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World War II Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics (Elite)

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In Osprey's Elite #124, World War II Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics, military specialist Gordon L. Rottman details the gamut of anti-tank weapons and tactics in the Second World War. This volume is an excellent introduction to anti-tank theory and practice, with a good overview of the basic battalion-level weapons available. In this volume, Rottman focuses only on those AT weapons normally available at the regiment or lower level during 1939-45, and only in the US, British, German, Russian and Japanese armies.

Rottman begins the volume with background information on the tank threat in that period and tank vulnerabilities, followed by a section that outlines the basic AT weapon types available (ranging from hand grenades and mines to light/medium AT guns). The author then discusses the evolution of AT tactics during the Second World War, followed by about 30 pages that detail specific AT weapons and tactics of the US, the UK, Germany, the USSR and Japan. The color plates in the volume are: tank vulnerabilities (a US infantryman attacking a Pz IV with a satchel charge); a generic company AT defense; a German tank-hunting team in 1939-40; a US Army AT ambush in 1944-45; a British AT roadblock in 1943-44; Soviet AT defenses in built-up areas, 1944; a German panzer kampfgruppe in covering positions, 1944-45; and a Japanese `self-sacrifice' attack, 1945.

Rottman's summary of the AT tactics of the Second World War is good, although he makes little effort to evaluate which tactics were more effective than others. Typically, Rottman prefers to present a mass of data and then leave it to the reader to draw his own conclusions. Although the size constraints of this format prevent comprehensive treatment, I wish that Rottman had made at least brief mention of the failed AT efforts of the French, Polish and Italian armies.

As a former tanker, I found that Rottman probably undervalued the role of obstacles and expedient weapons. While Rottman mentions that thick concentrations of barbed wire could inhibit tank movement, my own experience indicates that several coils of concertina can be very effective in blocking tanks (however, white phosphorus rounds will melt concertina wire); any tanker foolish enough to attempt plowing through a thick wire obstacle will quickly find it wrapped around his final drive and the transmission burnt-out. Rottman didn't mention hasty obstacles much, but some - such as the log crib - can be very effective in stopping or canalizing armor, particularly in wooded areas. Destroyed vehicles or very large stones can also prove excellent hasty AT obstacles; I once saw a tank that had hit a large rock at night and shorn off an entire road wheel arm (for that matter, Rottman doesn't really differentiate between night and day AT tactics, but it does make a huge difference for the infantry). Rottman also tends to dismiss expedient AT tactics as ineffective, but the Germans destroyed a lot of T-34s without proper AT weapons. I once saw a tank immobilized by a T-shirt shoved into its engine air intake (which drained the battery in less than 5 minutes), and in dense terrain cunning infantry can get tanks to throw track with something as simple as a 12" thick log. On the flip side of the coin, having served in infantry units against tanks, it is often critical in AT tactics that the infantry have either a height advantage (which allows you to disengage without being seen) or an obstacle between you and the tanks.

Although Rottman spends considerable effort to discuss tank vulnerabilities, it is primarily in terms of the tank itself. However, the relative effectiveness of various AT tactics really comes down to the skill and experience of the tank's crew. "Good tankers" do not get separated from their `wing' tanks or their infantry, they use covered terrain as much as possible for protection, and they have well-versed actions on contact. "Bad tankers" are far easier to pick off because they get separated from their supporting units (or they bunch up), they drive "hey-diddle-diddle, straight-down-the-middle" right into AT ambushes and their first action on contact is to stop in the kill zone. Hunting individual tanks is far different from stopping a tank platoon or company, but Rottman's narrative really only focuses on limited tank threats. The most successful AT tactics are those that recognizes the weakness or vulnerabilities of their opponents, and then ruthlessly take advantage of them.

Osprey published a host of brief books on specific issues related to warfare (from Roman military tactics to a brief picture of Austerlitz to. . .). This book focuses on anti-tank tactics in World War II. The book begins by noting that (Page 3): "Infantry are inseparable from tanks, both in the assault and in an integrated anti-tank defense."

This volume begins by looking at the tank in World War II--from light tanks to heavy tanks, and the pluses and minuses associated with each. E.g., heavy tanks with larger guns could wreak havoc--but they tended to be slow and not as maneuverable. Protection and vulnerabilities are also discussed, including a discussion of the environment in which tankers worked (pretty close quarters).

The heart of the book is a discussion of anti-tank tactics. Examples of some of the weapons used against tanks, for some examples, armor-piercing shells, shaped charges, anti-tank guns, rifle-launched anti-tank grenades, mines, Molotov cocktails, and so on. There is, too, a discussion of changing anti-tank tactics, from 1939-1942 to the period 1943-1945. Mobility of anti-tank efforts increased during the latter period (including mounting anti-tank guns on armored vehicles). Country-by-country, there is an examination of types of weapons used against tanks, from the United States to British Commonwealth to the Soviet Union to Japan to Germany. There are some nice illustrations on pages 33-40 which depict anti-tank efforts.

The book closes with a bibliography and a brief (and not always too helpful) index. A nice, brief introduction to anti-tank combat in World War II.

His background is in Special Forces, not tanks. He should stick to what he knows. He knows nothing about tanks.
The first chapters deal with tanks, their vulnerabilities and tank armament. Much of this is very general and not very accurate. He also goes into detail about tank armament. These were the sorts of rumors about tank armament that I commonly heard when I was in the army; it's also wrong.
When he discusses infantry tactics, he does a reasonably good job. However, the good points of this book do not make up for the failings.

People interested in Military Science should read 'Osprey' series of books. It covers different dimensions in warfare . In this book prolific writer Rottman narrates on infantry anti-tank tactics. He has provided condensed account of the subject without omitting the essentials. Emphasis is upon tactical/unit level infantry anti-tank tactics.

Firstly, author has exploded few myths. Tank is considered a fire-spitting monster. Advance of mass armour has evoked awe among infantry units. Some lose nerve and bolt. In the summer of 1940 German massed armour struck against weakest pointof Allied front which crumbled like pack of cards. Panzers swiftly cut its way towards channel coast.But author argues that infantry need not be awed by the presence of armour.

Tank , he says, has several vulnerabilities which if properly exploited can bring its advance to halt. Author goes on to list its vulnerabilities. Armour is not uniformly thick. Thickest can be found near the gun mantlet .Then comes frontal portion of the hull and turret. Top surfaces , rear portion and sides of hull and turret are relatively thin. Tank has numerous small openings for crew entry, weapons, sights, vision, ventilation etc. These are vulnerable to small arms fire.

True, tank has caterpillar tracks which gives it cross -country capability. However author has argued among its weakpoint is what made it a tank. Track plates are linked/pinned together around a flexible belt. Mines, gunfire, obstacles can break track. Violent manoeuvres in an exceedingly rough terrain can throw track off its sprocket.

Tank moved at speeds ranging from 12/25 mph. Driving tank at such speed caused engine to overheat whether it is air/water-cooled. In order to improve mobility tanks are provided with wide catterpillar tracks. However this led to other drawbacks like increase in fuel consumption,reduction in speed and more wear and tear.

Main gun of the tank is mounted on a turret with a 360 traverse. However gun has a limited elevation /depression which is a handicap in urban warfare as it limits its ability to engage targets located on roof top and roots of buildings.
Tanks require infantry support. Infantry is essential in protecting tank from close-in attacks delivered from built-in areas. Further tank being noisy apart from large in size is difficult to conceal. It is difficult to hide from the air except in dense jungles. No matter how effective camouflage, tank raises dust while moving which reveals its presence.
Author then explores whole gamut AT ammunitions ,weapons used by World War 2 infantry.

According to dissident Soviet author Viktor Suvorov, if the most important weapon in achieving victory in war is tank then most important weapon in denying enemy victory is anti tank weapon. According to Suvorov,AT weapon is used in following situations. Enemy armour has broken through and has to be stopped at all costs. Then in an offensive where one's own troops have broken through and enemy launches a counter-offensive designed to sever spearhead from its root. Main features AT warfare, according to author , are separating tanks from accompanying infantry. Determine the likely attack axis of armor and position AT weapons in depth. Often contours of terrain are exploited to erect AT defenses.

However I am not of the view that development of AT weapon has made tank obsolete. War can be won only through moving and thrusting deep into enemy defences. Tank ensures such a movement. Being an offensive weapon it always enjoys initiative in battle. So it is not possible to dispense with tank.

As usual 'Osprey' books are lavishly illustrated. This one also no exception. Some portions are slightly technical. An indispensable read for students of military science

With world war one the tank was introduced and began the revolution in ground warfare. In world war two the revolution was essentially achieved with only slightly more achieved with the actions in the Middle east by the Israilies.

This little booklet shows how the infantry in Germany, Britain, the US, Japan and the Soviet Union (which pretty much represents all infantry of the war) developed doctrine and weaponry with which to cope with the new menace much as the infantry of the middle ages developed tactics with the Pike, the Halberd and other weapons to cope and then pull down the armored knight.

Their success level varies with the Japanese at the worst end.

My only regret is that this book doesn't cover the Finnish Infantry who successfully defended their country from Soviet Tank assaults during the winter war.

Otherwise an excellant book.