link to forum thread of a fellow game with tanks that busts some more ww2 myths.
Most if not all of the allegations made in that thread purported as fact are so blatantly partisan as they are ignorant and full of holes, pun intentional, they are worthless.
Most look and sound like a plaguised Wiki bibliography written by some 20 year old kid cum know it all university student academic expert writing a thesis about 'the reality of combat' by a someone who's grown up in a time so distant from contextual reality, who hasn't actually spoken at length first hand one on one in intimate revealing conversation with many who were there first hand, and who's never been 'there' himself (served or at the pointy end in combat conditions).
Anyone referring to, e.g. 5th SS Wiking as 'of Volksturm quality' and of it or similar Waffen SS units having taken part in many battles only or predominantly as rear echeolon is clearly a certifiable cretin. As for the flippantly dismissive as it is a condescending reference to anti-partisan operations as insignificant, you do know how few Wehrmacht partisan badges were awarded during the war and why, and how highly prized they now amongst collectors because of that don't you?
Prior to their annihilation in all but name, the original 12th SS's indeniable bravery and fighting prowess around Caen was far from that of low quality troops or akin to a Volksturm joke, as the Canadians would tell you from their graves were they able. As to the dismissive nonsense by some kid who probably still depends upon McDonalds or mummy to prepare his meals regarding Wittman's astonishing feat of tactical initiative, daring and success of which I am fully aware of every minor detail, such unashamedly partisan driven denouncment just beyond excusively pathetic.
Reality should be acknowledged respectfully, not adulterised to fit any preferred perspective.
My grandparents' town situated topgraphically at a point of defensive tactical significance was bravely defended by what remained of 5th SS in March of 1945, and I can tell you who the definitive barbarians were, and who committed and what gross atrocities first hand.
It was not 5th SS.
To the poster referring to the World at War series. I too was around to witness its initial airing on FTA TV in 1974. I bought the first edition DVD set UK release when it initially released on that media, very very expensive at that time. The narrative tailored to the footage in The World at War is so one eyed and in so many cases factually and historically incorrect to fit beliefs and biases of its audience of the day, it's worthless as a historical documentary other than as a example of said generational target audience perspective, albeit the footage is enjoyable. As if Speer and Wolff were ever going to say anything other than what they perceived the interviewer wanted to hear lest they be reincarcerated by the victors yet again. There was no interview with Gunsche, and the interview with Remer who was probably the most honest of the bunch, was skewed to present him as some sort of quasi-automaton nutter.
To reiterate, paraphrased, the words in a book by Keegan read long ago name so his name is since forgotten, of a British Colonel of significance who fought them in two wars as well as serving in Korea.
"You don't know what war is until you have fought the Germans".
60 million odd Germans and European Freiwillige gegen Bolshewismus plus a few minor Axis satellites contribution holding the logistical and might of the whole world at bay on the continent for 5 years engaged in a Weltanschauung whose outcome was misdirected by weather and decided by materialschlacht?!!!
American testing and self critique
at the time of the inferiority of their armour and weaponry juxtaposed with high regard or respect for that of their opponent's is out there in You Tube land for the lazy who won't read or those incapable of selecting objectively for anyone caring to search and watch. e.g far from being the legend COH has made it, the antiquated BAR was rubbish and loathed by American soldiers who used it. It was in no way the even near equivalent of the magnificent and too accurate Czech designed Bren LMG other than in looks. The BAR was really nothing but an overly complex, heavy, cumbersome rifle capable of automatic fire, but for which purpose both its 20 round magazine capacity and barrel were inadequate necessitating the issue of two per squad still at a disadvantage even to an MG-34 equipped German squad. I've held, carried, fired and stripped both as well as the bipod and tripod mounted GPMG M60 among numerous others, the former of which was the standard squad LMG sup wep when I served first as a 'grunt', then Inf. Pl Cmdr. prior to being offered the opportunity to become a 'Birdie'.
Similarly of Britain's relatively rubbish Cromwell (a Cruiser tank, approx. equiv. of a medium tank other nations and arguably the latter Mks were Britain's best of class) and Churchill heavy (anti-)infantry tank neither of which were anything like the Überarmour this game misrepresents them justified as necessary for balance.
I'm not an apolgist for anyone. I just prefer truth be told warts 'n all than hear the same nonsense endlessly regurgitated. Two wrongs don't make anyone more right. They just distort the truth so that everyone is wrong, the cycle of lies and prejudice continues and those who should be able to but can't represent the truth, as silent as they are dead.