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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMb. Morale of troops, both friendly and en- 147. Planning the NightAttackemy, is highly sensitive to physical and psy- In general, planning for the night attack ischological factors. Troops trained and condi- similar to that of a daylight attack. However,tioned in night operations can use thesepsychological factors to their advantage.plans for the night attack are in greater detailwith stringent control measures to insure coorc.Darkness increases difficulty of move- dination within and between attacking andment, maintenance of direction, and control. supporting elements. Subsequent paragraphsThe time required to execute movement and will discuss areas that require emphasis inemplace weapons is greater at night than in planning offensive operations at night or underdaylight. Simple schemes of maneuver with conditions of reduced visibility. Appendix XVwell-defined objectives and routes simplify con- contains techniques for night operations.trol. Leaders must be well forward in attacka.ing echelons. Full use is made of navigational General. The commander's decision toconduct a night attack must be disseminated toaids to assist in the maintenance of direction. subordinate leaders in time to provide them and. Subordinate commanders should have opportunity for reconnaissance, detailed planadequatetime for reconnaissance. They should ning, and coordination. The amount of planbeable to observe, during daylight, terrainover which their units will move in order to fixning will depend on the time available, espe-cially when armor units are continuing aterrain features which will aid maintenance of daylight attack into the night. The commanderdirection.must consider the inherent risks in such an ate.Coordination of nuclear fires with maneu- tack. Nevertheless, attacks in progress are notver at night is difficult. Darkness increases discontinued merely because of nightfall. Britroopsafety considerations because of degra- gades and subordinate units in the attackingdation of night vision. Obstacles created by nu- echelon plan to continue the attack through theclear fires are difficult to traverse at night and night unless ordered otherwise.these fires may destroy landmarks which wereto be used as control measures.b. Reconnaissance. A detailed day and nightreconnaissance should be made of the route off. Enemy use of nuclear weapons may affect reconnaissance should be made of the route ofthe vision of attacking or defending troops, march, attack position, positions for searchcausingthem to be temporarily less effective. lights, and platoon points of departure. Day-Fires created by nuclear or conventional weaponsmay assist in identification of objectiveslight reconnaissance of terrain not held byfriendly troops may be accomplished from airandmaintaining direction but may also sil- craft and from vantage points controlled byhouette forces of either side.friendly units. Reconnaissance should be cong.The paramount consideration is that the ducted to platoon level as a minimum andattacking troops be as familiar as possible with lower if time permits. When a passage of linesthe terrain over which they will attack. It is is required, the reconnaissance should be condesirableto employ troops in night operations ducted jointly with the units in contact. Itthat have not been engaged in fighting all day.Troops become fatigued more easily in nightshould include as a minimum location andidentification of guides from units in contact,combat due to the added physical and psy- routes through friendly positions, and knownchological stress and strain.minefields and obstacles. Air photographs ofh. During night operations, the effectiveness the area over which the attack is to be conductofarmor is increased by the use of illumi- ed should be obtained and distributed at leastnation, including tank-mounted infrared de- down to company level. It may be necessary tovices and searchlights. Illumination also aids send out patrols to obtain detailed informationthe adjustment of artillery fire.of the terrain and of the location and strengthi. Illumination by diffuse lighting in rear of enemy security elements. Every effort isareas assists in troop movements, logistical made to locate enemy minefields and plans areoperations, and the operation of supporting made to breach these and other obstacles beweapons.fore the attack.84