A couple of questions about unit prep

[wadail]

ORIGINAL: jeffk3510

wadail, you must be from Kansas with a picture like that [:D]

LOL.. close.. NE Oklahoma.

[olperfessor]

Is there any benefit to having a construction engineering unit or an aviation support unit prepped for its base? I do this routinely but always have the sense that it does not matter.

[BBfanboy]

Since you seem to be concerned about your Chinese units in non-base hexes, you need to know that if a unit sits in a non-base hex for a while it will begin to build fortifications - up to level 3, I think. This helps immensely on defence against greater Japanese firepower.
The time needed to get these fortifications depends a lot on supply. Engineers are not required for low-level fort building [think trenches and coconut palm logs], but if they are present the building goes faster.
All of this means you should decide your "line of defence" early and get your troops to the hex so they can build before the enemy arrives. Even if not resting, morale seems to improve if they sit still and build fortifications in the woods/on mountains.

[wadail]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Since you seem to be concerned about your Chinese units in non-base hexes, you need to know that if a unit sits in a non-base hex for a while it will begin to build fortifications - up to level 3, I think. This helps immensely on defence against greater Japanese firepower.
The time needed to get these fortifications depends a lot on supply. Engineers are not required for low-level fort building [think trenches and coconut palm logs], but if they are present the building goes faster.
All of this means you should decide your "line of defence" early and get your troops to the hex so they can build before the enemy arrives. Even if not resting, morale seems to improve if they sit still and build fortifications in the woods/on mountains.

And the terrain helps. I seem to be able to stop the Japanese much better in Burma when I pull back to a river and let the units "dig in". Of course, you rin the risk of having your flank turned by an amphibious invasion.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: jmalter

Prep is essential for non-amph land combat - just lately i had ~1750 Indian/Brit AV headed for Singers, they ran into the IJ Imperial Guards Div (& about 10 aux units) fortified at Alor Star. Commonwealth got spanked badly, trying to steamroll that position. I withdrew everyone to Singora for rest/rebuild/prep, after 2 months they had enough moxie to return (at ~85% prep). they captured Alor Star on the 1st deliberate attack. target prep made all the difference between the one result & t'other.

You would not believe how quickly AV degrade during combat, and how quickly it recovers, when LCU rest in base, out-of-combat. Most probably you began battle with lots of disabled squads, in the first place. Also, non-disabled Combat Engineers do wonders.

i gather that HQ units don't add in their combat bonus, unless they're at least 50% prepped for the target.

I am pretty sure they work even without target set. Just recently I had two divisions in China attacking Chinese base, mostly at 1:2. Once HQ got into range, base fell in first attack. None of the unit was preparing for that base.
Oh, and mentioning recent discussion about industry damages. Battle took about 3 weeks, and I captured base INTACT.

[BBfanboy]

Yeah, the damage to industry depends on enemy engineers being present when the base fell. Engineers set the demolition charges. Lots of eng = lots of damage. Since Chinese infantry units lack engineers it is not unusual to have no base or industry damage when they retreat.