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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMvide information of enemy activity. By detect- in conjunction with barrages and final protecingthe presence or lack of enemy activity in tive fires by determining when the enemy apanarea, the ground surveillance may speed up proaches or is located in these areas. Radarsexploitation operations.may be used in conjunction with emplaced antib.Radar teams attached to an enveloping personnel weapons in determining when such'force may be sited to locate withdrawing weapons can be detonated best. They may beenemy elements and to facilitate their destruc- used to determine the optimum time for detotion.Radar may be used in conjunction with nation of explosives, chemicals, or nuclearother communication means to identify demolition munitions.friendly units to facilitate the linkup with c. Since the enemy may often attack atfriendly elements.night, during poor visibility, or with use ofheavy smoke screens, radar will be of great22. River Crossing Operations use in defensive operations. When an enemyRadars are used in a river crossing as in attacks on a broad front, the amount of enemynormal offensive operations. Radars placed on activity in a given area may indicate the possidominatingterrain on the near bank may de- ble location of the enemy main effort. Whentermine the progress of friendly units on the radar sightings are used in conjunction withfar bank. When smoke is used by friendly knowledge of enemy tactics, specific enemy maforcesengaged in a river crossing, radar may neuvers may be anticipated. Radar sightingsbe used to detect enemy troop activity on the may be used to establish the depth of the enemyfar bank including withdrawal, reinforcement, offensive effort and to indicate whether a feintor shifting of units.or demonstration is being conducted in thearea.23. Defense25. AmbushesIn the defense, the radars are employed tomaintain surveillance over avenues of ap- Radar teams may locate enemy patrols movproach,possible enemy attack positions, and as- ing toward friendly defensive positions andsembly areas. The surveillance effort is di- thereby allow friendly units to ambush suchrected not only forward of the FEBA, but also patrols and take prisoners.used by units throughout the battle area. Particularattention is given to gaps between units, 26. Action During a Counterattackexposed flanks, possible helicopter or parachute During a counterattack, radar teams willlanding zones in the battle area, and other criti- continue to report information of enemy accalareas. To this end, alternate and supple- tivity. In the counterattack, radars may bementary positions for radar teams are estab- used to gain information for the commander oflished to provide complete surveillance cover- the strength and depth of the enemy penetraageof the battle area.tion. Teams employed with forward companiesin or adjacent to an enemy penetration may24. Employment in the Defense shift their area of surveillance on order to thea. Radar may support 1 echelon or any com- area of penetration to provide the commanderbination of the 3 echelons of defense. It may be with this information.employed with the security forces to extendtheir surveillance capability. Teams employed 27. Re~rograde Operationswith the security force normally revert to their a. In retrograde operations radar is usedprimary mission when the security force is primarily for early warning. It is employedwithdrawn.with security elements to cover avenues of apb.The uses of radar in the defense are lim- proach, flanks, and the rear of a unit.ited only by the capabilities of the equipment b. By use of ground surveillance radar, theand the imagination and ingenuity of the tacti- commander may obtain additional informationcal commander. Radar teams may be employed of the enemy strength in the area. Based upon354 AGO. 9139A