Hello citizen commanders!
It seems we should have called our next expansion FOURTHAG as we now have our third “4th” division for WARNO - NORTHAG.
This time, the communist Polish People's Army brings to the battlefield the 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana or the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division.
Zatem na przód!
Warsaw Pact’s Polish 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana
The 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana or in short 4 Zmech. was originally formed in the Sumy region of Ukraine by communist forces in 1944 as the 4th Pomeranian Infantry Division. It was one of the first Polish units to take an oath on Polish territory. The formation’s patron was Jan Kiliński, a historical Polish soldier who commanded the Warsaw Uprising in 1794 against the then-Russian garrison.
The 4th Infantry Division fought heavily on the Pomerian Front. It ended World War 2 on the Elbe River and, in the post-war years, was integrated into the Polish People’s Army, to be reorganized as the 4th Mechanized “Pomerian” Division in 1962. In November 1966, the division was upgraded from a cadre-filled peace formation to full combat readiness, which included a sizable increase in materiel and manpower. New support units were formed, with the division becoming part of the first-line southwestern Silesian Military District (one out of three) until the end of the Cold War. The two western military districts would form a combined arms or tank army in times of war. Within WARNO, this is represented as the Polish 2nd Army.
The division was part of the communist Polish People's Army or Ludowe Wojsko Polskie (LWP). During the Cold War, the Poles formed by far the largest ground force (outside the Soviet Army, of course) of the Warsaw Pact. However, there were always doubts by the Soviet Union’s leadership about the Polish willingness to join the communist cause in wartime, fueled by history and Polish reluctance in joining internal Warsaw Pact operations such as the Prague Spring in 1968. Economic crises and martial law in the early 1980s disrupted civilian life in Poland, and further repressions by internal security forces - instigated by WARNO’s alternative USSR’s troika - ensured the Polish nominal loyalty in our 1989 war.
The Polish People’s Army was well-equipped with the Soviet Army’s export vehicles and weaponry, plus a decent amount of domestic designs, ensuring that the People’s Army was a fighting force to be reckoned with. Its (conscript) soldiers in the late Cold War were considered professional, including its officer's corps. The Polish army was (and is still to this day) held in great regard by the Polish nation due to its long and proud military history and tradition.
The Polish 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana Detailed
As a non-Soviet Warsaw Pact mechanized infantry division, the 4 Zmech. shares similarities with the East German 4. Motorisierte Schützendivision. Immediately apparent is the shared reliance on the T-55 (including upgraded variants) as the main battle tank, and (no surprise here) the BMP-1 (known as the BWP-1 in Polish service) as its primary IFV.
However, the Polish Army did feature some unique elements. For instance, it didn’t use Soviet-made BTR-60 or -70 wheeled APCs, but instead relied on Czechoslovakian-Polish SKOT wheeled APCs. Although the basic versions of this vehicle shared similarities with Soviet examples, further developed variants diverged significantly.
Another example is that the Poles didn’t rely on T-55s capable of barrel-launching ATGMs. Instead, they developed some extremely accurate fire-control systems for this older-generation tank: the famous Merida. This turned the Polish T-55 into - undoubtedly - one of the best and most deadly T-55 upgrades of the time.
All Polish mechanized and armored divisions relied on a light special forces company for reconnaissance purposes. Furthermore, Polish foot soldiers were equipped with the RPG-7VM as the squad’s “best” anti-tank weapon, never buying the single-shot RPG-18 or RPG-22. Instead, they developed their own version, the Komar, which was definitely not one of the best Polish inventions to come out of the late Cold War. The Poles didn’t really trust magazine-fed 5,56mm light machine guns; they stuck to the heavier belt-fed 7,62mm, which they fielded at great numbers at platoon level (more than one machine gun per squad). This translates to less AT but more anti-infantry power.
The main truck of the Polish Army is the domestic STAR-266. Polish tube artillery was famous for being one of the most obsolete of all Warsaw Pact armies, still relying a lot on refurbished World War 2-era towed guns (the only change being the replacement of old wheels for modern tires).
As for rotorcraft, Poland developed many variants of the lighter Mi-2 helicopter, some of which can already be encountered with the East German armies in WARNO. They went even further and designed their own: the W-3W SOKOL.
The 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana in WARNO - NORTHAG
So, what’s the deal with the 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana in WARNO? Note that all of the below is still very much work-in-progress and might be subject to change.
LOG
- An average category. Players will be able to field the usual array of supply units, from a FOB to light GAZ-66 and heavy KRAZ-255B trucks.
- Command units include the new SKOT R-2M and BWP-1K3 armored vehicles, as well as the light MI-2D PRZETACENIK helicopter.
INF
- A very good category with plenty of new infantry options.
- Regular Polish infantry come in two variants. The first is a 7-man mechanized infantry squad, the PIECHOTA ZMECH. (which are already in-game with the East German special Rügener Grupierung) deployable with a BWP-1. They represent one-third of the division’s infantry.
- The second variant is the motorized infantry squad, the PIECHOTA squads, riding to battle in either SKOT-2 (fielding an HMG 12,7mm) or SKOT-2A (with a dual HMG 14,5mm and LMG 7,62mm) APC. These are all new units. They represent the remaining two-thirds of the divisional infantry and come in three distinct variants:
- The basic PIECHOTA: 9-man squad with assault rifles, 1x PKM machine-gun and RPG-7VM.
- The PIECHOTA (SVD) being a 10-man squad with assault rifles, 2x PKM, 1x SVD and RPG-7VM. They represent the one-out-three squads per platoon that received a platoon-assigned DMR and extra PKM.
- The PIECHOTA DOW. which is an 8-man leader squad with assault rifles, 1x SVD sniper rifle, Komar and smoke grenades.
- The new Polish combat engineers are featured in three flavors: the DOW. SAPERZY (command), SAPERZY (explosives), and SAPERZY SZTURMOWI (with LPO-50 flamethrowers) deployable in either MT-LB or SKOT-2 APCs.
- Anti-tank squads include the new DRUZYNA PPANC. tank-hunters, which are the Polish counterparts to the East German Panzerjäger. They field the RPG-7VL, only available to them as a courtesy of the “March to War” timeline (in real life, they didn’t field this particular RPG variant).
- Other weapon teams are the regular SPG-9 recoilless rifle and the PPK KONKURS ATGM. A special (new) transport is the new SKOT-2AM, which features a BRDM-2 turret with two Malyutka-M on its sides.
- Military police can deploy as the new WSW squads.
- A special war-time attachment will be some elements of the Samodzielny Batalion Szturmowy (or 1st Special Force Battalion) operating at the Polish 2nd Army level. The new KOMANDOSI are 6-man special force commando squads with Tantal assault rifles, 2x PKM, RPG-7VM, and smoke grenades. They can deploy in either new HONKER 4011 (“Polish Humvees”), new W-3 SOKOL light or Mi-8 [RKT] heavy helicopters.
ART
- Average to good amount of slots, but with a selection of rather old units. These include artillery guns such as the Soviet-made M43 120mm mortars, the new H WZ. 1938/85 122mm (which as Soviet M-30, and new WZ. 1937/85 152mm towed howitzers. All of these are World War 2 vintage.
- MLRS are much more modern with either the BM-21 GRAD or the new RM WZ.70/85.
TNK
- A good amount of slots with the 4 Zmech. fielding two variants of the older-generation T-55.
- The T-55A “old-timer” variant, which is the same as the East German version, comes both in vanilla and command versions.
- The T-55AM MERIDA, already featured in the Rügener Grupierung, with a greatly improved FCS which translates to a 2275m gun with 60% Accuracy and 50% (Motion) stabilizer. Also, in either plain or command versions.
- Both of the above tank versions come in an unusual “S” variant (the new T-55AS and T-55AMS respectively). These tanks sport two PW-LWD mine-clearing rocket charges which is the same as the East German “coffin-launcher” (aka “Pooratino”) as fielded by East German SPW-50PK(MRF) in the Rügener Grupierung battlegroup.
- Dedicated anti-tank vehicles are UAZ-469 FAGOT and BRDM-2 MALUTKA-P ATGM carriers. A new unit is the D-48 85mm gun, similar to the existing D-44, but packing a heavier punch.
RECO
- A good category for this division with lots of choice.
- Infantry scouts are divided into 4-man ZWIADOWCY riding to battle in UAZ-469 jeeps or recon transport OT-65, 8-man SAPERZY ZWIADOWCY squads in BAV-485 amphibious trucks (basically a World War 2-era DUKW) or TRI HORS recon transport MT-LB, and finally a 7-man ZMOT. ZWIAD squad in recon transport ROZP. BWP-1 IFV. All units, except for the UAZ jeep and recon BMP-1, are new.
- As previously mentioned, each Polish division had its own ROZP. SPECJALNE special forces recon squad in HONKER 4011 and HONKER RYS recon transports, the latter equipped with a 12,7mm HMG. Again, all units are new.
- Dedicated armored recon vehicles are the new BRDM-1 PSNR1 (with ground radar) and BRDM-2 armored car.
- Light recon helicopters include the new unarmed Mi-2Ro BAZANT and the armed Mi-2US.
AA
- Average number of slots but with some new options. The standard STRZALA-2M MANPAD is available with a dedicated (new) SKOT-2P APC, which, while armed with a single 14,5mm is equipped with a special AA-capable turret (featuring anti-aircraft ranges). This allows it to engage aerial targets.
- Towed guns include the ubiquitous ZU-23-2 plus its Polish upgraded cousin, the new ZUR-23-2S JOD with slightly improved accuracy and featuring two slapped-on Strela-2 missiles!
- The new HIBNERYT and HIBNERYT-KG are the self-propelled variants of the above two 23mm towed guns, mounted on STAR-266 trucks.
- The main divisional SAM will be the 9K33 OSA-AKM.
HELO
- A pretty good category for the 4 Zmech. with a large array of helicopters.
- Such as several domestic variants of the light Mi-2 gunship, including the Mi-2URN ZMIJA (with a 23mm gun and 57mm rockets), the Mi-2URP SALAMANDRA (with a 23mm gun and 4x Malyutka-M ATGMs) and the Mi-2URPG GNIEWOSZ (with a 23mm gun, 4x Malyutka-M ATGMs and 4x Strela-2M AA missiles). All these are new units.
- Backed by the usual complement of Mi-24D and Mi-24W (Soviet Mi-24V, equipped with a Yak-B gun, 4x Kokon missiles and 96x 57mm rockets).
AIR
- The division’s air support is a bit more average in terms of slots and choices.
- The MiG-23MF in two distinct variants provides the battlegroup’s air cover.
- Ground support is the domain of the Su-22M4 in CLU, AT, and HE payloads.
The 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana is a versatile and well-rounded mechanized infantry division. It might lack heavy or particularly high-tech equipment, but there is no clear chink in its armor, and will perform well in either offensive or defensive operations.
NORTHAG Expansion Explained
In case you missed it: WARNO - NORTHAG is the first major expansion coming to WARNO. It takes World War III to the North German Plain, where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The release is planned for later in 2024.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG/
WARNO - NORTHAG will feature:
- 2 new Army General campaigns.
- 4 new Operations.
- 4 new Maps.
- 10 new Divisions, including NATO’s Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie, Dutch 4e Divisie, the British 4th Armoured Division, while the Warsaw Pact deploys the Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya, the East German 9. Panzerdivision, and the Polish 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana.
- 3 new playable nations: NATO’s Belgium and the Netherlands, and Warsaw Pact’s Poland.
- New voice acting.
- New units and models.
We have started detailing WARNO - NORTHAG’s features. Check the list below!
- In the very first DevBlog, highlighting Division #1, we show off NATO’s Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie going to war with powerhouse cousin Luxembourg. Read more about the new battlegroup in this dedicated post.
- In Division #2, we focused on the Warsaw Pact’s Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya or 25th Tank Division. Read more about this battlegroup here.
- In our Division #3, we look at the Dutch and their hard-hitting 4e Divisie. Check it out in this DevBlog here.
- The Division #4 looks into the poster child of the East German Nationale Volksarmee, the 9. Panzerdivision. Take a look in this DevBlog.
- In our Division #5 we take a gander at the British 4th Armoured Division. Check it out in this DevBlog.
Until Next Time
We’ll be back next week but take a break from the usual NORTHAG Divisions and instead focus on the expansion’s new map: Railway.
Join the 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.
