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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMfield is being laid out, but before in-should not be laid in grassy pasturestallation of mines, wheeled and areas unless absolutely necessary.tracked vehicles can be used to estab-Differences in the rate of growthlish paths through the field, whichbetween the grass over the minecan later be mined, thus promptingand adjacent grass will indicate thethe enemy to think these tracks indi-location of mines.cate the trace of safe lanes. The locationof lanes and gaps must be(b) In the fall and winter, minefieldsare placed where excessive snowchangedfrequently to prevent detec-drifts are unlikely to build up,tion and subsequent ambush of pa-which will interfere with the operatrols.In minefields having a hightion.density of small, nonmetallic mines, (c) The concealment afforded by thelocations for future lanes and gapsvegetation in the area should be exshouldbe determined before the fieldploited to increase deception andis installed and more easily detectabledifficulty in clearance by selectingmines laid in such areas.the type of mines that can beb. Enemy. Enemy capabilities will influence camouflaged most easily.the size, composition, and type of minefield to (d) Minefields should be under friendlybe laid. The following should be considered:observation and fire and so sited as(1) The strength and tactics of enemyforces.to deny the enemy knowledge oftheir location.(2) The quality of enemy breaching equip- d. Troops and Mines Available.ment and the technique and effective- (1) The experience, training, and numberness of enemy breaching methods.of troops and material available will(3) The capability of the enemy, sporad- determine the extensiveness and effecicallyor continuously, to harass, ortiveness of a minefield laid within aotherwise interfere with the progressspecified time limit. The availabilityof the laying force. To hinder enemyof mines in basic loads and supplyground and air observation of miningdumps and restrictions on the use ofoperations, mines should be sited incertain types are important considera'folds in the ground, and around blindtions in planning and siting a minecurvesin roads, yet be in a position field. When the supply is limited,where they can be covered with fire.priorities and controls must be estabc.Terrain and Weather. lished. In critical areas, mine uses(1) Terrain. Careful analysis of the ter- must be specified and quantities allorain,for tying in the minefield withcated carefully.natural obstacles, will materially increasethe overall effectiveness of the(2) Minefields to be effective must becovered by fire. Artillery and antitankposition. The type and bearing fire will destroy damaged or immocapacityof soil must be considered.bilized enemy vehicles, and small-armsThis is essential to the laying offire will prevent enemy troops fromindividual mines ((2) below).breaching the minefields.(2) Camouflage and concealment. Whenanalyzing the terrain for employing 3. Employment of Minefieldsmines, the weather and the season are a. General. Effective employment of minesconsidered so the individual mines is dependent upon a thorough knowledge ofmay be properly concealed to provide their function and the tactical use to which theyan element of surprise on the enemy. can be applied. Minefields may consist of anti-(a) When a minefield is to be retained tank or antipersonnel mines, or both. Minefieldsfor a long period of time during are classified functionally as protective, defenthespring and summer months, it sive, barrier, nuisance, or phoney (FM 20-32).AGO 9139A 323