SimonFox Posted September 29, 1999 Share Posted September 29, 1999 Actually Steve the 79th basically was the "funnies" it never fought as a unit as such, it's subsidiary units were parcelled out as required and operated under the overall command of the particular HQ for that operation. So in fact it was a pool of specialised armour available as required. In one sense you are correct that some of the funny vehicles were intended principally to support D-day operations but some proved so successful that the units they supported clamoured for their continued presence. HQ 79th Armoured Division -Churchill AVRE, Kangaroos, Sherman DD 30th Armoured Brigade -Sherman Crabs (flail) + some normal Shermans 31st Armoured Brigade -Churchill crocs (flame) + some Churchills 1st Assault Brigade Royal Engineers -Churchill ARVE -consisted of three ASSAULT engineer regiments Divisional Troops "In any case we can't include everything, so exceptions are the first to go." I'll accept this as reasonable I just didn't like your "handful" at the Rhine argument which was incorrect as you can see from the numbers quite a few were around. Anyway if the crocs and kangaroos are in a lot of it is covered though given the numbers of ARVE they would be fun to have. As for the Crabs if mine clearing is out they are largely irrelevant: I guess the brits must have hung on to them because the flail drum provided extra frontal armour? hehe. As Los points out they are not called called assault engineers for nothing. A mate of mine is in the engineers/pioneers and as he pointed out to me some time ago: "I didn't join this unit to build bridges I joined it because we are an elite assault unit, and we get to blow up a lot of stuff" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Time Software Posted September 29, 1999 Share Posted September 29, 1999 Thaks Simon. As far as a "handfull" goes, I still think they are just that. An important handfull some of the times, but their numbers are quite small compared to the masses of other combat vehicles the Allies used. If every division had a platoon or company of funnies, designed for frontline duty (CM scope) they would be in for sure. But their numbers were small and their employment often well out of CM's scope. The ones that are (RAMs and various flame tanks) are going to be included. We just aren't going to put a flame throwing tank on our box, partly because we don't have a box of course As for the AVRE we are planning (and have been for a while ) on including it post release. It is certainly an interesting vehicle, but one that won't make or break the game if it isn't included right away. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Time Software Posted September 29, 1999 Share Posted September 29, 1999 Los: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>In fact bunkers should always be attacked from outside their covered arc.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I'm sure a couple thousand men would still be around if the Ft. Benning folks had figured this out BEFORE the war. I am now very curious to read the prewar fortification reduction FMs to see what the heck those guys were thinking! Ah well, hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20. I'm just glad someone eventually figured it out. The 30th ID's assault on the West Wall was a real masterpiece of how to do it the right way. Steve P.S. I have to close up this thread. Not only has it largely run its course, but it is past the "danger" limit for thread size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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