Soviet Red Army

## Overview

Forming the Soviet Armed Forces alongside Soviet Navy, Soviet Air Force and Soviet Air Defense Force, the Red Army became the backbone of the Soviet Union's fighting force during the course of the 2nd World War. Utilizing the massive pool of manpower and natural resources, the quantity of industrialized facilities and the devotion of its citizen to the cause of the "Great Patriotic War"; Soviet Red Army have overcome huge amount of difficulties during the early course of the conflict as well as turning the tide of the 2nd World War.

## Gameplay

### Infantry

Despite being the least-trained infantry force in comparison to other Allied and Axis forces, the Red Army making up for such weakness by utilising its massive pool of manpower, leading to the ease of replacing any damaged units with numerous reserved conscripts that are availble to be deployed. In addition, having an additional man in each squad allowing greater survivability at the cost of being less combat-effective in comparison to the Wehrmacht's counterpart.

While Guards and elite Shock units were awarded with access to more powerful and advance weaponry, Soviet infantryman as well as member of Penal Battalion were tested by combat and hardened by battles before being granted such privilege.

### Light Vehicles

Like the Americans, Soviet's Industrial power allowed massive amount of light vehicles to be produced as part of Red Army's Mechanization Campaign, which were directly ordered by Stalin himself. T-70 light tanks, SU-76M Assault Gun, BM-13 Katyusha vehicles as well as various Soviet's light and armored vehicles has proved their effectiveness in ensuring the success of Soviet's "Deep Battle Tactics" on massive battlefields of the Eastern Front as well as succesfully countering a variety of the Wehrmacht's light vehicles and infantry units.

In addition to the trademark Soviet-made light vehicles, light vehicles from the "Lend-Lease Act", such as M5 Half-track Transport, M17 Halftrack and Mk III "Valentine" tank, have proven their values within the Soviet's Mechanized Forces, allowing the Soviet to remain in the fight after disastrous vehicles lost during the early stage of the "Great Patriotic War".

### Tanks

Not mounting a long-range and highly accurate guns nor wielding thick armor as tanks of the Wehrmacht's and SS's Panzer force, Soviet tanks were relying on a perfect combination of firepower, armor and mobility, as well as the ability to be produced quickly and easily at low cost. Tanks such as the KV-1C and T-34-76 became challenging opponent for the Wehrmacht's early Panzer forces before the introduction of the *PzKpfw VI "Tiger" Ausf. E* and the Panzer V "Panther", which were later on being countered with a series of SU tank destroyer/self-propelled gun, T-34-85 model 1944 as well the IS heavy-tank series (named after Joseph Stalin).

Circling enemy's heavy Panzers with massive hordes of medium tanks while picking off any medium Panzers with powerful armaments of Soviet's tank destroyers and heavy tanks are some of advised tactics for the Red Army's Tank Corps. In addition, well-coordinated support from light vehicles as well as from infantry units will ensure a greater survival chance and higher success rate for Soviet armors against the might of the Wehrmacht's armor and anti-tank measures.

## Tiering

### Special Rifle Company

*The Special Rifle Company serves as the Soviets main building for the recruitment of specialized infantry and support weapon crew.*

## Doctrines

### **Artillery Division**

Abilities

Units

**Battlegroup: 8th "Tundzha" Infantry Division (Bulgarian)**

### **Mechanized Division**

Abilities

Units

**Battlegroup:** *106th Guards Airborne Division Battlegroup*

### **Reserve Division**

Abilities

Units

**Battlegroup:** *1st Motor Rifle "Don" Division NKVD + 105th NKVD Border Troop Regiment*

### **Shock Division**

Abilities

Units

**Battlegroup:** *83rd Naval Infantry Brigade*

### **Tank Division**

Abilities

Units

**Battlegroup:** *11th Guards Tank Corp.*

### **Tank Destroyer Division**

Abilities

Units

**Battlegroup:** *Armia Krajowa Partisans Battlegroup.*