Drive For St. Lo TM (CG)

[volgaG68]

George, Rule TM18 states, "Each side is limited to using a maximum of two OBA modules per TM scenario (excluding US 60mm Company Mortar OBA Module). Usage of a module for this purpose is defined as having an AOT, Radio, or Field Phone, in play at any time during the TM Scenario." Does the automatically assigned Creeping Barrage that the US receives at TM start count as 1 of the 2 (max) OBA modules, or may they purchase two of them in addition to it? The green highlighted text would appear to not count it against the max#.

Thanks!

 

[George Kelln]

The Creeping Barrage does not count as a OBA Module

 

[volgaG68]

George, in regard to step 'v' in the redeployment sequence during the ConPh; i.e. those units behind their friendly FEBA that do not have to roll to do so (exc: Guns). Can infantry units redeploy behind the FEBA with more PP than their IPC? There is the DRM penalty in the table for those attempting to do so from Isolation, No-Man's Land, etc., but since there is no DR for those units in step 'v' it would not affect them. Seems like there should be such a restriction for overladen units behind their FEBA, but I'm not finding anything in your rules to support that. On the other hand, the ConPh is not the MPh and represents a longer time span. Personally, I could see a good argument either way...

Thanks!

 

[George Kelln]

Having a look at the rules, it doesn't expletively state that a unit can carrying > its IPC. However, as it is a form of Redeployment the table penalizes a unit for doing so.

I agree a unit should not be able to carry > it IPC when deploying behind its FEBA.

Cheers

George

 

[volgaG68]

George, what happens to an AOT that during the Redeployment portion of the ConPh suffers 'Replaced'? According to the ASL rules, IIRC, a crew can not be Replaced unless broken when a Commissar attempts to rally it. Seeing as they don't ELR, there doesn't seem to be any other way for them to suffer from a Replacement result. Except, possibly in your TMs.....

Thanks! [My guess is No Effect]

 

[George Kelln]

Your guess is correct, No effect

 

[volgaG68]

Greatly enjoyed TM! While clipping some counters today, I recalled a polite request I had for you. If possible, having 2-4 spare spots on a future 1/2" counter sheet, could you please include some US AOT counters to round out your LCP counter assortment? When playing the DSL TM, with so many US crews running around, recording the ID of those which were AOTs was difficult at best. I ended up subbing in the Russian AOTs from KBR. I plan to replay the DSL TM in the future, and some US AOT counters would be icing on the cake! Thanks.

 

[George Kelln]

Greatly enjoyed TM! While clipping some counters today, I recalled a polite request I had for you. If possible, having 2-4 spare spots on a future 1/2" counter sheet, could you please include some US AOT counters to round out your LCP counter assortment? When playing the DSL TM, with so many US crews running around, recording the ID of those which were AOTs was difficult at best. I ended up subbing in the Russian AOTs from KBR. I plan to replay the DSL TM in the future, and some US AOT counters would be icing on the cake! Thanks.

You'll be happy to know that there will be some US AOT in the Hell's Highway 2nd Edition Module. If all goes well in playtesting, it should be out this summer.

 

[ibncalb]

Looking at the American Air support RG in the CG. Am I right in thinking that the Americans only receive one flight of planes for the CPP they spend. So, If i'm unlucky then for 15 CPP I could receive only one FB with no bombs which is recalled after one turn?

Or do I roll for, and potentially receive a flight every turn?

 

[volgaG68]

Or do I roll for, and potentially receive a flight every turn?

Correct. TM 22 b)....."At the beginning of each American RPh, the American player makes a dr.....". You roll every RPh, for availability, then # of planes, then payload. Whatever you get is recalled after the following German player turn. Rinse and repeat.

Personally, I believed this to be one of the real key purchases in the CG. Even if you only get a couple planes each for 3 or 4 Turns that scenario, it causes the Germans to 'go to ground' and definitely not go running around in OG in their backfield. Unlike PHD, where the German could run around behind his lines reinforcing here and there, this will all but put a stop to that when there is hell from above. I purchased the RG twice (max 2), and it was points well spent. Definitely makes the German offboard reinforcements, if any that turn, become very cautious when trying to get to the front line! And unless the German can roll lots of 2s and 3s, he has no real defense against it, except moving very cautiously. TM 22 describes how the German Luftwaffe was completely chased from the skies prior to this fight, and they have only the most basic AA capability against it. A final heads-up, don't forget how the blind-hex changes for bocage when being attacked from above.

 

[ibncalb]

Thanks bud.

 

[Jeffery]

"Hell's Highway 2nd Edition Module "
I'm intrigued. Why a second edition?

 

[ibncalb]

We're on date 3 now, the two villages on each flank are still held by the Germans but the Americans have a strong platoon pushed right to the multi level buildings in the centre.

It's a pleasure having so much OBA - three 60mm modules is fun and thanks a lot for the rule that allows me to keep using the modules and not wasting the mortars and crews, and double thanks for the possibility of entering the mortars and crews at a later date. I wish more designers would use this.

There are two things that jar us a bit, probably because they are non standard CG rules. The first is the limited deployment of onboard assets. My AOT can only redeploy 6 hexes within his feba, but my newly purchased platoon of infantry for one TPP more can teleport 30 hexes to the front.

The second is that foxholes cannot be placed in front line locations. My advanced American platoon mentioned above were a bit shocked to discover their entrenching tools had been appropriated.

It's a good test of bocage knowledge, without which the Germans do not have a chance.

 

[ibncalb]

TM 19

entrenchments setup HIP and retain HIP in concealment terrain.

Does concealment terrain include behind bocage?

If so we end up with the strange position below



The American shoots at the German, only to be told that he cannot see the German.

Is this correct/intended?

 

[von Marwitz]

Good question!

By gut feeling, I would say yes. Tough luck for the Americans. At least he has the "benefit" of revealing a Fortification which he cannot see in this manner.

But I am not sure on this.

von Marwitz

 

[George Kelln]

I would have to say that case b) would be used and the trench is place in the hex.

ASLRB B9.21 ENTRENCHMENTS: A unit in an entrenchment cannot see (or be seen) across a same-level wall/hedge hexside/hexspine forming a part of the unit’s hex to (or from) any non-adjacent same-level or lower Location— although an elevation advantage of at least a half-level over the Entrenchment does allow such LOS. LOS is reciprocal. If a viewer would have LOS to any non-entrenched units in such a Location, it also has LOS to any entrenchments in that Location even though it may not have LOS to units beneath that entrenchment.

TM 19 – HIDDEN ENTRENCHMENTS: During a TM Scenario, any Entrenchment set up in Concealment terrain remains hidden until:
a) Its protective TEM is used,
b) A non-Dummy enemy Infantry unit [determined by the procedure given in (A12.11) for Minefield] enters the hex that contains the entrenchment,
c) Extra MF/MP are used to enter/exit it in LOS of a Good Order Enemy unit,
d) The hex is Searched, or
e) It is used as a Tactical Location during the ConPh (ConPh D5.14).
There is no extra cost to enter/exit an Entrenchment unless it is done in the LOS of a Good Order enemy unit.

 

[ibncalb]

I would have to say that case b) would be used and the trench is place in the hex.

Thanks for the response. I'm not sure I understand it though.

Could you please rephrase?

 

[George Kelln]

You have to place the trench on the map.

However, the squad in the trench could not be fired upon by the American squad as there is no LOS between it and the German squad in the trench.

 

[ibncalb]

You have to place the trench on the map.

However, the squad in the trench could not be fired upon by the American squad as there is no LOS between it and the German squad in the trench.

Thanks bud.

Do we place the trench on the map as soon as it is in LOS or only after a shot is declared?

 

[von Marwitz]

Per B9.21 which George has quoted, having LOS seems to be the only requirement, not declaring a shot.

But I have been wrong before...

That said, I find it remarkable that the ASL rules apparently do address the very issue you face. The devil is in the details and sometimes the reasoning why some parts of the rules are there are not obvious. Without your case in mind, one might wonder why the sentence

"If a viewer would have LOS to any non-entrenched units in such a Location, it also has LOS to any entrenchments in that Location even though it may not have LOS to units beneath that entrenchment."

is included in B9.21. With the "Entrenchment behind Bocage" situation, all of a sudden, it makes much sense.

This is one example for the general quality of the ASL rules: Apparently, the authors of that rule have "been there, done that" situation.

von Marwitz