Question: Use of Assault Artillery (or Tank Guns in general) against Infantry

[Grondoval]

Hello,

despite the availability of newer Games and having an high end PC somehow I always come back to Steel Panthers .

But ive always asked myself how to use large caliber guns (especially assault artillery like the Sturmpanzer IV 15cm or the SU-152) against infantry positions. Even when firing from full halt when the vehicle was stationary a couple of turns and beeing inside the effective distance, I inflict way more casualties with small arms fire than with the big guns. Most of the time I end up expending all my HE-Ammunition while causing only a handful of casualties at best.

Can you tell me how to use large caliber guns against infantry? I understand that there are some guns that fire Shells with a very small amount of HE-Filler but to fire 15+ 50pound projectiles without causing a single casuality seems a bit odd

Thank you for your help!

Phillip

[towtow59]

To kill infantry with them I usually have to get very close ~5 hexes to stay out of range of bazookas or similar, normally though, I use them as direct-fire artillery, more a suppression weapon than a killing one.

[jp10]

I think the game simulates well that plunging HE fire (Arty) is more effective against Infantry than open sight direct fire. Assault Guns were ideally for attacking bunkers, MG nest and (in some armies) laying smoke. Against light defenses, they could be used as moving shields for Infantry to advance behind.
Use them as moving MG bunkers to lay a base of fire and save the HE for fortifications, improved positions and crew served weapons emplacements.

[Imp]

World war II era vs dug in units roll it up as close as is reasonably safe.
Use mainly just the MG till accuracy increases by using W key or switching off the main weapon. Once accuracy is up fire everything.
If possible use them against grouped units to spread suppression even if it misses. Used this way you will get the odd solid hit but main thing I use it for is to spread enough suppression that combined with other units the defenders leave their fortification.