"1975 Cold War - Stats and Organizations?" Topic

I am looking to do a small micro armor project set in Europe, circa 1975. I am in need of vehicle and infantry stats and unit organizations. FFT3 doesn't seem to cover the West Germans in 1975, so while I have seen that mentioned as a great resource, it doesn't seem to work for what I seek.

Are there old rules out there that include such data?

Thanks!

There is a spreadsheet on fireandfury.com that lists year and model of Leopards in Bundeswehr units

Took a bit to find it, but what a great starting point. Thank you!

US First Cavalry were shifting from Vietnam to Tri-Cav to H- series which they were in when I got to the unit in 1977.

I looked for it and could not find it. Where is it on the site?

IIRC, the Fire and Fury TO&Es aren't real orgs, but are just designed to mimic them, with fewer vehicles, e.g. at about a 1:2 ratio, IIRC, so that can cause issues.

The West German Army went through many reorgs during the Cold War, and depending upon the year, their platoon and company structures changed significantly.

I had some notes somewhere, and then more on the computer, but of course that died, so……….

WG initially went with the US WWII Armored Platoon/Company structure of 17 vehicles to a company, and 5 per Plt.. Then (not sure of the date), they went with 14 per company – 2 in the HQ and 3 x platoons of 4 each.

Then, or course, later, they went to 11 – 2 in the HQ, and 3 x platoons of 3, IIRC.

Later, they reverted back to 13 in a company (1 + 12).

These were organized under various Heeresstruktures – 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Looks like you want struktur 3 for 1970 – 1979:

link

I think this one had 14 vehicles per company, both in the Panzer, as well as the PzGren. units with the Marder and other IFVs.

This is very useful:

link

And, if this is working right, here's the English translation for you:

link

(if that doesn't work, see the individual pages below)

Here's a page with links to all the Heeresstrukturs:

link

Try and find a copy of Ultra Modern Army Lists and Organizations by B. A. Rea-Taylor of Tabletop Games. It is oop but I have seen copies at flea markets and booksellers at game conventions. It was published in 1982 so most of the organizations will work for the time frame you are looking for.

Lists go from Division down to individual vehicles and squads/fire teams as well as individual crew served weapons.

What is sad about all this is that I had a few different rules and lists, including the aforementioned Tabletop Games offering, decades ago, I let them slip away!

Thanks for the suggestions!

Firepower from Avalon Hill might have it.

Well I found my Armies of the World for 1979 based on 1978 data.
Outstanding book for basic info such as 6 home defense groups composed of 28 motorized battalions drawn from 300 active companies.
Other detailed breakdown of first units. A very detailed section on weapons and AFVs.

All countries are covered, edited by Chris Chant.

Another example is Albania with 1 Tank Bde and 8 Infantry beds, 2 tank bins ndependent and support units. Tank units have T54/55 SU 76 and K 63.
More info but this is an example.
Books like this can still be found through libraries, something we pre-internet folks used to do research. They can also find copies through the inter-library exchange program.
I got my copy while in the First Cavalry Division, thanks to my wife.

Stats in first paragraph was for West Germany.

RudyNelson, thanks for info on the book. Just ordered it off Amazon.

Matt

RudyNelson
that sounds like an amazing book – I think I'll have to get a copy

TO&Es were what you were actually "authorized". Verses what actually you have available/"on hand". I.e. what equipment you are short by not being issued yet, number of actual troops physically in the unit. Then unit strengths would be also be influenced by vehicles and equipment that are in maintenance/broken down. Troop that injured, sick, on leave, ETC's, etc.

So you could be short of equipment you are authorized by the TO&E. But the conditions of what you have actually on hand. E.g. my M113 Mech Co. was authorized 112 troops. But on any given day that number could fluctuate 10-20 based on all the things I mentioned before.

Or e.g. the Co. was authorized 32 NVGs PAS-7s, IIRC … we only had 5 actually on hand. And were awaiting the rest. While I was in command we never got any of those we were short. Plus at any given time 2-3 could be down for maintenance. Leaving 2 or 3 available to deploy with the unit …