The Art Of Tank Warfare - Chris Keeling

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Know your enemy. One of the most important concepts in the art of armored warfare is to know and
understand your enemy - his mindset, motivations, tactics and equipment. Being able to recognize friendly
units is important for the obvious reason that this will prevent ‘friendly fire’ episodes. For the individual
tank commander, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of other friendly units can best allow him to
estimate where and when the enemy is likely to attack, and what he is likely to attack with, thus allowing
him to better prepare, mentally and tactically, for that eventuality. Knowing the appearance and technical
specifications of enemy vehicles will allow the commander to recognize when he is outgunned, and take
appropriate measures, such as calling for artillery fire or moving around for a flanking shot. It will also
enable him to know when he has an advantage over enemy vehicles, so he can press that advantage home.
Finally, an understanding of enemy tactics and motivations will help the commander to understand what the
enemy is doing or planning to do, enabling him to find potential weaknesses in enemy plans and positions,
and to lead the enemy into ambushes or difficult terrain.
Closing techniques. When attacking a weak enemy tank unit it is often advisable to simply stop and engage
with whatever long-range weaponry, either direct or indirect fire support, that the friendly force has at its
disposal. This prevents friendly force vehicles from coming within the effective range of enemy guns, and
keeps the friendly units from running into hidden ambush or antitank positions. Once the enemy unit has
been eliminated, the attacking force should move to another position to avoid possible artillery fire and
counterattack by enemy troops. Units utilizing this form of attack, even while they are stopped to either fire
directly or co-ordinate indirect fire should always maintain a forward momentum once the enemy positions
are cleared. Remember that movement is simply another weapon for a commander to use. When engaged by
smoke or artillery, the unit should move immediately to avoid being outflanked and to keep the attack from
bogging down.
When facing the prospect of a stronger enemy or one that is too distant from friendly tanks for effective
engagement, it is necessary to close on the enemy forces and engage them from a direction that they least
expect. By ‘prepping’ an enemy position with smoke and artillery volleys to distract and suppress the enemy
vehicles and to keep them from spotting the advancing units, the friendly tanks can then maneuver around
into the enemy’s flank. While watching carefully for additional enemy troops trying to enter the fray, this will
allow the friendly units to strike the enemy tanks from a closer range where the friendly guns will be more
effective against the weaker side and rear armor of the enemy vehicles. In this way the enemy will be most
vulnerable shortly after the barrage of supporting fire.
Using supporting units against tanks. Although the infantry is not at its best when fighting directly
against enemy armor, it is possible for friendly infantry to destroy enemy units when they attack friendly
positions in restricted terrain, such as woods and urban areas where the armored units cannot easily
maneuver. Infantry units, armed with light antitank weapons, can be used to ambush enemy tanks once they
have penetrated into the forest or town. Care must be taken by a unit commander not to initiate an attack
too early or at too great a range, as this will allow them time to maneuver away from the kill zone, and
escape. It is also best to move additional antitank troops in behind the enemy unit after they have moved
into the area, thus preventing it from retreating successfully. Smoke can also be used to further confuse the
vehicles once they have come under attack, and to help screen the movements of the assaulting infantry.
Artillery and air support units can also be used effectively to engage lightly armored units and tank destroyers
when they are in the open or to force an enemy commander into an area where a kill zone for other
supporting units has been prepared.