Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-03-06
Increasing Use of "chariots OF
Assault" Causes Alarm Among
the Germans.
ADOPT new DEFENSE METHOD
Counter Measures Regard Cannon as
Best Suited for Repulsing Mon
sters--Hand Grenades Consid-
cred Useless by Authorities.

With the French Armies.-The alarm
with which the Germans view the in
creasing use of tanks and "chariots
of assault" by the allied armies in
their attacks is indicated by the fol-
lowing rules, which are taken from
general order, dated November "a,
1917, captured from the group of ar.
mics of Caudry:
Observation-Disclosures of a minimum
width of from ID to 1914 feet and
depth of at least ten feet, also very
thick mud, constitute very serious OBJ
stacles against tanks. Freshly plowed
land or barbados are easily crossed.
ut Is not worth while constructing
obstacles 1t is preferable to attack.
Guns Are Essential.
Methods of attack-Artillery Tanks
on the march should be attacked by
the artillery before their entry into ac-
ton, even If there Is not great chance
of hitting them. The essential thing is
to forbid the enemy infantry to follow
them; it is. necessary that the enemy
infantrymen fear the zone over which
Tic arc
''To attack the tanks themselves the
only reasonable method is to place the
cannon in the advanced zone of the
battlefield, so that they may be able
Immediately to put the tanks out of
action by direct hits. Every shot which
hits the mark kills several men Of the
crew and often sets fire to the tank.
The artillery sections which are held
In reserve back of the front do not
know what is going on, and in general
arrive too late to be of use.
"The cannon, in principle, should be
placed far in advance; thus the enemy
is not able to surprise us.
"The commander of the front line
troops should be responsible for the
placing of antitank cannon. Pieces
mounted on auto trucks are very use
full, if the roads are good.
Infantry Should Be RepuIsed.
| "Infantry-The line of battle must
not be opened, except to allow intact
! tanks to pass; the troops may seek
/ cover but should not fall back. 1t is
! necessary that the tanks should be
put out of action back of the line. The
main thing is to repulse the enemy In
fantry. Several posts should be de-
tached behind the front for the de-
Tense against the tanks.
/ Armament - The most efficacious
weapon against the tanks is the armor-
piercing bullet. 1t is feared by the
crews of the tanks, because it pierces
the armor and produces at the same
time a great flame, which frequently
sets fire to the fuel reservoir.
1.-THE best method of attacking a
tank is to attack it from the rear, be-
cause it is not easy for its crew to fire
from behind, and because the rear is
the part the least protected. Street
fighting against the tanks Is very ia
yorable to the infantry; the troops
shelter themselves in the houses, let
the tanks pass, then open fire with ma
chine guns and rifles from close range.
"Hand grenades, employed one at a
time, are useless. 1t is necessary to
employ concentrated charge (several
| cylinders grouped around central
grenade), and throw it under the tank !;
but this is not easy to do.
Light trench cannon (minenwerfer)
are efficacious when they are fired
from a feeble angle; good results
have been obtained by the fire of iso-
lated pieces.
SIN general, the tactics to employ
against the tanks must be made the OBJ
ject of theories and practical expert
ences; the tanks will thus lose their
terrifying effect"