Mounted/Dismounted Reconnaissance on the Offense

MCab · #1 September 20th, 2010, 11:37 AM

My recon units are about to munity. I send them so far forward so fast that they get shot up really quick. I've tried reading field manuals, but they don't really have much to say as far as how fast you go, just techniques. So what is some good advice for using recon units?

Wdll · #2 September 20th, 2010, 12:37 PM

Don't try to send them beyond the front line and expect to live long. Don't move them fast. Dismount them and start walking, more difficult to be detected by the enemy. Their vehicles should be used as taxis, not tanks.

Imp · #3 September 20th, 2010, 01:16 PM

No real set advice depends on terrain & both forces capabilities. My view recon in game terms is not realy recon units in modern times they are already a map or 2 ahead, therefore depending on OOB may well recon with regular units. Use dedicated recon units if they are quick & there is some useful place for them to go like a hilltop in which case they get there unload in cover & stay put. Their role is to hide & observe thats all.
Most recon though is close recon & probably in force, these guys are just checking safe passage & may well end up in the fight. All they are is the lead element of that company & therefore should stay in protection range of it.
Recon in the vehicle only till you expect company then get out, the whole point is stay undetected only expose them if there is a target that is just to good to pass up. Vehicles like light tanks AC turn the range down if they are in cover & stationary okay out to about 1km for other vehicles detecting less for infantry. Make sure you give them an exit route & again only expose if need to.
So most maps quick off the mark then very slow undetected progress second guessing when you can rush cover to cover or just stay there for a while.

Marek_Tucan · #4 September 20th, 2010, 02:37 PM

If you are into recon, use transport to carry scouts in hidden terrain, then dismount them and slowly climb through the LOS block to have a look aroud.
If you are into recon-in-force, do the same, but have a big hammer ready.

Suhiir · #5 September 22nd, 2010, 12:48 PM

Use their vehicles to get them to an area you want to recon, dismount, hide the vehicles.
Set your infantry recon units to a range of 1-2 hexes (50-100m), move one hex at a time if you think you're moving in line-of-sight of the enemy.
Do the above they work pretty well.
Remember, they're recon units...they're job is to see for you not fight.