I trained with tanks for a few months in 1988 (M60A3 - but I know that there are likely far more experienced tread-heads here than me). But for me, it was hard enough to hit a moving target when you are moving even then. In WW2 I would bet it was next to impossible - at normal combat ranges anyway.adiekmann wrote: ↑Wed Aug 03, 2022 4:33 pmNo, in fact I read once an American report from during the war report how German tank crews always seemed to fire when stationary. And it makes sense why. They did have the best optics (Zeiss), but not the technology of today to keep the main gun trained on the target while moving. In fact, if I remember correctly, it was taught German tank doctrine.jeannot le lapin wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 11:27 am The tanks that shoot while rolling, is that realistic for the time ?
Yes there are all kinds of gizmos to stabilize the gun these days - but that doesn't tell you what's going on in the inside of the turret.
When a tank is on the move over anything but a paved road, you are bouncing all over the place (no seat belts or shock absorbers) and the gun breech is bouncing up and down like crazy. Those videos of tanks jumping ditches are hell inside.
At the time, the preferred tank position was "turret down" - meaning behind something with only the commander able to see. When a target appears you pop up, stop when gunner acquires target, fire and back up to "turret down." All of which takes a lot less time than I just spent typing this.
Now, if you are just doing suppressive fire or recon by fire, where pinpoint accuracy isn't that critical, that is a different matter.
I imagine the newest generation of tanks have improved a lot since 1988 when I last rode a tank - but I bet the above still has a lot of truth to it.