The Need for Organisational Resilience - Chapter 1

French tanks had insufficient radios, and hence communication had to be established via

flag signals. In addition, the commander of a 3-man crew in an S35, for example, needed

also to act as loader and gunner. Hence, commanders in Allied tanks were often busy

operating their own vehicles, and there was thus a lack of co-ordination between vehicles

and units.

[Text Box Starts] Technical specifications of the tank

The tank – introduced in late WWI as a battle-decisive weapon system – took centre stage in World

War II. In May 1940, the Germans depended primarily on four main battle tanks, the

Panzerkampfwagen (PzKpfW) II Ausf. A, the PzKpfW III Ausf. E/F, the PzKpfW IV Ausf. D, and the

Czech-built PzKpfw 35(t) and 38(t). Starting with the PzKpfW II, it had 14mm sloped armour at the

front. It was equipped with a 20mm autocannon, and a top-speed of 40 km/h. The PzKpfW II and IIIs

were augmented by the Czech-designed PzKpfw 35(t) and 38(t) light tanks, with 25mm or front

armour, 37mm cannon and a maximum speed of 34 km/h.

The PzKpfW III − a medium tank – had an upgraded rolled front of 30mm armour. The early

versions of Ausf. (Mark) E/F used a short 37mm Panzerabwehrkanone Pak (anti-tank cannon). Later

versions were equipped with a 50mm and 75mm cannon. Top speed was also 40 (later increasing to

55) km/h.

The PzKpfW IV was protected by 30mm of armour at the front and an improved speed of 38

km/h. The 75 mm short-barrelled mounted tank gun was mainly designed to fire high-explosive shells

to combat enemy infantry.

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