QUARTERHORSE HEADQUARTERS STAFF S-3
"The Fundamentals of Armored Cavalry"
1. The following constitutes the "Fundamentals of Armored Cavalry" which
have evolved in the lst Squadron, 4th Cavalry during the past two years.
These fundamentals are general in nature and in no way are a substitute
for common sense and imagination. They supplement, but do not replace the
squadron field SOP. These fundamentals applied with common sense and
imagination will minimize friendly and maximize enemy casualties.
2. Every trooper operating in the field with this squadron is required to
be thoroughly familiar with these principles and to have a copy of them
readily available for reference.
3. Security: The trooper assigned to this unit must orient himself to be
prepared to repel an enemy attack 24 hours a day for 365 days. There is
no time for "daydreaming" or expressions of sympathy for physical discomfort
and fatigue Deviations from maximum security may cost you your life and the
lives of your friends. Security is achieved in many ways. The discussion of
"type" operations in succeeding paragraphs emphasizes techniques found
useful in achieving security.
4. Discipline: This unit, by nature of its equipment, conducts frequent road
marches. The majority of the major battles fought by this squadron have occured
while conducting road marches. Road marches will be conducted with perfection.
a. Interval: Bunching up during a road march will increase friendly
casualties and reduce our, ability to maneuver, excessive interval hampers our
ability to mass our fire power rapidly and allows individual vehicles, rather
than the entire columns, to be engaged by the VC. Normal interval is 50 meters
between combat vehicles; open interval is 100 meters between combat vehicles.
Under no circumstances should a vehicle lose sight of the vehicles to his
front and rear.
b. Weapons coverage: Weapons will be staggered by type to left and
right of the road. If only one M60 MG is available on an ACAV it will cover
the flank not covered by the cal .5O regardless of which side of the vehicle
the M60 gun shield is on. Example:
c. Observation: It is essential that every vehicle crew maintain
continuous 36O degree observation. Drivers will observe to the vehicle's
front and flanks: Track commanders will observe their left or right flank
depending on the orientation of the cal .5O MG. The two scout observers
observe to the left and right flanks respectively; ammunition handler
observes to the rear. If a vehicle does not have a 5 man crew, the track
commander must assign sectors of observation, based on the terrain and
situation, to achieve maximum possible security for his vehicle.
d. Herringbone: Every time a Quarterhorse column stops, regardless of
the reason for the halt, the column will automatically herringbone. It is the
responsibility of the track commander if he has only one M60 MG to insure that
the M60 MG is oriented to fire the same sector as the cal .50 (see diagram).
NOTE: Extended herringbone to allow traffic to pass is illustrated.
Closed herringbone with vehicles remaining on road one behind the other, is
normal prior to enemy contact, Example of the closed herringbone:
1. The following constitutes the "Fundamentals of Armored Cavalry" which have evolved in the lst Squadron, 4th Cavalry during the past two years. These fundamentals are general in nature and in no way are a substitute for common sense and imagination. They supplement, but do not replace the squadron field SOP. These fundamentals applied with common sense and imagination will minimize friendly and maximize enemy casualties. 2. Every trooper operating in the field with this squadron is required to be thoroughly familiar with these principles and to have a copy of them readily available for reference. 3. Security: The trooper assigned to this unit must orient himself to be prepared to repel an enemy attack 24 hours a day for 365 days. There is no time for "daydreaming" or expressions of sympathy for physical discomfort and fatigue Deviations from maximum security may cost you your life and the lives of your friends. Security is achieved in many ways. The discussion of "type" operations in succeeding paragraphs emphasizes techniques found useful in achieving security. 4. Discipline: This unit, by nature of its equipment, conducts frequent road marches. The majority of the major battles fought by this squadron have occured while conducting road marches. Road marches will be conducted with perfection. a. Interval: Bunching up during a road march will increase friendly casualties and reduce our, ability to maneuver, excessive interval hampers our ability to mass our fire power rapidly and allows individual vehicles, rather than the entire columns, to be engaged by the VC. Normal interval is 50 meters between combat vehicles; open interval is 100 meters between combat vehicles. Under no circumstances should a vehicle lose sight of the vehicles to his front and rear. b. Weapons coverage: Weapons will be staggered by type to left and right of the road. If only one M60 MG is available on an ACAV it will cover the flank not covered by the cal .5O regardless of which side of the vehicle the M60 gun shield is on. Example:
c. Observation: It is essential that every vehicle crew maintain continuous 36O degree observation. Drivers will observe to the vehicle's front and flanks: Track commanders will observe their left or right flank depending on the orientation of the cal .5O MG. The two scout observers observe to the left and right flanks respectively; ammunition handler observes to the rear. If a vehicle does not have a 5 man crew, the track commander must assign sectors of observation, based on the terrain and situation, to achieve maximum possible security for his vehicle. d. Herringbone: Every time a Quarterhorse column stops, regardless of the reason for the halt, the column will automatically herringbone. It is the responsibility of the track commander if he has only one M60 MG to insure that the M60 MG is oriented to fire the same sector as the cal .50 (see diagram).
NOTE: Extended herringbone to allow traffic to pass is illustrated.
Closed herringbone with vehicles remaining on road one behind the other, is normal prior to enemy contact, Example of the closed herringbone:
The QuarterHorse marches on. click here to see their Active Duty WebSite.
Fundamentals of Armored Cavalry Tactics - Dec 1967(Cont)
Return to the QuarterHorse Tell Your Story Index
Return to the QuarterHorse Index Page
Mail Comments to Bill Baty