They can go almost anywhere and their defensive stance is almost as good as camouflage. Infantry is always there and are cheap to replace. Players will probably use what commanders always use for dirty work, the "poor bloody infantry". Some missions don’t have any of them while others have them as precious reinforcements. The problem with all of the above units is that they are often quite rare. The life expectancy of these units tends to be short. Players should push them forward, take a quick look at the first contact and then scurry back. They are then more likely to draw fire and are very vulnerable. Unfortunately, they are best used on relatively open terrain as rumbling through woods or jungle quickly alerts the enemy. Recon vehicles such as light tanks, jeeps, motorcycles and special cars are another way to spot the enemy. They should then be relocated to avoid return fire. While waiting for the rest of the force to come up, they may also choose to pick off the odd gun crew or guard. They can go through any terrain almost unseen by the enemy. These little guys may not have the wide view of a plane but can see far using the observe action. The next favorable method is to use the camouflaged scout/sniper. Even if they are shot down, the snapshots they provide before their demise are invaluable.Ī German recon plane scopes out a strong French position. Giving them patrol orders will allow enemy movements to be spotted. The smallest spot of red won’t escape their notice, although the player should pay attention. Judicious use in guiding them will help decide which march axis to use or pinpoint profitable targets for their big brothers, the bombers, or artillery. Left alone, they will eventually cover the whole map. Those little planes pack a lunch and stay the day. They have four reconnaissance methods at their disposal.
The key to blitzkrieg tactics is to bypass or flank strong points. Reconnaissance in an offensive need not only find the enemy it should be used to find routes absent of foes. In Blitzkrieg II, small units such as machine gun nests and little towed anti-tank guns will hold up mighty columns and inflict damage well out of proportion to their size. Even the vaunted Wehrmacht failed this basic test as can be seen from General Staff critiques beginning with Poland and continuing throughout the war. What you don’t know can, and probably will, kill you. We’ll explore some basic battle-winning concepts that even the real soldiers sometimes forgot. Lucky for us, this game provides everyone with the tools to do things right.
Be warned! Blitzkrieg II will punish those who don’t remember their tactics lessons. As well read as we may be, we forget the basics just as our historical counterparts did. The side that emerged victorious was often the one that managed to avoid making fewer of those same mistakes. But in the heat of battle, they tended to be forgotten. Analysis was done, directives were sent out, and orders were cut. Every army during World War II kept making the same mistakes over and over.