Sacrifice-Isn’t war hell…

m113apc · #1 January 25th, 2009, 06:09 PM

Any thoughts about sacrifice your troops in a combat situation?

Let us say that you have been able to place some units on a strategic hill, or something similar. Suddenly you are overrun, you have to pull back your armor, but there are at least two infantry team left there. They are so messed up; that there are no way you can rout them back. You have tried, but no way.

To place arty on that hill or location if you will can save the situation.
But that mean you have to sacrifice your troops.

Would you do it?
Your thought about it, why or why not?

I would, and I’m doing it.
I have a situation like that now in my campaign.
(See DAR in After Action Report)

RERomine · #2 January 25th, 2009, 07:36 PM

Depends on what you are referring to: real life or game terms.

In the game it's easy, you do what you need to. It's not that difficult to determine if a unit(s) will survive. In your example, you've pretty much said they wouldn't, so yes, you drop artillery. Heck, they might even survive because of the artillery, even if they take few casualties from it.

In real life, the same scenario is different. If the unit is calling artillery on their own position, it becomes a little easier. It's their call. In a third party situation, it's not nearly as cut and dried. Dropping artillery on your own men, no matter what their situation is bad for morale. This is everybody and not just the unit being sacrificed. A unit not "surviving" might mean they get captured. An artillery strike could kill these prisoners. It's one thing to do so by accident, but entirely different if you do it on purpose. I'm not saying you don't drop artillery in a real life situation, but the situation needs to be weighed very carefully to determine what you might gain verses what you might lose.

m113apc · #3 January 25th, 2009, 07:41 PM

I’m talking about game terms.
In real life it’s a totally another ball game.

So, this is just to get a feel of what other players would do in this situation.

Like I said, I’m doing it, and have been doing it all the time.
Yes, they may make it. I will of course try to place my arty, so they have a chance, if possible.

runequester · #4 January 25th, 2009, 08:51 PM

I'll generally accept losses, but I do try to pull back if the situation is over a given units head.

PanzerBob · #5 January 25th, 2009, 09:01 PM

WWWeeeelllll, for me it's like this, I get attached to my men and units. It is not something I would do lightly. Not to say I wouldn't and have.

Your situation as put forth, sounds like one of those situations.
If it means saving the objective and helping those squads stave off the enemies push then I'd say yes. If the enemy is going to take it and you wouldn't get it back then I'd say not.

Beyond that..........

In real life that would be the units’ call, probably would depend who the enemy was. I think if the IJA or the Interhamwe was about to overrun my position steel rain might be preferable to capture!!

IMHO Bob out

Imp · #6 January 25th, 2009, 10:00 PM

Depends very much on the situation if a totaly lost cause I might but if possible would try a rescue. I would probably plot the arty for their position but hold till they are killed if taking them out will buy me more time or keep the options open.
If I am doing a fighting withdrawl will sacrifice a few for the sake of the rest as a delaying force if I have to

gila · #7 January 25th, 2009, 11:07 PM

Your men are defending a hill and now find themselves facing inevitable capture or death..What to do?
Hopefully they will rout to save their own hides, and if they can pop some smoke,so maybe some kind of transport can carry them to the rear.
Rescuing units in trouble can be one the most exciting part of the game,
If there is a reasonable chance that is.
Saving an experienced tank crew is always a priority if i see even the slimiest chance in doing so..

Lt. Ketch · #8 January 26th, 2009, 04:15 PM

I'd let the artillary fly. I hit my own troops enought without meaning to that maybe if I aimed for them it would hit the enemy!

Seriously, I agree with gila, Imp and PanzerBob. Situation dictates. Rescuse are cool (when they work). I get attached to my men too.

m113apc · #9 January 27th, 2009, 12:32 PM

Good answers.

The use of own arty is the last resort, even then there are hesitating.

Cross · #10 January 27th, 2009, 11:52 PM

This is why campaigns are so much better than one off battles.

Over a few battles I often get 'attached' to officers and some NCOs. Then I start to get just a slight sense of the tough decisions every Commanding Officer had to make.

Sometimes I will take ill advised risks, other times caution is the order of the day; but is was probably an American who insightfully said: "no guts, no glory"!