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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMcover and deception measures. Natu- c. Weather. Weather conditions have an imraland artificial camouflage, smoke portant bearing on any decision and should bescreening, and natural and manmade a primary consideration in operational planareasmay be used to conceal and ning. The primary effects are on visibility andcover forces. Measures to counter ad- trafficability. The basic meteorological elementsvantages afforded the enemy by cover affecting operations are wind (speed and direcandconcealment must be considered. tion), temperature, humidity, cloud cover, pre-(4) Key terrain. Key terrain is any locali- cipitation, and atmospheric stability (invertyor area the control of which sion, lapse, and neutral conditions). Theaffords a marked advantage to eithercombatant. Key terrain must beforecast, which includes such items as sunrise,sunset, moonrise, and moonset should be conseized,neutralized, or otherwise controlledto deny its use by the enemysidered. Weather conditions may prohibit orlimit some phases of an operation. In the planorpermit its use by friendly forces. ning of operations, adverse weather conditions(5) Avenues of approach. should be considered; often the success gainedduring unfavorable weather offsets the limitaanalyzedbased upon the availabil- tions and difficulties imposed by soil trafficabilayzdobasedpon, tceaalm ab ity and slow rate of movement. Weather fcecover,fields of fire, space for dis- tors are of special importance in the conduct ofpversion and maneuver, pand traffica- offensive or defensive operations that includesbility The obstacle-producing ef- nuclear, chemical, or biological employment.fects on avenues of approach byFallout and chemical and biological cloud trav-nuclear weapons must be considered el are greatly influenced by weather conditions.Detailed information is contained in FM 3-10,(b) In analyzing approach routes for FM 3-12, FM 5-26, and TM 3-240.airmobile operations, the majorconcern is achieving or avoiding 34. Troops Availabletactical surprise. Favorable routes a. No realistic plans can be made or actionsprovide defilade and ease of naviga- taken that do not consider the capabilities oftion. Heavily forested and swampy the forces available.areas provide good routes, asground troops have less opportuni-b. The capabilities of a force are dependenton-ty to see or fire at low-flying air- oncraft. Ridges reduce the possibility () Number of unts.of detection by radar. If steep (2) Type of unitsdefiles or canyons are used as () State of training.routes, careful reconnaissance mustbe made due to possible enemy (5) Strength in men and equipment.ground fires and the effect of down- (6) Previous, present, and contemplateddrafts on control of aircraft.employment.(c) All avenues of approach are consid- (7) Location and disposition.ered; use of less obvious or desira- (8) State of maintenance and supply.ble avenues of approach may (9) Adequacy of combat support and comachievea degree of surprise thatbat service support.offsets disadvantages.(10) Personalities of commanders.Section V.ORGANIZATION FOR COMBAT35. General a specific mission or task. This serves as a ba-Organization for combat is a concept of sis for the task organization which is theforming an appropriate combination of various grouping of specifically designed elements totypes of combat and combat support units for accomplish a specific mission or task in imple-14