EOA 12: OPERATION BAGATRATION Soviet Operation Art in WWII, Deep Ops
Strategic Objectives: Liberate Russian Territory
Land Grab for post war buffer zone in Europe
Defeat the Germans on Russian terms - Army
Center - get to Berlin. Isolate the German army
group north in the Baltics. Set conditions for
Russian success against Army Group South.
Operational Objectives: Overpowering localized
systemic shock (UDAR) against Army Group Center
Encircle Minsk & establish a Base of Ops for future
offensive missions, Set conditions to move on
Warsaw and the Baltics
Problem Statement: How do I: Destroy German
Army Center and Advance to the Vistula River on
the border Poland and eastern Prussia
IOT: Liberate Belorussia, Establish conditions to
strike the interior of Germany
Given: multiple armies (1.2 mill to start, ended with
2.5 Million) ARTY, ARMOR, Air combined arms team
working in deep operations against Germans
Against: German Army Center, North at end
Duration: 4-5 months before winter.
Consideration: Weather – Colder is better for
ARMOR, Terrain – Tank country, swamps and MTNs.
A 5 phase operation that seeks to liberate Belorussia through the defeat of the central German Army IOT liberate Belorussia and position Soviet forces for future follow on
operations along the Vistula river. The Operational Framework is the Deep Close and Security using cyclic phasing of Preparation, Shaping, Penetration, Exploitation, and
Encirclement to achieve initial, intermediate and final objectives. DEEP: Aviation RECON support, Partisan operations, and exploitation of penetration with ARMOR & MECH
to push through CLOSE: ARTY and CAS Support to Ground forces, Infantry and Combined arms would secure a foothold and allow the Deep penetration forces to pass
through the lines and disrupt German operations. SECURITY: Intel, OPSEC, and Deception operations as well as WAS with economy of force forces in the rear area on their
way to the front, or after recycling off of front. The following are the 5 PHASES which are cyclic. f
0 – Preparation - Deception OPS, good OPSEC, and partisan support, resupply of forward troops and reorganization of penetration force.
1- SHAPING - Aviation, rocket, and ARTY prep and reconnaissance of German defensive positions
2 - PENETRATION - Echeloned attacks by the INF to allow for the penetration of ARMOR and MECH forces
3- EXPLOITATION - Complete the penetration and continue a deep attack against multiple lines of German defense.
4- ENCIRCLEMENT - Rout of German DEF forces though systemic shock (UDAR) throughout the depth of the battlefield, assisted by Hitler's order to not give up cities which
denied his generals freedom of maneuver.
EOA 12: OPERATION BAGATRATION Soviet Operation Art in WWII, Deep Ops
Operational Elements
Tempo: Focus on gaining ground and establishing
penetration with INF and then exploit gains with
Armored forces, Bypass strong points of
resistance with Armor and allow your INF to fight
them later, or just envelop them, Coordinate with
other Fronts and Operations to prevent
reinforcement, massed pressure on whole
German line.
Depth: Partisan attack on German transportation
networks, Massive bombing and ARTY barrage
prior to the SP of the Main Body. Rapid
penetration by Armor into German Rear areas,
Harassment of retreating German forces by Air,
Arty and Partisans.
Operational Reach: Stages and Phasing of
offensives based on the limits of sustainment, and
planning an operational pause before
culmination, envelopment of key transport nodes
to allow for further reach of sustainment
operations.
Risks: If the deception plan fails then there will be
a larger number of casualties as the Germans will
be able to mass against attacks. Possible to over
extend lines and be unable to re-supply
German Army Group Center Operational Problem & Framework:
penetration forces.
How do I: defend Belarusian against Russian attack, IOT Retain terrain, (cities, river, bridges)
Opportunity: If deception works then success,
Given, 800,000 troops, against: 2.3-2.6 Million on 5 fronts. Duration, until Winter.
Possible to defeat German army center, Cut-off
DO: local counterattack s to re-establish or maintain the front lines and deny Russian Advance
German army North in the Baltics, and achieve a
SO: Counter partisan OPS, Defensive counter air, Prep of defense in depth at rivers and cities.
more direct route to Berlin for post war.
SU: Reallocation of resources between German Armies on Easter front (North, Center, South)
Culmination: initially at the Polish border, can
RISKs: initially – economy of force mission in center – lead to fortress mentality in cities
push but need to have pauses for resupply after
OPP: Initially – maximize the probability of CATK in depth, lead to hold of Key Terrain
each push/attack to ensure tanks do not
Protracted defense, need to sequence actions to allow for massing and CATK options.
culminate.
Rigid planning methods and higher level leadership lead to inflexible tactical options; failure