The Commander Series Forum

I have a question about whether reconnaissance units require orders from a CO or HQ unit in order to perform operations during the command phase.

On page 42, under Deployment -- Formations, it appears that reconnaissance units do not come under the "jurisdiction" of Co or HQ units since they are not assigned to formations.

But they are not specially excluded from formations on page 4, under Game Concepts -- Units, Formations, and Battlegroups.

And the Recce Optional Rule on page 10 doesn't address them being a part of a formation, but states that they can try to communicate "with the nearest command unit."

So, am I correct in believing they do not have to be part of a commanded formation in order to function as they were tactically used or is my armored cavalry background getting in the way?

Thanks,

Jim

Forgive my half witted response, I'm full of horrible cold/chest goo and am working...

Basically the recce bonus to a HQ's CV is just applied to the closest one. Also, if you play with them needing orders, they can be ordered to move/shoot etc by whichever HQ is closest.

I think most people have shifted to the FWC/CWC approach where recce either does it's "recce special" (attempts to improve a HQ's CV, reveal/spot a hidden enemy etc) OR moves 1d6*Move value instead of needing orders.

Sorry, that's a bit inchoerent and probably doesn't help.

Anyone else?!

Not far off -

There are 3 actions :-

1) Move 1 D6X Movement
2) Spot for HQ or Observer - applied to nearest HQ/Observer, adds 1 to CV fro 1st order/request
3) Spot hidden elements.

Thanks guys. That is more to my concept of what a recce unit could/should be doing.

Jim

As well as the above, I usually assign recce to a specific HQ, and they can only do their recce actions for this HQ.

Technically that's right - but....

Taking a British Btn/Rgt, you would have 4 patrols of 2 vehicles, on the company net, so any HQ could get the bonus. In the Soviet case you get 3 platoons per rgt, again technically directly under RHQ. The mechanism for using the nearest HQ assumes that they are the ones who can best use the info.

IanS

Thanks Ian, that was a lot more coherent than my attempt

I agree on the "closest HQ" getting the bonus, too - don't think there's a need to tweak that unless you want something scenario specific (e.g. An "Arras-ish" where UK and French commands are decisively separate etc).