American Flamethrower - carbine firing before flamethrower

[AlexUK]

This is a bit annoying for me - when I target with the team, the single carbine starts shooting before of the flamethrower, which attracts the attention without doing much damage - result - the flamethrower gets hit before he can fire. I guess this is a difficult one, as some may  prefer this, but I would prefer only the flamethrower to fire unless he is out of ammo.

[MOS:96B2P]

I think the man portable flamethrowers are a bit difficult to use.  On the offense they are best used against a suppressed or pinned OpFor team.  When you have the OpFor pinned but are having problems driving them off from an area.  Then call the flamethrower team up to burn the Opfor up. This will work nicely to KIA the entire OpFor team in place.  In the defense I've put them behind behind buildings (I think it was German flamethrowers in  @PanzerMike Fester Platz Polozk in CMRT) and had them roast the OpFor that entered the buildings from the front.  Admittedly the two above perfect circumstances are a bit difficult to come across.  

And of course you must be close enough for flamethrower to be in range.  The last time I tested the range for portable flamethrowers was as follows: 

US - 44 meters.   German - 28 meters.     Soviet - 38 meters. 

Something else you might try, have the team Target Light until they use up the ammo for the carbine.  Then it wouldn't shoot before the flamethrower. 

[Combatintman]

It is a fair point though - like the UNCON IED triggermen in CMSF who prefer to ping AK rounds downrange over pressing the t1t on a whopping great IED. I've always found flamethrowers difficult to employ and my general rule is to suppress first with another element and then manoeuvre carefully with the flamethrower. While of course there are some workarounds like target arcs or MOS's Target Light suggestion I think that the AI does need a better way of dealing with some of these more specialised units so that, in this instance it prioritises the flamethrower once it is within range.

[c3k]

Remember, too, the TacAI will prioritize a flamethrower team as a target. If they get spotted, a lot of guys are going to try to kill those SOBs.

[Wicky]

The flame will effectively overshoot and splash in effect beyond visible (at night) and targetable range - so I try and use them to area target (which can be broken down into 15 sec increments)  at troops / AFVs  that can't see them and vice versa.

Edited January 28, 2018 by Wicky

[jtsjc1]

A rarely ever get close enough to use the damn flamethrower.

[Erwin]

They seem to work best when used as Wicky recommends.  Keep em out of enemy sight all other times.  The only other way to use em is if the enemy is suppressed and you can move the flamer close enuff to finally kill em.  But, of course if they are already suppressed, you could probably just use more firepower or an assault to kill em.

[Bulletpoint]

Would be nice with a "target special" command. It would be useful for all "odd" weapons systems.

For example, there was a Sherman with rockets mounted on the turret. If we see that in the late-war game, it would be nice to be able to fire those rockets without the main gun or machinegun.

[John Kettler]

Bulletpoint,

Could swear we once had something like that, but maybe my Wargaming Wish Folder has bled over into my CM Game Memory Folder instead. The carbine guy is there to provide security for the understandably distracted FT guy. He is also responsible for the critical function called opening the fuel and propellant valves.

Regards,

John Kettler

Edited March 8, 2018 by John Kettler

[domfluff]

I'd have thought the "suppress target first, bring up flamethrower to flush them out" strategy was accurate to reality, really  - flamethrowers are really a kind of siege equipment, and therefore best used for finishing off bunkers or possibly in built-up terrain.

The advantage they gain over a straight-up close assault is range and speed - you don't run the risk of having to then defend the assault from a newly exposed, or unexpectedly defended position (one chap with an SMG that suddenly decides to go rambo on the assault team, or an MG in a building behind the target, for example).

Limited? Sure, but they do provide something you can't do otherwise.

[Bulletpoint]

1 hour ago, domfluff said:

I'd have thought the "suppress target first, bring up flamethrower to flush them out" strategy was accurate to reality, really

Doesn't really work in game though, as even heavily suppressed enemies will start to return fire once you get within about 90m.

Also, in 4,0, enemies will withdraw when they come under a lot of fire, so the whole "find, fix, flank" aproach rarely works now. Maybe after the patch.

[Erwin]

There's a lot of Pacific Theatre use of course due to the caves etc used by the Japs.  But, have seen very few videos of WW2 European theatre use of flamers.  Can recall only one video where a team of Brit Crocs were flaming quite a long distance. 

Is there any WW2 video of Wasps or inf flamers in use (in Europe)?

 

[RockinHarry]

I tend to get rid of the extra guy in sniper and FT teams by cutting size to 50% in editor. Solved some issues for me, particularly when these 2 man teams are in AI hands and in own scenario designs.

[Warts 'n' all]

21 hours ago, Erwin said:

There's a lot of Pacific Theatre use of course due to the caves etc used by the Japs.  But, have seen very few videos of WW2 European theatre use of flamers.  Can recall only one video where a team of Brit Crocs were flaming quite a long distance. 

Is there any WW2 video of Wasps or inf flamers in use (in Europe)?

 

I've seen footage of the WASP in documentaries on Aunty Beeb over the years. But, whether it was filmed in action, or training is another matter. And I don't think any period footage has made it onto youtube, although I'd like someone to prove me wrong.

[Sgt.Squarehead]

From the 50s:

& doing some particularly fine work.....At Belsen (0:50):

My maternal grandfather is in the crowd watching that hut burn. 

I know there's some footage of them in training during the war somewhere too, but I can't find it.

Edited March 11, 2018 by Sgt.Squarehead

[Warts 'n' all]

Thanks for the above Sgt. 

[Erwin]

Goof footage, but as previously noted it looks like training.  Was wondering if there is any video or even data re how or even where Wasps and other flamers were used for real.

[Bulletpoint]

Look at how much smoke it generates. Would be nice to see this reflected a bit more in the game.

[Sgt.Squarehead]

That's a good point.....I'd definitely call that a linear smokescreen.  CM already has the black smoke, so it should be doable. 

Edited March 12, 2018 by Sgt.Squarehead