IronDuke_slith -> RE: 1.08 Discussion (11/10/2014 4:34:58 PM)
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ORIGINAL: Wuffer /OT quote:
ORIGINAL: loki100 agree in part, ie both sides chucked battalions/regiments into a formation in contact to refill it (eg the Soviet feeding in of reserves at Stalingrad). But every account of the war from the Soviet perspective mentions 'xxxx army was drawn into Stavka reserve'. This seemed to happen after a major battle or when the Soviets were building up and shifting reserves. When ever they could, they did of course. Or when they really must, in other words when the formation was unready (= 'trashed beyond any recognition'). On paper, a German division of 16'000 for example consists of 3 x regiments á 108 squads x 10 man. Add to this platoon HQs, heavy MGs etc., even the recce Btn and you will be still under 4'000 bayonet strengh = the poor guys that actually shot at the other poor guys = 20-25 %. While 10-20% losses didn't sound so much (with the exception of those who had been in the fire) and were not uncommon, in reality this risks already the complete Division as a coherent fighting unit because the majority of the casualities happened in the rifle squads. 20 % losses could mean half of the companies completly wiped out... and this is something which you did not want to fix in the field, I agree. But the German had to do, because they were allready lacking any reserves; at some part during '41 the complete strategic reserve were exactly 1 Inf.-Div and 1 Pz.-Div - for the whole eastern theatre. As said, pulling formations out of the front to refill them was more the american way, whenever the germans or sowjet pulled something out, you could guess there was not much blood left :-( edit: this was not meant directly for you, Loki, as you know all this stuff as well, but more for the developers (not Morveal/denniss in this case)... infantry squads should have highest priority in building and not heavy arty or expensive Calvry or fancy infantry guns for an army already on full retreat... The Americans were actually the one side that did refit at the front to some extent. They fielded relatively few infantry divisions, and their replacement system funnelled men wherever they were required. Look at the Bulge. The four infantry divisions that were hit were resting and refitting in this "quiet" sector of the front line rather than miles behind the front etc. Regards, ID
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