The Commander Series Forum

I remember a long time ago Pete was knocking around a rule for tanks over-running infantry/crewed weapons. Here is my optional house-rule. We are about to playtest this:

Optional Rule: Tank over-run
A tank unit (not open topped AFVs) may opt to over-run an enemy unit on foot (including crew served weapons) that are in the open or on hills (including when entrenched). Initially the procedure is like a Close Assault. Move the tank unit up to the enemy unit. As in a Close Assault, immediately calculate Response Fire as usual if the defending unit(s) is eligible to fire. If the tank is Killed, remove it. If Suppressed, the tank remains in place and must fight the Close Assault to conclusion. If the tank unit is not Suppressed, the player may elect to move the tank through the enemy unit, just to it’s opposite edge. The over-run enemy automatically becomes Suppressed. If the unit is already Suppressed no further effect is applied (i.e., unless suppressed by supporting close assault Response fire, a tank will always get through – over-run – units that are already suppressed).

I like that.
it's in keeping with the principle of BKC but also provides a realistic interpretation.

I'll give this is try.

Thanks. When I contemplate a new rule option I always try to use existing mechanics. I think tank over-runs are realistic and the suppression result makes follow-up infantry assaults more effective. This strikes me as a typical combined arms tactic that makes sense of the tank arm's role - especially those that lacked potent HE punch.

In principle this optional rule is similar to my thinking about direct HE fire from guns eliminating the save throws for Full Cover; it encourages the use of combined arms.

We'll see how this works...

Chris

Chris,In BKC1 under COMBAT PHASE it mentions among other things "Tanks crushing infantry under their tracks" but not as far as I could see how you might decide the result,killed/suppressed,whatever. If infantry because they are able to "scoot" out of the way suppressed perhaps, but for MG/MORTARS/ATG's killed as presumably because the weapons would be crushed/destroyed the unit would cease to exist. Ivan

Hi Ivan:
The idea of an over-run attack is well represented by suppression. The idea is to penetrate the enemy lines and have follow up units mop up the disorganized opponents. What you are describing, in rule terms, is an actual close assault by the tanks in which case the result would be potential elimination of the support weapons. This is the way I see it, anyway.

Chris

Hi,

How did your play tests go, any modifications? I'm thinking of using this in my Prokhorovka 1943 game.

thanks

Andy