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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMe. Security. The mortar position is normally e. Take advantage of security provided byincluded in, or placed near, the position of a other units.larger combat unit, to provide security. It has f. Avoid interference with other units.limited capacity for providing its own security.g. Take advantage of routes for displace-17. Fire Requests ment.The platoon's forward observer (FO) teams h. Provide adequate area for dispersion.operate with the line companies. These teams i. Provide adequate area for, and routes to,formulate and forward fire requests, and adjust alternate and supplementary positions.fires. Mortar fires may be adjusted also byartillery FO's. In addition, all officers and key 21. Tactical MarchesNCO's of the battalion must be able to call for a. Platoon Position. The mortar position inand adjust fires if FO teams are not available, a tactical march is prescribed in the battalionThe procedures for requesting, coordinating, march order. The position of the mortars isand adjusting fires are the same as for artillery decided upon after an analysis of its mission.fires. See paragraphs 274 through 278 and FM When the march is toward the enemy and when6-135. contact is probable, the mortars are usually assignedto a position to the rear of the leadingcompany team. When the battalion is marcha.The platoon leader maintains liaison with ing in a direction other than toward the enemy,the battalion commander by personal contact the mortars are assigned a position from whichor by radio, using the battalion command net. they can best furnish supporting fires to theb. Liaison with the line companies or com- bulk of the battalion should enemy action ocpanyteams is provided by the forward observ- cur. When a requirement for supporting firesers, who use the mortar and DC platoon com- arises, the mortars double the column if necesmandnet for contact with the mortar position. sary to reach a position from which the desiredfires can be delivered.19. Conduct of Fire b. Forward Observer Teams. FO teams ac-Fire is conducted in accordance with the company line companies of company teams asprinciples outlined in FM 23-92.specified in the battalion march order. The FOshould normally accompany the company team20. Position Characteristics commander. Commanders of supported companyteams are responsible for providing ar-The mortar position includes the four squadThe mortar positions d includes the four squad mored vehicle transportation, as required, forfiring positions and the platoon command post. mortar platoon FO's.The primary requirement of the mortar positionis that it is situated so the mortars can 22. Assembly Areasexecute their fire missions. In the selection ofpositions the availability of other types of sup- In an assembly area, the mortars should ocportingfires should be considered. The posi- cupy a position that can be used without changetion should have as many of the following for a firing position. The position should permitfiring in all directions. The mortars area. Permit maximum coverage of the area oflaid in the most likely direction of enemy at-tack. Wire communication normally is installedoperations of the supported unit.between the FDC and the mortars.b. Provide concealment, defilade, hardstandand relatively level firing positions.23. Offensec. Permit vehicles to enter through con- a. Position. The location of mortars is indicealedand covered approaches.cated in the battalion operation order. Thed. Facilitate communication with the sup- platoon leader recommends a position afterported unit and the battalion command post. making a personal reconnaissance and coordi-290 AGO 9139A