SW Usage during Subsequent First Fire/FPF

[Bill Kohler]

If a German squad with a MG tries for two PFs during Defensive First Fire and then wishes to SFF, I believe it cannot use the MG, and then must use the MG during FPF.

If a German HS with a MG tries for a PF during Defensive First Fire and then wishes to SFF, I believe it can use the MG, and must during FPF.

Is that how you read it too?

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A7.351 A squad may fire any one SW/Gun without the squad losing its inherent FP; this inherent FP can be added to the SW attack in the case of a MG, or used for a separate attack in the same fire phase. A squad may never fire more than two SW/Gun in the same fire phase although it may fire two different types. A squad using two SW/Gun loses its inherent FP until the CCPh [EXC: 7.353].

A7.352 A crew/HS/SMC that fires any SW/Gun loses its inherent FP until attacked/attacking in CC or the end of that Player Turn (whichever comes first) [EXC: 7.353].

A7.353 In both of the above cases, Subsequent First Fire (8.3), FPF (8.31), and Final Fire (8.4) vs adjacent units retain halved inherent FP for those attacks (regardless of how they were used during First Fire)—although use of full SW/Gun capability during such attacks can negate inherent FP in the normal manner. See the 8.41 EX.

A8.31: ... All usable MG/IFE possessed by that unit (up to the unit’s normal operation capabilities; 7.35-.353) must be fired (even if not previously marked with a Final Fire counter) and are subject to Sustained Fire penalties.

 

[DVexile]

I don’t think the HS can use the MG in SFF as the SW Chart says they may only fire one SW. There is a somewhat relevant Q&A:

A7.352 & A8.4 1) A HS fires its PSK in the MPh and is marked with a First Fire counter. In the DFPh, may that HS attempt a PF shot vs. an ADJACENT vehicle?

A. No, per the SW Chart, a HS can only fire one SW.

As to FPF, A8.31 says “up to the unit’s normal operational capabilities” which would seem to imply the same limits of the SW Chart.

So I’m not sure, but it seems it would be easy for someone to argue the opposite of your interpretation based on the above.

 

[M.Netto]

I don’t think the HS can use the MG in SFF as the SW Chart says they may only fire one SW.

I agree here. Since a PF is considered an inherent SW, all SW rules would apply. As an analogy, if a squad possessing 3 MGs fires two MGs and both malfunction, it won't be able to fire its third MG even in FPF, but it would have to fire both MGs in FPF if they didn't malfunction. Well, that's is how I read it.

 

[Bill Kohler]

Thank you for your thoughts: I'm glad I asked!

So, what we seem to be saying is this . . .
--If a German squad with a MG tries for two PFs during Defensive First Fire and then wishes to SFF, it cannot use the MG, either in SFF or FPF, for that would be beyond its "normal operational capabilities".
--If a German HS with a MG tries for a PF during Defensive First Fire and then wishes to SFF, it cannot use the MG, either in SFF or FPF, for that would be beyond its "normal operational capabilities".

 

[DVexile]

Thank you for your thoughts: I'm glad I asked!

So, what we seem to be saying is this . . .
--If a German squad with a MG tries for two PFs during Defensive First Fire and then wishes to SFF, it cannot use the MG, either in SFF or FPF, for that would be beyond its "normal operational capabilities".
--If a German HS with a MG tries for a PF during Defensive First Fire and then wishes to SFF, it cannot use the MG, either in SFF or FPF, for that would be beyond its "normal operational capabilities".

Yep, that's my thinking after reading through stuff. Though it wasn't immediately obvious to me at least! M.Netto's example seems to me to be the clearest way to think about it.

I'd still be sort of interested in seeing a Q&A specifically about the case of FPF just to be 100% certain.

 

[Bill Kohler]

A similar question: If a squad uses a non-MOL SW during Defensive First Fire, may it try for a MOL during Final Fire?

A22.611 might disallow it: ... A MOL Check dr counts as use of a SW, so a HS/crew which fails a MOL Check dr may not attack at all because it has exhausted its only attack opportunity for that Player Turn (7.352-.353); this would not negate any FG including it, however. A squad which makes a MOL Check dr may not fire any other SW and must add its inherent FP to the attack (See Mandatory FG; 7.55).

 

[clubby]

A similar question: If a squad uses a non-MOL SW during Defensive First Fire, may it try for a MOL during Final Fire?

A22.611 might disallow it: ... A MOL Check dr counts as use of a SW, so a HS/crew which fails a MOL Check dr may not attack at all because it has exhausted its only attack opportunity for that Player Turn (7.352-.353); this would not negate any FG including it, however. A squad which makes a MOL Check dr may not fire any other SW and must add its inherent FP to the attack (See Mandatory FG; 7.55).

This came up recently, where a russian squad had fired a LMG in First Fire. We determined that it was unable to try for a Molotov in Final Fire due to A22.611.

 

[von Marwitz]

This came up recently, where a russian squad had fired a LMG in First Fire. We determined that it was unable to try for a Molotov in Final Fire due to A22.611.

I agree.

von Marwitz