V1.03 - The Upsides

[Hawk Kriegsman]

I am, however, at some loss to pick up the logic behind the minefield engineers, who only get one field lay per scenario (as I read it) and the block builders , who can keep building away as long as they have supply.

Actually there is a simple explaination for this. To create a minefield an engineer does need mines. No way around that.

However to create a blocked hex an engineer does not need barbed wire. Felled trees, rockfalls, etc can work to block a hex just as well wire. In fact if you look at the blocked hex in 3-D view you will see that it shows just as many felled trees as it does wire.

Blocks and minefields have similar tactical functions, are of limited value unless covered by fire, and require digging to establish them.

Although mines cause damage.

Could not the barbed wire truck also bring up some boxes of mines, which are only another form of ammo, probably lighter than those heavy barbed wire rolls, and certainly easier to handle?

Again I believe that black hexes are created by engineers with materials on hand.

There is a case, too, for the regular infanteers to lay and cut barbed wire. This was a routine function in WWII. The Brit SMLE .303 had a wire cutter attachment, and wire cutters are a simple tool. Obviously, such a capability would cost points, and it might reasonably happen more slowly than regular engineers

I have always figured that small wire cutters like you mentioned is what allows an infantry unit to move through a blocked hex. While engineers have the necessary demolitions to actually remove the blocked hex.

Thanx!