RUS Rifle Bdes

[SCAR]

When converting the horde of Russian rifle bde's to divisions, it seems that there is no difference on the toe between using 2 bde and 3. Is that right? If so, then using only two nets more divisions...

Anyone know for sure?

Scar

[charlie0311]

Two is better, sure. Three abn for Gd rd (rifle div).

[morvael]

Division is initially bigger, but it's not worth it. Unless you want it to defend Moscow hex

[SCAR]

Thanks for the input guys. So is the division bigger until it gets converted to a new TO&E, or is it exactly the same TO&E just with more initial manpower and equipment from the 3 bds rather than two? I would guess the later...

[Denniss]

Resulting div is bigger initially but any component TOE above 125% will be reduced to 125% via oversize reduction within some turns.
Div will not receive replacements until a component TOE is below 100%.

Example: Div may have 200 support squads in its main OB but after merging 3x Bdes to 1x Div you may have 300 Support squads which is 150% of its support squad component TOE. This will be reduced to 250 (125%) over some turns and replacements will only arrive if squads fall below 200.

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: SCAR

Thanks for the input guys. So is the division bigger until it gets converted to a new TO&E, or is it exactly the same TO&E just with more initial manpower and equipment from the 3 bds rather than two? I would guess the later...

its actual messier than that. As Denniss says you'll have far too much of some elements and still have the gaps where elements don't exist in the brigade TOE but do in the divisional TOE. Its this that can undermine the brigade-division strategy if you are not careful as you can end up with relatively low experience levels.

If you fill out the brigades to 100%, you'll get a division out of combining two of around 10,500 men, some gaps in the ToE, high morale and patchy experience. It'll start with a cv around 3. If you keep it in the rear long enough to build up experience in the new elements it can reach 4 (depends a bit how fast it sheds morale).

If you build a divisions with 3 brigades, you can produce a 5 cv monster (briefly). So if you really need a serious roadblock now, and have no means to use a rifle corps, a couple of those in poor terrain/behind a river will be a serious problem for the Germans.

But it is pretty inefficient, you are paying 15 admin pts (3 brigades) to buy a 10 admin pt rifle division that will shrink pretty quickly back down to the norm.

[Sorta]

Not wishing to hijack this, how many brigades does a normal RU player have in 1942?
I'm in end of '41 and the avalanche of free units is ending so should probably start building for GER '42 offensive.

[SCAR]

I am not sure on the exact number, but seems like around 30 or so, not counting the naval infantry bdes, or enough for a around two armies of 9 div an army.