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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMif searchlights are left on continu-can be accomplished by illuminatingously. Therefore, whenever the ter-a part of the objective, terrain fearainand enemy situation permit,tures leading to the objective, or tersearchlighttanks should advance byrain features between the line ofbounds. Illumination should be ac- departure and the objective. The lightcomplished while tanks are stationary;beam itself may be used as a guideline,searchlights should be extinguished boundary, or line of departure.when tanks are moving.(Friendly troops should avoid movingb. Employment in the Offense. Tank- in the brightest part of the beam, butmounted searchlights are best employed in theshould skirt the edge of the beam tofollowing offensive roles:obtain maximum concealment.)(1) In the initiation and the continuationof an exploitation.e. Methods of Employment. Tank-mountedsearchlights can be employed in any of the(2) In a night attack against a hastilyorganized position.three following methods of attack:(1) Tanks support by fire only. When the(3) In a night penetration, as part of the terrain precludes the use of tanks inassault wave, to conceal the movementthe maneuver force, they may be emofaccompanying tanks and infantryployed in the "support by fire only"in the cloak of darkness between themethod;method;thethetankstankswill,will,wheneverwheneverlight beam and the objectiveen thepossible, be dispersed throughout thesupporting position (fig. 71). This(4) In a night envelopment, as part of the permits the best means of illumibaseof fire, to illuminate the objective.nating the target. The commander(5) In orientation of friendly troops. This should be located to provide maximumFigure 71. Use of tanks with searchlights in the "supporting by fire only" role.AGO 91s9A 309