Dana SpGH
In Team Yankee[edit]
The Eastern bloc has never been a loved child of the Soviets, who kept all the goodies for themselves. Hence, the Czechs decided to get to work on creating their own heavy artillery piece and boy, is it terrifying.
The Dana is a heavy artillery piece with AT4 and FP 2+, placing it in the same class as the M109 and the Acacia. It might kill the occasional tank, but this unit decimates lightly armored vehicles like LAVs and Leopard 1s while performing decently against dug-in infantry. Unlike other Soviet artillery, the Dana has an autoloader which gives you a +1 to hit. More importantly, Polish and Czech unit leaders both have 4+ skill. With a dedicated forward observer for one point, you can call for arty on a 3+ which is amazing, considering this is PACT we are speaking about.
It is one of the most expensive artillery pieces for the PACT, but is still a little cheaper than NATO counterparts. For the price, it is an excellent killing artillery unit that should be used to weaken the scariest combat units your opponent brings afield. If absolutely required, the Dana can also fire smokescreens or shoot directly at opponents.
As this is an artillery piece, avoid driving it towards the enemy. 5+ cross will make it very difficult for your vehicles to pass through forests or bushes. More importantly, it may have more armour than a BM-21 but it will die if your enemy can target it.
A very competitive unit that delivers NATO level artillery with the price of a Soviet unit. Combined with a spotter, you will be calling for fire on a 3+ and hitting NATO models on a 3+ or a 2+. In a Czech infantry list, this unit is the hammer to the massive anvil you forged from the bodies of your infantry. Use the lives of your men to buy time for the Dana to pound holes out of the enemy's advance!
The Poles can purchase a battery of 3 guns for 7 points or 6 for 14 points. The Czechs may purchase 3 for 6 points or 6 guns for 12 points.
IRL[edit]
The DANA is a major departure from other SPGs due to its use of wheels instead of tracks, in what is essentially a turret slapped onto the flatbed of an armored truck. This makes the vehicle easier to build and maintain, although it does need hydraulic stabilizers to fire. However, that’s not the only noteworthy feature. It uses an autoloader that can load the weapon at any angle, meaning it doesn’t need to return to a neutral position for the autoloader to work; an important feature when you’re trying to maximize the amount of shots you can get off in a barrage.
The DANA remains in service with a handful of post-soviet states. The Czechs have developed two direct successors, the DITA and Morana, which fires the NATO standard 155/L45 shell with a fully automated turret requiring only a driver and commander. In the ongoing Russo-Ukranian war, the DANA's excellent road-mobility combined with its autoloader has made it almost immune to counter-battery fire.
| Czech Forces in Team Yankee | |
|---|---|
| Tanks: | T-55 - T55AM2 - T-72M - T-72B |
| Transports: | OT-64 - BMP-1 - BMP-2 |
| Troops: | Motostrelci |
| Artillery: | 2S1 Carnation - Dana SpGH - RM-70 |
| Anti-Aircraft: | ZSU 23-4 Shilka - SA-8 Gecko - SA9 Gaskin - SA-13 Gopher - M53/59 Praga |
| Tank Hunters: | Spandrel |
| Recon: | BMP-1 OP - BRDM-2 |
| Aircraft: | MI-24 Hind - SU-25 Frogfoot - SU-22 Fitter |
| Polish Forces in Team Yankee | |
|---|---|
| Tanks: | T-55 - T55AM2 - T-72M - T-72B |
| Transports: | SKOT-2A - BMP-1 - BMP-2 |
| Troops: | Zmotory Kompania - Hind Assault Landing Company |
| Artillery: | Dana SpGH - BM-21 Hail |
| Anti-Aircraft: | ZSU 23-4 Shilka - SA-13 Gopher -SA-8 Gecko |
| Tank Hunters: | Spandrel |
| Recon: | BMP-1 OP - BRDM-2 |
| Aircraft: | MI-24 Hind - SU-22 Fitter |
| Soviet Support: | SU-25 Frogfoot |