Tank attacks in wooded terrain article

[Henri]

On the site http://www.geocities.com/funfacts2001/funfacts2001 pointed out in another thread, there is an interesting Russian article on attacking with tanks in forested terrain. The article is illustrated with an actual battle from WW2.

For those who think that human wave attacks were standard Soviet military doctrine in WW2, the following excerpt is particularly interesting:

...The most acceptable tactics in attacks

launched through a forest are envelopment

and bypassing. It is desirable that

the advance tank units not be engaged in

protracted engagements, but bypass all

the ambushes and abatis, wedging as

deeply as possible into the dispositions of

the enemy...

Indeed this battle is a classic example of maneuver warfare, where by using an indirect approach and threatening to envelop the Germans, the latter were forced to retreat out of their positions without fighting.

But if the Germans had not retreated the article is also instructive in showing how the Soviets had their tanks and infantry organized to make their way into the forest, and using engineers to find lanes through the forest and to remove obstacles, thus avoiding the strongly defended roadways.The required ratios of infantry to tanks and the distances between infantry and tanks is also discussed, as well as the use of suporting assault guns.

Highly recommended reading, especially if you have to attack or defend against a combined force enemy in heavily wooded terrain.

Henri

[Guest Pillar]

Henri,

Right up my alley. Thanks for the link!

Correction to Link:

http://www.geocities.com/funfacts2001/TankAttackWooded.pdf

[This message has been edited by Pillar (edited 01-25-2001).]

[Guest Pillar]

Interesting source:

Some members never believed me about the use of scouts by Soviets to find weaknesses in a defence before and during a battle.

There are plenty of examples in that article of a tactical combined arms force using scouts to find weaknesses and the importance of reconaissance are stressed.

Just a few quotes I pulled out:

The scouts found that the enemy all forest roads with the main body of his troops. The commander then moved along narrow lanes and over the swamp. By doing so, the tanks, self propelled guns, and artillery of the enemy were bypassed and left on the road in the rear of the attacker

Later (during the battle!), the scouts found a weak link in the defensive position of the enemy. The commander commited a group of tanks and his reserve. Concealing themselves behind trees they made a wide envelopment and plugged all the exits from the forest which might be used by hostile tanks.

This maneuver decided the fate of the battle.

In seeking routes for bypassing, considerable assistance can be furnished by dismounted reonaissance elements. They can penetrate the enemy area unnoticed, ascertain unnoccupied or weakly fortified intervals, and locate convenient approaches.

The article concludes:

Excellent reconaissance, careful organization of attacks, boldness and vigour are required for successful tank action in wooded terrain.

(Bolds mine)

Thanks again Henri, one of the best links I've seen in a while. Lots of other stuff on that website too.

- Pillar

[This message has been edited by Pillar (edited 01-25-2001).]