FM 17-30 Armored Force Field Manual Tank Platoon

170 Pages·2003·2.57 MB·English

FM 17-30
MHI
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WAR DEPARTMENT
ARMORED FORCE
FIELD MANUAL
TANK PLATOON
October 22, 1942
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BY X/oigJONA 3
0 FM 17-30
01
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
TANK PLATOON
CHAYNGES 1 WAR DEPARTMENT,
No. 1 | Washington 25, D. C., 8 July 1944.
FM 17-30, October 22, 1942, is changed as follows:
*I 10. DEscaIPTION.
d.
(3) (Superseded.) (a) Base emission smoke shell M89 is
a blunt-nose projectile with a maximum effective range of 1,600
yards. Its shape makes it difficult to control for deflection and
range. It bounces on firm terrain from 100 to 300 yards from
the point of strike. Each round burns about 3 minutes. A
platoon can screen a 400-yard frontage of average terrain within
the effective range of the shell.
(b) Smoke ammunition is fired by the section or platoon to
screen or blind an enemy position during the maneuver or as-
sault of attacking tanks. It is used on small areas at the com-
mand of and controlled by the unit commander. It is not effec-
tive when fired by a single tank. Since it takes from 1 to 2
minutes to build a satisfactory screen, suspected areas are
smoked before the start of the attack. After the attack is
under way, high explosive is used against antitank guns which
open fire on assaulting or maneuvering tanks. Tank smoke is
not used on missions which properly belong to the organic
assault guns or mortars.
(c) The section or platoon fires three or four rounds per gun
in about 11/2 minutes to screen a suspected area. With a flank
wind, the screen is built up to windward of the target, so that
it will drift onto and just in front of it. When firing into a
head wind, tanks place smoke on or close behind the target.
A crosswind of from 3 to 6 miles velocity is ideal. When the
wind velocity is high (15 mph), the rate of fire is faster than
in a slow wind (3 to 5 mph).
AGO 150D 5956304--44
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
- - - --
When the wind is blowing from the side, do not aim smoke shell
at the front of the target.
j ...
a…
Aim the shell to the windward side. The wind will blow the smoke
in front of or over the target.
FiGuR 40.-Use of smoke shell, fank wind.
2 AGO 1t.nT'
TANK PLATOON
When the wind is blowing from your front, do not place the smoke
shell in front of the target. This does not blind the antitank gun.
In this cose, place the shell on or behind the target; then the wind
will screen It completely.
FIGURE 41.-Use of smoke shell, head wind.
AGO 160D
ARMIAORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
Do not use smoke shell against definitely located infantry weapons
Destroy infantry weapons by machine gun and high explosive ricochet
fire.
FlaURm 42.-Do not use smoke against infantry weapons.
4 AGO 150D
TANK PLATOON
Destroy definitely locoted observation posts with high explosive
Blind suspected observation posts with smoke shell when fire from
other weapons is not available.
FIGURE 43.-Use of smoke shell to blind an observation point.
Figure 44, Use of smoke shell to cover maneuver, is rescinded.
Figure 45, Use of smoke shell to blind an observation point,
is rescinded.
[A. G. 300.7 (28 Jun 44).]
AGO 150D 5
ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.
OF1rICIAL:
J. A. ULIO,
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
DISTRIBUTION:
As prescribed in paragraph 9a, FM 21-6 except D2, 7 (5),
17 (20); B 17 (10); B 17 (10); Bn 17 (10); I Bn 2,
5-10 (8); C 17 (20); IC2,5-11 (5).
I Bn 2: T/O &E 2-25, Rcn Sq (Mecz);
I Bn 5: T/O 5-215, Armd Engr Bn;
I.Bn 6: T/O & E 6-165, Armd FA Bn;
I Bn 7: T/O 7-25, Armd Inf Bn;
I Bn 8: T/O 8-75, Med Bn Armd;
I Bn 9: T/O &E 9-65, Ord Maint Bn, Armd Div;
I Bn 10: T/O &E 10-35, Sup Bn, Armd Div;
IC 2: T/O & E 2-27, Rcn Tr (Mecz);
IC 5. T/O 5-216, HEq & HEq Co, Armd Engr Bn; 5-217,
Co, Armd Engr Bn;
IC 6: T/O & E 6-160-1, Hq & Hq Btry, Div Arty, Armd
Div; 6-166, HEq & Eq Btry, Armd FA Bn; 6-167, Btry
Armd FA Bn; 6-169, Sv Btry, Armd FA Bn;
IC 7: T/O 7-22, Eq & HEq Co, Armed Inf Regt; 7-23, Sv
Co, Armd Inf Regt; 7-27, Rifle Co, Armd Inf Regt,
Rifle Co, Armd Inf Bn; T/O & E 7-26, Hq & Hq Co,
Armd Inf Bn; 7-29, Sv Co, Armd Inf Bn;
IC 8: T/O & E 8-76, Hq & Hq Co, Med Bn, Armd; 8-77,
Co, Med Bn, Armd;
IC 9: T/O 9-66, HEq & Hq Co, Maint Bn, Armd Div;
T/O & B 9-67, Co, Maint Bn, Armd Div;
IC 10: T/O 10-36, Hq & Hq Co, Sup Bn, Armd Div; 10-
37, Trk Co, Sup Bn, Armd Div;
IC 11: T/O 11-57, Armd Sig Co; T/O & E 11-86-S,
Iq & Eq Co, Armd Sig Bn; 11-87S, Sig Information
and Monitoring Co; 11-88-S, Co, Armd Sig. Bn, (Oper);
11-89-S, Armd Sig Bn (Cons) (Oper).
For explanation of symbols see FM 21-6.
6 AGO 150D
U. S. GOVERNMENTP RINTING OFFICEII t944
FM 17-30
ARMORED FORCE FIELD
MANUAL
TANK PLATOON
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1942
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, October 22, 1942,
FM 17-30, Armored Force Field Manual, Tank Platoon, is
published for the i iformation and guidance of all concerned.
[A. G. 062.11 (9-18-42).]
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.
OFFICIAL:
J. A. ULIO,
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
DISTRIBUTION:
D 2. 7 (5), 17 (20); Bn and H 17 (10); IBn 2, 5-10 (3);
C 17 (20); IC 2, 5-11 (5).
(For explanation of symbols see FM 21-6.)
H
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
CHAPTER 1. General --------------------------- 1-4 1
CHAPrE 2. Training.
SEcION I. General-.. ..... __--------___------ 65
II. Terrain- ______---_.-_-________-- 7-8 8
III. Weapons and ammunition ------- 9-11 30
CHAPTIE 3. Control, orders, and reconnaissance___ 12-14 54
CHAPT 4. Marches ---------------------------. 15-18 59
CHAPTE 5. Security ---------------------------- 19-29 70
CHArPa 6.. Offensive action.
SECTION I. General __-_-___ . ________________ 30-32 121
II. Tank crew -. ..............3...3. -35 t125
ID. Tank platoon -------------- ..... 36-42 135
Cnrrr. 7. Defense ._.-------_--. . _---------- 43-45 156
IN.. ......X... ................................ _159