MC Changes

[CptCav]

VM,

While I agree with you that changing the ZOC rules would be too disruptive to the game series, I have to challenge your defensive frontage values. I do not know what they are currently, but when I was in the Army (80-84), a company would hold a one-to-two kilometer front or an average of one mile (our current hex size). In addition, a Soviet battalion holds a three-to-five kilometer frontage or also one mile per company.

As far as being able to control the surrounding one mile areas with firepower alone that is not likely. There are terrain, visibility and weapon range factors. Even in a desert environment, like I trained in, sand dunes and elevation changes made it very difficult to keep constant surveillance on a target out to one mile. And, when one considers the terrain in Europe with the gentle undulations and other terrain features it becomes even more difficult to keep a target in ones vision. And, this does not take into account night turns! Remember, there were not that many thermal imaging equiped units in 1985 (mainly just the tank ones).

So, as stated earlier, ZOC's hinder the simulation at this scale. They encourage a player to deploy his forces in an unrealistic manner (i.e. a whole battalion massed in one hex and using firepower alone to control the adjacent hexes).

And, regarding a company being able to hold a hex, I would have the fatigue penalties removed. Next, as you probably know, we have had to make changes to the OOB to make it even feasible for the Soviets to launch an invasion. Territorial units are not represented in any significant amount; nor are REFORGER or other NATO reinforcements to their deployed armies; a surprise attack has to be made, which is very unlikely given the intelligence resources available to see an invasion in the making; and, the Warsaw Pact units have to be given better morale than they would likely have (who believes that the Czechs would even consider helping the Soviets invade?). But, that is why this game series is hypothetical or for the want of a better term, fiction. (And, I love it!)

While I would like to see the ZOC/Isolation rules changed, I realize that this is an unrealistic expectation based on how many games there are in the series and player indifference to changing it for the sake of making them a better simulation versus the fun games that they are. Basically, I am just airing my opinions for a dream game system.

Regards,
CptCav