To change tack a little,
I've been putting some thought to some of the discussions about Platoon
Leaders.
Given that most "Real Life" Platoon Commanders do have a Platoon Sergeant to
guide them much of teh time and ride herd over the 'uppity'
section commanders/squad leaders, I've given soem thought to this as a
suggestion for use of Pl Leaders.
Treat the Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant as individuals as the good
rules do allow. Roll for their individual Quality and Leadership values.
With respect to communications and activating squads:
1. The Platoon Sergeant may pass ONE communication per game TURN to activate a
squad IF the Platoon Commander has only attempted to activate one so far.
Similarly, if the Platoon Sergeant has already activated another squad via a
communication then the Platoon Commander may only
activate one squad. In other words, as a pair the Pl Comd/Sgt may still
only activate a maximum of TWO squads per turn.
2. The Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant should remain within 6 inches of
a squad at all times (come on we don't want Audie Murphies running all over
the place). They may join a squad at any time, but do not take control of the
squad unless it is the HQ squad. (From my own experience the Section Commander
is generally going to do a better job of running his own section then the LT
or SGT!).
Given that it is generally accepted that all troops will have built in helmet
radios, the sight of the LT running up the hill with the Sig trailing along
behind, joined by the umbilical of a hand set lead will not be seen on the
battlefield of 2188!
In most TO&Es the HQ squad becomes more of a support squad, perhaps the junior
squad leader gets to work under teh eye of the Pl Sgt. Or perhaps the SENIOR
squad leader gets to see how the Platoon HQ runs from a little closer?!
I think this might give the flavour that a lot of people are looking for (and
maybe use something similar already?).
Okay, any comments?
> You wrote:
> 2. The Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant should remain within
I would permit PL/PSGs to hop from squad to squad, even if that takes a
turn or two.
> Given that it is generally accepted that all troops will have built in
Heh... My current PL carries the radio himself. But he's an odd duck.
> In most TO&Es the HQ squad becomes more of a support squad, perhaps
Exactally. Lots of machine guns, and most of the anti-armor assets
would be concentrated there. In the TO&Es I'm throwing together, a LI
support squad has four SAWs and 2 GMS/Ps (subject to change, still
first draft).
> Okay, any comments?
Very good. This 1)Allows PL/PSGs to continue moving forward without
"wasting" an action, and 2)Provides leadership for the support and assault
elements both. (Or however you want to divvy out a mission)
> Given that it is generally accepted that all troops will have built in
But is it not inconcievable to see the LT/pltn sgt running along with
the EW guy trying to counter the counter measures so they they can actually
get through on their helmet radios?
> At 07:02 20/05/98 -0500, you wrote:
SNIP
> Heh. . . My current PL carries the radio himself. But he's an odd
You mean he's quackers?
SNIP
> John M. Atkinson
Sorry.
> John Atkinson wrote:
> >Given that it is generally accepted that all troops will have built
The only possible exception might be if you want to talk to orbit. But
then again you would eitehr have a relay man/site or that would be the
FOC/FSC( Foward Ortillery/space controller) with his specialized kit.
> >In most TO&Es the HQ squad becomes more of a support squad, perhaps
I think these ideas are very good. In a one-leader platoon, I like to
have at least some of the heavy weapons attached directly to me as the platoon
leader. (I take them away from the squads if necessary, depending on the org
being worked with.)
And it's a good idea to have the Platoon Sgt or 2IC working with the support
element. In many undertrained or third worlkd armies, the platoon leader likes
to stay with the heavy weapons squad and direct fire, as opposed to most "1st
world" armies, where the platoon leader will be with the assault or manuever
element. Either they view Fire as the main effort to the attack, or it's a
safer place to be than with the assaulting element.
Either way, with the platoon sgt directing your supporting fires you know you
have someone with a good head back there that will make sure your support
element shifts fire in time when you reach the objective to keep your own guys
for getting shot. Lots of snuffies get a "red haze' over their eyes when they
start firing. Or worse when you are in real contact you would be surprised on
how many guys won't even shoot because they either don't see readily
discernable targets or they're scared. Either way, a platoon Sgt can provide
the size ten motivation to direct their fire.
That brings me to another interesting observation about wargames. You really
miss the danger of friendly fire in them. Something like if your manuever
element is within x cm of the target, there' is an XX% chance
that some/all fire will shift and hit them. Of coursethen your into an
ASL-thick rulesbook. <g>