Best way to replicate an anti-tank ditch?

[George MC]

I'm looking to recreate an anti-tank ditch for a scenario I'm working on.
I've tried using the terrain levels in the Editor. However I ended up creating something that although steep enough to stop tanks more resembled the Grand Canyon rather than an a/t ditch :rolleyes:
I have also tried using large shell holes but they only slow down attacking armour rather than stop it :(
Anyone come up with a soltution to this that creates an a/t ditch that is both effective, reasonably realistic looking and not to obtrusive visually? :confused:

[WWB]

Usually I use terrain dropped 5 or 10m with rough in it. Looks half-decent and has the proper effect.

WWB

[George MC]

Originally posted by WWB:
Usually I use terrain dropped 5 or 10m with rough in it. Looks half-decent and has the proper effect.

WWB Aye cheers for that - I'll give it a shot smile.gif

[farmerch]

make a small ditch and then put roadblocks in there. doesn't look bad and makes a point for any tank driver.

[Hans]

Flat rubble in a depression works too as WWB says

The easiest way is to use the Brocage hedge in Cmak - double lines of that, doesn't look that authentic but works just fine

[Hans]

Ah forgot to mention if you want a ditch that is "maybe" passable by a vehicle use a depression and put daisy chain mines it it - the vehicle then has a chance to pass thru or get immobilized.

If you want to have engineers "ramp" or "clear" the ditch use multiple daisy chains to slow down the engineers.

[WWB]

Hmm, I like your way of thinking Hans.

One could even make the ditch soft ground to differentiate it visually plus add the effect of increased bogging in the dug-up earth.

Hedgerows will stop vehicles, at least axis ones and allied before August 44, but they will also block LOS, and probably slow down infantry too much for my tastes.

WWB

[Hans]

Howdy WWB

The hedgerow is good if you need an impenetrable one at certain times, LOS is handled by putting it in a ditch!

By far the best way is (if you want it breachable) (but it takes a bit of time) is a terrain ditch with mines in it. Soft ground is a good liner too

I use daisy chain mines in this way in an upcoming scenario, Small Battles, Sigh Bridge set in May 1940.

It'll be out in a few days after I check it once again.

[George MC]

Originally posted by Hans:
Ah forgot to mention if you want a ditch that is "maybe" passable by a vehicle use a depression and put daisy chain mines it it - the vehicle then has a chance to pass thru or get immobilized.

If you want to have engineers "ramp" or "clear" the ditch use multiple daisy chains to slow down the engineers. Hey I like that idea. Sounds cunning - so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a weasel!
Thanks for that idea Hans, I'm away to try that out :D
ps I was trying with large craters set in soft ground - adding the mines will possibly make a visually appealing (realistic?) ditch plus with the bonus of slowing/stopping armour.

[Hans]

It might! When Small Battles, Sigh Bridge get put up (problem with slow playtesters) take a look you'll see another idea for way to do obstacles.

Weasel? Sloat actually

[George MC]

Originally posted by Hans:
Weasel? Sloat actually Ye might be great at designing a/t ditches but I'm afraid yer small furry animal recognition is a bit wee bit off - Waesels have the tails (some long some short) stoats are the small sausage like things with - no tails :D

[Hans]

Ah, I'm speaking about the yellow mutant sloats of Muscat of course!

[Hans]

My new scenario, Small Battles, Sigh Bridge. Uses this technique (putting daisy chain mines into a structure using the editor).

This represents a damaged bridge which can be cleared and repaired by engineers.

[junk2drive]

you could put marsh in the bottom for impassable ditch http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Gilberts/img/USA-P-Gilberts-p92a.jpg
Gilbert islands, from Hyperwar site