Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA: Corrective: Risky Wild Weasel!
"If I was their officer commanding, I would sack the tank commander if they just took the tank for a jolly."
07/09/2023
Hello Team!
Jonathan introduces this video as a corrective to a previous video he made about a Ukrainian tank attacking a Russian-held town on its own. He had questioned whether this was an act of heroism or suicidal insanity. Viewers commented with their expertise and opinions about what actually took place.
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The Tank Video
The video shows a lone Ukrainian tank pulling something behind it, possibly to trigger mines, though Jonathan is unsure if this would be effective. The tank charges into the town, firing its turret at the Russians. It starts getting peppered with mortar rounds and high explosive artillery. The tank then does a U-turn and drives off, firing backwards as it retreats, though not very accurately. There is a second tank that was behind it.
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Viewer Opinions
- A 17-year NATO tank commander said it's nearly suicide for a tank to operate alone like this.
- Another suggested it could be a way to draw counter-battery fire onto targets without risking infantry.
- Some compared it to the "Wild Weasel" tactic used by the Air Force, where an airplane triggers enemy air defenses so they can be targeted.
- A British Army veteran described a similar tactic used in war games to identify enemy strong points for artillery to target.
- An ex-tank commander said he would only risk this to provide fire support or as a feint. He would sack the tank commander if they did it without good reason.
The Thunder Run Tactic
The tactic is known as a "Thunder Run", named after an operation in the 2003 Battle of Baghdad where the US Army conducted armoured raids to test Iraqi defenses. Despite facing fortified resistance on the second run, they took control of Baghdad in one day, speeding up the end of conventional ground combat.
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Jonathan's Conclusion
Jonathan concludes that the Ukrainian tank was likely conducting a Thunder Run to draw out Russian defenses for counter-battery fire, tracked by radar. He notes the disagreement between different military experts on whether this tactic is advisable. He is still unsure about the purpose of the object being trailed behind the tank, and invites further viewer insights.
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Wrap Up
Jonathan thanks viewers for sharing their expertise which helped him correct his initial take on the tank video. He appreciates the interesting discussion in the comments thread.
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