WARNO News

[h3]Disclaimer[/h3]

• New French infantry units armed with AA-52 light machine-gun display it as "AA-52 x2" despite them being single. It is only a localization issue: the unit, in model or gameplay, has only one LMG. It was spotted too late for this version and we deemed it wasn't reason enough to build another version and delay this release possibly up to next Monday.

[h3]Code fixes[/h3]

• Resolved an issue where the feedback Fire on Position would disappear after reloading a save.
  
• Fixed the end of game screen in Army General not always showing up
  
• Fixed artillery units not always firing after aligning
  
• Fixed auto-deployment of helicopters, which can no longer be deployed by AI over forests
  
• Fixed the display of unit sheets, for transports whose 4th weapon was not readable
  
• Fixed a crash occurring in multiplayer
  
• Fixed animation of some refueling helicopters
  
• Fixed towed units not being able to attach to a vehicle
  
• Fixed display of Forward Deployment Zone on MountRiver Training

[h3]Nato forces[/h3]

[h4]USA[/h4]


• M551 TTS SHERIDAN CP : weapon M240 added
  
• M551 TTS SHERIDAN : weapon M240 added
  
• N.G. AH-1S(ECAS) : Health points decreased 8 to 6
  
• AH-1F ATAS : Health points decreased 8 to 6
  
• AH-1F C-NITE : Health points decreased 8 to 6
  
• N.G. AH-1F TOWCOBRA : Health points decreased 8 to 6
  
• AH-1F TOWCOBRA : Health points decreased 8 to 6
  
• AH-1F HEAVY HOG : Health points decreased 8 to 6
  
• AH-1F COBRA : Health points decreased 8 to 6
  
• AH-64A APACHE ATAS : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• AH-64A APACHE [ATGM] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• AH-64A APACHE [RKT] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• N.G. AH-64A APACHE : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• AH-64A APACHE : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• OH-58D KIOWA : weapon Range increased 2100m to 2275m
  
• A-10A [AT] : ECM increased 15% to 20%
  
• A-10A [RKT] : ECM increased 15% to 20%
  
• A-10A [HE] : ECM increased 15% to 20%
  
• F-111E [HE] : Price decreased 215 to 175
  
• F-111F [LGB] : Price increased 245 to 260
  
• F-111F [LGB2] : Price increased 260 to 270
  
• F-111F [HE] : Price decreased 215 to 175
  
• AERO-RIFLES : weapon M249 added
  
• AERO-RIFLES LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• AIRBORNE LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• AIRBORNE (DRAGON) : Health points decreased 10 to 9
  
• AIRBORNE : Health points decreased 10 to 9
  
• ENGINEERS LDR. : Health points increased 5 to 11, Price increased 40 to 70, weapon M60 added
  
• PSSE-B : trait Military Police removed
  
• GREEN BERETS : Price decreased 65 to 60
  
• LIGHT RIFLES LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• LIGHT RIFLES (RCL) : Health points decreased 10 to 9, Price increased 55 to 60
  
• CEWI : trait SIGINT added,trait GSR removed
  
• N.G. RIFLES LDR. : Health points decreased 8 to 6, Price decreased 50 to 45
  
• RANGERS LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• MECH. RIFLES LDR. : Health points decreased 9 to 6, Price decreased 60 to 50, weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• FIRE TEAM (AT-4) : weapon M60 added
  
• FIRE TEAM LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• FIRE TEAM (DRAGON) : weapon M60 added
  
• MECH. RIFLES (LAW) : Health points decreased 11 to 9, Price decreased 60 to 55, Base Availability increased 7 to 9
  
• MECH. RIFLES (DRAGON) : Health points decreased 11 to 9, Price decreased 70 to 65, Base Availability increased 7 to 8
  
• M901A3 ITV : Price increased 70 to 75
  
• AB M167A1 VADS 20mm : Price decreased 60 to 50
  
• AERO-M167A2 PIVADS 20mm : Price decreased 70 to 50
  
• M167A2 VADS 20mm : Price decreased 70 to 50
  
  8TH INFANTRY DIVISION (MECH.)
  
  
  • RANGERS (DRAGON) : base Veterancy decreased from XP2 to XP1
  
  [h4]United Kingdom[/h4]
  
  
  • AIRMOBILE LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • MOT. AIRMOBILE LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • AIRMOBILE GUN GROUP : Price increased 45 to 55, Base Availability increased 7 to 8, weapon M72A3 LAW added
    
  • MILAN 1 : Price increased 45 to 50
    
  • PARA. MILAN 2 : Price increased 75 to 80
    
  • MILAN 2 : Price increased 70 to 75
    
  • AIRMOBILE PIONEERS : weapon MAG added
    
  • GUN GROUP : Price increased 25 to 30, weapon M72A3 LAW added
    
  • PARA. LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • RIFLES LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • GURKHA RIFLES LDR. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • R.A.F. BERLIN : Price increased 35 to 40, weapon M72A3 LAW added
    
  • AIRMOBILE SCOUTS : Price increased 50 to 65, weapon M72A3 LAW added
    
  • HSF : weapon L4A4 added
    
  • TERRIERS : weapon L2A3 added
    
  • FERRET MK2 : Optics increased Good to Very Good
    
  • FV102 STRIKER : Price increased 55 to 65
    
  • FV438 SWINGFIRE : Price increased 55 to 65
  
  [h4]Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland)[/h4]
  
  
  • MARDER 1A2 MILAN : Price increased 45 to 50
    
  • MARDER 1A2 : Price increased 40 to 45
    
  • MARDER 1A3 MILAN : Price increased 50 to 55
    
  • MARDER 1A3 : Price increased 45 to 50
    
  • F-4F [HE1] : Price increased 270 to 275
    
  • F-4F [HE2] : Price increased 270 to 275
    
  • PALR MILAN 1 : Price increased 45 to 50
    
  • Fs-PALR MILAN 2 : Price increased 75 to 80
    
  • PALR MILAN 2 : Price increased 70 to 75
    
  • B.G.S. : Price increased 35 to 50, weapon Blindicide RL-100 added
    
  • PIONIER (Armbrust) : Price increased 50 to 60, weapon Carl Gustav M2 added
    
  • Fs-JÄGER B1 : Price increased 80 to 85
    
  • Fs-JÄGER FÜH. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • FERNSPAHER : Price increased 75 to 90, weapon M72A3 LAW added
    
  • HEIMATSCHÜTZEN renamed HEIMAT-JÄGER
  • HEIMAT-JÄGER : Health points decreased 11 to 9, weapon Carl Gustav M2 added
    
  • JÄGER AUFKL. : Health points decreased 11 to 9, Price decreased 60 to 55
    
  • JÄGER FÜH. : Health points increased 4 to 10, Price increased 35 to 60, weapon MG3,G3A3ZF,Smoke grenade added
    
  • JÄGER : Health points decreased 11 to 9, weapon G3A3ZF added
    
  • JÄGER (PzF) : Health points decreased 11 to 9
    
  • PZ.GRENADIER (M113) : Price increased 45 to 50
    
  • PZ.GREN. FÜH. : Health points decreased 6 to 5, weapon MG3 added
    
  • PZ.GRENADIER (Marder) renamed PZ.GRENADIER
  • PZ.GRENADIER : Health points increased 5 to 6, Price increased 30 to 35, weapon G3A3ZF added
    
  • SEK : trait Shock removed
    
  • KANJPZ : weapon BK90/L40 added
    
  • MTW M113A1G : Price decreased 20 to 15
    
  • TPz FUCHS MILAN : Price decreased 40 to 35
    
  • BOFORS L70 : Price decreased 35 to 25
    
  • FK20-2 20mm : Price decreased 30 to 25
    
  • FK20-2 20mm ZWILLINGE : Price decreased 40 to 35
    
  • KRAKA 20mm : Price decreased 50 to 40
    
  • GEPARD 1A1 : Price decreased 95 to 80, Stabilizer decreased 20% to 15%
    
    5. PANZERDIVISION
    
    
    • PZ.GRENADIER : cards decreased 5 to 4
      
    • PZ.GRENADIER (CarlG) : cards increased 1 to 2
    TERRITORIALKOMMANDO SÜD
    
    
    • JÄGER FÜH. : added UNIMOG S404 as transport option, removed ILTIS as transport option
      
    • JÄGER (PzF) : cards increased 2 to 3
      
    • Removed JÄGER AUFKL., JÄGER (CarlG)
  
  [h4]France[/h4]
  
  
  • VAB T20/13 : Price decreased 50 to 40
    
  • MIRAGE 5 F [NPLM] : Price increased 215 to 240
    
  • MIRAGE F1C-200 : Price increased 185 to 200
    
  • MILAN 1 : Price increased 45 to 50
    
  • MILAN 2 : Price increased 70 to 75
    
  • PARA. MILAN 2 : Price increased 75 to 80
    
  • CMDT CHASSEURS : Health points decreased 8 to 5, Price decreased 40 to 35, weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • PARA. CMDT : weapon FR-F1,Smoke grenade added
    
  • CHASSEURS-PARAS : Price increased 55 to 60
    
  • PARAS-MARINE : weapon FR-F1 added
    
  • CMDT AEROMOBILES : Health points decreased 6 to 3, Price decreased 40 to 30, weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • CMDT GREN.-VOLTIGEURS : Health points decreased 6 to 4, Price decreased 40 to 35, weapon FR-F1,Smoke grenade added
    
  • GREN.-VOLTIGEURS (FR-F2) renamed GREN.-VOLTIGEURS (FR-F1)
  • GREN.-VOLTIGEURS (FR-F1) : Price increased 45 to 60, weapon FR-F1,LRAC F1 added
    
  • AML-60-12 : Price decreased 55 to 50
    
  • AML-60 GENDARM. : Price decreased 50 to 45
    
  • AMX-10 HOT : Price increased 70 to 75
    
  • VAB MEPHISTO : Price increased 70 to 80
    
  • VBL MILAN : Price increased 70 to 80
    
  • AMX-13 DCA : Price decreased 85 to 80
    
  • 53T2 20mm : Price decreased 35 to 25
    
  • PARA. 53T2 20mm : Price decreased 40 to 30
    
  • TRM-2000 TARASQUE : Price decreased 45 to 35
    
  • VLRA 20mm : Price decreased 60 to 55
    
    5E DIVISION BLINDEE
    
    
    • GRENADIER-VOLTIGEURS : cards decreased 6 to 2
      
    • Added GREN.-VOLTIGEURS (FR-F1)
  
  [h4]Belgium[/h4]
  
  
  • CVR(T) STRIKER : Price increased 55 to 65

[h3]Pact forces[/h3]

[h4]USSR (СССР)[/h4]


• 1V119 REOSTAT : Front Armor decreased 3 to 1
  
• BMP-1P (Fagot) : Price increased 35 to 40
  
• BMP-1PG : weapon PKT added
  
• BTR-ZD SKREZHET : Price decreased 55 to 45
  
• GT-MU-1D ZU-23-2 : Price decreased 45 to 40
  
• T-62M : weapon PKT added
  
• T-62MD : weapon PKT added
  
• T-62MV : weapon PKT added
  
• T-64BVK : Price decreased 275 to 270
  
• Ka-50 AKULA [AA] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• Ka-50 AKULA [AT] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• Mi-24D DESANT : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• Mi-24K : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• Mi-24P [AA] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• Mi-24P [AT1] : Health points decreased 10 to 8, Price increased 170 to 180
  
• Mi-24V [AA] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• Mi-24V [AT] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• Mi-24V [RKT] : Health points decreased 10 to 8, Price increased 140 to 160
  
• Mi-24V [AA2] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• Mi-24VP : Health points decreased 10 to 8
  
• MiG-25RBF [HE] : Price increased 215 to 230
  
• MiG-27K [LGB1] : Price increased 260 to 300
  
• MiG-27M [HE] : Base Availability decreased 3 to 2
  
• MiG-27M [RKT] : weapon S-8KOM added
  
• MiG-27M [AT] : Base Availability decreased 3 to 2
  
• Su-24M [LGB1] : Price increased 240 to 275
  
• Su-24M [HE] : Price increased 215 to 240
  
• Su-24M [SEAD] : Price increased 215 to 260
  
• Su-25 [CLU] : ECM increased 5% to 10%
  
• Su-25 [HE] : ECM increased 5% to 10%
  
• Su-25 [NPLM] : ECM increased 5% to 10%
  
• Su-25 [RKT1] : Base Availability increased 2 to 3, ECM increased 5% to 10%
  
• Su-25 [AT] : ECM increased 5% to 10%
  
• T-8M : ECM increased 10% to 20%
  
• DSh. FAGOT : Price increased 50 to 55
  
• FAGOT : Price increased 50 to 55
  
• DESANT. FAGOT : Price increased 55 to 60
  
• DSh. AFGANTSY : weapon SVD added
  
• DSh. KOM. : weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• DSh. (RPG-7) : weapon SVD added
  
• MOTOSTRELKI KOM. : Price increased 35 to 40, weapon SVD,Smoke grenade added
  
• DESANT. SPETSRAZVEDKA : Price increased 90 to 100
  
• SPETSNAZ KOM. : weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• DESANT. AFGANTSY : Price increased 50 to 55, weapon RPG-22 added
  
• DESANT. KOM. : weapon Smoke grenade added
  
• DESANTNIKI (BMD) : Base Availability decreased 8 to 6, weapon SVD added
  
• BRDM-2 KONKURS-M : Price increased 75 to 80
  
• BRDM-2 KONKURS : Price increased 65 to 70
  
• BTR-RD ROBOT : Speed increased 50 km/h to 60 km/h
  
• BTR-D : Speed increased 50 km/h to 60 km/h
  
• MT-LB SHTURM-S : Price increased 70 to 85
  
• DESANT. ZU-23-2 : Price decreased 45 to 35
  
• ZU-23-2 : Price decreased 40 to 30
  
• DESANT. GAZ-66 ZU-23-2 : Price decreased 60 to 55
  
• 9K33M3 OSA-AKM : Price increased 135 to 145, Base Availability decreased 5 to 4, Helicopter weapon Range increased 2825m to 3175m, Aircraft weapon Range increased 3525m to 3875m
  
• 2K22 TUNGUSKA : Price decreased 145 to 135, Stabilizer decreased 25% to 15%
  
• URAL-4320 ZPU-4 : Price decreased 45 to 40
  
• URAL-4320 ZU-23-2 : Price decreased 55 to 50
  
• ZSU-23-4M3 BIRYUSA : Stabilizer decreased 25% to 15%
  
  35-YA OG DESANTNO-SHTURMOVAYA BRIG.
  
  
  • DESANTNIKI (BMD) : cards increased 2 to 3
  
  [h4]German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik)[/h4]
  
  
  • SPz BMP-1P(C) : Price increased 35 to 40
    
  • SPW-152A ZPU-2 : Price decreased 45 to 35
    
  • KPz. T-55AM2B : weapon PKT added
    
  • T-72M1K renamed DOW. T-72M1D
  • AUFKL. Mi-14PL : Base Availability increased 2 to 3
    
  • Mi-24D [AA] : Health points decreased 10 to 8, Price increased 120 to 145
    
  • Mi-24D [AT] : Health points decreased 10 to 8, Price increased 120 to 145
    
  • Mi-24D [AT 2] : Health points decreased 10 to 8, Base Availability decreased 2 to 1
    
  • Mi-24P [AT] renamed Mi-24P [AT1]
  • Mi-24P [AT1] : Health points decreased 10 to 8, Price increased 170 to 180
    
  • Mi-24P [AT 2] : Health points decreased 10 to 8
    
  • MiG-21bis [CLU] : Price increased 215 to 230
    
  • MiG-21bis [HE] : Price increased 145 to 165
    
  • MiG-21bis [NPLM] : Price increased 145 to 165
    
  • MiG-21bis [RKT2] : Price increased 110 to 125
    
  • MiG-21bis [RKT1] : Price increased 110 to 125
    
  • Su-22M4 [RKT] : Base Availability increased 2 to 3
    
  • Su-22M4 [UPK] : Price increased 155 to 185
    
  • PALR FAGOT : Price increased 50 to 55
    
  • Fs-PALR FAGOT : Price increased 55 to 60
    
  • Fs-JÄGER FÜH. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • Fs-SPRENGTAUCHER : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • WACH. PANZERJÄGER : Price decreased 45 to 40
    
  • KSK : Price decreased 75 to 70
    
  • LUFTSTURM-JÄGER FÜH. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • MOT.-SCHÜTZEN FÜH. : weapon SVD,Smoke grenade added
    
  • MOT.-SCHÜTZEN (Strela) : Price increased 45 to 50, weapon RPG-18 added
    
  • MOT.-SCHÜTZEN (SVD) : Price increased 45 to 50, weapon RPG-18 added
    
  • WACHSCHÜTZEN FÜH. : weapon Smoke grenade added
    
  • WACHSCHÜTZEN : weapon SVD added
    
  • SPW-40P2 KONKURS : Price increased 65 to 70
    
  • SPW-40P2 MALYUTKA-P : Price increased 50 to 55
    
  • 2K11M3 KRUG-M3 : Price decreased 190 to 155
    
  • FLAK S-60 57mm : Price decreased 55 to 45
    
  • FASTA-4 : Base Availability increased 8 to 10
    
  • FLAK KS-19M2 100mm : Price decreased 85 to 70
    
  • FLA-MG ZPU-4 : Price decreased 25 to 20
    
  • FLAK ZU-23-2 23mm : Price decreased 40 to 30
    
  • LO-1800 FASTA-4 : Base Availability increased 6 to 8
    
  • 9K33M3 OSA-AKM : Price increased 135 to 145, Base Availability decreased 5 to 4, Helicopter weapon Range increased 2825m to 3175m, Aircraft weapon Range increased 3525m to 3875m
    
  • W50 LA/A 25mm : Price decreased 50 to 40
    
    4. MOT.-SCHÜTZEN-DIVISION
    
    
    • Mi-24D [AA] : base Veterancy decreased from XP2 to XP1
      
    • Mi-24D [AT] : Veterancy locked
      
    • Mi-24D [AT 2] : Veterancy locked
      
    • MiG-21bis [AA2] : cards decreased 2 to 1
      
    • MiG-21bis [AA] : cards decreased 2 to 1
      
    • MiG-23MF [AT] : cards decreased 2 to 1
      
    • MiG-23BN [AT] : cards decreased 2 to 1
    7. PANZERDIVISION
    
    
    • Mi-24D [AT] : cards decreased 2 to 1
      
    • Mi-8TV [RKT 1] : cards decreased 2 to 1
    K.d.A. BEZIRK ERFURT
    
    
    • MiG-21bis [HE] : cards decreased 2 to 1
  
  [h4]Poland[/h4]
  
  
  • Lim-6M : Base Availability increased 3 to 5
    
  • PIECHOTA ZMECH. : Base Availability increased 9 to 10

[h3]Army General only[/h3]

• Fs-AUFKLÄRER : weapon SVD added

Hello, hello, hello!

We return with another NORTHAG-flavored DevBlog. In today’s post, we’ll focus on the first of the two new Army General campaigns to be featured in our upcoming major expansion.

Let’s go explore Four Days to the Weser campaign!

[h2]NORTHAG’s Army General Campaigns[/h2]
The NORTHAG expansion will feature two new massive turn-based Army General campaigns. Both are centered on the NORTHAG command, detailing two new powerful Warsaw Pact thrusts into NATO-controlled territory.

The northern offensive is aimed at Bremen and sees the East Germans strike through a (still) mobilizing Dutch I Corps around the Lüneburg area. This campaign is called Four Days to the Weser, and preview it in more depth below.

The southern strike is around Hanover, and it is here that the communists run into trouble early on, giving the reinforcing British time to bring up heavy tank reinforcements. This, in turn, sees the hasty deployment of some additional mechanized Polish units. The name for this Army General campaign is Armored Fury and will be detailed in a future DevBlog.

[h2]NORTHAG’s Historical Context[/h2]
NATO’s NORTHAG command, as we already mentioned a couple of times, was the cobbling together of four different NATO corps from four different nations, all under unified British command. From the south to the north, these were the Belgians, British, Dutch, and West German, backed up by some additional pre-positioned American forces.



Glancing at the numbers and equipment on paper, it looked like a very strong command, but in reality, NORTHAG was closer to an idol made with feet of clay. Made up of many different national armies, political pressures from various governments and conflicting policies were rife. For instance, the Belgian Army’s outdated equipment, the Dutch questionable decision to keep the majority of its troops home to be “mobilized” in case of war, lack of standardization, etc., were all issues identified by the 1980s.

While the Americans believed Fulda to be the most likely flashpoint and invasion route of World War III in West Germany (due to the proximity of a whole bunch of military and civilian infrastructure in the Frankfurt/Middle Rhine area), the terrain was not very favorable to large-scale maneuvers. The Soviet High Command, seeing the benefit of keeping (at least some) of NATO’s attention fixed, was all too happy to oblige and play their part in a maskirovka deception to fix substantial CENTAG forces in this sector. Meanwhile, the North German Plain, essentially the whole of NORTHAG, was perfect for massive mechanized warfare. Furthermore, the disparaged multinational forces were perceived to be a key weakness, more fragile, and prone to break if enough pressure was brought to bear.



[h2]The War Front[/h2]
In our war scenario, which you already should be familiar with thanks to WARNO’s base game’s CENTAG Army General campaigns, the Warsaw Pact first launches several strong offensive thrusts across the Inner German Border, including Fulda. However, these are diversionary attacks. The sole Soviet 8th Guards Army is in the lead here, flanked and followed by an array of East German forces. Frankfurt was to be threatened or captured if possible, but seizing it wasn’t mandatory. The primary purpose of this offensive was to fix the American and West German attention (and troops) as much as possible.

Further north, the Soviet 1st Guards Tank Army quickly attacked west; its path mostly opened in the initial covert ops raid at Kassel Airport. This thrust was aimed at NORTHAG’s soft underbelly: the 1st Belgian Corps. In the meantime, further up north, the rest of NORTHAG was bracing itself but eerily quiet, apart from artillery duels, small-scale attacks, and airstrikes. This wouldn’t last long.



[h2]NORTHAG Under Pressure[/h2]
So, with the Belgian I Corps under pressure from the whole of the Soviet 1st Guards Tank Army, NORTHAG was forced to react. The British I Corps diverted its 3rd Armoured Division, and the West Germans its 7. Panzerdivision to the south. This also had the dangerous effect of forcing the rest of NATO’s divisions to shift their front or relocate to fill the gaps.

This was, of course, the moment the Warsaw Pact had waited for. The northern communist army groups started their two main attacks on NORTHAG on June 23rd, 72 hours into World War III.

The northern one is an East German-led on the Lüneburg-Bremen axis, while the southern one is on the Hanover-Osnabrück axis (as mentioned briefly before). Let’s detail Four Days to the Weser (the northern attack) a bit more.

[previewyoutube](insérer vidéo d'intro)[/previewyoutube]

[h2]Four Days to the Weser AG Campaign Preview[/h2]
This new Army General campaign takes place in the Lüneburg area, south of Hamburg. The Hanseatic city, although visible on the northern edges of the map, won’t be part of the campaign. It is situated across the unpassable river Elba and is part of NATO’s LANDJUT’s theater of operations.

In our new Army General campaign, which is I Dutch Corp’s area of responsibility, the Covering Force Area, a part of West Germany jutting into East Germany, has already been evacuated following pre-war plans. Surrounded on three sides by communist territory, it would have been complicated to defend this death trap. This shortening of NATO’s defensive lines allowed Warsaw Pact troops to cross the Elbe and advance on Lüneburg in force and relatively unmolested. The East German objective is to continue to attack and cross the Weser River near Hamburg within four days before NATO can muster enough reinforcements to mount a concerted defense on this natural obstacle.

Source: www.orbat85.nl

[h2]Opposing Forces[/h2]
The Four Days to the Weser offensive has been entrusted to the East German 5. Armee, operating independently (unlike the 3. Armee against CENTAG’s armies). This army is made up of the 8. and 19. Motorisierte Schützendivision, the elite and well-equipped 9. Panzerdivision (featured as a playable division) and the 20. Motorisierte Schützendivision, which is a partially mobilized division with T-72s in its tank regiment. These Nationale Volksarmee formations are backed by a host of smaller detachments, including two powerful Soviet independent tank regiments equipped with T-64B main battle tanks.



Opposing the communists is a verifiable Tower of Battle of NATO forces: chiefly the West German 3. Panzerdivision and the Dutch 41 Pantserbrigade, the lone Dutch formation actually stationed in West Germany. Additional support comes from the US Army’s 2nd Armored Division’s 3rd Brigade (Forward), pre-deployed in the area. The main forces of the Dutch I Corps (1ste and 4e Divisie) were supposed to be at their pre-arranged combat positions within 48 hours, being transported from the Netherlands. However, in the chaos of war, including major transportation issues, strikes on critical infrastructure, and a sumptuous sprinkling of Soviet Spetsnaz sabotage and raid actions in the rear, have clearly derailed this overly optimistic Dutch mobilization plan.



NATO has the objective of holding the East Germans at bay long enough for the Dutch main reinforcements to (finally) show up. Then, it's either stabilizing a defense or, ideally, counter-attack when the opportunity arises. For the Warsaw Pact, the war goal is simple: break through the enemy defenses as soon as possible and seize the objective across the Weser before the offensive stalls.

[h2]The new WARNO - NORTHAG expansion[/h2] WARNO - NORTHAG is the first major expansion coming to WARNO. World War III hits the North German Plain where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The expansion is planned for later in 2024.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG/

WARNO - NORTHAG will feature:

• 2 new Army General campaigns.
  
• 4 new Operations.
  
• 10 new Divisions, including NATO’s Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie, Dutch 4e Divisie, the British 4th Armoured Division and MultiNational Airborne Division, and the American 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division, while the Warsaw Pact deploys the Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya, the East German 9. Panzerdivision, and the Polish 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowan, 20 Dywizja Pancerna and Grupa Desantowa.
  
• 3 new playable nations: NATO’s Belgium and the Netherlands, and Warsaw Pact’s Poland.
  
• New voice acting.
  
• New units and models.

[h2]The new WARNO- NORTHAG detailed[/h2]
We have started detailing WARNO - NORTHAG’s features. Check the dedicated forum post for all the detailed previews!

NORTHAG ... what to expect?

[h2]Until Next Time[/h2]
That’s it for this week’s first DevBlog. We’ll talk about the first Operation in the next post, called Running the Gauntlet.

Join the 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.

Hello commanders,

We are back again with the second DevBlog this week. In today’s post, we’ll focus on another new map coming with the WARNO - NORTHAG expansion: Factory.

All new maps coming will be freely available and downloadable for all owners of WARNO.

Let’s go!

[h2]Hard at work in Factory[/h2]



Factory is another new 3v3 map (spanning around 9 km²) that stands out for its massive central industrial zone. This battlefield is inspired by a real location near Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, West Germany. Kind of curious to know which one of you sleuths can figure out the real spot. Post your suggestions in the comments!

As said, the rather extensive industrial size is a key strategic point on the map, designed for intense action and hardcore fighting. We plan to release additional modes and variants after Factory’s initial release to the public.



To prevent the industrial zones from becoming a massive chokepoint, we made sure to design some bypass options. Likewise, the Command Zones of Factory are all located around the industrial area. This also means that players can maneuver around the central zone.



The fun doesn’t stop here. We included mountain ranges on the map’s edges to give players an additional chance to circumvent the central industrial sectors. A dense network of paths allows units to move quickly (and perhaps discreetly) through this wooded mountainous terrain.



Factory’s design was made to offer players a whole gamut of different tactical options: direct, but brutal engagement in the industrial zone, flanking maneuvers, or a more stealthy flanking approach through the mountains. Ensuring Factory would be represented in the best possible way, we optimized the map’s rendering and performance to the fullest.



We can't wait to hear what you think of Factory!



[h2]The new WARNO- NORTHAG expansion[/h2] WARNO - NORTHAG is the first major expansion coming to WARNO. World War III hits the North German Plain where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The expansion is planned for later in 2024.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG/

WARNO - NORTHAG will feature:

• 2 new Army General campaigns.
  
• 4 new Operations.
  
• 10 new Divisions, including NATO’s Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie, Dutch 4e Divisie, the British 4th Armoured Division and MultiNational Airborne Division, and the American 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division, while the Warsaw Pact deploys the Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya, the East German 9. Panzerdivision, and the Polish 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowan, 20 Dywizja Pancerna and Grupa Desantowa.
  
• 3 new playable nations: NATO’s Belgium and the Netherlands, and Warsaw Pact’s Poland.
  
• New voice acting.
  
• New units and models.

[h2]The new WARNO- NORTHAG detailed[/h2]
We have started detailing WARNO - NORTHAG’s features. Check the dedicated forum post for all the detailed previews!

NORTHAG ... what to expect?

[h2]Until Next Time[/h2]
That’s it for the second of two DevBlogs. We’ll be back next week!

Join the 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.

Hello, hello, hello!

Having finished the last of our NORTHAG Division previews last week, it's high time we surveyed the new maps coming with our first major expansion. These maps will be available to download for free to all owners of WARNO.

In this week’s first DevBlog, let’s look at the new Stoneware battlefield.

[h2]Digging Rocks in Stoneware[/h2] Stoneware is a new 3v3 9 km² combat arena inspired by the quarry-filled landscapes of the larger Ruhr region in West Germany. Let’s see how your tactical skills will hold up while taking advantage of the map’s unique terrain.



The creation of Stoneware was fueled by extensive background research. The battlefield’s design is much more complex and detailed compared to some of our existing maps. The topography is multi-layered and looks pretty damn good, if we say so ourselves.

One of the more interesting features are the map’s quarries, which take center stage. Capturing and defending them against the enemy will be critical to securing victory.



Stoneware’s Command Zones are expansive and situated around built-up areas that serve as hardy defensive points. Holding these fortified sectors will be likewise key.



[h2]A Unique Tactical Challenge[/h2]
The mix of rugged terrain, mountains, and flatlands will require some creative thinking in order to defend or attack through them. Be sure to use the chokepoints and woods to your advantage.



The open ground will allow for maneuvering forces, while urban combat will almost be necessary when attacking an enemy-held Command Zone.



What do you think? Will Stoneware become the next WARNO fan-favorite? Let us know!



[h2]The new WARNO- NORTHAG expansion[/h2] WARNO - NORTHAG is the first major expansion coming to WARNO. World War III hits the North German Plain where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The expansion is planned for later in 2024.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG/

WARNO - NORTHAG will feature:

• 2 new Army General campaigns.
  
• 4 new Operations.
  
• 10 new Divisions, including NATO’s Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie, Dutch 4e Divisie, the British 4th Armoured Division and MultiNational Airborne Division, and the American 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division, while the Warsaw Pact deploys the Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya, the East German 9. Panzerdivision, and the Polish 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowan, 20 Dywizja Pancerna and Grupa Desantowa.
  
• 3 new playable nations: NATO’s Belgium and the Netherlands, and Warsaw Pact’s Poland.
  
• New voice acting.
  
• New units and models.

[h2]The new WARNO- NORTHAG detailed[/h2]
We have started detailing WARNO - NORTHAG’s features. Check the dedicated forum post for all the detailed previews!

NORTHAG: what to expect?

[h2]Until Next Time[/h2]
That’s it for the first of this week’s two DevBlogs. Tune back in this Thursday for a preview of the new Factory map.

Join the 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.

Hello commanders,

We return with Division #10, the last of our divisional previews of our upcoming major NORTHAG expansion. In today’s DevBlog, we’ll look at the Warsaw Pact’s special Polish airborne-naval Grupa Desantowa.

Onwards!

[h2]Warsaw Pact’s Polish Grupa Desantowa[/h2]
Much like the preceding NATO’s US 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division, the Polish Grupa Desantowa will feature units not specifically earmarked for combat in NORTHAG in West Germany, but to be used instead against Denmark. To be more precise, Denmark’s many outlying islands.



Today’s battlegroup isn’t a division per se, but the combined Grupa Desantowa, a corps-size “assault group” made up of three distinct Polish People’s Army formations.

• The 6 Brygada Powietrznodesantowa or 6th Airborne Brigade.
  
• The 7 Brygadę Desantowa or 7th Sea Landing Brigade.
  
• The 15 Dywizja Zmechanizowan or 15th Mechanized Infantry Division.

6th Airborne Brigade
The 6th Airborne was formed as the 6th Infantry Division before being turned into the 6th Pomeranian Airborne Division in 1957, and ultimately the 6th Pomeranian Airborne Brigade in 1986. Interestingly enough, when the division was first created, the communist Polish commanders took their cues from the World War 2-era Allied 1st Independent Airborne Parachute Brigade (which saw action during Market Garden in 1944) in the best ways to organize the formation. In the late Cold War, based in Warsaw, this airborne brigade wore their red berets and were highly trained paratroopers destined for airborne assaults.



7th Sea Landing Brigade
This brigade saw life as another infantry formation (the 23rd Infantry Division in the 1960s) before being turned into the 7th Sea Landing Division in the 1963, downsized to brigade size in 1986. Originally destined to be a mechanized division, with the new planning to take the Denmark islands, this formation was reorganized in the 1960s and 70s into a naval infantry unit before being earmarked for amphibious landings (and duly re-equipped with amphibious-capable vehicles and tanks). They were famously known for their blue berets. This brigade was among the first Polish formations to maintain full combat readiness during peacetime.



(for Polandballs, and many others, see Feldwebelkatze's DevianArt gallery)

15th Mechanized Infantry Division
A typical Polish People’s Army mechanized infantry division, it too saw life in the 1950s. It would form the second wave of the offensive into Denmark.

[h2]The Polish Grupa Desantowa Detailed[/h2]
The Polish plan for Grupa Desantowa was for the two elite light brigades to invade the outlying Danish islands through airborne and amphibious landings, establish a foothold, and be reinforced by a second wave of troops coming from the mechanized division. Meanwhile, the Polish 1st Army (the parent formation of our 20 Pacerna armored division) would invade Denmark through a more conventional land route (through West Germany).



Our WARNO Grupa Destanowa will represent the first phase of the assault, with a combination of airborne and naval troops. A few scattered elements of the 15th Mechanized are a token representation of the second wave and featured to make the battlegroup in WARNO a bit more viable. As such, this Polish division will be a unique blend of paratroopers (coming with Forward Deployment and Shock traits) and naval infantry (with Resolute trait), each featuring their own organization and equipment.

[h2]The Polish Grupa Desantowa in WARNO - NORTHAG[/h2]

LOG

• Not that great. Although the Grupa Destanowa is not entirely airborne, the battlegroup is regarded as such as its combat role is to project into enemy-held territory with whatever equipment and manpower it could bring. Thanks to the Polish People’s Navy support and relative proximity to Poland, it can rely on heavier supply units compared to other airborne battlegroups.
  
• This means no FOB, but supply units do include the light DESANT. WD-43 ZAOP. jeep with Forward Deployment trait, the amphibious new medium BAW-485 ZAOP. (basically, a World War 2-era DUKW) and the heavy PTS-M ZAOP[ (same as found in Rügener Gruppierung) supply vehicles. Additional supply support comes as the new heavy Mi-6 ZAOP. helicopter.
  
• Command vehicles include the DOW. DESANT WD-43, BRDM-2 R-5, and the naval infantry’s (new) TOPAS R-3M.

INF

• An excellent category, as is fitting for an “airborne” division. As described previously, the roster of infantry is mostly divided between Polish airborne and naval troops, with some additional support:
  
  • SPADOCHRONIARZE are new paratrooper squads and come in leader, RPG-7VM, Metis and triple-PKM variants.
    
  • Other (new) DESANT. (Airborne) units include new SAPERZY (leader, explosives and 3-man flamethrower), existing SPG-9, FAGOT, PKM HMG weapon teams, and new security units.
    
  • Airborne troops also bring their sole fire support vehicle, the DESANT. WD-43 SPG-9.
    
  • All of the above units come with the Forward Deployment trait, plus one level of veterancy. They can only deploy in WD-43 jeeps or GAZ-66B trucks.
  
  
  
  
  
  • NIEBIESKIE BERETY are the “Blue Berets,” the new Polish naval infantry, and come in command and 12-man rifle squads.
    
    • Additional naval troops include the new NIEB. BERETY SAPERZY in command, explosives, and flamethrower (with three flamethrowers!) variants.
      
    • PKM HMG and new DRUZYNA PPANC. tank hunters.
      
    • All the above units feature the Resolute trait and come in either MAW/BAV-485 amphibious softskins or TOPAS-2A (with PKT), TOPAS-2AP (with KPVT/PKT AA turret) or the new TOPAS SPG-9 with two fixed-forward RCL strapped to its hull.
    
    
    
    
    
    • The airborne brigade component of the Grupa Destanowa can also count on its own (new) DESANT. KOMANDOSI special forces elements. These squads are the only heliborne unit available, with access to the W-3 SOKOL, and either the unarmed or armed Mi-8T.

ART

• A typical category with a standard number of weapons. These include M43 82mm and 2S12 120mm mortars, plus DESANT. 2B9 VASILEK automatic one.
  
• The new 2S1M MORSKI GOZDZIK self-propelled gun, which is a naval-only model featuring the same stats as its land-based cousin, plus the BM-21 GRAD. These are the only true artillery pieces the naval brigade can muster.
  
• 2S7 PIWONIA 203mm heavy artillery guns were attached to the Grupa Desantowa to provide heavier support.
  
• A new unit is the WP-8Z, a light towed MLRS launcher with 8x 140mm tubes.

TANK

• Not very spectacular. The naval brigade had its own tank battalion and some anti-tank vehicles. These include PT-76B in command and “tank” variant, the T-55A, in the same range of flavors, and the BRDM-2 MALYUTKA-P.
  
• The airborne brigade brings its scant anti-tank means. In real life, this only amounted to the DESANT. WD-43 FAGOT.
  
• We added some additional vehicles the Poles had removed from the paratroopers when the division was downgraded to a brigade in 1986. These were kept in storage but now see renewed action: the new ASU-85 light airborne tank destroyer. It features a D-48 anti-tank gun in a casemate on a PT-76 chassis. This unit comes in command and “vanilla” variants.

RECO

• A pretty good category including DESANT. variants of existing units such as SNAJPER, ZWIADOWCY, and ROZP. SPECJALNE.
  
• Armored recon vehicles are the BRDM-2 and PT-76.
  
• And airborne recon includes the new W-3RR PROCJON helicopter with SIGINT trait (this is being tested as we speak).

AA

• Below-par with only light and towed equipment available.
  
• These include STRZALA-2M and DESANT. STRZALA-2M MANPAD teams.
• Non-airborne AA units come as either the TOPAS-2AP (with AA turret) or the TOPAS JOD with a ZUR-23-2S.
  
• DESANT. ZU-23-2 and DESANT. ZUR-23-2S towed guns.
  
• And the HIBNERYT-KG gun truck.

HELO

• Pretty good, as this battlegroup has been given the lion’s share of communist Poland’s helicopter support for our war scenario.
  
• This means both Mi-24D [AT] (with Falanga-P) in two distinct variants, and the Mi-24W (with Kokon).
  
• New gunship variants of the SOKOL, being the W-3W [RKT] (23mm gun plus 40x 80mm rockets) and the W-3W [AA] (23mm gun plus 20x 80mm rockets plus 4x Strela-2M missiles).

AIR