MISSION 14: Autry

Your guide to MISSION 14: Autry in Company of Heroes 3. Learn how to defeat Captain Shultz's Tiger Ace and complete all objectives, including the Legion of Merit.

Alright, let's tackle MISSION 14: Autry. This is the second-to-last mission in the Invasion of Normandy campaign, and it's a big one. Your main goal here is to take down Captain Shultz and his elite Tigergroupen, who are blocking the German retreat. They've already done a ton of damage, so this won't be easy. ### Mission Description The Germans are pulling out of Normandy, and Shultz's Tigers are holding the line to cover their escape. You need to eliminate them to cut off that retreat. ### Mission Events: The Tiger Ace This Tiger Ace isn't like other tanks. It has its own special AI: * Health: You can see its total health, and its engine can be damaged. * Behavior: It'll poke out to harass you in rounds, but it won't directly attack your base. It retreats when it takes enough damage or after a certain time. * Final Stand: When its health drops to 24%, it'll retreat, becoming invincible during this phase. After that, it heads back to its base for a final, unrepairable stand. * Permanent Damage: Any damage you inflict is permanent; it won't repair. Tactics for the Tiger Ace: * Initial Push: Head right immediately. Once you clear the first area, lure the Tiger out. Have your M1A1C cannons and a Wolverine ready. Keep your infantry back – their MG fire won't help much against the Tiger, and it'll just shred them. * Reinforce: Beef up your main force with tanks before the Tiger shows up. Once you've dealt about 10% damage, it'll pop smoke, go invincible, and retreat to the crossroads. Use this time to take another area. * Unit Composition: Two M10s, two Shermans, and a Pershing should be enough. Don't overcommit. * Chateau: Try to take the Chateau, but watch out for a hidden PaK behind the wall. There are also a couple of MG squads and two Panzer IVs there, so send your Pershing in first. * Luring: Stay put at the Chateau. If you engage any Axis unit, the Tiger will be lured out. Use your forces on the left flank to intentionally draw it out. * Forest Danger: Be careful in the forest areas between the chateau and the road – two more Tigers are lurking there. * Support: Consider calling in a Calliope, airstrikes, or building a howitzer. The Tiger won't attack if its health is below 25%. * Mines: You can try mining the paths it takes, but be prepared to lose infantry. This can damage its engine or even disable it. ### Mission Objectives * Primary: Destroy the Tiger Ace. * Secondary: None. * Medal Objective: Destroy 15 Axis Vehicles (Easy), 20 (Normal), 25 (Hard), or 30 (Expert). Note: The in-game description for the medal is a bit misleading; destroying supply trucks doesn't count, only tanks and halftracks. ### Medal Earned * Legion of Merit: Awarded for destroying all Axis Supply Trucks (though as noted, this seems to be tanks and halftracks in practice). ### Trivia * This mission is called "Cornered Tiger" in the game files. * Captain Shultz's fate is mentioned again in the expansion, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor.