cluster bombs and lack of selfdefense
I wasnt aware of the little cluster bombs being used, but wouldnt the fuel tanks on any tank be in danger of such a weapon. I can see that most vehicles did not have thick armor on top or around engine decks from the tops.
I think thats why any attacks from above (rockets, cannons, or bombs)were fairly sucessful against armor since they were built for fighting other vehicles mainly.
The Ferdinands werent designed or built initially for self defense since they were built primarily for long distance head on assualts. They were dependent upon infantry and other vehicle support to be effective. Even a bow machine gun wouldnt do much good if the tracks were blown, or the vehicle was bogged down. One would have to turn the whole vehicle to bring a bow machine gun into play------and the Ferdinands didnt turn well when in good shape, and I suspect wouldnt turn any if one track were disabled.
There seems to be some evidence that the air intakes and engines being forward of the fighting compartment allowed exploding ordinance to glance or explode very close to the engines and air intakes. These areas were reinforced after the first combat to help limit damage to these areas.
There were only about 90 Ferdinands ever built, and after the first combat and the resulting retreat under fire there were only roughly half of the Ferdinands left to be modified into the Elefant versions.
I run heavy equipment and I still cannot imagine having 200 mm of solid armor plate on the front face of that vehicle. Those crews must have felt pretty confident knowing they wouldnt be destroyed by any known antitank cannon from the front during combat. I suspect most never thought about side or rear attacks by antitank units or infantry, or cluster bombs from above.
That is until it was too late.
Randy1945
I wasnt aware of the little cluster bombs being used, but wouldnt the fuel tanks on any tank be in danger of such a weapon. I can see that most vehicles did not have thick armor on top or around engine decks from the tops.
I think thats why any attacks from above (rockets, cannons, or bombs)were fairly sucessful against armor since they were built for fighting other vehicles mainly.
The Ferdinands werent designed or built initially for self defense since they were built primarily for long distance head on assualts. They were dependent upon infantry and other vehicle support to be effective. Even a bow machine gun wouldnt do much good if the tracks were blown, or the vehicle was bogged down. One would have to turn the whole vehicle to bring a bow machine gun into play------and the Ferdinands didnt turn well when in good shape, and I suspect wouldnt turn any if one track were disabled.
There seems to be some evidence that the air intakes and engines being forward of the fighting compartment allowed exploding ordinance to glance or explode very close to the engines and air intakes. These areas were reinforced after the first combat to help limit damage to these areas.
There were only about 90 Ferdinands ever built, and after the first combat and the resulting retreat under fire there were only roughly half of the Ferdinands left to be modified into the Elefant versions.
I run heavy equipment and I still cannot imagine having 200 mm of solid armor plate on the front face of that vehicle. Those crews must have felt pretty confident knowing they wouldnt be destroyed by any known antitank cannon from the front during combat. I suspect most never thought about side or rear attacks by antitank units or infantry, or cluster bombs from above.
That is until it was too late.
Randy1945
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