Bridges

[Greyfox]

Leonard,

         Thanks for providing the feedback.  It is a little humbling receiving feedback from an actual game designer.  I will do my best to address your comments point for point.

1) Regarding your house rule for bridges : it seems to me that the situation can be more complex.  
      Agreed.  

2) In PG, a hex represents 200m of terrain so that units in a bridge hex might be actually in the river hex and not ´on’ the bridge.  

     Again, I agree with you. As an Infantry Officer I admit that planning an Assault or defense in any terrain, you will take advantage of micro terrain you can to give you an advantage over your adversary.   I have had the opportunity to work in a Battalion that defended a bridge over the Euphrates River for a period of three days back in 2003, and planning offensive movements over bridges in complex urban terrain.  Note.... I only apply that assault modifier when attacking from a Bridge to an adjacent hex, and not into a bridge hex  where I believe normal modifiers would take effect.  
       I assume at least a portion of the force will be assaulting across the bridge, and that those forces on the side of the bridge nearest the enemy are more densely packed, creating a more lucrative target.
       As for indirect fire, AT, and Direct Fire the nature of the terrain you are crossing, or if we assume that all forces in the hex occupy half the hex (the half closest to the enemy), I believe justifies the column modifiers. 

3) On some mapboards, bridge hexes might be town hexes as well. That’s why the assault modifier FROM a bridge hex might be difficult to justify.
      
      Absolutely agree.  If you are in a town you are already in complex and constricting terrain.  Crossing a bridge is about the same as attacking down a narrow street.  I should perhaps include a modification or exception to the rule - that modifiers are applied unless in a town or village hex.

The opportunity modifier seems more appropriate.

       I thought the Direct fire and AT fire modifiers would naturally be applied during opportunity fire.  How would an opportunity modifier be applied?

Finally, there is the assault modifier IN a bridge hex. Wouldn’t it be easier to apply the assault modifier for attacking in a river hex 

        I am not sure It would.  I couldn't find an assault modifier in the bridge hex on the terrain effects chart.  Also looked at the major and minor rivers.  It only applies a DF and AT fire modification if the activated side is crossing the river with assistance of an engineer ---> no bombardment modifier.  Assault modifier is applied in a hex, not crossing a river, and only if the unit assaulting doesn't have an engineer unit on their side.  Using the river hex modifier may not exactly apply, or apply well.

Thoughts? 

Mike
 

Gents,

         I brought this up with Doug McNair almost 12 years ago, he told me I should write it up for daily content.  I didn't.
         
         As a military professional I don't understand why there aren't direct, AT, or BF fire column modifiers when targeting someone on a chokepoint like a bridge.   

Assaults - If attacking from a Bridge hex into an assault on units in an adjacent hex, there should be a negative. shift for the attacker.  Basically you are attacking across a narrow front along an avenue of approach that is both restrictive and is subject to being raked by direct fire.  This could be a special rule that only applies to scenarios where attackers are trying to secure bridges (like Bicycle Races in White Eagles).  Say a negative one or two column shift to the attacker, or first fire to the defender when you are assaulting out of a bridge hex.

Direct fire or AT Fire - I think at least a +1 column shift. First a bridge is a choke point (or fatal funnel), and anyone targeting forces crossing a bridge is at a distance advantage. 

Bombardment fire - A bridge is a known point, and would be much easier to target effectively.  The ability to mass fires at a choke point would also be deserving of a +1 column shift.

Sorry to answer so late : I just saw your post...
Regarding your house rule for bridges : it seems to me that the situation can be more complex.
In PG, a hex represents 200m of terrain so that units in a bridge hex might be actually in the river hex and not ´on’ the bridge. On some mapboards, bridge hexes might be town hexes as well. That’s why the assault modifier FROM a bridge hex might be difficult to justify.
The opportunity modifier seems more appropriate.
Finally, there is the assault modifier IN a bridge hex. Wouldn’t it be easier to apply the assault modifier for attacking in a river hex