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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMobstacle, forward power is applied, and the ve- f. To avoid collisions, the following procehiclecontinues to cross.dures will govern amphibious vehicles whiled. To minimize the danger of capsizing waterborne.when a vehicle encounters an obstacle broad- (1) When two vehicles approach eachside while drifting, the driver should turn theother head on, each should turn to thenose of the vehicle slightly in the direction thatright and pass the other vehicle on itsthe water flows (fig. 28). This will cause theleft side. The turn should be startedvehicle to slide by such obstacles or strike thesoon enough for each driver to beobstacle with the front of the vehicle.sure of what the other intends to do.e. When it is evident that an Ml13 or M114 (2) When one vehicle overtakes anotheris sinking, all hatches should be opened and the(this is not normal, but may happencrew should move to the top of the vehicle. Thewhen one vehicle is having trouble),driver should attempt to complete the crossingit may pass the slower vehicle onsince a vehicle underway may complete theeither side, provided there is amplecrossing or be close enough to the bank to easi- space. However, the vehicle beingly recover. The crew should abandon the vehi-overtaken has the right of way. Thecle prior to its sinking since the vehicle doespassing vehicle should cross the wakenot provide an air pocket to breathe in after itof the overtaken vehicle at any anglesinks. Escape by an entire rifle squad from anof at least 45 degrees and should beM113 under these conditions is unlikely.sure to provide ample passing space.Section IX. OPERATIONS IN FORTIFIED POSITIONS371. Attack Against Fortified Positions (c) Details of fortifications-embraa.General. The attack of a fortified area is sures, thickness of concrete andmade by a combined-arms assault force con-steel, entrances and exits, and unsistingof tanks, mechanized infantry, field ar-derground organization.tillery, engineers, air cavalry, and tactical air (d) Location and type of enemy weapwhenavailable. Special items of equipment andons.ammunition may be required. FM 31-50 covers(e) Defiladed approaches to the posiindetail the attack of fortifications.tion.b. Planning of Attack. (f) Positions from which direct-fire(1) Reconnaissance of fortified positions. support can be furnished to the as-A thorough estimate of the situationsaulting force.and detailed plans and orders are essentialin an attack against a fortified (2) Organization of the assault teams.position. The estimate is based on anThe assault teams are normally builtextensive reconnaissance. The recon-around mechanized rife platoons withnaissance starts with a preliminarytanks supporting each team. The asmapand airphoto study, after whichsault team is divided normally intoone or two flank groups as needed,all commandersanmake extensive per-one or two flank groups as needed, ansonal reconnaissance. Observation assault group, and a support group.posts, patrols, interrogation of civilians,tactical air, and army aircraftport. Each man and each vehicle onEach group may have tanks in sup-are used to gain information. The rethetheteamteamisisgivengiven aspecialspecialmissionmissiontotoconnaissance seeks information on-perform. The teams must be allowedas much time as possible for rehears-(a) Location of fortifications, such as als and reconnaissance. Normally,pillboxes.each team is assigned only one pill-(b) Location of obstacles, such as box, bunker, or similar fortification atminefields, wire, and trenches.a time.198