Those who watched all the way to the final frame of the Strike Witches movie will note the giant "TO BE CONTINUED" on the screen. The Operation Victory Arrow OVA (see what they did there? ... never mind) is the first stage in the continuation of the saga, but rather than tell the story after the Battle of the Bulge, this miniseries is positioned between season 2 and the movie, focusing primarily on the European members of the 501st (and Charlotte, the sole American, I mean, Liberion member). Episode 1 features the German, I mean, Karlslandians Minna, Gertrud, and the Hartmann twins, with a couple ofscenes featuring a new face from the movie, Heidemarie. But Heidemarie is a minor character here-- the main drama features Ursula Hartmann and the Me-262. Sakura Nogawa got a workout here, and always the professional, she delivers a great performance for both Erica and Ursula. Those who watched season 2 would understand Erica's objections to using the jet, and yet those who understand the history of fighter aircraft would understand why the turbojet engine was so important to air combat. The copious amount of technological research done for this episode went right into Ursula's dialogue, which was hilarious.

"Are you saying I'm not a lady, Herr Field Marshal?" -- Edita Neumann

Episode 2 features Charlotte and Francesca, as well as Field Marshal Rommel and Hanna Marseille. There is a complex conflict here that I rather like, layering Francesca's objection to a mission that would destroy an island full of historical artifacts and memories upon Charlotte and Hanna's rivalry. The mission in this episode culminates in a jury-rigging reminiscent of A*Team and MacGyver. This episode is the only time thus far that bombs are dropped by any Witch in the animated canon, so that's cool. Sometimes I wish that the P-47 and F4U got some air time, but no, we can't have any American other than Chuck Yeager...

The 3rd and final episode of the OVA details how Perinne and Lynette started the orphanage/school seen in the film. This episode's combat scenes easily rival the drama of the film's battles, largely because of the disadvantages placed upon Perinne, and they show some of the very rare examples of land Neuroi in the animated canon. The sequence where the butler revealed a cache of weapons is a clear nod to the French resistance. Amelie only had about 2 lines in the film, so she gets a more prominent role in the OVA.

Each episode's epilogue following the closing credits (except episode 3) is a short scene featuring Yoshika and her best friend recapping each episode. Episode 3 differs by revealing that the events of the film have already started by the time of its epilogue. Following a brief scene with Lynette receiving a letter from Yoshika, while the last remaining European 501st Witches, Eila and Sanya, are seen with the 502nd. The OVA closes with Mio sans eyepatch aboard the Yamato discussing an upcoming mission with Minna and a black frame with another "to be continued".

By this time, the franchise has 2 TV series and a movie under their belts, and so the characters of Strike Witches are in their element. They have great backstories and distinct personalities, and even when divided up like this they have great chemistry. You can watch this as a prologue to the movie (even though the movie was released first), or you can watch the movie first and then the OVA to fill in some blanks. On its own, it's a decent historical wartime fantasy drama, as long as you remember that they've decided to completely ignore the Pacific war.