[i]Guten Tag, genosse kommandant![/i] We’re back with this week's second [b]WARNO - NORTHAG[/b]-themed DevBlog. Today, we’ll be taking a good look in [b]Division #4[/b] at the armored “poster child” of East Germany, the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b]. [i]Seid ihr bereit?[/i] [b][h2]The East German 9. Panzerdivision[/h2][/b] The [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b] was the cream of the crop of the East German [i]Nationale Volksarmee[/i]. The favored division was earmarked for the 5. Armee, with the tank formation set to be facing NORTHAG during any defensive (or, in our case) offensive operations. This division was at the top of the list of new equipment, receiving everything first and in greater number. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/d3518d33de494113e21c64fa43d8ba37e7754e8f.png[/img] As such, the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b] was not only the sole “full” T-72 tank division of the NVA, but it also received the latest models. Furthermore, the handful of BMP-2s that the Soviets ever agreed to sell to East Germany also ended up in this division. If the NVA had an equivalent to a Soviet Army’s “Guard” honorary title, the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b] would have been it. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/74fb3bd4405bf0f751cf4d38dfa9c83d70a9b48c.jpg[/img] Much like the rest of the NVA, the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b] was created at the inception of the East German Army in the 1950s, and the tank division was actually formed in 1956. Based in Eggesin, in the northeast of the communist country, it was closely modelled after Soviet example. During the Cold War, the division never saw any actual combat duty, except for some heightened readiness phases during the Prague Spring in 1968 and Polish unrest in the 1980s. [b][h2]Warsaw Pact’s East German 9. Panzerdivision Detailed[/h2][/b] In terms of the Table of Organization & Equipment, the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b] follows in the footsteps of the (already existing in [b]WARNO[/b]) [i]7. Panzerdivision[/i]. However, there are some notable differences: [list][*]As mentioned above, the division is fully equipped with [b]T-72[/b], so no older T-55s at all. [*][b]MOT.-SCHÜTZEN[/b] motorized rifle squads are BMP-borne, no BTR deployable. [*]It got first dib on most new equipment. Nice![/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/7099904c9e67a52132420bf7529306092f86e490.png[/img] [b][h2]The 9. Panzerdivision in WARNO - NORTHAG[/h2][/b] Let’s look to see how the East German [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b] shapes up to be. [b]LOG[/b] [list][*]A pretty standard category for an armored division in terms of available slots. [*]The East Germans receive a [b]FOB[/b], a medium [b]T813 MUN.[/b] supply truck and the new, heavy [b]T815 MUN.[/b] one. [*]Command units are all armored and include [b]SPW-50PU[/b], [b]BMP-1K SP2[/b], and [b]SPW-40P2(K)[/b].[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/a74c7f0b22a353d18fa99a2d4a6a53cb41a20402.jpg[/img] [b]INF[/b] [list][*]Quite similar to the existing [i]7. Panzerdivision[/i] but with fewer slots. [*]As previously mentioned, all [b]MOT. SCHÜTZEN[/b] are BMP-borne, being brought to the battlefield in either [b]SPz BMP-1 SP[/b], [b]SPz BMP-1 SP2[/b] or [b]SPz BMP-1P[/b]. The later coming in new Konkurs-equipped variants. The infantry are supported by [b]MOT.-SCHÜTZEN FÜH.[/b] command squads. [*]The latest [b]SPz BMP-2[/b] was very rare (a dozen in real life), but we created a new [b]MOT.-SCHÜTZEN (RPG-27)[/b] squad to accommodate this IFV. Note that the limited supply to the East Germans of the RPG-27 also occurs due to our “March to War” timeline. This new squad and IFV will be available in two cards only. [*]Of course, the usual complement of [b]PIONIER[/b] combat engineers in either [b]MT-LB[/b] or [b]SPW-70[/b] are available too. [*]Support weapons are [b]PALR FAGOT[/b], [b]PKM 7,62mm[/b] and [b]GR.-MG 30mm[/b].[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/082141a8eb7269d500ed76ea7de1f3eb33bc71b6.jpg[/img] [b]ART[/b] [list][*]Again, quite similar to the other East German armored division, but a bit more generous in number of units. [*]Aside from towed 120mm mortars, the [b]9. Panzerdivision’s[/b] artillery is entirely self-propelled. Units include [b]2S1 122mm[/b], [b]2S3 152mm[/b] and [b]RM-70[/b] MLRS. [*]The latter unit will be available in both the standard HE variant and the new incendiary [b]RM-70M[/b] (built on a T815 chassis).[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/7f9055a4a7f3054e21705fae1efb95cb9b74f25d.jpg[/img] [b]TNK[/b] [list][*]As to be expected, the best category with a generous array of slots and options. If you want your [b]T-72s[/b], you will get them! [*]The [b]KPz T-72M1[/b], while rare in [i]7. Panzerdivision[/i], is here the divisional warhorse. This tank will be available in command and plain “tank” variants. [*]A cheaper version is not the KPz T-72M but instead the late production version delivered to NVA specifications from Czechoslovakian factories, namely the new [b]KPz T-72MÜV2[/b] with slightly improved front armor. [*]Cherry on the cake, however, is the addition of one card of the new [b]KPz T-72S[/b]. This was to be the new (main) Soviet export tank, built to almost a thousand units by 1989 but never delivered to Warsaw Pact client states due to the fall of the Berlin Wall. In our “March to War,” a few of these tanks would have started trickling down to the NVA where - of course - they would have been prioritized to the frontline service in the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b]. The [b]T-72S[/b], being an export-downgraded version of the T-72B (which the Soviets kept for themselves), was still a major step-up over the T-72M1. Not only does it feature more armor, it can now also fire the Svir barrel-launched ATGM. [*]Completing the tank force is the [b]GF SHTURM-S[/b] missile-based tank destroyer, with its planned delivery (which never occurred in real-life) expedited in our March to War timeline. As with the rest of the division, no towed equipment will be available.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/6161152182b202894a386b4282615e8b28c3c48e.jpg[/img] [b]RECO[/b] [list][*]Rather average with the [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b] being restricted to divisional assets only. [*]This means a 4-man [b]AUFKLÄRER[/b] team which can be deployed in the new [b]SCHIMMWAGEN MAV[/b], an amphibious jeep. [*]Helicopter recon is the light but armed [b]MI-2US ADDER[/b]. [*]A Soviet detachment of [b]MI-8PPA[/b] for some heavy-duty aerial radar recon.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/7d869e7c1685d8c71a56046afa1521e412fc42f3.jpg[/img] [b]AA[/b] [list][*]Again similar to the existing [i]7. Panzerdivision[/i] with some differences: [*]No towed equipment (so no ZU-23-2) and no BRDM-2 STRELA either. [*]But it does mean more cards of both [b]SHILKA[/b] and [b]MT-LB STRELA-10[/b] mobile SAMs.[/list] [b]HELO[/b] [list][*]A rather average category with expensive slots and limited choice. [*]The options on offer are good, though, and include the light [b]MI-2 URN[/b] gunship and the [b]MI-24D[/b] and [b]MI-24P[/b] anti-tank Hinds.[/list] [b]AIR[/b] [list][*]A pretty strong category with the [i]Luftstreitkräfte[/i] providing ample ground support to the nation’s “best” division. Aircraft will come in two different flavors: [*][b]MIG-23MF[/b] and [b]MIG-23ML[/b] fighters. [*][b]SU-22M4[/b] in rocket, HE, cluster and SEAD roles.[/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/a3944dd973885b89161356bc073b49bd85097617.jpg[/img] The [b]9. Panzerdivision[/b] can boast a large variety and lots of T-72. This is further backed by good air and artillery. Furthermore, all of its equipment is self-propelled, making the East German formation the perfect assault division. Due to its limited infantry, it fares less well on defense. [b][h2]NORTHAG Expansion Explained[/h2][/b] In case you missed the news: [b]WARNO - NORTHAG[/b] is the first major expansion coming to [b]WARNO[/b], and takes World War III to 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 release 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]. [*]4 new [b]Maps[/b]. [*]10 new [b]Divisions[/b], including Belgian [b]16e Pantserdivisie[/b], Soviet [b]25-ya Tank. Diviziya[/b], the Dutch [b]4e Divisie[/b], and the East German [b]9. Panzerdivision[/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 each of [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].[/list] [b][h2]Until Next Time[/h2][/b] That’s it! Next week, we’ll kick off with the NATO’s British [b]4th Armoured Division[/b]! 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. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41657262/19ae7d824760409872672da4109609c5d1d342a4.gif[/img]