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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMground will restrict by observation andaccomplishment of the friendly unit'sfields of fire and hinder my movementmission.and may require the supporting in-Defend in place.fantry to dismount and clear the Withdraw north of Hill A.woods but it offers good concealmentAttack.and forces the enemy to shift his firesEnemy intentions are not considered,to his flank. Hill B will offer me aas this leads to "guessing."covered approach and forces the enemy (5) Own courses of action. Courses of actoshift his fires to the flank. I cantion, to be useful and manageable,attack on a straight line from Hill Cshould vary significantly. One of theto Hill A, which is the fastest ap-courses of action will become the deproachand has unlimited fields of firecision; therefore, the courses of actionand observation; however, I would bemust be complete and as accurate asunder direct fire from the enemy allpossible. Those considered aretheway to Hill A, and my flanks are (a) Course of action 1 is the use of theexposed to woods on the left and highright (east) approach with my plagroundon the right.toon in line formation.(2) Weather. Past, existing, and pre- (b) Course of action 2 is the use ofdicted weather conditions must bewooded left (west) approach withconsidered.my platoon in line formation.There are 6 hours of daylight left.(c) Course of action 3 is the use of theNo rain has fallen for the past week.center approach with my platoon inNo rain is expected.wedge formation.(3) Relative combat power. All factors of c. Analysis of Opposing Courses of Actiontroops available are judged and (step 3).weighed to determine their effect on (1) Each of the enemy capabilities isthe combat power of the unit, such asstudied (considered,in step 2) to destrength,composition, disposition, re-termine its broad impact on eachinforcements, logistics, training, andcourse of action. Enemy capabilitiesmorale. Since combat power is rela- that have little or no influence ontive, the same considerations are ap-the courses of action are not conpliedto the enemy situation to deter- sidered further. Each course ofmine enemy capabilities.action is then analyzed against allEnemy situation. Enemy action andof the remaining enemy capabilireports,indicate that he has organized ties. The technique used in thea platoon-size blocking position on Hillanalysis is to picture the action byA. He has a towed antitank gun on both sides in logical sequence throughthewest of his position. Own situa-out the operations. This mental studytion. lMy platoon is up to strength, and(war game) includes consideration ofsupply and equipment are adequatethe factors of METT and their effectfor this mission. The mobile firepoweron the action to determine the probaofmy tank platoon, and the capa-ble outcome of the course of actionbilities of the supporting infantry and under consideration. This analysisother combat support, provides theserves to refine the where and how andplatoon with a combat power adzvan-to identify some of the advantages anddisadvantages of each course of action.tage (firepower, equipment, and mo-The enemy's ability to oppose thebility) over the enezmy.course of action and the effectiveness(4) Enemy capabilities. The significant of this opposition are determined fromenemy capabilities are actions of this mental war gaming.which the enemy is capable physically (2) This process is repeated for each ofand which, 'f adopted, will affect thethe other courses of action.246 AGO 9139A