ElI5: how do the tank barriers (looks like large jacks) stop tanks? I see two people can carry them, can’t the tank push it out if the way?
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They get under the vehicle and lift it up, reducing traction. They also damage the tracks, wheels, and suspension when they get tangled up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjQFtMGp9H8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdZSsjEPirg
Two people may be able to move them but that would mean two people getting out of their tanks at an obvious ambush point.
Tank treads are a lot mor fragile than they look and can be snapped by these objects causing them to become immobile.
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Called a chzech hedgehog this was copied from wiki
The hedgehog is not generally anchored to prevent movement, as it can be effective even if rolled by a large explosion. Its effectiveness lies in its dimensions, combined with the fact that a vehicle attempting to drive over it will likely become stuck (and possibly damaged) through rolling on top of the lower bar and lifting its treads (or wheels) off the ground
The Tank barrier made of metal are usually the one called Czech Hedgehog. Depending on the model, they are usually made of 3 pieces of steel that weight around 500lbs each, so 1500lbs per barrier. That is not something you can carry with two people.
A tank could push that weight, but the issue is the shape, which will make the tank go over it instead of pushing it.
You can see a visualization of this on this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1gGsNj6s8U)
Now of course you can remove them in different ways like attaching a chain to it and dragging out of the way. But that take time and leave you troops in a dangerous position while working on clearing the obstacle.
Tank can’t move it as it would dig in and possibly even damage or become stuck in the tank. People can move it. It means convoy has to stop, which is super dangerous. Then people have to get out on foot. Easy sniper target. And move it out of the way. So for cost of a couple ibeams your bring a convoy to a halt. No one’s just hoping out and moving it so they have to stop at a distance scout the whole area then move it to proceed. Couple steel beams blocks them for at least an hour. Then a km later there’s another one….at some point the enemies are waiting in ambush.
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Hi. I’m a former tank crewman. You’ll need to be more specific since “tank barrier” doesn’t mean any one specific thing. But a few thoughts that come to mind for man-portable antitank devices include anything that can become tangled in the tracks, anything that can shred the track pads (they’re typically just made of rubber), anything that can get wedged between track connectors and sprockets (it can bind the tracks or even break the connectors), or any large block or crate or similar contraption, especially if it is high enough grind the belly of the tank (while a tank crew may consider driving over mounds or bushes, a manmade obstacle provides sheer deterrence because manmade objects at least have the possibility of exploding as the tank passes over it).
They also dug into the ground when force is applied to any side, aiding in lifting the tank up. Its also shreds the tracks
Some of the barriers are thrown together quickly with some steel that was nearby.
Purpose built Czech hedgehogs are a lot heavier and more robust. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_hedgehog#/media/File:Rozsoch%C3%A1%C4%8D.jpg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_hedgehog#/media/File:Rozsoch%C3%A1%C4%8D.jpg)
According to my father who was a professional soldier all his working life, for maximum effect these hedgehogs should be placed in 2-3 rows and tied together with steel cables. Then the steel cables should be anchored to the ground somewhere to prevent the enemy from pushing or pulling it away.
To prevent infantry from getting to close to the barrier and messing with it some anti personel mines or Claymore directional anti-personnel mines should be placed around it.
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