no one has came back and said the combat capablity of the Australian Army is fundamentally wrong
And they are very strong. I think they are a good compromise. Strong enought to halt japanese invasions at 1942 but not too strong to make "minipanzer divisions" to storm the japanese front.
Here, gentlemen, we are going to have to disagree. The mechanised combat capability of the Australian Army
on the continent, opposing an IJ invasion in 42/43, is significantly undervalued. It is correct that in late 1942, when no IJ landing eventuated, the AMF began to reduce its level of motorisation (from the "8th Army" TOE), transitioned its expeditionary infantry units to a lighter jungle/mountain air-portable TOE, and broke up the large armoured formations that were, by then, unneccesary and not appropriate for the SWPAC campaigns. However, the current game OOB fixes it with this task based TOE evolution
ab initio.
First, the three armoured divisions, when formed, and fitted out with US sourced M3 Grant & Stuart tanks over the course of March - October '42, were, in fact, not "mini" panzer divisions but the full equivalent - with more medium tanks. 1 recon, three cruiser tank, 1 mech infantry, three motor infantry, artillery, a/t, etc battalions. They were based on the UK late 42 balanced armoured division TOE, which, to be fair, was copied from the Germans, and which evolved in the field to include battle-group combined arms pairings, of which the Irish Guards battle group are perhaps the most well known example.
Secondly, the somewhat ad-hoc mechanisation of the AMF cavalry units that had begun prior to the Pacific war accelerated following American entry as a belligerent. What had been a trickle of money, and vehicles, became a torrent.
Thirdly, with the facilities available in the simulation to provide evolving TOE, and withdrawal "type 2" accompanied by fresh reinforcements, it is possible to adequately simulate this, and manpower drawdowns - albeit still suffering from locking the allies to history, while the IJ player is free to develop the war in non- historical ways.
Fourthly, the device database should enable the scenario designer to include an AU-M3 Grant, and an AU-M3 Stuart, with monthly arrival rates set, with an end date, to reasonably accurately depict Lend Lease tank deliveries.
Fifthly, taken together, this ought to result in something along the following lines:
As at 7/12/41:
One -
1st Armoured division AIF is extant, has a siginificant complement of its infantry and supporting arms assigned, but has only 10 M3 Stuart tanks in inventory. The general plan for this unit was that it would be equipped with UK cruiser tanks in Egypt. It does not go to Egypt, but takes up deliveries of Grant & Stuart tanks instead. It also has a reasonable starting training level - senior personnel had been attached to UK armoured formations in the MTO to garner experience. As initially organised it had two armoured brigades and a support group, on the contemporary UK pattern - but as it filled out, one armoured brigade was detached to the 2nd division and replaced by motor infantry, also reflecting the UK TOE evolution.
This armoured division was intended for employment in the MTO; it was retained in Western Australia to react to any IJ landing. As such it should be perma restricted to Australia Command so it cannot be deployed offshore. It should be withdrawn, type 2, on 17 September 1943. The next day the 1st Armoured brigade should arrive with full toe (the infantry component being 'demobilised'), but should also be perma-locked to Australian HQ.
Two -
The 1st Cavalry division was extent at war-start, but had maybe two horsed regiments left - otherwise it was pretty much in evoloution to a motorised formation. In February 1942 it should have a TOE upgrade, and a name change, to 1st Motorised Division. Then later, in November 1942, it should have another TOE & name change to become 3rd Armoured division. It should be withdrawn, type 2, in October 1943.
Edit for clarity - this division should be perma-restricted to AU HQ.
Three:
The 2nd Cavalry division should also start on 7/12/41, and like the above unit have a TOE and name change to 2nd Armoured division in February 1942. Please note that the 6th Cavalry brigade became this formation's armoured brigade - 6 Cav was formed 1939, re-designated 6th Motorised in February 1942, and redesignated & re-rolled as 6 Armour brigade in about May. Ultimately, in early 1943, 2nd Armoured division was stood down, and 6th Armoured Brigade's HQ became the HQ 4th armoured brigade, an HQ used to administer sepatate amoured regiments deployed off-shore. This division should withdraw-type 2 in February 1943, and 4th Armoured brigade should arrive fully formed the next day.
Edit for clarity - this division should be perma-restricted to AU HQ. Also, it should get two TOE evolutions, to 2nd Motorised in Feb '42, and 2nd Armoured in May 1942, in step with the arrival of M3 Grant tanks from the US.
Lastly - 3rd Army tank brigade should appear in March 1942, also perma restricted, and be withdrawn/ type 1 in about September 1943.
The various independent armoured and tank regiments that did deploy off-shore wewre administered by 4th Armoured brigade, so the practical solution is to leave those separately as deployable units, while 4th Armoured Brigade is perma-restricted.
While the above evolution of the OOB continues to suffer from the 'hindsight' syndrome, at least the AMF will have its large armoured formations in the period 42/43 when an (historically impossible) IJ invasion might occur.
