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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM76or immediately in rear of exploiting (6) Meeting engagements may occur freforces.quently in the exploitation. For a dis-(6) Reconnaissance efforts are intensified. cussion of the considerations and con-The rapid gathering of informationduct of meeting engagements, seeon enemy activities and strength cou- paragraphs 139 through 141.pled with information of the terrain (7) Following and supporting units norassistthe commander in making de-mally follow armor units in the excisionsinvolving the bypass or changesploitation to relieve them of time-coninthe scheme of maneuver. suming tasks that dissipate thed. Conduct of the Exploitation. combat power of exploiting forces.(1) Exploiting forces advance rapidly ona broad front. Only the reserves(8) As enemy demoralization begins andenemy forces disintegrate under presnecessaryto insure flexibility, and essentialsecurity are retained,sure, exploitation may develop intopursuit.(2) Once the exploitation is begun, it is e. Considerations of the Pursuit.carried relentlessly to the objective (1) Armor units participate in the purdeepin the enemy rear to cut his linessuit byofcommunication and disrupt his (a) Maintaining direct pressure on thecommand and control.withdrawing enemy by a maneuver(3) Maximum use should be made of aircavalry to increase the reconnaissanceforce that seeks to engage the with-drawing enemy's main body. Thisand security of the exploiting force.Airmobile fires may be used to assistdirect pressure force attacks constantlyto overcome or bypass thein seizing terrain that becomes key toenemy's rear guard.the tactical success of the exploiting (b) Intercepting and destroying theforce.main enemy force by a highly mo-(4) Enemy forces encountered are not en- bile encircling force that seeks togaged unless they can interfere withthe accomplishment of the mission.get in rear of the enemy force toblock his withdrawal. Once this isBased on the factors of METT, infor- accomplished, the enemy is demationgained from efforts to developthe enemy situation and the determistroyedbetween the direct pressureforce and the encircling force. Ifnation of suitable bypass routes, thethe encircling force cannot outdiscommandermay attack, block, or bypassthe enemy. If his decision is totance the enemy, it attacks theflank of the enemy main body.bypass, he must determine the possi- (2) Successful pursuit requires unrelentbleimpact the bypassed enemy forceing pressure against the enemy tomay have on his mission and the mis-prevent reorganization and preparasionof the larger force. If the enemytion of defenses. Commanders mayforce can hinder movement duringtake greater risks to achieve decisivethe bypass, a force may be employedresults. In the interest of the trementoblock the enemy. Armored or aircavalry elements or other aircraftdous gains at stake, troops and equip-ment are pushed to the limit of theirmay be used to facilitate movementendurance.around an enemy force. For techniquesof the bypass, see paragraphs(3) Destruction of the enemy force is theprimary objective of the pursuit.142 through 144. (4) Adequate preparation is made for lo-(5) Commanders use all means and weap- gistical support. Class III consumponsto overrun enemy forces that can-tion is particularly high. Air transnotbe bypassed. portation may be used for rapid