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I’m on turn 14 of operation Starlite scenario. It’s really fun, apart from waiting forever to tanks going anywhere through wet paddies. More than half targets controlled by now for the loss of 9 units on my side.

I have a few observations and questions
1. As enemy troops are mostly in villages, that’s where I direct most of my artillery fire. Political says I shouldn’t do it, but the penalty seems to be minimal. In other scenarios (French) I hardly ever targeted villages and towns which made my job much worse. With American support it seems much smoother. Should I show more restraint? I’m never knowingly attacking civilians or completely random towns.
2. Recon is tough, really good tough. Recon with support helos cost me 3 units on my first approach so I learned to be extremely conservative with them. Worse yet, I would sometimes bring my machine guns too close. Not a good choice! Guess there’s not that much I can do if I’m just waltzing into opponent in deep cover, apart from trying to maintain good cover myself and sending proper infantry units first. Any other tips?
3. Does it make sense to compare my losses to historical ones? I guess 9 units so far seems pretty similar to real numbers this far into the operation.
4. Does destroying the enemy HQ, I guess regimental level in this case, significantly impact enemy’s operations?
5. Mortar fire is brutal and VM was really good at amassing it at right places. Gave me a solid kick more than a few times.
6. I love the AI. It moves around, counterattacks, lays traps, targets just the right units. Solid work!

ORIGINAL: Ekaton

1. As enemy troops are mostly in villages, that’s where I direct most of my artillery fire. Political says I shouldn’t do it, but the penalty seems to be minimal. In other scenarios (French) I hardly ever targeted villages and towns which made my job much worse. With American support it seems much smoother. Should I show more restraint? I’m never knowingly attacking civilians or completely random towns.

The penalty varies from scenario to scenario at the scenario designer's discretion. In this scenario, your observation is correct that firing at enemy occupied Villages etc., the penalty is minimal. However, if not occupied by enemy units, be careful, as the penalty is the usual (since villagers are still deemed to be present). What that is precisely, it's not good to say. [;)]

In other words, if a Village etc. is occupied by the enemy, you have good reason, better justification for targeting that Village etc., so the political cost is reduced.

But targeting Villages etc. not known to be occupied by enemy combatants, think twice before you do that.

(Note: In some scenarios, the entire field is a free fire zone, without penalties of this kind. You would know such scenarios by their briefing saying something like "No special political considerations.")

Glad you are enjoying the game!

ORIGINAL: Ekaton

I’m on turn 14 of operation Starlite scenario. It’s really fun, apart from waiting forever to tanks going anywhere through wet paddies. More than half targets controlled by now for the loss of 9 units on my side.

I have a few observations and questions
1. As enemy troops are mostly in villages, that’s where I direct most of my artillery fire. Political says I shouldn’t do it, but the penalty seems to be minimal. In other scenarios (French) I hardly ever targeted villages and towns which made my job much worse. With American support it seems much smoother. Should I show more restraint? I’m never knowingly attacking civilians or completely random towns.

As Berto suggested above, yes, show restraint until you know there are targets there for sure.

ORIGINAL: Ekaton
2. Recon is tough, really good tough. Recon with support helos cost me 3 units on my first approach so I learned to be extremely conservative with them. Worse yet, I would sometimes bring my machine guns too close. Not a good choice! Guess there’s not that much I can do if I’m just waltzing into opponent in deep cover, apart from trying to maintain good cover myself and sending proper infantry units first. Any other tips?

Move from suspected sights within LOS but at distance, try to draw fire from better terrain.

ORIGINAL: Ekaton
3. Does it make sense to compare my losses to historical ones? I guess 9 units so far seems pretty similar to real numbers this far into the operation.

That depends on how you did and where you had the heaviest fighting and how you performed.

ORIGINAL: Ekaton
4. Does destroying the enemy HQ, I guess regimental level in this case, significantly impact enemy’s operations?

Yes, it helps reduce the VC capability in coming out of conserving ammo status, making them less combat effective.

ORIGINAL: Ekaton
5. Mortar fire is brutal and VM was really good at amassing it at right places. Gave me a solid kick more than a few times.

That's good for the VC! Not so much for you.

ORIGINAL: Ekaton
6. I love the AI. It moves around, counterattacks, lays traps, targets just the right units. Solid work!

Awesome, glad you're having a good time!!

Having a hard time doing this scenario.
How do I go in for an objective? Some seem easy as cake but others seem like I need some tactical nukes.
1. Close in to reveal Charlie?
2. Pound it with everything I have?
3. Assault with 1 company or 1 bat. per objective?

Btw. It would be good if the Northern company releases once any unit in that area takes fire. Currently Charlie shoots hat the artillery there even disrupting it, and I'm unable to move any platoon out to find him.

If you don't mind watching some videos, I did a playthrough of this scenario to show you how I would do it.

Keep in mind, this is with the original version and there have been some enhancements since then (in particular with boat movement, artillery and airstrike scatter and available artillery).

Operation Starlite - Part One - https://youtu.be/0NQfOdrYNKM

Operation Starlite - Part Two - https://youtu.be/biMTAAFNgaw

Operation Starlite - Part Three - https://youtu.be/oiav2QRcogA

Operation Starlite - Part Four - https://youtu.be/oiav2QRcogA

Operation Starlite - Finale - https://youtu.be/OsmO-YqPzMQ

Otherwise, for your questions:

1. Close in and assault to start revealing what is inside, or let them shoot at you.

2. I would focus all assets to the areas that you are assaulting. Overwhelming the Viet Cong with your goodies is recommended.

3. I would assault with a battalion, or at least two companies. Depending on the position. Keeping your battalion together will help a lot!

That company up there is in a blocking position only, hence it is fixed.