Mission 05 - Stalingrad | The Campaign Mode Company of Heroes 2 Guide

Main Objectives:

1. Secure the borders

2. Seize the bridges

3. Halt the German counter-offensive

4. Destroy the enemy HQ

Bonus Objectives:

1. Secure the Northern bridge

2. Locate and destroy the enemy artillery

3. Complete the mission without using the Katyusha rocket launcher

First of all, you need to remember about one inconvenience in this mission; the, so called, Order 277. Every now and then, you will be informed, verbally, of the appearance of an NKVD commissioner in your HQ. All of the units that retreat while the officer is there, will be executed. So, watch out for your soldiers more than usually, to prevent losing experienced soldiers. Just like usually, use the enlistments tool to supplement losses in the better squads.

1. First of all, you need to seize three nearby points. You start the game with an M3A1, which if equipped with flamethrower wielding engineers, will work perfectly at capturing points. Support the vehicle with guard riflemen and, of course, the HMG, and you should be able to pacify the nearest point quickly. It is also a good idea to enlist two squads of snipers and, at least, one anti-tank cannon.

The point to the North is a harder nut to crack, with soldiers hidden in the nearby buildings. That is where the flame truck will prove its effectiveness. Take the route below and drive around the buildings to get them from behind to burn town the team (the above screenshot).

Destroying the artillery will not only grant you the completion of a bonus objective but also set a slower pace to the rest of the mission.

After you capture two points, you will receive two Katyusha launchers to your arsenal. These are trucks are equipped with pretty strong but, pretty much inaccurate, long-range rockets. You always need to keep them at the back, due to the fact that they are defenseless in direct fight. If you want to perform the bonus objective (3), get rid of them and enlist two mortars instead. A bit further to the West, there is the first German point with artillery, whose destruction is also one of the bonus objectives (2a). You can try out the Katyusha on it, or destroy it adhering to more traditional methods, i.e. by using riflemen reinforced with HMG and/or a sniper.

The truck should be in constant movement during the attacks

The last point can also be quickly eliminated with the use of the M3A1. Of course, you should remember about supporting it with the other units. The first cannons and light vehicles will start to appear in the battlefield so, counter their fire with fire from the ZiS cannons and the HMG. If you encounter a StuG, it is easy to neutralize by driving around it with your M3A1. The StuG does not have a rotary turret and it is too slow to turn quickly. Keep diverting its attention by circumventing the vehicle and, have the ZiS cannons pulverize it. Remember to repair the truck, if necessary.

Capture the bonus bridge to ensure yourself with reinforcements

2. The next phase of the mission will start. It consists in capturing the bridges to the city. Before you set out for the main bridges, it is worthwhile to close the artillery matter (2b) and liberate the third bridge (1), with valuable reinforcements coming through. Both of the places can be bombarded with Katyusha launchers or mortars, to eliminate the defenders quickly.

Before you capture the second bridge, make sure that you have your heavy equipment deployed properly

Capturing bridges may be troublesome because of the cannons and HMGs hidden in bunkers. Katyusha launchers/mortars will come in handy for the next time. Make use of your snipers and their flares to see what is ahead of you. The trucks and the infantry, with the reinforcements from the back should pacify the points that you earlier laid fire from afar on. Finally, before you capture the second bridge, make sure that there are more than half of your soldiers, well hidden behind covers, on both.

Use the AT grenades that the conscripts are equipped with, against the vehicles that manage to cut inside

3. A mass German offensive will start on both bridges. The good news, though, is that production of T-34 will be unlocked. It is worth investing in those straight away. You will get two new tanks for free, one to assist on each bridge. They will prove useful because the Germans will have StuGs at their disposal. Try and have two ZiS cannons on each bridge. Also, regular mortar fire at the bridges will also be useful. Do not try flanking the enemy at this point and do not walk onto the bridge. Ultimately, the heavy equipment should be destroyed before it reaches the point and the infantry should be eliminated with HMG fire after it walks onto it.

Use the flare to learn how to prepare for the German defense

4. There is nothing left to do but deal the final blow to the enemy. You will be equipped with a new ability, the IL-2 aircraft that will provide support. Use the flares to find out what is ahead of you and slowly push forward, while eliminating any resistance. The HQ itself can be destroyed from afar with Katyusha/mortar fire. Even if there are any units left on the map, the mission will be completed.