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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM(2) CA 2. northern and southern axes. The pos-(a) Time of attack. The same reasoningsible lack of mutual support betweenapplies here as in CA 1.the forces on two axes contributes to a(b) Directions of attack. Not selectinglack of security. The depth of his forthemost obvious concealed routes ofmation on the southern flank providesapproach could possibly gain sur-flexibility with which to meet unforeprisefrom a deceptive viewpoint.seen contingencies and provide secur-(3) CA 3. ity. The disposition of the armoredcavalry platoon on Hill B affords se-(a) Time of attack. This is the samecurity to both flanks of the southernas in CA 1 and CA 2.axis through observation, and can be(b) The direction of attack. Althoughused as a delaying position in thethe initial movement of the mainevent of an attack from the south. Toforce may be detected by the hostilea limited extent it provides security toOP or Hill B before the SP can bethe southern flank of the northernseized by the tank platoon, the sub-axis.sequent direction of attack and assaultby the main force remains un-(2) In CA 2, ihe commander must plan forthe protection of both flanks; althoughknown to the enemy to the extentthat an effective redisposition of histhe northern flank is more secure thanthe southern flank because of the unforceswill be possible. fordable canal on the north. The(c) The strength of the attack. Thecolumn formation will provide foroverwhelming application of com-sufficient reaction time in the event ofbat power on the flank of the enemy unforeseen developments from theposition on Hill D creates mass atsouth. In addition, the positioning ofthe decisive time and place to insurethe armored cavalry platoon on Hill Bsuccess.will provide security, through observa-(d) Speed of attack. The anticipatedtion, on the south flank, and as aspeed on the unopposed southerndelaying force in the event of anroute will insure rapid closing onattack from the south.the objective and may prevent the (3) In CA 3, the commander can protectreaction of the enemy on Hill C tohis north flank by disposition of thereinforce Hill D and the redisposi- armored cavalry platoon on Hill B.tion of enemy forces on Hill D.This terrain feature will provide ob-(4) Selection. CA 3 is favored by applica- servation to the north and south andtion of this principle. CA 1 facilitatescan be used as a delay position in thesurprise but not to the degree as doesevent the enemy on Hill C attacks theCA 3.formation. The depth of the formationf. Security. Security encompasses all meas- will provide the flexibility to cope withures taken by a command to protect itself fromunforeseen contingencies on the souththe enemy. The commander achieves this byflank.early cognizance of the enemy, by the formation (4) Although all three courses of actionused in the operation, and by the allocation offorces for front, flank, and rear protection, andprovide for security, priority based onthis principle is CA 2, CA 3, and CA 1.through rapid movement. g. Mass. The application of mass at the(1) In course of action 1, the commander's decisive time and place can achieve a superioritynorthern flank rests upon an unford- of combat power that will insure success. Evenable canal and is relativelysecure. How- under conditions of a disparity of opposingever, he must concern himself with the forces, a local superiority of combat power cansecurity of the southern flank of the be attained against a numerically superiornorthern axis, which is relatively in- enemy, by the proper and decisive applicationsecure, and the area between the of mass against detected enemy weaknesses.254 AGO 9193A