Hypothetical Forces : Transformation

[B.Smitty]

Why don't we produce Roland? Cause it's a lot worse than Pantsyr and Crotale and at best equal to the upgraded Aspide. If we develop a modification as good as the Crotale, then it's OK.

Doesn't the Roland VT1 upgrade use a missile derived from Crotale NG?

If Roland development is primarily out of country, then we might as well look at other systems. However, I wouldn't just go choose the best system from a technical standpoint, I would choose one, ideally, as part of a package with other systems in order to maximize our Euros spent and align us with our chosen strategic partner(s) (whomever they may be). We can gain significant leverage this way.

Can we afford to keep systems supported by Orange? (e.g. from companies like Wegmann, MBB, Thyssen, Krupp, Rheinmetall)

 

[B.Smitty]

I would go for small, but very high quality counter-attack force supporting a "web" of infantry-based antitank-forward observation-anti infantry force, all this backed by extensive indirect fire assets (with small size of country even absolute coverage can be achieved with small amount of units). In essence, I would go for firepower rather than manouverability. Counter-attack force could be used for taking part into Alliance operations.

I think we can have firepower and mobility here. If we equip our light infantry with civilian vehicles, they can more easily blend in with the local populace (Fedayeen-style). This will frustrate Orange's recc efforts and force them to treat everyone as potentially hostile. We have ample local production for such vehicles.

To pull it off, we would need considerable numbers of man-portable anti-armor weapons, hand-emplaced mines, mortars, smallarms, MANPADs, and so on.

I'm not real up on German geography, but it looks like Dynamit Nobel is in Orange, right?

 

[kato]

I think we can have firepower and mobility here. If we equip our light infantry with civilian vehicles, they can more easily blend in with the local populace (Fedayeen-style).

I would put such units even below the reserve Territorial Command. Several (dozen) cadred commando units, platoon-sized, based in the cities, using civilian infrastructure including light civilian trucks and equipped with light weapons to similar levels as Fedayeen (but definitely not on the same level as the TC regiments). Could be attached to Territorial Command.
Equipping such units wouldn't be much of a problem, there's plenty of light stuff in the depots.

I'm not real up on German geography, but it looks like Dynamit Nobel is in Orange, right?

Yep, in Northrhine-Westphalia, along with most of its plants.

We have some companies in Blue that have produced mines before though. The IWKA plant in Karlsruhe (a KUKA plant) produced the DM31 anti-personnel mines in the 60s. Was closed sometime in the 90s.

Also, one thing to consider there is that we have a large amount of people trained with chemicals (including explosives) due to the presence of the BASF plant.
The BASF plant has actually had two of the biggest disasters in the area before: In 1921, a fertilizer explosion (ANFO component) equivalent to a 2 kt tactical nuke devastated the immediate area with 560 dead and 2000 injured; in 1948 a fuel-air explosion killed 210 and injured up to 4000.

 

[BuSOF]

Biggest threat Orange can pose to Blue is a combined heliborne-mechanised attack: heliborne troops capture th ebridhes intact and mechanised forces push through the country to occupy the whole of it.
So in order to prevent airmobile forces from attack we need:
1) A SAM battalion (Buk) at the Odenwald heights
2) A SAM battalion (Buk) at the Pfaelzer Wald heights
each of them will be protected by its own protection force of a mountain infantry security company, MANPADS platoon and stationary Rheinmetal AAA defences
3) 2-3 Gepard battalions with organic MANPADS fire teams
4) 5-6 MANPADS platoons to augment forces on the main thread routes
5) if you so insist on S-300 we could put 2 batteries each on the two heights.
Additionally a reinforced towed AAA company in each of the 4 military areas I propose. AA guns will be mounted on and towed by Mercedes-Benz military trucks.
I say we sign a contract with Green 1 for its air force to provide 6-8 Tornado ADVs for air patrols over blue territory. Our own fighter force doesn't look credible to me.

The Mechanised brigade is to be stationed in Worms (mechanised battalion), Frankenthal (mechanised battalion, SP artillery battalion and the brigade AD SP company) and Bad Durkheim (tank battalion and the combat engineer brigade force). The other brigade units will be stationed either in Frankenthal or in the outskirts of Mannheim. At Lampertheim (1st) and Weinheim (2nd) a light infantry battalion each will be based. These battalions will be under Light brigade command and will have extensive AT capabilities with 106mm recoiless rifles, ATGMs, MANPADS and Rheinmetal light AAA guns. In Worms a Border guard battalion will be stationed. It will have the same weaponry, only mounted on UNIMOGs for greater mobility. It will have advanced target acquisition equipment to provide targeting for the field artillery of 155mm howitzers. In Ebersbach (3rd) a motorised infantry battalion will be stationed and will have the same weaponry. The 4th light infantry battalion will be based together with the helicopter force and will act as a quick reaction heavy wepons force to reinforce either the front around Worms, around Ebersbach if the orange forces push in that direction or to provide fire support for the special operations battalion in diversion operations. One of its companies could
be permanently stationed at the nuclear powerplant near the border.
The artillery will be grouped into 3 towed 15mm howitzer battalions plus 1 or 2 MLRS battalions. I sugest we sell the LARS to Green 1 and buy SMERCH. It could pose a problem, because the rockets have a range of 70km, but if we go the same way ypu proposed for the S-300 (buy it with shorter ranged rockets and then upgrade it to the maximal range) we will be able to station them on the Odenwald heights. That way we will be able to strike Frankfurt.
I know it sounds like pure terrorism but if we consider:
- Orange lost a considerable amount of its territory (along with economilcal and industrial assets)
- Along with Berlin and Hamburg Frankfurt is very important to Orange
- So such a threat could disrupt the whole orange economy, as Frankfurt is a VERY, VERY important financial center and Orange will not dare risk that in order to go to a bloody war.

So that way Blue stays safe, Orange doesn't try anything funny, our country is safe. Mission complete.

 

[kato]

I sugest we sell the LARS to Green 1 and buy SMERCH. It could pose a problem, because the rockets have a range of 70km, but if we go the same way ypu proposed for the S-300 (buy it with shorter ranged rockets and then upgrade it to the maximal range) we will be able to station them on the Odenwald heights. That way we will be able to strike Frankfurt.

That's exactly the reason why the 50 km limit was imposed :lol2

Well, that, and those Lance SSM Green 2 inherited, which could do some real damage if stationed in Blue (= within range of Frankfurt).

 

[kato]

If i count that right in your proposal...

Air Defence Command:
2-3x ADA btl (Gepard), 4x ADA coy (towed AA), 2x Light SAM coy (MANPADS), 2x Medium SAM btl (Buk), (2x Heavy SAM bttr / S300)
Mechanised Brigade:
1x Tank Btl, 2x Mech Btl, 1x SP Art Btl, 1x SP AD Coy, 1x Eng Coy, various other coys
Territorial Defense (outside brigade):
2x Light Inf Btl, 2x Mot Inf Btl (1x Border Guard), 1x Heavy Inf Btl (QR force / Fire Support)
Artillery:
3x Field Art Btl, 2x MLRS Btl

Not all that dissimilar from what i'm thinking of; except i'd group the infantry battalions into regiments with organic artillery (and have more battalions), and would have a second maneuver brigade.

I think having two maneuver brigades would be useful in case we - or Orange - blow the bridges across the Rhine, not really all that unlikely. In that case, we'd retain maneuver forces on either side of the river. You basically have the mechanized force west of the Rhine, and the infantry battalions east of it. I'd reinforce the Eastern side (your regions 2-4) with the second brigade, and station at least one regiment with 2-3 infantry battalions on the Western side, potentially even more.

Btw, there's another interesting target other than Frankfurt even closer north of the border - ESOC in Darmstadt, the ESA Space Operations Control Center.

 

[BuSOF]

Actually what I proposed is:
ACTIVE FORCES (Army and Air Force, 1st reserve is attached to them)

* Field Command:

** Light Assault Regiment:
- Special Operations Battalion
- Border Guard (Recon, Screening Force, Forward Demolition, Artillery Spotting) Battalion

** Heavy Brigade
- 1x Tank Bn
- 2x Mech Bn
- 1x SP Arty Bn
- 1x SP AD Coy (detached from Air Defense Bn/ Artillery Bde)
- 1x Eng Coy (or Bn)
- various other coys

** Light Brigade (the reason I leave light forces without mechanised support is because they are to be supported by allied bavarian (I mean Green 1) mechanised forces in case of an allied push into Orange, otherwise they are ideal for defense in that area and don't need maneuver support to hold their fortified ground, nevertheless if APCs are needed I sugest we acquire some 100-150 M113s from Belgium, but only if they are really needed, otherwise Mercedes-Benz jeeps and trucks are more than enough)
- 1st (Lampertheim) Light Infantry Bn
- 2nd (Weinheim) Light Infantry Bn
- 3rd (Ebersbach) Motorised Infantry Bn (I think there should be a mountain infantry company attached to it, that is to convert into a full-fledged battalion in wartime)
- 4th Light Infantry Bn (Rapid Reaction heavy weapons mobility unit, supported by the helicopters, another possibility is to attach it directly to the Light Assault Regiment)
- Towed Howitzer Battalion (probably reserve?)
- Combat Engineer Battalion (dispersed with the field battalions)
- support companies

** Artillery Brigade
- MLRS Bn (not likely two Bns, but it is essentially to keep it active, as it is a strategical asset considering blue defense)
- 3 towed howitzer Bns (2 or 3 reserve)
- Artillery Recon Bn (I am thinking that either a dedicated spotting battalion should be raised in wartime or use the border guard battalion for that purpose after the initial orange attack throws it back from the border.)
- Air Defense Battalion/ Artillery Brigade

* Air Command

** Air Defense (Brigade)
*** 1st Air Defense Base (Odenwald)
- (possibillity for) 2-3 S-300 Batteries
- Buk Bn
- Base Defense Force
--> mountain infantry company
--> close air defense company (3-4 MANPADS teams, 12-16 Rheinmetal AAA guns)

*** 2st Air Defense Base (Pfaelzer Wald)
- (possibillity for) 2 S-300 Batteries
- Buk Bn
- Base Defense Force
--> mountain infantry company
--> close air defense company (3-4 MANPADS teams, 12-16 Rheinmetal AAA guns)

*** Mobile Air Defense Group
- Gepard Bn (based at Hassloch?)
- Gepard Bn (based at Viernheim?)
- (if needed) Gepard Bn (based at Ebersbach?)
Each will have organic MANPADS platoons riding in UNIMOGs

*** Air Defense Control and Surveillance
- Defense HQ and Data Fusion Center
- Air Force Signals Bn
- Radar Stations Bn (if needed)

** Air Brigade
- Air Base (also provides basing for Green 1 Tornado ADV fighters)
- Tactical Transport Squadron (3 C-130, 3-5 VIP/ EloKa jets, 6-10 Dornier 228/ M-28/ L-410/ whatever )
- Helicopter Squadron
--> Light Attack/ Observation/ Liaison Flight (8-12 Bo.105 PAH-1)
--> Tactical Helicopter Flight (8-12 Mi-17W)
--> Tactical Helicopter Flight (8-12 Mi-17W)
--> Tactical Helicopter Training Center (Mi-17W and Bo.105 on loan form other units)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I would also recommend an:
- Attack Squadron (sugest we buy the czech Su-25s. Why? the best close air support aircraft constructed, very well mechanised wing makes it both sturdy and maneuverable at low speeds and that in addition to excellent air support and anti-armour performance makes it ideal in counter-helicopter and counter-light aircraft missions. If not we could settle for up to 24 Alpha Jets, but I dislike that option. It's a trainer with additional attack capabillities, not an attack aircraft! With the time we can split that squadron in two if you guys still insist on a fighter squadron)

Streitkraeftebasis
Unites Military Police (Gendarmery) units, engineers, logistics, medical support, signal support etc.

TERRITORIAL HEER (supports both army and air defense efforts)

These forces will be split in 4 zones. Each will have a Brigade HQ and will control the forces within its area. So units will be attached on a temporarily basis as needed.

1st Defense Area Command (Bergstrasse, I am not sure, but if you also include Odenwald Kreis in BLUE, then it will form part of the AOR of 1st DAC)
- 2-3 Infantry Bns
- 1 Infantry/ Mortar Bn
- Engineer Support Group
- Territorial Air Defense Group
- Territorial Support Group (territorial equivalent to the streitkraefte basis, without the MP and other highly specialised units)

2nd Defense Area Command (Worms, Bad Duerkheim, Rhein-Pfalz Kreis, Neustadt, Suedliche Weinstrasse, Germersheim)
- 2-3 Infantry Bns
- 1 Infantry/ Mortar Bn
- Engineer Support Group
- Territorial Air Defense Group
- Territorial Support Group (territorial equivalent to the streitkraefte basis, without the MP and other highly specialised units)

3rd Defense Area Command (Mannheim, Heidelberg, Rhein-Neckar Kreis)
- 2-3 Infantry Bns
- 1 Infantry/ Mortar Bn
- Engineer Support Group
- Territorial Air Defense Group
- Territorial Support Group (territorial equivalent to the streitkraefte basis, without the MP and other highly specialised units)

4th Defense Area Command (Neckar-Odenwald Kreis)
- Territorial Tank Battalion
- 2-3 Infantry Bns
- 1 Infantry/ Mortar Bn
- Engineer Support Group
- Territorial Air Defense Group
- Territorial Support Group (territorial equivalent to the streitkraefte basis, without the MP and other highly specialised units)

Mannheim/ Heidelberg Special Military Zone
-Territorial Mobile Group
--> 2 APC transport Bns will provide the light infantry battalions of the teritorial heer with armoured amphibious transport as needed. Together with the Territorial tank battalion and with additional infantrymen and pioneers these two battalions can provide the reserve reinforcement for the regular army mechanised forces. Otherwise they provide security for the government and other crucial infrastructure in the capitol, provide the riot control Gendarmery unit with armoured protection etc.
3rd Area Defense Commander is also commander of M/H SMZ

Each Area Defense Command will house a group of the Streitkraeftebasis, that will work closely with the area Territorial Support Group, but will be fully independant of the Area Defense Commander. Each will have:
- 1 MP Bn
- 1 Mixed Logistics Bn
- 1 Repair depot
- 1 Military hospital facility (in peacetime it will be attached to the biggest civilian hospital in the area)

The M/H SMZ will have:
- 1 MP Special Bn (counter-intelligence, detention facility, )
- 1 MP Special Bn (military traffic control, riot control, VIP close protection)
- 1 Main Logistics Facility
- 1 Repair depot
- 1 Field hospital facility (in peacetime it will be attached to the biggest civilian hospital in the country, in wartime it could possibly evacuate to a remote area or to Green 1/2)
================================================

Forgot to mention. Since Blue and Green 1 keep Green 2 completely safe from Orange as it is far from the border with Orange I would insist that Green 2 stations a brigade on our soil or at least pay a yearly financial aid of some 500mln. Deutschemarks to us that we will use for defense needs. I don't think that this is insulting, nor is it unjustified.

 

[kato]

Ah, got it now.

Contrasting with my proposal, you're (essentially) taking the mobility assets out of the second brigade, strengthen it with some light infantry; then attach the tanks of that to an "extra" Territorial Defence unit that would essentially control a AOR to protect Blue from breakthrough through Green 1 territory. And concentrate artillery into a brigade.

Territorial Defence, you're basically grouping into: Border West-of-Rhine, Border East-of-Rhine, Urban Capital Zone, Eastern Flank Protection; the Light Brigade would serve as active defence forces in the last three areas.

Distributing the forces in my proposal could yield very similar results. Using your regions, i'd station for that:

1st Brigade : maneuver unit / eq your heavy brigade; would likely screen 2nd DAC in peacetime
2nd Brigade : spread between 1st DAC, 3rd DAC and 4th DAC
1st TC Rgt/Bde : 1st DAC (stationed at Bensheim and Michelstadt)
2nd TC Rgt/Bde : 2nd DAC (stationed at Bad Duerkheim, Bad Bergzabern and Worms)
3rd TC Rgt/Bde : 3rd DAC (stationed in Mannheim)

Essentially lacking in my proposal in contrast would be a 4th regiment for the 4th DAC. Alright, not that hard to raise

As for a concentrated artillery brigade, i think that's basically a question of strategic outlook. I'm personally thinking of a sort of a watered-down NATO AMF(L) battlegroup concept for the DACs, which had such light organic artillery forces.
Do we expect a DAC to be overrun or flanked? In that case it would be good for each DAC to have organic artillery assets.
Also, some of these DACs are pretty big; with an attached howitzer battery, you might be able to support more than just one battalion during defense.


---

Area - BLUE consists of the following German districts, and has been sorted into political subdivisions as following:

Capital District (pop 520k; 267 km²)
SK Mannheim, SK Ludwigshafen, SK Frankenthal

Rhein-Neckar-Region (pop 828k; 2333 km²; capital Heidelberg)
Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis, SK Heidelberg

Region Heilbronn-Franken (pop 698k; 3281 km²; capital Heilbronn)
Main-Tauber-Kreis, Hohenlohekreis, LK Heilbronn, SK Heilbronn

Region Karlsruhe-Nordschwarzwald (pop 1415k; 2810 km²; capital Karlsruhe)
Enzkreis, LK Rastatt, LK Karlsruhe, SK Karlsruhe, SK Baden-Baden, SK Pforzheim

Südhessen (pop 363k; 1344 km²; capital Heppenheim)
Bergstraße, Odenwald-Kreis*

Vorderpfalz (pop 780k; 2487 km²; capital Neustadt a.d. Weinstraße)
Worms**, Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, LK Bad Dürkheim, LK Germersheim, Südliche Weinstraße, SK Neustadt, SK Landau, SK Speyer

*- minus: city Breuberg, community Lützelbach (both in North-East corner of district)
**- plus, from LK Worms-Alzey: community Monsheim, community Westhofen, city Osthofen (all bordering Worms)

The subdivisions are on a sort of "ethnic" basis actually, mostly regarding local dialect patterns.

 

[kato]

BuSOF, Trying to bring my and your proposal into line...

1st Air Defence Brigade
- SAM Btl : in DAC1
- ADA Btl : in DAC1
- Security Btl : in DAC1 (includes MANPADS, light AA)
- Support Coy
can detach ADA/Security forces to brigades etc

2nd Air Defence Brigade
- SAM Btl : in DAC2
- ADA Btl : in DAC2
- Security Btl : in DAC2 (includes MANPADS, light AA)
- Support Coy
can detach ADA/Security forces to brigades etc

1st Brigade
- Tank Btl : in DAC2
- Mech Inf Btl : in DAC2
- Mech Inf Btl : in DAC1
- Mech Inf Btl : in DAC1
- Art Btl : in DAC2
- Support Coy
- Combat Eng Coy
stationing only, not really an "attachment"

2nd Brigade
- Tank Btl : in DAC3
- Mech Inf Btl : in DAC3
- Mech Inf Btl : in DAC4
- Mech Inf Btl : in DAC4
- Art Btl : in DAC3
- Support Coy
- Combat Eng Coy
stationing only, not really an "attachment"

Territorial DAC1 (Südhessen)
- Mechanized Btl (one Leo coy, two Marder coys, mortar carrier platoon)
- 2 Light Inf Btls (motorized)
- Towed Artillery Battery
- SKB Btl (Log, Eng, CMC)
plus 2 MechInf Btl (1st Bde)

Territorial DAC2 (Vorderpfalz)
- Mechanized Btl (one Leo coy, two Marder coys, mortar carrier platoon)
- 2 Light Inf Btls (motorized)
- Towed Artillery Battery
- SKB Btl (Log, Eng, CMC)
plus MechInf Btl, Tank Btl (1st Bde)

Territorial DAC3 (Capital District / Rhein-Neckar Region West)
- 2 Light Inf Btls
- Towed Mortar Coy
- SKB Btl (Log, Eng, CMC)
plus MechInf Btl, Tank Btl (2nd Bde)

Territorial DAC4 (Rhein-Neckar Region East / Region Heilbronn-Franken)
- 2 Light Inf Btl
- Towed Mortar Coy
- SKB Btl (Log, Eng, CMC)
plus 2 MechInf Btl (2nd Bde)

Territorial DAC5 (Region Karlsruhe-Nordschwarzwald)
- 1 Security Btl
- SKB Btl (Log, Eng, CMC)
plus additional forces from Green 2

Artillery Brigade
- 2 SPH/FA btl
- 1 MLRS btl
- 1 Spotting/observation btl
- 1 Security Btl

Growing bigger and bigger... :lol2

 

[Jon K]

I know it sounds like pure terrorism but if we consider:
- Orange lost a considerable amount of its territory (along with economilcal and industrial assets)
- Along with Berlin and Hamburg Frankfurt is very important to Orange
- So such a threat could disrupt the whole orange economy, as Frankfurt is a VERY, VERY important financial center and Orange will not dare risk that in order to go to a bloody war.

So that way Blue stays safe, Orange doesn't try anything funny, our country is safe. Mission complete.

I think we're approaching to have similar conclusions; one should focus on artillery and SAM abilities; in constrained environment they offer better offensive capabilities than mechanized forces which can wear out really fast in offensive operations. I would add SOF capabilities to the list. Without weapons with over 50km range special operations can strike further; with German split scenario they'll be able to infiltrate very easily. Even better, SOF capability will demand that Orange has to place more importance upon rear area security than it otherwise would have to.

As dream weapons for Blue I would say ATACMS, Iskander or some other tactical missile would be very efficient, as it would place practically whole Orange under risk. As BuSof wrote, maybe Smerch with reduced range would be also useful, perhaps with an agreement that both Smerch and S-300 missiles could be bought from stocks during mobilization.

 

[BuSOF]

I think that two AD brigades are more appropriate if they are split into:
1) A theater AD brigade
2) A mobile close AD brigade

About tactical missiles they could pose a big problem, ie. arms embargo, economic sanctions and political isolation. So MLRS could be qcquired more easily.

It is a mistake to split artillery into batteries. That way the effectiveness drops several times. For that reason I keep artillery concentrated in battalions and in a brigade. Mortars on the other hand could work just fine even in companies. So that is why I keep an infantry/ mortar battalion in each area. It could:
1) support the infantry units as a single unit
2) split into companies and those will support each infantry battalion singularly
3) if there is a need for that it could dump the mortars and convert to a pure infantry battalion.

Two heavy mechanised brigades are needed if the doctrine centers on mobile actions deep into orange territory. I think the goal should be purely defensive actions and some minor reinforcement capability in Green 1's border area. To that goal heavily equiped light infantry could perform even better that mobile mechanised units.

I really thought about the possibility of an area being overrun. So in that way if we have standing brigade HQs in each area they could swiftly step in to take control of the battered units.

About extensive SOF this is the goal of the light assault regiment. Commandos could infiltrate on land even more covertly than via specialised helicopters, which are a costly acquisition. For a deep infiltration some specialised cargo transports.

 

[kato]

It is a mistake to split artillery into batteries. That way the effectiveness drops several times.

Depends on how we want our artillery to work i'd guess. Of course a single battery can't perform a rolling barrage, or flatten a 500x500 grid within minutes. The question is whether such missions are actually intended, and whether we can't rely on air attacks for such? As we have high urbanization even in outlaying areas, collateral (property) damage would be relatively high.

Also, note that i'm down to two towed artillery batteries in the last version (in DAC1, DAC2). I'd likely just claim those as leftover equipment put to some use.
In the long run, towed artillery is heavily susceptible to counter-battery. Hence why i'd only use it for peripheral tasks anyway.

I'd propose self-mobile artillery in the Artillery Brigade only - no towed stuff at all. Something along the line of a G6, or a DANA rebarreled to 155mm (ie ZUZANA), if we can't afford/want full armored SPHs.

 

[BuSOF]

kato, I say we first decide about the things we are not understood and when we clear things out then we can decide about th ethings we have much more in common.
I am also not that familiar with the area. When I studied in Germany I bought myself a Falk Reiseatlas (printed around 2003). As you can imagine I didn't understand a thing. It doesn't show much of the terrain or the administrative structure, but what it shows is EVERY DAMN CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE, COTTAGE ETC. and I cannot establish a clear picture about things. So I sugest that we (I mean you) show the administrative structure of BLUE (the regions you foresee with the basic data: population, terrain and 3-5 important sites for defending), so we could standartise our perceptions and then once again talk things over.

 

[kato]

Alright, i'll compile something to that end.

Warning: From here on i'm working with exact figures, as pulled from official statistics.

This leads to some reevaluation of population figures, among other things.

Basic teaser:

I've subdivided BLUE into 5 regions which govern in total 13 districts (2-3 ea). The capital is treated separately. The districts each have between 7 and 19 towns/cities in them, for an overall total of 176 communities spread throughout BLUE (and yes, i'm already fusioning from the original about 250).

As a rough orientation:

Of these 176, there are:
- 4 cities above 80.000 pop (each in a different district)
- 14 cities above 40.000 pop (in 10 of 13 districts)
- 33 towns above 20.000 pop (in all districts)
- 80 towns above 10.000 pop (in all districts)
- 45 villages below 10.000 pop (in 12 of 13 districts)

7 of the 13 districts are located in the Rhine valley essentially, extending slightly to either side of it. These 7 districts have a combined population of 2.513 million people, versus the other 6 districts all located east of the valley with 1.421 million people.

Exact figures, terrain, targets, maps for each district to follow.

Attached Here: Overview map of Districts.

 

[kato]

Ok, here's the first one...

Vorderpfalz (administrative region)

Total Area: 2485.9 km²
Population: 768,063 (density: 308.9 px/km²)
Capital: Neustadt an der Weinstraße

District Worms
Area: 416.3 km² ; Population: 172,427
Classification: Metropolitan.
Terrain: Mostly flat, some minor hills. Rhine forms eastern border. No forrests at all, all rural terrain used for agriculture.
Population: Two cities (Worms: 82k pop, Grünstadt: 34k pop), with six other communities (6k-12k) surrounding these. Urban Capital district borders to southeast.

District Neustadt-Speyer
Area: 883.5 km² ; Population: 314,380
Classification: Metropolitan.
Terrain: Eastern half part of Rhine Valley; Western half rising mountains of Pfälzer Wald.
Population: Centered around three cities (Neustadt: 51k pop, Speyer: 50k pop, Bad Dürkheim: 29k pop), with most towns (7k-20k) developed along two train routes (northwest, southwest from capital). One town (Lambrecht: 13k pop) in the mountains.


District Landau-Germersheim
Area: 1186.1 km² ; Population: 281,256
Classification: Rural.
Terrain: Eastern two-thirds part of Rhine Valley; Western third rising mountains of Pfälzer Wald. Largely forrested.
Population: one larger city (Landau: 68k pop); to the east 5 towns (10k-16k) bordering Rhine; another 7 towns (11k-24k) spread through rest of eastern half, mostly around Landau, plus one (Annweiler: 17k pop) in the mountains.

Defense Considerations:

• Bad Bergzabern in Landau-Germersheim houses fixed military comms and maintenance sites
• strategic train lines to neighboring France running from Landau-Germersheim
• Worms houses minor refinery and chemicals industry

Attachments:

• Satellite pictures of the three districts
• Example of terrain near Bad Bergzabern

 

[kato]

Rhein-Neckar-Region (administrative region)

Total Area: 2296.8 km²
Population: 828,627 (density: 360.77 px/km²)
Capital: Heidelberg

District Rhein-Neckar
Area: 732.7 km² ; Population: 581,713
Classification: Heavily Urbanized.
Terrain: For the most part lays in the Rhine valley. To the east, includes the westernmost peaks (up to 550m) of the Odenwald, as well as a short outcropping into the Neckar valley to Neckargemünd, and the towns immediately north and south of it. Forrested down the center of the valley part, as well as on hills.
Population: One large city (Heidelberg: 159k pop), six medium cities (26k-53k) spread throughout district; 12 smaller towns (8k-19k) filling space inbetween. Capital borders district to north-west.

District Neckar-Odenwald
Area: 1564.1 km² ; Population: 246.914
Classification: Rural
Terrain: Throughout: rolling high hills, some small mountain peaks; Neckar valley as well as some other smaller river valleys (Elsenz, Schefflenz, Elz) intersects this terrain. Deep chasms and such in Odenwald to the north rising to about 150m above Neckar valley.
Population: Towns for the most part along the river valleys. Two cities (Mosbach: 38k pop, Sinsheim: 43k pop), 13 other towns in rest of district (5k-22k). All cities and towns basically collections of smaller villages (pop: 2k-6k), the cities have a "core" with around 15k population each.

Defence Considerations:

• Multiple depots in both districts, including large ammunition and weapons storage sites
• Some defence industry sites, mostly in Rhein-Neckar; some critical industries (steel foundries etc) there too; some minor heavy industry in Neckar-Odenwald (eg locomotive production in Mosbach)
• Nuclear plant in Mosbach-Obrigheim
• Large-scale communications equipment near Heidelberg

Attachments:

• Satellite pictures of both districts
• Example of terrain near Mosbach

 

[kato]

Südhessen (administrative region)

Total Area: 1343.5 km²
Population: 340,037 (density: 253 px/km²)
Capital: Bensheim-Heppenheim

District Bergstraße
Area: 382.7 km² ; Population: 173,280
Classification: Metropolitan
Terrain: 90% in Rhine Valley; some westernmost peaks and a few valleys of Odenwald belong to it as well. Bordered by Rhine to the West. In valley flat, in sections from west: 5 km strip rural area with some towns; 5 km strip heavily forested; 5 km strip urbanized; rising Odenwald range.
Population: Along foot of Odenwald range, Bensheim-Heppenheim (pop: 65k) and Zwingenberg (pop: 7k) going through whole territory from North to South. In terrain west, 5 towns (13k-35k) spread through territory

District Odenwald
Area: 960.8 km² ; Population: 166.757
Classification: Rural.
Terrain: Mountain range; heavily forrested, agriculture in valleys and high plain to southwest of district. Mountains range to 650m height.
Population: High plain along Weschnitz valley and Überwald region in southwest, 6 towns there (4k-19k). 4 towns along west-east valley in north of district (5k-19k). 2 towns on the Neckar river (both 4k), 6 more along valley chain in east of district (2k-7k), where the district capital (Erbach-Michelstadt: 33k pop) is also located.

Defense Considerations:

• Biblis nuclear plant
• some smaller depots in Odenwald district

Attachments:

• Satellite pictures of both districts.

 

[kato]

Baden (administrative region)

Total Area: 2846.1 km²
Population: 1,305,701 (density: 458.8 px/km²)
Capital: Karlsruhe

District Karlsruhe
Area: 1078.5 km² ; Population: 642,153
Classification: Highly Urbanized.
Terrain: Western two-thirds in Rhein valley; eastern third forms "Kraichgau" hill range.
Population: In the south, Karlsruhe (pop: 307k) forms the second population center of Blue. Bruchsal (pop: 65k), Waghäusel-Phillipsburg (pop: 42k) and Bretten (pop: 32k) form three population centers north of that, in a slightly slanted diagonal line from northwest to southeast. 13 other towns (6k-23k) filling space inbetween, in particular in Rhein valley.

District Enz
Area: 671.7 km² ; Population: 315,414
Classification: Metropolitan.
Terrain: Hill range, southeast extension of "Kraichgau"; a few peaks of the northern Black Forest to southwest.
Population: Centered around capital city (Pforzheim: pop 145k) exactly in the middle, with a smaller second center (Mühlacker: pop 30k) to the northeast; 12 other towns (4k-23k) spread around these two, mostly in smaller settlements of 3k-5k inhabitants.

District Rastatt-Ettlingen
Area: 1059.9 km² ; Population: 348,134
Classification: Metropolitan.
Terrain: Western third in Rhine valley; Rhine forms border to west. Northernmost parts of Black Forest rising in the eastern two-third. Heavily forrested, even in valley.
Population: Centered around three cities (Rastatt: pop 66k, Baden-Baden: pop 55k, Ettlingen: pop 39k), with 12 other towns (5k-35k) filling space inbetween; Ettlingen and a number of towns immediately south of Karlsruhe urban center. Almost all population in western third, ie. the valley.

Defense Considerations:

• Cargo airport in Rheinmünster in south
• Nuclear Plant in Phillipsburg in north
• Nuclear Research Center in Karlsruhe
• Multiple important targets in Karlsruhe (see attachment)
• Few depots in northern Karlsruhe district, important base near Bruchsal
• some defence industry in all three districts

Attachments:

• Satellite pictures of all three districts
• Target situation in Karlsruhe proper

 

[kato]

Region Heilbronn-Franken (administrative region)

Total Area: 3281.1 km²
Population: 691,938 (density: 210.9 px/km²)
Capital: Heilbronn

District Heilbronn
Area: 875.2 km² ; Population: 391,318
Classification: Metropolitan.
Terrain: Rolling hill range, bisected down the middle by Neckar valley.
Population: Centralized on capital (Heilbronn: pop 132k), with 3 medium cities in the Neckar valley immediately north and south (22k-36k). 2 towns along train line in northwest of district (both 28k), 7 other towns (7k-26k) spread mostly around Heilbronn.

Hohenlohe
Area: 1101.5 km² ; Population: 169,507
Classification: Rural.
Terrain: Rolling hills, with two smaller rivers running diagonal across district. Mostly agricultural land, numerous forests.
Population: Two local centers (Öhringen: pop 34k, Künzelsau: pop 21k), with 10 other, mostly rural towns (5k-17k) spread across district.

Main-Tauber
Area: 1304.4 km² ; Population: 131,113
Classification: Rural.
Terrain: Rolling hills; Main valley forms northern border. Mostly agricultural land, numerous forests.
Population: 3 distinct population centers, one in Main valley (Wertheim: pop 24k), and two further south nestled in the hills (Bad Mergentheim: pop 30k, Tauberbischofsheim: pop 24k); 7 other towns nestled in hills inbetween (4k-15k), mostly spread in multiple small settlements (2-5k).


Defense Considerations:

• a number of depots in Hohenlohe and Main-Tauber districts
• fixed communications sites in southern Main-Tauber district
• nuclear plant in Neckarwestheim, south of Heilbronn; on border to Green 2

Attachments:

• Satellite pictures of all 3 districts

 

[kato]

And concluding with the capital...

District Mannheim-Ludwigshafen (capital district)
Area: 266.4 km² ; Population: 520,210 (density: 1952.7 px/km²)
Classification: Urban.
Terrain: Completely built-up. Some forrests, in particular to southwest, northeast, southeast belong to city proper. Rhein river parts city down the middle.
Population: Throughout. Spread into about two dozen urban districts (10k-30k), all interlocking.

Defense Considerations: see attachment
Attachments: partial target satellite picture