Inside you'll find:

Berlin: Soviet includes a bunch of new Formations for Soviet players to field. 

Soviet: Berlin introduces the Emcha (or M4 Sherman) to the arsenal of the Soviet Union. This lend lease American tanks were sent in large quantities to aid the Soviet war effort. This M4 Sherman “Emcha” proved popular among the Soviet tankers and was issued to the Mechanised Corps. Famous tankers like Dmitriy Loza made names for themselves while fighting in the Emcha. Both the 75mm and 76mm armed M4A2 Shermans were sent to the Soviets so there are four formations available to field the Sherman. You can build an M4 Sherman (late) Tank Battalion, M4 Sherman (76mm) Tank Battalion, Hero M4 Sherman (late) Tank Battalion, Hero M4 Sherman (76mm) Tank Battalion. These Formations each have two to three tank companies that can be either M4 Sherman (late) or M4 Sherman (76mm) tanks. In addition, one of the tank companies can be armed with British lend-lease Valentine light tanks. Like T-34 battalions, these Formations also have access to ZSU M17 anti-aircraft half-tracks, 82mm mortars, 45mm, 57mm, or 76mm anti-tank guns, and SMG infantry.

For these forces we have a new plastic kit to make the Soviet version of the M4 Sherman. Because the Soviets used diesel fuel for most of their tanks, they were sent to M4A2 Sherman, which has a diesel-powered engine. So, the new model kit includes a new hull top that combines with the existing M4 Sherman (late) (M4A3) kit. With these combined you can make both the 75mm and 76mm armed version of the Soviet M4 Sherman.

The book also includes two Forward Detachment formations, one based on the new M4 Sherman and the other based on the T-34. These formations combine elements of a Tank Battalion with those of a Motor Rifle Battalion to make a combined arms formation. With infantry and tanks making up the core of the formation, they also have access to their own SU-76 self-propelled artillery, mortars and anti-aircraft weapons.

The second IS-2 (late) option is the Hero IS-2 (late) Guards Heavy Tank Regiment where their ratings are Fearless, Veteran, Careful. Like all Hero units, these are reduced in strength with three tanks in each Hero Guards Heavy Tank Company.

The key feature of the IS-2 (late) is its superior armour with Front 11 (over the IS-2’s Front 10). It is an Assault Tank so Counterattacks on 3+, or 2+ if a Hero Unit. It has an excellent 122mm gun with AT 14.

The option to build the IS-2 (late) is available in the IS-2 plastic kit, just use the hull top with the curved hull front.

The Storm Groups are organised with a mix of PPSh SMG teams, PTRD anti-tank rifle teams, Maksim HMG teams and 82mm Mortars. Additionally, they can have Flame-throwers, and be equipped with Panzerfausts.

Both the Red Banner Rifle Company and Red Banner SMG Company can also be equipped with Panzerfausts on top of the usual mix of DP MG & M1891 rifle teams or PPSh SMG teams, and optional HMGs and Flame-throwers they have.

Red Banner Rifle Companies and SMG Companies units are rated Confident, Veteran, Careful. While the Storm Groups are Fearless, Veteran, Careful.

Not mentioned above under the Red Banner Rifle Battalion, is the 203mm Howitzer. This can be fielded in two ways, either as part of the Red Banner Rifle Battalion Formation in a pair to give direct fire support to the Rifle Companies, SMG Companies, and Storm Groups, or as a support heavy artillery battery of two to four 203mm howitzers.

The massive artillery piece sits on its own caterpillar tracks, though it is not powered. As Artillery it can fire out to 88”/220cm range, has AT 4, and FP 2+. In direct fire it is truly devastating, with a range 16”/40cm, ROF 1/-, AT 13, FP AUTO, and Brutal!

Support Units also include ISU-122 and ISU-152 Heavy SP Batteries, Hero OT-34 Flame-tank Company, Hero T-70s, BA-64 armoured cars, SU-100 tank-killers, 45mm, 57mm, 76mm, and 100mm tank-killer companies, Katyusha Guards Rocket Batteries, 76mm, 122mm, and 152mm artillery batteries, Hero SU-76 Light SP Battery, BA-64 OP, and IL-2 Shturmovik assault companies.

Plus of course, you can take compulsory unit support from formations in both Berlin: Soviet and Bagration: Soviet of units you are not already fielding in your formation/formations.

There is a great selection of new releases to support these new formations, as well as plenty of older products that will have new life. The Soviet M4 Sherman (M4A2) mentioned above, the IS-2 (late) (already included with the IS-2 box), M10 tank-killer, 160mm mortar, 203mm howitzer, plus Dice & Token Sets, Unit Cards, and Command Cards.

The new Clash of Steel starter set includes everything two players need to get started on the Eastern Front in late-war, with a German and Soviet force that includes both infantry and tanks.

The New Soviet Starter Force is an M4 Sherman Forward Detachment and includes M4 Shermans, SU-100s, SU-76s, T-70s, Katyushas, ZSU M17 AA half-tracks and Hero Guards Motor Rifles.

There will also be a bunch of Direct Only releases for command card units.

It is also important to remember all the existing Soviet products that are still important for building forces from Berlin: Soviet, to which the catalogue at the back of the book is your helpful guide.

The Painting guide is a helpful starting point for colours for painting Soviet forces, and the Basing guide provides details on basing your infantry and gun teams.

The book also includes guides to terrain and city fighting (Click here for the full city fighting rules…).

There is also a Linked Campaign, a new Berlin-themed mission called Buying Time, and expanded Night Fighting rules with Dusk, Darkness, and Dawn.

The book is packed full of formations and units that can be used to enhance your current Soviet force, or to start something new.