Hello, hello!
We are back, commanders! In this week’s second DevBlog, we turn to the Polish again. In today’s post, let’s gaze on the armored spearhead of the 20 "Warszawska" Dywizja Pancerna or 20th “Warsaw” Tank Division.
Jazda!
Warsaw Pact’s Polish 20 "Warszawska" Dywizja Pancerna
The 20 "Warszawska" Dywizja Pancerna (we will use 20 Pancerna) never fired a shot in anger, meaning that its service record during the Cold War will be relatively brief. Created in 1951 in Szczecinek, Poland, as a mechanized division, it was turned into a full-fledged armored one in 1955, remaining so until 1989. The tank division took on the traditions of the 1st Warsaw Cavalry Brigade in 1967 and, as such, received the distinguishing name "Warszawska".
Its patron upon division’s creation was nobody other than the ”Marshal of Two Nations”, Konstantin K. Rokossovsky, one of World War 2’s great Soviet military commanders and the leading force behind Operation Bagration.
The 20 Dywizja Pancerna Detailed
The Polish People’s Army (Ludowe Wojsko Polskie - LWP) was organized in two main field armies, the 1st and 2nd Army, plus an “assault corps” earmarked to invade Denmark through amphibious and airborne means. The Polish 2nd Army’s formations acted as reinforcements or potential exploitation forces for vanguard Soviet and East German formations attacking NORTHAG in the first wave. WARNO - NORTHAG’s cousin 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana or the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division (read more about it in this dedicated DevBlog) belonged to the 2nd Army.
The Polish 1st Army was the northernmost and directed to assault Denmark. The Polish 20 Dywizja Pancerna was the sole armored division of this army. As such, it was to spearhead the land offensive against Denmark. However, it could have also provided support to the East German 5. Armee fighting around Hamburg (which will be depicted in our Army General campaigns, more on that at a later date).
The 20 Dywizja Pancerna in WARNO - NORTHAG
So, how will the 20 Pancerna look like in-game?
LOG
- An average category, though arguably better than most other armored battlegroups.
- Supply vehicles featured are the GAZ-66 and new STAR-266 supply trucks, as well as an FOB.
- Command vehicles include the BPW-1K3 and the new BRDM-2 R-5 which is a turreted (recon) BRDM-2 repurposed as a command vehicle. Poland seldomly used the more commonplace BRDM-2U.
INF
- Not the best, which isn’t a complete surprise for this tank-heavy division. There are only a limited amount of slots.
- Main infantry squads will be formed of PIECHOTA ZMECH., riding to war in either trucks, BWP-1 and for a select few, the BWP-2. In the latter IFV’s case, there was only one BWP-2 battalion in the Polish People’s Army, which was kept in Warsaw for… parade purposes! In times of war, these have been passed along to more combat-focused divisions such as the 20 Pancerna.
- The rest of the battlegroup’s meager infantry consists of SAPERZY (command, explosives, and flamethrower flavors) as well as WSW military police.
- Support units include the usual array of PKM 7,62mm machine gun teams, SPG-9, and PPK FAGOT.
ART
- A good category considering the nature of the division. It includes the standard arsenal of M43 120mm mortars, 2S1 GVOZDZIK self-propelled guns, and BM-21 GRAD MLRS.
- The true firepower comes from the brand-new AHS WZ.77 DANA 152mm, better known under its original Czechoslovakian designation: DANA. This highly mobile, wheeled SPG carries a modern quick-firing 152mm howitzer, also able to fire self-defense HEAT rounds.
TANK
- A very good tab. The 20 Pancerna was, in real life, a mixed division combining T-55 (from its infantry regiment) with the more capable T-72 (in its tank regiments).
- This means that the most numerous tanks will be T-72M and T-72M1 (in both command and regular variants). This armored force is backed up by a few cards of cheap T-55A (in command, regular, and “coffin-launcher” mine-clearing versions).
- We also chose to include the most famous domestic-built Polish tank (taking into account our “March to War”): the new T-72M2 WILK (meaning “Wolf”). Although trying to negotiate the delivery of the T-72S from the USSR, by the mid-1980s, Poland had been secretly working on its own indigenous upgrade of the T-72M1, rejecting the Soviet K-1 ERA as being too flawed. Polish designers worked on improving the T-72M21 tank with only locally sourced equipment. This includes the very capable Merida Fire Control System, sensors, and even ERAWA armor. In-game, this means that the T-72M2 WILK’s base armor remains unchanged (but does with the ERA trait) but features a more powerful tank gun with more range (including compared to the East German KPz. T-72S) and much more accuracy, including on the move.
- Lastly, the only non-tank vehicle in this tab is the BRDM-2 MALUTKA-P.
RECO
- A good category sharing the same ZWIADOWCY, SAPERY ZWIADOWCY, ZMOT. ZWIADOWCY, as well as special forces ROZP. SPECJALNE infantry scouts as the 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana.
- A new unit is the infantry scout ROZP. SPECJALNE (GSR) variant, a 3-man special force team with GSR trait, deployable in either HONKER or BRDM-1.
- Recon vehicles include the usual suspect list, such as the BRDM-2 and radar BWR-1D (which is a Soviet BRM-1) plus an armed Mi-2US recon helicopter.
AA
- A rather standard category with slots being quite expensive, but with some good options to boot.
- These are STRELA-2M MANPAD teams, plus ZU-23-2 and ZUR-23-2S JOD towed guns.
- Self-propelled variants include the ZSU-23-4 SPAAG and STRELA-10M and KUB SAM vehicles.
HELO
- Pretty barren, with only a few slots, which are all quite expensive.
- Rotorcraft featured are the light Mi-2URP SALAMANDRA with Malyutka missiles.
- Backed by heavier Mi-24D with Falanga ATGMs and with the choice of two variants, with the difference being the brand of rockets fielded: S-5 or S-8.
AIR
- Rather average with the People's Polish Air Force bringing to war the MIG-21 in AA (two versions) and close air support (again, two versions, either rockets or bombs) roles.
- Supported by Su-22M4 comes in either rocket or AT (with Kh-29T) roles.
The 20 Pancerna might be scarce in infantry, but this armored division reigns supreme with its powerful tank and artillery combo, backed up by plenty of recon units. Its other supporting arms might not be too much to write home about, but Poles are still a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
NORTHAG Expansion Explained
WARNO - NORTHAG is the first major expansion coming to WARNO. World War III hits 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 expansion 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.
- 10 new Divisions, including NATO’s Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie, Dutch 4e Divisie, the British 4th Armoured Division and MultiNational Airborne Division, while the Warsaw Pact deploys the Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya, the East German 9. Panzerdivision, and the Polish 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowan and 20 Dywizja Pancerna.
- 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.
- And our Division #6 looks at the new Polish mechanized fighting forces of the 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana. Check out the DevBlog here.
- The special paratroopers of British-led MultiNational Airborne Division get their chance to shine in this dedicated Division #7 DevBlog here.
Until Next Time
That’s it for this week. We’ll be back next week with NATO’s (US) 9th Infantry (Mot.).
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.
