Rules of Game

[SGT Rice]

I'm inclined to agree with Burroughs; if the game engine allows something and there are no house rules annotated in the scenario description or prenegotiated between the players ... then anything goes. Its certainly true that this will allow certain maneuvers and tactics which aren't strictly realistic, such as ad hoc amphibious assault on a port by a throwaway "floating scout" unit. But in a broader sense, this IS realistic, because it forces players to pay attention to rear area security.

When playing any historical scenario, especially a popular scenario that we've played before, players begin with a great deal of foreknowledge about the strengths and locations of enemy forces, reinforcements, and the general scheme of maneuver that will take place during the game. This is all very unrealistic and often allows us to keep fewer reserves, ignore our flanks, and disregard rear area security in ways that the historical commanders wouldn't have dreamed of. The ability of an opponent to launch small conventional units on suicidal rear area raids, etc. is a good counterbalance to this imho. At the tactical level it may be highly unrealistic, but at the operational level it makes a lot of sense.