Campaign Story Summary
Welcome, soldier, to the comprehensive breakdown of the Call of Duty: World at War campaign. This section will guide you through the harrowing battles and pivotal moments, ensuring you understand the narrative and are prepared for the challenges ahead. We'll cover key objectives, crucial item locations, and strategic advice for each mission.
The Pacific Theater: Sergeant Roebuck's Platoon
Your journey in the Pacific begins as Private C. Miller, a Marine captured by the Japanese. This storyline focuses on the brutal island-hopping campaign against a fanatical enemy.
Mission 1: Semper Fi
You start in a Japanese POW camp on Makin Atoll. After a brutal interrogation, you are rescued by Sergeant Roebuck and his squad, including Corporal Sullivan and Private Polonsky. Your primary objective is to escape the camp and clear the surrounding area of Japanese forces. Immediately after being freed, grab the Type 100 SMG from the fallen guard. Follow Roebuck, using cover effectively. Look for a M1 Garand on a fallen Marine near the first destroyed hut for a more accurate long-range option. Prioritize taking out enemy machine gun nests with grenades (Type 97 Hand Grenades are plentiful on fallen enemies) or concentrated fire. You'll eventually reach the beach for extraction.
Mission 2: Little Resistance
This mission sees you landing on Peleliu. The objective is to push inland and secure the beachhead. Be prepared for heavy resistance from entrenched positions. Early on, you'll encounter Japanese soldiers hiding in spider holes; use your M2 Flamethrower (found near the second bunker on the right) to clear these out efficiently. Keep an eye out for M1911 pistols as a reliable sidearm. Your squad will provide suppressing fire, allowing you to flank. The final push involves clearing a series of bunkers leading to a communication outpost. A well-placed M9A1 Bazooka, located in the ruined building to the left of the final approach, can make short work of the heavy machine gun emplacements.
Mission 3: Hard Landing
Continuing the fight on Peleliu, your squad must advance through dense jungle and clear out more Japanese strongholds. This mission introduces more close-quarters combat. The Trench Gun (shotgun) is highly effective here, often found on fallen Marines or in weapon caches within the jungle huts. Be wary of Banzai charges; a quick melee attack or a shotgun blast is your best defense. You'll need to destroy several anti-aircraft guns. Look for Satchel Charges near the AA guns themselves; plant them and retreat before detonation. The mission culminates in securing a vital ridge overlooking the airfield.
The Eastern Front: Private Petrenko's Vengeance
Concurrently, the Eastern Front storyline follows Private Dimitri Petrenko, a Soviet soldier, as he fights alongside Sergeant Viktor Reznov against the Nazi war machine. This narrative is characterized by brutal urban warfare and a relentless drive towards Berlin.
Mission 4: Vendetta
As Dimitri, you begin in the ruins of Stalingrad, gravely wounded and witnessing the atrocities committed by the Germans. Reznov finds you and tasks you with assassinating General Heinrich Amsel. This is a stealth-focused mission. You'll be equipped with a Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle. Follow Reznov's instructions precisely, using the environment for cover. The key is patience and precise shots. Amsel will eventually appear in a building across the square. Wait for the opportune moment when he is isolated. There are no other significant items to collect here, as the focus is on the assassination.
Mission 5: Their Land, Their Blood
This mission shifts to a tank assault. You'll be operating a T-34 tank, pushing through German lines. Your primary objective is to clear a path for the Soviet advance. Focus on destroying enemy tanks (Panzers and Stug IIIs) with your main cannon. Use your coaxial machine gun to suppress infantry. Be mindful of anti-tank infantry with Panzerfausts; prioritize them. The mission involves clearing several villages and a fortified farm, culminating in a push towards a larger German defensive line.
Mission 6: Burn 'em Out
Back on foot as Dimitri, you're tasked with clearing out German positions in a heavily fortified village. This mission features extensive use of the PPSh-41 SMG, ideal for close-quarters engagements. You'll encounter numerous German soldiers in buildings and trenches. Utilize F1 Grenades to flush out entrenched enemies. A key objective is to destroy a German supply depot. Look for explosive barrels or crates marked with red to detonate and complete this objective. The mission ends with a fierce firefight for control of a central church.
The Final Push: Uniting the Fronts
The campaign progresses, with both storylines converging towards their respective climaxes.
Mission 7: Relentless
As Miller, you're now on Okinawa, facing the most brutal Japanese defenses yet. This mission involves assaulting a series of heavily fortified caves and bunkers. The M2 Flamethrower is your best friend here, essential for clearing out the claustrophobic tunnels. Be cautious of Japanese soldiers feigning death; always double-tap. You'll encounter more Banzai charges. The mission culminates in the destruction of a major Japanese artillery battery, often requiring the use of Satchel Charges found near the gun emplacements.
Mission 8: Blood and Iron
Dimitri's journey continues towards Berlin. This mission is another tank-focused assault, pushing through the outskirts of the city. Expect heavy resistance from German armor and infantry. Prioritize destroying Panzer IVs and Tiger Tanks. Use your tank's mobility to flank and exploit weak points. The objective is to breach the outer defenses of Berlin, paving the way for the final assault.
Mission 9: Ring of Steel
As Miller, you're now deep into Okinawa, fighting for control of a vital hill. This mission is a grueling infantry assault against a well-defended Japanese position. The BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) is an excellent weapon for this mission, offering good suppression and damage. You'll need to clear multiple bunkers and trenches. Look for opportunities to use the Type 99 LMG (Japanese light machine gun) against advancing enemies. The mission concludes with a desperate defense against a final Japanese counter-attack.
Mission 10: Eviction
Dimitri and Reznov are now in the heart of Berlin, fighting street by street towards the Reichstag. This mission is intense urban combat. The MP40 and StG-44 are common enemy weapons that you can pick up and use effectively. Expect snipers and heavy machine gun nests. Use smoke grenades (RDG-1 Smoke Grenades, often found on fallen Soviets) to advance across open areas. The objective is to clear the path to the Reichstag, culminating in a fierce battle through subway tunnels.
Mission 11: Blowtorch & Corkscrew
Miller's final push on Okinawa involves clearing out the last remaining Japanese strongholds. This mission is a brutal close-quarters affair, with extensive use of the M2 Flamethrower. You'll be clearing caves and bunkers, facing desperate Japanese resistance. Be prepared for suicide charges and hidden enemies. The mission ends with the final securing of Okinawa, but at a heavy cost.
Mission 12: Heart of the Reich
Dimitri and Reznov are at the gates of the Reichstag. This mission is a direct assault on the iconic building. You'll face fanatical German resistance, including heavily armored soldiers. The Panzerschreck (German rocket launcher) is an excellent weapon to pick up from fallen enemies to deal with armored targets. Your objective is to fight your way to the top of the Reichstag, raising the Soviet flag. Expect intense room-to-room combat and a final, desperate stand by the remaining German forces.
Mission 13: Downfall
The final mission for Miller's storyline. While the specific details can vary, it generally involves a final, desperate push against the last pockets of Japanese resistance on Okinawa. This mission often features intense artillery bombardments and a final, overwhelming assault. Your objective is to eliminate the remaining enemy forces and secure the island, bringing an end to the Pacific campaign.