These rules replace those in the Combat HQ rulebook and provide a less, brutal close assault experience.
Close Assault
Close Assault is a brutal exchange of point-blank fire, grenades, bayonets, and rifle butts. Close Assault occurs when a unit with a Close Assault order moves into contact with an enemy unit.
An assaulting unit does not need to see its target, but at least another unit in the battle group must have LOS to the enemy unit or units to be assaulted. Close Assault orders are not issued in the hope that there will be enemies to attack at the end of the Close Assault move.
Blinds cannot be Close Assaulted. The units concealed by the Blind must first be spotted, and this must occur before any units move with a Close Assault order.
Close Assault Order
A unit must be given a Close Assault order to charge into contact with the enemy. A Close Assault order orders one unit to enter Close Assault. To order two units to Close Assault, two orders are required. To order three units to Close Assault, three orders are required, and so on.
A unit with a Close Assault order makes a normal move and attempts to contact an enemy unit. The unit cannot fire before moving to Close Assault, but it may fire if it fails to contact an enemy unit. This fire is made with a -1D penalty.
If a Wild Dice is used to issue a Close Assault order, the unit automatically moves its maximum distance
Dice Chains may be used to issue double and triple moves. Units making multiple moves Close Assault with a -1D penalty for a double move, and a -2D penalty for a triple move.
Suppressed units cannot be ordered to Close Assault, but a Command Dice can be used to remove the suppression before issuing a Close Assault order.
Close Assault Order and Units
The following units can move into contact with an enemy unit:
- Infantry
- AFVs (tanks, tank destroyers, close support tanks, armoured cars)
The following units may fire but cannot move into contact with an enemy unit:
- Infantry heavy weapons
- Infantry guns
- Anti-tank guns
Moving Into Close Assault
Units move into contact with the nearest enemy. It is not possible to bypass any enemy unit unless one of your units is already in contact with it. A maximum of two units can Close Assault one enemy unit.
Assaulting units may manoeuvre to avoid obstacles, but must otherwise move directly towards the enemy. To qualify for a flank or rear attack, a Close Assaulting unit must be able to move directly forward so that it contacts the flank or rear of the enemy unit.
A Close Assaulting unit that becomes suppressed as it moves to Close Assault stops immediately and may be Forced Back from the point where it was suppressed.
A Close Assaulting unit that fails to contact an enemy unit because it failed to roll high enough with its Variable Move may fire with a -1D penalty.
Linear Obstacles and Buildings
When Close Assaulting an enemy behind a linear obstacle it is only necessary to reach the obstacle. No Fixed Move is needed to cross the obstacle.
When Close Assaulting into a building one Fixed Move is needed to enter the building. If insufficient movement remains to enter a building, the units are halted outside and may fire at short range with a -1D penalty.
