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Email: toofatlardies@yahoo.co.uk
Web: http://toofatlardies.co.uk
David C R Brown has asserted the moral right to be identified as the author
of this work. © David C R Brown 2020.
ReisswitzPRESS
O GROUP
Rules for WWII Wargames
by David C R Brown
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks to all the help and assistance from the ‘O’ Group play testers,
especially Christopher R. Brown, Dave Callen, Mark Davies (RMD), Jeff Shaw
(US), and Martin Stanbridge, Simon Teppett and fellow members of Loughton
Strike Force, the members of Wessex Wargames Society and of course, the
TooFatLardies. Photos from the collections of the author, Richard Clarke, Pat
Smith from Setting the Scene Vols 1 & 2 and Kerry Thomas.
To Christopher, for the hours of play testing, especially with a 2nd Rate Russian
battalion, for rules advice and interpretation, for calculating numerous D6
dice probabilities and combinations of probabilities and for being a son who
plays wargames.
2
12: DIRECT FIRE 17.7 KIA & Knocked Out 83
12.1 General Rules on Firing 53 17.8 Rallying 84
12.2 Line of Sight 54
12.3 Arc of Fire 54 18: BATTALION ORGANISATION
12.4 Ranges 55 18 Points System/Historical Orders of Battle 85
18.1 Battalion HQ Ability & Morale 85
13: INFANTRY FIRE & H.E. FIRE 18.2 Large Battalions 85
13.1 Infantry & H.E. Firing Procedure 56 18.3 Battalion Troop Ratings 86
13.2 Infantry Weapon Ranges & Firepower 57 18.4 Select Supports 86
13.3 H.E. Ranges & Firepower 57 18.5 Support Notes 86
13.4 Infantry & H.E. Firepower Modifiers 58
13.5 Target Morale Tests 58 19: THE BRITISH BATTALION
13.6 Heavy Weapons Firing 59 19.1 Battalion Organisation 87
13.7 Attached Heavy Weapons Firing 59 19.2 Battalion Supports 87
13.8 Special Rules 59 19.3 Divisional Supports 88
3
INTRODUCTION
In open warfare, the situation will often be vague and decisions
will have to be made on scanty information. Time will be pressing,
nerves will be strained, orders may arrive late, messages may
be ambiguous, counter orders and misleading information may be
received. The 'fog of war' is no misleading metaphor.
British Army Infantry Training Manual 1937
Welcome to ‘O’ Group, a set of rules for battalion sized actions set in WWII. In ‘O’ Group each
player can field an infantry Battalion of several companies with tank and artillery support
and can be used with multiple players per side each commanding a battalion as part of a
larger battlegroup.
Through a unique system of orders, players will experience Battalion and supporting
Company Commanders attempting to exercise command and control on the WW2
battlefield; making critical command decisions to achieve victory!
INTRODUCTION
“’O’ Group”, or “Orders Group”, is a British military term when officers and NCOs set out their
plans and give orders. This can be at Battalion, Company and even Platoon level and the
name ‘O‘ Group was selected as the rules allow the gamer to influence the action with a
dual-command mechanism at both Company and Battalion level.
4
PREPARING FOR
BATTLE
Every opportunity must be taken, while in a position of assembly,
to carry out the administrative arrangements necessary for battle.
1
British Army Infantry Training Manual 1937
1.3 BASING
There Are No Fixed Base Sizes. Actual base sizes have no bearing on game mechanics
and it is irrelevant how any of the figures or models are based, as long as the individual
unit types, for example HQs, Company Commanders, rifle Sections, SMG Sections or anti-
tank Sections are recognisable and ideally that the opposing armies are based similarly. If
opposing armies are based significantly differently, then simply make allowances where
necessary.
1.4 SCALES
‘O’ Group is designed for use with 20mm, 15mm, 12mm/10mm or 6mm figures.
Figure Scale: One infantry base = one section of approximately 10 men. One model
AFV or Gun represents two or three tanks or guns. One model transport represents two
standard size half-tracks or trucks or three smaller vehicles.
Ground Scale: very approximately 1" to 25 yards/metres for 15mm or smaller.
Time Scale: A game Turn represents a period of anything from two to ten minutes or
more.
Ranges & Distances: Throughout the rules all command distances, movement rates
and ranges are first shown in inches for use with 15mm figures or smaller. This entry is
then followed by the 20mm figure within square brackets, for example 14" [18"] – the
15mm player uses 14" and the 20mm player uses 18". Where a figure is shown without a
corresponding figure in square brackets, then that figure applies equally to both scales.
1.5 EQUIPMENT
Each player should have at least ten six-sided dice, (defined as D6).
Shock, Suppression and Damaged markers.
5
Suppressed units can also be represented by the addition of a casualty figure next to
the unit concerned, while damaged and/or knocked out vehicles can be marked with
coloured cotton wool.
Each player should have nine markers to represent Combat Patrols.
A full set of markers and game tokens can be had from TFL/Reisswitz Press to accompany
the game.
Casualties and Figure Removal: There is no individual figure removal in the game.
Casualties or, more properly, unit morale status, is shown by the accumulation of Shock on
a unit. Once a unit has taken three or more Shock it is marked as suppressed. Only when an
infantry Section is KIA'd is a Section base then removed. Knocked out vehicles should be
left on the table as wrecks.
PREPARING FOR BATTLE
6
THE BATTALION
The battalion cannot normally by itself win an important action.
It needs the help of other arms – tanks, artillery and sappers –
to get to its objective. Detachments of these arms may be placed
under command of a battalion commander at any time.
2
British Army Infantry Training Manual 1944
THE BATTALION
A WW2 battalion was generally organised into a core of the Battalion HQ company
accompanied by three infantry companies, each of three infantry platoons, commanded
by a company commander. Added to this core were battalion, regimental and higher level
supports. Sections 18-22 provide a guide as to how to organise your battalion.
Battalion Supports
D Company, Anti-Tank Platoon, Carrier Platoon
Divisional Supports
Churchill Mk VI Platoon
7
The HQ uses its HQ Orders to either issue Orders to battalion units or to influence the
chances of winning the Initiative. Players will have to make a strategic decision as to how
many HQ Orders to use this Turn or save for the next Turn. (See Section 7.)
Each Battalion HQ receives a Forward Observer or FO; this is your battalion's dedicated
artillery spotter. The FO can be used to spot for either Battalion mortars or off-board artillery
support. (See Section 15.3.)
The Battalion HQ has two attributes, Ability and Morale. Players determine these attributes
if a specific scenario or use the points system.
Battalion Ability
There are two HQ ability grades.
First Rate Battalion HQs. First Rate HQs are the majority of British, German 1939-44 and US
battalions. It can also include superior German in 1945, Russian, Axis allies, early French and
Low Countries battalions to suit a particular action or scenario.
Second Rate Battalion HQs. Second Rate HQs are Russian, Axis allies, early French and Low
Countries battalions and many German 1945 battalions. It can also include poorer British,
German or US battalions to suit a particular scenario.
THE BATTALION
See Chapter 7 for details of how battalion ability impacts on Command and Control.
Rigid Reserves. All other battalions have a Rigid Reserves doctrine. This means all supports,
including those in reserve must be allocated to a respective infantry company before the
game begins and this cannot be altered during the game unless a Reserves Action is used.
Battalion Morale
Battalion morale represents the formation's overall enthusiasm and determination in battle.
There are two grades:
1. Combat Effective. This is the standard morale grade for most battalions.
2. Tenacious. A superior morale grade for particularly determined battalions such as
British paratroopers, Russian Guards or some German battalions, (2nd Line and Green
battalions cannot be Tenacious unless large) and;
Large Battalions are also considered as Tenacious, unless players specifically wish to
class a large battalion with poorer morale and grade it as Combat Effective, such as a
flaky 1940 French or 1941 Russian battalion.
Battalion Size
Battalions are either Large, Standard, or Worn.
A Large battalion has at least three infantry companies and more than ten sections of any
type, except transports, in support. This can include a fourth infantry company.
A Standard size battalion has three infantry companies and has no more than ten sections
of any type, except transports, in support. The Battalion HQ company does not count
towards this total.
A Worn battalion only fields two infantry companies and has no more than eight sections
8
of any type, except transports, in support. A worn battalion cannot field a third infantry
company.
THE BATTALION
2.3 COMPANY COMMANDERS
These represent Company commanding officers exercising tactical command over their
units. Each Infantry Company fielded receives a Company Commander represented by a
command base. Heavy Weapons Companies do not field a company commander. (It's useful
to note on the commander's base which company he commands, for example "A Coy".) See
section 7 for details of how commanders exercise command and control.
Each Section averaged six to ten or more men, the majority of which were rifle-armed and
usually supported by a light machine gun. Each infantry Section in the game is represented
by one base or stand of model figures. (Note: It's irrelevant how many actual model figures
you have on each base.)
Platoon types
Rifle Platoon. The standard WW2 platoon, each section armed with rifles and a light
machine gun.
Limited LMGs: Rifle platoons that lacked light machine guns apply the Poor Training
characteristic, losing an additional 1D6 when moving and firing. For example, early
Belgians, Poles and Italians often only had an automatic rifle or SMG instead of a light
machine gun. This does not apply to US infantry with M1 Garands and ready access to
Browning LMGs and/or two BARs per section.
SMG Platoon. Armed with fully automatic sub-machine guns such as the Russian PPSh.
9
These have a significant advantage at close range and in close combat but have poor
range due to the inaccuracy of the SMG and very few if any light machine guns in
support. The Russians fielded numerous sub-machine gun armed companies.
Panzergrenadier Platoon. German Panzergrenadier platoons were based on a two
machine guns per section organisation, with fewer active riflemen. These platoons gain
the German Rate of Fire bonus and have increased firepower, especially against close
targets. They automatically lose close combat draws to reflect the lack of dedicated
riflemen.
Assault Engineer or Pioneer Platoon. These have specialist training and equipment
and either armed with SMGs or rifles. Assault engineers gain benefits in close combat
and are usually the only units that may use flame-throwers. (Players may also equip
other platoons with flame-throwers for specific operations such as the D-Day landings.)
Assault Rifle Platoon. From 1944 German units began to receive the Sturmgewehr 44,
a fully automatic assault rifle. Assault rifles are potent weapons with the range of rifles
and increased fire power at close range and in close combat.
Cavalry Platoon. All cavalry platoons are assumed to be armed with standard infantry
weapons and once dismounted are classed as standard Rifle or SMG platoons. When
taking Morale Tests, mounted cavalry are always classed as Green, (i.e. easier to hit!).
Square Platoons. Several early war armies maintained a "square" four Section Platoon
establishment. (See Section 24.4.)
Platoon Attachments
THE BATTALION
Integral Platoon A/T weapon: Most infantry Platoons have an integral Platoon anti-tank
weapon. Prior to 1943 this is an anti-tank rifle and after 1943 this was generally a rocket
propelled anti-tank weapon. Integral A/T weapons do not need to be represented by
any additional model figures. All Platoons are assumed to have such a weapon bar a
number of early war exceptions such as the French in 1940.
Light 50mm or 2" light mortars are included in the overall Platoon firepower and do not
need to be represented. However, this does not stop you fielding light mortar models,
simply deploy them in your infantry Platoons and treat them as a rifle Section.
Heavy Weapon Attachments. An infantry Platoon may have one permanent heavy
weapon attachment, either an anti-tank Section, 60mm mortar or medium machine gun.
A maximum of one anti-tank section, one MMG or one 60mm mortar may be attached.
Once attached to a Platoon the Section adopts the troop rating of that platoon. It must
remain attached for the entire game.
If attaching a heavy weapon, then just place the model with the Platoon. An infantry platoon
cannot have an HMG, a Gun, an AFV or a FO or a Company Commander attachment to the
platoon. See Section 13.7 for firing attached weapons.
10
60mm Mortars. Infantry support mortars such as the US M2 or French Mle 1935.
Heavy Machine Gun Sections, for example the Browning M2 .50 calibre and Russian
DShK. These can only operate in the standalone Sustain Fire mode and cannot be
attached to an infantry platoon. Due to larger calibre ammunition, HMGs are classed as
firing HE when engaging infantry and gun targets but move as Light Guns.
The player decides how these heavy weapons are deployed. They may attach individual
heavy weapon sections to Infantry Platoons where permitted; group heavy weapons into a
two section platoon or deploy them as independent single sections.
Each AFV Section is treated as a separate unit for Shock and Morale tests. AFVs are divided
into eight armour categories based on their weight and armour. (See Section 14.)
Each gun Section is treated as a separate unit for Shock and Morale tests, if deployed
individually, otherwise the platoon is treated as a single unit. Guns are divided into two
THE BATTALION
game categories, Light and Heavy. Light Guns are up to 70mm calibre and also includes all
75mm/76mm infantry guns or pack howitzers. Heavy Guns are of 75mm calibre or larger.
11
Platoon Restrictions
Platoons cannot be combined or merged with other Platoons during the course of the
game, unless exercising the Infantry Re-squadding option. Mixed arms Platoons are not
permitted.
• Battalion Mortars. These are either 3", 80mm, 81mm or 82mm mortars directly attached
to the Battalion and can be called in each Turn using orders.
• Artillery Support. This represents higher level artillery assets not organic to the
Battalion.
Note: There is no need for artillery models on the table as these would be some distance to the
rear, off-table. However, players may represent each available artillery mission with a gun model
placed next to the Battalion HQ. So, a German player with two artillery missions could have two
Wespes or 105mm models or a British player might have three 25pdr models. When you use an
artillery mission, remove one model.
THE BATTALION
12
TROOP RATINGS
Our attitude was let's get on with the job. We'd trained for it,
we're fed up with being shot at, let's do some shooting.
3
5th Ranger Battalion, Normandy, 1944
Each tactical unit fielded is rated as either Veteran, Confident, Regular, Second Line or
Green. Its often easiest to class the entire battalion as one rating, but players can rate
various component units differently.
Each troop type is given a rating, e.g. 4+. This is the score on a single D6 required to pass
Morale Tests and rally off Shock. The lower the rating the better the troop quality, as they
are more likely to succeed in passing. When taking a troop rating roll the player needs to
equal or exceed the rating score to pass. If you roll under the rating score the unit has failed.
TROOP RATINGS
For example, a troop rating of 4+ means the unit will pass its troop rating on a 1D6 score of
four or more and will fail on a roll of three or less.
AFVs & Guns cannot be rated as Green. Most gun or tank crews needed to have at least
some training to operate the weapon system. AFVs crews with limited training can be
represented by including them within the Poor AFV category.
13
Mounted Cavalry are classed as Green until they dismount regardless of their actual rating.
This is to represent that mounted cavalrymen were particularly vulnerable to enemy fire.
Forward Observer
All Forward Observers also have the troop rating of Commander, 2+.
Poor AFVs
This category is in addition to the troop rating. Poor AFV modifiers relate to inferior tank
design and as such suffer disadvantages when spotting and firing. (See Section 14.3). So a
regular tank unit could be rated as Regular/Poor if the AFV was of inferior design.
Poor Training
Russian Regular infantry platoons, all Second Line infantry platoons and all infantry platoons
that lacked LMGs, lose an additional 1D6 firepower if they move and fire. Platoons are not
doubly penalised if they are say, Second Line and also have limited LMGs.
The table below shows each troop type with its Morale and Rally ratings as well as any
moidifiers for firing etc.
TROOP RATINGS
Troop Ratings
Troop Type Morale Rating Rally Rating Other Modifiers
Commander 2+ 2+ None
To Hit 3+
Veteran 3+ ( 4+ if in the open) 3+ AT to Hit 6+
Opportunity Fire & Withdraw
is 3+
Confident 4+ (3+ if obscured) 3+ None
Regular 4+ (3+ if obscured) 4+ None
14
DEPLOYING
THE BATTALION
Men who go into action harassed and hurried, feeling that adequate
preparations have been impossible, will lose much in morale.
4
British Army Infantry Training Manual 1937
4.3 TERRAIN
All terrain features should be clearly identified as to their terrain type, exact boundary and
if they block or permit line of sight. (See Section 10.)
Company Sectors
Each Company deployed on the table must have its own deployment area. This can be as
simple as saying "A Company on the left flank holding the village of Tilly, B Company on the
right flank holding the farm of La Haye and its environs and C Company in reserve." N.B.
Companies should not overlap or intermix, unless using Consolidation, and there should
be a clear boundary between each, although players can alter a boundary if the battle
situation changes.
Reserve Companies
Reserve companies may be given either a single terrain feature or deployment position to
deploy onto when committed or simply committed at the time and place of the Battalion's
choosing. (See Section 8. Consolidation Action.)
(Note: Assigning Company boundaries is a useful playing aid as well as being historical.)
Objectives
The game should have an objective, such as capturing or holding physical features or
simply defeating the opposing battalion. Players use one of the following:
• A Tactical Position or Attacking Phase Line. Players can set each Company an
objective to capture, such as high ground, crossroads, a main road, bridge, village
15
or prominent building, etc. A Phase Line is determined by the attacking player
and used to control and coordinate the battalion's advance. So, Phase Line One
could be a key village and Phase Line Two a vital bridge beyond. As your forces
advance to each phase line, they may halt or consolidate and await reinforcements
before advancing to the next objective or may be ordered to 'go firm' on ground
they have won, permitting other units to take over the advance. Attacking players
simply note down each phase line objective for their particular Companies on their
battle plan.
• Tactical Superiority. Set the game victory condition based on defeating the opposing
Battalion via casualties/FUBARs.
• A combination of both of the above.
DEPLOYING THE BATTALION
16
Defender's Deployment
Roll 9D6.
DEFENDER'S DEPLOYMENT RESULTS
Score 1 – maximum of 3 2–4 5–6
Result No Deployment. Opening Barrage Deploy 1 Combat Patrol behind Deploy 1 Ambush unit behind the
Interdiction the Forward Defence Line Forward Defence Line
1 x Extra Ambush unit per FO, Heavy Gun and Bunker/Dug-Out.
Attacker's Deployment
Roll 9D6, 10D6 if a Large Battalion.
ATTACKER'S DEPLOYMENT RESULTS
Score 1 – maximum of 3 2–4 5–6
Result No Deployment. Opening Barrage Deploy 1 Combat Patrol behind Deploy 1 On-Table unit behind
Casualties on Defender the Start Line. the Start Line.
Deployment Notes.
The defender deploys first. The attacker deploys after the defender has deployed.
a. Forward Defence Line. The Forward Defence Line (FDL) is the defender's initial
c. OPENING BARRAGE. The vast majority of WW2 attacks were usually accompanied by an
opening barrage. The effect of an opening barrage in ‘O’ Group is represented by scores
of 1 in both players Battalion Deployment dice rolls.
Defender's Scores of 1: Each score of 1 rolled by the defender equates to the number
of game Turns that his reserve deployments are interdicted (disrupted). For example if
you rolled just one score of 1, then Interdiction lasts for Turn One only. If you rolled two
1's Interdiction lasts for Turns One and Two, and so on. The maximum number of Turns is
three, if the defender rolls more than three 1s he simply re-rolls any excess 1s. If you roll
no 1s at all then interdiction has proved ineffective and you can deploy as normal. (Also
see Russian battalions – Section 21.)
Interdiction only effects deploying onto Combat Patrols and does not have an effect on
deploying Combat Patrols themselves or any reserves on the rear table edge. Once the
interdiction Turns have expired the defender's reserves may deploy as normal.
Attacker's Scores of 1: Every 1 rolled by the attacker represents losses inflicted on the
defending battalion. See below:
OPENING BARRAGE CASUALTIES
One 1 rolled Defender removes 1 infantry platoon.
Two 1s rolled Defender removes 1 infantry platoon and 1 HQ Order.
Three 1s rolled Defender removes 1 infantry platoon, one section of any type and 1 HQ Order.
The maximum is three 1s. If the attacker rolls more than three 1s he simply re-rolls any
excess. The defender may choose which platoon or section/s to lose from his force.
Units lost to the opening barrage do not count towards FUBAR and defeat purposes.
The following exceptions apply:
17
If a defending Russian Battalion loses an infantry platoon, it is immediately
replaced with a Green Rifle Platoon. This does not happen if the platoon lost to the
bombardment was already rated as Green.
If the defender is fielding a Worn Battalion players ignore the attacker's Opening
Barrage Casualties, as a worn battalion is assumed to already have been badly hit
by the barrage.
d. COMBAT PATROLS. Each score of 2, 3 or 4 permits the player to deploy one Combat
Patrol from his total number of Combat Patrols, either anywhere behind the Start Line
if the attacker or anywhere behind the Forward Defensive Line if the defender. (See
Section 5.)
e. AMBUSH UNITS. Each score of 5 or 6 for the defender indicates one unit may deploy in
an ambush position behind the FDL. An Ambush unit can be one Infantry Platoon plus
attachment; one Heavy Weapon section or platoon; one AFV Platoon or Section or one
Gun Platoon or Section.
f. Ambush units are not placed on the table, the models are left off-table
ready to deploy when the ambush is sprung. The player decides upon a
terrain piece that they occupy, which must be some form of cover, such as
woods or buildings and then notes down this position on his battle plan, for
example "MMG in the church tower". (See Section 11 for full Ambush rules.)
The defender may swap Ambush Units for Combat Patrols, if he wishes. If a player
gains no Ambush Units he may exchange two Combat Patrols for one Ambush Unit.
Additional Ambush Units. In addition to the dice rolls the defender may also place any
Heavy Guns in ambush and man any bunkers or dug outs with an ambush unit.
g. ON-TABLE UNITS. Each score of 5 to 6 for the attacker permits one unit to deploy directly
on the table top behind the Start Line. An on-table unit can be one Infantry Platoon plus
attachment; one Heavy Weapon section or platoon; one AFV Platoon or Section; one
Gun Platoon or Section or a Combat Patrol. (Players have the option to deploy these
instead if they wish.)
If a player gains no on-table units he may exchange two Combat Patrols for one on-table
unit.
h. Forward Observers. The FO may be placed anywhere behind the attacker's Start Line
or defender's FDL and are classed as in Ambush. This ambush deployment is in addition
to the deployment dice rolls.
4.6 RESERVES
All remaining Platoons and Sections, not initially deployed, are held off table in reserve. You
may bring on your reserves in the following Turns.
Company Reserves
Infantry company reserves and any attached supports must enter the table in their company
sector. Support assets deployed with a Flexible Reserves battalion can be deployed and
attached to a company of the player's choice, at the time of deployment. Rigid Reserves
18
doctrine battalions must allocate reserves to respective infantry companies before the
game begins. (See Section 2.2)
Battalion Reserve
The Battalion commander may hold an entire infantry Company back as the battalion
reserve. The Battalion Reserve can be deployed on either a planned objective or deployment
position or any on-table sector of the player's choice at a time of his choosing, regardless of
the battalion's reserves doctrine.
Table Edge: All units may be deployed onto their rear friendly table edge using a
Deploy or Reserves Action.
Combat Patrols. Some Reserve units may deploy on table from Combat Patrols N.B.
AFVs, (other than Reconnaissance) and Heavy Guns may not deploy onto Combat
Patrols.
Consolidation Action. Units may be deployed on captured objectives or held position
EXAMPLE
A defending US Battalion player rolls his nine Defenders Deployment Dice. He scores: 6, 6, 5, 4, 3, 3, 3, 1 and 1. This permits
the following deployments. The two scores of 6 and one score of 5, permit three on-table platoon Ambush deployments. So
the US player places a platoon of 57mm A/T guns in Ambush along with two infantry platoons and writes down the three
terrain pieces they occupy, (they are not placed on the table). The combined scores of 4s and 3s give the player four Combat
Patrols. He positions three Combat Patrols in good central positions on the table behind his Forward Defensive Line. The final
Combat Patrol is placed over on his far right flank, which is intentionally weak. If the enemy do push against his right he can
still use that Combat Patrol to deploy his infantry reserves. The two scores of 1 represent the opening barrage interdiction
of his reserves, which will last for two Turns. All his remaining battalion units are in reserve. Thus the US initial deployment
is stretched but he does have three good Ambush Units deployed, so hopefully these should be able to blunt the attackers
providing enough time to bring on his reserves once the battle begins.
19
5 COMBAT PATROLS
Patrols...are employed on tasks such, as.... to reconnoitre lines
of advance.
British Army Infantry Training Manual 1937
Your Combat Patrols can be any convenient marker and can be any reasonable size you
wish. A 2" square or circle works well for 15mm figures. These could be modelled with
figures or simply be different colours to identify the Attacker from the Defender.
20
Deploying Reserve Units
This represents your commanders bringing troops into battle using hidden movement and
infiltration. A player may deploy a reserve unit from the list below onto a Combat Patrol
currently on the table top within their company sector, by using a Deploy Action. This may
be one Infantry platoon (plus attachment); one Heavy Weapon platoon or section; one
Reconnaissance AFV section; one Light Gun section. It could also be a Company Commander
or FO although these two units may also deploy with any of the above units for “free”.
A maximum of one unit may deploy from a Combat Patrol. As soon as a unit deploys onto a
Combat Patrol, the Combat Patrol marker is placed back in the reserves. A reserve unit may
still deploy on a Combat Patrol even if the marker moved this phase.
Deploying on a Combat Patrol uses up the deploying unit's entire move but it may still fire.
There is no distance or range limit to deploying onto a Combat Patrol. Players can deploy
units onto Combat Patrols anywhere within the company sector.
Transports carrying passengers or tows towing light guns may also deploy on a Combat
Patrol if the transport is a jeep, light truck, carrier or motorcycle unit. Larger transports and
tows cannot deploy onto Combat Patrols.
COMBAT PATROLS
b) the Combat Patrol deployed in the current turn
Each company can only deploy its own reserve units onto Combat Patrols within its sector.
Tanks (including recon tanks), Heavy Guns and Motorised Infantry may only deploy on the
rear table edge. These units cannot deploy onto Combat Patrols during the game.
21
Once at or within 8" [10"] of enemy units or Combat Patrols, no further forward
movement is permitted, they may only fall back.
Combat Patrols cannot deploy/move into Impassable Terrain, minefields or wire
entanglements.
EXAMPLE
During a game a British player wishes to exploit his left flank which appears to be thinly held by the Germans. He issues a
Deploy Action to deploy a Combat Patrol into a wood on this flank. He checks that the proposed position is within 18" of a
steady company commander and not within 8" of enemy units or Combat Patrols, as it is he may deploy a new Combat Patrol
from his reserves in the wood. Next Turn, the player decides to deploy an infantry platoon onto the Combat Patrol. He checks
that no enemy forces are within 8", there are none so the British platoon may now deploy and the Combat Patrol is removed.
COMBAT PATROLS
22
the game turn
There were no clear orders coming over the radio, only curses,
claims of hits and reports of vehicles brewed...
6
5th Royal Tank Regiment, Western Desert, 1941
The sequence of play in O Group consists of three separate phases, which make up a Turn.
The phases of each Turn are played according to the sequence below. All phases are either
alternate or simultaneous as shown. The player who wins the Initiative may choose to take
either the Offensive or Defensive Combat Phase.
The Turn ends on the conclusion of the Regroup phase and a new Turn is then started.
OFFENSIVE PHASE: The player who won or is passed the Initiative takes the Offensive
Combat Phase.
DEFENSIVE PHASE: The player without the Initiative takes the Defensive Combat Phase.
A Unit may normally only receive one Order per Phase. (See Section 8.)
A second Action may be undertaken by a unit in a Phase only when a Company
Commander Order is used.
23
Offensive Combat Phase
The player with the Initiative issues his Orders to his units who then undertake actions.
Their opponent may use their Orders to react to a move or fire Action issued during the
Offensive Combat Phase.
A player ends their Combat Phase by simply declaring this phase is complete or by
simply using all of their Orders. The Offensive player may retain any unused Orders to
use in their opponent's Defensive Combat Phase.
At the end of the Combat Phase remove all Order markers from units that were issued
orders in the phase and place them in the discard pile.
Important! On the conclusion of the Offensive Combat Phase, all units that received Orders
are “reset” and may now receive new Orders in the Defensive Combat Phase. All units are
eligible to receive a new Order regardless of whether they undertook an Action or multiple
Actions in the Turn’s previous Combat Phase.
Important! Your total Orders are spread across both Combat Phases.
THE GAME TURN
A player's available Orders are spread across both Combat Phases and you will need to
think carefully about managing these. However, sometimes you will simply find that enemy
tactical superiority is forcing you to use most of your available Orders just to react or rally in
your Combat Phase and you have little left over to initiate your own strategy!
6.5 ADMINISTRATION
The final act of the Turn is to remove any Hesitant markers from Hesitant Companies,
remove markers from commanders who used their Company Commander Order earlier
in the Turn, remove any empty transports from play and reduce or remove the Opening
Barrage interdiction counter.
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COMMAND & CONTROL
At Battalion HQ the roar of artillery fire added to the suspense of
awaiting the success signals of the forward companies. Realising
that those companies could not now clear the enemy up to their
objective, I sent 'A' and 'D' Companies forward to take both
7
objectives.
British Infantry Colonel, Normandy, 1944
‘O’ Group has a two tier command and control method, utilising a system of Battalion HQ
Orders and Company Orders. At the beginning of each Turn both players roll their Battalion
'O' Group dice and the various scores will dictate the availability of these Orders for the
Turn. These Orders are your command tools to instruct your troops to fight, to conduct
reconnaissance, to move, fire and close combat the enemy to achieve victory for your
Battalion! However, there is no guarantee how many Orders you will receive per Turn and
The individual companies of your battalion have two basic command states, they are either
fully operational and may function as the player wishes, issuing Orders and actions to their
respective platoons and supports; or they may be Hesitant and restricted to only issuing
rally actions and fire actions against close targets during their Combat Phase.
The players now state if they are using Company Commanders to increase HQ Orders
(Section 7.5). Finally, both players calculate who has the Initiative for this Turn (Section 7.8).
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Battalion 'O' Group Dice Scores
The following scores indicate the following Orders:
BATTALION O GROUP DICE SCORES
D6 SCORE 1 2,3,4,5 6
NO ORDERS
RESULT COMPANY ORDER HQ ORDER
Treble 1 = Hesitant Company!
TREBLE 1 HESITANT
Any treble 1 is a Company Hesitant result. One of your on-table companies will be Hesitant
this Turn. Roll a dice to identify which Company this is, with an equal chance for each one
present. Once identified then mark the Company Commander with a Hesitant marker. This
is removed at the end of the Turn.
During the player's own Combat Phase one of the player's companies is restricted to issuing
only two actions. These are:
Fire: This may only be at close range targets
COMMAND & CONTROL
The company is not restricted when reacting. The Company Commander may not use his
Company Commander Order this Turn, including when reacting.
The restriction on issuing Actions only applies to the player's Combat Phase, it does not
impact upon React Actions. Hesitant concludes at the end of the Turn's Regroup phase, so
Hesitant units may not take regroup actions.
Overriding FUBARs!
If overriding FUBARs and four or more 1s are rolled/acquired the battalion will also lose one
HQ Order. (See 7.6.)
How to record Orders: Players should note their current Company Order total with a stack
of Order markers next to their Battalion HQ. As Orders are issued during the Turn place each
Order marker on the unit receiving that Order.
7.5 HQ ORDERS
For First Rate battalions, each score of 6 generates one Battalion HQ Order. For Second Rate
battalions, any roll of multiple sixes in the Battalion O Group automatically converts one
score of 6 into a Company Order; a single roll of 6 is not converted. Consequently, a Second
Rate Battalion acquires HQ Orders at a slower rate.
HQ Orders represent Battalion Initiative and Reserve Orders. They can be banked and saved
by the player from Turn to Turn and/or used as a pool of reserve Orders that are issued when
needed in the same manner as Company Orders.
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HQ Orders are used for the following:
Influence the Turn's Initiative roll. HQ Orders add to your score when deciding the
Initiative each Turn.
Issuing Actions to units. They are identical to Company Orders and used in the same
manner to issue actions to your battalion.
(Note: HQ Orders are best denoted by the use of a bespoke D6 placed next your Battalion
HQ or even incorporated into your Battalion HQ model by using a dice holder, modelled
onto the base itself.)
Banking HQ Orders
Battalion HQs may bank up to six HQ Orders. A player may never have more than six. If
a player rolls more HQ Orders than the 6 maximum, any excess HQ Orders automatically
convert into Company Orders.
Increasing HQ Orders
After rolling the Battalion 'O' Group dice, the player may decide to use one on-table steady
Company Commander to try and increase his HQ Orders, up to the maximum of six. This
may be done irrespective of command radius requirements. However, this cannot be
done if FUBARs were overridden this Turn and a Company Commander who is Hesitant,
To increase the number of HQ Orders, the player rolls 1D6. A score of 1 to 3 has no effect.
A score of 4 or more generates one HQ Order. In either case, the Company Commander is
marked to show that his Company Command Order has been used for this Turn.
7.6 FUBARS
FUBARs, as the acronym suggests, signify the commanders losing their grip or control over
the battle as casualties mount, making command and control increasingly difficult.
All Battalions receive one FUBAR marker for every four sections lost as casualties or
dispersed. That's every infantry Section KIA'd or dispersed, each Company Commander,
heavy weapon, gun or AFV Section knocked out and includes support units you have with
your battalion. So, when a battalion reaches four casualties (section losses) it immediately
receives a FUBAR marker, another on eight casualties and so on.
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Each FUBAR marker reduces the players Battalion 'O' Group dice total by one for the rest of
the game. So, two FUBAR markers will reduce you by two D6 and so on.
Immediate FUBAR Impact: On receiving a FUBAR marker the player must immediately
undertake the Command Crisis procedure, below, to ascertain any additional effect upon
the Battalion HQ.
Command Crisis
A player suffering a Command Crisis now places a D6 on the table, shielded or hidden
from the opponent and chooses any number from 1 to 6, which he has as the face up side
of the dice. Their opponent now has two guesses as to which number has been chosen.
If he guessed correctly on the first attempt, the player loses two HQ Orders. If guessed
correctly on the second attempt, one HQ Order is lost. If neither guess is correct then no
Orders are lost. On a successful guess or more importantly, failure, the player must show the
actual D6 number!
b. Reconnaissance units removed from play after deploying a Combat Patrol are not
classed as losses.
c. Combat Patrol, Transport and tow losses are NOT included. Definition: A Transport is
designed to carry passengers and armed with no more than a machine gun or A/T rifle.
d. Russian battalions ignore the first two Green Section losses.
Players may vary the number of section losses required for the 4th FUBAR marker. So, the
final marker of a Large/Tenacious battalion could represent just two or three sections lost
rather than four.
A player cannot 'split the difference'; they either take all of their battalion dice or lose all of
their FUBAR dice.
Both players roll 2D6 and add +1 to the score for each HQ Order currently held by their
Battalion HQ, i.e. banked from this and previous Turns. The player with the highest total
wins and now decides if they will keep the Initiative this Turn or pass the Initiative to their
opponent.
Important: This does not reduce the number of HQ orders. These may be retained from one
turn to the next if not used for initiating Actions.
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If the winner decides to keep the initiative he gains a bonus Company Order. If the winner
decides to pass the initiative no bonus Order is gained.
Drawn Initiative
Where the roll for Initiative is drawn, a German First Rate Battalion wins but no bonus Order
is gained. (Note: This represents the German Auftragstaktik or Mission Tactics approach to
command.) In all other cases, the player who won in the previous Turn keeps the Initiative
but no bonus Order is gained.
Note: Command and Control in ‘O’ Group. The issuing of "wargame orders" to units does not
represent just a select few units receiving orders; it is assumed all units will have received
their initial battle orders. Where a player places his orders represents the command and
control focus of the company at that time. It also represents the time it's taking your units
to act on their battle orders. Thus, if you are feeding orders to certain units this can been
seen as that Company getting its men moving quickly because command is focusing its
attention in their direction, while units without orders can be seen as simply taking far more
time to carry out their orders, especially as they lack higher command direction. Essentially
the commander chooses his Schwerpunkt, and by doing so reduces his knowledge gap,
29
therefore is better able to exercise command and control. The British Army Infantry Battalion
1944 manual states; "Every commander....must place himself where he can best influence
the fighting of his unit." In ‘O’ Group players use Orders to "influence" units.
A Hesitant company can be seen as any temporary breakdown in command. This could
be the commander becoming directly caught up in the action or is confused as to what to
do next due to a lack of battlefield intelligence. The chance of a Hesitant result increases if
the Battalion HQ is attempting to override FUBARs, due to placing more pressure on the
company commanders and demanding more of them.
EXAMPLES
a) O Group Dice rolls – 1st Rate Battalion. A British 1944 player rolls his nine Battalion 'O' Group
dice and scores: 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 2, 2, 1, 1. These scores generate the following Orders: two x HQ
Orders, (due to the sixes); five x Company Orders, (due to the three 5s and two 2's). The two 1s
produce no Orders. So, the total Orders for this Turn will be two HQ Orders and five Company
Orders.
b) O Group Dice rolls – 2nd Rate Battalion. A Russian 1941 player rolls his nine Battalion 'O'
Group dice and scores: 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 2, 2, 1, 1. As he has rolled multiple sixes one score of six is
converted into a Company Order, therefore these scores generate the following Orders: One x
COMMAND & CONTROL
HQ Order, (due to the one remaining six); 6 x Company Orders, (due to the three 5s and two 2's
and the converted 6). The two 1s produce no Orders. So, the total Orders for this Turn will be one
HQ Order and six Company Orders.
c) Overriding FUBARs. A Russian battalion is currently on two FUBAR markers due to the state of
its losses. Before rolling this Turn's Battalion 'O' Group Dice the Russian player announces that
he will override his FUBARs and roll the standard nine dice, as he is desperate to launch a last
ditch counter-attack. The player rolls his nine Battalion O Group dice and scores: 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 2,
2, 2, 1. To this he adds the two extra scores of 1 for overriding his two FUBARs, which results in a
final score of 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1 and 1. As he has a Treble 1 result one of his companies will
be Hesitant.
d) Initiative. A British Battalion has 5 HQ Orders currently banked; the player rolls 7 on his 2D6
roll and adds his 5 HQ Orders gives an Initiative score total of 12. His opponent has two HQ
Orders banked; he rolls a 7 on his 2D6 and adds his two HQ Orders taking his score up to 9.
Therefore, the British have won Initiative for this Turn. He decides to take the Offensive Combat
Phase and gains an extra Company Order.
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ACTIONS
Enemy tanks and infantry soon launched an attack...after the first
attack was beaten back, a second began, then a third.
8
Soviet Marine, Stalingrad, 1942
The player uses either their Company or Headquarters Orders to order their units to
undertake actions. Actions represent the undertaking of Orders issued by your Battalion
HQ or Company Commanders and their Platoon Officers.
The player uses his available pool of HQ and Company Orders to permit Actions. The
player nominates a unit and states what Action he is ordering. He can issue Orders to
any unit in any order he sees fit during his phase.
Each Action will have an Order cost, anything from one to three Orders. If insufficient
Orders are available for a particular Action, then that Action cannot be undertaken.
There is no limit on the Action types that you can order per Phase or Turn, except for
Artillery and Mortars, which are limited to one Action per Turn.
ACTIONS
There is no command radius limit to Actions, unless issuing the Company Commander
Action which is limited to 18".
A Company Commander may order Actions even if he has moved, rallied or been used
as a spotter.
Infantry Platoons operate as single unit, individual Sections are not given separate
actions.
AFV, Gun and Heavy Weapon Platoons may either operate as a Platoon or the individual
Sections can be given separate actions.
8.1 PROCEDURE:
The phasing player issues one Action at a time to his units. The player selects the unit and
states what action it will undertake, placing an Order marker next to the unit to indicate it
is being issued an Action this phase. (See Section 8.3.)
Once given an Order, the unit carries out its actions, such as firing, moving or close combat,
before moving onto the next unit and issuing a fresh Action.
The player may decide whether to use HQ Orders or Company Orders, both
types are identical. It is permitted to use both Order types combined for more
expensive actions, for example if you Order an Artillery Action but only had one
remaining Company Order, you can add one HQ Order to increase the total.
The opponent can react to this Action, using a React Action but only in the following
situations:
Your possible reactions if the active enemy unit fires or moves and is in line of sight of
your units are:
A reacting unit may fire or move after an enemy unit has finished all its current move
and/or fire actions.
A reacting unit may attempt to Opportunity Fire as the enemy unit is moving. (See
Section 8.4.)
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Important! The reacting player can only respond against the "active" enemy unit; he cannot
react against any other enemy units. For example, a player issues a Fire & Move Action to a
Tiger 1. The opponent may only react to this Tiger if it moves or fires in his defending unit's
line of sight.
A unit may receive a Company Commander Order. If using a Company Commander Order,
the player may order a second Action to a unit in the same phase, enabling it to receive the
maximum of two Actions in one phase. A unit may never receive more than two Actions in
a phase, or three Actions overall in a Turn.
Putting it simply, once you have "activated" a section or platoon it cannot undertake
another Action in the current phase, except via a Company Commander! Action.
modifiers.
Rapid Move: Units may choose to use the Rapid Move by sacrificing their fire option.
(See Section 9.)
Assault: Units may also use this Action to Assault. One Infantry Platoon can be
commanded to charge into close combat, go tank hunting or a tank unit can initiate
an overrun attack. The unit may fire and assault or simply assault. (See Section 16.)
Restriction: Non-Radio Tank Platoons. Both platoon sections must act in unison by
moving in the same direction and face in the same direction.
Deploy a Combat Patrol onto the table within 18" of a steady Company Commander
within his assigned sector. Combat patrols cannot be deployed within 8" of any enemy
units or enemy Combat Patrols.
OR
Deploy a reserve unit onto either the rear friendly table edge or a reserve infantry or
heavy weapon platoon, a single AFV Reconnaissance or light gun section onto a Combat
Patrol. (Towed light guns and heavy weapons in light trucks or carriers can also deploy
on Combat Patrols.)
Company Commanders and FOs may accompany a deploying unit for "free" or deploy
by themselves.
Deploying onto a Combat Patrol uses up all movement but the unit may still fire. Units
must deploy with at least one section on the centre of the Combat Patrol. (A unit
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deploying on a Combat Patrol is not considered a second Action if the Combat Patrol
has already moved in this phase, as the Combat Patrol is a separate unit to the deploying
platoon.)
Deploying on the table edge is classed as the beginning of movement and the player
may decide to move on using either a Move & Fire or Rapid Move Action.
Rallying off one Shock: If the troop rating Rally roll is passed, one Shock is rallied off and
the unit may then move or fire. If the roll is failed, the unit may either rally off one Shock
OR it may move OR it may fire.
ACTIONS
When using this option apply -1D6 Firepower or -1 to hit if A/T firing and Rapid Move is
not permitted.
OR
Rallying off up to three Shock: Roll 3D6 and each successful troop rating Rally pass rallies
off one Shock from the unit. No fire is permitted. Units may also withdraw 1D6 inches.
If a suppressed unit fails to rally off any Shock when using 3D6 it immediately Retreats.
Confident and Green Troops. Note these troops rally on their better rating score of
3+/4+.
If using a Company Commander Action you may reroll a failed D6 rally roll once.
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Each Reconnaissance section receiving the Action makes a 1D6 Reconnaissance
roll, applying a -1 if the section has any Shock or is Damaged. A maximum of two
attempts may be made by each platoon in a Phase. Their opponent also rolls 1D6; if
this score exceeds or draws with the Reconnaissance unit's modified score/s then the
Reconnaissance has failed to spot anything. If the score is less than the Reconnaissance
score/s then the Combat Patrol is removed or any Ambush Unit revealed and placed on
table.
Targeting a new aim point costs two Orders. Targeting the same aim point in the same
position as last Turn costs one Order.
Restriction: Battalion mortars may only fire once per Turn, in a player's phase. Mortars
cannot be requested if you requested Artillery this Turn or if the mortars are low on
ACTIONS
ammunition.
To replenish battalion mortar ammunition costs one Order. Mortars cannot fire and be
replenished in the same Turn.
Each Company Commander may only issue one Company Commander Order per Turn.
A Company Commander Order can be for any Action, including React Actions but
cannot be Mortars or Artillery.
Restriction: The Company Commander must be within 18" of any section of the unit
receiving the Action, which must belong or be attached to his Company. A Company
Commander Action cannot be issued if his Order has already been used earlier in the
Turn.
The Company Commander rolls 1D6 to establish any extra Order cost to the Action.
1st Rate Battalion
1-3 = +2 Orders. 4-5 = +1 Order. 6 = No extra.
Commander
2nd Rate Battalion
1-4 = +2 Orders. 5 = +1 Order. 6 = No extra.
Commander
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The cost of a Company Commander Action is the standard Order cost associated with
the Action plus any additional Orders generated by the Company Commanders D6 roll.
For example, if you issued a Fire & Move action and rolled a 5, the total cost is two
Orders.
If the player has insufficient Orders to pay the cost, the Action fails and costs one Order.
Once the Order is issued, mark the company commander to show he has issued his
Order and used his Action for this Turn. This Action is available to the reacting player,
enabling a second React Action.
The player decides which level of Artillery Support he is requesting, either Regimental
or Divisional level assets. Roll on the appropriate Artillery Support table to see if it is
granted. If successful it arrives immediately. Regimental artillery may fire either High
Explosive or Smoke.
ACTIONS
target area. However, British & US Battalions from 1943 may use Company Commanders
to spot for Artillery Support.
Restriction: You cannot request Artillery if you have already requested Battalion Mortars
this Turn or have no artillery missions left.
Restriction: The infantry Company being deployed must be entirely in reserve, with no
unit's already committed.
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RESERVES! Cost Two Orders
Deploy up to two reserve platoons from the same Company on your table edge and
issue a Rapid Move Action using the total of all dice scores for movement.
OR
Redeploy Reserve Armour. Reserve AFV supports, including motorised infantry, may
be reassigned to a new Company with this Action. This overrides the Rigid Reserves
doctrine. Redeployed supports may not deploy on-table this Turn.
36
Close Range Exception: Units at close range fire automatically without the need for
a Opportunity roll.
Close Range Supporting Unit: A unit within 3" of a friendly unit that is being
assaulted may also opportunity fire at the attackers, if at close range and in arc, etc,
at the cost of one additional Order.
React fire applies the normal firing rules, such as within line sight, arc of fire and range.
See Arcs of Fire Section 12.3.
Reacting with Ambush Units. Ambush units may spring an Ambush under this Action.
Restrictions: A reacting unit cannot pivot or turn a turret when using react or
opportunity fire.
ACTIONS
overrun the player must roll 1D6. On a 4 or more, they withdraw 2D6" and receive
one Shock. On 1 to 3 they fail and remain in position, but may opportunity fire if able.
Deployed Heavy Guns cannot withdraw from close assault. AFVs cannot withdraw
from close assault unless reconnaissance.
Restriction: Units cannot move closer to any enemy units in line of sight, but are free to
retire or pivot even if a pivot move takes the unit marginally closer to the enemy.
EXAMPLES
(A) Fire & Move. A British player issues a Fire and Move Action to a rifle platoon. The player takes one Order marker and
places it next to the unit. The platoon now moves to nearby hedgerow and opens fire.
(B) Rally & Move Attempt. A 1945 German Volksturm platoon rated as Green currently have two Shock. The player wishes
37
to move them up to engage the approaching enemy. He issues a Rally Action and places one Order marker next to the unit.
The states he is rallying with 1D6 and then attempting to move. He rolls 1D6 against his rally troop rating of 4 but fails. This
means he only has one Action, so he removes one Shock and does not move.
(C) Company Commander Action. The German player now desperately needs this same Volksturm platoon to move up,
so issues a Company Commander Action in the same phase. As the company commander is within 18" and the company is
not hesitant, this Order can be issued. He now rolls 1D6 to ascertain the Order cost. As this is a 1945 battalion it is 2nd Rate
and the German player rolls a 4, this will cost two extra Orders on top of the one Order for a Fire & Move Action, so three in
all. The player places the Order markers next to the unit, which now takes its Action. Finally the player marks his Company
Commander to show that he has used his Company Commander Action for this Turn.
(D) React Opportunity Fire. A US 76mm gun section is in Ambush, hidden in a high woods. During the German phase
the US player sees a German PzIV platoon moving across open ground, he decides he will react with an opportunity fire
attempt. He now places his 76mm gun section in the most advantageous position and rolls the opportunity dice to see if
the opportunity fire attempt is successful. He rolls a 5, so opportunity fire may go ahead and now fires at the lead German
tank. Had he failed the D6 roll, he would have to wait until the PzIVs had completed all current actions before undertaking
react fire.
ACTIONS
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MOVEMENT
Sugar One move out to your right… anti-tank guns firing from the
orchard area.
9
Royal Tank Regt, Normandy, 1944.
Movement in ‘O’ Group reflects the uncertain environment of the battlefield. Units may be
given orders to advance; but how far they actually move is not in the hands of the Battalion
HQ or even Company Commanders but down to the efforts of local officers and NCOs. This
aspect of command and control is represented by a random element through a 2D6 roll.
Thus, your units may advance rapidly towards objectives or may simply crawl forward,
slowed down by the presence of the enemy or threat presented by an unseen enemy.
MOVEMENT
if you roll 2D6 and score 7, the unit may move seven inches. Average and Fast AFVs also have
an additional fixed movement rate of +2" and +4". This is added to the 2D6 score.
The player rolls the number of dice shown in the Movement Rates Table below to establish
the distance moved in inches. Once the movement dice are rolled, the moving unit must
move as far as possible towards the declared Tactical Bound target. If simply moving down
a road or track or across an open area, they move the full distance rolled.
AFV Platoons
One Section within a radio-equipped AFV Platoon may remain stationary while the
other moves. Players must specify beforehand which Section is moving and which is not.
Individual AFVs from a radio equipped Platoon may move in different directions, each must
be given its own tactical bound. AFVs without radios must all move in the same direction
and maintain the same facing.
Interpenetration
Infantry may move through all other units. Tanks and Guns may move through infantry but
cannot pass directly through or over other tanks or guns.
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9.3 MOVING STEADY, HESITANT & SUPPRESSED UNITS
Steady units, (with one or no Shock) may move normally without restriction. Hesitant
units (with two Shock) cannot move closer to enemy units in their line of sight, but may
otherwise move. Suppressed units may not move, unless issued a successful Rally or react
Withdraw Action.
Heavy Weapons. MMGs, 60mm mortars and A/T sections. HMGs are treated as Light
Guns.
Fast AFVs & Armoured Cars. Includes all fast AFVs such as the US M18 Hellcat, US M5
Stuart, British Tetrarch, Cromwell, Russian BT7, German Luchs and all armoured cars.
Any jeep or similar vehicle. Fast AFVs move the total of the 2D6 score in inches and add
an extra 4".
Average AFVs. Includes the vast majority of Light to Late Battle AFVs, from PzIIs to
Panthers, from Shermans to T/34s. It also includes all carriers and halftracks. Average
AFVs move the total of the 2D6 score in inches and add an extra 2".
Slow AFVs. These include slow or under-powered AFVs and all Heavy or Super-Heavy
AFVs except for the Panther. For example Tiger 1 & Tiger 2, Elephant, Churchill, Matilda,
Char B, Renault, Hotchkiss, KV2, T35 and IS2. Also includes all tankettes and mine
clearance AFVs. Slow AFVs move the total of the 2D6 score in inches.
Mounted Cavalry. Mounted cavalry only applies this movement rate when in open
terrain. If in rough terrain, etc, or when dismounted they move as standard infantry.
Trucks. When off-road trucks move the total of the 2D6 score in inches. When on road
trucks move the total 3D6 score in inches and add an extra 4".
Combat Patrols. All Combat Patrols move a standard 2D6".
Vehicles in Rough Terrain. All vehicles use 2D6" and take the single higher dice score
as their movement. The lower dice score and the additional fixed move rate is ignored.
For example if a player rolls 2D6 and scores a 2 and a 5, he may move 5", the score of 2
is ignored. (See Section 10.1.)
Reversing. Reconnaissance AFVs reverse use 2D6". All other vehicles use 2D6" and take
40
the single highest dice score as their movement. The lower dice score is ignored. For
example if a player rolls 2D6 and scores a 2 and a 5, he may reverse 5", the score of 2 is
ignored.
Manhandling Guns. All guns may be manhandled into a new position and fire or
unlimber and fire. Light Guns roll two dice and take the single higher dice score. For
example if a player rolls 2D6 and scores a 2 and a 5, he may move 5", the score of 2 is
ignored. Heavy guns use 2D6" and take the single lower dice score as their movement.
The higher dice score is ignored. For example, if a player rolls 2D6 and scores a 2 and a
5, the unit may move 2", the score of 5 is ignored. Heavy guns on a cruciform and similar
may not be manhandled; for example the German 88mm or US 90mm guns.
Regroup Move. All units use 2D6". Guns that manhandle still use the single higher dice
roll method.
Retreat. Units retreat using 3D6", adding all the dice scores together, even in rough
terrain.
Important! Units that fire, are using the Reconnaissance Action or are vehicles in Rough
Terrain cannot use a Rapid Move.
Restrictions: Slow AFVs and Trucks cannot use a Rapid Move off road. Combat Patrols, SF
MOVEMENT
MMGs, HMGs and Manhandled Guns cannot use a Rapid Move.
Trucks are classed as Fast (+4"), when on a road. Units must remain on the road for the full
movement to gain the road bonus.
Restriction: If a unit wishes to move and fire it can only use its standard 2D6" move, even
whilst on a road.
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9.6 RESERVES!
This Action is classed as a rapid move using the total of all dice scores for movement. So use
all 3D6" scores as your move if in the open, or if on a road roll 4D6" and use all the scores.
After dismounting, infantry can move 2D6, taking the single highest dice score, but cannot
fire. Before or after dismounting infantry, transports may provide covering fire, if they did
not use a Rapid Move.
Infantry may dismount and attempt to move into close combat. Infantry cannot embus and
dismount under the same Move & Fire Action. When infantry dismount, their transports are
removed from play in the following Regroup Phase. Germans keep platoon commander's
MOVEMENT
halftracks in play.
EXAMPLES
(A) Tactical Bound. A British player orders an Infantry Platoon, using a Fire & Move action, to move up to a bocage hedgerow
as their tactical bound. They roll 2D6 for an infantry move and score a total of 7, thus the infantry may move 7" towards the
hedgerow. As the hedgerow is only 6" away, they make it and may still fire on reaching the terrain piece.
(B) Rapid Move. A US player wishes to advance an infantry platoon quickly across open ground to gain the cover of an
42
embankment. They issue a Fire & Move Action and declare a rapid move towards the embankment, which is 10" away from
their position. The player rolls 3D6, scoring 1, 3 and 4. The single 1 is re-rolled and scores a 6. The two highest scores are now
6 and 4, allowing a move of 10", enabling the platoon to reach the safety of the embankment.
(C) Deploying from a Combat Patrol. A German player has a Combat Patrol on the edge of a wood. During the game the
opposing Russian player moves a T34 near to the wood and the German player decides to issue a Deploy Action in his phase.
He now deploys an infantry platoon with an attached A/T section and the Combat Patrol is removed from play. The anti-tank
section may now fire, note that firing after a deployment incurs the moving fire modifier.
(D) Infantry Dismounting from Transports. A German panzer-grenadier Platoon is mounted in half-tracks. The half-
tracks roll 2D6 +2" for movement, scoring a 7. Adding the 2" gives a total of 9". This permits them to reach a good position to
disembark the infantry, and as they did not use a rapid move they may also fire, before the infantry dismount. The infantry
then disembarks for free and may move, rolling 2D6, scoring a 3 and a 2 and using the single highest score, move 3".
MOVEMENT
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10 TERRAIN
The bocage allowed for neither wide field of fire, nor movement on
either side of the few narrow roads, tank commitment was difficult.
Hauptmann Ritgen, Normandy, 1944
Terrain is important when playing ‘O’ Group. The vast majority of WW2 battlefields had
numerous and varied terrain features. When laying out your terrain please put down as
many terrain features as you can across the table; from shallow rises, mounds, berms and
low ridges right up to the more normal hills and ridges, include crop fields that provide
cover for infantry, either enclosed with hedges or open, as well as roads with steep sides or
banks and of course the usual woods and orchards. Once the terrain is laid out, ensure that
both players know exactly what terrain features represent and if they impact line of sight,
etc, especially crest-lines.
Roads
All properly surfaced roads and any untreated roads/tracks in summer.
Movement Effect: +1D6" to vehicle movement if entire move is spent on a road. Infantry
gain no benefit.
Combat Effect: None. Classed as open terrain.
Open Terrain
Includes open land, fields, steppe, firm desert, tracks or paths, orchards, etc.
Movement Effect: None. Units adopt the open movement rate when in this terrain type.
Combat Effect: None. Spotting Dice is applied if firing through orchards.
Rough Terrain
Rough terrain includes all woods, streams, steep hills, rocky terrain, steep sided banks and
rubble areas, craters and very wet, rain sodden ground, bocage hedgerows, etc.
Movement Effect:
Infantry: No effect – infantry treat rough as open terrain.
Vehicles: All vehicles adopt the rough terrain move rate for as long as the unit is
moving in such terrain. All vehicles use 2D6" and take the single higher dice score as
their movement. The lower dice score is ignored. Any fixed movement is also ignored.
For example if a player rolls 2D6 and scores a 2 and a 5, he may move 5", the score of 2
is ignored.
Vehicles Moving in both Open and Rough Terrain. The player has two choices: Use
either the Rapid or Open movement rates and halt at the terrain edge. The unit may
enter the terrain piece with their next Action using the rough terrain move rates. Or use
the Rough terrain move rate for the entire move and enter/leave the terrain.
Bogged Down Vehicles in Rough Terrain. Any double score rolled on the 2D6
movement dice (or 3D6 if retreating) will result in one vehicle section Bogged Down. For
example, if you rolled a double 5, then one of the platoon's sections has bogged down.
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Any score of Double 1 will see the platoon Bogged Down. A bogged down AFV section
halts immediately if in, or as soon as it enters, rough terrain; is marked as bogged and
cannot move again until freed with the issue of a future move Action. A bogged down
truck is abandoned and classed as a wreck.
To de-bog, issue a Move Action, then take a troop rating Rally roll. If this is passed the
section is freed and may move as normal.
Crossing Bocage Hedgerows. Tanks with a Culin type device cross as normal rough
terrain. Tanks without a Culin hedgerow device must roll 3D6 and take the lowest score.
If a double is rolled they bog down "belly up". They take one Shock if fired on, and shots
to the frontal armour will be considered flank shots.
Infantry cross using 2D6 and take the lowest score.
Vehicles moving through Built Up Areas. All vehicles moving via road through an enemy
held or contested BUA treat the road as Rough terrain. If a BUA street is considered to be
wholly within friendly territory and deemed safe with cleared streets, then vehicles may
move at normal road speed. (Note: This takes into account that many town and village
streets in battle situations were either rubble strewn, cratered or both.)
Combat Effect: Rough terrain is normally classed as cover for infantry or guns. Rough terrain
that is higher, such as bocage will also provide cover for AFVs. The Spotting Dice is applied
if firing into woods, bocage, etc.
Impassable Terrain
This can be terrain that is impassable to just vehicles, (infantry treat this as rough) or is
TERRAIN
impassable to both infantry and vehicles. This can include dense woods, rivers, cliffs,
swamps, etc. Buildings and built up area sectors are considered Impassable terrain to AFVs
and other vehicles. They may only pass through BUA sectors via roads.
Movement Effect: No units may enter this terrain type.
Combat Effect: Dependent upon terrain type.
Important! Elevated terrain is considered to be any and all higher ground such as hills and
ridges, low hills, the upper storeys of buildings and includes embankments and even a
slight rise or undulation.
Cover
Cover includes crop fields, shell craters, shallow trenches and shell-scrapes, hedges, bocage
hedges, walls, rocky ground, orchards, woods and vehicle wrecks. Cover mainly represents
the difficulty of actually acquiring targets in cover rather than the protective aspect, which
was generally minimal.
When firing at any target in this type of cover, use the Spotting Dice to determine if the
target is spotted or obscured. AFVs may not claim cover from terrain such as low hedges
or crop fields. AFV Wrecks are classed as Cover and block line of sight beyond 1" and small
arms fire applies a -1D6 modifier.
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Line of Sight into Cover
The maximum line of sight into dense cover such as woods or buildings is 1". Units beyond
this cannot be seen. Visibility out of cover is unaffected as long as any unit inside is within
1" of the edge of the cover. If opposing units are within the same dense cover terrain feature
units are spotted once within 6" of each other. Less dense cover, such as orchards or crop
fields does not block line of sight
Hull Down
On reaching a potential hull down position, all tanks are assumed to automatically attempt
to go hull down. Therefore, when firing at any potential hull down AFV target, always
apply the Spotting Dice as hull down is treated as being in cover. If spotted, the hull down
position was poor or simply not achieved. If the target is obscured, the hull down position
was successfully achieved.
Hull down does not apply to any Russian tanks or any tank destroyers/casemate guns, due
to gun position or limited depression capability. (Note: The player does not have to state
or mark his tanks as hull down, it's assumed that as soon as tanks move onto a crest-line or
embankment they automatically attempt to go hull down.)
Dug In
For dug-In AFVs, the Spotting Dice and a -1 to hit modifier are applied. Hasty defences
thrown up or pits dug out to cover a gun or heavy weapon required the Spotting Dice and
a -1D6 Firepower modifier applied if targeted. Trenches are defined as properly constructed
slit trenches. Only infantry may man slit trenches. Targets in trenches incur -2D6 modifier to
the firer and also the Spotting Dice roll.
TERRAIN
Well prepared earth or log defences, providing solid cover and overhead protection may
not contain very large or tall guns such as the 88mm, but these may be placed in a gun pit.
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10. 3 BUILT-UP AREAS
These include stone buildings, brick houses, factories, churches, etc. Targets in buildings
incur -2D6 modifier to the firer and also the Spotting Dice roll. Wooden buildings incur a
-1D6 modifier and also the Spotting Dice roll.
A BUA Sector
A BUA "sector" represents a group of buildings or houses, a factory or a farm area. Depending
on the size of your building models, these could represent one or more BUA sectors. Players
should clearly distinguish separate BUA sectors at the beginning of the game.
For example, a small farm would be one BUA sector, a large farm two and small Village two
or three BUA sectors. Note: A BUA sector should be reasonably small, perhaps just one model
building or model terrain piece.
Occupying BUAs
As soon as infantry reach an unoccupied BUA, they may form a garrison as a bonus move.
Place the figures either in or around the model building/s as best you can and state which
side/s of the BUA they are manning, which can include a corner edge. (Note: Infantry
command radius still applies within a BUA sector.)
For ease of play an occupying unit is automatically considered on the upper storeys of BUAs
and therefore elevated. This is the default position, unless players intentionally split a BUA
into separate upper floor and ground floor sectors or consider them just a single storey.
The maximum garrison of one BUA sector is one infantry Platoon and attachment and one
TERRAIN
other section, such as an SF MMG, etc. Company Commanders and FOs may also join a
garrison and can ignore its maximum capacity.
Restriction: AFVs and Guns cannot be placed inside buildings but may be placed in a yard
or garden. Players should clearly define where vehicles may pass through a BUA sector via
a road or alleyway, if at all.
Wire Entanglements
Each wire entanglement is a 4" x 1" [6" x 2"]* model strip. Wire may not be deployed on
roads or in BUAs.
Only fully tracked Light or heavier AFVs may cross wire. AFVs treat crossing barbed wire
47
as entering Rough terrain. No other units, including Weak AFVs may cross wire, except for
Infantry Engineers. AFVs destroy a wire entanglement that they cross; it is then removed
from play.
All assault engineers and infantry equipped with wire clearance equipment, may attempt
to clear wire. On arrival at the wire the unit halts and may attempt to clear the wire next
Turn. To clear wire the unit is given a standard Fire & Move Action and takes a troop rating
Rally roll. If successful, it removes that wire entanglement strip from play and the unit may
then move, (the Fire Action is clearing the wire). If the troop rating roll is failed the wire
remains intact. Suppressed units cannot clear wire.
Minefields
Each minefield is a 4" x 4" [6" x 6"]* feature and placed on the table. Minefields may not be
deployed on roads or in BUAs.
No units may enter Minefields, except mine clearance AFVs equipped with rollers or flails.
Mine Clearance AFVs equipped with rollers or flails can clear mines. These AFVs cross
Minefields at Rough terrain rates when clearing mines. They leave a permanent clear path
as wide as the vehicle through the minefield. They receive no mine damage from mine
clearance.
Hasty Mines
Hasty mines represent limited hidden mined areas and cover a 4" x 1" [6" x 1"] strip. Hasty
mines are not placed on the table. The defending player notes down where they are, for
example "Mines on the north road at the village edge or mines immediately in front of
TERRAIN
Bunker A."
When an enemy unit enters a Hasty Mined area, this is declared by the defending player
who rolls to ascertain the amount of Shock taken by the enemy unit. Roll 5D6. Each score of
4 or more results in a point of Shock. Hasty mines only attack once and are then removed.
Remember line of sight is not blocked it the unit is within 1" of the edge of the blocking
terrain.
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10.6 DEAD GROUND
All hills and ridges are considered higher than trees and built-up areas. Low rises and hillocks
are considered the same height as trees and built-up areas. Troops behind and within 6" [9"]
of built-up areas or woods are considered in dead ground.
EXAMPLE
AFV entering Rough Terrain. A US Sherman tank section wishes to take up a position in a wood, which is 10" away. The
player decides to sacrifice firing for a Rapid Move, rolling 3D6 and scoring 6,5 and a 3. The two highest scores give 11" to
which is added the +2" Average AFV bonus, extra giving a total move of 13", (5" + 6" + 2"). The tank section reaches the
wood after taking 10" of its move but must now halt at the edge of the wood and may only enter next Turn or if issued
another Action. Next Turn, the Sherman wishes to enter the wood, which is rough terrain. A 2D6 roll scores 3 and 4. The
tank section uses the higher score of 4, so moves 4" into the wood. Also note that the Average AFV speed +2" is not applied.
TERRAIN
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11 SPOTTING
As I was driving up the field I saw all three tanks on my left
flank go up in flames.... needless to say I still had no idea of the
exact position of the enemy tanks or guns.
Capt Whitelaw, Scots Guards, Normandy 1944
‘O’ Group uses a system of the Spotting Dice, Combat Patrols and Ambush to create a simple
and effective method of maintaining some "wargame realistic" spotting.
There are four observation states in the rules: Spotted, Obscured, a Combat Patrol and an
Ambush. In addition, any unit that is out of direct line of sight cannot be spotted.
11.1 SPOTTED
Automatic spotting applies to all on table units that are in the open and in line of sight.
These units are spotted and seen by the enemy. Even if enemy units are not initially in
line of sight its assumed that your troops know that enemy units are somewhere in that
immediate location.
SPOTTING
Exception: Poor AFVs treat all targets in the open beyond close range as potentially
obscured and must apply the spotting Dice roll, see below.
11.2 OBSCURED
To represent the uncertainty of battlefield conditions, we use the Spotting Dice when
observing more difficult to spot targets. The Spotting Dice roll indicates if your troops see
the enemy clearly or barely see them at all.
The Spotting Dice is applied when a player is firing at any target in cover, for example in
woods or buildings; firing with a Poor AFV at any target in the Open or In Cover, unless
this is against close range targets in the open; all anti-tank fire at a Low Profile (See 14.5) or
Reconnaissance AFV target in the Open, unless this is against close range targets.
The Spotting Dice is a standard D6, but must be different in colour or style to your Firepower
dice and is rolled by the firing player. The firing player simply rolls the Spotting Dice with
either his Firepower dice, if firing against infantry or guns, or with his two "To Hit" dice if
engaging in anti-tank fire. On a roll of 1 to 3, the target is obscured. On a roll of 4 to 6, the
target is spotted.
The Spotting Dice is applied per Platoon when units are firing at the same target. It's
assumed that if one tank or gun model has spotted the target, then they all have. So, if
engaging in Platoon anti-tank fire then only use the Spotting Dice with you first "To Hit"
roll and then apply the same result to both Sections firing at the same target. Only one
Spotting Dice is rolled per Fire Action, even if multiple situations apply.
Exceptions:
Combat Patrols: The Spotting Dice is not rolled when firing at Combat Patrols as these are
always considered Obscured.
Infantry targets at over 20" [30"] range and gun targets at over 30" [40"] range are
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always obscured to represent the difficulty in acquiring these targets at longer ranges.
Suppressed infantry targets are always obscured, as the men have "hit the dirt" and
more difficult to spot.
Thus when your troops fire, although targets may be on the table and obvious to the player,
your troops may not have actually seen the target and only put down fire in the rough
direction, (the obscured result) or your troops have spotted the target and put down more
accurate fire, (the spotted result).
The Spotting Dice is rolled on each occasion a unit fires so, even if you "spotted" the enemy
last Phase or Turn the Dice is still rolled, reflecting the ever-changing confusion of battle.
If placed in a very large feature then divide the terrain up into sectors, for example use 6"
SPOTTING
square for 15mm figures as a rough guide to one terrain sector.
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attacked. If it's not deployed within the beaten zone it's not attacked. (See Section 15.5.)
Forgotten Ambush Units. If a player "forgets" about his Ambush Unit and an enemy
unit, (not Combat Patrols) subsequently moves in or through the ambush position, then
the ambush unit is lost.
11.5 RECONNAISSANCE
Reconnaissance units play a vital role in providing information on enemy troop locations and
denying the opponent the ability to manoeuvre his combat patrols freely on the battlefield.
Only Reconnaissance units can be given the Reconnaissance Action to spot Ambush
positions or Combat Patrols via Reconnaissance. All units can be given an Action to remove
enemy Combat Patrols through Reconnaissance by Fire.
The opponent now rolls 1D6 and the two scores compared. If the Reconnaissance unit's
modified score/s exceed the opponents' then any ambush is revealed and placed on table,
or Combat Patrol removed and placed back in reserve. If the score is drawn or is less the
Reconnaissance failed to spot anything.
Important! When attempting to reconnoitre terrain features the opponent rolls his dice
regardless of whether units are hidden in ambush or not. Only if the reconnaissance is
successful should you tell the opponent that the terrain feature is empty. If he fails he learns
nothing.
Reconnaissance by Fire
All units capable of fire may use Reconnaissance by Fire in an attempt to remove enemy Combat
Patrols from play. Reconnaissance by Fire cannot be used to reveal enemy Ambush units.
Units may fire at one Combat Patrol per Fire Action, using the Infantry & H.E. firing procedure.
Maximum reconnaissance by fire range 14" [18"] or 20" [24"] if either the spotter or target
unit is elevated. Firing at Combat Patrols incurs a negative modifier of -2 Firepower dice.
Each hit on the Combat Patrol generates one Morale Test. All Combat Patrols test morale as
Regular and are always classed as an Obscured target. If a Combat Patrol takes any Shock it
is removed from play and placed back in reserve.
EXAMPLES
(A) Infantry Fire Spotting Dice. A British rifle platoon fires upon a German MMG situated on the edge of a wood. Along
with the standard Firepower dice the British player also rolls a Spotting Dice. The Spotting Dice result is a 3, therefore the
target is obscured and the German unit tests morale using their obscured morale rating.
(B) Reconnaissance. A British Reconnaissance armoured car section is issued a Reconnaissance Action. It first moves to
within 14" of a German Combat Patrol and then attempts Reconnaissance. The British player now rolls a D6 Reconnaissance
Dice, rolling a 4. The German player now rolls a D6 and must roll 4 or more to remain concealed and in play. On a roll of 3 or
less the Combat Patrol will be removed from play.
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DIRECT FIRE
T/34 at one o’clock!…I had the tank stop and swung the turret in
order to take aim at the target.
12
German tank, Grossdeutschland, Romania, 1944
DIRECT FIRE
Infantry, Heavy Weapon, AFV and Gun units are eligible to fire upon receipt of a Fire &
Move, a Rally or a React Fire Action. Each infantry Platoon or AFV/Gun Section can fire once
with each fire Action it receives. A Fire Action permits all platoon weapons to fire, such as
attached A/T weapons or flamethrowers.
Suppressed units, the Battalion HQ, Company Commanders, FOs, passengers in transports
and mounted cavalry cannot fire. No units may fire into an on-going close combat.
Infantry Platoons
These fire as a complete Platoon, with all Sections combining their fire to engage a single
enemy target. (Players do not need to concern themselves with individual riflemen or
machine gunners.)
An infantry platoon may fire an attached A/T section or use a rifle section to fire the integral
A/T weapon at a different target from the rest of the platoon, under the same Fire Action.
Firing Overview
Infantry and HE fire uses a modified number of Firepower Dice to ascertain potential hits
on enemy units. Anti-tank fire is more specific and first requires the player to hit the target
vehicle, before comparing the target AFVs armour to the guns anti-tank capability.
Procedure
a. Declare the Firing unit.
b. Firing & Moving. Units must fire either before they move or after they move, they may
not move a portion of their move allowance, then fire and then move the reminder of
their move allowance.
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c. Declare the Target. Players declare the target unit before resolving fire. Units may only
fire at targets within range and within line of sight.
d. Priority Targets: Players may decide what target to engage, except: a) Company
Commanders and FOs cannot be engaged if other targets are closer. b) No unit may fire
at more distant targets if they have a Steady/Hesitant target at 4" or closer.
e. Check Line of Sight and Arc of Fire.
45° from each outer base edge of the infantry platoon or model/base edge for a tank
or gun.
AFVs with Hull Mounted Guns = 45°. That's 22° taken from each outer base edge/model
edge.
Units are free to manoeuvre or turn turrets in their phase. Tanks can turn turrets without
a negative fire modifier. Tank Destroyers or Guns pivoting and infantry moving their fire
arc incur the movement negative fire modifier.
Ambush. Ambush units are placed by the player in the position and fire arc of his
choosing.
Units cannot turn or pivot as a reaction. If a target is out of the reacting unit's front arc
of fire it cannot be engaged with react fire.
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12.4 RANGES
All ranges are taken from the middle of the firing unit's front base edge or model edge
to the nearest base edge or model edge of the target. (Model edge does not include gun
barrels!)
Pre-measuring of ranges is permitted. (Though players may agree beforehand to deny this
option.)
DIRECT FIRE
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13 INFANTRY FIRE &
HIGH EXPLOSIVE FIRE
A Spandau opened up with its unmistakeable purr – like cloth
being torn – and our lead section was chopped down.
Pvt. Whitehouse, Normandy, 1944
INFANTRY FIRE & HIGH EXPLOSIVE FIRE
This section covers infantry small arms fire and tanks and guns firing high explosive shells
at enemy targets.
Firepower Dice
Each Infantry, AFV and Gun Section has a firepower value expressed in terms of Firepower
Dice or D6. (See Tables 1 and 2.) The more Sections a Platoon has or the more potent the
weapon, the more Firepower Dice it will have. The amount of firepower dice is further
modified by battlefield conditions such as target cover and whether the firers have moved,
have Shock, etc. For example a standard rifle Section has two Firepower Dice or 2D6, giving
a three section platoon 6D6 in all, a T/34 tank section armed with the 76mm has four
Firepower Dice or 4D6, while a small 37mm gun has just 3D6. (Note: AFV machine guns are
included within the term H.E.)
Fire by Platoon
All small arms and H.E. fire is by Platoon, so you cannot split up your platoon and fire at
different enemy units.
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13.2 INFANTRY WEAPON RANGES & FIREPOWER
TABLE 1: INFANTRY WEAPON RANGES & FIREPOWER
SECTION TYPE BATTLE RANGE ELEVATED RANGE FIREPOWER PER SECTION
SMG Section 0 - 6" [9"] 0 - 10" [14"] 2D6
ASSAULT Rifle Section 0 - 14" [18"] 0 - 20" [24"] 2D6
RIFLE Section 0 - 14" [18"] 0 - 20" [24"] 2D6
Attached MMG Section 0 - 14" [18"] 0 - 20" [24"] 6D6
SF MMG & HMG Section 0 - 18" [24"] 0 - 30" [36"] 6D6
AFV/Transport MG 0 - 14" [18"] 0 - 20" [24"] 3D6
AFV Turret MG (1) 0 - 18" [24"] 0 - 30" [36"] 4D6
60mm Mortar Section 8" [12"] - 40" [50"] 3D6
Infantry Flamethrower 0 - 4" [6"] (See 13.8) 6D6
(1) Turret MG = Turret mounted machine gun as the main armament, such as a PzI or Vickers MkVI
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13.4 INFANTRY & H.E. FIREPOWER MODIFIERS:
TABLE 3: FIREPOWER MODIFIERS: apply to the entire Platoon.
FIRER Modifier Explanation
• Any infantry platoon or any AFV/Gun section that has moved or is to move this
phase loses two firepower dice
• Units that failed an Opportunity Fire attempt also apply this modifier.
-2D6 • If an infantry unit moved no more than 4" it applies the -1D6 modifier.
Will Move or has Moved
(-1D6) • An AFV rotating its turret is not classed as moving.
• An AFV, Gun or Infantry that pivots on the spot is classed as moving.
• Deploying from Reserve is classed as movement.
• Poor Training = Extra -1D6 if moving.
• A unit that has any amount of Shock loses 1D6. The maximum is -1D6 regardless of
the amount of Shock. (N.B. Suppressed units cannot fire.)
Any Shock or Damaged -1D6 • A Damaged AFV loses 1D6. If an AFV is holding Shock and Damaged apply a -2D6
modifier.
• Infantry platoons with attached MMGs also lose one miss reroll.
Rallied -1D6 Apply if unit used the 1D6 Rally Action.
INFANTRY FIRE & HIGH EXPLOSIVE FIRE
If you equal or exceed the troop rating you have passed, there is no effect. If you score
under the troop rating you have failed. Each failed Morale Test places one Shock on the unit.
TABLE 4: MORALE TESTS
IF OBSCURED PASS on 2+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
Each Fail places one Shock on the unit. Three Shock will Suppress a unit.
KIAs
Any excess Shock inflicted once a unit is suppressed results in a KIA roll or an outright KIA.
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One excess Shock: The attacker rolls 1D6 for one excess Shock. A score of 5 or 6 results
in one Section KIA and removed from play. A score of 4 or less has no effect.
Two excess Shock: For every two excess Shock inflicted, one section is KIA'd. If two
sections are KIA'd the unit immediately retreats.
Units with attached Support Weapon roll a D6 to see if that is affected. On a roll of 1 or 2,
that base is KIA.
60mm Mortars have no beaten zone and only attack the target unit. When firing on AFV
targets, Weak, Light and Open Top AFVs apply a -2D6 modifier. Heavier AFVs are not affected
by 60mm mortars.
Attached MMGs are restricted to Rifle section ranges. (This is to reflect that these attached
MMGs are constantly on the move with the platoon, ammunition is more limited and the
gun is operating as a support to riflemen.)
All hits from flamethrowers immediately covert into Shock, there are no Morale Tests.
Infantry flamethrowers are limited to two attacks. AFV flamethrowers are limited to four
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attacks. Once depleted the AFV is remove from play in the regroup phase unless it is also
armed with a secondary main gun armament, such as the Crocodile or KV8.
Soft-Skin Vehicles
All Soft-Skin vehicles test morale as Regular. A transport platoon takes Shock as individual
transports. A Damage result = knocked out. A/T fire will attack individual transports.
For each Shock a soft-skin section receives a KIA roll is required. A score of 5 or more will
INFANTRY FIRE & HIGH EXPLOSIVE FIRE
knock out the section; on 4 or less the vehicle is unaffected. Any passengers in a knocked
out transport or a towed gun are subjected to a KIA roll, if they pass they instantly dismount
and/or unlimber the gun and are unaffected. For ease of play the first transport knocked
out in a platoon is always considered to be holding two sections. Roll to ascertain if any
attached heavy weapon, commander or FO sections are KIA'd, (see 13.5).
Tank Riders
Tank riders are targeted as normal infantry, they gain no cover benefit.
No H.E.
Tanks with machine guns fire as an AFV/Transport MG. Guns fire with a -2D6 modifier.
EXAMPLES
(A) Infantry Platoon Fire. A British Platoon of three rifle Sections that has not moved, fires at battle range on a German
Volkssturm Platoon rated as Green who are in the open. The British's player gains 2D6 for each Section and with no other
modifiers applying now rolls the total six Firepower Dice. Hits are always scored on 4+, and the British player rolls 4,4,4,3,3,3.
Three hits and three misses. The Germans now take three Morale Tests and roll on the spotted Morale Test row, needing 5+ to
pass. The German player rolls 6,2,2. One pass and two fails. The German Platoon is now marked with two Shock.
(B) Attached Weapon Fire. A three section rifle platoon with no Shock has an attached MMG. The platoon fires at an
enemy unit, rolling 6 Firepower Dice, scoring three hits. The supporting rifle sections can now re-roll up to three initial
misses.
(C) Move & Fire with Poor Training. A French Second Line Platoon receives a Move and Fire Action. The player rolls the
2D6" move and scores 6. He moves 6" and fires. However as the platoon is rated as Second Line, the player applies both the
-2D6 moving modifier and the additional -1D6 Poor Training modifier, so losing 3D6 in all. He now fires with just 3D6.
(D) H.E. Fire. A single Russian SU152 section fires at 18" range on a steady German Platoon, with 1 Shock in a building. The
SU152 is armed with a 152mm gun, looking at the Firepower table this gives 7D6 Firepower Dice and a re-roll. As the range is
18", no range modifier applies. As the target is in a building 1D6 is removed and the Spotting Dice applied. The Russian player
is down to 6D6 and now rolls his dice requiring 4+ to hit on each dice. He rolls 6,6,5,5,4 and 1. An impressive five hits but the
Spotting Dice roll gives an obscured result. The large 152mm gun gains one miss re-roll but this is not converted to a hit. The
German player now rolls five dice on the Obscured Morale Test row, the Platoon is Regular so require a 3+ to pass each test.
He rolls 5,2,2,1,1. Only one test is passed and four have failed! The German Platoon now has four more Shock. Two new Shock
will now immediately suppress the Platoon, (it was already on 1 Shock) leaving two excess Shock; a one section KIA result.
(E) AFV Platoon HE Fire. A Sherman troop consisting of one Sherman 75mm section and one Sherman Firefly section
engage a German infantry platoon holding a hedgerow at 24" range. The British player gains 5D6 for the Sherman and a
further 4D6 for the Firefly, giving 9D6 in all. As he is firing at over 20" range an infantry target is always obscured, so no
Spotting Dice required. He rolls the dice and scores four hits. The Germans must now take four Morale Tests on the Obscured
row.
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ANTI- TANK FIRE
Major Carr fired at it with his 75mm... at no more than 50 yards,
but the shots failed to penetrate the Tiger's side armour.
14
4th City of London Yeomanry, Normandy 1944
This chapter covers anti-tank fire by tanks, guns and infantry weapons against armoured
targets. Each tank or gun section is required to hit the target, modified by battlefield
conditions such as target cover and whether the firers have moved, have Shock, etc. If a
hit is achieved, a 2D6 roll then decides the fate of the target after comparing the weapon's
anti-tank firepower against the target's armour protection.
AFVs, Guns and Infantry all use the same procedure, with tank and gun anti-tank tables first,
followed by the infantry anti-tank tables in Section 14.11. Anti-tank firing is carried out by
Behind a straight line drawn across the front of the target and be able to hit the flank or
rear. Any part of the firing model can be past this line; the entire model does not need
to be.
Firing at such an angle that the flank armour is overwhelmingly the majority target area.
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2
Poor AFV
Any tank whose commander is directly involved in either the firing or loading of a main
single shot cannon; all Russian tanks and casemate assault guns; Tanks crews with limited
training; AFVs with a 150mm or larger gun that moves and fires, for example the SiG 150mm;
AFVs with a with a very awkward gun layout that moves and fires, for example the Hetzer,
are considered a Poor AFV.
Poor AFVs always apply the Spotting Dice roll, even against targets in the open, unless
at close range. Restrictions apply when firing at the furthest Elevated Range bracket. See
Table 1 below.
The Spotting Die is applied when firing at low profile AFVs, except at close range.
Gun Types
All guns are divided into three categories:
Superior Guns. These are high velocity long barrelled weapons and have a better range
when firing elevated than other guns. They include guns such as the German 75mm
L43, L48 and Pak 40, the Panther's 75mm L70 and of course the 88mm. The British
17pdr, 3" and Comet's 77mm. The Russian 85mm, 100mm and long 122mm. The US
76mm and 90mm.
Standard Guns. Guns such as the US 75mm, British 6pdr, Russian 76mm and the German
long 50mm.
Lower Velocity Guns. These are smaller calibre guns, auto-cannons and low velocity
short barrelled guns or howitzers. These guns cannot engage targets at the outer
Elevated range band.
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14.4 GUN AT RANGES
TABLE 1: TANK & GUN A/T RANGES
BATTLE ELEVATED ELEVATED
Gun Type/Range 0 to 30" 30+ to 40" 40" to 50
[0 to 40"] [40+ to 50"] [50" to 60"]
-1 to hit/-1 Firepower
Standard Guns No modifier No modifier
Not Allowed if Poor AFV
-1 to hit
Superior Guns No modifier No modifier Poor AFV = -1 to hit/
-1 Firepower
Spotting
Poor AFV Apply the Spotting Dice against all targets, even in the open, unless at close range.
Dice*
Spotting • Apply the Spotting Dice, even if in the Open when firing at these targets.
Reconnaissance AFV
Dice* • Exception: Not applicable if a Close Target or to Infantry A/T Fire.
Spotting • Apply the Spotting Dice to all low silhouette or small vehicles.
Low Profile AFV
Dice* • Exception: Not applicable if a Close Target or to Infantry A/T Fire.
The Spotting Dice is also applied when:
• Firing at any Target in Cover.
*Spotting Dice • Firing with a Poor AFV at any target in the Open or In Cover. (N/A to close range targets in
the open.)
• Spotting Dice Results: 4+ = Spotted. 3 or less = Obscured.
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14.6 ANTI-TANK FIREPOWER
TABLE 3: ANTI-TANK FIREPOWER TABLE
GUN TYPE A/T FIREPOWER
SUPERIOR GUNS
German 128mm 14
Russian Long 122mm 11
Russian 100mm 12
US 90mm 11
German High Velocity 88mm L71 (Tiger 2) 13
German 88mm L56 (Tiger 1, Flak 36) 11
Russian 85mm 9
British 17pdr / Comet 77mm 11 / 10
US 76mm, US/British 3" 9
German High Velocity 75mm L70 (Panther) 11
German Long 75mm L48 / German Long 75mm L43 L48 = 9 / L43 = 8
STANDARD GUNS
Russian 76mm (F34/Zis 3), Russian 76mm L11 (Early T34/KV) F34 = 7 / L11 = 6
US 75mm M3 (Sherman), US 75mm M2 (Lee/Grant) M3 = 7 / M2 = 6
Russian Long 57mm 8
British 6pdr, US 57mm, German Long 50mm 7
ANTI- TANK FIRE
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14.7 AFV ARMOUR FACTORS
TABLE 4: AFV ARMOUR TABLE
FLANK/
ARMOUR FACTOR FRONT
REAR
0. SOFT SKINS
Opel Blitz, Morris 15cwt, Kubelwagen, Jeep 0 0
1. WEAK AFVs
Early PzI, Tankettes, Armoured Cars, Halftracks 2 2
2. LIGHT AFVs
PzII, A9, M18, M11/39, T60/70, T26, FT17, 7TP, Heavy Armoured Cars 4 3
3. MEDIUM AFVs
Early: PzIII, PzIV, A10, Crusader I, Stuart, M13/40, M14/41, T28, R35 5 4
Late: PzIII, PzIV, STuG A-E, Crusader III, Grant, M10, M36, M24, Somua 6 4
4. BATTLE AFVs
PzIVF, PzIIIL, StuG F-G, Sherman, Cromwell, M36B, T34, SU85, SU122 7 5
5. LATE BATTLE AFVs
Comet 9 6
T34-85, SU152 8 6
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14.9 DAMAGED AFVS
Damaged represents one vehicle from the section being damaged. Damaged AFV sections
apply a -1 modifier to all A/T firing and a -1D6 Firepower modifier to HE firing. The Damage
state is permanent and cannot be rallied off.
An AFV section receiving a second Damage result is knocked out and marked as a wreck.
Tanks riders on damaged tanks immediately dismount with one KIA roll. If they pass they
are unaffected.
Important: British mixed tank units fielding Fireflies roll 1D6 when Damaged. A score of 1
to 3 indicates that the Firefly has been hit; on a 4 or more, the basic Sherman has been hit.
If the Firefly is hit the player should replace the Firefly model with a Sherman model, still
classing it as Damaged. This rule is ignored once the British increase the number of Firefly's
to two per section from November 1944.
A/T Section is attached to a Platoon only the attached A/T Section may fire in an anti-tank role.
All A/T sections and integral A/T weapons have a fixed range plus a 1D6 roll in inches added
to the range. For example, if you rolled a 3 you add 3" to the weapon's base range. This
represents the A/T section moving up and stalking its prey. The section does not physically
need to move, it is assumed they creep forward to engage the target before falling back to
the original position, and no negative firing modifier is imposed for this, and nor is enemy
opportunity fire permitted.
Restrictions: Infantry A/T weapons do not receive the close target modifier or use elevated
ranges. If part of a Hesitant Company they are classed as at "close range", but cannot use
the extra 1D6" range.
Other Weapons
WEAPON RANGE FIREPOWER / AT FIREPOWER
AFV AT Rifle 14" [18"] 1D6 / 2
28mm Panzerbuchse 24" [36"] 3D6 / 4
37mm with Stielgrenate 18" [24"] 3D6 / 9
Petard mortar 6" [9"] 10D6 / 11
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AFV Secondary Guns
AFVs with a secondary gun or flamethrower can only fire with one armament in any
one phase.
Multi-turreted AFVs may fire with two turrets per phase.
EXAMPLES
(A) Stationary A/T Fire. A German Platoon of two STuGs (with long L43 75mm guns) fire at battle range at a T34 section in
the open. No "to hit" modifiers apply, so the German player needs a score of 7 from both STuGs to hit. The player rolls for each
assault gun and scores a 5, then an 8, the first has missed but the second has scored a hit. The Russian player now compares
the T34's front armour factor of 7 to the STuG's 75mm gun Firepower of 8, its been exceeded by one point. So the Russian
player now rolls his Damage 2D6 with a -1 modifier. Rolling a 5, modified to a 4, the T34 section is knocked out.
(B) Pak 36 37mm vs. T/34. A German 37mm A/T Gun fires at battle range at a T/34 section in the open. There are no
modifiers and the German hits on a 2D6 score of 7. The Russian player now compares his T/34's front armour factor of 7 to
the 37mm's Firepower of 4. The armour exceeds the gun Firepower by 3; so the Russian player now rolls the Damage 2D6
with a +3 modifier. A roll of 7, modified to a 10, is a no effect result.
(D) Infantry A/T Fire. A US rifle Platoon uses its integral bazooka to engage an SdKfz 251 half-track in the open at 9" range.
The US player now rolls the D6 range dice to see if the bazooka team managed to sneak up within range. Rolling a 5 results
in a range of 11", so within range. The roll to hit scores a 7, so it's on target, as there are no modifiers (the unit is not classed
as having moved under this rule). The halftrack's armour factor of 2 is compared to an integral bazooka's Firepower of 5,
so it's exceed by 3. The German player now rolls 2D6 scoring 10, modified by -3, totalling 7, so two Shock is placed on the
half-track.
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15 INDIRECT
ARTILLERY FIRE
Able Troop target - map reference 985638 - right ranging - Fire!
Gun Position Officer, Royal Canadian Artillery, Normandy 1944
In ‘O’ Group there are two types of indirect artillery fire, either Battalion Mortars or an
Artillery Support fire mission. A Player can request either Battalion Mortars or Artillery once
per Turn. Battalion Mortars and Artillery cannot both be requested in the same Turn.
Battalion mortars may fire once at any point in the players own phase, with either HE or
smoke by declaring you are ordering in your mortars as an Action in your Combat Phase.
There is no range limit to Battalion mortars, they may hit anywhere on the table.
Procedure
a. Spotter: Mortar fire requires a spotter with a line of sight to the intended aim point
within spotting range. The player states which spotter he is using. See Table 1.
b. Aim Point: The player indicates the aim point either an enemy section or a terrain
feature.
c. Roll 2D6 for Accuracy. The total modified score indicates the accuracy of the attack. See
Table 2.
d. Firepower. Attack each target within or partially within the Beaten Zone, see Table 3 or
position a smoke screen.
e. Each individual Firepower dice for all artillery types will inflict a hit on a score of 4 or
more. The target then takes as many Morale Tests as hits, see Table 4.
Mark the target with any Shock it has received and remove any KIA’d sections from play.
There is no range limit to Artillery Support, it may hit anywhere on the table. Artillery
support may only be requested at the beginning of the phase.
Second Rate Battalions may only request artillery if their current HQ Order total is at five or
more. (Players may also wish to impose pre-determined aim points for artillery. At the start
of the game a Second Rate battalion writes down up to four aim points. No aim points other
than these may be selected.)
Procedure
a. The player decides which level of Artillery Support he is requesting, either Regimental
or Divisional level assets. Roll on the appropriate Artillery Support table below and, if
successful, Artillery Support arrives immediately.
b. Artillery attacks require an on-table Forward Observer as a spotter with a line of sight
to the intended aim point within spotting range. See Table 1. British & US Battalions
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from 1943 onwards are the exception; they may use a Company Commander to spot
for Artillery Support.
c. The player indicates the aim point either an enemy section or a terrain feature.
d. Roll 2D6 for Accuracy. The total modified score indicates the accuracy of the attack. See
Table 2.
e. Attack each target within, or partially within, the Beaten Zone, (see Table 3) or position
a smoke screen.
f. All Artillery types hit on a score of 4 or more on each Firepower dice. The target takes as
many Morale Tests as hits, see Table 4.
g. Mark the target with any Shock it has received and remove any KIA'd sections from play.
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Artillery Support Mission Definitions
Jabos (air support) See special rules below.
Rockets. German and Russian battalions receive rockets from 1942 onwards. If pre-1942
receive Heavy Howitzers instead.
Mike Mission. British Battalions from 1943 receive a Mike Mission. A Mike Mission fires
as a heavy battery mission and up to two initial misses, i.e. scores of 3 or less, from
each separate attack are re-rolled. If before 1943, the British receive a Heavy Howitzers
mission.
Time on Target. US Battalions receive a time on target mission. A time on target mission
fires as a heavy battery mission and a Double Six from each Firepower Roll inflicts one
Shock in addition to the actual Firepower results. The maximum is one Shock per
attack even if more sixes are rolled. The target unit also takes one additional Shock
automatically.
Heavy Howitzers. The aim point target is hit with 9D6; each additional target, starting
with the nearest target to the aim point and moving out, is hit with one D6 less Firepower.
6D6 is the minimum Firepower to an attack.
Heavy Battery Mission. Receive a heavy battery mission.
Medium Battery Mission. Receive a medium battery mission.
Battalion Mortars. Artillery is not available but you may use your Battalion Mortars
INDIRECT ARTILLERY FIRE
instead at no extra Order cost. This does not use an Artillery Mission.
"No, that's map section three, not four!" Wrong coordinates issued, no support is
received. This does not use an Artillery Mission.
"It's the radios Sir...We still haven't been able to make contact!" Unable to make contact.
No support is received. This does not use an Artillery Mission.
15.3 SPOTTERS
The following units may act as spotters for indirect artillery fire. Spotters must have a Line
of Sight to the aim point within spotting range.
• FOs may spot for Artillery Support missions and Battalion mortars.
• Company Commanders belonging to British, US and German Battalions may spot for
Battalion mortars. Other nations Company Commanders may not spot for mortars.
• British & US Battalions from 1943 onwards may use a Company Commander to spot for
Artillery Support.
• Reconnaissance radio equipped armoured cars/halftracks of all nations may spot for
Battalion mortars.
• The spotter is "activated" with an Artillery or Mortar Action.
TABLE 1: ARTILLERY SPOTTERS
Spotter/Artillery Type Spot for Battalion Mortars Spot for Artillery Support
FO Yes Yes
Yes if British/US/German Yes if British/US 1943+
Company Commander
No if Other No if Other
AFV Reconnaissance Section Yes No
Maximum Spotting Range: Ground Level = 30" [40"]. Elevated = 50" [60"]
Restrictions
Spotters cannot spot if they moved or rallied in the current phase or are Suppressed.
Target units at over 30" [40"] are harder to acquire. At these ranges the spotter may
70
either target an individual section as the aim point with a -1 accuracy modifier or target
a terrain feature without suffering a negative modifier. (See 15.4.)
If KIA'd, a FO may be replaced at a cost of one Order in the command phase. The player
many now place the replacement FO next to an on-table company commander or in
reserve.
15.5 ACCURACY
The player rolls 2D6 for accuracy, applying any applicable modifiers below.
Important! The player only rolls for accuracy on the aim point target, not every target in the
beaten zone.
TABLE 2: ACCURACY RESULTS
SCORE EFFECT
Critical Hit! All rounds on target!
• If a final modified score is 10 or more add one firepower D6 to all attacks.
10+ • Ambush units within the same terrain feature are forced to deploy and attacked if within the beaten zone.
• A Critical Hit achieved with an unmodified Double Six inflicts an additional 1 Shock to the target unit.
• Targets use the Zeroed In Morale Test line.
Zeroed In! The rounds are on target or dropping very near!
7+
• Targets use the Zeroed In Morale Test line.
Harassing Fire. The majority of rounds are dropping close to the target area.
3-6
• Targets use the Harassing morale test line. Scores of 4 or less, see Low on Ammo.
Danger Close. "You're dropping your damn barrage on our position!"
The rounds miss the target and are dropping dangerously close to or even on your own men. Roll 3D6" and move the point
2 or less
of aim the total 3D6" score in inches directly towards the nearest friendly Section. Any targets within the new beaten
zone position are now attacked using the Harassing Morale Test line.
ACCURACY MODIFIERS MODIFIERS
Aim Point is the same as last Turn and in the same position, and using the same artillery type.
+1
Jabos targeting units in the open.
Spotter is a Company Commander or Reconnaissance Section.
-1 Aim Point is an enemy section at over 30" [40"] range.
Jabos targeting units in buildings or woods or Jabos under AA fire.
(Note: Artillery Accuracy. There is no deviation other than danger close, as the game time scale
generally provides enough time for spotters to correct fire onto the target. Thus your Fire for Effect
is either on target and accurate when Zeroed In; or roughly on target and reasonably accurate
when Harassing.)
71
the beaten zone it is attacked. If it's not deployed within the beaten zone it's not attacked,
but nonetheless now deployed on table.
Low on Ammunition
Any unmodified accuracy score of 4 or less for battalion mortars sees them running low on
ammunition. No further mortars attacks may be made until the mortars are replenished.
A player uses one Order to replenish mortar ammunition. Replenishment takes one Turn.
Battalion mortars may not fire in the Turn they replenish.
15.7 FIREPOWER
Once the accuracy is obtained the firepower dice are rolled against each target either in or
partially in the beaten zone, applying any modifiers. All targets within or partially within the
beaten zone are attacked using the appropriate firepower dice.
Conduct a separate attack on each target; applying appropriate modifiers for that target.
Each hit requires the target unit to take one Morale Test. A Morale Test is based on the
target unit's troop rating and dependent upon whether the fire was Zeroed In or better or
Harassing.
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TABLE 3: MORTAR & ARTILLERY FIREPOWER
Battalion Mortars Medium Battery Heavy Battery Heavy Howitzers Rockets Jabos*
FIREPOWER MODIFIERS
Modifiers Situation
+1D6 Critical Hit. +1D6 Firepower against all targets. Ambush units attacked.
Target in Buildings or a Medium AFV to Late Battle AFV.
-1D6
(Modifier not applicable if Heavy Battery/Heavy Howitzers/Rockets.)
Target in Trench/Dug Out or an Infantry AFV to Super Heavy AFV.
-2D6
(-1D6 modifier only if Heavy Battery/Heavy Howitzers/Rockets.)
-3D6 Target in Bunker/Pillbox.
AFV Target Battalion mortars use Harassing fire against all Medium to Super-Heavy AFV targets regardless of accuracy.
Following a regimental or divisional attack, all units in open/cover must retreat or take one additional Shock to stay in position.
* Jabos = Zeroed In or better hits all equal Shock– there are no Morale Tests. Jabos ignore all negative modifiers.
HARASSING! 2+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
15.9 SMOKE
Both Battalion Mortars and Regimental Artillery missions may fire Smoke rounds. Players
state that they are attempting to lay smoke and apply the standard artillery accuracy and
firing procedures; a Spotter must be able to see the point of aim where the smoke screen
is intended to land.
Battalion Mortar Smoke is 6" x 2" [8" x 3"]. For Regimental Artillery Support, Smoke is 12" x
3" [18" x 4"].
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Smoke Accuracy
Roll 2D6 for the accuracy of the smoke. On a roll of 3 or less = The smoke has had no effect
or been dispersed. On 4 to 6, the smoke screen lands on target and lasts for one Combat
Phase only. (Remove the smoke at the conclusion of the current phase.). On a 7 or more, the
smoke screen lands on target and lasts for two Combat Phases. (Remove the smoke at the
conclusion of the following phase.) Add one additional phase to smoke screen duration for
Regimental Artillery.
Smoke Effects
A smoke screen blocks line of sight through it completely. Units cannot fire, spot or conduct
Reconnaissance through smoke.
15.10 JABOS!
If a player obtains a Jabos result he receives a limited flight of fighter bombers that deliver
three separate air to ground attacks.
The player nominates three different targets (aim points). The player conducts a separate
attack upon each target, rolling for accuracy against each target for each attack. There is no
beaten zone, only the target unit is attacked. A spotter is not required for a Jabo attack. A line
INDIRECT ARTILLERY FIRE
of sight to the targets is not required and units in buildings or woods, etc, can be engaged.
All Jabo hits if Critical or Zeroed In equal Shock; there are no Morale Tests. Morale tests
apply if Harassing or worse.
Anti-Aircraft Fire
If the defending player has any anti-aircraft guns, they may all fire through the use of one
Order if they have not yet received an Action and are not suppressed.
Each Quad AA auto-cannon weapon has a 2D6 AA attack.
Each AA single barrel flak or multiple MG AA weapon has a 1D6 attack.
All AA hits on scores of 4+. Jabos save as Veterans on scores of 3+.
Each Shock on a Jabo attack applies a -1 modifier to all the Jabos Accuracy dice rolls.
(Ignore suppressions on Jabos; if you manage three successful hits then that is -3 to
each accuracy roll.)
Restriction: Large dual-purpose AA guns such as the German 88mm or US 90mm
cannot engage in AA fire against Jabos.
EXAMPLES:
(A) Battalion Mortars: A US player decides to call up Battalion Mortars to target two German Platoons taking cover in a
wood in the Hurtgen Forest. First, ensure there is a spotter (FO, a Company Commander or a Reconnaissance unit) with a
line of sight who can spot the target. A US Company Commander is situated on a low ridge 30" away and can observe the
target. The US player selects the centre rifle Section from one German Platoon as the aim point. Next, two Orders are required
to call in the mortars. A roll of 2D6 for accuracy requires a score of 7 or more to be on target, but this has a -1 modifier as a
commander is spotting. On a roll of 8, modified to 7, the mortars are successfully zeroed in onto the target. (Note that the
player only rolls once for accuracy, not against each separate target.)
The US player now checks the HE beaten zone of mortars and finds that as well as the target Platoon the second German
platoon also partially within the beaten zone; therefore both are attacked. Battalion mortars gain five firepower D6, so the
US player rolls 5D6 against the first Platoon target which results in two Shock. The player now rolls 5D6 against the second
platoon, which also results in two Shock.
(B) Artillery Support: A British player decides to request Regimental Artillery Support to target two German StuG sections
taking cover on the edge of a wood in Normandy. First, the player checks if there is a FO or Company Commander spotter
74
(Company Commanders may only spot in British/US Battalions from 1943), with a line of sight that can spot the target.
The British FO is situated on a low ridge some 40" away, as he is on an elevated position, he can observe the target. At this
distance he can either select an enemy section as the aim point with a -1 modifier or target the centre of the woods. He
opts for the centre of the woods as the beaten zone still includes both STuGs. The British player uses two Orders to request
Regimental support and rolls on the Regimental Artillery Support Table. A score of 6 means, as he is a trained FO, that he
receives a Medium Battery mission. He now rolls 2D6 for accuracy requiring a score of 7 or more to be on target and zeroed
in. He scores 6, a Harassing result.
A Medium Battery mission gains seven firepower D6, modified by -1D6 as the targets are Battle AFVs, so both assault
guns are attacked with 6D6. The British player rolls 6D6 against the first STuG and gets lucky with 4 hits, of which only one is
saved - the STuG is suppressed! The player now rolls 6D6 against the second STuG which results in one Shock.
(C) Danger Close: German mortars are targeting US infantry but roll double one for accuracy - danger close! The German
player now rolls 3D6 and scores 6, 5, 1; totalling 12". The point of aim now moves 12" directly towards the German section
nearest to the original US target. Unfortunately, a German A/T gun is now within the beaten zone and is attacked.
75
16 CLOSE COMBAT
A first the enemy held and could only be overcome by Tommy gun,
bayonet and rifle.
German paratrooper, Crete 1941
This section covers two types of close combat, Infantry Close Combat, with Infantry versus
infantry and guns, and Tank Close Combat, with AFV overruns against infantry and guns
and Infantry tank hunting AFVs.
Close combat represents very close range fire and last ditch defensive fire, along with
grenade and bayonet attacks or grenade bundle and A/T mine attacks.
Important! Close combat is simultaneous and all hits applied simultaneously. Players may
wish to resolve the attacker's hits first, followed by the defender's for ease of play.
CLOSE COMBAT
16.1 PROCEDURE
1. Declare an Assault. To initiate close combat a Fire & Move Assault Action must be
ordered, with the player declaring the target of the close combat. The attacking Platoon
may fire before it moves to attack.
If Out of Command, the unit must first pass a Troop Rating Rally roll to assault. If they fail
they may fire but not assault. (See 7.9). The attacker must start from a position where he
can see the target unit or be within 6" if there is no line of sight. (Assume Platoon scouts
have located the enemy position.) If a unit encounters an enemy Ambush unit, infantry
cannot assault and halt at 2", but AFVs have the option to halt or overrun. (See 11.4.)
Restrictions: Company Commanders, FOs, Guns, Heavy Weapons and soft-skins may
not declare an assault, though can defend themselves. Attached heavy weapons may
accompany an assaulting Platoon but do not fight; they are placed to the rear for the
actual close combat.
Restrictions: Deployed Heavy Guns cannot withdraw from close assault. AFVs cannot
withdraw from close assault unless reconnaissance.
3. Move to Contact. Once the attacker is within 1" a Close Combat is initiated and all
sections in the opposing units fight.
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Attackers go Hesitant. Attackers going hesitant due to enemy fire will still move into
close combat.
Attackers Suppressed. Attackers suppressed by enemy fire immediately retire to their
start position.
BUAs. Attackers need only be within 1" of the target BUA sector to initiative a Close
Combat.
Transports. Embussed infantry in transports automatically dismount and participate in
Close Combat. Transports do not fight in these situations.
4. Firepower Dice. Each Infantry, AFV and Gun unit has a close combat firepower value
expressed in terms of dice or D6. (See Tables 1 and 2.) Both sides now calculate and roll
their firepower dice, taking into account any modifiers. A minimum of 1D6 is rolled,
regardless of modifiers.
Units in close combat hit on 4 or more apart from Veterans, who hit on 3 or more. Each hit
inflicts one Shock, there are no Morale Tests in close combat or overruns. Resolve winner
and loser, mark units with any Shock received and remove KIA'd Sections.
CLOSE COMBAT
Infantry Section (Rifle, SMG, etc.) 2D6 (1D6) (a)
MMG or HMG Section 2D6 if defending. (1D6 if defending) (a) (b)
A/T or Mortar section / FO No dice. (b)
Gun Section (All types) 1D6
Company Commander 1D6
Flamethrower Section 6D6 (3D6) (a)
Mounted Cavalry Section 3D6 (c)
Close Combat Situation Modifier - apply to the entire Platoon.
Higher Troop rating than opponent +1D6 (d)
Any Shock -1D6 (e)
SMGs, Assault Rifles & Engineers Ignore Shock (f)
Attacking Buildings or Bunker -1D6 (g)
No Attacking Fire -1D6 (h)
Defender Flanked Fight as Suppressed. (i)
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g. If attacking an enemy BUA or bunker lose 1D6 from your overall total dice.
h. Attackers lose 1D6 if assaulting without firing at the target.
i. A flank attack is a unit which is attacked, at the 1" point, from outside/behind its front
90 degree arc. If attacked from the flank the defending unit fights using the suppressed
firepower factors. (If already suppressed there is no additional disadvantage.) N.B. BUAs
cannot be flanked; the defenders automatically turn to face the attackers.
Important! Of the modifiers above, d to i apply to the entire platoon, not each individual
section.
RESULTS
One excess Shock on Infantry/Guns: The attacker rolls 1D6 for one excess Shock. A
score of 5 or more results in one Section KIA. The defending player removes one section
from play. A score of 4 or less has no effect.
Two excess Shock: For every two excess Shock inflicted one section is KIA'd.
Any remaining losing units will immediately retreat. (See Section 17.6). HMGs, Guns, tows,
transports and cavalry mounts cannot retreat from close combat and are KIA'd/lost. If
casualties have been inflicted losing players may choose to lose these units first.
DRAWS
The side with the most resulting KIAs win. If still equal, the Defender wins unless one side
are German Panzergrenadiers who always lose draws.
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16.3 TANK CLOSE COMBAT – OVERRUNS & TANK HUNTING
AFV Platoons and Sections may attempt to overrun infantry, heavy weapons and guns.
Infantry may attempt to go tank hunting, selecting a single AFV section to attack.
(Note: Tank Hunting. Although we "attack" with the entire platoon, it is in reality just a few select
men who actually conduct the assault, rather than the entire platoon.)
The table overleaf indicates the firepower dice each Platoon or Section gains in close
combat. Most units have two values the first value is when steady/hesitant and the second
value in brackets is used when suppressed.
CLOSE COMBAT
A/T Section (includes attached) 1D6
Company Commander or FO 1D6 (c)
MMG, HMG, 60mm or Gun Section 1D6 (c)
Overrun/Tank Hunting Situation Modifier - apply to the entire Platoon.
Infantry vs. Infantry AFVs to Super-Heavy AFVs -1D6 (d)
Defending Infantry or Gun are in Cover +2D6 (e)
Any Shock or Damaged -1D6 (f)
AFV has tanks riders +1D6 (g)
AFVs have no MGs -1D6 (h)
AFVs in Rough Terrain (or Bogged) Fight as Suppressed. (i)
Defender Flanked Fight as Suppressed. (j)
Modifiers
a. If suppressed apply the lower factor, in brackets. For example, a suppressed early war
infantry platoon has (2D6).
b. Flamethrower AFVs only attack with the flamethrower factor, ignore the AFV type.
c. Commanders, FOs, MMGs, HMGs, 60mm mortars and Guns gain just 1D6.
d. If infantry are fighting heavily armoured Infantry to Super-Heavy AFVs apply -1D6.
e. If defending infantry or guns are in cover such as orchards, wheatfield, trench, etc, apply
+2D6.
f. If any section is carrying Shock or is damaged but is not suppressed, lose 1D6. If an AFV
is damaged and has Shock lose 2D6.
g. If an AFV platoon has tank riders apply +1D6.
h. If all AFVs lack bow or coaxial machine guns apply -1D6. (Disregard AA machine guns.)
i. AFVs in Rough Terrain or Bogged AFVs fights using the suppressed factors.
j. A flank attack is a unit which is attacked, at the 1" point, from outside/behind its front
90 degree arc. If attacked from the flank the defending unit fights using the suppressed
firepower factors. (If already suppressed there is no additional disadvantage.)
Important! Of the modifiers above, d to j apply to the entire platoon, not each individual
section.
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TANK HUNTING CRITICAL HIT
Infantry rolling a Double 6, from their firepower dice scores obtain a critical hit inflicting 1
extra Shock.
RESULTS
One excess Shock on Infantry/Guns. The attacker rolls 1D6 for one excess Shock. A
score of 5 or 6 results in one Section KIA. The defending player removes one section
from play. A score of 4 or less has no effect.
One excess Shock on AFVs results in one AFV section being Damaged. The defending
player marks the AFV as damaged.
Two excess Shock: For every two excess Shock inflicted, one section is KIA'd or AFV
Knocked Out.
units first.
DRAWS
The most KIAs or Damage results win. If a draw, the AFVs will win.
EXAMPLES
(A) Infantry Close Combat. A German rifle Platoon takes advantage of a suppressed Russian Platoon that is 9" away in a
field and declares an assault. The German player decides to use a Rapid 3D6 Move so loses the opportunity to fire, he rolls
3D6 for movement and the best two scores total 8", as this takes the Germans to within 1" they make it to Close Combat. Both
players now calculate their firepower dice. The Germans gain 2D6 for each rifle Section, there are three Sections, so a total
of six firepower dice. As the Germans did not fire before assaulting, they lose 1D6. No other factors apply, as both Platoons
are Regular troop rating. The Russians also have three Sections but only gain 1D6 per section as they are suppressed, giving
three dice in all. The German player now rolls to hit, needing 4+ on each dice to be successful. He rolls; 6,5,4,3,2 which scores
3 hits. Note that these hits convert directly into Shock; there are no Morale Tests in close combat. The Russian player rolls his
three dice scoring 5,4,3; two hits. By achieving more hits the Germans win, but receive two Shock. The Russians have taken
three excess Shock, as they started the combat already suppressed, so one section is KIA'd and the German player also has
one KIA roll, for the one remaining excess Shock. He rolls a 3, no effect. Therefore the Russians lose one rifle Section and
immediately retreat. The Germans now take the position and make one rally attempt.
(B) Overrun. In a 1940 Western Desert game a British Platoon of two Matilda MkII sections overrun an Italian infantry
Platoon of 3 rifle sections and an attached A/T rifle section caught in the open desert, after a failed withdraw attempt. Both
players now calculate their firepower dice. The British player gains 4D6 for each Matilda section, (Infantry AFVs), so he has
eight firepower dice in total. No other modifiers apply. The Italian early war platoon gains 3D6 plus another 1D6 for the anti-
tank rifle Section, so 4D6 thus far. This is now modified by -1D6 as the Italian infantry are facing heavily armoured Infantry
tanks, so bringing their total down to 3D6.
The British player now rolls to hit, needing 4+ on each dice to be successful and he rolls five hits. Note that these are hits
convert directly into shock; there are no Morale Tests in close combat. The Italian player now rolls to hit, also needing 4+ on
each dice to be successful. The Italian player scores two hits. The player with the most hits wins, so the British win and take
the position. As there are two AFVs in the Platoon the British player may spread the Shock across each vehicle, thus he places
one Shock on each tank section. The Italians have five Shock, this suppresses the Italian Platoon with two excess Shock, so
one Italian Section is KIA'd and the remainder retreat
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SHOCK & MORALE
Man is the final decisive element in war. Combat is a moral struggle
and victory goes to the side that refuses to be discouraged.
17
The Rifle Battalion, US Army Manual 1940
Holding Shock
A unit retains the Shock it receives until it is rallied off (see 17.8.).
Morale Tests
Each successful hit on the target unit usually requires a Morale Test. A Morale Test is
a D6 roll against the target unit's morale rating. For, example Regulars are 4+. Morale
Tests are always conducted immediately and Shock applied immediately. If you equal
or exceed the unit's troop rating, the unit has passed and suffers no negative effect from
the hit. If you score under the unit's troop rating roll the unit will receive one Shock.
Obscured: Obscured targets gain a benefit and test morale on a lower troop rating,
usually 3+.
(Note: A "Morale Test" in ‘O’ Group is a simple method to characterise a unit's battlefield resilience
and fieldcraft skills. Therefore a Green unit has limited resilience and poor fieldcraft and thus
is easier to suppress, whilst Veterans have not only high resilience but also excellent fieldcraft,
therefore are more difficult to suppress.)
Steady. Steady units with no Shock or holding just one Shock may act as the player sees fit
within the scope of an Action.
Hesitant. Hesitant units, holding two Shock, cannot move closer to any enemy in line of
sight. If a moving Steady unit receives Shock as a result of enemy Opportunity Fire and
becomes hesitant, it may finish any forward movement including moving closer to the
enemy, until the conclusion of its current Action. Hesitant units may not move closer to
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the enemy until they rally off Shock. They fire and fight in combat with the negative Shock
modifier. No other effects.
Suppressed. Suppressed units are those holding three Shock. They may not fire and may
only move with a Rally or Withdraw Action. This represents a temporary state of disorder
and loss of command, infantry have gone to ground, while AFVs are considered stunned and
buttoned up.
D6; a score of 5 or 6 results in one section KIA. A score of 4 or less has no effect and
Shock remains at three. AFV's are automatically Damaged on taking one excess Shock,
they do not roll for this.
For every two excess Shock inflicted on a suppressed unit one section is KIA'd or knocked
out if an AFV.
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17.3 INFANTRY PLATOON ROUT TEST
A standard three section Infantry Platoon must take a Rout test when reduced to just
one Section. Important! The Platoon Rout Test can be avoided by using a Company
Commander Order, and the commander is within 18".
The player rolls 1D6 against the platoon's morale rating (not rally rating), and applies
the result, see below.
INFANTRY PLATOON ROUT TEST: Troop Rating 1D6 roll
Pass: Score equalled or exceeded troop rating Platoon remains in play and fights on!
Fail: Score is under the troop rating Platoon routs - remove the Section/s from play
Routed Sections count as a lost unit for FUBAR and defeat purposes
17.6 RETREAT
A Unit which must retreat does so as follows:
Immediately retreat 3D6" (adding all the dice scores together) either retreating the full
distance or the unit may fall back and then halt in or behind safe cover or behind a
friendly unit. (N.B. Safe cover cannot be the same terrain feature the unit was in when
hit and cannot be occupied by the enemy!)
Retreating units fall back within a 90 degree rear arc from their position and away from
the enemy. All units end any retreat facing the enemy.
If a retreating AFV enters rough ground, it will be Bogged if a double is scored on the
movement 3D6.
Retreating causes Dispersal. Any units that retreat off-table are removed from play and
classed as lost units. Any units that cannot retreat due to enemy units or impassable
terrain are also lost.
83
A "One section KIA" result means one infantry, Gun or heavy weapon section is lost
and removed from play. Knocked out means a tank section is destroyed and should be
marked as a wreck.
KIA'd infantry and Knocked out AFV sections may count towards FUBAR loses. (See
Section 7.6.)
Any passengers, including FOs, in knocked out AFV transports are subjected to a KIA
roll, if they pass they instantly dismount and are ok.
17.8 RALLYING
Shock is not permanent.
A unit may attempt to rally off Shock when issued a Rally Action, in its phase or the
Regroup phase.
Each Shock rallied off improves the morale state of the unit, a suppressed unit becomes
hesitant with one Shock removed and a hesitant unit becomes steady if it rallies off one
Shock, etc.
fire is permitted if you use 3D6. The unit may withdraw 1D6 inches. If a suppressed unit
uses 3D6 and fails to rally off any Shock it must immediately retreat.
84
BATTALION
ORGANISATION
A Company commander may at any time find himself given one or more
detachments of the different support platoons to command.
18
British Army Infantry Training Manual, 1944
BATTALION ORGANISATION
Divisional level supports they wish to include, according to their orbat.
Battalion Morale
A Combat Effective battalion costs 0 points.
A Tenacious battalion, that is not large, costs 5 points.
Restriction: Second Line and Green battalions cannot be classed as Tenacious, unless
Large.
85
For example, a large battalion with 12 supporting sections counts as Tenacious and will be
defeated on receiving four FUBAR markers, however the final marker is only worth two lost
sections.
86
THE BRITISH
BATTALION 19
19.1 BATTALION ORGANISATION
Core Infantry or Motor Battalion (5 points). The British player receives the Battalion HQ
Company, (HQ, FO and Mortars) and three Infantry companies. An infantry company
consists of 1 x Company Commander and 3 x Infantry Rifle platoons.
Vickers MMGs: It seems that Vickers were rarely attached to infantry platoons, thus a British battalion is limited to
attaching just one Vickers MMG section to one infantry platoon.
British APDS Ammunition: The 6pdr gun receives a +2 firepower modifier with a Critical A/T Hit from 1944.
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19.3 DIVISIONAL SUPPORTS
Finally, the player may add Divisional supports. (See 18.5)
UNIT SECTION COMPLEMENT POINTS
Machine Gun Platoon 1/2 x Vickers MMG + 1/2 x carriers 2/4*
Recce Platoon 1 x Humber A/C + 1 x Humber A/C 37mm 2
Recce Platoon 1 x Daimler Dingo + 1 x Daimler 2pdr A/C 2
Recce Troop (Tank Regiment) 2 x Stuart III/V 4
Recce Troop 2 x Staghound A/C 3*
Armoured HQ Troop 1 x Cromwell 95mm, 1 x Cromwell 75mm 8*
Armoured Troop 2 x Cromwell 75mm (if recce) 7 (recce 8)
Armoured Troop 1 x Cromwell 75mm + 1 x Firefly 9
Armoured Troop 2 x Sherman 75mm 6
Armoured Troop 1 x Sherman 75mm + 1 x Firefly 8
Armoured Troop 1 x Churchill 6pdr + 1 x Churchill 95mm 10*
Armoured Troop 2 x Churchill IV/VI 6pdr/75mm 10/11
Armoured Troop 1/2 x Churchill VII 75mm 8/14*
Armoured Troop 1 x Sherman 76m + 1 x Firefly 9*
Armoured Troop 1 x Sherman E8 76m + 1 x Firefly 10*
Armoured Troop 2 x Comet 15*
Heavy Troop 2 x AEC 75mm A/C 4*
THE BRITISH BATTALION
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THE GERMAN
BATTALION 20
20.1 BATTALION ORGANISATION
Core Grenadier Infantry Battalion (5 points). The German player receives the Battalion HQ
Company, (HQ and FO) and three Infantry companies. An infantry company consists of 1 x
Company Commander and 3 x Infantry Rifle platoons.
F.O. Battalion HQ
89
German Infantry Training Characteristic
Rate of Fire: German SF MMGs, attached MMGs and all platoons gain +1 hit from each double 6 from their
firepower dice roll.
PanzerGrenadiers re-roll one miss if target is spotted or in the open.
Kampfgruppe
German battalions may choose to group battalion and/or support assets into a separate "company" or unterkampfgruppe
under the command of a "Kampfgruppe Commander", (3 points). Kampfgruppe Commanders use the same rules as
Company Commanders, except the CC Order cannot be used to increase HQ Orders.
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THE russian
BATTALION 21
21.1 BATTALION ORGANISATION
Core Infantry Battalion (5 points). The Russian player receives the Battalion HQ Company,
(HQ and FO) and three Infantry companies. An infantry company consists of 1 x Company
Commander and 3 x Infantry Rifle platoons.
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Russian Infantry Training Characteristic
Poor Training: Russian Regular infantry platoons lose an additional 1D6 firepower if they move and fire.
Strength in Numbers
Defending: Up to 1944, when a defending Russian Battalion loses a platoon from the enemy Opening Bombardment it
is immediately replaced with a Green Rifle Platoon. This does not happen if the lost platoon was already rated as
Green. If a section is also lost in the bombardment this cannot come from the Green replacement platoon.
Attacking: From 1942 the Russian opening bombardment adds one extra Turn of interdiction to the
defenders interdiction Turns.
Losses: Russian battalions ignore the first two Green section losses for FUBAR purposes.
Relieved of Command
Once per game the player may use 2 HQ Orders to "replace" a Company Commander, following a Battalion 'O' Group dice
roll that results in a Hesitant Company. The player immediately re-rolls all his Battalion 'O' Group dice, ignoring the
previous scores and Hesitant Company result.
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THE UNITED STATES
BATTALION 22
22.1 BATTALION ORGANISATION
Core Infantry Battalion (5 points). The US player receives the Battalion HQ Company, (HQ
and FO) and three Infantry companies. An infantry company consists of 1 x Company
Commander and 3 x Infantry Rifle platoons..
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US Infantry Training Characteristic
Marching Fire: US infantry may fire at full effect when moving and firing under a Fire & Move Action, but are limited to
moving 2D6" and using the higher dice score, if they choose this option. To use marching fire the platoon must be able to
see its target at the beginning of its move.
MMGs and 60mm Mortars cannot fire under this Action and no re-rolls are permitted.
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BATTLEGROUPS
Orders were for the 25th Panzer Regiment to attack.
Rommel, France, 1940
23
For larger games, players can field several Battalions as a Battlegroup under the command
of a single Battlegroup Commander. For instance, your battlegroup could be two infantry
battalions and a tank battalion.
BATTLEGROUPS
6 The Boss! An outstanding Battlegroup Commander! He receives 6 O Group dice per Turn.
2-5 Old Soldier! An experienced Battlegroup Commander. He receives 5 O Group dice per Turn.
Base Barnacle! An old WW1 cavalry officer who rarely leaves the safety of Brigade HQ and is never very far from his
1
drink’s cabinet. He receives 4 O Group dice per Turn.
95
must be a clear division or boundary line between each Battalion, as unexpected forces
crossing over or firing into another formation’s territory could easily be mistaken for the
enemy and engaged with friendly fire.
(Note: In effect one battalion engages another battalion and strict boundaries makes for
easier game play.)
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OPTIONAL RULES
A Sherman can give you a very nice... edge.
US Tanker, France, 1944
24
Players may use any or all of the optional rules below:
24.1 TANKS
If playing a more armour-centric game, swap the basic infantry battalion out for a tank
battalion or regiment instead or add a tank battalion to your battlegroup. For ease of play
each tank "battalion" has a Bn./Regt. HQ, FO (or OP tank) and three companies each with a
Tank Commander, each of three or four platoons. A player may add or purchase appropriate
Battalion and Divisional supports. A Tank Commander has the same rules as an Infantry
OPTIONAL RULES
Commander, with a command radius of 24".
24.3 SNIPERS
A defending battalion may include one sniper unit, (for 1 point). Snipers are limited to react
fire only (including opportunity fire) which the player may choose to do as a free Action
once per Turn. No Orders are needed to "activate" a sniper unit. On stating that a React Fire
Action will be with a sniper the player places one Sniper model in any piece of cover as long
as the sniper is not within 8" [10"] of enemy units and not within 12" of the enemy board
edge. The following sniper rules also apply.
Snipers may react fire as normal at any target in line of sight and within 20" [24"] range.
Snipers fire with 3D6 firepower dice hitting on 4+ against all targets, including AFVs.
Snipers ignore all modifiers and the target is always spotted.
If targeting AFVs the maximum result is one Shock.
After firing the sniper model is removed from the table, (but not removed from play).
Losing a Sniper: If a sniper unit rolls three misses, it is removed from play.
Note: This rule represents a number of snipers, hence the ability to deploy almost anywhere
on the board.
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24.5 LONG RANGE AT FIRE
Long Range Fire is an optional rule permitting AFVs and Guns to engage in anti-tank fire
at targets beyond their maximum elevated ranges.
To increase a unit's elevated range the player rolls 2D6" and adds this total in inches to
the maximum elevated range.
Apply an additional -1 modifier to the To Hit dice roll.
set a limit to the number of missions available at the beginning of the game. Two to three
missions should be the maximum, but can vary according to the scenario.
An Air Support request is successful on a score of 7+ and an air mission attack will arrive
immediately. A score of 6 or less sees the request fail.
A roll of Double 1 will see foul weather ground all aircraft for the remainder of the game.
Each Air Support mission is conducted as a Jabo attack, but with only two attacks. (See
Section 15).
This Action cannot be used in the same Turn as an Artillery or Battalion Mortars Action.
A Defending Battalion HQ may use one of its initial HQ Orders to designate two pre-
registered artillery targets for either his Battalion Mortars or Regimental Artillery support,
not both. The player notes down his pre-registered aim points, which must be behind the
Forward Defence Line. Pre-registered targets apply a +1 accuracy modifier. A spotter is
required but does not need a line of sight to the aim point.
98
Take Cover rolls per game to add an element of luck or inspired leadership to a specific
scenario or unit.
OPTIONAL RULES
99
25 INTRODUCTORY
SCENARIO:
ASSAULT ON CRISTOT,
NORMANDY 1944
This action covers a hasty attack by a battalion of the 6th Green Howards supported by
armoured elements in the form of Shermans from the 7th Dragoon Guards, upon the
village of Cristot; defended by elements of the 12th SS Hitlerjugend Division, during the
Normandy campaign in 1944.
INTRODUCTORY SCENARIO
MISSION
The British must take two of the four BUA sectors of Cristot village or inflict three FUBAR
markers on the Germans before the end of the game.
The Germans win by avoiding the British victory conditions.
The game ends after sixteen Turns.
Deployment
The British are the Attackers. The Germans are the Defenders. Both battalions use the
standard game deployment.
ORDERS OF BATTLE
BRITISH: 1st Rate Battalion – 6th Green Howards, Regular – Combat Effective
HQ - Regular
Reserves
100
GERMANS: 1st Rate Battalion – 12th SS, Regular – Regular – Combat Effective
Company Unit Sections Troop Rating
HQ - Regular
Battalion HQ 80mm Mortars - Regular
FOO + transport 1 Commander
Company Commander 1 Commander
1 Company
3 x Infantry Platoon 3 Regular
Company Commander 1 Commander
2 Company
3 x Infantry Platoon 3 Regular
Company Commander 1 Commander
3 Company
2 x Infantry Platoon 3 Regular
MG Platoon MMG section 2 Regular
A/T Support Panzerschreck section 2 Regular
Pak 40 75mm 1 Regular
A/T Platoon
Pak 38 50mm 1 Regular
Reserves
Panzer Regiment Panther platoon 1 Confident
INTRODUCTORY SCENARIO
SPECIAL RULES
Snipers
The German defenders had a heavy sniper presence in this action. The German player may
substitute 1 x Panzerschreck section for 1 x Sniper. (See 24.3.)
Artillery Missions
The British have two Artillery Support missions. The Germans have one Artillery Support
mission.
Terrain
• All woods are orchards, line of sight goes through to the far edge and no further.
• All farms and BUA sectors are brick buildings. Farms should be one BUA sector. Cristot
has four BUA sectors.
• The road leading to Cristot was covered by high hedges, treat as bocage where shown
on the map.
• Numerous enclosed fields should be placed about the board
• Table size should be a minimum of 5' by 4'.
101
102
'O' GROUP QUICK REFERENCE SHEETS
GAME TURN
A. BATTALION O GROUP: Roll Battalion O Group Dice. Note HQ & Company Orders.
1. COMMAND • State if Overriding FUBARs or using Company Commander for HQ Orders.
PHASE B. INITIATIVE: Roll 2D6 +1 per HQ Order. Winner = Offensive Phase & +1 Order OR Defensive Phase & no Order. Draws = 1st Rate Germans/Last turn's winner
wins but no bonus Order.
A. OFFENSIVE PHASE: a) Player issues 1 Action. b) Opponent may react with 1 React Action.
2. COMBAT PHASES
B. DEFENSIVE PHASE: a) Player issues 1 Action. b) Opponent may react with 1 React Action.
Regroup Actions: Attackers = 2 Actions. Defenders = 1 Action. Units that have not received Orders this Turn may: Move 2D6" or 3D6 Rally or Deploy on CP.
3. REGROUP PHASE
Special – Resquadding.
ARTILLERY HITS ON 4+
MODIFIERS TARGET IS:
+1D6 Critical Hit! (Accuracy score of 10+.) +1D6 firepower against each target in beaten zone. (Double 6 = +1 Shock on Aim Point Target.)
-1D6 In Buildings or Medium AFV to Late Battle AFV. (N/A if Heavy Battery/Heavy Howitzers/Rockets.)
-2D6 In Trench/Dug Out or Infantry AFV to Super-Heavy AFV. (-1D6 only if Heavy Battery/Howitzers/Rockets.)
-3D6 In Pillbox/Bunker.
AFV Battalion mortars use Harassing fire against all Medium to Super-Heavy AFV targets regardless of accuracy.
Following a regimental or divisional attack, all units in open/cover must retreat or take one additional Shock to stay in position.
MORALE TESTS
UNIT TESTING MORALE is: CC / FO VETERAN CONFIDENT REGULAR GREEN Combat Patrol
3+ (4+ in the
ZEROED IN / HARASSING 2+ / 2+ 4+ / 3+ 4+ / 3+ 5+ / 3+ 4+ / 3+
Open)/3+
RESULTS – EACH FAIL = 1 SHOCK. 3 SHOCK = SUPPRESSED.
Excess Shock: 1 Shock = KIA roll or Damaged if AFV. 2 Excess Shock = 1 Section KIA/Knocked Out.
ARTILLERY SUPPORT
Roll 2D6
SCORE REGIMENTAL
12 Roll on Divisional Table. A result of 7 or less = Medium Battery Fire Mission!
7-11 Medium Battery Fire Mission!
6 British/US 1943-45: FO = Medium Battery Mission! Company Commander = Bn. Mortars. All other battalions = Bn. Mortars.
5 or less "No, that's map section three, not four!" No Support received.
SCORE DIVISIONAL
12 Jabos! 3 Attacks.
German/Russian = Rockets! (If pre-1942 receive Heavy Howitzers.)
British = Mike Mission! Heavy Battery Mission with 2 rerolls per attack.
10-11
US = Time on Target! Heavy Battery Fire Mission. Target unit takes 1 Shock and a double six in any attack adds 1 Shock.
All other battalions and British/US pre-1943 = Heavy Howitzers!
8-9 Heavy Battery Fire Mission!
7 British/US 1943-45: FO = Medium Battery Mission! Company Commander & All other battalions: As per 6 or less.
6 or less "It's the radios Sir... We still haven't been able to make contact!" No Support received.
LAYING SMOKE
Spotter has LOS to aim point: Roll for Accuracy.
7+ = Smoke is on target. 6-4 = Smoke screen on target.
3 or less = No effect.
Lasts for 2 Combat Phases. Lasts for 1 Combat Phase.
Battalion Mortar Smoke = 6" x 2" [9" x 3"] Artillery Support Smoke = 12" x 3" [18" x 4"] +1 phase duration.
ANTI-TANK FIRING. HIT on 7+. Roll 2D6 Hit dice per AFV/Gun section firing.
GUN / RANGE BATTLE: 0-30" [40"] ELEVATED: 30+ -40" [50"] ELEVATED: 40+ -50" [50+ to 60"]
Low Velocity Gun - -1 to Hit Not Allowed
Standard Gun - - -1 to Hit & -1 Firepower. (Not Allowed if Poor AFV.)
Superior Gun - - -1 to Hit (-1 to Hit & -1 Firepower if Poor AFV.)
-1 Shock / Damaged / Rallied. -1 for each. SD Target is Low Profile* / Recon* / in Cover / Hull Down.
-1 Firer will Move / Moved. SD Poor AFV vs. any target in the Open.*
-1 Failed Opportunity Fire attempt. * = N/A if Target at Close Range.
-1 Target Dug-In. Spotting Dice 4+ = Spotted. 3 -1 = Obscured. * = N/A if Target Close.
Critical Hit! Modified Score is 10+! = +1 to Gun Firepower. (British 6pdr +2 Firepower.)