The Horch 1a was a four-wheel drive used as a transport for the German Army and Medical Corps during World War II. It appears in Call of Duty: United Offensive and Call of Duty 3 as a drivable vehicle, and in Call of Duty: World at War as a prop in the campaign.
Call of Duty: United Offensive[]
The Horch, like its counterparts the Jeep and the Gaz-67b, can be manned by up to three people. The driver is the first position, and can opt to drive the vehicle in first person or in third person. Pressing the fire button while driving will honk the horn, typically used to attract allies to take the other two positions. The second position is the gunner, who mans the MG42 heavy machine gun mounted in the back. The gun is capable of turning 360 degrees, and does a fair bit of automatic damage. The third position is the passenger, who rides on the seat to the right of the driver. The passenger is able to use their weapons and equipment while in this seat, providing extra firepower.
The Horch's main use in multiplayer is to transport players quickly across long distances to objective points. This is especially true in Base Assault, where the Horch is crucial for mounting a quick offense or a quick defense of bunkers. Thus, its best asset is its speed and maneuverability. it can also be used to run over people: At top speed, the Horch deals 500 damage to infantry, an instant kill. Be very careful, though, even with friendly fire off the vehicle will still deal damage to your allies.
However, the Horch lacks in firepower and defense compared to the other multiplayer vehicles, the tanks and tank destroyers. It can be damaged by bullets and grenades, which do not damage the other, more heavily armored vehicles. While it has 900 health like all vehicles, its multipliers are such that a single rocket to the front or side will instantly destroy it. A tank round will easily destroy it, as will heavy machine gun fire. Surprisingly, it is most resilient in the back, where it takes two rockets to destroy it from the back. This emphasizes its defensive nature, as the player is encouraged to use the Horch to drive away to safety, not use it as an offensive weapon. Another weakness is that the passenger seats are all open to the environment, and its occupants can be shot out.
Using the Horch[]
Using the Horch, remember that the car is meant mainly for transport. Use it to get to places quickly and beat a hasty retreat if the tide turns. If confronted by a tank or infantry with an anti-tank weapon, get out of the vehicle immediately. Generally the enemy will be focused on destroying the car, and not on the player fleeing the scene (in the event of a tank) or killing the soldier with small-arms fire (in the event of anti-tank infantry). In Base Assault, if the player does not plan to make a retreat, it is recommended to destroy the Horch used to get to an enemy bunker so that it will respawn at a friendly position and not be used by the enemy.
Countering the Horch[]
If the enemy is seen riding a four-wheel drive, there are a number of ways to combat it. The best is to surprise it and destroy it with a Panzerfaust 60 or Panzerschreck fired at its side, which will destroy it and all its occupants. A well-placed satchel charge will also instantly destroy the Horch. Remember that it can be detonated if it is run over or if it is shot manually. Of course, tanks, tank destroyers, and flak guns will make short work of the vehicle, but it moves so fast that it may be hard to hit. Aim slightly in front of the vehicle with the main turret, and rake the vehicle with constant MG fire.
A trick to do as an infantry soldier with a M9A1 Bazooka, Panzerschreck or Panzerfaust 60 is to stand in the way of the vehicle to trick them into trying to run the player over. Switch to the anti-tank weapon, fire straight at the front to destroy the car instantly, and run to the side, because the car will continue to coast forward after being hit and have the potential of causing massive damage.
If caught out of position as infantry, take cover immediately and do not try to outrun the vehicle. It will run the player over. Shooting at the occupants in the hope of killing them may help as a last-ditch effort.
Call of Duty 3[]
- "Light utility truck built by the Horch automobile company and employed by the German military from 1938 - 1945. 4 - 6 passengers."
- — Call of Duty 3 description.
During Call of Duty 3, the Horch 1a/KFZ 18 appears as a vehicle usable by the player in both single and multiplayer. The Horch 1a is used once getting away from an exploding fuel plant after Vera is damaged and is also seen used by the French Resistance in the level "Hostage!". The German Military also uses the vehicle throughout the campaign. In multiplayer, the Horch 1a is identical to the Dodge WC, though it is outfitted with an MG42 rather than the Browning M1919. Both vehicles have equal top speeds and handling.
Call of Duty: World at War[]
In Call of Duty: World at War, Heinrich Amsel uses a Horch as his personal transport, as the player first sees Amsel arriving in one during the beginning of Vendetta, and also assassinates him before he can escape in one later in the level.
Call of Duty: World at War: Final Fronts[]
In Call of Duty: World at War: Final Fronts, the Horch briefly appears in "The Battle of Bure" where it used to escort the 6th Airborne Division to help Captain Randall's pinned-down squad. It also used again later in the level to help the two reunited divisions retreat from a hostile German Panzer IV and a massive Wehrmacht garrison which Tom Sharpe tries to delay.
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