Question:
Does the limit mean total number of units that may be committed per RE or the maximum number that counts?
For example, I am attacking with three REs of ground units (one panzer division). I have committed 8 air units to GS. Per the rules, 3 air units provide GS, the 5 others don’t contribute any SPs. The defender now fires AA and turns back one unit. May the attacker “call in” one of the surplus 5 units instead of the one that was turned back?
Answer:
This shows why the sequence of play and various activities is so important. The air units can not provide GS until combat is resolved and combat isn’t resolved until after AA has fired during the GS air operation.
You can fly as many air units as you want for a GS air operation. Some may be lost through air to air combat, others through AA fire. You don’t have any limitations upon the number of air units that can fly the GS mission, only upon how many can effectively aid the attacking units.
After all air to air combat and AA fire, the air mission is carried out, that is, the bombing strength is added into the combat strength of the units participating in the combat. The limitations of numbers of air units participating in the ground combat isnot figured until the ground combat is resolved. So, in your example above, the single panzer division an be aided by up to three air units. Regardless of how many air units began or participated in the air operation, three may assist the ground unit in its attack.
Please note the sequence, the air units are not limited in number until the ground combat resolution, and that resolution takes place after all air to air combat and AA fire in that air operation. []
Source:
TEM 67
