Brother in Arms

Plot Summary

Brothers in Arms is based on the true story of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the famed 101st Airborne Division who were dropped behind German Lines on D-Day. The game is based on the historical Mission Albany, in which the player has to complete true to life missions of the 101st.

The sequel Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood is also based on the last missions of the 101st, such as link up with 82nd Airborne Division and capture of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte (which historically did not involve the 101st A/B as a whole, but some members volunteered to assist the undermanned 82nd Division). The player takes the role of Sergeant Matthew Baker, a paratrooper (based on Harrison C. Summers and various other people) and leader of an airborne squad from Fox Company. The missions range from dropping into France on June 6 to the final defense of Hill 30 eight days later. Baker must lead his men through troubled times and make decisions that may result in the death of a paratrooper, which causes him much heartache.

Baker's squad consists of Cpl. Joe "Red" Hartsock, Cpl. Sam Corrion, Pfc. Jack Courtland, Pfc. Stephan "Obi" Obrieski, Pvt Larry Allen, Pvt. Johnny Rivas, Pvt. Michael Desola, Pvt. David Muzza, Pfc. Thomas "Zano" Zanovich, Pvt. Michael Garnett and Pvt. Dale "kid" McCreary. The Radioman is Pvt. Kevin Benjamin "Legs" Leggett. The squad is one of three under Platoon sgt SSgt. Greg "Mac" Hassay. "Mac" served under Sgt. Baker's father, whom he had much respect for, in the First World War and has promised to himself to make Sgt. Baker into a good soldier. 7 men of the 13-man squad are killed during the Normandy campaign. The men of Baker's squad who die are Allen, Garnett, Desola, Rivas, Obrieski, Muzza,and Leggett. By the end of the Normandy campaign only 6 members of the original 13-man squad are alive; Hartsock, Corrion, Courtland, Zanovich, McCreary and Baker himself.

Another character included is Sgt. Baker's best friend, Sgt. George Risner, with whom he spent his childhood. He commands a M5 Light Tank. George follows Sgt. Baker into a small French town outside Saint Côme-du-Mont where his tank is hit by a panzerfaust. He soon dies while firing back at the Germans with Baker's Colt .45 pistol. Also included are real life personalities General Dwight D. Eisenhower,(in a deleted scene[1]), the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force and Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Cole, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading a charge against a German position outside Carentan early on June 11th 1944. Another real-life character is Col. S.L.A. Marshall, who interviewed hundreds of Allied soldiers after their fighting in Normandy, Lt. Col. Patrick Cassidy is also featured in the series, he is the Commander of the 1st Battalion of the 502nd PIR. Also Col. Howard R. Johnson ( The Commander of the 501st PIR) is featured in the series.