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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMAPPENDIX XXOBSTACLE PLANNING, EMPLOYMENT, AND EXECUTION1. General ganization of the ground. The authority to supplementnatural obstacles with artificial ones isA well-constructed obstacle is designed to delegated to the lowest level consistent with theimpede the enemy. A coordinated series of ob- need for the obstacles being employed. For exstaclesare positioned and constructed to halt,ample, the company team must have the aucanalize,restrict, or delay an advancing force. thority to construct obstacles that will augmentThis coordinated series of obstacles may con- their close-in protection against armor and perstitutea barrier. A barrier plan is normally a sonnel during short halts. The type of obstaclespart of an operations order at brigade orthat may be employed are an antipersonnelhigher, or it may be initiated by fragmentary mine, to cover avenues of approach; placementorders or sketches and implemented at bat- of explosive charges on trees to be felled astalion task force level, or below, whenever the roadblocks; protective mineftelds, using easy-totacticalsituation warrants. For example, front detect antitank and antipersonnel mines, andline companies may automatically lay protec- wire entanglements. Flares should be used intive minefields, using their basic load of mines, conjunction with obstacles to warn of enemy acduringshort halts. This is not to be construed tivity forward of the obstacles during darkness.as being the sole obstacle effort of these com- The development of an extensive system of copaniesas there are many types of obstacles that ordinated obstacles of major tactical signifiacompany team or platoon can employ. Em- cance will be as directed by brigade or higher.ployment of all types of obstacles must be consideredboth natural and artificial, in any tacti- c. The following reports pertaining to obcalsituation. For a detailed discussion of ob- stacles are required:stacles and barrier planning see FM 31-10. See (1) Report of intention. When a cominclosure1, example, obstacle plan.mander intends to install an obstacle,the type, location, and estimated time2. Obstacles of completion are reported to the nexthigher headquarters. Work may starta. An obstacle is any obstruction that re- higherimmediatelyheadquarters.followingWorkthe submittingmay startstricts, delays, diverts, or stops movement. Ob-immediately following the submittingstacles are of two general categories-naturalthisreport Thehighercommander'sand artificial.silence in response indicates his ap-proval for installation.(1) Natural obstacles are natural terrainfeatures such as steep slopes, rivers,(2)(2) ReportReport ofofcompletion.completion.TheThereportreportofofgulches, soil conditions, or they maycompletion confirms the installation ofbe manmade objects such as canals,embankments, and built-up areas not d. The S3 has the staff responsibility for theoriginally erected to serve as obstacles. tactical employment of obstacles and the inte-(2) Artificial obstacles such as demolished gration of natural and artificial obstacles withbridges, roadblocks, minefields, or dam the overall tactical plan. To accomplish this, hedestruction to cause flooding, are con- considers the commander's plan of action,structed to stop or impede military recommendations and advice from the S2,movement.logistical data from the S4, and technical adviceb. Commanders use natural obstacles, usually from the supporting engineer commander asstrengthened by artificial obstacles, in the or- follows:332 AGO 9139A