Smoke "spotting"

[Blackcloud6]

From a technical perspective, I'd say you are correct. I went back through the 2nd & 3rd edition rules too. The basic premise holds true, placing smoke displaces bombardment fire, but does not specify any requirement beyond the target hex being spotted.

Illuminations rounds appeared with Beyond Normandy, which is a 2nd edition game. In the 4th edition optional rules, I suspect they are unlikely to be used as the target hex needs to be spotted. In BN they were more numerous than the 4th Ed, and were placed anywhere the British player desired.

I don't know if either technically is in accordance with the intended spirit of the rule. It may be just a 3 generation oversight. I also noted that smoke became more probable rising from 72% to 83% placement probability.

I guess then to play "rules as written."    It could be the intent is to allow anyone to be able to call in smoke for all we know.