I got this photo and caption from a friend of mine today and I wanted to share it. It could make for an interesting diorama. 
“A short-tracked Panzer IV. This was performed as a temporary fix when the suspension or track were badly damaged as it allowed the tank to either be driven or towed to safety where more extensive repairs could be made”.
The transition fossil for the Pz III/IV.
The last return roller will probably be ripped off if the driver puts on too much torque
TWO short-trcked Centurions went to battle during the Six Day War. Others were towed becasue they ran out of fuel.
I posted a video of Swiss engineers short tracking an M1 Abrams (mind you, this is in the early 80s). Interesting process.
That is actually shown in the US Army’s manual, going by illustrations in (off the top of my head) the old Verlinden Warmachines book on the tank.
There’s also a picture of an M981 FISTV in the 1991 Gulf War with its idler removed and the track put around the last road wheel. It’s in — I think — the Concord full-colour book on that war.
I suppose that explains the M53 Self Propelled Howitzer. Someone short tracked the prototype, no one told the guys in manufacturing, and they ran with it.
That was a joke. Ha Ha. Right.
