Armor Branch History
1. Branch History
Tank designed in WWI by English
Tank provided mobile protected fire power
US Tank Corps
COL Rockenbach, CAV
Start-up challenges
No US Tanks
No Us Tank doctrine
No trained personnel
Reliance upon Allies
Interwar Eras
National Defense Act 1920
Basically Tanks will be used solely for infantry support
Infantry Tank Plan
Tank-infantry integration at small unit level
Mobile, fire support
Infantry mission enabler
1930-1931
Mechanized force was created
1931-1941
1st Cavalry regiment (Mechanized)
July 13th 1940
Armored Force created
1st AD
2nd AD
70th Tank Battalion
Infantry support
Learning Curve: Kasserine 1943
Poor reconnaissance
Blind Attack Tank tactics
Poor combined arms integration
Competent and adaptive threat
Defeat in detain
Basically we sent a lot green and poorly led tankers into North Africa to fight against well-trained and seasoned German tank forces. Americans were easily baited into ambushes and suffered mass casualties
ARRA Court 1944
Largest Tank vs. Tank engagement in WWII
4th AD operations characterized by
a.i.1. Team fight
a.i.2. Tactical Agility
a.i.3. Aggressive Maneuver
a.i.4. Competent leadership
a.i.5. Organized flexibility
Basically Americans were fighting a German force with superior tanks but had enough confidence to engage them and with good leadership, sound tactics, and bold aggressive maneuver they were able to defeat the German tank forces very soundly
Separate Tank Battalions
Intent
Provide Armor support
Reinforce Armor division
Employ entire battalion
Reality
Infantry support in all theaters
Employed as companies/platoons
Scout platoon employed separately
Changing division attachment
Lack of tank-infantry training
Coordination problems
Communication
Result?
After war a tank battalion was inserted as an organic element in every infantry division
The change from recon to Calvary
Calvary is an organization with certain capabilities that can perform a variety
Tank designed in WWI by English
Tank provided mobile protected fire power
US Tank Corps
COL Rockenbach, CAV
Start-up challenges
No US Tanks
No Us Tank doctrine
No trained personnel
Reliance upon Allies
Interwar Eras
National Defense Act 1920
Basically Tanks will be used solely for infantry support
Infantry Tank Plan
Tank-infantry integration at small unit level
Mobile, fire support
Infantry mission enabler
1930-1931
Mechanized force was created
1931-1941
1st Cavalry regiment (Mechanized)
July 13th 1940
Armored Force created
1st AD
2nd AD
70th Tank Battalion
Infantry support
Learning Curve: Kasserine 1943
Poor reconnaissance
Blind Attack Tank tactics
Poor combined arms integration
Competent and adaptive threat
Defeat in detain
Basically we sent a lot green and poorly led tankers into North Africa to fight against well-trained and seasoned German tank forces. Americans were easily baited into ambushes and suffered mass casualties
ARRA Court 1944
Largest Tank vs. Tank engagement in WWII
4th AD operations characterized by
a.i.1. Team fight
a.i.2. Tactical Agility
a.i.3. Aggressive Maneuver
a.i.4. Competent leadership
a.i.5. Organized flexibility
Basically Americans were fighting a German force with superior tanks but had enough confidence to engage them and with good leadership, sound tactics, and bold aggressive maneuver they were able to defeat the German tank forces very soundly
Separate Tank Battalions
Intent
Provide Armor support
Reinforce Armor division
Employ entire battalion
Reality
Infantry support in all theaters
Employed as companies/platoons
Scout platoon employed separately
Changing division attachment
Lack of tank-infantry training
Coordination problems
Communication
Result?
After war a tank battalion was inserted as an organic element in every infantry division
The change from recon to Calvary
Calvary is an organization with certain capabilities that can perform a variety