I'm a professor at Tufts University and we're
doing some work on artificial intelligence, using
tank battles as a domain. Unfortunately, I don't
know much about tanks & tank tactics.

I'm hoping you all can help me...

We only need a crude approximation of behavior.

I'm guessing that the field of battle can be a
map containing a) open fields, b) impenetrable
hills (or other objects), hills that can be
hidden behind and fired from (only turret
exposed), and woods that hide tanks.

What is damage behavior of tanks? Is there damage that reduces a tank's mobility or fighting ability, but is not fatal? (For example, I would imagine that if you lost a tread, you'd be a sitting duck and the crew would get out ASAP. I really want to avoid playing Star Trek!)

What are the basic tactics? Using WWII tanks, there must be things they did to get shots in while not taking fire, etc.

I have a small pile of similar questions and would be most appreciative if folks could help me.

-Bil

well if in ur talkin ww2, the american tanks had to get behind a german tank, due to the fact that the cannon placed on most american tanks couldnt penatrate the frontal or side armor of a german tank, except for maybe the m10 wolverine, but im not sure how often the wolverine was used.

Thanks. I did end up finding a tanker in our
local ROTC bat.

-Bil

sure thing