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The Combat Mission Personal Campaign Game

The Combat Mission Personal Campaign Game is not a true campaign game; it is submitted here to players of Combat Mission as a proposal to enhance their gaming experience, by attempting to personally involve the player in the combat actions he is portraying through use of a "character."  By assuming the identity, and sharing the fate, of one of the HQ units in Combat Mission, it is hoped these proposed "rules" provide Combat Mission players an added measure of satisfaction.

These rules are based very loosely on those presented originally in the board game Squad Leader, one of the first wargames to attempt to simulate Second World War infantry combat at the company and battalion level. 

These rules are divided into two parts.   Part I deals with the advancement of the player's character by using his actions and achievements in a series of Combat Mission battles/operations to affect his leadership abilities in future games.  (While the manual for Combat Mission has dismissed this (and rightly so) as unrealistic, it is presented here mainly for fun.)  Part II deals with the award of decorations and badges to a player's character, as a convenient way of tracking his achievements/fate in a given number of missions.

The rules in either part can be adopted independently, or together.

General Rules

Regardless of which parts are adopted, the Combat Mission Personal Campaign Game involves playing a number of missions (or alternately, operations, or a mixture of the two) as the same nationality, with at least one infantry platoon included in the player's forces in each mission.

In each mission or operation, one of the platoon HQ units will be used to represent the player.  This HQ unit, and the squads and weapons under its command, will be used to determine the progression and eventual fate of the player.

While a platoon HQ represents a half dozen or so men, the contents of this group is random.  As long as one man remains unwounded in the Platoon HQ group, for playability's sake, it is assumed that man represents the player's character.

These rules are meant to be used for fun, not in active competition with others, though comparing the fates of more than one "character" may appeal to two or more players, especially those playing in one of the various campaign games that are being created on the Internet for players of Combat Mission.  (These campaign games are "true" campaign games, simulating the actions of brigades, divisions, corps and armies, with individual players simulating combat at the lowest levels by playing battles in Combat Mission that affect the overall campaign).   The nature of these rules, however, rely on the honour system to a fair degree and should be regarded as not immune to cheating.

Typical Platoon Compositions (June 1944)

Army (Heer) Rifle Platoon Platoon HQ Rifle 44 Squad Rifle 44 Squad Rifle 44 Squad	SS Rifle Platoon Platoon HQ SS Rifle 44 Squad SS Rifle 44 Squad SS Rifle 44 Squad	US Rifle Platoon Platoon HQ Rifle Squad Rifle Squad Rifle Squad Bazooka Team 60 mm Mortar Team	British/Canadian Rifle Platoon Platoon HQ Rifle Squad Rifle Squad Rifle Squad PIAT Team 2 inch Mortar Team
Army (Heer) Panzergrenadier Platoon (Motorized) Platoon HQ Motorized Infantry Squad Motorized Infantry Squad Motorized Infantry Squad	SS Panzergrenadier Platoon (Motorized) Platoon HQ SS Motorized Infantry Squad SS Motorized Infantry Squad SS Motorized Infantry Squad	US Paratroop Platoon Platoon HQ Paratroop Squad Paratroop Squad Paratroop Squad M1919 MMG Team M1919 MMG Team M1919 MMG Team Bazooka Team 60 mm Mortar Team	British/Canadian Airborne Platoon Platoon HQ Airborne Squad Airborne Squad Airborne Squad PIAT Team 2 inch Mortar Team
Army (Heer) Panzergrenadier Platoon (Armored) Platoon HQ Panzergrenadier Squad Panzergrenadier Squad Panzergrenadier Squad	SS Panzergrenadier Platoon (Armored) Platoon HQ SS Panzergrenadier Squad SS Panzergrenadier Squad SS Panzergrenadier Squad	US Glider Platoon Platoon HQ Glider Squad Glider Squad Glider Squad M2 .50 Cal HMG Team 60 mm Mortar Team
Fallschirmjäger Platoon Platoon HQ Fallschirmjäger Squad Fallschirmjäger Squad Fallschirmjäger Squad Panzerschreck Team	Gebirgsjäger Platoon Platoon HQ Gebirgsjäger Squad Gebirgsjäger Squad Gebirgsjäger Squad

Part I - Leadership

The disadvantage inherent in the rules presented here for leadership is the requirement that scenarios being played have to be edited (either by the player or by a third party).  In particular, the attributes of the player's "character", or Platoon HQ unit, must be altered.    This means that without a third party providing the editing, the player will have to have a supply of pre-designed scenarios (as leaders cannot be edited in random quick battles.)

Before each mission (or operation), one of the player's Platoon HQ units is assigned the player's name.  For the first mission (or operation) so played, the HQ unit's attributes should be edited so that all four categories of leadership are set to zero, and the unit's Experience is set to Regular.  (If historically correct, this can be altered to Green, for example, if the player is wishing to portray a member of a recently raised unit.)

The letter ID of the platoon HQ should be noted, as the statistics of both the platoon HQ, as well as the squads assigned to it, will be important.  Also, note the ID letters of any weapons units attached to the squad (EXAMPLE - a British infantry platoon has three squads that share the Platoon HQ's letter designation, however, there will also be a 2-in mortar team and a PIAT team.  Be sure to record the ID of the two teams attached to the platoon headquarters on paper, and only use the statistics generated by these two units, even if other teams come under commmand of the platoon HQ during the game.)

At the end of each battle (this includes battles during operations), use the map screen at the end of the game (access this from the After Action Report) and check the statistics of all the platoon's units.  Points are awarded as per the following table; a running total of points should be kept from battle to battle. 

After each battle, calculate the final running total of points; if the total is more than 20, remove 20 points from the total and designate one of the 4 leadership modifiers to be improved by a factor of 1.  This modifier will be the new higher total in all future battles.  The choice is a permanent one and the player may not opt to improve different categories in different battles.

If the total is below negative 20 points, add 20 to the total, and select a modifier to reduce by 1.  If all modifiers are zero, reduce the experience level of the HQ in future battles by a factor of one instead.  If the experience is already "Green" and all modifiers are already at zero, do not add 20 points to the total.  There is no other effect.

Part II - Decorations

The rules in Part II can be applied with or without those in Part I.   If used alone, they can be used in Quick Battles and other scenarios where the player cannot edit the units before hand.  As in the Part I rules, the player selects a Platoon HQ before each battle to represent him.  He is eligible to award his character the following decorations in accordance with his "achievements" in the various Combat Mission battles he plays.

The following is the list of decorations available under these rules, and the necessary conditions  for the bestowal of the awards.  Like the rest of these rules, these are a suggestion only.  On the battlefield, worthy candidates for these awards will no doubt present themselves.   Players in a campaign game setting may wish to set up an awards committee, or agree by general consensus on meritorious acts worthy of special attention.

The following conditions of award are expressed in Combat Mission terms and will not in most cases bear exact resemblance to real life practice.  For example, the real life Infantry Assault Badge was not dependent on the infliction of casualties by the recipient, but for purposes of these rules will be a deciding factor on whether or not the player's character was actually involved in combat.

Service Decorations The following decorations recognize service and are the easiest, relatively speaking, to receive; all one has to do is actively participate in combat - and to survive.
	Combat Leadership Tab	The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal Awarded automatically for completion of 18 months service in the Canadian Army; maple leaf device awarded for 6 months service overseas.  Players may consider this award automatic on beginning the Personal Campaign Game. The 1939-43 Star Awarded automatically for completion of 6 months service during the period 1939-43.  Players may wish to consider this an automatic award for British players.
Infantry Assault Badge (Awarded in Silver to Infantry troops and awarded in Bronze to Motorized Infantry troops) Participation in at least  three battles in which at least one of the platoon units either a) inflicts an infantry casualty, or, b) suffers one casualty	Combat Infantry Badge Player must survive for 180 calendar days of any campaign.	None
Close Combat Bar (Bronze) Participation in at least 15 battles in which at least 1 infantry casualty was caused by at least one of the platoon's units. EXCEPTION: If the player has become entitled to the Wounds Badge (see below) the requirement changes from 15 battle to 10 battles.	None	None
Parachute Qualification Badges These are mentioned here for the sake of completeness; those players whose characters are serving in parachute units may automatically be considered to have earned these badges as a normal part of their training (though for German paratroops by 1944, this was not actually the case).
Parachute Badge	Jump Wings	Canadian Jump Wings British Jump Wings
Wounds Badges As the Personal Campaign Game calls for the player's character to be represented by a multi-man unit, and casualties in Combat Mission are not specifically tracked, players must decide on a method for determining whether or not their character has suffered a wound or not.
Wounds Badge Awarded for suffering a wound in combat.  The first and second time the recipient qualifies for this award, a Black badge is received.   Silver is awarded for three or four awards, and Gold for five or more. The severity of the wound can also affect the class of badge awarded, but this is not relevant to the Personal Campaign Game.	The Purple Heart Medal Awarded for suffering a wound in combat.	Wound Stripe Awarded for suffering a non-fatal wound in combat.
Achievement Awards
Tank Destruction Badge One badge is awarded for each destroyed AFV credited directly to the Platoon HQ unit.  Upon destruction of the fifth AFV, the four silver badges are traded for one gold badge.  The player is not eligible for this award if units in his platoon other than the HQ unit destroy an AFV.	None	None
Bravery, Leadership and Gallantry Awards These awards are the hardest to distribute accurately.  There are two methods worthy of consideration: a)  The first method can only be done in the context of a Campaign Game with multiple human players; this method is also the optimum method.  That would be to have an awards committee, to which players would submit applications in the form of screen shots and After Action Reports providing evidence of some extraordinary deed their character is deemed to have committed.   Some campaigns may leave the bestowal of awards solely in the hands of the Gamemaster as well. b)  The second method is more rudimentary, but less open to interpretation.  In the course of a single battle, award points as described in Part One.  If in the course of a battle the requisite number of points has been achieved, that character is automatically bestowed the indicated award.   While this system leaves little room for argument, it does fail to appreciate truly "heroic" deeds committed in the game.  The point totals should be seen as a general guide only.  It also fails to recognize outstanding leadership, or succesful defensive actions, as the points are based on the more quantitative basis of kills inflicted.  In actual practice, VC winners were often survivors of intense combat where many of their unit were killed or wounded; this is hard to accurately portray in a purely points-driven system as given here. A combination of the two systems may also be found to be appropriate. For those opting for the "points" method, a suggested system is given under each medal type.  For purposes of medal awards, regardless of nationality or medal type, the Cowardice and Bravery points earned are NOT cumulative from battle to battle and qualfication by points must be done in the confines of a single battle.
The Iron Cross Second Class May only be earned or awarded once by/to an individual. To qualify, the player must earn 30 or more bravery points in a single battle on two seperate occasions.  Cowardice points earned in the same battle(s) are not used for this calculation.	The Bronze Star Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism. Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. If in any battle the player accumulates 30 Bravery points or more after Cowardice points are subtracted, a Bronze Star is awarded.   Additional awards of oak leaf clusters are made for achieving the same results in subsequent battles.  EXCEPTION if a Silver Star is merited instead, no Bronze Star or cluster is awarded.	Mention in Despatches Not a decoration per se, a soldier of any rank being Mentioned in Despatches was entitled to wear an oak leaf on the ribbon of the War Medal (which was not issued until after the War was over). This is the only award other than the VC that can be awarded posthumously. The Mention in Despatches can only be awarded or earned once. If in any battle the player accumulates 30 Bravery points or more after Cowardice points are subtracted, a Mention in Despatches is awarded.   EXCEPTION: if a MC or VC is merited, no MiD is awarded.
The Iron Cross First Class Cannot be earned or awarded unless the recipient has already earned the Iron Cross Second Class. To qualify, the player must already possess the Iron Cross Second Class, and earn 40 or more bravery points in a single battle on two seperate occasions.  Cowardice points earned in the same battle(s) are not used for this calculation. EXCEPTION - if in a single battle the player accumulates 80 bravery points (without deducting cowardice points) but does not hold the Iron Cross Second Class, he may be awarded both decorations simultaneously.	The Silver Star Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. If in any battle the player accumulates 40 Bravery points or more  after Cowardice points are subtracted, a Silver Star is awarded.  EXCEPTION if a Medal of Honor is merited instead, no Silver Star is awarded.	The Military Cross   Traditionally awarded to Warrant Officers and Junior Officers (Lieutenants and Captains)   Addtional awards are indicated by a rosette worn on the ribbon. If in any battle the player accumulates 40 Bravery points or more after Cowardice points are subtracted, a Military Cross is awarded.   If in a subsequent battle the player accumulates 50 Bravery points after Cowardice points are subtracted, he is eligible for the rosette.  EXCEPTION if a Victoria Cross is merited instead, no Military Cross or rosette is awarded.
The German Cross in Gold Cannot be earned or awarded unless the recipient has already earned the Iron Cross First Class. To qualify, the player must already possess the Iron Cross First Class; this may be given to Knight's Cross holders as well.   In addition, the player must earn 60 bravery points in a single battle; cowardice points earned in the same battle are not used for this calculation. EXCEPTION - if in a single battle the player accumulates 100 bravery points (without deducting cowardice points) but does not hold the Iron Cross First Class or Second Class, he may be awarded all three decorations simultaneously.
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Cannot be earned or awarded unless the recipient has already earned the Iron Cross First Class. To qualify, the player must already possess the Iron Cross First Class, and in addition must accumulate a total of 50 bravery points in any one single battle, AFTER cowardice points are deducted for that same battle.	The Medal of Honor If in any battle the player accumulates 50 Bravery points or more after Cowardice points are subtracted, a Medal of Honor is awarded.	The Victoria Cross The highest award for personal gallantry in the British Empire.  A miniature of the Cross was always worn on the ribbon; additional awards were indicated by a second miniature. If in any battle the player accumulates 60 Bravery points or more after Cowardice points are subtracted, a Victoria Cross is awarded.

The Knight's Cross, Medal of Honor, and Victoria Cross were exceedingly difficult to earn. 

As an example, of approximately 1 million servicemen and women to serve in the Canadian Navy, Army and Air Force in World War Two, only sixteen received the Victoria Cross.

Of these, 10 were from the Army.

Of these 10, two went to non-combatants (one chaplain and one medic).

Of the other eight,

One went to an infantry battalion commander.
One went to an armoured squadron commander.
Three went to infantry company commanders.
One went to an infantry Company Sergeant Major.
One went to an infantry platoon sergeant.
One went to an infantry private.

Throughout the Empire, 181 Crosses (and one second award) were awarded during World War Two (including British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Gurkha, Indian and South African troops).  The VC has only been awarded twice to the same man on three occasions throughout its history, and only once in the Second World War, to a New Zealander.

Part III (?) Rank

No discussion has been made on this page of military rank.  It is assumed for purposes of these rules that the player's character stays in the same rank; others may wish to optionally change this and make rank progression possible. 

Most Commonwealth platoon commanders held the rank of Lieutenant; some may have been Second Lieutenants but this rank appears to have been more rare in front line infantry units in the British or Canadian Armies than in the US Army.    Promotion to Captain almost always accompanied a move to other duties, such as company command.  Some platoon commanders in specialist platoons (ie the Carrier Platoon) were indeed Captains, but infantry platoons were not commanded by men of this rank.

In the German Army, on the other hand, only one in three platoon commanders was "officially" an officer, usually a Leutnant (Second Lieutenant).   It was not uncommon for an Oberleutnant (equal to a First Lieutenant or Lieutnenant in the US and Commonwealth armies respectively) to lead or command a company.  The other two platoon commanders were NCOs, so there is a bit more latitude with regards to rank in the German forces.

Methods of Wear

The most interesting way to track decorations and awards would be graphically; the following are the practices adopted by the various armies for the wearing of awards.

Method of insignia wear for a Canadian Lieutenant.  Wound stripes were always worn on the left sleeve, vertically, 6 inches from the cuff.  In the example at left, two stripes are worn indicating two wounds. Medal ribbons were worn in order of importance over the left breast, most important at the left.  In order of importance from left to right, this would have been Victoria Cross, Military Cross, 39-43 Star, CVSM.  The Mention in Despatches oakleaf was not worn until after the end of the war.

Method of insignia wear for a Panzergrenadier Oberleutnant.  The Iron Cross Second Class was normally worn from the second buttonhole, while the First Class was worn centred on the left breast pocket.  The Knight's Cross was worn at the throat, and the German Cross on the right breast pocket.  Assault badges (only one could be worn) were worn beside the Iron Cross, on the side closest to the centre of the body; the Wounds Badge was worn on the opposite side of the Iron Cross, also on the left breast pocket. Tank destruction badges were worn on the right sleeve.  Gold badges were worn above silver badges where both were present.

Worksheet

Players of the campaign game may find the following worksheet helpful to use for each battle played.

	Platoon HQ	Squad 1	Squad 2	Squad 3	Weapon 1	Weapon 2	Weapon 3	Weapon 4	Weapon 5
Unit Identification Number
Platoon casualties Suffered (- 2 points ea)
Platoon Men Captured (- 4 points ea)
Casualties Inflicted	+ 3 points ea	+ 2 points ea	+ 2 points ea	+ 2 points ea	+ 2 points ea	+ 2 points ea	+ 2 points ea	+ 2 points ea	+ 2 points ea
Enemy Captured (+ 4 points ea)
Platoon Units destroyed (- 5 points ea Unit)
Unit exited for VP (+ 3 points ea Unit)
Unit exited map (- 3 points ea Unit)
Unarmoured vehicle destroyed (+ 5 points ea)
Pillbox/bunker KO (+8 points ea)
AFV KO	+ 20 points ea	+ 10 points ea	+ 10 points ea	+ 10 points ea	+ 10 points ea	+ 10 points ea	+ 10 points ea	+ 10 points ea	+ 10 points ea
Subtotals

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