Starting in the middle of WW2, German tanks often had grenade launchers installed on them to protect against hostile infantry that would get close. Having these function in game would add a bit of flavor to these tanks.
the Minenabwurfvorrichtung is the earlier of the two designs, and is more commonly known as S-mine launchers. As the name would imply, these are tube launchers which shot S-mines (the German AP mines we have in game), installed in pairs of 5 around tanks. Currently only the Tiger 1H and Heavy tank No.6 have these modeled.
The Nahverteidigungswaffe, which translates to ‘close defense weapon’, is present in a few more vehicles than the S-mine launcher. It was found, after a limited run, that the Minenabwurfvorrichtung had some problems that limited it’s effectiveness, notably being exposed to small arms fire and needing to be manually reloaded from the outside after ever use.
To adress this, tanks made later on in the war from March 1944 were fitted with this system to have an extra way to defend against infantry that got close to the tank. It was a 26mm breech loaded tube that could be rotated 360° and was fixed at a 50° angle, and was operated by the commander. The ammunition was the same as those in the Kampfpistole or other German flare guns: smoke, signal flares, and HE grenades were given in varied amounts to crews of vehicles with this system installed.
The following vehicles in game have the Nahverteidigungswaffe installed:
Don’t really see a reason for this feature to be added, as it feels more like a get-out-of-jail free card for grey zone campers when Guerillas manage to sneak up on their asses cuz they have the situational awareness of a mole. Or whenever someone overextends into combat zone and is then swarmed by infantry. In both cases, the tanker F-up and should just take the L for incompetence.
For TDs, it could be considered, they lack any defensive measures, however the Mediums/Heavies have no such need.
And for the “Historically accurate” argument, might as well try to add the Phosphorus shells for US on Shermans, I am sure everyone would appreciate that “Historically accurate” fun whilst trying to fight on CP as infantry.
This is way to hard of a buff cause I assume there is no corresponding nerf to balance them, it’s limited to one faction. This is the definition of powder creep favoring one national so when does the number of german planes the axis can use get nerfed for historical accuracy, to show us air superiority
Germany (WWII): Nahverteidigungswaffe discharger, for firing smoke or anti-personnel grenades
Israel (Modern): Soltam 60mm mortar, used on Merkava series of tanks as a roof-mounted weapon (external on the Mk.1 and internal on subsequent marks).
Especially during the 1940s-1950s, tankers also sometimes employed the risky expedient of throwing grenades and firing their personal weapons to defend their tanks. There are documented cases of US tankers on Leyte, Saipan, and in Korea; British tankers in North Africa, Burma and India, and Normandy; Canadian tankers in Normandy; and German tankers on the Eastern Front all throwing grenades from hatches in combat. Grenades were not often used to repel attacking infantry, to attack fortifications and AT guns, or otherwise engage targets the tank’s other weapons couldn’t reach.
Not finding anything about us having such a weapon
2-inch Mortar: Many U.S. tanks (such as Shermans) were equipped with a 2-inch smoke mortar or projector built into or used with the vehicle to fire smoke bombs. [1, 2]
Main Gun Smoke Shells: Crews could fire specialized smoke-producing rounds directly from the main tank cannon to create an instant smoke screen at a distance. [1]
Hand-Thrown Grenades: Crew members could manually throw standard hand smoke grenades out of an open hatch. [1]
Dedicated, multi-tube electrical smoke grenade launchers were not fitted to American tanks and armored fighting vehicles until the 1980s (with the introduction of vehicles like the M1 Abrams).
hmm wonder if the 6 cell launcher is ww2 or post war and like the 4 inch rifle stumps can use anything but smoke
even if they included this, even if it worked at 8 rounds a minute it would be widely inferior to the german counterpart, and with how german players feel about compy past i doub they would allow the us to use the german weapon
lloks post war but the weapon the allies would need, if not post war why not on tanks
a fraction of the number of tanks a fraction as good, so unless they move the german system whole sale onto use tanks it be a buff to germany
so we have the shermans, the grant/lee and matilda a premium the trouble is the amount of launchers only 2 twin launchers
these are all expressly smoke launchers only
Might have used 303 rifle grenades as that is what the system is 4 British rifle with lauchers cut-down and strapped to the outside of the tank.
But again 4 vs 12, 2 on either side of the turret vs that and 6 around the hull
So far only the a13 and matilda 2 tank have the bad no2 system with two twin launchers so yeah just activating them in game would be a german win
