Question About Artillery Units

[MonsterZero]

I understand these support their formations automatically during a battle as long as the enemy is in range of the cannons.

Now, are there any benefits of clicking on those arty units in the battle planning dialong and expressly ordering them to shoot?

[JAMiAM]

I understand these support their formations automatically during a battle as long as the enemy is in range of the cannons.
Provided that they pass a communications check, and the hex being attacked is in range of the equipment, and the artillery unit is in a non-mobile deployment, they will support at half strength. In this case they do not affect the timing of the start of the attack.

Now, are there any benefits of clicking on those arty units in the battle planning dialong and expressly ordering them to shoot?

They do not need to pass a comm check, and they support/fire at full strength. If supporting units that are attacking the hex, they will fire each tactical round that units remain attacking. If no units are attacking the hex, then they will fire one tactical round if on min losses, two tactical rounds if on limit losses, and three rounds if on ignore losses. In this case, they do affect the timing of the start of the attack, as indicated on the attack planning dialogue, i.e., if they have a higher % of their movement expended than the units actually attacking.

[MonsterZero]

Got it, thanks. I always try to keep track of what they're doing, they're some of my favorite units, especially American arty in Gulf War scenarios.

I played GWI and that S.O.B Saddam deployed chemicals on me for retaking Kuwait, can you believe it? I never happened in my previous attempts on that scenario but there is always a chance.