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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMdirection than that of the attacking defender should try to silhouette an advancingtanks, the blinding condition of the enemy in the beam's light.lights may effectively prevent enemy b. Planning. Preparation for the defenseobservation. Friendly infantry may employing tank searchlights requires the sameattack from any direction outside the planning and coordination that precede anysearchlight beam and still benefit from other defensive action. Planning will includethe darkness. The infantry must close these additional considerations:rapidly with the enemy, securing thepositions as quickly as possible, to re-(1) Coordination of tank searchlights withother illumination means and the deducethe illumination time. Normally,termination of which lights will protank-mountedsearchlights will maintainillumination until the objective isvide fixed illumination and which willtaken. Extinguishing of searchlightswill cause night blindness unless an (2) Position areas for tank-mountedalternate light source is provided assearchlights.in flicker illumination or by using (3) Control measures to prevent preartificialmoonlight or parachute mature illumination and disclosure offlares. Plans for reorganization of thefriendly positions.position will include the order to ex- (4) Alternate means of communication fortinguish or shift lights and provisioncoordinating lights with infantry fires.for illumination in event of counter- c. Employment.attack by the enemy. Positions forsearchlights on the objective must be(1) Requirements for clear fields forillumination are similar to requirereconnoiteredand occupied rapidly,ments of direct-fire weapons for clear(3) Use of tank searchlights for boundary lines of sight to the target area. Theillumination. When tank searchlightscommander will select areas adl, asareused to mark boundaries they are sign priorities for illumination.employed in pairs and use flickerSearchlights will be laid on -selectedillumination. They will move by areas to provide instantaneous illumiboundsin the same direction as the nation, either sweep or fixed, on order.attacking force and lay the search-Selected areas will be given codelight beam on predetermined terraindesignations. Illumination will be refeaturesor on a given azimuth. Thequested by code designations, thussearchlights used should be obtainedreducing the time requi ned to put thefrom an uncommitted force so aslights in action. Illumination data willto not dissipate the combat power ofbe incorporated into the range cardthe attacking forces.for each tank in the defense area positions.17. Tank-Mounted Searchlights in Defense (2) Lights will be turned on onlya.General. The searchlight is used to cover (a) When searchlights will influencelikely avenues of approach and provide illumi-the action by providing illuminationnation for night counterattacks. Proper use offor aimed fires.searchlights in coordination with listening (b) When the enemy has accurately lopostsprovides an additional aid to surveillancecated the position, and darkness noand assists in gaining tactical surprise overlonger provides security.approaching enemy troops. The reverse of the (3) Searchlights may be extinguishedtactics for offense (par. 16) will apply whenwhen in imminent danger of beingan enemy is using a searchlight in direct illumi-destroyed or extinguished by close-innation on the offense. Friendly forces give spe-small arms fire, or when the final procialattention to the dimly illuminated areatective fires have been penetrated byoutside the edge of the enemy light beam. Thethe enemy. In either case, the decisionAGO 9139A 311