Defensiveness and Entrenchment

[12doze12]

I have been delving into the mechanics of Land Combat in Hoi3 and wondering a bit about the difference between Defensiveness and Entrenchment from a realism standpoint or what they mean to represent.

Defensiveness is related to Toughness as they both refer to the ability to defend. Now, naturally some divisions are better at defending then attacking. This is present by the difference between a division's defensiveness and toughness since its attack is constant both while attacking and defending. Entrenchment on the other hand is a modifier applied to combat and depends on the number of days the division had to prepare(with some limit). My question is what is the actual difference between Defensiveness and Entrenchment in real WW2-era warfare? There is no doubt that an infantry division is better at defending than attacking(or at least we can say that when attacking, the division exposes itself much more and naturally will have more casualties). But if the division defending had no time to prepare and "entrench", wouldn't it have essentially the same defensive capacity as if it was attacking, being fully exposed to the enemy and depending only on the natural terrain characteristics to improve its defense?

 

[themousemaster]

Generally speaking, the Attacker chooses when to attack, the defender chooses where to defend.

Even if you haven't had time to dig entrenchments, lay wire, or place mines, if it is THEY who are coming to YOU, you can still choose which hill to lie behind, which tree to snipe from, or which bush to hide your AT gun under. That is Defensiveness.

 

[Kovax]

There are several considerations on Defense, including doctrines and training for the use of machineguns and mortars to break an attack, the siting of foxhole and trenches, and the design of the equipment to do the job.

Entrenchment bonuses are a matter of how long the defending unit has to put these concepts into practice in prepared positions, with barbed wire, mines, obstacles, and other measures, rather than hastily dug foxholes and slit trenches. The tools and training are one thing, the time to implement them to the fullest extent is another.

 

[12doze12]

Yeah you are right. I didn't really consider the different use of equipment between defense and attack. That makes it much more clear. Thanks!

 

[Phili]

Presumably this is why Engineers; which in real life would have heavy Earth moving and construction equipment, give Defense bonuses to Divisions.
Would an ingame division with some type of Infantry + HArm + Eng be an immovable obstacle?