[13 August 2023]
The mission here is not to hold VPs or to drive German victory points down, but simply to destroy five German command trucks. You win gold by destroying the command trucks within some unspecified time period. I almost always have won gold, so itโs not that hard. Just remember to stay focused on the main goal of finding/killing those command trucks. Capping points and getting fuel and munitions are important only insofar as they get you the additional forces you need, which in most cases amounts to: a captain unit, two mortar teams, a Stuart, one or two supporting infantry units, and maybe another Stuart, usually in that order.
On levels 1-2 you’ll find at least three fixed/sandbagged command trucks on the main map. One is unguarded (see image above). Another has an elite, sniper-like infantry guard. The third has a flak gun on top with a long range and strong effect against infantry even in buildings far away; if one of your squads stumbles onto it, they should get out of the flak gun crew’s sight or just retreat to base. (Ignore the stupid UI command to “try a pincer attack.”)
There is also another, mobile truck, usually parked near the outside of the German base, sometimes with an elite infantry guard (on level 3 and up, this is a second flak truck), and the last truck is the main base building (sometimes positioned as a truck base just outside the base entrance, in level one missions).
You’ll start with a 75mm pack howitzer, HMG, rifle squad, and RE squad. Use them initially to cap the four nearest points to your base. You’ll need fuel for a captain unit and at least one Stuart—typically you don’t need BARs or bazookas, but if you can afford them, go for it. (Baker Co. gets LMGs for 70 muni without having to open the weapons rack.) It’s risky to go for a Sherman, because it takes so long, but on higher difficulty levels, which can be really challenging, it might be your best bet.
The locations of the command trucks are always the same on a given map, so experience helps. When you find the flak-truck, use the pack howitzer on it from range (use the attack ground command for continuous fire, so you don’t have to keep ordering barrages), and add the mortars asap. Guard your indirect fire units with the HMG and other infantry. The bazooka-equipped captain squad, with guarding infantry, can handle the soft base buildings. The Stuart can handle the base truck guarded by the special German infantry.
The next step, assuming the last base truck is in the base, is to de-crew the flak positions guarding the base (indirect fire is easiest), at least on one side of the base, and then go in, on that side, with the Stuart(s), captain, indirect fire units, and supporting infantry, to terminate the base building and any defending infantry.
It’s usually not that hard, but even on level 1 difficulty the Germans typically will bring out a King Tiger if you wait too long—so move quickly, or, if delay is unavoidable, get lots of AT power.
Also note that as you push toward the German base, the German AI will flood the map with schreck-equipped infantry to intercept any reinforcements coming from your base, especially vehicles. So it’s not always a good idea to keep bringing in new units after you have what you need—they may only end up as casualties.
On level 3 or 4 or 5, also watch out for multiple elite German infantry squads and strafing Stukas.
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