- Yes
- Maybe
- No
Description.
Since the dawn of time, armies at the front have had to be supplied by convoys carrying provisions, weapons and fresh troops from the rear to replenish the fighting forces, and ever since this need arose, armies have resorted to ambushes and surprise attacks to catch these convoys off guard and inflict as many casualties as possible.
With the advent of motor vehicles, these tactics have not gone out of fashion; on the contrary, they have evolved in step with technology: the faster the (now motorised) convoys travelled, the more the enemy needed to act swiftly with their new weapons.
There are countless examples of this, although there are not many striking episodes with an unimaginable impact on the conflict itself. The fact remains, however, that ambushes on motorised and non-motorised convoys are still used in modern conflicts.
Escort.
Spoiler
Players assigned to escort the convoy will face the daunting task of keeping a close watch on the vehicles, keeping pace with them, and spotting and neutralising enemies before they can land effective strikes. It is a tough and complicated task, but one that can be managed with enough dedication and the necessary resources (such as fast tanks like the British Crusaders).
Ambush.
Spoiler
Players assigned to ambush the convoy will have the task (and the time) to make the most of the map’s terrain to hide and maximise their chances of inflicting massive damage on the enemy convoy before being spotted and having to retreat or suffer casualties.
Maps.
Spoiler
There are countless potential locations for such an event, from the fords of the Pacific islands to the Bavarian Alps and Russian villages; however, given that the focus is on motorised convoys to be escorted or attacked, we will stick to suitable terrain – that is, areas with wide roads and nearby locations where ambushes can be set up, using either natural or man-made cover.
In North Africa, the few roads available offered excellent opportunities for ambushes, but this was offset by the lack of natural cover.
The same problem was found in the Russian steppes or on the Italian plains.
A more European-style landscape, particularly in the wooded and mountainous areas, offers plenty of opportunities for ambushes and just as many for concealing attacking troops, putting defenders at a disadvantage as they cannot clearly see who might attack them or from where.
And if it snows, things get even worse.
With obvious results.
Urban environments are also ideal for ambushes, offering plenty of places for attacking forces to hide and presenting a clear spatial disadvantage (narrow streets, road junctions, and uphill or downhill sections) to the defenders of the columns.
There are, of course, other scenarios that I haven’t included here, either due to space constraints or my own oversight, but feel free to suggest them in the comments.
Rewards.
Spoiler
Gaijin could give some loading screens as rewards, or experience/silver lions.
Some pics as examples of loading screens:
Sources.
Spoiler
Ambush - Wikipedia
Convoy Protection During the Arab Rebellion in Palestine 1936 - Tank Encyclopedia
“Ambush!: A Professional’s Guide to Preparing and Preventing Ambushes” by Joshua Potter
“Killing Zone: A Professional’s Guide to Preparing or Preventing Ambushes” by Gary Stubblefield and Mark Monday
https://www.britannica.com/topic/tactics/Historical-development#ref511175
The Hungarian Ambush near Hill 386.0 - Tank Encyclopedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGwyJGjIV8A
Sergeant Dean Kenney and the M10 Tank Destroyer - Warfare History Network
North African Campaign: WWII's Ultimate War of Logistics
Steel, Rubber & Reality – The Italian Vehicles That Kept the Guns Moving – Bayonets & Brushes
https://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/product.php?ProdID=17650
https://medium.com/exploring-history/the-simple-soviet-tactic-for-ambushing-armored-columns-287e28d1b92f
Iron Bellies: The Armor of ‘The Tanks Are Coming’ (1951) - Tank Encyclopedia
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/battle-of-cologne-tank-duel.html
History: The Siege of Tobruk - Warlord Games
Operation Crusader at Sidi Rezegh—Siege of Tobruk - Warfare History Network