Basic Armor Tactics: Cover, Formations, Etc
Background information base on Panzer Tactics
Wolfgang Schneider , using period training manuals, after-action reports, countless interviews with Panzer veterans, and his own experiences as an armor commander in the modern German Army, Schneider describes World War II Panzer tactics. Schneider covers the major types of small-unit operational art-offensive and defensive-and also discusses road marches, reconnaissance, command and control, working with other arms of service, life in a tank, armor training, gunnery, and the future of armor. The book provides useful insight into armor tactics for both the layman and the armor enthusiast
Formation and movement
Types of Formations
Formation and movement are the basis for gaining ground and bringing as much firepower to bear on your enemy in the quickest fashion.
Column: This is the most basic of formations that is used in road marches when speed is critical or when moving through restrictive terrain (i.e. choke points) when enemy contact is not expected. In this formation the platoon leader's vehicle is behind his wingman (tank 2) and all other vehicles key their place in formation from him, so as his tank moves they will adjust their placement to complement his in the respective formation.
Wedge: Best used while in movement through open or rolling terrain and when over watch is provided by another element of the Company Team. (as is stated in the game manual from the US Army –15). This formation is spread out to provide mutual cover for each tank in the platoon.
Echelon: This formation can be used as part of a greater team formation as well as for the individual unit. This formation brings most of your firepower to bear on the flank which you are facing. (Echelon right brings fire to bear mainly to the right.) This is best used as part of a larger formation or when using terrain to screen your opposite flank. If you are say for example moving around a terrain feature that is on your left, with open ground to your right you will move in echelon right.
Vee: This is one formation that provides excellent protection and control, but limits fire to the front. Basically a close formation to advance slowly forward while keeping the known enemy forward.
Line: Brings devastating firepower to bear on enemies to your front. Best used when being over watched by another element or when assaulting an enemy position. Another great use for the line as with the wedge is as part of a larger force.
The Line and Wedge can both be used to screen your force as well in the following fashion. Using the example from above, where you wish to move through a kilometer of dead space to a key terrain feature to your front, but not wanting the enemy to know the size and disposition of your force you can do the following.
Move your tank platoon forward to the terrain feature you need to reach by setting the way point but keep them at a halt until you are ready to move. Bring your other armor units behind the lead element in column formation to keep them behind the lead, stack them behind each other. Once you are set and ready to move from behind your position, turn on your smoke generators and let your engine smoke build a bit. Do the same to all trailing elements as well and once all smoke generators are on give the order to move out and move at maximum speed to your next position. Doing this will create a large smoke screen that will move as your team moves. Once in position turn off your smoke and again send out the trail elements for flank security.
Formation and movement
Cover 1: Use it
Terrain 1: Use it
Cover 2: Use it
Buildings, rocks, cliffs and dead tank hulks are useful. Make use of them while sniping at the enemy. Hiding behind obstacles reduces your tank profile, making it more difficult for the enemy to spot you, provides protection from enemy fire, and makes you more difficult to target. When using buildings for cover, move forward, shoot. Then retreat behind the building to reload. Hide behind rocks and dead tanks where possible to make for a more difficult target to hit.
Cover 2: Use it
Terrain 1: Use it
Cover 2: Use it
Take cover around buildings, abandoned tanks, etc. Move forward, sight target, shoot, retreat behind cover.
Terrain 1: Use it
Terrain 1: Use it
Terrain 1: Use it
Higher ground is nearly always an advantage. Wait for the enemy to climb the slope And you can take a shot at his turret before he can depress his gun low enough to hit you. After taking a shot, back away to force him to make a further climb, while you reload your gun. Never go down the hill unless you are sure of the kill. Let the enemy climb up the hill. You'll get the first shot.
Terrain 2: Use it
Terrain 2: Use it
Terrain 1: Use it
Hug cliffs, forest, walls, etc for protection. It also helps from being spotted by other vehicles.
Move slowly to avoid being ambushed. Always follow the tree lines or city boundaries if there is known enemy activity in the area.
Engagement 1
Terrain 2: Use it
Engagement 1
Especially on open ground, never standstill and shoot continuously. You not only become an easy target for snipers, but especially for artillery. Artillery loves stationary targets. Even moving a little backwards or forwards between shots is better than not moving at all!!!
The best strategy to use on open ground is to Stop → Fire → Move. Stop → Fire → Move. Repeat!!
Engagement 2
Terrain 2: Use it
Engagement 1
Take on tanks one at a time. It’s better to completely kill off one tank, than to damage several tanks at the same time because a damaged tank can still return fire at you.
Avoid exposing yourself into the line of fire of several tanks. Take cover so you engage on a one to one basis. Take cover and don't let several enemies target your vehicle at the same time.
Flanking 1
Protect your flanks
Flanking 1
When attacking in a team of two or more, observe where your team mate is heading, and move in the flanking direction. Attacking from two different directions forces the enemy to expose his weaker side or rear armor. Getting hit from multiple directions also causes confusion and forces him to cover a larger arc of fire. When in teams, split up and attack the flanks.
Flanking 2
Protect your flanks
Flanking 1
If attacking alone, and your tank has the advantage of speed, circle the enemy and attack the flanks. This works well against enemy artillary.
Protect your flanks
Protect your flanks
Protect your flanks
If the enemy tries to flank you, reverse your tank to force him to run a bigger circle. This not only makes it harder to be flanked, but it buys you time to get another shot off. Reverse to prevent being flanked in open areas or back up to a building if in a city.
Attack Formation
Attack Formation
Protect your flanks
When attacking, let your heavies lead the attack. Mediums can hide behind your heavies and use them as cover as they have better armor protection. Just be careful about their movements. If they back up, make sure you don't block their path. Attack behind your better armored heavies!!!
Work as a team
Attack Formation
Work as a team
Attacking in a group increases your odds of survival because players are supporting each other. The benefit of attacking in a group needs no further explanation. If you're moving too fast, hold back to wait for your teammates.
Heavy tanks should stick together to form an attack force. Medium tanks stay close, but behind your heavies to lend support. Tank destroyers should stay further back for base defense, or take sniping shots from extreme distance.
Going solo is a bad idea unless you're a scout looking to light up the enemy. Draw the enemy out so teammates can attack freely.