Newbie troubles / attaching units

[MikaV84]

Hi everyone, just a quick question:

What are the ways to attach units to a formation? Currently i only know that if i select a bunch of units and assign an order, they'll form into a battlegroup.

What if i have, for example, a battallion defending, and i'd like to reinforce it with say a AA platoon, how can i do it? The only way i currently see is selecting the battallion + the new unit, and assign a new order. Is there an easier way to attach units without messing up current orders.

Thanks in advance guys.

[dazkaz15]

ORIGINAL: MikaV84

Hi everyone, just a quick question:

What are the ways to attach units to a formation? Currently i only know that if i select a bunch of units and assign an order, they'll form into a battlegroup.

What if i have, for example, a battallion defending, and i'd like to reinforce it with say a AA platoon, how can i do it? The only way i currently see is selecting the battallion + the new unit, and assign a new order. Is there an easier way to attach units without messing up current orders.

Thanks in advance guys.

Happy new year MikaV64
I don't think there is an easier way of attaching other units than what you have just mentioned.

The best way to get round the problem is to give the unit you want to attach its own individual orders, and move it along with the formation you want to attach it to, until a convenient time to make the attachment.
For instance after a move before new defend or attack orders. Just keep it close to the formation so that when you attach it, it wont have to catch up.

I assume you know about Ctrl clicking on multiple units to select them.
Bare in mind that if you select an HQ unit that has subordinates, all of its subordinates will also be in the new formation/group.

For example, if you want to attach a Bn to a different regiment HQ: With the Regiment selected, you would only need to Ctrl click on the Bn HQ. or drag select it with Ctrl held down to include all its subordinates.

Something to be aware of when making this kind of formation though is that it wont change the supplying base to the new Regiment, so the new Bn attachment will still be drawing from its organic supply base, that may be a long way from your new Regiment, maybe even cut off.
Obviously the current tactical situation, will dictate if this is a problem or not.

[MikaV84]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer. Helps a lot.

Another newbie question i havent seen answered is:

Just as an example, say i have a regiment with a defense order active. I'll detach a couple of companies to do a force recon forward with a probe command. Say i find out my detachment is overpowered, and im satisfied with the recon, and i want to rejoin the companies to the defensive effort. If i just click "reattach" on the battlegroup leader, will it automatically return to the organic hq's defense order - i.e. fall back from the attack and take defensive positions near where they left from.

Thanks again.

[dazkaz15]

Yes they will return to the defensive formation.

Something to bare in mind here though is that the HQ may decide to re-arrange its defensive positions, to account for the returning Coy, and also when a Coy is detached.
This will cause them to lose their dug is bonus if they have been there long enough to get dug-in.

To avoid this issue order the HQ a defend in situ order, then re-attach or de-attach as the case may be the required Coy.
This prevents it moving the remaining units around, and thus losing their dug in bonus.
If you use this method though you will have to manually move the returning unit to the defensive location, that you want it to defend in first.
I personally feel this is the best way to do it anyway.

If you leave the HQ in any formation other than in situ, you are allowing the AI to move the Coy's around as it sees fit.
To be fair it usually does a good job if this.

In this release of the Command ops engine you cant see the location of trenches/fox holes that have been vacated, and sometimes when you see the unit take up position outside of the village or whatever, in the open its because there is local cover there, that you cant see on the map, but the game AI knows is there.
Remember this is an old game, and the graphics are not good!