This came up in at scenario we currently play (DTF 15 Storming Lommel) where the brits set up two abandoned AFVs in road locations with the crews in buildings.
If the crews can move or advance out into the road, and recrew them in the CCPh, the AFV come into play almost a full turn earlier, and have a much better chance to avoid being shot up.
The rules on the subject are somewhat contradictory, and I do not find that the above mentioned Q&A solves the issue.
First of all the Q&A above has a couple of mistakes.
- An Abandoned vehicle is a Unit, as it is normally capable of movement. If it had not been a unit, it would not be possible to capture an Abandoned vehicle in CC at all, as A11.1 specifically states that "CC is a form of attack which can occur .... between opposing units ....".
- A Friendly AFV may obviously not be crewed in this way, as it is not Abandoned, and the A) here is not absolute, as it has the exception "unless actually in CC".
(BTW, where is this Q&A to be found - I'm not able to locate it.... )
To recrew an Abandoned vehicle, an infantry unit have to start the MPh in the same location (D5.42), but rule A21.2 is cited as a specific exception.
A21.2 states that an Abandoned enemy AFV may be captured automatically by any Infantry unit in the same location at the end of a CCPh, if there are no enemy Personnel in the Location.
It also states that "Otherwise", i.e. if enemy Personnel are present, "an Abandoned AFV can be captured only by a CC attack capture attempt in a CC Location", and that
both sides could attempt capture.
Here A21.2 is a specific exception to A11.1, as
the Abandoned AFV is clearly not opposing neither your own nor your opponents infantry unit, but is quite passive until actually recrewed.
Now there is another interesting Q&A to A7.4 and D5.4
A7.4 & D5.4
Is an abandoned vehicle still a unit? If it is a unit, is a previously friendly vehicle which was abandoned still a friendly unit, thus preventing another friendly unit to fire on it? If it is not a unit, may an abandoned vehicle be fired upon?
A. An Abandoned vehicle is a unit, but it is neither friendly nor enemy and can be attacked by either side. |
This makes it quite plain;
an Abandoned vehicle is a unit, but neither friendly nor enemy, which makes sense to me, as it is not capable of any kind of action or combat.
Still, things are not crystal clear, as A21.2 uses the expression "Abandoned enemy AFV".
To me it seems the better solution to ignore "enemy" in this sentence, as it otherwise would contradict the above Q&A (7.4&D5.4).
Imagine the following:
- A German PzI is immobilized in a hex with an Abandoned French B1-bis and an Abandoned German PzIII. The crew fail their TC and exit the vehicle. Now, if they survive until the CCPh and there are no enemy infantry units in hex, per the Q&A in the above post, they could neither recrew their own vehicle nor the other German Panzer, but they could recrew the B1-bis with which they are totally unfamiliar.
- A German PzIV is immobilized by enemy prep fire. Per the Q&A in the above post they could not recrew their own vehicle in the CCPh, unless an enemy infantry unit actually advances in for CC (and they make the capture DR), which in my view would make things harder, not easier /possible.
Both 1) and 2) are nonsensical IMO.
OH