the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army
the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army
the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army
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180 THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL March<br />
6-pr. gun is debatable—this tank is for observation, and to<br />
fulfill its role needs speed in getting about <strong>the</strong> battle<strong>field</strong>,<br />
no extra temptations to join in <strong>the</strong> tank-versus-tank battle,<br />
and above all an <strong>artillery</strong> team inside <strong>the</strong> tank all trained to<br />
produce one answer—efficient <strong>artillery</strong> support. There are<br />
snags, as in everything. A new type of vehicle to drive,<br />
maintain, and provide spares for amongst o<strong>the</strong>rs. We<br />
swallowed <strong>the</strong> carrier OP gladly enough—is this really any<br />
harder? Given our own tank OP and an improved (<strong>artillery</strong>)<br />
periscope, we would very soon see a great advance in <strong>the</strong><br />
standard of observation from tanks, if for no o<strong>the</strong>r reason<br />
than that <strong>the</strong>y are always <strong>the</strong>re to practice with.<br />
LIAISON<br />
Given <strong>the</strong> issue of an R/T 1 set capable of working on<br />
more than one frequency, or a flick 2 system, <strong>the</strong>re is no<br />
difficulty with trained troops in providing liaison with both<br />
armored and infantry arms. The effect on our own troops of<br />
<strong>the</strong> fire produced does, however, need consideration; if <strong>the</strong><br />
gunner is smoking a center of resistance which comes to<br />
life just after <strong>the</strong> armor has passed or skirted it, <strong>the</strong><br />
silhouette effect upon friendly tanks must not be lost sight<br />
of. Again fire can be placed closer to tanks than to infantry,<br />
but in doing so <strong>the</strong> effect of fragmentation on <strong>the</strong><br />
accompanying infantry must be remembered, if <strong>the</strong>y have<br />
closed up at this stage. A higher standard than ever is<br />
necessary to support <strong>the</strong>se mixed thrusts in enclosed<br />
country; <strong>the</strong> full development of nice judgment and a first<br />
rate gunner's eye for troops attacking will only come as <strong>the</strong><br />
result of constant study by <strong>the</strong> observers, acting with troops<br />
on <strong>the</strong> ground; <strong>the</strong>re is a tendency to overlook this obvious<br />
fact.<br />
ENGAGEMENT<br />
A/T Guns<br />
There is often doubt in <strong>the</strong> minds of tank and gunner<br />
officers as to what can be done by 25-pr. observers against<br />
<strong>the</strong> antitank gun. If it is in a tank, <strong>the</strong> observer is faced with<br />
<strong>the</strong> choice of smoking it to make <strong>the</strong> tank lose direction or<br />
to blind it until his own tanks have maneuvered to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
selected fire position. When this is done <strong>the</strong> tank-versustank<br />
battle is on, and <strong>the</strong>re is little that an OP can do by<br />
indirect fire o<strong>the</strong>r than to screen a flank, possibly put HE<br />
down to block an exit, or cause a change of direction. If, on<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, <strong>the</strong> antitank gun is on <strong>the</strong> ground, it is in all<br />
probability escorted by, if not part of, a hedgehog. It is<br />
pretty certain to be thoroughly well concealed, as this is<br />
almost <strong>the</strong> first thing <strong>the</strong> antitank gunner learns. It is<br />
probably only spotted in <strong>the</strong> first place by <strong>the</strong> tank it fired<br />
at and missed or by one not engaged but near, which<br />
escaped. The OP will <strong>the</strong>refore not necessarily have seen it.<br />
One solution might well be to have an understanding that<br />
<strong>the</strong> tank reporting this target gives a brief description of <strong>the</strong><br />
place it is in and fires a round of smoke at it to point out<br />
—————<br />
1<br />
Radio telephone.<br />
2<br />
A radio with at least 2 tuned circuits to permit instantaneous<br />
switching from one frequency to ano<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
<strong>the</strong> center of <strong>the</strong> area or <strong>the</strong> gun. Once <strong>the</strong> OP sees this, its<br />
task of bringing down neutralizing fire is comparatively<br />
easy. This done, <strong>the</strong> tanks can go in and kill.<br />
Field or AA Guns<br />
The hunting out and engagement of such guns before<br />
being overrun should be <strong>the</strong> province of <strong>the</strong> <strong>field</strong> <strong>artillery</strong><br />
OP, as it has <strong>the</strong> requisite knowledge of areas likely to<br />
make suitable gun positions. The AA gun is not of course<br />
grouped as closely as <strong>the</strong> 25-pr. in its normal role; but on<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand is more easily located as a rule and more<br />
vulnerable—though <strong>the</strong>re are some sharp lessons to <strong>the</strong><br />
contrary.<br />
Hedgehogs<br />
It is impossible and in any case undesirable to lay down<br />
any hard and fast rule for <strong>the</strong>se tasks. The "hedgehog" may<br />
have supporting <strong>artillery</strong> located back and controlled from<br />
<strong>the</strong> defended area, as well as antitank weapons. It often<br />
relies upon woods, broken ground, or naturally difficult<br />
country to give <strong>the</strong> protection required. It may consist of a<br />
strong or weak garrison. Only determined attack will show<br />
what its value is, and rapid <strong>artillery</strong> preparation on <strong>the</strong> most<br />
generous suitable scale is essential if <strong>the</strong> attack is to keep<br />
up its momentum. The tanks can <strong>the</strong>n close quickly and<br />
overrun <strong>the</strong> defense or get <strong>the</strong>ir supporting infantry in to<br />
finish off <strong>the</strong> job as best suits <strong>the</strong> case. A mixture of smoke<br />
in <strong>the</strong> HE concentration will often hang in <strong>the</strong> edges of<br />
damp woods and hamper <strong>the</strong> antitank guns whilst <strong>the</strong><br />
attack is closing in to short range; close support air<br />
bombing in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> gunner task is generally a<br />
most effective combination.<br />
Road Blocks<br />
The block itself is a target for direct fire, ei<strong>the</strong>r from hull<br />
down tanks or, in an emergency, antitank guns brought up<br />
specially under <strong>the</strong>ir protection. Field <strong>artillery</strong> is more<br />
suitably employed in neutralizing <strong>the</strong> area around <strong>the</strong> block<br />
by destroying <strong>the</strong> covering troops and keeping down <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
antitank gun fire.<br />
Hand Destruction<br />
This is usually only put into operation in <strong>the</strong> first place<br />
against immobilized or broken down tanks. A section, if<br />
ranged carefully, will often keep <strong>the</strong> enemy infantry off<br />
and give <strong>the</strong> crew a chance to effect repairs inside <strong>the</strong> tank.<br />
Smoking a likely area might keep down antitank fire. It is a<br />
waste of ammunition if <strong>the</strong> tank clearly cannot move again<br />
after a direct hit, but this is not always obvious unless <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
R/T set is still working.<br />
Infantry Tasks<br />
These are <strong>the</strong> everyday tasks facing any OP in an attack,<br />
and <strong>the</strong>refore call for no comment o<strong>the</strong>r than that it is<br />
desirable that <strong>the</strong> OPs keep in mind <strong>the</strong> many useful tasks<br />
<strong>the</strong>y can carry out at <strong>the</strong> flanks of <strong>the</strong>se armored cum<br />
infantry thrusts. Counterattacks often come in against <strong>the</strong><br />
shoulders or flanks, and <strong>the</strong>ir prompt engagement by hard<br />
hitting <strong>artillery</strong> goes far to break <strong>the</strong>m up before <strong>the</strong>y can<br />
reach our own troops.