UNIT: Heavy Ordnance Works
TO: Arma 3 Creator DLC Users
OPSUM: Overview of Spearhead 1944 1.1 Update
EVALUATION
Hello Arma 3 Community!
The 1.1 content update for Spearhead 1944 is out now for you to explore and enjoy! Discover heaps of new content in the form of new vehicles, weapons, gear and factions. Roam around our new terrain, the hillside town of Mortain, and explore its many challenges and opportunities.
Finally, you will be introduced to Operation Lüttich, a daring German counter-offensive. Two new single-player and co-op missions will provide a fresh and immersive WWII experience, fully voiced and now with a native German and French radio protocol!
If you don’t own Spearhead 1944 just yet, try out our compatibility data pack. Check out the new assets for yourself in the arsenal and tour the Mortain terrain in the Eden editor.
OPERATION LÜTTICH
Following your successful breakthrough in Operation Cobra, the liberation of France is now fully underway. Enraged by the failure to contain the American forces in Normandy, Hitler himself has ordered a large counter-offensive, named Operation Lüttich. The goal of this offensive was to cut off the American forces by seizing the coastal region of Avranches. This is where your story continues!
Experience fierce battles in and around the hillside town of Mortain. This new 64 km2 terrain features iconic landmarks such as the Mortain Church, Cambremont mine and L'Abbaye Blanche, and includes many new unique objects. With the Germans on the offensive, it is now up to you to stand your ground and hold off this daring armored push!
REINFORCEMENTS
Update 1.1 introduces fresh troops to the fight. The ‘Milice’ faction has been added to support the German Wehrmacht. This paramilitary force was brought to life to hunt down the French resistance movement. Mainly equipped with captured allied weapons, they were a loathed force to be reckoned with.
Besides this brand new faction, existing factions have also been expanded upon.
- The US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions are now ready to be dropped into the battlefields of Normandy. These airborne forces come equipped with a wide variety of unique uniforms and equipment.
- The Wehrmacht has been reinforced by the well-known Fallschirmjäger. They come with their own unique variations of kit from different timeframes, allowing you to accurately portray them during various stages of the war.
- Osttruppen and Cossack forces have arrived on the battlefield. Formed out of conscripts and volunteers from the East, these soldiers formed a significant part of German forces stationed in Normandy.
- The German Flak-Korps is now available to defend the airspace against Allied aircraft.
- Late war US units have been added to the roster, allowing you to accurately portray these units during the final moments of the war.
MOTOR POOL
The motor pool also receives an upgrade in the form of four new wheeled vehicles with many unique variations.
- Live out your Red Ball Express dreams and “Keep Em’ Rolling” with the new G-508 CCKW 353 truck. This truck comes with six unique variations including an armed, fuel & repair version.
- The G-503 MB 4x4 jeep is being added to the US faction. This jeep has a grand total of 10 variations, including an armored, medical and patrol version.
- The M8 Armored Car and M20 Armored Utility Car are also being introduced, providing US forces with a powerful reconnaissance vehicle. The M8 comes with and without a ring-mounted .50 machine gun.
- The Germans are receiving a brand new set of wheels in the form of the Pkw. Kfz 1 R200. This vehicle comes with two variations, including an armed variant.
All of these vehicles come with many different customization options and various paint schemes featuring different units active during the Normandy campaign.
TRACKS AND STEEL
New tanks are rolling onto the battlefield! Update 1.1 introduces three new tanks to the fight, along with several different variations. Already introduced tanks have also received a number of new variations, giving you tank crew plenty to explore!
- The highly anticipated Pzkpfw V Ausf.G Panther is joining the fight!
- Allied tanks should tread carefully as the formidable Sd. Kfz.173 Jagdpanther is joining the Axis roster.
- The well known Sd. Kfz.142/1 StuG III G assault gun is now deployed to Normandy. The Stug III comes with 3 variations - this includes an early and late war version. Along with it comes the Sd. Kfz.142/2 StuH 42 with its powerful 105mm howitzer cannon.
- To counter these threats, the Americans are also receiving upgrades to their tank roster. The M4A3 with its powerful new engine is ready for action. The M4A3 comes with 3 different variations including a 76’ and Calliope. The M4 with a composite hull is now also available to allied forces.
- On top of that, the fearsome M4 (105) Sherman is now also available to support the ground troops. This 105 is available for the base M4 and M4A3.
These new tanks come with many unique customization options and paint schemes, allowing you to customize them to your liking.
GUNS GALORE
The arsenal has been resupplied in the form of eight brand new infantry weapons.
- The famous FG42 Ausf. E is being added for the German Fallschirmjägers, along with its well-known ZFG42 scope.
- The Brno-Enfield Mk II is also making its introduction, used by elements of the Milice and the French interior forces.
- The M37 Trench Gun 12G and Riot version are making its way onto the battlefield. This powerful shotgun can be a serious threat in a close-quarters environment.
- The MAS Mle. 36 can be found amongst forces of the Vichy French Milice.
- The No.3 Mk.1 Enfield rifle is bolstering the arsenal of the French interior forces and Milice troops.
- The MP35/I submachine gunwill appear in the hands of the notorious Sturmtroopers.
- The German Panzerschreck will pose a new threat to allied armor. The Panzerschreck comes with and without a protective shield for the operator.
- The M9 and M9A1 Bazooka can now be found amongst US Airborne and late war units.
Several already introduced weapons have also received some additional variations.
- The M1A1 Carbine is now ready to jump into action with the US Airborne.
- The BAR is receiving its original M1918 BAR configuration along with the M1918A2 Converted version.
- Static weapons are also being expanded upon, with a trench and tripod version of the M2 .50 and a bipod version of the FM 24 29.
The US M3 105 mm Howitzer is being added to the new American artillery roster. This powerful artillery piece also comes with a direct-fire version for when the action becomes a bit more close-quarters and is, of course, also towable.
MISSION ROSTER
Update 1.1 comes with two new single-player scenarios. These missions are fully voiced and provide an immersive WWII experience set during the Normandy campaign.
- Battle of St. Barthélemy - As a part of the 30th Infantry Division, defend against an armored onslaught. Take part in this intense single-player experience as a US tank hunter specialist and repel the surprise German attack.
- Prizefighter - Lead a daring armored reconnaissance patrol during Operation Cobra. Take command of your M8 Armored Car on a recon patrol into the Normandy countryside.
COOP enthusiasts rest assured, two new missions are coming your way. These missions will have you partake in Operation Lüttich from the German perspective, and are also playable in single-player.
- Attack on Mortain - Support the 2nd Panzer Division on the first day of Operation Lüttich. Play with up to six players as you fight your way into the town of Mortain.
- Panzerkampfwagen - Command a German tank and take the fight to the enemy. Up to six players in two different tanks of their choosing engage American armored forces in the area.
The original Operation Cobra campaign has been revised and upgraded to feature various assets from the 1.1 update. No matter if you’re new to the campaign, or are a returning player, there will be plenty to explore and discover as you battle your way through Normandy.
SUPPLY DUMP
There is a lot to explore in this latest update. Here’s a quick overview of all the additional features update 1.1 brings to the table.
- German and French radio protocols have been added using era-appropriate terminology.
- Allied and Axis forces can now navigate the dark with the new US TL-122 flashlight and German 2213 Signallampe.
- Custom parachutes have been added for both Allied and Axis forces. These can be found under the backpack slot in the loadout customization screen.
- To accommodate the Airborne factions, a new simulated paradrop module has been added to the Eden Editor and to Game Masters. This module allows you to easily paradrop units onto the battlefield.
- Airborne forces can be resupplied with the new A-5 AD and ML-AB-250 resupply containers.
- New Type A-1 Lamps have been added to make finding your supplies in the dark a little bit easier.
- Many different uniforms and clothing customization options have been added. Early war German uniforms are now also available under the uniforms tab.
- Dozens of new objects have been added to decorate your missions with. Ranging from new structures to military objects such as ammo boxes, tarps, and various decorative props.
- Cows and rats are now available as animals to make the world feel more alive.
- All custom SPE bridges are now destructible with the right amount of explosive force.
WRAPPING UP
We would first of all like to thank you for your patience and support throughout the development of Spearhead 1944. This update has been a massive undertaking for us and we hope that it was well worth the wait.
For any questions, comments and or suggestions, visit our Discord! Here you can directly interact with the development team, report bugs and make suggestions. We will also keep you up-to-date regarding the latest SPE 1944 news.
For a full overview of all the additions and changes made in the 1.1 update, take a look at the changelog.
On behalf of the entire Heavy Ordnance Works development team, thank you!