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                       COMMAND AND CONTROL

    TOPIC:   Observation at Great Distances.

    OBSERVATION:   A person standing on a hill 30~ m high can
see, depending on the landscape,  for 2~ or 3~ km on a clear
day.  But land that looks flat from the hill actually has two
ridgelines in that distance.   The uniform color of the land and
the even lighting at midday make it difficult to distinguish
changes in elevation at great distances.   The effect is
similar   at near range.  Soldiers frequently aim at an enemy
vehicle with a recoil less rifle without noticing the stretch of
low ground in between.   The round falls short.  It is not a
question of carelessness, but of optical illusion.  This has an
effect on range estimation and targeting.

    LESSON LEARNED:   The casual observer will frequently miss
intermediate features in the landscape.  An observer must think
about what he sees, and look for the unexpected.

    VIEWER NOTES:


    TOPIC:   TOW.

    OBSERVATION:   Some observers have complained that the TOW
antitank weapon kicks up an excessive dust signature with its
backblast.   The complaint does not deserve a great deal of
attention,  since the TOW is such an effective weapon overall.
If it is placed intelligently (that is, away from soft sand?1
its visibility to an enemy would be minimal.  Furthermore, in
the heat of battle, dust would be generated by anything
moving.   This would camouflage the signature made by TOW.

    LESSON LEARNED:   TOW is a highly effective antitank weapon
in the desert.   Its dust signature, albeit a consideration, is
not a serious drawback.

    VIEWER NOTES:


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