"So, how much fire does it take to fully suppress a squad?" Topic

Wolfhag, only 2 things on a road, deadmen and ambushes.

Badger,
I agree. That's why I'm asking how others handle suppression. I give them a reaction to advance (assault into the ambush), pull back (into better cover), hit the deck and hunker down (almost immune to direct small arms fire but no return fire)or hit the deck and return fire (exposed to direct small arms fire).

You could call it a morale check, I call it aggressiveness check.

Any other suggestions?

Wolfhag

Yes , I think the idea that a suppressed section in the open is not allowed to move is not a good one.
In crossfire for example that is the rule.
For that I play a house rule that suppressed units may move to cover providing they go no closer to spotted enemy.
Not perfect, but simple.

While it might be sensible to move to cover from open ground when under fire it might not be so easy to persuade yourself or your men to do so.

The fact that emphasis is placed on such a drill in training tends to make me think it is not a given. I think green troops would be very likely to freeze and hug the ground in these circumstances.

I follow in a similar way to Wolfhag. If shot at from closer than 50m test to assult into ambush. Otherwise, hit the dirt which reduces their ability to fire, hunker down immune from fire, unable to return fire and easy to assult, or advance/retire to cover no more than 1/2 way to the enemy, The infantry may throw smoke as part of such a retirement.

My thinking is that if you're suppressed then you can't assault or advance.
High training quality and morale make you less likely to be suppressed when fired on. Even so, take enough fire and casualties and even the best will be forced to take cover.

"Aggressiveness and violence of action will carry you a long way"

From an old Infantry CSM I learned a bit from

Owen

See … I'm not making this stuff up !

only 2 things on a road, deadmen and ambushes.

A pretty good rule to follow, generally …

And as mentioned, training and experience helps to create an efficient and effective fighting unit. From Fire Tm on up … As we saw in a number places in history. E.g. the beginning of WWII. As I said, as a small unit Ldr/Cdr, you train & rehearse, develop/use SOPs, etc. Then repeat it … again … and again …