BP44 Armored Train Artillery Car

With captured Polish and Russian trains as templates the Germans went about creating a standard model of armored train in 1941. This was known as the BP42, and with later additions, the BP44. These new trains borrowed from the captured designs’ increased artillery capability over the existing German trains. They also overcame some of the perceived design flaws in the captured trains by splitting the artillery car in two, leaving only one gun on each car and thereby reducing loss of firepower if an artillery car was knocked out. Modern anti-aircraft guns and tank-hunter cars were also added making a formidable self-contained fighting unit.

The main function of an armored train is to provide heavy fire support for other troops using its Artillery Cars. Equipped with a 10.5cm howitzer and a significant amount of ammunition they are able to lay down a considerable bombardment, as well as providing the train with additional defenses from tanks and other armored vehicles that may stray into the firing line.

The BP44 Armored Train can also include the Tank Hunter Cars and of course needs some train track in order to move.