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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMAPPENDIX XVIIIMINE WARFARE1. Minefield 2. Minefield Employment PlanningMines are among the best of artificial obsta- A commander desiring to use mines evalucles-theyare portable, installed and ates their employment by considering the faccamouflagedeasily and constitute a great haz- tors of METTardto the enemy; however, large scale employ- a. Mission. The tactical plan of operationsment of mines requires considerable time, man- will determine the type of minefield used, itspower, and logistical effort. They delay and size, mine density, location, and extent of safecanalize enemy movement and can lower the gaps and lanes.will of enemy soldiers to fight by the fear ofcasualties they produce. They can be used to (1) Size. When plans envision early atsupportall types of combat operations. Oncetack, a minimum effective field is inlaid,mines remain a hazard to both the enemyand to friendly forces until neutralized. Thestalled. If a prolonged defense is con-templated, the minefield should bemine warfare policy at each echelon must beconsistent with the overall concept of operaplannedwith increased densities anddepth to provide maximum effectivetions,including future plans. Commandersness.may restrict the employment of mines by con- (2) Location. To be most effective, atrolling or revoking authority to employ andminefield should be anchored to natprohibitingcertain types or use in specified ural or artificial obstacles. On aareas. Restrictions on authority and the delegationof authority are mandatory so thatshort-term basis, minefields should besited in likely avenues of enemy apsmallerunits do not engage in mine warfareproach. For prolonged defense, fieldswithout the knowledge of a commander respon-should be located to permit later exsiblefor maneuver in the area. Subordinatepansion. They must require more timecommanders should be permitted to use mineand be more hazardous to breach thanwarfare to achieve economy of force, strength-to flank. Minefields may be skillfullyen the battle position, and delay or disrupt theused to mass targets for artillery andenemy unless cogent reasons for restrictionsantitank weapons and to canalize anexist. Unduly restricting a subordinate com-attacking force into a small area covmander'suse of mines against an enemy whoered by massed fires. On a largeremploys mines effectively may adversely affectscale, minefields may be laid in pattheunit's ability to perform its mission. Conversely,failure to impose proper restrictionsforemost field will be contained bymay jeopardize future operations. In internalforemost field will be contained bydefense operations, the effect that minefieldssubsequentgaps can thenfields.beCarefullyused as counteratwillhave on the local population and the over-concealedall mission of winning the support of the peo-tac routes.ple must be considered. For iniforination on the (3) Lanes and gaps. Minefield lanes andemployment of lan'd mines, see FM 20-32 andgaps must be left to allow the unitFM 31-10. protecting the field, and adjacent369