Post by mcginn on Dec 28, 2009 22:53:10 GMT -5
When I first looked at these little guys, and I do mean little, I wondered what possible use they could have. When comparing them to the other howitzers, they come in somewhat shoddily, an AT of 3 isn't too bad, but their firepower of 6 is, in my opinion, absolutely awful, why even bother taking them compared to the light 105s, I was fully convinced that I should try taking them back to the store to exchange them for something more useful. That was until I expanded my perspective on them. It still holds true that they are crap compared to other howitzer systems, but how do they stack up against mortars? In the American arsenal their stat line is pretty standard, three is even above average for the mortar line. The only mortar that is better, and its only better in some ways, is the 4.2 in Chemical mortar, remaining better due to its 4+ firepower. It also has the ability to lay down a smoke bombardment, which is something it has over some of the other mortar systems.
What the 75mm pack howitzer does have over other mortar systems is the ability to be used in the direct fire role, it isn't too good at it, but its an option, and most importantly a staff team. This allows it to benefit from the ToT and hit 'em with everything you've got special rules, though it does lose access to under command.
Its point cost is pretty good for what you get, 4 fearless veteran 75s cost the same as 4 confident trained 4.2s in both Hell's Highway and D minus 1. It's use is somewhat limited however, only the parachute/glider companies of these two books get access to the 75 so it won't be useful as a stand in for any other American force you might have. On the plus side, parachute companies out of Hell's Highway can't get the 4.2 in mortar and so the 75mm howitzer makes a great stand in.
In summary since the 75mm pack howitzer does not interfere with taking the heavier artillery in either book, though it will prohibit you from taking a medium brit battery in Hell's Highway you still get access to the 25 pdr battery, I will tactically treat it as a mortar system whenever I use it. When treated this way it is a very effective system for what it does when taking the trade-offs vis a vis the 4.2 chemical mortar into account.
What the 75mm pack howitzer does have over other mortar systems is the ability to be used in the direct fire role, it isn't too good at it, but its an option, and most importantly a staff team. This allows it to benefit from the ToT and hit 'em with everything you've got special rules, though it does lose access to under command.
Its point cost is pretty good for what you get, 4 fearless veteran 75s cost the same as 4 confident trained 4.2s in both Hell's Highway and D minus 1. It's use is somewhat limited however, only the parachute/glider companies of these two books get access to the 75 so it won't be useful as a stand in for any other American force you might have. On the plus side, parachute companies out of Hell's Highway can't get the 4.2 in mortar and so the 75mm howitzer makes a great stand in.
In summary since the 75mm pack howitzer does not interfere with taking the heavier artillery in either book, though it will prohibit you from taking a medium brit battery in Hell's Highway you still get access to the 25 pdr battery, I will tactically treat it as a mortar system whenever I use it. When treated this way it is a very effective system for what it does when taking the trade-offs vis a vis the 4.2 chemical mortar into account.