Determing Purchase Points for Map Size

[Cross]

If you’re looking for historical norms, then you may want to ask these questions:

1. How many battalions do you intend to field?
2. What’s the ‘normal’ frontage for a battalion?
3. How much does a battalion cost?

1. How many battalions do you intend to field?

Map height
The number of battalions is the most important issue for choosing a map size, because we’re really talking about ‘frontage’, or how much frontline (map height) should each battalion have.

Keep in mind that if you purchase three battalions (Regiment /Brigade) then it would be normal practice to have two battalions up front and one in reserve, which may mean a 2 battalion frontage (map height) plus a little extra for gaps between battalions and the map edge. Maps go up to 200 hexes (10KM) height maximum.

Map width
For forces of regiment size, or larger, you may also want to go with a map wider than the standard 100 hexes. Map width goes up to 160 hexes (8KM) maximum.

2. What’s the ‘normal’ frontage for a battalion?

In WWII (sorry but I’m more familiar with WWII) an Infantry Battalion would be roughly expected to defend somewhere between 1,000m and 2,000m, under ‘normal’ circumstances. It may be far less in the jungle and far more in the desert, and the Russians may have attempted to cover twice that ground; but SOP for German, UK and US Battalions wouldn’t be far off the 1KM to 2KM frontage.

When attacking, a battalion would narrow their frontage down to about half that, or only 500 to 1,000m.
But if our concern is the average unit density on the front line, the defensive norm is probably far more representative in most cases. Commanders would usually have to shuffle forces around in order to build up the unit density for an attack on a narrow part of their front.

Also keep in mind for planning, that normal defensive battalion formation would be 2 infantry companies up front and 1 in reserve. If the battalion has 4 infantry companies, then you can put 3 up front and 1 in reserve, or form a box of 2 up front 2 in reserve. Your HQ/Support Company would normally be in the rear, near or with the reserve infantry company.

You also have to add ‘gaps’ between battalions and the map edge.

Therefore, historically, 2 or even 3 battalions may only require a map height of about 60 or 80 hexes (3 or 4KM).

For SP gaming purposes, I usually prefer less densely populated maps, which seems to offer better strategic options. I would probably go with a 140 hex (7000m) map height for 3 battalions; which means if I had all 3 battalions on the frontline (company reserves, but no battalion reserve) each would cover 2000m (plus small gaps between battalions and map edge).

But if you want a more historical static frontline battle, then 60 or 80 hex map height may be about right for 2 or 3 battalions.


3. How much does a battalion cost?

I’m going to use approximate WW2 figures, but this will give you an idea of the issues involved.

If I was going to create a Regiment/Brigade it would normally be 3 or 4 battalions. For a SP battle I would probably build 2 Infantry Battalions, and 1 ‘Heavy’ Battalion with armoured support.

Infantry Battalion
An Infantry Battalion might include:
3 Infantry Companies (900 points)
1 HQ / Support Coy (200 points) with:
-Mortar platoon
-Anti-tank platoon
-MG platoon
-Truck platoon

The above ‘typical’ infantry battalion would cost about 1,100 points.
With 1,100 points – depending on the quality of the infantry - you may not be able to purchase both a MG platoon and an ATk platoon; though the Soviets may be able to afford to purchase 4 infantry companies.

Motorised Infantry Battalion
If you want your second Infantry Battalion to be motorized or mechanized you’d want to add about 500 points for a total of 1,600:
1 Halftrack coy (200 points)
2 Lorry coys (300 points)

Heavy Battalion
A ‘Heavy’ Battalion with armoured (tank) and artillery support may cost around 3,400 points. This could include:
3 Infantry Companies (900 points)
1 Tank Company (approx. 12-15 tanks) (1500 points)
1 Artillery Battery (500 points)
1 Regiment/Brigade HQ/Support Company (500 points)

The HQ/Support coy may include:
FOO
Engineer Platoon
Scout Platoon
Anti-tank gun Platoon
Heavy Mortar Platoon
MG Platoon
AAA Platoon
Ordnance Section
Transport Platoon

Add another 500 points to make the Battalion motorized:
1 Halftrack coy
2 Lorry coys

Motorised ‘Heavy’ Battalion with artillery support could cost around 3,900 points.

Regiment/Brigade cost:

1,100 Infantry Battalion
1,100 Infantry Battalion
3,400 ‘Heavy’ Battalion

5,600 Total

6,600 Total if two of the Battalions are Motorised

---