T2K Austria Sourcebook

[Raellus]

Attached is a draft of my sourcebook for Austria during the Twilight War. I also have a copy in Word if that would work better for you. I used the v1.0 timeline as the foundation of the recent history section. The new factions are all of my own creation. All constructive feedback is welcome.

I'm planning on adding a paragraph or two on Austria's geography and on wartime agricultural practices. I'm working on a map showing the various faction locations and points of interest. I'd also like to post links to Paul's site for Italian, Austrian, and Hungarian weapons and vehicles, and to Rainbow Six's Swiss Guard article- I'm just pending approval from the respective intellectual property holders.

I also have a couple of specific questions that I would like your thoughts on.

Would more detailed TOE's for each of the factions' military arms be helpful?

I'm not sure what to do with the blurbs for the Folgore and U.S. 1-40 info. Should I just quote (and properly cite) verbatim from the canonical source (in both cases, the Going Home module) or should I paraphrase and expand on both units? If the latter, would I still need a citation?

Also, should I post a quick disclaimer stating that this is fan-fic and isn't meant for sale? It seems to be common practice.

Thanks for taking a look.

[Muti]

Here's the orbat for Folgore Mechanized Division. You have to note that this Folgore unit is NOT the more famous airborne one, but simply a mechanized division. The oob is for 1984 because it was disbanded on 31 October 1986 but Going Home was written before and so...

Here you go:

Reparto comando e trasmissioni "Folgore" (Treviso)

Unità di supporto divisionali, with:

53º Battaglione fanteria d'Arresto “Umbria” (Pavia di Udine)
12º Gruppo squadroni esploranti “Cavalleggeri di Saluzzo” (Gorizia)
33º Gruppo artiglieria pesante campale ”Terni” (Treviso)
184º Gruppo artiglieria pesante campale “Filottrano” (Padova)
13º Gruppo artiglieria contraerea leggera “Folgore” (Quadro) (Treviso)
Gruppo specialisti di artiglieria “Folgore” (Treviso)
47º Gruppo squadroni ERI “Levrieri” (Treviso)
184º Battaglione genio pionieri “Santerno” (Villa Vicentina)
184º Battaglione trasmissioni “Cansiglio” (Treviso)
Battaglione logistico di manovra “Folgore” (Treviso)

Brigata meccanizzata "Gorizia", with :

Reparto comando e trasmissioni "Gorizia" (Gorizia)
41º Battaglione fanteria meccanizzato "Modena" (Villa Vicentina)
82º Battaglione fanteria meccanizzato "Torino" (Cormons)
183º Battaglione fanteria meccanizzato "Nembo" (Gradisca d'Isonzo)
63º Battaglione fanteria d'arresto "Cagliari" (San Lorenzo Isontino)
22º Battaglione carri "Medaglia d'Oro Piccinini" (San Vito al Tagliamento)
46º Gruppo artiglieria da campagna semovente "Trento" (Gradisca d'Isonzo)
Battaglione logistico "Gorizia" (Gradisca d'Isonzo)
Compagnia controcarri "Gorizia" (Gorizia)
Compagnia genio pionieri "Gorizia" (Cormons)

Brigata meccanizzata "Trieste", with :

Reparto comando e trasmissioni "Trieste" (Bologna)
37º Battaglione fanteria meccanizzato “Ravenna” (Bologna)
40º Battaglione fanteria meccanizzato “Bologna” (Bologna)
66º Battaglione fanteria meccanizzato “Valtellina” (Forlì)
11º Battaglione carri “Medaglia d'Oro Calzecchi” (Ozzano Emilia)
21º Gruppo artiglieria da campagna semovente “Romagna” (Bologna)
28º Battaglione Fanteria "Pavia" C.A.R. (centro addestramento reclute)(Pesaro)
Battaglione logistico “Trieste” (Budrio)
Compagnia controcarri “Trieste” (Bologna)
Compagnia genio pionieri “Trieste” (Bologna)

Brigata corazzata "Vittorio Veneto", with :

Reparto comando e trasmissioni "Vittorio Veneto" (Villa Opicina)
2º Gruppo squadroni meccanizzato "Piemonte Cavalleria" (Villa Opicina)
6º Gruppo squadroni carri "Lancieri d’Aosta" (Cervignano del Friuli)
9º Gruppo squadroni carri "Lancieri di Firenze" (Borgo Grotta Gigante)
8º Gruppo artiglieria campale semovente "Pasubio" (Banne)
Battaglione logistico "Vittorio Veneto" (Cervignano del Friuli)
Squadrone controcarro "Vittorio Veneto" (Banne Trieste)
Compagnia genio pionieri "Vittorio Veneto" (Cervignano del Friuli)

[Muti]

Some corrections:

Figli di Iniquità is wrong, correct italian term is Figli dell'Iniquità.

Orfini is also wrong, correct is Orfani.

Agnolo is correct but is an old name used in Renaissance or Middle Age time, the current form of the name is Angelo.

Here's a link on the Einsatzzentrale Basisraum, an austrian government bunker in St. Johann im Pongau, Salzburg:

http://www.gearthhacks.com/dlfile32431/Austrian-alternate-bunker-Einsatzzentrale-Basisraum.htm

[Olefin]

Also, should I post a quick disclaimer stating that this is fan-fic and isn't meant for sale? It seems to be common practice.

I would say that is the right thing to do. That would match what has been done on the Czech and Polish sourcebooks, the Mexican Army sourcebook and other material that has been put out here and on other sites.

Going to be putting one on the Eastern African one that I am finally about done with.

[Raellus]

Thanks for the corrections and link, Muti. I've fixed the names and added a places of interest section with a paragraph on the bunker.

[Muti]

Glad to be helpful. I hope to see the new version of your work.

Why don't you expand the unit histories?

Here's the orbat for Austria in 1989 directly from tank-net forum:

REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA

AUSTRIAN ARMY

Österreichischen Bundesheer
(Order of Battle in case of “Operationsfall A”, a Soviet attack.)

Many thanks go out to a contributor of this detailed OOB who would prefer to remain anonymous.

Armeekommando
1. Kommandobataillon (Command bn)
2. Heeresfernmelderegiment (Communication rgt)
3. Fernmeldeaufklärungsbataillon (SIGINT bn)
4. Versorgungsregiment 1 (Logistic rgt)

Korpskommando I (1st Army corps)
a. Kommandokompanie
b. Fernmeldebataillon 2
c. Versorgungsregiment 2
d. Pionierbataillon 2 (Engineer bn)
e. Panzergrenadierdivision (Standing, in BADEN) (in SZ35, Niederösterreich Alpenvorland (along Donau and E60))
1) 9. Panzergrenadierbrigade (Standing, in GÖTZENDORF)
a) Panzerstabsbataillon 9: 12 FlAPz M-42
b) Panzerbataillon 33: 52 KPz M-60
c) Panzergrenadierbataillon 35: 65 SPz, 12 JaPz Kürassier, 8 81 mm mortar
d) Jagdpanzerbataillon 1: 60 JaPz Kürassier
e) Panzerartilleriebataillon 9: 18 155 mm PzH M-109
2) 1. Jägerbrigade
a) Stabsbataillon 1
b) Jägerbataillon 1
c) Jägerbataillon 2
d) Jägerbataillon 3
e) Brigadeartilleriebataillon 1: 12 105 mm lFH M-101, 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58
3) 6. Jägerbrigade
a) Stabsbataillon 6
b) Jägerbataillon 21 (Standing, in KUFSTEIN)
c) Jägerbataillon 22
d) Jägerbataillon 24
e) Brigadeartilleriebataillon 6: 12 105 mm lFH M-101, 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58
4) 8. Jägerbrigade
a) Stabsbataillon 8
b) Jägerbataillon 29
c) Jägerbataillon 30
d) Jägerbataillon 31
e) Brigadeartilleriebataillon 8: 12 105 mm lFH M-101, 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58
5) Landwehrregiment 35
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Fernmeldezug (Signal plt)
d) Pionierkompanie 35
e) Panzerjägerkompanie 35
f) Sperrbataillon 351
g) Sperrbataillon 352
h) Sperrbataillon 354
i) Sperrbataillon 355
j-l) Wachsperrkompanie
m) Artilleriebatterie ortsfest AMSTETTEN (Fortification art bty): 155 mm M-2
n) Artilleriebatterie ortsfest EURATSFELD: 155 mm M-2
o-q) Sperrzüge
r) Flusssperrkompanie STRENGBERG
6) Heerespionierbataillon
7) Fernmeldebataillone 1
8) Fliegerabwehrbataillon 1
a) Stabsbatterie
b) 1. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
c) 2. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
d) 3. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
9) Korpsartilleriebataillon 1: 12 sFH M-114 (From Korpskommando I)
10) Armeeartilleriebataillon: 12 105 mm lFH M-101 (From Armeekommando)
11-13) Raketenwerferbatterie: 6 128mm MRL (From Armeekommando)
f. 3. Panzergrenadierbrigade (Standing, in MAUTERN) (Northeast Niederösterreich)
1) Panzerstabsbataillon 3: 12 FlAPz M-42
2) Panzerbataillon 10: 52 KPz M-60
3) Panzergrenadierbataillon 9: 65 SPz, 12 JaPz Kürassier, 8 81 mm mortar
4) Panzerartilleriebataillon 3: 18 155 mm PzH M-109
5) Heeresaufklärungsbataillon: (From Armeekommando)
a) Stabskompanie
b-c) Panzeraufklärungskompanie: 6 JaPz Kürassier each
d-e) Motorisierte Aufklärungskompanie: Pinzgauer AP710
g. 4. Panzergrenadierbrigade (Standing, in LINZ) (Corps reserve south of LINZ)
1) Panzerstabsbataillon 4: 12 FlAPz M-42
2) Panzerbataillon 14: 52 KPz M-60
3) Panzergrenadierbataillon 13: 65 SPz, 12 JaPz Kürassier, 8 81 mm mortar
4) Jagdpanzerbataillon 7: 36 JaPz Kürassier
5) Panzerartilleriebataillon 4: 18 155 mm PzH M-109
h. Fliegerabwehrbataillon 2
1) Stabsbatterie
2) 1. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
3) 2. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
4) 3. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
i. Militärkommando Burgenland, EISENSTADT
1) Stabsbataillon Burgenland
2) Landwehrregiment 11 (in RSZ11, North Burgenland (E60))
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c-d) Pionierkompanie
e) Sperrbataillon 111
f) Sperrbataillon 112
g) Landwehrbataillon 114
3) Landwehrregiment 12 (in RSZ12, Central Burgenland)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie
d) Jagdkampfbataillon 121
e) Sperrbataillon 122
f) Wachkompanie
4) Landwehrbataillon 141 (in SZ14, the Semmering Pass)
j. Militärkommando Niederösterreich, ST PÖLTEN
1) Stabsbataillon Niederösterreich
2) 2. Jägerbrigade (in SZ34, WIENER NEUSTADT – BADEN (along E59))
a) Stabsbataillon 2
b) Jägerbataillon 4
c) Jägerbataillon 5
d) Jägerbataillon 6
e) Brigadeartilleriebataillon 2: 12 105 mm lFH M-101, 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58
f) Jagdpanzerbataillon 4: 36 JaPz Kürassier (From Korpskommando I)
g) Landwehrregiment 34
i) Stabskompanie
ii) Versorgungskompanie
iii) Pionierkompanie 34
iv) Panzerjägerkompanie 34
v) Landwehrbataillon 342
vi) Landwehrbataillon 343
vii) Jagdkampfbataillon 123
iix-ix) Sperrkompanie
x-xii) Wachkompanie
xiii-xiv) Sperrzüge
3) 3. Jägerbrigade (in SZ33, KLOSTERNEUBURG – KREMS (along Donau))
a) Stabsbataillon 3
b) Jägerbataillon 10
c) Jägerbataillon 11
d) Jägerbataillon 12
e) Brigadeartilleriebataillon 3: 12 105 mm lFH M-101, 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58
f) Landwehrregiment 33
i) Stabskompanie
ii) Versorgungskompanie
iii) Pionierkompanie 33
iv) Panzerjägerkompanie 33
v) Sperrbataillon 331
vi) Sperrbataillon 332
vi) Sperrbataillon 333
iix-ix) Wachsperrkompanie
x) Flusssperrkompanie TULLNERFELD
xi) Flusssperrkompanie TULLNERFELD-OST
4) Landwehrregiment 21 (in RSZ21, Southeast Niederösterreich)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie 21
d) Landwehrbataillon 211
e) Landwehrbataillon 213
f-g) Jagdkampfkompanie
h-j) Wachkompanie
k-l) Sperrkompanie
m) Wachsperrkompanie
3) Landwehrregiment 32 (in RSZ32, Northeast Niederösterreich)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie 32
d) Jagdkampfbataillon 311
e) Jagdkampfbataillon 321
f) Jagdkampfbataillon 322
g-h) Wachkompanie
k. Militärkommando Steiermark, GRAZ
1) Stabsbataillon Steiermark
2) 5. Jägerbrigade (in SZ53, Southwest Steiermark (along E66))
a) Stabsbataillon 5
b) Jägerbataillon 17
c) Jägerbataillon 18
d) Jägerbataillon 19
e) Brigadeartilleriebataillon 5: 12 105 mm lFH M-101, 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58
f) Landwehrregiment 53
i) Stabskompanie
ii) Versorgungskompanie
iii) Pionierkompanie 53
iv) Panzerjägerkompanie 53
v) Landwehrbataillon 532
vi) Landwehrbataillon 533
vii-ix) Sperrkompanie
3) Landwehrregiment 51 (in RSZ51, South Burgenland/southeast Steiermark)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie 51
d) Jagdkampfbataillon 511
e-f) Sperrkompanie
g) Wachkompanie
4) Landwehrregiment 52 (in RSZ52, South Steiermark)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie 52
d) Panzerjägerkompanie 52
e) Jagdkampfbataillon 521
f) Sperrbataillon 522
g-i) Sperrkompanie
j) Wachkompanie
6) Landwehrregiment 54 (in SZ54, Central Steiermark (along E57))
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie 54
d) Panzerjägerkompanie 54
e) Landwehrbataillon 541
f) Landwehrbataillon 542
g) Sperrbataillon 543
7) Landwehrregiment 55 (in RSZ55, Northwest Steiermark)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie 55
d) Panzerjägerkompanie 55
e) Sperrbataillon 551
f-g) Landwehrkompanie
h-i) Sperrkompanie
j-l) Wachkompanie

Korpskommando II
a. Kommandokompanie
b. Fernmeldebataillon 3
c. Versorgungsregiment 3
d. Pionierbataillon 3
e. Fliegerabwehrbataillon 3
1) Stabsbatterie
2) 1. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
3) 2. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
4) 3. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85, 4 20 mm FlAK 58 on AP712 Pinzgauer
f. Militärkommando Oberösterreich, HÖRSCHING
1) Stabsbataillon Oberösterreich
2) 4. Jägerbrigade (in SZ41, LINZ (E55))
a) Stabsbataillon 4
b) Jägerbataillon 14
c) Jägerbataillon 15
d) Jägerbataillon 16
e) Brigadeartilleriebataillon 4: 12 105 mm lFH M-101, 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58
f) Landwehrregiment 41
i) Stabskompanie
ii) Versorgungskompanie
iii) Panzerjägerkompanie 41
iv) Jagdkampfbataillon 412
v) Sperrbataillon 411
vi) Sperrkompanie 41
vii) Wachsperrkompanie
iix) Flussperrkompanie MAUTHAUSEN
ix) Flussperrkompanie LINZ
x) Wachkompanie
xi) Artilleriebatterie ortsfest RUPRECHTSHOFEN: 155 mm M-2
3) Landwehrregiment 42 (in RSZ42, North Oberösterreich)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Jagdkampfbataillon 423
d) Sperrbataillon 421
e) Sperrbataillon 422
f) Flusssperrkompanie BRANDTSTATT
g) Artilleribatterie ortsfest RUTZING: 155 mm M-2
4) Landwehrregiment 44 (in RSZ44, Central Oberösterreich)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Jagdkampfkompanie
d-h) Sperrkompanie
i-j) Wachkompanie
g. Militärkommando Tirol, INNSBRUCK
1) Stabsbataillon Tirol
3) Landwehrregiment 61 (in RSZ61, Northeast Tirol)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie
d) Jagdkampfbataillon 611
e-f) Sperrkompanie
4) Landwehrregiment 62 (in SZ62, INNSBRUCK (E45))
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie
d) Panzerjägerkompanie 62
e) Sperrbataillon 621
f) Sperrbataillon 624
g) Landwehrbataillon 622
h) Sperrkompanie
i) Wachsperrkompanie
j-k) Wachkompanie
5) Landwehrregiment 63 (in RSZ63, West Tirol)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Tragtierstaffel 63 (Pack animal unit)
d) Jagdkampfbataillon 631
e) Landwehrbataillon 632
f-g) Sperrkompanie
6) Landwehrregiment 64 (in RSZ64, Osttirol)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Tragtierstaffel 64 (Pack animal unit)
d) Jagdkampfbataillon 641
e) Sperrkompanie
f) Wachkompanie
h. Militärkommando Kärnten, KLAGENFURT
1) Stabsbataillon Kärnten
2) 7. Jägerbrigade (in SZ71, East Kärnten (along E66))
a) Stabsbataillon 7: 12 JaPz Kürassier
b) Jägerbataillon 25 (Standing, in KLAGENFURT)
c) Jägerbataillon 26 (Standing, in SPITTAL)
d) Jägerbataillon 27
e) Brigadeartilleriebataillon 7: 12 105 mm lFH M-101, 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58
f) Landwehrregiment 71
i) Stabskompanie
ii) Versorgungskompanie
iii) Panzerjägerkompanie 71
iv) Sperrbataillon 715
v) Landwehrbataillon 711
vi) Landwehrbataillon 712
vii-ix) Sperrkompanie
x) Wachsperrkompanie
xi) Artilleriebatterie ortsfest HABERBERG: 155 mm M-2
g) Korpsartilleriebataillon 3: 12 sFH M-114 (From Korpskommando II)
3) Landwehrregiment 72 (in RSZ72, North Kärnten)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Landwehrbataillon 721
d-e) Sperrkompanie
f) Wachsperrkompanie
g) Wachkompanie
4) Landwehrregiment 73 (in SZ73, South Kärnten (E55, E61, E66))
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie 73
d) Tragtierstaffel 73 (Pack animal unit)
e) Landwehrbataillon 731
f) Landwehrbataillon 742
g-h) Sperrkompanie
i) Wachsperrkompanie
j-k) Wachkompanie
i. Militärkommando Salzburg, SALZBURG
1) Stabsbataillon Salzburg
3) Landwehrregiment 81 (in RSZ81, North Salzburg)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie
d-e) Jagdkampfkompanie
f-h) Sperrkompanie
i-j) Wachkompanie
4) Landwehrregiment 82 (in RSZ82, Southeast Salzburg)
a) Stabskompanie
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie
d) Panzerjägerkompanie 82
e) Landwehrbataillon 821
f-h) Sperrkompanie
i-j) Wachkompanie
5) Landwehrregiment 83 (in RSZ83, Southwest Salzburg)
a) Stabszüge
b) Versorgungskompanie
c) Pionierkompanie
d-e) Sperrkompanie
f) Wachkompanie
j. Militärkommando Vorarlberg, BREGENZ (in RSZ91, Vorarlberg)
1) Stabsbataillon Vorarlberg
2) Jagdkampfbataillon 911
3) Jägerbataillon 23
4) Sperrkompanie
5) Wachkompanie

Militärkommando Wien, WIEN
a. Stabsbataillon Wien
d. Gardebataillon
1) Stabskompanie
2) 1. Gardekompanie
3) 2. Gardekompanie
4) 3. Gardekompanie

Note 1: TO&Es

Jägerbrigade
Stabsbataillon
Stabskompanie
Fernmeldekompanie
Pionierkompanie
Panzerjägerkompanie: 12 8,5cm PAK 52 (towed AT-gun)
(Jagdpanzerkompanie in JgBrig 7: 12 Jagdpanzer Kürassier)
Nachschub-, Transport- und Instandsetzungskompanie (Storage of ammuniton and POL, transport, maintenance)
Sanitätskompanie
3 Jägerbataillone (Motorized infantry)
Stabskompanie
3 Jägerkompanien: 3 platoons, 6 84 mm PAR (recoilless rifle Carl Gustaf), 2 81 mm mGrW (mortar) each
Schwere Kompanie (Heavy coy): 6 106 mm rPAK M-40, 4 120 mm sGrW, 4 20 mm FlAK 58
Brigadeartilleriebataillon
Stabsbatterie
2 Batterien: 6 105 mm lFH M-101 (light field howitzer) each
Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 12 towed 20 mm FlAK 58

Panzergrenadierbrigade
Panzerstabsbataillon
Stabskompanie
Panzerfernmeldekompanie
Panzerpionierkompanie
Panzeraufklärungskompanie
Panzerfliegerabwehrbatterie: 12 Fliegabwehrpanzer M-42
Nachschub-, Transport- und Instandsetzungskompanie (Storage of ammuniton and POL, transport, maintenance)
Sanitätskompanie
Panzergrenadierbataillon
Stabskompanie
4 Panzergrenadierkompanien: 16 Schützenpanzer Saurer 4K4 (6 w/20mm, 9 w/12.7mm HMG), 2 SP 81mm mGrW each
Jagdpanzerkompanie: 12 Jagdpanzer Kürassier
Panzerbataillon
Stabskompanie
4 Panzerkompanien: 13 mittlere Kampfpanzer M-60
Jagdpanzerbataillon (no organic JaPzB in PzGrenBrig 3)
Stabskompanie
3 Jagdpanzerkompanien: 12 Jagdpanzer Kürassier each
Panzerartilleriebataillone
Stabsbatterie
3 Panzerhaubitzbatterien: 6 155 mm Panzerhaubitz M-109 each

Landwehrbataillone (Static infantry)
Stabskompanie
3 Landwehrkompanien: 3 platoons, 6 84 mm PAR (recoilless rifle Carl Gustaf), 2 81 mm mGrW (mortar) each
Schweren Kompanie: 6 106 mm rPAK M-40, 4 120 mm sGrW, 4 20 mm FlAK 58

Jagdkampfbataillone (Trained for fighting behind the enemy lines)
Stabskompanie
4 Jagdkampfkompanien: 3 platoons, 6 84 mm PAR (recoilless rifle Carl Gustaf), 2 81 mm mGrW (mortar) each

Note 2. Cadres from the peacetime “Landwehrstammregimenter” (LWSR) would form wartime units and the regiments would reorganize into ersatzregimenter (responsible for the formation of personal-reserves). The peacetime Landwehrstamm regiments had the same number as the wartime Landwehr regiment which were territorial regiments and parts of the “Raumgebundene Landwehr”.

Note 3. “Landwehrregimenter” was responsible for a certain zone. The Schlüsselzonen (SZ) – key zones – were located in decisive terrains. It was the aim to prevent the enemy from getting control over over these areas and/or to prevent the enemy from marching through these areas. In these SZ, “Landwehr” battalions, “Sperr” battalions, “Sperr” and “Flusssperr” companies and “Jäger” battalions were in defence-operations, while mechanized troops were hold as reserves for counter attacks. The SZ were divided into “Schlüsselräume” (SR), between the SR, there were “Jagdkampf” battalions to delay and disturb the enemy.
Between and before the SZ, there were “Raumsicherungszonen” (RSZ) – delay zones. In these zones, the approaching of the enemy had to be delayed – accomplished by obstacles and some “Sperr” companies – and after they were occupied by the enemy, “Jagdkampf” battalions were designed to conduct operations in enemy rear areas.

Note 4. “Sperrkompanien” (Blocking companies) were parts of the fortification system. One sperr company consist of some AT-weapons (mostly 105mm Centurion-tank turrets in bunkers but also 85mm Charioteer turrets, 90mm M-47 turrets and some T-34 turrets) and infantry platoons for their protection against infantry attacks.
“Flusssperrkompanien” (River blocking companies) were used to prevent the crossing of the rivers Danube and Enns. They were equipped with AT-guns (40mm Bofors AA-guns used in an AT-role, but also some Centurion’s turrets) and they had also some small boats. AT-landmines (also in the water) were used as well as other obstacles.
“Wachkompanien” (Guard companies) had the task to protect railway stations, power plants, govermental buildings, airports and so on. They had pre-assigned positions determined during peace time.
“Wachsperrkompanien” (Guard blocking companies) were used to protect hydro-electric power stations and to prevent the crossing of the river.
“Artilleriebatterie ortsfest” (Fortfication artillery battery) used 4-5 guns 155mm M-2 in fortified positions.

Note 5. Austrian Equipment Holdings from IISS: 170 M60A3 (some may still have been M60A1, some sources say 130 M60A1 and 50 M60A3), 284 Kuerassier 105mm SPAT, 460 Saurer 4k4, some 4K7 entering service, 108 M2A1 105mm Howitzers, 24 M114 155mm Howitzers, 55 M109A2 155mm SP Howitzers, 18 M-51 128mm MRL, 240 M-52/-54 85mm AT Guns, 500 20mm AA guns, 74 GDF-002 twin 35mm AA guns, 38 M-42 Duster twin 40mm SPAA. Note that artillery holdings might be low, perhaps quite low. Austria was barred by treaty from possessing guiding weapons, including SAMs and ATGMs (plus air-to-air weapons). Austria placed its first order for ATGMs during the summer of 1989.

Note 6. Austria maintained a vast array of older tank turrets emplaced in fortifications. According to this site, Austria had: 48 75mm turrets (M4?), 24 85mm T-34 turrets (perhaps as many as 44), 56 83.4mm (20lb) Charioteer turrets, 143 90mm M36 turrets, 148 105mm Centurion turrets bought around 1980, plus another 226 105mm Centurion turrets after 1985.

AUSTRIAN AIR FORCE

Fliegerdivision (Technically part of the Army)

a. Stabsbataillon

b. Fliegerregiment 1, TULLN – LANGENLEBARN
1) Fliegerhorstbataillon 1 (Air Base batallion)
2) Hubschraubergeschwader 1 (Helicopter wing)
a) 1. Hubschrauberstaffel: (Helicopter squadron): 12 Agusta-Bell 212
b) 2. Hubschrauberstaffel: 11 Agusta-Bell 206A
c) 3. Hubschrauberstaffel: 12 Kiowa OH 58B
d) 4. Flächenstaffel (Light transport squadron): 2 Short-Skyvan SC-7, 13 PC-6
3) Fliegerabwehrbataillon 11
a) Stabsbatterie
b) 1. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 20 20 mm FlAK 58 mounted on AP712 Pinzgauer
c) 2. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85
d) 3. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 20 20 mm FlAK 58 mounted on AP712 Pinzgauer
4) Fliegerwerft 1 (Aircraft maintenance)

c. Fligerregiment 2, GRAZ – THALERHOF
1) Fliegerhorstbataillon 2
2) Hubschraubergeschwader 2, AIGEN
a) 1. Hubschrauberstaffel: 12 SA-316B Alouette III
b) 2. Hubschrauberstaffel: 12 SA-316B Alouette III
3) Überwachungsgeschwader (Fighter wing)
a) 1. Staffel: 9 Saab 105Ö (1 aircraft previously lost)
b) 2. Staffel: 9 Saab 105Ö (1 aircraft previously lost)
4) Fliegerabwehrbataillon 12
a) Stabsbatterie
b) 1. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 20 20 mm FlAK 58 mounted on AP712 Pinzgauer
c) 2. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85
5) Fliegerwerft 2

d. Fligerregiment 3, LINZ – HÖRSCHING
1) Fliegerhorstbataillon 3
2) Hubschraubergeschwader 3
a) 1. Hubschrauberstaffel: 12 Agusta-Bell 212
b) 2. Hubschrauberstaffel: 8 Agusta-Bell 204
3) Jagdbombergeschwader (Fighter bomber wing)
a) 1. Jagdbomberstaffel: 8 Saab 105Ö (2 aircraft previously lost)
b) 2. Jagdbomberstaffel: 5 Saab 105Ö (5 aircraft previously lost)
4) Fliegerabwehrbataillon 13
a) Stabsbatterie
b) 1. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 20 20 mm FlAK 58 mounted on AP712 Pinzgauer
c) 2. Fliegerabwehrbatterie: 6 twin 35 mm ZFlAK 85
5) Fliegerwerft 3

e. Luftraumüberwachung (Air surveillance regiment):
1) Ortsfeste radarstation KOLOMANNSBERG
2) Ortsfeste radarstation STEINMANDL
3) Ortsfeste radarstation SPEIKKOGEL
4) Mobile Radarstationen 1
5) Mobile Radarstationen 2

f. Fliegerschule

Note 1. In 1988, SAAB J-35 DRAKEN were not yet operational. (The first J-35Ö landed in Austria in june 1988, but the unit was not operational before the beginning of 1990.) That´s why both JaBoGeschw as well as ÜbwGeschw used the SAAB 105Ö. (The numbers are as in 1988 - including the losses which had previously occurred.)

---

P.S.: in your previous thread on Austria I posted the pages on that country from my book.

[Rainbow Six]

Looks good Rae,

Re: the disclaimer, I would tend to include one on the basis of better to have and not need than need and not have...

I think it would be good to expand a little on what's written for the US and Italian formations (maybe with a footnote that the expansion is based on what's written in Going Home). Are you going to add an order of battle for NATO / Pact forces? A short write up of the DIA Station in Vienna would probably be good as well...

Cheers

[Raellus]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I plan to expand on the two canonical "factions" and add something about the DIA station in Vienna. I'm not that knowledgeable about spook stuff so I'll do my best to make it realistic. I looked at the DIA info in the Free City of Krakow module for an idea of how to pull it off and the description on the DIA station there didn't seem very realistic to me. Would the American embassy in Vienna still be functioning after the invasion? I wouldn't think so, but I don't know. If the embassy staff didn't evacuate, would the occupying Soviets leave them alone?

As for OOBs, I can easily add a list of NATO and WTO divisions on Austrian soil, but I don't plan on adding TOEs. In my own experience as a GM, detailed TOEs don't particularly help me and they tend to take up a lot of space. There's a slight problem, though, and that's the fact that specific locations aren't given for Soviet units in Austria as of July, 2000. There are, however, specific locations given for fall-winter 2000. I want my sourcebook to work for a GM who wants to run a campaign concurrent with Death of a Division. I also want it to work for a campaign starting after the failure of NATO's summer offensive or even after Going Home. That's why info on NATO and WTO forces in Austria was left vague in my draft.

On the other hand, perhaps it would be helpful if I added TOEs for the factions?

[Rainbow Six]

I'd imagine the US Embassy (and others) would be closed down and staff evacuated when the Soviets got close to Vienna at the absolute latest. If they didn't evacuate I think there's no chance they would be left to go about their business. Best case scenario would see them repatriated to US controlled territory, middle case scenario would be that they were interned, worst case killed. (I think there are various international treaties covering this which stipulate that diplomatic staff should be repatriated to their home country unharmed, but there is obviously no guarantee such treaties would be respected).

Perhaps the DIA managed to infilltrate a couple of German speaking personnel into Vienna some time during 1998 or 1999? (am I right in thinking that the DIA only sets up its own field operations after the Milgov / Civgov split?). If you want something different maybe they recruit a former CIA officer who has sided with Milgov (either from choice or out of expediency)?

Makes sense not to have TOE's for NATO / Pact Divisions - am sure if anyone wanted that info there is a number of sources they could get it from, not least the US Army and Soviet Army Vehicle Guides. Re: your own factions, a TOE would help flesh them out or you could leave for the GM to "customise" to suit their own campaigns. I think either way works to be honest.

[Raellus]

Here's what I've added for the DIA station and the Folgore MD:

DIA Station, Vienna

Despite the Soviet occupation, the DIA continues to operate a station in Vienna. The current station chief is a German-born American DIA officer by the name of Michael Foster. When the Soviets invaded, he assumed the identity of an Austrian businessman under the alias Stefan Faust. Before the prewar DIA station was shut down, Faust was able to remove and relocate some of its high-powered secure communications equipment and, by sparse, judicious use and frequent relocations, has been able to keep in touch with higher headquarters. Faust is assisted by a small staff of American and Austrian personnel. The station's most prized asset is an Austrian civil engineer by the name of Angela Albrecht. She has been employed by the Soviets in assisting in the repair of the regional power grid. In this capacity, she travels the Pact-controlled portions of the country, usually with a small escort of Soviet soldiers, surreptitiously collecting information and passing instructions to field agents and informers. Despite continual attempts by the KGB and GRU to uncover and shut down the American intelligence gathering operations in Austria, Faust and his people have managed to elude capture and built capacity, developing a modest but effective spy network.

Italian Folgore Mechanized Division*

The division is currently stationed in northeastern Austria, under PACT control. It's commanding officer, Tenente-Colonnello (Lieutenant-Colonel) Roberto Falvi, is a life-long Christian-Democrat opposed in principle, at least, to the Warsaw Pact-allied, socialist Italian coalition government. A professional career soldier, he has this far remained loyal and, despite his suspect political leanings, retained his command. Falvi would, however, like to return to Italy and use his division to effect political change there. He has recently been contacted by a representative of the DIA station, encouraged to defect (along with his troops), and promised DIA assistance. At the moment, he is seriously considering this offer. It is a long way home, though, and the Soviets are not likely to allow him to leave peacefully. Falvi is biding his time and looking for an opportunity to break away from his PACT overlords.

---

I've run into a bit of a problem with the ORBATs. When I created a summer 2000 map, I placed a few U.S. and German in Austria with city locations- trouble is, I can't remember where I got the city information from. Most units in the U.S. Army Vehicle Guide are only listed as being in a particular country, but no city is specified. The same is true of the Soviet units listed as being in Austria (no cities are mentioned).

Now, fast forward to the time of Going Home and exact cities are listed for both NATO and WTO forces in Austria. In many cases, units have moved. For example, in the U.S. Vehicle Guide, an American unit is listed as being in Linz (once again, I can't remember where I found this) on July 1st, while in Going Home, Linz is occupied by a Soviet unit. I'm not sure which information to include in the sourcebook.

What should I do? Should I just list units known to be in Austria as of July 1, 2000 (the date units in the vehicle guides are listed as being in-country) and then give specific locations for the units left in the winter of 2000-2001, as given by Going Home? I can't expand on the 1-40 MIR until I've figured this out.

I want Austria to be playable using my sourcebook from July 1, 2000 onward, keeping continuity with what's already been mentioned in canon.

[Olefin]

Austria would also be a perfect place to add in Hungarian units that would most likely have joined the Soviets in their war with NATO as well as for US Special Forces units working with Austrian partisans.

[Rainbow Six]

I've run into a bit of a problem with the ORBATs. When I created a summer 2000 map, I placed a few U.S. and German in Austria with city locations- trouble is, I can't remember where I got the city information from. Most units in the U.S. Army Vehicle Guide are only listed as being in a particular country, but no city is specified. The same is true of the Soviet units listed as being in Austria (no cities are mentioned).

Now, fast forward to the time of Going Home and exact cities are listed for both NATO and WTO forces in Austria. In many cases, units have moved. For example, in the U.S. Vehicle Guide, an American unit is listed as being in Linz (once again, I can't remember where I found this) on July 1st, while in Going Home, Linz is occupied by a Soviet unit. I'm not sure which information to include in the sourcebook.

What should I do? Should I just list units known to be in Austria as of July 1, 2000 (the date units in the vehicle guides are listed as being in-country) and then give specific locations for the units left in the winter of 2000-2001, as given by Going Home? I can't expand on the 1-40 MIR until I've figured this out.

I want Austria to be playable using my sourcebook from July 1, 2000 onward, keeping continuity with what's already been mentioned in canon.

Hmmmm...hard to say without tracking down the original source for having units in specific locations in the summer. As you say, the US Army Vehicle Guide only states units are in Austria, but not where specifically. The NATO Vehicle Guide (at least the V2 one) has specific locations for a couple of German Divisions (10th Panzer and 1st Panzer Grenadier) in Austria, but locations given are both quite far to the west (I do have a recollection somewhere of Allied forces being in Innsbruck, maybe in Going Home?).

For Linz to have changed presumably hands there must have been some sort of offensive by the Soviets at the end of summer / autumn? (May not neccessarily be a full scale offensive, perhaps just an opportune Soviet Division or Army Commander taking advantage of the US withdrawal). If that's the case that would suggest that the situation on the ground must have changed, with at least part of central Austria (the northern part) changing from Allied control to Warsaw Pact control during the second half of the year?

One way to deal with that in the sourcebook might be to summarise the situation as of 01 June 2000 and then add an additional paragraphs (or full chapter) devoted to events between June - December 2000 and the effect they have on the situation in Austria, including the amended order of battle? That then gives anyone using the material the option of which time period they want to use (but obviously increases the word count / time required to complete).

An alternative may be to take the info given in Going Home (the source of which you can be 100% certain of) and go on the basis that given lack of fuel, (possible) lack of motivation to go on the offensive by one or both sides, and the fact that elsewhere the front lines seem to have remained relatively stable (the 5th and 8th Divisions' drive east being notable exceptions) and take the view that units concerned are not likely to have moved much between June and December?

[Rainbow Six]

Austria would also be a perfect place to add in Hungarian units that would most likely have joined the Soviets in their war with NATO as well as for US Special Forces units working with Austrian partisans.

Per the Soviet Army Vehicle Guide (V2) the Hungarians seem to be mostly engaged in either internal security duties within Hungary or operations against pro NATO Romania. Allied Special Forces involvement is of course possible but probably just as likely to be German Special Forces as US.

[Olefin]

Dont really see the Hungarians tasked to Romania by now - there are still a lot of Soviet units there and while the Romanians are tough fighters dont know if they are that tough!

Also keep in mind that the Soviet Combat Vehicle Handbook V2 has a bunch of issues in it - one that the units in it dont match the ones described in the modules. They have the Army of Silesia with no tanks when they had five, the Krakow garrison with only two T-80's when they had several operational T-72's as well and it goes on and on.

I wouldnt use that handbook for a reference source for V1 - it doesnt match the material.

[Raellus]

@Rainbow: You've presented some good options. I tried making a chart displaying known and suspected unit locations in both summer and winter of 2000, but I don't really like the way it looks. I think I mentioned already that NATO launches holding attacks to support the summer 2000 offensive. All we really know is that there's an entire U.S. Corps in Austria on July 1st and only a single RCT remains by the time of Going Home. Like you said, a couple of things could have happened in between. Both sides battle to a stalemate or Austria is a quiet sector. Since there's not a lot of movement by either side, it could have gone either way. Linz is a tantalizing clue, but it supports both theories equally well- either the Soviets moved in when the U.S. pulls out in the fall, or the city was captured during a Soviet attack/counterattack during the summer. I'd like at least a hint from canon on which to build a history.

@Olefin: I agree that there's probably at least one Green Beret A-team somewhere in central Austria, helping maximize the effectiveness of Austrian partisans. I may add something to that effect.

As to the Hungarian units, the canon only mentions one as being anywhere close to the Austrian border in the year 2000. Going Home doesn't mention them at all. The Eastern European Sourcebook says that the Hungarian army is preoccupied with internal security operations and the fighting in Romanian and the Balkans.

This is all I could find:

"Hungarian 3rd MRB

600 men. The 3rd is dug in around Gyor to defend from the possibility of allied attack from Austria."

Considering how stretched the Red Army is, it makes sense. I'm sure that Soviet units probably contain press-ganged Hungarian stragglers, though.

I thought about adding a unit of mostly Hungarian marauders (with a historical Magyar-themed name), but I concluded that I already had too many marauder groups. I might still, though.

[Olefin]

The Hungarian Army in the V2 Soviet Vehicle Handbook doesnt match the true army

The Hungarian Peoples Army had one tank division, the 11th and five Motor Rifle Divisions - the 4th, 8th, 9th, 15th and 17th.

Of these the 11th, 4th and 8th were category B formations with the rest being category C.

They were very unenthusiastic as to their Warsaw Pact participation and had a lot of obsolete equipment, with the T-54/55 being their main battle tank.

There was also an independent tank brigade (the 1st) and a singleair assault battalion, the 37th Air Assault Battalion.

If you look at the V2 Soviet book you have four motorized rifle brigades, three tank brigades and an assault helo regiment plus a para unit they didnt have.

Clearly the V2 guideline doesnt match the actual Hungarian OOB.

[Tegyrius]

(Disclaimer: Rae asked me to weigh in on this, so this isn't just random petty sniping. Also, he currently has three of my PCs at his mercy, so don't feel like he can't get back at me if he takes offense.)

Nothing in here tweaks my implausibility sense. I'm particularly fond of Freikorps Richter and the Papal State, as both are potential adversaries with "higher" purposes beyond simple self-interested power grabs. Also, mad props for the New Hussites, though you really need to give them some mention of Jan Zizka's legacy in their operations and tactics. ;)

Question: Would international relations at the time support the Austrian government-in-exile setting up in Germany rather than Switzerland? Given that Austria and Switzerland ostensibly shared the principle of neutrality, the latter seems feasible as well. Or are you operating on the assumption that the Austrian survivors would've thrown in with NATO because the Soviets invaded first?

Now… I realize I'm something of a heretic around here, as I tend to detest detailed ORBATs and TO&Es (and I think you've provided as much detail as you need to for the ones you've created). But for me, what's missing to make this a complete sourcebook is detail outside the pure military situation. You have good ideas here but they lack a unified thematic framework to make your Austria a unique feature on the landscape of post-WWIII Europe. Right now, it's a blowed-up area with a bunch of foreign dudes with guns in it. You have the potential for ongoing conflict with a NATO-occupied west, a Pact-occupied east, and a central unclaimed territory. Now expand on that and start filling in the blank areas on the map.

Here are the things I want to know more about:

The map. Tell us something on geography and how Austria's terrain features will affect PCs traveling through it or trying to set up housekeeping in it.

The people. What's the take of the average Austrian citizen on the major combatants and the events of the war? Are foreign characters likely to find assistance, grudging acquiescence, or a knife in the back based on the national affiliations they display? Also, you mention the use of militia and partisan groups in the history, but such Austrian forces are notably absent from the factions you've described so far.

Recent history. If I'm a GM who wants to run in this setting, or a player who wants to play here, I could use a bit more detail on the summer 2000 battles and their outcomes. What happened to the PCs who are now on their own - or still reporting to higher - in central Austria?

The government-in-exile. Are they still operating? Communicating with Austrian partisan groups and/or the remnants of the regular military? Running their own espionage network? Tied into DIA or BND operations in Austria?

The map, redux. Give us some unique landmarks and cultural elements that will make it obvious that blown-up Austria is its own thing, not an extension of blown-up Poland with different accents on the actors. :)

- C.

[Raellus]

This is exactly the kind of constructive feedback that I'm looking for. Thanks.

Nothing in here tweaks my implausibility sense. I'm particularly fond of Freikorps Richter and the Papal State, as both are potential adversaries with "higher" purposes beyond simple self-interested power grabs. Also, mad props for the New Hussites, though you really need to give them some mention of Jan Zizka's legacy in their operations and tactics. ;)

I actually thought about this. I couldn't come up with anything that I was happy with, so I pretty much just dropped it and moved on. Here's what I had a hard time with:

In many ways, Zizka was ahead of his time- his use of armored war wagons and early firearms was fairly atypical in the region at the time. I don't think either would work very well in a T2K setting and I don't think a small-time cult figure would have access to better technology that the surviving militaries of the area would have so I gave up on trying to come up with a T2K equivalent/correlate. I also thought about a Zizka-esque second-in-command for Huss II but that seemed too derivative to me. Perhaps, if the PCs meet Huss II and one of them happens to have only one eye, Huss II will declare him/her his reincarnated general.;)

I was going to add more on the New Hussites' beliefs and such but I found myself drifting too far from what the original Huss was about and I decided that I didn't want a totally divergent Huss II. So, that's another reason tha I kind of dropped it.

I'll give it some more thought and see if I can come up with anything to add to this faction.

Question: Would international relations at the time support the Austrian government-in-exile setting up in Germany rather than Switzerland? Given that Austria and Switzerland ostensibly shared the principle of neutrality, the latter seems feasible as well. Or are you operating on the assumption that the Austrian survivors would've thrown in with NATO because the Soviets invaded first?

Yes. My thought was that Austria abandoned neutrality when the PACT invaded. Germany came to its aid so its surviving government has put its remaining eggs in the NATO basket. I can also see some members of the government deciding that Switzerland is a safer alternative and heading for the Swiss hills. And, possibly, a couple of Austrian leftist stay behind to welcome the PACT armies with a brotherly socialist embrace. But I think that the bulk of the government would vow to continue the fight for their country and set up shop in Germany.

Now… I realize I'm something of a heretic around here, as I tend to detest detailed ORBATs and TO&Es (and I think you've provided as much detail as you need to for the ones you've created). But for me, what's missing to make this a complete sourcebook is detail outside the pure military situation. You have good ideas here but they lack a unified thematic framework to make your Austria a unique feature on the landscape of post-WWIII Europe. Right now, it's a blowed-up area with a bunch of foreign dudes with guns in it. You have the potential for ongoing conflict with a NATO-occupied west, a Pact-occupied east, and a central unclaimed territory. Now expand on that and start filling in the blank areas on the map.

Here are the things I want to know more about:

The map. Tell us something on geography and how Austria's terrain features will affect PCs traveling through it or trying to set up housekeeping in it.

I've added sections on Austria's geography to the sourcebook (I haven't shared them yet) but I'll go back and put in some more on how Austria's terrain and climate might affect a group of PCs who find themselves there.

The people. What's the take of the average Austrian citizen on the major combatants and the events of the war? Are foreign characters likely to find assistance, grudging acquiescence, or a knife in the back based on the national affiliations they display? Also, you mention the use of militia and partisan groups in the history, but such Austrian forces are notably absent from the factions you've described so far.

I really need to do this. I don't think I'll add specific partisan factions, but I will add thoughts on the attitude of the average Austrian civilian and/or partisan to foreign folks of various allegiances (or none at all).

Recent history. If I'm a GM who wants to run in this setting, or a player who wants to play here, I could use a bit more detail on the summer 2000 battles and their outcomes. What happened to the PCs who are now on their own - or still reporting to higher - in central Austria?

This is something I'm still struggling with. See my notes to Rainbow for more on my conundrum.

The government-in-exile. Are they still operating? Communicating with Austrian partisan groups and/or the remnants of the regular military? Running their own espionage network? Tied into DIA or BND operations in Austria?

Good points. I'll definitely address this.

The map, redux. Give us some unique landmarks and cultural elements that will make it obvious that blown-up Austria is its own thing, not an extension of blown-up Poland with different accents on the actors.

I'm going to get my hands on a travel guide to Austria for help with this (I've never been there and didn't really know a whole lot about the place before I embarked on this project). You're right- there's no point in just duplicating the socio-political-military-economic situation already codified in the Poland materials. I agree with you that I need to do more to set Austria apart. I think the human and political geography stuff, once I expand it, will help establish the setting better.

Thanks again.

[Muti]

Try this link pal!

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/attoc.html

[Tegyrius]

Shifting from the story to the crunch, you may also want to include the T2k array of basics on character creation, as Austria is not represented in the v2.2 BYB.

• adjustments for military paths and basic training skills (as per p. 42)
• equivalent ranks (p. 43)
• native language table (p. 43)
• standard-issue personal weapons (p. 50)

Might also be nice to have a theatre-specific vehicle table (as per p. 26). I'm pretty sure Paul's site will have the stats for anything that isn't already represented in the GDW vehicle sourcebooks.

- C.

[Olefin]

It really makes the sourcebook come alive - an OOB of some units just shows who is shooting at each other - but info on the population, land, languages, etc.. brings it to life and lets people use it for a campaign - its sort of the difference between the original Krakow and Black Madonna modules and the return to Europe modules - the originals were full of details and info that let you really play them - the return modules were more just ok here is a short update and rehash now lets get to the OOB's

[Tegyrius]

I threw a few minutes into the theatre-specific vehicle table. This isn't truly theatre-specific so much as it is Austria-specific.

1 - Steyr-Puch 700 Haflinger (http://www.pmulcahy.com/light_uv/austrian_luv.htm)
2 - Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen (http://www.army-technology.com/projects/mercedesgwagon/)
3 - Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen
4 - Pinzgauer 4x4 1-ton (http://www.pmulcahy.com/light_uv/austrian_luv.htm)
5 - Pinzgauer 6x6 1.5-ton (http://www.pmulcahy.com/light_uv/austrian_luv.htm)
6 - 2.5-ton truck
7 - 2.5-ton truck
8 - 5-ton truck
9 - 5-ton tank truck
10 - Pandur I (http://www.pmulcahy.com/wheeled_apcs/austrian_wheeled_apcs.htm)
11 - Sauer 4K 4FA (http://www.pmulcahy.com/tracked_apcs/austrian_tracked_apcs.htm)
12 - OAF Type 20.320 (http://www.pmulcahy.com/heavy_uv/austrian_huv.htm)
13 - Sauer 4K 7FA Upgrade (http://www.pmulcahy.com/tracked_apcs/austrian_tracked_apcs.htm)
14 - Sauer 4K 7FA MICV 30/1 (http://www.pmulcahy.com/tracked_apcs/austrian_tracked_apcs.htm)
15 - M47
16 - SK-105 Kürassier (http://www.pmulcahy.com/tracked_lcv/austrian_tlcv.htm)
17 - M60A3
18 - Leopard 1A4

I've taken a few liberties here. The higher-end versions of the Sauer 4K APC never saw service, but I've added them to the table for variety and because the increasing pressures of the T2k timeline might have induced Austria to upgrade. In the real world, all Austria's M47s were decommissioned or turned into static defenses when they got M60s, but this table assumes some were kept for reserve armor units. Austria never fielded any marque of the Leopard 1, but I felt that an 18 on the vehicle table deserved a more modern MBT, so I've slotted in some imaginary German Leo 1A4s that were provided at some point in the early to mid-war period. If you want strict realism, all the 4K models are base, the M47 is an M60A1, and the Leopard is an M60A3.

- C.

[Raellus]

Cool. A GM could use such a table to roll for faction vehicles or random encounters, or PC vehicles, or whatever. Mind if I include it in the sourcebook? I'll give you a shout-out in the credits.

I'd like to include an Italian vehicles table too, since the Italians spent at least a year, in force, in Austrian territory. Paul's given me permission to link to his site for purposes of the sourcebook.

I just got an Osprey Men-at-Arms book on the Hussite Wars and came across a nugget that I'm going to incorporate in the New Hussite faction write up.

Before he died of a variant of the plague, General Zizka, the blind, undefeated Hussite military leader, asked that his skin be turned into a war drum so that he could continue to lead his troops into battle after his passing. It is unlikely that this dying wish was actually fulfilled. Nevertheless, my Huss II is going to claim to possess this drum, further asserting that it will make his rag-tag "army" invincible.

[Panther Al]

I've for the most part always played in the southern front, as I mentioned a while back for the obvious reasons that you already mentioned. Here was our groups take.

Austria, for better or for worse, can best be described as an organised free fire zone. Organised in the fact that the various national units are not scattered to the 3 winds like in Poland, yet, because of the sheer number of different units from different nations, all intermixed to one degree or another, whose lines, while more or less defined, are pretty porous due to the terrain.

Regarding Character Creation, here is what we went by:

Using the German setup as base, all references to Tac Missile was replaced with Heavy Gun due to the restrictions against Austria having guided weapons. No Airborne, nor Special Ops: We figured the special operation types they do have are more along the lines of the Rangers.

Wartime skill picks was however allowed to take up to 2 points in Tac Missile: Be it from hands on training with captured equipment, or formal training by the German Army.

Obviously, No Navy or Marine paths.

Personal Weapons:

Using at the time only what was published, this is what we used.

GB80
MPi69
Steyr SSG069
Steyr AUG (And Variants - we had a house rule that for 400 bucks (S/-), you can pick up the parts to convert from Carbine, to Rifle, to LMG - 2kg)
MG3
M3 Carl Gustav.


Just my 3 cents from playing many a campaign in the area.

[Tegyrius]

Cool. A GM could use such a table to roll for faction vehicles or random encounters, or PC vehicles, or whatever. Mind if I include it in the sourcebook? I'll give you a shout-out in the credits.

Go for it! That's sorta why I offered it up.

I'd like to include an Italian vehicles table too, since the Italians spent at least a year, in force, in Austrian territory. Paul's given me permission to link to his site for purposes of the sourcebook.

Excellent. I'd included the links to his site for our internal reference, but hotlinking the stats from the main document will improve usability.

I just got an Osprey Men-at-Arms book on the Hussite Wars and came across a nugget that I'm going to incorporate in the New Hussite faction write up.

Before he died of a variant of the plague, General Zizka, the blind, undefeated Hussite military leader, asked that his skin be turned into a war drum so that he could continue to lead his troops into battle after his passing. It is unlikely that this dying wish was actually fulfilled. Nevertheless, my Huss II is going to claim to possess this drum, further asserting that it will make his rag-tag "army" invincible.

That is amazingly creepy. I'm sold.

- C.

[Olefin]

One thing to keep in mind for the sourcebook is how big the US presence was in the Austria. According to the US Vehicle Guide the whole US 4th Army, consisting of two corps was based in Austria for much of the war.

That includes the 1st Armored, 43rd Infantry, 70th Infantry, 35th Mechanized Infantry, 1-40th Mechanized Infantry, and the 107th Armored Cav Regiment plus the HQ's for the Army and two Corps. Thats a very large US contingent for such a small area - and very well could mean that many US troops stayed behind or deserted in Austria over the course of the war or when the Going Home orders were given, instead of just the canon mentioned 1-40th at Salzburg.

The 107th now considers itself part of the German Army and you could see it playing a role in the future of Austria as the Germans begin to drive the Russians out in early 2001 as Russian units start to fall apart and go home or turn bandit. Also the personnel of both the Army and one of the Corps HQ stayed in Europe, and again could play a part in the future of Austria.

Especially if those Americans, due to their long stay, now see Austria as their future home or have found Austrian wives or husbands.

Thus you could see a lot of American deserters and marauders here operating either against the Soviets or trying to carve out their own little empires, especially after Going Home as well as lots of American equipment either abandoned, captured or given to units in the area.

Also several of the German units in the area may have US soldiers in them who decided to join them instead of Going Home, especially those with Austrian loved ones.

You could also see the Germans and remaining American officers trying to get the 70th rejoin the fold and join them in trying to free Austria.

A further wildcard could be the Civ Gov units in Yugoslavia. If they decide that they have had enough, they may try to move to the north to join up with the NATO units in Germany and the few US units that have stayed behind as part of the German Army. You could have CIA agents from there trying to gather supplies in Austria for those units as well.

[boogiedowndonovan]

good thread and good work Rae,

just a few comments I would like to add

Before the Steyr AUG, the Austrian Army used a locally produced variant of the FN-FAL called the Sturmgewehr 58 (StG 58). Wikipedia says that it was replaced in 1977 but some units used it up until 1985. I would assume that some would remain in armories and return to use in T2k.

The Austrian Armed Forces had a navy up until 2006. Well, more accurately a Naval Squadron of....2 patrol boats, 2 officers and 30 men. The patrol boats were used on the Danube River. Pirates of the Danube anyone???? Anyone know if the Naval Squadron could have escaped up the Danube to Germany?

Austrian Special Forces are called JagdKommando. From the Wikipedia description, it sounds like they are Ranger equivalent. The Austrian Ministry of the Interior operates a counter terrorism unit called Einsatzkommando Cobra.

M47 tanks apparently went out when Austria acquired the M60A1? It doesn't show any M47 in the Austrian Army inventory on the 1989 orbat. copy of just the Austrian Army and Air Force portion is below.

Steyr, Austria is apparently a major industrial center and in T2k is occupied by the Warsaw Pact. Steyr-Daimler-Puch and associated industries, Steyr Mannlicher (maker of Steyr AUG and other firearms), Steyr Truck, Steyr Tractor and Steyr Motors are based there. Possibly, the Soviets are still using the facilities to repair vehicles and equipment. Maybe a prototype ASCOD or two is in the local Soviet garrison motorpool. Or maybe some now dead Steyr Mannlicher employees were able to spirit away some leftover Advanced Combat Rifles left over from the US Army Advanced Combat Rifle trials.

I'm intrigued by the 70th ID, mainly because the US Vehicle Guide shows 2000 men and no AFVs, but Going Home shows the 70th ID with 2000 men and 6 AFVs. I am sure it was an oversight by GDW, but an interesting story could be created as to how the 70th ID aquired the 6 AFVs in the span of 2-3 months, as well as why the 70th ID left Austria and is in Ulm, Germany "no longer accepting orders".

War Drum made of human skin...morbid but cool in a game sense.

[Raellus]

Thanks for the info, Boogie. I like the idea of the Soviets rebuilding Austrian vehicles in Steyr. I'll also make sure to throw a few SG 58s into the mix.

I'm sure that some of Austria's tiny Danube navy could have escaped. I'm not sure how much good it would have done in opposing the Soviet invasion, or how many resources the PACT would have dedicated to its destruction.

I used the 'Schlangenfresser' (Snake Eater) nickname for the JagdKommandos in homage to an old Cold-War elite forces uniform book I've had since I was 12.

I'm still thinking about how to handle the matter of the fighting in Austria between the summer and late autumn of 2000.

@Panther Al: Thanks for the char-gen notes. I would add an Austrian PC a skill point or two in mountaineering/climbing as well. Do you mind if I use your char-gen framework for the sourcebook? You would, of course, receive a credit for its creation.

[Olefin]

I'm intrigued by the 70th ID, mainly because the US Vehicle Guide shows 2000 men and no AFVs, but Going Home shows the 70th ID with 2000 men and 6 AFVs. I am sure it was an oversight by GDW, but an interesting story could be created as to how the 70th ID aquired the 6 AFVs in the span of 2-3 months, as well as why the 70th ID left Austria and is in Ulm, Germany "no longer accepting orders".

I could think of several ways - could be that they scrounged enough spare parts by cannibalizing several old wrecks to get seven vehicles operational. In this case they could be a mix of Soviet, Austrian, Italian and American tanks (AFV are tanks in game terms by the way)

Or possibly they absorbed a remnant unit that had tanks of its own - i.e. Germans or Austrian forces, possibly even renegade Italians or Czechs who joined the US unit.

[Panther Al]

Thanks for the info, Boogie. I like the idea of the Soviets rebuilding Austrian vehicles in Steyr. I'll also make sure to throw a few SG 58s into the mix.

I'm sure that some of Austria's tiny Danube navy could have escaped. I'm not sure how much good it would have done in opposing the Soviet invasion, or how many resources the PACT would have dedicated to its destruction.

I used the 'Schlangenfresser' (Snake Eater) nickname for the JagdKommandos in homage to an old Cold-War elite forces uniform book I've had since I was 12.

I'm still thinking about how to handle the matter of the fighting in Austria between the summer and late autumn of 2000.

@Panther Al: Thanks for the char-gen notes. I would add an Austrian PC a skill point or two in mountaineering/climbing as well. Do you mind if I use your char-gen framework for the sourcebook? You would, of course, receive a credit for its creation.


Go for it. As to the mountaineering/climbing in basic? Good idea. At least one point there.

[Raellus]

Here's an updated draft of the sourcebook. In addition to a few revisions to the original draft, this one includes sections on Austrian Geography and places of interest, expanded factions info., weapons tables, notes on generating Austrian military PCs, and some other stuff.

[Panther Al]

Looking good...

Only one thing I would say, is in the character generation, a note saying replace all instances of Tac-Missile for all non-wartime skill selections with Heavy Gun: The Austrians was prohibited from possessing any sort of guided weapons post WW2 to not all that long ago. Though, I think once the war started, I am sure that allowing Tac-Missile to be taken would cover the cases where they tossed that rule out the window and picked up OtJ training in them.

[Raellus]

Only one thing I would say, is in the character generation, a note saying replace all instances of Tac-Missile for all non-wartime skill selections with Heavy Gun: The Austrians was prohibited from possessing any sort of guided weapons post WW2 to not all that long ago. Though, I think once the war started, I am sure that allowing Tac-Missile to be taken would cover the cases where they tossed that rule out the window and picked up OtJ training in them.

Done.

[Cdnwolf]

Ever see something and your mind passes over it not fully registering what you see? That happen to me...lol.

THANK YOU for this... I am trying to do a campaign in the Alps and this will help!!

[Raellus]

You're welcome. I'm pleased that you like it.

I just discovered a television program called Alps from the Air on AXS network here in the states. I watched the first episode- which covers the state of Tyrol in Austria- and the scenery is just breathtaking. If you are able, I recommend that you check it out. Not only will it help you envision Alpine terrain, but the local culture segments called to mind a couple of interesting unusual encounter ideas.

[Panther Al]

Thanks for the chance to add my two cents Raellus: Been a long time since the time I ran and played in adventures in that AO, but that was my old stomping grounds for RPing for a long while. :) The neat trick was always trying to remember that the overall area was under much better control: it wasn't the free for all that Poland is.

[Raellus]

No problem, Panther. Thanks for your help.

@All: Here's a map to accompany the sourcebook. Not sure how to combine the two.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=206956330743072967253.0004e855fb0a3926a439 c&msa=0

[AcesandEights]

I gave this a look through a week or so back, very nice write up!

I was just wondering, on a somewhat related note, does anyone know what sort of equipment, load out and structure of regiments and battalions Italian alpini or alpini parachutists (e.g. 4th Alpini Parachutist rgt.) would have?

[Enfield]

I really appreciate the work you have done on this. I'm running a set of adventures to be set in Italy/Austria, and it will be invaluable to help provide background. The map is really good work.

[Raellus]

Thank you. I'm pleased that you are using it. Enjoy!

[Olefin]

I loved that Austria Sourcebook too - something that would be great if it could be published - fills in a big hole in the game - i.e. for the people who decide that the way home is to try to get to the Civgov forces in Yugoslavia and have to fight their way thru Austria to get there