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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMb. Deep Penetration and Wide Envelopment. less densely populated, and as units are moreLarge armor formations with battlefield mo- widely dispersed, the need for reconnaissancebility and maneuverability in whole or by ele- becomes more acute. Armored cavalry unitsment, controlling heavy nuclear and nonnuclear provide reconnaissance for the higher comfiresupport, provide forces with power and mander by ground and air means. Reconnaismomentumfor deep penetrations and wide en- sance and security missions demand highlyvelopment. In the enemy's rear areas these mobile forces with a ground combat capability.forces attain great freedom of action as they These forces detect enemy forces, warn ofmaneuver to seize terrain; disrupt communica- them, and destroy them within their capabilition;destroy command posts, missile sites, ar- ties. Armored cavalry units are well suited totillery, and troop reserves; and capture or de- conduct covering, probing, screening, and rearstroy supplies.area security operations and to act as advance,G. Exploitation. Armor has the combat flank, or rear guards. The capability of armorpower to create its own opportunities for ex- units for rapidly maneuvering great firepowerploitation as well as provide the higher com- makes them well suited for reconnaissance-inmander with a destructive force to exploit force operations.rapidly the successes of other formations. For g. Counterguerrilla Operations. Armor unitsexample, the armored division, as a part of the can be employed in antiguerrilla and antiaircorps,may be used by the corps commander to borne/antiairmobile operations. Terrain mayexpand the successes of other forces or the require armor units to be tailored for antieffectsof nuclear fires. Objectives appropriate guerrilla operations.for the armored division are those that are be- h. Close Support of Infantry. This task isyond reach of other forces and that will insure fulfilled most frequently by the tank battalionssuccess of the corps or field army mission. of the mechanized infantry, infantry, and aird.Mobile Defense. Armor is well suited to borne divisions. Tank battalions increasethe conduct of a mobile defense. Since it is greatly the firepower and mobility of the indesignedprimarily for offensive action, it is fantry attack and defense and provide a poweremployedbest in defensive operations as the ful armor-defeating capability.mobile counterattack force of a higher com- i. Economy of Force. Armored cavalry unitsmand. The armored division, with or without are organzed and equipped to perform economythe use of nuclear weapons, provides the corps of force missions, thus permitting a commanderand army commander with a powerful reserve to maneuver the preponderance of his otherfor destroying enemy attacking forces. The ar- forces to another area for a decisive blow. Armorunit's capability to move, live, and fight on mored cavalry is suited for employment inthe nuclear battlefield permits its employment areas not requiring the combat power of tankin compressing or canalizing enemy forces for units.destruction by nuclear weapons.destruction j.Counterinsurgency by nuclear weapons. Operations. The are.Destruction of Enemy Armor Formations. mor-protected firepower, shock effect, mobility,Defeat of enemy armor is essential to success- and mass of armor are particularly well suitedful ground combat and is a continuing require- for a show of force role. These characteristicsment in offensive and defensive operations. The similarly enable armor to conduct successfultank is a primary armor-defeating weapon of combat operations against insurgency forces.armored formations.The ground and air elements of armored cavf.Reconnaissance/Security. As the range of alry are particularly well suited as a combatweapons is extended, as the battlefield becomes counterinsurgency force in difficult terrain.AGO 9139A 7