1st Netherlands (Dutch) Mechanised Division (c.1984)

During the 1980s the Germans in North-West Germany were expected to be reinforced by forces from the Netherlands in the event of a Soviet invasion of West Germany, although in reality there was some doubt about the ability of the Dutch units to mobilise in time. The second element of the Dutch 1st Corps, after 4th Netherlands (Dutch) Mechanised Division (c.1984), was the 1st Dutch Mechanised Division. Once fully mobilised it would need to travel 350km from central Holland to its assembly area in Germany:

This article originally appeared in the SOTCW’s Journal No.43 (March 2002).

Quality: NATO 2
Morale: 1/3 Regular 2/3 Green

Divisional Headquarters: 1 x HQ M577.

11th Mechanised Brigade:
Bde HQ: 1 x HQ M577.
11th (Reserve) AA Battery: 2 x Gepard SPAA.
11th Anti-Tank Company: 2 x AMX-13/105mm, 2 x VCI with TOW.
11th Recce Company (only present up to 1984): 1 x Recon AMX-13/105mm, 4 x Recon Lynx M113 C&R, 1 x Recon M113 Combat Team*, 1 x M106 SP Mortar.
11th Engineer Company: 3 x M113 Engineer Combat Teams, 1 x Leopard AVLB, 1 x Leopard AEV, 1 x Recon Landrover with MG.
11th Artillery Battalion: 4 x M109A1 155mm SPG, 1 x FO (YPR-765C).
12th & 48th Mechanised Battalions, each:
BHQ: 1 x HQ YP-408 (and 1 x YP-408 with GSR**)
3 Mechanised Companies, each: 3 x YP-408 Combat Teams*.
1 Weapons Company: 1 x YP-408 with RT61 120mm Mortar, 1 x YP-408 with TOW.
101st Tank Battalion:
BHQ: 1 x HQ Centurion 5/2, 1 x Recon Lynx M113 C&R.
3 Tank Companies, each: 4 x Centurion Mk5/2.

12th Mechanised Brigade:
Bde HQ: 1 x HQ M577.
12th AA Battery: 2 x Gepard SPAA.
12th Anti-Tank Company: 4 x YPR-765PRAT (TOW) and/or AMX-VCI with TOW.
12th Recce Company (only present up to 1984): 1 x Recon AMX-13/105mm, 4 x Recon Lynx M113 C&R, 1 x Recon M113 Combat Team*, 1 x M106 SP Mortar.
12th Engineer Company: 3 x M113 Engineer Combat Teams, 1 x Leopard AVLB, 1 x Leopard AEV, 1 x Recon Landrover with MG.
14th (Reserve) Artillery Battalion: 4 x M109A1 155mm SPG, 1 x FO (YPR-765C).
11th Mechanised Battalion:
BHQ: 1 x HQ YP-408 (and 1 x YP-408 with GSR**)
3 Mechanised Companies, each: 3 x YP-408 Combat Teams*.
1 Weapons Company: 1 x YP-408 with RT61 120mm Mortar, 1 x YP-408 with TOW.
13th Mechanised Battalion:
BHQ: 1 x HQ YPR-765 (and 1 x YPR-765 with GSR**)
3 Mechanised Companies, each: 3 x YPR-765 Combat Teams***.
1 Weapons Company: 1 x YPR-765 with RT61 120mm Mortar, 1 x YPR-765 with TOW.
59th Tank Battalion:
BHQ: 1 x HQ Centurion 5/2, 1 x Recon Lynx M113 C&R.
3 Tank Companies, each: 4 x Centurion Mk5/2.

13th Armoured Brigade:
Bde HQ: 1 x HQ M577.
13th AA Battery: 2 x Gepard SPAA.
13th Recce Company (only present up to 1984): 1 x Recon AMX-13/105mm, 4 x Recon Lynx M113 C&R, 1 x Recon M113 Combat Team*, 1 x M106 SP Mortar.
13th Engineer Company: 3 x M113 Engineer Combat Teams, 1 x Leopard AVLB, 1 x Leopard AEV, 1 x Recon Landrover with MG.
12th Artillery Battalion: 4 x M109A2 155mm SPG, 1 x FO (YPR-765C).
17th Mechanised Battalion:
BHQ: 1 x HQ YPR-765 (and 1 x YPR-765 with GSR**)
3 Mechanised Companies, each: 3 x YPR-765 Combat Teams***.
1 Weapons Company: 1 x YPR-765 with RT61 120mm Mortar, 1 x YPR-765 with TOW.
11th & 49th Tank Battalions, each:
BHQ: 1 x HQ Leopard 1A1-V, 1 x Recon Lynx M113 C&R.
3 Tank Companies, each: 4 x Leopard 1A1-V.

Notes

* YP-408 & M113 Infantry have 84mm Carl Gustav S550 MAW as their integral ATGW along with LAW.

** GSR provides an EW Spotting Mission each turn – this is abstracted into the MSH rules so this stand does not need to be represented ‘on table’.

*** YPR-765 Infantry have Dragon as their integral ATGW weapon in addition to 84mm MAW & LAW above.

In practice units noted as Reserve Generally would not be available immediately, and relied on civilian transport for movement of called up reservists to depots within 72 hours. Forming up into their proper battalions would have taken longer again. All active (Regular Army) units also have one of their line companies on leave at any one time, thus even frontline units would require some three days notice to muster to their current full strength.