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Tank and Assult Gun Tactics
by Pz_J_Dietrich
Russian Units Overall
The Russian Army has always been the under-dog of the two countrys in CC3. From the beginning right to the end the Russians have always been out-classed in many ways, but especially in armoured warfare. The Russians, unlike its German counter-part havevery little in the way of main battle tanks. Only until the SU-152's and the JSII's arrive do the Russians get any tanks which have the firepower to take on the heavy German panzers and even then they still are out-classed. The Russians do tend to struggle early in the game as even the Pz III's 5cm/L60 can destroy the Russian heavy KV's from mid to close ranges from firing only a few well aimed shots. Once the Red Army deploys the SU-122's the Germans start to find themselfs in deep water and the sides begin to balance out, but that doesnt last long as new Tigers and early model Panther tanks enter the game. By mid to late 43 the Russians are getting new SU-152's, a tank that many players learn to repsect as their firepower can throw a 60 ton Tiger tank onto its side like a wooden toy. These tanks by far more powerful in the ways of anti-tank and anti-infantry then the JSII's become the back bone of the Red Armys Armour Corps and stays that way right until the end of the game. The Russian Infantry units in mass are excellent in ways of firepower and pure numbers. The Russain Engineers by far are the best infantry unit. Designed for both attacking and defending as well as being very well armed. Excellent SMG's with 71 round ammo drums, LMG's and a flamethrower make the Engineers a excellent combat unit. Large standard rifle platoons also gives the Red Army excellent attacking range and close-combat squads can lay a wall of bullets into an enermy platoon when on ambush, deadly. The Russian AT guns are good to begin with but they tend to go down hill unlike the German AT guns which get more powerful as the years go by. By late war the AT gun crews sometimes don't even fire when ordered just because there is no way to even damage the heavy Tigers and Panthers. This just goes to show the strengh of the German panzers. Overall the Russian Army under the command of a good commander has just as much chance of winning the battle as its German counter-part, but this all depends on terrian, year, rarity and overall how good you are as a commander.
SU/JSU-152 and SU/ISU-122:
The Russian SU/JSU 152mmSP, a tank that many players fear. Why, because it can destroy any unit that the Germans throw at it. Its huge main gun can destroy the toughest of German armour even without a target line, its that powerfull. Here's the tactics on how to use them and how to beat them:
Using a SU/JSU 152:
The 152's are the main choice for Russian commanders as it main gun can deal with both armour and infantry units with some-what ease. If your playing a game past 1943 you can be sure that the Russian commander will be packing these machines if there. Fairly good armour and fast reloading times ( 11/12sec's) make this tank overall an excellent fighting machine for any terrian. They should be used in a way that they are not directly on the front line, should be placed hidden but having good firing lines on high story buildings, hills and open fields. Use the 152's as support weapons for both infantry and armoured units, let them find the enermy and then send a 152mm HE shell towards them. Try to avoid head on fights with heavy German armour, that includes the German Panther tanks at mid to close range as the German Panzers pack hard hitting 'SP' rounds. Direct shots are not need with the 152's. Just shoot as close as you can to the target and it will generally, but not always, damage, cripple or even destroy enemy units from AT guns to JagdTigers. They can rip out the enemys Army from the inside with their impressive range. At the beginning of the game use your 152's to open fire on targets such as hills and high level buildings which have good lines of sight as they may hold AT weapons. Then just go back in ambush mode, leave it while while you and your enemy is postioning yourselves, then just start hitting everything that gets in your way. The 152 is an excellent support weapon. Also when on the attack shoot at most buildings in front of your other attacking units, clear the way for them, make life easy as every building can be a death trap for infantry and armour.
Beating a SU/JSU 152:
The 1st thing you will notice is that the 152's are turretless tanks, this is their greatest downfall. If crippled they can become fresh meat for German Panzers and even German infantry units depending on the position that it is crippled in. This is why the 152's should not be placed on the front line directly as they can become easy kills. When under mass fire them hidden 152's the best way to deal with them is to play it cool. Try and move your units into positions where they have fairly good protection, like in buildings behind buildings. Send small infantry units out to find the 152's and once located you can make the choice weather to attack or play it safe and let them expose themselfs a little more when attacking un-hit buildings then hit them with hidden AT guns or armour. German heavy armour like the Kings and JagdPanthers, etc. don't really have trouble dealing with 152's when found. Its just finding them thats the hard part. The 152's are at one of their most weakests points when forced to engage heavy enermy armour. They will struggle to kill a King Tiger even at close range when firing at their front armoured plates and the King would really have no trouble with the armour on the 152's. Taking the fight to the 152's is about the best way to kill them, and its best to use heavy armour with turrets rather than tanks without as you maybe moving yourself into unknow terrain and you'll never know what could be waiting. Staying hidden will just keep you pinned down and will receive heavy losses, but this all depends on the terrian to begin with. You'll be surprised at what some tanks can take from frontal assaults on 152's. German infantry AT weapons like the Pz-faust, Pz-schreck and AT guns can all be dangerous to any Russian tank and if used well can all take the fight to the enermy. Overall the 152's greatest weakness is when placed on the front line as they become the primary target for all German weapons. Once the 152's are knocked out you will notice the difference greatly and will tend to struggle a little afterwards and maybe thats all the enermy needs to finish you off. Remember, once you' find them, you can kill them.
The SU/ISU-122:
The Russian SU-122, in a long line of powerful anti-infantry and anti-tank turretless assault vehicles. The SU-122 comes out roughly as the same time the German Tiger VIE appears on the battlefield and gives the Russian forces the ability for some head on engagements. With fairly good armour the SU-122 can withstand most shots depending on the shell’s size, range and angle. Mainly designed for soft targets like infantry and AT guns etc, the SU-122 does have the firepower to kill some German armoured fighting vehicles, even the Tiger VIE’s. The SU-122 also can be put to great effect as its HE shells can cripple tanks that it hasn’t the power to destroy leaving them standing as you pull away. It also has the great effect of killing and crippling with indirect fire like its heavier reason in later years the SU-152. Like the SU/JSU 152’s the SU-122 doesn’t sometimes need a direct fire line. If say you located a hidden AT gun you should not try and get the direct shot, but go for the indirect shot and shoot as close as you can but without being in a green LOS. If no 152mm assault guns arent available then the SU-122’s should be bought.
SU-100 and SU-85:
The SU-100:
The SU-100’s use the same chassis as the 122mm verson but are armed and designed for anti-tank use. Given a fast reloading 100mm main gun gives this tank quite a punch against most tanks but by the time the SU-100 appears the Germans start to get their heavy panzers like the massive King Tiger, and even the Panthers. Against tanks like the King Tigers the SU-100’s don’t really have a chance and long range but do have the power to hurt at mid to short rangers and even the JagdTigers can fall with awell aimed side shot. The SU-100’s arent just anti-tank destroyers, they are also armed with limited amounts of HE rounds that are excellent for soft targets, aswell as some indirect fire. This can make the SU-100 a replacement assault tank if no SU-122’s or 152mm are available in your rarity. Overal the SU-100’s can pack a hard punch put you have to be in the right place at the right time, attacking the right target.
The SU-85:
These tanks should never, never to bought unless the situation is very, very desperate. Based and the same chassis as the 122/100mm SU’s, the SU-85 is no match for even a Pz IVF. Its gun is so poor against enemy armour but does have the ability for some kills with a lucky side shot, but still arent worth buying. By the time the SU-85’s appear, the Germans have new Panther model tanks and this makes the SU-85 totally outclassed and makes and easy kill for your enemy. Fairly good against infantry because of the fast reloading time of the tank this is about all their good for. Remember, never-ever buy one of these SU’s.
JS/IS-2 Joseph Stalin:
These tanks are second generation of Russian Heavy Armor. It has a devastating punch, having a 122mm Main Gun. It has modest mobility and it is vulnerable against only the heaviest tanks.
Using the JS/IS 2:
Entering the game in early to mid 1944 the JS2 is heavily protected with thick sloped armour and armed with an extremely powerful 122mm main gun. The JS2 did not weigh any more than the German Panther and had much the same mobility giving the JS2 a great advantage over the heavyer German Panzers which were anything but agile. The JSII is the best Russian main battle tank of the game ( not including the JSIII ). Its main gun lacks armour penetrating power at long range but at mid to close range the JS2's 122mm is a pure tank killing machine. The JS2 can deliver a powerful and fatal blow to even the toughest of German armour at mid range making the JS2 a formidable threat to the Germans.The JS2 is an excellent buy for a Russian command what ever the terrain he fights on. Its thick armour can take even the hardest of shots and still cause no damage. The JS2 should be used in a supporting roll for infantry and other Russian armour, never let the JS2 like any other tank roll into unknown areas of the map as German infantry can have a field day with their panzerfausts and panzerschrecks. The JS2 is able to engage all German armour but you should try and wait until the target is within mid to close range, making the JS2's shells penetrate to its peak. Also be careful when engaging the enemy as the JS2 has a slow reloading time, 19/20 seconds, the same as the German JagdTiger. The best way when engaged is to fire and if a kill isn't scored on a tank like the King Tiger, it may be best and wise to back away while you reload as most German panzers have a reloading time of 13/14 seconds and carry high penetrating SP rounds. The JS2 also has excellent HE shells for anti-infantry use, but again slow reloading times may tend to make the JS2 a sitting duck so to speak because if a HE round is reloading and your JS2 incounters German heavy armour, not only will you have a weaker HE shell in the barrel, you will have to wait another 20 seconds for a AP round to be loaded. By this time it could be too late. So be careful when thinking of aiming for infantry units, let your SU's if picked do their jobs. Place the JS2 on ambush mode when not in use as it then won't waste an AP round and time on such poor targets as tank crews etc... Always let your infantry move in front of your tanks.
Beating a JS/IS 2:
The JS2 is the toughest Russian tank to beat with any German armour when fighting face-to-face. Having 160mm of frontal armour (only 20mm less than a Tiger II ) the JS2 can really take some punishment from even the heavy weights of German armour. The best way to knock a JS2 out from the front is to wait until its has fired a shot, this will give you a brief time while the JS2 is reloading to attack and if need-be pull back just before it finishes reloading. Also if you move infantry round to its side or any position really, the JS2 will fire its AP round in the barrel and then start to reload a HE shell to deal with the infantry targets. When this is happening you can move your armour into its firing line and will have around 20 seconds before the JS2 can reload the HE round, and then after that round has been fired you have another 20 seconds before a AP round can be loaded for an armoured target. This is an excellent tactic to use against the slow reloading time on the JS2. Try to use a 'SP' round when dealing with the Russian heavy tanks as they have greater armour penetrating power than the standard AP round at any range. The JS2 like any other tanks weakest points are the sides and rear. One well placed AP/SP round to the side from even a Pz IVJ can knock the JS2 out with sometimes just a single shot. This is about the best place to attack the JS2, and German panzerschrecks should have no trouble dealing with this let aloan a German Tiger or Panther. If not willing to risk your armour to attack a JS2 then use the German panzerschreck, an excellent weapon that can deal with any Russian armour from any angle at a respectable range. Also the 75mm and 88mm AT guns can deal with the JS2 at most angles and ranges. German infantry can be the worst nightmare for a Russian tank crew, and should put fear into them. Hidden German infantry is just as deadly as its armoured counter-part as they can hid in buildings and not be seen until the last minute. By then it maybe too late for the poor Russian tank.
T-34/76 and T-34/85:
Using the T-34:The Russian T-34 was an excellent tank. Well armed, well protected and having excellent mobility the T-34 overall is an excellent fighting machine that is suited for all fighting terrains. The Russians kept up-grading this tank just like the Germans did with their Pz IV's even making a flamethrower model. By 1941 in the game the Russian T34/41 was a tank that was capable taking on all German armour and by late 1942 the T-34 could even deal with the heavy Tiger VIE from a respectable range and angle of shot. But never get into face-to-face fighting with a Tiger VI or anyother German heavy tank for that matter. Against targets like the Pz IV the T-34 is a real contender and makes an excellent fight to watch. By Mid 1943 the T-34 is given a larger main gun and better armour, just like the Pz IVJ and by winter of 1943/44 the T-34 is again up-graded to become the T-34/85. In the game the T-34's make excellent support weapons for your infantry and other armoured units. The T-34 is an excellent tank for anti-infantry target and also AT guns as its main gun is fast reloading ( 11/12 seconds ) and is excellent for suppression fire. You'll be suprised at what the T-34/85 is capable of against enemy soft targets. The T-34 flamethrower model is about the best T-34 in the game. It is capable of even killing a JagdTiger with its powerful flamer which is something that even the heavy Russian armour sometimes struggles with. Use the T-34 flamer in away that it doesnt come in direct contact with the enemy armour as its flamer doesnt need a target cross over its enemy. Use the T-34 flamer like the Russian 152's, just fire as close as you can to the target and just see what happens :) Doing this you can damage, cripple and even score a kill no matter what target your firing at. Watch out for your flamer ammo as its no where near as good as the German counter-part the Hetzer-Flamer. In built up terrain like woods the T-34 flamer is a must have with the heavy SU-122/152's.
Beating the T-34:
The T-34 is well protected and will never rarly go out without a fight, unless your nailing it with a PaK 43 88mm round into it. It can take most German anti-tank gun shells like the 75mm at respectable rangers but can still be a kill when being fired at with SP rounds. Against most German armour the T-34 is out-classed as even the German counter-part the medium Panther can be a pure T-34 killing machine let aloan the Tigers. The T-34's are easy kills for the Germans as most panzers carry SP rounds which can deal with the well sloped armour even at long distance depending on the tank its-self. The T-34 flamer is about the hardest one of them all to beat as its heavy flamethrower is excellent against all targets and should be respected on the battlefield. In built areas dont waste your armour when dealing with these, try positioning infantry AT teams for the kill or manoeuvre your armour well out of the 60m firing range of the flamer and attack. In areas like woods even the best players will struggle and its mainly a case of the Russian player screwing up that may give you the kill. The standard model T-34's are no match for your better armed and better protected panzers but still be careful as the T-34's main gun isnt good firing on the front but is fairly good with side shots. Overall an good tank that can be there when you need it but i would go for the US Sherman tank if there to be picked as its main gun is harder hitting than even the 85mm in the late model T-34/85.
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