The Haftholladung “panzerknacker” was a widely used magnetic mine used by Germany during the war, first emerging in November 1942 and being mostly phased out in 1944 in favor of the panzerfaust, but still being used after due to large numbers already existing.It saw much use, especially on the eastern front against T34s and other “heavy” russian tanks.
So what exactly is the Panzerknacker?
This mine is a half-bottle shaped HEAT shaped charge with strong magnets to attach itself to tanks or any other metal surface.It has a 7 second fuze that lets you get away from the tank, unlike the Japanese Ni05 mine on a stick we have in game.It can penetrate 140mms of armour, compared to the 180 of the Ni05.It weights 7.7 pounds (3.5 kgs).
The mine itself had 2 main variants, although they were very similar , the H3 and H3.5.
The H3.5 was the more common and well known version of the mine, so this will probably be the version that gets added, if it does (and the 2 variants were quite similar anyways). The fuse was started by pulling the igniter on the base of the handle, starting the fuze.
Implementation in game
In game, it would preform similarly to the Ni05, just a bit nerfed since it has 40mm less penetration and you can’t charge with it,but overall would still good.Since the weight was fairly low,it could be thrown a short distance after priming the fuze, maybe around 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters), but that’s not any set value.It would be in the mine slot, similar to the Ni05.
I mean its cool for sure, as as flavour text its amazing, however unless TNT charges got nerfed, it would be just an arguably weaker equipment slot, like dont get me wrong, I would still use them, but Im probably in the minority in that camp.
I guess, but it would be able to take out most every tank it fights wherever you put it though, while TNT only has 45ish mms of pen, so there is that to consider. If anything, its something unique and cool that can be added, and buffed someway later down the line after it gets added.
Well depends, I think it could be an equivalent to the japanese lunge mine, but with a german flavor.
TNT needs to be trigger after being placed, which is not instantanious, I have been killed and I have killed many player that placed a TNT but failed to trigger it in time.
The Panzerknacker would be fixed to the tank like TNT and would trigger after a small delay like a grenade without further interaction from the player.
Allies could receive something like the sticky bomb that could be thrown and fixed on a tank (as opposed to the goofy Explosive packs that randomly giggle to the ground) but with limited pen and damage. That’s just an idea though.
I mean I would love actual AT grenades vs the one shot weapons that are explosive packs and TNT charges. But I just dont see it happening sadly. I think explosive packs should have much more limited pen (like 30mm) so it only destroys tracks, and TNT depending where its placed is less effective, like it not one shotting would be cool.
