First World War Campaigns: FRANCE 1914

[Dog Soldier]

[SNIP]
The rule also prevents defenders leaving very small (50 men) units to block bridges with their ZOC while the main force can retreat away.

The rule is not a perfect solution i agree, but at least there is now the threat of units being able to cross which otherwise would not be possible.

I hope to see the rule in PzC where linked to the ability of engineers to ferry troops would make "straddling" a far less effective tactic. ;)

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You must have been in 1914 too long.

By France 1940 (and in all PzC titles) the "straddling" bridge defense is handled in one of two ways depending on what else is around. If it is only a holding force of very small (50 men) units to block bridges with their ZOC while the main force can retreat away then disrupt them as usual, bring up an engineer, load a Bn or three companies of infantry into the little rubber boats and ferry these across to to a hex adjacent to the defenders. Drive the bugger defenders out of their hex the next turn with an assault.
Second choice is basically the same, but instead of ferrying the infantry to a safe hex across the river, just assault ferry them and kick the holding force out of its hex right then and there. The advantage to this tactic is you should have troops ready to exploit across the newly opend bridge and protect your ferried assault infantry at a minimum.

Either way the block is removed in on the turn you disrupt if with direct fire etc. or at least with only one turn delay.

Dog Soldier

Set up your ferry assault


Bang! Assault ferry success! The bridge is now open for traffic.