DOCSLIB.ORG

Optional Rules - Armoured Trains

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Optional Rules - Armoured Trains OPTIONAL RULES - ARMOURED TRAINS - Over the previous editions of Blitzkrieg Commander, many optional rules have been developed either within the rules themselves or as house rules by various players and clubs. These rules are optional and all players participating in games where they apply must agree to their use in advance of starting the game. They can be played to represent specific scenarios or campaigns, or to add additional detail to a game. ARMOURED TRAINS It is generally agreed that the Russian Civil War was the hay-day of the Armoured Train and it was then that they were most widely used and at their most effective. However, by the period covered by BKC-IV, whilst Armoured Trains featured in conflicts in China, Manchuria and eastern Europe, their use was on the decline as air power started to dramatically increase their vulnerability. Armoured Trains fall broadly into two categories – Improvised and Purpose Built: - Improvised armoured trains appear particularly in China and Manchuria and are smaller, less heavily armoured and generally poorer in performance (although there were exceptions). Their primary function was usually the rapid deployment of infantry (or cavalry) with the trains guns acting in a defensive rather than offensive capacity. - Purpose built armoured trains were used on the Eastern Front in Europe and Russia during WW2, with the Poles, Russians and Germans (amongst others) continuing the tradition of building them. These trains were often used offensively and were formidable opponents. IMPROVISED ARMOURED TRAINS The variations of weapons, armour, armaments and infantry contingents that made up the improvised armoured trains were almost as variable as the number of individual trains converted and deployed. However, for the sake of simplicity we have adopted the approach of reducing the artillery firepower and increasing the carrying capacity. For the purposes of depiction improvised armoured trains, the on-table unit is depicted as: • 1 Locomotive/Tender, • 1 Command Compartment • 1 Artillery Car • Up to 2 additional Transport Carriages (either armoured or unarmoured). Some transport carriages are nothing more than cattle trucks or civilian carriages or open topped flat-bed tenders. While some had added armour to their sides and occasionally the roof, they were usually unarmoured standard rolling stock. The improvised armoured train forms a single formation with the HQ (CV7) in the command compartment attached to the tender regardless of the number or sequence of other carriages deployed. As with purpose-built armoured trains, the command compartment can never be targeted by direct or in-direct fire whilst the HQ is on-board. Trains may dismount 1 infantry unit from the command compartment (within 5cm of the command compartment) and up to 1 infantry or 1 cavalry unit from each transport carriage/tender. The lower command CV represents the technical inferiority of these improvised trains, which were also often led by commanders not well versed in the characteristics and tactics of railway warfare. Blitzkrieg Commander is produced by Pendraken Miniatures © 2019 Optional Rules - Armoured Trains v1.0 PURPOSE-BUILT ARMOURED TRAINS For the purposes of depicting purpose-built armoured trains, the standard on-table unit would be represented by using 4 elements joined together: • 1 Locomotive/Tender • 1 Command Compartment containing a HQ unit and two Infantry units • 2 Artillery Cars The total cost of a Purpose Built Armoured train, as outlined above, is 400 points (including the HQ and the 2 Infantry units). A Cavalry unit and Horse Transport can be added at an additional cost of 30 points. This is regardless of the historic composition of the actual train being portrayed and represents the fact that the train was often part of an armoured train platoon, made up of a number of locally co-ordinating armoured trains operating together. An alternative modular ‘self-build’ approach is outlined below for players wishing to use a more historical depiction of a specific armoured train. MOVEMENT All Armoured Trains move up to a maximum of 20cm per turn and must be commanded to do so by an on-board HQ in the usual manner. They cannot Assault an enemy or move in the Initiative phase. TYPES OF CARRIAGES The elements of the train form a single formation with the Tender at the front, followed by the HQ (CV8) in the command compartment, then followed by the Artillery Cars (and the Infantry or Horse Transports if purchased). > LOCOMOTIVE/TENDER Count the locomotion and tender as one unit with 4 hits, and a save of 6. The armoured train will be unable to move if the locomotive is knocked-out. Locomotives can be located at the front or rear of the train and in some instances 2 locomotives were deployed to a single train, allowing it to move rapidly in either direction if necessary. However, having 2 locomotives does not increase the speed of the train. > COMMAND COMPARTMENT The command compartment cannot be the target by AP or AT fire or off-table artillery or air strikes whilst the HQ is aboard the train but may be targeted if the HQ dismounts and may receive casualties if they fall within an area template and in that situation, casualties are calculated as for a normal HQ unit. AP AT CA Hits Save Notes / Abilities Command Compartment 3/60 - 4 4 5 AA: 2/30 The Command Compartment has 2 machine guns – one on each side. One machinegun may fire from each side, in a 180º arc parallel to the track. Any Infantry unit passengers within the Command Compartment any also fire, but only 1 unit to each side of the train. The command compartment has a value of 2/30 for AA fire (plus the +1d6 for each AA top-turret within range - see other carriages below). The standard HQ AA factors (also 2/30) is only available for use when the HQ is dismounted, it cannot be used whilst the HQ is a passenger on the train. The HQ may dismount if suppressed, as may the Infantry units in the command compartment. > ARTILLERY CAR(S) Each car has two guns: 1 x 75mm gun and 1 x 100mm gun, both of which use direct fire under the standard on-table artillery rules. They are both commanded in a single action, but may fire at separate targets. Direct Fire Each of the guns in the artillery cars may fire within an arc of 180º on each long side of the carriage model. Guns can be fired whilst the train is moving but suffer a -2d6 to their AT/AP values at under half range and -3d6 at half-range or longer. AP AT 75mm guns 1/80 1/40 100mm guns 2/100 2/40 Blitzkrieg Commander is produced by Pendraken Miniatures © 2019 Optional Rules - Armoured Trains v1.0 Each gun adds a +1 to its AP fire within 20cm as co-axial machine guns were carried. Side machine guns are also fitted to the artillery carriages, so each of these machine guns can fire with a value of AP 3/40 from each side of each Artillery Car. These machine guns have a 180º arc on each side, parallel to the track, and can only shoot in the Opportunity fire or Initiative phase. AA Fire Each artillery car also has an AA machinegun in a top turret. These have no separate attacks but contribute +1d6 to the standard 2/30 AA attack which the command compartment can use against aircraft. Close Assault If close assaulted, each train element has 4 hits per car, hit on a 4+, save on 5+ (if armoured) or a 6 if unarmoured. > TRANSPORT CARRIAGES Transport carriages fall into 2 main varieties – armoured and unarmoured – and the unarmoured variants can be divided into closed topped or open-topped/flatbed carriages. No Transport Carriage is considered to be armed, but its passengers can shoot out, 1 unit to each side. With flatbed carriages, Infantry Support HMGs can fire out, one to each side of the carriage. Transport carriages can carry 2 Infantry units or Infantry Support units or one Cavalry unit each. > ADDITIONAL CARRIAGES More Transport Carriages can be added to a train if desired. These carry 1 additional Infantry, Infantry Support or Cavalry unit each. These units may fire from one side of the car or the other (but not both at the same time) at their normal firing values and they can do this regardless of whether the train is moving or not, with no penalty. SELF-BUILD ARMOURED TRAINS An alternative option is to allow a player a build-your-own armoured train option, using the table below: Description Pts Type Mv AP AT CA Hits Save Limit Notes / Abilities Command CO (CV8) 90 Command 60 - - 3 6 6 1 AA: 3/30 AA: 2/30 HQ (CV7) commander 30 Command 40 - - 3 4 6 2 (6) Dismounted Movement Passengers Infantry 40 Infantry 10 3/30 - 4 6 - 9 Dismounted Movement Infantry (Support MG) 40 Infantry 10 3/60 - 4 6 - 9 Dismounted Movement Cavalry 20 Cavalry 25 2/10 - 5 3 - (3) Dismounted Movement Armament Artillery Car gun (75mm) 70 Armour - 1/80 1/40 - - - 1 Per artillery car Artillery Car gun 70 Armour - 1/80 1/40 - - - 1 Per artillery car Carriages Locomotive 40 Armour 20cm - - - 4 6 1 Command Cupola 40 Armour 20cm - - 4 4 5 1 AA: 2/30 Artillery Car 40 Armour 20cm - - 4 4 5 2 AA: +1d6 See Notes Armoured Transport Car 40 Armour 20cm - - 4 4 5 - Transport (2) Unarmoured Transport Car 10 Transport 20cm - - 4 6 - Transport (2) Open top or flat-bed transport car (for Infantry, 5 Transport 20cm - - 4 - -/1 Vulnerable Infantry Support or Cavalry) Notes: We have assumed that players will want to fire each gun modelled on an artillery car separately in a gaming situation (but can obviously combine fire onto a single target).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • White Book on Violations of Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Ukraine (April 2014 — Mid-June 2014)
    WHITE BOOK ON VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW IN UKRAINE (APRIL 2014 — MID-JUNE 2014) OBL_Belaya kniga2_Eng.indd 1 08.07.2014 16:05:26 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation WHITE BOOK ON VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW IN UKRAINE (APRIL 2014 — MID-JUNE 2014) Moscow June 2014 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................. 5 Violations of human rights and the principle of the rule of law in the course of the so-called ‘anti-terrorist operation’ ............................... 7 Violations of the right to freedom of thought and belief, including political beliefs; the intimidation and kidnapping of political opponents .................................................................................29 Restrictions on freedom of the media and journalist activities............................................................................... 41 Tragedy in Odessa ...................................................................................... 51 The Snipers’ Case: a mock investigation, violation of the right to the presumption of innocence and of the right to a fair trial ....................................................................... 61 Ethnic and linguistic discrimination, xenophobia and aggressive nationalism. Instigation of racism ..................................... 67 Manifestations of religious intolerance, including threats to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate .................
    [Show full text]
  • THE EDINBURGH GAZETTE, OCTOBER 10, 1919. 3375 June
    THE EDINBURGH GAZETTE, OCTOBER 10, 1919. 3375 June, south of Medvyeja-Gora, he secured example to his platoon, which he has led the left flank of the attack, and handled his constantly with marked skill. platoon with the skill he invariably dis- played. L/17393 Pte. R, Sheead, Midd'x. R. (Earls- field). For most marked gallantry and initiative Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. on 19th June 1919 at Kartashi. Seeing several of the enemy getting a machine-gun 49177 Pte. (L./Cpl.) E. Felton, 253rd Coy., into action outside a house, he at once charged H.G. Corps (Berrnondsey). and engaged them. He bayonetted one and On 12th June 1919, during the attack on shot another, and then was attacked by five a position south of Medvyeja-Gora, he ad- others, being wounded in two places. His vanced with his gun under heavy fire, and by splendid action prevented the machine-gun effective fire from exposed positions did ex- being used against our troops, who cap- cellent work. When owing to a stoppage in tured the village without further casualties. his gun he had to expose himself to machine- gun fire from an armoured train, his coolness 95609 Pte. (A./Sjt.) C. Smith, 10th Bn., was admirable. He had previously distin- R. Fus. (Int. Corps) (New York). guished himself at Archangel in September. On llth June 1919 he, finding a com- pany of local troops wavering, went forward '20545 Sjt. C. A. Fletcher, '420th By., 6th fide., alone under heavy fire, and by his fine ex- E.F.A.
    [Show full text]
  • Surviving Czechoslowakian Tanks and Armoured Vehicles Last Update : 25 May 2021
    Surviving Czechoslowakian Tanks and Armoured Vehicles Last update : 25 May 2021 Listed here are the Czechoslowakian Tanks and Armoured Vehicles that still exist today. “adamicz”, September 2013 - http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?230009-Tank-Day-2013-in-Lesany-museum MU-4 tankette – Army Technical Museum, Lesany (Czech Republic) – running condition Rafał Białęcki, September 2008 LT vz. 35 – Kalemegdan Military Museum, Belgrade (Serbia) “adamicz”, September 2013 - http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?230009-Tank-Day-2013-in-Lesany-museum LT vz. 35 – Army Technical Museum, Lesany (Czech Republic) – running condition This tank was previsously displayed at the Aberdeen Ord. Museum (USA), until mid-2008. It was restored at Lesany in 2010. Some new information was revealed thanks to “palic” : the Serial Number is 10112, the tank was produced by CKD Prague. The original Czechoslovak military registration number was 13.962. The tank was delivered to the CZ Army in 1937, and after the German occupation this vehicle (minus its turret) continued its operational service in the WH as a Mörsezugmittel 35(t). After some unknown damages, this vehicle was sent to Skoda Pilsen to be repaired and remained there until the liberation of Czechoslovakia (it was not recovered from the Hillersleben Proving Ground, contrary to what the Aberdeen museum said). This vehicle was then equipped with a turret and repaired on request of the US HQ, and then shipped to the USA for tests of the pneumatic and steering system Doug Kibbey, January 2007 - http://www.com-central.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5132&start=45 R2 (Romanian designation of LT-35) – Muzeul Militar National, Bucharest (Romania) “=VNVV=Rosev”, November 2011 - http://www.scalemodels-bg.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=136&start=1200 LT vz.
    [Show full text]
  • Healy, Joseph (2003) Central Europe in Flux: Germany, Poland and Ukraine, 1918-1922
    Healy, Joseph (2003) Central Europe in flux: Germany, Poland and Ukraine, 1918-1922. PhD thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2324/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] University of Glasgow Departament of Central and Eastern European Studies Central Europe in flux: Germany, Poland and Ukraine, 1918-1922 Phd Thesis Josepl'Healy 2003 Table of Contents Preface. Chapter 1. Germany, Poland and Ukraine -A Historical Perspective. Chapter 2. German War Aims and Ukraine, 1914-1918. Chapter 3. German-Polish Relations, 1918-1922. Chapter 4. The German Army in Ukraine, November 1918-March 1919. Chapter 5. The German Foreign Ministry and Ukraine. Chapter 6. Ukraine and German Economic Policy. Chapter 7. Paul Rohrbachand the Ideasof the Ukrainophiles. Chapter 8. The Period of Hostility. Poland and Ukraine, November 1918-January 1920. Chapter 9. The Alliance and the Soviet - Polish War, January-September1920. Chapter 10. East Galicia and the Struggle for Ukrainian Independence, 1918-1921. Chapter 11. The Treaty of Riga and its Aftermath. Chapter 12.
    [Show full text]
  • Russian Railways
    The Vikings The Vikings River routes from St Petersburg St Petersburg 117 km Ladoga Canal, opened 1730 Russia’s first railway St Petersburg to Tsarskoe Selo Opened: 30th October 1837 Length: 27 km Gauge: 1829 mm (6 foot) As suggested to Tsar Nicholas I by Austrian engineer Franz Anton von Gerstner Russia’s first useful railway St Petersburg to Moscow – Nikolaev Railway Opened: 1st November 1851 Construction: 8 years; 50,000 serfs, thousands died Length: 644 km - then world’s longest double track railway Gauge: 1524 mm (5 foot) Nikolaev Railway Swamps and wetlands - 165 km Earthworks - 127 million cubic yards 190 bridges, ten over 100 metres long George Washington Whistler (1800 – 1849) A question of gauge 1819 Graduated West Point, US Army 1835 Chief Engineer, Locks and Canals, Lowell, Massachusetts 1840 Chief Engineer, Western Railroad, Massachusetts 1842 Consultant Engineer, Moscow to St Petersburg Railway 5 foot gauge railways in South Eastern United States A question of gauge 1435 mm Standard gauge 1520 mm Russian gauge 1676 mm Indian gauge Change of Gauge • Original Russian gauge was 5 foot (1524 mm) • In 1970 USSR changed its gauge to 1520mm • Finland retained 1524mm • 227,000 km of Russian gauge worldwide, 720,000 km of standard gauge Bogie change shed at Brest on Polish - Belarus border Bogies changed on mid-gauge track Standard gauge bogie – wheel rim on rail head • Passengers stay in coaches • Train is split into separate coaches and lifted to swap different gauge bogies Russian gauge bogie – • It takes an hour to change the
    [Show full text]
  • The Soviet Plans for the North Western Theatre of Operations in 1939-1944
    FINNISH DEFENCE STUDIES THE SOVIET PLANS FOR THE NORTH WESTERN THEATRE OF OPERATIONS IN 1939-1944 Ohto Manninen National Defence College Helsinki 2004 Finnish Defence Studies is published under the auspices of the National Defence College, and the contributions reflect the fields of research and teaching of the College. Finnish Defence Studies will occasionally feature documentation on Finnish Security Policy. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily imply endorsement by the National Defence College. Editor: Pekka Sivonen Editorial Assistant: Harri Valtonen Editorial Board: Chairman Prof. Mikko Viitasalo, National Defence College Prof. Ohto Manninen, National Defence College Col. Erkki Nordberg, Defence Staff Dr. Kalevi Ruhala Dr. Col. (ret.) PekkaVisuri, Finnish Institute of International Affairs Dr. Matti Vuorio, Scientific Committee for National Defence Published by NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE P.O. Box 7 SF-00861 Helsinki FINLAND FINNISH DEFENCE STUDIES 16 The Soviet Plans for the North Western Theatre of Operations in 1939-1944 Ohto Manninen National Defence College Helsinki 2004 ISBN 951-25-1476-1 ISSN 0788 5571 Edita Prima Oy Helsinki 2004 FOREWORD In this study my intention has been to analyse the operation plans made by the Red Army for the Finnish theatre of war in the eve of and during the Second World War. During my visits in Russia to research in the former Soviet archives it was not possible to see the origi- nal plans for operations. It was pointed out to me that the "ground level vegetation" is still the same in the border areas of Russia and Finland. This, of course, was a friendly way of saying to me that the legislation still forbids of giving those materials for researchers.
    [Show full text]
  • Trains in IABSM
    Railroading - Trains in I Ain’t Been Shot, Mum When model manufactures, such as UM (Uni Model), UMMT (Ukraine Models Military Technics) and Ace, began publishing 1/72 scale armoured train pieces, a need for rules using these models in skirmish wargames was recognized. Available models include armoured trains, wagons, draisines and railroad versions of armoured cars. Target nationalities are the Germans and the Russians, who where the primary deployers of this kind of arsenal. This document provides rules for using both armoured and ordinary railroad equipment in the I Ain’t Been Shot, Mum game. Measurement units used in this document assume playing in 20 mm scale. Rules 1. Movement The vehicle will move when its card is drawn, or if its card is not drawn then in the end phase of the turn. Any unused initiative dice can be used as stated in the main rules. The vehicle must move the amount indicated by its current speed. 1.1. Speed Compared to other vehicles in games, trains move in a more predictable manner; on tracks and they also accelerate/decelerate slower. Therefore trains have to have their current speed recorded for each turn. The speed can be changed at the beginning of each turn. There are three choices; acceleration, deceleration and emergency breaking. For the first two options there must be someone in the locomotive fit enough to act. Emergency breaking can be initiated from the locomotive or any car in the train. The basic speed factor for each type of rail vehicle is stated in the statistics of the specific vehicle and it applies in normal situation with average configuration for the vehicle.
    [Show full text]
  • 1914-1938 Armored Fighting Vehicles Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    1914-1938 ARMORED FIGHTING VEHICLES PDF, EPUB, EBOOK George Bradford | 96 pages | 03 Nov 2010 | Stackpole Books | 9780811705684 | English | Mechanicsburg, United States 1914-1938 Armored Fighting Vehicles PDF Book They are highly mobile, usually based on tracked chassis carrying either a large howitzer or other field gun or alternatively a mortar or some form of rocket or missile launcher. The automated launch pod will also be fitted to the turret of the Eitan AFV. It was tested successfully in the autumn of in the shooting polygon of the Officer School, then sent into service and named "skull". The committee formed for their reception judged the armor unsatisfactory, and sent them to the Izhora Works in St Petersburg, headed by staff officer V. Hidden categories: CS1 uses Hebrew-language script he CS1 Hebrew-language sources he Use dmy dates from May Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Pages using deprecated image syntax Articles containing Hebrew-language text Commons link is on Wikidata. The combat engineer section carriers are used to transport sappers combat engineers and can be fitted with a bulldozer 's blade and other mine-breaching devices. Once the span has been put in place, the AVLB vehicle detaches from the bridge, and moves aside to allow traffic to pass. This is especially true in developing countries , where various armies and guerrilla forces have used them, as they are more affordable than military-grade combat vehicles. Within the term are covered self-propelled guns or howitzers and rocket artillery. Paperback , 96 pages. Main article: Armoured vehicle-launched bridge.
    [Show full text]
  • Download a PDF Version of Flames Of
    With the release of a new edition of the Flames Of War rules Late-war Flames Of War forces with the new Flames Of War, there are a few changes to how the rules work. With a vast 1939-41 and 1944-45 rulebook. library of published Intelligence Handbooks available to use Under the heading of each Intelligence Handbook you will for building forces for Flames Of War, we didn’t want to lose find a list of rules sorted by nation. Each of these sections any of those great books in the transition. also contains updated versions of the Warrior rules from the Flames Of War, Special Rules and Warriors, 1939-41 same Intelligence Handbook. and 1944-45 provides you with updated special rules and Warriors so that you can continue to use your Early- and Written by: Wayne Turner and Phil Yates Internal illustrations: Randy Elliott, Warren Mahy, Assistant Writers: James Brown, Andrew Haught Vincent Wai, Ben Wootten Editors: Peter Simunovich, John-Paul Brisigotti Miniatures Painting: Aaron Mathie Graphic Design: Casey Davies, Sean Goodison Web Support: Blake Coster, Charlie Roberts Proof Readers: David, Adlam, Luke Parsonage, Daniel Wilson Playtest Groups: Battleground Club Rostov-on-Don (Alexander Ilyn), Miniatures Design: Evan Allen, Tim Adcock, Matt Bickley, Will Jaynes Dad’s Army (Gavin van Rossum), Octopus & Friends (Michal Jozwiak), Cover Art: Vincent Wai Wargames Association of Reading (Ian Brook) Special Rules in Books . 2. The Battle of the Bulge . .23 Blitzkrieg . 47. Rules No Longer Used........... 2 United States ................. 23 Poland...................... 47 Teams ....................... 2 Britain & Canada ............. 24 Germany .................... 48 Warrior Rules .
    [Show full text]
  • IABSM Army Lists for Poland for the 1939 September War
    IABSM Army Lists for Poland for the 1939 September War Fully Compatible With IABSM v3 1 Introduction from Richard Clarke’s IABSM v2 Blitzkrieg theatre supplement: A nation reborn from the ashes of three great empires, Poland had a difficult birth being immediately embroiled in a war with her Soviet neighbour. Divisions in the ranks of the Red Army, combined with Polish aggression, saw them secure their borders, but relations with the Russians would forever be tainted by this bitter conflict. During the twenties and thirties the Poles found themselves limited by the agrarian nature of their economy, as such their armed forces were never able to keep pace with the technological developments of their potential foes in Germany and Russia. What is more, the success that Polish cavalry had enjoyed during the Russo-Polish War saw them elevated to a prominent position in the thoughts of their government. This undoubtedly led to a lack of investment in other branches of the services. Poland’s armoured forces were supplied with lightly armoured, under-gunned tanks and tankettes that were to prove less than effective. Her main anti-tank weapon, the Bofors 37mm anti-tank gun, was a fine weapon but Poland lacked anything like the numbers required to protect her infantry from German tanks. What is more, a shortage of automatic weapons limited the firepower of her infantry sections. That said, the one thing that Poland and her forces did not lack was courage. Fanciful stories of Polish cavalry charging German tanks have no place in serious studies of this brief campaign, but they do serve to illustrate the bravery that was attributed at the time to the Poles.
    [Show full text]
  • Tiger Tank, to Be Ready for Production in February 1943
    CONTENTS Introduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications Crew Training and Organisation Tigers vs Allied Armour Conclusion Glossary and Abbreviations INTRODUCTION Tigers on the Eastern Front, between Bielgorod and Orel, July 1943. (Photo by Roger Viollet/Getty Images) The Tiger I and II are arguably the most famous tanks of World War II, if not the most famous tanks in the entire history of armoured warfare. The Tiger I was, perhaps surprisingly for a tank which achieved such a reputation, quickly designed utilising components that had been partially tested in previous heavy Panzers. The need for a new and better-armoured heavy tank that would be successful in combating British tanks and anti-tank guns had become increasingly evident to the Germans in the first years of the war. Underlining the need for an improved tank, the Soviet T-34 medium tank, encountered after the Nazi invasion of Russia on 22 June 1941, shocked the Germans with its thick, sloped skin, excellent mobility, and powerful armament. Following the appearance of the T-34 and the heavy Soviet KV-1, the design and production of an effective heavy Panzer was pursued with increased urgency. By the time the first models rolled off the production line in August 1942, the Tiger I featured extremely thick armour, providing it with what was at that time a formidable level of battlefield survivability. It also mounted a powerful long-barrelled 8.8cm gun that could at normal combat ranges defeat virtually every enemy tank then in existence. The launch of Tiger II production in January 1944 allowed the deployment of the most powerful combat tank during the war.
    [Show full text]
  • Armoured Trains: an Illustrated Encyclopedia 1825-2016 Free
    FREE ARMOURED TRAINS: AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA 1825-2016 PDF Paul Malmassari | 528 pages | 15 Nov 2016 | US Naval Institute Press | 9781591146070 | English | United States Armoured Trains: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Paul Malmassari The lowest-priced brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging where packaging is applicable. Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See details for additional description. Verified purchase: Yes Condition: Pre-owned. Skip to main content. About this product. Stock photo. Brand new: Lowest price The lowest-priced brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging where packaging is applicable. Buy It Now. Add to cart. About this product Product Information Completely Armoured Trains: An Illustrated Encyclopedia 1825-2016 and expanded since its French publication, Armoured Trains: An Illustrated Encyclopedia is the first English-language edition of the authoritative work on the subject. Military forces around the world were quick to see the advantages of railways in warfare, whether for the rapid deployment of men or the movement of heavy equipment like artillery. From Armoured Trains: An Illustrated Encyclopedia 1825-2016 realization, it was a short step to making the train a potent weapon in its own right--a mobile fort or a battleship on rails. Armed and armored, they became the first practical self-propelled war machines. As demonstrated in the American Civil War, these trains were able to make a significant contribution to battlefield success.
    [Show full text]