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A fair few Russian infantry divisions have tanks attached, which I understand is a design decision to avoid having lots of tank brigades running all over the place. It's a good solution... except the presence of tanks means the infantry divisions can't move into swamp terrain.

Played as the Russians, on more than one occasion I've been unpleasantly surprised by this - eg, trying to build a defence line, only to find that the infantry division I was relying on to move into a certain hex is actually unable to do so because it has 5 rusty and useless T-26s in tow. I'd rather lose the tanks!

Not sure how to deal with this one, but it does feel unduly restrictive for the Russian player, especially in AGN. and in the Pripet. Perhaps add a option for those divisions to ditch their tanks?

+1

Something should be done about this.

But German Infantry can?

Have you tried Cav units in swamp?

German infantry can enter swamps. Tanks can only enter swamp if there is a road..

Sorry, I should be clear. Those Russian infantry divisions that have tanks as part of their OOB can not move into swamps. Other Russian infantry divisions (and german and other infantry divisions) can move into swamps.

The problem is that a small number of tanks can effectively give an infantry division all of the penalties, and none of the benefits, of tracked movement units. Quite often, the tiny combat benefit of the attached platoon or two of tanks is not worth the movement penalties and prohibitions that come with those tanks, and I would far prefer that the division be able to take its place along a swampy defence line, even if that means ditching the tanks.

German cavalry and infantry don't have this problem, because they don't have any tanks attached.

Hi ChuckBerger,

In mid '41 the Soviets switched from a doctrine of full tank divisions to one of tank brigades parceled out to various Divisions.

The conscript armies have different versions of these depending on whether they are early conscript or late but in both cases there will be a small number of infantry divisions in each conscript army that has attached tank brigades.

Tanks aren't allowed to move into swamps, infantry are. You're correct that the Inf. divs with the tank brigades can't move into swamps.

The Soviets, in '41, underwent a steep learning curve on how best to use armour (which wasn't resolved satisfactorily within the time frame of the game) and the combined div's are one facet of this. They had the same problems on the day as you are having now.

By late '41 Zhukov, trying to save Moscow, was at least massing individual tank brigades into a critical mass (although still with very poor command and control) for offensive punch and this is reflected in a special action card that becomes available to the Soviets.

Cheers,
Cameron