Depleted OOBs
I am contemplating making one or more OOBs to represent depleted, understrength or just generally battered units. We've all read about paper divisions that were nothing more than a battalion and companies reduced to a couple of under strength sections. I'm looking to pick a few brains to get an idea of what a depleted unit looks like.
Here are a few thoughts
Reduced man power - There are several of approaches. Sections could be reduced giving a platoon of 3 understrength sections. Higher formations could be reduced giving a platoon of 2 full strength sections.
Reduced firepower - Again there are several options. My gut feeling is that most under strength sections will tend to retain the LMG at all cost but may tend to lose things like PIAT, ATRs or light mortars. However, I spoke with a couple of Vietnam era vets who said if the M60 gunner was taken out, no one else was trained to use it. Again for higher formation this is a matter of making (-) formations without integrated mortars, IGs etc.
Reduced or degraded equipment - The covers the usual Lewis/MG08 in place of a better LMG, but could also include things like a mech unit having some or all of its APCs replaced by trucks or boot leather. Further, armoured formations could have all or part of its untis replaced with less capable ones such as a Schwere Kompanie with one platoon of Tigers and two of PzKw III or IV.
At the unit level, I could see reduced moral and reorganization to stress the C&C to represent officer casualties. I can also see vehicles with reduced mobility, reduced firepower and reduced ammo loads.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
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