The following charts are presented for informational purposes only. While the following tables do highlight a few errors in the PzGen II equipment file, the primary intent is to present some useful ideas and considerations needed to construct an accurate modified equipment file and some common errors that should be avoided. "Penetration" represents the maximum penetration at 100 yards (or less) at zero degrees inclination. The figures quoted were NOT necessarily the numbers used by the Zerstorer to determine new Hard Attack values and are presented solely as examples. It should also be noted that the conversion of penetration depth to Hard Attack values uses a logarithmic (vice linear) progression.
Country |
Vehicle |
Weapon |
Ammunition & Year |
Penetration |
SSI |
Zerstorer |
USA |
M3 Stuart |
37mm L/53 |
A.P.C. 1941 |
76mm |
9 |
7 |
USA |
M3 (new) |
37mm L/53 |
A.P.S.V. 1943 |
97mm |
9 |
8 |
GER |
PzIII G |
50mm L/42 |
A.P. PzGr 39 |
69mm |
7 |
7 |
GER |
PzIII H |
50mm L/42 |
A.P.C.R. PzGr 40 |
115mm |
9 |
9 |
Table #2 illustrates a requirement to Consider the Overall Availability of Different Ammunition Types and production dates when determining Hard Attack values. In the following example, while each tank was originally rated the same in PzGen II, there are significant differences. It wasn't until 1945 that the Soviet 85mm penetration capability equaled the Tiger’s 88mm. However, it should also be noted that the Germans suffered a sever shortage of tungsten from 1944 on, and by 1945, a typical Tiger’s loadout might include only a few tungsten rounds. It is this critical shortage of tungsten that keeps all German Hard Attack ratings from being even higher.
Country |
Vehicle |
Weapon |
Ammunition & Year |
Penetration |
SSI |
Zerstorer |
USSR |
T-34/85 |
85mm L54 |
H.V.A.P. 1942 |
168mm |
17 |
17 |
USSR |
KV-85 |
85mm L/54 |
A.P.D.S. 1945 |
240mm |
17 |
17 |
GER |
Tiger I |
88mm L/56 |
A.P.C.R. PzGr 40 |
224mm |
17 |
18 |
GER |
Tiger I |
88mm L/56 |
A.P.C.R. PzGr 40 |
280mm |
17 |
18 |
Table #3 illustrates the need to Avoid Generalizing or Grouping Tank and Antitank Weapon Capabilities together. While the British towed 6 Pdr antitank gun and the Churchill III were both 6 Pounders, their penetration capabilities are not the same and consequently their Hard Attack values should also be different. This applies to other countries as well, since "typically" a tank's weapon was a shortened version of the towed antitank weapon.
Country |
Vehicle |
Weapon |
Ammunition & Year |
Penetration |
SSI |
Zerstorer |
UK |
Antitank |
6 Pounder |
A.P./T. 1941 |
94mm |
12 |
13 |
UK |
Antitank |
6 Pounder |
A.P.C.B.C. 1944 |
124mm |
12 |
13 |
UK |
Church III |
6 Pounder |
A.P./T. 1941 |
84mm |
10 |
12 |
UK |
Church III |
6 Pounder |
A.P.C.B.C. 1943 |
106mm |
10 |
12 |
Table #4 illustrates why it is necessary to Avoid Arbitrarily Giving Similar Caliber Weapons the Same Hard Attack Values. Even similar calibre weapons produced by the same country can have very different penetration capabilities. Without belaboring the point, it is obvious that all 37mm guns (for example) should not be rated equally. It should also be noted that Air Defense units normal did NOT carry a large number of A.P. rounds, and therefore should have proportionally lower HA ratings.
Country |
Vehicle |
Weapon |
Ammunition & Year |
Penetration |
SSI |
Zerstorer |
POL |
Wz.34A |
37mm L/21 |
A.P. 1927 |
31mm |
1 |
3 |
GER |
antitank |
37mm L/45 |
A.P.C.R. PzGr 40 |
79mm |
7 |
7 |
GER |
airdefense |
37mm L/89 |
A.P. PzGr 39 |
128mm |
7 |
7 |
GER |
airdefense |
37mm L/89 |
A.P. PzGr 40 |
156mm |
7 |
7 |
Original penetration figures calculated by Panzergranate Simulation, Darmstadt, Germany.