Free Nations: Canadians

By NDNG_Dane and Robert Kelly

photos courtesy National Archives Canada & Bob McBride

History of the 4 CMBG

by NDNG_Dane

In 1951, Canada contributed to NATO by forward stationing a brigade in West Germany.  The brigade was originally stationed in Soest, and was composed of over 6,000 soldiers.  Additionally, there were two brigades in Canada identified as rapid deployment brigades to bring Canadian Forces in Germany to Division strength.  The 4^th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (4 CMBG), and it remained forward deployed in Germany until it was disbanded in 1993.

In 1951, 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade (27CIB) arrived in Soest, Germany under the command and Control of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).  In 1953, 27CIB was officially named 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group (4CIBG).  For nearly 20 years, the 4CIBG would function alongside of the BAOR, and would constitute an essential and highly respected entity within the British military.  In 1963, the 4CIBG underwent modernization and new equipment fielding and acquired the M113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers.  The 4CIBG again changed its name, to the 4th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (4CMBG).

 

The 4CMBG performed front-line defensive responsibilities along the Wesser River.  4CMBG Reconnaissance Groups regularly patrolled the Canadian deployment zone, and forward observation officers (FOOs) were tested regularly on known target reference points and geographical formations of their defensive front-line sector.

In 1970, 4CMBG was restationed from Soest, in the Northern Army Group (NORTHAG) sector to Lahr, in the Central Army Group (CENTAG) sector.  This move provided planning challenges for the 4CMBG commander and staff.  The 4CMBG had to develop detailed battle plans to support either, the 7th U.S. Corps or,  the 2nd German Corps, in the event of a Soviet attack.

O Canada 

(by… Robert Kelly)

Those who know me know that I always do Canadian armies no matter the game.  Mid-War…Canadians. Late-War…Canadians. So, when I heard rumours a few years ago of Battlefront going into the Cold War (Tour of Duty), I immediately started collecting and painting models and that’s why I can start playing Canadians right now.

Needless to say when I heard about Free Nations I was very excited. I can finally use my Canadian painted M113s, Leopard C1s and M109s as Canadians instead of Germans or Americans. As someone who served in the Canadian army during the Cold War and is all about Canadian lists, I think I’m uniquely qualified to comment on the new 4 CMBG lists. So here we go, eh!

At first glance, the Canadian section looks very good. The colours and cam patterns on the vehicles are correct and capture that unique Canadian Army feel.  Since 4 CMBG was the reserve for either 7 US Corp or the German 2 Corp I like that they gave us expanded Allied support options as 4 CMBG was a bit limited in its equipment.  You can take US / West German Support units AND THEN take another NATO formation.

As much as I like the A-10 Warthog or the Cobra attack helicopter, I would probably take German support in order to use the Leopard 2 (which I can paint up to look like the modern Canadian army Leopard 2A4 CAN) and the LARS rocket battery. The German attack helicopters and Tornados are almost as cool as the US aircraft anyways. I had expected to see allied air defence until I saw ADATS as Brigade Group Support and then I really got excited.

4 CMBG was an all-volunteer professional force. During the Cold War, Germany was the “show” and everyone wanted to be posted there.

The Brigade was used as a blocking force should the enemy get past the Americans or the Germans. Its main weapons were 24 M109s, 36 TOW, 59 Leopard C1 tanks and two strong infantry battalions that when dug in were tough to root out.

Armour: Leopard 1

I like that you can take up to three tanks in the Squadron HQ which is historically accurate. The individual tank troops allow three or four tanks. Take four every time. With a three-tank troop if you take a kill and a bail you are taking a test and I tend to fail my tests all the time.

The tanks are slightly more costly than the German Leopard 1s. Even though the Germans have a better morale rating, the Canadians get a brutal gun which will help to root out dug in infantry.

As for tactics, take as many tanks as you can. Their thin armour makes them vulnerable if used in “penny packets”. Use them in numbers and aggressively. If you don’t do maximum damage on your first volley, return fire could be deadly. At 13 points for a four-tank troop and 62 points for a full 19 tank squadron they are a relative bargain.

Infantry:   The Queen of Battle

4 CMBG had only two infantry battalions in this time period, but they were large battalions. They included four rifle companies (with flyover re-enforcement), a big 18-launcher TOW platoon, a pioneer platoon, an eight-tube mortar platoon and a recce (recon for our American friends) platoon.

The company HQ for Team Yankee is a mandatory M113 with a rifle team. You then must take two mandatory platoons and the option to take a third.

For seven points you get a big platoon. Three rifle/mg stands with M72s, three Carl Gustav teams, a light mortar and a GPMG along with four M113s with 50 cal HMGs. While the AT isn’t that big, you have lots of machine guns. That GPMG with ROF 5 is a nice thing to have.

Although Canadian doctrine allowed for the 50 cals to be dismounted and dug in with the carriers sent to the rear, that is not allowed in Team Yankee. Though those four 50 cals are still much better than the lighter machine guns that the German M113 platoons have.

When facing tanks since you don’t have the long range high AT weapons like Milan, I would stay gone to ground and force them to assault your big platoon and use your defensive-fire side-shots to destroy the enemy.

Now let’s look at your options for rounding out your two formations.

First up is the M125 Mortar Platoon. Canada never had this vehicle. They just put the 81mm mortar in the back and dragged it out to fire it. I like how they explained that Canada bought them just before the war started. That’s something that Canada would do. In all likelihood, they would have gotten them cheap from the Americans. At 3 pts for a group of 4 mortars and the carriers (and the 50 cal HMGs) they are a bargain. If you like a template weapon, this is the one for you.

Next up is the M150 TOW anti-tank section. You get three TOW mounted on the M113 for four points. Unfortunately, you don’t get the Hammerhead or Swingfire rules that other countries get, but at least your section is more survivable with three vehicles. Take as many of these as you can afford. Canadian doctrine stated that the best weapon to kill a tank was another tank, but I really like to use lots of TOW. Use them in bunches at maximum range from behind cover and make use of the blitz and shoot and scoot rules to stay alive.

The last choice for your formations is the Lynx Recce Patrol. For two points you get two Lynx. Unfortunately, they are expensive compared to what other nations get. The ANZAC list give you two superior Scorpions for the same two points. The Germans get two Luchs for only one point and they have a better gun. Though the Lynx has slightly better armour and a better crossing rating. I’ll buy the models for sure, because they are cool, but at smaller points levels it will be tough to get them into a game.

Brigade Group Support

M109 battery: 4 CMBG had four six-gun batteries. A, B, C and Z battery. Z Battery having only a cadre in Germany with the rest of the battery flying over for exercises and hostilities. Having served in the Royal Canadian Artillery, I wish I could use them more, but at 14 points for a six-gun battery they are expensive and they don’t have the fancy ammunition that the Americans get like Copperhead, minelets and bomblets. By 1985 the Canadian M109s had the long barrels, which Battlefront missed somehow. I’ve been known to make up a list based on how much I like the models, so I can see using M109s in larger point games anyways.

Just like the other armies, OPs (or Forward Observation Officers) cost 1 pt and are mounted in an M113. If you have mortars, M109s or German LARS rocket launchers you may take one (and only one) OP. For 1 pt they come in handy when trying to range in.

Now comes what I think could be a game breaker: ADATS (Air Defence Anti-Tank System). Four launchers at 10-points is a bargain. These will probably be part of every army list I make, regardless of the points level.

Four launchers gives you 12 air defence missiles going skyward. That’s enough to scare any air force. They will be a priority target though. Deploy them as far away as possible and in cover. With their 72 inch range that will not be a problem. Once you’ve eliminated the air threat, you can use them in the anti-tank role and with a range of 64 inches and an AT value of 24 they can really do some damage. Again, they will be a target so use the same tactics I recommend for TOW.

The other option for Air Defence is the M113 Blowpipe Section. For four points you get three M113s with Blowpipe. and eight points gives you six M113 with Blowpipe. I wish they had gone the Fliegerfaust route. The German Fliegerfausts are inexpensive and you don’t have to buy a bunch of M113 models to transport a rather ineffective missile system. I’d give them a pass and stick with ADATS.

I’m quite happy with what Battlefront has given us and I really look forward to building and painting some ADATS, Lynx and Canadian infantry. I already have every other Canadian model ready to go.

For further reading I recommend, First Clash by Kenneth Macksey and War Without Battles: Canada’s NATO Brigade in Germany, by Sean M Maloney.

Further articles will discuss painting Canadian vehicles in the correct camouflage colours and patterns and how to kit them out with stowage and how to put the correct marking on them.

Robert Kelly is a long-time player and modeller of all things Canadian, knowledgeable of all things Artillery, Cold War Veteran, grandfather and a skater of diminishing speed.