Posted on 08/11/2002 12:51:09 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
Prayers for RR and his family. 
The Service Flag
The Service Flag was first used unofficially during World War I by private citizens. It is white with a red border and one or more blue stars in the center; it has been most often hung vertically. The flag symbolizes the fact that the family using it has as many of its members in the armed forces as there are stars in the flag. In 1918 Massachusetts issued specifications for ten different kinds of stars to indicate "lost in action" and other conditions, but the only one which has ever found much favor is the use of a blue-bordered gold star to indicate "died in service". In 1942 and 1968 the Government prescribed regulations for use of similar service flags by businesses and other groups whose members were in the service. The flag has not been extensively use since the Second World War.
It is essential that a tank crewman understand how his tank is built, the reasoning behind the design and how these factors will influence the tactics used in the field. The commander of an armored unit, regardless of its size and force composition, must also become familiar with the all the tactics and techniques of tank warfare and how they are applied in practice.
TANK BASICS
Tanks are made up of three primary facets: Firepower, Protection, and Mobility, all of which are explained in detail below. In addition to these three basics, there are several other factors that can heavily influence the capabilities of individual tanks and their functions in relation to other military units. These include training, crew positions, visibility, optics, communications, ammunition stowage, vulnerabilities, and size.
FIREPOWER
The cannon on a tank is essentially a giant gun barrel. The longer the barrel, the more accurate and powerful the tank cannon is. The cannon barrel can have a smooth bore, like a shotgun, or rifling grooves engraved along its length which impart spin (and therefore greater accuracy) to the shell in its flight. However, most W.W.II cannon used some degree of spin-stabilization. An additional feature which affects the accuracy of the tank gun is the use of a muzzle brake, also called “muzzle whip”, which reduces the movement of the barrel during firing, as well as reducing the recoil and its effects on the tanks structure and crew. The accuracy of the shell is also affected by several other factors, which together are called the “ballistics” of the weapon. These factors include the rate of spin, wind resistance and crosswind. Gravity, range, and the duration of the shell’s flight will also affect the accuracy of the shell. The ammunition used in tank guns is generally of the “fixed” type, which means that the powder charge is fully enclosed and attached to the shell, like a rifle cartridge. Some of the larger cannon, especially howitzers and most large naval guns, may use separate-loading ammunition, which means that the shell is inserted into the breech, then individual bags of powder are forced in behind it.
As the armor used on armored vehicles grew thicker and more advanced, it became obvious that smaller guns were incapable of penetrating it. At first, this meant that the production of smaller guns ceased and the production of larger guns increased. When the development of armor quickly outstripped the capabilities of even the largest of the currently produced guns, new ammunition was designed to increase the penetrating power of the guns already in use. Initially, the ordinary solid shot, or armor piercing (AP) round, was used against tanks, while an ordinary high explosive (HE) shell was used against infantry and other ‘soft’ targets. The problem with solid shot was that its penetrating power could only be increased through greater weight that created an increase in the caliber of the gun, higher muzzle velocities, or increase in the chamber pressure or barrel length. A ballistic cap (APCBC) could also be mounted in order to keep the shot from shattering against thick armor. This problem was solved first by the Germans. By utilising a shell with a heavy tungsten-carbide core, (APCR), surrounded with a softer metal and fired through a barrel which tapered as it reached the muzzle, the softer metal would be squeezed from around the shot and as the barrel pressure increased, so did the muzzle velocity of the round. An unfortunate side effect was a rapid drop-off in velocity, which reduced the long-range performance of the round. A simplified version of this, called discarding-sabot (APDS), used a lightweight collar that fitted around the tungsten carbide core, and dropped off when fired. This had the advantage that it could be fired out of ordinary barrels and did not require a tapering bore to maintain the higher barrel pressure. For low velocity guns and rockets, another technological advance was required. This appeared in the form of the shaped charge (HEAT), in which the explosive filler was moulded so as to leave a cone-shaped space in the end facing the target. When the charge detonated, the concentration of explosive forces in that coneshaped cavity created a solid jet of plasma (known as the Monroe Effect) capable of punching through armor. This generally required a large warhead (at least 75mm) for good effect, but since the round was not dependent on higher velocity for penetrating power, it could penetrate the same amount of armor at 1,000 meters that it could at 10 meters. A shaped charge round mounted on the end of a stick and muzzle-loaded into the 37mm antitank gun was even developed by the Germans! Other types of ammunition, such as smoke producing shells, was also produced, but was reserved mainly for signalling and for screening troops, not for fighting. As a final note, ammunition and barrel qualities, due mainly to materials quality and workmanship, were also a limiting factor in main gun accuracy and effectiveness. These arguments go a long way towards explaining why the significantly larger 122mm cannons of the Soviet Union were inferior to the German 88mm and the American 90mm guns at the end of the war.
When you recognize God as Creator, you will admire him. When you recognize his wisdom, you will learn from him. When you discover his strength, you will rely on him. But only when he saves you will you worship him. Max Lucado
The development of super heavy tank started as early as 1941, when Krupp started the studies of superheavy Soviet tanks. In early 1942, Krupp produced designs of Tiger-Maus (VK7001) and PzKpfw VII Lowe (VK7201), but on March 5/6th of 1942, order for heavier tank was placed. Lowe never reached the prototype stage but paved the way for their successor's development. On March 21/22nd of 1942, Porsche received the contract for new 100-ton Panzer - VK10001 / Porsche Typ 205. On April 14/15th, it specified that new 100-ton tank must carry at least 100 rounds of ammunition. VK10001 was to be developed by Professor Ferdinand Porsche and Dr.Muller (Krupp) at the personal demand of Adolf Hitler made in May of 1942. He demanded 120-ton "indestructible" super-heavy tank armed with high performance L/60 or L/72 gun.
The task of producing hulls, turrets and armament was given to Krupp, while Alkett was responsible for the assembly. First specifications demanded that armament should consist of 150mm L/40 gun and 20mm MG151/20 heavy machine gun, while usage of 128mm L/50 was under consideration. It was stated that prototype should be operational before the Spring of 1943. On June 23rd of 1942, Porsche provided their design for improved VK10001 armed with turret mounted 150mm L/37 and 105mm L/70 guns. Porsche promised that first prototype will be ready in May of 1943. In December of 1942, new armaments such as 150mm gun, 127mm naval gun, 128mm Flak and the longest version of 128mm were considered. Also in the same month, it was restated that first vehicle was to be ready in Summer of 1943, followed by the production 5 per month. First official names VK10001 and Porsche Typ 205 ("Mammoth") were used in April of 1942, followed by Maeuschen (Mousy) in December of 1942 and Maus (Mouse) in February of 1943. In January of 1943, Hitler decided that the Maeuschen was to be fitted with turret mounted with 128mm and 75mm guns, while turret mounted with 150mm KwK 44 L/38 or 170mm KwK 44 gun was to be designed for future use. Specification for ammunition storage space were never met and decreased by further modifications.
From the designs emerged 188 tonnes heavy monster. On May 1st of 1943, wooden mockup of the Maus was presented to Adolf Hitler, who agreed on production and ordered series of 150 to be produced. On November 4 of 1943, development of Maus was to be ceased and only one was to be completed for evaluation. In October of 1943, original order placed by Hitler for 150 vehicles was cancelled.
On December 24th of 1943, first turretless prototype was completed by Alkett and was put to the extensive tests. During the tests, the Maus could hardly move due to its enormous weight and power/weight ratio. First prototype V1 (Maus I), was powered by modified Daimler-Benz MB 509 (developed from DB 603 aircraft engine), which could not provide planned speed of 20km/h but only 13km/h in ideal conditions. Also problems arouse with suspension system which had to be modified in order to take the weight of the vehicle. Another problem that emerged from its weight, was that simply there were no bridges able to take the its weight. To overcome this problem Maus had to be provided with a "snorkel" arrangement which allowed it to submerse to the maximum depth of 8 meters. In December of 1943, V1 was fitted with (Belastungsgewicht) simulated turret (representing the weight of the turret) and was tested. Maus I was applied with camouflage paint and marked with red star and hammer and sickle disguised as a captured Russian vehicle.
In March of 1944, second prototype V2 (Maus II) which differed in numerous details from V1 was produced. V2 lacked the powerplant, which was fitted in mid 1944. On April 9th of 1944, Krupp produced the turret, which in June of 1944, was delivered and then mounted on V2 and tested. Krupp produced a turret mounted with 128mm KwK 44 L/55 gun with coaxial 75mm KwK 44 L/36.5 gun and 7.92mm MG34, providing the Maus with an enormous firepower. Maus' main gun could penetrate front, side and rear armor (at 30 degrees from vertical) of Sherman, Cromwell, Churchill, T-34/85 and JS-2 tanks at ranges of 3500+ meters. Turret included mounts for rangefinder (by Zeiss), but was not fully finished and some of the missing components were shipped later on
In order to transport the Maus, special 14-axle railroad transport car (Verladewagon) was produced by Graz-Simmering-Pauker Works in Vienna. From mid January to early October of 1944, trials took place at armored vehicle proving grounds in Kummersdorf (near Berlin) and then at Porsche proving grounds at Boblingen. Tests were long, delayed by engine failures and production delays caused by Allied bomber attacks on German factories. During tests, it was determined that in case of any failure each Maus would have to be towed by two other Maus tanks. It is also reported that Germans worked on Flakzwilling 8.8cm auf Maus, which was to be Maus mounted with a modified turret housing two 88mm Flak 43 guns and used as heavy Flakpanzer.
Some sources state that according to Porsche, Hitler's aim for the Maus was to plug holes in the Atlantic coastal defenses on the Western Front, where it's limited range and mobility wouldn't have been too much of a hindrance. The popular version states that V2 prototype was blown up by the personnel at proving grounds in Kummersdorf, while some sources state that actually V2 saw combat while defending the facility at Kummersdorf. When war ended, almost finished V1 turret and third hull were found at Krupp facilities in Essen.
Overall, Maus was an interesting design but it would be of limited combat value because of its poor mobility and heavy weight making it more of a mobile fortification rather than a super tank. One fully assembled example (V2 turret mounted on V1 hull) was tested at Kubinka in 1951/52 and can be seen today in the Museum of Armored Forces in Kubinka (near Moscow) in Russia
NBC3.com Video
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