Reflections and tactics
The assault phase
After months of bloody clashes, it is possible to deduce some conclusions regarding modern trench warfare. First, it is very plausible that the present conflict - as well as all future clashes between contenders of equal technological and tactical level - Is destined to become more and more a war fought in the trenches, where the outcome of battles is decided by a mix of tactics, weaponry and individual heroism.
Second, it is logical to infer that, based on these considerations, it is a priority to train and prepare the components of an Armed Force to fight and operate in this challenging environment. Suppose it is not possible, for any possible reason, to train every soldier to fight in such an environment. In that case, assigning only specially trained personnel to such operations is necessary.
Indeed, formation and training of specific assault departments would lead not only to optimization of training costs, but also to a drastic reduction in casualties due to mistakes, lack of preparation, or incorrect psychological profiling. Units in charge of assault and trench cleaning operations, given their many successes, should learn to operate constantly with the support of and in coordination with drones-be they observation or armed-so that they always have a clear idea of the operational context and positioning of the enemy.
These, in fact, have proven to be even more effective than the bulkier armored or armored vehicles in this particular type of combat.
For obvious reasons, it is easy to recognize that the infiltration technique is the least risky mode - and often even less costly in terms of human casualties-to assault a fixed, underground position. However, as also pointed out, it can be used only in the presence of specific terrain and front-line characteristics. In all other cases, in the absence of a viable alternative, it seems that the frontal assault remains the only possible solution. In this case, excellent coordinated work of infantry, armoured vehicles and artillery would be advisable.
In fact, taking into account that teams of 6 to 12 men are employed in assaults, it would be advisable to use a single armored vehicle whenever possible. From what we have seen, the use of vehicles en masse on a small area of the front can often lead to tragic conclusions, especially if there are minefields.
Moreover, using a single vehicle would not only go a long way toward simplifying the operations of approaching the objective, increasing the speed of the assault. Still, it would also represent a more difficult target for possible barrage fire from enemy artillery. To minimize the danger posed by the weapons placed to protect the trench, it would be necessary to employ precise artillery fire throughout the approach phase to provide constant cover for the attackers and neutralize the defenders' resistance.
Once near the target, of course, artillery fire should immediately cease, leaving only drones in support, so as to minimize the risk of friendly fire casualties.
cleaning operations
Once there, the assault team should quickly move on to assault the trench to avoid coming under fire from the defenders, now unimpeded by artillery. In this context, of course, it is highly advisable to use some hand grenades against the most exposed positions or where there is suspicion of the possible presence of the defenders to facilitate entry into the trench.
Depending on the number of men available, it would be advisable to divide the main team into two smaller groups, the first in charge of trench cleaning and the second assigned, initially, to provide covering fire from the outside. The first group assigned to descend into the trench should consist of 3 or 4 men, armed with assault rifles and hand grenades.
Entry into the trench should be at a single point, so that the attacking team can advance from only one direction - keeping their own backs safe at all times - and to avoid dangerous incidents of friendly fire. Thus, slowly, the assault team can begin its cleanup work, using hand grenades to clear the way and secure the underground shelters and bunkers.
As extensively documented, although this may still allow for team detection, it is always advisable to open fire (with 2 or 3 single shots) near every turn, corner or possible point of contact. In this way, the team would secure preemptive cover and could even neutralize a possible threat not fully visible to the eye.
Armaments
The assault operation should be conducted when possible with an armoured vehicle (or vehicles) equipped with good speed and decent protection. The main danger is minefields; good speed and mobility are preferable to heavy armour and a lower rate, which would risk exposing the vehicle more to artillery and ATGM fire.
Such vehicles, of course, should be equipped with a weapon system of any kind, so as to ensure a additional covering fire in the vicinity of the trench and during cleaning operations inside. The men of the assault team, on the other hand, should individually have one assault rifle each, hand grenades and a pistol. As for the assault rifles, they are generally always 5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62×39 specimens, equipped with a good range and magazines of 30 rounds each.
A pistol with at least two magazines, on the other hand, would be a quick solution in case the main individual weapon jammed in the middle of the operation or, as has often been the case, that maneuvering spaces were too tight to employ an assault rifle.
Given the confined spaces and the need to fight at extremely close range, weapons such as machine guns or shorter weapons (usually in 9x19mm or 9mm Parabellum) could be a viable alternative.
However, squad automatic weapons or machine guns are of little use, which is challenging to deploy in such environments and uncomfortable to use in confined spaces. The same thoughts are also applicable to major portable anti-tank weapon systems (RPG, M72 LAW, Panzerfaust 3, etc.), which are of little use in assaulting trenches.
About rifle grenade launchers, however, one must find their near uselessness in such a context, especially since they are entirely unusable once inside the trenches. It would be advisable, as an alternative, to increase the squad's overall hand grenade load, so as to provide a very cheap, simple, and easily deployable solution throughout the course of the operation.
At the end of this analysis, it is easy to see how and why modern trench warfare should be fought, where the needs of the past and contemporary weapon systems combine in a lethal combination. It is, of course, difficult to predict what the outcome of the current conflict will be, but it is quite certain that, faced with the current situation, it will still be trench warfare to hold sway, with its enormous load of blood and death.
Andrea De Poli
Class of 1996, he graduated in 2020 with a degree in linguistic sciences from the Catholic University of the
Sacro Cuore in Milan, later perfecting his studies in Strategic Affairs at LUISS in Rome.
He currently works for the family business group, devoting part of his free time to the
study of major armed, social and political conflicts of the twentieth century and the present day. Over the years, he has
intended special attention also to the entire social, political and economic environment of the Middle
East, Ukraine and North Africa. In 2021, he published "Hezbollah: History, Organization
and doctrine of the Party of God."
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