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Hi all. I have only recently gotten back into SP:WAW with Version 7.1 and am having trouble working something out. I am in the second battle of the U2R campaign and want to know how to get access to the two LCT's armed with 4.5in rockets as on board artillery. They are AUX units, but should I not be able to get to them from one of the units (actually, an AT-gun unit) I am using as my spotter? When checking the unit details for the LCT, the rocket weapons are displayed in green but I only seem to be able to direct fire them at bits of the beach.

TIA

BobbyB

It's since long time, that I played this (excellent) campaign, and I only vaguely remember about those rockets launchers.

But I'll forward your question to the author (Wild Bill, that is), if nobody replies before

Somebody posted a question about this a while back: why landing support ships can't fire indirect missions. The only thing I recall is that one response pointed out the fact that the AI *can* use them in indirect-fire mode, but when they're human-controlled they can only be used for direct-fire. Perhaps the person that posted in that thread is around and can shed some more light on it.

Lamentably, Bobby, these are direct fire weapons. I don't fully agree with the thinking that led to this but for the moment we are stuck with it.

These is an ongoing discussion on revised OOBs led by Bryan Melvin. You might want to post to that thread suggesting that these be classified as both direct and indirect fire weapons. That seems much more realistic to me.

Wild Bill

Many thanks for the input all. I guess I'll just have to hold off the massive counterattack hand to hand! I am down to my last Sherman with a working gun now, and whilst there doesn't seem to be any end to the armour that keeps pouring down the road, I think my units and arty ought to be able to carry the day!

Happy gaming,

BobbyB

If you want US onboard rocket batteries in U2R you can buy them. They are cheap, very effective and magically self-propelled (I never figured out that last one, but they can move on their own and make a sort of put-put sound, great for repositioning when the Jerries locate your arty). Yes, I know the US 4.5" rockets are nominally zero movement, all I can say is the ones I bought moved on their own.

I did one entire playing of U2R with US 4.5" rockets worked into the core soon as possible. The trouble with it is they are TOO good. Unless ammo is severely limited, the rocket barrage will simply wipe out the opposition.

Neat to have an answer to Flamenwurfer, also makes a bit of a joke out of playing the AI. Next playing of U2R, I omitted use of these units and instead used 105 howie batteries much as possible. Short of reducing fortifications - which calls for 155's or maybe 8 inchers - the 105 is reasonably priced and just about right for arty support - I had something left to fight after a 105 barrage.

Bing

Yes, Bing is a wise player. He amasses all the firepower he can muster and pulverizes the enemy. Good idea.

That's what they do in Iraq...

I remember one advance in Victors, when I was still in my US 4.5" rockets phase. After the bombardment, a few Ruskies stumbled out of the destruction. That was it. Nothing left to fight. The game favors such usage, in truth I think there is not much can be done about it, in terms of what the game engine has to offer. After that I just said "No" when it came to such artillery.

As to Shock and Awe, it amounts to old wine in new bottles. High concentration, extended artillery barrage was used regularly in WW1. Men went crazy not from the effect of the HE, rather from the sound and the constant assault on their psyche, bringing about so far as I know the first use of the phrase "shell shocked". If anyone remembers the PBS TV series "Upstairs, Downstairs", the young man on the servants staff returns home from the front in this condition, it was portrayed in a realistic manner I think.

Bing

A very valid point, Bing. One can actually use artillery far out of proportion to the limits of the game or the size of the units and there should be some built in restriction to such a possibility.

Lamentably, there isn't. So just as you have done in your instance, one must use a touch of realism in choosing weapons to make the game more enjoyable. Well said, my friend...WB

I've found, in a couple scenarios, that if you set the boat to computer-controlled, it *will* fire indirect. (Haven't done this campaign, but it can't *hurt*...)

(Actually, I'm lying. <G> It bloody well *can* hurt, 'cause they tend to be on a 1.4+ delay, and they don't cancel their fire-missions just because friendlies have moved in... Ye Have Been Warned!)

(Oh, and if AI controls the boats, it *will* happily drive into LOS or mines; it'll also offload whenever/wherever it feels like, especially if that hex is mined and under direct fire from eleven bunkers and the 277th Portable Field Latrine Detatchment...)

Very illuminating, Karnaaj! I never thought about doing that! Makes sense. Yes, you do pay a price. Are the salvoes that they fire pretty accurate on the enemy or do your own guys get pounded?

They're fairly accurate - I figure it's based on a unit observing Enemy. H'wever, since you have *no* clue what's being targetted, there's the possibility of attacking into Raindrops From Hell. <G> That, or if the spotting unit is killed/retreats, the accuracy drops... not quite to map-fire, but with the amount of fire coming in, the poor schlubs still aren't gonna be happy.

Most of my experience with this has been the Godzilla Island scenario; it's especially nasty when infiltrating or para-dropped units are in the woods near the Control Center, and suddenly rockets are slopping all over. The big guns on the Zan and Jana boats are about as bad - splash damage, yecch. <G> Of course, when one of those hits manages to destroy a fortification, I'm cool with it... "TOP hit by 4.5 inch rocket - Redoubt DESTROYED" is *such* a nice thing to see. <heheheh>