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The PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) in War Thunder

In War Thunder, the PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) is a rank 3 German premium heavy tank with a Battle Rating of 5.3. As a premium, it comes with all modifications (including ammunition) already researched. Its weight is 47.5 tonnes, and maximum speed is 37 kph, which the tank can reach in 15 seconds when riding on flat surface. The turret’s rotation speed is 12 degrees per second, while the reload time is 6.2 seconds with a fully trained loader.

X-ray view of the PzKpfw KV-1B 755(r)​

Frontal armour is 75 mm thick both on the lower glacis (26 degrees of slope), and on the upper glacis (30 degrees of slope), with 40 mm plate sloped under 72 degrees covering the area between them. The un-sloped side armour is 75 mm thick, while lower rear armour thickness is 70 mm under slope of 14 degrees (60 mm for upper rear armour plate). An additional 25 mm's of applique armour is then fitted on both the lower and upper frontal glacis, giving it 100 mm of armour protection. Three other 25 mm armour strips then protect the turret ring. The turret armour is 105 mm thick all around, with the gun mantlet having 50 mm of armour protection. The commander’s cupola has a thickness of 50 mm all around, and the armour is 30 mm thick on the top of the hull, and 40 mm on the turret’s top.

Regarding firepower, the tank is armed with the 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/48 gun. With basic Pzgr.39 APCBC rounds, and at range of 10 meters, this gun is able to penetrate up to 136 mm of armour against when flat, 123 mm against armour sloped under 30 degrees, and 51 mm against armour sloped under 60 degrees. At a range of 1000 meters, the penetration decreases to 109 mm (flat armour), 98 mm (30 degrees slope) and 41 mm (60 degrees slope) respectively, while at the maximum range of 2000 meters, the penetration is 86 mm (flat plate), 77 mm (30 degrees slope) and 32 mm (60 degrees slope). Alternatively, you can use the Pzgr.40 APCR shell, giving you enhanced penetration at medium and short ranges (up to 177 mm), but with worse penetration capabilities when faced by sloped armour and when firing at distant targets. The third available ammunition type is then the Hl.Gr.38B HEAT round, able to penetrate 80 mm (flat plate), 69 mm (30 degrees slope) and 39 mm (60 degrees slope) respectively at all ranges in exchange for lower muzzle velocity. As a secondary armament, this tank is equipped with a coaxial MG 34 7.92 mm machine gun, provided with 4350 rounds, while the ammunition load for the main gun is 80 rounds.

This tank is sometimes dubbed “Baby Tiger” and despite the fact it’s basically a Soviet tank, the nickname is quite fitting. The frontal hull armour is actually even better than that of the Tiger (same thickness combined with 30 degrees slope), and when properly angled, it can be very resilient to enemy fire. Additionally, the rear-mounted transmission means you don’t need to worry about your tank being immobilized by penetrations from the front. In turn, the performance of KwK 40 gun is fully adequate on its given BR even with basic ammunition, as it can still reliably penetrate most of its opposition, and when aimed at weak spots, it can destroy virtually any enemy tank encountered. However as with the Tiger, you shouldn't fall under the impression that you’re invincible! Flank shots will be extremely dangerous for you because of large fuel tanks occupying the space behind the side armour, which are prone to being detonated or set on fire. The gun mantlet is only 50 mm thick, and despite this being a small target, even lighter guns can penetrate you this way, disabling your turret crew and threatening with detonation of ammunition stowage in the turret. That being said, it is recommended to reduce your ammunition load in order to remove excess shells from your turret and decrease the chance of an ammunition explosion. When facing this tank, it is also recommended to shoot the driver’s vision slit, as applique armour is missing there.

With great armour, good firepower for its BR, and good mobility for a heavy tank, the PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) is definitely worth the GE’s spent, and will offer you very enjoyable heavy tank, allowing you to earn extreme amounts of Silver Lions and Research Points due to it being a premium vehicle.

The PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) in History

When the German army encountered Soviet KV-1 heavy tanks in 1941 during the opening stages Operation Barbarossa, it was a shocking experience. These Soviet behemoths were impervious to German 3.7 cm, 5 cm and short-barrelled 7.5 cm guns, while the KV-1 could dispatch any German tank at distance with ease. However, the tide has turned with the use of the PzKpfw IV Ausf.F2 medium tank and the StuG III Ausf.F assault gun, both being armed with the new 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/43 gun. This weapon was able to penetrate the frontal armour ofa  KV-1 at combat ranges, ending the Soviet superiority. The Soviets responded with several new variants of the KV-1 in an attempt to strengthen their armour protection (models 1941 and 1942), or to improve mobility in exchange for lighter armour (KV-1S). Even despite these attempts, KV-1’s started to be obsolete, and were gradually phased out of service in favour of brand new IS-series heavy tanks which had a better armament and armour protection.

During fierce armoured clashes on the Eastern Front, the Germans were able to capture a number of KV-1’s, most of them being abandoned by their crews due mechanical failure or combat damage. The Germans eventually repaired these tanks, painted them with their own camouflage, and used them against the Soviets under the designation PzKpfw KV-1A 753(r) (for captured model 1941 tanks) or PzKpfw KV-1B 755(r) (model 1942). These tanks were mostly used with their original armament, but the decision was made to further modify captured KV-1 tanks by installing German armaments and other modifications. The resulting vehicle was designated PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r), and was based on the KV-1 model 1942 with a cast turret and 25 mm applique armour. The Soviet 76.2 mm F-34 gun was removed, and the German 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/43 gun was fitted along with the new mantlet design taken from the PzKpfw IV Ausf.G medium tank - this change significantly enhanced the tank’s firepower. Other changes included a commander’s cupola from the PzKpfw IV tank with wo-part hatch, a ventilator on top of the turret taken from the captured T-34 mod. 1942 medium tanks, and additional utility baskets on the rear deck.

Only one PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) was produced. It was attached to the 204th Panzer Regiment, a part of the 22nd Panzer Division, and was operational in 1943 during Battle of Kursk. Its fate is unknown.

Author: Jan "RayPall“ Kozák

In one of the following Updates, we will include the
"Emblem of the 22nd Panzer Division" to War Thunder:

Created by Branislav "InkaL" Mirkov

Do you already have this wonderful KV-1B 756(r) in your hangar?
Leave a post with your experiences in the comments!

Read more about the PzKpfw KV-1B 756(r) on our wiki