REVISION

Basic Tank Parts

Great Britain developed the modern tank in the early 1900s as a response to the rise of _____ _____. In the battles of World War I, opposing forces dug parallel __________ __________ guarded by barbed wire and machine gunners. This strategy made for high casualties on both sides. To advance any ground, soldiers had to storm the ______ _______, sacrificing dozens of men for the chance that a few might make it through the mud and hail of bullets. The British and their allies needed an armored "land boat," a machine that could plow through mud, barbed wire and heavy fire to clear a path for infantry troops.

trench warfare

trench fortifications

enemy’s trench

INSERT THE RIGHT WORDS

The final design had six components:

Caterpillar tracks

Internal combustion engine

Hull

Turret

Armor

Guns

hull

caterpillar tracks

barrel

turret

Arrange the words into the following groups

Height _________________

Width _________________

Length a) _____________

b) _____________

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Unlike the battleship, the tank remains a key part of most militaries. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies there are 60,000 tanks in active service worldwide.

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Five major tank battles

1917 Battle of Cambrai

One of biggest early tank battles, fought between British and Germans. The British attempted to break through the Hindenburg Line. About 475 tanks were used and both sides lost about 45,000 soldiers.

1942 Second Battle of El Alamein

More than 1,000 Allied tanks fought 547 Axis counterparts, which saw the Germans effectively lose their battle for possession of Egypt and the much-prized Suez Canal. Tanks played a key role, with Allied forces receiving 300 Sherman tanks from the US.

1965 Battle of Chawinda

Part of the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, the forces were fairly evenly matched, with the Indian Army commanding 225 tanks and the Pakistani Army controlling 282. The war ended after a UN resolution prompted an unconditional surrender from both sides.

1973 Battle of the Valley of Tears The Yom Kippur War, between Israel and an Arab coalition led by Egypt and Syria, saw coalition forces march into Israeli territory. Tanks were central to their surprise attack in the Golan Heights. But the Syrians - with about 1,200 tanks to the Israelis' 100 - were unable to defeat them before retreating.

1991 Battle of 73 Easting

Decisive Gulf War victory for US and British forces in their Desert Storm operation in Iraq. The Iraqis lost more than 160 tanks.

Types

Weight is one way tanks have been _________ over the last 100 years. Depending on size, tanks are categorized as light, medium or heavy. However, a tank _________ as "medium" in 1939 might not weigh as much as a "light" tank designed in 1945. The tactical role a tank plays can also determine its classification, which is based upon a country's military doctrine. In the 1930s and '40's, the British _________ their tanks using terms such as "infantry" and "cruiser," while the Soviets had classifications like "fast" and "breakthrough."

WHAT’S THE MISSING WORD?

CLASSIFIED!

column formation

1. Staggered Column Formation. The staggered column is used for rapid movement across open terrain. It affords all-round observation and fields of fire. The figure below shows the platoon in the staggered column in a two-section organization with the heavy section leading.

2. Herringbone Formation. The herringbone provides 360-degree security during a temporary halt from a march column .Troops should dismount to provide greater security. The formation may be widened to permit passage of vehicles down the center of the column. All vehicles should move completely off the road if terrain allows.

3. Wedge Formation. This formation uses the two-section organization. The platoon maintains relative positioning based on terrain and combat losses. The wedge lends itself to immediate mutual support and provides depth; it is very flexible. Using any of the techniques of movement, the two forward vehicles perform all of the information gathering and reporting. The rear vehicles provide overwatch and command and control.

4. Line Formation .This formation can be used regardless of the platoon organization and is applicable to most reconnaissance platoon missions. It allows the platoon to cover the most ground systematically with maximum reconnaissance forward.

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