1004 All Files|*.*|Scenarios|*.scn|Maps|*.set| 5000 Narrator Strings 5001 9 December 1940\n 5002 In their first attempt to challenge the Italians, the British must capture Benghazi and Tobruk as quickly as possible. 5003 5004 5005 5006 5007 24 March 1941\n 5008 Facing Rommel for the first time, the British lose ground. They must at least hold Tobruk, and should attempt to capture El Agheila and Mersa Brega. 5009 5010 5011 5012 5013 28 November 1941\n 5014 In their first counterattack against Rommel, the British must hold Tobruk, take Benghazi, and attempt to also capture El Agheila. 5015 5016 5017 5018 5019 21 January 1942\n 5020 The British continue to face down the Germans in North Africa; they must hold Tobruk, take Benghazi, and attempt to also capture El Agheila. 5021 5022 5023 5024 5025 28 May 1942\n 5026 Facing the greatest Axis attack of the desert campaign, the British must at least hold their ground. 5027 5028 5029 5030 5031 2 July 1942\n 5032 In this speculative scenario, the British attempt to cut off the fleeing forces of the Axis in North Africa by capturing Tripoli. 5033 5034 5035 5036 5037 23 October 1942\n 5038 The British attempt to break the Axis in North Africa by capturing Mersa Matruh. 5039 5040 5041 5042 5043 3 January 1942\n 5044 In this speculative scenario, the Germans have driven the Allies back. The remaining 5045 British forces must both hold Mersa Matruh and Cairo and attempt to capture the other 5046 strategic cities before mid-February. 5047 5048 5049 8 November 1942\n 5050 Green American troops land in North Africa and attempt to sweep into several key cities as quickly as possible. 5051 5052 5053 5054 5055 14 February 1943\n 5056 Blocked by the Germans at the Kasserine pass, the Americans only have a week in which to capture all of their objectives. 5057 5058 5059 5060 5061 6 March 1943\n 5062 Dug in behind the Mareth Line, the Germans attempt to hold back the Allies in their attempt to capture Matmata and Mareth. 5063 5064 5065 5066 5067 28 April 1943\n 5068 The Allies move to conclude the desert campaign, trying to reach all of their objectives before the Axis can evacuate properly. 5069 5070 5071 5072 5073 10 July 1943\n 5074 After landing on the beaches of Sicily, the Allies attempt to sweep the island as quickly as possible. 5075 5076 5077 5078 5079 22 January 1944\n 5080 The Allies face stiff resistance from German troops in Italy as they attempt to move out from their beachheads quickly enough to reach all of their objectives. 5081 5082 5083 5084 5085 21 March 1944\n 5086 In this speculative scenario, the Allies attempt to recapture Norway, but must move quickly 5087 to take all of their strategic objectives in time to divert their forces for the Normandy invasion. 5088 5089 5090 5091 6 June 1944\n 5092 In the Normandy invasion the Allies must move fast to establish their foothold on the Continent by capturing key cities before the Axis can fully respond. 5093 5094 5095 5096 5097 25 July 1944\n 5098 The Allies must take all of their strategic objectives as they move to liberate France. 5099 5100 5101 5102 5103 15 September 1944\n 5104 Attempting to crack the German defensive line, the British must capture at least Antwerp, 5105 Arnhem, Kleve, S. Hertogenbosch, Bergen Op Zoom, Brskens, and Eindhoven before Christmas. 5106 5107 5108 5109 15 September 1944\n 5110 As they move toward Germany, the Americans must capture key cities near the Moselle River as rapidly as they can. 5111 5112 5113 5114 5115 26 December 1944\n 5116 Attempting to recover ground lost in the German 'Ardennes' counteroffensive, the Allies need to quickly pinch off the German salient and retake vital cities on the way to the Rhine. 5117 5118 5119 5120 5121 23 February 1945\n 5122 In order to cut off the German war machine from the industries of the Ruhr river valley, the Allies move to capture several key cities. 5123 5124 5125 5126 5127 2 April 1945\n 5128 The Allies make their final move against Germany, but they must capture several points in Germany to make their victory complete. 5129 5130 5131 5132 5133 30 November 1939\n 5134 As the Russians move to take territory from Finland, they must capture the cities of Viipuri, Tali, Suma, and Taipale. 5135 5136 5137 5138 5139 1 July 1941\n 5140 Faced with an overwhelming German attack, Russian forces in the north must hold the 5141 cities of Pskov and Ostrov for at least two weeks in order to slow the German advance, 5142 hoping to also keep Opochka for as long as possible. 5143 5144 5145 5 August 1941\n 5146 As the initial German attack sweeps deep into the Soviet Union, the Russians fight to defend Leningrad at all costs. The surrounding cities all have strategic value in securing 5147 Leningrad in the long term, and the Russians must hold as many of them as they can until the beginning of August. 5148 5149 5150 5151 15 November 1941\n 5152 The survival of the Soviet Union depends upon keeping the Germans out of Moscow. In order to hold Moscow through the winter, the Soviets must hold on to most of the nearby cities. 5153 5154 5155 5156 5157 1 January 1942\n 5158 In their first winter counterattack, the Russians must retake Rzhev, Sychevka, Gzhatsk, and Vyazma, and attempt to capture Belyy without endangering the capital. 5159 5160 5161 5162 5163 12 May 1942\n 5164 The Russians attempt to capture the fortified city of Kharkov, plus as many of the other key cities in the region as they can. 5165 5166 5167 5168 5169 19 November 1942\n 5170 As the struggle for Stalingrad continues, the Russians launch a counteroffensive. By taking Kalach and reclaiming Stalingrad, the Russians can trap 6th Army and elements of 4th Panzer Army. 5171 5172 5173 5174 5175 2 January 1943\n 5176 The Russian drive to capture Rostov and trap Army Group A in the Caucasus. 5177 5178 5179 5180 5181 2 February 1943\n 5182 The Russians return to Kharkov hoping again to retake the city, this time better prepared than in 1942. They must capture the cities of Kharkov, Bogoduhov, and Krasnograd and 5183 go on to take Belgorod, Lozovaya, Dnepropetrovsk, Smelnikovo, and Pavlograd if they can. 5184 5185 5186 5187 1 October 1943\n 5188 The Russians bridge the Dniepr river planning to reach the cities of Krivoi Rog, Dnepropetrovsk, and Meltopol, and hoping to take for Cherkassy, Kirovograd, Nikopol, Berislav, and Kherson as well. 5189 5190 5191 5192 5193 24 January 1944\n 5194 The Russians move to take Kanev, Smela, Zvenigorodka, and Shpola, cutting off 1st Panzer Army. If possible, they should go on to capture Uman and Novoukrainka and complete the encirclement at Korsun. 5195 5196 5197 5198 5199 22 June 1944\n 5200 The Russians move to crush Army Group Center. Their minimum objectives for this scenario include Dvinsk, Borisoy, Mogilev, Minsk, and Bobruysk. 5201 5202 5203 5204 5205 1 August 1944\n 5206 The Russians move into Rumania to capture Kachul, Bacau, Izmail, Kishinev, Galati, Braila, Ploesti, and Bucharesti. 5207 5208 5209 5210 5211 2 September 1944\n 5212 In this speculative scenario, the Russians have suffered a reversal and must try to regain the initiative against the Germans. They must retake at least Olevsk, Zhitomir, Berdichev, Vinnitsa, and Uman, 5213 and hopefully go on to capture Rowne and Brody. 5214 5215 5216 5217 24 September 1944\n 5218 As the Russians begin their attack on Hungary, they must capture the cities Dej, Zalau, Oradea, and Cluj -- and try to continue on to Debrecen as well. 5219 5220 5221 5222 5223 15 March 1945\n 5224 The Germans have forced a salient into the Russian line; the Red Army must fight to contain the Germans and capture at least the cities of Siofok, Mor, and Tata. 5225 5226 5227 5228 5229 18 April 1945\n 5230 The Russian drive on Berlin. They must capture several key points in the city, plus at least the surrounding cities of Seelow, Ketzin, and Potsdam. 5231 5232 5233 5234 5235 Sir:\n 5236 As you well know, since September, the Italians have pushed as far east as Sidi Barrani. Whilst they may have suspended their advance, their presence remains a threat to the stability of the region 5237 and to our reserves of petrol.\n 5238 High Command has instructed us to proceed at top gear with the resources we have to hand, and dislodge the Italians from their Libyan colonies.\n 5239 5240 5241 The big brass have given the landing tomorrow their final OK. G-2 says that they think we'll succeed in 5242 surprising the Axis forces. I have information for you on strategic objectives and what we know about 5243 enemy positions. Since they haven't fought Americans in this war they should be in for a big surprise. 5244 5245 5246 5247 Sir:\n 5248 After a rough start, the Americans did a superb job repulsing Rommel at Kasserine Pass; now the ball is in our court. This despatch from High Command orders us to storm the 5249 Mareth defences. If we establish a connexion with our forces in the west, we can corner Jerry in Tunisia. 5250 5251 5252 5253 Comrade commander, we have received the final order from Stavka. We shall cross the border into Finland tomorrow. The Party Commissar has 5254 heard some talk among the men about us attacking the Finns without provocation. He would like you to include in your morning orders a 5255 reminder of the reports we have that Finnish units fired upon our troops as we massed on their border. He says that he will also notify the 5256 men to expect the population to welcome us as liberators who will deliver them from the capitalist oppression of their upper classes. 5257 5258 5259 Sir:\n 5260 With respect, sir, this letter has just arrived from High Command:\n 5261 'In your ineptitude, you have managed to suffer a defeat at the hands of an impoverished, ill-equipped and uninspired adversary. Circumstances demand the withdrawal of your remaining 5262 forces to assist in the struggles in Greece. The defence of the Middle East will be consigned to your subordinate.\n 5263 You are to assume command of our ammunition depot in the Hebrides, Scotland.'\n Let me take this opportunity to state that it has been a pleasure serving under you, sir. The best of British luck to you. 5264 5265 Sir:\n 5266 The work was against the collar, but High Command acknowledges that we have made an auspicious start.\n 5267 They say that we must remain vigilant, however: Reports indicate that Jerry is about. In the past weeks, he has established a considerable presence in the west near El Agheila, 5268 and will no doubt launch an offensive in the near future.\n Not to worry, though: German armour should be no match for British steel. 5269 5270 5271 Sir:\n 5272 High Command extends its congratulations; the Italian Comando Supremo expected a swift resolution in this theatre, though not this particular outcome. This decisive victory over a sizable Axis force bodes well for 5273 the future.\n They say we must remain vigilant, however: Reports indicate that Jerry is about. In the past weeks, he has established a considerable presence in the west near El Agheila, and will no doubt launch an 5274 offensive in the near future.\n I suspect that the German General will not be so feckless as his Italian predecessor. 5275 5276 5277 Sir:\n 5278 High Command is dismayed that we have faltered. Another such defeat could imperil the whole of the Middle East.\n 5279 Through ULTRA we've surmised that the Axis will attack Thursday next. Tobruk and her garrison are in jeopardy; hence, High Command expects us to seize the advantage by striking first. It is imperative that we 5280 accomplish our objectives by year's end. 5281 5282 5283 Sir:\n 5284 High Command commends you on a victory in the face of considerable odds. Good show. Jerry won't discount your capacity as commander again.\n 5285 Through ULTRA we've surmised that the Axis will attack Thursday next. Tobruk and her garrison are in jeopardy; hence, High Command expects us to seize the advantage by striking first. It is imperative that 5286 we accomplish our objectives by year's end. 5287 5288 5289 Sir:\n 5290 High Command extends its congratulations on the capital job you've done. Let's hope Jerry continues to underestimate the prowess of the Empire.\n 5291 As for our next assignment: Intelligence informs us that the Axis have once again gathered near the border of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. Our orders are to despatch this revitalized force, and recapture El Agheila 5292 no later than the 20th of March. 5293 5294 5295 Sir:\n 5296 Perhaps not the best of courses, but we've managed to keep our heads above water. High Command acknowledges the situation as dicey, but enjoins us to shore up the defenses, and prepare to stick it for 5297 the long haul.\n 5298 Our task is to hold Jerry back from Cairo by any possible means. High Command has indicated that if we can regain sufficient ground, reinforcements are assured come February. 5299 5300 5301 Sir:\n 5302 High Command extends its congratulations on the capital job you've done. Let's hope Jerry continues to underestimate the prowess of the Empire.\n 5303 Intelligence informs us that the Axis have once again gathered near the border of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. Our orders are to despatch this revitalized force and recapture El Agheila before the 20th of March. 5304 5305 5306 5307 Sir:\n 5308 Congratulations on a job well done; our colleagues in the R.A.F. have pronounced it a wizard operation.\n 5309 High Command demands that we press on to Tripoli, as we are within an ace of driving Jerry from Africa. They expect us to destroy the last vestiges of the Afrika Korps by the start of August. 5310 5311 5312 5313 Sir:\n 5314 High Command has expressed its disappointment with the turn of events.\n 5315 Intelligence tells us that the Axis have abandoned their plans to capture Malta, and will instead focus on Egypt. High 5316 Command has ordered the attack for the 23rd; they warn us that we must secure a victory at all costs, else the Empire will have to withdraw from the Middle East for good. 5317 5318 5319 Sir:\n 5320 I have just received word from High Command; they extend their congratulations on your achievement. We've had a bad patch, but we've a chance now.\n 5321 Through ULTRA we've ascertained that Rommel has marshalled his largest force to date, and will take the offensive within the next two weeks. We aren't prepared to initiate our own attack, and must weather the 5322 storm until we can turn the tables on Jerry. 5323 5324 5325 Sir:\n 5326 This was indeed an operation of the first water; it is time for Rommel to look to his laurels.\n 5327 High Command directs us to press on to Tripoli, as we are within an ace of driving Jerry from Africa. They expect us to destroy the last vestiges of the Afrika Korps by the start of August. 5328 5329 5330 5331 Sir:\n 5332 High Command expresses its disappointment at the turn of events.\n 5333 Intelligence tells us that the Axis have abandoned their plans to capture Malta, and will instead focus their offence on Egypt. High Command has ordered 5334 the attack for the 23rd; they warn us that we must secure a victory at all costs, else the Empire will have to withdraw from the Middle East for good. 5335 5336 5337 Sir:\n 5338 High Command offers its praise for this timely victory.\n 5339 Intelligence tells us that the Axis have abandoned their plans to capture Malta, and will instead focus on Egypt. High Command has ordered the attack for the 23rd; they warn us that 5340 we must secure a victory at all costs, else the Empire will have to withdraw from the Middle East for good. 5341 5342 5343 Sir:\n 5344 Your outstanding effort has caused quite a stir at home. No one thought that we could thwart Jerry in the face of such odds.\n 5345 High Command has weighed up the situation, and determined that it is time to push onward to Rommel's base in Tripoli. They expect us to destroy the last vestiges of the Afrika Korps by the start of August. 5346 5347 5348 5349 Sir:\n 5350 High Command expresses its disappointment at the turn of events.\n 5351 Intelligence tells us that the Axis have abandoned their plans to capture Malta, and will instead focus on Egypt. High Command has ordered the attack 5352 for the 23rd; they warn us that we must secure a victory at all costs, else the Empire will have to withdraw from the Middle East for good. 5353 5354 5355 Sir:\n 5356 The Axis have shown the white feather, and are on the run. Under your command, it was on the cards that we should prevail in North Africa. I expect that a visit to Buck House is in the works.\n 5357 High Command will no doubt offer you the opportunity to lead the combined Allied forces in the campaign to liberate Europe. If so, I should look forward to our serving together again.\n 5358 In either case, it has been a privilege. The best of luck to you, sir. 5359 5360 5361 Sir:\n 5362 The Axis have shown the white feather, and are on the run. The wireless lauds your victory as we speak. Under your command, it was on the cards that we should prevail in North Africa. I expect that a trip to 5363 Buck House is in the works.\n High Command will no doubt offer you the opportunity to lead the combined Allied forces in the campaign to liberate Europe. If so, I should look forward to our serving together again.\n 5364 In either case, it has been a privilege. The best of luck to you, sir. 5365 5366 5367 Sir:\n 5368 The Axis have attained the River Nile, and inexorably advance upon Persia. Most of our rear-area personnel were unable to withdraw in time. We have failed in our duty, and must charge the Yanks with this onerous task.\n 5369 I haven't confessed it before, sir, but I admire you terribly.\n 5370 5371 5372 5373 Sir:\n 5374 Despite our greatest efforts, the Axis endure in North Africa. Nevertheless, we've done our bit, and it's time to let others shoulder the load. High Command has issued you leave to return home to a well-earned rest.\n 5375 It has been my pleasure to serve under you, sir. May God grant that Britain emerge from the war victorious. 5376 5377 5378 5379 Sir:\n 5380 You have given a good account of yourself. High Command judges that you were bang on target in your appraisal of Jerry's predicament. The PM has even alluded to the prospect of Birthday Honours.\n 5381 In light of this exceptional accomplishment, High Command will no doubt offer you the opportunity to lead the combined Allied forces in the campaign to liberate Europe. If so, I should look forward to our serving together again.\n 5382 In either case, it has been a privilege. The best of luck to you, sir. 5383 5384 5385 Sir:\n 5386 Our forces have been terribly savaged, and most of our men are in the bag.\n 5387 Britain has made her final endeavour in this theatre; we must pass the torch to the Yanks, and let them resolve this ghastly business.\n 5388 I haven't confessed it before, sir, but I admire you terribly. 5389 5390 5391 Sir:\n 5392 High Command declares that we've made a muck of things: We've managed to contain the enemy, but only at the expense of our vitality in the region. We must look to other theatres for an opportunity to end this 5393 ghastly war.\n It has been my pleasure to serve under you, sir. May God grant that Britain emerge from the war victorious. 5394 5395 5396 5397 Sir:\n 5398 I have just received word from High Command; they extend their congratulations on your sterling performance in this dire hour. We've had a bad patch, but we've a chance now.\n 5399 Through ULTRA we've ascertained that the Axis have concentrated their forces in the last weeks, and will take the offensive within a fortnight. We 5400 aren't prepared to initiate our own attack, and must weather the storm until we can turn the tables on Jerry. 5401 5402 5403 It looks like the Germans deserve the reputation they have with the British troops here. The latest 5404 reports show that they have come further south than anticipated, apparently hoping to punch through 5405 our line and reach our supply dumps. We will have to hold the line at Kasserine or they could force us out 5406 of Tunisia. 5407 5408 5409 It looks like the Germans deserve the reputation they have with the 5410 British troops here. The big brass thought our supply lines were 5411 secure, but they've misjudged where the Germans would strike next. The 5412 latest reports show that the Germans have come further south than 5413 expected, apparently hoping to punch through our line and reach our supply depots. We will have to hold the line at Kasserine or they could force us out of Tunisia. 5414 5415 I have the new orders here. The big brass have decided that, in spite of 5416 our green troops, we moved fast enough that we can come knocking on 5417 Rommel's door and bring the fight to him. 5418 5419 5420 5421 G-2 reports that the enemy have managed to pull back effectively. It looks like we didn't hit them 5422 hard enough to do the job, but the British forces in the east have put enough pressure on the enemy that 5423 the big brass want us to keep moving. We'll face a strong armored force when we move against their 5424 southern flank at the Mareth line. Monty will meet with you to co-ordinate plans between his British 5425 troops and us. 5426 5427 G-2 reports that the Germans have exhausted themselves on the offensive, and the word is that our 5428 orders will take us to the enemy's southern flank. Monty will meet with you to co-ordinate plans for a joint 5429 Anglo-American attack on the fortified German line at Mareth. 5430 5431 5432 5433 The new orders just came in. The big brass agree that you've put Rommel on the run by threatening to 5434 cut him off from his base. They've approved your plan to follow him back to Tunis, where they believe 5435 that you can finish the job and drive the Axis completely out of North Africa. 5436 5437 5438 5439 The big brass have overlooked our hard luck at the Mareth Line and given you overall command of the 5440 Anzio operation. We will have good beaches and clear terrain on our side, but it's going to be a real 5441 green hornet because if we don't move fast we'll lose the element of surprise. 5442 5443 5444 5445 The big brass thinks we can finally drive the Axis right out of North Africa. Tunis is their last 5446 foothold, so if we can push them out, we'll have finished the job here. 5447 5448 5449 5450 5451 G-2 reports that you hit the enemy so hard you knocked them back to Tunis. The Germans fell back to 5452 Tunis, leaving behind equipment and supplies as they ran. The big brass are hoping to finally clear the Axis 5453 right out of North Africa. Tunis is their last foothold, so if we move fast enough we can bag the Axis 5454 troops and won't have to face them again. 5455 5456 5457 Sir:\n 5458 The unexpected reverse at Mareth was a bit of a knock, but High Command has appointed you to head up the Anzio operation. With any luck, we can outflank Jerry and force him from Italy. 5459 5460 5461 5462 5463 Sir:\n 5464 The time has come to settle the North Africa matter. High Command says that this should be the final offensive, as the enemy has no other recourse but to withdraw to Europe. Once we have expelled 5465 Jerry from Tunis, we can cross the Mediterranean. 5466 5467 5468 5469 Sir:\n 5470 High Command is pleased with our progress.\n 5471 The time has come to settle the North Africa matter. High Command says that this should be the final offensive, as the enemy has no other recourse but to withdraw to Europe. Once we have driven Jerry from Tunis, 5472 we can cross the Mediterranean 5473 5474 5475 I'm sorry, General. They've decided to send you stateside. 5476 5477 5478 5479 5480 5481 We just got the final word on our next move. We'll make the assault on Sicily before we tackle the 5482 mainland. G-2 says that our successÊat Tunis means that we only have to worry about a small 5483 Wehrmacht force backing up the Italians. 5484 5485 5486 5487 We got the word about our next move. We'll hit Sicily before we tackle the mainland. G-2 says that our 5488 success at Tunis means that we only need to worry about a small Wehrmacht force backing up the 5489 Italians. By the way, our S-2 told me something interesting today. It looks like Rommel managed to slip 5490 out of North Africa, by sub. 5491 5492 5493 Sir:\n 5494 High Command has chosen you to conduct training for the cross-channel landing scheduled for '44. In five days' time you will depart for Fort Benning to grace the Americans with your expertise in these matters.\n 5495 It has been a pleasure serving under you, sir. The best of British luck to you. 5496 5497 5498 5499 Sir:\n 5500 The Desert Fox has managed to slip through our fingers, but no matter: Tunis is ours. Furthermore, the invasion of Sicily should go well; Intelligence says that Jerry can supply his Italian ally with 5501 but minimal assistance. 5502 5503 5504 5505 Sir:\n 5506 The Desert Fox has managed to slip through our fingers, but no matter: Tunis is ours. Furthermore, the invasion of Sicily should go well; Intelligence says that Jerry can supply his Italian ally with but 5507 minimal assistance. 5508 5509 5510 5511 In spite of the hard time we had in Sicily, Ike wants you in charge of the Anzio operation. We will have 5512 good beaches and clear terrain on our side, but it's going to be a real green hornet because if we 5513 don't move fast we'll lose the element of surprise. 5514 5515 5516 5517 The big brass have given you overall command of the Anzio operation. We will have good beaches and clear 5518 terrain on our side, but it's going to be a real green hornet because if we don't move fast we'll lose the 5519 element of surprise. 5520 5521 5522 5523 I just found out that Operation Jupiter has the thumbs-up. Most of our men will ship out next week, on 5524 the 3rd of February. I have the briefing here. Looking at the Norwegian terrain, this will be no 5525 cakewalk. 5526 5527 5528 5529 Sir:\n 5530 Despite past difficulties, you have been appointed to head up the Anzio operation. With any luck, we can outflank Jerry and force him from Italy. 5531 5532 5533 5534 5535 Sir:\n 5536 Congratulations. You have been appointed to head up the Anzio operation. With any luck, we can outflank Jerry and force him from Italy. 5537 5538 5539 5540 5541 Sir:\n 5542 High Command has decided that this is the opportune moment to reclaim Norway from Jerry. Your victory in Sicily has earned you the chance to lead Operation Jupiter. It should be a challenge fit for a leader of your calibre. 5543 5544 5545 5546 5547 We're moving at a good pace. Our boys have fought well. We'll reach Verdun within a few days. G-2 5548 reports that news of the German surrender to the Red Army ended the fighting in Belgium and Norway, and 5549 we shouldn't see any fighting on the way toward the Rhine. A few pockets of the Wehrmacht are holding 5550 out in Germany, slowing the Russians down, so they probably won't make it to the border before we do. 5551 5552 5553 Congratulations on your appointment to lead Operation Overlord. I have an updated briefing for you. 5554 According to G-2, the enemy hasn't figured out where we'll hit them. Still, it won't be easy. They know 5555 we're coming, and they'll be ready. 5556 5557 5558 5559 Congratulations! Ike himself insisted that only you could lead Overlord. Stateside the press is 5560 calling you a real ball of fire. According to the G-2 information we have, the enemy hasn't figured out 5561 where we'll hit them. Still, it won't be easy. They know we're coming, and they'll be ready. 5562 5563 5564 5565 Sir:\n 5566 High Command reports that Stalin's armies have swarmed over Belgium and Norway, forcing Jerry to raise the white flag. We've a slim chance to reach the border before the Russians, but for the most part, this 5567 whole bloody business is through. 5568 5569 5570 5571 Sir:\n 5572 High Command believes our stratagem to be a consummate deception: Jerry is busy safeguarding the Straits of Dover. Tomorrow at Normandy he will be utterly surprised. 5573 5574 5575 5576 5577 Sir:\n 5578 High Command believes our stratagem to be a consummate deception: Jerry's busy safeguarding the Straits of Dover. Tomorrow at Normandy he will be utterly surprised. 5579 5580 5581 5582 5583 Ike says he needs you in France. Someone else will have to assume command in Norway. We have been 5584 given orders to head up the Cobra breakout. If we move fast and hit them hard, Paris will be our next 5585 stop. 5586 5587 5588 5589 Congratulations on getting picked to lead Overlord. I have an updated briefing for you. G-2 says that the 5590 enemy hasn't figured out where we'll hit them. Still, it's going to be tough. 5591 5592 5593 5594 5595 Congratulations! After you got the appointment to lead Overlord, I heard that Ike himself said that 5596 your victories in Italy and Norway proved that you're the man for the job when it comes to amphibious 5597 operations. I've heard the men bragging about serving under you; their morale is very high. God 5598 knows we'll need it. G-2 claims that the enemy hasn't figured out where we'll hit them, but it still won't 5599 be easy. 5600 5601 Sir:\n 5602 The Norway effort shall not be abandoned, but your presence is vital to the success of the Cobra operation. Stiff German resistance in Normandy has boxed our men in, and High Command has chosen you to direct 5603 the break-out manoeuver. 5604 5605 5606 5607 Sir:\n 5608 High Command believes our stratagem to be a consummate deception: Jerry is busy safeguarding the Straits of Dover. Tomorrow at Normandy he will be utterly surprised. 5609 5610 5611 5612 5613 Sir:\n 5614 High Command believes our stratagem to be a consummate deception: Jerry is busy safeguarding the Straits of Dover. Tomorrow at Normandy he will be utterly surprised. 5615 5616 5617 5618 5619 We finally have some reliable information out of Russia. As we believed, Moscow has fallen but the 5620 Russians still hold Stalingrad, contrary to German propaganda. Still, with Stalin dead and us 5621 locked out of Europe, the Russian will has almost broken, and G-2 believes that they can't hold out 5622 much longer. 5623 5624 5625 I have an updated briefing for you. We've been given orders to head up the Cobra breakout. If we move fast 5626 and hit them hard, Paris will be our next stop. 5627 5628 5629 5630 5631 Ike says that we hit the enemy even harder than expected. I've heard that the count on German prisoners 5632 will top 150,000. Ike thinks that from here we can crack the German west wall line of defenses. G-2 5633 says that they can't find any breaks in the line, but they believe that Axis propaganda has exaggerated the 5634 strength of their defenses. 5635 5636 5637 Sir:\n 5638 The wire reports that the Russians have made a valiant stand at Stalingrad, but Moscow has fallen. It is only a matter of time before Stalin's army collapses; the last chance to regain Europe is lost. 5639 5640 5641 5642 5643 Sir:\n 5644 Jerry has done an impressive job of resisting our attempts to push onward from Normandy. High Command has placed you in charge of the break-out manoeuver, code-named Operation Cobra. 5645 5646 5647 5648 5649 Sir:\n 5650 High Command have declared the landings a smashing success. Our long supply lines notwithstanding, we must strive to maintain the same tempo. Our orders are to breach the West 5651 Wall in the north. The Yanks stationed in the south, in Lorraine, will simultaneously assault the Wall near the River Moselle. Once we get past this 'impenetrable' Siegfried Line, the Rhine looks 5652 to be our next tar get. 5653 5654 5655 It's been tough going but we'll reach the German border within a few days. G-2 reports that news of the 5656 German surrender to the Red Army has stopped the last of the fighting in Belgium and Norway, and we probably 5657 won't see any fighting at all on our way to link up with the Russians at Verdun. A few pockets of the 5658 Wehrmacht are holding out in Germany. It's slowing the Russkis down, so they probably won't make it 5659 to Verdun before we do. 5660 5661 I just got the updated briefing on our next move. The big brass want us to attack the German west wall 5662 line of defenses. G-2 can't find any breaks in the line, but they say that it shouldn't be as 5663 unbreakable as the Germans claim. We'll see about that. If this goes as planned, we should have 5664 bridgeheads established on the Moselle River before the weather turns. 5665 5666 5667 We just got new orders. They say that after your impressive performance in Cobra they want you 5668 to lead an attack on the German's west wall defenses. G-2 can't find any breaks in the line, but 5669 they say that it shouldn't be as unbreakable as the Germans claim. We'll see about that. If all goes 5670 as planned, we should have bridgeheads established on the Moselle River before the weather turns. 5671 5672 5673 Sir:\n 5674 High Command reports that Belgium and Norway are teeming with Stalin's troops. It's writ large that Jerry is near a sticky finish, despite his propaganda to 5675 the contrary. Still, the Wehrmacht are a tenacious lot, and may well hold off the Russians a bit longer. For the 5676 most part though, it looks like this whole bloody business is done. 5677 5678 5679 Sir:\n 5680 Our supply lines are stretched; nevertheless High Command presses us to maintain the same pace. You shall lead the assault on the West Wall in 5681 the north. The Yanks stationed in the south, in Lorraine, will simultaneously attack the Wall near the River Moselle. Once we 5682 breach this 'impenetrable' Siegfried Line, we can set our sights on the Rhine. 5683 5684 5685 Sir:\n 5686 A triumph without flaw, if I may say so. Our drawn-out supply lines notwithstanding, the situation demands that we strive to maintain the same tempo. High 5687 Command has taken the decision that you shall lead the attack on the West Wall in the north. The Yanks stationed in the south, in Lorraine, will simultaneously 5688 assault the Wall near the River Moselle. Once we get past this impenetrable Siegfried Line, the Rhine looks to be our next target. 5689 5690 5691 5692 5693 5694 5695 5696 5697 5698 5699 5700 5701 5702 5703 5704 5705 5706 5707 5708 5709 Sir:\n 5710 This message from High Command says that Jerry surrendered to Stalin's armies at dawn. It's a bloody shame that we didn't get to accept the surrender ourselves, but I'll take this peace over war any day. 5711 5712 5713 5714 5715 Sir:\n 5716 The entire staff are optimistic about the progress. Jerry's wall yielded with little argument. Even with this victory, 5717 we cannot hazard the chance of defeat: Our supply-lines are stretched thin. First and foremost, we must establish a 5718 presence in the Rhineland. Then in the spring we can set forth on our drive to Berlin. 5719 5720 5721 Sir:\n 5722 If I may say so, the entire staff agree that the plaudits from High Command are well-deserved. Jerry's wall yielded with little debate. Even on the heels of this victory, however, 5723 we cannot afford the risk of defeat: Our supply-lines are stretched thin. First and foremost, we must establish a 5724 presence in the Rhineland. Then in the spring we can set forth on our drive to Berlin. 5725 5726 5727 Well, it's official. I just heard on the radio that the German Provisional Government has 5728 surrendered to the Russians. With it almost completely quiet here and the Russians in control of north 5729 Italy and most of Germany, the President has declared today Victory in Europe Day. 5730 5731 5732 5733 Reading our orders for the winter campaign, obviously Ike thinks that trying for a knockout blow is too 5734 risky with our supply lines so badly over-extended. Our orders list objectives which'll secure our 5735 position in the Rhineland so that we can make our move toward Berlin in the spring. 5736 5737 5738 5739 I have some press clippings from back in Uncle Samdom. It looks like punching through the west wall 5740 really lifted morale back home. Reading our orders for the winter campaign, obviously Ike thinks that 5741 trying for a knockout blow is too risky with our supply lines so badly over-extended. Our orders list 5742 objectives which'll secure our position in the Rhineland so that we can make our move in the spring. 5743 5744 5745 5746 5747 5748 5749 5750 5751 5752 5753 5754 5755 5756 5757 5758 5759 5760 5761 5762 5763 We just got a telegram. The Germans surrendered to the Russians this morning. Russian forces report only 5764 scattered fighting by Axis troops, and things have gone quiet along our front, too. I know you wanted to be 5765 the one to take Berlin, but I'm just glad that the war is finally over. 5766 5767 5768 5769 The big brass have decided that we have to be careful about moving into Germany. They want to break the 5770 Germans' industrial capacity. We need to finish the job before the end of spring, so Ike has picked you 5771 to move in fast and take the Ruhr. I have the updated briefing and orders here. 5772 5773 5774 5775 The big brass are saying that our position in the Rhineland is strong enough that we can now move into 5776 central Germany and end this thing. Our orders have a detailed list of strategic objectives. 5777 5778 5779 5780 5781 Sir:\n 5782 High Command tells us that Stalin's armies have poured into Berlin. The Germans had no choice but to throw down their guns. It's a bloody shame that we didn't get to accept the surrender ourselves, but I'll 5783 take this peace over war any day. 5784 5785 5786 5787 Sir:\n 5788 Our tenuous position warrants caution. Our orders say that we must secure the Ruhr region by the end of the spring. 5789 5790 5791 5792 5793 Sir:\n 5794 High Command has issued the order to strike into the heart of the Reich. They demand that we proceed with all despatch, as 5795 we're in a level race with the Russians for Berlin. The PM himself stressed that the post-war borders on the Continent will 5796 be established by the outcome of this battle. 5797 5798 5799 Well, it's official! The Germans surrendered to the Russians this morning. The fighting has stopped 5800 everywhere. I know you wanted to be the one to take Berlin, but I'm just glad that the war is finally over. 5801 5802 5803 5804 5805 New orders came in. Ike has tapped you to lead the push for Berlin. Our orders have a detailed list of 5806 strategic objectives, so we have our work cut out for us. I don't need to tell you how much our boys want 5807 to get to Berlin before the Russians. 5808 5809 5810 5811 You just got a telegram from Ike! He congratulates you on knocking the spots off of the Germans. He's 5812 tapped you to lead the push for Berlin. We get the official orders in a few days. It looks like Berlin 5813 will be a tough nut to crack, but I don't need to tell you how much our boys want to get there before the 5814 Russians. 5815 5816 5817 Sir:\n 5818 High Command tells us that Stalin's armies have swarmed over Berlin. The Germans had no alternative but to surrender 5819 unconditionally. It's a bloody shame that we didn't get to accept the surrender ourselves, but I'll take this peace over war any day. 5820 5821 5822 5823 Sir:\n 5824 High Command has issued the order to push forward. They insist that we advance without delay, as we're in a level race with the Russians for Berlin. 5825 The PM himself emphasized that the lines of post-war Europe will be determined by the outcome of this battle. 5826 5827 5828 5829 Sir:\n 5830 High Command has tapped you to lead the advance into the heart of the Reich. They demand that we proceed with all despatch, as we're in a level race with the Russians for Berlin. The PM 5831 himself stressed that the lines of post-war Europe will be drawn by the outcome of this battle. 5832 5833 5834 5835 Well, it's official! The Germans surrendered to the Russians this morning. The news is spreading fast 5836 and the fighting has stopped almost everywhere. I know you wanted to look the German generals in the eye 5837 yourself as they surrendered, but I'm just glad that the war is finally over. 5838 5839 5840 5841 It's really over. The President has declared that tomorrow will be Victory in Europe Day, and already 5842 the fighting has stopped along most of the front. I have heard that General Zhukov really looks forward 5843 to meeting you tomorrow. Thank God this big fracas is done. 5844 5845 5846 5847 It's really over. Word has it that the last Wehrmacht units in Germany have surrendered. The Russians 5848 report some fighting along their front in western Poland. You have a meeting with Ike at 1500, and lots 5849 of press people want to talk to you. Congratulations, General. 5850 5851 5852 5853 Sir:\n 5854 High Command reports that Stalin's armies have swarmed over Berlin. The Germans had no alternative but to surrender unconditionally. It's a bloody 5855 shame that we didn't get to accept the surrender ourselves, but I'll take this peace over war any day. 5856 5857 5858 5859 Sir:\n 5860 The German unconditional surrender means that Europe has finally been liberated. The wireless has announced that tomorrow will be Victory in Europe Day; you are scheduled to be part of the ceremony 5861 with the Russian General.\n May I say that it has been a honor serving under you, sir. 5862 5863 5864 5865 Sir:\n 5866 Everything we'd hoped for has come to pass. The wireless carries news of Germany's unconditional surrender, as well as reports of Allied forces reaching Prague and Vienna. The return to halcyon days is welcomed from all quarters.\n 5867 High Command will no doubt confer its highest accolades upon you, General. It has been a honor serving under you, sir. 5868 5869 5870 5871 Comrade commander, the reports which we have received from the border leave no doubt about the seriousness of our situation. The German 5872 invasion bubbles up like a spring, breaking through our front lines of defense and storming our territory from here to the Black Sea. The 5873 most recent message from Stavka orders us to stop, or at least slow, the invaders in our sector. 5874 5875 5876 5877 Comrade commander, the reports which we have received from the border leave no doubt about the seriousness of our situation. The German 5878 invasion bubbles up like a spring, breaking through our front lines of defense and storming our territory from here to the Black Sea. The 5879 most recent message from Stavka has expressed confidence that, having beaten the Finns, you can stop, or at least slow, the invaders in our 5880 sector. 5881 5882 5883 Comrade commander, the reports which we have received from the border leave no doubt about the seriousness of our situation. The German 5884 invasion bubbles up like a spring, breaking through our front lines of defense and storming our territory from here to the Black Sea. The 5885 most recent message from Stavka has expressed confidence that, given the skill and cunning you displayed in Finland, you can stop, or at least 5886 slow, the invaders in our sector. 5887 5888 5889 Comrade commander, the invaders continue to march deeper into the Motherland. The Germans draw near Moscow , and Stavka has called us to 5890 rush to the defense of the capital. It is sewn with white thread that if Moscow falls, so shall Mother Russia, and Comrade Stalin himself 5891 has sworn that he will not leave the city. The orders promise that reserves from the interior will arrive in December, securing the 5892 city for the winter. Until then, the forces under your command must defend the capital with iron will. 5893 5894 5895 Comrade commander, intelligence reports that most of the Red Army has not fared as well as we have. The invaders reach deeper and deeper 5896 into the Motherland . Stavka has called for us to move east and join in the defense of Leningrad. If we cannot keep the fascists out of 5897 Leningrad, then the fate of Mother Russia herself is written with a pitchfork on water. 5898 5899 5900 5901 Comrade commander, new intelligence reports confirm that we have slowed the fascists enough that they cannot reach either Moscow or Leningrad 5902 before winter. Our orders from Stavka say that they consider both cities secure. They applaud your leadership in the face of the 5903 invasion, and have directed you to lead the winter counter-offensive against the line of fortified boxes which the Germans have constructed. 5904 Our forces shall strike at the north end of the line, at Vyazma. 5905 5906 5907 Comrade commander, we have received further reports that Fritz continues to march deeper into the Motherland. The Germans grow close to Moscow, 5908 and Stavka has called us to rush to the defense of the capital. It is sewn with white thread that if Moscow falls, so shall Russia, and 5909 Comrade Stalin himself has sworn that he will not leave the city. Our orders promise that reserves from the interior will arrive in 5910 December, securing the city for the winter. Until then, the forces under your command must defend the capital with iron will. 5911 5912 5913 Comrade commander, the invasion has apparently come to a halt at last. Stavka reports that German troop movements indicate that they cannot 5914 take either Leningrad or Moscow . They have ordered you to begin the winter counter-offensive against the line of fortified boxes which the 5915 Germans have constructed. Our group shall strike at the north end of the line, at Vyazma. 5916 5917 5918 5919 Comrade commander, Fritz has smashed his teeth against our defenses. Stavka reports that German troop movements indicate that they cannot 5920 take either Leningrad or Moscow . They have ordered you to begin the winter counter-offensive against the line of fortified boxes which the 5921 Germans have constructed. Our group shall strike at the north end of the line, at Vyazma. 5922 5923 5924 5925 Comrade commander, their courier has delivered the terms of surrender. I presume that you will want to bring them to Comrade Stalin yourself. 5926 5927 5928 5929 5930 5931 Comrade commander, I have the new orders from Stavka. They say that, with the reinforcements which Moscow has received, and the reports of the 5932 enemy freezing in their summer uniforms, the city will be safe until spring. They have ordered you to begin the winter counter- 5933 offensive against the line of fortified boxes which the Germans have constructed. Our forces shall strike at the north end of the line, 5934 at Vyazma. 5935 5936 5937 Comrade commander, I have your official commendation documents here. The accompanying orders from Stavka say that, with the 5938 reinforcements which Moscow has received, and the reports of the enemy freezing in their summer uniforms, they consider the capital 5939 safe until spring. They have ordered you to begin the winter counter-offensive against the line of fortified boxes which the Germans 5940 have constructed. Our forces shall strike at the north end of the line, at Vyazma. 5941 5942 5943 Comrade commander, our attack has failed, but reports say that Fritz has not managed to press his advantage. It seems that he walks 5944 wherever his eyes happen to look. Stavka has ordered us south, to Stalingrad. They believe that the Germans will attack there with a 5945 powerful force of armor and air power. Our orders make clear that, if necessary, we must defend Stalingrad house by house, for if 5946 the city is captured it will cut off our rail supplies of grain and precious Caucasian oil, starving the Red Army. Stavka fears that if the 5947 great city of Stalingrad falls, we could lose the war. 5948 5949 Comrade commander, intelligence reports that we have shaken the German command by driving a wedge into their defenses. Stavka has now 5950 assigned us to the defense of Stalingrad. They believe that the Germans will attack there with a powerful force of armor and air 5951 power. Our orders make clear that, if necessary, we must defend Stalingrad house by house, for if the city is captured it will cut off 5952 our rail supplies of grain and precious Caucasian oil, starving the Red Army. Stavka fears that if the great city of Stalingrad falls, we 5953 could lose the war. 5954 5955 Comrade commander, Stavka has agreed that your success indicates that we can penetrate German fortifications. They have ordered us to recapture 5956 Kharkov so that we may strike against the invaders' flank. Intelligence reports that Fritz has assembled a formidable army there, 5957 and their fortifications bristle with artillery, but Stavka believes that if we capture the city, we can finally begin to drive the 5958 uncultured invaders back. 5959 5960 5961 Comrade commander, it appears that Fritz has become a sparrow who has been shot at and will not underestimate us again. Stavka has 5962 now ordered us south, to Stalingrad, where they believe that the Germans will attack with a powerful force of armor and air power. Our orders 5963 make clear that, if necessary, we must defend Stalingrad house by house, for if the city is captured it will cut off our rail supplies of 5964 grain and oil, without which the Red Army will starve. Should the great city of Stalingrad fall, we could lose the war. 5965 5966 5967 Comrade commander, intelligence reports that your success at Kharkov surprised the German command. Stavka has now ordered us south, to 5968 Stalingrad, where they believe that Fritz will attack with a powerful force of armor and air power. Our orders make clear that, if 5969 necessary, we must defend Stalingrad house by house, for if the city is captured it will cut off our rail supplies of grain and oil, without 5970 which the Red Army will starve. Should the great city of Stalingrad fall, we could lose the war. 5971 5972 5973 Comrade commander, you have received a telegram from Comrade Stalin himself! He says that your operational brilliance has brought 5974 us out of the water dry and turned the war around, making it the invaders' turn to fight on the defensive. Stavka orders us to head 5975 south toward the mouth of the Dniepr river. We will mass on the east bank of the river bend, quickly bridge the river, and retake the 5976 strategic rail city of Krivoi Rog. 5977 5978 5979 Comrade commander, I have just received word that the fascist propaganda does not lie. They hanged Comrade Stalin four days ago. 5980 With this news and the other German successes since we lost Stalingrad six weeks ago, I believe that no hope for Russia remains. 5981 5982 5983 5984 5985 Comrade commander, Stavka reports that within a few days we can expect the arrival of enough new troops to hold Stalingrad. Once they take 5986 their positions, our orders direct us to move southwest, blocking the German reinforcements massing near Rostov so that they may not renew 5987 the assault on Stalingrad this winter. 5988 5989 5990 5991 Comrade commander, your efforts to halt the Germans has drawn Comrade Stalin's personal attention! His telegram applauds your heroic 5992 victory over the uncultured invaders, and offers you the thanks of all of the Soviet people. Stavka reports that within a few days we 5993 will have enough new troops to hold Stalingrad. Once they take their positions, our orders direct us to move southwest, blocking German 5994 reinforcements massing near Rostov so that they may not renew the assault on Stalingrad this winter. 5995 5996 5997 Comrade commander, Stavka has ordered us north to recapture the heavily-fortified city of Kharkov. Intelligence indicates that we will 5998 need to move quickly, as Fritz already has reinforcements on the way. Stavka has warned us that they can offer us very little support 5999 because of the resources tied up in holding Stalingrad. 6000 6001 6002 6003 Comrade commander, Stavka says that we have secured control of Stalingrad and at last broken the momentum of the invaders. 6004 Intelligence indicates that some of their commanders fear that they have lost the initiative in the war because of our victories at Rostov 6005 and Stalingrad. Stavka now orders us north to recapture the heavily-fortified city of Kharkov. We must move very quickly, as the enemy 6006 already has reinforcements on the way. 6007 6008 6009 Comrade commander, the new orders from Stavka say that our attack has shattered the invading army here in the south of the Motherland, freeing 6010 many of our frontline troops to move north. Intelligence indicates that some of their commanders fear that they have lost the initiative 6011 in the war because of our victories at Rostov and Stalingrad. Stavka has ordered our group to press westward and drive the Axis even 6012 farther back. We will mass on the east bank of the Dniepr river bend near Krivoi Rog, quickly bridge the river, and retake the city. 6013 6014 6015 Comrade commander, the most recent dispatch from Stavka finally contains some good news. They have ordered our army group to face down 6016 Fritz at Zhitomir. Success there will finally secure the south, with its oil reserves, and break the stalemate we have faced in the two 6017 years since fighting at Kharkov. 6018 6019 6020 6021 Comrade commander, in another few days we will reach the Dniepr river bend to join the troops massing there for the liberation of the 6022 strategic city of Krivoi Rog. Stavka has confirmed that they will assign us an extra compliment of engineers so that we may cross the 6023 river quickly. 6024 6025 6026 6027 Comrade commander, in another few days we will reach the Dniepr river bend to join the troops massing there for the liberation of the 6028 strategic city of Krivoi Rog. Stavka has confirmed that they will assign us an extra compliment of engineers so that we may cross the 6029 river quickly. 6030 6031 6032 6033 Comrade commander, we have received new orders from Stavka. They hope to break the stalemate which has held in the south since we lost the 6034 initiative at Krivoi Rog. Our group will confront Fritz at Zhitomir, in order to preserve the security of the rail connections at Kiev. 6035 Stavka believes that if we succeed at Zhitomir we can again press into enemy territory. 6036 6037 6038 6039 Comrade commander, our orders from Stavka take us toward Kiev. They believe that a few more victories will cut the invaders' supply lines 6040 in southern Russia. We have a mass of Wehrmacht troops sitting in our sleigh at Korsun. If we move boldly enough, Stavka believes that we can 6041 encircle them and secure an impressive victory for the Red Army. 6042 6043 6044 6045 Comrade commander, Stavka sends their congratulations. For your bold action, which has secured the southern region of Russia, they have 6046 awarded you the Order of Alexander Nevsky. On behalf of your staff, I would like to offer you our congratulations as well. 6047 Our new orders from Stavka take us north, toward Minsk, in order to break the German hold on the region north of the Pripet marshes. 6048 6049 6050 6051 Comrade commander, our loss at Korsun has endangered all of southern Russia, with her vital supplies of oil. Stavka has ordered 6052 us north to Zhitomir, in hopes of regaining the initiative by cutting the invaders' supply lines. 6053 6054 6055 6056 6057 Comrade commander, Stavka now considers the south secure enough that you may take your command north, toward Minsk, in order to 6058 break the German hold on the region north of the Pripet marshes. If we succeed there, Stavka believes we will have the strength to press 6059 beyond our borders, and take the battle home to the invaders. 6060 6061 6062 6063 Comrade commander, our success in the Ukraine has brought us out of the water dry in southern Russia. Stavka has promised us access to 6064 some of the southern forces made available by our success. They have ordered us to move north, toward Minsk, in order to break the German 6065 hold on the region north of the Pripet marshes. If we succeed there, Stavka believes we will have the strength to press beyond our 6066 border and take the battle home to the invaders. 6067 6068 6069 Comrade commander, our new orders from Stavka direct us to confront Fritz at Zhitomir, in order to secure the vital rail connections at 6070 Kiev. If we can capture Zhitomir, and thus hold Kiev, we should get the chance to press into enemy territory. 6071 6072 6073 6074 6075 Comrade commander, Stavka has confirmed that they wish to redeploy us by rail south to Rumania. If we can fight our way through the 6076 Carpathians and capture the Ploesti oilfields quickly, it will cut Fritz off from his last source of oil, and Stavka can move us into Hungary 6077 before the beginning of winter. 6078 6079 6080 6081 Comrade commander, intelligence reports that our victory over the German Army Group Center has Fritz scrambling to regroup. Orders from 6082 Stavka say that we will take advantage of the invaders' moment of weakness. We will receive fresh troops for an assault on Hungary 6083 codenamed Operation Debrecen. 6084 6085 6086 6087 Comrade commander, our loss of the oilfields at Ploesti has endangered all of Russia. Intelligence reports that the situation looks desperate, 6088 and we may not be able to regain the initiative. Stavka has ordered us north to Zhitomir, in hopes of slashing the invaders' supply lines. 6089 6090 6091 6092 6093 Comrade commander, our orders from Stavka suggest that we have broken the fascist war machine, but warn that we can still expect a difficult 6094 fight to liberate Hungary. Though the loss of Rumanian oil will sap the strength of the Wehrmacht, the terrain in Hungary is nearly as 6095 difficult as that of Rumania. Our orders instruct us to capture territory as quickly as possible, in order to position the Red Army for 6096 an assault on Germany. 6097 6098 6099 Comrade commander, our orders from Stavka suggest that we have broken the fascist war machine, but warn that we can still expect a difficult 6100 fight to liberate Hungary in Operation Debrecen. Though the loss of Rumanian oil will sap the strength of the Wehrmacht, the 6101 terrain in Hungary is nearly as difficult as that of Rumania. Our orders instruct us to capture territory as quickly as possible, in 6102 order to prepare for the assault on Germany. 6103 6104 6105 Comrade commander, we just received a telegram with a news report dated yesterday. It reads: Warsaw 20 August 1945 German Provisional 6106 Government surrenders to Eisenhower. Apparently the fighting has already stopped at Minsk and Odessa. We have also 6107 received a message summoning you back to Moscow to meet with Comrade Stalin. I know that he is concerned about the Western Powers 6108 coming so close to our border, but at least we can thank God that the war is finally over! 6109 6110 6111 Comrade commander, we just received a telegram with a news report. It reads: Berlin 23 June 1945 Germany surrenders to Eisenhower. 6112 Apparently, the fighting has already stopped for our forces in Poland and Rumania, though the Western Powers apparently still face some 6113 resistance from Axis units in Hungary and Czechoslovakia. We have also received a message summoning you back to Moscow to meet with 6114 Comrade Stalin. I know that he had hoped that you would lead our men to Berlin, but at least we can thank God that the war is finally over! 6115 6116 6117 Comrade commander, Stavka believes that your success against Fritz at Zhitomir renews our hopes of taking the war into enemy territory. We 6118 will face a difficult fight to liberate Hungary in Operation Debrecen. Stavka orders us to capture territory as quickly as 6119 possible, in order to prepare for an assault on Germany. 6120 6121 6122 6123 Comrade commander, I have received word from Stavka that they have selected you to lead the assault on Berlin! Their orders say that your setback in Operation Debrecen does 6124 not mar the record of effective leadership you have built since the beginning of the war. We must secure the eastern tip of Lake Balaton without delay in order to 6125 have enough momentum to reach Berlin in time. The orders include comments by Comrade Stalin emphasizing the importance of speed. He says that the aid of the Western 6126 Powers has been a stick with two ends: while it diverted the Germans and helped us to defeat them, it also means that we must move quickly to ensure the security of our 6127 western border. 6128 6129 Comrade commander, I have received word from Stavka that they have selected you to lead the assault on Berlin! Their orders cite your 6130 success in Operation Debrecen as an example of the brilliant leadership you have demonstrated since the beginning of the war. We must 6131 secure the eastern tip of Lake Balaton without delay in order to have enough momentum to reach Berlin in time; the orders include comments 6132 by Comrade Stalin emphasizing the importance of speed. He says that the aid of the Western Powers has been a stick with two ends: while it 6133 diverted the Germans and helped us to defeat them, it also means that we must move quickly to ensure the security of our western border. 6134 6135 Comrade commander, tomorrow we should have our forces well positioned to begin the assault on Berlin. I have received another 6136 message from Stavka emphasizing that we must move fast to capture the key sectors of the city. The orders include a message from Comrade 6137 Stalin where he says that the aid of England, America, and France has been a stick with two ends: while it diverted the Germans and helped us 6138 to defeat them, it also means that we must move quickly to assure the security of our western border. 6139 6140 6141 Comrade commander, we just received a telegram with a news report dated today. It reads: Berlin 23 June 1945 Germany surrenders to 6142 Eisenhower. Here in Hungary, both our forces and the Americans have already seen the remaining opposition lay down their arms, and 6143 the fighting has already stopped for our forces in Poland and Rumania. Only a few fascists continue to hold out against the British in 6144 Czechoslovakia. I know that you had hoped to lead our men into Berlin, but at least we can thank God that the war is finally over! 6145 6146 6147 Comrade commander, tomorrow we should have our forces well positioned to begin the assault on Berlin. Our most recent orders from 6148 Stavka list key sectors of the city which we must capture, as intelligence anticipates very heavy resistance and believes that the 6149 Western Powers may reach deep into Germany before we capture the entire city. 6150 6151 6152 6153 Comrade commander, tomorrow we should have our forces well positioned to begin the assault on Berlin. Our most recent orders from 6154 Stavka list key sectors of the city which we must capture, as intelligence anticipates very heavy resistance and believes that even if 6155 we move as boldly as we did in Hungary the Western Powers may reach deep into Germany before we capture the entire city. 6156 6157 6158 6159 Comrade commander, our forces in Berlin report that enemy resistance has collapsed. I have new reports from the Western Powers. They have 6160 made further progress in Austria and Czechoslovakia. I also have a message from Admiral Danitz. He says that he will meet to discuss 6161 terms of surrender, but only with American and British representatives present. 6162 6163 6164 6165 Comrade commander, we have received reports that our forces in Austria and Czechoslovakia still face scattered resistance, but all across 6166 Germany opposition to the Red Army and the Western Powers has collapsed. I have a telegram for you from Comrade Stalin, in which he 6167 sends his warm congratulations for your victory, and says that he looks forward to giving you a hero's welcome when you return to Moscow. 6168 6169 6170 6171 Comrade commander, I have three documents for you. The first is a letter from Comrade Stalin, congratulating you on this victory. 6172 The second is a set of orders from Stavka, agreeing with your plan to strengthen our forces on the French border. Last, I have the terms of 6173 surrender for you to give to General Jodl; he is waiting in the conference room, ready for the ceremony. 6174 6175 6176