THE GERMAN TANK PLATOON
IN WORLD WAR II
Its Training and Employment in Battle Size: 9" x 11"
Illustrations: many black & white illustrations
Pages: 114 pages
Binding: Soft cover
Author: Dr. George F. Nafziger
Price: $20 This is a reproduction of the 1941 US Army translation of the 1940 German tactical training manual Panzerkampfwagenbuch by Captain Kurt Kauffman, German Army, and other German documents. It contains a foreword by General Heinz Guderian and was prepared incorporating the lessons learned by the Germans in the 1939 polish and 1940 french campaigns. It is heavily illustrated with pictures and diagrams of the right and wrong way to operate. It was designed as the basic training manual for the German Panzer crew. A highly informative work for either the historian or the gamer. Comments by Gulf War veteran tankers say that the lessons it teaches are still taught today. Table of Contents Page | | Chapter I - The basis of the armored attack | 5 | | Chapter II - Training | 9 | Chapter III - Tanks on the march and the halt | 11 | Chapter IV - Wrong and right pictures of tanks on the march and the halt | 14 | Chapter V - The tank platoon as a point platoon (advanced guard) | 18 | Chapter VI - Wrong and right pictures of march security through use of tanks | 20 | Chapter VII - The tank platoon as security at a halt | 25 | Chapter VIII - Wrong and right pictures of tank security at the halt | 28 | Chapter IX - Tanks in the assembly area | 32 | | Chapter X - Wrong and right pictures of tanks in the assembly area | 35 | Chapter XI - Use of terrain by tanks | 40 | Chapter XII - Wrong and right pictures of use of terrain by single tanks and by tank platoons | 42 | Chapter XIII - Crews of tanks in battle | 49 | Chapter XIV - Wrong and right pictures of tanks in combat | 51 | Chapter XV - Selection of tank weapons | 62 | Chapter XVI - Wrong and right sketches of selection of tank weapons | 63 | Chapter XVII - Missions of the tank platoon in battle as a part of a larger unit | 66 | Chapter XVIII - Wrong and right pictures of the tank platoon in battle | 75 | Chapter XIX - Tank battle problem No. 1; the point platoon | 79 | Chapter XX - Tank battle problem No. 2; the tank platoon in cooperation with infantry | 81 | Chapter XXI - Tank battle problem No. 3; second wave tank platoon in attack against an anti-tank gun | 84 | Chapter XXII - Tank battle problem No. 4; first wave tank platoon in attack against an anti-tank gun | 86 | Chapter XXIII - Mission, battle assignment and employment of the medium tank | 88 | Chapter XXIV - Wrong and right pictures of the medium tank platoon in battle | 94 | Chapter XXV - Employment of the weapons and ammunition of the medium tank | 99 | Chapter XXVI - Wrong and right sketches of the employment of the weapons and ammunition of the medium tank | 100 | | Chapter XXVII - Tank battle problem No. 5; the use of the medium tank platoon in battle | 104 | | Chapter XXVIII - Tanks in combat against bunkers | 107 |
Introduction
by James C. Crockett
Lt. Col., G.S.C.
G-2 Armored Force The text, which follows, was compiled from several German sources. The principle document being the book entitled "Tanks" written by Captain Kurt Kaffman of the German Army. This book was a revision of a similarily named book written before the campaigns in Poland and France (1939-40). A comparison between the two books shows many changes in tactics made as a result of the polish and french campaigns. These changes are incorporated in this translation. The introduction to the last named German book was written by General Heinz Guderian, who, at present, (September 1941), commands a German armored Army on the Russian front. Guderian's introduction reads as follows: "The campaigns in Poland and in West Europe are victoriously ended. The armored troops have played an imporant part in this result. Pride in this accomplishment, however, will not cause us to rest, but we will aim at greater perfection through energetic training. This tank book will greatly help in training. It is based on actual experience and, therefore, shall serve the German armored troops for the benefit of the whole army." 
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