Division of Command

[GPounda]

Good morning;

So here is my question for today;

is it possible to, and if so how do you, split an army while keeping the units under the same commander?

Take Fall Sichelschnitt (Plan: Sickle,) for example. . . three Army Groups and seven Armies for the invasion of the low countries (96 divisions.)

I put a field Marshall in charge of each Army Group, but how to I plan the Armies so they don't lose the skill and bonuses of the Field Marshall?

I've tried to only do the armies and not the Army Groups, but there is no cohesion, and the Allies always punch through.

Take Army Group C - two armies, the 1st and the 7th. The 1st consisted of sixteen divisions aligned between the Luxembourg border and the Rhine. The 7th army consisted of nine divisions along the Rhine to the Swiss border. Historically Army Group C consisted of 24 infantry and 1 mountain divisions

I have 28 divisions (25 infantry and 3 mountain,) under Field Marshall von Kludge

The AI doesn't come close to the historical alignment, fluctuating between 2 - 16 divisions where the 7th army should be.

I think it would be nice to be able to build your Higher command (similar to the HQ battalions of HOI-2.) To be able to assign a General for your armies and a Field Marshall for your Army Groups.

This way your armies could attack in a specific direction/area, while the overall objective of the Army Group is still operating as a cohesive unit and not independent individual elements.

Thoughts?

 

[DamdIfINo99]

I think I use a similar method more based on the HOI IV system than historical strategy.

1. 24+ Div Army Groups or "Army Corps"
Field Marshall traits help on the grand scale so - like you - I use them on entire front lines (FM commanding 100 INF Div on Reich-USSR border). FMs help greatly on the grand scale and will be able to level their skill up fairly quickly. Bear in mind that with an average combat width of 20 and a front line width of - for example - 20 provinces, then 80 divisions will safely hold an entire front line with a 100% effectiveness in combat (occupying all 80 combat width). This is IMO ideal. HOWEVER, these 60+ Div Army Corps are almost entirely infantry with the only ARM, MOT, or MEC forces being left overs from...

2. 24 Div Army Groups or "Army Groups"
These are my forces that are dedicated to attack. I tend to avoid regular Infantry Battalions in these AGs and focus more on the ARM, MOT, and MEC with occasional Mountain Detachments for breaking through in certain regions. These are better and more appropriately commanded by Generals. Assuming you have 24/24 ATK-focused divisions, their experience will greatly increase and objectives will easily be seized by a brutal attacking force.

3. Army Corps-Group Coordination
While the Army Corps will have a front line over the entire border, these 24 Divisions will occupy 6-10 provinces and have offensive lines that are focused on major cities, mountains, or rivers. The seemingly "broken" front line system benefits the Army Corps because they'll move to support the advancing frontline. The Army Groups don't have enough DEF units to hold against counter offensives but the Inf Div from the Army Corps will.

4. Alternate Deployment of Army Corps
Im currently contemplating the Infantry Division design bouncing between the 7 Inf 2 Art set up (balance between S.ATK and DEF) or a 10 Inf set up (optimal DEF). If you're looking for an effective FM, gaining experience, or using Grand Battleplan or Superior Firepower, then I would recommend the 7I/2A and have the Army Corps advance 1-5 provinces into enemy territory or make even deeper advances into enemy territory.


My Test for this Strategy
Front Line:
German-occupied Poland/ Lithuania/ Romania
vs
Soviet-occupied Latvia and 1936 Poland-Soviet Border.
(Approx 35 province front)

My Armies in "German Theater East"
"Army Corps East" - 180 Infantry Divisions
"Army Group A" - 24 MOT/ARM Divisions
"Army Group C*" - 24 MOT/ARM Divisions
"** Army Group 'Rommel'" - 24 MEC/ARM Divisions
"Fallschirmjager Group No. 1" - 24 PARA Div
"Marine Force No. 1" - 24 MAR Div, 12 Reserve

*Army Group B in West*
*Reserve*
"Army Training Corps" - 48 Infantry Divisions, 24 Reserve

Plan:
AG-A planned to invade Latvia/Estonia. MF/1 planned to invade Leningrad. FJ/1 planned to drop into Eastern Estonia and on any rivers.

AG-Rommel planned to invade Northeen Ukraine, bypass Crimean peninsula. AG-C planned to reinforce AG-Rommel, assist in encircling around Crimean Peninsula. ATC likely to be called up to reinforce.

 

[Emden1]

My last game as Germany, I use three Army Groups for Russia (playing Germany). Invasion was Aug 1941.

(all units have Combat-with of 20 - all ground units have Anti Tank Capabilities)
Army Group North had 30 MOT, 30 INF, 3 SS MOT and 6 Med Tank Divisions.
Army Group Central had 19 Marines and 10 MOT divisions.
Army Group South had 40 Infantry, 27 MOT and 25 Romanian mixed divisions.
All Army Groups commanded by Field Marshalls and I directed selected units at needed times.

Occupation force: 40 security/MP divisions

Air Force: 600 TAC, 400 CAS, 600 INT and 300 Heavy Fighters
Surface Navy: patrolled the Baltic Sea (8 capital ships and many screens)
Raiders: 5 subs in the Baltic and 5 subs Northern Atlantic (north of Norway)

Reserves: none, but building constant flow of 5 INF, 5 MOT and 3 Med Tank Divisions to go against the Eastern Front.

Plan: Historical usage of the three Army Groups.

This is about as low as I would go and hope for victory. It was a long war, if Italy lost or America DOWed, I would of suffered.