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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM326. Conduct of Desert Operations b. Defensive and Retrograde Operations.a. Offensive Operations. In desert combat, Defensive and retrograde operations are caremphasisis placed on maneuver because flanks ried out as discussed in chapters 3, 7, and 8,are most accessible. Terrain favors envelop- taking into consideration the effects of thements and deep turning movements. Wide desert described in this section.movements around an enemy flank can often bemade without deception. See chapter 6 for dis- c. For additional information, see FMcussion of offensive operations. 31-25.Section IV. OPERATIONS IN DEEP SNOW AND EXTREME COLD327. General or light oversnow vehicles precedes movementa. Deep snow and extreme cold weather of units. Reconnaissance reports include inforpresentmany problems for armor operations. mation on snow depth and ice thickness. ShortSpecial training must be conducted for individ- range weather forecasts are important in planualsand units, including small unit and battal- ning movement.ion training.c. Armor units advancing cross countryb. Leaders must supervise all activities and avoid heavy forests and deep drifts, taking adalwaysset the example. In no other part of the vantage of windswept ridges where snow coverworld is the necessity for leadership more ap- is thinnest. Thickly frozen lakes and rivers, inparentthan it is in that of deep snow and ex- stead of being obstacles, are good routes fortreme cold.movement.e. For detailed discussion of operations in d. In winter, the short periods of daylightextreme cold, see FM 31-70 and FM 31-71. and the difficulty of concealing movement insnow-covered terrain cause an increase in328. Effects of Deep Snow and Extreme Cold night movements which are frequently aideda. Troops require special clothing and heat- by clear atmosphere and bright moonlight. Deeped shelters. Equipment and supplies that would snow provides concealment but increases thebe damaged by freezing are protected against difficulty of orientation on the terrain. Longthe cold. Weapons and vehicles are winterized movements require the use of navigationalwith special lubricants. Wheeled vehicles may aids.be used on established roads in rear areas.Full-track vehicles with low ground pressures 329. Conduct of Operations in Deep Snoware used for movement over snow-covered orand Extreme Coldmuddy terrain. Movement on icy slopes often a. Offensive Operations. Offensive operarequiresspecial grousers fitted on the tracks. tions are conducted as described in chapter 6.b. All movement is slow. This frequently b. Defensive and Retrograde Operations.limits the depth of combat missions. Careful Defensive and retrograde operations are conreconnaissanceby patrols on skis, snowshoes, ducted as described in chapters 7 and 8.Section V.MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS330. General tards and restricts maneuver, reduces the effectMountain combat may involve operations in of fire, and makes communication and supplyareas of high altitudes subject to extreme difficult. Mountain terrain and weather can bechanges in weather. These areas usually have either a dangerous obstacle to operations or asnow-covered slopes much of the year, few valuable aid, depending on how well it is underroadsmost of which are narrow and twisting, stood and to what extent advantage is taken ofand few, if any, communication centers. In its peculiar characteristics. See FM 31-72 forgeneral, operations in mountainous terrain re- detailed discussion of mountain operations.171