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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMc. The directive from higher echelon for anamphibious operation, intelligence, and inforinfantrybattalions, or be employed as thenucleus of a tank-heavy task force.mation of available shipping are the basic tools b. The conflicting requirements of concentrawithwhich to start planning for the employ- tion of means and separation of tactical units,ment of armor units. The continuous receipt of on the one hand, and centralization or distriintelligenceand timely requests for additionalintelligence pertinent to tank employment arebution of support elements on the other, mustbe resolved by the landing force commander inessential to planning.his plans for organization for combat, and reviewedcontinuously during the operation.369. Preparation of Tentative Planc. Attachments may be in effect before ema.The armor adviser participates in the barkation or upon landing, depending on thepreparation of the tentative plans at division landing plan.and higher landing force headquarters. Informationis exchanged between this officerand other staff officers. Specifically, the armor371. Landing Plansadviser considers the detailed employment of a. The landing plan must support the schemearmor units and makes recommendations on of maneuver of the landing force ashore. Basicthe following:considerations of the amphibious assault withregard to use of armor units are the following:(1) Total number and type of armor units (1) Armor units are required ashore earlyto be employed.to assist the infantry in rapidly(2) Task organization. seizing initial objectives or to perform(3) Missions and objectives, reconnaissance and security missions.(4) Command relationships, by phases if (2) They are a valuable weapon in proappropriate.tecting the landing forces from early(5) Place and manner of landing. attack by enemy mechanized forces.(6) Time of landings. . (3) If landed early, they tend to reduce(7) Coordination with naval gunfire, air, casualties among the infantry and areartillery, infantry, and engineers.casualties among the infantry and are(8) Antitank(8) Antiletankprotection.protection. engineersa morale factor in early stages of the(9) Special measures to be taken for communication,supply, and maintenance. (4) Armor units should be landed early(10) Requirements for special vehicles, suchas flamethrower and flail tanks.when the mission demands tanks as apart of a mechanized task force.(11) Requirements for assault shipping (5) They must be landed without excessiveand landing craft to support thevehicular losses.tentative plan.b. Methods of timing the landing or armorb. Upon completion of the tentative plan by units or vehicles arehigherheadquarters, staffs of the armor unitsenter into the planning. Based on the plans of(1) They may be landed in a scheduledwave. This method is suitable whenthe higher headquarters, these units beginpreparation of their own operation and adminitis practicable or desirable to landtanks or armored cavalry early.istrative plans. At the same time, the armoradvisor assists supported units in preparingthe supported unit's the supported plans.unit'sditions ashore are unsatisfactory forthe landing of vehicles and the beach370. Organization for Combat must be prepared for landing.a. Tank battalions may be employed under c. The method selected should best suit thedivision control or attached to brigade. In situation and be the most efficient ship-to-shoreeither event, they may be employed as a unit, movement. Armor units may be organized bymay attach one or more tank companies to either of two methods for the landing-188 AGO ,Us9A