- For the Steel Division: Normandy 44 unit see SD:17-pdr (UK)
17-pdr is a British Anti-tank unit in Steel Division II.
Background[ | ]
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.
The 97th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery of the 15th Infantry had two troops of 4 17-pounders along with 4 6-pounders.
The 3rd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery of the 6th Airborne had a two troops each of 4 17-pdrs.