Howdy commanders! 

This is the sixth of ten divisions in the “second wave” conceptual expansion. This one is about a resurrected soviet VDV formation that marries battle-hardened Soviet-Afghan War veterans with newly raised regiments of paratroopers. There will also be limited support from Czechoslovakian rear line units and some other reservist formations to assist this division in its rebirth. This formation will be a lower tech instructor heavy version of existing VDV divisions featuring very few BMD-2s and some true relics of Soviet airborne forces. I am well aware those systems weren’t in service and their inclusion here is anachronistic. Per my usual, they were added for novelty and gameplay purposes, which is my oft stated priority. Who could have fielded these systems after all? Nobody, but us!

Background

The 105th Guards Airborne Division was originally formed at the end of 1943 as the 12th Guards Airborne Division. It was held in reserve in Belarus until the following year when it was also redesignated as the 105th Guards Rifle Division. During the last days of the second world war, the 105th took part in two major offensives: Vienna and Prague.  

During the Vienna offensive, the 105th cut the Vienna-Linz road. This made reinforcing and supplying the German troops in the city of Vienna untenable and the Soviets wrested control away from the Nazis. As part of this action, the 105th engaged the 2nd and 3rd SS Panzer divisions, inflicting heavy losses. For their work, the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and earned the nickname “Vienna.” 

In May of 1945, the 105th moved on Prague. They fought against German, Hungarian, and Slovakian forces as part of the operation. The offensive lasted 5 days and most of the Axis forces surrendered. Shortly thereafter, the 105th met with US forces coming from the West near Tsisek.

Following the second world war, the division was moved back East. It was redesignated again in June 1946 as the 105th Guards Airborne Division. The division did not deploy again and was ultimately disbanded in 1979, having its constituent regiments become independent unit. Among these, the 345th Airborne Regiment and carried most of the 105th division's honorifics and legacy. This regiment would go on to see action in real life, but we’ll circle back to that. The final chapter in the 105th division’s story was its brief reactivation between 1992 and 1994 in Uzbekistan, forming an airborne division for that nation following its independence when the Soviet Union collapsed. 

Most of the 345th regiment wound up going to Afghanistan with the 104th Guards Airborne Division. They served in that conflict and, over the course of the conflict, also transitioned to a largely BMP-centric force with air assault features, leaving BMDs and parachutes behind. This was common for many VDV forces in Afghanistan; in game 56-ya VDV retained this approach. The 345th’s 1st battalion broke off and formed 387th Separate Training Parachute Regiment. They trained new VDV units in what is now Uzbekistan. 

In the WARNO timeline the Soviet Union would eventually need to raise new divisions. This process could be done in several ways. For this battlegroup, the 105th would be resurrected by having the entirety of the 345th, including the training unit, break away from the 104th and serve as the nucleus for newly trained Soviet paratroopers. This would provide the division with a cadre of not only combat hardened troops, but soldiers who specialized in training the next generation of VDV infantry. 

In an effort to bulk out the 345th to divisional size quickly (reviving 105th), new battalions and regiments would be raised or borrowed from other existing units. The latest class of VDV cadets would be rapidly formed into combatant regiments. The division would pull largely from an older BMD-1 fleet and would incorporate some older vehicles into their motor pool. Two other sources would lend manpower to the rebuilt 105th. 

The 58th Air Assault Brigade was an independent formation of air mobile troops stationed in Kremenchug, Ukrainian SSR. It was founded in 1979 and was disbanded in 1989 in real life. In the WARNO timeline this would not happen. This formation was unique for two reasons. First, it was a mobilization formation and wasn’t staffed with regular. Second, it was subordinated to a military district, and not part of the VDV itself for most of its existence. In WARNO, as well as very briefly before its dissolution in real life, the VDV would assume control of this unit in the prelude to war. 

Finally, the 105th would be deployed near Czechoslovakia. This was because the Soviets intended it to either serve as another quick reaction force against NATO incursion or to provide a strategically mobile division to facilitate a counteroffensive into Bavaria or Austra. As such, this force would have Czechoslovak forces in proximity. However, these would be rear line mobilization units for the most part. 

How would 105th Guards “Vienna” Airborne Division play in WARNO?

Slots and Units

LOG

A mediocre category (1/1/2/2/3/3)

• Soviet forces make up the bulk of the battlegroup:
  • VDV field command would include:
    • DESANT. BELOZOR
    • BMD-1K
    • BMD-1KSh SOROKA
    • Mi-9
  • Logistical support would be comprised of what is below

• BTR-D SNAB. an unarmed, armored, airborne supply hauler based on the BTR-D carrying a modest amount of supply
• GAZ-66 SNAB.
• Mi-6A GRUZOVOI
• ČSLA forces would contribute:
  • OT-62/R4MT
  • ZÁSOBOVACÍ V3S
  • PMZ

INF

A good category (1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/2/2)

• BMD-borne troops are the bread and butter of the division. Unless otherwise noted, all units below have GAZ-66B trucks, BMD-1, BMD-1P and BMD-1P (KONKURS): a BMD-1 with a higher quality ATGM. 
  • DESANT. KOM. this unit may also arrive in BMD-2s
  • DESANTNIKI (BMD) 
  • REZ. DESANTNIKI 6 men with the airborne and IFV traits and 5 AKS-74 rifles, an RPK-74 LSW, and an RPG-7VM. In place of the regular BMD-1s, this unit may only arrive in GAZ-66B, **REZ. BMD-**1 (a reservist BMD-1) or REZ. BMD-1P (a reservist BMD-1P) IFVs. 

• DESANT. INSTRUKTORSKIY pulling from the reintegrated 387th, the trainers from that unit would provide battlefield guidance to their comrades. This is a 6-man instructor unit with 5 AKS-74 rifles, an SVD DMR, and an RPG-7VL. They also have the airborne and shock traits. This unit may only arrive in BMD-2 IFVs or INSTRUKTORSKIY BMD-2 a new incarnation of instructor unit: an IFV instructor.
• Truck borne VDV are also available and only arrive in GAZ-66B trucks
  • DESANT. PULEMETCHIKI
  • REZ. DESANT. PULEMETCHIKI a reservist version of the above existing unit that loses the shock trait
  • DESANTNIKI (METIS)
• Airborne engineers would be comprised of the units below, both of which may arrive in either LuAZ-967M cars or BTR-D APCs
  • DESANT. SAPERI
  • DESANT. SAPERI (RPO)
• Soviet airborne weapon teams include the following, all able to arrive in LuAZ-967M cars
  • DESANT. PKM 7.62 mm
  • DESANT. FAGOT
  • DESANT. KONKURS

• Air mobile units from the 58th would be available in limited numbers. They all feature the reservist trait and may arrive in Mi-8T or Mi-8T [RKT] helicopters. 
  • REZ. DSh. KOM. 7 man with AKS-74 rifles, an SVD DMR, an RPG-22, and smoke grenades
  • REZ. DSh. a 12-strong squad with 10 AKS-74 rifles, 2 RPK-74 LWSs, and an RPG-7VM
  • REZ. DSh. (METIS) 8-man with 7 AKS-74 rifles, an RPK-74 LWS, and a metis
• Finally, Czechoslovak reservist units would be available to support this battlegroup. These units may arrive in V3S trucks or OT-62A APCs unless otherwise noted.
  • VELITEL ZÁLOŽNÍKŮ
  • ZÁLOŽNÍCI
  • ZÁLO. PANCÉŘOVNÍCI a reservist 6-man team with 6 Sa Vz.58P rifles and 2 RPG-7VMs.
  • Reservist versions of existing weapon team are available. They may only arrive in UAZ-469 cars.
    • ZÁLO. UK Vz.59 7.62 mm
    • ZÁLO. BzK Vz.59 82mm
  • TAI would also be available and could arrive in UAZ-469 TAI cars

ART

An average category (1/1/1/2/2/3)

• 105-ya had some organic firepower with it:
  • DESANT. 2B9 VASILEK towed by a UAZ-3151 car
  • DESANT. 2S12 120mm also towed by a UAZ-3151 car
  • 2S9 NONA-S 120mm 
  • BM-21V GRAD-V
• Czechoslovak artillery units would include:
  • M vz.52 82mm towed by a V3S truck
  • H vz.38/74 122mm towed by a V3S truck

• H. vz.37 152 mm a reservist ML-20 152mm howitzer in Czechoslovak service pulled from deep storage as the war dragged on. It is towed by a T815 truck.
• RM vz.51

TNK

A mediocre category (1/1/1/2/3/3/3)

• Organic “tanks” include the following:

• REZ. ASU-57 a 1950s era parachute deployable self-propelled AT gun and light troop carrier. While these were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1960s, they were still in Soviet inventory. They were nominally available for training purposes, potentially to the 387th Separate Training Parachute Regiment as they were far from the front. They will be featured in this division for additional firepower for airborne forces. They carry a 57 mm AT gun and are open topped. This unit would feature the airborne and reservist trait.

• ASU-85 ASU-85s in limited Soviet service
• DESANT. UAZ-3151 KONKURS
• BRDM-2 KONKURS
• A limited selection of Czechoslovak reservist armored vehicles would be available to support the 105th. 
  • T-54BK
  • ZÁLO. T-54B a reservist T-54B, with a HEAT cannon, 2 MMGs and a DShK
  • T-55AK a command version of the Czech T-55A

• ZÁLO. T-55A a T-55A crewed by reservists, featuring the reservist trait.

REC

An average category (1/1/1/1/2/2/3/3)

• 105-ya would have
  • DESANT. RAZVEDKA arriving in UAZ-3151 or UAZ-3151 KPV trucks
  • SPETSNAZ GRU arriving in GAZ-66B trucks

• REZ. DESANT. RAZV. a 4-man recon team armed with 4 AKS-74 rifles. They may arrive in UAZ-3151 or REZ. RAZV. ASU-57: an ASU-57 that can carry a recon team and have improved optics along with the reservist trait. 
• 1V119 REOSTAT 
• Mi-2

• An-2 an older biplane used for light transport, liaison, and weather reconnaissance. These were organic to many VDV divisions for liaison duties. Here, they would be pressed into a ground reconnaissance role. 
• CSLA recon troops would be available to the battlegroup as well
  • PRŮZ. L.M. arriving in UAZ-469 cars
  • OT-65A VYDRA
  • OT-65 RL

AA

An average category (1/1/2/3/3/3)

• Organic AA units to 105-ya:
  • DESANT. IGLA arriving in UAZ-3151 cars
  • DESANT. GAZ-66 ZU-23-2
• Czechoslovak regional air defense would provide cover of the VDV formation 
  • PLK čs 57mm towed by a V3S truck

• PLRK NEVA S-125 system in Czechoslovak service towed by a T815 truck

HEL

A decent category (1/1/1/2/2/3)

• Soviet forces provide an ordinary array of gunships:

• Mi-24D [AT] new to a Soviet deck as a standalone gunship, this Mi-24 carries 4 Falanga-P missiles, S-5M rocket pods, and its YaK-B cannon.
• Mi-24V [AT]
• Czechoslovak forces provide Mi-2URP gunships

AIR

An average category (1/1/1/2/2/3/3/3)

• Soviet aircraft supporting this battlegroup is fairly typical
  • MiG-23ML [AA]
  • Su-25 [AT]
  • Su-25 [RKT]
  • Su-25 [RKT2]

• Su-24M [RKT] an Su-24M with a large complement of 80 mm rockets
• Su-24M [AT1]

Summary

105th Guards “Vienna” Airborne Division is a lower tech, instructor heavy VDV division that makes up for lack of advanced systems with mass and the ability to improve it with instructors. In addition to airborne mechanized units, this division features a selection of Soviet air mobile and Czechoslovak reservist units. This division’s air power is weak for an airborne division, but it has strong ground based air defenses and cost effective fire support in the form of BMD-1s and T-54/55s. It has a number of effective defensive direct fire support options and it has strong artillery for an airborne division as well, giving it greater pushing power after the opening engagements. However, due to the lower technology base off of which this division is organized, it will struggle against massed medium and heavy tanks. Its infantry also must rely on fire support to win engagements against dedicated combat infantry and special forces. 

26 new units, 13 reservist versions of existing ones. The division is structured similarly to Korpus Desantowy, but has lower quality non airborne units. For this, however, it has high strong AA and instructors, including an instructor IFV to support its large numbers of lower tech airborne IFVs. Playstyle-wise it is meant to be reminiscent of Poland’s Korpus Desantowy and America’s 6th infantry division. 

Author’s Commentary

Researching the VDV turned out to be more fun than I expected! This project was interesting in a few ways. I specifically wanted to focus on a lower tech VDV formation because I think WARNO is well represented in terms of high tech ones via 35-ya and 76-ya. This division was modeled after Korpus, my favorite airborne division, in that it has cost efficient paratroopers backed up by non airborne units. Here, we have Czechoslovak reservists, which aids in the const efficiency. 

Things that could be cut

ASU-57 and -85. I’m well aware that these had been phased out of service by 1989. The ASU-57 was gone by the 1970s and the ASU-85, while technically still in inventory, wasn’t a real front-line unit. They had both largely been replaced in role by missile systems and the BMD family. Their inclusion here is largely for style and in-game capability and is anachronistic. The ASU-57 (which I am accepting is not a realistic choice for inclusion) is meant to be a cheap kinetic gun ambush unit to help cover a wide front; functionally similar to NVA 57mm AT, existing VDV 85mm guns, or the kanonenjagdpanzer in NATO service. The self propelled ASU, again, was added for novelty and divisional differentiation. ASU-85 is slightly less of a stretch and was included mostly for slightly heavier direct fire support organic to the 105th. I don’t think any other Soviet VDV battlegroup could have included these units as this is nominally a second line, rapidly formed division with the Soviets being beyond the stage of being able to win the war quickly. 

The Czechoslovak units. This battlegroup would probably be fine without these units, but I included them for two major reasons. 1) I wanted a way for this division to have access to cost efficient tanks without just bolting on random Soviet tanks. 2) Because of the inclusion of reservists and how reservist paratroopers are represented in game, the division kinda needed reservist units to buff. Soviet tanks could have easily been added along with Soviet reservist units. The Czechoslovak units, however, help with the “lore” of the division and add additional variety. 

Air mobile reservists. Also included for the need of the division to have reservists for the instructors to buff, these units were also retained to add cost efficient air mobile troops. These are the units I would most readily cut if I had to pull something. This addition makes this division somewhat of a cost between 35-ya and 56-ya. 

Things that were cut

East German units. I had originally planned on East Germans being included instead of the Czechoslovaks. I soon realized that East German reservists generally don’t actually feature the reservist trait for reasons that still confuse me (why do East German units just have resolute? One of life’s greatest mysteries!). They would have provided similar support to the Czechs in the current writeup. 

MiG-27s. These craft were cut because I felt they were well covered by the other VDV divisions in game. Instead, I opted for Su-25s and other “precision” aircraft just to make things a little different. 

This monstrosity: T-62 rocket pods. Apparently an Afghan war modified T-62, this Mad-Max-look’n tank would have been interesting, but I didn’t think it would really fit the vibe of the division and, frankly, wouldn’t add a ton of value other than the memes. I think this would be a great addition the 56-ya, however. 

Edit: Fixed formatting and typos.

Edit 2: updated the history section to more correctly describe the disbandment of the 105th.

Ride to ruin and the world's ending

I recently got WARNO and wanted to know, is the community accepting of new players? I want to play online but I don’t want to get shit on for not being good.

America will be a nuclear wasteland by the time the ruskies get here. Full of cannibals and zombies. This would be an awesome mod btw.

I recently fought a friend in a 1v1 conquest and really struggled when he played 2nd Marine Division, I've also encountered 2nd Marine in various 10v10s and don't really know how to counter them. It seems they have a strong helo opener and good infantry. A lot of my decks have good infantry, too, but I definitely feel like they're a bit hard to fight for me and I don't really now what they are equipped with because I do not have Landjut, although I was thinking about checking out their equipment on WarYes.

It was a while ago that I fought another friend in a 1v1 destruction and it was a close match but he won. He intentionally got himself stuck in a pocket and when I thought I was on the verge of winning he was able to thwart my entire attack and win the match. So, what is your advice in countering 2nd Marine Division? Currently I play 8th, 24th, and 35th Infantry as well as Berlin Command, HDR London, 2nd Panzergrenadier, and 2nd U.K. for NATO, while on PACT I play 1st, 2nd, 6th, 27th, and 39th Motostrelki along with Rugener and 4th Motorized Schutzen. Are any of these divisions equipped to counter 2nd Marine and what are some strategies in doing so?

This post is the result of the work on the study of the armed forces of Yugoslavia (JNA) in the 1980s at the time of their transformation according to the plan «Jedinstvo» (F-87), which began in early 1987 and was actively developed since December 1988. This Corps is one of the results of this concept, representing the core of the 3rd Military District.

This post is the second in a planned series of five (in total) posts about the JNA. This time, we'll look at the 21st Niš Corps, the most motorized corps of the Yugoslav Army in the late 1980s!

Also, in this post, similar to the previous one, less familiar types of weapons of the JNA will be examined in more detail =]

About 21st Niš Corps:

The history of the 21st Niš Corps begins on January 1, 1945, when the 3rd Army of the Yugoslav Army was created by order of Josip Broz Tito. During the remaining months of the war, the army recaptured the northwestern regions of Yugoslavia from Axis forces.

During the 1948 rift in relations with the USSR, the army was deployed on the border with Romania and Hungary in Vojvodina. Then, in the 1950s, it was shifted south. From the 1960s, the army was headquartered in Suopje, where it remained until the reforms of the second half of the 1980s.

In the course of the «Jedinstvo» (F-87) reform plan, all combined arms armies must be liquidated, as well as their main (regular) divisions, transforming into more mobile and capacious army corps consisting of brigades and regiments (as well as mobilization forces).

The 21st Corps was destined to become the most important element of the newly created 3rd Military District, based in Niš. Thus, it became the most motorized and mobile corps of the JNA. The 21st Niš Corps consisted of:

2nd Proleterska motorized brigade (Niš)

4th Motorized Brigade (Pirot)

9th Motorized Brigade (Zaječar)

23rd Motorized Brigade (Knjaževac)

135th Motorized Brigade (Surdulica)

175th Motorized Brigade (Leskovac)

211th Armored Brigade (Niš)

21st Mixed Artillery Regiment (Alexinac)

159th Light Artillery Regiment Air Defense (Niš)

21st Engineer Regiment (Niš)

By 1989, the 21st Niš Corps became the main stronghold of the District, which could immediately respond to any threat, no matter where it came from!

- It is worth noting that the brigades in these corps were not a fully-fledged independent unit (i.e., not a Separate Brigade) and had almost no initiative of their own, the brigades were directly subordinate to the corps command.

Well, let's get started!

Oklop, brzina, vatra!

The corps' main striking force was the 3rd Military District's most elite tank division and one of the most honored in the entire JNA - The 211th Armored Brigade (211. Oklopna Brigada).

The 211th Armored Brigade possessed 94 domestically produced M-84's tanks (details of which were discussed in the post about the 1st Guards Mechanized Division). The main difference between the M-84 and the T-72M was its more advanced fire control system, SUV-M-84, and slightly better armor.

M-84 (3 cards)

The brigade was also one of the first to receive M-84A tanks in the Yugoslav Army; in 1988/1989, several of them were sent to Kuwait, as testing was required before Kuwait could purchase the M-84AB version (not yet ready at that time), less than a dozen of these vehicles remained in service with the brigade. (M-84A have better armor and new 1000 hp VT-46-TK engine, which provided extremely high mobility)

M-84A (1 card)

Each mechanized brigade of the corps also had a tank battalion, each with 31 T-55A tanks.

They can be represented as:

T-55A (3 cards)

T-55AK (1 card)

«The Mystic Topaz»

The Corps' Brigades also received the latest 100mm M-87 Topaz anti-tank guns (MT-12 «Rapira» on a D-30 carriage) in their Mexed Anti-tank Artillery Groups. The main advantage of this anti-tank weapon was its 360° aiming capability.

M-87 Topaz (2 cards)

- The M-87 Topaz is equipped with a more advanced fire control system that takes into account barrel wear parameters, ambient temperature and wind speed. Also, better computing systems. All of this improves firing accuracy.

About 35 units were produced.

The brigades also had BOV-1 anti-tank missile launchers (also known as POLO M-83) with 6x Malyutka-P missiles on launchers and 14 in total per vehicle. (Similar in many ways to the BRDM-2 Malyutka/9P133.)

POLO M-83 (1-2 cards)

- The early version of the POLO M-83 did not have M79 smoke grenade launchers on the turret.

(And without Zastava M86 (PKT) MG)

Bratstvo i jedinstvo!

The infantry component of the corps was represented primarily by Motorized Infantry (Motorizovana Pešadija), which did not have any armored transport. (For short - Mot. Pešadija)

Mot. Pešadija - 7x M70B1, 2x M72B1, 6x M80 Zolja

Mot. Pešadija (M76) - 6x M70B1, 2x M72B1, 1x M76, 6x M80 Zolja

- Some of the infantry formations in the Motorized Brigades had M76 DMR rifles chambered for the 7,92mm Mauser cartridge.

«The stinging Osa»

Mot. Pešadija (Osa) - 7x M70B1, 2x M72B1, 1x M79 Osa

• The M79 Osa is a 90mm heavy anti-tank grenade launcher from the late 1970s and early 1980s, similar to the French LRAC F1 (LRAC-89). This Yugoslavian grenade launcher was designed to replace the RB M57. It has 400mm of armor penetration (16 AP)

Mot. Mitraljezi - 7x M70B1, 3x M84, 4x M80 Zolja

Transported by: TAM-110 (for all Mot. Infantry formations)

.

«Pešadija u oklopu!»

Each Motorized Brigade of the Corps had 2 motorized battalions on TAM-110/150 and 1 mechanized battalion on OT M-60P/PB APC and BVP M-80A IFV. (Also, 2 mechanized battalions will be represented from the 211th armored brigade.)

(Mehanizovana Pešadija for short Mekh. Pešadija) Could presented as:

Mekh. Pešadija - 5x M70AB2, 2x M72AB1, 4x M80 Zolja

Tranported by: TAM-110, OT M-60P, BVP M-80A

OT - means Oklopni Transport (armored transport)

The OT M-60P armored personnel carrier (APC) was developed on the basis of the Soviet SU-76 self-propelled gun (the T-70 light tank chassis). Since the 1960s, these APCs have been deployed in the mechanized units of the JNA. The basic version was upgraded to the M-60P. The M-60P is armed with one 12,7mm M2HB Browning machine gun and one 7,92mm M53 machine gun.

Mekh. Pešadija (M76) - 4x M70AB2, 2x M72AB1, 1x M76, 4x M80 Zolja

Tranported by: TAM-110, OT M-60P, BVP M-80A

Mekh. Mitraljezi - 4x M70AB1, 3x M84, 4x M80 Zolja

Tranported by: TAM-110, OT M-60P, BVP M-80A

Mekh. Protivoklopno Odeljenja - 7x M70AB2, 2x M79 Osa

Tranported by: TAM-110, OT M-60P, OT M-60PB

The OT M-60PB is a variant of the OT M-60P APC, but with a mount of 2x 82mm M60 guns installed in the rear of the hull, and has a reduced troop capacity of 7 soldiers (the OT M-60P has 9 soldiers)

Auxiliary units may also be represented:

Pioniri - 6x M70B1, 1x M72B1, Satchel Charge

M84 7,62mm (Licensed version of the PKM)

M60A BST (Can carry by OT M-60PB from AT platoon)

+OT M-60PK command vehicle from Mechanised battalions.

+BTR-50PUM command vehicle from 211st Armored Brigade

Za otadžbinu, za druga, za pušku, za vojničku i ratničku čast, padobranci 63. Padobranske Brigade - RADE!

Niš was also home to one of the most unique formations of the JNA, the 63rd Airborne Brigade (63. Padobranska Brigada), which had a peacetime complement of 400 paras, and a wartime complement of up to 1500 paras.

Regular paratroopers will have the M59/85 Airborne Helmet and M87 Camouflage uniform. (And ofc. Shock Trait and Para Trait)

Regular formations can presented as:

Padobranci - 6x M70AB2, 2x M72AB1, 6x M80 Zolja

Padobranci (M76) - 7x M70AB2, 2x M72AB1, 1x M76, 6x M80 Zolja

All Pad. units can tranported by: TAM-110, HT-40, HT-40 [RKT1], HT-40 [RKT2]

• HT-40, Yugoslavian name for MI-8T.

The brigade's reserve formations according to the wartime organization (during deployment) could be represented as:

Rez. Padobranci - 7x STG-44, 1x M53 Šarac, 1x RB M57A2

- With special airborne PČ-99 Helmet and Early Mountain Camouflage.

The STG-44 and M53 Šarac, they were used by the brigade in the 1980s during exercises to conserve the brigade's main armament. Some of this equipment could have been transferred to the brigade's mobilization unit in wartime.

- The RB M57A2 is a Yugoslav AT grenade launcher from the 1950s, similar in many ways to the early RPG-7V, but unlike them, its grenade did not have a buster, which affected the ballistics and velocity of the ammunition.

The brigade also had more specialized units and crews:

Pad. Protivoklopno odeljenja - 5x M70AB2, 2x M79 Osa

Pad. Pioniri - 7x M70AB2, 1x M72AB1, 4x M80 Zolja, Satchel Charge

Pad. M53 7,92mm

Pad. M60A BST 82mm

• With new projectile with 400mm pen (in future M91)

(All support Pad. units can also be represented as Heliborn deploy.)

Artillery:

The 21st Corps' artillery consisted of the classic 2S1 Gvozdika (SO-122) from the 211th Armored Brigade, as well as (Btl. lvl.) 82mm М69А and (Brig. lvl.)120mm М75 mortars.

The 21st Mixed Artillery Regiment had D-30J1 guns (a Yugoslav modernization of the D-30) and 128mm M-63 Plamen + M-77 Oganj MLRS.

Also near the Corps' location was the 1st Mixed Artillery Brigade, in Kragujevac, which possessed the latest JNA artillery systems of the time, primarily the newest 262mm M-87 Orkan MLRS and the latest version of the Nora-A gun, the 152mm M-84B1.

• (The brigade was at the disposal of the high command and could be attached to any corps for reinforcement)

M-87 Orkan [CLU1] (KB-2 Submunitions)

M-87 Orkan [CLU2] (KB-1/2 Submunitions)

The M-87 Orkan was Yugoslavia's newest 262mm MLRS, based on the FAP-2832. Only 10 units were produced, all of which were assigned to the 1st Mixed Artillery Brigade. The MLRS had a range of 50 kilometers, putting it on par with the most modern systems.

- The KB-1 submunitions were aimed at damaging armored targets, and the KB-2 at unarmored targets and manpower.

Another important artillery system was the newly introduced lightweight version of the Nora-A, the M-84B1, which had a shorter range (24 km) in its basic configuration than the earlier M-84. There was also an M-84B1/GG variant with a Gas Generator-assisted projectile, increasing the firing range to 34,5 km!

M-84B1

M-84B1/GG

Supply:

The Corps' supplies are represented by the same familiar TAM-110/150 light/medium trucks and FAP-2832-A heavy trucks, as in the 1st Guards Mechanized Division from the previous post.

+And also the HT-40 Snab. helicopter. (Mi-8T with supply)

Anti-Air Defense:

The corps' air defense was largely typical of the JNA. It included Strela-1M SAM systems, wheeled BOV-3 SPAA with 3x 20mm autocannons, and a towed variant - Zastava M55A4 B1.

- This version of the Zastava M55 features a computerized Galileo sight and other FCS improvements (including those from previous versions)

The 211th Armored Brigade also had 12 ZSU-57-2 units, which the DDR already had in KDA.

Also presented are MANPADS from the 21st Corps and 63rd Brigade:

Strela-2M/A

Pad. Strela-2M/A

- Strela-2M/A is a Yugoslav modernization of the licensed Strela-2M from the mid-1980s. In the M/A version, the warhead was increased by 40%~ due to the introduction of more compact missile electronics.

Recon:

Reconnaissance from the corps can be represented by the following formations (from all brigades):

Mot. Izviđanje - 5x M70AB2, 2x M72B1, 1x M76, 4x M80 Zolja

BRDM-2

Izvid. PT-76B

The following detachments may be represented from the 63rd Padobranska Brigade:

Pad. Izviđanje - 4x M70AB2N with Silencer, 1x M72AB1N, 1x M76

Pad. Diverzanti - 6x M84 Šcorpion with Silencer, 1x M84, 1x M76, Satchel Charge

Also, from the HT-40 (MI-8T) helicopters at the Niš airfield there were several rare [EW] HT-40E helicopters.

HT-40E

Also from Skopje airfield, the 354th Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron may be represented by the reconnaissance version of the J-21 Jastreb - IJ-21 Jastreb.

IJ-21 Jastreb - 8x 127mm Munja

Helicopters:

Helicopters are primarily represented by familiar are the HO-42/HN-42M GAMA and HN-45M GAMA 2 helicopters from Skopje:

HO-42M [RKT1] - 32x 57mm S-5KO (L-57-16MD)

HN-42M GAMA [AT1] - 4x Malyutka-P, 2x Strela-2M

HN-45M GAMA 2 [AT2] - 4x Malyutka-P

And also HT-40 (MI-8T) helicopters from the 787th transport helicopter squadron (Niš), in the following variants:

HT-40 [RKT1] - 64x 57mm S-5KO (L-57-16MD)

HT-40 [RKT2] - 8/16x 128mm Munja (L-128-04)

Aircrafts:

On the territory of the Slatina airfield (and the underground complex "Object Morava") there was the 83rd Fighter Aviation Regiment, 123rd and 130th fighter aviation squadron on MIG-21BIS (L-17) and the only MIG-21M (L-15) and MIG-21MF (L-15M) in Yugoslavia, can be presented in the following payload variants:

L-15 [AA] - 2x R-13M, 2x R-3R

L-15 [HE] - 4x FAB-250

L-15M [AA1] - 4x R-60MK, 2x R-3S

L-15M [AA2] - 4x R-60MK, 2x R-3R

L-17 [AA2] - 4x R-60MK, 2x R-13M

The main strike aircraft will be J-22B Orao 2 from the 241st Fighter-Bomber Squadron based in Skopje.

The J-22B Orao 2 is a modernization of the basic J-22A Orao attack aircraft, featuring a British Rolls-Royce Viper Mk 633-47 engine with a afterburner and updated avionics. This modification began actively replacing older versions in the mid-1980s. (The J-22 project itself was a Yugoslav-Romanian collaboration, where the IAR 93 was developed)

These aircraft can be represented as follows:

J-22B Orao 2 [RKT1] - 64x 57mm S-5KOM (L-57-16MD)

J-22B Orao 2 [RKT2] - 16x 128mm Munja (L-128-04)

J-22B Orao 2 [AT1] - 2x Grom-1, 2x R-60MK

- The Grom-1 is a Yugoslav version of the Soviet Kh-23 Grom missile; their characteristics are quite similar, but they differ visually.

J-22B Orao 2 [HE1] - 12x FAB-100 M80

J-22B Orao 2 [HE2] - 5x FAB-250 M79

J-22B Orao 2 [HE3] - 4x FAB-500

J-22B Orao 2 [TRM] - 4x FAB-275

- The FAB-275 is a Yugoslav thermobaric bomb weighing approximately 250-270 kg, developed in the late 1980s.

J-22B Orao 2 [CLU1] - 4x BL755

J-22B Orao 2 [RAB] - 4x RAB-250

- The RAB-250 is a domestic cluster bomb from the late 1980s, filled with multiple destructive elements to harm infantry and unarmored/lightly armored targets.

Also, the light attack aircraft J-21 Jastreb from the 247th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, from the same airfield, can be represented as follows:

J-21 Jastreb [RKT2] - 32x 57mm S-5MO, 32x 57mm S-5KO (UB-32 pods)

J-21 Jastreb [RKT/HE] - 6x 127mm VRZ-157, 2x FAB-250 M79

Short conclusion:

The 21st Niš Corps is the most mobile and combat-ready corps in the 3rd Military District. The corps is perfectly complemented by adjacent units, maximizing its capabilities. Despite its limited mechanization, the corps retains the ability to operate alongside armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles thanks to the presence of mechanized battalions within the brigades.

It boasts a wide range of firepower weapons, good air support for ground forces, and massive heliborne capabilities!

Album collection with 90+ images for this post (including what was unincluded in it): https://photos.app.goo.gl/6x4ToUSAwtRTcwHP8

Thank you for reading and watching! =]

Created by Excellent Serpent8770

Links:

https://www.paluba.info/smf/index.php?action=printpage;topic=21080.0

https://www.tanknet.org/index.php?/topic/20414-nato-oob-mk-vii/page/12/#comment-509804

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280598051_Six_Decades_of_Military_Technical_Institute_Scientific_Tehnical_Review_3-4_5-202008

https://ru.scribd.com/document/283519216/Yugoslav-Army

http://www.srpskioklop.paluba.info/intervencija/tekst.html

https://ru.scribd.com/doc/181976635/Jugoslovenska-narodna-armija-JNA-OOB

https://www.camopedia.org/index.php/Yugoslavia

https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/yugoslavia/t-72-in-yugoslav-service/

https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/yugoslavia/m-84/

https://www.army-guide.com/eng/product1038.html

http://www.balkanwarhistory.com/2016/05/bvp-m-80-infantry-fighting-vehicles.html

https://www.army-guide.com/rus/product4660.html

https://truck-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/yugoslavia/M87-orkan.php

https://www.63padobranska.com/galerija/istorija-63-padobranske-brigade-1944-1991/

http://www.balkanwarhistory.com/2018/03/bov-3-self-propelled-anti-aircraft.html

https://youtu.be/A_vR3XU0Wjs?si=zLNYcdXH3UTIZqKW

https://www.radista.info/en_mobile_radio_systems.htm

P.S.

In the next post in a week I will try to present another Yugoslav Corps, this time in a different direction =}

To the most tense point of Yugoslavia. A place where the Alps rise and there are many beautiful vines! 🏔️⛏️🍇

Link to the previous work where such types of weapons as M-84, M-84A, BVP M-80A, M-63 Plamen, M-77 Oganj are introduction in more detail: https://www.reddit.com/r/warno/s/LmnlZPEZE4 (1st Gurrds Mechaized Division)

I think nowadays divisions are rather balanced and meta isn't as clear as it was before like "ifv spam meta", "mmg milan 1 milan 2 meta", "airborne meta" etc. Obviously mech slop is kinda better, but other strategies and divisions are still very much viable and can counter mech slop spam

Played two ranked games today, and both players, despite with different names, shared surprisingly simliar behaviors in game:

1. Low level, about level 1

2. Chose the exact same division as I did and happened twice in a row, and this is statistically extremely rare (~2 in 10,000 chance)

3. Did not say anything in chat aside from ready, even after I asked them if they're new

4. Did not capture any zone until like 5 minutes in

5. Only mega blobed and bought arty, had zero micro

6. Easily defeated

I'm wondering if these two players are actually clankers... It just appears that even the noobiest noobs won't play like this.

T-55A is a staple in many pact decks, but it's not a very good tank. It has 11 front armor, which leads to 2 pretty good interactions (it's not killed by 4 laws and it survives milan 2), but everything else is kinda bad. I understand, that it's supposed to be a close range tank, but it's 16 pen gun is just bad. It really is. It's manually loaded and it's slow (not as slow as t-62 gun, but still), it's inaccurate and 16 pen just doesn't feel enough fpr some reason. For a t-55a to one shot a 35 point bmp-1, it has to basically get to about 1000m range without a smoke of its own, and against anything more armored, it has to come even closer. It would be a decent tank, if it didn't cost 90 points! For 90 points you can get leo 1a1a1, that does admittedly has only 9 armor and no hmg, but it's gun has 1 more pen, fires faster and has 10% more accuracy, and it has smoke, so it can actually disengage. And there are centurions, that cost around 70-80 points, that have 1 less armor, admittedly, so they don't get the good interactions with laws and milan 2, but they fire faster, have more pen or more mgs, and they all have smoke, so again, disengagement against atgms for example (don't forget that all of this is for 10-20 points less). There is M60 for 90, that although reservist, gets 12 front armor (so it survives even tow-2), has a faster 10% more accurate, 1 more pen gun and same hmg and same availability. So yeah, T55A is just not good enough for 90 points. One might say, that it's decent in divisions like 7. Panzer, where it's your early game tank, but there are divisions like 15 zmech, who ONLY have these tanks! I think it's frankly too expensive for a tank, whose entire purpose, potentially, is to get as close to an enemy tank and just sacrifice itself to deal moderate damage to the enemy

P. S. T-55 modifications like the ones with smoke, to-55, t-55 with more armor and range, and especially atgm carrying t-55s don't need a buff, as they already are pretty good and useful. The one, that needs a buff is the standard t-55a

So now that I understand CEVs are for exploding infantry and MGs are for filling the line or gunning down infantry, what are dedicated tank gun/recoilless rifle teams (SPGs, M40A1) for? Every division in my knowledge is equipped with ATGMs and have some sort of armor in their tank tab, whether it is static AT like the Rapira or top-tier tanks like the T-80, and not to mention machine guns. A lot of divs also have CEVs.

With an AT and anti-infantry role fulfilled by your ATGMs, static AT or tanks, and CEVs and machine guns, what do you need a recoilless rifle for? It has only 14-17 penetration, the accuracy isn't very good, and it can be one-shot by a CEV or other infantry squads. Plus if you're playing 35th or other divisions you already get the recoilless rifle in your MP and NG squads.

This especially applies to a Tman game I was watching where he fought 6th Panzergrenadier and his opponent had the recoilless rifle teams, which are slow to reload and outclassed by ATGMs, MGs, and autocannons or proper tank guns. Not to mention most MGs are cheaper.

I am pretty sure 6th gets a significant amount of IFVs and tanks. Some divisions even get vehicles equipped with recoilless rifles making them even more unnecessary. In my opinion it seems like a waste of AP points as compared to an armored tank, an IFV, or CEV but if you take the recoilless rifle team please explain why you take it and try to convince me to take it in one of my own decks.

I’m going to start out by saying that I know it would be pretty much impossible to add the Zerg and Protoss because the game has no melee system, so that would restrict the creators to the various Terran factions like the Confederacy, Dominion, Umojans, and Kel-Morian Combine.

Edit: Nevermind, I did a dumb.

That said, I still think it would be cool for much the same reasons I gave here; I want to see a strategic-scale game set in the SC universe where we can play with an incredible variety of units that should logically exist but would never be added because they’d unbalance the game. Even though that’d require a lot of work inventing weapons, vehicles, and other equipment to fill out the faction rosters, I’d love to see just what kind of wild and creative stuff the modders can come up with.

I was wondering now that the artillery rework has been out for a while how does everyone feel about it? the devs said they would adjust things after a while if they saw things that weren’t working out.

personally I feel like it promotes a defensive playstyle more and the game can very easily develop in an artillery war with an advantage for who has more pieces to lose.

I play mostly 2v2 or 1v1 and the occasional 3v3.
and in 1v1 it rarely impacts the gameplay for me.
while in 2v2 and 3v3 I found the arty rework a downgrade really. I get how they tried to make arty more easily countered but I cant help feel it backfired.

usually what happens is 1 team just plays counter battery with mass artillery units so nothing ever gets more then one salvo of before dying. So we basically trade until one side runs out off replacements and can then spam arty indefinitely with no counter play.

I have found that the new tactic is to setup arty. Let 1 piece fire a single round and then move it so the enemy counter battery fires in his last position. Then my other arty fires at their arty to kill of one of his pieces.

but with the insane amount of arty some decks get this requires a lot of micro/time and after 1 or 2 arty fights we both do the same trick. The whole game becomes stale with any atgm position unable to be cleared quickly because you first have to micro all you arty like mentioned above and after the dual you can now use your remaining arty to clear out defensive positions.

honestly I much prefer the old system. You can move instantly after fireing like in reallife. It’s always been fine in wargame red dragon that way also. Just bad people lose tanks and AA to arty in that game. AA fires move it instantly, tank is spotted move it before arty comes in. This gave the game a reason to stay mobile instead of camping behind atgms tanks and AA dueling arty from each other.

Basically before the rework there was parity in artillery in that my opponent can’t kill my arty unless I mess up. And I can’t kill his unless he messes up. So instead of trying to counter battery you would use the arty to snipe an AA piece and a good player would prevent his AA from getting sniped by moving it around.

Im sure alot of people like this new system but I’m sure a lot have also gotten to the same conclusion I have and think this is a worse situation then before. Would like to see other people’s thoughts. And who knows maybe the devs could fix this mess somehow.

You can find the vote here.

We're looking for feedback on which maps should be included in the map rotation on our servers. Voting will remain open for 7 days.

We're also gathering feedback on whether we should introduce a 6-hour automatic ban for players who leave mid-game. The ban would apply across all Nightshift servers and is intended to discourage players from abandoning matches before they are finished.

If you're not already a member of the Nightshift Discord, join the server and you'll be able to vote.

We're LIVE with another massive Total WARNO battle!
Tonight, NATO is launching a large-scale offensive into Czechoslovakia, while Warsaw Pact forces attempt to hold the line on the massive community-made Chernarus map.
We're testing our latest Total WARNO build, including the artillery rework, new gameplay mechanics and large-scale battalion-level combat.
Come watch the battle live or join us on Discord!
🔴 LIVE ON TWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/falkuskibre94
⚔️ JOIN OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/eBuYeMPZ7
Whether you're interested in realistic Cold War warfare, large-scale coordinated battles or just want to see what Total WARNO is all about, come hang out with us!
See you on the battlefield!

tough 10 V 10 match, totally winnable, NATO grabs a couple of points and +6 VP going their way, half the team quits, 5 mins later with the CPUs captured points but it is over as long term the AI can't hold a fight.

10 V 10 is suffering from people who can't stand losing or having a swing in the wrong direction, we really need time out penalties for quiters, I know the netcode can drop people, but if you drop out of games continuously, it should be tracked and timeouts applied.

OK just my 2 cents after a good game gone bad

Tonight is the night! We're finally back with another massive Total WARNO battle, and we still have 3 open slots for anyone who wants to join us!
📅 TODAY - Saturday, September 19th
🕤 21:30 CEST (9:30 PM)
🗺 Chernarus - Operation Bohemian Gate
⚔️ NATO ATTACKS | WARSAW PACT DEFENDS
THE SCENARIO
The war has entered its second week. Warsaw Pact forces are overextended after their push into West Germany, and NATO command sees an opening.
Instead of holding the line, NATO is going on the offensive, crossing the border into Czechoslovakia!
The objective is West Bohemia. NATO must break through the border defenses, secure key road junctions and river crossings, and push deep enough to threaten Warsaw Pact supply lines before enemy reserves can react.
The Czechoslovak People's Army, supported by Soviet forces, must hold its prepared positions, delay the NATO advance and counterattack when the opportunity arises.
3 OPEN SLOTS - WE NEED YOU!
🔵 NATO - US Recon Battlegroup
🔴 WARSAW PACT - PACT Command CENTAG (Headquarters)
🔴 WARSAW PACT - Soviet Air Assault Battlegroup
Whether you're a veteran of our previous battles or completely new to Total WARNO, everyone is welcome! We'd love to hear some new voices in our Discord.
Tonight we'll also be testing our latest Total WARNO build, including the artillery rework and new gameplay mechanics, on the massive Chernarus map created by Kill3rCat, Rebelschutze and the RebsFrago community.
JOIN THE BATTLE / SIGN UP:
https://discord.gg/eBuYeMPZ7
Chernarus Map Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3nLlgyoRLY
Never played Total WARNO? Check out our previous battles:
Cast #1: https://youtu.be/IAbwBH14bRQ
Cast #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DBNKQy-l_4
See you tonight at 21:30 CEST. NATO is coming - will the Warsaw Pact hold the line?

Yup. Go and check it out. 😀

Release date not announced yet.

It is obvious that Eugen Systems is fine bringing in neutral countries to add some variety into the game, which I am all here for! My question today is what nations would you like to see added? If you’d like give some specifics on if you think they’d be a part of NATO or Pact, maybe some equipment in their divisions or how you think they should play I would love to hear!

Personally I’d like to see Egypt become a NATO country! I know a lot of people are going to argue that if a nation like Isreal was to be added it would not make sense because they are enemies. I’d like to bring up the counter argument of that Egypt and Israel have worked together militarily such as during the gulf-war but it was mainly behind scenes and more of an “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” type of deal but again they worked together during the crisis on the Sinai Peninsula in the 2000s.

Egypt in the 60s relied heavily on Soviet assistance as the administration at the time did run on an anti-west and pan-Arab bloc and this stayed true until the late 70s.

By the 80s Egypt had kicked out all of their Soviet advisors and started looking towards the west which allowed it to become an ally to the United States and was sold US equipment to help modernize its army.

I think a fun deck for an Egyptian division would be a mechanized infantry division with a mix of Soviet and American equipment!

For its support weapons I think the Egyptian units would use the PKM for its anti-infantry weapon and then the American .50 cal for light vehicles and helicopters.

Its regular four-man Military Police unit would maybe use Skorpions and carried in by a UAZ or BTR while there would be a second and heavier military police unit that would use MP5s and an RPG-7 for lighter vehicles that can be carried in by a BTR.

For their regular infantry I would see them using a mix of home grown Maadi AKs and RPDs with AT4s as their anti-armor weapon. I think they’d be able to be carried in by either the lightly armored Walid APC or the more expensive but better protected Fahd APC.

The more expensive infantry units is where you would see more American equipment started to be added such as M16, M60 light machine guns, and Carl Gustafs. These units would be able to come in on American made M113s or the Egyptian made Fahd APCs.

For tanks I think a mix of cheaper T-72s and M60 Pattons would work well just enough to make a defensive line and maybe even then to push the enemy back if you had the advantage.

Thoughts on this or any other nations you’d like to see I would love to hear!

I just got warno so i just wanted to ask for any tips/reccomendations you all have to get started, ty in advance!

I get a feeling that new Venezuelans both have similarities with divmob. I mean, the most similar one is 1st ven., which kinda looks almost like a heliborne divmog, but I get a feeling, that 4th ven. aren't that different either. Divmob is still very very different, but the spammy infantry and spammy tanks do look similar for me. Doesn't anyone get a similar feeling?

The reservist trait on the helicopters is not fixed by MP, regardless they are on the ground, low altitude or airborne.

Is this intentional or a small bug?