WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight
With Wayne Turner

The new World War III: Warsaw Pact book combines the out-of-print East German Volksarmee book with the Czechoslovak People’s Army booklet and the Polish People’s Army booklet, as well as introducing some new Formations, Units, and new release models.

Check out WWIII: Warsaw Pact in the online store here...

Warsaw Pact
Though there are distinct differences between nations of the Warsaw Pact and their Soviet “big brother”, the forces of the Warsaw Pact are more homogenous that those of NATO, where different nations military suppliers and governments have more influence on the purchase of military equipment. The Poles, as well as the Czechoslovaks, had their own indigenous arms industry and produced much of their own weapons, equipment and vehicles. However, the Soviet Union still had a heavy influence on much of this equipment.

The East Germans, the Poles and Czechoslovaks make up what is known as the Warsaw Pact’s “Northern Tier” by NATO and are the most prominent Warsaw Pact nations to be facing the NATO forces in West Germany.

One of the main differences between the East Germans, Czechoslovaks, Poles and the Soviets or are their ratings.

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

East Germans
Both East and West Germany established their post-war armed forces in 1956, with East Germany forming the Nationale Volksarmee (NVA, National People’s Army).

Like West Germany’s Bundeswehr, the leadership of the NVA was initially composed of soldiers who had served in the Wehrmacht under Nazi Germany. As soon as replacements loyal to the new regime could be trained, the Wehrmacht soldiers were retired. Despite their short period of leadership, they left a lasting legacy as the NVA combined Communist ideology with older German traditions.

The Nationale Volksarmee uniforms were a traditional stone grey rather than the Soviet khaki, while the helmets were subtly different, being based on a German design from 1945. Ranks, insignia, and other details followed traditional German forms as well.

The strong core of professional officers and non-commissioned officers was another traditional feature of German armed forces. Although most of the rank and file were short-service conscripts, half of the army were long-service professionals. This contrasts with the Soviet Army where only the officers were professionals, and particularly in combat units, non-commissioned officers were usually selected from amongst each batch of conscripts.

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

Despite the suspicions of the Soviet leadership, the NVA was staunchly loyal to the Communist regime. When Czechoslovak reforms went too far, the NVA prepared to invade the country along with their Soviet allies. Concerns over international opinion about German troops serving outside Germany limited their assistance to supporting roles.

Likewise in 1981, the NVA prepared to assist the Soviet Army in re-establishing order in Poland, though this was not needed when the Polish government declared martial law.

Like the rest of the Warsaw Pact armed forces, the NVA followed Soviet doctrine and organisation. Their two Panzer (tank) divisions and nine Motorisierte Schützen (motorised rifle) divisions were essentially similar to those of the Soviet army, although their equipment tended to be older, with relatively little of the very latest equipment.

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

Czechoslovaks
The Czechoslovaks’ recent history with the Soviets had been rocky. The liberalisation movement of the Prague Spring was supressed in 1968 by a Warsaw Pact invasion, followed by the reforming government being replaced by a more hard-line communist faction. There is some debate on how this may have impacted the performance of the Czechoslovak armed forces in any future war, but generally by the mid-eighties the army had recovered. However, there was general unwillingness among the people to support an aggressive war against the west, but they were willing to fight if their country was threatened.

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

The Czechoslovaks have extensive industrial base of their own that predates the closing of the Iron Curtain. They produce most of their small arms and infantry weapons, as well as indigenous designs of armoured vehicles, artillery, and transport. On top of this they also manufacture a variety of Soviet designs under licence, everything from ammunition to main battle tanks. They produced T-54/55 tank between 1958 and 1983, as well as producing T-72Ms in partnership with the Poles from 1981 to supply themselves, Poland, East Germany, and even the Soviet Union. T-72M had also been exported around the globe. The Czechoslovaks even produced the T-62 for export, but never used it themselves.

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

Polish
The Polish People's Army (Ludowe Wojsko Polskie or LWP) was initially formed from displaced Poles during the Second World War and fought alongside the Soviet Army during their drive to Berlin. After the surrender of Germany, Poland fell under the control of the Soviets and had a communist government installed by Moscow.

During the mid-1980s the LWP had about 205,000 men under arms with two-thirds of them being made up of conscripts who had to serve at least two years in the military. This force was backed up by Soviet units stationed in Poland during the entire Cold War. In the event of a major conflict with NATO, the Polish forces would mobilize and prepare for combat while the Soviet forces would move into East Germany and Czechoslovakia to lead the attack into the west. 

 WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

Formed under the Soviet model, the LWP looked like other Warsaw Pact armies and was equipped much the same way. During the mid-1980s the Polish People's Army had around 15 divisions in various states of readiness. These featured armoured, mechanised, air assault, and naval infantry divisions along with all of the usual support elements found in the armies of the Warsaw Pact. The Poles also had their own indigenous arms industry and produced much of their own weapons, equipment and vehicles, though based on Soviet designs.

 WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

What's Inside:
Background on the East German army, 9. Panzerdivision (9th Tank Division), and Panzer Bataillon 2 (2nd Tank Battalion).

Background on the Czechoslovak 1st and 4th Armies, and 1. Tanková Divize (1st Tank Division)

Background on the Polish People’s Army and 20 Dywizja Pancerna (20th Armoured Division).

East German Forces: Inside you can build five different Formations, these include:

  • T-72B Panzer Bataillon (New)
  • T-72M Panzer Bataillon
  • T-55AM2 Panzer Bataillon
  • BMP Mot-Schützen Bataillon
  • BTR-60 Mot-Schützen Bataillon
  • Support Units

Czechoslovak Forces: Inside you can build five different Formation, these include:

  • T-72B Tank Battalion (New)
  • T-72M Tank Battalion
  • T-55AM2 tank Battalion
  • BMP Motor Rifle Battalion
  • Wheeled Motor Rifle Battalion
  • Support Units

Polish Forces: Inside you can build five different Formation, these include:

  • T-72B Tank Battalion (New)
  • T-72M Tank Battalion
  • T-55AM2 tank Battalion
  • BMP Motor Rifle Battalion
  • Wheeled Motor Rifle Battalion
  • Support Units

A detailed painting guide to help you prepare your Warsaw Pact forces for combat.

Two Scenarios to test your skills with your Warsaw Pact force.

New Formations and Units
Each of the three Nations can also field a new Formation armed with T-72B tanks. The T-72B was introduced in 1985. This new model had improved armour, could fire an anti-tank missile and was fitted with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) for added protection against HEAT rounds. To gives the tank a Front armour of 18, and has side armour 16 against HEAT.  The Warsaw Pact versions fires the  AT-8 Songster missile giving them an improved range of 48”/120cm over the gun’s normal 32”/80cm range, with AT21, Guided and HEAT.
WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

As this tank is actually a Soviet vehicle, we have also included a Soviet T-72B Tank Battalion in World War III: Warsaw Pact. This can be taken with your force built from World War III: Soviet. The Soviet version has the more powerful AT-11 Sniper missile with AT22 and a Tandem Warhead for defeating ERA.

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

This also sees the introduction of the T-72B model that combines an additional frame of a new turret and ERA sections with the original T-72 model.

In both the East Germans and Czechoslovak forces, you can now add unit of missile firing T-55AM2 tanks. Both nations had a number of their upgraded T-55 tanks capable of firing the Soviet AT-10 Stabber anti-tank guided missile from their 100mm guns. This pushes the range of the tank out to 48”/120cm and gives it AT21, Guided and HEAT. However, it must remain stationary to use the missile.

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

All three nations can also field units of un-upgraded T-55 tanks. These have one less Front Armour (13) and do not have a Laser Rangefinder, but are a little cheaper to field.

The East Germans can now field the Czechoslovak RM-70 rocket launcher or the BM-21 Hail, as they had both types.

The East Germans can also now field the 2s3 Acacia self-propelled howitzer, providing them with some heavy hitting power over and above that of their 2s1 Carnations.

The Czechoslovaks can field their unique anti-aircraft truck, the M53/59 Praga. The Praga ‘Lizard’ is armed with Twin 30mm vz. 53/59 AA cannons with a hight ROF (4/2).

All three nations and Soviets can now field the SU-22/SU-17 Fitter as an air support unit. There are armed with 30mm cannons, 240mm and 57mm rockets and can be upgraded to fire the destructive Kh-25 air-ground missile with its AT27 and 2+ firepower.

WWIII: Warsaw Pact Spotlight

All three nations can field the SA-8 Gecko anti-aircraft weapon system, giving them a long-range (72”/180cm) Guided AA weapon with 3+ firepower.

Other Unique Models and Units
It is worth mentions the other unique Warsaw Pact models already in the range. The Czechoslovak designed and built OT-64 armoured personnel carrier is used by both themselves and the Poles. This is a unique looking alternative to the BTR-60. Another product of Czechoslovak industry is the DANA 152mm SP Howitzer, which is also used by both themselves and the Poles instead of the Soviet 2s3 Acacia. The third example of Czechoslovak industry is the RM-70 Rocket Launcher. As mentioned above this is used by the East Germans as well as the Czechoslovaks. As mentioned earlier, the Czechoslovaks can now also field the M53/59 Praga ‘Lizard’ anti-aircraft vehicle, adding something a little different to the Shilkas of the other Warsaw Pact nations.

We have also made sure new items from World War III: Soviet that had not been previously available have now been include where one or more of the Warsaw Pact armies used them, such as the 2s3 Acacia and the SA-8 Gecko for the East Germans.

 However, the bulk of the Warsaw Pack models come from the World War III: Soviet range and the book comes with a full colour catalogue of products for easy reference.

It is worth mentioning that though we recommend using the Soviet infantry range to represent your Polish or Czechoslovak infantry, you could also us the Syrian and Egyptian infantry from the Fate Of A Nation or Oil War miniatures range. These are lightly equipped with Warsaw Pact style weapons and webbing, making them a good choice to represent Poles or Czechoslovaks in summer kit.

I hope you find something of interest in this new book, whether you are new to Warsaw Pact forces or you are looking to add to or update your current East German, Czechoslovak or Polish force.
~Wayne