"CRACK THAT TANK" RESTRICTED WWII INFANTRY TRAINING FILM 1943 ANTI-TANK WARFARE.webm

Made in 1943 as part of the "Fighting Men" series, "Crack That Tank" explains the tactics an infantryman can use to disable or destroy an enemy tank. Vulnerabilities of the tank include its track, which can be destroyed with a grenade, mine or a shell. A disabled tank is a sitting duck. A "closed" or buttoned-up tank is vulnerable because its crew cannot see the battlefield well, just through slits and periscopes. Taking out vision slits and periscopes can make a tank blind. Infantry that is well hidden is difficult for a tank crew to see or attack. Interestingly, most of the direct destruction of enemy tanks seen in the film, is accomplished by artillery, air strikes, and American tanks. The bazooka, designed in 1942, is not seen in the film but 22mm rifle-fired grenades are employed at the 9:00 mark. The first rifles to utilize the 22mm grenade were the American M1903 Springfield, M1 Garand and M1 Carbine, all of which required an adapter (the M1, M7, and M8 grenade launchers, respectively). Molotov Cocktails are also shown in the film. This film explains how infantry soldiers can effectively combat enemy tanks despite their toughness and firepower. A tanker shares insider knowle