armored cavalry platoon, troop and squadron

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FIELD MANUAL
ARMORED CAVALRY
PLATOON, TROOP
AND SQUADRON
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
FEBRUARY 1960
AGO 40FB Feb
* FM 17-35
FIELD MANUAL HEADQUARTERS,
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
No. 17-35 WASHINGTON 25, D. C., 11 February 1960
ARMORED CAVALRY
PLATOON, TROOP, AND SQUADRON
Paragraphs Page
PART ONE. GENERAL
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL ----------------------------- 1-4 5
2. EMPLOYMENT OF ARMORED CAVALRY 5-9 9
UNITS.
PART Two. SCOUT PLATOON, ARMOR AND
ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALIONS,
AND SCOUT SECTION, COMBAT
COMMAND
CHAPTER 3. SCOUT PLATOON, ARMOR AND
ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALIONS
Section I. General _______----- -------------------- 10, 11 10
II. Scout platoon organization _______________ 12-15 11
III. Duties of key personnel -_-______________- 16-19 13
IV. Combat operations of scout platoon, general 20-29 14
V. Employment of medium range ground radar_ 30-32 25
VI. Scout platoon, reconnaissance missions .___ 33-36 26
VII. Scout platoon, security missions .___-_ _-___ 37-41 30
VIII. Scout platoon in offensive operations --______ 42-44 34
IX. Scout platoon in defensive operations______ 45-49 36
X. Scout platoon in retrograde operations ____- 50-52 40
XI. Scout platoon, additional missions ______-_- 53-57 42
XII. Scout platoon, special operations - -_________5 8-61 43
CHAPTER 4. SCOUT SECTION, COMBAT COMMAND
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUAR-
TERS COMPANY
Section I. General _____________-.----------------- 62, 63 45
II. Scout section organization ---____-------... 64-66 45
III. Employment of the scout section____------- - 67-72 47
* This manual.supersedes FM 17-35, 26 December 1957.
AGO 4088B 1
Paragraphs Page
PART THREE. ARMORED CAVALRY PLATOON
CHAPTER 5. GENERAL
Section I. General ______________--_.______-----___ 73, 74 49
II. Armored cavalry platoon organization _____ 75-80 49
III. Duties of key personnel ____________---___ 81-85 51
IV. Employment, general __--__-----------_ __ 86-90 52
CHAPTER 6. RECONNAISANCE AND SECURITY
MISSIONS, ARMORED CAVALRY
PLATOON
Section I. Platoon in reconnaissance missions ________ 91-97 54
II. Platoon in security missions ____------____. 98-103 62
CHAPTER 7. OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS, ARMORED 104-119 66
CAVALRY PLATOON.
8. DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS, ARMORED 120-127 73
CAVALRY PLATOON.
9. DELAYING ACTIONS, ARMORED 128-138 81
CAVALRY PLATOON.
PART FOUR. ARMORED CAVALRY TROOP
CHAPTER 10. GENERAL
Section I. General_________________________________ 139, 140 88
II. Armored cavalry troop organization _______ 141-143 89
III. Duties of key personnel---_____--------- __ 144-150 91
IV. Employment, general _____________------- 151, 152 92
V. Employment of short range ground radar___. 153-155 93
VI. Organization for combat, armored cavalry 156-160 94
troop.
CHAPTER 11. RECONNAISSANCE OPERATIONS, 161-166 98
ARMORED CAVALRY TROOP.
12. SECURITY OPERATIONS, ARMORED
CAVALRY TROOP
Section I. General ----. ___________________________ 167 106
II. Advance guard _________________________-- 168-170 106
III. Flank guard ____________________________ 171-174 108
IV. Rear guard _____________-.-______________ 175-177 113
V. Covering force __________-._______________ 178, 179 116
VI. Screening force _________________________. 180-182 117
VII. Rear area security_______________________ 183 120
CHAPTER 13. OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS, ARMORED
CAVALRY TROOP
Section I. General ________________________________ 184 124
II. Preparation for the attack ________________ 185-195 124
III. Conduct of the attack -________________- __ 196-204 131
2 AGO 4088B
Paragraphs Page
CHAPTER 14. DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS, ARMORED 205-214 135
CAVALRY TROOP.
15. RETROGRADE OPERATIONS,
ARMORED CAVALRY TROOP
Section I. Delaying action __________-------________ 215-225 146
II. Withdrawal from action ________________- 226-229 153
III. Retirement ____--_ _---- ----------------- 230, 231 158
PART FIVE. ARMORED CAVALRY SQUADRON
CHAPTER 16. GENERAL
Section I. General _____________------------------- 232-235 159
II. Armored division cavalry squadron 236-246 160
organization.
III. Infantry division cavalry squadron 247, 248 165
organization.
CHAPTER 17. EMPLOYMENT OF THE ARMORED
CAVALRY SQUADRON
Section I. General_ ------------------------------- 249, 250 167
II. Organization for combat _____----_ _ ___--- - 251, 252 168
III. Combat support ------------------------- 253-258 169
IV. Employment, headquarters and head- 259-265 171
quarters troop.
CHAPTER 18. RECONNAISSANCE OPERATIONS,
ARMORED CAVALRY SQUADRON
Section I. General ___------------------------------ 266-268 176
II. Route, zone, and area reconnaissance _____--. 269-272 179
III. Conduct of reconnaissance operations _____-- 273-277 180
CHAPTER 19. SECURITY OPERATIONS, ARMORED
CAVALRY SQUADRON
Section I. General__ __-----------------------.---- 278-280 183
II. Advance guard -_------- ----------------- 281, 282 184
III. Flank guard ---------------------------- 283, 284 185
IV. Rear guard ___-------------------------.. 285, 286 187
V. Covering force -------------------------- 287, 288 187
VI. Screening force ------------------------- 289, 290 188
VII. Rear area security ____________--_-------. 291,294 189
CHAPTER 20. OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS, ARMORED
CAVALRY SQUADRON
Section I. General_ ------------------------------- 295-301 192
II. Preparation for attack _-____________----. 302-308 196
III. Conduct of attack _______________________ 309-314 198
IV. Exploitation and pursuit ___-__-- _________ 315-317 200
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Paragraphs Page
CHAPTER 21. DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS, ARMORED
CAVALRY SQUADRON
Section I. General -______-- ________--------- __--_ 318-325 204
II. Organization of defense _____________.-___. 326-331 207
III. Mobile defense ---------------___--... ____ 332-335 210
IV. Position defense --__-----______ __________ 336-339 212
V. Perimeter defense ---_-__ _______---______ 340 214
CHAPTER 22. RETROGRADE OPERATIONS, ARMORED
CAVALRY SQUADRON
Section I. General _______----- ___________--_______ 341-343 218
II. Delaying action ------- __________________ 344-355 219
III. Withdrawal from action _________________. 356-359 225
IV. Retirement ___---------------- -__- -_____ 360 226
PART SIX. SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND COM-
MUNICATION
CHAPTER 23. SPECIAL OPERATIONS, ARMORED
CAVALRY UNITS
Section I. General _____________________----------- 361 227
II. Chemical, biological, and radiological 362-366 227
monitoring and survey.
III. Damage control ------------------------- 367-369 229
IV. Reconnaissance behind enemy lines--------- 370-375 231
V. Airmobile operations ________-__-----.---- 376 234
CHAPTER 24. COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, 377-388 235
ARMORED CAVALRY UNITS.
APPENDIX I. REFERENCES___________-------------- - ------- 244
II. COMMANDER'S CHECKLISTS -______-_ _______ 247
III. EXAMPLES OF OPERATION ORDERS . _______ 254
INDEX ______-_______-_-______-.______--.- . ... _.._.._.-_--_- __ 262
4 AGO 4088B
PART ONE
GENERAL
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
1. Purpose
a. This manual covers the organization, doctrine, tactics, tech-
niques, and procedures of the scout platoon and armored cavalry
platoons, troops, and squadrons organic to both the armored di-
vision and the infantry division, and the armored cavalry platoon
and armored cavalry troop of the armored cavalry regiment. For
the purpose of this manual, the scout platoon is considered to be
an armored cavalry type unit.
b. The material presented herein is intended as a guide. In prac-
tice, each situation must be solved by logical interpretation of the
information in this manual or in other appropriate references.
c. This manual is designed to be used in conjunction with FM
17-1. General information contained in FM 17-1 is repeated in
this manual only when necessray to ensure clarity and under-
standing. Other manuals which supplement the information in
this manual and with which armored cavalry personnel should be
familiar are listed in appendix I.
d. Unless otherwise specified, the material presented herein is
applicable without modification to both nuclear and nonnuclear
warfare.
e. Figure 1 shows the symbols most frequently used in illustra-
tions throughout this manual. For other military symbols, see FM
21-30.
2. Scope
This manual covers armored cavalry units from platoon to
squadron level, except the armored cavalry squadron of the ar-
mored cavalry regiment. The manual is in five parts. Part one
covers missions, capabilities, characteristics, and general informa-
tion on the employment of armored cavalry units. Part two covers
the organization and employment of the scout platoon organic to
AGO 4088B 5
LEGEND
T LIGHT-GUN TANK
ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER
ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER USED BY THE
SUPPORT SQUADS
X -TON TRUCK WITH MOUNTED MACHINEGUN
U
¼Y-TON TRUCK
0 CONTACT POINT
NOTE: Illustrations used herein are not intended to depict
future design of vehicles or equipment.
Figure 1. Symbols used in manual.
6 AGO 4088B
armor and armored infantry battalions and the scout section or-
ganic to the combat command headquarters and headquarters
company. Part three covers the organization and employment of
the armored cavalry platoon. Part four covers the organization
and employment of the armored cavalry troop, and part five, the
armored division cavalry squadron and infantry division cavalry
squadron. Part six covers special operations and communication.
3. Missions of Armored Cavalry Units
Armored cavalry units are organized, equipped, and trained to
perform reconnaissance, security, and economy of force missions.
The employment of armored cavalry units on such missions per-
mits the higher commander to concentrate the efforts of other
elements of the command on more decisive objectives or on other
aspects of the mission. Specifically, armored cavalry units are cap-
able of performing the following missions:
a. Conduct reconnaissance over wide fronts and to extended
depths.
b. Collect and report information of intelligence value, including
information of potential nuclear targets and nuclear damage as-
sessment.
c. Provide flank security for a large unit.
d. Provide security between elements of the parent organiza-
tion or between the parent organization and an adjacent unit.
e. The squadron can act as a covering force in offensive, defen-
sive, or retrograde operations. Normally, suitable reinforcements
are provided the squadron.
f. Screen the parent organization.
g. Secure friendly rear areas, routes of communication, and in-
stallations from enemy airborne, air landed, and guerilla forces.
h. Conduct limited offensive, defensive, and retrograde opera-
tions
i. Maintain liaison with other units.
j. In emergencies, provide alternate means of communication
for other units.
k. Conduct chemical, biological, and radiological monitoring and
survey operations.
1. Perform damage control operations.
4. Characteristics of Armored Cavalry Units
a. General. Successful operations by armored cavalry units are
dependent on the maximum use of the inherent favorable char-
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acteristics of armor-protected firepower, mobility, shock action,
extensive and multiple means of communication, and flexibility.
These basic characteristics are discussed in FM 17-1.
b. Armored-Protected Firepower. Armored cavalry units have
mobile, armor-protected firepower in the form of tank weapons,
machineguns, and mortars.
c. Mobility. Armored cavalry units, being completely mobile, can
move rapidly on roads or trails. Their many tracked vehicles pro-
vide excellent cross-country mobility. In addition, scout and ar-
mored rifle elements can be readily transported about the battle-
field by helicopter.
d. Shock Action. Shock action in armored cavalry units is pro-
vided by the violent impact of the armor-protected firepower of
the tanks.
e. Extensive and Flexible Communication. Armored cavalryi
units have an extensive and flexible communication system. Al-
though voice radio is the primary means employed between troop
and squadron, CW radio is available to augment voice radio. The
CW capability provides a means for maintaining communication
over greater distances than with voice radio.
f. Flexibility. The cross-country mobility, extensive and flexible
communication, and responsiveness to command of armored ca-
valry units permit them to operate over wide areas and at extend-
ed distances in the accomplishment of rapidly changing missions.
8 AGO 4088B
CHAPTER 2
EMPLOYMENT OF ARMORED CAVALRY UNITS
5. General
The employment of armored cavalry units is governed by the
principles of war and other guiding fundamentals (par. 7). The
success of armored cavalry units depends to a large degree on the
tactical ingenuity of commanders in applying these principles and
fundamentals.
6. Principles of War
The principles of war govern all military operations. They are
the major factors that commanders must consider in achieving
success on the battlefield. In combat, the plan of each commander,
regardless of level, must be based on a specific mission and on the
logical application of the principles of war. Principles of war are
discussed in detail in FM 17-1.
7. Fundamentals of Employment
Actions of armored cavalry units in combat are governed by the
application of the fundamentals of employment for armor dis-
cussed in FM 17-1.
8. Factors Affecting Employment
The successful employment of armored cavalry units is depen-
dent on the commander's careful and continuous consideration of
certain influencing factors. These factors are the mission, enemy,
terrain -and weather, and troops available. A detailed discussion
of these factors is contained in FM 17-1.
9. Combat Support for Armored Cavalry Units
Armored cavalry units, depending on their assigned mission and
agencies available, may be supported by artillery, engineer, tac-
tical air force, and Army aviation elements. FM 17-1 provides
general guidance on combat support for armor units. Specific
;guidance for armored cavalry units is given throughout this
manual at each level and for each type of operation discussed.
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