Command and Control

Campaign map

My wargame rules are based on LFS, and my command and control rules are derived from them.   There are two types of commander, one is the CinC and the other the corps commander.   Each have their specific roles.   The CinC allocates the corps objective and their corps area.  Only he can change either.   And he must be in base contact to do so

There are a maximum of four corps in each army.  On the campaign map only one corps can occupy each map square.   The map above shows the location of each corps on the eve of a major battle.

 Game move 6

This photograph shows move 6, when all eight corps are on the table.   You can see that it gets pretty crowded.   One corps comfortably occupies one 2x2 foot square on the table.   But when the fourth corps is committed it becomes crowded.

The problem is how to make use of the CinC role.

In defence it is pretty easy.   All corps start the game on hold orders.   The only one which is likely to change is the corps in reserve.  By placing the CinC with that corps commander he can change orders with the minimum of delay

However for the attacker it is much more difficult.   All four corps start off on engage orders.  This means that they can skirmish with the enemy, but they cannot melee.   To do so the CinC must change their orders to attack.

With four corps all skirmishing with the enemy the CinC is placed in base contact with the corps most likely to advance to contact.   However if more than one corps wants to do so one must wait a considerable time for the CinC to move to them.   This is particularly so if one is on the opposite side of the table.   The CinC can only move 16”, and it would take three moves to reach the corps commander.   In a game which lasts a maximum of 12 moves this is a serious problem.

One option is to allow the CinC to move more than 16”, but that defeats the object of making command and control difficult.  It also means that he has a turbo charged horse which moves many times faster than any other animal on the table.

The other option is to review the role of the CINC and the corps commander.

At present the CINC rolls one D10 and adds 3 if gifted, 2 if average and 1 if poor.    The total is the number of command points (CP) he has that turn.   It takes 3 CP to change the orders of a poor corps commander, 2 CP for an average and 1CP for a gifted commander.

Each corps commander has the same CP if he is gifted, average or poor.   He also has 1CP for each formed brigade under his command (none if disordered, shaken or in rout).   It takes 1CP to move and 1CP for each order issued.   If he wants a brigade to move half distance and then change formation that would take 2CP.    This works well, because he must prioritise the orders he issues each turn.  And as his brigades suffer loss of morale he suffers loss of CP.

I am considering how to allow the corps commander more freedom to change his objective, but still impose some restrictions.

I am also considering how to change the role of the CinC, but still make him relevant to the game.

If I find a workable solution you will be the first to know!