When WWII first erupted, tanks were still a relatively new addition to Axis and Allied arsenals. The only true test of tanks in combat at this point had been late in WWI, at which time tanks were clumsy and dependent on infantry. Thus, the role of tanks had been to support infantry charges. This tactic proved very effective, since the tanks could knock out the machine gun nests that plagued the infantry while the infantry could provide cover for the tanks in the probable event of a mechanical breakdown or in case the tank got stuck in rough terrain.

To ensure that the tanks could best support the infantry and vice versa, the tanks were spread out among infantry divisions, often in groups of three tanks. These groups, called "penny packets" worked just fine (and indeed were a minor contribution towards Allied victory) in WWI.

But as WWII became imminent, German strategists were coming up with new, and far more deadly ways to employ tanks.

To learn more about the general devlopment of WWII tank tactics, click on "Overview".

To learn more about the early Allied tactics, click on "Static War".

To learn more about the deadly new German mobile warfare tactics, click on "Blitzkrieg".