Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow

Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow (2014-2015)

In July of 1945, the 501st Joint Fighter Wing and allied naval fleet destroyed the Neuroi hive over Venezia, liberating the country (the climatic events of Strike Witches 2). After this victory the 501st JFW was disbanded. Most Strike Witches members were reassigned to fronts in or around their homelands, while Yoshika Miyafuji has entirely retired from service due to draining her magic reserves in order to destroy the hive over Venezia, and is now living a quiet, ordinary civilian life; Mio Sakamoto remains in IFN service, though as she's aged out of her magic abilities, Mio is no longer a witch.

Operation Victory Arrow primarily follows three groups of Strike Witches members across its three episodes. St. Trond's Thunder is set half a month after the end of Strike Witches 2, with Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke, Gertrud Barkhorn, and Erica Hartmann, along with night witch Heidemarie W. Schnaufer stationed at St. Trond airbase in the Kingdom of Belgica; they're also joined by Erica's twin sister, the genius scientist and inventor Ursula Hartmann. Goddess of the Aegean Sea involves the continued adventures of Francesca Lucchini and Charlotte Yeager, joined by Hanna-Justina Marseille and Raisa Pöttgen, as they attempt to take out a stubborn Neuroi that's hiding inside the island of Delos, and save the ancient Greek ruins on the island; the commander of all witch forces in Africa, Edytha Neumann, as well as Erwin Rommel himself also appear. Arnhem Bridge follows Pierrette-Henriette Clostermann and Lynette Bishop, along with Amelie Planchard as they continue aid in rebuilding Gallia after its liberation in September, 1944 at the end of the first season; the story primarily revolves around the orphaned Dutch children Julius and Rose, who Perrine takes into her care.

Additionally, each episode features a short post-credits scene of Yoshika receiving or sending a letter to the witches featured in that episode. The last episode also features a post-credits cameo of Eila Juutilainen and Aleksandra Litvyak visiting the Brave Witches' frontline base, as well as Mio Sakamoto working on a certain pet project.

Chronologically, Operation Victory Arrow takes place after Strike Witches 2, and is followed by Strike Witches: The Movie, which was released before OVA, in 2012.

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 spoilers for the series, read at your own risk.

The following weapons were used in the anime series Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow:

Pistols

Gendarmerie Sidearm

A member of the Gendarmerie Nationale in Pas-de-Calais chases after Julius, an orphaned refugee from the Netherlands who stole some cold medicine for his little sister Rose. Given the variety of possible sidearms available at the time, it's impossible to say for sure what's in his holster.

The gendarme chases Julius around the dockyard. (Ep.3)

Running into Lynette, he gives her a salute and explains the situation. (Ep.3)

Shotguns

Over/Under Shotgun

In a flashback to the beginning of the Neuroi invasion, a group of Dutch civilians attempt to hold back the Neuroi on a bridge at Arnhem, Netherlands, armed with nothing but double barrel shotguns.

Browning 5.25 O/U - 12 gauge

The civilians attempting to hold the line long enough to evacuate their children. (Ep.3)

An much younger Julius talking to his father, as a tiny Rose lies beside him in the truck. (Ep.3)

Julius's dad tells him not to worry, saying the witches will show up soon and drive the Neuroi back. (Ep.3)

The truck prepares to leave, as the defenders wait for the inevitable assault. (Ep.3)

A father waves goodbye to his children. (Ep.3)

But the witches never did show up in time... (Ep.3)

Assault Rifles

StG 44 with Krummlauf

Ursula Hartmann arrives at the St. Trond base with loads of gifts and equipment to test, among them is an StG 44 fitted with a Krummlauf (curved barrel) attachment. A witch needing to shoot around corners in the sky seems rather questionable, but that's also the point of this scene, with a bunch of Ursula's fancy tech being various levels of silly. All of them are based on or inspired by real world experimental German tech, and are included in this same entry.

StG 44 - 7.92x33mm Kurz

Erica looking rather confused at her sister's StG 44. (Ep.1)

Next up is a miniaturized version of the Ru 344 X-4 wire-guided air-to-air missile. Despite Erica's reaction, this is would definitely have potential, as it did in reality. (Ep.1)

A flying flamethrower sure seems odd (though they were combat tested in reality on He 111s, Ju 88s, and Do 17s), but as Neuroi are made of a ceramic-like material that is hard but brittle, and thus susceptible to rapid temperature changes, a flamethrower might actually be useful. Maybe. (Ep.1)

A sonic cannon, complete with cork earplugs; very Luft '46. (Ep.1)

Of course, what Ursula actually came to test (again) is the Me 262 jet striker, its blueprints seen here. Note that everything is written in German; native languages seen in written form is consistently used in the series, which makes sense as the characters are only speaking Japanese for the audience, but in-universe they (in this case) would all be speaking German. (Ep.1)

Ursula tests the X-4 missile in official artwork; note her Fw 190 A-8 striker. (Art)

Rifles

Boys Mk I*

Lynette Bishop continues to use a Boys Mk I* as her signature weapon, though in an ironic twist in terms of nationality, in Arnhem Bridge she uses one borrowed from Perrine.

Boys Mk I* - .55 Boys (13.9x99mm B)

Cover artwork for Arnhem Bridge. (Art)

Every good mansion has a hidden armoury opened with a tilting book, after all. Perrine even keeps a Boys rifle handy, due to how much Lynette is around. (Ep.3)

The cavalry has arrived! (Ep.3)

The three-headed Neuroi takes cover in a water tower. The large hole in the bridge was from when it broke through minutes earlier, however that crater to the right of the tower was already there, and is exactly where Julius's father and the other civilians were defending the bridge... (Ep.3)

Lynette notes she can't hit it accurately when it's hiding in the tower. (Ep.3)

The entrenched Neuroi opens fire, forcing Lynette to block. (Ep.3)

Lynette fires off a few shots with her Boys while evading beams, and scores a hit on one of its legs. (Ep.3)

However, as always the leg simply regenerates. (Ep.3)

After Perrine blows off part of the tower with the PIAT, Lynette takes aim... (Ep.3)

...and fires a massive 13.9mm bullet right through the main water pipe, dousing the Neuroi with water. (Ep.3)

After Perrine electrocutes the Neuroi with her Tonnerre lightning, Lynette fires another shot to destroy the core. Beautiful teamwork. (Ep.3)

A happy Lynette holds her rifle as she watches Perrine and Julius celebrate, in their own way. (Ep.3)

Solothurn S-18/1000

The Pantaloni Rossi trio from the 504th JFW make a cameo in a slideshow briefing by Group Captain Edytha Neumann about the Neuroi on Delos; the Ardor Witches are seen attempting to attack it directly, with no success. As with Strike Witches 2, Luciana Mazzei's Solothurn S-18/1000 is instead depicted as a Boys rifle.

Solothurn S-18/1000 - 20x138mmB

Luciana fires her not-Solothurn, as Martina Crespi and Fernandia Malvezzi fire their MG 42s. (Ep.2)

Another angle of the trio, showing part of the island. For official artwork of Luciana's proper S-18/1000, see the second season's page. (Ep.2)

Machine Guns

Bren Mk 1 (M)

Despite the liberation of Gallia, Flying Officer Pierrette-Henriette "Perrine" Clostermann continues to use the Britannian-made Bren Mk 1 (M) as her weapon of choice, likely for a combination of having become very familiar with the weapon type, and (though Perrine would never admit to such sentimentality) an attachment to Britannia after serving there as part of the 501st.

Bren Mk 1 (M) - .303 British

Pierrette unleashes her Tonnerre special ability during the first battle. (Ep.2)

Browning M1918A2

Flight Lieutenant Charlotte Yeager continues to use a BAR as her standard weapon. Although holding drastically less ammo than the other witches' weapons, the BAR is well-suited to Shirley's preference for speed, being a far lighter and more compact gun.

Browning M1918A2 - .30-06

A great shot of the BAR's receiver, as the pair rushes forward upon hearing a distress call. (Ep.2)

Browning M1919A6

Pilot Officer Francesca Lucchini continues to use the Liberion-made Browning M1919A6 as her primary armament.

Browning M1919A6 - .30-06

Francesca's M1919A6 strapped to her back as she imagines eating octopus. A very different reaction to Shirley's. (Ep.2)

MG 34

Flight Lieutenant Hanna-Justina Wallia Rosalind Sieglinde Marseille (inspired by German ace Hans-Joachim Marseille) of the 31st Joint Fighter Squadron Afrika, the Storm Witches, uses an MG 34. Having earned quite a fan-following and called the "Star of Africa", Hanna is also known to own a Beretta M1934 with a tan finish, which was presented to her as a gift. Unlike nearly every other weapon used by witches, Hanna retains the bipod on her MG 34, in order to use it as a foregrip.

MG 34 - 7.92mm Mauser

Unsatisfied with a tie, Hanna aims her loaded MG 34 at Erica and claims victory. Minna is furious. (Ep.10)

MG 42

The Karlsland trio, Wing Commander Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke, Flight Lieutenant Gertrud Barkhorn, and Flying Officer Erica Hartmann, along with Flying Officer Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen of Suomus, all continue to use MG 42s modified to use the Patronentrommel 34 drum magazine. The MG 42 is also used by Romagnan witches Flying Officer Fernandia Malvezzi and Flight Sergeant Martina Crespi, of the Ardor Witches.

MG 42 - 7.92mm Mauser

MG 34 with Patronentrommel 34 for reference - 7.92mm Mauser

Fernandia Malvezzi holds her MG 42 as the 504th JFW approaches the Neuroi hive; Martina Crespi is off-screen to her left. (Ep.1)

Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai

The mainstay of the Fuso witches, a fictional iteration of the Type 99 aircraft cannon, makes its return, once again used by Yoshika Miyafuji and Mio Sakamoto. It is also seen used by Flight Lieutenant Junko Takei of the Ardor Witches, who fought alongside Mio in the Fuso Sea Incident of 1937; this incident was the first major use of striker units against the Neuroi, and was a resounding victory for the witches. For the rather lengthy technical explanation of the witches' Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai variant, see its first season entry.

Type 99 Mark 1 in pintle mount configuration - 20x72mm RB

Top: Type 99 Mark 1 Model 3 - 20x72mm RB / Bottom: Type 99 Mark 2 Model 3 - 20x101mm RB

Semi-conscious, Yoshika spirals towards the sea, her Type 99 hanging from its sling. (Ep.2)

Launchers

Fliegerhammer

The Fliegerhammer, a fictional multi-barrel rocket launcher, is once again used by Flying Officer Aleksandra Vladimirovna "Sanya" Litvyak. Designed by Erica Hartmann's twin sister and genius Karlsland scientist Ursula Hartmann, the Fliegerhammer was inspired by (both in-universe and out) the Fliegerfaust. Its large, boxy shape is also reminiscent of the more modern M202 FLASH.

Replica Fliegerfaust B with 9-rocket clip - 20mm

M202 FLASH - 66mm

Following a volley of rockets, Aleksandra and Eila make their entrance. (Ep.3)

PIAT

The Fliegerhammer, a fictional multi-barrel rocket launcher, is once again used by Flying Officer Aleksandra Vladimirovna "Sanya" Litvyak. Designed by Erica Hartmann's twin sister and genius Karlsland scientist Ursula Hartmann, the Fliegerhammer was inspired by (both in-universe and out) the Fliegerfaust. Its large, boxy shape is also reminiscent of the more modern M202 FLASH.

Replica Fliegerfaust B with 9-rocket clip - 20mm

Following a volley of rockets, Aleksandra and Eila make their entrance. (Ep.3)

Autocannons

MG 151

In addition to the Me 262 V1 Schwalbe prototype jet-powered striker unit developed by Ursula Hartmann and sent to the 501st for testing, they're also given four MK 108 cannons and a BK 5 cannon to use as its armament; four MK 108s was the standard armament of real Me 262s as well.

MK 108 - 30x90mmRB

The two pairs of unloaded MK 108s sit on the ground; the connecting parts and wires can be seen here, as well as a single drum magazine on the right. (Ep.4)

MK 214

The BK 5, a massive anti-bomber cannon that fires 50mm rounds, is part of the Me 262 testing package sent by Ursula. In reality, while these were only tested on Me 262s, they were fielded operationally on Me 410s, and they're credited with over 130 bombers shot down.

BK 5 - 50x419mmR

A lover of heavy firepower, Gertrud inspects the new cannons. (Ep.4)

506th JFW, Noble Witches cameo

text

A lover of heavy firepower, Gertrud inspects the new cannons. (Ep.4)

Vehicle-Mounted & Stationary Weapons

Breda-SAFAT 12.7mm machine gun

Romagnan Macchi C.202 Folgore fighters are armed with a pair of Breda-SAFAT machine guns chambered in 12.7mm, mounted in the engine cowling.

Breda-SAFAT machine gun - 12.7x81mmSR

Four C.202s, a Ju 52, and members of the 504th JFW approach a Neuroi hive. (Ep.1)

Type 97

The same A6M Reisen fighters are also armed with a pair of Type 97 aircraft machine guns in the engine cowling. A Mitsubishi F1M seaplane, also armed with a pair of Type 97s in the cowling, is seen stored in Yamato's hanger.

Type 97 aircraft machine gun - 7.7x56mm R

Zeros fire their Type 97s at the massive Neuroi. (Ep.8)

Type 99

The Type 99 cannon also appears mounted on the 501st JFW's Kawanishi H8K flying boat, mounted in its nose, dorsal, and rear turrets. A pair of Type 99s are also used by Mitsubishi A6M Reisen fighters from carriers Amagi, Chitose, and Chiyoda.

Type 99 Mark 1 in pintle mount configuration - 20x72mm RB

The H8K sits docked, as Mio and Keisuke Hijikata prepare to depart for Romagna; the Type 99 in its nose turret can be seen here. (Ep.1)

MG 34

The Type 92, a Japanese copy of the Lewis Gun, is the rear gunner armament of the F1M seaplane in Yamato's hanger.

Type 92 - 7.7x58mm R

Having hit absolute rock bottom, Yoshika cries for her apparent lost ability to fly. However, Mio's old Reisen isn't the only striker unit in Yamato's hanger... (Ep.8)

AA Guns

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(Ep.1)

Naval Weapons

Assorted AA guns and cannons are seen on naval ships and submarines.

(Ep.1)