Description[]
Cavalry of the Sky is the first scenario of the German Campaign in Empire Earth. The Great War has broken out, and in the Eastern Front, a pilot named Manfred von Richthofen and his friend Holck, were shot down and are now stuck in Russian held territory. Your primary mission is to escort them to safety to a western German encampment.
Briefing[]
Cavalry of the Sky: Summer 1915
The early days of aviation were exciting and dangerous times. A sputtering engine, a wooden frame, and a skin of fabric were all that kept the first flyers in the air. Following the outbreak of The Great War in 1914, pilots had an additional danger to contend with... bullets.
Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen has been assigned to the newly-created German Air Force as an observer. He and his pilot, Holck, have flown behind the lines of the Eastern Front to photograph the current positions of the retreating Russian army. But, near the city of Wicznice, they encounter a barrage of ground fire. With their plane full of holes and billowing smoke, they are forced to ditch. Now, deep in Russian-held territory, they must try to salvage their mission and survive their journey back to German Headquarters.
History[]
When World War I began, airplanes were still a new invention. They were used mostly for reconnaissance, but in no time they had found new roles - bombers and fighters soon roared over the battlefields. The fighter planes - and the men who flew them - especially lent themselves to romantic tales of glory. One-on-one aerial combat became common in WWI and the concept of the flying ace was born. These heroes were known not only for their accomplishments, but often for their personalities as well. Many were celebrities in their day, and the names of some became immortal.
Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen began his military career in the Prussian Cavalry. He fought in Russia early in the war, but got himself reassigned to the German air force once the ground campaign stagnated. In the fall of 1915, after a few weeks of observation and only 24 hours of actual instruction, Richthofen flew his first plane - and crashed it on landing. Just over a year later, Richthofen would become the legendary Red Baron, the greatest flying ace of WWI.
During the war Manfred von Richthofen kept a journal of his exploits, which was published shortly before his death. One of his first adventures in the war, before his own maiden flight, entailed flying behind Russian lines with his pilot and friend, Count Holck.
Objectives[]
- Richthofen and his pilot, Count Holck, must travel to the west, where they can be rescued by advancing German troops.
- Both Richthofen and Holck must survive.
- Help Jozef by saving his wife, Zofia, from the Russians.
- Explore the sector and photograph a total of 4 Russian outposts. Most of these outposts contain Barracks, so be careful.
- Use the German troops to make a breach in the Russians' front lines, then bring Richthofen and Count Holck to the Headquarters Tent.
Hints[]
- Being observers, Richthofen and Holck can see farther than the Russian troops. Moving cautiously can save you some trouble.
- Some of the Russian outposts contain things that you will find useful, so it may be beneficial to visit more than you need to.
- When you get to the front, it is wise to let the German forces clear the way before trying to get Holck and Richthofen across.
- Despite the current epoch which is the Industrial Age, it is possible to produces units from the WW1 (such as Howitzer Cannon and Artillery in the Siege Factory, the Hand Cannoneer remains instead to be a Trench Mortar).
Storyline[]
Summer, 1915- somewhere over the Russian front near Wicznice...
Manfred Freiherr Von Richthofen and his pilot Rittmeister Carl Friedrich Erich Graf von Holck are seen flying over the burning buildings.
Manfred von Richthofen: Look ahead! Wicznice is burning! Should we go 'round?
Count Holck: Nonsense! We fly straight through!
The engine of their Albatross plane ends up sputtering.
Count Holck: What has happened? I'm losing control! The engine is dying!
Manfred von Richthofen: No fear! It is stupid, after all, to die so needlessly a hero's death.
The plane is then hit by an AA Gun.
Count Holck: Damn! We've been hit by Russian fire!
The two then end up crash landing their plane in the woods, near a small farm.
Count Holck: What excitement, eh Manfred? But we live! Though, I have lost all my equipment in the flames.
Manfred von Richthofen: And I have only my camera, my pistol, and a few bullet cartridges. We'd best get going. If we travel west, we should meet our advancing army.
The duo then meet a trio of farmers named Jozef, Andrzej, and Stanislaw.
Jozef: My wife! My poor wife!
Manfred von Richthofen: Good sir! What is the matter?
Jozef: Russian soldiers from the barracks just ahead have stolen all our food and taken my wife! My brothers and I could not stop them, for we have no weapons save our pitchforks.
Manfred von Richthofen: If anything can be done, we shall do it!
Count Holck: Would true gentlemen do any less?
They eventually find the Barracks.
Russian Soldier: Heh heh! Now for some sport!
Zofia screams.
Manfred von Richthofen: Leave her alone you swine!
Russian Soldier: Germans!?! To arms! To arms!
The Russians are dealt with, and Zofia is saved.
Zofia: Oh, Jozef! Thank God in Heaven, I am free!
Manfred von Richthofen: Well, we must now face our foes with only my camera, as my pistol is empty!
The three of them return to the farmers.
Jozef: My dearest Zofia is safe! There must be some way I can repay you?
Count Holck: We are seeking a path through the forest going west...
Jozef: My brothers and I will gladly assist you!
Some trees are cut down, allowing Richthofen and Holck to carry on their way.
Jozef: You should now be safely on your way west... Thank you again for saving my beloved Zofia!
They find an old artillery depot.
Manfred von Richthofen: Hmm... an old artillery depot. If I can get up close to sites such as this, I can photograph them and still complete our scouting mission.
When a site has been photographed.
Manfred Von Richthofen: This sight has been photographed.
When it is halfway done.
Manfred von Richthofen: If we can photograph two more sites such as this, we will have all the information our troops need to control this sector!
The site with maps is found.
Count Holck: Manfred, these buildings contained maps of the sector!
If they go through a swamp.
Manfred von Richthofen: Gah! Filthy swamp!
The site with additional ammo is found.
Count Holck: Ho-ho! A pistol for myself! And some bullets for you as well, Manfred!
The site with a Hospital is found.
Count Holck: Ah! This place has countless medical supplies. We should remember it incase we are ever needful.
The job is done.
Manfred von Richthofen: I'm nearly out of film... but we have all the pictures we need. Now if we can only make it back to the German lines!
If they get too close to the front lines before their scouting is done.
Count Holck: Manfred, we may be getting too close to the front lines! We should wait for a definite sign of our army before moving closer.
The time has come for the German army to make their move.
Prince Friedrich: Forward men! Let's drive the Russians out of this sector!
Richthofen and Holck make it back to German Headquarters.
Prince Friedrich: Count Holck - Freiherr Von Richtofen! It's good to see you both - we believed you lost! I shall provide horses at once to return you to your Aerodrome. Your pictures will be of great value as we continue to gain ground in this sector.
Count Holck: Your Highness, you are most kind.
Manfred von Richthofen: Indeed, your highness, though I must confess my disinterest in returning to an oat-driven mode of transportation. I find myself more at home in the sky than in the saddle, of late.
Historical Influences[]
Manfred Von Richthofen (left) and Count Holck (right)
Manfred Von Richthofen, also known as "Red Baron" was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during WWI. He is considered the top ace of that war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories.
Originally a cavalryman Richthofen transferred to the Air Service in 1915, becoming one of the first members of Jasta 2 in 1916. He quickly distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, and during 1917 became leader of Jasta11 and then the larger unit Jagdgeschwader (better known as the "Flying Circus"). By 1918, he was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and was very well known by the other side.
Richthofen was shot down and killed near Amiens on 21 April 1918.
When World War I began, Richthofen served as a cavalry reconnaissance officer on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, seeing action in Russia, France, and Belgium; however, with the advent of trench warfare making traditional cavalry operations outdated and inefficient, Richthofen's regiment were dismounted, serving as dispatch runners and field telephone operators. Later he joined into German Air Force, and thus becoming "Red Baron"
Rittmeister Carl Friedrich Erich Graf von Holck was a known rider (in competitions) and was posted with the 9th Dragoon Regiment of King Carl I. of Romania. He flew also with Feldflieger-Abteilung 69 on the Eastern front. He happened to be Manfred von Richthofens Pilot in 1915 after his predecessor Zeumer was posted back to the Western front.
Walkthrough[]
Civ point investment:
- Artillery: attack, range
Phase 1: Escape and Reconnaissance
Our heroes have to escape to the west, but the way is blocked with forest. Go eastwards, and after some steps, you gain a quest to save a Polish woman from the Russians. Some steps further northeast is a Barracks. Two infantry emerge, which are easily killed. Back at the peasant hut you get to control the three peasants. Let them chop the tree in the west. When you pass, you get 5 civ points.
On the way back to the German positions, you have to photograph 4 Russian camps. The first is slightly north and randomly guarded. If there is a patrol, wait for the right moment, go near to take the photo and immediately continue northeast. Slightly north is the second (not guarded) camp, where you make the photo and find a map. Now the other Russian positions are revealed on the map. 10 civ points.
Go west to the third camp, avoid random guards, take the photo, and your heroes finally find weapons and ammunition. Go south to the fourth camp, where you will easily kill all the guards and make the photo. Save the game and go west until the phase ends: you get to control the German military and enough resources.
Phase 2: Battle
Immediately pause the game with F3. Retreat all infantry and position the Cuirassiers in front of them. Build two armies, each should have
- 10 Infantry, 2 Machine Gun, very good at guarding the Artillery against the enemy units of this scenario, upgrade 2x attack, 2x range, 1x hitpoints
- 2 Snipers, excellent scouts, kill infantry with one shot, upgrade 2x attack, 2x range, 1x hitpoints
- 4 Artillery, excellent at destroying things from a long distance, upgrade 2x attack, 2x range, 1x splash damage
- 2 Medics, they heal Infantry and Artillery
All units on "stand ground". Snipers on the sides and slightly in front of the army. Infantry guard the Artillery. Artillery kill all buildings and units in sight, from such a long distance that it usually does not trigger enemy units to counter-attack because they simply do not see the Artillery.
Advance slowly with the northern army towards the east, with the southern army towards the south, then also east. When the way is cleared, our heroes go to the German king to win the scenario (10 civ points).
See also[]
- Manfred von Richthofen (Wikipedia)
