WARNO News

At long last, MASSENA, l’”Enfant Chéri de la Victoire is here!
Territorial divisions being something quite new, they’ve required more testing and changes than the previous ones. Besides, this patch also include the long expected "tank price rehaul".
We apologize the delay, but we hope you will enjoy the results.

TerrKdo Süd & K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt have changed a bit compared to what we described in previous DevBlog:

• Both divisions get access to a few Special Forces acting as counter-infiltrator unit. Spetsnaz & Spetsnaz GRU for KdA, Green Berets & German B1 commandos for TerrKdo.
  
• Both divisions get access to some high-end “HE damage” dealer: BM-30 Smersh for KdA, F-111F LGB for TerrKdo.
  
• More cheap tanks for KdA in the form of Soviet T-62 & DDR “combat” PT-76.
  
• New DDR VPB (= Volkspolizei-Bereitschaft units as security troops.
  
• And more …

[h2]DISCLAIMER :[/h2]
We are aware that there are still some issues needing to be fixed (there always are!) but we felt they didn’t warrant delaying MASSENA’s release even more.
Some of those issues include, and thus doesn’t need to be reported:
• DESANT. KOM. excessive price increase
• BURATINO being available in the same number in both veterancy level
• KA-50 AKULA [AA] missing picture
• KA-50 AKULA [AT] inverted picture with AA variant
• Some missing new weapons’ picture
• Transport helo not being capturable as other transport
• …
Most of those are already fixed on our end, and will be included in a next patch ASAP.

-------------------------

[h2]FEATURES:[/h2]

• added a new NATO division: TerrKdo Süd
• added a new WP division: K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt
• deck creation is no longer possible from the lobby
  
• reworked the behavior of filters in the armory to be more intuitive
  
• "Unarmed Vehicles" rule of engagement set to "Hold fire" will now target unarmed vehicles if they are transporting a unit
  
• it is no longer possible to precisely know which unit an enemy transport is transporting
  

[h2]MAPS:[/h2]

• A new 3v3 map: Volcano
• A new 3v3 map: Cyrus
• A new 3v3 version of the Two Ways map
  
• A new 2v2 version of the Chemical map
  
• A new 1v1 version of the Geisa map
  
• A new 2v2 version of the Mount River map
  
• A new 1v1 version of the Mount River map
  
• A new 1v1 version of the Vertigomap which is available in ranked.

[h2]FIXES:[/h2]

• fixed a localization error about RBK-250's weight
  
• fixed the SPz BMP-1 SP-1, SP2 & P model
  
• fixed unloaded canons sometimes being pushed too fast and way too far
  
• fixed a crash that could happen when firing some missiles
  
• fixed the "auto deploy" button being visible in replays
  
• fixed command helicopters automatically landing in starting zones even though they are not capturable anymore
  
• fixed a bug where AT planes would fail to target enemies higher in altitude
  
• fixed planes sometimes not being able to pitch down after pulling up too much
  
• fixed LARS rockets' damage
  
• fixed BMP-3's 100mm ammunition loadout
  
• fixed the GUV's swapped names
  
• fixed some helicopters' wrong UI category/icon
  
• fixed the T-72 (all of them) which had an HE range inferior to their AP one
  
• fixed LARS rockets' damage
  
• fixed 2.PzGr's Leo1A1A1's veterancy (one leve down)
  
• fixed 5.Pz's Leo1A5's veterancy (one leve up)
  
• fixed overlapping texts in the info panel of some aircraft
  
• fixed Milan 2 now doing damage on MT-12 Rapira's

[h2]GENERIC:[/h2]

• decreased Battle Rifles' accuracy
  
• rehauled tank prices over the board
  
• unarmed transports can be captured
  
• enemy units in transport are no longer identified
  
• RoE : firing on unarmed units now distinguishes between units with and without embarked units
  
• increased 12,7mm & 14,5mm HMG ammo
  
• increased all mono/twin 20mm & 23mm AA gun's anti-helo range from 1765m to 1945m
  
• Autogrenade launcher's cursor fixed
  
• decreased all "MG squads" (with 3x HMG)'s availability per card from 9 to 6

[h2]NATO:[/h2]

• increased M47 Dragon II's AP from 16 to 19
  
• changed M113 DRAGON's Dragon II with Dragon I (14 AP)
  
• changed ENGINEERS (DRAGON)'s Dragon II with Dragon I (14 AP)
  
• changed all M47 Dragon I & II-armed units' price accordingly
  
• increased Stinger's range (anti-helo & planes) from 2297m to 2473m + renamed Stinger POST
  
• Satchel charge damages reduced
  
• changed M998 AVENGER's missile to Stinger RMP, with range increased as above + accuracy increased from 50 to 60%
  
• all Stinger's price changed accordingly
  
• decreased UH-60 SUPPLY's price from 85 to 60
  
• decreased CH-47's price from 125 to 100
  
• increased OH-58C CMD's price from 100 to 110
  
• decreased OH-58C CMD's availability per card from 6 to 4
  
• decreased AIRBORNE MP's price from 25 to 20
  
• decreased MP's price from 20 to 15
  
• decreased AIRBORNE MP (M67)'s availability per card from 9 to 6
  
• decreased MP (M67)'s availability per card from 9 to 6
  
• decreased AIRBORNE's availability per card from 9 to 6
  
• decreased AB GUNNER's availability per card from 9 to 6
  
• decreased AIRBORNE (Flash)'s availability per card from 9 to 6
  
• increased AIRBORNE (Dragon)'s price from 55 to 60
  
• decreased TOW-2 (airborne or not)'s availability per card from 6 to 3, number of cards changed accordingly
  
• increased AB TOW-2's price from 85 to 90
  
• increased TOW-2's price from 80 to 85
  
• decreased all FIRE TEAM (airborne or not)'s price by -10, but Dragon II by -5 only
  
• increased SHERIDAN CMD's availability per card from 2 to 3
  
• decreased M1025 HUMVEE HMG's price from 30 to 25
  
• decreased M1025 HUMVEE AGL's price from 40 to 45
  
• decreased STINGER (airborne or not)'s availability per card from 12 to 9
  
• decreased M167 VULCAN's price from 60 to 55
  
• increased OH-58 C/S' availability per card from 2 to 3
  
• decreased OH-58 C/S' price from 100 to 80
  
• increased MECH. RIFLES from 70 to 75
  
• decreased CH-53G MUN.'s price from 105 to 75
  
• increased FELDJÄGER's availability per card from 6 to 12
  
• decreased HEIMATSCHÜTZEN's price from 60 to 50
  
• dzcreased JAGER's price from 60 to 50
  
• increased all MILAN 2 teams (all nations, airborne or not)'s price by +5
  
• increased PIONIER (Flam.)'s price from 35 to 55
  
• decreased PIONIER (Armbrust)'s price from 55 to 50
  
• decreased PZ.GRENADIER (CarlG)'s price from 45 to 35
  
• decreased PZ.GRENADIER (Marder)'s price from 40 to 30
  
• increased SCIMITAR's price from 30 to 35
  
• decreased FUCHS RASIT's price from 50 to 30
  
• decreased BO-105 PAH-1's price from 65 to 60
  
• increased G.91R/3 GINA [HE]'s price from 60 to 85
  
• decreased G.91R/3 GINA [RKT]'s price from 135 to 120
  
• decreased G.91R/3 GINA [NPLM]'s price from 150 to 140
  
• increased G.91R/3 GINA [NPLM]'s availability per card from 2 to 3
  
• decreased F-104G [AT]'s price from 150 to 140
  
• increased M48 (all variants) fuel range
  
• fixed some Gazelle's fuel & range
  
• (2PzG) decreased F-4F [HE]'s availability per card from 3 to 2, but with +1 vet level
  
• (2PzGr) increased LEOPARD 1A1's number of card from 2 to 3
  
• (2PzG) decreased LEOPARD 2A3's number of cards from 2 to 1
  
• (2PzG) added one card of Bo-105 PAH-1
  
• (82AB) decreased M1IP ABRAMS's number of cards from 2 to 1
  
• (82AB) decreased M3A1 BRADDEY's number of cards from 2 to 1
  
• (82AB) decreased M35 SUPPLY's availability per card from 9 to 6 (on par with others) + decreased number of cards from 2 to 1
  

[h2]PACT:[/h2]

• changed DESANTNIKI (BMD)'s RPG-7VR into RPG-7VL + price changed from 50 to 45
  
• decreased DESANTNIKI (DShB)'s RPG loadout from x15(!) to 6x RPG-7VR
  
• changed MOTOSTRELKI (BMP)'s RPG-7VR into 7VL
  
• decreased OTDELENIE's RPG loadout from x20(!) to 12x
  
• changed Ka-50 AKULA's loadout to Vikhr & 80mm rocket pods, repainted & repriced accordingly
  
• increased GUV (MG)'s efficiency by about 30%
  
• replaced BTR-RD ROBOT's Kokon with Konkurs
  
• decreased SPz BMP-1 SP1's price from 30 to 25
  
• decreased SPz BMP-1 SP2's price from 35 to 30
  
• decreased BTR-60 & BTR-70's price from 30 to 25
  
• decreased MI-8T MUN.'s price from 80 to 60
  
• decreased Fs-JÄGER (Metis)'s price from 60 to 55
  
• increased MOT.-SCHÜTZEN's price (back) from 60 to 50
  
• increased MOTOSTRELKI's price (back) from 50 to 40
  
• decreased IGLA (airborne or not)'s availability per card from 12 to 9
  
• decreased E-German Mi-24D [AA]'s price from 125 to 120
  
• decreased E-German Mi-8MT [GUV]'s price from 150 to 135
  
• decreased E-German Mi-8TV [RKT2]'s price from 210 to 160
  
• decreased E-German Mi-8TB's price from 200 to 175
  
• decreased E-German MiG-23MF [AA]'s price from 185 to 155
  
• decreased E-German MiG-23MF [AT]'s price from 185 to 150
  
• decreased E-German Su-22M4 [NPL]'s price from 310 to 265
  
• set all Mi-9 at avail 2 per card, vet 2.
  
• added GAZ-66 as MOTOSTRELKI transport options
  
• decreased TUNGUSKA's price from 240 to 185
  
• decreased Su-25 [RKT]'s price from 155 to 150
  
• decreased Su-25 [AT]'s price from 190 to 180
  
• decreased Su-25 [CLU]'s price from 230 to 190
  
• decreased Su-24M [HE]'s price from 265 to 260
  
• renamed DDR's ZU/ZSU units
  
• decreased SCHWIM.PZ. PT-76B's price from 40 to 30
  
• decreased PT-76B FÜH.'s price from 140 to 130
  
• replaced DESANTNIKI (DShB)'s RPG-7 by RPG-7VL, and ammo reduced (well, fixed) from 15 to 6
  
• (4MSD) decreased Fs-JÄGER (Metis)'s price from 60 to 55
  
• (4MSD) increased KUB's veterancy by one level
  
• (4MSD) increased Mi-24D [AA]'s number of cards from 1 to 2
  
• (7Pz) added one card of T-55AM2
  
• (7Pz) added one card of T-72GM
  
• (39GvMSD) increased MOTOSTRELKI (Metis)'s availability per card from 6 to 9, but number of card decreased from 2 to 1
  
• (39GvMSD) increased SAPERI (RPO)'s availability per card from 6 to 9
  
• (79GvTD) increased MOTOSTRELKI (Metis)'s availability per card from 6 to 9, but number of card decreased from 2 to 1
  
• (79GvTD) increased SAPERI (RPO)'s availability per card from 6 to 9
  
• (79GvTD) increased MiG-23ML [AA]'s availability per card from 2 to 3
  
• (79GvTD) replacing MOTOSTRELKI's BTR-60 with BTR-80
  
• (79GvTk) added TOS-1 BURATINO
  
• (35GvDShB) created a new Ka-50 AKULA variant, with Igla-V & GUV pod, repriced accordingly & moved to AA tab

Le 14 juillet has arrived!

Or, as our Anglo-Saxon brothers like to call it, Bastille Day, the national holiday of France. The coolest thing? We have parade after military parade, including the oldest and longest in Europe!

Such a glorious day needs a glorious WARNO DevBlog, and what better fit than lifting the veil on some of the new French units coming to our game!

[h2]A small tease[/h2] Bastille Day celebrates the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille on the 14th of July, 1789, a key event in the French Revolution. Fast forward several hundred years later, and we get kick-ass military parades and flyovers in Paris, going down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.



Today, we’ll join in at showing off all things related to French military hardware. The focus will be on several French mainstay units, but not all; we left some of the most exciting ones for later. Not to worry!

We are currently still hard at work on MASSENA, featuring our West and East German territorial commands. The Strike Team is testing MASSENA milestone as we speak. In the meantime, as you can see, we are already working on detailing and fleshing out the French and British divisions!

[h2]The fruits of our labor[/h2]
When the French Army in the late Cold War-era is mentioned, the first vehicle that comes to mind is the iconic VAB (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé) wheeled APC. This unit entered service in 1976 and, by 1989, could be found in every role and variant: from APC (with a 12,7mm machine gun), IFV (with a 20mm autocannon), command, recon (with a battlefield radar), anti-tank, etc. In WARNO, the VAB will transport France’s regular infantrymen, the Grenadier-Voltigeurs.





Next up: French mechanized infantry ride into battle in an AMX-10P IFV. Less spacious, this infantry fighting vehicle accommodates a smaller combat squad called Chasseurs. Just like the VAB, the AMX-10P comes in a great amount of variety: IFV, command, recon, and anti-tank.



By 1989, the French combat soldier has finally switched its early Cold War small arms for the iconic FAMAS assault rifle. A few unlucky units (some Sapeurs variants) or second-line units (Réservistes and Prévôté, the latter being Gendarmes within the French Army) had to make do with older MAT-49 SMGs and MAS-46 rifles. The squad automatic weapon is the ubiquitous AANF1 machine gun, while anti-tank capacity is provided by either the LRAC F1 or the excellent APILAS recoilless anti-tank weapon.

[h2]Some more eye candy[/h2]
Let’s take to the sky with our next unit. You can call this another icon: the Gazelle light helicopter, coming in version Lisse (unarmed), Canon (20mm), HOT (anti-tank missiles) and Celtic (anti-aircraft), in both recon and direct combat roles.



We already revealed the Puma and Super Puma helicopters in our previous MASSENA previews. These heavy-duty choppers will be the main workhorse of the French heliborne assets, either as transports for Aéromobiles infantry, command, or as supply variant (the Puma Kangourou).



This tease wouldn’t be complete without France’s Cold War main battle tank: the AMX-30. Although by 1989, the AMX-30B2 was the most common version deployed, as with other nations, the French Army retained some of the older AMX-30B versions, equipped with the Obus G “sniper HEAT” rounds. This special ammunition was perfect for long-distance shots at light armor, soft skins, or older generation main battle tanks: they fared less well engaging more up-to-date armor such as T-72s or T-80s. That’s why from the AMX-30B2, the French switched back to kinetic rounds.



That’s all for this French-themed sneak peek! We will present more details (and still unrevealed French and British units) when we do our deep dive into the upcoming new WARNO divisions.

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
As always, the Eugen offices close for some much-needed holidays in August. This means that no significant updates or milestones will be released at this time. However, our DevBlogs will run until the end of July before our break.

Join the passionate WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get to together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, or our Instagram.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Welcome back!

As you know, the next upcoming milestone for WARNO will be MASSENA. In this update, we feature two new territorial command divisions: the West German Territorialkommando Süd and the East German K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt.

That’s not all. As we previously explained, we are also hard at work producing new maps for WARNO. Expect to play two new battlefields when MASSENA drops: Cyrus and Volcano!

[h2]Your feedback counts[/h2]
As we mentioned in our previous DevBlogs, we find it very important to keep you informed on the progress of WARNO’s map production. The Early Access launch of WARNO has been an opportunity for us to change our maps and environments depending on your feedback. Once more, thank you very much for your many (and at times very passionate) comments! We salute you.

One of our most recent maps was Vertigo, which integrates a host of player-based changes and remarks. It was great to see the positive feedbacks this new map received! A few weeks ago, we teased two additional maps, currently in the production pipeline: Cyrus and Volcano. Both new battlefields feature our updated level build strategy; it’s high time we present them to you.

But before we do this, some notes on the improvements requested by our players.

[h2]An updated battlefield[/h2]
Several of you have pointed out two major aspects you would like to see changed in our environments. First: too many “choke points.” And second, forest areas being too big and challenging to cross.

With our new Cyrus and Volcano battlefields, we aim to improve these aspects. This means that both environments will have a significant decrease in choke points:



As well as featuring roads in big zones of forests and mountains:



Besides this change in strategy, we have also reduced the extent woodlands and forests dominate the gameplay parts of the topology. Keep in mind that it is important for us not to degrade the visual aspect of the map; trees add variety, and forests can break up the monotony of an environment.

A secondary point raised by some was that several players asked for maps with fewer corridors. We have also tried to implement this change in our new maps.

With that out of the way, let’s look at our two new battlefields!

[h2]Welcome to Cyrus[/h2] Cyrus is a new map dedicated to 3vs3 player battles. We produced this battlefield in partnership with some of WARNO’s most active players. In particular, we’d like to thank Cyrus Jackson for his involvement in the production.



With a surface area of 82km², Cyrus offers a larger playing range than our other maps. With fewer forests, the strategic points on the battlefield are particularly identifiable. We made the road network in such a way as to have it look natural. Similarly, Cyrus has no prominent game corridors. This means there should be less one-on-one action on this 3vs3 map and more of a team fight.



We would love to hear what you think of Cyrus. Your continued feedback will be important in the production of our new maps. Don’t hesitate to drop us a line!

[h2]A mighty Volcano[/h2]
The new Volcano also clocks in at 82km², and benefits from the same new design ethos as Cyrus. This 3vs3 battlefield revolves around a central plateau with evidence of ancient volcanic activities.



While less open than the previous map, many sections of Volcano feature good sight lines. Once again, we designed the roads in such a way to avoid corridors that would encourage players to get stuck in slogging 1v1 battles. We placed the command zones to form a more circular game zone.



Volcano is a good example of a compromise between a flat map with clear lines and something more uneven and organic.

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2] Cyrus or Volcano? What do you think? We look forward to your comments on the new maps coming soon to WARNO. We hope you'll have as much fun playing these battlefields as we had making them!

Join the passionate WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get to together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, or our Instagram.

See you on the battlefield, commander.

Hello!

It’s good to be back. As promised, today we will take another look at the next WARNO milestone, MASSENA. Detailed last week was NATO’s special West German territorial command, Territorialkommando Süd; this week we’ll highlight the East German version: Kampfgruppe der Arbeiterklasse Bezirk Erfurt. To save us all a bit of trouble, let’s shorten this new WARNO division to K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt.

Ever onwards, commander! Let’s keep reading to find out more.

[h2]A worker’s Army[/h2]
As we detailed in our first MASSENA preview, our focus in the milestone will be on two territorial commands - divisions that contain a mix of rear-line troops with additional armor or artillery support. Most times, these formations would guard the rear against potential airborne assaults or special forces raids. Equipped with older vehicles and arms, these commands could still handle themselves well in a defensive fight.



The name Kampfgruppe der Arbeiterklasse Bezirk Erfurt translates to Erfurt District’s Combat Group of the Working Class, situating this Warsaw Pact division in the southern part of East Germany, facing CENTAG. The organization of this formation differed from its West German counterpart. Made up of paramilitary-style platoons and companies, the soldiers mainly were party members or “politically reliable”.

While a civil reserve force, and in some ways a heavily armed militia, because of its training and armament, Combat Groups of the Working Class were well organized as a rear echelon defense formation. Of course, in war, these Kampfgruppe der Arbeiterklasse could deploy away from their home territories.



Divided into companies of a hundred men, the citizen-soldiers of K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt hailed from large factories or a city’s neighborhood. “Heavy hundred” companies were equipped with anti-tank, mortar, and anti-air platoons.

[h2]K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt[/h2]
In WARNO, the KdA squads are especially big, with 14 men per squad. They only field one LMG, while KdA Führer can bring 6 soldiers to the battlefield, carrying only the KMS-72. Much like a lot of equipment for this division, older small arms were available, from KMS-72 (AK-47) in place of the AK-74, RPG-7, and the ubiquitous l.MG-K machine guns. Heavier arms included 120mm mortars, 23mm AA guns and D-44 85mm anti-tank guns.

In the event of war, K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt would have relied on an arsenal of “vintage” materiel brought from reserve or training units. In the East German division’s case, this would have been as the ZSU-57-2 heavy SPAAG, BRDM-2 Malyutka, BTR-152 armored personnel carrier, PT-76 and even museum-worthy T-34/85 tanks.



Much like the West German TerrKdo Süd, our East German territorials were tasked with protecting precious assets of the army, and in WARNO will be able to call on heavy AA and artillery support (both East German and Soviet). With K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt, you’ll be able to bring to bear the Soviet 2S7M Malka 203mm self-propelled artillery and the East German M-46 130mm long-range howitzer.



The previously mentioned ZSU-57-2 will also be a part of the package. While this self-propelled anti-air gun might be obsolete against fast-moving combat planes, its twin 57mm AA guns (largest in-game) could still pose a major threat against low- and slow-flying helicopters. Furthermore, the Soviet 9K37 Buk-M1 will also be available. This mobile, heavy SAM is a new unit, though it was briefly featured in the 79th Guards Tank Division before being removed.

While the Bundeswehr maintained 11 divisions in peacetime, the East German NVA only had 6. But the army was well-drilled and organized, so in case of war, 4 infantry divisions could be formed from reservists within half a week. These formations would be raised in the rear - exactly the area of operations of K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt. Our new East German division will have access to a few reserve Mot.-Schützen-Division assets: infantry squads in BTR-70 or BTR-50, T-55A, ATGM and MANPAD teams, etc.

[h2]What can you expect in-game?[/h2]
Let’s detail each of K.d.A. Bezirk Erfurt’s in-game categories:

• The LOG category is quite generous, with access to many (unarmed) command vehicles and numerous suppliers, including the heavy Mi-26 helicopter.
  
• Likewise, the INF forces are pretty decent, with KdA infantry as its core, but also some vet-locked reserve Pionier and Mot-Schützen. The former can field the BTR-152 as an armored transport, the latter BTR-50.
  
• ART units are good, with the division’s access to Malka super-heavy self-propelled guns and M-46 towed howitzers, as well as 120mm mortars and D-30 122mm howitzers.

• Armored TNK forces are nothing to write home about, with mostly older equipment being fielded. This includes PT-76, T-34/85 and T-55A tanks, UAZ Fagot and BRDM-2 Malyutka tank destroyers, and D-44 towed anti-tank guns.
  
• RECO is a bit lacking, with only a few Scout squads, unarmed Mi-2 recon helicopters and BRDM-2 and PT-76 armored recon vehicles.
  
• AA on the other hand is pretty good with the heavy Soviet 9K37 Buk-M1 SAM, East German Strela-2M MANPAD squads, the ZSU-57-2 SPAAG and ZU-23-2 light AA guns.
  
• A few HELO units can fielded, including Soviet and NVA Mi-8 gunships, as well as the Mi-8MT [GUV] with its 30mm pods.
  
• AIR support is capable, with a selection of Soviet and East German planes. New loadouts are the (Soviet) Su-17M4 with 240mm rockets, the anti-tank MiG-27M and the SEAD Su-24MP. You will also be able to field the East German MiG-21bis with 130mm rockets.

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
All right, that was this week’s blog post. Hope you enjoyed our second preview of MASSENA. Tune in next week when we talk a bit more about maps!

Join the passionate WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get to together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, or our Instagram.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello commander!

Happy to see everyone enjoying the fruits of our LANNES labor! However, the Eugen team never rests on its laurels; we are already getting busy with the next WARNO milestone: MASSENA!

Let’s check out what’s in store!

[h2]A word about MASSENA[/h2]
First off, as is tradition, before we can kick off today’s DevBlog, a couple of words on the update’s name (and historical namesake): MASSENA. As you know, we named all of our milestones after famous French marshals during the Napoleonic wars.

André Masséna was Napoleon’s ablest lieutenant during the early days of Bonaparte’s campaign in Italy. The latter even nicknamed Masséna the “Dear Child of Victory”. He was also the marshal originating from the lowest social ranks, and a tarnished reputation surrounded him as Masséna became notorious as among the worst looter of the French army (and surprisingly very stingy).



Very active during the early years, isolation crept in for Masséna. Italy was relegated to a secondary theater after the action moved to Germany, Poland, and Austria. However, our general had a thunderous return in 1809 when, with the Grande Armée being fixed in Spain, Napoleon had to turn to Masséna and his troops for support.

The apex of the general’s career came soon after, during the battles of Aspern-Essling and Wagram. Unfortunately, our aging Masséna soon lost his vigor and energy. Sent to invade Portugal, he endured terrible hardships, with the invasion ending up in failure. Masséna retreated to Spain before being forced home to France. He was never to see active field service again, playing no real importance during the rest of the Napoleonic wars. He he died of natural causes in 1817.

[h2]What will MASSENA bring?[/h2] WARNO’s next milestone, MASSENA will introduce two German divisions of a new type: territorial commands. For our Steel Division 2 veterans out there, think Korück!

These commands were tasked with securing the rear area of the main NATO and Warsaw Pact armies against special forces and potential airborne assault operations. They guarded key locations, infrastructure, ammo and fuel depots, artillery, and other army assets. Although made up of second-line troops and equipment, these new divisions will be well-rounded in no small part to the heavy SAM and artillery forces they would be guarding. This makes them ideal candidates for defensive or support decks.

Within WARNO’s war scenario, these territorial command divisions would likely square up against the airborne divisions from recently released LANNES. Our territorial forces would aim to pin down and prevent the paratroopers from reaching their objectives.

[h2]Territorialkommando Süd[/h2]
We will start with West Germany’s Territorialkommando Süd (TerrKdo Süd) as our first new division. In real life, TerrKdo Süd was more of an administrative command than a field one, controlling traffic, performing basic counter-intelligence, security, etc. The formation was situated in both NATO’s CENTAG and SOUTHAG area of command, in central and south West Germany.



However, should an airborne assault occur during our World War III scenario, or perhaps Warsaw Pact forces making a lightning breakthrough, TerrKdo Süd would have been in command of all the rear units. This includes two full reserve brigades with tanks and a plethora of smaller formations.

One important feature of TerrKdo Süd is that while the division is composed chiefly of rear-line units, it will receive some (foreign) support. In case of a breakthrough and an unopposed Soviet drive on the Rhine, there would be one particular nation rather desperate to prevent Ivan from advancing through CENTAG’s to their border: the French.

TerrKdo Süd receives some reinforcements from France’s Armée de l’Air and 4e Division Aéromobile. The latter was France’s only air assault “division,” though more the size of a small brigade. This formation is equipped with a ton of Gazelle combat helicopters and a regiment of heliborne infantry specialized in anti-tank warfare. That means a lot of Frenchies lugging around MILAN systems!



[h2]Which units can you play with?[/h2]
What units can you expect with the new TerrKdo Süd division?

• The LOG category is pretty standard with an emphasis on heavy movers and suppliers: you get to play with the MAN Kat 6x6 truck and CH-53G helicopter.
  
• Lots of cheap INF slots. This includes many veterancy-locked Jäger, Heimatschutzen and Sicherungs squads, including organic M40A1 and MILAN 1 anti-tank teams, as well as some Feldjäger and Pioniers.Jäger infantry can deploy in M113A1G transports; the rest of the soldiers in soft-skin vehicles.
  
• Next to the Germans, some French airmobile squads, as well as MILAN 2 anti-tank teams in Super Puma helis, are available.
  
• TNK category is average, both in terms of slots and quality. Alongside the KanJpz, we encounter the mainstay of the German tank reserve arsenal: the M48 Patton in its 90mm M48A2CGA1 and 105mm M48A2GA2 variants. The latter is an up-gunned version with the M60 Patton’s main gun, giving it the same firepower but on a smaller, weaker chassis. Finally, the French P4 MILAN 2 offers a light but fast and powerful tank destroyer.

• The AA category is one of the stronger categories. With the formation’s task of protecting SAM sites, you’ll get quite a lot of affordable anti-air units. This includes the monotube FK20-2 20mm, as well as the good ‘ol Flak L/70 Bofors. Consider these very effective against choppers!
  
• Other units include Roland 2 and Roland 3 units, and the towed I-Hawk. To round it out, you also get to deploy Fliegerfaust squads.

• The ART forces of the TerrKdo Süd are pretty strong too in terms of availability and price, but come mostly as towed units. It includes the 120mm Tampella mortar, 105mm FH M1A2 (A2) (this model is already used as a placeholder for the 82nd Airborne Division’s M102 unit), and the 155mm FH155-1 (another name for the FH-70, deployable with our existing German divisions). The only self-propelled artillery unit is the older HS.30 Panzermörser 120mm mortar carrier.
  
• RECO is clearly not this division’s strong suit. There is limited availability and choice, including Aufklärer (4-man) and Jäger-Aufklärer squads, as well as French Gazelle Lisse (unarmed) and Gazelle Canon (20mm) recon helicopters.
  
• Lacking a helicopter force of its own, TerrKdo Süd instead relies entirely on French assets. This comes in the form of Gazelle Canon, Gazelle HOT 1 and Gazelle HOT 2.

• Air support is pretty decent, with several variants of the Luftwaffe’s F-4F available in anti-tank, bomber, and fighter roles, as well as the new F-104G bomber variant with its Mk.83 bombs.
  
• The French Armée de l’Air lends additional support with a single card each of Mirage 2000C RDI fighters and Mirage 5 F cluster bombers.
  

TerrKdo Süd is a pretty good defensive and support division. This is because of its many cheap infantry and tanks, allowing it to hold the line against enemy attacks. However, the formation lacks modern equipment to be confident on an offense, especially main battle tanks, armored transport carriers, and self-propelled artillery.

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
That’s it for the first preview of MASSENA. Come back next week for a look into the new Warsaw Pact division!

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See you on the battlefield, commander!