German Campaign using War Cab

[Imp]

The next few battles were are at Casino, bigger mountains, mud & intermittently snow so I skipped them as done that & want to get to June when the Allies become far more dangerous due to APCR ammo being available & the 76mm for the Sherman.
MkIV's weak armour package becomes irrelevant at that point as APCR can penetrate armour 10 out to around 1500m (30 Hex's).
Its April now so having a refit as desire more units that have a reasonable chance of surviving a front hit from Infantry AT weapons before heading to the cluttered terrain of Normandy.
Done StuG III's so sticking with the MkIV theme we now have the following armour.

7 - MkIV
2 - Panthers
2 - StuG IV
2 - JPz IV/48
2 - Sturmpanzer
1 - StuG(i)

Direct comparison

All have the same gun, fire control, range finder & speed so main gun accuracy & penetration is identical.
MkIV is one size bigger than the rest so at a disadvantage in gun duels especially 1st & 2nd shot.

StuG III & IV are very similar the IV's weak spot is its top armour which is worse than the rest so more vulnerable to artillery.
Its also the only one with an AAMG just what you need attract the planes to that weak top (earlier III's had AA)
The StuG III's main drawback is its ammo load especially HE for infantry support however the 2 MG variant shown makes up for that.
I would give the edge to the III & spend the extra point.

JPz IV like the early StuG III's has a short range BMG offset by decent ammo load including HE despite being a Tank Destroyer.
Gets 2 Smoke Discharger shots though because of that role, they might be needed due to the worst armour package of the StuG's.
The extra armour on the superstructure may save it on occasion but is lacking versus infantry AT weapons. No Schurzen fitted & 8 on the front hull rather than 9 means the chance of surviving a Baz or Piat hit drops.
It is however considerably cheaper & has the best crew survivability rating.

Will do next battle in a few days when I get a life back, how people regularly work long hours is beyond me.

[Imp]

April 44

Decided I needed a change so decided to play with T-34's & hopefully a few Soviet heavies as they hit harder in this time period.
As it turns out Sherman would have been dangerous any armour engagement will be close quarters

Outskirts of Odessa visibility 38 & we are assaulting finally.
Marked level 1 hills on the overview, West top area is mainly fields
bottom city continues for around 20 hexes.
HQ & FOO can set up in buildings with LOS shown.

Parking up StuG(I) for the battle & bought 628 points of shortest range off map artillery. Wont use & should not CB but should let the Russians buy another infantry company.

AUX
Spotter Plane
3 Pioneers & a Bulldozer (have 2 Pioneers in core so 5 total)
2 Scouts with SMG
2 Flamethrower Halftracks for fun.
Forgot an ammo dump & extra AA - will add AA to core.

We should be able to get to within about 8 hexes of Russian deploy line undetected by cutting through the blocks.
Only plan after that is find the mines & see how it develops from there, we have 48 turns so could dawdle but would like to do it in about half that.