Use of AT Artillery and a funny experience

[philsublime]

I got two things to say.

First, I wonder how other people make efficient use of their AT units. I couldn't bring em to effect really, so maybe I'm doing something wrong...

Second, something funny happened to me. I played the 'soviet tank rush' scenario from the british side against the WP. First time, I didn't use my artillery to place minefields on the main axe of approach. The WP attacked me right through the middle and run in my defence without a chance. Next time I played the same scenario, I thought: This time I beat him even harder! So there I am, building up a huge minefield right in front of me. But what happened? The WP didn't use this attack route and attacked me from the northeast and the southeast. So what I basically did, was channeling the enemy to the weakest parts of my defences... Well, I guess I learned something...[X(][X(]

[sarjen]

Well .. in order to know what you do to have the feeling that your AT units don't perform well you should describe to us what they are doing and what you wanted them to do.

From my point of view i find that the AT units are some of the more valuable units than the pure IFV.

[iberian]

I had exactly the same experience as you did, and posted about it a week ago. Two comments:

a) I've found the AT FV-432 with Milan's of little use in that scenario. I set them in covered terrain, with Hold orders, for an ambush against the enemy recon elements. They were decimated by the BRMD-2's and recon BDM's... no idea how, since Milan outranged them by at least 1Km.

b) I had the exact same experience with the mines as you mention in you post. When I didn't mine the central avenue of approach, the enemy used it. When I mined it, the enemy went for an attachk from the northeast and southeast. No idea, but at the time I thought somenting didn't smell right. It looked like the AI knew were the mines where and was cheating.

[Tbird3]

My NATO AT units don't appear to do as well as my WP AT units. Honestly, though I can't tell you if it was my utilization of the NATO assets or not (it was many games ago!). [&:] The WP AT units have done very well though, decimating several platoons of M1's and Brads. I will offer several standard US tactics for ATGM use for what it is worth.

Standoff! Engage at max ranges and don't let the enemy close with you. Keep a minimum of 1000 to 1500 meters away from the enemy. This obivously applies to the long range ATGMs.

Be prepared to rearm (rest/refit). ATGM units tend to have a very small basic load in comparison with tanks.

If at all possible initially fight from hull down/dug-in positions.

The only other way I can possibly explain you experience is to compare it with the following real world possiblity. The MILIAN I believe is relatively short ranged? 2000 meters? The BRDM has I believe a 14.7mm machine gun with a max range of 1500 meters. The flight time for most ATGM can be around 10 to 14 seconds to travel to their max range. Almost all ATGMs have a very large firing signature which translates into being relatively easy to spot. Flight times coupled with shorter ranges means bad news for ATGM gunners. 8 to 14 seconds in combat is forever! A heavy machine gun can easily put 150 rounds down range in the time for the missile to arrive. Sounds possible but who knows. Sorry I can't provide more insight.

Regards,

Tbird3

[Erik Rutins]

One of the most important things with AT units, I've found, is making sure they have good cover and excellent LOS with orders to engage at long range and retreat. I've had good results following these general rules, but I'm not sure if there's a specific "trick" I may be using that you are not. The max range on missiles though is only an advantage if you can actually get LOS to that range, otherwise you're in trouble.

Regards,

- Erik