Soviet Tank Riders

[kevinkins]

Were these used in 1942? I believe so - at least on an ad hoc basis. They were used as part of mechanized and cavalry formations later in the war to exploit breakthroughs. I was thinking a raising the attack and defense values on T34 battalions etc. to reflect their use for a custom scenario.

Kevin

[Saint Ruth]

They were, but they were separate battalions, not intrinsic to the tank units.
I remember in the old Atomic Stalingrad has the ability to "mount" leg infantry on tank units to increase their move points. I might look at something like that long term...

[kevinkins]

I am experimenting with adding 25% to the attack and defense values for basic T34 76 battalions leaving the rest of the corps without riders. One issue is that tactically, riders were vulnerable to enemy fire which is why they were often used to move behind friendly lines operationally or once German fire was suppressed, and a breakthrough was created. Any thoughts on how to split units into infantry and carriers in the future? Idea. One tank battalion could split down to 2 tank companies and 2 infantry companies. Spliting is part of the game now.

Kevin

[Zovs]

This is an operational regimental level game and “riders” would only be useful and realistic in tactical games under battalion in size. A great example is the Panzer Campaign series by WDS which is mainly a battalion level game does not have tank riders (nor should it), however Panzer Battles by the same company which is company level could have passengers and tank riders.

This game at regiment and battalion level does not need tank riders at this scale.

[kevinkins]

understand riders are a stretch, just something to fool around with since hexes can be set to 500 meters and splitting down to companies to possible now. A sandbox thing.

[Zovs]

Fair enough, I did not know battalions could be split down to companies.