a few newbie PzC questions

[Dog Soldier]

Actually, armor can be useful in assaults. I would not recommend armor alone against an enemy in covered terrain, (wood, villages etc.), but in clear terrain an armored assault can be devastating to the defender.

The key is to "soften up" the defender. Disrupt the defender with direct fire and artillery/air attacks. Assault him once with infantry. Then move up your armor and assault him again. You may find this second assault breaks the enemy leaving no ZOC and allowing your armor and some infantry a few extra hexes gain to consolidate the breach with their remaining MP.

This tactic has to be weighed against the situation. Can you afford the extra fatigue your armor will get in the assault? Will the breach created be worth the fatigue or disruption of some armored units? Do you have enough follow on units for the next turn to carry the fight to the enemy's rear so you do not have to depend on the assaulting armor the next turn?

Try this tactic out in a game you set up where you can see both sides. The second armored assault will add far more fatigue points to the defender than a second infantry assault will. The second assault by armor is only possible due to their greater MP. In games like MG44 this tactic is used by the Allies to punch XXX Corps up the road to the AB "carpet". Players who are too conservative with the XXX corps armor can find the Germans in strong positions munching on the AB, esp the Red Devils at Arnhem.

Dog Soldier