Thread by @The_Tech_Son

Russians are running 2 man tank crews:

A 🧵 for my Russian tanker rant of the week

1/n

Quick position overview:

*Tank Commander - Command & Control of his tank, platoon or company of tanks; tactics, radio, air defense

*Gunner - constantly scans for threats. ID’s targets, selects weapon/ammo, engages and destroys

2/n

*Driver - Analyzes terrain. Operates tank to maximize survivability. Provides gunner smooth firing platform. Secondary scanning

3/n

Tank units act in concert. Since I’ve only seen Russian column formations in Ukraine, I’ll focus on this:

*Point tank - scans 10-2 o’clock
*Middle tanks - scan alternate sides, either 7-11 or 1-5 o’clock
*Rear tank - scans 4-8 o’clock

360* coverage

4/n

In 100’s of vids & pics, I’ve not seen this yet.

What I have seen:

Tanks w/ stationary gun tube facing 12 o’clock, like mental patients on Thorazine

5/n

Column at halt - Tanks take defensive position on either side of road - their respective gun scanning side. This creates a staggered formation, maintaining 360* field of view. Gunners never stop scanning, aka “head on a swivel”. Never seen it

6/n

Defensive positions with no set ‘front line’ - Coil formation (circle, or best attempt depending upon terrain, with front slopes facing outward, GUNNERS SCANNING). . .

7/n

This is “sitting duck” territory, and still I have not seen a single proper example. They just kind of amble into a parking lot configuration, mostly facing one way, and then go to lunch ~or whatever~

8/n

What this means:
TC’s are having to double up as gunner. Each job is difficult, with its own unique focus. Engagement time is extended. Think about a chef and a waiter. Both seek same result - serving a meal. Consider a chef that has to be his own waiter. It’s overwhelming

9/n

A Tank Commander being his own gunner can’t Command & Control while staring into a tunnel vision weapon sight, and vice versa

10/n

Notice in pics & vids:

*Stationary turret
*Gun at 12 o’clock(ish), unless it’s been blown up & the turret has been violently swung due to slew ring, pinion & bearing destruction
*Looks like they’re in a Victory Day parade (minus spiffy paint job, white trim & saluting TC)

11/n

This is ONE OF MANY important reasons the auto loader was such horrible idea. . . Short just one man, now have a combat ineffective tank if either driver or TC needs to exit for any reason (maintenance, bathroom, *cough* looting). No driver? Can’t move. No TC? Can’t shoot

12/n

Here’s a clear example:

Tank doesn’t scan. Gets hit. STILL doesn’t scan. Gets hit again. STILL DOESN’T. . . Oh, wait! There’s gun tube movement! Sadly, it’s ONCE from 12-11 o’clock and the main gun max elevates. Hmmm. Must have been by accident as the TC flailed in agony

13/n

This guy should get a neon sign, “I have no gunner”. . . Kind of hard to find, shoot or hit a target when the optics are covered and the main gun is aimed at the Little Dipper

14/n

At least the main gun stabilization was activated when going over the obstacle (not good to lawn dart the muzzle) Don’t get me started on the horrific driving. Good gravy train, that TC would’ve been excused for kicking his driver’s ass for that (had they lived)

15/n

To use a technical term, I have oodles more vids & pics, but honestly, you’ll have more fun finding examples on your own

Many thanks to Ivan, my senior tank consultant for pointing this out and to my bodyguard, all around badass and wingman who gets me all the chicks, Vlad

End

To clarify - I wasn’t joking about the bad driving because the tank blew up. . . it’s a little hard to catch, but notice how instead of easing over the obstacle, then allowing a gentle seesaw motion at center of gravity, the vehicle twice violently slams hard into the ground

Also - Rampant corruption is well documented (Stolen payroll for non existent crew, etc). If on paper, 100 fully crewed tanks are available, when war kicks off, you don’t suddenly become honest, you carry on w/ the lie. Easier than explaining why only 60 tanks deployed . .