Missing Counter Series: Rocket DUKW

[jrv]

In reading "The Green Inferno," about the Cape Gloucester campaign (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-Gloucester/) I found repeated references to a "rocket DUKW". The US Army apparently fitted out a MRL kit for 4.5 inch rockets that could be mounted on a DUKW (http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Weapons/US_Rockets.htm). It's 120 tubes, so re-load is probably going to take more than a turn.

The name would also make for a great comic book super-hero.

JR

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[Paul M. Weir]

While there are some rocket equipped toys that due to their usage and limitations would be best represented by counters, eg the SdKfz 251 with 28/32cm "Stuka zu Fuß", I think that that would be best represented by OBA.

 

[von Marwitz]

While there are some rocket equipped toys that due to their usage and limitations would be best represented by counters, eg the SdKfz 251 with 28/32cm "Stuka zu Fuß", I think that that would be best represented by OBA.

I agree. Given the range at which these rockets were normally used (at least I believe that) would usually place them outside an ASL map when firing.

von Marwitz

 

[Major_Tom]

I remember building this model kit was I was young, a modified Sherman called the T34 designed to carry a similar rocket launcher assembly that could be used as a coaxial "secondary armament" to the main 75mm gun. Granted, in the realm of ASL such toys would be relegated off-board as OBA, but the direct fire possibilities would be simply merciless, yes?



http://www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?detail=14546&page=148&newlist=1

 

[witchbottles]

I remember building this model kit was I was young, a modified Sherman called the T34 designed to carry a similar rocket launcher assembly that could be used as a coaxial "secondary armament" to the main 75mm gun. Granted, in the realm of ASL such toys would be relegated off-board as OBA, but the direct fire possibilities would be simply merciless, yes?

View attachment 800

http://www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?detail=14546&page=148&newlist=1

That's a "Calliope" Very effective on call fire support weapon in 1945 advances into germany.

 

[Kevin Kenneally]

The idea of Rockets in ASL was asked (by me) to Perry several years ago and his reply was, "OBA covers this in a good way".

So no "Official" counters with Rockets.

CH has developed a few counters so far, but nothing really stands out like the SPW 251 with the Rocket pods attached (as Paul mentions above, and what COI had a counter for).

 

[Eagle4ty]

Gosh, SL sure had some neat rules & counters (well, at least within my recollection). The Rocket units were pretty cool with rounds landing everywhere and it took like 20 minutes to resolve a strike!

 

[jrv]

I have had a lot of difficulty finding data on the typical range for the American rockets, but some of it suggests the range need not be very long. Some of the rocket weapons seemed to be intended for use at very short ranges. For example the T-39/T-40 series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T40_Whizbang) reportedly had a range of 230 yards (http://web.archive.org/web/20070305104835/http://www.752ndtank.com/RocketTanks.html). The M8 rocket (which I think is the model used by the Rocket DUKW) had a "maximum accurate range" of 800 yards. I don't know what range the rocket DUKW was capable of, but it could easily be at normal ASL ranges. The way its use is described in The Green Inferno is as part of a task force sent out with tanks and infantry to assault some position, i.e. not held back at the main perimeter for called-in support. So while some tanks with rockets were definitely used as indirect fire artillery, some apparently were not. Perhaps someone with a larger library than I have can look into the matter.

JR