A Full Collector Series Rules Suggestion
by Alan Tibbets

Over the years we've all seen the abuses -- the ridiculous tactic of sending out sacrificial ants that cause trouble out of all proportion to their military significance. Many say these tactics are not historical and I for one agree. Here is one "solution" to the ant problem. Instead of eliminating the ants, as done in Rick Gayler's "Sudden Storm" scenario, I add what I call a reality check rule.

RULE 6.B Movement Limitations

1 . This rule applies to all non-divisional units, other than those which are air dropped or air landed, of all nationalities on the mainland of Europe south of the A weather line. It only applies when non-divisional units operate behind enemy lines. This rule in no way affects movement of non-divisional units behind friendly lines.

2. Battalions. Battalions must end their friendly movement and exploitation phases stacked with, or adjacent to, a friendly Regiment, Brigade, Cadre, Division or Corps. Any battalion that does not end its friendly movement or exploitation phase in compliance with this rule is immediately eliminated, and does not generate special replacements. In effect it has surrendered.

3. Regiments and Brigades. These units must end their friendly movement and exploitation phases within 5 hexes of a friendly Division, Division Group or Corps. Any Regiment/Brigade which is not in compliance with this rule is immediately eliminated and does not generate special replacements.

4. There are no restrictions on Corps, Divisions, Division Groups, or Cadres.

5. Division, Brigade and Regiment mean exactly that. Stacking any number of Battalions does not make a Regiment. Stacking any number of Brigades, Regiments or Cadres does not make a Division, nor does the presence of a Division HQ.

6. Units which are eliminated by this rule may not be replaced for 4 turns.

7. Units eliminated under this rule may not gain ownership of a hex. Ownership of any hexes that was based on movement of such units reverts back to the original owner when the unit is eliminated. Any damage to railroads, bridges, ports, or airbases remains in effect.

Clipping the wings of all ants is something a friend suggested after playing "Leningrad '41." After personally witnessing repeated suicide missions by various ants I have to agree that such tactics make Europa less realistic. Battalions don't carry more than a few days supplies, and regiments don't carry much more than that. Divisions and corps are the units that could operate for more extended periods.

On Pulling Wings off of Small Animals: Comments on Alan's Suggestions

Sam Dahman:

Alan, your points are well taken. I do have some comments and questions though.

Before I look this rule over more closely, you will have to come up with a good definition for "behind enemy lines." Although anyone who looks at the map can generally determine this, I think that you need a solid definition of this to make it a viable rule.

I just have to disagree with eliminating units on the basis of not being in contact with a division-sized unit. I don't think there is any justification in it during WW2 combat. Even so, I don't think that the game can be so literally taken that a unit is sent out for a whole two weeks. I wholly agree that ants cutting supply is a very much abused tactic and should be discouraged. But I think that there are other ways to do it. We have a rule right now that air dropped units cannot gain ownership for supply purposes. Also, we have that battalion sized units lose control after passing through. I would modify the rules to something like this:

A battalion sized unit cannot gain ownership of a hex for overland or road supply purposes. A regimental sized unit cannot gain ownership of a hex for overland supply purposes.

Also, units cannot combine their sizes -- or 2 battalions do not equal one RE for this rule. In something like this, we are saying that the hex which is something over 200 square miles is too big for a battalion to control even if it is in the hex. Also, the battalion cannot control the major road. A supply convoy could still skirt off road for some small distance neglecting the enemy unit. However, the battalion could block rail and enemy movement assuming it doesn't get overrun of course. I am not as sure as to how to handle one RE sized units but 1 think that an overland supply line could be traced through them too given the size of the hexes. They might be able to shut down a road line however. So what do you think of this?

James Broshot:

I agree with Sam, Alan's suggestions go too far. Instead of automatic elimination, I would suggest that such units, if out of supply and/or isolated, either:

1.could never be replaced (and would not generate any special RPs), or

2. could replaced only at double or triple RP cost.

Units eliminated in Europa are not really totally destroyed, usually, there would remain a cadre or some of the rear echelons from which the unit could be rebuilt.

But the Ants Still Spoil the Picnic

Thank you for the comments on ants, Sam. Maybe I was a little too radical, but I think we are all in agreement on the general principles involved.

I really believe that battalions seldom, if ever, operated the way players routinely use them in Europa (particularly eastern front Europa). Every little village along the route of march would have to be taken, and (in the case of 1 RE of units) convinced to stay friendly. Soviet citizens (at least in Russia proper) weren't going to stay cowed by 1-2 battalions that rolled through and kept going, particularly if the Red Arrny was fighting west of the village.

Any (roadbound) axis supply column that entered that village would do so at great risk. The kicker is that battalions and regiments didn't carry enough supply to keep moving for two weeks. They had to depend on regular resupply from larger units or they would simply run out of fuel, ammo, food, etc. Letting them roam at will is unexplainable to the informed nonEuropaphile. We Europa players seem to have taken the tactics (and rules that allow them) at face value.

My rule proposal would, I believe, bring these ants into their proper perspective and behavior. No unit needs to be eliminated as long as the owning player uses the units within their historical parameters.

Alternately, the supply rules could be changed to reflect supply capabilities of small units that find themselves alone behind enemy lines. I think this would be more trouble than it's worth, because there are too many what-ifs.