The problem is not the assault rule

[Mike Abberton]

Here's one for all to consider: any possibility of introducing national artillery characteristics? For example, Russian artillery, while numerous and powerful, was never very responsive, in large part due to shortages in communications equipment. Perhaps this could be simulated by the Russian player being allotted fewer observers? Any thoughts?

Huib's suggestion about separate artillery ammo levels would help with nationality differences, too. You could simulate a less robust on-call artillery system, such as the Soviets, with a smaller arty ammo level. That way they would get less available arty units on any given turn to simulate a poor communications system (as opposed to a lack of artillery shells).

I am definitely mixed on FOs as separate units, though. It would clutter up the map and be almost impossible to retrofit to existing scenarios. And what kind of stats would they get? I wouldn't want more high morale units defending hexes from assaults. Two or three guys and a radio should have very little organic combat effectiveness.

If leaders are a unit that could call in arty, a scenario maker could always add in some extra leaders with no units attached in the ORG chart. They could simulate FO units, and since they have no attached units in the org, they wouldn't add to combat values, right?