Military Operations in Selected Lebanese Built-Up Areas, 1975 - 1978

Abstract

Abstract : The study, based on interviews with key participants in the conflict, focuses on weapons usage, tactics, and communication. In general, AAA weapons systems (especially when mobile, as when mounted on jeeps), recoilless rifles, and Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers such as those found in Eastern Bloc countries, were found extremely useful in MOBA. Also effective were armored cars such as the M-113 APC, the Panhard, and the Staghound. Despite the emphasis literature concerning communications in MOBA places on problems such as interference of buildings with line-of-sight transmissions and dead spots, the data collected discloses little concern over communications problems in Lebanon, especially on the part of the Christian Forces. Equipped with AN/PRC-77s, ANVRC- 46S and -47s, CB radios, GE portable UHF radios, as well as telephones, the Christians carefully deployed communications assets in advance with an eye toward effective netting. Syrian forces relied heavily on land lines (consistent with their practice) eliminating reception problems entirely and making it more difficult for their transmissions to be intercepted. However, Syrian transmissions over land lines were frequently intercepted by tapping.