T55 Interceptor Tank Destroyer Platoon Wildcard Unit

M6 Heavy Tank Platoon Wildcard Unit

T55 Interceptor Tank Destroyer Platoon Wildcard Unit
with John Lee

With the release of the North Africa Compilation, we have been re-introduced to some of the experimental vehicles that were designed and prototyped but not necessarily saw action. There are three main ways that these vehicles can be used in the game.  Firstly, some are in a Formation and can be fielded as a Formation itself or secondly, as Support Unit using the Formation Support rules. The third option is that some are in the Force Diagram as Support Units and finally we have a use for the “WildCard” slot on the Force Diagram.  If one of these new units is a “WildCard” unit, then it can be fielded in this slot. Not only that, if there are more than one type of unit for the “WildCard” slot, you can field one of each of the them if you wish, as part of your force.  For the US for example, there are two units that fit this category (you could field a unit of both if you wish!). They are M6 Heavy Tank Platoon and the T55 Interceptor Tank Destroyer Platoon.

This article focuses on the T55 Interceptor Tank Destroyer Platoon. It started out as an experimental 8x8 desert vehicle designed by Cook Brothers. An unusual design, it joined two powered 4x4 bogies (each with its own engine) to the chassis to make this 8x8 vehicle. There was sufficient interest from the Army to contract them to develop it.  It went through modifications and went into production in 1943, however preference had to shifted to tracked anti-tank vehicles by this time.

The advantage of playing this Wild Card Unit is that is a cheap AT12 unit and thus allowing you to build a bigger core tank list or combine it with another AT12 unit to get more AT12 goodness on the table!

So, let’s look at stats for this ungainly beast.  Looking at the vehicle itself, it has FA0 SA0 TA0. It can be penetrated by almost anything. You are going to want to be careful with this unit.  It has the “Seek, Strike, and Destroy” rule that allows you to attempt a Shoot and Scoot Movement Order after passing a successful Blitz order – great for popping out behind cover, shooting and then back into cover. It has a forward firing main gun which is the 76mm gun and has a range of 36” and AT12, can safely stay as far back as it needs in cover, to maximise its effectiveness. It has no HE, so not as effective against infantry and gun teams but that is what the .50 cal MG is for. It can also protect itself from aircraft as the .50cals can use the Self-defence AA rule. It has reasonable speed for a heavy armoured car.  10” move tactical, 12” terrain dash, 16” for cross country dash and a massive 36” move for road dashes!  5+ cross check – so you will need to stay out of rough terrain.

M6 Heavy Tank Platoon Wildcard Unit

From a unit perspective, they are Confident Aggressive Trained. Being Aggressive, you are going to have to be careful with them. You will not be assaulting with them as they assault and counterattack on 6s – so make sure you have other units capable of that in your list. They would best used in ambush if you end up defending. They are 5pts each and you can two, three or four in the unit.  

M6 Heavy Tank Platoon Wildcard Unit

Depending on the formation you take, I would recommend taking four to maximise its effectiveness. You could take three if you are taking other AT12 options or short on points. Taking two is troublesome. Lose one and you are testing.  

This unit can be used with any American force you want to put on the table.  Let’s look at a couple of 100pt forces to see how it could fit in.  Looking at a tank option first:

M6 Heavy Tank Platoon Wildcard Unit

Solid M3 Lee formation with two integral artillery templates.  Both M4 Armoured Mortars and the T30s have been upgraded to get Careful Trained status.  Better for ranging in the artillery.  The T55 Interceptors provide the AT12 whilst the Paras do the heavy lifting in assaults or defend if required.

Seeing as this unit is Heavy Armoured Car based, we should look at taking a recon list:

M6 Heavy Tank Platoon Wildcard Unit

Powerful formation with nine units for the formation break!  Everything is Aggressive except for the upgraded T30s (Careful and Trained).  Lots of spearhead here.  You have a total of EIGHT artillery templates.  M3 Stuarts upgraded also – I prefer not to have Reckless units if I can help it.  Rangers to provide the infantry support – either defence or to assault with support from M27s and Armoured Recon Patrols (7-9 MG shots plus a template per Patrol).  M27s and T55 Interceptors providing up to fourteen AT12 shots on the table! 

As you can see, taking the T55 Interceptor as a secondary AT12 unit is an option in your lists – particularly Recon and Infantry based lists.

The T55 Interceptor Tank Destroyer comes in boxes of two with a Unit Card.  I would recommend getting two boxes.  For 20pts you will run four almost every time.  
~John