• fixing the ubiquitous background photos

• fixing the ubiquitous names & coat-of-arms

• fixing Sturmartillerie-Gruppe's NATO symbol

• fixing German Füsilier Rgt. 202's name into the more proper Inf. Rgt. 202

• fixing some background photos & names/coat-of-arms issues on other campaigns as well

• fixed several bugs in AG where Füsilier Bn. had (way) too much squads

• fixed various discrepancies between number of soldiers and number of weapons in infantry squads (dispaly issue only)

• fixed the JU-87 R-2's low 20mm loadout

• fixed GORNO. MAKSIM & PARTIZANI MG-42's excessive optics

• fixed GORNO. KOMROTI's cargo space

• fixed MO. AVTO.'s low AT grenades loadout

• given GORNO. SAPERI (ROKS) its missing Shock trait

• applied the recent STURMPIONIER's availability buff to HG, SS & LSSAH variants which dodged it

• changed IS-1's base availability from 3/6/- to 2/4/6

• (Bezu.) changed YAK-9K's base availability from 3/6/- to -/6/18

• increased BT-5's base availability from 4 to 5

• changed PARA. M-42's transport option to WILLYS, on par with other airlifted troops

• increased slightly the SdKfz. 251 pool to match the recent BEGLEIT-GRENADIER's availablity buff

The wait is finally over, commanders.

Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass is available now!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3761870/Steel_Division_2__Battle_of_Dukla_Pass/

Get downloading. If you feel the need to pass the time, make sure to read all the juicy background info below!

Battle of Dukla Pass Development

Don’t forget that next to the launch of Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass, we’ve also released a major patch for all owners of Steel Division 2 with a host of improvements, bug fixes, and balance changes across the board.

https://steamcommunity.com/games/919640/announcements/detail/501709427825442862

We’ve encountered multiple issues during the long gestation of Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass, including delays in certain voice dialogue deliveries and other elements. On behalf of the whole team, we sincerely apologize for the wait.

We truly hope you are going to enjoy Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass. Let us know what you think!

Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion

If you want to do some background reading, check out the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass expansion previews.

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass. Read more about the historical context and in-game battlefield here.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

See you on the battlefield

Deploy to the battlefield, commander. Do tell us your experiences of Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass!

Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you, commanders.

Those units were promised with "WAR RESERVE DLC but delayed.

• (3GMeK) replaced VALENTINE III with VALENTINE X
  
• (Bezug) added one card of 3/6/- YAK-9K
  
• (126LSK) added one card of 4// recon BT-5

• fixed several instance of mispelling PANZERSCHRECK in units' name
  
• fixed some missing/unfitting unit traits' icons
  
• fixed KATADROMIS' stealth value
  
• fixed AB LEADER' stealth value
  
• fixed AB ENGINER LEADER' stealth value
  
• fixed (US) AB ARTILLERY CMD' stealth value
  
• fixed (UK) AB ARTILLERY CMD' stealth value
  
• fixed AB LEADER HOWARD' stealth value
  
• fixed SAPEURS MONT.'s unit category
  
• fixed CMDT FFO FUSILIER's unit category
  
• fixed le.FH 14/19, le.FH 16 & le.FH 18M's classification from Howitzer (Hvy) to Howitzer (Medium)
  
• fixed HETZER & JAGDPANZER IV's aim time from 3s to 4s, as other casemated gun
  
• fixed NATAL SCOUTS' cargo space
  
• fixed FOKKER X not dropping its bombs
  
• fixed TD-14 tractor not disappearing as other unarmed transport when dismembarked
  
• fixed EMCHA RAZVEDKA affecting the frontline as a non-recon tank
  
• (3VDV) fixed ZiS-3 76,2mm AT bunker's availability and veterancy on par with other divisions
  
• (SSB) fixed SHERMAN V's veterancy ratio on par with Guards Armoured

• increased MP-44's efficiency
  
• decreased FLAK 36 88mm's price from 120 to 110
  
• decreased PANZER IV G's price from 65 to 60
  
• decreased PANZER IV H's price from 70 to 65
  
• decreased STUG III G's price from 80 to 75
  
• decreased le.FH18M's price from 65 to 55
  
• changed all MARDER's base availability from 4/8/(12) to 5/10/(15)
  
• changed all DSHk's base availability from 4/8/12 to 5/10/15
  
• changed le.FH 14/19's base availability from 3/6/9 to 4/8/12, on par with le.FH 16
  
• set all le.FH 14/19's price at 50
  
• decreased le.FH 16's price from 60 to 50

• decreased OB. KF-RF-FF 75mm's price from 60 to 45
  
• changed PUSCA ANTICAR's availability from 6/8/12 to 6/12/-
  
• decreased SISSI (KEV)'s price from 25 to 20
  
• decreased 84 K/18 83.8mm's price from 55 to 50
  
• changed & standardized LAHTI L-39's availability to 6/12/-
  
• changed (rocket) I-153's availability from 2/4/6 to 3/6/-
  
• changed PAK 43/41's base availability from 2/4/6 to 3/6/-
  
• changed JÄGER SPÄHTRUPP's price from 20 to 15
  
• changed PANZERJÄGER's base availability from 4/8/- to 5/10/-
  
• changed ROHAMÁRKÁSZOK's availability from 5/10/(15) to 6/12/(18)
  
• increased GD STURMGRUPPE (MG)'s price from 20 to 25
  
• increased SS-STURMGRENADIER's price from 30 to 35
  
• decreased SKI-STURMJÄGER's price from 25 to 20
  
• decreased STURMGRENADIER's price from 25 to 20
  
• changed BEGLEIT-PIONIER's base availability from 3// to 4-/-
  
• increased SZÉKELY's rifle ammos
  
• Hungarian ME-210 with 4x210mm rockets re-roled from Hvy. Fighter to Ground Attack plane
  
• (78Sturm) changed SCHTURMSCHÜTZEN's base availability from 6/12/18 to 9/18/27 + decreased number of cards from 3 to 2
  
• (122ID) added (Finnish) KUBELWAGEN as transport option for the Finnish 45mm AT gun
  
• (122ID) replaced LAHTI L-39's German transport with Finnish ones
  
• (116Pz) decreased all STUG & MARDER's availability to phase A only

• decreased CROMWELL VII's front armor from 120mm to 105mm
  
• increased CROMWELL VII ("tank" only)'s availability increased from 4/6/12 to 6/12/18
  
• decreased CROMWELL VIII's front armor from 120mm to 105mm
  
• increased all CHURCHILL IV, V & VI's front armor from 90 to 105mm
  
• increased CHURCHILL IV's price from 35 to 40
  
• changed VDV SAPERI's base availability from 4/8/12 to 5/10/15
  
• changed KAZAKI's base availability from 12/24/32 to 9/18/27
  
• renamed VZVOD PTR into BRONEBOJSHCHIKI
  
• MOT. RAZVEDKA (and Estonian counterparts MOT. LUURE) can now longer used the cramped BA-20 as transport
  
• OSNAZ SAPERI can now longer used the cramped BA-20 as transport
  
• standardized SU/ISU-152 & KV-2's 152mm gun's suppress radius on par with M10/ML-20 howitzers' direct fire one
  
• renamed WLA PM-37 82mm into WLA BM-37 82mm
  
• (1Panc) removed CROMWELL VII's phase C availability
  
• (3GMekK) removed ZiS-5 as transport option for 85mm, as already done in other battlegroups previously
  
• (7MekK) added two cards of ZiS-2
  
• (126LGK) fixed KV-85's vet curve on par with other battlegroups
  
• (358SD) fixed ISU-122S' vet curve
  
• (9GKavD) fixed LaGG-3-4 with AT rockets' vet curve

Get ready to deploy for combat, commanders.

Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass will officially launch this coming Monday, 8th of September, just in time to celebrate the Battle of Dukla Pass’ 81st anniversary.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3761870/Steel_Division_2__Battle_of_Dukla_Pass/

Battle of Dukla Pass Development

Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass has been in the works for quite some time. As the Eugen team is just a small, indie dev studio, with numerous projects happening at the same time (such as WARNO or fixing big bugs), some gigs might take a little bit longer than forecast.

The Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass was always envisioned as the expansion that would not only contain an Army General campaign - always popular - and new divisions, but also visit a particularly intriguing and oft-overlooked battleground on the Eastern Front: the Battle of Dukla Pass in what-was-then Axis-aligned Slovakia in late 1944.

The wait is almost over: be sure to get back this Monday, 8th of September, to get Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass while it is still piping hot!

Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion

If you want to do some background reading, check out the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass expansion previews.

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass. Read more about the historical context and in-game battlefield here.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

See you on the battlefield

Deploy to the battlefield, commander. Do tell us your experiences of Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass!

Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commanders.

Hello commanders,

Apologies for the radio silence! We know it’s been a while since our last DevBlog, but we have run into some last-minute blocking issues regarding Steel Division 2’s new expansion Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass.

Read on!

Battle of Dukla Pass’ Slight Delay

We have detected a problem with the Slovak acknowledgment and dialogue lines, which forced us to postpone the release to a later date. We are working our darndest to get this fixed as soon as possible. When we do, we’ll return with a new release date.



What we can share with you in today’s DevBlog is some of the major balance changes coming to Steel Division 2 at the expansion’s launch. A patch, available to all owners of Steel Division 2, will be made available at release.

What are some of the things you can expect?

• New New Valentine X, BT-5 and Yak-9K models for a series of existing Allied Soviet divisions, free of charge thanks to the Reinforcement Pack #17 War Reserves.
  
• As we had a bit more time, we modeled a new unit for the expansion’s 208. Infanterie-Division: the late war (and quite rare in our timeframe) IG 37 infantry gun. This is a combination of the PaK 36’s anti-tank gun’s towed carriage and the IG 42’s infantry gun’s barrel, with a muzzle break. Equipped with a more efficient HEAT round compared to its IG 17 predecessor, the IG 37 is an infantry gun more capable in an AT role. For the same division, we also created the new FUSILIER (MP-44) squad, which, unlike the SKI. STURMFÜSILIER, exchanged only the Kar. 98 rifles for MP-44, retaining the original SMG and LMG loadout.
  
• While we are mentioning this iconic weapon, the MP-44 has been reworked to deal more suppression, but less damage. All concerned squads equipped with this weapon, across the board, will have been updated with price and availability adjustments.

Additional, more specific changes:

• The P-51 and APACHE fighter-bomber roles have received a price buff.
  
• The CHURCHILL IV (the one with a 57mm tank gun) has received a hefty armor buff (plus price adjustment).
  
• We have introduced some existing Soviet equipment to more divisions: ZiS-2 towed guns for the 7-y Mechanizi. Korpus (Steel Division 2: Black Sunday plus the SU-57 to the 3-ya Gvard. Tankovy Korpus and the 19-y Tank Korpus (Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics).
  
• The German PIONIER squad got a price bump across the board, while the STURMPIONIER receiving an update on its availability.
  
• STUG and PANZER IV received a price buff, while the MARDER (all types) and the PaK 43 got an availability update.
  
• Lastly, the Finnish Rhymä Raappana's divisional AT capabilities have been reinforced.

With regards to the above updates, especially the Axis buffs, we wanted to make underperforming infantry divisions a little bit more viable on the Steel Division 2 battlefield.

Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion

If you want to do some background reading, check out the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass expansion previews.

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass. Read more about the historical context and in-game battlefield here.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

See you on the battlefield

That’s it for this DevBlog. We hope to be back very shortly!

Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield.

Hello commanders,

We return with another update on Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass’s progress.

Quite a few things to show off, so let’s dive in.

Getting Close to the Finish Line

The Eugen team is putting the finishing touches on the next Steel Division 2 expansion. One of the big-ticket items recently finished are the 3D models. Check some of them out below.





We’ve also put some hard work into re-skinning existing models. All are now done. See for yourself.





What remains are the infantry units’ portraits, and the final tweaks and adjustments to the Army General’s campaign.

Beyond the art, we are also happy to report that we now have an official 10vs10 server playing the Dukla Pass map (the last Steel Division 2 battlefield released)!

Battle of Dukla Pass Intro Video

And last, but not least, let us share with you the official Battle of Dukla Pass intro video. Drumroll please, maestro…!



While the Steel Division 2 DevBlogs have been a bit more irregular lately, whenever the next one comes (and that might not be next week), it should inform all of you of Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass’ release date!

Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion

If you want to do some background reading, check out the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass expansion previews.

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass. Read more about the historical context and in-game battlefield here.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

See you on the battlefield

We’ll return in the not-too-distant future!

Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commanders.

Hello commanders,

We’ve arrived at the final stretch of production for the upcoming Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass expansion. We’re getting closer and closer to release!

As the Eugen team is hard at work, it does mean that today’s DevBlog will be a short one.

What we are working on

Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass has had its fair time gestating, but we are putting the finishing touches on our latest Army General-focused expansion.

Such as?

We are translating and recording the latest batch of acknowledgments (for instance, the various Ukrainian SS units). i.e. 18. SS should sound like a Tower of Babel as below, with German, French, Hungarian and new Ukrainian acknows:



At the same time, we are editing the intro videos and briefings, plus implementing the voice-acting of these videos.

We are polishing the last units in order to do a “photoshoot” of all the new units’ cards.



And of course, we are creating the infantry cards themselves, which have a different process.

All the while, the new divisions are being tested and tweaked by the Steel Division 2 Strike Team.

Don’t forget that the Eugen team is also hard at work delivering the missing updated units from Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserve.

Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion

To tide you over the waiting period, be sure to check out the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass expansion previews.

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass. Read more about the historical context and in-game battlefield here.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

See you on the battlefield

We’ll be back soon!

Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commanders.

Hello all!

In today’s DevBlog, we’ll take another look at the new Army General campaign to be featured in the upcoming Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass.

Let’s dive in!

Battle of Dukla Pass History

So, we have already taken multiple opportunities to preview the historical context around the Battle of Dukla Pass. We’ll briefly sum it up, but some additional historical reading can be done here (in the very first Nemesis offering detailing the Slovak National Uprising, our first preview DevBlog, or our recap DevBlog here).

In brief, the Battle of Dukla Pass focuses on a heavily contested series of Eastern Front battles in September and October 1944, which saw the attacking Red Army force its way through a narrow valley in the Carpathian mountains. Their goal was to reach the rebelling Slovak Army, or the Slovak National Uprising, encircled and slowly being crushed by numerous Axis formations and security units.



The combat was especially bloody, as the German units had excellent defensive positions, even if their reserves were limited. As they held onto the flanks, the Soviets had no way but to assault frontally through the Dukla Pass; a particularly destructive campaign with the location quickly being dubbed “The Valley of Death” by the surviving Red Army foot soldier. Unable to make reasonable headway, and the SNP being destroyed in October, saw the cancellation of the Allied offensive in late 1944.

The Dukla Pass Army General Campaign

The Army General campaign will kick off on September 8th, 1944, with the Allied Soviets playing first - being on the offensive, and all. The campaign is set to end on September 15th, 1944, covering the first week of the historical fighting. Although the Battle for the Dukla Pass officially lasted for about seven weeks, the Red Army quickly ran out of steam between September 10th and 20th, with the rest of the combat being a prolonged grind with mounting casualties leading nowhere, before the Soviets finally threw in the towel.



At our cut-off date, both sides’ armies changed drastically, with troops and units being switched from one side of the corridor to the other, some others being pulled out (such as the Allied Czechoslovakians). These actions we couldn’t represent accurately within the Army General campaign. And as such, if we would have continued after this date, the battle would not have looked anything remotely similar to the historical Battle of Dukla Pass.

On the Soviet side, the player takes command of the 1-y Ukrainskiy Front (1st Ukrainian Front) as Marshal Ivan Stepanovitch Konev. Aside from an artillery division and several smaller independent brigades and regiments, all units involved will come from the 38th Army.



The German counterpart will be Heeresgruppe Nordukraine (Army Group North Ukraine) with its commander, Generaloberst Joseph Harpe. Under his command will be two corps from two different armies (since the Soviet offensive strikes right at their junction): the 17. Armee's XI. SS-Korps and 1. Panzerarmee's XXIV. Panzerkorps. Some additional elements from the XXXXIX. Gebirgskorps (that’s number 49) as reinforcements.



The Location
The campaign is centred on a corridor (which we should be very familiar with), the Dukla Pass. For the Soviets, it's a race against time to reach the SNP insurgents before they are crushed. If the Red Army can secure the crossroads at Prešov, where the Carpathians open to the Slovakian hinterlands, they'll be in a position to lend a helping hand to the SNP-held position at Brezno.



Our campaign map’s dimensions in Steel Division 2 will cover, in length, from the Soviet starting line above Krosno in the north to Košice in the south, and in width, from Jaslo in the west to Sanok in the east.

The Objectives
As mentioned before, the map is a corridor based on a valley that the Soviets will have to cross all the way through. The campaign’s objectives will be to secure Jaslo, Krosno, and Sanok, representing the "cracking" of the bottleneck's defenses. However, the most important of all is to reach the ultimate objective: Prešov.

Opposing Forces
Although the German defenders are well-entrenched at the entrance of the pass, they number few, with significant gaps between the three major units (68., 208., and 545. Infanterie-Division). None of these infantry formations are at full strength. And even if they are, in the case of the green and untested 545. ID, they have a weaker TO&E.



Facing the Axis will be three Soviet rifle corps (57th, 101st, and 67th), each one larger than their opposing German division, and featuring more mobile troops to exploit a potential breakthrough. The 25th Tank Corps is immediately available to support the infantry, while the 4th Guards Tank Corps, the 1st Guards Cavalry Corps, and the 1st Czechoslovakian Corps will turn up as reinforcements.

Opposing Forces
The main challenge for the Soviets is to breach the Axis defenses as early as possible, but not waste too many of their exploitation units in doing so. Rushing Prešov is key, before the jaws of incoming German reinforcements close the trap.

The German reinforcements
The Germans need to hold the first defensive line long enough for fresh units to arrive from all sides of the corridor. These will come piecemeal, from Jaslo, with independent battalions or regiments thrown into battle as “fire brigades.” Throughout the campaign, stronger battlegroups from the 1. and 8. Panzerdivision, elements from 101. Jägerdivision and the whole 75. and 357. Infanterie-Division will enter the corridor from the east, west, and south!



The Battle for Dukla Pass Army General campaign is a race against time for both sides, with both the Axis and the Allies being able to turn from hunter to prey depending on the turn of events on the battlefield!

Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion

If you are wondering what you can expect from the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass, check out our detailed previews below.

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

See you on the battlefield

We’ll be back with a new Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass DevBlog soon!

Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commanders.

Hello commanders,

We hope you are well. Today’s post will be a quick one: due to the upcoming long bank holiday weekend, this week’s Steel Division 2: Dukla Pass preview is now scheduled for next week!

This doesn’t mean that the rest of the team is not hard at work at getting the Steel Division 2: Dukla Pass expansion into your hands. In case you’ve missed one of our previews, check out the detailed division overviews below.

Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion

If you are wondering what you can expect from the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass, check out our detailed previews below.

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

See you on the battlefield

We’ll return next week with a new Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass preview!

Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.

Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!

See you on the battlefield, commanders.

Hello!

We return with the very last Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass division preview. In today’s DevBlog, we shine a light on the Axis 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel".

Let’s go!

The German 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel" was created in January 1944 from a cadre of the 1. SS-Infanteriebrigade. This particular formation was formed in 1941 by grouping concentration camp guards from the infamous SS-Totenkopfverbände. The brigade had been used since the start of the invasion of the Soviet Union to secure the rear of advancing troops. In this role, they took active part in the Holocaust, leaving a trail of war crimes in their wake. There was some direct combat versus the Red Army in late 1941, and then again in September 1943, when the brigade filled in the gaps left by a crumbling frontline.



The division itself, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division, was named after Horst Wessel, an early SA volunteer of the Nazi party, killed in 1930 by German communists. Considered a martyr in Nazy ranks, the party’s anthem (which Wessel had composed) was later also named after him.

It was intended that the late-war division was to be composed of SA volunteers, but despite the 1. SS-Infanteriebrigade cadre being German, the "Freiwilligen" ("volunteers") designation implied the formation was actually made up of foreigners. The rank and file were filled with Volksdeutschen from Hungary mostly, but also Romanians and Slovaks. Not all its soldiers were volunteers; some who were drafted were as young as 15 years old. Organized on a shoestring, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen fielded a lot of salvaged or captured weapons, including small arms ones.



The division wasn’t fully combat ready until November 1944, but regardless, still took part in several operations beforehand. Formed in Hungary, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen played an active role during the German takeover of allied Hungary in March 1944. Hitler suspected (which was later found to be true) that the Hungarians were secretly trying to seek a separate peace with the Allies. After the coup, the division-in-training was used for rear area security and occupation duties. The first combat-ready elements were sent to Croatia in June 1944, where they were used on anti-partisan missions.

The Slovak National Uprising
During the Slovak National Uprising (read more details in this DevBlog here, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen was the closest “formal” combat unit in the vicinity to the insurgents’ captured territory. The rest of the Axis forces used in quelling the insurrection were ad-hoc battlegroups of coupled-together security forces, training, police, Volksturm, etc. However, the 18. SS-Freiwilligen wasn’t quite ready for full-on fighting at the start of the uprising. Only an advanced Kampfgruppe around the reinforced SS-Grenadier-Regiment 40, led by Sturbannführer (Major) Schäffer, could be mustered and sent into battle.



Operating from Hungary, the main body of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen contended themselves with cordoning off the border to the south of the Slovak National Uprising’s area of operations. Schäffer’s battlegroup operated inside Slovakia, attacking from the east. This particular formation was one of the few German units to not only keep the insurgents at bay but also to advance into enemy-held territory. Over the course of the uprising, Kampfgruppe Schäfer's composition fluctuated before finally amalgamating back into the 18. SS-Freiwilligen.

It would take until November 1944 for the 18. SS-Freiwilligen to fight as a whole unit when it was thrown into action against the Red Army, south of Budapest. Pushed back into Silesia and Bohemia, the remnants of the division surrendered in western Czechoslovakia at the war’s end.

Back to the Battle of Dukla Pass. During the battles surrounding the Slovak National Uprising, to reflect the 18. SS-Freiwilligen battlefield experience, the division will be phase-locked (much like the Slovak National Uprising). Although the division drew first blood with the Kampfgruppe Schäfer, more troops were sent in as reinforcements, making the best use of divisional assets over all three phases.



Some isolated units were also attached to the division, which will become available in different Combat Phases:

Phase A

• Elements from Korück 531, tasked with the security of 1. Panzerarmee’s rear security. Theoretically in command over all of 18. SS-Freiwilligen’s units, it was too weak to act alone. All its attempts at engaging the enemy were met with failure. Thus it operated more in a support role for smaller combat battlegroups, in this case with captured Soviet artillery and some tanks, including obsolete Czechoslovakian ones.
  
• Detachments from Sturmregiment PzAOK 1. We already met this reinforced regiment with the 208. Infanterie-Division. This unit was one of the reinforcing ones sent to help with the defense near Krosno. The availability in only Phase A represents these units being assigned to the 18. SS-Freiwilligen first, before being pulled out and reinforce the 208. ID (as shown being available from Phase B in this latter battlegroup).
  
• Elements from the Französische SS Freiwilligen Sturmbrigade (the so-called Sturmbrigade Frankreich). With Hitler holding a grudge against France since World War I, he had long vetoed the raising of French SS units, considering its people “bastardized” by their colonies. When the Third Reich’s leader finally gave his approval to Himmler, and tapping into the European’s country considerable population, he imposed higher physical and political recruitment standards. This is why the few French volunteers who were accepted into the SS ranks were - according to their instructors - olympic-level athletes and hardcore nazis. Only a reinforced battalion was ready and attached to Kampfgruppe Schäfer. Later, the French SS brigade would be used to form part of the future 33. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne" (französische Nr. 1) and its survivors will form the last defenders of Hitler's bunker in Berlin, under the command of Hauptsturmführer Fenet. This is the same officer who was one of only two officers left standing after the battalion’s tenure with Kampfgruppe Schäfer. Numbering a handful, they will be available only in Phase A.
  
• Lastly, some detachments from the Hlinka Guard, the paramilitary arm of the Slovakian fascist regime, and SS-Heimatschutz Slowakei, a local militia.

Phase B

• Kampfgruppe Wildner, a regimental-sized battlegroup from 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (galizische Nr. 1) also fought alongside 18. SS-Freiwilligen later into the battle. The Galicia region, located in modern-day southern Poland and western Ukraine, had been part of the Austrian Empire until 1918. It failed to gain recognition as an independent Ukrainian state in the interwar period, before being made first part of Poland, then annexed by the Soviets in 1939, only to be occupied by the Germans in 1941. Passed from one power to the next, the Galicians had developed a strong national consciousness; Himmler played on this by recruiting a division to fight the threat of a return of communist rule. Composed mostly of Ukrainian-speaking “Galicians” volunteers (Himmler refused to refer to them as Ukrainians, so as not to encourage the idea of independence) and a handful of Slovaks.
  
• The first of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen, heavier guns and weapons become available, including its anti-air defenses.
  
• The division also made use of plenty of Czechoslovakian artillery, specifically those captured by Kampfgruppe Schäfer earlier in the battles. These will now become available.
  
• A German anti-partisan commando called SS-Jagdeinsatz Slowakei.

Phase C

• Lastly, Kampfgruppe Wittenmayer, meaning more elements from the nearby 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS arrive.

The 18. SS-Freiwilligen is a verifiable Tower of Babel of SS troops, grouping German, Hungarian, French, Slovak, Ukrainian SS, and militia under one mixed roof. New units are both italic and bolded.

Units with the “HW” suffix represent those specific to the 18. SS-Freiwilligen, and although German, will have Hungarian acknowledgments.

RECON

• An average category with the standard complement of BMW R.75, AUFKLÄRER in SCHWIMMWAGEN and SPW 222, as well as the SPW 231 armored cars.
  
• The new SPÄHTRUPP 'HW' are 4-man squads with MP-40, Kar-98K, and MG-26(t) in SCHWIMMWAGEN; and SS-ERSATZ.-SPÄHTRUPP 'HW' are truck-borne Disheartened 10-man squads with 2x ZK-383, Kar-98K, 2x l.MG-42, and PzFaust.
  
• A few A-only AUFK. PANZER II F from Sturmregiment PzAOK 1.

INF

• The infantry category is excellent, with a host of varied troops available. The core of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen is made up of Hungarian SS.
  
  • The new PZ.GRENADIER 'HW': 11-man strong squad with 2x ZK-383, 7x Vz.24 rifles, 2x l.MG-42, and PzFaust.
    
  • PZ.GRENADIER 'HW' (MG-30): a 11-man strong squad with 2x ZK-383, 7x Vz.24 rifles, 2x ZB-30, and ... bazookas! Those were captured weapons from those delivered by the OSS to the Slovaks. Only available from Phase B.
    
  • PZ.GRENADIER FÜH. 'HW': 4-man command squad with 2x MP-40, 2x Kar-98K, and smoke grenades.
    
  • The PZ.PIONIER 'HW' which is a 9-man squad with 9x Vz.24 rifles, 2x ZB-30, 1x GrB.39, and explosives.
    
  • STURMPIONIER 'HW', a 11-man squad with 4x ZK-383, 4x Vz.24 rifles, 2x ZB-30, and 1x Flammenwerfer.
    
  • PIONIER FÜH. which is a standard German combat engineer squad.
• You can also find the GRENADIER (GrB) already featured in 208. ID. These squads represent soldiers from Sturmregiment PzAOK 1. They are only available in A, being pulled out afterwards to go to the 208. Infanterie-Division’s rescue.
  
• Collaborationist Slovaks can also be found. They will be featured as:
  
  • HEIMAT. SLOVAKEI which are local 11-man strong militia units. They are equipped with 1x ZK-383, 9x ZB-24 rifles, and one Vz.26 LMG, coming with the Disheartened trait.
    
  • POHG (standing for Pohotovostné oddiely Hlinkovej gardy, or “Hlinka Guard Emergenvy Divisions”). This is an 8-man security unit armed with 1x MP-28, 6x Vz.24 rifles, and one l.MG-34, deploying with the Disheartened and Security traits.
• French SS troops from the Französische SS Freiwilligen Sturmbrigade were hardcore nazis to the bone and in peak physical shape; they all come with the Fanatical trait but can only be taken at basic Veterancy or Veterancy 1, having no prior combat experience. All units are only available in A.
  
  • FR. GRENADIER: a 9-man strong squad with 1x MP-40, 5x Kar.98K, 3x l.MG-42, and PzFaust. The reinforced battalion listed a HUGE ratio of MG-42s per soldier!
    
  • FR. GRENADIER FÜH. a 4-man command squad with 2x MP-40, 2x Kar-98K, and smoke grenades.
    
  • FR. PANZERJÄGER. The French SS battalion arrived in Slovakia with a battery of PaK 40 ... which were commandeered by Schäfer's men, leaving the French to fight enemy tanks with hand-held weapons. The squad is thus organized as a 10-strong squad with 7x Kar. 98K, 1x l.MG-42, Molotov cocktails and PzFaust.
• From B onwards, reinforcements of the 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (galizische Nr.1) can deploy.
  
  • UKR. GRENADIER which are 9-strong squads with 1x PPS 43, 7x Kar.98K, 1x DP-28, and PzFaust.
    
  • UKR. GRENADIER FÜH. being a 4-man command squad with 2x PPS 43, 2x SVT, and smoke grenades.
    
  • UKR. PIONIER, a 9-man engineer squad with 3x PPS 43, 4x SVT, and explosives.
• Also from Phase B only, the new SS-JAGDVERBANDE from SS-Jagdeinsatz Slowakei. These were SS special forces' commandos specialized in hunting and destroying partisan groups. Equipped mostly with SMGs and sniper rifles, explosives and smoke grenades, they feature the Commando and Shock traits and come fully vetted.

TANK

• An average category with only a few slots, but not too expensive.
  
• From the ranks of the 18. SS-Freiwilligen a single card each of A-only PANZER III F FÜH. and PANZER IV G, representing the motley assortment of both tanks’ variants the division fielded.
  
• In Phase A and B, the division can also count on the deployment of the PANZER 35(t) (new to Germany, not in-game). These were reported in theatre, but of dubious origin, most likely fielded by Korück 531.
  
• In B only, a single card of STUG III G, representing the merging of the handful of these self-propelled assault guns from 18. SS-Freiwilligen plus those brought by the 14. SS.

SUPP

• A good category, composed of the standard OPEL BLIT MUN as the supply truck.
  
• Commanders are featured as the BEF. BMW R.75, KOMMANDANT, and BEF. STUG III F.
  
• Fire support units include IG 18 and IG 33 infantry guns, as well as s.MG-42 HMGs. Plus a full card of PANZER IV F1, representing some of 18. SS-Freiwilligen’s older models.
  
• An unidentified "SS Feldgendarmerie unit" was reported to be involved in the fighting, operating armored cars. We have represented this with the SS-FELDGENDARMERIE (2x MP-40 and 2x Danuvia) and some SPW ADGZ SS-FELGEND. armored cars, both featuring the Fanatical and Discipline traits.
  
• From Phase B only, the new UKR. s.MG 268(r) heavy machine gun, which is a captured Soviet 12,7mm DShK.

AT

• Average, with the combination of all the various forces, amounting to three full cards of PAK 40 75mm.
  
• A few individual PAK 36 37mm, PAK 38 50mm and FK 288(r) 76,2mm are available - all with one A-only card.
  
• Fewer in numbers compared to other divisions, the battlegroup can also rely on the PZSCHRECK.

AA

• Rather mediocre. The Kampfgruppe Schäfer could initially rely on the towed FLAK 38 20mm for anti-air defense, meaning this unit will be the sole AA available in A.
  
• From Phase B, a single card each of FLAK 43 37mm and SDKFZ. 7/1.

ART

• Pretty good for the 18. SS-Freiwilligen with the standard BEOBACHTER and BATTERIE FÜHRER units.
  
• Divisional guns are GrW. 81mm, le.FH 18M 105mm and SK 18 105mm German guns, all available from A.
  
• Korück 531 provides Beute units, being the s.FH 396(r) 122mm and s.FH 443(r) 152mm, also available from A.
  
• The division reinforced its own artillery with Czechoslovakian guns captured along the way. These will be represented by the K35(t) 105mm and new s.FH 25(t) 150mm guns. The latter is the new Hrubá houfnice vz. 25 150mm introduced with the Allied Slovak National Uprising. Both guns are only available from B.

AIR

• Average with air recon includes the unarmed Fw 58 C and recon/bomber Fw 189 A-2.
  
• Various close air support roles will be available for the Fw 190 F-8 and Ju 87 D.
  
• Hs 129 B-2/R2 tank busters.
  
• Plus Bf 109 G-6 and Fw 190 A-8 in fighter roles.

The 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division "Horst Wessel" is a strong and versatile infantry division, backed by potent supporting arms and artillery. The battlegroup is at ease in a defensive role, or attacking across rugged terrain but fares less well on open ground.

Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion

What can you expect from the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass?

• The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass.
  
• Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. These include the Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, the Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya, and Slovak National Uprising, while the Axis deploy the 208. Infanterie-Division, the Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály, and the 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel".

See you on the battlefield

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See you on the battlefield.