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You may have heard the saying “Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics.”, so let’s talk about logistics.
SUPPLY
Each individual company keeps track of its own Supply. Supply represents ammo, fuel & food. When a unit is LOW on supply, they receive stat penalties. If they run completely out of supplies, they start taking attrition and lose health (soldiers deserting, wounded not being treated). Units low/out of supply surrender extremely quickly in combat.
You can also see the supply status for the WHOLE division. Pictured below, the rth Armoured Division is overall consuming 9.1 tonnes/supplies per hour MORE than what they receive. They will eventually run out of supplies unless they: A. Move closer to a supply depot. B. Stop moving or fighting.
Supply consumption is low when idle, but increases dramatically when moving or fighting. Each unit starts with some supplies, but how do units replenish supply?
SUPPLY HUBS
Each map has designed Supply Hubs. These are special points on the map where supply flows INTO the battlefield. Ex: ports, major transport hubs. Pictured below, several ports are supply hubs controlled by the Allies (green +20 t/h text).
Each supply hub receives X tonnes of supplies per hour, which is distributed to SUPPLY DEPOTS. Supply hubs cannot be moved, but can be captured by the enemy team. They won’t generate supply if captured (the Axis won’t receive supplies from the Normandy beaches), but they do cut-off supply for their original owner.
SUPPLY DEPOTS
Supply from Supply hubs flows into Supply Depots. Supply depots are what actually holds and sends out supplies to units. During the mission, you can place up to a certain amount of supply depots, and also dismantle depots. During deployment creating and dismantling depots are instant. After the mission starts, depots take to be established and dismantled. Pictured below is the Siege of Bastogne mission using the Supply View. Note the four Allied supply depots (boxes with 300t).
Positioning of supply depots is crucial – make sure to place them near units that will soon be/are currently fighting. The supply transfer rate is based on distance AND terrain type of the supply path from the DEPOT to the divisional headquarters. Pictured below is a divisional headquarters CLOSE to a supply depot, which increases the rate of supplies being transfered (9 tonnes/hour).
Pictured below is a headquarters that’s further away from a supply depot, and the path is through rougher terrain. The further away and worse terrain, the lower the supply transfer rate.
Supply depots can be captured. Try to locate enemy supply depots using recon planes or scouts, then when planning attacks have your route go through the enemy depots to capture them! There’s nothing like using the enemy’s gasoline for your own tanks.
CUTTING OFF SUPPLIES
One of the most basic strategies of war is to cut off the enemy’s supplies. Pictured below is the 101st Airborne division in Bastogne, which has been completely encircled by the enemy. Luckily for the paratroopers there’s still a supply depot with 350t of supplies left. HOWEVER, that supply depot will not be receiving any more supplies, and will eventually run out. Once all supplies are depleted, the airborne units will suffer attrition, and surrender very quickly.
Ideally you should cut-off enemies that aren’t supplied by a supply depot (or capture their depot). Pictured below is a panzer division that pushed forward too aggressively, and is now cut-off from supplies. They will be completely destroyed unless they retreat.
ATTACKING & SUPPLY LINES
It takes multiple units to ensure your supply lines stays open when attacking.
1. Use an armoured division to punch through enemy lines and push deep into enemy territory, aiming for enemy supply depots if possible.
2. Have an infantry division follow-up to HOLD the ground the armoured division moved through, thus keeping supply lines open.
Your tanks will quickly run out of fuel & ammo if supply lines are not kept open, and new supply depots placed nearby. Pictured below is the armour, which has quickly pushed forward, and the infantry following up and holding open a corridor.
You now know the basics of logistics in Battleplan. Good luck, General!
