The recovered tanks are towed to an assembly point behind the combat area, where they are lined up so as to protect themselves as far as possible. Towing is used in preference to loading on the trailer, as this latter operation may take 20 minutes (regarded by a prisoner as good time under battle conditions). The towing vehicle usually goes forward alone and tows a disabled tank away by tow ropes. However, asking that a damaged vehicle be towed away is always permissible if it is in danger of being shot up. If a member of a tank crew orders the driver of a recovery vehicle to tow his tank to the rear, the former assumes responsibility for the action-in case it later proves that the damage is negligible and could have been fixed on the spot by the repair sections. The Germans believe that hostile forces will be preoccupied with the German tanks and will not bother with the recovery vehicles, no matter how close they are. These vehicles advance in the line of attack and cruise across the width of the battle front. The principle now used is to have two or three recovery vehicles forward with the fighting units. The towing vehicles and trailers of the platoon are sent forward to regimental headquarters and operate under its direction. This information was obtained from prisoners of war. 12, November 19, 1942.īritish sources give recent information on the methods employed by the recovery platoon of (tank) workshop companies. military report on German tank recovery during WWII was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. "Operations of the German Tank Recovery Platoon" from Tactical and Technical Trends
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