Large Caliber High Explosive....

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by Djuice

What's the chance for non-penetrating hits from HE/AP class6/7 weapons?

Right now I am experiencing about 25-28% chance that a round will hit, but with cause a Non-Penetrating Effect, sometimes it will immobilize the target, but most of the time, it has no effect. Is it suppose to be that high?

Yes. HE is not a particularly effective way of killing tanks. KE is (which is why they removed the fuse from the 5.5 inch HE round and replaced it with a blanking plug when they fired directly at tanks. It made it into a big & heavy KE round).

HE is not bad at blowing tracks and running gear off AFV though.

Cheers
Andy

[Gurachn]

I have read a lot of reports of the effectiveness of the 152mm in destroying german armor. I seem to remember a report that the russians claimed quite a number of destroyed tigers and ferdinands at Kursk due to its use (although I also seem to remember a german report that the majority of the losses were do to spalling and they were soon recovered and refit).
Achtung Panzer has this to say:
"At the end of 1943, a new assault gun, the ISU-152, based on IS-2 heavy tank was produced. It was armed with a very powerful 152mm howitzer. The shell of this gun could penetrate any part of the Tiger’s armor and even cut the turret from the hull. This assault gun was nicknamed "Animal Hunter". The weight of the AP shell was 48kg, while HE shell was 41kg.

Otto Carius: "The shell cut the right part of the commander’s cupola. I was not beheaded because I had bent down to light my cigarette. Suddenly the Russian assault gun appeared and I gave an order to the gunner to open fire. Kramer shot, and a second shell, from another assault gun, hit in the turret. I can not remember which way I left the Tiger. The head phones-the only thing I have from my destroyed Tiger".
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/the-new...-vs-tigers.htm
If Otto Carius claims it was an effective tiger killer, who are we to argue?

[Imp]

Without looking into the problem with reports like that is human nature, you actualy need proper facts the human mind remembers the good stuff n forgets the bad.

remember a report that the russians claimed quite a number of destroyed tigers and ferdinands at Kursk

Well it was the biggest tank battle ever they would have been en mass & Germans were heavily outnumbered its amazing they advanced at all. After all 6 shermans were expected to take out a tiger so no surprise here

The shell of this gun could penetrate any part of the Tiger’s armor and even cut the turret from the hull

Im sure it happened but just cause one lucky shot took a turret off didnt mean it was common. Tanks have likewise been incapacitated by even more unlikely opponents due to lucky shots or nerves of steel ones by units that should not have been able to touch them, turret ring drivers hatch etc.

"The shell cut the right part of the commander’s cupola. I was not beheaded because I had bent down to light my cigarette

Well I would guess that was an AP shell not a HE shell that did that as was the next shot as they got out n were not concussed.
Remember also most tank engagements in WW2 tended to be at about 300yds or less which from memory means the ISU-152 is quite capable of taking out a tiger IF it uses AP shells in game.
If the HE shell was so effective why would they bother with an AP one though there is no doubt spalling would have been a bigger issue back in WW2 than it is now. The Tiger MAY even have been more susseptable to it as it was made out of very high quality plate though I dont think so. From memory the field tests carried out against captured ones when first come across in Africa by Brits showed the plate was 1.2 times harder than the best brits had to offer yet showed no signs of staring or cracking, in other words it was hard yet not brittle which can be the problem with tough plate. This is one of the things that made the Tiger so incredibly expensive to produce it was really the first Tank ever designed as a tank killer & in typical German fashion they spared no expense.