Battle of Dukla Pass #6 - Axis 18. SS-PzGrenadier-Division

Hello!

We return with the very last Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass division preview. In today’s DevBlog, we shine a light on the Axis 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel".

Let’s go!

[h2]The 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division’s History[/h2]
The German 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel" was created in January 1944 from a cadre of the 1. SS-Infanteriebrigade. This particular formation was formed in 1941 by grouping concentration camp guards from the infamous SS-Totenkopfverbände. The brigade had been used since the start of the invasion of the Soviet Union to secure the rear of advancing troops. In this role, they took active part in the Holocaust, leaving a trail of war crimes in their wake. There was some direct combat versus the Red Army in late 1941, and then again in September 1943, when the brigade filled in the gaps left by a crumbling frontline.



The division itself, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division, was named after Horst Wessel, an early SA volunteer of the Nazi party, killed in 1930 by German communists. Considered a martyr in Nazy ranks, the party’s anthem (which Wessel had composed) was later also named after him.

It was intended that the late-war division was to be composed of SA volunteers, but despite the 1. SS-Infanteriebrigade cadre being German, the "Freiwilligen" ("volunteers") designation implied the formation was actually made up of foreigners. The rank and file were filled with Volksdeutschen from Hungary mostly, but also Romanians and Slovaks. Not all its soldiers were volunteers; some who were drafted were as young as 15 years old. Organized on a shoestring, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen fielded a lot of salvaged or captured weapons, including small arms ones.



The division wasn’t fully combat ready until November 1944, but regardless, still took part in several operations beforehand. Formed in Hungary, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen played an active role during the German takeover of allied Hungary in March 1944. Hitler suspected (which was later found to be true) that the Hungarians were secretly trying to seek a separate peace with the Allies. After the coup, the division-in-training was used for rear area security and occupation duties. The first combat-ready elements were sent to Croatia in June 1944, where they were used on anti-partisan missions.

The Slovak National Uprising
During the Slovak National Uprising (read more details in this DevBlog here, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen was the closest “formal” combat unit in the vicinity to the insurgents’ captured territory. The rest of the Axis forces used in quelling the insurrection were ad-hoc battlegroups of coupled-together security forces, training, police, Volksturm, etc. However, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen wasn’t quite ready for full-on fighting at the start of the uprising. Only an advanced Kampfgruppe around the reinforced SS-Grenadier-Regiment 40, led by Sturbannführer (Major) Schäffer, could be mustered and sent into battle.



Operating from Hungary, the main body of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen contended themselves with cordoning off the border to the south of the Slovak National Uprising’s area of operations. Schäffer’s battlegroup operated inside Slovakia, attacking from the east. This particular formation was one of the few German units to not only keep the insurgents at bay but also to advance into enemy-held territory. Over the course of the uprising, Kampfgruppe Schäfer's composition fluctuated before finally amalgamating back into the 18. SS-Freiwilligen.

It would take until November 1944 for the 18. SS-Freiwilligen to fight as a whole unit when it was thrown into action against the Red Army, south of Budapest. Pushed back into Silesia and Bohemia, the remnants of the division surrendered in western Czechoslovakia at the war’s end.

[h2]The 18. SS-PzGrenadier-Division Detailed[/h2]
Back to the Battle of Dukla Pass. During the battles surrounding the Slovak National Uprising, to reflect the 18. SS-Freiwilligen battlefield experience, the division will be phase-locked (much like the Slovak National Uprising). Although the division drew first blood with the Kampfgruppe Schäfer, more troops were sent in as reinforcements, making the best use of divisional assets over all three phases.



Some isolated units were also attached to the division, which will become available in different Combat Phases:

Phase A

• Elements from Korück 531, tasked with the security of 1. Panzerarmee’s rear security. Theoretically in command over all of 18. SS-Freiwilligen’s units, it was too weak to act alone. All its attempts at engaging the enemy were met with failure. Thus it operated more in a support role for smaller combat battlegroups, in this case with captured Soviet artillery and some tanks, including obsolete Czechoslovakian ones.
  
• Detachments from Sturmregiment PzAOK 1. We already met this reinforced regiment with the 208. Infanterie-Division. This unit was one of the reinforcing ones sent to help with the defense near Krosno. The availability in only Phase A represents these units being assigned to the 18. SS-Freiwilligen first, before being pulled out and reinforce the 208. ID (as shown being available from Phase B in this latter battlegroup).
  
• Elements from the Französische SS Freiwilligen Sturmbrigade (the so-called Sturmbrigade Frankreich). With Hitler holding a grudge against France since World War I, he had long vetoed the raising of French SS units, considering its people “bastardized” by their colonies. When the Third Reich’s leader finally gave his approval to Himmler, and tapping into the European’s country considerable population, he imposed higher physical and political recruitment standards. This is why the few French volunteers who were accepted into the SS ranks were - according to their instructors - olympic-level athletes and hardcore nazis. Only a reinforced battalion was ready and attached to Kampfgruppe Schäfer. Later, the French SS brigade would be used to form part of the future 33. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1) and its survivors will form the last defenders of Hitler's bunker in Berlin, under the command of Hauptsturmführer Fenet. This is the same officer who was one of only two officers left standing after the battalion’s tenure with Kampfgruppe Schäfer. Numbering a handful, they will be available only in Phase A.
  
• Lastly, some detachments from the Hlinka Guard, the paramilitary arm of the Slovakian fascist regime, and SS-Heimatschutz Slowakei, a local militia.

Phase B

• Kampfgruppe Wildner, a regimental-sized battlegroup from 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (galizische Nr. 1) also fought alongside 18. SS-Freiwilligen later into the battle. The Galicia region, located in modern-day southern Poland and western Ukraine, had been part of the Austrian Empire until 1918. It failed to gain recognition as an independent Ukrainian state in the interwar period, before being made first part of Poland, then annexed by the Soviets in 1939, only to be occupied by the Germans in 1941. Passed from one power to the next, the Galicians had developed a strong national consciousness; Himmler played on this by recruiting a division to fight the threat of a return of communist rule. Composed mostly of Ukrainian-speaking “Galicians” volunteers (Himmler refused to refer to them as Ukrainians, so as not to encourage the idea of independence) and a handful of Slovaks.
  
• The first of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen, heavier guns and weapons become available, including its anti-air defenses.
  
• The division also made use of plenty of Czechoslovakian artillery, specifically those captured by Kampfgruppe Schäfer earlier in the battles. These will now become available.
  
• A German anti-partisan commando called SS-Jagdeinsatz Slowakei.

Phase C

• Lastly, Kampfgruppe Wittenmayer, meaning more elements from the nearby 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS arrive.

[h2]The 18. SS-PzGrenadier-Division in Steel Division 2[/h2]
The 18. SS-Freiwilligen is a verifiable Tower of Babel of SS troops, grouping German, Hungarian, French, Slovak, Ukrainian SS, and militia under one mixed roof. New units are both italic and bolded.

Units with the “HW” suffix represent those specific to the 18. SS-Freiwilligen, and although German, will have Hungarian acknowledgments.

RECON

• An average category with the standard complement of BMW R.75, AUFKLÄRER in SCHWIMMWAGEN and SPW 222, as well as the SPW 231 armored cars.
  
• The new SPÄHTRUPP 'HW' are 4-man squads with MP-40, Kar-98K, and MG-26(t) in SCHWIMMWAGEN; and SS-ERSATZ.-SPÄHTRUPP 'HW' are truck-borne Disheartened 10-man squads with 2x ZK-383, Kar-98K, 2x l.MG-42, and PzFaust.
  
• A few A-only AUFK. PANZER II F from Sturmregiment PzAOK 1.

INF

• The infantry category is excellent, with a host of varied troops available. The core of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen is made up of Hungarian SS.
  
  • The new PZ.GRENADIER 'HW': 11-man strong squad with 2x ZK-383, 7x Vz.24 rifles, 2x l.MG-42, and PzFaust.
    
  • PZ.GRENADIER 'HW' (MG-30): a 11-man strong squad with 2x ZK-383, 7x Vz.24 rifles, 2x ZB-30, and ... bazookas! Those were captured weapons from those delivered by the OSS to the Slovaks. Only available from Phase B.
    
  • PZ.GRENADIER FÜH. 'HW': 4-man command squad with 2x MP-40, 2x Kar-98K, and smoke grenades.
    
  • The PZ.PIONIER 'HW' which is a 9-man squad with 9x Vz.24 rifles, 2x ZB-30, 1x GrB.39, and explosives.
    
  • STURMPIONIER 'HW', a 11-man squad with 4x ZK-383, 4x Vz.24 rifles, 2x ZB-30, and 1x Flammenwerfer.
    
  • PIONIER FÜH. which is a standard German combat engineer squad.
• You can also find the GRENADIER (GrB) already featured in 208. ID. These squads represent soldiers from Sturmregiment PzAOK 1. They are only available in A, being pulled out afterwards to go to the 208. Infanterie-Division’s rescue.
  
• Collaborationist Slovaks can also be found. They will be featured as:
  
  • HEIMAT. SLOVAKEI which are local 11-man strong militia units. They are equipped with 1x ZK-383, 9x ZB-24 rifles, and one Vz.26 LMG, coming with the Disheartened trait.
    
  • POHG (standing for Pohotovostné oddiely Hlinkovej gardy, or “Hlinka Guard Emergenvy Divisions”). This is an 8-man security unit armed with 1x MP-28, 6x Vz.24 rifles, and one l.MG-34, deploying with the Disheartened and Security traits.
• French SS troops from the Französische SS Freiwilligen Sturmbrigade were hardcore nazis to the bone and in peak physical shape; they all come with the Fanatical trait but can only be taken at basic Veterancy or Veterancy 1, having no prior combat experience. All units are only available in A.
  
  • FR. GRENADIER: a 9-man strong squad with 1x MP-40, 5x Kar.98K, 3x l.MG-42, and PzFaust. The reinforced battalion listed a HUGE ratio of MG-42s per soldier!
    
  • FR. GRENADIER FÜH. a 4-man command squad with 2x MP-40, 2x Kar-98K, and smoke grenades.
    
  • FR. PANZERJÄGER. The French SS battalion arrived in Slovakia with a battery of PaK 40 ... which were commandeered by Schäfer's men, leaving the French to fight enemy tanks with hand-held weapons. The squad is thus organized as a 10-strong squad with 7x Kar. 98K, 1x l.MG-42, Molotov cocktails and PzFaust.
• From B onwards, reinforcements of the 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (galizische Nr.1) can deploy.
  
  • UKR. GRENADIER which are 9-strong squads with 1x PPS 43, 7x Kar.98K, 1x DP-28, and PzFaust.
    
  • UKR. GRENADIER FÜH. being a 4-man command squad with 2x PPS 43, 2x SVT, and smoke grenades.
    
  • UKR. PIONIER, a 9-man engineer squad with 3x PPS 43, 4x SVT, and explosives.
• Also from Phase B only, the new SS-JAGDVERBANDE from SS-Jagdeinsatz Slowakei. These were SS special forces' commandos specialized in hunting and destroying partisan groups. Equipped mostly with SMGs and sniper rifles, explosives and smoke grenades, they feature the Commando and Shock traits and come fully vetted.

TANK

• An average category with only a few slots, but not too expensive.
  
• From the ranks of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen a single card each of A-only PANZER III F FÜH. and PANZER IV G, representing the motley assortment of both tanks’ variants the division fielded.
  
• In Phase A and B, the division can also count on the deployment of the PANZER 35(t) (new to Germany, not in-game). These were reported in theatre, but of dubious origin, most likely fielded by Korück 531.
  
• In B only, a single card of STUG III G, representing the merging of the handful of these self-propelled assault guns from 18. SS-Freiwilligen plus those brought by the 14. SS.

SUPP

• A good category, composed of the standard OPEL BLIT MUN as the supply truck.
  
• Commanders are featured as the BEF. BMW R.75, KOMMANDANT, and BEF. STUG III F.
  
• Fire support units include IG 18 and IG 33 infantry guns, as well as s.MG-42 HMGs. Plus a full card of PANZER IV F1, representing some of 18. SS-Freiwilligen’s older models.
  
• An unidentified "SS Feldgendarmerie unit" was reported to be involved in the fighting, operating armored cars. We have represented this with the SS-FELDGENDARMERIE (2x MP-40 and 2x Danuvia) and some SPW ADGZ SS-FELGEND. armored cars, both featuring the Fanatical and Discipline traits.
  
• From Phase B only, the new UKR. s.MG 268(r) heavy machine gun, which is a captured Soviet 12,7mm DShK.

AT

• Average, with the combination of all the various forces, amounting to three full cards of PAK 40 75mm.
  
• A few individual PAK 36 37mm, PAK 38 50mm and FK 288(r) 76,2mm are available - all with one A-only card.
  
• Fewer in numbers compared to other divisions, the battlegroup can also rely on the PZSCHRECK.

AA

• Rather mediocre. The Kampfgruppe Schäfer could initially rely on the towed FLAK 38 20mm for anti-air defense, meaning this unit will be the sole AA available in A.
  
• From Phase B, a single card each of FLAK 43 37mm and SDKFZ. 7/1.

ART

• Pretty good for the 18. SS-Freiwilligen with the standard BEOBACHTER and BATTERIE FÜHRER units.
  
• Divisional guns are GrW. 81mm, le.FH 18M 105mm and SK 18 105mm German guns, all available from A.
  
• Korück 531 provides Beute units, being the s.FH 396(r) 122mm and s.FH 443(r) 152mm, also available from A.
  
• The division reinforced its own artillery with Czechoslovakian guns captured along the way. These will be represented by the K35(t) 105mm and new s.FH 25(t) 150mm guns. The latter is the new Hrubá houfnice vz. 25 150mm introduced with the Allied Slovak National Uprising. Both guns are only available from B.

AIR

• Average with air recon includes the unarmed Fw 58 C and recon/bomber Fw 189 A-2.
  
• Various close air support roles will be available for the Fw 190 F-8 and Ju 87 D.
  
• Hs 129 B-2/R2 tank busters.
  
• Plus Bf 109 G-6 and Fw 190 A-8 in fighter roles.

The 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel" is a strong and versatile infantry division, backed by potent supporting arms and artillery. The battlegroup is at ease in a defensive role, or attacking across rugged terrain but fares less well on open ground.

[h2]Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion[/h2]
What can you expect from the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass?

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
We’ll return soon with more Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla news.

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See you on the battlefield.