NATO Forces in Canada

NATO Forces in Canada By John Lee When Red Dawn was released late last year, I wrote an article on British and West German training forces in Canada and how you could run them with a Canadian M113 Mechanised Company. With the release of NATO, we now have four new formations based in Canada that we could look at using with British and West German forces stationed there plus a bonus US section at the end of the article.  All lists in this article are the standard 100pts.

In Canada, because of its ample space, several NATO nations kept training establishments in Canada. The British held regular exercises and training at a BATUS (British Army Train Unit Suffield) in Alberta, while the West Germans had a similar facility in Shilo, Manitoba (German Army Training Establishment).  In times of war, especially on their home ground of North America, the Canadian and United States forces would also work in close cooperation.

The British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) is a British Army unit located in the vast training area near Suffield, Alberta, Canada. BATUS is the British Army's largest armoured training facility, and it can accommodate live-firing and tactical simulation exercises up to battle group level. CFB Suffield is seven times the size of the Salisbury Plain Training Area, offering the British Army the ability to conduct large exercises that could not be accommodated at home.  The British Army has two squadrons of tanks, as well as armoured personnel carriers and equipment for mechanised infantry, stored at BATUS.

In the force diagram, there is an option to provide British allied support. To represent BATUS in Canada, we would only be looking at the Chieftain Armoured Troop and FV432 Mechanised Platoon to take in our force. We would also look to take the Harrier Close Support Flight to proxy as the Canadian Air Force with their F/A18 Hornets. We are going to look at two potential lists using two of the new Canadian formations, one taking British allied support (Cougar Armoured Squadron) and one with a British allied formation (Grizzly Mechanised Company). This is the first list using BATUS Allied Support:

Maxing out the Cougars we have eight units for the Formation break and is anchored by the infantry platoon. There was a Canadian Leopard 1 training unit based in Canada, so I have included that as part of the theme for this force. AA coverage by the Blowpipes and one artillery template with the M109s. For the allied British we have added the upgraded Chieftains to provide some firepower alongside the FV432 Mechanised Platoon. Two infantry platoons to defend both objectives or defend one and support the attack with the other. Nineteen Cougars to roam around the table taking out enemy AA so your Harriers (proxying Canadian F/A18s) can arrive to remove the enemy armour with their devastating AT8 FP3+ salvo alongside taking out enemy light armour such as BMPs. Looking to the second force now taking the BATUS Allied Formation, this is how we could pair up with the Grizzly Mechanised Company:

We have eight units for the primary Canadian formation break with the two infantry platoons anchoring it. Two units of TOWs to provide defence for the infantry to help defend objectives. AA coverage with Blowpipes, artillery template with the M125s. The allied formation of ten Chieftains and four Scorpions provides your attack force. Five units for the Formation break. Scorpions and Coyotes provide the spearhead to help launch the attack. The Grizzly formation is your anvil whilst the Chieftain formation is your hammer.

The West Germans keep a stock of Leopard 1 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and M109 self-propelled howitzers at CFB Shilo, Manitoba, Canada for simulated battle training as part of their GATES (German Army Training establishment Shilo) facility. This West German camp was about a two-hour drive from 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) stationed in Winnipeg. These troops have formed a Canadian-German mini-brigade to aid in the defence of Canada.

In the Force diagram, there is an option to provide West German allied support. To represent GATES in Canada, we would only be looking at the Leopard 1 Panzer Zug and Marder Panzergrenadier Zug to take in our force. We would also look to take the Tornado Support Flight to proxy as the Canadian Air Force with their F/A18 Hornets. We are going to look at two potential lists using one of the new Canadian Formations – Airbourne Company - one taking West German allied support and one with a West German allied Formation. This is the first list using GATES Allied Support:

Absolutely maxed out Formation with TEN units for the Formation break! Three heliborne infantry platoons with mortars, HMGs, recon and TOW jeeps. Supported by Leopard 1s (a Canadian training unit was based in Canada), Cougars and Coyotes. Blowpipes for AA coverage and light AT. A platoon of West German Leopard 1s and a Tornado flight (proxying Canadian F/A18s) to round out the force. This is one seriously cool force and gives the Canadians access to planes.Looking to the second option taking the GATES Allied Formation:

Eight units for the primary Formation break. Only two platoons of infantry now so we could squeeze in the allied Formation. Still have recon, TOWs, and Cougars, mortars, and HMGs. Tornados (proxying Canadian F/A18s). The West German allied Formation has four units of Leopard 1s for the Formation break and brings fourteen tanks to the force and provides the teeth to the force. Between them and infantry riding in helicopters, your opponent has a lot to worry about!

As promised, we round out the article with a bonus quick look at taking US support for your Canadians. Whilst not strictly related to the BATUS/GATES, the Canadians would work closely with the US forces based in the North American continent and would represent divisions mobilising including the National Guard. There are some nice options available to you in the American Allies Support force diagram and all would be available to take:

We have shown three of the four new Canadian Formations and here is a potential list using the fourth Formation available (Coyote Armoured Squadron) taking American allied support:

Seven units for the Formation break. Seventeen Coyotes running amok with your opponent whilst they avoid the sniping long-range TOWs and Hellfires. The US IPM1s providing mobile firepower and following hard behind the Coyotes and two infantry platoons to either hold objectives or support the attack. Blowpipes for AA coverage. I love the Apaches, they give the Canadians some helicopters in a themed force fighting on the North American continent. Another option would be to take the A-10 Warthog Fighter Flight instead of the Apaches and add in a platoon of Cougars. There you have it. Some options for taking themed Canadian forces based in Canada with local NATO allied support. Enjoy! ~John