In the game?
a) If you are a cruel overlord type, that likes to pet your Persian cat and wear a monocle:
- send cavalry down the road (the clip-clop type)
- or send a motorcyclist (either the type that carries passengers or without)
The AI will reaction fre with MGs etc, or riflemen if closer.
It's hard on these, but you are an evil overlord so it does not matter
b) Load a halftrack or APC with some infantry, or put some scouts on a light tank. Go slowly down the road and hopefully you will spot something before you get shot up.
- vehicles with loaded grunts spot better than empty ones
- moving slowly is better for spotting. going 3-4 hexes a turn is better than charging 15-20 hexes.
c) The real-world tactic as described to me by a friend at University OTC 50 odds years ago (The OTC operated as a recce platoon with obsolescent kit) was a thing called the "snake patrol".
Recce troop is 2 ferrets and 2 Saladin armoured car, with optional attached Saracen (with a small team) and (not held by OTC) - a ferret with ATGM.
1 ferret leads the string, backed up by a Saladin. The lead ferret tries to keep where it is under the gun of the armoured car for immediate fire support.
Second ferret hangs further back and observes the first pair, again with its armoured car supporter nearby.
the assault section in the Saracen hangs behind these, and is brought forwards if a dismounted recce is required (say you are about to enter a village) or an assault on an outpost is needed.
The ATGM ferret hangs about where it has an overwatch of everything, and looks for tank threat revealed by the actions of the patrols
When the lead ferret comes to a place where it is about to leave the overwatch of the covering Saracen armoured car, it halts and the armoured car comes up to its position, the following section of 1 ferret and 1 Saladin moves up to the first section's position. Once the lead Saladin can cover the point ferret's next bound, and the others are in place then the lead ferret cautiously advances. Rinse and repeat till "something happens".
It was also described as "caterpillar" or "inchworm" tactic as that described the Troop/platoon's progress going forwards.
Key points (game related)
- The slower you move, the better your spotting. Halted (overwatching) units spot better than the movers do.
- A vehicle with infantry on board will spot enemy (especially infantry) better.
- Cavalry or motorcycles spot as infantry, but are vulnerable to any fire. Tin cans at least keep rifle fire out.
- Having a second (or more) spotting unit overwatching the area helps spot firers if the lead unit is fired upon or killed by the fire.