Jasper Posted January 2, 2001 Share Posted January 2, 2001 Did the German infantry climb on the rear deck of their tanks AKA "Soviet Style"? If not - was there something about the rear deck that discouraged that - or was it simply "against the rules"? I've look for a picture showing German infantry riding their tanks "Soviet Style" but havn't found one. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paullus Posted January 2, 2001 Share Posted January 2, 2001 SS - Hell on the Eastern Front shows a late war picture (Winter 44/45) of Panzergrenadiers riding on the back of a Panther G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Patrik Posted January 2, 2001 Share Posted January 2, 2001 Using the rear deck and more... There is a picture in this thread http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/Forum1/HTML/014292.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin Posted January 3, 2001 Share Posted January 3, 2001 You can find a very similar picture to the one in that thread on p. 145 of Kenneth Macksey's Panzer Division: The Mailed Fist (Ballantine, 1968): 3 assault guns in convoy with 10-15 men on each. A few other pics show proper tanks with men on the rear deck, in apparently less secure-looking situations. ------------------ War is cruel and you cannot refine it. --Sherman [This message has been edited by Gremlin (edited 01-02-2001).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warmaker Posted January 3, 2001 Share Posted January 3, 2001 If I recall correctly in "Panzer Commander" by Hans Von Luck he recalls in the days of Normandy he commandeered several ATGs(I want to say a Luftwaffe Flak 88mm) to be in an Anti Tank role by some wheat fields. Surely nobody would ride out in the open but 'lo and behold about a company of British tanks with infantry riding on some of their backs starts coming. The 88's started firing at the lead tanks and in particular the ones with infantry on piggy-back at the onset of the ambush. Can you imagine being exposed to a 88's hit when it blasts the tank you're riding on? The poor British troops didn't have that good a time with those initial casualties and the sight and sound of your tanks getting knocked out around you. Not to mention the fact of the psychological effect of HV 88mm rounds flying overhead. In short the Brits had to pull out and come some other time. Personally tanks are great to have around. Just don't be right next to one since they attract to much firepower. Even MG's pelt them to force them to button up. Doesn't hurt the tank but the ricochets can hurt you. ------------------ "Uncommon valor was a common virtue"-Adm.Chester Nimitz of the Marines on Iwo Jima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CATguy Posted January 3, 2001 Share Posted January 3, 2001 riding on a tank is perfectly fine. Some tanks on the rear would get real hot since this is where the engine would be. Would be ok in the winter but summer your boots might melt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warmaker Posted January 3, 2001 Share Posted January 3, 2001 Speaking of tank rears and heat, though this is a modern example, the U.S. M1A1 has a notirously high heat signature on the rear. While enroute to an expeditionary airfield in Kuwait our column stopped. We get out to talk to these U.S. Army tankers who were taking a break. Early in the conversation some boot Private First Class stops his Humvee just behind of the running M1A1. Everyone gets involved in the conversation and soon it's time to mount up again. But when walking back past the tank you couldn't help but notice that the hood of the Humvee was partially melted since it was way to close to the Abrams. Hah, hah, that PFC probably got a good @$$ chewing for that one. ------------------ "Uncommon valor was a common virtue"-Adm.Chester Nimitz of the Marines on Iwo Jima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted January 3, 2001 Share Posted January 3, 2001 There are many photos of 12th SS Panzer Division troops being transported on the backs of tanks. I believe after tanks became big enough, it was common for German troops to ride. ------------------ Blessed be the Lord my strength who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffC Posted January 3, 2001 Share Posted January 3, 2001 I seen several photographs of this practice by Germans: Numerous shots of SS PzGdrs on the back of PzIII/IVs at the time of the recapture of Kharkov by 1st SS Pz Corps (Spring '43). Famous photo's from the 'Bulge of Tiger 222 (part of KG Peiper) with about 15 men on the rear deck - paratroopers with an interesting selection of small arms (British Sten etc..) (Having committed myself to paper(?) I've promptly forgotten anymore examples!) Jeff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Duquette Posted January 3, 2001 Share Posted January 3, 2001 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Some tanks on the rear would get real hot since this is where the engine would be.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Its a nice place to sleep on those cold nights. The engine will radiate heat for hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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