Are you ready, commander?
The wait is almost over. Yes, that’s right, Christmas will come early as tomorrow (Friday the 17th of December) we will be officially unveiling what we have been working on so hard (and in secret) the last couple of months and years!
It is so close, you can almost touch it! Undoubtedly, you sleuths will have the answer soon, but be sure to tune in and check our channels, including this space and our Discord server for the big reveal.
You will not be disappointed…
But onwards to other exciting things, as we go back to good ‘ol Steel Division 2. More specifically, let’s look at some new Allied units for our upcoming expansion, Tribute to the Liberation of Italy.
The Italian Meatgrinder
Italy during World War II was not particularly known as a tank country thanks to the local topography, with its mountains and hilly countryside. The Italian campaign was an infantry’s war; but whoever says infantry, has to say artillery.
With the pace of operations and offensives on the Italian peninsula being much slower than other theaters of war, massive amounts of artillery guns and ordnance of all types were used by the Allies. This includes the U.S. M1 155mm (predecessor to the infamous Long Tom) and the M1 8-inch 203mm, as well as the British BL 4,5-inch 114mm guns (also featured in the South African divisions in-game).
Another key feature of the more static Italian battlefields was the use of heavy AA guns on the frontline. These were usually kept in the rear by the Allies, but as Axis air forces posed less threat, more of these formidable guns were used in a direct fire role. The Allies could count on the U.S. M2 90mm and British (manned by South African crews) QF 3,7-inch 94mm dual-purpose AA guns. The American unit is slightly superior to the famous German 88mm in an AT role; the British gun (which we presented earlier as somewhat worse) was actually better than the previous two examples. Its downside was that it carried only a handful of AT shells (in real-life, often none) and was hampered by inferior targeting optics.
Going Sky High
Aside from new Allied Co-Belligerent Italian plane models, which we showcased in the blog post here, the Allies most original plane in the Italian campaign was the tank-busting RAF Hurricane Mk IV. This close air support aircraft sported two Vickers 40mm S guns. With a deadly pedigree as a tank killer in the North African deserts, by 1944 it was replaced by rocket-firing Typhoons, with only a few Hurricane Mk IVs remaining over the Adriatic and Balkans. Consider this tank buster a formidable counterpart to the German “Panzervögel” Stuka G-2 or Soviet IL-2-37.
In-game, this particular unit (as well as its bomb-fielding variant) will be featured as a close air support aircraft with the 8th Indian (Infantry) Division. It will also be deployable in our upcoming Nemesis: Raid on Drvar DLC.
Another new major plane variant includes the Boston Mk IV (British designation) / A-20J-5-DO Havoc (US designation). This aircraft carries a substantial increase in the number of close-defense MG compared to the existing Mk III. It will also be featured with both the 8th Indian (Infantry) Division (as a bomber) and Task Force 45 (as heavy recon).
There is also a new napalm P-47 variant, the P-47D-22-RE which flies with a new paint job and camo.
We have also taken the opportunity to improve various in-game models which were noted (either by the Strike Team or our community) as being incorrect, including the Mosquito PR Mk XVI and the Wildcat Mk V.
Back to Earth
Not being tank country doesn’t mean tanks didn’t serve with distinction in Italy. The Allied forces could count on the usual combination of Shermans, Stuarts, M3 and M5 half-tracks, and some indigenous variants here and there. Like the artillery-fire capable South African M10.
Lighter vehicles also made their way to the Mediterranean front. This includes the Indian recon ACV-IP (Armoured Carrier, Wheeled - Indian Pattern), as well as the 6-pdr Portee 57mm light tank destroyer. This is a South African battlefield conversion, say a scratch-built technical, merging a 6-pdr AT gun onto a Bedford lorry. The gun was mounted so it could fire to the front, over the driver’s cabin.
Some New Map Variants
We are also working on a new “tactical” variant of the recently released Kostritsa map. This one will be slightly reduced in size, to be played with a lower income. This map version also allows you to micro smaller numbers of units to get a more intense “company-level” feel to the battle.
Also, thanks to feedback from the community and our Strike Team, we are improving the Ostrowno map by reworking the positioning of some of the objectives.
Until next time
That is everything for this week. We hope to see you soon (say… tomorrow?)!
Don’t forget to keep a close watch on our ourSteam forums, or check our Facebook and Twitter channels. Looking for an online game in the meantime? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.
See you soon, commander!
