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• Jan Hayden Juklíček

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COLD WAR EUROPE

IC E LA N D

F I N LA N D SW E DEN

ATLA N T IC OCEAN NORWAY

NORT H S EA DEN MARK

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UN ITED KINGDOM

N ETH ERLAN DS

POLA N D

BELGI U M

CZE CHOS LOVA K IA

H UNGA RY FR ANCE

ROM AN IA

SW I T Z .

Y UG OS LAV IA

BU LGARIA

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T UN I S IA

Agence France-Presse (AFP) Tuesday 30 July: The President today confirmed France’s commitment to the defence of Western Europe from any foreign aggression, announcing that France will resume a leadership role among the European nations of NATO if the current crisis should lead to any aggression against France or her allies.

M E D I T E R S E

L IBYA

U S S R

(UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS) Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 31 July: Australia has committed two battalions of infantry and a battalion of tanks to the growing crisis in Europe and the Middle East. Australian and New Zealand forces, recently on exercise in West Germany with British forces, have been committed by Canberra and Wellington to form a brigade-sized unit in West Germany. The anti-war protests have been seen across both Australia and New Zealand as the peace movement rallies against the military commitment.

Nederland 1 Television News Thursday 1 August: r Barracks in “I’m standing outside Saksen-Weima ists arrive and Arnhem as large numbers of reserv and women from all prepare to join their units. Men these gate since walks of life have been entering the early hours of the morning.” attention of a The female reporter catches the when you received passing man, “excuse me, may I ask your mobilisation orders?” paused, “I’d “Oh, in this morning’s post,” he d, I just didn’t planned to go camping this weeken He then continued expect to be camping in Germany.” through the gate. B L A C K

S E A

Le Monde Monday 5 August: fateful days of the France is at War! Not since the great nation been in 1940 Battle of France has our forces. such direct threat from outside Pact armed forces Just before dawn yesterday, Warsaw an engaging NATO crossed the Iron Curtain and beg ’s armed forces forces all along the front. France g in the Federal have been committed to the fightin NATO Allies. Republic of Germany alongside our

The Toronto Star Thursday 10 August: Canadian forces are embroiled in heavy fighting against Warsaw Pact forces in West Germany, holding the enemy from pushing westward. A NATO counterattack is imminent and the fresh Canadians are to lead the initial thrust against the Warsaw Pact forces. Reports from the field describe the Warsaw Pact forces moving rapidly, bypassing heavy opposition where they meet it, and pushing westwards aggressively where they can. CNN Delayed Report Thursday 17 August: NATO’s Northern Army Group’s counteroffensive rolls into its second day. Its forces are fight ing northwards in West Germany and the Netherla nds making good progress. Towns across the central Neth erlands have been liberated by Dutch, British, Aust ralian and New Zealand troops as Soviet forces withdraw north to avoid being outflanked by the advance of the West German, British and American troops under the command of the US 3rd Corps.

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STRAIT OF HORM U Z

K UWA I T PER SIAN

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R A N E A N A

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LEBANON

SAU DI A R A BIA

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It’s 1985 and the Cold War just got hot! Team Yankee is a complete set of rules for playing World War III Wargames.

Based on the book written by Harold Coyle in 1987, Team Yankee brings the conflict that simmered throughout the Cold War to life. You will command your troops in miniature on a realistic battlefield. In Team Yankee, a heavy combat team of M1 Abrams tanks and M113 armoured personnel carriers faces a Soviet invasion of West Germany. Outnumbered and outgunned, Captain Sean Bannon and his men will have to fight hard and they’ll have to fight smart if they are going to survive. Lt. Colonel Yuri Potecknov’s motor rifle battalion is preparing to execute its mission in the scientific manner that he had been taught at the Frunze Military Academy and used in Afghanistan. Victory today will bring the world proletarian revolution that much closer. Find out more at:

www.Team-yankee.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

© Copyright Battlefront Miniatures Ltd., 2018. ISBN: 9780995104204

Written by: Wayne Turner Editors: Peter Simunovich, John-Paul Brisigotti Graphic Design: Sean Goodison Assistant Graphic Design: Casey Davies, Morgan Cannon Miniatures Design: Evan Allen, Tim Adcock, Matt Bickley, Will Jayne Cover Art and Illustrations: Vincent Wai Miniatures Painting: Aaron Mathie, Evan Allen, Chris Townley, Wayne Turner Additional Writing by: Nigel Slater, Mitchell Landrum, Michael McSwiney, Garry Wait, Paul Delaney

Web Support: Charlie Roberts, Luke Glover Proof Readers: David Adlam, Chris Allen, Tom Culpepper, Marc Dodinot, Nick Faryna, Mark Goddard, Alan Graham, Mitchell Landrum, Lance Mathew, Gavin van Rossum, Duncan Stradling, Daniel Wilson Playtest Groups: Dad’s Army (Gavin Van Rossum), Atlantic Canadian Testers (Ryan Sullivan), Cavalieri dell-Esagono (Eis Annavini), French Champagne Connection (Marc Dodinot), Flames Of War Regina Rifles (Lance Mathew), Northern Battle Gamers (Nigel Slater), The Rat Patrol (Kevin Hovanec), The Yanks (Mitchell Landrum), Maus Haus (Daniel Wilson)

4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Hanson's Armoured Squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Canadian Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Canadian Special Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 NATO Allied Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Leopard C1 Armoured Squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Leopard C1 Armoured Troop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 M113 Mechanized Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 M113 Mechanized Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 M125 Mortar Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 M150 TOW Anti-tank Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Lynx Recce Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Brigade Group Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 M109 Field Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 M113 OP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ADATS Air Defence Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 M113 Blowpipe Air Defence Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 French Armée de Terre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Durand’s Escadron Blindé . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 French Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 French Special Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 NATO Allied Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 AMX-30 Escadron Blindé . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 AMX-30 Peloton Blindé . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 AMX-10P Compagnie de Chasseurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 AMX-10P Section de Chasseurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Escadron de Cavalerie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 AMX-10 RC Peloton de Cavalerie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 VAB Compagnie d'Infanterie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 VAB Section d'Infanterie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Milan Section Antichar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Divisional Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 VAB Mephisto Peloton Antichar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 AMX AuF1 Batterie d'Artillerie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 AMX-10P VOA Vehicule d'Observation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 AMX Roland Batterie de Missiles Sol-air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 AMX-13 DCA Peloton de Défense Anti-Aérien . . . . . . . . . . 38 Gazelle HOT Patrouille d'Helicopteres Antichar . . . . . . . . . . 39 Gazelle 20mm Patrouille d'Helicopteres d'Attaque . . . . . . . . 39 Mirage V Patrouille de Chasse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Netherlands 1. Korps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Reijnders’s Tank Eskadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 4. Divisie Netherlands Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Netherlands Special Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Netherlands Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

West German Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 NATO Allied Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Leopard 2 Tank Eskadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Leopard 2 Tank Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Leopard 1 Tank Eskadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Leopard 1 Tank Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 YPR-765 Pantserinfanterie Compagnie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 YPR-765 Pantserinfanterie Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 YPR-765 PRAT Antitank Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 M106 120mm Mortier Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 PRTL Pantserluchtdoel Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Stinger Luchtdoel Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Verkenning Eskadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 M113C&V Verkennings Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Leopard 2 Verkennings Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Leopard 1 Verkennings Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 M106 Mortier Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 M113 Tirailleur Peloton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Divisional Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 M109 Veldartillerie Batterij . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 YPR-765 OP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 ANZAC Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Harris's Mechanised Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 ANZAC Brigade Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 ANZAC Special Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 British Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 NATO Allied Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Leopard AS1 Armoured Squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Leopard AS1 Armoured Troop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 M113 Cavalry Troop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 M113 Mechanised Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 M113 Mechanised Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 M125 Mortar Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Milan Anti-tank Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Brigade Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Anti-tank Land Rover Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 M113 Redeye SAM Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Scorpion Armoured Troop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Scharnebeck Rearguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Counterattack at Ergersheim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Ambush at Cronheim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Painting NATO Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 NATO Troops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

1

NATO AND WARSAW PACT DEPLOYMENT AND PLANNED WARSAW PACT ATTACKS

Kiel

Rostock Wilhelmshaven

Bremerhaven 1ST NETHERLANDS CORPS Bremen

3RD US CORPS

ANZAC BRIGADE

NO

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ND JU R T XX T HA G

Lübeck

XX

2ND GUARDS TANK ARMY

XXX

1ST GERMAN CORPS

THE NETHERLAN D S

Hamburg

XXX

1ST BRITISH CORPS

3RD SHOCK ARMY

Hannover

Magdeburg

XXX

EAST

1 BELGIUM CORPS ST

3RD FRENCH CORPS

Essen

GROUP OF SOVIET FORCES IN GERMANY (GSFG)

G HA

RT N OX X AG XX N T 3RD E C

Düsseldorf Cologne

GERMAN CORPS

8TH GUARDS ARMY

BONN XXX

Fulda

5TH US CORPS Frankfurt

Rhine River

WEST G ERMAN Y

XXX

7TH US CORPS

Saarbrücken

XXXX

F RANC E 1ST FRENCH CORPS

Stuttgart

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

2

2ND FRENCH CORPS

Da

v e Ri b u n

CENT SOU

AG

THA

Nürnberg

G 2ND GERMAN CORPS

er Munich

Leipzig

1ST POLISH ARMY

20 GUARDS ARMY TH

Szczecin

P OLAN D

NORTHERN GROUP OF FORCES (NGF)

BER LIN

4TH POLISH ARMY

G E R M ANY 1ST GUARDS TANK ARMY

2ND POLISH ARMY

Dresden

1 CZECHOSLOVAK COMBINED ARMS ARMY

The defence of Western Europe was not just in the hands of West Germany, the United States, and Britain, but in fact the responsibility of all NATO’s members. European NATO partners, like the Netherlands and France, took major responsibilities in NATO defensive plans. In addition, North America was not just represented by the United States, but also by their Canadian neighbours to the north. In the north the Royal Netherlands Army’s 1st Corps was responsible for the area south of Hamburg, a vital NORTHAG (NATO’s Northern Army Group) sector expected to be a major target of any Warsaw Pact attack across the North German Plain. To the south in CENTAG (NATO’s Central Army Group), the 4 Canadian Mechanised Brigade Group stood in reserve ready to reinforce either the US 7th Corps or West German 2. Korps. France, still a member of NATO but a long time estranged from the NATO military structure, understood the importance of West Germany in the defence of French soil and stationed its 2nd Corps in southern Germany. Should hostilities commence France expected to commit its 1st and 3rd Corps to NATO. The French would then form SOUTHAG (Southern Army Group) with its 1st and 2nd Corps and the West German 2. Korps detached from CENTAG. The Western Alliance spread it wings far and Australian and New Zealand shared close military ties with the United States and Britain. These ties, and timing, saw an Australian-led brigade sized force on exercise in Britain when the first stirrings of war began. Both the Australian and New Zealand governments offered their support to the NATO effort and a new ANZAC force was born.

KEY

CENTRAL GROUP OF FORCES (CGF)

ST

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Armoured Divisions

ver

P R AG U E

Mechanised Divisions

NATO FORCES

CZEC H OSLOVAKI A 4TH CZECHOSLOVAK COMBINED ARMS ARMY

United States Great Britain & ANZAC West Germany Belgium & The Netherlands

Each symbol represents a division Armoured divisions contain between 200 and 350 tanks and 11,000 and 20,000 troops. Mechanised divisions contain between 50 and 220 tanks and 13,000 and 20,000 troops.

WARSAW PACT FORCES Soviet Union Czechoslovakia East Germany Poland

France Canada

AU STR IA

3

Sergeant Jackson observed the column of T-72s rolling up to a village occupied by infantry from Alpha Company. He counted six tanks, all Czech T-72s. He radioed the commander of the other M150, and connected to the pair of American Cobras on overwatch, loitering nearby. “Reaper 1, this is 55, armour column bearing 110 degrees, Over” “Copy Five-Five, we have the lead Tango Seven Two,” replied the commander of the Cobra flight. “Five-Five Brovo, this is Five-Five Alpha, fire on my order,” Jackson paused, “3, 2, 1 Fire!” With the call, both M150s and the Cobras let loose TOW missiles, three of the four finding their mark and destroying the targeted T-72s. The M150s immediately retreated into the woodline, and the Cobras hightailed it out of the area. This allowed the infantry that were hiding in the village to destroy the remaining T-72s. Although the battle was small, it was Canada’s first real victory of the Third World War.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, DEADLY UPBRINGING Since the birth of Canada, it has remained loyal to the British Empire. This loyalty has cost many lives. The brutal wars of the early 20th Century established Canadian forces as strong, eager, and determined soldiers. Canadian forces distinguished themselves in World War I and later World War II for their motivation and tenacity. Despite the massive manpower and material losses of the wars, Canada persevered and remained one of the more powerful militaries in the world.

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP Founded in 1957, 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade Group (4 CIBG) made up Canada’s primary forward deployed forces in Germany. Initially deployed to assist the British Army of The Rhine (BAOR), the 4CIBG reached peak strength of about 6700 in the mid-

4

1960’s. In 1968, the force was restructured into the 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (4 CMBG), and was put under command of US 7th Corps in Lahr, Germany. As a mechanized brigade group, the unit functioned as one of NATO’s primary reserve armoured assets in CENTAG. In 1985, the core of the brigade group consists of two of the finest, most distinguished units in the Canadian Defence Force, the Royal Canadian Dragoons and 1st Battalion of the Royal 22e Regiment (along with the 2nd Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry providing the second infantry battalion). The force is designed to be fast moving, able to rapidly deploy to combat zones and back up allied NATO forces. Supported by the firepower of the 1st Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, the 4 CMBG is a powerful mobile force. The troops making up the brigade are well trained, well equipped, and eager

to see action. With the impending conflict in Europe, Canadia has made emergency purchases of many vehicles, including an emergency lease of M125 self-propelled mortars. In July 1985, the Canadian Prime Minister ordered all reserves to mobilize, and for Canadian air and naval assets to deploy to Europe.

WAR IN EUROPE! On the morning of 4 August 1985, the Soviet Army surged across the West German border. The Soviet 8th Guards Army attacked the American 7th Corps and German 2. Korps. It was the Canadians’ job to back up their allies as part of CENTAG’s reserve forces. Canadian forces were initially tasked with maintaining defensive reserves for both forces. Once French forces arrived, the Canadians were reassigned to the American 7th Corps. Although the Canadian Leopard C1 tanks were not as capable as the American M1

Abrams, the Canadians’ eagerness and tenacity helped tremendously. Canadian forces were assigned to fill the gap between the American 1st Infantry Division and 1st Armored Division originally north of Nürnberg, but ended up between Ansbach and Bad Windsheim. The Soviet Central Group of Forces out of Czechoslovakia was heading directly towards the Canadians, and the odds looked grim. The seemingly unstoppable storm of Soviet tanks and mechanized infantry came crashing down upon the Canadians, who held their ground with determination. In the heavy fighting that occurred around Ansbach between 7 August and 13 August, the Canadians played a pivotal role in holding the line against the

stalling Warsaw Pact forces. Canada’s largest contribution came in the form of their brilliant Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Although limited in numbers, their ability to provide rapid on-call support to forces embroiled in battles across the immediate front was indispensable. Fighting arm-in-arm with American forces, the Canadians were an invaluable asset in the US 7th Corps's arsenal.

Canadians spearheaded the advance of the US 7th Corps in retaking the corps's former positions, and made extraordinarily gains. Soviet forces were back-pedalling towards the border, and the war seemed to have turned. Canadian forces first started pushing forward towards the border with A Squadron, Royal Canadian Dragoons north of Bad Windsheim. Canadian forces to the south aggressively pursued the retreating Soviets, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing hundreds of fleeing soldiers. By 16 August, the Canadians had advanced on Nürnberg alongside the US 3rd Infantry Division. The Soviets dug-in in the town, and the next major battle of the war was on the horizon.

PUSHING BACK As the Soviet advance slowed, a NATO counterattack began. Soviet High Command reshuffled their generals in an attempt to restart their offensive, but this only gave the NATO forces an opportunity to seize the initiative. The

E A S T GER MA NY Fulda

11TH ACR 3RD ARMORED DIVISION

Mellrichstadt Hof Bad Kissingen

11 Aug u

Frankfurt

8-9

Au g

in

4-7 A Münchberg ugu st

Riv

er

Ma

Marktredwitz Schirnding

t us

st

Schweinfurt

Ma

in R

1ST GUARDS TANK ARMY

Waldsassen

i ve r

Bamberg Walsdorf

Bayreuth

Würzburg 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION

7TH US CORPS

WEST GERMAN Y

SOVIET CGF Ergersheim

1 ARMORED DIVISION

Weiden

Erlangen

ST

Bad Windsheim

Nürnberg

CZECH 1ST COMBINED ARMY

Feucht

Heidelberg 4 CANADIAN MECH BRIGADE GROUP

Ansbach 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION

Karlsruhe

Baden-Baden

2ND FRENCH CORPS

CZECH 4TH COMBINED ARMY

Regensberg

Nordlingen

3e DIVISION BLINDÉE

Danube Rive

r

Ingolstadt

Stuttgart Lahr

15e DIVISION D’INFANTERIE

5e DIVISION BLINDÉE

PANZERGRENADIER DIVISION 4 PANZER DIVISION 10

5 GEBIRGS DIVISION 1

5

Lieutenant-Colonel MacDonald was swamped with the reports coming in from units across West Germany. He heard reports of Soviet and Czech armoured columns breaking through American units in CENTAG's southern regions. The US 7th Corps was in disarray, attempting to manage their forces as the seemingly unstoppable Soviet forces crossed the frontier. He also knew of heavy fighting in the south, where the German 2. Korps was tied up fighting the Czechs. American forces desperately needed assistance in the face of overwhelming odds. He called all of his officers over to the command post. Once everyone had assembled, MacDonald gave them the little information he had. There were muttered obscenities and curses from his men, they knew the foreseeable future would be tough. Major Hanson left the Lieutenant-Colonel's briefing and made his way over to his rumbling Leopard C1, “Aggressor”, to prepare to reinforce the Americans. He commanded A Squadron, who along with the rest of the regiment, had been assigned to reinforce American forces attempting to slow the Soviets north of Ansbach. He knew that the squadron was going to lose a lot of good men in the coming days. As A Squadron neared the rear of the American lines, the carnage that lay ahead was unmistakable. Columns of thick black smoke rose into the morning sky as the distant rumble of artillery drowned out the birds that would normally be chirping. The squeaking as his tank rolled down the newly paved autobahn, the rumbling of the tank’s engine, and the whine of its fan were all too familiar, but he felt miserably out of place. His stomach felt like a rock, he was drenched in sweat, and his entire body was stiff. He was scared, but he knew that he would have to put aside his fear and emotions, and that he needed to lead his men with courage and poise. He knew that he was continuing Canada’s fine military tradition, and that for the third time in 70 years, Canadians would be responsible for defending freedom from tyranny and evil. He thought of his family, and knew that if he ever wanted to get home and see them again, he would have to control himself and prepare for combat. He thought of his crewmen,

their families. He knew that, as their commander, he was responsible for the lives of all of the men in his squadron, and that shook him to his core. MEDEVAC ambulances came flying down the opposite side of the autobahn. As they reached Ansbach, Hanson could feel Corporal Andrews, his gunner, sitting between his legs begin to shake with a combination of fear and adrenaline. Seated next to Hanson was Sergeant Mallon, the loader, who seemed unphased by what was happening, and in the front of the tank, Corporal Fraser, was shaking with anticipation. Hanson’s tank peeled off the autobahn following his first troop. Battle was near!

SURPRISE ENCOUNTER 07:00 Hours, 11 August Crack! A fallen tree snapped under the weight of “Aggressor”. Hanson was taking up a position on the side of a hill overlooking a peaceful valley just north of the village preparing, for the Soviet advance. He saw a small puff of T-72

HANSON'S ARMOURED SQUADRON

4 Troop

T-72

3 Troop

SOVIET FORWARD DETACHMENT

Hanson 2 Troop 1 Troop

Storms

Krassolzheim

6

S URP RI S E E NCOU NTE R, 0 7 : 0 0 HOU RS , 1 1 AU G U S T

smoke from just over a short wall about 2 km away. “Jockey, right!” Fraser slammed the tank in reverse as Hanson popped defensive smoke. The Soviet missile slammed into a nearby tree, blowing it to pieces. As shards of wood peppered the tank, Hanson scanned for any sign of the unknown threat. “Nine this is One-Nine, Contact Wait out” Hanson called to alert his men of the contact. The sun was up, which provided glare, making it difficult to see for any potential Soviet or Czech forces. The small trail of smoke left by the missile gave away the position of the launcher. Hanson slewed the turret towards the wall hiding the launcher. “Gunner, HESH, 1900 meters, AFV behind the wall, ON!” Hanson called out to Andrews. The HESH round was already loaded and ready to fire. “ON!” Andrews called back. “FIRE!” Hanson yelled as his Leopard rocked back from the shot. The wall seemed to evaporate into thin air as the HESH round impacted, revealing a Storm missile vehicle behind it. Another round was already loaded, and the gun ready to fire. Hanson didn't bother to fire again because another Leopard had already caused the Storm to erupt in a violent fireball. The retort from the explosion echoed around the valley. Hanson knew that the Storm would not be alone, he quickly relocated and immediately began to scan the horizon for targets. One of his squadron tanks about 100 meters to his left was torn apart by a round from somewhere across the valley. Another round glanced off the top of Hanson’s tank turret roof. The noise was horrible, but there was no major damage to the “Aggressor”. “Mallon, find me those

HANSON'S

PPLI

ARMOURED SQUADRON

MECHANIZED COMPANY

4 Troop 3 Troop

1 Pltn

Hanson 2 Pltn

2 Troop

M150

1 Troop 3 Pltn

Krassolzheim SOVIET BMP-2 MOTOR RIFLE BATTALION

Ingolstadt

LO C K DOW N , 0 6 : 4 5 H O URS , 1 2 AU G U S T

tanks!” Hanson yelled as he turned to his radio. “Golf One-One, this is Tango One-Niner, fire mission, over.” Hanson knew the Horse Artillery would be busy, but he needed them to come through for him. Hanson received no reply, he turned to see that his radio antennas had been completely severed from the tank. Hanson was cut off from every other tank in his unit, and was cut off from any support. Just as he shifted his attention back to the task at hand, Mallon gave the order to fire. “Aggressor” fired a round, resulting in a tremendous fireball on the other side of the valley. Hanson scanned the horizon and saw a T-72 in full reverse, scampering away from his burning comrades. Mallon called off again, and Andrews sent a round flying across the valley, which drilled the T-72’s left track, sending parts of the track and road wheels flying. The crew of the T-72 panicked and abandoned the tank, just as another round crashed into the turret, starting a conflagration that left the tank utterly destroyed. Hanson and his men would live to fight another day. After using hand signals to communicate to his battle captian, Captain Rodgers, he withdrew to repair his tank.

LOCKDOWN 06:45 Hours, 12 August The following day, “Aggressor” had been repaired and Hanson and his crew were back in the fight. By the time Hanson had returned, B Coy, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry had arrived, led by Captain McHenry. They had dug into the side of the hill and had orders to resist all Soviet attempts to pass through the valley. Hanson’s

orders were to pursue retreating Soviets in an attempt to secure the far side of the valley. Hanson drove up to meet McHenry, who had taken over the company after his Major was killed by an artillery strike a few days prior. Sure enough, the second Soviet assault came around 07:00, and they came in force. The assault started with a heavy artillery bombardment on the hill. Despite being in foxholes, the infantry were shaken after the intense bombardment. In the wake of the bombardment, heavy winds drifted the smoke across the valley. The smoke started to lift after five minutes or so, revealing a battalion of BMP mounted infantry. “All Callsigns Niner this is One-Niner, fire at will, out” Hanson yelled in excitement and surprise. As he called out, his squadron let loose a flurry of shots, some finding their marks, some missing. The infantry’s attached M150 TOW launchers blasted through a pair of BMPs. Chaos ensued. Some BMPs continued to advance, some simply stopped, others reversed. In about 60 seconds, all of the BMPs had been destroyed or were in full retreat. Hanson ordered his tanks to push across the valley, and his well-drilled men happily obliged. Tanks rolled across the valley kicking up clumps of grass and leaving trails of dirt as they sped down the hill, scanning the countryside for more targets. Finding none, the tanks moved across the open countryside with no Soviet forces in sight. Just as Hanson felt the situation was clear, the tank to his immediate right exploded in a massive fireball. Hanson saw multiple BMPs in the village to his south, and realised he had made a horrible mistake. While obscured by the

smoke of the bombardment, a small scouting company had worked its way into the village, and had prepared an ambush for the Canadians as they rolled through the valley. Spinning the turret to meet the threat, Hanson called “Gunner, HESH, 400 meters IFV, ON!” Hanson called before alerting the rest of his squadron. “Niner this is Tango One-Niner, Contact grid 189-256, BMP Scouts in village, will engage, request India assets for support in built up area, OUT!” A HESH round slammed into a building next to a BMP, leaving an impressive hole in the building, but doing no damage to the BMP alongside. More Canadian rounds started to fly into the village, although most missed their targets. 30mm rounds started to ping off of the turret of “Aggressor” barely scratching the paint, but still alarming for the crew. Andrews fired another round, which found its mark. Another Leopard nearby fell to a missile, making his crew hesitate and doubt their abilities. Andrews fired another shot, missing horribly. Hanson realigned the gun for another shot, which Andrews fired off. They were rewarded by an amazing fireball, sending the small BMP turret into the air like a leaf wafting over a campfire. The Leopards became more and more accurate, routing the scouts in the village. Over the next few days, Hanson’s squadron continued to make fleeting contact with retreating Soviet forces, as the Canadians took up the responsibility spearheading CENTAG’s counterattack toward Nuremberg. With the Soviets in full retreat, NATO capitalised on the opportunity, recovering kilometres of lost ground in the following days.

7

CANADIAN FORCES 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP BATTLE GROUP ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOONS

1ST BATTALION, ROYAL 22E REGIMENT

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M113 MECHANIZED COMPANY

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED SQUADRON

TCA103

TCA101

NATO ALLIED FORMATION ALLIED FORMATION

YOU MAY FIELD ONE NATO FORMATION AS AN ALLIED FORMATION

BRIGADE GROUP SUPPORT ROYAL CANADIAN 2ND BATTALION, RD HORSE ARTILLERY 23 ARTILLERY

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M109 FIELD BATTERY

M113 OP

BLOWPIPE M113 AIR DEFENCE SECTION

ADATS AIR DEFENCE PLATOON

TCA109

TCA108

TCA110

TCA112

CANADIAN SPECIAL RULES The Canadian Army has a number of features and weapons. These are reflected in the following special rules.

BAZOOKA SKIRTS Leopard 1 tanks are fitted with 'bazooka skirts', spaced armour to protect them from light, hand-held anti-tank weapons. Teams with Bazooka Skirts have Front and Side armour rating of 10 against HEAT weapons.

8

OVERHEAD FIRE The M19 60mm mortar gives good service as a commando mortar firing both smoke and explosive rounds. It’s arcing fire allows it to shoot over friendly troops as they attack. An M19 60mm mortar team can shoot over friendly Teams. Cannot Shoot at Aircraft.

ALLIED SUPPORT US SUPPORT Rules for American Formations and Units are found in FW910 Stripes.

US 1ST ARMORED DIVISION

US 1ST BATTALION, 7TH AVIATION

US 124TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, USAF

TEAM YANKEE

TEAM YANKEE

TEAM YANKEE

M1 ABRAMS TANK PLATOON

AH-1 COBRA ATTACK HELICOPTER PLATOON

A-10 WARTHOG FIGHTER FLIGHT

OR

TU102a

TEAM YANKEE

M60 PATTON TANK PLATOON TU132

TEAM YANKEE

TU112

TU111

4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group was available as the reserve for CENTAG (NATO Central Army Group) and was earmarked to support either the US 7th Corps or the West German 2. Korps. Once in combat, the brigade group would solely fight alongside one of these corps. You can take either US support units or West German support units, but not both at the same time.

M113 MECH PLATOON TU104

WEST GERMAN SUPPORT 10. PANZERDIVISION

ARTILLERIE REGIMENT 4

HEERESFLIEGER REGIMENT 26

LUFTWAFFE

PANZER DIVISION 1

PANZER DIVISION 1

PANZER DIVISION 1

PANZER DIVISION 1

LEOPARD 2 PANZER ZUG

LARS RAKETENWERFER BATTERIE

PAH ANTI-TANK HELICOPTER FLIGHT

TORNADO STRIKE FLIGHT

TG102

PANZER DIVISION 1

MARDER PANZERGRENADIER ZUG

TG120

TG123

TG124

Rules for West German Formations and Units are found in FW906 Leopard and TY502 Panzertruppen.

TG105

Often divisions from other NATO nations, such as West German divisions or US divisions in CENTAG, fought alongside the 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. You may take an Allied Formation as part of your Force. A NATO Allied Formation can be US, British, West German, French, Dutch, ANZAC (though not part of NATO, Australia and New Zealand are close US and British allies), or any other Force with a NATO Allied Formation in its support. You may also take Allied Units listed in your Support as part of your Force.

An Allied Formation obeys all the rules for its own nationality. An Allied Formation Commander can only join Units in its own Formation or nation and only its Formation or national Units can benefit from its Command Leadership (see page 25 and 64 of Team Yankee). An Allied Formation does not count as a Formation when determining if you have lost the game (see page 65 of Team Yankee).

9

Major Smith scanned the woods from his Leopard C1. It was a cool, damp morning with thick clouds overhead. The booming of artillery could be heard in the distance. “All Callsigns Three-Niner, SITREP,” Smith said over the comms. As his company radioed in, a pair of Su-25s roared over the far hill. Each fired a missile, one narrowly missing Major Smith’s Leopard, the other slamming through a nearby tank, sending the turret ten meters into the air. As the company reacted, a Czech BMP battalion poured out of the forest on the far side of the valley. “Gunner, HESH, Load!” Major Smith roared after he turned over command to his platoon commanders. “Lead BMP… Fire!” Almost instantaneously, the HESH round left the Leopard. The round exploded into the BMP, and caused it to erupt in a ball of fire. “Targets of opportunity, fire!” Major Smith called as he desperately requested air support from the Americans. “Crossroads, this is Tango Three-Niner requesting immediate air support. Over!” Smith barked. “Roger, Tango Three-Niner, two warthogs inbound on your position.” Major Smith returned his attention to the battlefield. The BMPs had closed to around 300 meters when, suddenly, artillery shells began to land just short of the Canadian company. Following the barrage, Czech infantry poured out of the remaining BMPs, before the vehicles then let loose their anti-tank missiles. Most missed, but three Leopards fell to direct hits. As the infantry advanced, Smith called in support from the infantry battalion’s M125 mortar platoon. “India Five-One, this is Tango Three-Niner requesting immediate fire mission at grid, 1234 5678, 2200 mils, 300m, infantry company in the open, neutralize immediately for five. All my callsigns going hatches down, acknowledge danger close. Over.” “India Five-One Roger, shot out” Almost immediately the mortar rounds started to fall. The A-10s then arrived, their cannon fire cutting effortlessly through the few remaining BMPs’ armour. In the chaos and destruction that ensued, the Czechs broke and retreated beyond the far ridgeline. The Royal Canadian Dragoons were armed with Leopard C1 tanks. They were Canada’s only armoured unit in Europe. The regiment consisted of three squadrons of tanks. The tanks of one squadron were held in Europe whilst their crews were stationed in Gagetown, Canada, and could be airlifted to Germany at short notice. The rest were deployed to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Lahr, which was over 150 miles (240 km) from the border between East and West Germany, and over 200 miles (320 km) from the border

10

with Czechoslovakia. Each armoured squadron contained roughly 20 tanks. A fourth squadron was a reconnaissance unit equipped with the Lynx. Along with the Dragoons, the 1st Battalion of the Royal 22e Regiment and 1st Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery were also deployed to CFB Lahr. Although it was far from the front line, the entire brigade group could be at the border within a matter of hours. Such would be the case early on the morning of 4 August 1985.

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED ARMOUREDSQUADRON SQUADRON LEOPARD C1 — 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP • TANK FORMATION • BAZOOKA SKIRTS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 2+

MORALE 3+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED SQUADRON HQ TCA101

3x Leopard C1 2x Leopard C1 1x Leopard C1

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

SIDE

9

10 POINTS 7 POINTS 4 POINTS

TOP

5

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

2+

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

WEAPON

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

105mm L7 gun

40”/100CM

2

2

19

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

1

NOTES

Brutal, Laser Rangefinder, Smoke, Stabiliser

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED TROOP

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED TROOP

M113 MECHANIZED PLATOON

LYNX RECCE PATROL

TCA102

TCA102

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED TROOP

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED TROOP

TCA102

TCA111

TCA104

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M150 TOW ANTI-TANK SECTION

TCA102

TCA107

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED TROOP LEOPARD C1

ARMOURED TROOP — 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP • TANK UNIT • BAZOOKA SKIRTS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED TROOP 4x Leopard C1 13 POINTS 3x Leopard C1 10 POINTS

The Krauss-Maffei Leopard  1 adopted by the Canadians was the Leopard 1A3 with a welded turret fitted with the Belgian SABCA computerized fire-control system. The new tank was named the Leopard C1. An order was made for 114 tanks as well as a number of bridging and recovery vehicles. The first Leopard C1 tanks were delivered in June 1978, with all 114 in Canadian hands by mid-1979. These first tanks went to the Royal Canadian Dragoons, stationed in Lahr, West Germany, who provided the armoured battalion for 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in 1985.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

9

TOP

5

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

2+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

105mm L7 gun

40”/100CM

2

2

19

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

Crew: 4 - commander, gunner, loader, driver Weight: 42.2 tonnes Length: 9.54m (31’ 3.5”) Width: 3.37m (11’ 0.5”) Height: 2.7m (8’ 10”) Armour: Steel 19-21.7mm and 10-70 mm RHA

1

NOTES

Brutal, Laser Rangefinder, Smoke, Stabiliser

Weapons: 105mm Royal Ordnance L7A3 L/52 rifled Gun 2x FN 7.62mm MG Speed: 65 km/h (40 mph) Engine: MTU MB 838 CaM 500, 10-cylinder, multi-fuel engine, 819 hp (610 kW) Range: 600 km (373 miles)

11

Lieutenant Brown never thought he’d see combat, but in the last three weeks, he’d gone from a fresh-faced 23-year old to a battle-hardened soldier barely fazed by the rockets landing all around. As the barrage ended, he checked in with Captain Jenkins, getting no response. Apparently battalion was having the same problem. “One-One, we failed to make radio contact with One-Niner, Over.” “Roger, One-Niner appears to be down.” “Roger One-One, you are now in command of Alpha Company, retire to Phase line Dawn and await further orders. We’re sending you armoured support, Niner, out.” By the time the transmission ended, bullets were pouring into the village. The Canadians were under attack from all sides. Three Leopard C1 tanks came screaming down the road. When the Leopards arrived, they poured machine-gun and high-explosive rounds into the enemy position, creating a gap wide enough for the infantry to retreat to the tree line. The infantry hustled to the woods under the covering fire of the Leopards and M113s. Lieutenant Brown was the last soldier out of the village. As he began the fall back, he was hit in the leg and went down. Lying in the road, unable to get back on his feet, he looked back at the brown-clad figures beginning to filter out of the village behind him. He dragged himself over to a nearby low wall, determined to cover the retreat of his men. Propping himself up against the masonry, he grimly gripped his C1 rifle, took aim, and opened fire. 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group contained two mechanized battalions, 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment (R22R) and the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). These battalions each contained four mechanized infantry companies mounted in M113

12

armoured personnel carriers (APCs). In addition each battalion included a Lynx armed reconnaissance troop, a mortar platoon and an anti-tank defence platoon with 18 M150 TOW anti-tank vehicles.

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M113 MECHANIZED COMPANY M113 MECHANIZED COMPANY 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP • INFANTRY FORMATION • HQ TRANSPORT •

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 2+

MORALE 3+ RALLY 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

M113 MECHANISED COMPANY HQ

4+

TCA103

1x C1 rifle team 1x M113 (TCA105)

3+

1 POINT TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

C1 rifle team

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

16”/40CM

1

1

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

NOTES

6

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M113 MECHANIZED PLATOON

M113 MECHANIZED PLATOON

LEOPARD C1 ARMOURED TROOP

M150 TOW ANTI-TANK SECTION

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M125 MORTAR PLATOON

LYNX RECCE PATROL

TCA104

TCA104

TCA102

TCA107

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M113 MECHANIZED PLATOON TCA104

TCA106

TCA111

13

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M113 MECHANIZED PLATOON M113 MECHANIZED PLATOON 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

3x 3x 1x 1x 4x

M113 MECHANIZED PLATOON C2 SAW team with M72 anti-tank Carl Gustav anti-tank team C5 GPMG team M19 60mm mortar team 7 POINTS M113 (TCA105)

2x C2 SAW team with M72 anti-tank 2x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 1x C5 GPMG team 1x M19 60mm mortar team 5 POINTS 3x M113 (TCA105)

A Canadian mechanized platoon is organised into three sections and command group. A section usually consists of ten men, a section commander (Sergeant) and 2IC (Master Corporal) each armed with a C1 FN assault rifle, M113 driver with an SMG, three riflemen with C1 FN assault rifles, two C2 heavy-barrel FN Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) gunners, a Carl Gustav 84mm SRAAW (M) (Short-Range Anti-Armour Weapon-Medium) gunner and a Carl Gustav 84mm SRAAW (M) loader with a C1 FN assault rifle. The HQ Group also includes a C5 GPMG (M1919 chambered in 7.62mm NATO)) machine-gun and a 60mm mortar. The platoon is also issued with a number of M72 SRAAW (L) light short-range anti-armour weapons. The mechanised platoons of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group are trained and prepared for large scale combined arms defence and counterattacks against a Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany and Western Europe. Training, equipment and tactics are designed to face this threat, and annual exercises keep them fully prepared.

14

• INFANTRY UNIT •

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

4+

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

NOTES

C2 SAW team or M72 anti-tank Carl Gustav anti-tank team

16”/40CM 12”/30CM

2 1

2 1

2 12

6 5+

HEAT, Slow Firing

16”/40CM

1

1

17

3+

HEAT, Slow Firing

C5 GPMG team M19 60mm mortar team

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

5 1

2 1

2 1

6 4+

Assault 5, Heavy Weapon Assault 5, Overhead Fire, Slow Firing, Smoke

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M113 TRANSPORT M113 TRANSPORT 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

• TANK ATTACHMENT • AMPHIBIOUS • PASSENGERS 3 •

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

2

TOP

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

.50 cal AA MG

Crew: Weight: Length: Width: Height: Armour:

20”/50CM

2 - commander, driver + 11 passengers 12 tonnes 4.86m (16’) 2.69m (8’ 10”) 1.83m (6’) 38mm Aluminium

HALTED

MOVING

3

2

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

4

5+

eapons: .50 cal M26 heavy MG W Speed: 68 km/h (42 mph) Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V53T, 6-cylinder diesel engine 275 hp (205 kW) Range: 483 km (300 miles)

1

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M125 MORTAR PLATOON M125 MORTAR PLATOON 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP • TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS •

M125 MORTAR PLATOON 8x M125 7 POINTS 4x M125 3 POINTS 2x M125 1 POINT

Canadian mortar platoons are armed with the C3 81mm mortar. The mortar platoon provides the mechanized battalions with immediate indirect fire support, firing high-explosive fragmentation and smoke rounds. In peacetime, the C3 81mm mortar was carried in an M113 APC, but with war looming, the Canadian government arranged to provide the mortar men of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group with M125 Mortar Carriers. The M125 allows the mortars to be fired from the safety their transports, saving time on set-up and allowing the platoon to reposition quickly.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT COUNTERATTACK -

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

C3 81mm mortar

56”/140CM

ARTILLERY

.50cal AA MG

20”/50CM

WEAPON

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

1

4+

4

5+

0

NOTES

Smoke Bombardment

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M150 TOW ANTI-TANK SECTION M150 TOW

ANTI-TANK SECTION — 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP • TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • THERMAL IMAGING •

M150 TOW ANTI-TANK SECTION 3x M150 TOW 4 POINTS 2x M150 TOW 3 POINTS

The Improved TOW (Tube launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) missile weapon system is a soldier-portable and vehicle-mounted longrange anti-armour weapons system. While it can be man-packed over short distances, the Canadian Defence Force usually mounts the TOW on a vehicle. In 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, the TOW missile systems were fitted to M113A2 Armoured Personnel Carriers. In this configuration it was known as a M150 TOW. The TOW was designed to defeat armoured vehicles and other targets such as field fortifications from ranges up to 3750 meters. After firing the missile, the gunner tracks it by keeping the cross-hairs of the sight centred on the target to ensure a hit. The system operates in all weather conditions as it only requires that the gunner to physically see the target throughout the missile's flight. At night, the gunner is further aided by a thermal imaging night sight.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

Improved TOW missile

8”/20CM 48”/120CM

1

-

21

3+

.50cal AA MG

20”/50CM

3

2

4

5+

0

NOTES

HEAT, Guided

15

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

LYNX RECCE LYNX PATROL RECCE PATROL 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

2x Lynx

• TANK • AMPHIBIOUS • SPEARHEAD • SCOUT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

LYNX RECCE PATROL 2 POINTS

In 1960, the Canadians replaced their aging Ferret armoured cars with the new M113½ Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle (M113 CRV), or as the Canadians designated it, the Lynx. The Lynx was built by FMC, who already manufactured the M113 armoured personnel carrier, and the Lynx, though smaller, shared many of the M113 APC’s components. Like the M113, the Lynx is amphibious. The Canadian forces took delivery of 174 vehicles and these were issued to both the reconnaissance squadron of each armoured regiment (D Squadron) and the reconnaissance platoon of each infantry battalion's combat support company. The Canadian Lynx is armed with a .50 cal heavy machine-gun and a 7.62mm machinegun. The commander operates the manually traversed M26 heavy machine-gun cupola from inside the vehicle. The rear-facing observer operates the radio and fires the pintle-mounted 7.62mm machine-gun.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 6

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

.50 cal AA MG

20”/50CM

3

2

4

5+

7.62mm MG

16”/40CM

1

1

2

6

Crew: 3 - commander, observer, driver Weight: 8.77 tonnes Length: 4.6m (15’ 1”) Width: 2.4m (7’ 10”) Height: 2.2m (7’ 2.5”) Armour: 38mm Aluminium

1

NOTES

Weapons: .50 cal M2 heavy MG 7.62mm machine-gun Speed: 71 km/h (44 mph) Engine: GMC Detroit Diesel 6V-53 6-cylinder, 215 HP Range: 523 km (325 miles)

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M109 FIELD BATTERY • TANK UNIT •

M109 FIELD BATTERY 6x M109 14 POINTS 3x M109 7 POINTS

The Canadians began fielding the M109 selfpropelled howitzer in 1968. The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, which provided the artillery support for 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, fielded four batteries of six M109.

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

2

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

28”/70CM

3+

WEAPON

M126 155mm howitzer or Direct fire .50 cal AA MG

16

COURAGE 4+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

88”/220CM

ARTILLERY

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

NOTES

4

2+

Smoke Bombardment Brutal, Slow Firing, Smoke

24”/60CM

1

1

12

1+

20”/50CM

3

2

4

5+

1

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M113 OP

M113 OP

OBSERVATION POST — 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

• INDEPENDENT TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • OBSERVER • SCOUT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

M113 OP 1x M113 OP



1 POINT

You must field: • an M125 Mortar Platoon (TCA106), or • an M109 Field Battery (TCA108), or • a West German LARS Raketenwerfer Batterie (TG120), before you may field an M113 OP.

The forward observer of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery is provided with an M113 APC fitted with additional optical equipment to aid their battlefield role.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

.50 cal AA MG

20”/50CM

ROF HALTED MOVING

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

4

1

NOTES

5+

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

ADATS AIR DEFENCE PLATOON • TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

ADATS AIR DEFENCE PLATOON 6x ADATS missile launcher 15 POINTS 4x ADATS missile launcher 10 POINTS 2x ADATS missile launcher 5 POINTS

Before the war broke out in 1985, the Canadian Defence Force had showed an interest in the Swiss company Oerlikon-Contraves’s Air Defence Anti-Tank System (ADATS). Some test systems have been supplied to the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Germany to test its dual-purpose short range surface-to-air and anti-tank missile capabilities in combat.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

ADATS missile launcher anti-aircraft or Anti-tank

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

1

NOTES

72”/180CM

3

-

-

3+

Guided AA

16”/40CM – 64”/160CM

1

-

24

3+

Guided, HEAT

4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP

M113 BLOWPIPE AIR DEFENCE SECTION M113 BLOWPIPE AIR DEFENCE SECTION — 4 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP • TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

M113 BLOWPIPE AIR DEFENCE SECTION 8 POINTS 6x M113 Blowpipe 4 POINTS 3x M113 Blowpipe

The British Blowpipe is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) used by the air defence sections of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. These are allocated among the battle groups of the 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. As the British discovered in the Falklands, the Blowpipe missile could also be used against ground targets in an emergency. However, it wasn’t encouraged!

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

1

NOTES

Blowpipe AA missile or Firing at Tanks and Infantry

48”/120CM 16”/40CM32”/80CM

2

-

-

4+

Guided AA

1

-

12

4+

Guided, HEAT

7.62mm AA MG

16”/40CM

3

3

2

6

17

18

19

With the coming of the Cold War, the nations of Western Europe sought protection from the threat of Soviet aggression through the concept of mutual defence. The 17 March 1948 Treaty of Brussels between Belgium, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom took the first steps in creating that united front, but the signatories soon realized that their combined military forces were far too weak to face the Soviet juggernaut on their own. In parallel, the United States, concerned about growing communist influence in Europe, had enacted the Truman Doctrine to contain Soviet expansionism. When approached by the United Kingdom, President Truman agreed to explore a broader military alliance which would ultimately, in 1949, become the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

FRANCE AND NATO This broad alliance had several benefits, including standardisation of some military equipment, tactics, and practices. However, not everyone was happy with the very dominant American role in the organisation, nor the close relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. In 1958, French President Charles de Gaulle unsuccessfully lobbied American President Eisenhower for an increased French role in the organisation which would bring it on par with the United States and the United Kingdom. Following the refusal of this proposal, de Gaulle began separating French military units from the greater NATO whole. By 1966, French troops had been removed from NATO command all together and non-French troops, aircraft, and nuclear weapons were expelled from French soil. Though France had publicly distanced itself from NATO, it had signed secret agreements with the United States, known as Lemnitzer– Ailleret Agreements, detailing its re-integration into NATO in the event of hostilities with the Warsaw Pact.

ARMÉE DE TERRE As France recognized it would play a role in any future conflict with the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact, the French Army (Armée de terre, Land Army) occupation forces stationed

20

in Germany after the end of World War II were re-designated the French Forces in Germany (Forces Françaises en Allemagne or FFA) in 1949, with their headquarters in the spa city of Baden-Baden. Until their separation from NATO command, the FFA worked closely with NATO and even trained soldiers of the West German Bundeswehr. The FFA included both conventional forces and tactical nuclear weapons, and would eventually number nearly 50,000 troops. Nuclear weapons could either be delivered by aircraft or through short range missiles like the MGR-1 Honest John. However, after France withdrew from NATO’s integrated military command, their military posture became far more defensive, and starting in the 1960s France’s National Assembly limited deployment of conscript soldiers without express approval of the Assembly itself. France’s defensive strategic posture, however, should not be confused with previous French military doctrine, such as the static defence of their eastern border in World War I or the preWorld War II Maginot Line. French military doctrine was focused on the ability to manoeuvre and attack at the tactical level, even at the expense of being able to easily hold ground. These practices were codified in the Division Type 1967, the blueprint for future French military units. However, raising and equipping the actual divisions called for by that plan was complicated by shortages of modern equipment suitable to the roles laid out in the divisional structure. Though still enjoying the strong economic growth of Les Trente Glorieuses (‘the Glorious Thirty’, which refers to roughly 30 years of strong economic growth in France after the end of World War II), France began to encounter a string of economic reversals which began with the global currency crisis in 1968, when the Franc was devalued against the U.S. Dollar and West German Mark. The 1973 oil crisis also hit France hard, and it was forced to choose between maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent or modernising its conventional forces – with the nuclear forces winning priority in military budgets and spending.

By the late 1970s, France had made the pragmatic decision to re-organize their forces based on available equipment rather than to wait for new weapon systems to be developed and acquired. The planned five large mechanised divisions were initially replaced by eight armoured divisions consisting of 16 armoured regiments. In terms of actual combat strength, the French armoured regiments were roughly equivalent to an American tank battalion. By the 1980s, three of the eight armoured divisions were deployed as part of the French Forces in Germany.

EQUIPMENT Because of budgetary constraints, French conventional weapon development – especially in the area of

3RD ARMORED DIVISION

Frankfurt

7TH US CORPS

WES T GER MA NY Heidelberg

4 CANADIAN MECH BRIGADE GROUP

Karlsruhe

2ND FRENCH CORPS Baden-Baden

3e DIVISION BLINDÉE

Stuttgart Lahr

15e DIVISION D’INFANTERIE

German Leopard 2, American Abrams, or British Chieftain tank. Because of their relative weakness in armour, the French began to bolster their divisions with additional infantry formations. These were generally mounted in VAB (Véhicule de l’avant blindé) wheeled armoured personnel carriers and were equipped with anti-tank missiles such as the Milan and HOT systems. By the mid-1980s, the French Army in Germany primarily consisted of three armoured divisions organized into two corps, the 1st and 2nd French Corps. The 1st French Corps headquarters was in Metz, with the First Armoured Division, 1re Division Blindée, headquartered in Trier. The 2nd French

main battle tanks – lagged behind other NATO nations, and indeed the Warsaw Pact as well. While immediate post-war French designs had often been very experimental, by the mid-1980s France was still deploying the second generation AMX-30 main battle tank which had first been delivered in 1966. In the early 1980s, they were all being upgraded to the AMX-30B2 standard, which included a new power-plant, transmission, and new ammunition types for its 105mm main gun. Even with these upgrades, the AMX-30 was only roughly equivalent to the German Leopard 1 (which was developed concurrently) and was seen as inferior to the Soviet T-72, giving the French Army had no equivalent to the

Corps headquarters was in BadenBaden, and consisted of the French Third and Fifth Armoured Divisions, 3e Division Blindée and 5e Division Blindée respectively. In the days ahead, these forces formed the spearhead of the mobile French defence of Western Europe until the remaining mobile forces could be brought forward. Though the extreme limit of French movement was envisioned as the Rotterdam - Dortmund – Munich Line, plans had been drawn up to cater for the eventuality of the overall Armée de terre being drawn into a deeper conflict!

Dresden

E A S T GE R MA NY Chemnitz

Fulda

11TH ACR

Mellrichstadt Hof Bad Kissingen

11 Aug ust

8-9

Au g

in

4-7 A Münchberg ugu st

Riv

er

Marktredwitz

t us

Schweinfurt

Ma

Ma in R

1ST GUARDS TANK ARMY

Cheb Schirnding Waldsassen

i ve r

Bamberg Walsdorf

Bayreuth

Würzburg

CZ ECHO S LOVA KI A

Weiden

3RD INFANTRY DIVISION

Pilsen

SOVIET CGF Erlangen

1ST ARMORED DIVISION

Bad Windsheim

CZECH 1ST COMBINED ARMY

Nürnberg 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION

Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz

Ansbach

Freystadt

Cronheim Weissenburg in Bayern

CZECH 4TH COMBINED ARMY

Aalen

Regensberg

Nördlingen Da

5e DIVISION BLINDÉE

nube River

Ingolstadt

PANZERGRENADIER DIVISION 4

SOVIET SGF PANZER DIVISION 10 GEBIRGS DIVISION 1

21

In the early hours of 3 August 1985, Capitaine Paul Durand was woken by Adjudant Fabre shaking him, “The Chef d’Escadron wants to see you Sir.” The regiment had been prepared for deployment for the last few days, nobody was sure if the Warsaw Pact was really going to attack. Durand had busied his squadron preparing and checking their equipment. He had seventeen AMX-30 tanks under his command waiting for orders to deploy. He got up, dressed, and set off for the commandant’s office. When he arrived, he found the other squadron commanders already gathered. The meeting ran over the regiment’s deployment, its timetable, and logistical details. Their division, 3ème Division Blindée, was to move from their barracks around Baden-Baden towards Nördlingen, where they were to deploy north of the town. Durand’s squadron wouldn’t be moved until the evening of 4 August. The meeting broke up and the squadron commanders headed back to begin organising their troops for the move.

TO THE FRONT It was in the pre-dawn light of the next day, as Durand and his officers had gathered to prepare to move out, when one of Durand’s men ran up to him. “They’ve attacked sir, crossed the border,” he panted as he excitedly updated the gathered officers “It looks like war gentlemen. Let’s get to the front.” With the news, the squadron’s urgency

became heightened. However, pressure on the rail network also increased as the Warsaw Pact bombed trains and key rail junctions. Eventually, Durand’s squadron was on the move by mid-morning on 5 August. Further disruptions continued throughout the journey, with several long stops along the route as traffic was cleared. The column rolled into the city of Aalen on the morning of 6 August, only to find further progress towards Nördlingen slowed by damaged roads. Durand and his men had to continue by the narrow secondary roads. Capitaine Durand led his squadron out of Aalen at 0808 hours, heading for the town of Wassertrüdingen, 54 kilometres away, where the regiment had already established its headquarters. The roads were clogged with civilian traffic escaping westwards, cars and vans passed by loaded with people and all their worldly possessions. A journey, that in peacetime should have taken less than an hour, dragged on through the day. Often Durand simply ordered his vehicles cross-country, finding a route through the fields a simpler proposition than waiting for the West German security forces to clear the road for them. Despite their slow progress, it wasn’t until the late afternoon that they came under attack by Soviet aircraft. A pair of SU-25 ground attack aircraft swooped in from the northeast, 30mm cannons blazing. Fortunately, a pair of the division’s AMX-13 DCA anti-aircraft tanks had been attached to Durand’s squadron. These immediately let rip, tracking and firing at the SU-25s as they made

D E PLOY M E N T AN D FIR S T AC T ION , 8 AU G U S T DURAND’S

BMP-2

Filchenhard CRO N H EI M

ESCADRON BLINDÉ

T-72

Oberschwaningen SOVIET FORWARD DETACHMENT

DESCHAMPS’S

Stetten

COMPAGNIE DE CHASSEURS

Unterschwaningen

22

Kröttenbach

their attack run. The Soviet attack inflicted no damage and did not return for another run, the AMX-13 DCAs having deterred them sucessfully.

DEPLOYMENT The squadron finally rolled into Wassertrüdingen at 23:00 hours on 6 August. Durand was immediately dispatched to reinforce a Compagnie de Chasseurs deployed at Unterschwaningen, 5km to the north. Capitaine Deschamps, commander of the Chasseurs, also had an AMX-10 RC platoon from divisional reconnaissance under his command. Additional reinforcements included a unit of HOT missile firing Mephisto tank-hunters.

INTO ACTION On the morning of 7 August, the AMX-10 RC platoon was sent forward to locate the enemy. Intelligence suggested that Soviet and Czech forces were pressing hard along the US defensive line running between Bamburg and Nürnberg, while to the south the West Germans were combating the Czechs. Contact with the enemy came in the late afternoon, when the AMX-10 RC platoon reported engaging Czech scout cars coming from the southeast. The AMX-10 RC armoured cars made short work of the lead vehicles and the Czechs beat a hasty retreat. With the approach of the enemy, Durand and Deschamps moved their force to a low ridge overlooking the road leading to Cronheim and eastwards beyond. Durand and his command waited into the evening, but there was no further sign of the enemy. The night passed without incident. Just before dawn on 8 August, Durand received a radio call from Deschamps that the cavalry had just made contact with a Soviet armoured force. About 20 minutes later, just as the sun started to peek over the horizon, the cavalry platoon appeared from the east. Ten minutes after, a pair of BMP-2 took a turn off the main road into the village of Filchenhard, 2.5km from Durand’s position. As Durand watched, a tank nudged over the eastern edge of the ridge that ran to the south of Cronhiem. It was joined by more until about half-a-dozen tanks sat

with just their turrets poking above the ridge line. He ordered his tanks to hold fire, wanting to see if they would close. It was the Mephistos that broke the silence, letting lose a volley of four HOT missiles from the centre of Deschamps’s position. The western end of the Soviet tank line was suddenly alight with burning tanks, two suffering ammunition explosions that sent their turrets tumbling through the air. The remaining tanks quickly backed off the ridge, depriving the Mephistos of any further targets. A few minutes later the BMP-2s were seen leaving Filchenhard. Impatient with just sitting and waiting, Durand radioed Deschamps, “I’ve had an idea. I don’t think they will come back along the road through Cronheim, but further south along the Maicha to Stetten road,” he explained. “If we move our positions over to the area of Stetten, we can take them in the flank.” Deschamps agreed. They discussed the details and then Deschamps dispatched the cavalry platoon to head east and establish the enemy’s direction of attack.

AMBUSH AT CRONHEIM Durand and Deschamps left an infantry section and a tank platoon covering the road from Cronheim in the forested high ground and moved the rest of their forces to the area around Stetten. Durand had his tanks move into positions in and around Stetten, while Deschamps repositioned his infantry in the forest to the east. At 1100 hours, the cavalry reported in that the enemy was on the move and a battalion sized group was heading towards them. The Soviet vanguard appeared 10 minutes later, but rather than head towards Stetten as Durand expected, they left Maicha, taking a minor road running along the railway line south of the ridge running towards Cronheim. The Soviet force used the ridge line to screen their movement from the west and north. With the Soviet force steadily moving towards the southern end of Cronheim, Durand ordered his tanks to attack. T-72 tanks were making their way across the fields when the French force opened up with guns and anti-tank missiles, taking the trailing tanks in the rear. The lead Soviet tanks quickly

Oberwurmbach

Filchenhard CRONHE I M T-72 BMP-2 T-72

SOVIET TANK BATTALION

Maicha

DURAND’S ESCADRON BLINDÉ

A M B US H AT C RONHE I M , 1 1 1 0 HOU RS , 8 AU G U S T

turned to meet the French attack. From the concealed positions in the forest, the Mephistos and Milans continued to fire on the Soviets, while the AMX-30 tanks headed west to force the Soviets to fight in two directions, skirting the forests on the road between Cronheim and Stetten to hide their movement. They turned back towards the forest west of the Soviets and, using the forestry roads, appeared on the Soviet flank where, once more, they engaged them. Burning Soviet T-72s were scattered across the fields, but dismounted Soviet motor riflemen were making their way towards the positions of Deschamps’s force. A series of explosions suddenly hit the advancing Soviet infantry, sending riflemen tumbling. The Cavalry’s AMX-10 RCs had appeared from Maicha, sending 105mm high-explosive rounds into the enemy. The remaining elements of the Soviet force began withdrawing as their infantry attack began to break up, Durand’s tanks continuing to harass them from cover.

ATTACK EASTWARDS With the Soviet push turned back, regiment command informed Durand that the unit had been ordered to attack as part of a wider divisional operation. Durand, in conjunction with Deschamps’s force, were to lead the initial push. The attack began at 0300 hours on 10 August and ran along a valley eastwards through Gnotzheim, where it met some light resistance which was easily pushed aside. They headed on to Dittenheim, where Durand’s squadron ran into a Czech counterattack coming the other way resulting in a running

DESCHAMPS’S

Stetten

COMPAGNIE DE CHASSEURS

encounter battle that ended with both forces withdrawing. The advance began again the next morning, 11 August. Durand pushed his force on to Weissenburg in Bayern, before Deschamps’s infantry set about clearing the town. Fighting for Weissenburg lasted into the night. The last elements of Czech infantry being cleared out by the early hours of the morning of 12 August. After leading the advance for two days, Durand and Deschamps’s forces were relieved by another pair of units. These fresh French units then take the lead and continue advance on to Freystadt, and after some fighting for the town, on to Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz. Meanwhile, Durand’s squadron was placed into the regimental reserve, where they receive replacement personnel and equipment. However, more fighting lay ahead for them. They would soon be thrown back into the fight as the division made to push past Neumarkt. Warsaw Pact forces were still on West German soil and still posed a threat to France. NEUMARKT IN DER O B ERPFALZ

Freystadt

Thalmässing

Gnotzheim Weissenburg in Bayern Dittenheim

23

FRENCH FORCES 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE 12ÈME REGIMENT DE CUIRASSIERS

19ÈME GROUPEMENT DE CHASSEURS

3ÈME REGIMENT DE HUSSARDS

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-30 ESCADRON BLINDÉ

AMX-10P COMPAGNIE DE CHASSEURS

AMX-10 RC ESCADRON DE CAVALERIE

TF101

TF103

TF106

110E REGIMENT D’INFANTERIE 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

VAB COMPAGNIE D’INFANTERIE TF109

FRENCH SPECIAL RULES The French Army has a number of features and weapons. These are reflected in the following special rules.

AUTOLOADER The AMX AuF1 155mm howitzer is fitted with an auto-loading system, allowing it to lay down quick devastating barrages. When a weapon with an Autoloader fires an Artillery Bombardment reduce the score required To Hit Teams under the Template by 1.

GUN SLINGER Gazelle helicopters armed with 20mm autocannons were used to suppress the enemy and hunt other helicopters, leaving the coast clear for the Gazelle HOTs to do their anti-tank work. A Gun Slinger helicopter can use Tall terrain for Concealment (see page 42 of Team Yankee), and can remain Gone to Ground while moving. Enemy Anti-aircraft, Anti-helicopter, and Infantry weapons Shoot at a Gun Slinger helicopter after it Shoots in its own turn (instead of before when normally shooting at Aircraft).

24

HAMMERHEAD The VAB Mephisto’s HOT missile turret works on a similar principle as the US ‘hammerhead’ turret on the M901 and Dutch YPR-765. Like those vehicles, the Mephisto can remain concealed behind cover while shooting. A Team with the Hammerhead rule can remain Gone to Ground while shooting HOT anti-tank guided missiles.

MILAN MOUNT Both the AMX-10P and VAB armoured transports could mount their passengers’ Milan anti-tank guided missile to be fired from the vehicle. A Unit with a Transport Attachment with Milan Mount may remove Milan missile teams before the game, mounting a Milan missile on one of the Unit’s Transport Teams for each team they removed.

RADAR Anti-aircraft radar on the AMX-13 DCA makes tracking fast-moving aircraft much easier, especially at long range. The Twin 30mm AA gun on a AMX-13 DCA has a Range of 36”/90cm against aircraft and does not suffer the usual +1 To Hit penalty for range over 16”/40cm when Shooting at Aircraft.

SUPPORT 3ÈME COMPAGNIE 2ND BATTALION, 23RDANTICHAR ARTILLERY

11ÈME REGIMENT 2ND BATTALION, RD 23D’ARTILLERIE ARTILLERY

53E REGIMENT D’ARTILLERIE

ARMÉE DE L’AIR

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

ARMÉE DE L’AIR

VAB MEPHISTO PELOTON ANTICHAR

AMX AUF1 BATTERIE D’ARTILLERIE

MIRAGE 5 PATROUILLE DE CHASSE

TF115

AMX ROLAND BATTERIE DE MISSILES SOL-AIR

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10P VOA POSTE D’OBSERVATION

AMX-13 DCA PELOTON DE DÉFENSE ANTI-AÉRIEN

TF108

TF116

NATO ALLIED FORMATION

TF119

TF113

TF120

3ÈME REGIMENT DE HUSSARDS

2ÈME REGIMENT D’HÉLICOPTÈRES 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

GAZELLE HOT PATROUILLE D’HÉLICOPTÈRES ANTICHAR TF117

ALLIED FORMATION

YOU MAY FIELD ONE NATO FORMATION AS AN ALLIED FORMATION

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10 RC PELOTON DE CAVALERIE TF107

Often divisions from other NATO nations, such as West German divisions or US divisions in CENTAG, fought alongside the divisions of the French Army. You may take an Allied Formation as part of your Force. A NATO Allied Formation can be US, British, West German, Canadian, Dutch, ANZAC (though not part of NATO, Australia and New Zealand are close US and British allies), or any other Force with a NATO Allied Formation in its support.

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

GAZELLE 20MM PATROUILLE D’HÉLICOPTÈRES D’ATTAQUE TF118

An Allied Formation obeys all the rules for its own nationality. An Allied Formation Commander can only join Units in its own Formation or nation and only its Formation or national Units can benefit from its Command Leadership (see page 25 and 64 of Team Yankee). An Allied Formation does not count as a Formation when determining if you have lost the game (see page 65 of Team Yankee).

25

Lieutenant Hippolyte stood in the turret of his AMX-30B2 preparing for what was about to come. His platoon was well concealed in a wood line, with a clear line of site for 4,000 metres or more. He could not believe that almost a year ago he was riding in the 40th Anniversary Parade, celebrating the Liberation of Paris from Nazi Germany in World War II. Now he was in West Germany, in a war of his own, preparing to fight against a Warsaw Pact invasion. It just didn’t seem real to him. He was broken from his thoughts, like being awakened from a bad dream, by a radio call from one of the tank commanders in his platoon. His training immediately took over and, like any other bodily reflex, he started to give commands. His orders were to hold fire until he gave the command. Off in the distance, a mass of tanks, likely Czechoslovakian, advance towards him. They were perfectly arrayed in line abreast formation, just as all of his training said they would be. A call came over the radio, “3,500 metres!” “Hold fire” Hippolyte ordered. “3,000 metres.” “Hold fire,” again he ordered. “2,500 metres,” came over the radio! “Fire!” The order was given and with that all four tanks fired almost as one. He ordered his platoon to continue firing. As he watched, he witnessed seven of the enemy tanks in the first line go up in flames. A large bang and flash off to his left caught his attention. Hippolyte gave the command to pull back to the next line of defence to set up and do this again. In 1985, the French armoured regiments (régiment blindé) are undergoing a process of change. The armoured regiments are moving from the old 1967 organisation to a new organisation introduced in 1984. Most of the changes are at the higher level, but the armoured squadrons (escadron blindé) are moving from three-tank platoons to four-tank platoons. However, some regiments still retain the older organisation in August 1985. The new 1984 organisation had squadrons of four platoons with a headquarters platoon containing the squadron commander’s tank and a VAB APC for transport and liaison duties.

26

The new organisation also removed the AMX-10P mechanised infantry company from the regiment, but most armoured regiment still retained these units, with the Chasseurs Portés (mechanised light infantry) split out amongst the armoured squadrons to provide infantry support. As well as organisational changes, the squadrons’ AMX-30 tanks are undergoing an upgrade program. The upgrade, designated AMX-30B2, added a number of mechanical and combat improvements. The gun received new ammunition, a new fire-control system with a laser-rangefinder, new optics and a low-light television camera system. The previous model’s mechanical unreliability has been overcome with a new transmission.

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-30 ESCADRON BLINDÉ AMX-30 ESCADRON BLINDÉ 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• TANK FORMATION • INFRA-RED (IR) •

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

COURAGE 2+

SKILL 2+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

AMX-30 ESCADRON BLINDÉ HQ

AMX-30 PELOTON BLINDÉ TF102

TOP

4

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

4+

WEAPON

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

SIDE

11

2 POINTS

1x AMX-30

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

TF101

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

105mm F1 gun

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

20mm M693 gun 7.62mm AA MG

AMX-30 PELOTON BLINDÉ TF102

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

40”/100CM

2

1

19

20”/50CM 16”/40CM

3 1

2 1

6 2

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

1

NOTES

2+ Brutal, Laser Rangefinder, Smoke 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE 5+ Anti-helicopter 6

AMX-30 PELOTON BLINDÉ

AMX-30 PELOTON BLINDÉ

TF102

TF102

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10P SECTION DE CHASSEURS TF104

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-30 PELOTON BLINDÉ AMX-30

PELOTON BLINDÉ — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE • TANK UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

AMX-30 PELOTON BLINDÉ 4x AMX-30 10 POINTS 3x AMX-30 8 POINTS

The armour of the AMX-30 is the lightest of the first-generation NATO tanks, using a composite of welded and cast armoured plates, while the turret is made of one single casting. It is armed with the excellent CN 105 F1 105mm L/56 rifled gun (with similar performance to the 105mm L7 gun found on the Leopard 1). The gun is not stabilised and can fire kinetic penetrator armour piercing fin-stabilised discarding-sabot (APFSDS, fleche or arrow), high-explosive (HE), highexplosive anti-tank (HEAT), high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG), incendiary, smoke and illumination rounds. It is compatible with all standard NATO 105mm munitions. One unique feature of the AMX-30 is its 20mm coaxial autocannon which could be elevated independently from the main gun to engage helicopters. It also mounted a 7.62mm MG on the commander’s cupola.

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

11

TOP

4

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

4+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

1

NOTES

105mm F1 gun

40”/100CM

2

1

19

2+

Brutal, Laser Rangefinder, Smoke

20mm M693 gun 7.62mm AA MG

20”/50CM 16”/40CM

3 1

2 1

6 2

5+ 6

Anti-helicopter

Crew: 4 - commander, gunner, loader, driver Weight: 36 tonnes Length: 9.48m (31’ 1”) Width: 3.1m (10’ 1”) Height: 2.28m (8’ 6”) Armour: 30mm-120mm Composite Steel

Weapons: CN 105 F1 105mm Gun 1x M693 F1 20mm autocannnon 1x AAN 7.62mm MG Speed: 65 km/h (40 mph) Engine: Hispano-Suiza HS-110.2 diesel 680 hp (510 kW) Range: 650 km (403 miles)

27

A company of BMPs had entered a small village to the front of Lieutenant Delacroix’s positions. He watched as the enemy reconnaissance units led the way past the buildings and pushed through without stopping, with the BMPs following behind in three groups. Delacroix had set up his infantry platoon, including two attached Milan missile teams, dug in on a rise on the side of a road just south of the village. His AMX-10P IFVs were just behind the rise, out of sight, and ready to be remounted. He didn’t have to wait long before two BRDM-2 scout cars appeared, apparently not noticing his platoon partly hidden behind the rise. Maybe it was their line of sight, or that they were concentrating on the woods to their front. He ordered his platoon to hold fire and stay down. It was then that first group of BMPs advanced out of the village and down the road toward his position. Once the BMPs were clear of the village and in range of his LRAC 89mm anti-tank rockets, Delacroix gave the order to open fire and three BMPs went up in flames. A BMP behind this first group stopped suddenly, and opened fire with its 30mm auto cannon in the direction of the incoming fire. Soon most of the remaining BMPs followed suit. Delacroix’s platoon continued to pour fire into the Soviets. Flashes could be seen coming from the BMPs and incoming Soviet fire began to land amongst his platoon’s dug in positions. A few more BMPs went up in flames and Soviets began to pull back to the village. Before his platoon became too heavily engaged and pinned in position, Delacroix ordered his men to pull out, remount, and fall back to the next position. The 1984 reforms saw the reorganisation and re-equipment of the mechanised infantry regiments (either Groupes de Chasseurs, equivalent of light infantry regiments, or infantry regiments). This saw the retirement of the old AMX-13 light tank and AMX VCI APC and the adoption by these units’ armoured squadron of the AMX-30 tank. These regiments are fully mounted in AMX-10P armoured infantry fighting vehicles. Each regiment has three mechanised infantry companies (compagnie d’infanterie mécanisée) and one armoured squadron (escadron blindé). The tanks can be used to reinforce the infantry companies or fielded as a separate squadron as required.

28

The French had been early adopters of the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) concept with the AMX VCI, based on the AMX-13 light tank chassis. Unlike troop transport vehicles designed to simply transport troops to combat locations, the infantry fighting vehicle has weapons systems that allows it to support both attacking or defending infantry. The AMX-10P is France’s second generation IFV introduced in 1972. It is armed with a 20mm autocannon to give fire support and can carry eight troops in its rear passenger compartment.

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10P COMPAGNIE DE CHASSEURS AMX-10P COMPAGNIE DE CHASSEURS 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• INFANTRY FORMATION • HQ TRANSPORT •

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

COURAGE 2+

SKILL 2+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

AMX-10P COMPAGNIE DE CHASSEURS HQ TF103

1x FAMAS assault rifle team 1x AMX-10P (TF105)

4+

1 POINT

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

FAMAS assault rifle team

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

3

8”/20CM

3

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10P SECTION DE CHASSEURS

AMX-10P SECTION DE CHASSEURS

AMX-30 PELOTON BLINDÉ

TF104

TF104

3+

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

1

6

NOTES

Pinned ROF 1

TF102

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10P SECTION DE CHASSEURS

AMX-10P SECTION DE CHASSEURS TF104

TF104

29

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10P SECTION DE SECTION CHASSEURS AMX-10P DE CHASSEURS 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• INFANTRY UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

AMX-10P SECTION DE CHASSEURS 5x FAMAS team with AC-58 anti-tank grenade 2x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team 4x AMX-10P (TF105) 7 POINTS 3x FAMAS team with AC-58 anti-tank grenade 2x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team 3x AMX-10P (TF105) 4 POINTS OPTION • Replace 1x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team with APILAS anti-tank team for +1 point. • Add 2x Milan missile team and 1x AMX-10P (TF105) for +2 points.

A Section de Chasseurs is organised into three combat groups, each with seven men. Each group is further divided into a 300m team and a 600m team. The 300m team is armed with FAMAS assault rifles and anti-tank rifle grenades, while the 600m team are additionally armed with a 7.62mm NF1 machine-gun. The unit is also armed with a pair of short range anti-tank weapons, usually the 89mm LRAC (Lance-Roquettes AntiChar de 89 mm modèle F1) reusable rocket launcher, but some units are issued with the new disposable APILAS (Armor-Piercing Infantry Light Arm System) portable one-shot 112mm recoilless antitank weapon. The company’s Milan missile anti-tank section is allocated out to the Sections as required. The Milan missile is an effective medium ranged wire-guided anti-tank missile, ideal for ambush situations, while both the 89mm LRAC and APILAS are best used in defensive combat against tanks. The section is transported in the AMX-10P infantry fighting vehicle. The AMX-10P is fully amphibious, armed with a 20mm F2 M693 autocannon and a 7.62mm NF1 machine-gun. It can also optionally mount one of the Milan firing posts from the Milan section. It can carry up to eight troops and has a crew of three (commander, gunner and driver).

30

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

4+

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

FAMAS team or AC-58 anti-tank grenade LRAC 89mm anti-tank team APILAS anti-tank team Milan missile team

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

NOTES

16”/40CM 8”/20CM

3 1

2 1

2 13

5+ 5+

HEAT, Slow Firing

16”/40CM

1

1

17

4+

Assault 5, HEAT, Slow Firing

16”/40CM 8”/20CM– 36”/90CM

1

1

21

3+

Assault 5, HEAT, Slow Firing

1

-

21

3+

Assault 5, Guided, HEAT

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10PTRANSPORT TRANSPORT AMX-10P 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• TANK ATTACHMENT • AMPHIBIOUS • INFRA-RED (IR) • MILAN MOUNT • PASSENGERS 2 •

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

2

TOP

1

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

RANGE

HALTED

MOVING

20mm gun

20”/50CM

3

2

6

5+

7.62mm MG

16”/40CM

3

3

2

6

Optional Milan Missile

8”/20CM 36”/90CM

1

-

21

3+

WEAPON

Crew: Weight: Length: Width: Height: Armour:

3 - commander, gunner, driver + 8 passengers 13.3 tonnes 5.77m (12’ 4.4”) 2.78m (9’ 1.4”) 2.57m (8’ 5”) Protection against small arms fire up to 12.7mm.

1

NOTES

Anti-helicopter

Guided, HEAT

Weapons: 20mm M693 F1 autocannon 1x coaxial 7.62mm NF1 MG Speed: 65 km/h (40 mph) Engine: Hispano-Suiza Model 115-2 diesel 276 hp (205 kW) Range: 600 km (373 miles)

Lieutenant Robert stood at the ready in his AMX-10 RC, waiting for orders to move out his platoon. His armoured cars were held in reserve to counterattack the advancing Soviet units. Out of habit, he slipped his hand into his pocket where he kept his grandfather’s Legion of Honour medal. His grandfather had fought in the Second World War and had earned this medal the hard way. As a graduate of Saint Cyr military school Philippe knew the meaning of it. Whilst growing up, he’d talked a lot to his grandfather about his time serving with Leclerc. He was only thinking for a short time before the silence was broken by a voice coming over the radio net. It was time to move out. Lieutenant Robert gave his unit the order to advance. The cavalry platoon advanced to the front along a gravel logging road through the woods, just as they had done many times before on exercise. A short time later, the platoon arrived at the edge of the woods and saw before them a sight of carnage. A multitude of vehicles sat burning, dead and wounded men lying scattered amongst them. Lieutenant Robert’s platoon and rest of his squadron sped out of the treeline and into the enemy lines looking for targets of opportunity. It wasn’t long before Robert’s platoon surprised a Soviet anti-aircraft unit equipped with SA9 Gaskins. The 105mm guns of the armoured cars made short work of the lightly armoured vehicles, destroying the whole unit in just a few, short moments. Orders came over the radio to take up defensive positions and prepare for the inevitable counterattack. They didn’t have to wait long before the next wave of the Soviet advance was spotted in the distance. The Escadron de Cavalerie, or to give its full name Escadron de Cavalerie Blindée (Armoured Cavalry Squadron), comes from the corps level armoured cavalry regiment, as well as the armoured cavalry regiments in mechanised infantry divisions and light armoured divisions. The role of the Escadron de Cavalerie is to conduct reconnaissance in dangerous environments, and to provide fire support to the infantry units of the infantry and light armoured divisions.

An Escadron de Cavalerie is organised into three Peloton de Cavalerie (Cavalry Platoon), with four AMX-10 RC armoured cars in each. The squadron headquarters is mounted in a VAB armoured personnel carrier. For scouting, each Peloton de Cavalerie has a section of Hotchkiss jeeps. However, these did not engage the enemy, leaving that instead to the hard-hitting 105mm gun armed AMX-10 RC armoured cars.

31

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

ESCADRON DE CAVALERIE ESCADRON DE CAVALERIE VAB — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• TANK FORMATION • AMPHIBIOUS • INFRA-RED (IR) • SCOUT •

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

COURAGE 2+

SKILL 2+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

ESCADRON DE CAVALERIE HQ TF106

1x VAB

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

SIDE

2

1 POINT

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

12”/30CM

20”/50CM

48”/120CM

4+

WEAPON

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

20”/50CM

12.7mm AA MG

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

4

NOTES

5+

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10 RC PELOTON DE CAVALERIE

AMX-10 RC PELOTON DE CAVALERIE

AMX-10 RC LUCHS SPÄH PELOTON TRUPP DE CAVALERIE

VAB LUCHS SPÄH SECTION TRUPP D’INFANTERIE

TF107

TG111 TF107

TF107

0

TG111 TF110

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10 RC PELOTON DEAMX-10 CAVALERIE RC PELOTON DE CAVALERIE — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • INFRA-RED (IR) • SCOUT • SPEARHEAD •

AMX-10 RC PELOTON DE CAVALERIE 4x AMX-10 RC 9 POINTS 3x AMX-10 RC 7 POINTS

The AMX-10 RC is based on the same armoured chassis as the AMX-10P IFV, sharing many mechanical components, but with 6x6 wheeled drive. Compared to France’s NATO allies’ reconnaissance vehicles, the AMX-10 RC is rather heavily armed with a 105mm rifled gun similar to the one fitted to the AMX-30 main battle tank. In combat, the platoon relies on the investigation group who advance ahead of the armoured cars to observe and detect the enemy. However, these elements do not engage, but instead withdraw to the AMX-10 RCs of the fire group for support, where the fire group’s 105mm guns can easily destroy any Warsaw Pact reconnaissance vehicles.

32

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

2

TOP

1

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

12”/30CM

18”/45CM

40”/100CM

4+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

105mm F2 gun

36”/90CM

2

1

19

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

Crew: 3 - commander, gunner, loader, driver Weight: 15 tonnes Length: 6.24m (20’ 6”) Width: 2.78m (9’ 1.4”) Height: 2.57m (8’ 5”) Armour: Protection against small arms fire up to 12.7mm.

0

NOTES

Brutal, HEAT, Laser Rangefinder, Smoke

Weapons: 105mm BK MECA (F2) gun 1x coaxial 7.62mm NF1 MG Speed: 65 km/h (40 mph) Engine: Baudouin Model 6F11 SRX diesel 280 hp (209 kW) Range: 1000 km (620 miles)

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

VAB COMPAGNIE D’INFANTERIE VAB COMPAGNIE D’INFANTERIE 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• INFANTRY FORMATION • HQ TRANSPORT •

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

COURAGE 2+

SKILL 2+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

VAB COMPAGNIE D’INFANTERIE HQ TF109

1x FAMAS assault rifle team 1x VAB (TF111)

4+

1 POINT

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

RANGE

WEAPON

FAMAS assault rifle team

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

VAB SECTION D’INFANTERIE

VAB SECTION D’INFANTERIE

TF110

3+

TF110

ROF HALTED MOVING

3

8”/20CM

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

1

6

NOTES

Pinned ROF 1

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

VAB SECTION D’INFANTERIE

MILAN SECTION ANTICHAR

TF110

TF112

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

VAB SECTION D’INFANTERIE TF110

AMX-10 RC PELOTON DE CAVALERIE TF107

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-30 PELOTON BLINDÉ TF102

While two regiments in an armoured division are mechanised chasseurs mounted in the AMX-10P IFVs, the third regiment in an armoured division (as well as all the infantry in a light armoured division or an infantry division) are mounted in the VAB (Véhicule de l’avant blindé) armoured personnel carrier. Each VAB mounted infantry regiment (Regiment d’Infanterie Motorisée) consists of four combat

companies (Compagnie d’Infanterie), a support company, and a headquarters. The combat companies are then divided into four combat sections. The support company provided additional weapons such a Milan anti-tank guided missile teams, some of which are attached directly to the infantry section, while some operate in anti-tank sections.

33

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

VAB SECTION D’INFANTERIE VAB SECTION D’INFANTERIE 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• INFANTRY UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

VAB SECTION D’INFANTERIE 7x FAMAS team with AC-58 anti-tank grenade 2x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team 4x VAB (TF111) 8 POINTS 5x FAMAS team with AC-58 anti-tank grenade 2x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team 3x VAB (TF111) 6 POINTS OPTION • Replace 1x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team with APILAS anti-tank team for +1 point. • Add 1x Milan missile team for +1 point.

A Section d’Infanterie is made up of a headquarters group, four combat groups and an anti-tank group. The combat groups are armed with the 5.56mm FAMAS (Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne) assault rifle and 7.62mm NF-1 general purpose machine-gun. The FAMAS is also designed to fire a number of different rifle grenades including the AC-58 anti-tank grenade for short range defence against armoured vehicles. The antitank group is armed with two 89mm LRAC F1 (Lance-Roquettes AntiChar de 89 mm modèle F1) anti-tank rocket launchers. Sometimes the LRAC’s firepower is also supplemented with the new APILAS disposable 112mm recoilless anti-tank weapon. Additional longer range anti-tank firepower is provided by the Milan anti-tank guided missile group, attached from the regiment’s support company. The section is transport in the VAB 4x4 armoured personnel carrier. The VAB provides space to transport ten men and is armed with a 12.7mm (.50 cal) heavy machine-gun for fire support.

34

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

4+

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

FAMAS team or AC-58 anti-tank grenade LRAC 89mm anti-tank team APILAS anti-tank team Milan missile team

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

NOTES

16”/40CM 8”/20CM

3 1

2 1

2 13

5+ 5+

HEAT, Slow Firing

16”/40CM

1

1

17

4+

Assault 5, HEAT, Slow Firing

16”/40CM 8”/20CM– 36”/90CM

1

1

21

3+

Assault 5, HEAT, Slow Firing

1

-

21

3+

Assault 5, Guided, HEAT

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

TRANSPORT VABVAB TRANSPORT 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• TANK ATTACHMENT • AMPHIBIOUS • MILAN MOUNT • PASSENGERS 3 •

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

2

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

12”/30CM

18”/45CM

48”/120CM

5+

WEAPON

12.7mm AA MG Optional Milan missile

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

RANGE

HALTED

MOVING

20”/50CM 8”/20CM 36”/90CM

3

2

4

5+

1

-

21

3+

Crew: 2 - commander/ gunner, driver + 10 passengers Weight: 13.8 tonnes Length: 5.98m (19’ 7”) Width: 2.49m (8’ 2”) Height: 2.06m (6’ 9”)

NOTES

Guided, HEAT, Infra-Red (IR)

Armour: Protection against small arms fire Weapons: Mitrailleuse de 12.7mm Speed: 110 km/h (68 mph) Engine: Renault MIDR 062045 220 hp (164 kW) Range: 1200 km (750 miles)

0

Capitaine Drye had been with the 110e Regiment d’ Infanterie for only two months, having just been promoted to his command. His orders were to hold the ground he occupied. Concealed by woodland, his company had two platoons to his south and one to his north. In addition, he had an attached anti-tank section of two Milan anti-tank missile teams deployed on his far north flank. He had been told to expect a Czech attack and ordered not to let them through his position. Reinforcements were due in two hours, he and his company just had to hold on until this relief force arrived. Drye watched the Czech recon units advancing toward his Company’s position. He didn’t want to spring his ambush on these units. To give his position away this early would be suicide. He ordered the platoon to his north, which was the closest platoon to the enemy, to open fire when the enemy was within 200 metres. Shortly afterwards, flashes began erupting from the woods. The lead BRDM-2 went up in flames. A second BRDM-2 followed. The third BRDM-2 slammed to a halt and began to reverse, spraying the northern platoon’s position with machine-gun fire. One of the men stood up and fired an AC-58 anti-tank grenade from his FAMAS rifle. It resulted in a direct hit, and up in flames went the third BRDM-2. As Drye watched on, the action seemed to go on forever, but it was all over in less than a minute. In the distance, Drye could see a mass of Czech BMPs advancing on his position. He radioed Battalion HQ, requesting artillery support. Drye waited for what seemed like a life time for the first spotting round to land. But once it came, the bombardment that followed inflicted a hail of destruction on the advancing BMPs. Still they kept coming. Dyre looked at his watch, still an hour and 45 minutes until relief. He sighed, then began barking orders to deal with the next wave. 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

MILAN SECTION ANTICHAR MILAN SECTION ANTICHAR 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• INFANTRY UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

MILAN SECTION ANTICHAR 8x Milan missile team 4x VAB (TF111) 11 POINTS 6x Milan missile team 3x VAB (TF111) 4x Milan missile team 2x VAB (TF111)

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

4+

8 POINTS 5 POINTS

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

French VAB mounted infantry battalions have 24 Milan anti-tank guided missile systems available in support. Most are allocated out to the infantry units, but some are retained in the Section Antichar (Anti-tank Section) to provide a reserve or to be deployed in a concentrated group for anti-tank defence.

3+

Milan missile team

RANGE

8”/20CM– 36”/90CM

ROF HALTED MOVING

1

-

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

21

3+

NOTES

Guided, HEAT

35

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

VAB MEPHISTO PELOTON ANTICHAR VAB MEPHISTO PELOTON ANTICHAR — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • SCOUT • HAMMERHEAD • INFRA-RED (IR) •

VAB MEPHISTO PELOTON ANTICHAR 4x VAB Mephisto 8 POINTS 2x VAB Mephisto 4 POINTS

The VAB Mephisto (VCAC - Véhicule de Combat Anti-Char) is an anti-tank vehicle that mounts the Franco-German HOT anti-tank guided missile system. This powerful wire-guided anti-tank missile is capable of knocking out any Warsaw Pact tank from outside the tank’s effective gun range. MEPHISTO is an acronym for “Module Élévateur Panoramique HOT Installé Sur Tourelle Orientable” (Panoramic HOT Elevator Module Installed On Adjustable Turret), which describes the launcher the missiles are fired from. The missiles are mounted in an extendible turret, that can be withdrawn so that it is flush with the vehicle roof. The VAB Mephisto is based on the VAB 4x4 wheeled armoured personnel carrier. Four HOT missiles are carried ready to fire in the launcher turret and eight more missiles are carried in reserve in two four-round magazines inside the vehicle.

36

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

2

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

12”/30CM

18”/45CM

48”/120CM

5+

WEAPON

HOT missile

RANGE

8”/20CM – 48”/120CM

Crew: 4 - commander, gunner, observer/loader, driver Weight: 13.3 tonnes Length: 5.94m (19’ 5.8”) Width: 2.49m (8’ 2”) Height: Turret retracted 2.53m (8’ 8.3”) Turret extended 3.27m (10’ 8.7”)

ROF HALTED MOVING

1

-

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

23

3+

NOTES

Guided, HEAT

Armour: Protection against small arms fire Weapons: 4x HOT missile Speed: 90 km/h (56 mph) Engine: Renault MIDR 062045 164 kW (220 hp) Range: 1000 km (621 miles)

0

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX AUF1 BATTERIE D’ARTILLERIE AMX AUF1 BATTERIE D’ARTILLERIE — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE • TANK UNIT •

AMX AUF1 BATTERIE D’ARTILLERIE 5x AMX AuF1 16 POINTS 4x AMX AuF1 12 POINTS 3x AMX AuF1

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

9 POINTS

In 1979, a new self-propelled 155mm howitzer entered service with the French army, the AMX AuF1. This new gun placed the new GIAT Industries GCT 155mm howitzer turret on the hull of the AMX-30 tank. The 155mm howitzer is fitted with an auto-loading system, giving it a sustained rate of fire of 6 rounds in 45 seconds, allowing it to lay down quick, devastating barrages.

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

4

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

10”/25CM

14”/35CM

20”/50CM

24”/60CM

TOP

2

1

CROSS

5+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

155mm howitzer

104”/260CM

ARTILLERY

4

2+

Autoloader, Smoke Bombardment

or Direct fire

24”/60CM

1

1

15

1+

Brutal, Slow Firing, Smoke

12.7mm AA MG

20”/50CM

3

2

4

5+

WEAPON

Crew: 4 - commander, gun-layer, radio operator/loader, driver Weight: 42 tonnes Length: 10.25m (33’ 7.5”) Width: 3.15m (10’ 4”) Height: 3.25m (10’ 8”)

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

NOTES

Armour: 20mm Weapons: GCT 155 mm l/39 howitzer 1x 12.7mm MG Speed: 60km/h (37 mph) Engine: Hispano-Suiza HS-110 diesel 720 hp (536 kW) Range: 450 km (280 miles)

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-10P VOA VÉHICULE D’OBSERVATION AMX-10P VOA

VÉHICULE D’OBSERVATION — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

• INDEPENDENT TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • OBSERVER • SCOUT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

AMX-10P VOA VÉHICULE D’OBSERVATION 1x AMX-10P VOA 1 POINT You must field: • an AMX AuF1 Batterie d’Artillerie (TF115) before you may field a AMX-10P VOA Véhicule d’Observation.

For the role of artillery observation, the AMX10P was modified as a mobile forward artillery observation post. The AMX-10P VOA turret is fitted with day and night observation equipment as well as additional equipment to communicate with the artillery. Armament consists of a 7.62mm machine-gun.

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

2

TOP

1

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

7.62mm AA MG

RANGE

HALTED

MOVING

16”/40CM

3

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

1

NOTES

6

37

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX ROLAND BATTERIE DE AMX ROLAND MISSILES SOL-AIR

BATTERIE DE MISSILES SOL-AIR — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE • TANK UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

AMX ROLAND BATTERIE DE MISSILES SOL-AIR 4x AMX Roland 8 POINTS 2x AMX Roland 4 POINTS

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT COUNTERATTACK -

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

A Batterie de Missiles Sol-air (Surface-to-air Missile Battery) is equipped with the AMX Roland. This weapon system mounts the Franco-German Roland short-range surfaceto-air missile (SAM) system on the modified hull of an AMX-30 tank. The AMX Roland provides tactical anti-aircraft protection to the armoured divisions. The Roland system was designed to engage air targets flying at speeds of up to Mach 1.3 at altitudes between 20 metres and 5,500 metres. The Roland system can operate in optical or radar mode, seemlessly switching between these modes during an engagement.

SIDE

5

TOP

3

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

18”/45CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

Roland AA missile

56”/140CM

ROF HALTED MOVING

3

Crew: 3 - commander, operator, driver Weight: 30 tonnes Length: 6.65m (21’ 10”) Width: 3.10m (10’ 2”) Height: 4.45m (14’ 7.2”) Armour: 30mm

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

-

-

4+

1

NOTES

Guided AA

eapons: 2x Roland SAM launchers W Speed: 60 km/h (37 mph) Engine: Hispano-Suiza HS-110 diesel 720 hp (536 kW) Range: 600 km (370 miles)

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

AMX-13 DCA PELOTON DE AMX-13 DCA DÉFENSE ANTI-AÉRIEN

PELOTON DE DÉFENSE ANTI-AÉRIEN — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE • TANK UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

AMX-13 DCA PELOTON DE DÉFENSE ANTI-AÉRIEN 3x AMX-13 DCA 4 POINTS

The AMX-13 DCA (Défense Contre les Avions, Anti-aircraft Defence) was developed in the late 1960s to provide forward air defence for the tank regiments, though by the 1980s it had been moved to the air defence units at corps level alongside the AMX Roland SAM vehicle. The AMX-13 DCA is armed with two 30mm HS-831A autocannon mounted side by side at the front of the large two man turret. The guns can be fired semi-automatically or in bursts of 5 to 15 rounds. The AMX-13 DCA turret is fitted with a search and tracking radar that can detect aircraft and helicopters out to 12 km and at altitudes of up to 3km. This turret is mounted on the AMX-13 light tank chassis.

38

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 5+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

1

TOP

1

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

28”/70CM

3+

WEAPON

Twin 30mm AA gun

RANGE

24”/60CM

Crew: 3 - commander, gunner, driver Weight: 17.2 tonnes Length: 5.4m (17’ 8.5”) Width: 2.5m (8’ 2.4”) Height: 3.8m (12’ 5.6”) Armour: 10-40mm

ROF HALTED MOVING

5

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

7

5+

NOTES

Dedicated AA, Radar

Weapons: 2x 30mm HS-831A autocannon Speed: 60 km/h (37 mph) Engine: SOFAM 8Gxb 8-cyl. petrol 250 hp (190 kw) Range: 300 km (186 miles)

1

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

GAZELLE HOT PATROUILLE GAZELLE HOT D’HÉLICOPTÈRES ANTICHAR

PATROUILLE D’HÉLICOPTÈRES ANTICHAR — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE • HELICOPTER AIRCRAFT UNIT • HUNTER-KILLER •

GAZELLE HOT PATROUILLE D’HÉLICOPTÈRES ANTICHAR

COURAGE 3+

16 POINTS 8 POINTS

4x Gazelle HOT 2x Gazelle HOT

Like the West Germans, the French also mount their HOT anti-tank guided missile on helicopters. A Patrouille d’helicopteres Antichar (Anti-tank Helicopter Patrol) consists of up to four SA342M Gazelle helicopters armed with four powerful Euromissile HOT missiles and a stabilised sight. The pilots of these light helicopters use the terrain to their advantage to get into position before launching their HOT missiles from a well-concealed ambush.

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+

IS HIT ON

AIRCRAFT SAVE

4+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

5+

ROAD DASH

CROSS

UNLIMITED WEAPON

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

8”/20CM 48”/120CM

HOT missile

AUTO

1

-

Crew: 2 - pilot, gunner Weight: 908 kg Length: 11.97m (39’) Rotor: 10.5m (34’ 6”)

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

23

3+

NOTES

HEAT, Guided

Weapons: 4x Euromissile HOT missiles Armour: None Speed: 310 Km/h (193 mph)

3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE

GAZELLE 20MM PATROUILLE GAZELLE 20MM D’HÉLICOPTÈRES D’ATTAQUE

PATROUILLE D’HÉLICOPTÈRES D’ATTAQUE — 3ÈME DIVISION BLINDÉE • HELICOPTER AIRCRAFT UNIT • GUN SLINGER •

GAZELLE 20MM PATROUILLE D’HÉLICOPTÈRES D’ATTAQUE 4x Gazelle 20mm 2x Gazelle 20mm

COURAGE 3+

The French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) arm also field Gazelle helicopters in Attack Helicopter Patrols (Patrouille d’Hélicoptères d’Attaque). These Gazelles are armed with a M621 20mm cannon and provide protection to the anti-tank flights, suppressing enemy anti-aircraft assets.

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+

4 POINTS 2 POINTS

IS HIT ON

AIRCRAFT SAVE

4+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

5+

ROAD DASH

CROSS

UNLIMITED WEAPON

20mm gun

HALTED

AUTO MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

20”/50CM

3

-

6

5+

Anti-helicopter

8”/20CM

-

2

6

5+

Anti-helicopter

or

ARMEE DE L’AIR

MIRAGE 5 PATROUILLEMIRAGE DE CHASSE 5 PATROUILLE DE CHASSE — ARMÉE DE L’AIR • STRIKE AIRCRAFT UNIT •

MIRAGE 5 PATROUILLE DE CHASSE 4x Mirage 5 8 POINTS 2x Mirage 5 4 POINTS

The Mirage 5 design re-tasked the successful Mirage III fighter into a ground attack role by changing its radar system for one more suited for targeting ground targets. The Mirage 5 fighter-bomber retained the 30mm twin DEFA autocannons of the Mirage III, but added two additional weapons pylons, for a total of seven. It could carry a variety of weapons loads, including BLG-66 Belouga cluster bombs containing anti-tank, fragmentation or time delayed 66mm submunitions.

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+

IS HIT ON

AIRCRAFT SAVE

4+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

5+

ROAD DASH

CROSS

UNLIMITED

AUTO

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

BLG-66 cluster bomb

6”/15CM

SALVO

30mm auto-cannon

8”/20CM

WEAPON

-

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

8

3+

7

5+

NOTES

Anti-helicopter

39

40

41

THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY The Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) is one of the oldest standing armies in Europe, first coming into being in 1572 when the Staatse Leger (State Army) of the Dutch Republic was raised. In its modern form, it was established in 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars, after the Low Countries were liberated from French rule. The Dutch army in its many forms fought during the European Wars of Religion in the 17th century and various conflicts in the 18th century. It fought during the French Revolutionary Wars until the French conquered the Netherlands in early 1795. Under French influence, it became the army of the Batavian Republic in 1795, then the army of the Kingdom of Holland in 1806. It was incorporated into the Imperial French Army in 1810 and fought for Napoleon until his defeat. In 1814, the Low Countries (The Netherlands and Belgium) were united under the Dutch crown. During the 19th and early 20th centuries it fought in the 1815 Waterloo campaign, against the Belgian Revolution of 1830 to 1832, and in several colonial wars between 1825 and 1925. During World War I, the Netherlands remained neutral, but, despite its neutral stance, was dragged into World War II when the Royal Netherlands Army was defeated in May 1940 by the invading Germans. The Princess Irene Brigade Group was formed in exile in the United Kingdom and took part in the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany. In the meantime, its colonial possessions in southeast Asia were overrun by the Japanese in 1942. The post war Royal Netherlands Army grew out of the Princess Irene Brigade. It fought to retain its colonies in the East Indies (Indonesia) between 1945 and 1949, then with the United Nations in Korea from 1950-54, and again against Indonesia over northern New Guinea between 1960 and 1962.

42

NATO The Netherlands is one of the founding member states of NATO, joining at its inception on 4 April 1949. By the 1970s, the Netherlands 1. Korps (1st Corps) was tasked with the defence of a sector of West Germany as part of the NATO Northern Army Group (NORTHAG). It’s sector covered the area south of Hamburg and the Elbe River to the northern boundary of the West German 1. Korps running between Bad Bodenteich on the East German border and Twistringen on the North German Plain. The corps consisted of three divisions, the 1st, 4th, and 5th (reserve) Divisions (1. Divisie, 4. Divisie, and 5. Divisie). Unlike most of the other NATO nations, the Netherlands initially did not station any troops permanently on West Germany soil, instead electing to retain their forces in the Netherlands to be mobilised and deployed as required in times of war. This became known as maldeployment. As the growth of the Warsaw Pact military capability increased, NATO prescribed a minimum military warning time of 48 hours. With the Dutch forces over 350 kilometres away in the Netherlands, there was some doubt among the NATO leadership whether the Dutch could be in position in time. These doubts that were compounded by the fact that about sixty percent of the Netherlands 1. Korps had to be mobilised before being able to begin deployment.

NETHERLANDS 1. KORPS To meet NATO’s requirement, the Dutch formed the Netherlands 1. Korps Forward-Deployed Element. The Netherlands garrisoned troops in Seedorf, Hohne, and Langemannshof in West Germany beginning in the 1960s. This garrison formed the core of the forward-deployed element of the Netherlands 1. Korps, which comprised 103rd Reconnaissance Battalion (103 Verkenningsbataljon), 41st Armoured Brigade (41 Pantserbrigade) and 41st Engineer Battalion.

The Forward-Deployed Element was commanded by the commander of the 41st Armoured Brigade. A number improvements were also made to the mobilisation process, changes to the military rail system, and the establishment of Forward Storage Sites in the corps’s sectors for military supplies such as rations, ammunition, and fuel. On mobilisation, the Netherlands 1.  Korps Forward-Deployed Element would deploy towards the Inner German border to cover the approach march of the rest of the Netherlands 1.  Korps from the Netherlands. The forward elements, based around 41 Pantserbrigade, were positioned as a covering force, with a delaying goal, trading space for time. Utilising combined arms battle groups, they were to attack the oncoming Soviet forces from hastily prepared battle positions, to disengage under the cover of artillery fire to prepare for another delaying action. The Dutch covering force would be assisted by the West German 3. Panzerdivision. In the event that the rest of the Dutch corps not being in place, 3. Panzerdivision would take 41 Pantserbrigade, 103 Verkenningsbataljon, and 41st Engineer Battalion under command and secure the Dutch corps sector until the bulk of the Netherlands 1. Korps arrived. Until relieved, the reinforced 3. Panzerdivision would operate under the command of the Netherlands 1. Korps. Once fully in place the role assigned to the Netherlands 1. Korps was to: • assume responsibility for its sector and relieve 3. Panzerdivision; • fight the covering force battle; • hold and destroy the enemy’s forces as far east as possible in the main defensive battle, while maintaining cohesion with the West German 1. Korps; • in the event of a major penetration in their sector, be prepared to hold the area between Autobahn 7 and the B3 road (see map on page 43) conducting counterattacks from there; and

• while maintaining contact with LANDJUT (Allied Land Forces Schleswig-Holstein and Jutland, West German and Danish forces north of the Elbe River), secure NORTHAG’s northern flank.

contact with the forward elements of the Netherlands 4th Division. Earlier, despite signs that war was a possibility, the Netherlands government had delayed mobilisation until 30 July. Priority was given to the units of the 1st and 4th Division, with those of the 5th Division called up last. The bulk of the Netherlands 1. Korps was in positions to the east of the Weser River and Bremen by 5 August. Dutch forces, in cooperation with the West German 3. Panzerdivision, fought several delaying actions east of Bremen and the Weser River between 6 and 8 August. The Soviets launched an assault on the City of Bremen on 8 August. The West Germans and Dutch put up a fierce resistance in vicious and savage house-to-house and street-by-street battles. A determined Soviet assault finally pushed through the northern flank of the city, forcing the Dutch 1st and 4th Divisions and West German 3. Panzerdivision to withdraw on 11 August. To the north, the Dutch 5th Division, along with local West German forces, attempted to eliminate the Soviet

WORLD WAR III 41 Pansterbrigade, the ForwardDeployed Element of the Netherlands 1. Korps, encountered and engaged the Soviet 21st Motor Rifle Division in the covering force area east of Lüneberg on 4 August 1985. A short, sharp, encounter occurred at Scharnebeck just before dawn. The thrust was held off and the brigade elements were able to withdraw. Fighting continued around Lüneberg throughout the morning, but by midday the delaying force once more withdrew, this time towards Salzhausen. During the afternoon, a heavy attack by 16th Guards Tank Division was delayed with heavy losses on both sides, before the brigade withdrew again to Autobahn 7 and the high ground of the Lüneburger Heide (Lüneburg Heath). While establishing new defensive positions, 41 Pansterbrigade made

Schwerin

Stade

Hamburg

Bremerhaven

X

be

R.

N 7 AH TOB

Uelzen

1

AU

Soltau

1 (NL) Twistringen

El

XX

XX

Bremen

Lüneberg

Lüneburger Heide

XX

5

.

Scharnebeck

4

AD B3 RO

rR

X

XX

X XX

CORP S RE AR A RE A

L ANDJU T (GE / DA)

X

1 ( NL )

Seedorf

We se

airborne bridgehead in Bremerhaven, while also trying to disrupt East German break-in attacks. However, with Soviet success at Bremen, the 5th Division was forced to withdraw towards Oldenburg. All three Dutch divisions continued to be heavily engaged as they conducted a coordinated fighting withdraw into the Netherlands. Relentless Warsaw Pact attacks continued to apply pressure on their defensive cohesion, with isolated strongpoints eventually being forced to withdraw through concerns of being surrounded and cutoff. Eventually, a firmer defensive line was established in the southern Netherlands running between Amsterdam and Utrecht in the west, and Arnhem and the West German border in the east. This was reinforced by the newly formed British 2nd Corps, established from British Territorial, independent, and Commonwealth units. On 14 August 1985, NATO struck back and the Royal Netherlands Army began to move eastwards once again.

COVE R I NG FORC E AR E A

Langemannshof

XXX

WE S T GE R MA NY

1 (GE)

Bad Bodenteich

EA S T GER MA N Y

AU

Celle

TO

Hohne

BA HN

43

7

HEADQUARTERS Reijnders TANK PELOTON Schneijder

TANK PELOTON Nagel

TANK PELOTON Verhoeven

PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON Houtkooper

squadron team had been further reinforced with an anti-tank platoon with YPR-765 PRAT TOW missile vehicles, an anti-aircraft platoon with PRTL AA tanks, and a pair of M113 C&V reconnaissance tracks.

SCHARNEBECK

VERKENNING TEAM van Houten

PRAT ANTITANK PELOTON Klaasen

Ritmeester (cavalry captain) Jan Reijnders sat in his Leopard 2 tank searching the darkness through his thermal imaging system. While looking for targets, he contemplated the last few hectic days and what lay ahead. His squadron, along with the rest of 43 Tank Bataljon, had been mobilised on 30 July from Langemannshof barracks on the northern edge of the NATO Bergen-Hohne training area, about 9km southeast of the town of Soltau. The battalion, along with the rest of 41 Pansterbrigade and the 103rd Reconnaissance Battalion, in coordination with the West German 3. Panzerdivision, immediately moved east towards the Inner German border. 43 Tank Bataljon, along with attached elements of 42 Pantserinfanterie

PANTSER LUCHDOEL PELOTON van der Zee

Bataljon and 41 Pantserluchdoel Artillerie Batterij, were deployed to the area around Lüneburg in the north of the covering force area (see page 43). To their south was 42 Pantserinfanterie Bataljon, while 41 Tank Bataljon was placed in immediate reserve. The brigade’s orders were to hold and delay any Warsaw Pact attacks to allow the rest of the 1st Netherlands Corps to deploy in the corps’ area and establish defensive positions. Under Reijnders’s command were three tank platoons, all armed with the new Leopard 2 main battle tank, and a Pantserinfanterie Peloton in YPR-765 infantry fighting vehicles, which had been exchanged for the squadron’s fourth tank platoon. In addition, his

It was the small hours of 4 August 1985, and Reijnders and his men sat in their positions east of the small town of Scharnebeck waiting for the Warsaw Pact to make their next move. Reijnders was suddenly tugged out of his ruminations by a bright patch on his thermal imaging display, which was quickly followed by a call on the radio net. “Lion 1, this is Hound 1, Contact Wait out,” Wachtmeester Erik van Houten, unit commander of the recon team, reported in. The image on the screen soon clearly became an M113 C&V recon track. “Hello Hound 1, this is Lion 1, Send over,” Reijnders responded. In yesterday’s orders each of his squadron’s units had been given a callsign of an animal. Van Houten reported in that his patrol had spotted a formation of about 20 tanks and supporting IFVs coming from the northeast and the Elbe River, about 6km from the squadron’s positions. Everything was in place,

M113 C&V van Houten

Schneijder Nagel

PEETERS’S COMBAT TEAM

PRAT Klaasen PTRL

44

van der Zee

SC H AR NEB ECK

Houtkooper

REIJNDERS’S COMBAT TEAM

Verhoeven

Garstedt Toppenstedt

Bardowick

Mechtersen

Adendorf

Scharnebeck

Vögelsen

Vierhöfen

REIJNDERS’S Reppenstedt

COMBAT TEAM

Elbe Lat

LÜ NE BE RG

Garlstorf

e ra l C a n

Kirchgellersen

Salzhausen

al

Eyendorf

Putensen Embsen

Melbeck

Reijnders’s meeting with his platoon commanders the night before had set out the plan. The squadron would hold fire in the dark, waiting for the enemy to close, and then take advantage of their superior thermal-imaging equipment to spring a surprise. They would fight to delay the Soviets, halting their momentum, then slip away falling back on Lüneburg. With van Houten’s patrol stationed on the railway crossing on the road to Echem, and a picket of infantry on the left flank watching the road from Lüdersburg, Ritmeester Reijnders felt he would have fair warning of the enemy’s arrival. With his squadron deployed to the right of Scharnebeck, his left flank was secured by the infantry combat team of Kapitein Hendrik Peeters. About 25 minutes after his last report van Houten was back on the radio, “Contact, 200 metres, automatic fire.” In the background Reijnders could hear the rattle of the 25mm KBA autocannon engaging the enemy, as the M113 C&V’s engine revved. “Affirmative, retire to your fall back position, over,” Reijnders instructed before relaying the situation to his platoon leaders. Then the enemy began to appear. The PRAT anti-tank platoon of Sergeant Giel Klaasen fired a volley of TOW missiles towards a line of tanks advancing across the fields. They were quickly followed by 2e Luitenant Rutger Nagel’s Leopard 2 tanks. The night was imme-

diately lit up with the blaze of bright missile and gun flashes followed by a series of explosions in the darkness. The Soviets were quick to respond, and a line of T-64 gun muzzles flashed in the night. The rounds arrived with a scattering of thumps around Klaasen and Nagel’s positions. Nagel immediately repositioned his platoon further along the heavy treeline that ran beside the narrow canal running to the north of Scharnebeck. Once again the tanks and the PRATs fired, lighting up more enemy tanks. The devastation from the 120mm sabot rounds and TOW missiles marked the positions of the first wave of Soviet tanks as a fiery line about 900 metres in the distance. However, the thermal images of the second wave aproaching could be seen in the distance. As the second wave of Soviet T-64 tanks moved around the flank of their burning comrades, they were immediately hit by another wave of TOW missiles. Klassen’s PRATs were joined this time by the tanks of 1e Luitenant Paul Schneijder off to their left. More explosions lit up the darkness along the Soviet formation. Like Nagel, Schneijder repositioned his tanks to limit the incoming return fire. However, Klaasen’s PRAT tracks were a little slow and one of his vehicles took a direct hit from a 125mm round and was left a smoking tangled wreck including the loss of four good men.

LÜNEBURG TO LÜNEBURG HEATH Enough damage had been done. Reijnders could see the second wave of T-64s backing off. The time seemed right to withdraw. He gave the signal and his platoons began to quietly pull back one at a time. As the sun started to peek above the horizon, Reijnders’s command had already crossed the bridges over the Elbe Lateral Canal, as a detachment of 41st Armoured Engineer Company were preparing the crossings’ destruction. Soon Reijnders’s squadron was back in action around Lüneburg, taking a bite out of each Soviet attack, before withdrawing westwards a little more. By mid-day, they had withdrawn to Salzhausen. Short sharp actions, followed by quick withdrawals, continued through the afternoon from Salzhausen, to Autobahn 7, and on to Lüneburger Heide (Lüneburg Heath). During the afternoon, the squadron came under constant attack from Soviet armoured forces until the early evening when news came from the Brigade HQ that they had made contact with 4. Divisie. Reijnders’s squadron retired through the defensive positions of the division, to go into reserve along with the rest of the battalion. The respite would be short, just enough for some field repairs, fuel, and resupply, as more fighting still lay ahead of them.

45

NETHERLANDS FORCES 4. DIVISIE 41 PANTSERBRIGADE

103 VERKENNINGS BATALJON 103 VERKENNINGS BATALJON

43 TANK BATALJON

42 PANTSERINFANTERIE BATALJON

43 TANK BATALJON

42 PANTSERINFANTERIE BATALJON

VERKENNINGS ESKADRON TNL112

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE COMPAGNIE

LEOPARD 2 TANK ESKADRON

TNL103

TNL101

42 TANK BATALJON

41 TANK BATALJON

LEOPARD 1 TANK ESKADRON TNL110

NETHERLANDS SPECIAL RULES The Royal Netherlands Army has a number of features and weapons. These are reflected in the following special rules.

BAZOOKA SKIRTS Leopard 1 tanks are fitted with 'bazooka skirts', spaced armour to protect them from light, hand-held anti-tank weapons. Teams with Bazooka Skirts have Front and Side armour rating of 10 against HEAT weapons.

HAMMERHEAD The YPR-765 PRAT mounts the same ‘hammerhead’ turret as the US M901 Improved Tow Vehicle. This allows it to remain concealed behind cover while shooting. A Team with the Hammerhead rule can remain Gone to Ground while shooting Improved TOW missiles.

46

RADAR Anti-aircraft radar on the PTRL makes tracking fast-moving aircraft much easier, especially at long range. The Twin 35mm L/90 gun on a PTRL have a Range of 40”/100cm against aircraft and does not suffer the usual +1 penalty To Hit penalty for range over 16”/40cm when Shooting at Aircraft.

NETHERLANDS SUPPORT NATO ALLIED FORMATION

41 VELDARTILLERIE 2ND BATTALION, 23RDBATALJON ARTILLERY

101 LUCHTDOEL ARTILLERIE GROEP

ALLIED FORMATION

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

M109 VELDARTILLERIE BATTERIJ

PRTL PANTSERLUCHTDOEL PELOTON

YOU MAY FIELD ONE NATO FORMATION AS AN ALLIED FORMATION

TNL108

TNL109

4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 OP TNL114

WEST GERMAN SUPPORT Rules for West German Formations and Units are found in FW906 Leopard and TY502 Panzertruppen.

FLUGABWEHR REGIMENT 100

ARTILLERIE REGIMENT 3

HEERESFLIEGER REGIMENT 16

PANZER DIVISION 1

PANZER DIVISION 1

PANZER DIVISION 1

LARS RAKETENWERFER BATTERIE

PAH ANTI-TANK HELICOPTER FLIGHT

ROLAND FLARAKPANZER BATTERIE

TG120

TG123

TG122

LUFTWAFFE

PANZER DIVISION 1

TORNADO STRIKE FLIGHT TG124

Often divisions from other NATO nations, such as West German divisions or British divisions in NORTHAG, fought alongside the divisions of the Netherlands 1. Korps. You may take an Allied Formation as part of your Force. A NATO Allied Formation can be US, British, West German, Canadian, French, ANZAC (though not part of NATO, Australia and New Zealand are close US and British allies), or any other Force with a NATO Allied Formation in its support. You may also take Allied Units listed in your Support as part of your Force.

An Allied Formation obeys all the rules for its own nationality. An Allied Formation Commander can only join Units in its own Formation or nation and only its Formation or national Units can benefit from its Command Leadership (see page 25 and 64 of Team Yankee). An Allied Formation does not count as a Formation when determining if you have lost the game (see page 65 of Team Yankee).

47

It was dark, the sun wasn’t due up for another hour or so. Wachtmeester Bart de Wit watched the thermal imaging (TI) screen from the comfort of his Leopard 2 turret. His platoon commander, 2e Luitenant Nagel, had already passed on news of approaching enemy. They were out there somewhere. As he peered at the screen, checking each lighter patch, he noticed some movement. A bright blob moved from behind a building, which must have been constructed of brick or stone and unoccupied as it wasn’t giving off heat, and across a gap to a line of trees. “Niek, 11 o’clock, track that,” de Wit instructed his gunner. The hot blob continued to travel behind the trees before it came to a halt at the end of the treeline. Its final position left it nicely silhouetted against another cold farm building, bringing its shape and details into sharp contrast on de Wit’s screen. “That’s a T-64!” de Wit exclaimed, before his training kicked in. “Target, one round, sabot.” “Up!” replied his loader, Reinier de Jong, as he completed loading the 120mm anti-tank round into the breech. “Fire!” de Wit ordered, and Niek Segers sent the round on its way. Their shot was rewarded with a bright flash and a crack as the round slammed home. The bright shapes of a couple of crew could be seen scrambling from the burning tank and making for the cover of the farm building. De Wit began scanning his screen for more targets when a sudden flash lit up the left of his screen, followed by a thump and the splash of debris and earth raining down on his tank. Swinging his turret around, he immediately noticed another tank partially concealed by the other farm building. “Target, 10 o’clock.” Reinier had already loaded a new round, which Niek immediately sent on it way. The right side of the building exploded in a shower of shattered brick. When the brightness had dissipated from the TI screen, Reiner could see that the second T-64 had retreated back behind cover. Meanwhile, the rest of the Reinier’s platoon had been drawn into the fight, as several more enemy tanks began engaging the Dutch position. In 1985, the Royal Netherlands Army is in a period of transition. Its tank squadrons are moving from older Leopard 1 and Centurion tanks to upgraded Leopard 1V and new Leopard  2 tanks. The front line units of Netherlands 1. Korps have all been converted, with only a few older tanks left with reserve units back in the Netherlands. A Dutch tank battalion consists of three tank squadrons with a total of 52 tanks. Each tank squadron (tank eskadron) contained four platoons of four tanks with one tank in the squadron headquarters, and one tank in the battalion HQ. Like many of the NATO armies, the Dutch would often exchange companies and platoons between battalions within a brigade. This was done to form combined-arms battle groups tailored to specific missions. Tank battalions and armoured infantry battalions would detach or exchange tank squadrons and armoured infantry companies to form reinforced or mixed battalions. Depending on how the units were allocated, they were formed into ‘tank-heavy’, ‘armoured infantry-heavy’, or ‘balanced’ formations.

48

The interchange of units would also happen at the lower level, with tank squadrons and armoured infantry companies detaching or exchanging platoons to form company-sized combat teams made up of tank platoons (tank peloton), armoured infantry platoons (pantserinfanterie peloton), and armoured antitank platoons (pantser-rups antitank peloton). The company teams (often just called ‘teams’ for short in the Royal Army) were complemented by forward observer groups from the brigade’s field artillery battalion. In times of war, it was expected that the battalions of the armoured and armoured infantry brigades would fight in this mixed order. These mixed or reinforced battalions and company teams were to be the key combat formations of the brigade. 41 Pantserbrigade (41st Armoured Brigade), making up the core of the Netherlands 1. Korps’s covering force and being garrisoned in West Germany, was one of the best equipped and trained brigades in the Royal Army. The brigade’s two tank battalions were equipped with new Leopard 2 main battle tanks.

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 2 TANK ESKADRON LEOPARD 2 TANK ESKADRON 4. DIVISIE

• TANK FORMATION • CHOBHAM ARMOUR • THERMAL IMAGING •

4. DIVISIE

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 3+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

LEOPARD 2 TANK ESKADRON HQ TNL101

LEOPARD 2 TANK PELOTON TNL102

7

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

20”/50CM

32”/80CM

32”/80CM

2+

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

120mm gun

40”/100CM

2

2

22

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 2 TANK PELOTON TNL102

2

NOTES

Advanced Stabiliser, Laser Rangefi nder 4. DIVISIE

M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG

YPR-765 PRAT ANTITANK PELOTON TNL106

4. DIVISIE

TNL113

4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON

PRTL PANTSERLUCHTDOEL PELOTON

TNL105

TNL109

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 2 TANK PELOTON

LEOPARD 2 TANK PELOTON

TNL102

TOP

14”/35CM WEAPON

4. DIVISIE

SIDE

18

10 POINTS

1x Leopard 2

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

TNL102

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 2 TANK PELOTON LEOPARD 2 TANK PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE

• TANK UNIT • CHOBHAM ARMOUR • THERMAL IMAGING •

LEOPARD 2 TANK PELOTON 4x Leopard 2 40 POINTS 3x Leopard 2 30 POINTS 2x Leopard 2 20 POINTS

The Royal Netherlands Army ordered 445 Leopard 2 tanks on 2 March 1979, making them the first export customer of the Leopard 2. Deliveries began in July 1981. The minor differences between the Dutch Leopard 2NL and the West German Leopard 2A4 were that the Dutch version included locally produced equipment, FN MAG machine-guns and a passive night driving periscope.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

18

TOP

7

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

14”/35CM

20”/50CM

32”/80CM

32”/80CM

2+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

120mm gun

40”/100CM

2

2

22

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

2

NOTES

Advanced Stabiliser, Laser Rangefinder

49

A sign post for the little village of Heber indicated the objective of their march. Ritmeester Tobias Smit signalled with the wave of his arm for his Leopard 1 squadron to spread out on either side of the road. An eerie silence permeated the air as he looked around. It was then he noticed smoke rising from the east side of the village. A call to the battalion established that a patrol of M113 C&V scout tracks should have been in the village, but the battalion HQ had lost radio contact with them. Smit decided to send forward a dismounted scouting party to reconnoitre the area. They soon returned to report several burning M113 C&V wrecks a few hundred metres beyond the village, confirming to Smit that the enemy was definitely to the immediate east. He sent a couple of the men back with a radio to keep an eye on the situation, then gathered his platoon commanders. He spread a map of the area out on the ground behind his tank. “This wood to the east must be where the Soviets have a force, likely a forward detachment that has by-passed our covering forces. We’ll deploy the infantry in the village,” Smit looked at his Pansterinfanterie Peloton commander, van Hoorn, “I want to be notified of anything approaching that village.” “One tank platoon, Dekker, will support the infantry,” Smit continued, “while de Jaager and Vos will push around the southern flank and hide in this wood,” he pointed at a spur of woodland that poked out about 400 metres from the main block of forest. “Here we will wait, and when they advance we will take them in the flank.” The trap was set. Those tank battalions that hadn’t upgraded to the new Leopard 2 were instead equipped with the upgraded version of the Leopard 1, the Leopard 1-V (Leopard 1A1A1 in West German service). The Netherlands originally ordered 468 Leopard 1 main battle tanks between 1968 and 1970, with deliveries completed by 1972. The Dutch Leopards were the 1A model with cast turrets. However, they had different radios, locally manufactured smoke grenade dischargers and three stowage panniers. At a later date, the tanks were fitted with a Honeywell gun stabilisation system, modified optical sights for British L52 APDS ammunition, a passive night vision periscope for the driver, and 7.62 mm FN MAG coaxial machine guns rather than West German MG3 machine-gun.

50

All 468 Leopard 1s of the Royal Netherlands Army were fitted with applique turret armour supplied by Blohm & Voss of West Germany (as fitted to the German Leopard 1A1A1). The additional add-on armour consisted of flexibly mounted, screwed-on steel plates with two-faced rubber lining. The armour also covered the rear turret bustle and the gun shield is reinforced with steel plates. In addition, steel plates were welded on to the sloped front roof section. The modified tanks were designated Leopard 1-V (V = Verbeterd, or improved). They were also fitted with a new fire-control system. In addition, the Leopard 1V has track skirts fitted.

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 1 TANKTANK ESKADRON ESKADRON LEOPARD 1 — 4. DIVISIE

• TANK FORMATION • BAZOOKA SKIRTS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

4. DIVISIE

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 3+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

LEOPARD 1 TANK ESKADRON HQ TNL110

LEOPARD 1 TANK PELOTON TNL111

TOP

5

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

2+

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

WEAPON

4. DIVISIE

SIDE

9

3 POINTS

1x Leopard 1

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

105mm gun

40”/100CM

2

2

19

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 1 TANK PELOTON

NOTES

Laser Rangefinder, Smoke, Stabiliser 4. DIVISIE

M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG

YPR-765 PRAT ANTITANK PELOTON

TNL111

1

TNL106

TNL113

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 1 TANK PELOTON

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON

PRTL PANTSERLUCHTDOEL PELOTON

TNL105

TNL109

TNL111

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 1 TANK PELOTON TNL111

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 1 TANK PELOTON LEOPARD 1 TANK PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE

• TANK UNIT • BAZOOKA SKIRTS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

LEOPARD 1 TANK PELOTON 4x Leopard 1 12 POINTS 3x Leopard 1 9 POINTS

The Leopard 1 has been in service with the Royal Army since 1969 and has recently undergone an upgrade program, beginning in 1983. The upgrade added a new fire-control system for the gunner, applied applique armour to the turret, and fitted side-skirt armour over the tracks. The upgraded model was designated the Leopard 1-V.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

9

TOP

5

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

2+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

105mm gun

40”/100CM

2

2

19

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

1

NOTES

Laser Rangefinder, Smoke, Stabiliser

51

Kapitein Bakhuizen ducked out the back of his command YPR-765 track. All around him the company’s other tracks were spilling Pantserinfanterie out into the street. Recon elements a few streets ahead had made contact with the enemy and heavy fire could be heard in the distance. A German woman poked her head out of the front door of a nearby house. Bakhuizen waved her back inside. “Go to the basement, stay down there,” he told her in German, “it’s not safe out here.” She let out a gasp and slammed the door as she ducked back inside. He couldn’t blame her for still being here, who would have thought they’d be fighting for Bremen? They were meant to have held them at Autobahn 7, but that had quickly proved impossible. There was a roar as a flight of West German Tornado strike aircraft passed overhead, followed a few seconds later by several black plumes rising above houses in the distance. His men were advancing on foot through the gardens and houses while the tracks followed behind to give fire support, pushing over fences and driving through garden sheds. Bakhuizen looked around. It had once been a lovely suburb, but there won’t be much left by the time they were finished. A burst of gunfire ripped a line of bullet holes along the upper story of a house near Bakhuizen. He hopped over a nearby low wall and scampered to the bottom of the garden, where his company sergeant had ducked down with his radio operator, Krantz. “What’s the situation, Sergeant Klein?” he asked. “The left flank is pinned down, but brigade is sending tanks to reinforce them. On the right we’re advancing. The air strike hit the assembly area for an enemy armoured attack, and Three Platoon have pushed forward against light resistance,” Klein responded. “Good. Where is Three Platoon?” “This way Sir, follow me.” Sergeant Klein pushed through a hole in the wooden fence and was off. Kapitein Bakhuizen followed quickly behind, with Krantz trailing along in the rear. The armoured infantry battalions of the Royal Army were also undergoing a transitional period in 1985, with the end goal being the conversion of all of the front line armoured infantry to be mounted in YPR-765 PRI infantry fighting vehicles. The YPR-765 is an infantry vehicle designed by the American FMC Corporation based on the M113A1 APC as the AIFV (armoured infantry fighting vehicle). An armoured infantry battalion (pantserinfanteriebataljon) is made up of battalion staff, a support company and three armoured infantry companies (pantserinfanterie compagnie).

52

The three armoured infantry companies each contain a company headquarters and three armoured infantry platoons (pantserinfanterie peloton). Like the tank battalions and squadrons, the armoured infantry are also subject to detachment and exchange, with companies organised into company teams (as the Dutch termed a battlegroup). As well as tank and anti-tank units attachment and exchange, anti-aircraft, reconnaissance, and mortar platoons could also be attached to a panterinfanterie company team.

4. DIVISIE

PANTSERINFANTERIE COMPAGNIE YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE COMPAGNIE YPR-765 — 4. DIVISIE

• INFANTRY FORMATION • HQ TRANSPORT • 4. DIVISIE

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 3+ RALLY 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE COMPAGNIE HQ

4+

TNL103

1x FAL rifle team 1x YPR-765 (TNL105)

1 POINT

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

FAL rifle team

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

16”/40CM

1

1

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

NOTES

6

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON

YPR-765 PRAT ANTITANK PELOTON TNL106

M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

M106 120MM MORTIER PELOTON

PRTL PANTSERLUCHTDOEL PELOTON

TNL104

TNL104

TNL113

4. DIVISIE 4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON TNL104

LEOPARD 2 TANK PELOTON TNL102

4. DIVISIE

TNL107

TNL109

LEOPARD 1 TANK PELOTON TNL111

53

4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON YPR-765 — 4. DIVISIE • INFANTRY UNIT •

YPR-765 PANTSERINFANTERIE PELOTON 4x GPMG team with M72 anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 2x M47 Dragon missile team 4x YPR-765 (TNL105) 9 POINTS 3x GPMG team with M72 anti-tank 2x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 2x M47 Dragon missile team 3x YPR-765 (TNL105) 7 POINTS

Each armoured infantry platoon (pantserinfanterie peloton) is made up of four groups. The platoon command group is mounted in a YPR765 PRI armoured infantry fighting vehicle and has one 7.62mm FN MAG GPMG and two M47 Dragon anti-tank guided missile systems. The three infantry groups (designated A, B and C), each mounted in a YPR-765 PRI, are equipped with one 7.62mm FN MAG GPMG and one Carl Gustav 84mm anti-tank weapon. Equipment also includes disposable M72 LAW 66mm anti-tank rockets. The YPR-765 PRI (pantser-rups-infanterie, or armoured tracked infantry) is the basic armoured infantry fighting vehicle fitted with a turret mounting a 25mm KBA-B02 cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm FN MAG machine-gun. It has a crew of three and can carry seven passengers in the rear compartment.

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

4+

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

NOTES

GPMG team or M72 anti-tank

16”/40CM 12”/30CM

3 1

2 1

2 12

6 5+

HEAT, Slow Firing

Carl Gustav anti-tank team

16”/40CM

1

1

17

3+

Assault 5, HEAT, Slow Firing

M47 Dragon missile

8”/20CM– 28”/70CM

1

-

18

3+

Assault 5, Guided, HEAT, Thermal Imaging

4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 YPR-765TRANSPORT TRANSPORT 4. DIVISIE

• TANK ATTACHMENT • AMPHIBIOUS • INFRA-RED (IR) • PASSENGERS 3 •

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

28”/70CM

3+

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

RANGE

HALTED

MOVING

25mm gun

28”/70CM

3

2

8

5+

7.62mm MG

16”/40CM

3

3

2

6

WEAPON

Crew: Weight: Length: Width: Height: Armour:

54

COURAGE 4+

3 - commander, gunner, driver + 7 passengers 13.7 tonnes 5.258m (17’ 3”) 2.819m (9’ 3”) 2.54m (8’ 4”) Protection against small arms fire +spaced armour

1

NOTES

Anti-helicopter

Weapons: Oerlikon Contraves 25mm KBA-B02 Gun 1x coaxial FN-MAG 7.62mm Speed: 61 km/h (38 mph) Engine: Detroit Diesel Allison 6V-53T 267 hp (195 kW) Range: 490 km (305 miles)

4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 PRAT ANTITANK PELOTON YPR-765 PRAT ANTITANK PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE

• TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • HAMMERHEAD • THERMAL IMAGING •

YPR-765 PRAT ANTITANK PELOTON 4x YPR-765 PRAT 6 POINTS 2x YPR-765 PRAT 3 POINTS

The YPR-765 PRAT (pantser-rups-antitank) tank destroyer is armed with an Emerson TOW Under Armor turret, as found on the US M901 ITV. It is additionally armed with a 7.62mm FN MAG machine-gun on a pintle mount. It has a crew of four and the rear compartment holds a rack with missile reloads on the left, an inward-facing bench seat and various equipment on the right. The battalions support company contains three YPR-765 PRAT anti-tank platoons (antitank peloton), each with four vehicles. These are allocated out one to each armoured infantry company.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

28”/70CM

3+

WEAPON

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

Improved TOW missile

8”/20CM 48”/120CM

1

-

21

3+

7.62mm AA MG

16”/40CM

3

3

2

6

1

NOTES

HEAT, Guided

4. DIVISIE

M106 120MM MORTIER PELOTON M106 120MM MORTIER PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE • TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS •

M106 120MM MORTIER PELOTON 3x M106 120mm 3 POINTS 2x M106 120mm 2 POINTS

In peace time, the Dutch 120mm mortars are towed by YPR-765 PRMR mortar tractors. As the chance of war became likely, the Dutch government purchased more M106 mortar carriers from the FMC corporation and converted them to carry their MO-120-RT 120mm mortars. This allows the mortars to fire from armoured protection. A platoon consists of three 120mm mortars. Each battalion has three mortar platoons available, one to support each company.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 6 COUNTERATTACK 6

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

28”/70CM

3+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

120mm mortar

64”/160CM

ARTILLERY

7.62mm AA MG

16”/40CM

WEAPON

3

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

3

3+

2

6

0

NOTES

Smoke Bombardment.

55

4. DIVISIE

PRTL PANTSERLUCHTDOEL PELOTON PRTL PANTSERLUCHTDOEL PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE • TANK UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

PRTL PANTSERLUCHTDOEL PELOTON 3x PRTL 6 POINTS 2x PRTL 4 POINTS

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

If a force contains a PRTL Pantserluchtdoel Peloton, it may also take a Stinger Luchtdoel Peloton (TNL115).

The PRTL Pantserluchtdoel Peloton (PRTL anti-aircraft platoon) is armed with the Dutch version of the West German Gepard, known as the PRTL (pantser-rups-tegen-luchtdoelen, translating to ‘amour track against air targets’). PRTL is pronounced by the Dutch soldiers as ‘pruttel’ (meaning ‘to splutter’). The PTRL features the same 35mm Oerlikon KDA autocannons as the German Gepard, but has locally produced smoke grenade dischargers and a different radar suite. It can be identified by its bar type search radar on the turret rear.

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

2+

WEAPON

RANGE

28”/70CM

Twin 35mm gun

ROF HALTED MOVING

5

Crew: Weight: Length: Width: Height:

4

3 - commander, gunner, driver 47.5 tonnes 7.68m (25’ 2”) 3.71m (12’ 2”) 3.29m (10’ 10”) Radar retracted eapons: Twin Oerlikon KDA W

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

11

4+

1

NOTES

Dedicated AA, Radar

35mm L/90 Gun Armour: Steel 30mm Speed: 65 km/h (40 mph) Engine: MTU MB 838 CaM 500, 10-cylinder, multi-fuel engine, 819 hp (610 kW) Range: 550 km (340 miles)

4. DIVISIE

STINGER LUCHTDOEL PELOTON STINGER LUCHTDOEL PELOTON 4. DIVISIE

• INFANTRY ATTACHMENT • HEAVY WEAPON •

STINGER LUCHTDOEL PELOTON 3x Stinger team 5 POINTS 2x Stinger team

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

3 POINTS

If your force contains a PRTL Pantserluchtdoel Peloton (TNL109) you may take one Stinger Luchtdoel Peloton for each PRTL Pantserluchtdoel Peloton (TNL109). The number of Stinger teams in the Stinger Luchtdoel Peloton must not exceed the number of PRTL tanks in your PRTL Pantserluchtdoel Peloton.

4+

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

Stinger team

An armoured anti-aircraft artillery platoon, as well as being equipped with PRTL anti-aircraft tanks, also has three FIM-92 Stinger man-portable air defence systems, each with six missiles, for additional anti-aircraft cover. These men, along with the replacement group with three extra

56

COURAGE 4+

RANGE

48”/120CM

ROF HALTED MOVING

3

-

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

-

4+

NOTES

Guided AA

PRTL crews, enables the anti-aircraft platoon to maintain operational readiness around the clock through crew rotations. Crews currently not manning the PRTL anti-aircraft tanks are trained to use the Stinger systems for additional air defence.

The M113 Commando & Verkennings (C&V) track rumbled along the road under Korporaal Leeuwenhoek. Aerial reconnaissance had reported a large enemy formation in the area and Leeuwenhoek’s recon team of two M113 C&V tracks were on point. As they approached a small village on a crossroads, the two vehicles turned off through the fields to a row of trees north of the village. On reaching the treeline, Leeuwenhoek dismounted and moved on foot to the edge of the trees to investigate the area around the village. Lying amongst the weeds and bushes, he peered through his binoculars at the fields and village houses, scanning for anything out of place. Nothing stuck out as unusual, but as he was about to get up and head back to his M113 C&V, some movement off to the left caught his attention. A pair of BDRM-2 scout cars had nosed out of an orchard just to the northeast of the village. He quickly shuffled backwards on his hands and knees the ten metres or so to his track on the other side of the trees. “We’ve got company,” Leeuwenhoek told his driver as he scrambled into the commander’s position in the turret, “report contact with at least two BDRM-2.” As Leeuwenhoek’s recon team retired back across the field to the next copse of trees, a second pair of BDRM2s appeared from the village along the road heading west. Leeuwenhoek swung his turret around and let rip with the 25mm autocannon, just as the heavy machine-gun on the lead scout car flashed and several shots kicked up dirt to the right of his vehicle. A second burst of fire from Huzaar Prins’s M113 C&V raked the side of the lead BDRM-2, sending it rolling into the roadside ditch. As Leeuwenhoek’s recon team backed through to another treelined field, the original pair of BDRM-2 appeared from the left of the previous field, firing their heavy machine-guns at the Dutch vehicles. Suddenly one BDRM-2 exploded in a shower of debris. That’s when Leeuwenhoek noticed the pair of Leopard 2 tanks from their squadron in the same cover they had just entered. The cavalry had arrived! A Verkennings Eskadron (Reconnaissance Squadron), trained and organised along similar lines to an American Armored Cavalry Troop, cover the front of the divisions and brigades of the Netherlands 1. Korps. Their objective is to locate and discover the enemy’s intention, delay and obstruct them where they can and buy time for the rest of the corps to take up strong defensive positions behind them.

Like the Americans, to do this they are equipped with both light mobile armoured scout vehicles in the form of the M113 C&V and more heavily armed and armoured main battle tanks, either Leopard 1 or Leopard 2 depending on which battalion the squadron is drawn from. They are further backed up by their own mechanised infantry in M113 APCs and M106 mortar carriers.

57

4. DIVISIE

VERKENNINGS ESKADRON VERKENNINGS ESKADRON 4. DIVISIE

• TANK FORMATION • AMPHIBIOUS • SPEARHEAD • SCOUT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

4. DIVISIE

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 3+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

VERKENNINGS ESKADRON HQ TNL112

1x M113 C&V

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

1 POINT

2

TOP

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

25mm gun

HALTED

MOVING

3

2

28”/70CM

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

8

5+

Anti-helicopter

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG

M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG

LEOPARD 2 VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON

LUCHS SPÄH M106 MORTIER TRUPP PELOTON

TNL113

TNL113

TNL116

TNL118 TG111

4. DIVISIE 4. DIVISIE

M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG

M113 C&V LUCHS SPÄH VERKENNINGS TRUPP PLOEG

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

M113 C&V LUCHS SPÄH VERKENNINGS TRUPP PLOEG

M113 C&V LUCHS SPÄH VERKENNINGS TRUPP PLOEG

TNL113

4. DIVISIE

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 1 VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON TNL117

LUCHS SPÄH M113 TIRAILLEUR TRUPP PELOTON TNL119 TG111

TG111 TNL113

4. DIVISIE

TG111 TNL113

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 2 VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON TNL116

TG111 TNL113

4. DIVISIE

You must select one type of Leopard Verkennings Peloton in your Verkennings Eskadron. All Leopard Verkennings Pelotons must be of the same type, either Leopard  1 Verkennings Peloton (TNL117), Leopard 2 Verkennings Peloton (TNL116).

LEOPARD 2 VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON TNL116

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 1 VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON TNL117

LEOPARD 1 VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON TNL117

58

1

4. DIVISIE

M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG — 4. DIVISIE

• TANK • AMPHIBIOUS • SPEARHEAD • SCOUT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

M113 C&V VERKENNINGS PLOEG 2x M113 C&V

2 POINTS

The M113 C&V (Commando & Verkenning) used by the Dutch reconnaissance troops has the same origins as the Canadian Lynx. However, in the 1970s M113 C&V had its machine-gun cupola replaced with a OerlikonBührle GBD-ADA turret fitted with a 25mm KBA cannon. The 25mm cannon allows them to suppress an enemy position before making their escape.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

25mm gun

RANGE

HALTED

MOVING

28”/70CM

3

2

Crew: 3 - commander, observer/ radio operator, driver Weight: 9 tonnes Length: 4.8m (15’ 9”) Width: 2.27m (7’ 5.33”) Height: 2.73m (8’ 11.5”) Armour: Aluminum, 19 to 44 mm

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

8

5+

1

NOTES

Anti-helicopter

Weapons: 25mm KBA-B02 autocannon in GBD-ADA turret Speed: 67 km/h (41 mph) on road, 6.5 km/h (4 mph) in water Engine: GMC 6V53 6-cylinder diesel, 215 hp at 2.800 rpm Range: 460 km (373 miles)

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 2 VERKENNINGS LEOPARD TANK 2PELOTON VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE

• TANK UNIT • CHOBHAM ARMOUR • THERMAL IMAGING •

LEOPARD 2 VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON 2x Leopard 2

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

20 POINTS

The new Leopard 2 tanks of the 103 Verkenningsbataljon (103rd Reconnaissance Battalion) provide their reconnaissance squadrons with powerful fire support. Its 120mm main gun easily knocks out any Warsaw Pact vehicle, and once their tanks start to explode, they may reconsider the direction of their advance. The combat power the of the Leopard 2 is more than enough to stall the enemy and buy time to reposition other units to establish new delaying positions.

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

18

TOP

7

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

14”/35CM

20”/50CM

32”/80CM

32”/80CM

2+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

120mm gun

40”/100CM

2

2

22

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

2

NOTES

Advanced Stabiliser, Laser Rangefinder

4. DIVISIE

LEOPARD 1 VERKENNINGS LEOPARD TANK 1PELOTON VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE

• TANK UNIT • BAZOOKA SKIRTS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

LEOPARD 1 VERKENNINGS TANK PELOTON 2x Leopard 1

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

6 POINTS

The 2nd and 4th Reconnaissance Battalions were equipped with Leopard 1 tanks. These had just undergone an upgrade program and their 105mm gun is more than capable of knocking out most Warsaw Pact tanks, let alone any of their light reconnaissance vehicles.

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

9

TOP

5

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

2+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

105mm gun

40”/100CM

2

2

19

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

1

NOTES

Laser Rangefinder, Smoke, Stabiliser

59

4. DIVISIE

M106 MORTIER PELOTON M106 MORTIER PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE • TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS •

M106 MORTIER PELOTON 3x M106

2 POINTS

The M106 107mm heavy mortars provide fire support for the operations of the Verkennings Eskadron. Whether it’s disrupting enemy movement, supporting delaying attacks, or screening a withdrawal with smoke, the M106s and their crews stand ready to play their role.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 6 COUNTERATTACK 6

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

107mm mortar

48”/120CM

ARTILLERY

.50 cal AA MG

20”/50CM

WEAPON

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

2

4+

4

5+

0

NOTES

Smoke Bombardment

4. DIVISIE

M113 M113 TIRAILLEUR PELOTON TIRAILLEUR PELOTON — 4. DIVISIE • INFANTRY UNIT •

M113 TIRAILLEUR PELOTON 4x GPMG team with M72 anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 3x M113 (TNL120) 6 POINTS 3x GPMG team with M72 anti-tank 2x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 2x M113 (TNL120) 4 POINTS

The Tirailleur (light infantry) are used to hold terrain when required and provide security for the rest of the squadron. They are mounted in M113 APCs to allow them to keep pace with the M113 C&Vs and tanks. Though they don’t have the Dragon anti-tank missiles of the Pantserinfanterie, they still have their Carl Gustav anti-tank weapons and the close support of the Verkennings Eskadron’s main battle tanks to fend off enemy armour.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

4+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

NOTES

GPMG team or M72 anti-tank

16”/40CM 12”/30CM

3 1

2 1

2 12

6 5+

HEAT, Slow Firing

Carl Gustav anti-tank team

16”/40CM

1

1

17

3+

Assault 5, HEAT, Slow Firing

4. DIVISIE

M113 TRANSPORT M113 TRANSPORT 4. DIVISIE

• TANK ATTACHMENT • AMPHIBIOUS • PASSENGERS 3 •

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

.50 cal AA MG

60

3+

RANGE

20”/50CM

HALTED

MOVING

3

2

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

4

5+

NOTES

1

4. DIVISIE

M109 VELDARTILLERIE BATTERIJ • TANK UNIT •

M109 VELDARTILLERIE BATTERIJ 6x M109 14 POINTS 3x M109 7 POINTS

Like many nations in NATO, the Royal Netherlands Army fields the American M109 self-propelled 155mm howitzer to provide their artillery support. A Veldartillerie Batterij (Field Artillery Battery) consists of a command group, six M109A2 or A3 self-propelled 155mm howitzers, and an ammunition group. In a war situation, a field artillery battalion, with three field batteries, is attached to each armoured infantry or armoured brigade.

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

2

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

28”/70CM

3+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

155mm howitzer

96”/240CM

ARTILLERY

or Direct fire

24”/60CM

1

20”/50CM

3

WEAPON

.50 cal AA MG

Crew: 6 – commander, 2x gunner, 2x loader, driver Weight: 25 tonnes Length: 9.1m (30’) Width: 3.15m (10’ 4”) Height: 3.25m (10’ 8”)

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

1

NOTES

4

2+

Smoke Bombardment

1

15

1+

Brutal, Slow Firing, Smoke

2

4

5+

Weapons: M185 155mm howitzer M2 HB .50 cal MG Armour: 20mm Speed: 54 km/h (34 mph) Engine: 8V71T diesel 336 kW (450 hp) Range: 350 km (215 miles)

4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 OPYPR-765 OP

OBSERVATION POST — 4. DIVISIE

YPR-765 OP 1x YPR-765 OP

• INDEPENDENT TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • OBSERVER • SCOUT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

1 POINT

COURAGE 4+

SKILL 4+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

You must field: • a M109 Veldartillerie Batterij (TNL108) • a M106 120mm Mortier Peloton (TNL124) before you may field a YPR-765 OP.

Each field artillery battalion had nine forward observation groups. A forward observer is mounted in a YPR-765 PRCO (pantser-rups-commando, or command armoured track) with a .50-cal M2 HB machine-gun on a cupola. In its rear compartment the YPR-765 PRCO is fitted with a folding table and two inward-facing seats.

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

28”/70CM

3+

WEAPON

.50 cal AA MG

RANGE

20”/50CM

ROF HALTED MOVING

3

2

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

4

1

NOTES

5+

61

62

63

The BTR-60 had clearly seen better days. The front right armour was holed and a large trailing black smear led back from the crumpled impact zone. Despite the obvious damage, it still managed to move at speed. It was currently hiding behind one of the buildings on the edge of Zelhem. Hodges had been tracking it through the aiming scope of the Carl Gustav. Twice now, it had swerved into cover just as he was about to take a shot. Whoever was driving it was being very careful. Perhaps the damage was a constant reminder to be wary. Pritchard slid right, binoculars fixed on where the target vanished. “I’m just saying that nobody can take over from Moore and do a good job. That bit in Octopussy where he tells the tiger to sit is a classic.” “This new bloke, Dalton, he’s gonna have a hard time of it with - there he is!” Davidson slapped Hodges on the shoulder and pointed to where the BTR-60 had burst into sight, diesel fumes streaming from the exhausts as the driver accelerated towards the next dilapidated building. Hodges swung the barrel round and rapidly acquired the target. He squeezed the shot off just as the target began to vanish behind the cinder-block wall. A sudden cloud of grey dust and a loud explosive clap indicated that he had missed. “Move! Move!” Pritchard grabbed the cannister of rounds and scuttled towards the next firing position. The others followed, bent over. They were quickly set up again, practised hands rapidly going through the reload motions. “You’re both idiots” Hodges spoke up. “Lazenby was bloody brilliant, and that snow plough scene is the best - “ A spray of MG fire cut short the virtues of George Lazenby as they all ducked down. The BTR-60’s engine roared again. The enemy was making a fast exit back the way they came. Hodges settled in, using his previous hit point on the wall to aim while waiting for the BTR to reappear. He fired just as the front of the BTR hove into view. The round impacted somewhere in the burnt black smear, followed by a vicious explosion of flaming detritus. The hulk rambled forward on momentum before colliding with an abandoned BMW, flames licking around the tires. Hodges turned to the others and smiled. “You only live twice!”

ON EXERCISE

WORLD WAR III

In June 1985, Britain and her NATO partners invited the Australian and New Zealand armed forces to take part in NATO exercises in Germany. The exercises went smoothly throughout the month, with the ANZAC allies taking advantage of British equipment and knowledge to train in an environment outside their home conditions. During July, as the exercises wound down, Cold War international tensions had mounted. Various political moves and counter-moves had brought NATO and the Warsaw Pact closer to conflict. With so many ANZAC troops already in place in Europe, the British Government requested the assistance of the Australian and New Zealand Governments in the event of any possible hostilities. It was eventually agreed that Australia would provide two mechanised infantry battalions and an armoured regiment, while New Zealand would provide one mechanised infantry battalion and a light armoured squadron. Additional vehicles and equipment required were supplied by the British and West German Governments from reserve stocks.

When the war broke out on 4 August 1985, the ANZAC Brigade remained in North Rhine-Westphalia at Paderborn awaiting the deployment of the rest of the British 2nd Corps from the UK, before joining the corps in their positions in the Netherlands. From 4 August, Warsaw Pact forces thrust through the North German plain and pushed into the northern Netherlands, before being halted by determined British, Dutch, and West German defence along the Nederrijn River (Nether Rhine) by 13 August.

ANZAC BRIGADE These ANZAC troops were then organised under Australian command as an ad-hoc ANZAC Brigade at Paderborn, West Germany. Here they collected some of their additional equipment and familiarised themselves with it. The ANZAC Brigade was assigned to the newly formed British 2nd Corps. Supporting elements, such as artillery, was provided by British territorial reserve troops.

64

FIRST ACTIONS Between 13 and 14 August, the Australians and New Zealanders of the ANZAC Brigade took part in various counterattacks and holding actions between Deventer and Arnhem, taking advantage of the forested countryside of the national parks near Apeldoorn. The ANZAC Brigade was forced to withdraw on 14 August to Heteren, to the west of Arnhem. The city fell the same day to a determined East German attack, although pockets of resistance, made up of groups of Dutch reservists and British Paratroopers, fought on. With the momentum of the Warsaw Pact advance blunted on the Nederrijn, an attack by the British 2nd Corps was organised as part of a general counterattack by NORTHAG. The mechanised troops of the ANZAC Brigade were to play a leading role.

NORTHAG COUNTERATTACK

Em

The counterattack pushed north through the Netherlands. East German and Soviet troops were forced to withdraw by the advance of the West German and American divisions on their eastern flank. The liberation of the Netherlands and West Germany had begun. The ANZAC Brigade fought its way north to Deventer as Soviet troops withdrew before them. They encountered heavy resistance as they approached the town of Rijssen, where a pocket of Dutch reserve troops had been holding out since 12 August. The encircling Soviet troops launched several counterattacks against the approaching Australian mechanised battalion on the evening of 15 August, but they continued to advance resoutely. During the night, the ANZACs launched an attack into Rijssen, punching through a thin cordon of Soviet troops to link up with the Dutch reserve battalion. Taking the Dutch battalion under command, the brigade then pushed on to Almelo, where they found the town clear of Warsaw Pact troops.

However, signs of their presence could be seen everywhere with looted shops, ransacked homes, and people’s possessions left scattered about the streets. Trailing in the wake of the rapidly withdrawing Soviet 20th Guards Army, the brigade advanced to Nordhorn across the West German border where they encountered a strong Soviet force. A sharp encounter battle forced the ANZACs to withdraw. A few hours later, West German forces struck Nordhorn from the south, which allowed the ANZACs to continue their attack from the west. After two hours of intense fighting, the two western allies were able to link up to the north of the town. More fighting lay ahead for the ANZAC Brigade if they were to see the complete liberation of the Netherlands and West Germany.

sR iver

Groningen

Leeuwarden

Assen

N

D

S 20TH GUARDS ARMY

H

E

R

L

A

2ND GUARDS TANK ARMY

T

Nordhorn

N

E

Amsterdam

Lingen

Almelo Rijssen Deventer

Hilversum

1 NETHERLANDS CORPS ST

Enschede

Apeldoorn Utrecht

The Hague

Winterswijk Arnhem

Rotterdam

2 BRITISH CORPS

X

Nijmegen ND

Bocholt

Emmerich X

XX

ANZAC BRIGADE

X

X

Tiel

1ST GERMAN CORPS

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF

G E R M A N Y 65

Just a few short months ago Major Andrew Harris’s mechanised company has been enjoying an interesting and informative time training and exercising with their European allies in West Germany. Concentrating on the immediate tasks at hand, the whole global situation had sneaked up on Harris, and by the time he started to pay attention, his fellow officers were already talking of actual war. Then the government had offered to provide fighting troops to NATO, since they were in Europe anyway, and the Australian and New Zealand units’ stay was extended.

They arrived at the Berkel River at about 0100 hours on 13 August and Harris’s company began crossing the river via the rail bridge. Harris immediately dispatched his mech platoons and Milan sections to cover the approaches from the direction of Deventer. A Leopard AS1 Armoured Troop, under Lieutenant Rodney Thompson, had been attached to Harris’s force and he kept these back as a mobile reserve. The company’s M125 mortar carriers and a pair of M113 Cavalry Troops rounded out Harris’s company combat team. Harris sent the cavalry troops out ahead of the formation to establish a picket to warn of the approach of the Warsaw Pacy forces, and, if the opportunity arrived, act as bait to draw the enemy into their positions. Meanwhile, the mech and Milan platoons deployed in positions with good fields of fire, while their transport were withdrawn a safe distance. At about 0500 hours, the northern cavalry troop began taking fire. The cavalry immediately fell back along the left flank taking advantage of the tree cover that screened that flank from the direction of Deventer. Harris watched as the cavalry retired along the road to the left of the rail line with four Warsaw Pact scout cars in hot pursuit. Harris thought back to a seminar he’d attended just a month or

STEMMING THE TIDE It was 2200 hours on the night of 12 August when Harris gathered his company’s platoon commanders in their new positions with the British 6th Division on the Nederrijn (Lower Rhine). He informed them that their battalion and a squadron of the 1st Armoured Regiment were to advance to Zutphen and hold any attempts to bypass Deventer and cross the River Berkel. At the north of the town, the river was crossed by two road and one rail bridge. Their battalion sized battlegroup was to cross to the north side of the river and hold any advancing troops while British Royal Engineers prepared to destroy the bridges. NORT H O F Z U T P H EN 0500 H OU R S, 1 3 AU G U S T

SOVIET FORWARD DETACHMENT

Cav

Cav

2 Pltn

Milan

Milan

EEF D E

1 Pltn

HQ

Leopards

66

so ago, those were definitely BRDM-2 scout cars. Pleased with himself, he watched as something wide and flat, and much bigger, nudged its way out of the treeline beside the rail line about 750 metres in the distance. “Jez, that’s a MBT, T-64 or T-72, I’m not sure,” exclaimed Company Sergeant Major Taylor who was lying nearby watching as well. Another fact from Harris’s Warsaw Pact recognition seminar came back to him. Looking through his binoculars he focused on the area around the gun mantlet. “It’s a T-64, you can tell by the lamp mounted on the right,” he replied to his CSM. As they watched, more tanks pushed out of the trees, their appearance greeted by a flash to the right of Harris’s positions — a Milan anti-tank guided missile team had fired. These teams had set up in the upper stories of some of the houses that sat on the northern edge of the suburb. One tank exploded spectacularly, while another just started to burn, its crew scampering out and diving into a nearby ditch. Some flashes were seen to the right of the Soviet tanks’ positions. Shortly afterwards, Harris received a radio call from 2 Platoon in that location. “Contact, infantry company with onetwo wheeled APCs,” Lieutenant Jones reported, indicating twelve BTR-60s.

3 Pltn

M125

HARRIS’S MECHANISED COMPANY

Steenenkamer

DEVENTER

The Milans had knocked-out a couple of vehicles and the Soviet infantry had dismounted and were advancing on foot. Jones gave the Soviet infantry’s location and Harris immediately called in the M125 81mm mortar carriers to drop a barrage on the enemy. The Milans, who had been using some farm buildings for concealment, were able to withdraw under the cover of the mortar fire. In the meantime, the Milans on the left had knocked out another couple of Soviet tanks, while the cavalry troops had withdrawn down the left flank, drawing the BRDM-2s into the sights of 3 Platoon. The mech infantry opened up with their M60 machine-guns and Carl Gustav anti-tank weapons. Two BRDM-2s were knocked out, causing the remaining two to retreat to cover. On the right, the mortars had brought the advance of the Soviet riflemen to an immediate halt. 2 Platoon followed the Milans and withdrew back to their transports. In the centre, Major Harris called in a British artillery strike, then ordered his remaining platoons to withdraw. The tanks had withdrawn to cover the movement of the other units while the infantry moved back to the river. The Leopards knocked out several more BTR-60s as they withdrew to the Berkel River, crossing over the railway bridge just before the Royal Engineers blew the explosives and sent it tumbling into the water. The battalion’s other companies were also able to withdraw in good time. The battalion group then withdrew back across the Ijssel River to the west of Zutphen, where the engineers set about destroying the crossings there.

SOUTH OF DEVENTER In the meantime, a Soviet force had crossed the Ijssel River near Deventer and was heading for Apeldoorn. Harris’s company and the rest of the battalion was ordered to hold the Soviets along the A1 Autobaan (motorway) between the river and the village of Posterenk. To their south sat the Bussloo recreational lake, normally filled with thousands of Dutch holiday makers this time of year, now ominously quiet. Harris had his company deployed around the village by about 1400 hours. The Soviets came from the direction of Steenenkamer at about 1430 hours,

SOVIET FORWARD DETACHMENT

Twello MECHANISED COMPANY

Cav

Cav Milan HQ

3 Pltn

Wilp

Milan 1 Pltn

MECHANISED COMPANY

M125

2 Pltn

Posterenk

HARRIS’S MECHANISED COMPANY

Bussloo

BRDM-2 scout cars leading the way. Once again, the M113 Cavalry Troops engaged them, before withdrawing through the company’s positions. The BRDM-2s pursued the cavalry through Harris’s positions and were hit in the flank by the Carl Gustav anti-tank weapons of the mech infantry from concealed positions in the woods to the north of Posterenk and farmhouses west of the autobaan interchange. A tank company following behind pushed across the fields north of the autobaan, only to be hit by the Milan anti-tank section positioned amongst the trees in the elevated autobaan interchange. The Milans were offered multiple targets when a motor rifle company mounted in BTR-60s pushed between the southern side of the autobaan and the village of Wilp. 3 Platoon and the Milans on the interchange poured fire into the BTRs, while the Milans in the forest to the north continued to fire on the Soviet T-64 tanks. A few minutes later, the T-64s began withdrawing, leaving several burning wrecks behind, while the motor rifle infantry dismounted their BTR-60s and pushed into Wilp. To the east, the Australian battalion’s second Company came under pressure from a large armoured force and was forced to withdraw southwards. With their right flank up in the air, Harris received permission from his battalion HQ to withdraw. They broke off and with-

drew parallel to the autobaan in the direction of Apeldoorn. By the close of the day, the battalion had withdrawn back to positions on the southern flank of Apeldoorn at the edge of the forest lands between Apeldoorn and Arnhem.

PUSHED BACK Pressure from the Warsaw Pact advance in the area continued to build. Harris’s company was thrown into the line again and again throughout 14 August as the ANZAC Brigade fought a fighting withdrawal through the forests and rolling heathlands of the Netherlands’ Veluwezoom National Park. As the day ended, the company eventually retired through Arnhem, before consolidating with the rest of the ANZAC Brigade around the Village of Heteren, to the west of Arnhem. Harris’s men had been in combat for just two days, but he knew there would be more to come. In just a few hours, they would join the attack north, their goal to push the Warsaw Pact out of the Netherlands and West Germany, once more making the free nations of the West free again.

67

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND FORCES ANZAC BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM 5TH/7TH BATTALION, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT

1ST ARMOURED REGIMENT

ANZAC BRIGADE

ANZAC BRIGADE

ALLIED FORMATION

M113 MECHANISED COMPANY

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED SQUADRON

YOU MAY FIELD ONE NATO FORMATION AS AN ALLIED FORMATION

TAU103

TAU101

NATO ALLIED FORMATION

BRIGADE SUPPORT 5TH/7TH BATTALION, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT

111TH DIVISIONAL AIR DEFENCE BATTERY (LIGHT)

NEW ZEALAND QUEEN ALEXANDRA SQUADRON

ANZAC BRIGADE

ANZAC BRIGADE

ANZAC BRIGADE

ANTI-TANK LAND ROVER SECTION TAU108

REDEYE SAM SECTION TAU113

SCORPION ARMOURED TROOP TNZ102

ANZAC SPECIAL RULES The armies of Australia and New Zealand have a number of features and weapons. These are reflected in the following special rules.

Leopard 1 tanks are fitted with 'bazooka skirts', spaced armour to protect them from light, hand-held anti-tank weapons.

The Scorpion is designed to find the enemy, not fight them. If it comes to a scrap, they prefer a quick ambush and an equally quick departure. As the tank commander also doubles as the main gun’s loader, it is tricky to manoeuvre when firing the main gun, so the gunner can only fire the co-ax machine-gun when advancing at speed.

Teams with Bazooka Skirts have Front and Side armour rating of 10 against HEAT weapons.

A tank with Sneak and Peek can move 10”/25cm at Tactical speed if it is not firing its main gun.

BAZOOKA SKIRTS

68

SNEAK AND PEEK

SUPPORT BRITISH SUPPORT ND 72FIELD REGIMENT, BATTALION, RA 23RD ARTILLERY

11 (SPINX) BATTERY, 22 AIR DEFENCE REGIMENT, RA

658 SQUADRON, ARMY AIR CORPS

3 SQUADRON, RAF

IRON DIVISION

IRON DIVISION

IRON DIVISION

IRON DIVISION

TRACKED RAPIER SAM SECTION

TOW LYNX HELARM FLIGHT

ABBOT FIELD BATTERY TB120

TB124

IRON DIVISION

TB125

HARRIER CLOSE SUPPORT FLIGHT TB126

Rules for British Formations and Units are found in FW907 Iron Maiden.

M109 FIELD BATTERY TB121

IRON DIVISION

FV432 FOO TB122

Often divisions from other NATO nations, such as Dutch divisions or British divisions in NORTHAG, fought alongside the Australian and New Zealand ANZAC Brigade. You may take an Allied Formation as part of your Force. A NATO Allied Formation can be US, British, West German, Canadian, French, or Dutch, or any other Force with a NATO Allied Formation in its support. You may also take Allied Units listed in your Support as part of your Force.

An Allied Formation obeys all the rules for its own nationality. An Allied Formation Commander can only join Units in its own Formation or nation and only its Formation or national Units can benefit from its Command Leadership (see page 25 and 64 of Team Yankee). An Allied Formation does not count as a Formation when determining if you have lost the game (see page 65 of Team Yankee).

69

Losing Carter to shrapnel from an air-burst had left Loxton in a foul mood. Commanding a Leopard AS1 was hard enough without being short-handed. There was always too much to do, and not enough hands to do it. His ruminations were interrupted by a cheery address - “Hey! You the one short of a loader? Name’s Keiran.” Loxton peered over the turret edge to see a New Zealand badge attached to a scruffy looking soldier. “Lost me last ride, so reckon I’m with you”, Keiran grinned up at him. Loxton waved him on, slumping down in the hatch. Keying his mike, he announced to the rest of the crew: “We’ve adopted a Kiwi. Be nice. We’re rolling in 5.” “Driver advance. Slow. Let’s see what’s on the other side.” The 105mm barrel pushed wilting vegetation aside as the crest of the earthen bank receded. Binoculars pressed hard into his eyes to prevent sweat dripping down, Loxton scanned fast, looking for any threat, any sign of the enemy. The situation was “fluid”, which was officer-speak for clueless. A roar and rattle of tracks announced the arrival of another tracked unit, as a T-72 dashed from behind a McDonald’s that had seen better days. “Enemy tank - “ was as far as Loxton got before his gunner, Gamson, yelled “Target! Firing!” and the turret rocked back with recoil. Even with the flash from the shot glaring in front of him, Loxton saw the ground next to the racing target erupt as the kinetic round demolished the paving. “You bowling underarm, mate?” laughed Keiran as he slammed another round home. “Clearly demented,” thought Loxton, as he watched the 125mm barrel of the enemy tank swing towards them. Simultaneous shots boomed out. The T-72 turret sheared off, accompanied by an eruption of flame and oily black smoke. “Everyone good?” asked Loxton. Gamson ignored him, twisting towards Keiran. “You Kiwis just can’t let it go can you. You lost. It was one match. Get over it.” “Shut up. Both of you. We’ll all be happy to see more matches, because that means we live through this. Driver, reverse!” The Leopard eased back down the bank before rotating in place. “We’ve got the Bledisloe mate,” Keiran added. “Shut. Up.” Please let there be a replacement when we re-supply tonight, Loxton silently pleaded. “And our girls play better netball.” As the main offensive forces in the Australian 1st Brigade, 1st Armoured Regiment and 2nd Cavalry Regiment trained regularly with the US, British and West German armies. Since the late 1970s, this had usually been in the form of a troop of three or four vehicles’ crews being sent to Europe to operate NATO standard vehicles such as German Leopards, US M60’s or British Chieftains. This practice of small team training exercises with NATO combat troops, often for periods of up to three months at a time, proved invaluable. Australian doctrine in this period worked on the ABCA

70

(American British Canadian Australian) standards for calling artillery fire, radio doctrine and warfighting generally. The 1st Armoured Regiment is composed of three combat, or ‘sabre’, squadrons and a headquarters squadron. Due to budgetary constraints, the third ‘Army Reserve’ squadron has been left behind. This squadron is composed of former soldiers acting as ‘weekend warriors’ and would provide follow on support in wartime, when they will be used to expand the fighting roster.

ANZAC BRIGADE

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED SQUADRON ARMOURED SQUADRON LEOPARD AS1 — ANZAC BRIGADE

• TANK FORMATION • BAZOOKA SKIRTS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

ANZAC BRIGADE

COURAGE 2+

SKILL 2+

MORALE 3+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 3+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED SQUADRON HQ TAU101

FRONT

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

2+

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

105mm L7 gun

40”/100CM

7.62mm AA MG

3 16”/40CM ANZAC 1 16”/40 CM BRIGADE

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED TROOP

TAU102

5

TACTICAL

7.62mm MG ANZAC BRIGADE

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED TROOP

TOP

10”/25CM WEAPON

ANZAC BRIGADE

SIDE

9

7 POINTS 4 POINTS

2x Leopard AS1 1x Leopard AS1

IS HIT ON 4+

TAU102

2

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

19

2+

3 1

2 2

6 6

1

NOTES

Brutal, Laser Rangefinder, Smoke, Stabiliser

M113 CAVALRY TROOP TAU111

ANZAC BRIGADE ANZAC BRIGADE

M113 MECHANISED PLATOON

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED TROOP

TAU104

TAU102

ANZAC BRIGADE

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED TROOP TAU102

71

ANZAC BRIGADE

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED LEOPARDTROOP AS1 ARMOURED TROOP — ANZAC BRIGADE

• TANK UNIT • BAZOOKA SKIRTS • INFRA-RED (IR) •

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED TROOP 13 POINTS 10 POINTS

4x Leopard AS1 3x Leopard AS1

1 Armoured Regiment, Royal Australian Armoured Corps had transitioned in 1976 from the British Centurion to the Leopard 1A3, known locally as the AS1. Exhaustive trials focussed on mobility and firepower rather than the thicker armour of the competing US M60. These formidable German ‘sports cars’ are organised in troops of three main battle tanks in peacetime, in wartime this grows to four. Australian Armoured Troops had trained previously on exchange with their counterparts in NATO, particularly BAOR and the Bundeswehr. Unlike their NATO brethren, Aussie tankers focus heavily on infantry support and always carry some ‘splintex’, as their canister rounds are nicknamed.

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 3+

ASSAULT 3+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

9

TOP

5

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

28”/70CM

32”/80CM

2+

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

WEAPON

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

105mm gun

40”/100CM

2

2

19

2+

7.62mm AA MG 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM 16”/40CM

3 1

3 1

2 2

6 6

Crew: 4 - commander, gunner, loader, driver Weight: 42.2 tonnes Length: 9.54m (31’ 3.5”) Width: 3.37m (11’ 0.5”) Height: 2.7m (8’ 10”) Armour: Steel 19-21.7mm and 10-70 mm RHA

1

NOTES

Brutal, Laser Rangefinder, Smoke, Stabiliser

Weapons: 105mm Royal Ordnance L7A3 L/52 rifled Gun 2x MG3 7.62mm MG Speed: 65 km/h (46 mph) Engine: MTU MB 838 CaM 500, 10-cylinder, multi-fuel engine, 819 hp (610 kW) Range: 600 km (373 miles)

ANZAC BRIGADE

M113 LRV M113 CAVALRY TROOP

CAVALRY TROOP — ANZAC BRIGADE

4x 1x 3x 1x

• TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS • SCOUT • SPEARHEAD • INFRA-RED (IR) •

M113 CAVALRY TROOP M113 LRV 5 POINTS M113 MRV (TAU112) M113 LRV 4 POINTS M113 MRV (TAU112)

4x M113 LRV

4 POINTS

3x M113 LRV

3 POINTS

As the eyes and ears of the 1 Brigade, 2 Cavalry Regiment’s Troops of M113 LRV (Light Reconnaissance Vehicle) and MRV (Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle) are the tip of the spear. Backing up the lighter M113 LRV, the M113 MRV is the direct descendant of the Saladin turreted FSV (Fire Support Vehicle). Now using the improved Scorpion turret, the ‘Beast’, as it is known, provides heavy fire support when needed. Surprisingly, the vehicles somehow maintain their amphibious capability despite most them being older than their crews ! The descendants of the Australian Light Horse Regiments of the First World War are ready to follow their grandfathers back to Europe! st

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

M113 LRV with .50 cal MG

20”/50CM

3

2

4

5+

M113 LRV with 7.62mm MG

16”/40CM

1

1

2

6

1

NOTES

ANZAC BRIGADE

M113 MRV M113 MRV CAVALRY TROOP — ANZAC BRIGADE

• TANK • AMPHIBIOUS • SCOUT • SPEARHEAD • INFRA-RED (IR) •

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

6”/15CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

72

COURAGE 3+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

76mm gun

24”/60CM

2

1

14

2+

7.62mm MG

16”/40CM

3

3

2

6

1

NOTES

Brutal, HEAT, Smoke, Sneak and Peek

The air had that oily, bitter taste in it from too many burning vehicles. The smoke from a combination of gasoline and flaming tyres was streaming low due to a strong easterly. Sight lines were hazy. And where did all the flies come from? It was like being out bush back home. The low rumble of the M113 parked under the awning of the gas station reminded Hargreaves to get on with the mission – checking their last target. A quick check inside the BMP, its burning contributing to the general air pollution after Davo put a Carl Gustav round through the glacis, revealed it was no further threat. Nobody got out. This time. He had lost two squaddies earlier that day when a previous target had not been so dead. Hargreaves stood and jogged back. “Clean kill. Let’s move!” The track was already spinning in place as they prepared to relocate to a new position. The Warsaw Pact boys had shown a tendency to saturate any location that showed resistance with a vicious stonk of rocket artillery. Better to not be here when that gesture of displeasure arrived. As he climbed up the front of the M113, an abrupt rhythmic thumping could be heard from over the industrial park to the north. “Hind! Hind!” Hargreaves tumbled head first though the deck hatch. Things were going to get fast and violent now. Helping hands grabbed Hargreaves as he fell and shoved him onto a bench. He just had time to brace before the vehicles sudden acceleration had everyone — and everything — slamming towards the rear of the troop compartment. “Here we go - Bathurst 500 time again.” laughed Davo as he stopped the 84mm barrel of the Carl Gustav from braining his loader. “He thinks he’s bloody Peter Perfect!” “Ford never used hunter-killer choppers to knock off the competition,” muttered Hargreaves as they went briefly airborne before slamming back down again. The overhead hatch was still open as a screeching projectile left a trail of smoke overhead. A reverberating explosion, followed by the clattering demise of the Soviet helicopter, announced that the Redeye boys were still in the game. “And Holden never used missiles!” Maybe they would make it through this after all. The Australian Defence Force in the 1980s is comprised of three regular combat Brigades, the 1st, 3rd and 6th. The 3rd Brigade ‘Operational Deployment Force’ is composed entirely of two battalions of light infantry, one regiment of artillery and only a single squadron of M113A1 APC support with no organic armoured or armoured reconnaissance forces. The Brigade is intended purely for rapid deployment overseas by air or light seaborne transport. The 6th Brigade is also comprised of two battalions of light infantry, one artillery regiment and a regiment (battalion) of M113A1 APCs. Again, with no armoured or armoured reconnaissance forces, its main task is as a counterinsurgency and low intensity warfare unit. The ‘heavy team’ of the Australian Army is 1st Brigade, fielding the only mechanised infantry battalion along with another light infantry battalion and an artillery regiment. The brigade’s ‘punch’ is increased by the nation’s only armoured regiment, the 1st, with three squadrons of Leopard AS1 tanks.

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment rounds out the armoured force, with three well trained reconnaissance squadrons. With so much in common – and strong ties to the Mother country, Great Britain – it is no surprise that the Prime Minister was quick to offer support from Australian forces in theatre at the time. As forces of 1st Armoured Regiment, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (each a battalion sized unit) and 5/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment were in Europe on an exercise they could be called upon to provide relief to NATO. Unfortunately, Australian artillery worked on the archaic system of towed guns. Having only changed from the World War II era 5.5” gun to the M198 155mm towed howitzer the previous year, 8/12 Medium Regiment were in no condition to deploy to Europe with the rest of their Brigade. Fortunately, Australian Redeye air defence teams were in Europe as part of the 1st Brigade contingent, and have been able to offer their expertise.

73

ANZAC BRIGADE

M113 MECHANISED COMPANY M113 MECHANISED COMPANY ANZAC BRIGADE

• INFANTRY FORMATION • HQ TRANSPORT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

ANZAC BRIGADE

COURAGE 2+

SKILL 2+

MORALE 3+ RALLY 3+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 2+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

M113 MECHANISED COMPANY HQ

4+

TAU103

1x SLR rifle team 1x M113 (T50 turret) (TAU105) 1 POINT

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

SLR rifle team

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

16”/40CM

1

1

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

NOTES

6

ANZAC BRIGADE

ANZAC BRIGADE

ANZAC BRIGADE

ANZAC BRIGADE

M113 MECHANISED PLATOON

M113 MECHANISED PLATOON

M125 MORTAR PLATOON

M113 CAVALRY TROOP

TAU104

TAU104

TAU106

TAU111

ANZAC BRIGADE ANZAC BRIGADE

ANZAC BRIGADE

LEOPARD AS1 ARMOURED TROOP M113 MECHANISED PLATOON TAU104

74

TAU102

MILAN ANTI-TANK SECTION TAU109

ANZAC BRIGADE

M113 MECHANISED PLATOON M113 MECHANISED PLATOON ANZAC BRIGADE

• INFANTRY UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

M113 MECHANISED PLATOON 4x M60 team with LAW anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 4x M113 (T50 turret) (TAU105) 7 POINTS 3x M60 team with LAW anti-tank 2x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 3x M113 (T50 turret) (TAU105) 5 POINTS

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 4+ COUNTERATTACK 3+

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

4+

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

The 5/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is the only mechanised battalion in the Australian Army and is the largest mechanised battalion in the world at this time. The battalion is made up of four rifle companies, totalling twelve infantry platoons, an admin company and a support company with antitank, assault pioneer, machine-gun and sniper platoons. Each rifle platoon is armed with three M203 grenade launchers, six M16 assault rifles, three Carl Gustav, four M60 GPMG (General Purpose Machine-guns) and 18 SLR (Self-loading Rifles), along with M72 LAW

COURAGE 3+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

NOTES

M60 team or LAW anti-tank

16”/40CM 12”/30CM

3 1

2 1

2 12

5+ 5+

HEAT, Slow Firing

Carl Gustav anti-tank team

16”/40CM

1

1

17

3+

HEAT, Slow Firing

(Light Anti-armour Weapon), or SRAAW (Short Range Anti Armour Weapon) as they are called in the Australian Army. These are organised as a headquarters with the platoon commander, sergeant, and two riflemen, along with three sections of nine ‘Diggers’. In practice, each rifle section consists of a command group with MDFSW (Medium Direct Fire Support Weapon, or 84mm Carl Gustav anti-tank weapon) and a ‘Gun Group’ with an M60 GPMG. Only in wartime would there be so many Carl Gustavs, the ‘Charly Gutsache’ as the troops call it affectionately, are limited to two per company in peacetime! ANZAC BRIGADE

M113 (T50 TURRET)M113 TRANSPORT (T50 TURRET) TRANSPORT — ANZAC BRIGADE

• TANK ATTACHMENT • AMPHIBIOUS • INFRA-RED (IR) • PASSENGERS 3 •

M113 (T50 TURRET) TRANSPORT Transport Attachment to: M113 Mechanised Platoon (TAU104), or Milan Anti-tank Section (TAU109).

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

Affectionately known as the ‘Bucket’, the M113 provides the ‘Diggers’ with fire support from a combination of .50 cal M2 and .30 cal M1919 Browning machine-guns in a T50 Cadillac Gage one man turret — fantastic right until you need to clear a jam from these potent but old weapons. The only improvement over the original Vietnam era vehicles is the addition of a bolted-on passive night vision periscope in place of the existing periscope.

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

.50 cal MG 7.62mm MG

Crew: Weight: Length: Width: Height: Armour:

20”/50CM 16”/40CM

2 - commander, driver + 11 passengers 12 tonnes 4.86m (16’) 2.69m (8’ 10”) 2.41m (7’ 11”) 38mm Aluminium

ROF HALTED MOVING

3 1

2 1

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

4 2

1

NOTES

5+ 6

Weapons: 1x .50 cal M2HB MG 1x .30 cal L3A3 MG Speed: 68 km/h (42 mph) Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V53T, 6-cylinder diesel engine 275 hp (205 kW) Range: 483 km (300 miles)

75

ANZAC BRIGADE

M125 MORTAR PLATOON M125

M125 MORTAR PLATOON — ANZAC BRIGADE • TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS •

M125 MORTAR PLATOON 6x M125 5 POINTS 4x M125 3 POINTS 2x M125 1 POINTS

Mortars provide extremely fast fire support and the US-made M125 is a popular choice to provide the ‘Diggers’ with relief when under ‘red’ attack. Whether it be smoke on demand, illumination at night, or highly accurate HE, the boys of the ‘Mortar Tracks’ get rounds downrange as needed, pronto.

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT COUNTERATTACK -

IS HIT ON 4+

FRONT

SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

81mm mortar

56”/140CM

ARTILLERY

.50 cal AA MG

20”/50CM

WEAPON

3

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

2

1

4+

4

5+

0

NOTES

Smoke Bombardment

ANZAC BRIGADE

MILAN ANTI-TANK SECTION MILAN ANTI-TANK SECTION ANZAC BRIGADE

• INFANTRY UNIT • INFRA-RED (IR) •

MILAN ANTI-TANK SECTION 4x Milan Missile team 4x M113 (T50 turret) [TAU105] 6 POINTS

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK -

IS HIT ON

INFANTRY SAVE

2x Milan Missile team 2x M113 (T50 turret) [TAU105] 3 POINTS

Despite the Australian Defence Force being an early adopter of missiles such as the ENTAC (a French ATGM adopted in the 1960s), the Milan missile system hasn’t entirely replaced the 106mm Recoilless. Its heavy weight has meant that cavalry and mounted units are the main users of this system. Crews prefer to operate near vehicles rather than manually carrying reloads.

76

4+

3+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

8”/20CM

8”/20CM

12”/30CM

12”/30CM

AUTO

WEAPON

Milan missile team

RANGE

8”/20CM 36”/90CM

ROF HALTED MOVING

1

-

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

21

3+

NOTES

Guided, HEAT

ANZAC BRIGADE

ANTI-TANK LANDANTI-TANK ROVER LANDSECTION ROVER SECTION ANZAC BRIGADE

• UNARMOURED TANK UNIT • SCOUT • RECOILLESS •

ANTI-TANK LAND ROVER SECTION 4 POINTS 4x Anti-tank Land Rover 2 POINTS 2x Anti-tank Land Rover

The 106mm Recoilless on a Short Wheel Base Landrover 88 has seen extensive Aussie service, being useful as both an anti-bunker, as well as an anti-tank, weapon. The ‘Gun Buggy’ provides a potent weapon that is lethal against both medium and light armour. The dual purpose HEP-T (High Explosive Plastic-Tracer) rounds are especially prized for their bunkerbusting abilities by the more creative ‘Diggers’. An ideal weapon for an ambush.

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ RALLY 4+

ASSAULT COUNTERATTACK -

IS HIT ON

TANK SAVE

4+

4+

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

6”/15CM

12”/30CM

20”/50CM

48”/120CM

4+

WEAPON

106mm recoilless rifle

RANGE

24”/60CM

ROF HALTED MOVING

1

1

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

17

2+

NOTES

Accurate, Brutal, HEAT, Slow Firing

77

ANZAC BRIGADE

M113 REDEYE M113 SAMREDEYE SECTION SAM SECTION ANZAC BRIGADE

• TANK UNIT • AMPHIBIOUS •

REDEYE SAM SECTION 2 POINTS 2x M113 Redeye

The ‘tail-chaser’ missile teams of 111th Divisional Air Defence Battery (Light), 16 Air Defence Regiment, provide close range anti-aircraft protection at the forward edge of the battle area. As the only light battery, the rest of the Regiment enjoys life in the rear with static Rapier systems. The best, fittest, and most agile Air Defence Gunners carry the highly mobile Redeye Missile in close support with the ‘Diggers’.

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 5+ COUNTERATTACK 5+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

3

TOP

2

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

10”/25CM

16”/40CM

24”/60CM

32”/80CM

3+

WEAPON

ROF HALTED MOVING

RANGE

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

Redeye AA missile

48”/120CM

2

-

-

5+

.50 cal MG 7.62mm MG

20”/50CM 16”/40CM

3 1

2 1

4 2

5+ 6

0

NOTES

Guided AA

ANZAC BRIGADE

SCORPION ARMOURED TROOP SCORPION ARMOURED TROOP — ANZAC BRIGADE • TANK UNIT • SPEARHEAD •

SCORPION ARMOURED TROOP 4x Scorpions 4 POINTS 2x Scorpions 2 POINTS

New Zealand’s Queen Alexandra’s Squadron train closely with the Aussies ‘across the ditch’ (the Tasman Sea) as part of the ANZAC Brigade. They are renowned for their skills not only in the recce role but also as close infantry support. Being able to get their 16 Scorpions into places a Leopard could only dream of, time and again the nimble Kiwi tanks have proven their worth in the field.

78

COURAGE 3+

SKILL 3+

MORALE 4+ REMOUNT 4+

ASSAULT 3+ COUNTERATTACK 4+

FRONT

IS HIT ON 4+ SIDE

2

TOP

1

TACTICAL

TERRAIN DASH

CROSS COUNTRY DASH

ROAD DASH

CROSS

6”/15CM

20”/50CM

28”/70CM

36”/90CM

3+

WEAPON

RANGE

ROF HALTED MOVING

ANTI- FIRETANK POWER

76mm gun

24”/60CM

2

1

14

2+

7.62mm MG

16”/40CM

3

3

2

6

NOTES

HEAT, Smoke, Sneak and Peek

1

As well as playing the missions in the Team Yankee rulebook, or downloaded from the website www.Team-Yankee.com, you can also play scenarios inspired by your imagination, your favourite WWIII fiction, or even historical battles put into a WWIII context. The following three scenarios are based on the actions of the Dutch, Canadian, and French forces featured in this book. You can play them as a one-off action or in order, using the Consequences and Campaign sections to carry forward the results from one game to another. You can swap sides and play through the campaign to compare your forces and your approaches. There is also no reason why you can’t play all the scenarios

with different forces. You can even try different terrain arrangements, as terrain can often make all the difference to how a game plays, or even a different sized table if you have one. Most importantly of all, have fun and feel free to modify the scenarios anyway you see fit.

DAWN

STRATEGIC WITHDRAWAL

In a Scenario being played at Dawn, the game starts in Darkness, with the Night Fighting rules (see page 66 of Team Yankee) in effect. At the start of the Player with the first turn’s third turn, roll a die: • On a score of 5+, morning has broken. Once morning breaks, the Night Fighting rules are no longer used, and the rest of the battle is fought in Daylight. • If the roll is unsuccessful, at the start of the the opposing Player’s turn four, they roll two dice with morning breaking on any roll of 5+. • If it is still dark at the start of the first Player’s next turn, they roll three dice, and so on with each player rolling one more die until morning breaks on any roll of 5+.

The NATO Player starts the game with no Delay Counters. At the start of each turn from turn two onwards, after checking Victory Conditions, the NATO Player counts the number of Units (not counting their Attachments and any Independent Teams) and Delay Counters that they have on table. • If the total is six or more, they must Withdraw one Unit (other than an Independent Team) and its Attachments and remove all Delay Counters. • If they have less than six Units and Delay Counters combined, they gain a Delay Counter, but do not Withdraw any Units.

PLAYING THE CAMPAIGN WITH ONE NATION You may like to pick your favourite Nation from this book and run them as the NATO side in all of the scenarios. In this case use the Alternative Forces points value at the bottom of the suggetsed forces for each Scenario.

WITHDRAWING UNITS When the NATO Player is required to Withdraw a Unit, all of the teams of that Unit (and its Attachments) are removed from the table. An Attachment must always be withdrawn with its core Unit. If a Withdrawing Unit is not in Good Spirits, it will be treated as being Destroyed when working out Victory Points.

79

Kapitein Peeters’s combat team was arrayed along a stretch of a tree lined canal. He sat in his command track searching the darkness with his night vision sight, when there was a crack off to the right, followed quickly by a fusillade of tank gun and missile shots from the positions of Ritmeester Reijnders’s tank combat team. The enemy had arrived. The bright shapes of tanks were soon filling his field of vision. A sudden cone of light to the immediate right, followed a few seconds later by a bang and a blaze of light to his front, indicated the PRAT TOW vehicles had found their first victim. More would follow. Kapitein Hendrik Peeters’s combat team had been assigned a defensive position just northeast of Scharnebeck, on the east bank of the Elbe Lateral Canal on the approaches to Lüneburg. They have quickly deployed and are ready to delay the Warsaw Pact advance long enough for the main line of the defence to be fully established to their west, and to allow the preparation of demolition charges on the canal bridges. The Warsaw Pact commander’s orders are to push through the NATO defensive screen, cross the canal, and reach the main line of defence as rapidly as possible.

SPECIAL RULES • Ambush (Dutch Player, see Mission rules in Team Yankee) • Dawn (see page 79) • Scattered Immediate Reserves (Dutch Player, see Mission rules in Team Yankee) • Strategic Withdrawal (Dutch Player, see page 79)

SETTING UP Layout the terrain on a 6’ x 4’ (180cm x 120cm) table as shown on the map on the following page. Place an Objective on each of the spots marked   .

DEPLOYMENT The Dutch YPR-765 PRAT Antitank Peloton is held in Ambush. Units held in Scattered Immediate Reserves are shown under the Dutch Forces. The Dutch player will roll to see where these Units arrive. The Dutch Player places their Ranged In marker for their M106 120mm Mortier Peloton. The remainder of the Dutch force is deployed on the table in the Dutch Deployment area marked on the table map.

80

Dutch Infantry Teams may start the game in Foxholes (see page 35, 48, and 54 of Team Yankee). The Soviet Force is then deployed on the table in the Soviet deployment area.

STARTING THE GAME The Soviet Player has the first turn. The game starts in Darkness using the Dawn rules to determine when Daylight arrives. Note: The Dutch Player must remove Units from the table starting on turn two using the Strategic Withdrawal rule (see page 79).

WINNING THE GAME The Soviet Player wins if they start their turn within 4”/10cm of an Objective and end their turn with no Defending teams within 4”/10cm of that Objective. Otherwise, the Dutch Player wins at the start of their seventh turn after checking Formation Morale.

CONSEQUENCES If the Soviet player wins, they have broken through the delaying position and pushed on towards the main NATO defensive line. If the Dutch player wins they have delayed the Soviet advance, allowing their defensive position to be fully prepared.

WHAT HAPPENED Team Peeters was able to hold off the initial wave of the attack and make good their withdrawal to their next fall back position beyond the Elbe Lateral Canal north of Lüneburg.

Soviet Player places their Units here

8”/20cm

Dutch (NATO) Player places their ontable Units here

12”/30cm

16”/40cm

16”/40cm Dutch Player rolls to see where their Reserves Arrive

FORCES PANTSERINFANTERIE COMPAGNIE YPR-765 Pantserinfanterie Compagnie HQ 1x FAL rifle team 1x YPR-765 YPR-765 Pantserinfanterie Peloton 4x GPMG team with M72 anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 2x M47 Dragoon missile team 4x YPR-765 YPR-765 Pantserinfanterie Peloton 4x GPMG team with M72 anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 2x M47 Dragoon missile team 4x YPR-765 AMBUSH

T-64 TANK BATTALION T-64 Tank Battalion HQ 1x T-64 T-64 Tank Company 5x T-64 with AT-8 Songster missiles T-64 Tank Company 5x T-64 BRDM-2 Recon Platoon 2x BRDM-2 BMP-2 Motor Rifle Company 7x AK-74 team with RPG-18 anti-tank 6x RPG-7 anti-tank team 2x PKM LMG team 9x BMP-2 ALTERNATIVE FORCE: 75 POINTS

YPR-765 PRAT Antitank Peloton 4x YPR-765 PRAT IMMEDIATE SCATTERED RESERVES

M106 120mm Mortier Peloton 3x M106 120mm Leopard 2 Tank Peloton 4x Leopard 2 PRTL Pantserluchtdoel Peloton 3x PRTL ALTERNATIVE FORCE: 75 POINTS

81

“Up,” called the loader as another round was slammed home in the gun’s breech. Private Bouchard watched the enemy tank disappear behind a farmhouse. He tracked it along the length of the building, matching its speed and trajectory. A moment later it appeared from the other side of the house. He waited until the tank had cleared the building and then fired, targeting the hull just bellow turret ring. The tank lifted with the impact, then the whole vehicle was lit up by a series of ammunition explosions. “Nice shooting Remi,” congratulated his tank commander, Sergeant Browne, “let’s find another.” The 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group has been committed from the reserve to blunt the Soviet advance. The Soviets have broken through during the night and you must push back their screening forces in a surprise dawn attack. By breaking through their hastily prepared positions the hope is the Soviets will be forced to withdraw rather than risk and reinforcing an untenable position. The Soviet commander has orders to hold his position at all costs. If an opportunity presents itself, he is to conduct a forceful counterattack to throw the NATO counterattack back and continue the breakthrough.

SPECIAL RULES • Ambush (Soviet Player, see Mission rules in Team Yankee) • Dawn (see page 79) • Scattered Immediate Reserves (Soviet Player, see Mission rules in Team Yankee)

SETTING UP Lay out the terrain on a 6’ x 4’ (180cm s 120cm) table as shown on the map on the following page. Place four Objectives on the spots marked   or  .

DEPLOYMENT The Spandrel Anti-tank Platoon is held in Ambush. The smaller BMP-2 Motor Rifle Company and T-64 Tank Company are held in Scattered Immediate Reserves and arrive along the Soviet player’s table edge. The remainder of the Soviet force is deployed on table in the Soviet Deployment area marked on the table map. The Canadian force is then deployed on the table in the Canadian deployment area. The Canadian Player then removes one of the blue Objectives. All Infantry Teams may start the game in Foxholes (see page 35, 48, and 54 of Team Yankee).

82

STARTING THE GAME The Canadian Player has the first turn. The game starts in Darkness using the Dawn rules to determine when Daylight arrives.

WINNING THE GAME Either the Canadian (NATO) or Soviet player wins if they start their turn within 4”/10cm of an Objective on the opponent’s side of the table and end their turn with no opposing teams within 4”/10cm of that objective.

CAMPAIGN If the NATO player won Scharnebeck Rearguard, the Soviet player does not have time to fully prepare their defence. The Spandrel Anti-tank Platoon is not placed in Ambush. It is instead deployed on the table with the other Soviet units. If the Soviet player won Scharnebeck Rearguard, the NATO player must play Counterattack at Ergersheim without one tank unit.

CONSEQUENCES If the Canadian (NATO) player wins, they have broken through the Soviet screen, the flank of the main advancing Soviet force is now exposed to attack. If the Soviet player wins they have they have held off the NATO counterattack, allowing their breakthrough to continue pushing west.

WHAT HAPPENED The Canadians overran the hastily prepared defences and were able to surprise the T-64s as they arrived, destroying them in short order. The Canadian forces quickly regrouped and began to exploit their success, attacking other nearby Soviet positions from the flanks and on occasions from behind, forcing the Soviets to withdraw and regroup.

Soviet Player rolls to see where their Reserves Arrive Soviet Player places their ontable Units here

8”/20cm

12”/30cm

16”/40cm

25”/65cm Canadian (NATO) Player places their Units here

FORCES LEOPARD C1 ARMOURD SQUADRON Leopard C1 Armoured Squadron HQ 2x Leopard C1 Leopard C1 Armoured Troop 4x Leopard C1 Leopard C1 Armoured Troop 4x Leopard C1 Leopard C1 Armoured Troop 4x Leopard C1 Leopard C1 Armoured Troop 4x Leopard C1 M113 Mechanized Platoon 3x C2 team with M72 anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 1x C5 GPMG team 1x M19 60mm mortar team 4x M113 M150 TOW Anti-tank Section 3x M150 TOW M125 Mortar Platoon 4x M125 Lynx Recce Patrol 2x Lynx Lynx Recce Patrol 2x Lynx

BMP MOTOR RIFLE REGIMENT BMP Motor Rifle Battalion HQ 1x AK-74 team 1x BMP-2 BMP-2 Motor Rifle Company 7x AK-74 team with RPG-18 anti-tank 6x RPG-7 anti-tank team 2x PKM LMG team 9x BMP-2 BMP-2 Motor Rifle Company 4x AK-74 team with RPG-18 anti-tank 3x RPG-7 anti-tank team 1x AGS-17 grenade launcher team 5x BMP-2 IN AMBUSH

Spandrel Anti-tank Platoon 3x Spandrel DELAYED RESERVES

BMP-2 Motor Rifle Company 4x AK-74 team with RPG-18 anti-tank 3x RPG-7 anti-tank team 4x BMP-2 T-64 Tank Company 7x T-64 ALTERNATIVE FORCE: 77 POINTS

ALTERNATIVE FORCE: 77 POINTS

83

Three large bangs in quick succession, and two more Czech tanks exploded. Lieutenant Hippolyte sat in his tank watching for another target to appear in his viewfinder. He quickly spotted a group of tanks emerging from the north side of the farm buildings to his front. “Gunner! APDS! Fire on my command at the lead tank,” there was a short pause, “Fire!” He then ordered his platoon to open fire as he directed his own tank’s fire. Hippolyte’s platoon was in a desperate fight with another company of Czech tanks. Once again they’d taken the Czechs by surprise, caused damage, and now it was time to pull back. He ordered his platoon to withdraw, with the tanks letting off one more volley before melting back into the countryside. The tanks of his platoon successfully performed this manoeuvre, relocating to the next position just as a Czech tank round fizzed pass Hippolyte’s tank as he began to relocate himself. The Soviets are advancing, and Capitaine Durand and his brave Frenchmen are fighting a mobile battle, attempting to ware down the Soviet forces, before eventually halting their progress. Having punched though the defences of the West Germans and Americans, the Soviets have released their second echelon forces. The Soviet commander’s forces must defeat and push past the counterattacking French, and on to their next objective.

SPECIAL RULES

• Meeting Engagement (French Player, see Mission rules in Team Yankee)

SETTING UP Lay out the terrain on a 6’ x 4’ (180cm x 120cm) table as shown on the map on the following page. Place two Soviet Objectives on the spots marked  .

DEPLOYMENT Starting with the French player, alternate deploying Units one at a time.

STARTING THE GAME The French Player has the first turn.

WINNING THE GAME The Soviet player wins if they start their turn with a Tank or Infantry Team within 4”/10cm of an Objective, and end it with no French Tank or Infantry Teams within 4”/10cm of that Objective.

84

The French player wins if they end a turn on or after the sixth turn with no Warsaw Pact Tank or Infantry teams within 8”/20cm of the Objectives.

CAMPAIGN If the Soviet player won Counterattack at Ergersheim, the Soviet player adds a T-72 Tank Company of four T-72 tanks that arrives from Immediate Reserves (see page 101 of Team Yankee) within 16”/40cm of the Soviet table corner. If the NATO player won Counterattack at Ergersheim, the French player adds a fourth Unit of four AMX-30 tanks to their Force.

CONSEQUENCES If the French player wins, they have stopped the Soviet’s advance with their flanking attack, allowing their infantry forces to establish defences further west. If the Soviet player wins they have pushed through the French ambush to continue their advance westwards.

WHAT HAPPENED Durand’s squadron fought a well organised attack that struck at the Soviet’s flank, throwing them off guard. The Soviets quickly adjusted, but in a series of running battles the French strike and melt away, only to come back again, but never let the Soviets engage them head on.

8”/20cm

8”/20cm

8”/20cm

Soviet player places their Units here

16”/40cm

French (NATO) player places their Units here

8”/20cm

FORCES ESCADRON BLINDÉ & COMPAGNIE DE CHASSEURS AMX-30 Escadron Blindé HQ 1x AMX-30 AMX-30 Peloton Blindé 4x AMX-30 AMX-30 Peloton Blindé 4x AMX-30 AMX-30 Peloton Blindé 4x AMX-30 AMX-10P Compagnie de Chasseurs 1x FAMAS rifle team 1x AMX-10P AMX-10P Section de Chasseurs 5x FAMAS/NF-1 team with AC-58 anti-tank grenade 2x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team 2x Milan missile team 5x AMX-10P AMX-10P Section de Chasseurs (As above) AMX-10P Section de Chasseurs 5x FAMAS/NF-1 team with AC-58 anti-tank grenade 2x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team 4x AMX-10P VAB Mephisto Peloton Anitchar 4x VAB Mehisto AMX-10 RC Peloton de Cavalerie 4x AMX-10 RC

T-72 TANK BATTALION T-72 Tank Battalion HQ 1x T-72 T-72 Tank Company 6x T-72 T-72 Tank Company 6x T-72 BMP-2 Recon Platoon 2x BMP-2 BTR-60 Motor Rifle Company 7x AK-74 team with RPG-18 anti-tank 6x RPG-7 anti-tank team 1x PKM LMG team 8x BTR-60 ALTERNATIVE FORCE: 72 POINTS

ALTERNATIVE FORCE: 75 POINTS

85

NATO Armour - Yellow Olive and 3-Colour Camouflage Leopard AS1 Canadian

AMX-30

French 3-Colour Camouflage

The Leopard C1 tanks were delived the Canadians painted German yellow olive colour (Gelboliv).

Leopard C1 tanks were marked with Canadian black maple leafs stenciled on the side of the turret.

Olive Drab Vehicles Colour Palette

Soviet Green

Large Brush

Ordnance Shade

Large Brush

Soviet Green (350)

Ordnance Shade (492)

Comrade Khaki (326)

Basecoat your tank with Soviet Green. Two thin coats

are preferable to one thick coat. Alternatively you can use a Soviet Green spray can for your undercoat. Soviet Green

Large Brush

Wash the tank with Ordnance Shade. Try to achieve an

even coverage over the whole tank, letting the wash pool in the recesses without building up too much on flat surfaces. Comrade Khaki

Large Drybrush

Tidy Up the basecoat with Soviet Green using a combination Drybrush the tank with Comrade Khaki, concentrating on of drybrushing and layering, while leaving the recesses dark. edges, raised details, and upper surfaces to add highlights.

This painting guide uses the Colours Of War painting system. The Colours of War book is a detailed and comprehensive guide to painting miniatures that shows you, step-by-step, everything you need to know to field beautifully-painted miniatures in your Team Yankee games. While Colours of War focuses on the Second World War miniatures of Flames Of War, the techniques work just the same for Team Yankee. Visit the Team Yankee website: www.Team-Yankee.com for more information.

86

NATO Armour - 3 Colour Camouflage NATO Green

Colour Palette

Worn Rubber

Large Brush

Large Brush

NATO Green (341)

Worn Rubber (302)

Woodland Brown (383)

Basecoat your tank with NATO Green. Two thin coats

are preferable to one thick coat. Alternatively you can use a NATO Green spray can for your undercoat. Woodland Brown

Dry Dust

paint templates from www.Team-Yankee.com Dry Dust

Large Brush

(364)

Paint Patches of Worn Rubber in accordance with the

Large Drybrush

Battlefield Brown (324)

Ordnance Shade (492)

Like the West Germans, any Paint Patches of Woodland Brown following the paint templates. Dutch or French vehicle that were painting NATO 3-colour camouflage were Battlefield Brown painted to a template, so Large Brush each vehicle of a particular type will look similar. You can find a useful set of camouflage templates at www.Team-Yankee.com NATO 3-colour camouflage is usually soft-edged as it is applied by an airbrush. You can replicate this by either using an airbrush or following the soft edge camouflage guide on page Basecoat your tracks with Battlefield Brown. Keep the tracks separate to make them easier to paint. Remember 36 of Colours Of War. that the top of the track will be hidden by the track guards. Alternatively, because of the scale of the models, you Dry Dust Small Drybrush could paint the camouflage hard-edge since the ‘feather’ on the camouflage colours is narrower at 15mm/1:100 scale.

Drybrush the lower areas of the tank, concentrating on

the flat surfaces, to give the effect of heavy dry dust.

Adding decals before drybrushing the Dry Dust will help give it the ‘painted-on’ look

Be sure to visit

www.Team-Yankee.com

Drybrush the tank with Dry Dust, concentrating on

edges, raised details, and upper surfaces to add highlights. Worn Rubber

Small Brush

Wash the tracks with Ordnance Shade, then pick out the track pads with Worn Rubber. Ordnance Shade

Small Brush

Target Wash the details with Ordnance Shade to add

definition to the vehicle. You may find it easier to apply your target wash if you give the vehicle a coat of gloss varnish first.

for more in-depth painting articles and videos.

87

Australian Infantry Flesh

European Skin (385)

Australia

Battlefield Brown (324)

SLR (Australian version of the FAL

Webbing & Painted Metal

Soviet Green (350)

Rifle Stocks

Battlefield Brown (324)

Rifle Barrels

Dark Gunmetal (480)

Uniform Camouflage Patches

Uniform Base

Battlefield Brown (324)

Military Khaki

Heer Green

(327)

(340)

Splinter Green (343)

Rust Orange

AUSTRALIAN

Boots

RIFLEMAN

Sicily Yellow

(360)

(362)

Australian Uniforms Colour Palette

Military Khaki

Large Brush

Ordnance Shade

Large Brush

Military Khaki

Fine Brush

Military Khaki (327)

Ordnance Shade (492)

Soviet Green (350)

Basecoat the uniform with Maverick

Khaki, using two thin coats if necessary to achieve an even coverage.

Battlefield Brown (324)

Soviet Green

Fine Brush

Wash the figure liberally with Ordnance Shade to add depth to the uniform. Battlefield Brown & Heer Green Fine Brush

Highlight raised areas with Maverick Khaki. Splinter Green & Rust Orange

Fine Brush

Heer Green (340)

Actual Size

Splinter Green (343)

Rust Orange (360)

88

Camouflage with small stripes of DPM Sand covering about half of the uniform.

Camouflage with Leather Brown stripes in the opposite direction to the DPM Sand.

Camouflage some small branch shapes in Black.

NATO Infantry Flesh

European Skin (385)

France

Battlefield Brown (324)

Canada

Webbing & Painted Metal

Soviet Green

FAMAS

(350)

Netherlands

Rifle Barrels

Dark Gunmetal (480)

Uniform

Grenadier Green (349)

Boots

Worn Rubber (302)

FRENCH

FUSILIER

NATO Uniforms Colour Palette

Grenadier Green

Large Brush

Ordnance Shade

Large Brush

Grenadier Green

Fine Brush

Grenadier Green (349)

Ordnance Shade (492)

Soviet Green (351)

The Candians, Dutch, and French all wore simple olive green one colour uniforms. However, depending on the age and wear of the clothing the shade of green could vary greatly.

Basecoat the uniform with Maverick

Khaki, using two thin coats if necessary to achieve an even coverage.

Wash the figure liberally with Ordnance Shade to add depth to the uniform.

Highlight raised areas with Maverick Khaki.

Soviet Green

Fine Brush

Actual Size

Camouflage some small branch shapes in Black.

89

Basing NATO Infantry

French Or Australian Milan Missile team

Dutch Dragon

French LRAC 89mm

French Canadian APILAS M19 60mm mortar

Formation Command Team

Small Support Weapon Teams

Base the Commander on a small base with a radio operator and rifleman.

Base a Small Support Weapons teams on a small base with a gunner and a loader.

Canadian Carl Gustav team

Canadian C2 SAW team

Medium Support Weapon Teams

Infantry Teams Base a Canadian C2 SAW team, French FAMAS team, Dutch GPMG team, or a Australian M60 team on a medium base. Teams combine a machine-gunner armed with a light machine-gun, riflemen armed with battle rifles and light anti-tank weapons.

Canadian C5 GPMG team

Base a Canadian or Australian Carl Gustav anti-tank teams on a medium base. Teams combine a gunner armed with a Carl Gustav recoiless gun and three riflemen armed with battle rifles.

Base a Canadian C5 GPMG team on a medium base. Teams combine a C5 machine-gunner with two riflearmed assistants.

Unit Leaders replace the machine-gun and a rifleman with an officer and radio operator.

Stinger team Base a Stinger missile team on a large base with three Stinger missiles and three rifle-armed assistants.

For more information visit our website: WWW.TEAM-YANKEE.COM

Aircraft Fuselage

NATO Green (341)

Fuselage

Worn Rubber (302)

Fuselage

Woodland Brown (383)

Fuselage

Thunderbotl Grey (303)

Fuselage

Heer Green (340)

Fuselage

Bunker Grey (304)

90

NATO'S FIRST LINE STARTER DEAL

NATO’s First Line contains all the models you need to begin building a Leopard 1 NATO Tank force, including; • 3x Plastic Leopard 1 Tanks (Including Tank Commanders) • 2x Plastic BO-105 Helicopters • 4x Decal Sheets • 13x Unit Cards • 1x Team Yankee Mini Rulebook Build these NATO forces with NATO’s First Line:

West Germany

Netherlands

Canada

DURAND'S DEVILS STARTER DEAL

Durand’s Devils contains all the French models you need to begin building an AMX-30 Tank force, including; • 3x Plastic AMX-30 Tanks (Including Tank Commanders) • 2x Plastic Gazelle Helicopters • 2x Decal Sheets • 7x Unit Cards • 1x Team Yankee Mini Rulebook For the complete range of tokens, templates and other gaming accessories, visit your local stockist or www.Team-Yankee.com Also available is the complete range of pre-painted ‘Battlefield In A Box’ terrain, as seen thoughout this book.

91

TNBX01 Canada

Netherlands Australia

Contains two turret options. CONTAINS: 5x Plastic Leopard 1 Tanks 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 3x Decal Sheets 11x Unit Cards

Leopard 1 Tank Platoon TNBX02 Canada

Netherlands

CONTAINS: 3x M109 155mm Self-propelled Howitzers 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 2x Unit Cards

M109 Field Battery TCA300

TCBX01

CONTAINS: 2x Lynx Reconnaissance Vehicles 1x Unit Card

Lynx Reconnaissance Patrol

92

CONTAINS: 2x ADATS launchers 1x Unit Card

ADATS Air Defence Platoon

TCBX02

M125 TOW

Blowpipe

CONTAINS: 5x Plastic M113 APC’s, or M125 Mortars 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 3x M125 TOW Gunners 3x Blowpipe Gunners 1x Decal Sheet 4x Mortar Crew 5x Unit Cards

M113 APC

M113 Platoon TCA702

M19 60mm mortar team C5 GPMG team

C1 rifle team

CONTAINS: 1x C1 rifle team 3x C2 SAW team with M72 anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team

Carl Gustav anti-tank teams 1x C5 GPMG team 1x M19 60mm mortar team 3x Unit Cards

C2 SAW teams with M72 anti-tank

Mechanised Platoon TFR702

APILAS anti-tank team

LRAC 89mm anti-tank team

FAMAS assault rifle team

CONTAINS: 1x FAMAS assault rifle team 5x FAMAS team with AC-58 anti-tank grenade

FAMAS team with AC-58 anti-tank grenade

2x LRAC 89mm anti-tank team 1x APILAS anti-tank team 6x Unit Cards

Infantry Platoon

93

TFBX01 AMX AuF1 self-propelled howitzer

CONTAINS: 5x Plastic AMX-30 Tanks 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 1x Decal Sheet 6x Unit Cards

AMX-30 tank

AMX-30 Tank Platoon TFBX07

TFBX04

CONTAINS: 3x AMX-13 DCA AA Vehicles 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 1x Unit Card

CONTAINS: 4x VAB Mephisto Vehicles 1x Decal Sheet

AMX-13 DCA AA Platoon TFBX05

TFBX06

CONTAINS: 4x AMX-10 RC Reconnaissance Vehicles 1x Decal Sheet 1x Unit Card

AMX-10RC Recce Platoon

94

VAB Mephisto Peloton Antichar (Anti-tank Platoon)

CONTAINS: 4x AMX Roland SAM Launchers 1x Decal Sheet 1x Unit Card

AMX Roland SAM Battery

TFBX03

TFR706

CONTAINS: 5x VAB APC’s 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 1x Decal Sheet 4x Unit Cards

CONTAINS: 10x Milan team 1x Unit Card

VAB Blinde (Transport Platoon)

Milan Section TFBX09

CONTAINS: 2x Mirage 5 Aircraft 2x Plastic Flight Stands 4x Rare-earth Magnets 1x Decal Sheet 1x Unit Cards

Mirage 5 Hunting Patrol TFBX08

TDBX02

CONTAINS: 2x Plastic Gazelle Helicopters 2x Plastic Flight Stands 8x Rare-earth Magnets 1x Decal Sheet 2x Unit Cards

CONTAINS: 5x YPR-765 APC’s 4x Plastic PRAT Upgrades 1x Observer Upgrade 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 1x Decal Sheet 3x Unit Cards

Gazelle HOT Helicopter Flight

YPR-765 Platoon

TDU702 GPMG team with M72 anti-tank M47 Dragon missile teams

CONTAINS: 1x FAL rifle team 4x GPMG team with M72 anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 2x M47 Dragon missile team 5x Unit Cards

FAL rifle team

Carl Gustav anti-tank teams

Armoured Infantry Platoon

95

TDBX01

CONTAINS: 5x Plastic Leopard 2 Tanks 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 1x Decal Sheet 7x Unit Cards

Leopard 2 Tank Platoon TDBX03

TDBX04

CONTAINS: 3x Plastic M113 APC’s or M106 Mortars 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 3x Unit Cards

CONTAINS: 3x PRTL AA Vehicle 1x Unit Card

M113 or M106 Platoon

PRTL AA Platoon

TAU702 CONTAINS: 1x SLR rifle team 4x M60 team with LAW anti-tank 3x Carl Gustav anti-tank team 4x Unit Cards

Carl Gustav anti-tank teams M60 team with LAW anti-tank SLR rifle team

Mechanised Platoon

96

TDU704

TDU200

CONTAINS: 2x M113 C&V Reconnaissance Vehicles 4x Unit Cards

CONTAINS: 3x Stinger team 1x Unit Card

Stinger Platoon

M113 C&V Reconnaissance Platoon

TABX02

CONTAINS: 5x M113 (T50) APC’s, M113 LRV’s or M125 Mortars 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 2x Redeye Gunners 1x Decal Sheet 4x Mortar Crew 8x Unit Cards

M113 (T50) Platoon TABX01

CONTAINS: 2x M113 MRV’s 1x Plastic Tank Commander Sprue 1x Unit Cards

M113 MRV TAU121

TAU704

CONTAINS: 4x Anti-tank Land Rovers 2x Unit Cards

CONTAINS: 8x Milan teams 2x Unit Cards

Anti-tank Land Rover Section

Milan Section

97

LEOPARD C1, AS1 and 1-V Leopard 1 4 - commander, gunner, Crew: loader, driver Weight: 42.2 tonnes Length: 9.54m (31’ 3.5”) 3.37m (11’ 0.5”) Width: Height: 2.7m (8’ 10”) Weapons: 105mm Royal Ordnance L7A3 L/52 rifled gun 2x FN or MG3 7.62mm MG Armour: Steel 19-21.7mm and 10-70mm RHA 65km/h (40 mph) Speed: Engine: MTU MB 838 CaM 500, 10-cylinder, multi-fuel engine 819 hp (610 kw) Range: 600 km (373 miles)

The Leopard 1 main battle tank saw service with a large number of NATO and western allied nations around the world, as well as being the main tank of the West Germans Bundeswehr from 1965 until the introduction of the Leopard 2 in 1979. The Canadian (C1) and Australian (AS1) Leopard 1 tanks are based on the Leopard 1A3 with its distinctive angular welded turret, while the Dutch Leopard 1 is based on the Leopard 1A1A1, with the rounded cast turret upgraded with additional armour as the Leopard 1-V.

The Leopard 1 tank first went into service with the West Germans in 1965 after a development process that started in 1956. The Leopard 1 was developed as a replacement for the M47 and M48 Patton tank used by the Bundeswehr. The new design was specified to be light weight, with a good power-to-weight ratio and have sufficient protection from 20mm rounds from all angles. It also had to be able to operate in a chemical and nuclear battlefield. It was to be armed with a 105mm gun. Mobility was to be given priority, then firepower, while armour was seen as less essential as, at the time, it was believed that new hollow charge (HEAT, HESH etc.) rounds could defeat most conventional armour. Interest from NATO lead to a cooperative Europa-Panzer programme and a number of design teams were formed to produce designs and prototypes for trails. The winning design was a Porsche prototype. In 1963 West Germany and France decided to design their own tanks, so the Germans continued developing the Porsche prototype into the Leopard 1, while the French went on to design the AMX-30. Both continued on with the same design concepts. In 1968 the Netherlands ordered 468 Leopard 1 tanks. As part of the deal the Dutch version was equipped with Dutch manufactured smoke dischargers and radios, and mounted FN MAG

7.62mm machine-guns rather than the MG3. Later stabilisation was added to the gun. In 1983 the Dutch started an upgrade program which included turret applique armour (the same as the West German Leopard 1A1A1), track side skirts and a new fire-control system. In 1974 the Australian government selected the Leopard 1A3 with the newer welded turret as its new tank to replace the aging Centurion. The Australians received 101 new vehicles, 90 main battle tanks, five bridgelayers, and six armoured recovery vehicles. The Australians designated their variant Leopard AS1. Its only difference from the standard Leopard 1A3 is that it is fitted with the Belgian SABCA fire control system and a tropical kit for running in hot conditions. In 1978 the Canadians also selected the Leopard 1A3 to replace their Centurions. The Canadian variant was designated the Leopard C1. Like the Dutch, the Canadians also made a few changes to the standard design. The Leopard C1 had FN MAG 7.62mm machine-guns, Belgian SABCA computerised fire-control system, and were fitted with a different spotlight. The Canadians received 114 tanks, six bridgelayers and eight armoured recovery vehicles.

AMX-30B2 AMX-30B2 4 - commander, gunner, Crew: loader, driver Weight: 36 tonnes Length: 9.48m (31’ 1”) 3.1m (10’ 1”) Width: Height: 2.28m (8’ 6”) Weapons: CN F1 105mm gun 1x M693 F1 20mm autocannon 1x AAN 7.62mm MG Armour: 30mm-120mm Composite Steel 65km/h (40mph) Speed: Engine: Hispano-Suiza HS-110.2 diesel 12-cylinder engine 690 hp (510 kw) Range: 650 km (403 miles)

Introduced in 1966 and further upgraded from 1979, the AMX-30 main battle tank is France’s front line fighting machine. It was developed out of the same European tanks design concept as the Leopard 1 and shares many of it features. It has also become the platform for a number of other French weapons systems including the AMX Roland SAM system and the AMX AuF1 155mm self-propelled howitzer.

As early as 1953 the European nations of NATO had formed a working group to set the specifications for a new tank design to meet their needs and replace their current mix of American and British tanks. Initially the group consisted of France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, but in 1956 West Germany also joined. The new specification resulted in the Europa-Panzer design concept. The election of Charles de Gaulle as French President in 1958 led to a change in defence policy and strained relations between France and the rest of NATO’s European members. Eventually it brought an end to Franco-German co-operation in tank design. The design teams went their separate ways leading to the West German Leopard 1 and the French AMX-30. The AMX-30 was designed by Ateliers de construction d’Issyles-Moulineaux (AMX), and while designed under similar specifications to the Leopard 1, was a wholly French design. The first production models rolled off the production lines in 1966 and was designated the AMX-30B (to distinguish it from the prototype AMX-30A). Like the Leopard 1 it was lightly armoured as the design engineers felt its mobility would be compromised if its armour had been heavy enough to deflect contemporary anti-tank rounds. It was fitted with the French designed F1 105mm cannon. The gun fired the unique Obus à

Charge Creuse de 105mm Modèle F1 (Obus G) HEAT projectile. HEAT rounds usually had reduced performance when spinstabilised, but Obus G projectile was composed of an outer shell and a suspended inner shell, divided by ball bearings. This allowed the Obus G to be spin-stabilised, while the inner shell did not move, which allowed the HEAT warhead to work at maximum efficiency. The co-ax weapon was a 20mm autocannon and could be raised independently of the main gun to shoot at helicopters. A major upgrade program started in June 1979. Both new tanks and upgraded tanks were produced. The upgraded tanks were designated AMX-30B2. New features included an improved COTAC APX M-508 fire control system, which included a laser rangefinder and a low-light TV. The program introduced of a new 105mm armour piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) ammunition to supplement the Obus G. The original engine was exchanged for an improved variant and its poor transmission was replaced with a new semi-automatic transmission. The suspension was improved by adopting new torsion bars and shock absorbers, improving the tank’s offroad mobility.

Frank crawled through the undergrowth to the edge of the small copse of trees. He carefully parted the bushes in front of him with one hand and peered out through his binoculars. Ahead of him, some 1000 metres or so distant, sat a large number of Soviet tanks and personnel carriers. “Schijt,” he swore under his breath. He carefully backed his way back to his M113 C&V recon vehicle idling behind the copse. “They’re not moving yet. Looks like a motor rifle regiment by the number of BMPs and tanks,” he informed his commander as he

Since its inception in 1949, NATO has been a community of free nations brought together with a common goal, to defend the freedom of Western Europe and North America. To do this Canada, France and the Netherlands deploy armoured and mechanised forces in West Germany. Old allies have also been called on, and an ANZAC Brigade of Australian and New Zealand troops answers the call to fight. Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia all have 105mm armed Leopard 1 tanks, while both Canada and the ANZACs have M113 mechanised infantry. France has its own 105mm armed AMX-30 tank, while infantry travel in AMX-10P IFVs or 4x4 VAB APCs. The Dutch also have new Leopard 2 tanks and mount their infantry in YPR-765 IFVs. Recon options include the Canadian Lynx and Dutch M113 C&V tracked vehicles and the heavily armed French AMX-10 RC armoured car. Among the many support choices there are Canadian and Dutch M109 artillery, French rapid fire AMX AuF1 SP 155mm howitzers, Canadian ADATS, French Roland and Mephisto, and Dutch PRAT missile vehicles.

hopped up into his observer’s position in the front right of the M113 C&V vehicle. It was early on the morning of 4 August and Frank’s Verkennings Eskadron were on point five kilometres or so from the East German border. The sudden revving of engines in the distance signalled the Soviets had finished their pause.

It’s 1985 and the Cold War just got hot!

INSIDE YOU WILL FIND:

• Background on the 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, French Armée de terre, the Netherlands 1. Korps, and the Australian and New Zealand ANZAC Brigade. • Instructions on how to build: • a Canadian Leopard C1 Armoured Squadron or a M113 Mechanized Company, • a French AMX-30 Escadron Blindé, AMX10P Compagnie de Chasseurs, AMX-10 RC Escadron de Cavalerie, or VAB Compagnie d’Infanterie, • a Dutch Leopard 2 Tank Eskadron, Leopard 1 Tank Eskadron, Pantserinfanterie Compagnie, or Verkennings Eskadron, • and an Australian Leopard AS1 Armoured Squadron, or M113 Mechanised Company. • Three scenarios featuring the forces of Free Nations. • A detailed painting guide to help you prepare

A copy of the Team Yankee rulebook is necessary to use the contents of this book. DESIGNED IN NEW ZEALAND PRINTED IN EUROPE

ISBN 9780995104204

Product Code FW914 © Copyright Battlefront Miniatures Limited, 2018. All rights reserved.

www.team-yankee.com