My second Soviet regiment was a BTR equipped one. After sorting through my spares box and uncovering a several spare BTR-60PBs, originally to be painted up for the Arab-Israeli Wars, I sent off an order to Spiritgames in the UK for additional models with which to bolster the ranks of my miniature Soviet army. 

The regiment was formed around three motorised infantry battalions with all troops transported by the same BTR-60PB. I selected this model for two reasons. Firstly, that even in the 1980s the most represented vehicle BTR in the GSFG was the BTR-60PB and secondly I could use the same vehicle as the basis for formations in the 1970s at some future stage.

Above, BTR-60PB combat teams move forward. The labels on each stand indicate the vehicles are from the 2nd Battalion.

Like the BMP stands pictured previously each combat team has a vehicle and three infantry figures on a base. Support stands, such as AGS-17s and SA-7 teams have fewer but accurately depicted figures mounted on the base. 

Of course a motor rifle regiment is not complete without the integral tank battalion. While I have used T-64s in the BMP equipped regiment the formation of the BTR regiment allowed me to use some older T-62s that I had in "storage".

Above, a column of T-62 tanks, part of a concentrated tank battalion, advance through a narrow gap between a wood and a hill.

The T-62 was, by the early 1980s, being phased out of frontline service in GSFG though some regiments continued to use them. The T-62 is armed with the 115mm smoothbore gun with some 40 rounds of ammunition. The T-62 also has a reduced speed compared to the T-64 and later vehicles. In Modern Spearhead this reduction in speed is noticeable. The T-62 struggles to keep up with the BTR-60PBs across open ground. By 1981 the T-62E was in service and by 1983 the T-62M1 was entering service. Both of these ugrades formed part of the 1981-1985 upgrade plan in which 785 T-62s were to be upgraded.  The later upgrade being particularly useful for this vehicle as it closes the gap on similiar vintage NATO equipment.

The T-62s can be used on mass as a separate fighting battalion, or be broken up and attached to the various BTR battalions. Each situation has its own advantages. With the BTR regiments being notably weaker than their BMP equipped battalions the advantage of providing each BTR battalion with some armour is obvious. Below, a BTR battalion is advancing with direct support provided by a company of T-62 tanks. The tanks act as support stands and can fire through the BTRs. 

In addition to the fighting battalions of the regiment each Soviet motor rifle regiment is well equipped with a variety of support weapons. First is the anti-tank battalion. This battalion comprises two parts, the ATGW battery of two BRDM-2s equipped with Spandrel, and secondly, the more traditional anti-tank artillery battery equipped with towed T-12 anti-tank guns.

Above, a T-12 100mm Anti-Tank Gun deployed for action near a small wood in support of the BTR Regiment.

These towed guns are somewhat slow to move and position and are therefore more suitable for flank protection than in directly supporting the advance. They have a similar capability to the 100mm gun mounted on the T-55 but from 1985 can be equipped with the Bastion round. This round gives the T-12, just as it does the T-55, a new less of life. Even if it is somewhat expensive per round in rubals!  Additional T-12 anti-tank guns can be found at divisional level in the form of an anti-tank battalion, consisting of four anti-tank gun stands.

The T-12 can be towed by the MT-LB tracked vehicle. However, with a surplus of Soviet heavy Ural trucks I decided to use these in a variety of units, including as tows for the T-12s.

The BTR regiment also has a towed D-30 122mm artillery battalion. While these are also towed by the Ural truck I plan to generally keep the D-30s off-table. The time taken to move and unlimber them on table is usually such that they would be useless in such direct support missions. In addition to the Ural truck the GAZ-66 truck features in the regiment. As mentioned above each BTR battalion has two towed 120mm mortars for a total of six 120mm mortars per regiment. When combined with the D-30s this provides the regiment with no less than ten 120mm or 122mm weapons.  Other support for the regiment includes a reconnaissance company, of BRDM-2s, as well as an anti-aircraft company with a ZSU-23-4 and a SA-9 Gaskin stand.

Here a convoy of Ural trucks can be seen moving forward and about to cross a small river.

[Return to the Modern Spearhead Page] This article is compiled by Keith McNelly.