SPIN-OFF: The following information stems from a spin-off expansion or third party Creator DLC and is considered to be non-canon in the main Armaverse timeline.
July 1944. The Allies have established a foothold on the European mainland, but their advance has been stalled by stiff German defences. In the hopes of breaking the stalemate, Allied planners have initiated Operation Cobra. As a member of the U.S. Army's 2nd Armored Division, you will lead the charge inland and help the Allies achieve a decisive breakout.
The prologue cinematics will introduce you to Operation Cobra and provides essential information about this legendary operation that changed the battlefield situation in Western Europe during the summer of 1944...
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The Germans have been surrounded in the Roncey area. However, the 2nd Armored Division must not let them break through to the south.
Liberation of Saint-Gilles (26th July, 1944)[]
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Following an initial assault by Allied infantry, the 2nd Armored Division's first objective is to liberate the town of Saint-Gilles...
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The 2nd Armored Division moves to liberate the town of Saint-Gilles after infantry divisions successfully breached German defences. In the ground battle that ensued, the Germans were decisively routed and by day's end, the main crossroad in town had been captured by the Allies, helping to pave a path southward.
Liberation of Canisy (26th July, 1944)[]
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The next goal for the 2nd Armored Division is to take the town of Canisy...
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Forced to retreat, the Germans attempted to take up positions near the stream crossing the main road into Canisy. Backed by infantry and air support, the 2nd Armored Division successfully captured the town.
Quibou Dangy March (27th July, 1944)[]
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To reach their objectives, the 2nd Armored Division must make its way through Quibou and Dangy...
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With Canisy having been liberated, the 2nd Armored Division split their advance in two principal directions. Combat Command A would push southward whilst Combat Command B would head southwest to Notre-Dame-de-Cenilly, but they would have to clear the settlements of Quibou and Dangy first. Through a combination of artillery, close air support, and well-executed airdrops, the 2nd Armored Division succeeded in destroying both German positions.
Defense of Pont-Brocard (28th July, 1944)[]
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After making rapid progress, the Division's leading elements are vulnerable to German counterattacks. The bridge at Pont-Brocard could be a high-value target for the enemy...
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Combat Command B of the 2nd Armored Division continued their push towards Notre-Dame-de-Cenilly. However, they had advanced too rapidly and their flanks were now vulnerable to counterattacks. At the village of Pont-Brocard, the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment assumed defensive positions facing west in the direction of Cerisy-la-Salle, helping to secure the 2nd Armored Division's flank. U.S. forces succeeded in repelling the Germans and prevented them from cutting off the 2nd Armored Division's main supply route.
Villebaudon March (28th July, 1944)[]
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To continue further south, the 2nd Armored Division first needs to liberate the town of Villebaudon...
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In the west, a combined force comprising the 2nd Armored's Combat Command A and the 4th Infantry's 22nd Regiment would be split into three task forces. The third of these task forces would be heading towards the town of Villebaudon. Although they took heavy losses, U.S. troops managed to capture Villebaudon and drove off multiple German counterattacks from Beaucoudray.
Liberation of Saint Denis-le-Gast (29th July, 1944)[]
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The 2nd Armored Division must take positions in Saint-Denis-le-Gast to prevent the enemy from escaping to the south...
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The Germans, disorganised and understrength, were preparing to evacuate their remaining forces and retreat to the south. Allied high command made plans to prevent their escape, but in order to do so, they first had to seize the area around Saint-Denis-le-Gast and Lengronne. Combat Command B of the 2nd Armored Division, supported by elements of the 67th Armored Regiment, would be tasked with the responsibility. By afternoon, U.S. forces had destroyed all German threats in the area and succeeded in capturing Saint-Denis-le-Gast.
Defense of Saint Denis-le-Gast (30th July, 1944)[]
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The Germans are surrounded in the Roncey area. The 2nd Armored Division must prevent them from breaking through to the south...
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Stretching from Notre-Dame-de-Cenilly through Saint-Denis-le-Gast, and up to the river Sienne in the west, the 2nd Armored Division consolidated their defences in order to stop the Germans from escaping. In what could be described as a gamble of a defence in the midst of a bigger gamble of an operation, in the middle of an even bigger gamble of an invasion, U.S. forces defied expectations and inflicted devastating losses upon the Germans. Though their victory came at a heavy price, more than 1,500 German troops were killed and over 3,500 were taken prisoner.
Epilogue (31st July, 1944)[]
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The epilogue cinematics explains the aftermath and conclusion of Operation Cobra, along with laying out the overall impact the operation had on the following Allied advance during the liberation of France and Western Europe...
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Despite having suffered heavy losses, Operation Cobra was nonetheless declared a success. The 2nd Armored Division's efforts had provided the Allies their much-needed breakout. Operation Cobra's success would be followed with the liberation of the Avranches, Brittany, and the area around Saint-Lô. This chain of defeats inflicted upon the Germans in Normandy and elsewhere throughout France would culminate in the liberation of Paris by the end of August. And by the end of 1944, France was finally freed from German occupation.
Trivia[]
Operation Cobra is explicitly designed as a co-op campaign that is meant to be played alongside a team of human players. However, it can be played solo as the campaign natively supports having AI allies fill empty player slots[1][2] (as opposed to S.O.G. Prairie Fire's titular campaign which is co-op only with no support for AI allies).
↑Neeves 2023, The Spearhead 1944 Campaign is described as a cooperative campaign however, am I able to play it alone? You are able to play the CDLC campaign by yourself if you wish. This can be hosted from your own machine, however we strongly recommend playing the Campaign on a dedicated server either through the official servers, or through a locally hosted dedicated server. All player slots can be left to be used by AI to support the player(s) in their advance and to help complete mission objectives. Alongside there are various systems in place to help make the campaign playable with only a couple of friends or even by yourself. Systems like Revive, Self-Revive, AI Revive, Respawn, AI Tweaks, Custom Difficulty Adjustment, Indirect Fire Support and Retreat-Flee-Surrendering., Discord [Social Media], viewed 9 August 2023, <https://discord.com/channels/1091778979901476884/1137455297959571476/1138240424033660938>.
