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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMunits need not wait for bridges or rafts to bemoved immediately. The first unitsconstructed to cross water obstacles wherecrossing will jettison conning towerssuitable streambed, depth, current, and entry and continue their mission. Thisand exit conditions are available. As opposed toequipment will be recovered, disasthebridging method for crossing, the swim-sembled, and stored in the bridgeheadming and fording methods have definite advan-by designated supporting personneltages of less time to prepare for the crossingand returned to the unit on the firstand considerably less accompanying equipmentavailable transportation. Subsequentto install or erect.units will remove and disassembleb. Movement to the Water Obstacle. The fording equipment and secure it tocommander will determine the number of the vehicles. Once the bridgehead iscrossing sites required once a crossing area hassecured, units that supported thebeen selected. The advance guard should be faroperation by direct fire begin prepaenoughin front of the main body so that it canrations for crossing and cross as soonreport to the commander in sufficient time forhim to determine whether the main body willas possible. The assault unit then con-tinues its mission. Forces left to sebeable to cross without stopping or if prepara-cure the bridgehead area must be retionsare required which will necessitate mov-lieved as soon as possible and joining into a precrossing assembly area.their units.e. Reconnaissance. When the tactical situa- e. Fire Support. All available fire support istion permits or as soon as the near bank is se- used against known and suspected enemy posicure,entrance and water reconnaissance begin. tions on the far shore. Fires are lifted or shift-The number of crossing sites desired or the ed as the bridgehead is expanded. This includesdifficulty of the area may require attachment direct fires provided by tanks. When tanks areof additional personnel to augment the under- employed in a direct fire role, they must bewater reconnaissance capability of the unit supplied with ammunition in excess of theirthat is designated to secure the near bank and normal load so that when they cross the waterconduct the reconnaissance. Personnel are obstacle they will have a full load of ammuniplacedon the far bank as soon as possible to tion. Ssecure it and conduct the exit reconnaissance.Tank elements of the advance guard support capable of being airlifted or swimming displaceto the far bank as soon as the bridgeheadthe operation by direct fire. Entrances, lanes, place to the far bank the bridgeheadand marked exits are in accordance with the has been expanded and the crossing unit is caaundexitsmaredinapable are.of continuing the mission. Air defenseartillery units will support the crossing operad.Crossing. tion by protecting the crossing site from air(1) When reconnaissance has determined attack and by providing continuous air defensethat tanks can cross the water with- to the expanding bridgehead. ADA units atoutpreparation, units will not halt tached to armor units must be prepared to conbutwill move into and across the tinue the attack beyond the bridgehead whenwater, secure the bridgehead, and be ordered.prepared to continue the mission. f. Other Support. Air cavalry units will sup-(2) When deep water fording prepara- port the crossing operation by placing persontionsare required, the units will move nel on the far shore to reconnoiter and secureinto a preparation assembly area. crossing sites. They will also provide fire sup-Once preparations have been complet- port against positions on the far shore ored, units move from the area to the against deeper targets that can affect thecrossing site without stopping. The crossing. During the securing and expansion ofcrossing is completed as quickly as the bridgehead, they extend the reconnaissancepossible. Fording equipment that will means of the ground unit and take under firehamper operations of vehicles is re- enemy units forming for a counterattack.196