Matrix Games Forums

I'm hoping someone can help me better understand the intelligence part of the game.

Selecting each enemy unit indicates how many divisions it contains (eg cv: 6 divs ?). What exactly does this mean?

Does it mean that the Korps or Army concerned contains six divisions but that I have to guess their readiness?

Does it mean that it contains enough squads, guns, AFVs etc to make up six average-sized divisions (but again, I have to guess their readiness)?

Does it mean that READY squads, guns etc in the unit are enough for six divisions?

It's not clear and I'm very confused.

Also, does "6" mean 6, 5-7, 4-8, what?

I realise I shouldn't know exactly what each enemy unit has but as far as I can tell, the information currently displayed by clicking on an enemy unit is useless. Is there any way of getting some idea of the composition and readiness of an enemy unit other than by attacking it?

Thanks for any help?

Andy

highly understrength divisions will likely not show up in estimates. the estimate is based on how close the unit is to the front line - units right next to one of you units will have a pretty accurate read, while further ones will likely have a more inaccurate estimate. HQ's with aircraft can "see" out a few hexes so that will increase accuracy and spot units farther back. a tank division/corps will be seen as 3 divisions in the estimate, all other units as 1. i'm pretty sure attached units like Bn's and arty do not count as divisions.

and that's all the info you can get from intelligence - other than that it's guessing!

Ohhh-K.  So one inf div with a shedful of support battalions (tank, arty, flak, etc) shows up as 1 div or more?

Whatever, it seems like a lot of pen and paperwork is called for if an accurate intelligence picture is to be assembled.  Back in the mid-eighties when this game first came out, I wouldn't have thought anything was wrong with that.  These days, I find it a bit ... unusual?  Young gamers these days - don't know they're born! [;)]

Thanks anyway,

Andy Brown

The way to build up a picture of enemy strength is in combat and noting combat reports. To minimise your loses, plot a series of 'bombard' attacks using the 'b' control. Set Display/Delay control high enough to give you time to note the results of the combat and see what forces in the enemy unit responded to your attack. The Combat Report will also show the response in squads, afv. etc.. This uses up a move, but you can consider this as a week of patrol activity, prior to launching a major attack. This information is only approximate as the enemy unit could regain readiness, or be heavily reinforced before (or during) your next main attack (which is likely if you show interest in only that part of the front). The level of entrenchment will depend on how long the unit has been in place, which you will not know if you have just discovered it (unless it has just moved into position). Air attacks can supply combat information, but can be expensive in valuable resources. All of this is fairly realistic for an old game [:)]