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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMof darkness (upon approval from higher head- ment of battalion combat trains to the immequarters)in the forward areas.diate rear of the next delaying position whereb. When mess trucks are used to transport they can effectively support the operation.rations to forward defense elements, they move c. The battalion commander must give spefromthe field trains area under cover of dark- cial consideration to demolitions and engineerness and normally return to the field trains be- class IV supply requirements. Transportationfore daylight.must be provided for these items, and theyc. The medical platoon aid-evacuation teams, must be so located that they are readily availaequippedwith frontline ambulances, evacuate ble to the combat elements. It may be expedientpatients from the companies to-the battalion to stockpile these items on successive delayingaid station. In some cases, dismounted litter positions. This permits the early withdrawal ofbearers are required. Patients are evacuated supply vehicles and provides additional timefrom the aid station by elements of the sup- for the supply vehicles to replenish loads atporting medical unit.supporting supply or distributing points.d. Personnel of the company maintenance d. The evacuation of casualties is generallysections recover and evacuate disabled vehicles the same as that in offensive or defensiveto the established maintenance collecting point, operations. The aid station operates in the batusingorganic recovery vehicles. Disabled vehi- talion combat trains area. If the medical aidclesthat cannot be repaired by the battalion evacuation teams attached to the companiesmaintenance platoon are evacuated to the sup- cannot evacuate all casualties, it may be necesportingmaintenance collection point.sary to use company vehicles and the armoredambulances from the medical platoon. Plans280. Combat Service Support in Retrograde should be made for air evacuation of seriouslyOperationswounded personnel.Retrograde operations are characterized by e. During delay operations, four courses ofheavy expenditures of fuel and lubricants. The action exist for the disposition of disabled venatureof the operation may involve compara- hicles. One course of action may be emphasizedble expenditures of ammunition. All classes of while two or more are employed simultanesupplyare often prepositioned to insure con- ously. These courses of action aretinuoussupport for the combat elements sincethe supply route is extremely vulnerable to en- (1) Normal evacuation to higher cateemyattack. Movement of supply vehicles isgories of maintenance (teams evacunormallyaccomplished during periods of re-ate disabled vehicles to task forceduced visibility because of the enemy's superi-maintenance collecting points by useority in combat power. Maintenance andof their recovery vehicles).ery of damaged materiel is difficult since it is (2) Maximum on-site maintenance usingoften performed in the face of enemy fire.work parties from organic, attached,and supporting elements.281. Combat Service Support in the DelayingAction ~~~~ing Action ~(3) Towing disabled vehicles with otherthan the recovery vehicles.a. In the delaying action, control and securityof the logistical elements are vitally impor- (4) As a last resort, destruction of disatant.The plan for the operation must providebled vehicles.for adequate support during movement to andoccupation of each delaying position. The size 282. Combat Service Support in the Withofthe battalion combat trains is held to a mini-drawalmum.a. Combat service support plans in the withb.Supply of the combat elements is accom- drawal provide for the support of the mainplished immediately upon their arrival at se- body and for security forces remaining in conlecteddelaying positions. As soon as practical, tact with the enemy. Combat service supportthe S4 or his representative directs the move- for the main body is similar to that for a unit150