Armour penetration table

Introduction

The results acheived by the German firing tests are helpful in determining the capabilities on each tank gun. However, the German test plates were of a much better quality than what could normally be expected, and thus the actual results would usually be better than those of the tests. In addition, it should be considered that the German tests were conducted at a 30° angle.All ammunition types are included, even though some were very scarce or not even issued.

Penetration capabilities of German World War II tank guns
Weapon Ammunition Weight Muzzle velocity Penetration @ 30°
100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
  • 7,92 mm M.G.13
  • 7,92 mm M.G.34
  • 7,92 mm M.G.42
  • S.m.K.
  • S.m.K.H.
  • 0.0115 kg
  • -
  • 785 m/s
  • -
  • 8 mm
  • 13 mm
  • 3 mm
  • 8 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • 2 cm Kw.K.30 & 38
  • 2 cm Flak 30 & 38
  • 2 cm Pzgr.
  • Pzgr.40
  • 0.148 kg
  • 0.1 kg
  • 780 m/s
  • 1,050 m/s
  • 20 mm
  • 40 mm
  • 14 mm
  • 20 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
2,8 cm s.Pz.B.41 2,8 cm Pzgr.41 0.121 kg 1,430 m/s 60 mm 40 mm 19 mm - -
  • 3,7 cm Kw.K. L/45
  • 3,7 cm Pak L/45
  • Pzgr.
  • Pzgr.40
  • 0.685 kg
  • 0.368 kg
  • 745 m/s
  • 1,020 m/s
  • 35 mm
  • 64 mm
  • 29 mm
  • 31 mm
  • 22 mm
  • -
  • 20 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
3,7 cm Flak 43 L/89 3,7 cm Pzgr.18 0.685 kg 770 m/s 35 mm 28 mm 21 mm 17 mm -
5 cm Kw.K. L/42
  • Pzgr.
  • Pzgr.39
  • Pzgr.40
  • 2.06 kg
  • 2.06 kg
  • 0.925 kg
  • 685 m/s
  • 685 m/s
  • 1,050 m/s
  • 53 mm
  • 55 mm
  • 94 mm
  • 43 mm
  • 47 mm
  • 55 mm
  • 32 mm
  • 37 mm
  • -
  • 24 mm
  • 28 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • 5 cm Kw.K. L/60
  • 5 cm Pak L/60
  • Pzgr.
  • Pzgr.39
  • Pzgr.40
  • Pzgr.40/1
  • 2.06 kg
  • 2.06 kg
  • 0.925 kg
  • 1.07 kg
  • 835 m/s
  • 835 m/s
  • 1,180 m/s
  • 1,130 m/s
  • 67 mm
  • 69 mm
  • 130 mm
  • 116 mm
  • 57 mm
  • 59 mm
  • 72 mm
  • 76 mm
  • 44 mm
  • 47 mm
  • -
  • -
  • 34 mm
  • 37 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • K.Gr.rot Pz.
  • Gr.38 Hl
  • Gr.38 Hl/A
  • Gr.38 Hl/B
  • Gr.38 Hl/C
  • 6.8 kg
  • 4.5 kg
  • 4.4 kg
  • 4.57 kg
  • 4.8 kg
  • 385 m/s
  • 452 m/s
  • 450 m/s
  • 450 m/s
  • 450 m/s
  • 41 mm
  • 45 mm
  • 70 mm
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 38 mm
  • 45 mm
  • 70 mm
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 35 mm
  • 45 mm
  • 70 mm
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 32 mm
  • 45 mm
  • 70 mm
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 30 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • Pzgr.39
  • Pzgr.40
  • Gr.38 Hl/B
  • Gr.38 Hl/C
  • 6.8 kg
  • 4.1 kg
  • 4.57 kg
  • 4.8 kg
  • 740 m/s
  • 920 m/s
  • 450 m/s
  • 450 m/s
  • 99 mm
  • 126 mm
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 91 mm
  • 108 mm
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 81 mm
  • 87 mm
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 72 mm
  • -
  • 75 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 63 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • Pzgr.39/42
  • Pzgr.40/42
  • 6.8 kg
  • 4.75 kg
  • 925 m/s
  • 1,120 m/s
  • 138 mm
  • 194 mm
  • 124 mm
  • 174 mm
  • 111 mm
  • 150 mm
  • 99 mm
  • 127 mm
  • 88 mm
  • 106 mm
  • Pzgr.
  • Pzgr.39
  • Pzgr.40
  • Gr.39 Hl
  • 9.5 kg
  • 10.2 kg
  • 7.3 kg
  • 7.65 kg
  • 810 m/s
  • 773 m/s
  • 930 m/s
  • 600 m/s
  • 97 mm
  • 120 mm
  • 170 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 93 mm
  • 110 mm
  • 155 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 87 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 138 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 80 mm
  • 91 mm
  • 122 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 72 mm
  • 84 mm
  • 110 mm
  • 90 mm
8,8 cm Kw.K.43 L/71
  • Pzgr.39-1
  • Pzgr.40/43
  • 10.2 kg
  • 7.3 kg
  • 1,000 m/s
  • 1,130 m/s
  • 202 mm
  • 237 mm
  • 185 mm
  • 217 mm
  • 165 mm
  • 193 mm
  • 148 mm
  • 170 mm
  • 132 mm
  • 152 mm
10 cm K.18 Pzgr.rot 15.6 kg 805 m/s 164 mm 149 mm 133 mm 119 mm 109 mm
  • 10,5 cm le.F.H.18 L/28
  • 10,5 cm StuH 42 L/28
  • Pzgr.
  • Gr.39 H1/A
  • Gr.39 H1/B
  • Gr.39 H1/C
  • 14.0 kg
  • 12.3 kg
  • 12.1 kg
  • 12.35 kg
  • 470 m/s
  • 495 m/s
  • 495 m/s
  • 495 m/s
  • 63 mm
  • 80 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 59 mm
  • 80 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 54 mm
  • 80 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 50 mm
  • 80 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 46 mm
  • 80 mm
  • 90 mm
  • 100 mm
12,8 cm K.40 L/61 Pzgr. 26.4 kg 880 m/s 201 mm 176 mm 150 mm 132 mm 120 mm
12,8 cm Pak 44 L/55
  • Pzgr.
  • Pzgr.43
  • 26.4 kg
  • 28.3 kg
  • 860 m/s
  • 845 m/s
  • 189 mm
  • 187 mm
  • 166 mm
  • 178 mm
  • 143 mm
  • 167 mm
  • 127 mm
  • 157 mm
  • 117 mm
  • 148 mm
  • 15 cm s.I.G.33 L/11
  • 15 cm StuH 43 L/12
 Gr.39 H1/A 25 kg 280 m/s 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm
15 cm s.F.H.13 L/17 Gr.39 H1/A 25 kg 460 m/s 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm
15 cm s.F.H.18 L/29,6 Gr.39 H1/A 25 kg 465 m/s 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm 160 mm

Foreign weapons

In addition to the German-produced guns, a number of captured foreign guns were also pressed into use by the Germans. Since testing methods varied from country to country, these figures may differ from the test results from the origin country. The number are, however, helpful in determining the relative performance of the guns to the German guns.

Penetration capabilities of Czech World War II tank guns in German service
Weapon Ammunition Weight Muzzle velocity Penetration @ 30°
100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
3,7 cm Kw.K.34(t)
  • Pzgr.(t)
  • Pzgr.(t)umg.
  • Pzgr.40
  • 0.850 kg
  • 0.815 kg
  • 0.368 kg
  • 675 m/s
  • 675 m/s
  • 980 m/s
  • 35 mm
  • 34 mm
  • 60 mm
  • 30 mm
  • 29 mm
  • 39 mm
  • 23 mm
  • 25 mm
  • -
  • 21 mm
  • 22 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
3,7 cm Kw.K.38(t)
  • Pzgr.(t)
  • Pzgr.(t)umg.
  • Pzgr.40
  • 0.850 kg
  • 0.815 kg
  • 0.368 kg
  • 741 m/s
  • 750 m/s
  • 1,050 m/s
  • 36 mm
  • 41 mm
  • 64 mm
  • 31 mm
  • 33 mm
  • 33 mm
  • 24 mm
  • 27 mm
  • -
  • 22 mm
  • 24 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
4,7 cm Pak (t)
  • Pzgr.36(t)
  • Pzgr.40
  • 1.65 kg
  • 0.825 kg
  • 782 m/s
  • 1,080 m/s
  • 54 mm
  • 100 mm
  • 48 mm
  • 59 mm
  • 41 mm
  • -
  • 35 mm
  • -
  • -
  • -
Penetration capabilities of French World War II tank guns in German service
Weapon Ammunition Weight Muzzle velocity Penetration @ 30°
100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
2,5 cm Kw.K.121(f) Pzgr.122(f) 0.32 kg 920 m/s 35 mm 29 mm 20 mm - -
2,5 cm Pak 112(f) Pzgr.114(f) 0.32 kg 920 m/s 35 mm 29 mm 20 mm - -
3,7 cm Kw.K.143(f) Pzgr.146(f) 0.70 kg 705 m/s 29 mm 23 mm 16 mm 12 mm -
3,7 cm Kw.K.144(f) Pzgr.144(f) 0.39 kg 600 m/s 25 mm 19 mm - - -
4,7 cm Kw.K.173(f) Pzgr.176(f) 1.62 kg 660 m/s 39 mm 33 mm 26 mm 20 mm -
4,7 cm Pak 181(f) Pzgr.178(f) 1.73 kg 855 m/s 57 mm 50 mm 42 mm 36 mm -
Penetration capabilities of Russian World War II tank guns in German service
Weapon Ammunition Weight Muzzle velocity Penetration @ 30°
100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
4,5 cm Kw.K.184(r) Pzgr.(r) 1.43 kg 760 m/s 42 mm 35 mm 28 mm 23 mm -
7,62 cm Kw.K.L/30,5 Pzgr.39 rot 7.6 kg 575 m/s 72 mm 66 mm 58 mm 51 mm -
7,62 cm Kw.K.L/41,5 Pzgr.39 rot 7.6 kg 625 m/s 82 mm 75 mm 67 mm 60 mm 54 mm

Sources

  1. JENTZ, THOMAS L. PANZERTRUPPEN - The Complete Guide to the Creation & Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force - 1933-1942. Atglen, PA : Schiffer Military History, 1996. Read review
  2. JENTZ, THOMAS L. PANZERTRUPPEN - The Complete Guide to the Creation & Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force - 1943-1945. Atglen, PA : Schiffer Military History, 1996. Read review
  3. CHAMBERLAIN, PETER, DOYLE, HILARY & JENTZ, THOMAS L. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GERMAN TANKS OF WORLD WAR TWO. London : Arms & Armour, 2000.