Quote:
Originally Posted by dalem
I would theorize that it's because all armor (80mm for the Ausf H) and penetration (about 73mm for the 75mm AP at <500m) values have some play, that many tank battles in WWII were fought at closer ranges than we think, the turret armor was thinner as you say, by late war 76mm Shermans and 85mm T-34s were also in play, and that many panzers were engaged by higher-caliber/penetration ATGs, TDs, and the like.
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Sorry to resurrect this zombie.
Dalem, I am at lost as to believe which one of the numers I have read about M3 75mm or Pz IV armor are correct. The US official statement at the time was that the 75mm could penetrate 3 in. of face-hardened steel at 1000 yards (!). Another popular floating the net is 66mm at 1,000 yards and 60mm at 5,000 yards. Steel Panther the armor tatcial sim's maker decided that the 75mm M3 should punch about
91 mm of armor at 500 yards. Some of game's claims are wierd. I would have ignored that out of hand, until I saw another book, with authoritice sources, actually invalidated the research of the game.
In the tac sim is right that will actually mean that Pz III would be vulerable Anythought on this? When exactly when the Pz IV's front hull becomes vulnerable? I have read too often about lesser Panzers getting knocked out by the scores by the Americans to be convinced that Pz IV is actually proof against 75mm fires in all except long range.
I must be missing something, though.