Charlie Company - RAFM Edition, 1997

I have been playing games using the Charlie Company rules for a few years now and until very recently the rules set that I used was a 1986 Edition from Ulster Imports. Despite forays into other rules sets, most notably Free Fire Zone, I had come to regard my 1986 edition of Charlie Company as the best 'fast-play' commercial rules set currently available – that is, until recently, when I was supplied with a more recent edition of the rules (by my friend Michael Sarno in the United States) which are now published by RAFM.

The RAFM Edition represents a quantum leap in both presentation and content over it’s predecessor from Ulster Imports, which comes as no real surprise since they are separated by over 13 years of time. Nonetheless, the quality of the presentation should not be overlooked when one considers ease of use and clarity. This edition, despite a couple of typo errors, is very clearly laid out as well as being illustrated and organised in a logical fashion. It is unfortunate that RAFM do not, to my knowledge, have a UK supplier for this edition since they are, in my opinion, the most versatile and easily adapted rules on the market. Not only are they flexible and consistent but they also manage to retain the flavour and ease of use of the earlier edition.

The rules are presented in numbered sections which guide the novice, as well as the more experienced player, through the steps required to both set up and play a game of Charlie Company.

The first few sections (Sections 1.0 – 5.0) provide an introduction to the background of Charlie Company, detailing the premise of the game (which is to survive your own, personal, tour in-country), as well as how to go about setting up either a US Army or USMC Infantry Company for use in the game. Included in this part of the rules is an excellent summary of the terrain types likely to be encountered as well as a look at the games master’s role in running a Charlie Company game. As in the earlier edition, there is also an excellent random scenario generator. The final section in the early part of the rules covers the critical area of Command, Control and Communications, which, incidentally, when applied fully in the course of a game, really does have a significant impact on the events that take place.

There then follows an overview of the sequence of play (Section 6.0), which is elaborated upon, step-by-step, in the subsequent sections (Sections 7.0 – 10.0).

Each step in the sequence of play is detailed and frequently illustrated by examples so that the reader has a clear and generally unambiguous idea of what is intended. The seven phases of a full turn (Command, Movement, Direct Fire, Supporting Fire, Fire Effects, Close Combat and RTO phase) are each presented to the reader. Of particular interest to myself was the section detailing the use of supporting fire, in particular the use of air and artillery, which in other rules sets I have found to be either very weak or else underemphasized. In Charlie Company, these areas are both well thought through and straightforward in their application – a pleasant change.

Direct Fire

Direct fire procedures, including the use of crew-served weapons, are uncomplicated and whilst at first glance they may appear simplistic, hide an effective and well- balanced system of calculating casualties without recourse to detailed tables of modifiers. In fact, in Charlie Company there are, in effect, only three reasonably straightforward modifiers to consider; your own movement orders, the enemy’s movement orders and the cover in which the target is located. As one would expect, units that pay scant regard to the movement they adopt whilst the bullets are flying will suffer, whilst those commanders who are both cautious and bold will see their tactics rewarded. This is one of the great strengths of the Charlie Company rules; there is a direct correlation between the tactical choices made on the tabletop and the consequences of those decisions.

Indirect Fire

Supporting fire, in the form of air and artillery is covered more comprehensively in the Charlie Company rules than in any other rules set that I have seen. The use of Forward Observers and initial spotting rounds is heavily emphasised in the case of artillery fire whilst Forward Air Controllers are essential for the use of Tac Air. Communications with aerial assets are also covered.

The results of supporting fire (except in the case of helicopter gunship support, which is dealt with in much the same manner as direct fire) are applied on a per figure basis and all artillery and air munitions have a set burst radius with a primary and secondary zone. The number of potential hits that a figure may sustain is dependent on the position of that figure within the burst radius, whether in the primary or secondary kill zones. Since the burst zones of munitions can overlap, it is possible for a single figure to take multiple hits. I personally like this level of detail, which, incidentally, is very quick and easy to calculate.

Close Combat

Close combat is fought as another round of direct fire but only amongst those figures that are neither killed, wounded, pinned nor suppressed. Also, the combat round is more deadly since the chance of hitting the opponent is considerably enhanced. The decision to close with the enemy and engage him in close combat is one that is not taken lightly in Charlie Company and the result of this is that commanders are forced to rely on the age-old principles of fire and maneuver.

Casualties

Figures in Charlie Company can be killed, wounded, pinned and suppressed. As a result of this it is possible to have squads that are suffering any or all of these effects. Whilst it may sound as if it would be troublesome to keep track of, once again the little effort involved is well worth it.

Optional Rules

Many other areas are covered in the rules such as night fighting, prisoners, weather, sappers and a host of other details, all of which contribute towards a full and reasonably inclusive set of rules.

Extras

Finally, at the end of the main body of the rules, there is a section that includes a complete set of reference tables, games charts and unit information sheets, as well as a well-presented scenario.