Field Artillery in WWII Online

Twenty-one years in the making and Field Artillery is finally here! We are very proud and excited that with this recent update, 1.36.19, indirect field artillery has been introduced. No other ground-based game that we know has PVP weapons systems which can fire to a distance greater than 11,000 meters just like in WWII. This is a feature which has been long-requested and desired by our committed subscribers and the CRS development team. 

We hope that you have had an opportunity to login and try the new artillery units of WWII Online! Check out this quick teaser if you haven't yet - WWII Online arty teaser video. Its day in-game has finally arrived and player reception thus far has been monumental! But what does it mean in terms of game play? Keep reading as we highlight its impact further.

What does field artillery mean for WWII Online?

• The ability to engage targets at a considerable range without being exposed to direct fire (Example: Firing from Namur to Andenne and vice-versa with range left over)
• Prominent buildings, road intersections, forward bases, army bases, airfields, terrain features, avenues of approach, etc can be pre-marked with artillery gun data and then recalled instantly when the target(s) approach.
• Forward Observers (FO) will be incredibly important as accurate marks and waypoints will be needed to bring accurate artillery to bear on the enemy.
• Team-work with real-time target marks and proper adjustments will be essential for accurate fire as the artillery piece and Forward Observer work together.
• Recon/Scout & Snipers will take on increased importance as enemy units are observed and targeted outside of the urban area. In particular enemy FMS’, anti-tank, and anti-aircraft guns are now potentially vulnerable from accurate indirect fire.
• Tactical smoke barrages are now available for long-range deployment and should be used. Alert battlefield commanders can use this tactical feature to obscure movement when assaulting the objective or feint the enemy from another direction with two separate smoke screens.
• A further expansion of support as the Engineers and Supply Truck operator’s aide in placing trenches, emplacements, camouflage netting, ammunition resupply and caches.
• Increased opportunities for anti-aircraft and light anti-tank guns to defend against marauding aircraft and armored cars operating behind enemy lines in search of artillery.
• Indirect fire can impact movement of “soft-target” enemy infantry and guns if they are stationary too long while under observation. Imagine driving up a back-line FMS when engaged by unexpected shell-fire!!

What to expect?

This weapon will take some time to master as there are multiple variables the gunner and Forward Observer need to understand prior to the first round going down range. Remember the difference in elevation from the gun to the target will impact your rounds on the target, too. That is just one variable that you need to be aware of. 

The howitzer (and the mortars) have several new features to assist in laying the gun onto the target and can make indirect fire a little difficult (at first) but, we believe, it will be more rewarding in terms of accuracy, impact on the battlefield, and NOT simply point and click.

Gun platform pitch vs roll

The gun needs to be level (or properly adjusted to compensate for unusual or extreme terrain) in order for accurate fire. Gun “jump” will also occur when firing most rounds so it will be important to realign prior to the next round being fired.

Gun HUD Table

This display provides THREE different lines of information which include azimuth, elevation (degrees and MILS), range (degrees and MILS) from the gunner’s position. Align the gunner’s data with the target data and you are in business on an active target. Remember to pay attention to any “gun jump” changes, too.

Ammo inventory

Each gun has two different types of shells, high-explosive and smoke. Each country has their colored historical smoke round. The UK/FR guns will use WHITE smoke, US guns have VIOLET smoke while the German gun uses a bluish-white smoke. Each is distinctive and recognizable either friend or foe.

Note that the High-Explosive shell does not contain an anti-tank capability as the HE rounds are designed to explode on impact. These rounds can, on occasion, damage a tank tread. At present, there is no plan to implement High-Explosive Anti-Tank rounds but charged High-Explosive rounds are a distinct possibility.

Gun Crews

Each country will have individual uniformed gun crew members to reflect their nationality. The unique gun crew reload audio is English and German only. Special thanks to Vanapo and Corn for adding this special feature to our game.

Gun Audio

We encourage you to listen-up when you suspect artillery fire is incoming. We hope you enjoy!

Direct Fire IS possible (keypad key-0 is your friend) but there is no aiming pip so practice makes perfect!!

At present, there is no friendly fire mechanism when this platform is used; however, CRS will monitor this situation and may make adjustments in the future.

CRS decided if field artillery was to be implemented we would need to use a standard and common artillery piece used in WWII and that artillery would be available in Tier 0 onward. As a result the US and German 105mm howitzers were selected. Neither platform was in the 1940 Battle of France; however, artillery of this caliber was certainly a participant. With an eye for platforms (or placeholders) which would ‘age’ appropriately as the Tiers progressed, we felt it was appropriate to bring these particular models into the game. No one wants to see a repeat of the initial StuH42 “scenario” – these platforms are made for fun, impact, and carnage!

Resources:

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: The Basic 105mm & Forward Observer How-To Guide is located here.

Interested in contributing your own ideas and feedback? Join our forum discussion at https://forums.wwiionline.com/topic/435313-artillery-mg42-and-colored-smoke-patch/.

Here's a quick walkthrough video with CHIMM illustrating artillery usage in-game a bit further.