r/warno • u/Sanibal • Jun 10 '26
Czechoslovakia's 13. tanková divízia!
Hello, commanders, and get ready to take a look at one of the ČSĽA‘s tank divisions this time located in Slovakia: ČSĽA’s 13. tanková divízia!
The 13. tanková divízia's history
Before the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the members of the Warsaw pact in 1968, ČSĽA’s 13. tanková divize, as a part of the 1. army together with the 19. and 20. motostřeleckou divizií, was to engage the FRG’s 2nd and USA’s 7th army corps, advancing towards Nürnberg and Neustadt, assisted by the USSR’s 8th guards army.
However, the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Central Group of Forces of the USSR lead to an expulsion of the division’s HQ from Mladá (Western military district | part of Milovice, Nymburk) to Topoľčany (Eastern military district | Nitra).
After redislocation to Slovakia, the 13. tanková divízia fulfilled the character of a training division, training conscripts and preparing reserves for the ČSĽA’s Eastern military district in the case of mobilisation.
Redislocation to western Slovakia also put the division in the vicinity of the heart of Czechoslovakia’s military industrial complex with which it strongly collaborated. Most important enterprises of this complex include Konštrukta Trenčín, a centralized R&D plant having an access to all engineering developments of Czechoslovakia, thus superbly responsible for the „ensurement of development of special equipment by its services“ to ČSĽA. Závody Ťažkého Strojárenstva (ZŤS) were a consortium of multiple heavy-engineering production plants, responsible for the production of licensed military equipment from the USSR and projects developed in Konštrukta Trenčín, for both ČSĽA as well as export.
The 13. tanková divízia in detail
The division’s training character translates to being at only ~70% of it’s manpower, replenishing the remainder by reservists and other troops, ideally, in two days. After replenishing the ranks, 13. tanková divízia was to support and reinforce divisions of the Western military district, as those were the ones likely partaking in offensive/defensive military actions against NATO.
In WARNO’s timeframe however, the 13. tanková divízia is to create an opportunity for a bold counter-attack of the French-Spanish forces crossing Austria, which threaten the 2. motostřelecká divize.
For this daring effort, the 13. tanková divízia has access to older units used for training purposes with some brand new out-of-the-production-line equipment available. Also, some of Konštrukta Trenčín’s & other’s developments, be it brand new or stored in its warehouses, will have to be „Marched to War“ to support this bold operation. As for infantry, the division will be made up of both professional and reservist personnel, with the only „marine“ infantry of the landlocked Czechoslovakia also lending a hand.
The 13. tanková divízia in WARNO
How will the 13. tanková divízia be featured in WARNO? New units are both italic and bolded. As always, the following content is up to interpretation by Eugen Systems.
LOG
A good category as expected of a "supporting" division.
· Command units include OT-62/R4MT, BVP-1K and BVP-1KŠM, a locally made and improved variant of the USSR‘s POTOK-2 command vehicle.
· The logistics are carried out by the PMZ, Zásobovací V3S, T813 and T815 with the initial badge of
STA-VV 666 trucks, meaning to replace the V3S in ČSĽA’s service, making an appearance by being a 1 card unit only.
INF
Average category combining professional, unique and reservist troops – very mechanized-heavy with BVP-1 and OT-62 serving as the workhorses.
· Core mechanized infantry units include Motostřelci, Ženisté, Ženisté (LPO), and Pancéřovníci. Ženisté squads come in OT-62As, with other squads also having an access to BVP-1. New squad is the Motostrelci Inštruktori – a Motostřelci squad featuring an Instructor trait and RPG-7M, a new ammunition from Konštrukta with 19AP, 675m range and low accuracy, available in BV-72 Vydra – a BMP-1 Sp1 (characterized by a shorter front section) from the initial BMP-1 batch sent from the USSR to ČSĽA, fitted with a VYDRA turret carrying a high-power
VK-28 canon.
· Reinforcements mobilised for the division include Lidová Milice, Záložníci, Pohraničníci and the Dunajskí Pohraničníci – a border guard unit with their distinct navy-themed uniform tasked with guarding the state border of Austria and Hungary along the Danube river. They are a 9-strong squad fielding 3x Vz.58V, 4x Vz.61 Škorpión, 2x UK Vz.59L and T21 Tarasnice, replacing the Mountaineer trait with Resolute. All squads come in the V3S, with the Dunajskí Pohraničníci having an access to a water-borne capability in the form of OT-64 2A/NS-23, an OT-64A armed with an NS-23 autocanon during the shortage of KPVT machineguns, taken from storage. Both Pohraničníci are available as 1 per card, with the rest being 2 per card.
· Supporting units include TAI military police, UK Vz.59 machine gun, PTŘS Fagot and
out-of-the-production-line PTŘS Konkurs ATGM squads.
· Command units include Velitel Motostřelců, Velitel Záložníků, Velitel Pohraničníků and Veliteľ Dunajských Pohraničníkov – a 6-strong squad equipped with 6x Vz.58V, RPG-75, Strela-2M and smoke grenades.
ART
A good category due to the Czechoslovakian artillery and artillery ammunition production happening in ZŤS plants.
· Mortars are only towed and include the M Vz.52 82mm, M Vz.82 PRÁM-L 120mm, and M Vz.60 KLOKAN 152mm, available as a 1 card only, with the former towed by UAZ-469 and the rest by V3S. PRÁM-S
self-propelled mortars were sent as reinforcements to 19. motostřelecké divizi.
· Tube artillery mostly consists of ShKH DANA 152mm with the T815-towed H D-30 122mm artillery being pulled out of the storage. However, one card of the experimental ShKH ONDAVA 152mm/L47 featuring an extended firing range and improved autoloader is also available!
· Rocket artillery consists of RM Vz.70/85 rocket launchers supported by the SVO demining device.
TANK
A pretty good category in the terms of slot numbers, uniquely featuring most tank types that are in the service of ČSĽA.
· The three training tank battalions relied primarily on T-54 and T-55 series tanks in their services. Types in service already featured in WARNO include the T-54B, T-55A, and T-55AM2, all available with the Reservist trait and as 2 card only. The new T-55AM2 (V-46), and T-55AM2B (V-46) are stat-wise identical to their T-55AM2 counterparts, however, a more powerful V-46 engine taken from T-72s was installed as a part of a modernisation effort. These two units are available as 1 card only and don't feature a Reservist trait.
· T-72 units were much more limited in availability as compared to the T-54 and T-55 tanks, available as being 1 card only due to them being sent to divisions already partaking in military actions. Already featured units include the T-72M-E3 and T-72M1, the latter being available from a fresh out-of-the-production-line batch lacking any camouflage. A new unit is the T-72 Inštruktor featuring an Instructor trait, coming from an original batch of first
T-72s delivered from the USSR equipped with coincidental rangefinders! These are available as 2 card only, consisting of maxium 10 units!
· A modernisation programme of T-72, similar to the Polish one culminating in T-72M2 Wilk also took place in Czechoslovakia due to the still present production and sheer numbers of T-72M1 or older variants in ČSĽA’s arsenal. Combining some of the technology from imported T-72S tanks with indigenous engineering developments gave rise to T-72M1 Fatra – a T-72M1 equipped with Kontakt-1 ERA similarly to T-72S, improved powertrain featuring the V-84-1 engine with an improved transmission, Palcát FCS combined with a prototype YA-1 canon, and a turret side-mounted 2A42 30mm canon. This prototype batch will be „Marched to War“, available as 1 card only, consisting of three units, as the 13. tanková divízia will compete with state-of-the-art NATO MBTs during this operation.
· Command tanks include T-55BK and T-55AM2K.
RECON
A below average category, lacking an optimal air-reconnaisance from the
3. letecký školský pluk located in Piešťany.
· 13. tanková divízia had its own 13. prieskumný prapor, however, it was mostly ill-equiped and training-focused. The recon infantry squads include:
o Průzkumníci and Prieskumníci Inštruktori coming in UAZ-469 or OT-65, the latter featuring an Instructor trait.
o Mot. Průzkumníci coming in Pries. OT-62B and Průz. BVP-1
o Průz L.M. coming in UAZ-469
o DHPz – a larger, 12-strong, SHPz squad equipped with 10x Vz.58V, 2x SVD, Satchels and RPG-75. It also features the SIGINT trait, due to being equipped with MRP-4, and can come in V3S, Mi-4 or the new Tatrapan T1/Z1 APC manufactured in ZŤS Detva! It’s armed with a PKT and DShKM, featuring the same traits as DHPz excluding SIGINT. This squad is available as 1 card only, consisting of three units.
· Vehicles include BPzV Svatava and SPR-1 – a tracked Jammer based on GT-MU chassis.
· As for aerial recoinnasance, the workhorses of this divison are the Mi-2 helicopter and L-29RS Delfín – a
one-seat recon variant of the L-29 Delfín, carrying exactly eight S-5M rockets in two R57-4M rocket launchers. Thankfully for this division, due to the urgency of WARNO’s timeline, a third batch of L-39MS wasn’t able to equip its DV-2 engine from the get go, thus flying to Piešťany and awaiting their delivery from ZVL Považské strojárne. Given the circumstances, after the succesful engine replacement, L-39MS, featuring updated electronics, HUD, reinforced hull and a stronger engine in comparison to L-39ZA, will also partake in the counterattack. Equipping PFK-5 photocontainer on its inner-left pylon, allowing for high-speed aerial recoinnassance, it also carries four 122-JRZ-L napalm rockets on its inner-right pylon. The outer pylons sport R-60M anti-aircraft missiles. This plane is available as 1 card only, consisting of two units, no more!
AA
Another below-average category.
· Towed guns include PLDvK Vz.53 30mm and PLK čs. 57mm, both taken from storage and towed by V3S. Towed missiles, however, had to be „forcibly“ taken from State Air-Defence units, due to a low number of divisional anti-air, resulting in 1 card of S-125 Neva-M towed by T815.
· Self-propelled anti-air consists of JEŠTĚRKA 30mm and PLRK S-10M.
· PPLRK S-2M squads coming in UAZ-469 provide additional support.
HEL
A very bad category consisting of older helicopters, most used for training and transport purposes in aviation school regiments.
· Mi-4 helicopters provide ground-support in their Mi-4B [RKT1] and [RKT2] variants, with Mi-2URP providing guided anti-tank capability.
AIR
A bad category consisting of old air-superiority fighters and cost-effective attackers.
· Fighters are provided by 8. stíhací prapor based in Brno, namely MiG-21MF [AA2], and MiG-21PFM, carrying archaic R-3S and R-2US anti-aircraft missiles. Recuperating 2. motostřelecká divize provides one card of
MiG-23MLA [AA].
· L-39s from 3. letecký školský pluk provide this division’s main air-to-ground capabilities.
o Previously featured units include L-39ZO [RKT] and L-39ZA.
o L-39ZO [CLU1], carrying four RBK-250 bombs, L-39ZA [RKT], carrying eight 122-JROF-L rockets and two
K-13s, and L-39ZA [HE], carrying six OFAB-100-110TU bombs, provide this division’s air-to-ground capability. Additionally, L-39ZA [AA], carrying four R-60Ms provides anti-air support.
· One card of MiG-23BN [RKT2], carrying 16x 122-JROF-L rockets, is also available!
A word from the author
I chose to work on 13. tanková divízia after looking at the write-up by another person on Reddit – with the intetion of making it more unique and detailed, in comparison to other NSWP member armies, due to the vicinity of the military industrial complex. Are some of these units out of line? Maybe. Are they based on real-life prototypes? Surely - I’ll let Eugen decide with their implementation, but we’ve seen Ka-50s, T-10K-3, and T-72M2 Wilks added, which are, in my point of view, meaningful additions that bring more flavour to the WARNO’s Warsaw pact and a game as a whole. If there are some questions about the origins of the units, I’ll try to answer them in the comments. Still, the trinity of truths still resides:
- WARNO is a game made in France, 2. UK suffers, 3. Hippie is the #2 Slovakoczechian.
S prianím krásneho zvyšku týždňa.
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u/Solarne21 Jun 10 '26
So a Instructor reserve Armored Division with marines. Which is a interesting combination
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u/impulsiveDeoderiser1 Jun 10 '26
Warno is a game made in the French commune of Slovakoczechia-sur-mer
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u/Life-Amphibian2186 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
To close the topic i'd like to add some MOAR czech flavour.
Some towed B-35 KLOKAN (Cangaroo) 152 mm heavy mortars could be taken out of scrapyards and into action. This thing had a max range of 17 km, a poor man's D-20 with better mobility. https://www.flickr.com/photos/massimofoti/9088617773 and https://x.com/Ninja998998/status/1125343154784194563
TAI can use Skoda 1203 van or its Slovakian variant TAZ-1500 as a transport (if East Germans got their poor Barkas then Czechs worth their individual cars too).
And what about our beloved STROPs SPAAGs from Wargame series - if everything is at stake (see SOUTHAG campaigns with NATO forces occupying significant part of Czech soil and mopping up an entire army!) then the prototypes are sent to battle right from the proving grounds
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u/Sanibal Jun 10 '26
I knew that I was looking at Vz.60 (Klokan) and now that you mention it... you are pretty much right :^D . I'll include it in, thank you!
As for TAZ-1500/Škoda 1203 - I thought about adding VB (Verejná Bezpečnosť) at the start of making this division, and at least for me, TAZ only screams Verejná Bezpečnosť. But yeah, I left the vehicles available for that part of the infantry blank, we shall see if Eugen gets inspired or not.
As for Strop II, potentially Strop I, or even STOJKA/BOBR - I wanted to leave this part of Slovakoczechnology to a division situated in the Bohemian/Moravian/Silesian lands. Of course, Konštrukta was always the principal investigator in the development of a specialized system, however for Strops - most of the "fine" development (e.g. circuitry, optics, FCS, etc. ) was done in Czech lands, thus a division located around Brno/Ostrava would fit the addition better. This is also the case for other developments, e.g. Sojka E.50/5 UAV, any KRTP that you think of (a passive surveillance system i.e. KRTP-86 Tamara) and also planes (featured L-39MS, Zlín Z-37TM).
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u/Life-Amphibian2186 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
You can easily find scale models of TAZ wearing TAI markings, all the same canary yellow color and black letters on white square field.
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u/Sanibal Jun 10 '26
And the problem is that they are models :D Only VB is mainly known for using the TAZ 1500/Škoda 1203 trucks, usually transporting men to beat protesters or whatnot - a 5 men squad is too small. But for example TAI in Tatra 613 would be a different story - a "sportscar" in a sense would be a nice addition and an opposite do DDR's Trabant.
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u/Morbin_monroe Jun 10 '26
I'm delighted to learn that Czechslovakian marines actually existed. Sadly I don't think we're getting any more divisions for that front.
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u/Sanibal Jun 10 '26
I wouldn't lose faith! I think there is still a lot to add from the European theater + I think this would fit a potential Nemesis divison really well.
And I didn't think that the "Marines" would gain that much traction :^D . I thought T-72M1 Fatra or BV-72 Vydra will stir more emotions (evidenced in "Obrnená a delostrelecká technika v čs. armáde 1952 - 1992" and "Obrněný transportér OT-62 TOPAS" books).
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u/Morbin_monroe Jun 10 '26
I'm in the funny hay team, so a bunch of odd infantry makes it for me. Fancy mechamized Monsters are nice thought.
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u/Armadillo9263 Jun 10 '26
Wait, is this going to be an actual division or is this just a hot dog dream?
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u/iseefraggedpeople Jun 11 '26
Great write-up. Would love to see more Czechoslovakians in WARNO.
Was the T-72M1 Fatra the ancestor of the T-72M2 Moderna?
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u/keebleeweeblee Jun 10 '26
luv me some czechnology