the comeback of german militarism

[AtW]

How to you assault dug up position with infantry? Seems like using tanks no it is pointless, and infantry takes casualties while moving closer to the line - ought to be smart way?

Also, is it possible to change ammo type in tanks, ie HE rounds vs infantry and AP vs tanks, is it done automatically?

[Lucifer Box]

As you've found out, trying to roll over entrenched infantry with tanks tends to result in real life results, i.e. the tanks get their turrets blown off. The best units to assualt with are other infantry, and the best of those are combat engineers who have lots of sexy close assault weapons like flamethrowers and satchel charges.

However, you can't just roll up as you'll get gunned down on the approach. First of all, use your artillery to bombard the defenders. You many not score many casualties but it will keep them suppressed and degrade their morale. If you have ground attack aircraft, send them in on strafing runs. Use your mortar teams to keep up a steady barrage then approach in groups of squads, each one covering the other. Use machine gun teams in concealed high up positions to keep the defenders' heads down. It doesn't matter if you score casualties or not, as long as you keep them pinned. If the terrain is favourable use your artillery or mortars to lay down smoke rounds to cover your approach.

Tanks automatically use HE rounds against infantry and AP rounds against armour (as long as they have them).

I told you it makes PG look like a kids' game.

[AtW]

ok thanks. PG 2 looks beautiful, even 1 was good - they also have got it simplified which to make game accessible to people.

This game however is sure amazing in terms of how well thought it is.

If I move tanks ahead of infantry, would it be protected from small arms fire of those in the trenches?

[Lucifer Box]

ok thanks. PG 2 looks beautiful, even 1 was good - they also have got it simplified which to make game accessible to people.

This game however is sure amazing in terms of how well thought it is.

If I move tanks ahead of infantry, would it be protected from small arms fire of those in the trenches?

You're right, the PG games look great, but the gameplay is limited. As you've probably found out, most scenarios have a key that unlocks them and in the campaign games all you need are some five star bombers and you're away. But as you say, it makes them accessible to the casual gamer and there's nothing wrong with that. There were even versions for the Playstation!

Your infantry would be protected to some extent. I think the hit chance is degraded by a third or something like that. Note that you can ride your infantry squads panzergrenadier style on the tanks, which helps with your mobility if you're short on half-tracks or trucks.

The ultimate mobile "weapon" for the Germans though are the motorbike and sidecar units. Great mobility, superb scouts and lots of fun.

Always, but always lead your advances into concealed terrain, and certainly into built up areas with infantry. If you just run into unscouted towns with armour they will be devastated by any concealed enemy units if they have any sort of heavy weapons (bazookas/panzerschrecks, panzerfausts, molotovs, what have you).

If you're advancing along a road you don't trust, try and lead with combat engineers - they have the best chance of spotting mines and can clear barbed wire and anti-tank obstacles more effectively than regular infantry.

[AtW]

Sounds good! You sure right about PG - tactical bombers are the key to victory, if not possible then get very good long range arty support - it seems much harder in this game because field is bigger and tanks can shoot from far away. By the way spotting does not seem to work far, htf tank can shoot targets 4 km away, but can't see 500 m? Maybe it was terrain and troops dug in can't be seen - I started with Ferdinands on Kursk, which is probably a tough map.

[ratewhore]

The chairman of the German Armed Forces Union, Bernhard Gertz said that there was a growing danger of attacks after the revelation of the shock photos. "The commanders (in Afghanistan) will have to consider what reactions they will have to deal with," Gertz said in a television interview.

Blimey - attacks on soldiers in Afghanistan. Whatever next...

[Lucifer Box]

Spotting range depends on all sorts of factors... terrain, elevation, time of day, weather, type of unit spotting and being spotted, morale, commander ability and so on. Yes, dug in troops are much harder to spot than others, but units can spot for each other if they are in radio contact (a major German advantage). Some commanders are better than others at it and some unit types. Get your best forward observer unit to do the spotting. The HQ unit (A0) is usually the best at spotting for your artillery and if that unit is in a good location you will find your artillery accuracy much improved.

Also note that any unit can use "indirect" fire (strictly area fire) and can just fire blindly into a hex regardless of whether you can see enemy in it or not. The effectiveness is reduced of course but it serves to keep their heads' down (essentially you just fill an area with lead, Vietnam style).

Remember this is much more closely modelled on "real life" than PG and getting kills is nowhere near as important as suppressing the enemy's ability to manoeuvre and/or return fire. You can win a battle with clever tactics having only killed or injured 10% of the enemy force.

[AtW]

Sounds awesome - when SKA generates some real cash I think I will put up a bounty on making beautiful PG-level maps for this game.

[Lucifer Box]

Now that I would like to see. Once you've gotten your feet wet, let me know if you fancy playing a PBEM game.

[AtW]

Sure, give me some time, maybe month - don't play a lot these days, but I like the game - need to get acquiented (sp?) with rules first as its more complicated than PG.