Headquarters: World War II - Dev log #7 - Tank killers

[MarcoT.]

It is Oleksandr from Starni Games with the new Dev log entry. Last time we discussed tanks, so now I want to tell about things that are capable of stopping the enemy tanks in Headquarters: World War II. Today we will be having an in-depth look at such units as the Anti-tank guns, Anti-Aircraft guns, and Recon vehicles.



What anti-tank weapons are available?

Headquarters: World War II will be focusing on the Normandy landings, so the list of available units is limited to what was operated during that time. The key tank killers in the game (apart from other tanks) are AT guns and AA guns, while Recon cars could be useful to scout the enemy armor in advance.
It is worth noting that Infantry could also be very deadly against tanks, especially in difficult terrain, but we would discuss that in the next Dev log, where we will have an in-depth look at all Infantry units.

So, here is the list of available anti-tank units and their preview:

Towed Anti-tank guns:
50 mm Pak. 38 (GER)


75 mm Pak. 40 (GER)


88 mm Pak. 43 (GER)


57 mm Ordnance QF 6-pounder (UK)


57 mm Gun M1 (US)


76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder (UK)



Self-propelled Anti-tank guns:
Jagdpanzer 38 - Hetzer (GER)


Jagdpanther (GER)


17pdr SP M10 "Achilles" (UK)


M10 tank destroyer (US)


M18 Hellcat (US)


Towed Anti-aircraft guns:
88 mm Flak (GER)


QF 3.7-inch AA gun (UK)


90 mm gun M2


Self-propelled Anti-aircraft guns:
Sd.Kfz. 7/1 (GER)


Crusader III AA Mk.I (UK)


M16 MGMC


Recon vechicles:
Type 82 Kübelwagen (GER)


Sd.Kfz. 234 2 - Puma (GER)


Willys MB (US, UK)


Daimler Armoured Car Mk II (UK)


M8 Greyhound (US)


How are the anti-tank guns implemented in the game?
The smaller caliber towed guns can move a small distance without a truck, while bigger guns have to be moved via transport vehicles. This makes Self-propelled guns much more mobile and versatile tools, able to move fast and maneuver to the best firing position and destroy enemy tanks. While towed guns are good for stationary positions and ambushes, they are quite very vulnerable but pack a solid punch.



How effective are the AA guns versus tanks?
While self-propelled AA units listed above are not very effective and can penetrate only lightly armored targets, the towed large caliber AA guns can be very effective against enemy armor, same as large caliber AT guns. They can be used for setting up ambushes and dealing with the heavily armored units of the enemy.



What do recon cars have to do with anti-tank warfare?
While not technically anti-tank weapons, light cars, such as Type 82 Kübelwagen or Willys MB are good means to spot the enemy armored units before they locate your troops and prepare an ambush. You can also quickly retreat, covering yourself with smoke grenades, if spotted by the enemy armor, cutting the enemy’s line of fire. At the same time, more advanced recon vehicles, such as Sd.Kfz. 234 2 - Puma, Daimler Armoured Car Mk II, or M8 Greyhound could be used to outflank and destroy enemy armor, attacking them from the rear, as they have pretty decent AT guns, that can be quite effective if you manage to sneak up on the enemy armor from the rear.


I know you would probably want to know much more about the game - so ask me any questions you have and I will do my best to answer these questions on forums, or in the next Dev logs.
Next time I will tell you more about numerous types of Infantry units in Headquarters: World War II, including the anti-tank squads, so please, stay tuned.

See you next time!

[Tassadar]

I'm curious that the self-propelled AT guns on the German side have just the Hetzer and Jagdpanther and there is a distinctive lack of StuG III and IV, as well as some other such vehicles. Of course it would be difficult to all all vehicles ever used at once in a release but these two are common enough that it is strange not to see them here. Unless assault guns will be covered in the artillery section later.

[Paul59]

You have used the wrong picture for the 76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder (UK), it looks like the US 57mm to me.

[CrazyBear]

I enjoyed Part one of the beta, looking forward to part 2. Not sure if this has been brought up yet, Just few thing things to consider the PZ III N short barrel was non existent in Normandy by this time in the war, most sent back to be converted to stug.'s III or to Russia to break the bunkers in early part of the war . I know is beta will the grey paint on Germans be changed over. In previous post the game reminds me of the Battle Academy series that I love still play. the game has great potential looking at the skirmish play. It may be good to have random maps as well with cost based armies . put on.
Shame they stopped the Steam Beta as was having some fun playing the game with different armies and weapons.
I also see this game may have a hard time in the current make up competing with the game "Troop" So the Developer may want make a more distinct Marketing target on weather be more Comic book style (lack of better term) or go for a in-depth historical style. Either way you go I like it only issues are ones mentioned. Oh maybe a little bigger red lines when moving into a square bit hard to notice , could be my eyes or screen size 21"
CraztBearUSA

[Celeborn]

good catch...all you needed to do was look at the previous photo of the nearly identical US 57mm

You have used the wrong picture for the 76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder (UK), it looks like the US 57mm to me.

[OleksandrSienin]

You have used the wrong picture for the 76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder (UK), it looks like the US 57mm to me.

Hello
Dev team here.
You are right. We will look into it and correct the image.
Thank you for letting us know and have a good day!

[OleksandrSienin]

good catch...all you needed to do was look at the previous photo of the nearly identical US 57mm

You have used the wrong picture for the 76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder (UK), it looks like the US 57mm to me.

You have used the wrong picture for the 76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder (UK), it looks like the US 57mm to me.

Hello guys
Dev team here.
Fixed. We replaced it work a proper model screenshot.
A good catch indeed, though.
Have a good day!