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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMSection III.ARMORED CAVALRY OPERATIONS14. General should be used to extend observationThe basic principles set forth in this appen- out to ranges commensurate withdix for the employment of the Davy Crockettthose of the weapons system.and in FM 17-15 for the employment of theheavy mortar are applicable to armored caval- 16. SupportSquadry units. This section prescribes techniques pe- a. Offense General.culiar to armored cavalry operations.(1) The support squad, armored cavalryplatoon, can be employed in two basic15. Davy Crockett waysa.General. The Davy Crockett section is em- (a) Normally in support of the parentployed in general support. However, squads areplatoon.normally placed in support of troops of thesquadron because of the extended operational (b) Infrequently, as a provisional pladistances.b. Support of Different Operations. Para- (2) When employed as a provisional plagraphs9 through 13, this appendix, are appli-toon, it is under control of the troopcable to the Davy Crockett section in supportcommander and supports the entireof economy of force offensive, defensive, andtroop.retrograde operations by an armored cavalry (3) Regardless of the method used, thesquadron.squad must be constantly ready toc. Reconnaissance Operations. Davy Crock- provide timely and accurate fire supettweapons are used in reconnaissance opera-port.tions when fires from artillery, mortars, and b. General Supportof the Parent Platoon.tank guns are not sufficient. When firepower of (1) The platoon leader will control thethe magnitude inherent in Davy Crockett support squad by designating its iniweaponsis required in the accomplishment oftial position or its place in formation,the squadron or troop missions, fires are deliv-target areas, and displacement ineredemploying techniques described for thestructions in his operation order.engagement of targets of opportunity (paraAfter the operation begins, he will13 and 14, this appendix). control the squad by radio. The squadd. Security Operations. leader must monitor the platoon net(1) The Davy Crockett section supports constantly to stay abreast of the situitsparent squadron in the conduct ofation. From these information resecurityoperations by applying theports, he must be able to anticipateprinciples and techniques prescribedthe fire requests he wil receive andin paragraphs 9 through 13, this ap-position his squad to support the plapendix,and in FM 23-20.toon. This will relieve the platoonleader of constant supervision of the(2) Davy Crockett squads will usually be squad, but the squad does not fire aplaced in support of armored cavalrymission without the knowledge of thetroops. Fires are planned to supportplatoon leader. The support squaddefense of blocking positions and lim-leader must keep the platoon leaderited offensive action of the securityinformed of the squad situation to inforces.Targets of opportunity are en-clude position, displacement requiregagedas they are detected to preventments, ammunition status, POL retheenemy from reaching positions soquirement, and capability to supportclose to friendly elements that troopsafety considerations preclude firingof concentrations. Air observers (2) The two primary techniques of selec-340