Effects of Cold Weather upon Armored Combat Vehicles during the First Winter Campaign, Eastern Front, World War II
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of cold weather upon the mechanized forces of the German Army and the Soviet Red Army during the first winter campaign on the eastern front of World War II, October 1941 through March 1942. This thesis is concerned with the problems incurred by armored combat vehicles due to the winter elements (cold and snow), the solutions to those problems and the impact upon operations. The cold weather had the greatest adverse impact upon mechanized warfare during this campaign. The most significant problem caused by cold weather for both forces was the freezing of ACV lubricants, fuel, and antifreeze. Deep snow cover was a significant problem also. Its impact was to virtually negate German ACV off-road mobility. Due to design differences, the Soviet ACV's had relatively excellent mobility in deep snow. Simply stated, the cold effects impacted upon getting the vehicle, or the system, into operation; on the other hand, the snow effect was upon how well the ACV could perform its intended function after it was operational. The winter conditions effectively precluded the Germans from being able to conduct operational maneuver, thus dictating a change in their strategy. The effect of the winter weather upon Soviet tactical operations was minimal.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 07, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADB099107
Entities
People
- Bantz J. Craddock
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College