[tumblindice]

The German Stuhrmtiger had a stubby 38 centimeter tube that fired rocket launched (naval) shells. They had to be loaded with a little crane.
After their initial experience with Russian urban warfare, they wanted something that flattened buildings.

[Spktyr]

The Germans found out that the Russians were the past masters of urban warfare - something that’s probably still true today.

[Spktyr]

Also, as the Germans found out, even flattening the building wouldn’t get all the Russians out.

[archy]

The German Stuhrmtiger had a stubby 38 centimeter tube that fired rocket launched (naval) shells. They had to be loaded with a little crane. After their initial experience with Russian urban warfare, they wanted something that flattened buildings.

Patton's Third Army had a similar urban requirement for similar reasons. Very early in the game, the armored Infantrymen who had to do the houseclearing in towns and cities that couldn't be bypassed learned the inadvisability of entering buildings through existing doors, and often also the windows. Accordingly, they finally asked for fire support from tank-escorted vehicles that could put a new door right wherever they wanted.

The M12 was built on the chassis of the M3 Lee tank. It had an armored driver's compartment shared with the commander, but the gun crew were located in an open topped area at the back of the vehicle. Only 100 vehicles were built: 60 in 1942 and a further 40 in 1943. Before the invasion of France, 74 M12s were overhauled in preparation for combat operations.

The M12 earned its nickname *Doorknocker* thanks to the 155mm cannon's ability to pierce seven feet of concrete at ranges up to 2,000 yards (1,830 meters). The vehicle was also dubbed *King Kong* by American operators due to the raw power of its gun.