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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMdetermine cross-country trafficability in a zone, the flanks or rear if possible. If time is availazone reconnaissance may be directed. The able, the reconnaissance is made dismounted;width of the zone assigned to subordinate units however, if time is short, the unit remainsis determined by the pattern of the road net, mounted. Detailed observation should precedeterrain features, type of information desired, the actual reconnaissance.anticipated enemy action, troops available, b. When time is available, dismounted paweather,visibility, and time available to ac- trols move forward, covered by the remainingcomplish the mission.elements of the unit. The number of patrolsdepends upon the size of the objective and uponavailable approaches, cover, and concealment. Ifa. Area reconnaissance is the directed effort the patrols find that the near edge of the areato obtain detailed information of all routes, is clear, the remainder of the unit moves forterrain,and enemy forces within a clearly de- ward. The dismounted patrols then continuefined area (2, fig. 3).the reconnaissance, overwatched and followedb. Area reconnaissance is performed to gain closely by the rest of the unit.information of a definite locality such as towns, c. In conducting a mounted reconnaissance,woods, or crossing sites over a river. The area part of the unit moves forward rapidly, overmaybe reconnoitered for possible enemy or to watched by the remaining elements. If thedetermine its suitability as an assembly area near edge of the area is clear, the overwatchingor for other uses by friendly forces. The area elements move forward and the advance contobe reconnoitered must be clearly delineated. tinues. Vehicles move through a town byThe unit assigned the mission moves directly bounds in staggered formation, covering theto the area and conducts the reconnaissance buildings on the opposite side of the street byemploying the same techniques as a zone recon- observation and fire.naissance.82. Reconnaissance84. ReconnaissancebyofFirea Bridge or Defilea. Reconnaissance by fire is accomplishedVisual reconnaissance is madebyfor enemypositions that dominate the bridge or defile befiringon likely or suspected enemy positions in fore leading elements of the unit cross thean attempt to cause the enemy to disclose his bridge or enter the defile. When mines, boobypresenceby movement or firing. During recon- traps, or ambushes are suspected, patrols renaissanceby fire, positions being reconnoitered connoiter the approaches of the bridge or demustbe observed continuously, so that any file. Reconnaissance of a bridge includes checkenemymovement or return fire will be defi- ing underneath as well as on top for mines,nitely located.boobytraps, demolition charges, or weakenedb. Reconnaissance by fire is used when time construction. Any demolitions located shouldis critical. It is made at the risk of losing sur- be removed or neutralized. The class of aprise, but it tends to lessen the probability of bridge should be determined and a sign placedmoving into a well-concealed enemy position on the bridge to indicate the class to troopswithout being aware of its presence.c. If the enemy returns the fire, the unitproceeds to develop the situation. If the fire is 85. Reconnaissance at Nightnot returned, the unit continues on its mission.However, caution should be exercised, because Reconaissance operations are slower and lessreconnaissance by fire may fail to draw the effective at night. Night reconnaissance isfire of seasoned enemy troops.limited usually to dismounted patrolling, observationof routes, and the use of listening83. Reconnaissance of a Town, Obstacle, posts. Only against light enemy resistance andor Enemy Positionwith favorable terrain and routes of advancea. In reconnoitering a town, obstacle, or can vehicular reconnaissance be used withoutenemy position, it should be approached from being preceded by dismounted patrols. Cross-AGO 9139A 43