Bridge attack

[FLG]

People have made some good points here, which we would need to account for if we are ever to have a chance of an implementable bridge attack command. To summarise

1. The destruction of bridges was primarily a theater/strategic level decision

2. The introduction could lead to gamey play

3. Games are currently balanced and introducing this as a back fix could mess some of them up

4. In WWII it was a difficult mission and still an uncertain mission in 1985

5. It could require a significant amount of reprogramming, which means time and money and hence unlikely to happen.

Firstly to avoid excessive use of such a rule I would suggest only specifically designated air units being able to make such attacks. The heavier type bombers in WWII and forces with appropriately guided weapons in the modern campaigns.

Secondly, the problem with difficulty could readily be addressed by applying a suitable value for the percentage success of such a mission. We could also have a significant negative modifier if AA forces are in the vicinity of the target, to give the defenders some chance.

These two factors should help to significantly offset potential gamey play.

Another potential way to address this and point 1, the strategic element to such a decision, is to limit possible number of attacks. Maybe no attacks for smaller scenarios and just 2 or 3 for the really huge scenarios.

Now the nutty issue of implmentation. Whatever we choose must be simple as possible to avoid costly programming issues.

Here is my suggestion:

1. First to avoid problems with spotting of an area unseen during the attack, any such attack must be preceded by a recon mission.

2. Once one of the two hexes, connected by the bridge, are spotted by the recon mission an appropriately equipped air unit is used to target either one of the two hexes containing the bridge

3. At this point the bridge selection screen, used for the engineer's damage bridge command is then called up and the player selects the appropriate bridge to attack. I would also suggest the air unit can not be disrupted.

4. The attack proceeds, the percentage chance for bridge attack, defense factors, etc calculated. Including possible interception of the mission.

I would hope we could build up a working idea from these simple ideas.