CMBB v CMAK

[Nikita]

Russians tanks got beaten not because they used HE instead of AT rounds, but because of the following prime reasons:
1. extremely low training on new tanks
2. huge non-combat losses due to lengthy marches, absence of spare parts for neew tanks
3. poor tank tactics: as far as I recall Russians were taught to use tanks for tactical assaults both in offensive and defensive engagements. Any deviations from that were local initiative, but this was not in their tank tactic manuals. Generally, training has disregarded even experience of the Spanish Civil war, where Russians used tanks extensively and directed almost all tank operations.
4. extremely inbalanced force composition in Russian mechanised corpses, which were low on infantry and artillery and lack of training to operate and fight in mixed battlegroups. This forced them to sacrifice tanks instead of proper artillery preparation. Tanks were not followed by infantry and had to fight their own battles, which almost always ended up in disaster, when they reached artillery positions: 105mm guns were the prime weapon against KVs and T-34s. Actually, same was the case during Arras engaement, when SS Totenkopf and 7th panzer were able to deploy their divisional arty on the heights and open direct LOS fire at advancing British Matildas.

This is for history.

For game do not overestimate early T-34s: German Pz-III would eat them up due to far superior fire rate and thin armor of early T-34 cupola (45mm only). KV -2 shoots only 1 round per minute and cost heaven in point terms. KV-1 is the real monster, but it is also not that cheap and still has sides.;)