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Study Guide: Military Reconnaissance: Concepts, Tactics, and Applications

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Military Reconnaissance: Concepts, Tactics, and Applications Study Guide

Foundations of Military Reconnaissance

Military reconnaissance is primarily concerned with the acquisition of intelligence regarding the disposition and capabilities of friendly forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: The fundamental objective of military reconnaissance is the systematic collection of intelligence pertaining to enemy forces, terrain features, and relevant civilian activities within the operational environment, not friendly forces.

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The abbreviation 'recce' for reconnaissance is standard in American English military jargon.

Answer: False

Explanation: While 'recce' is a common abbreviation for reconnaissance, it is standard in British, Canadian, and Australian military English, whereas 'recon' is the standard abbreviation in American English.

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Military reconnaissance and espionage are fundamentally the same activity, involving covert operations behind enemy lines.

Answer: False

Explanation: Military reconnaissance involves active exploration by military forces to gather intelligence, whereas espionage is typically conducted by civilian agents operating covertly within enemy territory. They are distinct activities with different operational parameters and personnel.

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The word 'reconnaissance' originates from the Latin word 'cognoscere,' meaning 'to know.'

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'reconnaissance' is derived from the Middle French word 'reconnoissance,' which translates to recognizance, not from the Latin 'cognoscere'.

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According to US Army Field Manual FM 7-92, reconnaissance is solely defined as gathering visual information about enemy troop movements.

Answer: False

Explanation: US Army Field Manual FM 7-92 defines reconnaissance as a mission to obtain information through visual observation or other detection methods concerning enemy activities, resources, or area characteristics, not solely visual information about troop movements.

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What is the primary objective of military reconnaissance as defined in the source?

Answer: To gather intelligence about enemy forces, terrain, and civilian activities.

Explanation: The primary objective of military reconnaissance is the systematic collection of intelligence concerning enemy forces, terrain, and civilian activities within the operational area.

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Which abbreviation for reconnaissance is commonly used in American English military jargon?

Answer: Recon

Explanation: In American English military jargon, the common abbreviation for reconnaissance is 'recon'.

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How does the source differentiate military reconnaissance from espionage?

Answer: Reconnaissance is conducted by military personnel, while espionage is performed by civilian agents.

Explanation: The primary distinction presented is that military reconnaissance is executed by military forces, whereas espionage is typically conducted by civilian agents operating covertly.

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What is the etymological origin of the word 'reconnaissance' according to the provided text?

Answer: Middle French 'reconnoissance' meaning recognizance

Explanation: The term 'reconnaissance' originates from the Middle French word 'reconnoissance,' which signifies recognizance.

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According to US Army Field Manual FM 7-92, reconnaissance is defined as a mission to obtain information by:

Answer: Visual observation or other detection methods about enemy activities or area characteristics.

Explanation: FM 7-92 defines reconnaissance as obtaining information through visual observation or other detection methods concerning enemy activities, resources, or area characteristics.

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Reconnaissance Tactics and Operations

Reconnaissance-in-force (RIF) uses minimal force to probe enemy defenses without provoking a significant reaction.

Answer: False

Explanation: Reconnaissance-in-force (RIF) is characterized by the use of considerable force specifically designed to provoke a strong reaction from the enemy, thereby revealing their combat capabilities and disposition, rather than avoiding such a reaction.

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RIF units, after eliciting an enemy reaction, are always ordered to immediately withdraw and report their findings.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following an elicited enemy reaction, RIF units have the option to either fall back to report their findings or to expand the engagement into a full conflict, depending on the discovered enemy weaknesses and tactical situation.

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German Army reconnaissance during WWII, according to TM-E 30-451, was characterized by caution and avoidance of direct engagement.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to TM-E 30-451, German Army reconnaissance during WWII emphasized aggressiveness, achieving superiority, and continuous observation, often involving direct engagement to obtain information.

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Reconnaissance-by-fire involves observing enemy positions without engaging them to gather intelligence.

Answer: False

Explanation: Reconnaissance-by-fire, also known as speculative fire, involves firing at likely enemy positions with the specific intent of provoking enemy forces into revealing their location by moving or returning fire.

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The tactic of reconnaissance-pull is primarily focused on locating and exploiting enemy weaknesses to create gaps for friendly forces to advance.

Answer: True

Explanation: Reconnaissance-pull is indeed a tactic focused on identifying and exploiting enemy vulnerabilities to create exploitable gaps, thereby facilitating the advance of friendly forces.

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During the Tinian landings, the U.S. Marine Corps used reconnaissance-pull to identify heavily defended southern beaches and subsequently landed on the less defended northern beaches.

Answer: True

Explanation: The U.S. Marine Corps' Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion employed reconnaissance-pull during the Tinian landings, identifying strong defenses on southern beaches and shifting their assault to the less defended northern beaches, aided by deception operations.

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What is the defining characteristic of Reconnaissance-in-Force (RIF)?

Answer: It is designed to probe enemy combat ability by provoking a strong reaction.

Explanation: Reconnaissance-in-force (RIF) is specifically designed to probe enemy combat capabilities by using considerable force to provoke a significant reaction, thereby revealing enemy disposition and strength.

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According to the source, what can RIF units do after eliciting an enemy reaction?

Answer: Fall back to report or expand the conflict into a full engagement.

Explanation: After eliciting an enemy reaction, RIF units have the tactical flexibility to either withdraw and report their findings or to transition into a full engagement if advantageous.

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German Army reconnaissance during WWII emphasized which of the following principles?

Answer: Aggressiveness, achieving superiority, and continuous observation.

Explanation: According to TM-E 30-451, German Army reconnaissance during WWII was characterized by aggressiveness, the pursuit of superiority in the area of operation, and the maintenance of continuous enemy observation.

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What is the purpose of 'reconnaissance-by-fire'?

Answer: To provoke enemy forces into revealing their location by firing back.

Explanation: Reconnaissance-by-fire is employed to provoke enemy forces into revealing their positions by firing upon suspected locations, thereby eliciting a return fire or movement.

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The tactic of 'reconnaissance-pull' is primarily focused on:

Answer: Locating and exploiting enemy weaknesses to create gaps for advance.

Explanation: Reconnaissance-pull is a tactic designed to identify and exploit enemy weaknesses, thereby creating exploitable gaps that facilitate the advance of friendly forces.

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In the Tinian landings example, how did reconnaissance-pull contribute to the U.S. Marines' success?

Answer: It identified heavily defended southern beaches, allowing a shift to less defended northern beaches with deception.

Explanation: During the Tinian landings, reconnaissance-pull identified strong Japanese defenses on the southern beaches, enabling the U.S. Marines to shift their landing site to the less defended northern beaches while employing deception on the south.

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The Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft famously revealed what critical intelligence during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer: Soviet convoy deploying intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba.

Explanation: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft provided critical intelligence by revealing a Soviet convoy deploying intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba.

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Classifications and Types of Reconnaissance

Terrain-oriented reconnaissance focuses exclusively on identifying enemy force deployments and capabilities.

Answer: False

Explanation: Terrain-oriented reconnaissance primarily surveys the physical features and environment of an area. While it can indirectly inform about enemy capabilities based on terrain suitability, its exclusive focus is not on enemy force deployments.

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Area reconnaissance, zone reconnaissance, and route reconnaissance are the three fundamental types based on the *focus* of the mission (e.g., terrain, force).

Answer: False

Explanation: Area, zone, and route reconnaissance are fundamental types based on the *area of operation*. Reconnaissance categorized by focus includes terrain-oriented, force-oriented, and civil-oriented reconnaissance.

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Engineer reconnaissance detachments primarily focus on identifying enemy troop strengths and weaknesses.

Answer: False

Explanation: Engineer reconnaissance detachments focus on identifying terrain features and infrastructure that may impede or facilitate movement, such as assessing locations for pontoon bridges or identifying obstacles, rather than solely enemy troop strengths.

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Sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance is concerned only with identifying disease origins during wartime.

Answer: False

Explanation: Sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance involves collecting data on the sanitary and epidemiological situation, including disease origins, infection sources, transmission methods, and infestation factors, applicable in various extreme situations, not solely during wartime.

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Once armed forces become stationary, sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance ceases entirely.

Answer: False

Explanation: When armed forces become stationary, sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance transitions into sanitary and epidemiological surveillance and medical control, continuing its function rather than ceasing.

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The primary goal of area reconnaissance is to gather detailed information about enemy forces within a large, designated zone.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary goal of area reconnaissance is to obtain detailed information about a specified location and its surrounding area, which may include terrain features and potential enemy presence, but not exclusively detailed information about enemy forces within a large zone, which is more characteristic of zone reconnaissance.

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Civil reconnaissance focuses on collecting data about military equipment and logistics within a civilian population.

Answer: False

Explanation: Civil reconnaissance gathers a broad spectrum of civil information to support military operations, focusing on the civil dimension of the battlespace, including socio-cultural data, rather than exclusively military equipment and logistics within a civilian population.

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Route reconnaissance aims to provide information on the conditions and activities along a specific path, like a road or railway.

Answer: True

Explanation: Route reconnaissance is specifically designed to gather information regarding the conditions, characteristics, and activities along a designated path, such as a road, railway, or waterway.

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Zone reconnaissance is considered the least thorough type of reconnaissance because it covers a broad area.

Answer: False

Explanation: Zone reconnaissance is generally considered the most thorough and time-intensive type of reconnaissance, as it requires detailed intelligence gathering within a designated area to determine enemy locations, strengths, and weaknesses.

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Which of the following is NOT one of the three primary categories of reconnaissance based on focus mentioned in the source?

Answer: Route reconnaissance

Explanation: The three primary categories of reconnaissance based on focus are terrain-oriented, force-oriented, and civil-oriented reconnaissance. Route reconnaissance is a classification based on the area of operation.

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Area reconnaissance, zone reconnaissance, and route reconnaissance are classifications based on what aspect of the operation?

Answer: The area of operation

Explanation: Area reconnaissance, zone reconnaissance, and route reconnaissance are fundamental types of reconnaissance categorized based on the specific area of operation being covered.

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What is a key task performed by engineer reconnaissance detachments?

Answer: Identifying suitable locations for pontoon bridges to cross water obstacles.

Explanation: Engineer reconnaissance detachments are tasked with identifying terrain and infrastructure challenges, such as locating suitable sites for constructing pontoon bridges to overcome water obstacles.

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Sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance primarily aims to gather data on:

Answer: The sanitary and epidemiological situation, including disease origins and infection sources.

Explanation: Sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance focuses on collecting comprehensive data regarding the sanitary and epidemiological conditions, including the origins and sources of diseases.

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What happens to sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance when armed forces become stationary?

Answer: It transitions into sanitary and epidemiological surveillance and medical control.

Explanation: When armed forces become stationary, sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance evolves into ongoing sanitary and epidemiological surveillance and medical control measures.

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Which type of reconnaissance focuses on obtaining detailed information about particular, designated locations *before* friendly forces maneuver through them?

Answer: Zone reconnaissance

Explanation: Zone reconnaissance is specifically designed to obtain detailed information about particular, designated locations prior to friendly forces maneuvering through them.

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Civil reconnaissance gathers information related to the daily interactions between civilians and military forces, focusing on data within a specific context. Which context is mentioned?

Answer: Socio-cultural context

Explanation: Civil reconnaissance gathers information within a socio-cultural context, focusing on the interactions between civilians and military forces.

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What does civil information encompass, according to the ASCOPE framework mentioned in the source?

Answer: Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organizations, People, Events

Explanation: According to the ASCOPE framework, civil information encompasses Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organizations, People, and Events.

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What kind of information does terrain-oriented route reconnaissance provide regarding the adjacent terrain?

Answer: Information on obstacles like minefields and steep ravines that could obstruct movement.

Explanation: Terrain-oriented route reconnaissance provides critical information about adjacent terrain, identifying obstacles such as minefields, barriers, steep ravines, marshy areas, or CBRN contamination that could impede vehicle movement.

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Reconnaissance Platforms, Personnel, and Planning

In the United States, reconnaissance tasks are exclusively performed by specialized military intelligence units.

Answer: False

Explanation: While specialized military intelligence units are involved, reconnaissance tasks in the U.S. Army are also performed by other units such as U.S. Army Rangers and cavalry scouts, who conduct patrols and other reconnaissance missions.

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Observation posts are a primary method for collecting raw intelligence during reconnaissance operations, alongside satellites and aircraft.

Answer: True

Explanation: Observation posts serve as a crucial method for gathering raw intelligence during reconnaissance operations, complementing other assets like satellites and reconnaissance aircraft.

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Aerial reconnaissance is limited to using manned aircraft like fighter jets and bombers.

Answer: False

Explanation: Aerial reconnaissance encompasses a broader range of platforms, including uncrewed aircraft and balloons, in addition to manned aircraft, for purposes such as mapping terrain and observing enemy movements.

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Reconnaissance satellites are primarily used for meteorological data collection, with minimal application in military operations.

Answer: False

Explanation: While reconnaissance satellites can provide meteorological data, their primary military application is the provision of photographic intelligence and other vital information regarding enemy forces and activities.

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When organizing a reconnaissance platoon, a commander only considers the mission objectives and the enemy situation.

Answer: False

Explanation: A commander must consider multiple factors when organizing a reconnaissance platoon, including mission objectives, enemy situation, terrain, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations (often summarized by METT-TC).

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Stealth and speed are unimportant for reconnaissance platoons conducting route reconnaissance, as they operate alongside the main maneuver force.

Answer: False

Explanation: Stealth and speed are critically important for reconnaissance platoons conducting route reconnaissance, as they must maintain a position ahead of the main force to provide early warning and prevent surprise.

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According to Frederick Russell Burnham, a scout working in a foreign country needs knowledge of local history, customs, and religion, but not superstitions.

Answer: False

Explanation: Frederick Russell Burnham emphasized that a scout must possess knowledge of local history, customs, religion, *and* superstitions, considering this knowledge almost as essential as understanding the physical character of the country.

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The Fennek is a reconnaissance vehicle used by the British Army.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Fennek is identified as a reconnaissance vehicle utilized by the German Army, not the British Army.

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The Oste class ship is an ELINT and reconnaissance vessel operated by the French Navy.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Oste class ship is an ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) and reconnaissance vessel, but it is operated by the German Navy, not the French Navy.

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Which of the following are mentioned in the source as personnel typically performing reconnaissance tasks in the U.S. Army?

Answer: U.S. Army Rangers, cavalry scouts, and military intelligence specialists

Explanation: The source specifies that U.S. Army Rangers, cavalry scouts, and military intelligence specialists are among the personnel who typically perform reconnaissance tasks.

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What are some assets mentioned for collecting raw intelligence during reconnaissance operations?

Answer: Satellites, reconnaissance aircraft, and observation posts

Explanation: The source lists satellites, reconnaissance aircraft, and observation posts as key assets utilized for collecting raw intelligence during reconnaissance operations.

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Besides mapping terrain and surveying weather, what is another purpose of aerial reconnaissance mentioned in the source?

Answer: Observing tangible structures and enemy force movements

Explanation: In addition to mapping terrain and surveying weather, aerial reconnaissance serves military objectives such as observing tangible structures and enemy force movements.

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What type of intelligence do reconnaissance satellites primarily provide to military commanders, according to the text?

Answer: Photographic intelligence

Explanation: Reconnaissance satellites are primarily utilized to provide military commanders with photographic intelligence regarding enemy forces and other critical information.

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Which factor is NOT explicitly mentioned as a consideration for organizing a reconnaissance platoon in the source?

Answer: Available ammunition

Explanation: The source lists mission objectives, enemy situation, terrain, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations as factors for organizing a reconnaissance platoon. Available ammunition is not explicitly mentioned as a primary factor in this context.

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Why are stealth and speed crucial for reconnaissance platoons conducting route reconnaissance?

Answer: To provide early warning and prevent the main force from being surprised.

Explanation: Stealth and speed are imperative for route reconnaissance platoons to maintain a position ahead of the main maneuver force, thereby providing crucial early warning and preventing surprise.

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According to Frederick Russell Burnham, what knowledge is considered almost as necessary as understanding the physical character of a country for a scout?

Answer: Understanding of the local history, tradition, religion, social customs, and superstitions

Explanation: Frederick Russell Burnham posited that a scout must possess knowledge of the local history, tradition, religion, social customs, and superstitions, deeming it nearly as vital as understanding the country's physical characteristics.

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What is the FV107 Scimitar, mentioned in the source material?

Answer: A tracked vehicle used by armored reconnaissance regiments of the British Army.

Explanation: The FV107 Scimitar is identified as a tracked vehicle employed by armored reconnaissance regiments within the British Army.

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The quote regarding the organization of a reconnaissance platoon emphasizes that a commander must consider multiple factors, often summarized by the acronym METT-TC. Which of the following is a key factor mentioned?

Answer: Civil considerations

Explanation: The source explicitly mentions 'civil considerations' as one of the key factors a commander must analyze when organizing a reconnaissance platoon, aligning with the METT-TC framework.

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