Hello and welcome back to another Forgotten Hope 2 update.

Today we are showcasing some elements that were recently updated : the US Army playermodels during the Fall and Winter of 1944.

With the release of the 2.4, Forgotten Hope 2 introduced the intense fights of the Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. While the German soldiers in late 1944 were featured in some news, we never took the case to actually showcase the changes that occured on the uniforms of the American soldiers.

As depicted in the fields of Normandy ingame, the various units from the US Army operating in Europe used a variety of clothing like the cotton M1941 Field Jacket, the cotton twill M1942 Paratrooper uniform or in some rare case the Herringbone twill (HBT) utility uniform. While most of the soldiers used basic tanned leather shoes with heavy canvas leggings, the paratroopers dropped with distinct jump boots.

Many criticism depicted these uniforms as inadequate, like the Olive Drab (OD) n°3 shade of the M1941 Field Jacket that gave poor concealment in the European theater or the lack of large pockets. Another example was the paratrooper trousers that were prone to tore around the knees or the crotch.

A new design was pushed by the Army consisting of a standardized M1943 field jacket issued in Olive Drab (OD) n°7, with two large breast pockets and two skirt pockets. No big changes were made on the trousers but various buttons and a looser fit. To replace the boots and gaiters for all units the M1943 Combat Service Boots was introduced, including a leather cuff that can be quickly fastened with a pair of buckles. While the first tests of the new M1943 uniform occured in Italy in 1943, the logistical situation prevented the use of the new design during the Normandy landings.

Paratroopers received their M1943 uniforms just after D-Day engagments, while the rest of the US Army in Europe slowly got issued, making it more widespread in Late 1944.

Ingame, the paratroopers from the 101st Airborne fighting in Bastogne are all wearing the M1943 uniforms, even if a lot of troopers kept elements of their M1942 uniforms, notably their jumping boots that were less subject to getting caught in a parachute. GIs fighting in the Hurtgen Forest receive a mix of M1943 uniform and older elements, same for Rangers supporting them. Finally the various units caught in the German Offensive through the Bulge wear a majority of M1943 uniforms, even if some soldiers also use the M1938 Overcoat Mackinaw. Small details like mittens, gloves or scarfs have been repartited through all playermodels depending on the season.

While the webbings and gear elements are unchanged, the gear repartition has been remade to underline the task differences carried by each type of unit (Paratroopers, Rangers or simple soldiers). Some helmets and vests also received their divisional emblem or recognition markings, following the pride carried by the soldiers to be a part of a unit or the essential need to quickly recognize a soldier's assignement.

The base Winter American playermodels were done by PointBlank86, Remdul, Kev4000, with the faces done by Zero and were reworked by Cpt Bocquier.

If you have missed any previous updates this week, you can find links to them here:

Go to Road to Forgotten Hope 2.66 Red Christmas - Part 1

Go to Road to Forgotten Hope 2.66 Red Christmas - Part 2

That's all for today, but be sure to come back next time for another update. Until then, feel free to visit our Discord, our public forums, our subreddit, and/or Facebook pages to discuss this update and other news.

Hello and welcome back to another Forgotten Hope 2 update.

Today, we are showcasing the first map of this release, Verdenne. Some of you have already experienced this map as a Christmas event map; it is now entering the official rotation. Join the American troops trying to set up a cohesive defense line, or follow the German panzers through the dense forests and villages before the Allies regain their air superiority.

It is Christmas Eve and the German Ardennes offensive is starting to run out of steam as more and more allied reinforcements and airpower start to pour into the Battlefield.

In an effort to rekindle the advance towards the Meuse river, elements of 116. Panzer-Division use the bad visibility to infiltrate into American lines near Verdenne and Bourdon. A confused battle ensues, with elements of the US 84th Infantry Division bypassed in the village and German tanks lumbering through the foggy forests.

Verdenne was made by Ts4EVER. You can find the minimap and a preliminary vehicle listing here.

If you have missed any previous updates this week, you can find links to them here:

Go to Road to Forgotten Hope 2.66 Red Christmas - Part 1

That's all for today, but be sure to come back next time for another update. Until then, feel free to visit our Discord, our public forums, our subreddit, and/or Facebook pages to discuss this update and other news.