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I am working on my US Late War Army based on buying things that I thought looked cool then deciding to make a set of lists for what I owned. (I have not actually played a game yet.)
I purchased several M8 Greyhounds and considered making a Recon Cavalry list out of Fortress Europe or Operation Cobra books but I cannot see how this list would do well.I am moving to making a list focused on Operation Cobra Tank Company.

It seems that the real life use for the recce platoons was find areas where the enemy was not and exploit them.If the enemy was about they had just about enough armor to run away and try to find another way.Basically they are pathfinders and not direct combat types.

It doesn't seem to me that this role actually works in the Flames of War objective system.

The question I have then is what real role can these M8 Greyhounds fill and should I actually incorporate them into a list.
I think they could be used for attacking infantry strong points such as machine gun nests and I also see them being useful as a screen to prevent ambushers from getting to your harder units.
Is either of these valid roles or are they worth the points to include in my Tank Company lists.

Another question would be...could a Cavalry Recon list actually be practical in the game?


Thanks for any feedback you can provide.
I hope to find opponents to play once I finish painting my collection (something that is going slowly).

I believe that greyhounds can form part of an M10 platoon.

Another question would be...could a Cavalry Recon list actually be practical in the game?

>I have been trying on and off for the last few years, but it is an uphill battle. Recon with all its .50cals will tear up infantry and armored cars/halftracks with ease, but even medium tanks leave them helpless

The Most competitive Late War US lists are US armoured Rifles followed by the Tank Coy out of Cobra, 2nd and 3rd Arm Div.

The M8's can be used in a recce platoon thats is a platoon in either an arm rifle or arm coy list. 2 M8, mtr jeep and recon jeep.

James Caan driving a jeep!

I have found that taking a recce force in a regular mission can be a bit of a challenge.

But these missions are fun
http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=111&kb_cat_id=32

I have been finding that all list need to be a mix of infantry, anti-armor, arty....and your special units in each list. I like the U.S. list but recon units are tricky and easily knocked out. especially if they don't have support. I have been using "Stewart M5" tanks as a quasi recon unit. they are fast, pack some firepower , can get close to units fast. Yes they don't have the "eyes and ears" recon rule. but they can last a bit and do some damage.