Steel Division 2 News

Hello,

It’s time for another round of Steel Division 2: Men of Steel infantry highlights. As in last week’s highlight, today we will look at some new German, Dutch, Italian and British models.

Let’s detail the new combat soldiers itching to deploy in Steel Division 2.

[h2]The Axis[/h2] The Germans
First up are our Axis German 15. Welle Warriors. As you might remember, Welle means “mobilization wave”, and during the war, Germany called up many a million recruits in different waves, with a decrease in quality as the conflict continued.

The divisions that formed part of the 15th Aufstellungswelle were assembled in April 1941, destined for occupation duty in the Balkans. Once arriving in the theater of operations, they would likely see combat against local partisans, not heavy-duty frontline combat (hence the questionable quality of the recruits). The divisions (numbered in the 700 range) contained two regiments from each military district (Wehrkreis) found in greater Germany.



However, the new formations, with two infantry regiments, were weaker than previous mobilization waves. For instance, the regiments lacked infantry guns, anti-tank artillery, and heavy machine-gun companies. The first divisions were ready in early May, while the rest, including our 715. Infanterie-Division, could be deployed two weeks later.



As static divisions, these formations were filled with men generally unfit for active service: too old, too weak, too scrawny, or too ill. Our models try to reflect that reality: meet Scrawny, Old Timer, and Fatty (inspired by Hogan’s Heroes’ Sergeant Schultz). These 3D models will be featured in the expansion’s 715. Infanterie-Division.



Dutch
The flinke kerels of the 34. SS Freiwilligen Grenadier Landstorm Nederland are next. The Landstorm was raised as a territorial unit filled with local collaborationist Dutchmen wanting to fight for the Axis. Founded in 1943 by the Reich Commissioner Arthur Seyss-Inquart, the unit first focused on guarding and protecting key infrastructure in the Netherlands, such as bridges, railways, and canals.



From November 1944, it officially became a brigade, and in early 1945 it turned into a division, even though in reality it never outgrew its brigade size.
Service in the formation was rather popular for those collaborationists wishing to avoid the other hardships of war. They were exempted from forced labor in Germany, did not have to fight beyond the Dutch borders, and a number of troops were deemed unfit for combat duties in other SS formations.



When the fighting approached the Netherlands in September 1944, the first battalions of the poorly trained and lightly equipped Landstorm were thrown at the Commonwealth forces in Belgium. They didn’t fare well. The third battalion was present when the British paratroopers landed near Arnhem, thanks to a nearby training camp. The Dutch SS took to the fight after a day or two (arriving by bicycle, how typically Dutch). Equally ill-performing, when used against Polish paratrooper reinforcements, and using captured British airdropped weaponry, the Landstorm was beaten back rather without much trouble. Many of the Dutch soldiers deserted during the fighting.



The Landstorm saw only limited action in the Netherlands for the rest of the war, ultimately surrendering in droves during April and May 1945 (which caused its share of issues when done by Dutch Resistance fighters). In Steel Division 2: Ment of Steel, the Landstorm units will be found with the Kampfgruppe von Tettau.

Italians
The Italians are back! This time in the form of the Axis RSI Decima Mas, the Italian naval raiding forces. Usually rated as the best of the RSI (Repubblica Sociale Italiana or the Italian Social Republic), these soldiers were not under either Mussolini or German control. The RSI Decima Mas was “only loyal” to their commander, Prince Borghese.



These Italians kept the war going against the Allies in coordination with the Germans, but not under their official command. After the split between an Allied and Axis-controlled Italy, Decima Mas eventually grew to over 18,000 members. Although conceived by Borghese as a naval unit, instead, it gained a reputation as a savage pro-fascist, anti-communist resistance force in various land battles alongside German troops.



After the Armistice of 1943, one of the first Decima Mas units, “Battalion Barbarigo” with artillery, was sent to Anzio to counter the Allied landings, where it was attached to the 715. Infanterie-Division.

[h2]The Allies[/h2] The British Commandos
The following models are not completely new, having first been featured quite a few years ago in Steel Division: Normandy ‘44. Having been left unused since, they are getting a second lease on life in Steel Division 2: Men of Steel.



We will include the British Commandos as part of the 1st Special Force Brigade. This formation was composed of 4 Commando (each a small battalion) plus two Troops (small companies). The full breakdown is N°3 Commando, N°4 Commando, N°6 Commando, N°45 (Royal Marine) Commando and two French troops from N°10 (Inter-Allied) Commando.



All Commandos use, in essence, the same models, but the Royal Marines and French variants will have some additional flourish. Each Commando will be represented as a separate unit card with its own equipment and organization specificities.

The British 30 Assault Unit
Another new unit - but also from Steel Division: Normandy ‘44 - will find its way to the expansion: the N°30 Commando. Renamed by D-Day as 30 Assault Unit, this special formation was the brainchild of intelligence officer Ian Fleming, of later James Bond fame.



This formation focused on securing key buildings, personnel, and valuable documents, including ciphers and codebooks, for strategic intel or technological knowledge. Soldiers from the 30 Assault Unit would attach themselves to the vanguard of any Allied unit, allowing them to approach their objectives as fast as possible. This gave them a shot at taking their goals before being evacuated or destroyed by the retreating Germans. These soldiers ranged ahead, far and wide, and were successful in the lead-up to the Liberation of Paris and France in general. They will serve as the 1st Special Force Brigade recon units in the expansion.



[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.
  

And if you want to read more about the two new Aces - Allied Sergeant Tommy Prince and Hungarian tank commander Barnabás Kőszeghy - you’ll encounter in Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, look no further and check out this dedicated DevBlog here.

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
Before we leave you be, a short message from the SDL community. This Saturday, the 22nd of April, at 2 pm CEST (GMT+2), the finals of SDL Season 1 will be streamed live at twitch.tv/sd_league. You will be able to see the exciting finale between Inshaa and Mimile as they fight to be declared the winner of the championship. Don’t forget to tune in!



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!

We hope you are well. On the back of last week’s reveal of the two new Aces coming to Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, and before that, the extensive Versus DevBlogs detailing a pair of new divisions each, we’ll start a fresh series of posts today. We will look at the combat soldier who takes center stage in our upcoming expansion and showcase several new in-game 3D models.

In today’s DevBlog, we’ll detail two nations, one being brand-new to Steel Division 2: France and Bulgaria. Other nations to be featured in Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, such as Canadians, Dutch, Italian, Americans, ... will get their chance to shine in the next few weeks.

[h2]Nation in focus: Bulgaria[/h2]
Bulgaria is one of the new nations to be included in Steel Division 2: Men of Steel. You can read more about Bronirana Brigada, in this DevBlog here, detailing the unique circumstances of the Balkan nation fighting first for the Axis and then for Soviet-led Allies in the waning stages of World War II.

Details of the uniform of Bulgaria’s foot soldiers during World War II are scarce - especially in English.



The Bulgarian soldier is predominantly wearing brown jackets and pants, with red collars and shoulder insignia for the infantry. The Bulgarian M36 helmet is very reminiscent of the ubiquitous German Stahlhelm. This is because Bulgaria used the same model as the Germans, but from World War I, and both nations’ World War II helmets are an evolution of this older type - bulkier and heavier - helmet.



Limited to its sole paratrooper battalion, Bulgaria also used camouflaged uniforms during the war. These were based on the Wehrmacht splittertarn (“splinter”) pattern. Some of these uniforms also found their way to regular recon forces. The Bulgarians seemed to have been very fond of the pattern, which the airborne troops kept on using - with some modifications - for most of the Cold War.

[h2]Nation in focus: France[/h2]
With the wide variety of French fighting forces during World War II, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are still plenty of special types of troops to be highlighted. As you know from the previous Versus DevBlogs, Steel Division 2: Men of Steel expansion will feature French troops in both the mixed Allied Groupement Dody and as part of 1st Airborne Task Force. French infantry will come in three distinct new sets.

Goumiers
The Morrocan Goumiers were used as auxiliary troops before World War II, chiefly as “pacification” forces to crush rebellions against French colonial rule. Recruited from tough mountain tribesmen, mostly Berbers, Gourmiers were feared and often hated by other North African ethnic groups. However, World War II would allow the Gourmiers to shed this reputation and emerge as some of Free France’s best combat soldiers.



After the defeat of France in 1940, and with the limitations imposed on the Armistice Army in terms of manpower and equipment, Goumiers weren’t included. Instead, they were considered “police troops.” Being scattered all over the place, these auxiliary forces slipped under the radar, which the French high command used to increase their number and weapon stocks discreetly.

When the French Armée d’Afrique switched sides after Operation Torch in late 1942, the Goumiers were among the first troops ready for action. Although fighting well in the mountainous areas of Tunisia, they took heavy casualties against enemy armor, not having been trained or equipped to deal with tanks.

The Goumiers’ claim to fame happened during the Battle of Garigliano in Italy in May 1944, which decided the fate of Monte Cassino. Having been regrouped as a brigade, they broke through German lines in supposedly impassable mountain terrain (even for an infantry division). The whole of the French Expeditionary Corps exploited the breach. So fast the Goumiers moved in this inhospitable terrain that not only were the Germans incapable of reforming their defenses, but Allied status reports on the conditions on the ground were also hopelessly outdated when they reached Allied high command.

The Germans were forced to abandon the Gustav line, as well as Rome. This left the Fallschirmjägers defending Monte Cassino unsupported, which in turn allowed the Poles to storm and capture the strategic monastery.



Goumiers didn’t wear an army uniform, but a striped djellaba, sandals, and an American M1917 helmet or occasionally a French Ardian one. Tireless in the mountains, equipped with only a few mules, Goumiers could advance quickly through any terrain. They also made for excellent scouts and snipers. More warriors than soldiers, they were feared by the Germans who called the Moroccans (collectively, not just the Goumiers) the ”Sparrows of Death” for their ability to sneak undetected and kill any unsuspecting sentry with their fearsome looking knives.



Chasseurs-Parachutistes
The 2nd and the 3rd Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes were seconded to the SAS and thus organized along British lines (as depicted in Steel Division: Normandy 44’s DBSAS battlegroup). The 1st Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes, to be featured in 1st Airborne Task Force, was kept in Allied reserve in the Mediterranean theater and entirely equipped as a (smaller) American airborne regiment. It was the only unit with the 2e DB officially fielding Garand rifles.



While inspired by the Americans, the uniform kept a distinct beige color with specific markings, including the inevitable French fashion touch!



Chasseurs-Alpins
Lastly, the Chasseurs Alpins were French mountain troops. Regarded as elite light infantry, they constituted most of the Armée des Alpes, which in 1940 resisted the belated Italian invasion from the east. They inflicted heavy casualties on the invaders with almost no victims of their own. Undefeated in 1940, they still formed close to an entire division in French Vichy’s Armée d’Armistice before being disbanded in 1942 when the Germans invaded the Unoccupied Zone. Although not under arms, it meant many trained soldiers were available in the Alp region.



The Chasseurs Alpins, with their trademark tarte (pie) headgear, would form the core of the well-disciplined and effective Alpine Résistance groups. When the time came, the backbone of an entire new Free French division, the 27e Division d’Infanterie Alpine, would be recreated under a month after the landing in Provence.



[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.

And if you want to read more about the two new Aces - Allied Sergeant Tommy Prince and Hungarian tank commander Barnabás Kőszeghy - you’ll encounter in Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, look no further and check out this dedicated DevBlog here.

[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
That’s all. 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.

[h3]Fixes[/h3]

• fixed Tatra's missing PANZER 38(t)
  
• fixed JAGDKAMPF's HP to match the number of its soldiers
  
• fixed CALARASI MOTO's rifle ammo loadout
  
• fixed a typo with RÖSSELSPRUNG
  
• fixed the ERDKAMPFLAFFETE's crew into LW ones
  
• fixed some wrong veterancy patterns for planes' 3/4/6 availabilty
  
• unified B-4 & Br-5 heavy SP howitzer's HP (10) speed (10/14) and same armor (artillery)
  
• (3VDV) fixed Faustniki's avail curve

[h3]Generic[/h3]

• changed "heavy tank" leaders (T-34/85, StuG IV, Tiger, Panther, M4 76mm, Churchill VI)'s availability to 2/(4)/(6)
  
• standardized all C205 VELTRO's availability at 3/6/9
  
• decreased C202 FOLGORE's price from 75 to 65

[h3]Allies[/h3]

• decreased (British & Canadian) SHERMAN V C.O.'s price from 150 to 140
  
• standardized armed WLA side-cars at 6/12/(18) vet1
  
• decreased OT-34's frontal armor from 80mm to 75mm, on par with other M1941 T-34
  
• changed M3A3 & M5A1 CMD's availability from 2/4/6 to 3/(6)/(9)
  
• decreased ISU-122 price from 155 to 145
  
• decreased ISU-122S' price from 165 to 155
  
• increased BA-64B KAO (180mm)'s price from 130 to 135
  
• increased AOP CARRIER (203mm)'s price from 140 to 170
  
• increased CHURCHILL IV OP (140mm)'s price from 130 to 135
  
• increased WILLYS OP (140mm)'s price from 120 to 140
  
• increased M3A1 KAO (203mm)'s price from 140 to 170
  
• increased M3 OP (203mm)'s price from 140 to 170
  
• increased M4A1 OP (155mm)'s price from 140 to 170
  
• increased M4A2 OP (155mm)'s price from 135 to 170
  
• increased all Sherrman V POA (140mm)'s price from 130 to 140
  
• decreased PE-3 BIS (heavy fighter variant)'s price from 75 to 55
  
• decreased P-38 (heavy fighter variant)'s price from 115 to 95
  
• decreased BEAUFIGHTER (heavy fighter variant)'s price from 85 to 70
  
• decreased MOSQUITO (heavy fighter variant)'s price from 95 to 75
  
• (TF45) increased M5A1 RECON's availability to 5/10/15 on par with other recon Stuart
  
• (Vyborg) changed HURRICANE MK.IIc (2x250kg bombs)' availability from 2x cards of 1/2/4 to 1x of 2/4/6
  
• (CIABG) replaced FFO MG-42's TRACTION transport with captured KUBELWAGEN
  

[h3]Axies[/h3]

• changed TURAN I PK.'s availability from 2/4/- to 3/(6)/(9)
  
• decreased TURAN I's price from 35 to 30
  
• decreased PANTHER D's price from 140 to 130
  
• decreased PANTHER A's price from 140 to 135
  
• decreased PANTHER G's price from 145 to 140
  
• decreased AUFK. PANTHER D's price from 150 to 140
  
• changed JANDARMI's availability from 2/4/6 to 3/(6)/(9)
  
• decreased PANHARD (25mm)'s price from 25 to 15
  
• decreased TAR VADAS' price from 30 to 25
  
• decreased TAR TANKAS' price from 15 to 10
  
• increased FELDJÄGER's price from 15 to 20
  
• decreased HG PIONIER (MP-44)'s price from 35 to 30
  
• increased BEO.PZ. 38H(f) (172,5mm)'s price from 135 to 165
  
• increased BEO. SCHWIMM. (210mm)'s price from 140 to 170
  
• increased BEO. SCHWIMM. (172mm)'s price from 130 to 160
  
• increased BEO. SDKFZ. 250/5 (220mm)'s price from 150 to 170
  
• increased BEO. SDKFZ. 251/18 (210mm)'s price from 160 to 170
  
• increased BEO. KUBEL (194mm)'s price from 150 to 180
  
• increased BEO. KUBEL (164mm)'s price from 130 to 170
  
• increased BEO. AR-196A3 (138mm)'s price from 85 to 100
  
• increased BEO. AR-196A3 (203mm)'s price from 95 to 105
  
• increased BEO.GO.145B (172mm)'s price from 80 to 100
  
• increased (German & Finns) BEO. STORCH (210mm)'s price from 95 to 105
  
• increased GAUNTLET Mk.II (152mm)'s price from 85 to 100
  
• increased IAR-39A (152mm)'s price from 80 to 100
  
• decreased JU-88C-6 (heavy fighter variant)'s price from 75 to 60
  
• decreased JU-88G-1 (heavy fighter variant)'s price from 90 to 65
  
• decreased Me-410B-1 (heavy fighter variant)'s price from 75 to 65
  
• (52Sich) changed s.FH 396(r) 122mm's availability from -/3/6 to -/6/-, on par with other divisions
  
• (Korück) changed TIGER E FÜH.'s availability from 1/2/3 to 1/3/-
  
• (PzD HG) changed BF-109G-6R/2's availability from 1/2/4 to 3/4/6, on par with 1. & 3. FJ
  
• (Blindata) increased T.4 CERCETARE's availability from 3/-/- to 4/-/-
  
• (Pancelos) Mot Lovesz (44M) avail reduced from 3 cards to 2

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!