Introduction
Greetings, comrade-cadets. Welcome to the glorious people’s army. Are you ready to liberate the west from their capitalist yoke and crush the imperialist puppets once more?
Overview
This series of articles will explore the soviet ground forces in detail and instruct rookies and veterans alike on the principles of Soviet combat doctrine and list-building in Team Yankee, which will be applicable in V1 and the upcoming V2 of the game. In this first article, we will explain the concept of the operational art and examine how and why Soviet ground forces are organised for their principle mission type: Manoeuvre warfare. Although Soviet military activity extends to other parts of the world, the Soviet forces opposite NATO and her allies represent the model for this examination as well as the surrogate for Soviet allies elsewhere.
Soviet ground forces
Soviet ground forces have always constituted the largest arm of their military vehicle, and besides being massive, are also highly modernised by the standards of the day. Well equipped with great firepower and mobility, the manpower and material of the Soviet army represent a formidable force with its core in Motor Rifle, Tank and Airborne Divisions.
Soviet ground forces in any region are nominally organised into Fronts, which are the largest field formation of operational units roughly analogous to NATO groups. A front comprises of 3-5 armies complete with aviation assets and other support.
The basic Soviet army is the Combined arms army, comprising of 2-4 motorised divisions, 1-2 tank divisions and accompanying support. This forms the core of the Soviet Fronts and is the most commonly seen formation. Occupying either offensive or defensive roles, the Combined arms army is well equipped to handle any challenge.
The Tank army is another organic component to the Soviet Front, and comprises of 2-4 tank divisions and 1-2 motorised divisions with accompanying support. Fulfilling the role of deep penetration and exploitation, the tank armies outmanoeuvre and threaten enemy rear areas.
Concept of Soviet combat
In the context of Team Yankee, we will be looking at Soviet ground forces not on the operational level, but at a tactical (Division) level. Herein lies the fundamental difference between Soviet doctrine and modern Western military thinking. Soviet military doctrine espouses the concept of battles on the divisional level, and ‘tactics’ refer to battles fought at this organisational stage rather than individual battles between units. Because of the sheer size of Soviet formations, forces are generally fixed in a set organisational structure, with flexibility in the form of attached support from regiments as the mission dictates. Accordingly, because battles are orchestrated at the division level, commanders must rely on battle drills to execute combat operations with trained conscript forces.
The mission for Soviet divisions therefore lies in achieving objectives in tactical depth through the concept of offense as the basis of combat.
Modern Soviet doctrine relies on the following to achieve this objective:
- Offense as the basis of all combat operation
- Mobility and firepower
- Reconnaissance
- Deception
- Violence of force
- Application of force on weak points to keep enemies off balance and under pressure
- Avoidance of frontal attacks where possible
- Preservation of friendly forces
- Relentless prosecution of objectives
- Improvisation and Initiative to achieve objectives
Soviet combat action can be condensed into the following missions:
Offense:
- Meeting engagements
- Pursuit
- Attack from march/ attack from position in direct contact
Defense:
- Hasty defense
- Prepared defense
- Withdrawal
It is important to note that Soviet doctrine maintains that defense is a temporary operation, and on the tactical level denies enemy counterattacks while preparing for offensives as the next front moves up.
Putting it into perspective in Team Yankee
Studying the doctrinal concepts above, it is clear that the modern Soviet army works differently from both their WW2 ancestors and the bumbling Asiatic hordes depicted in contemporary Hollywood media and curiously, the novel. Playing the modern soviet forces as such will only net losses and at best, pyrrhic victories.
From Soviet doctrine, the desired stance of any Soviet force tends towards Attack or Manoeuvre. While Soviets can and will defend as needed, it is important to note that defensively Soviet forces have some core weaknesses which will be covered in the section below. Crucially, because in any given scenario Soviets can typically outnumber their opponents, meeting engagement scenarios are preferred.
In Red Thunder, the Soviets enjoy the luxury of having the most flexible list-building option of any book in the game. Although many players will enjoy the stereotypical depiction of Russian tank hordes, it should be understood that Soviet doctrine places a mandatory emphasis on combined operations with infantry and armour working in lockstep. While fielding large amounts of armour is indeed a workable scenario, players should also always include at least 1 medium BTR/BMP platoon as organic support, as well as at least 1 artillery or air support option.
Furthermore, because Soviet formations are so unwieldy on the field, it is key to understand the concept of standard battle drills, which can be likened to chess moves executed at will by any commander. This is important to achieve a minimum 3:1 local force superiority ratio in any scenario when fighting on an objective. Standard battle drills will be covered in further articles.
Strengths and weaknesses of the Soviet army in Team Yankee
Soviet armour and IFVs enjoy fast movement speeds and very good firepower capable of taking out most opposition, but are ill-equipped to brawl in protracted engagements. Infantry bear excellent firepower with a focus on winning protracted firefights but little capability against most NATO MBTs (Main battle tanks). Artillery is cheap and abundant, but slow to range in on targets that are not already sitting on their grid. Soviets also enjoy the Mi-24 Hind, a unique gunship with excellent manoeuvrability and firepower for taking out NATO MBTs.
As shown in history, Soviet ground forces suffered from poor training, and although morale is artificially inflated through liberal use of vodka and the prospect of captured strawberry slurpees and MacDonalds, the individual courage and training of Soviet troops leaves much to be desired. Amusingly, they appear to have lost much of their street fighting viciousness acquired from Stalingrad and reverted back to being drunken slobs in assaults.
Additionally, although for an army of its size the Soviets enjoyed fairly good armour and equipment, night fighting sights and protection was still behind its richer NATO counterparts.
As a result of all these quirks, the Soviet army must be used as a combined force, and commanders should consider the following when constructing their forces:
Strengths
- Massive numbers
- Decent equipment for cost
- Efficient infantry with 5+ Firepower
- BMP2s
- MI-24 Hinds
- List building flexibility second to none
- Excellent morale
Weaknesses
- Training is a core weakness of all Soviet lists. This is an issue that soviet commanders have to live with and work around.
- 3+ to hit on all units
- 5+ Skill, especially on artillery
- Minefields
- Poor assault values
- Night fighting
- Tendency to get in each other’s way due to overcrowding
Closing
The next article will cover the basics of Soviet list building, starting with the core of the Soviet forces, the Motor Rifle Division, and will cover not only the basic principles of the list, but also support options best suited for the mission type.
About the Writer:
Eddie is an avid painter who also enjoys anime, studying military history and hopes that Girls Und Panzer will come true one day so that everyone can resolve their differences with tank Airsoft.
Resources:
The Soviet army: Operations and tactics FM 100-2-1 ,1984, Headquarters, department of the Army (USA)
The Russian way of war, 2016, Lester W. Grau & Charles K. Bartles, Foreign Military Studies Office
