regiment armored cavalry squadron armored cavalry troop and platoon

37 Pages·2009·15.74 MB·English

C2, FM 17-95
REGIMENT ARMORED CAVALRY
SQUADRON
The regiment does not normally conduct
a route reconnaissance. Usually, the regi- The armored cavalry squadron does not
ment obtains route information as part of normally conduct a route reconnaissance.
another operation. When directed to obtain Usually, the squadron obtains route informa-
route information or when assigned a tion as part of a zone reconnaissance or by
mission implying route reconnaissance, a assigning the mission to a troop. Only one
regiment: major route should be assigned a troop when
enemy contact is expected. If time is essen-
* Designates route(s) of interest. tial and the route and surrounding area is
relatively open, such as in a desert or great
* Assigns a mission(s) to a squadron(s)
plains area, the divisional squadron may
and/or the air cavalry troop.
assign a route reconnaissance to the air
* Should not assign a squadron more cavalry troop. A discussion of route recon-
than three major routes if enemy naissance by an air cavalry troop begins on
contact is expected. page 5-45. A discussion of techniques of route
reconnaissance by an armored cavalry troop
If speed is essential and terrain is
begins on page 5-18.
relatively open, such as in a desert or great
plains area, the air cavalry troop may be
assigned a route reconnaissance mission. ARMORED CAVALRY
Normally, the reconnaissance is completed TROOP AND PLATOON
most rapidly if air and armored cavalry
elements are used together. This can be done
by:
When enemy contact is expected, a troop
should be assigned only one major route. If
* Using the air cavalry troop under
enemy contact is unlikely, a troop can
regimental control to reconnoiter to
reconnoiter three routes. Adjacent terrain
the front and flanks of armored
dominating the route, woods, towns and
cavalry.
lateral routes from which the enemy could
* Assigning the air cavalry troop the place direct fire or attack friendly forces on
mission and reinforcing it with the route must be reconnoitered. The class of
armored cavalry. bridges; location of fords and bypasses;
a Placing air cavalry teams under the clearance of overhead crossovers; width,
slope, and composition of the roadway; and
control of a squadron.
depth of streams are important factors which
On occasion, air cavalry may assume must be detemined and reported. The veloc-
operational control of ground cavalry units. ity of a stream or river is important if units
This, however, restricts the mobility of the air will have to "swim" vehicles.
cavalry unit.
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FMIB 17-95
Armored Cavalry Troop. A troop Flank platoons reconnoiter lateral routes and
reconnoitering a single route normally de- terrain dominating the primary route. The
ploys one platoon on the route flanked by the flank platoons reconnoiter forward of the
other two platoons. The center platoon platoon reconnoitering the route to uncover
reconnoiters the route and adjacent terrain. enemy ambushes.
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C1, FM 17-95
If three routes are assigned, the troop com- The troop commander and FIST are forward.
mander assigns a route to each platoon. If only When the troop reconnoiters one route, the
two routes are assigned, one platoon moves command group normally follows the platoon
behind the platoon assigned the most difficult or reconnoitering the route. If the troop is recon-
important route, ready for use as the situation noitering more than one route, the command
group follows the platoon most likely to make
enemy contact.
This element checks key terrain on the nortl
flank of the route.
This element checks key terrain on the soutl
flank of the route.
This element uses a combination of the three
movement techniques during mission accom
plishment.
Detailed reports, such as route and bridge
reports, are compiled at troop based on spot
reports submitted by the platoon(s). The troop
commander may rendezvous with a platoon
leader to obtain or provide detailed information.
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C1, FM 17-95
Armored Cavalry Platoon. A cavalry and the other team the right flank. The scouts
platoon should be assigned only one route. A from one team are assigned to reconnoiter the
platoon reconnoitering a route may use either actual route. The platoon leader moves where
a two-team or three-team organization. The he can best control the platoon and maintain
three-team tank-consolidated organization communications with troop headquarters.
should be used when the tanks can provide Actions of a platoon conducting a route
overwatch fires over the route or when reconnaissance are shown below. In this
overcoming an obstacle. In the two-team situation, the platoon is organized in two
method, one team is assigned the left flank teams.
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C1, FM 17-95
As the line of departure (LD) is crossed, The scouts from both teams move for-
the platoon leader sends Team A to reconnoi- ward to look for fords, cross the stream, and
ter the high ground at postion 1 and Team B reconnoiter the high ground at position 7 and
to reconnoiter the woods at position 2. The 8. Each team sends one vehicle back to the
scouts reconnoitering the actual route pro- bridge to provide security. Next, the platoon
ceed along the flanks of the route. Teams A changes into a three-team, tank-consolidated
and B use bounding overwatch to increase organization to clear the bridge. The tanks
security. Teams A and B finish their recon- consolidate at position 6 to provide overwatch
naissance and remain in position, while the while the bridge is being cleared.
scouts reconnoitering the route move to
Personnel from the platoon leader's
position 3 and report their findings to. the
vehicle, with a mine detector, as well as the
platoon leader. The scouts in Team A then
security personnel check the bridge and
move forward to reconnoiter the lateral route
approaches while being overwatched by the
at position 4. The tanks in Team A provide
tanks. Once the reconnaissance of the bridge
overwatch for the scouts from position 1.
and approach has been completed and the
Upon completing the reconnaissance, the
bridge has been classified capable of safely
scouts return to position 4. Team B reconnoi-
sustaining the heaviest vehicle weight, the
ters the high ground and position 5 and crossing may begin. When the platoon is
remains in place while the scouts checking
across the river, it reforms into the two-team
!the route move to position 6.
organization and continues the route recon-
naissance.
ZONE RECONNAISSANCE ~- -~-
Zone reconnaissance is a detailed recon- routes of advance for the main body. A zone
naissance of all natural and man-made reconnaissance mission is normally per-
features within specified boundaries. It is formed when the enemy situation is in doubt,
more thorough and time consuming than or information on cross-country trafficability
other types of reconnaissance. The purpose is desired. The following is a situation
may be to locate enemy and/or suitable requiring zone reconnaissance.
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FM 17-95
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ARMORED CAVALRY
The zone to be reconnoitered is defined by
lateral boundaries, a line of departure, and an
objective. The objective provides a termina-
SQUADRON
tion point for the mission; it may or may not
be occupied by the enemy. A phase line may
also be used as a termination point. The zone
must be thoroughly reconnoitered, whereas a A squadron may be assigned zone recon-
route reconnaissance would require only a naissance as a primary mission. The squad-
reconnaissance of route Red and the num- ron conducts zone reconnaissance by advan-
bered features. cing boldly, normally with three armored
cavalry troops abreast. On those rare occa-
sions when a squadron is assigned a narrow
REGIMENT front requiring only two troops abreast, the
third troop is kept in reserve. The reserve is
The regiment performs zone reconnais- committed to develop the situation rapidly,
sance as part of a covering force mission. help maintain forward momentum, and help
Covering force missions are discussed in reconnoitering troops maintain freedom to
chapter 6. maneuver.
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FM 17-95
The squadron must reconnoiter all routes and terrain and locate all
enemy forces within its assigned zone. If enemy contact is made, the
situation is rapidly developed through standard actions on contact. Courses
of action available to the squadron are:
U Attack to destroy the enemy. This is done by a hasty attack or a
series of hasty attacks at the troop and platoon level. It is best done
by allowing the troop in contact to exert pressure on its own
initiative. The other troops should continue to advance in an effort
to find and attack a flank of the enemy position. In a regimental
squadron, the tank company should be brought rapidly forward
and committed to destroy the enemy force, preferably by attacking
a flank. All of this must be accomplished rapidly because the longer
the delay, the greater the effectiveness of enemy reaction. A
squadron commander, with all maneuver forces in contact, should
influence the situation by massing or shifting supporting fires and
using attack helicopters and close air support. The more enemy he
can kill with artillery, attack helicopters, and close air support, the
fewer casualties the squadron will suffer. There should be no
attempt at gradual escalation. Overpowering force (maneuver
forces and supporting fires) should be used to crush the enemy as
rapidly as possible.
* Bypass the enemy and leave an element in visual contact.. Air cav-
alry is often ideal for this. Itis best to know what a bypassed enemy
is doing. The squadron is responsible for knowing until relieved by
higher headquarters or following forces.
* Defend, if the enemy force encountered is superior in strength. A
squadron conducting a zone reconnaissance is in an ideal posture to
defend, or to delay a larger enemy force until the squadron can be
reinforced or withdrawn. It is simply a matter of reorientation. In
such a situation, the squadron maintains an aggressive attitude
and continues to develop the situation by aggressive probing. This
may result in detecting a weakness or a gap. It will certainly tend to
confuse the enemy. The probing is done by skillfully using cover
and concealment afforded by the terrain. At times, the probing
elements will be able to catch an enemy force by surprise and
destroy it in a matter of seconds or minutes with flanking fire.
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FM 17-95
A squadron's lateral limits of responsibility during zone reconnaissance are normally a
forward extension of boundaries of the headquarters assigning the mission.
Troop B is assigned a narrow front because reconnaissance of route Dog will be time-
consuming. This is primarily because of the requirement to reconnoiter much dominating rough
and wooded terrain to the flanks offering good cover and concealment for the enemy.
The squadron assigns boundaries between troops to outline zones of responsibility. These
boundaries should be along easily recognizable terrain features, such as roads, streams, fences,
and ridge lines. When assigning troop boundaries, tasks should be equalized among the troops.
This does not mean that equal frontages should be assigned. It means a careful study of the
map, mission requirements, and known enemy situation must be made to ensure all troops can
advance generally abreast.
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FM 17-95
After establishing boundaries, the squadron designates a line of departure and specifies the
crossing time. This is done to ensure a simultaneous advance across the squadron's front. Phase
line(s) are drawn as needed to control and coordinate forward movement. Failure to keep
reconnoitering troops generally abreast can result in bypassing of the enemy or envelopment of
troops by enemy forces.
Phase lines (PL) should follow a feature or features easily recognizable at night or through
the smoke and haze of battle. In cavalry, it is critical to know your location and that of
subordinate units. The lack of such knowledge can end in defeat.
Troops report crossing phase lines. Troops do not stop at phase lines unless ordered to do so.
Once the operation starts, the enemy may be alerted. Thus, forward momentum should be
maintained in order to reduce enemy reaction time and keep him off balance.
After designating an LD and phase lines, contact points are designated on troop boundaries
to ensure physical coordination between adjacent elements.
Contact point 1, between Troops A and B, is designated because of the lateral route in Troop
A zone, which continues into Troop B zone. Contact at that point also ensures Troop B that
Troop A can help by controlling the high ground on the left flank.
Contact points are designated:
If the area is critical (for example, a route crossing from one troop zone into another).
* If contact is needed to control movement.
• To ensure the zone is covered.
As a contingency measure (for example, a contact point may be designated a
coordinating point if a defense is required).
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FM 17-95
In order to ensure continuity of effort, the enemy force strong enough to halt its ad-
squadron designates a phase line or objec- vance. If attacked, the squadron defends as
tives to stop the operation. Each troop and necessary to avoid decisive engagement. This
unit must be instructed what to do when the means the squadron's mission will end short
mission is finished. This provides orienta- of the designated phase line or objectives, It
tion. If the squadron has not been given a does not mean the squadron failed in mission
follow-on mission, armored cavalry troops accomplishment. It simply means the enemy
should be assigned objectives on dominating was found and the main body has informa-
terrain. tion required to refine its planning and
orientation.
At times, a squadron will contact an
During movement to contact, air cavalry elements screen their advance. When this
may be used to reconnoiter to the front and/ technique is used, air cavalry reconnoiters
or flanks of a squadron to increase the speed forward of armored cavalry troops to provide
of the reconnaissance. If the terrain is fairly early warning of terrain and enemy. When
open, a divisional squadron may use its air enemy contact is made, air cavalry can be
cavalry troop to conduct zone reconnaissance used to help develop the situation, to screen
and assign armored cavalry troops route flanks, and/or maintain contact between
reconnaissance missions. As the situation troops. A regimental squadron uses avail-
develops, armored cavalry elements recon- able air cavalry elements in the same man-
noiter areas that can't be effectively reconnoi- ner. The air cavalry troop may be placed in
tered by air cavalry. If terrain provides good the OPCON of a squadron. In this case
cover and concealment, armored cavalry findings are passed directly to the squadron
troops may reconnoiter while air cavalry
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