Editor in Chief Bill | 29 Jun 2021 9:33 p.m. PST |
How do you prefer your 'leg' mortar teams? * walking, carrying equipment * deployed, ready to fire * I use both modes on the tabletop |
Captain Pete | 29 Jun 2021 10:18 p.m. PST |
At 6mm scale, I prefer my mortar teams deployed and ready to fire. I have not seen figures that have the mortar team in travel mode but somebody here may know. |
etotheipi | 29 Jun 2021 10:46 p.m. PST |
Ready to fire. A mortar team walking with gear is just dudes walking with gear. Rarely, when a rule requires "set up time" to transition, I have had both. In fact, the rules required two turns to set up and spot prior to firing, so you would replace one mini on the table per turn. Same to pack up in reverse. I have used that technique with lots of other "timed transitions" … sappers, demo teams, transforming entities, etc. |
Martin Rapier | 29 Jun 2021 11:07 p.m. PST |
Generally I prefer deployed, but I'll use walking light mortar teams (usually British 2" mortar teams) in larger scales – 15mm+ 3" and larger, deployed. |
Wargamer Blue | 30 Jun 2021 2:46 a.m. PST |
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Disco Joe | 30 Jun 2021 3:06 a.m. PST |
Definitely ready to fire. |
advocate | 30 Jun 2021 5:09 a.m. PST |
Both. Same as LMG teams. And AT rifles, come to that. |
Joes Shop | 30 Jun 2021 5:20 a.m. PST |
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Col Durnford | 30 Jun 2021 5:45 a.m. PST |
Most ready to fire, however, I do have some extras moving if the figures are available. |
Legion 4 | 30 Jun 2021 8:25 a.m. PST |
It depends on the actual "game" turn time. Generally man packed mortars can move … then fire the next turn … I was an 81mm PL in 101 in the early '80s … I.e. 60mm mortars or smaller may be lighter and quicker to fire but we didn't have them when I was in the ARMY, '79-'90. But like all mortars you can fire "open sights" i.e. meaning you can see the target. Otherwise if you are going to fire effectively indirect you have more set up time. That is a whole other topic. So IMO, experience and training for gaming purposes. Move then fire the next turn. |
Wolfhag | 30 Jun 2021 9:23 a.m. PST |
Deployed as that's how they'll spend most of the game. Some modern 60mm mortars can be fired by one man without a base plate and in reality, could perform "Halt Fire" in the same manner as a vehicle. The team advances a short distance, stops and the guy with the tube estimates the range/tube angle, drops a few rounds, and then advances in 20-30 seconds after the rounds to impact and take effect. In a best-case scenario, the mortar team could be used for a type of Fire and Maneuver advancing when the rounds land and suppress the objective and stopping again to fire a few more suppression rounds. With some practice, it's been found that this type of fire control can be very accurate with an experienced gunner. This is one of the real advantages of light mortars. Wolfhag |
Doug MSC | 30 Jun 2021 9:26 a.m. PST |
I like them set up ready to fire. Although I limit their movement, when moving, to less then a regular infantryman. That kind of gives the feel of them needing time to set up and pull down more than and infantryman who can just get up and move. |
Old Contemptible | 30 Jun 2021 9:30 a.m. PST |
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Thresher01 | 30 Jun 2021 10:00 a.m. PST |
Firing first, but walking and carrying the equipment will be useful too. |
Legion 4 | 30 Jun 2021 4:13 p.m. PST |
Some modern 60mm mortars can be fired by one man without a base plate and in reality, could perform "Halt Fire" in the same manner as a vehicle. The team advances a short distance, stops and the guy with the tube estimates the range/tube angle, drops a few rounds, and then advances in 20-30 seconds after the rounds to impact and take effect. Yes, it is light enough to do that. Almost like a GL, e.g. M203. But with a longer range. But again to use the 60mm as Wolf described. You would have to see the target. Or do a bit of "SWAGging" for indirect fire. And as with an M203, an experienced skilled gunner could fire in either mode. As Wolf pointed out … limit their movement, when moving, to less then a regular infantryman. Yes as they are not only carrying their rifles, etc., but all the ammo for the mortar. As well as all parts of the mortar. E.g. tube, bipod, base plate and sight. And to effectively fire indirect you need aiming stakes, plotting board, radio, etc., etc. PLUS again ammo … That is why because of my RW training & experience, for game purposes. They move one turn … then fire the next … And again that could be influenced by how long a game turn is in "real time". E.g. is a turn in "real time" 30 sec., 2 mins., 15 mins, an hour, etc.? |
Wolfhag | 30 Jun 2021 7:22 p.m. PST |
In WWII mortar and heavy weapons crews sometimes had a two-wheeled carrying cart. pictures: link Wolfhag |
Legion 4 | 01 Jul 2021 5:13 p.m. PST |
Yes, I saw that before … but as we know that cart can't go everywhere. The had to do it "Grunt" style ! |
Wolfhag | 01 Jul 2021 7:54 p.m. PST |
The cart should be great for ammo runs. Wolfhag |
donlowry | 02 Jul 2021 9:02 a.m. PST |
Yes, I would think the number of rounds that could be carried by hand would have been very limited. |
Legion 4 | 02 Jul 2021 9:33 a.m. PST |
Very much so, some 60mm rounds would be carried in backpacks, etc. Even 81mm rounds at times still in their boxes, etc. … That being said, when I got to the 101 in '80. The 81s had some M274 "Mules"/ 1/tube ? Even each Rifle Plt had one for each Squad or Plt IIRC. They were leftovers from Vietnam, much of our equipment was. They were very well "used". And didn't last long in our TOEs for maybe a year or so when I was there. |