[Conceptual Division] 10 Dywizja Pancerna


Howdy commanders!

We are now in the 8^(th) of 10 of my second wave concept divisions! Today’s idea is a regular Polish tank division that was high readiness, but low tech. They will have a fairly flat selection of armor, centered around older model T-55s. They will get some slightly older and newer tanks in limited numbers, but are mostly stuck with T-55A. In addition to motorized and mechanized infantry support, Polish border guards would accompany this division on its way back to Czechoslovakia! …back? Yes, dear reader, back. All will become clear as you press on. If you have been following my works, you should know by now that the aim of these divisional concepts is to add novelty in terms of composition and gameplay. I fully accept that some of the “acquisition” used to add units here are far fetched. I make choices on what goes into the division based on this and at times that will be at odds it the historicity of the cold war.

# Background

With NATO forces putting pressure on Czechoslovakia, other Warsaw Pact armies began to mobilize to support their allies. One of the formations rushed to reinforce the Czechoslovaks was Poland’s 10 Dywizja Pancerna (10^(th) armored division). Converted from the 10th Sudeten Infantry Division to the 10th Sudeten Armored Division in 1951, this division was reorganized between a Motor Rifle and Armored division in the 1950s until settle on its current name in 1955. It was a high readiness division in 1989, meaning it was comprised of professional soldiers and did not rely heavily on reservists for numbers. Being near the Slovak border, this division would become a large strategic quick reaction force (QRF) with the Czechoslovak [14 Tankova Divise](https://www.reddit.com/r/warno/comments/1vs4fqz/14_mototankova_divize/). This would not be the first time 10 Pancerna rolled its tanks into Czechoslovakia, however.


Tanks of 10. Pancerna and many other Warsaw Pact divisions invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968 during the “Prague Spring,” a large-scale civilian mass protest to achieve more liberal policies. Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and the Soviet Union sent their armies in to crush the unrest and suppress the protests. The Prague Spring lasted for over 7 months and ended when the invasion happened. There was an exchange between Czechoslovak military forces and those of the invading Warsaw Pact nations; hundreds were killed and wounded. The day after the invasion began, the “Normalization” of Czechoslovakia was imposed, undoing many of the changes that had been secured.


This was not the only time 10 Pancerna deployed within the friendly borders, however. During the period of martial law in Poland in the early 1980s, the division was deployed to Upper Selesia. While there they deployed there, they took part in the pacification of the Wujek coal mine. They suppressed protests there with the help of the dreaded ZOMO, killing 9 miners in the process.


In addition to the organic units of 10 Pancerna, they would bring additional forces with them as they reentered Czechoslovakia. Warszawski Okręg Wojskowy (WOW), one of Poland’s three military districts, would proffer some support in several forms. Polish Border Guard in WOW would send troops to help handle rear line duties and some limited reconnaissance. They would then free up Polish and Czechoslovak soldiers and security personnel to rotate closer to the front. Polish border guard units did deploy into Czechslovakia in the 1968 Soviet invasion, so this isn’t without precedent. The specific units would be those that inherited lineage from the Podhale rifles (as previewed in Nemesis 6.1), fancy uniforms and all!

Finally, some unique aviation assets from WOW would be available to the division as they were nominally operating deep within friendly territory. These assets would range from older, outdated models, to new (and alternative history) acquisitions. There would also be a showcase of some domestic Polish aviation.

# How would 10 Dywizja Pancerna play in WARNO?

# Slots and Units

# LOG

A mediocre category

* Command units would include:


* ***SKOT R-6*** an unarmed command variant of the SKOT APC * **BWP-1K3** * Supply vehicles would include * **GAZ-66 ZAOP.** * **STAR-266 ZAOP.** * **KrAZ-255B ZAOP.**

# INF

A good category

* Typical infantry organic to the 10^(th) would be available * Mechanized troops would include the usual suspects, all arriving in either **STAR 266** or **BWP-1**s * **DOW. PIECHOTA ZMECH.** * **PIECHOTA ZMECH.** * **PIECHOTA ZMECH. (SVD)** * **DRUZYNA PPANC.**


* ***PIECHOTA ZMECH. (METIS)*** Metis was used by the Poles, but it was an uncommon weapon system for them. This battlegroup will have a selection available to them. This squad has the same equipment as the regular Piechota Zmech., but replaces the RPG with the Metis. * SKOT-borne troops would also be available to the battlegroup. They may arrive in **STAR 266** trucks or **SKOT-2A**.  * **PIECHOTA DOW.** * **PIECHOTA** * **PIECHOTA (SVD)** * ***PIECHOTA (METIS)*** This squad has the same equipment as the regular Piechota, but replaces the RPG with the Metis * Standard engineering units are available and can arrive in **STAR-266**, **SKOT-2,** or **SKOT-2A** transports.  * **SAPERZY** * **SAPERZY SZTURMOWI** * **WSW** are available and may be transported by **STAR-266** or **UAZ-452 WSW** soft-skinned vehicles * Typical weapon teams would include the following (all arriving in **UAZ-469**s): * **PKM 7.62 mm** * **PPK FAGOT** * **SPG-9** * The Polish Border Guard would also be sent in to help secure ground, freeing up other Warsaw Pact forces for sustained combat operations. These units were largely previewed in the PACT offering for Nemesis 6.1. * Podhale infantry would have mobilized and deployed to reinforce the Czech forces. They all feature the mountaineer trait and their amazing capes! All Podhale units arrive in soft-skinned **STAR 266** trucks unless otherwise noted. * ***DOW. PODHALANSCY*** 6-man leader squad, armed with 4 kbk AKM, an RPK, an SVD, and smoke grenades * ***PODHALANSCY*** are 10-man squads with 8 kbk AKM rifles, one RPK, a PMK-60 grenade launching rifle, and rifle grenades (they only had hand grenades in real life) * ***PODHALANSCY (RPG-7)*** this 10-man squad is the same as above, but replaced the grenade launcher rifle and rifle grenades with another rifle and an RPG-7VM * Limited ***PODHAL. DRUZYNA PPANC.*** 8-man tank hunters will get the only available RPG-7VLs, two per squad, but losing their RPK * The Podhale rifles also bring some weapons teams. They all arrive in **UAZ-469**s and have the mountaineer trait. * ***PODHAL. PKM*** * ***PODHAL. SPG-9***

# ART

An average category

* **M wz.43 120mm**


* ***AP wz. 1954 (M-46) 130 mm*** M-46 is Polish service, towed by **KrAZ-255B** * **AH wz. 1937/85 152mm** towed by **KrAZ-255B** * **BM-21-1 GRAD**

# TNK

A good category

* Polish armor in the division would consist of the following:


* ***T-34/85M2*** also previewed in nemesis 6.1, this is a Polish modified T-34/85 visually different from the older T-34/85M. In game terms it will only improve its autonomy.  * **T-55AD** * **T-55A** * **T-55AS** * **BRDM-2 MALUTKA-P** * **BRDM-2 KONKURS**


* Poland had received T-62s for testing and evaluation. They were ultimately rejected for Polish service, but they had several examples of the tank in country. In the prelude to war, it will be said that Poland revisited interest in T-62 as a gap filler for second line units as it offered slightly more firepower than a T-55 and the Soviets were looking to cut a deal. Upgrade packages to M1 standard would be said to have been sent to Poland for their evaluation on the existing T-62s, making a limited number of Polish ***T-62M1*** tanks available to the battlegroup. This means modernized fire control and improved armor.

# REC

A mediocre category

* Polish Army forces would have a typical array of recon troops  * **ZWIADOWCY** arriving in **UAZ-469** or **OT-65** * **ZMOT. ZWIAD** arriving in **STAR-266** or **ROZP. BWP-1** * **BRDM-2** * **ROZP. SPECJALNE** with **HONKER 4011** or **HONKER RYS** available as transports * **BWR-1D**


* ***PZL TS-11 ISKRA*** a domestic Polish trainer jet pressed into a recon role, which was done in real life. It will be lightly armed as well, with a 23 mm gun and two small rocket pods. * Polish Border Guards provide a few units to help with reconnaissance as well: * ***PODHAL. ZWIAD*** a 4-man recon team, armed with 2 kbk AKM rifles, an SVD DMR, and a scoped Mosin Nagant sniper rifle. This unit may arrive in  * ***ROZP. PODHALA*** are 10-man Podhale Rifles recon squads armed with 9 kbk AKM rifles and an SVD arriving in **STAR 266** trucks.

# AA

A good category

* **STRZAŁA-2M** * **ZU-23-2** * **ZUR-23-2S JOD** * **AZP S-60 57mm** * **STRZAŁA-1M** * **ZSU-23-4M1 SZYŁKA** * **PZR KUB-M3**

# HEL

None

# AIR

A good category.

* A typical array of Polish airframes would be available. * **MiG-21bis \[AA\]** * **MiG-21bis \[RKT\]** * **MiG-21bis \[HE\]**