Page 530 - Le Operazioni Interforze e Multinazionali nella Storia Militare - ACTA Tomo I

530 XXXIX Congresso della CommIssIone InternazIonale dI storIa mIlItare • CIHm

with many. There may be many directions that troops are needed in one campaign or
battle, but the principle direction should be one and one only so that all strength can be
focused on that direction. Therefore, one must decide his principle direction either in
offense or defense. Dispersing forces without a focus should be avoided.
B. Concentration of firepower on major targets at proper timing
Use of firepower is highly stressed in PLA combined operation. Main principle is
concentrating the firepower of artillery as well as others on the main target at designated
time, thus achieving absolute firepower superiority and annihilating the enemy’s effec-
tive strength.

C. Conducting centralized and individual commands in a flexible manner
Generally, PLA will exercise centralized command by deciding the plan and timing
for the combined operation or close coordination. In emergent time or when carrying out
complicated tasks, it will adopt centralized command with uttermost effort. When the
initiative and creativity of commanders at lower levels are needed, or when centralized
command is hard to exercise, individual command or decentralized command will be
adopted.
D. Systematic planning the coordination among different arms and services.
Combined operation doctrines clearly and in detail define how to coordinate among
various services and arms. (1) The army will take the lead when navy and air force sup-
port army in the operation. (In landing operations, navy will take the lead during the
phase of shipping.) (2) Infantry or Tank should take the lead when combined operations
involve only different arms of army. (3) The troop that carries out major task should take
the lead. (4) Local forces, people’s armed police, militia and guerilla forces should play
the supporting role to the major combat troops. (5) In counter nuclear attack operations,
actions and firepower of various troops should coordinate with nuclear strike to bring
nuclear strike effect into full. (6) Actions of electrical confrontation teams should be in
concert with combat operations of troops.
E. Improve support capability
Effective combined operation depends on well-planned operation support, logistic
support and technical support. Operation support refers to the use of necessary strength
and equipments to protect troops from enemy strikes from air, land and sea, and prevent
enemy reconnaissance and harassment, thus to ensure the smooth movement of troops
and timely completion of tasks. Logistic and technical supports refer to the support of
logistic material, medical and transportation services as well as technical support, and
they also involve active struggles against enemy’s attack and sabotage actions.

Part Three Main Features of PLA combined operations
Combined operation theories of PLA is developed under the guidance of Mao Zedong’s
military thought and based upon the experience of fighting People’s War. Theories and
methods of combined operations from other countries and from ancient China were bor-