TexasToast Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 I have recently been exposed to a very effective tactic versus AT guns that makes me a little uneasy. In a PBEM game I noticed some explosions starting to appear near a halftrack I had hidden from an AT gun behind a building. I surmised that my esteemed opponent was using the gun to try to damage or flush out the HT (that it could not see) with a near miss. By chance, I had a tank with a LOS near the AT gun, but not on it, so I decided to try targeting that spot with area fire and on the next turn - no more gun! Shortly after in an Op vs. the AI, infantry spotted a "Gun?" hidden in the woods. I worked a tank into a location with a LOS near but not on the gun, then area fired with the same success. When I fully identified the gun later, I realized I had knocked out an 88 without it even getting off a shot. I have to say I didn't sleep well that night from guilt from this premeditated "blind" attack (well, I did ponder it a bit before going to sleep anyway). In the same PBEM I just lost an ATG from a near miss from a SPG it couldn't see (this one might have been an accident, I had other units in the area). I'm not sure if this a smart tactic, or a little gamey. Any of you more experienced guys care to comment on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paullus Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 This is actually pretty smart. If you were a soldier and thought that a particular line of trees held an 88, I would blow the hell out of it too, just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scott Clinton Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 I don't see this as gamey really. You troops have IDed an possible location for an enemy gun and your tanks have wisely decided to shell the crap out of the area while remaining hidden to the gun. ------------------ Please note: The above is solely the opinion of 'The Grumbling Grognard' and reflects no one else's views but his own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preacher Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 Isn't this what is called "Recon by fire?" Preacher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntelWeenie Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 Gamey? I would say "using terrain to your advantage". It's sort of like throwing grenades around a corner. Taking your shots while denying the enemy the opportunity for his is never a bad idea in real life. ------------------ "Belly to belly and everything's better" - Russian proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackhorse Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Preacher: Isn't this what is called "Recon by fire?" Preacher<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yes indeed, it's a real tactic. You may sleep easy. What you did was in full compliance with the Lake Champlain Convention for The Laws of Combat (Mission) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redleg Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 It sounds like a valid tactic to me. Guns are exposed to fragmentaion so shelling the general location sounds realistic and a handy method of killing guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarmo Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 It works both ways. In a recent PBEM I used 88 gun and area fire, immobilizing a Sherman Jumbo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaffertape Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 I use this tactic all the time. I find that kills are somewhat rare, but its good for at least a suppression. GAFF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Germanboy Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gaffertape: I use this tactic all the time. I find that kills are somewhat rare, but its good for at least a suppression. GAFF<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Me too - not gamey at all. ------------------ Andreas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grunto Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gaffertape: I use this tactic all the time. I find that kills are somewhat rare, but its good for at least a suppression. GAFF<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> these are my findings as well... sometimes if there is an anticipated movement path for an enemy unit but i can't see the unit itself, i'll lay down HE or MG area fire in said anticipated path of movement... suppression indeed. andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasToast Posted July 14, 2000 Author Share Posted July 14, 2000 Thanks all, sounds unanimous. I'm glad to hear that my fear that I was somehow manipulating the system was unjustified. Back to the front lines.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarmo Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 One oddity comes to mind. I've managed to give area target to a foxhole enemy gun is in, while being unable to target the gun itself [This message has been edited by Jarmo (edited 07-14-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hakko Ichiu Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 I'm shocked and outraged! This deplorable tactic is not only gamey, but totally lacking in honor, glory, savoir faire and joie de vivre. All combatants should be arranged in lines or columns with full view of the other side and wearing brightly colored clothing, preferably a sporty little number with those tight pants that look so fetching on Major Sharpe. Sincerely, General St. John Lord Stoatwallow OBE, CBE, KCG (Mrs.), retired Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pillar Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 LOL!!! GOOD ONE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dirkd1976 Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 hehehehe.......wheres Mel Gibson when you need him? ------------------ Never mistake motion for action - Ernest Hemingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Bill Wilder Posted July 14, 2000 Share Posted July 14, 2000 Tell the tankers and APC commanders in Vietnam who did their daily "mad minute" in the morning or late in the evening when all guns opened fire from their wagon wheel defensive positions and raked everything outside their perimeter. To see limbs, branches, whole trees disintegrate under .50 caliber, canister and automatic weapons fire is a sight to behold. The sound would deafening and I'm sure quite unnerving if you were hiding in the bush with a RPG waiting for shot And it often got results one way or the other ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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