Light guns destroy medium tanks

RNL Tiger · (This post was last modified: 12-21-2007, 03:14 AM by RNL Tiger.)

The Panzer IVHs have dominated the battlefield and are aware of one lone light gun [45mm ATG]. It's days are numbered... One group of panzers are in the scattered woods trying for a keyhole shot whilst another one hunts forward down the road...

RNL Tiger · 12-18-2007, 05:30 AM,

The panzer gets into position but is surprised when two other light guns open up...

[Image: LightgunstakeoutPanzerIV.jpg]

RNL Tiger · (This post was last modified: 12-21-2007, 03:15 AM by RNL Tiger.)

The Panzer IVH gets pinged by all three guns but shrugs off the light shells and starts to return fire. Then it is immobilised and another ricochet persuades the crew to bail - scratch one Panzer IVH

Meanwhile the other Panzer IVH has just arrived on the scene...

RNL Tiger · 12-18-2007, 05:35 AM,

[Image: PanzerIVchargesinandretreatsfast.jpg]

The panzer arrives on the scene but is greeted immediately by two guns and decides to beat a hasty retreat. Unfortunately it cannot get away fast enough and that crew also bail out.

Lesson: light guns can KO medium tanks

RNL Tiger · (This post was last modified: 12-21-2007, 03:15 AM by RNL Tiger.)

PS

I think one of the light guns also gun damaged another Panzer IVH early in the game. So, it seems that it is worth firing at the medium tanks because you might get an immobilisation, gun damage or force the crew to abandon. Indeed, if the guns are close enough they might even penetrate and cause a real KO.

McIvan · 12-18-2007, 06:00 AM,

They'll do the same thing to heavies....but take longer about it. Hail fire can be lethal.

RedDevil · 12-18-2007, 07:05 AM,

I killed 4 King Tigers using 37mm AA guns and ATRs once.. Big Grin

McIvan · 12-18-2007, 10:12 AM,

I actually ran a test out of interest, a year or so ago, with a hundred ATRs and four Tigers. The ATRs didn't inflict any damage except, I think, topping a turret commander, even though they scored lots of track and gun hits. So I reckon it was the 37mm AA exclusively. Got to be a bit of HE in the mix for it to work...

kineas · 12-18-2007, 05:34 PM,

37mm ammo can readily kill a PzIV, even with one shot. (Turret)

Jobu88 · (This post was last modified: 12-18-2007, 11:52 PM by Jobu88.)

Someone posted a thread earlier this year demonstrating how 4 25mm AA guns can kill a Tiger in under a minute. Tiger is immobilized almost immediately, and the crew bails out by about the 0:45 mark. I tested it several times and 4 guns seems to be the minimum required.

I also tried it with 20mm German AA guns vs Russian tanks, it takes longer and you may lose some of the guns, but it still works.

Finally, I think the Pz IV might be uniquely vulnerable among medium tanks to light AT guns due to its weak armor. T-34 or even Shermans might do better? Maybe not, but almost any round will go through a Pz IV.