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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMsupporting ambulances to the nearest higher dated into a few trucks and the empty kitchenmedical facility.trucks used to transport fuel and lubricants.c. Maintenance. Maximum advantage must d. Each vehicle should carry a minimum 5-be taken of the time available in assembly day supply of either small-detachment or indiareasto accomplish as much maintenance as vidual combat rations rather than the normallypossible. Drivers and maintenance personnel prescribed 3-day supply.must realize that after they leave the assembly e. The number of casualties from combatarea, opportunities to perform maintenance normally decreases, but the distance for theirwill be limited. All commanders, vehicle crews, evacuation increases. When possible, aircraftand maintenance personnel do everything pos- are used for evacuation of casualties.sible to insure efficient operation of equipment. f. During an exploitation, the percentage ofMaximum effort should be devoted to mainte- vehicles lost to combat decreases with respectnance checks and repairs that cannot be accom- to other operations; however, the percentageplished properly during periods of combat. lost through mechanical failure increases. TheEquipment should be inspected, cleaned, and maintenance platoon thus directs its efforts toputin the best possible condition. The com- ward making minor repairs on the maximummander may request assistance from support- number of vehicles, rather than major repairsing maintenance units. Materiel that the bat- on a few. Vehicles that cannot be repaired bytalion cannot repair is evacuated or turned the maintenance platoon are towed to the supover,in place, to the supporting maintenance ply route of the next higher headquarters andunit.their location and condition reported to the275. Combat Service Support in Fast-Movingsupporting maintenance element.Offensive Operations276. Combat Service Support in Slow-Mova.In an exploitation or pursuit, the battal- ing Offensive Operationsion combat trains move with the battalion and a. During a slow-moving offensive situation,are usually near the end of the formation, the battalion combat trains move forward bywhere they gain security from their location bounds behind the combat elements. Movementbetween the forward combat elements and the should be screened from enemy observation. Ifrear guard. When the battalion becomes en- the road net is limited, location of the combatgaged, the combat trains move into an area trains at a point from which adequate combatthat affords them cover and concealment and a service support is insured assumes increaseddegree of security by their proximity to com- importance.bat elements.b. Ammunition expenditures in a slow-movb.In the exploitation, supply lines become ing offensive situation are high, contrastedmuch longer. Overcoming the problems of sup- with consumption of fuel and lubricants. Supplyover greater distances requires detailed ply and transportation of ammunition must becombat service support planning. The accom- emphasized.plishment of this supply may require attach- c. Patients are normally high during thisment of additional cargo transportation to the type of offensive action, necessitating rapidbattalion from the higher combat service sup- evacuation by the supporting medical aid-evacportechelon and the use of aerial resupply. In- uation team from the companies to the battalcreasedprotection for trains and supply con- ion aid station. When attacking through avoys may be required. Some situations may friendly unit, coordination should be maderequire all of the battalion combat service sup- with the friendly unit surgeon to receive paportelements to operate as unit trains.tients from the attacking companies. This willc. Ammunition expenditures during an ex- speed evacuation from the battlefield to a mediploitationare usually light, while consumption cal facility and assist the attacking unit medioffuels and lubricants is heavy. To meet thisincreased need for hauling fuel and lubricants,cal aid station to retain mobility.d. Vehicular losses are likely to be high,kitchen equipment may be unloaded or consoli- therefore, close and continuous maintenance148