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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMd. Mobile forces are required to develop the c. Actions of the Blocking Force.situation rapidly and aggressively and to locate (1) Normally the blocking force will enpossiblebypass routes.gage the enemy until the maneuvere.The availability of follow-and-support ing elements have completed their byforcesmay influence the commander's decisionpass and then disengages from theto bypass an enemy force.enemy to rejoin the maneuver units.The blocking force normally employsdefensive, delaying, and limited offena.Developing the Situation. When enemy sive actions in this type operation.contact is made, engaged friendly forces deploy,develop the enemy situation (location,strength, composition, and disposition), choosepass may direct the blocking force toa course of action, and report to higher headquarters.Concurrently with actions to developenemy until relieved by follow-andsupportforces. This may require thethe situation, reconnaissance is conducted to lo-support forces. Thos may require thcate possible bypass routes. If available, ar-blocking force to be reinforced withmored cavalry, air cavalry, or other aircraftcombat support elements since a combinationmay be employed to facilitate the reconnais-binatonofofoffensive,offensive, defensive, and andsance of enemy positions and possible bypassdelaying actions are employed to ac-~~~~~~routes.~ ~complish~ this mission. The blockingforce commander coordinates withb. Techniques of the Bypass. One or both of the follow-and-support force comthefollowing techniques may be employed:mander as early as possible and pro-(1) Block the enemy by fire and bypass vides him with all available informawiththe maneuver elements.tion about the enemy and terrain.(2) Block the enemy with part of the ma- Concurrently with this action, theneuver elements and bypass with theblocking force commander plans tobalance of the force (fig. 7).rejoin the main force.Section IX.NIGHT ATTACKS145. General require the use of special techniques of nighta. Night combat is an integral part of all ar- attack operations. These periods of reducedmor operations. Night attacks and night opera- visibility should be taken advantage of to contionsoffer excellent opportunities for achieving duct offensive operations.deception and surprise. e. The fundamentals involved in nightb. Night combat that achieves surprise may operations are the same as those in daylightoffer opportunities for success when daylight operations; however, techniques may vary. Foroperations are impractical. This is especially example, more control measures may be placedtrue when friendly forces lack air superiority. upon units during night operations than dur-Continuous pressure applied day and night, ing daylight operations.particularly against a weakening enemy, has- f. Battlefield illumination and surveillancetens decision. Relentless exploitation around equipment increase the efficiency of units opertheclock denies the enemy time for regaining ating at night and facilitate the employment ofhis composure and speeds his destruction. supporting fires.c. Troop movements, concentration of forcesbefore the attack, and the conduct of the attack 146. Basic Considerations of Night Attackmay result in minimum risk to friendly forces a. Night combat is characterized by a deandfewer casualties.crease in the range of aimed fires and a corred.Operations in smoke, fog, haze, falling sponding increase in area type fires and closesnow, and other conditions of reduced visibility supporting fires by direct fire weapons.82