I’d like to suggest DF add some mobile Panzerjäger squads for the Germans and equivalent for the other nations. I know we already have anti tank guns but they are not very mobile and are not used as they were by Panzerjäger troops. For example, the PaK 36 was not used as a stationary anti tank defence, squads would actively hunt vehicles on the front line while supporting the infantry using shoot and scoot tactics.
I have my own motives for this suggestion as my Great Grandfather was a commander in Panzerjäger Abteilung 227/40, part of the 24th Panzer Division. He operated a PaK 36 during the 1939-1942 campaigns then potentially switched to the PaK 40 during the Battle of Stalingrad. Luckily for him he was evacuated after being shot through the leg on 22nd September ‘42 while conducting such shoot and scoot attacks while supporting an infantry attack on Mamayev Kurgan.
It would be great to try out such attacks in game and I’d also love to see the 24th Panzer Division squad available once again.
Joke aside, “highly mobile” AT Guns sound interesting on paper, but our buildable AT Guns are already very mobile. Don’t see why you can’t do this with the normal guns
If you read my post in full you’ll see I said to add the equivalent for all nations, I just don’t know what gun they used.
The PaK 36 isn’t something to fear as even the Wehrmacht referred to it as "Heeresanklopfgerät " (“army door-knocking device”) or "PanzerAnklopfKanone " (“tank door-knocking cannon”) due to its poor armour penetration. Even my Great Grandfather spoke about setting up his gun in a position where the bottom of enemy tanks would be exposed (driving over a hill).
Nothing was really passed down regarding Stalingrad specifically but I’m honestly not surprised as his unit and the 24th Panzer Division overall was destroyed. I went through the unit command list and checked each of his colleagues fates only to find all but 2 perished. It’s hard to imagine what kind of effect that has on a person, everyone you lived and served with since the 1930s, dead. I do know that after Stalingrad he lost faith in the Nazi party and also developed a hatred for the SS and the Italians, possibly due to serving in Italy during the Italian surrender while potentially witnessing SS war crimes by the LAH during that time. Also during deployment his wife was stabbed (non fatally) by a psychotic neighbour who later went on to join the SS.
I recently heard another story my aunt was told me regarding the end of the war as I had wondered if he became a prisoner. Apparently at the wars end, him and convoy of troops just left the front without orders and drove home. I was also told they were able to somehow get through an SS checkpoint along the way. Simple as that!
Glad to share! I’ll share a couple of photos of him for those interested. (Mods - sorry if I’m off topic). I’ve been busy this past year trying to document as much as I can before my relatives get too senile! Still a lot more to uncover that’s for sure!
Here are who I believe to be the only surviving Officers from Stalingrad:
Oberstleutnant Sälzer went on leave Sep-Oct and did not return to Stalingrad. Remustered.
Oberleutnant Markgraf took command after the departures and was taken captive. This would have been someone my Great Grandfather knew well after many years together. What is sad in this case is that my Great Grandfather would have presumed him dead whereas he was actually alive until 1993 after serving in the East German Army and Chief of the Berlin Stadtpolizei.
This video shows some good footage of them in action. His unit also had access to the an Sd. Kfz. 10 (unsure if 10) halftrack for towing the gun, which we have similar in the game already.
I did have that idea too but haven’t found a good candidate yet. I’m trying to find out what he did after Stalingrad as in one photo he’s wearing a 1943 black panzer uniform. My Grandad, his son-in-law, always told me he was a Panzer commander but no living relatives have any useful info regarding that at this time. Hoping they’ll find some more photos in a drawer soon! Once I know I’ll find a right armour and soldier for his namesake.
I’m pretty new to the forum so not sure how to quote to reply.
I also had the same theory about the Italians at Stalingrad as the 24th Panzer made large progress only to be called back to reinforce the flanks where the Italians and possibly the Romanians retreated.
Thanks for your kind words, I’m sure he’d appreciate them.
After listening to your request
I suggest you use the No. 100 Iron Fist with a PPG (?) grenade launcher
They can make you the most perfect high-mobility self-propelled gun
No tank or infantry is your opponent
I think I got what you meant and yes it’s definitely an option. I do know that late war Panzerjäger troops that were not mounted used various hand held anti tank weapons. Using a Panzerfaust or Panzerschreck would therefore be appropriate for a variant of a Panzerjäger squad. Grenade launcher certainly solve other problems too .
