Back in action, commander!
As promised in the last week’s reveal of Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics, we’ll be taking an in-depth look today into the first pair of new divisions to be featured in our new History Expansion.
We’ll follow the same Versus format as we did with Steel Division 2: Black Sunday. Each new division is paired and divided into several categories: Armored, Mechanized, Infantry, and Special.
This week, we’ll be highlighting awesome tank power with the two new Armored battlegroups: Panzerverband Strachwitz for the Axis and 19-y Tank Corpus for the Allies.
Historical Context
A quick recap of the strategic situation of Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics. By July 1944, the Soviets have reached the Gulf of Riga, cutting off Army Group North (in the Baltics) from Army Group Center (Latvia and Lithuania, and further south). Recognizing the critical need to reestablish a link, the Germans immediately organize a counter-attack: Operation Doppelkopf. This offensive will turn out to be the last major victory for Nazi-Germany on the Eastern Front.
Panzerverband Strachwitz
Panzerverband Strachwitz was an ad hoc armored formation made up of two existing Panzer Brigades, brought together right before the start of the counter-offensive. Commanded by the colorful Hyacinth Graf Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz, also known as the (equally cool) Der Panzergraf (“The Panzer Count”), a large variety of tanks can be found in this battlegroup.
During Operation Doppelkopf, Panzerverband Strachwitz proved instrumental in the offensive’s success. It broke through the Soviet lines, outmaneuvering and forcing the surrender of a much larger enemy force at Tukums, capturing useful military stores, and reaching Riga with Der Panzergraf leading from the front every step of the way. The heavy cruiser “Prinz Eugen” provided timely fire support from the nearby Gulf of Riga, devastating Red Army positions with accurate naval artillery bombardments.
Panzerverband Strachwitz’s main features
A very offensive battlegroup, Panzerverband Strachwitz contains a unique mix of units and vehicles, including a varied selection of tanks, from obsolete training variants to brand-new Panther A and G tanks, as well as captured Soviet T-34/85. There is more on offer: from truck-borne Panzergrenadier troops to armored scout cars and half-tracks, SS units, Latvian artillery, and the awesome fire support of the “Prinz Eugen.”
- The battlegroup features a very strong armored core, made up from Panzer-Brigade 101, and SS-Panzer-Brigade Groß. This means the player can command a large variety of different tanks, such as Panzer III, Luchs, StuG, Panzer IV, and several Tiger E.
- Infantry can also be found in various flavors, including normal Grenadier or Panzergrenadier variety, transported by truck or half-track.
- Heavy reconnaissance units, including the new Erkundung unit. A heavy recon pioneer squad it deploys together with the new SdKfz. 251/1 Ausf. D.
- To reflect the shiny new toys brought by Panzer-Brigade 101, we’ve further modeled the SdKfz. 251 Ausf. D half-track, detailing the variety of sub-variants in a more accurate way.
- This includes the new SdKfz. 251/1 Ausf. D Erkundung recon variant, a new SdKfz. 251/9 Ausf. D full fire support variant, carrying more ammo than its original counterpart, including HEAT rounds, and a new SdKfz. 251/7 Ausf. D. This last version is both an AA and 20mm AT transport vehicle, being able to carry an Infantry Leader squad.
- A huge booty of Soviet war materiel was captured during the offensive, including tanks. This allows Panzerverband Strachwitz to have access to several Beute T-34/85 from Phase B onwards.
- Off-map artillery is provided by the Prinz Eugen, which can deploy its Ar 196 A-3 (a brand-new model) floatplane for accurate fire missions using its 203mm naval guns.
- Good air support is also available to this battlegroup, thanks to a strong detachment of Panzervogel Stuka (Ju-87 with 2x37mm AT guns) and bombers. A new bomber is also featured: the Do 217E-4, a new variant of the Do 217.
Great on the attack, Panzerverband Strachwitz features a variety of tanks, cheap slots, good tank-busting air support, and powerful off-map naval artillery. It’s not as strong on the defensive, with restricted AT and AA slots and choices, as well as only an average mix of ground artillery units.
19-y Tank Corpus
Formed in the dying days of 1942, the 19-y Tank Corpus (19th Tank Corps) fought on the Bryansk Front, and in the combat that followed for many hard months, was almost wiped out. The formation kept fighting, taking part in the counter-offensives at Kursk. Attached to the 4th Ukrainian Front, it took part in the Dniepr Offensive, then the follow-up Operation Melitopol which brought the Red Army back to Crimea. Heavily reinforced with assault guns and flamethrower tanks (some retained until the end of the war), the corps distinguished itself well by liberating Sevastopol.
Once again brought under the reserve of the Soviet High Command (Stavka), the 19-y Tank Corpus was refitted entirely with T-34/85 by June 1944. While not taking part in the opening battles of Operation Bagration, it was used to exploit the breakthrough at Vitebsk, fighting its way through Lithuania and Latvia, right up to the Gulf of Riga.
Worn-out and depleted of supporting infantry, the 19-y Tank Corpus was the only immediately available armored reserve formation in the area. As such, it managed to counter the German attacking spearheads. Reinforced with various artillery troops and other armored units, the corps bought valuable time for the 5th Tank Army to be rushed to the front. Surviving the offensive, the 19-y Tank Corpus remained in the Baltics, fighting to reduce the Courland Pocket until the end of the war.
19-y Tank Corpus’ main features
Being held in reserve, the 19-y Tank Corpus is an armored battlegroup, equipped with T-34/85, focused on defensive operations with a broader choice of artillery and AA units. It does feature more restricted numbers of tanks and infantry.
- A classic Soviet tank corps, this battlegroup features a host of T-34/85. Due to its reserve status, the 19-y Tank Corpus has access to only a limited amount of TANK and INF slots and cards.
- The formation can call on a detachment of heavy tanks for additional armor support, which comes in the form of the KV-85.
- In support, OT-34 flamethrower tanks can be found, as well as a few heavy SU-152.
- The 19-y Tank Corpus can call on plentiful of AA and Artillery units, including heavy AA guns, Katyusha launchers, 152mm guns and even 203mm howitzers.
- Air support is typical for similar Allied battlegroups, but features a new unit, the lend-lease American B-25J-30, a heavily modified bomber doubling as a close support plane, armed with seven forward-facing .50 cal machine guns.
It might lack the armored punch normally seen with comparable battlegroups, but the 19-y Tank Corpus makes up for this by being more than flexible on the defensive, thanks to its support, AA, and artillery units.
What can you expect from Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics?
In case you missed our reveal last week: Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics will feature:
- 1 massive new Army General campaign set in the Baltics during Operation Doppelkopf, allowing you to take command of either the attacking Axis 3. Panzerarmee or the defending Allied 1st Baltic Front.
- 8 new Divisions, playable solo, coop, or in multiplayer, including 6 which took part during Doppelkopf and 2 divisions from Army Group North’s theater of operations.
- 120+ new units, including a variety of new models such as Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) recon tank, Ar 196 A-3 floatplane, Soviet MT-13 160mm super-heavy mortar and the BS-3 100mm heavy AT gun.
- 1 gigantic new 10v10 map.
- 2 new Nations: Lithuania (Axis) and Estonia (Allies) and 2 new Aces.
Until next week!
Don’t forget: Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is coming your way. The launch of this Nemesis DLC is on January 28th!
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See you on the battlefield, commander!