[WoT] Digging Through Archives: U-20-II - Compactness as it is

Along with U-20 project an alternative tank destroyed prototype based on T-34 chassis was in development. It was named U-20-II.

Some details. Just like U-20, U-20-II used T-34 chassis, had open-top turret for the crew of 3.
Front turret was 75mm, side turret - 40mm, a substantial increase comparing to basic U-20.

Moreover, the new prototype was lower (2475mm, a bit higher than T-34) and the gun stuck out in front of the full for only 200mm, however, the ammo load dropped from 76 to 60 rounds, which was still more than enough.

Another question is what was sacrificed to achieve such compactness.


General blueprint

 Longitudinal plan

Central Archive of the Russian Ministry of Defence, fund 81, inventory 12038, case N90

52-K AA gun which was mounted without any sort of modification left next to nothing for the loader. Unsurprisingly, the project was eventually dumped in April 1942. That was the end of T-34 based TDs with 85mm.

[WoT] Digging Through Archives: U-20 - Soviet Turreted Tank Destroyer

The first research related to T-34 based tank destroyer dates back to the summer of 1940. Two chassis were sent to Kaliningrad plant N8 (Kalinin's plant). Two open-top turreted prototypes with 85mm AA gun 52-K were planned. However the development took longer than expected, and eventually the work was stopped.

In the autumn of 1941 plant N8 along with all staff who worked on the project were evacuated to Sverdlovsk. Later, in November, a similar project was started. It was called U-20.

On January 3, 1942 the prototype was presented to the command of Uralmash. The development was led by famous gun system engineer - F.F. Petrov.

The first U-20 prototype was basically a T-34 tank with open-top turret for the crew of 3. Front turret armour was 45mm, side - 20mm. Instead of 52-K gun, U-10 was used. It was basically the barrel of 85mm K-52 gun mounted on the gun carriage of 122mm howitzer M-30. This design decision allowed to decrease the overall size and get a relatively compact construction. However the gun stuck out in front of the full for some 850mm, which was considered as a huge drawback.

General blueprint

Longitudinal plan

Together with turret and its inner layout

Central Archive of the Russian Ministry of Defence, fund 81, inventory 12038, case N90

After the discussion held in the April of 1942 following the resolution of GRAU it was stated that the project was a failure. In the meantime, the Americans were working on T35 SPG (future M10 Gun Motor Carriage).

[WoT] Digging Through Archives: Tiger Tank Tactics Through the Eyes of Red Army HQ

Combat use of Tiger tank (by Germans) as an offensive unit

Battles in Belgorod area have shown that Tiger tank is quite vulnerable to artillery, but for antitank infantry and tank destroyers as well, especially in close combat. The most effective against it are 76mm (and less calibers) artillery rounds fired at Tiger's side armour at a range of 500m or less, especially from an ambush.

Note: 85mm AA gun is able to penetrate side armour from 1450m, front hull - from 1000mm.

In offensive operations Tiger tanks are used by Germans as infantry support and intended as breakthrough armoured vehicles.

Tiger tanks fight in small groups of 5-10 being in close cooperation with field engineers, infantry, and artillery, especially with heavy tank destroyer Ferdinand, groups of submachine gunners, antitank grenadiers; sometimes - as a part of larger tank units, fighting in the front lines.

Note: Tiger tanks organisationally are a part of heavy tank battalions.

When breaching the defensive lines after a series of thorough artillery and aviation strikes, Tiger tanks together with infantry, field engineers, and artillery move in extended line to the battle being supported by aerial forces. Almost in all Tiger groups there are assault self-propelled guns with the ratio to Tiger tanks of 1:3.

Drive a wedge into the defensive line Tiger tanks suppress long-distance targets (dots, mortar nests, etc) that prevent infantry from moving further.

Tiger groups are closely followed by support groups. When the vehicle unit suffers losses from enemy tank destroyers, support groups move forward and engage antitank troops.  At the same time long-distance targets are destroyed by assault guns and mortars. 

When the path is clear vehicles move forward in the designated direction. 

Having crushed the resistance of the main defensive line Tigers continue to exploit a success in the direction of main strike. Medium and light tanks follow the heavies moving into the created breakthrough path as a second line force, carrying tank-borne infantry. Tigers are also usually used on flanks of such pre-combat groups.

For the purpose of effective battle reconnaissance of defensive forces, first-line Tigers take advantage of terrain, showing only their turrets, thus taunting artillery and tanks (especially inexperienced ones). Having spotted fire nests or enemy tanks Tigers engage them from a distance of 1500-2000m.

Note: Tigers can act together with spotting aircraft thus enabling information interchange on the spotted targets (tanks and artillery).

Resume

So as to ensure effective defence against Tiger tanks, it's necessary:

a) to engage them only within effective fire range, avoid premature fire so as not to reveal own position before enemy vehicles come closer;

b) accounting for experience of Tiger tanks combat use it is advised to have mobile antitank groups (ambushes, fire pockets, etc) in direction of the expected main strike. Those groups should be camouflaged and by no means should not reveal their positions precociously.

c) with the aim of ensuring support to antitank troops provide for their cooperation with tank destroyers and mortar groups beforehand;

d) when attacking Tiger tanks and self-propelled guns the firepower of tank and artillery guns should be focused on Tigers, since medium and light tanks won't assault the defensive line without their support.

signed (HQ intelligence section deputy chief)

28 July 1943

Initial Package of French Tanks

Initial package of French tanks (18 units) planned for 7.x update (Q4 2011).

Light:
Renault FT
D1
Hotchkiss H35
AMX 38
AMX 40
AMX 12t
AMX-13/75
AMX-13/90

Medium:
D2
Bat.-Chatillon 25t
Lorraine 40t.

Heavy:
B1
BDR G1 B
ARL-44
AMX M4 (1945)
AMX 50 100 mm
AMX 50 120mm
AMX-50 68t.

This info went public some time ago, just confirming the data.

New American Daddy

T110 is a new American top tier heavy tank scheduled for release in Q1 2012. Remind you that this vehicle will substitute T30 as it was announced some time ago.

Below are the screenshots:

PS: T110 has 120mm M58 gun mounted here.

Czech Tanks Incoming!

Skoda T-15 (Panzerspähwagen T-15) is light German premium tank.Years of production (several prototypes built): 1941 - 1943. Constructed in on the territory of present Czech Republic as continuation of Pz. 38 (t) and Pz. 38 NA.

The vehicle is planned to be added in 6.6 update.

Panzer V/IV Alpha is in Game

Gift premium tank Panzer V/IV Alpha has been granted to all valued contributors of the project, including but not limited to moderators, translators, wiki editors.

It can be recognized by silly alpha letters on its front hull and side turret.

Thanks for your continuous great work!

And finally, it has got the same specs as regular Panzer V/IV.

@All,
please find the guys who drive these tanks in-game and kick their a*s.

KV-5 and Lowe. Specifications.

Lowe (tier 8 heavy). A project of a super-heavy tank developed by the Krupp company. Several prototypes varying in armament and components were designed, but no trial prototype was ever built. The vehicle did not undergo any trials.

Specifications

Gun

KV-5 (tier 7 heavy). The development of the KV-5 started in June 1941. The project works were completed by August. The trial prototype was never constructed due to the the Leningrad Blockade.

Specifications



Gun

M4A2E4 Preliminary Specifications

M4A2E4 is going to be a gift tank for the participants of Word of Tanks closed beta.

Preliminary specs are as follows:

Overall

Gun

Engine

Suspension

Note 1. WOT CBT finished January 27, 2011.
Note 2. There might be a restriction for CBT member on the minimum number of battles played in order to get this tank.

Gift Tank for World of Tanks CBT-participants

M4A2E4 is going to be a gift tank for the participants of WOT closed beta.

M4A2E4 is a tier 5 US medium tank [premium].
The two M4A2s built by General Motors Corporation in 1943, both featured a wide track torsion bar suspension. The first tank was completed on 22 July and the second on 15 August. 

Preliminary specs:
Hull: 64/38/38
Turret: 76/51/51
Gun: 75mm M3L/37

Historical image

In-game model

Note! Gift tank will come along with extra garage slot.