*This is a translation of a German training circular issued by the German Armored Force containing 30 basic lessons of armored combat on the platoon and company level derived from the Wehrmacht's experience against the Soviets. Written during the Second World War by a German company commander, these lessons are fresh with recent combat experience. The original text has cartoon-like illustrations and civilian "parables" on one page, with the combat lesson on the opposing page. Only the combat lessons are translated here.*
The Panzer Regiment is, by reason of its firepowe protection and mobility, the main fighting power of the Division. Its strength lies in unexpected, concentrated and determined attack; aggressive leadership and daring operations.
Combat in Russia has shown once again that for us, in action against the Communists, it is not so much the kind or number of our tanks but the spirit and skill on the tank soldiers that count. Only by these factors are German tanks always, even in Russia, victorious.
This exemplary combat spirit can however count for little as the weapons speed, armor or number of tanks in achieving success, if they are not led and employed by fully competent officers.
Superior tactical leadership in battle is a prerequisite when one desires few, or better still, no casualties.
The purpose of this volume is to collect the experiences of the veteran front-line combat leaders of our Regiments in action, and pass it on in simple and understandable form to our junior officers.
1. Know your equipment.
The only way to learn the limitations and advantages of your vehicle is to practice using it. You should be able to thread your tank through the smallest possible gaps at speed, and know how to make sudden, accurate changes in direction while moving. You must be able to automatically adjust your machine to the correct gear for maximum quickness; learn how to spin your tank 180 degrees in ,ere seconds; and how to run at speed in reverse and find nearby cover. You should be able to hit a target at the extreme of your gun.s range, with no more than 2 shots to determine the droppage of your shell. At medium and close range, you should be able to specify the point on the target you wish to hit, and hit it 9 times out of ten. This is the level of expertise you should strive for.
2. Know your environment.
Scan the area constantly. Catalogue good firing positions . Watch them especially carefully for enemies taking advantage of them, and evaluate their potential as places to advance or retreat towards. Do not neglect to look both near and far. Your enemy would like nothing better than to attack you from concealment; you must deny him this, or be defeated before the firing even begins.
Do not lock yourself into watching your target exclusively. If you are not in imminent danger of your opponent destroying you, a quick scan of the area can unearth threats that otherwise would take you unaware. A dead tanker scores no kills.
3. Think, then do.
Speed of decision is vital; yet, there must still be thought before action. Planning in advance will make this far easier; if you have already considered possible scenarios, and your best response, then you will not hesitate when the moment comes. If you lose a battle, reflect upon how you were defeated, and use this knowledge to improve your tactics for the next battle.
4. Be mission-focused, not kill-focused
Destroying a dozen enemy tanks is good, but destroying none and rendering vital assistance in capturing the objective is better. If an enemy can be bypassed without danger to the mission, then do so. If an enemy is disabled and no longer a threat, do not waste ammunition and time finishing him, move on. Your primary consideration should always be the mission.s success, and not personal success.
5. Strike at the enemys weakness
Always attempt attacks from the flank or rear, if possible. Come upon your targets from an unexpected direction; avoid roads or open terrain where you can be seen. Do not neglect the opportunities to attack from higher elevations . your shells have more impact and fire farther, while your opponent.s lose strength and fall faster. Always maneuver so that you have the advantage in an engagement, or at least no disadvantage.
Learn where your opponents are most vulnerable to your weapons, and bring your fire to bear on those points. The essence of success in combat is to exploit your assets and the enemy.s defects, while protecting your defects and denying his assets.
6. Support your comrades in other branches
It is imperative to provide as much support to your fellow soldiers as is possible; a tanks role is to support the infantry, not to supplant them or ignore them. A good tanker will use his machineguns and high explosive shells to clear an area for the advance of the infantry, a poor tanker will always be focused on other tanks and let his troopers down. Reconnaissance from your tank can save the lives of your less well-protected brethren, always be aware of who is around you and act as another pair of eyes for them, calling out any potential threats immediately. Aggressively defend your anti-tank guns, draw fire onto yourself rather than let them be destroyed, or even better, demolish the threat and prepare yourself to meet another.
7. Support your fellow tankers
Three tanks working together are a match for 10 tanks working alone. Try to find other good tankers, and work with them. When advancing, cover your brother tanks with your guns, then have them cover you as you advance in your turn. Keep a reasonable distance between your vehicles, do not bunch up and present an easy target, nor should you be so far away that you cannot lend fire support when needed. If a comrade is in trouble, fire on his attacker, and try to draw his attention . Often the sound of shells hitting will cause him to panic, and look about wildly for his new opponent. Communicate enemy sightings, and co-ordinate your movements to bring maximum firepower upon your enemies, and to command your objectives.
8. Learn when to use speed
If you are in an untenable position, perhaps surprised, or outnumbered and vulnerable - often a rush at the enemy is the only choice. If you are forced into this situation, remember to run slantwise across the enemys sights, and try to come to close quarters as quickly as you can. Once you are in close, use violent changes in direction, and fire your gun while moving. If you do not have a separate driver and gunner, switch rapidly back and forth to fight maneuverable enemies.
If you must retreat at speed, you should also use quick changes in direction to throw off your enemies aim. If you can sacrifice yourself to cover the retreats of others, do so . better one die than all. A successful retreat can be the precursor to a successful ambush. If you can establish superior position before the enemys pursuit brings him within range, you can make him pay for his over-eagerness.
Lastly, if support is needed in a particular sector, you must know when it is time to abandon all else and rush to the contested point. This should be the rare, exceptional case; but it will happen.
9. Quick Tips for Survival
If you are going to sit still, it better be in a camouflaged, hull-down or otherwise strong position. Balance off your need to SEE with the requirement NOT to be seen by the enemy.
It is very instructive to spawn as an infantryman and watch tanks fight. You will see how good positioning gets kills, and how the opposite gets you killed.
Going just outside the wall/fence and sitting there is the worst move you can make. The spawn bases are the most scrutinized of areas. Move away from the base at high speed, and find any nearby cover you can.
If the enemy is very near the spawn, ask for his direction BEFORE leaving cover. Point your turret to that heading, and THEN put your rig in gear. This can be difference between getting crushed and getting another kill silhouette to paint on your turret.
Practice moving and shooting. This is only effective at close range - but that is where you want to fight most of your enemies, anyway. If the enemy doesn't see you, or is already occupied - then you can stop and set up your shot. Otherwise, all you are doing is making it easy for him to kill you.
Trading long range fire with a heavier tank is suicide. He has a better gun. Sometimes you have no choice, but if there is ANY cover nearby that will shield you from him, you'd better use it, and fast. Make him come to you, to where you can see him and hit him easily. Of course, if he doesn't spot you, and he is exposing his side, a few good rounds into him will often light him up.
This is critically important - your mental attitude is what makes the difference between a tanker and a target. You must condition yourself to think of each enemy spotted as an opportunity - a chance to get another kill.
*When I see a group of T34s, I feel like a wolf confronted by a herd of big, stupid bison. Mmmm, tasty.*
Use whatever imagery you like, but you must be both confident and aggressive at all times. Try not cross the line into cocky and foolhardy, but push it as close as you can get it - your panzer is an offensive weapon and trying to use it any other way will get you frustrated and killed.
Avoid head-on confrontations. Axis tanks do not have the firepower to penetrate the front armor of most allied tanks. Always attempt to flank or maneuver in behind.
Lastly, if support is needed in a particular sector, you must know when it is time to abandon all else and rush to the contested point. This should be the rare, exceptional case; but it will happen.
The best way in which to stay alive is to know your enemy. Know his capabilities, his equipment and his tactics. Just as we have had to develop tactics to make up for the shortcomings in our equipment so have they. Observe them, learn how they operate. Let them be careless so they can drive into your sights, not the other way around. One of the more important things you learn while operating a Panzer is how to NOT die. There are several reasons why some players head out only to be slaughtered like cattle, lets examine a few.
Reason 1 - They're all alone.
Though it's sometimes a noble thing to dash off by yourself to save the day, you're better off waiting for backup consisting of at LEAST one other Panzer. I've worked repeatedly in two-tank teams with other players with great success. By having a 'wingman' you can protect each other as you advance, and you'll have more options when attacking.
Reason 2 - Lack of cover and concealment
Your Panzer is your life, and you should take any means necessary to protect it and your life. All too often I see tanks dashing off across an open field totally exposed, and later I see the smoke trails marking their demise. Use the terrain to your best advantage, even wide-open plains have some form of concealment you could use. Anything you can find which will prevent the enemy from either seeing you, or hitting you, can and should be used!
Reason 3 - Lack of Patience
Yeah sure, we all want to start dropping AP on the first sign of movement we see, it's a natural urge. But by waiting and maneuvering to the best position possible you can almost always assure yourself of several kills per sortie. Firing from maximum distance at a tiny target is not only very difficult, but it wastes ammo. Be patient and wait for the target to get closer, this applies to defense as well as attacking.
Tank Formations:
Echelon Left:
Tanks are formed in a diagonal line to the left rear of the leader. This formation is useful while advancing when you expect an attack from your left side or left front. All tank guns can be quickly brought to bear on the targets without crossing the path of fellow Panzers. This formation can also be quickly turned into a Line Abreast formation by turning everyone to the left.
Echelon Right:
Tanks are formed in a diagonal line to the right rear of the leader. This formation is useful when you expect an attack from your right side or right front. Its flexibility is identical to Echelon Left.
Wedge:
This is a handy formation to use when you don't know for sure where the enemy will be attacking from. No matter where the enemy comes from the Panzer group will be able to have at least 3 tanks immediately start engaging the enemy. The tanks which are out of the line of fire can then reposition if needed. This formation also packs a powerful punch when sweeping through towns. Each driver maintains a mental 'drive line' through the town. As he encounters obstacles he maneuvers around them, and then returns to his drive line. If used correctly, the entire town can be thoroughly cleared in one sweep, rather then several tanks scurrying around.
Line Abreast:
This formation is great for attacking a single frontal target, or defending an attack from a known direction or choke point. Massive firepower and decent fields of fire are its key points. Movement is difficult though and speeds should be kept moderate to maintain the formation.
Cover and Concealment:
The term 'Cover' means anything which you can hide behind which will actually stop incoming fire. You can take cover behind a building, in a valley or depression, behind some trees, etc etc.
Concealment is anything which masks the outline of your tank and makes you less noticeable to the observer. Be clever in choosing cover and concealment, try to think in the mind of the Allied tanker who's trying to find or shoot at you. Try to visualize how you would look in the gun sights of the enemy's tank.
Here is an example of cover and concealment. This tree provides less cover that one might expect, but provides you the ability to hide your tank. Here you see the Panzer is making use of a medium sized tree. The branches conceal more the half of the tank's surface.
Another example of cover and concealment . Here we see a Panzer taking advantage of the terrain to assume a 'Hull Down' posture. He is using the terrain to conceal the hull of his tank, leaving only the turret exposed to scan for and to engage enemies. Notice also how the terrain behind him helps mask the outline of the turret, the turret is not silhouetted against the bright skyline.
That's all I've got, hope this helps...
The Panzer Regiment is, by reason of its firepowe protection and mobility, the main fighting power of the Division. Its strength lies in unexpected, concentrated and determined attack; aggressive leadership and daring operations.
Combat in Russia has shown once again that for us, in action against the Communists, it is not so much the kind or number of our tanks but the spirit and skill on the tank soldiers that count. Only by these factors are German tanks always, even in Russia, victorious.
This exemplary combat spirit can however count for little as the weapons speed, armor or number of tanks in achieving success, if they are not led and employed by fully competent officers.
Superior tactical leadership in battle is a prerequisite when one desires few, or better still, no casualties.
The purpose of this volume is to collect the experiences of the veteran front-line combat leaders of our Regiments in action, and pass it on in simple and understandable form to our junior officers.
- 1. Before any attack acquaint yourself with the ground. Use the information provided by other units or by the map. Exact information and correct estimation of the terrain will be the decisive difference between victory and defeat.
- 2. No armored attack is so fast, even under the most pressing situation, that you do not have time to put subordinate leaders into the picture about the tactical situation, mission, and anything else which may impact on the coming action. Losses due to over-hasty action are your responsibility and place the success of the mission in jeopardy.
- 3. Only careful combat reconnaissance can protect you from surprise. Protect to your flanks as well as the front. Observation to all sides is the duty of every commander. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR THE ENEMY!
- 4. Your entire ability in combat must be used to make a constant appreciation of the situation. Only in this manner can you make the correct decision during the decisive seconds and issue short, clear orders without delay. This is the kind of leadership for which you are responsible.
- 5. Iron radio discipline is a prerequisite of good leadership, particularly when your only method of command is radio. In the point company for instance, the trail platoons should not use the radio at all except in emergency, leaving the net clear for the point platoon leader.
- 6. You must lead with strength. At least two tanks must be forward, and the trail platoons must be held far enough forward to support the lead platoon. The more guns that fire in the first minute, the quicker the enemy will be defeated and the fewer losses you will suffer.
- 7. When breaking cover, do it quickly and together. The more targets the enemy is shown simultaneously, the harder his fire control and distribution will be, and the more guns you will have in effect on the enemy.
- 8. In the attack drive as fast as you can. At slow speed you can see and shoot only a little better than at high, and are much more likely to be hit. For a tank there should be only two speeds: the half (for firing!) and all out forward. This is the basic principal of tank combat!
- 9. When antitank weapons are encountered at long or medium ranges, you must first return fire and then maneuver against them. First make a firing halt in order to bring effective fire to bear - then commit the bulk of the company to maneuver on the enemy with the continued support of one platoon.
- 10. When antitank weapons are encountered at close range, stopping is suicide. Only immediate attack at the highest speed with every weapon firing will have success and reduce losses.
- 11. In combat against the antitank guns you may never - even under the protection of strong fire support - allow a single platoon to attack alone. Antitank weapons are not employed singly. Remember - lone tanks in Russia are lost!
- 12. You must continually keep a broad interval between vehicles. This splits the enemy's defensive fire and complicates his fire control. Narrow intervals must be avoided at all costs, especially in critical situations, or it will cost you losses.
- 13. When an impassable obstacle, for instance a minefield or antitank ditch, is encountered you must immediately and without hesitation give the order to withdraw into the nearest cover. Standing still, in open sight, trying to carry on the attack, has in such circumstances no sense and will only cost you losses. Your consideration on how to make a new start will be best made in the safety of cover.
- 14. When your attack must pass potential enemy tank positions, for instance a woodline, you should either pass by them so closely that you are inside their minimum range, or remain so far away that you are outside their maximum effective range.
- 15. Enemy tanks should not be attacked directly, because then they see you and know your strength before you can kill them. More often, you should avoid them until you can move into favorable firing positions, and surprise them from the flank or rear. Repelled enemy tank assaults must be aggressively pursued.
- 16. A strongpoint, for instance a small village or artillery battery position, whenever possible should be attacked from different directions simultaneously in order to split enemy defensive fire and deceive him about the true location and direction of the attack. In this manner your breakthrough will be easier and your losses fewer.
- 17. Always prepare dug in positions and camouflage against the possibility of air or artillery attack. Being sorry afterwards is no excuse for losses taken by these causes.
- 18. Ammunition should not always be conserved; in the decisive moment, if you want to save casualties, you may expend ammunition at exceptionally high rates (for instance, an emergency attack.)
- 19. Never split your combat power; that is to say, do not employ parts of the company in such a manner that they cannot support each other. When your attack has two objectives you should attack first one and then the other with all weapons. In this way you will more certainly end up with both objectives in hand and fewer casualties.
- 20. Support from artillery fire or dive bombers must be used immediately, that is to say, while the fire is still hitting the objective. Afterward, when the fire has stopped it is too late. You must know that mostly such fires only produce a suppressing effect, not a destroying one. It is better to risk a friendly shell or bomb than to charge into an active antitank defense.
- 21. Other weapons and arms, cross-attached to you, should not be misused. Do not use them for purposes for which they were not intended, for example, do not use tank destroyers as assault guns, or armored infantry as tanks, or recon or engineer troops as infantry.
- 22. Unarmored or lightly armored units attached to you must be protected from any unnecessary losses until they are needed for their own operational tasks, for which reason they were attached to you.
- 23. Cross-attached units placed under your command are not your servants, but your guests. You are answerable to supply them and share everything they need. Don't just use them on guard duty! In this way they will work better and more loyally for you when you need them. And that will be often!
- 24. In combined operations with infantry or armored infantry, you must make certain that the arms stick close together; only so can they help each other and achieve success. Which of the two is leading is a secondary matter; what must be known is that it is the intention of the enemy to separate them and that you must prevent this in all circumstances. Your battlecry must be "Protect the Infantry!" and the infantry's battlecry is "Protect the Tanks!"
- 25. You and your soldiers must always concentrate on your combat mission, i.e. "the bridge," and you may not turn aside, for example, to an enemy on your flank, unless he is actually dangerous to the accomplishment of your mission. Then you must attack and destroy him.
- 26. After a victorious battle; i.e. the seizure of a bridge or the occupation of a village, keep your helmets on. That is to say, prepare for a counterattack which will certainly come, perhaps in a different place than you expect. Later you can collect the spoils of victory.
- 27. In a defense or security mission place your tanks so that not only their firepower, but also their shock action can be brought into play. Also, leave only a few tanks in stationary firing positions. Keep most as mobile reserves under cover. Tanks defend aggressively!
- 28. Against strong enemy resistance, there is no point in continuing to attack. Every failed attack only costs more casualties. Your effort must always be to hold the enemy with only weak forces, in order to use mass of your strength at another, weaker place, breakthrough, and destroy the enemy by surprise attack in the rear or flank.
- 29. Never forget that your soldiers do not belong to you, but to Germany. Personal glory hunting and senseless dare-deviltry lead only to exceptional cases to success, but always cost blood. In battle against the Soviet- Russians you must temper your courage with your judgement, your cunning, your instincts and your tactical ability. Only then will you have the prerequisites to be victorious in battle and only then will your soldiers look on you with loyalty and respect and always stand by you in untiring combat readiness.
- 30. The panzer division in modern warfare today holds the former place of cavalry as the decisive arm of combat. Tank officers must carry on in the tradition of the cavalry, take up its aggressive spirit on behalf of the Panzer arm. Therefore take note, as a basic combat principle, of Marshall Blucher's motto, "FORWARD AND THROUGH!"
1. Know your equipment.
The only way to learn the limitations and advantages of your vehicle is to practice using it. You should be able to thread your tank through the smallest possible gaps at speed, and know how to make sudden, accurate changes in direction while moving. You must be able to automatically adjust your machine to the correct gear for maximum quickness; learn how to spin your tank 180 degrees in ,ere seconds; and how to run at speed in reverse and find nearby cover. You should be able to hit a target at the extreme of your gun.s range, with no more than 2 shots to determine the droppage of your shell. At medium and close range, you should be able to specify the point on the target you wish to hit, and hit it 9 times out of ten. This is the level of expertise you should strive for.
2. Know your environment.
Scan the area constantly. Catalogue good firing positions . Watch them especially carefully for enemies taking advantage of them, and evaluate their potential as places to advance or retreat towards. Do not neglect to look both near and far. Your enemy would like nothing better than to attack you from concealment; you must deny him this, or be defeated before the firing even begins.
Do not lock yourself into watching your target exclusively. If you are not in imminent danger of your opponent destroying you, a quick scan of the area can unearth threats that otherwise would take you unaware. A dead tanker scores no kills.
3. Think, then do.
Speed of decision is vital; yet, there must still be thought before action. Planning in advance will make this far easier; if you have already considered possible scenarios, and your best response, then you will not hesitate when the moment comes. If you lose a battle, reflect upon how you were defeated, and use this knowledge to improve your tactics for the next battle.
4. Be mission-focused, not kill-focused
Destroying a dozen enemy tanks is good, but destroying none and rendering vital assistance in capturing the objective is better. If an enemy can be bypassed without danger to the mission, then do so. If an enemy is disabled and no longer a threat, do not waste ammunition and time finishing him, move on. Your primary consideration should always be the mission.s success, and not personal success.
5. Strike at the enemys weakness
Always attempt attacks from the flank or rear, if possible. Come upon your targets from an unexpected direction; avoid roads or open terrain where you can be seen. Do not neglect the opportunities to attack from higher elevations . your shells have more impact and fire farther, while your opponent.s lose strength and fall faster. Always maneuver so that you have the advantage in an engagement, or at least no disadvantage.
Learn where your opponents are most vulnerable to your weapons, and bring your fire to bear on those points. The essence of success in combat is to exploit your assets and the enemy.s defects, while protecting your defects and denying his assets.
6. Support your comrades in other branches
It is imperative to provide as much support to your fellow soldiers as is possible; a tanks role is to support the infantry, not to supplant them or ignore them. A good tanker will use his machineguns and high explosive shells to clear an area for the advance of the infantry, a poor tanker will always be focused on other tanks and let his troopers down. Reconnaissance from your tank can save the lives of your less well-protected brethren, always be aware of who is around you and act as another pair of eyes for them, calling out any potential threats immediately. Aggressively defend your anti-tank guns, draw fire onto yourself rather than let them be destroyed, or even better, demolish the threat and prepare yourself to meet another.
7. Support your fellow tankers
Three tanks working together are a match for 10 tanks working alone. Try to find other good tankers, and work with them. When advancing, cover your brother tanks with your guns, then have them cover you as you advance in your turn. Keep a reasonable distance between your vehicles, do not bunch up and present an easy target, nor should you be so far away that you cannot lend fire support when needed. If a comrade is in trouble, fire on his attacker, and try to draw his attention . Often the sound of shells hitting will cause him to panic, and look about wildly for his new opponent. Communicate enemy sightings, and co-ordinate your movements to bring maximum firepower upon your enemies, and to command your objectives.
8. Learn when to use speed
If you are in an untenable position, perhaps surprised, or outnumbered and vulnerable - often a rush at the enemy is the only choice. If you are forced into this situation, remember to run slantwise across the enemys sights, and try to come to close quarters as quickly as you can. Once you are in close, use violent changes in direction, and fire your gun while moving. If you do not have a separate driver and gunner, switch rapidly back and forth to fight maneuverable enemies.
If you must retreat at speed, you should also use quick changes in direction to throw off your enemies aim. If you can sacrifice yourself to cover the retreats of others, do so . better one die than all. A successful retreat can be the precursor to a successful ambush. If you can establish superior position before the enemys pursuit brings him within range, you can make him pay for his over-eagerness.
Lastly, if support is needed in a particular sector, you must know when it is time to abandon all else and rush to the contested point. This should be the rare, exceptional case; but it will happen.
9. Quick Tips for Survival
If you are going to sit still, it better be in a camouflaged, hull-down or otherwise strong position. Balance off your need to SEE with the requirement NOT to be seen by the enemy.
It is very instructive to spawn as an infantryman and watch tanks fight. You will see how good positioning gets kills, and how the opposite gets you killed.
Going just outside the wall/fence and sitting there is the worst move you can make. The spawn bases are the most scrutinized of areas. Move away from the base at high speed, and find any nearby cover you can.
If the enemy is very near the spawn, ask for his direction BEFORE leaving cover. Point your turret to that heading, and THEN put your rig in gear. This can be difference between getting crushed and getting another kill silhouette to paint on your turret.
Practice moving and shooting. This is only effective at close range - but that is where you want to fight most of your enemies, anyway. If the enemy doesn't see you, or is already occupied - then you can stop and set up your shot. Otherwise, all you are doing is making it easy for him to kill you.
Trading long range fire with a heavier tank is suicide. He has a better gun. Sometimes you have no choice, but if there is ANY cover nearby that will shield you from him, you'd better use it, and fast. Make him come to you, to where you can see him and hit him easily. Of course, if he doesn't spot you, and he is exposing his side, a few good rounds into him will often light him up.
This is critically important - your mental attitude is what makes the difference between a tanker and a target. You must condition yourself to think of each enemy spotted as an opportunity - a chance to get another kill.
*When I see a group of T34s, I feel like a wolf confronted by a herd of big, stupid bison. Mmmm, tasty.*
Use whatever imagery you like, but you must be both confident and aggressive at all times. Try not cross the line into cocky and foolhardy, but push it as close as you can get it - your panzer is an offensive weapon and trying to use it any other way will get you frustrated and killed.
Avoid head-on confrontations. Axis tanks do not have the firepower to penetrate the front armor of most allied tanks. Always attempt to flank or maneuver in behind.
Lastly, if support is needed in a particular sector, you must know when it is time to abandon all else and rush to the contested point. This should be the rare, exceptional case; but it will happen.
The best way in which to stay alive is to know your enemy. Know his capabilities, his equipment and his tactics. Just as we have had to develop tactics to make up for the shortcomings in our equipment so have they. Observe them, learn how they operate. Let them be careless so they can drive into your sights, not the other way around. One of the more important things you learn while operating a Panzer is how to NOT die. There are several reasons why some players head out only to be slaughtered like cattle, lets examine a few.
Reason 1 - They're all alone.
Though it's sometimes a noble thing to dash off by yourself to save the day, you're better off waiting for backup consisting of at LEAST one other Panzer. I've worked repeatedly in two-tank teams with other players with great success. By having a 'wingman' you can protect each other as you advance, and you'll have more options when attacking.
Reason 2 - Lack of cover and concealment
Your Panzer is your life, and you should take any means necessary to protect it and your life. All too often I see tanks dashing off across an open field totally exposed, and later I see the smoke trails marking their demise. Use the terrain to your best advantage, even wide-open plains have some form of concealment you could use. Anything you can find which will prevent the enemy from either seeing you, or hitting you, can and should be used!
Reason 3 - Lack of Patience
Yeah sure, we all want to start dropping AP on the first sign of movement we see, it's a natural urge. But by waiting and maneuvering to the best position possible you can almost always assure yourself of several kills per sortie. Firing from maximum distance at a tiny target is not only very difficult, but it wastes ammo. Be patient and wait for the target to get closer, this applies to defense as well as attacking.
Tank Formations:
Echelon Left:
Tanks are formed in a diagonal line to the left rear of the leader. This formation is useful while advancing when you expect an attack from your left side or left front. All tank guns can be quickly brought to bear on the targets without crossing the path of fellow Panzers. This formation can also be quickly turned into a Line Abreast formation by turning everyone to the left.
Echelon Right:
Tanks are formed in a diagonal line to the right rear of the leader. This formation is useful when you expect an attack from your right side or right front. Its flexibility is identical to Echelon Left.
Wedge:
This is a handy formation to use when you don't know for sure where the enemy will be attacking from. No matter where the enemy comes from the Panzer group will be able to have at least 3 tanks immediately start engaging the enemy. The tanks which are out of the line of fire can then reposition if needed. This formation also packs a powerful punch when sweeping through towns. Each driver maintains a mental 'drive line' through the town. As he encounters obstacles he maneuvers around them, and then returns to his drive line. If used correctly, the entire town can be thoroughly cleared in one sweep, rather then several tanks scurrying around.
Line Abreast:
This formation is great for attacking a single frontal target, or defending an attack from a known direction or choke point. Massive firepower and decent fields of fire are its key points. Movement is difficult though and speeds should be kept moderate to maintain the formation.
Cover and Concealment:
The term 'Cover' means anything which you can hide behind which will actually stop incoming fire. You can take cover behind a building, in a valley or depression, behind some trees, etc etc.
Concealment is anything which masks the outline of your tank and makes you less noticeable to the observer. Be clever in choosing cover and concealment, try to think in the mind of the Allied tanker who's trying to find or shoot at you. Try to visualize how you would look in the gun sights of the enemy's tank.
Here is an example of cover and concealment. This tree provides less cover that one might expect, but provides you the ability to hide your tank. Here you see the Panzer is making use of a medium sized tree. The branches conceal more the half of the tank's surface.
Another example of cover and concealment . Here we see a Panzer taking advantage of the terrain to assume a 'Hull Down' posture. He is using the terrain to conceal the hull of his tank, leaving only the turret exposed to scan for and to engage enemies. Notice also how the terrain behind him helps mask the outline of the turret, the turret is not silhouetted against the bright skyline.
That's all I've got, hope this helps...
