The Art Of Tank Warfare - Chris Keeling

TANKS IN THE DEFENSIVE
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Originally designed to seize and hold the initiative by taking the offensive, tanks can also be very useful on
the defensive. Properly prepared, tanks can provide fire support from a position that is nearly invulnerable to
enemy fire, and still be able to make a tactical withdrawal to previously established positions in the rear.
They can be used as mobile support, to reinforce wherever the fighting is worst. Best of all, once the
defensive operations have destroyed the enemy’s will to fight, these same tanks can then be used to initiate
counter offensive operations against those same battle-weary troops.
Fighting positions. Tanks, like infantry, can and should take advantage of cover. By siting a tank properly
in a “hull-down” position, it is possible to protect the tank hull from enemy fire and provide a smaller target
to the enemy. This can be done by driving up to the crest of a hill, even a small one, and stopping just short
of the top, but high enough so that the main gun can be depressed to fire over it. This allows the
commander to see and the gunner to shoot at enemy vehicles without exposing the entire tank. This works
best when there are trees or buildings to the rear, so that the silhouette of the tank turret is not so obvious. A
platoon of tanks on a hill in hull-down positions is a very difficult target and a very effective antitank
position, and one from which it is relatively easy to withdraw. Trees also make good cover. Whenever
possible, move the tanks deeper into the woods and destroy the trees to the front of the vehicle, creating a
lane of fire down which the tank can see to attack enemy troops as they expose themselves through the gap.
This method is also easy to retreat from, and gives the enemy great difficulty as your tank is completely
hidden in the woods. The only problems with this method are that it takes time to prepare, including
ensuring that there is a way out of the woods, and that enemy infantry may infiltrate the forest and conduct
close assaults on the tanks, unless friendly infantry can provide flank security. Finally, buildings make good
cover for tanks on the defensive. Tanks parked inside buildings are very difficult to see, and may observe and
fire from windows and over broken sections of wall. The building itself also provides some protection, and