11. Smoke

11.1 General

A scenario’s OOB will indicate if smoke is available, and the number of Smoke Factors the player has at his disposal. A Special Scenario Rule may also indicate if there are any restrictions on smoke usage. A player is responsible for keeping track of the number of Smoke Factors he has used. When a player has exhausted his smoke supply he may no longer place smoke. Only one Smoke marker may be placed in or occupy a hex at any given time.

11.2 Infantry Smoke Placement

An infantry unit, before it moves, may place smoke in its own or an adjacent hex. When an infantry unit places smoke a Smoke 1 marker is placed in the target hex, and one smoke factor is deducted from the player’s smoke supply.

11.3 Mortar, Gun, and AFV Smoke Placement

An on-board mortar (see 12.66 Smoke Rounds), Gun, or AFV with a Gun (see 18.7 Smoke Rounds) may fire a smoke round in lieu of a normal attack during the Fire Phase. The firing unit must have LOS to the target hex, or a spotter if the firing unit is a mortar without LOS to the target hex. When a mortar, Gun or AFV places smoke a Smoke 2 marker is placed in the target hex, and two smoke factors are deducted from the player’s smoke supply.

11.4 Off-board Artillery Smoke Placement

Off-board artillery may place smoke during the Command Phase in lieu of a normal barrage. The procedure for using off-board artillery to place smoke is outlined in section 21.7, Smoke Barrage. When off-board artillery places smoke a Smoke 2 marker is placed in the final target hex, and two smoke factors are deducted from the player’s smoke supply.

11.5 Smoke Effects

Smoke is a hindrance. A Smoke 1 marker adds a +1 hindrance modifier, and a Smoke 2 marker adds a +2 hindrance modifier to any attack that traces its LOS into or through the smoke hex, in addition to the normal terrain cover modifier of the hex. Smoke has no effect on movement.