Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-03-15
GERMANS AFRAID
OF DEADLY TANKS
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE is.
SUED TO THE GERMAN SOLD.
IERS ABOUT HOW TO RESIST A
TANK ATTACK.


FRENCH FRONT, March 15.-Ger.
man soldiers are, as was announced
several months ago, experimenting
with tanks, but hitherto nothing has
been seen of the reult of their efforts
% copy the war engine invented by the
Allies.
In the meantime it is learned from
many sources that serious discom-
future 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 tank attack One of the most
recent orders was captured in the
course of an incursion by Allied troops
into the German lines. It reads in
substance as follows:
Trenches of a minimum width of
from 13 to IL IL feet and 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
barricades. It is not worth while to
construct obstacles. 1t is preferable
tc 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 prevent the infan
try from following them and in order
to do this the enemy infantry must
be made to fear the zone in the vicin-
ity Of the tanks
"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 Ev
ely direct hit on tank kills several
OF the crew and often sets the tank
itself on fire. 1t must be pointed out
tltat sections of artillery held in re-
serve behind the front often are I'M
aware 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, so that the enemy may not
surprise us. The commander of the
troops holding the front should be re-
sponsible for selecting the positions
Of the anti-tank guns. Cannon mount
ed on motor cars are very useful for
this work in districts where the roads
are good.
"As to the infantry, they should
make no breach in the battle line, ex-
cept to permit the unchanged tanks
to pass through. To do this the in
fantry should take shelter. but not re-
treat, for the idea is to allow the tanks |
to advance so that they may be put /;
out of action behind our lines. The
principal task of the infantry is to
meet and repulse the enemy infantry.
but a number of detached posts
should be established behind the lines
for the purpose of serving as defense
against the tanks.
1.-THE most efficacious infantry mis-
sile against tank is the armor-pierc-
ing bullet, whose effects ars greatly
feared by the tank crews, as these
bullets not only penetrate the armor,
but afterward produce fierce flame,
which frequently sets fire to the gas
oline reservoir.
1.-THE best method of attacking a
tank is from its rear, where the armor
is highest and where it is not easy
for the crew to fire on the attack
els. Should a fight against tanks oc-
cur in the streets of village the
infantry is in a favorable position to
attack. as the men can take shelter
in the ruined houses until the tanks
have passed and then open fire at
point-blank range with rifles and ma
chine guns.
Hand grenades are almost ineffect-
i've against tanks, but small trench
nlortars when they fire at low angle
sometimes obtain good results
practical drill in anti-tank tactics
should be carried out and thus the
tanks will lose their terrors for our
troops"