Most Feared Weapon System or Unit in Wargames

[FrontierCybrarian]

The most fantastic book I bought this past year for weapon comparison is:

Weapons of World War II: Compared & Contrasted, by Michael E. Haskew, published 2012
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Weapons-World-War-II/Michael-E-Haskew/9780785829256?id=5534974291409

It's a large 9"x12", 224pp full color book comparing Air Power, Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Artillery & Missiles, Naval Power, and Small Arms. Such areas as top speed, armament, caliber, rate of fire, distance, etc. are covered.

I paid twice the price as the link shown above and I still feel like I got a bargain. It's a downright beautiful and awesome book.

As to my vote for the most feared weapon it would have to be the Super Rail Gun 80cm Schwerer Gustav (1329 tons). A quote from page 127 of the book mentions, "At 800mm (31.5in), the type was the largest-caliber weapon in history to actually participate in combat and fired armour-piercing shells weighing 7100kg (15,653lb.)"

Unfortunately, right off I can't think of a true WW2 wargame having this particular railgun. Some member, smarter than I, can indicate which game(s) have railguns in them (not the sci-fi electromagnetic ones).

Something that covers the siege of Sevastipol might include the Gustav.

Staggerwing, you know your history. It is claimed that after 48 rounds the Gustav barrel was ruined. Maybe so much power and unwieldy size wasn't worth the effort in research, development, deployment, and manning.

Perhaps the hardcore wargame, Railroad Tycoon WW2 edition, Ukraine expansion would have the mighty Gustav railgun. Now, if only I can find a copy for the pc.

[LongBlade]

Thanks, Frontier.

I don't see that book on Amazon. Looks like a winner, though :)

[FrontierCybrarian]

Thanks, Frontier.

I don't see that book on Amazon. Looks like a winner, though :)

Longblade, Yesterday Amazon had a poor pathetic listing (very little description, no photo) for it at around $24. But today it appears someone put in a better reference to it at great prices. It may be interested members lucky day. This book should be in every Groghead member's library.

http://www.amazon.com/Weapons-World-War-Compared-Contrasted/dp/0785829253/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364231792&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=weapons+of+wwii+haskew

If I purchased this again I'd go with any of the used $8.70 to $8.97 (plus $3.99 s/h) copies. I've dealt with the sellers before and often their copies are "like new" at great prices. The delivery times were prompt, also.

Two reviews are provided and I definitely lean more towards the 5/5 rating while the second reviewer has very nit-picky criticism. A book of such magnitude can't cover all variants of aircraft, weapons, and features. For 224pp. the famous military author, Michael E. Haskew, has done a fantastic job.

[LongBlade]

Thanks, Frontier.

Here's the GH's Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785829253/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0785829253&linkCode=as2&tag=grogheads-20

I'm thinking with your endorsement, this is a must-have!

[Windigo]

My FOCH 155 in World of Tanks.

155mm gun with a 3 round autoloader, lets me take out almost any tank in the game in about 12 seconds.

"I hate you... and your FOCH!"
-- signed, ex-Maus driver

[Boggit]

Hearty Finns... :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M8_hS0gqU8&feature=related

nice clip!

You're welcome. It's from "Talvisota" (Winter War) I have it on a double DVD with "Ambush 41" about the Finnish Continuation War. Both the films are based on novels by author Antii Tuuri.

Another good one is Tali-Ihantala 1944. I've seen the full film and it's on my to get list. It focuses on vignettes of the wider battle that caused the Russians to decide on a peace offer with Finland in 1944.
I hope you enjoy the taster clip -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbOLHzMA78g&feature=related