The treads of a tank can be compared to the belt of a conveyor belt. Both are wound around rollers, which guide their movement, and the principles of both are the same.

Yet while conveyor belts move objects along their surface, a tank's treads are used to move the tank forward. As the treads revolve around the wheels, the dig into the ground, resulting in forward motion.

Tank treads are composed of individual tracks which are held together by track pins. Grooves in these tracks help them get better traction on the ground, while two sets of holes allow the gear teeth of the drive wheel to set the treads in motion.

Tread design was advanced significantly over the course of the war, making the tracks more robust and their traction greater. The Soviet Union in particular paid close attention to track design, and during the war their treads went from being overly simple (almost to the point of ineffectiveness) to incredibly complicated and effective.

WHERE TO LOOK FOR A TANK'S TREADS

All WWII tanks had the same basic drive system, and thus all had the same tread layout. The treads of a tank wind around its suspension and drive system, as shown in the picture to the right.