Here’s Armour Battles statistics for Commonwealth armoured car units in December 1940. These units formed the backbone of reconnaissance forces during Operation Compass, General O’Connor’s five day raid against the Italians in Egypt.

Note: Vehicle Reliability will be explained in a later post.

Armoured Cars

Rolls-Royce Armoured Car

Originally of First World War One vintage, the Rolls-Royce was obsolete by 1940 but saw extensive use in the Western Desert by the 11th Hussars. Although an effective reconnaissance vehicle, the Rolls-Royce is vulnerable to machine gun and anti-tank fire, and is armed only with a Bren gun and a Boys Anti-Tank rifle.

Training: Veteran

Move: Fast 6+1Dx2

Reliability: Poor

Reaction: 4D (3D)

Weapon: Bren Gun

• Range: 4/8/16
• FP: 4D AT: –

Weapon: Boys Anti-Tank Rifle

• Range: 1/3/5
• FP:– AT: 4

Notes: Recon. Break-off. Open-topped.

Morris CS9 Armoured Car

The Morris Armoured Car is more reliable than the Rolls-Royce, but remains just as under-gunned and under-armoured as it predecessor.

Training: Veteran

Move: Fast 6+1Dx2

Reliability: Average

Reaction: 4D

Weapon: Bren Gun

• Range: 4/8/16
• FP: 4D AT: –

Weapon: Boys Anti-Tank Rifle

• Range: 1/3/5
• FP:–  AT: 3

Notes: Recon. Break-off.

Marmon-Hetherington Mk II Armoured Car

(Available February 1941) The Marmon-Hetherington Mk II has a lower profile than the Rolls-Royce and Morris armoured cars and is armed with a Vickers machine gun.

Training: Veteran

Move: Fast 6+1Dx2

Reliability: Average

Reaction: 5D (4D)

Weapon: Machine Gun

• Range: 6/12/24
• FP: 7D AT: –

Weapon: Boys Anti-Tank Rifle

• Range: 1/3/5
• FP:– AT: 4

Notes: Recon. Break-off. Low profile.

All the German statistics collated for Armour Battles.

Tiger I

The Tiger I is a formidable heavy tank. Armed with an 88L56 gun, the Tiger can pick off enemy armour from long range and its heavy armour provides excellent protection against anti-tank weapons and artillery. Prone to breaking down when it makes double or triple moves, the Tiger is best moved slowly.

Training: Regular

Move: Average 6+1D

Reaction: 7D

Weapon: 88L56 Gun

• Range: 10/20/40
• FP: 9D AT: 10D

Notes: The Tiger I is mechanically unreliable. If it rolls more 1s than 6s on a double or triple move, it breaks down and cannot move this turn. It may still fire. Next turn it can be repaired using a Command Dice or a Staff Order. It cannot move on the turn it’s repaired, but it may move again the following turn.

Panther

Powerful and rightly feared by the Americans, the Panther is well armed and armoured. While resistant to damage, the Panther is not invulnerable when fighting superior numbers of enemy tanks. Try to avoid letting the US tanks manoeuvrer into your flank and rear zones.

Training: Regular

Move: Average 6+1D

Reaction: 7D/6D

Weapon: 75L70 Gun

• Range: 9/18/36
• FP: 8D AT: 9D

Notes: The Panther’s sloped armour gives it 7D Reaction against frontal attacks. When fired at in the flanks/rear or when hit by artillery, its Reaction is reduced to 6D.

Panzer IV H

The workhorse of the German army, the Panzer IV is a good all round tank. Its 75L48 gun has good anti-tank ability that is superior to the M4 75mm, and is a match for the M4 76mm.

Training: Regular

Move: Average 6+1D

Reaction: 5D

Weapon: 75L48 Gun

• Range: 8/16/32
• FP: 7D AT: 8D

Sturmgeschütz III

Designed with a low profile, the Stug III benefits from an increased Reaction Dice over the Panzer IV, and is armed with the same gun. However, its lack of a turret restricts it to a 180° fire arc. As the Stug often has to move so that it can fire at units outside of its fire arc it is likely to trigger opportunity fire. Because of this the Stug is best used to support the Panzers rather than fighting in the front line.

Training: Regular

Move: Average 6+1D

Reaction: 6D (includes bonus for low profile)

Weapon: 75L48 Gun

• Range: 8/16/32
• FP: 7D AT: 8D

Notes: Restricted to 180° fire arc.

SdKfz 234/2 Armoured Car (Puma)

Fast and armed with a 50L60 gun, the Puma lacks the armour protection of the Panzers. The Puma is good for moving around the enemy’s flanks, and it can use its beak off ability to get itself out of trouble when attacked.

Training: Regular

Move: Fast 6+1Dx2

Reaction: 4D

Weapon: 50L60 Gun

• Range: 7/14/28
• FP: 5D AT: 6D

Notes: Recon. Break Off.

105L28 Howitzer

The 105mm howitzer provides off-table artillery support. Use it to suppress and knock out the lighter US tanks or use a smoke screen to block fire from the American vehicles.

Training: Regular

Move: —

Reaction: —

Weapon: 105L28 howitzer

• Range: Off-Table. Burst Radius: 4”
• FP: 4D AT: 4D

Notes: Artillery Suppression. Units must roll more 6s than your artillery to avoid being suppressed.

As part of preparing the Armour Battles document, I’ve collated the US statistics into one post.

M4 75mm

Mass produced and mechanically reliable, the M4 is under-gunned compared to the German armour. Often the best tactic is to close with the Germans to offset their superior anti-tank fire.

Training: Regular

Move: Average 6+1D

Reaction: 5D

Weapon: 75L38 Gun

• Range: 7/14/28
• FP: 6D AT: 7D

M4 76mm

Available in limited numbers, the M4 76mm places the Americans on an equal footing with the Panzer IV, but is no match for the Panther. Try to protect your M4 76mm by positioning it behind your M4 75mm tanks.

Training: Regular

Move: Average 6+1D

Reaction: 5D

Weapon: 76L52 Gun

• Range: 8/16/32
• FP:7D AT: 8D

M5 Light Tank

The M5 is fast, but its 37mm gun is severely under-powered against the German armour. Use the M5s to locate hidden enemy units and then use their “break off” ability to pull back when fired at. Once the enemy’s location is known use the M5s’
speed to try and outflank the Germans and close to short range.

Training: Regular

Move: Fast 6+1Dx2

Reaction: 5D

Weapon: 37L53 Gun

• Range: 6/12/24
• FP: 5D AT: 5D

Notes: Break Off.

M10 Tank Destroyer

The M10 tank destroyer is fast and has the ability to shoot and scoot. This allows it to move rapidly backwards after firing. Its 76mm gun is a match for the Panzer IV, but it lacks armour penetration against the Panther and the Tiger I. Use the M10s speed to manoeuvrer into the flank and rear of the German armour. Because it has an open-top, the M10 is vulnerable to enemy artillery.

Training: Regular

Move: Fast 6+1Dx2

Reaction: 5D/4D

Weapon: 76L52 Gun

• Range: 8/16/32
• FP: 7D AT: 8D

Notes: Shoot and Scoot. Break-off. Open-topped.

M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage

The M7 HMC provides off-table artillery with its 105mm howitzer. Use it to suppress and knock out the lighter Pumas, Panzer IVs and Stug IIIs. Or use both batteries against the Panthers. Alternatively, use smoke screens to block fire from the German vehicles.

Training: Regular

Move: —

Reaction: —

Weapon: 105 mm howitzer

• Range: Off-Table Burst Radius: 4”
• FP: 4D AT: 4D