Perhaps the main reason for the popularity of these units lies in the fact they are seen as ‘good’, game-winners, and are likewise given the better rules in most wargames. But how good were they in reality How often would you really see them on the average battlefield, and consequently on the table? Let’s look at one of the most famous elite wargaming favourites: the German cats of World War II.
Victory using blitzkrieg tactics required tanks that had speed, good range, and the ability to cross most terrain. A successful tank also needed good armour and firepower, while enabling transportation by rail and obeying the weight restriction on bridges. This balance would prove tricky, as would the reliability for the new generation of panzers.
GERMANY’S HEAVY TANKS – THE TIGERS
Tactically, the (sPzAbt) or heavy tank battalion were intended to be used to lead offensives and
