OOB Command Structure

[pfg1701]

Ardennes Offensive is an exceptional strategy game, in my view the best currently on the market. I nevertheless have three questions concerning it.

First, why are some armored divisions apparently treated as Corps and unable to be assigned to a Corps command? While scenarios start with certain armored divisions already assigned to a Corps command, other armored divisions can only be assigned to Armies. In actual US Army command structures, armored divisions, just as infantry divisions, are routinely assigned and reassigned to Corps commands.

Second, why is the command distance of an Army and Corps the same as a division despite that Armies and Corps command much larger areas then the divisions assigned to them? I’ll note that other strategy games, notably John Tiller games, give larger command distances to higher commands. I’d suggest that this practice be copied.

Finally, the Order of Battle (OOB) tap in the game does not represent the games OOB on the highest level. British XXI Army Group and US XII Army Group are on the same tab level as the Army Commands assigned to them and clicking them does not reflect which Armies are assigned to which Army Group. I was playing the game for a while before I realized that US 1st Army was assigned to the British XXI Army Group and that the only way to determine these highest levels of command is to click on the unit itself.

Despite these questions, it is an excellent game and thanks for producing it.

[nikdav]

Happy you like the game !

Actually we have only 4 HQ levels (low, mid,high,supreme) so i was forced to made the Armored Division mid level to give the US Combat Command a low HQ. This generate some problems displaying the OOB.
By the way the US Armored Division works like a real Corps during 44-45.
This issue together with the HQ range is in the list !

Davide

[Capt Cliff]

Happy you like the game !

Actually we have only 4 HQ levels (low, mid,high,supreme) so i was forced to made the Armored Division mid level to give the US Combat Command a low HQ. This generate some problems displaying the OOB.
By the way the US Armored Division works like a real Corps during 44-45.
This issue together with the HQ range is in the list !

Davide

So you have added US Armored Division HQ's to the OOB? When will this be added to the game or has it already happened? If I recollect US 9th AD is already on the map. Please clarify.

[nikdav]

Division must have Low level hq, Corps mid level, Army high level and Army Group supreme level.

So to deploy the US Armored Division with the 3 Combat Command as subunits I was forced to change the Armored Division HQ to mid level ( like a Corps) and the Combat Command to Low level hq.

[pfg1701]

As I understand it then, with a limited number of HQ levels available, a choice is required:
-treat armored Combat Commands as regiments with no individual HQ unit; or,
-treat CCs as divisions and give each individual CC its own division level HQ.
And that taking the latter approach, as the game does, blocks the ability to assign armored divisions to Corps because of the limited number of HQ levels.

My personal choice would have been to treat the CCs as infantry regiments so they could be assigned to Corps. This approach would more accurately reflect the historical OoB (for example 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions in the game are only assignable to Army HQs but historically, at least according to Wikipedia, were assigned to VII Corps). Additionally, for me, it would also make the game more playable since I play military strategy games from their top down following the structure of their OoB. Nevertheless, it is simply a personal choice and I respect yours.

Thanks again for an excellent game.