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Desperate Measures Doctrine Commander

Desperate Measures Doctrine
Hold the line using improvised units and raw fervour. Augment your front with dismounted Panzer Crews, basic fortifications and officer supervision. Call-in emergency "Ersatz" Panzer IVs to check the enemy advances.


[0 CP] Panzer Crew
Deploy Panzer Crew squad. Having more crews than panzers, the high command authorized using dismounted crews as substitute infantry.


[2 CP] Sturm Officer
Deploy a Sturm Officer and his Obersoldaten bodyguard. The officer improves nearby infantry and has a number of abilities to weaken the enemy.


[2 CP] For the Fatherland
Infantry in friendly territory will receive a defensive bonus and movement speed increase for the duration of the ability.


[3 CP] Field Defenses
Volksgrenadiers can build minefields and bunkers.


[8 CP] "Ersatz" Panzer IV
Deploy "Ersatz" Panzer IV. Rushed to the battlefield, this tank can still engage the enemy, but arrives in poor state and its maintenance takes longer.


Panzer Crew details
240 MP, 6 population, 24 mp/reinforce.
5 man squad with Pioneer MP40s.
Can repair vehicles - base repair rate of full squad is 10 HP/s.
Can be upgraded with LMG-34 for 60 munitions after building Schwerer Panzer HQ (it's not an elite squad, so no firing on the move).
Veterancy:
Vet1: Unlocks "Repair Critical" ability.
Vet2: -20% received accuracy
Vet3: +25% repair speed
Vet4: +20% weapon accuracy
Vet5: No penalties for repairing under fire.

"Ersatz" Panzer IV details
350 MP, 120 Fuel, 14 population (same as Ostheer's Panzer IV)
Same stats and model as Ostheer's Panzer IV.
Same veterancy as OKW's Panzer IV Ausf J.
Call-in (so no production time) that requires Schwerer Panzer HQ.
Arrives with 50% HP.
All repairs take twice as long.

Rationale:
Representing the state of OKW after the failed operation Wacht am Rhein - having lost most of their materiel and even marginally competent personnel, they have to rely on sub-par substitutes and fanatical fervour to hold the line against the Allies. Everything and anything is thrown to the frontlines.

Panzer Crews are not very potent in combat alone, but synergize well with For the Fatherland (decreases received accuracy and increases movement speed) and Sturm Officer (Smoke Grenade, Target Them!). They are primarily a support unit - on Vet0 they have 20% higher repair speed than Sturmpioneers and on Vet1 unlock the handy "Repair Critical" ability. However, Sturmpioneers repair rate scales better with veterancy and upgrades, while also being more potent combat unit.

Rushing for Schwerer Panzer HQ is very appealing, as "Ersatz" Panzer IV promises medium tanks 60 fuel earlier than usual. Will you rush one out to the field as a shock unit or spend time to repair it first? Remember that all of its downtime is doubled!

Sturm Officer is one of my favourite units, both thematically and mechanically. Sadly, he has to compete with Panzerfusiliers for munitions in the ONLY doctrine he's in. I think he has some more breathing room in here even with For the Fatherland, minefields and MG bunkers available.