Untermensch said:
(...)One example: Before the Purges the Soviet had an armored force structure much like the Germans(...)
As I said, I basically agree with effect on RKKA (temporary drop of effectiveness in 1937-1939 time), but the quote above needs some backup...
Could you tell me, what makes you think that? What exactly was similar? I've heard this argument so many times and I'm always amused...
In late 30-ties Germans were using tanks and motorized divisions. Basic doctrine for those units was new "Blitzkrieg war" - fast attack of mixed tank-infantry group, supported closely by air units.
In late 30-ties, Soviets were using so called "mechanized groups". Those were mixed tank-
cavalry formations based on brigades, designed to create confusion deep in enemy territory, running as far as they could. Basic doctrine for that was so called "Deep operation". Interesting thing about those units is the fact, that they didn't have infantry support - tank in those units served as more advanced cavalryman. They had also almost no logistic support - spped was essential, ability to fight in case of serious opposition - no. Those units were also not intended to break enemy defense - they were supposed to fill a gap after the artillery and infantry with their tanks broken the defense line.
Around 1936-1937 Soviets had so many tanks, that mechanized groups could not take more of them. Groups were reorganized by creating bigger tank brigades (like with over 100 tanks). Speed of those units was not really slower (check the raports from Polish Campaign or Chalkin Gol if you don't believe), and infantry divs recieved rest of the tanks.
Around 1940, when new generation of tanks started to leave production lines (and under German influence - France 1940), new reorganization took place - tank divisions were created. Soviet army stared to modify it's doctrine using German example.
Conclusion - Soviets before the war didn't use similar organization nor doctrine. They had their own concept of tank use, and this concept was more or less used in 1937-1942 years. Later their reorganized tank units gained motorized infantry support (even independent brigades had some infantry sub-units). Their concept only looked similar.
An assembly line is an assembly line. It is a concept where the item being assembled does not normally make a difference. You break a large task into small ones, and then have specifically trained personnel perform each of the small tasks. Why do you think the auto industry was also called upon to build aircraft? Ships are different because they are so large, you can't really move them along an assembly line. The Higgins boats may have been made that way though. A part of the German's tank production problems was that they used locomotive manufactures to handle a sizable chunk of their production.
Ok, we will discuss it on the team forum. Vehicle Mass Production is important tech, and we usually are very cautious in adding something that can potentially make game too easy/too unbalanced.
Thank you for responding. Sometimes posting suggestions is like throwing money down a hole.
No problem. I try as hard as I can to answer all the questions.
