5 replies to this topic

[Dan Lewis]

I play a lot of Desert wargames and since rules are based on a  squad being represented by a single stand, then infantry tactics are at the platoon level. Many of the infantry tactics I've read are within the squad itself, which not sure can be applied at the levels above squad. 

 

 

 I've never been in the military. I'm wondering if there are tactics for infantry in the desert that can be applied in miniature gaming....Seems like a lot of infantry tactics are based on terrain typically found in European type landscaps (woods, bushes, Fields, hills, houses, gully's etc.)

 

In North Africa, while there was variation in the landscaper certainly, the deserts above the escapment along the coast, consisted of a lot of very open, and often flat terrain. 

 

I'm thinking of a situation where one side is on offense attacking a defensive position with a 2 to 1 advantage. Reminder...just talking infantry and units organic to infantry companies/battalions. The only thing I can think of is to use one half the troops shoot to and suppress the enemy while the other troops advance and perhaps get into a flanking position. Of course if Artillery is available that can be used as well to supress the enemy, or drop smoke. 

 

I know a lot of gamers out there served or are serving in ground units. Thought maybe you might share some of your wisdom. 

[healey36]

A good summary read concerning desert tactics is Paddy Griffith's World War II Desert Tactics (Osprey Elite 162). It's not definitive (as if anything could be), but it's interesting and fairly detailed given the Osprey format, with the bonus of the author being a long-standing icon of the wargaming hobby. It looks like it's still in print:

 

https://www.amazon.c...oks,124&sr=1-1 

[Dan Lewis]

Hello Healy, I've got Paddy's book, but it's focus us more on combined tactics involving Tanks, Infantry, and Artillery. Less so about tactics a platoon commander(s) might employ with squads. I did pick up some Platoon tactics in the Osprey Book on Infantry Tactics in WWII. 

[Begemot_]

Basic infantry tactics are fire and movement. Suppress the enemy's fire, then move an element forward while keeping up the suppressive fires going. The length of the movement of the element depends on terrain and the enemy's fire. This forward movement can be short individual rushes ("I'm up; he sees me; I'm down") to longer bounds by a fire team or squad. It all depends on the situation. Machine guns are very important in the suppressive role. Without suppression your infantry probably isn't going anywhere but back.

 

Infantry fire and movement works best in a combined arms context. Everything works better in a combined arms context.

 

The flat desert doesn't change the tactics. It just increases the engagement range and the vulnerability of targets (grazing fire is a b*tch). Again, everything works better in a combined arms context. Give the infantry all the help it needs.

 

 

Begemot

[Mark 1]

I might add that MP does a very good job of rewarding those who follow the basics described by Begemot, and punishes those who do not.  At least that has been my experience.

It was in this game, relatively early in my MP experience, that I discovered how MP would reward (my opponent) and punish (me) in this regard.

My opponent was a friend, now known widely online as "The Chieftain" (check out his YouTube channel!), who was a tank platoon commander in Iraq, a battalion G2 in Afghanistan, and now serves as a Lt.Col. in the Texas National Guard.  He understood suppression followed by fire and movement. Once his Italians had an edge of my French in the suppression contest, he started closing in and inflicting casualties. There was nothing I could do to stop him, all I could do was fall back and try to regroup.  I was very impressed.

 

I applied the same tactic in my next game, this time placed in a European (Alpine) setting, where my Italians were able to suppress my French opponent, leaving him (a tank driver in Iraq, with no service since) no choice but to withdraw. 

 

In both cases I saw small, MG-only armed armored vehicles (armored cars in the first case, tankettes in the second) provide VERY impressive service.  Infantry without integral AT weapons were very vulnerable, and it is easy to explore on the game table why vehicles such as Pz I and II, Vickers Light tanks, and M2 Light Tanks were such popular designs during the inter-war period. Combined arms makes a difference. But the principal is the same -- just easier to implement.

 

Suppress first, and you can advance a portion of your force while you keep the other portion re-suppressing.  Works in the desert, on the steppes, and in temperate areas.  At least in MP it works. Not so much in other rules.

 

Your tankage may vary.

 

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

[Kenny Noe]

My 0.02¢...   A unit that is suppressed is "almost" as good as a kill.  Because for at least one turn that unit is not firing, supporting another unit, or helping their side press against the enemy.  All they are trying to do is recover.  So the attacking can get a second attack w/o worry of the suppressed unit firing back.

 

I love the way MPCR does this.

 

<FanBoy soapbox ON>

And let me say "WOW the Chieftain has player Mein Panzer!!!"  I'm so stoked.  Subscribed and watch his channel every chance I get!.

<FanBoy soapbox OFF> 

 

Thanks Mark!