1963 US Army Vietnam War Armor Operations ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM(4) The enveloping force moves rapidly (3) In the exploitation, class III consumpanddirectly to the objective, bypass-tion rates are high, and provisions foring enemy forces that cannot interferewith the accomplishment of therapid supply are essential. Security ofsupply columns must be consideredmission. If the enemy attempts a since forward elements may be befrontalattack against a supportinghind enemy forces.attack, the enveloping force continues (4) Minimum necessary control measuresto the objective while the supportingare used. The decentralized executionattack force blocks or delays.characteristic of the exploitation re-(5) Enemy counterattacks that threaten quires the exercise of great initiativethe accomplishment of the mission byon the part of all leaders.the enveloping force are engaged in (5) In the exploitation, nuclear, convenamanner similar to the meeting en-tional, and chemical weapons may begagement (pars. 209-211).used principally on targets of opportunity.Fire support units march with199. Turning Movement or immediately in rear of exploitingIn the turning movement the attacking forceforces.avoids an enemy force and seizes an objective (6) Reconnaissance efforts are intensified.deep in the enemy rear to force him to abandonThe rapid gaining of information onhis position or divert major forces to meet theenemy activities and strength coupledthreat. The enemy is then destroyed on groundwith information of the terrain assistof the attacker's choosing. Normally, brigadethe commander in making decisionsand lower units participate in the turningmovement as part of a larger force. For deinvolvingthe bypass or changes in thescheme of maneuver.tails of turning movements see FM 61-100. d. Conduct of the Exploitation.200. Exploitation(1) Exploiting forces advance rapidly ona broad front. Only the reserves neca.Purpose. In the exploitation the attackerseeks to follow up the gains of success in battle.esary to insure flexibility, momentum,and essential security are retained.The attacker drives deep into the enemy's rear (2)( Once the exploitation is begun, it isto destroy his means to reconstitute an organizeddefense or to withdraw in good order.carried relentlessly to the objectivedeep in the enemy rear to cut his linesb. The Pursuit. The pursuit is the finalphase of the exploitation. Its goal is annihilaofcommunication and disrupt hiscommand and control.tion of the enemy force. It is accomplished by (3) Maximum use should be made of airmaintaining direct pressure on the withdraw-vehicles to increase the reconnaisingenemy and by intercepting and destroyingsance and security of the exploitingthe main enemy force.force. Air vehicles may be used to asc.Consideration of the Exploitation. sist in seizing terrain that becomes(1) Opportunities for major exploitations key to the tactical success of the exareindicated by an increase in prisonerscaptured, in abandoned equipploitingforce.(4) Enemy forces encountered are not enment,and the overruning of artillery,gaged unless they can interfere withcommand facilities, signal installa-the accomplishment of the mission.tions, and supply dumps. The transi-The avoidance of combat under thesetion from the attack to the exploita-circumstances is termed a bypass.tion may be abrupt or so gradual asBased on the factors of METT, infortobe hardly distinguishable.mation gained from efforts to develop(2) Speed and combat power are required the enemy situation and the deterinexploiting forces.mination of suitable bypass routes, the102 AGO 9139A