These new rules update the ones in the Armour Battles Expansion.
Howitzers were fitted into vehicles to provide close support in the form of smoke screens and High Explosive fire. Close support units can use direct and indirect fire.
Direct Fire
Roll the unit’s AT or FP Dice and apply modifiers based on the range to the target and deduct any dice resulting from movement as normal.
Suppressions: Direct fire causes normal suppressions – it does not cause artillery suppressions.
Indirect Fire
The accuracy of a close support unit’s indirect fire depends on whether it has LOS to its target.
Forward Observers
If the close support unit doesn’t have LOS to its target, another unit must act as its Forward Observer. No Forward Observer is required when it has LOS to its target.
Indirect Fire Burst Radius
Close supports units have a 2” indirect fire burst radius.
Single Missions Only
Close support units use single fire missions. They cannot conduct continuous fire missions.
Indirect Fire Procedure
Each time the unit fires, place an Impact Marker at the unit’s target point.
No LOS to Target: A deviation dice is rolled. On a “Hit” the fire lands at its targeted destination. Otherwise, the fire deviates 1D” in the direction of the arrow.
LOS to Target: The fire is automatically on target. No deviation roll is required.
FP and AT Dice: When using indirect fire, a close support unit’s FP and AT Dice are halved (round up).
A StuH 42 close support unit armed with a 105L11 gun has FP: 7D and AP: 4D. When using indirect fire, it fires with FP: 4D and AP: 2D.
Indirect Fire Hit Procedure
Roll to hit all units within the burst radius using FP or AT depending on the target. After resolving the fire, remove the Impact Marker.
For example, Max uses his StuH 42 to fire indirectly at two infantry units and a T34/43 tank. The StuH 42 has LOS to the target and so hits automatically. Max rolls the StuH 42’s FP: 4D against the infantry and its AT: 2D against the Soviet tank.
Suppressions: Indirect fire causes artillery suppressions.
Indirect Fire Range: A unit’s long range is doubled. It cannot fire at short range.
The StuH 42 has a range of 9/18/36. When using indirect fire its long range is doubled from 36” to 72”. The StuH 42 cannot use indirect fire within its short range of 9”.
Target Numbers: Indirect fire is made with a 4+TN at effective and long ranges.
Moving and Firing: Subtract –1D if the firing unit makes a double move, and –2D if it makes a triple move. Deduct these dice from the unit’s indirect fire (halved) dice.
The StuH 42 makes a double move and uses indirect fire. It’s FP is reduced to 3D and its AP to 1D. If the StuH 42 makes a triple move it’s FP would be reduced to 2D and its AP to 0D (no effect against armoured units).
Opportunity Fire
A close unit may only use opportunity fire when it has a direct line of sight (LOS) to the target. It may use either direct or indirect fire.
Close Support Units in Close Assault
Close support units are treated as guns and a subject to a +2 TN in close assault. They cannot perform overrun attacks.
