Introducing Operation: “Black Horse’s Last Stand”
Hello commanders!
We hope you are well. Today we have something exciting for you. As you likely noticed, there wasn’t a DevBlog last week. Instead, we were busy preparing today’s special one with dedicated videos to accompany it.
As you might recall, we already teased Operations in a previous DevBlog. In today’s DevBlog, we will introduce more thoroughly our first upcoming Operation: Black Horse’s Last Stand.
Before we continue, a small housekeeping note. We’ll be switching around the days we publish our DevBlogs for WARNO and Steel Division 2. This is easier from a production point of view. From now on, barring anything unforeseen or, you know, “nononoroofisonfire” game development, we will publish WARNO posts on Thursday and Steel Division 2 on Friday.
Keep reading for more ...
[h2]What are Operations?[/h2] Operations in WARNO are scripted tactical battles, placing the player in command of a battlegroup during a hypothetical World War III scenario. These are akin to Steel Division 2’s Historical Battles, which in WARNO’s case are clearly ahistorical, but based on grounded reality and detailed research. There is another major difference: while Historical Battles could be played from both sides, Operations will be playable with one side only and solely versus the AI.
With just one side you can take command of, in WARNO’s Operations we now have much more freedom, flexibility, and creativity to create unique combat scenarios with special conditions. This will make them more intense and realistic.
Operations will be delivered with three difficulty levels: the 1st one should be reserved for beginners, the 2nd for WARNO (or at least Eugen Systems’ seasoned players). The 3rd level provides the ultimate challenge and should only be attempted at one's own risk!
And today, we will get a look at the first one of those Operations.
[h2]Black Horse’s Last Stand[/h2]
The "Black Horse" here refers, of course, to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s coat-of-arms, giving the formation’s nickname “Black Horse Regiment”. The 11th ACR is a famous and key outfit in any Germany-centered World War 3 scenario, for it would have had the dubious honor of being the first one to engage (and likely be destroyed by) any invading Soviet forces.
Its mission in peacetime was to watch over the inner-German border around Fulda, dispersed across several barracks and watchpoints, including Observation Post Alpha. An armored cavalry regiment, it had a special TO&E mixing Abrams tanks and Bradley CFV scouts with its organic AA, artillery and helicopter assets. You could call the regiment a “miniature division” but with barely any infantry.
In the case of a Warsaw Pact offensive, the 11th ACR's mission was to delay the Soviet advance through the Fulda Gap (one of two major invasion routes from East to West) long enough for American and Bundeswehr heavy reinforcements to muster their strength and counter-attack.
However, nobody was fooled by the potential outcome: this defensive action was considered a sacrificial mission.
[h2]Briefing[/h2]
Our Operation opens on June 22nd, 1989: the day World War III kicks off. The 11th ACR was hit hard in the depth of night and fought a ferocious delaying action half of the day on the border and beyond, ultimately forced to retreat through the Kinzig River valley. Near Bad Orb, the remnants of the 1st squadron need to hold and defend, being promised air support and some German territorial reinforcements by NATO high command to establish a critical new line of defense just East of Hanau. They have to make a last stand at the gates to Frankfurt.
The Operation’s goal is to keep control of Bad Orb at all times and to hold long enough for the V. Corps in Frankfurt to be ready to counter-attack.
[h2]Order of Battle[/h2]
The 1st Squadron of the 11th ACR (1-11), the force at the player’s disposal at deployment, is down to roughly company-size with two mixed Bradley CFV/M1A1 Abrams platoons, one AA, and one recon platoon. Infantry is very sparse, with only a few engineers and scouts.
Forming a light screen, this force is the only one available to prevent any pursuing Soviet troops from 39th Guards Rifle Division to break through. As you defend, command will establish a new HQ in Bad Orb. In the meantime, between deployment and the HQ reaching its new location, you won’t be able to call in further reinforcements. You have to choose and place your first units carefully!
[h2]Deployment[/h2]
You will be understrength and overextended, and the enemy will come at you with APC and IFV infantry, supported by some T-80 and the occasional Mi-24 gunship. Deprived of reinforcement in the first phase of the game, you will have to get the best from your deployed units until you are able to call on new forces to fill the inevitable gaps in your frontline. Enemy penetration isn’t a death sentence as long as you can stop them before they reach your HQ. Therefore, organize a defense in depth and use your forces wisely.
[h2]Reinforcements[/h2]
Hold on long enough and two mighty A-10 (callsign WRATH 1 and 2) will be made available. A sight for sore eyes, the pair of “Devil’s Cross” will soon become your best friend, able to terminate a Soviet spearhead incursion on their own - if you can spot the targets on the ground for them. But be wary not to send them too far over enemy-held territory, for the Soviets have brought their own AA!
[previewyoutube]{color:#d04437}(Video *Panzer*){color}[/previewyoutube]
Finally, German reinforcements will be at your disposal in the last stage of the battle, in the form of a territorial defense company made up of Jäger, Sicherungs, some retreating BGS border Guards, and a few 120mm mortars and 20mm AA guns. Unfit for a counter-attack, they are very useful to secure Bad Orb against a Soviet coup de main if your front crumbles in the last stage of the battle.
[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
All right! That’s it for this first Operation Black Horse's Last Stand. We are looking forward to hearing what you think!
Don’t forget to join the passionate WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.
See you on the battlefield, commander!
We hope you are well. Today we have something exciting for you. As you likely noticed, there wasn’t a DevBlog last week. Instead, we were busy preparing today’s special one with dedicated videos to accompany it.
As you might recall, we already teased Operations in a previous DevBlog. In today’s DevBlog, we will introduce more thoroughly our first upcoming Operation: Black Horse’s Last Stand.
Before we continue, a small housekeeping note. We’ll be switching around the days we publish our DevBlogs for WARNO and Steel Division 2. This is easier from a production point of view. From now on, barring anything unforeseen or, you know, “nononoroofisonfire” game development, we will publish WARNO posts on Thursday and Steel Division 2 on Friday.
Keep reading for more ...
[h2]What are Operations?[/h2] Operations in WARNO are scripted tactical battles, placing the player in command of a battlegroup during a hypothetical World War III scenario. These are akin to Steel Division 2’s Historical Battles, which in WARNO’s case are clearly ahistorical, but based on grounded reality and detailed research. There is another major difference: while Historical Battles could be played from both sides, Operations will be playable with one side only and solely versus the AI.
With just one side you can take command of, in WARNO’s Operations we now have much more freedom, flexibility, and creativity to create unique combat scenarios with special conditions. This will make them more intense and realistic.
Operations will be delivered with three difficulty levels: the 1st one should be reserved for beginners, the 2nd for WARNO (or at least Eugen Systems’ seasoned players). The 3rd level provides the ultimate challenge and should only be attempted at one's own risk!
And today, we will get a look at the first one of those Operations.
[h2]Black Horse’s Last Stand[/h2]
The "Black Horse" here refers, of course, to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s coat-of-arms, giving the formation’s nickname “Black Horse Regiment”. The 11th ACR is a famous and key outfit in any Germany-centered World War 3 scenario, for it would have had the dubious honor of being the first one to engage (and likely be destroyed by) any invading Soviet forces.
Its mission in peacetime was to watch over the inner-German border around Fulda, dispersed across several barracks and watchpoints, including Observation Post Alpha. An armored cavalry regiment, it had a special TO&E mixing Abrams tanks and Bradley CFV scouts with its organic AA, artillery and helicopter assets. You could call the regiment a “miniature division” but with barely any infantry.
In the case of a Warsaw Pact offensive, the 11th ACR's mission was to delay the Soviet advance through the Fulda Gap (one of two major invasion routes from East to West) long enough for American and Bundeswehr heavy reinforcements to muster their strength and counter-attack.
However, nobody was fooled by the potential outcome: this defensive action was considered a sacrificial mission.
[h2]Briefing[/h2]
Our Operation opens on June 22nd, 1989: the day World War III kicks off. The 11th ACR was hit hard in the depth of night and fought a ferocious delaying action half of the day on the border and beyond, ultimately forced to retreat through the Kinzig River valley. Near Bad Orb, the remnants of the 1st squadron need to hold and defend, being promised air support and some German territorial reinforcements by NATO high command to establish a critical new line of defense just East of Hanau. They have to make a last stand at the gates to Frankfurt.
The Operation’s goal is to keep control of Bad Orb at all times and to hold long enough for the V. Corps in Frankfurt to be ready to counter-attack.
[h2]Order of Battle[/h2]
The 1st Squadron of the 11th ACR (1-11), the force at the player’s disposal at deployment, is down to roughly company-size with two mixed Bradley CFV/M1A1 Abrams platoons, one AA, and one recon platoon. Infantry is very sparse, with only a few engineers and scouts.
Forming a light screen, this force is the only one available to prevent any pursuing Soviet troops from 39th Guards Rifle Division to break through. As you defend, command will establish a new HQ in Bad Orb. In the meantime, between deployment and the HQ reaching its new location, you won’t be able to call in further reinforcements. You have to choose and place your first units carefully!
[h2]Deployment[/h2]
You will be understrength and overextended, and the enemy will come at you with APC and IFV infantry, supported by some T-80 and the occasional Mi-24 gunship. Deprived of reinforcement in the first phase of the game, you will have to get the best from your deployed units until you are able to call on new forces to fill the inevitable gaps in your frontline. Enemy penetration isn’t a death sentence as long as you can stop them before they reach your HQ. Therefore, organize a defense in depth and use your forces wisely.
[h2]Reinforcements[/h2]
Hold on long enough and two mighty A-10 (callsign WRATH 1 and 2) will be made available. A sight for sore eyes, the pair of “Devil’s Cross” will soon become your best friend, able to terminate a Soviet spearhead incursion on their own - if you can spot the targets on the ground for them. But be wary not to send them too far over enemy-held territory, for the Soviets have brought their own AA!
[previewyoutube]{color:#d04437}(Video *Panzer*){color}[/previewyoutube]
Finally, German reinforcements will be at your disposal in the last stage of the battle, in the form of a territorial defense company made up of Jäger, Sicherungs, some retreating BGS border Guards, and a few 120mm mortars and 20mm AA guns. Unfit for a counter-attack, they are very useful to secure Bad Orb against a Soviet coup de main if your front crumbles in the last stage of the battle.
[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
All right! That’s it for this first Operation Black Horse's Last Stand. We are looking forward to hearing what you think!
Don’t forget to join the passionate WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.
See you on the battlefield, commander!