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LESSON 1

PRACTICE EXERCISE

ANSWER KEY AND FEEDBACK

1. List the three types of river crossings.
Hasty, deliberate, and retrograde. See FM 90-13.
   
2. What characterizes a deliberate river crossing?
A significant water obstacle, strong enemy resistance, and the necessity to clear entry and/or exit banks of enemy forces. See FM 90-13.
   
3. What forces comprise the deliberate river-crossing organization?
Assault, maneuver-support, and bridgehead forces. See FM 90-13.
   
4. Which type of river crossing features decentralized control at the brigade level?
Hasty. The hasty crossing features the decentralized control of the operation by the crossing-brigade headquarters. See FM 90-13.
   
5. The 52nd Infantry Division (Mechanized) encounters a river obstacle during offensive operations. The enemy's 120th Motorized Infantry Division occupies strong defensive positions on the far shore. The width of the river prevents fording of vehicles. The division stops and requests additional bridging assets. What type of river crossing must the 52nd Infantry Division (Mechanized) execute?
Deliberate. The deliberate crossing is characterized by strong enemy resistance and a significant water obstacle. See FM 90-13.
   
6. The 53rd Armored Division encounters a river obstacle during offensive operations. No organized enemy defenses exist on the far shore, but the enemy destroyed the only bridge in the division's sector. The division engineer states that the river is fordable at numerous locations. The division commander orders the 1st Brigade to continue its advance by forcing a crossing without pausing to wait for engineer support. What type of river crossing must the 1st Brigade execute?
Hasty. A hasty river crossing is a continuation of an attack across the river with no intentional pause at the water to prepare, so that there is no loss of momentum. See FM 90-13.
   
7. List the river-crossings fundamentals.
Surprise, extensive preparation, a flexible plan, traffic control, organization, and speed. See FM 90-13.
   
8. What was the purpose for the crossing operation at the Rapido River in 1944?
To gain entrance to the Liri Valley - the "gateway to Rome" - and to capture Mount Cassino.
   
9. Which violated fundamental contributed more than any other to the 36th Division's defeat at the Rapido River? Why was this fundamental so vital to success?

Surprise. A force that fails to achieve surprise will usually fail in the crossing attempt.

All crossing fundamentals were violated to some degree during this operation, but the major cause of defeat was the failure to achieve surprise. Without the element of surprise, the crossing force faced strong enemy resistance. This put the crossing force at such a great disadvantage that it could not mass superior combat power on the far shore. Without surprise, a river crossing cannot succeed.

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