arty direct spt only

[Phoenix100]

Maybe I'm just being very stupid here, but I've had a look at the manual, and still can't understand the exact menaing of this option. Arty direct spt only. Does this mean, if I plan a batallion level attack, and check the box, that this, and only this batallion that I've put in the attack will get on call support from the regimental artillery? or does it mean only this batallion will get support from it's own batallion arty (if it has any). What I mean is - does checking the box put a limit on the use of the arty which 'belongs' to the formation in the order/in the attack, or does it limit the arty belonginh to the parent organisation also (the regiment, if you plan a batallion attack)? Anyone know?

[Lieste]

Taking a German Rgt - if you don't include this option, then any German unit can and will 'use' the Artillery of this unit. This might mean that your reserves find themselves out of 120mm and 75mm ammunition more often than you'd like (81mm and 150mm ammunition is shorter ranged, so often this is only called in support of the organic force).

If you give an order to the Rgt with Direct Support only, then only units in the same order group will be able to spot for the fires. (I think - it could possibly also include organic units but my assumption is not).

So Orders to 751 Rgt would allow any unit of 751 to bring in fires from 4.I/751 (mor & IG), 8.II/751 (mor & IG) and 10.751 or 13.751 (hvy Mor & IG).
What I assume is that if orders are given to I/751, II/751 and HQ 751 separately, then 4.I/751 would only respond to calls from I/751 elements, 8.II/751 only to calls from II/751 elements and 13.751 only to calls from itself, the HQ and Base. This doesn't prevent the player directing fires from these units, but it does allow the FS assets to be corralled in another way to limit/control the areas they will engage on the map, while allowing the AI to provide limited fires in direct support of ground operations.

Personally, I prefer to rest my artillery when it isn't moving, so It doesn't fire on-call at all - light stuff is left in the Bn task-groups, and once they are firing I may add some heavy fires to back them up. Mostly I keep my artillery as my main reserve - the ammunition is there to be used, but the AI is too fond of just pounding enemy dug-in in towns 4-5km behind the lines, without consideration for ammunition usage, or whether neutralisation is useful. This leaves troops unsupported when a neutralisation barrage is required, either to break up and enemy attacking group in the open, or to dislodge a stubborn defender before a dismounted attack goes in (again). Also you may not have the supply stocks or capacity to fill every unit's stocks every day - so I try to limit fires to keep full(ish) stocks if the infantry is supplied and full usage of the SEP is taken.