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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMSection VII.MEETING ENGAGEMENT139. General c. The character of the battle is such thata. A meeting engagement is the combat actionthat occurs when a moving force, incom- quickly develop the situation. Frequently,the commander must use bold initiative topletely deployed for battle, engages a moving aggressive action must be initiated despite theor static enemy force about which it has little vagueness and uncertainty of the situation.or no intelligence. The action ceases to be a Mobile forces are required to develop the situameetingengagement when the enemy situation tion rapidly and aggressively to seize an initialhas been developed and subsequent operations tactical advantage.are undertaken for the specific situation at d. Success in the meeting engagement rehand.quires that the enemy be kept off balance byb. Meeting engagements are characterized offensive actions. Proper balance must be reby-tained by the attacker to rapidly follow up thegains of initial actions. Accomplishment of this(1) Limited knowledge of the enemy. complex goal depends largely upon aggressive(2) Minimum time available to the com- reconnaissance and rapid commitment ofmander to develop the situation, for- forces from the march formation in a coordimulateplans, and execute them. nated effort.(3) Rapidly changing situations. e. The tempo and speed of this fight dictatesc. Under the conditions of highly mobile that the commander take personal control withwarfare, with combat units dispersed laterally minimum reliance on written or formal inandin depth, meeting engagements may occur structions through normal staff channels. Hisfrequently at brigade and lower echelons of decision should be based on firsthand knowlcommand.In the attack, armor forces may en- edge and, if practicable, on personal reconnaiscounterenemy units in depth either in blockingpositions or on the move.sance. He should move quickly to the scene ofaction, make a rapid estimate of the situation,formulate a simple plan, and issue fragmen-140. Considerations tary orders.a. In each meeting engagement, the cornm- f. Speed and combat power are required inmander of the advancing force is normally con- this uncertain and vague situation. Whenfronted with three possible courses of action- friendly and enemy forces attack simultaneouslyfrom the march formation, fighting may(1) Attack (1) directly Attack from march forma-develop wherein the initiative of the engagedtion as rapidly as his units are availa- commanders; the experience of the troops; andble for employment.the fire and striking power, particularly of(2) Reconnoiter and block the enemy with tanks, will be decisive.forces in contact until other units can . Minimum control measures are used.be committed be committedin a coordinated effort,either offensively or defensively, asHowever, commanders at all levels must retaina firm hand on their units and not allow coortheybecome available.dination to be impaired by the necessity of(3) Attempt to break contact and bypass committing units rapidly or piecemeal. Lack ofthe enemy force.coordination may cause subordinate units tob. The paramount objective of the com- become engaged in actions that do not assistmander fighting a meeting engagement is to the force mission.gain and retain the initiative. In so doing hemay adopt one or a combination of the afore- 141. Conduct of the Meeting Engagementmentioned courses of action that will contrib- a. The desired goal in the meeting engageutemost effectively to the accomplishment of ment is to strike the enemy force continuouslyhis mission. Without the initiative, he can only until he ceases to exist as a fighting entity. Thereact to the enemy's actions.armor commander must orient his forceso80