Quote:
Originally Posted by Art-J
Rgr that. Being mostly PTO fan, I'm not familiar with the history of their usage in ETO  . Will read some more about it, thanks! |
The reason they overruled the order not to use them was because of the Battle of the Bulge... It was considered desperate enough to make full use of them. German VG Infantry units got literally shredded by massed Time on Target 155 fire using the VT fuses.. Typically with Arty most of the casualties are caused in the first 10-12 seconds before the "target" has a chance to seek cover.. using TOT techniques all the rounds arrive over the target at the same time.. using VT fuses meant that suddendly and without warning all those rounds arrived over the target and detonated in an air burst showering all the exposed infantry from above.. it destroyed entire regiments..
The other little known but key use was in the AAA role against V-1 Rockets.. 90mm batteries on the English coast with prox fuses were deployed along the coast where the rockets had to travel..they were firing in battery.. 4 or more guns at once..and they were often getting the bombs in one volley..