5th 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 third element of the Dutch 1st Corps, after 4th Netherlands (Dutch) Mechanised Division (c.1984) & 1st Netherlands (Dutch) Mechanised Division (c.1984), was the 5th Dutch Mechanised Division. The 5th Division was rated the worst in AFCENT in the early 1980s (hence the low training & morale rating in MSH), and unless 3 months full mobilisation has occurred, should be reduced in strength by one-third of it’s Stands across all units. Like the 1st Division once fully mobilised it would need to travel about 350km from Holland to its assembly area in Germany and would likely do so without being fully mobilised.

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

Quality: NATO but using WARPAC 2 tables (i.e. Orders, Flank Marches, Artillery, etc)
Morale: Green

Divisional Headquarters: 1 x HQ M577.

51st (Reserve) Armoured Brigade:
Bde HQ: 1 x HQ M577.
51st AA Battery: 2 x Gepard SPAA.
51st Engineer Company: 3 x M113 Engineer Combat Teams, 1 x Leopard AVLB, 1 x Leopard AEV, 1 x Recon Landrover with MG.
34th Artillery Battalion: 4 x M109A1 155mm SPG, 1 x FO (YPR-765C).
16th 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.
12th, 54th 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.

52nd (Reserve) Mechanised Brigade:
Bde HQ: 1 x HQ M577.
52nd AA Battery: 2 x Gepard SPAA.
52nd Engineer Company: 3 x M113 Engineer Combat Teams, 1 x Leopard AVLB, 1 x Leopard AEV, 1 x Recon Landrover with MG.
51st Artillery Battalion: 4 x M109A1 155mm SPG, 1 x FO (YPR-765C).
15th & 43rd 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.
52nd 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.

53rd (Reserve) Mechanised Brigade:
Bde HQ: 1 x HQ M577.
53rd AA Battery: 2 x Gepard SPAA.
53rd Engineer Company: 3 x M113 Engineer Combat Teams, 1 x Leopard AVLB, 1 x Leopard AEV, 1 x Recon Landrover with MG.
13th Artillery Battalion: 4 x M109A2 155mm SPG, 1 x FO (YPR-765C).
14th & 46th Mechanised Battalions, each:
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.
56th 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.

Notes

* 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 below.

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

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.