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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMmunications-all of which should beexploited to permit attack in the shortestpossible time. The insurgent tacticalforce will usually be organized to_ rtIoR ORprevent overrunning of his positionA. ENCIRCLEMENT COMPLETE TERRAIN OBSTACLE by the armored vehicles. If tanks arenot available, the commander mustthen plan his attack making maximumuse of his remaining resources.He may establish a base of fire whileriflemen are carried in the assault byarmored personnel carriers using-"tRtheir mobility to take the most advan-D. OFFENSIVE ACTION INITIATEDtageous approach to the enemy position.Use of smoke and riot controlmunitions should be considered aswell as a grenade barrage from theassault carriers just prior to dismounting.As the riflemen dismountand begin their assault, the armored- I-E. OR vehicles in the base of fire and the as-TERRAIN OBSTACLEC. FINAL CRUSHING ACTIONFINAL TERRAIN CRUSHING OBSTACLE ACTION saulting personnel carriers join the(' -)-FRIENDLY FORCES attack with the dismounted riflemen.INSURGENT FORCESWhen the insurgent position includes"---.-- PREVIOUS POSITON antiarmor weapons, these should normallybe neutralized or destroyed beforea mounted attack is made. If thisFigure 40. Encircling force's use of a terrain obstacle.cannot be accomplished and time permits,the armored vehicles are movedas far forward as possible and a disessential.Two or three available ar-mounted attack is launched from thatmored vehicles must move forwardpoint. Time limitations may require aaggressively to fix the insurgent, even mounted assault without neutraliifthe remainder of the team is heldzation of the antiamor weapons. Inup by terrain or darkness. Judgment establishment of fire superiority,must be exercised, however, to avoidmaximum use is made of available airbeing led into a prepared ambush bycavalry, artillery, and close air supsimulatedenemy flight. If the leadingport. All units must be prepared tovehicles are caught in an ambush sit-continue the mounted attack and puruation,they should withdraw to oversuewatching positionsthe enemy.and maintain contactby observation and fire until the (3) Pursuit. In every possible instance,remainder of the force arrives.fleeing insurgent forces should be re-(2) Tactical insurgent forces in prepared lentlessly pursued and killed or capposition.When insurgent tactical tured. Since dispersing insurgent tacforcesare defending from preparedtical forces usually use preplannedpositions, the armor commander mustroutes of withdrawal or simply scatinitiatethe normal troop leading ter to predesignated rallying points,procedures of reconnaissance, esti- pursuit must be undertaken immemateof the situation, and orders. Hediately both on the ground and in theis assisted in this sequence by his mo-air. Riflemen are necessary to conductbility, armor protection, and com- the ground pursuit. Armored vehicles233