FM 17-35 ( Armored Cavalry Platoon, Troop and Squadron ) 1960

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM
required to engage in combat to obtain the information desired.
Otherwise, the troop will seek to avoid combat and bypass enemy
resistance to accomplish the assigned task. When required to
bypass an enemy force, the troop commander must report to the
next higher commander enemy information and the fact that he is
bypassing the enemy. When it is necessary for the troop to remain
in contact with the enemy force, scouts may be used for this
purpose.
b. When required by the situation, the troop will attack to
accomplish a reconnaissance mission. The troop commander must
be careful not to commit the troop to an attack that would prevent
it from accomplishing the assigned mission. Time and distance
factors will usually require the troop to attack without
extensive preparation.
c. The troop formation must provide for adequate coverage of
the assigned route, zone, or area. If fewer than three platoons
can adequately cover the route, zone, or area, the remaining platoon
or platoons may provide depth to the formation, provide flank
security, support the forward elements, be committed to find a
bypass around an enemy position, to expedite reconnaissance by
reconnoitering critical terrain features.
d. If helicopters are available, scouts and riflemen may be
moved by air to reconnoiter, envelop enemy positions, or bypass
enemy resistance.
e. The troop commander controls the employment of his platoons
by instructions normally transmitted by radio and the use
of appropriate control measures.
164. Route Reconnaissance
a. Route reconnaissance is the reconnaissance of a specified
route and the terrain features immediately adjacent to that route,
to obtain information of the enemy or the terrain (fig. 27).
b. In an area where little enemy action is anticipated, the
armored cavalry troop may be assigned as many as three roads
for route reconnaissance. When enemy action is imminent or
anticipated, reconnaissance missions are usually assigned on the
basis of one major road or avenue per troop.
c. The troop normally retains platoon integrity in the conduct
of a route reconnaissance mission. Depending on the imminence
of enemy contact, the leading element of the lead platoon or platoons
may be varied. If the troop is conducting a route reconnaissance
along a single route, it usually advances in column of
platoons (fig. 28).
AGO 4088B 99