Couldn't / Shouldn't troops 'gravitate' to good defensive works in the very near vicinity?

[Blaugrana]

I've just played 30 minutes or so of 'Greene's Alone' and spent most of the time trying to get my regiments to be protected by the breastworks which made a great defensive line. It was impossible. Lots of trial and error would get the 'breastworks' bonus to momentarily appear before the flag-bearer apparently moved a foot or two and they were back in the open. We were massacred.

Is there any way round this?

It seems ahistorical as well as a pain.

Sorry to moan ;-(

[RDBoles]

I also have the same problem, you might try that button which says advance to defensive places next to the advance 300 yard one. But this is only if you have time for set up before contact is made with the opposing forces. It is better when you TC the unit you are trying to get in a good position.

[Little Powell]

Good advice from RDBoles. Also you practically have to be on top of those breastworks to activate them. This can be a tough scenario, depending on how much help you get from friendly AI forces.. But the key is to stay on the breastworks the best you can.

[Blaugrana]

Thanks both.

I fought this again as I found it so frustrating. I tried using the 'advance to good defense' and TCing the regiments and had some, limited success.

I do think this is a glitch / bug / something that needs sorting. NO troops would stand 3 feet in front of a wall and get massacred when they could be sheltering behind it. This is what the AI does, however.

The more I tried to fine tune regiments' positions, of course,the more frenzied they got in their moving around - lots of snaking and spinning. One regiment eventually went kamikaze and marched in column right through rebel lines before being routed a couple of minutes later.

Don't get me started on 'friendly' AI forces The hordes of crack troops who stand by and watch as their green comrades get slaughtered??

Anyway, thanks again for the replies. I can see I'll be back on this scenario tonight...

[Little Powell]

It's been a while since I've played this one.. I'll give it a spin later tonight so I can refresh my memory.

That's what this game will do to you though.. You'll get stuck on one scenario and after pulling your hair at for a few days, you'll eventually beat it.. and it's a great feeling when you finally do.

[RDBoles]

Blaugrana, can you imagine a regiment in the grips of combat and some col giving manuvering orders constantly? The regiment would go bonkers. Just make sure the flag is on the fence or what ever defensive place you have it. It doesn't matter for the rest of the regiment to be off. A little in front or back, just get that flag in position.

[Blaugrana]

Thanks again, RDBoles & LP.

I have played a few scenarios where I've had to play again and again to get an MV due to my own lack of tactical 'nous', failure to multitask sufficiently etc etc. I eventually resorted to going back down to militia level to get the score on 'We want these guns'... As you say, satisfying in a masochistic way.

I do think this is very different however. There is no way to reliably get the flag on the breastwork and keep it there. Again and again, after a few moves to and fro the 'breastwork' label will appear, showing the flag is on the right place and the regiment is getting the benefit. Seconds or minutes later, they will again be in the open. It's frustrating, for all the wrong reasons. I don't see any benefit in this, or any historical aspect of battle that it mimics. I think it's a bug. IMO, a regiment taking advantage of a stone wall or breastwork should be as natural as them loading their guns. ie, it should not require the player's intervention.

I'm assuming in all this that it is a feature of the AI, this breastwork on the map or the scenario, and not just some wierd thing happening only on my computer.

I look forward to hearing your opinion, LP, after having a go.

Thanks again,

[RDBoles]

Also there are buttons that tell you to hold at all costs. You might try that one as well. It is is in the orders section in green on the bottom right.

[Blaugrana]

Tried that !

Thanks again, RDBoles.

[GShock]

Perhaps troops on defensive posture (strat order) should have an increased priority with taking any possible cover and stay there until told otherwise. I mean... automatically... to reduce micromanagement, that's what the AI subordinates should take care for.