Mehring
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Schmart
I've noticed that too in my games as the Axis that went into 43-44, particularly that Panthers commonly seemed to end up in my PzGren Divs. This was historically not the case. By the time Panthers were coming available, PzGren Divs were re-organizing largely along the lines of a Stug or JgPz Bn. Panthers were meant to be a specialized tank vs tank weapon, not a role PzGren Divs were generally meant to be employed in. It would take some digging, but off the top of my head I can't think of any (certainly not multiple) instances of Panthers used in PzGren Divs, other than perhaps SS or GrossDeutschland Divs before they were officially redesignated as Panzer Divs.
It also seems to me that by late 42, (historically) most Panzer Bns in Mot Divs were rather whittled down, and into 43 losses were essentially made up with Stugs rather than more PzIII/IVs. Perhaps another option would be to create an interim TOE between the 42 Motorized and 43 PzGren Div that reflects a lower priority for tanks and makes for a better shift to Stugs?
I think I recall reading that the Brandenberg PzG had panthers at one point. The problem at this point in the game's development is that the generalisations of ToOE do not account for the many variations. Neither, in spite of great dedication from the devs, is the equipment swap routine able to replicate history.
You'll find that as well as ahistorical tank allocations, the first units to receive new equipment such as MG 42, PaK 38/PaK 40 are those that would have received it last historically- rear echelon occupation and fort units.
I don't wish to add complexity and micromanagement to the game for those who don't want it, but I do feel that the non-unit specified ToOE system has much to answer for here. Really, you will see in each division not a ToOE but a ToE. Instead of a division diplayed in its numerous regimental/battalion/company constituents, a division is, and is broken down to "regiments" from, a tally of all its individual and squad elements. This makes it very difficult to replicate historical use of equipment and impossible to break down divisions for the specific tasks a player might require.
For those happy to let the AI do it for them, the change I'm proposing should not detract from the game. For micromanagers and those wishing for more historical use of equipment, it will add much. Instead of the tally we see of squads and individual vehicles/guns when looking at a division or brigade, would it not be better to display the sub-unit organisation of the unit in question as well? If you click on a regiment within a division, perhaps you might see listed its constituent battalions as well as the elements that they comprise, within these, its companies etc. It would surely not be such a leap as the tally of squads/equipment we have presently, is surely derived from knowledge of sub-unit composition.
With such a display one could then allocate equipment from a list of historical options, much as you can currently change an air group's equipment, though perhaps such swap outs might be treated as "requests" rather than be automatically accomplished.
It would be entirely possible, then, to replicate historical equipment swap outs such as, for example, the German divisional anti-tank battalion which tended to receive new PaK 38s, later PaK 40s, before regimental AT units, which retained the PaK 35/36 and PaK 38 respectively. Security divisions would not get the best equipment any more, ever, unless you happened to be swimming in the stuff.
The current PzG tank battalion problem arises, I suspect, from either an exhaustion of ToOE types in the game or the fact that StuGs and Meds are two different vehicle categories. It's difficult to allow for both to occupy the same slot without creating untoward consequences in other ToOEs. My proposal would give those PzG divs blessed with a tank battalion, a battalion which they could fill with StuGs, Pz III, or whatever, as their equipment pools and historical usage allowed. I currently have hundreds of StuGs sitting in pools with nowhere to go while meds are assigned as soon as they run off the production lines, often to units they should not belong to.
Using the same sub-unit depiction those not wanting a default regimental breakdown, might break a division down into two or more battle groups tailor made for the tasks they are intended for. An infantry regiment with the AT battalion, a company from the AA battalion and no arty, perhaps. Whatever you feel the situation requires.
< Message edited by Mehring -- 1/2/2016 8:07:28 PM >
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PzGren OB - 
I think this is a nice solution. Thanks for the quick action!
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