[RERomine]

Turn 0 (Prep Fire)

No prep fire.

This is always the most tense part of the battle because a plan can be ruined by an artillery strike on your initial position. Some prep fire can be avoided by knowing AI tendencies. It hits roads, especially close to the LD. Objectives are typically pounded if the mission is a delay or defend, especially true if the objectives are grouped. Artillery can also hit along the LD, but this is to a lesser extent.

There being no roads, the objectives being scattered and the mission being a meeting engagement, avoiding prep fire is basically dumb luck. There are ways to minimize damage if it comes. Having transports, APCs and trucks, unloaded will prevent the whole unit from being capped if artillery destroys the transport. The down side to this is close artillery that doesn't destroy an APC might still inflict casualties on the dismounted leg units. Another down side is there is a delay loading everything into transports once the first turn of prep is done.

To me, this is the most difficult part of the battle because it's the part I have the least control over. This time, nothing to worry about.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.