The Bulge season is coming again !


    Some playtesting with my earlier version of house rules
has shown that, without exceptional early German luck,
US forces with less losses due to the retreat option, will 
combine with reinforcements to form extremely resilient
multi-unit positions, much more than with the original rules. 
German 'divisional integrity' bonus does not counterbalance 
this effect strongly enough. So in this 2nd version, I've 
reduced the loss-saving effect of retreat, and made Divisional 
Integrity easier to get. And other small tweaks.
    Your comments are appreciated as always.


    Happy gaming !
Mircea Pauca (mpauca@fx.ro), Bucuresti, Romania


**************************************************************
[Preface to version 1]
    The additions below are meant to expand the maneuver options
while reducing the irreversible harshness of casualties in Ray
Freeman's excellent game _Tigers in the Mist_ (GMT). I intend
to keep the elegant 3-impulse system as clean as possible.
    Please think of these rules, even try to play with them, and
tell me the results ! Please comment on clarity and concision,
as this is my first attempt at English rule writing. I intend to use
similar ideas in my _Romania 1916_, if it will ever be finished.


**************************************************************
1) Variable reinforcements
    Before each impulse, place all reinforcement units in a Pool
one impulse earlier than scheduled. Then for each unit in the
Pool, roll 1d10; if 1-5, the unit enters now; else it stays in the Pool.
German conditional reinforcements use the standard rules instead !
  [To reduce perfect planning based on known arrival times.
The procedure does not affect the average moment]


2) Reduced die rolling and battle variance
    For attacking die-rolls on the same target with 20-30% chance
to hit, group them in twos, using half the rolls with double chance.
Odd remainders fire separately and normally. 
Use this rule at attacker's option.


  [Ex: 7*(1-2 to hit) -> 3*(1-4) + 1*(1-2)
Does not affect average loss but reduces the chance of 'overkill'
Practically could become complicated if there are several targets, 
attacker types and integrity bonuses - so it's optional]


3) Divisional integrity
    Two or more units from the same division in each area fire 
with 10% improved chance (-1 die modifier) in attack or defense.
Units from other divisions, non-divisional units and substitute 
counters do not get the bonus but do not stop other units 
getting the bonus.
  [Should reduce the Kampfgruppe-from-anything syndrome.
Write division numbers on counter backs for easier seeking]


4) Skirmish
    Skirmish is a simple low-intensity form of combat which does
NOT count as a move or regular attack. It can be applied at the
current impulse player (attacker's) choice, if units from both
sides were already in an area at the start of the impulse,
either Moved or not.
    If new units are brought to an area, the attacker can choose:
a) Attack normally with the new units (and any Fresh units
already here) against all defenders;  - or -
b) Skirmish with all vs. all units
    If new units are not brought, the attacker can Skirmish or not.


[Intended to cure thinking like 'morning attack failed, therefore
the defense is safe until the night' - it signifies mopping up.
Also allows the US defenders limited counterattacks to bring
reinforcements to existing positions. Use in various combinations:
a) morning move+attack, then two skirmishes
b) units already in contact from previous day - skirmish and open
  a hole, move+attack to exploit, skirmish there]


4.1) Skirmish Procedure:
    Defenders roll 2 dice, then remaining Attackers roll 1 die.
    If 1d10<= SP firing , enemy loses 1 step.
'SP firing' has a minimum of 2 (even with 1 SP) and a 
maximum of 8 (even with 9 or 10 SP).
Allocate targets like in artillery fire (fire first on the majority type of
enemy units, then majority of what's left, firer chooses if equal size).
Ignore entrenchments, combined arms and artillery.
  [Defender's advantage is not 2x but sqrt(2)=1.41x]


5) Retreat option
    In each battle, one defending unit can take one less step loss
if all surviving defenders retreat one area and are considered 
MOVED. All units that retreat must go to the same area, 
supplied and without enemy units, else retreat is impossible.
    If a 1SP defender in a skirmish takes 1 loss and chooses
to stand and die, count all attackers in the area as MOVED.
  [The rule with the most far-reaching consequences. Greatly
increases US resilience, reduced by the other house rules]


6) Recovery
    At the end of each day (after the 3rd night US impulse),
one unit in each area for each side, that has not moved,
attacked normally or retreated all day, increases strength
by 1SP. It cannot get back to the original full strength.
  [Step losses represent mainly short-term effectiveness
loss due to confusion etc. Few units were effectively
put out of combat in the Bulge: 106th and 2/3 of 28th Div,
and KG Peiper. Others maintained some cohesion by
collecting dispersed subunits, repairs etc.]


    Thank you for reading and thinking on this !
        Mircea