The Commander Series Forum

AFVs Crossing Or Assaulting Occupied Fieldworks?
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Page 18 2nd. paragraph: "Troops...may not voluntarily move closer than 5cm to a visible enemy unit unless assaulting."
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Page 30 2nd. bullet point : "AFVs may only assault units that are in the open...."
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Based on the above we've concluded that AFVs can only shoot into trenches and pits when occupants are unconcealed per page 6.
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1. Can AFVs close assault occupied Gun or AFV pits?
Yes or No?
N. African photographs from The Western Desert and Libya give me the impression these were inadequate obstacles for an AFV charging up and over.
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2. Can AFVs close assault occupied Trenches?
Yes or No?
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Respectfully,
Bill

My understanding is:
"Troops...may not voluntarily move closer than 5cm to a visible enemy unit unless assaulting."
If the attacking unit can not yet see the unit in fieldworks (defender) they can only move towards the defender until they are close enough to see them but no closer than 5cm. They can Close Assault in the next move assuming other restrictions are satisfied.

"AFVs may only assault units that are in the open...."
This refers to the type of terrain the defender is in, not whether they are in fieldworks. So an infantry unit in a trench in a wood can not be Close Assaulted by a tank, but if the trench is just outside the wood it can.

1. Can AFVs close assault occupied Gun or AFV pits?
AFVs can Close Assault occupied Gun Pits (if in Open Terrain) but NOT AFV pits (page 30, 3rd bullet point - AFVs can't CA AFVs)

2. Can AFVs close assault occupied Trenches?
If the trench is open terrain - Yes, if in terrain that gives cover - NO

In my previous, for "...restrictions are satisfied" read "...conditions are satisfied". I couldn't think of the word at the time.
Cheers

Hello Bill

The problem here is is one of definitions; that is, what does "... in the open ..." actually mean.

I used to think it mean "not in cover, i.e. not in field defences". But then I saw one of Pete's replies (don't ask me where!) that indicated it meant "in open terrain, i.e. regardless of whether in field defences or not".

The question has been asked a few times, so I think it's probably worth a FAQ.

Puzzled (but hopefully no longer in this particular case!)

Yes Puzzled the question that you say is mine and "in the open" is the type of terrain, so troops in trenches or pits can be CA.if in open terrain (not in BUA, woods ecc.)

Thinking back to the last time this was asked we ended up discussing the value of neutral turns in trenches - very effective even on reveted trenches.

Thank you Sirs,
Very helpful.
Respectfully,
Bill