What wargamers know – 1
This is the first a post in series that I plan to do when I can’t think of anything else!
WW2: Don’t put tanks into built-up areas!
Because they’re vulnerable to hand-held infantry AT weapons, right?
Except, all armies did it during WW2, even late war when bazookas, PIATs and Panzerfausts abounded.
Some possible reasons, in no particular order:
- The tank crew cannot see what’s in the built-up area, so it’s quite possibly empty. If we don’t take it now, the enemy will occupy it, and then we’ll have to assault it later at much greater cost in lives and effort.
- In any case, orders are to take the built-up area, and we’ve outstripped our infantry support, so we have no choice.
- The tank crew are experienced and it’s worked before.
- Infantry are scared by tanks, so often panic and flee (even if they have AT weapons).
- Our infantry need close support from direct fire heavy weapons in built-up areas. Tanks are good at that. Especially if artillery is re-deploying forwards, so unavailable.
- We accept the risk and the opportunity.
- For the Germans in Normandy: it worked against the Russians, so it should work here.
- For the British in Normandy: We need to keep infantry casualties down, so we’ll use armour.
- For the US in Normandy: If we lose some Shermans, we’ve got plenty more. Besides, bocage is just as bad, if not worse.
