Egypt sandbag HMG pit with NVG circa 1957

[Kartoffel]

It has a vision of 5. Anyone seen Mummy? Could by some ancient magic

[DRG]

It is very , very common for sandbag MG Pit's from that time period from virtually all nations that have them to also have vision 5 which just means they see a minimum of 250 yards


Don

[Kartoffel]

Why should the mk. 1 eyeball have any kind of vision rating? Without remote sensing technology, something I doubt the Egyptians had at that point, the vision rating should be 0. It's not normally a huge deal, but when the game gives the x<5 vision rating signifying a raining cats and dogs blizzard snowstorm volcano eruption ash cloud then it gives that class of fortification an ahistorical advantage.

[Suhiir]

Actually the answer is very, very simple.

When you dig a MG Pit (or any fighting position for that matter) one of the things you do is go out on the enemy side and look and probably actually walk the probable avenues of approach to the position. Back at the position the gunner makes notes (and often marks of some sort) indicating the proper direction to point the weapon to hit that avenue. Thus if anyone attacks during reduced visibility (night, fog, heavy rain) the position can "see" and fire fairly accurately within a couple hundred meters.

So while they don't really "see" via eyeball an MG position can sense and fire on the enemy at 5 hexes.

This help?

I'm sure every person on this forum that ever been in combat arms in any military in the world has seen and done just this more times then they care to remember.

[Kartoffel]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

Actually the answer is very, very simple.

When you dig a MG Pit (or any fighting position for that matter) one of the things you do is go out on the enemy side and look and probably actually walk the probable avenues of approach to the position. Back at the position the gunner makes notes (and often marks of some sort) indicating the proper direction to point the weapon to hit that avenue. Thus if anyone attacks during reduced visibility (night, fog, heavy rain) the position can "see" and fire fairly accurately within a couple hundred meters.

So while they don't really "see" via eyeball an MG position can sense and fire on the enemy at 5 hexes.

This help?

I'm sure every person on this forum that ever been in combat arms in any military in the world has seen and done just this more times then they care to remember.

Makes sense to me.

[Griefbringer]

Could it also be used to represent the crew firing flares to illuminate the surroundings?

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by Griefbringer

Could it also be used to represent the crew firing flares to illuminate the surroundings?

That as well.

It represents many forms of technical means available to a defender of a fixed position that really do not need specific games rules that simply add unnecessary complications.

So - range cards, MGs firing along fixed lines, trip flares, tin cans tied to wires, Pte Snuffy's pet terrier barking, an individual (not on map) sentry wandering about or whatever.

Just think of it as a general purpose "defenders advantage" - without any requirement for Pte Snuffy to pay 1 point for dog food per rule 2712.19.13.145 (like a certain board game tended to get with its add-ons to add-ons, or another one that had a specific water consumption rule for pasta for Italian troops..) !

Andy

[runequester]

Originally Posted by Mobhack

That as well.

It represents many forms of technical means available to a defender of a fixed position that really do not need specific games rules that simply add unnecessary complications.

So - range cards, MGs firing along fixed lines, trip flares, tin cans tied to wires, Pte Snuffy's pet terrier barking, an individual (not on map) sentry wandering about or whatever.

Just think of it as a general purpose "defenders advantage" - without any requirement for Pte Snuffy to pay 1 point for dog food per rule 2712.19.13.145 (like a certain board game tended to get with its add-ons to add-ons, or another one that had a specific water consumption rule for pasta for Italian troops..) !

Andy

Survivor of ASL ?

[Griefbringer]

Originally Posted by Mobhack

It represents many forms of technical means available to a defender of a fixed position that really do not need specific games rules that simply add unnecessary complications.

So - range cards, MGs firing along fixed lines, trip flares, tin cans tied to wires, Pte Snuffy's pet terrier barking, an individual (not on map) sentry wandering about or whatever.

Then there is also the usage of tracer ammunition. Not that it really helps with spotting the enemy, but at least you get an idea where the rounds are hitting home. And they look impressive, which might have a morale effect.

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by Griefbringer

And they look impressive, which might have a morale effect.

Maybe for less trained troops or civilians.
Most machinegunners I know take the time to remove the things from the ammunition belts because they do a FAR better job revealing your position to the enemy then anything else.

For aircraft, helos, tanks, etc they usually just leave them in ... you'd have to be blind and deaf not not see or hear them