Produktbeschreibung
The B IV Demolition Charge Layer - Schwere Ladungsträger (Sd Kfz 301)
This remote controlled demoition carrier drives up to enemy bunkers to deliver it's half tonne explosive charge, easily flattening any strongpoint. Contains 4 B IV Demolition Carrier.
During the invasion of France in 1940 a number of Panzer Is were converted into demolition vehicles for use on mines, pillboxes and fortifications. The success of these improvised vehicles lead to the development of a specialised vehicle, the Borgward B IV (B IV).
The B IV was designed so that it could be driven by an on board crew man within a safe distance of its intended target. It was then radio controlled for the remainder of the distance to the target where the explosive pack on the front could be released before the vehicle was withdrawn and the explosives detonated.
Borgward based the design of the B IV on their already existing Gepanzerte Munitionsschlepper (VK301 Armoured Ammunition Carrier) first developed in 1937. The B IV was powered by a 6-cylinder, inline, water cooled, petrol engine much the same as available in contemporary cars and light trucks. It had two forward and two reverse gears. The wedge shaped Explosive charge module positioned in the front of the B IV contained 500kg of high explosives capable of knocking out bunkers, pillboxes and clearing large areas of mines (radius of 40 metres).
It was lightly armoured with 5mm of armour before having a further 8mm added to its sides during its initial production run. The Ausf B had its basic armour increased to 10mm.
Combat Use -
The B IVs first major combat roll was during Operation Zitadelle. It was used mainly as a mine-clearing device as part of the 312th, 313th and 314th Panzerkompanies. During the opening phases of the battle B IVs were used to clear mines in groups. A B IV would be driven up to the minefield, the driver climb out, and the vehicle would continue into the minefield by remote control.
Once in the minefield the B IV would be detonated clearing a 40-50 metre radius area of mines. A second B IV would them be driven after the first further into the minefield and detonated. It was estimated that up to four B IVs would be required to breach the Soviet mines in the Ninth Army's area.
The 312th Company supported the 505th Tiger Battalion, but in this sector (31st Infantry Division) lanes had already been cleared by Pioneers.
The B IVs were used instead as reconnaissance at first for the Tigers, but were then utilised to knock out anti-tank gun positions, bunkers and other Soviet positions. They even managed to knock out a T-34.
The 313th Radio-controlled Company was used with the Ferdinands of the 654 Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion. One platoon was lost when it ran into an unknown friendly minefield, while the other was only able to clear one lane through the Soviet mines for the Ferdinands to advance through. They then had several B IVs destroyed by Soviet artillery. As a consequence a large number of Ferdinands were disabled early in the attack on un-cleared mines.
The final company to take part in the Kursk offensive was the 314th Radio-controlled company supporting the 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion (Ferdinand). The mines were so deep in their sector a total of 12 B IVs were used to clear a path. The control tanks were able to traverse the gap, but the following Pioneers were held up by heavy Soviet artillery fire. The Artillery fire also chewed up the ground and the Ferdinand crews were unable to recognise the correct lanes to traverse and many vehicles were lost to mines. Of the 653rd's 49 Ferdinands only 12 made it too their objective at 1700 hours.
Later models of the B IV (Ausf C) were issued to the 301st Panzerabteilung in August 1944, the control vehicles were 21 Tiger IEs, a change from the earlier control vehicles of Panzer IIIs and StuGs. A Platoon consisted of 4 Tigers, 3 B IVs and an Sd Kfz 251 to carry additional explosive charges.
The Borgward B IV in Flames of War -
It always good to blow stuff up and with the B IV in Flames of War you can blow up bigger and better stuff.
You can get B IVs as part of your Radio-control Tank Platoon. You can have up to 3 sections of B IVs controlled by either Panzer IIIs or StuGs (Page 22 Hitler's Fire Brigade). Each section consists of a control tank and a B IV.
A full Platoon will cost 580pts, but that's a hell of a lot of explosive might.
Each B IV detonates with a blast radius of 2"/5cm around the vehicle, anything caught in that zone is in trouble. The B IV has two zones of effect, one for targets in contact with the carrier and one for those within 2"/5cm of it, but this only really effects armoured targets. Infantry, guns and unarmoured vehicles get no saves whether in contact or within 2"/5cm, though the B IV still requires a FP test if the targets are in bullet-proof cover, but this is usually not a problem with a FP 1+ versus targets in contact and 2+ versus those within 2"/5cm. Against armoured target the B IV has an Anti-tank of 7 against those in contact and 2 versus those within 2"/5cm.
It has a few drawbacks though, but as long as you are aware of them you can adjust your tactics to reduce their effect. The B IV is quite vulnerable to fire; it has an armour rating of 0 on its front, side and top. Coupled with this is the Explodes Easily rule, which gives those penetrating it a re-roll on their FP test to destroy it.
Being 500kg of explosives it can react badly to being shot at, the Explodes Easily rule also means it detonates if destroyed and has all the effects described above. So keep friendly troops clear if you think it's going to take some fire. It will also pay to deploy them in a position where enemy fire can't be concentrated such as on the flanks or where lines of sight are obscured.
Give them a go and see what you think. |
