The Soviet Approach of the Mechanised Warfare in the Period between the Two World Wars

Part 2.

Abstract

General Isserson pointed out that as a consequence of the First World War, the nature of military operations – due to the wider front lines and deeper dislocation of the units – changed basically. Isserson revalued the role of reserve troops, in his view their primary task is to maintain in depth the operational efforts. He assumed that the gradual application of the military forces will be needed in the future both on operational and tactical level. Due to his assumptions, the theory of the deep operations was formed gradually, as follows. In the first (air) echelon, the air force and airborne troops are to paralyse the operational depth. In the second (assault) echelon, the striking army’s goal is to break through the tactical depth. The goal of the third (success development) echelon is to achieve operational success by using rapid units.