Hello, hello!
Another DevBlog, another WARNO - SOUTHAG division preview! In today’s post, we turn - once again - to the Warsaw Pact and their Czechoslovakian fighting forces with the new 19. Motostřelecká Divize or 19th Motor Rifle Division.
Let’s go!
The 19. Motostřelecká Divize Detailed
As you might remember from the first Czechoslovakian battlegroup we highlighted - the 1. Tanková Divize - the 19. Motostřelecká Divize formed part the 1st Army of the Czechoslovak People’s Army (CSLA).
Created in 1958 in Plzeň (Pilsen on the map below), its home base for the duration of the Cold War, the
19. Motostřelecká Divize saw no active combat during its lifetime. The motorized rifle division, structured along the Soviet Army lines, was positioned directly opposite West German troops in Regensburg. The division was a standing formation, combat-ready at all times but with reduced strength. Its peacetime manpower was around 75%, with reservists filling out the ranks in case of mobilization.
In the case of World War III, as so depicted in WARNO, it was planned for the 19. Motostřelecká Divize to transfer its 104th Infantry Regiment to the formation directly to the north (the 20. Motostřelecká Divize), which in turn would likely fall under Soviet operational command (as part of the Soviet Central Group of Forces).
This would leave our 19. Motostřelecká Divize with three “teeth” regiment out of the standard four, amputating the battlegroup of one-third of its infantry. However, the parent 1st Army controlled many independent assets, which could be attached to subordinate divisions to make up for any losses or to bolster their firepower. These were chiefly the 1st Army’s helicopter regiment and the famous 22nd Airborne Brigade, the famous Výsadkáři(and their no less famous song... at least to our old-timer Wargame veterans).
The 19. Motostřelecká Divize in WARNO - SOUTHAG
How will the 19. Motostřelecká Divize look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? New units are both italic and bolded, and everything that follows is work-in-progress and subject to change.
LOG
Pretty good with command units.
- It includes the new OT-62-R4MT, which is a command variant of the OT-62's APC different from the Polish TOPAS R-3M, plus the BVP-1K, as well as Mi-19.
- Supply units include PMZ (that is a FOB), V3S medium and T813 heavy supply trucks, and the Mi-17T supply helicopter.
INF
Due to the loss of one of its three infantry regiments, this 19. Motostřelecká Divize category is a bit weaker than other mechanized infantry divisions.
- The core infantry are the same as the 1. Tanková Divize. These are MOTOSTŘELCI, ŽENISTÉ, weapon support teams, with the addition of a AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher team.
- The 104th Infantry Regiment, the one transferred out, was the division's sole user of OT-64 APCs. This means transport options for MOTOSTŘELCI are BVP-1 and BVP-2, while ŽENISTÉ squads are the only ones left with access to the OT-62 and OT-64 APCs.
- Some REZERVISTI squads in trucks and OT-62A will also be available. These reservists are wearing the older Vz.60 uniforms.
- The real (new) stars of the division are the VÝSADKÁŘI squads. Much like the East German Fallschirmjägers, Czechoslovakia's sole airborne brigade acted both as an airborne/heliborne formation and the army's special forces. As such, they come with both the Special Forces and Shock traits. These air assault squads are 10-strong, armed with Vz.58V, two Vz.59L, and a RPG-7VL. The squads come in combat, command, and ATGM variants, riding unarmed or rocket-armed Mi-17T helicopters.
ART
As we mentioned in the previous Czechoslovakian-themed DevBlog, the communist country had a vibrant domestic weapons and vehicle industry.
- It also produced its own artillery, such as the M Vz.52 82mm and Vz.82 120mm mortars.
- The only towed howitzer available to the 19. Motostřelecká Divize is the D-30 122mm. As a side note, we have incorrectly granted the same artillery piece to the 1. Tanková Divize. Historically, these guns had been replaced in the tank-heavy division by the 2S1 Gvozdika.
- Self-propelled guns available to the 19. Motostřelecká Divize are the (mentioned above) 2S1 and the domestic-made DANA, as well as the RM-70 MRLS.
- A welcome addition to the Czechoslovakian arsenal (even for the Warsaw Pact at large) is the first self-propelled mortar: the new PRÁM-S. This is a 120mm mortar mounted casemate-style on a BVP-1. And why stop there? This armored vehicle is also equipped with a 12,7mm HMG, plus a Konkurs ATGM launcher. Although not distributed to any divisions, a dozen or so PRAM-S had been produced by the end of the Cold War. In our ”March to War”, they have been regrouped into an army asset battery and attached to the 19. Motostřelecká Divize.
TANK
Average in slots, since it is short a tank batallion compared to other MSDs, it is quite unique and potent from its composition.
- The two infantry regiment's tank batallions were equiped with the T-55AM1, coming in combat and command variants, with a few T-55A in support. The former tank is the missing link between the T-55A and the T-55AM2; it received the earlier variant’s armor and lack of smoke, but with the latter version’s more capable 2275m tank gun.
- Meanwhile, 19.MSD & 20.MSD's tank regiments were planned to be the first non-tank division regiments to be reequiped with T-72 in 1989-90, but this never happened due to the end of the Cold War. In our timeframe, this will, and since by then the newer T-72M1 had replaced the T-72M in Czechoslovakian production, it will get this tank.
- Therefore, we'll have an infantry division with about half/half T-55AM-1 & T-72M1.
- Missile destroyer units are limited to a handful OP PTRK KONKURS (BRDM-2 KONKURS).
- Towed anti-tank guns include the domestic-made VÝS. BZK VZ.59 82mm, a Special Forces traited recoilless rifle, airliftable in an Mi-17T. Another new unit is the M-53 100mm, an anti-tank gun, which in a secondary role, can be put to use as a field gun.
REC
Another balanced category for the 19. Motostřelecká Divize.
- Recon infantry available to the battlegroup includes the same as those found in the 1. Tanková Divize plus new VÝS. PRŮZKUMNÍCI air assault recon squads deployable in armed helicopters.
- Further backed up by an armored OT-65 DPP with a ground-based radar.
- And the heliborne Mi-17Z2 recon helicopter, doubling up as a jammer.
AA
A standard category.
- Anti-air defenses contain PPLRK S-2M (Strela-2) MANPAD teams, plus the same PLDVK VZ.23/59 SPAAG as the 1. Tanková Divize.
- In addition, the 2K12 KUB can also be found.
HEL
A good category.
- It fields the same Mi-2URP and MI-17 [RKT] as its sister tank division.
- Plus support from the CSLA’s only Mi-24V regiment, with rocket and ATGM loadouts.
AIR
Air cover is pretty decent for the 19. Motostřelecká Divize.
- Air superiority missions are flown by the MiG-21Bis and MiG-29.
- Czechoslovakia was among the few countries to acquire and operate the Su-25 during the Cold War. These will be available in all Soviet loadouts.
The 19. Motostřelecká Divize is a well-rounded motor rifle division, with less mechanized-mounted infantry to comparable formations but without any true handicap. It can also count on a heft contingent of potent Czechoslovakian airborne troops to bolster its ranks!
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.
In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact with the Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians, battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops.
- 2 new Army General campaigns.
- 4 new Operations.
- 10 new Divisions, including new nations Canada, Spain and Czechoslovakia. These include NATO’s 1st Canadian Division and the Spanish División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 and Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tanková Divize.
- New voice acting.
- New units and models.
Until Next Week
We’ll be back next week with a new WARNO - SOUTHAG preview.
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, commanders.
