Light vehicles 21

PzKpfw I AusfB Scout vehicle .................................................................................... 21

SdKfz 222 Scout vehicle ............................................................................................. 22
SdKfz 223 Scout vehicle ............................................................................................. 23
PzKpfw II Luchs Light tank ........................................................................................ 23
SdKfz 234 Puma Scout vehicle ................................................................................... 24
Wirbelwind AA vehicle ............................................................................................. 25
Flakpanzer I AA vehicle ............................................................................................. 26
Pz III Sapper Minesweeper ........................................................................................ 26
Tank destroyer 27
Hetzer Medium tank destroyer ..................................................................................... 27
StuG IV AusfG Medium tank destroyer ......................................................................... 28
Nashorn Medium tank destroyer .................................................................................. 29
Jagdpanzer IV Medium tank destroyer ......................................................................... 30
Jagdpanther Heavy tank destroyer .............................................................................. 31
Elefant Super-heavy tank destroyer .............................................................................. 32
Jagdtiger Super-heavy tank destroyer .......................................................................... 33
Self-propelled artillery 34
Wespe Self-propelled howitzer .................................................................................... 34
Hummel Self-propelled howitzer .................................................................................. 35
Panzerwerfer Self-propelled rocket artillery .................................................................. 36
Sturmtiger Self-propelled howitzer .............................................................................. 37
Tanks 38
PzKpfw III AusfF Medium tank ................................................................................... 38
PzKpfw III AusfJ Medium tank ................................................................................... 39
PzKpfw IV AusfF1 Medium tank ................................................................................. 40
PzKpfw IV AusfG Medium tank .................................................................................. 42
PzKpfw IV AusfH Medium tank .................................................................................. 43
PzKpfw VI Tiger Heavy tank ....................................................................................... 44
PzKpfw V Panther Medium tank ................................................................................. 46
PzKpfw VI Kingtiger Super-heavy tank ....................................................................... 48
Veteran Tiger Heavy tank ......................................................................................... 50
Transport and logistics 51
BMW R12 Motorcycle ................................................................................................. 51
Kubel VW82 Car ...................................................................................................... 51
SdKfz 251/1 Armored halftrack .................................................................................... 51
Opel Blitz 36 (transport) Supply truck...................................................................... 52
Opel Blitz 36 (supplies) Supply truck ....................................................................... 52
Opel Blitz 36 (engineers) Supply truck .................................................................... 52
Special attacks 53
Goliath.................................................................................................................... 53
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Contents
The German Empire 4
German campaign battles 5
How to use this guide 6
Infantry squads 7
Volkssturm ............................................................................................................... 7
Assault infantry ....................................................................................................... 7
Regular infantry ....................................................................................................... 7
Paratroopers ............................................................................................................ 8
Panzergrenadier ...................................................................................................... 8
Sappers .................................................................................................................... 8
Mechanized Panzergr battalion .............................................................................. 9
Engineers (AP) ......................................................................................................... 9
Engineers (AT) .......................................................................................................... 9
Brandenburg division ............................................................................................ 10
Fallschirmjger ..................................................................................................... 11
Stosstrupp ............................................................................................................. 12
Specialized soldiers 13
Rifleman ................................................................................................................. 13
Submachine gun .................................................................................................... 13
Machine gunner ..................................................................................................... 13
Team with anti-tank rifle ....................................................................................... 14
Anti-tank team ....................................................................................................... 14
Crew ....................................................................................................................... 14
Flamethrower team ............................................................................................... 15
Officer .................................................................................................................... 15
Sniper..................................................................................................................... 16
Veteran sniper ....................................................................................................... 16
Radio operator ....................................................................................................... 16
Fixed weapons and artillery 17
Heavy machine gun Machine gun ............................................................................. 17
Flak 38 AA AA defense .............................................................................................. 17
sGrW 34 Mortar Mortar ............................................................................................ 17
AT Pak 41 AT gun ..................................................................................................... 18
AT Pak 38 AT gun ..................................................................................................... 18
AT Pak 40 AT gun ..................................................................................................... 18
FlaK 37 AA defense / AT gun ....................................................................................... 19
FH 18 M howitzer Field howitzer ................................................................................. 20
sFH 18 howitzer Field howitzer ................................................................................... 20
Nebelwerfer 41 Rocket artillery .................................................................................. 20
The German Empire
On September 1, 1939, German troops invaded Poland. In response, France and Great
Britain declared war on Germany. The Second World War had begun. Weeks later,
the German army conquered Warsaw, and Germany and the Soviet Union shared Polish
territory.
In April 1940, Germany occupied Denmark and Norway with scarcely any resistance. Not
long after, the conquest of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg began. The French
and British armies withdrew to Dunkirk.
On June 10, 1940, Italy declared war on France and Great Britain. Four days later, German
troops entered Paris, forcing the French Marshall, Ptain, to sign an armistice. Between
August and October of that same year, the Battle of Britain took place, in which British
resistance managed to repel the Luftwaffe's air offensive.
From June 1941, German troops entered USSR territory, crossed the Stalin Line,
conquered Leningrad and Kiev and headed towards Moscow, where they were beaten
back by Soviet resistance. Meanwhile, the Afrika Korps, under Rommel's command, took
up positions in North Africa.
In 1942, Germany won the Battle of Stalingrad. However, the arrival of winter coincided
with the Soviet counteroffensive, which ended with the surrender of the German Field
Marshall Von Paulus on February 3, 1943.
The allied landings in Normandy in June 1944 precipitated the end of the conict.
Germany responded with new offensives in Alsace and the Ardennes, but the Soviet attack
on German territory came as the nal blow for the exhausted German army. The fall
of Berlin in May 1945 triggered the unconditional surrender of Germany.
German campaign battles
Battle for Caen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 7, 1944.
After the allied landings on the Normandy
beaches, the efforts of the German troops under
General Edwin Rommel's command were focused
on the defense of Caen, a hugely important
communications center on the route towards
the French capital, Paris.
Battle of Saint Hilaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .August 7, 1944.
On discovering that, contrary to what they
expected, the great allied landings did not occur
in the Dover Strait, the German Panzer divisions
stationed at that strategic point launched
the counterattack. The town of Saint Hilaire was
witness to the clash between both armies.
Operation Market Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 17, 1944.
Control of the bridges over the Rhine and the
rivers in the Arnhem region was one of the keys
to the allied advance in northern Europe. German
troops were preparing to face up to the enemy
airborne divisions, which, supported by armored
land forces, maneuvered in order to launch the nal
attack.
Chronology
September 1, 1939
Invasion of Poland
April 9, 1940
Invasion of Denmark and
Norway
May 10, 1940
Invasion of Netherlands,
Belgium and Luxembourg
May 28, 1940
Battle of Britain
June 14, 1940
Conquest of Paris
June 22, 1941
Russian campaign
June 28, 1942
Battle of Stalingrad
June 6, 1944
Battle of Normandy
December 16, 1944
Battle of the Ardennes
May 7, 1945
Fall of Berlin
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Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-L20582 /
Schmidt / CC-BY-SA
6 German Army: How to use this guide Combat Guide 7
How to use this guide
Combat guide 1
Assault infantry
M 135 C 25 H10 X 2
6 4
Thompson submachine gun M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle
Inventory:
16x 6x 8x 4x
M5A1 Stuart Light tank
M 300 C 13 V 35 D4 S-
Main: L37 mm R3 A110 m
AP: 66 63 54 44
10 30 70 110 m
Armor:
129 225 325
438 532 625
G2x 0.30 caliber
The British used the surname of the Confederate States Army general, Jeb Stuart, to name the whole series of United States M3 and M5
tanks. The M5A1 could carry the same 37 mmweapon as the Greyhound; although its speed was slower, it was better armored and had
nearly double the emergency ammunition supply. It was efcient for providing close support to the infantry as well as confronting lightly-
armored enemy scout vehicles such as the German SdKfz 223 and Panzer I or the Japanese Type 92s.
Inventory:
79x 68x 5x 3.400x 1x
Combat guide 1
Assault infantry
M 135 C 25 H10 X 2
6 4
Thompson submachine gun M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle
Inventory:
16x 6x 8x 4x
M5A1 Stuart Light tank
M 300 C 13 V 35 D4 S-
Main: L37 mm R3 A110 m
AP: 66 63 54 44
10 30 70 110 m
Armor:
129 225 325
438 532 625
G2x 0.30 caliber
The British used the surname of the Confederate States Army general, Jeb Stuart, to name the whole series of United States M3 and M5
tanks. The M5A1 could carry the same 37 mmweapon as the Greyhound; although its speed was slower, it was better armored and had
nearly double the emergency ammunition supply. It was efcient for providing close support to the infantry as well as confronting lightly-
armored enemy scout vehicles such as the German SdKfz 223 and Panzer I or the Japanese Type 92s.
Inventory:
79x 68x 5x 3.400x 1x
Name of the unit
Name of the unit Type
Icon
Icon
Unit's equipment
Unit's
equipment
Machine guns
mounted
Name of weapon
Penetration into armor
according to distance (in
mm of steel)
Armor (in mm of steel)
Weapon icon
Quantity
M Command Points (Special)
C Control Points
M Command Points (Special)
C Control Points
L Caliber of weapon
R Reload time
A Maximum range
V Speed
D Crew
S Passengers
Y Can tow
/ be towed
H Number of men who make up the unit
X Weapons handling skills
Hull Turret
1 4 Front
2 5 Side
3 6 Rear

Volkssturm
M 60 C 16 H 8 X 1
6 2
98K rifle MP 3008 submachine gun
Inventory:
10x
Assault infantry
M 120 C 25 H 10 X 2
1 4 5
StG 44 assault rifle 98K rifle MP 40 submachine gun
Inventory:
16x 6x 8x 4x
Regular infantry
M 165 C 26 H 10 X 2
3 6 1
MP 40 submachine gun 98K rifle MG 42 machine gun
Inventory:
12x 3x 2x 10x
Infantry squads
8 German Army: Infantry squads Combat Guide 9
Paratroopers
M 250 C 30 H 10 X 3
5 3 2
98K rifle G43 semi-automatic rifle with sight FG-42 assault rifle
Inventory:
25x 20x 16x 2x 3x
Panzergrenadier
M 385 C 35 H 10 X 4
2 2
MP 40 submachine gun G43 semi-automatic rifle
6 4
StG 44 assault rifle Panzerfaust
Inventory:
32x 14x 16x 4x
Sappers
M 50 C 6 H 2 X 2
2
MP 40 submachine gun
Inventory:
2x
Mechanized Panzergr battalion
M 480 C 35 H 10 X 4
2 2
MP 40 submachine gun G43 semi-automatic rifle
6 4
StG 44 assault rifle Panzerfaust
Inventory:
32x 14x 16x 4x
Engineers (AP)
M 150 C 12 H 4 X 2
4
MP 40 submachine gun
Inventory:
60x
Engineers (AT)
M 200 C 12 H 4 X 2
4
MP 40 submachine gun
Inventory:
28x
10 German Army: Infantry squads Combat Guide 11
Fallschirmjger
M 3 C 30 H 10 X 3
The term Fallschirmjger means
paratrooper in German. These units
formed part of the Air Force and
generally had the best weapons in
the army.
With a similar organization to that of
the motorized infantry divisions, the
paratrooper divisions were largely
employed as assault units.
In 1944, the evolution of the war led to the cessation of training of the Fallschirmjger as
paratroopers. Nevertheless, they continued to carry out infantry duties, as was proved
during the Battle of Monte Cassino, where the tenacity of the Fallschirmjger won them the
nickname "green devils".
Equipped with assault ries and semi-automatic ries, and deployed in a SdKfz 251/1
armed with an MG 42 machine gun and with additional supplies for the infantry, these units
of elite paratroopers were trained to capture lightly defended positions in order to entrench
themselves and defend the captured land.
6 2 2
98K rifle G43 semi-automatic rifle with sight FG-42 assault rifle
Inventory:
26x 22x 16x 2x 2x
Brandenburg division
M 2 C 24 H 8 X 3
This special operations corps was founded by
Theodore von Hippel, specialist in espionage
and sabotage, who served in the German
army during the First World War. An expert
in the techniques used by Colonel T.E.
Lawrence (known as Lawrence of Arabia),
Von Hippel volunteered for the Intelligence
Service after the First World War. In 1939, he
received authorization to form an elite corps,
specialized in incursions on enemy territory. His men were instructed in the art of capturing
bridges and roads, sabotage or neutralization of key enemies. The battalion, created by
Von Hippel, entered on the scene with the invasion of Poland, operating behind enemy
lines to smooth the path of advance for German troops.
The efciency demonstrated by Von Hippel's men led the German Army to institutionalize
the battalion: and so it was than on October 15, 1939, the Construction Training Company
800 for Special Duties was born, headed by Von Hippel himself, with its headquarters in
the city of Brandenburg.
Those involved in this elite corps were always volunteers equipped with specic skills and
knowledge: command of several languages, excellent physical condition and astonishing
mental agility.
3 4
G43 semi-automatic rifle 98K rifle
1 4
MG 34 machine gun Panzerfaust
Inventory:
14x 3x 4x 1x 1x
Brandenburg division
In 1940, the battalion
took part in undercover
operations in Denmark,
Norway, Belgium, Holland
and France. One year
later, they operated
behind enemy lines
in missions aimed at
preparing the ground for
Operation Barbarossa. In
1942, it officially became
a German Army division.
Their involvement in
the African theater of
operations was notorious,
where each commando was
mobilized to confront the
Bedouin Tribes against the
British.
Fallschirmjger
At the beginning of the
conflict there were few
paratroop battalions;
nevertheless, the
Luftwaffe created three
regiments in order to form
one unit known as the 7th
Air Division.
Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-559-1076-29 / Haas / CC-BY-SA
12 German Army: Infantry squads Combat Guide 13
Stosstrupp
M 4 C 35 H 10 X 4
The Stosstrupp were the most powerful shock infantry troops in the German
Army for assaulting heavily defended enemy positions. They were armed with
assault ries, submachine guns and numerous Panzerfaust, with which they
could deal with any threat in hand-to-hand combat and urban environments.
They were deployed along with an SdKfz 251/17 armored halftrack, armed with
a 20 mm automatic gun, which gave them superior repower against infantry
and light armored vehicles.
5 5 10
StG 44 assault rifle MP 40 submachine gun Panzerfaust
Inventory:
30x 10x 20x 5x
Special troops
All armies have special corps of soldiers who are better trained
and equipped than the regular forces. The American Rangers or
the German Panzergrenadiers were examples of these corps. Armed
with assault rifles and semi-automatic carbines, they also had
anti-tank weapons in order to confront tanks from a distance, as
well as a generous supply of grenades and dynamite to clear the
way through any obstacle they found. The superior training of
these troops gave them greater physical resistance and superior
accuracy with their firearms.
Special troops excelled both in defense and attack and surpassed
regular infantry squads in terms of performance. Sometimes
these infantry corps formed motorized units that were directly
deployed with their own armored transport vehicles. These halftracks carried additional
firepower and had greater speed of movement in order to reach the battle front as quickly as
possible, as well as an additional supply of grenades and ammunition which any allied platoon
could use to rearm themselves.
Photo: Bundesarchiv Bild 146-2007-0144
Rifeman
M 11 C 2.5 H 1 X 2
1
98K rifle
Inventory:
1x 1x
Submachine gun
M 12 C 2.5 H 1 X 2
1
MP 40 submachine gun
Inventory:
2x 1x 1x
Machine gunner
M 60 C 3.5 H 1 X 2
1
MG 42 machine gun
Inventory:
1x
Specialized soldiers
14 German Army: Specialized soldiers Combat Guide 15
Team with anti-tank rife
M 60 C 6 H 2 X 3
2 1
MP 40 submachine gun Pzb39 anti-tank rifle
Inventory:
2x 2x 1x
Anti-tank team
M 90 C 6 H 2 X 3
2 1
MP 40 submachine gun Panzershreck
Inventory:
2x 2x 1x 11x
Crew
M 10 C 4 H 2 X 2
2
Walther pistol
Inventory:
Flamethrower team
M 75 C 5 H 2 X 2
1 1
MP 40 submachine gun Flamethrower
Inventory:
2x 1x 1x
Offcer
M 160 C 8 H 1 X 3
1 1
Walther pistol Flare pistol
Inventory:
1x 1x 4x 1x
Officers
Officers are useful for planning troop movements and
requesting fire support. The most powerful weapon they have is
their binoculars; with them they can explore the battlefield
from large distances. To do this, activate the Direct Control
and direct them towards the area to reconnoiter; the fog
of war will lift wherever you direct the binoculars, even
discovering hidden enemies in the undergrowth or in rubble.
This information will be shared with any unit near the officer
in order to coordinate the attack.
Officers also have the ability to request support from outside
of the battlefield. They can use a smoke marker to request
parachutes to be launched from a box of supplies at any point
on the map. In the inside of the box there will be military equipment for the infantry and mortar
projectiles. Finally, with their flare pistols, officers can request an artillery attack on any
target.
16 German Army: Specialized soldiers Combat Guide 17
Heavy machine gun Machine gun
M 120 C 5
Main: L 7.92 mm R Auto A 80 m
Inventory:
1120x 1x
Flak 38 AA AA defense
M 200 C 5 Y
Main: L 20 mm R Auto A 100 m
AP: 29 27 21 18
10 30 70 100 m
Inventory:
930x 1x
sGrW34 Mortar Mortar
M 350 C 5
Main: L 81 mm R 5 A 110 m
AP: 15 15 15 15
10 30 70 110 m
Inventory:
121x 1x
Fixed weapons and artillery Sniper
M 160 C 8 H 1 X 4
1
98K sniper rifle
Inventory:
3x 1x 1x
Veteran sniper
M 1 C 8 H 1 X 4
1
98K sniper rifle
Inventory:
3x 1x 1x
Radio operator
M 4 C 11 H 3 X 2
3 1
MP 40 submachine gun Flare pistol
Inventory:
4x 2x 2x 1x 21x
18 German Army: Fixed weapons and artillery Combat Guide 19
Inventory:
51x 50x 5x
FlaK guns
Production of the FlaK
18 guns began in 1933;
some were even sent by
the German Army to Spain
during the Civil War. After
entering service, their
weak points were analyzed
and improvements were
introduced that had already
been applied to the FlaK 36.
In the final design model,
the FlaK 37 included a new
system that synchronized
the weapon with a central
fire controller. This device
allowed several guns to be
monitored simultaneously,
which in turn allowed
details to be controlled
such as the exact angles
and inclinations of the
guns, which reduced the
time needed to lock onto
the target and greatly
improved the accuracy of
the firings. During the
initial phases of the
Battle of France, the eight-
eights were required to
fight against tanks whose
front armor-plating could
not be breached by the
medium caliber anti-tank
guns of the period.
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Pak 41 AT AT gun
M 140 C 5 Y
Main: L 42 mm R 3 A 110 m
AP: 52 46 38 32
10 30 70 110 m
Inventory:
51x 50x 5x
Pak 38 AT AT gun
M 350 C 5 Y
Main: L 50 mm R 4 A 130 m
AP: 84 86 69 35
10 30 70 130 m
Inventory:
51x 50x 5x
Pak 40 AT AT gun
M 435 C 5 Y
Main: L 75 mm R 5 A 150 m
AP: 124 119 108 66
10 30 70 150 m
Inventory:
51x 50x 5x 1x
Its high speed anti-tank projectiles made it an unbeatable
anti-tank weapon during the rst stages
of the war, a role which it would continue
to play very efciently until the end of the conict. This
success led to the development of a line of anti-tank guns
for vehicles that became the main armament for tanks such
as the Tiger I.
FlaK 37 AA defense / AT gun
M 700 C 10 Y
Main: L 88 mm R 5 A 160 m
AP: 142 136 124 75
10 30 70 160 m
The FlaK 18, 36 and 37 guns were used by the German Army as anti-aircraft and anti-tank
weapons during the Second World War, becoming one of the symbols of their artillery.
Owing to their 88 mm gun, they were nicknamed "eight-eight" by German troops. During
the First World War, anti-aircraft weapons were largely adaptations of medium caliber
guns, modied to re at elevated angles. As the air war evolved and the benets of
airplanes improved, this type of weapon became obsolete. It was then that the German
Army proposed to design guns with higher calibers and rates of re, with the ability to
launch projectiles to great heights. This was how the rst prototype of the 88 mm FlaK
18, manufactured in 1928, was born. Its 4.9 meter gun included an automatic cartridge
ejection system which increased the rate of re considerably. Furthermore, the cross-
shaped base allowed it to re at any angle, an indispensible feature for an anti-aircraft
weapon.
In 1944, there were around 10,700 FlaK 18, 36 and 37 guns in service. Owing to the
increase in allied air bombings, the majority of these weapons were used for their original
anti-aircraft purpose. In this role, the eight-eight was not as efcient as equivalent models
of other nations, which were capable of ring heavier projectiles to greater heights.
Nevertheless, thanks to their lightness and mobility, they were, in the end, the most used in
the conict.
20 German Army: Fixed weapons and artillery Combat Guide 21
The Panzer I could provide infantry
support with its two machine guns, but
was not sufciently well armored to
confront anti-tank rie re, especially in
the anks and turret, whose armor was not
inclined as it was on the frontal
part of the hull.
FH 18 M howitzer Field howitzer
M 750 C 10 Y
Main: L 105 mm R 70 A 220 m
Inventory:
66x 1x
sFH 18 howitzer Field howitzer
M 900 C 10 Y
Main: L 150 mm R 75 A 250 m
Inventory:
36x 12x 1x
Nebelwerfer 41 Rocket artillery
M 5 C 5 Y
Main: L 150 mm R 60 A 180 m
After research carried out throughout the decade of
1920, Germany came up with an innovative technique
for launching massive smoke, poisonous gas or explosive warhead attacks. These studies resulted in the development of a 100 mm
mortar designed to re gas projectiles: known as the Nebelwerfer, or "smoke launcher", the name was chosen to generate confusion
among enemy spies.
The Nebelwerfer 41, which consisted of a six tube launcher mounted on the chassis of an anti-tank gun, entered service following the
Battle of France. Its rockets were equipped with stabilizer elements that increased their range and accuracy, compensating for the low
number of projectiles launched.
Throughout the conict, approximately 6,000 Nebelwerfer launchers were manufactured, and around ve and a half million rockets
were used in the main theaters of operation.
The Nebelwerfer 41 could re an entire salvo of six rockets in quick succession, but it had to be reloaded between each ring.
Nevertheless, the reload time was less than in other, larger rocket launcher systems.
Inventory:
66x 1x
Light vehicles
PzKpfwI AusfB Scout vehicle
M 180 C 9 V 30 D 2 S 3
Armor:
1 13 2 10 3 10
4 15 5 15 6 15
G 2x MG 34
Designed originally for training work
intended to prepare German troops for the
new motorized war, the Panzer I ended
up as an iconic vehicle used both in the
Spanish Civil War and in the Second World
War.
PzKpfw I Ausf.B
Manufactured for the first
time in 1934, it played
an outstanding role in the
German victories between
1939 and 1941.
Inventory:
2.200x 1x
22 German Army: Light vehicles Combat Guide 23
SdKfz 222 Scout vehicle
M 240 C 9 V 41 D 2 S - Y
Main: L 20 mm R Auto A 90 m
AP: 29 27 21 18
10 30 70 90 m
Armor:
1 20 2 14 3 14
4 20 5 14 6 14
G 1x MG 34
Armed with a 20 mm automatic gun and an
MG 34 machine gun, the SdKfz 222 was
capable of carrying out rapid incursions in the
initial moments of the battle.
Its maneuverability allowed it to
cross battleeld and attack xed
weapons crews, wiping out other
scout vehicles. Equally, it turned
out to be the perfect vehicle for
catching enemy infantry platoons
off guard in open country.
SdKfz 223 Scout vehicle
M 200 C 9 V 41 D 2 S - Y
Armor:
1 20 2 14 3 14
4 20 5 14 6 14
G 1x MG 42
The 223 model is the communications version; equipped with an MG 34, it could confront infantry groups and threaten enemy anks,
but it lacked the armament required to confront other armored vehicles.
Inventory:
1.400x
PzKpfwII Luchs Light tank
M 240 C 11 V 38 D 3 S 3
Main: L 20 mm R Auto A 90 m
AP: 29 27 21 18
10 30 70 90 m
Armor:
1 30 2 15 3 15
4 30 5 15 6 15
G 1x MG 34
The German Army manufactured 100 units
of this light tank between 1943 and 1944.
Baptized with the name Panzersphwagen
II, it was nicknamed Luchs ("lynx") by German troops. It was tted with a 20 mm gun identical to that mounted on the SdKfz 222,
although it was slower than the latter owing to its heavier armor. It could be used in scout work or to harass the enemy during the
initial phases of the battle.
Inventory:
330x 2.380x 1x
Inventory:
410x 800x
SdLfz 222 and 223
Both the SdKfz 222 and
the 223 were armored
military cars designed
for battlefield
reconnaissance. The
wheeled design favored the
movement of the vehicle
by road. At the Russian
and African fronts they
were restricted by their
poor off-road performance,
therefore they were
gradually replaced by
halftrack vehicles for the
reconnaissance work.
24 German Army: Light vehicles Combat Guide 25
SdKfz 234 Puma Scout vehicle
M 300 C 11 V 38 D 3 S - Y
Main: L 50 mm R 4 A 130 m
AP: 94 86 67 34
10 30 70 130 m
Armor:
1 30 2 10 3 10
4 15 5 10 6 10
G 1x MG 34
Armed with a 50 mm high velocity gun
designed for light tanks, the Puma
had sufcient repower to destroy any
reconnaissance vehicle that the enemy could deploy. The front armor was inclined to 30
mm to protect from the impact of anti-tank ries and 20 mm guns, but the anks were
not sufciently armored and could be easily destroyed. For this reason, the SdKfz 234
operated better as a rapid response to enemy armored vehicles and not as infantry
support.
Nevertheless, the useful life of the Puma went further
than combat against light vehicles. Its speed
and maneuverability allowed it to
overcome medium and
heavy tanks in order
to attack them by their
anks and rearguard, causing serious
damage before disappearing to avoid
return re. If the enemy was dominating
one area of combat with a medium or
heavy tank but did not have sufcient infantry support, the Puma could be a key element in
victory.
Inventory:
51x 27x 5x 1.300x
SdKfz 234 Puma
Once the inefficiency
of the eight-wheeled
reconnaissance vehicles
was proven during the
invasions of Poland and
France, the German Army
began a programme in 1940
for the design of new
armored units. One of the
best decisions of this
programme was undoubtedly
the SdKfz 234 Puma.
Wirbelwind AA vehicle
M 350 C 13 V 24 D 4 S -
Main: L 20 mm R Auto A 100 m
AP: 29 27 21 18
10 30 70 100 m
Armor:
1 80 2 30 3 30
4 20 5 20 6 20
G 1x MG 34
The Wirbelwind was an adaptation of the
Panzer IV, equipped with a quadruple 20 mm
anti-aircraft gun which replaced the original
turret.
Although very vulnerable against enemy
tanks, the Wirbelwind turned out to be
excellent as an infantry support vehicle,
with xed guns. Its four guns could wipe out an area
in seconds and destroy any xed enemy
weapon and its crew before they could re.
The turret and hull were sufciently armored
to protect from light weapons and anti-
tank ries, but its high prole
was a perfect target for any
surviving anti-tank gun.
Wirbelwind
The Luftwaffe's air
supremacy during the start
of the conflict resulted
in the Wehrmacht rejecting
the development of an
anti-aircraft vehicle.
The first Flakpanzer
IV Wirbelwind was
manufactured in 1944, when
the allied air forces were
starting to gain ground.
In spite of their proven
efficiency in battle, only
100 units were made.
Inventory:
3.320x 1.450x 1x
26 German Army: Light vehicles Combat Guide 27
Flakpanzer I AA vehicle
M 260 C 11 V 24 D 3 S -
Main: L 20 mm R Auto A 100 m
AP: 29 27 21 18
10 30 70 100 m
Armor:
1 10 2 10 3 10
4 8 5 6 6 6
This adaptation of the Panzer I was equipped with a 20 mm Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun mounted on an uncovered, revolving platform.
Only 24 vehicles were converted and sent to the front, where the limited crew protection made it a dangerous Achilles heel. It was
especially efcient against enemy infantry and in operations for providing cover to troops against light vehicles. However, it lacked the
speed required to act as a fast intervention vehicle, a role that was performed better by the SdKfz 222 or SdKfz 234 Puma.
Inventory:
630x 1x
Pz III Sapper Minesweeper
M 250 C 4 V 18 D 1 S 4
Armor:
1 40 2 30 3 50
G 1x MG 34
The chassis of the Panzer III was adapted in order to produce auxiliary vehicles, which
included this minesweeper. Its front wheels dug up and detonated mines found in its path
without damaging the vehicle itself. It had a front machine gun for defense, but it had to be
supported by troops who looked after its safety while it cleared the road of mines for the
remaining attack vehicles.
Inventory:
1.600x 1x
Hetzer Medium tank destroyer
M 500 C 23 V 31 D 4 S -
Main: L 75 mm R 6 A 150 m
AP: 104 100 90 55
10 30 70 150 m
Armor:
1 60 2 20 3 20
G 1x MG 42
The most notable characteristic of the Hetzer
was its small size and low prole, which
made it easy to hide, turning it into a very
difcult target for enemy tank crews to reach.
Its armor was inclined such that it offered
effective protection far superior to what could
be hoped for from its 60 mm thickness.
Just like the rest of the German tank destroyers, the gun was
mounted on the hull, which restricted its ability to aim, putting
it out of service if it became immobilized. It was equipped with
an upper machine gun which was remotely controlled
from the inside of the vehicle and could re
at any angle without any crew member
having to expose themselves to
enemy re.
Tank destroyer
Hetzer
This light tank destroyer,
fitted with inclined
armor plates over the
whole hull, had a 75 mm
high velocity gun. It was
designed as an economical
alternative to other more
expensive models such
as the Jagdpanther and
Jagdtiger.
Inventory:
30x 25x 5x 2.975x 1x
28 German Army: Tank destroyer Combat Guide 29
StuG IV AusfG Medium tank destroyer
M 600 C 23 V 28 D 4 S -
Main: L 75 mm R 6 A 150 m
AP: 119 114 104 64
10 30 70 150 m
Armor:
1 80 2 30 3 30
G 1x MG 42
Compared to the Hetzer, the StuG had a
slightly higher gun and stronger armor on the
front and sides.
However, the hull plates were not as inclined
as those of the Hetzer, especially on the
sides. It also had a machine gun mounted
on the turret that could only re to the front,
which, along with its lack of turret, weakened
its defense against infantry attack.
Nashorn Medium tank destroyer
M 900 C 38 V 27 D 4 S -
Main: L 88 mm R 8 A 180 m
AP: 229 221 202 92
10 30 70 180 m
Armor:
1 30 2 30 3 30
4 30 5 15 6 15
The rst prototype of this tank destroyer was
manufactured in Berlin using components
from the Panzer III and Panzer IV. The purpose of the design was to
counteract the potential shown by the Soviet tanks during Operation
Barbarossa. The Nashorn (rhinoceros in German) had a PaK 43
L/41 gun protected by a shield and mounted on the rear part of the
chassis.
The Nashorn carried one of the most effective anti-tank guns
that existed during the war, the same as that mounted on the
fearsome Tiger II. Its ability to reach the enemy at huge distances
compensated for the disadvantages of its light armor and high
prole, easy to locate and reach when moving.
The unique combination of extremely weak armor, powerful gun and
high operating cost meant that the Nashorn had to be deployed
and managed with extreme care, and always had to be kept within
the maximum ring ranges, where its main weapon could destroy almost any medium tank. At medium range, it could penetrate and
destroy any heavy and super-heavy tank that the enemy deployed, as long as it red rst. As it did not have defense machine guns, it
was very vulnerable to vehicles that were lightly armed with 37 mm automatic guns, which could go through the weak armor and kill the
crew.
Inventory:
36x 22x 5x 1x
StuG IV Ausf.G
Designed as a gun for
providing infantry
support, the StuG IV
became famous for its tank
destroying work. This
model, the most widespread
and manufactured, was in
reality an adaptation of
the Panzer IV. Since the
entry into service of the
first StuG IV, produced in
1943, approximately 1,100
units were manufactured.
Inventory:
37x 27x 5x 650x 1x
30 German Army: Tank destroyer Combat Guide 31
The 75 mm gun could penetrate
the front armor of any medium
tank at normal combat distances,
and its inclined front and good
armor made it very tough during
an exchange of re.
The extremely low prole of the
Jagdpanzer IV could cause the enemy
to confuse it with a Hetzer, but this error
could cost the enemy dearly.
It had a front
machine gun for
defending itself from
infantry attack.
Jagdpanther Heavy tank destroyer
M 1800 C 38 V 32 D 4 S 4
Main: L 88 mm R 8 A 180 m
AP: 229 221 202 92
10 30 70 180 m
Armor:
1 80 2 50 3 40
G 1x MG 34
Their production started in 1944, with nearly
400 units manufactured. Used mainly in
the Eastern Front, they also took part in key
battles such as the Battle of Normandy and the Ardennes.
The Jagdpanther was better than the Jagdpanzer in nearly all aspects. It had better armor,
was faster and better armed. It was higher than the Jagdpanzer IV, which exposed it more
to enemy re. The 88 mm gun, the same as that mounted on the Nashorn and the Elefant,
was the most effective anti-tank weapon of the conict, capable
of ring to extremely long distances with unbeatable penetration.
Though expensive, the Jagdpanther could destroy any heavy
enemy tank, although it continued to depend on
camouage and surprise in order to re before
the enemy.
Jagdpanzer IV Medium tank destroyer
M 1150 C 38 V 27 D 5 S -
Main: L 75 mm R 6 A 160 m
AP: 155 149 135 79
10 30 70 160 m
Armor:
1 80 2 40 3 20
G 1x MG 42
This tank destroyer, the rst prototype of
which was manufactured in 1943, was a
modication of the Panzer IV, armed with the
75 mm gun used by the Panther. To increase its protection against penetrating projectiles,
the front vertical plate was replaced by an inclined one of the same thickness.
Jagdpanzer IV
Entering into service in
1944, it took part in
mythical scenarios such as
Normandy and the Ardennes.
They showed a high tank
destroying performance,
but their lack of turret
prevented them from
becoming equally effective
as tanks.
Inventory:
33x 22x 5x 700x 1x
Its weak point was the
lack of turret, although
the gun could aim at
a wide frontal angle,
even when immobilized,
therefore it continued to
be a dangerous enemy.
Jagdpanther
This adaptation of the
Panther mounted an 88 mm
gun and had a powerful 700
HP engine. Equipped with
inclined armor both on the
front and on the sides,
the Jagdpanther was one of
the allied troops' most
feared tank destroyers.
Inventory:
33x 25x 5x 650x 1x
32 German Army: Tank destroyer Combat Guide 33
Jagdtiger Super-heavy tank destroyer
M 2300 C 48 V 16 D 4 S 4
Main: L 128 mm R 15 A 180 m
AP: 213 209 198 103
10 30 70 180 m
Armor:
1 250 2 80 3 80
G 1x MG 34
Designed in 1943, this was the heaviest
armored tank destroyer of the war: although
the German Army ordered 150 units of
this 76 ton vehicle, in the end only 88 were
manufactured.
The front armor of the Jagdtiger was simply impassable: it had no weak
point. Its massive 128 mm gun had the same range as the 88 mm mounted
on the Elefant and Tiger II, although its exit velocity was lower which
reduced its penetration capacity. However, its higher caliber caused much
more serious damage when it penetrated the armor of an enemy tank and
offered excellent repower when ring explosive projectiles.
Like the Elefant, the Jagdtiger was extremely slow. This made it vulnerable
in the anks, making its sides and caterpillar tracks easy targets for the
enemy. Another weak point was its reload time: on inserting a projectile
and propellant charge separately into the gun, the rate of re was low, as
occurred with the Soviet IS-2 and IS-3 models.
Inventory:
26x 14x 5x 3.400x 1x
Elefant Super-heavy tank destroyer
M 2000 C 48 V 16 D 4 S 3
Main: L 88 mm R 8 A 180 m
AP: 229 221 202 92
10 30 70 180 m
Armor:
1 200 2 80 3 80
G 1x MG 34
The rst prototypes of the Tiger, designed
in 1941 by Porsche, were subsequently
adapted by the Henschel company in order to manufacture the Elefant.
Equipped with an 88 mm PaK 43 gun, the nal design included an additional
front armor plate that increased the total thickness up to nearly 200 mm. Its
baptism of re took place at the Battle of Kursk, where several mechanical
failures forced a rethink of some of its design characteristics. After carrying
out some improvements, such as the introduction of a front machine gun, the
Elefant was used again in operations carried out in Italy, Poland and Berlin.
Next to the Jagdtiger, the Elefant was without doubt one of the most fearsome
defensive weapons of any arsenal in the Second World War. Its front armor
was practically impenetrable from any distance, and its gun could destroy the
heaviest of tanks. The cost of deploying one of these immense vehicles was
signicant, and its performance much depended on the battleeld's layout
creating bottlenecks that the Elefant could defend without exposing its anks
and caterpillar tracks, which were much less well protected than the gun mounting and the hull front.
At short distances, the enemy could attempt to re accurately against the main gun mounting. Protected by just 125 mm armor-plating,
this was the weak point of its front armor; even though it did not ensure the tank's destruction, one shot that penetrated the armor would
damage the main gun, leaving the tank defenseless.
Inventory:
30x 20x 5x 2.600x 1x
34 German Army: Self-propelled artillery Combat Guide 35
Wespe Self-propelled howitzer
M 900 C 13 V 24 D 4 S -
Main: L 105mm R 70 A 220
Armor:
1 30 2 20 3 20
In 1940, it was proved that the main tank of
the German Army, the Panzer II, was now
no longer suitable for direct combat against
enemy tanks. In spite of excellent mechanics,
it lacked the armor and armament required to
confront the most modern tanks.
However, the iconic tank found the
opportunity to extend its useful life when it was converted into a self-propelled artillery
vehicle. The conversion was simple and economical:
all that was needed was to replace the turret with a
105 mm gun and install armor-plating for crew
protection.
Lightly armored, the Wespe
enjoyed good mobility
for pursuing armored
divisions and escaping
enemy re. Furthermore,
it had a large caliber gun with
excellent range mounted on an
open-top roof.
Inventory:
66x 1x
Self-propelled artillery
Hummel Self-propelled howitzer
M 1100 C 13 V 24 D 4 S -
Main: L 150mm R 75 A 250
Armor:
1 30 2 20 3 20
The Panzer Divisions revolutionized the
war by creating battalions which had to be
entirely motorized. However, they could not
have self-propelled artillery until the Wespe
and Hummel entered service.
As for the Wespe, the Hummel was an
adaptation of one of the most iconic tanks of
the German Army: the Panzer IV. A gun was
mounted on the chassis of this tank that was widely
used by the Wehrmacht, the sFH-18 of 150 mm.

Wespe
The first Wespe was used
at the Eastern Front in
1943 and its success was
emphatic. From that time,
all operational Panzer
IIs were reserved for
production of new Wespe,
with a total of 680 units
manufactured between 1943
and 1944.
Hummel
The first Hummels, a model
of which 500 units were
manufactured, were used at
the beginning of 1943 in
the offensive led by the
Panzer Divisions at the
Battle of Kursk.
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Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-219-0583A-07 / Harschneck / CC-BY-SA
Inventory:
36x 12x 1x
36 German Army: Self-propelled artillery Combat Guide 37
Sturmtiger Self-propelled howitzer
M 10 C 48 V 20 D 4 S 4
Main: L 380mm R 90 A 130
Armor:
1 150 2 82 3 82
G 1x MG 34
Designed as an infantry support weapon,
its production was limited: between August
and December 1944, only 18 units were
manufactured, adapting the battle-damaged
chassis of the Tiger I.
The rocket launcher mounted, adapted
from a naval depth charge launcher, red
projectiles containing up to 125 kg of
explosive and were capable of destroying
large concrete fortications. Its excellent front
armor protected it from the impact of any
anti-tank weapon at long distances, which
compensated for the long reload time of
the weapon. Although not designed as an
anti-tank weapon, the close impact of a 380
mm rocket was so powerful that it could even
destroy the best armored tanks.
Panzerwerfer Self-propelled rocket artillery
M 1300 C 19 V 26 D 2 S -
Main: L 150mm R 120 A 180
Armor:
1 15 2 15 3 15
4 15 5 6 6 6
This artillery vehicle was born from the need
to give the Nebelwerfer rocket launchers more
mobility, as the smoke trails they left after being
red made them an easy target for the enemy.
For this purpose, the chassis of the SdKfz 4
halftrack was chosen, which was rapid and
performed well in all types of terrain.
The Panzerwerfer could re salvos of ve rockets before reloading.
The projectiles red, whilst heavier than those of other
nations, did not produce such a saturation effect but they
were individually more powerful.
Panzerwerfer
Around 300 units of
the Panzerwerfer were
manufactured between 1943
and 1944, some of which
were used to transport
ammunition.
Sturmtiger
The need to destroy
buildings and fortified
positions became clear
following the experiences
of urban combat during
the Battle of Stalingrad,
which led to the
manufacture of this
assault gun constructed
on the chassis of a Tiger
I and armed with a 380 mm
naval rocket launcher.
Inventory:
30x
Inventory:
14x 700x 1x
38 German Army: Tanks Combat Guide 39
PzKpfwIII AusfJ Medium tank
M 320 C 23 V 30 D 5 S 4
Main: L 50 mm R 4 A 130 m
AP: 94 86 67 34
10 30 70 130 m
Armor:
1 50 2 30 3 50
4 50 5 30 6 30
G 2x MG 34
The arrival of the Soviet T-34 at the eastern front compelled the German Army to
accelerate development of the Panzer III. So, between 1941 and 1942, 1,500 units
of the Ausf.J were manufactured which included the 50 mm KwK 39 gun, longer,
more accurate and with greater penetration capacity than its predecessor.
Furthermore, in the Ausf. J the front and rear hull armor was replaced with a 50
mm steel plate. In addition, armor plates were installed, spaced on the turret and
hull to protect from Russian anti-tank ries and a new and powerful 320 HP engine
was added (90 HP more than its predecessors).
From 1943, the Panzer III was relegated to support missions, and the lead role
was transferred to the Panzer IV and Panther.
The Panzer III Ausf. J was an excellent medium tank with capacity to destroy
other, better armed and armored medium tanks such as the Soviet T-37 and the
American M4 Sherman. Its powerful engine allowed it to reach higher speeds
than previous models and gave it excellent mobility. Specically, this tank needed
speed in order to survive, but due to the reinforced hull armor, its straight,
uninclined plates offered little protection against the enemy's tank weapons and heavy guns, and its side armor was unsuitable for
confronting any contemporary anti-tank weapon.
Inventory:
56x 44x 5x 2.450x 1x
PzKpfwIII AusfF Medium tank
M 280 C 23 V 24 D 5 S 4
Main: L 50 mm R 4 A 130 m
AP: 65 59 47 27
10 30 70 130 m
Armor:
1 30 2 30 3 21
4 50 5 30 6 30
G 2x MG 34
The development of the Panzer III began in the 30s. Designed to confront other armored
ghting tanks, the rst versions (from the Ausf. A to the Ausf. E), were equipped with a
37 mm short gun, providing a more than satisfactory performance until 1940. However,
later models of the Ausf. F included the 50 mm Kwk38 L/42 gun in response to the better
armor and armaments of the British Matilda and Churchill tanks, and above all, the
powerful Soviet T-34.
As far as the armor was concerned, the rst versions had 15 mm steel plates on the hull
and turret. However, the thickness of these plates in the D and F models was doubled.
For its part, the turret was protected with 30 mm steel on the sides and 50 mm on the
front, a tank which was impenetrable with the anti-tank armament used by the allies until
1942.
However, the advance of the war at the eastern front showed that the Panzer III had become obsolete for confronting the T-34. Although
it was decided to continue its production as a support vehicle, it is certain that Germany concentrated all its efforts towards improving
the performance of its big brother, the Panzer IV.
The Panzer III was an excellent medium tank for the rst stages of the battle. Although inferior, it was capable of nding success
against the American Shermans and the Soviet T-34s, and at a much lower cost. Excellent as close support for infantry units, its 50 mm
gun could hold the line to any enemy light tank and scout vehicle.
Inventory:
51x 27x 5x 850x 1x
Tanks
40 German Army: Tanks Combat Guide 41
The Panzer IV Ausf.
F1 was the last Panzer
model equipped with
a KwK 37 L/24 low
velocity gun, which
gave rise to different
problems but also
some advantages.
PzKpfwIV AusfF1 Medium tank
M 360 C 25 V 28 D 5 S 4
Main: L 75 mm R 6 A 130 m
AP: 50 47 42 34
10 30 70 130 m
Armor:
1 50 2 30 3 20
4 60 5 20 6 20
G 1x MG 42 G 2x MG 34
Until the development of the Ausf.F1 model,
all versions had the KwK 37 L/24, a short
75 mm gun which red high explosive
ammunition against anti-tank guns,
barricades and scarcely protected positions.
However, it showed a lack of accuracy, low
speed of projectiles and average penetration
capacity.
Fullling its support tank role, it could not ght
face to face against medium tanks as the
main gun did not have sufcient penetration
capacity.
However, that same gun allowed it to attack
enemy gun emplacements that were ring in
low parabolas over small hills and obstacles
on the ground, above those which could hide
without even exposing themselves to hostile
re. And with a little bit of luck, it could hit
the upper part of an enemy tank, where the
armor was weaker. The speed of movement
of the Panzer IV was slightly inferior to that of
the Panzer III and comparable to that of the
Soviet T-34, which allowed it to move rapidly
in order to remain undercover and continue
providing support to its infantry units.
PzKpfw IV Ausf.F1
The Panzer IV was the
most used German battle
tank during World War II.
Initially, it was designed
as a medium infantry
support tank, but when
war became a reality it
replaced the Panzer III
as an anti-tank vehicle,
as the larger size of its
turret allowed it to mount
more powerful anti-tank
weapons.
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The rst Panzer IV A had 30
mm steel armor with hardly
any inclination at the front part
of the turret and hull, 15 mm
on the anks and 10 mm on
the upper part of the turret
and on the belly.
Combat experience required the
front hull armor thickness to be
increased to 50 mm on the E
and F models.
Inventory:
30x 45x 5x 2.450x 1x
42 German Army: Tanks Combat Guide 43
PzKpfwIV AusfH Medium tank
M 600 C 25 V 27 D 5 S 4
Main: L 75 mm R 6 A 150 m
AP: 120 115 104 64
10 30 70 150 m
Armor:
1 80 2 30 3 20
4 50 5 30 6 30
G 1x MG 42 G 2x MG 34
The Panzer IV Ausf.H included the KwK 40
L/48 gun, which was double the length of its
predecessor and, thanks to the projectile exit
velocity (790 m/s), its penetration capacity
and ring range was considerably increased.
Compared with the G model, the new front armor of the Ausf.H notably increased its
capacity for survival and its gun increased the probability of causing
damage at medium distance and of reaching targets
located even further away. However, the turret armor-
plating did not show any improvement, and
therefore an impact
in that area could
render its main
weapon useless and leave the
vehicle defenseless.

Inventory:
56x 32x 5x 1.825x 1x
PzKpfw IV Ausf.H
Since June, 1943, all
the new Panzer IV models
received 80 mm armor
on their front part.
Moreover, a considerable
number of Ausf.H were
equipped with additional
armor plates separate to
the hull and turret. The
aim of this reinforcement
was to protect the
vehicles from Russian
anti-tank rifles and
hollow charge projectiles
which were fired from
allied PIAT and bazookas
(infantry anti-tank
launchers).
PzKpfwIV AusfG Medium tank
M 400 C 25 V 28 D 5 S 4
Main: L 75 mm R 6 A 130 m
AP: 110 107 99 75
10 30 70 130 m
Armor:
1 50 2 30 3 20
4 50 5 30 6 30
G 1x MG 42 G 2x MG 34
June, 1941. The German Army confronted
Soviet tanks for the last time and proved that the T-34, with its 45 mm inclined
armor favoring the rebound of impacting projectiles, and the KV-1, with its
100 mm front armor, were difcult to defeat.
In November of that same year, the manufacture was ordered for a gun
equivalent in performance to the PaK 40 anti-tank gun, to be installed in the
Panzer IV, whose turret could house a superior weapon. In March, 1942, the
rst units under the name of Panzer IV Ausf.F2 came to light, but soon after
entering service they were rechristened as Ausf.G.
Given its excellent performance against the Sherman and the allied T-34, its
low cost and mechanical reliability, production of the Panzer IV continued
even after the Panther medium tank, better armored and armed, entered
service.
In short, the Panzer IV Ausf.G was an example of excellent German engineering, with an exceptional balance between armament,
armor and mobility. It could carry out tank support tasks to the infantry perfectly and destroy medium tanks, even though its uninclined
front armor continued to make it vulnerable to large caliber anti-tank weapons such as the previous models.
Inventory:
56x 32x 5x 1.500x 1x
44 German Army: Tanks Combat Guide 45
Its design, with uninclined
plates, did not undergo
many changes, the reason
for which some projectiles
could rebound against the less
protected parts of the vehicle,
such as the upper part of the
hull or the join with the turret. One of the most signicant features
of the Tiger I was its resistant 102
mm front armor compared with the 80
mm thickness of the nal Panzer IV
models.
The 88 mm KwK 36 gun, one
of the most powerful of World
War II, stood out because of
its great long range accuracy
and its excellent penetration
capacity.
As the sides were protected by
80 mm thick steel plates, the
vehicle was prepared to repel
projectiles from the majority
of enemy anti-tank guns.
PzKpfw VI Tiger
Towards 1941, the course
of the war forced Germany
to design a new battle
tank model that would
abandon the mobility and
speed of movement in
exchange for an increase
in its firepower with a
heavier gun, and better
armor protection. Pzkw VI
Ausf. H was the original
name chosen for the
future tank and among
the prototypes that were
designed, the Elefant and
Tiger, among others, were
born.
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PzKpfwVI Tiger Tanque pesado
M 1100 C 40 V 22 D 5 S 4
Main: L 88 mm R 6 A 160 m
AP: 142 136 124 75
10 30 70 160 m
Armor:
1 100 2 82 3 82
4 100 5 82 6 82
G 1x MG 42 G 2x MG 34
The Tiger I entered service at the end
of 1942 and remained active until the
surrender of Germany. Without a doubt, the
elevated manufacturing costs (double that
of the Panzer V and four times more than the
Stug III) conditioned its production and, who
knows, may even have prevented Germany
from changing the course of the war in
Europe.
In total, 1,350 Tiger I and 500 Tiger II were
manufactured. At that same time the United
States produced more than 40,000 Sherman
tanks and the Soviet Union 80,000 T-34s.
The Tiger I gave excellent performance in
open country, ring at enemy tanks from
long ranges. Although it was not as slow
as the monstrous Tiger II, its low speed of
movement made it vulnerable to anking
maneuvers and in close quarters combat.
Only a small number of allied weapons
could penetrate the front armor of a
Tiger at medium distance: the American
M4A3E8(76)W and M26 Pershing, the British
17-pdr QF anti-tank gun and the Russian
IS-2 and IS-3, as well as the American M36
Slugger tank destroyers and Soviet SU-100.
The British M4A4 VC Firey, a variant of the
Sherman armed with a massive anti-tank
gun, was one of the few medium tanks
capable of destroying a Tiger I at long
range.
Inventory:
51x 27x 5x 3.275x 1x
46 German Army: Tanks Combat Guide 47
Without a doubt, one
of the most signicant
elements of this tank
was its hugely powerful
Maybach 23 liter, 700
HP engine, capable of
driving 43 tons of vehicle
at speeds equivalent to
those of the T-34 and
superior to those of any
other heavy tank.
The main gun, a 75 mm KwK 42
manufactured by Rheinmetall, did
not stand out due to its caliber, but
its large cartridge made it one of the
most powerful anti-tank weapons of
the war, as it had greater penetration
capacity than guns such as the 88 mm
tted on the Tiger I.
PzKpfwV Panther Medium tank
M 1350 C 40 V 32 D 5 S 4
Main: L 75 mm R 6 A 160 m
AP: 155 149 135 79
10 30 70 160 m
Armor:
1 82 2 50 3 40
4 110 5 45 6 45
G 1x MG 42 G 2x MG 34
PzKpfw V Panther
In September, 1942, line
production began of
the Panzerkampfwagen V
Panther, the tank designed
in response to the
powerful Soviet T-34. In
fact, the German engineers
opted to equip the Panther
with the main features of
the enemy tank: inclined
armor, wide caterpillar
tracks and larger wheels
to improve mobility on the
soft ground of the Russian
winter, and a large
caliber gun.
This made up for its limited side
protection, considerably inferior to
that of the Tiger I, with extraordinary
front armor, impenetrable to allied
guns at medium ranges.
Germany assigned maximum priority to the
production of this vehicle, involving several
factories from different companies. In 1943,
an average of 150 units were manufactured
per month (380 in July) and the total number
of units produced by March of 1945 was
6,000.
The rst models had a 60 mm, smooth steel
armored plate welded, although this was
increased to 80 mm on the front part. In
addition, the hull was covered in zimmerit,
an anti-magnetic material which gave it its
unmistakable rough appearance.
Excellent as tank destroyers, the Panthers
could use their mobility and excellent battle
gun to destroy any medium tank with only a
single shot and to surround heavy tanks with
the objective of attacking their vulnerable
anks. Their only weak point was their
limited side armor, which made it advisable
for them not to confront two threats located
in different positions.
The Panther was considered as one of the
best tanks of World War II. In fact, once the
conict ended, the excellent combination of
mobility, repower and protection continued
to inspire the design of new tanks.
Inventory:
51x 27x 5x 1.600x 1x
48 German Army: Tanks Combat Guide 49
It was also opted to
increase the armor
wherever possible, without
excessive weight reducing
maneuverability on the
battleeld.
For practical purposes, the
front armor of the Tiger II was
impenetrable to any allied
weapon, including the infantry
anti-tank weapons. Only the
British xed 93 mm QF 3.7
anti-aircraft gun had any chance
of penetrating its armor, and this
weapon was rarely used against
tanks when in combat.
PzKpfw VI Kingtiger
At first, Porsche received
the order to manufacture
170 units, but after
detecting some mechanical
deficiencies, the contract
was cancelled. At the
end of 1943, Henschel
began line production,
although continuous
allied air attacks on the
German factories slowed
the production rate. In
total, 487 units were
manufactured: 3 in 1943,
377 in 1944 and 107 in
1945. Each unit had its
serial number stamped on
the turret.
In order to increase the repower,
the 88 mm Tiger I gun was replaced
by a new one of the same caliber but
capable of penetrating 100 mm of
armor plating at maximum combat
ranges.
PzKpfwVI Kingtiger Super-heavy tank
M 2400 C 50 V 21 D 5 S 4
Main: L 88 mm R 8 A 180 m
AP: 229 221 202 92
10 30 70 180 m
Armor:
1 150 2 80 3 80
4 180 5 80 6 80
G 1x MG 42 G 2x MG 34
In May, 1941, the rst Tiger II designs were
made, but production did not commence
until October, 1942. The aim was to create a
more powerful tank than the enemy tanks.
Re-nicknamed by German soldiers as
Knigstiger (Bengal tiger), the rst Tiger
II entered combat on July 18, 1944, in
Normandy, following the allied landings.
They also took part in the Battle of the
Ardennes, in Poland, Hungary and in the
defense of Berlin. Among the allies it was
known as King Tiger or Royal Tiger.
Any frontal confrontation against the Tiger II
would result in its opponent's destruction, as
its excellent 88 mm gun and highly accurate
sights were lethal for enemy tanks. Only the
American M-26 Pershing and the Soviet IS-2
could rival the Knigstiger.
In spite of its large tonnage, the Tiger II
possessed good mobility, comparable with
that of the Tiger I and other allied tanks.
The turret turned slowly, which could be
a problem during short range combat. Even so, the side and rear armor, although less
powerful than the front part, was capable of withstanding the impact of weapons mounted
on light tanks and many medium tanks. However, the ammunition storage system could
cause the tank to explode if a projectile penetrated the rear part of the turret. Destroying
a Tiger II required the coordination of several threats located at different attack angles.
Without a doubt, the presence of a Tiger II on the battleeld always attracted enemy
attention.
Inventory:
51x 27x 5x 900x 1x
50 German Army: Tanks Combat Guide 51
BMWR12 Motorcycle
M 60 C 5 V 45 D 2 S 1
G 1x MG 42
Inventory:
650x
Kubel VW82 Car
M 110 C 7.5 V 40 D 3 S -
G 1x MG 42
Inventory:
1.250x
SdKfz 251/1 Armored halftrack
M 125 C 5 V 33 D 2 S 8 Y
Armor:
1 15 2 15 3 15
G 1x MG 42
The SdKfz 251 was designed to transfer the
Panzergrenadiers from the mechanized infantry
divisions to the battleeld. It was the most
numerous armored halftrack of the war, with more
than 15,200 vehicles and variants in service, produced by different rms. The SdKfz 251 was used as a base in the design of many
adaptations: ammunition transports and artillery, self-propelled mortars, reconnaissance and engineering vehicles and even command
vehicles.
Inventory:
3.550x 24x 12x 12x 12x 1x
Transport and logistics Tiger veterano Heavy tank
M 7 C 40 V 22 D 5 S 4
Main: L 88 mm R 4 A 130 m
AP: 142 136 124 75
10 30 70 160 m
Armor:
1 100 2 82 3 82
4 100 5 82 6 82
G 1x MG 42 G 2x MG 34
Throughout the war, for each Tiger I destroyed in combat, the German tank
defeated an average of 5.74 enemy tanks. Some units, such as the 13 Grossdeutschland
Panzer Company (16.67 to 1), the SS-Panzer-Abteilung 103 (12.28 to 1) and the Panzer-
Abteilung 502 (13.08 to 1) more than exceeded that average.
Ten Tiger commanders managed to destroy more than 100 enemy tanks.
Kart Knispel was believed to have 168 kills, Otto Carius, more than 150.
Other distinguished commanders included Johannes Blter (139) and
Michael Wittmann (138). At the end of the war, Tiger I crews were made
up of men who had fought together in dozens of battles. Precisely one of
those experienced crews was the one which drove the veteran Tiger. Although this was a vehicle that was technically identical to the
rest of the Tiger tanks, the combat experience of these men allowed them
to re their fearsome 88 mm gun with greater efciency and precision,
while also reducing the reload time, with the advantage that this brings to
the battleeld.
The veteran Tiger also had larger quantities of the scarce and expensive
APCR ammunition (compound type penetrant), ideal for ring against
extremely well armored enemy tanks in medium and short range combat.
Inventory:
51x 27x 10x 3.275x 1x
52 German Army: Transport and logistics Combat Guide 53
Opel Blitz 36 (transport) Supply truck
M 50 C 5 V 36 D 2 S 10 Y
Transported ammunition and supplies
for the infantry troops.
Inventory:
5.000x 2.000x 500x 10x 20x 10x 10x 15x 1x
Opel Blitz 36 (supplies) Supply truck
M 150 C 5 V 36 D 2 S - Y
Transported supplies for the infantry,
as well as ammunition for all types of gun and large
weapons used by the German Army. It also carried
additional Jerry cans of fuel.
Inventory:
5.000x 2.000x 500x 10x 20x 10x 10x 30x 2x
100x Ammunition for all types of weapon and gun used by the German army
Opel Blitz 36 (engineers) Supply truck
M 250 C 5 V 36 D 2 S - Y
Transported supplies for the installation of defensive
elements, as well as mines and spare fuel.

Inventory:
14x 24x 24x 30x 20x 2x 5x
Special attacks
Goliath
M 2 C 0
The Sdkfz 302, rst prototype of the Goliath,
with an electric motor and capacity for 60 kg
of explosives, was created in 1940. This rst
version measured 120 cm in length and only 30 in
height and was controlled from a remote control
connected to the vehicle by steel cable, which transmitted the orders from the remote
operator. The SdKfz 302 was operated by an electric motor, but this turned out to be
expensive to manufacture and maintain in combat, therefore a new model was designed
that was tted with a more reliable petrol engine and three times cheaper to make, which
was called SdkFz 303a and its explosive charge was increased to 75 kg. One nal version,
with an explosive charge of 100 kg was produced, named SdkFz 303b.
In 1942, the General Staff of the Germany Army approved the nal design, propelled
by petrol, of which 7,564 units were made. It entered service in the spring of 1942,
demonstrating its efciency in the demolition of bridges and buildings and in tank
destruction. As well as the success that it had during the conict, the technology used in
the design of Goliath established the basis for future development of remotely controlled
vehicles.
The Goliath 303 weighed 430 kg and could reach a speed of 12 km/h on unstable terrain, human walking speed. Although not suitable
for reaching moving tanks or dodging enemy re, its small size helped it to camouage itself in the undergrowth and advance through
ditches or uneven land without being detected. However, its low prole forced it to go along relatively at ground, as it could not get
past raised obstacles nor advance through ruins. The whole of its structure was armored with 10 mm of steel, which protected it from
small arms re.
The vehicle had several camouage bushes in its inventory, in order to hide the weapon and lay in ambush. The explosive power of
Goliath was sufcient to demolish entire buildings and destroy any nearby tank no matter how well armored.