Author Topic: Where do tankers sleep? (Read 1530 times)

davidpt40 · « **on:** March 23, 2003, 01:39:38 PM »

I've been inside the M60 and M1a1 tank. Not much room to lay down and sleep. So where do the tankers sleep when the convoy stops for 2 or 3 hours? I've never been able to sleep in a car, so I know for sure I couldn't sleep in a tank. Do they just put up a tent beside the tank?

davidpt40 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2003, 01:53:06 PM »

Those magnificant bastards!

udet · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2003, 02:26:57 PM »

I wonder what they use the gun barrels for...

ccvi · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2003, 02:36:00 PM »

Is the same crew always operating one tank, or do they have multiple crews to operate tanks?

Maverick · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2003, 09:54:16 AM »

FWIW,

Tankers catch a few winks in the tank if necessary or on the ground next to it. They do not sleep behind or in front of it.

If the tank has been shut down for a while and they are figuring to be there a while, some will pitch a shelter or poncho from the side of the tank as a leanto. When I was in a cool time of year I would sleep on the back deck or the side sponson boxes.

The driver has it knocked in the M1. He has a built in recliner and it is quite comfortable.

All tanks in the combat area will have at least one crewman awake at all times and manning the gunners position or the TC's (tank commanders) spot. This enables the tank to begin fighting and the radio to be monitored.

There is only one crew per tank. Big as the damned things are the inside is still pretty cramped.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2003, 09:57:49 AM »

I read somewhere that WW2 tankers would park their tanks accross a shallow ditch and sleep in there - they would be protected from shelling by the tank above them and could get inside by way of the bottom hatch.

Monk · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2003, 11:14:07 AM »

If it was a short stop, we would sleep right there in our positions.
TC, Loader, Gunner and Driver.

The Driver on a M1 has the best position, a 2/3 laying position.

Long sleeps, we would sleep on the back deck, if raining and depending on the situation, we would turn the gun over the back deck and erect a tarp. The M1 puts out alot of heat and the back deck was very warm.

In the First Gulf War, Many a times our Driver would fall asleep on the move. The steering had a "T- Bar", and similar to motocycle grips for giving gas. The drivers fastened a piece of rope from the T Bar to under his legs to keep the Tank in a straight line, and full gas.

Thus having nothing to do, would fall asleep.

We never slept on the ground.