Steel Division 2 News

Hello, hello, hello!

It’s good to be back. We hope you are doing well, and enjoying the new Steel Division 2: Men of Steel Versus reveals. As we have run through all the divisions, it's time to look at another feature coming with our next expansion.

Let’s welcome to the stage the two new Aces, 1st Airborne Task Force’s Sergeant Tommy Prince and Hungarian StuG commander Barnabás Kőszeghy.

A small housekeeping note: we will be switching around the publication day of our DevBlogs for Steel Division 2 and WARNO. From now on, you can expect your Steel Division 2 posts on Friday!

[h2]The Aces of Steel Division 2: Men of Steel[/h2]
As with previous expansions, Steel Division 2: Men of Steel will also feature two new Aces. These are units based on historical fighter pilots, tank commanders, or other notable soldiers with a noteworthy connection to their in-game division. They don’t offer any gameplay benefits but come with special unit portraits or, in certain cases, camouflage paint jobs.

In Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, you’ll get to play with:

• The Allied Sergeant Tommy Prince found with the 1st Airborne Task Force. A special Ace, he will be featured as a Forcemen Scouts unit, part of the American-Canadian Devil’s Brigade.
  
• The Axis Hungarian Lieutenant Barnabás Kőszeghy with the new 1. Páncélos Hadosztály. His unit will be a StuG III G PK. leader assault gun. As a StuG commander, Kőszeghy led an aggressive counter-attack against Soviet forces, destroying many tanks but also resulting in the death of Kőszeghy himself.
  

[h2]Devil’s Brigade’s Sergeant Tommy Prince[/h2]
First up is Tommy Prince, one of Canada's most-decorated Indigenous war veterans, with this First Nation soldier receiving 11 medals across both World War II and the Korean War. As a tracker and hunter, Prince enlisted in the Canadian armed forces before being posted to the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion. Here, he became one of the select few to train with the Americans who were in the midst of forming a specialized assault brigade: the unit that later became known as the Devil’s Brigade.



Prince distinguished himself during the fighting in Italy and France, in no small thanks to his growing up in the Canadian wilds. He led various covert missions, including establishing observation points almost on top of the German lines and manning it for several days while calling in artillery strikes. This resulted in the destruction of various enemy tanks. Likewise, in France, in one audacious feat, he trekked for 72 hours without food or water in order to lead his comrades to a German encampment. This was subsequently destroyed, resulting in the capture of hundreds of enemy soldiers.



Prince survived both this war and the next, before dying in 1977 at 62. Within Steel Divison 2: Men of Steel, this Ace will be part of the new Forcemen commandos. Coming in four different squads, expect to play with a Leader variant, two variants of Rifles, and one variant of Recon. All these units will be Canadian, except for one Rifle squad, which will be American.

[h2]StuG Commander Barnabás Kőszeghy[/h2]
Our next Ace distinguished himself during one particularly ferocious battle on the Eastern Front, which saw the elimination of a Soviet armored attack but also resulted in the death of the Ace himself. In the waning months of World War II, Kőszeghy had been trained as a StuG commander before being deployed near the Hungary-Romanian border as part of the 7. Rohamtüzérosztály (7th Assault Gun Battalion). In late September, Soviet troops had already advanced to the Transylvanian frontier (a campaign you can play in-depth in the major Steel Division 2 expansion, Blood Feud in Transylvania).



The 24-year-old Lieutenant Barnabás Kőszeghy lead one battery of the assault gun battalion into battle. On September 25th, after a surprise attack by the Soviets, Kőszeghy counter-attacked the Soviet troops, routing them and destroying a number of tanks for only a few casualties on the Hungarian side. However, later in the day, a fresh force of T-34/85s attempted to outflank the assault guns. The resulting battle, at dusk and in a mix of rural hamlets and cornfields, lead to the destruction of a dozen Soviet tanks and all the StuGs, including Kőszeghy’s.



In his last act, having just destroyed three tanks, our tank commander was mortally injured - but he still kept up the fight. He destroyed two more T-34s before his StuG blew up. After the battle’s conclusion, with all formation’s armor disabled, the battery received the grim nickname The Battery of the Dead. Posthumously, Barnabás Kőszeghy was awarded one of Hungary’s highest honors. His battery was reconstituted, fighting on until being surrounded and destroyed in the Battle of Budapest in February 1945.



In-game, Barnabás Kőszeghy will be featured in the leader StuG III G PK. assault gun, with the same Gelbbraun beige paint job and “700” unit marking.

[h2]Steel Division 2: Men of Steel Versus[/h2]
We have finished all the historical highlights - our so-called Versus DevBlogs of all the new divisions of the expansion. In case you want to check them out again:

• The Wehrmacht reservist of the 715. Infanterie-Division and the paratroopers of the Allied 1st Airborne Taskforce receive their highlight in our Versus #1 DevBlog.
  
• The Allied commandos of the 1st Special Force Brigade against the Market Garden-active Axis Kampfgruppe von Tettau in Versus #2 DevBlog.
  
• The Finish-Swedish Axis 17. Divisioona and the partisan-infused and mixed Allied Groupement Dody in the Versus #3 DevBlog.
  
• The Axis-Hungarian armored 1. Páncélos Hadosztály and the Soviet-allied Bulgarian Bronirana Brigada

get their spotlight in Versus #4 DevBlog.


[h2]What will Steel Division 2: Men of Steel feature[/h2]
In case you want to know what the Steel Divison 2: Men of Steel expansion will offer, look no further!

• 8 new divisions from 7 nations, including a brand-new minor nation.
  
• With units from 12 nations in total!
  
• Two new Aces.
  
• And new Unit Traits, which will be made available to all existing Steel Division 2 divisions as well.
  

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
That’s all for this week. Let us know what you think!

Be sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commander.

Hello commander!

For this fourth and last Men of Steel’s “versus” reveal, we will head back to the Eastern Front.
But while MoS intends to focus on infantry divisions, we’ve taken the opportunity to bring two new “exotic” armored ones, one for each side. Including one brand new, and rarely depicted, WW2 minor nation: Bulgaria!

Introducing Axis Hungary’s 1. Páncélos Hadosztály (1st Armored Division) and Allied Bulgaria’s Bronirana Brigada (Armored Brigade) .

[h2]A new major expansion[/h2]
But first, a little reminder: Steel Division 2: Men of Steel is the next big chapter of our World War II battle simulator. We are still going strong, even four years after Steel Division 2’s official launch! In this new major expansion, we will put the hardy combat soldier center stage, from all corners of warring Europe, offering:

• 8 new divisions from 7 nations, including a brand-new minor nation.
  
• With units from 12 nations in total!
  
• New Aces.
  
• New Unit Traits, which will be rolled out to certain existing units in older Steel Division 2 divisions as well.

In size, this expansion follows the lines of our previous Tribute to… DLCs, but unlike these types of expansions, we don’t focus on a specific theater of war. Instead, we spotlight interesting divisions or battlegroups from all over Europe, notable for their unique infantry and armored forces (and taking advantage of the new Unit Traits system).

[h2]1. Páncélos Hadosztály[/h2]
Again, this division isn’t a complete stranger since it once competed in Nemesis #4, although focusing solely on the battle of Păuliș (September 14-19th, 1944). This version will take into account the broader month of September 1944.

Formation
Although created on November 1st, 1942, 1. Páncélos Hadosztály didn’t really come to existence as a combat formation until mid-1944. In the meantime, it was stripped of most of its vehicles to create the ad-hoc 1st Field Armored Division which served and was destroyed in the USSR, then was used as a training unit for 2. Páncélos Hadosztály which had priority for organization.



By mid-1944, the division barely had 50 tanks, mostly for training purpose and its motorized infantry had no motor transports.
Everything changed when Romania, Hungary’s arch-enemy, switched side in late August! 1. Páncélos Hadosztály then received the highest priority in equipment, more than doubling its tank strength in the first ten days of September. To achieve such feat, the Hungarian army scrapped the barrel: they drew on training units, depots, factory reserves, … but also had the new assault guns battalion reequipped with newer StuG, Marder or Zrinyi send back their second-hand Toldi and Turan. The infantry was motorized by commandeering civilian trucks!

Finally going to war
In mid-September, when the division finally engaged the Romanians, it had been brought back to over 120 tanks. An impressive amount hiding the fact that all were Hungarian Toldi & Turan, hence obsolete at that stage of the war. To this were to be added about 40 Nimrods AA/AT SPG and half a dozen Csaba armored cars.
Yet, the division was still far from complete: the infantry regiment was understrength, had only a handful of medium AT guns (40mm) and was given Panzerfaust to compensate for the lack of heavy ones (PaK 40)!



The division’s first clash with the Romanians occurred near Arad, on September 13th. There, the division was supported by elements from 6th Replacement Infantry Division (meaning reserve troops) as well as 7th Assault Gun Battalion (StuG). Although 1. Páncélos swiftly dispersed and pursued the Romanian cavalry, it quickly ran into troubles. First the very next day at Păuliș, where 6th Replacement Infantry Division it still supported was kept at bay for five days by the stubborn cadets from an NCO school.
By September 20th, the Hungarian counter-offensive had foundered when the Soviets showed up in support of their new Romanian allies: 6th Replacement Infantry Division was overrun by the lead elements of their 53rd Army, again near Arad. 1. Páncélos counter-attacked the heavier and better armed Soviet tanks, simulating retreat to bring them on more favorable terrain and counter-attack with the help of German Stukas. By the end of the day, the Soviet had abandoned 23 tanks for no loss on the Hungarian side. Nonetheless, the Hungarians had to evacuate Arad again on September 22nd.

Retreat & death
This skillful reaction taught the Soviets some humility and for a few days they remained more cautious, probing and reconnoitering. But on September 24th, the regrouped 53rd Army stroke again, this time with full force. It was to be the 7th Assault Gun Battalion’s days of glory, for in the ensuing battle its 30 machines destroyed 67 Soviet tanks. Meanwhile, 1. Páncélos was by then working closely with KG Ameiser, a battlegroup from 22. SS-Freiwilligen Kavallerie-Division.



Despite some gallant defense, the Hungarian Third Army couldn’t withstand such an onslaught, even with some German help. 1. Páncélos, just like 7th Assault Gun Battalion & 22. SS-Freiwilligen Kavallerie-Division would retreat until they reach Budapest, where they perished in that city’s famous siege (Christmas 1944-February 13th, 1945).

1. Páncélos in September 1944
Over the course of its September 13-25th campaign, 1. Páncélos went through two phases, first offensive then defensive, which will be represented ingame.

1. Páncélos’s organic elements will be available over all phases (as long as units strength allowed full card), as well as 7th Assault Gun Battalion’s StuGs.

In phase A/B, it will also count on elements from 6th Replacement Infantry Division which, although Disheartened, will fill in for 1. Páncélos’s very limited infantry and AT assets.

In phase B/C, it will receive reinforcement from KG Ameiser in the form of new SS-Kav.-Jäger (and support).



[h2]Bronirana Brigada[/h2]
Finally, it is time to reveal Men of Steel’s last division and our new minor nation: let’s welcome Bulgaria’s Bronirana brigada (Armored Brigade) to Steel Division 2!
Despite its designation, this “armored brigade” is actually closer in size to a division.

Bulgaria during WW2
Although Bulgaria’s Tsar Boris III was openly admirative of Adolf Hitler, he kept his country neutral for about a year and a half into WW2. But in March 1941, he agreed to join the Tripartite Pact (a.k.a the Axis) when Germany’s Führer requested passage on his soil for German & Italian troops attacking Greece. In return, he would get territorial gains over Greece and Yugoslavia, the alternative being to be the possible next target for an invasion.



Yet, despite joining the Axis, Bulgaria didn’t take an active part in either the Greek or Yugoslav campaigns, but was ready to step in his newly acquired territories in Macedonia & Thrace. Nor did it declare war on the Soviet Union on June 22nd, 1941, but agreed to send an Occupation Corps in Serbia to take off some weight from the Germans. Bulgaria’s policy was one of “conciliate Germany by making many comparatively unimportant concessions”, dixit Tsar Boris’ secretary, without involving itself too much in international affairs.



But whatever its leaders’ convolutions, Bulgaria was to be dragged into WW2 nonetheless …
On August 28th, 1943, Tsar Boris died suddenly, leaving the throne to his 6-year-old son Simeon and a regency. The new government, although still pro-German at heart, began to consider ways to escape the German alliance, and thus war, and sought contacts with the Allies. Despite the pro-German Prime Minister being replaced by a pro-Allies one in June 1944, Bulgaria’s situation didn’t improve: the Normandy landings shattered all hopes of an Allied landing in the Balkans, which Bulgaria could have joined. Bulgaria’s situation was then meaningless to the Western Allies, while the Red Army was quickly advancing toward its borders in the wake of Operation Bagration and its subsequent operations.

The situation worsened quickly with Romania’s defection to the Allies on August 23rd, allowing Soviet troops to reach Bulgaria’s border unchecked. On the 27th, Bulgaria declared itself neutral, but despite concessions to Stalin, such as the disarmament of German troops, delayed declaring war on Germany as long as possible. When it finally did on September 7th, USSR had just declared war on Bulgaria itself! For one day, September 8th, the country was therefore at war both with Germany & the Allies! Soviet forces crossed the border, meeting no resistance from Bulgarian troops, while in Sofia a coup deposed the government, replacing it with a pro-Soviet one.



Under this new leadership, Bulgaria mobilized three armies against the retreating Germans and their allies, entering Yugoslavia in September. Their first action in WW2 being the offensive at Niš to block German troops from withdrawing to Greece.

Bronirana Brigada
Which leads us to the Bulgarian Armored Brigade (armored brigade), which would play a major role in the Niš operation.

Prior to joining the Axis in March 1941, Bulgaria’s army only had three tank companies, equipped with British Vickers & Czech. LT-35 tanks. Upon siding with Germany, it was supplied captured French R-35, enough to raise a fourth one. In June of that year, two more companies were formed. The six of them were then regrouped into the Broniran Polk, or Armored Regiment, but which by all standard was already a small brigade since, in addition to the tank group, it had its own reconnaissance, motorized infantry, motorized artillery and services.



From July 1941 to August 1944, the “regiment” would train under the watchful eyes of German advisors. Over the course of 1942, its organization was changed to get closer from the structure and equipment of a German Panzerdivision, while the Bulgarian army try to get more modern vehicles from their ally. After intense negotiations, it was decided in 1943 that Germany would deliver newer Panzer IV & StuG.

In September 1943, the Armored Regiment was expanded to an Armored Brigade, with one tank regiment, one motorized infantry regiment, one artillery regiment, one armored reconnaissance battalion, one anti-tank battalion, one anti-aircraft battalion and one engineer battalion. By all account, this was a small division.
On August 12th, 1944, the German advisors declared the brigade finally combat-ready … but immediately started wondering about its intended employment, with Bulgaria leaning more and more openly toward the Allied side. By the end of the month, the Germans had secretly dispatched a special team to Bulgaria to take the tanks and assault guns out of action immediately should they receive such order.



But the Bulgarian Armored Brigade was put on alert and relocated out of its barracks three days before the coup and the change of alliance, and the Germans could do nothing about it. The brigade moved into Serbia as soon as September 5th with orders to push the Germans back as far away as possible from Sofia. The inexperienced Armored Brigade got its first taste of blood … and losses there. Because of poor reconnaissance work, an entire tank company ran into a minefield and was lost.

Niš operation
Meanwhile, Bulgarian forces (namely the First, Second and Fourth Armies) were put at the disposal of Soviet Marshal Tolbukhin’s 3rd Ukrainian Front and ordered to attack German forces in Serbia, while Soviet & Yugoslav forces were to drive to Belgrade. The Bulgarian offensive soon staled in the face of a 7. SS-Freiwilligen Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen"’s counter-attack.



The Armored Brigade was called in to break through the German defenses, with an extra infantry battalion from 32nd Infantry Regiment attached. This time, it fared better, although at a high price: 7.SS was repelled, but losses (irreplaceable since the Germans wouldn’t deliver replacements at that point) forced the brigade to reorganized its three tank battalions into only two. Pursuing the retreating Germans, the brigade was brought to operate on very difficult terrain where the older Czech. tanks proved much more at ease than the heavier German ones, managing to “climb” slopes considered unsuitable for tanks in order to attack German mountain strongpoints from an unexpected direction.

The brigade was kept fighting until November, when losses and the lack of spare parts made it impossible to keep functioning. It was disbanded on December 5th, 1944, and its personnel sent back to Bulgaria.

The Bulgarians in SD2
At its strongest, Bronirana Brigada amounted to about 135 tanks, of which 65% were T-IV (Panzer IV G & H) and the rest Škoda Š-35 (LT- 35) & Praga P-38 (LT- 38), as well as 18 armored cars SdKfz. 222 & SdKfz. 223 and 50 T-III (StuG III G). With supporting PaK 40, Flak 88mm, le.FH 18M, …
If you ever dreamed of playing a 1942 Panzerdivision, that’s it … but on the Allies’ side!

The infantry retained its local armament, with a majority of ZK-383 SMG, Mannlicher rifles & carbines and ZB-26 LMG.



Bronirana Brigada will be reinforced by a battalion from 32nd Infantry Regiment, beefing up its very reduced infantry arm. But those retain the Bulgarian organization, with very large (14!) squads but barely no infantry AT weapons, as well as non-German equipment. It can also count on some light Yugoslav partisan forces operating in the Niš area.

Air force is a mix of German planes, older pre-war (Czech., Polish) and early war (French, Italian) ones, as well as a locally produced Kb-11 Fazan.



Having no combat experience at all when engaged in the Niš operation, no Bulgarian ground troops will be able to be taken as vet2 status. This doesn’t apply to the air force, which had some experience fighting allied bombing raids over Bulgaria.

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
That’s it for Steel Division 2: Men of Steel Versus posts. Let us know what you think!

Be sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you, commander!

[h3]Fixes[/h3]

• fixed some missing new weapons' sound FX
  
• fixed some typos
  
• fixed some missing/false traits pictograms (visual issue only, doesn't affect traits themselves)
  
• fixed MITCHELL II's MG ammo loadout
  
• fixed RANGERS' SMGs 3D models' distribution
  
• fixed RSO PAK's HP from 6 to 8, on par with other RSO
  
• fixed FESTUNGS-GRENADIER's x14 Lebel's damage being too low
  

[h3]Allies[/h3]

• decreased CHURCHILL VI (including command variant)'s price from 60 to 55
  
• decreased FIREFLY Ic's price from 115 to 105
  
• decreased FIREFLY Vc's price from 120 to 110
  
• decreased CHALLENGER's price from 90 to 85
  
• changed CRUSADER MK. II's availability from 2/4/6 to 3/(6)/(9)
  
• changed PA TOP M.28 76mm' availability from 2/4/6 to 3/6/-
  
• decreased HURRICANE MK.IIc (rockets)'s price from 125 to 110
  
• decreased HURRICANE MK.IIc (2x227kg bombs)'s price from 115 to 110 + availability changed from 12/4 to 2/4/-
  
• decreased P-39Q (fighter)'s price from 125 to 110
  
• decreased P-39N (fighter)'s price from 120 to 105
  
• decreased P-39N-0 (82mm rockets)' price from 125 to 110
  
• decreased La-7 (2x 100kg bombs)' price from 145 to 125
  
• (15Scot) changed AA slots from 1/2/3/4 to 1/2/2/3 and SUPP ones from 1/1/1/2/2/2/2/3 to 1/1/1/2/2/2/3/4
  
• (CIABG) added some command CHURCHILLs

[h3]Axies[/h3]

• decreased FLAK M.36(f)'s price from 100 to 90
  
• decreased STURMPANZER KV-2's price from 100 to 90
  
• decreased SKI-PIONIER FÜH.'s price from 30 to 25
  
• decreased SKI-JÄGER FÜH.'s price from 35 to 25
  
• changed SKI-JÄGER's availability from 6/12/18 to 8/16/24 + number of cards decreased from 3 to 2
  
• decreased Me-210 (fighter)'s price from 65 to 60
  
• changed Me-210 CA-1 (2x 250kg bombs)' availability from 1/2/4 to 2/4/6, on par with 2nd Hung. Armored
  
• changed Hungarian & Finnish Ju-88 A-4 (28x 50kg bombs)' availability from 1/2/4 to 2/4/6, on par with 2. FJ
  
• decreased Fw-190 A-8/R6 (2x 210mm rockets)' price from 150 to 140
  
• decreased Fw-190 G-8 (1x 250kg & 4x 50kg bombs)' price from 135 to 125
  
• (PsD) decreased 50 PstK/38 50mm's availability from 6/9/- to 6//
  
• (PsD) increased 75 K/40 75mm's availability from 3// to 3/6/- + increased number of cards from 1 to 2
  
• (PsD) removed 45 PstK/39 45mm entirely

Hello commander!

Last week we interrupted our versus format to welcome the release of Nemesis: Siege of Dunkirk. Let's get back to business today with the unveiling of two new battlegroups for our upcoming Men of Steel DLC: the Finnish 17. Divisioona and the French Groupement Dody.

[h2]A new major expansion[/h2]
But first, a little reminder: Steel Division 2: Men of Steel is the next big chapter of our World War II battle simulator. We are still going strong, even four years after Steel Division 2’s official launch! In this new major expansion, we will put the hardy combat soldier center stage, from all corners of warring Europe, offering:

• 8 new divisions from 7 nations, including a brand-new minor nation.
  
• With units from 12 nations in total!
  
• New Aces.
  
• New Unit Traits, which will be rolled out to certain existing units in older Steel Division 2 divisions as well.

In size, this expansion follows the lines of our previous Tribute to… DLCs, but unlike these types of expansions, we don’t focus on a specific theater of war. Instead, we spotlight interesting divisions or battlegroups from all over Europe, notable for their unique infantry and armored forces (and taking advantage of the new Unit Traits system).

[h2]17. Divisioona[/h2]
This one shouldn't come as a complete stranger, for it competed (and lost to Dunkirk) in the Nemesis #6 vote. It garnered support, yet not enough. But we felt it might have been hampered by its less shinny Soviet counterpart, hence why we decided to bring it back.

Formation 17. Divisioona was formed in 1941 for the Continuation War, that is the war fought by Finland on the Axis side to recover its territories lost to the USSR 15 months earlier during the Winter War (Nov. 1939-March 1940). It was different from other divisions by the fact that two out of its three infantry regiments were formed from Swedish-speaking Finns.
At the start of war, the Svenska frivilligbataljonen (SFB), a battalion of Swedish citizens volunteering to fight with the Finns was also part of the division. But by 1942, it was reduced to a company, and by the start of the Soviet Karelia offensive in mid-1944 just a half one. By the end of the battle of Tali-Ihantala, only 20 would still be alive.

The Fall of Vyborg
Let’s circle back a bit. In our second full-blown expansion, Steel Division 2: The Fate of Finland we focused on the Soviet attack on Axis ally Finland. The Fall of Vyborg is an integral part of this, but we only alluded to it. This episode began a few days before our Army General Karelia scenario - and the results are directly connected to the opening situation of this campaign.



The Soviet offensive against Finland opened up on June 10th, 1944, and quickly reached the city of Viipuri (for the Finns) or Vyborg (for the Russians) nine days later.
Defending that key city was the mission of the very green 20th Infantry Brigade. Created only six months earlier by cobbling together various regiments and battalions, it really had only one combat ready battalion out of four, the other three mostly unprepared for war. Especially considering that they had arrived in the city they were meant to defend just 24 hours before the Soviet reached it.

It took the Soviet assault troops less than a day, and really just five hours of combat, to capture the city. The 20th Infantry Brigade, although supported by a large number of artillery and AA guns as well as the Panssaridivisioona's entire BT-42 company as advance party, fled in panic.



Finland’s defenses were crumbling, and if the Soviet juggernaut had kept on rolling, it would have broken through the undermanned VKT line. This was Finland’s last defensive belt. However, as the Soviets took too much time to reorganize (and celebrate the capture of Vyborg), the window of opportunity (luckily for the Finns) was closed rapidly.

The Battle of Tienhaara
This delay in regrouping was more significant than you think.

The Soviets tried to exploit the fall of Vyborg and push forward. Too late however: they were stopped dead in their tracks by the lead elements of the 17. Divisioona brought in to fill the gap.
The first to arrive were the Swedo-Finns from 61st Infantry Regiment, or "Sextietan" ("61st" in Swedish) as they were known. The regiment deployed in the Tienhaara sector, just North of Vyborg. Not only was the narrow and rocky terrain much more favorable to the defense, but the defenders became galvanized by the realization that this very battlefield might very well be Finland's last stand



For about 24 hours, the Sextietans, with strong artillery support, repelled everything the Soviet 90th & 372nd Rifle Division, themselves strongly reinforced with armors & artillery, threw at them. They withstood terrible artillery bombardments, inevitably followed by infantry assault on their trenches. Despite the odds, they held until the rest of the division was deployed in support.
One Finnish general later commented that "this regiment saved Finland during the midsummer weekend 1944, even if only temporarily".



For two more days, the battle for the crossroads at Tienhaara raged, but the Finns would not bulge anymore.
Preventing the Soviets from advancing and establishing a bridgehead north of Vyborg, this rearguard detachment allowed the rest of the Finnish army to pour defenders into the VKT line, reorganize, and later stop the second stage of the Soviet strategic offensive - as depicted in the “Fate of a Nation” Army General campaign.

From despair to salvation
As with other "division-story", 17. Divisioona will be a phase-locked battlegroup.

Phase A will focus on the unfortunate 20th Infantry Brigade, with mostly Disheartened and vet 0 KIVÄÄRI (PzF) and PZSCHRECK, although with new SOTAPOLIISI (military policemen) to try to keep them in line. A substantial number of engineers was also present in the city.
They will be supported by corps artillery and Viipuri's ring of air defense, including heavy 76 ItK/34 V (Vickers 75mm AA gun rechambered in 76mm).
Finally, the whole BT-42 company from Panssaridivisioona was dispatched ahead of its parent division to provide some (modicum of) armored support.



Later phases will see the arrival of the bulk of 17. Divisioona itself, with:

• the Fanatical (at least that fateful day) SEXTIETTAN Swedo-Finns, with their specific voice-acting
  
• KIVÄÄRI and associated infantry support weapons
  
• more artillery, including 203 H/17 203mm guns
  
• some T-26E
• a handful of STURMI
• …

[h2]Groupement Dody[/h2]
No need to search the internet for that one, you won't find it. There wasn't a real "Groupement Dody" historically, the name being used as an umbrella one for a collection of units which did occupy a unity of place and mission. And which will form the embryo of what would later (out of our timeframe) be officially named the "Détachement d'Armée des Alpes" (DDA), although by then reaching corps strength.

From the Riviera to the Alps
The troops regrouped as Groupement Dody are elements from the Allied armies landing in Provence during Operation Anvil-Dragoon (August 15th) and dispatched to secure the Alpine passes.
Within a week of the landing, part of the German army was retreating North through the Rhône river valley, while others retreated to Italy through the Alps. The mechanized bulk of the Allied armies was hot on the heels of the main German force retreating North, but those retreating East couldn't be left unchecked.
Therefore, detachments were sent to the Alps to support the very active FFI of the area, push the Germans as far East as possible and then block all the valley by which Axis forces in Italy could strike back.



The first ones to bring the fight to the Germans in the Mediterranean Alps as soon as landings were announced by Radio London were the local FFI partisans. Mountain terrain was a haven for the Résistance, which organized large camps there. Moreover, a substantial part of those freedom fighters were former Alpine troops (Chasseur Alpins) themselves, who brought the partisans some military organization & discipline.
Gap (that's a city!) was blockaded until a detachment from Task Force Butler arrive to receive the German surrender on August 20th ; Nice was liberated by uprising on August 28th ; …
But while they could blockade or even rout some garrisons, the lightly equipped partisans couldn't really get in the way of retreating combat divisions.



To bolster the partisans' strength, the Allies first sent two American airborne battalions (one para and one glider) detached from 1st Airborne Task Force immediately after the completion of Operation Rugby, which we described earlier.



But the core of Groupement Dody consisted in about half of the 2e DIM (2e Division Marocaine d'Infanterie, or Moroccan Infantry Division), led at the time by … general André Dody. Hence the name.
Dody's detachment included one third of his division's infantry, two third of its artillery, elements from its armors & recon troops, as well as attached Goumiers light mountain infantry.



[h2]Setting in[/h2]
In early September the Germans have been accompanied back to the Alps' passes, where they turned over to prevent the Allies from invading Italy from the North. Both sides would settle on static positions and reorganize while harassing the enemy.

Regarding the Allies, 2e DIM elements were sent to join the rest of their division in the Vosges, being replaced by more specialized troops from the 4e Division Marocaine de Montagne (4th Morrocan Moutain Division).



Meanwhile, unexpected reinforcements came in the form of Italian Partigiani seeking refuge in France from German or RSI anti-partisan operations on the other side of the Alps. About 800 will fight alongside their FFI brothers.



But they weren’t the only Italians to side with the French: having garnered plenty of captured German guns to equip the FFI, the army couldn't find enough trained artillerymen to man then. They then toured Italian prison camps and found enough former Italian POWs volunteering to crew and entire le.FH 18M artillery battalion! French Beute artillery speaking Italian!

Several other gun types were used by the partisans, including PaK 40, the most common artillery gun with the FFI and their successor until the end of the war.

[h2]FFI reorganizatrion[/h2]
Just like with the siege of Dunkirk, as soon as the FFI were bypassed by regular troops, their guerilla role was mostly over. Soon, those willing to keep fighting were invited to enlist for the duration of the war and organize as regular army units.

In the Alps, the FFI were used to reform France's traditional Alpine troops, the Chasseurs Alpins. It helped that a lot of the local partisans had been Chasseurs Alpins themselves, or had done their military service with them. The "professionals" were quickly reformed into regular recon and raiding parties, while the rest trained and organized recruits.



First organized in battalions, then demi-brigades, they would be regrouped into the reborn 27e Division d'Infanterie Alpine by the end of September. This division would become the core of the "Détachement d'Armée des Alpes" and lead the fight for the recapture of the various Alpine passes and valleys.

[h2]Alpine warfare[/h2] Groupement Dody will therefore be a new mountain division, very light as can be expected but with plenty of various units available by layers.

In phase A & B:

• Morrocan Tirailleurs and all their infantry support weapons
  
• French artillery, including Long Tom
• Morrocan Goumiers, more warriors than soldiers, with the Shock & Raider traits
  
• American Paratroopers & Glider infantry
• plenty of FFI
• some Spahis, Sherman, Stuart & TD M10

In phase B & C:

• Morrocan Montagnards and all their infantry support weapons, with the Raider traits
  
• Morrocan light mountain artillery with the Raider traits
  
• Italian Partigiani, also with the Raider traits
  
• captured guns, including PaK, as well as Italian-speaking le.FH 18M
• light Alpine troops

In phase C:

• Chasseurs Alpins and all their infantry support weapons, with the Raider traits
  
• Alpine light mountain artillery, also with the Raider traits … and 1940 light guns!

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
That’s it for this third Steel Division 2: Men of Steel Versus post. Tune in for a new one next week. Let us know what you think!

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See you, commander!

[h3]Data fixes[/h3]

• fixed Romanian TOLDI II's missing production icon
  
• HONEY STUART set with 3x M1919 MG, as fitting its model
  
• fixed LONG TOM's RoF display bug
  
• fixed some wrong number of weapon models being display on some infantry units (display bug only)
  
• fixed SHERMAN V DD's missing Radio icon (display bug only)
  
• fixed SISSI (PKOM)'s name into SISSI (PKÄÄL)
  
• fixed "3-ya VDV"'s division name into the more proper "3-ya Gv. VDD"
  
• fixed a spelling error (Strelkovy-->Strelkovaya) in several Soviet divisions' name
  
• (10GvTC) fixed doublon WC-52 transport for TANKO. KOMROTI
  

[h3]Generic[/h3]

• decreased M2HB12,7mm's price from 40 to 35 (-5 for Disheartened)
  
• decreased DShK 14,5mm's price from 40 to 35
  
• decreased Hotchkiss 13mm's price from 40 to 30 (-5 for Disheartened)
  
• increased the Discipline trait's AoE by 50%

[h3]Allies[/h3]

• increased ECHIPĂ ASALT's availability from 6/12/18 to 9/18/-
  
• increased BM-13-16 KATIUSZA 132mm's availability from 1/2/4 to 2/4/-
  
• increased AEC MK.3's availability per card from 4/8/- to 6/9/-
  
• increased DAIMLER AC's availability per card from 4/8/- to 6/9/-
  
• increased CROCODILE's availability per card from 2/4/6 to 4/8/12
  
• increased CHURCHILL VII's availability per card from 2/4/6 to 4/8/-
  
• increased A-19's availability per card from 1/2/4 to 2/4/6
  
• increased (all) SP-BOFORS' availability per card from 1/2/4 to 2/4/(6)
  
• decreased HUMBER MK.3's price from 25 to 20
  
• decreased HUMBER MK.4's price from 30 to 25
  
• decreased M15's price from 90 to 85
  
• decreased T-34/85 Obr. 43's price from 100 to 95
  
• decreased KV-85's price from 110 to 105
  
• decreased M4(105)'s price from 70 to 65
  
• decreased M4A3W(105)'s price from 75 to 70
  
• decreased M8 SCOTT's price from 30 to 25
  
• decreased FIAT 621 HOTCHKISS' price from 20 to 15
  
• increased PARTOP's blast radius from 3900 to 5798m (same as 120mm mortar)
  
• added OBUSIER M8 it's missing MG, as fitting the model (and on par with US variant)
  
• decreased BERLINGOWCY's price from 20 to 15
  
• decreased PRIEST DD's price from 45 to 40
  
• decreased CHURCHILL AVRE's price from 75 to 65
  
• increased ZiS-3's direct HE damage from 1,52 to 2,2, on par with other direct fire 75mm
  
• matched VICKERS HMG's performances with MAXIM ones
  
• decreased AEC MK.III's price from 45 to 40
  
• decreased SU-57's price from 45 to 40
  
• changed CROMWELL ZWIAD.'s price from 60 to 55
  
• changed CROMWELL ZWIAD.'s availability from 3/6/9 to 5/10/-
  
• changed T-70 RAZVEDKA's availability from 4/8/12 to 5/10/15
  
• changed VALENTINE III's availability from 4/8/- to 5/10/-
  
• changed all recon STUART's availability from 4/8/12 to 5/10/15
  
• decreased recon M3A3's price from 35 to 30
  
• decreased recon M5A1's price from 40 to 35
  
• changed ALPINI's availabillity from 6/12/18 to 8/16/24
  
• changed BERSAGLIERI's availabillity from 4/8/12 to 6/12/18, number of cards decreased from 4 to 3
  
• changed MARO's availabillity from 6/12/24 to 5/10/15, number of cards increased from 2 to 3
  
• changed MARO (BREN)'s availabillity from 6/12/18 to 8/16/-
  
• increased PARA DE ASALTO's price from 25 to 30
  
• decreased M4A3(75) SPAHIS's price from 90 to 80
  
• changed M4A3(75) SPAHIS' availability from -/6/9 to -/8/12
  
• decreased SHERMAN V RECCE's price from 90 to 80
  
• changed SHERMAN V RECCE's availability from 3/6/9 to 4/8/-
  
• changed T-34/76 RAZV.'s availability from 3/6/9 to 4/8/-
  
• changed T-34/85 RAZV.'s availability from 3/6/9 to 4/8/-
  
• changed T-26 KOMROTI's availability from 2/-/- to 3/-/-
  
• decreased CHURCHILL AVRE's price from 75 to 65
  
• decreased KAZAKI (PPSh)'s price from 20 to 15
  
• changed KAZAKI (PPSh)'s availability from 6/12/24 to 8/16/24
  
• decreased KAZAKI RAZV.'s price from 25 to 20
  
• standardized BA-10 at 5/10/15
  
• (7Mek) fixed SU-76M PT's veterancy ratio on par with other divisions
  
• (Butler) changed M5A1 RECON's availability from 4/8/- to 5/10/- on par with other divisions
  
• (CIL) added OBICE 65/13 65mm some JEEP as transport
  
• (6AB) removed Belgian 25-PDR from phase A, on par with other Belgian units
  
• (6AB) changed CROMWELL V's availability from -/10/15 to -/16/-
  
• (6SAAD) changed FIREFLY Vc's availability from 5/-/- to 3/6/-, on par with other divisions
  
• (Bakthin) added 12x M2 H/T as transport for RAZVEDKA
  

[h3]Axis[/h3]

• increased PANZERWERFER 150mm's availability from 1/2/4 to 2/4/-
  
• increased SK-18's availability per card from 1/2/4 to 2/4/-
  
• increased ERKUNDUNGS availability per card from 3/6/- to 6/-/-
  
• decreased FORD G917T HOTCHKISS' price from 20 to 15
  
• decreased PANTHER G's price from 150 to 145
  
• decreased KM LANDESSCHÜTZEN's price from 20 to 15
  
• decreased OSTLEGIONÄRE's price from 20 to 15
  
• decreased LW-JÄGER's price from 20 to 15
  
• changed LETT. LEGIONÄRE's availability per card from 9/15/27 to 12/24/-
  
• changed Fw-190G3/R1's availability per card from 1/2/4 to 2/4/-
  
• changed KM FÜHRER's availability from 2/4/6 to 3/6/9, but number of cards decreased from 2 to 1
  
• changed SDKFZ. 7/2's veterancy from vet0 to vet1, same availabillity
  
• increased PARA DE ASALTO's price from 25 to 30
  
• decreased PANZER IV J AUFK's price from 80 to 75
  
• changed PANZER IV J AUFK.'s availability from 3/6/9 to 4/8/-
  
• changed PANTHER D AUFK.'s availability from 1/3/5 to 2/4/6
  
• changed T-26C (KPÄÄL)'s availability from 2/4/6 to 3/6/-
  
• changed SISSI (PKÄÄL)'s availability from 2/-/- to 3/-/-
  
• changed OSTLEGIONÄRE's availability from 12/18/24 to 12/24/-
  
• improved SPW 204(f) CDM's veterancy ratio
  
• decreased RONA SCHÜTZEN's price from 20 to 15
  
• decreased RONA PIONIER's price from 25 to 20
  
• decreased FLAK M.39(r) 85mm's price from 95 to 90
  
• decreased AUFK.PANZER 742(r)'s price from 30 to 25
  
• decreased Me-410 A-1's price from 70 to 65
  
• decreased Me-410 (with 2x500kg)'s price from 125 to 110
  
• decreased Me-410 (with 2x250kg)'s price from 115 to 105
  
• decreased Me-410 B-2/U2 R3's price from 100 to 80
  
• decreased JU-87 D5 (with 2x250kg + 1x500kg)'s price from 95 to 85
  
• (Pansar) changed PaK 38 50mm's availability from 5/10- to 6/9/- on par with other divisions
  
• (12SS) changed Fw 190 G-3/R1's availability from 1/2/4 to 2/4/-
  
• (12SS) increased FIREFLY's veterancy from 1 to 2
  
• (352ID) fixed PANHARD's veterancy ratio on par with other divisions
  
• (352ID) fixed PAK 38 50mm's veterancy on par with other division
  
• (Monterosa) added OBICE 65/13 65mm some FIAT 508 as transport
  
• (122ID) add the missing general Breusing's portrait