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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMtion of firing position and displace- (a) One of the armored cavalry platoonment are as follows:leaders is designated as platoon(a) In a fast-moving situation, whereleader. He uses one of the squadthe enemy resistance is light, theleaders as platoon sergeant, one assupport squad will move at the rearcomputer, and the third as gunneryof the platoon formation. It mustsergeant.be far enough to the rear of the (b) The senior, or best qualified, squadformation so that the minimumleader is designated to command therange of the weapon will not createplatoon. He uses one squad leadera problem when it moves into firingas computer and the other as gunposition.nery sergeant.(b) When the enemy situation is such (3) Observation. The forward observatorsthat the squad will be in position tofire, selection of the position willwill normally be the scouts and otherindividuals in the troop who can obfollowthe characteristics outlinedserve suitable targets.in FM 17-15. In selecting these (4) Communication. Radio is the primaryfiring positions and in planning formeans of communication. The providisplacement,consideration shouldsional platoon is on the troop combegiven to keeping the squad posi-mand net for fire control.tioned so that the majority of firemissions will not be beyond the mid- d. Defense and Retrograde.range of the mortar.(1) General. During defensive and retro-(3) The support squad does not have the grade operations, the support squad iscapability of providing for its own lo- employed in a manner similar tocal security and firing in support ofoffensive operations. The squad is inthe platoon. Security is gained as fol-general support of its parent platoonlows:or is formed into a provisional platoonunder troop control, along with(a) The area the squad is to occupy willthe support squads from the otherhave been cleared of the enemy byleading elements of the platoon asplatoons. The factors of METT deter-mine which method best accomplishesit advances.the fire support mission.(b) When the platoon is the advanceguard for the troop, security isgained by the close proximity of (a) General support of parent platoon.following troop elements as well asWhen the squad is employed in gen-(a) above.eral support of its parent platoon,it occupies a firing position as closec. Profvisi~onal Platoon. to its platoon as minimum range(1) General. When the area of operations and the enemy situation permit.for the armored cavalry troop is such Concentrations are planned tothat the support squads can becover the known and suspectedbrought together into a provisionalareas, and a barrage is planned forplatoon, they will follow the tacticsan area that cannot be covered byand techniques outlined in FM 17-15fiat-trajectory fire. The firing posiandFM 23-92.tion-(2) Control. Although the troop com- 1. Must provide maximum coveragemander will control the provisionalof the pront and flanks of the plaplatoon,a control headquarters is toon position.provided in the platoon. Following2. Should be in defilade and allow forare techniques that may be employed:mask and overhead clearance.341