Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple C
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.
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IIRC Mortain saw mostly M3 gun equipped M4's knock out 55 AFV's mostly Pz IV for the loss of only 14 US tanks. This backs up the mistaken beleif that the M3 gun was good enough. With the Sherman's other advantages it was only truly lacking vs the Pz V VI The much weaker gun the M2 could knock out any tank Rommel had in mid 42. I tend to fall on the side of US claims- the evidence seems to back it up. Plus the 30mm appligue on top of the 50mm base on the turret was not as effective as a whole 80mm plate: IIRC is was a lesser quality steel. the tank only gained 2.5 tons from the G model.