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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMdures to be followed in connection with friendly deep foxhole with overhead cover. The SOPand enemy employment of nuclear weapons. must require that all unnecessary items, suchThe SOP should provide-a warning system, as empty shell casings or ration boxes, be reoffriendly or enemy weapons employment, rou- moved from the vehicle and all necessary itemstine procedures for protection of equipment be secured in the vehicle. In an active nuclearand personnel, use of radios, and certain spe- war, tank crews may have to operate withcified reports. The measures prescribed by the hatches closed for maximum protection. TheSOP should be rehearsed at every opportunity. decision to accept a greater risk and to operatewith hatches open is taken by the commander5. Concealment as a Protective Measure concerned.a. General. Concealment consists of any c. Armored Personnel Carriers. Armoredmeasure that prevents personnel or equipment personnel carriers provide protection againstfrom being seen by the enemy, but which pro- the effects of nuclear explosions for persons invides little or no protection.the vehicle, though not as much as a tank.b. Camouflage. Camouflage includes all There should be no loose material or equipmentmeasures taken to mislead the enemy by con- in the vehicle that might fly around and causecealment and deception. Successful camouflage injuries, and occupants should wear helmets.depends on the selection of position, the dis- The protection against nuclear effects is genciplineof the personnel involved, and the use of erally the same as that afforded by the tank (bnatural material and artificial construction. above), except for a lesser degree of nuclearFM 5-20 contains procedures and techniques of radiation, and the same considerations apply.camouflage.8. Protective Measures for Dismountedc. Night Operations. An effective way to ob- Personneltain concealment is to conduct movements andtactical operations during hours of darkness or Personnel of an armor unit will not havethe protection of an armored vehicle at allvery limited visibility. Difficulties encountered the protection of an armored vehicle at allin night operations can be minimized through times. It is essential that members be welladequate training, planning, and supervision.are dismounted.6. Mobility as a Protective Measure a. Protection Against Blast. The immediatereflex action of a person caught in the open attremelytremely effective means of passive protection. the time of a nuclear explosion should be to hitThe armor unit can be a fleeting target that is the ground. Shallow ditches or even slightcapable of rapid movement from widely dispersedbrief areas, concentration, and subsefoldsin the ground provide some protectionagainst flying debris. Individual emplacements,quent rapid dispersal. Mobility permits armor such as foxholes or prone shelters, offer betterunits to move quickly through or out of an area protection. If time and the tactical situationof radioactive or chemical contamination. Re- permit, the most effective individual shelter totention of mobility is essential to successful ar- use, with the exception of a tank, is a wellmoroperations. Other protective measures constructed 2-man foxhole with overheadshould be employed that would not restrict the cover. This shelter should be dug in firmmovement of armor units.ground, revetted, and kept free of loose objects.The overhead cover should be as substantial as7. Protection Afforded by Armored Vehicles possible.a. General. Armored vehicles provide much b. Protection Against Thermal Radiationprotection to troops against the effects of a nu- (Heat). The thermal effects of a nuclear exclearexplosion.plosion are emitted instantaneously in all direcb.Tanks. A tank provides excellent protec- tions at the speed of light. Thermal casualtiestion for persons in it. This protection is result from burns on bare skin and to a lesserroughly equivalent to that provided by a 4-foot- extent through clothing. Persons caught in the362 AGO 9139A