SELF-RECOVERY OF BOGGED-DOWN TANKS IN THE CZECH ARMY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00418R005600510001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 16, 2008
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 1, 1956
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/01/16: CIA-RDP83-00418R005600510001-2
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
564919
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelatt-7 of which in any manner to an unauthorised person I. prohibited by law.
S E-G R-E-T.
NOFORN
SUBJECT Self Recovery of Bogged-Down Tanks
in the Czech Army
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
DATE ACQUIRED
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES 2
1. The usual tow ropes are r btii itteaic o'be used for tank recovery. A bogged-
down tank must use its own resources for its recovery; "i.nother tank must
not be used because it would provide an easy target for the enemy during
the recovery operation and it would. also temporarily shorten the combat unit
by another tank. If necessary, a special tank is used for recovery.
2. By self -recovery is meant the operation whereby the tank is recovered
without outside help with the means which it has at its own disposal.
The T-34/85 tanks and SD-105 self-propelled guns are not fitted with
winches;--so the self-recovery has to be carried out by means of recovery
ropes and wooden blocks.
3. Each vehicle carries two pairs of ropes for recovery purposes which are
fastened to the side walls of the vehicle body when not in use. The ropes 25X1
are about four meters long and are made of twisted steel wire about 2.5
centimeters thick. Both ends of the ropes are firmly inserted into metal
eyeholes for slipping on a steel coupling band (see the sketch, point h2).
The two ropes are held about 30-35 centimeters from one another and the ends
are firmly fixed in a steel coupling band. The steel bands have holes
at their ends 1.5.centimeters in diameter which are identical with the holes in
the links of the tank track; the holes are used for screwing the coupling
bands to the track.
4. A further item of self-recovery equipment is a wooden block at least 4 meters
long, about 35-50 centimeters thick, and either square or rounded. Each
vehicle carries with it one of these blocks, although, in case of need, a round
section from a tree or any odd beam may be used.
5. When the tank is bogged down, the ropes are first fastened loosely to the 25X1
track by means of the steel bands. The bands are then screwed to the links
or merely fastened by pins. Meanwhile, a wooden block is pushed under-
neath both tracks. Where the ground is soft, both ropes are twisted round the
block, forming a knot so that the block cannot slip out when the ropes are
S E-C-R-E.-T
NOFORN
STATE I X I ARMY NAVY Alit. FBI AEC
(Note: Washington distribution indicated by "X"; Field distribution by "#".)
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36-&-C-R-E-T
VOFORN
drawn tight. The wooden block is usually placed under the driving sprocket.
When the tank is brought into motion, the block is driven into the ground,
the track travels over it, and the tank moves ahead at least three meters. If
more movement is needed to free the vehicle, the procedure with the block
must be repeated from the beginning. The recovery process must always be
checked by an outside observer, since the wooden block may reach the end of the
vehicle and damage the rear drive.
6. This method of self-recovery has proved to be very efficient and useful
and after the first testa it was introduced into general use in a very short
time. It can be carried out in both directions, forwards and backwards,
if the block is placed in the appropriate position for each.
Le send for the xkAtcbg&
1. Rope of twisted steel wire.
2. Metal eye for hooking on the coupling band.
3. Fastening holes of the coupling bands.
4. Wooden block.
5. Links of the track.
6. Tank track.
7. Driving sprocket.
8. Bogie wheels.
8r-E-C-R-E-T
NOFORN
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SEC RU
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