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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMEach form will assign objectives deep in the though the techniques of night operations willenemy rear and the adoption of any one form include the use of equipment such as infraredwill depend in varying degrees upon the mis- devices, the principles of movement and combatsion, the terrain, the enemy situation, and the will not change markedly. Frequency of limitedtroopsavailable. In a nuclear war, and in re- visibility operations will increase in the congardto the friendly forces' scale of use of nu- duct of troop movements, realinement of forcesclear weapons, the penetration as a form of on the battlefield, movement to attack positions,offensive operation may be used more fre- movement to lines of departure, and attack ofquently than was previously considered normal limited objectives.for armor units. When time, space, and an assailableflank are available, the envelopment 16. Nonactive Nuclear Warfaremay be used in preference to the penetration. Nonactive nuclear war is a condition inAfter achieving success through the pentration which either the United States or enemy forcesor envelopment, the attack progresses into an or both are required to conduct operationsexploitation and pursuit. The preferred use of without using nuclear weapons although thearmor units in the defense is as a mobile coun- threat of their use may be present. The fireterattackforce wherein their inherent charac- power available under conditions of nonactiveteristics are exploited fully. Organization for nuclear war is reduced materially. The tacticscombat in the mobile defense will stress the of the nonactive nuclear battlefield and theprovision of a reserve weighted heavily with forces employed may be similar to those emtanks.The commander dispersing his forces ployed in past wars. The armored division andas a passive defense measure against enemy its subordinate units will continue to be anuclear weapons must recognize that he may powerful striking or exploiting force for theafford the enemy opportunity to infiltrate in corps. Within the division, the brigade will beforce. This countercapability imposes on the assigned missions involving wide envelopmentsfriendly command a major tactical considera- or penetrations to seize deep objectives. Britionto insure thorough surveillance of the gade commanders and staffs can expect to reareasbetween the dispersed formations. Such ceive mission-type orders and substantial tactiaconsideration must recognize the friendly cal freedom in carrying out assigned missions.tactical commander's need for adequate ground Great reliance is placed on the initiative of briandair surveillance means, organic, in support, gade and subordinate unit commanders, Nororattached, 24 hours a day in all weather. mally, brigades will be able to rely on eachb. Greater consideration and use of night or other for a degree of mutual support. Battleotherlimited visibility conditions will be a re- field maneuver will employ the classic conceptssult of a nuclear battlefield environment. Al- of fire and maneuver.Section III.FUNDAMENTALS OF EMPLOYMENT17. General machines, the successful employment of theseThe effective employment of armor forcesmaterial assets in combat depends ultimatelyis dependent is upon dependentcertain fundamentals. The on the courage, intelligence, professional com-degree of success obtained in the use of thesefundamentals depends largely on imaginative,resourceful, audacious, prudent, progressive19. Fire and Maneuverand flexible thinking commanders and staffs. Armor units fight by combining fire andThe commander must be willing to take coldly maneuver. This is a technique, employed bycalculated risks.the commander conducting the action, of establishing18. The Soldier a base of fire and a maneuvering force.These two distinct forces have separate mis-Although the most striking features of armor sions. The mission of the maneuvering forceforces are their powerful weapons and fighting is to close with and destroy the enemy by fire10 AGO 9139A