A comment on the Options for the Allied Second Front Order of Battle.

First off, there are no free lunches. There is a price to be paid for everything, and the 2nd US Cavalry Division and various Ghost divisions are no exceptions.

The 2nd US Cavalry Division was shipped overseas to the MTO with the intention of converting it to supply the troops for several support units urgently needed in theater. The conversions occurred between March and July 1944. Some of the units its subordinate regiments and battalions were converted into are listed below.

2nd Cavalry Formation: Converted to:
HQ 4th Cavalry Brigade 6495th Engineer Heavy Pontoon Bn
HQ 5th Cavalry Brigade 6400th Ordnance Ammunition Bn
9th Cavalry Regiment Numerous provisional port companies
10th Cavalry Regiment 6486th Engineer Bn
27th Cavalry Regiment 6404th Port Bn
28th Cavalry Regiment 6487th Engineer Bn
162nd Engineer Squadron 6496th Engineer Heavy Pontoon Bn

In order to receive the 2nd Cavalry Division on Mar II 44, the Allied player must use one of the following options.

a) Expend 9 (US) Infantry Replacement Points.
b) Remove from play 1 each Construction Bde, Port Construction Bde and Combat Engineer Bde.
c) Expend 6 (US) Infantry Replacement Points and one of b) above. d) Expend 3 (US) Infantry Replacement Points and two of b) above.

The Optional Ghost Divisions must be created in a similar manner. For all the infantry divisions, expend (US) infantry replacement points equal to their strength. For the 15th Airborne Division, two options exist.

a) Expend 7 (US) Infantry Replacement Points and remove the 508th Para Regiment from play.
b) Expend 10 (US) Infantry Replacement Points.

The 508th Parachute Regiment was not intended to become part of the 15th Airborne Division, but as with the 13th Airborne Division, we cannot be certain that one of the regiments raised with the division would not remain in the USA.

This is a better representation of what was possible with the manpower available. It also allows the Allied player to- make some decisions based on his infantry replacement pool. If he has not sustained as many casualties as occurred historically, then he may wish to raise additional units. However, if he has taken a beating, he may think twice about using his limited replacement assets for low-grade divisions.

So, if you want those Ghost Divisions or the 2nd Cav, pay the price.