other non-turreted tank concerns

[sjuncal]

The other thread got me thinking, looking at the OOB's it appears that the German assualt guns/TD's without turrets don't seem to pay enough price for this lack...

Stugs, Jagd's, Hetzer etc. all seem to have unusually high Firecontrol ratings bolstered by large "rangefinder" ratings... Which while they may VERY WELL have had superior german optics etc. fails to be counter balanced by the simple fact that these tanks all had to traverse their guns using coarse tank tread adjustments. introducing elevation and traverse related inaccuracies from something as basic as an inch deep mud puddle or variation of the ground they were on.

The further out the aim point the more exaggerated the aiming problem would be.
Also the driver and gunner would have communications related inefficiencies, which goes to the rate of fire, but would also impact firecontrol adversely.

I'm not even going to touch the Nashhorn or Jagdtiger which look like they might give an M1 Abrams a run for it's money. With FC's at 8 to 10 and huge rangefinder numbers.

I'm no expert so correct me if I'm wrong but aren't these numbers a tad bit optimistic?

Simon

[Paul Vebber]

We will look at this but must had 20 degree left right adjustment so fine control of the gun was not done by "tread work".

Crews that were adept at using these vehicles got very good performance from them.

[Voriax]

In the average the 'fine' traverse of assault gun main weapon was +- 10 degrees, in some tank..was it a StuG it was 10 deg left and 8 to the right.

Can't recall the site but there was one tank site that had scanned pages from German tank corps manuals, Rommel's orders etc. I remember one where it said that JagdTigers and -Panthers should open fire against Russian tanks from a distance of 2000 metres to kill as many of them as possible before they rush you. So apparently the rangefinder and sighting equipment was good enough that firing at such distances was not considered a waste of ammo.

Voriax