Milestone LEFEBVRE Available Now!
Rejoice, commander!
The latest WARNO milestone has dropped, with the new LEFEBVRE update available now!
What can you expect from today’s surprise deployment? Next to two new battlegroups, detailed in last week’s DevBlog, you’ll also get to play with a brand-spanking new Operation, plus updated T-80B/BV tank models.
Before we dive deep, a bit of history to shine a light on the update's namesake (and his rather colorful wife).
[h2]Historical background LEFEBVRE[/h2]
Our latest marshal wasn’t initially a regular one. When Napoleon restored the dignity of being a marshal, he granted it to eighteen active généraux de division. The same honorary rank he also bestowed on four older, inactive generals who were commanders in chief during the Revolutionary Wars. François Joseph Lefebvre was one of the latter. With Napoleon’s new rank, he was also made “senator for life,” with these old warrior commanders now benefiting from a precious golden retirement napping on the (mostly useless) French Senate’s benches.
Born in the mid-18th century, Lefebvre enlisted in 1773 and had risen to the rank of sergeant, the best a low-born commoner could achieve, by the time of the French Revolution in 1789. Popular among his men in the period of the haphazardly organized revolutionary armies, he then quickly made general. Wounded in 1799, Lefebvre resigned from active service, holding only territorial commands, including being the military governor of Paris.
In this capacity, he played a vital role during the bloodless coup d'état that brought Napoleon to power and ended the French Revolution, which almost didn’t succeed. During the so-called Coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799, Lefebvre saved Napoleon and his brothers when they were about to be outlawed as the coup started to go awry, restoring order in the process, and ensuring Napoleon ousted the Revolutionary politicians.
A born leader
Lefebvre was rewarded for his support by Napoleon, but instead of retiring, he returned to active service. The old commander was kept in the rear, training and organizing new levies, but Napoleon entrusted him with a campaign posting in 1806, giving him command of the Old Guard infantry. A prestigious position, but with no real initiative, as the Guard was only sent into combat by Napoleon himself. Like many Napoleonic Marshals, a true corps’ command exceeded Lefebvre’s capacities. Despite his military shortcomings, he and his wife were adored by Napoleon, thanks to the commander’s good nature and his wife's rather colorful character.
An interesting companion
Bringing us to an ever-interesting footnote: for Catherine Huebscher, Lefebvre’s wife, went on to achieve a greater posterity than her military husband. While few remember the origin of the turn of the phrase, in France to this day, she is known as “Madame Sans-Gêne” (meaning “Lady Shameless” or “Lady Brazenness”) for her outspokenness, combining her modest upbringing with a very sharp wit.
An illiterate laundrywoman when she married Lefebvre, she was a sharp contrast with the imperial court, who likewise came from a humble upbringing. Thanks to the Revolution and Napoleon’s connection, she became part of the nobility, but she never forgot her origins. Her plain language, Germanic accent and directness resulted in no fans with the old nobility who despised her. An unexpected ally was Napoleon himself, who grew fond of her frankness, even when it was directed at him. He created a new Imperial nobility, with the Lefebvre couple being the first one elevated to ducal status, an obvious message to the rest of the court.
Lefebvre remained with Napoleon until the end of 1814, even when all was lost, and he was one of the first to rally to him when he briefly returned in 1815. Too old (and too popular) to be punished after the ultimate downfall, he was left in retirement until his death in 1820. His wife survived him by 12 years.
[h2]LEFEBVRE Milestone brining units[/h2]
With our brief history lesson done, let’s get back to the matters at hand: WARNO’s LEFEBVRE milestone. What can you play with in today’s update?
Two new WARNO battlegroups.
You can read more about these two new divisions in last week’s dedicated DevBlog.
[h2]The new GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG Operation[/h2]
Next to the new battlegroups, the milestone will also see the release of a new Operation, the East German-focused Götterdämmerung. The Nationale Volksarmee found itself in a bit of a pickle after a failed advance along the Bundesstraße 22 in a southern flank of the Warsaw Pact invasion. Having recently captured Bavarian Bamberg in the U.S. VII Corps’ sector, the East German 11. Mot.-Schützendivision has been turned back near Erbach and now has a serious chance of being overrun by American and West German forces. The Mot.-Schützenregiment 17 is detailed to secure the valley of Stegaurach on the approaches to Bamberg. They must protect it at all costs while the parent division prepares to protect the city. It's death or glory for you, genosse kommandant.
The Operation itself is a defense-in-depth scenario, with the East Germans being able to deploy and hold several outlying sectors at the start. This part of the battlefield is plain and open, with small hamlets and forests. However, if you lose control of these sectors, they are permanently lost.
Furthermore, these zones give you valuable income points. The last sector is an entrance to the valley itself, which can be reinforced more easily, thanks to the constricted terrain and wooden hills. However, if NATO manages to take hold of this sector, the Operation is over. Making good use of your forces, your income, and your defensive positions is key in holding out long enough as the Nationale Volksarmee in Götterdämmerung.
[h2]T-80 Rework[/h2]
A final new feature of the LEFEBVRE milestone is the rework of the T-80B and T-80BV tank model. As we did with the T-55, T-72, and T-80U series, the new models (and their Command variants) will see a visual upgrade.
We have also taken the opportunity to add another model to the Warsaw Pact’s arsenal: the new T-80BV Izd. 29, a late production variant. With a new, more powerful engine, this tank is faster than its direct predecessors, sporting different rubber side skirts and featuring a turret counterweight. The T-80BV Izd. 29 will be added to the 79th Guards Tank Division to compensate for transferring the T-80U and T-80UD to the new 119th Independent Tank Regiment.
[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
We hope you enjoy WARNO’s latest milestone! Plenty more good stuff is coming. Keep your eye on the prize and check in weekly for a new DevBlog!
And, don’t forget to join the passionate WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.
See you on the battlefield, commander
The latest WARNO milestone has dropped, with the new LEFEBVRE update available now!
What can you expect from today’s surprise deployment? Next to two new battlegroups, detailed in last week’s DevBlog, you’ll also get to play with a brand-spanking new Operation, plus updated T-80B/BV tank models.
Before we dive deep, a bit of history to shine a light on the update's namesake (and his rather colorful wife).
[h2]Historical background LEFEBVRE[/h2]
Our latest marshal wasn’t initially a regular one. When Napoleon restored the dignity of being a marshal, he granted it to eighteen active généraux de division. The same honorary rank he also bestowed on four older, inactive generals who were commanders in chief during the Revolutionary Wars. François Joseph Lefebvre was one of the latter. With Napoleon’s new rank, he was also made “senator for life,” with these old warrior commanders now benefiting from a precious golden retirement napping on the (mostly useless) French Senate’s benches.
Born in the mid-18th century, Lefebvre enlisted in 1773 and had risen to the rank of sergeant, the best a low-born commoner could achieve, by the time of the French Revolution in 1789. Popular among his men in the period of the haphazardly organized revolutionary armies, he then quickly made general. Wounded in 1799, Lefebvre resigned from active service, holding only territorial commands, including being the military governor of Paris.
In this capacity, he played a vital role during the bloodless coup d'état that brought Napoleon to power and ended the French Revolution, which almost didn’t succeed. During the so-called Coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799, Lefebvre saved Napoleon and his brothers when they were about to be outlawed as the coup started to go awry, restoring order in the process, and ensuring Napoleon ousted the Revolutionary politicians.
A born leader
Lefebvre was rewarded for his support by Napoleon, but instead of retiring, he returned to active service. The old commander was kept in the rear, training and organizing new levies, but Napoleon entrusted him with a campaign posting in 1806, giving him command of the Old Guard infantry. A prestigious position, but with no real initiative, as the Guard was only sent into combat by Napoleon himself. Like many Napoleonic Marshals, a true corps’ command exceeded Lefebvre’s capacities. Despite his military shortcomings, he and his wife were adored by Napoleon, thanks to the commander’s good nature and his wife's rather colorful character.
An interesting companion
Bringing us to an ever-interesting footnote: for Catherine Huebscher, Lefebvre’s wife, went on to achieve a greater posterity than her military husband. While few remember the origin of the turn of the phrase, in France to this day, she is known as “Madame Sans-Gêne” (meaning “Lady Shameless” or “Lady Brazenness”) for her outspokenness, combining her modest upbringing with a very sharp wit.
An illiterate laundrywoman when she married Lefebvre, she was a sharp contrast with the imperial court, who likewise came from a humble upbringing. Thanks to the Revolution and Napoleon’s connection, she became part of the nobility, but she never forgot her origins. Her plain language, Germanic accent and directness resulted in no fans with the old nobility who despised her. An unexpected ally was Napoleon himself, who grew fond of her frankness, even when it was directed at him. He created a new Imperial nobility, with the Lefebvre couple being the first one elevated to ducal status, an obvious message to the rest of the court.
Lefebvre remained with Napoleon until the end of 1814, even when all was lost, and he was one of the first to rally to him when he briefly returned in 1815. Too old (and too popular) to be punished after the ultimate downfall, he was left in retirement until his death in 1820. His wife survived him by 12 years.
[h2]LEFEBVRE Milestone brining units[/h2]
With our brief history lesson done, let’s get back to the matters at hand: WARNO’s LEFEBVRE milestone. What can you play with in today’s update?
Two new WARNO battlegroups.
- For NATO, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment sees the light of day. As the premier screening force at the Inner German Border, this formation took the brunt of the Warsaw Pact offensive at Fulda in the opening stages of our World War III. Augmented with additional American and West German units and firepower, this new division excels in RECON, TANK, and HELO assets.
- For the Warsaw Pact, the armored and heavy-hitting Soviet 119-y Otdelniy Tankoviy Polk, also known as the 119th Independent Tank Regiment, will be introduced. We have reorganized the disposition of tank forces between this new battlegroup and the existing 79th Guards Tank Division. The former is now an “exploitation” second echelon division, heavily reinforced with the latest Soviet tanks, while the latter becomes a front-line first echelon division, set for a grueling fight at Fulda to achieve that much-needed breakthrough. The new 119th Independent Tank Regiment focuses on TANK, HELO, and AIR categories.
You can read more about these two new divisions in last week’s dedicated DevBlog.
[h2]The new GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG Operation[/h2]
Next to the new battlegroups, the milestone will also see the release of a new Operation, the East German-focused Götterdämmerung. The Nationale Volksarmee found itself in a bit of a pickle after a failed advance along the Bundesstraße 22 in a southern flank of the Warsaw Pact invasion. Having recently captured Bavarian Bamberg in the U.S. VII Corps’ sector, the East German 11. Mot.-Schützendivision has been turned back near Erbach and now has a serious chance of being overrun by American and West German forces. The Mot.-Schützenregiment 17 is detailed to secure the valley of Stegaurach on the approaches to Bamberg. They must protect it at all costs while the parent division prepares to protect the city. It's death or glory for you, genosse kommandant.
The Operation itself is a defense-in-depth scenario, with the East Germans being able to deploy and hold several outlying sectors at the start. This part of the battlefield is plain and open, with small hamlets and forests. However, if you lose control of these sectors, they are permanently lost.
Furthermore, these zones give you valuable income points. The last sector is an entrance to the valley itself, which can be reinforced more easily, thanks to the constricted terrain and wooden hills. However, if NATO manages to take hold of this sector, the Operation is over. Making good use of your forces, your income, and your defensive positions is key in holding out long enough as the Nationale Volksarmee in Götterdämmerung.
[h2]T-80 Rework[/h2]
A final new feature of the LEFEBVRE milestone is the rework of the T-80B and T-80BV tank model. As we did with the T-55, T-72, and T-80U series, the new models (and their Command variants) will see a visual upgrade.
We have also taken the opportunity to add another model to the Warsaw Pact’s arsenal: the new T-80BV Izd. 29, a late production variant. With a new, more powerful engine, this tank is faster than its direct predecessors, sporting different rubber side skirts and featuring a turret counterweight. The T-80BV Izd. 29 will be added to the 79th Guards Tank Division to compensate for transferring the T-80U and T-80UD to the new 119th Independent Tank Regiment.
[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
We hope you enjoy WARNO’s latest milestone! Plenty more good stuff is coming. Keep your eye on the prize and check in weekly for a new DevBlog!
And, don’t forget to join the passionate WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.
See you on the battlefield, commander