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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMcontrol of the lights. Illumination counterattack. Plans also should beshould not take place until called formade to illuminate the flanks of theby the commander of the maneuver-new position to aid in covering aveingforces, but it should be employednues of approach and areas used byin sufficient time to allow friendlyenemy counterattacking forces atfiresto neutralize enemy fires and ob-tempting to outflank the new positainfire superiority before the assaulttions. Care must be taken to avoidon the objective. As the assault forcecreating shadow areas favorable tomoves onto the objective, the opera-enemy counterattacking forces.tors of the lights must carefully avoid (2) Tanks and infantry on the same axissilhouetting friendly assaulting ele- (fig. 72).ments. The maneuvering force cormmmanderandanda erthethe ndsearchlightssearchlights force comcom-When tank searchlights are employedmander must coordinate closely. Eachas part of the maneuvering force, theysearchlight should be laid as accu-should be positioned throughout therately as possible on its target areamaneuvering force. They should bebefore illumination, so that when immediately responsive to the unitlighted it will achieve immediate commander's command and will emmaximumillumination and psycho-ploy flicker illumination. Wheneverlogical effect without loss of surprise.possible, searchlight tanks will ap-Plans for reorganization on the ob-proach to within 800 meters or lessjective must include plans for alter-of the objective before illuminating.nate means of illumination, shifting ofEven though the enemy may expectlights, and illumination in event ofan infantry attack from some otherI |-Figure 72. Use of searctlights uhen tanks and infantry are employed on the same azis.310 cAGO laOA