Medal of Honor: Allied Assault/Weapons

Many years ago, on the Playstation, the first historically accurate World War II first person shooter came into being. This was Medal of Honor, in which players took the role of Lt. Jimmy Patterson as he fought his way through Europe using authentic weapons and amazing sound effects.

A year or so later, Steven Spielberg directed the movie that sparked off a mass interest in the Second World War. This film was Saving Private Ryan, and although containing many fictional and unrealistic elements, it left an image in many fans. The indirect result of this was the PlayStation 2 game, Medal of Honor Frontline, in which the series underwent its first realism makeover and employed an outstanding atmosphere.

Branching off from this was Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, the first PC Medal of Honor game, and an instant classic. Playing as Lt. Mike Powell, players went from North Africa to Norway to the beaches of Normandy, finally ending where Jimmy Patterson had once start: Fort Schmertzen. While lacking the immersive environment of Frontline, Allied Assault made up with plenty of action and firefights, making excellent use of the keyboard and mouse configuration and providing an easy-to-use interface. Allied Assault was a hit game, and arguably still better than its expansions, Spearhead and Breakthrough.

Like Frontline, Allied Assault uses accurately modelled weapons based on their real-life counterparts. These range from M1 Garands, Thompsons and MP40s to Stg44s and Panzerschrecks. Each weapon is unique in their properties and handling, just as each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

The purpose of this guide is to provide an in-depth look into historical backgrounds of these weapons, and how to use them effectively in game. By understanding their roots, one can improve their gaming experience in this classic game.

Unlike previous first-person shooters, Allied Assault accurately models weapons by implementing certain features into the game. While iron sights cannot be used, every weapon features a crosshair to indicate the approximate hit location.
 * Weapon Handling and Recoil

Every weapon also has a certain "cone of fire" extending from the weapon. At close ranges, bullets will have a very small hit pattern. At longer ranges, the bullet spread is drastically higher. The amount of spread varies between between weapons: rifles are almost pinpoint accurate to infinite ranges, while pistols will be quite erratic beyond 20 metres or so.

Also implemented is "recoil", the kickback caused by firing the weapon. Allied Assault simulates this by shaking the screen; the amount of shaking determined by the type of weapon fired. Machine guns will have a lot more recoil, while pistols will be quite stable.

With these factors in mind, it is important to consider the type of weapon used for any situation, given the range of firefights, the accuracy of the weapon and the amount of recoil it presents.

A small, relatively unimportant point to make is that in Allied Assault, ammunition is classified by type rather than weapon. Instead of picking up "Garand" rounds or "Thompson" ammo, you will instead pick up generic pistol, rifle, submachine gun and machine gun rounds, among others. The ammunition you pick up from a German rifle will be compatible with your Garand, and so on.
 * Ammunition

Obviously, this isn't exactly how it worked in real life, but that's how it is in Allied Assault, for simplicity's sake.

Pistols
Originally derived from incredibly shortened rifles, pistols grew from flintlock sidearms to revolver technology to semi-automatic, magazine-fed weapons, and ultimately to full-automatic mini-submachine guns. Light, easily concealable and accurate at short ranges, the pistol makes an excellent undercover weapon, and is most commonly used as a backup weapon for armed forces.

Allied Assault features three pistols, including one only available for single player.

While the Hi-Standard is not available in Multiplayer, the Colt .45 and Walther P-38 are automatically issued to players on the Allied and Axis teams respectively.
 * Tactics

Due to the pistols' lack of power, accuracy and ammunition capacity, it is always recommended to use a different weapon instead. Pistols are also the lightest weapons, so if you want to get from A to B faster without compromising the lack of defense due to holstering your weapon, a pistol is quite practical. Some snipers hold their pistols instead of their sniper rifles while on the move.

A standard tactic is to switch to the pistol during a weapon reload. Pulling out the pistol is generally faster than reloading a weapon, and allows you to quickly finish off a wounded opponent.

In Allied Assault, the pistol is also the only weapon that can be used in a melee attack. To initiate a melee attack, use the secondary fire button (default: right mouse button). A player at full health requires 2-3 melee hits to be killed. Since you must switch to a pistol to engage in melee combat, it is not recommended as a general combat tactic unless you already have your pistol out and have no other option, or simply want a humiliation kill.


 * Summary
 * Short range only
 * Only use as a backup weapon
 * Fast draw, fast run speed, inaccurate at long range

Colt 45

 * Name:                    M1911A1 Colt Automatic Pistol
 * Country of origin:      USA
 * Available for: Allies
 * Calibre:                .45 ACP
 * Magazine capacity:      7 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:        Single-action, recoil-operated
 * Weight: 1.08kg

The American sidearm, the Colt .45 is automatically available in most single player missions, and is given to all Allied players in multiplayer. The Colt .45 is accurate at close ranges, and feels very solid to fire. However, actual damage isn't much different from the German counterpart.

The Colt .45 should mainly be used as a backup weapon, especially when the primary weapon requires reloading. Accuracy is incredibly sporadic at longer ranges.

Like all pistols, the Colt .45 has a melee attack, activated by the secondary fire button (default: Right mouse button)

Designed by John Browning in 1900 and based off a previous civilian design, the Colt M1911A1 was adopted by the US Army in 1911 after winning competitive shooting trials in 1907. Various refinements were made after experience in the First World War. When fired, the pistol recoils, allowing the barrel to move downwards and back, ejecting the spent case and loading the next bullet. The Colt also features a manual catch and external hammer, as well as a safety grip that prevents the gun being fired unless held properly.
 * History

Initially, M1911A1's were not issued as a standard sidearm to American troops, and was given only to officers. However, many non-commissioned soldiers acquired their own M1911A1's, and they were later issued as a standard weapon for all troops.

The M1911A1 has remained the standard sidearm of the US Army until late in the 20th Century without any modifications; it needs none. A solid weapon and one of the finest pistols ever made, the M1911A1 packs a fierce punch and was a trusty companion for the American soldier.

Walther P38

 * Name:                    Walther Pistole 1938
 * Country of origin:      Germany
 * Available for: Axis
 * Calibre:                9 x 19mm Parabellum
 * Magazine capacity:      8 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:        Double-action, recoil-operated
 * Weight: 0.8kg

While not available in single player, the P-38 is automatically issued to all Axis players in multiplayer. The P-38 has little to separate it from the Colt .45, and is essentially the same weapon with one extra bullet.

The P-38 also has a melee attack.

Prior to the Second World War, the standard German pistol was Pistole-08, better known as the Luger. While comfortable to fire, it was too difficult to manufacture, and as such was considered inappropriate for mass production. When Hitler rose to power and began the massive redevelopment of the German armed forces, Walther designed the P-38 to replace the aging Luger and provide the German army with an easily produced handgun.
 * History

The P-38 was an advanced weapon for its time. It was the first weapon to feature a short, top-open slide, and had plastic hand grips, which made the weapon substantially lighter than contemporary handguns. The P-38 was accurate, comfortable to carry and fire, and very reliable.

After the war, the P-38 was modified with an aluminium frame instead of steel, and became the P-1, the standard handgun of the Bundeswehr, the West German Army. A later modification, with a shorter barrel, was adopted by the police as the P-4.

Hi-Standard Silenced

 * Name:                    OSS HiStandard Silenced Pistol HD-Military
 * Country of origin:      USA
 * Available for: Single Player
 * Calibre:                .22 LR
 * Magazine capacity:      10 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:        Blowback-operated
 * Weight: 1.46kg (unloaded)

Available only in single player undercover missions, the Hi-Standard Silenced is a formidable and often overlooked weapon. For its intended purpose, the Hi- Standard can be pulled out quickly to neutralize officers and key personnel without drawing attention or setting off the alarms.

On top of this, the Hi-Standard is an outstanding pseudo-shotgun. At close ranges, the Hi-Standard is very accurate and can take out a target with one hit. Even at long ranges, the hitting power of the Hi-Standard can still take out an enemy with a single shot, even though the accuracy plummets drastically. The downside is, of course, the manual operation and the incredibly slow rate of fire. While very powerful, an automatic would be preferable where stealth isn't necessary.

As with all pistols, the Hi-Standard has a melee attack.

Developed by the American Office of Strategic Services, the HiStandard Silenced Pistol utilized the best suppressor in the war. With a complicated development phase, including the testing of .45 ACP and M1 Carbine .30cal rounds for suppressed performance, the HiStandard pistol was selected as the best pistol for the job.
 * History

While several other suppressed pistols were developed in different countries, none could match the effectiveness of the HiStandard. The suppressor, screwed onto the protruding barrel, reduced the noise signature of the weapon by up to 20dB. The head of the OSS, William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan, claimed to have snuck into the Oval Office and fired several rounds into a sandbag while President Roosevelt was dictating a letter to his secretary.

The HiStandard was the most popular clandestine sidearm available, and although phased out and now out of production, remained in use by agents in the field during the Vietnam War. A HiStandard was found in the possession of Francis Gary Powers, a U2 spy plane pilot shot down over Russia during the Cold War.

Rifles
The standard weapon of every army in WWII, rifles have a long history. Being one of the first developments of firearms, the rifled gun allowed a projectile to be fired further and with more accuracy. As time progressed, the rifle was improved with repeating functions, box magazines and semi-automatic fire. At the time of WWII, only the American army had a semi-automatic rifle as their standard weapon. The others continued to use their old rifles from WWI, tried and true, and they remained in use throughout WWII even after other weapons had been developed.

Before the development of assault carbines such as the M4A1, rifles were primarily intended for long-range engagements, as weapon length and recoil were difficult to manage in cramped combat environments.

Allied Assault features both scoped and non-scoped rifles. Both types handle very similarly, and are both included in the Rifle tab in the weapon loadout interface.

Speaking strictly in terms of Multplayer, there are two distinct rifle kits: the regular rifle kit, containing the M1 Garand or Kar98k, and the sniper set, which uses the Springfield '03 or Scoped Kar98k. Despite the obvious scope difference, the only practical difference is that the sniper sets are more suited to long range work due to their zoom magnifications.
 * Tactics

Regardless, regular rifles can be used for the same purposes, but without the restrictions of having a scope. Regular rifles are lighter, and therefore players can run faster with them. They also do excellent damage, and while they generally aren't suitable for close combat, the M1 Garand can easily hold its own against even submachine guns.

The use of both sniper rifles and regular rifles is more or less similar. You can either pick a nice spot to cover an approach or chokepoint and pick off enemies who appear, or one can roam around with a rifle to take out anything they come across. Naturally, the sniper rifles are more suitable for the former, while the regular rifles are better for the latter. Still, both are similar enough for use in either situation.

Unfortunately, Allied Assault does a poor job of modelling rifle damage. While the Springfield and Scoped Kar98k are more than strong enough with their one- hit kill potential, the M1 Garand and Kar98k are amazingly weak, and turn out to be quite impractical. As such, regular rifles are more of a novelty weapon rather than a practical firearm. Long range work is best left to sniper rifles and even machine guns, while short range work is dominated by submachine guns.


 * Summary
 * Long range purposes
 * Moderately powered
 * Sniper rifles have excellent zoom magnification
 * Sniper rifles are usually one-hit kills in the head and torso
 * Regular rifles are generally not too useful

M1 Garand

 * Name:                    M1 Garand
 * Country of origin:        USA
 * Available for:            American
 * Calibre:                  .30-06 (7.62 x 63mm)
 * Magazine capacity:      8 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:        Semi-automatic, gas-operated
 * Weight: 4.32kg

Available early on in single player and selectable in Multiplayer, the M1 Garand is a solid, easy to use and powerful weapon. Being a rifle, the M1 Garand can take out a target in 2-4 shots or one shot to the head, and being a semi-automatic rifle, it can get those shots in very fast. The Garand has a bit of a kick when firing very quickly, but the recoil is easily controllable.

Note that the Garand cannot be reloaded in the middle of a clip. All 8 rounds must be fired off before a fresh clip can be loaded.

After the First World War, America realised the need to provide an automatic weapon as a standard weapon for their troops. The M1903 Springfield, despite its power, accuracy and reliability, did not provide a large volume of fire. This was the requirement under which John C. Garand designed the Garand rifle. Operated by a gas piston underneath the barrel, which rotated the bolt after each shot, the Garand was able to fire as fast as the soldier could pull the trigger. The only flaw in the design came with the fact that the Garand could only be loaded with a full clip, preventing the firer from topping up.
 * History

Also as a result of en-bloc clip, the rifle made a characteristic "ping" sound when the final round in a clip was fired. Japanese soldiers used this to time their charges, and later the Chinese and North Koreans did the same in the Korean War.

Officially adopted by the American army in 1932, America started the war as the only country with a semi-automatic weapon as a standard-issue weapon. Despite a shortage in M1 Garands, the weapon was issued to all frontline riflemen, proving to be an effective weapon by providing fast and accurate fire, giving Americans the firepower advantage over German riflemen. Indeed, the M1 Garand is one of the best combat rifles ever designed, and remained in use in the Korean and Vietnam Wars in both its original and its M1C/M1D sharpshooter variants.

Springfield '03 Sniper

 * Name:                    M1903A4 Springfield
 * Country of origin:             USA
 * Available for:                 American, British
 * Calibre:                       .30-06 (7.62 x 63mm)
 * Magazine capacity:             5 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:              Bolt-action
 * Weight: 3.94kg

The American counterpart to the Scoped Kar98k, the Springfield '03 is available in many single player missions, and is selectable as the sniper set in Multiplayer. Like the Scoped Kar98k, the Springfield is best used for long range precision fire, but can also be fired at short range in an emergency.

The scope can be brought up by using the secondary fire button. The scope consists of a generic thin black crosshair. While easier to use than the German T-crosshair, the Springfield crosshair can obstruct vision of a target.

Note that the Springfield, despite doing the same damage as the Scoped Kar98k, fires at a slightly slower rate.

In the 1890's, the US Army was looking into several rifle designs for adoption. Among them, the Mauser caught their eye, and soon they purchased licenses to copy certain parts of the Mauser. In 1900, the first Springfield rifle was developed. However, this weapon proved to be unsatisfactory, and it was re-designed along with its bullet. Chambered for the .30 round developed in 1906 (hence, .30-06), the Springfield modified several features of the Mauser design, including a two-piece bolt and improved rear-sights. The Springfield was the standard-issue rifle of the American Army in WWI.
 * History

The Springfield underwent some refinements and modifications, including the Pederson Device, which converted the Springfield into a light automatic weapon firing a special round, intended to allow a charging soldier to continue to suppress enemy positions out of machine gun range. However, the war ended before it could be used, so all converted Springfields were scrapped. The M1903A3 was introduced in 1942, designed for mass-production and supplied units before the M1 Garand was finally shipped to all units, which was somewhat later in the Pacific theatre.

The M1903A4 was the sniper variant of the Springfield, featuring permanent blocks to attach a telescopic sight and had the iron sights removed, giving a curious "naked" look. The standard weapon for snipers, the Springfield was incredibly accurate and reliable.

Mauser KAR 98K

 * Name:                    Mauser Karabiner 1898 Kurz
 * Country of origin:        Germany
 * Available for:            German
 * Calibre:                  7.92 x 57mm Mauser
 * Magazine capacity:        5 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:        Bolt-action
 * Weight: 3.92kg

While Allied Assault has both a regular Kar98k rifle and a scoped Kar98k, technically they are both the same weapon, and as such they are both listed under this entry.

The Scoped Kar98k is available in several single player missions, and is selectable as a sniper weapon in Multiplayer. The secondary fire button brings up the scope reticule, which consists of two black lines coming in from the sides, and one line coming up from the bottom with a sharp tip. The tip of the middle line indicates the point of impact. The Scoped Kar98k can be fired with perfect accuracy while unscoped, but is a bit more cumbersome to use. Note that the Scoped Kar98k fires faster than its American counterpart, the Springfield '03. Also, the Scoped Kar98k reloads one round at a time.

The non-scoped Kar98k is selectable in Multiplayer in the rifle set. The Kar98k is faster to run with, easier to swing around and can kill in 2-3 hits. However, it is a bolt-action rifle, and has a much slower rate of fire. This makes it unsuitable for close combat. The Kar98k reloads using a 5-round charger.

Note that the regular Kar98k CAN be found in single player. On the Omaha Beach level, do NOT pick up the Springfield found in the crater next to the bunker. You can then pick up a Kar98k after killing a German inside the bunker complex.

The Mauser company has a strong and successful history, known especially for several weapons: the C/96 Military Model pistol, which fired a 7.93mm round, numerous rifles including the Kar98k, and undoubtedly the best machine gun of the war: the MG42.
 * History

Mauser's success began with the German adoption of a Mauser rifle in 1871, which eventually culminated in the Gewehr 98. The Gewehr 98 proved to be the most powerful yet safest bolt-action rifle of its time, and was used for civilian purposes such as sport. One of its features was the inclusion of a fully internal magazine, which held 5 rounds and was contained perfectly in the wooden furniture, making it comfortable to sling. This later proved to be quite restrictive due to the low amount of ammunition, but was welcome nonetheless. The Gewehr 98 was also manufactured from the finest materials with precision gunmaking techniques, setting it apart from other weapons of its kind. It was during this time that military enthusiasts did away with the separate long rifles and carbines and used a medium-length rifle for all units. This led to the shorter Karabiner 98 model, and it was gradually refined to the standard-issue Kar98k model. Due to its exceptional accuracy, many Kar98k's were issued with scopes as a standard sniper's weapon.

The Kar98k's power and accuracy came from the locking mechanism. It consisted of three locking lugs: two at the front of the bolt and one at the rear, giving maximum power. The catch was that the bolt-action was somewhat awkward, requiring a 90 degree rotation utilising the firer's right arm. Due to this action, the Kar98k could not match the fast rate of fire of the Lee-Enfield, which only required the use of the firer's wrist. Despite this, the Kar98k proved to be extremely reliable and remained the standard infantry weapon of the German army, especially with the shortage of Stg44's.

KAR98 - Sniper
See Mauser KAR 98K above.

Submachine guns
The premise of the submachine gun came from the need to equipment regular infantry soldiers with a weapon capable of outputting a large amount of firepower. The light machine gun made this possible, but it was impractical to equip every soldier with it. The solution was to create an automatic weapon firing pistol ammunition, and this spawned the submachine gun.

Early models, such as the Thompson and MP18, were manufactured with traditional methods, including wooden furniture. Later in the war, cheaper, mass-produced models were designed, including the PPS-43, Sten and MP40. While crude and often disliked, these weapons equipped many squad members, and whole Russian Guards units were equipped with them.

Modern submachine guns are now made out of modern plastics, and come in various shapes and sizes, varying from the rifle-style MP5 to the incredibly small, automatic pistol-shaped Mini-Uzis.

The submachine gun, in Allied Assault as in real life, is primarily intended for close quarters combat. While damage does not decline over distance, submachine guns quickly lose effectiveness over long ranges due to the greater loss in accuracy, resulting in a much larger spray pattern.
 * Tactics

Of course, that isn't to say that a distant target cannot be killed with a submachine gun. By firing in short bursts or squeezing off single rounds, especially when aiming at the torso, the submachine gun can hit distant targets, and the recoil can bring the weapon up to score a headshot.

At medium ranges, firing in longer, 4-5 round burst. Strafe your opponent to make it harder to be hit, while maintain your crosshair over the enemy's torso and firing when the target runs across your cross hair. "Walk" the shots up to the target's head, as indicated by the hit puffs rising from the weapon's recoil.

At close ranges, just spray and pray. There's a lot of luck involved, and tactics will not ultimately determine the outcome of the skirmish.

Most importantly, know when to engage a target and when not to. The submachine gun is simply not suited for long-distance firefights, especially if the enemy has a machine gun or sniper rifle. It is better to break off contact and attack from a different approach to swing the battleground back onto your terms; that is, close combat.


 * Summary
 * Best suited for close quarters combat
 * Fire in bursts at medium-long ranges
 * Spray and pray at close ranges
 * Good firepower, reasonable ammunition capacity

MP40

 * Name:                        Maschinenpistole 1940
 * Country of origin:          Germany
 * Available for:              Axis
 * Calibre:                    9 x 19mm Parabellum
 * Magazine capacity:          32 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:            Full-automatic, blowback-operated
 * Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute
 * Weight: 4.7kg

While having a slower rate of fire than the American Thompson, and with a much more erratic spray pattern, the MP40 is surprisingly good for squeezing off one- or two-round bursts at long distance targets, making the MP40 slightly better at long-range engagements than the Thompson. The MP40 has 2 more rounds in the magazine than the Thompson, but it has negligible impact on actual performance.

Prior to the Second World War, the German Army began re-arming its war machine. After observing events in the Spanish Civil War, the German Army approached designer Berthold Giepel to design a submachine gun. Giepel submitted a pre-made prototype in 1938, which was accepted into service as the Maschinen Pistole 38, or MP38. However, it was still manufactured using traditional methods, so it was improved and designated the MP40, using more steel stampings and welding to facilitate mass-production and incorporating several safety features.
 * History

The MP40 was a revolutionary weapon for its time. It was the first weapon to use all-metal construction as well as featuring a folding metal stock. It also featured a small 'lip' under the muzzle, allowing it to be fired from a vehicle without it jerking back. It was incredibly light, and more importantly it was cheap and easy to manufacture. Firing up to 500 rounds per minute, the MP40 was an extremely effective weapon and issued to officers and assault units.

Although crude in appearance compared to traditional weapons such as the Thompson, the MP40 was distinctive in its appearance and become the trademark image of the Wehrmacht soldier.

Thompson

 * Name:                      M1A1 Thompson
 * Country of origin:          USA
 * Available for:              Allies
 * Calibre:                    .45 ACP
 * Magazine capacity:          30 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:          Selective-fire, delayed-blowback operated
 * Rate of fire: 700 rounds per minute
 * Weight: 4.78kg

Of the two submachine guns, the Thompson has the faster rate of fire. On top of that, the spray pattern of the Thompson is also a lot more concentrated, so a longer, sustained bursts has more chance of hitting a target.

While going all out in close range is pretty much the standard tactic, go for shorter bursts for long-distance targets. Even better: rather than try to snipe a target at long range, simply do not engage with a submachine gun, and instead try a different approach to the target.

The Thompson's damage is wholly impressive. The main source of kills will come from the ability to hit a target multiple times in a short period.

Note that the Thompson in Allied Assault fires in full-automatic only.

Developed by General John T. Thompson during the First World War, the Thompson was intended as a 'trench broom' to sweep German trenches. The war ended before it was perfected, so it was produced and sold to various countries before being adopted by the US Army. The Thompson was a completely new weapon, finely machined and manufactured to the highest standards. Its main feature was the Blish delayed-blowback system, which consisted of a wedge closing the breech while chamber pressure was high, but opened after the bullet left the barrel, allowing the bolt to recoil, eject the spent case and load the next round. On top of this, the Thompson featured a Cutts compensator, which reduced the gun's tendency to rise when fired on full automatic, and a wooden pistol fore-grip. Designated the M1928, the Thompson was common in US and British forces, being issued 20- and 30-round box magazines as well as a 50-round drum which was later phased out due to the loud noise it made when on the move.
 * History

During this time, the Thompson was popular among American police units as well as crime organizations, being the favored weapon of many hit-and-runs.

The M1928 Thompson was a complicated weapon to manufacture and was very expensive. To simplify production, the Cutts compensator was discarded, the wooden-foregrip was replaced with a conventional fore-end stock, the separate firing pin was fixed to the bolt and the Blish system was replaced with a conventional delayed blowback system. The latter caused some grief, since the Blish system was what made the Thompson a unique weapon, but this was resolved after threats of independent production. This model became the M1 Thompson, and remained in favor with troops even after cheaper weapons such as the M3 Grease Gun came into service. A final modification came in the form of the M1A1, which replaced the firing pin and hammer with a firing pin machined into the bolt face.

Although slightly on the heavy side, the Thompson was the most reliable weapon of its type, and remained in service until the Vietnam War.

Machine guns
By definition, a machine gun is a weapon design to output a massive amount of firepower to suppress enemy positions. Technically speaking, the two machine guns in the game aren't machine guns. However, in Allied Assault they are heavier, more powerful alternatives to the submachine guns, and so they are lumped into the machine gun category.

Typically speaking, the BAR and Stg44 should mainly be used for medium-range work. At this range, both weapons will not be crippled by the fast and frantic submachine gun, nor are they at a range disadvantage against rifles. This is their optimum range.
 * Tactics

Of course, both can be used at shorter and longer ranges. The Stg44 is more suitable for close ranges, while the BAR is more effective at longer ranges. Being able to master these weapons at any range can create a very efficient killing machine.

Unfortunately, the weight factor plays a heavy part. One of the main dissuasions against machine guns is the slow running speed, compared to the much lighter submachine guns, which are practically toned down versions of the machine guns.

Unlike submachine guns and rifles, machine guns can engage targets at practically any range with a certain level of effectiveness. As such, do not be afraid to take on enemies at really long or really short distances, even if the odds are against you. Controlled, accurate fire is what the machine guns do best.


 * Summary
 * Good for all ranges
 * Best at medium range
 * Full-automatic, excellent for assaults
 * Accurate, powerful
 * Heavier than most weapons

BAR

 * Name:                          M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle
 * Country of origin:            USA
 * Available for:                Allies
 * Calibre:                      .30-06 (7.62 x 63mm)
 * Magazine capacity:            20 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:              Full-automatic, gas-operated
 * Rate of fire: 450 or 650 rounds per minute, selectable
 * Weight: 8.8kg with empty magazine

Available as the American machine gun, the BAR is a solid, accurate and hard- hitting weapon. The Allied Assault version only fires in the slow-automatic mode (ie. it does not have a select-fire feature), and hence is substantially slower than the Stg44 and submachine guns.

The BAR is heavy, a bit slow to reload, and its 20-round magazine can be exhausted quite quickly despite its slow rate of fire. However, it is amazingly accurate at longer ranges, and is more suited for medium-long range combat rather than close ranges.

Fire the weapon in short bursts at long ranges to prevent the recoil from getting out of hand. At close ranges it doesn't really matter, but the significant recoil can be manipulated to score lethal headshots.

Designed in 1915-16 by John M. Browning, who also developed the M1911 Colt pistol and .30 and .50 cal machine guns, the Browning Automatic Rifle filled the role of 'squad automatic weapon'. Although intended as an assault weapon, the BAR proved to be an effective support weapon and was adopted by the Belgian, Polish and Swedish armies. The BAR underwent some modifications, including changing the position of the bipod, and later models had a variable fire option, changing from 550 rounds per minute to faster rates of fire.
 * History

A typical squad had one BAR gunner, and later in the war the number was increased to two per squad. BAR gunners usually had an assistant to carry more ammunition, and because of the importance of the BAR's steady firepower, it was often entrusted to the most reliable soldier. Many men preferred to use the BAR without its bipod to save weight.

Despite its effectiveness, the BAR was never as good as the designer hoped. It was way too heavy to be an effective rifle. The weight alone made it a pain to shoulder, and the vibration from firing made it impossible to maintain a steady aim. On the other hand, it was too light to be an effective light machine gun. It was unstead on its bipod, its 20-round magazine meant it had to be reloaded frequently, the bottom-mounted magazine made it difficult to reload from a prone position, and the barrel couldn't be changed when it overheated.

Despite these shortcomings, the BAR remained a solid weapon and was kept in service for over 50 years in various armies, while leftovers were sold to other nations.

StG 44

 * Name:                          Sturmgewehr 44
 * Country of origin:            Germany
 * Available for:                Axis
 * Calibre:                      7.92 x 33mm Kurz
 * Magazine capacity:            30 rounds
 * Firing mechanism:              Selective-fire, gas-operated
 * Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute
 * Weight: 5.22kg

The Stg44 isn't just a souped-up version of the MP40. It's almost a perfect weapon in itself. And so it should be, an entire single player mission is dedicated to capturing a specimen for investigation (and to tear through countless Germans).

The weapon has a fast rate of fire, reasonably low recoil, very high damage, respectable accuracy AND has a 30-round magazine. The Stg44 can be used in short burst for long range fire and suppression, and longer bursts for close range combat and assault purposes. The Stg44 is THE assault rifle, and is an outstanding combination of all weapons.

Of course, the weapon itself isn't invincible. Submachine guns are lighter and fire faster, while rifles and the BAR outmatch it in accuracy. Despite all this, the Stg44 is a formidable weapon and certainly a match for any weapon at any range.

Note that the Allied Assault version of the Stg44 does not feature select-fire. It can only fire in full-automatic.

In the 1930's, German military authorities questioned the purpose of the standard infantry rifle. It was realised that even the earliest rifles were capable of firing a bullet to distances over 1000m. It was almost impossible for a soldier to see that far, let alone aim and hit something at that distance. This realisation set off the possibility of using a shorter cartridge, reducing effective range, but at the same time reducing weight, allowing the soldier to carry more ammunition. In 1940, the Maschinen Karabiner 42 was developed as a prototype weapon and tested on the Russian Front. It was an effective weapon according to the principles behind it, and many features were taken from it and incorporated into the new rifle in development. The developers eagerly requested Hitler's permission to produce the weapon. Hitler proved stubborn, and using the very beliefs that the principles proved wrong, Hitler criticised the ineffective range of the new cartridge and denied permission for the weapon to be produced.
 * History

This caused a problem for the designers. They had already equipped their factories to mass-produce the weapon, and in fact had already started making them. Without Hitler's permission, they continued to manufacture the weapon and issued it to troops as the "MP44", disguised as a submachine gun. This in turn please Hitler due to exceptional submachine gun production figures. That was until Hitler held a meeting with his generals, who requested more of the "new rifles". After a brief period of anger, the Fuhrer finally accepted the rifle and named it the "Sturmgewehr", the "Assault Rifle".

Despite this official acceptance, production never caught up with demand. Being made out of steel-stampings and plastics, the Sturmgewehr 44 was a revolutionary weapon, the first of a class of weapons that are now standard in today's armies.

Grenades
History doesn't extend so far back for grenades, but the concept itself has been around for a while. Ever since the development of portable explosives, devices have been used to throw or otherwise launch an explosive to reasonable distances. Originally, such devices might have involved gunpowder wrapped in some sort of packaging, and afterwards sticks of dynamite. The modern grenade appeared in the 20th century in different forms, and have kept similar trends in design. Grenades were also used for other purposes, such as smoke screens or specific destruction of equipment.

Allied Assault features one grenade for each team. Grenades do splash damage, and are definitely a tactically useful weapon.

One of the easiest, hardest hitting weapons to use, the grenade offers a medium-range solution to clearing out rooms and flushing out enemies. Distance is determined by the angle the grenade is thrown at. With experience, grenades can be lobbed precisely behind obstacles and through windows.
 * Tactics

The tactical use of the grenade will minimize risk before storming a strong point or a suspected enemy location. If you think an enemy might be inside the next room, lob a grenade in. After the grenade explodes, rush in with a weapon and finish the target off. If the grenade doesn't kill them, they will be heavily wounded and will be at a significant disadvantage against you.

Grenades are also excellent for taking out massed concentrations of enemies. However, if friendly fire is on, be careful of where you lob grenades: more likely than not, your own teammates will be right next to the enemy units.

You cannot cook grenades in Allied Assault. Grenades typically have a 5-second fuse, which begins the moment you release the grenade from your hand. You could hold the grenade in your hand as long as you want despite pulling the pin, and it won't blow up.


 * Summary
 * Short-medium range use
 * Explosive blast radius
 * Can be lobbed into rooms and windows
 * Can't be cooked

Frag Grenade

 * Name: Mark II Fragmentation Grenade
 * Country of origin: USA
 * Available for: Allies

Issued to all American soldiers, the Frag grenade is similar to its German counterpart. The Frag grenade has a shorter throwing distance, but a larger blast radius. Damage is very high, and any enemies caught in the center of the blast is practically guaranteed death.

When the United States entered the First World War, it became apparent that they lacked a standard-issue hand grenade. Basing their designs off the existing British Mills Bomb and the French F-1 grenade, the Mk I grenade was developed.
 * History

The Mk I grenade featured a serrated surface, with 40 segments divided into 8 columns and five rows, which sprayed shrapnel in all directions upon detonation. The grenade also featured a complicated safety mechanism to ensure that the thrower did not harm himself before the grenade was thrown.

This safety mechanism was the ultimate cause to the failure of the Mk I grenade. The throw had to remove the split pin, then turn the safety lever before throwing the grenade. Consequently, when trialed in combat, a fair proportioned of grenades were not properly armed. Commanders immediately demanded that the grenade be put out of service.

The Mark II grenade was then designed. It used the same charge and configuration as the Mark I, but featured a shorter safety lever, resembling the Mills grenade. The thrower could hold the grenade as long as he wanted to, provided he kept the lever closed. As soon as the lever is released, the five second fuse kicked in. These grenades were initially painted bright yellow, the official color of ordnance, but was repainted in olive drab due to the impracticality of carrying a bright yellow grenade in combat.

Nicknamed the "Pineapple" due to its shape, the Mk II had a tendency to break up into large chunks upon detonation, resulting in uneven fragmentation patterns. It was used until the Vietnam War in the 1960's, supplementing the M26 grenade. After the War they were phased out of combat.

Stielhandgranate

 * Name: Stielhandgranate 24
 * Country of origin: Germany
 * Available for: Axis

The German counterpart to the American Frag grenade, the Stielhandgranate can be thrown further, but has a smaller blast radius.

Nicknamed the "Potato Masher" due to its curious shape, this German stick grenade became a typical image of the Wehrmacht soldier. The Stielhandgranate featured a small explosive "head" attached to a long wooden handle. The handle allowed the thrower to throw the grenade much further than an ordinary grenade. To arm the grenade, the thrower had to unscrew the cap off the base and pull it, which started the 4-5 second fuse.
 * History

Despite its distance advantage, the Stielhandgranate was not as effective as other grenades. The main reason was because it relied more in explosive damage rather than fragmentation. The rather erratic fuse also meant that it was difficult to cook properly, resulting in grenades being thrown back or even blowing up in the thrower's hand.

Despite popular belief, the Stielhandgranate was not the only grenade used by the German army. The Germans also used an "Egg" grenade which resembled contemporary grenades and was much smaller.

Heavy weapons
Allied Assault seems to have lobbed every other weapon into its own category: Heavy Weapons. This category contains the Shotgun, the Bazooka and the Panzerschreck. Each weapon will have their own background.

Shotgun

 * Name: Winchester M1897 Shotgun
 * Country of origin: USA
 * Available for: All
 * Calibre: 12 gauge
 * Magazine capacity: 6 rounds (including one in chamber)
 * Firing mechanism: Pump-action
 * Weight: 3.15kg

Close range monster.

That's the only way to describe the Shotgun. Available for both teams, the shotgun is reasonably lightweight. Accuracy is pitiful at long range, but at close range, this thing KILLS. Point blank shots will definitely kill in one hit, and medium range hits will usually cripple enemies down to 10% of their health or so. The closer the target, the more shotgun pellets hit, and hence the more damage.

The shotgun reloads one shell at a time, and can take some time to reload to full capacity. However, reloading speed for individual shells is quite fast, and you can instantly fire during reload to send more shells desperately at enemies. A common tactic is to continue firing until the magazine is empty, load a single round, then fire again. The speed difference between a regular pump action and a reload is marginal. Even at long range, pellets will still continue to chip down at health until they engage in close range.

Naturally, the best scenario to use the Shotgun is at close range. However, the absolute dominance of this weapon leads to many complaints, and in many ways the Shotgun is "overpowered".

Another design by the famed John M. Browning, the Winchester M1897 was developed to dominate the conditions found in the First World War. During the American Civil War, shotguns were used to some success, and were employed sporadically throughout military history. The Americans in the First World War realized the suitable combat environment for shotguns in the narrow trenches of the Western Front, and by designing a rapid-fire shotgun and issuing it to front line troops, devastating impacts were made.
 * History

The M97 Winchester shotgun was lighter than the contemporary Springfield M1903 rifle and had a much shorter barrel, allowing it to be easily carried and swung around. The 12 gauge shotgun shells, at such close ranges, tore through enemy soldiers. There are reports of Germans attacking American lines, running into a torrent of shotgun pellets and quickly being turned into a pile of carcasses. Because of how devastating the Winchester shotgun was, the Germans demanded that such a weapon be banned under the rules of war.

A special heat shield grip was used in trenches to prevent the weapon from being damage during and between shots. Five rounds were stored in the tubular magazine under the barrel, with one round in the chamber itself. Some shotguns had a special bayonet adapter, which could attach a standard-issue bayonet.

The M97 was used by all military arms at some point or another, and was employed in smaller numbers in the Second World War. As newer and better shotguns were developed, the Winchester began to be phased out, but still saw use in Korea and Vietnam.

Bazooka

 * Name: M9A1 "Bazooka"
 * Country of origin: USA
 * Available for: Allies
 * Calibre: 2.36in (60mm) rocket
 * Magazine capacity: 1 round
 * Firing mechanism: Electric-ignited, rocket-fired
 * Weight: 6.5kg (unloaded)

Monster.

That's the only way to describe the Bazooka. While the Shotgun dominates at close range, the Bazooka dominates everywhere. 90% of the time, any target caught in its blast radius will die. The blast radius is just as large as grenades, and it is MUCH easier to use. Just a simple point-and-click action.

Thankfully, there are SOME disadvantages. The Bazooka is painfully slow to walk around with, making you a very easy target. Rockets have a nasty tendency to spiral out of control at longer ranges, a rocketeer can only carry several rockets, and reload time is very, very slow. Still, for a weapon that can take out 2-3 enemies per shot, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

It is generally accepted that the Bazooka is a cheap weapon and should not be used. New players are drawn to the Bazooka for obvious reasons, and are not afraid to kill themselves by firing a rocket a close range if they know they can take out another enemy.

To combat the armored threat that Germany was known to possess, the Americans began developing close-range countermeasures for infantry. The idea at the time was a .60 cal anti-tank rifle, following the trend set by other nations with their anti-tank rifles.
 * History

At the same time, the "shaped-charge" principle was developed. The principle, otherwise known as the hollow-charged principle, consisted of an explosive molded into a conical shape and placed within a copper cone. The igniter was located at the base of the cone, and the resulting explosion forced a burst of intensely hot particles through the cone at incredibly high speeds, capable of forcing through thick steel plates and effectively piercing them. While not yet developed as a weapon, the US Army saw the potential in this system and procured many of these warheads.

The actual development of the weapon came from US Army Captain Leslie Skinner and Navy Lieutenant Edward Uhl. Known for his experiments with mortars and rockets, Skinner modified a mortar tube and used a rocket propellant for the shaped-charged warheads. With this design complete, Skinner used the model as part of a demonstration of anti-tank weapons.

This rocket launcher was only a sideshow to the hyped anti-tank rifles. However, while the anti-tank rifles had mediocre performance, Skinner's rocket launcher obliterated every target it was used against. Accurate at short ranges, and successfully blowing the turret right off a Sherman, the rocket launcher shocked and impressed Army officials, and the weapon was adopted on the spot as the M1 Rocket Launcher, and was mass produced afterwards. Troops nicknamed the weapon the "Bazooka", after its physical resemblance to the Bazooka sound instrument invented by Bob Burns.

The M1 Bazooka used electric ignition to fire the rocket (loaded from the rear), powered by batteries stored in the wooden shoulder stock, and also had a wooden fore-grip. The tube itself was one-piece, and the warheads were attached to a fin-stablised rocket. The weapon had to be switched "on" to be fired, and its status was indicated by an on/off lamp on the shoulder stock. The M1A1 model did away with the on/off system, removed the wooden fore-grip and introduced a disc-shaped mesh shield to protect the firer from the backblast. The latter proved to be cumbersome and ineffective, and was not used by troops, instead being replaced with an iron funnel.

The M9A1 model was a major overhaul. The one-piece tube was replaced with a two-piece tube, which could be split for easier transportation, and the wooden grip and stock were replaced with iron ones. The batteries were proven to be unreliable and were replaced with a small generator. The iron muzzle funnel used in the M1A1 was standardized as part of the M9A1, and the iron sights were replaced with optical sights. The M9A1 was produced during and after 1944.

One final version of the Bazooka appeared towards the end of the war and used afterwards. The M20 "Super Bazooka" made several refinements to the M9A1 model and fired a 3.5in rocket, easily multiplying damage by up to three times, and could literally obliterate a T-34 tank.

Bazooka teams usually consisted of a gunner, who aimed and fired the rocket, and a loader/assistant, who loaded the weapon and observed the shot.

Panzerschreck

 * Name: Raketenpanzerbüchse 54 "Panzerschreck"
 * Country of origin: Germany
 * Available for: Axis
 * Calibre: 3.46in (8.8cm) rocket
 * Magazine capacity: 1 round
 * Firing mechanism: Electric-ignited, rocket-fired
 * Weight: 7.46kg

The Axis counterpart to the Allied Bazooka, the Panzerschreck is identical in every respect. The rockets kill in one hit, have a large blast radius, tends to be inaccurate, has slow reload, etc.

And, like the Bazooka, the Panzerschreck is horrendously overpowered, and is looked down upon by other players.

The only difference between the Panzerschreck and Bazooka of some significance is that the Panzerschreck has a front shield, which does nothing to stop bullets, but does a good job at hindering vision.

During the North Africa campaign, the German army discovered an amazing American weapon: the "Bazooka", a rocket launcher firing fin-stabilized shaped- charge warheads, and capable of devastating tanks. Realizing the potential for this weapon, and acknowledging that it was superior to any infantry anti-tank weapon they had, the Bazooka was copied and improved, forming the Raketenpanzerbüchse 43, "Rocket Tank Rifle".
 * History

Popularly known as the Panzerschreck, "Tank Terror", and Ofenrohr, "Stove Pipe", among the troops, the weapon was essentially the same as the M9A1 Bazooka. The Panzerschreck used a metal shoulder stock and fired rockets using an electric ignition system. However, to improve the performance of the Panzerschreck, the Germans opted for the 8.8cm rocket as the projectile, rather than the smaller 6.0cm rocket used in the Bazooka, resulting in a far superior weapon.

The trigger assembly had two triggers: one trigger cocked the magnetic ignition system, and the second trigger pushed the magnetic rod through a coil, generating the electric current necessary to fire the rocket. The rocket itself was stablized in flight by a steel ring at the rear, similar to aircraft bombs. The rockets were available in summer and winter version, each with different propellant loadings for different thermal conditions.

One of the flaws of the Panzerschreck was that the rocket propellant continued to burn for a few seconds after launch, putting the firer at risk of being burnt. Initially, firers wore gloves and a mask, but the later Raketenpanzerbüchse 54 rectified the problem by installing a metal blast shield at the front of the trigger assembly.

Like the American Bazooka teams, the Panzerschreck was best used in a two-man team with a gunner and a loader. Early teams had little success due to overconfidence in the Panzerschreck's design, resulting in engagements of up to 1000m, despite the Panzerschreck only being effective to 150m or so. It took some time for the Panzerschreck's abilities to be gauged and realized, surpassing the Panzerfaust.

Other weapons
Below are various weapons found throughout the game that don't fall into the categories above.

MG42

 * Name:                          Maschinengewehr 1942
 * Country of origin:             Germany
 * Available for:                 All (fixed locations)
 * Calibre:                       7.92 x 57mm Mauser
 * Magazine capacity:             250-round linkable belts
 * Firing mechanism:              Full-automatic, recoil-operated
 * Rate of fire: 1200 rounds per minute
 * Weight: 11.5kg on bipod

MG42s are found sporadically throughout single player, and in several multiplayer maps. The single player emplacements are pretty good for taking out large numbers of Germans swarming you.

In multiplayer, however, MG42 positions are poorly located. More often than not, an MG42 will be sitting in the middle of nowhere, pointing at a position not even worth firing at. Even worse, your player model will be in a half- standing, half-crouching position, making you hopeless immobile and vulnerable to any attack. MG42's are bullet magnets; they are never worth manning in multiplayer.

MG42s have unlimited ammunition and no overheating. They are, however, very inaccurate, benefiting mainly from the incredible firepower it can deliver.

In the 1930s, the German Army required a machine gun to rearm its forces. After a few unsatisfactory adoptions, the Mauser company came up with a revolutionary design: the MG34. It incorporated several new features: the "straight-line" principle, where the butt is part of the barrel line, reducing the tendency to rise when firing on full-automatic, the use of 50-round belts that could be linked to form longer belts, and even the use of a double-drum magazine. A fast, accurate weapon, the MG-34 was a good weapon.
 * History

Too good, perhaps. It used the same manufacturing techniques as traditionally- made weapons, being very time- and labor-consuming. To rectify this problem, changes were made to the MG34, using as much metal stampings and pressings as possible, making it easier to produce the weapon while maintaining reliability. This was achieved and designated the MG42, as well as notching the rate of fire over 1200 rounds per minute. At this level, it is impossible for the human ear to pick out individual rounds being fired, only hearing a "brrp" sound that was feared by anyone on the receiving end. This extremely high rate of fire tended to overheat the barrel, which could easily be changed in a few seconds.

The MG42 was a General Purpose Machine Gun, being used as a light machine gun as well as a heavy machine gun mounted on a tripod. Interestingly, many infantry tactics were centered around the MG42. This was fair, since the MG42 provided more firepower than an entire squad. The MG squad was handpicked and consisted of seasoned veterans. The most decorated soldier carried and fired the MG42, while the second best soldier fed the MG42 and replaced the barrel. The two least experienced soldiers, usually new conscripts, did nothing but carry ammunition. The rest of the crew covered all possible approaches to the MG42. The MG42 itself was exempt from a 'stand fast' order, relocating to a better, pre-planned position to resume firing. This order of battle was extremely effective. The squad may be crippled, but as long as the MG42 was still operational, the remainder could put up more firepower than any Allied squad.

Although the original MG42 has been phased out, many of its features are used in modern machine guns like the M60. As a testament to its revolutionary design though, the MG42 is still in use by the German Army as the MG3, rechambered for the 7.62mm NATO round.

.30cal Mounted Machine Gun

 * Name: Browning M1919 .30cal Light Machine Gun
 * Country of origin: USA
 * Available for: Single Player (Jeep)
 * Calibre: .30-06 (7.62 x 63mm)
 * Magazine capacity: Unlimited in game
 * Firing mechanism: Full-automatic, recoil-operated, air-cooled
 * Rate of fire: 400-550 rounds per minute
 * Weight: 14.5kg

The .30cal is only used once in the game during the North Africa campaign. While Major Grillo drives the jeep, you must sweep enemies with the .30cal mounted in the rear. The weapon has unlimited ammunition and has little recoil. You should only stop firing when there are no more enemies, or when you need to acquire new targets. The tracers will easily show where you are hitting.

Like the MG42, the .30cal is incapable pinpoint accuracy, and hence it may be quite difficult to hit a distant target. This has some implications, as some enemies in that level carry Panzerschrecks and have an incredibly low profile while standing behind concrete walls.

Designed by John M. Browning and based off the earlier water-cooled M1917 machine gun, the M1919 is a belt-fed, air-cooled machine gun. Early models were designed for vehicle use, and the M1919A4 became the first infantry variant.
 * History

However, further combat experience brought complaints that the M1919A4, using a tripod, was too unwieldy and took too long to set up in combat. The M1919A4 was improved by reducing the weight, replacing the tripod with an integral bipod and added a shoulder-stock to the weapon, making it much easier to set up and fire. This model was designated the M1919A6.

As with all air-cooled machine guns, the M1919 was less efficient and could not output the same amount of sustained fire as the older M1917. Consequently, the M1917 saw a resurgence in use in the Korean War, when heavy sustained fire was required and the M1919 machine guns failed to deliver.

The M1919 generally performed well in tanks and mounted on jeeps.

Nebelwerfer

 * Name: Nebelwerfer 1941
 * Country of origin: Germany
 * Calibre: 15cm
 * Magazine capacity: 6 rockets
 * Firing mechanism: Electric-ignition, rocket-fired

The Nebelwerfer is not usable in Allied Assault. However, one of the Normandy missions requires you to locate and destroy a battery of Nebelwerfers. When approaching them, be careful as there are several of them, and they can fire a barrage of rockets that can take out a sizeable portion of your health.

They can be destroyed by placing an explosive on their side.

The Nebelwerfer was developed by the Germans as an easily transportable rocket launching platform. The name "Nebelwerfer" literally means "smoke thrower", which the Nebelwerfer was, but it mainly launched 15cm high explosive rockets. The name was also used as a cover-up during its design.
 * History

The Nebelwerfer is mounted on a wheeled platform and has six rocket tubes. Each tube was electrically ignited, and rockets were launched from opposite tubes (that is, the fire order would go from one side to the other consecutively rather than sequentially).

The rockets could be fired up to 7km away and had the explosive equivalent of a 105mm artillery shell, making the Nebelwerfer devastating against targets, especially with six fired in quick succession, and more often with entire Nebelwerfer batteries pounding a single area.

Because of the noise made by the Nebelwerfer, Allied soldiers nicknamed it the "Screaming Mimi".

King Tiger

 * Name: Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B "Konigstiger"
 * Country of origin: Germany
 * Main armament: 88mm KwK 43
 * Secondary armament: 7.92mm hull MG34
 * 7.92mm coaxial MG34
 * 7.92mm cupola MG34
 * Crew: 5

The King Tiger is first seen parked next to a chateau, and can be blown up to earn a medal. The following mission happens to be all about the King Tiger, and you'll need to escort a trained crew to an empty King Tiger undergoing repairs. Afterwards, you'll be able to control the tank.

Use the arrow keys to move and steer the tank, and control the gun using the mouse. Note that the main gun has a rather long reload time, and despite your superior armor, other German tanks can beat you up fairly badly.

You won't get to use the tank for long, as you will need to hop out and provide sniper fire while the tank handles itself.

The "King Tiger", or "Tiger II", was actually a completely different tank to the Tiger. The King Tiger was to be the most powerful tank the Germans could field, with the strongest armor and the strongest weapon.
 * History

The King Tiger was designed around the 88mm KwK 43, an anti-aircraft artillery piece and much more powerful than the Flak 88 used by the Tiger. The Kwk 43 could penetrate 150mm of armor at a range of 2200m, and had a muzzle velocity of 1000m/s. This not only gave it the ability to knock out any tank in existence, but it also allowed the gunner to procure and fire upon a target before the enemy tank got in range of their own gun. Three machine guns were located in the hull, the coaxial position and the commander's cupola.

The tank had two chassis designs. The first design was by Porsche, but its designed was proven to be poor, as it had shot traps which could be quite detrimental to the tank. The second design, by Henschel, was better protected and offered more space for ammunition, and was used as the production model.

The Henschel model had up to 180mm of frontal armor, while the side and rear had 80mm of armor plate. The Allies had no effective means to take out a King Tiger. It was therefore fortunate for the Allies that German industry was unable to produce the King Tiger in sufficient numbers, and with the lack of fuel and mechanical problems, the King Tiger wasn't a common threat.