The Russian halftrack debate

[John Given]

The Russian equivalent of the German halftrack for gaminess and misuse has to be the justly famous Anti-Tank rifle platoon.
They are currently used for recon,listening posts, speed bumps, and arty spotters and at 2 pts per sp they are very economical to use in these modes. They do quite well at it and are a much better bargain now than halftracks or trucks :-)

*Sigh*

Guilty as charged. I use these units for all of the above. Part of the reason is because they are so common, another is that they perform the above functions so admirably, at at a low sp cost - it's just too much for me to ignore. However, if another player suggested to me before game that I limit my AT platoon use to actual attacks, I would abide by it.

Ask Scud (David Bracken) about my AT platoon use in "Giants on the Vistula." My (shameful?) AT platoon use allowed me to see his forces and...report on their positions, whilst calling in some light mortar artillery fire support. IF I had airstrikes, my AT platoons would have called them in too. Somehow I can't imagine these units equipped with communications gear that would allow for this. :chin:

Actually, I'm quite well-behaved in my HT use - I keep them far away - spotting from distant forest hexes. But I *will* use them to spot nonetheless. Also used for transport, and to provide a quick escape for many non-mobile guns (take a shot with the gun, then load up and away in the same turn before the enemy can hit it next turn with artillery or whatever. :cool:

One counter-point; the Russian really has no great recon options in the game - low-sp SMG platoons are about as close as it gets. Armored cars, when they are in the game, are too valuable and useful to be used in close proximity to the enemy, so I use Russian AC's like german HT's - spotting from distant forest hexes. :whis: