axxe

2a) I have a Platoon HQ with a -1 Leadership, and a separate Support Team unit containing the platoon assistant, who has a +1 Leadership. So... should I send the Platoon HQ out as a scout so the assistant can inherit the platoon? That would be the effect, yes?

Two questions: 1) Does a leader's Leadership Modifier affect all subordinate units with C2 to the leader (including radio), or just those physically nearby? 2) For the case of a leader with a negative Leadership Modifier, do his units perform better when they do NOT have C2 to the leader?

Ok, great, thanks!

Am I correct in understanding that the only way to drop artillery in the middle of a forest is during pre-planned bombardment (first round) or with TRPs?

Ah ha, ok, that's good to know. It never occurred to me that there were so many scenarios that the hard-core players can avoid replays!!

Yes, this is also my initial reaction - I don't want hints! But anyone who's played certain maps before will have this info without using the editor, and it can't help but affect their battle plan. So it seems for more fair if both sides "cheat"...

FWIW, my plan of attack is right along the right edge of the map, so how I go through the forest is important. If it starts empty, I will hurry to his side of the forest, knowing he can't enter without me seeing him from the left side of the map where I have LOS behind the forest. If he might have units starting in there, I need to hunt them out.

Here's a scenario I'm setting up for. I am looking toward the objectives the enemy is defending. The forest on the right side of the map is completely encircled with bocage. I would love to know if the enemy setup zone includes that forest! From the far left side of the map I will have LOS behind the forest, so if no enemy units start in there, I can move into the forest with ease. If I imagine playing a human opponent here, I think it would matter to him if I knew the forest started out empty or not.

In PBEM, is it assumed that before starting both sides have had full access to the map, including knowing the location(s) of the enemy setup zone(s)? I'm playing through scenarios in the hopes of graduating to PBEM play and I'm wondering if I should be looking in the scenario editor at the enemy setup zones beforehand (I assume that's possible - haven't tried). I realize that's not "realistic", but it that's how PBEM is done...

Roger that. Here, as a test, is the other Caldwell.

Ok, my mistake, there are two Caldwell tanks in this scenario! Both of the tanks I showed at the start of this thread did indeed start the scenario with only 4 crew.

So... apparently I've reached my upload limit for this thread...? I can't attach the Caldwell pic. This edit window say "Max total size 0.32MB" for attachments and the Caldwell pic is only 180kb but when I try to attach it I get "You are only allowed to upload 320kb". Do I need more seniority/posts to be allowed to upload more?

This is helpful - I've always been confused by the (sometimes) apparently-extra unassigned weapon in the crew list! Below are both tanks at the start of the scenario. Tankersley did indeed start with only 4 crew, but Caldwell started with 5. Caldwell must have lost his commander at some point in the battle. Let me go look at my game saves see if I can tell what happened.

Did some experiments with two other tanks in the scenario that have no radio operator. Both of them happily retain radio C2 over a long distance whether the hatch is closed or not, and whether driving or not, though I didn't test while under fire. So... unreliable radios?

Ah ok, driver maybe it is then!

I suppose that's possible. Though I doubt it's the driver. Could he reach the radio stuff from his seat? Since the buttoned tank is the connected one, maybe it's the commander. Where for the un-connected one the commander is up looking around?

Yes, if that's the case then no worries.

Link-Up

Trying to understand tanks and maintaining C2. In the following two pictures both tanks' HQ is another tank on the other side of the map (far away). Why does the tank on the right have a connection to the platoon HQ but the tank on the left not? Only thing I could come up with is the unconnected tank is both lacking a radio operator AND unbuttoned. But I found another tank in the same scenario with no radio operator and the hatches open and that one has C2. I am trying to diagnose some issues with my tanks not necessarily following their driving instructions. Not sure if it's a C2 issue, an enemy fire issue, or a friendly fire issue (they were operating in the midst of a friendly mortar barrage ).

Yes, I'm hoping some of the coming reinforcements bring a truck with them! I used the scout ammo-bearer trick in the prior scenario to grab a bit of ammo from a jeep. Worked great, except for the jeep having hardly any ammo! 250 carbine and 100 .45 if I remember correctly. I'm using that much up every minute :-o

Those sound like good rules. Be kind of nice if those were part of the game (enforced by the game engine).

I did an experiment - had the low-ammo squad area-fire into a field, and indeed, whenever their ammo got down around 50, they received 20-30 rounds from neighboring units.

Ok, thanks Baneman. I guess I'll need to keep this squad close to someone with ammo if I want them to do any fighting. Or else I now have 3 additional scout teams!

So... is it standard practice to target the enemy's setup zone (assuming it's not full of buildings that make good cover) with an initial massive artillery barrage? Seems like an obvious tactic, though a bit gamey...