The Commander Series Forum

The Bundeswehr lists don't include the M113 120mm mortar, only the pre 85 older SP mortar units.

What are the stats and points value for the M113 120mm Mortar platoons that were standard to non mixed Panzergrenadier Battalions?

Also I assume that the rule on page 27 should be deleted. It says mortars cannot be on table, yet all through the rules it talks about mortars having own LOS, movement capabilities, and a requirement to deploy before firing, and deploy after firing for movement.

This leads to the next question - Do SP mortar units such as the M113 SP 120mm Mortar have to do a redeploy before firing, or to move after firing?

Regards

Rob

You will find stats for the M106 SP 120mm mortar in the USA army list.

As I understand it SP units do not need to use deploy actions between firing and moving etc.

I don't have my rules with me to check your reference to page 27 but I always have on-table mortars in my forces whether SP or not! You can field some mortars as 'off-table' artillery rather than as 'on-table' support units, is this what you're referring to?

Thanks for the help julesav.

Page 27 states "Mortars,rocket artillery and naval artillery cannot be placed on table."

This is a clear prohibitive rule that contradicts other rules applicable to mortars being on table.

So I think it should be deleted.

The On-Table artillery rule on page 27 restricts mortars to only firing own LOS and not indirect. If you include mortars as artillery.

This rule section is very problematic.

Rob

Rob

"Mortars,rocket artillery and naval artillery cannot be placed on table."

refers to mortars that are listed as Artillery (off-board), as opposed to ones that are listed as Support (on-board).

There are some scenarios that allow off-board units on table, and that what is covered by the On-Table artillery rules.

On table mortars can use indirect fire, but not area effect. They must target a specific (non-command) unit that is in LOS of a friendly unit that is up to 20 cm away from a colland unit. They roll for order to fire like any other unit, with the difference that modifiers for the distance to the requesting command unit do not apply.

So, within these rules scope (at east as I understand them), on table mortars are not artillery and don't work like it.

Foxbat is spot on as we play with them.

The key point is:

You can keep using them multiple times just like other direct firing units but they target individual stands.

As opposed to their function as offboard artillery where (like other artillery) they only fire once per turn but with a blast area.

So then ordering an on-board mortar unit to fire is identical to ordering an IFV to fire, and can be combined in the same order? That is, a CO can issue one order to both the tanks next to him and the mortars way in the far corner of the battlefield to fire at the target in the tanks' LOS, and both the tank's and the mortar's fire is carried out simultaneously?

Zep, yep, thats right, simultaneously but probably with different attack values, as the motars effect armoured targets differently to tank guns. You could also have the tanks fire at one target, and the motar at another with the same order roll, just as you can mix fire orders with move orders.

I always used the US M106. That mortars don't have an area effect was new to me, good to know.