Unit CO:
General Meretskov

History:

The 42nd GMRD spent most of the war in the Caucasus and along the disputed Turkish frontier. Its performance in both of those areas is said to have been poor until the commander was replaced by Lt. General Meretskov, a tough veteran of the Chinese Front. At some point the division was transferred to Ukraine where it conducted internal security. Its final assignment was to join the 4th Guards Tank Army, serving a strategic reserve in Byelorussia.

In the summer of 2000 the 4th GTA was dispatched west to counterattack the NATO advance into Poland. Delays caused by limited rail transportation resulted in the 42nd GMRD arriving too late to participate in the major battles. A few minor skirmishes were fought in support of the Baltic Front HQ before helping bottle up the US XI Corps pocket.

Over the last few months elements of the 42nd GMRD have been shifted back east to the Gdansk region. They relieved all forward deployed units from the Polish 12th Cavalry Division and have assumed responsibility for bringing the rebellious city back under control. The 42nd GMRD is perhaps now the only component of the Baltic Front which is still willing and/or able to conduct offensive operations.

The 42nd GMRD is rumored to be responsible for a massacre of civilians at Kowale or possibly Kolbudy.

Additional Notes:

Prisoner interrogations have revealed that punishments for incompetence and disobedience are often harsh. For example, the commander of the 72nd Regiment was relieved and sent to a punishment battalion for poor performance during the Gdansk fiasco.

Summary of Strength Estimates and Dispositions:

Effective Manpower: 2700
Operational Tanks: 18-22
Location: See Below

-42nd GMRD Division Headquarters
Last Known Location: Somewhere east of US 11 Corps Pocket / Pruszcz Gdanski
Mission: Command & Support
Estimated Strength: 700x Troops / 6x BRDM / 1x BMP-1 / 1x BTR-70 / 1x Mi-8 Hip
Notes 1: Includes engineering, recce, transport, supply, medical, and communications assets
Notes 2: Subunits can be encountered anywhere the 42nd GRMD is located

-70th Motor Rifle Regiment (BTR):
Commander: Unknown
Last Known Location: Somewhere east of US 11th Corps Pocket
Mission: Assist Polish 1st Army containment of US 11th Corps
Estimated Strength: 500x Troops / 10x BTR / 3x T-55
Notes:

-71st Motor Rifle Regiment (BTR):
Commander: Col. Lebedev
Last Known Location: Dispersed along Gdansk's southern perimeter
Mission: Isolate and maintain pressure on Gdansk
Estimated Strength: 500x Troops / 10x BTR / 3x T-55
Notes 1: Recent action may have reduced above strength by as much as 10-15%
Notes 2: Replacements will likely be drawn from 72nd MRR

72nd Motor Rifle Regiment (Light):
Commander: Col. Petrov
Last Known Location: Pruszcz Gdanski
Mission: Divisional cantonment security
Estimated Strength: 400x Troops / 4x Tanks (Immobile) / Numerous ZU-23-2
Notes: Suffered heavy casualties in Gdansk Offensive
Notes: Previous commander dismissed for poor performance
Notes: Recently reformed/retrained with division non-combat arms troops.

-392nd Tank Regiment (MBT/BMP):
Commander: Unknown
Last Known Location: Somewhere east of US 11th Corps Pocket
Mission: Assist Polish 1st Army containment of US 11th Corps
Estimated Strength: 350x Troops / 10x BMP-1 / 12x T-55 / 1x T-80 / 1x SU-100 / 1x T-34/85
Notes: At least one tank platoon (~3 vehicles) operating near Gdansk

-50th Artillery Regiment:
Commander: Unknown
Last Known Location: Somewhere east of US 11 Corps Pocket
Mission: Fire Support & Air Defense
Estimated Strength: 300x Troops / 6x Towed 122mm / 2x BM-21 / 2x ZSU-23-4 / 2x 9K34 Strela-10
Notes: At least one gun battery is at Pruszcz Gdanski