Tutorial - Artillery Operations

D+22 | 11 August 1989, 01:00hrs - 13:00hrs vs @ Bad Neustadt

To launch this tutorial, navigate to the Help menu within Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War. Open the Field Manuals folder and locate the FM03B Tutorial Operations: Intermediate.pdf file. Follow the instructions outlined in Section 4 to begin Tutorial - Artillery Operations.

NOTE: Only playable as Player 1

Artillery Operations are critical to modern combined arms warfare. This tutorial introduces the player to the core functions and tactical employment of artillery assets—leveraging indirect fire to support maneuver forces, suppress enemy positions, and shape the battlespace with precision and overwhelming firepower.

In this scenario, players will assume command of various artillery platforms, including tube artillery (howitzers) and rocket artillery systems, and learn how to integrate these assets with forward observers (FOs), the Fire Support Coordination Center (FSCC), and other tactical units. Artillery fire will be employed for a range of mission types, including:

High-Explosive (HE) fires for suppression and destruction

Illumination (ILL) rounds to enhance visibility and expose enemy forces

Counter-battery fire to locate and destroy enemy artillery units

Scatterable mine deployment to deny key terrain

Awareness of nuclear and chemical delivery systems, which are not used in this tutorial but are part of Cold War-era doctrine

This tutorial focuses on conventional artillery operations, but understanding the full spectrum of fire support capabilities is essential to developing sound tactical judgment.

This tutorial is designed for new and returning players who have completed earlier tutorials. Familiarity with the user interface, basic unit control, and movement is recommended. Prior exposure to forward observers and support coordination will enhance your ability to execute artillery tasks effectively.

NOTE: This scenario is intentionally challenging and may sometimes feel difficult or impossible. This high difficulty is by design and offers valuable learning opportunities.

Upon completion of this tutorial, you will be able to:

Select and prioritize targets based on tactical impact

Request and coordinate fire missions via the FSCC

Employ tube and rocket artillery for sustained support

Use forward observers to spot and adjust fire

Execute suppression, illumination, and counter-battery missions

Understand the doctrinal context of nuclear and chemical artillery delivery in Cold War-era planning

WARNING: Hostile ground forces are present on the map. Players must now conduct Artillery Operations and maintain situational awareness of enemy movements.

Artillery is often called the “King of Battle” due to its decisive effect in offensive and defensive operations. During the Cold War, NATO and Warsaw Pact forces relied on massive artillery barrages to disrupt formations, fix enemy forces, and shape the battlefield before decisive maneuver. Doctrinal concepts such as deep fires, counterfire zones, and pre-planned fire missions were central to shaping enemy behavior and protecting friendly forces. Artillery coordination required integration with the FSCC, forward observers, and intelligence elements to ensure fires were accurate, timely, and synchronized. This tutorial brings those principles to life, providing players with a foundational understanding of artillery dominating the modern battlefield.

Scenario by JohnO | Map by William van der Sterren