SD:17-pdr (Can)

 is a Canadian Anti-tank unit. It is a British-designed anti-tank gun and was one of the most powerful Allied anti-tank guns in the Northwest Europe theatre, able to deal with the powerful big cats fielded by Nazi-Germany.

In addition to being a towed anti-tank gun, the 17-pounder was also mounted on several British tanks during the Second World War, such as the Achilles tank destroyer, the Sherman Firefly and the Challenger.

Overview
17-pounders first saw combat in the North African theatre and were the only British anti-tank gun capable of defeating the Tiger. It went on to become one of the most effective weapons on the battlefield in the Second World War, used as a field gun as well as being mounted on vehicles.

In the first months after the D-Day invasion, the 17-pdr and the 17-pdr-armed Firefly were the only units in the Western theatre that could destroy panthers at normal combat ranges. In contrast, the 75mm-armed shermans were found to be ineffective against these new German tanks. This disparity spurred the Americans on to send 76mm guns to Normandy and to develop the 90mm-armed pershing tank.

A 17-pdr firing the new APDS ammunition (sabot rounds) ensured guaranteed penetration against virtually all German tanks at combat ranges except the königstiger, which could only be penetrated at ranges of 500m (in theory). However, a significant disadvantage of these sabot rounds was that they were rather inaccurate at longer ranges.

62nd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery and elements of 6th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery support the 3rd Canadian Infantry. Each Anti-Tank Regiment has two batteries of 17-pdr and 2 more equipped with Achilles.

Strategy
With an AP value of 16, it gives Canadian forces the anti-tank power needed to face late-game German tanks. The unit is slightly cheaper than the 17-pdr fielded by British and Polish divisions for balance reasons.

Like all anti-tank guns, the 17-pdr is best suited in a more defensive role. The 17-pdr is the best anti-tank gun available to the Allied forces, able to frontally penetrate nearly all German tanks at maximum range (1200m), with the notable exception of the Königstiger (P).

As an anti-tank gun, the 17-pdr is rather immobile and especially vulnerable to enemy artillery and air, which means it should be best employed in concealed terrain. It is also incapable of defending itself against enemy infantry since it lacks HE shells.