Another bug?

[Mantis]

IIRC, the manual states that units that are in a defensive posture (d/e/f) will spend remaining movement points at turn's end (housekeeping) to further entrench, and that this will be done automatically. I have observed a Russian infantry corps fail this 'entrenchment'; managing to stay in entrenched status for over *24* turns in a game of EA, and *one* turn of digging it in had it immediately fortified. This is by no means an empirical study, but it does bring to mind certain suspicions I have long held.

Thoughts?

[JAMiAM]

I've found the auto entrenching feature to be very hit, or miss...mostly miss. Micromanagement is the key. If you want to maximize the success of your entrenchment efforts, then you have to actively tell them to dig each turn.

[Bdr.Mallette]

Hello,

they may not change their status, but does the % increase?
Such as 20% for turn 1, then 27% for turn 2, then 34% for turn 3.
I've noticed a small increase in the percentage factor but not the actual status.

[Menschenfresser]

I've noticed on occasion that units will change from one to the other, but it seems much slower than if you manually dig in.

Here's one for the multi-million dollar TOAW simulator: sub-level 5, room C at the Pentagon.

[Ben Turner]

It's obviously much less effective than doing the entrenchment yourself. However in my own tests I have noticed that units do end up fortified if you start them out defending.

The trouble is that they only use a part of their turn to entrench if you use any of the combat rounds. From Mantis' reputation, I expect the problem was that none of his units had any move left at the end of the turn with which to entrench.

[Legun]

However in my own tests I have noticed that units do end up fortified if you start them out defending.


I've checked my save files and it looks the same.

The trouble is that they only use a part of their turn to entrench if you use any of the combat rounds. From Mantis' reputation, I expect the problem was that none of his units had any move left at the end of the turn with which to entrench.

Oh! This is the problem. Sure - this is just the standard TOAW approach. If your attacking forces use all ten rounds of combat, thier mates have no time to dig in :(. I'm going to test it. It could be really important factor of the game.

[Mantis]

Yes and no. I do try to get alot from my boys, but I don't 'over-manage- my forces in large games any longer. There are entire hordes of Russians (awaiting war with Germany) that sit and don't even move, and many early turns where there simply isn't anything to attack as the Allies beyond a hex or three. Lots of turns end with many phases unspent, depending on the game, opponent, and where we are in the overall campaign.

So I guess yes, this could have an adverse effect on digging in, but I think the original observation is valid - you're better to do it yourself.