WINTER WAR - HiWAAY Information Services

NORTHAG-NORTH 

WINTER WAR 

EXPANSION PACK 

FOR HPS NORTH 

GERMAN PLAIN ’85 

by Hans Boersma 

IT HAD BEEN the fear of NATO 

generals for quite some time: a surprise 

attack by the Warsaw Pact’s standing 

forces, driving a number of their armourheavy 

divisions deep into West Germany 

before NATO could fully mobilize. 

That surprise attack came on Christmas 

morning, 1985. NATO’s outnumbered 

covering forces only just had time to take 

up their foreward positions before the 

full force of the Soviet led attack hit 

them. 

The first 48 hours were crucial: within 

that time the Soviets had the opportunity 

to neutralize Western Germany and 

compromise the will of the western 

democracies to fight on.

1. Introduction 

NORTHAG-North Winter War is an expansion pack for HPS North German Plain ’85 and includes a series of 

seven scenarios focussing on the actions of 1 (NL) Corps (1 Legerkorps) during the Warsaw Pact’s Christmas 

Offensive of 1985; as such it is an elaboration on the large campaign scenario “Winter War in the NORTHAG 

Sector” (#10_08s). The scenarios work with new oob, pdt and unit icon files. Installing these will not 

overwrite original files*. All scenarios have AI orders for the Warsaw Pact side only. 

2. Additions and Changes 

I made a number of changes to files of the types mentioned above, which will be specified below. 

2.1 Order of Battle [NG Plain_NN_Dec85.oob] 

2.1.1 1 (NL) Legerkorps, NTC, KLu and ACLANT 

After researching the organisation of the Netherlands armed forces of the mid-eighties, I introduced the 

following additions and changes to the oob. 

Additions: 

• Anti-tank companies on battalion level 

• Combat engineer companies on brigade level 

• Engineers, artillery, Royal Constabulary, reconnaissance helicopters and commandos on Corps level, 

two reconnaissance battalions on Corps level and one on divisional level 

• Troops of the National Territorial Command (NTC) on Corps level 

• One mechanised infantry battalion (55 Painfbat) on Corps level 

• Three F-16 Squadrons, one of which reconnaissance, and two NF-5 Squadrons to the Royal 

Netherlands Air Force (KLu) 

• Allied Command Atlantic (ACLANT) on Army level, featuring the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps 

(Kmarns), elements of the Royal British and Royal Netherlands Navy (KM) and the United 

Kingdom/Netherlands Amphibious Force (UK/NL AMF) 

Changes: 

• For the unit designations I adopted the official Dutch military abbreviations. Confusing as it initially 

might be, I’m confident that the game’s (NATO) symbols and unit pictures leave no doubt about the 

function of any unit. Below are most of the unit designations for the Netherlands forces and their 

translations: 

English Abbrevations In Full, Dutch 

Armoured Brigade Pabrig Pantserbrigade 

Army Corps Lk Legerkorps 

Army Corps Artillery Lka Legerkorpsartillerie 

Constabulary Battalion (Military Police) Marbat Marechausseebataljon 

Constabulary Company (Military Police) Maresk Marechaussee-eskadron 

Engineer Battalion Gnbat Geniebataljon 

Infantry Brigade Infbrig Infanteriebrigade 

Light Aircraft Group (reconnaissance helicopters) GpLV Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen 

Marine Battalion Marnsbat Mariniersbataljon 

Marine Corps Kmarns Korps Mariniers 

Mechanised Anti-Air Battery Paluabt Pantserluchtdoelartilleriebatterij 

Mechanised Artillery Regiment Afdva/Afdra Afdeling Veld-/Rijdende artillerie 

Mechanised Engineer Company (combat engineers) Pagncie 

Pantsergeniecompagnie 

Mechanised Infantry Battalion Painfbat Pantserinfanteriebataljon 

Mechanised Infantry Brigade Painfbrig Pantserinfanteriebrigade 

Mechanised Support Company (anti-tank) Paostcie Pantserondersteuningscompagnie 

National Reserve (Home Guard) Natres Nationale Reserve 

* with exception of Supply Unit.bmp (Netherlands), of which the vehicle type has been corrected; you can choose to overwrite or not. 

I also included Bradley.bmp (American) as it seems to be missing in the latest HPS patch. The file itself is not changed.

English Abbrevations In Full, Dutch 

National Territorial Command NTC Nationaal Territoriaal Commando 

Observation and Reconnaissance Company 

(commandos) 

Wrnverkcie 

Waarnemings- en 

verkenningscompagnie 

Reconnaissance Battalion Verkbat Verkenningsbataljon 

Royal Air Force Klu Koninklijke Luchtmacht 

Royal Navy KM Koninklijke Marine 

Tank Battalion Tkbat Tankbataljon 

• The Centurion tanks have been upgraded from Mk3 to Mk5/2 (105mm gun) 

• The YP-408 armoured personnel carriers have been flagged as “low reliable”, like the Centurions; 

both were only still in use because of budget cuts in the past and were being replaced (with YPR’s 

and Leopards respectively). In the mid-eighties their deployability had become questionable 

DAF YP-408 armoured personnel carrier 

• The Leopard 1 has been relabelled Leopard 1-V; it has also been flagged as “low reliable”, due to 

continuous problems with various new (electronic) systems and overdue maintenance of the old 

components 

• The number of vehicles in the Paluabts (anti-air batteries) has been raised from 6 to 9 

• The number of tanks per Tkbat (tank battalion) has been raised from 13 to 17 

• 56 Tkbat (non-existent) has been renumbered 58 Tkbat 

• 44 Painfbat (mechanized infantry battalion) has been moved from 42 to 52 Painfbrig; 53 Painfbat 

has been deleted (non-existent) 

• 54 Afdva has been downgraded from M109 to M114 guns 

• The unit quality of the KLu (Royal Air Force) squadrons has been raised from D to C. Contrary to the 

army, the KLu largely consisted of regulars, with conscripts and reservists only serving in supporting 

roles; pilots were partly trained in the US and Canada, and the KLu took pride in being a professional 

organisation. During the NATO air operations over former Yugoslavia in the mid-nineties the 

KLu turned out to be a highly flexible and effective organisation (USAF Lieutenant General J.W. 

Ashy: “The Dutch and American pilots are both top-notch. We have been working together for so 

many years, it’s like we’re in the same country […] I was extraordinarily impressed with your pilots 

as I am with American pilots. I see little, little difference”). While this might lead us to a B or even 

an A rating, in the mid-eighties the KLu struggled with a structural problem: experienced pilots and 

technicians were leaving service in considerable numbers for well-paid jobs in commercial airline 

companies. Although most of them were called back into service during the general mobilization, 

the lack of incorporated experience continued to affect the KLu for several crucial days.

• There are some significant changes in the composition of the armoured units, as is shown in the two 

tables below; changes are displayed in blue. In the eighties the Netherlands tank force went 

through a huge modernisation programme: the Centurion, in service since the fifties, was being 

replaced, while the Leopard 1 was being extensively upgraded to Leopard 1-V, the “V” standing for 

“verbeterd” (improved). Further the brand new Leopard 2 entered service from 1983 on. The 

modernisation came with reorganisations, one of which was the enlarging of the Tkbats in the 

Painfbrigs with a fourth squadron (D), raising the number from 52 to 61 tanks per battalion. In 

December 1985 42 Tkbat was the first battalion with an operational D-squadron. Regimental names 

have been added in the form of abbreviations which can be viewed in the unit box. 

1 (NL) Corps: Tank Battalions (Tkbats) 

1 Divisie Tkbat Original NGP85 NN Winter War Regiment Abrv 

11 Painfbrig 101 Centurion Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander RHPA 

12 Painfbrig 59 Centurion Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren Prins van Oranje RHPO 

13 Pabrig 

49 Leopard 2 Leopard 1-V 

11 Leopard 2 Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren van Sytzama RHS 

4 Divisie Tkbat Original NGP85 NN Winter War Regiment Abrv 

41 Pabrig 

41 Leopard 2 Leopard 2 Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander RHPA 

43 Leopard 2 Leopard 2 Regiment Huzaren van Sytzama RHS 

42 Painfbrig 57 Centurion Centurion 

43 Painfbrig 42 Leopard 1 Leopard 2* Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander RHPA 

5 Divisie Tkbat Original NGP85 NN Winter War 

51 Pabrig 

12 Leopard 1 Leopard 2 

54 Leopard 1 Leopard 2 

52 Painfbrig 52 Centurion Centurion 

53 painfbrig 58 Centurion Centurion *with D-squadron 

• As the next table shows the Verkbats have also been updated, sporting a mixture of M113’s and 

Leopards, the first roughly composing 2/3rd and the latter 1/3rd of their strength, which has been 

increased from 36 to 54 vehicles. The AMX13 went out of service in the late seventies. 

1 (NL) Corps: Tanks in the Reconnaissance Battalions (Verkbats) 

Verkbat Original NGP85 NN Winter War Regiment Abrv 

1 Divisie 104 AMX13 Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren van Boreel RHB 

4 Divisie 103 AMX13 Leopard 2 Regiment Huzaren van Boreel RHB 

5 Divisie 102 AMX13 Leopard 1-V Regiment Huzaren van Boreel RHB 

1 (NL) Corps 105 AMX13 Leopard 2 Regiment Huzaren van Boreel RHB 

• There are no further changes in the Painfbats; the table below completes the picture with their 

regimental names. 

1 (NL) Corps: Mechanized Infantry (Painfbats), Regiments 

1 Divisie Painfbat Regiment Abrv 

11 Painfbrig 

12 Garderegiment Jagers GRJ 

48 Regiment Van Heutsz RVH 

12 Painfbrig 

11 Garderegiment Grenadiers GRGR 

13 Garderegiment Fuseliers Prinses Irene GRFPI 

13 Pabrig 17 Regiment Infanterie Chassé RICH 


41 Pabrig 42 Regiment Limburgse Jagers RLJ 

44 Painfbat moved to 5 Divisie 

42 Painfbrig 43 Regiment Infanterie Chassé RICH 

45 Regiment Infanterie Oranje Gelderland RIOG 

43 Painfbrig 

41 Regiment Stoottroepen RST 

47 Regiment Infanterie Menno van Coehoorn RIMVC

2.1.2 German 1. Korps 

1 (NL) Corps: Mechanized Infantry (Painfbats), Regiments 


51 Pabrig 16 Regiment Limburgse Jagers RLJ 

52 Painfbrig 

15 Garderegiment Fuseliers Prinses Irene GRFPI 

44 Regiment Infanterie Johan Willem Friso RIJWF 

53 painfbrig 

14 

46 

As I added Dutch territorial troops it only seemed logical to do the same for the Germans, as most of the 

fighting took place on their soil. For this I used the OOB file produced by Peter Dietrich and added four 

Heimatschutz Brigades from NTK (Nordliches Territorialkommando). 

3. General Remarks 

3.1 Strength 

I have made the Netherlands OOB as complete as possible — within the format of the game. This meant 

exercising some restraint and having a closer look at the other NATO armies and the way they are represented 

in the game. The Paostcie’s for example add substantial anti-armour power to the Painfbats, but it 

should be noted that the actual numbers of TOW systems were even higher, with up to 24 systems per 

Painfbat. For the OOB I therefore took the game’s US mechanised infantry as guideline, with one company 

of 12 systems per battalion. As has been noted above, the Verkbats (reconnaissance battalions) have been 

upgraded both in material as in numbers — from 36 to 54 vehicles; the actual number of vehicles however 

was 81 (63 M113’s, 18 Leopards), not counting command and staff vehicles. As a final example, the 

relatively large Lka (Corps Artillery): I added 9 units, where I could have added 12 (for comparison: in the 

OOB West German I. Korps has 10 artillery units on Divisional and Corps level). 

The diagram below shows the additions to the Netherlands forces are nonetheless extensive: 

Men Guns Vehicles Units Planes 

Original NGP85 9140 0 756 129 48 

NN Winter War 17826 90 1329 251 162 

These numbers make it clear that any scenario makers should use this Netherlands OOB with some prudence; 

on Corps level it is probably more expanded than any other in the game, especially in territorial troops 

and Corps engineers. I have made these additions to improve accuracy and to add choice, flavour and 

variety; not to create a misbalanced game. 

All in all, the combat power of 1 (NL) Corps has been increased considerably. The enlargement of the tkbats 

from 39 to 51 tanks adds no less than 144 tanks in total, while the upgrading of the Verkbats adds yet more 

armour and fire power. The correction of the Centurion tanks from Mk3 to Mk5/2 will also have a noticeable 

effect; they retain however a lower speed and defence value to reflect their mechanical unreliability, as 

well as the “low reliability” rating. 

3.2 The Netherlands Army, Unit Quality 

3.2.1 Overview 

In the seventies both national and international (NATO) expectations about the wartime effectiveness of 

1 (NL) Corps were gloomy: a conscript army, unionised, for a large part depending on reserves, composed of 

long-haired soldiers with a very casual military attitude — hardly the picture of a model army. In the late 

seventies and early eighties however it became clear that at least in manoeuvres the Dutch performed just 

as good as any of their NATO allies; the American Soldiers magazine even concluded that the Dutch 

conscript was a “first class soldier” — and “tough as nails” was a qualification heard after joint US-Dutch 

manoeuvres. Moreover, Dutch units often scored high in NATO competitions like the Canadian Army Trophy. 

In June 1985 the Dutch conscripts of 43 Tkbat (Leopard 2) scored the highest hit percentage (96%) at the 

CAT. While all this might lead us to a general B quality rating, the fighting in December 1985 and January 

1986 also showed the Dutch weren’t in all cases as enduring as, for instance, German or British troops. 

Generally however they fought with spirit, and the inhabitants of Bad Bevensen or Bremen will certainly 

remember the bloody fights they put up in defence of their cities.

3.2.2 Changes 

The overall unit quality of the Netherlands units is originally C (“average”), which is probably fair if one 

would have to rate the Netherlands forces as a whole. I felt however that a bit more profile is possible, and, 

in some cases, needed. 

3.2.2.1 D Quality: 5 Divisie; the Netherlands Army Reserve System 

5 Divisie was composed entirely of reserve units. First it should be noted that in the Netherlands “reserves” 

meant something different than in most other countries, where reserve forces tend to be composed of parttime 

volunteers (in the Netherlands Army personnel of this sort was to be found in Natres [National Reserve]). 

Conscripts who had completed their military service automatically became reservists who could be called 

back into active service up to the age of 40 in case of a general mobilization. Personnel that had been in 

active service less than two and a half years before would go straight back into operational units (a quite 

ingenious system called RIM), the others had to go through a limited period of training again before they were 

considered deployable. 

In terms of pure reaction speed the Netherlands reserve system was perhaps the most effective in the world. 

During yearly mobilisation drills (“Donderslag”) sceptical NATO officials were time and again convinced and 

impressed by the speed with which reserve units could be made combat-ready; indeed the Dutch claim that 

each of the three reserve brigades could be geared up for departure to its war destination within 24 hours 

proved to be a credible one. 

In the late seventies 5 Divisie was mechanized, which gave it the same organization and armament as 1 and 4 

Divisie. But while on paper 5 Divisie might seem a force equal to the other two divisions, the reality was a different 

one; there were to major problems that effected its deployability. Firstly it still needed a considerable 

amount of professional NCO’s, and these were simply not available in sufficient numbers. Secondly, and more 

importantly, the reserve units lacked recent training, especially in operating on brigade level. Periodically 

groups of reservists were called back into service for a short period to keep their training up to a certain 

standard, but due to budget restrictions this happened to few and on too small a scale to be really effective. 

This meant that after mobilization the division would need at least several weeks of training to be able to 

operate on the same level as 1 and 4 Divisie. Reservists were generally highly motivated but it simply needed 

time to form them into solid units and to make these units function in the evermore complex combat operations 

of larger army formations. 

We know that in December 1985 the division only got a few days to prepare itself, and although it performed 

relatively well in the area north of Cloppenburg the results could have been much better, especially against 

the 2nd echelon Polish Divisions. 

The only exception to the downgrading from C to D quality is 44 Painfbat; this was an active battalion of 

4 Divisie that in wartime was placed under 5 Divisie’s operational command. 

3.2.2.2 B Quality: 41 Pabrig, 41 Gnbat, 103 Verkbat 

On the other hand there were the active units permanently stationed in West Germany: an armoured brigade 

enforced with a reconnaissance and an engineer battalion. These could be combat-ready in six hours, were 

well prepared for their task and knew both the terrain and the forces opposing them. Furthermore it were 

mostly these units that scored highest during national and NATO contests like the Bult Francis Cup and the 

Canadian Army Trophy. Indeed 41 Pabrig proved to be a tough nut to crack; it took heavy losses during the 

campaign but remained an active and effective combat outfit throughout. 

3.2.2.3 A Quality Units 

These are elite units originally not present in the game: 104 Wrnverkcie (Commandos) and Kmarns (Marines). 

Reserve components of these units (305 Cotrbat and 3 Marnsbat respectively) are rated B. 

3.2.2.4 C Quality units 

The remaining units retain their C rating, while Dutch supply units have been downgraded from B to C. Units 

of the National Territorial Command (NTC), although composed almost exclusively of reservists, have not 

been downgraded to D. In securing rear areas they had a task very different from 5 Divisie; the Infbats mostly 

operated in a straightforward infantry role, and their operations essentially took place on company level.

3.3 Parameter Data 

The Dutch conscript: loose in attitude and appearance — but “tough as nails” according to some; on average 

higher educated than their professional colleagues, inventive and inclined to take initiative 

I used the Germany.pdt file made by Mark Breed, with the following changes: 

• As dikes in Northern Europe generally do not form impassable obstacles they are now passable for 

any moving unit type (9MP for all) 

• NATO now has the same deception values as Warsaw Pact 

• From scenario NN5 Pressure Point on, NATO air power gradually grows stronger 

• The Netherlands Army had no electronic warfare units in 1985, therefore NATO EWF values are 

lowered; generally more so when there are less non-Netherlands NATO units on the map 

3.4 Graphics 

With the new units I added several new unit pictures, and in one or two instances errors were corrected. 

I tried to keep the new unit pictures in style with the original ones. MP units (Maresk) and territorial or 

home guard units are identified by their emblem on the right side of the unit box: 

Unit icons: Dutch MP and Dutch and German territorial troops

4. Campaign Overview 

North German plain, December 1985; projected and actual forward positions of 1 (NL) Corps. The coloured areas roughly indicate the 

intended deployment areas — orange for 4 Divisie, yellow for 1 Divisie and purple for 5 Divisie; the pink area indicates the corps rear 

area. 1 (NL) Corps units are shown in their most forward positions during the first phase of the war. Original map by Michael Avanzini, 

HPS Simulations. 

“The greatest problem facing the Dutch will be getting to the war,” someone once observed. The Dutch were 

unwilling to station more than 1 brigade in Germany (41 Pabrig), and the resulting maldeployment of 1 (NL) Corps 

was generally seen as its greatest weakness. Although measures had been taken to speed up reaction time, by 

1985 it was recognised that in case of a surprise attack most Corps elements would probably not arrive in their 

designated positions in time. A covering force, consisting of 3. Panzerdivision, with 41 Pabrig and 3rd US Brigade 

under command, was to slow down the enemy advance until the rest of 1 (NL) Corps would arrive — which was 

expected to start happening after 48 hours. 

The map above shows that the pre-war concerns were justified. 4 Divisie did not get the chance to concentrate 

— which in itself was no problem, since the brigades were designed to operate independently and under varying 

commands. 42 and 43 Painfbrig never reached their war positions and instead fought a series of delaying actions 

on both flanks of 3rd US Brigade, together with elements of West German I Korps and Heimatschutz. 41 Pabrig 

had been engaged heavily in the critical first 48 hours and it soon saw substantial action again in the woods of the 

Luneburger Heide, together with 43 Painfbrig; later it performed the so-called “Lada Attack” together with 4th 

UK Armoured Brigade. 42 Painfbrig had a rough time performing fighting retreats from Bremervorde all the way 

back to the Netherlands border, after which its remnants were combined with those of 3rd US Brigade into 

NORTHAG’s first binational brigade: 342 US/NL Brigade. This improvised outfit defended NORTHAG’s outer left 

flank, around Groningen and Delfzijl, supported by a hotchpotch of Home Guard platoons and reservists of 

commandos and royal marines. 

1 and 5 Divisie did not get anywhere near their designated areas of operation, but wisely took their time to 

deploy and prepare, with effect: although both divisions took heavy losses they wrecked two Polish and one 

Soviet division in their drive to the Ems river. The Battle of Cloppenburg, as it was later called, was the only 

occasion in which a Dutch mechanised division (1 Divisie) fought fully deployed and prepared. It also showed that 

the units of 5 Divisie, though speedily mobilized, were not really up to their task, lacking much needed training 

and unit building. 

Though it certainly was not the role they were intended to play Dutch territorial troops eventually proved 

instrumental in holding NORTHAG’s left flank with their determined and generally well executed defence of the 

canal of Stadskanaal, albeit against ghastly losses. Ironically they were less successful in their operations against 

airborne troops, a task that was thought to be more in their line; but those of course proved to be better trained 

and equipped. The territorials could be counted on to put up a stiff defence; they could not be counted on to 

execute an effective counterattack on a significant scale. 

In the first week of 1986 the overall balance began to shift in NATO’s favour. The technical superiority of NATO 

air power began to pay off, resulting in increasingly disrupted enemy command and supply lines; on its central 

front NORTHAG started its first modest counteroffensive, and, finally, long awaited reinforcements from North 

America began to emerge behind the battered defenders.

5 The Scenarios 

5.1 Forward Defence [NN1 Forward Defence.scn] 

Luneburg, 25-26 December 1985: Christmas morning 

proved to be the perfect moment for a surprise 

attack. The war had been as cold as the 

weather, and signs that a Soviet invasion was immanent 

only became clear a few hours before the 

event, giving NATO just enough time to deploy its 

covering forces. North and south of Luneburg lay 

the area which, after mobilisation, was to be defended 

by 1 and 4 Divisie. The covering force consisted 

of 3. Panzerdivision, with 41 Pabrig and 3rd 

US Brigade under command. Its task was to hold 

or slow down the enemy until reinforcements 

would arrive — which was expected to happen 

only after 48 hours. Hold or destroy the bridges 

over the Elbe Seiten Canal and deny enemy passage 

through your sector. Virtual supply trucks 

optional rule recommended. 

5.2 Shadows & Tall Trees [NN2 Shadows & Tall Trees.scn] 

Luneburger Heide, 27-29 December 1985: After two 

days of heavy and complex fighting 41 Pabrig managed 

to extract itself from the mayhem behind the Elbe- 

Seiten Canal with losses that were actually 

surprisingly light. In the night of 26-27 December it 

retreated into the Luneburger Heide largely in good 

order and took up positions there, behind the cover 

provided by substantial outfits of 3. Panzerdivision. 

They weren’t given much time to recover, and when 

43 Painfbrig arrived in the woods the Germans, 

according to plan, started moving their troops to new 

positions. Their confidence bolstered by the previous 

days the Dutch decided to make the enemy’s passage 

as costly as possible. This is a night scenario, with 3 

hour night turns. Explicit optional rule is supported. 

Based on scenario #10_12 Through the Luneburger 

Heide by Saunders & Blackie. 

5.3 Night Rally [NN3 Night Rally.scn] 

Bremervorde, 27-28 December 1985: 42 Painfbrig 

had taken up positions near Bremervorde, in the 

rear of 3rd US Brigade which was subsequently 

ordered to recuperate behind the Hamme river. 42 

Painfbrig provided cover for this operation, which 

was led by the staff of 4 Divisie. During the night 

COMNORTHAG ordered all units to retreat towards 

Bremen, as a Warsaw Pact thrust to the north 

threatened to outflank them. This is a night 

scenario, with 3 hour night turns. Lead 3rd US 

Brigade to the retreat hexes and try to minimize 

losses. Virtual supply trucks optional rule is 

supported.

5.4 More Rearguard Actions [NN4 More Rearguard Actions.scn] 

Between Bremen and Bremerhaven, 29-30 December 

1985: After four days of fighting the Warsaw Pact 

Divisions were approaching the Weser. Bremerhaven, 

with its large storages of NATO supplies, was left 

defended only by German Heimatschutz and elements 

of 6. Panzergrenadierdivision that had been cut off by 

the enemy’s rapid advance. While NATO struggled to 

relocate its supplies ACLANT’s UK/NL Amphibious 

Force was sent in to buy time. South of Bremerhaven 

42 Painfbrig, having fought a series of bloody delaying 

actions in the previous days, had a hard time 

retreating behind the Weser under heavy pressure of 

the Soviet 21 Guards Division. Meanwhile in the 

northern outskirts of Bremen the 3rd US Brigade was 

determined to make a stand, but it soon was ordered 

behind the Weser also. Explicit supply optional rule is 

essential for this scenario. 

5.5 Pressure Point [NN5 Pressure Point.scn] 

West of Bremen, 30-31 December 1985: In the previous 

night the Soviets had forced their way through Bremen 

and across the Weser, making extensive use of chemical 

weapons. 43 Painfbrig was still holding on to the western 

outskirts of Bremen, preparing for the next wave of 

Soviet armour. Around the town of Leeste 41 Pabrig 

was recovering from the intense actions of the past 

days. South of Bremen 12 UK Armoured Brigade was still 

partly on the other side of the Weser; they were ordered 

to pull back and destroy the bridges at Achim behind 

them. Soon after their difficult retreat they were 

redeployed further south to counter enemy attacks 

there. While news arrived that 1 Divisie “7 December” 

was taking up positions further to the west, the enemy 

sent in airborne troops to disrupt command and supply 

lines. Soon the defenders found themselves in dire 

straits. Explicit supply optional rule recommended. 

5.6 New Year’s Day [NN6 New Year’s Day.scn] 

Between Lingen and Oldenburg, 1-3 January 1986: All 

was not quiet on New Year’s Day. While the Soviet 94 

Guards Division was recovering from the heavy fighting 

in and around Bremen, two Polish divisions were sent 

forward to continue the advance. They promptly received 

a bloody nose from 1 Divisie “7 December” supported 

by two brigades of 5 Divisie, who had been able to 

take up solid positions in the previous evening and 

night. The Polish pushed on and managed to advance up 

to eight miles but got badly mauled in the process. 

Again the enemy committed airborne troops, and soon 

94 Guards Division was sent into the fray once more, 

unprepared — the Warsaw Pact machine was beginning 

to show its first signs of exhaustion. Explicit optional 

rule is supported. Based on scenario #15-01 The Meppen 

Feint by Saunders & Blackie.

5.7 Winter Kills [NN7 Winter Kills.scn] 

Between Groningen and Oldenburg, 4-7January 1986: 

While 1 Divisie and the two brigades of 5 Divisie had 

more or less held their ground, north of them Warsaw 

Pact forces had continued to make progress, pushing the 

ill prepared reservists of 52 Painfbrig aside without too 

much trouble. NORTHAG's extreme left flank was now 

seriously threatened; all that lay before the enemy was 

a Dutch territorial brigade and the remnants of 3rd US 

Brigade and 42 Painfbrig, which in the previous days had 

been combined into 342 US/NL Brigade. The Dutch 

territorials had formed a WW1-style line behind a canal, 

dug in deep and hoped for the best; they could still 

count on considerable artillery support. Meanwhile 

COMNORTHAG improvised a counterattack, to be undertaken 

by 41Pabrig and 4th UK Armoured Brigade, who 

were to advance in north-eastern direction towards the 

Lada river in order to disrupt the enemy’s advancing 

formations. The Lada Attack, as it was soon called, met 

with mixed success; but on a larger scale the tide was 

already turning. NATO air power was beginning to get 

the upper hand and Warsaw Pact supply lines were 

subsequently becoming increasingly disrupted; further 

south the Bremen Express, NORTHAG's first major counteroffensive, 

had been put into motion with noticeable 

effect. And, finally, reinforcements from North America 

arrived through the port of Rotterdam. Explicit optional 

rule is supported.

6. Appendices: Organisation and Equipment 

6.1 A Reconnaissance Battalion (Verkbat) 

Main components: 

Battalion Staff 

Staff Support Squadron 

A-Squadron 

B-Squadron 

C-Squadron 

A, B and C Squadron each consisted of a Staff Platoon and 3 Combat Platoons. 

Staff platoon: 

1 x M113 C&V 

1 x M577 

2 x M113 RDR (radar) 

2 x Moto Guzzi 

4 x Landrover 

5 x YA4440 Truck 

Combat Platoon: 

5 x M113 C&V 

2 x Leopard (1-V or 2) 

1 x M106 (mortar) 

1 x M113 A1 

6.2 A Tank Battalion (Tkbat) Leopard 2A4 



Staff Support Squadron 

Reconnaissance Platoon (7 YPR765) 

Supply Platoon 

Medical Platoon 

A-Squadron 

B-Squadron 

C-Squadron 

A, B and C Squadron each consisted of a Staff Platoon and 4 Combat Platoons. 

Staff Platoon: 

1 x Leopard 2A4 (Squadron Commander) 

Various other vehicles 


4 x Leopard 2A4 

6.3 Tank Battalions Centurion Mk5/2 and Leopard 1-V 

Until the early eighties the Tkbats equipped with the Centurion and Leopard 1 had a slightly different 

organisation, with 3 Combat Platoons of 5 tanks each and 2 tanks in the Staff Platoon. I do not know if this 

was still the case in 1985.

6.4 A Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Painfbat) YP408 



Staff Support Company 

A-Company 

B-Company 

C-Company 

Armoured Support Company (Paostcie) 

A, B and C Company each consisted of a Staff Platoon and 3 Combat Platoons. 


2 x YP408 (.50 HMG, command vehicles) 

12 x YP408 (.50 HMG) 

The Armoured Support Company consisted of 3 Mortar Platoons and 1 Anti-tank Platoon TOW. 

Mortar Platoon: 

5 x YP408 (3 x 120 mm mortar Rayé Hotchkiss Brandt 

Anti-tank Platoon: 

7 x YP408 (6 x TOW) 

A Combat Platoon YP-408

6.5 Divisional Organisation 

Table from Handboek voor de soldaat; Uitgave 1985:

6.5.1 Notes 

The anti-tank company (Paatcie, (9)) has been left out of the OOB out of game-technical considerations (see 

paragraph 3.1). It featured 24 YPR-PRAT’s (TOW) 

The 9 Paluabts (anti-air batteries PRTL) are not present in the table, as these units were moved to Corps 

level during the mid-eighties 

Units (6) (7) and (8) were present in both the Pabrigs and Painfbrigs

7. Sources 

7.1 Orders of Battle, Netherlands Institute for Military History, The Hague 

Slagorde Koninklijke Landmacht; stand 01 juli 1985 

Slagorde Koninklijke Landmacht; stand 23 december 1985 

7.2 Bibliography 

VS 2 – 1350 Koninklijke Landmacht; Handboek voor de soldaat; Uitgave 1983 

VS 2 – 1350 Koninklijke Landmacht; Handboek voor de soldaat; Uitgave 1985 

Luitenant-Generaal der Cavalerie b.d. J.A.C. Bartels: Vier eeuwen Nederlandse Cavalerie, vol. 2 

(Amsterdam 1987) 

Willem Bevaart, Martin Elands, Christ Klep, Dirk Staat: Vijfig jaar Regiment Van Heutz 1950-2000 (Den Haag 

2000) 

J.M.J. Bosch: De operationele inzetbaarheid: marges en knelpunten, in Confrontatie en Ontspanning; 

Maatschappij en krijgsmacht in de Koude Oorlog 1966-1989 (Den Haag 2004) 

D.M. Brongers: 101 Tankbataljon 1957-1997 (Den Haag 1997) 

M. Elands: 250 jaar Genietroepen 1748-1998 (Den Haag 1998) 

Martin Elands, Richard van Gils, Ben Schoenmaker: De Geschiedenis van 1 Divisie ‘7 December’ 1946-1996 

(Den Haag 1996) 

Hans A.A. Haring: Mariniers; 325 jaar Qua Patet Orbis (Den Haag 1990) 

Generaal Sir John Hackett e.a.: De Derde Wereldoorlog; Augustus 1985; Geschiedenis van de toekomst 

(Amsterdam/Brussel 1982) 

Willem Helfferich: Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Hilversum 1994) 

Jan Hoffenaar, Joep van Hoof, Jaap de Moor: Vuur in beweging; 325 jaar veldartillerie 1677-2002 (Den Haag 

2002) 

J. Hoffenaar, B. Schoenmaker: Met de blik naar het oosten; de Koninklijke Landmacht 1945-1990 (Den Haag 

1994) 

J. Hoffenaar, J.P.M. Schoenmakers: November Romeo Treed nader!; de Nationale Reserve 1948-1998 (Den 

Haag 1998) 

Michiel de jong en Jan Hoffenaar: Op herhaling; De Koninklijke Landmacht en haar reservisten 1945-2006 

(Den Haag 2006) 

Wim Lutgert, Rolf de Winter: Check the horizon; de Koninklijke Luchtmacht en het conflict in voormalig 

Joegoslavie 1991-1995 (Den Haag 2001) 

Arie Rens: Het Regiment Huzaren Prins Alexander; de geschiedenis van het "hofregiment" 1672-1994 (1994) 

Sander Ruys: De Centuriontank in Nederlandse dienst, in Armamentaria 37 (Delft 2002) 

Sander Ruys: De DAF YP 408, een koninklijk voertuig, in Armamentaria 38 (Delft 2003) 

B. Schoenmaker, J.P.C.M. van Hoof: 200 Jaar Rijdende Artillerie 1793-1993 (Den Haag 1993) 

Nigel Thomas, Ron Volstad: NATO Armies Today (London 1987) 

Steven J. Zaloga: Tank War - Central Front; NATO vs. Warsaw Pact (London 1989) 

7.3 Internet (in no particular order) 

http://gaf.zeelandnet.nl/yp408/ 

http://www.43tankbataljon.nl/ 

http://www.boekje-pienter.nl/ 

http://www.41herstel-hohne.nl/ 

http://www.41tankbat.studio-7.nl/ 

http://www.ooteman.net/Reunie/index.html 

http://www.panzerbaer.de/units/index.htm 

http://run.to/boreel 

http://www.panzerbataillon24.de 

http://www.geocities.com/recce104/three.html 

http://www.relikte.com/nds_heer/div01.htm 

http://www.rhpo.nl/html/ 

http://www.luchtdoelartillerie.nl/11paluabt.htm 

http://www.marechausseenostalgie.nl/ 

http://www.107afdva.com/ 

http://www.sytzama.nl/ 

http://www.41afdva.net/ 

http://www.3ad.com/

http://www.armouredacorn.com/ 

http://collinsj.tripod.com/wargaming.htm 

http://www.nederlandse-marine.nl/ 

http://www.korpsmariniers.com/ 

http://www.marine.nl/mariniers/ 

http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/nato/ 

http://home-2.tiscali.nl/~stefanwi/101tkbat/101tkbat/1-index.htm 

8. Acknowledgements 

Glenn Saunders was helpful in explaining how some of the “raw data” (troop strengths, weapon systems) 

was translated into the games’s mechanics, which provided a guideline for me on how to apply changes and 

make additions. Mr. W. Smit of the Netherlands Institute for Military History pointed me to the extensive 

and detailed orders of battle and guided me through them. Jo van der Pluijm provided some helpful 

comments on the OOB, notably regarding the German Heimatschutz and 101 Infbrig. The visitors of 

Defensieforums.nl helpfully responded to my questions, in particular regarding the Leopard 1-V tank, the 

Royal Netherlands Navy and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. 

9. Notes on scenario titles 

“Forward defence” was the official NATO doctrine, mainly by request of West Germany, that didn’t want its 

territory advertised as a battleground for any dispute between the two world powers. Most other titles have 

musical references: “Shadows and Tall Trees” is a song by U2 (1980); “Night Rally” is a song by Elvis 

Costello (1978). “Pressure Point” is an episode of the BBC Sci-Fi series Blake’s 7 (1978-1981); “New Year’s 

Day” is again a song by U2 (1983) and “Winter Kills” is a song by Yazoo (1982). 

Hans Boersma, 2005-2006 

contact: 27jbat@planet.nl 

February 1986: on German soil once again; infantrymen of 45 Painfbat, 342 US/NL Brigade, 

near the town of Leer, shortly before the general ceasefire

WINTER WAR - HiWAAY Information Services

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