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

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This platoon is positioned to support the forward platoons by
fire, both in the actual delay and during their withdrawal. It
must be prepared to block by fire and maneuver any penetration
of the troop position and to conduct limited-objective attacks to
further delay the enemy or to assist in the withdrawal of engaged
elements.
b. The troop may be designated as all or part of the reserve
of a larger force conducting the delay. When so designated, the
troop occupies a position specified by the higher commander and
is employed as described in a above. For this mission, the troop
may be organized into provisional tank and infantry platoons to
form a tank-infantry team to counterattack when the troop is
employed as a reserve and the support squads may be placed under
control of the delaying force to augment its fire support.
225. Combat Support
a. In the conduct of a delaying action, the armored cavalry
troop can expect assistance from artillery, engineers, tactical air,
and Army aviation.
b. Artillery fire support is normally available to the armored
cavalry troop in the conduct of a delaying action. The supporting
artillery will initially provide long range fires on advancing
enemy formations and continue to fire on the enemy as he advances
toward the delaying forces. Artillery fires will also be
used to support counterattacks by the reserve and to cover the
withdrawal of the delaying forces from one position to the next.
If artillery is in direct support, a forward observer will work
with the troop, otherwise fires will be requested through command
channels and will be adjusted by personnel in the troop capable
of observing the target.
c. Engineer units will normally not bb attached to the armored
cavalry troop; however, they will operate in the general area and
coordinate their efforts with the troop. Engineers will assist in
the delay by destroying bridges, blocking roads, and erecting barriers.
They will also maintain routes of withdrawal for friendly
forces. The operations of engineers will normally be controlled at
squadron or higher level. Coordination is necessary to ensure that
obstacles constructed by the engineers are covered by fire and in
no way impede the planned withdrawal of delaying forces or the
commitment of the reserve.
d. Tactical air, when available, will assist in the conduct of the
delaying action by disrupting and harassing enemy formations
as they approach the delaying position. A forward air controller
152 AGO 4088B