They must have cognition of topography and surveying, but they must besides have spatial imagination and... quite a few patience. Artillerians call them "our eyes", due to the fact that without them it would be hard to precisely offend the goals of the opponent. The three-week training for the combined fire observers ended in the 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade.
A foggy morning. The soldiers were placed on the roof of the Lubuskie Provincial Office in Gorzów. The 18-story skyscraper is the tallest building in the city, so the buildings of the surrounding neighborhoods can be seen from it as if on the palm of your hand. At first glance – an perfect place for an observer to track a hypothetical mark for artillery. But it's just appearances. – An antenna was installed on the roof, and the construction of the building itself contains metallic reinforcements. All of this can interfere with the work of our equipment – admits Maksymilian Bednarski, the manager of training organised by 17 The Greater Poland Mechanized Brigade. so forward observer, or utilizing a fresh nomenclature – combined fire observerHe shouldn't trust the equipment's indications without a limit. He frequently has to thin over the map for longer, take a pair of binoculars in his hand and... decision his head harder. – If our students learn to solve truly hard tasks, then they will manage in all conditions. That is why the motto "Minimum of equipment, maximum capacity" is the reason for this", emphasised Mr Bednarski.
Classes in Gorzów were the finals of 3 weeks of tedious training, attended by nearly 20 soldiers from 11th Lublin Armored Cavalry Division. Among them were military men who began their service in the sections of the combined fire watchers, but besides experts in reconnaissance and even the shooters of the election. The course itself was divided into respective parts. In the first, participants learned about explanation – they took on geodesy and topography issues, learned patterns that helped to calculate the location of a given object, learned the principles of operation of specialized equipment, especially rangefinders. Next week They went into the field to test the cognition gathered in practice. This part of the training was carried out at a training ground in Hungary. The students determined their position in the field, determined the coordinates of the possible target, practiced the procedures related to masking, but besides the transmission of artillery reports. And finally, the last part, realized already outside the ground. “Here were the key activities in urbanised areas. We moved in the vicinity of Tremeszn and Sulęcin. In the distance we saw buildings from which the mark had to be fished out and its location was determined, says Mr Bednarski. On akin terms, soldiers practiced in Gorzów. – Leading artillery to targets in the city is simply a large challenge. First of all, due to the minimum margin of error. It frequently does not exceed 50 m – he explains. If the observer is imprecise, the missiles may fall on adjacent buildings. That is why apothecary accuracy is needed here and... assessing risks so as not to endanger civilians in any way or origin excessive harm to infrastructure.
Training in 17 WBZ was organized for the thirteenth time. As Mr Bednarski admits, it is hard not to say – very difficult. – On average, about 30 percent of participants number them – he notes. Yet, training is just a foretaste of what awaits observers in the ministry. “Volunteerness and autonomy are required from soldiers in specified positions. They usually operate in tiny sections, a fewer kilometres ahead of the line of their own troops. Therefore, they should be prepared to travel long distances on their own, with equipment on their backs. They besides request to mask themselves well and have quite a few patience. They can spend up to a fewer hours in position before submitting the appropriate report, according to Mr Bednarski. The observer must absorb a large dose of expertise and show creativity and perfect sense of space.
Their tasks are highly difficult. But without these boys, it is hard to imagine our functioning,’ says Lt. Marcin Suszczewski, commander of the support company in 17 WBZ. The sub-chapter is equipped with Self-propelled mortars Cancer and to a large degree operates on the basis of data collected by advanced observers. – The section is our elongated arm, or else – our eyes. Its indications stay crucial for the beginning of fire itself. Artillery is expected to hit high-value targets: command post, anti-aircraft defence of the opponent, large groups of his troops. Precise data is priceless for us, says the officer. but to find possible targets and give their coordinates is only the first part of the puzzle. – Our accuracy is besides affected by atmospheric conditions, i.e. humidity, pressure, wind direction. If the projectile does not scope the designated object, soldiers from the section, by indicating the location of its fall, make it easier for us to amend before the next volley," added Mr Suszczewski.
Meanwhile, 17 WBZ instructors look to the future. – We have already developed methods of managing artillery fire utilizing unmanned aircraft. I hope that we will shortly have specified trainings besides – concludes Mr Bednarski.
