Medal of Honor: Frontline

Medal of Honor: Frontline (2002)

Medal of Honor: Frontline is the fourth installment in the Medal of Honor series, released in North America for the PlayStation 2 on May 29, 2002 and for the Xbox and GameCube consoles on November 7, 2002. In 2010, an HD port of the game was included in the "Limited Edition" PlayStation 3 version of Medal of Honor.

Lt. Jimmy Patterson returns as the game's protagonist. It is a semi remake and reboot of the original 1999 Medal of Honor. Some missions, such as A Storm in the Port (Mission 2) and Rolling Thunder (Mission 5), are homages to Scuttle Das Boot U-4901 (Mission 3) and Destroy the Mighty Railgun Greta (Mission 2) from the first game. The plot takes place during Operation Market Garden, in between Mission 3 and Mission 4 of the first game. All of the weaponry has been brought back from the first game and Medal of Honor: Underground.

The following weapons appear in the video game Medal of Honor: Frontline:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Pistols

M1911A1

Known as the "Colt .45" in-game, the M1911A1 appears as the standard sidearm in D-Day (Mission 1) and A Storm in the Port (Mission 2). It is also seen on the main menu as the option for 'next mission'. It is the most powerful pistol in the game, and is highly effective firing against MG positions Level 1 of D-Day (Mission 1). It holds 7 rounds.

M1911A1 - .45 ACP

The M1911A1 "Colt .45" promo image. The trigger is incorrect.

The M1911A1 in-game.

Reloading the M1911A1.

The M1911A1 on the game's main menu.

High Standard Victor

Known as the "OSS High-Standard Pistol", what mostly resembles a suppressed High Standard Victor is the most used pistol throughout the game. As a silenced pistol it replaces the High Standard HDM from the previous games, which is an odd decision as the Victor is highly anachronistic (first manufactured in 1974) and the Victor is not compatible with a suppressor. It first appears in Level 2 of Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3), and then returns in Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4), and Level 1 in Rolling Thunder (Mission 5). It is slightly less powerful than the M1911A1 and holds 7 rounds.

High Standard Victor - .22 LR

Side-view in a promo, revealing it as a High Standard Victor.

The Suppressed Victor in-game.

Reloading the Victor.

Walther P38

The Walther P38 is mainly used by enemy officers and scientists. It is first obtained in Rolling Thunder (Mission 5) and is used again in The Hornet's Nest (Mission 6). It has short recoil, and is much more accurate than the M1911A1. It holds 8 rounds and uses Pistol ammunition.

Walther P38 with black grips - 9x19mm

Promo for the P38.

The Walther P38 in-game.

Reloading the P38.

A Kriegsmarine Enemy armed with a P38.

Behind the Scenes

In the game's Behind the Scenes featurette for Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4), someone is seen fumbling with a Walther P38, possibly as a reference for animators.

A team member repeatedly works the slide on a Walther P38, possibly for animators.

He then attempts to insert a magazine into the weapon, only to have the bottom plate give-way and the platform spring shoots out.

Rifles

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand is the first weapon to be used in the game, and appears as the standard weapon for U.S. Army allies in the game. Unlike the real M1 Garand, the in-game model cannot be reloaded until the entire en-bloc clip is expended. This is because the game's engine only allows one reload animation per weapon - Reloading the Garand mid clip would require a second animation to show the manual ejection of the clip, and then the loading of a new clip. In Level 2 of Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3), an enemy soldier in the pub is carrying a Garand. This could possibly be a capture from an American casualty, or a programming error which is more likely.

M1 Garand .30-06

Promo for the M1 Garand.

The M1 Garand in-game.

Reloading the M1 Garand. Notice the enbloc has no bullets in it.

U.S. Soldier allies armed with M1 Garands in Level 1 of D-Day.

Corporal Barnes armed with an M1 Garand.

M1 Garand with M7 bayonet - .30-06

'THE FIGHT CONTINUES'. Loading screen of a US Paratrooper armed with an M1 Garand.

Springfield M1903A4

The M1903A4 Springfield appears in Level 2 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2) and in the first 2 levels of Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3). Like the first MOH game, it is first obtained through a hidden "gift package". It has a somewhat slow rate of fire due to the bolt-action, but it is incredibly accurate, and has great range. It holds 5 rounds.

M1903A4 Springfield Sniper Rifle - .30-06

Promo for the Springfield; it oddly has a disassembly disk on the buttstock like a Karabiner 98k in this image.

The Springfield M1903A4 in-game.

Recycling the Springfield.

Looking through the scope of the Springfield.

Gewehr 43

A scoped Gewehr 43 appears as the second "sniping" weapon in the game, and is prominently seen in the hands of enemies in Level 1 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4), where it is first obtained. It comes back in The Hornet's Nest (Mission 6). It's accuracy is slightly less than the M1903. Being a semi automatic weapon, it has a much higher rate of fire and faster reload than the M1903. It holds 10 rounds.

Note: the real Gewehr 43 has significantly less accuracy at range than the 1903 bolt action rifle and isn't nearly as reliable. Even as a basic semi-automatic rifle, its less than desirable, especially when compared to superior rifles like the M1 Garand.

Gewehr 43 with ZF 4 scope - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Promo for the Gewehr 43. The buttstock here is misshaped in comparison to the actual '43. The text also incorrectly refers to it as a "sniper rifle" and that it's maximum range is 2200 meters.

The Gewehr 43 in-game.

Reloading the Gewehr 43.

Looking through the Gewehr 43 scope. The Waffen SS Enemy in the cross-hairs is also armed with a Gewehr 43.

Karabiner 98k

The Karabiner 98k is the standard weapon used by enemies. Like the first game, it is unusable for the player. Scoped versions can be seen being used by enemy snipers in Level 1 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4). They have a low rate of fire and take enemies a considerable amount of time to reload. Enemies will likely use them as melee weapons if close enough. They slowly diminish in favor of the Gewehr 43 in later missions. It holds 5 rounds.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

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Karabiner 98k with Zeiss ZF42 scope - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Waffen SS Enemy with a Karabiner 98k.

Von Sturmgeist's SS guards armed with Karabiner 98k's.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I

The Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I is seen in the hands of British Paratroopers Allies in Level 3 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4). It is unusable for the player and only seen in this level. They share the same sound effect with the M1 Garand.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I - .303 British

A British Paratrooper Ally with a Lee-Enfield.

British Para firing his Lee-Enfield.

Sturmgewehr 44

Known as the "STG44", the Sturmgewehr 44 is first obtained in Level 3 of Needle in a Haystack (Mission 3). It later comes back in Rolling Thunder (Mission 5). It is seen in enemy hands in any level where the player uses the B.A.R., likely to counter the firepower. The in-game model is disproportionate to the real STG44, seeming to be stretched out for some reason. Its rate of fire is generally slow, but seems to be much faster in enemy hands. At the game's climax, Baron Rudolph Ulbricht Von Sturmgeist, the game's antagonist, is armed with a Sturmgewehr in the final duel.

Sturmgewehr 44 - 7.92x33mm

Promo for the Sturmgewehr 44; note the somewhat squashed-looking stock, and the fact that somebody forgot how to spell "Sturmgewehr".

The Sturmgewehr 44 in-game.

Reloading the Sturmgewehr 44.

A Wehrmacht Enemy armed with a Sturmgewehr 44.

Von Sturmgeist armed with a Sturmgewehr 44.

Behind the Scenes

In the Behind the Scenes featurette for A Storm in the Port (Mission 2), several images of in-game weapons are shown along with the developer's notes. One happens to be for the Sturmgewehr 44.

Notes on the detail of the in-game Sturmgewehr 44.

Submachine Guns

M1A1 Thompson

The M1A1 Thompson appears in D-Day (Mission 1) and Needle in a Haystack (Mission 3). It can be found in the surf and hidden by a Belgian Gate obstacle in Level 1 of D-Day. It has the highest rate of fire in terms of SMG's and is very powerful. The "Captain" on D-Day carries one (one of many homages in the game to Saving Private Ryan), as do several allied U.S. Soldiers in Level 1 of Storm in the Port (Mission 2). Strangely, it holds 20 rounds despite being modeled with a 30 round magazine.

M1A1 Thompson - .45 ACP

Promo for the Thompson with a 30-round magazine, in fact claiming it holds 30 rounds, despite the in-game holding 20.

The Thompson M1A1 in-game.

Reloading the Thompson M1A1.

The "Captain" armed with a Thompson M1A1.

Behind the Scenes

The featurette for The Hornet's Nest (Mission 6) shows the game's animators in a gym acting out in-game scenarios to better understand natural movement. One animator is seen with a Thompson M1A1.

An animator acts-out a dying scenario holding a Thompson as a prop. Unfortunately for him, once he hits the mat, the gun's stock smacks him in the side.

MP40

The MP40 is used by enemies throughout the game, but is slowly replaced by the Sturmgewehr 44 as the levels progress. It is used in A Storm in the Port (Mission 2), Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 5) and Level 1 of Rolling Thunder (Mission 6). It has a high rate of fire, much higher than the actual MP40, but low damage rate. When used by enemies, the rate of fire is much higher, but they tend to fire it in short bursts. It is incorrectly shown firing with a closed bolt.

MP40 - 9x19mm

Promo for the MP40. Here it is redundantly labeled "MP40 SMG".

The MP40 in-game.

Reloading the MP40.

An MP40 resting on a crate.

Kriegsmarine Enemy armed with an MP40.

Behind the Scenes

During the weapons montage in the Storm in the Port featurette, the MP40 is featured prominently.

Notes comparing the in-game MP40 to the detail of a real one.

Some kind of color-coded notes pertaining to the MP40's texture.

Sten Mk II

The Sten Mk II appears in Level 3 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4) in the hands of British paratrooper allies, particularly the squad leader - Master Sgt. Kelso. Like the Lee-Enfield, the Sten is exclusive to the British paratrooper allies and not available for player use. Although armed with the Mk II, the British para's would have likely been armed with the Sten Mk V Paratrooper variant. It uses the same sound effect of the Sturmgewehr 44.

Sten Mk II submachine gun - 9x19mm

Master Sgt. Kelso armed with a Sten.

British Para firing Sten.

Shotguns

Winchester Model 1897 'Trench Gun'

The militarized version of the Winchester Model 1897 shotgun appears in Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3) and Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4). In Level 2 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4), an elderly Dutch Resistance member is briefly seen armed with a Trench Gun, before being quickly taken down by an enemy sniper. It has a very short range but will usually kill enemies with one shot. For some reason, the weapon holds eight shells, despite the real weapon carrying six. It uses Shotgun Ammunition.

Winchester Model 1897 'Trench Gun' - 12 gauge

Promo for the Trench Gun.

The Trench Gun in-game.

Reloading the Trench Gun.

Dutch Resistance member armed with a Trench Gun.

Machine Guns

Browning Automatic Rifle

The Browning Automatic Rifle or BAR makes its first appearance in Level 2 of D-Day (Mission 1) in the hands of a US Army ally, but cannot be used. When in the hands of allies, the bipod is unfolded. But, when used by Patterson, the bipod is folded up and cannot be used. It can first be used in Level 3 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 3) and is later obtained in The Hornet's Nest (Mission 6). Unlike the real BAR, the in-game version's charging handle is cylindrical, more like that of a Browning M1919, and cycles back and forth when fired. Although somewhat inaccurate at long range and having a slow rate of fire, it is the most powerful automatic weapon in the game. It holds 20 rounds.

Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06

Promo for the BAR.

The BAR in-game.

Reloading the BAR. Note the incorrect cylindrical charging handle.

A US Army Ally armed with a BAR.

A BAR resting on a table. The ejection port is completely inaccurate to that of the real BAR.

Returning to Base. Loading screen showing Patterson rightfully armed with a BAR, which seems to be his signature weapon in the series.

Behind the Scenes

In the Storm in the Port (Mission 2) featurette, a BAR is seen being fired for sound effects.

An Armorer fires a BAR for sound effects. He fires it on the faster of the BAR's two full-auto fire modes, instead of the slow auto-fire mode as it is depicted in the game.

Browning M1919

In Level 1 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2), a Browning M1919 can be used, mounted on a wrecked US Army jeep after being strafed by a German Me-109. It incorrectly ejects spent shells from the side, has unlimited ammo, and the same rate of fire of the MG42 in the game.

Browning M1919 - .30-06

The in-game Browning M1919 mounted on the wrecked jeep.

Manning the Browning M1919. Notice how the spent cartridges incorrectly eject from the side, instead of underneath.

Behind the Scenes

In the Storm in the Port (Mission 2) featurette, a photo of a mounted Browning M1919 is shown on a firing range for recording sound effects.

Rear-view of a Browning M1919 on a firing range.

MG42

The MG42 appears frequently in the game mounted in several positions, most notably in enemy bunkers on D-Day (Mission 1). Just like the M1919 machine gun, it incorrectly ejects spect shells from the side. In traditional Medal of Honor fashion, manning one will trigger a swarm of enemies to come forth to attack, though you again have the benefit of unlimited ammo with which to counter the threat. The MG42 is also erroneously shown being capable of destroying enemy Panzer III tanks. Its rate of fire is also much lower than the real-life MG42.

MG42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Manning the MG42. Like the Browning M1919, the spent cartridges incorrectly eject from the side.

An Enemy machine gun team fires an MG42 from a bunker.

An MG42 mounted in a bell tower. This is clearly an homage to the end of Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan where Pvt. Parker uses a machine gun in a bell tower.

Rocket Launchers

M9A1 "Bazooka"

The M9A1 "Bazooka" appears in The Hornet's Nest (Mission 6). Upon finding it leaning against a wall, it uses the Panzerschreck skin. Contrary to the real-life version, it can be effectively operated by a single person, which at best would be highly impractical in a combat situation. It also takes little time to reload, and is aimed through an optic sight. It is more effective as an anti-personnel weapon than its' original anti-tank role.

M9A1 "Bazooka" - 2.36 inch

Promo for the M9A1 Bazooka, which is actually a post-WWII M20B1 "Super Bazooka".

The Bazooka in-game.

The Bazooka's scope.

Raketenpanzerbüchse 43/54

The Raketenpanzerbüchse (or "Panzerschreck") appears in the game as the German counterpart to the American M9A1 Bazooka. It is first seen in Level 3 of Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3), in the hands of a frantic enemy who blows up a walkway bridge. It later comes back in Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4) and Rolling Thunder (Mission 5). In the hands of enemies, it is the 43 model without a blast shield (despite enemies never wearing a protective mask or gloves required to use the 43), but suddenly has the blast shield of the 54 model once used by Patterson. Enemies are quite slow to using them, but can be pretty effective once firing. The blast shield obscures the view making it difficult to aim. It takes a long time to reload and uses 'Panzerschreck Rocket' ammo.

RPzB 43 "Panzerschreck" rocket launcher with rocket - 88mm

RPzB 54 "Panzerschreck" rocket launcher - 88mm

Promo for RPzB "Panzerschreck".

The RPzB (54 model) in-game.

The frantic Enemy firing a RPzB (43 model) at the walkway bridge.

A Wehrmacht Enemy armed with a RPzB (43 model).

Grenades

Mk 2 Hand Grenade

The Mk 2 hand grenade frequently appears in the game. They are used in Level 1 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2), Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3), and Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4). Like the other allied weapons, it is generally available where U.S. Army forces are present. Like previous Medal of Honor games, the grenades explode on impact when hitting enemy troops. If a grenade does not strike an enemy, they are likely to either throw it back or run away. Grenade bundles are frequently encountered through out levels, sometimes in bags and sometimes in crates.

Mk 2 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

Promo for the Mk 2 Hand Grenade.

A crate full of Mk 2 Hand Grenades.

The Mk 2 Hand Grenade in-game.

Throwing the Mk 2 Hand Grenade.

Model 16/Model 24 Stielhandgranate

The developers made an error when designing the German grenades for the game. In Patterson's hands, it is the outdated Model 16 Stielhandgranate with the belt hook. But once thrown, it turns into the Model 24 Stielhandgranate. In enemy hands or seen in crates, it is the Model 24. Regardless, they are obtainable and enemies will use them more frequently as the game progresses. They appear in Level 3 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2), Rolling Thunder (Mission 5), and The Hornet's Nest (Mission 6). They share all characteristics with the Mk 2 grenades, including exploding on impact with enemies.

Model 16 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" high-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" high-explosive fragmentation hand grenade.

Promo for something that kind of resembles the Model 16 Stielhandgranate.

A crate full of Model 24 Grenades.

A Model 16 in Patterson's hand.

Once thrown, it turns into a Model 24.

M18 Smoke Grenade

In Level 1 of D-Day (Mission 1), it is required to mark German bunkers for the Allied Fleet in the channel to destroy. This is done by placing a M18 smoke grenade in the "gun deck" of the bunker. Once placed, time is short to escape before the fleet nails the bunker.

M18 smoke grenade

The M18 Smoke Grenade being placed in the bunker.

Extras

Thompson M1928A1

The game's cover art features a US Soldier (possibly Patterson despite not looking anything like his character design) charging through the surf on Omaha Beach, brandishing a Thompson M1928A1 loaded with a 20 round magazine.

M1928A1 Thompson with 20-round magazine - .45 ACP

Cover Art featuring the Thompson M1928A1.

Oerlikon 20mm Cannon

The German version of the Oerlikon 20mm Cannon, the 2cm FlaK 29, is seen being used by a Luftwaffe Flak Crewman depicted on the loading screen for Level 1 of The Hornets Nest (Mission 6). This image was taken from a real-life photograph of a Kriegsmarine sailor manning a Flak 29 aboard a ship (seen in the image below). The Flak 29 was mainly designed for the Kriegsmarine. Therefore, it would not likely be found near a Luftwaffe air strip.

US Navy Mark 4 single pedestal mount Oerlikon L70 Cannon with early-war eyepiece / ring antiaircraft sight - 20x110mm RB

The original photograph used to make the loading screen.

Cliping Their Wings. Loading screen showing a Flak Crewman manning a Flak 29 Oerlikon (the Kriegsmarine uniform patches removed from the original photograph). The image has also been mirrored from the original photograph, flipping all the components of the gun.

Panther Tank

The loading screen for Level 1 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2) features a Panther Tank in a village battle.

Panzerkampfwagen V Ausf. G "Panther".

Seaside Stowaway loading screen showing a Panther Tank under attack.

QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss

The loading screen for Level 2 of Rolling Thunder (Mission 5) shows a French Hotchkiss naval gun mounted on a German Panzerzug, a very unlikely place for such a captured armament.

QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss

Riding Out the Storm loading screen showing the Hotchkiss on a Panzerzug.

Demolition Charges

Like the previous games, it is required to obtain and use demolition charges to sabotage specific targets. And again, just like in the first game, targets marked for sabotage are identified by pulsating red boxes. Although a step-up from the gigantic clock design, the demolition charges still do not resemble any real-life demolition system used during WWII and remain cartoony red dynamite sticks wired to a small timer. Enemies are also seen using the same type of demolitions in Level 1 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4), strapping them to the supports of Nijmegen Bridge.

Demolition Charge in-game.

A Case containing Demolition Charges and (supposedly) a Springfield 03. The broken-down rifle seen in this case is quite the mystery. Although once obtained it becomes a Springfield 03, the bottom half here appears to be a Karabiner 98k while the barrel looks like an M1 Garand.

Model 39 Eihandgranate

The SS Panzergrenadier enemies have the Model 39 Eihandgranate hanging from their webbing, although they are not in use in the game.

The Model 39 Eihandgranate hand grenade.

The Model 39 Eihandgranate circled in red on a SS Panzergrenadier enemy.

Granatwerfer 34 Mortar

In Level 1 of Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3), two German Granatwerfer 34 Mortar's are encountered. They fire numerous rounds and can inflict serious damage. They are exclusive to the Germans and cannot be used by Patterson.

8-cm Granatwerfer 34 (GrW 34).

Wehrmacht enemy using a Granatwerfer 34.

8.8 cm SK C/30 naval gun

The final objective in Level 4 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2) is to destroy a fuel depot within the port. To achieve this, Patterson must commandeer a 8.8 cm SK C/30 naval gun fastened to a U-Boat resting in the pen. The weapon itself lacks a lot of detail and is much smaller than its real-life counterpart, but it is extremely powerful and can eliminate numerous enemies at once.

8.8 cm SK C/30 naval gun

The 8.8cm mounted on a U-Boat.

Firing the 8.8cm.

2 cm Flakvierling 38

The Flakvierling 38 is seen throughout the game, although it can never be used. It is first seen atop the bluff of Omaha Beach in Mission 1 (D-Day), despite the fact no Flakvierling 38's were on the real Omaha Beach. It becomes a target for destruction in Level 1 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4), and can later be seen in an A-Wagen of a Panzerzug BP42 (Armored Train) in Level 2 of Rolling Thunder (Mission 5).

File:1024px-Flakvierling-38-20mm-hatzerim-1.jpg

Flakvierling 38 - 20x138mm B

A couple Flakvierling 38's atop the bluff on Omaha Beach.

A Flakvierling 38 seen behind 'The Captain' on Omaha Beach.

A Flakvierling 38 atop a bunker.

15 cm Nebelwerfer 41

The Nebelwerfer 41 rocket launcher appears only once in the game. In Mission 1 of Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3), it is required to use a Nebelwerfer to destroy a Panzer III tank across a river. Cpl. Barnes advises "We can't get that tank from here. Try taking it out with that rocket launcher." Once triggered, it rapid fires all six rockets and destroys the tank.

15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 multiple rocket launcher

Promo for the Nebelwerfer.

The Nebelwerfer 41 in-game.

Firing the Nebelwerfer.

MG34 Panzerlauf

In several levels, particularly Level 1 of Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3), enemy Panzer IV tanks use the MG34 Panzerlauf as their secondary weapon. Their rate of fire is much higher than the actual MG34, and their sound effect appears to be that of the MP40.

MG34 Panzerlauf with stock fitted - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The MG34 Panzerlauf of an enemy Panzer IV.

Panzer IV

Panzer IV tanks are featured prominently in the game; sometimes as enemies and sometimes as props. Going with Medal of Honor tradition, they are relatively slow and can be easily destroyed by a mounted MG42; in reality this would just ruin the paint job. Several Panzer IV's are targeted for Corporal Barnes to destroy in Level 1 of Needle in the Haystack (Mission 3) where they act more as gun emplacements rather than vehicles, not moving at all. Unmanned Panzer IV's show up in later levels, most notably aboard Von Sturmgeist's Panzerzug. Also in Medal of Honor tradition, the Panzer IV's appear a bit smaller than their real-life counterpart.

Panzer IV Ausf. D

Panzer IV enemy tank guarding the (Ramelle) bridge in yet another blatant Saving Private Ryan homage.

Imobile (for the level) Panzer IV enemy tank.

Wrecked Panzer IV in the ruins of Arnhem.

A Panzer IV aboard Von Sturmgeist's Panzerzug.

Behind the Scenes

A fully-rendered Panzer IV tank in the featurette for Riding Out the Storm.

Tiger I

Like the Panzer IV, the Tiger I is seen briefly in the game. It is never encountered as an enemy obstacle, but a hostile Panzerspähzug seems to use a Tiger I turret in Level 2 of Rolling Thunder (Mission 5).

Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I (E), SdKfz 181. This is Bovington Tank Museum's Tiger 131, the only running Tiger I in the world.

Wrecked Tiger I.

Transported Tiger I's under camouflage nets aboard Von Sturmgeist's Panzerzug.

Behelfmassischer Panzerzug 42

Described as having "Enough firepower to hold off a platoon of Sherman tanks", Von Sturmgeist uses a Behelfmassischer Panzerzug 42 as his personal train, which becomes the setting for Level 2 in Rolling Thunder (Mission 5). The BP42 (or just 'Panzerzug') has several gun compartments (G-Wagen) housing 10.5 cm leFH 18's in armored turrets, which can be manned and fired upon other hostile armored engines. Towards the end of the level one G-Wagen seems to use Tiger I tank turrets, which again can be manned, but no enemy engines appear in this section. A few of the train's armaments are unusable, such as a G-Wagen armed with a Panzer IV tank turret and an A-Wagen housing a Flakvierling 38. Using an armed Panzerzug as personal transportation within German borders is highly ludicrous, as the small number of these trains were used mainly on the frontlines against partisans (particularly the Eastern Front).

Behelfmassischer Panzerzug 42.

An armor-plated Class BR57 engine of a fellow Panzerzug on the second track.

A Panzerzug G-Wagen armed with two 10.5 cm leFH 18 turrets.

A G-Wagen with a Panzer IV turret, bearing a SS Totenkopf insignia. The turret is unusable.

What appears to be a Tiger I turret on a G-Wagen.

Derailed! loading screen showing a BP42.

Behind the Scenes

In the Behind the Scenes featurette for Rolling Thunder, a couple wireframe images of the BP42 are shown.

The PB42 in wireframe mode.

The semi-wireframe Class BR57 engine.

Panzerspähzug

Two enemy Panzerspähzug (Armored Reconnaissance) scout trains are encountered in Level 2 of Rolling Thunder (Mission 5), running on the neighboring track. The first car uses a machine gun, but the second one uses a Tiger I turret in addition to a machine gun. They can be taken out rather easily by manning the 10.5 turrets on Von Sturmgeist's Panzerzug.

Panzerspähzug Scout Train with Panzer IV turret.

Promo for the Panzerspähzug, where it is referred to as "Panzertriebwagen".

A Panzerspähzug approaching.

Enemy Panzerspähzug with a Tiger I turret.

Sd.Kfz. 251 Halftrack

A Sd.Kfz 251 is briefly seen at the end of Level 3 of The Hornets Next (Mission 6). A semi-wireframe version is shown in the Behind the Scenes featurette for Rolling Thunder (Mission 5).

Sd.Kfz. 251 Halftrack.

The featurette showing a 251 Halftrack in semi-wireframe mode.

Karl-Gerät 040

The Behind the Scenes featurette for Rolling Thunder (Mission 5) also features a Karl-Gerät 040 self-propelled siege mortar in semi-wireframe mode. The Karl-Gerät is never seen in the game. It was cut, likely due to size, and it is assumed that it would not have fired.

600 mm Karl-Gerät "Ziu" firing in Warsaw, August 1944.

The semi-wireframe Karl-Gerät in the featurette, with "Karl" adorning its side.

P-51 Mustang

P-51 Mustangs are the main US fighter planes seen throughout the game. Although they speed by and can barely be seen, their shape and color clearly identifies them as P-51's.

P-51 Mustang.

An enemy MG42 crew fire upon a passing P-51.

Anyone else getting "Angels on our shoulders" vibes? A P-51 drops a bomb on an enemy Panzer III tank.

Browning M2 Aircraft

The US P-51 fighters are briefly seen using their fixed Browning M2 Aircraft guns against the Schnabelstande emplacements on Omaha Beach.

Browning M2 Aircraft, Fixed - .50 BMG.

A P-51 strafes the neighboring Schnabelstande, easily killing everyone inside with one pass.

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

In the game's climactic finale, squadrons of Lockheed P-38 fighters bomb the Gotha facility as Patterson escapes. This is their only appearance in the game.

Lockheed P-38 Lightning.

A Lockheed P-38 soars over the facility.

Junkers Ju 87/Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hybrid

A bizarre German fighter plane is encountered early in the game, seen strafing Omaha Beach in D-Day (Mission 1) and then dropping a bomb on a US jeep in Level 1 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2). It seems to be a mixture of the Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber and the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane. It has the cone-shaped body, raised cockpit, and square-shaped tail fins of a Junkers, but the flat squared-off wings of a Messerschmitt. It also performs as a Messerschmitt, performing strafing runs and engaging in dog fights with US P-51's. Since the plane is barely seen in the game, and speeding across the sky, it is assumed that the developers did not pay close attention to detail with this plane and merely designed something that looked German.

Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" Dive Bomber.

Messerschmitt Bf 109 Fighter Plane.

The Junkers/Messerschmitt strafes Omaha Beach. This low angel shows that it lacks the pointed gull-wings and landing gear of a Junkers Ju 87. In reality, there was no German air support in the sector of Omaha Beach on D-Day.

A glimpse of the Junkers/Messerschmitt chasing a P-51, showing the flat squared-off wings of a Messerschmitt. The model bears several Balkenkreuz markings and has a diamond printed on the tail rather than a Swastika.

Junkers Ju 87 Sea Plane

A legitimate Junker Ju 87 sea plane variant is seen in Level 4 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2).

A Junkers Ju 87 sea plane floating in the port. A Balkenkreuz replaces a Swastika on the tail fin.

MG17

In the presence of the Junkers/Messerschmitt hybrid, it always uses its MG17 machine gun, which was used in both the Junkers Ju 87 and Messerschmitt Bf 109.

MG17 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The Junkers/Messerschmitt strafes the beach.

Messerschmitt Me 262

Several Messerschmitt Me 262 parts are seen in the aircraft facility of Gotha in Level 1 of The Hornets Nest (Mission 6). In a memorable scenario, Patterson kills a few enemy Scientists along with destroying a Me 262 by activating a wind tunnel. Only one combat-ready Me 262 is seen in the game, but a couple Mission Art images feature it.

Messerschmitt Me 262 Fighter Jet.

An unpainted Messerschmitt Me 262 being observed by enemy Scientist (or Engineers) in a wind tunnel.

A parked Me 262 in the Gotha facility.

Under the Radar loading screen featuring Me 262's.

Horten Ho 229

The innovative Horten Ho 229 prototype jet fighter becomes Patterson's main objective in the game, capturing it to avoid its introduction into the war. According to the game, Von Sturmgeist is head of the 229 project, despite being a member of the SS instead of the Luftwaffe and having no affiliation with Gothaer Waggonfabrik. The actual designers of the jet, Reimar & Walter Horten, are never mentioned in the game. They are only shown once in the cutscene 'A New Plan' with the statement "The Germans turned to two brothers with an astonishing new design."

The missions involving the Horten Ho 229 take place between August and September of 1944. Although prototypes were in production in the latter half of 1944, the HO-IX model was not complete until February of 1945. And, although Patterson was apparently a pilot prior to joining the OSS, it is unlikely he would know how to fly a foreign aircraft prototype that uses jet propulsion.

Disassembled Horten Ho 229 on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Approaching the Horten Ho 229.

Cockpit view showing the controls.

The Horton Ho 229 speeds across the sky in the game's final cutscene.

Stealing the Show loading screen showing the Horton Ho 229 in its hangar.

Behind the Scenes

Concept artwork of the HO.IX.

Model of the HO.IX and its tow truck.

Type VIIC U-Boat

In A Storm in the Port (Mission 2), all German U-Boats appear to be Type VIIC's. Patterson has been chosen to infiltrate and sabotage U-4902, due to his success in sabotaging U-4901 in the first game. Once aboard, an entire level takes place within U-4902. Patterson is then assigned to plant explosives within the Submarine, and U-4902 can be seen erupting in the next level. Once infiltrating the Lorient port, several other Type VIIC's can be seen (some in parts on assembly lines).

As stated on the page for Medal of Honor, U-4901 and U-4902 are too high in the U-Boat classification system. The highest number of a built submarine was U-4712.

U-995 Type VIIC/41 at the Laboe Naval Memorial near Kiel.

U-4902 waiting in the harbor.

Upon Patterson's handy work, U-4902 erupts in a fireball.

A Chance Meeting loading screen showing a Type VIIC in a pen.

Type XXVII Seehund

Two Type XXVII Seehund midget submarines rest in the Lorient facility when Von Sturmgeist is introduced.

Type XXVII B 5 (Seehund) midget submarine.

Two Seehunds in the Lorient facility.

Cut Weapons

A few weapons appear in beta images and Behind the Scenes featurettes that did not make the final release.

Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer

A screenshot of the game's beta version shows a Kriegsmarine Enemy brandishing a Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer, identified by its extended magazine. It was planned to be in game, and possibly used, but did not make the final version of the game.

Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Enemy on the left brandishing Schnellfeuer in a beta screenshot.

FP-45 Liberator

An image displaying untextured weapons in the Storm in the Port (Mission 2) featurette shows a FP-45 Liberator. It is possible the Liberator was meant to be used in the covert levels of the game but was dropped once the developers realized how unreliable it would be.

FP-45 Liberator - .45 ACP.

The FP-45 Liberator circled in red.

Tellermine 42

In the same image of untextured weapons, a Tellermine 42 is seen in the bottom right. It never appears in the game so, like the FP-45, it is assumed that it was cut.

Tellermine 42 Anti-tank mine.

The Tellermine 42 circled in red.

Omaha Beach

Both Frontline and Medal of Honor: Allied Assault have Omaha Beach missions that play blatant homage to Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan. The layout of the beach is nearly a direct copy of the film's depiction, which shows the game developer's lack of research on the real-life Omaha Beach layout and German defenses. To the laymen, these inaccuracies go unnoticed. To actual historians, these details stick out like a sore thumb. However, a couple details are correct.

Scharnhorst-class Battleship

The first inaccuracy is the first thing seen in the game. The silhouette of the "US Battleships" seen on the horizon, shelling the coast, seem to ironically resemble German Sharnhorst-class Battleships. The same ship model can be seen up close in Level 3 of A Storm in the Port (Mission 2) in a German port. Obviously, the programmers took the model from Mission 2 and stuck duplicates in the background to resemble US Battleships. The correct US class of ships present on D-Day would be Nevada-class (USS Nevada), Gleaves-class (USS McCook), and New York-class (USS Texas) ships, along with several British ships.

Scharnhorst-class battleship.

The outline of Scharnhorst-class battleships standing in as US battleships near Omaha Beach.

A Scharnhorst-class battleship in a German port.

Behind the Scenes

Rendered image of the Scharnhorst in the featurette for D-Day.

Schnellboot Typ S-38

Along with the Scharnhorst, a number of oversized German Schnellboot Typ S-38's stand in for American transports; so the American fleet on D-Day is comprised of German vessels. Their silhouette makes them just look like blocks on the horizon (almost unidentifiable), but a clear rendered image of one in the Behind the Scenes featurette for D-Day shows that it is the same shape. One can be seen for a couple seconds in Level 1 of Several Bridges Too Far (Mission 4), sailing under Nijmegen Bridge.

Schnellboot Typ S-38.

The silhouette of a Schnellboot standing in for an American transport.

Behind the Scenes

A clear rendered image of a Schnellboot, bearing German insignia and all. The platform in the back meant for an AA-Gun is left blank.

LCVP "Higgins Boat"

Several Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) or "Higgins Boats" are seen ferrying US Soldiers to Omaha Beach. Like Saving Private Ryan, these seem to be the only landing craft present; LCI's, LCT's, LCTR's, LCA's, and DUKW's are nowhere to be seen. LCVP's were quite prevalent on D-Day. However, the in-game soldiers within the boat sport the orange rhomboid marked "2" on the back of their helmets, identifying them as 2nd Rangers. The 2nd Rangers who landed on Omaha Beach were ferried ashore in Landing Craft Assault (LCA) vessels, the smaller British counterpart to the LCVP. While the LCVP's on D-Day held at least 30 soldiers per boat team, Patterson's boat in the game only holds 8. They all lack identification markings, except for one washed up in the surf. Strangely, the Coxswain piloting Patterson's boat has "USS" (abbreviation for 'United States Ship') stenciled on his helmet when it should be "USCG" (United States Coast Guard).

Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) also known as "Higgins Boat".

Sevearl LCVP's headed for Omaha Beach.

Inside the LCVP showing the 8 US Soldier allies (as opposed to the correct 30). The orange rhomboid marked "2" on the back of their helmets identifies them as 2nd Rangers (more Saving Private Ryan).

Tellermine 35 (Mine Post)

Upon landing on the beach and finding the "Captain", a Soldier can be seen running (almost deliberately) into a Mine Post (a wooden log with a Tellermine 35 attached). Besides this scripted scenario there are no other Mine Posts along the beach. These devices, nicknamed "Rommel's Asparagus", were among several placed along the shore of Normandy. At high tide they would be completely submerged, designed to impale the hull of any landing craft it came in contact with.

Tellermine 35 Anti-tank mine.

A Mine Post somewhere along the Normandy Coast.

The Mine Post (circled in red) just before being detonated by an unsuspecting soldier.

VF Schnabelstand

Just like Saving Private Ryan, massive machine gun bunkers are built into the escarpment along Omaha Beach. The bunkers resemble the VF Schnabelstand ("Beak Nest"), a bunker designed for observation which could also be used as a machinegun emplacement if needed. But, there were no Schnabelstand bunkers along the five miles of the real Omaha Beach. The in-game models have also been drastically oversized from the real-life version, likely to make them more imposing. Level 2 of D-Day (Mission 1) takes place entirely inside one of these gigantic Schnabelstand bunkers, which is depicted as a concrete fortress of communication rooms and living quarters; actual Schnabelstand bunkers were just a single room with a telephone. The small number of observation bunkers along the real Omaha Beach were very well hidden, and only large enough to hold around 3 men (commander, assistant, and radio operator); most MG emplacements only held 2 (gunner & loader).

A remaining Schnabelstand located in the port of Etretat, Normandy, nearly 90 kilometers west of Omaha Beach.

Taking aim at a Schnabelstand.

Two MG42's firing from the Schnabelstand.

Firing at MG crews in the neighboring Schnabelstand. This perspective gives some idea on how scaled-up the bunkers were for the game.

M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo

Once off the shore, the Captain orders you to retrieve Private Jones, who has a bundle of M1A1 Bangalore Torpedoes, in order to clear the "seawall". Due to limited graphics and the fact they are only seen for a few seconds, Private Jones does not even assemble them once reaching the wire. He just sticks all four tubes into the sand and primes them.

Crate containing M1A1 Bangalore Torpedoes.

Private Jones with the bundle of Bangalores. It is curious that the Captain and Patterson seem to have affiliation with Jones, despite being 2nd Rangers and Jones bears the 29th Infantry insignia on his helmet (an entirely different unit).

Fire in the hole! Jones, without even assembling them, shoves the load of Bangalores under the concertina wire.

P-47 Thunderbolt

Two blue P-47 Thunderbolt fighters soar overhead towards Omaha Beach in the opening sequence. In reality, Bomber Groups strafed the shore in a pre-landing bombardment. But, fighter planes did not support the seaborne forces. Aside from this shot, these planes are never seen in the game again.

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

Two P-47 Thunderbolts fly towards Omaha Beach.