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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMTRAILS\VEAREA OF OFFENSEA. ENCIRCLEMENT COMPLETEB. FIRST BISECTION ( /7LEGEND:C> \V( REEKBLOCKING OR AMBUSH POSITIONS,mOFFENSIVE ELEMENTSCREEKFigure 39.Use of a blocking forceand an offensive force.C. SECOND BISECTIONtactical forces is to attack and pursue. To ac-FRIENDLY FORCEScomplish these missions, the commander mustbe prepared to meet two situations-first, con-< INSURGENT FORCEStact with tactical insurgent forces who are inthe open and attempting to break contact; second,encounter with prepared defensive posi-Figure 38. Fragmenting the encirclement. tions from which the insurgent intends to conducta sustained defense.positions are established, thearea is subjected to intense satu- (1) Enemy in the open. In this situationration-type indirect fire and aeri-the attack and pursuit phases of theal attack. As the tactical insur-operation may merge. If the tacticalgent forces try to exit the area, insurgent force is attempting tothey are either destroyed or cap-refuse contact, he must be pursuedtured. This type operation re-before he can be attacked. The essenquiresaccurate information oftial requirement is to establish conthelocation of insurgent forces totact in order to fix the enemy and haltpreclude casualties to civilianshis flight. For this reason, armored(fig. 41).personnel carriers may be used asfighting vehicles, and riflemen not disg.Attack and Pursuit. The primary role of mounted until required for moppingarmor units in operations against insurgentup. Unit integrity is desirable but not232