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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMblown bridges, and similar obstacles that mander will direct recovery of the emplacednormally would slow the momentum of attack. bridge. On recovery of the assault bridge, theWhere the flank of friendly forces is on a AVLB should be afforded route priority innarow stream or defile, the assault bridge may moving it forward to position with the leadingbe used in supporting a flanking movement. tactical elements. The recovery of the bridgeSimilarly, where a task force reserve is to be must be reported to the next higher headshiftedacross a front in a minimum of time, quarters.assault bridging can be emplaced rapidly,using only a few operating personnel, compared 4. Other Than Normal Recovery ofto other type bridging. In retrograde move- the Assault Bridgements, an AVLB can be used in place of con- a. When the brigade commander directs thatventional bridging that has been destroyed or the assault bridge remain in place to permitremoved. If time permits, special preparation the crossing of following tactical units, or toand stabilization of the launching site will provide routes for subsequent logistical movefacilitaterapid recovery of the emplaced bridge, ment, or when the bridge is damaged, or forthus the launch crew will be exposed to enemy any other reason the bridge cannot or shouldfires for a minimal time. If the bridging can- not be recovered, the brigade commander takesnot be recovered, it must be destroyed. the following actions:(1) Reports his3.decisionNormalimmediatelySequencetofor Employing thedivision G3.Organic or Attached AVLB(2) Requests a replacement bridge.a. A gap is encountered by the leading ele- (3) Establishes a rendezvous for transmentsof the task force, or its existence hasshipment of the replacement bridgebeen determined from intelligence.to the organic launcher.b. The proposed crossing site is recon- b. Working within the policies established bynoitered quickly by the scout elements or by the division support command commander, thethe supporting engineers, or both, to determine division engineer supply officer may in excepthewidth of the gap, bank conditions, locate tional cases through command channels, coaccessroutes, and mark and determine thelaunching site. The task force commander willordinate the delivery to and transfer of a sparenormally commit attached assault bridges, iftalion to the task force. The division engineerany, from the division engineer battalion before battalion may be in the best position to effectcommitment of his organic bridging.the most rapid replacement from within itse. On approval for emplacement, an AVLB is reserve during a fast-moving situation. If thebrought forward under the overwatching fire division engineer battalion has expended itsof the leading tactical elements and emplaced supply, or if priorities prevent such support,quickly. The successful emplacement of an the replacement bridge will be made throughassault bridge is reported immediately to normal logistic channels. In the example (abrigade. This report should include-above), the procedure is from the brigade(1) Bridge location. commander to the division engineer supply(2) Estimated time task force elements officer in the division supply office, supply andwill complete crossing.transport battalion, division support command.(3) Mechanical condition of bridge. The division engineer supply officer procuresa replacement from an army bridge dump, ard.The tactical elements of the task force ranges for its transport, with road priority tothen cross the assault bridge and resume the the forward rendezvous point with the emptyattack.assault bridge lanucher, and provides if ree.When the last tactical element of the task quired, the means for transferring the bridgeforce has crossed and in the absence of orders from the transporter to the launcher. Thefrom the brigade commander to leave the as- AVLB would then rejoin its parent task force.sault bridge in place, the task force corm- Resupply to both the tank and engineer bat-320AGO 9139A