Genre: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical, Indie
Warno
New Battlefield Ohmen Coming Soon
Hello, hello commanders,
We interrupt our regular WARNO - SOUTHAG broadcasts with a sneak peek of a smashingly symmetrical new battlefield, which will come for free as part of Reinforcement Pack #8.
Let’s take a look at today’s new Mirror-series of maps: Ohmen. This battlefield is designed for competitive 1v1 clashes.
Mirror Maps Explained
The latest new WARNO map is Ohmen, part of a new series of battlefields we internally call “Mirror” maps. This is a new type of map, created in direct response to requests from our competitive WARNO community. Mirror maps are perfectly balanced in all aspects, meaning that victory depends squarely on the skill and tactics employed by the players.
Most WARNO maps are based on real-life locations; we took pains to recreate environments to reflect potential historical World War III battle zones. Real terrain is far from being symmetrical or balanced, which was always part of the challenge of creating authentic but also fun maps.
Especially in Ranked or other competitive modes, the quirks and topology of specific maps had to be learned in order to have a shot to win on the highest tiers.
Mirror maps are the completely opposite approach. In Ohmen’s case, we selected a region west of Fulda called Ober-Ohmen. We meticulously recreated the area in the game - roads, buildings, forests - but only half of the map.
Then, we flipped that part, creating a mirror half to form a whole battlefield. The result: a symmetrical and fair layout, giving both sides a fair chance of victory, while still being historically authentic (to a degree).
Symmerty in Disguise
Of course, simply duplicating terrain would be too obvious and dull. That’s why we decided to spice things up a bit further.
Visual elements that don’t affect gameplay, such as fields, road aesthetics, and building textures, have been modified to break any symmetric patterns. We hope that the result feels and looks as realistic as any other WARNO battlefield, specifically made to be played competitively.
More Mirror maps are in the Eugen workshop. These will be released over time and, depending on your feedback, tweaked and changed accordingly. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short
We are still busy previewing our new, second expansion: WARNO - SOUTHAG. After WARNO - NORTHAG, we showcase the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier.
In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact with the Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians, battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops.
As promised, we are back with another WARNO - SOUTHAG preview! Today is NATO’s French 6e Division Légère Blindée's turn in the spotlights. As well as adressing the freezing issue reported on the forum and our support.
Let’s go!
The 6e Division Légère Blindée’s History
The 6e Division Légère Blindée, or 6th Light Armoured Division, can trace its lineage back to the 6e Division de Cavalerie of World War I fame, and after that, the 6e Division Légère de Cavalerie active in World War II. It was reorganized after the war, turning into the 6e Division Blindée which was, until the 1980s, stationed in Compiègne and then Strasbourg. In 1984, the formation was reorganized into the 6e Division Légère Blindée.
The 6e Division Légère Blindée was one of the most famous French late Cold War divisions (together with the 11e Division Parachutiste) for two main reasons:
It was the armored fist of the Forces d'Action Rapide (FAR), France's counter-operational maneuver battlegroup.
It made headlines in 1991 during the Gulf War, forming the core of the makeshift Division Daguet.
Although the fast armored division didn’t see any action during the Cold War, its contribution during the Gulf War garnered much renown. Covering the extreme left flank of the Coalition army under the command of the American XVIII Airborne Corps, during Operation Desert Storm, it attacked over 150km in 48 hours. Excelling in its envisioned fast-moving role, it crushed the Iraqi 45th Mechanized Infantry Division before continuing to advance north. During the conflict, the 6e Division Légère Blindée commanded over 17.000 men, 4.500 being American, the first time this had happened since World War II.
The 6e Division Légère Blindée Detailed
Although an armored division, the Division Légère Blindée concept - as the name implied - meant that they had an even lighter TO&E than a regular armored division in the French Army (such as the 5e Division Blindée). The 12e and 14e Division Légère Blindée were "division école" (school divisions), meaning they were neither active nor mobilization divisions. These formations only existed on paper in peacetime, but in the case of war, they would have quickly filled their ranks with on-duty cadre and instructors.
These light divisions were intended to spearhead the I Corps in West Germany. They traded one of their two AMX-30 tank regiments for a Régiment de Reconnaissance, which was equipped instead with the AMX-10RC. Meanwhile, the two infantry regiments didn’t use the AMX-10P, but deployed either in VABs or softskins. This would have given these divisions less firepower than an armored formation, but unmatched mobility.
But what about the 6e Division Légère Blindée? It had a special and even lighter TO&E compared to the other two Division Blindée Légère. Being the sole armored formation in the FAR, it was intended to be deployed on very short notice anywhere in the world (hence it forming the core of French troops sent to participate in the Gulf War). As a mobile spearhead, it would work in tandem with the anti-tank Gazelle helicopters of the 4e Division Aéromobile.
In order to perform this high-intensity, quick-moving, shoot-and-scoot warfare, the division followed only one rule: no tracked vehicles allowed. Everything in the 6e Division Légère Blindée was wheeled (hence the lighter TO&E). Both divisional tank regiments were reconnaissance regiments, and both infantry regiments VAB-fielding. Meanwhile, all AA and artillery units were towed.
That’s just one aspect of the formation’s uniqueness, the other being that it commands over the most Légion Etrangère regiments, more than any other French division. These regiments make up half of the division: 1er REC or Régiment Etranger de Cavalerie (AMX-10RC), the 2e REI or Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie (VAB infantry), and the 6e REG, Régiment Etranger du Génie (VAB engineers).
These Légion units will have specifically recorded dialogue and acknowledgments, performed by German, Polish, British, Spanish, Czech and Italian voice actors speaking French with their own accent (and some appropriate colorful nation-appropriate swearing).
How will the 6e Division Légère Blindée look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? New units are both italic and bolded. Keep in mind, the following is subject to change.
LOG
An average category. Command units available to the French division include the P4 PC and VAB PC, as well as GAZELLE PC helicopter.
Supply units featured are a FOB under the name of DEPOT DE MUNITION, medium BERLIET GBU 15 LOG. and heavy TRM-10000 LOG. supply trucks, plus PUMA KANGOUROU./list]
INF
Pretty good for an armored division. Many infantry units can also be found in the 5e Division Blindée, but in the 6e Division Légère Blindée with only half the availability.
These include GREN.-VOLTIGEURS in the same roles, as well as GROUPE ANTICHAR, PREVOTE, ESCORTE PC, MILAN 2, and ANF1 plus M2HB machine gun teams.
And the new… CRAP squads. Yup, this is a French acronym for Commando de Recherche et d'Action dans la Profondeur. Since no one in France had mastered English at the end of the Cold War (fact!), we will have to wait until the early 1990s for an American officer to nicely and politely explain that this name wasn’t one of the best ideas of the French Army. The name was changed soon afterwards, but this airborne commando squad valiantly went into World War III combat under this glorious title. The unit features 10 soldiers, armed with FAMAS, AA-52, a FR-F1, and a LRAC F1 recoilless rifle, and comes with the Airborne trait.
Then you’ve got the Légion infantry. All of these units (men and machines) come at 1+ Veterancy compared to their non-Legion counterparts (though no free veterancy) and are available at Veterancy 3 (despite not being Special Forces) and with the Resolute trait.
CMDT LEGION, 4-man command squad with FAMAS and smoke grenades.
LEGIONNAIRES and LEGIONNAIRES (APILAS), are organized and armed along the same lines as their non-Légion counterparts.
CMDT LEGION.-SAPEURS are 8-man command squad with FAMAS only.
LEGION.-SAPEURS and LEGION.-SAPEURS (FLAM.) are like their non-Légion counterparts, but replace the vintage weapons with FAMAS.
LEGION. MILAN 2 and LEGION. ANF1 weapon teams.
All of the above units come in either P4 jeeps or BERLIET GBU 15 softskins, or VAB APCs sometimes equipped with MILAN ATGMs. The Légion has its own distinct set of vehicles.
ART
Rather average for the 6e Division Légère Blindée, with the armored division not having any tracked vehicles, meaning no self-propelled guns!
The battlegroup relies on MO-120-RT61 120mm mortars, both in regular and Légion variants.
The only self-propelled artillery unit is the VAB PM-81 81mm mortar, once again in regular and Légion variant.
The divisional big guns, though towed, come in the form of the then ultra-modern TRF-1 155mm which was introduced in 1989. While lacking armor and mobility, this artillery makes up for it in range and rate of fire. After the Cold War ended, a designer at GIAT Industrie will have the bright idea to mate the TRF-1 with its standard towing vehicle - the TRM-10000 truck - from which will be born in blessed union the CAESAR self-propelled gun (not to be featured in WARNO mind you).
TANK
A good category, though perhaps not as hard-hitting as some other armored division in WARNO. The 6e Division Légère Blindée tank force was small, and part of its armor was used for recon duty.
No AMX-30 here, but you do get to play with AMX-10 RC PC, and AMX-10RC SPAHIS, plus AMX-10RC SB LEGION in a "tank" role.
Tank destroyers include the P4 MILAN and VAB MEPHISTO, both in regular and Légion flavors.
REC
Good as can be expected from a division built up around two reconnaissance regiments.
We hope you like the AMC-10RC, because there’s plenty more! The standard AMX-10RC, as well as the new AMX-10RC LEGION.
The 6e Division Légère Blindée retired its AMLs, instead relying on VBL RECO and VBL MILAN armored cars, as well as the VAB RASIT radar recon.
Infantry scouts include the ECLAIREURS and their new LEGION. ECLAIREURS counterparts.
The new DINOPS are engineer-scouts from the 6e REG (hence Légion) specialized in underwater reconnaissance. In WARNO, they are 4-man recon squads armed with MP-5A3, satchel charges, and smoke grenades, carrying the Shock and Airborne trait.
Areal reconnaissance comes as the new CL-89 fast drone, which is basically a “recon missile”, plus the SA.330B PUMA ORCHIDEE radar helicopter. Not technically part of the division, the lone prototype of this helicopter (as well as another less successful prototype variant) was attached to it during real-life Operation Daguet. The two prototypes are represented in WARNO by a single card of two Orchidée helos.
AA
Average with the division in real-life relying entirely (and uniquely so) on towed and truck-borne 20mm guns and Mistrals, all in regular and Légion variants.
The battlegroup can also count on GAZELLE CELTIC, which historically were first deployed in support during the Gulf War.
We have also decided to bolster this category a bit by attaching some CROTALE in an unusual frontline role (they were Armée de l'Air anti-air defense assets intended to be used on air bases). This is also what happened during Operation Daguet.
HEL
Average. Few but cheap slots, with the division drilling extensively in close cooperation with the 4e Division Aéromobile, especially its anti-tank helicopters. Lacking resilience in direct combat, the 6e Division Légère Blindée's tanks were to spot targets, launch hit-and-run attacks, while the Gazelles cleaned up from above when things got too hot.
This means the GAZELLE CANON, GAZELLE HOT, and GAZELLE HOT 2 will be available.
AIR
Air cover will be good, with most of the support provided by the MIRAGE 2000C RDI.
For ground pounding, a wide array of JAGUAR fighter-bombers with CLU, HE, and NPLM payloads will be available.
Plus two new variants: a [RKT2] with 100mm TB rockets, and a [LGB] version with two BGL-400 laser-guided bombs.
The 6e Division Légère Blindée is extremely flexible on the battlefield, with no noticeable drawbacks or strengths. While not at its best used in frontal combat, the battlegroup is great at outflanking its opponents using superior mobility and retiring again before the enemy can mount a solid defense or counter-attack.
Regarding the freezing issue ...
We're aware of the blackscreen/freeze issue that's been plaguing the game since the last Warno update, and reported since. We don't know the root cause at the moment, several engineers are currently working on it.
The black screen is actually the operating system terminating and reloading the graphic driver. In some cases, this doesn't succeed, the PC then completely freezes, and must be hard-rebooted.
The problem has been mainly affecting NVidia RTX graphic cards. We've been trying to reproduce the issue on many cards ( AMD and NVidia), we only managed to reproduce it on RTX cards. We've even ordered two extra RTX cards specifically to run tests on them.
We also had some rares cases of black screen on AMD cards, but they were on GNU/Linux+Proton+dxvk. Which means: different OS, different driver, different graphic API. The likelihood for this to be the same issue between NVidia and AMD is extremely low. The symptom looks the same, but any severe error in a driver will cause this symptom.
In the meantime, we highly recommend to upgrade your drivers, especially the NVidia driver (which has been updated in the last days, with a highly unusual amount of fixes - many of them mentioning black screens).
We can assure you we are doing our best to solve that issue, which is our priority at the moment, and can only apologize for the inconvenience in the meantime.
WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short
WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier.
In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact with the Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians, battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops.
Another DevBlog, another WARNO - SOUTHAG division preview! In today’s post, we turn - once again - to the Warsaw Pact and their Czechoslovakian fighting forces with the new 19. Motostřelecká Divize or 19th Motor Rifle Division.
Let’s go!
The 19. Motostřelecká Divize Detailed
As you might remember from the first Czechoslovakian battlegroup we highlighted - the 1. Tanková Divize - the 19. Motostřelecká Divize formed part the 1st Army of the Czechoslovak People’s Army (CSLA).
Created in 1958 in Plzeň (Pilsen on the map below), its home base for the duration of the Cold War, the 19. Motostřelecká Divize saw no active combat during its lifetime. The motorized rifle division, structured along the Soviet Army lines, was positioned directly opposite West German troops in Regensburg. The division was a standing formation, combat-ready at all times but with reduced strength. Its peacetime manpower was around 75%, with reservists filling out the ranks in case of mobilization.
In the case of World War III, as so depicted in WARNO, it was planned for the 19. Motostřelecká Divize to transfer its 104th Infantry Regiment to the formation directly to the north (the 20. Motostřelecká Divize), which in turn would likely fall under Soviet operational command (as part of the Soviet Central Group of Forces).
This would leave our 19. Motostřelecká Divize with three “teeth” regiment out of the standard four, amputating the battlegroup of one-third of its infantry. However, the parent 1st Army controlled many independent assets, which could be attached to subordinate divisions to make up for any losses or to bolster their firepower. These were chiefly the 1st Army’s helicopter regiment and the famous 22nd Airborne Brigade, the famous Výsadkáři(and their no less famous song... at least to our old-timer Wargame veterans).
The 19. Motostřelecká Divize in WARNO - SOUTHAG
How will the 19. Motostřelecká Divize look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? New units are both italic and bolded, and everything that follows is work-in-progress and subject to change.
LOG Pretty good with command units.
It includes the new OT-62-R4MT, which is a command variant of the OT-62's APC different from the Polish TOPAS R-3M, plus the BVP-1K, as well as Mi-19.
Supply units include PMZ (that is a FOB), V3S medium and T813 heavy supply trucks, and the Mi-17T supply helicopter.
INF Due to the loss of one of its three infantry regiments, this 19. Motostřelecká Divize category is a bit weaker than other mechanized infantry divisions.
The core infantry are the same as the 1. Tanková Divize. These are MOTOSTŘELCI, ŽENISTÉ, weapon support teams, with the addition of a AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher team.
The 104th Infantry Regiment, the one transferred out, was the division's sole user of OT-64 APCs. This means transport options for MOTOSTŘELCI are BVP-1 and BVP-2, while ŽENISTÉ squads are the only ones left with access to the OT-62 and OT-64 APCs.
Some REZERVISTI squads in trucks and OT-62A will also be available. These reservists are wearing the older Vz.60 uniforms.
The real (new) stars of the division are the VÝSADKÁŘI squads. Much like the East German Fallschirmjägers, Czechoslovakia's sole airborne brigade acted both as an airborne/heliborne formation and the army's special forces. As such, they come with both the Special Forces and Shock traits. These air assault squads are 10-strong, armed with Vz.58V, two Vz.59L, and a RPG-7VL. The squads come in combat, command, and ATGM variants, riding unarmed or rocket-armed Mi-17T helicopters.
ART As we mentioned in the previous Czechoslovakian-themed DevBlog, the communist country had a vibrant domestic weapons and vehicle industry.
It also produced its own artillery, such as the M Vz.52 82mm and Vz.82 120mm mortars.
The only towed howitzer available to the 19. Motostřelecká Divize is the D-30 122mm. As a side note, we have incorrectly granted the same artillery piece to the 1. Tanková Divize. Historically, these guns had been replaced in the tank-heavy division by the 2S1 Gvozdika.
Self-propelled guns available to the 19. Motostřelecká Divize are the (mentioned above) 2S1 and the domestic-made DANA, as well as the RM-70 MRLS.
A welcome addition to the Czechoslovakian arsenal (even for the Warsaw Pact at large) is the first self-propelled mortar: the new PRÁM-S. This is a 120mm mortar mounted casemate-style on a BVP-1. And why stop there? This armored vehicle is also equipped with a 12,7mm HMG, plus a Konkurs ATGM launcher. Although not distributed to any divisions, a dozen or so PRAM-S had been produced by the end of the Cold War. In our ”March to War”, they have been regrouped into an army asset battery and attached to the 19. Motostřelecká Divize.
TANK Average in slots, since it is short a tank batallion compared to other MSDs, it is quite unique and potent from its composition.
The two infantry regiment's tank batallions were equiped with the T-55AM1, coming in combat and command variants, with a few T-55A in support. The former tank is the missing link between the T-55A and the T-55AM2; it received the earlier variant’s armor and lack of smoke, but with the latter version’s more capable 2275m tank gun.
Meanwhile, 19.MSD & 20.MSD's tank regiments were planned to be the first non-tank division regiments to be reequiped with T-72 in 1989-90, but this never happened due to the end of the Cold War. In our timeframe, this will, and since by then the newer T-72M1 had replaced the T-72M in Czechoslovakian production, it will get this tank.
Therefore, we'll have an infantry division with about half/half T-55AM-1 & T-72M1.
Missile destroyer units are limited to a handful OP PTRK KONKURS (BRDM-2 KONKURS).
Towed anti-tank guns include the domestic-made VÝS. BZK VZ.59 82mm, a Special Forces traited recoilless rifle, airliftable in an Mi-17T. Another new unit is the M-53 100mm, an anti-tank gun, which in a secondary role, can be put to use as a field gun.
REC Another balanced category for the 19. Motostřelecká Divize.
Recon infantry available to the battlegroup includes the same as those found in the 1. Tanková Divize plus new VÝS. PRŮZKUMNÍCI air assault recon squads deployable in armed helicopters.
Further backed up by an armored OT-65 DPP with a ground-based radar.
And the heliborne Mi-17Z2 recon helicopter, doubling up as a jammer.
AA A standard category.
Anti-air defenses contain PPLRK S-2M (Strela-2) MANPAD teams, plus the same PLDVK VZ.23/59 SPAAG as the 1. Tanková Divize.
In addition, the 2K12 KUB can also be found.
HEL A good category.
It fields the same Mi-2URP and MI-17 [RKT] as its sister tank division.
Plus support from the CSLA’s only Mi-24V regiment, with rocket and ATGM loadouts.
AIR Air cover is pretty decent for the 19. Motostřelecká Divize.
Air superiority missions are flown by the MiG-21Bis and MiG-29.
Czechoslovakia was among the few countries to acquire and operate the Su-25 during the Cold War. These will be available in all Soviet loadouts.
The 19. Motostřelecká Divize is a well-rounded motor rifle division, with less mechanized-mounted infantry to comparable formations but without any true handicap. It can also count on a heft contingent of potent Czechoslovakian airborne troops to bolster its ranks!
WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short
WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier.
In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact with the Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians, battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops.
We are back with another WARNO - SOUTHAG division preview. And once again, in today’s DevBlog, we’ll cast a shining light on a new WARNO nation: NATO’s Spain bringing their División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 or the Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete".
Vamos!
Spanish Armed Forces History
Spain emerged from Franco’s decades-long dictatorship in the late 1970s, eventually joining NATO in 1982. Far from the Iron Curtain and cornered on the southern flank of Europe, the Spanish armed forces in the 1980s were on a path of internal transformation and downsizing. While yes, any kind of potential World War III conflict with the Warsaw Pact was nominally on the table, it was not foreseen as a reality (that is, until WARNO’s “March to War” hits).
Democratic Spain’s role in the 1980s NATO needs to be seen through the lens of the military’s role in the preceding dictatorship. They supported Franco as the Caudillo, taking part in a repressive military police state and focused chiefly on internal security. Having won the Spanish Civil War in 1939 against the socialistic democratic forces (heavily backed by communists), Franco’s fascist regime evolved over time, at first courting Hitler, then remaining neutral during World War II.
Deep in poverty and heavily isolated, Francoist Spain gradually opened up from the 1950s onwards. Reforms saw admittance to the United Nations, while the United States saw an opportunity on Europe’s flank, with Spain acting as a helpful anti-communist force; the Americans not only provided financial help but also opened up several key military facilities and bases in the country.
After the ascension to democracy in 1978, for a short moment, Spain saw the specter of military dictatorship in 1981 loom again during an eventful coup d'état attempt (in which the Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete" played a part). This was just a blip, and for the rest of the 1980s, Spain proved to be a solid but relatively withdrawn NATO ally.
Spain in NATO
As a new NATO member, Spain was expected to commit troops to the defense of Western Europe. The Spanish Fuerzas Armadas were to provide a parachute battalion to the ACE Mobile Force, as well as at least one corp (more on that below) in case of hostilities, either:
A “Mountain Corps” for service in the Mediterranean theater (Italy, Greece, or Turkey).
The Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete" to be sent to southern West Germany. This formation could be expanded by follow-up forces to a full mechanized corps.
Our WARNO World War III scenario envisions the second option, with Brunete rushing through France to join SOUTHAG. This plan was considered by high command but never tested in real-life conditions or exercises. As we are considering that Canada will be able to airlift two brigades across the ocean, transporting a division by rail from Spain to France is not implausible.
The Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete" Detailed
División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 was originally created in 1943, its name referring to the important Spanish Civil War Battle of Brunete of 1937, which saw a Nationalist strategic victory after counter-attacking a Republican-started offensive near Madrid. It was also the largest tank battle during the war.
During its lifetime, the Brunete was considered one of the best-armed and most powerful divisions in Spain during its lifetime. Originally equipped with German (Panzer IV) and Soviet tanks (T-26), after the normalization of relations with the United States in the 1950s, the division was equipped with American-made equipment, later augmented by French weaponry.
During the coup d'état attempt in 1981, the division barracked in Madrid and received orders to assist the rebels. Several high-ranking divisional officers were part of the conspiracy, though other members of the military effectively counter-manded the division’s deployment during the coup.
By the late 1980s, the Brunete was a small division with only two brigades (thanks to the aforementioned downsizing in the early 1980s). This meant it was closer in scale to a French division than other NATO formations. Considering that the Brunete was to be one of the first elements of a mechanized corps, much like the in-game French 5e Blindée, we have attached some additional independent support units. This brings up Brunete to divisional strength.
That’s not where the similarities with the French end. Spain was the main user of the AMX-30 tanks outside of France itself. All things considered, the Spanish Army of the late Cold War was a mix of French and American equipment, including a few domestic designs.
The Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete" in WARNO - SOUTHAG
How will the Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete" look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? Well, a whole bunch of new units (marked in both italic and bold). As always, units and categories are subject to change.
LOG Brunete’s logistical base was mediocre. The division was intended to be strategically projected into West Germany with only a “paper plan” to guide it. The corps it intended to form was also non-existent within the Spanish Army at the time. All of this is represented in the in-game category.
Supply units include FOB, the new PEGASO 3046 light truck, and the M548A2 armored supply vehicle.
Command units include the M577 and the new BMR-PC. This latter unit is a command variant of the domestic 6x6 wheeled APC series.
INF Pretty decent for a smaller armored NATO division, but its infantry is a scarce commodity. It’s a good thing Brunete’s recon troops provide some additional feet on the ground and firepower.
Spanish late Cold War foot soldiers were widely equipped with the CETME C battle rifle, which can be considered roughly the G3’s ancestor. The main machine gun is the MG-42/59, which is - oohlala - nothing more than the evergreen "Hitler's Buzzsaw" from World War II rechambered to NATO's 7,62mm. Squad AT weapons are either the M65, a locally improved Korean War-era M20 Super Bazooka, or the brand-new domestic-made C-90CR disposable rocket launcher. Other weapons include the Z70-B SMG.
On to the infantry, which can be divided into the following units:
FUSILEROS squads are the main Spanish infantry. Depending on the platoon’s armaments, squads were often reorganized on a task-by-task basis. This means squad strengths vary from between 9 to 11 soldiers on average. These units come in a regular variant (CETME and MG-42/59), M65 version (CETME, MG-42/59 and M65), C90 (CETME and C-90R), as well as a 6-man Command flavor with Z70-B, CETME, and smoke grenades. All these squads can deploy in PEGASO 3046 trucks or TOA (Spanish designation for the M113A1).
ZAPADORES are divisional 9-man strong combat engineer squads, armed with ZB-70B and either satchel explosives or M65. They are also available in a 6-man command variant. The same transport options will be available, plus a limited number of TOA ZAPADORES with dozer blades.
The new POLICIA MILITAR are 4-man squads armed with Z70-B and driving their own SANTANA PA (a short wheel-base Land Rover built locally under license). Both units come with the Military Police trait.
Infantry weapon support teams include:
MILAN 1 and MILAN 2 ATGMs, deployable in SANTANA jeep, TOA, or TOA MILAN.
MG-42/59 heavy machine guns.
LAG-40 40mm automatic grenade launchers, a domestic design of Spain. These are similar in stats to the American Mk.19, coming in SANTANA jeeps or armed BMR-PP LAG, 6x6 wheeled APC armed with LAG-40.
C120/20 GAI-BO1 is a 20mm AA autocannon strapped to an HMG carriage, making it, in effect, a super-heavy ground-based 20mm machine gun. The Eugen team declines any and all responsibility for any pun its official designation may generate.
ART A good category for Brunete. Each brigade had its own artillery group, plus an entire divisional regiment was available as well. Some additional units have been attached to the division in West Germany.
Divisional artillery include the L65/120 120mm mortar, the ubiquitous M125 self-propelled mortar, as well as the BMR-PM-81 wheeled self-propelled unit, in 81mm caliber, and the TOA PM-120 with a 120mm mortar.
Plus the M109A1B 155mm and heavy M110A2 203mm self-propelled guns.
Attached as corps assets, Spain’s domestic MRLS designs also go into action. This means the TERUEL, firing forty 140mm rockets mounted on a Pegaso truck chassis.
And older M108A2 105mm self-propelled guns.
TANK Pretty good, although at two-third strength of a regular NATO division, this category is less generous than other armored formations.
The Brunete’s main battle tank was the AMX-30 in several variants.
The older version is the AMX-30E, an export variant differing from the original French AMX-30 B by the fact that its trademark 20mm coaxial gun was replaced by a more standard 12,7mm machine gun. It comes in either "combat" or command variants, both with HEAT rounds. Some upgraded AMX-30EM1 look slightly different, but in stats, their only difference is the fact they carry AP rounds.
About half the division’s tank fleet was upgraded to the AMX-30EM2 variant, which shares the AMX-30 B2's stats (meaning 2275m range), save again for the coaxial machine gun being a 12,7mm.
Lastly, we “marched to war” a few AMX-30EM2 SABBLIR (SAnta Barbara BLindaje Reactivo), an early 1990s upgrade plan for this tank. It was abandoned due to the end of the Cold War, but simply put, this version is an EM2 with reactive armor.
Pure anti-tank units are the TOA C/C, an M150 firing the I-TOW, and the BMR C/C, the TOW-2 armed variant of the 6x6 wheeled series.
REC Very good. The division had its own fully armored cavalry regiment. On top of that, we decided to add more formations to beef up the proposed mechanized corps serving in West Germany. As such, the even larger armored cavalry brigade was added to Brunete, the Brigada de Caballería “Jarama” I.
The division’s own infantry-based recon units include:
Infantry scouts such as the FRANCOTIRADORES, a 2-man team with CETME C and M43, that is a World War 2-era German Mauser K98k with a scope. They deploy in SANTANA jeeps and UH-1H helicopters.
RECONOCIMIENTO, 4-man squads with CETME C. They come in SANTANA jeeps or UH-1H helicopters.
RECO. MECANIZADO, 9-man squad with CETME C, MG-42/59, and M65. Deployable in M113A1 ESPLO., jeep or UH-1H helicopter.
CABALLERIA DE RECO., 8-man squad with CETME C, MG-42/59, and C-90R. They arrive to battle in the BMR-PP ESPLO..
Dedicated recon vehicles include:
The new SANTANA RASURA, a radar-equipped recon jeep.
The VEC-M1. The Vehículo de Exploración de Caballería entered service in 1980 as a combat scout variant of the BMR wheeled APC. This is a 6x6 wheeled armored car armed with a powerful M242 25mm chaingun!
The VEC-H90. While there were technical issues to fit the huge 25mm chaingun in the turret, which was originally designed for a 20mm weapon, many VEC started their career without a turret or, in certain cases, with the turret from retired AML-90s. By 1989, those retaining the 90mm gun are the odd ones out; these VEC-H90 soldiered on to the end of the 1990s.
Aerial recon is provided by the HR.15, which is the Spanish designation for a slightly modified Bo-105 helicopter.
Elements from the attached Brigada de Caballería “Jarama” I brings the M48A5E2 RECO., which is close in stats to the American M48A5 ACAV.
AA Anti-air defenses for Brunete are good, with divisional AA units being autocannons only.
Including the C120/20 GAI-BO1 20mm, same as the "super-heavy" machine gun system but this time on an AA mount. Also comes self-propelled, as the PEGASO 3055 GAI-BO1.
CETME 306 twin 20mm.
BOFORS L70 40mm.
Corps anti-air defenses include the following:
AMX-30RE1 and AMX-30RE2, which are respectively a ROLAND 1 and ROLAND 2.
GDF-005 twin 35mm towed gun, same as WARNO - SOUTHAG’s companion 1st Canadian Division.
The new ASPIDE is a ground-based AIM-7E Sparrow A2A missile-equipped weapon system.
HEL Rather mediocre. Attack helicopters were scarce in the Spanish Army, and not attached to any specific division.
This means you get the (new) HA.15 HOT which are slightly different from the Bo-105 PAH-1.
A few Spanish Bo-105 (estimates vary, but not much) were converted to gunships, much like the Gazelle 20mm. This was done by the addition of a ventral 20mm, leading to the HR.15 20mm variant.
AIR Pretty good with the Spanish Ejército del Aire flying to battle in three types of aircraft:
The C.12, American F-4C modified for Spanish service, only used in a ground support role. They come with various rocket and bomb loadouts.
The C.14A, a French Mirage F1 modified for Spanish service, used in both fighter and bomber roles.
The C.15, the American F-18 as already introduced with Canada, used in AT (AGM-65E) or fighter roles.
The Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete" might be comparatively weaker in its deployable tank force, but compensates for this with attached supporting arms and other potent units. This makes it a quite balanced tank division, excelling with its strong recon troops.
WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short
WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier. World War III is as ferocious here as combat further up north.
In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops. Opposing is the southern-based Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians.
2 new Army General campaigns.
4 new Operations.
10 new Divisions, including new nations Canada, Spain and Czechoslovakia. These include NATO’s 1st Canadian Division and Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tanková Divize.
New voice acting.
New units and models.
In Memoriam
Before we leave, Eugen Systems is sad to announce the death, on Thursday 27th, of one of their own: Ryan Amarat.
Aged only 29, Ryan was originally from the French Alps and had a brief span in the French Army's Chasseurs Alpins before joining Eugen Systems as a Game Designer in May 2022. He earned his stripes on WARNO and NORTHAG's Army General campaigns and Operations, and as such, was a most promising member of Eugen Systems' team. Ryan had just taken on more responsibilities and was a driving role on WARNO - SOUTHAG expansion.
Outside of work, Ryan had a passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he practiced at a high level. He intended to become a teacher of the martial arts himself once landing his black belt, a level for which he was actively training.
Ryan passed away at home on Thursday evening from what appears to be heart failure. Our thoughts are with his girlfriend, parents, and family.
Ryan Amarat was a cheerful and passionate colleague who will be dearly missed.
See you on the battlefield, commanders. And when you do, make a salute to Ryan.
SOUTHAG Division #2: 1. Tanková Divize
Dobrý den, commanders!
We are back with our second WARNO - SOUTHAG division preview. In today’s DevBlog, we’ll take a look at (another) new nation and division: the Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakians with the 1. Tanková Divize or 1st Tank Division.
Read on!
Czechoslovakia History
Now, thanks to this writer’s oopsie, “Checoslovakia” has now officially entered WARNO’s lore as a delicious communist-made chocolate cereal (outlawed for its “bohemian” tastes - thanks for the jokes guys!). However, the real Czechoslovakia, as a communist nation part of the Eastern Bloc and the Warsaw Pact, was an entirely different entity.
In the late stages of World War II, the Soviet Red Army had liberated most of the Czechoslovakian lands. The nation turned forcibly communist by 1948 and was renamed the People’s Republic of Czechoslovakia. Both Czech and Slovak as official languages were used in military and political documents, and the status of both individual republics (which later facilitated the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1992) was enshrined in the constitution in 1960 with the Czech Bohemia-Moravia and Slovakia.
The relationship between the communist country as a client state and its overlord, the USSR, changed abruptly after the Prague Spring of 1968. While the Czechoslovakians clamored for more political liberalization, the Soviet Union, joined by other Warsaw Pact nations, invaded the middle European country and put down the protest violently.
Before 1968, the Czechoslovak People’s Army (Československá ľudová armáda or CSLA) was considered to be one of the best trained and equipped of all Warsaw Pact. After the Prague Spring, the armed forces were undone, never to be trusted fully by the Soviet Army. The purge of the older army in the 1970s and the strict control of the Soviet Army were still felt by the late 1980s. However, Czechoslovakia's well-established industrial and economic base ensured that the country’s armed forces were the best-equipped Warsaw Pact militaries, aside from the USSR.
The 1. Tanková Divize’s History
The 1. Tanková Divize or 1st Tank Division doesn’t have an impressive historical record or even much of a combat career during the Cold War. Formed in 1958, the 1. Tanková Divize never saw action. Like the rest of the CSLA, it was formed along Soviet Army lines, towing the line in terms of TO&E, from motorized rifles to the disposition of its tank forces. The formation was kept in reserve behind the 2nd, 19th, and 20th Motor Rifle Divisions as part of the 1st Army, the main frontline army. This resulted in the 1. Tanková Divize being one of the best-equipped and most combat-ready CSLA units.
As mentioned before, thanks to the Czechoslovakian industrial capacity and many military factories, the CSLA was the best-equipped in the Warsaw Pact (besides the Soviet Army itself), exporting its own weapons to other communist nations. It featured both modern license-built Soviet equipment and Czech domestic-designed weaponry. Czechoslovakia was the only country outside the USSR to produce the BMP-2 (designated BVP-2 in CSLA service) and fielded a large number of this IFV. In comparison, East Germany and Poland only had 30 each of these vehicles, “generously” donated by their Soviet comrades. Czechoslovakia also produced (as did Poland) the T-72M and M1. Plus, the country’s armed industry jointly (again with Poland) designed and produced the SKOT (OT-64 in CSLA service) and TOPAS (OT-62) vehicles.
There is more: the domestic arms industry also produced their own variants of the AKM assault rifle (the Vz.58) but did not switch to the smaller 5,56mm caliber assault rifle as the USSR and other Warsaw Pact nations. Another home-grown weapon was the UK Vz.59 machine gun. The Czechoslovakian armed forces used the ubiquitous RPG-7 but also fielded the domestic-made disposable rocket launcher called the RPG-75, quite similar in performance to the RPG-18 or M72 LAW. And, of course, no preview of the Czechoslovakian Cold War weaponry would be complete without their gnarly looking SMG, the Vz.61 Skorpion.
The 1. Tanková Divize’s in WARNO - SOUTHAG
How will the 1. Tanková Divize look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? New units are both italic and bolded, and everything that follows is work-in-progress and subject to change.
LOG
Not the best of logistical bases for this offensively-minded tank-heavy division. It can count on the usual set of logistical units, including a FOB, the new V3S medium supply, and the T813 heavy supply truck.
Command units include BVP-1K and BVP2-K, as well as the VSOT-65/R2M, which is the Czechoslovakian designation for the in-game Polish SKOT R-2M.
INF
Modern equipment in this otherwise decent category. The 1. Tanková Divize’s infantry battalions were all equipped with IFVs, be it the BVP-1 (with Malyutka), BVP-1P (with Fagot) or BVP-2 (with Konkurs), without limitations.
The new MOTOSTRELCI come in 7-man squads, with Vz.58, 2x UK Vz.59L LMG and either RPG-7M or RPG-75 depending on the variant. Command versions of this squad have the same manpower strength but field Skorpion, Vz.58, Igla MANPAD, and smoke grenades.
The ŽENISTÉ are the battlegroup’s combat engineers, featured in 8-strong squads with Skorpion SMGs and either satchel charges or LPO-50 flamethrower depending on the variant. The Command variant is 6-strong, with Vz.58 and RPG-75. They come in V3S truck or OT-62A APC.
The CSLA military police, called the TAI, is a 5-man strong squad with a mix of Skorpion and Vz.58, carrying the Military Police trait, driving to battle with their UAZ-469 TAI. Twice as strong but with the same mix of weapons and featuring the Security trait are POLNÍ ČETNÍ security squads, deployable in either V3S truck or OT-62A APC.
Support units include:
LOVCI TANKŮ is the usual 6-man strong tank-hunting squad with two RPG-7VL, riding in V3S trucks or (all variants) of the BVP.
PTRS FAGOT teams.
UK Vz.59 7,62mm medium machine gun teams.
ART
A pretty good category for 1. Tanková Divize with tube-based artillery including the new M Vz.52 82mm mortars, D-30 122mm howitzers and the 2S1 and domestic DANA self-propelled guns.
Rocket artillery includes the domestic-made RM-70, as well as the older 32-round 130mm RM-51 MRLS.
And lastly, the new SVO demining vehicle. This is a BVP-1 hull with its turret stripped and its passenger compartment replaced with 24 rails for 240mm short-range rockets. These were used to explosively clear paths in minefields.
TANK
As can be expected, this category is pretty good all-around. All its main battle tanks are part of the T-72 family:
The most common tank is the T-72M1 and command variant, the T-72M1K.
In addition, a handful of T-72M and command T-72MK are available.
While we gave East Germany a few individual T-72S as a “March to War” unit, the Czechoslovakians were in active negotiations with the USSR to obtain the blueprints of the same tank in order to produce it themselves. While talks scuttered with the end of the Cold War, in WARNO’s timeline, the Soviet Union will share the technical specifications with Czechoslovakia in order to bolster their satellite’s armored forces. This is why the 1. Tanková Divize will have access to the T-72S in greater numbers compared to the East German 9. Panzerdivision.
The battlegroup doesn’t field a dedicated (towed) anti-tank gun, with the only tank destroying means being the OT PTRK KONKURS (being a locally designated Konkurs-equipped BRDM-2).
REC
The division’s recon forces are pretty good and contain a couple of new units, both infantry and vehicle-based. For the foot soldiers, these include:
PRŮZKUMNÍCI being 4-man scout teams with Vz.58 and 1x UK Vz.59L plus the RPG-75. They deploy in either UAZ-469 jeep, Mi-2T helicopter or recon OT-65 transports.
ŽENISTÉ PRŮZKUMNÍCI are 8-man scout squads with Skorpion and 1x UK Vz.59L, plus RPG-75. They come in either V3S or Mi-2T helicopters.
The new MOT. PRŮZKUMNÍCI are 7-man scout squads with Vz.58 and 2x UK Vz.59L, plus RPG-7VM. They deploy in V3S trucks, recon BVP-1 or BVP-2, Mi-2T, and unarmed or armed Mi-17T (which are Mi-8 choppers).
The new SHPZ are divisional recon commandos, being 5-strong squads with Vz.85, SVD, UK Vz.59L and RPG-75, and the Special Forces and Shock traits. They come in either V3S truck or the new Mi-4 helicopter.
Vehicle recon units include:
The new BPVZ SVATAVA being a radar recon-equipped BVP-1, designed at a time when the USSR would not deliver BRM-1s to its allies. Although visually different from the latter, the Svatava's statistics are roughly the same, save it comes with the BMP-1's Malyutka ATGM.
The Tu-143 is a new recon drone.
AA
An average category with the division featuring PPLRK S-2M (Strela-2) and IGLA MANPAD teams.
Self-propelled SAM units include the typical STRELA-10M and OSA-AKM.
The CSLA never used a Shilka or track-based SPAAG unit, instead relying on the domestic-made (and their trademark) PLDVK Vz.53/59Praga, which is an armored Praga truck mounting a Vz.53/59 twin 30mm autocannon.
HEL
Rather mediocre, though some gunships will be present. These include the light Mi-2URP.
Heavier helicopters are the Mi-17 in [RKT1] and [RKT2] variants.
Plus the Mi-24D with Falanga-P and S-5M rocket pods.
AIR
A decent category for the 1. Tanková Divize, with the mainstay of the battlegroup’s air power being formed by the MiG-23, in both fighter and close air support roles.
These include the MiG-23BN in RKT, CLU, AT, and NPLM loadouts.
And the new MiG-23MLA air superiority fighter.
The Czechoslovakian 1. Tanková Divize forms up to be a potent offensive division, with a great combination of tank, recon, and artillery units. It lacks a sizable force of infantry, which means the division can’t afford to be wasted in prolonged “meat-grinding” urban or wooded fights.
WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short
WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier. World War III is as ferocious here as combat further up north.
In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops. Opposing are the southern-based Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians.
Are you ready and deployed for another ram-packed WARNO update? We’ve released today not only Nemesis #3 - Homefront but also a new map - Cliff - and a patch bringing the revamped Armory user interface.
Let’s go!
WARNO’s New Update
So, today’s roll-out contains the following juicy stuff:
The new Nemesis #3 - Homefront DLC. Read more about the new units and weapons a bit further below.
The new Cliff map as part of the free Reinforcement Pack #7. Check out the details here.
Nemesis - Homefront is the third Nemesis expansion to release for WARNO. This DLC features two brand-new divisions: the Warsaw Pact Soviet defenders of the 157-yaMotostrelkovaya Diviziya and the mixed troops of NATO’s US 6th Infantry Division (Light). More historical backgrounds can be found in each of the division’s respective DevBlogs.
As WARNO’s World War III engulfs the front lines in West Germany and beyond, the rear areas of both NATO and the Warsaw Pact are vulnerable to potential flanking operations, raids, amphibious or airborne assaults. Both sides equip and raise various units to defend their shores and critical sectors. Nemesis - Homefront presents two well-equipped defensive divisions with additional naval support to bolster their arsenal and manpower.
Command two new WARNODivisions in Skirmish, Ranked or online Multiplayer: the US US 6th Infantry Division (Light) and the Soviet 157-ya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya.
Take charge of new units, including US ALASKAN SCOUTS, the renowned NAVY SEALS special forces, Soviet PARTIZANI, and a host of new vehicles, such as CH-54B TARHE helicopters, DRAGON 300 APCs, A-6E INTRUDER, and IS-2M tanks, B-4M 203mm and Br-5M 280mm super-heavy artillery, A222 BEREG, K-1 recon helicopter, and Su-15TM and T-10K aircraft.
WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short
In case you have missed it: WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion currently in the works. We have started to reveal the first divisions, with the 1st Canadian Division taking the lead.
WARNO - SOUTHAG takes place in the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops. Opposing are the southern-based Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians.
9K33M3 OSA-AKM : Base Availability increased 4 to 5
ZSU-23-4M3 BIRYUSA : Helicopter weapon Range increased 2,475m to 2,650m, Aircraft weapon Range increased 2,650m to 2,825m
35-YA OG DESANTNO-SHTURMOVAYA BRIG.
DESANT. PULEMETCHIKI : base Veterancy decreased from XP2 to XP1
39-YA GV. MOTOSTRELK. DIV.
Added MiG-23MLD [AA1]
Removed MiG-23P [AA]
56-YA OG DESANTNO-SHTURMOVAYA BRIG.
DSh. (RPG-16) : added BTR-70 as transport option, removed BMP-2D as transport option
Added MiG-23MLD [AA1]
Removed MiG-23P [AA]
79-YA GV. TANK. DIV.
Added MT-12 Rapira 100mm, MiG-23MLD [AA1]
Removed MiG-23P [AA]
119-Y OTD. TANK. POLK
Recon MOT. RAZVEDKA : added Recon RAZV. BMP-2 as transport option, removed Recon RAZV. BMP-1P as transport option
German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik)
KPZ. T-34/85M : Price decreased 35 to 30
KPz. T-54AM : Price decreased 70 to 65
KPz. T-55AM2 : Price decreased 130 to 125
KPz. T-72MÜV2 : Price increased 155 to 160
FlamPz. TO-55 : Base Availability increased 6 to 9
MiG-21bis [HE] : Price decreased 165 to 150
SPW-40P2 KONKURS : Speed increased 65 km/h to 85 km/h
SPW-40P2 MALYUTKA-P : Speed increased 65 km/h to 85 km/h
FLAK S-60 57mm : Health points decreased 5 to 4, Price decreased 45 to 30, Base Availability increased 6 to 8, Aircraft weapon Range increased 2,300m to 2,475m
FASTA-4 : Health points decreased 5 to 4
FLAK KS-19M2 100mm : Health points decreased 5 to 4
FLA-MG ZPU-4 : Health points decreased 5 to 4
FLAK ZU-23-2 23mm : Health points decreased 5 to 4
9K33M3 OSA-AKM : Base Availability increased 4 to 5
Fla-SFL 23-4 SHILKA : Helicopter weapon Range increased 2,475m to 2,650m, Aircraft weapon Range increased 2,650m to 2,825m
Fla-SFL 57-2 : Aircraft weapon Range increased 2,300m to 2,475m
Poland
T-55AM MERIDA : Price decreased 130 to 125
MiG-21bis [HE] : Price decreased 165 to 150
MiG-21bis [AA2] : Price increased 130 to 145
MiG-21bis [RKT2] : Price increased 110 to 125
2S7 PIWONIA : Price decreased 250 to 240
ASU-85 : Price decreased 60 to 50
KrAZ-225B ZAOP. renamed KrAZ-255B ZAOP.
AZP S-60 57mm : Health points decreased 5 to 4, Price decreased 45 to 30, Base Availability increased 6 to 8, Aircraft weapon Range increased 2,300m to 2,475m
DESANT. ZU-23-2 : Health points decreased 5 to 4
ZU-23-2 : Health points decreased 5 to 4
DESANT. ZUR-23-2S JOD : Health points decreased 5 to 4
ZUR-23-2S JOD : Health points decreased 5 to 4
PRWB OSA-AKM : Base Availability increased 4 to 5
ZSU-23-4M1 SZYŁKA : Helicopter weapon Range increased 2,475m to 2,650m, Aircraft weapon Range increased 2,650m to 2,825m
SOUTHAG Division #1: 1st Canadian Division
Good day, commanders!
Welcome to the first WARNO - SOUTHAG DevBlog! Strap in and get ready for some very detailed division, Operations, and Army General previews - amongst other things - of WARNO’s next expansion.
We’ll first tackle the 10 new Divisions you can expect from WARNO - SOUTHAG, which includes new nations such as Canada, Spain, and Czechoslovakia. We will follow this up with 2 new Army General campaigns plus 4 new Operations.
Without further ado, let’s welcome the first NATO division of WARNO - SOUTHAG: the 1st Canadian Division.
Read on!
The 1st Canadian Division’s History
With an illustrious and distinguished combat record, 1st Canadian Division was raised as the 1st Canadian Infantry division in 1914, participating in both World Wars to much renown. In World War I, it fought the battles of Ypres, Somme, Vimy Ridge, the infamous Passchendaele, and Amiens.
During the follow-up of World War II, the 1st Canadian Division was part of the Allied campaign in Italy, including the invasion of Sicily, with battles in Ortona (the Italian Stalingrad), Liri Valley, and the Gothic line. Relocated to northwestern Europe in the last months of the war, it helped liberate the Netherlands as part of the First Canadian Army.
After World War II, the 1st Canadian Division was reduced to a dormant skeleton headquarters grouping, with a short revival in the mid-1950s before being fully disbanded by 1958. It was reactivated again at the tail-end of the Cold War in 1988, consolidating the command of all Canadian land forces in West Germany.
A little bit more about Canada’s commitment to Europe’s defense in the Cold War. From 1951, Canada’s armed forces maintained an infantry brigade - for the greatest part of the Cold War 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade-Group (4CMBG) - in West Germany, subordinate to the British Army of the Rhine (that is, in NORTHAG’s area of operations). This particular brigade was strong enough to be considered a “light division” by the British. However, in 1968 the new Canadian government slashed the military budget, reducing the forward-deployed 4 CMBG's strength. Another change was that the unit was redesignated to become a mere reserve formation for the US VIII Corps, with a relocation to Lahr, in the south of West Germany.
(Source: Canadian Geographic)
Meanwhile, political machinations and accusations from other NATO nations (not the first, nor the last time that happened between alliance members) raised question marks on Canada’s commitment to NATO. It forced the North American country to promise that its presence in Europe, though at that moment greatly diminished in West Germany, was to be boosted in other theaters. An air-transportable brigade, the 5e Groupe-Brigade Mécanisé du Canada, was to be moved to Norway in case of war. This envisioned deployment was regarded with some skepticism by NATO, doubting Canada’s ability to organize such an airlift in times of conflict. Military exercises in Norway proved that this hunch was correct.
Another change in government saw Canada’s armed forces regain some of its strength. It modernized its aging tank fleet in the 1970s, boosted its military budget from 1984, and by 1988 had finally abandoned the (often regarded as doomed from the start) Canadian Air-Sea Transportable (CAST) Brigade deployment concept to Norway.
This leads us to the historical conditions at the onset of WARNO’s World War III in Europe. The Canadian 4 CMBG in Germany was beefed up, while the 5 GBMC was redirected to West Germany to serve as reinforcements there. The 1st Canadian Division's headquarters was revived in 1988 to command over these two formations.
The 1st Canadian Division’s Detailed
In 1989, the Canadian Forces Europe were based in Lahr, Baden-Württemberg, very close to the French border with West Germany. This formation included the following subordinate units:
The 1st Canadian Division (of which only the 4 CMBG as a brigade was forward deployed in West Germany).
The 1st Canadian Air Division (of which only 1 Wing was pre-positioned in situ).
Local CFB Lahr's protection troops.
In case of war, the 1st Canadian Division would have been quickly reinforced by the 5 BGMG, with slower follow-up reinforcements being composed of the reserve 1 CMGB, and the 1st Canadian Air Division with its 2 Wing.
The 4 CMBG was a pretty heavy mechanized infantry brigade, while its cousin, the 5 BGMG, was much lighter, fielding the rather inadequate Cougar “fire support vehicle” (in reality a mere training vehicle some politician thought could be repurposed as a “light tank” for budgetary reasons). While the 1st Canadian Division had a dedicated headquarters unit, the division itself was cobbled together of two independent brigades with hardly any organic divisional assets or supporting arms. This made the 1st Canadian Division very strong in certain aspects but lacking units in key areas.
Historically, the 1st Canadian Division fell under CENTAG command (thus part of the US hierarchy). However, in WARNO’s “March to War” timeline, the defunct SOUTHAG command is resurrected before hostilities break out. The Canadian Forces Europe, being positioned to the very south of West Germany, plus being extremely close to the French border, are reorganized under SOUTHAG - and thus French command - in time to meet the invading Warsaw Pact forces.
The 1st Canadian Division in WARNO - SOUTHAG
How will the 1st Canadian Division look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? Note, that new units are both italic and bolded. Also, all of the following is still actively being worked upon, so it might be subject to change.
LOG
A pretty good category for the 1st Canadian Division. These include command units such as the ILTIS CP and M577 CPC.
Supply units are a standard FOB, plus tracked M548A2, MAN KAT 6x6 and the new MLVW wheeled supply vehicles. A few CH-147 (Canadian designation for the Chinook) supply helos can also deploy.
INF A very strong category, with the Canadian infantry following their parent “brigade” in terms of firepower and mobility. This means squads are divided among the 4 CMBG's "heavy" infantry mechanized squads (with M113s), 5 BGMC's "light" motorized ones (Grizzly), and 1 CMBG's "reserve" units (again with the M113).
Mechanized infantry all come in either new MLVW trucks or M113A1 APCs.
MECH. RIFLES are 8-strong fielding the C7A1 (Canadian designation for the M16), two C9 (the Minimi), and one SRAAW (M) (meaning Carl Gustav). MECH. RIFLES (C6) variant (one out of three card) swaps out one C7A1 for a C6 (which is a MAG) LMG.
MECH. RIFLES LDR. are even bigger 12-men strong squads, fielding C1 SMG (which are Sterling), C7A1, and one SRAAW (M), plus smoke grenades. The MECH. CP ESCORT squads are the same size, but field C1 SMG, C7A1, one C6 plus SRAAW (M).
Motorized infantry squads are all 6 soldiers strong and come in MLVW trucks or the new GRIZZLY APC:
MOT. RIFLES squads carry C7A1 and one C9, plus SRAAW (L) (which is the LAW). One MOT. RIFLES (CG) variant out of three instead fields a C1, C7A1, and a SRAAW (M).
There is also a rare Grizzly CP escort, added to the division as a “March to War” weapon system. This particular unit only entered service officially in 1992 but was field-tested since 1988. The weapon is a French-Canadian Eryx ATGM, packing lots of punch, but has a paltry 750m range. This means the new MOT. RIFLES (ERYX) will carry C1 SMG, C7A1 and the Eryx ATGM. This weapon will also be "retrofitted" at SOUTHAG's release to the already in-game French PARA MARINE squads of the 11e Division Parachutiste battlegroup. 8e RPiMA were the ones who field-tested the weapon system.
Lastly, the new GRIZZLY is a VAB-like wheeled and amphibious-capable APC with a turret equipped with a 7,62mm and one 12,7mm machine gun.
Reserve infantry deploy in either MLVW truck or the M113A1 APC, and receive the Reservist trait:
RESERVE squads are 10-strong with C1 SMG, C1 Assault Rifle (Canadian designation for the FN FAL) and two C2 LMG (meaning FALO), plus SRAAW (L).
RESERVE LDR. are 8-strong command squads with C1 SMG, C1 Assault Rifle and a C5 LMG (good ol' World War 2-era M1919), and the SRAAW (M).
Combat engineers come in ILTIS jeeps, MLVW trucks, M113A1 APCs, or the engineers' own (new) M113A1 DOZER with the front blade.
PIONIER are 9-men squads with C7A1 assault rifle, two C9 LMGs, plus satchel charges.
PIONIER LDR. are 5-strong with C7A1 assault rifles and two C6 LMG.
PIONIER (Flam.) are 9-strong with C1 SMG, C7A1 assault rifles, two C9 LMGs and one M2A1-7 flamethrower. Canada, together with France, was one of the few NATO members still known to retain hand-held flamethrowers right up to the end of the Cold War.
Weapon teams and other support units include:
M2HB 12,7mm in great numbers - the Canadians loved to deploy this heavy machine gun.
I-TOW and TOW-2 ATGMs.
The new CFMP are 4-strong military police squads with C1 SMGs, driving a CUCV or their own new CUCV CFMP with Military Police trait.
The new TANK HUNTER squads are 6-strong, fielding C1 SMG, C7A1 and two SRAAW (M).
ART Mediocre. As briefly mentioned, the 1st Canadian Division has no divisional organic assets and this is reflected in the support arms. Nowhere is it as painfully visible in the artillery category: fewer battalions, no heavy pieces, no self-propelled mortars, etc. What can you expect?
C3 81mm (which are British L16) mortars.
M114 155mm towed artillery, as also seen with the Dutch division in WARNO.
The ubiquitous M109A1 155mm.
TANK
A good category, though on the light side. Canada’s main battle tank in the late Cold War was the (new) LEOPARD C1, a West German-made Leopard 1A3 locally upgraded with better fire control systems. Although lightly armored, the tank gun is accurate at 2275m, playing in the same league as the Belgian LEOPARD 1A5(BE). It will come in regular and command variants.
The new COUGAR is Canada’s “light tank” or more accurately a fire support vehicle. It is basically a VAB with a SCORPION’s reconnaissance tank’s low-pressure 76mm gun turret slapped on top of it. It will also be available in regular and command variants.
As a light missile tank destroyer, Canada fields the M151A2 I-TOW, as well as the new M113 TUA (for TOW Under Armor). Although physically different, this unit has the same performance as the M901 ITW with TOW-2 mounted on an M113 chassis but less armored.
REC While the division did not have a dedicated recon battalion, the 1st Canadian Division does feature a number of recon units.
Infantry recon can either be deployed in ILTIS or CH-136 (being the Canadian designation for the Kiowa) transports. They include the following:
2-man SNIPER team with FAL Scope and L96A1 sniper rifle.
3-man SCOUTS with SMGs and SRAAW (L).
3-man SCOUTS (GSR) with the same equipment plus the Ground Surveillance Radar trait.
The only dedicated ground recon vehicle is the new M113 LYNX, a Canadian variant of the Dutch M113 C&V, but with an M2HB HMG instead of a 20mm autocannon.
Aerial reconnaissance is performed by unarmed CH-136 and the CH-136 Mini-TAT with 7,62mm minigun.
The CL-89 drone comes with the UAV trait.
AA Once more, due to the dire conditions of the divisional assets, no organic anti-air battalion is present. However, the Canadians do have some air defense aces up their sleeve. This results in a decent category, thanks to the number of slots and their cost, with some unusual and interesting choices.
Units include BLOWPIPE and JAVELIN MANPAD teams. The latter option only arrived in 1989, so will be available sparingly.
On the other hand, the stocks of BLOWPIPE were plenty. The crafty Canadians saw an opportunity and bolted them to their transports to increase their mobile anti-air firepower. This resulted in the new CUCV BLOWPIPE.
Finally, Canada’s trademark late Cold War vehicle is the (new) ADATS (Air Defense Anti-Tank System). This unit was a private Swiss-American venture only used by the Canadian armed forces (while tested by the US, it was never approved). Essentially this unit is an M113 sporting a turret armed with missiles both in an ATGM role (slightly inferior to the TOW-2) and SAM (!) (a bit better than the OSA-AKM). Therefore, for the same price and slots, you both have an excellent tank killer and a superior quality air defense unit, with eight ready-to-fire missiles to engage both ground and aerial targets!
The CFB Lahr’s air base featured its own air defence units. These are used to improve 1st Canadian Division’s anti-air assets.
These include a handful of JAVELIN LML systems tested at Lahr. Some of these ended bolted to transport (new) M113 LML for additional AA firepower.
The base’s main defense was provided by the (new) OERLIKON GDF 005 twin 35mm guns, a more accurate variant of the British SKYGUARD CV35mm ingame.
HEL The 1st Canadian Division lacked an attack helicopter battalion (the Canadian armed forces didn’t have any attack helicopters at all!). As the formation was going to be used as the US VII Corps’ reserve, the Canadians would instead rely on American gunships.
The Canadians fielded the twin-engine CH-135 (American UH-1N), a solid workhorse. The Royal Canadian Air Force was the designer and main user of the CRVT-7 FAT which are new in-game anti-tank rockets. Both of these weapons were available at Lahr air base; so, it wouldn’t have taken too much time for the Canadian armorers to strap the latter rockets on the first helicopter. Therefore, the division will field a few CH-135 [RKT] gunships with the new anti-tank rockets.
And the Americans lend a hand with a small number of AH-1F TOWCOBRA.
AIR One of the strongest categories for this division, with CFB Lahr providing plenty of air support.
From the mid 1980s, the RCAF had modernized its entire forward-deployed 1 Wing with brand-new CF-18 (Canada’s designation of the US F-18). This striking and powerful multi-role aircraft will come in AA, RKT (CRV-7 FAT), HE, and CLU loadouts.
As is the case with some other NATO members, some older CF-5A (the F-5A Freedom Fighter, already used in-game by the Royal Netherlands Air Force) were retained in storage to be used in HE and CLU roles.
The Canadian air base in West Germany also had a few (new) SILVER STAR MK.3AT trainers on hand, which could be turned into a light CAS aircraft with regular HE rockets.
In the “March to War” timeline (with a hint of techno-thriller vibe), we added the sole ever-produced EF-101B ELECTRIC VOODOO electronic warfare plane. In WARNO, it was kept in service (plus the RCAF receiving a second example added). The aircraft’s sole role, being unarmed and laden with countermeasures, is to mess and disrupt enemy SAMs.
The 1st Canadian Division has its obvious strengths and drawbacks, from its plentiful and very strong infantry and air support to versatile AA and lighter tanks. The battlegroup clearly lacks in artillery and helicopter gunship support.
WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short
WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier. World War III is as ferocious here as combat further up north.
In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops. Opposing are the southern-based Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians.
2 new Army General campaigns.
4 new Operations.
10 new Divisions, including new nations Canada, Spain and Czechoslovakia.
New voice acting.
New units and models.
We don’t have a release date yet for WARNO - SOUTHAG, but the expansion is in active development and will launch in the not-too-distant future.
Until Next Week!
That’s all for this DevBlog. We’ll return next week with the Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tankova Divize or 1st Tank Division.
Ready for another WARNO battlefield? In today’s DevBlog, we’ll introduce Cliff, our second new coastal map (after Kreid).
Let’s look at how Cliff is shaping up.
A New Battlefield
Both the new Cliff and the preceding Kreid are inspired by the landscapes of northern Germany.
Cliff is a 4x3 map, divided into four main lanes; each providing their own unique tactical options and challenges.
The first lane is the so-called “urban” option. Infantry can entrench themselves in a number of buildings. Expect plenty of close-quarters combat.
Next up we have a plains lane; an open area favoring fast moving armored units and long-range engagements.
The third lane is an elevated zone, offering a dominant position for artillery. Defensive positions are also plentiful.
And lastly, the coastal zone with a vast stretch of the sea. This is a key sector for air and amphibious units.
Depending on these lanes, players will need to adapt their strategy and force allocation. Cliff was specifically made so that commanders of different kinds of battlegroups would be needed to take advantage of all the new battlefields' varied environments.
A Creative Community Showcase
Next to showing our new Cliff map, we also wanted to highlight some pretty amazing talent in our community. Specifically Jar985, who created the Urban Shores map. Also set along the northern German coastline, this community battlefield is a great example of some incredible creativity of our map-making players. Check it out here!
Players like Jar985 make full use of WARNO’s map editor. We love to see all the amazing things coming out of that mod-making tool. Make sure to take a look at all the incredible stuff coming out of the WARNOSteam Workshop.
We aim to improve the map editor on a continuous basis. Apart from that, we can’t wait to hear what you guys think of Cliff.
It’s good to be back! In today’s DevBlog, we’ll show off a brand-spanking new look for everyone’s favorite menu inside WARNO’s (apart from that victory screen): the Armory.
Keep in mind that this update is still work-in-progress, so some details might change.
Go, go, go!
Revamped Armory
That’s right: we have spent some time on revamping the Armory with a bunch of quality-of-life improvements across the board. It will be more user friendly, show more info, and feature an improved filter functionality.
As you can see in the images above, one of the bigger changes is how the national flags and divisions with their coats of arms are displayed at the top. They are now viewable without having to scroll, making it easier to select or filter between divisions.
The battlegroup’s category tabs have been moved up as well. They are now displayed on a horizontal bar. This shifts the unit cards to the left, giving more space to display the selected unit (and give you more opportunity to scrutinize it heavily). The selected unit’s number in the category is also more clearly displayed.
Improved Filters
One of the main improvements of the new Armory are the updated filters. In the current variant, you could only filter by role. In the new version, you can also filter by unit role, unit trait, weapon traits, and movement type.
The ROLE filter is identical to the filter found in the current Armory. But being more clearly displayed, it will be easier to use.
The TRAITS displays all the special unit traits in WARNO. These are also displayed on the unit card. Pick any number of them to compare units across the game.
Going down the list. The WEAPON lists all traits related to weaponry. These are normally displayed in the weapons stats on the unit card.
The MOVEMENT filter lets you go through all the different ways a unit can move on the battlefield.
With this new option, the whole gamut of cross-filtering across different types of traits, movement, weapons, will make it that much easier to find and compare units across WARNO. A neat functionality to have with the ever-expanding arsenal of units in the game.
We hope to roll out the revamped Armory in the not-too-distant future!
Nemesis DLCs
WARNO’s next Nemesis DLCs are chugging along nicely. Just to give you a little overview of what we are working on:
Nemesis #3 - Home Front covers two divisions, far away from the European battlefields, safeguarding their respective alliance’s critical flank. The bear-like fight between NATO’s Alaska-based US 6th Infantry Division (Light) and the Warsaw Pact’s Soviet Crimea-located 157-ya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya is going to be unleashed in the not-too-distant future. As a matter of fact, Nemesis #3 has just entered the second round of testing with a release date that should be announced soon.
Nemesis #4 - Capital Defence was voted into existence by you, the players, in a community-wide vote. This upcoming DLC will feature two formations safeguarding the respective nation’s capital during the Cold War: the UK’s Home Defence Region London and the Soviet 2-ya Tamanskaya Gvardeyskaya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya based in Moscow, USSR. We are actively working on these expansions, which will be released at a still-to-be-determined release date in the future.
