternative is to use solved in equation form as well as the present tabular
the manual firing chart. form. If used imaginatively, and not bound by
It appears unlikely that an artillery fire direction preconceived notions about the limitations of
system, dependent on a single computer such as the programable calculators, such items as the horizontal
BCS or TACFIRE, can be completely reliable and chart, the M17 plotting board, the artillery fire control
continuously responsive under the circumstances set, the military slide rule, and logarithm tables could
anticipated in a European war. Furthermore, the ease be replaced by commercial calculators. Further,
with which radiation-emitting devices can be located calculators could make "jump" FDCs or battery
and targeted, suggests that an FDC, with its heavy use operation centers more compact and mobile. Finally,
of radios, cannot long survive. Wire communications, with careful planning, the use of hand-held calculators
though relatively secure, cannot be used effectively in a gives the commander the opportunity to maintain a
fluid environment over the distances required to 24-hour capability in his FDC with the existing
maintain adequate dispersion in a nuclear exchange. one-shift TOE strength.
What must be planned for, then, is separation of the
battery FDC into two fully capable teams, one of which Advantages of the calculator as a backup computing
would be assigned to each of the firing platoons. Each system
platoon would be able to maintain its own internal
ability to compute firing data whether in position or on Inclusion of a fire control calculator in the battery
the move. The equipment issued to the separated FDC FDC offers advantages not otherwise attainable. Most
team must provide the same flexibility and importantly, it offers an emergency capability for
responsiveness as the equipment issued a full FDC, but processing fire missions during road marches and
be lightweight and much more compact. during an offset registration. The calculator is small
One device, a $160 programable calculator available enough that a chart operator/computer and all his
on the civilian market, can replace the firing chart, equipment could ride with the battery executive officer
increase the speed with which range and deflection data and be ready to process 6,400-mil fire missions within
are generated, and serve as a backup computational seconds. For emergency missions, the only data
means for FADAC and all replacement computers. This needed are the battery and target locations; the azimuth
device is the HP-25C pocket calculator, manufactured of fire is calculated using those grid coordinates.
by Hewlett-Packard. The calculator can be held in a A programable calculator could provide an important
man's hand and offers numerous built-in functions interim numerical computing capability until TACFIRE
which can be executed from the calculator keyboard, or is in use and also provide an independent means of fast
through a user-defined program up to 49 steps in length. and accurate computation for split-battery operations.
Furthermore, the HP-25C does not lose its program This will become a more important factor as larger
when turned off. Such a small, lightweight calculator batteries come into existence. In the battlefield
could be of great value to the artilleryman, not only to environment of the future, the calculator can provide a
serve as a horizontal firing chart, but also to calculate convenient (lightweight, no external power source, no
high-burst or mean point-of-impact registrations, terrain manual firing chart) and secure (minimum FM voice
gun position corrections, hasty survey, replot, and communication) method of conducting offset
simultaneous observation for directional control. registrations. Experience has proved that the electronic
The calculator cannot solve these problems calculator has significant advantages over the manual
simultaneously, because its limited program capacity firing chart.
precludes programing the solution to more than one Budgetary restraints are often the principal
problem, unless the programs are short. However, some determinant in the selection or adoption of equipment and
problems can be solved manually from the calculator materiel. In raw cost alone, the HP-25C calculator costs
—21—
 Table 1. HP-25C firing chart program. factors are size and weight; i.e., the ease and
convenience with which the system can be
transported and used. The electronic calculator
Display Key Display Key
weighs less than one pound and easily fits into an
Line Code entry Line Code entry ammunition pouch. The calculator equipped FDC
00 25 14 41 fX Y (i.e., calculator, battle map, forms, pencils, GFT set,
01 23 07 STO 7 26 13 29 GTO 29 etc.) will fit into a standard brief case. On the other
02 22 R 27 22 R hand, the manual FDC set weighs at least 50 pounds
03 23 06 STO 6 28 13 30 GTO 30 and is packed in either two or three bulky packages
04 24 06 RCL 6 29 41 – which require at least a jeep and perhaps a trailer for
05 24 01 RCL 1 30 74 R/S transport. In foul-weather operations, the calculator
06 41 – 31 22 R set can be protected inside a jeep or under a poncho;
07 24 07 RCL 7 32 15 51 gX 0 the manual system is too bulky to be used inside the
08 24 02 RCL 2 33 13 36 GTO 36 jeep and usually is placed on the jeep hood for
09 41 – 34 24 05 RCL 5
operations.
10 15 09 g P 35 51 +
11 74 R/S 36 32 CHS Ideally, an auxiliary system requires little special
12 22 R 37 74 R/S training beyond that necessary for the primary
13 24 04 RCL 4 38 15 09 g P system. Since the sequence with which the initial
14 71 ÷ 39 21 X Y grid, observer direction, and subsequent corrections
15 31 ENTER 40 24 00 RCL 0 are processed is the same for the calculator as it is
16 32 CHS 41 24 04 RCL 4 for the manual chart, a trained chart operator can
17 31 ENTER 42 61 x learn to use a calculator in five to six hours. This
18 24 03 RCL 3 43 51 + includes grid, polar, and shift-from-known-point
19 51 + 44 21 X Y missions; loading a calculator program; reviewing a
20 24 05 RCL 5 45 14 09 f R stored program for errors; and correcting errors in a
21 02 2 46 23 51 07 STO + 7 stored program. One battery chief computer in my
22 71 ÷ 47 21 X Y battalion was able to use the firing chart program,
23 51 + 48 23 51 06 STO + 6 unassisted, after only two hours of instruction.
24 24 05 RCL 5 49 13 04 GTO 04
Similarly, a battery fire direction officer learned to
approximately $160, while a higher capability calculator use the program in about an hour. Neither had used a
(the HP-67) costs about $495. In contract, the standard programable calculator previously. The
battery manual FDC set costs $687 ($363 for the plotting
Table 2. HP-25C register usage.
set and $324 for the artillery fire direction set).
In time required to set up and deliver reliable firing R0 — OT direction (mils) This direction must be
data, the electronic calculator is clearly superior. The manually stored by the
operator each time the
calculator can be ready in two to three minutes for observer sends his direction.
complete 6,400-mil capability, but the manual chart Normally this quantity will
requires from 10 to 30 minutes to set up one battery change with each mission.
position for 6,400-mil capability. Additional time is The data in these registers
R1 — Battery easting (5 place) must be updated and
required to plot observation posts and mark azimuth R2 — Battery northing (5 place) manually stored each time
indexes. Coordination measures such as coordinated fire R3 — Azimuth of fire (mils) the battery moves.
lines and no-fire areas could be placed on a 1:50,000 Conversion factor —
battle map since the calculator does not have the R4 — 0.05625 degrees to mils
capability of storing this information. The battle map Constant used to calculate
R5 — 6400.0 deflection.
could also be used to get the target altitude for
computing site. R6 — Target easting (5 place) Data is stored in these
Speed and accuracy of calculations is a first-priority registers automatically.
R7 — Target northing (5 place)
Register contents can be
consideration in selecting an auxiliary computational recalled to yield a "final pin
device. The calculator is as fast as an experienced chart location" for massing or
operator for six-place grids — faster for eight-place replot.
grids. For subsequent operations, the calculator is at least
as fast as a chart operator. In terms of accuracy, the
calculator is accurate to one meter whereas the manual Note: The program does not need the OT direction
except for subsequent corrections. This means that,
chart is accurate to 10 meters. for adjust-fire missions, the observer is not required to
For any auxiliary or supplemental system of fire send his direction in the initial call for fire.
direction, especially in emergency operations, prime
—22—
 Table 3. Key sequence for grid fire missions. The firing chart program, shown in table 1, will
INPUT
STEP INSTRUCTIONS
DATA
KEYS OUTPUT DATA generate range from the battery to the target,
1 DO PRE-OP CHECK deflection to the target, and grid azimuth from the
2 SELECT DISPLAY f FIX O battery to the target for grid, polar, and
3 INITIALIZE PROGRAM f PRGM
shift-from-known-point missions. The program will
4 INPUT TARGET COORD ETGT ↑
NTGT R/S RANGE
also calculate subsequent range, deflection, and
R/S DEFLECTION azimuth from input observer corrections — the same
R/S AZIMUTH data generated on a manual firing chart for most fire
5 STORE OT DIRECTION OT DIR STO O missions. Azimuth is displayed as a negative number
6 PERFORM FOR i = 1,...,n to distinguish it from deflection. Quadrant and fuze
INPUT OBSERVER
CORRECTIONS DEV CORR ↑
setting are obtained using graphical firing tables. As
RG CORR R/S RANGE with the manual firing chart, registration corrections
R/S DEFLECTION derived from a calculator-assisted registration would
R/S AZIMUTH be placed on the graphical firing tables and would not
be incorporated into the calculator program.
Note: The preoperation (PRE-OP) check consists of a review of
storage registers 1 through 5 for proper contents as shown in
table 2 and the execution of a check problem similar to the one in Caution: It is recommended that the azimuth be
table 5. If the check problem does not execute properly, review displayed each time data is calculated. If the
the program and compare it with the listing shown in table 1.
program is terminated each time deflection is
calculated, an error will occur if subsequent
calculator keystroke sequence is a simple, corrections are attempted. All subsequent
easy-to-follow operation, requiring no special corrections must be entered at the RUN/STOP
expertise in mathematics, engineering, or computer (R/S) instruction in line 37 of the program. If
programing. azimuth is displayed, the program will be at the
In summary, an auxiliary fire direction system built correct point to receive the observer's adjustments.
around the hand-held calculator offers highly
desirable flexibility for normal operations, especially Table 2 lists the data stored in the eight
when the battery is split into two platoons. It would addressable registers of the HP-25C. Like the
provide an even more important emergency capability, program, this data will remain unchanged after the
should circumstances require it. At the same time, the calculator is turned off. The data must be updated
calculator can increase the speed with which certain periodically as indicated in the table. The keystrokes
problems such as meteorological corrections, required to obtain firing data for grid missions are
horizontal chart data, terrain gun position corrections, shown in table 3 and for polar and known-point
and hasty survey can be computed. Furthermore, missions in table 4. The procedures are simple, and,
hand-held calculators allow the FDC to maintain a with a small amount of practice, speed and accuracy
true 24-hour capability without additional personnel. can be achieved.
In short, the advantages and usefulness of hand-held Table 4. Key sequence for polar/known-point missions.
calculators to the artillery are limited only by the INPUT
KEYS
OUTPUT
STEP INSTRUCTIONS DATA DATA
imagination of the user. 1 DO PRE-OP CHECK
2 SELECT DISPLAY f FIX O
Firing chart program using HP-25C calculator 3 INITIALIZE PROGRAM f PRGM
4 STORE OBSERVER / EOBS STO 6
The following program and explanation illustrate how KNOWN POINT LOC. NOBS STO 7
the HP-25C can be used to supplement or replace the 5 STORE OT DIRECTION OT DIR STO O GTO 38
horizontal firing chart. The details of actually loading the 6 INPUT DEV CORR
program are not covered, since those steps are clearly FOR POLAR, DEV CORR=0 DEV CORR ↑

explained in the owner's manual. The calculator does not 7 INPUT RANGE CORR. RG CORR R/S RANGE
R/S DEFLECTION
possess a mil mode for trigonometric operations; so the R/S AZIMUTH
degree mode is used for all computations. Both the 8 FOR ADJUSTMENTS, DO STEP 6, TABLE 3.
observer-target (OT) direction and the azimuth of fire are
stored in mils and then are converted to degrees when Note: The preoperation check consists of a review of storage
registers 1 through 5 for proper contents as shown in table 2 and
needed in the calculations. This permits the operator to the execution of a check problem similar to the one in table 5. If
review all the stored data without having to convert any the check problem does not execute properly, review the program
of the quantities. and compare it with the listing shown in table 1.

—23—
 pointer to step 00. The sequence is "f PRGM." In
order for the next target location to be stored
properly, "f PRGM" must be pressed at the end of
each mission. Prior to the next mission, if the "final
pin location" is desired, the operator can manually
recall the contents of R6 and R7 and record the
target easting and northing for massing or replot.
Figure 1 shows a typical situation for a firing
range or battlefield. The firing data obtained from
this situation is shown in table 5, using the key
sequences shown in tables 3 and 4. To insure that
the program has been correctly loaded, a "check"
problem of this nature could be used to detect and
correct loading errors.
For emergency missions, the azimuth of fire is
not initially stored in R3; it is ignored. The operator
stores only the battery coordinates and enters the
target location as described in table 3 or table 4.
The range and azimuth will be calculated correctly,
but the deflection will be incorrect (due to not
having a correct azimuth of fire in R3). Once the
initial azimuth is calculated, it is changed to a
positive number, stored in R3, and used to
determine the instrument reading for the aiming
circle. Deflection to fire is 3200. In this manner, the
program almost pulls itself "up by its bootstraps."
This program works and offers significant
Figure 1. General situation.
computational aid for FDCs today and will still find
Caution: To avoid computational errors when firing use in the future as an adjunct to TACFIRE.
across a "00" grid line, precede the lower grid coordinate
by a "1." For example, if the battery is located at 982 713
CPT Thomas H. Barfield is assigned to the 2d
and is firing at a target located at 016 756, enter the target Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, where he has
easting as "101600." The same is true for northings and served as a battery executive officer, battalion
battery grid coordinates. special weapons officer, fire support officer,
and is currently Service Battery Commander.
The program contains an infinite loop which is used to The School does not endorse any particular brand of
maintain the status of target location during program calculator. For the status of School actions in the
execution. At the end of a fire mission, an "end of exciting world of hand-held calculators, see "View
mission" key sequence is used to reset the program From The Blockhouse," this issue. — Ed.

Table 5. Firing chart program results based on situation in figure 1.

OT
Initial/subsequent Range Deflection Azimuth R. R.
Mission direction
data (meters) (mils) (mils) (meters) (meters)
(mils)
Grid Grid 215715 5,940 4,101 2,600 (-)800 21,500 71,500
L100, + 400 4,158 2,701 (-)699 21,235 71,816
R50, -200 4,125 2,651 (-)749 21,368 71,658
Polar Distance 2400 5,940 4,110 2,601 (-)799 21,503 71,509
L50, -100 4,030 2,581 (-)819 21,501 71,398
OP location:
22556935
Known From RP1
point R100, + 400 5,880 4,094 2,601 (-)799 21,492 71,498
R100, + 100 4,218 2,618 (-)782 21,530 71,634
RP1 location:
21607110
Note: Battery location: 18600 68600
Azimuth of fire: 0200
—24—
 Notes from the School

ICM and the M110A1

Many 8-inch M110 howitzer units have now The ICM data to fire then is:
converted to the new M110A1, long tube howitzer. A TI 30.0 (30.6 - 0.6).
question in the minds of most 8-inch unit commanders DF 3252 (the ICM DF is the same as the HE DF).
is "How do I fire ICM with these new howitzers?" QE 471 (445 + 26).
Currently there are no M404 ICM firing table
addendums or ICM scales on the GFTs for the M110A1. Calculator advances may solve
Due to problems with the M110A1 M404 ICM firing gunnery problem
program, Ballistic Research Laboratories predicts it will
be at least July 1978 before M404 firing data for the The use of a hand-held programable calculator as a
M110A1 is complete. backup to FDC operations may soon be a reality. Due
Until that data is available, there are "combat to recent technological advances in this field, it is now
emergency use only" procedures for firing ICM from possible to program hand-held calculators to solve the
the M110A1 howitzer. These procedures are as follows: gunnery problem.
1) Determine the HE M106 firing data from the In an effort to validate the use of these calculators, a
M110A1 TFT or GFT (8-Q-1). concept evaluation test was conducted by the Field
2) Enter the M110 (short tube) ICM firing table Artillery Board, and an independent evaluation of the
addendum (FT 8 ADD-A-1) with the HE fuze setting Board results was made by the Gunnery Department.
and quadrant elevation (from step 1) to determine Results indicate that the hand-held calculator as a
ballistic corrections for the M404 ICM fuze setting and backup to FDC operations is a sound concept; the
quadrant elevation. calculator-produced firing data were accurate within
3) Add the ballistic corrections for fuze setting and transfer limits of the charges tested for the HE
quadrant determined in step 2 to the HE data in step 1 to projectile. A draft letter requirement is being staffed
determine the ICM firing data. within USAFAS to start procurement action.
The following is an example problem: Given: GFT During the testing, several commercially available
setting for an M110A1 howitzer battery — calculators were used. The programs developed for
GFT A: CHG 5, LOT XY, RG 8700, EL 412, these calculators were based on the M109A1 weapons
TI 28.8. system firing the HE projectile. Since that time, as a
result of the interest shown from the field, programs
GFT DF CORR: L2.
LOT Y is propellant M1, green bag. for the M101A1, M102, M109, M110, M110A1, and
FFE ICM chart range and deflection: range M107 with the HE projectile have been developed.
To assist those units and individuals interested, the
9100, deflection 3240.
School has prepared an information packet. In addition
Site: + 5.
to providing programing information and operational
The initial HE data determined from the M110A1
procedures, the packet is intended to generate feedback
GFT (8-Q-1) is TI 30.6; DF 3252; QE 445.
from the field which will help in the development of a
The ballistic corrections for ICM determined from the
hand-held programable calculator that can be used by
M110 firing table addendum (FT 8 ADD-A-1) are +
all artillerymen. Interested persons may obtain the
26.1 mils for quadrant (enter table A with QE 445) and
information packet by writing to: Commandant,
-0.6 fuze setting increments for the fuze setting (enter
USAFAS, ATTN: ATSF-G-RA, Fort Sill, OK 73503.
table B with fuze setting 30.6).
—25—
View From The Blockhouse
FADAC instruction exported Self-paced gunnery instruction started

The Gunnery Department has developed a The Gunnery Department is currently involved in an
self-teaching exportable packet (STEP) for FADAC effort to self-pace some instruction for officers in
that is now being sent to the field. Included in the FAOAC 1-78. One group of about 70 officers is taking
packet are four instructional books, criterion exams, the manual portion of gunnery in the self-pace mode to
and a supervisor's packet that explains how the packet validate the program and determine its feasibility. The
should be used. FADAC portion of the subcourse for this group will be
taught by a platform instructor.
A different packet has been prepared for each weapon
The objective of this project is to allow the student to
caliber, to include problems and solutions for each type
work at his own pace, thereby finishing the program in
weapon system within that caliber.
a much shorter time than by normal classroom
Although FADAC procedures can be learned from instruction. Two instructors are working with the test
the STEP alone, the packet is designed to be used in group to monitor individual progress, administer
conjunction with the draft FADAC User's Manual examinations, and provide instruction and assistance as
(DTM 9-1220-221-10/CL) so that a full understanding required.
of procedural theory can be learned. The FADAC Student study guides have been prepared for each
User's Manual is scheduled for distribution this March. manual class that is taught. Study material consists of
films, programed texts, and field manuals. The student
The packet was validated by 13E AIT students. Their completes the study material and then takes an
average completion time was only 39 hours, and they examination. If the student passes, he moves to the next
had few problems with the material. class; if not, he restudies the material he did not pass
The purpose of the FADAC STEP is twofold. First, and retakes the exam. At the end of the program, the
there is presently little FADAC instructional material in student will take a final comprehensive gunnery exam.
the field. There is a definite need for the material so that Since the Gunnery Department considers the
13Es can prepare for the SQT. Second, a study has self-pace method an effective way to train, it is
shown that only 29 percent of 13E AIT graduates monitoring the program closely. If the self-pace
become FADAC operators, and only a few of those program is successful, the student can receive quality
operate a FADAC within the first six months after training with less time spent in the training pipeline.
graduation. Consequently, they forget most of what they
learned in AIT and require retraining in their unit. OSUT possible for 13E
The STEP provides an instructional packet that the USAFAS has started testing the one station unit
soldier can use with little supervision. It will save training (OSUT) concept with 13E students. The test
training time and release FADAC assets from the will consist of 40 to 50 students and will begin with
School to be used in the field. basic training and continue through 13E MOS training.
The idea is to save both training time and money and
still produce a skill level 1 qualified 13E. The course
Help for M36 chronograph operators will be structured after the 13B OSUT that has been
successfully conducted by the Artillery Training Center.
The M36 chronograph is an important tool in Presently, 13E soldiers may receive their basic
achieving accurate predicted fire by frequent updating training at one of several different posts, but must
of weapon muzzle velocities. Several units have asked receive their AIT at Fort Sill. Under OSUT, the
for help in training soldiers on M36 operation. Based on transportation expense of "double" movement of these
these requests, USAFAS will begin giving each 13E troops is eliminated. The 13E soldier now receives
AIT student a "hands-on" orientation of the setup and seven full weeks of BCT, about one week of out/in
operation of the M36. processing from BCT to AIT, and an average of six
weeks AIT, for a total training time of 14 weeks.
Although these procedures are outlined in TM With OSUT, the out/in processing time is eliminated.
9-1290-325-12/1, the Gunnery Department is producing Currently, the 13B OSUT program is 12 weeks; this is
a pocket-size pamphlet that will include setup and the goal for 13E OSUT. USAFAS believes that the 13E
operating procedures. MOS OSUT will be successful.
—26—
 View From The Blockhouse
Course prepares Signal Corps officers It is recommended that the commander waiting for a
for tactical units lieutenant from the Signal Officers Basic Course send
his new lieutenant through CESOC before he reports to
his unit. Though the training will require an additional 9
While most people may know that Fort Sill is the to 10 weeks, the commander can be confident that his
home of the Field Artillery, they may not be aware that Signal Corps lieutenant will arrive with a thorough
it is also the home of one of the finest Signal Corps (SC) knowledge of the job that awaits him.
courses available in the Army today. This is the
Communications/Electronics Staff Officer Course
(CESOC). FA officers task lists fielded
One of the most difficult and challenging assignments
for the SC officer is to a maneuver unit or an artillery The Field Artillery Lieutenant's Manual has been
unit. In a Field Artillery battalion this means assignment distributed to Active Army and Reserve Component
as either a communications platoon leader or a units, Army-wide, down to battery level, and is being
communication/electronics staff officer. These jobs are issued to all FAOBC classes, starting with class
difficult for the SC officer since he is not trained for 10-77.
duty in tactical communications in his basic course and The origin of the manual was a task analysis of
there is little time for on-the-job training when the SC FAOBC and the four follow-on courses — Cannon,
officer reports to his non-Signal unit. Lance, Pershing, and Target Acquisition/Survey.
Because of this and our limited experience in
To non-Signal unit commanders, the officer with
developing soft-skill supervisory tasks, many of the
"crossed flags" means an end to their communication
task statements in the manual are classroom oriented.
problems but, unless this SC officer has attended the
CESOC, those commanders could be disappointed. Users should not be dismayed by the number of
tasks listed in the manual. Three-fourths of the tasks
The CESOC is nine weeks and three days long and is (all task numbers starting with the numeral 1) are
the only course of its kind available for tactical enlisted skill level 1 through 3 tasks that were
communicators. The course objective is to prepare included in accordance with TRADOC guidance on
Signal Corps officers for assignment as C/E staff officer training.
officers at battalion through brigade level in non-Signal
Corps units and Combat Signal Officer SSI 025A. A planned revision of the manual will reflect
current TRADOC guidance and added experience
CESOC graduates will be proficient in a myriad of among task developers. This should reduce
SC-related skills required for communications in substantially the number of tasks, listed in the manual,
non-Signal units. Such skills include supervising the produce better-defined tasks, and orient the tasks
installation, operation, and maintenance of the unit toward real-world situations. Supervisory tasks will
communication system; selection of good be treated as such, not couched in terms that express
communication sites; organizational maintenance of classroom objectives.
communication equipment; training unit personnel in
Respondents to the questionnaire at the back of the
communication procedures and security; training
manual should be aware that DA and TRADOC are
message center personnel; and a thorough knowledge of
currently conducting comprehensive studies on officer
supply procedures.
education and training, including the feasibility and
Students at CESOC also receive a general knowledge desirability of officer qualification testing at
of organization, mission, and employment of Field appropriate times in their careers.
Artillery, Armor, and Infantry battalions and brigades The Field Artillery School has been nominated to
and their communications requirements. Each Field develop a pilot model for the TRADOC study. If the
Artillery battalion is authorized two SC officers, a nomination is approved, the revised task list for
communication/electronics staff officer, and a lieutenants, as well as an on-going analysis of FA
communication platoon leader. captains' tasks, will form the basis for development of
A large portion of the CESOC student input comes the pilot model.
directly from the Signal Officers Basic Course, but there Whether the USAFAS does or does not develop the
are a number that come directly from the non-Signal pilot model, all FA officers, O1 through O6, can expect
units. Any military personnel office can furnish to see most of their tasks laid out for them in some form
information regarding enrollment in CESOC. of a task list in the not-so-distant future.
—27—
View From The Blockhouse
FAOAC validation By using officers who have "validated" portions of
Working under the principle that officers with the FAOAC to undertake useful projects, the School is
different backgrounds and degrees of experience need able to make better use of the professional officer. At
not undergo identical training during the FA Officers the same time, students are given the opportunity to
Advanced Course in order to achieve the required level expand their perspective by working in various
of proficiency, the School has implemented the departments at the school.
Baseline Objective Program. Officers coming to the FAOAC should take pretests
Under this program, students are allowed to take in any areas in which they have expertise. Often, a
pretests at the beginning of the course to demonstrate short review of the subject will be enough to "validate"
their knowledge of the subjects. Each academic a course and allow the student to make his assignment
department provides the students with advance to the FAOAC more challenging and rewarding and
information about the type and scope of the pretests, more productive for the School and the Army.
the minimum passing score, and the instruction from
which the student will be excused if he passes the CMF 13 Job Books fielded
pretest.
Army job books for career management field 13
Officers who achieve a satisfactory score on the
(Field Artillery), will be in the hands of NCO
pretest are excused from a specific amount of
supervisors by April 1978. The high priority job books
instruction in that department and from the exam on
will be delivered to Active Army, USAR, and National
that portion of the instruction. Students who "validate"
Guard units at the same time.
a course receive a final grade for that block of
The books are an informal training record in which
instruction equal to the highest grade achieved by
NCO supervisors can record each soldier's progress in
students who take the regular exam.
accomplishing those critical tasks listed in the Soldier's
Figure 1 summarizes the Baseline Objective
Manual during the preparation for the SQT.
Program as administered to FAOAC 2-77:
Job books for the following MOSs are scheduled for
Number of delivery by 1 April: 13B, 13E, 13F, 15D, 15E, 15J, 17B,
Number of
Subcourse
Grade classroom hours
students 17C, 82C, and 93F.
Points student excused
passing exam
from
Gunnery 280 240 11 A subscription to the Field Artillery
CED (hands on) – 6.8 162
CED (written)
Counterfire (targeting)
35
85
10.4
20
29
2
Journal will reach you under even
Counterfire (survey)
T/CAD (maneuver)
35
90
28
68 0
6 the best concealment!
T/CAD (FA tactics) 170 96.3 0
T/CAD (NWED) 30 29.6 0
Weapons (FB) 45 15.5 36
Weapons (maint) 65 39.6 *
*Students validated specific subjects by class
Figure 1

In addition to relieving students from the

requirement to sit through classes on subjects already
mastered, this program allows officers to make
significant contributions to the solution of problems
throughout the School.
Students in FAOAC 2-77 undertook a number of
projects, such as evaluating the use of hand-held
calculators in gunnery computations, the development Write: Field Artillery Association
of tasks for inclusion in the Captain's Manual, Field Artillery Museum
simplification and standardization of safety data Fort Sill, OK 73503
computations, work on the product improvement Or call: Area code 405 351-4775
package for the M102, applications of the Dunn Kempf AUTOVON 639-4775
war game, and the writing of a training circular.
—28—
 View From The Blockhouse
Firefinder fielding scheduled

First production models of the Q-36 (mortar locating

radar) and Q-37 (artillery locating radar) will be
deployed to the field in the early 1980s. Priority of
issue is to target acquisition batteries (TABs) in the
USAREUR and at Fort Sill. All USAREUR TABs will
receive the Q-36s and Q-37s by the early 1980s
followed by CONUS units and Reserve units.
All division TABs, except airborne and airmobile
COUNTERFIRE with no TOE changes, will receive two Q-37s and three
Q-36s to replace the current five AN/MPQ-4A radars.
SYSTEMS REVIEW The airborne TAB will have five Q-36s and the
airmobile will have three.
WO radar course cancelled Production models will be designed so that both the
Q-36 and Q-37 may use the same computer shelter. The
A resident course of instruction for Field Artillery radars will incorporate many hardware and software
Radar Technicians (4C-211A), announced in the innovations that will significantly increase the
previous edition of the Journal to begin this year, has survivability of the radars in a fluid, active electronic
been cancelled due to funding and manpower warfare battlefield.
constraints. Future announcement will be made should The Counterfire Department will begin instruction
the course be reinstated. (maintenance and operator) in September 1979 for
personnel to support the fielded production systems.
SIAGL problem surfaces
Final testing for photolocator
A recently discovered problem with the heat shield
on the Survey Instrument, Azimuth Gyro, Lightweight Operational Test II field testing of the Army's new
(SIAGL) has caused discontinuation of the instrument's photolocator system will be conducted by the Field
use until further notice. Artillery Board from April to July 1978 with fielding
The heat shield gives off a vapor which coats the scheduled for 1979.
moving parts of the instrument causing malfunctions The photolocator will provide division artillery with
and overheating. No danger to the operator exists. accurate survey control, serve as the division survey
Initial investigation revealed that the problem was in information center (SIC), and produce divisional trig
the 93 SIAGLs purchased in the first buy. The message lists. It can compute any survey problem in seconds
to all units having those instruments advised them to with its Hewlett Packard 9825A calculator.
discontinue use immediately to prevent further damage Accurate target locations can be determined by
to these SIAGLs. comparing reconnaissance photographs to the system's
A second purchase of 200 SIAGLs is being made. data base, giving the division SIC a new dimension in
Instruments in this group do not have the heat shield counterfire.
problem.

Commanders Update
LTC John P. Dooley
2d Battalion, 31st Field Artillery

COL Donald E. Eckelbarger COL Elmer C. May LTC Jean D. Reed

3d Armored Division Artillery 42d Field Artillery Group 1st Battalion, 39th Field Artillery

COL Giac P. Modica LTC Jerry C. Harrison LTC Curtis L. Lamm

Field Artillery Missile Group 9 1st Battalion, 29th Field Artillery 1st Battalion, 73rd Field Artillery
—29—
How much

Art by Donna Covert by LTC (Ret) Roy E. Penepacker

and Mr. Lonnie R. Minton

is enough?
provide a recommended solution for the FDO's
You are a direct support battalion fire direction
approval or modification. But, what do we do until
officer and a fire support team (FIST) observer has just TACFIRE arrives?
called for fire for effect on a target described as "infantry
company in open." The observer requested ICM and you 6-141 Manuals
must decide how much ammunition to expend. What basis
There are three sources currently available which
do you use for that decision? Unless you have recently
provide information on the effectiveness of munitions
studied weapons system effectiveness data, the answer is
on a target. The first is a series of field manuals which
probably that you "winged it" or relied on a battalion SOP
present doctrine for the optimum employment of
for the answer.
nonnuclear field artillery munitions. The FM 6-141
This problem is not new; the fire direction officer (FDO) series are entitled "Field Artillery Target Analysis and
has wrestled with it for years. Far too often the solution has Weapons Employment: Nonnuclear." The 6-141-1
been that we fire a certain standard expenditure and rely on manual is unclassified, and the 6-141-2 manual is used
the observer to tell us if we need more. That solution can as a classified supplement containing lethality and
lead to wasted ammunition and reduced effects because the effectiveness data. The scope of the manuals includes:
best solution — ammunition and fuze combination plus
volume of fire — was not available. This is not to imply that • Comparative effects of weapons systems.
weapons system effectiveness is a precise science — it is far • Characteristics and capabilities of field artillery
from that. But a better solution than intuition is needed on weapons and their associated high explosive (HE),
the future battlefield where every round must count. In chemical, and improved conventional munitions
addition, there are missions in which there is no observer to (ICM).
inform us of the effects on the target. • Typical targets and suggested methods of attack.
• Target analysis.
Help for the FDO is on the way. A giant leap forward
• Lethality.
will occur when the TACFIRE system if fielded. The
• Probabilities, delivery accuracy, and dispersion
computer programs will evaluate each target and
errors.
—30—
 In short, the manuals provide the FDO or fire planner
Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, DA
with the basic principles of munitions employment and US Army Training and Doctrine Command
an understanding of the effectiveness to be expected in US Army Field Artillery School
typical situations. US Army Infantry School
US Army Armor School
US Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command
JMEMs US Army Armament Research and Development Command
Ballistics Research Laboratories
Large Caliber Weapons Systems Laboratories
A second source of effectiveness data is the Joint Chemical Systems Laboratories
Munitions Effectiveness Manuals (JMEM). Why does US Army Armament Materiel Readiness Command
the word "joint" appear in the manual titles? Perhaps a US Army Test and Evaluation Command
few words of explanation are needed for one to US Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity
understand the background which led to the publication Defense Intelligence Agency
of these manuals. Before 1960, the development and use Concepts Analysis Agency
of techniques for measuring weapons effectiveness was a
highly individualized procedure for each of the armed Figure 1. Army membership in the JMEM/SS subgroup.
services. When joint service study groups tried to use
these data, they found they could not compare systems of target, number of volleys, battery formation, etc.
from different services because of incompatibilities in The manuals are updated as more targets and
data. Direction for a program to remedy this situation employment techniques are evaluated, and new
was given by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1967 a manuals are published as additional weapons systems are
subgroup of the Joint Technical Coordinating Group fielded.
for Munitions Effectiveness (JTCG/ME) was All JMEM/SSs are in the FM 101 series (figure 2)
established to produce effectiveness data for and may be requested on DA Form 17 from Director,
surface-to-surface weapons. This subgroup, composed US Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity, ATTN:
of civilian and military personnel from the Army, Navy, DRXSY-J, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005.
Marine Corps, and Air Force, is responsible for Effectiveness Data For –
developing standardized weapons effectiveness data to Howitzer, 105-mm: M101A1.............................. FM 101-60-2
be included in the Joint Munitions Effectiveness Howitzer, 155-mm: M109 .................................... FM 101-60-3
Manual for Surface-to-Surface (JMEM/SS) weapons. Howitzer, 8-inch: M110........................................ FM 101-60-4
In addition to the JMEM/SS, other subgroups of the Howitzer, 155-mm: M109A1 ................................ FM 101-60-14
Howitzer, 175-mm: M107 .................................. FM 101-60-5
JTCG/ME established were the Mortar, 81-mm: M29 ......................................... FM 101-60-1
JMEM/Air-to-Surface, JMEM/Air-to-Air, and Mortar, 4.2-inch: M30.......................................... FM 101-60-7
JMEM/Surface-to-Air. Subgroups were also Rocket, 762-mm: MGR-1B.................................... FM 101-60-8
established to standardize target vulnerability data, a Tank, 105-mm: M60A1......................................... FM 101-60-12
battle damage assessment and reporting system, Guided Missile, Surface Attack: MGM-52C ..... FM 101-60-18
systems effectiveness, and joint aircraft attrition. Infantry Direct Fire Weapons............................. FM 101-60-16
Weapons/Ammunition Characteristics.................... FM 101-61-2
JMEMs have been published to provide lethal area Safe Distances ...................................................... FM 101-62-1
data, delivery accuracy data, reliability data, etc. These Lethal Areas.......................................................... FM 101-62-2
published data, as well as unpublished data provided by Fragmentation Data .............................................. FM 101-62-3
the various working groups, are used to produce Ammunition Reliability ........................................ FM 101-61-3
effectiveness data which are published in pamphlets. Indirect Fire Accuracy, Volume 1 ........................... FM 101-61-5-1
These pamphlets are influenced by tactics, doctrine, Basic Effectiveness................................................ FM 101-60-17
Weapon System Reliability .................................... FM 101-61-7
threat, etc. Field Artillery School personnel participate
in the various working groups to insure that data are
provided for field artillery systems. Army Figure 2. Published effectiveness pamphlets.
representation in the JMEM/SS subgroup is presented
Targets for which effects data are published are:
in figure 1.
• Personnel: standing, prone, and crouching in
There is a separate effectiveness manual for each
foxholes.
weapon system. Data are presented in tabular form for
• Radar van.
numerous targets, environments, projectile-fuze
• Artillery rockets and launchers.
combinations, deployment techniques, etc. The
• Gun/howitzer.
effectiveness data are presented as fractions of
• Tank.
casualties/damage expected as a function of range, size
• Truck.
—31—
 Targets to be included are: Table 1. Basis of issue for Graphical Munitions Effects Tables.
• APC.
• Bunkers. National stock
Description/basis of issue
Quantity
number (NSN) authorized
• AA missile sites.
1220-01-021-7278 (C) Scale, Graphical Munitions Effects
GMETs (GMET-JMEM) f/M102:
Btry FDC, 105-mm btry ................ 2
Bn FDC, 105-mm bn ........................ 6
HHB, div arty .............................. 4
A third source of effectiveness data is the Graphical HHB, FA Gp .................................. 2
Munitions Effects Tables (GMET). The practical HHB, Corps arty/Field Artillery
limitations on the use of the JMEM pamphlets restrict sections (FAS), HHC, Corps.......... 2
the FDO's reference to them and, to some extent, their USAFAS......................................... 10
use by fire planners who usually have more time to
1220-01-021-7279 (C) Scale, Graphical Munitions Effects
perform their target analyses. The GMET provides
(GMET-JMEM) f/M109A1:
easily available effects data in the form of a slide rule of Btry FDC, 155-mm btry ................ 2
standard graphical firing table size. Three of the four Bn FDC, 155-mm bn........................ 6
GMETs are classified CONFIDENTIAL because they HHB, div arty................................. 4
contain actual effects data for the M102, M110, and HHB, FA Gp .................................. 2
M109A1 weapons systems. The fourth GMET, the HHB, Corps arty/FAS, HHC, Corps2
USAFAS.............................................. 15
training edition, is unclassified. However, the format
and method of use are the same as that for the classified 1220-01-021-7276 (C) Scale, Graphical Munitions Effects
tables. All the GMETs are expendable items authorized (GMET-JMEM) f/M110:
by Common Table of Allowances 50-970. The cost of Btry FDC, 8-inch............................. 2
the items is chargeable to unit operations and Bn FDC, 8-inch ...................................... 2
HHB, div arty ........................... 4
maintenance allowance funds. Table 1 contains the HHB, FA Gp .................................. 2
national stock numbers and descriptions for use in HHB, Corps arty/FAS, HHC, Corps 2
ordering these items. USAFAS ........................................ 15
The GMET contains effects data for use against
1220-01-021-7277 Scale, Graphical Munitions Effects,
personnel targets in the offense or defense. The user can
Training (GMET-JMEM):
determine the average number of battery or battalion Btry FDC ........................................... 2
volleys required to achieve a specified level of casualties Bn FDC........................................... 6
HHB, div arty ........................... 4
HHB, FA Gp .................................. 2
HHB, Corps arty/FAS, HHC, Corps 2
USAFAS .................................... 100

against personnel in the open or the average

effectiveness achieved with one battery or battalion
volley.
Each side of the GMET contains five blocks in
identical format. The blocks contain data for observer
adjusted fire and for met plus VE fires with target
location errors (TLE) of 0, 75, 150, and 250 meters.
Provision is made for TLE of up to 250 meters and for
three levels of effects in addition to the one volley
effects (figure 3). Data are provided for target sizes of 50
through 250 meters, in 50-meter increments, for both
battery and battalion volleys, for high explosive (HE)
and antipersonnel improved conventional munitions
(ICM). The cursor is labeled with the target radii (RT),
percentage of casualties (% CAS), fuze/shell
combinations (FZ/SHELL), and assumed radii for
Figure 3. Portion of Graphical Munitions Effects Table. target elements such as squad, platoon, etc.

—32—
 The assumptions used in constructing the GMET are as text reference material, to military planners as source
listed at the edges of the GMET. If other conditions data, and to military headquarters and schools for use
exist, such as the use of terrain gun positions or met in field manuals and studies. In addition, the GMETs
data more than two hours old, the user must make provide a significant increase in the FDO's or fire
appropriate adjustments to the volume of fire required. planner's ability to determine in real time the answer to
To use the GMET, merely slide the window of the the question that must be answered in the heat of battle
cursor over the applicable block, e.g.; Met plus VE, — How much is enough?
75-meter TLE (figure 3), and determine the
ammunition and volume of fire required. (A detailed
description of how to use the GMET is given in Annex Revisions of the FM 6-141 series will be published in
L of the recently published FM 6-20, "Fire Support in early 1978. Units which do not receive the manuals
Combined Arms Operations".) through their pinpoint accounts should requisition
Personnel assigned to 8-inch battalions may wonder copies on DA Form 17 through normal channels. —
if the present M110 GMET is valid for the M110A1. Ed.
There will be some difference in the effects data
because of the difference in range capability; however,
those units should requisition and use the M110 GMET LTC (Ret) Roy E. Penepacker is a military research
until the JMEM/SS working group finalizes their data analyst in the Tactics/Combined Arms
on the M110A1. Department, USAFAS.
These sources of effectiveness data provide
standardized and accepted information to military schools Mr. Lonnie R. Minton is a mathematician in the
Directorate of Combat Developments, USAFAS.
Evolution of Soviet Self-Propelled Artillery (Continued from page 12)

For one thing, the diverse emphasis in developments artillery systems. In addition SP artillery systems were
reveals that the Soviets had an ambivalent attitude seldom assigned to artillery units, and so Soviet
toward the very concept of SP artillery. On the one artillery commanders had little incentive to
hand, Soviet military policymakers were interested champion their creation and adoption. This is in
enough to devote resources to creating prototype marked contrast to the situation in the United States
systems, but, on the other hand, these prototypes were where artillery troops had every reason to exercise
primarily of auxiliary systems (e.g., tank destroyers, air their bureaucratic clout in behalf of SP artillery
transportable systems, or nuclear artillery) during the systems.
1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Such behavior suggests that The shifting design objectives and operational
Soviet weapons policymakers never really considered requirements of the four periods were therefore not
SP artillery of major importance. merely capriciousness, but rather the result in part of
The shifting design objectives and operational Soviet organizational processes. At the same time,
requirements of these four periods also reflects Soviet SP artillery developments were also affected by
changing evaluations of battlefield missions, desired constantly changing operational doctrines, threat
force structures, and projections about the nature of the perceptions, and the secondary importance of SP
enemy threat. For instance, when enemy tanks seemed artillery concepts. Consequently, all these factors have
the paramount threat, SP artillery designs emphasized combined to affect the direction and to retard the pace
tank destruction. Later, as the potential threat changed, of Soviet SP artillery development as compared to that
SP artillery designers no longer stressed the of the United States and its European allies.
development of tank destroyers.
It is also important to realize that SP artillery in the Andrew W. Hull is a researcher for International
Soviet Union lacked an organizational champion. For Studies Center, Columbus Laboratories of Battelle
example, with the exception of a brief period during Memorial Institute. Mr. Hull's research has been
World War II, there were no design bureaus devoted centered on Soviet research and development
policy and management. He has undertaken
exclusively to SP artillery. Instead, SP guns were
numerous tasks regarding Soviet technology
designed on an ad hoc basis by either tank designers, planning and development and has contributed to
artillery designers, or a combination of both tank and a study of Soviet defense mobilization capabilities,
artillery designers working in concert. Therefore, there aimed at suggesting arms control measures that
was no design organization to provide consistency of would exploit Soviet weapons development and
design emphasis or to push for the adoption of SP production practices.
—33—
The optimum shell/fuze combination matrix: A guide for
issuing an effective fire order by CPT Larry D. Aaron

use is made of any effectiveness data when a target of

The battery fire direction center has just received opportunity is engaged.
an observer's call for fire. The fire direction officer, in The use of JMEM data is a necessity for effective
deciding how to engage the target, must quickly study surprise fire and for minimizing time loss and
the current tactical situation to include the type of ammunition waste for maximum artillery influence on
terrain in the target area, the target posture, and the the battlefield. To achieve this, the FDO and the fire
location of all friendly elements. He must hurriedly support officer (FSO) must be thoroughly familiar with
consider the amount and type of ammunition available, effectiveness information and must use this knowledge
apply the commander's guidance to this situation, and to assist the ground gaining arms.
consider the effectiveness of the appropriate
ammunition. The culmination of this sequence of The effectiveness data in its current field manual
target analysis is the issuance of a fire order. format is useful to the fire planner. He has the time to
search the manuals for the appropriate table or graph
To complete this fire mission within ARTEP time in order to make a comparison of each shell/fuze
standards, the fire direction officer (FDO) is allowed combination's effectiveness for the particular target.
no more than 30 to 45 seconds to conduct his target The FDO, however, does not have the time to use the
analysis and issue a fire order. The time constraints JMEM or FM 6-141-2. To him the manuals are
force a hurried and often incomplete analysis cumbersome and practically useless.
procedure. The usual solution is to fire a couple of
battery or battalion volleys of improved conventional The Field Artillery School, in an effort to provide
munitions (ICM) or high explosive (HE) with variable assistance to the FDO and the FSO, has developed the
time (VT) fuze and let the observer tell the fire Graphical Munitions Effects Table (GMET). This
direction center (FDC) what happened. Little or no use GMET allows a rapid selection of the appropriate
is made of the field manual, Field Artillery Target number of rounds of ICM or HE with fuze VT or PD
Analysis and Employment: Nonnuclear (FM 6-141-1); (point detonating) to achieve a specific effect against
the CONFIDENTIAL field manual, Field Artillery personnel targets of various sizes. The GMET is a step
Target Analysis and Employment: Nonnuclear (FM in the right direction, but has several limitations:
6-141-2); or the appropriate Joint Munitions • The GMET considers only personnel targets
Effectiveness Manual (JMEM). Because FM 6-141-2 (although it is unlikely that the FDO will be engaging
and the JMEM are classified, and therefore generally strictly personnel type targets).
less accessible, and because of the average FDO's • The shell/fuze combination selection is limited to
unfamiliarity with the contents of the manuals, little two shell types (although a unit's basic load contains

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many other types of conventional ammunition). indicates when to mass fires by giving area coverage for
• The GMET used in combat is classified. a battery one round and a battalion one round.
In an effort to overcome these limitations, an optimum The type targets are divided into two groups: personnel
shell/fuze combination matrix was developed. It is based and materiel. Under each major type, there are examples
on all available effectiveness data for the conventional of each target for which there is effectiveness data,
ammunition an FDO may want to use against various including the assumed size of each target. To the right of
materiel and personnel targets. The design of the matrix the target categories, are columns listing the conventional
(figure 1) is still in its infancy and improvements to the ammunition an FDO might have available. Listed beneath
matrix are being made as testing continues. each shell/fuze combination is a letter indicating the
The matrix does not give percentages of effects for all relative effectiveness of that combination compared to
targets but, rather, provides a ranking of optimum other combinations used against that target. The letter "A"
shell/fuze combinations in order of effectiveness. To indicates the optimum and each subsequent letter indicates
further enhance the FDO's ability to select not only a relatively less effectiveness. An asterisk indicates that the
suitable volume and type of ammunition, the matrix shell/fuze combination will not produce significant
Size Shell/fuze combinations
Personnel targets Remarks
(meters) HE/PD HE/TI HE/VT HE/CP WP/PD ICM(AP) ICM(AP/AM)
Squad/small patrol 50 E D C * E B A
Small unit *Shell/fuze
headquarters 50 E D C * E B A combination is not
Platoon 150 E D C * F B A appropriate to produce
Company 250 E D C * F B A a signifi-number of
Battalion 250-500 * D C * * B A casualties or amount of
Observation post 50 E D C F E B A damage.
Command post 50 E D C F E B A
Materiel targets
T-55 tank 50-250 B D C * E * A
1. Converged sheaf
APC 50 B D C * E * A
increases percent damage
MG bunker 50 B E D A * * C until radius of target
Radar van 50 D C B * E * A exceeds 150 meters for all
Medium truck 50-250 B D C F E * A materiel targets.
FROG 50 B C B E D * A 2. FDO must know
FROG transporter 50 B D C F E * A equipment characteristics
to equate other materiel
140-mm rocket
targets to ones listed.
launcher 125 B D C E F * A
152-mm howitzer 125 B D C E F * A
Notes:
1. HC/TI, with maneuver approval, can be used in conjunction with HE or ICM to increase the enemy command and control problems and
consequently may indirectly increase the effect of HE or ICM on any personnel target.
2. All targets are considered in open terrain as opposed to wooded or marshy terrain. If the target area is wooded, the use of HE/VT may achieve
an excessively high airburst. If the target area is marshy, effects of HE/PD are greatly reduced.
3. For all personnel-type targets, one-half are considered standing and one-half are considered prone on the first volley of fire for effect; all
personnel are considered prone on subsequent volleys. If the personnel are crouching in foxholes, ICM(AP/AM) will have very little effect.
Figure 1. Optimum shell/fuze combinations for engaging personnel and materiel targets (155-mm howitzer M109A1).

Expected area of coverage (meters)* Expected fraction of casualties (personnel)

ICM(AP) Square Circle (radius) If the target radius equals 50 meters, then:
Btry ① 266 x 266 150 ICM(AP) HE/VT HE/PD
Bn ① 390 x 390 220 Btry ① .15 .05 .03
Bn ① .35 .16 .11

HE Square Circle (radius) The expected fraction of damage against materiel targets, if
engaged by a battalion one round of the optimum of
Btry ① 275 x 275 155 ICM(AP/AM), will be 0.03 or less except for trucks which is
Bn ① 390 x 390 220 slightly larger, but much less than the expected fraction of
personnel casualties.
*Density of coverage is not considered.
Figure 1. Expected area of coverage (meters). Figure 2. Expected fraction of casualties (personnel).
—35—
effects against that target until the volume of same number of rounds, he can achieve slightly better
ammunition required becomes prohibitive. If the same effects and cover a larger area if he masses the fires of a
letter is repeated for two combinations, the effects battalion.
achieved are relatively equal. There are several notes at the bottom of the matrix to
Figure 2, which is used in conjunction with figure 1, explain the basis of its data. An additional note alerts
indicates the area that is covered by either a battery one the FDO that, when engaging materiel targets, the
round or a battalion one round of ICM(AP) expected fraction of damage (EFD) will be 0.03 or less
(antipersonnel) or HE. There is an entry for the relative for a battalion one round (or battery three rounds). This
size of a square or a circle that will be covered (density indicates that a large number of rounds must be fired to
of fragments within that area is not considered). The achieve neutralization even when the optimum
table indicates to the FDO when he may have to mass shell/fuze combination of ICM(AP/AM)
fires, fire a converged sheaf, or employ sweep and/or (antipersonnel/antimateriel) is used.
zone fire to sufficiently cover the target. If the target is a 152-mm battery, the FDO must first
Figure 3 is also used in conjunction with Figure 1 and determine, based on the ammunition available and the
lists the expected fraction of casualties (EFC) from a commander's guidance, whether to neutralize the
battery one round or a battlion one round of either equipment or the personnel. It is easily determined that
ICM(AP) or HE with fuze PD or VT. Data are given for the area of coverage will be sufficient for either HE or
a personnel target with a 50-meter radius. The figures ICM. A quick check reveals that employing the
are from the unclassified GMET. The actual classified optimum of ICM(AP/AM) will require in excess of a
figures are easily obtainable, but the listed figures are battalion three rounds to neutralize (0.10 EFD) the
close enough to give an acceptable estimate and are equipment if the target radius is only 50 meters. The
much better than a guess. same volume of ammunition, however, is excessive to
destroy (0.30 EFC) the unit personnel. The effects data
For example, the FDO plans to fire shell HE with fuze for a battalion three rounds is determined by
time (TI) against a personnel target which has a radius multiplying the effects achieved for a battalion one
of 100 meters. By referring to figure 1, he determines round by three.
that HE/TI is more effective than HE/PD but less In this case, the volume of ammunition required to
effective than HE/VT. Figure 2 shows that, when firing neutralize the equipment is so large that the FDO has
HE, a battery will cover a radius of 155 meters, which is decided to attack the target as a platoon-size personnel
larger than the target. Density of coverage will be target because of the relative size of the battery position.
achieved by either massing other batteries or by firing Referring to the matrix and to the ammunition available,
several battery rounds in effect. He then refers to figure the FDO decides that ICM(AP/AM) is the optimum
3. There are no specific figures for shell HE with fuze shell/fuze combination. If that ammunition is limited,
TI; however, it will be between HE/PD and HE/VT. The the second best would be ICM(AP). Because ICM(AP)
effects (percent of casualties) for a battery one round has little bonus effect of damage to the equipment, the
HE/TI against a target of 50 meters radius can be FDO must then decide between HE/VT and HE/PD.
determined to be between 0.03 (3 percent) and 0.05 (5 The decision is made to fire HE/VT because the degree
percent). The radius of this target is twice that listed. of effectiveness is larger, the number of rounds required
The FDO doubles the rounds required to achieve the is less, and a bonus effect which, although not indicated,
same effects (this technique includes errors, but is can be expected against the equipment. Using the
acceptable for estimates). The FDO now knows that a effectiveness data from the table, the FDO decides that
battery two rounds of HE/TI will achieve between 0.03 a battery three rounds of HE/VT will be sufficient to
and 0.05 fraction of casualties if the target radius equals neutralize the personnel and issues his fire order.
100 meters. Assuming that the FDO will want to The matrix will assist the FDO in his target analysis
neutralize the target — that is, achieve 10 percent or 0.10 procedures. It is easier to use than the JMEM and is of
fraction of casualties — he must increase the number of a broader scope than the GMET; therefore, a copy of
volleys. If he again doubles the volleys, he achieves from this matrix is included in the new FM 6-20 and FM
0.06 to 0.10 fraction of casualties. If he triples the volleys 6-40. None of the data in this matrix is classified;
required to achieve 0.03 to 0.05 for a target radius of 100 consequently, accessibility is not a problem. This
meters, he achieves from 0.09 to 0.15 fraction of matrix will make fire order decisions in the next battle
casualties for six battery volleys. more realistic.
The same procedure for battalion volleys reveals that
a battalion two rounds will achieve between 0.11 and CPT Larry D. Aaron is an instructor in the
0.16 fraction of casualties. The FDO sees that, for the Gunnery Department, USAFAS.
—36—
 The Baron
rides again
by COL (Ret) Arthur R. Hercz

developments since that time have improved the

practicality even more and have further reduced the
When that inveterate story teller, Baron estimated cost.
Muenchhausen, wanted to see what was going on What evolved from these lengthy studies was the
behind the enemy lines he hopped onto an outgoing Scan-Shell system (figure 1). In describing the
cannon ball as it cleared his gun. On the way over, it Scan-Shell system, it should be noted that artillery
dawned on him that he might be shot as a spy; so he projectiles advance about two to three meters per
switched to a passing enemy cannon ball and returned projectile rotation. With one or more detectors looking
to his own lines. For the modern artilleryman who, like out of the side of the projectile in a narrow beam, the
the Baron, still wants to see over the farther hills, the ground is scanned in successive transverse strips. The
foregoing procedure is hardly recommended. However, resulting signal generated by the detector(s) is
it includes some ideas that are useful and which can be telemetered to a station in our own artillery area. This
improved on by modern technology. receiving station is mounted in a small truck where the
Some 15 years ago at the University of Michigan's operator can observe on an oscilloscope the view from
Willow Run Laboratory (Environmental Research the shell in real time. Simultaneously a printout is
Institute of Michigan), a brainstorming session of produced (figure 2), which appears like a strip photo
engineers concerned with battlefield surveillance was covering a useful area about 1,000 meters wide.
considering various vehicles to carry their sensors into By use of a mid-range infrared detector, it is
target areas behind the enemy lines. The various possible to go our friend Muenchhausen one better by
existing vehicles, such as manned aircraft, remotely being able to observe equally well day or night. "Hot"
piloted vehicles, ground sensors, etc., were all targets, such as vehicle engines, recently fired guns,
discussed. Each had its particular application, etc., would stand out prominently against the terrain
advantages, and limitations. What was needed was a image.
simple vehicle, readily available to the using units, easy How would this system operate? At the fire direction
to control, all weather, not vulnerable to enemy center (FDC) the gunnery officer selects the area to be
counteraction and requiring minimum special training. looked at. This choice might be based on a location
These requirements seemed to describe what the suggested by one of the other surveillance systems, a
artilleryman had readily at hand — his projectiles. suspected target or interdiction area, or simply a
Although at first blush this idea of observing from a systematic search of the enemy area.
"cannon ball" sounded rather Muenchhausenish, it Conventional firing data for a single round are sent to a
offered some definite advantages, so a study of the idea battery or an offset piece, indicating Scan-Shell as the
was undertaken. The more it was developed, the more ammunition. A suitable range is set well beyond the
feasible and useful it appeared to be. Technical area to be observed.

– tomorrow's TA?
—37—
 The recording truck with its antenna is in the general No new techniques need to be learned to make full
vicinity of the FDC. Additional recording units can use of the system.
receive the signals simultaneously (TOC, division or The system is economical in manpower, since only a
brigade headquarters). When the round is fired the recording crew of two to three men (including driver) is
recorders are started. The view of the ground as seen required. The whole system could be mounted in a
by the projectile can be monitored on an oscilloscope small truck.
during flight. The printout is ready for use about the There are no "navigation" problems. Since the
time the shell lands. Scan-Shell uses the same ballistic tables as the high
The FDC would have two or three overlay templates explosive shell, the exact flight path is known.
corresponding to the various standard range settings. Therefore, the views may be repeated at will to note any
These templates would compensate for any distortion changes in the target area.
of the printout caused by ballistic factors and would Locations are in terms of range and deflection shifts
indicate directly the range and deflection shift for any from the gun, eliminating need for connecting or
target found on the image. Such data can be applied position area survey or reference to a common grid.
directly by the FDC in ordering fire for effect or, if In addition to surveillance and target acquisition, the
necessary, can be converted to grid location by routine system would provide new gunnery capabilities. For
methods. example, infrared detectors show up freshly turned

Figure 1. Schematic of Scan-Shell with two detectors (155-mm).

What advantages can justify adding another type of earth, such as shell craters. Deviation of previous high
ammunition to our inventory when we already have explosive shells from their target could be measured
several proven target acquisition systems? directly in range and deflection, so that precision
This system is under direct control of the final user adjustments could be conducted on otherwise
without requiring special flight clearance or other inaccessible targets.
coordination. It is as readily available as any fire It could confirm data from other TA systems and
mission. could assess damage. An overall saving of ammunition
It is available in all weather, day or night. could be realized because of more accurate location and
The projectile is invulnerable to countermeasures. confirmation of target seconds before firing.
Transmissions are on the air only for the time of flight
and can be jammed only with considerable difficulty. An observed fire chart could be "shot in" with one
The recording station, having only a passive round to include areas not directly observable.
receiver, cannot be located by enemy radiation
Some interesting points came out of the engineering
detectors.
study.
Even though not strictly a passive system, it does
not forewarn the enemy of what target is to be Suitable ballistics are available in conventional firing
attacked, since to him it is simply another shell passing tables; i.e., most effective trajectory, high rate of spin,
overhead. Even so, he would not have time to seek adequate stability of the projectile, etc.
cover or take other counteraction.
—38—
 Figure 2. Photo strip printout produced by recorder (courtesy of Honeywell Test Instruments Division).

Standard trajectories eliminate any "navigation" some explosive if that should be desirable. A
problems, such as may be encountered with remotely range-deflection template would be designed for each
piloted vehicles. caliber.
The normal spin of the projectiles provides the In production, it is estimated that the cost of each round
scanning element without requiring moving parts. In would be little more than the corresponding high
other infrared scanners, this is an expensive mechanical explosive round.
component. In material costs and manpower, this system would be
Modification of the shell case would not be a major more economical than any of the existing indirect
engineering problem. Projectiles with "windows" are observing systems.
fired routinely by Harry Diamond Laboratories. Like the Baron's flight, the Scan-Shell does not exist.
Components can be designed to withstand the shock of However, as already mentioned, it has been extensively
firing just as variable time fuzes are. Telemetering data studied and all aspects have been analyzed. Also some
from shells in flight is also routine procedure. preliminary tests, including an improvised test firing at
Nearly all the necessary components required for the Dahlgren Proving Ground, were completed years ago. The
system already exist and are in use for other applications. idea is perfectly feasible and can be developed at
These include detectors, telemetering equipment, and reasonable cost. Yet there seems to be no official
oscillographic infrared recorders. Since the original study requirement for such a system; so, like Muenchhausen, it
was made, several of the problem areas have been solved remains in the story book.
for commercial applications.
The detector and electronics components would be the COL (Ret) Arthur R. Hercz, a former director of the
same for all cannon projectiles from 105-mm up, and Counterfire (Target Acquisition) Department, now
there would be plenty of room left for a fuze and lives in Ann Arbor, MI.

—39—
 REDLEG Newsletter
Added Army and artillery jobs Active and Reserve Component commissioned
open for women officers, noncommissioned officers, and selected enlisted
men may attend the Ranger course if they are eligible for
A new policy allowing women to serve in any officer assignment to close combat type battalions of Infantry,
or enlisted job specialty above battalion level was Armor, Air Defense, Field Artillery, Engineer or Special
recently announced by the Secretary of the Army. Forces. Those ROTC and USMA cadets eligible for
Battalion size and smaller units of cannon field artillery, assignment to close combat battalions upon
infantry, and armor and other combat related specialities commissioning may also attend.
are still closed for women.
Guard and Reserve test bonus
Under the new combat exclusion policy, women may
be assigned to brigade level headquarters in missile and Selected units of the Army National Guard and Army
rocket field artillery elements, such as Lance units. The Reserve will be paying up to $1,800 to first-termers who
decision also allows assignment of women to some reenlist for six years. Aimed at bolstering Reserve
positions in the 82d Airborne Division (excluding div Component strength, payments are being made on a test
arty), previously closed to them. basis through September.
Artillery MOSs open to women under the new criteria Payment of the top bonus will be made by a lump sum
are: of $900 at reenlistment and $150 at the end of each year
13W — FA Target Acquisition Senior Sergeant of satisfactory service. The program will be monitored
13Y — Cannon/Missile Senior Sergeant closely to measure its success before permanent bonus
13Z — FA Senior Sergeant payments are sought for all Reserve Component units.
15B — Sergeant Missile Crewman
15D — Lance Missile Crewman CONUS re-up option test
15E — Pershing Missile Crewman A test program will allow first term soldiers stationed
15F — Honest John Rocket Crewman in CONUS to reenlist for another CONUS station during
15J — Lance/Honest John Operations/Fire Direction 1978. The program may be expanded to more MOSs and
Specialist all first term soldiers if the test is successful.
82C — Field Artillery Surveyor Soldiers must meet the following requirements to
Remaining closed to women are: qualify for the reenlistment options:
13A — Officer, Cannon Field Artillery • Have a social security number ending in 1, 3, 5, 7,
13B — Cannon Crewman or 9.
13E — Cannon Fire Direction Specialist • Be a first termer in grade E6 or below.
13F — Cannon Fire Support Specialist • Have a position open at the station of choice, by
All but seven of the 46 MILPERCEN managed officer grade and MOS.
specialty codes are open to women. The new policy • Must re-up for three to six years.
applies equally to Active Army and Reserve • Must not already possess assignment instructions.
Components. The option is available to eligible soldiers in 13B and
82C MOSs.
Ranger training
Unit reassignment or change in grade or MOS will
Ranger training is designed primarily to provide void station guarantee and subject soldiers to assignment
prerequisite training for individuals who are designated to fill DA's needs. The test program is not open to
as replacements for Ranger or Special Forces battalions soldiers serving overseas.
and secondarily to provide skill and confidence training Your career counselor has more information on the
for the combat arms. new option.

—40—
 Redleg Newsletter
RA integration Microfiche records

MILPERCEN receives many questions daily MILPERCEN recognizes that some officers and
concerning integration into the Regular Army. Complete enlisted soldiers may have concerns and reservations
information concerning the program is contained in AR about microfiche records. The mailout program and
601-100 and the current DA Circular 601-71. quality control period will give a soldier up to 12
months in which to ascertain the initial completeness
The RA Selection Board for commissioned officers and accuracy of his/her fiche OMPF before the hard
meets twice annually (April and September for 1978). copy documents are destroyed.
Each board is announced, and an application cutoff date The most important factor for the individual
is established by a DA Circular in the 601 series. The soldier to consider is not the form in which records
cutoff date is normally 60 days before the board are maintained — paper or microfiche — but what
convenes to allow time to prepare applications for the records contain. Personal review of the fiche
presentation to the board. OMPF should dispel any doubts or concerns about its
All applications should be sent to the Accessions content.
Branch, Officer Personnel Management Directorate, The microfiche conversion was begun to improve
(DAPC-OPP-P), 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA administration, management, and utilization of
22332. Completion of two years commissioned service military personnel records and to save resources —
by the convening date of the board is a prerequisite for time and money. As the conversion progresses, all
application. Additionally, if selected, the officer must HQDA boards will be using microfiche records to
complete three years service prior to appointment. Other make promotion selections, RA and school
eligibility requirements are age and education: determinations, command-designee selections, etc.
With the microfiche system, establishment of a
• An officer is age-eligible if his years of active duplicate security file at an alternate site is now
federal commissioned service subtracted from his current possible to safeguard against loss or damage by fire
age is less than 29. or other catastrophe.
If a person leaves active duty and has a reserve
• The minimum education requirement is completion obligation, his microfiche file will be transferred to
of at least two years study at an accredited college or the Reserve Components Personnel and
university or a two-year college equivalency certificate Administration Center in St. Louis, MO, or the
(AR 621-5). The education center is an excellent place to National Guard Bureau in Falls Church, VA, for
start if you are interested in an RA commission but do not continued maintenance. Plans and programs to
meet the minimum educational requirements. convert reservists' records are currently underway.
Competition for selection is extremely keen. Selection
LT to CPT: longer wait
rates have varied between 30 and 40 percent for the last
few boards. There is no penalty attached to
First lieutenants will have to wait longer for
non-selection, however. Application packets are
promotions to captain, under a policy which took
returned to the officer and may be resubmitted after one
effect 1 February, DA officials have announced.
year.
The increased time in service (TIS) requirement
Reserve officers face screening will be 54 months instead of the current 48-month
requirement. Extending the TIS period from 48 to 54
Screening of Army Reserve officers for release from months will be a gradual increase over an 18-month
active duty began in January and will continue period.
semiannually for an indefinite period according to a Officials say the change was a "trade-off" between
recent DOD announcement. having to extend the TIS requirement or lower
Reserve officers to be screened will receive personal, manpower strength. They added that several advantages
written, advance notice of criteria to be considered so will accompany the change, including time to allow
that they may submit appropriate records. The DA lieutenants to gain more experience, giving promotion
Active Duty Board will recommend either retention on boards a better understanding of lieutenants'
active duty, release from active duty, or discharge from qualifications and allowing officers to better forecast
the Reserve program. expected promotions.
—41—
Redleg Newsletter
Foreign Area Officer Specialty ROTC scholarships for enlisted soldiers

Artillerymen who have had Foreign Area Officer Active duty soldiers now have the opportunity to
(FAO), Specialty Code 48, designated as their alternate finish college and earn a commission — all at Army
specialty may receive assignments throughout the world expense. Army ROTC is now accepting applications for
in security assistance, psychological operations, attache two-year college scholarships to become effective school
affairs, civil affairs, and political-military affairs. year 1978-79.
Developmental training includes the six-month FAO These scholarships pay full tuition, books,
course at Fort Bragg and functional courses in educational fees, and provide a living allowance up to
psychological operations, civil affairs, and security $1,000 a year for each year the award is in effect.
assistance. Soldiers may also be eligible for GI education benefits
Many FAO positions, but not all, require specific in addition to the scholarships.
regional expertise. Selected officers are provided the Following graduation, the soldiers will be
opportunity to participate in a graduate program in area commissioned as second lieutenants with four-year
studies, in language training at the Defense Language active duty obligation. Complete details on this program
Institute, and in an in-country training program under are contained in AR 145-1. Applications for school year
the supervision of the attache in the geographic region 1978-79 must be requested by 15 April 1978 and be
of study. submitted by 1 May.
Selection for these programs is competitive and
normally is limited to captains and junior majors.
Officers who desire to compete for regional specialist
training programs need to apply early for this training.
USMA prep applications
They also must plan for professional development needs
in their primary specialty to insure that the
The United States Military Academy Preparatory
developmental goals of both specialties are fully
School (USMAPS) is now accepting applications for the
integrated. Because some of the training programs are
class of 1978-79. Applications should be completed as
long, officers are encouraged to consider self-study
soon as possible as final selection will be made in early
language programs or degree completion, either full
June.
time of through off-duty education.
Further information can be obtained by writing:
For additional information, officers may consult DA
Commandant, USMAPS, Fort Monmouth, NJ 07703, or
pamphlet 600-3, Officer Professional Development and
by calling AUTOVON 992-1807 or commercial (201)
Utilization (chapter 28), and contact their respective
532-1807. Information is also available in AR 351-12
career management divisions:
and DA pamphlet 351-2.
LTC Division — LTC W. Rodger Waldrop ..... 221-9799
MAJ Division — MAJ James Bigelow ........... 221-9765
Combat Arms Division —
MAJ Haspard Murphy ................................ 221-7818
Notice given before reenlistment

OER appeals
Soldiers who reenlist for CONUS schools while
An OER appeal must be submitted within two years overseas will get assurances of attending them but may
of the "THRU" date reflected on the DA Form 67-7 in be involuntarily extended from one to six months in
question. Meanwhile, the five-year time limitation on overseas assignments to await the start of their school
the submission of OER appeals of reports rendered on dates.
DA Form 67-6 and earlier report forms remains in Under a policy recently announced by MILPERCEN,
effect. soldiers will be notified of any delays in school
Reports beyond this time limitation are not subject to assignments before they reenlist. The delays are created
appeal if MILPERCEN can determine conclusively that in coordinating dates for return from overseas with
the officer knew the OER in question had been in his school starting dates, leave time, and reporting dates for
official record for at least two years. permanent assignments.

—42—
 Redleg Newsletter

The Field Artillery MILPERCEN team

PERSONNEL ACTIONS ASSIGNMENTS CHIEF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Company Grade Company Grade SPECIALTY MONITOR

MAJ William H. Ott LTC James V. Slagle MAJ Frank Laster

LIEUTENANT ASSIGNMENTS

LTC Ronald E. Coleman CPT Joseph W. Eszes MAJ Glen D. Skirvin

CONUS CONUS OVERSEAS
CAPTAIN ASSIGNMENTS MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS

MAJ James M. Gass MAJ Charles B. Tiggle MAJ Joseph A. Siraco MAJ Ned W. Bacheldor
CONUS OVERSEAS CONUS OVERSEAS
LIEUTENANT COLONEL ASSIGNMENTS COLONEL ASSIGNMENTS

LTC Thomas P. Easum LTC Leslie E. Beavers LTC Roderick L. LTC Uri S. French
Jr. CONUS OVERSEAS Carmichael A to K L to Z

USA MILPERCEN AUTOVON Prefix: 221

200 Stovall Street Commercial: Area Code 202
Alexandria, VA 22332 325-0250/9529/7862

—43—
 Snow Hall in 1927.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

by COL (Ret) Numa P. Avendano
There was no direct service to Fort Sill, so we
In August 1927, as a second lieutenant, I received traveled overnight to Houston, the next day to Dallas,
Special Order No. 113 directing me to report to the then overnight to Oklahoma City, and on Monday the
Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, OK, on 13 September 12th, at 1300 hours, we reached Lawton. As we
1927 as a student in the Battery Officers' Course. detrained, we looked for a taxicab (there were five in
I had been commissioned in July 1925 and was Lawton — model "T" Fords). The driver took us to a
married a year later. In 1927 at age 25, I was full of vim, residence that had been recommended, the home of Mrs.
vigor, and vitality and was eager to attend the Battery R. D. Trosper and her sister, Miss Healy, at 713 D
Officers' Course. The Director of Gunnery was MAJ Avenue, (At this time, I invite attention to the number
Jacob L. Devers who had manifested great interest in "13" which has been so closely associated with my life
me at West Point from 1920 to 1922 and, consequently, — the number of my orders, the date of reporting, and
had become my mentor. For more than 57 years, time of our arrival in Lawton, and our future residence.)
General Devers (now retired) has been my dearest Lawton was a very small typical western Army town
friend. with a population of about 7,000. The military personnel at
Saturday, 10 September 1927, my wife and I left New Fort Sill, including students, was about 2,000.
Orleans by train — the type of train seen today only in On 13 September 1927, the day after our arrival, I had
western movies on television. It had a wood burning breakfast and walked to the corner of C Avenue and 4th
engine, one baggage car, and one passenger car dirty with Street, in front of the Midland Hotel, to board the trolley
cinders. The train was overcrowded and stopped at every car which served Fort Sill.
station. The temperatures were in the high 90s, but, in The headquarters of the Field Artillery School was in a
those days, military men were required to be "dressed" World War I temporary building called Snow Hall, located
— cap, blouse, Sam Browne belt, necktie, breeches, north of the present McNair Hall. I was pleasantly
boots, spurs — and, of course, unbuttoning one's blouse surprised to see several 1923 West Point
was unheard of.
—44—
graduates whom I'd known as cadets when I was in the
Field Artillery Detachment at West Point in 1920 and
1921. Among these officers was E. W. "Ned" Searby
(for whom Searby Hall is named) who later became a
brigadier general and was killed in World War II. Some
of the first lieutenants and captains and most of the
majors in this group were veterans of World War I, and
all second lieutenants looked upon them with great
respect, especially the captains and field grade officers
whom we considered "elderly" because they were in
their late 30s or early 40s. In those days, it was
customary for higher ranking officers to address all
lieutenants as "Mister."
In the Advance Class, there were such distinguished
majors as Clift Andrus who commanded the 1st
Infantry Division in 1944 and later became Fort Sill's
Commanding General; Stanley E. Reinhart who as a
captain had been my battery commander and attained
fame in Europe, commanding the 65th Infantry
Division; L. P. Collins; and F. W. Honeycutt.
The School staff and faculty included BG George L.
Irwin, Commanding General; LTC William P. "Bull"
Ennis, Assistant Commandant; LTC George Tyner,
Commanding Officer of the 1st Field Artillery; MAJ
Jacob L. Devers, Director of Gunnery; MAJ Joseph M.
Swing, Director of Tactics; and MAJ H. L. Jones,
Director of Animal Transport.
In the days of horse-drawn field artillery, officers
were expected to be good horsemen as well as good
gunners; therefore, much emphasis was placed on
horsemanship and gunnery.
Horsemanship instruction included equitation
(riding), animal management, driving and draft, From left to right: LTC William P. "Bull" Ennis,
horseshoeing, etc. Assistant Commandant of the Field Artillery School; BG
George LeRoy Irwin, Commandant; and LTC George
Gunnery in the old days was made very mysterious. Tyner, Commander of Troops. Visible by General Irwin is
We had to study laws of physics, probability, geometry, a "shooting stick," used by high-ranking officers as a seat
trigonometry, etc. We had to deal with two angles — in the field. This photograph was taken by COL (then
2LT) Numa P. Avendano at Fort Sill in 1927 during a field
phi and omega — in the adjustment of fire. The names
exercise on the East Range near Dodge Hill. Colonels
of the angles gave them a sinister aura and generated a Ennis and Tyner are wearing the equitation uniform, and
tremendous fear among the students. Several students General Irwin is wearing the standard uniform (worn for
requested extra instruction, and CPT (later BG) Stanley everything except duties pertaining to horses).
Ott was detailed to give it. His introduction was:
"Gentlemen, I know what your problem is — phi and In those days, the uniform of the day for all troops
omega. Am I correct?" We all replied in the affirmative. (staff, faculty, and students) was:
"Very well," he said, "we are going to change the names
of the angles to A and B." Then he explained the • For classroom instruction and firing — cap, blouse,
relationship of the angles and how they were used in Sam Browne belt, breeches, boots, and spurs.
adjustment of fire with lateral observation. He was a • For equitation and anything pertaining to horses —
great instructor. We had no more problems. campaign hat, OD wool shirt, necktie, breeches, boots,
Captain Ott had two sons. One of them was David E.
and spurs.
Ott, Commanding General of Fort Sill until October
The boots had better be well-shined too, because
1976. David is now a lieutenant general and commands
Colonel Ennis would definitely let a person know when
VII Corps in Germany.
—45—
his boots were not properly shined. Indeed, no one
wanted to run afoul of "Bull" Ennis! Those who did
never forgot it. It was alleged that one person took his
own life; however, it was not because of a trivial matter
such as unshined boots, but because of the excessive
use of liquor, which was strictly against Federal Law
— the infamous Volstead Act in force from 1919 to
1933.
The Battery Officers' Course schedule was rigorous
with only a few minutes between classes. The Section
Marcher stood at the classroom door and at the
appointed time would report, "Sir, the section is
present," or "So-and-so is absent." The name of any
late comer was sent to Colonel Ennis and the student
had to report to him.
One very cold morning at equitation, CPT F. D.
Couden was having trouble bridling his horse. The
horse was refusing a cold bit. I went to his aid, applying
a trick which I had learned at West Point. I took the bit
in my cupped hands and blew warm air on it for about
30 seconds, warming the bit, and then the horse readily
accepted it. Being a good Samaritan delayed me for the
formation. There stood the instructor with notebook
and pencil in hand. When Captain Couden and I went
to Snow Hall at noon and read the bulletin board, our
names were listed to report to the Assistant
Commandant at 1235 that date! Colonel Ennis asked
Captain Couden why he was late at the formation.
Captain Couden started to explain and mentioned that I
had helped him, but he was not allowed to finish. He
was "chewed out" up one side and down the other and
was told that excuses were nothing but alibis, and so on
for about 10 minutes. Then the AC sounded off, "Mr.
Avendano, come in." Believe me, he had a voice that
was well known throughout the Field Artillery! I went
in, saluted, and remained at attention. He said, "You
were three minutes late at equitation formation this
morning. Why?" Not only had I learned my trade at
West Point, but I had heard Captain Couden's fate. I
answered, "No excuse, sir." He looked me straight in
the eye and said "That's all. Dismissed." I left the Equitation instructor, Captain (later Colonel) Lattimore,
Assistant Commandant's office thanking my old is wearing the equitation uniform which consisted of
sergeant, "Smokey" Pete Lawrence, for teaching me campaign hat, OD wool shirt, necktie, breeches, boots,
and spurs.
that excuses and apologies are signs of weakness.
In equitation, there was a long-established custom In handling horses, there are always comical
that when an officer was "policed" (thrown off a horse) incidents, even though sometimes injuries did result.
he had to put a dollar in the "kitty." Dollars were scarce Once, while we were fording Medicine Creek, my horse
in those days — second lieutenants earned $125 per decided to take a drink; he lowered his head quickly
month. During the first two weeks, more than half the with a hard pull, which dismounted me over his head,
class had been policed, and we soon had enough to buy a and I landed flat on my back in the creek. I had to finish
few bottles of bootlegged bourbon. We had a party in the the ride wet, had to pay a dollar, and was the source of a
BOQ (building B9, just south of the then Snow Hall), lot of laughs. Also, I had to wear those wet clothes the
and invited our favorite equitation instructors, Captains rest of the day because I lived in town and, since I was
Lattimore and Shea. of small stature, I could not borrow any that fit.
—46—
 We had one and a half weeks of classroom gunnery One of my very dear friends, COL Everett Williams,
and then went to the firing point. In those days, the who was a gunnery instructor as a captain at the
method of fire used was called "the battery school in 1927, was captured at Corregidor in 1942
commander's method." It implied that the battery along with General Wainwright. Colonel Williams told
commander (the officer firing) would conduct fire from me he saw Hata (then a major general) in the
an observation post with the battery (four pieces — Philippines and that Hata recognized him and talked to
French 75-mm or 155-mm howitzers) about 400 to 600 him about Fort Sill. Colonel Williams said that Hata
yards away. A reference point that could be seen by the was one of the cruelest Japanese officers that he had
observer and by the battery was selected (usually the encountered.
blockhouse on Signal Mountain for the West Range, and I also met CPT Louis J. Fortier of New Orleans at
the water tower in Elgin for the East Range). The the reception in 1927 and we became very close
deflection was computed for the battery by the parallax friends. One of his World War I anecdotes was about a
method, and the range was estimated or measured on a job he was given while acting as executive of his
map. The only instruments we had were an aiming circle battalion. With a small detail, he was told to "police
and field glasses. All officers were directed to prepare the picket lines." He was wondering how to do it
data for a given target (we were allowed three minutes); quickly when he saw some Frenchmen picking up
then the instructor would select the officer to fire the manure in baskets. He asked one of the Frenchmen,
mission. We were allowed three or four salvos for who happened to be the village mayor, if he knew of
adjustment and one or two volleys for effect. If an officer other farmers who could use the manure. The mayor
could not complete the adjustment within a certain time, said he would be glad to buy the manure and would
the instructor would give the problem to another officer. get the farmers to collect it immediately. Captain
Major Devers, Director of Gunnery, kept his eye on Fortier had the area quickly policed, he was paid for
me. Whenever I had a "U" on a shoot, I would receive the manure (the money went into the battalion fund),
an "invitation" to report to him; consequently, I was and he had satisfactorily accomplished his mission!
always careful and tried very hard. One day Major Another officer whom I admired very much was
Devers visited the firing point, arriving in his World MAJ Joseph M. Swing (World War II commander of
War I Dodge touring car. The instructor called us to the 11th Airborne Division and, in 1949, Commanding
attention and reported to the Director. Major Devers General of Fort Sill). On a very cold, windy day, Major
looked around and said to the instructor: "Where is Mr. Swing had us on a tactical ride. Each officer was given
Avendano?" I felt the blood leaving my head, figuring a map, taken to the vicinity of Dodge Hill, and turned
that he was calling on me to fire. I reported to him and loose to select an observation post and a gun position. I
he said, "Numa, if you and Lolita are not doing was galloping to my area when my horse stepped in a
anything tonight, come to dinner at seven." What a prairie dog hole and took a complete somersault with
relief! me around him. I was flat on my back but holding onto
The Army was very small in those days — about the reins and here comes Major Swing. "Is that horse
175,000 enlisted men and 12,000 officers, all all right?" he said. "Yes sir, apparently so." Then, he
volunteers. The social life was concentrated in the said, "Are you all right?" Horses first was the way it
Officers' Club dances and the Artillery Hunt rides and was in those days.
breakfasts, creating friendships that lasted a lifetime. These have been some highlights of my first tour at
Very few lieutenants had automobiles, but there were Fort Sill, which will always be engraved in my mind.
always friends to take us places. Not many of the officers of that era are living today,
The second Saturday after classes began, the but many of them were, indeed, great men. I can say,
Commanding General had a reception at the Officers' without fear of equivocation, that every officer I came
Club. The blue uniform had not been reinstituted since in close contact with at Fort Sill has become a dear
World War I, so our OD blouse, Sam Browne belt, friend of mine. Many of these officers have retired and
breeches, boots, and spurs were acceptable at social are living in Lawton. That is why my wife and I
functions. In the receiving line were General and Mrs. moved to Lawton in July 1975, and we love being a
Irwin, Colonel and Mrs. Ennis, and a Major Y Hata of part of the Lawton-Fort Sill military community.
the Japanese Imperial Army who was attending the
Advance Course. As we went through the line and COL Numa P. Avendano retired from the Army in
introduced our wives, Major Hata would bend at the 1962. He lived in New Orleans, LA, before moving
waist as was the Japanese custom. to Lawton in 1975.

—47—
 by CPT Allan M. Resnick
occurrence of a certain event, the unit would move to
As was aptly stated by LTC William W. Breen in another position area within the goose egg. The unit
"Survivable, Affordable, and Lonely" (FA Journal, would continue this system, trying to avoid establishing
Nov-Dec 77), today's battlefield can be characterized in a pattern. The elements that would move would be the
a number of ways, not the least of which is its guns, accompanying vehicles (M548), and possibly the
tremendous lethality. This is of particular importance to FDC. If the battery has any overhead (such as mess,
the US Field Artillery against whom the threat can maintenance, or ammunition), the overhead would
target literally hundreds of rounds when they can locate remain static on the periphery of the goose egg.
us. Preliminary results from LEGAL MIX V (a study to The Gun and Run tactic is flexible enough to allow
determine the FA system requirements in materiel, the commander to use any of three options or adopt
doctrine, and organization for the 1981-1986 time frame) other criteria. For example, the trigger to initiate a move
indicate losses on the order of 39 artillerymen per fire could be the occurrence of any of three events:
unit during a 14-hour battle. (A fire unit is an artillery • The firing of a certain number of volleys (which can
element capable of receiving, processing, and executing be determined either analytically or empirically).
a call for fire.) This study included use of terrain gun • Attack by enemy counterfire.
positioning (TGP) for our artillery units. However, TGP • The passage of a given amount of time, which could
is not enough; new tactics must be developed that can again be determined either analytically or empirically.
conserve skilled artillerymen. Colonel Breen's concept
of operation is the logical employment of new materiel, Requirements
but development and fielding of a weapon system that
can employ this concept will require a long time. Foremost among the requirements for this tactic is a
Tactics, however, can be implemented quickly. One of weapon system that can be emplaced or displaced
these tactical concepts, not a new one I might add, is rapidly, almost entirely restricting this tactic to a
"Gun and Run," self-propelled system. Survey techniques to provide
control to these locations (and there would be about 12
Description of these locations in a three-battery battalion) would
also have to be rapid. On the developmental horizon is a
Currently, the battalion commander gives the battery position and azimuth determining system which should
commander an area to occupy (often called a "goose provide an answer to this requirement. The lack of this
egg"). Within this area, normally 1 to 1½ kilometers equipment is not a death knell for the Gun and Run
wide, the battery commander selects a primary position
for his battery to occupy as well as an alternate position,
should the primary one become untenable.
Employing the Gun and Run concept, the battery
commander or his representative would select at least
four position areas within a "goose egg," perhaps 2½ to
3 kilometers wide (figure 1). The position that the battery
is to occupy initially would be designated as the primary
position. Battery personnel would identify position areas
initially by a witness stake or a range pole. A battalion
survey party would provide survey control to these
positions with priority to the primary position. The firing
unit would occupy one of these positions at a time. After Figure 1. Gun and Run employment.
—48—
tactic — there are a number of hasty survey techniques Disadvantages
that the battery can employ, though they are admittedly
less accurate. The fire unit must have a fast-laying Gun and Run is not without disadvantages. By
capability, probably a minute or less. In the "out years," moving as frequently as this tactic suggests, there may
a gun alignment control system will provide this be a degradation in weapons availability. However,
capability. But this requirement can be met today with a when one considers that this non-availability due to
slight loss in accuracy by using the distant aiming point movement is in lieu of attrition, and because of the
method of lay. relatively short duration of this non-availability, our
Finally, this tactic requires that the goose egg, within artillery units should experience an overall
which the battery will move, be free of other units. improvement in weapons availability. Also, because of
There are two reasons for this: first, to minimize this increased movement, more stress will be placed
interference with the movement of the battery; and, on the automotive components of the weapon systems
second, to protect a friendly unit from enemy fire and there will be an increase in POL usage.
directed against the friendly battery. Today, however, The Gun and Run tactic may eventually fatigue the
"real estate management" is on a cannoneers, though this should be minimized with the
management-by-exception basis — only when two units current philosophy of keeping ammunition and
are occupying the same area does the "owning" equipment on board.
commander intercede. This tactic may offer the battalion command and
control system some operational challenges with
Advantages regard to some of the more mundane functions (e.g.,
resupply, messing). Also, the increase in movement
Paramount among the advantages of Gun and Run is may offer a greater aerial signature for the enemy to
the resulting improvement in survivability. For once, detect. Finally, this tactic requires that more of the
we will be able to "throw a monkey wrench" into the main battle area (MBA) be devoted to the field
threat's counterfire system; the enemy will have to artillery — a potential disadvantage when one
decide who and how to attack by counterfire. considers the existing concern for fitting all the
Even if the threat eventually acquires all the locations, necessary units into the MBA.
he is forced to decide whether to: Despite these disadvantages, it is felt that when the
• Fire the normal amount of ammunition on all fire of a full fire unit is required, it is more likely to be
locations (which would greatly increase his expenditures delivered by a unit that employs this tactic than by one
and overtax his logistical tail). that does not.
• Reduce the expenditure of ammunition for each
location (thus reducing our expected casualty levels). Conclusion
• Be more selective of his counterfire targets (which
will improve our chances of survival). The Gun and Run tactic was evaluated in LEGAL
In any event, the Gun and Run tactic will confound MIX V. Using a two-sided, dynamic,
the enemy's system and cause him to stop, think, and computer-assisted model, it was found that the effects
decide — a process that will slow up and, hopefully, of our artillery fires were improved by 20 percent
overload his command and control. because of reduced personnel and weapons losses.
This tactic is particularly inviting for a multiple fire A similar tactic was proposed a few years ago but
unit battery. The direct support battalion of the Division was not adopted because of weapons availability
Restructure Study may employ such a battery — two considerations. Gun and Run overcomes these
fire units of four guns each. A battery so configured, shortcomings by use of modern equipment and
employing Gun and Run, could provide continuous fire techniques.
support and improve its survivability by "flip-flopping" This tactic, in no way, is meant to clash with
its fire units. Colonel Breen's "randomly distributed artillery force"
This tactic can provide the framework for using some concept; it is a complement to it, providing for a smooth
of the more exotic simulator devices now on the transition to new weapons systems. Gun and Run should
drawing boards. As the unit occupies each position area receive serious consideration in the attempts at improving
for the first time, it could leave behind a remotely the survivability of our artillery.
activated cannon launch simulator. After the unit has
occupied each position area once or twice, it can CPT Allan M. Resnick is assigned to the Doctrine Team,
activate these simulators in unoccupied position when it Directorate of Combat Developments, USAFAS, as an
fires, thus reducing the value of any real-time ORSA Staff Officer.
acquisition or sensor cue potential for the threat.
—49—
 Pershing II on target conduct a high-burst registration fuzed with the M577
fuze. A high-order detonation is achieved by removing
The Pershing II (PII) missile system has completed its the expulsion charge and installing a spotting charge
third firing in a scheduled series of six (FA Journal, (self-registration charge) onto the base of the M577
May-June 1977, p. 39). These firings are a part of the fuze. Registration corrections are then determined and
advanced development phase testing for PII and will applied in the normal manner.
validate the guidance system and the feasibility of The present method of employing the M483A1
delivering a nuclear earth penetrator warhead for projectile is costly, and requires conducting an
attacking hard, point targets. Initial firings have been additional registration. If the trial methods of using the
successful. M483A1 are feasible then a cost and time savings
This is significant even beyond the validation of a would be realized.
field artillery missile system, as these flights represent
the first time that the US has successfully fired a The purpose of the test was to collect data on the
terminally guided ballistic missile. The PII not only accuracy of the current method of employing the
carries its inertial guidance system throughout its flight M483A1 and two trial methods of employment using
to control the new reentry vehicle, it also carries its own registration corrections obtained from an M107
radar to conduct radar mapping. registration using the M557, M564, or M582 fuze.
An on-board computer compares the radar mapping Testing was done in two phases. Phase one involved a
data with a stored reference image of the target area and high-burst registration using the M107 fuzed with either
directs corrective maneuvers for achieving pinpoint the M564 or M582 fuze. GFT registration corrections
accuracy. The PII is our most accurate missile to date were determined and applied in the normal manner.
and will allow us to attack targets with near surgical Using the M483A1 fuzed with the M577 fuze, transfer
precision. missions were fired by applying deflection, time, and
quadrant correction factors extracted from a trial firing
Ballistic similitude tested table (TFT) addendum prepared by the Ballistic
Research Laboratory.
A test concerning the ballistic similitude of the
standard M107, 155-mm high explosive projectile and Phase two involved a mean point-of-impact
the new M483A1, improved conventional munition registration using the M107 fuzed with the M557 fuze.
projectile was recently concluded by the Field Artillery Registration correction factors for the M107 were
Board. determined from a concurrent met using the FT
During the two-month test 985 M107 projectiles 155-AM-1 TFT.
fuzed with the M557, M564, and M582 fuzes and 923 All test data will be analyzed to determine the
M483A1 projectiles, fuzed with the M577 fuze were feasibility of the trial methods of employing the
fired. M483A1 projectile.
The current method of employing the M483A1 is to
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 Busy Board for 1978

A busy 1978 schedule awaits the Army Field Artillery

Board which serves as the user testing agency for Field
Artillery systems. A variety of items including small
battery radios, large computer systems, and ammunition
products will be tested.
Since any testing schedule is tentative in nature, the
following Field Artillery Board tests are projected for
1978: Crewmen prepare to launch the RPV. Upon completion of
• Automated M109 howitzer — scheduled for its flight it will be landed in the net at right.
February, will examine three levels of automation for the
M109.
Objectives of the test at Huachuca included
• Photo Locator/Analytical Photogrammetric
determining the flight capabilities of the RPV and its
Positioning System (PL/APPS) — This test (April
effectiveness in a tactical modern battlefield. Some 47
through August) will examine the improved APPS
successful flights were made in a three-month period
(which uses stereo pairs of cartographic quality imagery
with only three crashes in which no one was injured.
combined with general tactical imagery) in a survey
The Seeker Platoon will participate in additional
mode operating in a controlled environment.
testing of the RPV System at Fort Bliss, TX, during
• Position Azimuth Determining System (PADS) —
the spring of 1978. The objectives of this testing are to
This test (March through June) examines the capabilities
investigate the vulnerability of the RPV to enemy air
and limitations of this surveying system.
defense weapons and to demonstrate the RPV's
• Improved M548 cargo vehicle (also known as the
capability to illuminate targets for laser guided
stretch 548) — (March through April), will examine the
munitions.
proposed changes to handling ammunition in the M548.
One of the sensor packages available is a laser
• T136 track — (April through August), will examine
designator which should project the necessary laser
a new track system for the M110 howitzer along with 14
energy at a tank for homing of a cannon launched
other product improvements.
guided projectile.
• XM736, 8-inch, VX, projectile — (April and May),
will examine ammunition handling and the effects in the
target area. Lightweight field wire
• XM710, 105-mm, ICM, projectile — (May), will test
ammunition handling. A Concept Evaluation Test was conducted recently
• XM587E2/XM724 electronic time fuze with the by the Field Artillery Board to evaluate the feasibility
XM36E1 fuze setter — (May), will test the man-machine of using a lightweight field wire at artillery battalion
interface with the fuze setter as well as the accuracy of and battery echelons.
the fuze setter/fuze combination in firing. The wire tested was a 39-gage twin conductor with
a wax impregnated, nylon braided jacket. In this
configuration, the wire is approximately the size of
Pilotless recon craft tested heavy fishing line, weighing approximately 3 pounds
per mile and having a tensile strength of 65 pounds.
Initial flight testing of the Army's Remotely Piloted The size of a 500-meter roll is 7 inches in length and 2
Vehicle (RPV) was recently conducted at Fort Huachuca, 1/8 inches in diameter. The wire cannot be repaired or
AZ, by the Seeker Platoon from Fort Sill's Field spliced except at the adapter ends. Presently, the wire
Artillery Board. The RPV is an unmanned aircraft is manufactured in rolls of 100, 300, and 500 meters
controlled by radio for reconnaissance and target with adapters at each end for connection to various
acquisition. equipment.
The RPV achieves flight from a truck-mounted During the Board's test, the wire was used in the various
launcher which works on a catapult principle. It is communications systems found at battery level. It was
retrieved with nets. An on-board camera transmits a live also tested under actual field conditions on training
TV picture of the area the RPV is flying over. Crew exercises conducted by A and C Batteries, 2d Battalion,
members monitor the TV picture to detect, identify, and 36th FA, and A Battery, Training Command Battalion.
establish coordinates of enemy targets as they appear on The Field Artillery Board provided its report to
the screen. TRADOC on 31 December 1977.
—51—
GSRS fired Lance contract
Vought Corporation successfully launched its first awarded
general support rocket system (GSRS) demonstration
rocket at White Sands Missile Range, NM, 5 December A $35.4 million contract was awarded recently by the
1977, less than three months after being selected by the Army Missile Materiel Readiness Command to Vought
Army as one of two contractors in a development Corporation to produce 360 Lance missiles and support
competition. equipment.
This launch gave Vought an opportunity for early This contract extends Lance production into the
evaluation of the launch tube, rocket interface, and 1980s and is the second awarded to Vought since
rocket ballistics. Earlier, the company fired two Congress decided that Lance should be fielded as both a
short-range GSRS demonstration rockets at Redstone nuclear and nonnuclear battlefield weapon.
Arsenal, AL. In addition to the Army which has Lance battalions
stationed in the United States and Europe, the missile
Vought is in competition with Boeing Aerospace has been purchased by Belgium, Great Britain, Israel,
under a $30 million contract which calls for fabrication Italy, The Netherlands, and West Germany.
and testing of the GSRS system. The Army will select
one contractor for final qualification and initial
production of the system, at the end of the 29-month TNT used
validation phase program. as filler
The first General Support Rocket System (GSRS) rocket is
launched at White Sands, NM. Composition B, long used as the filler for artillery
projectiles, is being replaced by TNT in some rounds
for use with new weapons designed to achieve greater
ranges.
Officials from the Cannon Artillery Weapons Systems
Project Manager's office prefer Composition B
explosive over TNT because of its greater effectiveness.
However, the use of Composition B, as currently
manufactured, has not been fully qualified and certified
for use with higher propelling charges.
For example, the new top zone charge (M203) for the
M198 towed howitzer cannot be used with the
Composition B-filled M549 projectile. It can, however,
be used with the TNT-filled projectile (M549A1).
An extensive program is underway to improve the
Comp B explosive to allow it to be used with higher

—52—
 With Our Comrades In Arms
performance propelling charges. It is expected that this
program will be completed within two years, at which New smoke to conceal
time the use of Composition B will be reinstated. armor
The switch from Composition B to TNT is an interim
measure and does not represent a trend with Army A protective smoke system for use on the M60A1 tank
projectiles. and other armored vehicles is being adapted by the
Army. The new smoke grenade and launcher system,
designed by the British, provides a smoke screen within
Dual-purpose warhead two seconds, compared to present systems that take from
eight to ten seconds.
tested Armored vehicles equipped with the system will carry
24 phosphorous smoke grenades which can be fired in
A dual-purpose warhead has been developed and groups of six or 12. The smoke screen is designed to
successfully tested by the Naval Surface Weapons Center prevent delivery of aimed fire against the armored
Dahlgren Laboratory. It can penetrate "soft" targets, such vehicles.
as sandbagged bunkers, or will detonate on impact Tanks in Europe will receive the system first and
against harder targets like metal or masonry. US-based equipment will be converted when NATO
The warhead, designed for the shoulder-launched, requirements are completed. The Army's decision to
multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW), will penetrate a adopt the British smoke system supports its program to
maximum tested depth of nine inches of reinforced standardize equipment with that used by other NATO
concrete or 40 inches of sand and timber. nations.

Air defense guns into The Army will allow the two firms 29 months to fully
develop the proposed systems. When prototypes are
development developed, a test phase will determine which firm will be
A new Division Air Defense (DIVAD) gun system is awarded a production contract.
being developed to replace the Vulcan system. Two DIVAD will provide low altitude air defense in
companies, General Dynamics and the Ford Aerospace forward combat areas. It will be an all-weather,
and Communications Corporation, were selected to radar-directed system and will be mounted on a modified
develop separate proposed systems. Both companies M48A5 tank chassis. A DIVAD battalion will be
proposed two-barrel gun systems. One, by General assigned to each Active Army division.
Dynamics, will be a 35-mm and the other, by Ford, a The new system will augment the Roland missile
40-mm system. system which is replacing the Chaparral.

Artists concepts of both the Ford (left) and General Dynamics versions of the Division Air Defense system.
—53—
With Our Comrades In Arms
Recommended
reading
Two articles in the November issue of Military
Review magazine should be of interest to Field
Artillerymen. The first, Soviet Techniques for Combat
in Builtup Areas, by C.M. Donnelly of the Royal
Military Academy, stresses the necessity of combined
arms support, particularly in builtup areas. "This is . . .
contrary to a tendency in some western military circles
to assume that street fighting is the sole prerogative of
the infantry," according to the author.
In the second article, Cold Weather Warfare: What
Would Happen?, COL Francis King of the Army
M88A1 medium recovery vehicle. Operational Test and Evaluation Agency presents a
bleak scenario of what cold weather can do to men and
equipment when fighting is necessary in frigid climates.
The author discusses the handicaps to logistics,
Medium recovery mobility, and medical care and the physiological and
psychological problems of personnel in an environment
vehicle delivered we are not well prepared to face in battle.
Infantry magazine for November-December 1977
carries an article called "Leave The Radios Home,"
Modernization of the Army's medium recovery which emphasizes the danger to us of our own radio
vehicle fleet passed a milestone with delivery of the transmissions in combat. The article describes an
first new production M88A1 by infantry brigade exercise using runners, signal flags,
Bowen-McLaughlin-York Company of York, PA. light guns, and heliborne couriers in place of radios.
Then check ARMOR magazine's
The M88 modernization program is aimed at
November-December 1977 issue for an article by the
producing an improved vehicle and upgrading the
editor of Infantry which discusses the debate between
performance of existing vehicles. Program objectives
these two branches concerning which one will have
include replacing the gasoline engine with a diesel
proponency for mechanized infantry.
engine, a modified version of the engine now used in
the main battle tank; increasing the operating range; Army Logistician magazine's January-February 1978
increasing spare parts commonality with the main issue contains a piece by LTG Howard H. Cooksey,
battle tank; and improving the reliability, availability, USA (Ret), comparing US and Soviet combat materiel
and maintainability. in Europe. Cooksey, who retired as Deputy Chief of
Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, says
Additionally, a two-cylinder diesel engine-driven that while the US is recovering from the drain on its
generator set with power takeoff has been installed that equipment sent to Israel in 1973, "the Soviets have more,
provides no-load retrieval and pay-out of winch cables by several magnitudes, of virtually every major piece of
and boom and spade operation. combat hardware that armies employ, with the exception
of transport helicopters. To make things worse, their
equipment is, in most cases, equal to or better than that
The program consolidates the new production of of what used to be known as the best-equipped Army in
M88A1s and the conversion of existing M88s. The the world — ours." The quantity of Soviet artillery is
same company will perform both jobs. Fielding the listed as many more than the US while its quality is
M88 began this year. considered equal or better according to the article.
—54—
 Lost.

At Sea At sea.
That's how I felt.
Being a Navy man, I have at least some
knowledge of ships, Navy tactics and strategy, the
ways of the sea . . . and Naval artillery.
But in the woods, in a tent, with green instead
of blue uniforms, and with rain the only water
around me, I was lost.
I had the privilege of spending a good portion
of a recent exercise, Carbon Edge, with the 210th
Field Artillery Group in the woods of southern
Germany. I even took some leave to do it. Crazy?
Maybe — but for me, very educational. It was a
rare opportunity to learn something about the
operations of another service — the type of
opportunity I would recommend any service
member take advantage of, given the chance.
Today the services are working more and more
closely together, and a professional officer should
take advantage of any chance to learn something
about the other services and their capabilities.
Carbon Edge was a field training exercise
(FTX) under the NATO Autumn Forge umbrella.
Autumn Forge is the nickname for the series of
military exercises conducted by the Allied
Command Europe each year. All NATO nations
with military forces committed to the defense of
Europe are scheduled to participate in this
program. A number of national, multinational, and
NATO exercises of varying size are held
throughout Europe each autumn. The concept of
combining many exercises under a cohesive
Art by Donna Covert NATO umbrella was developed by GEN
Alexander Haig, who is both Supreme Allied
Commander, Europe (SACEUR) and Commander

with the in Chief, US Forces in Europe (USCIN-CEUR).

Autumn Forge 1977 involved thousands of
troops from many NATO countries. One aspect of
Autumn Forge, the deployment and redeployment

Field Artillery of reinforcing troops from the United States

(known as REFORGER), brought some 12,000
troops from the continental US to participate.
Exercise Carbon Edge was a very realistic war
game. Orange forces representing the "bad guys"
and using Warsaw Pact tactics opposed the Blue
by Cdr D. L. Davidson, USN forces ("good guys"). The scenario called for the
Orange to attack across a fictitious border and for
the Blue to fall back and establish a holding
position, then regroup and eventually counterattack,
pushing the Orange back over the border. All
(Photos by Cdr D. L. Davidson, USN) elements of warfare were involved: artillery
(naturally), armor, infantry, close air support,
—55—
air delivery of tanks and men, logistics,
communications, etc. Carbon Edge lasted for 11 cold
days.
Yes, the days were cold. There was very little rain,
but that was fortunate, not only because there was less
maneuver damage on the drier land, but also because
moving the big guns of the 210th would have been
much more difficult on wet soil.
How was it for a Navy man living with an artillery
group? Different. But there were similarities in artillery
fire and naval gunfire — terminology was similar;
targeting was similar; techniques were similar. Even the
problems of establishing and maintaining good
communications were similar.
In what ways was it different? Well, the tent didn't
pitch and roll. Instead of seeing the sky, I saw mostly
the trunks of very tall trees that obliterated the sky. COL Llyle J. Barker Jr., Commander of the 210th Field
The trees made nights even darker and the days colder. Artillery Group, visits one of his "big guns" under
But they also provided good cover, the type that a ship camouflage netting and talks to the sergeant in charge
can't find . . . and shouldn't, under normal of the weapon.
circumstances!
My first night was the greatest challenge. I was used elements was conducted, and the progress of the "war"
to night operations, but on ship at least I could get was followed.
from one point to another at night in a dimly lit, One thing that interested me greatly was the
interior environment. In the woods, one was constantly movements of the commanders themselves in a
running into tent guy ropes, commo lines, or trees. In battlefield situation. COL Llyle J. Barker Jr.,
the pitch dark, things look (or feel) different, and it is commander of the 210th Field Artillery Group, moved
easy to get disoriented, even in a small artillery constantly, keeping in personal contact with his
headquarters camp. Just about the time you get used to battalion commanders and the troops at the guns. Not a
finding your way from your tent to the operations van, day went by that Colonel Barker didn't climb into a
the group pulls out and moves to another location — helicopter or jeep and head for one of his units. His
either to confuse the enemy or to get within good commanders were also on the move and frequently
communicating distance of its firing batteries. covered the miles necessary to come to the group
headquarters for liaison.
The moves were efficient. That alone was
I talked with many "persons" in the 210th — I say
impressive because the group headquarters had to
move its entire self-contained operation, including persons because there were two women. Women in
some 75 vehicles, 110 men, communications, combat situations is a subject still under discussion in the
intelligence, operations, messing facilities, chaplain, Army, so I won't comment except to say that, in this
corpsmen (medics), administrative functions, and so "pseudo wartime" environment, I noticed that the use of
on — a massive effort. The group headquarters battery "expressive" language was toned down.
commander was constantly out searching for new, I also talked to the men who set up the internal
suitable sites in case the next move came suddenly. communications systems. I had not realized that each
primary tent had to be connected with all the others and
And once the group relocated, I had the same with the operations van, the intelligence van, the
problem again at night — couldn't remember where commander's van, etc. And it all goes through a central
things were or behind which tree the operations van switchboard. Each move meant that miles of wire had
had been hidden. to be strung through the woods in short order. (At least
I also had some mild moments of mind-searching on board ship all the internal communications are
trying to remember the password each day so I could already in place, and they stay that way when you
get into the operations area where the "nerve center" move!)
vans were located. From these vans, intelligence was It didn't take long to learn that the field artillery
collected on the Orange forces, movements of the moves first class — with tents, cots, and hot food! Since
artillery battalions were directed, planning with other the Navy normally provides comfortable sleeping
—56—
facilities and hot meals, I didn't give this much thought
until I found out that some of the infantry units on the
exercise went for long periods sleeping on the ground
and not getting any hot meals except, occasionally,
heated C-rations.
One of the unique aspects of this exercise was the
way in which it was controlled. The controllers — some
2,000 of them — weren't in place to spy or to tell you
what you did wrong. They only evaluated what you did
and told you just what effect your actions had. For
example, when an artillery mission was fired, the
controller in the battery area noted all the required data
(your target information, azimuth of fire, type of weapon
used, etc.), and passed it to a counterpart controller on the
"other side" who evaluated where the shell would have
impacted, what kill radius it would have, and eventually
reported how much damage would have been
accomplished.
Artillery staff officers confer with the controller (white
In this way, units, personnel, and weapons were head and arm bands) assigned to their unit. Some 2,000
realistically put out of action and could not be used. The controllers throughout the exercise helped increase the
period of "dead" time was based on how long it would realism of the maneuvers.
take to replace that man or that piece of equipment on
the frontlines, normally a period ranging from 6 to 12
hours. At that time, the "killed" person or weapon could
be put "back into action." the commanders seemed to gain a maximum amount
It will be a long time before all the reports and data of training value from the conduct of the maneuvers.
are evaluated from Carbon Edge, but interim feelings The chance to exercise and test weapons and
are that the exercise was a total success. The men and equipment was a welcome one. The men obviously
took to the field with gusto. Even though they were
shivering from the cold, most of the men were glad for
the chance to show what they could do. And they did it
well, from all appearances.
Perhaps one of the "bennies" to come from this
exercise is that the other side — the real Orange forces
— know what we can do and that we can do it well.
Such a demonstration of effective deterrence and
readiness made this large exercise worthwhile.
For my part, I learned a lot about Field Artillery
operations. Maybe next time I'll try an armored unit,
even though riding in a tank might make me seasick!
The 210th Field Artillery Group invited me to an
exercise they will be having in January, probably in the
snow — comparing that to a warm ship, I'm not sure I'll
accept. But I am glad we are on the same side, fighting
for the same principles. I was reassured of the
professionalism throughout the US military services.
All US military services are on the same team, even
though we Navy people do feel "at sea" on land.

Communications within the headquarters camp is a big,

essential task. Here, specialists break down and roll up the Cdr D. L. Davidson, USN, is assigned to the Public
internal lines in preparation for another move. Affairs Office, Headquarters, US European
Command.
—57—
 Decontaminate and
by CPT Kenn Riordan
The 56th Field Artillery Brigade has pioneered • Hose, tire inflation, 5/8-inch diameter (found in all
the employment of a decontamination device which 2½- and 5-ton basic issue items kits), NSN
will significantly contribute to the survivability of any 4310-00-022-9625.
unit exposed to a nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) • The appropriate decontaminant, such as 5-gallon
attack. With an investment of approximately $27.00 containers of premixed DS2, NSN 6850-00-753-4870.
per kit, a unit can develop its own decon capability. One end of the tubing is inserted into a 35-gallon
This field expedient device, the Goldstein Apparatus, drum or other suitable container of decontaminant, and
was named for its inventor, CPT Leonard Goldstein, the other end is connected to the siphon tube of the gun
who formulated the idea after reading about a similar which is exposed by removal of the screw-on tank. The
Soviet apparatus. The simple, but effective, apparatus tire inflation hose runs from the truck air system to the
consists of the following components: handle of the gun which produces a spray, creating a
• Oil gun, pneumatic, 1-quart capacity, model 390, scrubbing action with sufficient force to penetrate small
pistol type, NSN 4930-00-222-2975. openings.
• Plastic or rubber tubing with an inside diameter of The first unit to employ the decon apparatus was the
1/4- to 5/16-inch and a minimum length of 30 feet. 1st Battalion, 81st Field Artillery, during their NATO

Goldstein decontamination kit.

—58—
Survive!
Tactical Evaluation in September 1976. The
contaminated victim was a Pershing battery
suffering from a persistent nerve agent chemical
attack. Eight devices were used to form a vehicle
decon line, composed of a decontaminant spray
station and a rinse station. Nearby, a personnel
decon line ended in an improvised shower area.
The process was time-consuming, but results
of the exercise proved encouraging. In one and a
half hours, 13 vehicles and 90 personnel were
decontaminated. With 32 decon devices forming
four vehicle lines, the battalion can effectively
decontaminate a Pershing battery of
approximately 70 vehicles and 215 personnel in
two hours, or mission-critical equipment and
personnel in one hour.
Personnel of 1st Battalion, 81st Field Artillery, decontaminating a
The 56th FA Brigade SOP now tasks the vehicle.
battalion NBC officer and the chemical staff
NCO to organize and equip personnel of
headquarters and service batteries to construct the
decon station in a position out of the downwind
hazard fan and en route to the contaminated unit's
next position. The contaminated unit's decon
teams should be part of the advance party to
reconnoiter the decon station position, determine
the least contaminated route of march, and assist
the battalion decon squad.
The device will be included in the next edition
of TM 3-220 (Chemical, Biological, and
Radiological (CBR) Decontamination) and is
being considered for adoption throughout NATO.
For those units in the rear combat zone, this
device provides an additional margin of safety to
guarantee accomplishment of the mission.
Experience has taught us that we cannot expect
100 percent decontamination of a Pershing
battery in a period of time that would not disrupt
accomplishment of its critical role in providing a
nuclear deterrent for SACEUR and NATO. But,
we have significantly enhanced our capabilities
to decontaminate and our chances for survival in
an NBC environment.

When the article was written, CPT Kenn

Riordan was serving as the Assistant S3 and
NBC Officer with the 56th Field Artillery
Brigade. He is now attending the Infantry
Officer's Advanced Course, Fort Benning, GA. The decon line ended in an improvised shower area.

—59—
 Redleg
Review them at their own game! In so doing, the
without being boring or tedious.
F-4 became the standard against which
Colonel Mitchell relates many
all fighter aircraft are judged, and only in
anecdotes in a pithy and forthright manner
recent years has it been bested in
without a great deal of extra verbiage, a
specialized roles. More than 5,000
trait enjoyed by few authors. He remains
Phantoms have been built, and they
within the bounds set by his title and his
served in the armed forces of a dozen
foreword.
countries.
Rightly, he devotes more space to It is still the mainstay of the USAF's
Gettysburg than to most of the other Tactical Air Command and is easily the
episodes. This battle, tactically indecisive most important fighter in the free world.
but strategically conclusive, is generally Mr. Gunston's book, F-4 Phantom, tells
recognized as one of the turning points of the story of the F-4 from initial design to
this great internecine struggle. In depicting the present.
DECISIVE BATTLES OF THE CIVIL
this imposing, violent event in that utterly It is well written and informative and
WAR, by LTC Joseph B. Mitchell,
destructive war, the author does it should be a welcome addition to the
Fawcett Publications, Inc., Greenwich,
completely in a short, succinct but library of anyone interested in the
CT, 1955, 224 pages, paperback $1.25.
comprehensive study of the pertinent weapons of modern war.
details.
In his foreword Colonel Mitchell This book would be a welcome addition COL Warren E. Norman is the Senior
states his two basic ideas in writing this to the repertory of the student of military US Air Force Representative at Fort Sill.
book are to present a short history of the history. Included is an excellent
Civil War and to place its campaigns and bibliography for those readers interested in MILITARY VEHICLES OF THE
battles in modern, up-to-date further investigation of this exciting era. WORLD, by Christopher F. Foss, Charles
surroundings. The accomplishment of Scribner's Sons, New York, 1976, 192
this first mission is doubtful, since the One flaw, for which only these
pages, $7.95.
book lacks the depth expected of a inflationary times can be blamed, is the
history. That it chronicles the battles and absence of color on the fine maps Cargo type vehicles, in service with
campaigns is unquestioned, but there is accompanying the text. They are still armies throughout the world, are covered
no mention of the political, economic, slendidly done, nonetheless. in considerable detail in this latest of
and social mores of that trying time. several books by the author on military
This is a minor point, however, and in COL Howard F. Brown resides in East
materiel.
no way detracts from the excellent Greenwich, RI.
Both tracked and wheeled vehicles are
reading. F-4 PHANTOM, by Bill Gunston, Charles included in the book, and the reader will
Using current road maps with their Scribner's Sons, New York, 112 pages, find the majority of vehicles in frontline
familiar United States route markers to $8.95. use listed. Other vehicles used for general
portray the strategic and/or tactical Army work such as buses, fire engines,
deployment of the opposing forces F-4 Phantom is one of the greatest and highly specialized engineer
makes for refreshing and interesting success stories of modern times. Conceived equipment are not included.
study of these many engagements. No in 1953 and first flown in 1958, th F-4 was Full technical details on each vehicle
doubt the author achieved his second met with remarks such as "ugly, grotesque, are supplied wherever possible. This
objective. sheer brute force, no finesse," but within includes length, width, wheelbase, track,
A short synopsis of each encounter, four years it had set more world records for weights (loaded and empty), load area,
giving the number of troops involved speed and performance than any aircraft in engine details, crew, speed, range, fuel,
and the losses suffered by each side, the history of aviation. gradient, turning radius, fording
provides ready reference material. These capability, and lire size. Metric
The F-4 is not only fast and maneuverable,
concise, accurate comments of some measurements are used for all data. The
but comes equipped with a powerful radar
very important segments of our nation's trend in many nations toward military
and has the ability to carry an ordnance load
maturation are easily comprehended. purchase of civilian type vehicles and
of 18,000 pounds. Small wonder that it took
Salient details are provided without components as an economy move is
on specialized aircraft and for years beat
lavish embellishment and noted by the author.

—60—
 This volume added to Mr. Foss' other rifles, and firing port weapons. is provided by propaganda statements
works on armored fighting vehicles and Accompanying the descriptions and given after reaching the limits of physical
artillery plus his forthcoming book on backgrounds of the weapons are, in most resistance. SSG Dennis Thompson, a
infantry weapons will enable the reader cases, photographs and, in some cases, captured Green Beret, when forced to
to obtain a comprehensive set of volumes cutaway schematics. write a propaganda statement on his
on most current military equipment. — The book is divided into two parts. compassionate treatment, wrote:
Asst. Ed. Part I describes small arms developments
since 1945, and Part II is a basic manual . . . It has been brought to my
MY ENEMY, MY BROTHER, by Joseph of current weapons. A complete index at attention, after my captivity, that the
E. Persico, The Viking Press, New York, the back of the book lists the weapons Vietnamese people have been
1977, 246 pages, $10.95. individually and by country. revolting throughout their 4,000-year
Though not all the photographs are of history. The Vietnamese people have
the highest quality, one can visualize proven themselves to be the most
Much more than just a military what the weapons look like. The revolting people I have ever met in
engagement when the Confederates met descriptions are written in simple, my life. I hope that soon the
the Union forces at Gettysburg, this battle concise language. Vietnamese Communists and all those
was fought in the heart and mind of each Small Arms of the World is a thorough who have taken care of me and my
participant. Persico has captured the reference book for the small firearms friends as prisoners will get what they
emotional pulse not only of those in enthusiast and for military personnel deserve. . . .
uniform, but also of the townspeople and who are interested in, or have a The Communists accepted it.
farmers of the previously quiet need-to-know about, foreign weapons.
Pennsylvania countryside. — Managing Editor. Seldom did interrogators demand
Letters, diaries, memoirs, feelings and military information. They wanted
attitudes have been reconstructed to propaganda statements they could use to
relate the human struggles in battle. The POW: A DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF shape world opinion through the
glory and agony — the humor and horror THE AMERICAN PRISONER-OF-WAR international press.
— are presented in such a manner that EXPERIENCE IN VIETNAM, Hubbell does not pass lightly over
the reader can almost feel a part of the 1964-1973, by John G. Hubbell, Reader's those captives who willingly helped their
combat. And yet, the facts concerning the Digest Press, 1976, 633 pages, $15.00. captors, but neither does he indict them.
meeting of two large armies which He correctly points out — much to the
changed the tempo of the war have not On 5 August 1964, Navy LTJG Everett surprise of many returning POWs — that
been altered. Facts are skillfully Alvarez ejected from his battle-damaged the Code of Conduct doesn't carry the
entwined into a remarkably realistic A-4 and was captured by the North weight of the law; violations are not
human interest story. Vietnamese, becoming their first subject to prosecution. A recent
This is an excellent book which tells of American prisoner-of-war. Over the next Department of Defense level review of the
the individual: His hope and despair, nine years hundreds of other Americans Code did not recommend any changes.
waiting for death, and thanksgiving for joined Alvarez as POWs. Until now their American soldiers and airmen could
being able to witness the dawning of story largely has gone untold. learn much from this book, especially
another day. The hell of battle is shown The recent publication of John G. covert methods of prison
in the mental anguish of those that Hubbell's POW: A Definitive History of communications and techniques for
clashed with the enemy and clashed with the American Prisoner-Of-War evading interrogators' demands. It will
themselves during the early days of July Experience In Vietnam, 1964-1973 definitely counter the "Hogan's Heroes"
1863. finally and comprehensively tells that myth of life in a POW camp.
story, to include the base indignities, the Based on nearly 200 detailed
SFC Robert R. Cordell is the Admin NCO solitary confinement, the starvation, the interviews with former POWs, Hubbell
for the Army ROTC unit, Northwestern continual torture, and the brutal beatings has written a readable, chronological
Oklahoma State University, Alva, OK. suffered during captivity. history of the POWs heroic resistance
Denied the protection of the Geneva and their undying faith in America.
SMALL ARMS OF THE WORLD, Convention or even inspections by the This book is dedicated to the
Eleventh Edition, by Edward Clinton International Red Cross, the POWs were Americans who died in captivity, several
Ezell, Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA, at the mercy of their Communist captors of whom are mentioned in the text. The
1977, 671 pages, $20.00. — and their captors often proved to be publisher, Reader's Digest Press, has
unmerciful. Hubbell's book documents announced that all proceeds from the
Ezell's Small Arms of the World, - carefully executed torture, from mere book will go to the POWs and their
Eleventh Edition, is a complete revision beatings to dislocating shoulders with families.
of W. H. B. Smith's firearms classic ropes, which causes excruciating pain
copyrighted in 1943. The book contains without incriminating scars.
descriptions and illustrations of military Many POWs broke under torture and ILT John L. Plaster supervises public
and sporting arms from 42 countries confirmed what was demonstrated affairs for the Minnesota Army National
including NATO rifles and NATO and during the infamous Spanish Inquisition: Guard.
Soviet machineguns. Also included are Given enough pain, a human being can
new trends in rifle development and be coerced into admitting or fabricating
major new developments in machineguns nearly anything.
and pistols, silenced weapons, sniper Part of the occasional humor in POW

œ US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1978 — 771 — 103/2