Beginner's question about map supply display

[kenwolfe]

Hello. I recently purchased The Operational Art of War III and I have a question about the map display. One of the options is to toggle display of supply status between three states:
1. Invisible
2. Sources
3. Visible
My question is on the third option. It displays supply symbols on some hexes which are adjacent to friendly units. My questions about these symbols:
(1) What do the numbers represent? I understand in general it means a "supply level" which seems to be higher in areas with a better supply network. But I am having trouble relating that to the levels of supply as documented in the game manual (full, normal, limited, etc).
(2) Why are these symbols only shown in some hexes that are adjacent to friendly units? What does it signify if there is no supply symbol shown?
(3) I notice two different colors of supply symbol: silver and yellow, and then yellow only. What does this signify?
(4) Is this documented anywhere? I looked through the game manual and help file but did not find anything.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

[JAMiAM]

First off, thanks for the purchase!

ORIGINAL: kenwolfe
My question is on the third option. It displays supply symbols on some hexes which are adjacent to friendly units. My questions about these symbols:
(1) What do the numbers represent? I understand in general it means a "supply level" which seems to be higher in areas with a better supply network. But I am having trouble relating that to the levels of supply as documented in the game manual (full, normal, limited, etc).

The levels documented in the game manual (full, normal, limited, etc.) refer to the proportion of the full supply stockpile level that is delivered to the hexes in question. These nominal steps are 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% of the stockpile value. Thus, if the stockpile level is 16, you should generally see steppings of 16,12,8,4.

ORIGINAL: kenwolfe
(2) Why are these symbols only shown in some hexes that are adjacent to friendly units? What does it signify if there is no supply symbol shown?

This indicates that you have the no borders option selected, which only displays supply levels and control for hexes that are adjacent to your forces or that are supply sources. Since knowing whether supply flows to a hex can indicate the presence of enemy units or their ZOC's, hexes not adjacent to your units do not get displayed, when using this option. Now, this changes dynamically through the turn, as you move, so your forces can reveal the state of your supply net as you move. If there is no supply symbol shown in a hex that you have revealed, then it means that the hex was not in your supply net at the start of the turn, when supply was checked. Note that it does NOT say whether supply could reach the hex if checked at that moment, or even during the next supply check.

ORIGINAL: kenwolfe
(3) I notice two different colors of supply symbol: silver and yellow, and then yellow only. What does this signify?

The yellow only are actual supply sources. The silver (blue) and yellow are hexes that have received supply in the current turn's ABP (automatic bookkeeping phase).

ORIGINAL: kenwolfe
(4) Is this documented anywhere? I looked through the game manual and help file but did not find anything.

Some of it is explained in 9.1.7, but sometimes it takes a guiding hand to help put the pieces of the puzzle together.

[kenwolfe]

Thank you for your quick and thorough response. That really helps me understand what I am seeing. However, there still are a number of things that I'm not quite sure about. I have attached a zipped .sal file in case that helps.

1) I do see supply symbols which have no supply level number, and I assume these are supply sources. However, I am seeing them in places that do not make any sense: as well as in the designated supply points, they are also shown on some hexes adjacent to friendly units. For example in the Road to Moscow 1941 - Crossing the Border scenario I see these symbols in captured Soviet territory! Are these something different? These supply symbols are yellow on the left and dark red on the right. For example, hexes 8,19 and 16,19. Are these showing something different?

2) The symbols showing supply level numbers show the numbers which make sense according to your explanation (numbers 29, 21, 14 and 7). Most of these symbols are in two colors: yellow on left and silver-blue on right. However, some of the ones showing '7' are on yellow only. For example, hexes 18,19 and 19,19. Does the change in color have some meaning?

3) Some hexes that are adjacent to friendly units have no supply symbol at all. For example, hexes 15,19 and 22,20. Is there some reason the supply symbol does not appear in some hexes adjacent to friendly units?

I downloaded a patch that brought me to version 3,2,29,27. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Regards,

[sPzAbt653]

In answer to #1, the symbols in hexes 8,19 and 16,19 represent hexes that have changed ownership in this turn. If their ownership does not change by the next turn, and they are not influenced by an enemy zone of control, they will be added to the owning players 'supply trace'. These have the same appearance as 'sources' but are not. You can view the 'sources' by toggling thru the 'supply view' box in the right hand panel. This will show you 'traces' and 'sources'. (It's my experience that the 'converted hex' symbols don't really assist me with anything, so I just ignore them. I don't know if anyone else finds them useful).

2. The all yellow ones with numbers I'm not sure about. I checked a scenario I am playing to see if I could figure out what created them, but there are none on my display. Hex 0,11 on your map has the same symbol as 18,19 and 19,19, but I fail to see the relationship.

3. 22,20 is influenced by an enemy zone of control, so that German supply cannot be traced into or thru it, unless German occupied. I suspect the same is true for 15,19, perhaps there is an 'unseen' Soviet unit in 14,19 or 15,20?

Also, actual hex conversion for supply purposes only occurs at the start of a new turn, so the only time the display is 'true' is when you see it at the start of player 1's turn. At any other time, you will see oddities that are created by zones of control, units moving thru hexes, and hidden units.

[kenwolfe]

Thank you for your quick and thorough answer. Yes, I believe there was a Soviet unit around 14,19 or 15,20. If that is true then that looks like a slick way to detect enemy ZOC without sending a friendly unit to do a recce probe!

Based on your last comment, it looks like the lesson to learn is I should always toggle to the supply line visible option at the beginning of each of my turns to get a really good look at the supply situation before I start moving units.

Regards,