Rattus Posted August 8, 2000 Share Posted August 8, 2000 I've done a search but no luck. What happend to artillery observation vehicles (ideally with "demountable" FAO's)? Throw me a thread please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chupacabra Posted August 8, 2000 Share Posted August 8, 2000 Why not just stick an arty spotter on a jeep or HT? Wouldn't this be basically what you're looking for? ------------------ Soy super bien, soy super super bien, soy bien bien super bien bien bien super super. [This message has been edited by Chupacabra (edited 08-08-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikester Posted August 8, 2000 Share Posted August 8, 2000 There are no Arty Observation Vehicles. As far as I know, they've never even been discussed here on the board since it's inception. Mikester out. PS: Jeeps work great for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Germanboy Posted August 8, 2000 Share Posted August 8, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mikester: There are no Arty Observation Vehicles. As far as I know, they've never even been discussed here on the board since it's inception. Mikester out. PS: Jeeps work great for this.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> This is not quite correct. At least the UK armoured divisions used tanks for arty FOO and also FAC (although I am less sure about that, I think during the breakout at Garden Ryan talks about the FAC having a tank, and somewhere else that is mentioned, too). I have read an account where a FOO in a Cromwell found out the hard way that he had been given a soft-steel training tank, when a 20mm AA gun opened up on the tank in the Netherlands and achieved frontal penetration. These tanks would probably carry wooden guns, like command tanks, because of comm equipment, and to make it harder for the Germans to distinguish them from ordinary tanks. I am quite sure they were common in the arty regiments that were organic in UK armoured divisions, but have no numbers. Got a picture of one somewhere, I believe. For simulation in the game, embark a spotter on a vehicle, and if you design the scenario, don't give it main gun ammo, et voilá. ------------------ Andreas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattus Posted August 8, 2000 Author Share Posted August 8, 2000 Whilst Jeeps (or 1/2 tracks make good tactical transport for the FAO you can't actually call in fire whilst "embarked". - Not that a Jeep would be very safe! It should be possible to call in fire from the vehicle (say a half track which is at least bullet proof). Better yet a well sited turret down (or accompanying other tanks going forward) Sherman OP tanks would great. I know the Brits, US, Germans deveoped specialised vehicles - even the Russians made effective use of OP in more or less modified tanks. AOP vehicale have an important tactical role so they should be included. How about it BTS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattus Posted August 8, 2000 Author Share Posted August 8, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Germanboy: For simulation in the game, embark a spotter on a vehicle, and if you design the scenario, don't give it main gun ammo, et voilá. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Good idea - problem is still can't call in fire "embarked"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly Babra Posted August 9, 2000 Share Posted August 9, 2000 Several Ram IIs had their 6 pdrs removed and extra radios installed to serve as armoured OP tanks with British and Canadian forces. I was hoping these would be included, but no such luck. No Panzerbefehlswagen either ------------------ It's a mother-beautiful bridge and it's gonna be THERE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patboivin Posted August 9, 2000 Share Posted August 9, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mikester: There are no Arty Observation Vehicles. As far as I know, they've never even been discussed here on the board since it's inception.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Not quite true, because I remember bringing up this topic before I got my copy of CM. I like the idea of putting an artillery observer on a tank with no ammo, that sounds like a possible solution. The Germans had all sorts of armored cars with funny-looking antennae on them, 6-wheeled and 8-wheeled things. I don't know what the Allies used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly Babra Posted August 9, 2000 Share Posted August 9, 2000 I don't know what the Amis were using, but Commonwealth forces used basically every obsolete tank in the inventory (and some not so obsolete ones). All had their main armament removed and extra radios installed. M3 Grant OPs, Sherman OPs and Ram OPs all saw service in NW Europe, though I can't confirm in what numbers. A few seem to have been on the divisional establishment of all the armoured divisions though. ------------------ It's a mother-beautiful bridge and it's gonna be THERE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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