So, been thinking about FAOs and armies that don't have access to them, and how painful that can be. As Mark B pointed out in recent discussion which also referenced the memoirs of a Soviet arty officer, even the least capable militaries were capable of stringing a field telephone to a battery, and running it to a FAO position (in general*).
Whilst under the context of a BKC game this might not be something you could set up on the fly, I'm half convinced there should be an option for an immobile FAO to represent pre-positioned observers.
Under Hasty or Fixed defence I'm thinking an army without option for a FAO should have a fixed position FAO at CV6 available, a little like a command bunker (but not adding to CV, unless you buy both!).
Say 15pts as normal, stats as normal except no move allowed, if forced to retreat in close combat is overrun and destroyed.
I'd also let them buy them if on the attack and using static deployment. They'd be handy for the first few turns if positioned well but you'd get the classic "we've out run the arty, aieee!" situation which would be good
What do people think?
* e.g. read some stuff on the Japs at Khalkin Go, Bataan and Kohima, and even in prepared, positional warfare allowing them anything other than preplanned assets seems a bit generous!