In a strategic defensive operation, the use of mobile forces plays a particularly significant role that can determine victory on the battlefield. Therefore, studying the organisation and employment of mobile forces for engagements and operations to counter enemy ground advances in strategic defensive operations in general and in the Southern theatre in particular during a (potential) war to defend the Homeland, is an urgent issue.

Strategic defence is one of the crucial types of strategic military operations, conducted through the coordination of extensive combat actions by onsite forces, units manning the defensive lines, etc., with the concentrated efforts of mobile forces to counter enemy advances. Its aim is to defeat enemy offensives, defend key objectives and strategic territories, and create favourable conditions and timing for subsequent strategic military operations. Within this framework, the mobile forces of the theatre are often deployed to counter attacking enemy units while they are temporarily in a defensive posture.

Due to the diverse and complex terrain, with long coastlines and a network of intertwining roads, rivers, streams, canals, and ditches, and the strong impacts of local climate and weather, etc. in the Southern part of our country, in the strategic defensive operations in this theatre, when countering attacking enemy units (while they are temporarily in a defensive posture), we have to deal with their concentrated forces and intense firepower. Therefore, on key strategic directions, the Theatre Command often organises mobile forces into operational and operational – strategic combat groups, combined with the organisation of other forces according to the pre-planned defensive strategy, aiming to execute a mix of offensive operations and engagements to defeat the enemy main force. On important strategic directions, regimental and divisional level detachments, combined with regional defending forces, carries out offensive operations to defeat enemy contingents advancing on land routes and maintain control over critical defence zones.

During the combat phase, based on the enemy situation, terrain, and our logistical capability, the theatre command concentrates mobile forces on key strategic directions, using them to engage enemy units in temporary defensive stance along main routes, especially focusing on those alongside topographical features and major rivers. It can also employ mobile operational combat groups mainly for small-scale offensive operations aimed at neutralising enemy brigade-level headquarters and their associated units. When opportunities arise, operational – strategic combat group may carry out medium-scale offensive operation to eliminate enemy corps-level headquarters and their subordinate units, securing key objectives and primary defence zones of the theatre.

Based on the organisation, utilisation, and deployment of operational mobile combat forces, the Theatre Command typically employs mobile groups to conduct operations on strategic defensive directions, according to the following tasks:

Deploy mobile forces to conduct offensive actions. The targets of these offensives are enemy forces currently advancing along primary and secondary directions. They may have been partially depleted by our defending units and units conducting battlefield-shaping actions, and have to disperse their strength to counter our activities, but still maintain offensive capabilities, attempting to capture their assigned objectives. They could also be enemy forces conducting envelopments deep penetration into our lines, bypassing our defending units to attack primary defensive objectives or secondary (reserve) echelons moving to attack. Depending on the actual situation, the Theatre Command may utilise a regimental or divisional level mobile force to attack an enemy battalion-level contingent in temporary defensive stance within the formation of an infantry or mechanised infantry brigade, through one or several simultaneous, consecutive engagements to multiply the chance of success. The engagement zone may be located forward or adjacent to the primary objectives, key defensive areas of the Southern theatre battlefield.

To ensure the effectiveness of force utilisation, the Theatre Command needs to study and understand the objectives, forces, targets, and operational areas. They should employ battlefield-shaping forces, combined with local forces, to actively conduct operations according to the combat plans of each district and provincial (city) defence zone from the outside perimeters inward, to halt and encircle enemy units, forcing them to stretch thin and use up their forces and resources to counter our actions on multiple directions and areas, placing them at a disadvantageous position. At the same time, we must adjust our posture and forces promptly according to the actual situation, with our mobile force conducting deployment and forming offensive directions and thrusts on the move. During offensive actions, the organisation of robust artillery support is a must to assist our mobile forces to conduct frontal breakthroughs, deep thrusts, encirclements, and rapid capture of key objectives. In cases where the enemy uses their forces to carry out counterattack and relief efforts via land, air, or river routes, the Theatre Command must directs local forces using advantageous positions of defence zones with the support of artillery to halt, wear down, and destroy the enemy; encircling, dividing, and interlocking with the enemy; combining force and formation adjustments to create new avenues of attack, employing flexible tactical manoeuvres, combat tactics, swiftly defeating enemy counterattack and relief forces in each area, creating conditions for mobile forces to continue their offensives.

Use mobile forces to conduct operational and operational – strategic offensives. The target of these offensives in strategic defensive operations is enemy forces that we have bogged down, depleted, and forced into temporary halts or defensive stance during their ground advances. The enemy may also pause to consolidate their forces for an impending attack or securing key defensive positions for their main advancing forces; or, based on their offensive formation, they may temporarily halt to transition into defensive stance, establish battalion-level defensive positions within the defensive formations of their divisions or brigades, with certain width and depth at several strategic high points and terrain of tactical value.

The primary targets of these offensives are typically enemy brigade or divisional headquarters within defensive fortifications, and the main enemy forces for relief efforts in open field, or it may be enemy brigade or divisional headquarters in a disadvantage position or with exposed weaknesses. If the situation and timing permit, we may use mobile forces to launch small or medium-scale offensive operations, with smaller scales as the priority, and the medium scale can be considered when opportunities arise. Such offensive operations are usually conducted along the primary defensive directions and related to the mission of protecting key objectives and maintaining control over key defensive areas of the battlefield. Therefore, we need to pre-plan regarding terrain, participating forces, logistical support, with the focus on primary defensive directions and key defensive areas.

Organise mobile forces into combined arms groups. These groups should be formed in combination with the organisation of some combat arms, logistics, technical, and command support detachments. Among these, combined arms groups are organised into deception, battlefield-shaping, mobile offensive and reserve forces. Based on this, the Theatre Command concentrates Ministerial level mobile forces in launching several small or medium-scale offensive operations in key areas, targeting enemy battalion or brigade command headquarters temporarily defending along main routes or at key positions on strategic defensive directions. Meanwhile, it is critical to fully conduct air, artillery, and missile strikes against the defensive formations of enemy divisions and brigades to support our operational mobile forces moving into their positions. Throughout the operation, the Theatre Command and its agencies must promptly direct the transformation of the combat posture and decisively concentrate forces to conduct key and decisive actions to defeat enemy relief attempts on land or vertical envelopments, executing operational and operational – strategic plans accurately; firmly grasp the situation, actively concluding the operations under favourable conditions. In addition, the Theatre Command must closely coordinate its forces with provincial and municipal defending forces, onsite forces to engage the enemy under the pre-determined plan, seizing and maintaining the initiative, creating flexible offensive formations, conducting widespread and constant offensive actions. Furthermore, it is essential to direct our forces to encircle and divide enemy units to isolate and hinder their mobility and ability to support each other; forming interlocking battle posture, conducting close combat, preventing the enemy from creating clear frontlines.

In urgent situations, to engage the enemy promptly, regimental-level mobile forces can be utilised along with provincial and city defence forces to organise defensive zones to block the enemy, protect key objectives, vital defence zones, and valuable terrain. When the enemy shifts its primary objectives in ground offensives or conduct bypass actions with major formations, mobile forces ranging from regimental to divisional level may need to establish divisional level defence zones to hold key terrain. Besides, it is essential to use divisional level mobile forces, combined with establishing “operational strongpoints”, defensive fortifications, to block and defeat enemy ground offensives, creating favourable conditions for our forces to maintain the strategic defensive posture.

Studying the strategic defensive operations in the Southern theatre can reveal impacts on the use of mobile forces to counter enemy ground advances, namely: our forces’ morale and fighting spirit might be affected when facing with an enemy that boasts numerical superiority, advanced weaponry and equipment, high mobility and strong assault potential, capable of conducting joint operations of mixed battle groups. Therefore, it is essential to rigourously implement political and ideological education measures; carefully conceal our mobile routes, battlefield equipment, defensive zones, maintaining operational security and preserving our strength to be ready to engage the enemy; multiple contingency plans must be anticipated, with a strong emphasis on close coordination between the use of mobile forces and offensive forces, combining widespread operations with concentrated attacks on primary directions and key areas. In the process of employing mobile forces to counter enemy ground advances, it is essential to proactively organise strong reserve forces; focus on exploiting the enemy’s weaknesses; and continuously inflict casualties and losses, causing confusion and wavering in the enemy’s rank.

To effectively carry out combat operations when using mobile forces to counter enemy ground advances, proactive preparation of battlefield components is necessary, and it is critical to focus on building solid defence zones in provinces and cities during peacetime and make timely supplementation and adjustment during combat operations. In addition, it is a must to implement comprehensive support activities, such as reconnaissance to gather enemy intelligence; establishing strong countermeasures to defend against enemy high-tech weaponry, electronic warfare, and cyberspace operations; ensuring mobility; ensuring logistical and technical support, etc. Particularly important is a thorough understanding of the enemy’s objectives, intentions, scale, methods, and tactics, combat formations on primary and secondary directions, reserve forces; fire support bases, and command posts at all levels, ... And it is critical to apply integrated measures, closely coordinating tactical, operational and strategic level reconnaissance assets and forces to avoid any surprise and prevent any passive reaction in any situation.

Senior Colonel NGUYEN TRUNG HIEU, Deputy Rector of the Army College No.1