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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMcountry movement is more difficult. Engines Wider frontages may be assigned when airand tracked vehicle movements can be heard vehicles or air cavalry units are available.for considerable distances. Observation islimited, making vehicles highly susceptible to 89. Coordination and Control Duringambush. Reconnaissance Operationsa. Reconnaissance must be coordinated at all86. Reconnaissance in Force levels of command. This will insure maximuma. A reconnaissance in force differs from a results from the intelligence effort, preventroute, zone, or area reconnaissance in that it duplication of effort, and provide for economiisa limited-objective offensive operation by a cal use of reconnaissance force. Coordinationconsiderable force to discover and test the is accomplished primarily by assigning a specienemy'sdispositions and strengths, or to de- fic mission to each reconnaissance unit.velop other intelligence. Although its primary b. The commander conducting the reconnaisaimis reconnaissance, it may discover weak- sance uses radio as the primary means of connessesin the enemy dispositions which, if ex- trol. Phase lines, checkpoints, contact points,ploited promptly, may enhance tactical success. boundaries, routes, objectives, and time limitab.The reconnaissance in force normally de- tions are used by the commander in controllingvelops information more rapidly and in more his unit. Liaison personnel, staff officers, mesdetailthan other reconnaissance methods. sengers, and air vehicles are used to assist inc. For a detailed discussion see chapter 7. the rapid transmission of reconnaissance instructionsand reports.87. Reconnaissance by Air Vehicles 90. Reconnaissance Instrudionsa. Army air vehicles extend, supplement, or,in some instances, replace ground reconnais- Reconnaissance instructions must be comsancemeans. Commanders not having organic plete and include exactly what combat inforairvehicles should request them to support mation is to be obtained, the time by which thetheir reconnaissance efforts.information must be reported, where the informationis to be sought, and when the mission isb. Army air vehicles are normally employedin conjunction with, and in close support of, to be executed. Essential details may includegroundreconnaissance forces. Air vehicles are a. Pertinent information of the enemy andused to extend the reconnaissance effort by air friendly troops.observation, air photography, and electronic b. Plans of the higher commander.surveillance.c. Specific information desired.c. Army air vehicles may be used to conductradiological surveys and to locate routes d. Zone, area, or route to be reconnoitered.through or around contaminated areas when e. When, where, and how information is totime is a governing factor.be reported to the higher commander.88. Reconnaissance Frontages f. Time of departure.There is no established frontage for a given g. Appropriate control measures.size of force conducting a reconnaissance mis- h. Action to be taken when mission is comsion.The visibility, terrain, road net, enemy pleted.situation, nature of the information sought,and time available are factors that influence 91. Transmitting Informationreconnaissance frontages that are assigned to Rapid transmission of information is essenaunit. If detailed rather than general infor- tial to the success of any reconnaissance mismationis desired, the operation will be more sion. This is a basic fundamental of reconnaistime-consuming;therefore, the frontage should sance operations. For a detailed discussion seebe narrower than that for general information. paragraph 77.44 AGO 9139a