"Translated from German
Chief Inspector of the Land Forces at the Supreme Command of Land Forces
#126/42
Secret
Supreme Command of Land Forces HQ
May 26th, 1942
Directions for combat of our tanks against the Russian T-34 tank
Characteristics of the T-34 tank:
The T-34 tank is faster, more maneuverable, and has superior off-road mobility than our PzIII and PzIV tanks, and its armour is thicker than the armour of our tanks. Its 76 mm gun surpasses our 50 and 75 mm guns in penetration. Its advantageous positioning (sloped position of all surfaces) helps shells slip off.
Combat:
Combat against T-34 tanks using the 50 mm gun is possible only when firing from the flanks or the rear. It is necessary to hit the armour at a right angle. A direct hit on the turret ring with explosive grenades or machinegun fire often results in the turret jamming. In addition, a hit to the gun mantlet with armour piercing grenades from a short range results in penetration and bursting of welding seams. The 75 mm tank gun firing a hollow charge grenade penetrates the T-34 from 1000 meters.
Tactics of Russian tanks:
In defense and during retreating battles, the T-34 tanks are dug in including the turret on dominating heights, near roads, in forest clearings, and in settlements in such a way that after a quick artillery barrage it can retreat. Knowing its superiority in armament, the T-34 opens fire at attacking tanks from 1200-1800 meters. Since the T-34 is faster than the German tanks, it can choose the engagement distance.
Tactics of our tanks:
Since it is only possible to penetrate the T-34 from the flanks from a short distance with the 50 mm gun, the correct way to engage T-34 tanks is with the following tactics:
- Tie up the tank with three PzIII tanks that engage in a firefight. Taking up positions on a reverse slope or moving constantly will make it harder to engage the enemy.
- Meanwhile, two more PzIII tanks using all cover rush to the T-34 from the left and right flanks or come in from the rear and fire from a short distance using type 40 grenades, aiming for the sides or the rear of the tank.
- If there is a PzIV among our tanks, it is used to tie up the T-34 from the front. Using a smokescreen, the PzIV can blind the T-34 or cover the approach of other tanks. It is likely that the enemy will mistake the smoke for chemical weapons and disengage on its own.
When meeting tanks that are superior in quality and quantity to our own tanks (T-34 and KV), success is obtained only if the entire tank unit forms a single front of fire and blinds the enemy with fire. Even if not a single tank was knocked out, the enemy still almost always disengaged under the precision and speed of German tank fire.
Signatures
Translated by: military translator Volgusova
Approved by: 80th Tank Brigade Chief of Documentation, Kondratov"