Good day, commanders!
Welcome to the first WARNO - SOUTHAG DevBlog! Strap in and get ready for some very detailed division, Operations, and Army General previews - amongst other things - of WARNO’s next expansion.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978630/WARNO__SOUTHAG/
We’ll first tackle the 10 new Divisions you can expect from WARNO - SOUTHAG, which includes new nations such as Canada, Spain, and Czechoslovakia. We will follow this up with 2 new Army General campaigns plus 4 new Operations.
Without further ado, let’s welcome the first NATO division of WARNO - SOUTHAG: the 1st Canadian Division.
Read on!
The 1st Canadian Division’s History
With an illustrious and distinguished combat record, 1st Canadian Division was raised as the 1st Canadian Infantry division in 1914, participating in both World Wars to much renown. In World War I, it fought the battles of Ypres, Somme, Vimy Ridge, the infamous Passchendaele, and Amiens.
During the follow-up of World War II, the 1st Canadian Division was part of the Allied campaign in Italy, including the invasion of Sicily, with battles in Ortona (the Italian Stalingrad), Liri Valley, and the Gothic line. Relocated to northwestern Europe in the last months of the war, it helped liberate the Netherlands as part of the First Canadian Army.
After World War II, the 1st Canadian Division was reduced to a dormant skeleton headquarters grouping, with a short revival in the mid-1950s before being fully disbanded by 1958. It was reactivated again at the tail-end of the Cold War in 1988, consolidating the command of all Canadian land forces in West Germany.
A little bit more about Canada’s commitment to Europe’s defense in the Cold War. From 1951, Canada’s armed forces maintained an infantry brigade - for the greatest part of the Cold War 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade-Group (4CMBG) - in West Germany, subordinate to the British Army of the Rhine (that is, in NORTHAG’s area of operations). This particular brigade was strong enough to be considered a “light division” by the British. However, in 1968 the new Canadian government slashed the military budget, reducing the forward-deployed 4 CMBG's strength. Another change was that the unit was redesignated to become a mere reserve formation for the US VIII Corps, with a relocation to Lahr, in the south of West Germany.
(Source: Canadian Geographic)
Meanwhile, political machinations and accusations from other NATO nations (not the first, nor the last time that happened between alliance members) raised question marks on Canada’s commitment to NATO. It forced the North American country to promise that its presence in Europe, though at that moment greatly diminished in West Germany, was to be boosted in other theaters. An air-transportable brigade, the 5e Groupe-Brigade Mécanisé du Canada, was to be moved to Norway in case of war. This envisioned deployment was regarded with some skepticism by NATO, doubting Canada’s ability to organize such an airlift in times of conflict. Military exercises in Norway proved that this hunch was correct.
Another change in government saw Canada’s armed forces regain some of its strength. It modernized its aging tank fleet in the 1970s, boosted its military budget from 1984, and by 1988 had finally abandoned the (often regarded as doomed from the start) Canadian Air-Sea Transportable (CAST) Brigade deployment concept to Norway.
This leads us to the historical conditions at the onset of WARNO’s World War III in Europe. The Canadian 4 CMBG in Germany was beefed up, while the 5 GBMC was redirected to West Germany to serve as reinforcements there. The 1st Canadian Division's headquarters was revived in 1988 to command over these two formations.
The 1st Canadian Division’s Detailed
In 1989, the Canadian Forces Europe were based in Lahr, Baden-Württemberg, very close to the French border with West Germany. This formation included the following subordinate units:
- The 1st Canadian Division (of which only the 4 CMBG as a brigade was forward deployed in West Germany).
- The 1st Canadian Air Division (of which only 1 Wing was pre-positioned in situ).
- Local CFB Lahr's protection troops.
In case of war, the 1st Canadian Division would have been quickly reinforced by the 5 BGMG, with slower follow-up reinforcements being composed of the reserve 1 CMGB, and the 1st Canadian Air Division with its 2 Wing.
The 4 CMBG was a pretty heavy mechanized infantry brigade, while its cousin, the 5 BGMG, was much lighter, fielding the rather inadequate Cougar “fire support vehicle” (in reality a mere training vehicle some politician thought could be repurposed as a “light tank” for budgetary reasons). While the 1st Canadian Division had a dedicated headquarters unit, the division itself was cobbled together of two independent brigades with hardly any organic divisional assets or supporting arms. This made the 1st Canadian Division very strong in certain aspects but lacking units in key areas.
Historically, the 1st Canadian Division fell under CENTAG command (thus part of the US hierarchy). However, in WARNO’s “March to War” timeline, the defunct SOUTHAG command is resurrected before hostilities break out. The Canadian Forces Europe, being positioned to the very south of West Germany, plus being extremely close to the French border, are reorganized under SOUTHAG - and thus French command - in time to meet the invading Warsaw Pact forces.
The 1st Canadian Division in WARNO - SOUTHAG
How will the 1st Canadian Division look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? Note, that new units are both italic and bolded. Also, all of the following is still actively being worked upon, so it might be subject to change.
LOG
- A pretty good category for the 1st Canadian Division. These include command units such as the ILTIS CP and M577 CPC.
- Supply units are a standard FOB, plus tracked M548A2, MAN KAT 6x6 and the new MLVW wheeled supply vehicles. A few CH-147 (Canadian designation for the Chinook) supply helos can also deploy.
INF
A very strong category, with the Canadian infantry following their parent “brigade” in terms of firepower and mobility. This means squads are divided among the 4 CMBG's "heavy" infantry mechanized squads (with M113s), 5 BGMC's "light" motorized ones (Grizzly), and 1 CMBG's "reserve" units (again with the M113).
- Mechanized infantry all come in either new MLVW trucks or M113A1 APCs.
- MECH. RIFLES are 8-strong fielding the C7A1 (Canadian designation for the M16), two C9 (the Minimi), and one SRAAW (M) (meaning Carl Gustav). MECH. RIFLES (C6) variant (one out of three card) swaps out one C7A1 for a C6 (which is a MAG) LMG.
- MECH. RIFLES LDR. are even bigger 12-men strong squads, fielding C1 SMG (which are Sterling), C7A1, and one SRAAW (M), plus smoke grenades. The MECH. CP ESCORT squads are the same size, but field C1 SMG, C7A1, one C6 plus SRAAW (M).
- Motorized infantry squads are all 6 soldiers strong and come in MLVW trucks or the new GRIZZLY APC:
- MOT. RIFLES squads carry C7A1 and one C9, plus SRAAW (L) (which is the LAW). One MOT. RIFLES (CG) variant out of three instead fields a C1, C7A1, and a SRAAW (M).
- There is also a rare Grizzly CP escort, added to the division as a “March to War” weapon system. This particular unit only entered service officially in 1992 but was field-tested since 1988. The weapon is a French-Canadian Eryx ATGM, packing lots of punch, but has a paltry 750m range. This means the new MOT. RIFLES (ERYX) will carry C1 SMG, C7A1 and the Eryx ATGM. This weapon will also be "retrofitted" at SOUTHAG's release to the already in-game French PARA MARINE squads of the 11e Division Parachutiste battlegroup. 8e RPiMA were the ones who field-tested the weapon system.
- Lastly, the new GRIZZLY is a VAB-like wheeled and amphibious-capable APC with a turret equipped with a 7,62mm and one 12,7mm machine gun.
- Reserve infantry deploy in either MLVW truck or the M113A1 APC, and receive the Reservist trait:
- RESERVE squads are 10-strong with C1 SMG, C1 Assault Rifle (Canadian designation for the FN FAL) and two C2 LMG (meaning FALO), plus SRAAW (L).
- RESERVE LDR. are 8-strong command squads with C1 SMG, C1 Assault Rifle and a C5 LMG (good ol' World War 2-era M1919), and the SRAAW (M).
- Combat engineers come in ILTIS jeeps, MLVW trucks, M113A1 APCs, or the engineers' own (new) M113A1 DOZER with the front blade.
- PIONIER are 9-men squads with C7A1 assault rifle, two C9 LMGs, plus satchel charges.
- PIONIER LDR. are 5-strong with C7A1 assault rifles and two C6 LMG.
- PIONIER (Flam.) are 9-strong with C1 SMG, C7A1 assault rifles, two C9 LMGs and one M2A1-7 flamethrower. Canada, together with France, was one of the few NATO members still known to retain hand-held flamethrowers right up to the end of the Cold War.
- Weapon teams and other support units include:
- M2HB 12,7mm in great numbers - the Canadians loved to deploy this heavy machine gun.
- I-TOW and TOW-2 ATGMs.
- The new CFMP are 4-strong military police squads with C1 SMGs, driving a CUCV or their own new CUCV CFMP with Military Police trait.
- The new TANK HUNTER squads are 6-strong, fielding C1 SMG, C7A1 and two SRAAW (M).
ART
Mediocre. As briefly mentioned, the 1st Canadian Division has no divisional organic assets and this is reflected in the support arms. Nowhere is it as painfully visible in the artillery category: fewer battalions, no heavy pieces, no self-propelled mortars, etc. What can you expect?
- C3 81mm (which are British L16) mortars.
- M114 155mm towed artillery, as also seen with the Dutch division in WARNO.
- The ubiquitous M109A1 155mm.
TANK
- A good category, though on the light side. Canada’s main battle tank in the late Cold War was the (new) LEOPARD C1, a West German-made Leopard 1A3 locally upgraded with better fire control systems. Although lightly armored, the tank gun is accurate at 2275m, playing in the same league as the Belgian LEOPARD 1A5(BE). It will come in regular and command variants.
- The new COUGAR is Canada’s “light tank” or more accurately a fire support vehicle. It is basically a VAB with a SCORPION’s reconnaissance tank’s low-pressure 76mm gun turret slapped on top of it. It will also be available in regular and command variants.
- As a light missile tank destroyer, Canada fields the M151A2 I-TOW, as well as the new M113 TUA (for TOW Under Armor). Although physically different, this unit has the same performance as the M901 ITW with TOW-2 mounted on an M113 chassis but less armored.
REC
While the division did not have a dedicated recon battalion, the 1st Canadian Division does feature a number of recon units.
- Infantry recon can either be deployed in ILTIS or CH-136 (being the Canadian designation for the Kiowa) transports. They include the following:
- 2-man SNIPER team with FAL Scope and L96A1 sniper rifle.
- 3-man SCOUTS with SMGs and SRAAW (L).
- 3-man SCOUTS (GSR) with the same equipment plus the Ground Surveillance Radar trait.
- The only dedicated ground recon vehicle is the new M113 LYNX, a Canadian variant of the Dutch M113 C&V, but with an M2HB HMG instead of a 20mm autocannon.
- Aerial reconnaissance is performed by unarmed CH-136 and the CH-136 Mini-TAT with 7,62mm minigun.
- The CL-89 drone comes with the UAV trait.
AA
Once more, due to the dire conditions of the divisional assets, no organic anti-air battalion is present. However, the Canadians do have some air defense aces up their sleeve. This results in a decent category, thanks to the number of slots and their cost, with some unusual and interesting choices.
- Units include BLOWPIPE and JAVELIN MANPAD teams. The latter option only arrived in 1989, so will be available sparingly.
- On the other hand, the stocks of BLOWPIPE were plenty. The crafty Canadians saw an opportunity and bolted them to their transports to increase their mobile anti-air firepower. This resulted in the new CUCV BLOWPIPE.
- Finally, Canada’s trademark late Cold War vehicle is the (new) ADATS (Air Defense Anti-Tank System). This unit was a private Swiss-American venture only used by the Canadian armed forces (while tested by the US, it was never approved). Essentially this unit is an M113 sporting a turret armed with missiles both in an ATGM role (slightly inferior to the TOW-2) and SAM (!) (a bit better than the OSA-AKM). Therefore, for the same price and slots, you both have an excellent tank killer and a superior quality air defense unit, with eight ready-to-fire missiles to engage both ground and aerial targets!
The CFB Lahr’s air base featured its own air defence units. These are used to improve 1st Canadian Division’s anti-air assets.
- These include a handful of JAVELIN LML systems tested at Lahr. Some of these ended bolted to transport (new) M113 LML for additional AA firepower.
- The base’s main defense was provided by the (new) OERLIKON GDF 005 twin 35mm guns, a more accurate variant of the British SKYGUARD CV35mm ingame.
HEL
The 1st Canadian Division lacked an attack helicopter battalion (the Canadian armed forces didn’t have any attack helicopters at all!). As the formation was going to be used as the US VII Corps’ reserve, the Canadians would instead rely on American gunships.
- The Canadians fielded the twin-engine CH-135 (American UH-1N), a solid workhorse. The Royal Canadian Air Force was the designer and main user of the CRVT-7 FAT which are new in-game anti-tank rockets. Both of these weapons were available at Lahr air base; so, it wouldn’t have taken too much time for the Canadian armorers to strap the latter rockets on the first helicopter. Therefore, the division will field a few CH-135 [RKT] gunships with the new anti-tank rockets.
- And the Americans lend a hand with a small number of AH-1F TOWCOBRA.
AIR
One of the strongest categories for this division, with CFB Lahr providing plenty of air support.
- From the mid 1980s, the RCAF had modernized its entire forward-deployed 1 Wing with brand-new CF-18 (Canada’s designation of the US F-18). This striking and powerful multi-role aircraft will come in AA, RKT (CRV-7 FAT), HE, and CLU loadouts.
- As is the case with some other NATO members, some older CF-5A (the F-5A Freedom Fighter, already used in-game by the Royal Netherlands Air Force) were retained in storage to be used in HE and CLU roles.
- The Canadian air base in West Germany also had a few (new) SILVER STAR MK.3AT trainers on hand, which could be turned into a light CAS aircraft with regular HE rockets.
- In the “March to War” timeline (with a hint of techno-thriller vibe), we added the sole ever-produced EF-101B ELECTRIC VOODOO electronic warfare plane. In WARNO, it was kept in service (plus the RCAF receiving a second example added). The aircraft’s sole role, being unarmed and laden with countermeasures, is to mess and disrupt enemy SAMs.
The 1st Canadian Division has its obvious strengths and drawbacks, from its plentiful and very strong infantry and air support to versatile AA and lighter tanks. The battlegroup clearly lacks in artillery and helicopter gunship support.
WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short
WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier. World War III is as ferocious here as combat further up north.
In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops. Opposing are the southern-based Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians.
- 2 new Army General campaigns.
- 4 new Operations.
- 10 new Divisions, including new nations Canada, Spain and Czechoslovakia.
- New voice acting.
- New units and models.
We don’t have a release date yet for WARNO - SOUTHAG, but the expansion is in active development and will launch in the not-too-distant future.
Until Next Week!
That’s all for this DevBlog. We’ll return next week with the Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tankova Divize or 1st Tank Division.
Don’t forget the vibrant WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.
See you on the battlefield, commander!
