RE: Guadalcanal: Jungle Rules
I understand that perhaps the reasoning for prohibiting units from digging in town, woods and entrenchments is that all three already give a (-2) DF modifier and that allowing units to dig-in would push that up to a (-3) DF modifier. Jungles only provide a (-1) DF modifier and that doesn't seem right as in my opinion jungle terrain would be a lot more dense and concealing than woods; definitely not providing less cover than woods. So that is what leads me to believe units might be able to dig-in there. It's not a question of whether or not the actual ground is easier or tougher to dig-in to. Units are allowed to dig-in hills which would prove much more time-consuming than say 15 minutes/ 1 turn if they were literally using shovels to dig actual holes in the earth. I think it would be tough enough digging-in clear terrain in 15 minutes time but if bullets are whizzing past you and shells landing around then I suppose that would be motivation enough to dig faster! Another terrain feature that is perplexing are swamps; there is a difference between a swamp and a marsh. I believe swamps have a lot more concealing vegetation that provide cover whereas a marsh is pretty flat and clear but both would seriously slow down or prohibit some movement but as it sits, to my knowledge, nothing prohibiting digging in there but more like sinking in. In the 'Airborne IE' scenario book swamps are treated differently than the 3rd edition TEC; giving units a (-2) DF modifer opposed to a (+1). Though errata has been added to 'Airborne IE' prompting the use of 3rd edition TEC rules I could understand that in Normandy, France; in hedgerow country that these would provide a good deal of concealment and protection against DF but very flat, plain-like marshes, like the swamps on the 'Road to Berlin' maps would be more like clear hexes and actually be the last place you would want to be literally stuck in and understand the (+1) DF penalty. Again, nothing in the core rule book prohibits digging-in swamp hexes but don't know what the 'Road to Berlin' scenario book says as I don't own that game.
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