Artillery

The Red Army artillery is a key part of their strategy of using massed formations. Where other armies use artillery in a tactical role to support the movement of small formations operating on independant objectives, the Red Army uses artillery in the classical role of prelimilary barrages. These are carried out on a massive scale, they aim to shatter the cohesion of whole sectors of enemy front line and magnify the impact of the shock troops as they then crash into the enemy lines.

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ZiS-3

Tech:

Level 3

Cost:

500

Build Time:

12 secs

Built At:

Command Centre, Early Factory

Health:

200

Firepower:

188 (medium penetration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

496

Speed:

35

The ZiS-3 came about due to the forsight of the chief designer of medium Soviet guns, V.G. Grabin. He secretly worked to create an effective anti tank gun despite the official line that such weapons. were ineffective. When the sudden need for such weapons became apparent, Grabin was ready with the ZiS-3 - in Stalin's words "a masterpice of artillery systems design". The ZiS-3 can be dug into its surroundings to conceal it allowing for ambushes.

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BS-3

Tech:

Medium Tanks 1

Cost:

800

Build Time:

12 secs

Built At:

Early Factory (after refit), Factory #183

Health:

200

Firepower:

400 (medium penetration)

Rate of Fire:

6 secs

Range:

600

Speed:

35

Another of Grabin's materpieces, the BS-3 was based on a naval gun and packed a feirce punch able to penetrate the heavy armour that became more common towards the end of the war. As with the ZiS-3 and other anti-tank guns, the BS-3 can be dug into the ground to conceal it and allow for devasating ambushes.

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A-19

Tech:

Start

Cost:

900

Build Time:

17 secs

Built At:

Command Centre, Early Factory

Health:

150

Firepower:

618 (high explosive) (3 shot barrage)

Rate of Fire:

60 secs

Range:

1400

Spread:

140

Speed:

40

The A-19 is the mainstay of Soviet artillery batteries. It is a versatile howitzer able to shoot powerful vollies of high explosive shells at long range and also to lay down a smokescreen to cover friendly troops or prevent enemy defenders from firing.

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B-4

Tech:

Level 3

Cost:

2000

Build Time:

60 secs

Built At:

Early Factory (after refit), Factory #183

Health:

150

Firepower:

2000 (heavy explosive)

Rate of Fire:

60 secs

Range:

1300

Spread:

200

Speed:

40

The B-4 is a vast 203mm cannon able to devastate its target zone. The huge shells cause massive destruction, blasting appart what they hit. The concussion waves will stun any nearby crews, making their tanks useless until they recover.

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85mm FlaK

Tech:

Level 3

Cost:

1500

Build Time:

17 secs

Built At:

Early Factory, Factory #183

Health:

150

Firepower:

278 (medium penetration)

Rate of Fire:

7.5 secs

Range:

540

Speed:

40

FlaK cannons are huge guns designed to lob projectiles high into the air to shoot down enemy bombers. As such they can engage enemy strategic bombers with moderate success, although should definatly be supported by fighters. Their huge range and velocity makes them very potent when pressed into an anti-tank role. As such they are often used to form ad-hoc anti tank positions. They can shoot enemy tanks at long range and with great power. Later in the war theyare used to up-gun tanks such as on the KV-85 and T-34/85mm.

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40mm Bofors AA

Tech:

Start

Cost:

750

Build Time:

80 secs

Built At:

Command Centre

Health:

150

Firepower:

15 (light anti-air)

Rate of Fire:

0.5 secs

Range:

350

Speed:

40

The Bofors 40mm is a British autocannon widely exported and used in many countries around the world. The gun is able to shoot explosive projectiles very rapidly and is deadly to low flying enemy ground attack aircraft and light bombers. It is essential to have a screen of these guns to protect marshalling areas from roving enemy aircraft. When pressed into attacking ground targets, the bofors is effective against all infantry and light vehicles, but its rounds will struggle to penetrate more than the lightest armour.