REQUIEM VIR DIE TENK: AD INITIO AD FINEM

dc.creator	C.J. Nöthling
dc.date	2012-02-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned	2015-07-20T20:09:26Z
dc.date.available	2015-07-20T20:09:26Z
dc.identifier	10.5787/10-4-693
dc.identifier	2224-0020
dc.identifier	https://doaj.org/article/460c54521fd949fa91a7319c0f530c3d
dc.identifier.uri	http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/8985
dc.identifier.uri	https://doaj.org/article/460c54521fd949fa91a7319c0f530c3d
dc.description	Affective statistics are frequently employed to support arguments for and against the continued operational deployment of the tank on the modern battlefield. In statistical evaluations, which of necessity sometimes are based on inferential techniques, military analysts tend to disregard the influence of such variables as technology.<br /> Any 'statistical' projections as to the feasibility of tracked armour with main armament should not only take recent conflicts into account but must in fact be founded on a far broader, historically comparative basis of reference. On this premise the operational deployment of the tank is reviewed, with attention given to such determining factors as availability (with production as initial factor), use and losses during WWI, the intermediate years (1919 - 1939), WW II and the post-war period (1945 - 1980).<br /> The general conclusion at which the author arrives is that quantative factors playa decisive role in the course and outcome of conflicts in spite of the relative importance of doctrines, battle skill and tactics. However, quantitive considerations and resolutions have also lead to certain misconceptions as to the role of armour in modern warfare. In this respect acolytes of the tank tend to disregard the decisive role of air superiority. At the same time it appears that new developments in the field of manufacture are inadequate to counter the onslaught of fiscal considerations and the growing arsenal of antitank weapons.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Military Science (Military Academy)
dc.relation	http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/693
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/2224-0020
dc.source	Scientia Militaria : South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 10, Iss 4 (2012)
dc.subject	operational deployment of the tank on the modern battlefield
dc.subject	the feasibility of tracked armour
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	DOAJ:Military Science
dc.subject	DOAJ:Technology and Engineering
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	DOAJ:Military Science
dc.subject	DOAJ:Technology and Engineering
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.title	REQUIEM VIR DIE TENK: AD INITIO AD FINEM
dc.type	Article