About the game

Allied Commanders

Henry Harley Arnold

Commander of Aircraft

Description

BIOGRAPHY

The future creator of the Air Force as an independent branch and one of the first pilots in the US Army was instructed in flight by the Wright brothers, who are credited by most countries as the inventors and builders of the world’s first airplane. Arnold actively promoted aviation, contributed to the establishment of a flight school, and set an altitude record of 2083.4 meters.

Arnold instructed pilots during World War I and from 1938 on took an active part in the all-around development of military aviation as the USA’s Chief of the Air Corps.

He held the rank of lieutenant general at the beginning of the World War II and experienced a dramatic growth in the number of Air Force troops he commanded: the number of airplanes increased from 4,000 to 262,000, the number of men, from 25,000 to 2,000,000.

He joined the Combined Chiefs of Staff in 1942 and so took an active part in the strategic planning of operations. It was at this time that he gained independence for air formations, which laid the foundation for their later establishment as an independent branch of the military.

Henry Arnold was the only man in the United States to be a 5-star general in two branches, the Army and the Air Force. Throughout his service, he was awarded 17 types of decorations, but one of his greatest achievements was establishing the formidable Air Force as a separate military branch.

EFFECTIVENESS ON THE BATTLEFIELD

This commander mainly relies on the active use of attack and reconnaissance aircraft in offensive operations. In land operations, he prefers to use mobile forces capable of gaining a tactical advantage shortly after fierce bombardment of the enemy’s positions. When defending, he relies on firing positions, howitzers, and AT guns.

Specializations

  • Light Vehicles
  • Medium Tanks
  • Light Tanks
  • Assault Infantry
  • Reconnaissance Aircraft
  • Bomber
  • Anti-Tank Rifle
  • Anti-Aircraft Gun
  • Howitzer

Talents

  • Reconnaissance Aircraft
    Request a reconnaissance plane, which can locate enemy forces on the map.
    Reconnaissance Aircraft: Supply Points required: less by 3
    • Reconnaissance Aircraft
  • Bomber
    Call in a heavy bomber to launch a heavy bomb strike at the target area.
    Bomber: Supply Points required: less by 2; -60 Seconds reload time
    • Bomber
  • Clear Look
    Light vehicles get extra screens in front of their viewports. This innovation is meant to increasing the driver/mechanic's sight range by protecting them from mud, stones, and precipitation.
    Light Vehicle: +15 Sight range
    • Light Vehicles
  • Only the Best for Our Men
    High-quality fuel delivered to the front positively affects the engine performance of light and medium tanks and increases their speed.
    Medium Tank, Light Tank: +30% Movement speed
    • Medium Tanks
    • Light Tanks
  • Drilling
    Route marches in full gear conducted by the commander greatly increase the movement speed of assault infantry.
    Assault Infantry: +30% Movement speed
    • Assault Infantry
  • Prewar Resources
    The sight range of AT rifle crews is increased thanks to high-quality periscope sights.
    Anti-Tank Rifle: +15 Sight range
    • Anti-Tank Rifle
  • Closed Sky
    To improve air defence measures, the commander conducts extra training for loaders, increasing the rate of fire of AA guns.
    Anti-Aircraft Gun: -40% Reload time
    • Anti-Aircraft Gun
  • Hold the Enemy at Bay!
    The Commander orders the delivery of howitzers with a greater shooting range.
    Howitzer: +15 Shot range
    • Howitzer