OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Offense is the basic form of combat action to destroy enemy units. The north Korean infantry division’s main offensive roles are to attack, destroy, capture, and secure enemy territory. An infantry division is augmented with armor, artillery, and engineer units, so that it may conduct combined arms operations. It is capable of conducting independent ground operations or operations as part of a corps. Within the limitations of equipment, it also conducts special purpose missions such as airborne/air assault and amphibious landings; though these missions are typically assigned to special operation forces. Infantry tactics also include air defense and anti-armor operations.
The north Koreans place emphasis on simultaneously striking the front with strong firepower, enveloping the enemy, and infiltrating the rear area. They will attack with multiple echelons in an attempt to expand the penetration and envelop enemy maneuver forces. They will reinforce success only. If an attack is failing they will fall back, reorganize and attack in a different area.
The envelopment is characterized by massive firepower applied on the enemy’s flank. Its purpose is to divide and destroy the enemy. Employed in conjunction with a frontal attack which fixes the enemy, the envelopment surrounds them and insures their destruction. The goal of the envelopment is the isolation of the enemy. By blocking reinforcements, the enemy unit is forced to withdrawal under fire or surrender.
BYPASS OPERATIONS
First echelon units will bypass any unit they can; follow-on forces are expected to destroy all bypassed units. By bypassing units, first echelon forces preserve their combat capability for future operations. Bypassing forces the enemy to abandon or change its defensive posture. It cuts the enemy off from reinforcements and blocks their ability to withdrawal ensuring their destruction.
ARMOR OPERATIONS
During offensive operations the division commander’s focus is timing the arrival of infantry and armor forces at the focal point of the battle. The infantry division’s organic armor battalion is capable of operating independently or in a supporting role. Based on terrain, tanks are used to spearhead the envelopment or conduct the frontal attack. Tanks support the advance of infantry with direct fire and breaching obstacles.
Armor battalions assigned to infantry divisions are, typically, equipped with older T-55 tanks. The T-55 does not have the capability to destroy the M-1, though it is very capable of destroying our support vehicles. Some units are equipped with the T-62. Though possessing enhanced firepower and acquisition capabilities, the T-62 is not a significant threat to the M-1. Both the T-55 and T-62 suffer from severe limitations in their reengagement ability. The main gun must be returned to the neutral position for reloading. When the main gun is brought to the neutral position, the gunner cannot track the target. Once reloading is completed the gunner must reacquire the target before firing. The time between rounds is approximately 30 seconds.
TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT
At the outbreak of war, first echelon forces of the nKPA (1st, 2d, and 5th Infantry Corps) are responsible for penetrating the enemy’s main defensive belt near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Second echelon corps (the 806th and 815th Mech Corps and the 820th Armor Corps) are responsible for securing the flank and rear of the first echelon along with mopping up bypassed enemy forces. They are committed to battle when first echelon forces are no longer able to continue.
Infiltration forces have a variety of missions. Some of these are: securing the approach route, raids against enemy strongholds, neutralizing the enemy’s command system, and blocking enemy supply routes. As noted by the north Korean officer who defected in October, 1995, north Korea will attempt to destroy the Second Infantry Division immediately upon the outbreak of war; infiltration forces will play a major role in accomplishing this mission.