A Flames of War Review article by Jing Hao
Previously we looked at the thematic changes that was given to the Infantry of Bulge American, as well as the new support option in the T27 Xylophone.
In this article we will cover the new armoured formations released in the book. Starring the Chaffees and Hellcats, our familiar workhorse the M4 Sherman has also grown from its rebellious phase into a matured fighting machine, bolstered by the new bully in the block – The M26 Pershing.
Similar to the other books in Flames of War V4 Late War, US Armoured Formations in Bulge comes in their Veteran and Non-Veteran forms, sharing the distinction between the two with their Careful and Aggressive To-Hit values, and Yankee Ingenuity vs Blood’n Guts.
Detroit’s factories never laid back on their laurels as they vastly improved on the M4 Sherman since the D-Day landings. Bulge Shermans boast additional front armour, Protected Ammo, and a series of modifications to bring stronger Shermans into the field.
Options include equipping entire platoons of Shermans with the 76mm gun, fielding a whole platoon of Easy Eights, or bringing in a Jumbo Sherman with either the 75mm or the 76mm gun. Such versatility is unique among the Americans with a single hull, innovation at its best.
The Easy Eight boasts the Smooth Ride trait, allowing it to move a limited distance before the stabiliser penalty comes into play. Armed with a 76mm gun, the US forces finally have an upgrade from the obsolete AT10 weapons to match the Germans and Soviet armour of the Eastern Front. A cross of 2+ also improves its terrain movement, making it easier to find good positions in the field.
A trait which allows a short tactical burst, we are unsure if Smooth Ride can be combo-ed with Blitz, giving the Easy Eight and ‘Easy Eight Inches’ of movement before firing their ROF2 at no To-Hit penalty (Editor's note: It works).
The thick Sherman is here, and oh boy look at that armour. Almost similar to an uparmoured Churchill and retaining most of the Sherman’s speed, this heavy dude would not like difficult terrain of any kind. No longer would Shermans pop at the touch of an AT14 gun, the Jumbo will be your number one choice to perform mistaken targets against, especially at long range where you’d just roll a 2+ to bail against most of Germany’s formidable weapons, and even earn a save against the feared AT17 Tank Hunter.
The previous article we talked about the Xylophone. This time the Shermans bring forth the instrument of death with the rocket launcher strapped atop it. An armoured option to provide salvo-fire on a consistent basis, Calliopes bring death to onrushing infantry, an option for your rifles and paratroopers to summon to beat back the horde.
Detroit’s heavy metal makes its appearance.
The Pershing possesses traits similar to the German Panther, an armour suite almost mirroring that with a gun of equal capability. Points wise this tank would find its place among US tank lists, the appearance of AT14 guns a welcome sight, and protection which would play a reverse card and bring the hurt to the table.
Okay.
The toughest Allied armour in the entire game at FA13, the Super Pershing bounces all but the strongest AT weapons in the German arsenal. Anything short of a Tank-Hunting 8.8cm gun would do NOTHING against it from the front, and it’s 90mm gun would simply demolish all but the heaviest vehicles in the game.
Hide your Super Pershing well, for its side armour is still as thin as a Sherman. It will demolish Tigers and Panthers, but the Germans still possess the Elefant, a weapon capable of demolishing tanks AND soaking damage. Protect your flanks well, and the investment would be well paid.
The small, cute Chaffees are fast murder machines, a tank combining a Stuart and a Sherman into one. While unable to match up against medium tanks, the Chaffee can be trusted to hunt down opposing light tanks and even take a sneak on mediums, the reliable 75mm gun still posing a threat to front and side armours.
Use them sneakily! Do not trade shots with opposing armour, but use them as a first-strike option. Should you catch infantry in the open, they possess 5 shots each to mow them down with impunity!
Tank Destroyers
While most nations of WWII possess Tank Destroyers of their own styles, the Americans possess an entire command and doctrine on how they’d be used against German armour.
Split into two distinct trees, the M18 Hellcat and the M36 Jackson, Bulge gives us these two as an upgrade from the M10 Tank Destroyer, allowing us to explore different Tank Destroyers to fit each players’ unique style.
The Hellcat, a fast moving tank hunter with the 76mm gun. Comboing the Seek-Strike-Destroy trait with its Veteran Skill allows for a reliable pseudo-stormtrooper move, letting you play against the Germans with their own moves. Use it aggressively, not recklessly, for while the gun encourages attack, the armour does not. Peek and destroy tank units with that gun, and victory will be assured.
For players with a slightly more passive playstyle, the M36 finally gives the Americans an AT14 option to threaten Tigers and Panthers. Combined with the Seek, Strike, Destroy tactics, these Veterans make British players jealous of their versatility. The American M36 allows you to strike, AND hide afterwards, giving you a chance to preserve those points. Get used to Shooting and Scooting, and you will torment tank-heavy lists all day.
Summary -
Improved Shermans give medium tanks a great boost in choices and surprises. While the infantry seemed to just undergo a reskin, American armour really won with Pershings, Chaffees, and the new tank destroyers in the Hellcat and Jackson.
Salvo artillery for the Americans also allow great defensive and offensive options against infantry and unarmoured units. Expect a few of them to boost the lists of American forces, preparing the ground for an assault of paratroopers, or the advance of American Heavy armour.
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