Tank field-testing

[Guest]

Hi folks, question if I might?

How were German tanks "field-tested" during the war. I keep getting a hunch that they were tested in fields and shooting ranges but when I searched the web i found that "field-test" actually means testing something (in this case the tank) in the actual circumstances in which it will be used. So were tanks "field-tested" by running around and experiencing actual combat?

Thanks any help is appreciated.

Adrian

[Guest]

Adrian

I have only ever seen the black and white films on History/Miltary Channels showing tanks on a testing ground, one that springs to mind is a Panther -v- a Lee going up a gradient with a concrete plinth at the top, The Panther makes it over but the Lee struggles. Whether that was a propaganda film or actual testing footage, I cannot say. I have never see anything other than that and certainly not in any books. One thought though, have you tried search 'Panzer Lehr' the literal translation being Panzer Demonstration. It may take you off on a tangent somewhere if the search brings back what you need? Sorry I cannot be of anymore help

Andy

[PJP]

Field testing is usually taken to mean in "field conditions" but not actual combat, so they'll thrash it over the kind of coutryside they'll use it in and use gunnery ranges to test weapons, but without having anyone shooting at it.

Being shot at can make prototypes a bit expensive.

Armour plate can be tested by hanging it on jigs and shooting at it.

There were lots of places in Germany where you could thrash tracks about, most of which were taken over by the occupying powers at the end of the war as training areas.

Sennelager and Seletar spring to mind but there are armour specialists on the forum who may well know better.

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies guys.

@Pedro: I have seen some pics and stuff where they replicate pieces of debris and slopes, etc.-are those the kind of thing?

By the way does anyone have any pictures of the Wehrmacht Eastern test range? All help is appreciated

Thanks

Adrian