FM 31-20 Special Forces Operational Techniques
I call this book Portable War. When I go into the field, it is the one book I always have. I keep it in two Ziploc bags, one sealed inside the other.
The book is soft bound, 533 pages 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" with dozens of illustrations. This is an official U.S. Army publication. It was written at the height of the Vietnam War.
From Chapter 1:
This manual discusses operational techniques in consonance with doctrine outlined in FM 31-21 which may be used by Special Forces. These Methods are applicable to both nuclear and non-nuclear warfare in either unconventional warfare (UW) or counterinsurgency operations. This manual describes intelligence, psychological considerations, infiltration, air operations, amphibious operations, communications, logistics, demolitions, Special Forces field maneuvers, medical aspects and other techniques.
Table of Contents
1.) General
2.) Intelligence
3.) Psychological Operations
4.) Infiltration
5.) Planning and Operations
6.) Air Operations
7.) Raids and Ambushes
8.) Water Operations
9.) Communications
10.) Logistics
11.) Demolitions and Engineering
12.) Medical Aspects of Special Forces Operations
Appendix
I.) References
II.) Field Expedient Printing Methods
III.) Air and Amphibious Messages
IV.) Field Exercise
V.) Area Study
VI.) Area Assessment
VII.) Catalog Supply System
VIII.) Examples of Training Program for Indigenous Forces
One of my jobs on the Special Forces A-Team (ODA 113) was to maintain the team library. Our library was several hundred volumes. Out of all these books FM 31-20 held the most value.
Whether you are planning ambushes, need to know how to fabricate field expedient explosives, or conduct a raid, you will find detailed guidance in this book.
|
© 2011, John Moore, St. Louis, MO. All material
Any reproduction, copying or archiving of any material without the expressed written consent of
John Moore is strictly prohibited by US Copyright. |
