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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMwill not be possible to employ a cov- may restrict the execution of the mobile deeringforce.fense. However, fixing forces may be requiredc. Observation Posts and Listening Posts. to hold terrain on the flanks of other defendingIn the mobile defense sizable gaps will often units that are conducting an area defense.exist between elements of the fixing forces. b. Mission. Missions suitable for units as-Observation/listening posts are established for- signed to fixing forces arewardof, between, and to the rear of blocking (1) Warn of impending attack and propositions.Observation posts provide early vide information on the progress ofwarnings of the enemy approach and adjustthe attack.long range supporting fires on the enemy. They (2) Defend.are located on dominant terrain generally from (3) Delay, deceive, and disorganize the800 to 2,000 meters forward of the FEBA. attacker.Troops required to man the observation posts (4) Canalize the attacker into an areaare provided from the fixing forces. The loca-suitable for attack by the reserve ortion of observation posts is coordinated by theby nuclear fires.brigade commander with adjacent units and (5) Force the attacker to mass.must insure complete surveillance of the defensivearea. Listening posts are employed dur- c. Actions of the Fizing Forces. Fixinging darkness and other periods of reduced visi- forces accomplish the mission assigned by ability. Communication must be provided each combination of the following actions:observation post/listening post to permit ac- (1) Establishment of observation or liscomplishmentof their mission.tening posts and other surveillancemeans.d. Patrols. Foot and motorized patrols are(2) Patrolling.employed between blocking positions and observationposts to prevent or detect infiltration (3) Occupation and defense of blockingand to maintain surveillance over assignedpositions.areas. Patrols may be used at night to check (4) Delaying action.listening posts, to maintain liaison with adjac- (5) Offensive action within their capaentunits, to seize PW's, and to gain informa-bilities.tion of the enemy.e. Rear Area Security. The increased dispersionrequired by nuclear warfare, together a. General. The reserve is the decisive elewiththe enemy's capability of employing air- ment in the mobile defense. It consists of theborne, airmobile, and guerrilla forces in rear bulk of the combat power of the command andareas, requires that all elements be trained to is strong in tanks.provide their own local security. Combat units b. Mission. The reserve destroys the enemymay be provided to assist in rear area security. by offensive action.The armored cavalry squadron may be assigned c. Actions of the Reserve. The reserve acsuchmissions.complishes its mission by attacking within, to239. Fixing Forcesthe flanks, or forward of the FEBA.a. General. Fixing forces, consisting of 241. Considerations of the Mobile Defenseminimum forces and heavy in mechanized in- a. Organization of the Ground. Organizafantry,are employed in the forward defensive tion of the ground consists of use and optimumarea. The mission and the area to be defended improvement of the natural defensive featuresshould be stated with minimum restrictions to of the terrain with the men, materials, andpermit fixing forces commanders to use their time available.means to maximum advantage within the (1) The specific location of the units inframework of the overall plan of defense. Thethe defensive echelons is determinedholding of specific terrain by the fixing forcefrom the following:AGO 9139A 121