text: Chapter 3
  • Support from the population is conditional.
  • Intensity of efforts and vastness of means are essential.
  CHARLES CALLWELL’S IDEAS FOR SUCCESSFUL COIN
  3-43. Charles Callwell’s Ideas for Successful Counterinsurgency, based on his experience in the Boer
  War and other British Imperial operations, follow:
  • [Following up] successes…; a single blow will often achieve results, but a succession of blows
  paralyzes the enemy.
  • Matching the enemy in mobility and inventiveness.
  • Collecting actionable intelligence.
  • Seizing what the enemy prizes most.
  Section III—TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
  This section contains basic tactical considerations common to counterinsurgency operations, categorized first
  by terrain, and then by troops. As for any type of operation, the commander and staff must consider all relevant
  operational and mission variables, and their effects on operations. These additional considerations for terrain
  and troops allow the commander to better visualize the conduct of counterinsurgency operations as he
  accomplishes the assigned mission.
  TERRAIN
  3-44. As with any type military operation, terrain plays a key role in counterinsurgency operations.
  Insurgencies are fought in either urban or a rural terrain, each with its own characteristics.
  URBAN AREAS
  3-45. The urbanization of the world population continues to increase. The concealment and anonymity
  that was once only provided by remote rural areas to the insurgent is now available in urban areas. The
  transient nature and size of urban populations increasingly hinder a counterinsurgent’s ability to detect
  and identify insurgents. Insurgents use urban centers for freedom of movement, easy access to their mass
  base and proximity to targets. Popular support at the outset of this kind of insurgency is not necessary, but
  can be gained through intimidation and attacking basic services provided by the government. With a
  greater population density, urban areas need more government functions and services than rural areas. This
  requires more government organizations for operations and a balanced approach using all LOEs.
  3-46. Insurgencies thrive in an urban environment. Operations against urban insurgents vary from
  operations designed to control the population to operations that involve seeking out and killing or capturing
  the insurgent. In these urban areas, counterinsurgency forces may have to emphasize intelligence
  and police operations to counter clandestine organizational, intelligence, logistic, and terrorist activities.
  Counterinsurgency forces may be required to reinforce HN police forces in combating riots and disorders
  provoked by the insurgents as well as conducting raids and cordon and searches. Military
  counterinsurgency forces must be able to communicate with HN police forces and other agencies involved
  in operations.
  Considerations during Counterinsurgencies
  3-47. When military forces must reinforce police or defeat insurgent forces inside the urban area,
  leaders must closely control and coordinate operations. However, the local government determines the
  level of intensity at which urban operations are conducted. Military forces should be withdrawn as soon
  as police forces can manage the situation. Basic urban counterinsurgency considerations include—
  • Maintaining a constant, forward presence with the population.
  • Acquiring and disseminating accurate and timely intelligence.