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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMDIRECTIONENEMYNtte. Company organizes for all-round defense.Figure 10O.Diagram of a company assembly area.5. Security are placed to provide close-in protection anda. Security in assembly areas is obtained by warning of enemy approach. For discussion ontactical disposition of troops, concealment, use the employment of mines, see appendix XVIII.of natural and artificial obstacles, reconnais- e. Assembly areas, regardless of location,sance, and the establishment of blocking posi- must have adequate security against hostile airtions and local security. Local security meas- and ground attack, patrol activities, and guerures,including observation or listening posts, rilla forces.cover all key terrain features and likelyavenues of enemy approach.6. Communication and Liaisonb. The size and disposition of security ele- a. The signal communication system of anments depend upon the anticipated enemy ac- armor unit in a bivouac or assembly area contivityand the nature of the terrain. Blocking sists of messenger, wire, radio, and visualpositions and observation and listening posts means. Normally for security purposes, radiowill be strong enough to provide security. operation is minimized. Radio silence or listen-Since such duty is tiring and reduces the ing silence may be directed.subsequent combat efficiency of troops, the b. Wire lines are laid to units as necessary.combat power of the main body should not be c. Each company sends a liaison agent (mesdissipatedon unnecessarily large security de- senger) to the battalion command post. Thetachments. The basic consideration is that the battalion sends a liaison officer to the nextcommand must not be surprised.higher headquarters.c. When dividing the area among units ofthe force, the commander assigns boundaries 7. Logisticsbetween adjacent units and designates contact a. As a minimum, ammunition and fuel andpoints at which liaison is to be established andmaintained,lubricants are supplied. This supply must besupervised closely to insure that all vehiclesd. Protective minefields, when authorized, have prescribed and basic loads prior to com-411