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Part I
ARMORED VEHICLE SUPPORT
1. General. Armored and mechanized forces often support infantry units in combat operations. The fundamentals and principles stated previously in this manual for tactical operations still apply. This part discusses tactics and techniques used by infantry units working with armored vehicles. It is based on an infantry platoon working with an armored vehicle platoon or two-vehicle section. (Figures 2-72 and 2-73.)
Figure 2-72. Tank Platoon.
Figure 2-73. BFV Platoon.
2. Combined Operations with Armored Vehicles. Leaders must know what heavy and light forces can do for each other. In operations in which light forces predominate, airborne, air assault, or other light infantry lead the combined arms attack; all other arms support the infantry.
a. Infantrymen help heavy forces by finding and breaching or marking antitank obstacles. Infantry provides security for armored vehicles. They detect and destroy or suppress antitank weapons. They designate targets for tanks to destroy by main gun fire and continue to assist by spotting the impact of tank rounds for the gunner.
b. Heavy forces help infantry by leading them in open terrain and providing them a protected, fast moving assault weapons system. They suppress and destroy enemy weapons, bunkers, and tanks by fire and maneuver. They also provide transport when the enemy situation permits.
3. Considerations. Commanders use the estimate of the situation to determine the mix of armored and infantry forces, and the command relationship (attached or OPCON).
a. Tanks. Tank platoons use the wingman concept; the platoon leader's tank and his wingman, and the platoon sergeant's tank with his wingman. They operate as a four-vehicle platoon. The TOE for a tank platoon does not break the organization down any further than the platoon. However, tanks and infantry must work closely. In most operations where they work together, infantrymen must establish direct contact with individual tanks. They will not have time to designate target or direct fires through the platoon chain of command. Infantry men and tankers must know how to communicate by radio, phone, and visual signals.
b. Mechanized Infantry. Mechanized infantry combines the protection, firepower, and mobility of armored forces, with the close combat capability of infantry forces. Infantry adds security and close combat capability to mechanized forces while gaining from their mobility and firepower. Infantry may work together with mechanized forces or may operate in synchronization with them to clear a way through obstacles before an armored attack, hold a strongpoint while mechanized infantry maneuvers around it, or conduct MOUT missions.
4. Communicating with Tanks. Before an operation, infantry and tank platoon leaders must coordinate communications means and signals. This should include the use of radios; phones; and visual signals such as arm-and-hand, panel, lights, flags, and pyrotechnics. External phones are only found on the Sheridan and its replacement--the armored gun system (AGS). On the M1 Tank, the infantryman can run communication wire to the tank commander through the turret. This wire can be hooked into the tank's communication system. Leaders must be confident that tanks and infantry will be able to move and shoot without confusion.
5. Infantry Riding on Armored Vehicles. Soldiers ride on the outside of armored vehicles routinely. So long as tanks and infantry are moving in the same direction and contact is not likely, soldiers should always ride on tanks.
a. Guidelines for Riding on all Armored Vehicles. The following must be considered before soldiers mount or ride on an armored vehicle-
(1) When mounting an armored vehicle, soldiers must always approach the vehicle from the front to get permission from the vehicle commander to mount. They then mount the side of the vehicle away from the coaxial machine gun and in view of the driver.
(2) If the vehicle has a stabilization system, squad leaders ensure it is not engaged before giving the okay for the vehicle to move.
(3) The infantry must dismount as soon as possible when tanks come under fire or when targets appear that require the tank gunner to traverse the turret quickly to fire.
(4) All soldiers must be alert for obstacles that can cause the tank to turn suddenly and for trees that can knock riders off the tank.
b. Guidelines for Riding on Specific Armored Vehicles. The following information applies to specific vehicles-
(1) M1. The M1 tank is not designed to carry riders easily. Riders must NOT move to the rear deck. Engine operating temperatures make this area unsafe for riders.
(a) One infantry squad can ride on the turret. The soldiers must mount in such a way that their legs cannot become entangled between the turret and the hull by an unexpected turret movement. Rope may be used as a field-expedient infantry rail to provide secure handholds.
(b) Everyone must be to the rear of the smoke grenade launchers. This automatically keeps everyone clear of the coaxial machine gun and laser range finder.
(c) The infantry must always be prepared for sudden turret movement.
(d) Leaders should caution solders about sitting on the turret blowout panels, because 250 pounds of pressure will prevent the panels from working properly. If there is an explosion in the ammunition rack, these panels blow outward to lessen the blast effect in the crew compartment.
(e) If enemy contact is made, the tank should stop in a covered and concealed position and allow the infantry time to dismount and move away from the tank. This action needs to be practiced before movement.
(f) The infantry should not ride with anything more than their battle gear. Personal gear should be transported elsewhere. See Figure 2-74 for mounting and riding the M1 Tank.
Figure 2-74. Mounting and Riding Arrangements on an M1.
(2) M60. The procedures for mounting infantry on M60-series tanks (Figure 2-75) are as follows-
(a) One infantry squad can ride on the turret or on the back deck clear of the turret. The problem of sudden turret movement is not as great as with M1-series tanks but the soldiers must still be prepared for it.
(b) Everyone must be to the rear of smoke grenade launchers.
(c) If enemy contact is made, the tank should stop in a covered and concealed position and allow the infantry time to dismount and move away from the tank. This action needs to be practiced before movement.
(d) Even on the M60-series, there is not enough room for the infantry to ride with anything more than battle gear.
Figure 2-75. Riding Arrangement on the M60.
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Lesson 2 Part J
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