Description
BIOGRAPHY
This future lieutenant general was an active sportsman as a young man, earning victories in New Zealand swimming competitions in 1906 and 1910. In 1911, Freyberg began his career — not as a serviceman but as an assistant dentist in the New Zealand town of Morrinsville.
At the same time, he applied for the Territorial Army, but his perfect physical shape was no help getting him approved. But by 1914, he was heading to Mexico to join the Civil War of 1910-1917, led by Pancho Villa. After hearing of the war in Europe, however, he set off that way, having earned the money for his ticket in fighting and swimming competitions.
In World War I, Freyberg became the youngest general in the British army (though his “permanent” rank was only captain). This was followed a number of operations and battles, starting with the Battle of Gallipoli, in which he commanded advance troops, drawing the Turkish forces’ attention away from the landing area. The war for him ended with a number of heroic operations in France. The general was always at the front line, leading his troops personally, which resulted in numerous injuries. It was said there was not a single part of his body that was without a scar. Because of his love for being in the thick of things (under “fire”), Winston Churchill called Freyberg “Salamander.”
When World War II broke out, he was appointed commander-in-chief of Allied troops in the Cretan Operation, during which he significantly damaged the advancing German forces. In the Battle of El Alamein, his division made a glorious breakthrough in the positions of Italian and German forces, crucially affecting the outcome of the legendary battle. He later fought in Italy, taking part in the Battle of Monte Cassino.
EFFECTIVENESS ON THE BATTLEFIELD
Preferring aggressive action, Freyberg can capture any fortified positions quickly with the use of reconnaissance, smoke screens, and engineers. Light vehicles, medium and light tanks, assault infantry, and anti-tank squads are extremely effective under this commander.
Specializations
Talents
-
Large Smoke ScreenPrevents attacks within a certain range.Large Smoke Screen: Supply Points required: less by 1 -
Paratrooper SquadA squad of assault paratroopers will land in a random location on the map.Paratrooper Squad: Supply Points required: less by 2 -
Staff TacticianInforming officers about obstacles in the area in advance allows you to significantly increase the movement speed of assault infantry and medium/light tanks.Medium Tank, Light Tank, Assault Infantry: +2 Movement speed; -20% Chance to hit the unit -
Only ForwardCrews of light vehicles and light/medium tanks under this commander are accustomed to emergency repairs of their aiming systems and track assemblies. Supplying light and medium tanks with high-quality shells increases the damage they deal and their armour-piercing ability.Light Vehicle, Medium Tank, Light Tank: +20% Armour penetrationMedium Tank, Light Tank: +20% Damage to infantry, Damage to vehicles; -4 Repair duration -
Shoot and RunThis commander is well aware of the specifics of using anti-tank squads, namely sudden salvos and immediate retreats from the engagement area. The rate of fire and movement speed of anti-tank infantry are increased.Anti-Tank Infantry: +2 Movement speed; -40% Reload time -
SaboteurThe commander's attentive approach to combat engineering allows you to increase the killing power of mines.Anti-Personnel Mines: +50% Damage to infantryAnti-Tank Mines: +50% Damage to vehiclesAnti-Tank Mines, Anti-Personnel Mines: -20 Tracking range -
Team BuildingDug-in anti-tank rifle crews deliver more accurate fire due to the cohesion they have learned in previous battles.Anti-Tank Rifle: -40% Reload time; +50% Damage to vehicles -
Blitz DefenceDeep insight into the principles of anti-tank weapons allows this commander to use anti-tank guns with maximum effectiveness: their shooting range is longer, and accurate shots have a chance of disabling enemy guns.Anti-Tank Gun: +20% Chance to jam weapon; +15 Shot range