106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

Anyone find a good use for them?
I tried several different tactics but they all mostly fail. Sure, I might get lucky and kill a IFV or even a tank, but we are talking about losing all the jeeps, hardly worth it IMO.

Unless of course I am doing something wrong. Playing mostly modern era (and I do mean modern as in if I start a game today it will be set at May 2010.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

There really aren't any tactics for 106 RCL Jeeps in the modern era. Even average APCs will tend to have a cannon, often stabilised, and so will hose them down after the first shot reveals them.

In the 50s, 60s and 70s they can be very lethal, even to T5X series, provided that you can set up at the halt a turn or 2 before and let the enemy come to you, or pop up from behind a ridge (move 1 hex only) and engage at <500m. In the 1950s US army before the 105 Patton, they are one of your most lethal AT weapons, so useful for dealing with IS series.

And they are cheap.

Cheers
Andy

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

Thanks.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

The tank destroyer concept taken to its logical worst conclusion.

Against a modern equipped foe...

Defensively - Hide, pray for point blank shots to the sides or rear. Count on holding nothing with them for more then one fire phase.

Offensively - Sole value is as lead scout/bait. Providing one has something better to follow up with.

"We've been expecting a probe, that must have been it."

SKIRMISHERS
OUT,
R

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

In a big game full size map have used to good effect in a city defending a flank.
The hard part is avoiding arty so let him think that the move is undetected then he might not telegraph it with arty fall.
Once he has run into you they can slow the advance drastically, wont get that many but you are buying time & possibly resources as he calls arty over. Lets your force get local superiority in the main fight & can use them with main force at junctions.
If tanks have TI place one of each covering the junction, RCL nearest as inacurate & if its killed tank can still fire, if he fires at the tank your RCLs going to get another shot.
They can also move the 1 or 2 hexes to the junction & try there luck after main guys have drawn fire.
Only any good as a delaying force but as cheap the big boys are freed up to attack.
You need to be pretty confident you can take out any helos first or at least hold them off or they are cannon foder.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

Maybe a big motorized infantry support weapon? They can knock out APCs too. :smirk:

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

And tanks admitedly modern stuff needs a flank shot but thats not hard in a city enviroment. Even if all it achieves is getting his attention it can offer a flank to another unit or IF it hits suppresion can spoil his shot.
Modern times though most countries that have are in Africa or the Middle East how they ever use them in open spaces is beyond me, Central Europe is doable in the 70s as are the jungles of Asia & South America so long as the person does not plonk arty on you.
Still feel like you are in charge of a bunch of suicide junkies though prefer an AC for its speed & resistance to small arms fire & lug my RCLs on foot.

Another thing to try is Russian ATGs very expensive but cheaper & smaller than a tank. Drawback no TI on the ones with a move of 3 but unlike RCLs they do hit things regulary.
Fire & move it off that hill or wherever before smoke takes it out of play, need to be setup to engage at range so locating them is hard. Its diffrent to using WW2 ATGs because of the range you can engage at more like a multi shot ATGM. Once seen though it will die quickly to autocannons & main guns but so can a tank to the later.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

I happen to like those guys. They usually have good speed, small size and a good punch at a cheap price. Downside - very vulnerable, probably more so than a stationary gun.

Use for close shots, but best used in mass for point blank shots in combined assaults. Note enemy soft spots, suppress enemy with tank fire, guns, mgs, artillery, etc. Sometimes best to isolate the target and do the wolf pack thing. Be prepared to loose some, but usually with practice your returns can be very profitable. Just don't plan on making them your only option, after all the "Rat Patrol" was just a TV program.

Cheers.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

Also great to give muscle to light recce units - for "recon - in - force" on a small scale. If you manage to drive through the enemy first line that is.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

Recoiless jeeps are much like ATGM ones. Shoot and scoot. Of course the ATGM ones usually have the advantage of range.

Find and ambush location, get off your one, two shots, run like hell *chuckles*

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

OTOH the ATGM ones have the DISadvantages of being able to attack only armored targets and having low ammo load - there is nothing like a 106mm jeep wreaking havoc in enemy artillery lines ;)

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

If you think the RR jeeps are wacky, wait until you try the French Vespa with the 75mm RR mounted on it - complete with a crew of one, SMG and five rounds for the RR. Available 1955-1965.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

Are you serious? There is such a unit in game? Or even in real life? hahahahahahaha

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

How come the artillery doesn't destroy the jeep? If some of the crew sneeze, the jeep will have casualties.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

See here for some info about the real life version:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa_150_TAP

And in game, it is the unit 229 in the French OOB (ACMA TAP).

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

That's where the combined arms part often comes to life. Ideally: Scouts spot the gun, start basic suppression if close enough. Their carrier (say scout jeep) adds some suppression, then 106mm adds some more. The bonus is that if the guy is, per chance, SP and armored, the 106mm has a good chance of killing it.
And jeep's small size means it might get a shot or two before the gun spots where is the fire coming from ;)

Of course, this is a "perfect storm" scenario and does not happen too often ;)
OTOH I once had a scout group secure me one flank of the frontline by destryoing enemy tank platoon and in combo with regular scout units pinning some infantry to ground before mech inf backup came.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

People wonder why I like the French. :)

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

Too much effort. I rather get a MBT back there. :)

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

Pitty these poor guys its an accident waiting to happen, due to the small wheels & limited suspension even hitting a pot hole on a scooter is scary let alone going offroad with it. Plowed field some shellholes or mud etc would call for brain removal first or walking pace.

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

If the artillery is plotted to fire indirect, then it will not opfire.

A human player can take them off mission and plaster nearby troops, if they survive the enemy approach turn. The AI will usually remain doggedly firing the plotted indirect mission & ignore light forces near the battery.

However, I have charged down AI arty at times it was between missions, and received an opfire battery salvo smack in my face for my troubles...

Andy

Re: 106 RCL Jeeps tactics
 

The French actually get a lot of neat stuff in the game in the 1950's, including some of the first ATGMs (SS-10, SS-11 and Entac), AMX-13 (especially the version with both cannon and ATGMs), decently armoured APC, very fast armoured car (with the long 75mm cannon on top) and a very fast lightly armoured carrier for the 106mm recoilless rifle.

Perhaps I should try a 1950's French vs. USSR campaign at some point.