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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMCHAPTER 2FUNDAMENTALS OF ARMORSection 1. PRINCIPLES OF WAR14. General vision objective. The objective or goal of a militaryforce is expressed, in general terms, as aa. The principles of war govern the conduct mission. Success in combat operations is measofall military operations. They represent the ured by the accomplishment of the mission.major factors essential to the successful con- b. The Offensive. By the offensive the comductof war.mander can impose his will on the enemy, setb. A successful commander applies the prin- the pace and course of battle, exploit enemyciples to specific situations. He knows when to weaknesses, and meet unexpected contingenemphasizeone at the expense of others. In cies. Even in the defense the commander mustsome instances a commander may elect not to be alert to regain the initiative by offensiveapply a given principle. If he does so with the counteractions. Aggressiveness, flexibility ofknowledge that he is doing it and if the failure mind, and the ability to make rapid, reasonedto apply the principle works to his ultimate ad- decisions are required to apply fully the princivantage,he has not violated the principle. The pie of the offensive. In defense, the armor comcommanderuses the principles of war during mander can often best accomplish his missionhis estimate of the situation. In formulating by offensive action.courses of action, he must consider and com- c. Simplicity. Simplicity demands that depareeach course developed in light of the prin- tailed, simple plans be adopted in every miliciples.Thus, the commander's decision is a re- tary operation. It is, of course, a relative termsuit of the direct application of the principles because all actions in war are essentially comofwar. Appendix VIII provides an example of plex. Simplicity is especially important on thethe commander's application of the principles nuclear battlefield, where the full use of availaofwar in a specific situation.ble means will require close control and coordinationand where plans must be as simple as15. Application the situation will permit. Detailed, simplea. The Objective. The objective of a military plans lead to coordinated, timely execution.force is to accomplish the goal or aim for d. Unity of Command. Unity of command iswhich the force was constituted. This principle the establishment of a single authority. This isis overriding and is always applicable to any the best means to insure unity of effort, whichoperation, at any level of command. The objec- implies a singleness of purpose and cooperationtive of a force can be stated in broad or precise by all elements of the command.terms depending upon the nature of the goal. e. Mass. Mass demands that superiority ofEach element of an armor unit contributes to combat power be attained at the critical timethe attainment of the objective of the larger and place for a decisive purpose. This superiorunitof which it is a part. For example, when ity is both qualitative and quantitative. Comtheobjective of a division has been defined, all bat power is primarily a combination of fireelementsof the division must be assigned ob- power and maneuver, which is applied at thejectives that assist in the attainment of the di- right place and time for a decisive purpose.6