Word: break-through
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Contrary to civilian and journalistic impressions, the German technique of achieving a break-through such as that at Sedan fortnight ago is not by means of armored (Panzer) divisions, of which the Germans have about twelve (the French have three; the British two). Break-through is made by engineers and infantry, preceded by air-bombing and accompanied by heavy (over 20 tons) tanks detailed to the infantry...
BreakThrough. When the way was prepared, 20-ton break-through tanks, each carrying eight to 16 men, charged in, regardless of losses two to a squadron, two squadrons to a battery, three batteries to a section, three sections to a 36 tank regiment, plus a reserve echelon. Where deep rivers or canals interposed, the bombing planes covered the break-through tanks while, according to other stories, water tight 30-ton amphibians wallowed in, to let bridges be built across their steel backs for the rest. Other tanks apparently carried pontoons for crossing water. Across tank asparagus, pits, ravines, special bridging...
Behind the break-through tanks came assault tanks of six to ten tons, carrying light cannon and machine guns firing through ports guarded by revolving steel discs synchronized to the guns' tempo, each manned by one officer or non-com and one private. Of these, five made a squadron, three squadrons a company (plus the unit leader's car, radio car and reserve echelon), three companies a battalion, three battalions to a 135-tank regiment, plus reserves. Two regiments of breakthrough and two of assault tanks made a 400-tank armored division...
...Army, machine-gunners on armored motorcycles, followed the assault tanks. Behind them followed motorized field artillery. The job of these forces was to widen and hold the breach made, turn it over to ordinary infantry brought up behind. Maximum speed of the whole armored column was that of the break-through tanks: 18 m.p.h. But with each column, for special demolition duty and advance work, went 170-h.p. Diesel-powered medium tanks capable of 85 m.p.h. on roads, 50 m.p.h. across country on their caterpillar tracks. And the Germans also revealed, according to reports, some unheralded 80-ton monsters, rolling...
...capture last fortnight of Rotterdam's airport. Thereafter it helped reduce Eben Emael, some of the forts at Liege, flew interference for the German columns which rolled through, strafed the British and French columns advancing to meet them. Low-flying German attack bombers were largely responsible for the break-through at Sedan by strafing the defenders with machine guns and small bombs. Behind the Allied lines high-flying dive bombers hurtled down from the sky to blast away at air fields and communication lines...