Steel Division 2 News

Hello commander!

We hope you are well. It will only be a very small update, as Eugen’s offices are still officially closed for the day.

But we can’t leave without a short message to you!

[h2]Rest and Recuperation[/h2]
May is the month with the most bank holidays in France, from Worker’s Day to the end of World War II, and religious celebrations. Hence the team is getting some much-needed rest and recuperation.

However, not to worry, development on Steel Division 2 continues at pace. We are still hard at work on Steel Division 2: Battle of Turda, and Nemesis: Raid on Drvar is coming soon too.

[h2]Until next week[/h2]
We will be back with a regular update next week. Thanks for your understanding!

Don’t forget to cast an eye on our Steam forums and Instagram if you want to keep up to date with the latest Steel Division 2 has to offer. Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you soon, commander!

Hello commander!

Let’s dive right in with today’s final Battle of Turda DLC division preview. We will take a good look at the varied composition of the Allied Romanian Corpul 6 Teritorial.

[h2]A short Nemesis update[/h2]
Before we press on, a brief message regarding our Nemesis: Raid on Drvar DLC. Yes, we are working on it, and yes, it will come soon. However, we are still ironing out some final touches which we hope to accomplish in the very near future.

With that out of the way, let’s continue with our new Romanian friends of the Corpul 6 Teritorial. We’d like to thank our Strike Team member and big Romanian fan Charlie TZR (aka the former Steppewolf) for additional details and background info!

[h2]A corps for training[/h2]
After the crushing defeats of Stalingrad, the Romanian High Command hurriedly formed additional training divisions in the home country to process the new recruits and reservists. Made up of a handful of instructors and regulars, these training formations funneled fresh manpower to active divisions at the front. The Corpul 6 Teritorial came into existence in 1943, consisted of a corps of three training divisions, and deployed in Transylvania, south of Cluj-Napoca, at the new frontier with Hungary. The divisions were the 18th, the 20th, and the 6th.

Much like other Romanian training formations, the divisions within Corpul 6 Teritorial featured only six battalions (compared to nine for frontline divisions) and had access to fewer heavier weapons. Each individual division was closer to an infantry brigade. Elements in the corps included the Regimentul 6 Pionieri, providing the bulk of the combat power, and the Regimentul 10 Calarasi, with its recon and motorized troops, ideal for a mobile reserve force. Artillery units allocated to the formation were decent, with a wide range of gun pieces, from relatively modern 105mm Schneiders to 150mm Skoda guns and 155mm heavy WWI French models.

[h2]A new war[/h2]
After Romania’s switch from Axis to Allies in August 1944, hostilities broke out with the former allies, Germany and Hungary. The Hungarians began their offensive into Transylvania to reach the Carpathian mountain passes within days. Being situated nearby, the role of Corpul 6 Teritorial changed overnight, becoming the first critical line of defense. They took the brunt of the offensive, critically delaying the Hungarians and Germans, and buying enough time for additional reinforcements to arrive, including Soviet troops.

The first combat mission of the formation, which was commanded by Brigadier General Georghe Stavrescu, was to stop and slow down the enemy’s advance. The infantry brigades took the first hit of the Hungarian attack but held on, being reinforced by other Romanian combat elements in the area.

[h2]First combat encounters[/h2]
The left flank of the offensive was covered by two battalions of the 3rd Mountain Division, veterans of the Kuban and Crimea campaigns. These troops were the first in combat, and lacking much heavy weaponry, worked together with the border guards to repel the Hungarian attackers. They even used explosives from nearby mines for some additional firepower.

The other formations of Corpul 6 Teritorial also played their part, with the 18th being deployed around Alba Iulia and cleaning up the area of German troops, capturing a few tanks. Later on, it moved north towards Turda to assist the Soviet-Romanian attack. The 20th Division was the least-equipped formation. Regardless, it fought hard against superior forces, repelling frequent counterattacks and even pushing back the opponent across the river Mures. This division later linked up with the Corpul Motomecanizat. The 6th was located in Turda and was mauled in the first days of battle before moving off the line for rest and recuperation. Later on, it rejoined the fight, together with the first Soviet reinforcements. An additional Romanian formation, the 7th, was added to the corps, as it played a part in blocking areas when the enemy was advancing south.

[h2]Additional forces[/h2]
The Corpul 6 Teritorial groups together an array of forces, not only the previously mentioned divisions, but also other troops. These include Regimentul 7 Graniceri, border guards, as well as local garrisons in Cluj and Aries, made up of reservists. However, a key turning point was the arrival of Soviet forces. The Corpul 6 Teritorial was capable of counter-attacking in the latter stages of the campaign, thanks to the influx of Red Army troops.

[h2]What can you expect in-game?[/h2] Corpul 6 Teritorial will have a tough time on the attack, but will receive more mobile troops and offensive options over time. To better reflect its historical conduct during the campaign, this division is phase-locked. A large variety of light Romanian units are available in Phase A, while the Soviets provide heavier reinforcements from Phase B onward.

• With a respectable amount of slots and options, the formation’s Recon units are pretty decent. Romanian scouts can only be deployed on foot or in side-cars, but later down the line, Soviet reinforcements bring units such as half-tracks and T-70 recon tanks.
  
• Lots of cheap slots are available in the Infantry category. This includes the usual Infanteristi (Pzf), Recruti, Pionieri and Pionieri Asalt. In later Phases, you also have access to Soviet Strelki and Strelki (DP, as well as Avtomatchiki including Leader variants.
  
• A number of new Romanian infantry squads are also available. Deploy the Graniceri and Graniceri Calari border guards, Rezervisti units carrying the Disheartened trait and equipped with the old French WWI Chauchat automatic rifle, or the Calarasi Moto with 2x MG-42, and Moti units. The latter squads resemble Vanatori Munte but lack AT weapons and instead use locally sourced TNT stocks for some hand-held explosive demolition charges.
  
  
  
  
• Tank is one of the weakest categories with a (real-life) grand total of zero tanks for the Corpul 6 Teritorial. However, the Soviets brought some of their own machinery later in the campaign. This means the division has to fend for itself without armored support in Phase A, while receiving some T-34/85 in Phase B.
  
• In Support, you will have access to quite a few HMGs, including Schwarloze, ZB-53 and heavy Hotchkiss guns. There are some Jandarmi (military police to keep those of Disheartened trait in line), as well as 47mm Breda support guns. Romanian commanders come either on foot or in a classy and speedy Ford V8 Sedan. Soviets provide an armored M2 Kombat from Phase B.
  
• Quite a bit of choice in the Anti-Tank category, though some with a limited availability of one card. This represents the motley assortment of guns used by the Romanian training divisions. As such you receive Panzerschreck, M32 AC 45mm, Schneider 47mm, PaK 38 50mm and Resita 75mm. From Phase B, Soviets bring their ZiS-2 and ZiS-3 towed guns.
  
• Anti-Aircraft is below average, with some good choices but expensive slots. Commanders get to choose from the ubiquitous twin Hotchkiss on trucks, German 20mm, French twin 25mm and German 88mm Flak guns.
  
• Artillery forces range from Romanian guns in the 75mm to 155mm caliber, but most of them are light or old. The Soviets feature some self-propelled SU-76M from Phase B.
  
• Airforces include a few French Potez 63.11 A3 recon bombers and the Potez 633 B2 bomber variant. These planes are supported by a few Me-109 G-2 fighters until the Red Air Force can bring the better Yak-1, Yak-9, Il-2 and Il-4 aircraft.
  

[h2]A brief summary[/h2]
In case you missed it, the latest DLC for Steel Division 2, The Battle of Turda will contain the following.

• One new Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Turda, Transylvania, pitting Axis Hungary versus Allied Romania.
  
• Six new divisions.
  • Of which three will be Romanian, including the Divizia 9 Infanterie, the Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata and the Corpul 6 Teritorial.
    
  • And two will be Hungarian, with one German. This includes the Hungarian 2. Páncéloshadosztály (2nd Armored Division) and 25. Hadosztály (25th Infantry Division). The Germans are represented with the Sperrverband von Kessel.
• Mixed divisions, with units from various nations, such as Romanian-Soviet or Hungarian-German.
  
• One new map.
  
• 2 Aces: the Hungarian tank commander Lieutenant Ervin Tarczay and Romanian fighter ace, Captain Dan Vizanti.
  

[h2]Until soon (but not next week)[/h2]
That’s it for now. The Eugen staff will take some much-needed holidays on May 19th and 20th. This means that the offices will be closed and no blog post will be published during those days. Not to worry, we’ll be back soon after!

Keep a close watch on our Steam forums and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest Steel Division 2 talk. Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello commander!

Another day, another deep dive into our new Steel Division 2 DLC: The Battle of Turda. Let’s look at the final Axis division of this upcoming Army General expansion: the “blocking detachment” task force of Sperrverband Kessel.

Keep on reading!

[h2]A personal connection[/h2] Sperrverband Kessel is a German task force formation comprising a motley collection of independent German and Hungarian units grouped temporarily under one command. Fighting near Turda, the division was known as a “blocking detachment.” As such, it received the name of its commander: German General Mortimer von Kessel.



Before we continue, let’s talk a bit more about this officer, which is present in more of our Army General campaigns than anyone else. Born into nobility, Mortimer von Kessel joined the German Imperial Army in 1914 at age 21. He survived World War I, having pocketed not only an Iron Cross First Class but also the rank of lieutenant. During the interwar period, von Kessel remained in the army, rising to the station of lieutenant colonel. At the start of World War II, during the Poland Campaign, he was at the forefront, commanding a reconnaissance regiment and becoming a full colonel in the process. He kept climbing the ranks, as he ultimately was appointed commander of the 20. Panzer in 1943.

[h2]In more ways than one[/h2]
And now we make our connections: the 20. Panzer has been featured in Steel Division 2 in multiple ways:

• In the Army General Bobruisk campaign, the 20. Panzer is one of the divisions trapped in the city. The division, together with von Kessel, spearheaded the garrison’s breakout.

• In the Army General Baranovichi campaign, the 20. Panzer - reduced to Kampfgruppe von Kessel - tried to fight its way towards the defenders in the city from the north.
  
• In the Army General Iasi campaign, there is a Divisions-Gruppe Kessel. This battlegroup represents the 20. Panzer sent to Romania… for rest and refit! Instead, another Soviet offensive had to be faced again. The few combat-ready elements were formed into a single mixed battalion (playable in the campaign).

After Iasi, what was left of the 20. Panzer was utterly worn out. Our general, with barely anything to command, was ordered to Hungary.

[h2]Service in Hungaria[/h2]
In Hungary, von Kessel was to command all independent German armored forces sent to support the Hungarian offensive in Transylvania. In the process, the German commander also ended up taking charge of several infantry formations, including Hungarian soldiers.

A small note: in German, “Kessel” means “cauldron”. This is also the word used in German military language to describe pockets of troops surrounded by the enemy. Now, which commander had found itself in cauldron after cauldron on the Eastern Front? From Brobruisk, cut-off north of Baranovichi, almost surrounded at Iasi; luckily, Mortimer von Kessel avoided the distinction of forming a “Kessel’s Kessel” by always being able to break out.

[h2]Into Romania[/h2]
In our DLC The Battle of Turda, Sperrverband von Kessel exists from the starts, although historically was only officialy formed in the last days of our timeframe. Yet, all the sub-units it involves were already there and engaged.
As mentioned before, this task force groups a whole array of forces under one banner. These include:

• StuG-Brigade 905 - StuG III G and StuH 42
  
• StuG-Abteilung 1015 and 1176 - StuG III G and IV
  
• Panzerjäger-Abteilung 721 - PaK 40 and StuG III F
  
• III./Brand. Jäger-Rgt. 4 - Brandenburger
  
• II,/241. Flak-Abteilung - Flak 88mm and Flakvierling
  
• 92. Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung - Armored Engineers
  
• KG Fessner - remains of infantry regiment
  
• KG Abraham - Ersatztruppen
  
• KG Gradl - 13. Panzer remains, mixed battlegroups, survivors that fought at Iasi.
  
• KG Eder - 10. Panzergrenadier’s remains, mixed battlegroups, survivors that fought at Iasi.
  
• 1st Mtn.Repl. Brigade - Hungarian mountain troops with Raider trait, but veterancy locked. The same as those troops embedded with the Hungarian 25th Infantry.
  
• various smaller units, such as Hungarian Csendőr (=Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie).

[h2]What can you expect in-game?[/h2] Sperrverband Kessell is roughly a Panzergrenadier-Division, with fewer tanks but more, and more diverse, infantry.

• Recon is nothing to write home about. Most of the options in this category are infantry, with only a few slots open. It does include some elite Brandenburger recon squads though.
  
• Infantry forces are potent, with many cheap slots and a large array of choice, from Erzatstruppen to elite Brandenburg commandos, Hungarian mountain troops, combat engineers, and Panzergrenadier (some of them deployable in half-tracks).
  
• There are only a few armored slots open. Most of the cards available are StuG III G, rounded out by a handful Panzer IV and StuG IV.
  
• Support forces are pretty decent, with more options than normal. You will find Hungarian and German MG squads, including Brandenburg versions, as well as SdKfz. 251/16 flamethrower and StuH 42. You will also be able to deploy large Hungarian gendarmerie squads, the Csendőr, being Disciplined and Fanatical, the gendarmes being the most hardcore nazi within the Hungarian regime. Csendőr can also be deployed as the old CV.33 tankettes, which is a Military Police tank (yup) coming with the Disciple trait ... but not Fanatical: nobody could be riding in such a tankette in 1944!
  
• The Anti-Tank category features towed Hungarian 40mm and German PaK 40 guns at its core, and a few lighter s.PzB 41, Marder tank destroyer and StuG III F/8.
  
• You can’t call much, but you can rely on the efficient 88mm AA gun, the Flakvierling or the SdKfz. 7/1.
  
• The division is seriously lacking in artillery, with an average number of slots, but very restricted in choice. You only get mortars and the Hungarian 75mm howitzer, a few self-propelled mortars or the Wespe.
  
• Airforces overhead are a mix of Hungarian and German planes, including the Ju-87, Ju-88, Me-109 and Fw-190.
  

[h2]A brief summary[/h2]
In case you missed it, the latest DLC for Steel Division 2, The Battle of Turda will contain the following.

• One new Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Turda, Transylvania, pitting Axis Hungary versus Allied Romania.
  
• Six new divisions.
  • Of which three will be Romanian, including the Divizia 9 Infanterie and the Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata.
    
  • And two will be Hungarian, with one German. This includes the Hungarian 2. Páncéloshadosztály (2nd Armored Division) and 25. Hadosztály (25th Infantry Division). The Germans are represented with the Sperrverband von Kessel.
• Mixed divisions, with units from various nations, such as Romanian-Soviet or Hungarian-German.
  
• One new map.
  
• 2 Aces: the Hungarian tank commander Lieutenant Ervin Tarczay and Romanian fighter ace, Captain Dan Vizanti.
  

[h2]Until next week![/h2]
That’s all! Keep a close watch on our Steam forums and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest Steel Division 2 talk. Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello commander!

We are back at it again with a new preview of the upcoming Steel Division 2 DLC, The Battle of Turda. This time, we highlight the Romanian Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata, or in English, the 8th Motorized Cavalry Division.

Keep reading to find out all the juicy details.

[h2]Getting the fighting spirit[/h2]
The Romanian Army had no less than 26 cavalry regiments at the start of World War II. By 1941, several of these regiments were regrouped into six brigades, while the remaining regiments were attached to infantry divisions where they would act as reconnaissance elements.



Having watched from the sidelines for the first two years of war, the Romanians thought it was high time to motorize their cavalry brigades. Due to a lack of vehicles, only three brigades managed to convert one of their regiments into a motorized regiment. The 8th Cavalry Brigade was formed on June 12th, 1941, with two horse cavalry regiments, one motorized regiment, and one horse artillery battery.

[h2]Changes on the Eastern Front[/h2]
This brigade served from October 1941 to May 1942 in the Romanian Mountain Corps on the Eastern Front, itself subordinated to the German 11. Armee. After a while, the Romanian forces were then transferred to the German XXX. Korps. Originally set to be converted to a motorized cavalry division in 1942, the disaster of Stalingrad prevented this reorganization of the 8th Cavalry Brigade.



After the defeat of the Romanian troops in the winter of 1942, several divisions were destroyed and needed to be recreated, as well as rearmed and trained. As such, the 8th Cavalry Brigade’s upgrade into the 8th Cavalry Division was limited to the expansion of its horse-drawn artillery battery into a full regiment. After yet another transfer, the newly formed division would once again find itself under Romanian command, this time as part of the VII. Corps.

In a fresh round of reorganization on July 1943, three Romanian cavalry divisions - the 1st, 5th, and the 8th Cavalry Division - were earmarked for conversion into armored divisions. Tanks and armored vehicles were to be delivered by Germany, and personnel trained by German instructors. Four regiments would be motorized, including service units, armored vehicles, etc.



Nazi Germany, however, had different priorities by late 1943, and the delivery of the equipment was insufficient and frequently delayed. As a result, only the 8th Cavalry was converted and received the lion’s share of the equipment. By this time, 1944, the Soviet Iasi offensive prevented any further conversion from happening.

[h2]In Romania[/h2]
The 8th Cavalry Division found itself near Bucharest in training and was thus spared the fate of many Romanian divisions when they were shattered by the advancing Soviets. The German instructors did not sit by idly when the Red Army broke through the Axis lines. They commandeered all the armored vehicles, forming Kampfgruppe Braun, and headed straight to the front with most of the division’s heavy equipment. This German task force is featured in our Iasi campaign from Steel Division 2: Black Sunday.

Deprived of most of its tanks, the formation was rebranded Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata. Much like the 9th Infantry Division, the Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata was one of the few (largely) intact and battle-ready veteran divisions left by the newly Allied Romanian leadership. It was assigned, as the other mobile units, to the Corpul Motomecanizat (Motomechanized Corps).



[h2]Fighting in Turda[/h2]
The fighting for Transylvania for the Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata followed in the footsteps of the 9th Infantry Division. First, there was combat on the river Mures, before being sent to the Oarba de Mures battle. The Romanian soldiers took part in the bloody assaults on the slopes, fighting on the right flank of the 9th Infantry Division. Much like this partner division, after heavy losses, the combat eventually died down and moved over to Hungary proper.

[h2]What can you expect in-game?[/h2]
The Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata has access to a host of different kinds of units across all categories. Such as?

• Recon is pretty good, with plenty of cheap slots and lots of availability. This includes snipers, large cavalry recon squads, light recon armored cars, and (some) recon half-tracks available as transports.
  
• Infantry forces are well-rounded, with the usual complement of Rosiori, Pionieri Calari and the new Calarasi Moto unit fielding two MG-42s. Another new unit is also featured: the Vânãtori de Garda. These soldiers were the original elite bodyguards of the recently deposed Axis Romanian ruler Antonescu. Following the Conducãtor’s demise, the bodyguards were reorganized into the two-battalion Regimentual 115 Infantrie. Regarded as unreliable in the new political context, this well-trained and equipped regiment was sent to the front, away from the capital. And so it came to pass. The formation was attached to the Corpul Motomecanizat and thrown into the meatgrinder that was Oarba de Mures in support of the 8th Motorized Cavalry Division. The Vânãtori de Garda squads are veteran troops equipped with 4x SMGs, 4x rifles, and 2x ZB-30 LMGs.

• Historically, no tanks were found with the division. However, the Corpul Motomecanizat managed to capture several Hungarian and German tanks, and used them to great effect against their former owners. We have regrouped them with the Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata. You can field a few captured Turan II and Zrinyi II, as well as Hetzer tank destroyer (the latter in the AT tab).
  
• A classic Support category but with plentiful machine gun units, from Schwarloze to ZB-53 and even heavy French 13,2mm Hotchkiss.
  
• Anti-Tank features the Hetzer, as mentioned above. One of the few units the Germans didn’t commandeer and take off with was the new TACAM R-2 tank destroyer. Additionally, the efficient Resita, PaK 50mm and Soviet 45mm anti-tank guns are available. Slots are plentiful and cheap.
  
• The Anti-Aircraft category is pretty decent and features many choices. This includes older French 25mm guns and twin Hotchkiss on a flatbed truck, German Flak 37mm, Swedish Bofors 40mm and even the British Vickers 75mm.
  
• The division can count on some pretty strong artillery, which are numerous but light in caliber. This includes mortars, 75mm and 100mm howitzers.
  
• Air forces are powerful as well, with plenty of slots. This category features quite a lot of Romanian Ju-87 Stukas and Ju-88 bombers, as well as Bf-109 G2, G-4/R6 fighters and Hs-129 tank busters.
  

[h2]A brief summary[/h2]
In case you missed it, the latest DLC for Steel Division 2, The Battle of Turda will contain the following.

• One new Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Turda, Transylvania, pitting Axis Hungary versus Allied Romania.
  
• Six new divisions.
  • Of which three will be Romanian, including the Divizia 9 Infanterie and the Divizia 8 Cavalerie Motorizata.
    
  • And two will be Hungarian, with one German. This includes the Hungarian 2. Páncéloshadosztály (2nd Armored Division) and 25. Hadosztály (25th Infantry Division).
• Mixed divisions, with units from various nations, such as Romanian-Soviet or Hungarian-German.
  
• One or two new maps.
  
• 2 Aces: the Hungarian tank commander Lieutenant Ervin Tarczay and Romanian fighter ace, Captain Dan Vizanti.
  

[h2]Until next week![/h2]
That’s all for this week! Keep a close watch on our Steam forums and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest Steel Division 2 talk. Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello, hello, hello!

Advancing ever forward, today’s post will be another deep dive into our upcoming new Army General DLC, The Battle of Turda.

We’ll look at a new Axis Hungary division with today’s spotlight shining brightly on the Hungarian 25. Hadosztály (or in English, the 25th Infantry Division).

But first, some much-needed info on the other Steel Division 2 currently in the works: Nemesis: Raid on Drvar.

[h2]Nemesis: Raid on Drvar[/h2]
We know you have been waiting for an update on Nemesis: Raid on Drvar. We don’t have a definite date yet - but the DLC should come soon! What’s been keeping it so long?

• We divided the Yugoslav partisans’ acknows into three parts: Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian.
  
• Each language was translated separately and then recorded. Serbian and Croatian came back without issue, with some good acting in our opinion for the Serbian partisans and Chetnicks.
  
• With Bosnian, on the other hand, we had difficulties finding good actors. On top of that, we realized when it came to record the lines that our translation wasn’t good… not good at all actually.
  
• So, in short: we are translating everything again, getting it checked, and recorded once more.

[h2]A little bit of history[/h2]
As a young formation of the Hungarian Army, the history of the 25. Hadosztály is closely intertwined with Transylvania. We already mentioned this before, but this region was the prime cause of the hostilities between Romania and Hungary at the tail-end of World War II. The northern part of Transylvania was awarded to Romania in 1920 with the Treaty of Trianon, the result of the dissolution of the Austrian-Hungarian empire after World War I. However, Hungary could lay claim on the same land through historical reasons and resented the decision.

In 1940, the dispute took a twist. Early in the war, Axis Hungary was part of Nazi Germany’s “winning team” alliance, while Romania found itself stranded alone. The Romanians had counted on the French and British as guarantors for their proclaimed neutrality, but after the defeat of the Allies in the Battle of France, the situation on the ground changed rapidly. Before the year was over, fascists had taken control of Romania. In the meantime, Hitler saw fit to force Romania to give up coveted Transylvania to Hungary.



[h2]Getting the fighting spirit[/h2]
So what does this have to do with the 25. Hadosztály? Having only been formed in 1943, most of its recruits were from Transylvania, and therefore originally Romanian-born (and Romanian-speaking). Intended to be part of the IX. Corps, also known as the Székler Command, the formation was initially placed on the Romanian frontier, guarding against any hostile incursion from the “frenemy.” However, due to its composition, the 25. Hadosztály was regarded with suspicion by the Hungarian high command. Transferred to the First Army in March 1944, it was ordered into Galicia by the Germans a month later.

During its time on the frontline, the green soldiers of the 25. Hadosztály got ample opportunity to gain combat experience, including beating off multiple Soviet mechanized assaults and performing local counter-attacks. It was also here that the news of Romanian’s switch to the Allies became known. As a result, both the 25th Infantry Division and the 2nd Armored Divison were ordered to advance into Transylvania before the end of August 1944.



[h2]Destination: Turda[/h2]
Arriving piecemeal by train meant that the 25. Hadosztály could only deploy individual detachments at the start of the Hungarian campaign. The formation followed the 2nd Armored Division’s offensive into Romania. The 25. Hadosztály took up defensive positions near Turda and on the Mures river, being aware of Romanian reinforcements and Soviet troops moving through the Carpathian mountain passes. Understrength, the 25. Hadosztály put up a spirited fight when it clashed with the advancing Allied units.



From the first encounters on September 13th, the battles raged ahead against the Soviet armored vanguard, supported by Romanian infantry, which was trying to secure Turda. This took until September 15th, when the outskirts of Turda were reached before further advance was checked by 25. Hadosztály. Heavy fighting erupted across the hills and countryside, with frequent artillery duels and bloody counter-attacks. With fresh reinforcements, the 25. Hadosztály destroyed a large portion of Soviet troops north of the Mures river on September 19th but was unable to wipe out the Red Army’s bridgehead. The Soviets prepared for their own attack and, on September 22nd, after heavy fighting, reached Turda. The 25. Hadosztály repelled attack after attack, either alone or with support of the 10th Assault Gun Battalion or 2nd Armored Division. With a dire situation, the timely arrival of the 23. Panzer at night brought some much-needed reinforcements.



During the Battle of Turda, the 25. Hadosztály was almost wiped out, with several battalions suffering 50% to 80% casualty rates. In a specific battalion, the III/25th, which launched several counter-attacks to stop and repel Soviet assault troops from gaining control of Turda, the survivors were so few and so heroic that, in a rare decision, every single soldier was promoted by one rank in recognition of the formation’s outstanding defense. After the Turda campaign, the division avoided being trapped in the Budapest encirclement and fought alongside the Germans during the counter-offensive on Lake Balaton in March 1945. Fighting to the very end of the war, the Hungarian division surrendered in May 1945 in Croatia.

[h2]What can you expect in-game?[/h2]
It might not come as a surprise, but the 25. Hadosztály is a very infantry-centric division, able in defense, but only with limited means of (armored) counter-attacks.

Although it’s missing two of its battalions during the events of the Battle of Turda, it received some replacement units, including the 10th Assault Guns Battalion, the 2nd Mountain Replacement Brigade, and the late German StuG-Abt. 1179 with its Hetzer light tank destroyer.

• The division’s Recon forces are pretty standard, save for the presence of Disheartened Határrendőrség (Border Police) squads. These are a motley assortment of customs officers or postmen pressed into service with the border guard battalions - supposedly because they knew the area well.
  
• Infantry slots are many and cheap, with the core made up of the usual Lövész troops. This includes a single card of these soldiers with the Fanatical trait, featuring extra machine guns and SMGs, representing the unbreakable III/25th Regiment. Additionally, some Határvadász (Border Guard) can be deployed. They are large squads, well trained and equipped, but even though featuring the Raider trait, they lack experience and are veterancy locked.
  
• There are not many tanks available, but you will be able to deploy the Zrinyi II assault gun, considered one of the best Hungarian armors of the war, comparable to the StuH 42 with a good HEAT round.

• A very standard Support category, but the division fields a large amount of machine-guns.
  
• Anti-Tank forces are considerable, including 40M 40mm and PaK 40 75mm guns. The 25. Hadosztály can also count on a single card of German Jagdpanzer 38(t).
  
• Anti-Air is average with only a few Bofors 40mm and one card of Hungarian 88mm towed guns. We are including the last existing models of a rather unusual unit, which were known to be last used in combat at this period, although at inknown location. As a matter of fact, it was one of the very first models of SPAAGs: the old World War I design of the Raba Vr self-propelled 76,5mm gun truck!
  
• A large variety of artillery pieces can be encountered, including mortars, 75mm, 105mm, and 149mm howitzers, as well as off-map 105mm with the new WM-21 Solyom biplane spotter.
  
• Air support is likewise strong, featuring the Fw-190F-8 and Me-210 CA-1 fighters, as well as several variants of the Ju-87 D-5 Stuka. This includes one with the German WB-81B pod totaling two 20mm guns and twelve(!) 7,62mm machine-guns. Another unique addition is the Hungarian Héja as recon fighter, which is a license-built Italian Re.2000.

[h2]A brief summary[/h2]
The latest DLC for Steel Division 2, The Battle of Turda, will contain:

• One new Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Turda, Transylvania, pitting Axis Hungary versus Allied Romania.
  
• Six new divisions.
  
  • Of which three will be Romanian, including the Divizia 9 Infanterie.
    
  • And two will be Hungarian, with one German. This includes the Hungarian 2. Páncéloshadosztály (2nd Armored Division) and 25. Hadosztály (25th Infantry Division).
• Mixed divisions, with units from various nations, such as Romanian-Soviet or Hungarian-German.
  
• One or two new maps.
  
• 2 Aces: the Hungarian tank commander Lieutenant Ervin Tarczay and Romanian fighter ace, Captain Dan Vizanti.
  

[h2]Until next week![/h2]
Keep a close watch on our Steam forums and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest Steel Division 2 talk. Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commander!