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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMand then disengage from the enemy tobe reinforced with combat support elerejointhe maneuver units. The block-ments since a combination of offeningforce normally employs defensive,sive, defensive, and delaying actionsdelaying, and limited offensive actionsare employed to accomplish this misinthis type operation.sion. The blocking force commandercoordinates with the follow-and-sup-(2) The commander conducting the bypass port force commander as early as posasthe next higher commander may di-sible and provides him with all availrectthe blocking force to block andable information about the enemy andmaintain contact with the enemy untilterrain. Concurrently with this action,relieved by follow-and-support forces.the blocking force commander plans toThis may require the blocking force torejoin the main force.Section X. NIGHT ATTACKS215. General measures, troop night training, and the enemy'sa. Night attacks and night operations offernight surveillance capability.excellent opportunities for achieving deception b. The objective of a night attack is limitedand surprise and thus enhance success in battle. in depth generally by the difficulty in maintain-Night combat is applicable to all offensive oper- ing control, particularly after the enemy hasations and is used habitually in battle.been alerted.b. Night combat that achieves surprise may c. The night attack is characterized by a deofferopportunities for success when daylight crease in the effectiveness of aimed fire on theoperations are impractical. This is especially enemy and a corresponding increase in the imtruewhen friendly forces lack air superiority. portance of close combat and supporting fires.Continuous pressure applied day and night, d. Night attacks require detailed and carefulparticularly against a weakening enemy, planning. This is particularly true of night athastensdecision. Relentless exploitation around tacks against organized resistance. Simple plansthe clock denies the enemy time for regaining and formations facilitate night operations andhis composure and speeds his destruction. enhance control and coordination.c. Troop movements, concentration of forcesbefore the attack, and the conduct of the attack e. Morale of troops, both friendly and enemy,may result in minimum risk to friendly forces is highly sensitive to physical and psychologicaland fewer casualties.factors. Troops trained and conditioned ind. Very hazy or rainy weather, fog, falling night operations can use these psychologicalsnow, and smoke conditions similar to darkness factors to their advantage.should be taken advantage of to conduct offen- f. The paramount consideration is that thesive operations.attacking troops be as familiar as possible withe. The fundamentals involved in night opera- the terrain over which they will attack. It istions are the same as those in daylight opera- desirable to employ troops in night operationstions; however, techniques may vary. For ex- that have not been engaged in fighting all day.ample, more control measures may be placed Troops become fatigued more easily in nightupon units during night operations than during combat due to the added physical and psychodaylightoperations. ~daylight operations. ~logical stress and strain.f. Battlefield illumination and surveillanceequipment increase the efficiency of units operatingat night and facilitate the employment ofsupporting fires.217. Planning the Night AttackIn general, planning for the night attack issimilar to that of a daylight attack. However,216. Basic Considerations of Night Attack plans for the night attack are in greater detaila. Successful night attacks depend on prior with stringent control measures to insure coorreconnaissance,simple plans, effective control dination within and between attacking and sup-110 AGO 9139A