:: Codename panzer :: - Encyclopedia

Great Britain

Bristol Blenheim
Transport plane of conventional design. Conceived as a civil airliner, it was faster than most RAF fighters during the initial phase of the Second World War. Despite its high vulnerability to enemy fire,it saw extensive use as bomber, fighter, night-fighter, reconnaissance plane and close-support aircraft.

DeHavilland Mosquito
High-speed, all-wood, fast-attack plane of revolutionary design. Produced in many variations and used extensively in several roles: trainer, photo recon, interceptor and night bomber are but a few of them. Arguably it was the most successful and least conventional British aircraft of the war.

Supermarine Spitfire MkVb
Improved version of the emblematic British fighter plane; one of the most successful "stop-gaps" ever introduced into Royal Air Force Service. Instead of the standard Merlin XX engine, Rolls-Royce's superior Merlin 45 was fitted into a slightly modified MkI airframe. MkV served on all battlefronts and was supplied to nine other countries including the Soviet Union and the United States.

Westland Lysander

High-winged prewar monoplane design. Having entered RAF service in 1938, a relatively low
airspeed made it critically vulnerable to enemy fire during the Battle of France. Withdrawn from front-line service, it soon become famous for ist nocturnal flights into occupied Europe, dropping supplies and agents behind enemy lines. It also served as a target tug, and performed invaluable service during air-sea rescue operations over the English Channel.

Daimler "Dingo"
British recon vehicle with independent suspension system, hydraulic disc brakes and a second steering wheel facing the rear. It was famous for its muchtouted ability to be driven rapidly in reverse in emergency. It was equipped with a light 40 mm gun for self-defense.

Humber Mk II

Armored recon vehicle equipped with a 4.5 liter Daimler straight 6 engine with a Wilson gearbox and 5 speeds forwards and 5 speeds in reverse. Max speed was about 50 mph. Standard armament was a 2-pounder main gun and a 7.92 mm Besa MG. A .303 Bren was also carried as an anti-aircraft weapon in several cases.

25 Pdr (87.6 mm) field howitzer
One of the most popular guns the Allies used during the war. Took several types of ammunition and was able to fire AP, HE, smoke grenades or shrapnel. Its ballistics was calibrated for 25-pound shells, such that other shells had a slightly different line of fire. The 25-pounder was able to handle difficult terrain, even with its weight of 1.8 tons.

6 Pdr (57 mm) AT gun
An ample weapon capable of taking out all German panzers except the Tiger. Fired special SABOT shells over 9 kilometers where they could still penetrate 63 millimeters of steel. Was good enough for the USA to copy it.

BL 5-inch (140 mm) field cannon
Medium field artillery piece able to fire three shells per minute over a distance of 16 kilometers. It could also launch smoke and flare grenades.

Bofors L60/40 AA
Swedish light artillery piece; one of the most successful anti-aircraft weapons of the war. Used as a mobile air defense platform on the ground as well as on ships. Fired between 100 and 150 rounds per minute.

Archer
Self-propelled artillery piece; a 17-pound antitank gun mounted on the Valentine chassis. This chassis was rather narrow, and the heavy gun stressed the front too much. So, the engineers simply mounted the gun backwards. It pointed to the rear, while the tank drove into the other direction. Because of this, the tank was difficult to handle in combat, but it was a dangerous opponent when it was protecting troops in retreat. Its powerful gun was also of good use when the Archer was operating from a well-covered spot.

Bishop
Self-propelled artillery piece; a 25-pound (87.6 mm) gun mounted on the chassis of the Valentine tank. It was difficult to move the gun quickly and the barrel could not move up to a higher angle. If the crew wanted to fire over a greater distance, they had to unmount it and carry it up a ramp. They could not transport the necessary amount of ammunition, and needed a separate ammo trailer. There wasn't enough room for all crew members in the vehicle. One of them often had to travel on the hood.

M15A1 AA Gun Carrier
M15 half-track carrying a 37 mm anti-aircraft gun and a pair of .50 machine guns. Produced from August 1943, it was lighter and had lower silhouette than the original M2T28, which also lacked armor protection. Due to its high firing rate, high accuracy and excellent off-road capabilities, the M15A1 was widely used by the Allied forces in Tunisia against a variety of ground and air targets.

Churchill Mk III
The first major armament overhaul of the heavy infantry tank. While the hull howitzer was dropped, the vehicle mounted a more powerful 6-pound (57 mm) gun. Unlike early versions, it had a welded turret. First appeared at El-Alamein.

Churchill Mk VII "Crocodile"
Flamethrower version of the British heavy infantry tank. Retained its co-axial Besa MG and the 75 mm main gun in the turret. The flame projector had a favorable range of about 120 yards, but in general, 80 yards was considered tops. The fuel was carried in an armored 2-wheel trailer and contained 400 gallons of latex, plus five nitrogen bottles that supplied pressure. Note: in CP2, you must purchase the trailer separately to use the Crocodile's flamethrower. If the Latex Trailer gets destroyed, the Crocodile will continue to operate as a normal tank.

Cromwell Mk IV
Cruiser Class medium tank designed in difficult economical times of the mid-1930's. As such, the construction lacked a lot of features that would have increased its cost. The Mark IV lacked most of the exotic weapons carried by earlier models. Instead, it came with 76 mm armor plating and a 75 mm main gun that, for a limited time, made it superior to the US Sherman.

Crusader Mk II
Cruiser class medium tank armed with a 2-pound (40 mm) gun that was too weak against German tanks by 1941. Although its armor was angled, it was in some places only 7 mm thick. Consequently it was destroyed in large numbers by enemy ATGs. On the positive side, the Crusader was a sprinter - clearly an advantage in the North African desert. Due to its shock absorbers, it was capable of speeds up to 65km/h; in fact, it was faster than its manufacturer claimed it to be. It was common practice among Crusader crews to fiddle with the output of their engines, which also decreased their reliability. The Crusader was also equipped with a MG mounted in a small, lightly armored turret, which offered more points to penetrate the tank.

M3A1 Grant
American medium tank customized to carry a 75 mm gun. Ordered straight from the drawing board of Baldwin and the American Locomotive Company - each made pilot models by April 1941. Production began in August 1941 and ended in December 1942. It was intended only as a stopgap before the M4 Sherman arrived. When the latter started production, the M3 was designated Substitute Standard. In April 1943, it was classified as Limited Standard, and by April 1944 it officially became obsolete.

M3A1 Stuart
American light tank standardized in July 1940. Production started in March 1941 at the American Car & Foundry. It was based on the M2A4, but had thicker armor and the idler wheel was placed on the ground to act as another road wheel. Nicknamed "Honey" by British cavalry regiments, it was used in Burma, NW Europe, Italy, and North Africa. Russia, China, and France received some as well. The British were reported to like this tank at the time of its introduction: it could go about 10-20 mph faster than their own or enemy tanks, and required less maintenance.

M4 Sherman VC "Firefly"
British field upgrade of the mass-produced American M4 medium tank, mounting a 17-pound (76.2 mm) antitank gun. One of the many advantages of the Sherman family was that it was produced from caststeel components that could be assembled quickly. Various Allied facilities produced approximately 1,000 standard units per month. Another advantage was its horizontally stabilized gun. With it, the crew of five could fire while the tank was moving. Equipped with the British 17-pounder, the M4 was positively lethal: it could penetrate the armor of any German panzers of the time, the fearsome Tiger included. The Tiger I of German Panzer Ace, Michael Wittman, was also destroyed by an M4 "Firefly" belonging to the 33rd Armored Brigade of 1st Northampton shire Yeomanry.

Matilda Mk II
Cruiser class medium tank, the total opposite of the Crusader in terms of armor. In 1940, it could withstand any German ATG thanks to its 78 mm-thick plating. In some cases, even the dreaded Flak 88 failed to penetrate it. On the other hand, its 2-pound (40 mm) main gun was a threat to all German tanks. The mix of armor and firepower made it lethal on the battlefield. It also had a MG to engage enemy infantry. Luckily for the Germans, Matilda production was so slow their presence could hardly be felt during the Battle of France. The Matilda II was a nightmare for the Italians in North Africa. Huge numbers of their tanks yielded to it without the slightest chance to score any damage in return - hence its nickname "The Queen of the Desert". Its glory days ended when the Rommel's Afrika Korps arrived to North Africa: the 2-pounder proved too weak against new German tanks, and could only destroy them from point blank range. To achieve a fatal hit, the Matilda had to close in on them with its twin 95 HP diesel engines. Due to the fact it was impossible to mount a bigger gun in the small turret, production ended in 1943.

Valentine Mk III

British infantry tank armed with a 2-pound (45 mm) gun. First saw action with the 8th Royal Tank Regiment of the 1st Army Tank Brigade at Capuzzo in November 1941. Also took part in the night attack with the 2nd South African Division against Bardia fortress in January 1942. Its reliability was considered very high. It is reported that some Valentines were able to track the 3,000 miles from El Alamein to Tunisia with the 8th Army. One of the most widely used British tanks of the war.

Bedford QL
British counterpart to the Opel Blitz transport truck used for many different tasks: as weapon platform, ammunition transports, normal truck, towing vehicle or gasoline transport. Because of the many tasks it could fulfill, it was used all over the world. With 52,000 built, it was the most-produced, three-ton truck used by British forces in WWII. Because of its 4-wheel-drive, it also had great off-road capabilities.

Bren Universal Gun Carrier
Fast, lightly armed utility vehicle designed to carry infantry and Bren MG teams - hence the name "Bren Gun Carrier". Manufactured in Britain, Canada and Australia, it served on every front, in every formation, and in a variety of roles ranging from infantry support to gun tractor to logistics and communications.

Latex Trailer
Amply armored latex container for the Churchill "Crocodile". In case of emergency, tank crews had the option of detaching it within seconds. Note: In CP2, you must purchase it separately, and manually attach it to the tank at the beginning of the mission.

Germany

Heinkel He-111 Level Bomber
Between 1939 and 1944, Heinkel delivered over 5,000 He-111's to the Luftwaffe. Having made its debut in the Spanish Civil War, the series was somewhat obsolete for its time. Its three 7.92 mm MGs proved dramatically insufficient for self-defense during the Battle of Britain. It saw use as a flying launch platform for the V1 rocket. Heinkel also produced an unusual twin hull version with 5 engines to tow the giant Me-321 para-glider. Among the tasks cut out for the He-111 was the attack of Allied convoys bound for Murmansk in the Arctic Sea. It also supported the German ground troops on the Eastern Front. It had been pulled from the Western Front much earlier, due to heavy losses. As the war continued, the designers fitted the He111 with up to eight MGs, their last model was equipped with twin-mounted .20 MGs. The plane's weight was nearly doubled from eight to fourteen tons. Version H was able to carry tons of bombs while maintaining a speed of 415.

Henschel Hs126
High-winged monoplane design. Having entered service in 1936, it was the most important German tactical reconnaissance aircraft in the early period of WWII. It carried a crew of two: a pilot in the front and observer in the rear cockpit.

Junkers Ju-87b „Stuka“ Dive Bomber
„Stuka“ is the abbreviation for Sturz-Kampf-Bomber (dive-bomber.) With its crew of two, the Ju-87b became infamous for its „Jericho trumpets“, an unusual airscrew on its left landing gear. Just the sound of it caused widespread terror and chaos on the ground when it started to howl as the Stuka dived down on a target. Because of its ability to dive vertically, it was ideal for precisely targeting fortifications, bunkers or tanks. Its tremendous reputation was marred in the Battle of Britain: Ju-87b squadrons suffered heavy losses and were soon pulled from front-line service. Despite this, the Ju-87b remained frightfully effective under the right circumstances, especially on the Eastern Front where they kept fighting Soviet tank columns until the very end of the war.

Kübelwagen
Cross-country recon and command vehicle. It entered service during the invasion of Poland where many flaws of the initial model surfaced. It was unable to maintain speeds lower than 4km/h when traveling with marching troops, and it wasn't fast enough for the driver when he was alone. Its lack of real crosscountry capability only made matters worse. An improved gearbox allowed it to drive slowly alongside the troops and greater clearance underneath increased off-road stability. By the end of the war, nearly 55,000 Kübelwagens were built - a relatively low number compared to the 600,000 Jeeps produced by the Allies. Kübelwagen's only edge was its air-cooled engine that remained functional even in extremely harsh conditions. The vehicle saw action on all fronts, and was able to deal with most terrain types. Even US and British troops used it when they managed to capture one.

Leichter Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 232
Medium recon vehicle that differed from other models in its specialized wireless radio communication equipment. The visible attribute of this model was the "bedstead" antenna welded on top of the body of the car. At the point where the antenna was connected to the turret, a special joint was installed that allowed the turret to stay mobile and rotate 360 degrees.

Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 223
Scout and observer of the German motorized divisions. The crews of two to four had a complete set of radio equipment at their disposal with which they could contact their commanders using a large frame antenna on the outside of the vehicle. The armored upper body was equipped with a rotating turret and was built on top of the chassis of a normal car. The turret was closed on all sides and protected against grenades with a grid on the top. The 223 was initially armed with an MG34, which was subsequently replaced by the Panzer Rifle 41 in 1942. With its big wheels and its 75 HP Horch engine, it was usable on all terrains and served the Wehrmacht until the end of the war.

Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 250/1
Designed as a light armored personnel carrier, the SdKfz 250/1 was used to transport up to four soldiers, and conduct reconnaissance. Once it made contact with the enemy, its twin MG34's and light armor offered some protection. It also carried more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition. Served mostly in Panzer and Panzer grenadier divisions.

FlaK 36 (88mm)
In the Battle of France, the Wehrmacht quickly learned that their dedicated antitank guns were not powerful enough to penetrate the armor of French and British heavy tanks. Out of desperation, German troops turned their most powerful weapon against them: the 88 mm anti-aircraft gun. When used against ground targets, the Flak88 had an immense impact: it was easily capable of knocking out targets from a distance of 1,800 meters. Ist main drawback was its weight. It needed a truck to tow it. When firing its high velocity shells, it made a characteristic sound which duly lowered enemy morale in the vicinity. The gun proved so successful that variations of it were later used in tanks like the infamous Tiger.

PaK 36 (37mm)
Medium (37 mm) antitank gun with an effective range of 7 kilometers. Weighting only 450 kilograms, it was very easy to maneuver and operate. It proved incapable of scoring kills from 1941 on, as it was not powerful enough to penetrate the hulls of newer Allied tanks. The Germans continued to use it against infantry due to its ability to fire both AP and HE shells.

PaK 38 (50mm)
Heavy (50 mm) antitank gun with an effective range of 9.5 kilometers. Its ability to penetrate armor was adequate at first, but it soon met its match in the lumbering form of Russian heavy tanks. A welltrained crew could fire between 12 and 14 shots per minute. The PaK 50 was capable of firing AP, HE and HEAT ammunition.

Panzerjager SdKfz 171 Jagdpanther
Heavy tank hunter; an 88 mm AT gun mounted on the Panzer V chassis. The 700 HP Maybach engine was able to accelerate the 45-ton vehicle up to 50 km/h. The limited pivoting range of the gun made it necessary to move the whole body in the direction of the target. Thick front armor plating reduced the risk of getting critical hits in the process. Thanks to the many improvements done since 1943, the chassis was quite reliable: "Jagdpanther" crews did not need to fear engine or mechanical breakdowns.

Panzerjager SdKfz 184 Elephant
Self-propelled tank hunter. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche, it was originally named "Ferdinand" after him. It had a top speed of 35 km/h, and was armed with an 88 mm main gun. Later it also carried a machine gun for self-defense - the lack of which led to the loss of many early models. The "Elephant" first saw action during Operation Citadel at Kursk in 1943. It was used mostly in Italy after that. Although it could invariably knock out any tank it came across, it was an easy target for enemy infantry attacking from its blindside.

Panzerwerfer 42
Heavy grenade launching system mounted on the Opel Maultier chassis. When it fired a salvo of 150 mm grenades from its ten launching tubes, they were blown, whistling over 7 kilometers, towards their target. Because of their high impact, power and great dispersion, "Moaning Minnies" had a devastating effect behind enemy lines. Capable of a top speed of 40 km/h only, it had excellent off-road capabilities. Although Panzerwerfer 42 crews had a MG for self-defense, they preferred to operate from the cover of infantry squads.

SdKfz 10/5 D7
Demag half-truck fitted with a 20 mm AA gun. Unlike stationary anti-aircraft units, it was able to use the natural cover of the surrounding environment. The sides of the loading area could be released to make a wide platform from where the gunner could open fire on enemy aircraft as well as ground targets.

SdKfz 124 Wespe
Self-propelled artillery unit; a Panzer II chassis mounting a 105 mm light howitzer. Although it had only frontal armor protection and carried little extra ammunition or fuel, it remained in use by German artillery units until the end of the war.

SdKfz 131 Marder II
When Russian T-34/76's and KV-I's made their smashing debut on the Eastern Front in 1941, the Wehrmacht badly needed mobile antitank guns to keep them at bay. The Marder was an intermediate solution. The concept was to fit antitank guns to the chassis of already decommissioned tanks. The improved version, Marder II, was a 75 mm AT gun mounted on the Panzer II Ausf. F chassis. The gunner could turn the cannon in a narrow angle to the left and right only, therefore the Marder II always had to face the enemy directly. The light armor was easily penetrated by enemy fire, and the turret with its open top was a standing invitation to enemy soldiers to throw in grenades. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a very successful weapon: its heavy cannon was able to destroy most Russian tanks. Production was halted when the first "true" tank hunters entered service, but it remained in use until the end of the war.

siG 33 (SF)
With a 150 mm howitzer mounted on the Panzer I Ausf. B chassis, it was the forefather of all German self-propelled artillery units. When fired on enemy infantry, its impact was enormous. But like all early self-propelled guns, it was highly vulnerable in close combat.

siG 33 auf PzKpfw II
Improved version of the widely used German self-propelled artillery unit. The Panzer II chassis had to be extended to absorb the recoil of the 150 mm howitzer mounted on it. The entire production went to North Africa at the beginning of 1942. Their service record was marred by numerous breakdowns, yet they remained in service until the end of the campaign.

Sturmgeschütz III SdKfz 142/1 Ausf. F

In 1935, General von Manstein requested a vehicle fitted with an adequate gun that was able to defend itself against enemy armor while providing backup to assault infantry. Built on the chassis of the Panzer III, the self-propelled Sturmgeschütz III (popularly named StuG) was the answer. When the StuG III F entered service, the infantry had a vehicle to support them in most typical infantry tasks with a long barreled 75 mm gun that was able to penetrate all enemy armor of that time. Because of its low design the StuG III was hard to hit. Its four-man crew had a much higher chance of survival in combat than those that used the Marder II. The StuG III was manufactured in large numbers, because it was easy and inexpensive to build. Compared to its construction costs it was rather successful in defending missions, and was in service until the end of the war.

Panzerkampfwagen I SdKfz 101 Ausf. B
Following its defeat in the Great War, Germany was not allowed to construct armored weapons. Nevertheless, an armored training vehicle, codenamed "agricultural tractor", was commissioned in 1933. Despite its official classification and the relative inferiority of its armor and armament, the B version of Panzerkampfwagen played an important role in the Blitzkrieg against Poland and France. It was operated by a crew of two - a driver and a commander who fired at his targets from a rotating turret with a pair of 32 mm MG 13's. The thin armor plating provided protection against light infantry weapons only. At 5 metric tons of operating weight, its 100 hp engine was insufficient, and guzzled more than 90 liters of gas per 100 kilometers. Despite its ineffective battle characteristics, the Panzer IB provided the Germans with invaluable experience, which they used to develop more powerful tanks.

Panzerkampfwagen I SdKfz 101 Flammpanzer
Flamethrower version of the Panzer I light tank, used extensively in North Africa by the 5th Leichte Division. It had range of about 25 meters and was capable of 10-12, one-second bursts.

Panzerkampfwagen II SdKfz 121 Ausf. C
Designed to replace Panzer I as a light battle and reconnaissance tank, it was also to succeed it as training vehicle. The single noteworthy improvement was the addition of a radio operator, also responsible for reloading the 20 mm cannon, still ineffective against most enemy tanks. The armor was adequate only against light infantry. With its 140 HP Maybach engine, the Panzer II was forced to avoid enemy armor instead of trying to outrun them.

Panzerkampfwagen III SdKfz 141 Ausf. F
Medium battle tank in manufacture since 1938. Its F revision was equipped with a 50 mm cannon. Additional weaponry consisted of dual MG32's, one fitted to the turret, the other to the bow. The Panzer III was successfully used in Poland and France, where it succeeded in destroying superior enemy tanks. It was operated by a crew of five. The 30 mm armor was sufficient against antitank grenades and MG rounds, but failed to deflect direct hits: during the Russian Campaign, Soviet antitank rifles easily penetrated the vehicle's sides. The sides of the turret and the drive section were then reinforced with armor skirts.

Panzerkampfwagen IV SdKfz 161 Ausf. D
Main battle tank, the backbone of German armored divisions from 1942. Despite being originally conceived as a support unit for Panzer III and assault infantry, it remained an effective weapon against enemy tanks until the very end of the war. The only weakness of the D revision was the short barrel of its, otherwise very impressive, 75 mm main gun. As with the Panzer III, five-person crews were hunting enemy infantry and tanks from within the Panzer IV. Starting with revision B, a 300 hp engine was used instead of the original 250 hp one.

Panzerkampfwagen IV SdKfz 161/1 Ausf. F2
Main battle tank, the backbone of German armored divisions from 1942. The F2 Revision was ultimately equipped with what would turn it into the nightmare of Allied tanks: a long barreled 75 mm cannon. The upgrade proved its worth primarily during the Russian Campaign. Soviet tanks were practically immune to the fire of smaller German cannons - the F2 changed the situation dramatically. Soviet antitank rifles remained a serious threat to the side armor of the Panzer IV. Subsequently, armor skirts were added to protect the drives and the turret. This upgrade turned out to be amazingly resistant against hollow point ammunition. As with the Panzer III, five-person crews were hunting enemy infantry and tanks from within the Panzer IV. Starting with revision B, a 300 hp engine was used instead of the original 250 hp one. While not excelling in speed, the Panzer IV, especially in later revisions, was an excellent weapon.

Panzerkampfwagen V "Panther" SdKfz 171 Ausf. A
Tough times began for the Wehrmacht with the appearance of the Russian T-34 medium tank. It was far superior to all German panzers of the time: its tilted armor deflected most projectiles like tennis balls. To counter the threat of the mass-deployed T-34, German experts suggested copying it, but they lacked a suitable engine as well as the necessary fuel. They began constructing a new panzer utilizing the tilted armor and the wide tracks of the T-34. The resulting "Panther" was drastically different from earlier German tank designs. Manufacture of Revision A started in August 1942. The standard MG loophole was replaced with an MG 34 fitted into a rotating sphere. This model was also equipped with armor skirts. The gunner was able to target objects over a distance of 2,000 meters with his long barreled 75 mm cannon. Every 4th shot was a direct hit when using rapid automatic fire: despite the recoil, the Panther was still capable of precise targeting.

Panzerkampfwagen V "Panther" SdKfz 171 Ausf. D
Despite the various construction problems, 250 of the "Panther" A version went into service during the Battle of Kursk, leading to a dropout of 80% of the Panthers in day one. Production of Revision D started in December 1943. The gunner could target objects over a distance of 2,000 meters with his long barreled 75 mm cannon. Every 4th shot was a direct hit using rapid automatic fire. The engineers delivered brilliant work with the undercarriage: no wartime tank came close to the Panther in terms of absorption and suspension. Considered to be one of the best weapons of WWII, the resourceful combination of weaponry, armor and speed made the Panther extremely dangerous. It was able to destroy every Allied tank it encountered, and was feared even by T-34 crews.

Panzerkampfwagen V "Panther" SdKfz 171 Ausf. D
Despite the various construction problems, 250 of the "Panther" A version went into service during the Battle of Kursk, leading to a dropout of 80% of the Panthers in day one. Production of Revision D started in December 1943. The gunner could target objects over a distance of 2,000 meters with his long barreled 75 mm cannon. Every 4th shot was a direct hit using rapid automatic fire. The engineers delivered brilliant work with the undercarriage: no wartime tank came close to the Panther in terms of absorption and suspension. Considered to be one of the best weapons of WWII, the resourceful combination of weaponry, armor and speed made the Panther extremely dangerous. It was able to destroy every Allied tank it encountered, and was feared even by T-34 crews.

Panzerkampfwagen VI "Tiger II/King Tiger" SdKfz 182 Ausf. B
Heavy battle tank delivered by Henschel between January and September 1944. Several of the 500 original units remained in service until the end of the war, through Operation Market Garden, the Ardennes Offensive, Hungary, Poland and the defense of Berlin. Despite being an upgrade of the Tiger I, the " Tiger II" differed quite drastically from its predecessor. It was armed with the new 88 mm KwK 43 L/71 cannon, which was able to penetrate 28 cm of steel over a distance of 1 km, making it the most powerful weapon of the war. Even over a distance of 3.5 km, it was still able to pierce every Allied tank before it needed to fight back. Armor plating was further improved over that of the Tiger I. Consequently, it feared no enemy tanks with the exception of the Russian IS-2 and IS-3. The Tiger II was the pride of German armored forces and immediately achieved "terrifying" status with the Allies. Its biggest drawback was its own highly advanced technology: more King Tigers were disabled by mechanical breakdowns than by enemy tanks. Often the crew of five had no other choice but to abandon and destroy their paralyzed vehicle.

Panzerkampfwagen VI "Tiger" SdKfz 181 Ausf. E

Entered service in July 1942 as an answer to the threat posed by mass-produced Allied tanks. Its strongest asset was the 88 mm main gun derived from the infamous Flak 88 anti-aircraft cannon. At a distance of 1,800 meters, its projectiles penetrated each and every enemy vehicle, while the Allied tanks had to be quite close to the "Tiger" to penetrate its 10 cm hull plating. Even if the distance was sufficient, the enemy tank only had a chance of success if the Tiger was hit from the right angle. If the German driver was guarding the angle towards the enemy optimally, his tank was de facto invincible.
Although the commander, driver, shooter, loader and radio operator could always rely on the enormous firepower and strong armor of their "cat of prey", its 650 hp engine caused frequent problems. The tank was not sufficiently motorized with it and its frequent stalls and failures regularly caused dangerous situations. Even in later revisions, these problems could never be fully eliminated. Another weakness of the tiger was its dependence on terrain conditions. With a weight of 57 tons, it was better off avoiding muddy grounds.

Krupp L2
Cross-country transporter capable of carrying up to eight soldiers. Equipped with a 60 HP engine, its top speed was 70 km/h. It wasn't exclusively used as infantry transport; it also towed the 37 mm PaK.

Opel Blitz
The 3-ton Blitz (Lightning) truck was the most commonly used German troop and supply transporter. It had 4-wheel drive and proved very durable. More than 400,000 were manufactured by 1945.

SdKfz 10
Medium half-track designed in the mid 1930's as an infantry transporter. It had great off-road abilities regardless of weather conditions. Later on, all kinds of anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns were mounted on the SdKfz 10, which made it a rather useful combat unit.

SdKfz 11 (Hansa-Lloyd)
Heavy half-track, one of the Wehrmacht's many workhorses. When it came to towing howitzers, antitank guns or other equipment, the SdKfz 11 was often called upon. It could carry huge quantities of ammunition and supplies as well.

USA

Curtiss C-46
Mass-produced cargo plane of American design. It could carry between 38 and 50 troops depending on the interior configuration. A large cargo door, combined with a 5-ton carrying capacity, allowed it to deliver jeeps, light trucks, and even smaller aircraft.

Lockheed P-38 Lighting
Twin-boom, multi-engine aircraft of American design. Packing twice the power and almost twice the size of its predecessors, it is one of the many wartime triumphs of US aeronautics. Mounting no less than four, .50 cal MGs plus a 20 mm cannon, it sported enough firepower to sink a ship, which it occasionally did.

Dodge WC 57
A 4-wheel drive American command car mainly used as a mobile radio station by front-line units. It was great for off-road duties and was a great climber due to a relatively powerful 76 HP engine. To help other vehicles deal with difficult terrain, it came equipped with a winch.

Willys Jeep
A 4-wheel drive, all-terrain scout and command car; probably the most famous in Allied use during the war. A water-cooled 54 HP engine enabled it to climb hills at 60° and travel through shallow waters. Had no problem handling arid (desert) and humid (jungle) climates either. Different variations came equipped with pivoting MG, additional fuel tanks or armor plating.

M16 MGC Quad AA
Multiple gun carriage version of the American M16 utility vehicle. Also called the "Meat Chopper", it carried four .50 cal machine guns coaxially mounted on an electrical Maxson turret. Its maximum rate of fire of 2,200 rounds per minute made it deadly against low flying aircraft, and proved devastating if used in the ground support role against infantry. Other variants included the T30 HMC, mounting a75 mm Pack Howitzer, T19 HMC, mounting a 105 mm Howitzer, M15A1 MGMC, mounting a 37 mm AA gun and two coaxially mounted .50 cal MGs.

M36 Slugger
Tank hunter that displaced the German Flak 88 in its "prime killer" role. The chassis was taken from an M10, but it needed a complete new design for a turret that was able to hold the heavy 90 mm gun. Due to its sheer power and special ammunition, it could destroy the Tiger and Panther from great distances. The crew often used the "shoot and scoot" tactic, and many kills were claimed without a single loss of a M36. More than 1,400 M36'

M7 Priest
American self-propelled artillery piece; a 105 mm howitzer mounted on the M3 chassis, used mainly as artillery at medium range to support attacking infantry. Produced from early 1942, it was in high demand when British troops needed a replacement for their Bishop mobile artillery piece during the North African campaign.

M26 Pershing
American medium tank mounting 110 mm armor plating and a 90 mm main gun, hence its nickname "Tiger Tamer". The gun fired from a cast turret; its high velocity shells could kill both the Panther and the Tiger from great distances. And since its gun was also stabilized, it could do that even while driving. It entered service very late, and only 20 had reached the European continent by January 1945.

M4 Sherman
American medium tank; the all around weapon of the Allied armored divisions. It addition to being placed in service with a 75 mm antitank gun, it was used for sapping and wrecking duties as well. In addition to the swimming and flamer versions, it also saw action as a mobile rocket launcher platform. Early versions had the unpleasant habit of catching fire without any enemy contact. The reason was the 425 HP gasoline engine from Chrysler. Later versions were mechanically sound and sturdy, liked even by the Russians for their rugged reliability. The Sherman remains one of the most well-known tanks in the world. The USA exported it to many countries after the war.

M4 Sherman "Firefly"

British field upgrade of the mass-produced American M4 medium tank, mounting a 17-pound (76.2 mm) antitank gun. One of the many advantages of the Sherman family was that it was produced from caststeel components that could be assembled quickly. Various Allied facilities produced approximately 1,000 standard units per month. Another advantage
was its horizontally stabilized gun. With it, the crew of five could fire while the tank was moving. Equipped with the British 17-pounder, the M4 was positively lethal: it could penetrate the armor of any German panzers of the time, the fearsome Tiger included. The Tiger I of German Panzer Ace, Michael Wittman, was also destroyed by an M4 "Firefly" belonging to the 33rd Armored Brigade of 1st Northampton shire Yeomanry.

M2A1

Personnel transport vehicle manufactured in several versions, including half-track. Offered seats for ten men in full combat gear, and saw heavy use as a prime mover for the 105 mm howitzer as well.

Italian

Macchi Mc-200 „Saetta“
Single seat, high-wing design developed in the mid-1930's for Regia Aeronautica. The Saetta (Lightning) was one of Italy's principal fighters in the early period of the Second World War. First deployed against the British at Malta, it eventually saw service in Greece, North Africa, Yugoslavia, and the Soviet Union.

Piaggio P.108
All-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane with retractable under-carriage. A highly advanced design in its day with two 7.7 mm waist MGs, a pair of 12.7 mm MGs in the lower and the nose turret, plus two remotely controlled twin MG turrets in the outer engine nacelles. Manufactured in several versions, it remained the only heavy four-engine bomber in Italian service during the Second World War.

Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 „Gobbo Maleditto“
A three-engine monoplane, medium bomber of the distinctively Italian "humpback" lineage - hence the nickname, "Gobbo Maleditto" or "Damned Cripple". Originally designed as a civil airliner, it saw extensive use as standard bomber and land-based torpedo bomber. In the latter category it clearly qualifies among the best.

Autoblinda 41
Four-wheel drive, armored scout car with a driving position on each end. The rear driver also operated the radio and the hull-mounted MG. A turret with a 20 mm canon was located near the front. It was widely used as scout and command vehicle by the Italians in North Africa.

Carro Armato L6/40
Armored scout car that replaced the obsolete L3 series that Italy used in the beginning of the war. While a definite improvement over the latter, it was still inferior to British and American light tanks. Its speed and agility made it an ideal armored vehicle for recon purposes.

Semovente 105-25 Basotto
Semovente subtype equipped with a 105 mm gun. Proved so successful against Allied tanks that Germany decided to adopt the design unchanged. Basotto (Dachsl in Wehrmacht service) was a deadly weapon diminished by its severely limited ammunition carrying capacity.

Semovente 75-18
Self-propelled gun built on the M13/40 tank chassis. (For later vehicles, the M14/41 chassis were used.) First entered into service with the Ariete Division in North Africa. Not many Italian tanks were capable of penetrating allied tank armor, but the Semovente did. It was the most successful AT weapon beside the Flak88 on the Axis side.

M13-40

Medium tank built from armored plates bolted to a steel frame. Its armor had a tendency to crack when hit. It was also quite unreliable and prone to catching fire. While unable to compete with Allied armor, its maneuverability made it one of the best vehicles used by the Italians in North Africa.