Alternate Tables of Organization & Equipment For Optional Wargame Scenarios
Alternate Tables of Organization & Equipment For Optional Wargame Scenarios
Alternate Tables of Organization & Equipment For Optional Wargame Scenarios
Bear Marches West
Alternate Tables of Organization & Equipment
for Optional Wargame Scenarios
Glenn Dean
The 1980s were a turbulent time for the US Army with the introduction of major changes
in equipment and organization. The “Big Five” – the Abrams tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle,
Apache Attack Helicopter, Blackhawk Utility Helicopter, and Patriot Air Defense System –
caused significant shifts in the way US Army units were organized and manned. In particular,
ground maneuver units were in transition from the “Jseries” Table of Organization &
Equipment (TOE), in which each maneuver battalion had three maneuver companies each with
its own organic combat support and combat service support, to the “Hseries” TOE in which the
battalions had four maneuver companies, with combat services support organized at the battalion
level and then distributed to support the individual companies. Armor formations saw even more
significant change as the M1equipped formations transitioned to platoons of four tanks each (14
per company) from the prior five tanks per platoon (17 per company) of the M60equipped
formations.
These transitions began with the fielding of the first M1 tanks in Europe in 1982, picked
up speed in 1983 as Bradley Fighting Vehicles began to join the formations, and while the US
Army in Europe was complete in the reorganization to this “Division 86” structure by late 1986,
many formations based in the US did not fully complete this organizational transition until the
time of Operation Desert Storm, or even later.
The thriller novels of the period that deal with the possibility of ground combat in
Western Europe often gloss over the finer details of TOE to serve their own narrative goals.
Depending on when in the decade one assumes the battles are set, an accurate depiction of the
battle formations in the novels could look somewhat different. (As an aside: Harold Coyle, a
retired US Army Armor officer, generally presents the most accurate formations; Ralph Peters, a
retired US Army Intelligence officer, is quite accurate in his Soviet formations but less so with
US Formations; Tom Clancy, a civilian, takes the most narrative liberties with TOE).
The scenarios presented in The Bear Marches West are designed to best replicate the
drama presented in the novels. However, should one seek to use the scenarios as more of a
“what if” simulation, and play the actual formations of the time, the following provides some
optional scenarios with modifications that more closely replicate actual tactical formations.
Note that for the US forces these scenarios replicate the company/trooplevel combat
services support formations (also known as the “company trains”); these elements can be omitted
if there is a desire to reduce clutter on the gaming table. If your chosen rules system does not
replicate support units, these vehicles can still be employed as antiinfantry systems as all are
equipped with .50caliber machine guns.
Also, fire support (M981 FISTV, ACRV) and Tactical Air Control Party vehicles are
included in these TOEs. If your rules system supports specialized artillery and air observers, use
them with these units. If your rules system does not specifically provide for observer rules, a
reduction in miss error of 5075% is recommended for engagements in which the observer
vehicle can “spot” the intended fall of the air or artillery strike, to better simulate the accuracy of
these vehicles and their ground laser designators compared to calls for fire over radio from a
company or platoon commander.
Scenario 1: Opening Shots
Harold Coyle’s Team Yankee is never specific about the divisional formation to which
the fighting company it follows belongs; in fact it is quite generic, probably intentionally so.
Team Yankee itself comes from an Hseries organization, since it is M1equipped; the
mechanized infantry battalion it is attached to is most likely also an Hseries organization (based
on its M3equipped scout platoon), but could also be a Jseries organization. This provides
several options for adjusting its scenario.
Option A: Team Yankee TOE adjustment. This adjusts Team Yankee’s TOE only.
Change: 1x Infantry Platoon
1x M113 command vehicle with command section
3x M113 squad carriers with 1 infantry squad and 1xM47 Dragon each
Add: Fire Support Section:
1 x M981 FISTV
Add: Team Yankee combat services support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Option B: Team Yankee 1986 TOE. This option portrays a “future” Team Yankee, after
fielding of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (and post1987, change all 105mm gun M1 to 120mm
M1A1)
Change: 1x Infantry Platoon
1x M2 Bradley, with command section
3x M2 Bradley, with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Add: Fire Support Section:
1x M981 FISTV
Add: Team Yankee Combat services support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Option C: Full strength motorrifle battalion. This option presents an unattrited Soviet
motorrifle battalion (MRB) as a greater challenge. In theory, by all US Army force design, the
unattrited MRB and US Army company team should be roughly equally matched.
Add: Battalion command
2x BRDM2 reconnaissance section
1x ACRV artillery observer
3x SPG9 antitank team (mounted in BTR60)
Change: Each Motor Rifle Company (MRC)
1x BMP2 with command section
3x Motor Rifle Platoon (MRP), each
3x BMP2 with infantry squad
Scenario 2: Mackall’s Defense.
The Sergeant Mackall storyline in Tom Clancy’s Red Storm Rising is a compelling one,
but one that neglects to show the full picture of the unit it depicts. The 11th Armored Cavalry
Regiment (“Blackhorse”) was the elite formation of US Army Europe (USAEUR) at the time,
charged with the defense of the Fulda Gap, and as a result the first formation in USAEUR to be
fully modernized. As a consequence of Clancy’s choice of call sign for Mackall – Buffalo 31 –
we know he becomes the platoon leader of the 3rd platoon, B Troop (“Buffalo”), 1st Squadron
(“Ironhorse”), 11th ACR. The 11th ACR’s three line squadrons were organized the same
throughout the ‘80s after fielding the M1; each squadron contained three cavalry troops (A, B,
and C in 1st; E, F, and G in 2d; and I, K, and L in 3rd), one tank company (D, H, and M
respectively), a howitzer battery (“How Batt”), and headquarters troop. The cavalry troops were
combined arms mixtures of scouts, tanks, mortars, and support vehicles. [Aside: One
incongruity: cavalry troops usually designated the scout platoons as 1st and 3rd with the tank
platoons as 2d and 4th, but this could conceivably be different for Mackall’s fictional scenario.]
To replicate the full cavalry troop in Mackall’s Defense:
Change: 1x U.S. Armored Cavalry Troop
Headquarters Platoon
1x M1 Abrams
1x M577 command post
1x M981 FISTV
2x Scout Platoon, each
6x M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
2x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
Mortar Section
2x M106A2 4.2” Mortar Carrier
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
2x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Add: 2x fire missions, each a Battalion 6 from squadron Howitzer Battery (6 rounds from
each of 8 guns).
Scenario 3: Gas, Gas, Gas
As with scenario 1:
Option A: Team Yankee TOE adjustment. This adjusts Team Yankee’s TOE only.
Change: 1x Infantry Platoon
1x M113 command vehicle with command section
3x M113 squad carriers with 1 infantry squad and 1xM47 Dragon each
Add: Fire Support Section:
1x M981 FISTV
Add: Team Yankee combat services support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Option B: Team Yankee 1986 TOE. This option portrays a “future” Team Yankee, after
fielding of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (and post1987, change all 105mm gun M1 to 120mm
M1A1)
Change: 1x Infantry Platoon
1x M2 Bradley, with command section
3x M2 Bradley, with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Add: Fire Support Section:
1x M981 FISTV
Add: Team Yankee Combat services support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Option C: Additional MotorRifle Battalion assets.
Add: Battalion command
2x BRDM2 reconnaissance section
1x ACRV artillery observer
3x SPG9 antitank team (mounted in BTR60)
Scenario 4: Mackall’s Defense Redux
Option A: US Cavalry Troops only. This option changes only the TOE for the two
Cavalry Troops in the base scenario.
Change:
2x U.S. Armored Cavalry Troop, each:
Headquarters Platoon
1x M1 Abrams
1x M577 command post
1x M981 FISTV
2x Scout Platoon, each
6x M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
2x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
Mortar Section
2x M106A2 4.2” Mortar Carrier
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
2x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Add: 2x fire missions, each a Battery 6 from squadron Howitzer Battery (6 rounds from
each of 8 guns).
Option B: Ironhorse Guard. This option deletes the German grenadiers, and simulates a
guard mission by the entire 1st Squadron of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Delete: All German units.
Change:
2x U.S. Armored Cavalry Troop, each:
Headquarters Platoon
1x M1 Abrams
1x M577 command post
1x M981 FISTV
2x Scout Platoon, each
6x M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
2x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
Mortar Section
2x M106A2 4.2” Mortar Carrier
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
2x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Add:
Squadron Headquarters
2x M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
4x M577 command post vehicles
1x U.S. Armored Cavalry Troop, each:
Headquarters Platoon
1x M1 Abrams
1x M577 command post
1x M981 FISTV
2x Scout Platoon, each
6x M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
2x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
Mortar Section
2x M106A2 4.2” Mortar Carrier
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
2x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
1x Tank Company
Company Headquarters
2x M1 Abrams
1x M981 FISTV
3x Tank Platoons, each
4x M1 Abrams
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Howitzer Battery
8x M109A5 155mm SelfPropelled Howitzer
1x M577 Fire Direction Center
Ammunition available supports 6 “Battery 6” missions and a single precision
laserguided Copperhead strike
AeroScout section: 2x AH1 Cobra Attack Helicopter, mounting 8 each ITOW plus
20mm cannon
Air Defense Platoon
4x M113 with Stinger Team
Squadron Combat Trains
2x M577 command post
2x M113 Ambulance
2x M978 HEMTT emergency fuel
2x M977 HEMTT emergency ammunition
2x M88 Recovery Vehicle
Scenario 9: Hunter and Hunted.
This option provides adjustments to Team Yankee’s organization.
Option A: M113 option. This replicates the novel scenario with additional details.
Change: 1x Infantry Platoon
1x M113 command vehicle with command section
3x M113 squad carriers with 1 infantry squad and 1xM47 Dragon each
Add: Fire Support Section:
1 x M981 FISTV
Add: Team Yankee combat services support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Option B: 1986 TOE. This provides the “what if” alternative of equipping the Team with
the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (and if replicating post1987, change all 105mm gun
M1 to 120mm M1A1)
Change: 1x Infantry Platoon
1x M2 Bradley, with command section
3x M2 Bradley, with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Add: Fire Support Section:
1 x M981 FISTV
Add: Team Yankee Combat services support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Scenario 10: Check and Checkmate
Option: Full strength Team. This option replicates a defensive scenario with a full
strength company/team, rather than the reduced strength scenario as presented in the novel.
Change: 1x Tank Company Team
Company Headquarters
2x M1 Abrams
1x M981 FISTV
2x Tank Platoons, each
4x M1 Abrams
1x Infantry Platoon
1x M113 command vehicle, with command section
3x M113 squad carrier, with 1 infantry squad and 1 M47 Dragon each
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Scenario 11: Race for the Leine
These options makes some TOE adjustments to the US and Soviet units.
Option A: Mech pure. This uses US Infantry only for the US unit.
Add: Soviet Regimental Reconnaissance
3x BRDM2
1x ACRV artillery reconnaissance
Change: US Infantry Company
Company Headquarters
2x M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
1x M981 FISTV
3x Infantry Platoon, each
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Option B: Mech Team. This substitutes a US Mechanized Infantry Team for the US
Infantry Company.
Add: Soviet Regimental Reconnaissance
3x BRDM2
1x ACRV artillery reconnaissance
Change: US Infantry Team
Company Headquarters
2x M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
1x M981 FISTV
2x Infantry Platoon, each
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
1x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Option C: US Battalion Only. This option substitutes a complete US Hseries
mechanized infantry battalion task force (in a “3x1” mix, of three infantry companies and one
tank, further crossattached at the company/team level) for the other NATO units.
Add: Soviet Regimental Reconnaissance
3x BRDM2
1x ACRV artillery reconnaissance
Delete: All British, Belgian, and German ground forces.
Change: US Infantry Company
Company Headquarters
2x M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
1x M981 FISTV
3x Infantry Platoon, each
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Add:
US Mechanized Infantry Battalion Task Force Headquarters
2x M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
4x M577 command post
1x M113 Tactical Air Control Party
US Scout Platoon
6x M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
US Infantry Company, each
Company Headquarters
2x M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
1x M981 FISTV
3x Infantry Platoon, each
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
US Infantry Team
Company Headquarters
2x M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
1x M981 FISTV
2x Infantry Platoon, each
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
1x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
US Tank Team
Company Headquarters
2x M1 Abrams
1x M981 FISTV
2x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
1x Infantry Platoon
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
US Mortar Platoon
6x M106A2 4.2” Mortar Carrier
1x M577 Fire Direction Center
US AntiTank Company
Company Headquarters
2x M113
3x Antitank Platoon, each
4x M901 Improved TOW Vehicle
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
Battalion Combat Trains
2x M577 command post
2x M113 Ambulance
2x M978 HEMTT emergency fuel
2x M977 HEMTT emergency ammunition
2x M88 Recovery Vehicle
Scenario 12: Desperate Measures
This option uses a full US Hseries mechanized infantry battalion task force (in “3x1”
mix).
Add: Soviet Regimental Reconnaissance
3x BRDM2
1x ACRV artillery reconnaissance
Change:
US Mechanized Infantry Battalion Task Force Headquarters
2x M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
4x M577 command post
1x M113 Tactical Air Control Party
US Tank Team
Company Headquarters
2x M1 Abrams
1x M981 FISTV
2x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
1x Infantry Platoon
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
US Infantry Team
Company Headquarters
2x M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
1x M981 FISTV
2x Infantry Platoon, each
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
1x Tank Platoon, each
4x M1 Abrams
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
2x US Infantry Company, each
Company Headquarters
2x M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
1x M981 FISTV
3x Infantry Platoon, each
1x M2 Bradley with command section
3x M2 Bradley with 1 infantry squad and M47 Dragon each
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
1x M88 Recovery
Add:
US Scout Platoon
6x M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
US Mortar Platoon
6x M106A2 4.2” Mortar Carrier
1x M577 Fire Direction Center
US AntiTank Company
Company Headquarters
2x M113
3x Antitank Platoon, each
4x M901 Improved TOW Vehicle
Combat Service Support
1x M113 First Sergeant
1x M113 Maintenance
1x M113 Medical
Air Defense Platoon
4x M113 with Stinger Team
Battalion Combat Trains
2x M577 command post
2x M113 Ambulance
2x M978 HEMTT emergency fuel
2x M977 HEMTT emergency ammunition
2x M88 Recovery Vehicle