Minefield Tactics

[onesixthsoldier]

Tactical Question:  I have been playing Tobruk '41 and El Alamein '42 extensively via PBEM and against the AI.  What is the "best" way to clear minefields particularly during an offensive?  The tactic of moving an engineer/sapper unit into a hex in advance of infantry or armor is extremely slow, taking three turns to reduce a minefield from 3 to 0.  There must be a better way.  Any advice is appreciated.

[Kool Kat]

Tactical Question:  I have been playing Tobruk '41 and El Alamein '42 extensively via PBEM and against the AI.  What is the "best" way to clear minefields particularly during an offensive?  The tactic of moving an engineer/sapper unit into a hex in advance of infantry or armor is extremely slow, taking three turns to reduce a minefield from 3 to 0.  There must be a better way.  Any advice is appreciated.

Stack multiple engineer units in the minefield hex to speed mine removal and (maybe?) increase the odds that at least one engineer will remain not disrupted.  

[Ricky B]

But even then they can only remove one level per turn, but it will improve the chances of at least one not being disrupted.

However, once at least one level is removed and an engineer is present, other units in T mode can move through.

And as the level goes down, you may simply have to decide to move into it in deployed mode and take the losses.

[Landser34]

Sometimes just  like the Russians did you just have to take the casualties and send the troops through a minefield

[onesixthsoldier]

I appreciate the advice. I did not realize that units in Travel Mode could move through a minefield as long as an "friendly" engineer unit was also in the hex.

Thank You

[Compass Rose]

Boy, I only wish the scenarios I played in the past allowed me the option to overload one hex with several ENG units at the same time.

I always fell into the situation where there were so many mines and too few friendly ENG units!  

[Fhil]

Boy, I only wish the scenarios I played in the past allowed me the option to overload one hex with several ENG units at the same time.

I always fell into the situation where there were so many mines and too few friendly ENG units!  

Engineers, always my favorite target for the artillery units

[Mr Grumpy]

Yes your opponent will no doubt target engineer units with his arty, so if possible you need to have multiple engineering units in the hex you are trying to clear if it is in the LOS of your opponent. You might consider advancing non engineer units through the minefield accepting the losses it causes in order to create a LOS obstacle to the hex your engineers are clearing?

If an engineer is present in a mine hex it is considered to have cleared "lanes" through the minefield to allow units in column (travel mode) to pass through without the minefield "attacking" them. The lanes they create also causes a "penetrated" flag to be shown in the hex and this allows supply to be traced through the mine hex as well.