1. ANTITANK METHODS IN RUSSIA
The following observations represent an authoritative
Soviet view of German antitank methods:
The German antitank defenses open up while our [Soviet] armor
is moving toward the front line or when it has reached
its line of departure. First, German bombers and artillery go
into action to halt our attack, or at least to delay it.
The German artillery (GHQ units, divisional units, and in
rare instances regimental guns) lays down a barrage
about 2 miles inside our lines, and tries to smash our armor. Each German
battery is assigned a frontage of about 100 to 150 yards,
which it must cover. When our tanks are within 200 to 300
yards of the antitank obstacles on our side of the German main
defensive area, the German guns transfer their fire to the accompanying
Soviet infantry.
When our tanks are within 600 to 1,000 yards of the German
main defensive area, single antitank guns (chiefly regimental)
are brought into action. The main antitank strength opens up
only when the range has been reduced still further, and is between
300 and 150 yards. The guns which constitute the main strength
are sited principally for enfilade fire from well-camouflaged
positions.
The Germans site most of their antitank weapons to the rear
of the forward edge of their main defensive area. Only single
guns are sited along the forward edge; their mission is to
engage individual tanks. As soon as an attack has been repelled, these
guns change position. Antitank reserves are placed in
areas most vulnerable to tank attack, especially at boundaries
between units. Infantry antitank reserves consist of a platoon
of antitank guns and several tank-hunting detachments, and are
sometimes reinforced by infantry, field guns, and tanks.
Positions are planned for all-around defense. Two or three
alternate positions are prepared for each antitank gun. Roving
guns are used extensively, especially in the less vital areas. Assault
guns and self-propelled antitank guns are used, not only
as a mobile antitank reserve, but also as fixed weapons dug-in
near the forward edge of the main defensive zone.
The main antitank weapon strength is concentrated against
the flanks and rear of the attacking tanks. Gun positions are
protected by antitank mines and by tank-hunting detachments.
Very often, too, the Germans mine the ruts made by retreating
tanks, in the hope that Soviet tanks will use them as a guide.
As the Soviet tanks reach the German main defensive line,
tank-hunting detachments go into action. At this stage smoke
may be used, but only if the antitank guns have ceased firing,
inasmuch as smoke hinders accurate laying. When the tanks
reach the German gun positions, the field guns fire over open
sights.
2. ENGAGING TANKS AT CLOSE RANGE
The following order was issued by the general officer
commanding the Fifteenth Panzer Division during the
last days of the Tunisia fighting:
The general officer commanding the Army Group Africa desires
that, as a rule, the antitank artillery engage hostile
armored vehicles at ranges of not more than 800 yards, and
that special attention be paid to close-range engagement of
tanks by tank-hunting detachments. I repeat my instruction
that training in close-range engagement of tanks with all
weapons shall be stressed. Every man in this division who
knocks out a tank in close combat will receive the Assault Badge
and, in addition, a special leave.
3. AN ANTITANK COMPANY LAYOUT
The following description of a German antitank
company layout was provided by a prisoner of war. Since
this layout would be dictated entirely by terrain
factors, it should be regarded as an instance of enemy
flexibility, rather than as a typical arrangement.
Platoons were in line, with their guns echeloned. Each platoon
had two guns forward, about 200 yards apart, and a third gun
to the rear, equidistant from the other two. The distance to
the nearest gun of the adjoining platoon was about 300 yards. On
each side of the gun position, there was a light machine gun, in
line with the forward antitank guns and about 30 yards from
the nearest neighboring gun.