Hey guys.

I'm curious, what is the purpose of these "hooks/horns" and chains on the front of many Merkava tanks? Is this an early field mod to do what the later d'hif battering ram does on later models?

These 'rams horns' are used to recover tanks that are out of action for what ever reason. Specifically for recovery by D9 dozers, they hook their rear mounted plow into the chains and pull the tank to safety. Thats the official line anyway.

Personally, I think theyre used for recovery, but by other tanks. There are some tanks with them mounted at the front, and i've seen some mounted at the rear too. I think that what happens is that one tank get knocked out or has engine trouble, the other tank (also fitted with horns and chains) drives up and interlocks the horns and chains on both tanks, then backs or drives away, thereby retrieving the stricken tank. Used this way, the crew doesnt need to leave the (relatively) safe confines of their tank in order to retrieve the other tank.

Hope this helps

Sam

Interesting... Thanks Sam