Good day, commanders!

We return with another riveting Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass preview. And in today’s post, a long-gestating division that will finally see the light in Steel Division 2: the Allied Slovak National Uprising battlegroup.

Onwards!

Veterans of Steel Division 2 and the community-voted Nemesis DLCs, might recall the Slovak National Uprising being part of the second Nemesis vote, all the way back in 2020. This battlegroup option didn’t make it in the end, but its opposing Axis division - Panzerdivision Tatra - did as part of the free Reinforcement Pack #13 - Lucky 13.

The Slovak National Uprising is a special battlegroup with a unique set of different Allied units, from local, once-Axis-now-rebelling Slovak Army, to partisans, airlifted reinforcements including Soviet-aligned Czechoslovakian paratroopers and Western Allies air forces. Note that the Slovak National Uprising variant in Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass will differ in units and force allocation from the SNP as depicted in the Nemesis #2 vote.

Let’s regale you with some additional historical context. The Slovenské Národné Povstanie or the SNP (and in English known as the Slovak National Uprising) is a catch-all name for the regular and partisan troops who fought on the Allied side during the uprising in late 1944 in Slovakia.

When Nazi-Germany fully occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939, a fascist Slovakian puppet state was created soon after. By 1943, discontent in the country had grown strong, including in the army. In 1944, with the Soviets on their doorsteps, as the Germans were crumbling on all fronts, a general uprising, with the full support of the military, was rushed into motion. However, the Germans had anticipated this move. Additional forces had been in position to quell the Slovak insurgency.

As a result, the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) faltered, even though the partisans still managed to gain control of about a third of the country in a week’s time. To reach this pocket was the goal of the attacking Red Army, which tried to break through the Axis defensive lines and join forces with the SNP by way of the Dukla Pass (leading us to the battles to be depicted in Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass).

The Allies actively supported the uprising from afar. A multinational mix of Slovak regular soldiers and rebels fought side-by-side with Soviet, American and British special forces, and French partisans, either dropped as saboteurs or escaped from POW camps, Czechoslovakian paratroopers from the Red Army, American OSS guerrilla instructors, and more.

(Lt. James H. Green, head of the OSS Mission during the Slovak National Uprising)

Despite tenacious efforts, the SNP’s headquarters were captured by the Germans after two months of heavy fighting, signaling the end of the Slovak National Uprising in October 1944. The rebelling Slovak Army was pounded into submission by the Germans, surrounded, and disarmed. However, many partisans continued to resist in the mountains and forests, severely hampering German forces in the region until the end of the war.

Although Slovak in essence, this Steel Division 2 battlegroup will be grouped as Czechoslovakian, the same as the CIABG and 1. Československý Armádní Sbor.

In-game, the three phases will represent a stage of the uprising:

• In Combat Phase A, the Slovak Army is depicted as it was immediately at the start of the rebellion. The armed forces feature their pre-existing equipment and organization, as well as a few pieces of captured weapons.
  
• In B, the increase of partisan warfare is shown.
  
• In C, the arrival in the encircled pocket by airlifted reinforcements from the [url]1. Československý Armádní Sbor

[/url] (also part of Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass and Western Allies' air forces.[/list]

To reflect the above nature, we won’t describe the Slovak National Uprising category by category, but rather phase by phase.

How will the Slovak National Uprising look like in Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass? New units are both italic and bolded, but might be subject to change.

PHASE A

As mentioned before, the bulk of the SNP in the first stage of the battle will be made up of the rebelling Slovak Army. The Slovak Army of 1944 can be regarded as a smaller version of the Czechoslovakian Army from 1939, transported in time, except for a few more modern pieces of equipment delivered by, or captured from, their German allies prior to the uprising. Since pre-war Czechoslovakia (like its Cold War counterpart in WARNO) was a major arm designer and producer, most of its equipment is domestically made, including tanks. Infantry weapons, unless stated otherwise, are Vz. 34 rifles, LK Vz.26 or ZB-30 LMGs, and ZK-383 SMGs. All the Slovak Army models are new.

RECON

• This category will feature the ODSTŘELOVAČ sniper teams, 2-man PRŮZKUMNÝ TÝM with SMGs and the 4-man PRŮZKUMNÝ with rifles and one LMG. These units are transported depending on their size in either BMW 750, KUBELWAGEN, or RV trucks.
  
• The only armored recon vehicle is the PA Vz.30, which is an interwar Tatra armored car equipped with two ZB-26 LMGs (one in the hull, one in a turret).

INF

• The core infantry available to the SNP in the beginning are STŘELCI squads with one MP-40, rifles and one LMG, plus anti-tank grenades. They represent about two-thirds of the rifle squads, although there are also a few STŘELCI (LK) variants with two rifles being replaced by one each of LMG and PTRS anti-tank rifles, as well as STŘELCI (PzSchreck) equipped with the German anti-tank weapon. STŘELCI VELITEL command squads are 3-strong with one SMG, rifles, and smoke grenades.
  
• Additionally, you get the play with the CYKLISTICKÍ which are 13-strong with rifles and one LMG, as well as anti-tank grenades; SAPÉŘI combat engineers, coming 10 to a squad with rifles, one LMG, one GrB. 39 and explosives; plus the 12-strong SAPÉŘI VELITEL command squads with one SMG, rifles, one LMG, and smoke grenades.
  
• Finally, the PADÁKOVÝ STRELCI represent the lone Slovak paratrooper company trained by the Germans, but which joined in the uprising. These Slovak Fallschirmjäger come in a single A-only card, with free vet, 10-strong with 2x MP-40, rifles, 2x LMG, PTRD anti-tank rifle, and the Raider trait.
  
• All these units come in softskin transports, KUBELWAGEN or RV trucks.

TANK

• The Slovak National Uprising had plenty of older pre-war or early war armored vehicles at its disposal, at least those that the Germans didn’t pilfer when dismembering Czechoslovakia in 1939. The main tanks are the LT Vz.34 and LT Vz.35, the latter being the original designation for the one best-known light tanks in German service, the PANZER 35(t). The former was an earlier variant with less frontal armor. These can be deployed in numbers, although only in Phases A and B, with five cards available altogether, including the VELITEĽSKÝ LT vz. 35 command tank.
  
• Less numerous variants (so Phase A only) include the LT Vz.38, or the PANZER 38(t) in German service, and the LT Vz.40 which is basically a Vz.34's hull with the better performing Vz.38's tank gun.
  
• The Slovak Army could rely on a few heavier German tanks delivered prior to the rebellion, which - not surprisingly - were leftover Wehrmacht vehicles. These include VELITEĽSKÝ PANZER II C command tanks, PANZER III N, and STUG III G. All of these are Phase A-only, with the StuG being vetted and available in limited numbers.

SUPP

• In this category, a mix of Czech, German and even Soviet equipment (passed on by the Germans) can be found, from RM-38 50mm mortar, ZB-53 and MG-42 heavy machine guns to plenty of IG-18 infantry guns.
  
• As well as the ZÁSOBOVACÍ FORD V3000 S supply truck, and the new ŠTÁBNY DÔSTOJNÍK infantry and ŠTÁBNY LT vz.38 tank commanders.

AT

• Anti-tank forces in the early phase of a battle will consist of SOLOTHURN 20mm anti-tank rifles and plenty of domestic KPÚV vz.37 37mm (same as in Bulgarian service) light anti-tank gun, as well as a few of the more effective German PAK 36 37mm.
  
• Other German units, either deliveries or captured, include several PAK 38 50mm, numerous PAK 40 75mm, and a handful of (vetted) MARDER III.

AA

• In AA, the VKPL vz.36 20mm, a Swiss-made Oerlikon, can be used, as well as two full cards of FLAK 37 88mm dual-purpose guns.

ART

• Plenty of domestically made artillery pieces will be part of SNP’s early battle arsenal. Czechoslovakia was renowned before the war for its armaments industry, with many of the guns it produced seeing service in a great variety of World War II armies. Some are already featured in the game, but for the very first time, most of them will actually be part of the same division under their “true” flag!
  
• These include the HORSKÝ KANÓN vz.15 75mm (in-game Yugoslav HAUB. BRDSKA M.28 75mm), the POĽNÝ KANÓN vz.5/8 80mm (in-game Hungarian Fk M05 76,5mm), POĽNÝ KANÓN vz.30 80mm (in-game German FK 30(t) 76,5mm), the POĽNÁ HÚFNICA vz.14/19 100mm (in-game German Le.FH 14/19(t) 100mm), HRUBÝ KANÓN vz.35 105mm (which is the in-game German K35(t) 105mm) and the HRUBÁ HÚFNICA vz.25 150mm. On top of that, some POĽNÁ HÚFNICA vz.18 105mm (German le.FH 18 105mm) can also deploy.
  
• Mortars are of the MIN. VZ.36 81mm make (French Brandt Mle 1927/31, in-game as the German GrW. 278(f) 81mm).
  
• The DĚLO. VELITEL artillery leader and DĚLO. POZOROVATEL observers are also available.
  
• Plus the new E-39G biplane and Kl.35D artillery spotter planes.

AIR

• The Slovak Air Force at the start of the uprising was a hodgepodge of different models, many being obsolete and in such small numbers that many could only be counted on one hand.
  
• These include the (new) He-72D unarmed biplane and Fw. 189 A-1 fighter recon planes.
  
• The B-534 biplane fighter, as well as a handful each of Me-109 E-4 and Me-109 G-6 fighters.
  
• The new LETOV S-28 bomber.

PHASE B

In Combat Phase B, we depict how partisan warfare slowly takes over from more regular army operations as the SNP units are unable to withstand the increasing German pressure.

There are two types: communists and OSS-backed ones. The communist partisans were part of the 1. Československá partizánska brigáda M. R. Štefánika (1st Partisan Brigade "General Milan Ratislav Štefánik") equipped by Moscow. These forces amounted to three battalions: one Czechoslovakian, one Soviet, and one… French. The unusual latter unit was formed from 1940s French soldiers and young men from the STO (compulsory work service), which had been deported to Slovak camps. From here, some of the French escaped and joined the local partisans. Their "Bataillon Foch" was a glorified designation for a mere reinforced company increased by French-speaking Czechoslovakians and a few Belgians. All French and Belgian soldiers, plus a few extra partisan Czechoslovakian models, are new.

INF

• Most of the Phase B additions will be found in the INF category, starting with the communists from the above-mentioned 1st Partisans Brigade: Czechoslovakian PARTIZÁNI which mix Danuvia SMGs, captured MP-44, rifles and Kar. 98 ZF scoped ones; the Soviet PARTIZAN 'SUVOROVCY' (name of their battalion) which were composed of actual partisans and special forces paratroopers dropped in support, the squads fielding all-SMGs (MP-40s and PPS-43) plus Molotov and Radio; and the French PARTIZÁNI 'FOCH' fielding 3x MP-40, rifles, one LMG and one ATR.
  
• Meanwhile, the Western Allies were also sending help in the form of American O.S.S. LDR. command squads to train and organize their own insurgent force. These are the PARTIZÁNI (OSS) with 2x UD M42 SMGs, Karabiner 98K rifles, one l.MG-34 and bazookas, which the Americans airlifted en masse.
  
• All of the above partisan squads will feature the Raider trait.
  
• The regular Slovak Army units also get one belated LOVCI TANKOV tank hunters squad, which is 7-strong with one MP-40, rifles, one PTRD ATR, as well as one bazooka.

SUPP

• One addition to this category in B, being the British JEDBURGH commander.

AIR

• And in the AIR category, you’ll get to play with La-5FN in fighters and fighter-bomber roles from the Soviet-aligned 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, pulled out from the Dukla offensive to support their insurgent brothers-in-arms.
  
• Western Allies provide the American P-51B-10-NA fighters, escorting the planes supplying the pocket, and Canadian MOSQUITO FB. VI bombers with napalm loadouts.
  
• Finally, an additional Slovak Air Force heavy bomber, the Italian-designed SM-84 can be called in.

PHASE C

In the last phase of the battle, the Soviets divert more forces from their main offensive at the Dukla Pass, which by this time is already stalling. They airlifted Czechoslovakian paratroopers from the Soviet allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor into the pocket, where the uprising is slowly but surely being snuffed out.

RECON

• In this category, two new units make their appearance. The 2-woman PARA. ODSTŘELOVAČ sniper team and 9-strong PARA. PRŮZKUMNÝ heavy scout squad, with PPS-43, one DT LMG, and smoke grenades.

INF

• The infantry sees the PARAŠUTISTÉ, PARAŠUTISTÉ (DT), PARA. VELITEL, PARA. SAPÉŘI, and PARA. LOVCI TANKOV get ready for deployment. All these units can also be found in the 1. Československý Armádní Sbor.

SUPP

• In this category, the PARA. MAXIM, PARA. DUŠKA and PARA. OB-25 76,2mm, all featured in the 1. Československý Armádní Sbor muster for battle.

AT

• In the anti-tank category, the PARA. M-42 45mm, already featured in the 1. Československý Armádní Sbor will become available.

ART

• The PARA. PM-38 120mm mortar likewise from the 1. Československý Armádní Sbor can deploy as artillery.

AIR

• And lastly, in the AIR category, the Soviet Air Forces come out in force in the later stages of a battle in the form of the B-25J-30 MITCHELL and Li-2N in various bomber loadouts. The latter new aircraft is a Soviet copy of the DC-3 Dakota transport, but used in a bomber role.

The Slovak National Uprising battlegroup is very strong in its infantry and artillery, with good supporting arms, but lacks a bit in anti-air defenses and recon units. On the battlefield, this division plays best defensively. Deploying the obsolete tanks in numbers, and with a strong air force, the SNP can do some serious damage even at the latter stages of a battle.

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

We’ll be back next week with the final divisional preview of Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass!

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See you on the battlefield.