1966 US Army Vietnam War ARMOR ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMCHAPTER 8RETROGRADE OPERATIONSSection I.GENERAL193. General 194. Types of Retrograde OperationsA retrograde operation is an organized a. Delaying Action. A delaying action is amovement to the rear or away from the enemy. retrograde operation in which maximum delayThe operation may be made voluntarily or and damaged are inflicted on an advancing enforcedby enemy action. Retrograde movements emy without the delaying force becoming deciareconducted for one or more of the following sively engaged or outflanked. In a delaying acreasons:tion, minimum space is traded for maximuma. To harass, exhaust, resist, delay, and time.inflict punishment on the enemy.b. Withdrawal. A withdrawal is a retrogradeoperation in which all or part of a deb.To draw the enemy into an unfavorable ployed force disengages from the enemy. Itsituation.may be executed during daylight or darknessc. To permit the use of elements of the force and may be forced or voluntary. Regardless ofelsewhere.the type withdrawal being conducted, contactd. To avoid combat under undesirable condiismaintained with the enemy forces to providetions. ~~~~~~~~~tions.security and deception.c. Retirement. A retirement is a retrogradee. To gain time and avoid a decisive engage- operation in which a force not in contactment.marches away from the enemy to avoid combatf. To disengage from combat. under existing conditions. It may be made followinga withdrawal. Normally, a retirement isg. To place the forces involved in a desired performed to allow future combat operationsposition in relationship to other friendly to be conducted under more favorable condiforces.tions or in a more decisive place or at a moreh. To shorten lines of communication. decisive time.Section II. CONSIDERATIONSOF THE RETROGRADE195. General 196. Weather and TerrainArmor units are capable of inflicting heavy a. Weather and terrain have a majordamage to enemy units during retrograde influence on the planning and conduct of retrooperations,particularly in the delaying action. grade actions. Clear weather provides good ob-Under these conditions, success depends upon servation and assists in attaining maximum replanningand conducting operations so as to suits from fires. Unfavorable weathercapitalize on the capabilities of the unit. The conditions may limit observation, reduce thefollowing are considerations that affect the em- effects of nuclear weapons, limit cross-countryployment of armor units in the retrograde. movement, and increase the problem of control.106