Independent Rapid Division

The Independent Rapid Divisions (Diwyza Samaijaczny Szokiy, or Diwyszokiy), also referred to as Front Combined-Maneuver Divisions, were combined-arms formations employed by Syrvania during the Westenlands Wars, chiefly during the invasion of Hetland and Lavinia. While they represented one of the first and most successful implementations of modern combined-arms doctrine, they also operated under a policy of aggressive action and entrusted commanders in all echelons with a great deal of personal initiative.

## Development

The concept of combined-arms formations came about with the modernization of "Utradacivjet", or Thrusting-Battle, a highly aggressive form of maneuver warfare employed by Syrvania during the 5th century. While plans originally called for creating a distinct armor branch ("Czolgaodzyl"), concerns over inter-branch communication arose from previous experience, particularly during the Lords' Uprising, where attempting to separate infantry and armored units resulted in poor coordination. Concerns also arose over the trend of subordinating armor to infantry limiting the exploitation potential of more maneuverable vehicles, yet those same vehicles also requiring support from accompanying infantry. Finally, from an Economy of Force standpoint, it was felt that a relatively small military, with deficiencies in manpower and production, would benefit from concentrating available assets in critical points "under command elements positioned such that they might immediately ascertain the situation and conditions in full detail (...), capable of executing maneuver with aggression and precision, with minimal delay owing to communications from distant headquarters, or to dissonant participating command elements responsible for bringing supporting arms to bear".

The Independent Rapid Division concept initially materialized as high-speed mechanized divisions, as it was deemed that any armor taking part in exploitation would require support by infantry. In contrast to conventional infantry support mentality, the infantry in these divisions were to be subordinated to the tanks, and would accompany the armor by riding on the tanks themselves in desant, or with their equipment aboard "troop-tractors" ("Zolnijeritraktor") made from surplus tank hulls (though the Civjetsitraktor would prove to be a more versatile and cost-effective solution). The concept was demonstrated during the Chergarian Invasion, where Lusivakian Commonwealth forces engaging the main body of Chergarian forces allowed Syrvania to concentrate its assets in rapid maneuver formations. While it proved effective, it was deemed that light and mobile artillery such as mortars and self-propelled guns, light reconnaissance units, air-defense, and attached signals units would be needed to maximize capability,

### Postwar Analysis

In 528, review by the Syrvanian Defense Ministry highlighted issues with strategy and organization in the war with Hetland, to include implementation of the Independent Rapid Divisions. Their success, it was deemed, had been as much a consequence of circumstances and the disposition of the enemy as it had been their commanders' own competence. Furthermore, the very nature of Rapid Divisions was based on risk, with significant numbers of valuable assets on the line; in instances of reversals or failed gambles, such as at Kitter Moer, this constituted a much greater loss than conventional divisions. Deep thrusts naturally came with a risk of encirclement, severing of lines of communication, and outpacing logistical support. This problem became especially noted during the later months of the war, by which time any sense of fronts or lines of communication had deteriorated, and fatigue and dwindling supplies had taken their toll on the divisions' effectiveness. It was concluded that, had the Hettic Home Army not fallen into disarray and virtually collapsed, the final push on Lingaen may very well have faced a costly reversal. Finally, training proved to be an issue. Personnel of the Rapid Divisions were put through drills, but did not receive much training beyond what met basic requirements, leaving out certain crucial elements of armor-infantry coordination in exploitation and high-speed maneuver warfare.