'Military Lessons of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine 1936' [‎64r] (132/294)

f) Striking Forces
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In the Nablus area tanks were usually included with other arms in
the Striking Forces which were held at suitable centres to take
immediate advantage of any chance encounters.
g) Demolitions
On occasions tanks were used as a quick and effective means of
demolishing gimcrack buildings and Bedouin encampments under the
eyes of the inhabitants. The moral effect was probably valuable,
but a good deal of care was required to avoid damage to tank
fittings. It was necessary to remove the sandguards; while
lamps, turret grips and tools carried outside were liable to be
torn off. There was also a risk of fire from inflammable material
collecting on the top of the silencer. Tent fabric would cling
to the tank blinding both the driver and the gunner, while broken
guy ropes wound themselves round the tracks and suspension.
The employment of tanks for demolition purposes is not, therefore,
to be recommended where other means are availaole.
h) As Guards
As an alternative to an infantry machine gun post, the tank was
often useful where speed in establishing a post was essential and
where the country was inaccessible to N.T. Examples include
anti-sniper ambush posts established after dark on high ground
overlooking camps, guards on railway bridges at night, or on the
scenes of train derailments.
i) As a substitute for armoured cars
Ydiere armoured cars were not available, tanks were used on
occasion to escort convoys of M.T. or the cars of Commanders.
Such employment was of course exceptional, since io mvo ^e
heavy wear on tracks and suspension mechanism.
j) As M armoured taxis 1 '
The employment of tanks on this duty was obviously uneconomical,
but was sometimes justified in places where trie oco ^ t ®
unamcured vehicles were easy prey to the gunman or close-range
sniper. Tanks were less easily trapped than
their moral effect on such occasions was by no means
They were used in this way so enforce curier.s ^ u
officers round their guards in particular j - personnel for
the streets of Nablus - and even to carry technical personnel tor
inspection of power lines in dangerous areas inaccessible —