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RE: AFV Leading activation questions
Things did not change much by the 1980s if you had M113s, FM 7-7 The Mechanized Infantry Platoon (M113) (1985):
5-12. ATTACKING MOUNTED
Mechanized infantry platoons and squads attack mounted with or without tanks when — enemy resistance is light,
enemy antitank weapons are destroyed or can be suppressed, and the terrain allows rapid mounted movement to the objective
(Note that by 1985, infantry antiarmor weapons had increased dramatically with RPGs and ATGMs, thsus making attacking mounted unlikely)
5-17. ATTACKING WITHOUT TANKS
A mechanized infantry platoon may attack mounted when there are no tanks attached to the company or when the company team is attacking along two different axes with tanks on one and APCs on the other. The reasons for attacking mounted without tanks are the same as when attacking mounted with tanks, but the effect of the attack will be degraded without armor. Careful analysis of the enemy capability is necessary. (bolding is mine)
further on in the text:
When attacking mounted with APCs, the platoon leader may elect to dismount before moving onto the objective. This may be necessary because the carriers would be vulnerable to close in antiarmor fire or because of obstacles that
restrict movement. THE DECISION TO DISMOUNT MUST BE MADE PRIOR TO BEING COMMITTED TO THE FINAL ASSAULT. The platoon leader must not stop APCs in the final assault to dismount in front of an objective if the platoon is exposed to the full force of enemy fire.
The platoon leader tentatively selects a dismount point that will provide cover and concealment for the dismount team while they get out of the APCs. He decides on the composition of the dismount teams, designates who is to control the dismount and carrier elements, and plans how he will assault the objective. Normally the
carrier element initially will support the dismount element by fire. When its fire is masked by the dismount element, it moves quickly onto, across, or around the objective.
Attacking mounted depends on the enemy’s strength, capability and disposition. This may be when time is critical and the added risk is warranted to accomplish the mission or when supporting fire destroys most of the enemy before the platoon reaches the objective. The platoon leader still should have an alternate plan for dismounted assault
The points I'm trying to make are: 1. Attacking mounted is risky and should only be done if conditions are favorable and the enemy is suppressed. 2. Dismounting is done in covered and concealed positions. Understand that not only are the APCs vulnerable at this moment but so is the dismounting infantry. 3. Support by fire from PC is done from defilade and range.
Even when we got BFVs, which provided much more firepower and protection, we still only assaulted mounted if the enemy was weak and suppressed. The BFVs still supported by fire from defilade and range.
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