FM 17-35 ( Armored Cavalry Platoon, Troop and Squadron ) 1960
FM 17-35 ( Armored Cavalry Platoon, Troop and Squadron ) 1960
FM 17-35 ( Armored Cavalry Platoon, Troop and Squadron ) 1960
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169. Formation for Advance Guard Mission<br />
Within the troop, one platoon is designated as the advance<br />
guard. The balance of the troop follows in column, prepared to<br />
support the leading platoon in any action necessary to accomplish<br />
the mission. The following platoons will usually be employed as<br />
organized; however, their tanks <strong>and</strong> infantry may be grouped<br />
in provisional units under one platoon leader to provide an attacking<br />
force for the troop. The scout sections of these two platoons<br />
may be grouped under the third platoon leader to provide flank<br />
security. This element can make appropriate use of the short<br />
range ground radar. The three support squads are normally employed<br />
under troop control <strong>and</strong> provide mortar fire support to all<br />
elements of the troop (fig. 32).<br />
<strong>17</strong>0. Conduct of Advance Guard<br />
a. Once enemy forces are encountered, the troop comm<strong>and</strong>er<br />
takes prompt <strong>and</strong> aggressive action to overcome the enemy force<br />
or fully develop the situation. The actions taken by the lead<br />
platoon leader initially <strong>and</strong> by the troop comm<strong>and</strong>er include four<br />
steps:<br />
(1) Deploy the platoon (troop) <strong>and</strong> report initial contact.<br />
(2) Develop the situation.<br />
(3) Choose a course of action.<br />
(4) Report the enemy situation <strong>and</strong> course of action taken<br />
to next higher headquarters.<br />
b. As the advance guard, the troop should attack at once to<br />
overcome the enemy <strong>and</strong> permit the uninterrupted advance of the<br />
main body, or develop the situation so that the main body comm<strong>and</strong>er'<br />
can take appropriate action to overcome the enemy. While<br />
deploying the troop for action, the troop comm<strong>and</strong>er places available<br />
mortar <strong>and</strong> artillery fire on the hostile position. If the efforts<br />
of the troop fail to dislodge or defeat the enemy, the troop prepares<br />
to act as the base of fire for an attack by the main body.<br />
Scouts <strong>and</strong> aerial observers attempt to locate <strong>and</strong> report the<br />
flanks of the enemy position.<br />
<strong>17</strong>1. General<br />
Section il. FLANK GUARD<br />
A flank guard is a security detachment that protects the flanks<br />
of the main body. The armored cavalry troop may execute a flank<br />
guard mission alone or as part of a larger force. The flank guard<br />
protects the main body from ground observation, direct fire of<br />
108 AGO 4088B
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