The Commander Series Forum

Good day,

I'm looking to make up some fixed trenches for an upcoming scenario. I just noticed that trench size went from 20cm length for 5 points (version 1) to one unit length (version 2) for 5 points. I'm assuming because I'm using 5cm wide infantry units, it would cost 20 for the old version trench length in BKC version 2. I'll be replicating a German trench line with dug-outs along the trench. Maybe this was discussed earlier and I just missed it.

Sounds like the enemy will need lots heavy artillery or better still, try to outflank you!!

My Russians are still smarting from my attempts to bash a way through the 78th Sturm Division when they have prepared positions. (I should have gone round, would have required another table on each flank mind!)

In one game the 78th held a central position dug in (hidden at game start) using a diamond formation of 4 x 75mm ATG units dug in, with infantry (inc MGs) in trenches between them, and artillery guns / mortars further back in support. Oh and minefields and barbed wire to their front. Pretty much impenetrable with on table forces without gun artillery or air support!!

Carl

The trenches will not be completely full with infantry. It just allows for German infantry to choose where to deploy and move around. There will be gaps in the trenches and anti-tank ditches. Not sure about minefields yet. I think the scenario has the Germans heavily outnumbered.

I guess I should have put a question mark somewhere in my previous post. Trying to figure out if a 20cm long trench would cost 20 points?

Winkling infantry out of trenches is haaaard work. Requires something like 48 dice of fire per base to kill them?!

Erm, yes - trench cost is based off the unit frontage length, so you need four 'trench sections' at 5 points each to cover four infantry bases at 20cm width

Cool cool. Thanks.

"48 dice of fire per base"

Less than that. The main thing is to suppress them along with a couple of hits and then close assault.

You're still suppressing on a six... byt the time you get a suppression you've probably had to kill them anyway

Flamethrowers are the key: Hit on a 4+, automatic suppression and fall-back!
Just one little problem, you need to get close enough to use them!

Flamethrowers are the third answer after "more artillery" and more T-34s

Using the auto-suppression rules from artillery hits is worth considering. It has also been mooted that you could include mortar fire with this as well.

I'd say yes to the auto-suppression but people feel arty is over powered anyway :/

My view is that auto suppression should be part of the main rules and not optional. The effects or artillery were not necessarily to destroy, but to suppress. Hitting on a 6 (and then a save) and then needing another 6 to suppress does not I think reflect battlefield reality.

Some people thing that artillery is too powerful, especially with auto suppression, but I think that they under appreciate the part that it played in combined arms warfare.

The Germans in the early war, and the western allies in the late war period have the artillery advantage, and their armies are particularly effective, as it should be. Neglecting artillery distorts things.

As for getting close with flamethrowers, the answer is:

Crocodiles. And auto suppression with artillery!

Steve