| Palafox | 02 Jul 2009 7:13 a.m. PST |
Hello, this is a doubt we got last weekend when playing a Battleground WWII game. When a AT/Artillery gun or tank gun was loaded with a shell, was the loader able to unload the round to load another type? (for example to change AP to HE). Or was it so dangerous that they usually choose to fire it anyway?. What the crews did in this situation?, I'm assuming they could be very low on ammo so would need to save a type of shell. Many thanks. |
| Kampfgruppe Cottrell | 02 Jul 2009 7:22 a.m. PST |
Yeah, you could unload a shell already loaded. Brian |
| ScoutJock | 02 Jul 2009 8:11 a.m. PST |
It's quicker to clear the tube by sending it downrange, but tactical and or ammo supply issues may make that not the best choice. |
| jizbrand | 02 Jul 2009 8:27 a.m. PST |
It certainly is quicker, but unless you're in dire straits, I'd hardly ever say that that is the best option. No 1 yanks on the handle and drops the breech block, No 2 does a quick pry with the removal tool, grabs the round and pulls it out, No 1 (now standing ready with a new round) slams the replacement in, the breech automatically goes back up, and you're ready to fire. Probably no more than 2-3 seconds longer than loading an ordinary round. Now, that applies only to fixed casing rounds; bagged charges or combustible casings are different and would take longer. |
| Jemima Fawr | 02 Jul 2009 8:32 a.m. PST |
SOP for many armoured units was to have HE loaded (as AT guns were the most common threat). If an enemy tank appeared the first round fired at it would often be the HE that was already up the spout – a few British memoirs mention this. |
| GeoffQRF | 02 Jul 2009 9:22 a.m. PST |
FEBA+ uses round selection. I've fired HE at an enemy tank on many occasions… |
| bsrlee | 02 Jul 2009 11:38 a.m. PST |
From my late father, served with 25 pdrs 1939-46, if the crew was loading in action you couldn't actually get the projectile out. On at least one occasion his unit had to get permission to fire rounds after the cease fire had been given as the crews had thrown the shell into the breach hard enough to get it fully engaged in the rifling before placing the charge in the breach – the 25 pdr was officially separate loading, projectile then propelling charge in a full brass case. |
| quidveritas | 02 Jul 2009 2:20 p.m. PST |
Interesting comments. Just based on my observations as a medical officer (trying to be scarce at the time). They just fired the round that was on board (USA artillery was never short on ordinance in my experience). mjc |
miscmini  | 02 Jul 2009 2:21 p.m. PST |
In every armor unit I was in the standard procedure was that if you're in contact whatever is in the tube is going downrange…quickly followed by the preferred ammo. If you're not in contact then take your time and change the ammo. Kevin |
| Palafox | 03 Jul 2009 1:06 a.m. PST |
Thank you very much. Now this is clear. :^) |
| Pat Ripley | 03 Jul 2009 6:13 a.m. PST |
what are they shooting at? are they in good cover/unobserved? is the target coming straight at them? |
| Palafox | 03 Jul 2009 6:22 a.m. PST |
Hi Pat. The situation in our game, was a skirmish game were a Cromwell had AP loaded to deal with a menacing Puma. A lucky hit of a Bazooka from a beligered and nearly sorrounded american squad destroyed the Puma that was playing cat and mouse with the Cromwell and so the Cromwell crew decided to change to HE to deal with the enemy infantry. This lead us to ask first; ¿can the crew unload the gun? as several of us knew a good deal of WWII tanks technical aspects but nothing about that one so we wanted to know a little more. |
| miscmini | 03 Jul 2009 1:54 p.m. PST |
Just squirt the infantry with the coax :) |
