When Hannibal met the Romans on the who were acclimated to the conditions and field of Cannae in the summer of 216 B.C., knew the desert, the guys with more than he established the standard and definition of 5,000 tanks, the guys who were not afraid to the ultimate victory. The classic double en- use chemical weapons, the guys who had a velopment became the dream of all bat- deep-seated conviction that Kuwait tlefield commanders for the next 2,000 years. belonged to them, the guys who ...

But for modern times, since the invention of You have to deal in capabilities. We the internal-combustion engine, we have a rendered him third-rate with a good plan, new standard for the ultimate victory. The great leadership, and marvelous execution. 100-hour war has given us complete and ir- History books are stuffed with examples of refutable vindication of Airland Battle tactics, armies beating better equipped foes be- techniques, and procedures; good and cause they had the better plan, or better thorough training; application of technology leadership, or better execution. Our planners to the battlefield; the use of combined arms; and leaders ensured this would not be the and -- most significantly for the Armor Force - case this time. - the value of mobility, speed, firepower, and shock effect. The commanders of DESERT STORM played the battlefield and their assets like a Some will say that gizmology and gadgetry finely-tuned orchestra, each instrument hit- won the Gulf War, as if tankers suddenly ting the right note at the precise moment in awoke one day to find a battalion of MlAls the score. resting in the motorpool. These are the Same people who cannot set the clocks on their This was not as easy as it seems - to or- home VCRs. They forget that a human being chestrate air, sea, and ground forces from is behind or in every piece of equipment and many different nations, speaking several lan- must know how to use it. They forget that guages, with different equipment and dif- somewhere along the line someone in ferent methods of operation. The allied for- uniform said that to do X on the battlefield, ces of DESERT STORM simply overwhelmed we need Y with the capability to do Z. the enemy, and, in the end, spoke a com- mon language - VICTORY. Some will say that we faced a third-rate foe. Only a few weeks ago the hue and cry was And that’s the name of that tune. about the battle-hardened Iraqis, the guys - PJC

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By Order of the Secretary of the Army Official: CARL E. WON0 General, United. States Army THOMAS F. SIKORA Chief of Staff Brigadier General, United State Army The Adjutant General The Professional Development Bulletin of the Armor Branch PB- 17-91-2

Zditor-in-Chief MAJOR PATRICK J. COONEY Features

Managing Editor 7 Preparing for the Storm JON T. CLEMENS 11 Knowing Where You Are.. . Commandant by Captain David D. Howard MG THOMAS C. FOLEY 14 M1A1 NETin Southwest Asia by Major Rick J. Edmond and Captain Kermit E. Steck ARMOR (ISSN 00042420) is published bimonthly by the U.S. Army Armor Center, 4401 16 Planning the Deliberate Attack Vine Grove Road, Fort Knox, KY 40121. by Captain John Scudder Disclaimer: The information contained in ARMOR represents the professional opinions of 21 The Triumph and Tragedy of Major General Maurice Rose the authors and does not necessarily reflect the by Dr. Ralph C. Greene official Army or TRADOC position, nor does it change or supersede any information 30 After Landing in Normandy, Spearhead Led the Way presented in other official Army publications. ARMOR Staff Official distribution is limited to one copy for each armored brigade headquarters, armored cavalry regiment headquarters, armor battalion 34 Speed and Power: The 4th AD’S Mobility Rolled Through Europe headquarters, armored cavalry squadron head- ARMOR Staff quarters, reconnaissance squadron head- quarters, armored cavalry troop, armor com- 38 Sniper Tank! pany, and motorized brigade headquarters of by Captain Pete Mattes and Sergeant First Class (P) Frank Monroe the United States Army. In addition, Army libraries, Army and DOD schools, HQ DA and 41 The Combined Arms Task Force: MACOM staff agencies with responsibility for ar- Shaping the Future of Armored Forces mored, direct fire, ground combat systems, or- by Lieutenant Colonel Craig B. Whelden and Captain Robert Kmiecik ganizations, and the training of personnel for such organizations may request two copies by 44 Disengagement - Avoiding the Point of No Return sending a military letter to the editor-in-chief, by Major Charles C. Otterstedt and Major Steven J. Mullins Authorized Content: ARMOR will print only those materials for which the US. Army Armor Departments Center has proponency. That proponency in- cludes: all armored, direct-fire ground combat systems that do not serve primarily as infantry 2 Letters 6 The Driver’s Seat 2 Contacts 50 Bustle Rack carriers; all weapons used exclusively in these 5 Commander’s Hatch systems or by CMF 19-series enlisted soldiers; 53 Books any miscellaneous items of equipment which armor and armored cavalry organizations use exclusively; training for all SC 12A, 12B, and 12C officers and for all CMF-19-series enlisted soldiers; and information concerning the train- ing, logistics, history, and leadership of armor and armored cavalry units at the brigadelregi- ment level and below, to include Threat units at those levels. Material may be reprinted, provided credit is given to ARMOR and to the author, except where copyright is indicated.

March-April 1991, Vol. C No. 2 On Brigade Reconnaissance perfect TOE for the mission, the lntegra- brigade HHC, like the scout platoons of tion of the eight- or ten-vehicle scout maneuver battalions? Having served in an Dear Sir: platoon, along with the required improve- armor battalion scout platoon, I can say ments to the HMMWV noted by that belonging to an HHC as a reconnais- Major Thomas' article, "Employing a Lieutenant Deal in his article in the same sance element is unsatisfactory. Such Brigade Scout Platoon," while right on the issue, would make it far more capable companies are already huge and spread mark concerning the requirement for a than the one platoon organization for- throughout the BSA, combat trains, brigade reconnaissance element, failed to warded by Major Thomas. UMCP, and TOC. Platoon sergeants of recognize the fact that such units already battalion scout platoons spend much of exist in Light Infantry Brigades (Separate). One platoon is simply not capable of ac- their time arranging for the logistical sup- The brigade is assigned one light cavalry complishing all of the missions that would port of their units, because the company troop with combat elements identical to be given to a brigade reconnaissance is much too large for the first sergeant those of the ground troop of an LID caval- unit. Its lack of logistic support would also and executive officer to handle. ry squadron, plus organic CS and CSS handicap such a platoon enough to inter- elements appropriate for a unit of its size fere with mission accomplishment. Where At brigade level, things would be at least and mission. While in no way is this the would this platoon be attached? In the twice as difficult, because most of the

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ARMOR Editorial Offices U.S. ARMY ARMOR SCHOOL

Editor-in-Chief Commandant (ATZK-CG) Major Patrick J. Cooney 2249 MG Thomas C. Foley 2121 Managing Editor Assistant Commandant (ATSB-AC) Jon T. Clemens 2249 BG James L. Noles 7555 Editorial Assistant Vivian Thompson 2610 Deputy Assistant Commandant (ATSB-DAC) Production Assistant COL Donald E. Appler 1050 Mary Hager 2610 Command Sergeant Major Contributing Artist CSM Jake Fryer 4952 SPC Jody Harmon 2610 Maintenance Dept. (ATSB-MA) MAILING ADDRESS: ARMOR A'ITN. ATSB-AM, Fort COL James R. Joy 8346 box, KY 40121-5210. Command and Staff Dept. (ATSB-CS) COL J. W. Thurman 5855 ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: To imp- speed and ac- curacy in editing, manuscripts should be originals or clear copies, Weapons Dept. (ATSB-WP) either typed or printed out in near-letter-qualily printer mode. COL George R. Wallace I11 1055 Stories can also be accepted on 5-1/4" floppy disks in Microsoft Directorate of Training Development (ATSB-TD) WORD. MultiMate, Wordperfect. Wordstar, or Xerox Writer (please include a printout). Please tape captions to any illustrations LTC Craig S. Harju, Sr. 7250 submitted. Directorate of Combat Developments (ATSB-CD) COL Edward A. Bryla 5050 PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS: Report delivery problems or changes of address to Ms. Connie Bright, circulation manager, NCO Academy/Drill Sergeant School (ATZK-NC) (502)942-8624. CSM John J. Beck 5150 Director, Reserve Component Spt (ATZK-RC) UNIT DISTRIBUTION Report delivery problems or chan- COL Eduard Yates 1351 ges of address to Ms. Mary Hager. DSN 464-2610 commercial: (502)624-2610. Requests to be added to the free subscription list Directorate of Total Armor Force should be in the form of a letter to the Editor-in-Chief. Readiness (ATZK-TF) COL Dennis H. Long 7809 ARMOR HOTLINE - DSN 464-TANK (The Armor Hotline is a 24-hour service to provide assistance with TRADOC System Manager questions concerning doctrine, training, organizations, and equip- for Armored Gun System (ATSB-TS) ment of the Armor Force.) COL Eugene D. Colgan 7955

2 ARMOR - March-April 1991 brigade HHC Is even more removed from would be an excellent addition (so would both Soviet and U.S. doctrine and or- the A0 of a brigade reconnaissance unit. chest protectors for the gunners). ganizational structure. If heavy brigades of the Army are to have HMMWV-mounted reconnaissance ele- The engine on the HMMWV, while quiet First, If you step back from the fancy ti- ments, let them be separate organizations compared to an operating CN, rs still tles of Soviet Combat Reconnaissance large enough to do the job, with enough much too loud for scout use, especially Patrol (CRP) and Forward Security Ele- logistic support for sustained operations. when the cooling fan engages. At night ment (FSE), you should notice that the on an OP at the NTC, one can hear the en- Soviets are using what we call "traveling On a related item, Ueutenant Deal's ar- gines of HMMWVs for a long way off, but overwatch." A platoon is leading for the ticle, "The Missing Link: Making the one never knows if it is an OPFOR VIS lead company, which is in turn leading for HMMWV Scoutworthy," was excellent. MOD BRDM, an OC, or a fire marker the battalion, etc. The intent, like our own, After having served as a scout in both team. During an actual conflict, the is to develop the situation at the lowest M996 and M1025 HMMWVs, I have to enemy will not have this problem! The en- level, allowing the commander freedom to agree 100 percent with the changes gine must be insulated for better noise dis- maneuver. recommended by Ueutenant Deal. Not cipline, similar to the German Luchs. only does the windshield glare like a full Second, the proposed Combat Recon- moon, it also makes blackout driving The final problem area Is the pneumatic naissance Detachment (CRD) is flawed. without scarce NVGs extraordinarily dif- tires, with their magneslum run-flats. Company XOs, and especially the bat- ficult. During cold weather, the necessary While this system may be perfectly ade- talion commander and S3, need their running of the defroster increases internal quate for the HMMWV of a battalion com- tanks to maneuver and be at key points noise and heats the windshield up so that mander (from which he Is not going to where they can influence the action. Also, It stands out like a beacon when viewed fight), or a signal battalion RATT rig, it is putting the HHC commandant in com- through a TIS, and its distinctive vertical woefully below par for a reconnaissance mand is ludicrous. He already has a critl- emplacement makes ID extremely easy vehicle which will spend almost all of its cat, full-time job supporting the task force. for enemy gunners. The lack of skid time off road, with people shooting at it! plates on an off-road vehicle of the My current troop suffered multiple flat Third, the professed effectiveness of the HMMWs caliber is almost criminal. The tires during operations over desert terrain CRD is valid only IF the scouts find both single most important addition to a scout liberally laced with basalt formations. the Soviet CRP and FSE and avoid detec- HMMWV would be the inclusion of the While annoying and expensive during tion, and IF the CRD manages to ambush VIC-1 intercom, but without CVCs. A head- peacetime training, such occurrences both of them, in turn, and IF the FSE and set designed to cover only one ear and to during mounted operations during actual Soviet battalion main body fail to fix and fit into the current Kevlar would be more hostilities would interfere with mission ac- annihilate the unsupported, overextended appropriate, allowing the crew one un- complishment. CRD itself. (That's a lot of "IFs"!) covered ear to listen. (The lack of an lnter- corn on current scout HMMWVs forced Though the new version of the HMMWV Fourth, logistics through the mortar me to purchase a pair of voice activated proposed by Lieutenant Deal is well platoon is equally ludicrous. The mortar radios similar to those currently in use at thought out and relatively inexpensive platoon sergeant also already has a full- fast food retailers. These Radio Shack (compared to a CFV), acquisition of such time job. He also lacks ammo haul products allow me to communicate with a vehicle may prove difficult given the cur- capability for main gun and TOW mis- my driver from the weapons station rent mood in both houses of Congress siles, not to mention the fuel needed for without yelling at the top of my lungs. toward new systems. However, many of Abrams tanks. While this system is adequate for talking the changes suggested can be to my driver, I still cannot hear radio traf- acomplished at local DS units, with Fifth, the scout platoon, required to be fic while the vehicle is moving, unless the limited expenditures of funds. far in advance of the CRD, is totally unsup- volume is turned all the way up. And even ported, while the entire battalion, and then, only one person can have the hand I am extremely happy to see that mem- hence, the brigade, is delayed one hour in mike at a time, because there is only one bers of the armor community are thinking crossing the LD. hand mike jack when operating through of new and innovative ways to better ac- the Vinson J-box.) Scouts be able to complish our mission, without needless I propose a much sounder alternative: communicate quickly and effectively to be spending of scarce defense funds. Use one of the four maneuver companies of any use to the commander. in the battalion in traveling or bounding JAMES 6. COUCH overwatch, LIKE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO, The only things that Lieutenant Deal SGT, ORARNG and quit trying to "reinvent the wheel." failed to address In his article were the Troop F/116 Cav driver and passenger seats, lack of noise Portland, Ore. CHESTER A. KOJRO Insulation for the engine, and the run-flat St. Robert, Mo. tire system. CRD "Reinvents the Wheel" Scouts Need the New Bradleys Both the driver and passenger seats should be replaced. Not only are the Dear Sir: Dear Sir: present seats uncomfortable, they offer the occupants zero protection from any- After reading "The Combat Reconnais- This is a follow-up on 1LT Kenneth L. thing more powerful than a child's sance Detachment in the Meeting Engage- Deal Jr.'s article in the November-Decem- slingshot. The addition of high-backed, ar- ment and Defense" (July-August 1990), I ber 1990 issue. Our country and its allies mored seats, similar to those used for must strongly disagree. The concept is are in a state of readiness out in the helicopter pilots in Vietnam-era Hueys, based on an erroneous understanding of deserts of Saudi Arabia. The multi-nation-

ARMOR - March-April 7997 3 al forces are certain to rely on the mas- sance; FM 3-3, Contamination Avoidance; won by sealift and heavy forces. If It isn't sive reconnaissance that the scouts will FM 3-101, Chemical Staffs and Units: FM a REAL war, we can afford the luxury of a be sending back to their commanders. 3-4, NBC Protection; FM 3-100, NBC short delay in arriving. Getting our sol- The scouts have to go out first, for we are Operations: and FM 3.6, Field Behavior of diers killed in a rush is hardly a the battlefield intelligence. We have to NBC Contamination. USACMLS is also in worthwhile objective. Remember always: send back information on enemy posi- the process of revising and incorporating The title "Low Intensity Conflict" refers to tions, military installations, troops, and all pertinent information ,on NBC recon- the enemy situation. It is not a restriction any other critical targets, therefore, scouts naissance contained in FC 3-19, FM 3-3, on what we choose to deploy. are the eyes and ears of the army. To be FM 3-100, an FM 3-101 into the new FM 3- a good scout, and to stay alive, a scout's 19 (coordinating draft - dated 24 August Yes, there are roles for light armor. We job requires a great deal of sneak and 1990), NBC Reconnaissance. The New FM could create armored airborne units for peek activity, which brings me to the 3-19 (CD) contains our current and im- seizing key objectives in support of the reason for this letter. The Bradley Cavalry proved concepts for conducting NBC ground maneuver of heavy forces. But Fighting Vehicle (CFV-M3) is not a very reconnaissance on the battlefield. this is at the expense of, not reinforce- reliable vehicle to go to war in. This is due ment of, the airborne infantry. The 82d to several deficiencies within the vehicle USACMLS Is currently using the informa- would probably be trimmed to the which make it very difficult for scouts to tion contained in FM 3-19 as the primary equivalent of two brigades, one armor, sneak and peek without being heard or source document for training the NBC the other infantry. Also, light armor seen. It's too big, loud, and does not have reconnaissance platoon packages enroute brigades could become organic to heavy the equipment needed for either chemical to Saudi Arabia in support of OPERATION and light divisions. This is an economy of or desert environment. The CW-M3s are DESERT SHIELD. FM 3-19 (CD) was force compared to heavy armor, but is a constantly breaking down back home. released on 24 August 1990 to our forces net increase in logistics and size of both. The desert is much more harsh than in Saudi Arabia in response to the current home. After our deployment to Saudi threat to our forces operating in that area. The article is correct that our leaders Arabia, we hear of our infantry brothers We are fully aware that FM 3-19 is not in it must demonstrate courage, but it must be receiving brand new Bradleys.... Shouldn't final preparation stage at this time, but it to challenge a flawed concept. Until we re- the scouts be the ones to get the new does contain our basic concept of opera- store the Light infantry Division (LID) to Bradleys with the NBC protection that the tions, current doctrine, and current proce- the former, balanced, Infantry Divislon M3A2 has, if scouts have to have Bradleys dures for conducting NBC reconnaissance. (Light), with its organic tank and at all? In this type of environment, in mechanized battalions, we are merely fool- order for scouts to get in there and sneak JAN R. ROBERTS ing ourselves. and peek, we are going to need COL, CM HMMWVs. We agree with the experts in Director of Training CHESTER k KOJRO matching sections of HMMWVs with sec- U.S. Army Chemical School St. Robert, Mo. tions of the M3-CFVs for their thermal Ft. McClellan, Ala. sighting capabilities and tank-killing firepower. This gives the task force a for- Leaders Must Challenge Tank Destroyer Patch Lives On midable platoon for the reconlcounter- "Flawed Concept" of LIDS In ARNG Helicopter Regiment recon battle. If they have to spend money to build the vehicles that scouts need, Dear Sir: Dear Sir: that's what they need to do. We need these vehicles out here. A scout's life After reading "A New Day for Armor or 1 was pleased to see the article In your saved means thousands of other lives the Last Glimmer of Sunset?" (September- January-February issue on tank destroyers saved, and accurate information sent October 1990), I conclude that not only of WWII. It was well-written and informa- back to the commanrs. Armor, but the Army is in a malaise. The tive. l was even more pleased to see a pic- reason is because our leadership sold its ture of our unit patch on your front cover. HHC, 1/8 Cavalry Scout Platoon soul when it unquestioningly accepted the I am a member of the 1st Battalion, 238th OPERATION DESERT SHIELD myth of "Light Forces" and "Rapid Deploy- Aviation Regiment, an attack helicopter ment" at the expense of combat power: battalion of the Michigan Army National The Light Infantry Division (LID). Guard. Last year, one of our staff officers NBC Story Failed researched the origin of our tank-busting To Follow Chemical Doctrine The LID was constrained to 10,OOO sol- heritage, and through his efforts we diers and its goal was for deployment by procured an original tank destroyer patch. Dear Sir: 500 sorties. Both figures were arbitrary, We adopted this patch, with some not mission related. The LID can barely modification, as our own. We wear it on This correspondence is In response to sustain its own meager forces and cannot our flight uniforms, and it is proudly dis- CPT Dennis M. Verpoorten's article on hope to sustain even light armor. Any at- played throughout the unit. I thought it chemical reconnaissance printed in the tempt would surely strain and break the might interest your readers to know that November-December 1990 issue of air supply link. these tough, fighting units have not been ARMOR. CPT Verpoorten's article contains forgotten. Their tradition is being carried significant errors in chemical doctrine. Certainly, airlift is a tremendous on, albeit in a different kind of vehicle, capability for limited high payoff opera- and with much improved doctrine. The following manuals contain informa- tions. But consider this: All the C5As in tion on NBC reconnaissance and chemi- the world could not match the 10,500-ton MARK k COSGROVE cal equipment used during NBC recon- cargo capacity of a single WWll era "Liber- CPT, Aviation, MIARNG naissance: FC 3-19. NBC Reconnais- ty" ship. The reality is that REAL war is Grand Ledge, Mich.

4 ARMOR - March-April 7997 MG Thomas C. Foley Commanding General US. Army Armor Center

The Combat Arm of Decision - 100 Hours to Victory Chief of Armor Sends:

With the announcement of the liberation of Kuwait and the cessation of hostilities, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to you for your outstanding performance over the past seven months in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm that culminated in the lightning ground campaign.

To all the Army and Marine Corps armor units that deployed to the Gulf and fought so superbly, I salute you. The tankers and scouts, and all other soldiers who make up our Armor Force today, are the best this country has ever produced. Our equipment is unstoppable, and our training is second to none. No one can ever argue with the results.

To the units that did not deploy, you can be proud of your readiness and dedication. Your support to families left behind by soldiers deployed helped to keep morale high, and your ability to continue opera- tions with reduced manning levels provided the support necessary to bring the confikt to an end. Each sol- dier, by taking pride in top performance, and accepting nothing less than excellence, provides the Armor Force with the strength and audacious warrior spirit that makes our branch great and the centerpiece of the mobile armored warfare combined arms team.

To the schools, TDA installation support agencies, and family support structure groups across CONUS, in Europe, and the Pacific, who provided the support that was so vital for victory, I would like to say thank you for your long hours of hard work and dedication.

Every member of the Total Armor Force can be proud of the outstanding professionalism displayed during Operation Desert Storm. I am. We have a strong Armor Force that once again has proven its worth on the battlefield. i am also confident that you will continue with the same commitment to excellence in the coming days and weeks as we continue to meet the many challenges facing us. Keep that audacious war- riorn spirit, and congratulations to each of you. Forge the Thunderbolt!

Thomas-1 y *MG,Chief usv- of A or

ARMOR - March-April 1991 5 CSM Jake Fryer Command Sergeant Major U.S. Army Armor Center Stabilize the Crew

Scenario 1 troop - all in the name of profes- .Have the TC and gunner sional development. negotiated the proper gates before The organization was participating live fire? Before a tactical ex? in a Tank Table XI1 Platoon Battle Before battle? Run when SGT X returned to the Scenario 3 unit from emergency leave. The unit .Have lower tables been ex- leadership made the necessary Two weeks before level 1 gunnery, ecuted before progression to higher moves between tank crews to put the first sergeant "scrounged" a ones? SGT X back into his gunner posi- PLDC seat for SPC M, a gunner for tion on the 23 tank. SPC Y left the tank 21. The platoon leader, the Are. the instinctive and reflective gunner's seat of the 23 tank and tank platoon sergeant, and the first actions normally associated with the went back to his driver's seat on the sergeant were receptive and favora- tank crew or section prevalent? 24 tank. SPC Z left the driver's seat bly endorsed SPC M's attendance at and went back to the loader's seat PLDC for career enhancement. What's acceptable: two-man on the 24 tank. All this made the crew or three-man crew, two-tank TC of the 24 tank, the platoon ser- The preceding scenarios could, platoon or three-tank platoon be- geant, very happy because he no and probably do, happen in every cause of unavailable manpower? longer had to "hot seat" his loader unit, at least it's happened in every from another platoon, especially on armored and cavalry unit I've been 0 Are we training safely? this most important event - Tank assigned to - but is it right? These 0 What's the maintenance distribu- Table XI1 B. examples raise a few very touchy tion for the reduced crew? questions! Most of us Armor leaders have Scenario 2 .Do leaders and soldiers know grown up accepting the reduced local policies and SOPS? crew and platoon manning levels as 2LT B, having recently arrived in a normal standards. Either the person- regimental cavalry squadron, has .Are we fair to small units? nel replacement system is not doing learned that he will replace 2LT A, platoons? sections? what it is supposed to, or we who served for seven months as the leaders are not making prudent 1st platoon leader of the tank com- .When we move one person, how decisions. We need to come to grips pany. 2LT A has earned his spurs many crews do we aifect? How have with this important factor. and has been identified to become a we affected the attitude of the dis- scout platoon leader in a cavalry placed soldier? "STABILIZE THE CREWS"

6 ARMOR - March-April 1991 Tanks and APCs of the 24th ID arrive in the Gulf Preparingfor the Storm ... General Thomas Kelly, Joint Staff Director of Operations, called the deployment to Saudi Arabia the equivalent of moving the entire city of Richmond, Va. halfway around the world.

ARMY TIMES PHOTO In the days following the Iraqi in- vasion of Kuwait, light forces waited for the arrival of the 24th ID'Stanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles, to "heavyup" the defense. Before the STORM was over, many of these vehicles would be occupying Iraq.

ARMY TIMES PHOTO ARMOR - March-April 7997 7 -vn-----

ARMY T MES PnOlO

Tuning Up =.=

ARMY TIMES PHOTO

8 ARMY TIMES PHOTO The 82d Airborne: Instant Armor

Tt PZ th UF rnwllt IU LWIIL~III~~UUIIII Hussein. Many of these Vietnamera vehicles rolled in the streets of Panama only last year.

ARMOR - March-April 1991 9 b c

Marine Armor

Marine M6Os prepositioned on ships In the Indian Ocean were able to deploy quickly to Saudi Arabia. At left, a Marine unit prepares to begin its first live-fire gunnery. The M60s below have reactive armor mounted.

Marine forces on the ground were later involved in the breach- ing of the Kuwaiti border defenses and heavy fighting during the sweep north, culminating in a bitter tankon-tank battle at Kuwait City's International Airport. Those who remained on ships in the Gulf forced several Iraqi divisions to wait for an amphibious invasion that never came.

10 ARMOR - March-April 1991 The Saudi desert has few of the reference points Gsibleat the NTC.

NEW AIDS TO DESERT NAVIGATION Knowing Where You Are ......

by Captain David D. Howard

To navigate, calculate distan- cal features were not even ces, interpret maps, and recog- noted. The desert was barren, nize terrain at a high rate of with few or no terrain features speed is a skill that the ar- for reference. mored force leader must learn early and hone, to properly To assist in desert navigation,

direct forces. The ability to the division requisitioned Trim- ~ position and maneuver forces pack Global Positioning System to obtain the advantage on the (GPS) and Loran navigational ~ enemy is the key to any mission devices. The Trimpack model accomplishment. global- positioning- device (or 1st Cav trooper checks position using Trimpack device. Small Lightweight GPS In the early stages of our Receiver, SLGR) is a hand- deployment on Operation Desert difficult for navigation. There is no held, battery-powered navigation Shield, the 1st Cavalry Division Tiefort Mountain in our area of receiver, which receives data from recognized that navigation and con- operations. In many areas, maps of global positioning satellites. We get trolling movement in the Saudi any scale are unavailable and three-dimensional fvres when track- Arabian desert terrain would be a 1:250,000 scale maps are the most ing four or more satellites, or two- challenge. Although we train on prevalent. dimensional when only three satel- relatively flat terrain at Fort Hood lites’ signals are received. The and have experience in the Mojave The maps that were available were receiver does require line-of-sight Desert at the National Training vague, with many inaccdracies: trails access to the satellite signals. The Center, the terrain and vastness in had been rerouted, terrain features Trimpack can calculate positions in Saudi is much different and more (dunes) had moved, and some criti- latitudeflongitude, the Universal

ARMOR - March-April 7991 11 As the division established posi- tions, the positioning devices con- tinued to aid in operational plan- ning and comparison of what was portrayed on graphics to actual ter- rain. Helipads at all command posts were recorded using these naviga- tional aids. Both are comparable with the Doppler Navigational Sys- tem, which is in many helicopters. LORAN device is in use by 1st Cav in Saudi Arabia Knowing exact locations assisted our aviators tremendously, especial- Transverse Mercator coordinate sys- to use a conversion table to convert ly during night NVG flights. Distan- tem, and the Military Grid to the military grid system. The ces in the desert were deceiving, as Reference system. It can figure division is also using a military we found out on terrain walks. Ran- velocity and time, and way points model of Loran receivers. Before ges we thought were four kilometers can also be programmed to assist deploying, the division received by sight, the positioning device with enroute navigation. The Trim- enough of both systems to outfit the determined to be eight kilometers. pack is powered by a rechargeable cavalry squadron and the battalion, Updating of maps with exact loca- NiCad or lithium battery, or brigade, and division command tions of previously unplotted terrain powered by a vehicle DC power posts. features continued, which assisted supply. The system may be outfitted units that were without locating with an optional external antenna Upon arrival of the assault com- devices. for use inside vehicles. Up to this mand post and advance party, recon point, the Trimpack has been parties began reconnaissance of the Positioning devices assist the com- proved to be a reliable receiver. area of operations. During those pany and battalion commanders to reconnaissance missions, the maneuver their forces. Proper dis- The other position locating device positioning devices demonstrated persion of forces, establishment of in use by the 1st Cavalry Division is their worth. The abifity to navigate link-up and passage points, and a commercial receiver that operates and establish positions and exact coordination between flank units on on the Loran positioning system. boundaries quickly was astounding. each axis of advance and defensive The Loran system uses ground In fact, the recon parties could boundary are improving execution based positioning beacons to trian- precisely identify terrain features time and accomplishment of mis- gulate a position to the hand-held not recorded on the maps and pass sions within the units. Use of the receiver. The receiver has the ability them back to the G-2 for updating positioning device is allowing the to program way points and figure maps. Also, only a few reconnais- frontline leaders to have better con- velocity, but the Loran system can- sance elements were needed due to trol of their forces. not register altitude. The receiver the speed in which areas could be must be within the range of three navigated in a given amount of time The future use of positioning locating beacons to receive an ac- using the positioning devices. When devices would help the commander curate position and is susceptible to the main body elements began oc- maneuver forces quickly without interference from other radio sig- cupation of their positions, the having to question whether forces nals. ability to precisely know their "part are actually in the correct position. of the goose egg" and position for- The speed and accuracy of the sys- The model in use in Saudi Arabia ces accordingly allowed for a quick tem would assist to direct fast gives location in latitude and lon- occupation with very few adjust- moving armored forces to key gitude, which requires the operator ments of boundaries. points to influence the battle. To

12 ARMOR - March-April 1991 know the terrain and to use it to Many of these forces do not have There is a great advantage in the your advantage is still important. the communications to “ask for use of position locating devices, When forces are rapidly deployed directions” once they leave their sup- which the 1st Cavalry Division is ex- to an unfamiliar area, they would port area. With the use of the locat- periencing - an advantage in use not be as dependent on trying to lo- ing device, the support unit could now, and which could be expanded cate themselves using the terrain, quickly find linkup points, conduct in the future. but would be able to focus more on resupply operations, and . minimize their objectives. Battlefield obscura- the time combat forces would be tion and limited visibility would not out of action. be such a hindrance. Sand storm Captain David D. Howard obscuration was quite prevalent. Navigation training and map read- received his Regular Army ing without the locating device commission as a Distin- The reconnaissance forces would would still be a requirement. Sol- guished Military Graduate also benefit by being able to pin- diers and leaders should not be- from South Dakota State point enemy locations accurately. come so dependent on locating University. A graduate of The reconnaissance section, know- devices that their navigation skills AOBC, IOAC, and the Air/ ing its exact location, could calcu- diminish. Just as armored forces Ground Operations School late the exact placement of enemy train on degraded gunnery opera- (AGOS), he has served as a forces. This would give the com- tions, so we will still require naviga- tank platoon leader, execu- mander a better picture of the close tion without devices. tive officer, and battalion battle and the ability to call for in- maintenance officer with 3-35 direct fire, attack helicopters, and Armor, 1st AD, Bamberg, close air support (CAS). Another Development of an automatic FRG. He served as assistant benefit of the location devices is in locatinglreporting system needs to G-3 operations officer and as- the ability to trace the actual for- become a reality. The technology is sistant to the secretary of the ward line of troops (FLOT), which available today. All platoons, com- general staff, 1st Cavalry again would assist in battle coor- bat and combat support, should Division in Fort Hood, Texas dination. have positioning devices. The armor and Saudi Arabia. He is cur- force needs a system that would rently commanding a tank Combat support and combat ser- portray force locations for use by company in the 1st Cavalry vice support units could take ad- the commander in tactical decision Division in Saudi Arabia. vantage of position locating devices. making.

ARMOR - March-April 1991 13 MIA1 NETT in Southwest Asia When the Army decided to upgun two divisions already deployed to DESERT SHIELD, training them in theater became a challenge

By Major Rick J. Edmond and Captain Kermit E. Steck

In the summer of 1990, the Army Training (NET) Division, which had While the tanks were being deployed some CONS-based tank been providing MlAl rollover train- prepared in USAREUR for ship- battalions equipped with the M1 ing to CONUS tank battalions .for ment, the NET Division made the tank in support of OPERATION the past two years, but the concept necessary preparations to deploy a DESERT SHIELD. The battalions of deploying a NET rollover team NET team capable of teaching two were well trained in 105-mm gun- to a potential combat area to con- tank companies simultaneously. In nery, but after evaluating the large duct this training was a monumental order to complete the large scope Iraqi armor threat facing the U.S. task. In addition, the training was to of this mission, the NET assembled Armor force, DA made the decision start NLT 29 November and be its standard MlAl Rollover NET in September to upgrade the completed before 1January 1991. Team and augmented the team with deployed forces to the MlA1. 47 NCOs and one officer from the 194th Separate Armored Brigade at The upgrade would provide the From August to October 1990, Fort box. U.S. force with a larger 120-mm MlAl tanks were prepared for ship- main gun, an overpressurization sys- ment to Saudi Arabia at POMCUS The Rollover NET Team had to tem to combat the Iraqi chemical sites in USAREUR. The Army redeploy from Fort Carson, draw threat, and improved armor protec- tasked the Materiel Fielding Team equipment, and rapidly train the ad- tion to enhance crew survivability. (MFT'), based in Vilseck, Germany, ditional members assigned to the The mission to plan and execute the to receive the tanks in Damman. team, all in 10 working days. In addi- training of the DESERT SHIELD The MFT was augmented with over tion to teaching 19K skills, the roll- armor force went to the Armor 600 civilians from the Annkton over program of instruction (POI) Center's New Equipment Training Army Depot, Ala. The mission of called for upgrading MlAl skills of Division. The scope of the mission the MFT' was to off-load the MlAl both organizational and DS/GS sup- was to train the 1st Cavalry tanks and upgrade them for issue to port elements. Division, augmented with the 2d the armor battalions of the 1st Cav AD Tiger Brigade, and the 24th ID and the 24th ID. (Mech), augmented with the 197th The volatility of the 120-mm round Separate Infantry Brigade. made maintaining and loading the The upgrade included prepping 120-mm breech a very important The training was conducted in the tanks in accordance with 10120 training factor. Eight hours of the Saudi Arabia at the port of Dam- standards, issuing ASLPLL, and two-day POI were devoted to the man. The intent of the mission was even painting the tanks desert sand loading, construction, cleaning, and nothing new to the New Equipment CARC paint. maintenance of the 120-mm breech

74 ARMOR - March-April 7997 coupled with the 120-mm main gun, and main gun. We stressed safety at Early in December, the rollover I all times, during both the 19K and team received the mission to roll- the NBC system, and the improved maintenance phases of training. over the 24th ID (M) and the 197th chance of survivability, was evident ~ Separate Infantry Brigade simul- in the visible boost in morale the After preparation, the rollover taneously with the 1st Cavalry DESERT SHIELD soldiers got team left Fort Knox on 27 Novem- Division and complete this mission when they received their new tanks. ber on two C141B aircraft, arriving before 25 December 1990. This in- in Damman the following day at creased the training pace from two 2300 hrs. Team members immediate- companies to three companies per ly started preparing the Damman day (two 1st Cav companies and port for an MlAl rollover NET. one 24th ID company). MAJ Rick J. Edmond was Less than seven hours later, the commissioned in Armor in MlAl NET began training two com- The MFT was unable to issue the 1975 from the New Mexico panies of the 2d Battalion, 8th 24th ID MlAl tanks until after 23 Military Institute. He served Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. December. Thus, the NET of the in various Armor command 24th ID was conducted on 15 static and staff positions in both tanks provided by the MFT. The the 1st ID Forward (FRG) In order to understand the south- concept was to issue the MlAl and 1st Cavalry Division. west Asia rollover, it is important to tanks to the 24th ID after the NET. He also taught as an as- outline the process by which a bat- The MFT provided an MlAl push sociate professor of military talion upgraded its tank fleet from package to the division’s desert loca- science at the University of M1 to MlA1. Once a battalion ar- tion. The entire NET of both the 1st Kansas. He is currently rived at the port, it turned in its M1 Cav and the 24th ID was completed chief of the New Equipment tanks to the MFT, and drew on 23 December 1990. This sig- Training Division, MlAls. The battalion then pro- nificant event was accomplished USAARMC. ceeded to the MlAl NET facility with an additional augmentation of and conducted training at a rate of instructors from USAREUR. CPT Kermit E. Steck was two companies every two days, for a commissioned in Armor in total of four days per battalion The pace was hectic, but the 1985 from Officer Can- trained. USAARMC NET proved that two didate School, Fort Ben- heavy divisions, each with three ning, Ga. He served as After the completion of NET, the brigades, could be rolled over from platoon leader, company battalion moved back to the desert M1 to MlAl in just over 26 days. XO, and BMO of 4-37 AR, and conducted calibration and TT This effort is directly related to the 1st ID at Fort Riley, Kan. He VI1 gunnery, with master gunner professionalism and spirit of the graduated from the Armor support from the rollover team. noncommissioned officers who Advanced Course in 1989, This process worked for the 1st made up the NET rollover effort. and is currently team chief Cavalry Division, but changed sig- The significant contribution the of the M1A1 Rollover Team. nificantly for the 24th ID. USAARMC NET team made,

ARMOR - March-April 1991 15 Planning

by Captain John Scudder

One of the greatest challenges facing a modern tank team com- mander is the planning, prepara- tion, and execution of a deliberate attack mission. Primarily focusing on the team’s response once it comes in contact with the enemy at the objective, many units fail be- cause commanders are over- whelmed by an overabundance of individual and collective task re- quirements. As a result, the intri- bined arms assault. Commanders a mutually supported enemy. cate detail necessary to execute suc- fail to designate guidelines for the I cessful actions on the objective are integration of ti& and infantry In order to be successful in war, a neglected as the team succumbs to once the unit meets the opposition. tank team must be able toI mass its enemy fire. Additionally, many tank Unfortunately with this occurrence, combat power against the enemy’s *--l-- -_-_:-.- --.--.IAI .* .. _____1. -_..L rn 11 .. team commanders do not under- LUIIRS receive priority arrention, me weati poinc. roiiowng- me AirLand stand the spedificity involved in infantry is forgotten, and the team Battle tenet of synchronization, the preparing their units for a com- launches a piecemeal assault against commander must combine his

76 ARMOR - March-April 1991 armor and infantry forces as well as analysis might be the enemy situa- of approach. In this way, the com- other combat multipliers (such as in- tion. However, with deductive mander considers mounted, dis- direct fire, close air, and air reasoning the next logical element mounted, and air approaches that defense) to destroy the enemy on in our planning analysis is time. work for his unit and the enemy. the objective. Thus, the purpose of Time is probably the commander's Next, the commander looks at areas this article is to discuss some essen- greatest constraint. He evaluates it that dominate avenues .of approach tial elements that are often early to determine how much he and provide a marked advantage to neglected in the planning, prepara- will need to plan and issue the those who control it: key terrain. tion, and execution of a tank team OPORD to his subordinates. Our Key terrain may be high ground, in a deliberate attack. With em- doctrine prescribes the use of the roads, or intersections that control phasis on actions on the objective, backward planning sequence so the or deny approaches by fire or friend- this paper will offer some command commander can budget his time ly occupation. This fact evolves into and control techniques as well as and comply with the "1/3-U3"rule. the study of observation and fields review the specifics in consolidation In other words, this practice gives of fire in which each avenue of ap and reorganization. We will focus the commander one-third of the proach is specifically categorized by on a modern tank team composed time to prepare an order, while sub- how well it can "see and shoot." Con- of ten M1 Abrams tanks, four Brad- ordinate units receive two-thirds of tinuing our analysis, the commander ley Fighting Vehicles (BFVs) and the time. Yet, the commander must can further define what terrain is three six-man infantry squads. not get strictly tied to the planning key, he can rank-order the most phase in his time analysis: he must desirable terrain, and finally con- consider many factors in both the clude with an exploration of cover Planning for preparation (e.g. rehearsal time) and conceatment. the Deliberate Attack and execution time (e.g. smoke coverage, counterattack reaction, ar- Therefore, as a result of our Doctrinally, the Army prescribes tillery preparation, etc.). deductive reasoning, we offer a new the use of troop leading procedures acronym in order to assist the team tied in with the decision-making Alterhg the METT-T acronym commander in his analysis of ter- process in order for commanders to once again, deductive reasoning rain: "OAKOC." Readjusting the develop a sound attack scheme of would point our analysis toward ter- acronym order to follow the discus- maneuver. Inherent in this system is rain because the commander can- sion above, the commander is now the Commander's Estimate of the not analyze the enemy or-his own provided a well-thought-out process Situation and the application of situation without this element. Un- that can strengthen his decision- ME'IT-T (mission, enemy, terrain, deniably, terrain is classified making ability. time, and troops available). "neutral" in that the force that best understands it will succeed on the Once the commander has In analyzing ME'IT-T, the com- battlefield. Thus, to make life answered the mission, time, and ter- mander must look at the mission in simpler for commanders, our rain in his METT-T formula, he terms of the task and purpose of the doctrine advocates the use of now tackles the enemy problem. It operation. He must delineate be- another acronym in probing the use is common knowledge that many tween the specific tasks in the opera- of terrain: OCORA: Observation companyheam leaders totally accept tion order (OPORD), the implied and fields of tire; Cover and con- the task force S2's intelligence tasks deduced from this analysis, cealment; Obstacles; Key terrain; analysis when they prepare their and the inherent tasks that are and Avenues of approach. OPORD. This can be a dangerous routinely prescribed by SOP (e.g., practice because many S2s neglect refueling, coordination, etc.). He However, the commander cannot essential information that will assist must also determine the limitations mindlessly accept a list of words commanders and keep soldiers alive or constraints that may prevent the without placing them in a logical on the objective. Given this ominous unit from accomplishing the mis- order that will assist him in his es- fact, the team commander must be sion. Finally, the commander should timate process. When applying this his own intelligence officer. He restate the mission so that it fits the acronym to terrain, the commander must determine how the enemy team's required task and purpose must first consider obstacles as "anti- would doctrinally act and relate this for a deliberate attack. avenues of approacht because, after to the terrain. This situational they are determined by looking at template should reflect obstacles, Because our doctrine gives us a slope, the weather's impact, and pos- vehicle positions, unit frontages, dis- handy acronym with METT-T, one sible locations for manmade mounted strongpoints, maximum might think the next segment of our obstacles, they will reveal avenues engagement lines for direct and in-

~ ~ ARMOR - March-April 7997 77 direct weapon systems, and result- tool available to the commander, unloaded, and soldier speed when ing fire sacks in the objective area. thorough reconnaissance prevents a leaving the carrier. As a result, once All in all, the commander must fur- deliberate attack from becoming a the inevitable order to dismount is ther develop the S2 templated over- movement to contact. given, our infantry often replicates lay by adding graphic information "Spanky and the gang" as they "spill" that will increase his unit's chances Rehearsals are another fundamen- onto the objective. of survival. tal element in a successful deliberate attack. Although many Deliberate Attack Execution The final element of ME'IT-T is commanders believe that mission troops available. Once the com- briefbacks from platoon leaders will Because tank teams normally mander has received his mission suffice, rehearsals ensure that tank move adequately before enemy con- and measured it by the specific commanders and squad leaders tact, we will primarily concern our- criteria discussed, he must check his won't botch up a relatively simple selves with a unit's actions on the unit's capabilities in order to deter- plan. One remedy is to brief back objective. This segment aims to as- mine what needs compensation. the OPORD on a detailed sist commanders by outlining the When planning a deliberate attack, sandtable model and then conduct detailed execution necessary in a the team commander must deter- mounted rehearsals on terrain successful team assault. Next, we mine what combat, combat support, similar to the objective. If time is will offer some command and con- and combat service support systems scarce, focus on the numerous ac- trol techniques, concluding with should be applied to the objective tions on the objective that involve what should happen when units con- area. This is the point when he ul- moving tanks into support-by-fire solidate and reorganize on the ob- timately combines the training and positions and the orderly dismount- jective. maintenance abilities of his tank ing of infantrymen. The key to suc- and infantry forces. With this ac- cess is to rehearse with precision, Assuming the team reaches the ob- complished, the commander can emphasizing coordination and jective unscathed, and the enemy is apply the deductions from his cooperation between tanks and dis- identified, the commander im- MEIT-T analysis to develop well- mounted elements on the objective. mediately orders his fire support of- thought-out courses of action that In rehearsing the coordinated ef- ficer (FIST) to request immediate allow him to formulate a concrete fort between tanks and infantry, suppression to kill, confuse, and plan. every infantry soldier must under- blind the enemy. Simultaneously, stand he has the duty to talk to the the lead tank platoon will move to Preparation for tanks and convey information about its support-by-fire position in order The Deliberate Attack the objective and the enemy that oc- to cover. the team's assault. At this cupies it. The infantry are the eyes point, I recommend that the execu- Aside from falling short in their for the assaulting tanks and the sup- tive officer ("fighting XO") move to planning efforts, many com- port-by-fire element. Designated join his platoon in order to add ad- pany/team leaders are not aware of arm and hand signals should be ditional firepower and give the sup- the importance of preparation for agreed upon and rehearsed. port element control to the second- the attack. Often, once the OPORD h-command. is issued, commander's wait until The fmal preparation effort is a mission execution before they be- complete precombat inspection The commander then identifies come seriously involved. As the min- (PCI). In addition to boresighting the route by which he will lead the imum, the commander must recon- crew-served weapons, the team com- assault element as it bypasses kill noiter the battle area, rehearse mander charges his NCOs with sacks and attempts to strike at the necessary movements, and supervise checking his soldiers' ability to go to enemy's flank or rear. When he combat inspections. Reconnaissance war. However, despite a complete decides to begin the assault, the is vital because it forces the com- command followup, commanders commander orders the assault tank mander to check his planned axis of fail to supervise infantry PCIs. platoon to lead the BFV-mounted attack and verify his situational Primarily focusing on the infantry's infantry. At the same time, he will template. Through reconnaissance, ability to dismount, commanders shift indirect fires to isolate the he 5, sometimes fail to check load plans, enemy at the point of attack and spot d breach kits, (e.g. bangalore tor- will guide mutually supporting routc I- pedoes, grappling hooks, rope ser- direct fire. Once the assault tank tions, anu t;mpmx spcwir; uis- viceability, VS-17 panels, and mark- platoon reaches an enemy position mount or support-by-fire locations. ing devices), ammunition require- it cannot destroy, or runs into ter- As the most important preparation ments, crew-served weapons to be rain it cannot move through, the in- 18 ARMOR - March-April 7997 fantry platoon can assault dis- The key to this example is that This will hasten cross-leveling and mounted. At this point, the com- both the infantry and supporting ele- replacement resupply. mander must maneuver his vehicle ment must see each other in order assault element to create an assault to take immediate advantage of the Techniques for Command line in which tanks and BFVs mass tactical situation. A recurrent theme and Control direct fire support for dismounted is infantry forcing the enemy to infantry. evacuate its fighting position only to As Samuel Huntington pro- have the support element not in claimed, the purpose of a profes- As the dismounts move within the position or not alert to capitalize on sional officer is to manage violence. objective area, they will destroy this window of enemy vulnerability. To do this, our doctrine provides us enemy infantry and force enemy with control measures to help us vehicles to leave their original posi- safely maneuver forces on the objec- tions. As this happens, control and Continuing the attack on the objec- tive. However, some commanders coordination between mounted and tive, if the commander has close air disregard these necessary instru- dismounted forces becomes support available, he can request A- ments designed to save soldier lives. paramount. The good news is that 10 gunships to destroy the retreat- Repeatedly, units reach the objec- enemy vehicles will move un- ing enemy. If the unit must breach tive only to become lost, shoot each protected from their original fight- an obstacle, dismounts secure the other, or be killed by a repositioned ing positions and can be destroyed far side by clearing a footpath using enemy that could have been by antitank direct fire from several grappling hooks and wire cutters, destroyed earlier. In this section, I different directions. This "pick-and- call for indirect smoke to obscure will offer some command and con- shovel" method involves dismounted enemy observation, and place an- trol techniques that will "save the forces prying enemy combat titank fires on any enemy that can force" on the objective. vehicles from their fighting posi- engage friendly breaching opera- tions, while tank and TOW fire tions. Initially, the commander must destroy them on the move. But it is devise a tactical plan that includes not enough for the infantry to ar- Next, the remaining infantry easy to understand graphic control duously sweep the objective while squads breach the obstacle (if neces- measures. Our doctrine provides the tanks and BFVs "sit back" in a sary, with assistance from the and recommends control measures support-by-fire role. An example of tankers) using explosives or grap- on the objective that will maintain active supporting fires can be articu- pling hooks to physically remove sur- the force and avoid the fratricide of lated using set-go drills in which dis- face laid mines. Once the obstacle dismounted infantry. In the case of mounted infantry and supporting is reduced, the infantry marks a our supporting fires, the support-by- elements constantly communicate lane, using engineer tape, colored fire tank platoon must treat the ob- while leading each other to the smoke, and recognition panels at jective like a defensive engagement enemy. the entrance of the breach site. The area. mounted assault element then Infantry squad "BMP dug in 200 comes forward, while the XO ad- The platoon leader has control meters to our west." justs the position of the support-by- measures such as TRPs, engage- Support element: "Wait, I cannot fire location. ment areas, and no-fire areas in see you." order to enhance fire control. In the Infantry squad "Roger, I'll adjust example of our assault element, my position." Once the objective is taken, con- both tank and infantry platoon Support element (after 1 minute): solidation and reorganization begin leaders should receive detailed of- "I now see you. Where is the posi- as the infantry remounts, and the as- fensive control measures that in- tion of the enemy?" sault element occupies defensive clude checkpoints, platoon phase Infantry squad "200 meters to the positions, scanning for enemy flank- lines, and platoon objectives. In this west." ing fire or counterattack. They sense, commanders should not com- Support element: "Roger, set." develop range cards, determine tar- plain about complex overlays; Infantry squad "Moving in to as- get reference points (TRPs), and separate overlays can suffice for sault now." develop a team directlindirect fire platoon maneuver. Infantry squad (minutes later): plan. The first sergeant moves the "Engaging, BMP pulling out of posi- trains forward to evacuate casual- Next, the tactical plan should in- tion." ties. Platoon sergeants turn in status clude specific signals on the objec- Support element: "BMP ac- reports on all classes of supply, to tive. In other words, paragraph five quired ... Engaging now." include personnel and equipment. of the OPORD must give more in-

~~ ARMOR - March-April 1991 19 formation than the position of the Consolidation and rearming as METI'-T allows. Again, task force commander or the succes- Reorganization tank-infantry cooperation should be sion of the chain of command. The stressed during this phase: in- company/team leader cannot rely Our discussion of the deliberate at- fantrymen can help the tankers by solely on FM communication - tack would be inadequate without carrying tank rounds and assisting radio nets can be jammed. Detailed covering consolidation and reor- them in the redistribution of tank visual and pyrotechnic signals are re- ganization, the most critical phases ammunition. By following this quired. Some examples include: an of the attack. Many commanders process, a commander can get his illumination artillery round assists in feel the urge to rest on their laurels, act together before his next mission. land navigation; aircraft 'recognition pat themselves on the back, and con- However, unless he applies forceful panels distinguish friendly vehicles gratulate their unit on a job well leadership and his unit has a desire on the objective; a green star cluster done. At about the time the team to succeed, all effort to defeat the signals the deployment of dis- reaches this point of inattention, the enemy will be wasted. mounted infantry and that fires enemy counterattacks and the unit must be shifted; green smoke indi- is subsequently destroyed. We can Conclusion cates an obstacle is encountered; overcome this temptation by focus- violet smoke means the obstacle is ing our efforts to eliminate the Judging from experience at the Na- breached; and a white parachute enemy and prepare for future opera- tional Training Center, tank team flare is launched once the objective tions. Army doctrine states that commanders are not specific is secure. when a unit consolidates on the ob- enough in planning and executing a jective, it must eliminate'the enemy, deliberate attack. As leaders, we Finally, the tactical plan must ad- prepare for a counterattack, and have neglected a complete under- dress the greatest command and continue the mission. This is a time standing of the deliberate attack control challenge: tank and infantry when leadership becomes para- from its inception to essential tasks teamwork on .the objective. Unfor- mount. The commander must start on the objective. Soldier lives can tunately, our doctrine has become the intricate planning cycle again, be jeopardized by both friendly and somewhat obsolete with the advent concentrating on troop-leading pro- enemy fire unless leaders fully un- of the M1 tank and the Bradley cedures and the decision-making derstand and specifically plan the Fighting Vehicle. First, the M1 tank process. Challenged with a mission details of the deliberate attack. We has no external telephone to help to either defend the previously owe our subordinates the con- dismounted infantry communicate taken objective or continue the at- fidence that we can plan and violent- with tank commanders. Second, be- tack, the commander must ly execute any deliberate attack mis- cause of safety restrictions, dis- remotivate his unit, regain the initia- sion. mounts may no longer move behind tive, maintain the momentum, and a tank without the danger of being destroy the enemy. He must also burned. Finally, many of our "how- concentrate on his use of dis- Captain John Scudder is a to-fight" manuals have failed to mounted infantry. At a minimum, 1979 graduate of the U.S. review the arm and hand signals the infantry should continue sweep- Military Academy. He has necessary for tanks and infantry to ing the enemy positions, rounding served as a tank platoon communicate on the ground and in up prisoners, set LP/OPs out for- leader, tank company XO, and MOPP 4. ward at night for early warning, and support platoon leader with 2- assist with overall security between 33 Armor, FRG; S3 Air, HQ vehicles. company commander, tank However, with the proper plan company commander, and bat- and a detailed rehearsal, the tank In the reorganization phase, talion S3 with 1-77 Armor at Ft. team commander can overcome leaders must ensure that subor- Carson; and as a tank team ob- these problems when radio com- dinates replace key leaders; man server-controller and S3 ob- munication breaks down. For safety key weapon systems; evacuate KIAs server-controller with Opera- purposes, and if the situation and WAS; report losses, ammuni- tions Group, NTC. He has a demands it, the commander may tion expenditure, fuel status, and masters degree in public ad- elect to require dismounts to assault vehicle conditions; redistribute sup- ministration from Golden Gate between tanks. Finally, while con- plies, equipment, ammunition, and University and has attended solidation occurs, he may decide to personnel; restore communication AOB, AOAC, Ranger School, use wire to "hot-loop" vehicles in with units out of contact; perform Airborne School, and CAS3. He their occupation of hasty defensive maintenance checks and emergency is currently assigned to the 3d positions. repairs; and continue refueling and Armored Division.

20 ARMOR - March-April 1991 The Triumph and Tragedy of Major General Maurice Rose

by Dr. Ralph C. Greene

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, LTC Maurice Rose was chief of staff of MG George Pat- ton's newly formed 2nd Armored Division at Fort Benning. Patton was impressed by the 41-year-old WWI veteran's bearing and ability. Rose, too, had been a cavalryman, and wore outdated, glistening riding boots, breeches, and a belt pistol holster. Both had prophesied that tanks would be preeminent in bat- tle. There the resemblance ended. Rose was taller, slimmer, and more handsome. His commanding voice shrouded inner irritation.

When MG Ernest ("Old Gravel Voice") Harmon took command of the 2nd ("Hell on Wheels") AD, he retained Rose as chief of staff. The North Carolina maneuvers raised Rose's reputation as a redoubtable leader.

Operation TORCH landed Pat- ton's Western Task Force, including "Hell on Wheels," in Morocco on November 8, 1942. The over- whelmed French surrendered on the llth, but the 1st AD ("Old Iron- sides") of the Center Task Force was defeated with heavy losses at Kasserine, Tunisia, in blunting Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's western thrust. Patton replaced its com- manding officer on April 5, 1943, "But how? Our Lees are slow as or rear where their armor is with Harmon, who brought Rose hell, and our Shermans are all going weakest." He drew formations on a with him. to the Limeys," replied Harmon. sheet of paper. "Speed and more speed is the solution." Realizing German tanks' supe- "Task forces, sir. Small task forces riority in armor and firepower, are the answer. Combat commands In the assault on Mateur, about Rose suggested to General Har- are too unwieldy. But a small task May 3rd, he drove to a demoralized mon, "We'll have to outmaneuver force can move quickly... in direct battalion reserve and asked why it them, sir." combat, we hit them from the sides was static. Told that it could not

~ ARMOR - March-April 1997 21 support the attack because of heavy bury Plain, afforded relative luxury. Sergeant Marsh added, "Our head- enemy shelling, he immediately set The barren fields surrounding quarters was dug deeply behind a an example by walking toward the Stonehenge allowed ample room for hedgerow to escape detection. front. The encouraged troops ral- intensive training. Assigned to Movement was minimum from our lied, braving artillery and machine Lieutenant General Omar Bradley's foxholes. Nevertheless, the general gun fire, and Mateur fell.-This feat First Army, "Hell on Wheels" put his field tent and his canvas won him the Silver Star and promo- crossed the channel in stages to chair in front of us... Rose rejected tion to full colonel. Omaha Beach from June 7 to 10. the old cliche, 'Discretion is the bet- Early on June 13, an Ultra flash ter part of valor.' He motivated us from Bletchley (the British decod- by respect and fear: His troops On May 7, Harmon launched his ing center) disclosed that a panzer knew that he would never give an armor to break Afrika Korps resis- division was moving swiftly for an at- order that he would hesitate to tance before Bizerte. Its defenders tack on Carentan, which had been carry out himself. He prodded his signaled, "Our armor and artillery won by the 10lst Airborne "Scream- task force leaders to keep have been destroyed; no ammuni- ing Eagles" on June 12. They lacked moving.... he and his staff rode the tion and fuel, we shall fight to the heavy weapons to blunt a tank razor's edge of the attack." last." A German envoy in a white- thrust, which could have split the draped, horse-drawn wagon asked American forces between Utah and for an armistice. Harmon insisted, Omaha Beaches. Bradley launched Fighting toward St. Lo, which fell "Unconditionalsurrender with no at- a counterattack that included on July 18, CCA pierced enemy tempt to escape by sea or sabotage Rose's CCA. strongholds under heavy fire. equipment." Rose; in a jeep flying a white flag, crossed enemy lines "At the hour for attack," Sergeant Bradley's 1st Army delivered its though fire and mines. Twenty Don Marsh remembers, "the lOlst second blow, COBRA, on July 24. minutes later, he reported "General troopers held fast in their foxholes... After a tragic short bombing killed Krause accepts unconditional sur- General Rose, alone, in his 'pink' hundreds of forward troops, includ- render. This was the first capitula- riding breeches, polished boots and ing LTG Leslie McNair, CCA tion of a major Axis force, in WWII tank jacket, walked up, ignoring moved southwest. German defenses - 40,OOO Germans and Italians. danger... He came upon an airborne had been demolished. Over 1,OOO captain and demanded, 'Get your were killed, the survivors dazed, The North African campaign's men out of their holes and moving and only a few armored vehicles ruthless winnowing tested and forward. We're attacking, and I remained in operation. Collins developed leaders. Maurice Rose mean right now!' The troops suc- threw his VI1 Corps - 1st ID, 2nd was a preeminent example. On June cessfully counterattacked, buoyed AD, and 3rd AD 197 into the fight. 2, he was promoted to brigadier by CCA." Rose's daring was The 2nd AD, led by CCA, drove general by TORCH'S commander- rewarded by the capture of German south. Rose was determined to in-chief, Dwight Eisenhower. documents disclosing that an ar- break out of the Cotentin Peninsula mored counterattack was not ex- regardless of fatigue, casualties, or On July 9, Operation HUSKY pected so soon after the landings. darkness. Despite exhaustion after landed Patton's Seventh Army on He had splashed ashore only three fighting for 24 hours, his stem order 70 miles of southern Sicilian littoral days earlier, and his audacity ar- remained: "Keep going!" - Truscott's 3rd ID and the 2nd guably saved the beachhead. AD defeating the elite Hermann CCA's fighting dash until mid- Goering Panzer Division. Rose's This victory put the 2nd AD in the night, over poor roads and through CCA slashed over winding roads, natural fortresses of the bacugc hedgerows, destroyed the for- mountain passes and rivers to Sici- country (hedgerow-bordered pas- midable Panzer Lehr Division, ly's north coast and won the vital tures), restricted terrain for armor. while losing fewer than 200 men. port of Palermo. Improvising bulldozer attachments, The troops then were roused after Rose's tanks chewed eastward only two hours of sleep, with cries In November, the 2nd AD went to through the almost impenetrable of "Climb aboard, we're moving England to prepare for OVER- walls of deep-rooted trees and out!" Rose repeated, "When you've LORD. Tidworth Barracks, on Salis- shrubs. got the enemy on the run, keep him

~ 22 ARMOR - March-April 1991 ~ on the run!" Speed reduced Feldmarshall Gunther Von casualties. Kluge's armies were still Chicago Daily News Cor- trapped in the "kessel" and respondent Robert Casey rsr. LO were slaughtered as they joined CCA west of St. Lo. fled between Argentan and "The region looked like the Falaise. moon. Rose stood in a field pitted with craters and fringed They poured through until with burned-out tanks. Suave the gap was shut on August and imperturbable, he greeted 19. Some 30,000 to 50,000 es- us cheerily. 'What did they do caped. The Allies took to you?' I asked. 'Plenty,' he said. tion ... He was stern and aloof, but 50,000 prisoners, and 10,000 Ger- 'And what do you intend to do on occasions exhibited a sense of man bodies lay in the "killing zone." about it?' He looked at me quizzical- humor. Officers and soldiers were Von Kluge, suspected of being in- ly. 'My orders aren't changed. impressed by his no-nonsense, quick volved in the July 20 assassination We're going to attack'." grasp of the tactical situation." attempt on Hitler, took cyanide.

Rose raced south, followed by the With Operation COBRA com- Bradley praised Rose's daring, 3rd AD and the 1st ID. On August pleted, Bradley pivoted northeast, awarding him the Distinguished Ser- 1, CCA spearheaded the attack on forcing the Germans into a trap. Its vice Medal. The Germans, too, real- Tessy-sur-Vire. A spokesman for a upper jaw was the Canadians at ized that they faced an adversary dispirited infantry company said, Falaise. Rose pushed his revitalized rivaling Patton, and matching Rom- "The tanks could have had wooden Spearhead Division (lower jaw) to mel. He had built up the 3rd AD's guns." Their presence alone res- Argentan, 19 miles south of a junc- morale, taught it how to fight, and tored confidence, and the blazing ture with the Canadians. They were welded it into a marvelous combat town was cleared of the enemy by stopped by a strong force of Ger- machine. August 7. man tanks and dive bombers and surrounded by heights where the Pausing a few days on the Seine, The Americans overran Av- Germans made a desperate counter- the 3rd AD thrust toward Belgium. ranches, breaking out for Paris and attack. The Spearhead tanks fought COL Ernest DeSoto wrote. "We Brittany. After the U.S. capture of artillery and armor at close range. were advancing through village after Mortain, east of Avranches, on Wrecked Shermans and Panzers lit- village in France. A jeep stopped August 3, Ultra indicated a German tered the roadsides and fields alongside my halftrack; in it were counterattack to drive to the sea amidst the bodies of hundreds of Doyle Hickey, CO of CCA, and with over 150 heavy tanks. When GIs and German soldiers. Rose. Mortar fire fell nearby. Rose fog cleared on the afternoon of and Hickey took out their maps and August 7, Allied rocket-firing Rose's center held, and his spread them on the hood ... An in- planes destroyed most enemy speedier armor outflanked the Ger- fantryman called, 'Who the hell are vehicles. Bradley wrote, "I had no man tanks and infantry. Fanatic SS those damn generals?' I told him, better generals than Collins, Hobbs, troops swarmed from the hillsides, and he replied, 'That's the first time Eddy, Brooks, and Rose. Their ... ex- firing machine pistols and automatic I ever saw a goddam general this perienced divisions made the attack rifles at Rose's Shermans. They fell close to the front.' Collins (frequent- suicidal for the enemy." in rows, barely impeding the attack- ly) ordered Rose to get back with ers. After the capture of Argentan, the division, but he was always for- Collins and Bradley were disap Falaise fell to the Canadians on ward." pointed by the unaggressive leader- August 17, narrowing the gap to 12 ship of the 3rd AD's CO, MG miles. German fire held the trap's Along the Mauberge-Mons road, Leroy Watson. On 7 August 1944 northern jaw open. Rose rallied his the 3rd AD caught Germans in Rose replaced him, instilled new staff officers, cooks, clerks, and bright moonlight. Tank guns shelled spirit, and authorized the SPEAR- drivers to close the southern jaw, them mercilessly. qehicles were HEAD insignia. COL Andrew Barr but the Germans resisted ferocious- often destroyed with a single shot. remembers, "He visited every sec- ly. Most of the exhausted forces of Survivors surrendered in droves.

ARMOR - March-April 7997 23 Retreating through Mons to the unprotected, and luck rode with lins advanced but six miles. Despite Siegfried Line, the surprised Ger- him. When we got to a hot spot, he 35,000 casualties, he had not mans found Rose ahead of them. was ahead of us. We developed reached the Rhine. The 3rd AD They rushed headlong into his road deep affection and admiration for faced stubborn resistance, some of blocks. General Collins wrote, "On him. He had the modesty of a great its task forces losing half their tank September 2, I drove to Rose's CP man, the calm fearlessness of a strength. south of Mons. He was getting fighter, and the uncanny instincts of reports of enemy on his left rear... a genius. Rose emerges as an Since September, Hitler had Rose warned me not to linger as he authentic hero. There was no planned to split the Allies. Un- expected to get hit. I told him to smarter commander of armor nor detected by Ultra intercepts, his hold tight ... After I left... his division more... considerate leader." three new panzer armies assaulted was in a wild melee reminiscent of the American weak point in the Ar- the 2nd Armored's breakout in Nor- The New York Siiii's W.C. Heinz dennes on December 16. With the mandy." The 3rd AD killed or cap- revealed, "The unit which spear- 3rd AD running short of fuel and tured over 25,000 by the end of the headed the American drive from supplies, Rose, uncharacteristically Mons action on September 5, deal- the Seine to the border of the Reich cautious, held up his advance. He ing the German VI1 Army a crip- was the 3rd AD of the First Army... ordered, "Impress every individual pling blow. Rose's feat was its fighting guys asked me why that we must stay right here, or rewarded by his promotion to major everyone was writing about the there will be a war to be fought all general. Thiid Army, and not about the 3rd over again, and we won't be here to AD... (Censorship allowed writing fight it." Rose made a sharp northeast turn about armies but not about from Mons. The 3rd stormed along divisions)... they showed letters the Meuse and captured Liege. from home remarking what a Christmas dawned bright and SGT Larry Maffia remembers, wonderful job Patton and his boys clear. American fighter planes "During our drive through Belgium, were doing. 'We're the guys who bombed and strafed the Germans, our reconnaissance battalion was 10- took Soissons and Chateau Thierry!' who had failed to enlarge their 12 miles ahead of the tanks. I was in these G.1.s would shout angrily. 'We penetration. The Bulge was broken an armored car, (but) General Rose read that it was the Third Army. on January 3, when Collins' VI1 and was often ahead in his jeep. He What's wrong with you writers?' Ridgway's XVIII Airborne Corps avoided casualties by passing op- The Spearhead Division brought the counterattacked from the north, led position." blitzkrieg back to the land of its by the 2nd and 3rd ADS through a birth at a speed its.inventors never snow-covered minefield. A 3rd AD task force fought up the thought possible... Rose would east bank of the Meuse on Septem- stand in a jeep about 60 feet behind Rose drove the 3rd AD to the ber 12, routing the SS house by the tanks... You don't see many Rhine, nine miles south of Cologne, house to reach the formidable West generals up there." during the first week of February. Wall - a double row of obstacles With CCB were a few of the new barring the historic route of in- Medieval Aachen, Charlemagne's M26 Pershing tanks with 90-mm vasion to and from Germany. The capital, with narrow, winding streets guns, a match for Panthers and next day, the task force took the and heavy stone buildings, held Tigers. Germany's Queen City was German village of Roetgen, making great psychological importance to WWII's greatest ruin. The Germans Xose the first commander since Hitler. Almost surrounded, the Ger- blew up the great Hohenzollern Napoleon to invade Germany from mans resisted fiercely, but sur- bridge, the key to the heart of Ger- the west. Before dusk, a breach was rendered on October 21: the first many, before it could be taken. made in the rock, steel, and con- major German city captured. crete Siegfried Line. General Collins wrote "...(Rose) In November, Bradley bogged met me outside his CP, located in Rose called to his correspondents, down in the brutal battle of the an exposed house at the very end of "I'll see you in Aachen," and disap- Huertgen Forest. The winding trails a small town. 'Maurice,' I said, 'do peared in the smoke. "Rose," wrote were too narrow and the trees too you always have to have your CP in Casey, "rode with the advance units, thick for tanks. In three weeks, Col- the last house in town?'

24 ARMOR - March-April 1991 He drew himself up as he replied, Rose was killed, he gathered a row.’ ... By next midnight, the 3rd ‘General, there is only one way I scratch group of soldiers and led AD had pushed almost 100 miles know to lead this division and that’s them into a wooded section where across country - the longest fight- at the head of it!”’ German soldiers had holed up. All ing armored movement in history. the enemy surrendered... Not a shot By March 7, the city was in our was fired... This often happened... The tanks started at first light in hands... We had come over 600 the general taking the place of a four columns. They rolled through miles from Utah beach and cap- non-com or shavetail. Rose was woodlands... and white-flagged vil- tured 140,OOO prisoners ...” never guilty of that German lages. Groups of Russian, French, bromide: ‘To become an old sol- and Italian slave workers came out Some of Rose’s men predicted his dier, stay far from battle....”’ of hiding...” death because of his determination to be first at the point of maximum Occasionally, we would see Rose In the van of the drive to Pader- enemy resistance. They remem- with the higher brass... He was neat born, Rose, with his aide, Major bered that he drove his jeep across as wax with fruit salad displayed. Robert Bellinger, and his driver, a bridge suspected of being mined “Lightning Joe” Collins, Bradley, T/4 Glenn Shaunce, passed a stone before he would allow his tanks to and Ike usually dressed very sober- wall-bordered cemetery. He sudden- cross. (But they also remembered ly ...” ly cautioned Shaunce: “Look, Jer- that he would fine them $60 for ries!” He was first to spot a group of fraternizing with a German civilian The 3rd AD crossed the Rhine on 20 Germans scurrying across the and $10 for not wearing a steel hel- pontoon bridges south of Bonn on road ahead. “Stop!” he ordered, met.) the 25th, and blasted eastward to grasped a submachine gun, and Marburg. On March 28, two jumped from the jeep, calling, “fol- Sergeant Willard Smith recalled, “I American armies began a giant pin- low me!” He charged after the first saw General Rose up front at cer movement to encircle the Ruhr. enemy, who had taken cover behind the Battle of Mons. He wore cavalry LTG William Simpson’s Ninth the wall. When he saw them, he boots, had two stars on his helmet Army was the northern hook, LTG pressed the trigger, but the gun and on his jeep. I thought, ‘What is Courtney Hodges’ First Army (in- jammed. He threw it away, and that idiot doing here?’ We were kill- cluding the VI1 Corps, 104th ID, jerked his pistol from his belt ing Germans by the hundreds and and 3rd AD) the southern. ‘holster, shooting a German who he was sightseeing. I developed aimed his rifle at him. A second great admiration for him when I For two weeks, the 3rd AD battled jeep stopped behind them and COL realized the way he led his troops. eastward. Four correspondents en- Frederic Brown and his driver (He) knows what the hell is going tered Rose’s headquarters in a par- joined the firefight. The remaining on! Around Stolberg, the General lor of a German home. Thomas six of Rose’s ll-man escort, in two zoomed up. He asked, ‘Why is your Henry of the Chicago Siui wrote, motorcycles and an armored car, platoon exposed and what are you “Rose’s face was pillowed in his drove up. Twelve Germans had sur- trying to do?’ I told him, ‘We’re arms on the table ... Rising wearily, rendered, several had been killed, keeping two bunkers closed and he pointed to a map on the wall. and the rest escaped. He supervised shooting Germans out of these farm From this village (Marburg), the loading the prisoners into his buildings.’ He said, ‘Give them hell, projected line of advance turned vehicles and, covering those in his and good luck!’ and drove off. We north almost at a right angle... jeep with his pistol, took them to a had plenty of bull sessions about POW compound. This skirmish was General Rose.” ‘Its precisely Mons all over again perhaps the only time during WWTI - the same movement and the that a division commander personal- Sgt Frank Woolner wrote, “...The same object.’ He referred to his ly stormed an enemy position, Gcneral was a hell of a good com- phenomenal dash across Northern routed them, and took prisoners. A mander. He dressed like Patton France which won him promotion... GI whispered, “The Old Man is but ... didn’t chew put or scream at ‘When do you expect to reach stretching his luck. One day it’s soldiers. He had ‘big balls.’ He Paderborn?’ we asked ... ‘I’ve just gonna run out.” never hesitated to go where the hot told General Collins that we would The 90-degree north “end runn iron was flying... Shortly before be in Paderborn at midnight tomor- turn of the 3rd AD tanks surprised

~ ARMOR - March-April 7997 25 the Germans. Startled defenders manning guns at crossroads were crushed. Most towns were bypassed, to be mopped-up later. Third AD vehicles reached Hamborn, south of Paderborn, on the morning of March 30. As Rose left his head- quarters, a sergeant remarked, "There goes the division point." During the afternoon, combat turned furious. Paderborn, where the blitzkrieg was born, was a large SS Panzer training center. The in- structors fought with skill and fervor with about 60 Tiger and Panther tanks.

Chief of Staff COL John Smith was following CCB, which was fired on by concealed German tanks at a sharp left curve, destroying a num- ber of Shermans and halftracks. Rose was forward of this point and aware that he was isolated. He had been trailing a task force led by COL John Welborn on a secondary road, with panzers in its rear and front and German infantry in the woods. At dusk, small arms and tank frre had cut Rose off from Wel- born. Rose radioed Smith to take the Germans under fue. It was his final command. Smith could get no reply to his coded call signal.

Rose rode in his jeep with Shaunce and Bellmger. Following him were two jeeps, one driven by COL Brown, LTC Wesley Sweat with other men in an armored (radio) car, and two motorcycles. When the German shells struck, Rose's vehicle was slightly ahead of Pershing tank. Because there were north of the Pershing. To avoid their impact point. Desiring to join no tracks going north, they con- being "mousetrapped," Rose's small TF Welborn's leading elements near cluded that it had been leading company detoured south to the nar- Hamborn, he decided to "make a when it was knocked out, and that row, winding, east-west connecting run for it." They tore north through the remainder of the column had road. COL Brown led the way. an open field and then west to the used an east-west road in order to Climbing a slight uphill curve, road on which he assumed Wel- enter the main north-south road to Brown saw a large tank rolling born's column was progressing. Paderborn. A German force was toward them. In the dusk, its outline They were blocked by a disabled known to be astride the first road, resembled one of Welborn's Persh-

~ 26 ARMOR - March-April 7997 '?Iyoung German sol- dier in the tank turret, mo- tioned with a machine pis- tol for the occupants to dismount with their arms up, while shouting franti- cally in unintelligible Ger- man. Resistance seemed useless.

ings. "That's one of Jack's new Bellinger later reported, "A young Shaunce) was Rose saying, 'No tanks!" he exclaimed. As he passed, German soldier in the tank turret, versteh! No versteh!' (Maurice Rose he was alarmed by its twin exhausts. motioned with a machine pistol for was the son and grandson of or- "Holy shit, a Tiger, get off the the occupants to dismount with thodox rabbis and was raised in a road!" he shouted. Three others fol- their arms up, while shouting franti- Yiddish-speaking household. It is lowed. Brown swerved, and scraped cally in unintelligible German. Resis- likely that he would have grasped his jeep past the Tigers. Rose was tance seemed useless. Then the Ger- German military commands. The un- less fortunate. The third tank man screamed something about 'Pis- reliability of witnesses is illustrated slewed, pinning his vehicle to a tree. tollen!' The only reply (according to by BG Doyle Hickey's statement after his investigation, "General Rose answered in -7rfe born English saying that he did not Rose's Last understand...") Reported Position a- ,/ German Disabled "Shaunce and I camed our I Rose Pershing handguns in shoulder holsters, and we could drop "l then without lowering our --,dol3 arms. General Rose, with his I 11- automatic in a belt holster, dropped his arms, presumab- ly to remove his belt. The tank commander, evidently Hamborn thinking he was reaching for his pistol, fired a burst, killing the body of the general... on the ground COL Brown revealed, "General general instantly." near his jeep, his helmet with bullet Rose once stated to me that he holes beside him, and his pistol in would never be taken prisoner as Bellinger and Shaunce hit the his holster with the flap buttoned long as he had a chance to defend ground and scrambled close to the down. As we were in a vulnerable himself or fight back. That was his tank, where they could not be seen position ... we each took a leg, personal concept of the duty of a by its crew. They crawled into the dragged the body downhill, and soldier and he instilled it into his dense woods, and hid, disclosing placed it on our jeep. When a troops. The almost 100,OOO Ger- themselves to 3rd AD patrols in the lieutenant who stopped us found mans we captured (in the drive to morning. out that the body was that of the Paderborn, compared to) the rela- general, he scolded us severely for tively few we lost, paints the picture." 'having no respect.' Since we had COL Smith reported, "After being been on the move for 24 hours The Spearhead had closed the unable to raise General Rose by without rest, we were in no mood Ruhr (later named Rose) pocket, radio for over an hour, I directed a for a tongue lashing and told him so trapping 325,000 Wehrmacht search." SGT Arthur Hausechild in rather colorful terms. He vowed troops. Their general, Walter recalls, "On the morning of March to charge us with insubordination, Model, shot himself. The envelop- 31, Sergeant Owen and I found the but nothing came of it." ment of the Ruhr sealed the doom of Germany.

As news of the killing of General ...A Remarkable Series of Firsts Rose spread, tributes poured from many sources. General Eisenhower, General Rose was the first tember 13-15; to shoot down an on April 1, wrote to Mrs. Virginia American to accept the surrender enemy plane from German soil, Sep- Rose: " ... Your late husband was not of a major German stronghold, tember 18, to capture a major Ger- only one of our bravest and best, Bizerte. His 3rd AD rang up a man city - Cologne - September but was a leader who inspired his remarkable series of firsts: to cross 18. It made the greatest one-day men to speedy accomplishment of the Belgian border, September 2, fighting advance in the history of tasks that to a lesser man would 1944, to fire a shell into Germany, warfare - 91 miles, March 29, have appeared almost impossible... September 10; to cross the German 1945P7 It was cited by the German He was out in front of his division, border and capture a German town, High Command as the best trained leading it in one of its many famous Rotgen, September 12; to breach armored division in the U.S. Army actions, when he met his death. I and pierce the Seigfried Line, Sep- and the most feared by them. hope that your realization of the ex-

28 traordinary worth of his services to Dewey, Lawrence R., Personal com- Schneider, Jost, Personal communica- our country will help you in some munication, 23 Jun 1987. tion, 13 May 1987. (Interview with Daniel small way to bear your burden." Service Record, Maurice Rose, War Peterson, Historian, 3rd AD.) Department, 9 Apr 1945. Woolner, Frank, SPEARHEAD in the West. 1946, 3rd AD Assn., p. 144. General Collins said, "Maurice New York Times, 3 Apr 1945. Rose was the top armored com- Stanko, Mike, Personal communication, Hausechild, Arthur, "Another Side of the 23 Jun 1987. General Rose Story." 3rd AD Assn. mander ... More than any man in the Newsletter, Mar 1988. world he deserves credit for bring- Eisenhower, Dwight D., Papers, The War Years. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Press, Marsh, Don and Dugan, Haynes: 3rd AD ing this war to a conclusion at least 1970, p. 1143. Assn. Newsletter, Dec 1987 (including five or six months sooner than it audiotaped message from Glenn Garland, Albert and Smith, Howard, The Shaunce). would have been otherwise. Y.S. Armv in WW II. MTO. Sicilv and the Secretary of War Henry Stimson Washington, OCMH, Hickey, Doyle, Statement. Apr 1945, 3rd and Generals Marshall, Bradley, 1965, pp. 95-108. AD Archives, Univ. 111. Library. and Hodges echoed these eulogies. Marsh, Don R., History CCA, 2nd AD. Eisenhower, Dwight, Ltr. to Mrs. Virginia "Hell on Wheels" Bulletin, West Covina, Rose, 1 Apr 1945. (in Denver Post, 5 Apr 2nd AD Association, No. 4, Oct-Dec 1986, 1945). In Fort Knox, Rose Terrace and p. 69. Collins J. Lawton, Farewell Address to Rose Hall bear his name, as does a The Man From Colorado. 2nd AD 3rd AD, 11 May 1945. school in Belgium and a rifle range Newsletter, June 1987, p. 16. New York Times, 4 Apr 1945, pp. 7, 20. in Berlin. In 1948, a troop transport Nolan, John. Personal communication, Blake, Tom, Berlin Observer, 30 Apr was christened USAT Rose. The 9, 12 Apr 1987. 1987, p. 4. cornerstone of the Rose Memorial Bradley, Omar N., A General's Life. New Archives, Rose Memorial Medical Hospital in Denver was laid by York, Simon and Schuster, 1983, pp. 279- Center, Denver, Colo. General Dwight Eisenhower on 282. August 31, 1948. The 3rd AD As- Barr, Andrew, Personal communication, Note: Ranks of rnilitary persortnel sociation presented $30,000 and 2, 14, 17 Apr 1987. riraitioried are those at time of ser- General Rose's helmet, which now Casey, Robert, This Is Where 1 Came In. vice with General Rose. New York, Bobbs-Merrill, 1945, p. 104. is on display in the Patton Museum. DeSoto, Ernest, Personal communica- tion, 7 June 1987. General Rose's decorations in- Collins, J. Lawton, Liahtnina Joe. Baton clude the Distinguished Service Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, Dr. Ralph C. Greene, a Medal; Distinguished Service Cross; 1979, pp. 250-253. graduate of the University of Legion of Merit with one oak leaf Maffia, Larry, Personal communication, Kansas and the Washington cluster; Silver Star with two oak leaf 28 Oct 1987. University medical school, clusters; Bronze Star with one oak Heinz, W.C., New York Sun, 4 Oct 1944. served in the U.S. Army Medi- leaf cluster; Purple Heart, WWI; Ramsey, Winston G., "Battle for cal Corps from 1942-1945. He one oak leaf cluster to Purple Aachen," After the Battle, 42:2, 1983. was trained as a pathologist - Heart, WWII; Belgian Fourragere; Cole, Hugh M., Y.S. Armv in WW II, a doctor who studies the French Legion of Honor (Croix de ETO. The Ardennes. Washington, OCMH, causes and progress of dis- pp. 343-352. Guerre with Palm); Belgian Croix ease - and taught pathology at de Guerre with Palm. Smith, Willard H., Personal communica- the medical schools of the tion, 12 Apr; 30 Apr 1987. University of Tennessee, References Woolner, Frank, Personal communica- tion, 9 May 1987. University of Massachusetts, Woodson, Dorsey, "Colorado's Fighting and at Northwestern Univer- Hoover, John S., Personal communica- General," Denver Post, Nov 17, 1960. tion, 4 May 1987. sity, where he retired in 1982. Johnson, Briard, A Condensed History Henry, Thomas, "Masters of Slash and He has practiced his specialty of Hell On Wheels 2nd Armored - Surprise," Saturdav Evenina Post, 219:30, on the staffs of hospitals in Divison. Evansville, Unigraphic, Inc. 1980, 19 Oct 1946. pp. 2-3. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Denver Post, 31 March 1945, p. 1. Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Howe, George F., U.S. Armv in WW II, MTO. NW Africa. Washington, OCMH, Smith, John A., 3rd AD Archives, Apr and Illinois, and is the author 1957, p. 42. 1945, Univ. 111. Library, Champaign. of numerous articles in the Apter, Howard, Men, June 1963. (Prue, Sweat, Wesley A., Personal communica- medical journals. Now retired, Bernard: Personal communication, 15 Dec tion, 19 May 1987. he lives in Chicago. 1987.).. ARMOR - March-April 7997 29 50th Anniversary - Third Armored Division After Landing in Normandy, Spearhead Led the Way

forged to Win in Europe During WWII, It Won Again Against Iraq's Best

As the U.S. VII Corps raced from Normandy through Northern France and Belgium toward Ger- many, the 3d Armored Division earned its nickname the hard way. MG Collins, commanding the VI1 Corps, repeatedly told MG Rose, "You will spearhead the attack." Third Armored earned the sobri- quet by being the first American unit to enter Belgium and the first to enter Germany, leading the fight across Europe.

The 3d Armored began with the no-less-colorful slogan of "Bayou Blitz" when it began its honor- studded career at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, on April 15, 1941. Within two months, the entire division had transferred to Camp Polk, Louisiana, where the original cadre of some 600 officers and 3,000 enlisted men from the 2d Ar- mored Division joined thousands of new recruits. Forging a combat- ready unit became more difficult when 3,000 men transferred to the formed. While training, the 3d Ar- they were to land in EIngland to fledgling 7th, 8th, and 11th Ar- mored moved around the United prepare for the assault on Germany. ." ." mored Divisions, then being States, as it would move through Mer rune months ot training, the Europe in combat. It moved to first major elements of the division Camp Young, California, for desert landed at Omaha Beach on June 23, training in July 1942; to Camp Pick- 1944. It was divided into two spear- World War II Campaigns ett, Virginia, in November; and to a head columns: Combat Command of the 3d Armored Division cold and snow-covered Indiantown "A,," under BG Doyle Hickey, and Gap (Pa.) Military Reservation in Combat Command "B," under BG Normandy January 1943. The Spearhead finally John J. Bohn. Combat Command Northern France shipped out on September 5, 1943, "AA"was the first to see action, as it Rbineland to a then-secret destination. entered combat against the Villiers- Ardennes-Alsace Fossard salient northeast of St. Lo Central Europe Only after embarkation did the sol- on June 29, attached to the 9th In- diers of the 3d Armored learn that fantry Division. CCB was blooded

30 ARMOR - March-April1991 World War II Commanders of the 3d Armored Division after crossing the Airel Bridgehead alone captured more than 10,000 MG Alvan C. Gillem, Jr. on 7 July, attached to the 30th In- enemy soldiers, including the crew April 194 IJanuary 1942 fantry Division. The unit secured of a German Mark V Panther tank, MG Walton H. Walker the Haut-Vents crossroads by the which a Combat Command "A" January 1942-August 1942 11th. On July 16, the two combat military policeman, directing traffic MG Leroy H. Watson commands were united under 3d Ar- at night, directed into an American August 1942-A~g~st1944 mored control at St. Jean de Daye bivouac area. MG Maurice Rose and became the spearhead of VI1 August 1944-30 March 1945 Corps, commanded by MG J. Law- There was no rest for the weary (Killed in Action) ton Collins. fighters of the Spearhead. The BG Doyle 0. Hickey division raced through Namur and March 1945June 1945 Third Armored was in the Liege to Eupen, a town on the Ger- BG Truman E. Boudinot forefront of the fighting from the man border, covering more than 90 June 1945July 1945 breakthrough near St. Lo to the miles in one week. Units of the BG Frank A. Allen, Jr. Mayenne River, some 60 miles reconnaissance company of the 33d July 1945 away. The attack was so swift and Armored Regiment were the first MG Robert W. Grow coordinated that, near Brecey, sol- American troops to enter Germany July 1945-November 1945 diers of the 36th Armored Infantry as Task Force Lovelady captured Regiment, under LTC Leander Roetgen on September 12. Just Doan, caught German soldiers loll- ahead were the formidable defenses The Bulge ing under shade trees, drinking wine. of the Siegfried Line, Germany's "West Wall" of antitank ditches and The German Ardennes offensive, On August 13, the 3d Armored at- dragon's teeth protected by General Field Marshal Gerd von tacked through Domfront to close pillboxes. In a triumph of combined Rundstedt's last bold gamble, shock- the Falaise Gap, capturing Ranes arms action, the division penetrated ed the Allies and caused a rapid after a hard battle on the 15th. It the enemy's last fvted line of redeployment of the Spearhead. fought through Fromenthal on the defense in two days, although at Combat Command "A" was at- 16th and 17th of August, and on the great cost. By the close of fighting tached to the V Corps to assist in Zth, Combat Command "B" on the 15th, with the second line of the defense of Eupen, where it crossed the Seine River below Paris the West Wall breached, only 100 of engaged German paratroopers who on a pontoon bridge constructed by the division's orignal 400 tanks were had attacked near the Eupen-Mal- the 23rd Armored Engineer Bat- still operational. medy road. Combat Command "B", talion. The division covered the.40 with the 30th Infantry Division, miles separating the Marne and Third Armored had dashed from fought the 1st Panzer Division near Aisne rivers in just two days, captur- the Seine River to the Siegfried Spa. Fighting reached a peak on ing Meaux, the farthest point of the Line in 18 days. It paused, ex- Christmas Eve, when the entire German advance in the First World hausted from the intense fighting, to division - cooks, drivers, main- War. The Aisne bridges were refit and rest as the First Army tenance men, and clerks included - secured intact, and soon after the prepared for the final assault on fought off bitter attacks. By the end columns of 3d Armored forces Germany. of December, the enemy crossed them, they were ordered to breakthrough in the Ardennes had turn north, toward Belgium. The When the winter offensive was been halted, and a new VI1 Corps Spearhead crossed the Belgian bor- finally launched on November 16, offensive was planned for January 3. der on September 2, the first its objectives were the very heart of American forces to arrive there. But Germany the Rhine River and Bad weather neutralized the fighting around Mons was in- Cologne. Mud, mines, and antitank American air superiority, while ice tense. An estimated 30,000 German guns slowed the advance, and the and snow slowed the offensive, but troops attempting to retreat to the front stabilized along the Roer the division fought through to the Siegfried Line were mauled by 3d River by the middle of December. Ourthe River by January 19 and Armored and the following 1st In- The 3d Armored settled in to wait seized Gouvy and Beho on January fantry Division. The 3d Armored for the planned spring offensive. 22.~ ARMOR - March-April 7997 37 After reaching the Rhine on March The Rhineland 4, 3d Armored assaulted Cologne on the 5th of March with the sup- After a month's rest at Stolberg, port of the 104th Infantry Division the Spearhead pointed east, out of (See "Armor Takes Cologne," the Elle River bridgehead, on 26 ARMOR,Sep-Oct 88, p. 32). February, and gained a bridgehead the next day over the Erft River. Defenses crumbled by the 7th, and MG Collins, commander of VI1 divisions that had distinguished Corps, congratulated the division themselves in combat. It was ap- Tanker of Tankers: for "spearheading the VI1 Corps, propriate, then, that the replace- the leading First Army troops, to ment training center at Fort Knox SSG Lafayette G. Pool, the Rhine." was named after the 3d Armored, and "In the Mood" one of the most distinguished ar- The Final Drive mored units of the Second World One of the proudest pages in War. The Spearhead served in the the proud history of the 3rd The 3d Armored attacked over the important role of teaching armor Armored Division is the one Rhine on the 25th of March, reach- soldiers and leaders the fundamen- devoted to SSG Lafayette G. ing the Lahn River at Marburg on tals of their service from July 15, Pool, who commanded his 28 March. The division commander, 1947 to June 14, 1955, when the Sherman tank, "In the Mood," General Rose, assisted personally in division was reorganized tactically to a combat record unequalled the capture of a dozen prisoners of under the command of MG John in the history of the Armored war, herding them in with his .45 pis- M. Willems. It met the challenge of Force. SSG Pool led his task tol (See related story on page 21 of becoming combat ready by May 1, force in 21 full-scale attacks this issue). Swinging sharply north 1956. and is credited with the to close the Ruhr pocket, the Spear- destruction of 258 enemy head covered more than 90 miles in Germany Once More vehicles and the capture of a single day, surprising and disor- 250 prisoners of war before ganizing the enemy defense. The The fitst major elements of the being wounded near Munster- Battle of Paderborn, from 31 March Spearhead returned to Germany on busch, south of Aachen. to 1 April, closed the pocket, but May 12, 1956. Assistant division cost the division its gallant com- commander, Robert W. Porter, Jr., Pool, a one-time sectional mander. told his troops, "You come not with Golden Gloves champion, who orders to participate in battle, but turned down a chance to box BG Hickey led the division on to with a NATO-assigned mission to at the nationals because his the Weser River on 7 April, and the preserve peace in Europe and in unit needed him, was in the Mulde River on 15 April before as- the world." For nearly 35 years, the ranks at the activation of the saulting Dessau on 21 April, having proud Spearhead division has ful- division in Louisiana in 1941, spearheaded VI1 Corps across 175 filled this important mission in Ger- when it was known as "Bayou air miles of Germany in three many, serving with the determina- Blitz." His crew - T/5 Del weeks. On April 25, the 3d Ar- tion, courage, and elan that have Boggs, loader; CPL Wilbert mored was relieved by the 9th Ar- characterized soldiers of the 3d Ar- "Red Richards, driver; CPL mored, of Remagen Bridgehead mored Division since its formation Willis Oller, gunner; and PFC fame, and deactivated on November 50 years ago. Bert Close, assistant driver - 9, 1945 in Aalen, Germany. played a large role in the earn- ing of the title "Spearhead" for Fort Knox This article was prepared from the division. Ace of Aces, SSG Shelby Stanton's Order of Battle: Lafe Pool was the point of the In 1947, the Department of the US. Amiv in World War II and the Spearhead in its charge across Army decided to rename replace- unit history, "A History of the 3d Ar- Europe. ment training centers after wartime mored Division.I' 32 ARMOR - March-April 1991 The 3dAD Fought Saddam Hussein's Toughest Troops Through Rain and Wind of DESERTSTORM

The most recent chapter in the preparing to fight the Guards' then turned east to tighten the trap. glorious combat history of the 3d "Hammurabin Division dug in near The remaining functional Iraqi units Armored Division was written in Basra, an Iraqi city that had been were unable to move west because the sands of the desert in southern the administrative headquarters of of the approaching allied heavy Iraq last month. Saddam Hussein's forces in oc- armor, and could not get across the cupied Kuwait. Euphrates. to the north because of As this issue was in preparation, Air Force interdiction of the President Bush had ordered a cessa- The 3d AD attack began on the bridges. tion of hostilities and elements of afternoon of February 24th, when the 3d AD, fighting with other the VI1 Corps moved through the Hundreds of Iraqi vehicles, includ- heavy divisions of the VI1 Corps, Iraqi defense breached by the 1st ing tanks, trucks, artillery, and con- had completed one of the most dif- ID. The U.S. 1st AD, the 3d AD, fiscated Kuwaiti vehicles were at- ficult missions of the war, the and the British 1st AD swept tempting to leave Kuwait in the destruction of Iraq's once-vaunted through the barriers and plunged final hours before hostilities ceased. Republican Guards, an armored north to attack the Guards, con- They were trapped between the ar- and mechanized force that had centrated 50-70 miles away. To their mored divisions and the forces been the pride and cutting edge of left, the 82d Airborne Division and pressing into Kuwait from the south Saddam Hussein's army. a force of French armor screened and west. The escaping vehicles, the flank. The lOlst ABN and the moving along a superhighway The 3d AD was one of the 24th ID were meanwhile racing flanked by a minefield and a ridge, U.S. and allied heavy divisions sent toward Nasiriyah, on the Euphrates were trapped on the road and ham- on what General H. Norman River, to cut off the retreat to the mered by fighter-bombers as they at- Schwartzkopf, CENTCOM com- west. tempted to escape north to Basra. mander, called the equivalent of a football team's "Hail Mary play, a According to news reports, the 3d Although it was impossible to lightning rush north, skirting the AD was part of the force that reach armor field commanders western border of Kuwait, to frnd engaged and destroyed the Guards' prior to our printing deadline, press and destroy Guards divisions in Tawalkana Division on the 26th. accounts told of 3d AD units in northern Kuwait and southern Iraq. The battle against the Republican decisive battles with the Iraqis. One Guards was described in press company destroyed 40 tanks and As the cessation of hostilities reports as not so much a series of other vehicles, according to a pool began, news reports had the 3d AD short actions, but a 42-hour tank report, which noted that SGT Glen engaging the Guards' "Medina" melee in driving rain and sand Wilson's MlAl was responsible for Division" in southeastern Iraq and storms. The VI1 Corps divisions five of the armored vehicles. ARMOR - March-April 1991 33 .3ove, 4tn AU tanks on tne aetensive near Bastogne. wow, tne face ot 4th AD s StiT Hobart Drew retiected the dtvisi0n.s frantic pace

50th Anniversarv - 4th Armored Division Speed and Power - The 4th AD’S Mobility Rolled Through Europe

“Tlte accorirplislinteirts of this division Irave never been equaled. And that statenrent, I do not mean in this war; I itrean in the Ais- tory of waqare. Tltere has never been slicli a superb figlrtiiig otganizatioii...“ through the port of Boston, Mass., ~~ ~~ -General George S. Pattoir on the way to England. World War II Campaigns of the 4th Armored Division Activated 50 years ago, April 15, Six months later in July, 1944, the 1941, at Pine Camp, N.Y., the 4th unit’ entered combat in France after c Armored Division trained in the landing at Utah Beach. Led by its Normandy United States for 32 months before legendary and well-loved com- Northern France shipping out for the European mander, MG John S. (“P”)Wood, it Theater. This training prepared it brought with it a remarkable esprit for fighting in any terrain and de corps. “We felt that we were des- Rhineland climate. The division trained in tined for greatness, much the same wintry northern New York State; feeling that a college football team Ardennes-Alsace came south for the Tennessee must have when it senses the nation- Maneuvers in fall, 1942; par- al championship,” said Albin F. Central Europe ticipated in the first California Irzyk, a college football star who Maneuvers at the Desert Training went on to serve as a junior officer Irzyk fought with the 4th through Center; and was later stationed at in the 4th AD when it landed at five European campaigns, led the Camp Bowie, Texas, before leaving Normandy. 8th Tank Battalion in the relief of

34 ARMOR - March-April 7997 World War II Commanders of the 4th Armored Division

Bastogne, and retired a brigadier Lorient, in Brittany, one combat MG Henry Baird general. command of the division slashed April 1941-May 1942 264 miles in 34 hours. MG John S. Wood In his tribute to the unusual May 1942-December 1944 qualities of his division, which ap- General Wood employed the MG Hugh J. Gaffey peared in the July-August 1987 division like cavalry, Irzyk remem- December 1944-March 1945 issue of ARMOR, BG Irzyk bered. As the southernmost unit of MG William M. Hoge credited Wood with inspiring his the XI1 Corps, itself the March 1945June 1945 tankers with a winning spirit and a southernmost corps of Patton's BG Bruce C. Clarke sense that they were something spe- Third Army, Wood used fighter- June 1945July 1945 cial. Although MG Wood was later bombers to guard his flanks and BG W. Lyn Roberts relieved in December 1944 in a con- moved quickly. Wood used mission- July 1945-September 1945 troversial and still mysterious inci- type orders, delivered to scattered MG Fay 6. Prickett dent, his troopers continued to units by jeep or spotter planes, to September 1945-Redesignation think of him as their spiritual sketch his tactical intentions. Irzyk leader, and of themselves as Wood said it was not unusual to get a simple overlay with an arrow indicat- le German effort to stem the ad- had inspired them in their long ing direction and a crayoned goose vance failed, although the 4th took months of training. egg indicating the objective. In a heavy losses in some phases of the few cases, the division moved battle. "He had taught us to believe in beyond its maps. ourselves, to feel that we could do Mud, rain, and terrain then forced anything, that we were the very best, The advance stopped near a change in tactics. The speed of a different breed," Irzyk wrote. Luneville on September 13, 1944, the early exploitation slowed, and when two columns of German the 4th slogged along in support of "rite sertsatiortal success of General armor jumped the 4th AD advance the infantry. By November, the Wood's 4th Anitored Divisiort Itad a- guard to begin the nine-day battle tankers of the 4th AD were attack- ploded the riiglttritare of static war- of Arracourt. The 4th'~Shermans, ing and counterattacking against fare that had Itaurtted the Americans outgunned by German Panthers, German armored units at Fonteny, so long in the Coteittiit..." moved quickly for flank and rear Rodalbe, across the Saare River to shots, making up in maneuver and Romelfing, Baerendorf, and -0fJicial US.Amy History marksmanship what they lacked in Wolfskirchen. Then General Wood sheer firepower. When it was over, was relieved of command, replaced The 4th fought as it was trained. Arriving in France slightly more than a month after D-Day, when momentum had halted, and the Ger- MG John S. mans appeared to be containing the Wood, the legen- invasion, the 4th led a breakthrough dary wartime com- to the critical town of Avranches, al- mander of the 4th lowing the Allies to spill south into AD, was widely the Brittany Peninsula and opening credited with giving the way east to LeMans, Chartres, the men of the and Paris. division a sense that they were spe- After securing several French cial. He was re- seaports that had been important lieved from com- German U-boat bases, the 4th mand at the height turned east and helped turn the of the division's stalemated war of position into a early successes af- war of maneuver worthy of the ter Normandy. Wehrmacht in 1940. Leaving ARMOR - March-April 7997 35 upon a new horror, the Ohrdruf Nord concentration camp, the first to be liberated by U.S. forces. The camp was south of Gotha, in Thurin- gia. "They had seen death many times, in many different forms, as well as every imaginable type of wound," Irzyk remembered. "But what they saw here shocked, by Patton's chief of staff, MG Hugh wintry roads, its lead combat com- stunned, and silenced them." J. Gaffey, and the morale of the mand moved 161 miles in 22 hours. division plummetted. On the move again, the 4th AD After linking up with the 10th AD began its final drive of the war, The reason for the replacement of in the Bastogne area, the 4th AD through the villages and towns of General Wood seems to be that he pushed toward the encircled city, Hesse and Thuringia toward the was tired and sick and needed a fighting sharp actions in Mar- Czech border. But near Chemnitz rest. And so did the division itselk it telange, Chaumont, and Bigonville, (renamed Karl Marx Stadt after the had lost hundreds of its most ex- the last town taken the day before war) the division received orders to perienced soldiers in hard fighting Christmas in the worst European stop, apparently as the result of an and its equipment was worn. It was winter in 20 years. CCR of the 4th agreement between the Western to rest and refit, replaced by the AD pushed through Assenois to Powers and their Soviet allies. This 12th AD after the battle of Bining Bastogne and entered the city on was as far east as any U.S. force on 5-6 December. the 27th. would go in the European Theater.

About two weeks later, the call The next phase of the 4th'~cam- A final thrust took the 4th south to came again. "We were alerted for a paign in Europe was the push into Czechoslovakia, where it was lo- move north where, according to con- Germany. The division breached cated at the end of the war. There, fused reports which reached us, the Siegfried Line defenses along the men linked up with the Russians some sort of a German Germany's western border in a and later moved to designated areas breakthrough had occurred," said drive toward Bitburg. The rapid ad- for the early months of the occupa- BG Irzyk. The breakthrough, of vance halted at the west bank of the tion. In May, 1946, the division was course, was the German Ardennes Kyll River at the end of February, redesignated the 1st Constabulary offensive, intended to smash to the and about a week later, continued Brigade, responsible for keeping channel ports and cut the Allies in again toward the Rhine. In this order in occupied Germany. two. Now, the battle was against drive, the 4th AD covered 55 miles time as the 4th moved out over in 48 hours, becoming the Irzyk noted that the odometers of easternmost division on the Western the 4th AD'S command post Front. The rapidity of the advance vehicles had registered more than prevented German resistance from 3,000 miles in their sweep across organizing, and kept alive the Europe. "No other division moved "It has been an honor and a division's reputation for high speed so fast, ranged so far, or covered so privilege for this division to in the exploitation. March was a much ground," said Irzyk, noting serve alongside the 4th Ar- series of quick drives and river that the combat miles covered by mored Division. If we are crossings - over the Kyll, the the battalions in the 295 days since ever in a tight spot again, it Moselle, the Nahe, the Rhine, and Normandy nearly doubled the is our hope that the 4th Ar- the Main - as the spearhead mileage of the command vehicles, mored Division will be sent division of Third Army plunged into which had only to keep up. to get us out...." Germany's heart. According to "The History of the -MG Maxwell D. Taylor, On the 4th of April, the battle-har- 4th Armored Division," the unit CG, 707st ABN Div. dened men of the division came took more than 90,000 prisoners in

36 ARMOR - March-April 7991 "One of its heroes, Creighton Abrams, would later become the Army's Chief of Staff. Another, Bruce Clarke, later commanded both the 4th and 1st Armored Divisions, and U.S. Army Europe."

10 months of combat, killed 13,641 the division was redesignated as the part ol the North Atlantic Treaty of the enemy and wounded 8,426 1st Constabulary Brigade, respon- Organization shield. more. sible for keeping order in occupied Germany. On May 20, 1949, the 1st The division reformed under the Three of its members earned Constabulary Brigade was deac- Reorganization Objective Army Medals of Honor. Twenty-five were tivated; and concurrently converted Division (ROAD) plan in 1963. awarded DSCs and one the Distin- and redesignated as Headquarters, guished Flying Cross. There were 4th Armored Division. The 4th was The 4th Armored Division deac- two Distinguished Service Medals, reactivated on 15 June 1954, at Fort tivated on 10 May 1971 in Germany. ten Legions of Merit, 802 Silver Hood, Tex., to serve as a peacekeep- Stars, 3,031 Bronze Stars - and ing force during the Cold War. The Sources for this article include 2,796 Purple Hearts. The 4th was division participated in Exercise Order of Battle, US. Anny World the only armored division to receive Blue Bolt, a test of armor power in War ZZ, by Shelby Stanton; Hisroc, of a Presidential Unit Citation as a the nuclear age, in March 1955. the 4th Amrored Division; "The division, and only the second Name Enough Division," by BG division in the history of the Army In 1956, the division's mission Albin F. Irzyk, Ret., in the July- to be so honored. One of its heroes, changed to a replacement training August 1987 issue of ARMOR; and Creighton Abrams, would later be- division for advanced artillery, in- BG Irzyk's "The Mystery of Tiger come the Army's Chief of Staff. fantry, and armor trainees - 25,000 Jack," which appeared in the Another, Bruce Clarke, later com- 4th Armored Division soldiers January-February 1990 issue. manded both the 4th and 1st Ar- served with units worldwide. In mored Divisions, and U.S. Army 1957, the division was ordered to ~ Europe. Germany to replace the 8th Infantry Below, 'a 4th Armored Division Division, the replacement unit for column of Sherman tanks moves After the war, the unit was formal- 2d AD, which returned to Fort along an autobahn past burning ly deactivated April 26, 1946, at Hood. Once again, the 4th would German vehicles as it drives into Camp Kilmer, N.J. Then, in May, help preserve peace, this time as Germany during March, 1945.

ARMOR - March-April 1991 37 Sniper Tank!

by Captain Pete Mattes and Sergeant First Class (P) Frank Monroe

Long-range engagements and the wingman and adjusts the lay of the Ariz., hosted the final phase. There, development of sniper tank crews reticle by half of the target form, as crews fired M829A1 service sabot at have long been elusive goals of the necessary. 3000- and 4000-meter targets using armored force. Current tank gun- the re-engage method and half-tar- nery doctrine (FM 17-12-1 wK3, Long Range Gunnery Evaluation get-form adjustment. The outcome Tank Combat Tables) recommends supported the NTC results: at that engagements begin at 1500 to The test of the techniques con- longer ranges, the half-target-form ZOO0 meters if the tactical situation sisted of three parts. The first adjustment method produced better permits. This recommendation is phase, shot at Ft. box, involved results. based on considerations of prob- firing 105-mm training sabot am- ability of hit (Ph), probability of kill munition (M724A1) at half-size T- The lessons learned during this (Pk), the effects of the dirty bat- 72 frontal targets at a range of 2500 evaluation can be useful to any unit tlefield, and limited on-board am- meters. Its purpose was to serve as that finds it necessary to conduct munition. There may be situations, a "proof-of-principle" to establish long-range gunnery. It is important however, that require crews to the procedures for each technique to keep in mind that these techni- engage targets at extended ranges and lay the groundwork fqr further ques are primarily for stationary of 3000 to 4OOO meters. This sug- testing. Because service ammunition tanks firing at stationary targets. gests a need for sniper tanks and was not fired, the results had no af- This is because the success of these the techniques to train them. fect on our final recommendation. engagements depends on the tank- to-target conditions (range and am- In December 1990, the Weapons The primary test occurred at munition) remaining the same, as Department, U.S. Amy Armor Drinkwater Valley Live-Fire Com- well as on accurate sensings. School, set out to evaluate a variety plex at the National Training of long-range gunnery methods and Center, Ft. Irwin, Calif., during To engage moving targets at these compare their effectiveness. The January 1991. This phase consisted ranges is not recommended due to goal was to determine if one tech- of firing 105-mm service sabot small target size, large lead offsets, nique could provide a significant ad- (M392A2) at 2900-, 3400-, and 3900- and range changes. Changes in vantage over the others and be use- meter targets (H-1, T-72 frontal). range and lead will make it extreme- ful to commanders whose situation After firing more than 350 rounds, ly difficult for the gunner to take up requires long-range engagements. the different methods demonstrated a consistent sight picture or make This article provides an overview of varying success at each range band. half-target-form adjustments. Fur- this evaluation and describes two of The reengage technique was equal ther, a moving tank should never at- the techniques: the re-engage to or better than the others through tempt these engagements. method and half-target-form adjust- 3400 meters, which validated our ment. current doctrine of re-engaging at Training Sniper Crews established planning ranges. How- ~Re-engage - The current U.S. ever, beyond 3400 meters, the half- Commanders should recognize Army doctrine of re-lasing to deter- target-form adjustment produced that not every crew can be success- mine a new ballistic solution follow- considerably better results, achiev- ful at long-range gunnery. Com- ing a miss. The gunner always relays ing twice the hit rate as th e re- manders should carefully select center of visible mass. engage method. sniper crews based on the following factors: .Half-Target-Form Method - In order to verify these con- .- .. _. -. .. After a miss, the crew either uses its clusions with 120-mm service am- 0The tank and crew have own sensing or receives one from a munition, Yuma Proving Grounds, demonstrated a high degree of ac-

38 ARMOR - March-April 7991 Adjusting Fire with the Half-Target-Form Method

Initial Sight Picture...... Subsequent Sight Picture

3390 METERS 3390 METERS 0 Round Fired 0 Sensing "DOUBTFUL LEFT' Correction... Right Half Form

3940 METERS 3940 METERS 0 Round Fired 0 Sensing "OVERLINE" Correction... Drop Half Form

curacy in shorter-range engage- 0 Frequent and extremely precise after two relatively wet days, crew ments. boresighting is essential. Significant accuracy in sensing at 3900 meters changes in ambient temperature, was very erratic. There will be few 0 The crew has a thorough under- daylnight, and overcastlsunny condi- instances when tank crews will be standing of the fire control system tions may require boresighting as able to sense their own rounds in and its operation. often as every two to four hours the event of a miss due primarily to (depending on the suddenness of local obscuration and weather. 0The crew has the knowledge the change) to maintain optimum However, when the round strikes a and discipline to perform boresight. Do not use the muzzle target, the crew will normally ob- meticulous prepare-to-fire checks reference system (MRS); check serve the "splash regardless of con- and frequent, precise boresighting. boresight using a muzzle boresight ditions or sight (daylight or ther- device (MBD). mal). A firing crew must con- 0 The tank must be prepared care- centrate on the target and make fully in accordance with the Arma- every effort to sense its own rounds. ment Accuracy Checks in Appendix Once the tanks are prepared and For those occasions when the crew A, Fh4 17-12-1 wlC3 (Appendix B, manned by qualified personnel, the cannot observe, a wingman or EM 17-12-3, w/C2) and the prepare- crews must concentrate on three another designated tank must to-fire checks in the appropriate skills: sensing, sight-to-target rela- provide sensings. The firing tank operator's manual: tionship, and reticle lay. Sensings and sensing tank should coordinate M60A3 - TM 9-2350-253-10-1. are critical to long-range gunnery positions so that the firing tank's M1 - TM 9-2350-255-10-1. but difficult to obtain for a lone obscuration does not obstruct the MlAl - TM 9-2350-264-10-1. firing tank. At the NTC test, even sensing vehicle.

~ ARMOR - March-April 7997 39 Crewmen in the sensing tank must fie again using the same sight pic- e. Figure 1 shows sample sight pic- understand the firing tank's fire ture. tures and half-target-form adjust- plan to ensure they are sensing the ments. This illustration looks correct target. Once the sensing If the first round was sensed as a through the GPS and depicts the ac- vehicle has identified the correct tar- miss, and the gunner has laid on tual target-to-reticle relationship at get, the sensing crew must have the and ranged to the target correctly, the ranges stated. discipline to look at that target he should apply a standard correc- without being influenced by other tion as follows: While this method of engaging at tracers or shots by other tanks extended ranges was successful, it within their field of view. The sens- a. The gunner will make half-tar- still does not provide the hit prob- ing tank must be able to give clear get-form adjustments based on the ability of engaging at closer ranges. and accurate sensings. sensings received. These target- Commanders should carefully con- form adjustments may correct sider the situation before employing Heat shimmer and refraction will azimuth and elevation separately or sniper tanks, but to have a few desig- cause problems for both firing and together. (For example, a sensing of nated crews trained and prepared sensing tanks. Tanks conducting "OVER, LEFT" would result in a will provide the commander long-range engagements should correction of down half form and flexibility in mission accomplish- seek an elevated firing position to right half form.) ment that he would not otherwise limit these effects. Usually, ten possess. meters of elevation above the inter- vening terrain will negate the effects b. The half-target-form adjustment of refraction and help reduce the allows crews to make a standard ad- amount of heat shimmer. justment regardless of the target Captain Peter J. Mattes type or range. This is why it is criti- graduated from the U.S. Laser range finder (LRF) return cal that the gunner understand sight- Military Academy in 1986. selection is also crucial. At ex- to-target relationship. He served as a platoon tended ranges, either all or a large leader, XO, and S3 air with portion of the target will be inside c. As discussed earlier, at ex- 2-70 Armor, 1st AD. A the GPS one-mil aiming circle (See tended ranges (3000 to 4OOO graduate of the Armor Of- figure 1). At those ranges, LRF meters) the entire target will often ficer' Basic and Advanced beam expansion will spill over the fit inside the one-mil aiming circle Courses, he is currently as- target, giving incorrect returns. If of the gunner's primary sight (GPS). signed to the Gunnery the line of sight of the firing vehicle The half-target-form. method will Training and Doctrine is unobstructed, first return logic still leave the aiming dot on the Branch, Weapons Depart- should be used. edge of the target with the first ad- ment, U.S. Army Armor justment, compared to the standard School. The Half-Form Adjustment one-mil correction stated in current . Technique doctrine. At these ranges, a one-mil Sergeant First Class Frank correction in azimuth or elevation E. Monroe served with A-3- Because the margin for error is so will normally be excessive. By com- 64 as a TC in CAT '85 and small, the gunner of the firing tank parison, a half-target-form adjust- as a platoon sergeant in must meticulously take up a center ment in elevation at 3500 meters ap- CAT '87. He participated in mass sight picture before lasing to plied to a T-72 frontal is about .32 M1 operational testing in the target. Once he fires, the gunner mils. 1981, and has attended M1 must maintain his sight picture and master gunner course and attempt to sense, if possible, making d. If a subsequent round ic a tar- ...--a . . . 'ly a a mental note of the strike of the get hit, and the target stil in round. If the round hits the target, be engaged, the gunner ta and the gunner must keep in mind that same sight picture. If the Ions it may require more than one hit to miss, he continues to makc ucpai LI I lL, u.u. Army achieve the desired effect on the tar- a1 half-form corrections in the ap- Armor School. get. In this case, the crew should propriate direction.

40 ARMOR - March-April 7997 The Combined ArmsTask Force: Shaping the Future of Armored Forces by Lieutenant Colonel Craig B. Whelden and Captain Robert J. Kmiecik The Tenth U.S. Cavalry has long held the distinction of being unique. In the last century, it was one of two black cavalry regiments serving the US. Army during the Indian and Spanish-American Wars. It has been in and out of service throughout the 20th century, serving in the Philippines, joining General Pershing in his pursuit of Pancho Villa, in North Africa during World War 11, Vietnam, and throughout the United States. In its recent rebirth as part of the newly reor- ganized 194th Separate Armored Brigade, it is now the largest and most powerful combined arms task force in the Army.

First Battalion, 10th Cavalry, Com- bined Arms Task Force (CATF) was recently formed as a direct result of the Army's downsizing ef- fort. The 194th Separate Armored Brigade inactivated four battalions (1st and 2d Battalions, 10th Cavalry; 4th Battalion, 15th Infantry; 1st Bat- talion, 77th Field Artillery) and D Troop, 10th Cavalry.

At the direction of Headquarters, Department of the Army, these com- bat organizations combined on 28 September 1990, at Fort Knox, to form the CATF, which consists of three tank companies, two mechanized infantry companies, one artillery battery, and a beefed-up HHC. (See Fig 1)

The formation of permanent task formed by permanently cross-attach- The CATF was formed with one forces is not a new concept. The 8th ing one tank company with one of the brigade's tank battalions as a Cavalry at Ft. Hood is organized mechanized infantry company. This base organization. The addition of into combined arms maneuver bat- did not significantly change the sup- two mechanized infantry companies talions (CAMBs), which have port or command and control struc- and an artillery battery, even with several years experience under their ture, and the combat power the deletion of a tank company, re- belt. The 8th Cavalry CAMBs were remained relatively the same. quired a large shift in the support

ARMOR - March-April 1997 41 Fig. 1 Organization of the Combined Arms Task Force

I I I I

I- - structure in HHC. The combat In addition to the above changes, This somewhat parallels the power dramatically increased, as the S3 section was modified by squadron’s organization of three did the variety of missions the changing the branch of the liaison line troops and a tank company. CATF could now perform. officer from armor to infantry, ad- The total number of tanks is almost ding an additional assistant opera- equal, with the squadron’s 41 vs. the Developing the MTOE tions sergeant, llB40, and incor- CATF’s 44 (two of which are in the porating a fire support section. This task force headquarters section). In developing the MTOE for the provides a broader base of CATF, care was taken to incor- knowledge to train and conduct The two infantry companies add a porate several L-series conventions. operations in a combined arms en- new dimension, and significantly in- This was to avoid future changes as vironment. The addition of a Brad- crease both the CATF’s combat the Army transitions from its cur- ley master gunner to replace the power and its mission options. In- rent J-series .organization. These 11B40 assistant operations sergeant fantrymen can be mechanized or dis- changes are most prevalent in the is planned when the CAW transi- mounted. Until the infantry com- HHC. The task force mess section tions from M113A2s to M2s in first panies roll over to M2s this fall is consolidated, with a total of 26 quarter FY92. The S1 and S4 sec- (projected first quarter, FY92), they cooks and five MKTs. The rank tions received additional personnel have a combined total of 28 M113s, structure allows one mess team to to assist in the management of the four IT%, and can put 168 soldiers be detached; typically, this would be larger administrative burden caused on the ground. for the artillery battery. by the increased size of the CATF. In all, the HHC has added 80 The artillery battery is strwtured The support platoon has a platoon spaces to what we are all used to in much ’the same as a cavalry headquarters, a transportation sec- a tank battalion HHC. Total squadron’s, with eight guns and only tion, three tank company Class authorized strength of the task force some minor differences in the bat- III/V squads, and two infantry com- is 921 soldiers. tery support element and special pany Class IU/V squads. The artil- weapons team. The HHC has a ten- lery battery maintains its own am- HMMWV scout platoon and a munition section, much like the bat- CATF - Versatile, standard six-tube, 4.2-inch mortar tery in an ACR squadron. Lethal, and Flexible platoon.

The task force maintenance The CATF is extremely flexible, When the CATF transitions to platoon is organized with a platoon capable of performing a wide range M2s and MlAls, the addition of the headquarters, a maintenance ad- of reconnaissance and security mis- Bradleys will dramatically increase ministration section, a recovery sup- sions. The combat power and or- ils firepower. TOW missile systems port section, a maintenancehervice ganization most closely resemble will increase from four systems to section, three tank company main- that of a regimental cavalry 28. The Bradley’s 25-mm cannon, tenance teams, and two infantry squadron. The CATF‘s TACSOP and its increased mobility and comuanv maintenance teams. The (currently under development) speed will greatly improve the provides a wide variety of task or- capabilities of the combined fighting ganizations, including formation of team. two tank-heavy teams, two mech- recovery assets normally siicea to a heavy teams, a tank company as The ten-HMMWV scout platoon battery are incorporated into the reserve, and an artillery battery in can screen the battalion’s sector, task force recovery support section. support. but cannot, provide enough

42 ARMOR - March-April 1991 The CATF can easily detach a sive, defensive, reconnaissance, and No doubt, in the aftermath mechanized or armor company for security missions. The 1st Battalion, of DESERT STORM, the Army independent missions, and still 10th Cavalry (CATF) will be a good will take another look at its operate within standard Army test-bed for combined arms or- ability to project forces on doctrine as an armor heavy or ganizations and operations. Stay short notice. It must be able balanced task force. tuned. to deploy, in a matter of only days, a heavy force capable When it’s not the first heavy force of operating anywhere in the in theater, and joins a brigade or world. division, the CATF would likely Lieutenant Colonel Craig detach its howitzer battery to an ar- B. Whelden is a 1973 Dis- tillery battalion already in place. In tinguished Military Grad- coverage to adequately screen a all cases though, the unity of com- uate from Purdue Univer- brigade sector. However, the in- mand within the CATF, derived sity. He has served in com- fantry companies’ METL includes from its permanent organization as mand and staff positions at scouting roles and missions. This a task force, gives it a decisive edge battalion and brigade level flexibility significantly increases our on the battlefield. in the United States and reconnaissance and security Germany. He commanded capabilities, and we can quickly tran- a tank company and was a sition from screen to guard to cover. The Future of Combined battalion S3 in the 1st Ar- Arms Organizations mored Division; and was a The CATF may actually be more cavalry squadron S3 and brigade also in the 1st suited for guard and covering force When DESERT SHIELD began, 53, missions than a cavalry squadron. In the 194th Separate Armored AD. He served as com- pany grade assignments of- covering force operations, the in- Brigade was in the midst of reor- ficer in Armor Branch and fantry can dig in and hold terrain. ganization and downsizing. As an on the faculty of the U.S. The CATF‘s greatest advantage XVIII Airborne Corps unit, it nor- Army Armor School. He over a cavalry squadron is perhaps mally would have been one of the commanded a tank bat- its two organic infantry companies. first of the heavy forces to deploy. talion in the 194th Also, the size of the CATF allows it As it was, the brigade was.excluded Separate Armored Brigade to do these missions easily for a from the Time Phased Force and currently commands light infantry or airborne division. Deployment List (TPFDL) until Task Force 1-10 Cavalry. A January 1991 to allow adequate graduate of the Armor As a Rapid Deployment time to reorganize, and to train the Basic and Advanced Cour- Contingency Force new CATF to standards. ses, and CGSC, he will at- tend the Army War College The CATF can fit into most any No doubt, in the aftermath of in August 1991. scenario as a heavy contingency DESERT STORM, the Army will force. With pre-positioned POM- take another look at its ability to CUS stocks, it could deploy by air project forces on short notice. It anywhere in the world on very short must be able to deploy, in a matter Captain Robert J. notice. It has a mixed force struc- of only days, a heavy force capable Kmiecik is a 1985 graduate ture capable of operating inde- of operating anywhere in the world. of Davidson College, N.C. pendently in any area with an estab- Options include the pre-positioning He has served as S3 Air, 2- lished support base or a suitable of equipment throughout different 10 Cavalry, and as a tank host nation support apparatus. theaters, on either coast, or on platoon leader, scout ships, as the Marines do. platoon leader, S3 plans of- The CATF would have been ideal ficer, and troop XO in as the first heavy force deployed to The CATF has tremendous poten- l/llth ACR. He received support DESERT SHIELD in tial, especially in support of rapid the AOAC 4-89 Award for those first precarious days after Sad- deployment contingencies devel- Writing Excellence. Current- dam Hussein invaded Kuwait. As it oped to support light forces. It has ly the S3 Air, TF 1-10 Caval- was, the 82nd Airborne was on a tremendous combat power, is self- ry, he is slated to com- razor’s edge for weeks until the first contained, and flexible is enough to mand Company A of the elements of 24th ID arrived. perform the full spectrum of offen- task force in May 1991.

ARMOR - March-April 1991 43 r Fire Support in Disengagement: Avoiding the Point of No Return!

I by Major Charles C. Otterstedt and Major Steven J. Mi

The Issue available when planning the dis- you protect your unit as you dis- engagement. engage. At the company level, our mechanized forces are proficient at When we conduct a delaying ac- Command and Control engaging threat forces. We conduct tion, we usually perform a series of battle drills; practice the use of engagements at successive defensive Commander’s Guidance. Use your direct fire weapons, fire support, positions. In these, the com- FSO. He’s grounded in the techni- and obstacles in engagements areas; pany/team plans the defense, cal aspects of his trade, but isn’t as and synchronize them against the prepares the position, and executes experienced as you, so he needs enemy. But sometimes, company the plan. One of two things happens clear guidance. Make him backbrief commanders forget to use fire sup- each time we occupy and defend your intent. Tell him five things: port effectively when it comes time from these positions. If things go ac- to disengage and move to a new cording to our company or task e Disengagement criteria. position. force plan, we engage the enemy e Final Protective Fires (FPF) and then disengage at a predesig- location. (show him on the ground) This happens for two reasons: nated time, or on signal. If things *Command and control of don’t go according to our plans, the platoon disengagement. 0 Commanders don’t adequately company may become decisively e Routes between positions. express their intent for fue support engaged and the position overrun. e Purpose of priority targets. (e.g. to a young lieutenant with much less To support obstacles, to cover dis- experience. If the enemy can see you as you engagement routes) withdraw your platoons to their new 0 Commanders don’t pay enough positions, he’ll do his best to hit Control Measures. Make the best attention to the fire support tools you. Here are some tools to help use of your control measures. Time-

44 ARMOR - March-April 7997 ly reporting of platoon locations enables you and your FSO to keep fires timely and accurate. Situation Reports (SITREPs), for example, can help you keep those priority tar- gets current. When you call for that priority target in front of BP 21 (see diagram), you don't want the rounds landing in front of your pre- vious position.

Knowing where your platoons are also helps your FSO ensure quick, responsive fires. If he hasn't heard your platoons report successive phase lines as they pull rearward, he'll have to obtain clearance to fire each mission.

FSO location. The best spot for the FSO during the disengagement is where he can best see to engage his targets. Putting the FSO in your tank won't leave him free to coor- dinate fires for you. If he's in the loader's hatch, he won't be able to tile error is always in its range (as you plan a particular target to sup- see your targets. opposed to its direction). That port that last platoon in your team means that supporting fires originat- in withdrawing as the enemy ap- Fire Support Tools ing from your left or right flank area proaches. Those few seconds will are ideal for the closest fire sup- determine if they successfully We stress that there is not a dif- port. Fires originating directly be- withdraw or become decisively ferent set of tactics for each type of hind you, firing over your head, can engaged. They can't afford a busy operation. It is merely the applica- have "probable errors in range" of signal. tion of tools available to you. The plus or minus 27 meters. following are some of the fire sup- You're clearly not "out of luck if port tools you can use successfully Mortars. The same applies to your you don't have POF for artillery or to disengage from the enemy. mortars. For the disengagement, your mortars. You'll still get sup- plan to use the mortars principally port. You just might not be the first Artillery. Know where your artil- for screening and obscuration to receive fire. In that case, don't lery is on the battlefield. It may be smoke. plan your disengagement to hinge important to know the direction of on split-second timing. This is one incoming rounds when you call Priority of Fires. Understand what reason why you must maximize use them in at close ranges. If, for ex- "Priority of Fires" (POF) really of all your assets. ample, you plan to disengage when means. Know if you have priority of the enemy reaches one half of your artillery or mortars. If you have Priority Targets. Use them to sup- direct fire range, there's not much POF, the Fire Direction Center port your obstacle plan, screen the room for error. Artillery gives you (FDC) will fire your Call For Fire enemy, cover withdrawal routes, etc. "area fires," and the largest projec- before other calls. This is critical if Remember, if you have a priority

ARMOR - March-April 1991 45 to help you disengage. Beyond the smoke grenades on the M1 and M2 and the smoke you can create using your vehicle engine exhaust system, the FSO can provide smoke from your mortars or artillery. It’s even better to consider using preposi- tioned smoke pots. Bear in mind, however, that there are probably four other company commanders who have the same thought in mind as they pull out from their positions.

You should ensure your FSO al- ways knows how much smoke to realistically expect from his indirect fire weapons. If he repeatedly promises you all the smoke you want or doesn’t know how much the mortars and artillery have, demand target, it means that a niiriiiiiiiiii of priority target. Don’t use them mere- that he find out. If you aren’t two artillery or three mortar tubes ly to disengage. You have much linchpin in the task force’s battle, or will lay on that target whenever more efficient ways to do that, and if the TF S3 has made other plans they’re not firing a mission. more plentiful assets. TC 6-71, Fire for the available smoke, don’t count However, the purpose of the Support Handbook for the Mariaiver on a lot of it. priority target dictates the number Commander, says that FPFs are of tubes used for the target. For in- “...desperation fires. Don’t call for Family of Scatterable Minefields stance, obscuring an enemy Obser- them unless all else has failed.” That (FASCAM). Remember, there are vation Point (OP) with smoke may FPF will deprive several others of several types of FASCAM, of which need only two tubes of artillery, fire support for its duration. artillery is only one. If your TF S3 while preventing the enemy from and commander want to make maxi- breaching an obstacle may require a Targeting. Use artillery to cover mum use of artillery for suppressive battery of eight tubes firing your obstacles. While disengaging, fires and close support, they’ll numerous volleys. you’ll definitely want targets on your probably shoot Field Artillery (FA) positions and along your withdrawal FASCAM early or use other Use the priority target throughout routes. Above all, know when to fire minelaying means to help set up the the depth of your sector. Just them. Designate trigger points to en- TF’s defense. If you call in FA FAS- remember that as the battle progres- sure timely execution. It’s better to CAM to do more than seal a gap in ses, someone has to tell the tubes place fires between you and the your obstacles, you’ll tie up some when to shift to the next priority tar- enemy than behind him. When tubes for longer than you probably get. Through your initial guidance covering your route, it’s important want to. and SITREPS, your FSO will know to put time and space between you when to shift them. Additionally, and the enemy. “Dry run“ the execu- In the example below, you should you should always have the priority tion of the trigger points during not expect to call for any FA FAS- target on the next likely target, such your rehearsals. CAM. You aren’t the TF main ef- as one along your route to the next fort. Have your FSO plan for it, but position. Special Munitions chances are that brigade will retain the control over its execution. FPFs. Many people misunderstand Smoke. You have several delivery Brigade approval for a- FASCAM them. They’re- a specific type of methods of smoke at your disposal target of opportunity or a planned

46 ARMOR - March-April 7997 target would be- too concept for the slow for the pace of disengagement Team A’s dis- begins with the engagement. decision to pull out your mechan- Situation PL ized platoon from RED BP 30 as soon as What follows is an the enemy has two example of how to platoons across effectively use your Phase Line (PL) fire support with an Red in the engage- armor-heavy team ment area or half in the defense; dis- of friendly direct engaging from the fire range. You enemy to sub- and he agree that sequent positions. you will accom- pany the tank You’re com- platoon in Battle mander of Team A, Position (BP) 20 TF 1-4 AF2. Your PL as the last one to battalion is task or- withdraw and the ganized and has the LEG FSO will position mission of defend- behind and be- ing in sector to tween BPs 10 and destroy the first- 20. echelon battalion at- tacking in your area Your FSO of operations. The recommends al- TF S3, S2, and FSO locating 3d have briefed you on Company Defense In Sector Pisengagement platoon in BP 20, the scheme of the artillery maneuver. You’ll priority target, defend successive battle positions OPORD that since Team A isn’t and the mortar priority target to 2d with the three other teams in your the TFs main effort, you’ll get one platoon in BP 10. task force. You haven’t got well-con- artillery priority target and one mor- cealed routes of egress from your tar priority target, but no Combat You tell the platoon leaders to let first two positions and are con- Observation Lasing Team (COLT). you know as soon as they have desig- cerned about how to protect your- Don’t forget you still have your Fire nated grids for those priority targets self en route. The battalion com- Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V), so your FSO can send them up to mander has told you not to become which has the same lasing abilities the TF FSO. decisively engaged. as the COLT. While reconnoitering your positions on the ground, you You and your FSO discuss what In our scenario, you received your and your FSO discussed how you’ll you can count on for fire support. OPORD brief with your team FSO. conduct the defense from those Together you develop a plan for the You return to your position and positions. disengagement. The TF FSO and begin troop leading procedures. the S3 have planned group AlA, a You and the TF S3 agreed on ap- Making a Tentative Plan three-target Dual Purpose Im- proximate positions for the platoons proved Conventional Munitions to delay from (BPs 10, 20, 30). The At this step, you and your FSO (DPICM) group, to cover the en- TF FSO determined from the begin to wargame your plan. Your gineer obstacles that the task force

ARMOR - March-April 1991 47 is going to emplace in the engage- engagement. Having allocated the How can I prevent the enemy j?oni ment area (EA Horse). priority targets to the platoon observing 2dplatooit’s iitoverneii[? leaders, the FSO later contacts The TF S3 has designated Team A them to help them verify the grid The 2d platoon leader comments as primary initiator for the group. locations to the targets they want. that he drove along Route Orange, Knowing that he has to ensure there He verifies the grids and records and he’ll be in clear view of the is a back-up initiator, your team and plots them, assigning them num- threat forces for most of his move FSO recommends that the 3d bers from those the TF FSO gave to BP 11. As the platoon leader mo- platoon leader do it because he him. tions toward the open stretch of should be in position and able to ground he must travel, the FSO see the target. recalls that he should be able to use You plan to pull the mechanized Your FSO then catches up with a few minutes of the artillery HC platoon from its position first, soon the engineer sergeant who has smoke. You and he agree to fire after firing the group. The team will begun preparing the few obstacles smoke for six minutes on target cover first platoon’s withdrawal by he’s had time to emplace in EA AY2302 to screen 2d platoon’s direct fires only, saving your artil- Horse, your primary engagement movement. That’s how long it will lery smoke and leaving the artillery area. Your FSO finds that one of take the platoon to reach the hill at free to fire other missions. The 2d the targets that the TF FSO desig- BP 11. platoon leader on the left plans to nated for group AlA will not cover screen his movement by positioning the obstacle where the engineer has How can I erinire we fire piip smoke pots in front. He’ll activate dug. He changes the grid and adds AIA? them upon your warning order to it to his target list, assigning it a dif- pull out. ferent target number to avoid con- During the rehearsal, each platoon fusion. After showing them to you, leader states what he expects to see You agree with the team EO’S he’ll send them to the TF FSO for or fire as the platoons withdraw. recommendation and decide to save compilation and refinement. Your 3d platoon leader remembers mortar smoke for the 3d platoon’s he must initiate group AM, but as movement. Your FSO has contacted he stands in his BP, he’s found the the TF FSO who told him only to ex- You should ensure that the FSO hill at BP 31 interferes with reliable pect approximately 10 minutes of can position himself well enough to contact with the artillery FDC. smoke from the artillery, since it see group AM, the. smoke target Your FSO notes that he’ll initiate will be used heavily elsewhere. The and others that you’ll need him to the group if he hears the 3d platoon team FSO plans to use white phos- initiate. The FSO may ask you if it leader failing to get through. It now phorus and DPICM to screen the is tactically advisable to outweigh becomes clear to you that the FSO platoon withdrawals, but not to fire the risk of detection. This decision will be better able to do his job them until you direct them by use of is up to you and your task force from a spot between BPs 10 and 20, a code word. You both agree that commander. The artillery is posi- rather than at your side. unpredictable winds might cause tioned behind BP 31 and will have the smoke to obscure the enemy to fire directly over 3d platoon’s Who can cam’ the battle iirttil the vehicles in the engagement area heads to engage AY2303, their XO takes coriiriiarid, sliould I go from 3d platoon’s direct fire priority target. This concerns you down? weapons as they cover the because it will be only 800 meters withdrawal of the other two away from their tanks. You recall that your FSO has been platoons. with you during the entire planning You decide to hold the team re- and preparation phases. As per Preparing the Plan hearsal near BP 20 because you can your SOP, your XO takes over if see nearly everyone’s positions. As you do down. However, you told Once the FSO and platoon leaders you and the platoon leaders walk him to accompany the mech platoon understand the plan, they set out to through the motions, various ques- as they displace to BP 31, so it will prepare for the defense and dis- tions arise. take a few minutes for him to come

48 ARMOR - March-April 7997 Make the most of your fire support as you Major Charles C. Ot- disengage from each position. It will help terst edt graduated from you retain the time and space to maneuver West Point in 1979. Com- and ultimately seize the initiative from and missioned in Field Artillery, defeat the enemy. he later graduated from Air- borne and Ranger Schools. forward to assume command. Until going. For instance, as the 3d He served as a fire direc- then, you FSO may be the only per- platoon begins to pull out of BP 20, tion officer, firing battery ex- son up front who understands the he finds he needs to turn to his FO ecutive officer, and com- big picture and can keep the action to call back his report. The FO’s manded a 155-mm M109A2 flowing until he arrives. He must be call through the team FSO will help battery for 24 months in 2d ready to rapidly backbrief the XO keep the original plan on track. It Battalion, 75th Field Artil- when he arrives. Be sure he’s aware will help you control the flow of the lery in FRG. After attending of this. battle to have current SITREPs and the Field Artillery Officers’ will simplify your FSO’s clearance Advanced Course, he Executing the Plan of fue missions. served as a DIVARTY counterfire officer for the Making fire support work for you Second platoon didn’t call taget 82d Airborne DIVARTY. during disengagements will depend AY2302 ilyori disertgagirtg! Later, he was the FSO for greatly on the planning and prepara- 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne. tion you’ve done. In executing the Your FSO has been monitoring He has acted as an ob- plans, however, you must expect the battle. He noticed that an un- server-controller and sub- things to go differently from the familiar voice called in to report 2d ject matter expert at the Na- plan. Flexibility is the watchword. platoon’s disengagement from BP tional Training Center and 10. He alerts you to this, noting that Joint Readiness Training they didn’t call for the screening Center. He has written, smoke at target AY2302 as you reviewed, and taught fire planned during the rehearsal. After support tactics, techniques, If, for example, the enemy doesn’t you both determine that the platoon and procedures. Currently concentrate exactly where you desig- leader’s vehicle took a hit, the FSO a small group leader for the nated your priority targets, the FSO calls in the target, aiding the US. Army Field Artillery will simply adjust from the grid he platoon’s withdrawal. School, he is a Command sent for that target. and General Staff College Conclusion selectee. Two of niv leaders are iiijiired early into tlie battle! Make the most of your fire sup- port as you disengage from each Major Steven J. Mullins is Losing key personnel such as your- position. It will help you retain the an officer advanced course self, your XO, platoon leaders, time and space to maneuver and ul- small group leader at Fire FSO, or NCOs will affect your ex- timately seize the initiative from and Support and Combined ecution. Have them backbrief you. defeat the enemy. Arms Operations Depart- This will ensure they comply with ment, US. Army Field Artil- your intent. It also facilitates your Fail to do this, and you risk defeat. lery School. He com- leaders’ initiative if they’re confi- You won’t be able to disengage manded a battery in the 4th dent they understand what you from your positions on your own Battalion, 7th Field Artillery would want them to do. terms. The enemy may decisively in Germany, and has engage you. He may close in on you served as a company and niird platoort leader’s radio broke and cause you to piecemeal away battalion FSO in Korea. He half way tliroiiglt his SITREP! your platoons because you couldn’t has written and teaches fire mass fires when you need them. support tactics, techniques, Work together and be flexible by and procedures, and has shifting radio channels when one Use the tire support tools above to served as an observer con- team member loses communica- prevent your disengagement from trollerlsubject matter expert tions. This will help keep the fight becoming a “Point of No Return!” at JRTC and BCTP.

ARMOR - March-April 1991 49 New Battle Staff NCO Course Opens

The new Battle Staff NCO Course began in the grade of major or above in the ac- Training Assistance Teams at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major tive and reserve army, US. Marine Corps, Academy in January. allied nations, and DOD civilians in the The Master Gunner Course cannot train grade of GSll or above. The one-week an individual to be proficient in every The course, which integrates the former course is conducted ten times each fiscal area. To assist master gunners, the Operations and Intelligence and Person- year at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Class quotas Weapons and Maintenance Departments nel and Logistics courses, was designed may be obtained through normal have formed training assistance teams. to train battalion and brigade staff NCOs TRADOC channels. For more information, to serve as integral members of the battle contact CPT Hammerle, DSN 464- Since the pllot MWA1 Course was con- staff and to manage the day-today opera- 7133/3411 or commercial (502)624- ducted in February 1975, more than 900 tions of battalion command posts. NCOs 71331341 1. students have graduated from the Master not only learn their duties, but also be- Gunner Course. The course is designed to come familiar with .the duties of other staff wm Fy92 make an individual proficient in fire con- sections. trol maintenance and gunnery. But every 4 8-13 Mar 92 problem that could be experienced can- Because the combined six-week course 5 7-12Apr91 29 Mar-3 Apr 92 not be taught during the course. There- is much shorter, students have to com- 6 28 Apr-3 May 91 5-10 Apr 92 fore, the master gunner instructors are plete some material by the Army Cor- 7 19-24 May 91 26 Apr-1 May 92 available to assist any unit master gunner respondence Course program before they 8 9-14 Jun91 10-15 May 92 with questions or problems concerning all attend the resident course at Fort Bliss. 9 18-23 Aug 91 31 May-5 Jun 92 tanks currently in the U.S. inventory. Students should be selected for the 10 152OSep91 20-25Sep92 course six to eight months beforehand to Each Active and National Guard unit has allow time for this training. Reducing Master Gunner been assigned a master gunner instructor Attrition Rate to act as a direct link to the Armor School. All resident training Is performance- To obtain information concerning your oriented, based on the ARTEPs for the During FY the attrition rate for the unit's representative or questions, contact heavy battalion, heavy brigade, and light 90, Master Gunner Course was very high - the Weapons Department, ATTN: ATSB infantry battalion. of 155 students that reported for the WPG-G, Master Gunnery Branch, Ft. course, 45 failed to pass the TCGST. Knox, Ky. 40121-5212, or phone commer- A summary of the course appeared in cial (502)624-8530 or DSN 464-8530. the October 1990 issue of Soldiers. To reduce the number of TCGST failures, the Weapons Department, The NCO Journal For more information, contact SGM Ban- U.S. Army' Armor School, has decided to make nister, DSN 97843145, or commercial (915) Begins Publication the equipment and instructors available 566-8145. for refresher training before the test to Army noncommissioned officers will avoid wasting TDY funds. Equipment and soon have another resource to add to instructors will be available two or three Senior Officer Logistics their professional development arsenal. days before the test. Students should ar- After months of planning and preparation, Management Course (SOLMC) rive three or four days early and bring The NCO Journal is scheduled for distribu- technical manuals for their model of tank tion in April. The Senior Officer Logistics Manage- and also an FM 17-12 with changes. ment Course is specifically designed to Described as a forum for the open ex- update commanders and their primary This refresher training will relieve the change of ideas and information to sup- staff at battalion and brigade level. The unit chain of command of its respon- port the training, education, and develop- course encompasses maintenance, sup- sibility to screen Master Gunner can- ment of the Noncommissioned Officer ply, and transportation procedures, as didates and to ensure they meet the pre- Corps, the journal debuts as a quarterly well as hands-on experience with vehicles, requisites in DA Pam 3514, which in- 24-page publication. But its staff is al- weapons, ammunition, medical, com- cludes conducting a TCGST for students ready working toward expansion by work- munications, NBC, and quartermaster within three months of their arrival to the ing to attract readers and a broader base equipment. The course is open to officers Master Gunner Course. of contributors. 50 ARMOR - March-April 1991 Changes in Drill Sergeant Armor Branch Selection Criteria

Notes When Enlisted Ranks (Selection of En- listed Soldiers for Training and Assign- ment), AR 614-200, Chapter 8, Update 16, by Colonel Steve Wilson is released, there will be two changes in the prerequisites for noncommissioned of- MSG Gil High, editor of the inaugural ficers applying for drill sergeant school issue, said his first goal was to provide a OPERATION DESERT STORM is placing and assignment. All NCOs must possess highquality product that will have value demands and challenges on the person- a GT score of 100 or higher, and a profile as a professional development tool. "To nel system, with many routine personnel series (PULHES) no less than 211221. me that means giving NCOs a source for actions being delayed. The uncertainties Both changes are non-waiverable prereq- information and problem solving, but created by OPERATION DESERT STORM uisites and are currently being used by more important, the journal should be a will undoubtedly continue. One thing is the Drill Sergeant Team in their selection constant DESERT STORM has the place where NCOs will share their own ex- - process. Personnel Service Center (PSC) periences, ideas, and opinions for the priority in all personnel actions. representatives and NCOs applying for mutual benefit of all NCOs. "Although this prestigious duty must ensure DA we're an official publication that fully sup- We have a number of officers who are Forms 2A and 2-1 (which are two of the ports command policies and will publish TDY to SWA and are not physically with enclosures in a drill sergeant application) their parent units, even though they are officially approved information important reflect the correct data. Also, the ap- to NCO development, the purpose of the stili carried on their parent unit's roll. We propriate SIDPERS transactions must be NCO Journal is not to deliver the 'Party don't necessarily know that someone is submitted to update the Enlisted Master Line,"' High said. in fact, the majority of ar- TDY because MACOMS have issued their File (EMF). Direct any questions pertain- ticles we publish should not come from of- own TDY orders without PERSCOM ing to the selection criteria to the Drill Ser- ficial sources, but from our readers. The knowledge. Many officers on valid reas- geant Team at DSN 221-8070/8394. only thing we ask is that writers address is- signment orders have been frozen in sues that are important to leader deveiop- place by "stop movement," which has ment or offer suggestions on how we as created vacancies in some gaining units. Courses Available for 19Ds NCOs can become more professional." We expect this phenomenon to continue until soon after our victory in DESERT The following courses are available for STORM. 19Ds upon requests initiated at unit level. High explained that future Issues of All courses listed are designed to improve NCO Journal will follow a series of Some officers previously scheduled for technical and tactical proficiency, themes to help readers and contributors schools such as AOAC have had their however, M3 Scout Commander Certifica- focus on issues that are important to the schooling postponed, thereby creating a tion Course (MBSCCC) and BFV Master Army as a whole and NCOs in particular. large "bow wave" of officers requiring ap- Gunner Courses are most critical to the But each issue will also contain articles on propriate schooling. If DESERT STORM 19D force. a variety of topics as well as standing continues for an extended period, some columns such as a book review section officers may have to be deferred from Course Band and a section which will look at the his- CGSC and SSC each case will be hand- tory of the NCO Corps. led on its own merits. We will do our best Airborne Training PVT-SFC M3SCCC SPC(P)-SFC to reschedule schools for those affected BNMaster Gunner SGT-SFC "Readers are encouraged to take a criti- ASAP based on individual needs and Scout Platoon Leader SSG(P)-SFC cal look at our first issues, and to help preferences, unit requirements, and seat- Ranger School SGT-SFC shape the journal into an instrument that ing capacity. Joint Firepower Control SFC will serve their needs," High said. "in many cases our first issue will live up to Other officers with approved resigna- For more information, contact SFC War- our readers' expectations. But when they tions or retirements have been prevented ren or Mr. Jackson, DSN 221-9080 or com- see we've left out some important facts, by "stop loss" from leaving active duty as mercial (703) 325-9080. when they disagree with an author, or scheduled or desired. HQDA will publish when they think some important issues guidance on how and when those who Special Skill Identifiers need to be raised, then we want to hear are scheduled to leave active duty will be from them." allowed to do so. Any Additional Skill Identifiers or Skill Qualification Identifiers (master gunner, drill sergeant, or detailed recruiter) ap- AWTS Changes Name The past months have been chalienging pears to improve selection rates for for ail, and the next months promise to be promotion to sergeant first class. Though The Army Wide Training Support Branch even more so. I encourage you to "stay on not a necessity for promotion through the of the Non-Resident Training Division, the net" with Branch by note, message, or NCO ranks, such skiiis have shown selec- G3/DPTM, Ft. Knox, Ky.. is now the Field phone. We'll do our best to keep the per- tion boards self improvement and the Support Branch of the Total Armor Force sonal in personnel. total soldier concept. NCOs should not Training Support Division. They will still form the misconception that being provide the same service; only the name To all of our comrades associated with qualified with an identifier will get them has changed. The office symbol (ATZK- OPERATiON DESERT STORM, we con- promoted, but it improves the chances PTNA) and phone number (DSN 464- gratulate you on your victory. Our hearts and builds upon professional deveiop- 2987 or commercial 502-624-2987) have and prayers so with you. STEEL ON TAR- ment. To ensure the Armor NCO presents not changed. GET! the total soldier concept, they need to

ARMOR - March-April 1991 51 strive to gain leadership time and success- For more information contact SFC Officers whose orders to OAC were ful duties in special management assign- Nichols or Mrs. Nail at DSN 221-9080 or revoked due to DESERT STORM, do not ments. Below are some guidelines for the commercial (703) 325-9080. despair! As soon as your division or regi- total soldier concept: ment releases you, we will program you RA Officers for the same type of OAC originally 024 months platoon sergeant time in a scheduled. TOE assignment Remember, if you are an RA officer or RA-designee, your ORB will not reflect RA Majors Board 024 months tank commander or sec- until you have taken the RA oath of office tion leader time and sent us your DA 71. If you have sent The PI 91 majors board is still the DA 71 through your channels but still scheduled for 2d or 3d quarter 1991. The .Master gunner assignments at com- are listed as a USAR officer, send a copy board message will be published 90 days pany and battalion level directly to Armor Branch. before the new convene date. We have no information on whether or not the zones 0 Successful drill sergeant or detailed Special Management of consideration will change; however, we recruiter duties Command Assignments expect YG 81 (primary zone), YG 82 (below the zone), and YG 80 (above the For more information, contact SFC zone) to remain the target year groups. Nichols or Mrs. Nail, DSN 221-9080 or As expected, competitive senior NCOs commercial (703) 325-9080. are concerned about what effect a TDA as- signment will have on their career after Major's Desk The SMA Graduate SMA graduation. Enlisted Armor Branch is chartered to provide top quality senior Two key boards are coming up in the NCOs to such TDA assignments as readi- near future. The Command and General The professional development of an ness group, overseas military advisor Staff College selection board and the NCO continues beyond platoon sergeant group, and TRADOC assignments. lieutenant colonel promotion board are and first sergeant time. In particular, mas- normally conducted in the 3d quarter of ter sergeant (non-promotables) attending The Total Soldier Concept supports TDA the fiscal year. As of this date, board the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy assignments in between TOE assign- notification letters have not been (USASMA) are in a rather unique position. ments. Selection boards recognize diver- published. They are afforded the opportunity to sity of assignments that highlight both directly influence their follow-on assign- leadership ability and technical com- LTC's Desk ment upon SMA graduation. Preference petence. Special management command sheets sent to Enlisted Armor Branch are assignments require qualities and ex- closely scrutinized and acted upon to the The colonel's board should convene periences as a first sergeant, TOE master sometime in the quarter, FY 91. Now is graduate's request. However, certain Army 3d gunner, and a proper balance of TOElTDA needs prevent a 100% success rate in this the time to begin reviewing Officer assignments. program. A professional development rule Record Briefs (ORBS) and photographs. of thumb applies for this selected and suc- Close out date for complete-the-record For more information, contact MSG Gal- cessful group of potential future CSMs. If OERs will be established by the HQDA loway or Mrs. Miller at DSN 221-9080 or message which announces the board. the graduate completed a TDA assign- commercial (703) 325-9080. ment prior to,SMA, a TOE assignment is Armor Branch has received several calls appropriate after SMA. Likewise, a TOE as- about retirements, the Selective Early signment prior to SMA should be followed Retirement Boards (SERB), and the Reduc- by a TDA assignment. The Enlisted Armor FY 91 AOAC School Dates tion In Force Board (RIF). Presently, no Branch works toward the professional development of a soldier throughout his Listed below are the upcoming AOAC SERB or RIF board is scheduled for FY career. An SMA graduate is competitive dates. Lieutenants from Europe will attend 91. No definitive policy has been estab- lished for retirement date change after the for future assignment as a command ser- after DEROS or on 1st PERSCOM end of OPERATION DESERT STORM. geant major and the followon assignment guidance, and all other lieutenants will at- is critical in achieving this goal. tend between the 42-48 month timeon- station. We can work with your com- mander to determine your AOAC date Wanted: STORM Reports 19E/K Transition depending on unit strength, training re- quirements, and your desires. ARMOR is interested in publishing As everyone is aware, MOS 19E will interesting photos and stories about phase out in FY 92. MACOM and unit 91-3 14 Apr 91 - 5 Sep 91 Operation DESERT STORM in fu- commanders should ensure soldiers not 91-4 7 Jut 91 - 27 NOV91 ture issues. 92-1 Oct 91 27 Mar 92 yet transitioned to 19K be sent to the M1 20 - Share tips and techniques; tell 92-2 5 Jan 92 - 21 May 92 Tank Commander Certification Course other readers what worked, and (MlTe). This is an MOS-producing what didn't. Let's learn from your ex- course for MOS 19E, sergeant and above, We also send officers to the Infantry Of- periences. We're also interested in to MOS 19K. It is imperative for 19E sol- ficer Advanced Course (IOAC). If you unusual photos. Send submissions diers assigned out of the current force would like a chance at selection for IOAC, to U.S. Army Armor Center, ATTN: modernization units to attend this course. just drop us a line. IOAC dates are rough- ATSB-AM (MAJ Cooney), Fort Knox, Units may request attendance through the ly the same, but IOAC has an additional Ky., 40121 installation schools manager or MACOM. class in August.

52 ARMOR - March-April 7997 -

The Great Crusade by H.P. Hanging Sam, A Military Biog- was going overseas, followed by two Willmott, The Free Press, New York, 1989, raphy of General Samuel T. division commanders in sequence who did not know the division and its senior of- 484 pages. $24.95 Williams, by Colonel Harold J. "Jack" ficers. How old can a man be and fight a Meyer, University of North Texas Press, unit with all the energy and stamina com- There have been a number of new 1990. $16.95. mand requires. How can you actually single-volume histories of World War II. judge the fighting ability of a unit and its John Keegan's The Second World War If you are a student of methods of commanders before the fighting begins? and John Ellis' Brute Force, as well as leadership, you should read this book. If Hanging Sam learned from this ex- H.P. Wtllmott's The Great Crusade, are you want to learn of the unique career of perience, and ever after this, his unit was the best of the new studies. All these new a most unusual military man, you should prepared before he got there - or shortly works share the common intent of read this book. If you want to know how afterward. His stringent leadership reevaluating this last great war now that a hard work, steel strong determination, methods, so well laid out in this book, half century provides some historical dis- and plain guts brought a "busted" general were effective - for him. But be warned, tance. It is, of course, difficult to cram all officer back to a rank two grades higher they will work only for a man of his charac- of the war into a single volume, so in- one war later, you should read this book. ter. variably, these authors concentrate on analysis rather than narrative. Interesting- The author has accomplished a sig- LEO D. JOHNS ly, most of these new studies confirm the nificant feat in presenting this military COL, USA, Ret. trend that is highly critical of the German biography - and emphasize military biog- Midlothian, Va. "myth" of military excellence while em- raphy - of General Williams in a straight- phasizing the Soviet contribution and forward and emotionally clear manner. The Battle of the Ruhr Pocket - operational expertise. There was emotion being in or out, or April 1945 by Leo Kessler, Scarborough even near, Hanging Sam's command. House, Chelsea, Mich., 1990. 244 pages. Willmott, particularly, goes to great You either admired this general and im- $19.95. lengths to demonstrate German operation- proved yourself from his methods of al -and strategic ineptitude. The author's motivation, or you feared him and hated view is simply that, although the being around him due to your own inade- Leo Kessler is well known as the author Wehrmacht may have been good at fight- quacies. of startlingly dramatic fictional accounts ing, the Germans were very poor at of life in the German Army on the Russian making war. The Japanese also suffer One point the author does not include in Front in the Second World War. His titles from the author's critical analysis, and so the book is what happened to those fired have adorned many an airport or station we learn that, at the outset, the Japanese from or thrown out of his command. Did bookshelf. This is a more serious book. decision for war was as senseless as it they become career failures, as they were The style could be called popular history was hopeless. with him, or did they go on to a brighter and here is a very readable account of the life in a gentler environment? It could be Battle of the Ruhr Pocket. The book The Great Crusade is full of many expected that they numbered fewer in ac- reopens the controversy, never fully set- provocative insights. The narrative sum- tual fact than the reputation of ruthless- tled by military historians, as to the wis- maries of operations is superb and com- ness based on the stories. dom of Eisenhower's decision to attack bined with sharp analysis. The major flaw the Germans encircled in the Ruhr Pocket in this study, however, is the author's ad- Truth to tell, General Williams was a rather than starve them into submission. mitted bias on how war is made. Willmott trainer without peer of individuals and Kessler evidently agrees that the latter believes modern war is waged between units. The reviewer did not know him and decision would have been the wiser "systems and societies." Economic and his Blue Spaders, but did know him and course and produces convincing evidence military strength harnessed by efficient his great 25th Division in Korea (from a to support his case. The appalling casual- bureaucracies win wars. The author distance) and of his repeated trips to the ty figures from a possibly needless cam- makes little attempt to examine the 11 ROK Corps. It is unfortunate that the paign only back his argument further. decision-makers. Once the balance of book does not give more details of his economic and military power of the world most significant accomplishments in his Mr. Kessler has undoubtedly researched is arrayed against the Axis as the United efforts in the ROK Corps. his material well. He knows the country, States and the Soviet Union enter the war, and as one who has served for many their defeat is inevitable. Some of the most vital details in the years in the area he describes, I can book are included in the battle experien- vouch for his accuracy - not surprising in Unfortunately, Willmott has forgotten ces of the 90th Division in World War II, an author who was German correspon- that war is not only a political and when Brigader General Willaims was the dent for six years for the London Times economic activity; it is also a human assistant division commander. His relief Educational Supplement and himself drama. Butt I fully recommend The Great and very questionable and patently un- fought in the campaign he describes. Crusade. It is the best example of the new deserved "bust" back to colonel came as history of the war. Willmott's insights will a result of those experiences. The story of Serious military historians may quibble keep historians and soldiers arguing for those experiences reveals anew some of at the style, but I recommend the book as years to come. the classical problems faced by the U.S. an easy and enjoyable read. Army in World War II and now. Problems MICHAEL R. MATHENY such as a division commander who J.M.W. MOODY LTC, Armor trained the division relieved and promoted Lt. Col. Harker Heights, Tex. to a higher echelon, just as the division British Liaison Officer

ARMOR - March-April 7997 53