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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMunits, regardless of their size, are responsible of risk in accepting a lesser dispersion is secfortheir own security.ondary. A force that disperses laterally ratherc. All-Round Defense. Although the defense than in depth, risks isolation of its separateis designed primarily to combat an enemy at- forward combat units, subsequent penetrationtack along the most probable avenues of ap- by frontal attack, and defeat in detail. Disperproach,the enemy may attack from a direction sion in depth is preferable to purely lateralother than expected or considered likely. Also, formations since it avoids frontages that overtheenemy may attack the rear by envelopment extend the defender, provides a larger percentorlarge-scale guerrilla action. The defending age of a given force as a reserve, avoids lateralunit must be capable of meeting an attack movements in the face of an enemy attack, perfromany direction. It must not permit the en- mits detection and destruction of infiltrators,emy to gain a decisive advantage by surprise and provides a better posture from which toas to the direction or location of the attack. launch offensive operations.The defender prepares for all-round defense by g. Maximum Use of Offensive Action. In thethe careful initial disposition of forces and by defense, every opportunity is taken to wrestthe planned redisposition of troops and shift- the initiative from the enemy and to destroying of fires to meet contingencies.him. The defender must be prepared to takeoffensive action whenever the opportunityd. Defense in Depth. Adequate depth to the presents itself. The counterattack or spoilingdefense is essential. It must be expected that a attack is often the key to success in the destrongattack, particularly if supported by nu- fense.clear weapons, will permit the enemy to ad- h. Integration and Coordination of Defenvancesome distance in the defense area. There sive Measures. The overall defense plan inmustbe sufficient depth to the defense to con- volves the careful integration and coordinationtain or canalize the enemy and to permit execu- of all defensive measures. Special attentiontion of counterattacks. Shallow defenses are in- must be given to antitank defenses when theherently vulnerable because the enemy may enemy possesses modern mechanized forces.breach them before he can be contained or (1) Fire planning is conducted and cooreffectivecounteraction taken. Depth to the de-dinated at all levels. Fire planningfense is achieved by proper deployment ofmust provide for continuous fire supforces,selection and preparation of blockingport to the forces in the security area,positions in depth, maneuver of forward ele-forward defense area, and reservements to supplementary positions as necessary,and use of mobile reserves in any part of thegaps and cover barriers.defensive area.(2) When time permits, natural obstaclese. Responsiveness. The success of the defen- are supplemented by minefields andsive battle will, as in the offense, depend uponother artificial obstacles to form effectheapplication of superior combat power attive barriers. Such barriers are dethedecisive time and place. Both maneuver signed to restrict the movement of theunits and fire support elements must be respon- enemy without restricting thesive to the commander's needs if this superiori-planned maneuver of our own forces.ty is to be gained at the proper time and place.For a detailed discussion on barrierf. Dispersion. In a nuclear situation, disper- planning, see appendixes XVIII andsion is an important consideration in organiz-XIX.ing the defense to limit or minimize vulnerabil- (3) Mutual support is provided betweenity to nuclear attack. The need for maximumunits by fire or movement, or both,dispersion must be balanced against certainand coordinated and incorporated intooperational requirements for concentration the overall plan of defense.that may be necessary to accomplish the mis- (4) All surveillance means are coordision.For example, the retention of specific ter-nated closely and incorporated intorain may oppose maximum dispersion. In suchthe overall plan of defense. See apcasesthe mission is paramount, and the degreependix XXI for employment of radar.89