armor operations small units

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FIELD MANUAL
ARMOR OPERATIONS
SMALL UNITS
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
AUGUST 1957
FM 17-1
FIELD MANUAL HEADQUARTERS,
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
No. 17-1 WASHINGTON 25, D. C., 23 August 1957
ARMOR OPERATIONS-SMALL UNITS
Paragraphs Page
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL.
Section I. Purpose and scope ---------------------- 1, 2 3
II. The role of armor ---_________-____--____ 3-13 4
III. Atomic and nonatomic warfare ----------- 14-18 9
CHAPTER 2. FUNDAMENTALS OF EMPLOYMENT
OF SMALL ARMOR UNITS.
Section I. Principles of war --------------- 19-28 13
II. Fundamentals of employment ------------ 29-39 16
III. Factors affecting employment ------------ 40-44 18
IV. Organization for combat ----------------- 45-56 21
V. Combat support ------------------------ 57-67 29
CHAPTER 3. EXERCISE OF ARMOR COMMAND.
Section I. Command-. ------- ------ ------ ------ 68-70 38
II. Leadership ----------------------------- 71-75 39
III. The battalion staff --------------------- 76-89 42
IV. Combat intelligence --------------------- 90 51
V. Commander's estimate of the situation ---- 91-93 52
VI. Combat orders, records, and reports -- - 94-98 53
VII. Logistics ------------------------------ 99-100 58
VIII. Administration ------------------------ 101-110 58
IX. Signal communication ------------------ _ 111-116 63
CHAPTER 4. EMPLOYMENT OF ARMOR EQUIP-
MENT.
Section I. Armor weapons, general ---------------- 117-123 67
II. Tanks -------------------------------- 124-128 71
III. Armored vehicles other than tanks -------- 129-131 75
IV. Armored combat support vehicles --------- 132-135 76
V. General-purpose and special-equipment ve-
hicles --- ---------------------------- 136, 137 81
VI. Special equipment ---------------------- 138-141 82
CHAPTER 5. RECONNAISSANCE AND SECURITY
OPERATIONS.
Section I. Reconnaissance operations --------------- 142-160 86
II. Security .--1-6-1---1-7-9- ---------96------------
CHAPTER 6. INDIVIDUAL AND UNIT PROTECTIVE
MEASURES.
Section I. General ------------------------------- 180-183 111
II. Protective measures against atomic weapons_ 184-190 112
III. Protection against chemical and biological
attacks ------------------------------ 191-194 120
IV. Protective measures against artillery, mor-
tars, aircraft, and antitank guided missiles_ 195, 196 122
437256O-57--1 1
Paragraphs Page
CHAPTER 7. ARMOR MARCHES AND ASSEMBLY
AREAS.
Section I. Marches ------------------------------- 197-222 124
II. March orders and computations -......... __ 223-225 144
III. Bivouac and assembly areas .-.. . .2..2..6..-. 234 150
CHAPTER 8. OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS.
Section I. General --------.- --------------- 235, 236 162
II. The attack, general. -------------- 237-243 162
III. Coordination and control during the attack__ 244-258 166
IV. Preparation and planning for the attack --- 259-275 176
V. Conduct of the attack --------- ------- 276-285 192
VI. Methods and techniques of employing tanks
and armored infantry in the attack ----- 286-289 200
VII. Advance to contact ------ - --- 290-293 210
VIII. Exploitation ------------- ---- 294-306 214
IX. Passage of line.s- - ---- ----- --- 307-309 222
X. Night attacks -------------------------- 310-318 224
XI. Additional considerations in offensive opera-
tions ------------- ------- 319-345 230
CHAPTER 9. DEFENSE.
Section I. General ------------------------------- 346-353 265
II. Organization of the defense -------------- 354-366 272
III. Mobile defense ------------------------- 367-378 281
IV. Position defense ---------------- -- 379-388 297
V. Perimeter defense --------- --------- 389-392 307
VI. Additional considerations in defense ------- 393-411 309
CHAPTER 10. RETROGRADE MOVEMENTS.
Section I. General -------------------- - 412-415 321
II. Delaying action_- --. . .......4...1...6..-..4.. 30 322
III. Withdrawal from action . ........ .......4-.3 1-435 334
IV. Retirement ---------------------- .. 436-438 337
CHAPTER 11. SPECIAL OPERATIONS.
Section I. Armor units operating with infantry units_- 439-441 338
II. Armor-airborne link-up -----------------.. 442-444 339
III. Jungle operations -------------. - 445-450 342
IV. Guerilla warfare -----------. .--4-5-1---4--5-4 345
V. Desert operations --------------- ---- 455-461 346
VI. Mountain operations --------- -------- 462, 463 348
VII. Operations in deep snow and extreme cold_. 464 349
VIII. Raids ---- - ------------------ 465-471 350
IX. Amphibious operations -------- ---- 472-475 352
X. Helicopter-borne operations ------------- 476-489 353
CHAPTER 12. ARMOR TRAINING --- - - - 490-497 361
APPENDIX I. REFERENCES ----------------------- 368
II. COMMANDER'S CHECKLISTS --------------- 371
III. ORDERS AND REPORTS --------------------- 378
IV. THE 4.2-INCH MORTAR PLATOON OF THE
ARMORED DIVISION ARMOR BATTALION
AND ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION__ 402
V. EMPLOYMENT OF ARMORED PERSONNEL
CARRIERS IN HASTY RIVER-CROSSING
OPERATIONS ----------------- ----- 411
INDEX -______________________--____-__----------- ------------ 419
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CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
Section I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
1. Purpose
This manual provides information and guidance on doctrine, tac-
tics, and .techniques for the employment of platoon-, company-, and
battalion-size armor units (hereafter referred to as small armor
?units). It should be used in conjunction with appropriate field man-
uals of the 17 and other series. It provides the basic doctrine, tactics,
techniques, and procedures common to two or more types of small
armor units. Other publications provide the specific doctrine, tactics,
techniques, and procedures for specific units. In addition, this manual
supplements the doctrine stated in FM 100-5 and the staff procedures
contained in FM 101-5.
2. Scope
a. This manual covers basic doctrine, tactics, and techniques of
employment; organization; exercise of command; reconnaissance; se-
curity; administration and logistics; control; movements; and offen-
sive, defensive, retrograde, and special operations appropriate to all
small armor units. This general information is not repeated in other
armor unit manuals. This manual duplicates other field manuals only
where necessary to ensure clarity and understanding. Unless other-
wise specified, the material presented herein is applicable without
modification to both atomic and nonatomic warfare.
b. Small armor units include platoon-, company-, and battalion-size
units of tanks, armored infantry, and armored cavalry, within the
armored division, infantry division, airborne division, armored cav-
alry regiment, and other corps and army organizations. These are
referred to generally, in this and other 17-series field manuals, as
armor units. Currently prescribed terminology for these units differs
in several respects from that heretofore used; the following are cur-
rent titles and designations of armor units in divisions.
Title* Designlation*
Armored infantry battalion_________- _ Armored Rifle Battalion,
Infantry.
Rifle company, armored infantry bat- Co - , Armored Rifle Battal-
talion. ion, Infantry.
*The title is used when making a general reference to the type unit; the designation
is used in referring to a specific unit.
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Title* Designation*
Armored division armor battalion, 90- __ Medium Tank Battalion (Pat-
mm. ton), Armor.
Medium tank company, armored divi- Co _ , __ Medium Tank Bat-
sion armor battalion, 90-innm. talion (Patton), ._ Armor.
Armored cavalry squadron____________ lReconnaissance Squadron,
Calvary.
Reconnaissance troop, armored cav- Troop, - , -- Reconnaissance
alry squadron. Squadron, - Cavalry.
Infantry division armor battalion, 90- -- Medium Tank Battalion (Pat-
lnm. ton), _ Armor.
Medium tank company, infantry divi- Co , Medium Tank Bat-
sion armor battalion, 90-mm. talion (Patton), Armor.
Infantry division cavalry squadron____ Reconnaissance Squadron,
Cavalry.
Reconnaissance troop, infantry divi- Troop , __ Reconnaissance
sion cavalry squadron. Squadron, - Cavalry.
Airborne division cavalry troop_______ Troop (Reconnaissance) (Air-
borne), Cavalry.
*The title is used when making a general reference to the type unit; the designation
is used in referring to a specific unit.
Throughout this manual, where the word battalion appears in a gen-
eral sense (battalion commander, battalion staff, battalion trains), it
is to be considered as applying equally to the armored cavalry or
infantry division cavalry squadron. Likewise, a general reference to
company applies equally to the reconnaissance troop.
Section II. THE ROLE OF ARMOR
3. General
Technological developments and doctrinal and organizational con-
cepts indicate that increased emphasis will be placed on combat opera-
tions that are characterized by open and fluid warfare, with greater
dispersion of tactical formations and installations. The decisive elec-
ment of these operations will be the rapid concentration of the combat
power required to achieve a tactical advantage. Upon the accomplish-
ment of a mission, immediate dispersion of this combat power will
be necessary to avoid enemy atomic retaliation. Armor is designed
for the conduct of mounted mobile warfare. Its capabilities have
assumed increased importance within the role that ground forces will
play on the battlefield.
4. Definition of Armor
The term armor embraces the tank, armored calvary type recon-
naissance and security elements, armored infantry, artillery, engineer,
and mobile service support units required to form an integrated and
balanced fighting force for the conduct of mounted warfare, the nu-
cleus of which is tanks. The term armor as used in this and 17-series
manuals should be so interpreted. It should not be confused with the
name of the branch nor with the tank units alone.
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5. The General Role of Armor
a. Armor is a decisive tactical combat force. It is able to move
rapidly over extended distances and commit its forces promptly. It
possesses the capability of influencing combat activities within a
broad area of operations. Armor's role is the conduct of highly mobile
ground warfare, primarily offensive in nature and characterized by
a predominance of mounted combat.
b. The armor-protected firepower, mobility, and shock action of
armor formations, together with their extensive and flexible communi-
cation, provide them with the capabilities for independent engage-
ment of large enemy formations. In addition, armor units are well
suited to destroy hostile armor and to give close support to infantry
units.
c. The role of armor is performed by units of the armored division,
armored cavalry regiments, armor units of the corps and army, and
the tank, reconnaissance, and armored calvary elements of the infantry
and airborne divisions.
6. Role of the Armor Battalion, 90-MM
a. The 90-mm armor battalions are the principal striking forces
of the armored division. They can be effectively used against both
dismounted forces and armor formations. The battalion is capable
of engaging in offensive or defensive action without armored infantry.
However, it is normally employed as the nucleus of a battalion task
force consisting of both tanks and armored infantry. It is both an
administrative and a tactical unit, with supply, evacuation, and main-
tenance facilities sufficient for limited periods of combat. Its con-
tinued operation is dependent upon adequate and timely logistical
support.
b. The role of the battalion in the infantry division is to support
the overall division mission. The battalion is used in the greatest
possible concentration consistent with the situation. It may be rein-
forced or may be used to reinforce infantry units. The battalion in-
creases the strength and firepower of the attack and counterattack,
exploits successes, and adds depth to the antitank defense in both
the offense and defense.
7. Role of the Armor Battalion, 120-MM
The missions and the doctrine for employment of the 120-mm armor
battalion are similar to those of the 90-mm armor battalion. Al-
though the heavy-gun tank, by reason of greater armor protection
and gun-ammunition capabilities, is better suited to fight enemy armor
than is the medium-gun tank, it should not be considered primarily
as an antitank or defensive weapon. In addition to the missions nor-
mally assigned to any armor battalion, the 120-mm armor battalion
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may be assigned missions which make maximum use of the capabilities
of its tanks, such as long-range fires delivered in the defense or retro-
grade operations, tank-gun fire in support of river-crossing opera-
tions, or tank-gun fire employed in the attack of a fortified area.
8. Role of the Armored Infantry Battalion
The primary mission of the armored infantry battalion is to assist
tanks in the accomplishment of their assigned missions. The armored
infantry battalion has the capability of engaging in offensive or de-
fensive action without tanks, but is normally employed as the nucleus
of a battalion task force consisting of both tanks and armored in-
fantry. It is both an administrative and tactical unit, with supply,
evacuation, and maintenance facilities sufficient for limited periods of
combat. Its continued operation is dependent upon adequate and
timely logistical support.
9. Role of the Armored Cavalry Squadron
The armored cavalry squadron is organized and equipped prima-
rily to perform reconnaissance and to provide security for large com-
bat formations. Reconnaissance and security operations may be exe-
cuted by both air and surface means. The squadron is also employed
to engage in offensive, defensive, or retrograde combat as an economy-
force unit. This permits the higher commander to concentrate the
bulk of his force on the more decisive objectives. In the performance
of reconnaissance and security missions, an armored cavalry squad-
ron normally operates without attachments. When operating as an
economy force, the squadron normally will have attached, or placed
in support, engineer and artillery units. The squadron may be or-
ganized into a battalion task force and is capable of receiving at-
tachments of infantry and/or tanks. It is both an administrative
and tactical unit, with supply, evacuation, and maintenance facilities
sufficient for limited periods of combat. Its continued operation is
dependent upon adequate and timely logistical support.
10. Fundamental Concept of Organization for Combat
The fundamental concept of organization for combat of small
armor units is the formation of combined-arms forces especially tai-
lored for specific tactical missions. The nucleus of such a force is an
armor or armored infantry battalion or a tank or armored rifle com-
pany. Around this nucleus a force is formed which normally con-
sists of tanks and armored infantry, in the proportion best suited for
the mission, supported by artillery and engineers. Additional ele-
ments, either combat or service, can be added as necessary. These
combined-arms forces are not rigid; even after they are committed
to action, their composition can be quickly adjusted to meet the re-
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quirements of a changing situation. The keynote of this concept is
flexibility, in that a force of the proper size and composition can
easily and quickly be formed for the accomplishment of the mission
at hand. When such a combined-arms team is formed around a bat-
talion, it is called a battalion task force; when it is formed around a
company, it is called a company team.
11. Basic Missions of Armor
a. The basic missions of armor are to attack, disrupt, disorganize,
and destroy enemy forces, and to provide reconnaissance, security, and
antitank defense for friendly forces.
b. Armor may be employed in all types of ground combat, either
independently or as part of a larger force. Armor is especially
suited to execute the following type missions:
(1) Deep penetrations to seize decisive objectives.
(2) Envelopment and destruction of hostile forces.
(3) Employment as the mobile reserve of a larger unit to conduct
spoiling attacks, counterattacks, and striking force actions.
(4) Acting as a covering force in retrograde movements, in of-
fensive action, and in defensive action.
(5) Operations utilizing armor in mobile defense.
(6) Destruction of hostile armor.
(7) Exploitation of successes of other units and atomic weapons.
(8) Pursuit and destruction of hostile forces.
c. Armored cavalry units are particularly suited for-
(1) Reconnaissance.
(2) Battlefield and march security.
(3) Maintenance of contact with the enemy and between major
friendly units.
(4) Delaying action.
(5) Holding wide fronts lightly.
(6) Seizing and holding critical terrain for a limited time.
(7) Rear area security and antiairborne missions.
12. Characteristics of Armor
a. General. Successful operation of armor units depends upon
the proper utilization of their characteristics of armor-protected fire-
power, mobility, shock action, extensive and flexible communication,
and responsiveness to command.
b. Araor-Protected Firepower. Armor units contain mobile,
armnor-protected machine guns, mortars, and tank guns. Armor em-
ployment is based on an integrated weapons system composed of the
weapons of tanks, armored infantry, artillery, and other supporting
elements. The tank is the principal weapon of armor; it is a weapons
system in itself designed to engage all types of enemy targets in
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mounted combat. The tank gun is a direct-fire weapon used primarily
against enemy tanks and other "hard-shell" targets-; the tank machine
guns are used to neutralize or destroy enemy personnel and other
"soft" targets. Armored infantry provide the basic weapons to close
with and destroy the enemy by dismounted close combat. Artillery
and other supporting weapons provide covering fires which assist
tanks and armored infantry to close with and destroy the enemy.
The combat and combat support elements of armor units have suffi-
cient vehicular armor protection to afford a substantial degree of pro-
tection against enemy small arms and mortar and artillery shell
fragments. This armor protection provides, too, a significant degree
of protection against the effects of atomic weapons. This characteris-
tic of armor equipment permits the commander to maneuver his com-
bat forces under enemy fire and to fully exploit the effects of friendly
supporting fires.
c. Mobility. Armor units are 100 percent mobile. Each person
and item has an assigned place in a vehicle. The combat and combat
support elements possess great cross-country mobility. The mobility
of armor enables the commander to rapidly shift firepower and change
task organization. It multiplies the effective strength of an armor
unit, which can be applied against the enemy at several points within
a short period of time. Army aviation elements, which are organic
to the division and armored cavalry regiment, increase the mobility
of these organizations by providing surveillance, reconnaissance, and
limited medical evacuation, resupply, and troop movement for fast-
moving armor formations.
d. Shock Action. Shock action is the combination of destructive
physical and psychological effect on the enemy produced by the vio-
lent impact of mounted and mobile armor protected firepower of tanks
and supporting armored- troops. Armor combines tremendous con-
centrated firepower with rapid movement of its fighting vehicles to
produce severe shock action on the enemy. The shock action of armor
increases greatly as the number of tanks employed in mass is in-
creased. This shock action, in a properly executed armor assault, can
have a decidedly adverse effect on enemy morale and a favorable effect
on the morale of friendly troops.
e. Extensive and Flexible Communication. The primary means of
communication for armor units is radio. This provides armor with
an immediately available and highly flexible communication system
to higher, lower, adjacent, and supporting elements. Supplementary
means of communication are installed and employed whenever re-
quired by the tactical situation.
f. Flexibility. Armor is flexible; armor units can be grouped or
regrouped quickly to meet the demands of the tactical situation. The
battlefield mobility of armor units permits rapid changes in task
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organization, even when the units are engaged with the enemy, over
nearly any type terrain. Many factors contribute to the flexibility
of armor: cellular type organization, highly flexible communication
system, mobile combat support and service units, and the mental
mobility of the armor commander.
g. Responsiveness to Command. Because of its mobility, flexi-
bility, and extensive and flexible communication, armor is extremely
responsive to command. Armor units respond quickly and easily
to mission-type orders requiring changes in mission, task organiza-
tion, or direction of movement. Their communication facilities pro-
vide rapid means for transmission of instructions, while their
flexibility and mobility permit orderly alteration of tactical group-
ings and rapid movement to a more critical or decisive area.
13. Capabilities of Armor
Armor is capable of covering broad fronts and deep zones of action.
The following specific capabilities should be exploited for most effec-
tive utilization of armor units:
a. Ability to maneuver and control tremendous armor-protected
firepower on the battlefield.
b. Ability to move rapidly from one area to another and decisively
engage the enemy at a critical point.
c. Ability to disperse and concentrate rapidly.
d. Ability to withstand, to a significant degree, the effects of an
atomic explosion.
e. Ability to rapidly engage the enemy and to quickly disengage
from the enemy.
f. Ability to conduct heavy assault actions against enemy positions.
Section III. ATOMIC AND NONATOMIC WARFARE
14. General
a. The doctrine, principles, procedures, and techniques contained in
this manual are applicable to both atomic and nonatomic warfare.
b. The characteristics of mobility and armor protection inherent
to armor units make them relatively well suited for tactical operations
in atomic warfare. Their armor provides a significant degree of pro-
tection against the effects of atomic weapons, while their mobility
permits rapid movement, concentration, and subsequent dispersal.
Thus they present poor targets for enemy atomic attack. However,
armor commmanders must recognize that their units will attract
heavy atomic and nonatomic fire, because of their tremendous striking
power and capability to conduct sustained effective operations under
atomic conditions. The tactics and techniques employed by armor
units will be tempered by this consideration.
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