Ballistic and Ammo Considerations


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.


Table #1 illustrates that the game's Hard Attack Accuracy Can Improve with the Addition of New Units (the second M3 Stuart in this example). Even though the PzIIIG and PzIIIH have the same weapon, they are rated differently - which is correct based on the new ammunition types available. However, there was no method to show the same type of ammunition improvement available for the US 37mm – this is one indication that a new unit needs to be added to the equipment file. In this case, the M3 Stuart's overall rating was too high.

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


    Ammunition Types (partial listing):

  • A.P. - Armor Piercing (manganese steel solid shot)
  • A.P./T. - Armor Piercing (contains phosphorous tracer)
  • A.P.C. - A.P. Capped (improved, but still reduced capability vs German homogeneous armor)
  • A.P.B.C. - A.P. Capped Ballistic Capped (double capped, higher velocity and better ballistics)
  • A.P.C.R. - A.P. Compound Rigid (German tungsten core ammo - which ran out in 1944)
  • A.P.D.S. - A.P. Discarding Sabot (small diameter shot in larger caliber casing which discarded when fired)
  • H.V.A.P. - High Velocity A.P. (Soviet improved munition - Original A.P.H.E. "smashed up" on impact in 1941)

    Original penetration figures calculated by Panzergranate Simulation, Darmstadt, Germany.

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