Artillery spotting change idea

[FM WarB]

Hoping change may be in the wind, I'll throw out my evolving two cents worth for consideration. First off, make it an optional rule, please.

Spotting ability should be based on chain of command. (I have seen this in other games.) This would make interunit boundaries important.

Spotting ability for units and leaders should be as follows:
platoons or other individual combat units (not trucks or horses, etc): any indirect fire unit on same command level or below.
Leaders: any indirect fire unit on same command level ore one level above.

This would allow for creation of FO units and give leaders extra importance. OOB designers could model the different armies' artillery usage fairly accurately.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: FM WarB
First off, make it an optional rule, please.

Lesson learned.

Jason Petho

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: FM WarB

platoons or other individual combat units (not trucks or horses, etc): any indirect fire unit on same command level or below.
Leaders: any indirect fire unit on same command level ore one level above.

Based on how the organizations are structured in the game, I am having a difficult time understanding what you mean.

Presently (for example) an American armoured infantry battalion looks like this:

43 06 45 12 B1012279 6 2nd Armored Infantry Battalion 43 (T/O 7-25)
43 06 45 12 P10305 2nd Armored Infantry Battalion HQ
43 06 45 12 P10406 Major
43 06 45 12 C1002260 Armored Headquarters Company 43 (Armor)(T/O 7-25)
43 06 45 12 C1002261 D Armored Infantry Rifle Company 43 (Armored)(T/O 7-27)
43 06 45 12 C1002261 E Armored Infantry Rifle Company 43 (Armored)(T/O 7-27)
43 06 45 12 C1002261 F Armored Infantry Rifle Company 43 (Armored)(T/O 7-27)

The HQ company looking like this:

43 06 45 12 C1002260 6 Armoured Headquarters Company 43 (Armour)(T/O 7-25)
43 06 45 12 P10814 Reconnaissance Platoon
43 06 45 12 P10849 M21 81mm Mortar Halftracks
43 06 45 12 P10263 Machinegun Section
43 06 45 12 P10271 3rd Bazooka Teams
43 06 45 12 P10755 M3A3 (MG)
43 06 45 12 P10755 M3A3 (MG)
43 06 45 12 P10754 M3A3 (MG)

The Rifle companies looking like this:

43 06 45 12 C1002261 6 Armoured Infantry Rifle Company 43 (Armoured)(T/O 7-27)[M3A3 (MG)]
43 06 45 12 P10406 Lt.
43 06 45 12 P10814 1st Platoon
43 06 45 12 P10814 2nd Platoon
43 06 45 12 P10814 3rd Platoon
43 06 45 12 P10263 Machinegun Section
43 06 45 12 P10102 Mortar Section
43 06 45 12 P10754 M3A3 (MG)
43 06 45 12 P10754 M3A3 (MG)
43 06 45 12 P10754 M3A3 (MG)
43 06 45 12 P10753 M3A3 (MG)
43 06 45 12 P10754 M3A3 (MG)

So, based on what you are saying, this rifle platoon

43 06 45 12 P10814 1st Platoon can call for support from 43 06 45 12 P10102 Mortar Section

but it would require the leader (43 06 45 12 P10406 Lt. ) to call support from the HQ company 81 mm Mortar (43 06 45 12 P10849 M21 81mm Mortar Halftracks)?

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Jason Petho

[FM WarB]

Yes, that is correct. Thats the idea.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: FM WarB

Yes, that is correct. Thats the idea.

So, that means that no-one can call for the 105mm battery in the Artillery Battalion attached to Division unless there is a FO attached from that battalion? Or?

Jason Petho

[FM WarB]

I should add, that with Command control option, the company HQ platoon should also be able to perform this function, and a leader would not be needed.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: FM WarB

I should add, that with Command control option, the company HQ platoon should also be able to perform this function, and a leader would not be needed.

I would agree with that, yes.

Jason Petho

[FM WarB]

105 bns were usually attached at Regimental combat team level, so Bn commanders could call them. Also, place a halftrack or armored car platoon at Regiment level, and it can spot for any arty in that regiment.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: FM WarB

105 bns were usually attached at Regimental combat team level, so Bn commanders could call them. Also, place a halftrack or armored car platoon at Regiment level, and it can spot for any arty in that regiment.

Yes, I understand that, but I am trying to wrap my head around it keeping in mind the current organization structure.

In order to function as you're suggesting (without redoing the order of battles...again), there would have to be some form of FO added for the larger artillery units (artillery battalions, regiments, divisions).

Unless I am missing something.

Jason Petho

[FM WarB]

The idea is to have oob flexibility to represent different arty doctrines...For example, add a Divarty leader...He could spot for and create Time on Target,,,which all armies can do, now. put a scout platoon in an arty battery, that is their FO.

[FM WarB]

Yes,,,FOs should be part of arty bns, at varying levels,

[FM WarB]

A US Regimental Commander could spot for all arty within his division, as I propose it.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: FM WarB

The idea is to have oob flexibility to represent different arty doctrines...For example, add a Divarty leader...He could spot for and create Time on Target,,,which all armies can do, now. put a scout platoon in an arty battery, that is their FO.

If one is relying on FO from the artillery units, then doctrine should be able to be represented by the amount of FO's available. For example, an American artillery battalion may have 2 FO's units (be them scout jeeps, armoured cars, whatever) while a Romanian artillery battalion may have none but instead having a FO or two available at the Regimental (infantry type?) level only.

So, for an American Infantry division, there would be 8 FO available from the artillery battalions (based on the typical artillery brigade of 4 battalions within an infantry division) where in a Romanian Infantry Division there would be 2 FO available (assuming one arty regiment per division - I don't have the oobs here at work)

Yes, No?

Jason Petho

[FM WarB]

yes, Yes!...that's the idea.

[FM WarB]

Lets consider the good ole I&R platoon of the American infantry regiment. Place it directly under the regiment, and it could call for fire from the 105 bn attached to the regiment.
Differing placement of individual platoons or leaders within their heirarchies could simulate different arty capabilities.
The Russians dont have much arty in thier corps or divisions. the leaders and FOs of their arty units would be needed.

In any case, starting the ball rolling from a who can spot for whom, instead of trying to create a new unit, seems to me to be the most efficient way to go.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: FM WarB

yes, Yes!...that's the idea.

Fascinating indeed. I like it!

OK

A few issues right off the top of my head with this:

1. In most cases, this will require additional units, meaning that this will not function with existing scenarios.
1a. This means scenarios will have to be updated. Of course, new scenarios can incorporate them
1b. Different versions of scenarios for those that like to play with the options ON&OFF? Those that don't like FO will have a bunch of "fodder" around the battlefield.

2. Can you still indirect fire by the map? [ Logically you should be able to ]

3. How many actions points does it cost the FO to call artillery? I presume this would depend on the nationallity (2 x American FO) can call for all the guns of their battalion during the course of a turn, assuming the guns have ammo). An American FO to call artillery = 33 AP? (assuming 3 batteries at 50AP to fire each shot?)

4. I would imagine they should be difficult to kill (especially for those countries with only a few, as the Romanians) otherwise you're stuck with batteries of artillery that just look pretty.

Jason Petho

[FM WarB]

1) obiously why it must be an optional rule. I like doing oobs and am willing to help.

2) yes indirect fire by the map is presumed to be part of the idea.

3) I hadn't considered actionpoints for call for fire....interesting.

4) Leaders are tough to kill, and there's always fire by the map.

Jason,
Thanks for considering these ideas
Warren

[FM WarB]

ORIGINAL: Jason Petho
3. How many actions points does it cost the FO to call artillery? I presume this would depend on the nationallity (2 x American FO) can call for all the guns of their battalion during the course of a turn, assuming the guns have ammo). An American FO to call artillery = 33 AP? (assuming 3 batteries at 50AP to fire each shot?)Jason Petho

After further consideration (and dinner), I do not think actionpoint cost for call for fire is necessary. The different combinations of leaders/FOs within the organizations would be simulation enough. The added complication for players and programmers to impliment it would not be worth it.

[junk2drive]

By making it optional, older scenarios will play fine I imagine. Scen designers need to put more info in their briefings anyway, i.e. which options to use.
 
I wouldn't use FOs to call fire, just be the LOS unit. Don't know how that would be possible in the coding though. Or any other suggestion either...
 
If the above is possible, I wouldn't charge FOs or others AP to call fire, just for movement and self defense.
 
In some games I've played, FOs have binoculars for better sighting distance, small size is hard for the enemy to spot, have basic weapons for self defense.

[Borst50]

If I am reading this thread correctly, all mortar and artillery units will need a FO to spot and call in artillery fire. I am then assuming the said FO, is the only unit capable of calling in artillery fire and must have a direct line of sight to the target. (All this under optional rules of course)

I am thinking, in addition to the already stated problems that may arise, I can think of several more. To wit:

1) In night engagements, or where visibility is severely limited, the FO's would be useless, and being the only unit to call in artillery fire, said fire would be limited to units in adjacent hexes to the FO's...making artillery worthless for that battle. So unless ALL platoons have the ability to call in artillery support, we will end up with a bunch of artillery units on the map with nothing to do, or looking pretty as someone else put it.

2) The problem of actually spotting enemy FO's. As a rule they were usually 2 or 3 man teams sent out with radio equpiment to call in fire. Much like sniper units. The whole idea behind them is concealment. I am thinking one would have to make them like small AT units, invisible to enemy, unless someone actually stumbles on them, in which case, they should be treated like leaders alone in a hex.

3) Supply. Because of their inherent detatched status from the parent HQ. They should be immune to the effects of supply. The should have a very minimal defense, but really no attack value, due to their small size and lack of heavier weapons. (A couple of rifles, or pistols, maybe a couple grenades). They should also be possibly be immune to morale checks, rather. automatically retreating when they come under fire. (if they arent destroyed by said fire outright!)

Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth. I like the basic idea and hope it will be incorporated with the next update.