More realistic supply trains

[Martin James]

I’ve been experimenting with the OOBs to increase the number of wagons per division from 1 to 5. I think this has three advantages:

(a) It’s more historical. The 110,000 man Army of the Potomac had over 1,800 wagons in 1862, or approximately 35 per 5,000 men, rather than the 1 per 5,000 represented in the basic game. At a ratio of 4:1 that 5 wagons equates to about 20, which is a lot closer.

(b) These 5-wagon groups seem to be a little more vulnerable to capture, as they cannot respond so quickly to threats, which is I think as it should be.

(c) A wagon train looks more authentic than a single wagon.........at least to me.

If you fancy trying this, it’s quite easy. Just increase the headcount column from 10 to 75 for each wagon unit. 5 wagons appears to be the limit however. If you go to any headcount number above 75, you do get a sixth wagon, but no horses to go with it!

Martin

[JC Edwards]

If you go to any headcount number above 75, you do get a sixth wagon, but no horses to go with it!

Martin

Must be the Chuck Wagon! :laugh:

[Zeke]

I’ve been experimenting with the OOBs to increase the number of wagons per division from 1 to 5. I think this has three advantages:

(a) It’s more historical. The 110,000 man Army of the Potomac had over 1,800 wagons in 1862, or approximately 35 per 5,000 men, rather than the 1 per 5,000 represented in the basic game. At a ratio of 4:1 that 5 wagons equates to about 20, which is a lot closer.

(b) These 5-wagon groups seem to be a little more vulnerable to capture, as they cannot respond so quickly to threats, which is I think as it should be.

(c) A wagon train looks more authentic than a single wagon.........at least to me.

If you fancy trying this, it’s quite easy. Just increase the headcount column from 10 to 75 for each wagon unit. 5 wagons appears to be the limit however. If you go to any headcount number above 75, you do get a sixth wagon, but no horses to go with it!

Martin

If you play around with the formation file you could also introduce a cavalry escort this was something that was experimented with on TC2M - I think it was davinci - his pet hate at the moment is the supply wagons as they can be rather suicidal diving infront of the action in between firefights!!!

[Martin James]

Yes, I admit there's is a tension between making them more vulnerable and their sometimes strange behavior.

I tend to TC them if they are under my command, and then park them somewhere. Always a bit dangerous, but again I think pretty historical. Locating the wagons was something commanders gave some thought to before the battle, but I suspect not a lot during it, there being other things on their mind.

I got the numbers wrong in my original post btw. Based on McClellan's 1862 orbat, it should be about 80 wagons per 5,000 men, not 35.

Martin