5.1.9 Merging Battalions

Battalions with a low headcount perform poorly in battle, and if for some reason their headcount cannot be increased (i.e. not enough cash, economic points or horses or they are not in one of your barracks) then they can instead be merged. To merge two battalions write down the following command in section -08- of the turn sheet.

Command:  (Brigade A)/(Battalion 1)/(Brigade B)/(Battalion 2)

Battalion 2 of brigade B will be merged into Battalion 1 of brigade A. Battalion 2 of brigade B will no longer exist.

Preconditions:

-both battalions must belong to your empire

-both battalions must be on the same co-ordinate

-both battalions must be of the same type

The experience factor will change according to the following calculation:

(headcount batt1) x (experience batt1) + (headcount batt2) x (experience batt2)

(headcount batt1) + (headcount batt2)

(i.e. the battalion will have the average both battalion's experience)

Notes:

The battalions which are to be merged do not need to be in one of your barracks/shipyards.

If the combined headcount of the merged battalion exceeds 800 men then the excess men will be lost.

In the colonies it might not be good practice to merge battalions of European troops damaged in battles, as you can’t replace the ‘lost’ battalion with anything but Colonial Auxiliaries or Mounted Colonials. If possible, it would be better to raise the headcount of the battalions (see 5.1.6., p35,), so keeping the European troop type battalions.

Brigades loaded on fleets cannot be merged, even if the fleet is in a shipyard.

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