New Nemesis Run Introduces Nemesis: Storming Toulon

Good news, everyone! We are back with a brand-new Nemesis DLC run! To kick things off, we will be presenting you the very first option: Nemesis: Storming Toulon.

This choice takes you back to the sunny lands of Southern France, much like Nemesis: Battle of Montélimar, but with two completely new battlegroups (and associated new toys and units).

Today’s spotlight is on the Axis battlegroup Verteidigungsbereich Toulon (Defensive Perimeter Toulon) and the renowned Allied 1e Division Française Libre (1st Free French Division).

If Nemesis: Storming Toulon is chosen, we will also introduce new defensive structures with this expansion.

Keep on reading to find out more!

[h2]The History of Nemesis: Storming Toulon[/h2]

The inspiration for this Nemesis DLC again comes from Southern France. This time, the action is squarely on the opening stages of Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion on the Mediterranean French coast in the summer of 1944.

The first wave of this amphibious assault was made up largely of American troops, tasked with racing north toward the Rhône Valley (see Nemesis: Battle of Montélimar). Subsequent waves featured veteran French divisions with the orders to secure the major port cities of nearby Marseille and Toulon. Once housing the French Mediterranean fleet, the capture of the Toulon naval base was of critical importance to keep the supplies flowing for the Allied invasion.

Advancing on Toulon, one of the participating divisions was the 1e Division Motorisée d’Infanterie (1e DMI). This formation was more famous under its original name (and kept in usage both then and now) of 1e Division Française Libre (the 1st Free French Division).
Fun fact: although almost entirely reequipped with American equipment, French high command ordered its soldiers to use the French 1940 Adrian helmet when possible to make the Germans plenty aware of who they were fighting!

Both Marseille and Toulon were originally envisioned to be captured after two months of heavy combat. However, during the landing, the French saw an opportunity and struck fast. Advancing rapidly, Toulon was encircled by August 20th. Defending the city was the ad hoc Verteidigungsbereich Toulon, formed around the 242. Infanterie-Division with various other local units, including a Kriegsmarine garrison and naval batteries.

Battling through a succession of forts, bunkers, and heavy gun emplacements, Toulon’s harbor was stormed on August 27th and captured after ferocious close combat. In the meantime, nearby Marseille had been liberated in much the same way.

Toulon’s port was repaired and in operation two weeks later, serving as a crucial logistical hub for the Allied forces advancing north.

[h2]What will Nemesis: Storming Toulon feature?[/h2]

As with our previous Nemesis DLC options, Nemesis: Storming Toulon presents you with two new divisions, one on each side, and offers a variety of different units or new variants of existing units. As always, we have researched each battlegroup exhaustively, making sure that the Nemesis DLC is as historically accurate as possible.

[h3]Verteidigungsbereich Toulon[/h3]

Verteidigungsbereich Toulon - meaning Defensive Perimeter Toulon - is an impromptu formation made up of a variety of different units. The core of its soldiers is provided by the 242. Infanterie-Division, originally a reserve division “upgraded” to regular status in 1943, but also Kriegsmarine garrison units and even Italian naval infantry. They used a large quantity of captured heavy weapons from different origins, including French, Italian, Czech, and even Yugoslavian.

There is more: this battlegroup will also feature a new type of defensive structure. The so-called Tobruk bunker, which is essentially the tank turret of a S35 Somua (47mm), R35 (37mm) or Panzer II (20mm) mated to a concrete casemate. While not very powerful, these bunkers were incredibly resilient!

Verteidigungsbereich Toulon can count on Grenadier soldiers, deploying with captured Italian Breda 30 LMG. Plenty of sniper units can also be found in the battlegroup.
Kriegsmarine Seesoldaten make their comeback from Steel Division: Normandy 44 in a tougher form. These naval infantry include leader and MG units, as well as their own Landeschützen (Kriegsmarine guards) and Küstenpolizei (naval military police).
Also available is the Marine-Einsatzkommando 71 (aka MEK). Only the size of a platoon, these soldiers were German naval commando pioneers and will act as elite recon in-game.
The battlegroup can also count on a Kadetten battalion, which fought ferociously in the final stages of the battle. As such, it carries the Fanatical trait.
Brandenburger special forces were also present. They will feature their Raider trait.
The Italians also join the fight. At least one company from the famous San Marco naval infantry (known as Marò) was also stationed in Toulon.
There is a distinct lack of armor, with only a limited number of tanks deployable. These include a few StuGs and French Beute tanks (R-35, H-39).
Anti-tank units are Marder I and Soviet FK 39(r) 76,2mm guns, with further support coming from Italian Breda 47mm guns and PaK 40, as well as RSO PaK.
Verteidigungsbereich Toulon can count on a fair amount of artillery, reflecting the historical presence of naval batteries, bunkers and Flak units. This includes a variety of calibers: Skoda 75mm, Italian 149mm and Soviet 152mm howitzers, and heavy Flak 38 105mm.
Off-map artillery is also available, with the extra firepower coming from naval batteries in fortifications, such as 138mm, 164mm or 340mm guns.
The Luftwaffe was almost entirely absent during the battle, meaning that the battlegroup will not have much in the way of a supporting air force.

[h3]1e Division Française Libre[/h3]

The “real deal” of the Free French fighting force: the 1e Division Française Libre (DFL) or the 1st Free French Division. This illustrious veteran formation came with a hefty dose of combat experience, taking part in battles ranging from Narvik to East Africa, Operation Exporter (Syria-Lebanon, 1941), North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia) before heading towards the Italian front.

Now, they were back - at last liberating their home country.

The DFL embodies Free France in its truest form, regrouping almost all the nationalities of the French colonial empire (and beyond) and armed forces which answered general de Gaulle’s call to keep on fighting. Known for the inclusion of foreigners in its ranks, the formation contains not only escapees from metropolitan France but also exiled Republican Spaniards, die-hard anti-fascist Italians, Austrians and Germans, and many more.

At its core, 1e Division Française Libre calls upon the Légionnaires from the famous 13e DBLE, a Légion regiment formed for the Narvik campaign and which went almost entirely to Free France. In-game, Légionnaires will carry the Fanatical trait, equipped with Thompson SMGs, P17 Enfield rifles and two BARs.
Polynesians (Tahiti and New Caledonia) and sailors from the BIMP, an infantry formation merging two separate battalions together: Bataillon d’Infanterie de Marine (BIM) and Bataillon d’Infanterie du Pacifique (BIP).
North Africans from the 22e BMNA. Grouping Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian volunteers together, these soldiers originated from Vichy regiments stationed in Lebanon, who opted to join the Free French after Operation Exporter.
Central Africans (mostly Senegal and Cameroon) from several “bataillons de marche” (provisional battalions). These made up “fresh” replacements, having joined the DFL to replace heavy losses after the North African campaign.
Commandos d’Afrique and Parachutistes de Choc form the special forces section of this battlegroup. These soldiers will feature the Raider trait and are equipped with a mix of British and American equipment, including a large number of SMGs.
Sailors from the 1e RFM acting as mechanized scouts, with Stuart light tanks and Greyhound armored cars.
Additional firepower is provided by a combat command from the armored 1e Division Blindée with Stuarts and Shermans. Furthermore, the M10 is also available.
Artillery support is made up of American 105mm and 155mm (Long Tom) howitzers, with AA cover offered by towed Bofors AA guns.
Air support will be provided by the Free French Air Force flying from Corsica, as well as British carrier-borne squadrons. The French can deploy B-26 Marauders, P-39 Airacobra, P-40 Kittyhawk, P-47D Thunderbolt and Spitfire. British carrier planes will be a mix of Hellcat, Wildcat and Supermarine Seafire fighters.

[h2]Nemesis DLC explained[/h2]

Nemesis: Storming Toulon inaugurates the run 4 of our Nemesis DLC concept. What happened to numbers 1-3? Check it out below!

Nemesis: Battle of Sandomierz Bridgehead is the first Nemesis DLC and available for free now! It features the 16. Panzerdivision and the 97th Guards Rifle Division from the Eastern Front, bringing a number of new units, including the most powerful German tank of World War II, the Königstiger (H).
The second Nemesis DLC is Nemesis: Lvov Offensive and was the first one to be voted on you, the community. This Nemesis DLC will launch on November 19th for €4.99 / $4.99 and will contain the German 20. Panzergrenadier-Division and the Allied 10th Guards Tank Corps. New units include the heavy tank destroyer Elefant, the unique Bef. Tiger (P) and Bef. Panzer V/IV tanks, Muniwagen Panzer III, Flakpanzer T-34(r) and Flakpanzer Panther, and captured T-5 Pantera.
Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is our third Nemesis DLC. Once again voted on by the community, this Nemesis DLC takes its cue from the Italian front, bringing the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division for the Axis, and the combined Allied battlegroup of the 2nd New Zealand Division with the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade attached. We have just started working on this expansion!

In case you’ve forgotten:

Each Nemesis DLC will bring two new divisions (one from each side) and will feature new units, new weapons, new models, and maybe even new nations. They will be PAID.
Each Nemesis DLC focuses on a new historical Theater of Operations (think engagement or battle) that was relevant and set in the summer of 1944. This could be the Eastern Front, could be the Western Front, could even be other interesting… locales.

[h2]Coming up next![/h2]

We are always more than happy to hear what you think. Reach out to us via our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or keep an eye out on our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Check out the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!