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Made a small scenario to show the effects of an arty prep of the objective prior to a deliberate attack.

A US mech heavy Company Team defends. 1 plt of M1A1(HA) and 2 plts of M2A2. 3 MRCs with BMP-2PG[gm] attack. First, let us see what the game does when no arty or mortars are used to support the attack.

Here's the setup. The US stack on the east side of town has 1 tank and 1 mech plt in the hex.

0815 hrs - after one command cycle

MRCs were engaged as soon as they came up out of the river valley. Range is 3500+ meters. 14 x BMP destroyed. All three MRCs now have insufficient transport for a mounted attack. There was no return fire. The lead MRC is 2000 m from the defensive positions and 3500 m from its objective.

0830 hrs

The (now dismounted) attack continues. Soviet losses are 25 out of 39 BMPs and 5 out of 27 inf. MRCs are at 40-60% Readiness

US has lost one MK-19 team. The mech plts are at 60% ammo and 85-95% Readiness. The tank plt is at 2% ammo, 40% Readiness, and is resupplying.

0844 hrs

One MRC with heavy casualties breaks off its attack. Another is wavering with 22% Morale. MRB is down to 10 BMPs and 13 inf squads attacking.

Mech plts are running low on ammo. Tank plt displaced and still need 24 minutes to complete resupply.

0905 hrs

Two MRCs continue to crawl forward. One of these is down to 1 BMP and 6 inf. The other is at 7 BMPs and 6 inf.

US mech plts are in Resupply, but will be ordered to Hold another 3 minutes until the tanks complete their Resupply.

0936 hrs

Soviets have but one MRC still attacking. That MRC has 7 BMPs, 6 inf sqds and is at 40% Readiness and 44% Morale.

US mech plts have displaced and are resupplying. Tank plt ordered to reposition to cover approach to the objective. First Sergeant's track destroyed.

Now, let run this again with the MRB having fire support. This will be the Regiment's 122mm battalion and the MRB's mortar battery. The attack timing is delayed 30 minutes to allow two prep missions before the MRC come into view of the defenders.

The three hexes with arty waypoints shown below are each going to get 3 x Neutralize concentrations of 122mm and 1 Neutralize concentration from the mortars on the first command cycle. These hexes have the best fields of fire covering the approach to the town.

Following that will be 3 x Suppress from the 122mm and 1 x Neutralize from the mortars each command cycle until either the MRCs close on the town or ammo reaches 25%.

0831 hrs

MRCs will cross the line of departure in 4 minutes. After the arty fire thus far, US units are at 45-50% Readiness. Casualties are 1 M2A2, 1 inf sqd, and 1 Dragon team

What was the starting US readiness values for both tests? Love this comparison too.

0847 hrs

US fire is much lighter as a result of the prep. MRCs have closed to 1500 m before being forced to dismount due to BMP losses. MRCs have 9 or 10 BMPs remaining and they are putting effective fire on the defenders. Direct fires kill 1 x M1A1, 1 x M2A2, 2 x MG teams, 1 x Dragon team, and 1 x Inf sqd.

US Readiness is 25-30%. The 2d plt, at about 50% strength now, is at 16% Morale.

122mm ammo is at 67% and Vasilek ammo is at 90%, so indirect fires continue.

0854 hrs

US Readiness drops below 25% across the board. Fires drive the tank plt and 3d plt out of their defensive positions. Some arty fires will be shifted to deeper in the town next Soviet command cycle.

0920 hrs

US forces fall back as the MRB begins to enter the town. Pressure on the US plts has delayed completion of resupply.

The lead MRC lost an inf sqd, so it has mounted back up.

0929 hrs

An MRC takes the objective. The US company team is still combat ineffective. MRB HQ and mortars moving forward. MRB is reasonably intact and will easily hold the objective.

Nice field testing.

Good Hunting.

MR

Very well done. Good reminder.

If the AI did this, we'd be in a pretty pickle in some scenarios

I've had the AI hit my defenders and mess up my units. It could be better in selecting at times and we will address some of that when we overhaul the arty system.

Cool. I am hoping for Prep and Continuous Smoke missions in 2.1, too.