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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMand shock effect. It will consist of all available 22. Mobilitytank and infantry units. The mission of the The mobility of armor units must be exbaseof fire is to minimize the enemy's capa- ploited to maneuver firepower into position tobility to interfere with the movement of the destroy the enemy. Mobility makes possiblemaneuver force and, within its capabilites, to the achievement of surprise. It permits thedestroy the enemy. The base of fire normally rapid concentration and prompt dispersal ofdoes not join the maneuvering force in the as- combat forces required by nuclear warfare. Itsault. It may consist of organic mortars, sup- makes feasible the assignment of multiple misportingartillery, tactical air, and naval gunfire. sions and permits the rapid disengagement ofTanks are used in the base of fire when terrain committed forces. It permits the concentrationprevents their employment in the maneuvering of converging forces on a single objective fromforce. several directions. Commanders at all levelsmust anticipate, and plan to overcome or avoid,20. Gaining and Retaining the initiative conditions that inhibit mobility. These conditionsare not just terrain obstacles but all restrictionsto movement, from fires to the statecommander retains the capability to apply his of materiel readiness.resources at will to influence the action. Thecommander possessing the initiative is able to 23. Flexibilitytake actions that so threaten his opponent thatthe actions must be countered.a. The interaction and reaction of events andconditions in mobile warfare make it necessaryb. Armor commanders seek every opportun- for combatants to adapt their actions to signifiityto gain the initiative. Bold and aggressive cant circumstances that may develop.employment of overwhelming combat power,the achievement of surprise, or the exploitation b. Armor units, by virtue of their organizaofenemy errors or weaknesses all serve to gain tion, extensive communication, mobility, andthe initiative.variety of weapons, are capable of rapid andfrequent changes in organization, formation,c. Once the initiative is gained, every effort and direction of movement.is expended to retain it. Once lost, the initiativeis difficult and costly to regain. The con- c. Armor commanders at all levels must keeptinuous application of force against those parts themselves and their superiors abreast of fastofenemy units least capable of withstanding moving situations and be willing to modifyattack, the neutralization or destruction of the their plans to meet significant changes.enemy's means of influencing the situation, andthe prompt exploitation of successful actions 24. Combined Arms Forcesat all levels all serve to retain the initiative. a. The versatility of armor operations isThe initiative is retained by commanders who realized when combined arms forces are used.The special characteristics of each type unit,tank, infantry, artillery, or engineer, are usedto contribute to the success of the force.21. Exploiting Enemy Weakness b. The proper combination of tanks and in-conduct actions rapidly and decisively and whohave alternate plans ready to be implemented.Because combat power is relative, armor fantry supported by engineers and artillerycommanders actively seek to take advantage of normally makes the most effective force. Inany enemy weakness to enhance success- this combination, tanks fight mounted whileweaknesses from faulty dispositions, poor mo- infantrymen fight dismounted. Tank and inrale,insufficient support, etc., as well as in fantry units are sometimes, by necessity, emnumericalstrength. Nuclear weapons are a ployed separately. Separation of tanks andpowerful force for creating weakness in enemy infantry should be limited to the time or disdispositions.tance wherein the two are mutually supporting.AGO 9139A 11