Situation map
The situation map is the scaled-down image of the local conditions at a deployment site or in the deployment area on the battlefield with the representation of all essential positions of own and enemy forces and large equipment. There are tactical and operational shown considerations and troop movements.
Card type
The situation map is a topographical map which is used to represent the situation and as a guide in the management process by entering one's own and other people's circumstances with military symbols . It gives the operations command a quick overview and a spatial idea of the situation (see military situation and situation (emergency response) ).
In particular, it shows:
- the local conditions
- the damage area, the danger area and / or the battlefield
- the dangers
- the emergency services and the resources
- Sections and main areas of operation
- Staging rooms and collection points
Military symbols are used as tactical signs. Location maps are provided with an imprint of the MGRS coordinate system in order to be able to identify location information clearly and quickly. The underlying topographic map is mostly based on the World Geodetic System 1984 . The scale for tactical maps usually 1: 50,000 also 1: 100,000, operational maps mostly in the scale 1: 250,000 also 1: 200,000, for higher staff also 1: 500,000 TPC as smaller partial maps of the ONC .
In order to be able to recognize essential terrain points and map labels on a topographic map as a tactical map quickly and even in limited light conditions, this is prepared with the help of highlighter - less is more. MGRS coordinate imprints are marked once in west-east and in south-north in neon-orange , the own location and essential landmarks in neon-pink , buildings and contour lines in yellow , water in blue and terrain cover in green .
Operational situation and leadership maps
Depending on the basic command area and operations center, earlier command post main or rear, different situation information of the combat zones “close combat”, “deep combat” and “rear combat” is required. However, the basic requirements for map management are the same.
For manual military map guidance, maps are prepared as tactical or operational guidance maps. To do this, u. a. the MGRS coordinates are marked with an orange light pen. The actual situation work takes place on different "overlay foils" in order to preserve the map image. The slides are defined as follows:
- 0: Schematic terrain of larger bodies of water, roads, mountains, forests
- 1: Limits and reference points (updated at least every 24 hours)
- 2: Enemy situation - "deep combat zone" with marching streets and enemy forces in the depths
- 3: own operations - "close combat zone" with hostile situation "own troops in contact"
- 4: Artillery site with fireplaces
- 5: Pioneering situation with mines and barriers - own and opposing technical engineering situation
- 6: Logistics - “rear combat zone” with its own logistical forces and facilities as well as marching streets, and the enemy situation in the rear area - SOF forces
With electronic command systems, manual map management takes a back seat, as it can also be used to carry out further processing steps with electronically generated and transmitted commands as instructions and to process the command areas and transmit them to the troops. The situation map in paper form continues to be important as a backup in the event of failure of the electronic guidance systems and for detailed map study in the area.
A relief model of the operating room is used in the planning of operations by large units for the visual assessment of the terrain at command posts.
Card component
Situation map is also the name of a small supplementary map on the edge of the map, which is intended to provide orientation for map users. Particularly in the case of individual maps of small areas or thematic content that are not part of a map series and that could not be immediately localized by those unfamiliar with the location, small location maps are often attached. They only show important information, for example political borders, rivers and larger cities as well as - often in a distinctive color - a rectangle that represents the main map and thus classifies it in the (smaller) scale of the smaller secondary map.