Common Myths of WW2

[IronCat60]

Here is a great link to a page that has interesting information and a myriad of other links on all kinds of WW2 information.

http://ftr.wot-news.com/2013/09/05/common-myths-about-wwii/

Enjoy

Mech.Gato

[Erwin]

Very interesting. Thanks

[JonS]

The very first one made me lol

[varnp]

Many of these points lack citations.

-Pv-

[varnp]

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history/videos/sherman-tank

-Pv-

[varnp]

More:

http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/US/M4_Sherman.php

-Pv-

[Vergeltungswaffe]

The very first one made me lol

+1

Couple others too.

[Jaeger Jonzo]

Thought some if it was cobblers. 'Other than 1st,2nd & 3rd SS, the other divisions were merely 'volksturm' divisions...really? Tell that to the Viking division on the Eastern front or the 12th HJ in Normandy!

Some of the other statements were dubious too.

[Trooper117]

Hmm, interesting stuff, but as others have stated, some doubtful opinions there.

[Childress]

This guy goes to great lengths to debunk the alleged superiority of German tanks versus Soviet tanks. Yet you have the documented gross disparity between kills in favor of the Germans throughout the war. This, imo, can't be entirely attributable to superior crews and tactics.

From the Operation Barbarossa series:

Quote:

According to the head of the Armored Directorate of the Red Army N.Fedorenko, the average mileage of the T-34 to overhaul during the war, did not exceed 200 kilometers. This was considered adequate since the T-34’s service life at the front was considerably less. For example in 1942 only 66km. In that sense the T-34 was indeed ‘reliable’ because it was destroyed before it had a chance to break down on its own.

Quote:

The T-34 is possibly the only weapon system in history to be rated by most commentators as the finest all round weapon in a century of warfare, and yet never consistently achieved anything better than a one to three kill-loss ratio against its enemies.

[Tempestzzzz]

[fry30]

Gentlemen, you do realize that this is a link to a World of Tanks webpage?

I don't mean to come off like a hater, but it is essentially the Broadsheet Newspaper of the WW2 simulator genre.

One could even argue its the RT (or FOX NEWS) of videogames; it is a Russian game after all.

[Michael Emrys]

Yeah, after reading a few of the items I realized that it represented a perhaps sincere effort to set the record straight by a person or group of folks who are not quite up to the job. This is typical of hobbyists who are trying to act as historians (and sometimes historians who are trying to act as historians). History is both a science and an art and the field is covered with pitfalls, minefields, and snares for the unwary. It should be approached the same way one would approach a dragon, bravely but cautiously with due respect for the hazards of the task. Particularly among military gaming hobbyists the field is littered with the carcasses of those who have read a book or two and think they know all there is to know about a subject.

Michael

[Pak40]

The longer 76 mm gun (superior in AP performance to the Soviet 85 mm gun, which could handle Tigers just fine) had no problem with Tigers or Panthers.

had no problem? This is a grossly inaccurate statement.

[Hister]

Statements which argue to debunk myths but in reallity create even more "myths". Poor performance, back to the studying desk soldier.

[JoMac]

This guy goes to great lengths to debunk the alleged superiority of German tanks versus Soviet tanks. Yet you have the documented gross disparity between kills in favor of the Germans throughout the war. This, imo, can't be entirely attributable to superior crews and tactics.

From the Operation Barbarossa series:

Quote:

According to the head of the Armored Directorate of the Red Army N.Fedorenko, the average mileage of the T-34 to overhaul during the war, did not exceed 200 kilometers. This was considered adequate since the T-34’s service life at the front was considerably less. For example in 1942 only 66km. In that sense the T-34 was indeed ‘reliable’ because it was destroyed before it had a chance to break down on its own.

Quote:

The T-34 is possibly the only weapon system in history to be rated by most commentators as the finest all round weapon in a century of warfare, and yet never consistently achieved anything better than a one to three kill-loss ratio against its enemies.

Ofcourse, we all know that the Sherman was the best all around...

[db_zero]

had no problem? This is a grossly inaccurate statement.

I had to wonder about that statement myself. I was under the impression that even with a longer 76mm gun it was still inadequate against the Panther and Tiger. Now the question is did the APCR rounds make a difference and were Sherman crews issued a lot of these types of rounds or just a few.

I thought the tank destroyer units has the tank with the better guns and more silver bullets to fire with. I've been told by other players what makes the M-18 so dangerous is the 76mm gun and ammo it carries.

[Michael Emrys]

...were Sherman crews issued a lot of these types of rounds or just a few[?]

Most often none at all. Production did not ramp up until late in the war and the few that were available were issued to the TD battalions. Sometimes the tankers could mooch a few off of the TD guys in some kind of trade, but most of the time they were just SOL for APCR.

Michael

[Hister]

Interesting! And what was ussually exchanged for the "silver bullet"?

[sburke]

Interesting! And what was ussually exchanged for the "silver bullet"?

Miller lite, sometimes bud lite.

[Melchior]

The combat myths aren't even the most harmful ones to me. The most harmful myths of the war were the political ones that we hear today. The Wehrmacht was innocent of war crimes, and that the Nazis-whatever you thought of them-fixed Germany's economy!

It's a testament to how effective a liar Joseph Goebbels was that people unknowingly spout his nonsense 70 years later.

[Badger73]

Interesting! And what was ussually exchanged for the "silver bullet"?

Miller lite, sometimes bud lite.

Hmmm, my Supply Sergeant always issued Coors Lite . . .

[sburke]

Hmmm, my Supply Sergeant always issued Coors Lite . . .

Coors lite is the "silver bullet". Your supply sergeant was well supplied. Probably friends with Bob Seeger as well.

[Michael Emrys]

Interesting! And what was ussually exchanged for the "silver bullet"?

HE. Unlike doctrine, the TDs often had to perform the same functions as tanks but were usually not issued enough HE to avoid running out in intense combat.

Michael

[slysniper]

trying to act as historians (and sometimes historians who are trying to act as historians). History is both a science and an art and the field is covered with pitfalls, minefields, and snares for the unwary.

So is there anyone the frequents this forum that is a true Historian?

With published works and such.

I figure so, but I really do not know?

And if so, instead of their tag name, what is the published name