THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MODERN ARMOR
ENGINES OF WAR

RUNTIME: 54 MINS

CAT: AWA059
UPC: 881482305995
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The stalemate of trench warfare in World War I was finally broken by the tank and self-propelled gun, and Germany capitulated. These weapons came fully into their own in World War II, and combined with the tactics of blitzkrieg, gave Germany early supremacy. Ground support aircraft such as Stuka dive-bombers were used to devastating effect. The Soviet response to this combination was the T-34 tank whose 76 or 85mm gun could fire high explosive shells as well as armor piercing rounds.

The British response, the Matilda tank, was not heavily armored, but found its role when fitted with a flame thrower. Both Britain and the United States used stop-gap measures, fitting 25-pounder field guns onto tank chassis’ and hulls. Tank chassis’ were also equipped with revolving drums and mine sweepers, with mortars, and with bridge-laying hydraulic arms. 

After the war, the role of helicopters and aircraft in armored assault became essential. The United States Army combined the use of these assault aircraft with the fire support of the M-109 self propelled Howitzer. This is capable of firing nuclear shells over 15 miles. For saturation fire, NATO has developed the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which in its ‘smart’ weapon form can penetrate the overhead armor of tanks using kinetic energy alone. There is literally no defence against it.