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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMend of the formation, where they gain security tion and condition reported to the supportingfrom their location between the forward com- maintenance element.bat elements and the rear guard. When thebattalion/squadron becomes engaged, the corn- 140. Logistical Support in Slow-Movingbat trains move into an area that affords them Offensive Operationscover and concealment and a degree of security a. During a slow-moving offensive situation,by their proximity to combat elements.the battalion/squadron combat trains moveb. In the exploitation; supply lines become forward by bounds behind the combat elements.much longer. Overcoming the problems of sup- Movement should be screened from enemy obplyover greater distances requires detailed servation. If the road net is limited, locationlogistical planning. The accomplishment of of the combat trains at a point from which adethissupply may require attachment of addi- quate logistical support is insured assumes intionalcargo transportation to the battalion/ creased importance.squadron from the higher logistical echelon, b. Ammunition expenditures in a slow-movandthe use of air vehicles. Increased protec- ing offensive situation are high, contrastedtion for trains and supply convoys may be re- with consumption of fuel and lubricants. Supquired.In rare instances, all of the battalion/ ply and transportation of ammunition must besquadron logistical elements may be located emphasizedwith the battalion and operate as unit trains.c. Casualties are normally high during thisc. Ammunition expenditures during an ex- type of offensive action, necessitating rapidploitation are usually light, while consumption evacuation by the supporting medical aid-evacoffuels and lubricants is heavy. To meet this uation team from the companies/troops to theincreased need for hauling fuel and lubricants, battalion/squadron aid station. When attackkitchenequipment may be unloaded or consoli- ing through a friendly unit, coordinationdated in a few trucks and the empty kitchen should be made with the friendly unit surgeontrucks used to supplement the fuel and lubri- to receive casualties from the attacking comcanttrucks.panies/troops. This will speed evacuation fromd. Each vehicle should carry a minimum 5- the battlefield to a medical facility and assistday supply of either small-detachment or indi- the attacking battalion medical aid station tovidual combat rations, rather than the normally retain mobility.prescribed 3-day supply.d. Vehicular casualties are likely to be high;e, The number of casualties from combat close and continuous maintenance support isnormally decreases, but one problem of medical essential. The techniques used in providingevacuation increases--that of moving the this support are discussed in paragraphs 157wounded over longer distances. When possible, through 164.air vehicles are used for evacuation of casualtiesfrom the battalion/squadron aid stations or 141. logistical Support in Linkup Operationsclearing stations to army medical installations. a. Logistical support reinforcements may bef. During an exploitation, the percentage of greater in linkup operations than those forvehicles lost to combat decreases with respect other offensive actions. Additional consideratoother operations; however, the percentage tions for planning logistical support in linkuplost through mechanical failure increases. The operations include the distance to the objectivebattalion/squadron maintenance platoon thus area, time the objective area is to be held,directs its efforts toward making minor repairs planned operations or movement out of the obonthe maximum number of vehicles, rather jective area, and the movement of the landthan major repairs on a few. Vehicles that tails of units participating in the airborne orcannot be repaired by the maintenance platoon airmobile assault.are towed to the axis of supply and evacuation b. The supply requirements for a linkup opofthe next higher headquarters and their loca- eration may exceed the transportation capa-70 AGO 0130A