Division retreating before losing all organization. Why?

[Th3K1ndr3d]

On a few occasions I've seen my divisions retreating before they've lost all organization. Why does this happen? I'm not 100% sure about this but I think they were divisions sent to support an ongoing combat that I lost in the end.

It seems to me that it doesn't always happen, only sometimes and I'm having a hard time figuring out how this mechanic works.

I'm relatively new to the game and playing Ironman as Czechoslovakia and defending myself against the German Reich. Any unexpected retreats by my divisions like this may result in the enemy breaking through my line of forts in Sudetenland and that would be the end of my resistance. Any ideas?

[|H|H| Fr3ddi3]

Divisions that retreat from a battle with full organisation are doing so because the battle was lost before they managed to get called into the fight from reserve, reserve divisions are the ones on the frontline tile where a battle is taking place and are found in the lower window of the battle screen ... but they occupy too much combat width to be able to take part at present. So they rely on defeated divisions 'tagging out' so they can take over.

The 'problem' is that the call up from reserve is not instant when there is space. There is RNG to decide if a division is called up and more RNG to decide which division it is which gets called up as well.

By default there is a 2% reinforce rate, which is the chance of being called into a fight every hour, IIRC the average time in which a division needs to be called takes about a day and half, but it can be sooner or later.

You can increase that chance with passive bonuses by researching radios for an extra 5%, and there are various doctrines which boost the reinforce rate as well. The most powerful solution is to use signal companies as it gives a much higher Reinforce rate and increases the chances at divisions with signals are picked called up ... but unlike the other 2 technologies this is not a passive upgrade, it takes up a company slot and needs equipment and manpower. It is important to remember that these do not ensure a fast call up, it only increased the odds of getting one.

[GoldenTalon]

Are you using the Front Tool or doing this manually?

[MeDaDaddy]

Originally posted by GoldenTalon:

Are you using the Front Tool or doing this manually?

If the OP were retreating the units manually, he'd know, surely

It's as Freddie says, a reinforcement rate issue.

EDIT: Good info there from Freddie but another thing you could do is increase the width/durability (Org, Defence etc) of your Divisions so that they are able to hold longer but unfortunately the tactics of the battle can also change the available width, kicking some of your engaged units into the reserve.
When the next tactics change comes along and the width possibly changes (edit) again, they then need to roll to reinforce since they are still in the reserve queue.
Signals and Recon can help as Freddie states since they affect the "initiative roll" and can hep with tactics choice in addition to helping the reinforcement rate.

EDIT 2: Welcome to HOI4 ...it's great :D

Also, a reasonable starting nation to learn the basics of Infantry combat can be China since they get to war in '37 if Historical is on, start with a good number of small width divisions (so reinforcement is an issue) or Italy, which starts at war (with Ethiopia).

[Th3K1ndr3d]

Divisions retreating because the battle was lost before they managed to get called into the fight from reserve makes sense. I'll keep an eye out for this. Thank you!