MCRP 12-10B.1, page 32

Chapter 2 Offensive Operations Urban combat isolates and separates units. Operations are reduced to a series of small-unit actions, placing a premium on small-unit leadership, initiative, and skill. 2001. Introduction. The Marine Corps' manuever warfare philosophy guides the conduct of offensive operations in MOUT. This warfighting philosophy serves to guide commanders through the development, planning, and execution of missions. A detailed discussion of maneuver warfare can be found in MCDP 1, Warfighting, MCDP 1-3, Tactics, MCWP 3-1, Ground Combat Operations (under development), and other Marine Corps doctrinal publications. This chapter focuses only on offensive operations in an urban environment where collateral damage is of minimal concern. It describes tactics, techniques and procedures to be employed for seizing and clearing buildings and other urbanized areas. Chapter 6 addresses some considerations associated with fighting under constraints and restraints on urbanized terrain. Section I Planning 2101. Considerations. Identification of the adversary’s centers of gravity and critical vulnerabilities will allow the commander to focus his/her efforts on those portions of the built-up area essential for mission accomplishment. a. Reasons for Attacking a Built-Up Area. A commander considers the following before deciding to attack a built-up area: (1) Tactical Advantage. Cities control key routes of commerce and provide a tactical advantage to the commander who controls them. Control of features such as bridges, railways, and road networks can have a significant impact on future operations. Urbanized areas may be used by the enemy as a base of operations from which they launch their own offensive operations. It may be advantageous to attack those bases and separate the enemy from their support infrastructure. (2) Political Advantage. The political importance of a built-up area may justify the use of time and resources to liberate it. Capturing a city could destroy the seat of local and national government. At the very least, it could deal the enemy a decisive psychological blow. (3) Economical Advantage. The destruction or capture of key industrial and commercial cities with the resulting denial of production and distribution of equipment and supplies strikes at the enemy’s future ability to wage war. The requirement for a logistics base, 2-1