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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMb. A deliberate crossing is the crossing of a have a swimming capability; the main battlewaterway that requires extensive planning and tank with appropriate kit has a deep fordingdetailed preparations. It is characterized by de- capability; and aircraft. In addition, supporttailedplanning to support a selected course of ing engineers may furnish or construct suchaction, deliberate preparation, the employment additional crossing means as rafts, ferries,of specialized equipment, delay at the water bridges, mobile assault bridges, and assaultline to mass for breaching enemy defenses, and boats. Amphibious vehicles and aircraft maythe clearance of the near shore of enemy. The supplement the carrying capacity of rafts anddeliberate crossing is conducted when a unit is bridges by transporting high priority items.moving from a defense of the water obstacle toan offensive posture, a hasty crossing is not 363. Timing of the Crossingfeasible, or a hasty crossing is unsuccessful. The decision to cross in daylight or darknessOverall planning and coordination are per- depends on the need for concealment, state offormed at corps or higher levels. Tank units training of troops, nature of the terrain, charthatare not involved in the initial assault are acteristics of the water obstacle, enemy disponormallykept in reserve and pass through the sition and capabilities (use of minefields on farcrossing area after the far shore has been neu- bank, capability to mount air and/or tank attralized.tacks) and the need for speed. Specific actionsthat must be timed carefully to insure the suc-361. Nature of a Crossing Operation cess of the crossing are-Inland water crossing operations are differ- a. Movement of assaulting troops into attackent in many ways from other types of ground positions as required.maneuvers. The primary differences are- b. Movement of reserve elements into assema.There is a greater requirement for special bly areas.equipment and specially trained personnel. c. Movement of engineer assault crossingb. Command and control of units are more craft and bridging equipment into equipmentdifficult because of space, traffic, communica- parks.tion restrictions, and the involvement of unitsof many arms and services.d. Establishment of forward dumps of am-munition, gasoline, and high priority supplies.c. Ability to maneuver and deliver effective e. Use of smoke (if required).supporting fires may be restricted, particularly f. Feints, demonstrations, and other decepifamphibious vehicles and close support air- tive measures.craft are not available or nuclear weapons are g. Preparatory fires.not employed.h. Artificial illumination (if required).d. Once forces and equipment are committed i. Loading and departure of transport airtothe assault, withdrawal or deviation from craft.the plan of action for the initial assault is ex- 364. Desirable Crossing Site CharacteristicsIn the selection of crossing fronts, crossinge. The operation is more vulnerable to enemy areas, and crossing sites, both the technicalair attack than most other ground maneuvers. and tactical requirements must be consideredand evaluated. The crossing should be planned362. Crossing Means on a wide front with several attacks at sepa-All available means are used to cross the rated localities to deny the defender the capamaximumnumber of troops and items of bility of massing his fires or his counterattackequipment in the shortest possible time. The on more than one of these localities. The folmeansorganic to armor units are the armored lowing desirable site characteristics are soughtpersonnel carrier, the armored command in river-crossing operations:and reconnaissance carrier, the armored a. Assault crossing site should includereconnaissance/airborneassault vehicle, and (1) A shoreline held lightly or undefendthe155mm self-propelled howitzer, all of whiched by the enemy.184