The Effective use of Artillery in SP WW2

[Cross]

2nd Lt Fjun is right here I use Mortars for close support, reasoning far better at suppression than big guns due to higher rate of fire. Suppresion is based on number of rounds falling rather than there size, this also means if walking it so 0.3 0.4 still lands enough shells to have an effect. Also means as smaller less chance of killing your own troops though you might pin them.

Hi Imp,

Mortars do have a higher RoF; but larger guns have a better chance of suppressing units away from the impact hex. Are you sure suppression is based only on the number of rounds, and not also WH size/KILL value? :chin:

Gun accuracy in the info screen has absolutly nothing to do with indirect fire it applies to direct fire only rockets are I assume coded to fire in a bigger spread as thats typical usage. What effects accuracy is the person directing as follows.
No LOS to target inacurate
LOS to target far more accurate.
The unit directing (FOOs) stats modify as follows.
Experience > higher improves accuracy, shots on target.
Artillery > Improves effectivness, marginally better kill ratio.
A good FOO with LOS will land with a mortar 2/3rds of shots in target hex & all others adjacent roughly from what I have seen.

I absolutely agree that LOS/no LOS is the biggest accuracy factor.

But if you are right regarding gun accuracy, then a short tube mortar has exactly the same accuracy as the '4.5inch long' which doesn't make sense. The game guide suggests accuracy is not based on spotter alone:

6) The artillery fall of shot spread has been modified. It is generally a more narrow spread than it used to be depending upon the accuracy of the ordinance being fired. Some shots still can fall quite wide of the intended impact point, especially if the spotter has no LOS to the impact point so calling in artillery 'danger close' to your own forces is still quite risky.

On map counter battery needs serious consideration before you do it.
If you have a good FOO with fast call times worth while but consider if call time is 2 thats a minimum of 5 turns those guns will be away from the front by the time you redirect them, it had better be a good target.

This is an excellent point, and one I didn't think to mention.