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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMAPPENDIX XIXOBSTACLE PLANNING AND EMPLOYMENT1. General constructed to stop or impede mili-A well-constructed obstacle is designed totary movement. Under conditions ofimpede the enemy. A coordinated series of ob-chemical operations, artificial obstastaclesare positioned and constructed to halt,cles may include roadblocks that havecanalize, restrict, or delay an advancing force. been contaminated with chemicalThis coordinated series of obstacles may con-agents and minefields that containstitute a barrier. A barrier plan is normally apart of an operations order at brigade or b. Commanders use natural obstacles, usualhigher.It may be initiated by fragmentary ly strengthened by artificial obstacles, in theorders or sketches and implemented at battal- organization of the ground. The authority toion task force level, or below, whenever the supplement natural obstacles with artificialtactical situation warrants. Front line com- ones is delegated to the lowest level consistentpanies may automatically lay protective mine- with the need for the obstacles being employed.fields using their basic load of mines. This For example, the company team must have theis not to be construed as being the sole obstacle authority to construct obstacles that will augeffortof these companies as there are many ment their close-in protection against armortypes of obstacles that a company team or pla- and personnel. The type of obstacles that maytoon can employ. Employment of all types of be employed are antipersonnel mines to coverobstacles, both natural and artificial, must be avenues of approach, placement of explosiveconsidered in any tactical situation. For a de- charges on trees to be felled as roadblocks, protaileddiscussion of obstacles and barrier plan- tective minefields using easy-to-detect antitankning, see FM 31-10. See example obstacle plan and antipersonnel mines, and wire entangleatthe end of this appendix. ments. Flares should be used in conjunctionwith obstacles to warn of enemy activity for-2. Obstacles ward of the obstacles during darkness. The developmenta. An obstacle is any obstruction that restricts,of an extensive system of coordia.delays, diverts, or stops movement. Ob- nated obstacles of major tactical significancestacles are of two general categories-naturaland artificial.c. The following reports pertaining to obsta-(1) Natural obstacles are natural terrain les are requiredfeatures such as steep slopes, rivers, (1) Report of intention. When a comgulches,or soil conditions. They maymander intends to install an obstacle,be manmade objects such as canals,the type, location, and estimated timeembankments, and built-up areas notof completion are reported to the nextoriginally erected to serve as obsta-higher headquarters. Work may startcles.immediately following the submitting(2) Artificial obstacles such as demolished of this report. The higher combridges,roadblocks, minefields, or mander's silence in response indicatesdam destruction to cause flooding arehis approval for installation.379