Re: Are tanks really able to knock down trees??
- From: "Mike" <maplesprings@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 29 Dec 2005 04:42:50 -0800
Short answer: it depends.
Long answer: tanks can and do knock down trees on a regular basis but
there are a number of factors at work here: 1) The size, power, and
suspension of the tank (and I guarantee that no Stuart is going to
knock down a tree 1 meter in diameter.) 2) The unknown factor: that is,
what happens if the tree doesn't fall cleanly and the tank ends up
high centering on the partially fallen tree. 3) The track factor: even
on modern main battle tanks, it is easy to throw or break a track.
Fixing one in deep woods would be a nightmare. 4) The cumulative
effect factor: in truly deep woods, each tree that a tank knocks down
is likely to cause some loss of momentum and is likely to cause some
entanglement with other trees. Forward progress creates a gradually
more impenetrable barrier. If the woods are more than a few hundred
meters deep momentum can gradually ground to a halt-then what? 5)
Last but surely not least, the vulnerability factor: with all of these
trees falling, it would be extremely dangerous to have any dismounted
infantry near the tanks and tanks operating in highly restricted
terrain without dismounts is an extremely bad idea, plus it would
restrict your ability to traverse the gun tube, so any response to
enemy fire will be limited at best.
My one personal anecdote about knocking down trees with tanks occurred
a number of years ago. We had set up a driver's training course
along tank trails going through a wooded area at Fort Bragg. Each tank
had an experienced TC and 3 relatively inexperienced drivers who took
turns moving the tank through various tactical scenarios. One young
driver ran his tank off the trail and down into the woods. Rather than
back the tank up, the TC commanded the driver to just plow forward and
knock down a few trees to get back on the tank trail. At the driver
gunned the tank forward into the first tree, the impact of the tank
sheared off a huge branch high in the tree which dropped down striking
the soldier standing in the loaders hatch. The impact pinned him
against the back of the hatch, breaking his back, and ultimately
paralyzing him.
I recall from my days as an S-2 that during intelligence preparation of
the battlefield (IPB), part of terrain analysis is determining tree
density per square meter and diameter to determine whether an area is
passable. The formulas were published and involved very detailed
analysis and on the ground reconnaissance when possible. Any passage
that involves armored vehicles knocking down trees is a high risk
operation that should merit very careful consideration on the part of
the commander.
Mike
.
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- Are tanks really able to knock down trees??
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- Are tanks really able to knock down trees??
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