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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMDEFENSIVECHAPTER 7OPERATIONSSection I. GENERAL151. Purpose of Defense 153. Basic Consideration of DefensiveIn the defense armor units prevent, resist,Operationsrepulse, or destroy an enemy attack. The pur- The planning, organization, and conduct ofpose of the defense is to gain time pending the the defense are based on the following considdevelopmentof more favorable conditions for erationsundertaking the offensive; economize forces in a. Proper Use of Terrain. Terrain is a maonearea to concentrate superior forces for de- jor factor in the selection of the defensive areacisive offensive action elsewhere; destroy or and the location and distribution of defendingforces. The defender seeks to control key tertrapa hostile force; reduce the enemy capacity rain features essential to observation crain features essential to observation, comforoffensive action; or deny an enemy entry munication, and maneuver of reserves. Heinto an area.seeks to deny the enemy the use of terrain152. Doctrine of Defensewhich might jeopardize success of the defense.Advantage is taken of obstacles to strengthenThe doctrine of defense envisions the use of the position or to divert the enemy into areassecurity forces to provide early warning to de- suitable or counterattack. Obstacles in thearea have a strong bearing on the general detect,delay, deceive, and disorganize the enemy fensive scheme, including the distribution ofattack; forward defense forces to organize the forces and positioning of the reserves. An evalforwarddefense area to repel the attacker and uation of the enemy avenues of approach indevelop the situation; and a reserve force to conjunction with key terrain features serves aseject or destroy the attack by offensive action. the basis for positioning troops, surveillanceThis doctrine also envisions capitalizing on mo- means, and fire. In an analysis of terrain, thebility, firepower, and offensive action to estab- following factors should be considered:lish a defense to retain the initiative, denying (1) Key terrain features.the attacker his decisive objectives without the (2) Observation and fields of fire.defender becoming fixed and destroyed; and de- (3) Cover and concealment.stroying the enemy by fire and maneuver. (4) Obstacles.When the enemy possesses a modern mecha- (5)- Enemy avenues of approach.nized force, the forward defense force must b. Security. Precautions must be taken tocontain sufficient tanks and other antitank avoid tactical surprise by the enemy since theweapons that will enable them to repel the at- attacker normally retains the initiative as totacker or develop the situation whichever is de- the time, place, direction, and strength of thesired. The nature of the operation demands attack. Commanders provide for all-round seadequatespace for maneuver and a high de- curity to insure early warning and reliable ingreeof mobility.formation of approaching enemy forces. All88