Joe Meyer wrote:
Mike, I hadn't realized that captured artillery could be fired by the capturing side without first deducting manpower to recrew the guns. Is that actually the case? And if so, would you feel better about the option if a deduction were made?
Hi, Joe,
I have run tests in the past that indicate that this is indeed the case.
In the battle reports I have read artillery was often turned on its original owners, but its effectiveness under these circumstances is
unclear. I think a deduction from the strength of the occupying unit is the minimum adjustment that should be made. I would feel better if that change was made, but I still think there is plenty of other room for improvement.
You also have the unfair situation that when the original owner recaptures the guns, he has to go through the whole procedure of re-crewing the guns, which takes time and costs men. If the capturing infantry can fire the guns in the next offensive fire phase, the recapturing
infantry should be able to do the same thing.
Of course, historically a whole crew wasn't normally wiped out when the guns were captured and they simply returned and re-manned the guns if and when they were re-captured.
I play with this option because I think it better reflects Civil War combat as I understand it than simply having the guns disappear, but I think most of the criticisms in this thread are valid.