tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34358011556729102892024-03-13T16:23:30.905+00:00Cold War GamerWargaming the cold war in 20mmAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-71430713494856025052018-09-23T08:23:00.000+01:002018-09-23T08:23:43.315+01:00Review Book - Red Armour an Examination of the Soviet Mobile Force Concept, R Simpkin, 1984<br />
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So this was the summer reading, all part of a project called Deep Battle that I have yet to really start writing about or indeed executing but have been researching since about 2015. Over a wet week in Wales I have been ploughing my way through the 12 essays in this book by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Simpkin">Brigadier Richard Simpkin</a> who wrote a series of books on military manoeuvre warfare theory in the mid to late 80s and participated in the wide ranging discussion that went on at that time within NATO with regard to managing the Soviet threat. Of the essays I am interested in I have now read most of them 2-3 times. The ideas are complex and Simpkin is rarely an easy read. Working at it in order to understand what he is saying can be very rewarding. </div>
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Red Armour, an examination of the Soviet Mobile Force concepts does pretty much what it says on the tin in that it provides, in its 12 essays, a thought provoking and revealing analysis of Soviet Operational doctrine. Unlike the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.com/2015/07/review-book-race-to-swift-r-simpkin-1985.html">Race to the Swift</a> which looks at a variety of maneuver warfare concepts and extrapolates these into the future. This collection of his work focuses on Soviet operational concepts as they had evolved by the height of the Cold War in 1982-83.<br />
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The Three parts of the book cover, resources procedures and concepts and each part contains four essays which discuss at varying levels of detail the following topics:</div>
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Part 1 Resources</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Manpower</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Philosophy</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Technology</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Ground</li>
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Part 2 Procedures</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Control and Support</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Movement and Deployment</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Obstacle Crossing</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Parameters of Tank Force operations</li>
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Part 3 Concepts</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">The deep battle</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The tank force concept</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Soviet mobile operations</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The NATO centre</li>
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For me the nuggets are in part 2 and 3 which focuses on the procedures and the concepts and illustrates the Soviet thinking by contrasting it to NATOs more positional approaches.</div>
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In Part 2 I found the particular essays on; Control and Support, Movement and Deployment and Obstacle Crossing the most useful as they really start to drive at the how at the operational level. examples of points of interest include the Soviet use of Primary routes at high traffic densities whilst holding secondary routes in reserve and clear of significant traffic to enable the flexibility to restructure the order of march accelerating assets and units as needed, this together with the the ability to line switch elements between axis of advance provides the conditions for achieving surprise. Whilst Simpkin challenges the Soviets ability to achieve the levels of flexibility the approaches could deliver and highlights the tactical risks this exposes them to, I am not clear that he considers these objections in the light of Soviet control approaches which include dedicated movement control organisations deployed along routes at relatively high densities in comparison to Western Armies.</div>
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In Part 3 his summary of the deep battle discussion he provides one of the most succinct descriptions of both the theory and the terms that I have come across and his articulation of Soviet Mobile Operations in contrast to the more positional and ground focused doctrines of NATO really start to drive home the key differences between the two. This starts to highlight what the Soviets focus on in terms of objectives - the enemy rather than the ground, and whilst I have read this in many books the way he contrasts this with the ground focused objectives of NATO doctrines really drives the point home.<br />
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His treatment of the principal periods of the Cold War and how the Soviets shifted from the use of Nuclear weapons to provide the conditions for maneuver to the need to exploit strategic surprise in the later period to a similar effect is thought provoking and credibly illustrates the potential impacts that could be achieved even in the absence of Nuclear weapons. He reasonably challenges the effectiveness of interchangeability of resources in a non nuclear phase although he does not explore the increased scale of indirect fire assets or their increasing effectiveness as the book was written in 1983 and pre dates a number of these changes.</div>
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From the Wargames perspective what this all enables is the development of the framework of operational concepts that you need to develop in order to set tactical scenarios in the operational context. In replicating historical battles in other periods this context is provided by the historical events, in gaming the Cold War, you need an operational and strategic picture to set the action against in order to create realistic scenarios, this is particularly true when dealing with the Soviet Union. </div>
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The driver for this is the subject of Red Armour the Soviet Unions thinking at the operational level. Understanding their focus on the operational rather than the tactical is critical to understanding how they would deal with different situations and the forces that would be brought to bear. In short why NATOs tactical and equipment superiority would be nullified by one of the more sophisticated approaches to maneuver warfare available. Translating that to table-top games is a challenge all of its own.</div>
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I snapped up my copy of Red Armour for £40 about a year ago and at that price I think its a worthwhile addition to the collection if you have an interest in developing table top scenarios in the wider operational context, if you are looking for the detail of what the Soviets did rather than the thinking behind it that can be accessed more cheaply and effectively elsewhere. Current prices on Amazon are running at £200 plus and at that price I would be inclined to leave it on the shelf.</div>
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<a href="https://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/review-book-afm-volume-2-part-2.html" style="text-align: start;">AFM Volume 2, Part 2, A Treatise on Soviet Operational Art, 1991</a><br />
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<a href="https://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/abel-archer-modern-rapid-fire-rules.html">Rapid Fire Able Archer Rule Set</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/review-book-todays-army-air-corps-paul.html">Today's Army Air Corps, P Beaver, 1987</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/review-book-race-to-swift-r-simpkin-1985.html">The Race to the Swift</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/review-book-sovietrussian-armour-and.html">Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design Practices</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/review-book-modern-african-wars-3-south.html">Modern African Wars (3) South West Africa</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/review-book-iron-division-history-of.html">Iron Division, The History of the 3rd Division 1809-1989</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/review-book-rats-tails-royal-scots-in.html">Rats Tales and Royal Scots in The Gulf</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/review-books-warpaint-volumes-1-4.html">Warpaint, Colours and Markings of British Army Vehicles 1903-2003, Volumes 1-4</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-books-air-battle-central-europe.html">Air Battle Central Europe, Alfred Price</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-book-confrontation-strategic.html">Confrontation, The Strategic Geography of NATO and the Warsaw Pact</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/review-book-mil-mi-8mi17-rotary-wing.html">Mil Mi 8/Mi - 17 Rotary Wing Work Horse and War Horse</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces </a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces</a></div>
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<a href="http://oldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html?showComment=1379158881960">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-books-armies-of-natos-central.html">Armies of NATO's Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://the%20soviet%20afghan%20war%2C%20how%20a%20super%20power%20fought%20and%20lost%20weapons%20and%20tactics%20of%20the%20soviet%20army%20soviet%20air%20land%20battle%20tactics/">Red Thrust, Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/review-books-soviet-afghan-war.html">The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army<img alt="" class="" height="1" id="blogsy-1386407719431.044" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0710603525" width="1" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/review-books-military-balance.html">The Military Balance</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-books-encyclopaedia-of-modern.html">Encyclopaedia of the Modern British Army</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-book-soviet-conduct-of-tactical.html">The Soviet Conduct of Tactical Manoeuvre</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-first-clash-k-mackesy.html">First Clash</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-third-world-war-general-j.html">The Third World War</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-books-british-army-in-germany.html">The British Army in Germany</a></div>
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/cowaga-21">The Cold War Bookstore contains links to over 60 Cold War titles covered in my book list</a></div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-56477059145666976312018-04-02T07:10:00.000+01:002018-04-02T07:57:40.947+01:00Review - Book, AFM Volume 2, Part 2, A Treatise on Soviet Operational Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was a truly great find by Andy Miles who kindly posted it onto the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110307275667754/">Red Storm Rising facebook </a>page. It's not quite the British equivalent to the FM 100 series, it was written in 1991 from the perspective of understanding Soviet Operational Art as the British along with most Western Nations had given this particular subject a stiff ignoring for most of the Cold War. As the author puts it, the Western Nations experience of operations during WW2 was at a different order of Magnitude to the Soviet and points out that whilst the Western allies deployed some 3 Army Groups comprising 91 Divisions on a front of 400 km, in 1944 the Red Army had 10 fronts with 57 Armies and over 560 Divisions and Corps deployed on a frontage of 3200 km.<br />
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AFM Volume 2 was produced in 3 parts and whilst this review focuses on Part 2, I will look to pick up on parts 1 and 3 at a later date, for completeness the parts are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Part 1 is a Book entitled "Background to the Soviet Army 1986", <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=cowaga-21&keywords=Red%20Banner%20the%20soviet%20military%20system%20in%20peace%20and%20war&index=aps&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=xm2&linkId=0cd03b16b7bb88d1690373e3b19d9938">Christopher Donnellys "Red Banner The Soviet Military System in Peace and War (1988)</a>" is the updated version of Part 1</li>
<li><a href="http://www.steelbeasts.com/files/file/2607-a-treatise-on-soviet-operational-art-british-army-1991/" style="text-align: start;">AFM Volume 2, Part 2, A Treatise on Soviet Operational Art</a></li>
<li><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B06GppuET3sAWFVFam9UcUR6cXM/view" style="text-align: start;">AFM Volume 2, Part 3, Soviet Tactics</a></li>
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So what's different between this and the FM 100 series, its based on a similar variety of sources including the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/review-web-resources-voroshilov-academy.html">Vorisilov Lectures</a>, which it contextualises against a late 80s Force structure and is fundamentally focused on the conduct of operations at Army and Front level, and the general Force Composition and task orginisation required to deliver that. I think it does this well focusing on the Soviet Approaches to Offensive and Defensive Operations, it also provides a variety of commentary on effectiveness and some interesting discussion around both drivers for change and the future, which is where it differentiates itself from the FM 100 series.</div>
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Equipment and Organisation is considered at a high level and with only sufficient detail to facilitate the main discussion and demonstrate the mapping between doctrine technology and force structures, which frankly the Soviets were masters of.<br />
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It broadly follows the structure of the Vorisilov Lectures material and includes a deal of informed comment, the main chapters cover:</div>
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<li>Equipment and Organisation</li>
<li>Operational Planning, Context and Concepts</li>
<li>Strategic and Operational Marches</li>
<li>Offensive Operations</li>
<li>Operations in the Enemys Depth</li>
<li>Defensive Operations</li>
<li>Combat Support</li>
<li>Air Operations</li>
<li>Amphibious Operations</li>
<li>Logistics</li>
<li>Command Control and Communications</li>
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Annexes include High level org charts and Broad equipment TOEs for Divisions, Armies and Fronts both within and outside of the Western Group of Forces</div>
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This is a book that you can either read or dip into, having said that the approach to dipping into it is likly to be go read the whole section on offensive opps and related elements on combat support. The Upside over reading the Vorisilov Lecture material is that the hard work of placing it in the context of the late 80s has been done and this work draws on wider material as well.<br />
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The author CJ Dick of the <a href="http://www.conflictstudies.org.uk/about.php">Soviet Studies Research Centre</a> understands his subject well and attempts to explain the Soviet concepts as they stand rather than trying to equate Soviet military thought to western ideas, an approach taken in a number of the US manuals which generates some very confusing discussions on echelonment and reserves amoungst others. These subjects are covered with far more clarity in this volume.<br />
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I particularly like the categorisation of the Cold War period into a number of Eras based on the prevailing doctrine and the discussion around its impact on force structures and organisation. These are articulated as:<br />
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<li><b>The Nuclear Era.</b> Doctrine and force structures dominated by the concept of Combat under nuclear conditions</li>
<li><b>The Era of a Conventional Phase</b>. This period was dominated by the impact of two ideas. The first was driven by the NATO's adoption of flexible response, which would lead to a Conventional Phase at the start of any war and if surprise could be achieved and Soviet Operational art delivered offered the potential of a conventional victory. The other was the vulnerability of tank heavy formations in conventional war demonstrated during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. </li>
<li><b>The Era of Conventional War</b>. The result of the INF treaty and the failure by both the Warsaw Pact and NATO to upgrade their nuclear capabilities, lead to a belief in the increasing likelihood of an extended conventional phase or the possibility of a wholly conventional war</li>
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This is then neatly mapped to the evolution of the organisations and structures that occured over this period. The rate of change that was feasible for an organisation the size of the Soviet Army also receives some attention. All of this starts to provide a degree of clarity to the variation in content of key sources on the organisations and structures employed within the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_of_Soviet_Forces_in_Germany">WGF</a> at different points in time.</div>
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Looking at the diagrams and discussion it seems clear that this work fundamentally underpins The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/455024/1997_GENFORCE_Handbook_Mob_Pt_1_Op_Art_Tac_Doc.pdf">Genforce Mobile Force Handbooks</a> written in 1997 as OPFOR guides which provide excellent commentary on what was essentially Soviet organisation and practice but which because they are OPFOR guides I have always had concerns over how they were adapted and how representative they were of what was rather than what was aspired to.<br />
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Some of the organisational structures proposed in both this and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B06GppuET3sAWFVFam9UcUR6cXM/view">AFM volume 2 part 3, Soviet Tactics </a>are quite different from what is discussed elsewhere and I have yet to digest what that means and how or whether to reflect it into my current projects. </div>
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As well as this post I have updated the Post on <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-web-resources-essentials-of-cold.html">free resources on Soviet Organisation and Doctrine</a>. All up an excellent find, resource and for free well worth a read. I have a physical copy of the Vorisilov Lectures Operational Art and would love to find a physical copy of this to add to the collection but so far have looked without success. An excellent perspective on Soviet Operational Art</div>
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References:<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=cowaga-21&keywords=Red%20Banner%20the%20soviet%20military%20system%20in%20peace%20and%20war&index=aps&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=xm2&linkId=0cd03b16b7bb88d1690373e3b19d9938" style="text-align: justify;">Red Banner The Soviet Military System in Peace and War, C Donnelley, (1988)</a> @ amazon<br />
<a href="http://www.steelbeasts.com/files/file/2607-a-treatise-on-soviet-operational-art-british-army-1991/">AFM Volume 2, Part 2, A Treatise on Soviet Operational Art</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B06GppuET3sAWFVFam9UcUR6cXM/view">AFM Volume 2, Part 3, Soviet Tactics</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/review-web-resources-voroshilov-academy.html">Voroshilov Academy Lectures</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-web-resources-essentials-of-cold.html" style="text-align: justify;">Review-Web Resources, The Essentials of Cold War Soviet Doctrine and Organisation for Free</a><br />
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/455024/1997_GENFORCE_Handbook_Mob_Pt_1_Op_Art_Tac_Doc.pdf">Genforce Handbook, Mobile Force Part 1, Operational Art and Tactical Doctrine, 1997</a><br />
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/455025/1997_GENFORCE_Handbook_Mob_Pt_2_OET.pdf">Genforce Handbook, Mobile Force Part 2, Tables of Organisation and Equipment, 1997</a><br />
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Other Book Reviews:</div>
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<a href="https://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/abel-archer-modern-rapid-fire-rules.html">Rapid Fire Able Archer Rule Set</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/review-book-todays-army-air-corps-paul.html">Review- Book, Today's Army Air Corps, P Beaver, 1987</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/review-book-race-to-swift-r-simpkin-1985.html">The Race to the Swift</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/review-book-sovietrussian-armour-and.html">Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design Practices</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/review-book-modern-african-wars-3-south.html">Modern African Wars (3) South West Africa</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/review-book-iron-division-history-of.html">Iron Division, The History of the 3rd Division 1809-1989</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/review-book-rats-tails-royal-scots-in.html">Rats Tales and Royal Scots in The Gulf</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/review-books-warpaint-volumes-1-4.html">Warpaint, Colours and Markings of British Army Vehicles 1903-2003, Volumes 1-4</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-books-air-battle-central-europe.html">Air Battle Central Europe, Alfred Price</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-book-confrontation-strategic.html">Confrontation, The Strategic Geography of NATO and the Warsaw Pact</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/review-book-mil-mi-8mi17-rotary-wing.html">Mil Mi 8/Mi - 17 Rotary Wing Work Horse and War Horse</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces </a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces</a></div>
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<a href="http://oldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html?showComment=1379158881960">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-books-armies-of-natos-central.html">Armies of NATO's Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://the%20soviet%20afghan%20war%2C%20how%20a%20super%20power%20fought%20and%20lost%20weapons%20and%20tactics%20of%20the%20soviet%20army%20soviet%20air%20land%20battle%20tactics/">Red Thrust, Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/review-books-soviet-afghan-war.html">The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army<img alt="" class="" height="1" id="blogsy-1386407719431.044" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0710603525" width="1" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/review-books-military-balance.html">The Military Balance</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-books-encyclopaedia-of-modern.html">Encyclopaedia of the Modern British Army</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-book-soviet-conduct-of-tactical.html">The Soviet Conduct of Tactical Manoeuvre</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-first-clash-k-mackesy.html">First Clash</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-third-world-war-general-j.html">The Third World War</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-books-british-army-in-germany.html">The British Army in Germany</a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="" height="106" id="blogsy-1386407719475.6536" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/flag.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/cowaga-21">The Cold War Bookstore contains links to over 60 Cold War titles covered in my book list</a></div>
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<br />Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-68156387226009916032018-03-25T19:24:00.000+01:002018-03-26T11:52:15.758+01:00Review Models - 1/72 S&S Kraz Truck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/a0df3cce78204ea0a75d6c59231022b1_f1118_zpszlvpbrz7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/a0df3cce78204ea0a75d6c59231022b1_f1118_zpszlvpbrz7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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First post for over a year I think, nothing earth shattering, a review of <a href="http://sandsmodels.com/">S&S</a>'s Kraz 255. The 7.5 ton <a href="http://www.roden.eu/HTML/805.htm">Kraz 214 and 255 trucks</a> provided extreme off-road logistic capacity to the Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces from 1959 through to the end of the Cold War. The Kraz 214 was produced between 1959 - 1963 and the Kraz 255 entered mass production in 1967 and remained in production until 1994. The Trucks are visually similar, so models in 1/72 can be broadly used to represent either. </div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/280px-790th_Fighter_Order_of_Kutuzov_3rd_class_Aviation_Regiment_Khotilovo_airbase_356-27_zpsrkp9me5z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="280" height="253" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/280px-790th_Fighter_Order_of_Kutuzov_3rd_class_Aviation_Regiment_Khotilovo_airbase_356-27_zpsrkp9me5z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The vehicle provided the platform for a range of variants which included; the <a href="http://weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/CC06%20-%20TMM.html">TMM</a> vehicle launched bridge from 1974, The carriage and launch vehicle for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMP_Floating_Bridge">PMP ribbon bridge</a>, and the carriage vehicle for the BMK-T bridging boat, together with a number of engineering earth moving and construction variants. I am using them to provide the transport capability in the Headquaters of my <a href="https://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/orbat-mrr-trr-part-3a-engineer-company.html">MRR Engineering Company</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/9f342163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="265" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/9f342163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://sandsmodels.com/">S&S</a> Model is a robust but effective war-games model and is cast in resin and white metal. It can be purchased with or with out the canvas tilt and I have both versions, it cost at the time of posting £11.50 which included P&P. The models I received were cleanly cast with limited holes and flash.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_3551_zpssw5ftwye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="657" height="400" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_3551_zpssw5ftwye.jpg" width="327" /></a></div>
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Other manufactures produce versions of this vehicle notably <a href="http://armorymodels.com/">Armory</a> and <a href="http://henk.fox3000.com/armada.htm">Armada</a> but both these manufacturers produce for the modelling fraternity with associated complexity and price. The model whilst cleverly constructed would provide challenging to convert as the chasis is effectively a component of the truck body so would need to be replaced in order to produce either a TMM or PMP variant. <br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4117_zpsaebaabqb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4117_zpsaebaabqb.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4116_zpsz1pwpqja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="800" height="159" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4116_zpsz1pwpqja.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After some minimal clean up construction was straight forward and completed quickly with no significant issues, the only thing that slows you down is the amount of time it takes for the super glue to set. Images of the vehicle show little in the way of stowage so I have left the model in its original state.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4119_zpsgezwnxge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="800" height="187" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4119_zpsgezwnxge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have painted the vehicle in line with my other Soviet equipment in green, although I have been working on evolving my style</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">The Vehicle underside is sprayed in NATO Black XF- 69 before being fixed to the base</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The vehicle is given an overall coat of Tamiya XF-13 JA Green, and is then oversprayed with NATO Black XF-69 to create an overall dark green colour.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The panels were then sprayed with JA Green.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Tilt was painted with Olive Drab XF-62, the areas between the tilt supports were oversprayed wit Nato Black and the ridge was over sprayed with Olive Drab. The whole activity was a bit iterative until the required effect was achieved.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The detail was then picked out with a pin wash using Humbrol Black Wash.</li>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4138_zpsahs80jbu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="640" height="307" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4138_zpsahs80jbu.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">The wheels were painted with Vallejo Black grey 70852 and then washed with a mix of Vallejo Khaki Grey 70880 and Buff 70976, before being dry brushed with Vallejo Black grey</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Windows were painted with Vallejo Black Grey</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The lights front and back were painted with Vallejo Flat Red 70957, Light Orange 70911 and Sky Grey 70989.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The doors then received a coat of clear before decals were applied with micro sol then the whole vehicle was sealed with a coat of Tamiya Matt clear.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A small amount of chipping was carried out on selected areas of the vehicle using Vallejo Black Grey, Mahogany sand 70846 and Sky Grey</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The vehicle was then weathered using an overspray of Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow.</li>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4144_zpskbfwzjgx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4144_zpskbfwzjgx.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
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The truck has been based on laser cut MDF base supplied by <a href="http://shop.eastridingminiatures.co.uk/">East Riding Miniatures</a>, being a bit of a beast this is 6 cm x 13 cm in order to accommodate the size of the vehicle. These are covered in a mix of sand and white glue before painting. The base is painted with Citadel Gorthor Brown and dry brushed with Vallejo Desert Yellow 70977. Once dry a range of basing materials have been used to create the vegetation on the base.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4139_zpsordvvqc0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="640" height="315" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4139_zpsordvvqc0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4141_zps8fpsl34r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="640" height="215" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4141_zps8fpsl34r.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4142_zpsmwyudu4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="608" height="400" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/IMG_4142_zpsmwyudu4a.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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All up a great little model that provides a useful addition to my Cold War Collection and provides a degree of variety in the truck options otherwise available for a Cold War Soviet Army.<br />
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References:</div>
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<a href="https://www.net-maquettes.com/pictures/kraz-255-walk/"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.net-maquettes.com/pictures/kraz-255-walk/">Kraz 255 Walk Around</a></div>
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<a href="http://walkarounds.scalemodels.ru/v/walkarounds/autos/KrAZ-255V_Sochi_bukanpet/">Kraz 255 Walk Around</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.roden.eu/HTML/805.htm">Kraz 255B</a><br />
<span style="color: #0000ee; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="http://modellingarticles.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/how-to-paint-wheels.html">Mig Jemez's rather handy tyre painting guide</a><span style="color: black;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0000ee; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.scalemodellingnow.com/tbfinishing-armourpaintchipping">Scale Modelling -Paint Chipping</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/orbat-mrr-trr-part-3a-engineer-company.html" style="text-align: start;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 3a Engineer Company</a></div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-50173719587943214942017-04-06T08:24:00.000+01:002017-06-02T20:22:37.398+01:00ORBAT - MRR & TRR part 3a, Engineer Company<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/blg1_zpskbgzch3l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Engineers/blg1_zpskbgzch3l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Soviet Engineer units deployed a range of engineer equipment that provided high levels of automation in support of standard field engineering tasks. The Regimental Engineer Company included sufficient equipment to replicate the range of engineering support available at higher levels for all engineer tasks less amphibious bridging and river crossing capabilities. This provided the supported MRR or TRR with significant organic engineer capability in support of the primary mission. As in all Soviet combat support functions additional resources could be task organised from higher formation for specific missions as required.<br />
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I first wrote on the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/1980s-soviet-mrr-and-tr-part-3-engineer.html">Soviet MRR Engineer Company</a> a few years ago at the time I was focused on the task organised groups that the engineers form to support the regiment and did not spend much time trying to unravel the organisational knot caused by disparities in the organisational structure discussed in <a href="https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm100-2-3.pdf">FM100-2-3</a> and <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Isbey's Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Union.</a> Since then other sources have come to light and in addition a number of new models have been released allowing for better representation of the unit in 1/72 scale. So I thought it would be worth worth revisiting with more focus on the organisation and equipment of the company. </div>
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Like all supporting arms the engineer assets available to a combined arms commander include:<br />
<ul>
<li>The organic assets associated with the unit or formations</li>
<li>Attached assets provided by higher commanders dependent on mission and priority. These can be provided for general support or to achieve specific tasks.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Similar to the allocation of artillery assets the need for centralised or decentralised control depends on the specific operation and phasing:</div>
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<div>
Centralised control is prefered during</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Preparation of an offensive</li>
<li>Construction of fortifications and minefields </li>
<li>During river crossings operations</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Decentralised control is prefered at the start of the offensive or in going over to the defensive. Engineer planning and advice is delivered by the Chief of Engineer Services at each level of command.</div>
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The basic goals of Soviet engineer support is to;<br />
<ul>
<li>Create conditions for more effective application of the means of attack, </li>
<li>Support the unhindered movement of friendly forces in the vicinity of the enemy </li>
<li>Affect maneuver on the battlefield </li>
<li>Provide defence for friendly forces from the destructive means of the enemy</li>
</ul>
and the Engineer tasks that derive from these goals are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Reconnaissance of the enemy and the terrain</li>
<li>Preparation and maintenance of routes of movement and maneuver</li>
<li>Demolitions work and the construction of obstacles</li>
<li>Fortification and camouflage of positions and areas</li>
<li>Exploration for sources of water and its supply and purification</li>
<li>Measures to camouflage troop movements and operations</li>
<li>Engineer actions to eliminate the effects of nuclear attacks</li>
</ul>
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Engineers are supported in the delivery of these tasks by Motor Rifle and Tank troops as required. Not surprisingly with the Soviet army the organisation and structure of the organisation directly maps to the doctrinal tasks and goals it is set to deliver. At Regimental level that leaves us with an Engineer company as outlined below.</div>
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This organisation is derived from a review of a number of sources;<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm100-2-3.pdf">FM 100-2-3</a> provides the main components of the structure </li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and tactics of the Soviet Union</a> together with <a href="http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA066237">Soviet Combat Engineer Support</a> a research paper by Major J Parr written in 1978 provide the detail of the allocation of equipment to the sections and platoons as well as the view that the technical construction platoon could be replaced by two sapper platoond</li>
<li>L Graus paper In<a href="http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/documents/mines/mines.htm">stant Russian Obstacles, FMSO, 1996</a> provided the view that the <a href="http://armamentresearch.com/ukrainian-operated-umz-mine-laying-system-in-ukraine/">UMZ</a> was deployed at regimental level. Currently I believe the UMZ was deployed in the early 1980s and I have assumed that organisational change was adopted from introduction into service.</li>
</ul>
<span id="goog_1276587742"></span><span id="goog_1276587743"></span>There are a variety of conflicts amoungst the sources around the detail of the equipment holdings and the precise structure. This interpretation adapts the FM 100-2-3 view, a number of other interpretations would be equally valid.<br />
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The organisational structure shown allows the company to support the standard Soviet Engineer task groupings through which Engineers in the Soviet army delivered support to the Combined Arms Force. Composition of the main groupings are covered in the post <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/1980s-soviet-mrr-and-tr-part-3-engineer.html">MRR & TRR part 3 Engineer</a>s. In outline the groupings and tasks are as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Inzhenernoe Razvedyvatel'nyi Dozor</i> Engineer Reconnaissance Patrol, this may be grouped with other recce units such as Chemical or Regimental or operate independently, they report on the state of roads bridges and obstacles and can work in coordination with or independently of MSDs.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><i>Otriad Razvevedki i Razgrazhdeniia </i>Reconnaissance/Obstacle Clearing Detachment, these groupings are used primarily to clear obstacles on route to enemy objectives, I assume these are formed by Combat Troops equipped with Mine ploughs and rollers and potentially supported by Sapper platoons</li>
<li><i>Otryad Oberspecheniya Dvizheniya</i> Movement Support Detachments, facilitate the maneuver of the first echelon in attack, withdrawal and advance. They will normally operate in front of the main body clearing obstacles and improving routes. They may include security elements from combat or recconnaissance units </li>
<li><i>Podvizhnyy Otryad Zagrazhedni</i> Mobile Obstacle Detachments, composed primarily of engineer troops they can be reinforced by other units including mine laying aviation assets. They are configured to rapidly deploy mines, conduct extensive demolitions and deploy and develop obstacles to movement using construction equipment. </li>
</ul>
<b>Company HQ & Services</b><br />
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The Company HQ and Services platoon is equipped with 3 Command Vehicles a UAZ 469, BRDM2 and a BTR 60 and a fleet of 8 or 9 trucks for carrying the engineer stores of the regiment, Trucks would either be the 7.5 ton Kraz or the 5 ton Ural and the stores carried were primarily;<br />
<ul>
<li>Mine ploughs, </li>
<li>Mine rollers, </li>
<li>MTU dozer blades</li>
<li>Water purification kit. </li>
<li>Stores for Bridging</li>
</ul>
It is not clear if mine ploughs could be fitted by the tank crews or would need the support of an engineer section. <br />
<br />
I have represented the unit with a BRDM 2 and 3 Kraz Trucks. I decided to use the Kraz trucks primarily to differentiate the engineers from the artillery units in my collection. The Mine rollers and ploughs are represented as separate models which can be attached to any vehicle and the MTU dozer blades I model as permanent attachments to one tank in the tank battalion.<br />
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<b>Sapper Platoons</b><br />
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The sapper platoons each consist of 3 sections with each section mounted in a BTR 60 or a truck. Sections are capable of undertaking a variety of tasks including;<br />
<ul>
<li>Demolitions and Cratering</li>
<li>Mine clearance </li>
<li>General pioneer work. </li>
</ul>
I will be representing the platoon with a single BTR 60 PB and trailer although I am tempted to use BTR 60 Ps to provide some variety.<br />
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<b>Sapper & Mine Platoon</b><br />
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The third Sapper platoon in the company was also the minelaying platoon. Again these could be equipped with APCs or trucks although in this instance the APCs would be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTR-152">BTR 152</a>s as the PMR 3 or <a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/pmz.html">PMZ 4</a> could not be operated from a BTR 60PB due to the rear mounting of the engine. As well as minelaying this platoon could also undertake general pioneer work, demolitions and cratering. I am representing this platoon with 1 BTR 152, 1 PMR3 and a <a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/umz.html">ZIl 131 with a UMZ</a> scatterable mine system as discussed above.<br />
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The platoon is equipped with a first line scale of 600 mines, minefields consist of 3 rows and at a 4m spacing this load can deploy an 800m 3 lane minefield in 20 minutes. Reloading takes 10-12 minutes although exchanging the towing vehicles can speed this up. A large minefield would comprise of a number of 200 - 300m blocks with varying orientation and arranged in depth. Blocks could be interspersed with dummy minefields which would just be ploughed. A platoon of 3 Vehicles can lay fairly significant minefields in an hour and smaller ones in 20 minutes.<br />
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<b>Road & Bridging Platoon</b><br />
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The Road and Bridging platoon comprised of three sections that primarily manned specialist engineer equipment appropriate to the sections primary task, the three sections covered<br />
<ul>
<li>Route maintenance and support, </li>
<li>Bridging </li>
<li>Obstacle and fortification construction</li>
</ul>
The Platoon deploys 11 vehicles in total so I am representing it with 4 models<br />
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<b>Road Section</b><br />
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The Road section consists of two vehicles only a <a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/dim.html">DIM</a> mine clearance vehicle and a BAT-M, I am representing it with a single <a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/bat_m.html">BAT-M</a>.<br />
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The BAT-M can be used to develop routes using its forward blade which can be configured in a number of ways depending on the task and the onboard crane. tasks include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Grading</li>
<li>Filling Trenches and Craters</li>
<li>Clearing rubble and Snow</li>
<li>Breaching Obstacles</li>
</ul>
<div>
Whilst not primarily designed for digging work it could be deployed to develop fortifications and ditches if required, in this it would be less effective than the purpose built machinery described below. The BAT-M started to be replaced by the BAT 2 at the backend of the Cold War</div>
<ul>
<li>BAT-M produced 1953 - 1972</li>
<li><a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica-2/bat-2.html">BAT 2</a> Late 80s entered service 1988 onward, no significant change incapability</li>
</ul>
<b>Bridge Section</b><br />
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The Bridge section varied between tank and Motor Rifle Regiments, Tank Regiments had 3 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armoured_vehicle-launched_bridge">AVLBs</a> and a 4 <a href="https://www.drive2.ru/b/2787582/">TMM</a> truck launched bridging unit. The MRR had only 1 AVLB and the TMM unit. <br />
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The AVLBs that could be deployed included:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/mty-1.html">MTU-12</a>. 11m class 50, based on T-54 chassis, production 1955</li>
<li><a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/mty-20.html">MTU-20</a>, 18m class 50, based on T-55 chassis, production</li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MT-55">MT-55</a>, 18m class 50, based on a T-55 chassis, deployed in 3 minutes, production 1969 - 1983</li>
<li><a href="http://www.military-today.com/engineering/mtu_72.htm">MTU-72</a>, 18m class 50, based on a T-72 chassis. deployed in 3 minutes, production 1974 - 1992</li>
</ul>
The <a href="https://www.drive2.ru/b/2787582/">TMM </a>bridging sections are 10.5 m in length and together could span a 40m gap over rivers with a depth of up to 1.7m/3m depending on version. The original TMM system was class 50 whilst the later TMM3 was class 60. TMM was originally deployed in 1962 and updated in 1974. A 40m span could be deployed in 90 minutes at night. Multiple TMM sets could be applied to span longer gaps.<br />
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Regardless of regiment type I am modelling the bridge section as 1 MT-55 and one TMM.<br />
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<b>Fortification Section</b><br />
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The Fortification section could be equipped with a few different vehicles in general there was either an <a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/mdk-2.html">MDK-2 </a> or a <a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/btm.html">BTM</a>. the BTM was primarily a trench digging equipment whilst the MDK - 2 could be used to rapidly develop anti tank ditches vehicle scrapes or bunkers. The rest of the section comprised 3 <a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/pzm.html">PZM</a> trench excavators.<br />
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Digging rates were:<br />
<ul>
<li>BTM between 250m - 800m per hour depending on trench depth and soil type. Trenches of 1.1/1.5m depth x 1m width could be produced in straight sections, zig zagging or waves. </li>
<li>MDK-2 creates a trench 3.5m x 3.5m at around 30m an hour. This seems low compared to the others. </li>
<li>PZM can dig trenches of upto 3.5 m depth x upto 3.5m width at rates between 35m an hour to 200m an hour depending on soil type and trench size</li>
</ul>
I will be representing the section with a BTM, primarily because I have yet to find an MDK-2 in 1/72, which would be my preference, although scratch building one is looking appealing.<br />
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<b>Game Concepts</b><br />
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Usually engineer tasks other than deployment of AVLBs sit outside the scope of most games. The level of automation deployed by the Soviet Army across all task allow this to be challenged. The obvious candidates are the more rapidly deployed capability options;<br />
<ul>
<li>AVLB launched bridge</li>
<li>Single/duel Span TMM</li>
<li>Minefield breaching</li>
<li>Crater filling</li>
<li>Wire Breaching</li>
<li>Scatterable minefield deployment</li>
</ul>
In game completion of tasks;<br />
<ul>
<li>AT Ditch deployment</li>
<li>initial trench system creation</li>
<li>Surface laid minefields</li>
<li>closure of gaps in obstacles</li>
<li>initiation of demolitions</li>
</ul>
<div>
Consideration may be given to an opening move of longer duration enabling the placement of obstacles at the commanders discretion or multiple moves of engineering tasks before the arrival of the enemy force or indeed the sequenced arrival of that force over a number of moves all of which would provide scope for in game Engineer play given the rate of production described above and the Soviet doctrine of deployment of obstacles on identified enemy lines of advance. Most of these concepts would need axis of advance or points of entry to be identified to the Soviet commander an activity that could be randomised.</div>
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The understanding of the production rates also play to the development of obstacle belts within scenarios. An understanding of the wider scheme of maneuver and the associated time and space issues allow for calculation of what could be produced in the time available or allow for a degree of pre game play as part of an encounter battle for instance. <br />
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The Soviets doctrine called for the deployment of obstacle belts in front of maneuvering forces in order to achieve surprise and chemical troops smoke units would be deployed to screen the tasks from the advancing enemy forces.<br />
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<b>Models</b><br />
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You need of course to build models to represent the engineer assets and for engineering capability that includes both the equipment and the terrain items that indicate that the work has taken place. So creation of engineer units and their employment is a reasonably labour intensive task.<br />
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The good news is that over the last couple of years the range of models to support the use of Soviet Engineers in 20mm / 1/72 has increased dramatically and includes figure as well as equipment from such companies as S&S and W Models.<br />
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A combination of relatively inexpensive resins and plastic kits will buy you the bulk of the capability with the odd high cost rein from W Models rounding out the capability along with a small amount of scratch building and a little imagination its fairly straight forward to deploy the equipment and figures. A reasonably comprehensive list of models and suppliers for this project is outlined in the table below;<br />
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To represent the impact you will of course need a range of terrain pieces including:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Deployed equipment bridges</li>
<li>Minefields, marked and unmarked</li>
<li>Wire obstacles</li>
<li>Craters</li>
<li>AT Ditches</li>
<li>Trenches</li>
<li>Trench systems</li>
<li>Tank scrapes</li>
</ul>
Whilst engineering activities are seldom a major focus in miniature wargaming, the Soviet doctrine that called for the rapid development of obstacles in the line of an enemy advance and in support of flank protection and the Anti Tank reserve place a different emphasis on them compared to the less dynamic concepts seen within NATO and makes them worthy of consideration for games.<br />
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References:<br />
<br />
Web:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/inf/BTR-60.html">BTR 60</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pib-11.de/pidienst/BSA.html">Pioneer Battalion 11</a><br />
<a href="https://topwar.ru/28692-zemleroynye-mashiny-nepreryvnogo-deystviya-inzhenernyh-voysk-sssr.html">Soviet Engineer Digging Equipment</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA066237">Soviet Combat Engineer Support, US Army Institute for Advanced Soviet and East European Studies</a><br />
<a href="http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/documents/mines/mines.htm">Instant Russian Obstacles, FMSO, 1996</a><br />
<a href="http://saper.isnet.ru/index-texnica.html">Soviet Engineer Equipment</a><br />
<a href="https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm100-2-3.pdf">FM100-2-3</a><br />
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Books:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics, WP Baxter</a></div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-book-soviet-conduct-of-tactical.html" style="text-align: start;">The Soviet Conduct of Tactical Manoeuvre</a><br />
<br />
Other Posts of Interest:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/1980s-soviet-mrr-and-tr-part-3-engineer.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 3 Engineers</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/ttp-soviet-advanced-guard-and-march.html" style="text-align: start;">TTP - Soviet Advanced Guard and March Security</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-tactics-anti-tank-reserve.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Anti Tank Reserve</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-s-t-55-bridgelayer.html" style="text-align: start;">Review - Model 1/72, S&S MT-55 Bridgelayer</a><br />
<br /></div>
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-28751370259403428012017-03-10T07:49:00.000+00:002017-04-09T07:21:03.851+01:00Review - Book, Todays Army Air Corps, Paul Beaver, 1987<br />
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The first thing to point out about what I think is a very handy little reference is that the title is a complete misnomer. Written in 1987 the Today in the title very much refers to the Army Air Corps of yesterday and you will certainly struggle to find even a mention of the AH 64 which was a distant aspiration at the time of writing. What the book does do well is provide a compact overview of the British Army Air Corps This includes:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A Short History of Army Flying</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Structure and Command Arrangements</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Regiments Squadrons and the AAC Center</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Aircraft</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Weapons Roles and Equipment</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Future Programme</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Training and Tactics</li>
</ul>
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This book is an excellent snap shot of the Army Air Corps at the backend of the Cold War. The Historical section is too short to do anything but provide pointers to conflicts in which the Army Air Corps had previously played a role. The real value to the Cold War Gamer lies in less than half the book, primarily in the sections on:</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Structure and Command Arrangements. This section is a little thin but provides an overview of how the Army Air Corps supports the rest of the Army with both Aviation Advice, staff support and planning functions as well as the broad structure of the units and a view of the organisations that support is provided to essentially BAOR, UKMF, Special Forces and Northern Ireland.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Regiments Squadrons and The AAC center. This section is the first of the two absolute nuggets in this book this covers each regiment and independent squadron and in a terse paragraph summarizes location role, equipment holdings and the HQ they report to, which is immensely useful for context and scenario planning if you want to refer to the real units.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Training and Tactics. The second nuget is the training and tactics section which is sadly all too short and in a few pages talks through HELARM tactics with Gazelle and Lynx as they would operate in Germany. This looks at both the Anti Armour and Recce/Air Op roles. It would have been nice to see something on Forward Air Refueling and cross FLOT (Forward Line of Own Troops) operations but the data supplied is enough to give you a basic understanding of how the Aviation assets would be used. Its easy to forget that other missing items such as JAAT (Joint Air Attack Teams) post date this title, within the British armed forces.</li>
</ul>
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The rest of the books information is useful but can be obtained easily else where, including online sources. For an out of print obscure little book it contains some very useful information. It can be picked up on Amazon, last I looked for .01p, at that price it pays for itself if you can use it to make the gaming table more stable by sticking it under one of the table legs. A thin tome but a worthwhile addition to the Cold War library if you have an interest in British aviation capability at the back end of the Cold War.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0850598923/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0850598923&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Today's Army Air Corps @ Amazon</a><br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/review-book-race-to-swift-r-simpkin-1985.html" style="text-align: start;">Review-Book, The Race to The Swift, R Simpkin, 1985</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/review-book-sovietrussian-armour-and.html">Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design Practices</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/review-book-modern-african-wars-3-south.html">Modern African Wars (3) South West Africa</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/review-book-iron-division-history-of.html">Iron Division, The History of the 3rd Division 1809-1989</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/review-book-rats-tails-royal-scots-in.html">Rats Tales and Royal Scots in The Gulf</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/review-books-warpaint-volumes-1-4.html">Warpaint, Colours and Markings of British Army Vehicles 1903-2003, Volumes 1-4</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-books-air-battle-central-europe.html">Air Battle Central Europe, Alfred Price</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-book-confrontation-strategic.html">Confrontation, The Strategic Geography of NATO and the Warsaw Pact</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/review-book-mil-mi-8mi17-rotary-wing.html">Mil Mi 8/Mi - 17 Rotary Wing Work Horse and War Horse</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces </a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://oldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html?showComment=1379158881960">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-books-armies-of-natos-central.html">Armies of NATO's Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://the%20soviet%20afghan%20war%2C%20how%20a%20super%20power%20fought%20and%20lost%20weapons%20and%20tactics%20of%20the%20soviet%20army%20soviet%20air%20land%20battle%20tactics/">Red Thrust, Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army<img alt="" class="" height="1" id="blogsy-1386407719431.044" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0710603525" width="1" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/review-books-military-balance.html">The Military Balance</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-books-encyclopaedia-of-modern.html">Encyclopaedia of the Modern British Army</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-book-soviet-conduct-of-tactical.html">The Soviet Conduct of Tactical Manoeuvre</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-first-clash-k-mackesy.html">First Clash</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-third-world-war-general-j.html">The Third World War</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-books-british-army-in-germany.html">The British Army in Germany</a></div>
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/cowaga-21">The Cold War Bookstore contains links to over 60 Cold War titles covered in my book list</a></div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-36824184864020198022017-03-05T14:04:00.000+00:002017-03-25T06:18:27.738+00:00ORBAT - NATO's Northern Army Group, 1 BR Corps Deployment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Corps_(United_Kingdom)">1 Br Corps</a> deployment zone sits between Hanover in the North to Einbeck in the South. Deployed to the North is 1 GE Corps and to the South covering the more broken terrain of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harz">Harz Mountains</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauerland">Saurland</a> is 1 Be Corps. The detail of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NORTHAG_wartime_structure_in_1989">NORTHAGs</a> deployment was previously covered <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/orbat-soviet-force-organisation-against.html">here</a>.</div>
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The Corps area is dissected by the Rivers <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weser">Weser</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leine">Leine</a> and has the Harz mountains on its Southern boundary and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teutoburg_Forest">Teutoburger Wald</a> to its rear. The city of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildesheim">Hieldesheim</a> sits in the center of the Corps area of responsibility with the ground to the south of Hieldesheim being more broken and to the North more open. The Corps sits astride an Axis of Advance to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhr">Ruhr</a> industrial conurbation.</div>
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The Corps concept of operations saw a covering force fighting a delaying action from the Inner German Border back to a Main Defensive Position that sat forward of the River Weser and across the River Leine. The covering force battle would buy time for the preparation of the MDP and potentially the deployment of units from the UK if this had not happened in transition to war. To the rear was the reserve Division with the primary task of launching a counterstroke into the advancing Soviet Armies once the main axis of advance had been identified and this would create the conditions for a counter offensive by the NORTHAG reserve to restore the Inner German Border.<br />
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<ul>
<li>The Covering Force was provided by 2 Armoured Reconnaissance Regiments from 1 and 4 Divisions together with 644 Squadron AAC. The Recce Regiments at this time were 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards and The 16/5th Queens Royal Lancers. They were effectivly under command 1 Br Corps in this phase.</li>
<li>The Northern MDP Division was provided by 1st Armoured Division covering the more open ground South of Hanover and North of Hildershiem.</li>
<li>The Southern MDP Division was provided by 4th Armoured Division deployed in the Southern part of the corps area covering the more broken around the Sibbessa gap. </li>
<li>The <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/orbat-british-1980-bg-nato-and-baor.html">Parachute Regiment Group</a> deployed to Hildershiem in the centre of the area and I would imagine they intended to stay put regardless of the developing situation. Hildersheim and the Parachute Regiment Group came under command of 1st Armoured Division.</li>
<li>Corps Reserve was provided by 3rd Armoured Division. The corps reserve supplied its reserve Brigade to enable the withdrawal of the covering force through the main defensive position by securing crossing points over the Rivers forward of the Leine. Once the covering force had withdrawn 3rd Division's reserve Brigade would join the rest of the Division West of the Weser and launch its counter stroke.</li>
<li>The Corps Rear area was secured by 2nd Infantry Division, which also included 24 Airmobile Brigade which would primarily be used for counter penetration tasks into the forward areas and could be deployed in support of either the MDP or Covering Force Battle. Of Interest during Ex Lionheart in 1984, the German 53 Heimatschutz Brigade reinforced 2nd Division and 24 Brigade (at the time a Mech (W) Brigade) was released for deployment else where.</li>
<li>The Rear Combat Zone and Communication Zone sat behind the Corps rear boundary.</li>
</ul>
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Behind the forward deployed Corps of NORTHAG sat <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/III_Corps_(United_States)">III US Corps</a>, once it had completed its deployment from the US it would conduct subsequent operations to restore the line of the Inner German Border.<br />
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By the close of the Cold War NORTHAG reserve included a multinational Airmobile division that included:<br />
<ul>
<li>UK 24 Airmobile Brigade</li>
<li>Ge 255 Luftlande Brigade</li>
<li>Be Para Commando Regiment</li>
</ul>
Over the duration of the Cold War I suspect this plan changed a number of times but this is what I intend to use as the operational context for games involving my British forces.<br />
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The Essentials of the 1 BR Corps plan were therefore:<br />
<ul style="text-align: start;">
<li>Covering Force - Recce and 644 Squadron AAC Forward</li>
<li>Main Defensive Position Battle including Divisional Covering Force and Divisional counter attacks/penetration.</li>
<li>Counter Penetration by 24 Brigade (88/89) after formation of Brigade and prior to move to multinational Airmobile Division.</li>
<li>Counter Stroke - 7 Panzer Division & 3rd Armoured Division</li>
</ul>
The unifying purpose being to achieve the destruction of the first operational echelon between the R Weser and the R Leine.<br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/orbat-british-1980-bg-nato-and-baor.html">UK based components</a> would deploy during transition to war or in the opening stages of the conflict, these included.<br />
<ul>
<li>3rd Armoured Divisions Recce Regiment</li>
<li>4th Armoured Divisions 19 Infantry Bde</li>
<li>665 Sqn AAC</li>
<li>2nd Infantry Division</li>
</ul>
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My intent is to set a number of Scenarios within the 4th Armoured Divisions area of responsibility primarily as it had a slightly more diverse force structure than 1 Armoured Division deployed in the more open ground to the North and therefore holds a little more variety in the type of actions and forces that can be used. 19 Brigades deployment area around <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bockenem">Bockenem</a> is shown on the map below.<br />
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The Divisions were tailored in their task organisation to their areas of responsibility. The 4th Armoured Division included 2 Armoured Brigades and an Infantry Brigade. The table below outlines exactly what this meant in terms of the detailed composition of the different divisions in 1 Br Corps.<br />
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So essentially the 4th Armoured Division was a Mechanised Division with 1 Mech (T) Brigade, 1 Mech (W) Brigade and an Armoured Brigade. The organisation of the 4th Armoured Division was as follows:<br />
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The Unit composition and equipment distribution of the Combat and Combat Support units around 1988/89 were as follows:<br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;">16/5th Queens Royal Lancers, Divisional Recce Regiment (CVR(T))</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">4 Regiment Army Air Corps (Lynx/Gazelle)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">45 Field Regiment RA (FH70) 19 Bde (Assumed)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">26 Field Regiment RA (M109/Javelin) 11 Bde</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">49 Field Regiment RA (M109) 20 Bde</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">35 Regiment Royal Engineers (FV 432)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">11 Armoured Brigade; </li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (Chieftain) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">3 Royal Anglian (FV 432)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">2 Queens (FV 432)</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">20 Armoured Brigade; </li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">15/19 Hussars (Challenger)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards (Challenger)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">1 Royal Regiment of Wales (FV 432) replaced by 1 RIRISH in 1990 (Warrior)</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">19 Armoured Brigade; </li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers, (Saxon)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">2 Royal Anglian, (Saxon)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">1 Staffords, (Saxon) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Royal Hussars (Chieftain, Less 1 Sqn to UKMF)</li>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Engineers and artillery would tend to be attached to the brigades, recce squadrons could be attached to brigades but tended to operate as a divisional asset along with the AAC Regiment. Additionally the division would have a squadron from 32 Armoured Engineer Regiment with troops being attached to brigades as required.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The Divisions operational concept had the Armoured Brigade and the Armoured Recce Regiment deployed forward as a covering force. The Armoured Recce Regiment being initially under command of 1 Br Corps as a component of the Corps covering force. The 2 Mechanised Brigades then developed and manned the Main Defensive Position with the covering force withdrawing back into reserve where it would be reconstituted by replacement crews and vehicles from the Armoured Delivery Regiment. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">The AAC regiment would take a very active role in counter penetration as the ground lent itself well to HELARM anti tank ambushes. I expect it would have been active in both the divisions covering force battle and the MDP battles.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">19 Brigade the Mech (W) Brigade would deploy in the North of the area around the Bockenem bowel at the entrance to the Sibbessa gap and 11 Brigade, the Mech (T) Brigade to the South around </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Gandersheim" style="text-align: justify;">Bad Gandershiem</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seesen" style="text-align: justify;">Seesen</a>. <span style="text-align: justify;">20 Brigade would provide both the covering force and the reserve. </span></div>
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References:<br />
<br />
Web:<br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/review-web-resources-m136.html" style="text-align: start;">M136 Exercise Picture Archive</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-web-resources-british-army-units.html" style="text-align: start;">British Army Units since 1945</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/web-resources-fire-and-furry-cold-war.html" style="text-align: start;">Fire and Furry Cold War Orbats and Modern Resources</a><br />
<a href="http://www.staffrideservices.com/?p=461">Staff Rides 1Br Corps Material and Maps</a><br />
<br />
Books:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-book-confrontation-strategic.html">Confrontation, The Strategic Geography of NATO and the Warsaw Pact</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-books-armies-of-natos-central.html">Armies of NATO's Central Front</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
The Royal Armoured Corps in The Cold War</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-books-encyclopaedia-of-modern.html">Encyclopedia of the Modern British Army</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-books-british-army-in-germany.html">The British Army in Germany, an Organisational History 1947 - 20</a><br />
British Army of the Rhine, TJ Gander<br />
The Royal Engineers, TJ Gander</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/review-book-iron-division-history-of.html" style="text-align: start;">Iron Division, The History of the 3rd Division 1809-1989</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Other Posts of Interest:</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<b><br /></b></div>
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ORBAT 1980s British Battle Group, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/battle-group-storey-in-1980s-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/battle-group-in-1980-part-2-task.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/battle-group-in-1980s-part-3-equipment.html">Part 3</a>, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/battle-group-in-1980-part-4-recce-group.html">Part 4</a>, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/orbat-1980s-british-battle-group-part-5.html">Part 5</a>, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/orbat-1980s-british-bg-part-6-royal.html" target="_blank">Part 6</a>, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/orbat-1980s-british-bg-part-7-infantry.html">Part 7</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/orbat-late-80-british-army-air-corps.html">ORBAT - 1980's British, Army Air Corps Aviation Regiment</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/orbat-raf-in-germany-in-1980s.html">ORBAT - The RAF in Germany in the 1980s</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/orbat-british-1980-bg-nato-and-baor.html">ORBAT - 1980's British BG, NATO and BAOR Reinforcement, Part 1 General</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/orbat-1980s-british-bg-nato.html">ORBAT - 1980's British BG, NATO and BAOR Reinforcement, Part 2 The Infantry Brigades</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/orbat-soviet-force-organisation-against.html" style="text-align: start;">ORBAT - Soviet Task Org, Fronts against NORTHAG</a></div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-30612571383262335492017-02-12T09:26:00.000+00:002017-02-25T08:28:34.324+00:00ORBAT - Soviet Divisional Units, Part 2 MRD Artillery Regiment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post looks at Artillery support within the Division and specifically at the composition of the Divisional Artillery Regiment, how the capability changed over the period and how it might be represented within games and scenarios. <br />
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The organic components of Divisional Artillery units were broadly consistent across both the MRD and TD however their detailed composition varied, these Artillery units included:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Artillery Commander and his Staff</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Artillery Regiment</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Frog Battalion</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Anti Tank Battalion (not in TD)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Artillery Battalions of subordinate MRR/TRR</li>
</ul>
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Whilst in other armies air defence would be a component of the Artillery in the Soviet Ground Forces this was a separate arm of Service. The <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/orbat-soviet-divisional-units-part-1.html">Anti Tank Battalion's</a> deployment and grouping have been considered in an earlier post and I'll leave the Frog Battalion for another day.</div>
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<b>Equipment and Organisational Change</b><br />
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The composition of the Divisional Artillery Regiment and the amount of organic artillery available to the Division varied significantly over the period from the 1970s through to the end of the 1980s and whilst my focus is on the 1980s it's worth understanding this as it accounts for a variety of conflicting information presented across the various sources which can lead to confusion if the general pattern of transition is not understood.</div>
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In the 1970's the MRD's Artillery Regiment comprised two battalions of towed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/122_mm_howitzer_2A18_(D-30)">122mm D30 Howitzers</a> and 1 battalion of towed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/152_mm_towed_gun-howitzer_M1955_(D-20)">152mm D1/D20</a> guns, in a TD this was 3 Battalions of towed 122mm D30 guns. Each regiment included 3 Batteries of 6 Guns and most units used trucks as the gun tractors. <br />
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By The end of the Cold War units would have an Artillery Regiment equipped with self propelled guns, in MRD's this could include 3 battalions of 2S3, in TD's 2 battalions of 2S3 were more likely. In both cases batteries were of 8 guns and the regiments included an MLRS Battalion also of 3 batteries of 8 Launchers. The 8 gun and 8 launcher batteries seem to have been largely confined to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_of_Soviet_Forces_in_Germany">GSFG</a>.</div>
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The MLRS units were incorporated into the divisional Artillery Regiments in the mid 70s and 2S1 and 2S3 started to be introduced to replace the towed guns and howitzers from around 1973. As individual Regiments transitioned from the D30/1/20 /MLRS mix through the introduction of initially a mix of 2S1 and 2S3 and then to all 2S3 units this created the conditions for a variety of Orbats to exist within the divisions of any particular Army or Front at a given point in time. The limiting factors on the transition and the principal cause of the variability being the rate of production and the sheer size of the Soviet ground forces, of note 2S3 production did not complete until 1993.</div>
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The broad roll out following acceptance in 1971 as outlined by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Zaloga">Zaloga</a> was:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">From 1973 1 2S3 battalion to each MRD Artillery Regiment: A MRD could include 2 D30 battalions and 1 2S3 battalion</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">From 1973 1 2S1Bn to each Cat 1 TD: A TD Could include 12S1 and 2 D30 battalion </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">From mid 70s 1 122mm D30 battalion was replaced by 2S3 in TDs: TDs could include 1 2S1, 1D30 and 1 2S3 Bn </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Cat 1 MRD received 6 battalions of 2S1 two in the Artillery Regiment and 1 in each of the maneuver regiments: MRD Artillery Regiments could have a composition of 2 2S1 battalions and 1 D1/20 or 2S3 battalion. (this also rather defeats the view of BMP units having 2S1 battalions and BTR units having D30 equipped battalions)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Cat 1 TD received 6 battalions of 2S1 taking them to 3 2S1 battalions or 2 2S1 and 1 2S3 battalion. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Additional 2S3 battalions were deployed releasing 2S1 Battalions to the maneuver regiments</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">All this did not happen as a simple sequence and the different policies and deployments interacted with each other unpredictably.</li>
</ul>
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So what does this mean from the Wargames perspective, there were a lot of options, it was a big army, the role out did not complete before the economic impacts at the back end of the Cold war began to hit. You have a lot of choice, my late period Divisional Artillery Regiment has one 2S1 battalion and two 2S3 battalions. For operations the Soviet Army task organised units into Artillery Groups which introduced a lot more variation and are discussed further below.</div>
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The weapons thrown up by these changes were re used, initially they increased the Regimental artillery from a battery to a battalion and as towed assets in these units were replaced with Self propelled platforms then the size of Army and Front Artillery brigades were increased. The quantity of organic Artillery in the division including the regimental Artillery units therefore increased from a likely minimum 78 Guns in the 70's to a maximum 192 guns by the end of the Cold War.</div>
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The broad equipment change time line over the period with respect to Artillery equipment looks like this:<br />
<ul>
<li>1963 D30</li>
<li>1966 <a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/pages/psnr1.htm">PSNR 1</a> Ground Surveillance Radar</li>
<li>1971 <a href="https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/2s3.htm">2S3</a> entered production</li>
<li>1972 <a href="https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/2s1.htm">2S1</a> entered production</li>
<li>1973 first deliveries 2S1/2S3</li>
<li>1974 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MT-LBu">ACRV IV 12</a> Series Vehicles</li>
<ul>
<li>IV13 Battery fire direction centre, </li>
<li>IV 14 Battery Command Vehicle with PN44 night sight and <a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/pages/1d11.htm">D11M-1</a> Laser range finder,</li>
<li>IV15 Battalion Command vehicle with additional radios, </li>
<li>IV16 battalion Fire Direction Centre with Field Artillery computer</li>
</ul>
<li>1975 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MT-LB">SNAR 10 </a>Target detection and fire adjustment</li>
<li>1975 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMP-1_variants">PRP 3</a> with PN 61 Image Intensifier, D11 Laser Range Finder, IV 520 Fire Control , Computer, <a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/pages/lpr1.htm">dismountable D13 LRF</a> (I think this came later), RL 126 ground surveillance radar</li>
<li>1975 2S3M upgraded loader increased rate of fire</li>
<li><span style="text-align: justify;">1976 <a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/pages/psnr5.htm">PSNR-5</a></span></li>
<li>Late 70s DK-1 Dismountable LRF Sage Gloss at Regiment and Division</li>
<li><span style="text-align: justify;">1980's <a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/BM-21">9M28</a> Rocket Grad P (Airburst)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: justify;">1980 <a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/technik_g/pages/prp4.htm">PRP 4</a> as PRP3 but with PN 71 Thermal Imager a D14 LRF and <a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/technik_g/pages/prp4.htm">PSNR -5</a> ground Surviellance radar</span></li>
<li>1983 ACRV upgrade</li>
<li><span style="text-align: justify;">1986 152mm PGM 2K25 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasnopol_(Weapon)">Krasnopol</a></span><span style="text-align: justify;"> complex deployed by 2S3. The </span>122mm Kitalov 2 complex was a post Cold War system deployed in 2002</li>
<li>1987 2S3M1 Gunsight and data terminal to receive display command information from IV 13</li>
<li>1988 <a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/technik_g/pages/prp4.htm">PRP 4M</a></li>
</ul>
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So not dissimilar to Western developments with the principal areas of change being:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Introduction of Self Propelled Guns.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Introduction of dedicated Command and Observation Post vehicles specifically equipped for role.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The development, deployment and improvement of target acquisition systems including radars, lasers, and night observation systems.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The development, deployment and improvement conventional munitions to include PGMs and sub munitions.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The development and deployment of data systems for processing and passage of command and fire control data.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
A wide range of munitions were available for both 122mm and 152 gun systems for the 2S3 these included:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">OF-540 HE</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">OF-25 HE Frag</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">BP-540 HEAT-FS</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Br-540B AP-T</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">OF-38 Krasnopol Laser Guided</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">S1 Illuminating</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">ZH3 Smoke</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">and Nuclear Warheads with a 2kt yeild</li>
</ul>
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<br />
The impact of all these changes were quite considerable in terms of the effectiveness of Soviet Artillery the impacts included;<br />
<ul>
<li>Increased protection of the gun crews, </li>
<li>More rapid displacement between fire positions, </li>
<li>Reduced time into and out of action, </li>
<li>Improved target acquisition </li>
<li>Increased range, of munitions and target acquisition capability</li>
<li>Reduced time to resolve targets at greater ranges</li>
<li>Increased speed of transmission of artillery data reducing engagement times and data errors.</li>
<li>Increased speed of processing fire missions, through use of fire control computers</li>
<li>Improved Lethality, both through munitions developments higher rates of fire and the increase in size of the fire unit from battery to battalion.</li>
</ul>
These increases in the scale efficiency and overall destructiveness of Soviet Artillery over the period and acted as a significant counter to NATO proliferation of handheld anti tank weapons and enabled the Soviet Army to reduce its doctrinal dependence on nuclear weapon use.<br />
<br />
<b>The Divisional Artillery Regiment</b><br />
<br />
The Organisation of the Divisional Artillery Regiment is outlined in the diagrams below, TD's would generally only deploy two battalions of 2S3. Both Isbey and FM 100-2-3 contain detail on the composition of the various Sub Units.</div>
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From a Wargames perspective the main elements that we might want to represent will be rules dependent, from my point of view these are:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Command and Control Battery</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">2S3 Battalions</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">BM 21 Battalion</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Target Acquisition Battery</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Regimental Aid Point</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The gun battalions and BM 21 battalions are broadly similar organisation and include:<br />
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For my games I use a vehicle scale of 3:1 so I represent the battalion as 3 batteries with each battery containing:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A supply truck, either a Zil 131 or a URAL 4275, </li>
<li>A command vehicle either an IV 12 Series COP/FDC (2 batterys per battalion) or a BTR 60 PU radio vehicle (1 battery per battalion and effectively representing the Battalion HQ). </li>
<li>2 firing platforms 2S1/2S3 or MLRS depending on the unit type. </li>
</ul>
From the battalion I deploy two OPs using the ACRVs as theoretically this organisation could generate seven OPs if required:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>4 from the COPs (IV13/15) </li>
<li>1 from the PRP </li>
<li>2 additional flanking OPs which would be created on an Ad Hoc basis from battery staff and vehicles.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<b>The Regimental Command and Control Battery</b><br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">A BTR 60 Command Wagon represents the 3 ACVs admittedly 2 are MTLBus but I have a lot of them in the unit already. Other than that I have added 1 UAZ 469 and 1 Gaz 66. I also included a PRP 3 which might seem a bit strange. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">One of the things I wanted to resolve within the HQ was the representation of PRP 3. Because of the way the PRPs are distributed with three sitting in the Regimental Artillery battalions (one each) and three in the divisional Artillery battalions (one each) and one in the Target Acquisition Battery. You end up with no representation of the vehicle due to the 3:1 vehicle scale, which is a shame as its a good looking wagon. Technically two would be deployed within the division (at 3:1) to accommodate this I added one to the Regimental HQ and one to the Target Acquisition</span><span style="text-align: start;"> Battery</span></div>
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<b>The Target Acquisition Battery</b><br />
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It's a bit of a challenge to work out what's going on here and with this organisation having components that would sit in the off board force and the onboard force it needs to be divided up. This is how I viewed it;</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li>Recce Platoon @ 2 BTR 60/70/80 + 2 LRF - represented by 1 BTR 60</li>
<li>Comms Platoon @ 1 UAZ 452 Compute, 3 UAZ 469, 3 Gaz 66 - 1 UAZ 469, 1 Gaz 66</li>
<li>Surveillance Radar Platoon @ 1 SNAR 10, 1 PRP3, 1 Counter Mortar Radar - represented by 1 SNAR 10, 1 PRP 3 (see above for explanation). The SNAR 10 would normally be deployed along side Artillery COPs.</li>
<li>Sound Ranging Platoon @ 4 Gaz Vans, This example of the <a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/pages/1b19.htm">1B19 Complex</a> provides a view - 1 Van</li>
<li>Topo Survey Platoon - not represented</li>
<li>Met Survey Platoon - not Represented</li>
<li>Radar Platoon - 3 radar direction finder, 3 Gaz 66 - 1 Gaz 66 and a PSNR -1 or 5</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So In Summary 1 BTR 60 ACV, 1 UAZ 469 & Gaz 66, 1 SNAR 10, 1 GAZ VAN, 1 GAZ 66 + Radar. I have found no source data that attributes the number of vehicles to the platoons within the Target Acquisition Battery so have applied some thought and generated the answer. If anyone knows of better data on this I would be grateful for any pointers as to a more accurate representation. </div>
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<b>Regimental Medical Point</b><br />
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FM 100-3-2 covers the Regimental Medical Point under the MRR and I have assumed its the same for all regiments. The core of this is a treatment section and one or two collection sections. I assume of the four Ambulances available three are in the collection section and one in the treatment section and the other sections all collocate with the treatment section. I have gone for a three vehicle representation of a Gaz 66 for the Treatment section and 1 UAZ 452 for each collection section.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Krasnopol</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/krasnopol.htm">Krasnopol </a>was a Precision Guided Munition(PGM) for 152mm Artillery pieces deployed in the late 80s. PGM's effectively allowed artillery firing in the indirect fire role to engage point targets such as vehicles or field defences. This was achieved through laser target marking and steerable control surfaces on the projectile allowing for in flight course correction. The amount of correction possible was limited so the round had to be lobbed into the right space relative to the target and the observer for the whole thing to work. Rounds were provided for all the major 152mm systems in Soviet service. The complex consisted of the OF 39 projectile and a D15 Laser Target Designator together with a couple of command devices one for the gun line and 1 for the OP.</div>
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Getting the round in the right place at the right time from the right direction to acquire the illuminated target was critical to success, as was the need to limit the time the target had to react. All this required a degree of thought to be applied to the process, as such engagement zones needed to be recced and engagements planned. This required a degree of preparation of the target zone and the gun line which would improve hit probability and reduce the effectiveness of any target counter measures. Clearly more Ad Hoc engagement would lead to a lower probability of hit.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Krasnopol was allocated in sets, each set included;<br />
<ul>
<li>50 Rounds </li>
<li>The shot synchronization system</li>
<li>The LTD. </li>
</ul>
A battalion might be allocated 4 sets for a total of 200 rounds. Common practice seemed to allocate one battery as the Krasnopol Battery and one platoon within that battery as the Krasnopol Platoon . This platoon would carry 140 of the 200 rounds with the remainder being spread across the rest of the battalion. One LTD would go to each Battery COP and 1 to the Battalions mobile reconnaissance post (PRP 3).<br />
<br />
In order to engage the OP had to position between the target and the gun line within a 15 degree arc and within 7kms of the target. Rounds would be fired in succession into the target area either on command of the OP or every 30 seconds.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Krasnopol seems like very useful addition to the indirect fire inventory of the Divisional Artillery Regiment and one which makes the deployment of the related COPs a consideration from both a task organisation perspective and enabling targets to be engaged. I can think of a number of scenarios where It would be interesting to explore the impact of this such as the deployment of the Anti Armour Reserve at divisional or regimental level and the deployment of the Advance Guard.</div>
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<b>Artillery Groups and Control of Fires and Units</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
With the Artillery assets at its disposal the division artillery staff would form a Divisional Artillery Group (DAG) and a number of Regimental Artillery groups (RAG). The Division would be allocated assets from Army and Front and allocate assets to its subordinate Regiments enhancing the organic capability.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
RAGs would generally only be composed for the units in the first echelon. The implication from the Xenophon lessons on Divisional Artillery is that all the divisions artillery assets would be allocated between the DAG and the first echelon RAGs. RAGs for the 2nd echelon units would be composed prior to that echelon being committed effectively being withdrawn from the first. The staff planning data for these add hoc groups were:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">DAG 4-6 Units</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">RAGs 3-4 Units (For lead Echelons only)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Clearly these would be impacted by the priority of the axis of advance (main or secondary) and the type of operation, advance, breakthrough or pursuit.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Battalions would be allocated fire units from RAG as required this would generally be when acting as an advanced Guard, Forward detachment or for an assault. The composition and distribution of non organic assets has been covered in earlier posts on the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/orbat-1980s-mrr-and-trr-part-4.html">MRR </a>and <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">Non Divisional Artillery Units</a> which contain examples of such groupings and provide a view on the range of units from which these elements might be drawn.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition reinforcing fire from the Army Artillery Group and the Front Artillery Group could be superimposed by the higher headquarters as it saw fit or as part of a fire plan.<br />
<br />
Groupings and hence control of the Artillery units would change with the different phases of the Plan. In general the DAG would retain control in the preparatory fire phase, then resources and control would shift to the RAGs for the Assault phases before being transferred to the 2nd Echelon as they were committed. Fire Units Ammunition and Time slots could all be held in reserve. <br />
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I aim to explore this further in a TTP post about the deployment and use of divisional artillery after I have digested some more of the data in the Xenophon archive.</div>
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<b>Wargames Representation</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst the Divisional Artillery Regiment does not easily lend itself to most peoples idea of a 20mm table top action there are a number of ways its assets can be included in games, although I do admit that you have to try hard. There are a number of mechanisms which allow exploration of their use and role, these include;</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Direct incorporation into the onboard elements as a focus of the scenario an example might be penetration of NATO forces into the depth of the divisional defence where Reserves and Artillery elements might be the core components of the Soviet Force. Such games can be built as stand alone scenarios or be components of a mini campaign.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Representation as off board support providing the Divisional wrap of supporting fires and Air Defence, in this instance the elements needing to be represented would be limited to on board Target Acquisition components. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Representation on subsidiary boards enabling aspects of the depth fire battle to play out using Air, Artillery, Air Defence and follow on Maneuver assets as part of a larger game. Personally I like this approach and a variety of additional commands can be generated around the Artillery, Air and Air Defence aspects allowing examination of both deep and rear operations, both of which had significant impact on the outcome of the engagement being fought. Without additional players the scope is more limited as there is a significant amount of thinking needed and additional game mechanics to play through that would otherwise consume too much time.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Linked Games, pre game play and mini campaigns offer approaches to resolving the issues outlined in the subsidiary board approach and if the number of players are limited offer a way to explore elements of Deep and Rear opps. The detail of the sequencing of the games then becomes the major challenge.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Smaller Scale, heresy so not considered further :). Not my particular poison but alternative scales 1:300/600/700 offer the opportunity to develop these aspects in a more manageable space both from a cost and storage perspective, my problem is I am far to in love with the joys of 20mm to go there.</li>
</ul>
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What gets represented and how the support is applied is a key component of designing the scenario and something for the TTP post and some scenario ideas I have been working on. Both the Big games covered on the blog the <a href="http://aar%20-%20wissenberg%20counter%20attack%2C%20part%201%20ground/">Wisenberg Counterattack</a> and <a href="http://aar-storming%20the%20waidhaus%20gap%2C%20part%201%20ground%20and%20deployment/">Storming the Weidhouse Gap</a> contained significant artillery components. </div>
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<b>Models and Availability</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Having identified that you want to build something as challenging as an Artillery Regiment and you have managed to convince your self that it will get the odd outing. Sourcing the models isn't always easy, the table below outlines a range of suppliers for the vehicles required to represent in whole or part the Divisional Artillery Regiment.</div>
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Whilst the coverage of the vehicle fleet is fairly complete now with the release of conversion sets by S&S for the BTR series vehicles some of the ground equipments will require scratchbuilding if they are to be represented, notable ones include:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Counter Battery Radars</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">D15 Laser Target Designator</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">DK-1 Laser Range Finder (Imagery of this is proving a challenge to find)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
where I have already written a review of the relevant models they can be found here:</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-model-cromwell-models-172-mt-lbu.html">Review - Model 1/72, Cromwell MT-Lbu (ACRV)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-model-s-172-2s3.html">Review - Model, S&S 1/72 2S3 Akatsiya</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-s-2s1-model.html">Review - Model 1/72, S&S 2S1</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/model-reviews-ace-bmp-2.html">Review - Model 1/72, S&S Gaz 66</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/modelling-converting-hobby-dens-btr.html">Modelling - Converting Hobby Dens BTR 60PB to a BTR 60PU</a></li>
</ul>
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References:<br />
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Books:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics, WP Baxter</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/review-book-sovietrussian-armour-and.html">Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design Practices</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></li>
<li>The Warsaw Pact: Arms Doctrine and Strategy</li>
</ul>
Internet:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a216371.pdf" target="_blank">DTIC - Soviet Artillery Utilisation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm100-2-1.pdf" target="_blank">FM 100-2-1 The Soviet Army Operations and Tactics Chapter 8 and Chapter 9</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm100-2-3.pdf" target="_blank">FM 100-3-1 The Soviet Army, Troops Organisation and Equipment</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/krasnopol.htm" style="text-align: justify;">Krasnopol a laser guided projectile for tube artiller</a>y</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0898756103/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0898756103&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21&linkId=QJE5HKNRFQZR5GQL">Offensive Operations, Sidorenko, 1970</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a183185.pdf" style="text-align: justify;">Tactics the Soviet Way, Rechinko, 1984</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.xenophon-mil.org/archivevoro2/lesson1.htm">Xenephon, Lesson 1-The Principals of Artillery (Soviet)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.xenophon-mil.org/archivevoro2/lesson6.htm">Xenephon, Lesson 6 - Employment of Division Artillery (Soviet</a>)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.rwd-mb3.de/index.html">Rocket and Weapon Technology</a></li>
</ul>
Other Posts of Interest<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/orbat-1980s-soviet-mrr-and-trr-part-4.html">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 4 Artillery</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 3 Non Divisional Artillery Assets</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/orbat-soviet-divisional-units-part-1.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - Soviet Divisional Units, Part 1 MRD Anti Tank Battalion</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/ttp-soviet-breakthrough-attacks.html">TTP -Soviet Breakthrough Attacks </a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/ttp-soviet-advanced-guard-and-march.html">TTP - Soviet Advanced Guard and March Security</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/wargames-unit-soviet-late-80s-2s1.html">Wargames Unit-Soviet Late 80's, 2S1 Battalion</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/wargames-unit-soviet-mrr-regimental.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Regimental Artillery Group</a></li>
</ul>
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<div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-34347175784141743192017-02-04T05:36:00.001+00:002017-02-04T07:41:04.059+00:00Review - Web Resources, Voroshilov Academy Lectures<br />
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<a href="http://www.xenophon-mil.org/archivevoro2/voroshilovmaterial.htm">The Voroshilov Academy lectures</a> cover a range of material presented at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Academy_of_the_General_Staff_of_the_Armed_Forces_of_Russia">Soviet General Staff academy</a> during the 1970s. The Content was translated in the late 80's from the Notes of an Afghan Army Colonel who attended the academy. They are presented in the <a href="http://www.xenophon-mil.org/xenophon.htm">Xenophon Archive</a> along with notes from his attendance at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_academies_in_Russia">Frunz Military Academy for the Ground forces </a>in the 60s. As such the material presented presents a view from the 60s on the Tactical/Operational level Division and below and the 70s on the Operational/Strategic level, Army and Front. This needs to be born in mind when reading, as whilst the general scope and intent of the doctrine presented had a degree of consistency with the the late 80s period organisational constructs, equipment and in a number of areas core operational doctrine varied over this time frame.<br />
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Having said that they present a wealth of detail that whilst some of it is readily available elsewhere there are significant components that are not. As an example I found the archive whilst hunting for material on Soviet Air Defence Electronic Warfare units at Army and Front level. They were covered here at a level of detail along with their operational deployment and use, in other sources only the existence of the unit is acknowledged at best. So a useful source but one that needs to be consumed with an understanding of the Historical context of the evolution of the Soviet Armed forces across the 60's 70's and 80's if it is not going to lead to further confusion.<br />
<br />
In terms of content the Archive covers:<br />
<ul>
<li>Front, Army and Division Operations</li>
<li>Air Army Operations</li>
<li>Operations of Specialist Branches including: Artillery, Engineer, Signal and Reconnaissance</li>
</ul>
As such this rounds out the extensive free material on the Soviet Armed forces provided else where and covered in previous posts.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-web-resources-essentials-of-cold.html" style="text-align: justify;">Review-Web Resources, The Essentials of Cold War Soviet Doctrine and Organisation for Free</a></li>
<li><a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/review-web-resources-soviet-armed.html">Review-Web Resources, Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991</a></li>
</ul>
The detail as might be expected focuses on those things that are the business of the staff;<br />
<ul>
<li>Planning</li>
<li>Staff procedures</li>
<li>Orders, </li>
<li>Control of operations </li>
<li>Organisation structure and deployment of headquarters</li>
</ul>
Whilst these things are not of direct interest to the gamer, unless you are planning a raid on an Army, Divisional or Front Headquarters the information required to support the staff is also included such as organisation, doctrine and perhaps more interestingly planning yardsticks.<br />
<br />
The archive presented offers a great way to consume the material but the same material has also been published as a number of books which can be found on line or can be purchased from Amazon amongst others. <br />
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The online source for the books is the DTIC repository:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a261858.pdf">The Voroshilov Lectures, Materials from the Soviet General Staff Academy, Volume I Issues of Soviet Military Strategy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a233504.pdf">The Voroshilov Lectures, Materials from the Soviet General Staff Academy, Volume II Issues of Soviet Military Strategy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA310980">The Voroshilov Lectures, Materials from the Soviet General Staff Academy, Volume III Issues of Operational Art</a></li>
</ul>
and the CIA broke the content up into a number of papers focused on specific areas with additional analysis and comment. Examples include:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/DOC_0001197539.pdf">Study of the Radioelectronic Warfare Plan in the Front Offensive</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/document/0001197565">Recconaisance in Front Offensive Operations</a></li>
</ul>
All up a number of very useful resources if your interested in setting games in the context of the wider operational and strategic picture or understanding the types of resource available at higher formation level and working out how you could get them on a table top, which is always a bit of a challenge.<br />
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Other Web Resource Reviews:<br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/review-web-resources-soviet-armed.html">Review-Web Resources, Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-web-resources-essentials-of-cold.html" style="text-align: justify;">Review-Web Resources, The Essentials of Cold War Soviet Doctrine and Organisation for Free</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-web-resources-british-army-units.html">Review - Web Resources, British Army Units since 1945</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/review-web-resources-exercise-lionheart.html">Review - Web Resources, Exercise Lionheart videos on You Tube</a></div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/review-web-resources-ssvc-on-you-tube.html">Review - Web Resources, SSVC on You Tube </a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/review-web-resources-16-air-army.html" style="text-align: justify;">Review - Web Resources, Soviet 16th Air Army</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/web-resources-fire-and-furry-cold-war.html">Review - Web Resources, Fire and Furry Cold War Orbats and Modern Resources</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/review-web-resources-m136.html">Review - Web Resources, M136 Exercise Picture Archive</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/review-web-resources-armoured-acorn.html">Review - Web Resources, Armoured Acorn Web Site</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-web-resources-war-for-slow.html">Review - Web Resources, War for Slow Readers</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-web-resources-cia-foia-site.html">Review - Web Resources, CIA FOIA Site</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-web-resources-air-power.html">Review - Web Resources Airpower Australia</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/web-resources-dtic-online.html">Review - Web Resources, DTIC on Line</a>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-4327813399281983552017-01-22T09:09:00.001+00:002019-04-15T11:15:59.958+01:00Cold War Projects 2017<br />
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Last year was largely a year off from gaming and related activities hopefully this year will see a little more activity on the modelling writing and gaming fronts. This post really sets out to explain the different projects I am working on and how they might progress this year. All of them are fairly large multi year undertakings some of which have been running since I started this blog<br />
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I suspect the primary focus will remain the Soviet Armed forces as I have a number of fairly large projects in progress that I am keen to try and close out on or move forward depending on their current stage of development. For those of you who have not had the time to fight their way through the amount of material in the blog these are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Forward Detachments</li>
<li>Breakthrough Battle</li>
<li>Deep Battle</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Forward Detachment</b></div>
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The forward detachment project seems to be completing. The main components of the project are:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>BMP Motor Rifle Regiment that can be fought as an early 80s or late 80's force</li>
<li>Divisional Anti Tank Regiment</li>
<li>DShV Bn and Associated Airlift and Support</li>
<li>Frontal Aviation Ground attack assets</li>
</ul>
<div>
whilst the topic has been fairly well covered there are a number of areas I have yet to explore in detail around the various force components of the BMP MRR and how they might be organised and deployed by the MRR commander and these have quite a bit of potential to spin out into a number of smaller scenarios around their use.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Principal Posts</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/ttp-soviet-forward-detachments-as.html">TTP - Soviet Forward Detachments as a Covering Force</a></div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/ttp-forward-detachments-and-tactical.html">TTP-Soviet Forward Detachments and Tactical Air Assault</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/orbat-soviet-air-assault-capability.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - Soviet Air Assault Capability Part 1, Overview and Lift Assets</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/orbat-soviet-air-assault-capability.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - Soviet Air Assault Capability Part 2, Army Air Assault Battalion</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/soviet-divisional-anti-tank-battalion.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - Soviet Divisional Units, Part 1 MRD Anti Tank Battalion</a></div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/wargames-unit-late-80-mrb.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's MRB</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-tactics-anti-tank-reserve.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Anti Tank Reserve</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/wargames-unit-soviet-divisional-anti.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRD, Anti Tank Battalion</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/wargames-unit-late-80s-2s1-battalion.html">Wargames Unit-Soviet Late 80's, 2S1 Battalion</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/wargames-units-468-msb-divisional.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - 468 MSB, Divisional Forward Detachment at Waidhause</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/wargmes-unit-soviet-combat-helicopter.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit -Soviet, Combat Helicopter Regiment, Assault Helicopter Squadron</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wargames-unit-army-attack-helicopter.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet, Combat Helicopter Regiment, Attack Helicopter Squadron</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wargames-unit-soviet-late-80s.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's Independent DShV Battalion</a><br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/modelling-scratch-building-at7-saxhorn.html">Modelling - Scratch Building AT-7 Saxhorn (9K115 Metis)</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/modelling-converting-brdm2rkh.html">Modelling - Converting a BRDM 2 Rkh</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/modelling-converting-hobby-dens-btr.html">Modelling - Converting Hobby Dens BTR 60PB to a BTR 60PU</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/scenario-weissenberg-counter-attack.html">Scenario - The Wissenberg Counter Attack</a><br />
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/aar-wissenberg-counter-attack-part-1.html">AAR - Wissenberg Counter Attack, Part 1 Ground </a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/aar-wiessenberg-counter-attack-part-2.html">AAR - Wissenberg Counter Attack, Part 2 Opening Moves</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/aar-wiesenberg-counter-attack-part-3.html">AAR - Wissenberg Counter Attack, Part 3 Counter Strike</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/scenario-storming-waidhaus-gap.html">Scenario - Storming The Waidhaus Gap</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/aar-storming-waidhaus-gap-part-1-ground.html">AAR-Storming The Waidhaus Gap, Part 1 Ground and Deployment</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/aar-storming-waidhaus-gap-part-2-soviet.html">AAR-Storming The Waidhaus Gap, Part 2 Soviet Air Land Battle</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/aar-storming-waidhaus-gap-part-3.html">AAR -Storming The Waidhaus Gap, Part 3, Counter Attack</a></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Breakthrough Battle</b></div>
</div>
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<div>
The Breakthrough Battle project has largely been researched and written up, much of the required equipment has been bought although there is still a fair amount to go. Currently the scope of the project includes:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>BTR Motor Rifle Regiment</li>
<li>Divisional Artillery Regiment</li>
<li>Army & Front Artillery reinforcing units</li>
<li>Divisional, Army & Front Air Defence Assets</li>
<li>Frontal Aviation Ground attack assets</li>
</ul>
</div>
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This project should provide a number of posts around:<br />
<ul>
<li> reviews of models, </li>
<li>ORBAT posts around the specific force components not yet covered, </li>
<li>Wargames units as I finish them </li>
<li>Possibly the odd scenario although in truth there is a lot of work here to do on building the force and a viable opposition before any gaming can really take place.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<b>Principal Posts</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://coldwargamer.blogspot.com/2014/10/ttp-soviet-breakthrough-attacks.html">TTP-Soviet Breakthrough Attacks</a><b><br /></b>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">ORBAT - Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 1 overview</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 2 Army Independent Flamethrower Battalions</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 3 Non Divisional Artillery Assets</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 4 Frontal Aviation</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/wargames-unit-soviet-late-80s-flame.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's, Flame Thrower Company Group</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Deep Battle</b><br />
<br />
I started researching Deep battle in 2015 and have yet to start to write the material up currently I think there will be a number of major operational elements:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Exploitation and Pursuit forces, Tank Regiment & Army and Front River Crossing assets</li>
<li>Strategic Desante, Spetznaz, VDV Regiment and Naval Infantry Battalion</li>
<li>Deep Fires, Air, Rocket and Artillery, I think there might be the odd Scud Brigade in here</li>
</ul>
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I hope to be blogging around each of these project areas over the next 12 months and probably over the next few years as these projects always take a long time to mature both from the perspective of developing an understanding of the subject and building up the requisite forces to fight the battles.</div>
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As this project has yet to get past the research stage I have yet to write anything significant, and like the Breakthrough project its a fairly large and complex and because of the distances and forces involved challenging to translate to the table top in 20mm.</div>
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<div>
I have bought the odd model and have some force elements already covered in a limited fashion, primarily the VDV and elements of the exploitation and pursuit forces which fall out of the Forward Detachment project.</div>
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<b>Context</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
As well as the posts relating to the three main projects their is also a lot of material on the operational and organisational context to battles in the late Cold War period.</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/orbat-soviet-force-organisation-against.html">ORBAT - Soviet Task Org, Fronts against NORTHAG</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/orbat-soviet-task-org-fronts-in-western.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - Soviet Task Org, Fronts in the Western TVD</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/soviet-motor-rifle-and-tank-regiment-in.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 1 Deployment and ORBAT</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-mrr-and-tr-in-1980s-part-2-tank.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 2 Tank Change</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/1980s-soviet-mrr-and-tr-part-3-engineer.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 3 Engineers</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/orbat-1980s-mrr-and-trr-part-4.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 4 Artillery</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/orbat-soviet-unit-titles-and.html">ORBAT - Soviet Unit Titles and Abbreviations</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/ttp-soviet-advanced-guard-and-march.html">TTP - Soviet Advanced Guard and March Security</a></div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-42722540519848850152016-07-17T07:48:00.000+01:002016-07-23T05:51:17.287+01:00ORBAT Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 4 Frontal Aviation<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/Air/Flag_of_the_Soviet_Air_Force.svg_zpsbeo9yiar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/Air/Flag_of_the_Soviet_Air_Force.svg_zpsbeo9yiar.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As part of the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/ttp-soviet-breakthrough-attacks.html">Breakthrough battle</a> the front could allocate elements of Frontal aviation in support of the depth fire battle enabling the simultaneous engagement of the enemy throughout his depth and to increase the effectiveness of the engagement of the enemy in the immediate combat zone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/fa.htm">Frontovaya Aviatsiya</a> FA was the largest component of Soviet Air Power comprising some 5,000 aircraft and 5,000 helicopters distributed across 16 Air Armies. A Tactical Air Army was an integral part of a Front which for the purposes of my Cold War representation consisted of 2 Combined Arms Armies, 1 Tank Army and 1 Tactical Air Army. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The purpose of Frontal Aviation was to provide Air Support to the front throughout the fronts area of operations and the enemies depth this area can be described as a box approximately 300km wide to 500km deep. In addition to the ability to deliver Air to Ground attack from Aircraft or Helicopters, the Air Army also possessed Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare, Air Superiority and Transport Assets. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/Air/x-31p_zpsheyef8cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/Air/x-31p_zpsheyef8cc.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Primary role was Air Support to the Ground Operation with the Tactical Air Army being subordinate to the Front, the other assets within the Air Army, Fighter Divisions and Reconnaissance Regiments, being used to create the conditions under which this could occur. The principal uses of the Air Armys assets were:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Striking targets beyond the range of Artillery</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Increasing tempo by adding air delivered ordnance to direct and indirect fires</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">adding flexibility through quick response in fluid tactical situations</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Composition, Organisation and Equipment</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b>
The Various Air Armies composition varied depending on where they were. Based on <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/orbat-soviet-force-organisation-against.html">Suverovs model of the Front</a> and his view on the force composition and structure in the Forward Group of Forces then <a href="http://www.16va.be/3.la_16VA_eng.html">16 Air Army</a> would split into two with one supporting each of the two fronts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">An outline composition for an Air Army supporting a single front could look like this:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3 Fighter Divisions ( IAD )<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-23">Mig-23 </a>Flogger, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-29">Mig-29</a> Fulcrum (90% of the Force), </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 Fighter Bomber Divisions (IBAP) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-27">Mig 27D</a> Flogger (60%), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-17">Su-17</a> Fitter (40%)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Independent Air Attack Regiment (OShAP) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-25">SU-25</a> Frogfoot</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Bomber Division (ADIB) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-24">Su -24</a> Fencer</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3 Attack Helicopter Regiments (OBVP) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-24">Mi 24</a> Hind. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-8">Mi-8</a> Hip</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Fighter Recce Regiment (ORAP) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-25">Mig-25R</a> Foxbat, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-25">Mig-25BM</a> (ECM) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-17">Su-17M4R</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-24">Su 24</a> MR, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-24">Su-24MP</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Helicopter Transport Regiment (OVP) Mi-24, Mi8, Mi-6</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Mixed Helicopter Regiment (OVP) Mi-8, Mi-6/26</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aircraft are organised in flights of 4 with 3 Flights to a Squadron (12) and 3 Squadrons to a Regiment (36) and 3 Regiments to a division (108). </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There was some mixing of aircraft types within Squadrons and regiments but in general a regiment tended to operate aircraft of a single type for fighter, Fighter Bomber. The range of aircraft covers the types that could have been used against the role stated at the back end of the Cold War.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/airassault/Mig29/file_zpsd1af9431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/airassault/Mig29/file_zpsd1af9431.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like Artillery covered in the last <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">Post on Breakthrough operations</a> the great thing about Aircraft is that they are very easy to concentrate on an axis or in support of a mission and can add considerable weight of fire at critical moments in the battle.</span><br />
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<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">weapon systems</span></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A wide range of air to ground munitions were available to fighter ground attack aircraft in the late 80's. Like NATO the Soviets had been improving the effectiveness of aerial delivered munitions through both precision guidance from the air, precision guidance from the ground and the development of a range of Scatterable mine and submunition capabilities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The critical developments from the perspective of Breakthrough were those that could be used to break down a formed defence and could be used to replace the dependence on Nuclear weapons seen in the 60’s. To my mind this puts the focus on the improvement of bombs rather than in developments of Surface to air missiles which because of cost and availability would tend to be used on higher value targets.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Guided Bombs</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Soviets developed a range of precision guided munitions in the late 70s and by 1979 had deployed a number of 500kg Laser Guided Bombs these included Bunker Busters, HE-Frag and Thermobaric munitions. These systems were used in Afghanistan and by 1987 they had up scaled these to include 1500kg bombs.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/Su-24%20Fencer%20with%201500-kgs%20guided%20bomb%20KAB-1500L_zpsrsnxfopp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/Su-24%20Fencer%20with%201500-kgs%20guided%20bomb%20KAB-1500L_zpsrsnxfopp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="goog_1343777969"></span><span id="goog_1343777970"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Collectively known as <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="font-size: 14px;">KAB (Korrektirujemaja Aviacionnaja Bomba) the weapons have a significant stand off range. The <a href="http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-GBU.html">KAB-500</a> series having a maximum range of 10 km and can be delivered by MiG-27K, Su-22M3/M4, Su-24M and Su-25. The <a href="http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-GBU.html">KAB – 1500</a> series can be from altitudes of 1 km to 15 km providing a maximum standoff of 18 - 20 km from the higher altitudes with the delivery platforms being primarily the Su 24 during the Cold War. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/KAB-GBU-1_zpsafc8241d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/KAB-GBU-1_zpsafc8241d.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">KAB-1500L-Pr-E Penetrating bunker buster with sub calibre war head</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">KAB-1500L-F-E Blast Fragmentation warhead</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">KAB-1500-OD-E Thermobaric warhead</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The LGB - KAB 500 L was deployed from 1979 and the KAB 1500 L from 1987 the weapons used a semi active homer which delivered a 7m CEP they were Air Designated and I have found no reference to ground designation. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The improved LG variants were not delivered until after the end of the Cold War. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/Air/kab-500_zpsygnvq2yt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Breakthrough/Air/kab-500_zpsygnvq2yt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The 4.5m long KAB-1500L guided bomb is a bit of a beast designed to hit stationary ground and surface targets, these include:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Railway and Motorway Bridges</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dams</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Defence Enterprise</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Large Ammunition Depots</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fuel and Lubricant Storage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Railway Junctions</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In my mind it would also be a useful weapon to deploy against static battlefield targets such as defended positions and as such offers the potential to deliver Nuclear like effects from a more conventional platform.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
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The TV Guided <a href="http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-GBU.html">KAB 500 KR</a> and <a href="http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-GBU.html">KAB 1500TK</a> entered service from 1987 and delivered an improved 4m CEP. The Satellite guided systems were not deployed until 2003 so more Bear Resurgent than Cold War. <span style="text-align: justify;">The SU 24 cleared for 3 KAB 1500 or 7 KAB 500 with the Su 17 capable of carrying 2 KAB 500</span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cluster Bombs</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The other set of weapons of interest in the Breakthrough context are Cluster Bombs. Cluster munitions release or eject smaller submunitions and were deployed extensively by all sides during the Cold War, primarily they increased the area of effect of the payload and more efficiently distribute the effects within that area than a single equivalent sized bomb can achieve. As such they are more efficient at engaging area targets. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Soviet Union was a pioneer in the development of the Cluster bomb with use from the 1930's, The principal family of munitions available to them in the Cold War was the RBK 250 family of bombs. Sub Munitions carried include:</span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anti Personnel AO 2.5RT 2.8Kg Pre fragmented, designed to split on impact bounce then explode. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anti Personnel AO-1 SCh, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anti Personnel PFM-1 2.5 lbs, AP Mine </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anti Tank PTAB 2.5, 5lbs Heat</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Airfield Cratering</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The RBK Razovaya Bombovaya Kasseta is a single use bomb cassette which could then be loaded with a number of sub munitions generally either the fragmentation or Anti Tank sub munitions. </span></div>
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In the 1990s details of a larger and improved RBK 500 bomb were released with new sub munitions its not clear if these were available in the later years of the Cold War. But if like me you stretch the back end of the Cold War though to 1993 when the Soviets withdrew from Germany then they fit. New sub munitions included:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">AO-2.5 RTM pre fragmented anti personel/anti materiel</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">BETAB airfield Cratering cluster bomb</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">PTAB-1M anti tank, 2lbs Heat penetrates 9" of steel fin stabilised</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">SPBE anti tank, 30 lbs anti tank with EFP warhead, Drouge stabilised</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">SPBE-D anti tank</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The munitions can be carried by Mig 23/27, 29, Su 17, 24, 25, 27</span></div>
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<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Command and Control</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Soviet system to control air assets in the fronts area of operations occurred at two levels. The first of these dealt with the routing of aircraft to and from their missions and the second the allocation of assets to missions and the prosecution and selection of targets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Control and Target Identification post was equipped with Radar and signals equipment and communicated with the air assets to control their movement, it was primarily a battlefield air traffic control system which had no role in mission planning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The forward air liaison teams deployed to the forward CPs at each level of command from front to regiment and occasional battalion dealt with the target selection and prosecution of engagements. The Air assets like artillery assets could be allocated in support of specific formations and units and I suspect it is these units that received the Forward Air Liaison teams. Targeting like artillery would be conducted through the direction of assets by the controlling HQ ie the combined arms commander in conjunction with the Liaison team, rather than by request.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Air Controllers at Regimental level would clear targets and identify friendly troop locations for attacking aircraft, these air controllers were usually experienced Pilots, I have yet to find any evidence of ground target marking capability. All the teams would be equipped with either BTR Series or MT-LBu command and Observation post vehicles which were supplied to both artillery and air observation parties, the specific BTR 60 variant being the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTR-60">BTR 60R-975</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: left;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Soviets tend to employ aircraft to engage deeper targets and aviation to attack closer targets all though assets of both types will be utilised for pre planned operations and air delivered fire strikes can be used to superimpose fire effect on top of artillery fires.</span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Modeling and Gaming</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The purpose of the research was of course to enable me to expand the Soviet horde to include some air support that could help deliver some serious effects on to the NATO position in the event of a breakthrough battle developing on a table top near me. To this end I will be adding:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 Su 17 representing two flights of 4 Su 17 equipped with Kab - 500L and CBUs from the IBAP</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Su 24 representing 1 Flight of 4 Su 24 equiped with 2 Kab - 1500L and CBUs from the ADIB</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 BTR 60 Forward Air Control Command and Observation Post</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Having spent the time researching the aircraft munitions it would be good to create models with the Weapon load outs required. Since I started writing this article back in 2014 a number of new weapons sets have been released along with a number of aftermarket resin accessories that enable that to be acheived the main ones I am using are:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.ipmsdeutschland.de/FirstLook/Hasegawa/Hasegawa_Russia_Aircraft_Weapon_Set/Has_Russia_Aircraft_Weapon_Set.html">Hasegawa 1/72 Rusian Weapons Set</a></span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.scalemates.com/kits/147006-dragon-2504-modern-soviet-aircraft-weapons">Dragon Modern Soviet Aircraft Weapons Set1 Air to Air Missiles</a></li>
<li><a href="http://one72guy.awardspace.com/reviews/Dragon_Modern_Soviet_Aircraft_Weapons_Set_2_2505.pdf">Dragon </a><a href="https://www.scalemates.com/kits/147006-dragon-2504-modern-soviet-aircraft-weapons">Modern Soviet Aircraft Weapons Set 2 Air to Surface Missiless</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=187303">Dragon Modern Soviet Aircraft Weapons Set 3 Rockets and Bombs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.icm.com.ua/news/141-mid-80.html">ICM Soviet Air to Air Aircraft Armament Set</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hobbylinc.com/icm-soviet-air-to-surface-aircraft-armament-set-plastic-model-weapons-kit-1:72-scale-72213">ICM Soviet Air to Surface Aircraft Armament Set</a></li>
<li><a href="http://northstarmodels.com/product/172-set-of-two-kab-500l-laser-guided-bomb-resin-pe-parts-decal/">North Star, Kab 500L</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
For this project the main sets used are the Hasegawa Russia Weapons Set which supplied 2 Kab 1500Ls for the Su 24. The Dragon Modern Soviet Aircraft Weapons set 3, Rockets and Bombs which supplied the CBUs and the North Star Kab-500L set which supplied the load for the Su 17s.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">when completed these birds will join my existing Frontal Aviation assets which include:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Mig 29 representing 1 flight of 4 aircraft from the IAD</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Mig 23 representing 1 flight of 4 aircraft from the IAD</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 Su 25 representing 2 flights of 4 aircraft from the OShAP</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 Mig 27 </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">representing 2 flights of 4 aircraft from the IBAP</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">5 Mi 24 representing an Attack Helicopter Sqn from the OBVP</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">5 Mi 8 representin an Assault Helicopter Sqn from the OBVP</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4 Mi 8 representing a Medium Transport Helicopter Sqn from the OVP</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2 Mi 24 and 1 Mi 6 representing a Heavy Transport Helicopter Sqn from the OVP</span></li>
</ul>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">key elements of the Air Armies together with the DsHV and a range of Engineer capabilities were amongst those hit by the change to a more defensive doctrine in the late 80's as Glasnost and perestroika started to bite. I generally view this as a politically instigated doctrinal change motivated by the changing political landscape that evolved in the closing moments of the Cold War, in a timeline that would have led to war these changes may well have not occurred, it is also worth remembering that up scaling aircraft assets can be relatively easy given that the ground support and logistic elements can accommodate it. Which I suppose is my justification for playing late Cold War scenarios using assets such as those described in this post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">References:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Books</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html" style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html" style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Soviet Tactical Aviation</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Red God of War</span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0898756103/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0898756103&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21&linkId=QJE5HKNRFQZR5GQL"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Offensive Operations, Sidorenko, 1970</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a183185.pdf" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tactics the Soviet Way, Rechinko, 1984</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1857801881/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1857801881&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Soviet Russian Aircraft Weapons Since WW2</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Web</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm100-2-1.pdf"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">FM 100-2-1 The Soviet Army Operations and Tactics</span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-ASM.html"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Air Power Australia - Soviet Air to Ground Missiles</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-GBU.html"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Air Power Australia - Soviet Air to Ground Guided Bombs</span></a><br />
<a href="http://wiki.scramble.nl/index.php/Russian_Military_Unit_Abbreviations"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wiki Scramble Soviet Air Force Unit Abbreviations</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~p51ace/swingwing/mig23.html">Mig -27</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.airforceworld.com/attacker/eng/su24-fighter-bomber-russia-1.htm">Su-24 @ airforce world</a><br />
<a href="http://www.airvectors.net/avsu24.html">Su-24 @ airvectors</a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.16va.be/3.la_16VA_eng.html">16 Air Army</a></span><br />
<a href="http://sovietbases.thecelotajs.com/Sukhoi-Su-27S-%255BNATO%255D-Flanker-Armament.php">Su 27 Armaments Latvia Air Bases</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Related Posts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ORBAT - Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 1 overview</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 2 Army Independent Flamethrower Battalions</span></a></div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html" style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 3 Non Divisional Artillery Assets</span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/ttp-soviet-breakthrough-attacks.html"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">TTP-Soviet Breakthrough Attacks</span></a></div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/wargames-unit-soviet-late-80s-flame.html"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's, Flame Thrower Company Group</span></a><br />
<br /></div>
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-72169433076537888582016-06-17T18:24:00.000+01:002016-06-17T18:58:38.193+01:00Review Book - Abel Archer, Modern Rapid Fire Rules<br />
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Well it's been a while since I posted. A busy period for family and work - however I was asked a question about the rules I use, and it's a fairly frequent question so I thought I would knock out a quick post on the subject. I got hooked on Modern gaming after joining the Guild forum in around 2008. I was familiar with RF through WW2 gaming and when the <a href="http://www.guildwargamers.com/phpBB3/index.php?sid=e69b67d2144bf295e746da2c1450c9bc">Guild</a> held a big game in 2010 I soon volunteered. The first game was held in Ireland and used Rapid Fire adaptations produced by Piers Brand. In the subsequent two Cold War big games they were adapted in a number of areas by John Dowman and Rob Rowell. </div>
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Tim's picked these up and done an excellent job of enhancing what were a fairly loose collection of ideas and turning them into a coherent set of rule additions making them a lot more attractive and digestible. They are designed to be used in conjunction with Richard Marsh and Colin Rumford's Rapid Fire Rules which can be purchased in paper or electronic format from the <a href="http://www.rapid-fire.uk.com./">Rapid Fire Website</a>.</div>
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The focus for the rule set is the early 80's the period of the first game and Tims area of interest. They contain vehicle stats for the period Orbats and Scenario ideas to get you started. The Orbats covered are:</div>
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NATO</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">British Battle Group</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Danish Battle Group</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Dutch Battle Group</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">US Armoured Cavalry Sqn</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">US Battle Group</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">NATO Divisional and Corp Assets</li>
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Warsaw Pact</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">MRR Advance Guard and Main Body</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">TR Advance Guard and Main Body</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Divisional Assets.</li>
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The rules adapt easily enough for the late 1980's period and can be used for Ultra Modern and near future with a little thought.</div>
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They include a range of rule mechanisms adopting the original set to the modern period and accommodating the evolution of fire power, observation systems, gunnery systems, armour and aircraft. They sit firmly in the world of Rapid Fire which was always a simple abstracted game system, but one that played fast. </div>
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What I have always loved about Rapid Fire is the way the units are abstracted allowing battle groups to be reasonably represented by 10-15 models, this allows you to game in 20mm on a table top at battle group level with ease and with thought to extend into the operational level.</div>
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I suppose a number of things that I like best about Cold War gaming are enabled by these rules:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">20mm is a great scale for armour modeling with vehicles and figures sufficiently large to look great when done.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The models and figures can easily be adapted and enhanced</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The extensive ranges of plastic models and resin kits mean most of the armies can be pulled together, and they look great. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Orbat abstractions enable a reasonable game to be played out at battle group level on a 6 foot by 4 foot table without it all looking too daft.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The rules are simple and straight forward to learn and enable games to be completed relatively quickly.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">With a bit of thought and a lot of really useful plastic boxes you can store it all in a reasonably big cupboard.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">You can with the aid of a small hall some friends and a pile of scenery pull it all up to the operational level which is really where the action was going to happen in the Cold War and where the odds evened up between the Warsaw Pact and NATO armies.</li>
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All up a great contribution from Tim to the Cold War gaming community, Tim's Abel Archer rule adaptations are free, available for download and come in PDF format.</div>
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<a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15577379/Rapid%20Fire%20Able%20Archer%202.7.pdf">Tims Abel Archer Rules</a></div>
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Other Book Reviews:</div>
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/review-book-race-to-swift-r-simpkin-1985.html">The Race to the Swift</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/review-book-sovietrussian-armour-and.html">Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design Practices</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/review-book-modern-african-wars-3-south.html">Modern African Wars (3) South West Africa</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/review-book-iron-division-history-of.html">Iron Division, The History of the 3rd Division 1809-1989</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/review-book-rats-tails-royal-scots-in.html">Rats Tales and Royal Scots in The Gulf</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/review-books-warpaint-volumes-1-4.html">Warpaint, Colours and Markings of British Army Vehicles 1903-2003, Volumes 1-4</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-books-air-battle-central-europe.html">Air Battle Central Europe, Alfred Price</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-book-confrontation-strategic.html">Confrontation, The Strategic Geography of NATO and the Warsaw Pact</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/review-book-mil-mi-8mi17-rotary-wing.html">Mil Mi 8/Mi - 17 Rotary Wing Work Horse and War Horse</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces </a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces</a></div>
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<a href="http://oldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html?showComment=1379158881960">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-books-armies-of-natos-central.html">Armies of NATO's Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://the%20soviet%20afghan%20war%2C%20how%20a%20super%20power%20fought%20and%20lost%20weapons%20and%20tactics%20of%20the%20soviet%20army%20soviet%20air%20land%20battle%20tactics/">Red Thrust, Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/review-books-soviet-afghan-war.html">The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army<img alt="" class="" height="1" id="blogsy-1386407719431.044" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0710603525" width="1" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/review-books-military-balance.html">The Military Balance</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-books-encyclopaedia-of-modern.html">Encyclopaedia of the Modern British Army</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-book-soviet-conduct-of-tactical.html">The Soviet Conduct of Tactical Manoeuvre</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-first-clash-k-mackesy.html">First Clash</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-third-world-war-general-j.html">The Third World War</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-books-british-army-in-germany.html">The British Army in Germany</a></div>
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/cowaga-21">The Cold War Bookstore contains links to over 60 Cold War titles covered in my book list</a></div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-75180469717252001732016-01-02T16:33:00.003+00:002016-01-03T03:42:01.617+00:00Modelling - Converting Hobby Den's BTR 60PB to a BTR 60PU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As part of creating artillery and air defence units for the breakthrough project I kicked off a year or so ago<span style="text-align: justify;"> I discovered a need for some armoured command vehicles. </span>The thought was to use specific communications vehicles rather than the k variants found in Motor Rifle Battalion and Company headquarters. Armoured command vehicles were produced by the Soviets for the BTR 60/70 and 80 series vehicles and these were used extensively within the units I had in mind. </div>
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The obvious choice was the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTR-60">BTR-60R-145BM</a> or one of its more modern variants the vehicle is a turretless version of the BTR 60, fitted with:<br />
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<li>A collapsible frame antenna </li>
<li>The AMU 10m telescopic mast </li>
<li>The AB-1-P/30 generator, </li>
<li>5 Radio sets </li>
<li>A TA-57 field telephone. </li>
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The vehicle also seems to attract the designation BTR 60 PU and is visually similar to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTR-60">BTR 60PU-12</a> an Air Defence command vehicle which would also be useful.</div>
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An analysis of the available imagery identified the following tasks to complete a conversion from a BTR 60 PB into the required command vehicles:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Fill Hole in hull for turret</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Build a box to represent the AB-1-P/30 generator</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Create some stowage box's for the side of the vehicle</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Create a representation of the AMU 10m telescopic mast</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Represent the stowed antenna tube on the top deck together with its end caps</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Mount jerry cans on sides of vehicles </li>
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The BTR 60PB I have chosen for the conversion is produced by the <a href="http://www.thehobbyden.com/">Hobby Den</a>, which is an imposing resin and white metal kit with some clever ideas that give you a lot of crewing options as hatches are white metal castings that fit over recessed hull areas providing scope for crewing options at much reduced effort compared to other resins where the hatch and hull would need drilling and a new hatch creating to achieve the same effect. <br />
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Since I commenced this project a number of other models have come onto the market giving a degree of choice in the models that can be used notable amongst these is the <a href="http://www.militarymodelling.com/forums/postings.asp?th=112378">S Models BTR 60 PB</a> kit. The quality of both the resin hull and the white metal wheel set and hatches has been good on all the copies I have received with small amounts of flash on the white metal parts and almost no air bubbles on the resin hull and turret. The base of the turret is marginally convex but this was not really relevant to the model being built.</div>
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The conversion is very straightforward and can be done with the frame antenna erected or folded. To simplify the problems around building the frame antenna I attached it directly to the hull . This avoided the needs to build the mounts and created a robust structure. I also simplified the frame from a double tube to a single tube. The frame supports and the frame itself were made from lengths of brass rod and to ease the problems of height adjustment I used green stuff to attach the frame to the upright frame supports.</div>
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Both the AMU 10 Telescopic mast and what I have termed the stowed antenna tube on the hull roof were cut from plastic rod. The use of a cover fashioned from green stuff for the AMU 10 got around the need to model the detail at the top of the telescopic mast, although this could have been produced using the mast components that come with ACEs BMP-1Ksh.</div>
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The Generator box was the final component of the fixed vehicle equipment and this was created through layering plastic strip to create an oblong box structure that would be easy to replicate consistently given that I needed a few of these vehicles. All the other components I viewed as part of stowing the vehicles as the images I had collected showed a degree of variability in type and placement. The Images variously show jerry cans and a large external stowage box mounted on the left and right hand side of the vehicle. which goes on which side seems to vary.</div>
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Stowage baskets are also seen mounted over the rear engine louvers and there are a number of images with command vehicles supporting a number of roof mounted stowage boxes. Unusually for Soviet vehicles but less so for command vehicles in general these wagons are often seen with a variety of additional equipment. </div>
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I have confined my stowage to include the Jerry cans on the right hand side and a large irregularly shaped stowage box on the left. In addition I added a folded tarpaulin/tent on the roof made from green stuff and marked using a wet knife blade to create the straps folds and creases. To get the various boxes and jerry cans to mount effectively on the hull it's necessary to file away some of the hull side hatches.<br />
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I commenced painting the vehicle with a pre shade of the lower hull wheels and underside of the vehicles using Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black. The model was then sprayed with Tamiya XF-13 JA Green, using a lighter coat on the lower hull ensures it remains a darker shade. The panels were then picked out with Tamiya XF-65 Field Grey. A pin wash was applied using the Humbrol Black enamel wash and a blue grey filter applied to selected panels and hatches using a diluted Humbrol Blue Grey enamel wash. The raised detail was dry-brushed using a mix of Vallejo Russian Uniform and Buff. Detail was then painted in as follows:<br />
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<li>Vallejo Black Grey for the HMG, Sight blocks, jerry cans and wheels</li>
<li>Vallejo sky grey was used for tools. </li>
<li>Vallejo Medium flesh washed with Agrix Earthshade was used for wooden tool handles</li>
<li>Vallejo Khaki grey was used for the canvas stowage, washed with GW's Agrix Earthshade before being highlighted with a mix of Khaki grey and buff.</li>
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The vehicle was then weathered using a heavy wash of Vallejo Mahogany Sand primarily targeted at the recesses, before the whole was over-sprayed using Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow. </div>
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Markings consisted of a regimental symbol and tactical 3 digit number, with the number coming from QRF and the regimental marking from the model collect large decal sheet.<br />
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The vehicle is based on laser cut MDF bases supplied by <a href="http://shop.eastridingminiatures.co.uk/">East Riding miniatures</a>, these are covered in a mix of sand and white glue before painting. Once dry a range of bsing materials have been used to create the vegetation on the base.<br />
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References:<br />
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Books:<br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html" style="text-align: start;">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army, D Isby, 1988</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a></div>
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Web:<br />
<a href="http://www.primeportal.net/apc/sunderman/btr-60.htm">BTR-60PB Mini Walk-round Prime Portal</a><br />
<a href="http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product4393.html">BTR-60 Army Guide</a><br />
<a href="http://www.klub-vm.eu/fotoalbum/technika-muzea/btr-60---pu-12/">BTR-60PU-12 Walk-round</a><br />
<a href="http://en.valka.cz/topic/view/28534/SOV-R-145BM-velitelske-pracoviste">BTR-60-R145BM</a><br />
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Other Posts of Interest:<br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/modelling-cold-war-soviet-vehicle.html">Modelling - Cold War Soviet Vehicle Markings and Decals</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/wargames-unit-late-80s-2s1-battalion.html">Wargames Unit-Soviet Late 80's, 2S1 Battalion</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 3 Non Divisional Artillery Assets</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/orbat-1980s-mrr-and-trr-part-4.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 4 Artillery</a><br />
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-35604486923702912232015-12-22T13:13:00.000+00:002017-02-12T12:35:40.660+00:00Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's 2S1 Battalion<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/orbat-1980s-mrr-and-trr-part-4.html">Artillery units</a> are a critical component of any Soviet force and whilst less flexible in terms of coordination of fire and OPs than their western counter parts this was less of a problem than might be imagined as it was nearly always available in overwhelming quantity. In order to play Soviets effectively you do need a reasonable number of guns and even in the late Cold War period these can routinely deploy in the direct fire role, so unlike western units could be a component of the on board force. In developing my views on the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">Soviet Breakthrough</a> capability, I refined the Soviet Artillery Orbats for our adaption of the Rapid Fire rules and have been busy collecting models ever since. The first of the units to reach a completed state was the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2S1_Gvozdika">2S1</a> battalion shown below.</div>
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At a representative model scale the battalion offers a few challenges as the organisation evolved over the period from 3 Batteries of 6 Guns to 3 Batteries of 8. This was a component of the Soviet response to NATO's mass proliferation of ATGWs and hand held anti tank weapons which the Soviets quickly realised would severely disrupt their operational tempo in the absence of weapons of mass destruction. As a consequence they focused on improving conventional artillery effects through maximising the weight of fire that could be delivered over short time periods to destructive effect. This was achieved through both the increased battery size and shifting to the battalion as the primary unit of fire. Having said that the upgraded capability had not been fully deployed across units in the Western TVD or even the forward groups of forces by the end of the Cold War.</div>
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After a deal of consideration around how to represent the 24 gun battalion, I plumped for the easy option and stuck with 3 batteries of 6 guns each represented by a couple of 2S1. 2S1 is the primary combat component of the battalion but at the level of representation chosen only equates to around 50% of the vehicles in the model battalion. I have used the <a href="http://sandsmodelsshop.com/">S&S</a> 2S1 for all my vehicles its a simple robust wargames model and a reasonable representation of the vehicle that paints up well. The only alternative that I am aware of is the ACE model which holds the distinction of being the only model from that company that I started but never finished, not an easy build.</div>
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As well as the Guns in each battery I also wanted to represent a reasonable number of Command and Observation Post vehicles which introduced the next challenge. I was keen to have a standardised battery organisation but the maximum number of OPs that a unit could deploy were around 6-7 so two vehicles at a scale of 1:3. The solution to this was the radio truck required by the WW2 rules, in this case a plumped for a BTR-60R-145M or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTR-60">BTR 60PU</a> which was used extensively in unit headquarters. The remainder of the vehicles would then be deployable COPs using <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MT-LBu">MT-LBus</a> or ACRVs.</div>
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The ACRVs I have used here are from Cromwell and are very nice 1/76 scale wagons that look all right along side there 1/72 cousins. Sadly the vehicle is now OOP so my future battalions will largely be relying on the <a href="http://sandsmodelsshop.com/">S&S</a> version which is a somewhat simpler model. The vehicles have been stowed using green stuff or Goffy stowage items and are crewed by either <a href="http://eshop.friendshipmodels.org.uk/Wee-Friends">Wee Friends</a> or <a href="https://www.elhiem.co.uk/">Elheim</a> Soviet crew.</div>
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When I started this project the options for BTR 60's were limited to either Liberation which are a little under scale or the <a href="http://www.thehobbyden.com/">Hobby Den's</a> both are resin and white metal kits. The representation is based on a simple conversion using plastic rod, plastic strip, brass rod and green stuff. Like the ACRVs and unusually for soviet vehicles these are often quite heavily stowed. The Crewman in this case is provide by <a href="https://www.elhiem.co.uk/">Elhiem</a>. Since building this <a href="http://www.militarymodelling.com/forums/postings.asp?th=112378">S Models</a> have now released a plastic BTR-60 and <a href="http://sandsmodelsshop.com/">S&S</a> have produced a nice little conversion kit for the Command variant, so making life easier for the next few iterations.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The final component in the battery is a truck either a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZIL_131">Zil 131</a> or a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ural-4320">Ural 4320</a>, after making a lot of the ICM kits I have started to use a number of the Amercom Zil 131 ready mades no effort to build although painting over the all white UN schemes can be a challenge and quite time consuming of itself. The one shown here is an Amercom Zil 131.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">So I intend for each battalion to comprise of 3 batteries and at the moment I am not representing the BHQ, primarily as a cost saving measure. The paint schemes are outlined in the review posts below and the markings come from a variety of sources, the regimental symbol is from the large model collect decal sheet and the numbers either from their or the QRF white numbers sheet, The markings on the truck doors are all from the decal sheets provided with the ICM kits. Hopefully the first of a number of Artillery battalions that will be working their way into the collection.</span><br />
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Related Posts:</div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/orbat-1980s-soviet-mrr-and-trr-part-4.html">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 4 Artillery</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/orbat-soviet-late-80s-breakthrough.html">ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 3 Non Divisional Artillery Assets</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/orbat-soviet-divisional-units-part-2.html">ORBAT - Soviet Divisional Units, Part 2 MRD Artillery Regiment</a><br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/ttp-soviet-breakthrough-attacks.html">TTP -Soviet Breakthrough Attacks </a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/ttp-soviet-advanced-guard-and-march.html">TTP - Soviet Advanced Guard and March Security</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/wargames-unit-soviet-mrr-regimental.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Regimental Artillery Group</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/modelling-cold-war-soviet-vehicle.html">Modelling - Cold War Soviet Vehicle Markings and Decals</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/modelling-converting-hobby-dens-btr.html">Modelling - Converting Hobby Dens BTR 60PB to a BTR 60PU</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-model-cromwell-models-172-mt-lbu.html">Review - Model 1/72, Cromwell MT-Lbu (ACRV)</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-s-2s1-model.html">Review - Model 1/72, S&S 2S1</a><br />
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Other Soviet Wargames Units:<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/wargames-unit-soviet-late-80s-flame.html"><br /></a>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/wargames-unit-soviet-late-80s-flame.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's, Flame Thrower Company Group</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/wargames-units-468-msb-divisional.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - 468 MSB, Divisional Forward Detachment at Waidhause</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/wargmes-unit-soviet-combat-helicopter.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit -Soviet, Combat Helicopter Regiment, Assault Helicopter Squadron</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wargames-unit-army-attack-helicopter.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet, Combat Helicopter Regiment, Attack Helicopter Squadron</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wargames-unit-soviet-late-80s.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's Independent DShV Battalion</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/wargames-unit-late-80-mrb.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's MRB</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-tactics-anti-tank-reserve.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Anti Tank Reserve</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/wargames-unit-soviet-divisional-anti.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRD, Anti Tank Battalion</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/wargames-unit-soviet-mrr-air-defence.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Air Defence Battery</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/wargames-unit-soviet-mrr-and-tr-recce.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Recce Company</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/wargames-unit-soviet-mrr-regimental.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Regimental Artillery Group</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/wargames-unit-soviet-motor-rifle.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet early 80's MRB</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/soviet-vdv-regiment.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet VDV Regiment</a><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-53480227737573914692015-08-28T08:33:00.002+01:002015-08-28T08:33:21.721+01:00Review - Magazine Wargames Illustrated 335 September 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
In my youth I was always a great fan of <a href="http://wargamesillustrated.co.uk/">Wargames Illustrated</a> enjoying the pictures as much as the articles. Having supplied some pictures for a Cold War article in this months issue which takes as its theme the concept of "What If" games they kindly sent me a copy. </div>
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This months issue builds to an extent on <a href="http://wargamesillustrated.co.uk/shop/wi324-october-2014/">Issue 324</a>s Cold War theme but with a slightly different take hopefully this will be but part of an increased level of coverage of the post war modern period generally and more specificaly the Cold War. Cold War as a period has been slowly gaining in popularity in both 15mm and 20mm with an expanding range of figures and models from a range of manufacturers and a widening range of rules suitable for gaming the period including such titles as <a href="http://www.forceonforce.com/">Force on Force</a>, <a href="http://fft3.com/">Fist Full of Tows</a> (2 or 3), <a href="https://img.4plebs.org/boards/tg/image/1398/03/1398032182849.pdf">Battlegroup </a>and <a href="http://www.blitzkrieg-commander.com/default.aspx?Area=CWC">Cold War Commander</a> amongst others, these provide focus across the scales from the more traditional Modern gaming scale of 6mm to 15mm, 20mm and 28mm.<br />
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The imminent entry of <a href="http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=36">Flames of War </a>into the 15mm Cold War Gameing arena with it's Team Yankee rule set and a developing line of miniatures is inevitably driving an increased amount of interest in the period and with new sets of rules in the pipeline from <a href="http://toofatlardies.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index">TFL</a>, <a href="http://ironfistpublishing.com/">Iron Fist publications</a> and <a href="http://www.3rdgenerationwarfare.co.uk/">Third Generation Warfare</a> the heat is seriously being turned up on the Cold War. The Flames of War gang have already published a range of images on their impending offerings covered on the <a href="http://www.breakthroughassault.co.uk/">Breakthrough Assault Blog</a> and the release rate from other 15mm manufacturers seems to be cranking up to meet the inevitable demand.<br />
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This months WI issue contains three articles focused on Cold War Conflict two fitting in with the "What If" theme and one on the design of the Third Generation Warfare rule set by Nick Ayres that underpined the <a href="http://www.leicesterphatcats.co.uk/">Leicester Phat Cats</a> Salute demonstration and is accompanied by some pics of that game. <br />
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The other two articles are focused on the magazines What If theme one looks at Soviet Regimental Cold War Tactics the other is an excellent look at Opperation Mikado the proposed SAS raid onto the Argentinian Mainland in the flaklands war.<br />
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The Cold War article penned by Jeremy Richardson has a focus on the Advanced Guard, and scenario development from that as well as covering the sequencing of assault river crossings and Air Assault. It talks through the Joy of 3mm gaming and takes a look at Cold War Commanders mechanisms for simulating the friction of war (one of the great features in that set of rules). It closes around a look at model availability from 3mm - 20mm and approaches to dealing with the larger scales all up an eminiently readible and useful article with some great eye candy.<br />
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The second article is written by Roger Gerrish with contributions on the modelling front by Phil Lewis. The article covers in a degree of detail the historical background to the proposed SAS raid on mainland Argentina during the Falklands war, the historical content being quite fascinating of itself. It then looks at scenario development and forces for both sides for a series of Force on Force games looking at differnt aspects of the plan and rounds out with a look at terrain and creating the Pink Panthers or Green Hornets of the SAS all up a very enjoyable read.<br />
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The ideas from this article will readily translate to a few central front games I am contemplating as I have recently been looking at strategic Desant operations including Spetznaz deployments and airfield siezures in Northern Germany to which many of the ideas presented by Roger readily map. I might need to swap the Herc for an AN 24 and the Green Hornet landrovers for some Lu-947 weapon carriers, however the concepts presented for terrain and scenario generation would work well in creating a series of skirmish games around the initial airfield seizure befor I air land the air mechanised VDV regiment and conduct some subsequent operations, which is more the scale I like to play at.</div>
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All up an excellent edition building on the October 2014 Cold War issue reviewed by Richard C over at <a href="http://coldwarhot.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/wargames-illustrated-issue-324-modern.html">Cold War Hot Hot Hot</a>. The WI Issues with Modern Themes are:<br />
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<li><a href="http://wargamesillustrated.co.uk/shop/wi335-september-2015/">WI 335</a> What If</li>
<li><a href="http://wargamesillustrated.co.uk/shop/wi324-october-2014/">WI 324</a> Cold War</li>
<li><a href="http://wargamesillustrated.co.uk/shop/wi312-october-2013/">WI 312</a> 6 Day War</li>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-28412702993091994932015-08-02T07:06:00.001+01:002017-02-04T11:57:53.089+00:00Review - Web Resources, Soviet Armed Forces 1945 - 1991<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Web site, <a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/newindex.htm">Soviet Armed Forces 1945 - 1991</a> offers a view of the Soviet Armed Forces from 1945 to 1991 for a range of Soviet Armed Forces. Under each of the force areas it organises its data to look at the various sub components and provide an overview of the source material used, most of this would appear to be Russian. The principal areas of the armed forces covered are:</div>
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<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/mod.htm">Ministery of Defence</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/Army.htm">Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/vvs.htm">Air Force</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/pvo/pvo.htm">Air Defence Forces</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/navy.htm">Navy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn.htm">Strategic Rocket Forces</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/vdv.htm">Airborn Troops</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/mvd/mvd.htm">Internal Troops and MVD</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/border%20guards/kgb.htm">Border Guards and KGB </a></li>
<li>Others</li>
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So under Air Force it lists all the Soviet Air Armies and under each lists the units under command and their locations. Likewise for the Army it lists the Armies although organisational information is not currently available for all, it is for a majority. The information is organised from a number of perspectives and the site provides a number of ways to traverse the data and find the information being sought. Views are provided for each of the principal arms of service so you can also review by Tank Divisions, Motor Rifle Division, Fortified Areas orArtillery Divisions amongst others or you can drill down through the isted armies. </div>
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For the Army a range of <a href="http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/sources.htm">sources</a> are quoted the site data seems heavily underpinned by a number of Feskovs works and CFE data. Information provided includes activation and deactivation dates, base locations and major equipments where available. Much of this is CFE data so drawn from the back end of the Cold War. The more traditional Orbat, which units belonged to which divisions covers the whole of the period specified, at least for the Army. The Site scope is broad and is still a work in progress.</div>
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Having tried to translate with google a number of the reference documents some one trying too publish this data in english is a bit of a godsend. It will be interesting to see how the site develops but it is already looking like a bit of a treasure trove.</div>
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Related Web Resources:<br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/review-web-resources-voroshilov-academy.html">Review-Web Resources, Voroshilov Academy Lectures</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-web-resources-essentials-of-cold.html" style="text-align: justify;">Review-Web Resources, The Essentials of Cold War Soviet Doctrine and Organisation for Free</a>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-6262870303482808512015-07-29T18:54:00.002+01:002015-07-30T08:11:07.505+01:00Review Model - model collect 1/72 T-72B with ERA<br />
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The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-72">T-72</a> is another of those Cold War Icons, Globally exported its been involved in most of the worlds major conflicts since it appeared on the scene in the late 1960's. It was the Soviet Unions low cost alternative to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-64">T-64</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-80">T-80</a> series, equipping units outside of the technology challenging Central front area although it was the main stay of Soviet units in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Group_of_Forces">Central group of Forces</a> in Czecheslovakia. Other than that it was mostly found in the Western Military districts of the Soviet Union or exported across the middle east. </div>
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The T-72B comenced production in 1985 and introduced levels of protection that exceeded those of both the T-64 and T-80 making it the best protected of the Soviet tanks. The other major capability introduced on this version was the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9M119">AT-11 Svir missile</a>. The model includes the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactive_armour">Kontakt 1 ERA</a> which was available from 1982, first mounted on tanks in 1983, first identified by NATO in 1984 and fitted to the T-72B from 1988. It is worth speculating on weather it would have been rolled out earlier if East West relationships had decended into crisis.<br />
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One of the major thrusts of Soviet organisational and equipment change over this period was the neutralisation of the NATO ATGW threat as the the density of Anti Tank weapons had increased to a point where the Soviet Army felt that success was unlikly. This then drove their adoption of ERA and the significant increase in artillery systems over the period.<br />
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The improved armour provided the T-72B with base protection of 520mm RHA equivalent from APDS and 950mm RHA equivalent protection from HEAT, Kontakt 1 providing an additional 350mm - 400mm RHA equivalent against HEAT. Of interest the Improved TOW missile would penetrate 900mm RHA equivalent with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BGM-71_TOW">TOW 2A</a> delivered in 1987 doing 900mm behind ERA. I suspect it was not until the introduction of TOW2B in 1991 that the balance of advantage was restored to the ATGW. A Tandem war head for Milan did not arrive until 1993 so for a significant period the impact of the ATGW and LAW capability was reduced. <br />
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This review looks at the <a href="http://modelcollect.com/">modelcollect</a> T-72B although there are a variety of options on the market including</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">ACE</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">S&S</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Hobby Den</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Model Collect</li>
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The modelcollect kit like a lot of their armour kits is priced at around £11 and depending on when and how many you order may be shipped from China or their UK warehouse. Like the TOS-1 it is staggeringly well packaged with clear instructions. </div>
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The Hull is cast from white metal and is finly molded and adds a rather pleasing weight to the finished vehicle. The Tracks are flexible plastic but fit and fix easily using liquid poly. The remainder of the parts are Molded from plastic, the level of detail is generaly excellant and the quality of the molding is very good with only minor amounts of flash on one of the 4 models I built. Modelcollect are certainly approaching Revell standards if they are not quite there yet. No major issues with the build but a few minor ones as follows:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Turret fit to Hull</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Fit of the front right Turret ERA (looking at the front)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Removal from Sprue and fitting of external fuel barrel supports</li>
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The Turret Hull fit is best sorted before you build the turret as trying to sort it once the turret is constructed is asking for a mishap. The problem stems from insufficient space between the base of the turret and the retaining lugs to accommodate the depth of the molding of the hull deck, a little light filling between the top of the lug and base of the turret soon removes the issue more radically you could just chop off the lugs.</div>
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I have yet to try this but separating the turret front right ERA block strip into probably 3 bits will result in a better fit.<br />
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Care is generally needed with the finer parts such as the commanders MG. The external fuel tank supports definitely fall into this category and need a bit of thinking about before removal. On the batch build I only lost one on the first vehicle I lost 50%. Fitting them to the hull rear also requires some work as the mounting lugs can be a little large.</div>
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Other than that it was a breeze with assembly taking a couple of hours. In contrast I have been building 3 ACE T-72Bs for at least 2 years :). Once constructed the vehicle looks the part and whilst I have seen nothing specific on this vehicle Alex Clark has made some very encouraging noises about a number of other models in the range.</div>
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<b>Markings, Stowage and Damage.</b><br />
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The vehicles carry traditional Soviet numbers on the left, right and rear stowage bins and in some cases regimental identifying marks can also be found on the bins. The left and right turret bins are of different lengths so may need different approaches to accomodating the markings. Examples of markings used and available decal sets can be found <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/modelling-cold-war-soviet-vehicle.html">here</a>. The large model collect decal sheet which can be separately purchased contains a range of these.</div>
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Stowage can be seen in a number of immages and a canvas cover could also be worked for the cupola mounted HMG, a usefull strategy should you break it. I have seen images where the snorkle storage can be mounted up or down, in the down position it precludes the use of an identification number on the rear bins, not quite sure why I did that.</div>
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The modelcollect T-64 BV comes with an etched brass commanders screen which could also be deployed on the T-72. There are a variety of options to add vehicle damage around the side skirts and ERA packs immages also exist showing incomplete coverage of ERA blocks on the hull deck. Both provide a route for enhancing the models in your fleet. I have currently added regimental identifiers and vehicle numbers on the left and right stowage bins and have not included any additional stowage or famage on the first four vehicles.</div>
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<b>Painting.</b></div>
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My painting style with the airbrush continues to evolve. On these beasts the lower hull tracks and underside were sprayed with black, then the whole was sprayed with Tamiya XF-13 JA Green ensuring that the lower hull is left a darker shade. The pannels were then sprayed with Tamiya XF-65 field gray. Then the detail was picked out using Vallejo Black Grey for the HMG, Sight blocks and IR searchlights and sky grey for driving lights. A pin wash was then applied using the Humbrol Black enamel wash and a blue grey filter applied to selected pannels and the skirts using diluted Humbrol Blue Grey enamel wash. The raised detail was drybrushed using a mix of Vallejo Russian Uniform and Buff.</div>
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Decals were then applied and the whole vehicle was matt varnished then weathered. Weathering involved spraying the road wheels and base of the skirts with Tamiya XF- Earth Brown before washing these areas with a dilute solution of Vajello Mahogany Sand. The front and rear hull and lower hull was then oversprayed with Tamiya XF- Dark Yellow, with a progressivly lighter application as you move up the sides and onto the hull top than sides. </div>
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The vehicle is based using laser cut mdf from <a href="http://shop.eastridingminiatures.co.uk/">East Riding miniatures </a>this was painted dry brushed and covered with a variety of scatter material.<br />
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All up an excellent model, straight forward to assemble, quick to build and an excellent representation of the vehicle. Considerably easier than the ACE model and competativly priced against the alternatives.</div>
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References:<br />
<br />
Books:<br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html" style="text-align: start;">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1892848015?tag=cowaga-21&linkCode=sb1&camp=2378&creative=8434">Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design Practice 1945 to Present</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army, D Isby, 1988</a><br />
<span style="line-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00HDD456W/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00HDD456W&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974 - 1993, Osprey</a></span><br />
<br />
Web:<br />
<a href="http://henk.fox3000.com/modelcollect.htm">Modelcollect @ Henk of Holland </a><br />
<a href="http://www.onthewaymodels.com/articles/T72comparison.htm" style="text-align: justify;">On The Way Models, T-72 Model comparison</a><br />
<a href="http://www.onthewaymodels.com/articles/Modelling%20the%20t72%20family.htm" style="text-align: justify;">On The Way Models,Modelling The T-72 Family</a><br />
<a href="http://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_tank_heavy_armoured_vehicles_u/t-72a_t-72_a_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_information_description_pictures.html" style="text-align: justify;">Army Recognition T-72A datasheet</a><br />
<a href="http://www.armyrecognition.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1318" style="text-align: justify;">Army Recognition T-72 Overview Part 1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.armyrecognition.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1325" style="text-align: justify;">Army Recognition T-72 Overview Part 2</a><br />
<a href="http://www.small-scale-armour.co.uk/gallery/T-72B/index.html" style="line-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">Alex Clarks Inspirational T-72B</a><br />
<a href="http://www.small-scale-armour.co.uk/gallery/T-72M1/index.html" style="text-align: justify;">Alex Clarks Inspirational T-72M1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/47210/thread/1285746779/T+72+B" style="text-align: justify;" target="_self" title="">Missing Lynx T-72B1 Thread</a><br />
<br />
Other Posts of Interest:<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/modelling-cold-war-soviet-vehicle.html">Modelling - Cold War Soviet Vehical Markings and Decals</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-building-ace-t-72b-model.html">Review - Models 1/72, ACE T-72B</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/soviet-motor-rifle-and-tank-regiment-in.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 1 Deployment and ORBA</a>T<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-mrr-and-tr-in-1980s-part-2-tank.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 2 Tank Change</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<br />Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-69220209216230364642015-07-25T11:18:00.000+01:002016-01-13T07:38:53.277+00:00TTP - The Soviet Advanced Guard and March Security<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Soviet Army had well developed <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-web-resources-essentials-of-cold.html">doctrine</a> around march security and transition to battle formations from the line of march, this was critical to acheiving success in the encounter battles they postulated would be the most common form of engagement and in maintaining the rates of advance they envisioned. This is an area where a degree of task organisation would occur and provides a good framework for Scenario development for smaller games. The Advance guard is well documented across a variety of sources so it is straight forward to research, FM 100-2-1 is one of the best. <br />
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As an added bonus the Advanced Guard is a small self contained force that makes an excellent choice for a starter army. So an interesting vehicle for exploration of the organisation and processes associated with its operation. Its part of what most people would consider the classic Soviet steam roller and these elements rarely appeal to me, but for the reasons stated above and some interesting time and space problems associated with the relationship between the advanced guard and the main body that I think are less well understood its worth looking at.</div>
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The building blocks for creating the Advanced Guard are nearly all drawn from within the Motor Rifle Regiment or the Tank Regiment, details of their composition can be found in the post <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/soviet-motor-rifle-and-tank-regiment-in.html">1980s Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 1 deployment and Orbat</a>, whilst details on <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-mrr-and-tr-in-1980s-part-2-tank.html">equipment change</a>, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/1980s-soviet-mrr-and-tr-part-3-engineer.html">Engineer</a>, <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/orbat-1980s-mrr-and-trr-part-4.html">Artillery support</a> and the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-tactics-anti-tank-reserve.html">Anti Tank Reserve</a> can be found in subsequent posts. The core element for the Advanced Guard is the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/wargames-unit-late-80-mrb.html">Motor Rifle or Tank Battalion</a>.</div>
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The Advanced Guard mission was to provide forward march security to the lead Regiment on an axis of advance, in the example we will look at here we will consider a MRR but a TR could equally be configured to fill this role. Unlike the Forward detachment the purpose was to provide warning and an initial raction force to deal with enemy encountered on route as the MRR moved down its axis of advance. The Advanced Guard was a key component in transitioning the Regiment effectivly from March Formation to Battle Formation. In contrast the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/ttp-forward-detachments-and-tactical.html">forward detachment</a> was tasked with specific missions to take and hold terrain constraints or block reserves, the unifying purpose of both organisations however was the same, in order to allow the MRR/MRD to advance along the line of march at speed.<br />
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March formations in the British army were used for out of contact manouver, where contact was expected then the unit would be configured to advance to contact, a battle formation for which the manouver speed would be much lower as this was a tacticle deployment. Reacting to contact from a march formation would be an emergency procedure and certainly in my experience was seldom discused or practiced, advance to contact was, so the British and Soviet doctrine is very different.<br />
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The MRB would be reinforced and task organised to acheive its mission the level of reinforcement would be dependent on a number of factors:<br />
<ul>
<li>Weather the Regiment was on a main or subsiduary access</li>
<li>The type of offensive action being prosecuted</li>
<ul>
<li>March</li>
<li>Pursuit</li>
<li>Meeting Engagement</li>
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<li>Enemy Posture and Strength</li>
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The Soviets adapted 2 Pre battle formations based on whether they expected to encounter the enemy or not. If encounter with the enemy was expected then march security elements would be deployed to front, flanks and rear of the main body. The Advanced Guard would deploy in three components on a single axis. These were:</div>
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<li>The Combat Recce patrol of a platoon of Infantry and a single tank</li>
<li>The Advance Party, the remainder of the lead Company reinforced by a range of assets depending on the situation and what had been provided to the Advanced Guard these could include:</li>
<ul>
<li>Morter Platoon, Morter Battery or Gun Battery, 120mm Mortar or 2S1</li>
<li>AT Section or Platoon, BRDM2 +AT5</li>
<li>Engineer Section</li>
<li>Tank Platoon, depending on formation <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-64">T-64</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-72">T-72</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-80">T-80</a> marks being dependent on year.</li>
</ul>
<li>The Advance Guard Main Body, the remainder of the lead Motor Rifle Battalion and the remainder of the reinforcement units that could include:</li>
<ul>
<li>Air Defence Platoon, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZSU-23-4">ZSU 23-4</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9K31_Strela-1">SA-9</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2K22_Tunguska">2S6 </a>or BMP2 + <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9K34_Strela-3">SA14</a></li>
<li>Battery or Battalion of Guns, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2S1_Gvozdika">2S1</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2S3_Akatsiya">2S3</a></li>
<li>Up to an AT Company,</li>
<li>Engineer Assets, relevant to the opperation</li>
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The Advance Guard could operate in close co-operation with a number of regimental assets which for scenarios involving the advanced guard could easily be included, these are:</div>
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<li><b>The reinforced regimental Recce Company</b>, reinforcement would come from engineer, chemical and artillery reconaisance assets</li>
<li><b>The Mobility Support Group</b> which would be a task organised engineer group reinforced with infantry and armour from second echelon formations, with the primary role of clearing and breaching obsticles identified by the reconaisance elements.</li>
<li><b>Regimental Artillery Group</b>, assets in range would provide supporting fires as directed by the Regimental commander in the event of contact. Command and Observation Posts might be grouped with the components of the guard to provide coverage</li>
<li><b>Regimental Headquaters</b>, frequently the Regimental HQ might travel with or just to the rear of the Advanced Guard, equally the Battalion HQ might travel just to the rear of the Advance Party, I have not represented this in the force as presented here</li>
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Additionally interesting scenarios might be constructed around interaction with in place elements such as forward detachments. Passage of echelons might also be worthy of consideration although weather this would be done in march formation might be subject to situation and the proximety of remaining enemy.</div>
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Bearing in mind that I play based on Rapid fire the abstraction of the vehicles and personel used by this ruleset presents a number of challenges in representing these elements. Looking at it from front to back I have currently decided to represent the Advanced Guard and the associated regimental elements as follows:</div>
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<b>Reinforced Regimental Recce Company </b></div>
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The purpose of the Regimental Recce Company was to gather intelligence and develop the information identified by other forward deployed asset such as the Divisional Recc battalion, it was not part of the Advanced Guard, it was key to identifying enemy and targets and can work well as part of a depth game.</div>
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I currently represent the regimental <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/wargames-unit-soviet-mrr-and-tr-recce.html">Recce Company</a> with a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMP-1_variants">BMP R</a> as the HQ and a BRDM2 and a BMP platoon each represented by a vehicle. The organisation included a motorcycle section which is currently un represented. Reinforcement comes in the form of a single <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRDM-2">BRDM2 Rkh</a> platoon from the Regimental Chemical defence Company, and assets from the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/1980s-soviet-mrr-and-tr-part-3-engineer.html">Divisional Engineer recce elements</a> in BTR 60 and a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMP-1_variants">PRP 3</a> representing artillery reconnaissance elements from a reinforced RAG. I intend to operate these as three pairs each with a BMP and BRDM2/BTR60 in it.</div>
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<b>The Advance Party.</b><br />
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The advanced party provided march security for the advanced guard and was in turn protected by a combat recce patrol that it would deploy forward. Depending on circumstances terrain and visibility it could work closely with the CRP providing support and overwatch, or stand off from the CRP to give greater reaction time. Distances between the two elements are quoted as between 1.5km and 5km depending on sources. On Contact the advanced party could block, strike or maneuver and strike depending on the size and disposition of the encountered force. The effects of these actions would be to fix or destroy the opposing forces lead elements.</div>
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The representation of the CRP is quite difficult given the Rapid fire approach to one APC to each company. Because the BMPs are very under represented my personal preference here is to add an additional BMP effectively with no dismounts, as a Recce element. Where CRPs are required to provide flank guards the same approach would be taken.</div>
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The remainder of the Advance Party includes;<br />
<ul>
<li>A Tank platoon, represented by a single tank, </li>
<li>A MR Coy represented by a BMP 2 and the associated dismounts. </li>
<li>An ACRV Command and Observation Post(COP) from the battery or battalion attached to the parent MRB.</li>
<li>The MRBs Mortar Battery, represented by 2 MTLB and 2 120mm Mortar. These might also be grouped with the Advanced Guard Main Body.</li>
</ul>
The COP would be using the unit as protection and would be available to adjust fire to achieve the requested effect, if fires were allocated by the Combined Arms Commander at Battalion or Regimental level. This is somewhat different to western use of Observation Officers. If more artilery had been attached to the Advanced Guard this could equally be a Battery of 2S1. If deployed these might be used in a direct or indirect fire role.<br />
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Additional elements that could be represented include the Advanced Guard battalion commander who would move forward if contact was expected an AT Section or platoon and engineer elements. If your just starting out in Cold War this sort of force provides a great starter option with both vehicle variety and small size yet capable of realistic deployment in a number of scenarios,</div>
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<b>The Advanced Guard Main Body.</b><br />
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The Advanced Guard Main Body is constituted from the remainder of the Advanced Guard and it provides march security for the lead regiment. Depending on circumstances distance between it and the advance party could be between 1.5km - 10km this seems to be dependent on whether the advanced party is supporting the CRP or stood off from it as the distance to the CRP seems to be a fairly consitant at 10km.<b> </b></div>
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On contact it could block or strike and if striking would be highly likely to maneuver and strike in order to take an enemy in the flank. The purpose would be to destroy the lead enemy company and fix or destroy the lead enemy battle group. </div>
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The Advanced Guard MRB has been reinforced with a battery of guns, one AA Platoon from the regimental Air Defence Platoon, and a Platoon from the Regimental Anti Tank Company. It is missing those elements already detached to form the Advanced Party. The Battalion commander has grouped his own Air Defence Platoon with the ZSU 23-4 platoon.</div>
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and the Tank Company Headquaters tank has been grouped with the AT - Platoon to form a small <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-tactics-anti-tank-reserve.html">Anti Tank reserve</a>. This element would be used to counter unexpected enemy tank action, or screen open flanks. I am not convinced it would be formally committed as part of the immediate plan as that would leave no reserve. </div>
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Each of the MR Coys is grouped with a tank platoon and the unit also includes the battalion HQ which could deploy forward and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGS-17">AGS 17</a> Direct fire support platoon. Close on the heels of the Advance Guard and located behind it in the order of march to deal swiftly with Engineering tasks identified by the Recce elements is a <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/1980s-soviet-mrr-and-tr-part-3-engineer.html">Maneuver Support Group</a> based on components from the Regimental Engineer company together with some reinforcing elements. The Advanced Guard could also find itself closely followed by the tactical elements of the Regimental Headquaters and other assets such as a COP from the Artillery Battalion.<br />
<br />
The ability or inability of Junior Commanders to react would be compensated for by the forward positioning of the more senior headquaters although this can lead to confusion over who is directing what. The doctrinal intent was for the senior headquaters to be in a position to rapidly assess the battle and deploy the follow on force elements rapidly and effectively.</div>
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<div>
<b>The Maneuver Support Group</b></div>
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The Manouver Support Group was responsible within the MRR for the identification, clearance /breaching and marking of obstacles on the supported units route as well as the provision of route marking capability, the maintenance of the route and its own security. The detachment would include reconnaissance, security and engineer elements. MSGs could be formed from the Regiments own Engineer company or be provided from Divisional Engineer assets. The main purpose is to facilitate the Regiments movement rather than the Advance Guards.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The MSG covers three capability areas;</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Route Clearance</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Minefield Breaching</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Small gap crossing</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Route Clearance</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The route clearance capability is represented by 1 T-72A with an MTU dozer blade 3 of which were held by the Engineer Company. The Platoon would be drawn from a 2nd Echelon element of the Regiment or Division. </div>
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<b>Minefield Breaching</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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The mine field breaching capability is covered by the provision of KMT mine rollers which could be fitted to vehicles as required. In addition and provided from the Divisional Engineer Regiment is an MTK 2 explosive breaching vehicle, this capability was also available on a T-55 hull and a BTR 50 hull.</div>
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<b>Gap Crossing Small</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
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A Regiment held a mix of Truck mounted TMM and Tank mounted MT-55 or MTU Vheicle Launched Bridges. MRR would have a preponderance of the truck mounted systems whilst tank regiments would have more of the tank based systems, sadly no one makes a TMM in 1/72.</div>
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The remaining two elements can support any of the capabilities this was;<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Infantry Company attached from a 2nd Echelon battalion to assist with route marking, security and provide additional manpower working under the guidance of the Sappers where needed . </li>
<li>Engineer Platoon mounted here in a BTR 60 PB could equally be transported in a truck and can enhance any of the three mobility support capabilities represented.</li>
</ul>
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Having looked at the composition of the advanced guard and associated groups it is worth considering how it was designed to operate. The spacing of the components in the order of march provided time for early warning allowing commanders time to think and take action. To understand how this worked its necessary to understand a bit about the movement characteristics of vehicle columns and also to set it in the context of the Regimental order of march as this would drive what support it could expect and how quickly.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: justify;">Speeds on the march varied but columns were expected to achieve the
following rates of advance</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">Motor Transport on roads upto
40Km/h</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Armor on Roads or X Country
25-30Km/hr</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Under poor conditions Night or
bad weather 20km/h</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">On foot 4-6km/h</span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of more interest I think is distance per minute as this gives an
indication at the time intervals between the different elements of the march
groups. So at 25km/h you travel about 4km in 10min or 400m in 1 minute at 40Km/h you travel about 7Km in 10min or 700m in a minute.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In looking at this we also need to understand the lengths of the columns involved as they add to both the distances and the time taken to get an effective force to a point. Pass time of the column adds time to deployment, it is the amount of time it takes the
column to pass a point which is a function of its length, difficult to start a
war with one vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Vehicle Numbers for the Advanced Guard:</span><br />
<ul>
<li>BMP Bn - 72 Vehicles including command and Echelon </li>
<li>2S1 Bty 15 Vehicles including command and Echelon, </li>
<li>2S1 Bn - 60 Vehicles including command and Echelon</li>
<li>Tank Coy 13 Vehicles</li>
<li>AT Platoon 5 Vehicles</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
so dependent on composition 105 to 150 vehicles<br />
<br />
A Company Column of 10 vehicles with 25/50m between vehicles is 250 - 500m long and at 25km/h takes 1 minute from the first vehicle hitting a point to the last vehicle clearing that point. With no space between units the 105 vehicles of the advance guard covers 2.5 - 5km so a pass time of 6-12 minutes at 25km/h with no choas and no gaps between the different components. Given the distances between the various components of the Advance
Guard are longer this all takes more time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The references varies so a number of models for the spacing could be made, this one really serves to illustrates the point. The CRP is 5Km and 12.5 minutes ahead of the Advanced Party, which is
composed of around 20 vehicles over 1km so a pass time of 2 minutes so about 15 minutes
to bring the whole force into action. They in turn are 1.5 km and 3 minutes ahead of the Advance
Guard which consistes of around 80 vehicles and a distance of 4km so a pass
time of 10 minutes so they would take an additional 15 minutes to come into action if the manouver to a flank this increases by an
additional 2 minutes for every Km of maneuver before they get into
action. They are in turn 5-10km and
another 15-20 minutes ahead of the main body around 300 vehicles around 15km so pass time is 30 minutes. If the enemy was weak or in a poor position the Soviet commander could commit units incrimentally to the battle if he wished, a suitable time table would need to be produced based on further analysis.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Advanced%20Guard/CRP_zps7av9i8mi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/Advanced%20Guard/CRP_zps7av9i8mi.jpg" height="242" width="640" /></a></div>
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The impact of this is as follows:</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">CRP encounters enemy at H, </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Advance
party can hit them at H+ 15, + 2min for every additional Km of maneuver. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Advance Guard Main Body can hit
at H+30</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> + 2min for every additional Km
of maneuver</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Regimental Main Body at H+75 + 1.5min + 2min for every additional Km</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="text-align: justify;"> The order of march also affected available artillery support</span><br />
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2S1 had a range of 15.3km or 21.9 km using extended range munitions. 2S3 18.5km and 24km respectively. Based on the scenario presented above a 2S1 Battalion with the Regimental Main Body is:<br />
<ul>
<li> 21km from the CRP, </li>
<li>16km from the Advanced Party</li>
<li>13.5km from the Advanced Party Main Body </li>
</ul>
Given that they are at the front of the Regimental main Body which could be spread over 15km. The doctrine was for the Regimental Artillery group to be held well forward together with the regimental HQ in the order of March, the RHQ so it could deploy forward when contact was expected and for the Guns to be in range of the contact point and deployable quickly.<br />
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on CRP contact available artillery support is as follows:</div>
</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">in Range of the Advance Guards Guns and Mortars on contact, these would take time to deploy and come into action </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">in range of the Main Body's guns at extreme range, if deployed immediately this may put much of the ensuing action out of range, so keeping these moving until the advanced party is committed 15 minutes later puts them 5-7km closer to the action which probably makes sense. On top of this there is deployment time but for SPGs this should be short.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">If the battle is moving in the direction of travel then the period for which the guns are available without displacing will also be affected although this is particularly difficult to represent on a 20mm table top battlefield.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"> All this becomes interesting on a number of counts which can be played out in games</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li>Time Pressure is a key element, if you wish to manouver and retain the initiative time to plan will be short, probably around 7-10 minutes, the plan needs to be simple and this is where templated drills work well to my mind. Creating this time pressure in a game can be difficult ideas include the following:</li>
<ul>
<li>Players might be restricted to this time limitation for planning followed by a fixed deployment time </li>
<li>Players might be given no specific planning time and fixed duration move times. </li>
<li>Players may only be given an overview map with a number of contact locations identified and no indicator of which will be played.</li>
<li>Players might be presented with an initial situation and troop deployment from which the game starts and fixed duration move times.</li>
</ul>
<li>The arrival sequence, timing and grouping of the Soviet forces and the availability of fire support can be built in with variations available if the commander wishes to flank attack.</li>
<li>The relative directions of engagement, so whilst the CRP might contact from the front any of the other groups might hit from a flank.</li>
<li>A multi board game would enable the manouver to play this would be more effective with blinds but would tend to decrease the time pressure as more elapsed time would be needed to move the force elements.</li>
<li>Scenarios could be built against NATO formations expecting or not expecting contact.</li>
</ul>
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</div>
</div>
<b>References:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Books:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army, D Isby, 1988</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics, WP Baxter, 1986</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0080311709/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0080311709&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21&linkId=SVZRKIKPJZEQXUOO">The Race to The Swift, R Simpkin, 1985</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0080312004?tag=cowaga-21&linkCode=sb1&camp=2378&creative=8434">Red God of War, Bellamy, 1986</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0898756103/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0898756103&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21&linkId=QJE5HKNRFQZR5GQL">Offensive Operations, Sidorenko, 1970</a><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0076068285/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0076068285&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21&linkId=5XZLDQNFRVIKKOF2">The Warsaw Pact Arms Doctrine and Strategy</a></span><br />
<br />
<b>Internet:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a183185.pdf" style="text-align: justify;">Tactics the Soviet Way, Rechinko, 1984</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm100-2-2.pdf" style="text-align: justify;">FM 100-2-3 The Soviet Army Troops, Organisation and Equipment </a><br />
<a href="http://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm100-2-1.pdf" style="text-align: justify;">FM 100-2-1 The Soviet Army Operations and Tactics</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/b020594.pdf">The Soviet Motor Rifle Battalion in the Meeting Engagement DTIC</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a076180.pdf" style="text-align: justify;">Tactics of the Soviet Army Regiment DTIC</a><br />
<a href="http://www.steelbeasts.com/plugins/p13_download_manager/getfile.php?categoryid=5&p13_sectionid=19&p13_fileid=1786&p13_versionid=5770">The Soviet Tank Battalion Tactics DIA</a><br />
<a href="http://www.steelbeasts.com/plugins/p13_download_manager/getfile.php?categoryid=5&p13_sectionid=19&p13_fileid=1785&p13_versionid=5769">The Soviet Tank Company Tactics DIA</a><br />
<a href="http://www.steelbeasts.com/plugins/p13_download_manager/getfile.php?categoryid=5&p13_sectionid=19&p13_fileid=1787&p13_versionid=5772">The Soviet Mortrorised Rifle Company DIA</a><br />
<a href="http://www.steelbeasts.com/plugins/p13_download_manager/getfile.php?categoryid=5&p13_sectionid=19&p13_fileid=1788&p13_versionid=5775">The Soviet Motorised Rifle Battalion DIA</a><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Other Posts of Interest:</b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/wargames-unit-late-80-mrb.html">Wargames Unit - Soviet Late 80's MRB</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/soviet-tactics-anti-tank-reserve.html" style="text-align: justify;">Wargames Unit - Soviet MRR, Anti Tank Reserve</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/soviet-motor-rifle-and-tank-regiment-in.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 1 Deployment and ORBAT</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/1980s-soviet-mrr-and-tr-part-3-engineer.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 3 Engineers</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/orbat-1980s-mrr-and-trr-part-4.html" style="text-align: justify;">ORBAT - 1980's Soviet MRR and TRR, Part 4 Artillery</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/ttp-forward-detachments-and-tactical.html">TTP-Soviet Forward Detachments and Tactical Air Assault</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-15124063394282581422015-07-01T19:37:00.000+01:002015-07-01T19:37:06.191+01:00Review - Book, The Race to The Swift, R Simpkin 1985<div style="text-align: justify;">
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The Race to the Swift by Brigadier R Simpkin recieved rave reviews across a range of professional military journals in America and Britain, for good reason, its an excellent treatise on manouvre warfare, focusing more on the operational rather than the tactical it articulated how to do manoeuvre warfare as tought by its three major exponents the Germans, Russians and Israelis. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
His previous explorations of military theory include Red Armour and Deep Battle, the brainchild of Marshal Tukachevski these are both on the wish list and both out of print and commanding high prices this book pulls together a lot of his thinking on Manouver warfare and is generally more accesibly priced having been through a number of reprints.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Part 1 looks at the development of both Blitzkrieg by the Germans and Deep battle by the Soviets with the chapter on the Deep Battle presenting an illuminating view of Soviet Operational theory and its evolution in the post nuclear aeromechanised world. It also alludes to the limiting factors of the Soviet Army to deliver against the genius of the vision. Read in the context of a world that has seen the exposition of some of these visions in elements of the operations of the second Gulf War it underlines the writers gift for understanding where the world was going 15 years before it got there.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Part 2 really gets into the detail and theory of manouver warfare and the concepts that underpin it, central to all this are a number of key elements of the Soviet Deep Battle theory. The author does this through examination of the physics and mathematics of war and explains the detail of how the deep battle would be fought gettng under the skin of the impact of heliborne assault and the fundamental differences between airmobile and parachute delivered forces together with an exposition of why the Soviets identified the need for and delivered a highly mechanised airborne force which fundamentally set about to address the key mathmatical limitations of airborne warfare so often borne out in History.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
He looks at the impact of manoeuvre theory and the effect that it had on force levels that explains the Soviets love affair with deep operations and the encounter battle, theorising on the effectiveness of different types of forces in different roles and the effectiveness of lighter more manouverable elements if their force can be brought to bear via flanking manouvers and envelopment, the concepts that underpined Soviet mobile groups and the later development and evolution of the Operational Manouvre Group. He provides good explanations of complex Soviet military concepts such as simultainaity and the interchangeabiity of firestrikes with physical strikes brought about by the increasing destructiveness of modern indirect fire technologies such as precision guidance and ICMs and the impact of this and developments in communications on future operations.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Book contains a large number of complex ideas and is not a free ride for the reader with a number of the the concepts requiering a deal of thought by the reader to set them in the context of a particular force or even develop a decent understanding of what is being discused. Their are many books that explain the broad tennants of the Soviet way of doing battle to many describe an overly simplistic view of the tactical with no real appreciation for what goes on at the operational level, which is frankly where the Soviets excel. This book focuses exactly on that spot and, in my mind at least, articulates a significant number of ideas that I would love to play out on the table top. How to do that in 20mm in an opperational context is something that could keep me ammused for years.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The purpose of the book is to look at the evolution of future force structures and capability, however in doing this it provides an excellent discusion of both manouver warfare and the Soviet doctrines and force compositions that would be used to deliver there version of it which was probably the best developed theory of manouver warfare when the book was written in 1985 at the backend of the Cold War. This is definately a book thats worth reading and Brigadier Simpkins conversational style conveys some very dry topics in a very consumable way, but the reader still has to work hard to extract the full value and meaning from some complex theoretical military concepts, frankly I think this is one of the must haves and a brilliant book, but perhaps not to everyones taste.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1857531353/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1857531353&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21&linkId=RFHWBHDWANTOQ3U6">Race to the Swift: Thoughts on Twenty-first Century Warfare</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1857531353" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> @ Amazon<br />
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<div>
Other Book Reviews:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/review-book-sovietrussian-armour-and.html">Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design Practices</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/review-book-modern-african-wars-3-south.html">Modern African Wars (3) South West Africa</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/review-book-iron-division-history-of.html">Iron Division, The History of the 3rd Division 1809-1989</a><br />
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-books-air-battle-central-europe.html">Air Battle Central Europe, Alfred Price</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-book-confrontation-strategic.html">Confrontation, The Strategic Geography of NATO and the Warsaw Pact</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces </a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces</a></div>
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<a href="http://oldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html?showComment=1379158881960">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-books-armies-of-natos-central.html">Armies of NATO's Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics">Red Thrust, Central Front</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/review-books-soviet-afghan-war.html">The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army<img alt="" class="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0710603525" height="1" id="blogsy-1386407719431.044" width="1" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/review-books-military-balance.html">The Military Balance</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-books-encyclopaedia-of-modern.html">Encyclopaedia of the Modern British Army</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-book-soviet-conduct-of-tactical.html">The Soviet Conduct of Tactical Manoeuvre</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-first-clash-k-mackesy.html">First Clash</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-third-world-war-general-j.html">The Third World War</a></div>
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<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-books-british-army-in-germany.html">The British Army in Germany</a></div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-17157543149029723552015-06-23T07:37:00.000+01:002015-06-23T07:37:09.221+01:00Terrain - The African Bush of the Angolan Border<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The sparsely populated African bush was both the backdrop for the South African Border War and the geography that shaped the development of the SADF war fighting doctrine and the design of the vehicles that they used to execute it. Their wheeled vehicles that formed the flying column of operation Savannah and many of the later cross border operations of the war had a profound effect on modern doctrine, force structues and vehicle design that now underpins the operating concepts of a variety of wheeled formations fielded by a number of the worlds major powers including the US and China.</div>
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Represening both the visual and military impact of the African bush is a key component to gaming this Cold War conflict effectivly. In many respects it is the impact of terrain and environment on the conflict that marks it apart from the Central Front in Europe. With that in mind I set out to generate a view of what terrain components I would need to represent and recreate this unforgiving environment effectively on the table top.</div>
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The key elements seem to be:<br />
<ul>
<li>A lack of roads and tracks</li>
<li>The flatness of the terrain</li>
<li>The impact on both visibility and manoeuvre of the shrubs and trees that comprised the bush</li>
<li>The seasonality which drove both the operational cycle and the look of the terrain from dry arid to wet green, lush and boggy. </li>
<li>The limited settlement and impact of man</li>
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The ground overwhich the conflict was fought sits within the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropics">tropics </a>and the environment can broadly be categorised as <a href="http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm">tropical savanna</a>. When you use that word it tends to conjour up a view of rolling grass land but it actual covers a variety of eco systems ranging from open grass land to dense woodland and just about everything in between. Unlike central europe the dominant driver in Africas sparsley populated open spaces is less likely to be man and more likly to be fire, the local geology the season and the grazing population.</div>
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Wikipedias entry on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_and_subtropical_grasslands,_savannas,_and_shrublands">tropical and sub tropical grasslands</a> provides links through to a range of eco systems that sit within this area and searching against a range of the terms will lead to an appropriate set of picuters being delivered. Equally study of the terrain in the background to the images of the war is also useful as well as looking at what the modern tourist uploads to google earth.</div>
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I believe their are a number of features worth including for the table top representation of these environments both for their impact on the game and to set the context for conflict in Namibia and Angola these are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Low bush</li>
<li>High bush</li>
<li>Shonnas</li>
<li>Roads</li>
<li>Waterholes</li>
<li>Rivers</li>
<li>Bridges</li>
<li>Termite Mounds</li>
<li>Krals </li>
<li>Koppie</li>
</ul>
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<b>low Bush</b> - Within the immages and the deffininitions of tropical savannah you end up with a variety of vegitation patterns that will affect game play. The grasses seen in the picture above and in the bottom of the two below may provide concealment in the prone position. Whilst the low bush which contains a variety of scruby and often thorny 4" to 6" plants will affect visibility and can conceal both standing figures and smaller vehicles such as Elands and T-54/55. Higher vehicles, Ratels Buffels and Caspirs would be less affected.</div>
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<b>High Bush - </b>For my terrain definitions high bush starts to introduce trees these can be sparsly scattered amoungs low bush where the imact is marginal other than astheic. As the density increases they should affect visibility and manoeuvre, at the upper end they become woodland. Prior to becoming a wood their impact could be to impose a maximum engagement range and speed, which would reflect the fact that you need to work your way through them even in armoured vehicles. Regaurdless of season their always seems to be quite a high degree of dead material which would also need representation.</div>
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<b>Shonnas </b>- I could find no formal definition of Shonnas they are described in a number of texts as open areas, which I have assumed were free of Bush cover, the two pictures below illustrate what this might look like. They also seemed to be associated with soft sand and boggy ground around rivers and streams so could come with game effects around probability of bogging in.</div>
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<b>Roads</b> - what passes as a road in the African bush can cover a variety of options from vehicle trafficed unmade tracks through to more familiar tarmaced roads. from a review of maps and immages they do seem to have a tendancy to run straight probably due to limited obsticles to dodge.</div>
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<b>Waterholes</b> - these dont really affect the action but can break up an otherwise uniform terrain and provide some African context. Having said that you'd rather expect the grazing population to "do one" as soon as the shooting started.<br />
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<b>Rivers and Streams </b>Were generally few and far between in the operational area, but dominated manoeuvre in the battles fought in the clossing stages of the War around Cuito Cuineval around which the action of Operations Modular and Hooper played out. They could play a significant role in shaping both manouver and the contact points between the forces due to the limited crossing points and this is born out in a number of texts on the war. Significant areas of reduced mobility including boggy and flooded ground could extend the crossing problems particularly in the wet season. </div>
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<b>Bridges</b> - Bridges are bridges the world over but for my African games I think I am looking for a couple of types. The Ex military Baily bridge and the simple concrete or wooden bridge are both fairly evocative of the third world.</div>
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<b>Termite Mounds</b> - One of the few tactical significant insects is the termite, the mounds are large, can provide cover and in a broadly flat terrain offer a vantage point for dismounted troops, they are mentioned in a number of texts and seem worthy of representation. Not sure whether the ocupants object to people standing on their homes or indeed shooting them up.</div>
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<b>krals</b> - are traditional small scale settlements scattered around the area. They incorperated a degree of protection for a family group or indeed small group of families. As with all things in the modern age these could be of all traditional construction or mixing traditional building methods with more modern materials. Equally the lifestyles of the occupants could be traditonal or mixed. In gameing terms these can represent an activity focus for patrols or just form part of the more general terrain.</div>
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<b>Koppie -</b> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monadnock">an isolated rock outcrop</a> or small hill common on the affrican veldt less common in the Southern Angolan operational area from most of the literature I have consumed to date. They always struck me as an interesting idea for a terrain feature. </div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Africa/Skukuza_kopje.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Africa/Skukuza_kopje.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Clearly a variety of terrain types were fought over and a range of terain components are needed to create a representation on the table top to represent the environments and ground that was fought over.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Africa/5bff56d5f60a5a4bf1e14dbc316fc7df_zpswag8on3n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Africa/5bff56d5f60a5a4bf1e14dbc316fc7df_zpswag8on3n.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Topographic Maps</b>, oddly enough as the Border war was fought at the back end of the Cold War both the US and the Soviets developed fairly extensive mapping of the area. The maps are available to download free or at low cost on line. <a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/en--jog--250k--se34-01--1979--S016-00_E018-00--S017-00_E019-30_zps3karwalr.jpg">Mapstore </a>one of the pay to download services offers an excellent preview capability which might be good enough and is very easy to navigate to specific locations if you have a rough idea of where they are. Examination of this data can give you a good general feel for the topography either generally or for specific battle sites.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/ru--gs--200k--xe34-08--S016-40_E019-00--S017-20_E020-00_zpslhprpksv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/ru--gs--200k--xe34-08--S016-40_E019-00--S017-20_E020-00_zpslhprpksv.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Soviet Maps take a little more effort to work out where you are but once you have cracked that their 1:200,000 Maps have quite a reasonable level of detail, a quick purusal is enough to understand, its flat, the road/track network is sparce and major rivers are a potential problem.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/en--jog--250k--se34-01--1979--S016-00_E018-00--S017-00_E019-30_zps3karwalr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/en--jog--250k--se34-01--1979--S016-00_E018-00--S017-00_E019-30_zps3karwalr.jpg" height="320" width="310" /></a></div>
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The US Maps are a little easier to use however at 1:250,000 the coverage is less good and they are a 1973 survey as opposed to a 1980 survey, not that I suspect a lot changed in the bush in 7 years. Both the US and Soviet Map sets can be found and downloaded I find the pay to use sites are slightly better organised and easier to find and use. The charges are relativly low with individual sheets for $1, whole sets tend to come in at $10-$15. Soviet Map coverage of the central front from the same source is also very good.<br />
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I must add that I have never been to any of these place and that my experience of them has been derived from reading, reviewing immages and looking at maps. If any with more physical experience of environment have views on what aspects of the bush impacted the fighting and should be represented in a gameing context please feel free to contribute. The next couple of posts in this series will focus on towns and villages with a look at building styles as well as examening how to build the terrain to acheive the requiered table top effect.<br />
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References:<br />
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On Line:<br />
<a href="https://mapstor.com/map-sets/country-maps/angola.html#gs--200k--(1980-1980)--preview">Mapstore Topographic Maps of Angola</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/african_savanna.htm">Blueplanet Biomes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/savannah_grassland_rev1.shtml">BBC Savvana Grasslands</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_and_subtropical_grasslands,_savannas,_and_shrublands">Wikkipedia Sub Tropical Savvana</a><br />
<a href="http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150069/">Angolan Moepane Woodland</a><br />
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Books:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0624054101/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0624054101&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21" style="text-align: justify;">The SADF Border War 1966-1989, L Scholtz</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1920169008/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1920169008&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Borderstrike,W Steenkamp</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909982016/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1909982016&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">South Africa's Border War 1966 - 1989 H Helmoed-Romer</a><br />
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<br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-45914414861862213332015-06-14T15:54:00.001+01:002015-06-15T07:30:22.827+01:00Review Model - ACE 1/72, AML 90 Armoured Car<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/138604-b_zpsx5nnouot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/138604-b_zpsx5nnouot.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_AML">AML -245</a> Armoured Car was developed in the late 50's as a private venture, over 6,000 were produced and it has been fielded by over 50 Nations participating along the way in a range of Cold War conflicts including;<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Border_War">South African Border War</a>, </li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War">Falklands War</a>, </li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanese_Civil_War">Lebanese Civil War</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_War">Six Day War</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur_War">Yom Kippur War</a>. </li>
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It was employed by a number of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO">NATO</a> nations noteably the French, Spanish and Portuguese as well as being widely employed in Africa. Initially armed with a 60mm breach loading mortar driven by French experience in the Algerian war, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Defence_Force">SADF</a> requested an upgrade to a more effective Anti Amour and direct fire support weapon and the AML90 was born, it was produced under licence in South Africa. In SADF service it was known as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eland_Mk7">Eland</a> and as a result of operational experience received a number of upgrades primarily to automotive components. The vehicles were operated both by 1<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_Special_Service_Battalion"> Special Service Battalion</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/61_Mechanised_Battalion_Group">61 Mech Battalion Group</a> and Squadrons could find themselves attached to a variety of organisations for both internal and external operations. </div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/ca636f2a876c_zpsk80pm3a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/ca636f2a876c_zpsk80pm3a4.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
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The model comes packaged with both etched brass components and rubber wheels, truly a multi medi event. Whilst it suffers from the usual fit and flash issues associated with ACE kits it seemed less of an issue than other models I have built such as the orignal production runs of the <a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/model-reviews-ace-bmp-2.html">BMP 1 and 2</a>. To some extent this is due to its small size, and the fact it is a wheeled vehicle both of which dramaticaly reduce the number of parts and mean that assembling two in one day was not a major challenge, something of a revelation with ACE Kits.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/Slide1_zpsffzwpjnh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/Slide1_zpsffzwpjnh.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Assembly was generally straight forward with the usual caveats around preping components and testing fit before assembly, which will always bite you with ACE kits. The principal challenge was assembling the wheels and getting them to sit correctly with relation to the models wheel arches. For the assembly of the wheels I found that Fitting the Tyre to half the wheel hub then adding glue and inserting the other half was a lot easier than assembling the hub and then trying to fit the tyre. Getting the wheel to sit in an acceptable position just requiers a degree of experimentaion in getting the wheel arm in the right place, painful but not a killer. The rest cetainly in terms of ACE was a breeze.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/Eland-90_zpsugbnc7tg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/Eland-90_zpsugbnc7tg.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are a number of stowage and equipment ideas that popped out of a review of the available photos. The Eland in the later Mks had an external stowage box added and the engine decks redesigned and this can be seen in detail in a very useful <a href="http://www.net-maquettes.com/pictures/eland-90-mk7-walkaround/">net maquetts walk round</a>. The Mk 7 also seemed to use a larger cupola. As the turret for the AML 90 is a common component with their <a href="https://www.scalemates.com/kits/138607-ace-72416-erc-90-f1-lynx">ERC-90 Lynx model</a> ACE include parts for this cupola.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/Angola2_zps1hcbcr1l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/Angola2_zps1hcbcr1l.jpg" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
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On operations Elands are shown with a fairly consistant set of stowage this included packs and tarpaulins around the turret rear and sides and a tarpaulin in the sand chanels, most pictures also show a .30 fitted between the commander and the driver.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/f7fd74e5c5aaeaf5e85f212c0acf363c_zpsyp4vlaji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/f7fd74e5c5aaeaf5e85f212c0acf363c_zpsyp4vlaji.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/25fed52cc52c587488bcdd1e4a5f9d69_zpslozgjym7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/25fed52cc52c587488bcdd1e4a5f9d69_zpslozgjym7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I added the following features to my models;</div>
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<ul>
<li>The turret stowage box using plasticard strips. </li>
<li>The cuppola seen on the Mk 7 using the ERC -90 Lynx cupola supplied in the kit</li>
<li>The pintle mount .30 using a .30 from the spares box, although Elhiem and S&S produce .30s that would fit the bill.</li>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2590_zpsipdnorxn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2590_zpsipdnorxn.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2588_zpskenxh9lf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2588_zpskenxh9lf.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>The tarpaulins seen in the sand channels using green stuff.</li>
<li>58 pattern webbing large packs and Sleeping bags externally stowed on the turret using cut down Goffy US WW2 packs and some of their modern stowage items. </li>
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Photographs of SADF AFV crews show them wearing a helmet very similar to the UK crew guard helmet so I used a number of <a href="http://eshop.friendshipmodels.org.uk/WFM72054-1/72nd-scale-Modern-British-AFV-Crew-for-Warrior-or-Challenger">Wee Friends Modern British AFV</a> crews to crew the vehicle.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/11232992_969754013058651_5203760912406883977_n_zpshryieptu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/11232992_969754013058651_5203760912406883977_n_zpshryieptu.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2597_zps9ptixgmq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2597_zps9ptixgmq.jpg" height="330" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2596_zpsjuduau8p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2596_zpsjuduau8p.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></a>Whilst few pictures show any form of markings on the AMLs, I have found one or two which show call signs painted on the turret sides, these follow the usual pattern of:<br />
<ul>
<li>Number (Squadron) </li>
<li>Number (Troop) </li>
<li>Letter (Vehicle) </li>
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I now have picture sources with vehicles showing markings on the turret side either towards the front or the rear of the turret. I have managed to source a few decal sets with white letters and numbers one from <a href="http://www.pendraken.co.uk/DEC-LW-100-p7077/">Pendraken Miniatures</a> and the other from eBay. I added call signs to the turret sides forward of the commanders/gunners hatch for all my vehicles.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/images-6_zpsetnr5zci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/images-6_zpsetnr5zci.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/LW-100_zpsn1sllt4n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/LW-100_zpsn1sllt4n.jpg" height="210" width="400" /></a></div>
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I airbrushed the vehicles using Tamiya paints starting with a heavy black pre shade on the lower hull followed by Flat Brown over the whole vehicle, the panels are picked out in desert yellow before overspraying the whole hull in Flat Earth which is a good colour match. The tyres, periscopes and .30 Cal MGs have been painted with Vallejo Black Grey and headlights with Skygrey</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2621_zpsgkpyps7h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2621_zpsgkpyps7h.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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The detail was picked out with a pin wash of humbrols enamel dark brown wash. The Tyres were washed on the sides with buff and dry brushed on the tops by a mix of Vallejo Khaki and Buff following <a href="http://modellingarticles.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/how-to-paint-wheels.html">Mig Jemez's rather handy tyre painting guide</a>. They were then washed with a dilute mix of brown and black grey and the whole process repeated until the desired effect was achieved. The vehicles were lightly weathered using chipping to intimate the beating they took from the Bush, once basing was complete the whole was given a light dusting of a lightened mixture of Tamya Khaki and white.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2700_zpsilrnajkr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2700_zpsilrnajkr.jpg" height="598" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Vehicle is based on a pre cut MDF base from <a href="http://shop.eastridingminiatures.co.uk/">East Riding miniatures</a> which has been covered in sand and white glue and painted in a yellow ocher colour before drybrushing with a range of Vallejo Buff and Mid Stone. With the Elands I added additional rocks painted Vallejo mid stone. I washed parts of the base in Games workshop sepia wash to provide a little more variety. As we'll as the normal range of basing materials, static grass and tufts of various sizes from 2mm to 6mm, I also added a representation of the low thorn brush plants using Horse Hair which has been threaded into holes drilled in the base glued trimmed and then dry brushed with Vajello light Flesh.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2702_zpsv9ahcp5v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2702_zpsv9ahcp5v.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The critical bit with the base is to create a different colour to the wagon, the challenge being with the all brown palette is to get sufficient tonal variation to make it all look interesting. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2703_zpsbukbgid3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Eland/IMG_2703_zpsbukbgid3.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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All up a very good little model, sadly both this and the AML 60 are increasingly difficult to find about the only place left being eBay as far as I can see, so something thats probably more difficult to buy than build.<br />
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References:<br />
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Internet:<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMT_WqpKAhQ" style="text-align: justify;">Eland 90 in action video</a><br />
<a href="http://www.net-maquettes.com/pictures/eland-90-mk7-walkaround/">Eland 90 Walk around</a><br />
<a href="http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/NEW/coldwar/South_Africa/Eland_90.php">Eland Vehicle History and Upgrades</a><br />
<a href="http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/jean_thomas_rembert/aml-90/">AML 90 Walk Around Prime Portal</a><br />
<a href="http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=3738">AML 90 Walk Around Armourama</a><br />
<a href="https://www.scalemates.com/kits/138604-ace-72413-aml-90">AML 90 on Scalemates</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eland_Mk7">Eland Mk 7 Wikipedia</a><br />
<br />
Books:<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html" style="text-align: start;">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0624054101/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0624054101&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21" style="text-align: justify;">The SADF Border War 1966-1989, L Scholtz</a><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1920169008/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1920169008&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Borderstrike,W Steenkamp</a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909982016/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1909982016&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">South Africa's Border War 1966 - 1989 H Helmoed-Romer</a></div>
<br />
Modeling:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://modellingarticles.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/how-to-paint-wheels.html">How to Paint Wheels</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.scalemodellingnow.com/tbfinishing-armourpaintchipping">Paint Chipping</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://imperialarmour.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/taco-tutorials-pre-oil-prep-weathering.html">Tacobats Paint Chipping Guide</a></div>
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<br />Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-7312095411415123982015-06-06T07:57:00.000+01:002015-06-06T07:57:13.917+01:00Review - Book, Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design practice, 1945 to present<br />
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This is frankly an outstanding reference work if you are interested in post war soviet military vehicles and artillery systems, sadly this is reflected in its price and availability. Written by two of the worlds leading experts and drawing on a wide range of sources that became available at the end of the Cold War as the Russians sought to export their technology and needed to more widely publish its capabilities to the world. </div>
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The book covers;</div>
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<ul>
<li>Evolution of Soviet/Russian Tanks</li>
<li>Anti Armour Developments</li>
<li>Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles</li>
<li>Armoured Airborne Vehicles</li>
<li>Self Propelled Artillery</li>
<li>Towed Artillery</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/T-72B/t1_zps4c9f70ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/Soviets/T-72B/t1_zps4c9f70ba.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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The principal component of the book is the evolution of Soviet/Russian Tanks which covers its subject in significant detail looking at both the major production models and the main prototypes it includes their evolution through the various marks and provides good coverage of the enhancements introduced. Through it all runs the broad thread of the design strategy and vision. The focus is very much on post war tanks and includes:</div>
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<ul>
<li>post war production of the T-34/85</li>
<li>early post war medium tank production T-54/55/62</li>
<li>Soviet Post War Heavy Tank Design</li>
<li>Soviet Post War Light Tanks</li>
<li>Second Generation Tank Development T-64/72/80</li>
</ul>
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The sections on Anti Armour developments, Armoured Infantry Vehicles and Airborne vehicles traces a similar story through these sets of vehicles. Whilst the level of detail presented is extremly useful the breadth of Armoured vehicle types covered inevitably mean this is less than that provided within the tank story.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/2s5_giatsint_l3_zps77f4009e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/2s5_giatsint_l3_zps77f4009e.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The section on artillery is both comprehensive and provides good coverage and technical detail on all the systems covered again tracing the evolution of the design concepts through the systems that were developed, the focus is delivered against system type looking at SPGs, Gun Mortars, MRLs, free flight rockets and ballistic missiles. Of note its not just about the delivery system. The Soviets designed for end to end engagement concepts in artillery; target acquisition, delivery and supply so the book includes a range of specilist logistic and support vehicles as well as command and observation post vehicles. The one noteable ommision under the artillery title to my mind is Air Defence systems although this may be more a reflection of the organisation of the the Soviet Armed forces, sadly this misses the oppourtunity to explore an area where the Soviets may well have outperformed the west.</div>
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At the end the authors provide an overview of the design philosophy which really highlights the technology push component of the Soviet approach and enables one to contrast this with the more requirements lead approaches of the western world. In Summary a superb book, that can be read cover to cover or dipped into as required, it contains a wealth of data that I have not come across elsewhere particularly in relation to the performance of armour. The sting in the tale is the price, at £130 on Amazon its not a cheap. If you can afford it, its worth buying if you see it for less than £50 don't even think about it, just buy it, great book.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1892848015/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1892848015&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Soviet/Russian Armour and Artillery Design practice, 1945 to present</a> @ Amazon<br />
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<div>
Other Book Reviews:</div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/review-book-modern-african-wars-3-south.html">Review-Book, Modern African Wars (3) South West Africa</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Review-Book, Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/review-book-iron-division-history-of.html">Review-Book, Iron Division, The History of the 3rd Division 1809-1989</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/review-book-rats-tails-royal-scots-in.html">Review-Book, Rats Tales and Royal Scots in The Gulf</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/review-books-warpaint-volumes-1-4.html">Review-Books, Warpaint, Colours and Markings of British Army Vehicles 1903-2003, Volumes 1-4</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-books-air-battle-central-europe.html">Review-Book, Air Battle Central Europe, Alfred Price</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-book-confrontation-strategic.html">Review- Book, Confrontation, The Strategic Geography of NATO and the Warsaw Pact</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/review-book-mil-mi-8mi17-rotary-wing.html">Review - Book, Mil Mi 8/Mi - 17 Rotary Wing Work Horse and War Horse</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">Review - Book, A History of Soviet Airborne Forces </a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html">Review - Book, Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://oldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html?showComment=1379158881960">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-books-armies-of-natos-central.html">Armies of NATO's Central Front</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics">Red Thrust, Central Front</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/review-books-soviet-afghan-war.html">The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army<img alt="" class="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0710603525" height="1" id="blogsy-1386407719431.044" width="1" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/review-books-military-balance.html">The Military Balance</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-books-encyclopaedia-of-modern.html">Encyclopaedia of the Modern British Army</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-book-soviet-conduct-of-tactical.html">The Soviet Conduct of Tactical Manoeuvre</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-first-clash-k-mackesy.html">First Clash</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-third-world-war-general-j.html">The Third World War</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-books-british-army-in-germany.html">The British Army in Germany</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/flag.jpg" height="106" id="blogsy-1386407719475.6536" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/cowaga-21">The Cold War Bookstore contains links to over 60 Cold War titles covered in my book list</a></div>
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<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" height="20" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-28683571989370467402015-05-28T06:23:00.002+01:002015-05-28T22:34:32.377+01:00Review Book - Modern African Wars (3) South West Africa<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/51AbW8KfkSL_zpssdxucjpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/51AbW8KfkSL_zpssdxucjpi.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
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On the essential reading list for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Border_War">SA Border War</a> is the Osprey Modern African Wars (3) by <a href="http://www.shephardmedia.com/author/helmoed-romer-heitman/">Helmoed Romer Heitman</a> a writer eminently qualified to pen the title. The title contains a set of useful uniform colour plates covering a fairly wide range of SADF uniforms but with more limited coverage of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWAPO">SWAPO/PLAN</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNITA">UNITA</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_for_the_Liberation_of_Angola">FAPLA</a> uniform detail, additionally it contains a wealth of useful information that make it an ideal primer on the SA Border War this includes:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A broad timeline of the conflict which covers the main political and military events from the occupation of German South West Africa by South African forces in 1915 through to the end of the conflict. This names all the major South African external opperations together with commentary on the evolution of SWAPOs tactical doctrine and operational statistics for each year. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A Review of the Organisational Structure andd equipment of the various different elements of the SADF including:</li>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">32 Bn</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">61 Mech Bn Group</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">1 Para Bn</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Marienes</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">SAAF</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">SWATF</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">SWASpes</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Modular Bns</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Kovete</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">SWA Protection Unit</li>
</ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A Short Overview on the principal Angolan Forces covering at a high level UNITA and FAPLA</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A Short overview of SWAPO/PLAN,</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A Review of the Major external operations adding brief descriptive detail to that provided in the timeline</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A description of the Colour plates which includes a look at both Unit and Rank insignia</li>
</ul>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This book provides in a very consumable fashion enough of an overview of the conflict to get you started on the period with limited effort. As might be expected this has a South African perspective and coverage of the SADF forms the bulk of the content. Despite this it is a good primer for use before engageing in further internet research or reading some of the more weighty tomes that cover the political and military history at a greater level of detail. </div>
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The book was recently reprinted, prior to that copies were reaching prices of £60 - £90 now its back in easy reach with a second hand copy on Amazon currently commanding a sum of £4.50 at this price it really is a steal, particularly if you are new to the period and the conflict and want to get your teeth into it in a hurry. </div>
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/185532122X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=185532122X&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Modern African Wars (3) South West Africa @ Amazon</a><br />
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<br />
<div>
Other Book Reviews:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-book-red-god-of-war-soviet.html">Review-Book, Red God of War, Soviet Artillery and Rocket Forces</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/review-book-iron-division-history-of.html">Review-Book, Iron Division, The History of the 3rd Division 1809-1989</a><br />
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-book-janes-armour-and-artillery.html">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/review-book-rats-tails-royal-scots-in.html">Rats Tales and Royal Scots in The Gulf</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/review-books-warpaint-volumes-1-4.html">Warpaint, Colours and Markings of British Army Vehicles 1903-2003, Volumes 1-4</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-books-air-battle-central-europe.html">Air Battle Central Europe, Alfred Price</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-book-confrontation-strategic.html">Confrontation, The Strategic Geography of NATO and the Warsaw Pact</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/review-book-mil-mi-8mi17-rotary-wing.html">Mil Mi 8/Mi - 17 Rotary Wing Work Horse and War Horse</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces </a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/review-book-history-of-soviet-airborne.html">A History of Soviet Airborne Forces</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://oldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/review-book-soviet-tactical-aviation.html?showComment=1379158881960">Soviet Tactical Aviation</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-books-armies-of-natos-central.html">Armies of NATO's Central Front</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics">Red Thrust, Central Front</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/review-books-soviet-afghan-war.html">The Soviet Afghan War, How a Super Power Fought and Lost</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-weapons-and-tactics-of.html">Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army<img alt="" class="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0710603525" height="1" id="blogsy-1386407719431.044" width="1" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/review-books-soviet-airland-battle.html">Soviet Air Land Battle Tactics</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/review-books-military-balance.html">The Military Balance</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/review-books-encyclopaedia-of-modern.html">Encyclopaedia of the Modern British Army</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-book-soviet-conduct-of-tactical.html">The Soviet Conduct of Tactical Manoeuvre</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-first-clash-k-mackesy.html">First Clash</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/review-books-third-world-war-general-j.html">The Third World War</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/review-books-british-army-in-germany.html">The British Army in Germany</a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
<a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/cowaga-21">The Cold War Bookstore contains links to over 60 Cold War titles covered in my book list</a></div>
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-55192326982295724822015-05-19T23:58:00.001+01:002015-05-21T05:38:20.202+01:00Review Model - S&S 1/72 South African Buffel<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/10533444_868361043175815_5822119836192728340_n_zpsu2exiunn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/10533444_868361043175815_5822119836192728340_n_zpsu2exiunn.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffel">Buffel</a> was introduced into the SADF in 1978 to provide mine protected transport. They were used within mechanised units to transport support elements such as pioners and in the non mechanised units they provided a basic transport capability for the rifle companies whilst support weapons traveled in a mix of Buffles and soft skin vehicles. They were used by units of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/44_Parachute_Brigade_(South_Africa)">44 Para Bde</a>, and equiped, the Modular and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_West_African_Territorial_Force">SWATF</a>, battalions as well as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32_Battalion_(South_Africa)">32 Battalion</a>. 6 Buffels took part in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Reindeer">Op Reindeer </a>in May of 78 as part of Task force Julliet and they saw extensive service on both internal and external operations throughout the remainder of the War.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/1231927353_buffel_pe_4_secresize_zpselqgcmnj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/1231927353_buffel_pe_4_secresize_zpselqgcmnj.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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The vehicle is quintessentially Border War so much so that personally I don't see the point in gaming the conflict with out it. It was an evolution of the ideas from the early mine protected vehicles deployed in Rhodesia and its heritage lives on in the wide variety of MRAPs used globally today.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/nor10b_zpsfjhsvjy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/nor10b_zpsfjhsvjy3.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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For years the only representation of this in 20mm was produced by <a href="http://www.30degreessouth.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/39/products_id/133/osCsid/3f5fabaed1e2f248a79d1cfbe7ccb3f8">Bax Models</a> which comes in at £27, costly if you want to deploy them in reasonable numbers and a time consuming build. In January this year Shaun at <a href="http://www.sandsmodels.com/">S&S </a>had one mastered by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ambnmodelismo?fref=photo">AMBN Modelisimo</a> and a couple of weeks ago I got my hands on 4 pre release versions.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2561_zpsy4eiwd5i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2561_zpsy4eiwd5i.jpg" height="640" width="528" /></a></div>
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The model is a resin and white metal kit that builds into an excellent representation of this vehicle. A difficult task given the very open nature of the underside of the vehicle and one which has been put together extremely well by the team at AMBN Modellisimo and S&S. Essentially the hull is modelled in resin less the side access panels, seat rests, role bars and the chassis which are cast in white metal.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2564_2_zpslnx7uac3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2564_2_zpslnx7uac3.jpg" height="400" width="380" /></a></div>
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The white metal components were well cast with little to no flash and the hull side panels are very finely cast. The underside of the resin hull has some pin and sink holes but these are easily filled whilst the upper structure is generaly excellent.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2569_zpsuyr6qlzr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2569_zpsuyr6qlzr.jpg" height="326" width="400" /></a></div>
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The effort on putting this baby together comes in the need to reduce both the length and the thickness of the plinth at the base of the V Shaped hull that allows the vehicle to sit on the chassis. I Had a number of goes and have got to a reasonably satisfactory state but will probably try and do better next time round. </div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/Buffel_Mk_I_zpsrtscu7gw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/Buffel_Mk_I_zpsrtscu7gw.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/buffel01_zpsapvvncsc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/buffel01_zpsapvvncsc.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
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The hull of the vehicle sits just above the chassis and the nose of the hull almost touches the bush guard. in this position, the spare wheel is close to the troop compartment and the rising slope of the rear hull panel starts close to the rear axle, <a href="http://www.primeportal.net/apc/chris_baxter/buffel/">Prime Portal</a> has a useful walk round guide. I would recommend the following approach to assembly:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Fill lower hull defects</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Assemble chassis less spare wheel and engine cover</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">File hull base plinth under hull and driver cab (Electric Sander and Mask are useful) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Fit hull to chasis</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Fit remaining chasis parts, spare wheel and engine cover</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Fit Hull parts, Seat Back, Roll Bar, </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Fit Side panels last</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Admire</li>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2571_zpsijs6gpv5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2571_zpsijs6gpv5.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
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This provides time for the various bits to dry and reduces the chance of damaging the white metal parts on the hull. Adding the side pannels last prevents them getting bent whilst you attempt some of the other tasks.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/buffel_27_of_40_zpsy11bzz8a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/buffel_27_of_40_zpsy11bzz8a.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I could find no standard reference books but there are plenty of images and references on the web. In service pictures of the vehicle show a few things worth adding as part of stowing and crewing the wagon. I have seen no real evidence of significant external stowage as there were few places to locate it and plenty of oppourtunity for it to get removed whilst driving through the Bush. The vehicles had a 100 Liter Water and 200 Liter Fuel tank - so no jerry cans needed. and the large rear panier looked like it held the bulk of the sections kit.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2574_zps9bqvkolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2574_zps9bqvkolo.jpg" height="400" width="340" /></a></div>
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I have added the rear panier to all my vehicles and built this from plasticard and brass rod.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2578_zps0qnl9rkp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2578_zps0qnl9rkp.jpg" height="400" width="357" /></a></div>
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Ammo boxes seem to be added to the front and some vehicles support an MG either a .30 Cal Browning or an FN Mag, Brownings are seen with and without shields <a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3067791-GUN02-US-30cal-Air-Cooled-MMG.html">Elheim</a> make a very useful .30 which can be used for this.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/1231927353_equip_00005a_zpszlkess6d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/1231927353_equip_00005a_zpszlkess6d.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></div>
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Crewing open topped vehicles looks good when the troops are mounted and can look a bit silly when they are dismounted.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2584_zps8b4wfufq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2584_zps8b4wfufq.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2581_zpsa4c3ltyj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2581_zpsa4c3ltyj.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have gone for sabot bases for my crew allowing them to be removed handy for painting and gaming. </div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/500x221_zpstaybhxii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/500x221_zpstaybhxii.jpg" height="282" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used <a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/cat_815884-Israel.html">Elhiems IDF figures</a> part of the Middle East and Africa range which are very good for 80's SADF being armed with the Galil (R4/5 many thanks Mike!) and wearing the kevlar helmet with no body armour. Crew figures are a handy use for the Uzi armed figures which would otherwise be bound for the bin. The challenge with Matt's figures is cutting them in half as the alloy used is quite hard, a saw and vice are a little essential.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/3vqGAp6_zpsndbywb1w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/3vqGAp6_zpsndbywb1w.jpg" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/proteabladkiekie23_zpsqp61fiy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/proteabladkiekie23_zpsqp61fiy3.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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For Markings I am using various sets of white numbers and letters which can be seen applied on the front sides and rear of vehicles although size and location seem inconsitant, I assume these are the vehicles Radio C/S. Other obvious markings include vehicle registration numbers front and back which appear generaly as white letters/numbers on a black back ground.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/wbuffel7xq_zpsanvl9tgf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/wbuffel7xq_zpsanvl9tgf.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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The vehicles are painted an Earth brown which always looks lite in tone in pictures due I assume to the amount of light on the subject and the effects of dust. I have used Tamiya paints starting with a heavy black pre shade on the lower hull followed by Flat Brown over the whole vehicle, the panels are picked out in desert yellow before overspraying the whole hull in Flat Earth which is a good colour match. <br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2621_zpsgkpyps7h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2621_zpsgkpyps7h.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2638_zpsrhcvvagv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2638_zpsrhcvvagv.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2632_zpsbo5ipbiv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2632_zpsbo5ipbiv.jpg" height="640" width="542" /></a></div>
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The tyres and windows have been painted with Vallejo Black Grey. The Tyres being washed on the sides with buff and dry brushed on the tops by a mix of Vallejo Khaki and Buff following <a href="http://modellingarticles.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/how-to-paint-wheels.html">Mig Jemez's rather handy tyre painting guide</a>. The Pin wash used Humbrol Dark Brown Wash and the Vehicle was dry brushed using Vallejo Buff. </div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2635_zpsvhvsympr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2635_zpsvhvsympr.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Vehicle is based on a pre cut MDF base from <a href="http://shop.eastridingminiatures.co.uk/">East Riding miniatures</a> which has been covered in sand and white glue and painted in a yellow ocher colour before drybrushing with a range of Vallejo Buff and Mid Stone. The critical bit with the base is to create a different colour to the wagon, the challenge being with the all brown palette is to get sufficient tonal variation to make it all look interesting. The woody brush plants are created using Horse Hair which has been threaded into holes drilled in the base glued then trimmed.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2636_zpst4eyrzir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2636_zpst4eyrzir.jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
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The Buffel model is an excellent edition to S&S's growing Bush War range of vehicles and fills a mutch need hole in the list of available affordable war-games models for this conflict and one I have been waiting to see for at least 4 years if not longer, Top job :)</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2644_zps0vu2ssxt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/Buffle/IMG_2644_zps0vu2ssxt.jpg" height="350" width="640" /></a></div>
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References:</div>
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<a href="http://www.primeportal.net/apc/chris_baxter/buffel/index.php?Page=1">Prime Portal Walk Around</a><br />
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Books:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0624054101/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0624054101&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">The SADF Border War 1966-1989, L Scholtz</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1920169008/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1920169008&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Borderstrike,W Steenkamp</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909982016/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1909982016&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">South Africa's Border War 1966 - 1989 H Helmoed-Romer</a></div>
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Web;<br />
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<a href="http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product1080.html">Army Guide Buffel</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sa-transport.co.za/military/armoured_personnel_carriers_1.html">SA Transport Buffel</a><br />
<a href="http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/44/t/85166.aspx?sort=DESC">Fine scale modeller 1/35 Scratchbuild Buffel</a><br />
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Modelling Guides:<br />
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<a href="http://modellingarticles.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/how-to-paint-wheels.html">How to Paint Wheels</a><br />
<a href="http://www.scalemodellingnow.com/tbfinishing-armourpaintchipping">Paint Chipping</a></div>
<br />Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-29093391630089310322015-05-03T09:14:00.000+01:002015-05-20T21:47:05.737+01:00Cold War Proxy Conflicts - The South African Border War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Throughout the Cold War a number of hot conflicts ocurred that served as places for both sides to engage each other with out direct conflict, effictivly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_proxy_wars">wars by proxy</a>, these generally came in a couple of varieties.</div>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/South_Africa_Flag_Map_1915_-_1990_South_West_Africa_zpswzyhsk5t.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/South_Africa_Flag_Map_1915_-_1990_South_West_Africa_zpswzyhsk5t.png" height="170" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Where one side was engaged directly, the other side supported the opposition such as Afganistan and Vietnam. </li>
<li>If neither side were involved then each side might sponser one of the protagonists the Arab Israeli Wars are a good example and the South African Border War/Angolan Civil War another.</li>
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/cuba-flag_zpsetpxsags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/BorderWar/cuba-flag_zpsetpxsags.jpg" height="98" width="200" /></a></div>
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I have long been interested in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Border_War">South African Border War</a> but have never really posted on it. The conflict developed around <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_South-West_Africa">German South West Africa</a> which the South Africans administered on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Nations">Leauge of Nations</a> mandate after Germany lost its overseas territories at the end of the First World War.</div>
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The territory formed South Africas Northern border with Angolo and the disintegration of the <a href="http://arlequinsworld.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-portuguese-army-in-angola.html">Portuguese colonial prescence in Angolo</a> in the mid to late 70's and the subsequent Cuban/Soviet support for the FAPLA faction in Angola, set the scene for a complex and interwoven set of conflicts that collectivly became known as the Border War and included:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">The Angolan Civil War between FAPLA, UNITA and the FNLA</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The SWAPO led insurgency against South African occupation of Namibia</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The ANC insurgency against aparthied in South Africa</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The clashes between the SADF and the Cubans supporting the various factions in the Angolan Civil War.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Various other post colonial conflicts such as the Rhodesian Bush War.</li>
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The war was prolonged running from 1966 - 1989 and was seen by many as one of the significant Cold War engagements between Communist and Western ideologies or at least thats how it evolved, complicated by the inability of the West to be seen to directly support the South African regime because of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid">aparthied</a>.</div>
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The conflict itself had strong flavours of insugency, counter insurgency, civil war and more conventional war fighting operations and is of interest to me for a number of reasons.</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">The range of different types engagements that occurred across a broad spectrum of conflict.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The evolving South African doctrine for both counter insurgency and more conventional war fighting. Which increasingly leveraged concepts from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boer_Commando">Boer Commando</a> heritage.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The employment of Airborne and Air Assault troops as components of highly mobile operations.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The impact of space and lower population densities which produced a very different style of conflict to that seen on the central front.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The development of a range of rather unique indiginously produced military equipment by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armscor_(South_Africa)">Armscor</a> for South Africa in the face of a global arms embargo.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The range of Soviet military equipment deployed which enables re-use of a significant component of my Soviet Cold War Central Front collection together with elements of my Soviet WW2 collection.</li>
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I started collecting the books, models and terrain a few years back, but at the time there were a number of significant gaps, in particular no one made a cost effective Buffle and a number of the better books had been out of print and were becoming prohibitavly expensive. </div>
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Recently a number of these books have been re released notably, Steenkamps <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1920169008/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1920169008&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Borderstrike</a> and the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909982016/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1909982016&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Border War</a>, together with <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/185532122X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=185532122X&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Ospreys Modern African Wars 3</a> - all pretty much essential reading. On top of this more material is becoming available on the web and there are some superb Web Sites and Facebook pages such as the <a href="http://warinangola.com/">War in Angola</a> and the <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/sabushwarsite/Home">South African Border War Site</a> this coupled with an increasing range of books being released as old soldiers write their memoirs is providing a rich set of information.</div>
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On the gaming front we have numerous rule sets that might fit from <a href="http://www.rapid-fire-uk.com/">Rapid Fire</a> to<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1849087695/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1849087695&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21"> Force on Force</a>, the various evolutions of <a href="http://warinangola.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1410">Battle Group</a> and TFLs B'maso. Recent model/Figure releases from <a href="http://sandsmodelsshop.com/">S&S</a>, <a href="http://www.baxmod.co.za/">Bax models</a>, <a href="http://www.aerocreations.co.za/index.php/shop/category/view/7">Aerografix</a>, <a href="http://www.underfireminiatures.com/">Underfire Miniatures</a> and <a href="http://www.enfilade-figures.com/shop-south-africa">Enfilaid Miniatures</a> have started to fill the voids in the 20mm ranges that enable the war to be gamed without the need to scratch build significant elements of the South African force. Some are more affordable than others.</div>
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These ranges include figures and vehicles suitable for the Portugese colonial Wars in Angola, The Rhodesian Bush War and the South African Border War. Whilst the number of figure manufactures covering the period have increased there is a need for more particularly focused on the South African force elements as there are few specific figures.</div>
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All up though this makes an interesting Cold War conflict much more accessible to the 20mm gameing community and worth looking at.<br />
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References:<br />
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Books:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0624054101/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0624054101&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">The SADF Border War 1966-1989, L Scholtz</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1920169008/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1920169008&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">Borderstrike,W Steenkamp</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909982016/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1909982016&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21">South Africa's Border War 1966 - 1989 H Helmoed-Romer</a><br />
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Web:<br />
<a href="http://warinangola.com/">War in Angola</a><br />
<a href="https://johnwynnehopkins.wordpress.com/">Rhodesian War Games</a><br />
<a href="http://warinangola.com/Default.aspx?tabid=593">Topological Maps of the Operational Area</a><br />
<a href="http://arlequinsworld.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-portuguese-army-in-angola.html">The Angolan Liberation War 1966-74</a><br />
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<br />Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435801155672910289.post-18955605533641958502014-11-16T15:48:00.001+00:002014-11-16T16:01:26.142+00:00Cold War Gamer Hobby News - Autumn 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the blog has recently recieved its 300,000th hit, the first thing to say is thankyou to all who continue to read it and particularly those who take the time to comment as its always useful to get feedback on content. The Autumn Magazine ended up with a lot more emphasis on the Soviet breakthrough operations and Soviet capability rather than British which are my intended target for that opperation. </div>
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To my mind the big news over the last quarter has been the increasing credibility of a US cold war Army in 20mm for either the late 70's or any time during the 80's with Elhiem figures releasing a range of products that cover some key gaps in the market along with releases earlier in the year from S&S and Italiera it's begining to look like a very feasible project. The US Army is I must admit one of the few that could draw me into a late 70's early 80's game providing as it does the opportunity to:<br />
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<li>Paint vehicles in MERDEC</li>
<li>Deploy Sheridans</li>
<li>Deploy M60A2s</li>
<li>field troops in M1 helmets and a range of modern weapons</li>
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Matt has said he is doing the M1 helmeted troops next so hopefully we will see a Dragon Gunner with an M1 helmet materialise over the winter, great for US or Dutch. The Autumn period has not been as prolofic for releases as the summer but their has still been an interesting amount of news</div>
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<b>Hobby Den</b></h3>
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Brian has been very busy over at the <a href="http://www.thehobbyden.com/">Hobby den</a> building out the range of models stocked as well as making some fairly serious purchases including the BW Models range. Personally having only just discovered the BW range I was sad to see it go but it now looks like Hobby den will be resurrecting a number of its models.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/British/Air%20Defence/Tracked%20Rapier/IMG_1737_zps6efb34f4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/British/Air%20Defence/Tracked%20Rapier/IMG_1737_zps6efb34f4.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brian has also become the European distributor for the <a href="http://www.thehobbyden.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=106">modelcollect range </a>which has got to be a good thing as they clearly are offering a very useful set of tank models which is rapidly becoming the definitive collection of Soviet Cold era tanks.<br />
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<a href="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/CWG/0000090_t-72b1-with-era-main-battle-tank_300_zpseedffa3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh240/andyrix/CWG/0000090_t-72b1-with-era-main-battle-tank_300_zpseedffa3c.jpg" /></a></div>
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In addition a number World of War 1/72 Building Sets are now available from the shop covering a range of European town buildings and an impresivly large bridge.<br />
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<b>Eagle Moss</b></h3>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Eagle Moss have produced a 2S4 which looks to be fairly basic from the imagery but very handy for a late 80's Soviet Break through capability. Having now received two I can state that the hull is pretty weak in terms of detail but the mortar itself not only looks good but is detachable so easily married up with a different hull and great for setting up as deployed and ready to fire. So a couple of conversions I'll be trying in the near future.</span><br />
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<b>Elhiem</b></h3>
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Matt @ <a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/">Elhiem Figures</a> has been working quite a major expansion of his cold war range adding seated and skirmishing Brits together with an extension of his <a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/cat_817087-NATO-US-Forces.html">Cold War US range</a> that is producing a much needed Dragon gunner, along with most everything else for late cold war US you will need and a promise of similar coverage in M1 helmets. He has also extended his Israelis and produced some very handy RUC figures.</div>
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<a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/cat_817076-NATO-British-BAOR.html">Cold War Brits</a> Seated Drivers and Crew<br />
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A much needed <a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3603753-BAOR18-BAOR-105mm-gun-crew.html">105mm Light Gun Crew</a> good for Falklands or NATO flanks work.</div>
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Matts <a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3603691-BAOR17-Royal-Military-Police-in-berets-armed-with-SLRs.html">MPs</a> would be equally useful for Northern Ireland or Winter of 79 Scenarios.</div>
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<a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/cat_817087-NATO-US-Forces.html">Cold War US</a><br />
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More <a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3487874-BAOR13-PoliceRUCMP-with-M1-Carbine-G3-and-Mini14.html">RUC</a> this time including a WPC, whilst these are marketed as RUC they clearly could represent armed police from the mainland as well, and would probably look good in some Winter of 79 scenarios.</div>
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<b>Underfire</b></h3>
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Underfire have been a little less prolific but have recently extended the RAR range.<br />
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<b>S&S</b></h3>
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Over at <a href="http://sandsmodelsshop.com/">S&S</a> Shauns focus has largely been on WW2 conversion kits but he has found time to squeeze in a bunch of Cold War goodies in the form of a T-55 BREM and a very attractive Marder with Roland, allegedly in the works is an ACRV. As well as these pictures have popped out of what looks like a very early Unimog and a conversion kit for a short wheel base series 2 land rover. The other hot rumour is that he maybe working with troop of Shewe on a 15mm MT-55 which will hopefully get released. None of these have yet to appear on the shop</div>
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T-55 BREM<br />
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Marder Roland<br />
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15mm MT-55<br />
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An early Unimog (I think) suitable for various African as well as central European scenarios<br />
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and a conversion kit for a die cast series 1 or 2 land rover for a bit of 50's para action suitable for suez I would have thought.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Wargames Illustrated</b></h3>
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The Cold War Hot version of war-games illustrated provided some interesting coverage of Cold War and Modern gaming which hopefully will be the start of an increasing amount of coverage of the Post War Modern period in the mainstream War Games press. <br />
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As far as models and figures go we now have good coverage of the period in 6mm, 15mm, 20mm, and 28mm with growing amounts of ultra modern and near future starting to feature within the manufacturing base. The recent run of kits out of china from both model collect and S Models has started to fill the major gaps in the 20mm Cold War Soviet inventory which together with the improvements in ACE kits means that much of whats needed is easily obtained and built, as ever the stalwarts of the resin manufactures continue to fill the gaps. Is it a little early to speculate that Flames of War might kick off something for the Cold War, I would imagine that will provide a fairly significant boost to interest in the period and production of 15mm models. All this coupled with the number of new rule sets being released covering the Cold War and Modern period are all signs of growing interest and point to a good year for the period in 2015. As a complete Cold War aholic I can only say its good to see.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=4615">Wargames Ilustarated Cold War Hot overview of content</a></div>
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<b>Model Collect</b></h3>
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From their face book posts <a href="http://modelcollect.com/">modelcollect </a>seem to have both a Scud, a T80B and a BMP 3 in the planning pipeline all of which look like great additions to their range. The box art work for the T-64BV has also appeared which is at the top of my must have list so one I am looking forward to seeing land. To be fair I have my eye on a scud as well.<br />
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<b>Web</b></h3>
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<a href="http://redstarmilitariacollectibles.weebly.com/">Red Star Militaria</a> I found the Red Star Militaria site a month or so ago whilst looking for some reference material around Sun Bunnies and the Soviet Jack Boot. This is a very handy re-enactment site with a lot of useful and detailed information around a variety of Soviet Cold War Weapons and equipment. It looks like the web site might be undergoing reconstruction at the moment, but when back in action a very useful site.<br />
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<b>Books</b></h3>
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If you have not seen it South Africas Border War by Willem Steenkamp has just been re pubished and there are some reasonable deals on Amazon at the moment, I picked up a copy for £15 new which is a steel for a book that has been out of print for a number of years and was selling for £275 a copy. Its a great book on the border war and covers the conflict from 1966 -1989 well worth a look.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909982016/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1909982016&linkCode=as2&tag=cowaga-21&linkId=6YZEYTGZO2QFX6TD">South Africa's Border War 1966-89</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=cowaga-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1909982016" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> @ Amazon<br />
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<b>Winter Magazine</b><br />
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So what will be appearing in Cold War Gamer over the next quarter, The bulk of the research work on Soviet Breakthrough is completed written up and posted and the force is getting to a point where it could do with an outing so task one for the new year will probably be a game with attendant AARs and Scenarios. That of course means moving the British forward.<br />
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I have yet to really settle on the main theme for next years efforts so will be giving that some thought over the next few months. The biggest component on the Soviet side will probably be turning out a BTR regiment along with some divisional Air Defence and some Non Divisional engineering assets that would enable a reasonably serious river crossing exercise to be conducted. <br />
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That operation would pretty much pull together elements of Air Assault, Forward Detachments and Breakthrough. On the NATO side I think the time has come to move the Canadians forward and I have pretty much got all the bits for the first of the Company Groups the other option is 6 or 24 Air Mobile Brigade which would follow on in the series on NATO Reinforcement Units and then there are the Americans but that I suspect will require a deal of reasarch, reading and purchasing before anything material pops out.<br />
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Whilst its a little Early for Christmas this is the last news post before the great event so here's wishing you all a dark and productive winter period along with a great mid winter festival of what ever type best suits your religious persuasion.<br />
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Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070932079659731369noreply@blogger.com5