Defensive fire question

[Comassion]

This game up in a game I played yesterday. We had an MG-42 mounted on one of those halftracks (the Sd. Kfz 251, I think) that have the weapons platform ability, allowing the MG-42 to fire from it. Now, I wanted to move a unit into the Halftrack's hex - does the MG-42 get to use defensive fire against that unit? And what about a unit in a transport (Jeep) that doesn't have the weapons platform ability?

[Kriegshund]

I would say that a transport with fighting platform ability that allows the unit to fire while mounted would allow that unit to use defensive fire as normal.

A unit mounted on a Jeep which does not have the fighting platform ability, would not be able to use defensive fire.

[Der Leiter]

No.

Fighting Platform specifically says it allows the soldier carried by the transport to fire during the assault phase if [this unit] does not move. Nowhere does it say the transported soldier can make defencive fire against units.

[Kriegshund]

The the way we have been playing, we have allowed it. I am not convinced that an omission of inclusion necessarily prohibits a general rule, but Der Leiters response raises enough reasonable doubt that I would like to see more discussion or an official response.

[Der Leiter]

Perhaps I worded it badly. Here's the abilities

Transport (p31)
"While a Soldier unit is boarded, it can't move, fire, or defend itself.."

Fighting Platform (Sd Kfz 251)
"A Soldier carried by this unit can attack during your assault phase.."


Fighting Platform specifically states the only exception it makes to standard transport rules is that if it doesn't move then the soldier can fire during the assault phase. Nowhere does it allow a defencive fire, and in fact the rules say you can't.

[Autarch]

Which, unfortunately only contributes to this unit's general undesireabliity and makes one wonder why it's so overcosted.

Usually when troops bail out of an armored transport vehicle, its from fear of AT weapons, not small arms fire.

[Krieger]

If you can find a safe place to do it, shoot a few steel core 30.06 rounds at 8mm of steel (the side armor thickness of a halftrack), and see how many rounds penetrate. You'd be suprised at what you'll find out. Plus these soldiers are squads, so they have hand grenades, rifle grenades ect...

[komichido]

We have been allowing it thus far but you have brought up some very good points to make me believe it should not be allowed.

Komi