Hello there! In today’s post, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the four new divisions which will launch with the first History Pack, the Death on the Vistula DLC, on October 17th.
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On the Axis side, let’s welcome to the stage the veteran foreign volunteers of the 5. SS-Panzerdivision “Wiking” and the experienced Luftwaffe soldiers of the Fallschirm-Panzerdivision “Hermann Göring”.
On the Allied side, we have the brave fighting Poles of the Armia Krajowa, the clandestine military army in occupied Poland, as well as the Soviet-controlled 1st Polish “Tadeusza Kościuszki” Infantry Division.
The two Axis and two Allied divisions are unlike anything you’ve seen in Steel Division 2 so far, bringing over 200 new units to the battlefield.
The Axis
The 5. SS-Panzerdivision “Wiking”
A powerful armored formation, the 5. SS-Panzerdivision “Wiking” was one of the first major reinforcements to arrive on the Polish front. It lacks the state-of-the-art tanks (Tiger E’s and Panther G’s) from its Heer counterpart, the 5. Panzer, but makes up this disadvantage by the large amount of infantry and a substantial number of medium tanks at the player’s disposal, including StuG IV’s and Beute T-34/85’s.
An interesting new unit available to the “Wiking” is the Bergepanther, which can be deployed on the battlefield as a heavy prime mover. The division also features one of the newest variants of the Fw 190 fighter: the capable, long-nosed Fw 190 D-9.
The 5. SS-Panzerdivision “Wiking” allows you to create a very resilient battlegroup, with enough offensive power to lead on the attack, while being equally effective in defensive situations.
Fallschirm-Panzerdivision “Hermann Göring”
As a military formation, the Fallschirm-Panzerdivision “Hermann Göring” occupied a rather unusual place, being an armored paratroop division of the aerial warfare branch, the Luftwaffe. This elite division fought well on various fronts before being ordered with haste to reestablish a coherent frontline around Warsaw. Once in Poland, the “Hermann Göring” took control of various subordinate formations and troops already present. This is represented in Steel Division 2 by the division’s ability to deploy some rather special units.
For instance, while lacking newer tanks, the “Hermann Göring” fields not only a large number of armored personnel carriers compared to a regular German division, but also features a sizable number of anti-aircraft guns, either stationary or self-propelled. Some more peculiar vehicles available in this division are the prototype Sturmtiger, the 600mm off-map artillery, and the Walküre.
Any battlegroup made with the Fallschirm-Panzerdivision “Hermann Göring” benefits from the variety and flexibility of the support, artillery and AA units on offer. This makes it an adaptable division in both offensive and defensive situations.
The Allied
Armia Krajowa
The Armia Krajowa, also known as the Home Army, was the underground military branch of the Polish government-in-exile that, after many years of hit-and-run attacks, sprung fully into action during the Warsaw Uprising. In Steel Division 2, the Armia Krajowa is an unconventional division, fielding a broad array of weapons including a handful of captured German tanks. You will have access to Panzer IV’s, Hetzer’s, Panthers, and even Tiger heavy tanks, but as an infantry-centric force, the Armia Krajowa is best used in close combat situations.
It excels in these types of up-close-and-personal battles, even against armored opponents, and is very reliable when used on the defense. It fares less well on the attack, and a battlegroup formed from the Armia Krajowa division depends on friendly support to accomplish an offensive mission.
1st Polish “Tadeusza Kościuszki” Division
The second Polish fighting force including in the Death on the Vistula DLC is the 1st Polish “Tadeusza Kościuszki” Infantry Division. This Soviet-controlled formation was formed from Polish exiles, POWs and civilians from liberated territories. Being part of the Red Army, it was kept in reserve until combat moved to Poland and the liberation of Warsaw seemed imminent.
Modeled after a typical Soviet rifle division means that the 1st Polish “Tadeusza Kościuszki” Infantry Division is able to field a lot of infantry and is well supported by tanks and armored reconnaissance troops. The Polish soldiers of this formation were known to use scavenged German weapons, so plenty of MG-42 machine guns and Panzerfäuste can be found within its ranks.
The 1st Polish “Tadeusza Kościuszki” provides a strong backbone to any battlegroup, thanks to the various powerful units the division can deploy, and allowing it to hold its own in any combat situation.
What’s next?
The launch of the Death on the Vistula DLC is just around the corner, releasing on October 17th. With the four new divisions, you’ll be able to get your hands on 200+ new units, experience new Historical Battles and one massive new Army General Campaign, use new Aces, and play with much more exciting Steel Division 2 good stuff.
Alongside the DLC, we’ll also be launching the free Reinforcement Packs to everyone who owns Steel Division 2, and which will come with a host of improvements and new features, including Smart Orders, three new maps, tutorials, and more!
Until then, don’t forget to check out our Steam and Eugen forums and social channels (Facebook and Twitter).