Houserule - Tank Battles

This is a simple houserule which I will adapt to the PBEM. Original score by sixtwentyeight.blogspot.com:

Fast play tank table (FOW)

For those interested, I have simplified a bit the procedure to destroy/"bail out" tanks in FOW. It avoids 3 consecutives die rolls (one against armor, one for penetration and one for firepower). All is combined in one save throw from the defending tank when hit.

It goes like this:

1. Run your to hit procedure as usual
2. Allocate hits
3. Look at the AT rating vs Armor difference of the target vs shooter, and select the FP line
4. Defending player rolls 3 dice together for each hit: 2 white and one colored
5. The defender passes his save if the two dice equal or exceed the black number
6. If not, look at the colored die, if it exceeds the red number, tank is bailed out
7. Any other results, the round has penetrated and destroyed the tank

One remark: most of the figures are derived from the stats. Sometimes, due to the limitation of 6 sided dice, the odds have to be simplified a bit but it shouldn't be too much of a problem if both sides are using exactly the same table. Per convention, if the dice hit the figure in the table, it is a pass: read "7" sames as "7 or more to pass"

Example:
Let's consider a StuG IIIG that scores three hits on a T34/85 (front armor) that moved at the double

• AT rating of the StuG is 11, FP 3
• Armor rating of the T34 is:7

The difference is Armor - AT rating = -4

Look in appropriate column and row for FP3. Soviet player attempts to save on each hit and throws 2 white dice and one red die together.

First save attempt:
Red dice: 2,6 = 8 > 7 - T34 passes the save
White die : 5 (die ignored)

Second save attempt:
Red dice: 2+3 = 5 lower than 7 - T34 save failed
White die : 5 (passed bail out), tank is bailed out

Third save attempt:
Red dice: again 2+3 = 5 lower than 7 - T34 save failed
White die : 2 (failed bail out), tank is destroyed

If there are errors, there are only mine (among other things the colored die is...white!) but I hope this fast play table has some interest.
Again, it is worth noticing that it is based on all the statistics that come out with the standard  rolls procedure. Since we are using here 6 sided die, some approximation and rounding of the stats were necessary. This should not be too much of an issue in the game if both parties agree to use the table. It may simply help speeding up a bit tank fighting.

Constructive criticisms and remarks are welcome! Let me know what you think.

Rule 09 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules - Partizans

Command and Control

Partizan bands are independent of the Allied chain of command.

They are controlled by the umpire

Allied commanders may write and request specific operations

There will be one partizan’s band in each corps operational area

Supplies

Partizans have no supply chain

They obtain supplies by force of arms in any village or town

To obtain supplies they must remain in the town or village for one campaign day

They must be out of contact with the enemy throughout the whole day

They may obtain a maximum of five days supplies

Movement

They will move at the normal infantry rate on roads

They will move at double infantry rate for all off road movement

Contact with the Enemy

They will be aware of any enemy who approaches within two map squares

They will avoid combat if possible

If not possible the normal wargames rules will be used to determine outcome

Disrupting Lines of Supply

Their main function is to disrupt the enemy lines of supply

This can only be done on the tactical map

To do so they must remain on the enemy supply road for one full campaign day

Supplies will be stopped for as long as they are allowed to remain there

Capturing Messengers

Messengers always travel along roads

Partizans will capture any messenger who enters the same square as them.

The message will be passed to the allied commander in the normal way

The message will also still be delivered to the original address

Rule 08 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules - Town/City Combat

General

Town combat will normally be decided by the umpire using the rules shown below.

Size of Garrison

Each town can support a garrison of one brigade

Supplies

All garrisons will have sufficient supplies for five days

If attackers outnumber the defenders 2 to 1 garrison supply is cut

Combat Procedure

Attacker must be at least as strong as the garrison

Only one brigade can attack a village or town each move

Combat Procedure

Calculate who has the highest score:

Plus 2              Garrison

Plus 1              A class troops

Plus 1              Artillery with siege troops

Minus 1           C class troops

Minus 1           Each casualty

Minus 1           Out of Supply

Minus 1           Shaken

Higher adds the difference to 2D6 dice throw

2-4                   Higher has 100 casualties

5-8                   Draw with no casualties

9 plus              Lower has 100 casualties

Brigade with casualties test morale using wargame rules

Garrison Surrender

The garrison will surrender when they lose 400 casualties or rout

Rule 07 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules - Combat -

Contact with the Enemy

Contact is made when a formation enters a square next to one occupied by the enemy.

There will either be a combat, or one side will retreat.

If both are on Hold or Attack orders a battle/wargame will take place

If both are on Engage orders the umpire will decide the out come

If both are on Move or Halt orders both will retire

Transfer from Campaign Map to Wargames table

Each square on the map is duplicated by a 2x2 foot scenic square

The wargames table is 6x6 foot

When a battle is declared the table will consist of 3x3 squares from the map

The centre of the table will be the point of contact on the map

Corps Deployment

The current corps orders will be used to deploy for the battle

If a commander had given deployment orders they will be used

If the corps is moving, it will enter the table in the same order of march

Fighting the Wargame

HaJo and Jason will fight the wargame

Divisions starting the game in defence will be on Hold orders

Divisions marching onto the table will start the game on Move orders

Battle Reports

A detailed battle report will be published on the Campaign Diary blog

Campaign Play

Each battle will last one day, which is 12 hours or one campaign move

Battle Casualties

To receive replacements the division must be halted and out of enemy contact

80 cavalry or artillerists, or 160 infantry, per day

Corps commander will confirm brigade to receive replacements

Transfer from Wargame Table to Campaign Map

At the end of the battle each commander will receive an umpire report

This will confirm casualties received during the battle

The winner will normally remain on the battlefield overnight

Any brigades shaken or in rout will rally by first light

The loser will retreat one square during the night

Any brigades shaken or in rout will move with the corps but will not rally

Rule 06 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules - Supply

Army Depot

The Army Depot will be specified at the start of the campaign

Main supply route is the red road

Secondary supply route is the yellow road

Corps Depot

Must be at least one per corps

Must be in named town

Main depot for supply of each corps and division

Must have a secure road to Army depot

Supply Radius

Each division must always be within 15 miles (three squares) of a depot

A new corps depot can be established in any named town.  

To do so will take one infantry brigade one day

Each corps can have as many depot as required.

Division Supply

Each division carries a maximum of five days supplies

The division must be stationary for one day, and within 15 miles of depot, to resupply

Out of Supply

A division out of supply will lose 80 men to attrition each day

Corps/Division commander will decide which regiment is affected.

Detachments and Guerrillas

Special rules will apply and will be notified by the umpire

Rule 05 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules - Maps and Movement

Type of Map and Scale

There are two campaign maps

The strategic map shows the whole campaign area and is used for planning purposes

One square on the strategic map is 15 miles

The tactical map shows the corps operational area and is used for campaign movement

Each square on the tactical map is 5 miles on the map or 2 foot on the wargames table

The map reference is top left in each square

The wargames terrain square reference is top right in each square

Occupation of Map Square

Only one division is allowed in each square

There must always be one free square between yourself and the enemy

Leading brigade or recce brigade can enter that square to Skirmish

Losing brigade will retreat at the end of the Skirmish

Divisions can only enter that square if they have orders to Attack

Terrain

Major towns or cities are named

Villages are not named

Red roads are major supply and movement routes

Yellow roads are minor supply and movement routes

Movement on either road is at the same rate

Off road movement is allowed but move penalty applies

Rivers can only be crossed by using a bridge

Hills are passable but move penalty applies if not on road

Movement is only allowed north, south, east or west from each square

Daily Movement Rates

Type                            On Road          Off Road         Hills    

Messenger                  12 squares      6 squares        3 squares       

HQ  or Cavalry           6 squares        3 squares        1 square         

Infantry or Artillery      3 squares        2 squares        1 square         

Guerrillas                    3 squares        3 squares        2 squares       

Rule 04 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules - Messages

General Instructions

All orders and messages must be sent via the umpire

Messenger will move on roads at the rate of one square per hour

A separate message is required for each address

Messages should be written as word documents, and attached to an email.

Timings

Three messages may be sent each day (one per move)

They can be sent at any time during the campaign day

Delivery

The umpire will calculate how long it will take for the message to reach its destination.  

It was normal to send many copies of the same message by different routes and using different messengers. All messages will be delivered.   If they pass through a square occupied by the enemy a copy of the message will be sent to the enemy concerned as an intelligence report.  

Example of a Message/Dispatch

From                           7th German Corps

Date                            1 September 1944

Time                           1000

To                                8^th German corps

Text of message/dispatch

Notes on Format

From should always be to the corps, division or brigade, not to the commander

Messages can, and should, be written “in character”. 

This more than anything else will add a bit of flavor to the campaign, and greatly add to the role play element of the campaign.

Rule 03 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules- Example of Daily Corps Orders -

1^ST corps orders for 2^nd September 1944                                                    (see note 1)

From   General von Staufen

To        2^nd Division - send by messenger                                                      (see note 2)

Date    1 September 1944

Time    2000

Orders                                                                                                             (see note 3)

I want you to move from Minsk to Smolensk using the main road

2^nd tank brigade is to move ahead to recce the road

Order of March                                                                                              (see note 4)

1 tank brigade        move 5 miles ahead of main body

1 infantry brigade

1 artillery battery

2 infantry brigade

3 infantry brigade

4 infantry brigade

Detachments                                                                                                  (see note 5)   

1 tank brigade to move 5 miles ahead of main body, but keep in contact

Report any enemy contact, but do not engage

Movement                                                                                                      (see note 6)

Main body move N08 to M08 to L08 to K08

Tank brigade move five miles ahead of the main body

Contact with the Enemy                                                                                (see note 7)

Tank brigade is on Move orders

Main body is on Engage orders

Reinforcements                                                                                              (see note 8)

No reinforcements received

Resupply                                                                                                         (see note 9)

Division has seven days supplies

They will resupply when they reach Smolensk

Notes to explain Daily Orders

Note 1

One campaign day is 12 hours

One wargame is 12 moves

Orders are always written at 2000 hrs for the next day

Orders are written for the period 0800 to 2000 the next day

Note 2

Command radius covers all adjacent map squares

All orders are issued by the corps commander

Any division or brigade within command radius will receive them immediately

Orders for any other division or brigade must be sent by messenger

Note 3

Orders should be of a general nature, the detail comes later

Note 4

The order of march is important.

If there is an engagement, rather than a full battle, only the leading brigade makes contact

The umpire will then calculate the result based on the ability of the leading brigade

Note 5

Detachments must have clear orders what to do if they meet with the enemy

If they are more than one square from the commander all communication is by mail

If the division has to fight a battle with a brigade out of command range that brigade cannot take part in the battle unless they have specific orders to do so.

Note 6

It’s important to show the actual square references you want to move through

Only one division is allowed in each square at the same time

If more than one division try to move through a square at the same time there will be movement penalties

Note 7

You must always confirm what you want to do if you meet with the enemy

Choice of orders are as follows

Move               Move to objective but halt and wait for new orders if enemy contact

Recce               Report on a particular square or terrain objective

Halt                 Do not move at all during the next 24 hours, retreat if enemy advance

Engage            Leading brigade will skirmish with leading enemy brigade

Attack             Fight a full battle with any enemy contacted.

Hold                Remain in present location and fight to defend it if the enemy advance

Resupply         Do not move at all during the next 24 hours and resupply

Note 8

Battle casualties are replaced as reinforcements.

To receive them the division must be stationary for a full day

Numbers will be confirmed in the daily umpire report

Corps commanders will allocate them to brigades in their next daily orders

Note 9

You will be advised in the daily umpire report of the current supply

To receive supply you must write orders to do so

You must be within three squares of a supply depot

You must also remain stationary for a full day to receive the supplies

Rule 02 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules - Scaling , Size, Army Composition

Rule 02 – Scaling - Size - Army Composition

Scale
1 wargame figure = 100 men

Composition of Army
Each Army has three corps

Composition of corps
Each corps has two divisions

Composition of Division
Four infantry brigades of 8 figures each plus one HQ
One tank platoon of 4 tanks
Artillery battery of one gun and 4 figures

Types of Commanders
Commander in Chief (CinC)
Corps commanders
Divisional commanders (HQ)

Ability of Commanders
Veteran – plus three on command points
Trained – plus two on command points
Conscript – plus one on command points

Ability of Brigades

Fearless - plus three on skill points
Confident - plus two on skill points
Reluctant - plus one on skill points

Rule 01 - Flames of War - PBEM Rules - Campaign Setup

Rule 01 – How the Campaign Works


Campaign Day
There are 12 hours or 12 wargame moves in each Campaign Day
Each campaign move is 4 hours or 4 wargame moves

Role of Umpire
Send a report to each corps commander at the end of each campaign day
Take the role of both German and Allied Commander in Chief (CinC)
Resolve all battles or engagements

Role of Corps Commander
Write daily orders for his corps to include:
Movement
Contact with the enemy
Resupply
Battle Casualties

Umpire Report
Sent to the corps commander at the end of each campaign day and will include:
What has happened during the previous 24 hours
Current order of battle and casualties
Current supply situation
Any contact with the enemy
Action required of the corps commander

Contact with the Enemy
The enemy will be seen when they come within two map squares
To be seen there must be line of sight
Both sides will react in accordance with their daily orders
On Move orders both sides will halt to await further orders
On Engage orders the leading regiment of each division will skirmish
On Attack orders both sides will deploy and fight a major battle

Skirmish Combat
The umpire will decide the outcome using the current wargame rules
This will be done as a paper exercise and no wargame figures will be used

Battles
HaJo and Jason will set up a wargame for all battles
They will use the current wargame rules
They will take account of corps commander orders but not necessarily follow them
A photo will be taken of each move and a full report published on the Campaign Diary Blog

Artillery Special Rule
Heavy Artillery Units can shot across two map squares
Light and Medium Artillery Units can shot across one map square