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XBradTC

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Berm Drills

When an armored unit is in the defense, digging two tier fighting positions is a major priority.  A well dug two tier position offers very good protection from direct fire, while simultaneously providing excellent fields of fire to engage the enemy. A tank that is in such a position can conduct what are known in…

When an armored unit is in the defense, digging two tier fighting positions is a major priority.  A well dug two tier position offers very good protection from direct fire, while simultaneously providing excellent fields of fire to engage the enemy.

A tank that is in such a position can conduct what are known in the trade as “berm drills.” While on the lower section of the position, the tank commander can scan for and designate targets. Once the gunner has acquired the target, simply driving the tank forward a few feet brings the tank onto the step, and allows the crew to engage. And just as quickly,  as soon as the shot is fired, the tank rolls back into protection.

Esli very kindly shared with us his tank practicing berm drills during an exercise.

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Responses to “Berm Drills”

  1. RetRsvMike

    Ahhhhh memories!

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  2. Esli

    I’m just going to say that, in the armor world, there are few things cooler looking than this. Wish it was during an actual gunnery.
    Unfortunately digging in tracked vehicles is a lost art (among many). I had to teach the engineer squad that dug this battle position how to do it, from the standpoint of dimensions and how it should look. It is actually the best, most-correct position I ever trained in though, because the engineers did not have bad habits; they just dug it like it is supposed to be.

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  3. Esli

    Just to amplify the comments on the position. The fighting vehicle, in this case a tank, but it could be a Bradley as well, will use two positions. When it is backed down into the hole, it is at “turret defilade.” When it comes up to the firing platform it is at “hull defilade” or “hull down.”

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  4. Jerry

    This crews berm drill takes a bit of time, but they back up just in the nick of time….
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9euAYAUyGs

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  5. SFC Dunlap 173d RVN

    Kind of like the British at Roarke’s Drift during the Zulu War. One damned good Officer of Engineers, stepped firing wall and a terrible price paid by the enemy. Great article!

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  6. timactual

    How long does it take engineers to dig a tank position? How hard is it on the transmissions?
    A live fire berm drill;
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMJuDet_dZE
    When I was in the Army digging in in general was a lost art. Training, materials, and official interest were nonexistent. Even the engineers couldn’t be trusted to build a usable bunker.

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  7. JoshO

    Driver Up! Driver Back!

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  8. Esli

    Depending on the nature of the soil and whether you have D9 dozers (preferably) or M9 ACEs (Armored Combat Earthmovers), the planning factor is about 2-2.5 hours per hole for a two step position. Sometimes more, and in sandy soil with a pair of D9 dozers, much less.

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