Defensive operations of the military regions consist of a number of types of operational operations of which counterattack is a basic one, playing an important role. Its success depends on a number of factors in which choosing and grasping the right time for launching counterattack operation is the decisive one.

In the war to safeguard the Fatherland (if war is to occur), the enemy will focus their fire with high density, fierce intensity over a long period of time with the aim of destroying our critical targets. To prepare for their attack, the enemy may deploy a regiment, brigade, division, etc, equipped with modern and highly mobile weapons for attacking targets of the military region in the main routes and directions. During their attack, the enemy will occupy and hold the ground; carry out attack into our front, flank and rear; conduct penetration on land and waterway. They will take advantage to the utmost of their superiority in weaponry, vehicles and technical equipment to carry out fast attack, aiming directly at our critical targets; organize various directions to separate our defence forces and break up our disposition.

Regarding our forces, armed forces of military regions in recent years have seen developments in both quality and quantity and been able to combat either independently or in collaboration with other forces of the MOD in different types of operations (normally offensive and counterattack). Armed forces of military regions consist of three kinds of troops made seasoned, lean, powerful and mobile. Local troops, militia and self defence forces have grown robust and widespread. Promoting the strength of all people’s defence posture, military regions are able to quickly swift the all people’s defence in peacetime to a people’s war posture in the event of a war.

For the counterattack operations to take place at the right time, annihilate a large amount of enemy forces, and gain victory with high efficacy, military regions should carry out thoroughly the following solutions:

First, noticing every single move of the enemy. Future wars will be modern ones in which the enemy will actively carry out their operation with high maneuverability and strong electronic warfare. Therefore, their attack into the military region’s area of operation will take place with high tempo and be unpredictable. This requires that the military region grasp the situation, particularly the enemy. The military region must make reconnaissance right from the time there is symptoms of an enemy attack to the end of the war. They must rely on strategic intelligence information; organize complete reconnaissance system in all air, land, border, sea and island directions (for coastal and border regions), etc. Recce forces of the arms, services, border guards in the regions, local forces, militia and self defence and local people are to conduct recce in a unified plan of the military region. On these grounds, the military region is to analyze and assess the situation in detail and give out their anticipation about the enemy’s likely actions in the coming time and then inform all the units placed in the region in a fast and accurate manner.

Second, moving forces quickly to establish order of battle. In the counterattack operation, the enemy is in active and superior position in terms of time, weapons and equipment. Our forces may be deployed near or far, even outside area of operation, hence the movement of forces is of paramount importance and has great affect on the success of the operation. For this reason, time for moving and deploying forces to establish order of battle counts greatly. The military regions must grasp the situation, the enemy’s activities, preparations and readiness of operational units to order force movement timely.

Third, time for commencing the operation. Commencing the operation is a combat process to create favorable posture and opportunity for decisive battles, destroying the main enemy forces in attack. Counterattack operation can be executed in various circumstances, hence there are different ways to start it. Studies show that the best time for commencing the operation is when the enemy has just come to the rendezvous or when they have just deployed forces for their attack.

Fourth, time for key battle and decisive battle. This usually occurs during the operation but it may be created by the previous operations or by our impact causing the enemy to make mistake. When the time comes, the military region must quickly move forces, carry out key battles to capture targets and determinatively protect the area of operation.

Fifth, time for ending the operation. The counterattack operation is ended after the military region has fulfilled their goal of destroying the enemy’s main force and break down their attack; protect and recover important targets in the area. Though its goals have not been achieved, the military region can still end the operation at its final stage if they see disadvantages in our forces. Besides, when we accomplish the operational task but the enemy is still in panic and chaos while our forces are still strong, the military region must grasp this opportunity to advance to destroy another part of the enemy, force them into passive posture to capture more ground favorable for the following operations.

The war to safeguard the Fatherland will see new evolutions, including the modernity and high combat standard of the enemy. For this reason, we should further study to perfect the art of counterattack operation to contribute to defeating the enemy and firmly protecting the Fatherland.

Snr. Colonel, Assoc Prof., Doctor. Nguyen Huu Phong