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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMunits, communication, or other factors prevent at each echelon (battalion and above) is thecentralized control of artillery units by the di- fire support coordinator and principal adviservision artillery commander, artillery units may to the commander on fire support matters. Atbe attached to subordinate elements of the di- company level, the company commander is thevision.fire support coordinator, advised by the artil-(1) Each of the three 155-mm howitzer lery forward observer.battalions is normally employed in di- b. The plans of fire support at company, batrectsupport of one of the three bri- talion, and brigade are coordinated and fullygades. An artillery unit with the mis- integrated to assure success of the plan of atsionof direct support remains under tack or defense. The plan of fire support inthecommand of the higher artillery cludes fires of organic, attached, and supportcommanderassigning the mission. If ing weapons. Fire planning is continuous andone brigade is in reserve initially, the as detailed as time will permit. The following155-mm howitzer battalion that nor- definitions must be understood to establish amally supports that brigade may be common basis in planning.assigned a general support, general (1) Fire plan. A tactical plan for usingsupport-reinforcing, or a reinforcingthe weapons of a unit or formation somission by the division. This artillerytheir fire will be coordinated.battalion must be prepared for direct (2) Planned fires. Fires (concentrations)support of the reserve brigade whenplanned on areas and targets forcommitted.which a need can be anticipated.(2) The 155-mm/8-inch howitzer battal- This includes known enemy locations,ion is normally employed under divi- avenues of approach, observationsion artillery control in a general sup-posts, suspect weapons locations, andport or general support-reinforcingsimilar-type targets.role. When it is desirable to detach (3) Prearranged fire. Fire that is formaloneor two howitzer sections to exe-ly planned and conducted against tarcutea special mission, part of the bat-gets or target areas of known locateryfire direction center must accom-tion. Such fires are usually plannedpany these sections. The detachedwell in advance and are conducted atsections may operate under control ofa predetermined time or during athe battery, battalion, or they may bepredetermined period of time.attached to another artillery head- (4) Scheduled fires. Prearranged firesquarters.that are to be delivered at a specific(3) The Honest John battalion will nor- time or upon occurrence of a specificmally function under division artil-event.lery control in a general support or (5) On-call fires. Prearranged fires thatgeneral support-reinforcing role. are be fired as requested.However, elements of the battalion (6) Concentration. A volume of firemay be assigned a reinforcing mis-placed on an area within a limitedsion or, when necessary, be attachedtime or an area designated and numtoanother artillery unit. The firingbered for future references as a possibatteriesare so organized and ble target.equipped that they are capable of (7) Barrage. A prearranged barrier ofoperating by platoon for limited periodsof time. The platoons may be atfire,except that delivered by smallarms, designed to protect friendlytached to another artillery head-troops and installations by impedingquarters for special missions. enemy movement across defensivelines or areas. It is fired as part of the218. Fire Planning and Coordination final protective fires.a. Coordination of fire support is a com- (8) Preparation. A heavy volume ofmand responsibility. The senior artillery officerprearranged ground, air, and naval122