Russian WII tank tactics

[Hoth_902]

Was wondering if someone could help me out with a good reference book or web site for Russian WII tank tactics. I seem to be behind the curve in my knowledge on the subject.

[panzergator]

Doctrine does not always match execution. Start with a book that describes what they actually did. A recent book - Th Battle of the Tanks, Kursk, 1943, by Lloyd Clark. Do NOT read The Tanks Are Burning by Martin Caiden. Worthless book.

The Russians can afford the numbers, and they use them. Massive numbers. Units are considered a round to be expended and can be expected to be in combat until combat ineffective. Individual tanks are the same. Not much effort or resources devoted to active repair and immediate return to combat. They try to achieve a ratio of three to six: one and follow and reinforce success. Stalled units are expected to continue fighting to support the shoulders of more successful units. Echeloning of forces is common is a lot like a Roman legion in combat, with second and third echelons stepping up as the first echelon is expended. Artillery prep can be massive. Infantry rides on tanks, dismounting to engage. Defense is only taken up until offense can be resumed. Expect defense in depth, interlocking fires of all types of weapons, in echelon as well. Very intimidating.

There are likely others out there who might give a better answer. Start with above recommendation, but look for others. The more you read, the better you master the subject.

[Begemot]

Hoth -

A decent reference would be "Soviet Armor Tactics in World War II" by Charles Sharp. This was published by George Nafziger in 1999 (ISBN 1-58545-043-X). The principal part of the book is the reprinting (in English) of the "Combat Regulations for Tank and Mechanized Troops of the Red Army, Part 1, 1944", released in February 1944, and covers individual tank, tank platoon and tank company tactics and formations. There are also chapters with comments of Soviet tank tactics by Soviet commanders and the Germans.

[Hoth_902]

Panzergator and Begmont,

Thanks for the book titles. I tried Begmont's title and could only find it on amazon. It was 75 dollars with one copy left. I might have to wait a tad. I might have to head over to the military book club and check if they have it.

Thanks again for the response.

[Donald M. Scheef]

I recommend you look at some of the offerings from Osprey Publishing. Their 'Elite' series includes several volumes on tactics (e.g., WWII Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics), but I can't find anything explicitly Soviet Armored Tactics. The 'Campaign' series includes numerous volumes on Soviet WWII battles (e.g., two volumes on Kursk). These may be too large-scale for what you want. The 'Men-at-Arms' series has three volumes on WWII Soviet forces. I don't have these three volumes but others in the series seem to concentrate more on uniforms and equipment than on tactics. The 'New Vanguard' series concentrates on weapons. For example, there are volumes on the T-34/76, KV-1 & KV-2, T-34/85, BT fast tank, and Su-76.
Perhaps the best bet for tactics is the 'Duel' series. This includes volumes on Panthers vs T-34, King Tiger vs IS-2, Panzerjaeger vs KV-1, Jagdpanther vs Su-100, and T-34 vs StuG.

Don S..

[EdMott]

Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front 1941-1942: Schwerpunkt
and
Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front 1943-1945: Red Steamroller

by Robert Forczyk