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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMfixed beams since the enemy, whilealternating periods of light and darkavoidingdirect illumination, may at-ness obtained by flicker illuminationtempt to use the low-level illumi- serve to confuse the enemy.nation on the edge of the beam to as- (8) Areas or points of illumination willsist his advance. The enemy, be picked at the maximum range ofattempting to avoid illumination, maythe light, and guns and lights will bebe canalized into selected areas bestprelaid on these target areas. Whensuited to defense by our forces or intoblocking positions are within illumiambushesor minefields.nation range of each other, coordi-(5) Effective fire may be obtained by hav- nation in the use of tank-mounteding one tank engage the target withsearchlights will be established. Theits searchlight while another tank en-searchlights of one position can assistgages the target with the main gun oradjacent blocking positions by illumimachinegun.The firing and illumi-nating areas between positions of thenating roles will be exchanged fre- flank of an attacking force (fig. 90).quently to decrease exposure of the il- (9) Until the entire defensive postion isluminating tanks to counterfire.committed to action, the minimum(6) Tank-mounted searchlights, as part of number of lights necessary to accomtheillumination plan, are integratedplish the defense mission will be usedinto the coordinated fire plan to ob-to prevent disclosure of the size of thetain maximum effectiveness of fires.defensive force.(7) Steady illumination is to be avoided (10) Flexibility in the defense is assistedsince it permits the enemy to adjustby placing tank-mounted searchlightsfires against the tank positions. Thein position to support friendly coun-Figure 90.Tank searchlights illuminating area between blocking positions.360