The following military report on German WWII tank hunting tactics is reproduced from Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 29, July 15, 1943. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

GERMAN "TANK HUNTING" TACTICS The following information on the employment of magnetic mines by German infantry antitank squads has come from a credible German source. Six men are assigned as an antitank team, generally for night operations in positions offering possible avenues of tank approach. The team is deployed in the form of a U at intervals of approximately 50 yards, adapting itself to the terrain for observation and field of fire. All men are armed with machine pistols and antitank, magnetic hollow-charges. The team leader, No. 4, carries a pyrotechnic pistol. In addition, four Tellermines are carried for placing in the probable path of the tank and are controlled by a 50-yard length of wire by which they can be pulled under the approaching tank. When a tank comes on, the team leader fires a pyrotechnic charge directly at the turret of the tank and momentarily blinds the crew. At the same time Nos. 3 and 5 pull Tellermines into its path, and No. 2 rushes forward to place the magnetic charge on the side armor plate of the tank. Meanwhile, No. 4 covers the turret-hatch to prevent the escape of the crew; Nos. 1 and 6 cover the ground behind the tank for possible infantry accompanying it. Each man is interchangeable with the others of the team and his duties are determined by the terrain.

Back to Articles by Subject | Intel Bulletin by Issue | T&TT by Issue | Home Page