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"Biltz's Battlegroup Released" Topic


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1,021 hits since 30 Jul 2014
©1994-2024 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

kallman30 Jul 2014 7:10 a.m. PST

"This tank is superior to British tanks in practically every way."

Um…no I do not think so. For the most part the A7V had a pretty lack luster career and impact compared to the British and French tanks of WW I. Regardless a cool looking box set and I am sure will provide tons of fictional fun.

kyoteblue30 Jul 2014 7:37 a.m. PST

BF has to have BIG SEXY TANKS…..sigh..

Aubrey30 Jul 2014 7:45 a.m. PST

I know kyotebluer than blue but personally I'd just like to know how BF reached the conclusion that "This tank is superior to British tanks in practically every way"…. sigh.

witteridderludo30 Jul 2014 7:57 a.m. PST

just the regular propaganda, euh promotional blurb…

while "our tanks are such pieces of crap that our own government only ever built 20 of them and we prefer using captured enemy tanks" would be correct, it doesn't quite draw the "ooh shiny" crowd :-)

GGouveia30 Jul 2014 8:00 a.m. PST

Here a description of the battle:

The first tank against tank combat in history took place on 24 April 1918 when three A7Vs (including chassis number 561, known as "Nixe") taking part in an attack with infantry incidentally met three Mark IVs (two female machine gun-armed tanks and one male with two 6-pounder guns) near Villers-Bretonneux. During the battle tanks on both sides were damaged. According to the lead tank commander, Second Lieutenant Frank Mitchell, the female Mk IVs fell back after being damaged by armour-piercing bullets. They were unable to damage the A7Vs with their own machine guns. Mitchell then attacked the lead German tank, commanded by Second Lieutenant Wilhelm Biltz,[4] with the 6-pounders of his own tank and knocked it out. He hit it three times, and killed five of the crew when they bailed out. He then went on to rout some infantry with case shot. The two remaining A7Vs in turn withdrew. As Mitchell's tank withdrew from action, seven Whippet tanks also engaged the infantry. Four of these were knocked out in the battle, and it is unclear if any of them engaged the retreating German tanks. Mitchell's tank lost a track towards the end of the battle from a mortar shell and was abandoned. The damaged A7V was later recovered by German forces.

GeoffQRF30 Jul 2014 8:04 a.m. PST

I'd just like to know how BF reached the conclusion that "This tank is superior to British tanks in practically every way"

Apparently through …"thicker armour and faster mobility than most British tanks…"
According to OPsrey:

The German A7V and the British Mark IV were similar in weight, size, and speed, but differed significantly in armour, armament and maneuverability. The A7V had thicker armour, and had nearly double the horsepower per ton… [however] the Mark IV's rhomboid design proved superior in crossing trenches, climbing obstacles and moving over rough terrain.

Mark IV vs A7V: Villers-Bretonneux 1918 on Amazon: link

GGouveia30 Jul 2014 8:13 a.m. PST

From what Instead the Av7 had thicker armour however it was not hardened so could be punctured by anti tank rifles. It also had very poor performance off road, aka a ww1 battlefield. Very prone to breakdowns.

GGouveia30 Jul 2014 8:16 a.m. PST

From what Instead the Av7 had thicker armour however it was not hardened so could be punctured by anti tank rifles. Its armour did stop the 6 pounder shells whwreas its gun woukd penetrate the British tanks. However it also had very poor performance off road, aka a ww1 battlefield. Very prone to breakdowns. Also the fact only 20 were ever made limited their impact. Germany's manufacturing capability at that time was very limited due to lack of resources. They also used captured guns inside of some of the tanks.

Heinz Good Aryan30 Jul 2014 8:30 a.m. PST

wish there were better looks at the infantry…..

really crazy that you have to buy those a7vs in order to get this, hardly ever used, only in tiny numbers, AND not a very good vehicle at all.

the british tanks were vastly better which is why the germans mostly used them captured in their own armored force!!!

also isn't it a little strange to be releasing 1918 stuff in the 100th anniversary of 1914??? im not a fan of their rules but the one thing ive always thought fow would be good for is … 1914!!!

David Manley30 Jul 2014 9:41 a.m. PST

So a bit like German battleships and battlecruisers they were "better" because the armour was "thicker" but in reality that wasn't tactically relevant :)

kyoteblue30 Jul 2014 9:49 a.m. PST

I am using FOW rules for 1914 but buying up old Minifigs and QRF figures. Shrug.

GarrisonMiniatures30 Jul 2014 10:07 a.m. PST

'So a bit like German battleships and battlecruisers they were "better" because the armour was "thicker" but in reality that wasn't tactically relevant :)'

Anyone claiming German battleships and battlecruisers better than British I wouldn't argue – though designed for different purposes – but A7V… now, if you were comparing it to the St Chamond…

kevin smoot30 Jul 2014 10:26 a.m. PST

Buy 5 boxes and you have 50% of the entire German tank force

Volleyfire30 Jul 2014 12:17 p.m. PST

What happens if your A7V actually reaches a British trench? Wait for someone to bring up a bridge for it to use to cross over?
Looking at those two on the box front they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Privateer4hire30 Jul 2014 1:07 p.m. PST

Just got the rule booklet with WI 322 today.

Germans can use captured Mark IVs (male and/or female) as their armored platoons, if the player desires to use tanks at all.

Crisis averted. End Danger Room Simulation.

mdauben30 Jul 2014 3:08 p.m. PST

BF has to have BIG SEXY TANKS…..sigh..

Its their player base that has to have BIG SEXY TANKS. You can hardly blame them for targeting their audience.

GeoffQRF30 Jul 2014 3:39 p.m. PST

picture

N Drury31 Jul 2014 2:07 a.m. PST

Hopefully they've modelled the underneath accurately for when it rolls into a ditch.

turenne01 Aug 2014 2:29 a.m. PST

"…also isn't it a little strange to be releasing 1918 stuff in the 100th anniversary of 1914???…"

Obviously for someone who paints as slowly as I do

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