Black Sunday: 5 Cavalerie Motorizata VS Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina

Hello commander!

In today’s Steel Division 2: Black Sunday Versus post, we’ll be shining a spotlight on two new “mixed” divisions launching with our upcoming third History DLC: the Romanian Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata goes up against the Red Army’s Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina.

Let’s see what makes these two “hybrid” battlegroups unique.

If you haven’t, be sure to check out last week’s Versus post taking a deep dive into two new armored divisions releasing with Steel Division 2: Black Sunday.

The Steel Division 2: Black Sunday will feature six new divisions, two Army General campaigns, two new Aces, 15 Camouflage skins, 150 new units, and much more exciting new stuff.

[h3]Steel Division 2’s History Pass[/h3]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/988171/Steel_Division_2__History_Pass/

Don’t forget, getting the awesome Steel Division 2’s History Pass grants you access to all three History DLCs for Steel Division 2. The History Pass includes the “Black Sunday” expansion, as well as the The Fate of Finland expansion and The Death on the Vistula expansion.

[h3]Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata[/h3]

Here’s a fun one! The Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata (the 5th Motorized Cavalry Division) was a horse cavalry division earmarked to be converted into an armored cavalry division by Romanian high command. However, due to the lack of equipment, the reorganization was stopped halfway. This means that this formation has a surprising amount of light armor, armored personnel carriers and armored cars, especially with its reconnaissance units, though its infantry are SMG-equipped cavalry troops (minus the horses) and its tanks forces are meager.

The Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata deployed on the western flank of the Romanian defensive lines, near Jassy. Here, the division stood in the path of the 2nd Ukrainian Front’s main assault. The 5 Cavalerie Motorizata, including a German StuG detachment, tried to stem the Soviet onslaught but was unsuccessful in its attempts. They were forced to withdraw to avoid being outflanked. After the 23rd of August coup, remnants of the formation were disbanded, with some of its soldiers fighting for the Soviets until the end of the war.

[h3]The Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata’s main features[/h3]

While the Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata might lack strong tank forces, it makes up with a high variety of reconnaissance units, anti-tank guns, and air support.

Its reconnaissance forces rely on a large variety of lightly armored vehicles: R-1 (Czech AH-IV tankette), R-2 (Czech Panzer 38), AB Usor (Italian AB41 Autoblinda) and AB Horch (SdKfz. 222), and a few SdKfz. 247 wheeled armored personnel carriers.
The division’s infantry is mostly Rosiori (cavalry troops) using Beretta SMGs instead of the MP-40s or indigenous Orita M1941.
The 5 Cavalerie Motorizata was supported in the field by a German StuG-Brigade, which brings its own set of units including StuG III G, Panzer II Luchs and Begleit-Grenadier rifle squads.
The Breda AC 47mm, a Swiss-Italian anti-tank gun, can also be used in a fire support role.
Further anti-tank forces are formed of Panzerschreck squads and heavy-duty Solothurn anti-tank rifles, captured Soviet 45mm AT guns and even the excellent Resita AC 75mm gun.
Next to a complement of French 25mm and twin 13,2mm, an attached AA battalion provides heavier-hitting guns, including 40mm Bofors and 75mm dual-purpose Vickers guns.
The 5 Cavalerie Motorizata is entirely equipped with Soviet artillery captured during the Crimean campaign. This means that, alongside mortars, F-22 76,2mm and M30 122mm gun-howitzers can be deployed.
The Air tab features Romanian IAR-37 biplane bombers and IAR-80M fighters and fighter-bombers. Other planes include Ju-87D-3 and Hs-129 tank busters, as well as He-111 and Ju-88 bombers.

[h3]Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina[/h3]

Another unusual formation was the ad-hoc Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina (Naval Group Bakhtina) named after its commanding general. A mission-focused battlegroup, this division’s principal task was to perform an amphibious assault across the Dniester estuary on the eastern flank of the Soviet operation into Romania. Here, the Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina had to neutralize the medieval Akkerman fortress harboring modern coastal guns controlling the river’s exit into the Black Sea. This historical castle prevented the nearby Soviet fleet from supporting the offensive.

Think of this attack as the Soviet version of D-Day meets “The Guns of Navarone”. Made up of naval brigades, the Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina was earmarked to perform the daring deed. It could count on special forces naval infantry (OSNAZ) and off-map MLRS rocket-launcher barges for fire support. The subsequent assault waves featured engineers, recon units with a few armored vehicles, and regular infantry from the 259th Rifle Division. The battlegroup was disbanded quickly after successfully capturing the fortress.

[h3]The Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina’s main features[/h3]

The Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina fields very strong infantry, and can count on decent recon troops and sizable air support. While weak in armor, anti-tank, and AA defenses, it reigns supreme in close combat.

To represent the various assault waves, only naval troops and OSNAZ special forces are available in phase A (and, of course, in B and C). Other units become available in later phases, such as regular troops in B, tanks from B onwards, etc.
All naval infantry units have access to a sizable amount of GPA and DUKW amphibious vehicles.
Reconnaissance units are made up of naval combat scouts and the kick-ass OSNAZ recon and Navy OSNAZ units (new unit).
Infantry is where Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina truly shines, with special naval infantry available from phase A (including amphibious vehicles) and regular Strelki rifle squads deployable from phase B.
Armored support is rather limited, with only a single card of T-34/76 tanks available in phase B.
While the on-map artillery availability is very light, the battlegroup can count on many heavy off-map artillery units, including MLRS volley from BKA river boats and even 180mm coastal guns.
The Soviet Black Fleet Navy’s Air Force provides some unique planes, including rather interesting reconnaissance fighters, such as the Spitfire Mk. VB or the old MiG-3-34. Quite a few planes can be used as tank busters or are equipped for carpet bombing or napalm runs.

[h3]Next Week[/h3]

We are very curious to hear what you think of these new divisions. Don’t forget to take a peek at our
Steam forums and Eugen forums, or our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). You can also join us on our Discord server or Reddit page.

The last two new divisions of Steel Division 2: Black Sunday will be showcased next week!

Until then!