Slovak army

[ChuckBerger]

There is no case for the inclusion of 2 full-strength Slovak divisions in AGS, with combat capabilities, training and morale fully equivalent of 2 German infantry divisions, for the full duration of the campaign.

At the beginning of Barbarossa, the Slovak forces consisted of 2 divisions, plus the “Pilfousek” mechanised brigade. The Pilfousek brigade was an effective unit, but the 2 divisions were poorly trained and equipped, and had inadequate logistical support. They were totally unsuited to front-line operations, and were never used in a front-line role. In practice, they were only used in rear area security duties. Their capabilities were at best equivalent to a security division, not a front-line unit.

In August 1941, the Slovak forces were reorganised into a security division and a “fast” division, which was a genuine combat unit that performed adequately. This unit saw combat from September at Kiev onward with AGS.

In game terms, this should be reflected as follows:

From start: only the Slovak brigade should be represented, perhaps as a +15% attachment to one of the 17th Army infantry divisions. The 2 Slovak divisions should be deleted, they simply weren’t combat-capable units and should be assumed to be on security duties.

From late August: remove the Slovak brigade as an attachment, and have a single Slovak infantry division join 17th army. It should probably have Hungarian or Romanian troop type, if you’re not going to have a separate Slovak troop type. Experience and morale should be less than the German equivalent.

The Second Slovak division was a security division, and should not be present in the game.

Aside from being more accurate, these changes will take a bit of the punch out of German AGS, which typically in this game advances far more quickly than in real life. By mid-game, the Germans should be feeling really stretched in terms of infantry in AGS.

This may seem like a trivial change, but I think every little bit will help in simulating more accurately the situation in AGS.

[lancer]

Hi ChuckBerger,

We've got a couple of Slovak Players who would be mightily distressed at your suggestions.

I'll put it on the list to check the research.

Cheers,
Cameron