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. While the 1st Dutch Corps had assembled all 3 of its Divisions and its Corps Troops in Germany (along with the Air Force Ground units stationed there, the Elite Marine Commando “W” Company would join the British in Norway and the 1st Marine Amphibious Combat Group would be available for similar deployment. The remainder of the Dutch Air Force & Territorial Army in Holland (including the Marines) in 1984 was:
This article originally appeared in the SOTCW’s Journal No.43 (March 2002).
Dutch Air Force
306th Reconnaissance Squadron: 4 x RF-16A ‘Danish Recce’ Fighting Falcon.
311th, 312th Attack Squadrons, each: 4 x F-16A Fighting Falcon.
313th, 314th, 315th Attack Squadrons, each: 4 x NF-5A Freedom Fighter.
316th Attack Squadron: 4 x F-104G Starfighter.
322nd, 323rd Fighter Squadrons, each: 4 x F-16A Fighting Falcon.
32nd USAF Tactical Fighter Squadron*: 4 x F-15A Eagle.
334th Transport Squadron: 3 x Fokker F-27 Friendship.
In addition to the ground units already specified in Germany with the 4th Netherlands (Dutch) Mechanised Division (c.1984) the following are deployed in Holland:
Quality: NATO 2
Morale: 1/2 Regular 1/2 Green
12th AA Regiment:
4 AA Squadrons, each: 1 Towed Improved HAWK, 1 Towed M55 Quad 0.5” AA HMG, 2 Trucks.
118th, 200th, 223rd AA Missile Squadrons (up to 1984 only), each: 2 x Nike Hercules (static deployment).
2 Airfield Defence AA Regiments, each: 3 x Bofors 40mm L/70 static AA Guns (with FlyCatcher Radar), 1 x M55 Quad .50″ on YA-328 DAF Truck.
Dutch Territorial Force:
Quality: NATO but uses WARPAC 2 charts unless specified otherwise.
Morale: Green unless specified otherwise.
302nd Territorial Infantry Brigade:
Bde HQ: 1 x HQ Stand & Truck.
301st & 302nd Light Recce Companies, each: 4 x Recon Landrover with MG.
303rd Arty Battalion: 4 x M101 towed 105mm & Trucks, 1 x FO (Landrover).
311st, 313rd, 312th, 315th Infantry Battalions, each:
BHQ: 1 x HQ Stand in Truck, 1 x 120mm RT61 Mortar & Truck, 1 x M40 106mm RR Jeep.
3 Companies, each: 2 Infantry Stands**.
304th Territorial Infantry Brigade:
Bde HQ: 1 x HQ Stand & Truck.
303rd, 304th Light Recce Companies, each: 4 x Recon Landrover with MG.
304th Arty Battalion: 4x M101 towed 105mm & Trucks, 1 x FO (Landrover).
319th, 321st, 322nd, 325th Infantry Battalions, each:
BHQ: 1 x HQ Stand in truck, 1 x 120mm RT61 Mortar & Truck, 1 x M40 106mm RR Jeep.
3 Companies, each: 2 Infantry Stands**.
323rd, 324th, 327th Independent Territorial Infantry Battalions
(probably organised similarly to above Territorial Battalions)
55 Independent Territorial Companies, each: 2 Infantry Stands.
113 Independent Territorial Platoons, each: 1 Infantry Stand.
1 Territorial Engineer Group: Non-combat force to keep NATO supply lines open.
Dutch 305th (Territorial) Commando Battalion
Quality: NATO 1 except 2nd & 3rd Reserve MACG which are NATO 2
Morale: Veteran except 3rd Reserve MACG which is Regular
Marine W Company (Elite***): 3 x Marine Infantry Stands**** with BV-202, Skis and/or Boats.
Winter warfare trained & assigned to British 3rd Commando Brigade for Norway.
1st Marine Amphibious Combat Group:
Btn HQ: 1 HQ Stand, 1 Recon Jeep with MG.
2 Marine Infantry Companies, each: 3 Marine Infantry Stands****.
2 (Reserve) Marine Infantry Companies, each: 3 Marine Infantry Stands****.
1 Support Company: 1 x 81mm Mortar Stand, 1 Engineer Stand, 1 MMG Stand, 1 x M40 106mm RR Jeep.
If deployed to Norway the 1st MACG (only) will be motorised in BV-202.
2nd Marine Amphibious Combat Group:
As 1st MACG above. Deployed in Dutch Antilles so not initially available for operations in Germany.
3rd (Reserve) Marine Amphibious Group:
As 1st MACG above. Available after full mobilisation completed.
Notes
* Under Dutch command for air defence of Holland.
** Territorial Infantry have just LAW for their ATGW.
*** Elite Status – Treat as Veteran except only check Morale once 3/4 Casualties reached and due to high level of training Scenario Designers may like to add a special specific bonus depending on scenario, e.g. can use Combat Engineer combat bonus + Veteran one in Close Combat, have embedded observer so count as FO or FAC, if doing prepared stealth Recon only spotted at 1″ even in open until they move, or such like (Also see Mark Bevis’ Special Forces Suggestions in his Amendments & Suggestions article – Ed).
**** Marine Infantry Stands have integral 60mm Mortar (i.e. Indirect Fire capability) and the 84mm S550 Carl Gustav MAW for their ATGW.
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.
Contributor: © 2002 Mark Bevis (of MicroMark Army Lists).