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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMway to fix them in position. The(b) Driving a wedge through theencirclement is made in depth withirregular force to divide theadequate reserves and supportingarea, followed by destruction ofelements to meet possible guerrillathe irregular forces in eachattack in force and block all avenuessubarea, individually.of escape. Support and reserve (c) Establishing a holding force ontroops are committed as required toone or more segments of theinsure sufficient density and depthperimeter and tightening theof troops and to establish and main-others against them.tain contact between units.5. During any of these methods, the1. The planning, preparation, and exe- units that advance through thecution of the operation is aimed athostile area must be impressed withsudden, complete encirclentent thatthe necessity of searching everywill totally surprise the hostiles.possible hiding place thoroughly forThe move into position is accom-irregular troops and equipment.plished normally at night to permitSuccessive echelons comb the termaximumsecurity and surprise. rain again. Areas that appearThe encirclement should be com-totally inaccessible, such as swampspleted by daylight to permit goodor marshes, must be searched thorvisibilityfor the remainder of theoughly. Ruses discovered must beoperation.reported promptly and disseminated2. Upon arriving on the line of en- to all participating units. All localcirclement, units occupy defensiveindividuals, including men, women,positions. The most critical periodand children, found in the area, arein the operation is the occupation ofheld in custody and are releasedthe line of encirclement, especiallyonly after identified as friendly.if the operation is at night. Large (b) Attack. When time, inadequateirregular forces formations may beforces, or the terrain do not allowexpected to react violently upon dis-use of large scale encirclement, thecovering they have been encircled.brigade/battalion may conduct anThe irregular forces will probe forgaps, and weak gaps, points and weakto force aby using the normal offensive magap.Escape routes may be establisheddeliberately as ambushes. neuvers. Emphasis is placed onsecrecy to achieve surprise. SpeedS. Units organizing the encirclement is essential to the conduct of thedeploy patrols to their front. Airessential to the conduct of thereconnaissance is used to supple-attack since the enemy has little orment ground reconnaissance. Reservesare committed if irregularexpected to vacate the area when heforces succeed in breaking throughcannot be assured of victory.or infitrating the line of encircle- (c) Pursuit. The brigade/battalion mayment.be required to pursue irregular4. Once the encirclement is established, forces after an attack or encircletheelimination of the guerrillament. Planning and conduct of theforce is conducted methodically andpursuit are similar to that discussedthoroughly. A careful contractionin chapter 9. Emphasis is placed onof the encirclement is begun. Thisair and ground surveillance to inmaybe accomplished by-sure that enemy forces do not escape(a) A simultaneous controlled con-or set up an ambush. Airmobiletraction of the entire encircle-forces are frequently used in cuttingment.off escape routes.198 AGO 91S9A