[Poodlebrain]

Not true, infantry supported by armor is more effective in urban combat than infantry without armor support. The armor provides much more concentrated firepower for pinning opponents and allowing the dismounted infantry to maneuver. As well as providing covering fire, the tank is also capable of dispensing smoke to provide concealment for the maneuvering infantry.

I would gladly trade the effect of a mortar round for the effect of a tank main gun round in urban combat. The plentiful cover available is usually proof against the shrapnel from mortar rounds, but not so from the blast effects of direct fire from a tank's main gun.

An infantry company supported by a tank platoon is a formidable force in urban terrain. The tanks are more vulnerable to close range attacks, but the infantry and its fighting vehicles should be able to limit any attacks to frontal attacks which are least prone to success.

[SLB]

BTTT.

[norton]

"An infantry company supported by a tank platoon is a formidable force in urban terrain. The tanks are more vulnerable to close range attacks, but the infantry and its fighting vehicles should be able to limit any attacks to frontal attacks which are least prone to success."

Valid point, and should add that large part of the infantry task would be to protect the tanks. Tanks provide firepower and/or shock when and where needed. They do not hang around making targets of themselves because they are mechanical objects, symbolic objects, and expensive objects that can be taken out even by simple break-down.

[archy]

I would gladly trade the effect of a mortar round for the effect of a tank main gun round in urban combat. The plentiful cover available is usually proof against the shrapnel from mortar rounds, but not so from the blast effects of direct fire from a tank's main gun.

Right up to the point that the bad guys start firing wire guided missiles at your tanks from beyond main gun range, or from *throwaway* positions inside buildings. And the tank crews only defense against those missiles is WP smoke fire from the mortars that obscures the ability of the missile gunners to track their targets and of the WP to burn out and sever the guidance wires. Thast's the reason every Israeli Merkava tank is itself firtted with a turret-mounted light mortar. Ours aren't.