I used a workaround which allowed me to both have some units already deployed and others whose deployment is freely left to the player.
To play the scenario as intended, copy the "41 Pabrig.sav" file in the /Data/Saved directory of the game. Select "Load Scenario" from the main screen. You should see a save named "41 Pabrig Hasty Defense - 4 Divisie Area". Load it and you are in-game.
FREELY DEPLOY ONLY THE UNITS IN THE SW CORNER OF THE MAP. The others are in a bad position, I know. Don't touch them. This is the point of the scenario. The Dutch are rushing South to close a dangerous gap, but everything is being done in haste. The Soviets are rushing West hoping to overrun a fragile defense. Mass is their best hope.
After deploying your free units start the scenario and immediately pause it: from 00:01 you will be free to give orders to all your units.
This is my first attempt at writing a scenario for Armored Brigade. It was fun but I don't pretend it is perfect. Suggestions about balance and stuff are more than welcome. I'll gladly do a 1.1 version if the effort is worth it!
This is the scenario briefing (you will find it also in-game). I wrote all the background, trying to both follow my sources and keep a bit of uncertainty.
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Netherlands vs. USSR
July 1985
NOTE: DEPLOY ONLY THE UNITS IN THE SW CORNER OF THE MAP, WEST OF LANGELOH. DON'T TOUCH THE OTHER UNITS BEFORE STARTING THE CLOCK. AFTER YOU STARTED YOU ARE FREE TO GIVE ORDERS NORMALLY.
1) Situation: The Warsaw Pact managed to partially surprise N.A.T.O. and launch an attack 'from the barracks'. N.A.T.O.'s mobilisation just started, with many units still incomplete or out of position.
In the NORTHAG sector the area under responsibility of the Eerste Legerkorps (1 NL Corps) is bare. The three divisions forming the Corps need 48 hours to reach their positions. They are still 24 hours out. The 1 NL Corps line of defence, behind Luneburg and Uelzen, has already been overrun. WP forces are on the verge of smashing N.A.T.O.'s lines between Hamburg and Bremen, and open a hole on NORTHAG's left flank.
The only unit in position is the independent 41 Pabrig (41 Armoured Brigade), quartered in Seedorf. Only 75% operational, the 41 Pabrig was ordered to rush south and form a line of defence in front of Schneverdingen. With no time to dig in, the brigade is only shielded by the harsh terrain of the Luneburger Heide, east of the city. Will they live up their fame of 'elite' unit among the Dutch?
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2) Mission: As the Commander of the 42 Mixed Battalion you were the first to reach Schneverdingen. North and south of your position, the 41 and 43 Mixed Battalions are moving to secure the flanks. There are no reserves. Your mission is to deny the East-West roads passing in and around the city to WP forces. You are facing a fully reinforced Rifle Regiment. The enemy knows that time is of essence. They will try to overrun your positions.
You command a tank-heavy battalion equipped with 8 platoons of the new Leopard II tanks. Two companies (A-41 and B-43) are assisted by a single mechanised infantry platoon each. The third company (C) is composed by two Leopard II tank platoons, one mechanised infantry platoon and a mechanised anti-tank platoon. A-43 is already positioned in front of Schneverdingen but A-41 is just arriving on the scene. You can position company C as you see fit. We suggest to use it to cover the southern flank.
Not all your equipment was functional when you were rushed to the front, due to normal maintenance. You lack the battalion's 120mm mortars and heavy artillery. AA support is minimal. You have some light Alouette IIIs for recon. The WP is fully supported by heavy artillery and air-to-ground aircrafts.
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3) Execution: You are deployed on the down-slopes of the forest-heavy area of the Luneburger Heide. This difficult terrain will impede WP's advance but also reduce the advantage of your long-range weaponry. The enemy is expected to make full use of the road network, as speed is their utmost objective.Try to lie in ambush and to create kill-zones in areas where the enemy will be clearly funnelled. Your task is to bleed white the WP forces while conserving your own.
Good luck - you will need it!
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SUGGESTIONS AND BACKGROUND
July 1985 was an interesting moment for the Dutch Army. They were, literally, midway a change in equipment and doctrine. In writing this scenario I made some educate guesses but I also assumed that nothing is always clear-cut.
The new "Mixed Brigade" concept was already down on paper and, in reality, was implemented during the second half of 1985. The scenario assumes that the forward-deployed 4 Pabrig just concluded a wave of exercises when the war started with no forewarning, and was refitting in Zeven. This caused for part of it to be in the shop after being in the field but also for the formation to already have a new chain of command in place. With no time to reshuffle the OOB, your depleted 42 Painfbrig is now testing the new doctrine for real. The Mech Infantry still uses the old YP-408 Armored Car (a fragile battle-taxi) but the brand-new Leopard II is in line as the main battle-tank.
First of all CALM DOWN! You are badly out of position but not out of time. Read the map and plan accordingly. Don't be satisfied with the positions already in place: you have time to move things around.
There isn't a "silver bullet plan" for the Dutch. If you try to cover everything you will cover nothing. If you don't cover everything you will be pretty satisfied with your performance - until you discover that the Russians are partying in Paris.
Your biggest problem is your right flank. You haven't enough forces to cover it - apparently. You, however, have superior firepower. A few well placed units can make the Soviets pay for every yard. Yet, don't fall in the trap of exulting because the Russians are dying. Russian artillery will rain bad news on your head if you stay in place for too much time. Russian planes and helos will pee down more bad news but there is little you can do about it. Mobility here is the key. Don't die for an Objective: kill and retreat, then counterattack.
Firing on the move is the Leopard II's best asset. Moving is also when they are most vulnerable. A single hasty move can cost you half-a-company - or worse. Move (both in attack and defense) before things get dire, not during.
Your only long range eyes are two flights of Alouettes. They will tell you where the enemy is by dying under fire. Use these heroes with the deserved care.
This scenario is designed so that mutual destruction results in a draw even if you keep most of the objectives. You won't win without conserving at least part of your forces.
Have fun!
- The operational situation at start. Map from "Danube Front '85" by WDS
- 41 Pabrig Map.jpg (4 MiB) Viewed 612 times