Entrenching or Leaving a Detachment ?

[Tzar007]

Haven't seen it mentioned in the User Guide, but does anybody how much of a penalty on the enemy movement is when you leave a detachment ?

I'm asking it since I often wonder which one one of the 2 is better:

• Expend my unit action capability by leaving a detachment and withdrawing on my new defensive line, hoping the enemy will be really slowed down and unable to reach me next turn
• Withdraw on my new defensive line, and use my action capability to entrench instead and face the incoming enemy in the best possible conditions

You've got only one action to make with your units in a turn so knowing what kind of movement penalty represents a detachment would help deciding in which case I better keep my action capability for entrenching instead [:)]

[Tempest_slith]

The detachment movement penalty value is set by the scenario designer and can vary by side.
 
In the as-released Kharkov, the value is 5 MP for both sides.

[iberian]

ORIGINAL: Tzar007

You've got only one action to make with your units in a turn so knowing what kind of movement penalty represents a detachment would help deciding in which case I better keep my action capability for entrenching instead [:)]

Take into account that not every combat unit is capable of entreching. This is specially true of many soviet units, including infantry regiments. This represent the fact that these units lacked the tools and training to build even hasty defenses.

In such case, your only option is to leave some of your guys behind, as a detachment, while the rest runs away... I mean, while the rest takes an operational defensive stance toward the reaguard.

You will see that some infantry and artillery regiments start the campaign entrechend, in prepared positions, but after they move, they will not be able to entrench anymore.

This game is good. Really good.

[Gregor_SSG]

ORIGINAL: Tzar007

Haven't seen it mentioned in the User Guide, but does anybody how much of a penalty on the enemy movement is when you leave a detachment ?

I'm asking it since I often wonder which one one of the 2 is better:

• Expend my unit action capability by leaving a detachment and withdrawing on my new defensive line, hoping the enemy will be really slowed down and unable to reach me next turn
• Withdraw on my new defensive line, and use my action capability to entrench instead and face the incoming enemy in the best possible conditions

You've got only one action to make with your units in a turn so knowing what kind of movement penalty represents a detachment would help deciding in which case I better keep my action capability for entrenching instead [:)]

It's always an intriguing choice. If the unit in question will end up in a hex on its own, then it is probably better of entrenching, to get the defence bonus, and the modifiers to Indirect Fire and Retreat chance.

If it will end up as part of a stack where other units are entrenched then it is worth considering, though more for the fact that the detachment denies a tactical shift from the hex in which it is left, than for the MP penalty it imposes on the enemy.

Gregor

[Fred98]

If withdrawing down a road, and the terrain on either side is somewhat rough, it is worthwhile leaving a detachment, as this certainly slows the enemy.
 
Hopefully it will slow him  enough so that you can entrech on the next turn before he reaches youre defensive position.
 
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[Tzar007]

Thanks guys for these thoughtful recommendations and advices. Much appreciated [:)]