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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM(a) If the enemy observer is some dis-enemy situation permit, searchlighttance (1,500 meters) from the tanks should advance by bounds. Illufriendlyvisible light source, posi-mination should be accomplished whiletion the light so that the observer is tanks are stationary; searchlightsgenerally in the center of the beam;should be extinguished when tanks arethe friendly approaching elementsmoving.should then remain on either side, b. Employment in the Offense. Tank-mountoutsidethe beam's edge.ed searchlights are best employed in the in-(b) If the enemy observer is relatively frared mode for security and visible illumicloseto the friendly visible light nation should be used only when necessary.source (700 meters), then position They are employed in the following roles:the light beam so that he must look (1) In the initiation and the continuationthrough or across it. The friendlyof an exploitation or pursuit.approaching element should remainbeyond the far edge of the beam(2) In a night attack against a hastily or-ganized position.away from the enemy (fig. 87).(3)Itisaway fromf tohe enemy (fig. sea(3) 87).In a night penetration, as part of the(3) It is difficult to maintain searchlightse, to conceal the moveontargets while searchlight tanks arement of accompanying tanks and inmovingover rough terrain. At thesame time, tank-mounted, searchlightsfantry in the cloak of darkness beaccompanyinga maneuvering forcetween the visible light beam and themay disclose the direction of attack ifobjective. The IR mode provides consearchlightsare left on continuously.cealment only against observers usingTherefore, whenever the terrain and IR viewing devices (fig. 87).V '> rs4A'4Y"/-::;