Why were tanks cemented into the ground?

Simple History

29 Mar 201904:52

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThe video script delves into the innovative use of tank turrets as fortifications during World War II. Initially inspired by the French FT-17 light tank, this concept was adopted by Belgium, France, and the Soviet Union to bolster their defenses. The Maginot Line in France saw the installation of the Rhodomont tablet, a transportable and concealable turret system. Obsolete tanks like the FT-17 were repurposed, with their turrets buried in concrete to serve as fixed fortifications. The Germans later employed a similar strategy, using captured French and Czech tanks, and even up-to-date Panther tanks, to create fortified bunkers known as Pantherturm. These fortifications were effective against Allied armor but had vulnerabilities due to their fixed positions. The Pantherturm were primarily used on the Western Front and in Italy, with a few used in the Battle of Berlin. The narrative highlights the resourcefulness and strategic adaptations in military technology during the war, inviting viewers to explore more fascinating historical insights on Curiosity Stream.

Takeaways

🛡️ The concept of tank turret fortifications originated with the French FT-17 light tank during World War I, which had a fully revolving turret.
⚙️ During the interwar years, many obsolete tank models were developed into fixed fortifications by Belgium, France, and the Soviet Union to bolster their defenses.
🇧🇪 Belgium used older tanks to protect its coastline and borders, while the Soviet Union employed them to guard the Stalin and Molotov lines.
🏰 The Maginot Line in France was reinforced with tank turrets, which were cost-effective and could be installed in three and a half hours.
🚜 The FT-17, being obsolete, was repurposed by burying the entire tank in the ground with only the turret exposed, armed with a machine gun and a 37-millimeter gun.
📡 Some of these tank turrets served as observation posts, with the radio model FTT SF used for this purpose.
🇩🇪 After studying the tank turret fortifications of their conquered territories, the Germans began using captured French and Czech tanks, as well as their own obsolete Panzers, for similar fortifications.
🐆 The Germans made a significant shift by choosing the up-to-date Panther tank's turret for fortifications, modifying it for a static position with enhanced armor.
🏗️ Two versions of the Panther turret fortifications were used: one with a steel box bunker and another with a concrete foundation.
⚔️ These Panther tank bunkers had the advantage of being able to penetrate Allied tank armor but were vulnerable to being flanked due to their fixed position.
🌍 The Panther tank bunkers were primarily used on the Western Front, the West Wall defenses, and in Italy, with very few on the Eastern Front.

Q & A

What was the innovative feature of the French FT-17 light tank during World War One?
-The FT-17 light tank featured a fully revolving turret, which introduced a new advantage onto the battlefield.
During the interwar years, what did the development of modern tanks lead to for older models?
-The pace of development left many obsolete models, which could be scrapped for metal or put in museums.
What were the three countries that decided to use their older tanks as fixed fortifications?
-Belgium, France, and the Soviet Union decided to use their older tanks as fixed fortifications.
What was the purpose of installing Rhodomont tablet along the Maginot Line between 1935 to 1940?
-The Rhodomont tablet, a revolving turret, was installed to increase the defense of the Maginot Line and could be transported and placed into the ground.
Why were tank turrets considered as cost-effective fortifications to supplement the Maginot Line's defenses?
-Tank turrets were considered cost-effective because the FT-17 was now obsolete and most were in storage, making them a perfect choice for conversion beyond becoming scrap metal or forming second line defenses.
How long did it take to install a Rhodomont tablet into the ground?
-It would take three and a half hours to install a Rhodomont tablet into the ground.
What was the radio model used as an observation post on some of the tank turrets on the Maginot Line?
-The radio model known as the FTT SF was used as an observation post.
When did the German forces start using captured French and Czech tanks to mount their turrets on bunkers?
-The German forces started using captured French and Czech tanks to mount their turrets on bunkers in 1942.
What was the name given to the Panther tank turret fortifications used by the German forces?
-The Panther tank turret fortifications were known as the Panther Ausf. D, modified for the role of bunker turret.
What were the two versions of the Panther Ausf. D bunkers used by the German forces?
-Two versions of the Panther Ausf. D bunkers were used: one that had a steel box bunker and another that had a concrete foundation.
On which fronts were the Panther tank bunkers primarily used?
-The Panther tank bunkers were primarily used on the Western Front as part of the Atlantic Wall, the West Wall defenses of Germany, and the defensive lines in Italy.
How did the Panther tank bunkers compare to the older tank turret fortifications in terms of armor?
-The Panther tank bunkers had their roof armor strengthened from 16 to 40 millimeters thick to compensate for their static position and vulnerability to artillery and air attacks.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ World War II Tank Turret Fortifications

The script discusses the innovative use of older tanks as fixed fortifications during World War II by Belgium, France, and the Soviet Union. The French FT-17 light tank from WWI, with its revolving turret, inspired the development of modern tanks. Obsolete models were repurposed as fortifications to protect strategic areas. From 1935, the Maginot Line in France incorporated tank turrets that could be installed in three and a half hours. The tanks were buried with only the turret exposed, armed with machine guns and a 37-millimeter gun. The German forces later studied these fortifications and used captured French and Czech tanks, as well as their own Panther tanks, to create fortified bunkers. These Panther bunkers had a steel or concrete foundation and were used on the Western Front and in Italy, with some employed during the Battle of Berlin.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tank Turret Fortification

Tank turret fortifications refer to the use of tank turrets as fixed fortifications during wartime. They were typically used to enhance defensive positions. In the video, it is mentioned that Belgium, France, and the Soviet Union used older tank models as fixed fortifications to protect their borders and coastlines. The concept is central to understanding the innovative use of military technology for defense during World War II.

💡FT-17 Light Tank

The FT-17 was a French light tank that featured a fully revolving turret, which was a significant innovation in tank design during World War I. It served as an inspiration for other countries to develop their own modern tanks. In the context of the video, the FT-17's revolving turret was a precursor to the tank turret fortifications used later in WWII.

💡Interwar Years

The interwar years refer to the period between the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II. During this time, many countries rapidly developed their military technology, leading to the obsolescence of older models like the FT-17. The video discusses how some of these outdated tanks were repurposed as fortifications, highlighting the resourcefulness of military strategy during the period.

💡Maginot Line

The Maginot Line was a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany. The video mentions that tank turrets were used to supplement the defenses of the Maginot Line, showing how the French sought to strengthen their defensive capabilities using innovative means.

💡Stalin and Molotov Lines

The Stalin and Molotov Lines were a system of defensive fortifications built by the Soviet Union during the 1930s to protect against potential invasions from the west. The video notes that the Soviet Union was the first to adopt the idea of using tank turret fortifications, which were employed to protect these defensive lines.

💡Rhodomont Tablet

The Rhodomont tablet refers to a specific type of tank turret fortification that was installed along the Maginot Line. It was a revolving turret that could be transported and placed into the ground, taking about three and a half hours to install. The Rhodomont tablet exemplifies the ingenuity in the application of tank technology for defensive fortifications during WWII.

💡Renault FTT SF

The Renault FTT SF was a radio model used as an observation post. It is mentioned in the video that some tank turrets, like the FTT SF, were used for observation purposes on the Maginot Line. This highlights the multifunctional use of tank turrets beyond their traditional combat roles.

💡Atlantic Wall

The Atlantic Wall was a German defensive line along the coast of Western Europe during World War II, intended to protect against an Allied invasion. The video discusses how the German army used captured French and Czech tanks, as well as their own obsolete Panzers, to create tank turret fortifications along the Atlantic Wall, demonstrating the adaptability of military technology in the face of changing warfare.

💡Panther Tank

The Panther tank was a German medium tank deployed during World War II. The video describes how the turrets of the Panther tank were used as fortifications, marking a shift from using only obsolete tanks for such purposes. The Panther's turret was chosen due to its production outpacing its hulls and its capability to engage with the latest Allied armor, showcasing the evolution of tank turret fortifications throughout the war.

💡Panther Ausf. D

The Panther Ausf. D was a modified version of the Panther tank used specifically for the role of a bunker turret. The video explains that it was modified with a strengthened roof and a commander's cupola replaced by a hatch to suit its static defensive position. This modification reflects the German forces' strategic adaptation to enhance the Panther's defensive capabilities in a fixed fortification role.

💡Battle of Berlin

The Battle of Berlin was the final major offensive of the European theatre of World War II, where the city of Berlin was invaded by the Allies. The video mentions that Panther tank turrets were used as a desperate measure during this battle, indicating the extent to which these fortifications were utilized until the end of the war.

Highlights

The concept of tank turret fortifications originated with the French FT-17 light tank during World War I.

Interwar years saw rapid development of modern tanks, with many obsolete models repurposed as fortifications.

Belgium, France, and the Soviet Union used older tanks as fixed fortifications to protect their borders and coastlines.

Tank turret fortifications were possibly a shared idea through espionage or collaboration.

From 1935, Rhodomont tablets were installed along the Maginot Line, which could be placed into the ground and installed in three and a half hours.

Obsolete FT-17 tanks were buried in concrete, with only the turret exposed, to supplement the Maginot Line's defenses.

Some tank turrets on the Maginot Line are still visible today.

German forces studied tank turret fortifications used by Belgium, France, and the Soviet Union during their conquests.

In 1942, the German army used captured French and Czech tanks, as well as obsolete Panzers, to create their own tank turret fortifications.

The Panther tank's turret was chosen for fortifications in 1943, marking a shift to using current models instead of only obsolete ones.

The Panther turret was modified for a static position, with the commander's cupola replaced by a hatch and roof armor strengthened.

Two versions of the Panther turret fortifications were used: one with a steel box bunker and another with a concrete foundation.

Panther tank bunkers had the advantage of being able to penetrate Allied tank armor but were vulnerable to flanking maneuvers.

These fortifications were primarily used on the Western Front, the West Wall defenses, and in Italy, with few on the Eastern Front.

Panther turrets were employed until the end of the war, including during the Battle of Berlin as a last resort.

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Transcripts

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Why were tanks cemented into the ground?

Takeaways

Q & A

What was the innovative feature of the French FT-17 light tank during World War One?

During the interwar years, what did the development of modern tanks lead to for older models?

What were the three countries that decided to use their older tanks as fixed fortifications?

What was the purpose of installing Rhodomont tablet along the Maginot Line between 1935 to 1940?

Why were tank turrets considered as cost-effective fortifications to supplement the Maginot Line's defenses?

How long did it take to install a Rhodomont tablet into the ground?

What was the radio model used as an observation post on some of the tank turrets on the Maginot Line?

When did the German forces start using captured French and Czech tanks to mount their turrets on bunkers?

What was the name given to the Panther tank turret fortifications used by the German forces?

What were the two versions of the Panther Ausf. D bunkers used by the German forces?

On which fronts were the Panther tank bunkers primarily used?

How did the Panther tank bunkers compare to the older tank turret fortifications in terms of armor?