The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-04-13
GERMANS TELL
SOLDIERS HOW
To FIGHT TANK
Copies Of Detailed Instruc-
tions Taken In Allied
Trench Raids

French Front March 20.-(Correg.
pondence OF the Associated Pressl-
herman soldiers are, as was announc-
ed several months ago, experimenting
with tanks, but hitherto nothing has
been seen Of the result OF their efforts
to copy the war engines invented by
the allies.
In the meantime, II is learned from
many sources that serious discomfi-
ture has been caused to the Germans
whenever the allies tanks have been
employed against them. Detailed in
structions have been issued to the
troops as to the methods by which to
meet q tank attack. One of the most
recent orders was captured in the
course OF an incursion by allied
troops into the German lines. II
reads in substance as follows:
Trenches Of a minimum width Of
from - to 1914 feet and a depth of
ten feet, also thick mud, form very
serious obstacles to tanks, which,
however, are easily capable Of cross
ing ploughed land or breaking
through barbados. 1t is not worth
while TO construct obstacles. 1t is
preferable to attack the tanks.
Tanks approaching the front
should be attacked by the artillery
before they come into action even
when there Is small chance Of hitting
them. The essential thing Is to pre-
vent the infantry from following
them and in order to do this the
enemy infantry must be made to fear
the zone in the vicinity OF the tanks.
Commend Use Of Cannon.
THE only practical way OF attack
ing the tanks themselves is to place
cannon about the advanced zone Of
the battlefield, and by direct fire put
these war machines out Of action.
Every direct hit on a tank kills sew
eraI OF it's crew and often sets the
tank itself on fire. II must be point
ed out that sections OF artillery held
in reserve behind the front often are
unaware Of what is proceeding and
thus arrive on the scene too late to
meet the tanks. In principle, there
fore, the cannon should be placed
well forward, 50 that the enemy may
not surprise us. The commander OF
the troops holding the front should be
responsible for selecting the positions
OF the anti-tank guns. Cannon
mounted on motorcars are very use
full for this work in districts where
the roads are good.
CAS- TO the infantry, they should
make no breaches in the battle line
except to permit the unchanged
tanks to pass through. To do this
the infantry should take shelter, but
not retreat, for the idea is to allow
the tanks to advance so that they
may be put out Of action behind our
lines. The pricipal task of the in
fantry is to meet and repulse the en-
envy infantry, but number of de-
tached posts should be established
behind the lines for the purpose Of
serving as a defence against the
tanks
Armor Bullet EfFeetiye.
"The most efficacious infantry mis-.
slle against a tank attack Is the
armor- piercing bullet whose effects
are greatly feared by the tank crews, |
as these bullets not only penetrate |
the armor but afterward produce a |
fierce flame which frequently sets
fire to the gasoline reservoir.
1.-THE best method OF attacking a |
tank is from its rear, where the
armor Is lightest and where ii is not |
easy for the crew to fire on the at |
tackers. Should a fight against tanks |
occur in the streets OF O village the
infantry Is in a favorable position to /
attack, as the men can take shelter In |
the ruined houses until the tanks |