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Originally Posted by Fusilier
A good number of units were deploying well before any combat started. Would there really be a need for so many replacements at the HQ level at this point?
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Well for the build up for Operation Desert Shield/Storm could be used a template on how things would go for the build up in 1995/1996. Granted many units that had been in the US that were slated for Germany were already in country, but the 1st Cavalry, 5th Mechanized, and 4th Mechanized would still be waiting for their Round Out units training. Same with the 24th Mechanized as it was held in GA.
Many of the round units were so far from being deployable, that still had months of training to at the start of the ground offensive. Even today during operations, many of the National Guards and Reserves unit that are called up, get upward to year + training before they actually deployed. Some food for thought.
One of the few things they did get right, was they lulls in fighting that would happen, because both sides would have to have time to regenerate units.
By 1999 and 2000 granted most Brigade would be little more than over-sized battalions, but many leaders would recognized the moral factor too. One of the inherit detractors of the Soviet system in which units that have been spent due to combat are merged with survivors of other units. I am not saying some flag would be cased, but this would be kept min. I mean once a Battalion is less than platoon, or a Brigade down to Company Strength then they would be used as replacements.
As for divisional hqs replacement, one has to remember that this war unlike anything that has been seen in the last several years by the many in NATO. The enemy will have fighters and bomber who will have intention in taking out tactical HQs from divisional level on up. Many would maintain a main CP, and probable for couple year two smaller ones. With one in the process of moving all of the time. The main would be the one where all orders will be issued from, but the other two would be there in-case something happens. The front will be very fluid, and one of the things many of the novels on a potential WWIII all have a HQ being overrun during it. This process would be repeated onwards down to Battalion level.
At Company level there isn't much staff, the best they would be able to do is split the command element into two if they were that worried. Same with Platoon level, split into two elements. Then again by 2000 most platoons are squads and most companies are platoons. I can see why they hang onto their titles of units, for holding out hope in getting replacement, but even by 2000 it apparent their aren't any one the way.