WARNO News

Hello, hello, hello!

We return once again with a brand-new WARNO - SOUTHAG preview! Today’s post marks the last of the Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian divisions to be featured in our new expansion; let’s welcome to the stage the 303. Tanková Divize or the 303 Tank Division.

Let’s go!

[h2]The 303. Tanková Divize’s History[/h2]
Much like its Soviet Army overlords, the Czechoslovak People's Army - shortened ČSLA - was composed of divisions with different levels of readiness.

Full Readiness
These were formations that were close to full combat readiness and ready to deploy from their barracks within hours of receiving the order.

• The Czechoslovakian armed forces contained six of these divisions: four from the 1. Armáda or 1st Army, namely the 1. Tanková Divize, the 19. Motostřelecká Divize, as well as the 2. and 20. Motostřelecká Divize.
  
• There was also one from the 4. Armáda or 4th Army, the 9. Tanková Divize, plus the independent 7th Artillery Division.

Reduced Strength
There were several active divisions that were of reduced strength. These were kept at two-thirds of their full manpower, and in case of war, would only be brought up by calling in reservists. The plan was that this should - ideally - take no more than two days.

• There were the three remaining divisions part of the 4th Army: the 3. and 15. Motostřelecká Divize and the 4. Tanková Divize, as well as the independent 13. and 14. Tanková Divize.

Mobilization Divisions
And lastly, there were also several formations at reduced staffing and equipment levels. These were the so-called mobilization divisions, operated by a skeleton crew of maintenance troops who watched over the weapon storage depots. Supposedly, these could be raised in three to four days, depending on the division, but it is likely nobody would believe this feat to be true.

• The mobilization divisions in the ČSLA were the 18., 26., and 32. Motostřelecká Divize, and the 16. and 17. Tanková Divize.

As you can see, the 303. Tanková Divize was not listed. How come? Czechoslovakia had plans for three additional divisions for wartime service in an exclusive home defense role, but these never materialized. These formations were the 60. Motostřelecká Divize and the 303. and 304. Tanková Divize. The division’s cadre would come from training personnel; the rest would be filled up with reservists and conscripts. Equipment would be drawn from obsolete storage, along with a sprinkling of more modern vehicles and weapons taken from the military academies.

The 303. Tanková Divize was intended for the defense of the homeland only. In WARNO, this also means the division will defend important rear-area army assets, such as heavy AA guns, operating in close conjunction with territorial militia, the Lidové milice.

[h2]The 303. Tanková Divize in WARNO - SOUTHAG[/h2]
How will the 303. Tanková Divize look like in WARNO - SOUTHAG? New units are both italic and bolded. The following is work-in-progress and subject to change.



LOG
As the 303. Tanková Divize is a rear-area defensive formation, its logistical base is pretty good.

• Logistics units include the ubiquitous FOB and V3S light supply truck, as well as the amphibious BAV-485 (a rip-off of the World War 2-era DUKW), as well as T815 heavy supply vehicles.
  
• Command units include the (equally ubiquitous) UAZ-469, plus the OT-65VP and OT-62/R4MT.

INF
Nothing too spectacular, though the 303. Tanková Divize can be seen not only as a reserve division with infantry but also with plentiful armor. Slots aren’t very cheap, but there is a good range of choice.

• A small core of regular MOTOSTŘELCI squads in OT-62A and BVP-1, including a leader version, as well as the larger STŘELCI, which are 9-man squads with assault rifles, two LMGs and RPG-7VL. Next are the VELITEL STŘELCI command squads, being 8-strong with Skorpion, Vz.58P assault rifles, RPG-75, and smoke grenades. These later two squads can deploy in softskin transports, the OT-64C (with BTR-60 turret) or OT-62B (with hatch-mounted T21 Tarasnice recoilless rifle).
  
• The division’s staple infantry are the reservist ZÁLOŽNÍCI in softskin, OT-64C or OT-62B, and their VELITEL ZÁLOŽNÍCI command squads. They also come in larger ZÁLOŽNÍCI (T21) variant, representing a half-platoon easily fitting in the very spacious (18 seats) turretless OT-64 and basic OT-62A. Specifically, the last squad is 16-strong, and equipped with 14x Vz.58P assault rifles, 2x UK Vz.59L LMG, RPG-75, and one T21 RCL. All reservists come with the Reservist trait.

• Assisting the division in securing the rear areas are the Czechoslovakian People’s Militia, the Lidova Milice. The LIDOVA MILICE are 8-strong security militia with the Vz.58P assault rifle, one UK Vz.59L LMG, and RPG-75. Their VELITEL L.M. command variant is 5-strong, armed with Skorpion SMGs and a light T21 Tarasnice RCL. Both units come riding in V3S trucks, with the Reservist and Security traits.
  
• Support weapon squads include the ŽENISTE combat engineers, T.A.I. military police, PROTITANKOVÉ DRUŽSTVO tank hunters, UK Vz.59 7,62mm HMG and the new BZK Vz.59 82mm recoilless rifle.

ART
Pretty decent, but featuring the opposite slot allocation and price compared to the INF category above: the number of slots is good, but choices are more limited.

• Starting with the basic M Vz.52 82mm mortar.
  
• Followed up by the H Vz.38/74 122mm and KH Vz.18/47N 152mm howitzers. The former is the Czechoslovakian designation of the Soviet M-30s of World War II vintage (already featured with Poland and East Germany); the latter is no other than the German World War II s.FH 18 150mm gun modified to fire Soviet 152mm rounds.
  
• MLRS come in the form of the old RM Vz.51 130mm and the RM Vz.70/85 122mm, the latter being a single battalion of the upgraded variant kept in an independent artillery unit.

TANK
An excellent category, especially in the number of slots. In many cases, the 303. Tanková Divize had to make do with leftovers and obsolete storage equipment.

• The main tanks include the T-34/85M and the new SD-100. The latter is a locally modified SU-100 tank destroyer from World War II. Czechoslovakia retained several battalions of these original Red Army tanks throughout the entire Cold War. Both units feature the Reversist trait.
  
• Heavier firepower will come with the T-54B and T-54BK command variant.
  
• With the most modern equipment available being a few T-72M-E2 (without smoke), represented with additional Veterancy options to highlight the military academy instructors manning them as crew.
  
• Anti-tank units include the PTK Vz.52 85mm and PTK Vz.53 100mm towed anti-tank guns. The former is the original gun used by the East Germans under the designation PaK K-52 85mm, which was featured in the Rügen Gruppierung.
  
• Plus the OT PTRK MALJUTKA missile tank destroyer, which is the BRDM-2 MALYUTKA.

REC

• Decent with infantry-based recon squads including PRŮZKUMNÍCI and MOT. PRŮZKUMNÍCI. The first unit comes in either UAZ-469 jeeps or OT-65 armored cars. The second squad in V3S trucks, the OT-810 recon half-track or Mi-4 helicopter. The OT-810 is no other than the World War II German SdKfz. 251 half-track, which the original Czechoslovakian factories kept producing well into the 1950s. So painful it was to be seated in its back was that it was commonly nicknamed "Hitler's Revenge" in the ČSLA.
  
• The new PRŮZ. L.M. militia scouts, being just 3 men with Skorpion SMGs, RPG-75, and the Reservist trait, riding to battle in a UAZ-469 jeep.
  
• Recon vehicles included the new OT-65 DPP, unarmed but sporting a battlefield radar, and the OT-65A VYDRA, armed with an LMG and hatch-mounted T21 Tarasnice RCL.
  
• The PRŮZ. T-34/85, acting as recon tank (still with Reservist trait), and the OT-810D, the World War 2 half-track mounting a BZK Vz.59 recoiless rifle.

AA

• Pretty good with divisional anti-air defenses include the JEŠTĚRKA 30mm SPAAG (renamed from the PLDvK vz.53/59) and the PLDvK Vz.53 30mm, its towed variant, as well as the PPLRK S-2M (Strela-2M) MANPAD team.
  
• Additional heavier units include the PLK CS 57mm and PLK KS-30 130mm AA guns, the latter being the same as added to the Soviet Army with WARNO - Nemesis #3 - Homefront’s 157-ya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya.
  
• The only SAM unit is the PLRK KRUG.

HEL
Pretty mediocre with only a few slots, quickly rising in costs.

• Only two older helicopters can deploy, both being gunship variants of the Mi-4. These are the Mi-4B [RKT1] with 32x 57mm rockets and the Mi-4B [RKT2] with 16x130mm rockets.

AIR
A good category for the 303. Tanková Divize. One of the Czechoslovakian Air Force’s aircraft was the light L-39, a jet trainer that saw widespread service among other Warsaw Pact nations. This plane will make a plentiful appearance flying top cover over home territory.

• The L-39ZO in HE and RKT loadouts.
  
• Czechoslovakia also operated an improved variant, the L-39ZA, which was able to fire A2A missiles, making it a cheap multirole fighter with bombs and R-13M missiles.
  
• Additional air cover is provided by MiG-21MF [AA2] (which is a MiG-21bis) and the older MiG-21MA [AA] fighters.
  
• Ground support planes are numerous and include MiG-21MF (the MiG-21bis) in various RKT, HE, NPLM and CLU loadouts, as well as the SU-22M4 [AT].

The 303. Tanková Divize is a reservist, defensive-focused division, relying on numbers and, in many cases, World War II-era vehicles. A handful of rare, more modern units, plus substantial air support, round out this battlegroup.

[h2]WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short[/h2] WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier.

In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact with the Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians, battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops.

• 2 new Army General campaigns.
  
• 4 new Operations.
  
• 10 new Divisions, including Canada, Spain, and Czechoslovakia as new nations. These include NATO’s 1st Canadian Division, Spain's División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 and France's 6e Division Légère Blindée ; as well as Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tanková Divize, 19. Motostřelecká Divize, and 303. Tanková Divize.
  
• New voice acting.
  
• New units and models.

[h2]Until Next Week[/h2]
And, of course, we’ll be back next week with a new WARNO - SOUTHAG preview!

Don’t forget the vibrant WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.

See you on the battlefield.

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.

[h2]Mirror Maps Explained[/h2]
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).



[h2]Symmerty in Disguise[/h2]
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!



[h2]WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short[/h2]
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.

• 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 the Spanish División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 and Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tanková Divize.
  
• New voice acting.
  
• New units and models.

[h2]Until Next Week[/h2]
We will be back later this week with a new WARNO - SOUTHAG division.

Don’t forget the vibrant WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.

See you on the battlefield, commanders.

Hello, commanders!

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!

[h2]The 6e Division Légère Blindée’s History[/h2]
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.



[h2]The 6e Division Légère Blindée Detailed[/h2]
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).

Legion sounds

[h2]The 6e Division Légère Blindée in WARNO - SOUTHAG[/h2]
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.


[h2]Regarding the freezing issue ...[/h2]

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.

[h2]WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short[/h2] WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier.

In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact with the Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians, battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops.

• 2 new Army General campaigns.
  
• 4 new Operations.
  
• 10 new Divisions, including new nations Canada, Spain and Czechoslovakia. These include NATO’s 1st Canadian Division and the Spanish División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 and Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tanková Divize and 19. Motostřelecká Divize
• New voice acting.
  
• New units and models.

[h2]Until Next Week[/h2]
You know the drill. We’ll be back with a new WARNO - SOUTHAG preview next week!

Don’t forget the vibrant WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.

See you on the battlefield.

Hello, hello!

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!

[h2]The 19. Motostřelecká Divize Detailed[/h2]
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).



[h2]The 19. Motostřelecká Divize in WARNO - SOUTHAG[/h2]
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!

[h2]WARNO - SOUTHAG Expansion In Short[/h2] WARNO - SOUTHAG is WARNO’s second expansion after WARNO - NORTHAG and showcases the fighting in southern West Germany near the Alps and on the Czechoslovakian frontier.

In the southern reaches of Germany, the Warsaw Pact with the Soviet Central Group of Forces, bolstered by the communist Czechoslovakians, battles against a reconstituted and counter-attacking NATO SOUTHAG command led by France, with American, West German, Canadian, and reinforcing Spanish troops.

• 2 new Army General campaigns.
  
• 4 new Operations.
  
• 10 new Divisions, including new nations Canada, Spain and Czechoslovakia. These include NATO’s 1st Canadian Division and the Spanish División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 and Warsaw Pact’s Czechoslovakian 1. Tanková Divize.
  
• New voice acting.
  
• New units and models.

[h2]Until Next Week[/h2]
We’ll be back next week with a new WARNO - SOUTHAG preview.

Don’t forget the vibrant WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.

See you on the battlefield, commanders.

Buenos días, commandantes!

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!

[h2]Spanish Armed Forces History[/h2]
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.

[h2]Spain in NATO[/h2]
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.

[h2]The Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete" Detailed[/h2] 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.

[h2]The Armoured Division No. 1 "Brunete" in WARNO - SOUTHAG[/h2]
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.