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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMthe attack of a fortified area may have to behalted the advance of the tanks. Whenemployed (pars 371).required to dismount to secure theo. Phase III. Phase III varies from a sys- tanks from fire being received fromtematic block by block, house to house reduc-buildings, a rifle squad moves alongtion of the built-up area to a rapid advanceeach side of the street, keeping apthroughthe town with clearance of specificproximately abreast of the lead tanks.critical areas and strategic buildings. Phase IIIDepending upon the resistance beingbegins without pause after the completion ofencountered, the squad may challengephase II. Clearance and seizure techniques areevery doorway or ground floor windependentupon the mission, size of the town,dow by throwing in hand grenadesconstruction and building arrangement, andand spraying the interior with smallenemy dispositions and strength. Factors gov-arms fire. Selected men in each squaderning the selection and conduct of the tech-should be assigned the mission of loniquesare-cating and engaging targets in theupper floor windows and rooftops of(1) When the built-up area is exceedingly the building on the opposite side oflarge and heavily fortified, or whenthe street. The leading tanks meanthemission requires a complete clear-while continue to fire at suspected enanceof enemy forces, a methodicalhouse by house, block by block clearemylocations farther down the street.When resistance is heavy, each alleyance operation is performed. The areais divided into company team zones ofor side street presents an excellentfire lane for enemy high-velocity tankresponsibility. Each subordinate unitor antitank fire and should be crossedmust clear its zone completely, leav- with caution. The mechanized iningno enemy in its rear. The proce-fantry observe down alleys and sidedure of street fighting is conducted instreets before the tanks cross and emthesame manner as described in FM place light machineguns on each81-50.(2) When the built-up area is small or decornercovering or firing in both directions.When a serious antitankfended lightly, the attacking forceshould attempt to drive through or inthreatto the column's flank exists,one or two tanks and a rifle squadto the town as rapidly as possible.with its carrier from the lead com-Tanks lead the column, closely fol-pany team may be dropped off at eachlowed and supported by mechanizedintersection along the route. If theseinfantry. Except when an advance isforces are to remain in position untilmade on a wide street, it will rarelythe entire force has passed, the folbepossible to effectively employ morelowing company team assumes thethan three tanks at the head of thelead in the advance when the originalcolumn. The leading tanks are fol-lead company team has been depleted;lowed by the other two tanks of the otherwise the following companytank platoon. The automatic weaponsteams may relieve these forces, perofthe tanks and the vehicular ma-mitting them to continue the advancechineguns of the carriers are firedcontinuously and are concentrated onwith their company team.the windows and rooftops of build- 377. Control Measuresings. The mechanized infantry remainmounted in their carriers until forced The conduct of combat in built-up areas retodismount to protect the tanks from quires specific control measures with which allindividual or longer range antitank troops must be familiar. Such measures inweapons.The mechanized infantry cludemaydismount to assist in the removal a. Boundaries. In order to provide easy andof obstacles or barricades that have definite identification in denser portions of204