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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMfire delivered to destroy, disrupt, dis-is responsible for providing an armororganize, and neutralize the enemy'sprotected vehicle with communicationpositions, materiel, observation, corn-facilities to the forward observersmunications, and command. These when required. Radio is the primaryfires demoralize and destroy enemymeans of communication for requestdefendingforces prior to the initia-ing and controlling fire support.tion of the friendly attack by the as- (a) In the initial planning phase of ansault echelon.operation, the company commander(9) Group of fires. Two or more concen- must discuss the company's missiontrations to be fired simultaneously;and his concept of operation withgroups may be fired individually, con-the platoon leaders and the forwardsecutively, or concurrently.observers. The platoon leaders in(10) Series of fires. Number of concentra- planning the employment of theirtions or groups of fires planned toplatoon may submit requirementssupport a maneuver phase such as theor recommendations for supportingfires planned on an objective area justfires to either the commander orbefore the final assault.the forward observers. Based on(11) Targets of opportunity. A target the commander's concept of thevisible to a surface or aircraft ob-operation, his plan of fire support,server which is within range of avail-and requirements submitted by theable weapons and against which firesplatoon leaders, the company comhavenot been scheduled or requested.mander and the artillery forward(12) Final protective fires. Planned de- observer formulate a plan of firefensive fires designed to break up thesupport. They select targets thatenemy's assault on the battle positionmust be engaged to support theunder any conditions of visibility. Itoperation and decide the best methisa first priority, prearranged, bar-od of attacking them. Targets suitrierof fire laid down just in front ofable for attack by the company'sthe forward edge of the battle area. Itorganic weapons are assigned toconsists of mortar and artillery bar-those weapons so far as their caparagesand final protective lines of firebilities and available ammunitionof machineguns.permit. In addition, the commanderc. Fire planning and fire support coordi- and artillery forward observersnation are accomplished at all combat echelons.prepare a fire plan to support theAt brigade level and below, fire planning andcompany's scheme of maneuver. Infiresupport coordination functions are carriedcluded in this plan are the targetsout informally. Each supported unit com- not susceptible to profitable attackmander has an artillery officer as his fire sup-by organic weapons. This fire planport coordinator who will assist in planningis normally only a target list showfiresupport.ing location and description of tar-(1) Company (team). Normally, a for- gets. This plan or target list is sentward observer from direct supportto battalion headquarters where theartillery units and organic mortarartillery liaison officer incorporatesunits will operate with each companyit into the battalion fire plan.team. They are the principal assistantsto the commander on matters of (b) During the conduct of the operafiresupport. The company com- tion, requests for artillery and mormanderand the platoon leaders tar fires are processed through theshould solicit the forward observers'artillery and mortar forward obadviceas to how the supporting artil-servers respectively. They transmitlery can best help the company in anythese requests to the supporting fireparticular situation. The commanderdirection center and adjust fire123