SD:AOP Carrier (203mm) (UK)

 is a British Artillery unit. The Armoured Observation Post carrier is a modified Universal carrier outfitted with radios to order off-map artillery strikes at a given location.

Overview
The Universal Carrier, or the Bren Gun Carrier, is a series of mass-produced light armoured tracked vehicles used extensively by British and the Commonwealth forces during the Second World War. An adaptable vehicle, they were used to transport infantry, personnel and equipment. They also acted as a machine gun platform or a support weapon platform. Amongst others, they were used as flamethrower vehicles or as mortar platforms.

The AOP Carrier is a carrier acting as an artillery observer. The Battery Commander along with a Subaltern are issued a Armored Observation Post to serve as artillery observers. The AOP carries a crew of 4 the Driver, Observer, observation post assistant and signaller.

It directs a few volleys of powerful long-range artillery onto German positions. The barrage is launched by groups of 8-inch gun M1s, American-made artillery guns which the British Army also made use of in small numbers with 3 Super Heavy Regiment and 61 Super Heavy Regiment serving in the North West Europe. With an effective range of 32.584m, it boasted the longest firing range of any US Army field artillery gun in the Second World War.

Strategy
The AOP Carrier 203mm is a powerful late-game artillery observer unit, capable of directing devastating barrages onto German units. It is useful for rooting out enemy infantry or panic enemy formations. A player can follow up a barrage by an attack, as any soft unit not obliterated by the barrage will undoubtedly be pinned to the ground and will have trouble putting up effective resistance.

The unit is very weakly armoured and cannot withstand any punishment. Therefore it should be at all times be kept safe from enemy units. While it has to close in on a location in order to direct barrages, the bocage provides safety for the artillery unit from being observed by enemy troops.

As with all artillery observers, only three barrages (emergency - fire-for-effect - precision) can be directed. Once exhausted, the artillery observer unit can no longer order artillery strikes and this cannot be replenished.