Question about machine gun fire

[MHEITHORN]

I ve noticed that when a machine gun is used to fire on its own, the infantry unit attached to it will sometimes show as having fired as well. Most of the time this is not the case.
Cant figure out why this is?
Thanks in advance for your response.

[genesismwt]

Just as in ASL, you may fire a squad on its own, or with a support weapon, or just the support weapon. A crew or half-squad can only fire on its own, or the support weapon. So, if you are talking about looking at the enemy, the size of the unit may be a factor in why you are seeing differences. A full squad may fire its own inherent FP at one target and the support weapon at a different target. So, timing may also explain differences.

[Paullus]

I think it could be down to either one of these two reasons.

1. The target is within range of Machine Gun but out of range for the Infantry units inherent fire range

2. If the Infantry units is a half-squad or a crew manning the Machine Gun then they cannot fire their inherent fire as well as the Machine Gun.

[rmmwilg]

Could be a couple of things:
- A half-squad cannot use a SW and retain its inherent firepower like a full squad does.
- If a full squad fires 2 SW's, it loses its inherent firepower.
- If the unit cowers (see results in bottom-right window) in Defensive Fire phase, it loses First Fire advantage and is marked with Final Fire. I'm not sure if any attached SW loses rate of fire too.

Hope that helps