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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMareas into which the enemy must be taken under fire by the security forces whocanalized before being attacked by warn, deceive, and execute maximum delay,the reserve or nuclear fires.within their capabilities, without becoming en-(2) When disseminated to the commander gaged decisively. They attempt to inflict maxiofthe reserve, the division counterat- mum casualties on the advancing enemy andtack plans will include-force him to deploy. As a means of collecting(a) Assumptions of the status and loca- information, elements of the security forcetion of both friendly and enemy may remain in the area after passage of theforces.enemy.(b) Control measures.c. The attacker's strength and dispositions(c) Organization for combat.during the engagement with the security forces(d) Missions for brigades and other may favor action by the reserve forward of theunits subordinate to the division. FEBA to destroy him. The commander must(e) Plans for fire support.weigh carefully the risks in terms of their(3) Based on the division counterattack effects on the accomplishment of the mission.plan, the commander of the reserveplan, the commander of the reserve d. A tank sweep to disrupt the enemy attackprepares and disseminates. detailedplans to subordinates. The sequenceduring its formative stages should be consid-ered. The decision to commit such a force mustof work is in accordance with the be carefully considered against the possiblepriority established by the com- piecemeal loss of the strength of the commandmander conducting uponthe mobile aie- to the detriment of the overall mission.fense. Depending upon the time available,detailed reconnaissance is e. As the security forces withdraw throughaccomplished by all commanders, and the fixing forces, the attacker is taken underrehearsals are conducted. Fire plans fire by all weapons within effective range. Theare prepared to support each counter- fixing forces accomplish their mission by aattack plan.combination of holding ground and a delaying(4) Counterattack plans employ the prin- action extending over considerable depth. Asciples of the offense (chap 6) and are the attack develops, commanders are able todesigned to strike the enemy forward judge the degree to which specific terrain feaof,within, or in the rear of the for- tures must be held. Forces and fires not affectwarddefensive area.ed by the attack may be shifted to concentrate(5) Counterattack plans must be flexible against the enemy. Forces may occupy blockingto meet the actual situation, The actu- positions in company team to battalion taskal counterattack will probably be a force strength to force the enemy to mass orvariation of one of the counterattack become canalized. Normally these positions areplans. Particular consideration must held only long enough to contribute to the overbegiven to multiple penetrations to all plan. When required, elements of the fixingavoid piecemeal commitment of the forces may be given the mission of occupyingreserve. See FM 17-30.blocking positions to be defended at all costs.This action should be taken only when specific173. Conduct of the Mobile Defense terrain must be held to permit success of thea. The mobile defense is conducted as a re- overall plan of defense. Forces in the fixingsilient opposition to enemy attack. Minimum force may be employed in limited offensive acforcesare used within their capabilities to gain tion when opportunities occur to inflict damageinformation, delay, disorganize, divert, and on the enemy.otherwise weaken the attack in preparation for f. The decision as to when and where toa counterattack by the bulk of the command to launch the counterattack by the reserve isdestroy the enemy.made by the commander of the overall defenseb. Unless surprise offers a great opportunity (normally the division or higher commander).for success, the enemy is taken under fire as It is advantageous to launch the counterattackearly as possible. As the enemy advances, he is when the enemy attack has been slowed,98