Wednesday 10 July 2019

Gun Maskirovka

The art of concealment and camouflage was incredibly important for anti-tank gun crews. One position was also not enough: it was necessary to prepare multiple positions, concealment for the crew in case of indirect fire against the gun, storage of ammunition, etc. Diagrams were produced in order to make it easier to see what had to be done.



The room inside the ruins of the house can be used to conceal the gun crew until it is time to spring into action. The gun can be hidden in the more open room nearby, but it is necessary to cover it up with something that can be easily removed (like sheet metal from the collapsed roof). Any open windows should be camouflaged from the inside. Firing positions should be clearly indicated and prepared, but in the interest of secrecy trenches should not be dug. The arrows indicate the main firing position and a backup firing position. The rubble next to the primary firing position can conceal an ammunition cache. The collapsed shed can be used as a cover to a trench that can protect the crew in case of shelling.

The text reads:
"Explanation:

Destroyed or semi-destroyed houses can be used to create firing positions or to hide and conceal artillery. The remnants of a building used as a hiding spot must be thoroughly checked for stability to make sure that they will not collapse when they are shaken by firing. Concealment must be performed against observation from the ground or from the air.

The drawing shows a 45 mm anti-tank gun concealed inside a partially destroyed residence. 

Cover for the crew must be organized as well as for the gun. Use existing stone buildings or dig slit trenches and hide them in terrain.

To open fire, the gun is rolled out into an open position. Cover and ammunition storage should be arranged as close as possible."

1 comment:

  1. I suspect most Army's were more than willing to employ occupied homes and businesses if circumstances deemed necessary.

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