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KV-2 study; German close combat (really close) antitank techniques


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This vid has a fine study of the KV-2, German field expedient antitank weapons, on the tank close combat techniques, and demonstrations of how to take apart a T-26 and an early T-34/76. There's also some good footage of the surprisingly sprightly Goliath.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Doc5QIWY-Uo&feature=related

Regards,

John Kettler

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You have to laugh at the vision of a German troop chappy calmly walking up to a T-34, draping his coat over the driver's vision slit, putting toothpase or whetever on the gunner's sights, his forage cap on the commander's periscope, then using a crowbar to jam the turret mechanism and finally crowbaring open the hatch while a mate goes off and mixes up a molotov cocktail.

One wonders at what point do they notice the rest of the Soviet tank company laughing their heads off, applauding like it was a Laurel and Hardy skit.

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Erwin,

The Russians, especially early war, were notorious for their repeated misuse of tanks, which generally had no radios, either. Armor was often committed, in penny packets, without infantry support, driving was poor, crews brittle in morale (KV-1 and KV-2 crews bailed over a little scorched interior paint from nonpenetrating hits or even projectile clang, as from 20mm fire or a "doorknocker" (PaK 36) in rapid fire. See Zaloga's Osprey KV book for more on this).

Now, with the above in mind, let's fast forward to the Russo-Afghan War. What does the Muj close assaulting a tank by leaping onto it from above do first? He smears animal dung or his own on the optics, blinding the tank! If the tactic was so ludicrous, why would it still be in use?

If it's irrelevant, why is this stuff in our FMs? Please see Figs. J-17 and J-18 here.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/7-10/appj.htm

Any of these look familiar?

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/21-75/Apph.htm

Also, if it's so useless, please explain these guys--all of whom destroyed a tank in single combat?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_Destruction_Badge

Regards,

John Kettler

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Erwin,

Here's a top rated book on the Tank Destruction Badge, the men who earned it, and the weapons they used. If you can read it, I'm sure it'll give you quite an education. Had no idea it existed!

http://www.amazon.com/Tank-Killers-History-Destruction-Badge/dp/0912138831

The depiction of Russian tank use in the movie Stalingrad is entirely credible, in my view, as is how the Germans handled it. A buttoned T-34 or just about any Russian AFV has loads of blind spots, and once inside the lookdown angle for the optics (believe that was 9 meter for the T-34/76, based on a German analysis grpahic I saw in AFV-G2 magazine), the tank, particularly if immobilized, moving slowly or stalled, was a viable target for a man who kept his cool and knew how to use his weapons.

Recommend you watch as many segments of this as you can find. Alas, the image isn't as good as what I posted, but it will convey the how to.

Regards,

John Kettler

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