Proper use of recon-units

[StefanE]

Hi

No matter how I am using my recon units they always seem to be detected and eliminated by the enemy (mostly the AI). Mostly I put them at beside the march-way I think the enemy will use and set the range to zero (or sometimes to 1) but there always seems to be an enemy that stumbles upon my unit and wipe it out.

Does this happen to all of you, or is it just me? Do you have any better ways to use recon?

/Stefan

[vahauser]

The quality of your recon units matters.  Veteran recon units are much harder to spot.  Also, moving/occupying trees and rough and buildings is a good idea for recon.
 
If you get within 3 or 4 hexes of the enemy, then your odds of being spotted are high.
 
Look at some of my DARs and you will see how I employ a recon picket line.
 
When trying to locate the enemy line, advance in teams (3 units or so).  Move each unit of the team one hex at a time (move unit A one hex then move unit B one hex then move unit C one hex, etc.).  That way they can spot for each other.
 
After you move a recon unit one hex, right click in various directions with various nearby units (including the recon unit) to try and discover enemy positions.
 
If you are under time pressure, then you will have to draw enemy fire to find them.  Motorcycle and cavalry units are best for this.  Instead of moving one hex at a time, move sacrificial units in 2- or 3-hex jumps.  Doing this will draw enemy fire (and will cause your sacrificial unit to suffer high casualties from MG fire), so you better have other recon units nearby to spot because the sacrificial units will most likely not see anything when it gets hit.
 
--V

[Shawmut]

Generally recon units are fo intlligence gathering. Proceeding slowly with them and drawing fire from hidden eenemy units works best.
Depending on the scenario, I go to the roster and find Recon units and start off ith them. This way I accept their vulnerability and expendabilty starting out. As they open up the scnario we often discover mines as well. I try to keep infantry a hex or so behind them (Often allowing a 30 or 50 MG to followow {not too orthodox, but should a fight break out I don't lose the rurn moving MG's up}). If I lose a recon sqd, I run an infantry squad ahead. Vahauser is right on about the motorcycles, too. (THey seem to able to take more punishment than I expected.)
Whether it's prevailing doctine still or not, feet on the ground lead; they not only open up the scenario (as good intelligence should), but acquire targets. Also each foot on the ground, slow a it may seem, reduces risks to other threats. How many times have we seen a tank or a loaded vehicle waltz right into the sout of an ATG or another Tank in cover?
I'm a novice at this gaming, but one thing I learned a few years ago, is that patience can make this game even more exciting and thought-provoking than I expected. Patience can be exciting? Oh yes!