13. LIGHT ANTI-TANK WEAPONS (LATW)

13.1 LATW: The term LATW includes all ordnance weapons represented by SW-size counters whose main use is against armor. LATW include ATR, ATMM, Bazooka, PIAT, PF/PFk, and PSK. All LATW ordnance must first secure a hit vs armor on the appropriate To Hit Table (C3) before resolving that hit on the applicable To Kill Table. All Firer and Target Hit Determination DRM applicable to LATW are listed on the To Hit Table and marked with a green "L". However, all LATW firing during the AFPh [EXC:Opportunity Fire] are subject to a +2 To Hit DRM (Case C3). LATW may never use the Area Target Type. Q&A

13.2 ANTI-TANK RIFLE (ATR): An ATR is a SW which uses the C3 To Hit Table and the C7.31 AP To Kill Table to resolve its hits.30 An ATR counter's To Hit attempt uses the black Basic TH# regardless of nationality distinctions, unless it is a captured weapon. Q&A

13.21 USAGE: Any unbroken Infantry unit can use an ATR but such use constitutes use of a SW (A7.35).

13.22 RANGE: An ATR has a maximum range of 12 hexes. The Basic TK# of an ATR hit is modified by range according to the "≤ 25mm" row of the Case D Range Chart for the AP To Kill Table.

13.23 vs GUNS: An ATR can be used vs Guns as per 11.52 without using the AP To Kill Table.

13.24 vs PERSONNEL: An ATR can be used against Personnel targets with one FP as Small Arms Fire (no To Hit DR is necessary and therefore it may be used as part of a FG but it has no Long Range capability; i.e., it may not be fired beyond 12 hexes). An ATR leaves no Residual FP even if it attacks as part of a FG. Q&A

13.25 LEADERSHIP: Leadership/Hero modifiers do not apply to ATR To Kill DR, but do modify any To Hit DR and affect use of the weapon as Small Arms Fire normally.

13.26 MALFUNCTION: Normal Breakdown and Repair rules apply to an ATR.

13.3 PANZERFAUST (PF): The PF31 is a potentially inherent SW of every German Infantry unit after September 1943, and uses the C3 To Hit Table (as per 13.33) and the C7.33 HEAT To Kill Table to resolve any vehicular hit. PF are not normally available prior to 10/43; prior to that date, encounters with PF were limited to some 5,000 weapons undergoing combat trials, which in the game are termed PFk. Possible encounters with PFk can occur anytime after July 1943, but only as per SSR.

13.31 USAGE: All Good Order (or Berserk) German Infantry after September 1943 which can still fire during their current fire phase can possibly fire a PF. A squad attempts to fire a PF by making a PF Check dr (Δ). If the PF Check dr is a 1-3, the unit has a PF and an opportunity to fire it and must attempt a To Hit DR on the C3 To Hit Table. If the PF Check dr is ≥ 4, the unit may have a PF but no opportunity to fire it so the unit cannot attempt a To Hit DR. If the PF Check dr is an Original 6, the unit has no PF in position to fire and is pinned (even if heroic or berserk). If already pinned, the unit is broken instead (or suffers Casualty Reduction if berserk or heroic). There is a +1 drm to a PF Check dr if the scenario is set in Aug-Sept 1943, a -1 drm if it occurs in 1945, a +1 drm if it is fired at other than an AFV, and a +1 drm if used by a CX unit. There is a +1 drm if the unit is a HS/crew and a +2 drm if the unit is a SMC. A unit may not make a PF Check in Subsequent First Fire or FPF (A8.3-.31) - regardless of whether it made a PF Check during First Fire. Provided a squad has not yet fired its inherent FP, it can attempt to fire a second PF in the same phase even if its first attempt did not yield a shot, but that would constitute use of two SW and cause the squad to lose its inherent FP for that phase. Even if a squad's PF Check dr fails to result in a shot, that PF Check constitutes use of a SW (A7.35). A PF Check dr can be made only during a friendly fire phase (including a Defensive First Fire opportunity during an enemy MPh) and if successful must be immediately fired. As a one-shot weapon, a PF may not directly affect more than one MMC when fired at an Infantry/Cavalry target (8.31) unless the Random Selection DR indicates several units are affected. However, once a hit is gained vs a multi-target Location and prior to any Random Selection, the firer can select the unit to be affected, provided that unit is Known and manning a Gun/SW. APF/PFk hit does not leave Residual FP because it is a one-shot weapon with limited application vs Infantry. The total number of PF shots taken in the course of a scenario may not exceed the number of German squad-equivalents [J4] in the OB prior to 1944, 1½ (FRD) times the number of squad-equivalents [J4] during 1944, and twice the number of German squad-equivalents [J4] in 1945. The number of shots taken is recorded on the PF Usage Track of the Scenario Aid Card by marking the total allowed number of PF shots on the track with a PF counter and moving it along the Track towards 0 one box at a time whenever a PF shot is taken. When the PF counter reaches the 0 box, no more PF shots may be attempted.32 Q&A

13.311 OPTIONAL USAGE: Prior to setup in any scenario occurring after September 1943, the German player is allocated PF equal to the number of squad-equivalents [J4] in his OB prior to 1944, 1½ times (FRD) the number of squad-equivalents [J4] in 1944, and twice the number of squad-equivalents [J4] in 1945. He secretly records which units are carrying PF. Each Personnel unit may carry a number of PF equal to its US#. There is no portage cost. The weapons may be fired or transferred in the same manner as any inherent SW, except that no PF Check is necessary. After use or transfer, the PF possession records are updated accordingly because a PF can fire only once before being removed.

13.32 RANGE: The effective range of a PF varies with the time frame of the scenario. PF range is limited to one hex prior to June '44, two hexes from June to December, 1944, and three hexes thereafter. A PFk always has a one hex range.

13.33 RANGE EFFECTS: The Basic TH# (10) of a PF/PFk attack is modified by -2 for each hex of range to the target.

EX: A PF firing on a stationary vehicular or Infantry target two hexes away has a Modified TH# of 6; if it fired during the AFPh, Case C3 would also apply and add a +2 To Hit DRM (unless fired as Opportunity Fire).

13.34 TK#: The Basic TK# of a PF is 31 as listed on the C7.33 HEAT To Kill Table; that of a PFk is 22.

13.35 LEADERSHIP: A leader stacked with a PF firer can apply his leadership modifier to the To Hit DR of one PF but such use would constitute his sole fire direction for that phase. A leader who does not make a PF Check himself is not committed to that attack (or use of that SW), although if he does direct the To Hit DR of another unit which has passed its PF Check, he must state so before making the DR.

13.36 MALFUNCTION: A PF is a one-shot weapon which can only be fired in the same fire phase in which it was secured by a PF Check, and is therefore unaffected by Breakdown or Repair rules. However, an Original To Hit DR of 12 (11 or 12 for Inexperienced Infantry; A19.32) is not only a miss but results in its operator suffering Casualty Reduction.33 An Original To Kill DR of 12 is a Dud (7.35), or if rolled on the IFT has no effect.

13.4 BAZOOKA (BAZ): BAZ Counters are provided for three different versions; the actual year of availability of each is specified on the counter [EXC: BAZ 43 first becomes available in November, 1942]. The American units are always assumed to use the latest model available.34

13.41 USAGE: Any unbroken Infantry MMC can fire a BAZ and such use constitutes use of a SW (A7.35).

13.42 TO HIT: Each BAZ has its own abbreviated To Hit Table listing its Basic TH# at each of its allowable ranges, printed on the reverse of its counter. This To Hit Table is used for both armored and unarmored targets. Although a BAZ has its own To Hit Table, all Firer (C5) and Target (C6) Hit Determination DRM applicable to LATW apply. Q&A

13.43 TO KILL: Once a hit has been scored vs a vehicular target, it is resolved on the C7.33 HEAT To Kill Table using either the BAZ 43 or the BAZ 44+ column, depending on the time frame of the scenario; vs an unarmored target, a hit is resolved on the 8 column of the IFT (see 8.31).

13.44 LEADERSHIP: The leadership modifier of any one leader directing a BAZ attack may be used to modify its To Hit DR.

13.45 SMC USAGE: Any combination of two SMC may fire a BAZ at full effect. Leaders cannot modify their own fire although a Hero can (A15.24) whether singly or in combination with another SMC. A BAZ can be used by one SMC only if that SMC is a Hero (A15.23).

13.46 WP: The BAZ 45 has the option of firing WP. Normal Ammunition Depletion Number rules (8.9) apply.

13.47 MALFUNCTION: A BAZ is permanently removed from play if its unmodified To Hit DR is its X#.

13.48 PANZERSCHRECK (PSK): All BAZ rules apply to the PSK35 except that the latter does not fire WP, has its own To Hit Table printed on the back of its counter, has an IFT effect of 12 (see 8.31), resolves its vehicular hits on the PSK column of the C7.33 HEAT To Kill Table, and is available from September '43 on.

13.5 MOLOTOV PROJECTOR: The MOL-Projector38 is a crewed, 2PP Russian LATW ordnance-SW with its own To Hit Table printed on the back of the counter. This TH Table is used vs both armored and unarmored targets in the same manner as a BAZ except as noted otherwise below.

13.51 USAGE: Only a Russian crew, or two Russian SMC (as per C12.21), may use a MOL-Projector with neither Captured nor non-qualified use (A21.13) penalties. A Russian non-heroic leader may use one with non-qualified-use penalties. A Russian hero may use one as per A15.23. A MOL-Projector is not a SCW, has no "backblast" and does not fire HEAT; hence C13.8-.9 do not apply to its use, and it may be fired from a building/Pillbox/Rooftop. Like ordnance unable to use the Area Target Type (C13.1), a MOL-Projector must predesignate its target before firing. Moreover, in the PFPh and DFPh it must fire before the first weapon firing other than SMOKE in that phase (since it places smoke when it achieves a hit; C13.58); however, this restriction does not apply to firing in the enemy MPh. Leadership DRM do not apply to a MOL-Projector's TH DR. A MOL-Projector may not fire at a target that lies at a different elevation than the firer if the elevation difference between them exceeds the range, nor may it be fired by PRC (though it may be carried as a Passenger/Rider on a vehicle). It may not use Bore Sighting, Target Acquisition, Intensive or Sustained Fire, nor may it attempt Deliberate Immobilization.

13.52 CH: A MOL-Projector achieves a CH on an Original 2 TH DR (C3.7). See also 13.53-.56.

13.53 EFFECTS: The effects of a hit by a MOL-Projector are similar to those of a MOL attack. However, unlike the latter, a MOL-Projector attack is an ordnance attack and hence is never accompanied by a Small Arms attack.

13.54 vs AFV: An AFV hit by a MOL-Projector is affected exactly as if hit by a MOL (A22.612). However, the only possible modifications to the MOL-Projector attack's Basic TK number are: +1 for hitting an OT AFV; +1 for a rear Target Facing hit; and doubling due to a CH. A hit also causes a 4-FP Specific Collateral Attack vs an AFV's Vulnerable PRC.

13.55 vs UNARMORED VEHICLE: An unarmored vehicle hit (or Partially Armored Vehicle hit in an unarmored Aspect; C3.9) by a MOL-Projector is attacked on the ★ Vehicle Line of the IFT using a Kill number of 9. A CH doubles this Kill number to 18.

13.56 vs INFANTRY/GUN: An Infantry-target/non-vehicular-Gun hit by a MOL-Projector is affected exactly as if hit by a 4-FP HE attack. A CH causes an 8-FP attack with applicable reversed TEM (or, vs the Gun, eliminates it and its manning Infantry).

13.57 vs TERRAIN: A MOL-Projector hit can cause a Flame in Burnable Terrain as per A22.6111, but uses the colored dr of the TH DR. (An Original 6 dr has no adverse effect - but see 13.59.)

13.58 SMOKE: A MOL-Projector hit creates a white Smoke counter as per C8.52. Q&A

13.59 MALFUNCTION: A MOL-Projector malfunctions on an Original TH DR of 11. As signified by "X12" printed in red on the counter, an Original TH DR of 12 eliminates the MOL-Projector and creates a Flame in its Location if there is Burnable Terrain therein. Both the X# and B# are lowered by the appropriate amount if Inexperienced/Captured/non-qualified, etc., use applies.

13.6 PIAT: The Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank device was a spigot launcher which hurled, rather than fired, HEAT and was first available in April, 1943. It was normally issued one per platoon. There is only one version of the PIAT and it is treated as a SW counter. A PIAT cannot fire WP, has its own To Hit Table printed on the back of its counter, and resolves its vehicular hits on the PIAT column of the C7.33 HEAT To Kill Table. All other BAZ rules apply to the PIAT except as modified below. Q&A

13.61 HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: A PIAT cannot be fired at a target one or more levels lower in the same or an adjacent hex, since the required level of depression would pull the projectile out of firing position.

13.62 SMC USAGE: A PIAT can be used by a SMC at full effect with no penalty, although no leadership modifier would apply unless a non-firing leader directed the attack.

13.63 MALFUNCTION: A PIAT36 has B10 instead of an X#, and is repaired on a Repair dr of 1-2 or removed on a dr of 6 (A9.72).

13.7 ANTI-TANK MAGNETIC MINE (ATMM): ATMM37 are not represented by counters, but are considered possibly inherent in any German Infantry unit during or after 1944. An ATMM can be used at the option of any Good Order (or Berserk) and unpinned German Infantry unit against a vehicle [EXC: wagon or motorcycle] in the same hex as part of the CC process. Any unit - prior to resolving its CC attack vs a vehicle - may opt to declare an ATMM attack by making an ATMM Check dr. On an ATMM Check dr of 1-3, a man possessing an ATMM is in position to place it, which adds a -3 DRM to the CC attack by that unit. If the dr is a 4-5, no man with an ATMM is in position to attempt placement and the unit may attempt CC normally that turn. If the ATMM Check dr is an Original 6, the unit is pinned (even if berserk) and consequently has its CCV reduced by one during the subsequent CC attack (A11.5). A HS/Crew must add +1 and a SMC +2 to its ATMM Check dr. A CX unit must also add +1 to its ATMM Check dr, as would any unit using it vs a non-armored vehicle. Q&A

13.71 LEADERSHIP: Neither leadership nor heroism affects the preliminary ATMM Check dr, but does apply normally to the subsequent CC attack DR (unless a leader is attacking alone).

13.72 An ATMM has no effect on other units in the same hex, other than the normal effects vs any PRC of a vehicle which is destroyed (D5.6/D6.9).

13.73 SMC: An Infantry SMC may attempt an ATMM attack vs a vehicle (as per 13.7) and if the ATMM Check dr is successful, the ATMM DRM can be applied to the combined CC attack of the SMC and any unit it attacks with, provided their combined attack was predesignated before the ATMM Check dr. If a SMC attempts an ATMM Check dr, no unit attacking with it may make an ATMM Check dr of its own. However, if the SMC ATMM Check dr is not successful, no unit other than the SMC can be pinned due to that ATMM Check dr.

13.74 MALFUNCTION: An ATMM malfunctions on an Original CC DR of 12 and therefore its CC DRM is not applicable.

13.8 BACKBLAST: Due to the attendant backblast of these weapons, a PF/PFk, BAZ, PSK, or RCL may not be fired from inside a vehicle, pillbox, sewer, or building [EXC: Factory and rooftop] without a Desperation (13.81) penalty. [EXC: Fire from ground-level rubble or the ground floor of a building is allowed (but not from pillbox, sewer, or vehicle), but must apply the Case C3 To Hit DRM (5.34), unless used as Opportunity Fire, due to the movement which is assumed necessary to move into an alley prior to the shot.] These weapons also may not fire at a target two or more levels higher in an adjacent hex, or directly above them in the same hex. Q&A

13.81 DESPERATION: Whether due to ignorance, panic, or dire circumstance, these weapons (13.8) were sometimes fired inside restrictive terrain, and hundreds of deaths and serious burns resulted to the operators as a consequence. Therefore, the Case C3 To Hit DRM can be ignored if so predesignated, but all occupants of the firing Location in such restrictive terrain undergo attack on the 1 FP column of the IFT using only the colored dr of that To Hit DR. No drm apply.

13.9 SHAPED-CHARGE WEAPONS (SCW): PF/PFk, BAZ, PSK and PIAT are all SCW. The anti-personnel rounds fired by SCW were actually HEAT, not HE, and only these rounds can be used vs Personnel targets (see 8.31).