The Great War: Western Front Historical Battles

Historical Battles

The historical battles are based on real events on the western front. They are fought on the tactical map and present special challenges or objectives for commanders to complete. Currently there are 6 historical battles in the game, playing as both the Allied and Central Powers.

Second Battle Of Ypres

22nd April to 25th May 1915 - Allied Powers

Historical Background

Considered a high tactical value target, the town of Ypres in western Belgium saw much conflict. Frustrated with the stalemate, German chemist Walther Nernst suggested using gas to empty the opposing trenches. While many types were discussed, Chlorine was chosen as it could be found in high quantities. At 5:00pm on April 22nd, 1915 the german lines opened cylinders and pured 160 tons of gas onto the battlefield, the first use of chemical weapons on the western front.

Primary Objectives

Hold the ridge until reinforcements arrive

Capture Point X and Z

Capture the german command trench

Secondary Objectives

Destroy 25 german Infantry Companies under artillery fire

Secure 5 gas bunkers

Walkthrough

The Central Powers use chlorine gas from their bunkers to take out the French infantry. The Canadians need to fill in the gaps and reclaim the points if they fall. A counterattack is then launched, with a chlorine gas attack taking place every 2 minutes. Infantry is only protected in bunkers and is instantly eliminated on contact. Capturing the gas bunkers with raiders will stop the attacks. The germans launch a counter attack from the northwest after both points have been captured. Finally, the German command trench can be conquered by entering the command trench with more Raiders from Point Z. Artillery and Raiders are plentiful and will lead the way.

Events and Decisions

1. Provide Artillery Support

The gas attacked wiped out the french infantry, use the artillery to defend the objectives.

2. Forward Control Point Lost

If the germans capture a controll point, they will bring artillery and machine Guns, allied reinforcements appear when they are retaken.

3. Canadians have arrived

Canadian reserves arrive with supplies and artillery

4. Watch out for Gas

The german lines will launch gas attacks from bunkers,

5. Air support granted

British Air Craft arrive to fight german bombers

6. Enemy Position secured

Machine Guns team move up

7. Incoming counter attack

The germans regroup and attack both X and Z

8. Gas threat eliminated

Without the threat of gas, command grants 20 Raider companies and pop Cap

9. Eliminate German Command

Bombers arrive and heavy artillery fires on the command trench. Troops in A can launch an assault or advance slow from Z

Second Battle Of Champagne

25th September to 6th November 1915 - Central Powers

Historical Background

The Second Battle of Champagne was an attempt by the French to use overwhelming manpower to push the Germans out of France. Outnumbering the Germans 3-to-1, the French opened with a withering four-day barrage of heavy artillery: they believed that the barrage would weaken the German army enough that the french could easily overrun their trenches. Rather than being demoralized, however, the Germans weathered the attack in their bunkers and then raced to their positions once it ended, meeting the charging French with a hail of gunfire and a tremendous web of barbed wire. The expected French glorious victory become anything but...

Main Objectives

Destroy 100 french infantry companies

Secondary Objective

Lose less than 10 german infantry companies

Defend and hold Points X and Z

Walkthrough

The French army regularly sends out large waves of infantry attacks accompanied by artillery barrages. During the artillery phase, infantry go into the bunkers and come out in time to defend the trenches. Incoming enemies should be supressed by artillery. Grenadiers are available for counter attacks in close combat.

Events and Decisions

1. Incoming!

The Autumn Battle of Champagne begins

2. Flank Attack

Enemy launches assaults from the sides, redirect infantry to the shelled trenches.

Rolling barrages do not do any damage and only surpress

3. Reinforcements

In course of the battle, command will grant more supplies but only few reserves.

Battle Of Verdun

21. February to 18. December 1916 - Central Powers

Historical Background

By 1916, German command came to believe that the war may not be winnable through decisive victories in battle. However, if they could inflict enough mass casualties, the French army might be pushed to the point of collapse just like the Russians on the Eastern Front. Verdun was chosen as the target due to its significance to the French people: German command believed it was a location that the French would not hesitate to protect at all costs. And they were right...

Primary Objectives

Capture Point C and B

Hold Both

Secondary Objectives

Destroy 30 French Infantry Companies under artillery fire

Capture Point A and hold it

Walkthrough

The German 5th army beginns its offensive on Verdun. There are 3 Forts, each has Fort Turrets which should be avoided. The first objective is Fort Douaumont (C). The Grenadiers must fight their way through the forts' trenches in close combat and then quickly send soldiers to man the front trenches. The contesting of a fort triggers a French counterattack from the north. So each wave of specialized Infantry needs standard infantry in reserve for the defense. The Fort guns can either be repaired or the supplies saved. Fort Vaux (B) can easily be approached from the forest and shelled extensively. It also has forward positions for defense. The secondary objective Fort De Souville (A) can only be entered head on with smoking barrages and stomtrooper waves. Most of the german artillery is out of range in this sector, thus needing more reserves to hold it afterwards. It is important because it has to be captured before Fort Vaux, as the french wave in ,,Counter Attack" reinforcements onto A. Holding both will lead to short time so plan to assault it instantly and with most of your forces. One Fort should not be repaired to have enough supply for the battle, alternatively decide between expensive Stormtrooper reserves or cheaper elite Infantry reserves.

Events and Decisions

1. Turrets still operational

Avoid Fort Guns, receive 10 Grenadier and 5 stormtrooper companies to clear trenches

2. Hold Fort Douaumont

The French Army will launch a counter attack

3. Repair Fort Douaumont Guns

Repair the Guns

2 MG Fort Turrets and 1 Cannon Fort Turret

Save the Supplies

Receive 250 Supply, 1 Fort Cannon, 4 pop Cap

4. Artillery has arrived

Receive 100 Supply, 25 infantry companies, 2 air wings at artillery at Point X

5. French Flank Attacks

Attacks on Point X, French start attacks from B with flamethrowers to destroy Fort Turrets.

6. Expand your controll

Command designates Fort Vaux (B) as next primary objective.

Stormtroopers Reserves

Receive 10 Stormtrooper Companies, 5 Pop Cap and 300 Supply

Elite Infantry Reserves

Receive 20 Elite Infantry Companies, 5 Pop Cap and 400 Supply

7. Secure Fort De Souville

Command designates Point A as secondary objectiveds. Smoke shells for rolling barrages arrive.

8. Hold Fort Souville

Repair the Guns

2 MG Fort Turrets and 1 Cannon Fort Turret

Supply

700 Supply, 1 heavy artillery, 3 pop cap

9. Hold Fort Douaumont and Vaux

Machine Guns

Receive 3 Machine Guns and 200 Supply

Artillery Support

Receive 2 Heavy Artillery and 2 Pop Cap

10. Repair Fort Vaux Guns

Repair the Guns

Receive 2 Fort Turrets

Supply

Receive 650 Supply

Battle Of The Somme

1. July to 18th of November 1916 - Central Powers

Historical Background

The Battle of the Somme was initially planned to be France and Britains contribution to a multi-front effort by French, Russian, British and Italian armies. The goal: end the war quickly with an Allied victory. As the time for the offensive approached, however, other battlefields drained away forces that were originally meant for the effort: French forces were reduced by the battles at Verdun while Britain used volunteer forces to fill the gaps. The Somme became one of the deadliest battles in human history with more than three million participants, a third of which would not leave unscathed...

Primary Objectives

Defend Point X

Capture and hold Point B

Secondary Objectives

Destroy 8 british recon ballons

Capture Point A

Walkthrough

The British troops break through the defenses of the Somme, the German positions are divided, and the positions have to be defended, a counterattack must be launched. To the south, Grenadiers must immediately stabilize the line at Checkpoint Y. At X, the british will attack up north through the woods. Each german balloon should be protected by a company, as forces from Point B harass the defenses. After the first objective is complete, the german engineers will blow the defenses at Point B. The grenadiers can flank the British. After capturing B, counter attacks including tanks are carried out by the British. At the same time, the German stormtroopers have to advance to checkpoint A. While it looks difficult first, more than enough supplies are available with the arrival of reinforcements. Diverting troops to Verdun will make the defense harder at first, but will pay out in the second phase of the battle. Taking the reserves will make the first phase very easy with enough forces avaible for an early push towards point A.

Events and Decisions

1. Reserve Corps

Take Resources

Receive 4 pop Cap, 20 Grenadier Companies and 500 Supply

Divert

All reserves will be diverted to Verdun and you will receive nothing

2. Initial British Attack

The british capture Point Y and prepare another attacks towards Point X

3. British Air Bursts

The British use their balloons to coordinate air burst attacks

4. Gas Shells arrive

Heavy artillery can now use gas shells. After the first 3 barrages, another event will occur, informing that the british received gas masks. (Gas Masks arrive)

5. Secure Allied B to Connect Lines

Request Ground Forces

Receive 4 pop cap, 20 Storm trooper companies and 600 Supply

Request Air Support

Receive 4 pop cap. 3 Aircraft with anit balloon and anti-air support and 800 Supply

6. Smoke Shells arrive

Rolling Barrage and smoke Shot are avaible

7. Secure Allied Point A

Secondary Objective designated by Command

8. Incoming British Attack

Request Ground Support

Receive 2 pop cap, light and heavy artillery at B. 20 Storm Trooper companies and 400 supply.

Request Air Support

Receive 4 aircraft, all air missions and 600 supply

9. Status of Verdun

Verdun going well

Receive 30 Grenadier companies, 750 supply and 4 Pop Cap

Verdun going poorly

Enemy receives flamethrower and Bomber reinforcements

10. Hold Allied A

Command moves MGs and Heavy Artillery if A is captured

11. Unconfirmed Reports

British Tanks will attack Point B soon, deploy Grenadiers!

12. What is this?

German Troops secure 3 British Tanks to deploy at Point A

Battle Of Passchendele

26th October to 10th November 1917 - Allied Powers

Historical Background

What remained of Passchandaele when the Canadian forces arrived was a hellish landscape of mud, artillery craters and burned trees. After gaining a foothold, the Canadian commander executed a multi-phase plan to push the Germans out of what was left of the town. Using simultaneous attacks backed up by intricate rolling barrage maneuvers, the Canadian forces managed to push the Germans out of the area. The Battle of Passchendaele is remembered by many as a symbol of how horrific war can be, but also as a symbol of national pride for Canada, whose troops were able to achieve near impossible feat.

Primary Objectives

Capture and hold point Z

Capture the german command trench

Secondary Objectives

Lose less than 15 companies

Capture Points X and Y

Walkthrough

The infantry advances on the enemy positions with artillery barrages. When defending Z, the artillery should target German stormtroopers. You also want raiders in reserve. The german HQ is heavily defended, the flanks at X and Y only have one trench line each and grant many resources. In order to capture the command trench without major casualties, the raiders can advance into the enemy trenches from the east at Y and overwhelm the German infantry under constant barrages.

Events and Decisions

1. Room in the Trenches

Command recommends to keep the casualties low, increasing the capacities for the offensive later 5 Pop Cap.

2. Hold Passchendaele

Canadian Raiders

Receive 10 Canadian Raiders Reserve and 500 Supply

Canadian Infantry

Receive 20 Canadian Infrantry Reserves, 5 Pop Cap and 400 Supply

3. Hold Passchendaele against attacks

Command is reporting a german counter attack

4. Eliminate German Command

The German forces are regrouping, push them out of the area

5. Secure the Flanks

Capturing Points X and Y will grant more supply

6. Flank secured

Additional companies, artillery and supply arrive

7. Both flanks secured

The pressure on the frontline is greatly relieved. Even more companies, supplies and artillery arrive

Battle Of Cantigny

28th May 1918 - Allied Powers

Historical Background

In the early hours of May 28th, 1918, the american army began their first assault in World War I. Thought to be green and little more than cannon fodder by their European allies, the Americans had two goalds for the upcoming battle: to push the German Line on a newly-formed salient, and to prove to their allies that they were battle ready. Support came from the French army in the form of air cover, tanks and artillery fire. While taking Cantigny proved easy for the Americans, holding it was another matter...

Primary Objectives

Capture and hold Point Y

Secondary Objectives

Destroy 7 german recon ballons

Lose or retreat less than 20 Companies

Walkthrough

The American troops can advance to Point Y with the French tanks and artillery. The french Barrage and planes start right away. Once the village has been captured, tanks and infantry can take position at the trenches to repell the german counter attacks from 2 sides. Specialized infantry should be surpressed. The enemy recon balloons are in range of the artillery. The Germans also attack through the forest but can be stopped by one or two companies at B and A. For the last push the germans send in their own A7V Tanks. Raiders at Y and heavy artillery can focus fire on them. The Allied tank forces are strong and fast to defend the line. Only artillery can damage them effecively.

Events and Decisions

1. Hold Cantigny against Counter Attack

French FT Light Tanks Reserve

Receive 6 FT Light Tanks and 480 Supply

Flamethrower Reserves

5 Pop Cap, 16 Flamethrowers and 480 Supply

2. Artillery support has arrived

Receive heavy artillery and 100 Supply

3. German Gas Shells

Command reroutes additional french aircraft and 250 Supply to destroy recon balloons coordinating german gas shelling.

4. Hold your Ground

Command wants to hold ground, withdraw less than 20 Infantry Companies

5. German Flank Attacks

The German Army attacks the rear area

End

And thats all the historical battles in the game. Did the guide help or do you have other tipps? Be sure to write them down.

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2960496185

Historical Battles

Historical Battles

Second Battle Of Ypres

Second Battle Of Champagne

Battle Of Verdun

Battle Of The Somme

Battle Of Passchendele

Battle Of Cantigny

End

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