Oct 5, 2023
Steel Division 2 - [EUG] Gal Marcel Bigeard
Hello, commanders!
Welcome to the first Versus of our upcoming Tribute-style expansion which will see all remaining Steel Division: Normandy 44 divisions appear in Steel Division 2.
Keep in mind that much of the following is still a work-in-progress, including the name of this expansion. For the time being, we’ll call it Tribute to Normandy ‘44.
In this first Versus, let us cast our eyes on the Allied US 4th Armored Division and Axis Festung Groß-Paris.
The US 4th Armored Division was not part of the first wave of units arriving on Normandy’s shores. It only set foot on French soil in July, where it was mostly kept in reserve. Under General Patton’s command, the American tanks would serve a crucial role in the subsequent Operation Cobra, the breakout from Normandy. Situated on the extreme right, along the coast, the unleashed 4th Armored Division managed to advance rapidly through the German lines, allowing the Americans to turn the whole Axis flank in northwestern France.
After this success, the 4th Armored Division cut the Britanny peninsula, breaking new “speed” records, liberating town after town, and often engaging unaware German columns deep in the Axis rear. After Operation Cobra, the American tankmen repulsed a major armored counter-attack at the Battle of Arracourt. It later helped relieve the besieged American defenders at Bastogne, with “Cobra King,” a M4A3E2 Assault Tank being the first to enter the Belgian town. The 4th Armored Division finished the war at the Czechoslovakian border, meeting Allied Soviet troops advancing from the east.
The US 4th Armored Division saw the light in Steel Division: Normandy 44’s expansion Second Wave.
The move to Steel Division 2 means we will try to reflect better the formation’s historical Table of Operations & Equipment. For instance, as a “light” tank division, the 4th Armored Division featured fewer tank battalions (compared to the 3rd Armored Division), resulting in a reduction of 50% in Stuarts and 33% fewer Shermans. However, emphasizing battlefield mobility, it received an entire battalion of M18 Hellcats.
In true “Patton” fashion, the division never bothered much about its flanks or rear. The tankers would frequently “borrow” an infantry battalion or regiment from nearby infantry divisions to secure these sectors.
In terms of Steel Division 2 playstyle, the US 4th Armored Division will appear closer to a “mechanized division”, providing a missing link between the US 2nd Infantry and 3rd Armored Division, with fewer tanks and less powerful variants, but with more diverse infantry. It will feature light but fast units, with a strong recon tab, somewhat similar to the French 2e Division Blindée.
So, what can you expect from the 4th Armored Division in our next Tribute expansion? Let’s talk units and weaponry details!
As you might remember, the German term “Festung” (“fortress”) applied to sectors of particular importance to Hitler, regarding locations or cities that needed to be defended at all costs. So too Paris. Its German garrison forms the base of Festung Groß-Paris, translated to “Fortress Greater Paris,” with a core made up of the 325. Sicherungs-Division, a second-rate security division. This composite battlegroup was reinforced by Flak-Brigade 1, which formed a defensive arc around the French capital with its heavy Flak guns. Furthermore, a host of retreating or otherwise hastily mobilized Germans, from security troops to hardened combat soldiers, saw service in this improvised battlegroup.
While Festung Groß-Paris prepared, the local Parisians, on word of the Allied advance onto the capital, threw up barricades and started harassing the German occupiers en masse. However, while the uprising was city wide and with German internal lines of communication blocked, both sides were at a bit of an impasse. Full-out combat erupted as the French Resistance, local population, German troops, and French collaborationist auxiliaries battled to control vital cross points, buildings, and strategic locations.
The Allied French military was determined to liberate their capital and raced forward, even before receiving the official go-ahead from Allied high command. They pierced their way through the ad-hoc German defenses and roadblocks, and Paris was liberated officially with the first Allied tanks and half-tracks rumbling into the capital on the 23rd of August.
Festung Groß-Paris battled not only against Allied forces but also in chaotic happenstance combat within the city. The commander, Von Choltitz himself, surrendered on August 25th without giving the order to detonate the many explosives set on Paris historical buildings, as Hitler originally intended for him to do so.
The German Festung Groß-Paris was featured in the Steel Division: Normandy 44’s expansion Back to Hell.
The Axis division will have a motley assortment of units drawn from various sources, with quite a few mediocre ones backed by a handful of elite units. Festung Groß-Paris will chiefly depend on infantry, with a good bit of variety on offer. Think of cobbled-together Wehrmacht stragglers, a full company of retreating panzer grenadiers from 2. SS-Panzerdivision “Das Reich”, Flak guns, inexperienced riflemen, Vichy troops, and even a self-propelled 600mm Karl Gerät. Tanks come in many shapes and sizes, from French Beute to German heavy ones. Anti-air units will be strong, as well as Air, but only in later combat phases.
In terms of Steel Division 2 playstyle, Festung Groß-Paris will be close to a Panzergrenadier division, versatile thanks to its wide range of units, with more tanks (not all being particularly modern) but fewer anti-tank units.
What are the divisional units and weapons you get to play with?
So what will the new Tribute to Steel Division expansion contain?
That’s all for this very first Versus. Let us know what you think. We’ll be back next week!
Don’t be shy, 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, commander!
Welcome to the first Versus of our upcoming Tribute-style expansion which will see all remaining Steel Division: Normandy 44 divisions appear in Steel Division 2.
Keep in mind that much of the following is still a work-in-progress, including the name of this expansion. For the time being, we’ll call it Tribute to Normandy ‘44.
In this first Versus, let us cast our eyes on the Allied US 4th Armored Division and Axis Festung Groß-Paris.
US 4th Armored Division’s Combat History
The US 4th Armored Division was not part of the first wave of units arriving on Normandy’s shores. It only set foot on French soil in July, where it was mostly kept in reserve. Under General Patton’s command, the American tanks would serve a crucial role in the subsequent Operation Cobra, the breakout from Normandy. Situated on the extreme right, along the coast, the unleashed 4th Armored Division managed to advance rapidly through the German lines, allowing the Americans to turn the whole Axis flank in northwestern France.
After this success, the 4th Armored Division cut the Britanny peninsula, breaking new “speed” records, liberating town after town, and often engaging unaware German columns deep in the Axis rear. After Operation Cobra, the American tankmen repulsed a major armored counter-attack at the Battle of Arracourt. It later helped relieve the besieged American defenders at Bastogne, with “Cobra King,” a M4A3E2 Assault Tank being the first to enter the Belgian town. The 4th Armored Division finished the war at the Czechoslovakian border, meeting Allied Soviet troops advancing from the east.
4th Armored Division, fast and mobile
The US 4th Armored Division saw the light in Steel Division: Normandy 44’s expansion Second Wave.
The move to Steel Division 2 means we will try to reflect better the formation’s historical Table of Operations & Equipment. For instance, as a “light” tank division, the 4th Armored Division featured fewer tank battalions (compared to the 3rd Armored Division), resulting in a reduction of 50% in Stuarts and 33% fewer Shermans. However, emphasizing battlefield mobility, it received an entire battalion of M18 Hellcats.
In true “Patton” fashion, the division never bothered much about its flanks or rear. The tankers would frequently “borrow” an infantry battalion or regiment from nearby infantry divisions to secure these sectors.
In terms of Steel Division 2 playstyle, the US 4th Armored Division will appear closer to a “mechanized division”, providing a missing link between the US 2nd Infantry and 3rd Armored Division, with fewer tanks and less powerful variants, but with more diverse infantry. It will feature light but fast units, with a strong recon tab, somewhat similar to the French 2e Division Blindée.
4th Armored Division in-game
So, what can you expect from the 4th Armored Division in our next Tribute expansion? Let’s talk units and weaponry details!
- As mentioned, due to its make-up, the 4th Division puts a premium on speed, which means you’ll able to deploy, for instance, the M8 Greyhound in both recon and “tank” roles and a serious quantity of M18 Hellcats.
- This is also reflected in the “true” cavalry regiment’s recon battalion, which will feature CAVALRY SCOUTS and BANTAM jeeps.
- The division relies on older stock M4 and M4A1 Shermans, having access to only a few 76mm ones, plus a few M4A3 in later phases.
- The formation will also be able to call on the self-propelled M12 GMC 155 mm gun, plus the armored supply M30 CARRIER.
- Furthermore, it will feature the M1 155mm howitzer (not a Long Tom, mind you), the same as featured in Task Force 45.
- You’ll also find the missing ROSIE THE ROCKETEER Piper Cub plane with 6x bazooka-loadout. Unlike as depicted in Steel Division: Normandy 44, this unique airplane was not part of the 3rd Armored Division but the 4th Armored Division!
- There will be strong P-47 Thunderbolt support. In real life, the 4th Armored shared its bounties with the XIXth TAC pilots, so close was the cooperation. You will also be able to call on the B-26 medium bomber.
- The division will gain Creighton Abrams (who gave his name to the modern M1 Abrams tank) as a M4 tank leader Ace.
Festung Groß-Paris Combat History
As you might remember, the German term “Festung” (“fortress”) applied to sectors of particular importance to Hitler, regarding locations or cities that needed to be defended at all costs. So too Paris. Its German garrison forms the base of Festung Groß-Paris, translated to “Fortress Greater Paris,” with a core made up of the 325. Sicherungs-Division, a second-rate security division. This composite battlegroup was reinforced by Flak-Brigade 1, which formed a defensive arc around the French capital with its heavy Flak guns. Furthermore, a host of retreating or otherwise hastily mobilized Germans, from security troops to hardened combat soldiers, saw service in this improvised battlegroup.
While Festung Groß-Paris prepared, the local Parisians, on word of the Allied advance onto the capital, threw up barricades and started harassing the German occupiers en masse. However, while the uprising was city wide and with German internal lines of communication blocked, both sides were at a bit of an impasse. Full-out combat erupted as the French Resistance, local population, German troops, and French collaborationist auxiliaries battled to control vital cross points, buildings, and strategic locations.
The Allied French military was determined to liberate their capital and raced forward, even before receiving the official go-ahead from Allied high command. They pierced their way through the ad-hoc German defenses and roadblocks, and Paris was liberated officially with the first Allied tanks and half-tracks rumbling into the capital on the 23rd of August.
Festung Groß-Paris battled not only against Allied forces but also in chaotic happenstance combat within the city. The commander, Von Choltitz himself, surrendered on August 25th without giving the order to detonate the many explosives set on Paris historical buildings, as Hitler originally intended for him to do so.
Festung Groß-Paris, a wide range
The German Festung Groß-Paris was featured in the Steel Division: Normandy 44’s expansion Back to Hell.
The Axis division will have a motley assortment of units drawn from various sources, with quite a few mediocre ones backed by a handful of elite units. Festung Groß-Paris will chiefly depend on infantry, with a good bit of variety on offer. Think of cobbled-together Wehrmacht stragglers, a full company of retreating panzer grenadiers from 2. SS-Panzerdivision “Das Reich”, Flak guns, inexperienced riflemen, Vichy troops, and even a self-propelled 600mm Karl Gerät. Tanks come in many shapes and sizes, from French Beute to German heavy ones. Anti-air units will be strong, as well as Air, but only in later combat phases.
In terms of Steel Division 2 playstyle, Festung Groß-Paris will be close to a Panzergrenadier division, versatile thanks to its wide range of units, with more tanks (not all being particularly modern) but fewer anti-tank units.
Festung Groß-Paris in-game
What are the divisional units and weapons you get to play with?
- The core of Festung Groß-Paris is made of second-rate SICHERUNGS troops.
- A great variety of infantry will be deployable, including ERSATZTRUPPEN PARIS, made up of Wehrmacht, Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe administrative personnel, unruly OST-LEGIONÄRE, halftrack-mounted PZ.GRENADIER from 2. SS-Panzerdivision “Das Reich”, military inmates thrown into combat as last-minute BEWÄHRUNGS penal troops, and even a handful of FALLSCHIRMJÄGER.
- We will introduce some Vichy troops (under the German flag) in the form of FRANC-TIREURS MILICIENS. These were die-hard collaborationists who either remained behind or got trapped; expecting no quarters, they will be best remembered as the “rooftop snipers” who terrorized the local Parisian population.
- Several tank training units equipped with outdated French Beute tanks (R-35, R-40, H-39, Somua, PzJäger 35R, B1, etc.).
- A handful of individual elite tanks and their crews from 21. Panzer, 1., 2. and 12. SS-Panzer including experienced TIGER, PANTHER, JAGDPANZER IV, etc.
- AA defenses will include quite a number of heavy guns, divided between the ubiquitous FLAK 88mm and the FLAK M36(f) 75mm (without AP rounds), as well as smaller 20mm and French 25mm.
- Artillery was plentiful but nothing spectacular, featuring le.FH 16 105mm alongside s.FH 18 150mm howitzers. A noteworthy unit will be the off-map KARL GERÄT, the monstrous 600mm railroad siege mortar specifically requested to bolster the garrison’s firepower. Arriving too late, it fired a few revenge shots after combat had already concluded. This particular off-map unit will be combat phase-locked.
- A training squadron provides air cover in the early stages of the battle, flying a great different models of planes. Among the most common ones were French D.520 Dewoitine with some Potez recon planes. Later on, the Luftwaffe was tasked with retaliation flights against Paris, with a good number of Ju-88 and Ju-188 bombers becoming available in later combat phases.
The new Tribute expansion
So what will the new Tribute to Steel Division expansion contain?
- It will include ALL the missing Steel Division: Normandy 44 divisions, including those that were featured in subsequent DLCs (First Blood, Second Wave, Back to Hell).
- This means 7 Axis and 7 Allied divisions, with one Allied formation being brand-new!
- Get ready to take command of the Allied US 101st Airborne Division, US 4th Armored Division, US 1st Infantry Division "Big Red One", UK Guards Armoured Division, UK 7th Armoured Division “Desert Rats” and French Demi-Brigade SAS. The 4th Canadian Armoured Division will be brand-new.
- On the Axis side, the new Tribute expansion will feature the 91. Luftlande-Division, 716. Infanterie-Division, 1. SS-Panzerdivision "LSSAH", 16. Luftwaffe-Feld-Division, 9. Panzerdivision, 2. Panzerdivision, and Festungs Gross-Paris.
- Get ready to take command of the Allied US 101st Airborne Division, US 4th Armored Division, US 1st Infantry Division "Big Red One", UK Guards Armoured Division, UK 7th Armoured Division “Desert Rats” and French Demi-Brigade SAS. The 4th Canadian Armoured Division will be brand-new.
- This will result in the biggest Tribute expansion for Steel Division 2.
- It will contain only divisions. As this is a recurring question: the answer remains the same. NO new maps!
- The new divisions will be reworked to take advantage of Steel Division 2’s mechanics, traits, equipment, etc. They will be closer to historical reality and maybe slightly different regarding unit disposition, materiel, weapons, etc. The new divisions will keep their main features and playstyles, of course.
See you on the battlefield
That’s all for this very first Versus. Let us know what you think. We’ll be back next week!
Don’t be shy, 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, commander!
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