Models from H&R, Skytrex or Scotia. Infantry and other vehicles arriving from H&R e GHQ.

painted with Life Colors specific for Israeli 70-90 (Sand grey) e contemporary (a green hue).

Link on Lebanon ’82: http://lebanon82.tripod.com.
Link on modelling http://idf-armor.blogspot.it/p/idf-modeling-page.html.

Un documento sul Libano:

The Israeli Experience In Lebanon, 1982-1985 .txt

Un documentario sul Libano, 2006

https://www.journeyman.tv/search?q=my+first+war&year=&country=&type=feature&aspect=&size=&rate=&standard=&resolution=&owner=&sort=#payments_modal_on

These models can be used for playing Cold War Commander and Modern Spearhead.

I will probably play CWC at low level, one model one vehicle or one infantry squad. Rules for insurgents and ambushes are perfect for years 1982+.

Cold War Commander List

Israeli Army, Arab-Israeli Wars (1990).docx

Modern Spearhead is tailored for a larger scale. Also terrain scale is much larger, with line of sight of about 20 inches in the open. I found an israeli stat sheet for the ultra modern period.
Here it is, from the MSH Yahoo group.

Modern Spearhead List

Isr_MSHDC.rtf

The IDF troops

• CO (M577 e Merkava I H&R, jeep Scotia)
• HQ X 3 (M577 H&R, truck Scotia, oppure Nagmashot e truck)
• Centurion con Blazer X 10 (Scotia)
  
• Merkava I X 9 (H&R)
• Achzarit X 5 (H&R)
• Nagmashot X 6 (H&R)
• MRL X 2(Scotia)
• HQ X 1 (Zelda Scotia, M577 H&R)
• Puma Engineering vehicle X 1 (H&R)
• RBY recce X 4 (Skytrex)
• RBY TOW or MAPATS X 4 (Skytrex)
  
• M163 AA X 2 (H&R)
• M125 120mm mortar X2 (H&R)
• Zelda improved X9 (Scotia)

I also am repainting some old models for the ’70s:

• Israeli Sherman X 5 (GHQ)
• M60A1 (GHQ)X 9
  M60A1 (GHQ) HQ
• Jeep + recoiless gun (H&R) X 4

Enemies

Lebanese M113s (ACAVs in fact). Either Regular army or stolen by some militias.

New Stats from CWC Forum (Cold War Commander)

Transport Unit (Achzarit)

M=25 A=1/30* H=6 S=3 1989+ Note 3 pg68 re composite armour save. Like most IDF tanks, it has 60mm mortar so maybe stat 1/60*. L=sufficient for 3 Infantry Companies.

Transport Unit (Nagmashot)

M=20 A=2/30* H=6 S=4 L=3 Note 2 pg.68 ERA save, 1984+ (Has multiple 60mm mortars A=2/60*)

Transport Unit (Puma)

M=25 A=2/30* H=6 S=3 L=3 for combat engineers, 1991+ Note 3 pg.68 Composite armour save (Has multiple mortars A=2/60*)

Transport Unit (Nagmashon)

M=20 A=2/30* H=6 S=3 L=3, 1989+ Note 3 pg.68 Composite armour save (has 60mm mortar A=1/60*)

Transport Unit (Nakpadon)

as Nagmashon, 1994+

Transport Unit (Namer)

M=25 A=1/30* H=6 S=3 TI, 2007+, L=3 Note 3 pg.68 composite armour save
L=sufficient for one battalion 2010+
2011+ possibly add Trophy ADS system, additional save vs ATGW/IATW at 4+ ?

ORBATS

(stats taken from a UK site.
http://canuckcommander.pbworks.com/w/page/14311243/Modern%20Israeli%20Army
)

The Israeli Army 1956 to 1997

An army with an immense amount of combat experience, and at one time probably the most effective army in the world. The exact organization is still secret. Since 1985 the army has had no structure above company level, these are attached to Combat Forces, which in turn are formed into Combat Units. You will note the incredible likeness to the US Army Pentomic organization except units are not permanently assigned to a higher headquarters.

Israeli Brigade Headquarters 1956 to 1960 (May Command 4 Battalions)

HQ 1 HQ,

1 Engineer Company 3 M3 HT or Truck, 3 Engr

2 Artillery Batteries each 1 FAO, 2 Truck, 2 25H or 105H

Or

3 Mortar Batteries each 2 Truck, 2 120M or 2 M3/120

1 Scout Company 3 Jeep/MG, 1 Jeep/106

1 Anti Aircraft Platoon 1 M16

Note The Artillery and Mortar Batteries are exclusive. Infantry units use towed Mortars, motorized units use Mechanized use M3/120. The Scout company may be combined into a Recce Battalion, see below. In addition may add independent tank companies of M50 Sherman, or AMX13.

Israeli Tank Battalion 1956 to 1960

HQ 1 HQ

4 Squadrons each 3 M4/76 or Sherman HV or AMX13/75

Israeli Infantry Mechanized or Motorized Battalion 1956 to 1960

HQ 1 HQ, 2 Jeep/MG, 1 81M, 1 MG, 1 Jeep/106, 2 Trucks

3 Infantry Companies each 3 M3 HT or Truck, 3 Rifle

Note Jeeps, Mortars, Machinegun and Anti-tank weapons at Headquarters may operate independently. Mechanized units use M3 HT; motorized use Trucks, and Jeeps.

Israeli Parachute Battalion 1956 to1966

HQ 1 HQ

3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 MG

Weapons Company 1 81M, 1 MG, 2 Truck

Note Trucks are not available if the unit is air dropped or airmobile.

Israeli Brigade Headquarters 1961 to 1983

HQ 1 HQ, 1 FAO

Engineer Company 3 M3 HT or M113, 3 Engr

3 Artillery Batteries each 2 AMX/105 or M7

Or

3 Mortar Batteries each 2 M3/120

1 Scout Company 3 Jeep/MG, 1 Jeep/106, or 2 AMX 13, 1 M3 or M113, 1 Scout

1 Anti Aircraft Platoon 1 M16 or M3/20 or M163

Note This unit commands either 2 Tank & 1 Mechanized Battalion, or 3 Mechanized & 1 Tank Battalion or 3 Infantry Battalion and a Tank Company. The M113 and M163 appeared from 1973 onwards, after the October war. Although the memoirs of General Dan indicate that his command post was an M113, allow some M113 as command post vehicles.

Israeli Tank Battalion 1960 to 1984

HQ 1 HQ

2 to 4 Companies 3 Tanks

Mortar Battery 2 M3/120

Note There are a multitude of tank types that can be used. The designations Sho’t and Mag’ach apply to the upgraded Centurions and M48/60 respectively. Up to 1963 the tanks are AMX-13, and Sherman M50 or M51. From 1964 add Centurion 5 (actually any mark, 5 was the first type sent). From 1965 add M48, Sherman M51 and Centurion 5 105mm. All Centurions had 105mm by 1967. From 1967 add M48 with 105mm, few were converted for the 6-day war, add T55. From 1968 delete the AMX13, add Tiran 67(T55 with 105). From 1970 add M60, Centurion UG, and Delete Sherman M50. From 1980 add Merkava and the first of the Sho’t and Mag’ach types. From 1995 add Merkava with 120mm gun. During the 1973 war a Mechanised Infantry Company was added to the battalions. 4 Companies were found in Regular Army units, most reserve units had 2 to 3 companies.

Israeli Mechanized Battalion 1960 to 1983

HQ 1 HQ

3 Companies each 4 M3 HT or M113, 3 Rifle, 1 MG or Dragon (From 1978)

1 Anti-Tank Platoon 3 Jeep/106 or M150 (M150 from 1972 onwards)

Note In 1967 reserve battalions were as for the 1956-60 Motorized Units. The M113 was not common until after 1973, although some were used in the October War as brigade and division headquarters transport.

Israeli Parachute Battalion 1967 to1983

HQ 1 HQ

3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle

Weapons Company 1 Jeep/MG, 1 81M, 1 MG, 1 Jeep/106, 1 Truck

Note Trucks are available if the unit is air dropped or airmobile. From 1973, the 81mm mortar is replaced by a 120mm mortar and Jeep (if air dropped or air mobile)

Israeli Recon Battalion 1956 to 1973

HQ 1 HQ

3 Companies 3 Jeep/MG, 1 Jeep/106

Note Formed part of one brigade in 1967, with two AMX13 companies, and 1 AMX105 Battalion. There were five such units available in 1973 each with 2 Jeep Companies and 1 AMX-13 Company

Israeli Combat Force 1985 to 1997

HQ 1 HQ

1 to 4 Rifle Companies each 3 M113 or M113/Zelda, 3 Rifle 1 Dragon (Javelin ATGW from 1989)

1 to 4 Tank Companies each 2 Tanks

1 Engineer Company 4 M113, 3 Engr, 1 Engr, 1 AVLB

Anti Aircraft Section 2 ZSU23 or M3/23, or RBY/23

Fire Support Company 2 M113/ITV

1 or 2 Mortar Companies 2 M113/120

Artillery Battery 2 M109

Note The Force Headquarters commands four combat companies, and 1 Engineer Company. There appears to be no restriction on equipment, or company type. If two mortar batteries are fielded delete the Artillery battery. Tanks can be Merkava or Mag’ach in front line units, Sho’t, Tiran and T62 in reserve units. M113 Zelda is an M113 with Israeli made add on armour package.

Israeli Combat Unit Headquarters 1985 to 1997 (Commands 5 Combat Forces)

HQ 1 HQ

1 Recce/Anti Tank Company 4 BRDM2/AT

Anti Aircraft Section 2 ZSU23 or M3/23 or RBY/23

Helicopter Flight 2 AH1 or OH500M

Israeli Artillery Unit 1985 to 1997

3 Batteries each 1 FAO, 2 M109 or M107 or M110 or BM24 or MRLS

Note These units are at “Divisional Level”.

Large Units
:

Division – Ad Hoc combinations of Brigades brought together under one commander, add a Recce Battalion and an Artillery Brigade and a few extra Anti-Aircraft companies.

Comments from Mark Bevis (Micromark)

Latest info on the IDF which I haven’t put into the MicroMark series yet,
is that Merkava IV tank companies are gradually raising to 4 tanks a
platoon, with each platoon having some kind of automated group firing
system for their 60mm mortars. In addition, Tank Brigades no longer have
Mech Battalions apparently, but each Tank Battalion has a reserve
Mechanised Company which is mobilised in wartime situations.

There should be enough Namers being built (~300) to equip all the regular
Tank Battalions with a HAPC Mechanised Company.

Infantry are being issued Mini-Spike missiles for urban combat, and Spike
ATGW should have replaced Dragons at platoon level a while ago.

As usual with the Israeli military, take nothing as gospel and don’t be
surprised if this is all wrong!

At CWC/MSH level, the difference is minimal anyway, for MSH you may now
justify Merkava IV Battalions having 10 tank models instead of 7. Infantry
companies would still be 3 models, whether in M113 variants or HAPC.

The half companies are supposed to be 7 vehicles, so would be:

CHQ: 1x APC, 1 platoon: 3x tanks, 1 platoon: 3x APC

The problem with CWC rules is that they reached their limit at c2000, the
Merkava IV probably has 6 hits at 2 to save, plus Composite save on top of
that. The Namer would be in the same category. At 2+ to save, they are
virtually immune to everything the rules can throw at them, and as Pete has
said in the CWC rule book, they weren’t intended to go so far beyond the
Cold War.

For the Trophy system, I would add a 50% saving roll against ATGW and
infantry AT weapons as well.

For MSH, adding more modern kit is not such a problem, as the DEF/attack
factors have a more linear relationship, it’s not something I’ve looked at,
as I don’t normally play MSH, having reverted to playing 1:1 level games.

Mark

General Tactical Observations from the 1982 Lebanon War

Posted 21 Feb 2006

Ideas mostly taken from the MOUT page for Operation Peace for Galilee

PLO and Syrian snipers

Both PLO and Syrians snipers were effective in blocking Israeli advances. Although poorly trained and equipped PLO snipers delayed IDF operations in Sidon, and Syrians snipers held up IDF operations in the southeastern suburbs of Beirut. The snipers main effect was psychological, forcing IDF personnel to keep their heads down. However, they were also an important source of intelligence about battle field conditions.

IDF Infantry & Tanks

The IDF found that armor attacks into urban areas that lacked proper infantry support were almost always more costly in lives and equipment than properly supported operations. During the siege of Beirut the IDF used combined task forces. Tanks and self-propelled artillery were attached to infantry units with the infantry generally retaining command for the duration of the operation. The armour suppressed enemy fire and the infantry shielded the armour from man-portable anti-tank weapons.

The IDF lost few tanks in urban fighting, although it is unclear whether this was due to good design, effective infantry support, or poor PLO anti-tank tactics.

IDF weapons

The IDF issued larger numbers of hand grenades, RPG launchers, light anti-tank weapons, illumination rounds for mortars, short-range tactical radios to infantry platoons deployed to urban centres.

IDF Small Unit Command and Control

IDF authorises small units like companies to operate with substantial independence throughout the battle zone. Juniors are expected to exercise discretion without referring to their superiors.

Smoke

Israeli forces made considerable use of smoke in the battle for Sidon, but made relatively little use of it in the siege of Beirut. Smoke had mixed advantages and disadvantages as it:

• • Reduced losses as it prevented PLO forces using RPGs and light weapons against the advancing IDF.
  • Interfered with visual communication among attacking Israeli forces
  • Taxed the driving skills of vehicle operators
  • Slowed the overall rate of advance.

Mortars

Mortars were generally considered useful because of their psychological effect. Their high angle of fire allowed their use in built up areas. Mortars were extensively used to fire smoke and illumination rounds.

The IDF used small infantry mortars (60mm and the 81mm) that could not penetrate the upper roofs.

The heavier Soviet 120mm mortar could penetrate roofs. (Presumably used by the Syrians.)

The Syrians used the Soviet 240mm towed mortar to gut the top 1 to 3 stories of buildings. It could also crater roads.

Machineguns

The Syrians found machine-guns, especially heavy machine-guns (12.7mm), more useful in urban combat than assault rifles.

Anti-aircraft guns in ground support roles

Both the IDF and their opponents used anti-aircraft guns in urban settings. The AA guns had a sufficiently high elevation to be able to target upper stories of buildings (unlike other vehicle mounted weapons, for example the machinegun on the M113 couldn’t reach upper stories), and a high rate of fire to suppress enemy forces (including snipers) to peel off the facade of buildings.

The IDF used the M163 Vulcan 20mm anti-aircraft guns.

The Syrian tactical doctrine used an anti-aircraft section of ZU-23 23mm cannons with a tank battalion whenever operating in an urban environment.

The PLO also used anti-aircraft guns in a ground-support role.

PLO SPG

The PLO produced self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery by mounting Soviet ZPU-1/2/4 14.5mm heavy machine-guns and ZU-23 23mm autocannons on light commercial trucks.

Helicopters

The Israelis made virtually no use of helicopter gun-ships in cities due to their vulnerability to anti-aircraft weapons and ground-fire.

Helicopters were only widely used in cities for transporting men and materiel from rear areas to just behind the front lines.

RPG

PLO forces were equipped with one RPG for every 3-6 fighters, although training in their use was often poor.

In an anti-tank role RPGs had little success against the Israeli Merkava tank, but forced the IDF to stop using M113 APCs in combat. The M113’s aluminum armor tended to catch on fire after being hit by anti-tank weapons.

RPGs were more widely used as general purpose weapons for attacking troops in buildings, behind barricades, or for harassing fire.

Armoured bulldozers

IDF combat engineers used armored bulldozers to clear barricades, to smother bunkers, establish firing positions, widen and grade roads, and to create alternative avenues of advance to by-pass the urban infrastructure

IDF APC

The IDF had little success when using the M113 in Tyre. The limitations included:

• • Vulnerability to RPG fire. Their aluminum armour burst into flame when hit causing extensive IDF casualties.
  • Inability to provide suppressing fire. Their machine-guns lacked sufficient elevation to use against upper stories of building.
  • Extreme vulnerability to sniper fire for the crews serving out-side mounted machine-guns.
  • Inability to maneuver in narrow roads and allys of cities and refugee camps.

Increasingly IDF fear of RPG ambushes meant the infantry simply walked next to their APCs or rode outside. By the time of the siege of Beirut APCs were not used in the front line.

The IDF resorted to some make shift transport for their infantry:

• • With it ammunition racks removed the Merkava tank could transport 10 troops who entered/exited via the rear door. Similarly the Merkava was also used as an improvised armored ambulance.
  • The IDF also adapted an armored engineering vehicle called the Nagma-chon. Normally used to carry engineering troops it could also take infantry. It was relatively invulnerable to RPGs because its glacis and superstructure were protected by Blazer reactive armor.
  • The Israelis added passive spaced-armor to existing APCs.