9. Panzer

9. Panzer is an Axis Armored division in Steel Division and one of four new divisions released with the Second Wave DLC, the other being the British 1st Special Service brigade, the American 4th Armored and the 16. Luftwaffen-Felddivision. 9. Panzer has fought for almost three continuous years on the Eastern Front before being sent to France to refit and train on new equipment. Yet, the divisions' veterans are especially proficient with their older and more reliable vehicles, such as Panzer IV & Marder, or its trademark Panzer II Luchs light tank.

A consummated Panzer leader, Jollasse is an aggressive commander leading from the front (as proven by his six wounds received in this war) and as efficient on the offensive as fighting a rearguard action. An infantry officer, combat gaz specialist and aerial observer in WW1, Jollasse became a civilian instructor to the clandestine Luftwaffe in the interwar. But true to his original Army origins, he nonetheless joined the Heer in 1934 as an infantry captain. A lieutenant-colonel in 1939, he took part in the campaign in the Netherlands & France, before transfering to the newly raised 18. Panzerdivision in late 1940, with which he invaded the Soviet Union. On June 28, 1941, Jollasse's Kampfgruppe had the dubious honor of being the first to encounter the formidable T-34. Despite heavy losses, he managed to repel the tanks with demolition charges, earning much praises. Rising through the ranks, he took command of 9. Panzer on July 12, 1943 and led it through the rest of the campaign, then transfered to France in March 1944 to rest and refit. He led it in Normandy through the last tstage of the campaign, but was wounded in September and declared fit for limited service only.

Tactics
9. Panzer went into combat in Normandy piecemeal and while still in the process of re-completing men & equipment. Some of its men were even still fighting in the East, only leaving Russia to join the fight in Normandy in mid-Summer. Although missing its Panther battalion and still fighting with old equipment, the 9. Panzer relies on battle-hardened troops and an unusually high number of light tanks to quickly blind and overwhelm the enemy. And with each passing phase, more experienced troops are made available, arriving straight from the East.
 * The Hussar