|
|
Post by madmorgan on Jan 11, 2016 1:45:16 GMT
This unit could fit in any army/faction so I'm placing it here. The Forward Observer Unit 3 elements @20pts consists of 3 teams of 3 men each. Each element acts as an independent unit. They lay telegraph ground wires to their positions. Using an induction telegraph, they morsecode fire grids and voice adjustments. Only FO needs LoS for arty to fire on targets. Stats for these teams are the same as Infantry of the faction they are representing, but only have a short range (10") carbine instead of a rifle - they let their arty do their talking.
|
|
|
|
Post by scottwashburn on Jan 11, 2016 1:51:57 GMT
A good idea! I would put some restrictions on the time frame in which they are available. In real world history indirect fire really didn't become practical until late 1915. In the AQ world, they would certainly become available before that, but probably not until 1911-1912 at a guess. Also, I would require a success roll each time the FO wants to call in fire. Maybe a 6+ on the D10. This would reflect the possibility of the telegraph wire being broken (perhaps run over by some careless tank driver) or the battery just not being available. Also, they should not be allowed to move and call in fire in the same turn.
|
|
|
|
Post by madmorgan on Jan 11, 2016 3:35:44 GMT
Hmmm, I thought about the 'cut line' problem early on and agree that the FO can't move and call fire. In fact, my intent was that once in place, the AQMF FO couldn't relocate at all (due to laying the cable). I didn't make that clear.The cut line would totally negate the FO for the remainer of the game. I'll think on these ideas and may incorporate them soon. I like the timeline thought for that. Its also possible I need to redo this unit to reflect national tendences (ei USA use induction telegraph, BEF/German/French radios, etc). So there might be a rewrite in order.
|
|
|
|
Post by scottwashburn on Jan 12, 2016 0:53:04 GMT
Well, I don't think you need to worry about an actual 'cut line' problem. Just adding a die roll to call in a barrage can cover a multitude of technical difficulties. Even in WWII there was no guarantee that a request for artillery support would get you any!  And I think the FOs ought to be able to move. In a game it could add real value to certain terrain features. Capture that hill, get an FO party up there, and you can call down fire on those Grenadiers hiding behind it! |
|
|
|
Post by madmorgan on Jan 12, 2016 13:36:35 GMT
Still looking at it - will probably revise along the rules you suggest - a roll to insure the info gets through (rather than the 'drastic' "cut line", which puts the USA FO out-of-business for the game). The USA FO is only major faction with a problem, as the radio-using factions (BR,FR,GR) should also roll for a problem as well. What would you suggest for a guide - is 50% a good reflection of this time? Seems okay with the low cost of the unit.
|
|
|
|
Post by madmorgan on Feb 5, 2016 12:35:59 GMT
Revised FO Units: Timeline: available in 1911+; 3 elements @30 points per unit. Stats: same as Infantry of the nation representing Special: Call Artillery. Call Artillery rule: Only the FO needs LoS to a target for artillery in range to fire on (sight unseen). You must roll a 5+ for the call to go through. All FO of any nation uses radios. The FO team consists of 3 man elements; one spotter, one plotter, and one radioman. All are armed with short ranged carbine (Rng 10" -Pow RF1 Spec: n/a).
I upped the points to allow for partial units at 10pts ec to be used in a given scenario. The spotter helps carry the bulky radio, the plotter is normally an NCO or officer in charge. (usually 2nd Lt. and two NCOs for the entire unit). These units really make a larger appearence in 1915+ scenarios, as more USA units have radios then, particularly the Armor Battalions. Anything with MkIIMA or MkIVMA should have at least on of these elements per battery.
Alternative Rules: The above applies, but the USA uses an induction telegraph allowing both morse code and voice. The gridfire is sent by telegraph and the adjustments are done by voice. The same rolls apply and any call failing to go through is considered to be a cut line, which the telegraph man normally follows the line back to fix it. The USA FO consists of a spotter, a plotter and a telegraph man. All the men are trained in morse code btw.
New units - using the Conqueror models (Ford Motor Co. produced btw), you can easily plug the FO into a 3" or gunned, no sponson, tank to created an armored FO model or unit (x3). All my Conqueror models have radios per Patton and so its a natural use of lesser gunned tanks. Take the price of a MkI model (3") or MkII model (4") and add 10pt per FO to the cost.
Conqueror MkIVJ (3"gun) platoon @120 + FO @30 = 150pts/1unit
Conqueror MkIVG1 (4"gun) platoon @165 + FO @30 = 195pts/1unit
Terror Tank (either Hotchkiss 1.65" or 57mm gun) platoon @90 + FO @30 = 120pts/1unit
|
|
|
|
Post by loyalist on Feb 5, 2016 15:43:53 GMT
Any ideas about suitable 18mm figures?
|
|
|
|
Post by Chronos on Feb 5, 2016 16:54:20 GMT
This does seem to be bringing the rare American radios into a much more general use. Also how long will it be before the Martians start using radio jamming equipment?
|
|
|
|
Post by madmorgan on Feb 5, 2016 23:18:09 GMT
Several answers to several posts: loyalist, at present theres not any really. I look forward to Old Glory WW1 Blue Moon Observer mixed with a few Infantry command figures and a crate with antenna for the radio.
The Martians in my version know and monitor radio signals, often sending forces to high usage areas. Its not known if they actually translate anything heard. Its not known if they could jam as of this writing - they might not of thought of doing that. But, as is the case in most intelligence services even today, jamming tips your target to you being onto the signals, so its probable that even if they can they won't. And by 1916 AQ the radio is starting to appear more & more among USA forces, especially armor and mobile artillery.
|
|
|
|
Post by scottwashburn on Feb 6, 2016 2:40:24 GMT
Even in WWII radios were really bad The 'portable' radios the infantry used had ridiculously short ranges. The 'Handy Talkie' which looked like an overgrown portable telephone only had a range of about a quarter mile. The 'Walkie Talkie' which was worn like a backpack had a range of a little over a mile. Even large truck-mounted radios (i.e. the whole back of the truck was a transmitter/receiver) could only go 30 or 40 miles. So whenever possible the troops laid down wires for field telephones. They were much more reliable than radios. |
|
|
|
Post by easye on Feb 11, 2016 16:19:56 GMT
Any ideas about suitable 18mm figures? Well, the machine gun crewman with the Binoculars, the officer with pistol, could be an okay start. The third guy could just be a trooper as well. |
|
|
|
Post by hardlec on Feb 11, 2016 16:54:52 GMT
Cable of any length has splices. (Connecters) Lots of things can go wrong. The main advantage of cable is that it can't be overheard. Until the invention of transistors, moving a radio meant loosening the fragile tubes. Traffic Analysis, or measuring how much activity comes in and out of an area, is still used as a tool. It is easy to fake. I used to send pages of old Burns and Allen scripts. Just to annoy Ivan.  |
|
|
|
Post by madmorgan on Feb 11, 2016 17:29:26 GMT
Hehe, good ploy that hardlec. Well spoke on the problems. I agree those figures would work fine easye. Thanks for the input all. |
|
And I think the FOs ought to be able to move. In a game it could add real value to certain terrain features. Capture that hill, get an FO party up there, and you can call down fire on those Grenadiers hiding behind it!
