Ageod WW1 Manual Cover.qxd

11.7.9 Postponing/Abandoning the Offensive
A nation may also definitively abandon a Grand Offensive if the situation is
too bad:
● in such a case it loses NW -5;
● a test is made for the nation’s Parliament: 50% chance that the said
Parliament moves one level towards Defeatism (to the left).
11.8 Preliminary Bombardments
The Attacker begins his Main battle with an “attack” by his artillery by using
the Bombardment Table. In such an attack, only the Defender sustains
losses. The procedure is quite detailed and may appear long to play. In fact,
it is much more rapid to play than to read!
Sequence
a) Before the battle
1. Choice of Battle Tactics
2. Aerial Recon
3. Type of Bombardment
4. Artillery in Counterbattery (Defender: 1 to 2)
5. Reinforcements of the Defender (2 corps: normal/heavy bomb.)
6. Preliminary Bombardment
b) Beginning of the battle
c) The Lull [if the bombardment is normal or heavy]
d) Continuation and end of the battle
11.8.1 Battle Tactics
Each side chooses a “Battle Tactic” to attempt obtaining a tactical
advantage during the combat. The choice is made between the following
(each has its own advantage and disadvantage):
Attacker Choices
M general momentum +1 unit for Breakthrough
J successive jumps +1 to friendly Morale Checks
R rolling fire -1 to enemy Morale Checks
W by waves +1 to the Attack value of the engaged
friendly unit
H hammering +1 to the D12 for the preliminary
bombardment
Defensive Choices
D on the spot defense +1 to friendly Morale Checks
I in depth -1 to the D12 for the preliminary
bombardment
L 2nd line -1 to the Breakthrough value of
the enemy general
C counter-attack -1 to the Attack value of the engaged
enemy unit
S scattered defense -1 to enemy Morale Checks
The Offensive/Defensive Tables cross reference the two choices and
the advantages obtained for each side. The result obtained is usually 1
advantage (normally the one of the Battle Tactic selected), sometimes 2,
and sometimes also nothing at all.
The presence of a Battle tactic icon on the Battle window indicates that the
player benefits from this advantage. If there is nothing, he does not benefit
from any advantage.
11.8.2 Aerial Recon
Both the Attacker and Defender may send planes in Recon Mission in the
battle (see section 13 for Air Warfare).
If one of the Attacker’s plane succeeds in its mission, the Defender region
is observed: this will net a bonus to artillery bombardments for the
attacker.
11.8.3 Type of Preliminary Bombardment
The Attacker selects the icon of the type of bombardment he
wishes to use: none, normal, heavy* or flash*
*if he possesses the appropriate combat tactic. See Doctrines
section for details
In the case of heavy bombardment, he must also decide if
the intensity is “2” or “3”.
11.8.4 Defender’s Counterbattery Fire
The Defender may use its own artillery in an attempt to reduce the
effectiveness of the enemy bombardment.
● The Defender may use the artillery from his attacked HQ reserve (if
any).
● The GHQ may use 2 heavy artillery
capable of acting during each activation, in
defense.
Exceptions: In the case of flash bombardment,
the GHQ’s heavy artillery only arrives after the
initial bombardment, but before the beginning of
the battle.
A fortress adds its artillery value, but it cost no
MUN for the counterbattery (during bombings).
Entente: the Western Allies may send their
artillery units to each other, without problem, in
defense. As the Central Powers do.
11.8.5 Pre-Battle Reinforcements
The more units the Defender has in the front
line, the more he risks incurring losses.
World War One: La Grande Guerre 1914-1918 55