Armoured Units

Allied Armour doctrine suffered from the effect of an old guard of Great War generals. Their views on armoured warfare were very much based on the pitched battles seen during this conflict but out of date in the face of the mobile warfare being waged by the Germans. It took a series of losses for this to become apparent, and with the entry of the US into the war came the industrial might needed to build a new mechanised army based on the principles of mobile armoured warfare the Germans had pioneered but were begining to abandon in favour of heavier tanks and more conventional strategies. By the end of the war the Allies had the most agile tanks with some of the most devastating weapons in the world. Although they suffer from their strategic situation - shipping tanks from the US allows for little creativity in force composition - America's huge industrial output combined with potent designs makes the Allies a highly effective force able to wage mobile warfare even better than the Germans themselves.

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Renault FT 17

Tech:

Start

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Health:

230

Armour:

Light-Medium

Firepower:

9 (bullet)

Rate of Fire:

(rapid fire)

Range:

150

Speed:

16

The Renault FT 17 was one of the most successful tanks of the Great War. At the time, there was a big conflict between two schools of thought - a straight forward division between quantity over quality. The quantity lobby won by because of the inherent impracticality of equipping an entire army with very expensive and complicated tanks. For its day the FT 17 was ground breaking, the layout of a turret mounted weapon, engine at the rear and driver in the front became the standard pattern for all future tanks. The stunning success of this tank led to its adoption across many countries. The French army has a huge stockpile of these tanks but they were designed to fight against weapons that no longer exist in a manner that is no longer relevant. Their low speed and pathetic armour makes them only really useful as a scouting/distraction force although since they are so slow they are basically useless in this role as well. Yet they are plentiful and easy to call up and so will be supplied to serve as cannon fodder. At least they cost nothing.

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Renault R35

Tech:

Start

Cost:

700

Built Time:

34 secs

Built At:

French Factory

Health:

290

Armour:

Light-Medium

Firepower:

85 (light penetration)

Rate of Fire:

4 secs

Range:

312

Speed:

14

The French are aware that the Renault FT-17 is obsolete but how best to improve on the design is not exactly clear with conflicting schools of thought. The Renault R-35 is basically a straight forward upgrade based on the same core philosophy. Designed to support infantry assaulting fixed positions in a pitched battle, the R35 is a reasonably solid design. It has very strong rounded armour and a powerful weapon. However its role as an infantry support tanks is basically obsolete. It suffers from even lower speed than the FT 17 which makes it hard to use in mobile warfare. They are best used in reserve and sent to reinforce defenses that come under attack. If it is used offensivly then it is likely to be out maneuvered. In limited operations its strong armour should protect, but in sweeping movements it will become isolated could be destroyed in counter-attacks by combined arms forces.

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Somua S35

Tech:

Start

Cost:

1500

Built Time:

55 secs

Built At:

French Factory

Health:

286

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

93 (light penetration)

Rate of Fire:

8 secs

Range:

360

Speed:

28

While the Somua may seem more modern and is certainly more useful than its fellow French tanks, it would be wrong to see it as the product of particularly inspired thinking by the designers. Rather it still forms a part of the overall strategy of fixed battles. The Somua is designed to fill the role of armoured cavalry, exploiting weaknesses in the enemy's lines and pushing into its rear areas to assist the troops mounting a frontal assault. By accident it turns out to be highly suitable for fighting in the type of armoured maneuver warfare the Germans are using to such great effect, but a very high cost ultimatly undermines its numerous advantages. Such expensive armour needs to operate with infantry and the slow infantry tanks for mutual protection while a small crew and cramped conditions make it inflexible and vulnerable to envelopment. Being forced to fight mostly at walking speed leaves the Somua unable to exploit the potential of its high speed, powerful gun and thick armour.

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Char 2C / FCM 2C

Tech:

Start

Cost:

3000

Built Time:

60 secs

Built At:

French Factory

Health:

243

Armour:

Heavy

Firepower:

128 (high explosive)

Rate of Fire:

8 secs

Range:

450

Speed:

7

The Char 2C was the design rivaling the FT 17 towards the end of the Great War. Where the FT 17 emphasised low cost and an efficient layout the Char 2C was a grand tank designed to be immune to enemy fire. Very few were built but since the end of the war they have been very important for propaganda reasons. As such they have been upgraded to keep them up to date in terms of armour and weaponry. The huge 75mm high explosive cannon is more than capable of blasting enemy tanks to pieces while its huge armour is able to repel pretty much any type of enemy anti tank round. The tank is very much designed to support an infantry assault and so it does not move much faster than walking speed, however if it is in the right place at the right time its impact is devastating. At the very least these tanks will serve well as bullet sinks since the enemy is sure to focus all their firepower onto such an intimidating beast leaving smaller units to operate unhindered.

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Vickers Valentine

Tech:

Level 1

Cost:

1280

Built Time:

17 secs

Built At:

British Light Factory

Health:

386

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

165 (light pentration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

406

Speed:

15

The Valentine tank is a response to the sudden need to equip the British Army with modern tanks. It features the 2pdr anti tank gun and thick armour. It is reasonably cheap given it can trump most contemporary enemy tanks but rushed production and an under powered engine leave it with a dubious top speed. Like the French tanks, it will not be able to perform any sweeping advances but should hold the line.

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Crusader A15

Tech:

Level 3

Cost:

1280

Built Time:

34 secs

Built At:

British Light Factory

Health:

337

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

165 (light pentration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

406

Speed:

31

The Crusader is a cruser tank. It is much lighter than other British tanks but still has reasonable protection. The lighter armour allows for a much higher top speed and the Crusader is capable of rapid assaults. It is let down by its puny 2pdr gun that is clearly obsolete. However it can keep up with the American tanks arriving from the US and so is still a useful tank.

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Matilda Mk II

Tech:

Level 1

Cost:

1600

Built Time:

60 secs

Built At:

British Heavy Factory

Health:

469

Armour:

Heavy

Firepower:

165 (light pentration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

406

Speed:

13

The Matilda tank also sports the 2pdr anti tank gun but is much more heavily armoured than the Valentine. The most striking difference is the greatly increased time for production, but the payoff is in far greater protection for only a marginal increase in cost. For a cash concious commander the Matilda is a good option offering far better value for money, but the Valentine is ready sooner. Ultimatly the strategic situation will dictate which factor is more important.

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Churchill Mk1

Tech:

Level 2

Cost:

1100

Built Time:

60 secs

Built At:

British Heavy Factory

Health:

663

Armour:

Heavy

Firepower:

165 (light pentration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

406

Speed:

17

The Churchill is named for the new British prime minister. His fighting talk and desire for descisive action certainly are not embodied in the flawed Churchill tank. While it is an improvement over the Matilda, the Churchill is still deeply troubled. Poor mechanical qualities mean it has a low top speed and a complex design means that the build time is still very long. Its 2pdr armament is exactly the same as what is on the other tanks, but it is rapidly becomming obsolete. It is an improvement over what has come before, but only just. In its favour the Churchill is at least very well armoured and very solid. Destroying one is beyond the capabilities of most contemporary tanks and so it can absorb damage and lure enemy units into range of artillery or other defences.

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Churchill Mk3

Tech:

Level 3

Cost:

1100

Built Time:

60 secs

Built At:

British Heavy Factory

Health:

663

Armour:

Heavy

Firepower:

213 (light pentration)

Firepower Upgraded:

388 (medium pentration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

406

Speed:

17

The Mk 3 addresses one of the most significant flaws with the Mk 1, the under powered main gun. The 2pdr has been replaced with the 6pdr which is much more powerful and able to deal more effectivly with the heavier armour now seen on enemy tanks. Sadly the other weaknesses remain with a poor top speed and long build time making the Churchills unsuitable for offensive operations where they could be lost.

The Churchill can be upgraded later in the war to fire deadly APDS rounds, greatly improving its ability to deal with heavier enemy tanks.

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Churchill Crocodile

Tech:

Level 6

Cost:

1300

Built Time:

60 secs

Built At:

British Heavy Factory

Health:

663

Armour:

Heavy

Firepower:

213 (light pentration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

406

Speed:

17

The Crodocile is an engineering tank. Basically a standard Mk3 with a flame-thrower mounted inside it. The Crocodile is a fearsome weapon for urban warfare, able to clear out enemy garrisons while being protected by the Churchill's thick armour.

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Churchill AVRE

Tech:

Level 6

Cost:

1700

Built Time:

60 secs

Built At:

British Heavy Factory

Health:

663

Armour:

Heavy

Firepower:

1600 (heavy explosive)

Rate of Fire:

18.5 secs

Range:

250

Speed:

17

The Armoured Vehicle, Royal Engineers (AVRE) is designed as a demolitions tank. The main gun is totally replaced by a 290mm spigot mortar hurling dustbin sized projectiles at the enemy. The short range belies the terrible destructive power of the mortar - it is able to shatter enemy tanks and fortifications, totally slaughtering garrisoned troops and stunning the crews of any tanks lucky enough to survive the explosion. Its role is to break up enemy defenses and strong points and then allow more mobile vehicles to explot the breach.

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M3 Stuart Light Tank

Tech:

US Intervention, Level 3

Cost:

750

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Health:

246

Armour:

Light-Medium

Firepower:

140 (light penetration)

Rate of Fire:

2.5 secs

Range:

360

Speed:

39

The M3 Stuart is part of the first wave of US deliveries following Uncle Sam's intervention in the war. As a light tank, the Stuart is in many ways obsolete compared to enemy tanks, but it still has a number of fine qualities. The first is its speed. Together with the M3 Lee, the Stuart is able to give the Allied armoured division an offensive capability allowing them to take the offensive for the first time in the war. The arival of the US is a watershed moment and with tanks like the Stuart the Allies are finally able to take the initiatve and launch attacks. The Stuart's light fire power is compensated by a very fine turret allowing for a high rate of fire. While the light armour makes it unable to win against equal numbers, it is very well equipped for flanking attacks agaisnt enemy tanks that are already engaged with heavier units.

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M3 Lee Medium Tank

Tech:

US Intervention, Level 3

Cost:

1300

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Health:

263

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

175 (light penetration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

360

Speed:

23

The M3 Lee forms the other half of early US tank forces. The chassis will go on to form the basis for the very successful Sherman, but the main turret was only large enough to carry an under-powered 37mm gun. However the Lee also packs a 75mm HE cannon in a coaxial sponson in the chassis allowing it to take on fixed defensive positions and garrisoned troops. As with the Stuart, the mobility of the Lee allows the Allies to finally sieze the initiative and that alone should not be underestimated.

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M4 Sherman A1

Tech:

US Intervention, Level 4

Cost:

1200

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Built At:

Command Centre

Build Time:

60 secs

Health:

421

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

195 (medium penetration)

Rate of Fire:

3 secs

Range:

450

Speed:

35

The Sherman is a significant refinement of the Lee chassis with the 75mm gun now mounted in the turret where it belongs and upgraded to be able to fire anti-tank rounds as well as high explosives. The Sherman is an fairly expensive tank built to a high specification, but such quality manufacture gives it many valuable qualities. Firstly the mechanical reliability and great suspension allows for a high top speed, something sorely lacking in Allied tanks to this point. Secondly it has an excellent turret which gives it the ability to keep up a very high rate of fire, even on the move. Finally the armour is well balanced giving it the ability to resist rounds even from the 75mm German guns.

It can be upgraded to use dreaded White Phosphorus rounds. These chemical weapons create a hellish environment around the target vehicle incapactiating it and making it an easy target for friendly anti-tank guns guns.

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M4 Sherman A3

Tech:

US Intervention, Level 6

Cost:

1420

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Health:

481

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

273 (medium penetration)

Rate of Fire:

3 secs

Range:

540

Speed:

35

The thicker armour of the German tanks means the US had to upgrade its Shermans to use a more powerful gun. The A3 mounts a 76mm anti tank gun that has much better performance than the old 75mm. The increased range and fire power combined with the impressive rate of fire helps to keep the Shermans deadly against improved enemy armour.

It can be upgraded to use dreaded White Phosphorus rounds. These chemical weapons create a hellish environment around the target vehicle incapactiating it and making it an easy target for friendly anti-tank guns guns.

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Sherman Firefly

Tech:

US Intervention, Level 5

Cost:

1550

Built At:

British Light Factory

Build Time:

60 secs

Health:

427

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

430 (heavy penetration)

Firepower Upgraded:

615 (heavy penetration)

Rate of Fire:

6 secs

Range:

630

Speed:

35

The trend in German tank designs towards heavier armour was pre-empted by the British. To counter the threat of heavier enemy armour such as the Tiger they designed the 17pdr cannon which is more than a match for such designs. The Sherman was the perfect chassis to carry this gun and this hybrid of American and British design was called the Firefly. The combination of great performance a fantastic turret and the devastating firepower of the 17pdr makes the Firefly one of the most deadly tanks in Allied service.

The Firefly is a prime candidate to recieve the enhanced APDS ammunition. These sabot rounds make the 17 pdr cannon even more powerful, making the Firefly a "giant killer" able to destroy even the heaviest enemy tanks at extreme range.

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Sherman Calliope

Tech:

US Intervention, Special 3

Cost:

1300

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Health:

421

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

1500 (rocket) (30 shot volley)

Rate of Fire:

3 mins

Range:

1000

Spread:

400

Speed:

35

Mobile artillery is essential for modern armoured warfare. While the Priests and Bishops do a respectable job in bombarding enemy positions, sometimes the enemy are not obliging enough to stay in the same place while they are blasted appart. When launching an attack, a sustained artillery barrage can totally ruin the element of supprise. In these situations the Calliope comes into its own. The rocket barrage it can unleash devastates the target zone in a short space of time. Since the rockets are mounted on a standard Sherman, it can then attack with the rest of its fellow tanks and press home the advantage. The innacuracy of the rockets is a significant downside but this can be overcome by using several Calliopes together in a combined barrage.

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M22 Locust

Tech:

Air Level 3

Cost:

27000 per drop - 30 Commandos & 3 Locust Tanks, includes 17500 rebate if DC-3s and Lancasters survive

Built At:

Air Tower

Recharge Time:

3 mins 42 sec (per drop)

Health:

246

Armour:

Light-Medium

Firepower:

140 (light penetration)

Rate of Fire:

2.5 secs

Range:

360

Speed:

35

The M22 Locust was originally a US tank project aiming to create an airborne tank. The problem was that they lacked a way to deliver the tank safely from the air to the ground. In this respect the British had the perfect solution in the Hamilcar glider. They took over the project and developed the tank to work in tandem with their own airborne divisions. The principle of the airborne tank was popular in the '30s and all sides attempted to solve the problem of delivering the tank to the battlefield, but only the Allies cracked the problem and deployed them in actual assaults. In battle the presence of armour transforms airborne forces from a minor annoyance to a major problem. Often the enemy will massivly over-compensate for their presence allowing conventional forces to easily penetrate their now weakened defences and hopefully save the airborne forces before they are wiped out.

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M18 Hellcat

Tech:

US Intervention, Level 5

Cost:

1440

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Health:

142

Armour:

Light-Medium (open topped - vulnerable to explosives, grenades etc.)

Firepower:

273 (medium penetration)

Rate of Fire:

3 secs

Firepower Upgraded:

465 (medium penetration)

Rate of Fire Upgraded:

4 secs

Range:

540

Speed:

49

The M18 Hellcat is designed according to US tank destroyer doctrine. This calls for very fast vehicles with very powerful guns and a high top speed at the expense of armour. The idea is to hold these vehicles in reserve and then rush them to counter attacks by enemy armour. In reality they were very successful when they had the initiative and could attack the side or rear of enemy tanks but were totally unable to resist any kind of return fire. They can out-range many Allied tanks and so are able to operate behind a screen of more resistent tanks, preserving their awesome firepower from retributon.

It can be upgraded to use APCR rounds which greatly enhance its armour peircing capabilities and make it able to continue in its role of tank-killer even in the face of heavier enemy tanks.

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M7 Priest

Tech:

US Intervention, Level 4

Cost:

1150

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Health:

206

Armour:

Light-Medium (open topped - vulnerable to explosives, grenades etc.)

Firepower:

445 (high explosive)

Rate of Fire:

7 secs

Range:

1100

Spread:

125

Speed:

29

The M7 Priest mounts a 105mm howitzer onto an armoured chassis giving US artillery batteries the ability to keep pace with armoured formations. The support of these guns can be very instrumental in a battle. Their extreme range can be used to blast enemy troops at long range or lay down a suppressive smoke screen. US artillery doctrine calls for these units to be massed into batteries and so it would be a good idea to use several of these weapons at once to maximise the impact of their shells before the enemy moves.

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QF 25pdr Bishop

Tech:

Level 4

Cost:

1200

Built At:

British Light Factory

Build Time:

30 secs

Health:

200

Armour:

Light-Medium (open topped - vulnerable to explosives, grenades etc.)

Firepower:

415 (high explosive)

Rate of Fire:

7 secs

Range:

1000

Spread:

125

Speed:

15

The Bishop mounts a 87mm gun onto a Valentine chassis. It can be used to bolster the Priests. It moves more slowly but this is less important for support units like artillery since they don't need to be moved as rapidly or as often as tanks. Its 87mm gun is less powerful than the 105mm howitzer on the Priest but the Bishops can be built directly without having to order all the attendant baggage that the US sends along with their Priests.

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Cromwell A27

Tech:

Level 5

Cost:

1500

Built Time:

40 secs

Built At:

British Light Factory

Health:

415

Armour:

Medium

Firepower:

195 (medium pentration)

Rate of Fire:

3 secs

Range:

450

Speed:

37

The Cromwell is a British cruiser tank. These started out as cavalry tanks designed to rush through gaps opened by infantry and heavy weapons. They evolved into their current state through many abortive and disasterous designs but with the Cromwell they have roughly reached a parity with the Shermans. The advantage over the Sherman is simply that Cromwells are domestically produced and so are slightly faster to build, albeit at a higher cost. The need for more tanks takes priority at this stage of the war, the US provides plenty of cash and so the extra cost is a small factor against the need for more tanks.

It can be upgraded to use dreaded White Phosphorus rounds. These chemical weapons create a hellish environment around the target vehicle incapactiating it and making it an easy target for friendly anti-tank guns guns.

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Comet A34

Tech:

Level 6

Cost:

1800

Built Time:

60 secs

Built At:

British Light Factory

Health:

468

Armour:

Medium-Heavy

Firepower:

363 (heavy pentration)

Firepower Upgraded:

533 (heavy pentration)

Rate of Fire:

5 secs

Range:

630

Speed:

34

The Comet is the moment where the cruiser tanks begin to edge ahead of the Shermans. The heavier armour and addition of a short-barreled 17pdr requires the speed to be restricted slightly to preserve the drive train. However the Comet is a fearsome tank. They can absorb more damage than the Shermans and their fast speed and devastating firepower makes them in many ways the perfect tank for maneuver warfare. Sadly there is no way to produce them rapidly and in great numbers. The British industiral capacity is simply not up to such a task. Even in limited numbers they are still a fearsome tank and so long as they are not thrown away in useless battles it is possible to build up a significant force.

The Firefly is a prime candidate to recieve the enhanced APDS ammunition. These sabot rounds make the 17 pdr cannon even more powerful, making the Firefly a "giant killer" able to destroy even the heaviest enemy tanks at extreme range.

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M26 Pershing

Tech:

US Intervention, Level 7

Cost:

2420

Delivered At:

Command Centre

Health:

653

Armour:

Heavy

Firepower:

355 (heavy pentration)

Firepower Upgraded:

658 (heavy pentration)

Rate of Fire:

4 secs

Range:

720

Speed:

29

The M26 Pershing is a heavy tank and in many ways a response to the Tiger. The 90mm is also an adapted anti-aircraft gun and the armour is comparable. The key difference is the superior build quality of the American tank. With a better turret it can fire faster than the Tiger, while better mechanical reliability makes it significantly faster as well. It is the only fully fledged heavy tank availible to the Allies, but the need to ship all US produced tanks across the Atlantic ocean means that the Allied tank forces will continue to favour the smaller and more easily shippable Sherman.

The 90mm cannon is a prime candidate for APCR ammunition, as this long range weapon is dramatically improved with this lethal ammunition varient and the thick armour of the Pershing is more likely to survive engagments with enemy tanks.

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Tortoise A39

Tech:

Special Weapons Level 3

Cost:

3900

Built Time:

60 secs

Built At:

British Heavy Factory

Health:

1387

Armour:

Super-Heavy

Firepower:

550 (heavy pentration)

Rate of Fire:

30 secs

Range:

900

Speed:

11

Industrial Power:

-4

The Tortoise is a huge Self Propelled Gun designed as a fail-safe. Should the Germans ever dig themselves into an impenetrable defensive line, these monsterous weapons could be brought out to blast their way though using their vast 32pdr cannons and immense bulk. They can crush mines since their puny explosions do little to hinder such a massive machine. The practicality of operating weapons like these makes them unsuitable for mobile warfare but the psycological impact is so profound that they can serve well as a bullet sink. Their dense armour makes them able to absorb a huge amount of punishment, and they can be used to draw enemy tank fire away from the mostly soft-skinned Allied armour. Even better, they can serve as bait to draw enemy tanks into ambushes from troops out on the flanks of their force.