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57mm Anti Tank

2022-06-09T07:36:37Z

2607:FB90:A367:456:65A5:BF12:383E:4A04: /* IRL */

The 57mm anti tank, more colloquially known as the ZiS-2, is a medium AT gun developed during the Second World War.

==In Flames of War==
ZiS-2 has an AP of 11, a halted RoF of 2, a moving of 1, and a modest 4+ of Firepower. While not about to kick asses and take names in Late War, it's a perfectly serviceable AT Gun, and a Gun Shield adds a little bit of survivability. Generally it's better to take them in two small batteries instead of a single big one and put those on flanks: with luck, even [[Tiger]]s and [[Panther]]s can be dealt with.

===Mid War===

===Late War===
As of Bagration, they can be taken either as a regular 57mm Anti-tank Company (either 4 points for 2 guns or 8 for 4) or Fearless Veterans of a Heavy Tank Killer company (6 pts for 2 and 12 for 4, respectively). The choice is yours, but if you're not running an infantry list where mobility would be an issue, it's probably better to take 100mm Tank Killer company instead of the latter just to threaten heavy beasties.

==IRL==
The ZiS-2 originated as an upgrade over the weaker 45mm cannons in service. It was made under wrong assumption that Germans a) already had heavy tanks with armor as thick as that of KV-1 (but not shit) and b) were going to use Char B1s captured in France en masse. Some sources even say Soviet intelligence mistook the latter for a new German heavy tank, so ZiS-2s APCBC comfortably penetrated the front armor of B1 from 1,5 km away.

In any case, production of the weapon also had teething pains from the fact that the Commies had no experience manufacturing 57mm ammo and what's crucial, gunpowder good enough to propel the shell at speed required. When the actual fighting started, it was quickly discovered APHE punches right through both Pz IIIs sides without exploding. Officially that was the reason that manufacturing was dropped in December 1941, but the truth is more nuanced. Both the gun and the shells couldn't be produced in quantities fit for a catastrophe of Barbarossa, and it was deemed more "good enough" 45mm guns was better than fewer 57mm guns. In 1943, they were reintroduced in order to give anti-tank crews an actual fighting chance against the heavier Panzers like Panther and Tiger.

It was the primary armament of unholy abomination named ZIS-30, the very definition of ersatz, around 100 of which was made. We do not speak of those. The ZiS-2 was also considered for use on the T-34 and SU chassis, though these plans were abandoned due to the better performance of 76 and 85 mm cannons. Post war, it was rather quickly retired due to its obvious obsolescence, being major export post war to friendly countries. In 2013, a number of ZiS-2s shells were found in a shipment bound for North Korea, implying that the weapon is still in service there. Jury is still out if that is hilarious, concerning, awe inspiring, or an unholy mixture of all three.

{{Soviet Forces in Flames of War}}

BT-7

2022-06-09T07:28:15Z

2607:FB90:A367:456:65A5:BF12:383E:4A04: I can't verify the last sentence. Someone feel free to correct any misinformation

{{Topquote|Speed has never killed anyone, it's suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you.|Jeremy Clarkson}}
[[File:BT-7.jpg|thumb|Become one with the speed force]]
The '''BT-7''' was a light tank of the Soviet Union, and is a unit in [[Flames of War]]. Utilizing a Christie suspension system, the BT-7 was able to hit '''53''' MILES PER FUCKING HOUR (86 Km/h in Europeanese). Armed with a relatively hard-hitting 45mm tank gun, the BT-7 fulfilled the role of a fast tank that could quickly respond and attack enemy forces.
==Flames of War==
===Early War===
==IRL==
[[File:BT-7 Cavalry Tank.webp|thumb|left|Stalin's sportscar.]]

The BT-7 originated as a desire by the Soviet Army to have a 45mm or 76mm Cannon in a cavalry tank. Using the Christie suspension and a 45mm Cannon, the resulting vehicle was a speedy vehicle with an (at the time) very powerful armament. A DT Machine gun was also added to give some additional co-axial anti-infantry firepower.

For all intents and purposes, the BT performed well in its role. It suffered enormous losses in the opening stages of Barbarossa, but saw service throughout the war. It was particularly lethal against Japanese armor, whose tanks were little more than metal that was strapped to a pair of treads. The Finn's also used them, since apparently the Soviets just left weapons lying around all over the battlefield for some reason. It was largely replaced by the T-34, due to the concept of light tanks largely falling out of practicality by 1945. As of this writing, a single BT-7 is said to still be operational.

In spite of the positives, the BT had some serious flaws. The Christie suspension, while great for raw speed, could be a paint to repair. The BT also had a crew of three: A driver, a loader, and a commander who also was the gunner and the MG operator. This divided the commander's attention and decreased the effectiveness of the vehicle in combat. In addition, it was an early 30s design that was woefully outdated by Barbarossa unless fighting tanks inferior to the Panzer IV.

The BT-7 has several sub variants, one of which was called the BT-7M. It used Diesel fuel as opposed to petrol, and was slightly up armored compared to the baseline variant. Soviet troops seem to have thought fondly of the vehicle, giving it the nickname "Betka"

{{Soviet Forces in Flames of War}}

BT-7

2022-06-09T07:27:14Z

2607:FB90:A367:456:65A5:BF12:383E:4A04: /* IRL */

{{Stub}}
{{Topquote|Speed has never killed anyone, it's suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you.|Jeremy Clarkson}}
[[File:BT-7.jpg|thumb|Become one with the speed force]]
The '''BT-7''' was a light tank of the Soviet Union, and is a unit in [[Flames of War]]. Utilizing a Christie suspension system, the BT-7 was able to hit '''53''' MILES PER FUCKING HOUR (86 Km/h in Europeanese). Armed with a relatively hard-hitting 45mm tank gun, the BT-7 fulfilled the role of a fast tank that could quickly respond and attack enemy forces.
==Flames of War==
===Early War===
==IRL==
[[File:BT-7 Cavalry Tank.webp|thumb|left|Stalin's sportscar.]]

The BT-7 originated as a desire by the Soviet Army to have a 45mm or 76mm Cannon in a cavalry tank. Using the Christie suspension and a 45mm Cannon, the resulting vehicle was a speedy vehicle with an (at the time) very powerful armament. A DT Machine gun was also added to give some additional co-axial anti-infantry firepower.

For all intents and purposes, the BT performed well in its role. It suffered enormous losses in the opening stages of Barbarossa, but saw service throughout the war. It was particularly lethal against Japanese armor, whose tanks were little more than metal that was strapped to a pair of treads. The Finn's also used them, since apparently the Soviets just left weapons lying around all over the battlefield for some reason. It was largely replaced by the T-34, due to the concept of light tanks largely falling out of practicality by 1945. As of this writing, a single BT-7 is said to still be operational.

In spite of the positives, the BT had some serious flaws. The Christie suspension, while great for raw speed, could be a paint to repair. The BT also had a crew of three: A driver, a loader, and a commander who also was the gunner and the MG operator. This divided the commander's attention and decreased the effectiveness of the vehicle in combat. In addition, it was an early 30s design that was woefully outdated by Barbarossa unless fighting tanks inferior to the Panzer IV.

The BT-7 has several sub variants, one of which was called the BT-7M. It used Diesel fuel as opposed to petrol, and was slightly up armored compared to the baseline variant. Soviet troops seem to have thought fondly of the vehicle, giving it the nickname "Betka"

{{Soviet Forces in Flames of War}}