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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMvisibility, to limit enemy observation and yet have completed their missions and are ready togive enough light for close combat.withdraw. A rallying point is designated nearc. Route of Advance and Withdrawal for the objective, and a series of rallying pointsRaid.may be prescribed along the routes of advance(1) In daylight raids, covered routes of and withdrawal. A rallying point in an areaapproach should be used. The raid be- controlled by friendly forces is usually preginswhen the raiding force departs scribed to assemble materiel, prisoners, and inthelast area or terrain feature held formation gathered in the raid.by friendly forces. Under conditionsof reduced visibility when surprise 345. Logistical Considerations in Raidsthrough stealth is possible, advance In planning logistical support of a raidingand flank security detachments pre- party, it must be realized that the raidingcede the raiding force. They prevent party may be isolated or required to fight itspremature discovery of the raid by way back to friendly lines. Factors governingthe early destruction of enemy securi- the amount of logistical support accompanyingty detachments.a raiding party include the type and number of(2) The withdrawal usually is made over vehicles and weapons, movement distance,another route. Road intersections and length of time the raiding party will operate inother prominent landmarks are avoided.Security detachments and protecenemyterritory, and expected enemy resist-ance. Usually the raiding force carries everytivefires are used to keep the routesof withdrawal open.thing required to sustain itself during theoperation. Plans are made to supply a raidingd. Rallying Points for Raids. Rallying points unit, if required, by use of aircraft as the priarelocations at which units assemble when mary means and by ground vehicles as an altheyhave become separated during a raid or ternate means.Section V.TANK SWEEPS346. General friendly units firing into each other and to co-The tank sweep is an offensive operation de- ordinate supporting fires.signed to deliver a rapid, violent attack against c. The force conducting the tank sweepan enemy force to inflict maximum casualties, should be predominately a tank unit. Smalldisrupt control, and destroy equipment. It may mechanized infantry units may be attached forbe employed to achieve objectives of a recon- specific tasks, such as guarding and evacuatingnaissance in force that are compatible with the enemy ,prisoners or demolishing specific mateconductof the sweep.rial during the sweep.34.7. Planning the Tank Sweep d. The selection of the area through whichthe sweep is to be conducted depends upon thea. The tank sweep is planned as a mounted purpose of the sweep.assault through enemy-controlled territory.Planning is essentially the same as for any (1) When the tank sweep is used to extrioffensiveoperation except that no attempt iscate a heavily engaged unit, it ismade to seize an objective. The tank sweeppasses through the enemy and returns toplanned in an area that enables theattacking force to strike the enemyfriendly positions in a single move.flank immediately in rear of the lineb. The tank sweep may be controlled moreclosely than other offensive operations. The exofcontact.(2) When the tank sweep is used totent of control may vary from a direction ofachieve certain objectives usually asattackto an axis of advance, depending upon sociated with a reconnaissance inthe purpose of the sweep and factors offorce, it is planned in an area thatMETT. Control measures are used to precludewill satisfy the need for information.176