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Difference between revisions of "Strike Witches: The Movie"
Alex T Snow (talk | contribs) (Will proofread for spelling/grammar errors tomorrow, but the actual content of the page is finally finished! The Brave Witches page will definitely be done before whenever it is Road to Berlin airs this year.) |
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[[Image:SWMMP406.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Quickly changing direction, Erica dumps more lead behind her, as Gertrud and her take down the second Neuroi.]] | [[Image:SWMMP406.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Quickly changing direction, Erica dumps more lead behind her, as Gertrud and her take down the second Neuroi.]] | ||
[[Image:SWMMP407.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Erica lays down more fire as they destroy the third. Holding the gun by the magazine generally encourages jams, though in most other shots Erica is properly holding her MP 40 by the magwell.]] | [[Image:SWMMP407.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Erica lays down more fire as they destroy the third. Holding the gun by the magazine generally encourages jams, though in most other shots Erica is properly holding her MP 40 by the magwell.]] | ||
− | [[Image:SWMMP408.jpg|600px|thumb|none|After complaining that she's tired, Erica attempts to get an in-flight piggyback ride from Trude, resulting | + | [[Image:SWMMP408.jpg|600px|thumb|none|After complaining that she's tired, Erica attempts to get an in-flight piggyback ride from Trude, resulting in her knocking off nearly all of their weapons and equipment.]] |
=Rifles= | =Rifles= | ||
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[[Image:BAR.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Browning M1918A2 - .30-06]] | [[Image:BAR.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Browning M1918A2 - .30-06]] | ||
[[Image:SWMBAR1.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Back in '43, Charlotte's Merlin engines roar as she zooms in low to hit the Neuroi from underneath with her BAR.]] | [[Image:SWMBAR1.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Back in '43, Charlotte's Merlin engines roar as she zooms in low to hit the Neuroi from underneath with her BAR.]] | ||
− | [[Image:SWMBAR2.jpg|600px|thumb|none|A great closeup as Charlotte grabs her | + | [[Image:SWMBAR2.jpg|600px|thumb|none|A great closeup as Charlotte grabs her M1918A2 from the launch unit, as her and Francesca scramble to intercept the unexpected Neuroi over Venezia.]] |
[[Image:SWMBAR3.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Charlotte and Francesca take off from their Elco PT-103.]] | [[Image:SWMBAR3.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Charlotte and Francesca take off from their Elco PT-103.]] | ||
[[Image:SWMBAR4.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Shirley reminds Francesca to stay close, as their radios aren't reliable around this new Neuroi.]] | [[Image:SWMBAR4.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Shirley reminds Francesca to stay close, as their radios aren't reliable around this new Neuroi.]] | ||
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[[Image:SWMBAR7.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Working with Fernandia Malvezzi, Luciana Mazzei, and Martina Crespi of the Ardor Witches (who appear again in ''The Movie'', but unarmed, and thus didn't make it onto this page) Charlotte leads the Neuroi through the city's canals, and into a trap.]] | [[Image:SWMBAR7.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Working with Fernandia Malvezzi, Luciana Mazzei, and Martina Crespi of the Ardor Witches (who appear again in ''The Movie'', but unarmed, and thus didn't make it onto this page) Charlotte leads the Neuroi through the city's canals, and into a trap.]] | ||
[[Image:SWMBAR8.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Shirley, Minna, and Trude lead the formation against the U-Boat Neuroi.]] | [[Image:SWMBAR8.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Shirley, Minna, and Trude lead the formation against the U-Boat Neuroi.]] | ||
− | [[Image:SWMBAR9.jpg|600px|thumb|none|A shot of the left side of the | + | [[Image:SWMBAR9.jpg|600px|thumb|none|A shot of the left side of the M1918A2's receiver, as Charlotte breaks formation and follows Francesca.]] |
[[Image:SWMBAR10.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Francesca and Charlotte perform a synchronized roll while laying down fire, as they approach the main Neuroi.]] | [[Image:SWMBAR10.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Francesca and Charlotte perform a synchronized roll while laying down fire, as they approach the main Neuroi.]] | ||
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[[Image:SWMMG426.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Erica, however, didn't bring any spares, and tosses aside her MG 42 to use her MP 40 instead.]] | [[Image:SWMMG426.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Erica, however, didn't bring any spares, and tosses aside her MG 42 to use her MP 40 instead.]] | ||
[[Image:SWMMG427.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Adriana Visconti takes off, with her MG 42 ''barely'' visible, tucked under her arm. Note the woodland camo on her C.205V Veltro striker; while most Romagnan/Italian aircraft tended to feature arid colour schemes and small-stripe patterns, this rich/dark green and larger-stripe style was used on the real world prototype C.205, and fits with Adriana being stationed in Gallia/France.]] | [[Image:SWMMG427.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Adriana Visconti takes off, with her MG 42 ''barely'' visible, tucked under her arm. Note the woodland camo on her C.205V Veltro striker; while most Romagnan/Italian aircraft tended to feature arid colour schemes and small-stripe patterns, this rich/dark green and larger-stripe style was used on the real world prototype C.205, and fits with Adriana being stationed in Gallia/France.]] | ||
− | [[Image:SWMMG428.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Kunika Kuroda speeds out of the hangar, with her own MG 42 ''slightly'' more visible. Unlike most Fuso witches, Kunika converted to | + | [[Image:SWMMG428.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Kunika Kuroda speeds out of the hangar, with her own MG 42 ''slightly'' more visible. Unlike most Fuso witches, Kunika converted to local equipment upon arriving in Europe, using an MG 42 and a Bf 109 K-4 striker. Kunika is the protagonist of the ''Noble Witches'' novel series (and its manga adaptation).]] |
[[Image:SWMMG429.jpg|600px|thumb|none|With the Neuroi blocking regular forms of communication, Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke tells Heidemarie Schnaufer that her antenna is their only hope. In an interesting twist, the white fragments the new Neuroi are dropping to block comms is a reference to "Window"; while Window was specifically created to counter only radar, the Neuroi version counters everything ''except'' the night witches' radar-inspired antennae.]] | [[Image:SWMMG429.jpg|600px|thumb|none|With the Neuroi blocking regular forms of communication, Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke tells Heidemarie Schnaufer that her antenna is their only hope. In an interesting twist, the white fragments the new Neuroi are dropping to block comms is a reference to "Window"; while Window was specifically created to counter only radar, the Neuroi version counters everything ''except'' the night witches' radar-inspired antennae.]] | ||
[[Image:SWMMG4210.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Erica uses her ''Sturm'' attack, combining it with Perrine's ''Tonnerre''.]] | [[Image:SWMMG4210.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Erica uses her ''Sturm'' attack, combining it with Perrine's ''Tonnerre''.]] | ||
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[[Image:SWMFH3.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Eila and Sanya arrive for the climactic battle, ready for action.]] | [[Image:SWMFH3.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Eila and Sanya arrive for the climactic battle, ready for action.]] | ||
[[Image:SWMFH4.jpg|600px|thumb|none|The partially-assembled group looks on as more and more torpedo Neuroi spew out of the ground.]] | [[Image:SWMFH4.jpg|600px|thumb|none|The partially-assembled group looks on as more and more torpedo Neuroi spew out of the ground.]] | ||
− | [[Image:SWMFH5.jpg|600px|thumb|none|A rear angle of Aleksandra's Fliegerhammer just before she fires four rockets, with Eila blasting away with her MG 42 | + | [[Image:SWMFH5.jpg|600px|thumb|none|A rear angle of Aleksandra's Fliegerhammer just before she fires four rockets, with Eila blasting away with her MG 42 ahead of her, as they clear a path for Mio.]] |
[[Image:SWMFH6.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Sanya aims at a large Neuroi that's just popped up in front of Mio's floatplane...]] | [[Image:SWMFH6.jpg|600px|thumb|none|Sanya aims at a large Neuroi that's just popped up in front of Mio's floatplane...]] | ||
[[Image:SWMFH7.jpg|600px|thumb|none|...and fires a volley of four rockets, followed by the other five. Evidently the Fliegerhammer ''can'' be reloaded in the field, though where Sanya stores her spare rockets isn't exactly clear.]] | [[Image:SWMFH7.jpg|600px|thumb|none|...and fires a volley of four rockets, followed by the other five. Evidently the Fliegerhammer ''can'' be reloaded in the field, though where Sanya stores her spare rockets isn't exactly clear.]] | ||
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[[File:BrowningM2.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Browning M2HB - .50 BMG]] | [[File:BrowningM2.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Browning M2HB - .50 BMG]] | ||
− | [[File:SWMM21.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Elco PT-103 sits moored in front of Venezia's beautiful architecture. Note that the turret is facing out to sea, which is sensible for | + | [[File:SWMM21.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Elco PT-103 sits moored in front of Venezia's beautiful architecture. Note that the turret is facing out to sea, which is sensible both for safety, as well as being the likely direction of an enemy attack.]] |
[[File:SWMM22.jpg|thumb|none|600px|With their PT boat nearby, Shirley chats with Francesca, Fernandia, Luciana, and Martina. Note the "501" marking.]] | [[File:SWMM22.jpg|thumb|none|600px|With their PT boat nearby, Shirley chats with Francesca, Fernandia, Luciana, and Martina. Note the "501" marking.]] | ||
− | [[File:SWMM23.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Charlotte runs to pull the covers off their launch units and prep for takeoff, | + | [[File:SWMM23.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Charlotte runs to pull the covers off their launch units and prep for takeoff, giving a good look at the PT-103 and its twin turret.]] |
[[File:SWMM24.jpg|thumb|none|600px|As Francesca grabs her M1919A6, the dual-mounted pair of its larger cousin can be seen in more detail behind her.]] | [[File:SWMM24.jpg|thumb|none|600px|As Francesca grabs her M1919A6, the dual-mounted pair of its larger cousin can be seen in more detail behind her.]] | ||
[[File:SWMM25.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A look at the detailed M2HB model on the M4, as a Neuroi beam sweeps across three Shermans in near Bastogne...]] | [[File:SWMM25.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A look at the detailed M2HB model on the M4, as a Neuroi beam sweeps across three Shermans in near Bastogne...]] | ||
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==Type 92== | ==Type 92== | ||
− | The [[ | + | The [[Lewis Gun#Type 92|Type 92]], a Japanese copy of the Lewis Gun, is the rear gunner armament of the F1M floatplane. With no one to operate it, the Type 92 also goes unused in the film. |
[[File:Type 92 IJN.JPG|thumb|none|400px|Type 92 - 7.7x58mm R]] | [[File:Type 92 IJN.JPG|thumb|none|400px|Type 92 - 7.7x58mm R]] | ||
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==12.8cm FlaK 40== | ==12.8cm FlaK 40== | ||
− | Multiple 12.8cm FlaK 40 anti-aircraft cannons are used by Venezian troops to defend their city from a sudden Neuroi attack, before Francesca and Charlotte take over. These huge AA guns fire a massive 128x958mmR | + | Multiple 12.8cm FlaK 40 anti-aircraft cannons are used by Venezian troops to defend their city from a sudden Neuroi attack, before Francesca and Charlotte take over. These huge AA guns fire a massive 128x958mmR shell. |
[[File:SWMF401.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Three FlaK 40s fire on the Neuroi. Mounting these enormous cannons on ''grass'' rather than being bolted into concrete doesn't seem like an amazing idea though.]] | [[File:SWMF401.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Three FlaK 40s fire on the Neuroi. Mounting these enormous cannons on ''grass'' rather than being bolted into concrete doesn't seem like an amazing idea though.]] | ||
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Assorted AA guns and cannons are seen on military ships. A large fleet of ships engages the flying wing Neuroi in 1943, aircraft carrier ''Amagi'' brings Yoshika and Shizuka to Europe, and the repaired battleship ''Yamato'' (Mio Sakamoto's pet project) returns to assist in the final battle, humorously fitted with giant floaters to allow it to travel up the Rhine. | Assorted AA guns and cannons are seen on military ships. A large fleet of ships engages the flying wing Neuroi in 1943, aircraft carrier ''Amagi'' brings Yoshika and Shizuka to Europe, and the repaired battleship ''Yamato'' (Mio Sakamoto's pet project) returns to assist in the final battle, humorously fitted with giant floaters to allow it to travel up the Rhine. | ||
− | [[File:SWMN1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|]] | + | [[File:SWMN1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|1943.]] |
− | [[File:SWMN2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|]] | + | [[File:SWMN2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|1943.]] |
− | [[File:SWMN3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|]] | + | [[File:SWMN3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|1943.]] |
− | [[File:SWMN4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|]] | + | [[File:SWMN4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|1943.]] |
[[File:SWMN5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''Amagi'' in Yokosuka.]] | [[File:SWMN5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''Amagi'' in Yokosuka.]] | ||
[[File:SWMN6.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''Amagi''.]] | [[File:SWMN6.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''Amagi''.]] |
Revision as of 01:08, 6 February 2020
Early August, 1945; the former members of the disbanded 501st Joint Fighter Wing, the Strike Witches, have been back in their home countries or combat theatres since the liberation of Venezia. Yoshika Miyafuji, now a regular civilian after depleting her magic to defeat the Neuroi hive over Venezia, has been sent an invitation to study (non-magic) medicine at a Helvetian (Swiss) medical school. Yoshika accepts, and sets off for Europe aboard the carrier Amagi, alongside her escort, rookie IFN Sergeant Shizuka Hattori.
Meanwhile, a new type of Neuroi starts appearing sporadically around Europe, capable blocking all forms of communication nearby; even worse, some are showing up behind the frontlines, with no clear explanation of how they got there. After arriving in Pas-de-Calais and briefly visiting with Pierrette Clostermann and Lynette Bishop, Yoshika and Shizuka depart for Helvetia. However, given Yoshika's drained magic and Shizuka's lack of combat experience, running into one of those new Neuroi could prove dangerous.
Strike Witches: The Movie is set shortly after Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow, and is followed by Strike Witches: Road to Berlin.
For more in-depth explanations of the lore and setting of the World Witches universe, see the first season's page.
Warning: Some descriptions and images are major spoilers for the series, read at your own risk.
The following weapons were used in the anime film Strike Witches: The Movie:
Pistols
Beretta M1934
A Beretta M1934 is seen being loaded by Squadron Leader Heinrike Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein of the 506th JFW during a scramble. The 506th Joint Fighter Wing, or Noble Witches, is made up entirely of witches from noble families, and is split into two sub-units. A-unit, based in Sedan, is comprised of Squadron Leader Rosalie de Hemricourt de Grunne (of Belgica), Heinrike herself (of Karlsland), Flight Lieutenant Adriana Visconti (of Romagna), Flying Officer Kunika Kuroda (of Fuso), and Pilot Officer Isabelle du Monceau de Bergendal (of Belgica); all five members of A-unit cameo in The Movie. B-unit, based in Dijon, is comprised of Wing Commander Geena Preddy, Flight Lieutenant Marian Carl, Flight Lieutenant Jennifer DeBlanc, and Flying Officer Carla Luksic (all from Liberion).
Adriana Visconti also carries an M1934 as her sidearm, which makes sense given she's from Romagna, though it's not seen in her extremely brief cameo. Similarly, Heinrike uses an MG 151 as her main weapon, like fellow night witch Heidemarie Schnaufer, though Heinrike's is not seen in The Movie.
Submachine Guns
MP 40
Erica Hartmann carries an MP 40 submachine gun as a backup to her MG 42 on a patrol of the Rhine alongside Gertrud Barkhorn. After overheating her MG 42's barrel (and having neglected to bring spare barrels, as Gertrud did) Erica ditches her machine gun and uses the MP 40 for the remainder of the engagement. Erica's MP 40 features a brown bakelite lower reciever.
MP 40s are also seen in the hands of Karlsland soldiers in the film's opening, a flashback to 1943 in which Karlsland and Liberion infantry and tanks engage ground-type Neuroi, before an enormous flying wing Neuroi shows up, decimating the ground forces, as well as the naval ships supporting them, before being destroyed by the Strike Witches.
Rifles
M1 Garand
In the 1943 prologue, Liberion troops are armed with M1 Garand rifles.
M1 Carbine
Later in the film, Liberion troops under sudden attack at Bastogne attempt to radio for assistance; one of them can be seen with an M1 Carbine.
Boys Mk I*
The Strike Witches' sharpshooter, Lynette Bishop, uses a Boys Mk I* anti-tank rifle as her weapon of choice. A Boys rifle is also used by the Noble Witches' marksman Isabelle du Monceau de Bergendal, often known by the nickname "Isaac".
Machine Guns
Bren Mk 1 (M)
Pierrette-Henriette Clostermann continues to use a Bren Mk 1 (M) as her main weapon.
Browning M1918A2
Charlotte Yeager uses a Browning Automatic Rifle, and it gets considerably more time to shine in The Movie compared to Operation Victory Arrow.
Browning M1919A6
Francesca Lucchini continues to use a Browning M1919A6 modified with an attached, but quickly swappable ammo box as her weapon.
MG 42
As always, Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke, Gertrud Barkhorn, Erica Hartmann, and Eila Juutilainen use the witch-version MG 42, redesigned to use Patronentrommel 34 drum magazines. One of Gertrud's pair is borrowed by Yoshika during the climactic battle.
Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai
As an Imperial Fuso Navy witch, Shizuka Hattori uses a Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai iteration of the Type 99 cannon, designed specifically for use by witches. Shizuka's Type 99 is also used by Yoshika.
The Movie marks the first time the charging "button" is used on-screen, although it was intended as part of the design all along; this function is noted in the design sketch seen below, which predates the first season. For the rather lengthy technical explanation of the witches' Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai variant, see its first season entry.
Launchers
Fliegerhammer
The 501st's night witch, Aleksandra Litvyak, continues to use the nine-barrel Fliegerhammer rocket launcher, which was originally designed by Erica's twin sister Ursula Hartmann. The Fliegerhammer was inspired by (both in-universe and out) the Fliegerfaust, while its boxy shape is reminiscent of the M202 FLASH.
Panzerfaust 60
Gertrud Barkhorn equips herself with a pair of Panzerfaust 60s, along with her two MG 42s, two spare barrels, spare magazines, and spare ammo belts, as well as drop tanks for her Fw 190 striker, when she and Erica head out on patrol looking for any sight of the new Neuroi type.
Autocannons
MG 151
Heidemarie Schnaufer uses an MG 151 cannon as her weapon, used prominently in the film's present-day (August, 1945) opening, after the 1943-era prologue. Encountering the first of the new Neuroi that can block communications, Heidemarie makes fairly short work of it with her MG 151. As mentioned above, Heinrike Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein also uses an MG 151 as her main armament. Night witches tend to prefer heavier weapons (MG 151, MG FF, HS.404) paired with heavy fighter strikers (Bf 110, Ju 88, F7F Tigercat), in very much the same way real WWII night fighters tended to be heavy fighters with lots of firepower. While less manoeuvrable, heavy fighter strikers offer witches better load-bearing capacity as well as stronger shields, the latter being especially valuable, given that night witches typically operate alone.
The standardized witch version of the MG 151 features a top-mounted pistol grip, a horizontal off-hand grip, and a detachable drum magazine.
St. Trond airbase shipping manifest
Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke is seen signing for a shipment of weapons, ammo, and other supplies for the base at St. Trond. The list is actually written in German, which isn't surprising as the series is consistent about written elements being in native languages; like many TV shows, the characters are generally speaking Japanese for the audience, rather than actually doing so all the time in-universe.
Vehicle-Mounted & Stationary Weapons
MG 34 Panzerlauf
Tiger I tanks from Karlsland, alongside M4 Shermans from Liberion and supported by infantry, are seen advancing on spider-like ground-based Neuroi in the 1943 prologue. Tigers are armed with a pair of Panzerlauf variant MG 34s, designed for tank use; one is hull-mounted, while the other is mounted coaxially to the 8.8cm KwK 36 main cannon. The Tigers seen here are actually all the H1 early-production variant, identifiable by pair of storage boxes on the sides of the turret (as opposed to one at the rear) as well as the lack of side-skirts. Due to sharing the same model, all the Tigers share the same number, 100, which (including its white elephant artwork) was a real life Tiger H1; Tiger 100 was captured intact by the Russians during the war.
Browning M1919A4
In addition to the tripod-mounted M1919A4 listed above, tank-mounted versions are used by M4 Sherman tanks, with one hull-mounted machine gun and one coaxial machine gun, next to the 75mm M3 main cannon; the Shermans also have a roof-mounted M2HB.
Browning M2HB
M4 Sherman tanks feature a pintle-mounted M2HB on top of the turret. In addition to the prologue, M4s are seen later in the film, under attack at Bastogne. As the Shermans all share the same model, they're all marked with the serial number "U.S.L. 3033434".
Additionally, a dual-mounted pair of M2HBs is the armament of the 501st JFW's Elco PT-103, which Charlotte and Francesca used to reach Venezia. The PT-103 normally has a second dual turret further back, however the 501st's example has been modified to remove it and other elements from the rear half of the boat, replaced with a pair of striker launch units.
Type 97
An F1M seaplane attached to the battleship Yamato is piloted by Mio Sakamoto during the climactic battle. This is most definitely the same F1M seen in the second season. The F1M is armed with two Type 97 aircraft machine guns for offence, though Mio doesn't actually fire a shot in the movie, despite having at least one notable opportunity; it's possible that in her rush to get airborne there simply wasn't time to fully prep the aircraft.
Type 92
The Type 92, a Japanese copy of the Lewis Gun, is the rear gunner armament of the F1M floatplane. With no one to operate it, the Type 92 also goes unused in the film.
12.8cm FlaK 40
Multiple 12.8cm FlaK 40 anti-aircraft cannons are used by Venezian troops to defend their city from a sudden Neuroi attack, before Francesca and Charlotte take over. These huge AA guns fire a massive 128x958mmR shell.
2cm Flakvierling 38
The 502nd JFW, the Brave Witches, have a small frontline base near Petersburg, which is defended by several Flakvierling 38 quad-cannons. In real world production terms, this was the first time members of the Brave Witches cast were seen in the show.
Bofors 40mm
St. Trond airbase in Belgica is defended by large AA batteries which appear to be oversized twin-mounted Bofors guns. Numerous AA guns also defend the Noble Witches' base in Sedan.
8.8cm FlaK 36
Three FlaK 36 AA guns in the Ardennes are seen firing at hordes of Ba 349 Natter style Neuroi. While they destroy a few, the sheer number of Neuroi quickly demolish the artillery position.
Assorted AA guns and cannons are seen on military ships. A large fleet of ships engages the flying wing Neuroi in 1943, aircraft carrier Amagi brings Yoshika and Shizuka to Europe, and the repaired battleship Yamato (Mio Sakamoto's pet project) returns to assist in the final battle, humorously fitted with giant floaters to allow it to travel up the Rhine.