Re: damage as threat modifier for AWI-FMA

From: <agoodall@att.net>

> The tricky part in all of this, and the part I'm struggling to add to
my Hardtack rules (SG2 for the ACW) is the effect of bayonet
charges. _Not_ bayonet fighting, but what they called the bayonet
charge. A unit would charge the enemy with bayonets gleaming. More
times than not, the enemy would retreat -- in good order or in a rout --
giving ground to the attacker. This was sometimes a
deliberate withdrawal, but usually it was due to a failure of morale. If
the enemy did _not_ run away, the attacker usually ended
his charge in close range due to the same sort of failure of morale.
This resulted in a close action firefight. Rarely did the
attacker continue to charge while the defender held his ground,
resulting in a melee. The timely bayonet charge was a major tactic
in Napoleonic battles, and was often a decisive tactic in the ACW. The
trick is representing it properly on the wargame table.

But amongst some troops, the problem is getting your own guys to stand
and coolly fire at the advancing horde, rather than to
immediately counter-charge to spill their giblets. There were a few
occasions in the Pacific Theatre in WW2 where a Banzai charge
resulted in a complete breakdown of control amongst the Australian
militiamen, who countercharged without orders. This was in the
days of the 24" sword bayonet, of course. These days, they countercharge
till the enemy gets within 3 meters, and then give them a
3-round burst, those pissy little Geneva Convention bayonets just don't
have the psychological fear factor that may cause an enemy
to flinch.