\ I. Instructions. <gz_^4, Training of the Tank Corps in France \ -box i6i 6. NUMBER fz~ UtiCLASSifIEP

Transcription

1 -bx i6i 6 <gz_^4, NUMBER fz~ UtiCLASSifEP! nstructins FOR THE Training f the Tank Crps in France \ i \ \ i Reprint f pamphlet issued by Headquarters, Tank \, Crps, December 1, 1917, British Army. \,

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3 3 WAR DEPARTMENT, Washingtn, Octber 4, 1918, The fllwing pamphlet, entitled "Tanks and Their Emplyment C-peratin with Other Arms," is published fr the infrmatin f cncerned. (062.1 A. G. O.) Order f the Secretary f War: PEYTON C. MARCH, General, Chief f Staff. Official: P. C. HARRS, Acting Adjutant General.

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5 TABLE OF CONTENTS. ntrductin. PAGE 7 Chapter General characteristics and limitatins f the weapn Characteristics f the varius types f fighting tanks Organizatin f frmatins and units., General cnditins and methds f emplyment 11 Chapter Plan f peratins Selectin f bjectives Alltment f tanks t frntages Organizatin f tank sectin areas Selectin f rallying pints C-peratin with infantry 14 \u25a0 7. C-peratin with artillery C-peratin with aircraft 14 Chapter Mvement frm training and rest areas, Cncentratin and deplyment Apprach march frm psitin f deplyment t starting pint fr attack 16 Chapter V. 1. Recnnaissance Tank attack frmatin Frmatins f infantry Frming up fr attack Mvement frward frm starting pint Methd f dealing with trench systems Precautins in crssing wire Methd f dealing with strng pints, wds and villages Special cnsideratins in pen warfare Pursuit 20 5

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS. (Cntinued.) Chapter V. PAGE 1. General methds f emplyment f tanks in defense Tanks in immediate cunter attack Engagement f hstile tanks Tanks in deliberate cunter attack Rearguard actin 23 Chapter V. 1. Cmmunicatins 24 Appendix A. Characteristics f fighting tanks inks 26 Appendix B. Ntes n cmbined training between infantry and tanks 27 6

7 > NTRODUCTON. 1. The guiding principle t be remembered when cnsidering the r6le f fighting tanks is that they, like all ther arms, must be mainly emplyed t assist the infantry bth in attack and defense. The infantry is the nly arm which can seize and hld a psitin and upn its skill and endurance depends the security f the defense. The emplyment f tanks, therefre, des nt entail any essential mdificatins in the recgnized ffensive and defensive tactics f the infantry. tis their duty, just as it is the duty f the artillery, machine guns and trench mrtars, t assist the infantry t gain superirity f fire. Owing t their imperviusness t rifle and machine gun fire, t their ability t develp rapidly a pwerful vlume f fire, t their mbility and mral effect, tanks can materially assist the infantry by destrying the enemy's strng pints and machine gun emplacements, by rercming his resistance and by prtecting the flanks f the attack. ndefense they can be emplyed in cunter attack either independently r in c-peratin with the infantry and can be used, if necessary, t erer a withdrawal. tis unwise, hwever, t place t much reliance upn mechanical cntrivances. The machinery f tanks has been much imprved and engine truble will becme less and less frequent, but the presence f unexpected bstacles and the effects f the enemy's artillery fire may, at any time, deprive the infantry f their supprt and c-peratin. tis clear, therefre, that the infantry must rely upn the pwer f its wn weapns in rder that it may always be able t cntinue an attack withut the assistance f tanks. 2. ftanks are t be used t the best advantage, there must be the clsest c-peratin between them and the ther arms and each arm must understand the limitatins f the ther. This can nly be btained by means f systematic training f the different arms tgether, beginning with the training f small units and gradually prgressing t that f larger units. Thus the early training f infantry with tanks might cnsist f c-peratin between single» tanks and sectins f infantry withut an artillery barrage, i. c., under the cnditins f pen warfare, especial attentin being paid t intercmmunicatin and the use f grund. tis the duty f the general staff f frmatins t see that the trps in the frmatin are trained t wrk with tanks, bth in attack and defense. Staff fficers f armies and crps shuld, therefre, acquaint themselves thrughly with all instructins issued frm time t time with regard t the capacity and emplyment f tanks and shuld make every effrt t assist divisins in carrying ut the training f infantry in c-peratin with tanks. 7

8 Officers f ther arms shuld be attached t tank units fr definite perids in rder t gain a practical knwledge f tanks. Such fficers wuld be able, ifrequired, t act. as liaisn between the divisinal staff and the tank battalin during peratins. They will als be in a psitin t instruct^their men in the wrk f tanks and will assist in prmting a mutual understanding and c-peratin between the tanks and ther arms. nstructrs at army and crps schls shuld be attached t tank units and thus qualified t give the necessary instructin in the cperatin between tanks and infantry t the junir fficers and nncmmissined fficers attending the schls. 4 8

9 i TANKS AND THER EMPLOYMENT NCO-OPERATON WTH OTHER ARMS. CHAPTER.! General Characteristics and Limitatins f the Weapn. Tanks are mechanically prpelled armred vehicles which are designed t accmpany the infantry in the attack and t assist, by means f their fire, weight and mral effect, in destrying the enemy's strng pints and vercming his resistance. n defense they can be emplyed in cunter attack either indepei*dently r in c-peratin with infantry and can be used t cver the infantry in rearguard actin. As the speed f tanks is develped and their machinery perfected it is pssible that their tactical emplyment may develp and that their r6le may becme mre independent. At the present time, hwever, the rle f tanks is t act in clse c-peratin with the infantry bth in attack and defense and it is this rle f tanks which is mainly cnsidered in the fllwing pages. (i) The main characteristics f fighting tanks are their mbility, the security which they affrd t their crews and their ffensive pwer. Mbility. Tanks, accrding t the type t which they belng, can mve n the flat at a pace f 5 t.b miles an hur; acrss cuntry at a rate f 3^4 t 4% miles an hur and in the night at an average pace f 2 t 3 miles an hur. Tanks can crss all frms f wire entanglements. They crush dwn tw paths in their passage thrugh the wire, each f which is passable fr infantry in single file. They can span a trench f cnsiderable width, surmunt an bstacle five feet high and climb slpes f 1in 2. Security. Tanks are prf against all bullets, shrapnel and mst splinters a direct hit frm any field gun, hwever, will usually put them ut f actin. Offensive Pwer. Tanks can develp their fire pwer when in mtin and cnsequently they are able t cver the advance f the infantry by a cntinuus fire. Heavy tanks are divided int tw types male and female. The male carries 2 six-punder guns and 4 machine guns, the female 6 machine guns. The medium tank carries 4 machine guns. The crews are armed with revlvers. (ii) The Mark V. tank can travel fr 18 miles and the medium "A" tank (Whippet) fr 35 miles withut taking in a further supply f petrl. This increase in the staying pwer f tanks materially adds t their fighting value, but their emplyment in active peratins is still smewhat limitedwing t the fllwing reasns: (a) The physical endurance f the crews cannt be cunted upn after 12 hurs in actin. (&) Tanks cannt crss swamps, streams r deep sunken rads, nr can they make their way thrugh thick wds. 9

10 2. Characteristics f the Varius Types f Fighting Tanks. (See Appendix A). (a) Mark V. (Heavy). The characteristics f this type f tank are similar tthse f the MarkV.,but its mbility is cnsiderably greater, nt nly n accunt f the increased speed f the machine, but als n accunt f the greater ease with which it can be driven. The pace f the Mark V.varied frm half a mile t 4 miles an hur, accrding t the nature and cnditin f the grund. ts average rate f prgress when fighting under favrable cnditins was abut 2 miles an hur. Althugh the actual speed f the Mark V. is nt much greater than that f the Mark V., this type f tank is s much easier t maneuver that the actual difference between its rate f prgress in the field and that f the Mark V.is really very cnsiderable. tmay be taken that in daylight the Mark V. can travel 1,300 yards acrss undulating cuntry in the same time that the Mark V.culd travel 700 yards, and ver hilly r brken cuntry 1,800 yards as against 700 yards. By night the Mark V. can travel 1,800 yards acrss cuntry in the same time as the Mark V. culd travel 700 yards. The Mark V.can crss trenches frm 9 t 10 feet wide, can surmunt a perpendicular bstacle 4 feet high and mve up and dwn a slpe f 1in 2. tcannt be depended upn t crss grund which tas been heavily shelled r is in a sdden cnditin. Wire, hwever, presents n bstacle t it, and it can pass with ease thrugh thick hedges and wds if the trees are small. The Mark V. is nisier than the Mark V.and when inmvement can be heard within a radius f 500 yards, unless the nise is cvered. This can be dne by artillery and machine gun fire r by lw-flying aerplanes. Th* facility with which the Mark V. can be handled increases its defensive strength against artillery fire, because it can maneuvre mre rapidly and thus nt present s easy a target t the enemy's guns. ts fire pwer is cnsiderably greater than that f the Mark V.because the field f view btained frm it is mre extensive. tis essentially an ffensive weapn and in defense every advantage shuld be taken f its mbility fr cunter attack. (6) Mark V., One Star. This is a larger tank than the Mark V. and is slightly less mbile and easy t handle. t can be used t carry frward supplies and t bring back wunded. thas a greater trench-spanning pwer than the Mark V. As a weapn f ffense, therefre, the Mark V., ne star tank, shuld mainly be emplyed t attack the enemy's trenches. (c) Medium "A"Tank (Whippet). The great mbility and radius f actin f this type f tank makes it especially useful inpen warfare. (See Chapter 4, Sectins 9, 10). tis nly armed with machine guns and its ffensive pwer is cnsequently limited. tcan be used t attack infantry and transprt, but nt as a tank destryer. 10 (c) The field f view frm tanks is smewhat restricted. Objectives shuld, therefre, be easily recgnizable and the rutes t them straight- frward. (d) Tanks cannt be depended upn t g ver cuntry which has been heavily shelled, but their capabilities in this respect are being cnstantly imprved. i

11 3. Organizatin f Frmatins and Units. (i) A tank brigade cnsists f headquarters, three battalins, a signal cmpany and a tank supply cmpany and M. T. clumn. (ii) A heavy battalin is rganized fr fighting purpses in three cmpanies. A cmpany is divided int fur sectins, each sectin cnsisting f fur tanks. Three f these sectins are fighting sectins and the furth is a training r reserve sectin. A medium battalin is rganized in the same way, but the cmpany is divided int five sectins, fur f which are fighting sectins. The fifth sectin is a training r reserve sectin. There are fur tanks in each sectin. (iii) Armies allt tanks in brigades r battalins t crps in accrdance with the general plan. The tank units s alltted becme fr the time being, therefre, crps trps and their bjectives in the attack and the strength f the general reserve are decided by the crps cmmander. (iv) The detail with regard t the mvement f tanks t gain their bjectives are wrked ut by the tank unit cmmanders in cnjunctin with the divisinal cmmanders under whse rders the tanks are placed fr any particular peratin. (v) Subrdinate tank cmmanders must be in clse tuch with the infantry units with which they are wrking. (vi) When a tank brigade is alltted t a crps the tank cmmander shuld remain at crps headquarters r be in clse telephnic cmmunicatin with the crps staff. Tank battalin cmmanders remain with their reserves, r, if n reserves exist, at such psitins as willenable them t regain cntrl f their tanks at the earliest pssible mment after they have rallied. Cmpany and sectin cmmanders accmpany their units int battle. 4. General Cnditins and Methds f Emplyment. (i) The tactical bjects f tanks in the ffensive are: (a) T reduce resistance t the infantry advance. (6) T ffer lcal prtectin t the infantry attack. (ii) Tanks can be emplyed either after r withut methdical artillery preparatin. n the first case, althugh tank sectins may be emplyed in supprt t perate, as ccasin arises, against strng pints which may hld ut against the infantry assault, tanks shuld nt be used in strength in the initial attack. fthe enemy's defenses have been entirely destryed by the artillery and the grund has been reduced t a crater field, it is bth useless and unnecessary t emply tanks in the first advance f the infantry. They can be used, hwever, with advantage t assist the infantry in capturing the enemy's strng pints beynd the zne f the riginal artillery bmbardment. nthe secnd case, where there has been littler n artillery preparatin and the intentin is t surprise the enemy, tanks can usually be emplyed t the best advantage in the initial attack. They supplement the prtective artillery barrage and lead the infantry acrss the enemy's wire. f,hwever, the bjectives f the attack are at n great depth and d nt entail the disrganizatin f the enemy's artillery system, cmmanders must cnsider whether the value f the c-peratin f the tanks is wrth the inevitable lss f a number f the machines. Generally speaking, tanks shuld nt be emplyed in a small surprise 11

12 attack with a limited bjective unless the grund is exceptinallysuitable fr them, r advantage is taken f a fg r mist, r a smke screen is prvided. f,n the cntrary, the attack is t a cnsiderable depth, the emplyment f tanks is f great value wing t the decreasing artillery supprt btained by the infantry as the advance prgresses. (iii) n defense tanks can be usefully emplyed t engage hstile tanks and t assist cunter attacks by the infantry. Experience has shwn, hwever, that there is great difficulty in synchrnizing the actin- f tanks and infantry n any pre-arranged scheme fr an immediate cunter attack and, therefre, in this frm f cunter attack the tank cmmander shuld be prepared t act independently shuld an pprtunity arise fr breaking up a hstile attack. n such cases, a definite limitmust be placed n the distance t which the tanks are t g, as therwise they are apt t advance t far and becme easy targets fr the hstile artillery. n a deliberate cunter attack the actin f tanks can, f curse, be c-rdinated and synchrnized with that f the infantry. tmust always be brne in mind that the tank, by reasn f its mbility and fire pwer, is essentially a weapn f ffense. n the defensive, therefre, it is nly in a case f emergency, when there is n ther pssible way f emplying them usefully, that single tanks shuld be distributed in fixed psitins t hld up the advance f the enemy's infantry (see Chapter V., Sectin 1). (i) Medium "A"tanks (Whippets) shuld in principle be regarded as weapns f pen warfare where nly field trenches exist. Their rapidity f mbvement enables them t seize pprtunities f expliting an attack and their ability t cver cmparatively lng distances, g thrugh wire and crss trenches six feet in width makes them useful in the pursuit. Their rdle shuld apprximate t that f cavalry. n defense they can be used fr immediate cunter attack in an emergency, but they are nt strngly enugh armed t deal with hstile tanks. (ii) Heavy tanks (Mark V.) are used t lead r fllw up the infantry attack. n defense they can engage hstile tanks, assist in cunter attack and cver the withdrawal f infantry. CHAPTER Plan f Operatins. The plan f peratins shuld be. drawn up by the cmmanders f the frmatins t which the tanks are attached and the necessary details must be wrked ut by the tank cmmanders in cnjunctin with the staffs f frmatins. 2. Selectin f Objectives. (i) The mst suitable bjectives fr attack by tanks are: (a) Strategic' lcalities, c. g., railways, main rads, bridges and cmmunicatins generally. (6) Tactical pints, c. g., high grund, villages, wds and strngly frtified lcalities. (c) Administrative centres, c. g., headquarters, dumps, billets, wagn parks, aerdrmes, signal centres. (d) n pen warfare, any cncentratin f the enemy's infantry. 12

13 (ii) n deciding upn bjectives fr tanks the fllwing shuld be the principal cnsideratins: (a) The nature and cnditin f the grund leading t the bjective. (6) Cver frm view. (c) The cnfrmatin f the grund as it affects facility f maneuver. (d) The psitin f the lying-up places fr tanks with relatin t the bjective. (c) The defenses, bth natural and artificial, which prtect the bjective. (/> The pssibility f btaining infantry, artillery and aerplane c-peratin in the attack. (iii) The mre easily the bjectives and the appraches t them, can be recgnized, the mre likely will be the success f the attack. The apprach t an bjective shuld als be as simple as pssible. Cmplicated mvements with tanks are difficult. Narrw rutes f apprach, whether they run alng hills r thrugh valleys, shuld be avided, as they will prbably be prtected by anti-tank guns and defensive wrks. Lying-up places fr tanks shuld nt be farther than five miles frm the starting pint fr the attack. tmay be taken that they will usually be abut 1,000 yards frm the enemy's frnt line. 3. Alltment f Tanks t Frntages. The number f tanks t be alltted t a frnt depends nt s much upn the actual length f the frnt as upn the number f tactical pints which it cntains. Tanks must be alltted in an attack accrding t the relative imprtance f the tactical bjectives. As a rugh general rule the alltment f tanks t any ne bjective may be calculated at ne tank t every hundred r tw hundred yards f frntage. Prvisin must als be made fr lcal reserves f tanks t enable cmmanders t meet and vercme any difficulties which may arise. Sme f these tanks shuld accmpany the infantry supprts in an attack, in rder t assist the trps in the event f the unexpected reappearance f the enemy's infantry and machine guns in trenches and dug-uts which are suppsed t have been cleared. When, in any peratin, cntinuity f attack is necessary, tank echelns must be rganized insufficient depth t enable the first echeln t rerganize by the time the last echeln ges int actin. This means that frm the beginning f the battle a strng reserve f tanks, must be kept in hand. The hasty imprvizatin f reserves while the battle is in prgress leads nt nly t a general disrganizatin f tank units, but als t the destructin f telegraphic and railway cmmunicatins wing t the lateral mvements f tanks. Unless all arrangements are made befrehand, infantry attacks are als liable t be delayed wing t the tanks arriving late at the assembly pints. 4. Organizatin f Tank Sectin Areas. The areas in which each sectin f tanks is t perate must be clearly defined. The bundaries shuld be alng cmmunicatin trenches, if pssible and nt acrss them, wing t the difficulty which is smetimes experienced when tanks have t crss deep and brad cmmunicatin trenches. 13

14 s.selectin f Rallying Pints. Psitins must be chsen befre an attack takes place t which tanks may g after they have carried ut their part in the attack, in rder t refit and take in fresh supplies f petrl, ammunitin, etc. The chice f such psitins is gverned by the fllwing cnsideratins : (a) They must nt be within the enemy's view. (&) They must, if pssible, be within view f a tank transmitting statin (signal tank) r near enugh t it fr messages t be sent by runners (see Chapter V.). (c) They must be easy f access fr supply tanks. 6. C-peratin with nfantry. There is little time during an actin t wrk ut methds f cperatin; Such methds must, therefre, be arranged and understd befrehand if clse and successful c-peratin between the tw arms is t be secured. Tank and infantry cmmanders must knw and have cnfidence in each ther and must tgether recnnitre the grund ver which any peratin is t be cnducted. When nce the bjectives have been decided upn, bth tank and infantry cmmanders must understand hw the tanks and infantry are t apprach, attack and hld them, hw neighbring units are t act and t whm and where reprts are t be sent. The infantry must knw the signals used by tanks t cmmunicate with the infantry (see Chapter V.). 7. C-peratin with Artillery. Tanks can be put ut f actin by shell fire and, when statinary, 'present gd targets, as they are easily seen, bth frm the air and by grund bservers. They cannt pass thrugh an H.E. barrage with impunity, r ver heavily shelled grund with any certainty. T the success f an attack against a prepared psitin, arrangements must be made, therefre, fr an effective neutralizatin f the hstile artillery and especially f the enemy's anti-tank guns. The emgpleyment f smke in the barrage has been fund successful in cncealing the mvements f tanks. n rder that the mvement f the tanks may be regulated with the artillery, artillery cmmanders respnsible fr wrking that f ut barrage tables must be infrmed f the tank bjectives, starting pints, hur f starting and estimated rate f prgress. Tank cmwith barrage and bmbardment manders must similarly be furnished maps and time tables.. The artillery must als knw the rutes which tanks willtake t the psitins f deplyment and thence t the starting pints and the times fixed fr, and the prbable duratin f, these mves. that the prgress f the tanks may nt be impeded by n rder f the artillery fire, it may be necessary t make arrangethe effects that certain pints in the enemy's line are nt bmments t ensure barded by the heavy artillery. g._ C-peratin with Aircraft. and cunter attack patrls shuld keep tanks Recnnaissance in- f the mvements f the enemy and the psitins f his anti frmed tank guns. 14

15 Cntact patrls may be emplyed: (i) T guide tanks by day r by night. (ii) T prevent, as far as pssible, the enemy's aerplanes frm bserving the tanks. (iii) T cver the mvements f tanks by night t their starting pint fr an attack by flyingver the area and thus rendering the nise f the tanks inaudible. (iv) T reprt the psitins reached by tanks t the tank cmmanders cncerned. (v) T cnvey messages frm tanks. Aerplanes may als be emplyed as ffensive patrls t keep dwn the fire f anti-tank guns by machine gun fire and bmbing and t attack strng pints, headquarters, supply depts and cmmunicatins, in cnjunctin with tanks. A system f cmmunicatin between aerplanes and tanks is als necessary (see Chapter V (v). ). CHAPTER Mvement frm Training and Rest Areas. Tanks are generally mved by train frm their training r rest Areas t the assembly places fr active peratins, the transprt and wrkshps mving by rad. The greatest secrecy must be maintained with regard t the mvements f tanks and the entraining and detraining must be dne during the night. Tracks leading frm the detraining statin t the assembly psitins shuld be hidden befre daylight. nmaking his arrangements t mve, the tank cmmander must, therefre, make a careful recnnaissance f the rute frm the training r rest area t the entraining statin and als f the entraining and detraining statins. He must inspect the psitin chsen fr the assembly psitin and the rute t it frm the detraining statin. He must see that the assembly psitin is well cncealed frm hstile bservatin, that it is as clse t the frnt line as pssible withut undue danger f shell fire, that it is within.easy night march distance frm the railway and clse t a main rad and that the grund is well drained. While in the assembly psitin and in the psitin f develpment, tanks must be carefully camuflaged and every precautin must be taken t prevent the mvement f the crews and smke being seen during the day time r fire by night. 2. Cncentratin and Deplyment. After the tanks which are t take part in an attack have cncentrated in the assembly psitin, varius arrangements must be made befre they can mve t the psitin f deplyment, i. c., t the psitin in which they will lie up prir t advancing t the actual starting pints fr the attack: (i) The psitin f deplyment must be selected and prepared with a view t affrding cncealment fr the tanks and their crews. tshuld als affrd accmmdatin fr the crews in rder that they may btain rest. There shuld, ifpssible, be a cvered apprach, such as a cmmunicatin trench, leading t the psitin. 15

16 (ii) The rute t the psitin f deplyment must be recnnitered and marked with tape. The fllwing pints must als be brne in mind: (a) That the tracks may have t be used by the tanks at times when traffic is cngested. ; (&) That existing air lines acrss the tracks must be raised frm 12 t 15 feet and that grund lines must be buried ne ft. (c) That all trenches ver which tanks will pass must be revetted, r willrequire repair after the passage f the tanks. (d) That passages ver trenches must be clearly marked. (c) That large shell hles must be prepared fr crssing. (/) That trps in the vicinity f tank tracks must be warned f the prbable time when the tanks will use the tracks. (iii) Allmvements f tanks t the psitin f deplyment shuld take place by night. 3. Apprach March frm Psitin f Deplyment t Starting Pint fr Attack. 1. nsme cases, the psitin f deplyment and the starting pint fr the attack may cincide, but, as a general rule, this will nt be the case. Arrangements must usually be made, therefre, t bring frward the tanks t the starting pint. The selectin f starting pints fr an ffensive peratin and the appraches t them require careful recnnaissance. 2. The tank rute frm the psitin f deplyment t the starting pint must avid main cmmunicatin trenches, battalin and cmpany headquarters and dug-uts. Wide trenches must be carefully examined in rder t find the mst suitable places fr crssing them. 3. The psitins f starting pints must be gverned by tactical cnsideratins. They shuld be as clse t the tank bjectives as pssible, but nt near enugh t the enemy's lines fr him t hear the sund f the tank's engines. Cver frm view is essential and, as far as pssible, cver frm the enemy's artillery fire shuld als be btained. Tanks are best hidden by fixingtheir starting pints amng ld defenses. CHAPTER V. 1. Recnnaissance. (i) T ensure successful actin the mst careful recnnaissance f the grund by the fficer f each tank which is t take part in the attack is necessary. This recnnaissance shuld be carried ut in cmpany with the infantry cmmander in whse area the tank will be perating, in rder that he may explain t the tank fficers the pints at which resistance is t be expected. Befre an attack n a village r wd takes place a persnal recnnaissance by the infantry and tank fficers n the spt is specially imprtant in rder that: * (a) Arrangements may be made fr clse c-peratin between the tw arms bth befre, during and after the attack. (&) Bth infantry and tank fficers shuld knw what bstacles t their prgress exist. (c) Plans shuld be made befre the attack is launched fr the rapid rganizatin f defense, if it is nt intended t cntinue the advance. 16 i f

17 \ (ii) During an engagement frward recnnaissance shuld be carried ut by tank battalin and cmpany recnnaissance fficers. (iii) Tank fficers must always be given every facility t study maps and aerplane phtgraphs f the grund ver which peratins are t take place. 2. Tank Attack Frmatin. (a) Each unit f tanks will be divided int tw waves r lines the advanced guard and the main bdy. The strength f the advanced guard will vary accrding t circumstances, but, as a general rule, it shuld cnsist f ne-quarter f the tanks emplyed. Tank cmpanies and sectins shuld be kept intact and shuld be alltted t definite bjectives. (&) The nrmal attack frmatin f a cmpany, preceding an infantry attack, is 3 r 4 tanks wrking as an advanced guard, fllwed by 6 r 8 tanks leading the infantry. The tank unit f attack shuld, as a general rule, cnsist f a sectin (4 tanks). tshuld advance in three successive waves ne tank as advanced guard, then, at abut 100 yards distance, tw tanks frming the main bdy, immediately in advance f the infantry and then a tank as reserve, ready either t replace ne f the leading tanks r t act as the ccasin may demand. (c) The area f peratins f the main bdy tanks shuld include the grund as far as the bjective, while that f the advanced tanks shuld include any psitin the hlding f which wuld prtect the infantry while engaged in capturing r cnslidating its bjective. When nce the area f a tank sectin has been cleared the advanced and main bdy tanks shuld rally directly the next echeln has passed ver the area. 3. Frmatins f nfantry. Except where it is necessary t pass thrugh the gaps in the enemy's wire made by the tanks the infantry shuld advance in the same frmatins as when perating withut tanks, cvering its advances with rifle, Lewis gun and light trench mrtar fire. npassing thrugh the gaps in the wire made by the tanks it will be necessary fr the infantry t mve in single file. 4. Frming up fr Attack. Tanks and infantry usually have t frm up during hurs f darkness. f nise arid cnfusin are t be avided, therefre, the mst cmplete preparatin fr their assembly must be made and all mvements must be as simple as pssible and carefully rehearsed, in skeletn ifpssible, n the actual grund. The preparatin cnsists: (a) nmarking ut the exact places where tanks and infantry will stand. (&) n laying tapes and preparing rutes t and in frnt f the places f assembly (starting pints). 5. Mvement Frward frm Starting Pint. The mvement frward usually takes place at dawn, but there must be sufficient light at zer hur t enable the tank drivers t see their way. The whle echeln shuld mve ff tgether. 17

18 ?. Methd f Dealing with Trench Systems. n attacking trenches the advanced tank in each sectin, after 1 crssing straight ver the enemy's wire, shuld swing t the left and mve alng the frnt f the enemy's trench clse t the parapet. t shuld then crss the trench and mve tward the supprt trench. t shuld nt, as a general rule, crss the frnt line trench until the first f the tw tanks frming the main bdy and its infantry have crssed it. The main bdy tanks shuld crss the enemy's frnt line trench at the same place as the advanced tank. The first tank shuld swing t the leftand mve dwn the trench, the secnd shuld crss the trench and g frward immediately t the supprt trench, which it shuld als crss; it shuld then swing t the left and wrk dwn the trench until it reaches the advanced tank. The first main bdy tank, after prceeding dwn the first line trench, shuld swing t the right and mve frward t the supprt trench. tshuld crss this trench and wrk alng it until it als reaches the advanced tank. A similar prcedure shuld be adpted with successive trench systems. The duty f the advanced tank is t threaten the enemy and keep dwn his fire, in rder t enable the main bdy tanks and the infantry t crss the enemy's wire and trenches. The duty f the main bdy tanks is t assist the infantry t crss the enemy's wire and cver its advance. The duty f the reserve tank which fllws the infantry is t take the place f any tank which is put ut f actin and generally t be ready fr any emergency which may arise. The infantry willadvance under cver f the fire f the tanks and f its wn weapns and willpush n t its final bjective. tmay be necessary t detail special parties f infantry t clear the trenches and mark and imprve the gaps thrugh the wire. 7. Precautins in Crssing Wire. (a) Where the hstile trenches are wide and the wire very thick, the advanced tank and the tw main bdy tanks shuld, as a general rule, crss the enemy's wire at the same spt. fthis is nt feasible, there shuld be an interval f nt less than 50 yards between each crssing place. The reasn f this is that if tw tanks crss the wire at a less interval the secnd tank smetimes lsens the wire which the first tank has crushed dwn and thus partially clses the gap which has been made. Where the enemy's trenches are narrw and the wire presents a less frmidable bstacle, it may be advisable fr the main fcdy tanks t crss the enemy's wire at entirely different pints in the line. fthis plicy is adpted, hwever, a special party f infantry shuld be detailed t clear up the line f trench between the tw pints crssed by the tanks. (6) nfantry shuld be frm 25 t 50 paces in rear f a tank when it enters the enemy's wire, therwise the men may becme entangled in the trailing strands f wire. There must be n crwding rund a tank and the prgress f the infantry alng the tracks made by a tank must nt be hurried. g. Methd f Dealing With Strng Pints, Wds, Villages. n attacking strng pints, wds and villages, tanks shuld assist the infantry by crushing the enemy's machine gun nests, by attacking the defenders simultaneusly frm several directins, by enfilading the 18 i

19 \u25ba > defenses, by bringing cncentrated fire t bear upn different parts f the defense and by cvering the flanks. The tanks must maintain the clsest tuch with the infantry thrughut the peratin and must nt advance beynd the strng pints, wds r villages until the infantry has captured them. nattacking large villages and wds it willbe necessary t carry ut the attacks by sectrs, ne sectr being secured befre the attack is made n the next. The infantry must act with energy and decisin and take instant advantage f the pprtunities ffered by the actin f the tanks t clse with the enemy, cvering its wn advance, where necessary, with rifle, Lewis gun and light trench mrtar fire and making use f all available cver t facilitate its prgress. nappraching strng pints, wds and villages main rads and bvius appraches shuld be avided, as they willprbably be defended ky anti-tank guns. Tanks shuld nt penetrate int villages until the infantry has btained a ldgment in them. 9. Special Cnsideratins in Open Warfare. The emplyment f tanks in pen warfare is greatly affected by the difficulty f btaining infrmatin as t the enemy's dispsitins and flcating his artillery psitins and by the necessity fr rapid actin. Every effrt must be made t vercme these difficulties : (a) By persnal recnnaissance by tank cmmanders f the mst suitable bjectives and the best lines f apprach. (6) By aerplane recnnaissances. (c) By clse c-peratin n the part f the artillery, wh must keep a careful watch n the prgress f the tanks and be ready instantly t engage any guns which may pen fire n them. npen warfare, hwever, except when they are taking part in a definitely rganized attack supprted by and in c-peratin with ther arms, tanks are liable t suffer very heavy casualties under the enemy's artillery fire. When, therefre, an attacking frce has brken thrugh the enemy's rganized defenses and is advancing t a general line f bjectives under the cnditins f pen warfare, the tactics f the tanks cannt be apprximated t thse f the infantry and cnsequently tanks shuld nt generally frm part f the advanced guards r f the leading attacking lines. fthey are s used, favrable pprtunities are ffered t the enemy's rearguard artillery, bldly handled, t engage the tanks at shrt r medium ranges and t put them ut f actin by direct fire. n such a situatin, therefre, the tanks shuld be rallied after the enemy's rganized defenses have been passed, gruped as.may be necessary and shuld be kept cmparatively clse behind the advancing trps ready fr emplyment against any strng centres f resistance which may frm an bstacle t the general advance. When such centres f resistance are encuntered the clsest c-peratin will be necessary between the cmmander f the frmatin cncerned and the tank cmmander, in rder that an attack may be rapidly rganized. tis essential, hwever, that any such peratin shuld take the frm f an rganized attack, that the c-peratin f the several arms shuld ke ensured and that the tanks shuld be used as a cncentrated frce f such size as may be necessary. Sme artillery supprt willgenerally fc required. 19

20 / Heavy tanks shuld then be emplyed t assist the advance f the infantry. nrder t avid hstile artillery fire and t effect a surprise the tanks shuld make use f all available cver t reach psitins 4 within effective range f the enemy befre deplying. The advance frm these psitins shuld be made in clse tuch with the infantry; the tanks cvering the frward mvement f the infantry with their fire and assisting the latter t gain superirity f fire. The infantry must take every advantage f the effect prduced n the enemy by the tanks t cntinue its advance and clse with the enemy. When the infantry firingline has arrived within 300 r 400 yards f the enemy the tanks shuld begin their assault n the hstile psitin, their bject being t relieve the pressure which the enemy will usually attempt t bring t bear upn the attacking trps at this stage f the battle. The infantry must push n behind the tanks and capture the psitin by a baynet charge. As sn as the infantry assault has been successfully carried ut the tanks shuld push frward and pursue the enemy t sme pre-arranged distance in rder t give the infantry time t cnslidate the psitin and t rerganize fr a further advance. 10. Pursuit. Shuld the enemy's defense be entirely brken and his trps demralized itmay be pssible t push frward tanks bldly in pursuit. n these circumstances tanks must nt hesitate t advance far ahead f the infantry. Medium "A" tanks, where available, shuld be used fr this purpse, ifpssible, in c-peratin with cavalry. They shuld be kept in rear f the attack until the infantry and heavy tanks have created a suitable pprtunity fr their emplyment. When such an pprtunity arises, the medium tanks shuld pass thrugh the heavy tanks and carry ut the pursuit. They shuld endeavr: (a) T break up the enemy's reserves and t demralize his defeated trps. (&) T disrganize his staff arrangements and cmmunicatins. When medium "A"tanks are used t seize tactical pints in advance f the infantry pursuit, sme infantry shuld be pushed frward as quickly as pssible t supprt them. CHAPTER V. 1. General Methds f Emplyment f Tanks in Defense. (i) ndefense fulluse must be made f the mbility f tanks. The distributin, therefre, f tanks singly in fixed psitins t hld up hstile attacks is radically unsund in principle. Only the ld Mark V.tanks shuld ever be distributed in this way, and then nly if the cnditin f the grund makes it impssible fr them t maneuver, r in a case f the gravest emergency when the enemy's advance can be checked in n ther way. (ii) A thrugh recnnaissance shuld always be carried ut be- frehand f the grund ver which tanks may be called upn t perate in the event f a hstile penetratin f any part f the defended zne and every arrangement must be made t ensure that tanks are statined in suitable psitins fr actin in any eventuality. Tank rutes and areas f maneuver must be laid dwn in the defense scheme. 20

21 1 P (iii)n defense tanks can be emplyed fr fur purpses (a) T carry ut immediate cunter attacks with r withut infantry supprt. (b) T engage hstile tanks. (c) T c-perate with the infantry in a deliberate cunter attack supprted by artillery. (d) T cver, if necessary, the withdrawal f the infantry. 2. Tanks in mmediate Cunter Attack. (i) Emplyment f tanks in cunter attack. The bject f tanks in immediate cunter attack is t relieve the pressure n the infantry which has been frced back, t inflict casualties upn the enemy, t destry his m-rale and t break up his rganizatin. An immediate cunter attack by a tank r tanks may take place befre, during r after an immediate cunter attack by the infantry lcal reserves. The freedm f maneuver f the tank r tanks shuld nt be restricted by having t wait fr the infantry. The pprtunity fr successful attack may be fleeting and the tank cmmander must be prepared t seize it when it arises. Mark V. tanks, wing t their speed and pwer f maneuver, are valuable weapns in cunter attack. n rder, hwever, that they may be used t the best advantage the fllwing pints shuld always be brne in mind: (a) Tanks which are t be emplyed in cunter attack shuld be parked sme 5 miles frm the frnt line, in rder that they may nt be injuriusly affected by the preliminary bmbardment. (6) Tank cunter attack sectrs shuld be carefully denned. (c) When required, the tanks shuld be mved frward t assembly psitins abut 4,000 yards frm the frnt line. Prm these psitins they can cme int actin within half an hur frm the time f the receipt f rders t mve. (ii) Tank sectrs and bjectives in immediate cunter attack. Tanks must be sufficiently far frward t be able t attack at shrt ntice and yet they must, if pssible, be sufficiently far back t prevent their being invlved in the preliminary hstile bmbardment. The actual psitins selected fr tanks must depend, therefre, upn the nature f the grund between them and the frward area and the prtectin which they affrd. As the bject f emplying tanks in immediate cunter ffensive actin is t strike at the enemy befre he can rganize, fr defense, any grund which he has captured, it is clear that, there must be a prearranged plan by which tanks willbe able t act n their wn initiative and withut waiting fr any c-peratin frm the infantry. fthe frward area is divided, therefre, int a series f sub-areas t which a definite number f tanks is detailed, it will be pssible fr the tank cmmander n the spt t act immediately he receives infrmatin that any prtin f the sectr which has been assigned t him. The tank cmmander n the spt must be in full pssessin f the general plan f defense and cunter attack. He must keep in tuch with the prgress f the battle in rder t be able t emply his tanks t the best advantage whenever an pprtunity rises and, as far as pssible, in cnfrmity with the ther arms. 21 the enemy has penetrated

22 The actual bjective against which a tank is t perate in an immediate cunter attack shuld be clearly denned and shuld, if pssible, be within reach f the infantry in rd«r that advantage may be prmptly taken f any disrganizatin caused t the enemy by the tank attack. (iii) Respnsibility fr the actin f tanks in immediate cunter attack. The respnsibility fr arranging fr the c-peratin f tanks and infantry in an immediate cimter attack shuld rest with the cmmander n the spt. The clsest liaisn must be maintained, therefre, between that fficer and the tank unit cmmander. The actual launching f the tank cunter attack shuld usually be left t the initiative f the tank unit cmmander, wh must perate independently while cnfrming with the situatin and the general plan f defense. When actin is imminent r imperative the psitin f the senir tank fficer shuld be similar t that f a cavalry squadrn leader. He shuld be well frward and make a persnal recnnaissance f the grund. He shuld als -send frward fficer patrls t ascertain the exact situatin. The length f time tanks engaged in an immediate cunter attack shuld remain in actin must be left t the discretin f the tank and infantry cmmanders n the spt. The pints which must be taken int cnsideratin are: (a) The results btained by the cunter attack. (&) The limits f endurance f the tank crews. (c) The supply f petrl. (d) The effects f the enemy's artillery fire. (c) The capacity f the infantry t take advantage f any success btained by the tanks. (iv) C-peratin between tanks and infantry in immediate cunter attack. When tanks, detailed fr immediate cunter attack, cannt arrive n the scene f actin until the infantry cunter attack has begun r finished, they willassist the infantry best by prtecting its flanks frm envelpment and enfilade fire. Tanks, therefre, shuld mve frward n the flanks f the cunter attacking infantry as well as tward* the frnt. Shuld the infantry cunter attack be checked, the bject f the tanks must be t cver the infantry while it is rerganizing. This implies that the tanks must push frward amng the hstile infantry in rder t disrganize the enemy as far as pssible. Tanks must endeavr t disperse the enemy's patrls, t destry the machine guns which he may have succeeded in pushing frward and t break up his infantry befre it can deply. 3. Engagement f Hstile Tanks. Single male tanks (Mark V.) can be used t engage hstile tanks withut infantry supprt. The success f tanks when emplyed fr this purpse depends upn: (1) Pwer f maneuver and use f grund, which entail the emplyment f grund scuts. (2) Accurate and rapid shting at mving targets while the tanks are themselves in mtin. (3) Clse c-peratin with the fixed and mbile defenses f the sectr. Cmmanders f tanks emplyed fr this purpse must have 22 «c t ft

23 V % an ) intimate knwledge f the grund and f the defenses f the sectr in which they are perating. A high standard f training is als required fr successful shting at mving targets. ndividual duels with hstile tanks must be avided. The plicy shuld he. fr all available male tanks t cncentrate their fire n the enemy's tanks. Each tank shuld pen fire n the hstile tank which is leading the advance and then upn thse which fllw in successin. Female tanks shuld cncentrate their fire n the enemy's infantry. 4. Tanks indeliberate Cunter Attack. The actin f tanks in this frm f cunter attack clsely apprximates t their actin in the attack (see Chapter 4). A deliberate cunter attack is delivered by trps in reserve mved frward fr a special purpse and must be rganized and carried ut n the same lines as an ffensive peratin. The r6le f tanks which are t be emplyed in a deliberate cunter attack shuld be laid clwn, therefre, in the peratin rders and the tank attack shuld be delivered in clse c-peratin with the infantry and artillery. 5. Rearguard Actin. (i) Object f tanks. n a rearguard actn tanks must nt withdraw befre r with the infantry which they are supprting. Their bject must be t delay the enemy with all the means in their pwer and s t gain 'time fr the infantry t withdraw t a new defensive psitin. fthey are expsed, therefre, t artillery fire, they shuld endeavr t maintain their psitin by making full use f their mbility and f any cver affrded by the grund. (ii) General actin f tanks. The best methd by which tanks can delay the enemy is t advance amng the enemy's infantry. By acting in this way they nt nly disrganize the enemy's advance but als they run less risk frm direct hits frm the hstile guns. flack f petrl renders it inadvisable fr tanks t advance they shuld deply n reverse slpes and wait fr the enemy. Such deplyment, hwever, shuld nt take place until after the withdrawal f the infantry has been cmpleted. (iii) C-peratin between tanks and infantry. nrearguard actins the infantry has t fall back fighting and it is, therefre, difficult fr it t c-perate with the tanks. Tanks, n the ther hand, must c-perate with the infantry in every way. Tank cmmanders must remember that it is always difficult fr the infantry t effect a withdrawal after being heavily engaged, they must, therefre, keep in clse tuch with the situatin. fthe enemy is attacking in frce his lsses frm tank fire shuld be heavy and his advance disrganized and delayed. fthe hstile attack is nt in great strength it miay be entirely held up by tanks if they are used with skill and determinatin. Wherever pssible, while advancing r retiring, tank cmmanders shuld keep the infantry whm they meet infrmed f their actin, c. g., "We are advancing t assist yu," "We are withdrawing t refill with petrl," etc. (iv) nfantry and tank withdrawal. When the infantry withdrawal has been effected and a tank withimperative the fighting tanks must nt all withdraw t^drawal becmes

24 f tgether. They shuld withdraw in tw lines r grups. The first line r grup shuld remain ut amng the enemy's infantry while^k the secnd shuld take up a psitin in rear t cver its withdrawal. Supply and baggage tenders, marked in white letters "Supply" r "Baggage," willcnstantly be mving frward and backward during the engagement. Their duties are t keep the fighting tanks supplied. This shuld be made clear t the infantry r an impressin may gain grund that tanks are withdrawing when such is nt the case. CHAPTER V. 1. Cmmunicatins. (i) tis essential that the infantry cmmander n the spt shuld receive all messages frm tanks wrking under his cmmand at the earliest pssible mment. tis als extremely imprtant that infrmatin regarding the develpment f a tank attack shuld reach the staffs f the higher frmatins divisins and crps with as little delay as pssible. All tank cmmanders, therefre, shuld realize the imprtance f sending back frequent messages ' with regard t their prgress and the enemy's actin. The liaisn between tanks and infantry shuld be maintained by the presence during an actin at thevarius infantry headquarters battalin, brigade, divisin and crps f the cmmander f the tank frmatin r unit which is attached t t fr peratins. (ii) n the field the system f signalling by tanks falls under three main headings: (a) Lcal, between tanks and tanks, between tanks and the attacking infantry and between the tank cmmander n the spt and the transmitting statin (signal tank), if ne is emplyed. (6) Distant, between tanks and the tank cmpany cmmander, between tanks and selected infantry and artillery bservatin psts. (c) Telephnic, between the varius tank headquarters and thse f the frmatins and units with which they are c-perating. Lcal signalling is carried ut by means f runners and distant signalling by means f pigens and the transmitting statin. Any special arrangements which may be required fr telephnic cmmunicatin shuld be made by the frmatin t which the tanks are attached. (ill) During an actin the signalling arrangements cmprise: (a) A fixed receiving statin. (6) A mbile transmitting statin (signal tank), (c) A series f pre-arranged sending statins. The receiving statin shuld be at r near the tank cmpany headquarters and in telephnic cmmunicatin with the tank battalin headquarters. The transmitting statin shuld be in visual cmmunicatin with the receiving statin and, if pssible, with the sending statin. The sending statin shuld be established at the rallying pints where tanks assemble upn the cmpletin f each f their peratins. Prm these rallying pints tank sectin cmmanders shuld send all infrmatin t the transmitting statin by means f visual signalling, r, if this is nt pssible, by runner t the tank cmpany cmmander. (iv) The fllwing visual signals willbe used by tanks and infantry: 24 ir

25 «\ (a) Green and white flag, "Cme n." U^* (&) Yellwand red flag, "am brken dwn, g n." (c) Red, white and blue flag, "am cming ut f actin." This flag willbe flwn by all tanks when cming ut f actin r mving t the rear r rear flank. (d) Baynet r rifle waved frm side t side abve the head, "R. D. frm infantry t tanks." (c) Helmet n rifle held abve the head, "Tank wanted" by infantry t tank. (v) Cmmunicatin between aerplanes and tanks necessitates a pre-arranged drpping grund and a simple cde f signals between the tw arms by means f Very pistls fired after the aerplane has drpped a smke bmb. Such signals shuld be as few as pssible and cnfined t simple messages giving the necessary tactical infrmatin. During the actual fighting, the R. A. F. shuld keep as clsely as pssible in tuch with the tanks. Tanks shuld signal their messages t the aerplanes, and the aerplanes, wherever pssible, shuld reprt t crps headquarters the psitin f tanks in actin. 25

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27 \u25ba appendix b. Ntes n cmbined training between infantry and TANKS. 1. t is essential fr successful c-peratin between infantry and tanks that the infantry tactics laid dwn in S.S. 143, and the tactics fr tanks laid dwn in this pamphlet, shuld be practiced. 2. Befre the training begins the infantry brigade cmmander and the tank brigade cmmander shuld carefully wrk ut the varius exercises and the frmer shuld attend a demnstratin carried ut by the tanks with tank persnnel representing the infantry. He will then be in a psitin t criticize effectively the wrk f his wn men and f the tanks during the actual training. 3. n rder t ensure that the training thrughut a brigade may be unifrm, it is advisable that a cmpany f infantry shuld be specially trained fr demnstratin wrk. The duty f this cmpany willbe t carry ut a demnstratin f the varius exercises in the presence f the remainder f the infantry f the brigade befre the training begins. An infantry fficer wh understands the mvements f tanks shuld be made respnsible fr the training and shuld carry ut all practice demnstratins. 4. The general prcedure in carrying ut the exercises shuld be as fllws: (1) Each exercise shuld be carefully explained t the men n the grund. The men must be tld exactly what the tanks willd and hw they can assist the infantry. (2) A demnstratin f the exercises shuld be carried ut by the infantry demnstratin cmpany in the presence f the ther cmpanies. (3) The remainder f the cmpanies shuld carry ut the exercises. (4) The infantry and tank brigade cmmanders shuld criticize the manner in which the exercises have been carried ut. (5) The exercises shuld be simple and shuld cnsist f three /\u25a0 r fur kinds f attack, c. g.\ (a) An attack withut a barrage n a strng pint r lcality. (6) An attack under a barrage. (c) An attack withut a barrage as the cntinuatin f an attack under a barrage. (d) A cunter attack withut a barrage. A gd way f cmbining every kind f attack is t start the exercise with a barrage. t shuld be pinted ut t the men that this represents the initial phase in an attack. Once this phase has been cmpleted, the men shuld g back t the starting pint and carry ut the exercise again withut a barrage. t shuld be pinted ut t them that this represents the phase f the attack which fllws after the zne f the prtective artillery barrage has been passed. 27