Hello, hello, hello!
We return once again with a brand-new WARNO - SOUTHAG preview! Today’s post marks the last of the Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian divisions to be featured in our new expansion; let’s welcome to the stage the 303. Tanková Divize or the 303 Tank Division.
Let’s go!
The 303. Tanková Divize’s History
Much like its Soviet Army overlords, the Czechoslovak People's Army - shortened ČSLA - was composed of divisions with different levels of readiness.
Full Readiness
These were formations that were close to full combat readiness and ready to deploy from their barracks within hours of receiving the order.
- The Czechoslovakian armed forces contained six of these divisions: four from the 1. Armáda or 1st Army, namely the 1. Tanková Divize, the 19. Motostřelecká Divize, as well as the 2. and 20. Motostřelecká Divize.
- There was also one from the 4. Armáda or 4th Army, the 9. Tanková Divize, plus the independent 7th Artillery Division.
Reduced Strength
There were several active divisions that were of reduced strength. These were kept at two-thirds of their full manpower, and in case of war, would only be brought up by calling in reservists. The plan was that this should - ideally - take no more than two days.
- There were the three remaining divisions part of the 4th Army: the 3. and 15. Motostřelecká Divize and the 4. Tanková Divize, as well as the independent 13. and 14. Tanková Divize.
Mobilization Divisions
And lastly, there were also several formations at reduced staffing and equipment levels. These were the so-called mobilization divisions, operated by a skeleton crew of maintenance troops who watched over the weapon storage depots. Supposedly, these could be raised in three to four days, depending on the division, but it is likely nobody would believe this feat to be true.
- The mobilization divisions in the ČSLA were the 18., 26., and 32. Motostřelecká Divize, and the 16. and 17. Tanková Divize.
As you can see, the 303. Tanková Divize was not listed. How come? Czechoslovakia had plans for three additional divisions for wartime service in an exclusive home defense role, but these never materialized. These formations were the 60. Motostřelecká Divize and the 303. and 304. Tanková Divize. The division’s cadre would come from training personnel; the rest would be filled up with reservists and conscripts. Equipment would be drawn from obsolete storage, along with a sprinkling of more modern vehicles and weapons taken from the military academies.
The 303. Tanková Divize was intended for the defense of the homeland only. In WARNO, this also means the division will defend important rear-area army assets, such as heavy AA guns, operating in close conjunction with territorial militia, the Lidové milice.
The 303. Tanková Divize in WARNO - SOUTHAG
How will the 303. Tanková Divize look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? New units are both italic and bolded. The following is work-in-progress and subject to change.
LOG
As the 303. Tanková Divize is a rear-area defensive formation, its logistical base is pretty good.
- Logistics units include the ubiquitous FOB and V3S light supply truck, as well as the amphibious BAV-485 (a rip-off of the World War 2-era DUKW), as well as T815 heavy supply vehicles.
- Command units include the (equally ubiquitous) UAZ-469, plus the OT-65VP and OT-62/R4MT.
INF
Nothing too spectacular, though the 303. Tanková Divize can be seen not only as a reserve division with infantry but also with plentiful armor. Slots aren’t very cheap, but there is a good range of choice.
- A small core of regular MOTOSTŘELCI squads in OT-62A and BVP-1, including a leader version, as well as the larger STŘELCI, which are 9-man squads with assault rifles, two LMGs and RPG-7VL. Next are the VELITEL STŘELCI command squads, being 8-strong with Skorpion, Vz.58P assault rifles, RPG-75, and smoke grenades. These later two squads can deploy in softskin transports, the OT-64C (with BTR-60 turret) or OT-62B (with hatch-mounted T21 Tarasnice recoilless rifle).
- The division’s staple infantry are the reservist ZÁLOŽNÍCI in softskin, OT-64C or OT-62B, and their VELITEL ZÁLOŽNÍCI command squads. They also come in larger ZÁLOŽNÍCI (T21) variant, representing a half-platoon easily fitting in the very spacious (18 seats) turretless OT-64 and basic OT-62A. Specifically, the last squad is 16-strong, and equipped with 14x Vz.58P assault rifles, 2x UK Vz.59L LMG, RPG-75, and one T21 RCL. All reservists come with the Reservist trait.
- Assisting the division in securing the rear areas are the Czechoslovakian People’s Militia, the Lidova Milice. The LIDOVA MILICE are 8-strong security militia with the Vz.58P assault rifle, one UK Vz.59L LMG, and RPG-75. Their VELITEL L.M. command variant is 5-strong, armed with Skorpion SMGs and a light T21 Tarasnice RCL. Both units come riding in V3S trucks, with the Reservist and Security traits.
- Support weapon squads include the ŽENISTE combat engineers, T.A.I. military police, PROTITANKOVÉ DRUŽSTVO tank hunters, UK Vz.59 7,62mm HMG and the new BZK Vz.59 82mm recoilless rifle.
ART
Pretty decent, but featuring the opposite slot allocation and price compared to the INF category above: the number of slots is good, but choices are more limited.
- Starting with the basic M Vz.52 82mm mortar.
- Followed up by the H Vz.38/74 122mm and KH Vz.18/47N 152mm howitzers. The former is the Czechoslovakian designation of the Soviet M-30s of World War II vintage (already featured with Poland and East Germany); the latter is no other than the German World War II s.FH 18 150mm gun modified to fire Soviet 152mm rounds.
- MLRS come in the form of the old RM Vz.51 130mm and the RM Vz.70/85 122mm, the latter being a single battalion of the upgraded variant kept in an independent artillery unit.
TANK
An excellent category, especially in the number of slots. In many cases, the 303. Tanková Divize had to make do with leftovers and obsolete storage equipment.
- The main tanks include the T-34/85M and the new SD-100. The latter is a locally modified SU-100 tank destroyer from World War II. Czechoslovakia retained several battalions of these original Red Army tanks throughout the entire Cold War. Both units feature the Reversist trait.
- Heavier firepower will come with the T-54B and T-54BK command variant.
- With the most modern equipment available being a few T-72M-E2 (without smoke), represented with additional Veterancy options to highlight the military academy instructors manning them as crew.
- Anti-tank units include the PTK Vz.52 85mm and PTK Vz.53 100mm towed anti-tank guns. The former is the original gun used by the East Germans under the designation PaK K-52 85mm, which was featured in the Rügen Gruppierung.
- Plus the OT PTRK MALJUTKA missile tank destroyer, which is the BRDM-2 MALYUTKA.
REC
- Decent with infantry-based recon squads including PRŮZKUMNÍCI and MOT. PRŮZKUMNÍCI. The first unit comes in either UAZ-469 jeeps or OT-65 armored cars. The second squad in V3S trucks, the OT-810 recon half-track or Mi-4 helicopter. The OT-810 is no other than the World War II German SdKfz. 251 half-track, which the original Czechoslovakian factories kept producing well into the 1950s. So painful it was to be seated in its back was that it was commonly nicknamed "Hitler's Revenge" in the ČSLA.
- The new PRŮZ. L.M. militia scouts, being just 3 men with Skorpion SMGs, RPG-75, and the Reservist trait, riding to battle in a UAZ-469 jeep.
- Recon vehicles included the new OT-65 DPP, unarmed but sporting a battlefield radar, and the OT-65A VYDRA, armed with an LMG and hatch-mounted T21 Tarasnice RCL.
- The PRŮZ. T-34/85, acting as recon tank (still with Reservist trait), and the OT-810D, the World War 2 half-track mounting a BZK Vz.59 recoiless rifle.
AA
- Pretty good with divisional anti-air defenses include the JEŠTĚRKA 30mm SPAAG (renamed from the PLDvK vz.53/59) and the PLDvK Vz.53 30mm, its towed variant, as well as the PPLRK S-2M (Strela-2M) MANPAD team.
- Additional heavier units include the PLK CS 57mm and PLK KS-30 130mm AA guns, the latter being the same as added to the Soviet Army with WARNO - Nemesis #3 - Homefront’s 157-ya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya.
- The only SAM unit is the PLRK KRUG.
HEL
Pretty mediocre with only a few slots, quickly rising in costs.
- Only two older helicopters can deploy, both being gunship variants of the Mi-4. These are the Mi-4B [RKT1] with 32x 57mm rockets and the Mi-4B [RKT2] with 16x130mm rockets.
AIR
A good category for the 303. Tanková Divize. One of the Czechoslovakian Air Force’s aircraft was the light L-39, a jet trainer that saw widespread service among other Warsaw Pact nations. This plane will make a plentiful appearance flying top cover over home territory.
- The L-39ZO in HE and RKT loadouts.
- Czechoslovakia also operated an improved variant, the L-39ZA, which was able to fire A2A missiles, making it a cheap multirole fighter with bombs and R-13M missiles.
- Additional air cover is provided by MiG-21MF [AA2] (which is a MiG-21bis) and the older MiG-21MA [AA] fighters.
- Ground support planes are numerous and include MiG-21MF (the MiG-21bis) in various RKT, HE, NPLM and CLU loadouts, as well as the SU-22M4 [AT].
The 303. Tanková Divize is a reservist, defensive-focused division, relying on numbers and, in many cases, World War II-era vehicles. A handful of rare, more modern units, plus substantial air support, round out this battlegroup.
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 Canada, Spain, and Czechoslovakia as new nations. These include NATO’s 1st Canadian Division, Spain's División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 and France's 6e Division Légère Blindée ; as well as Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tanková Divize, 19. Motostřelecká Divize, and 303. Tanková Divize.
- New voice acting.
- New units and models.
Until Next Week
And, of course, 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.
