Originally Posted by acker

If a tank burns out its engine, breaks a track, shatters a sprocket, etc., the result is pretty much the same as a direct knock-out. A broken-down tank is generally abandoned by its crew, despite the "heavy" gun. You know why? Because an enemy tank doesn't even have to engage the target in order to knock it out. The enemy can simply bombard the broken-down tank with artillery, then move on. The enemy doesn't even have to risk his armor to engage the "broken down" tank. Tank vs. tank combat was a minority as to how tanks died. Most tanks were destroyed by artillery, mines, or AT guns. Also, for the broken-down tank to engage enemies, it has to break down in an awfully convenient place...