Sgt Joch Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 I saw something last night which left me a bit perplexed. I was playing a scenario on a wide open map. I had ordered a platoon of panthers, made up of regular AI troops, to move to contact over a ridge. As the tanks came to the crest, they spotted two T-34's 3 000 meters away and started firing! :eek: I left them there and all four tanks spent the next turn happily firing off AP shells as fast as they could at these two tanks, getting few hits and causing negligible damage. I have to admit I was a bit surprised since I was under the impression that the maximum effective range for WWII era tank guns was 1 000 - 1 500 meters. I also would have thought that the TacAi would recognize on its own that the chances of killing a tank at that range are slim to none and that it would cease firing on its own. So what is going on here, were WWII era tanks that effective ? or is the AI having trouble dealing with an unusual situation (i.e. getting a clear shot at such a great distance!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thin Red Line Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Originally posted by JC_Hare: I have to admit I was a bit surprised since I was under the impression that the maximum effective range for WWII era tank guns was 1 000 - 1 500 meters. In CMBO, good guns (75 long , 88mm or 17 pdrs) regularly score kills at approx. 2000m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaBellum Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 From a report of Colonel Decker, commander of Panzerbrigade 10, July 17th 1943: "...Overall it can be said that the Panther, despite some teething problems and the unreliable engine, is a very good vehicle....Its main gun is outstanding. Until today the regiment destroyed 263 enemy tanks. Russian KW-1 tanks were destroyed up to 3000m and almost all T-34 tanks were destroyed at ranges from 1500-2000m." [Jentz, Die deutsche Panzertruppe] [ October 17, 2002, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: ParaBellum ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt Joch Posted October 17, 2002 Author Share Posted October 17, 2002 thanks for the quick reply, I stand corrected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Capt Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 I was paying a scenario last night and got three kills (one T-34 and two light tanks) at 2700ms, I think the crews know what they are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warmaker Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 I've never tried engaging w/ my 75/L70 guns at anywhere near 2k meters. I've done it at about 1.5k but 3k? My kills at 1.5k were flank shots then I scooted away to save my AP shells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Wacky Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Past 3000m is JagdTiger-only territory, IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busboy Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Remember that German optics are good enough to allow accurate firing out to that far as well. We have the same quote, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt Joch Posted October 17, 2002 Author Share Posted October 17, 2002 Even though it is possible to hit targets at long range, I don't believe that firing at AFV's farther than 1,500-2,000 meters is an effective tactic or a judicious use of ammunition. Beyond 1,500 meters, Panthers and Tigers are practically impervious to frontal shots from Soviet tanks, so there is no compelling reason to fire on them. At 1,500 meters, a Panther/Tiger will basically kill most Russian tanks with 1-2 shots. Busboy, that quote is one of my favorites about war. General Lee has always been my ideal of what a general should be like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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