following are standard training principles in the German tank arm:
1. Surprise.
2. Prompt decisions and prompt execution of these decisions.
3. The fullest possible exploitation of the terrain for firing. However, fields of fire come before cover.
4. Do not fire while moving except when absolutely essential.
5. Face the attacker head-on; do not offer a broadside target.
6. When attacked by hostile tanks, concentrate solely on these.
7. If surprised without hope of favorable defense, scatter and reassemble in favorable terrain. Try to draw the attacker into a position which will give you the advantage.
8. If smoke is to be used, keep wind direction in mind. A good procedure is to leave a few tanks in position as decoys, and, when the hostile force is approaching them, to direct a smoke screen toward the hostile force and blind it.
9. If hostile tanks are sighted, German tanks should halt and prepare to engage them by surprise, holding fire as long as possible. The reaction of the hostile force must be estimated before the attack is launched.
A German Army document entitled "How the Tiger Can Aid the Infantry" contains a number of interesting points. The following are outstanding:
1. The tank expert must have a chance to submit his opinion before any combined tank-infantry attack.
2. If the ground will support a man standing on one leg and carrying another man on his shoulders, it will support a tank.
3. When mud is very deep, corduroy roads must be built ahead of time. Since this requires manpower, material, and time, the work should be undertaken only near the point where the main effort is to be made.
4. Tanks must be deployed to conduct their fire fight.
5. The Tiger, built to fight tanks and antitank guns, must function as offensive weapon, even in the defense. This is its best means of defense against hostile tanks. Give it a chance to use its unique capabilities for fire and movement.
6. The Tiger must keep moving. At the halt it is an easy target.
7. The Tiger must not be used singly. [Obviously, this does not apply to the Tiger used as roving artillery in the defense. On numerous occasions the Germans have been using single Tigers for this purpose.] The more mass you can assemble, the greater your success will be. Protect your Tigers with infantry.
1. Surprise.
2. Prompt decisions and prompt execution of these decisions.
3. The fullest possible exploitation of the terrain for firing. However, fields of fire come before cover.
4. Do not fire while moving except when absolutely essential.
5. Face the attacker head-on; do not offer a broadside target.
6. When attacked by hostile tanks, concentrate solely on these.
7. If surprised without hope of favorable defense, scatter and reassemble in favorable terrain. Try to draw the attacker into a position which will give you the advantage.
8. If smoke is to be used, keep wind direction in mind. A good procedure is to leave a few tanks in position as decoys, and, when the hostile force is approaching them, to direct a smoke screen toward the hostile force and blind it.
9. If hostile tanks are sighted, German tanks should halt and prepare to engage them by surprise, holding fire as long as possible. The reaction of the hostile force must be estimated before the attack is launched.
A German Army document entitled "How the Tiger Can Aid the Infantry" contains a number of interesting points. The following are outstanding:
1. The tank expert must have a chance to submit his opinion before any combined tank-infantry attack.
2. If the ground will support a man standing on one leg and carrying another man on his shoulders, it will support a tank.
3. When mud is very deep, corduroy roads must be built ahead of time. Since this requires manpower, material, and time, the work should be undertaken only near the point where the main effort is to be made.
4. Tanks must be deployed to conduct their fire fight.
5. The Tiger, built to fight tanks and antitank guns, must function as offensive weapon, even in the defense. This is its best means of defense against hostile tanks. Give it a chance to use its unique capabilities for fire and movement.
6. The Tiger must keep moving. At the halt it is an easy target.
7. The Tiger must not be used singly. [Obviously, this does not apply to the Tiger used as roving artillery in the defense. On numerous occasions the Germans have been using single Tigers for this purpose.] The more mass you can assemble, the greater your success will be. Protect your Tigers with infantry.