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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM(d) Provide security by protecting the 119. Methods of Attackflanks and rear of a force.a. General. The maneuver force, composed(e) Reinforce the attack.of tanks and mechanized infantry, accom-(3) A tank company is an assault unit plishes its mission by closing with and destroyanddoes not normally constitute or ing the enemy. There are three general methdesignatea reserve. Every effort is ods of attack employed by the maneuver force.made by the tank company to destroy (1) The maneuver force attacks in a sintheenemy by employing all availablegle direction.combat power.(2) The maneuver force attacks in two or(4) Committing the reserve is a matter of more converging directions.reasoned judgment by the com- (3) Tanks of the maneuver force supportmander, based on his analysis of theby fire only.factors of METT.b. Maneuver Force Attack in a Single Direcb.Size of the Reserve. A deep objective, lim- tion. Using this method, the entire maneuverited knowledge of the enemy situation, availa- force closes on the enemy in a single direction.ble friendly combat power, or inability to visu- (1) Coordination. Because the force atalizethe attack or its conclusion requires thetacks in the same direction, coordiretentionof a stronger reserve than whennation and control of elements is lessthese conditions do not exist.difficult.c. Location and Movement of the Reserve. (2) Mutual support. Since all elements ofIn attacks by armor units, the reserve, whenthe force are together throughout thedesignated, is part of the maneuver force. Itattack, mutual support within the mamovesin the formation of the overall unit. Inneuver force is simplified.the formation, the reserve is positioned to- c. Maneuver Force Attacks in Two or More(1) Permit rapid movement to points of Converging Directions. Using this method, theprobable employment.maneuver force closes on the enemy from morethan one direction.(2) Provide security by its presence. (1) Surprise. An attack that converges ond. Nuclear Weapons. The commander nor- the enemy from more than one direcmallyholds a part of his nuclear weapons intion forces him to fight in more thanreserve.one direction simultaneously and maye. Establishment or Reconstitution of the achieve surprise.Reserve. When the commander has all maneu- (2) Coordination. When elements of thever units actively engaged, he should providemaneuver force are attacking overfor means by which he may influence the ac-different terrain with varying enemytion. He may either-resistance, the coordination and con-(1) Constitute forces for a reserve from trol necessary to insure a coordinatedother elements of the command.attack and simultaneous assault maybe difficult to achieve. Measures must(2) Determine which unit may be most be taken to prevent elements fromprofitably disengaged if an urgent re-firing into each other.quirement for a reserve arises, or(3) Mutual support. The separate direc-(3) Request additional means from tions used by the maneuver forcehigher headquarters.make mutual support between elementsof the force more difficult than118. Control Measures in the single-direction attack.In the attack, armor commanders impose d. Tanks of the Maneuver Force Support byupon subordinates only the controls necessary Fire Only. The only justification for this methtocoordinate maneuver and fires. For a discus- od of attack is under conditions where terrainsion of control measures, see appendix X. or enemy-emplaced obstacles prevent tanks68