Aerial Reconnaissance and Detection Level

[Wiedrock]

What's my problem? How can you help me?
I need help understanding the system or giving me an idea how to implement the current state into a non immersion-breaking shape.
Or correct me if some of my observations/assumptions are wrong or if I am missing something!

The higher the detection level, the more information is known and the more effective attacks will be on that unit" (10.2.)

Enemy units that start adjacent to friendly units will have a minimum DL of 5. (10.2.7.)

[...] air reconnaissance can raise detection levels up to a maximum of four [...]
Maximum Detection level 4: Non-air base units located in clear terrain (10.2.3.)

So concerning the Frontline units I feel a little weird about the mechanics. Since DL is supposed to have an effect on the Ground Combat (mentioned several times in the manual). So my uneducated guess would be that having recon would always be better than having no recon when looking at Ground Combat Performance (or wouldn't it?).

1. in-depth defence: Currently a Division will have more DL on adjacent enemy units which are (in-depth) positioned, than reconnaissance planes flying over them and adding 100 Air Recon Value to the Hex.
2. combined arms: I feel like the DL of ground & air should ADD UP to make the recon over frontline Hexes in any way useful.
3. forward (artillery) observers: Additionally (historically) recon planes were also used as artillery forward observers, so having them would always be better than not having them. But since currently their max is 4 I don't see them giving any benefit.

---

...following some Manual excerpts for further information...

Detection Level (DL)

• DL has a max of 10
• quotes from the Manual (Chapter):
  • "The higher the detection level, the more information is known and the more effective attacks will be on that unit" (10.2.).
  • "Detection Level. The Detection Level is a measure of how much you know about your enemy. This is most readily apparent when you are playing with Fog of War On – in that Units with a DL 1 will be shown as a counter on the map but with no further information. Low detection levels will also adversely affect the attacker as the scope for being surprised or ambushed by the defender is increased." (4.8.3.)
• DL and it's impact:

  The different detection levels are:

  • Detection Level 1: The unit counter will be blank. A unit with detection level less than 3 won’t show its nationality
    counter colour. In this case it will be displayed with the generic Axis/Soviet colour.
  • Detection Level 3: The Unit type will be displayed.
  • Detection Level 5: The Unit name, unit size and CV will be displayed. Enemy units that start adjacent to friendly
    units will have a minimum DL of 5. Note that Unit counters will only display SS / Elite / LW / Guards status
    (colouring) if their detection level is 5 or greater.
  • Detection Level 7: Soft factors can be observed (6.5.11).

  The DL also influences the type of information you have about Support Units, Flak levels, enemy air operations, the effect if more than one enemy unit is in the hex and knowledge about enemy fortifications.

---

Air Recon Value (ARV)

• ARV has a max of 100
• ARV can be used to detect CUs
• ARV can be used to raise the DL:

  For non-air base units, air reconnaissance can raise detection levels up to a maximum of four with the following limits:

  • Maximum Detection level 1: Non-Air base units located in non-clear terrain further then 3 hexes from supplied enemy units.
  • Maximum Detection level 2: Non air base units located in non-clear terrain and not adjacent to enemy units.
  • Maximum Detection level 4: Non-air base units located in clear terrain

  Air reconnaissance can raise the DL of air base units up to the maximum of 10, if the airfield recon mission is chosen (18.1.6).

---

Edit color

[AbeMuc]

For me the system actually makes sense. Level 5 reveals the Unit name, unit size and CV will be displayed. This level of information can just be gathered close to the enemy. For example through local patrols, night infiltration with small teams, capturing and questioning prisoners, obtaining enemy cards etc.
Recon planes on the other hand are important to reveal enemy positions behind the front line and gathering information about unit concentrations before an attack/counter-attack.
Makes sense to me.

[Wiedrock]

For me the system actually makes sense. Level 5 reveals the Unit name, unit size and CV will be displayed. This level of information can just be gathered close to the enemy. For example through local patrols, night infiltration with small teams, capturing and questioning prisoners, obtaining enemy cards etc.
Recon planes on the other hand are important to reveal enemy positions behind the front line and gathering information about unit concentrations before an attack/counter-attack.
Makes sense to me.

Yes thats all well done as you say it. The literal individual information you get for the different DLs are not what's breaking my immersion. Like a plane can scout enemy Fortification status behind enemy lines and so on, thats all nicely done.

I am more referring to the "Ground Combat" (which as the manual states is affected by DL) where a plane will give no additional advantage....at least from how I understand the manual. That's what I feel to be strange since A and C should hold somewhat true in a 10miles depth area.
Is that more understandable.
...I'll edit/add that it's about the "Ground Combat"-performance to the initial post, I did not clarify that.