David C. Decker wrote:
> Steven P. Allen wrote:
> >
> > The stories so far have been entertaining AND enlightening. A further
> > question (brought up by the M109 tale):
> >
> > How many of you have any experience with tracked vehicles, especially
> > halftracks, in snow, etc? The M109 leads me to believe that there will be
> > no real gain to using tracks, but does anyone have any first hand info?
>
> My primary MOS in the OD Circus was 11E which was tanks. Before I went across the big
> pond, I was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington and had field exercises at the Yakima
> Firing Range on M-60s. It is a good thing I was only 19 at the time, because I would
> probably have a heart attack now doing some of the dumb stunts that we did driving
> tanks.
> During the harsh winter of 69-70, we had lots of snow. The motor pool was ice. To even
> move a tank was dangerous and eventually outlawed.
> Why? Zero, as in Zero traction on ice and hard pack snow. I have personally gone 30MPH
> indicated while not moving forward an inch. Tracks a-spinning like crazy and no forward
> movement. If you somehow did get forward motion, forget about control! After one morning
> of the company trying to get out of the motor pool, the brass called it quits. Luckily
> no one was hurt but bent fenders, crushed 'Jeeps' and other mishaps made the motor pool
> look like a tank battle had been fought. The 'old guys' just smiled and said wait till
> we get to Europe. Luckily(?) I went to the jungle instead, where I can assure you, a
> tank cannot cross a rice paddy.
> Joe Baker brought up the point of changing a few center connectors, which does work,
> BUT, according to the tank vets, raised hell with German cobblestone roads. I remember
> one story where a tank CO told of kicking cobblestones 30 feet in the air and knocking
> out windows!! I was amazed to hear that they even allowed it. Keep in mind, that the US
> Taxpayer wrote checks for ANY damage to German streets, trees, houses and chickens. Only
> fair I guess, in the long run. Small wonder that they move the heavy stuff by rail and
> trucks.
> I'll never forget that----doing 30MPH in a 52 ton tank and not going anywhere!!!
> Giggles and Grins,
> Dave in Flagstaff
> M715
> M274
>
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