German and Allied views on their "tank" brothers?

**TRDG** · March 17th, 2008 5:07 PM

I've always wondered what the real thoughts are of the foot soldiers, thinking of the crews in the tanks? Did they really think they were a steel trap "box", just waiting to be seen and hit, regardless of their protection? The soldiers would have never "traded places" with them in their steel machines!! I have read that in some of my readings over the years, is that the way the "average" soldier thought about this subject?

Cheers, no idea if anyone else is interested in this topic but me, but I thought it might be worthy of a thread for some further thoughts on this from anyone.

Thanks

Tom

**Tom Houlihan** · March 18th, 2008 3:54 AM

When I was a grunt, nobody was shooting at me, so my perspective may be off. I only worked with tanks a few times.

The AT weapons we had even 20 years ago were formidable. Based on my studies, I wasn't afraid of the beasts, but I sure respected them! However, I knew that if some Landser could take one out at 50m with a Panzerfaust, I wouldn't have too much trouble with the weapons we had.

As far as trading places with a Treadhead, I doubt it. They were still too easy to take out. At least my skinny little *ss could hide behind a tree, and be a smaller target!

**TRDG** · March 18th, 2008 7:50 PM

Thanks Tom

So, as it goes you would rather be on the ground as a foot soldier, rather than in a tank. Do you feel that the tanks were just waiting to get hit, with a not so good chance of survival, or more along the lines of "not for me".

Any info on any WW II soldiers or stories you have come across in your readings and word search by chance?

Cheers, good post there!

Tom

**sniper1shot** · March 21st, 2008 9:33 PM

My Grandfather told me a story from Italy in WWII. Some tankers were passing and offered the infantry a ride. Some took the offer and some didn't. The Luftwaffe made an appearance and some of the tanks were hit. He didn't like the noises coming from the tanks after the attack.

**Pylon1357** · March 22nd, 2008 11:27 AM

I hang out with many veterans of the Regiment. They all pretty much agree that you had to be insane to be a tanker. Too big and loud to sneak around, very unreliable, and they were considered 'bullet magnets' and were avoided as much as possible. However, these were also the same lads who said it was great to see the tanks on field when the infantry was pinned down.

**TRDG** · March 23rd, 2008 3:45 AM

Thank you!! So far what I have read is true to form thus far, interesting, but did it depend on the country one was fighting for, I wonder?

I hav'nt seen/read any books about German troopers and their views on their tank companions, could it be more of an "Allied idea" here?

Cheers, thanks again for the replies.

Tom

**Battlepuppy** · November 28th, 2009 11:25 PM

I recall some passages from Will Fey's book Armor Battles of the Waffen SS in which he states he felt very sorry for those infantry around his tank when artillery barrages were going on. I would venture to guess those guys would've rather been in his tiger at that time.

**Frizzenspark** · November 29th, 2009 7:08 AM

Tanks have inherit qualities that make them desirable; they give some protection from the elements, more-so if they hava a heater installed. Tanks can carry a quite a bit of gear as well as some 'luxury" items that a foot-soldier would readily discard; and there's the ever-popular expression..."Beats Walking".

**TRDG** · December 6th, 2009 6:12 AM

The Germans and the Russians seemed to use their tanks as transports compared to any other nation. That said I have read a lot of tankers comments on them feeling "sorry" for the infrantry IF they were around the tank as they were taking fire. As the tanker well knew that any enemy seeing the tank would usually open up with everything they had. Or the enemy assumed that there are infrantry around the tank for some easy "soft" kills, if not the tank with heavier weapons.

Cheers

Tom