How do you conduct recon in HTTR?

[MarkShot]

I was reading through the HTTR strategy guide.

The guide proposes performing recon to lead an attack force en route and to the FUP with the following parameters:

AGGRO=MAX
ROF=MAX
LOSSES=MIN

In my own play and published tips, I advise the following parameters:

AGGRO=MIN
ROF=MAX
LOSSES=MIN

Note: My own parameter choice was probably derived from someone else's recommendation on the RDOA BTS board or from an AAR that Fionn Kelly wrote.

Now, the difference is in the AGGRO setting and it reflects two differing philosophies:

The HTTR Guide: Takes the purpose of the recon mission to develop intelligence, clear away any observers along the route, and secure the FUP. Thus, the commander's intent is for the recon force is to stop and shoot it out with any unfriendlies encountered along the way and neutralized them.

The MarkShot Tips: Takes the purpose of the recon mission to develop intelligence along the entire route as quickly as possible and secure the FUP. If minimal resistance is met by the recon force, then the attack force should be able to push on by the enemy. Otherwise, a revision of the attack plan is called for. Thus, the commander's intent is for the recon force to complete its mission as expeditiously as possible so the maximum flexibility in attack planning can be exercised.

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So, what do others think regarding recon?

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Please note, this small leak of information from the Strategy Guide was with the permission of Panther Games.

Thanks.

[HercMighty]

Thank goodness I read your hole message, I about asked where to get it [:)]

I really don't have anything to offer though I was waiting for the guide to tell me what I should do [:D]

[madmickey]

In the early part of the game, I like my armor units to move fast so I use agression=min. But moving faster may loose some recon value but you are able to recon a larger area. When I hold most objectives recon units become roadblocks.

[Mr.Frag]

WHAT???? WHERE???? Strategy Guide???? Did I miss the release????

[MarkShot]

Well, as you probably guessed, the beta testers have seen the pre-release version of the HTTR Strategy Guide for some time now.

I always make sure I have reading materials with me when I have to wait for meetings and such. I recently finished rereading the HTTR Manual and have just started on rereading the Strategy Guide over the last week.

I came across the variation in the AGGRO setting for recon from the way I play again. I think when I first reviewed the HTTR Strategy Guide in August, 2003, Steve Long had said that that particular method of conducting recon was from Dave O'Connor.

[JeF]

As Mark, I read the advice of setting AGGRO to MIN when doing recco. And I find it very sensible.
I always use it with a MOVE order, though I conduct too less recco mission.
The goal is to advance, as fast as possible, via the choosen route, not being too much disturbed by ennemy unit and (with the LOSSES to MIN) to disengage as soon as possible. I usually use the armoured car companies for this purpose. They are fast and they have just enough firepower and armour.

When the goal is to clear the way and secure the FUP, I might attack with a more sensible force (a Bn at least). In that case, AGGRO is MAX and LOSS in MEDIUM.

My 2 cents,

JeF.

[Matt Erickson]

I like rampaging recon units...just stuff an inf unit in the woods right in the middle of the road he's gotta have lots of panzerfausts tho,amazing how fast they retreat when they get bumped into.

[Bil H]

Good question Mark.

Recon needs to be looked at by what you wish to accomplish. Here are a few Recon tasks:

1. Route Recon: for this I will use the settings you have stated above MIN - MAX - MIN. The goal here is to see what is out in front of the main body, and definitely NOT to engage or become tied down in a firefight. I will use the smallest, fastest unit available (platoon sized if possible).

2. Force Recon-CounterRecon: for this role I will use a Battalion sized unit, and it's goal is to destroy any enemy recon elements (thus blinding the enemy main formation) as well as to clear the FUP and route of advance for the main formation (Brigade/Regiment or Division). Settings (which can vary): MED/MAX - MAX - LOW (Note: this is the way the Germans used their Recon Battalions normally).

3. Advance to Contact: similar to Route Recon, except here the goal is to find and FIX any enemy formations. Again, I will use at least a third of the main force (Company or platoon element (if available)) with the following settings: MED - MAX - LOW. Once contact is established the rest of the formation will be given orders to flank the enemy formation, unless the enemy formation is of equal or larger size; then the entire formation will become the fixing element while it's superior formation will flank the enemy formation with it's free elements.

Recon comes in many different flavors, don't pin yourself to just one. How and when I use each is heavily situation dependant:

-I will use RR for wide sweeping maneuvers/long moves, and usually will have several independant units reconnoitering different routes.
-I will use FR/CR when I feel I have a superior situation in a certain area of the battlefield, or in the opening stages of a battle. Otherwise (or if unsure) I will use ATC.
-I will use ATC with increasing frequency as the two opposing formations start to come to grips.

Time spent in recon, is NEVER time wasted

Bil

[Tzar007]

Bil H as posted quite a good summary of the different ways you can consider recon. Personally I usually do RR most of the time, and sometimes I will do ATC. But I don't feel I am doing enough recon anyway.

Also, when doing recon, you have to time it right, making sure the main force is not following the recon units too closely otherwise you won't have time to switch direction or change the plan if something bad happens.

MarkShot: it makes more sense to me to use MIN-MAX-MIN as far as pure recon is concerned. I usually don't want my recon units to be engaging any indiscriminate enemy units along their path, and be delayed by them. I want my recon units to cover as much ground as possible and reveal the position of enemy units. I see recon as basically an intel task.

I should say also I always select Fastest move when doing recon.

[Fallschirmjager]

Why in gods name would you want to set Aggro to high?

You are just wanting to scout...not get involved in a fire fight.

I like my recon to break off contact as soon as a few bullets fly in their direction

[Golf33]

The idea behind setting Aggro to Max is that your recce units will then halt and deploy earlier, whereas with lower aggro settings they will approach closer to the enemy, thus more likely to become decisively engaged. It doesn't mean they will go out of their way to attack or anything. Besides, you don't really want your route recce to zip down the road and silently bypass any enemy positions they find; chances are you'll miss the event and think the route is clear when it may not be. Those enemy positions could then cause your main body considerable delay since a much larger group of units will be less able to sneak by than a small, fast recce sqn. Max Aggro ensures that your recce sqn will halt, deploy and engage so you can observe the block and reassess your plan, issuing new orders to the recce sqn if necessary.

Regards
33

[KNac007]

Have recon units less delay penalties? Just curious.

[Tzar007]

ORIGINAL: KNac007

Have recon units less delay penalties? Just curious.

I think they do. I have noticed that delays displayed on the Cmdr tab of recon units are usually lower than for other forces.

Thanks Golf33 for the clarification about what AGRO setting does. In the HTTR Reference Manual, it says: The higher the aggro level the more likely the force will engage in combat – fire and launch attacks. The less aggro the more likely the force will bypass enemy opposition or run away. Setting the Aggro to Max for an Attack or Probe will maximise the force allocation to the assault and minimise that to the reserve.

That's why I thought that maxing Aggro would provoke the recon unit into immediately engaging the first enemy units they spot and stop their recon movement, rather than just registering the position of enemy units and continuing.

[Fallschirmjager]

ORIGINAL: Tzar007

That's why I thought that maxing Aggro would provoke the recon unit into immediately engaging the first enemy units they spot and stop their recon movement, rather than just registering the position of enemy units and continuing.

I thought the same thing.
I also thought Max Aggro meant that that your units would assault straight forward without trying to flank or wait for artillary to soften up the enemy.

I usualy only use Max Aggro when im use armor and I want them to shoot everything that moves or when I MUST clear away the enemy ASAP.
Am I right in doing this?


I am also happy to say that I ordered HTTR yesterday after finally getting the money [:D]
I cant wait for the Crete expansion. My great uncle fought on the island (unfortunatly he was with the side that droped in from the sky [;)]) and I have several of the things he collected from the island including a Australian officers pistol and a cloth map that is all marked up with symbols and landing zones.

[Arjuna]

FJ,

Any chance of scanning the map and displaying it here?[:)]

[Fallschirmjager]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

FJ,

Any chance of scanning the map and displaying it here?[:)]

Ill see what I can do
Unfortunatly the map is deteriorating and the inks dont show up very well
I hate to unfold the thing due to tearing along the crease lines
But I will try my best to get a scan

He was the only veteren I knew of that enjoyed speaking about the war.

[Arjuna]

Yeh most don't enjoy revisiting it, for obvious reasons. I do appreciate your efforts with the map though.

[Fallschirmjager]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

Yeh most don't enjoy revisiting it, for obvious reasons. I do appreciate your efforts with the map though.

It is odd. He lost a good portion of his family in the bombing and he vehemently denounced Nazism, but I think he was one of the rare ones that viewed war as an adventure and on a certain level he actually enjoyed it.

[MadScot]

One might view the various setting options as reflecting differences in national doctrine, too. German recon units were structured to fight for intel, rather than finding it, which tended to be the British/American attitude. (Compare the combat capabilities of nominal recon units at similar levels in both armies to see what I mean).