NNNOOORRRTTTHHHAAAGGG---NNNOOORRRTTTHHH

WWWIIINNNTTTEEERRR WWWAAARRR

IT HAD BEEN the fear of NATO

generals for quite some time: a surprise attack by the Warsaw Pact’s standing forces, driving a number of their armour-heavy divisions deep into West Germany before NATO could fully mobilize. That surprise attack came on Christmas morning, 1985. NATO’s outnumbered covering forces only just had time to take up their foreward positions before the full force of the Soviet led attack hit them. The first 48 hours were crucial: within that time the Soviets had the opportunity to neutralize Western Germany and compromise the will of the western democracies to fight on.

EXPANSION PACK FOR HPS NORTH GERMAN PLAIN ’85 by Hans Boersma

1. Introduction NORTHAG-North Winter War is an expansion pack for HPS North German Plain ’85 and includes a series of seven scenarios focussing on the actions of 1 (NL) Corps (1 Legerkorps) during the Warsaw Pact’s Christmas Offensive of 1985; as such it is an elaboration on the large campaign scenario “Winter War in the NORTHAG Sector” (#10_08s). The scenarios work with new oob, pdt and unit icon files. Installing these will not overwrite original files*. All scenarios have AI orders for the Warsaw Pact side only. 2. Additions and Changes I made a number of changes to files of the types mentioned above, which will be specified below. 2.1 Order of Battle [NG Plain_NN_Dec85.oob] 2.1.1 1 (NL) Legerkorps, NTC, KLu and ACLANT After researching the organisation of the Netherlands armed forces of the mid-eighties, I introduced the following additions and changes to the oob. Additions:

• Anti-tank companies on battalion level

• Combat engineer companies on brigade level

• Engineers, artillery, Royal Constabulary, reconnaissance helicopters and commandos on Corps level, two reconnaissance battalions on Corps level and one on divisional level

• Troops of the National Territorial Command (NTC) on Corps level

• One mechanised infantry battalion (55 Painfbat) on Corps level

• Three F-16 Squadrons, one of which reconnaissance, and two NF-5 Squadrons to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu)

• Allied Command Atlantic (ACLANT) on Army level, featuring the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (Kmarns), elements of the Royal British and Royal Netherlands Navy (KM) and the United Kingdom/Netherlands Amphibious Force (UK/NL AMF)

Changes:

• For the unit designations I adopted the official Dutch military abbreviations. Confusing as it initially might be, I’m confident that the game’s (NATO) symbols and unit pictures leave no doubt about the function of any unit. Below are most of the unit designations for the Netherlands forces and their translations:

English Abbrevations In Full, Dutch

Armoured Brigade Pabrig Pantserbrigade

Army Corps Lk Legerkorps

Army Corps Artillery Lka Legerkorpsartillerie

Constabulary Battalion (Military Police) Marbat Marechausseebataljon

Constabulary Company (Military Police) Maresk Marechaussee-eskadron

Engineer Battalion Gnbat Geniebataljon

Infantry Brigade Infbrig Infanteriebrigade

Light Aircraft Group (reconnaissance helicopters) GpLV Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen

Marine Battalion Marnsbat Mariniersbataljon

Marine Corps Kmarns Korps Mariniers

Mechanised Anti-Air Battery Paluabt Pantserluchtdoelartilleriebatterij

Mechanised Artillery Regiment Afdva/Afdra Afdeling Veld-/Rijdende artillerie

Mechanised Engineer Company (combat engineers) Pagncie Pantsergeniecompagnie

Mechanised Infantry Battalion Painfbat Pantserinfanteriebataljon

Mechanised Infantry Brigade Painfbrig Pantserinfanteriebrigade

Mechanised Support Company (anti-tank) Paostcie Pantserondersteuningscompagnie

National Reserve (Home Guard) Natres Nationale Reserve

* with exception of Supply Unit.bmp (Netherlands), of which the vehicle type has been corrected; you can choose to overwrite or not.

I also included Bradley.bmp (American) as it seems to be missing in the latest HPS patch. The file itself is not changed.

English Abbrevations In Full, Dutch

National Territorial Command NTC Nationaal Territoriaal Commando

Observation and Reconnaissance Company (commandos)

Wrnverkcie Waarnemings- en verkenningscompagnie

Reconnaissance Battalion Verkbat Verkenningsbataljon

Royal Air Force Klu Koninklijke Luchtmacht

Royal Navy KM Koninklijke Marine

Tank Battalion Tkbat Tankbataljon

• The Centurion tanks have been upgraded from Mk3 to Mk5/2 (105mm gun)

• The YP-408 armoured personnel carriers have been flagged as “low reliable”, like the Centurions; both were only still in use because of budget cuts in the past and were being replaced (with YPR’s and Leopards respectively). In the mid-eighties their deployability had become questionable

DAF YP-408 armoured personnel carrier

• The Leopard 1 has been relabelled Leopard 1-V; it has also been flagged as “low reliable”, due to continuous problems with various new (electronic) systems and overdue maintenance of the old components

• The number of vehicles in the Paluabts (anti-air batteries) has been raised from 6 to 9

• The number of tanks per Tkbat (tank battalion) has been raised from 13 to 17

• 56 Tkbat (non-existent) has been renumbered 58 Tkbat

• 44 Painfbat (mechanized infantry battalion) has been moved from 42 to 52 Painfbrig; 53 Painfbat has been deleted (non-existent)

• 54 Afdva has been downgraded from M109 to M114 guns

• The unit quality of the KLu (Royal Air Force) squadrons has been raised from D to C. Contrary to the army, the KLu largely consisted of regulars, with conscripts and reservists only serving in supporting roles; pilots were partly trained in the US and Canada, and the KLu took pride in being a profes-sional organisation. During the NATO air operations over former Yugoslavia in the mid-nineties the KLu turned out to be a highly flexible and effective organisation (USAF Lieutenant General J.W. Ashy: “The Dutch and American pilots are both top-notch. We have been working together for so many years, it’s like we’re in the same country […] I was extraordinarily impressed with your pilots as I am with American pilots. I see little, little difference”). While this might lead us to a B or even an A rating, in the mid-eighties the KLu struggled with a structural problem: experienced pilots and technicians were leaving service in considerable numbers for well-paid jobs in commercial airline companies. Although most of them were called back into service during the general mobilization, the lack of incorporated experience continued to affect the KLu for several crucial days.

• There are some significant changes in the composition of the armoured units, as is shown in the two tables below; changes are displayed in blue. In the eighties the Netherlands tank force went through a huge modernisation programme: the Centurion, in service since the fifties, was being replaced, while the Leopard 1 was being extensively upgraded to Leopard 1-V, the “V” standing for “verbeterd” (improved). Further the brand new Leopard 2 entered service from 1983 on. The modernisation came with reorganisations, one of which was the enlarging of the Tkbats in the Painfbrigs with a fourth squadron (D), raising the number from 52 to 61 tanks per battalion. In December 1985 42 Tkbat was the first battalion with an operational D-squadron. Regimental names have been added in the form of abbreviations which can be viewed in the unit box.

1 (NL) Corps: Tank Battalions (Tkbats) 1 Divisie Tkbat Original NGP85 NN Winter War Regiment Abrv 11 Painfbrig 101 Centurion Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander RHPA 12 Painfbrig 59 Centurion Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren Prins van Oranje RHPO

49 Leopard 2 Leopard 1-V 13 Pabrig

11 Leopard 2 Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren van Sytzama RHS 4 Divisie Tkbat Original NGP85 NN Winter War Regiment Abrv

41 Leopard 2 Leopard 2 Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander RHPA 41 Pabrig

43 Leopard 2 Leopard 2 Regiment Huzaren van Sytzama RHS 42 Painfbrig 57 Centurion Centurion 43 Painfbrig 42 Leopard 1 Leopard 2* Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander RHPA 5 Divisie Tkbat Original NGP85 NN Winter War

12 Leopard 1 Leopard 2 51 Pabrig

54 Leopard 1 Leopard 2 52 Painfbrig 52 Centurion Centurion 53 painfbrig 58 Centurion Centurion *with D-squadron

• As the next table shows the Verkbats have also been updated, sporting a mixture of M113’s and Leopards, the first roughly composing 2/3rd and the latter 1/3rd of their strength, which has been increased from 36 to 54 vehicles. The AMX13 went out of service in the late seventies.

1 (NL) Corps: Tanks in the Reconnaissance Battalions (Verkbats) Verkbat Original NGP85 NN Winter War Regiment Abrv 1 Divisie 104 AMX13 Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren van Boreel RHB 4 Divisie 103 AMX13 Leopard 2 Regiment Huzaren van Boreel RHB 5 Divisie 102 AMX13 Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren van Boreel RHB 1 (NL) Corps 105 AMX13 Leopard 2 Regiment Huzaren van Boreel RHB

• There are no further changes in the Painfbats; the table below completes the picture with their regimental names.

1 (NL) Corps: Mechanized Infantry (Painfbats), Regiments 1 Divisie Painfbat Regiment Abrv

12 Garderegiment Jagers GRJ 11 Painfbrig

48 Regiment Van Heutsz RVH 11 Garderegiment Grenadiers GRGR

12 Painfbrig 13 Garderegiment Fuseliers Prinses Irene GRFPI

13 Pabrig 17 Regiment Infanterie Chassé RICH 4 Divisie Painfbat Regiment Abrv 41 Pabrig 42 Regiment Limburgse Jagers RLJ

44 Painfbat moved to 5 Divisie 43 Regiment Infanterie Chassé RICH 42 Painfbrig 45 Regiment Infanterie Oranje Gelderland RIOG 41 Regiment Stoottroepen RST

43 Painfbrig 47 Regiment Infanterie Menno van Coehoorn RIMVC

1 (NL) Corps: Mechanized Infantry (Painfbats), Regiments 5 Divisie Painfbat Regiment Abrv 51 Pabrig 16 Regiment Limburgse Jagers RLJ

15 Garderegiment Fuseliers Prinses Irene GRFPI 52 Painfbrig

44 Regiment Infanterie Johan Willem Friso RIJWF 14

53 painfbrig 46

2.1.2 German 1. Korps As I added Dutch territorial troops it only seemed logical to do the same for the Germans, as most of the fighting took place on their soil. For this I used the OOB file produced by Peter Dietrich and added four Heimatschutz Brigades from NTK (Nordliches Territorialkommando). 3. General Remarks 3.1 Strength I have made the Netherlands OOB as complete as possible — within the format of the game. This meant exercising some restraint and having a closer look at the other NATO armies and the way they are represen-ted in the game. The Paostcie’s for example add substantial anti-armour power to the Painfbats, but it should be noted that the actual numbers of TOW systems were even higher, with up to 24 systems per Painfbat. For the OOB I therefore took the game’s US mechanised infantry as guideline, with one company of 12 systems per battalion. As has been noted above, the Verkbats (reconnaissance battalions) have been upgraded both in material as in numbers — from 36 to 54 vehicles; the actual number of vehicles however was 81 (63 M113’s, 18 Leopards), not counting command and staff vehicles. As a final example, the relatively large Lka (Corps Artillery): I added 9 units, where I could have added 12 (for comparison: in the OOB West German I. Korps has 10 artillery units on Divisional and Corps level). The diagram below shows the additions to the Netherlands forces are nonetheless extensive:

Men Guns Vehicles Units Planes

Original NGP85 9140 0 756 129 48

NN Winter War 17826 90 1329 251 162

These numbers make it clear that any scenario makers should use this Netherlands OOB with some pruden-ce; on Corps level it is probably more expanded than any other in the game, especially in territorial troops and Corps engineers. I have made these additions to improve accuracy and to add choice, flavour and variety; not to create a misbalanced game. All in all, the combat power of 1 (NL) Corps has been increased considerably. The enlargement of the tkbats from 39 to 51 tanks adds no less than 144 tanks in total, while the upgrading of the Verkbats adds yet more armour and fire power. The correction of the Centurion tanks from Mk3 to Mk5/2 will also have a noticeable effect; they retain however a lower speed and defence value to reflect their mechanical unreliability, as well as the “low reliability” rating. 3.2 The Netherlands Army, Unit Quality 3.2.1 Overview In the seventies both national and international (NATO) expectations about the wartime effectiveness of 1 (NL) Corps were gloomy: a conscript army, unionised, for a large part depending on reserves, composed of long-haired soldiers with a very casual military attitude — hardly the picture of a model army. In the late seventies and early eighties however it became clear that at least in manoeuvres the Dutch performed just as good as any of their NATO allies; the American Soldiers magazine even concluded that the Dutch conscript was a “first class soldier” — and “tough as nails” was a qualification heard after joint US-Dutch manoeuvres. Moreover, Dutch units often scored high in NATO competitions like the Canadian Army Trophy. In June 1985 the Dutch conscripts of 43 Tkbat (Leopard 2) scored the highest hit percentage (96%) at the CAT. While all this might lead us to a general B quality rating, the fighting in December 1985 and January 1986 also showed the Dutch weren’t in all cases as enduring as, for instance, German or British troops. Generally however they fought with spirit, and the inhabitants of Bad Bevensen or Bremen will certainly remember the bloody fights they put up in defence of their cities.

3.2.2 Changes The overall unit quality of the Netherlands units is originally C (“average”), which is probably fair if one would have to rate the Netherlands forces as a whole. I felt however that a bit more profile is possible, and, in some cases, needed. 3.2.2.1 D Quality: 5 Divisie; the Netherlands Army Reserve System 5 Divisie was composed entirely of reserve units. First it should be noted that in the Netherlands “reserves” meant something different than in most other countries, where reserve forces tend to be composed of part-time volunteers (in the Netherlands Army personnel of this sort was to be found in Natres [National Reserve]). Conscripts who had completed their military service automatically became reservists who could be called back into active service up to the age of 40 in case of a general mobilization. Personnel that had been in active service less than two and a half years before would go straight back into operational units (a quite ingenious system called RIM), the others had to go through a limited period of training again before they were considered deployable. In terms of pure reaction speed the Netherlands reserve system was perhaps the most effective in the world. During yearly mobilisation drills (“Donderslag”) sceptical NATO officials were time and again convinced and impressed by the speed with which reserve units could be made combat-ready; indeed the Dutch claim that each of the three reserve brigades could be geared up for departure to its war destination within 24 hours proved to be a credible one. In the late seventies 5 Divisie was mechanized, which gave it the same organization and armament as 1 and 4 Divisie. But while on paper 5 Divisie might seem a force equal to the other two divisions, the reality was a dif-ferent one; there were to major problems that effected its deployability. Firstly it still needed a considerable amount of professional NCO’s, and these were simply not available in sufficient numbers. Secondly, and more importantly, the reserve units lacked recent training, especially in operating on brigade level. Periodically groups of reservists were called back into service for a short period to keep their training up to a certain standard, but due to budget restrictions this happened to few and on too small a scale to be really effective. This meant that after mobilization the division would need at least several weeks of training to be able to operate on the same level as 1 and 4 Divisie. Reservists were generally highly motivated but it simply needed time to form them into solid units and to make these units function in the evermore complex combat opera-tions of larger army formations. We know that in December 1985 the division only got a few days to prepare itself, and although it performed relatively well in the area north of Cloppenburg the results could have been much better, especially against the 2nd echelon Polish Divisions. The only exception to the downgrading from C to D quality is 44 Painfbat; this was an active battalion of 4 Divisie that in wartime was placed under 5 Divisie’s operational command. 3.2.2.2 B Quality: 41 Pabrig, 41 Gnbat, 103 Verkbat On the other hand there were the active units permanently stationed in West Germany: an armoured brigade enforced with a reconnaissance and an engineer battalion. These could be combat-ready in six hours, were well prepared for their task and knew both the terrain and the forces opposing them. Furthermore it were mostly these units that scored highest during national and NATO contests like the Bult Francis Cup and the Canadian Army Trophy. Indeed 41 Pabrig proved to be a tough nut to crack; it took heavy losses during the campaign but remained an active and effective combat outfit throughout. 3.2.2.3 A Quality Units These are elite units originally not present in the game: 104 Wrnverkcie (Commandos) and Kmarns (Marines). Reserve components of these units (305 Cotrbat and 3 Marnsbat respectively) are rated B. 3.2.2.4 C Quality units The remaining units retain their C rating, while Dutch supply units have been downgraded from B to C. Units of the National Territorial Command (NTC), although composed almost exclusively of reservists, have not been downgraded to D. In securing rear areas they had a task very different from 5 Divisie; the Infbats mostly operated in a straightforward infantry role, and their operations essentially took place on company level.

The Dutch conscript: loose in attitude and appearance — but “tough as nails” according to some; on average higher educated than their professional colleagues, inventive and inclined to take initiative

3.3 Parameter Data I used the Germany.pdt file made by Mark Breed, with the following changes:

• As dikes in Northern Europe generally do not form impassable obstacles they are now passable for any moving unit type (9MP for all)

• NATO now has the same deception values as Warsaw Pact

• From scenario NN5 Pressure Point on, NATO air power gradually grows stronger

• The Netherlands Army had no electronic warfare units in 1985, therefore NATO EWF values are lowered; generally more so when there are less non-Netherlands NATO units on the map

3.4 Graphics With the new units I added several new unit pictures, and in one or two instances errors were corrected. I tried to keep the new unit pictures in style with the original ones. MP units (Maresk) and territorial or home guard units are identified by their emblem on the right side of the unit box:

Unit icons: Dutch MP and Dutch and German territorial troops

4. Campaign Overview

North German plain, December 1985; projected and actual forward positions of 1 (NL) Corps. The coloured areas roughly indicate the intended deployment areas — orange for 4 Divisie, yellow for 1 Divisie and purple for 5 Divisie; the pink area indicates the corps rear area. 1 (NL) Corps units are shown in their most forward positions during the first phase of the war. Original map by Michael Avanzini,

HPS Simulations.

“The greatest problem facing the Dutch will be getting to the war,” someone once observed. The Dutch were unwilling to station more than 1 brigade in Germany (41 Pabrig), and the resulting maldeployment of 1 (NL) Corps was generally seen as its greatest weakness. Although measures had been taken to speed up reaction time, by 1985 it was recognised that in case of a surprise attack most Corps elements would probably not arrive in their designated positions in time. A covering force, consisting of 3. Panzerdivision, with 41 Pabrig and 3rd US Brigade under command, was to slow down the enemy advance until the rest of 1 (NL) Corps would arrive — which was expected to start happening after 48 hours. The map above shows that the pre-war concerns were justified. 4 Divisie did not get the chance to concentrate — which in itself was no problem, since the brigades were designed to operate independently and under varying commands. 42 and 43 Painfbrig never reached their war positions and instead fought a series of delaying actions on both flanks of 3rd US Brigade, together with elements of West German I Korps and Heimatschutz. 41 Pabrig had been engaged heavily in the critical first 48 hours and it soon saw substantial action again in the woods of the Luneburger Heide, together with 43 Painfbrig; later it performed the so-called “Lada Attack” together with 4th UK Armoured Brigade. 42 Painfbrig had a rough time performing fighting retreats from Bremervorde all the way back to the Netherlands border, after which its remnants were combined with those of 3rd US Brigade into NORTHAG’s first binational brigade: 342 US/NL Brigade. This improvised outfit defended NORTHAG’s outer left flank, around Groningen and Delfzijl, supported by a hotchpotch of Home Guard platoons and reservists of commandos and royal marines. 1 and 5 Divisie did not get anywhere near their designated areas of operation, but wisely took their time to deploy and prepare, with effect: although both divisions took heavy losses they wrecked two Polish and one Soviet division in their drive to the Ems river. The Battle of Cloppenburg, as it was later called, was the only occasion in which a Dutch mechanised division (1 Divisie) fought fully deployed and prepared. It also showed that the units of 5 Divisie, though speedily mobilized, were not really up to their task, lacking much needed training and unit building.

Though it certainly was not the role they were intended to play Dutch territorial troops eventually proved instrumental in holding NORTHAG’s left flank with their determined and generally well executed defence of the canal of Stadskanaal, albeit against ghastly losses. Ironically they were less successful in their operations against airborne troops, a task that was thought to be more in their line; but those of course proved to be better trained and equipped. The territorials could be counted on to put up a stiff defence; they could not be counted on to execute an effective counterattack on a significant scale. In the first week of 1986 the overall balance began to shift in NATO’s favour. The technical superiority of NATO air power began to pay off, resulting in increasingly disrupted enemy command and supply lines; on its central front NORTHAG started its first modest counteroffensive, and, finally, long awaited reinforcements from North America began to emerge behind the battered defenders.

5 The Scenarios

5.1 Forward Defence [NN1 Forward Defence.scn]

Luneburg, 25-26 December 1985: Christmas mor-ning proved to be the perfect moment for a sur-prise attack. The war had been as cold as the weather, and signs that a Soviet invasion was im-manent only became clear a few hours before the event, giving NATO just enough time to deploy its covering forces. North and south of Luneburg lay the area which, after mobilisation, was to be de-fended by 1 and 4 Divisie. The covering force con-sisted of 3. Panzerdivision, with 41 Pabrig and 3rd US Brigade under command. Its task was to hold or slow down the enemy until reinforcements would arrive — which was expected to happen only after 48 hours. Hold or destroy the bridges over the Elbe Seiten Canal and deny enemy pas-sage through your sector. Virtual supply trucks optional rule recommended.

5.2 Shadows & Tall Trees [NN2 Shadows & Tall Trees.scn]

Luneburger Heide, 27-29 December 1985: After two days of heavy and complex fighting 41 Pabrig managed to extract itself from the mayhem behind the Elbe-Seiten Canal with losses that were actually surprisingly light. In the night of 26-27 December it retreated into the Luneburger Heide largely in good order and took up positions there, behind the cover provided by substantial outfits of 3. Panzerdivision. They weren’t given much time to recover, and when 43 Painfbrig arrived in the woods the Germans, according to plan, started moving their troops to new positions. Their confidence bolstered by the previous days the Dutch decided to make the enemy’s passage as costly as possible. This is a night scenario, with 3 hour night turns. Explicit optional rule is supported. Based on scenario #10_12 Through the Luneburger Heide by Saunders & Blackie.

5.3 Night Rally [NN3 Night Rally.scn]

Bremervorde, 27-28 December 1985: 42 Painfbrig had taken up positions near Bremervorde, in the rear of 3rd US Brigade which was subsequently ordered to recuperate behind the Hamme river. 42 Painfbrig provided cover for this operation, which was led by the staff of 4 Divisie. During the night COMNORTHAG ordered all units to retreat towards Bremen, as a Warsaw Pact thrust to the north threatened to outflank them. This is a night scenario, with 3 hour night turns. Lead 3rd US Brigade to the retreat hexes and try to minimize losses. Virtual supply trucks optional rule is supported.

5.4 More Rearguard Actions [NN4 More Rearguard Actions.scn]

Between Bremen and Bremerhaven, 29-30 December 1985: After four days of fighting the Warsaw Pact Divisions were approaching the Weser. Bremerhaven, with its large storages of NATO supplies, was left defended only by German Heimatschutz and elements of 6. Panzergrenadierdivision that had been cut off by the enemy’s rapid advance. While NATO struggled to relocate its supplies ACLANT’s UK/NL Amphibious Force was sent in to buy time. South of Bremerhaven 42 Painfbrig, having fought a series of bloody delaying actions in the previous days, had a hard time retreating behind the Weser under heavy pressure of the Soviet 21 Guards Division. Meanwhile in the northern outskirts of Bremen the 3rd US Brigade was determined to make a stand, but it soon was ordered behind the Weser also. Explicit supply optional rule is essential for this scenario.

5.5 Pressure Point [NN5 Pressure Point.scn]

West of Bremen, 30-31 December 1985: In the previous night the Soviets had forced their way through Bremen and across the Weser, making extensive use of chemical weapons. 43 Painfbrig was still holding on to the wes-tern outskirts of Bremen, preparing for the next wave of Soviet armour. Around the town of Leeste 41 Pabrig was recovering from the intense actions of the past days. South of Bremen 12 UK Armoured Brigade was still partly on the other side of the Weser; they were orde-red to pull back and destroy the bridges at Achim be-hind them. Soon after their difficult retreat they were redeployed further south to counter enemy attacks there. While news arrived that 1 Divisie “7 December” was taking up positions further to the west, the enemy sent in airborne troops to disrupt command and supply lines. Soon the defenders found themselves in dire straits. Explicit supply optional rule recommended.

5.6 New Year’s Day [NN6 New Year’s Day.scn]

Between Lingen and Oldenburg, 1-3 January 1986: All was not quiet on New Year’s Day. While the Soviet 94 Guards Division was recovering from the heavy fighting in and around Bremen, two Polish divisions were sent forward to continue the advance. They promptly recei-ved a bloody nose from 1 Divisie “7 December” suppor-ted by two brigades of 5 Divisie, who had been able to take up solid positions in the previous evening and night. The Polish pushed on and managed to advance up to eight miles but got badly mauled in the process. Again the enemy committed airborne troops, and soon 94 Guards Division was sent into the fray once more, unprepared — the Warsaw Pact machine was beginning to show its first signs of exhaustion. Explicit optional rule is supported. Based on scenario #15-01 The Meppen Feint by Saunders & Blackie.

5.7 Winter Kills [NN7 Winter Kills.scn]

Between Groningen and Oldenburg, 4-7January 1986: While 1 Divisie and the two brigades of 5 Divisie had more or less held their ground, north of them Warsaw Pact forces had continued to make progress, pushing the ill prepared reservists of 52 Painfbrig aside without too much trouble. NORTHAG's extreme left flank was now seriously threatened; all that lay before the enemy was a Dutch territorial brigade and the remnants of 3rd US Brigade and 42 Painfbrig, which in the previous days had been combined into 342 US/NL Brigade. The Dutch territorials had formed a WW1-style line behind a canal, dug in deep and hoped for the best; they could still count on considerable artillery support. Meanwhile COMNORTHAG improvised a counterattack, to be under-taken by 41Pabrig and 4th UK Armoured Brigade, who were to advance in north-eastern direction towards the Lada river in order to disrupt the enemy’s advancing formations. The Lada Attack, as it was soon called, met with mixed success; but on a larger scale the tide was already turning. NATO air power was beginning to get the upper hand and Warsaw Pact supply lines were subsequently becoming increasingly disrupted; further south the Bremen Express, NORTHAG's first major coun-teroffensive, had been put into motion with noticeable effect. And, finally, reinforcements from North America arrived through the port of Rotterdam. Explicit optional rule is supported.

6. Appendices: Organisation and Equipment 6.1 A Reconnaissance Battalion (Verkbat) Main components: Battalion Staff Staff Support Squadron A-Squadron B-Squadron C-Squadron A, B and C Squadron each consisted of a Staff Platoon and 3 Combat Platoons. Staff platoon:

1 x M113 C&V 1 x M577 2 x M113 RDR (radar) 2 x Moto Guzzi 4 x Landrover 5 x YA4440 Truck

Combat Platoon:

5 x M113 C&V 2 x Leopard (1-V or 2) 1 x M106 (mortar) 1 x M113 A1

6.2 A Tank Battalion (Tkbat) Leopard 2A4 Main components: Battalion Staff Staff Support Squadron Reconnaissance Platoon (7 YPR765) Supply Platoon Medical Platoon A-Squadron B-Squadron C-Squadron A, B and C Squadron each consisted of a Staff Platoon and 4 Combat Platoons. Staff Platoon: 1 x Leopard 2A4 (Squadron Commander) Various other vehicles Combat Platoon: 4 x Leopard 2A4 6.3 Tank Battalions Centurion Mk5/2 and Leopard 1-V Until the early eighties the Tkbats equipped with the Centurion and Leopard 1 had a slightly different organisation, with 3 Combat Platoons of 5 tanks each and 2 tanks in the Staff Platoon. I do not know if this

was still the case in 1985.

6.4 A Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Painfbat) YP408 Main components: Battalion Staff Staff Support Company A-Company B-Company C-Company Armoured Support Company (Paostcie) A, B and C Company each consisted of a Staff Platoon and 3 Combat Platoons. Combat Platoon:

2 x YP408 (.50 HMG, command vehicles) 12 x YP408 (.50 HMG) The Armoured Support Company consisted of 3 Mortar Platoons and 1 Anti-tank Platoon TOW. Mortar Platoon: 5 x YP408 (3 x 120 mm mortar Rayé Hotchkiss Brandt Anti-tank Platoon: 7 x YP408 (6 x TOW)

A Combat Platoon YP-408

6.5 Divisional Organisation Table from Handboek voor de soldaat; Uitgave 1985:

6.5.1 Notes The anti-tank company (Paatcie, (9)) has been left out of the OOB out of game-technical considerations (see paragraph 3.1). It featured 24 YPR-PRAT’s (TOW) The 9 Paluabts (anti-air batteries PRTL) are not present in the table, as these units were moved to Corps level during the mid-eighties Units (6) (7) and (8) were present in both the Pabrigs and Painfbrigs

7. Sources 7.1 Orders of Battle, Netherlands Institute for Military History, The Hague Slagorde Koninklijke Landmacht; stand 01 juli 1985 Slagorde Koninklijke Landmacht; stand 23 december 1985 7.2 Bibliography VS 2 – 1350 Koninklijke Landmacht; Handboek voor de soldaat; Uitgave 1983 VS 2 – 1350 Koninklijke Landmacht; Handboek voor de soldaat; Uitgave 1985 Luitenant-Generaal der Cavalerie b.d. J.A.C. Bartels: Vier eeuwen Nederlandse Cavalerie, vol. 2 (Amsterdam 1987) Willem Bevaart, Martin Elands, Christ Klep, Dirk Staat: Vijfig jaar Regiment Van Heutz 1950-2000 (Den Haag 2000) J.M.J. Bosch: De operationele inzetbaarheid: marges en knelpunten, in Confrontatie en Ontspanning; Maatschappij en krijgsmacht in de Koude Oorlog 1966-1989 (Den Haag 2004) D.M. Brongers: 101 Tankbataljon 1957-1997 (Den Haag 1997) M. Elands: 250 jaar Genietroepen 1748-1998 (Den Haag 1998) Martin Elands, Richard van Gils, Ben Schoenmaker: De Geschiedenis van 1 Divisie ‘7 December’ 1946-1996 (Den Haag 1996) Hans A.A. Haring: Mariniers; 325 jaar Qua Patet Orbis (Den Haag 1990) Generaal Sir John Hackett e.a.: De Derde Wereldoorlog; Augustus 1985; Geschiedenis van de toekomst (Amsterdam/Brussel 1982) Willem Helfferich: Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Hilversum 1994) Jan Hoffenaar, Joep van Hoof, Jaap de Moor: Vuur in beweging; 325 jaar veldartillerie 1677-2002 (Den Haag 2002) J. Hoffenaar, B. Schoenmaker: Met de blik naar het oosten; de Koninklijke Landmacht 1945-1990 (Den Haag 1994) J. Hoffenaar, J.P.M. Schoenmakers: November Romeo Treed nader!; de Nationale Reserve 1948-1998 (Den Haag 1998) Michiel de jong en Jan Hoffenaar: Op herhaling; De Koninklijke Landmacht en haar reservisten 1945-2006 (Den Haag 2006) Wim Lutgert, Rolf de Winter: Check the horizon; de Koninklijke Luchtmacht en het conflict in voormalig Joegoslavie 1991-1995 (Den Haag 2001) Arie Rens: Het Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander; de geschiedenis van het "hofregiment" 1672-1994 (1994) Sander Ruys: De Centuriontank in Nederlandse dienst, in Armamentaria 37 (Delft 2002) Sander Ruys: De DAF YP 408, een koninklijk voertuig, in Armamentaria 38 (Delft 2003) B. Schoenmaker, J.P.C.M. van Hoof: 200 Jaar Rijdende Artillerie 1793-1993 (Den Haag 1993) Nigel Thomas, Ron Volstad: NATO Armies Today (London 1987) Steven J. Zaloga: Tank War - Central Front; NATO vs. Warsaw Pact (London 1989)

7.3 Internet (in no particular order) http://gaf.zeelandnet.nl/yp408/ http://www.43tankbataljon.nl/ http://www.boekje-pienter.nl/ http://www.41herstel-hohne.nl/ http://www.41tankbat.studio-7.nl/ http://www.ooteman.net/Reunie/index.html http://www.panzerbaer.de/units/index.htm http://run.to/boreel http://www.panzerbataillon24.de http://www.geocities.com/recce104/three.html http://www.relikte.com/nds_heer/div01.htm http://www.rhpo.nl/html/ http://www.luchtdoelartillerie.nl/11paluabt.htm http://www.marechausseenostalgie.nl/ http://www.107afdva.com/ http://www.sytzama.nl/ http://www.41afdva.net/ http://www.3ad.com/

http://www.armouredacorn.com/ http://collinsj.tripod.com/wargaming.htm http://www.nederlandse-marine.nl/ http://www.korpsmariniers.com/ http://www.marine.nl/mariniers/ http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/nato/ http://home-2.tiscali.nl/~stefanwi/101tkbat/101tkbat/1-index.htm

8. Acknowledgements Glenn Saunders was helpful in explaining how some of the “raw data” (troop strengths, weapon systems) was translated into the games’s mechanics, which provided a guideline for me on how to apply changes and make additions. Mr. W. Smit of the Netherlands Institute for Military History pointed me to the extensive and detailed orders of battle and guided me through them. Jo van der Pluijm provided some helpful comments on the OOB, notably regarding the German Heimatschutz and 101 Infbrig. The visitors of Defensieforums.nl helpfully responded to my questions, in particular regarding the Leopard 1-V tank, the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. 9. Notes on scenario titles “Forward defence” was the official NATO doctrine, mainly by request of West Germany, that didn’t want its territory advertised as a battleground for any dispute between the two world powers. Most other titles have musical references: “Shadows and Tall Trees” is a song by U2 (1980); “Night Rally” is a song by Elvis Costello (1978). “Pressure Point” is an episode of the BBC Sci-Fi series Blake’s 7 (1978-1981); “New Year’s Day” is again a song by U2 (1983) and “Winter Kills” is a song by Yazoo (1982). Hans Boersma, 2005-2006 contact: 27jbat@planet.nl

February 1986: on German soil once again; infantrymen of 45 Painfbat, 342 US/NL Brigade,

near the town of Leer, shortly before the general ceasefire