WW2 weapons

Claus, 

You've run across one of the SG2 controversies. 
The basic game makes crew served weapons 
fired as if they were fired under firecontrol, and 
the typical reading of the rule is that you roll QD 
+ n x FCD (Fire Control Die) where n is the 
number of weapons firing. This tends to make 
for inaccurate but high volume fire if using basic 
fire control on 4 x .50 HMG. 

Most of the people I know who've had 
experience/knowledge of AA artillery (modern) 
in the real world have suggested that it is fairly 
dangerous to infantry (Anyone doubting this 
should try to locate a copy of the CF training 
film "small arms in the anti-aircraft role" which 
shows a PIVAD firing on a simulated column of 
vehicles and infantry). No slow traverse, no 
reloading, lots of cutouts of men or soft 
skinned vehicles litterally sawed in half. I know it 
scared the crap out of me as a gropos and I 
fervently hoped NEVER to have to assault an 
ADA position. 

Anyone who has seen Vietnam films of combat 
during Tet and has seen the little quad M2HB 
mount firing knows that a main job of the crew 
was to keep it fed with ammo (which it 
consumed prodigiously) but anything on the 
downrange side was in a world of hurt. Yes, 
individual shot accuracy wasn't that high. Big 
freakin deal, when you're putting out that much 
firepower and rounds are possible ricocheting 
around too and the round itself will go through 
a tree or a small berm and a hit in the hand 
can (sometimes) kill from shock. 

I believe the following is how I would handle 
your situation: 

For quad infantry support weapons (MGs etc) 
being fired over standard sights (no fire control 
systems! and a sighting system and some locks 
on the traverse and elevation don't count in my 
books), roll QD + n x FP dice. 

If the weapon is something like a 20mm HE 
firing weapon, it is rightly a vehicle mounted 
heavy weapon (IIRC it was on a wheeled chassis 
or perhaps an X mount). In this case, roll QD + 
n x FCD where n is the number of barrels. This 
type of system may well have traversal issues. 
OTOH, if it hits, I'd consider applying a single D8 
impact to everyone in the squad (sort of like an 
artillery round arriving). This would cover the 
effects of HE, splintering of nearby rocks/trees, 
and the high ROF. It has a lower chance to hit 
than the HMG, but effects everyone in the squad 
if it does (or at least gets a roll to affect 
everyone in the squad). 

That would be my approach. Yes, it makes the 
US halftrack with the quad M2HB or some 
german multiple-MG mounts rather ugly. But if 
you're going to attack one of these as infantry 
without using at least a light tank for cover, 
you've got issues. Better to call for some arty 
or the every-present USAF and RAF ground 
attack craft (if later war Western Europe). 

Hope that helps. 

Tomb. 
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Thomas Barclay
Co-Creator of http://www.stargrunt.ca 
Stargrunt II and Dirtside II game site

No Battle Plan Survives Contact With Dice.
-- Mark 'Indy' Kochte
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