MISSION 5: DAY OF THE TIGER

The Hunt for the King Tiger (M5L1): Your first objective is to find your tank crew. They've been released from the 6th and will rendezvous with you in a town about ten miles from Brest. Be warned, though – the 28th Infantry reported frequent contact with German snipers in this area. Your crew will find a safe spot to take cover until you locate them. The Germans have the King Tiger heavily guarded, likely near the local town hall. Your job is to capture and clear out this town hall, then get your crew safely to the tank. The town itself has been heavily shelled, creating perfect cover for enemy snipers. Move carefully and take your time; these guys are skilled. Colonel Hargrove reminds us that your veteran crew is eager to get revenge on the Tigers that have taken out fellow Shermans.

Navigating Enemy Territory (M5L2a,b): After securing the town hall and your crew, you'll be on a road leading towards Brest. Don't let your guard down – you'll be passing through villages still occupied by enemy forces. Colonel Hargrove gives us a heads-up about the King Tiger itself: it's incredibly powerful and heavily armored, but it's also a slow target. The main threats you'll face are Tiger I tanks, Panzer IV tanks, Panzerschreck teams hiding in buildings, and the formidable 88mm field gun. He advises that your best bet against a Tiger I is to hit it first, disorienting its crew and giving your men a chance to reload. Remember to blast any buildings where Panzerschreck teams might be hiding. Don't worry about civilians; these villages are pretty much cleared out by now. Keep a close eye on the road ahead for those camouflaged 88mm field guns.

Defending the Bridge (M5L3): The Germans know about the King Tiger, so you won't be driving it to the bridge immediately. As the team's lone sniper, you'll need to approach the bridge quietly. Your objective is to find a good vantage point overlooking the bridge and prevent the enemy from using a detonator plunger on the opposite side until the King Tiger can get into position. If you're spotted during your approach, you'll have to take out any sentries before they can blow the bridge. Once the King Tiger arrives, expect heavy German reinforcements. While the King Tiger is tough, it can't handle everything. You'll need to use your radio to call in artillery strikes on incoming tanks, remembering that there's a delay before the shells land. Your job is to hold off the counterattack until friendly forces arrive to secure the area. Colonel Hargrove emphasizes that securing this bridge could be the turning point, potentially finishing the German presence in France by mid-September. Good luck, Powell!