Quote:
Originally Posted by cyberia
No other info but I would guess Eastern front and I suspect part of a redeploy column.
With exposed fuel and crew (and as P-D would point out muzzle bags  ) I doubt they were heading into a fight or even in a hostile air area. |
I agree, these tanks are (re)deploying to an area that is not readily accessible by railroad. Long hitches over land would wear out the tank tracks and force repairs. (In WWII tracks break all the time, that's the main reason why tanks carry multiple spare pieces, not just as extra armor.) Therefore, rail was the main tank transport. If you take a hit with a barrel of fuel on the back, it will be "bad" for the tank and it's crew. These tankers must feel pretty safe to run with only the driver inside, fuel drums on the back, and "bags on the 'brakes".
