Warfare In Tanks

Northern Advocate, 1 August 1940, Page 10

Warfare In Tanks

The principle of cavalry tactics has not changed with -mechanisation. Horses and men used to be sorted into three categories—light, medium and heavy (says Lieut.-Col. T. H. Lowe in the London “Daily Mail"). A modern armoured division is organised in exactly the same manner. The role of the armoured car regiment is long-distance reconnaissance, like the light cavalry of old, and in addition it is required to supplement information from the air. It can speak by means of radio to co-oper-ating air squadrons, and in the same manner all information is passed back to Divisional H.Q. Tank battalions provide the “Mediums." Their role is to place infantry on their objective in the attack. For this they need to be well armoured and inconspicuous, as well as possessing high speed.

The "Heavies' 1 are the cruiser tanks, whose role is to provide the hittingpower of a mobile division. How are all these great monsters supplied and maintained in the field, especially in the face of an enemy well supplied with reconnaissance aircraft? A service corps mechanised unit is organised into companies. These are charged with the delivery of supplies, ammunition and petrol, and they are self-contained units. There is a workshop section which deals with repairs in the field.

Every man is armed with a rifle, and lorries escort each company with Bren guns mounted for anti-aircraft duties. These dash ahead and control vital points such as crossroads or road junctions. Each unit when travelling on the road is linked by motorcyclists. who also act as guides and lead the supply lorries to the tanks or batteries.

The most interesting vehicle in this unit is the workshop lorry. It is equipped with benches and lathes, and can open up and get to work on the line of march in less than 10 minutes.

Next come the guns, all of which are tractor-drawn. Finally, even divisional headquarters is mechanised. Staff officers work in bus-like vehicles where maps and typewriters can be used. The troops call these “Black Marias."

Such is the composition of some of the divisions which have been rushing through Belgium. When they come into contact with similar armoured units crashing and smashing through all obstacles, the old cavalry principles again apply. A light tank must be kept on the move. Its duty is to provide the “eyes" for the troops which are coming up behind, therefore it must not become involved in battle. It gets as near to the enemy as it can to see what he is up to, then darts away to make a report upon which the whole dispositions of the Divisional Commander may depend. The infantry tank which has been lumbering up behind is an offensive weapon and plays an important part in locating machine-guns. If it can put these out of action before the infantry arrive much has been gained. It may even charge into enemy tanks. Then come the great cruiser tanks whose role it is to attack anything. They are to exploit success, to convert a “break-in” to a “break-through.” They must maintain the momentum and harry the enemy without a moment’s rest. The only obstacle they fear is the cunningly sited land mine. Far away behind the lines is the Director of Supplies and Transport, who is responsible for food, petrol and medical comforts. All food on arrival goes to supply depots, from where it is sent by pack trains in bulk to the various railheads. An army of 200,000 troops requires at least 500 tons of supplies daily. The supply convoys move from one covered “harbour” to another on the road. Traffic obstructions are avoided at any cost, and this is done by controlling the “density”—the number of vehicles per mile. All columns move under the most rigid control. Three days’ supply of food is always in front j of the railheads.

A German heavy armoured division, consisting of 2500 vehicles, requires 25 miles of road space if stretched out in column. One of their 9-inch heavy guns needs five separate tractor-drawn loads for its gear and ammunition.

Poles—lt is announced by the Polish authorities in London that the Polish Embassy and Consulates are returning to unoccupied France.