Notes on AP ammunition

I am currently reading Trevor Greenwood's account of the Normandy campaign and before that, I burned my way through Ken Tout's excellent book on the same subject. Although they differ in tone and in their experiences (Tout seems to have seen much more combat) both accounts offer good descriptions of the realities of tanks being hit by armour penetrating ammunition. Last night I read in Greenwood's account how his unit lost multiple Churchill tanks to one or more unseen AT guns, and what struck me, is just how easily a hit from an AT gun could take out a medium tank. As often as not, most  if not all the crew survived and the tank coud be quickly brought back into action the next day. In some cases, the tanks were not even penetrated and yet the crews abandoned them just in case of a 'brew up'.

This leads me to re-consider the AP ammunition rules in Bayonet_10. As they stand at the moment, only the strongest high velocity guns are able to defeat an enemy tank, with a single unsupported shot, using the Bayonet_10 rules. (Magne successfully used a concealed 8.8cm field gun to take out my foremost Sherman in our latest test game - see image). In Tout's book he describes using the short barrelled 75mm of a regular M-4 Sherman to take out Panzer 4s too.  Obviously there needs to be a 'tweak', so I have decided to increase the strength of AP ammunition by one point, run some tests and then we'll see if that works.


Here you can see the old AP ammunition description (left) compared to the new (right)

(AP -1)	Solid penetrator. AT rifles & HMGs, etc.	Solid penetrator/ AT rifles/  HMGs, etc.
(AP -2)	Early tank guns, 20mm autocannon, 37mm etc.	Early tank guns/ 20mm autocannon/ FlaK etc.
(AP -3)	Mid war, medium tank guns	Early war tank guns/ 37 - 47mm etc.
(AP -4)	Late war, medium tank guns	Mid war, medium tank guns.
(AP -5)	Mid war 76-90mm guns/ RP-3 rocket.	Late war, medium tank guns/ PIAT.
(AP -6)	Late war 76-90mm guns/ Panzerfaust-60.	Mid war 76-90mm guns/ RP-3 rocket.
(AP -7)	90mm – 128mm	Late war 76-90mm guns/ Panzerfaust-60.
(AP -8)	Post war anti-armour rounds	90mm – 128mm.
(AP -9)	-	Early post war anti-armour rounds.
(AP -10)	-	Contemporary post war anti-armour rounds.

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Updated: 22 August.
I ran four test games by myself, then one with Magne (two Tiger II Vs two IS-2), and the results were good. I think the new AP ammunition types fit better, although test game 2 was a bit of a blank squib.

 The test arena. Its rather simple, but with lots of straight lines.

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Test game 1: two Char B1 bis Vs two Panzer 4 ausf A. Char B1 bis: Shot at: 9 / 8 / 7. Main armament: 47 mm SA35 gun (turret). 144 LOS. Single target. +6. (AP -3) (HE 2)   Panzer 4/A. Shot at: 5 / 4 / 4. Main armamanet: 7.5cm KwK 37 (turret) 144 LOS. Single target. +8. (HEAT 3/-2)
Rd	Panzer 4_14	Panzer 4_15	Char B1 bis_1	Char B1 bis_2
1	French holding ground whilst Germans move to high ground.  Neither can see the other.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
2	French holding ground whilst Germans cross high ground to traverse western flank.  Neither can see the other.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
3	Char B1 bis_1 spots Panzer 4_15 but does not have enough time to fire.
	-	-	-	-	No combat
3	The Germans continue to manoeuvre. Panzer 4_14 arrives on the main road and spots Char B1 bis_1
	-	-	-	-	No combat
4	Char B1 bis_1 fires at Panzer 4_14 using its 47mm AT gun (attack marked A). Char B1 bis_2 backs off to a better position.
	A: 3 + 5 (-3) = 5	-	3 + 7 = 10	-	Panzer 4_14 suffers a mobility kill.
4	Panzer 4_14 returns fire against Char B1 bis_1.
	A: 2 + 8 = 10	-	2 + 7 (-2) = 7	-	No effect.
5	Char B1 bis_1 shoots at Panzer 4_14 again with a +1 sustained fire bonus.
	A: 5 + 5 (-3) = 7	-	2 + 7 +1 = 10	-	No effect.
5	Panzer 4_14 returns fire, also with a +1 sustained fire bonus. Panzer 4_15 opens fire on Char B1 bis_2 (attack marked B).
	A: 4 + 8 = 12	B: 1 + 8 = 9	A:1 +7 (-2) = 4	B: 3 + 7 (-2) = 8	A: Char B1 bis_1 is defeated B: No effect.
6	Char B1 bis_2 returns fire.
	-	B: 5 + 5 (-3) = 7	-	B: 5 + 7 = 12	No effect.
6	Panzer 4_15 shoots again with a +1 sustained fire bonus.
	-	B: 3 + 8 + 1 = 12	-	B: 2 + 7 (-2) = 7	No effect.
7	Char B1 bis_2 shoots again with a +1 sustained fire bonus.
	-	B: 2 + 5 (-3) = 4	-	B: 2 + 7 + 1 = 10	Panzer 4_15 is defeated.
Conclusion: Game ends with moderate French victory.

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Test game 2: Churchill Mk 4 & QF 6Ib AT Gun Vs Jagdpanzer 38 ‘Hetzer’ & STuG III/G Church Mk 4: Shot at: 12 / 12 / 10. Main weapon: 57mm gun (turret) 144 LOS. Single target. +8. (HE 3) (AP -4)  Hetzer: Shot at: 12 / 6 / 6. Main weapon: 7.5cm KwK 39 L/48 (casemate) 288 LOS. Single target. +8. (AP -5) (HE 2)  STuG III: Shot at: 10 / 8 / 6. Main weapon: 75mm StuK 40 gun (casemate) 144 LOS. Single target. +8. (AP -5) (HE 3)
Rd	QF 6Ib AT gun	Churchill tank	Hetzer	STuG III ausf G
1	The British hold positions as they await in ambush.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
1	The Germans approach from the north. The Hetzer cross the road in front of the Churchill, allowing for a clear opportunity fire.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
2	The Churchill fires at the Hetzer (this fight is marked A)
	-	A: 4 + 8 + 1 = 13	A: 5 + 6 (-4) = 7	-	No effect. Shot ricochets.
2	The Hetzer moves to cover.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
3	The Churchill backs off slightly. The crew of the QF 6Ib gun pivot their weapon to engage the Hezter which they can see through a hedgerow..
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
3	The Hetzer turns to face the QF 6Ib gun. The STuG III approaches the road and turns to face the Churchill.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
4	The Churchill fires at the STuG (this fight is marked B). The QF 6Ib gun fires at the Hetzer (this fight is marked C).
	C: 6 + 8 = 14	B: 4 + 8 *= 12	C: 1 + 12 (-4) = 9	B: 5 + 10 (-4) = 11	B: No effect. C: No effect.
4	Both German’s return fire.
	C: 5 + 5 (-5) = 5	B: 6 + 12 (-5) = 13	C: 1 + 8 = 9	B: 2 + 8 = 10	B: No effect. C: No effect.
5	Both British fire again, each with +1 sustained fire bonuses.
	C: 5 + 8 +1 = 14	B: 4 + 8 + 1 = 13	C: 2 + 12 (-4) = 10	B: 5 + 10 (-4) = 11	B: No effect. C: No effect.
5	Both Germans fire again, each with +1 sustained fire bonuses.
	C: 5 + 5 (-5) = 5	B: 2 + 12 (-5) = 9	C: 4 + 8 + 1 = 13	B: 5 + 8 + 1 = 14	B: No effect. C: QF 6Ib gun destroyed.
6	The Churchill fires for the third time, now with a +2 sustained fire bonus.
	-	B: 1 + 8 + 2 = 11	-	B: 6 + 10 (-4) = 12	B: No effect.
6	The STuG fires for the third time, now with a +2 sustained fire bonus. The Hetzer attempts to out flank the Churchill but gets stuck in a hedgerow.
	-	B: 5 + 12 +(-4) = 13	-	B: 6 + 8 + 2 = 16	B: No effect
Conclusion: After this, the Churchill withdrew giving a German victory. Notes: I’m not sure how realistic it is for the Churchill and the STuG to be exchanging shots without being able to penetrate each other at such short range, though both are very tough in the frontal armour and I have read accounts of heavily armoured tanks being hit a great many times much like this… I’ll just keep testing.

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Test game 3: Two Vickers 6 tonners Vs an AMR-35 ZT-2 & a Renault FT-17. Vickers 6 ton: Shot at: 5 / 4 / 4. Main weapon: 47mm low-velocity gun (turret) 72 LOS. Single target. +6.(HE 1)  AMR-35 ZT-2: Shot at: 5 / 4 / 4. Main weapon: 25mm autocannon (turret) 72 LOS. Multiple targets. +7. (AP -2) Renault FT-17: Shot at: 6 / 5 / 4. Main weapon: 37mm Puteaux SA gun (turret / gun variant ) 72 LOS. Single target. +6.(HE 1)
Rd	Vickers Nr.1	Vickers Nr.2	ZT-2	FT-17	French win initiative roll.
1	The French move east along the western road, heading for the cross roads. They catch sight of the British but cannot engage.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
1	The British tanks move north along the southern road, heading for the cross roads. They catch sight of the French but cannot engage.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
2	Using a +2 stone wall as cover, the ZT-2 breaks right off the road in an attempt to out flank the British.
	-	-	-	-	No combat.
2	Vickers Nr.1 opens fire on the ZT-2 (this fight is marked A). Both Vickers tanks move forward to the cross roads. This brings Vickers Nr.1 into LOS of the FT-17 and Vickers Nr.2 into LOS with the ZT-2.
	A: 1 + 6 = 7	-	A: 1 + 5 + 2 = 8	-	A: No effect.
3	The FT-17 fires at Vickers Nr.1 (this fight is marked B). The ZT-2 fires at Vickers Nr.2 (this fight is marked C)
	B: 3 +5 = 8	C: 6 + 5 (-2) = 9	C: 1 + 7 = 8	B: 5 +6 = 11	B: No effect. C: No effect.
3	The British return fire. Both Vickers tanks then move to close blank range (see notes).
	B: 4 + 6 = 10	C: 1 + 6 = 7	C: 3 + 5 + 2 = 10	B: 1 + 6 = 7	B: No effect. C: No effect.
4	The French open fire at point blank range (+3)
	B: 1 + 5 = 6	C: 1 + 5 (-2) = 4	C: 5 + 7 + 3 = 15	B: 1 + 6 + 3 = 10	B: No effect. C: Vickers Nr.2 is destroyed.
4	Vickers Nr.1 fires point blank at the FT-17.
	B: 3 + 7 + 3 = 13	-	-	B: 4 + 6 = 10	B: No effect.
5	The FT-17 fires once more against Vickers Nr.1 at point blank range and now with a sustained fire bonus. The ZT-2 supports.
	B: 1 + 5 – 1 = 5	-	B: Supporting.	B: 4 + 6 + 3 + 1 = 14	B: Vickers Nr.1 is destroyed.
Conclusion: Total French victory. Notes: Years ago we discussed what it would mean if one tank just drove straight up to an enemy tank and blasted it at point blank range. I don’t recall what Oleg’s answer to this question was, but I do remember that we reached a solution. Unfortunately, I can’t remember what it was. Instead, I have decided to add a simple +3 bonus to any AFV that engages another AFV within one base length.

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Test game 4: Fury-style ambush: Tiger 1 Vs British Sherman platoon Tiger 1 (S): Shot at: 12 / 11 / 11. Main weapon: 8.8cm KwK 36 L/56 (turret) 288 LOS. Single target. +9. (AP -6) (HE 3) Sherman Mk 4: Shot at 10 / 7 / 7. Main weapon: 75mm M3 L/40 gun (turret) 144 LOS. Single target. +8. (APHE -2/3) (AP -4) Sherman Firefly: Shot at: 10 / 7 / 7. Main weapon: QF 17Ib gun (turret). 288 LOS. Single target. +9. (AP -6)
Rd	Tiger	Sherman CO	Firefly	Sherman Nr.3	Sherman Nr.4
1	The Tiger is lurking behind a bushy tree, and opens fire with a +1 surprise bonus on Sherman Nr.4, who is heading the column as the British as they enter the village (this exchange is marked A). After firing the Tiger then pulls back to use the high ground to cover his hull
	A: 6+ 10+ 1 = 17	-	-	-	A: 4+ 7 (-6) = 5	A: Sherman Nr.4 is utterly destroyed.
1	The British immediately go to cover, with the Firefly using the burning wreck of Sherman Nr.4 as a smoke screen.
	-	-	-	-	-	No combat.
2	The Tiger now fires at Sherman Nr.3 (this exchange is marked B).
	B: 4+ 10 = 14	-	-	B: 4+ 10 (-6) = 8	-	No effect/ near miss?
2	The British commander returns fire (this exchange is marked C). Sherman Nr.3 supports Sherman CO.  The Firefly moves to out flank the Tiger.
	C:3+12+1(-5)=12	C: 3+ 8+ 1 =12	-	Supporting.	-	C: No effect.
3	The Tiger fires again, with a +1 sustained fire bonus, at Sherman Nr.3.
	B: 3+ 10+ 1 =14	-	-	B: 6+ 10 (-6) = 10	-	B: No effect.
3	The British commander fires again, with +1 sustained fire bonus. Sherman Nr.3 supports Sherman CO.  The Firefly still moving.
	C:3+12+1(-5)=11	C: 5+ 9+ 1 = 15	-	Supporting.	-	C: No effect.
4	The Tiger fires again, with a +2 sustained fire bonus, at Sherman Nr.3.
	B: 3+ 10+ 2 = 15	-	-	B: 2+10 (-6)= 6	-	B: Sherman Nr.3 is destroyed.
4	The Firefly opens fire on the Tiger’s rear left side (this exchange is marked D). Sherman CO supports the Firefly.
	D: 3+ 11 (-7) = 6	Supporting.	D: 1+ 9 = 10	-	-	No effect/ near miss?
5	The Tiger now fires at Sherman CO (this exchange marked E). After firing, the Tiger relocates to face the Firefly and use the high ground as cover against Sherman CO.
	E: 1 + 10 = 11	E: 4+ 10 (-6) = 8	-	-	-	E: No effect.
5	The Firefly fires again at the Tiger. Sherman CO supports the Firefly.
	D: 5+ 12 (-7) =10	Supporting.	D: 1 + 9 = 10	-	-	D: No effect.
6	The Tiger returns fire against the Firefly.
	D: 5 + 10 = 15	-	D: 5 + 10 (-6) = 9	-	-	No effect/ near miss?
6	The Firefly fires again at the Tiger with a +1 sustained fire bonus. Sherman CO supports the Firefly.
	D: 6+12 (-7)= 11	Supporting.	D: 2 + 9 + 1 = 12	-	-	D: No effect.
7	The Tiger returns fire against the Firefly with a +1 sustained fire bonus.
	D: 2+ 10+ 1 = 13	-	D: 2+ 10 (-6) = 6	-	-	D: Firefly is destroyed.
Conclusion: The Sherman CO concedes the fight and retreats – total German victory. Notes: The Firefly was pretty luckless. You really can’t go up against a Tiger with attack rolls like 1, 1 & 2!