117th Motorized Rifle Regiment
The title Guard represents the honor bestowed on Soviet units for heroism demonstrated in battles. The term was first used in regards to Russian combat formations on 18 September 1941 when divisions 100, 127, 153 were renamed into the First, the Second and the Third Guard Divisions respectively. In many cases the unit simultaneously received a name usually related to place of the heaviest battles for which it was honored, like Kantemirovskaya Guard Division [4th Guards Tank Division] and the Tamanskaya [2nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division].
As part of the 39th Guards Motorized Division, the 117th Guards Motorized Regiment was the forward most based of all Soviet regiments within the Fulda Gap sector. Quartered at Meiningen, they were only 15 klm away from the forward positions of U.S. forces (facing off first against the US 14th ACR and later the 11th ACR).
During the Cold War, Soviet combat philosophy towards potential conflict in Central Europe was based on AGGRESSIVE, offensive combat action focused around POWERFULL tank formations that could quickly rupture then break NATO forces. However, while the tanks focused on SMASHING NATO defenses it would be the job of the Motorized Rifle Regiments to SIEZE and HOLD objectives. The tank and motorized formations of the Soviet forces in East Germany formed a POWERFULL 1 – 2 punch aimed right a the German heartland.
During Fulda Gap 2009 the core team of the 117th Guards will be TangoAlpha2 based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. Captained by Paul "Wingman" Metheney, this will be Tango's debut as a core team at Fulda Gap.
In 2008, TangoAlpha2 played a critical role in defending the Warsaw Pact CP. Returning for their second, the Tango's plan to make their marK!
For more information about what's going on with 117th Guards please contact Paul "Wingman" Metheney or register for this unit at Scenario Supply.
For more information about TangoAlpha2, visit their website by clicking on the icon below.
