Take a look at the history books then take a look at the BF1942 version of history and you will see few similarities. They nod at history but don't follow it to any real extent, just enough for background for the game.

You want real historic "value" in a game? That is WWIIOL, but that game is not everybody's cup of tea. It goes the other way, following history more closely and the vehicles/units are much closer to what one would call "realistic". There are no hitpoints, so a shot either penetrates armor or bounces off depending on tones of variables including angle of penetration, muzzle velocity, shell size and weight, etc... and it is not how many times you shoot a tank to kill it but how well you shoot that tank (one shot in the right spot from the right range at the right angle and you have a cooked tank). The "fun" factor of WWIIOL is over all lower for most, but like war it is 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror. I like it, but most don't.

But while BF1942 nods at history but is not by any stretch of the imagination following history it will be blasted fun. I would not put stock into the history writings on the website. History is just a story to BF1942.