Soviet 124th MRD

[schnickelfritz]

I am trying to flesh out the Soviet 124th MRD, part of the 4th Guards Tank Army, and a critical part of the V1 Escape From Kalisz Scenario.

In the V1 information, they have placed (3) T-80 tanks in Siearadz after the battle, of which only one can move.

Given that the 124th is listed in the Soviet Vehicle Guides as a Mobilization Only formation, does this seem realistic?

I have a hard time buying that the 124th would have been issued T-80's and probably the best they could have hoped for were T-72's. T-55's or T-62's seem a lot more realistic.

It would seem to me that the 124th probably consisted of obsolete tanks, BMP-1's (BMP-A) and BTR-60's at the time of the Battle of Kalisz. That certainly would/could explain the lopsided slaughter they suffered. At the same time, I might be tempted to issue the BRDM-1 or maybe BRDM-2 armored cars for their recce formations.

Given their low priority, I would probably assign them a few D-30 and/or D-20 towed howitzers, D-10 100mm AT guns, and 120mm mortars for their support weapons, with the mortars (due to their low cost and widespread numbers) probably outnumbering the tube artillery 2-3:1.

Any thoughts?

Having T-55's and BMP-1's (most likely without AT-3 missiles) attempting to assault a position equipped with M1A2's and dig in infantry (most likely supported by a handful of M-2 IFV) would certainly explain the failure of the counterattack and the total shattering of the 124th as a cohesive force.

Thanks-
Dave