Tackling the T-34 in 1941 - Printable Version

Tackling the T-34 in 1941 - Printable Version

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Tackling the T-34 in 1941 - PoorOldSpike - 04-03-2007

TACKLING THE T-34 IN 1941

Four models of T-34/76 are around in 1941(plus the /57 model) to give the Germans a hard time, all have excellent green-class front hull armour but their fatal weakness is their thin turret front, note its only yellow-class except for the Model 42 (far left) which is slightly green.

[Image: 34.jpg]

Below is a chart compiled from exhaustive live-fire tests I did showing the capabilities of German weaponry against the T-34 in 1941. (Blue lettering=Tank Guns, black= towed guns)
Number to the left of each weapon is its penetration rating against 30-degree sloped armour at 100 metres.
The weapons are divided into three bands..

TOP BAND -These are T-34 killers, can penetrate hull front, but be prepared to see some ricochets or partial pens by weapons with pen ratings in the lower 70's.

MIDDLE BAND - Can penetrate turret and hull sides + rear, but usually not the hull front

LOWER BAND - Useless, can't penetrate the T-34 at all from any angle, not even through the thin turret until some of them get hollow-charge ammo(HC) in Dec 41 which skyrockets them into the top band.

[Image: Tackling.jpg]

TIMELINE SUMMARY - The T-34 rules the roost making mincemeat of all German tanks until Dec 41 when the PzIII-long arrives which has a reasonable chance of penetrating the front hull at close range.
Also in Dec 41 German PzIV-shorts and Stug-shorts get hollow-charge ammo which also have a fair chance of penetrating the front hull (if the computer gives them any HC in QB's)�
But not until March 42 do German tanks at last equal the T-34 when the PzIV-long and Stug-long arrive, backed up in April by the arrival of cheap but powerful Marders..

The captured T-34 can be used but its very expensive in QB's.�

Tungsten is poor against the T-34 because of its sloping armour, so although the PzIII-long and a few guns get some tungsten later on, you'll notice the crews usually won't use it against T-34's.
However they will use it with good effect against the slab-armoured KV-1 and 2..

RE: Tackling the T-34 in 1941 - Fullhouse - 04-04-2007

Anyone who wants a crash course in handling T-34s and Kv1s in 1941 should play the excellent scenario Surprise for 21st Panzer.

Handle them or die = learning the hard way = the best way to learn anything.

RE: Tackling the T-34 in 1941 - PoorOldSpike - 04-06-2007

[Image: t34designer.jpg]

(1973 stamp commemorating 30th anniversary of battle of Kursk)

RE: Tackling the T-34 in 1941 - RockinHarry - 03-12-2008

If germans have a mixed force (tanks and infantry ect.) then some of the T-34 weaknesses can be amplified! In example get the turret commander (who is also the gunner) killed with snipers or at least have the T-34 buttoned all the time. Also lure them into terrain that slow the T-34 speed to a crawl and hide some friendly infantry tank hunters/infantry there! Split infantry teams a good choice for this. Have the LMG section deal with enemy infantry or the exposed crew and have the heavy section make a close assault with good HQ in command nearby. Works equally well vs. the KV series tanks in 1941.

RE: Tackling the T-34 in 1941 - JasonC - 03-12-2008

One correction to your chart - the 150mm sIG can damage or destroy T-34s with plain HE, it doesn't have to wait for HC rounds in December to become effective. In fact, even near misses right at the base of the tank can frequently cause immobilization. The penetration isn't enough for the glacis, but the turrets (and sides) are fully vulnerable, as with the 105mm howitzer.

In addition, for the thinnest 45mm turrets on the early model T-34s, the Czech 37s on Panzer 38s have a decent change of penetrating the turret front at ranges under 500 meters. Note that the Czech 37s are significantly more powerful than the German 37s (towed, on the SPW 251/10, etc). You list that correctly in your chart, but I thought it worth emphasizing, as players may think the 37s are alike when they are not.

Finally, while your chart is correct that the 37mm Flak can't penetrate them, that doesn't mean they can't wreck them with non-penetrating hits. 37mm Flak is accurate and rapid fire enough, they can score so many hits that gun damage or track damage become serious threats, even without penetration.

RE: Tackling the T-34 in 1941 - PoorOldSpike - 03-12-2008

JasonC Wrote:...the 150mm sIG can damage or destroy T-34s with plain HE, it doesn't have to wait for HC rounds in December to become effective. In fact, even near misses right at the base of the tank can frequently cause immobilization

These tests show 150mm HE is virtually useless at penetrating T-34's, but does much better if area-firing into the ground near the tanks..

[Image: CM-150IGA.jpg]