German Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics 1941/1942

This video takes a look at German Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics in 1941/1942 on the Eastern Front. The video is almost exclusively based on primary sources. It covers the use of various close-range weapons like geballte Ladungen, Mines, Molotov-Cocktails and other measures against tanks like the T-34, KV-1 and KV-2. Additionally, a lot of original German names are used and translated.

Military History Visualized provides a series of short narrative and visual presentations like documentaries based on academic literature or sometimes primary sources. Videos are intended as introduction to military history, but also contain a lot of details for history buffs. Since the aim is to keep the episodes short and comprehensive some details are often cut.

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#EasternFront, #Barbarossa, #AntiTankTactics

[thewiezman]

"We have a smoke grenade, some twine, a dumbbell and a hatchet"
*a germAn in 1941*
"I have an idea"

[itshitime]

im not sure if this is a military channel or is it secretly trying to teach me german

[ericagyemang]

the bunker doesn't move unless you have had too much vodka. that was funny

[theborg]

"No anti tank guns, no flak, Just a bunch of soldiers fighting against T34s, Kv1s, and Kv2s in close quarters with mines, smoke grenades, molotov cocktails, axes, and hand

> is german soldier on Eastern front 1941
>sees t34
>grabs trust hand axe and prepares for assult
>rushes t34
>hits t34 with axe
>goodhit.jpeg
> t34 explodes

[simdar]

The German army even made a film to teach these techniques, and the US army simply dubbed the film in English and used it for training their own troops in the early Cold War period. The American title is Men Against Tanks. Some clips can be found on YouTube. We were still using the film in the Canadian army in the 1980's.

[_sky_]

I remember solders from Vukovar (Former Yugoslavia) who fought modern tanks in 1991. They said that in town and villages tanks without heavy infantry support are as good as dead. They would allegedly often throw blankets soaked in gasoline on the tanks. Crew would think that the tank is burning, and would try to escape, only to get gunned down. Point is that sometimes you don't even have to destroy the tank, just make the crew think it's time to bail out.

[thegregitto]

I love how the term Panzershrek being used later as the name of an anti tank weapon is easily one of the best historical "call an ambulance, but not for me"s of all time

[Edoissimo]

According to the totally historically correct™ movie "fury" the standard german anti-tank tactic was to run straight towards the tank's machine gun fire :^)

[damanwithdaplanogg]

"But Hans for what can we use the Axe"
"Hold my Schnaps, Fritz"

[RalphFrancisco]

Those German troops at the end of Fury obviously didn't read this manual.

[WildBillCox]

"Vodka will restore mobility to the festungstruppen!" -Rommel (while recovering in Normandy)

[ckiane]

Serious balls on the guy with the axe. Reminds me of that one Soviet tank that was disabled by an angry Finn with a crowbar in the Winter War.

[tomservo]

I recommend a Combat Studies Institute manual titled 'Standing Fast: German Defensive Doctrine on the Russian Front during WWII" written by then Major Timothy Wray. Printed in 1986 it's a wealth of information on how the Germans dealt with the severe manpower/materiel shortages and vast distances on a tactical level, much of it improvised.
Having virtually no heavy AT weapons the Germans main aim was destroying Russian infantry first which when separated left tanks fairly reasonable to handle via these 'tank destroyer' teams.

[Rubashow]

"Comrade, I see german squad approaching."
"What about it, just point stronk gun at them."
"But Comrade ..."
"What?!"
"They have ... axes!"

[RaDeus]

Interesting, funny how the Germans forgot about all these tactics then they were fighting an immobilized tank in 1945...

[_M_a_r_t_i_n_M]

I love the subtle but obvious humor and the amount of it that you added to this video. It does not take away from the educational aspect one bit, but rather keeps one engaged. You sir, are a great teacher.

[SuppahTenko]

Also shows how important infantry is to protect tanks from other infantry.

[ThePerfectRed]

Wow, you did not promise too much when you said this was about short range weapons. Hacking open the engine cover with an ax while the tank is moving around will require some balls of steel.

[trycoldman]

Again another nicely explained video on a really interesting subject! Gute Arbeit Kamerad!

[sean]

Now I really wish the directors of Fury read this stuff. That final scene presented so much opportunity.