Hi MWadwell,
This technique of strategic offensive and tactical defensive has come up a few times in the past.
While there's much to recommend it, the range and responsiveness of ICA artillery enable the ICA to do more than simply wait on the tactical defensive, where they still might be flanked, especially against a foe so huge and awkward as the MHoG; such as keeping the van ignorant of where the ICA really is, attacking the main or rear before they realise the battle has come to them many miles from where it's 'supposed to' and they're still unready on the road etc.
L
MWadwell wrote:*quote="Weird Harold"*[quote="WeberFan"]Given that the Temple forces will likely attack in large numbers with significant breech-loading, rifled muskets soon, Charis needs a way to push vast amounts of fire downrange at close ranges. Can you even imagine the Temple forces encountering interlocking, final-protective-fires from machine guns? The shock and morale-disrupting effect would be staggering methinks...*quote*
The only problem with the Maxim is that it is a crew-served "heavy" weapon -- heavy both in terms of fire-power and in terms of literal weight. It is best suited to defensive works and trench warfare; it is NOT suited to the offensive needs of the ICA and RSA.
The ICA needs something mobile and and "personal" -- ie not requiring a crew or fixed position to be effective. Something with the fire-power of a "trench broom" and close to the range of a battle rifle but light and magazine fed so it doesn't slow down an assault...
A couple of points:
1) The WWI, crew served vickers/maxim MG's were actually more mobile then you'd think, with them being able to be fired from the hip.
2) With the Church catching up with the weapon technology, it's going to come down to speed of movement, rather then sheer firepower. So I would think that the ICA is going to push for better (i.e. faster and more reliable) communications that can work in all types of weather.
3) With the increasing lethality of the weapons, defenses (i.e. trenches) are going to gain in importance - so the key point is going to be to attack strategically, and defend tactically. I.e. using speed to take a position (see Point 2 above) and quickly fortify it, and then force the Church to attack the entrenched ICA.[/quote]