Copy 3 3 DE; ARTMENT OF THE ARMY FIELD MANUAL TANK BATTALN Co n r SSEMPIATIO MTEATTER - NO wAMho. P d du-5e1uR RwlMe P T iOFdividEs O S.e s* Alt 80 entrus y t th o se id d 3 require sUch knowledge or o SEPTEMBER 1949 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FM 17-33 C1 FIELD MANUAL TANK BATTALION L.INGES DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 1 WASHINGTON, D. C., 14 May 1951 .FM 17-33, 22 September 1949, is changed as follows: 125. FORMS OF OFFENSIVE ACTION * S * * * * * .Envelopment. The envelopment is * * * !bse of fire. Envelopments are of various types and include- (2) Double envelopment. This is an * * * forces in detail. (2.1) (Added.) Close envelopment. This is a maneuver directed against one or both flanks or the rear of the initial enemy dis- positions and toward an objective in rear of his front lines. Fire support from the sup- porting weapons of the base of fire is avail- able to the maneuvering force for its entire movement to, and during the attack upon, the objective. A close envelopment may be a single or double envelopment. (2.2) (Added.) Wide envelopment. A wide envelopment is a maneuver directed against AGO 4120C-May 900695 --51 1 or around one or both flanks or the rear of the initial enemy dispositions and toward an objective in the rear. The maneuvering force moves at such a distance from the base of fire that it will be impossible to furnish it the desired fire support. Under such circumstances it may be necessary to attach fire support units to the maneuvering force. A wide envelopment may be a single oA double envelopment. * * * * * * * 145. FORMATIONS FOR THE ATTACK, GENERAL' The formation for * * * momentum of at- tack. * * * * * * * c. Enemy Situation. (Superseded.) Against a strong enemy, a formation in depth by the major com- mand will be necessary in order to ensure continuity to the attack. If the enemy situation is vague, a formation in depth may be desirable. When attack- ing as part of the major command, the entire bat- talion may be committed in the assault. If operating on a separate axis or independently, the battalion may adopt a formation in depth. Against an enemy known to have strong antitank defenses, an extended formation may be used, the tanks seeking to envelop such defenses. * * * * .* * 2 AGO 4120C 165. SECURITY IN THE EXPLOITATION * * * * * * * b. Types of Security Forces. While on the * * of security forces: * * * * * * * (4) Covering Force. (Superseded.) This may be all or part of the reconnaissance battalion operating under the control of the combat command or division. * * * * * * * f. Covering Force. (Superseded.) A covering force may operate beyond the advance, flank, and rear guards of the reinforced battalion. This cover- ing force operates under the control of the division or combat command when operating independently. Its purpose is to quickly develop the situation, to defeat hostile resistance within its capabilities, and to delay, deceive, and disorganize the enemy. It will usually be composed of highly mobile armored units, reinforced if necessary with artillery, air, engineer; and service support. * * * * : * * 180. COUNTERATTACK BY REINFORCED TANK BAT- TALION a. (Superseded.) .When the battalion is acting as a reserve for a major command, the higher com- AbO 4120C 3 allll_ rtrl mander will assign to the battalion its missions, at- tachments, available fire support, initial location, and coordinating details to include objectives and direction of attack. He will specify the priority of preparation of detailed counterattack plans. The battalion commander then prepares complete or de- tailed plans which will contain all necessary infor- mation for the launching, control, and coordination of the counterattack. The battalion commander must coordinate his plans with the commanders of the area through which the counterattack will pass. These plans are submitted to the higher commander for approval. On occasion, the higher commander may direct his staff to prepare the detailed counter- attack plans. The battalion commander must dis- seminate these plans to his subordinate commanders as early as possible to ensure time for study, recon- naissance, and formulation of details of execution. This reconnaissance is a continuous process and should be conducted by as many personnel as possi- ble. An Army aircraft, if available, should be used by the battalion commander to supplement the ground reconnaissance. All reconnoitering person- nel should keep the plans in mind as they study the terrain. If they believe that any changes in the plans are advisable because of terrain conditions, they should immediately recommend such changes. Co- ordination with adjacent units and supported units must be established and maintained. 4 - AGO 4120C on - ED 182. REINFORCED TANK BATTALION HOLDING A PORTION OF A SECTOR OF A LARGER FORCE, GENERAL In the mobile * * * open to him: * * * * * * * b. If his sector * * * small battalion reserve. He may use this battalion reserve to strengthen any of his strong points that might be threatened; or to occupy a previously prepared position for the pur- pose of canalizing the enemy's attack; or to counterattack the enemy attack force, if it is within the capability of the battalion reserve. In this situation * * * the counterattack force. * * * * * * * 187. CONDUCT OF MOBILE DEFENSE BY THE BAT- TALION a. Tactical air force * * * for a counter- attack. If the battalion commander has a small re- serve, he may commit that reserve to strengthen the strong points under attack; this may be sufficient to stop the enemy. He may order the reserve to oc- cupy a previously prepared position in order to canalize the enemy attack. If the enemy attack force is small, he may order the reserve to counter- attack to destroy or force back the enemy. If the battalion * * * (see par. 188). AGO 4120C S dWEED RESTRICTED 188. EMPLOYMENT OF THE BATTALION RESERVE c. Normally, a small * * * a counterattack force. However, on occasion the reserve may oc- cupy previously reconnoitered positions in order to canalize the enemy's attack or may be used as a counterattack force to destroy or force back a small enemy attacking force. 205. COUNTERATTACKS BY THE BATTALION IN SUS- TAINED DEFENSE a. Planning Counterattacks. * * * * * * * (2) The reserve battalion * * into friendly positions. All units participating in the counterattack should be placed under one com- mander (par. 180). 232. SECURITY FORCES IN DELAYING ACTION (Superseded.) a. The division or combat command may designate a unit or units as a rear covering force for a with- drawal during a delaying action. The rear covering force may occupy an initial position in rear of or on the position of the force to be covered. The rein- forced tank battalion may be assigned this mission. 6 AGO 4120C REST-RICTED RE-STRICTED When employed as a rear covering force, the bat- talion will usually deploy on a broad front and will then fight a delaying action when the force being covered moves to the rear. b. The battalion commander must designate a covering force to cover the withdrawal of the bat- talion. This covering force may consist of parts of more than one front line company operating under a single commander or may be a reinforced company. c. The use of tanks in delaying action is based upon their characteristics of mobility and long-range fire power. Tanks usually will provide the bulk of whatever reserves are used for counterattack pur- poses. Each situation must be carefully studied to determine whether tanks allotted to the reserve can- not be used initially to reinforce the fires of units blocking the hostile axes of advance; then, taking advantage of their mobility, they may break off action and move to designated reserve assembly posi- tions at an appropriate time. If tanks are used in this dual role, the senior commander must ordinarily specify that their tactical integrity be maintained during fire-reinforcement missions. Otherwise, if mixed with infantry in task teams, reorganization cannot be effected promptly to allow their timely movement to reserve. So much of paragraph 381 and of figures 84 and 88 as reads "LSTS" or "LCT" is changed to read "LSU." AGO 4120C 7 RESTRICTED Figure 14. Rescinded. Figure 102. Command net, heavy tank company, heavy tank battalion, armored division, and tank company, tank battalion, infantry and airborne divisions. Figure 103. Command net, medium tank company. [AG 300.7 (19 Apr 51)] BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARmY; OFFICIAL: J. LAWTON COLLINS EDWARD F. WITSELL Chief of Staff Major General, USA United States Army The Adjutant General DISTRIBUTION: Tech Svc (2); Arm & Svc Bd (2); AFF (40); AA Comd (2); OS Maj Comd (2); MDW (10); Log Comd (2); A (20); CHQ (5) ; D 7 (10), 17 (25), 57 (10) ; B 17 (10); R 7, 17 (10); Bn 7 (5); 17 (25), 57 (5); Sch (50); PMS & T (2); USA Missions (1); US Mil Missions (1); US Mil ATT (1); T/O & E's, 5-215N (2), 6-160N (2), 6-165N (2), 6-195N (2), 8-75N (2), 9-65N (2), 10-45N (2), 11-57N (2). For explanation of distribution formula see SR 310-90-1. 8 AGO 4120C BL.. OVERHEST PRINTING OFFICE, 191 IDn DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FIELD MANUAL FM 17-33 This manual supersedes FM 17-33, 19 December 1944 TANK BATTALION DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY · SEPTEMBER 1949 4" " W ISSEMINATION OF RESTRICTED MATTER.-No person is entitled solely by virtue of his grade or position to knowledge or possession of classified matter. Such matter is entrusted only to those individuals whose official duties require such knowledge or possession. (See also AR 380-5.) United States Government Printing Ofice Washington: 1949 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON 25, D. C., 22 September 1949 FM 17-33, Tank Battalion, is published for the in- formation and guidance of all concerned.