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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMpressure forces use all action other f(4) above. Village search teamsthan encirclements in order to denyshould be supported by PSYOP, militheinsurgent the opportunity to reor- tary civic action, and intelligence inganizehis forces or reconstitute his terrogation teams. Figure 42 illusdefenses.Encircling forces, employ-trates a technique of encirclementing all available means of mobility, that may be used when sections of aconduct local encirclements to cut offvillage are dispersed. If the village isand destroy insurgent tactical forceelements.defended from prepared positions, seeg(2) above and n below.h. Search and Clear. This type of operation (3) The third step is to search the village.combines the movement to contact with attack (a) Once the village has been seized,and search techniques to cover an assignedunit search of assigned areas iszone in which all insurgent forces must be cap-immediately initiated.tured or destroyed by offensive action. Armor (b) One system of search is the fireteams or task forces for this mission should be team (half squad) concept. Thisprovided with sufficient infantry to permitsystem provides for a systematiceffective dismounted search of villages, woods,search of each house and the entireand other likely enemy hiding places in thearea. Points in the village are notarea of operation. Tank and scout elements ofseized but the search begins at onethe team or task force are normally used toend of the village and moves commovethrough or around suspected insurgentpletely through it.areas and to establish blocking positions while (c) The village is divided in lanes ora detailed search of the area is conducted by dis- sectors The size of the lane or secmountedriflemen. During the search, tanksand armored personnel carriers are used tooneonerifleriflesquad.squad.TheThelargerlargerthetheviloverwatchthe riflemen and to complete the en-lage, the more rifle squads required.vil-circlement of the area. Techniques for villageRifle squads operate in the followsearchand seize are as follows:(1) The first step is to isolate the village 1. 1. One One fire fire team team takes takes up up a fire fire positoprevent the enemy from leaving bytion while the other fire team isvarious escape routes prior to the sei- dispatched to search housezure of the village. The isolation number 1. The fire team in firingphase is in the form of an encircle-position is prepared to fire onment. Characteristics of the isolationhouse number I or other housesphase areifnecessary. The fire team con-(a) The operation is launched from aducting the search makes use ofclandestine base or assembly area,any cover available so as to beby a quick thrust from an opera-masked from insurgent fire thattional base, from an approach may tome from other houses.march, or from helicopters.2. When house number 1 has been(b) Surprise is absolutely essential.searched, the fire team providing(c) Release points are used for control cover moves to search houseand no movement is made into thenumber 2 while the other firelink of encirclement until all encir-team provides support. After thecling units are in position at theirsecond house has been searched,release points.each house is searched in turn.(2) The second step is to complete the en- One fire team does the searchingcirclement. Under certain situationswhile the other fire team proandin coordination with search activ-vides necessary support.ities, the encirclement may be con-3. During the search, it is essentialtracted or subdivided as discussed inthat one squad does not get for-235