Hello commanders, We return with [b]Division #10[/b], the last of our divisional previews of our upcoming major [b]NORTHAG[/b] expansion. In today’s DevBlog, we’ll look at the Warsaw Pact’s special Polish airborne-naval [b]Grupa Desantowa[/b]. Onwards! [b][h2]Warsaw Pact’s Polish Grupa Desantowa[/h2][/b] Much like the preceding NATO’s US [url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/1611600/eventcomments/4699034922680818679?snr=2_groupannouncements_detail_][i]9th Infantry (Motorized) Division[/i][/url], the Polish [b]Grupa Desantowa[/b] will feature units not specifically earmarked for combat in NORTHAG in West Germany, but to be used instead against Denmark. To be more precise, Denmark’s many outlying islands. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/8f1dc2084c2143fa9e831a62dbe487a1c2cb934c.png[/img] Today’s battlegroup isn’t a division [i]per se[/i], but the combined [b]Grupa Desantowa[/b], a corps-size “assault group” made up of three distinct Polish People’s Army formations. [list][*]The [i]6 Brygada Powietrznodesantowa[/i] or [i]6th Airborne Brigade[/i]. [*]The [i]7 Brygadę Desantowa[/i] or [i]7th Sea Landing Brigade[/i]. [*]The [i]15 Dywizja Zmechanizowan[/i] or [i]15th Mechanized Infantry Division[/i].[/list] [b]6th Airborne Brigade[/b] The [i]6th Airborne[/i] was formed as the [i]6th Infantry Division[/i] before being turned into the [i]6th Pomeranian Airborne Division[/i] in 1957, and ultimately the [i]6th Pomeranian Airborne Brigade in 1986[/i]. Interestingly enough, when the division was first created, the communist Polish commanders took their cues from the World War 2-era Allied [i]1st Independent Airborne Parachute Brigade[/i] (which saw action during Market Garden in 1944) in the best ways to organize the formation. In the late Cold War, based in Warsaw, this airborne brigade wore their red berets and were highly trained paratroopers destined for airborne assaults. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/a52de22d70bc597c0e7c509f41f78b9f43580222.png[/img] [b]7th Sea Landing Brigade[/b] This brigade saw life as another infantry formation (the [i]23rd Infantry Division[/i] in the 1960s) before being turned into the [i]7th Sea Landing Division[/i] in the 1963, downsized to brigade size in 1986. Originally destined to be a mechanized division, with the new planning to take the Denmark islands, this formation was reorganized in the 1960s and 70s into a naval infantry unit before being earmarked for amphibious landings (and duly re-equipped with amphibious-capable vehicles and tanks). They were famously known for their blue berets. This brigade was among the first Polish formations to maintain full combat readiness during peacetime. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/269f24f3d63356ab8eda58dfa7179c752f63370b.png[/img] (for Polandballs, and many others, see [b]Feldwebelkatze[/b]'s [url=https://www.deviantart.com/feldwebelkatze/gallery/60582479/art-]DevianArt gallery[/url]) [b]15th Mechanized Infantry Division[/b] A typical Polish People’s Army mechanized infantry division, it too saw life in the 1950s. It would form the second wave of the offensive into Denmark. [b][h2]The Polish Grupa Desantowa Detailed[/h2][/b] The Polish plan for [b]Grupa Desantowa[/b] was for the two elite light brigades to invade the outlying Danish islands through airborne and amphibious landings, establish a foothold, and be reinforced by a second wave of troops coming from the mechanized division. Meanwhile, the Polish 1st Army (the parent formation of our [i]20 Pacerna[/i] armored division) would invade Denmark through a more conventional land route (through West Germany). [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/50ab5fa39a0216fc9d571b72029b7cadedee297e.png[/img] Our [b]WARNO[/b] [b]Grupa Destanowa[/b] will represent the first phase of the assault, with a combination of airborne and naval troops. A few scattered elements of the [i]15th Mechanized[/i] are a token representation of the second wave and featured to make the battlegroup in [b]WARNO[/b] a bit more viable. As such, this Polish division will be a unique blend of paratroopers (coming with [i]Forward Deployment[/i] and [i]Shock[/i] traits) and naval infantry (with [i]Resolute[/i] trait), each featuring their own organization and equipment. [b][h2]The Polish Grupa Desantowa in WARNO - NORTHAG[/h2][/b] [b]LOG[/b] [list][*]Not that great. Although the [b]Grupa Destanowa[/b] is not entirely airborne, the battlegroup is regarded as such as its combat role is to project into enemy-held territory with whatever equipment and manpower it could bring. Thanks to the Polish People’s Navy support and relative proximity to Poland, it can rely on heavier supply units compared to other airborne battlegroups. [*]This means no FOB, but supply units do include the light [b]DESANT. WD-43 ZAOP.[/b] jeep with [i]Forward Deployment[/i] trait, the amphibious new medium [b]BAW-485 ZAOP.[/b] (basically, a World War 2-era DUKW) and the heavy [b]PTS-M ZAOP[/b][ (same as found in [i]Rügener Gruppierung[/i]) supply vehicles. Additional supply support comes as the new heavy [b]Mi-6 ZAOP.[/b] helicopter. [*]Command vehicles include the [b]DOW. DESANT WD-43[/b], [b]BRDM-2 R-5[/b], and the naval infantry’s (new) [b]TOPAS R-3M[/b].[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/97513eba90499bef55a826092bb148128d16efcc.jpg[/img] [b]INF[/b] [list][*]An excellent category, as is fitting for an “airborne” division. As described previously, the roster of infantry is mostly divided between Polish airborne and naval troops, with some additional support: [list][*][b]SPADOCHRONIARZE[/b] are new paratrooper squads and come in [b]leader[/b], [b]RPG-7VM[/b], [b]Metis[/b] and [b]triple-PKM[/b] variants. [*]Other (new) [b]DESANT. (Airborne)[/b] units include new [b]SAPERZY[/b] ([b]leader[/b], [b]explosives[/b] and 3-man [b]flamethrower[/b]), existing [b]SPG-9[/b], [b]FAGOT[/b], [b]PKM[/b] HMG weapon teams, and new [b]security[/b] units. [*]Airborne troops also bring their sole fire support vehicle, the [b]DESANT. WD-43 SPG-9[/b]. [*]All of the above units come with the [i]Forward Deployment[/i] trait, plus one level of veterancy. They can only deploy in [b]WD-43[/b] jeeps or [b]GAZ-66B[/b] trucks.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/1b61f31aa83b5eee7f31dace8dfb947638df3acb.jpg[/img] [list][*][b]NIEBIESKIE BERETY[/b] are the “Blue Berets,” the new Polish naval infantry, and come in [b]command[/b] and [b]12-man[/b] rifle squads. [list][*]Additional naval troops include the new [b]NIEB. BERETY SAPERZY[/b] in [b]command[/b], [b]explosives[/b], and [b]flamethrower[/b] (with three flamethrowers!) variants. [*][b]PKM HMG[/b] and new [b]DRUZYNA PPANC.[/b] tank hunters. [*]All the above units feature the [i]Resolute trait[/i] and come in either [b]MAW/BAV-485[/b] amphibious softskins or [b]TOPAS-2A[/b] (with PKT), [b]TOPAS-2AP[/b] (with KPVT/PKT AA turret) or the new [b]TOPAS SPG-9[/b] with two fixed-forward RCL strapped to its hull.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/331d67f9c062f58afa7a2f9934bf1068c0e0da60.jpg[/img] [list][*]The airborne brigade component of the [b]Grupa Destanowa[/b] can also count on its own (new) [b]DESANT. KOMANDOSI[/b] special forces elements. These squads are the only heliborne unit available, with access to the [b]W-3 SOKOL[/b], and either the unarmed or armed [b]Mi-8T[/b].[/list][/list][/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/7fed5b267f59af8d839f2082aba3cbfb0a80b587.png[/img] [b]ART[/b] [list][*]A typical category with a standard number of weapons. These include [b]M43 82mm[/b] and [b]2S12 120mm[/b] mortars, plus [b]DESANT. 2B9 VASILEK[/b] automatic one. [*]The new [b]2S1M MORSKI GOZDZIK[/b] self-propelled gun, which is a naval-only model featuring the same stats as its land-based cousin, plus the [b]BM-21 GRAD[/b]. These are the only true artillery pieces the naval brigade can muster. [*][b]2S7 PIWONIA[/b] 203mm heavy artillery guns were attached to the [b]Grupa Desantowa[/b] to provide heavier support. [*]A new unit is the [b]WP-8Z[/b], a light towed MLRS launcher with 8x 140mm tubes.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/a6fdf86f5a1603f20b5a9799bf4669be3027ad50.jpg[/img] [b]TANK[/b] [list][*]Not very spectacular. The naval brigade had its own tank battalion and some anti-tank vehicles. These include [b]PT-76B[/b] in command and “tank” variant, the [b]T-55A[/b], in the same range of flavors, and the [b]BRDM-2 MALYUTKA-P[/b]. [*]The airborne brigade brings its scant anti-tank means. In real life, this only amounted to the [b]DESANT. WD-43 FAGOT[/b]. [*]We added some additional vehicles the Poles had removed from the paratroopers when the division was downgraded to a brigade in 1986. These were kept in storage but now see renewed action: the new [b]ASU-85[/b] light airborne tank destroyer. It features a D-48 anti-tank gun in a casemate on a PT-76 chassis. This unit comes in command and “vanilla” variants.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/ab3b67bc4e08c9cc4edc3dbb6c1f24563318e6a2.png[/img] [b]RECO[/b] [list][*]A pretty good category including [b]DESANT.[/b] variants of existing units such as [b]SNAJPER[/b], [b]ZWIADOWCY[/b], and [b]ROZP. SPECJALNE[/b]. [*]Armored recon vehicles are the [b]BRDM-2[/b] and [b]PT-76[/b]. [*]And airborne recon includes the new [b]W-3RR PROCJON[/b] helicopter with SIGINT trait (this is being tested as we speak).[/list] [b]AA[/b] [list][*]Below-par with only light and towed equipment available. [*]These include [b]STRZALA-2M[/b] and [b]DESANT. STRZALA-2M[/b] MANPAD teams. [*]Non-airborne AA units come as either the [b]TOPAS-2AP[/b] (with AA turret) or the [b]TOPAS JOD[/b] with a ZUR-23-2S. [*][b]DESANT. ZU-23-2[/b] and [b]DESANT. ZUR-23-2S[/b] towed guns. [*]And the [b]HIBNERYT-KG[/b] gun truck.[/list] [b]HELO[/b] [list][*]Pretty good, as this battlegroup has been given the lion’s share of communist Poland’s helicopter support for our war scenario. [*]This means both [b]Mi-24D [AT][/b] (with Falanga-P) in two distinct variants, and the [b]Mi-24W[/b] (with Kokon). [*]New gunship variants of the SOKOL, being the [b]W-3W [RKT][/b] (23mm gun plus 40x 80mm rockets) and the [b]W-3W [AA][/b] (23mm gun plus 20x 80mm rockets plus 4x Strela-2M missiles).[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/cae2c7448f723f2710718ab41b321d4c5ca4adb7.jpg[/img] [b]AIR[/b] [list][*]A pretty good category, but note that this one is still being worked on and is likely subject to change. [*]Air superiority is achieved by the [b]MIG-21BIS [AA][/b] and the new [b]MIG-29 9.12[/b] in two variants: with 2x R-27R and 4x R-73, plus “shotgun” version with 6x R-73 in “ripple-fire” mode. [*]The [b]SU-22M4[/b] provides close support in many loadouts: RKT (two variants), a new [b]NPLM[/b] version, CLU, AT, and new [b]SEAD[/b]. The [b]Grupa Destanowa[/b] is a unique half-airborne, half-naval infantry division with plenty of [i]Forward Deployment[/i] units backed by strong air support (both helo and air). However, it lacks heavier units, such as tanks. [b][h2]NORTHAG Expansion Explained[/h2][/b] [b]WARNO - NORTHAG[/b] is the first major expansion coming to [b]WARNO[/b]. World War III hits the North German Plain where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The expansion is planned for later in 2024. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG/ [b]WARNO - NORTHAG[/b] will feature: [list][*]2 new [b]Army General[/b] campaigns. [*]4 new [b]Operations[/b]. [*]10 new [b]Divisions[/b], including NATO’s Belgian [b]16e Pantserdivisie[/b], Dutch [b]4e Divisie[/b], the British [b]4th Armoured Division[/b] and [b]MultiNational Airborne Division[/b], and the American [b]9th Infantry (Motorized) Division[/b], while the Warsaw Pact deploys the Soviet [b]25-ya Tank. Diviziya[/b], the East German [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b], and the Polish [b]4 Dywizja Zmechanizowan[/b], [b]20 Dywizja Pancerna[/b] and [b]Grupa Desantowa[/b]. [*]3 new playable nations: NATO’s Belgium and the Netherlands, and Warsaw Pact’s Poland. [*]New voice acting. [*]New units and models.[/list] We have started detailing [b]WARNO - NORTHAG’s[/b] features. Check the list below! [list][*]In the very first DevBlog, highlighting [b]Division #1[/b], we show off NATO’s Belgian [b]16e Pantserdivisie[/b] going to war with powerhouse cousin Luxembourg. Read more about [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4615714711226689202?l=english] the new battlegroup in this dedicated post[/url]. [*]In [b]Division #2[/b], we focused on the Warsaw Pact’s Soviet [b]25-ya Tank. Diviziya[/b] or [b]25th Tank Division[/b]. Read more about [url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/1611600/announcements/detail/4601078645996666657?l=latam]this battlegroup here[/url]. [*]In our [b]Division #3[/b], we look at the Dutch and their hard-hitting [b]4e Divisie[/b]. Check it [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/7447353797710840842?l=en]out in this DevBlog here[/url]. [*]The [b]Division #4[/b] looks into the poster child of the East German [i]Nationale Volksarmee[/i], the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b]. Take a [url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/1611600/announcements/detail/4658500175769884307]look in this DevBlog[/url]. [*]In our [b]Division #5[/b] we take a gander at the British [b]4th Armoured Division[/b]. Check it out [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4658500175787248080?l=english]in this DevBlog[/url]. [*]And our [b]Division #6[/b] looks at the new Polish mechanized fighting forces of the [b]4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana[/b]. Check out the [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4656249009455187260?l=english]DevBlog here[/url]. [*]The special paratroopers of British-led [b]MultiNational Airborne Division[/b] get their chance to shine in [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4656249643711925549?l=english]this dedicated Division #7 DevBlog here[/url]. [*]In [b]Division #8[/b], we turn back to the Polish and their armored vanguard made up of the [b]20 "Warszawska" Dywizja Pancerna[/b]. Read more about it in [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4694530875465167956?l=english]this DevBlog here[/url]. [*]The exotic weaponry of the [b]US 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division[/b] take center stage in [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/4553793657358296911?l=english]Division #10 DevBlog[/url].[/list] [b][h2]Until Next Time[/h2][/b] That’s all for [b]NORTHAG’s[/b] divisions. We’ll turn our gaze next on the new maps coming with our big expansion! Join the [b]WARNO[/b] community. Check the latest news on the [b][url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/1611600/allnews/]Steam News[/url][/b] page or visit the [b][url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/1611600/discussions/]Steam Forums[/url][/b]. Get together with other players on either the excellent [b][url=https://discord.gg/TEeBArm]Discord server[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.reddit.com/r/warno/]Reddit page[/url][/b], [b][url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiFqzFcEAzeiu3Msr9G7izw]YouTube[/url][/b] or our [b][url=https://www.instagram.com/eugensystems/]Instagram[/url][/b]. See you on the battlefield, commander.