Infantry tactics

[martin goddard]

Following Sean's start here are some thoughts for infantry tactics discussion.

These notes all refer to PBI specifically.
Hopefully they mirror real life practices?

1. Best not to move up to a target and assault in the same turn.  Unless the target is very weak indeed.
2. Ideally arrive at the target position from its flank in order to allow own troops to pour shooting in from the front.
3.In the same turn use any hits to try to pin the target. Lastly move the assault section in. Clustering an assault section is often a good idea, so that there are enough troops left to hold the position against any counter attack in the following turn.
4. Do not let fear of casualties prevent taking the initiative and moving. Obviously (?) don't stand at short rage in the open in front of MGs etc.
5. Don't open fire on an opponent square if you only have a few D6 to roll. Just keep your head down.
6. Usually attempt to capture just two objectives. Supplement this by looking at other win criteria. i.e try to break through and also destroy opponent transports.
7. If you score 5,6,7 on AP carry out a bold move to force the opponent to react.  Movement is often the key to "wrong footing" the opponent.
8. If the opponent has a good defensive position use smoke from mortars and off table assets.
9. Don't leave an officer group on its own in a square.
10.  Screen larger infantry formations with smaller outliers.
11. If HE is about stagger/chequer  your front lines.
12. Do not leave any objective empty.
13. Arrive in corners so as to attempt outflanking; depending on the battle needs.
14. Do leave a couple of bases off a unit in order to get them on the table.


Dp add your thoughts.
martin

[Sean Clark]

I have certainly learned the value of pinning, but too often send in too few bases in an assault that get wiped out or don't beat the defenders score.

I'm also not great at the typical fire and movement tactics. The German MG42 was a great suppression weapon allowing the other troops to move forward.

[Colonel Kilgore]

Pinning can be very effective in PBI, as the better players know. I nearly always forget to try, to my cost...