Accession Number:

ADA191782

Title:

Field Artillery Fire Support for Counterinsurgency Operations: Combat Power or Counterproductive?

Descriptive Note:

Monograph

Corporate Author:

ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES

Personal Author(s):

• Hoffer, Edward E.

Report Date:

1987-11-22

Pagination or Media Count:

54.0

Abstract:

This monograph attempts to answer the following question Should field artillery be used as a counterinsurgency weapon The monograph first defines the terms insurgency, counterinsurgency, and artillery fire support, and explains the three phases of an insurgency as conceptualized by Mao Zedong Mao Tse-Tung and General Vo-Nguyen Giap. Second, the study reviews the United States Armys historical reliance upon artillery fire support. Third, in order to reveal the effectiveness of artillery fire support, it examines two counterinsurgency battles--one with and one without artillery fire support. Finally, the monograph relates the advantages and disadvantages of field artillery fire support. It concludes that, although field artillery may be a combat power detractor when used against a phase one and two insurgency, it is a necessary combat power multiplier against a phase three insurgency. Ways of expanding field artillerys effectiveness as a counterinsurgency weapon are detailed.

Descriptors:

• *ARTILLERY
• *COUNTERINSURGENCY
• *FIRE SUPPORT
• ARTILLERY FIRE
• ARTILLERY UNITS
• COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS
• COMBAT SUPPORT
• FIELD ARMY
• INSURGENCY
• UNITED STATES
• WEAPONS

Subject Categories:

• Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE