Captured Vehicles & Battlefield Recognition Symbols

[Adm.Lee]

Keep it, have some kind of US markings (flag would work great) and obscure the Soviet ones. I probably wouldn't raise the flag until I got close to US lines, if that was the way I was heading.

It could be saleable in Krakow.

[Legbreaker]

I do agree that in a stand up fight the tank is the superior machine, however APCs aren't supposed to be involved in stand up fights. My understanding is that the moment heavy weapons are spotted the lighter armour is supposed to get the hell out of dodge and let the infantry deal with it, while perhaps providing longer range supporting fire. Even tanks aren't likely to hang around when the RPGs, etc start flying.

Armour is not supposed to close to a stones (grenade) throw with the enemy UNLESS there is absoutely no risk of of the enemy hitting it with an effective weapon. If the enemy only has small arms, then they can definitely be the battlefield bully, but otherwise their heavier and longer ranged machineguns, autocannons and the like should be used from a decent range and a preferably hull down position, and make the infantry earn their money.

Armour is in my view a secondary protection to using the terrain, distance and infantry screen. Armour plate in a perfect battlefield should never have to stand up against an AT weapon.

But I think the issue here isn't about what's better in a conventional fight, but what's better in what is essentially a survival situation - a lightly armed and armoured cargo carrier like the BTR which can blend in with the enemy, or walking.

[helbent4]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

But I think the issue here isn't about what's better in a conventional fight, but what's better in what is essentially a survival situation - a lightly armed and armoured cargo carrier like the BTR which can blend in with the enemy, or walking.

Leg,

Rae has a point in that in many ways, foot soldiers are going to be more survivable than an APC and infinitely less conspicuous. The main problem with being on foot is that, well, it's slow, and food is going to be a real concern after a short time. If the plan is to make their way west through enemy lines, then the BTR would have to be abandoned, sooner or later (probably sooner).

All around, I'd still probably go with the BTR. It's big, acceptable off-road/amphibious characteristics, not too fuel inefficient, provides some protection and a heavy weapon. And it's not the kind of vehicle someone would probably use an AT weapon to take out unless it's a direct threat.

weswood,

Great idea for a game! I'm not surprised you lucked into placing a castle where there's one in real life, that whole area was part of a line of late Renaissance fortifications and castles. Hard to shoot a crossbow and not hit some kind of castle.

Tony

[weswood]

Originally Posted by helbent4

Leg,

weswood,

Great idea for a game! I'm not surprised you lucked into placing a castle where there's one in real life, that whole area was part of a line of late Renaissance fortifications and castles. Hard to shoot a crossbow and not hit some kind of castle.

Tony

Thats how my little story came about. None of my friends are into RPGs and I'm leary of playing with strangers, last time I did was a disaster. So I rolled up a group of NPCs and set them on the trail. The 1st encounter was a minor combat to get players used to my homemade rules system and intro them to combat.

I've also got another smallish castle/keep in my world. The marauder gang Sgt Cutler hangs with in Krakow (can't remember the name right now) has "country caches) of stolen gear. One of these is a bug out stash in the booby trapped ruins of a small keep.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Like much of Europe, there are a lot of castles to be found in Poland.
This was my starting list castles in Poland

As for the original question, hell yes I'd take the BTR-80 and I'd keep it marked in Soviet colours until I thought I was clear of WarPac troops. As soon as I thought I was near friendlies I'd mark it as NATO.
The reason's pretty basic - a second class ride beats a first class walk every time.