[RERomine]

Here are some test results related to the current discussion.

First, the parameters of the test. I tested using a 1-gun MG-34 HMG team and a 10.5cm K331(f) howitzer. My firing nation was the Germans in June, 1944. American troops obliged by presenting a mass target at 750m. One squad was in every hex within 150m of target center. Three test cases were used: Direct Fire, Z Fire, Indirect Fire (10.5cm howitzer only). A test was run by taking one shot and the suppression of each of the American units in the seven impacted hexes was check. The suppression of all units is totaled. Each test was run 5 times and an average of the total suppression is generated. Finally, the average suppression of each unit in the impact zone is listed. The number of casualties generated the five tests is also listed. In the indirect fire test, only one round was fired. This was accomplished by firing off all but one round before calling the indirect fire in.

Direct Fire

10.5cm Howitzer: 53 Tot Sup Pts - 7.57 Sup/Sqd - 3 Casualties
MG-34: 38.6 Tot Sup Pts - 5.51 Sup/Sqd - 1 Casualty

Z Fire

10.5cm Howitzer: 21.6 Tot Sup Pts - 3.09 Sup/Sqd - 0 Casualties
MG-34: 17.8 Tot Sup Pts - 2.54 Sup/Sqd - 0 Casualties

Indirect Fire

10.5cm Howitzer: 50.8 Tot Sup Pts - 7.26 Sup/Sqd - 0 Casualties

My understanding was the root comparison was between machine Z Fire vs Artillery Indirect Fire. In this case, one artillery round produced 2.85 points of suppression for each point produced by an MG-34 HMG ammo point expended.

Now for some more math:

MG-34 HMG: 17.8 Tot Sup Pts * 90 Ammo Pts = 1602 Suppression for ALL Ammo
10.5cm Howitzer: 50.8 Tot Sup Pts * 30 Rounds = 1524 Suppression for ALL Rounds

MG-34 HMG: 1602 Sup for Ammo/17 Purchase Pts = 94.24 Sup/Purchase Pt
10.5cm Howitzer: 1524 Sup for Ammo/22 Purchase Pts = 69.27 Sup/Purchase Pt

With this information, it can be shown that the machine gun is worth more in suppression than the howitzer is, if they fire all of their ammunition. The caveat is the howitzer can achieve their max suppression with indirect fire faster than the machine gun can using Z Fire. In this case, the howitzer has 10 turns of ammo and the machine gun has 15 turns. There are certain delays that have to be taken into account, but they cut both ways. Artillery has the FO delay waiting for rounds to hit, where as the machine gun has to wait for a target to get into range(either physical range or where Z Fire can be used).

I'm not sure that imbalance is as great as first indications seemed to imply. You get more suppression points from the machine gun for points spent, but inflict more casualties with artillery. At least that is how it seems from this abbreviated test. Without a doubt, the howitzer has the ability to kill medium closed topped AFVs when an HMG can't. Another factor is the target's ability to shed suppression. The quicker suppression can be inflicted on a target, the more likely it will persist into next turn. The howitzer has the edge here as well.

Overall, in my opinion, if they are used as intended both are cost effective. Grazing fire from a machine gun is one thing they can do. Suppressing fire from artillery is one they can do as well. But both have other different capabilities that don't really overlap and it is difficult to properly compare those aspects.