At Starogród Castle Hill , participants tackled a complex transitionary phase of war : the Forward Passage of Lines ( FPoL ). Chief G3 , Big Gen Antoine De Loustal , and ACOS G3 , Col Uwe Jansohn , explained the challenges and imperatives in conducting a FPoL in this complex terrain , and manoeuvre techniques through the inevitable “ hourglass ” with brigades and divisions . Following an update on the current operational picture on the ground , and a short deep dive on the Polish Territorial Defence Force ( TDF or WOT ) by Dr Paul Latawski , the floor was open for syndicates to present their solution for a comprehensive problem set . This included appropriate level of command , delineation of tasks between Corps , Divisions and Polish national defence forces , and to what extent is deception required to support this action .
Syndicates went on to be challenged to analyse a complex , realistic situation where the Corps was confronted with the dilemma to force a persistent , suppressive and atrocities-committing enemy to retreat from the town of Ciechanow . Syndicates were briefed on the rationale behind corps level urban operations , and about trend analysis on future urban warfare . Equipped with a vignette scenario and orders , syndicates then walked through the urban quarters to the town centre , to draw conclusions about the military aspects of this congested and complex terrain . The location for the syndicate discussions was the Zamek Ksiazat Mazowieckich Castle . The ninety feet high towers of this castle offered great views of the town of Ciechanow and its surrounding areas . Discussing solutions to the problem set , where syndicates had to consider several courses of action , including an ‘ out of the usual ’ approach , led to lively discussions where defenders ’ and attackers ’ options were discussed . Whilst avoiding fighting in complex urban terrain should be considered for as long as the situation allows , the group agreed that it is feasible for a corps to shape mission success for its subordinate formations ; mitigating human suffering and collateral damage to the bare minimum are key factors .
A peer defender can be forced to decide that they can no longer aspire to hold urban terrain , if our Corps makes intelligent use of multiple challenges to the opponent , applying surprising
Nowogrod water crossing demonstration
attack methods , multi-domain strikes , and reinforcing indigenous resistance capacities . We should also disrupt through indirect approaches in the psychological domain , breaking the enemy ’ s ability and will to continue the fight ; this concept deserves further debate and concept development . The urban vignette proved to be an intellectual and moral challenge , and an inspirational experience for all .
A fascinating and most relevant Wide Wet Gap Crossing ( WWGC ) study was conducted at Rozan and Wizna . Participants participated in an initial overview of the WWGC activity that would see 1st Armoured Division ( US ) cross the River Narew near the village of Rozan , and later on in the vicinity of Wizna . Professor Latawski briefed on the historical examples from World War 2 , highlighting how little the WWGC doctrine has changed . The group ’ s attention then turned to the challenge of floodplains near the village of Wizna . The location was also the site of a battle that is historically important to the Polish , as it saw heroic resistance against the Germans during the invasion of Poland in 1939 . In fitting fashion , COMARRC laid a wreath in memory of the heroic battle at the memorial site . The demonstration of the river crossing was conducted at Nowogród on the River Narew River to observe the Polish , US , French and Swedish troops demonstrated various methods of WWGC . The land units were supported by air and aviation . During the demo , COMARRC had the opportunity to talk with the Polish
COMARRC and Polish Minister Blaszczak
President Andrzej Duda and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak .
As a final event , participants were privileged to receive a brief by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Maj Gen Piotr “ Zeus ” Błazeusz , Ph . D . about changes to Polish strategic thinking that have come about due to the war in Ukraine .
Exercise ARRCADE LIGHTNING 22 brought together the wider ARRC Command Group , and our key interlocutors and partners , in order to confirm and challenge our planning , whilst enhancing our understanding of the multi-domain challenges that enable successful corps war fighting operations on NATO ’ s Eastern flank . All participants look forward to further developing their warfighting knowledge and skills , and to developing relations with our Polish friends who were such superb hosts .
the imjin SUMMER 2022
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