Combined-Arms

Lessons from the past

          Their experiences in Spain (1936), at Lake Khasan and Khalkhin-Gol against the Japanese (1938-1939), and in Finland (1939-1940) showed that tanks could not be independent from infantry and artillery. Tank attacks had to be accompanied by reconnaissance and close coordination with infantry and artillery.

Artillery and Tanks

          Tank-to-tank battles were avoided; instead, the Soviets used artillery against enemy tanks for effectiveness and reduction of casualties. The NPP (infantry support tanks) were light tanks that went into battle with the infantry and served as “mobile pillboxes” by providing protection for the troops.

          During the counteroffensive at Stalingrad, tank battalions were integrated with rifle divisions, and this allowed them to capture and hold positions behind the enemy lines. New tactics learnt were later incorporated in the Red Army Field Regulations, to ensure up-to-date material on modern warfare.

          With the recent development of self-propelled guns, such as the Su-76, Su-122, and Su-152, close armored support of infantry led to successful Soviet breakthroughs late in the war. These breakthroughs were achieved by two to three echelons combined with the use of artillery. The first wave consisted of tanks (T-34s or KVs), while the second wave was made up of reserves and motorized rifle battalions. Because of the refined usage of artillery and short-propelled guns, this technique is often called the “artillery offensive”.