Issue creating new Corps

[pchandler43]

I seem to be running into a problem where after selecting the appropriate amount of units (according to the manual) and attempting to assign them to a new Corps (Soviet in this particular case) I receive no feedback that the new Corps has been created at all. As far as I can tell I'm meeting all the requirements, but I'm not getting any indication that the new unit is being built. I'm new to this game so I'm not sure what I'm missing.

[morvael]

Maybe you try to do it too early? Maybe units belong to different HQs? List what you are trying to merge and the date.

[Denniss]

Rifle Corps are created by reforming 3x Rifle Div or 2x Rifle div + 1 Rifle Bde, this is possible from June 1942.
You may do the same with 3x Cavalry Divs into Cav Corps from 12/41 on.
3x Tank Bde may be reformed into Tank Corps from 4/42 on
All three source units have to be at the same hex and assigned to the same HQ. Use the 'b' key to build the Corps.

[morvael]

There are also Mechanized Corps from Motorized / Mechanized Brigades from 8/42 or something like that.
It's not possible create Mountain Corps though.

[pchandler43]

Sorry for the late reply,

To answer the question of timeframe; I'm referring specifically to the instructions given in the tutorial for the steam version of the game. When I select the units as instructed, which are located in the exact same positions indicated in the manual directions, I don't receive any feedback that the unit has been created. Is there a message that pops up? Some sort of visual que that the new Corps has been formed?

[Denniss]

You have to move the three units to the same location to create a corps, the encircled units on the image just show possible combinations for a Corps. Once they are at the same location and all have at least one moving point left press 'b' and you see the three units be replaced by a single Rifle Corps.

[STEF78]

beware of naval rifle brigades, they can't be used to create a rifle corps

[821Bobo]

Are you sure with naval rifle? I thought only naval infantry can't be used to create rifle corps.

[STEF78]

yes, as you know I built dozens of rifle corps and was sometimes blocked with these "f....g" naval rifle brigades

I will try next turn to build a div with 2 naval brigades

[chaos45]

ya as the war goes on I ended up just disbanding the naval BDEs for manpower that wouldnt combine.

If I remember right one type of naval infantry will combine and the other wont.-----its really a part of micromanagement I think that could be removed to just allow all of them to combine IMO.

As there are 2 types of naval BDEs.......so makes for a pain when your trying to manage probably 1,000+ total units and a small handful arent compliant with the standard rules the rest follow lol.

[Denniss]

Some are true Naval inf (with proper training/equipment) while the others not (created from surplus navy personnel).
True Naval Inf use Naval Rifle squads while the others use standard Rifle Squads.
I'd never disband the true Naval Inf units as you may need them later in the war, these are non-buildable units like Mountain divs.

[chaos45]

Just depends, by the time I disbanded just got sick of dealing with them as I didnt need BDE anymore. Also I was still short manpower to bring my other Soviet units back up to 100% STR so prefer 100% ToE corps to crappy naval BDEs sitting around doing nothing...not to mention in the late game, thats just useless mouths to feed that trucks have to move crap to so why bother keeping them around they really start to serve no purpose after about 1943.

[Denniss]

That's like disbanding Army Ranger units because you need Solddiers in your Infantry divs.

[chaos45]

In all honesty a very real situation--Special forces/elite forces are a very interesting case study in cost vs effectiveness.

Think after WW2 both the British and Americans admitted the actual usefulness of special forces compared to the cost of their training/lack of those personnel in standard infantry units basically meant those Soldiers in Special forces units would have been better employed as leaders in standard infantry units.

Basically elite soldiers scattered throughout the force are a better force multiplier than all your elite Soldiers in small units.

In modern war elite/special units have come into their own because almost all our current conflicts are in effect low intensity. So select teams used on select targets is more beneficial than rolling a tank division into a location. Not to mention most governments have become much more concerned with civilian casualties and destruction of public works than in past conflicts. So surgical strikes are the go to in current modern war. This wasnt really the case in WW2....not to mention most opposing forces dont have the combat power to even oppose/destroy these small teams compared to WW2 when they other side could mass enough combat power to destroy an elite strike team.

Anyway game effect wise IMO after 1943 the naval units are basically useless as you have Guard rifle corps, tank corps, cav corps, and mech corps to carry the fight....and usually airborne/mountain divisions to guard weak points in the line you dont want to commit an entire corps to.

[ericv]

It's just the naval rifle brigades up to number 8 that cannot be used to form Rifle Corps. All the others can be used.

See for an interesting discussing view about usefulness of elite forces, also some interviews of von Manstein with regard to the effectiveness of the Waffen-SS. Specifically I thought he commented on the 3rd Battle for Kharkov. The cost of these elite units is just too high vs the losses that will occur in an all out war like World war 2, leading to a less effective army in total.

This was recognized long before this time.

I have not much to add to and agree with chaos's view on the current use of these teams other then that the economical cost of all out warfare is becoming prohibitive.