Question: Pillbox Firing HE at Armor When AP is Available

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by MasterPiece3000

Scenario 282, Soviet Pillbox ABO is firing at a Germn Stug IIIe with HE rounds from it's 76mm cannon while AP is available. Any reason for this? I would think that it would use AP from the 76mm against the Stug.

As it has no AP ammo for that gun - then it will fire HE. (Simply opening the unit up in the scenario editor will tell you that).

And even if it did have AP shot, as it is a short barrelled item then it may well not have much AP value beyond very short range. So it would still fire HE as that may have better AP value at range. Or the Stugs armour may be too much for its low AP value - so it may reserve that and fire HE instead.

[MasterPiece3000]

I stated in my OP that AP is available for the pillbox's 76mm cannon. 40 rounds to be exact. Not sure why you are saying that no AP is available for that pillbox when even someone as green as I am in regards to this game can see this by simply performing a query on the aforementioned pillbox and looking at it's weaponry/ammo list. The Stug is 150 meters away from the pillbox. I would think that a 76mm cannon at 150 meters would engage AP ammo against a Stug at that range. Of course as you have pointed out the barrel length of the 76mm cannon could very well be the cause. The 76mm anti-tank cannons being used in the same scenario that are taking out the same Stugs with ease at 500 meters plus but the barrels on the 76mm obr's are long hence more rifling. I'll keep my eye on this and see if the Stug gets closer and notate the reaction of the pillbox or maybe play both sides myself and move the Stug next to the pillbox and see if the ammo choice changes. Thanks for the reply.