Courier vs. Aide-de-Camp: Communications in the B & O WINTER Simulation

Couriers in the B & O Simulation are in endless supply and serve a specific function; they deliver a written correspondence from location to another. If they come across the enemy on the road while delivering orders or reports, a random roll of a die with determine whether the courier gets through, turns around, or is captured or killed. There is a possibility that the correspondence may fall into the hands of the enemy. The defense and/or disruption of communication lines could be part of a player's strategy during the simulation.

Whereas couriers are numerous and expendable, Aide-de-Camps are less so. An Aide-de-Camp is a trusted staff member who is able to deliver communications and make basic assessments of the military situation at a given location on behalf of the Division / District Commander. Each Aide-de-Camp is given randomly generated ability attributes that will be used throughout the simulation and will not be known to the players. The ability attributes will influence the Aide-de-Camp's ability to provide accurate troop estimates and to evade the enemy on the road.

Advantages sending an Aide-de-Camp instead of a courier include:

1. He can provide more information on his return than a courier would and can give basic assessments of enemy units sighted. 
2. He can be given verbal instructions and return with a verbal report. If killed or captured, the information will not fall into the hands of the enemy.
3. At worst, his ability to evade enemy troops on the road is the same as a courier. He may, however, have a higher ability and be able to go around the enemy.

The disadvantages of sending an Aide-de-Camp instead of a courier:

1. Each commander only has two Aides-de-Camp. If lost in action, they cannot be replaced during the course of the campaign.

The following table will be used if an ADC encounters the enemy: