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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMinfrared devices may be employed during tion line is established to coordinate the firesdarkness.delivered by both the linkup force and thee. Mutual Recognition System. To preclude stationary force. As linkup becomes imminent,the possibility of friendly troops exchanging one force may deliver fire outside the line onlyfires, recognition signals must be established. after coordinating with the affected friendlyThey may be pyrotechnics, armbands, vehiclemarkings, panels, colored smoke, distinctiveforce.d. Actions Following Linkup. When the linklightpatterns, infrared signals, and passwords. up is effected, the linkup force may join thestationary force, or may pass through and con-322. Linkup of a Moving Force tinue the attack. If the linkup force is to conwithStationary Forcetinue operations in conjunction with the staa.General. In an operation where one force tionary force, a single commander for the overismoving to linkup with a stationary force, the all force must be designated. Plans for thesefollowing procedures are necessary.operations must be made in advance. If linkupis to be effected under conditions of nuclearb. Coordination of Ground Linkup Points. To warfare, objectives for the linkup force mustinsure that the forces join without doing battle provide for dispersion in relation to the staagainsteach other, linkup points are selected tionary fat which physical contact between the forces ately pass through the perimeter of the staatelypass through the perimeter of the stawillThese occur. points must be readily tionary forces, be assigned objectives withinrecognizable to both forces. Alternate pointsare selected in the event enemy activities cause the perimeter, or be assigned objectives outsidelinkup at places other than those planned. The the perimeter, depending upon its mission.number of linkup points selected depends uponthe terrain and the number of routes used by 323. Linkup of Two Moving Forcesthe linkup force. All personnel involved in the When two moving forces linkup, normallylinkup force must be thoroughly familiar with only suitable control measures, such as boundproceduresfor mutual identification and plans aries, fire coordination lines, and contact pointsfor the rapid passage of lines.where juncture is to be effected, are prescribed.c. Fire Coordination Line. To prevent losses When the linkup is accomplished, the unitsfrom fire by friendly forces, the fire coordina- continue on their assigned missions.Section IV. RAIDS324. General operates as a separate force. The raiding forceA raid is an attack to accomplish a specificalways withdraws after it accomplishes itspurpose in enemy territory, with no intention mission Unless planned and executed careofgaining gasning or holding terrain. Raids are madefully, the withdrawal is the most difficult partofnormally to capture prisoners; to capture or of the operation Security is vital, becausedestroy specific enemy materiel; to obtainenemy position and is vulnerable to attack frominformation of enemy units, locations,. Raids are planned and executedtions, strength, intentions or methods of operation;or to his disrupt plans Usually, raids much like other attacks, but surprise and speedof execution are of greater importance (ch. 7).are designed for tactical deception, inflicting Raids may be conducted dismounted, motorized,loss or damage to specific enemy materiel,securing information, or supporting or co- The tank sweep is suited ideally for raidsordinating with unconventional forces. Raidsmay be executed within or beyond supportingdistance of the parent unit, in either daylight 325. Conduct of Raidsor darkness. When the area to be raided is a. Selection of Raid Objectives. The raidbeyond supporting distance, the raiding party objective may be prescribed by the higher com-AGO 9139A 161