The Cordova daily times., 1918-03-29
PREPARATION! Of
GERMAN SOLDIER
To FIGHT TANKS


maiD German soldiers have been ex-
perimenting with tanks, but hitherto
nothing has been seen of the result of
their efforts to copy the war engine
invented by the allies.
In the meantime it 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 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 sub
stance as follows:
Trenches of a minimum width of
from thirteen to twelve and half feet
and a depth of ten feet, also thick
mud, form very serious obstacles to
tanks, which, however, are easily cap
able of crossing ploughed land or
breaking through barbados. 1t is not
worth while to construct obstacles.
It 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 enhance of hitting them.
The essential thing is to prevent 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.
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 tank kills several
of its crew and often sets the tank
itself on fire. 1t must be pointed out
lIidj SttllOllo vi al lilltlN iltiu III &
serve behind the front often are un-
aware of what is proceeding and thus
arrive on the scene too late to meet
the tanks. In principle, therefore, the
cannon should be placed we'll forward,
so 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 mo-
tor cars are very useful for this work
in districts where the roads are good.
CAS- to the infantry, they should
make no breaches N the battle line eX-
cept to permit t. undamaged tank 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 prin.
cipal task of the infantry is to meet
/ anu ltpilot lilC VllClilf IliluIlLl - Jul a
number of detached posts should be
established behind the lines for the
purpose of serving as a defense
against the tanks.
THE most efficacious infantry mis-
sile against tank attack is the armcr-
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.
THE best method of attacking a
| tank is from its rear, where the armor
/ is Hghtest and where it is not easy
| for the crew to fire on the attackers.
! Should fight against tanks occur in
/ the streets of village the infantry
is in a favorable position 10 attack.
as the men can take shelter in the
ruined houses until the tanks nave
passed and then open fire at point
/ blank range with rifles and machine
guns.
Hand grenades are almost iraf
fectiye against tanks, but small trench
mortars when they fire at a 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"