March Mode

[Jagger2002]

I used March mode in the St Vith scenario to bring up some reinforcing German paratroopers from the rear to the front lines. The readiness loss seemed excessive. So I ran a test.

I marched one infantry unit for 3 straight daylight turns and then had them rest at night.
After one turn of marching, the infantry unit ended the turn at 33 readiness. The infantry covered 6 hexes or 6000 yards or 4 miles.
After two turns marching, the unit ended the turn at 11 readiness. The infantry has now covered a total of 12 hexes or 8 miles.
After three turns marching, the unit ended the turn at 10 readiness. The infantry has now covered a total of 18 hexes or 12 miles.

The unit did not move at night and recovered 40 readiness and now has a total readiness of 50. Myself, I don't consider a readiness of 50 to be combat effective. Assuming a gain of 20 readiness per daylight turn, it will take three more day turns or the productive part of a day to achieve 100 readiness.

A 12 mile march is not a demanding march for combat troops. 20 miles is an exhausting march.

An 4 mile march producing a readiness of 33 is an easy march but would require 3 turns to return to a readiness of 100 with the last turn a night turn.
An 8 miles is also an easy march but again would require 3-4 turns to achieve a readiness of 100 with one night turn required.

It seems readiness loss is excessive for marching infantry. In particular for short marches but even for a full day's marching, the readiness loss is so high that it take an unreasonable time to return to combat effectiveness.

Looking at horse drawn artillery in march mode, the readiness loss isn't as bad with readiness settling in the 50 range but again, 2 turns or 12 hours for full recovery time seems excessive.

Each turn is 6 hours. I would think full combat effectiveness should be achieved within that 6 hour time frame. That would require readiness not dropping below 70-80 readiness from a non-combat foot or horse march. Any thoughts? Am I missing something?

[eddieballgame]

Wondering if there is 'weather factor' built into this part.
Marching in snowy/freezing conditions, overlong distances, would require much rest.
Unless those men were lead by Patton. [:)]

[Jagger2002]

In cold weather, I would rather be marching than sitting still. Maybe one of the reasons why Patton was so popular.

Actually marching infantry is not particularly common in the game. So it is really a minor point but at the same time, I am wondering if it is a feature that makes sense to use at all. Realistically there was a lot of infantry marching but in game terms, I am not sure it makes sense to use it. So should a non-combat standard activity like marching require such a long time frame to regain combat effectiveness?

Vehicle march mode feels about right in terms of readiness. My only possible reservation w/vehicle march mode is the traffic footprint might be excessive.

[Jagger2002]

In cold weather, I would rather be marching than sitting still. Maybe one of the reasons why Patton was so popular.

Actually marching infantry is not particularly common in the game. So it is really a minor point but at the same time, I am wondering if it is a feature that makes sense to use at all. Realistically there was a lot of infantry marching but in game terms, I am not sure it makes sense to use it. So should a non-combat standard activity like marching require such a long time frame to regain combat effectiveness?

Vehicle march mode feels about right in terms of readiness. My only possible reservation w/vehicle march mode is the traffic footprint might be excessive.

[carll11]

Speaking as someone has marched in the Infantry, in Germany, in All weather in the latter part of my career, I agree Jagger re; sitting in a hole vs. moving around.

Anyway, 12 mile marches are a standard, or where in the US army at the time. A 12 mile march with gear, ( approx. 75lbs) should be performed in no more than 5 hours. Approx. 3 miles per hr. I can attest this is not that onerous, wherein at the end of this march we'd be invalids which is what the 10 Readiness P number in affect means.
A decent meal and 12 hours,in Inf terms is a very good rest, ( 2 turns) would get us back to 90%.

Ergo, I agree as it stands we dont have a equitable readiness standard.

I also agree, the traffic foot prints appear excessive too.

[Vic]

I am agreeing that the readiness loss effect is to heavy. Thanks for the feedback. Will be making adjustments for next patch.

However keep in mind that low readiness simulates multiple problems. Could be fatigue yes, but could also be not being properly organized to go into battle (that's why we have combat movement mode and why that is slow)

Best wishes,
Vic

[eddieballgame]

As a former soldier in the the U.S. Army stationed in Alaska, I concur on moving is good for the circulation.
Though, admittedly, at 60 below I preferred a nice warm tent.[:)]

[Jagger2002]

60 below...sheesh. I spent some time in Montana and 20-25 below is the worse I have been through and not really to my liking.

And thanks, Vic. It will be interesting to see how the tweak plays out.

[Vic]

Nothing beats release of a game for tweaking!

[eddieballgame]

ORIGINAL: Jagger2002

60 below...sheesh. I spent some time in Montana and 20-25 below is the worse I have been through and not really to my liking.

And thanks, Vic. It will be interesting to see how the tweak plays out.

Well, it was a 'dry cold' & when it warmed up to 20 below...it wasn't that bad. [:)]
What I have read about that winter of 1944-45 was how ill-equipped the American soldiers were per their gear...unlike what I had access to.
We tend to forget/overlook these nuances when playing a game in the comfort of our homes.
The extreme harsh conditions affected the moral, health & certainly the 'readiness'/will of those that fought during The Battle of the Bulge.
Not sure how one would simulate all that in a game, but Vic has certainly made a grand effort.