Smoke ammunition began to be developed during World War I, when the need to camouflage troop movements and protect attacks became evident. During World War II, its development was refined, becoming a crucial tool in the military arsenal of various nations, including the Allies and the Axis.
Sherman tanks, widely used by the Allies, were equipped with smoke grenade launchers and could also fire artillery shells that released smoke. This type of ammunition was essential for both offensive and defensive operations, helping to obscure the enemy’s vision and protect moving troops.
Smoke ammunition was composed of chemical materials that, when detonated, produced a dense cloud of smoke. The most common compounds included white phosphorus and hexachloroethane-zinc (HC), each with specific properties.
White Phosphorus
Composition and Reaction**: White phosphorus is a highly reactive material that burns upon contact with air, producing a dense and thick curtain of white smoke.
Incendiary Effects**: Besides creating smoke, white phosphorus has significant incendiary effects. Phosphorus particles can adhere to the skin and continue burning, causing severe or fatal injuries.
Toxicity: Inhaling white phosphorus smoke is extremely toxic and can cause severe damage to the lungs and other internal organs.
Hexachloroethane-Zinc (HC):
Composition and Reaction: HC is a chemical mixture that, when burned, releases thick white or gray smoke. While not as incendiary as white phosphorus, it is still effective in creating smoke screens.
Less Lethal Effects: HC smoke is less toxic and incendiary compared to white phosphorus but can still cause respiratory and eye irritation.
Effectiveness in Combat
Smoke ammunition was highly effective in combat, offering various tactical and operational advantages:
Covering Movements:
Offensive: During advances, troops used smoke to cover their movements and avoid precise enemy targeting.
Defensive: In defensive situations, smoke helped protect positions and allowed strategic withdrawals without direct exposure to enemy fire.
Confusion and Disorganization of the Enemy:
Disorientation: The smoke screen could disorient and confuse enemy forces, hindering their coordination and attack accuracy.
Psychological Effect: The use of white phosphorus, in particular, caused panic and fear due to its incendiary and toxic nature.
Lethality to Enemy Infantry:
Burns and Injuries: White phosphorus particles caused severe burns that could be fatal. Even small particles, when in contact with the skin, could continue burning until completely consumed.
Respiratory Damage: Inhaling the toxic smoke could cause severe lung damage, leading to incapacitation or death.
Moral Impact: The use of smoke ammunition with white phosphorus impacted the morale of enemy troops, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty.
I think implementing this system would bring interesting immersion to the game, especially for situations where HE is not effective. However, it might be rational to reduce the number of these rounds each tank carries to avoid making it too unbalanced.
I found a clip from a movie that depicts this reality (Fury)
