Field Regulations of the Red Army

Field Regulations of the Red Army. The Field Regulations were the fundamental doctrinal manuals governing the organization, command, and combat operations of the Red Army throughout much of its existence. These documents evolved through multiple editions, reflecting the traumatic lessons of World War I, the Russian Civil War, and subsequent conflicts, while formalizing the principles of deep battle and deep operations. They served as the essential guide for commanders from platoon to front level, profoundly influencing the conduct of the Great Patriotic War and the post-war development of the Soviet Armed Forces.

Historical Development and Revisions

The first major set of regulations, the 1924 Field Service Regulations PU-24, was heavily influenced by the experiences of the Russian Civil War and the Polish–Soviet War, emphasizing mobility and the political role of military commissars. A significant revision in 1929, PU-29, began incorporating more technical aspects of modern warfare observed in foreign conflicts. The transformative 1936 Temporary Field Regulations PU-36, developed under figures like Mikhail Tukhachevsky and Alexander Svechin, fully codified the theory of deep battle, integrating the offensive power of tanks, aviation, and airborne forces. Following the Great Purge and the poor performance in the Winter War, a more conservative set, PU-39, was issued, though it was quickly rendered obsolete. The brutal lessons of Operation Barbarossa led to the 1942 Field Regulations of the Red Army (PU-42), a pragmatic wartime manual emphasizing simplicity and mass. Post-war editions continued to evolve through the Cold War, informed by the experiences of World War II and the advent of nuclear weapons.

Core Principles and Doctrinal Foundations

The regulations were built upon the foundational Soviet concept of Marxist-Leninist military science, which viewed war as a continuation of politics. The central operational principle, especially from PU-36 onward, was the theory of the deep operation, designed to achieve simultaneous breakthrough and disintegration of an enemy's strategic depth. This required the deep, coordinated application of all combined arms—infantry, artillery, armour, and aviation—to create shock and paralysis. Other enduring principles included the necessity for constant reconnaissance, the concentration of forces at the decisive point, and the maintenance of a high operational tempo. The political-military nexus was reinforced through the role of the political organs and commissars within the chain of command.

Command, Control, and Staff Organization

The regulations established a strict, centralized command hierarchy flowing from the Stavka of the Supreme High Command down to front, army, and division levels. They mandated the organization and duties of field staffs, which were responsible for planning, intelligence, operations, and communications. A key feature was the principle of edinonachalie (one-man command), though this coexisted with the supervisory role of political officers, especially during the Great Patriotic War. Procedures for issuing combat orders, maintaining liaison with higher and subordinate units, and utilizing signal troops were meticulously detailed to ensure control over vast, fast-moving operations.

Combat Regulations for Combined Arms

Specific volumes and chapters detailed tactics for each branch and their integration. Infantry regulations covered assault, defense, and reconnaissance patrols, while armour sections dictated the use of tank and mechanized formations for breakthroughs and exploitation. Artillery doctrine focused on the preparation of massive barrages and counter-battery fire, often controlled by centralized artillery division staff. Aviation was tasked with air superiority, close air support, and interdiction missions in direct support of ground offensives. The regulations also covered specialized operations for engineers in obstacle clearing and bridge-building, and for chemical troops in smoke screen deployment.

Logistics and Support Services

Sustaining deep operations required robust and meticulously planned logistical systems, which the regulations formalized. This encompassed the work of the Rear Services in managing complex supply chains for ammunition, fuel, and rations. Detailed procedures governed the operation of field hospitals and medical evacuation by the Military Medical Service. The regulations also outlined the maintenance and recovery of vehicles and equipment by repair units, and the construction of field fortifications and roads by engineer support troops. Effective logistics was treated as a critical combat multiplier.

Influence and Legacy

The Field Regulations directly shaped the Red Army's victorious, though costly, operational conduct during the Battle of Moscow, Battle of Stalingrad, and the sweeping offensives of 1944-1945 like Operation Bagration. Post-war, they formed the bedrock for the Warsaw Pact's unified military doctrine throughout the Cold War, influencing armies from East Germany to Czechoslovakia. Their emphasis on deep, high-tempo offensives with massed armour and artillery remains evident in the operational manuals of the Russian Ground Forces. The regulations stand as a definitive corpus in the history of military art, documenting the evolution of one of the twentieth century's most formidable military institutions. Category:Military manuals Category:Red Army Category:Military doctrine of the Soviet Union