Steel Division 2 News

Hello commander,

In today’s final Tribute to the Liberation of Italy Versus we have saved the best for last: the Italians!



That’s right, let’s look at the two Italian divisions - each fighting under a separate flag - to be featured in our new upcoming Steel Division 2 DLC.

In the Axis corner, we have the Repubblica Sociale Italiana’s (RSI: Mussolini’s fascist puppet state based in the north of Italy) 4a Divisione Alpini “Monterosa”. And for the Allies, under the banner of Co-Belligerent (meaning the Kingdom of Italy in southern Italy), the Corpo Italiano di Liberazione.

[h2]Historical Context[/h2]
Wait a minute, you might say: double the fun, with two Italian sides, but how did this come to be?

By the summer of 1943, a wavering Italy was less than happy being Nazi Germany’s ally. Led by Mussolini, Italy’s fascist Kingdom of Italy was far from the monolithic dictatorship like Hitler’s further north; there was the King of Italy to contend with, and a population that was becoming more restive with the day. By this time, the Allies had defeated Italian troops in North Africa, bombed Rome, successfully invaded Sicily, and poised to continue their advance into mainland Italy.

Together with leading members of the government, the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III managed to secure a surrender to the Allies through various covert channels. However, the Wehrmacht knew what was going to happen, having intercepted radio traffic. On the day of the actual Armistice, the 8th of August, the Germans launched an immediate attack across Italy against their former allies. Without clear orders and instructions, many Italian formations collapsed or were taken prisoner or opted to join the Axis. Only a few formations reached the Allied lines in southern Italy.



Mussolini, having been arrested, was rescued in a daring German commando raid. He returned to power and nominally led Repubblica Sociale Italiana’s (RSI), which was based in the north of Italy, until the end of the war. In truth, the RSI was a puppet state of Nazi Germany. The Allies were checked, with the Italian front remaining active until the very end of the war. In the south of Italy, the Co-Belligerent Army was formed, with those troops loyal to the Kingdom of Italy being brought into the Allied chain of command.

A quick note about a gameplay feature common to both battlegroups. Both formations might field only light and medium guns, but a specialty of these Italian-made weapons is that they always have access to a limited supply of AT or HEAT rounds. These can turn even Breda 20mm AA guns into makeshift light AT guns (with almost the same high RoF as AT rifles).

[h2]4a Divisione Alpini “Monterosa”[/h2]
Alpine troops were considered the crème de la crème of the Italian army. However, after the Armistice, the fascist RSI had issues raising a sufficient amount of soldiers for the new 4a Divisione Alpini “Monterosa” and had to make do with whatever was around. This resulted in a formation fielding a gaggle of experienced older volunteers, inexperienced troops, and unwilling recruits who deserted en masse at the earliest opportunity.

The 4a Divisione Alpini “Monterosa” was mostly active as an anti-partisan force, chiefly in the Po valley in northwestern Italy, before moving to the Gothic Line at the end of 1944. Suffering badly from low morale, and with desertion commonplace, the division continued to be used for garrison duties and in operations against local Italian guerillas but never saw combat on the line.



Aside from a few recon armored cars, the anti-partisan division was entirely deprived of armor. For this reason, we have attached the fascist Guardia Nazionale Repubblicana (GNR)’s Gruppo Corazzato "Leonessa" in-game. This armored formation was also organized to fight partisans in northern Italy, but packed a heavier punch thanks to having access to all the remaining Italian armor available to the RSI.

[h2]4a Divisione Alpini “Monterosa” in detail[/h2]
What can you expect from the 4a Divisione Alpini “Monterosa” in Steel Division 2?

Being a mountain division, several of its units will feature the Raider trait.

• The 4a Divisione Alpini “Monterosa” is almost entirely made up of Italian RSI soldiers, and as such, will be fully voiced by native speakers (apart from some German planes).
  
• Aside from the Autoblinda 41 and AS.42 20mm (already featured with the 4. Fallschirmjäger), the RECON category of this battlegroup includes the new Bersaglieri heavy recon squads and GNR light scouts, with armored transport options including AS.42 and Autoprotetto AS.37.
  
• The mainstay of the troops will be the new Alpini soldiers. The mix of quality will be reflected with the main Alpini featuring the Raiders trait, while one third will be Alpinie Reclute with the Disheartened trait on top of their Raider trait. Several cheaper GNR squads are also available.
  
• The attached Armored Group “Leonessa” includes a variety of domestic materiel, ranging from armored cars to tanks. The core strength is composed of M13/40, M14/41 and M15/42 medium tanks. There are also some examples of the P26/40 tank (heavy according to the Italians, but considered medium by most other nations).
  
  
  
  
• The SUPPORT category will contain MG-42 and Italian M37 HMG, Brixia light mortars, M41 Lanciafiamme, Obice 65/13 65mm support guns and Dovunque supply trucks.
  
• You’ll find Panzerschreck, PaK 40 guns and Semovente 47/32 light tank destroyers in the AT section.
  
• The battlegroup’s AA forces include the new Cannone CA 20/65 20mm guns, either towed or self-propelled as Dovunque CA 20mm. It also features a few attached Cannone 90/53 CA dual-purpose guns. This latter unit is quite similar to the German 88mm, although slightly better against tanks but with lesser HE damage.
  
• The 4a Divisione Alpini “Monterosa” has only light artillery support, with 81mm mortars, Obice 75/13 75mm howitzer (same as the Romanians) and the Obice 100/17 100mm guns. The Germans provide a little off-map support with a Beo. Storch observer calling on a 172mm battery.
  
• Air support includes the new RSI SM.79 Sparviero light bomber, C.205V and G.55 fighters, as well as Luftwaffe Me-410 A-3 recon, Fw.190 and Ju-87 fighter bombers, as well as “Beute” Re.2002 Ariete fighter.
  

[h2]Corpo Italliano di Liberazione[/h2]
The Allied formation is the Corpo Italiano di Liberazione, which became the cornerstone of the later Italian Army. Formed in early 1944, the corps quickly grew in size, thanks to a steady influx of recruits and reinforcements. Composed of three brigades, the Italians deployed light infantry, mountain infantry, regular troops, naval soldiers, and even several airborne battalions under one banner.

Outfitted to Commonwealth standards (read British uniforms and weapons), the corps as part of the Co-Belligerent Army saw combat in 1944 around Monte Cassino, where it fought well. However, much like its Axis RSI counterpart, the Corpo Italiano di Liberazione was almost entirely deprived of armor support. For this reason, as it was historically during its final operation in July 1944, the battlegroup will be supported by tanks from the 2nd Polish Armoured Brigade.



After the last battles in September 1944, the corps had outgrown itself and was reorganized again. The Allies determined that the efficiency of this large formation could be improved by downsizing it. Replacing the corps, several smaller combat groups were formed. The Italian Co-Belligerent Army fought until the end of the war, transforming into the Italian Army in 1946.

[h2]Corpo Italliano di Liberazione in detail[/h2]
What can you expect from the Corpo Italiano di Liberazione in Steel Division 2?

• The battlegroup will feature plenty of cheap, versatile units in its RECON tab with a previously unseen max of 10 slots. These include regular scouts, elite Alpini Gpo. Esplorante (with sniper rifle), heavy Bersaglieri, and a L35 C/C tankette (with C/C meaning anti-tank as it is armed with a… 20mm anti-tank rifle), ... It can also count on recon troops from 2nd Polish Armoured Brigade.
  
• A wide variety of different infantry can be encountered within the Corpo Italiano di Liberazione battlegroup. These include Alpini mountain troops, the latter with the Raider trait. There are also regular Fucilieri, Arditi assault infantry, San Marco naval infantry, and a few airborne Paracadutisti and pioneer Guastatori Para. units. Infantry units are equipped with British weaponry, such as Thompson, Sten guns, Lee Enfield rifles, and Bren LMGs, but with some elite soldiers retaining Beretta SMGs, and even some Panzerfausts.
  
• Several Polish units from 2nd Armoured Brigade are featured in various categories: Zwiadowcy with Stuart Recce, Jeep HMG and Staghound in RECON; Komandosi commando infantry; Sherman III including leader variant and Stuart V in TANK; Wolverine tank destroyer and 17-pdr towed gun in ANTI-TANK; Crusader Mk.2 in AA.
  
  
  
  
• The TANK category has an average number of slots (5 out of 10), quickly growing in price. Choices are limited to previously mentioned Polish Sherman III and Stuart V units.
  
• SUPPORT features a good amount of slots, and quite cheap as well, and includes the usual allotment of HMG units, the Breda M37, Brixia light mortar, M41 Lanciafiamme, Obice 65/13 as a support gun, L35 tankette and its flamethrower variant L35 Lanciafiamme and Dovunque supply trucks. Commanders come either on foot, as a L35 Cmdo, or as Polish Sherman I Sztab.
  
• The battlegroup’s anti-tank forces are relatively light, with PIAT units, Cannone 47/32 47mm guns, as well as Cannone 57/50 (6-pdrs provided by the British). As mentioned before, several Wolverines and 17-pdr guns courtesy of the Polish brigade can also be deployed.
  
• The AA category is very limited, with a few expensive slots. The options are Cannone CA 20/65 20mm, either towed or self-propelled as the Dovunque CA 20mm. The Poles provide a handful of heavier Crusader AA Mk.2.
  
• Artillery units are entirely Italian: 81mm mortars, Obice 75/13 75mm light mountain guns (same Skoda 75mm as used by the Romanians and some German battlegroups, but without radio), Obice 75/27 75mm light field guns (with radio), Obice 100/17 100mm and Obice 105/25 105mm (same as Romanian Schneider 105 with radio).
  
• The AIR category features quite a potent array of units, which includes the Italian C.205V, and Re.2002 Ariete, as well as P-39Q and Spitfire Mk.Vb/trop fighters. There are also Z.1007bis and Baltimore bombers. The RAF provides a few recon Spitfire PR. Mk. XI and rocket Beaufighter Mk. X as support planes.
  

[h2]What came before[/h2]
We already detailed several pairs of new divisions for the upcoming Tribute to the Liberation of Italy DLC.

• In our first Versus post, we put the spotlight on two new Armored battlegroups: the 26. Panzerdivision with its special AA forces and the supersized 6th South African Armoured Division. Check out the Versus blogpost here.
  
• In our second Versus, we looked at two Mountain formations: the German 5. Gebirgs-Division and the specialised 8th (Indian) Infantry Division. Read all about it in this Versus blogpost here.
• Our third Versus we shone a light on two Infantry battlegroups: the Axis 4. Fallschirmjäger and the US-led international Task Force 45. Read all about it in this Versus post here.

[h2]Coming up next[/h2]
That’s it for this time. We’ll be back in two weeks!

Let us know what you think through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Back again, commander!

In today’s Versus we will highlight two Infantry divisions to be featured in our upcoming new DLC, Tribute to the Liberation of Italy.

For the Axis, the elite 4. Fallschirmjäger, a battlegroup made up of not only German but also Italian paratroopers, and the return of a familiar Allied face, the US-led international Task Force 45.

This latter division previously starred in Nemesis: Ligurian Standoff, which didn’t make the cut in the last voting round. More about that later, but first...

[h2]Before we begin[/h2]

Talking about Nemesis DLC, a short sidetrack but Nemesis: Storming Toulon, is still being actively worked on. Why is it taking a little bit longer than expected?

Nemesis: Storming Toulon will be brought in combination with several other features planned for Steel Division 2, including Army General Coop Mode and the increase to 5 battalion selection in Army General. We don’t want to release one feature without the other, and we need to make sure that each element is properly finished and polished.

We intend to launch the above new features at the same time. Keep in mind that Nemesis: Storming Toulon will be a paid-for DLC, which will launch alongside the free new update containing Army General Coop Mode, including the new 5-battalion combat system.

We hope to give you some more details on a release date soon! Now back to Tribute to the Liberation of Italy.

[h2]4. Fallschirmjäger[/h2]
A defining feature of the 4. Fallschirmjäger is that the division is made up of both German and Italian paratroopers, the latter coming from the fascist puppet state RSI. Formed in 1943 in Venice from elements of the 2. Fallschirmjäger division, volunteers from the Italian 184th and 185th Airborne Brigade were also recruited into the formation.

The 4. Fallschirmjäger saw the first action around Anzio before fighting a delaying rearguard battle in Rome. After this, the division was reinforced by the RSI Reggimento Ardito Paracadutisti “Folgore”. Near Florence, the formation halted the Allied advance with subsequent combat on the Gothic Line, Rimini, and Bologna. The division surrendered at the beginning of May 1945.

The volunteers from the Italian 184th and 185th Airborne Brigades were interspersed within each squad. In-game, these battlegroup’s airborne squads (including support units such as guns, MGs, mortars, etc.) are not listed as Italian but German. However, the units stemming from Reggimento Ardito Paracadutisti “Folgore” will be featured separately as Axis Italian (and will have native voice lines).



[h2]4. Fallschirmjäger’s main features[/h2]
What can you expect from the 4. Fallschirmjäger in Steel Division 2? Several of the highlighted units are listed as new.

Don’t forget that some of the other listed units are actually new in Tribute to the Liberation of Italy but were already highlighted in a previous Versus post (such as the new Lince unit or Semovente tank and its variants).

• In the RECON tab, the new Paracadutisti Esploranti, a 6-man full Beretta SMG and Panzerfaust squad. A German Beute AS-42, the excellent Italian open-top armored car, armed with an HMG and a 20mm, can also be deployed.
  
• The INFANTRY category will see a majority of German paratroopers (and associated equipment), while one-third will be composed of RSI paratroopers (and their weaponry). The latter nation’s squads are divided between the new Paracadutisti, Paracadutisti (Beretta), Guastatori Para. and Paracadutisti Cmdo units. These units field a variety of Carcano carbines, Beretta SMGs, and Breda 30 LMGs.
  
• TANK forces feature a mix of Beute StuG M41(i) Füh. (Semovente M41 Commando) and StuG M42(i) 75/34 (Semovente 75/34) and heavier-hitting vehicles, from Gruppe Hinz historically attached to the division for the defence of Rome, deploying a makeshift tank company of a handful of Panthers and Tiger Es.
  
• The SUPPORT category contains a bunch of rather potent units (considering its airborne pedigree), which include the usual Fallschirmjäger’s LG-42, MG-42 and Kubel. Mun.. A new unit is the RSI Brixia 45mm light mortar. This section also includes the heavier StuG M42 75/18 (Semovente 75/18) and StuG M43 105/25 (Semovente 105/25). The category also features several cards of Sturmpanzer IV (Brummbar) from the attached Sturmpanzer-Abteilung 216. The Commander units come either on foot, in a Lince, or in the new Panzer L6 770(i). Füh. (Semovente 47/32 Commando).
  
• The ANTI-TANK units include RSI Cannone 74/32 CC 47mm (with Raider trait), German Gerlich 42mm and PaK 40, as well as the new StuG L6 660(i) (Semovente 47/32). Lastly, there is one ... Elefant (as part of Gruppe Hinz detailed above).
  
• ANTI-AIR features Fs-Flak 38 20mm (with Raider trait) and Flak 41 88mm towed guns, as well as the SPA-38R Breda 20mm truck. A new unit is the Luftwaffe-fielded SP-37mm armored truck, the NAG 4500.
  
• One of the 4. Fallschirmjäger’s lesser categories is the ARTILLERY section, primarily due to the complete lack of organic howitzers, only divisional mortars being available. A few attached K18 172mm guns and off-map artillery provide a bit of additional firepower.
  
• The AIR section is centered around heavy fighter and close air support, represented by the Bf 110 G-4b/R3 and its variant, the Bf 110 G-4b/R3 (M1/M5) equipped with x4 BR21 210mm HE rockets. These planes are backed up by the heavier He 111 H-16/R3 reconnaissance and the Fw 190G-3 fight-bomber. Several Italian-made planes are also present, including a Beute Z.1007ter serie XIII heavy bomber pressed into German service, as well as RSI air force’s 205V series I Veltro, a fast and agile but relatively fragile fighter.
  

[h2]Task Force 45[/h2]
You might know about Task Force 45, as we already featured this Brazilian expeditionary force in our Nemesis: Ligurian Standoff proposal. Read more about the formation’s historical context here.

As the last Nemesis DLC vote was almost a draw, we decided to lift one of the more interesting battlegroups - Task Force 45 - and put it into our next expansion. See it as some sort of consolation prize!



In short: Task Force 45 mixes several different Allied infantry forces, including the Brazilian Expeditionary Forces (called the Smoking Cobras) and the unique Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion (dubbed the “Purple Heart Battalion” for most of its members had been wounded at least once in combat). These forces are backed up by American & British anti-aircraft gunners who, thanks to Allied air superiority, were left without a job to do and were reorganized as “boots on the ground.”

[h2]Task Force 45’s main features[/h2]
Note that the following is new on top of the previous descriptions encountered in the original Nemesis DLC pitch (see above). What can you expect from Task Force 45 in Steel Division 2?

• The American-made T70 recon tank. No, not a Soviet T-70 lend-leased the other way, but a prototype designation for the M18 Hellcat. The very first of these vehicles were sent to the Italian front, where they were actively field-tested. Not really being appreciated as tank destroyers in Italy, deemed to be too lightly armored, some were repurposed as reconnaissance tanks. In this role, their speed and low profile worked wonders on the battlefield!
  
• Attached to the Task Force 45 was the 91st Cavalry Recon Squadron which brings M8 (Greyhound and M5A1 (Stuart) recon tanks. Not only that, it also fields Bantam armored jeeps, with its recon troops deploying as Cavalry Scouts (6 men with Grease Guns, Carbine and Bazooka) and Ammo. & Pionners (4 men with Carbine and TNT) recon squads.
  
• Brazilian soldiers, available in the later Combat Phases, are organized much like US infantry but instead of Thompsons deploy with Grease Guns and M1903A3 Springfield bolt-action rifles (except for Scouts and Leaders) replace Garand rifles.
  
• Nisei (Japanese-American) soldiers can be deployed from Combat Phase B onward. They all come with veterancy, and all feature the Fanatical trait (including MGs, AT guns, etc.). This isn’t some sort of “banzai” attitude, but rather that these men were known for fighting extra-hard to demonstrate their patriotism.
  
• Furthermore, US anti-aircraft gunners reformed into infantry squads of 15 soldiers with one BAR among them are also included. This is a new unit. Not particularly eager to fight, these squads carry the Disheartened trait.
  
• Some armored vehicles can be deployed, including Sherman and Stuart tanks and Wolverine tank destroyers.
  
• A good amount of M15 and M16 half-tracks will be available in AA, as well as some US M2 90mm dual-purpose (anti-tank and anti-aircraft) gun. The latter has the exact same performance as the German 88mm, although with (only very) slightly better RoF.
  
• The new heavy US Howz. M1 155mm, which was more widespread in Italy than the Long Tom (already in-game). These artillery units are brought on top of the new 8-inch/203mm previously announced.
  
• Air support includes napalm-equipped P-47D-22-RE Thunderbolt, as well as the new B-25J-25 Mitchell bomber and A-20J-5-DO Havoc recon variants. Fighter cover comes from the new P-51B-10-NA Mustang variant, as well as a few "early" C.202 Serie VIII Folgore piloted by experienced Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force pilots. These will be represented as a new Italian nation in-game, “Kingdom of Italy” in direct opposition to the RSI already confirmed as Axis troops.

[h2]What came before[/h2]
We already detailed several pairs of new divisions for the upcoming Tribute to the Liberation of Italy DLC.

• In our first Versus post, we put the spotlight on two new Armored battlegroups: the 26. Panzerdivision with its special AA forces and the supersized 6th South African Armoured Division. Check out the Versus blogpost here.
  
• In our second Versus, we looked at two Mountain formations: the German 5. Gebirgs-Division and the specialised 8th (Indian) Infantry Division. Read all about it in this Versus blogpost here.

[h2]Coming up next[/h2]
That’s it for this time. We’ll be back in two weeks, commander!

Let us know what you think through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Back again, commander!

Let jump straight in: today, we’ll feature our second Tribute to the Liberation of Italy Versus post. Which two new divisions can you expect this time?

Italy is characterized by its many hills and mountainous countryside, with the Apennine Mountains forming the long spine of the peninsula. This allowed for a special kind of formation to shine during the grinding combat on the Italian front: the mountain division.

For the Axis, the elite 5. Gebirgs-Division, Germany’s crack Alpine troops, will be made available. The Allies bring the British 8th (Indian) Infantry Division, a battlegroup equally versed in mountain warfare, featuring a detachment of the fearsome Gurkha fighters.

As with other mountain troops already featured in Steel Division 2 - Soviet Gornostrelki, Romanian Vânători de Munte, Greek Oplites - all soldiers considered mountaineers will get the Raider trait.

Before we kick off: Nemesis: Storming Toulon is well on its way. We hope to share some more news soon!



[h2]5. Gebirgs-Division[/h2]
The 5. Gebirgs-Division was an elite formation that first saw action during the invasion of Greece and the subsequent Battle of Crete. Here, the division was airlifted in after the initial costly air drop, helping defeat the local Commonwealth defenders. Afterwards, the German mountain troops were sent to the Eastern Front, being involved in operations near Leningrad.

After a year in Russia, the 5. Gebirgs-Division moved back to a country with a topology better suited for the formation’s intended role: Italy. In 1943, it deployed on the Gustav defense line, where it supported friendly forces during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Later, the 5. Gebirgs-Division was moved to the Adriatic coast, where it distinguished itself during the fighting around Gemmano, also called the “Monte Cassino of the Adriatic.”

At the end of the war, the 5. Gebirgsjäger found itself in the region between Italy and France. It was here where the mountain division surrendered to American troops in May 1945.



[h2]5. Gebirgsjäger’s main features[/h2]
What can you expect from the 5. Gebirgs-Division in Steel Division 2?

Infantry and other units

• Much like the 28. Jäger-Division’s infantry, Gebirgsjäger squads are lavishly equipped with MP-40s (and some Italian Beretta) and G43 semi-automatic rifles.
  
• All Gebirgsjäger squads (Jäger, Pionier, MG, etc) are classified with the Raider trait. However, they seldomly field anti-tank weapons, with only Geb.-Führer carrying a Panzerschreck.
  
• A unit that does feature an anti-tank launcher is the new Geb.-Streife, a well-equipped special elite squad deploying with MP-44 and two MG-42s, as well as a Panzerfaust.
  
• Much like their Indian counterparts in this Versus post, the German leader squads are meatier, being six-man strong.
  
• Geb.-Pionier trade their TNT charge for “Jerrycan Bombs”. These are petrol jerrycans with a hand-grenade strapped to them - and thrown to create a large incendiary bomb! Crude, highly dangerous for the thrower… but effective.
  
• Gebirgsjäger trained the best snipers in the German Heer; soldiers from other armed branches flocked to their marksmanship schools for additional training. As such, you’ll be able to encounter more snipers in this battlegroup, with Geb.-Aufklärer, Geb.-Führer, and Geb.-Füsilier squads all deploying with a scoped G43 ZF4.
  

Support weapons

• Like other German divisions in Italy, the 5. Gebirgs-Division puts captured Italian equipment to good use. This includes Autoblinda 41 armored cars in its reconnaissance battalion, Lince command cars, and a new unit, the M19 149mm howitzers (as s.FH 404(i) 149mm). This gun will also be featured in Nemesis: Storming Toulon.
  
• 5. Gebirgsjäger will field both Semovente and StuG III G - a few of each - with the StuGs only available from Combat Phase B.
  
• The Semoventes are the StuG M42 75/34(i) (Semovente 75/34) and the StuG M41(i) Füh. (Semovente M41 Commando). These two units can also be found with the Tribute to the Liberation of Italy DLC’s 26. Panzerdivision. A new unit is the short-barreled StuG M42 75/18(i) (Semovente 75/18).
  
• 5. Gebirgs-Division has access to dedicated mountain guns (meaning they will also have the Raider trait), including Flak 20mm, 75mm and 105mm artillery, LG-42 and IG 18.
  
• Like any other mountain division, the battlegroup’s heavy guns are … pretty light. AT units include PaK 36 37mm, Püppchen and a few PaK 40, while the AA units are limited to mono 20mm, either light mountain guns or Italian Breda guns mounted on trucks.
  

Airforce

• The Germans did not only commandeer Italian ground units but flying ones too. Air recon will be provided by CR-42 biplanes put “under new management”.
  
• Additional firepower will be provided by the Luftwaffe, which flies the Hs 129B-2 tank buster with cluster bombs (currently only used by the Romanians), as well as Hs 129B-2/R-2 with a 30mm AT gun.
  
• The new Bf 110G-4 will be available as a heavily armed fighter.
  
• More air cover comes from a select number of planes from the Air Forces of the RSI (Repubblica Sociale Italiana, which was a fascist Italy puppet controlled by Nazi-Germany, featured as one of the new nations of the DLC). These include Me-109, the new C.205V serie III Veltro fighters, and the fighter-bomber SM.79-III Sparviero. All RSI units will feature new, special Italian voice acting!
  

[h2]8th (Indian) Infantry Division[/h2]
The 8th (Indian) Infantry Division was initially raised in 1940, and early in the war, sent to Iraq. Securing British interests in this country, the formation stayed in the Middle East, participating in the Syria-Lebanon campaign, before being transferred to Italy in 1943. Here the 8th (Indian) Infantry Division fought in a variety of battles, being almost in continuous action for 19 months, including Monte Cassino, Florence, the Gothic line, Bologna, and more. The division later adopted the motto "One more river.”

One thing worth mentioning is that an Indian infantry division was composed of three brigades, each consisting of three battalions: one British, one Indian, and one Gurkha (Nepalese). In reality, losses, transfers, battlefield reorganizations meant that the balance between the three components was often lost over time.

In 8th (Indian) Infantry Division’s case, the British battalions still accounted for a third of the infantry, but by the summer of ‘44, there was only one Gurkha battalion for five Indian ones. This means that one-third of the infantry (mortars, MGs, and other squads) will be regular British units, the balance new Indian & Gurkhas ones.



[h2]8th (Indian) Infantry Division’s main features[/h2]
What can you expect from 8th (Indian) Infantry Division in Steel Division 2?

Infantry and other units

• All Indian/Gurkhas rifle squads will have two extra men, with all command squads becoming seven-man strong. This allows the 8th (Indian) Infantry Division infantry units to be more resilient on the battlefield.
  
• SMGs fielded are Thompson, not Sten. The Gurkha squads get more, highlighting their close combat prowess in battle.
  
• Both Indian and Gurkha units (riflemen, engineers, MG, etc), as they originate from mountainous regions, feature the Raider trait.
  
• To represent the Gurkha’s renowned fighting spirit, they also feature the Fanatical trait.
  
• Dedicated PIAT teams are British. While Gurkha scouts and leaders, like their foot soldiers, have extra SMGs, the Indian leaders and scouts will have access to a sniper rifle instead.
  

Support weapons

• The battlegroup follows a standard British equipment table when it comes to supporting units (6-pdr, 17-pdr, 25-pdr guns, Bofors). All of these units are towed.
  
• Armored units, though, are available courtesy of the experienced and highly praised 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade. This means the division can count on the following Canadian units: Sherman V (including leaders and commander), as well as a few Crusader Mk.2 SPAAG.
  
• A new unit is the ACV-IP Mk.IIA (the Armoured Carrier, Wheeled - Indian Pattern) - a wheeled reconnaissance APC used in the same role as half-track or Stuart Recce in other divisions. Lightly armored and armed with a Bren and Boys anti-tank rifle, it allows for quick and armored scouting operations.
  
• ACV-IP AOP is another Indian Pattern APC, but this one is used as an off-map artillery observer.
  
• The 75mm SP Autocar M3 is yet another new unit, a “leftover” vehicle from the North African campaign. This unit is an M3 half-track with a French 75mm Mle. 1897 bolted on top. In-game, it is featured as a recon hunter, much like a British version of the Soviet SU-57, less powerful in a tank destroyer role, but doubling as a decent fire-support vehicle.
  
• The new BL 4,5-inch 114m howitzer, which is also featured in the 6th South African Armoured Division.
  

Airforce

• Like other British Eight Army units fighting on the Italian front, the 8th (Indian) Infantry Division receives its air support from a motley collection of planes flown by pilots ranging from all parts of the British Commonwealth. These include the new Spitfire PR. Mk XI recon plane, unarmed but extra fast.
  
• The dreaded Hurricane Mk IV, the North African tank hunter with twin Vickers 40mm AT guns under its wing, can also be encountered. Note that this tank buster will also be featured in our upcoming Nemesis: Raid on Drvar DLC. Western allies will now have their Panzervogel too!
  
• A mix of Spitfire Mk Vb/trop, VIIIc and IXc, flow by either British or Canadian pilots will provide top cover.
  
• Additional support will be thanks to Boston and Baltimore bombers.
  

[h2]Coming up next[/h2]
We’ll be back in two weeks when we reveal the next pair of battlegroups in a new Tribute to Italy Versus post.

In case you missed it: in our previous Versus post for our new DLC, we put the spotlight on two new Armored battlegroups: the 26. Panzerdivision with its special AA forces and the supersized 6th South African Armoured Division. Check out that Versus blogpost here.

Let us know what you think through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello commander!

Strap yourself in tight because we are back again with some hot, juicy new details. Today is the day we’ll kick off our series of Versus posts, focused on the recently revealed Tribute to the Liberation of Italy DLC.

Keep reading to find out more!

[h2]What can you expect?[/h2]
The Tribute to the Liberation of Italy DLC is a new expansion, which follows in the footsteps of our popular Tribute to D-Day DLC.

In this new DLC, we’ll put the spotlight on the Italian campaign, an often overlooked World War II front. We feature eight new divisions that fought in the Italian theater of war during the summer of 1944. The Tribute to the Liberation of Italy DLC will feature troops from nine different nationalities, including four new ones, plus plenty of new units.

We will reveal each new pair of divisions in a themed Versus blog post. Our very first Versus will highlight the two Armored battlegroups.

Let’s welcome to the stage the 26. Panzerdivision with its special AA forces going toe to toe against the supersized 6th South African Armoured Division!

[h2]26. Panzerdivision[/h2]
The 26. Panzerdivision’s was the last German armored division remaining on the Italian battlefield in the summer of 1944, after the elite Fallschirm-Panzer-Division 1. Hermann Göring was moved to Poland. The 26. Panzer can be considered THE Italian theater’s Panzerdivision.

Created in 1942, it was formed out of the 23. Infanterie-Division, which took part in the invasion of Poland. Trained in France and re-equipped as an armored division, the formation was ordered to Italy in July 1943. The 304. Heeres-Flakartillerieabteilung joined the 26. Panzerdivision, providing its AA forces. This latter detachment had its origins as the special anti-air umbrella of Hitler’s close protection screen while the Third Reich’s leader traveled by train. Hitler stopped using this method of transportation, which saw the detachment fighting the rest of the war on the Italian front.



The first real engagement of the 26. Panzerdivision was against the American bridgehead at Salerno during Operation Avalanche. Afterward, the division fought several defensive battles anchored on a succession of rivers. Pulled back into reserve, the division was then sent against the new Allied bridgehead at Anzio, containing this amphibious invasion until after Operation Diadem. Retreating through Rome and Florence, it switched coasts, from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic, where it played a crucial role in Operation Olive. You might recognize this campaign as to be the centerpiece of the Nemesis: Battle of Rimini.

Being pushed back ever steadily, the 26. Panzerdivision’s was never redeployed from Italy, fighting defensive battle after defensive battle until the war’s end. Ultimately, the formation surrendered to the British near Bologna.

[h2]26. Panzerdivision’s main features[/h2]
What can you expect from the 26. Panzerdivision in Steel Division 2?

• The 26. Panzerdivision’s substantial AA forces included the only twelve FAMO 88mm, officially known as the 8.8cm Flak 37 Selbstfahrlafette auf 18 ton Zugkraftwagen - rolls right off the tongue, right?This unit is a Flak 88mm bolted on a heavy SdKfz. 9 FAMO half-track, making a uniquely hard-hitting SPAAG.
  
• Furthermore, thanks to a large amount of mechanization, quite a few of the AA units are self-propelled, including single 20mm and Flakvierling AA guns (but no 37mm).
  
• The 26. Panzerdivision’s has only half the usual allocation of tanks, with Panzer IV forming the bulk of its armored arsenal. The formation has access to some Panthers, though only in limited numbers.
  
• The formation’s HQ unit, unusually so, was supplied with the Flammpanzer II, a flamethrower tank built on the chassis of a Panzer III.
  
• Like many other German divisions in Italy, the 26. Panzerdivision made plenty use of Italian equipment either captured from the disarmed Royal Italian Army or taken from local production lines.
  
• This includes the ubiquitous Lince, an Italian copy of the Humber Scout Car.
  
• The Semovente line of self-propelled guns was a common sight on the Italian battlefield, with the 26. Panzerdivision counting on the StuG M42 75/34(i) (Italian Semovente 75/34) and StuG M43 105/25(i) (Italian Semovente 105/25). In-game, the former will be classified as a Tank unit (the same as a StuG III G, but lighter) while the latter as a Support unit (due to its limited supply of AP, with the rest being HEAT rounds).
  
• Another Semovente variant will be the StuG M41(i) Füh. (Semovente M41 Commando) - a commander’s StuG, with its main gun replaced by an 8mm HMG.
  
• Lastly, the formation will have access to the rare StuG M43 90/53(i) (Semovente 90/53), several of which were lost during the Battle for Rome. The sole surviving example soldiered on, with the excellent Italian 90mm AA gun in a somewhat fragile open-top vehicle proving its worth as a powerful tank destroyer.
  

[h2]6th South African Armoured Division[/h2]
We are more than excited to present to you the 6th South African Armoured Division (or 6th SAAD for short). Originally formed as the 1st South African Infantry Division in 1940, elements took part in the Eastern Africa campaign, and then as a whole, in North Africa during Operation Crusader in 1941, Gazala and the 1st and 2nd Battle of El Alamein in 1942.

Retrained as an armored division in Egypt after 1943, it landed in Italy in April 1944 as part of the British Eight Army. Fully involved in the pursuit of Axis forces after the Battle for Rome in June 1944, the 6th SAAD clashed with the Hermann Göring Panzerdivision before this German formation was pulled off the line and rushed to Warsaw (as depicted in our History Expansion Steel Division 2: Death on the Vistula). Next up, during the liberation of Florence, the South Africans engaged in heavy combat with the 4. Fallschirm-Division, a formation we’ll come back to on a later date. Continuing the fight during the Apennines offensive, the South Africans made their way north, as far as Treviso, before the conclusion of the war.



Interestingly, the 6th South African Armoured Division turned out to be the sole active armored division of South Africa during World War II. There was supposed to be an additional armored formation (the 1st), but this never materialized due to manpower shortages. Consolidating all available units, as well as putting volunteers into one formation destined for European combat, ensured that the 6th SAAD morphed into a supersized armored division. You can consider the

Hello commander!

As always, greetings from the Eugen team. Hot on the heels of our latest History Expansion launch - Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics - we turn our attention back to other exciting Steel Division 2 projects.

However, before we do that, we want to address some of the recent developments surrounding the game.

[h2]We hear you, and we are working on it[/h2]
All right, first things first - in good game development fashion: you break something, you fix something, rinse and repeat. What makes a difference? We read all forum posts, messages, monitor all chat channels, and we are closely following your feedback.

We kindly ask you to have patience and to understand that we, as an independent studio, have limited manpower and resources. We are working as hard as we can to get our game in tip-top shape and update or adjust any mechanics if needed, fix bugs, update units - but Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Steel Division 2.

So, not to worry, we are addressing all the points related to the range rework, including balancing Allied and Axis units and guns, and other game mechanics. Keep calm, and expect some updates soon!

[h2]Army General Coop Mode[/h2]
We can also share new details about the upcoming Army General Coop Mode. We are getting ready to roll out this new cooperative mode, allowing you to play each Steel Division 2 strategic campaign with up to two additional players against the AI. Three players is a maximum, but you can try with less! It is not possible to play a co-op campaign versus a co-op campaign.

As we previously mentioned, within the new Army General Coop Mode, the host will be in charge of calling reinforcements. All participating players can perform other actions, such as moving formations, initiating battles, or ending turns. You have to decide when playing as a team who moves, attacks, or defends which sector of the map.

It used to be impossible to give simultaneous orders to different battalions at the same time. In the new mode, this is now possible, but the actual movement of each unit is done in sequence. Battalions already acting an order will display an “Order in Progress” label. If a unit’s move is intercepted by a previously unseen enemy, all further moves in the queue are canceled.



If you go into a Tactical Battle, the first thing players need to do is distribute the available battalions. Each player chooses a battalion to command. If there are fewer battalions than players, additional one(s) will be created (but consider them an empty shell). Players will then be offered the option to reshuffle companies from battalion to battalion (with companies retaining their phase-locked units), giving all players a chance to command.

For example, suppose a tank battalion is available in Combat Phase A and an Infantry battalion in B. In that case, players can create two combined arms battalions by mixing the companies of these formations. However, in-game, regardless of the player in command, the tanks will still deploy in Phase A, and infantry in Phase B. Battalions can also be given to the AI; especially useful if one on your team decides to become a spectator, call for a pizza, and turn into a true armchair general in the team’s direst of moments!



The income is divided equally between all available battlegroups. A player that has more available battlegroups assigned will therefore have more income. Likewise, income evolves between phases. Another feature we’ve added to the Army General Coop mode is the possibility to place flares on the map. This will allow you to indicate a point of interest to your fellow commanders quickly.





Lastly, an additional feature which will be added to all versions of Army General, not just coop, is dynamic stats for battalions depending on the terrain they are fighting. A formation’s stats are now shown in its current position, but they might change, such as a tank battalion attacking an enemy located in a forest. That’s why you’ll now get updated stats when you plan a battle before you hit “Click to prepare battle.”

[h2]Coming up next[/h2]
We recently announced the new Steel Division 2: Tribute to the Liberation of Italy. In the same vein as Tribute to D-Day, this expansion pack will feature several new divisions, including four new nationalities. We hope to start showing each new battlegroup in typical Versus format soon!

That’s it for this week. We’ll be back in two weeks’ time!

Let us know what you think through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

Keep it cool and clean, commander. See you on the battlefield.