It all began with a city named Danzig. On September 1, 1939, under the guise of reclaiming it, German forces marched into Poland. This wasn't just a territorial dispute; it was the match that lit the fuse. France and Great Britain, bound by treaties and a keen eye on the shifting balance of power in Europe, declared war on Germany. And just like that, the world was plunged into its second global conflict.
What followed in those early years was a terrifyingly effective new way of war. Germany had brilliantly fused its traditional tactics with cutting-edge technology – tanks and aircraft working in concert. Imagine this: armored divisions punching deep into enemy lines, supported by relentless air attacks. It was a strategy designed to encircle, to overwhelm, and to destroy with astonishing speed. This wasn't just warfare; it was a 'lightning war,' or as we know it, Blitzkrieg.
This new approach to conflict is precisely what the "Order of Battle: Blitzkrieg" expansion for the popular WW2 game explores. It puts you in the boots of the German Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe, starting with that very invasion of Poland. From there, the campaign unfolds through the swift defeat of the Franco-British forces on the Western Front, the ambitious invasion of the Soviet Union, and culminates in the dramatic assault on Moscow in 1941. It’s a journey through those pivotal early years, showcasing the devastating effectiveness of Blitzkrieg tactics.
The expansion isn't just about the strategy; it's about the tools of war. You'll find over 140 new units, beefing up the rosters of Germany, France, Britain, and the Soviet Union, and even introducing several smaller nations. Think iconic German machines like the Panzer III and IV tanks, the nimble Bf109 and Fw190 fighters, and the formidable 88mm anti-aircraft guns. On the Allied side, you'll command heavily armored tanks like the Matilda and Char B1, alongside legendary aircraft such as the Spitfire and Hurricane, and even unique armored trains.
One of the most compelling features is the ability to carry your core force, your seasoned and battle-hardened soldiers, from one campaign to the next. This means your experience and the units you've nurtured in the initial Blitzkrieg scenarios can be exported to future Wehrmacht campaigns, adding a layer of continuity and strategic depth. It’s like building your own legendary army piece by piece.
And then there's the new campaign and specialization system. You'll navigate a series of these rapid Blitzkrieg wars, forging your Wehrmacht in the crucible of combat. As you progress, completing primary and secondary objectives earns you specialization points. These points can be spent on powerful advantages, like incorporating elite Waffen SS divisions, mastering tank warfare through the Tank School, or adopting the Auftragstaktik doctrine for that crucial early edge. It’s a system that allows you to truly shape your military might and adapt to the evolving battlefield.
