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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM25. Deliberate Planning-Violent Execution do it. The speed of armor operations and theSuccessful armor operations are characterbilewarfare make it necessary that com-rapidly changing tactical situation during mo.ized by careful planning followed by violentexecution. Once plans are put into effect, theas possible. Only under these conditions candegree of aggressiveness with which the attack as possible. Only under these conditions cancommanders take immediate advantage of favisexecuted will determine the measure of success.Shock effect cannot be obtained without orable changes in the situation.violent execution. Armor operations involvelarge spaces, careful timing, and detailed plansfor logistical support. They involve careful co- a. Armor commanders must seek to useordination and teamwork by all units. They every advantage offered by the terrain, airrequirecarefully thought-out communication space. weather, and time.plans. It is desirable that each armor com- b. The cross-country capability of armormander be given information as to the inten- units reduces dependence on roads. Armortions of the next higher commander. With thisknowledge, he can rapidly direct successive effortstoward furtherance of the overall plan 28. Adequate Logistical Supportas he finds opportunity to exploit local successes.The commander must plan well ahead Adequate and timely logistical support is estoanticipate actions that may be required dur- sential to the successful accomplishment of theing the conduct of operations. tactical mission. Detailed planning for adequatesupply, evacuation, and maintenance26. Orders must precede the operation. During operations,Armor commanders make maximum use of logistical estimates are continual and plans arefragmentary orders. All orders are designed to implemented to maintain the fighting capabilitellthe subordinate what to do but not how to ties of combat forces.Section IV. FACTORS AFFECTING EMPLOYMENT29. General b. A mission is a statement of a task and itspurpose, which clearly indicates the action toa. To be successful, commanders must em-Ploy armor in a manner calculated to make be taken and the reason therefor. Missions willmaximum use of its favorable characteristicsecharacteristics. prescribe what is to be done but leave how it isThis calculation is based on a reasoned analysis to be done to the judgment of the subordinateof certain factors affecting the employment of commander.armor units.c. The commander studies the mission to insurethat he understands it and to determineb. These factors are considered within thefour paramount groupings of mission, enemy,terrain and weather, and troops available analyze the mission in relation to the other factorsaffecting employment to deduce requirearmorunits(mETaretacaemployedunithsare eirmenris describedindhunderments and tasks that are not stated specificallybut that must be done to accomplish the misthesefour groupings. The commander mustkeep the following factors constantly in mind during the commander's estimate of the situatomake maximum use of his combat power. tion.30. Mission 31. Enemy Informationa. The mission assigned by higher head- a. General. All possible information of thequarters guides the employment of armor units. enemy location, strength, disposition, and com-The success of tactical operations is measured position is obtained before the commitment ofby accomplishment of the mission.armor units. The collection of information is12 AGO 9139A