American halftracks dont fire - why?

[warlordmb]

I'm starting the campaign Courage Conquers and I'm wondering why the U.S. half-tracks don't fire they MG's while carrying infantry. Am I missing something  or is they a valid reason for this that i don't understand?.

Awesome game by the way.

 

[folkieredux]

i think you need to use the open up command so somebody mans the machine gun(s)

[gnarly]

4 minutes ago, folkieredux said:

i think you need to use the open up command so somebody mans the machine gun(s)

FYI this is true for all half tracks, US and German.

[c3k]

And you'll soon learn why gunshields are important.

(Funny: The U.S. military keeps taking gunshields off...then finding out that they need them. Kind of like phones on tanks...and separate generators.)

[user1000]

the strongest point of the half track was the front the windshield armor plate could probably stop rifle rounds (don't know if game lets them through) protecting driver and passenger but if the engine is hit there goes the whole truck.

[Kommissar]

You should never need to rely on the HT machine guns in Courage Conquers.  You have more than enough tanks to provide covering fire.  As other's have insinuated, having someone man the mg on a HT is a good way to earn a purple heart.  Basically, you should use HTs the way you use normal trucks. 

Finally, never ever have your infantry disembark where they are vulnerable to small arms fire.  It goes about as well as the landing craft at Omaha. 

[Anthony P.]

I disagree with that. You can never have too much firepower, those elevated .50 and .30 cals can definitely be very useful. Just keep them well out of small arms range, and ensure that a tank is close by if a German HMG pipes up and tries to start a machine gun duel. You can even use them to move soldiers into combat. Just like any other weapon, as long as you're aware of its restrictions you'll be fine.

[Kommissar]

2 hours ago, Anthony P. said:

Just keep them well out of small arms range

That's difficult to do in many of the maps in the Courage Conquers campaign.  Keeping your tanks out of panzershreck range (~225m) while still covering your infantry is already a feat in most of the urban maps. 

[Anthony P.]

Oh, not delved very deep into that campaign actually tbh. As you say though, yes, it's indeed dependent on there actually being enough room to put them outside small arms range. If there's not they really do just become trucks with better off road capabilities.

[user1000]

On 6/6/2016 at 2:28 AM, gnarly said:

FYI this is true for all half tracks, US and German.

no it's not, a commander in them will tell when to open up.