#129
Post
by Aida1 » 01 Jan 2020, 19:39
Translation of Annexe 1 to the report of Gen Insp d.Pz.Tr . Chefgruppe/ 80/43
"Account of the operations of Pz Rgt(Panther)v.Lauchert
1.Tactical experiences
The commitment of this new Panzer weapon does not free the command from acting according to the proven basic principles of Panzer operations.Specifically this is true for the cooperation with other weapons and the use of united Panzer units.
The General inspector had set up a brigade staff for the Grossdeutschland div. which was reinforced by a Panther Regt, in order to ensure the command over the 300 tanks of this division.This staff was ,initially, not used because of personal frictions.The command over the tanks suffered from this as well as the collaboration with other weapons. Personal feelings should play no role when the fate of the Reich is at play.
It is wrong to pull out other weapons where the Panther are used, only because the Panther are there.
Rather it is correct to build a clear additional center of gravity by other weapons-artillery,engineers,Airforce, Pz Grenadiere to achieve a resounding and quick success with light losses.
THe attack is to be carried fast into the depth of the enemy defense system to take out the enemy artillery and to ensure the accompanying by the infantry.
After the high losses of the first days,the further losses were relaively bigger because the number of the Panther going into battle was very lower. This was even more so as a support of the Panther by other weapons was not ensured.
The enemy defense by 7,62 cm and KwK was only succcessfull against the Panther by flanking fire.
There were no penetrations of the frontal armour. From this must be concluded that the monitoring of the flanks of the Pantherattack must be the main focus.
For this all other available weapons must be enlisted.
THe Panther unit must use a broad formation for the attack to eleiminate any flanking of the core of the attack.
When coming under fire,individual vehicles must be positioned frontally to the enemy fire.
During the breakthrough of a deep, mined main battle area,the subordination of radio controlled tanks will be provided in the future.
Timely cooperation with engineers is to be ensured in any case.Material for the crossing over marshland has to be temporarilycarried to avoid interruptions in the conduct of the attack.
II Organisation
The structure of the combat units of the Panther regiment has proven itself. Never should the platoons,companies and Abteilungen become weaker. The equipment with wheeled vehicles can be reduced., specifically because the supplying of all tanks will practically never be needed because of the contuinually occurring losses."
To be continued