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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMAPPENDIX XCONTROL MEASURES AND OVERLAY TECHNIQUES1. General d. Control. The assignment of an objectiveThe armor commander is guided by the controlmeasures specified in orders from higher and maintained until the mission is accom-indicates that control over it is to be gainedheadquarters; he may specify additional control plished; the degree of control will normally bemeasures if they are essential to the operation. specified by the terms "seize" or "seize andIn armor operations the commander uses the secure".minimum number to insure that the operation (1) Seize. The act of seizure is inherent inprogresses according to his concepts and the the assignment of an objective.least restrictive control measures possible, thus (2) Seize and secure. The attacking unitpermitting subordinate commanders maximummust physically clear the enemy fromfreedom of action in executing their assignedmissions.the objective area.e. Overlay Technique. Each objective is en-2. Objectives circled by a line and identified by the abbreviaa.Purpose. Objectives may be used to pro- tion "Obj," and a number, letter, code name, orvide unit of effort, to designate area responsi- unit designation.bility during reorganization, or to facilitate Examples.change in direction. The assignment of an obcontrolthat objective until the mission is accomplished.Exceptions should be specified in OBJ OBJ OBJorders.b. Characteristics. An objective may be aterrain feature, a locality, or a hostile force.(1) Its seizure must be essential to the ac- 3. Intermediate Objectivecomplishment of the unit's missionand should facilitate future opera- a. Purpose. An intermediate objective is astions.signed when its seizure is essential to the ac-(2) Its seizure must be possible within thetime and space limits imposed by thecomplishment of the mission. When an enemycannot be bypassed the assignment of interassignedmission, and within the capa- mediate objectives may be required.bilities of the force to which assigned.(3) It must be identified easily.b. Characteristics. See paragraph 2b, thisappendix.(4) It must produce a convergence ofeffort.c. Assignment. See paragraph 2c, this ap-(5) Its seizure must compel the enemy toevacuate his position or risk destrucpendix.d. Control. See paragraph 2d, this appendix.tion on it. e. Overlay Technique. See paragraph 2e,c. Assignment. The objective is normally this appendix.specified by the next higher commander.AGO 9139A 271