a question/suggestion about ground-unit logistics (hope it wasn't answered already)
For example, a formation element of 10 tanks engaged in combat is part of an armoured formation with a brigade HQ formation above it and a division HQ formation above that. The tanks will check for a vehicle-based logistics element within the division formation first, then a vehicle-based logistics element within the brigade formation and finally either type of logistic element within their own parent formation. If no logistic elements are available, the tanks will use their inherent supply, although they can only use that inherent supply for ten combat rounds, unless resupplied. If a unit does not require a full resupply (for example, it still has sufficient inherent supply for eight combat rounds), it will only draw an appropriate fraction of its normal GSP requirement (in this case 20%).
If I understand it correctly it is only possible to get supply from "higher tier" units in the same hierarchy - which will result in REALLY big HQ formations to have the potential supply units for it's "underlings" (the higher the HQ-tier, the more underformations it has, so expotentiell bigger the formation...)
Is this correct?
If so, wouldn't it be an idea to add something like "pure logictic formations" (most likely battalions) which are not part of any hq-formation but direct under it in the hierarchy and would be the "first to get supply from"?
Meaning something like this with the example from above:
Tank formation (company) of 10 tanks - part of a brigade which has 5 tank companies and 2 pure logistic companies - which is part of a division with 2 pure logistic "brigades"
The tanks will check for a pure vehicle-based logistics formation directly under the division formation first (the 2 logistic brigades) - than in the division formation second if necessary.
Then a pure vehicle-based logistics formation under it's brigade formation (the 2 logictic companies), later within the brigade formation.
Finally either type of logistic element within their own parent formation. If no logistic elements are available, the tanks will use their inherent supply, although they can only use that inherent supply for ten combat rounds, unless resupplied.
Even after all the time I am still not sure about my understanding of "formation" and "element".. so maybe I am just confused...
but having pure logistic formations for resupply would have 2 advantages:
a) more flexible HQ-formations which don't have to be "really big" for logistic reasons and getting smaller later by "consuming" the logistic-trucks - not sure I want to think about formation size for an army-corps or whole "war theater" hq formation which even just has supply units for a few days as reserve...
b) easier way to "restock" the supply formations - as you just have to rebuild the supply formations and attach new one to the HQ-formations