5. SEQUENCE
The philosophy of infantry/armour co-operation
Tasks in combined operations
The essentials for infantry/tank cooperation
Methods of infantry / tank attack
Employment armour - basic essentials
Infantry armour target indication
Safety measures
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6. There should be clear understanding on what each can
achieve on gr before Armr and Inf employed together.
Armr is vulnerable for en man-held Atk wpns.
Therefore, Inf should provide close protection for Armr.
Inf is vulnerable for en long range Tank and IFV fire.
Therefore, Tanks should provide long range protection to Inf.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF INFANTRY
ARMOUR CO-OPERATION
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7. Armr is not capable of holding gr. Therefore, Inf should be
grouped with Armr.
Inf need time to move and deploy. Therefore, Armr should
be grouped with Inf to achieve speed and momentum.
Armr augments huge amount of direct Fire Power for the Inf
Comd.
Mobility of Armr provides Inf Comd a number of options.
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8. To destroy enemy weapons, which hold up the
infantry and which, the infantry cannot destroy
themselves.
To use their firepower to maintain the
momentum of the attack.
To assist the infantry against counter attacks
immediately after the objective has been seized.
TANKS
To seize and hold the objective.
To engage and destroy close range anti-tank
weapons which become a threat to the tanks. (The
closer the country, the higher should be the
proportion of infantry to tanks)
To assist in the removal or breaching of an
obstacle.
INFANTRY
TASKS OF TANKS & INFANTRY IN COMBINED
OPERATIONS
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9. ESSENTIALS FOR INF/TANK CO-OP
ESSENTIALS
Mutual
Trust
Sound and
detailed
planning
Good
Target
Indication
Efficient Radio
Communication
s and Radio
Discipline
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10. Tanks leading
Infantry leading
Tanks and infantry on same line
Tanks and infantry on different axis
Tanks stand back and support infantry
fire
METHODS OF INFANTRY/TANK IN ATTACK
Same
axis
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14. ARMR INF IN SAME AXIS
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Easy comd & control
Easy direction keeping
Easy coordination
More fire power
Concentration to the Tgt
end
Inf canot achieve the speed of
armr
Less secrecy
No shock action
More vulnerable
May distract due To terrain
constrains
Less flanking fire
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16. ARMR INF IN DIFFERENT AXIS
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Coordination of time is
difficult
Need more practice and
understanding
Could use speed of Armr
Surprise could be achieved
Shock action could be
produced
Flanking fire available
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18. ARMR AS A FIRE BASE
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Can provide huge covering
fire
Surprise could be achieved
Drag enemy attention away
from the assaulting troops
Minimize the assaulting fire
power
Need more practice and
understanding
Having possibility of get own
casualty
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19. Aggressive and Bold Employment
Mobility
Flexibility
Surprise
Cooperation
Controlled dispersion
BASIC ESSENTIALS FOR EMPLOYMENT OF
ARMOUR
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20. AGGRESSIVE AND BOLD EMPLOYMENT
The tank is basically an offensive weapon and
therefore must be employed offensively even in defensive
operations. With this end view, an aggressive and dynamic
spirit should animate commands at all levels.
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21. MOBILITY
The ability to move cross-country enables armr tps to
mnvr around strong enemy def and takes him by surprise
from an exposed flank.
Initial deployment is carefully planned so that armr
fmns and units are correctly composed for striking in
different dir with equal facility.
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22. FLEXIBILITY
It is the sum total of physical mobility, the ability to
group and regroup rapidly, extensive communications,
alertness of mind at all levels, simplicity in planning,
intelligent anticipation and quick reactions to orders.
The ability to react effectively and quickly, to changing
tactical situations without losing either balance or initiative.
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23. SURPRISE
All possible security and deception measures should
be resorted to, so that surprise is achieved; for it can
culminate in shock action which can pay unexpectedly high
dividends by breaking the enemy's will to fight even when he
is still physically capable of resisting effectively.
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25. CONTROLLED DISPERSION
In nuclear warfare, if any sizable concentration of tanks
is discovered it would be subjected to a nuclear attack.
Hence it is required for greater dispersal to survive and rapid
concentration at the decisive point to fight and then disperse
again.
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26. INFANTRY / TANK TARGET INDICATION
PRINCIPLES
In all situation infantry and tanks must be able to see
each other
Procedures should be simple so that all personnel down
to other ranks can use it under battle conditions
Procedure adopted must be applicable in all type of
terrain
Procedure must be quick to ensure that fire is brought on
the target in the minimum time with maximum effect
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27. SEQUENCE OF TARGET INDICATION
Attract Attention.
Give Direction and Range.
Target Description.
Executive Order.
Corrections.
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28. Infantry personal will use one of fol method to
get the attention of Tank Commander:
Offering the target on the radio.
Personal contact(Climbing on
the tank/ Hand Signals).
Using the tank telephone.
ATTRACT ATTENTION
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29. The tank commander is directed using the following:
GIVE DIRECTION AND RANGE
Direction
and
Range
Reference points
They may be pre-arranged or
hasty. The clock method or
description of ground from the
reference point is normally
used. The range to the target
then is given.
Gun Barrel
Using the line of the tank
gun, the direction of the
target is given as, e.g.,
quarter left / half right. The
range to the target then is
given.
Shot for Reference
An artificial reference point
is created by a burst of a
shell or line of tracer.
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31. EXECUTIVE ORDER
It will give one of following executive order:
a. Destroy, neutralize or screen.
b. Say when fire is to stop and what action infantry
are taking.
Example: Neutralize and cease fire on my order-am attacking
right flanking.
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32. CORRECTIONS
These should be applied automatically by the
tank commander but if he fires at the wrong target
the infantry observer will order left or right, add or
drop in hundreds of meters as he sees it on the
ground. The; tank commander will allow for
variations when applying these corrections.
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33. SAFETY MEASURES
When Dealing with Tanks, unexperienced Infantry will have to be
careful about their safety. Fol safety measures need to be adopted:
Should be mounted to Tank as per the drill laid down.
Must hold on firmly to the tank and remain alert at all times against sudden jerks.
Should not sit on or near the exhausts fans.
Should not stand up even while holding the railing or ropes.
Should not mount or dismount from a moving tank.
On night moves, snr person should freq check to ensure that nobody falls asleep.
The inf should ensure that they do not step on lights, periscopes or wpns.
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34. INFANTRY IN APCs
The mobility and armour protection of the APC will help the
infantry to cross a battle field quickly to the place where they are wanted.
An APC is not a tank and should not be used as such.
Its GPMG is primarily to provide close support to the vehicle's
occupants as they dismount and its armour is only proof against small
arms fire and shell splinters.
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35. CHOICES OF DISMOUNTING AREA
Well Short of the Objective - Out of range of small arms
and hand held anti-armour weapons.
Short of the Objective - Within the range of small
arms and hand held anti -armour weapons.
On the Objective.
Once through the Objective.
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36. DISMOUNTING WELL SHORT OF THE
OBJECTIVE
This course may be dictated by such factors as enemy
strength in anti-armour weapons, close country and natural
or artificial obstacles. After dismounting normal dismounted
infantry/ tank tactics are used.
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37. DISMOUNTING SHORT OF THE OBJECTIVE
ADVANTAGES
Troops are orientated to the objective
Control easily established
Better arty/ mor cover during dismounting
DISADVANTAGES
Infantry become exposed to the en
Slow and tiring course of action
Vulnerability in being caught to en DF
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38. ADVANTAGES
Greater speed and shock action
Infantry protected longer
Covering fire can continue
DISADVANTAGES
Difficulty in orientating troops to the objective
Difficulty in control
Tanks vulnerable to short range antitank weapons
Infantry more vulnerable during dismount
DISMOUNTING ON THE OBJECTIVE
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39. ADVANTAGES
Infantry assault is from the en least expected area
Troops orientation better
Easy control
Considerable shock effect on en
DISADVANTAGES
The dismounted area may be a DF targets
Assaulting troops may fire at own troops following
Tanks vulnerable whilst passing the objective
DISMOUNTING ONCE THROUGH THE
OBJECTIVE
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40. EMPTY APCs
Once mechanized infantry have dismounted four choices for
disposal of the empty APCs are open to the commander. These are to:
Remain in the dismounting area.
Withdraw to a safe area.
Take up a position from which their MG can fire in
support of the attack.
Follow the dismounted infantry, if necessary providing
fire from MGs..
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All the arms involve in war have their own Capabilities and limitations.
To cover once limitations and face the threat in better manner we can use properly balanced forces to match the ground, the enemy and the tasks to be performed. These grouping should use to exploit the best characteristics of each arm.
Armour. Armour dominates the battlefield by day out to the range of its maximum effective engagement and down to the effective range of man-held infantry anti - tank weapons. Armour is, therefore, most effective when deployed so that it can use its fire within this range bracket.
Infantry. Infantry is the close - quarter arm. It should not be exposed to the enemy's long range, direct, tank fire; nor to his observed artillery fire.
The infantry should be deployed, therefore, where the lie of the ground or buildings, or the close nature of the country, conceals them from an enemy beyond the range of their own anti-tank weapons- The infantry will then be difficult for the enemy's armour to assault, and, because of their facility for concealment and individual movement, they will have the advantage.
The enemy must dislodge them with his own infantry, against whom their APC mounted weapons, machine guns and riflemen, if skillfully deployed, will protect them.
Relevance of Ground. Ground, therefore, whether on a large or small scale, dictates where each arm deploys and where each arm will be dominant. Infantry should never be used as a useless adjunct on ground where it has no role and armour is dominant. It should carry out its own task separately on the ground best suited to it. In this way the best form of mutual support and co - operation is achieved over the entire area of operations.
Vulnerability of Infantry on the Move. Another important distinction between the two arms is that armour is comparatively secure when moving, can fire on the move, and is immediately ready to fight in a new position; it is the mobile arm. Infantry, however, cannot be effective when moving and need time to deploy in a new position. It follows, that, in planning combined operations, as far as possible, the infantry should be moved as little as is possible and if movement is required, should move from one battle position to another as fast as is practicable.
a. Mutual Trust. - Based on knowledge of each other’s capabilities and imitations and duties of each towards the other.
b. Sound and detailed planning.
c. Efficient Radio Communications and Radio Discipline.
d. Good Target Indication.
a. Tanks leading.
b. Infantry leading.
c. Tanks and infantry on same axis.
d. Tanks and infantry on different axis.
e. Tanks stand back and support infantry by fire.
These considerations are based on the need to emp armr troops so as to allow them to make maximum use of their inherent capabilities in all ops of war.
The tank is basically an offensive weapon and therefore must be employed offensively even in defensive operations. With this end in view, an aggressive and dynamic spirit should animate commands at all levels.
The ability to move cross-country enables armr tps to mnvr around strong enemy def and takes them by surprise from an exposed flank.
But care must be taken to ensure that initial deployment is carefully planned so that armr fmns and units are correctly poised for striking in different dir with equal facility.
This term is generally not clearly understood.
a. It is the sum total of physical mobility, the ability to group and regroup rapidly, extensive communications, alertness of mind at all levels, simplicity in planning, intelligent anticipation and quick reactions to orders.
b. Consequently, flexibility can be defined as the ability to react effectively and quickly, to changing tactical situations without losing either balance or initiative.
It is a key factor in all operations. All possible security and deception measures should be resorted to, so that surprise is achieved; for it can culminate in shock action which can pay unexpectedly high dividends by breaking the enemy's will to fight even when he is still physically capable of resisting effectively.
Surprise is achieved less with secrecy of movement than with sudden and unexpected concentration at the decisive point and time.
This has two aspects:
a. Inter-arm coop. A high standard of cooperation between all arms is essential for successful exploitation of the capabilities of each arm. This can only be achieved through extensive joint training, mutual confidence and continuous personal contact between commanders, staff officers and the troops.
b. Armour - Air. The armour and air arm should be employed as a team. Armour without the minimum essential air support loses much of its mobility and flexibility and cannot achieve surprise. The air should guard its flanks, provide continuous deep reconnaissance and make up the loss of artillery support, which is inevitable in mobile battles as the heavier guns might not be able to move up in time.
In nuclear warfare, if any sizable concentration of tanks is discovered it would be subjected to a nuclear attack. Hence it is required for greater dispersal to survive and rapid concentration at the decisive point to fight and then disperse again.
Attract Attention. Infantry personal will use one of fol method to get the attention of Tank Commander:
a. Offering the target on the radio.
b. Personal contact, e.g., climbing on the tank.
c. Using the tank telephone.
Give Direction and Range. The tank commander is directed using the following:
a. Reference points. They may be pre-arranged or hasty. The clock method or description of ground from the reference point is normally used. The range to the target then is given.
b. Gun Barrel. Using the line of the tank gun, the direction of the target is given as, e.g., quarter left / half right. The range to the target then is given.
c. Shot for Reference. An artificial reference point is created by a burst of a shell or line of tracer.
Target Description. Example: Left edge of hedgerow-small bush-base of bush -machine gun.
Executive Order: It will give one of following executive order:
a. Destroy, neutralize or screen.
b. Say when fire is to stop and what action infantry are taking.
c. Example: Neutralize and cease fire on my order-am attacking right flanking.
These should be applied automatically by the tank commander but if he fires at the wrong target the infantry observer will order left or right, add or drop in hundreds of meters as he sees it on the ground. The; tank commander will allow for variations when applying these corrections.
When Dealing with Tanks, unexperienced Infantry will have to be careful about their safety. Otherwise they will get injured and blame will goes to tank crew, which will at last leads to failure of both the parties. Therefore following safety measures need to be adopted.
a. All personal mounted on tanks must hold on firmly to a part of the tank and remain alert at all times against sudden jerks which may throw them off balance.
b. Nobody should sit on or near the exhausts fans.
c. Nobody should stand up even while holding the railing or ropes.
d. Nobody should mount or dismount from a moving tank.
e. The tanks should be mounted as per the drill laid down.
f. Nobody should sit on the fan parts of the engine.
g. On night moves the senior person of each tank should carry out frequent checks to ensure that nobody falls asleep.
h. While mounting and dis-mounting the infantry should ensure that they do not step on lights, periscopes or weapons as these are liable to damage.
i. No mounting and dis-mounting should be carried out without the orders of tank comd.
The mobility and armour protection of the APC will help the infantry to cross a battle field quickly to the place where they are wanted. However, an APC is not a tank and should not be used as such. Its GPMG is installed primarily to provide close support to the vehicle's occupants as they dismount and its armour is only proof against small arms fire and shell splinters. The introduction of the 30 mm cannon will provide it with a limited capability against enemy light armour.
24. It follows that if the enemy anti-armour defence is so strong that it prevents tanks from taking a particular route, infantry must dismount before they can take the same route. Therefore the cardinal rule for infantry in APCs is that they only motor in the immediate vicinity of the enemy if intimately supported by tanks.
There are four choices of dismounting area open to a combat team commander. These are:
a. Well Short of the Objective. Out of range of small arms and hand held anti-armour weapons.
b. Short of the Objective. Within the range of small arms and hand held anti -armour weapons.
c. On the Objective.
d. Once through the Objective.
This course may be dictated by such factors as enemy strength in anti-armour weapons, close country and natural or artificial obstacles. After dismounting normal dismounted infantry/ tank tactics are used.
26. 27. Dismounting Short of the Objective. The strength of the enemy anti-armour defence, the nature of the ground on which the objective is sited or the location of enemy supporting positions may be such that the commander cannot hazard his tanks and APCs in a drive on attack. In this case he may be forced to seek a dismounting area short of the objective. He will look for an area which can be recognized easily and which is defiladed from direct fire. If possible it should be within assaulting range of and square to the objective but out of hand - thrown grenade range and outside the acceptable safety limits of his-own supporting fire. The advantages and disadvantages of dismounting short of the objective, as opposed to on it, are:
a. Advantages.
(1) Troops can be orientated during the foot approach to the objective.
(2) Control can be established in the dismounting area.
(3) Supporting artillery and mortar fire can cover the dismounting, provided it is outside the safety distance.
b. Disadvantages.
(1) Infantry become exposed to enemy fire particularly as the covering fire lifts.
(2) This is a slower and more tiring course of action.
(3) Inevitably, suitable dismounting areas are likely to be adjusted b the enemy as DF targets.
Dismounting on the Objective. This form of attack should only be undertaken if surprise has been achieved or the enemy anti - armour defence is so weak or weakened by supporting fire that he is unlikely to be able to destroy our tanks. The advantages and disadvantages of dismounting on the objective, as opposed to short of it, are:
a. Advantages
(1) Greater speed and shock action.
(2) Infantry remain protected longer from enemy small arms fire.
(3) Covering fire can continue longer.
b. Disadvantages
(1) Difficulty in orientating troops and APCs to their objectives.
(2) Difficulty of establishing control on dismounting.
(3) APCs become particularly vulnerable to short range anti- armour weapons.
(4) A high rate of suppressive fire is required to cover the infantry when they are at their most vulnerable, i.e., as they dismount.
Dismounting Once Through the Objective. The occasion may arise when a mounted attack may be less costly if dismounting is carried out once through the objective. Again the state of the enemy anti-armour defence will dictate largely whether or not this is possible. The advantages and disadvantages over dismounting on the objective are:
a. Advantages
(1) The infantry fight through starts from an area and direction least likely to be expected by the enemy.
(2) Troops can be orientated more readily off the objective.
(3) Control is established more easily off the objective.
(4) The shock effect on the enemy of mechanized troops motoring through their position is likely to be considerable.
b. Disadvantages
(1) This method takes no account of enemy depth and mutually, supporting positions.
(2) A suitable dismounting area may be a DF task despite being within the enemy defended area.
(3) There is a danger of fire from the assaulting troops hitting the troops following up.
(4) It is still highly desirable to face the APCs towards the objective before dismounting but the act of turning round makes them more vulnerable and changes the relative positions of assaulting infantry commanders, reserves, and possibly, tanks.
(5) Assaulting APCs are very vulnerable as they motor through the enemy position.
(6) Empty APCs are particularly vulnerable in this type of attack.
30. When the commander has weighed all the arguments he is left still with the choice of an actual dismounting area. Often there will be compelling reasons dismounting away from an objective, but the aim should be to remain mounted as long as it is tactically sound.
31. Having made his decision the commander must be prepared to alter it should his original choice prove to be wrong. He must therefore position himself well forward in an assault so that any change in the dismounting plan can be executed quickly. The most obvious occasion when a change may be necessary is when a selected dismounting area is swept with effective enemy fire. The only reasonable choice left to the commander in this case may be to dismount on or through the objective.
32. Action by Reserves. The question of whether reserves remain mounted or dismounted will depend on the tactical situation. Until such time as they are committed however, it will be best usually to keep them mounted. GPMGs mounted on APCs carrying reserves can be used to give covering fire.
once mechanized infantry have dismounted four choices for disposal of the empty APCs are open to the commander. These are to:
a. Remain in the dismounting area.
b. Withdraw to a safe area (ZULU muster).
c. Take up a position from which their GPMGs/ RARDENS can fire in support of the attack.
d. Follow the dismounted infantry, if necessary providing fire from GPMGs/ 30mm Cannon.
