Engineers & Claymores

[Rake]

Eventually, I'll learn to look at Unit Capabilities first, but I was a bit surprised when my combat engineer platoon (in Bootcamp 2) was unable to lay a minefield. My first thought was "okay, maybe they carry too much other gear to be lugging around mines". Further consideration ruled this out - since infantry units face low ammo after laying mines and cannot lay more until achieving full ammo status again, they must be acquiring the additional mines from a supply stockpile (somewhere).

If this is indeed the case, it makes no sense that combat engineers do not have the wherewithal to set out claymores. They can clear mines, can blow bridges and walls, and do all sorts of things related to explosives. If they have no other pressing duties to take care of, I'm certain any competent commander would have them out helping to secure the perimeter. Even an old construction engineer, such as myself (I am not suggesting that Const. Eng'rs in game be given this capability), can read the writing on the front of the box and point the correct side toward the enemy.

So again, I'm wondering about the thinking behind this decision?

Oh! While I'm on about engineer capabilities, what is this DaisyCutter listed under the Engineer Capabilities? The only mention I can find in the manual is this:

DaisyCutter: Airstrike where the primary attack weapon can clear foliage to create an LZ

I know what this is in the bomb-related sense; not sure what it would mean for an engineer unit.

Thanks again,
Rake

[Jason Petho]

It boils down to capabilities in the engine.

An engineer cannot lay mines because it removes them - An engineer will remove a minefield/block at the start of the turn in the same hex it is. There are specific engineers that can lay mines though in the order of battle.


The Daisycutter is to build a landing zone, this was something specific for certain aircraft before, but has now been enabled (with the 1.30 UPDATE) that engineers can clear a landing zone. (The manual will be updated accordingly).

Keep in mind, if you play with Historical Landing Zones Optional Rule (as you should for any of the existing scenarios), that function will not work.