Historical Inaccuracies in Call of Duty: World at War and suggestions (Part 2) blog - FeReise

Here is the second part of my topic about Call of Duty: World at War's historical inaccuracy and other mistakes, also suggestions on how to improve it.
This part will mainly focus on the issues in "Vendetta", the first mission of the Soviet Campaign and the 4th mission of the game.

For Part 1 -> Moddb.com

MAIN PAGE: Moddb.com

Vendetta
- The REAL "Square of the Fallen Fighters" during WW2 is VERY different from the game's version (erroneously called by this franchise developers as 'Red Square').
WISB: The square should be MUCH LARGER, or just slightly larger for the sake of gameplay (the first sniping sequence). And there should be a large stone 'monument' located between the flag poles and the fountain.
Examples: 'Fallen Fighter's Square' map, and a custom map called 'Univermag' from Red Orchestra 2: Heroes Of Stalingrad. Also several war-time and Pre-war photographs of the square.
- A canal nearby the square on the left side should be removed and replaced by a large street instead (same as the right side of the square).
- The sniper building MUST be replaced by the real-life UNIVERMAG DEPARTMENT STORE building.
- To prevent a future mistake: the real 'Barmaley Fountain' (the one with children statues) is situated in front of the Stalingrad Railway Station No.1 (today is Volgograd railway station). NOT as a part of the Square of the Fallen Fighters like in Call of Duty Black Ops 3 Zombie map called ‘Gorod Krovi’.
- For the possible reboot version: Some of the buildings in Stalingrad are exactly the same props that also used in Berin missions. They should be changed into something that looks more resemble the real buildings in Stalingrad.

- Just for this mission only, regular Soviet troops including Sgt. Reznov should have worn the M35 Gimnasterka/Gymnastyorka (tunic) instead of the original but ANACHRONISTIC M43 tunic.
Overall appearances of M35 tunic version:
1) Regular collar, and no buttons on it.
2) No shoulder boards, insignia will be featured on the collar instead.
3) 2 front pockets on the chest (different from the M43 version).
- The color base for the regular uniforms (tunic + breeches) is varied extensively from olive green through to pale brown. Recommend to be: an Olive shade of Khaki, Tan yellow, Greenish Khaki, and Khaki shade of brown. For more interesting information: Artizandesigns.com
- Insignia of rank on M35 tunic (small gorget patches) have to be on the collar of AI models, and they MUST use the '1940-43' version. For more information: En.wikipedia.org
But optionally for the EASIEST way - Just leave the collar empty.
- [Optional] Add Junior commanders (NCOs) models for the Soviet AIs, few among Sgt. Daletski's men and few among corpses. Appearances (overall): Got insignia of ranks on the uniform, 1 for Junior sergeant and another for Sergeant (random).
- For Sgt. Reznov's model: Change his 1935-40 insignia of ranks into '1940-43 style' and remove the shoulder boards also.
- New Sgt. Reznov's facial model in BO4 can be used in the reboot version also.
- In the original game, every Red Army soldier is wearing ankle boots with foot wraps/puttees. While only Reznov is the only one who wears the Russian army’s jackboot (Sapogi/Kirzachi).
WISB: Daletski and (the optional) NCOs models should wear the jackboots also.
- [Optional] New GEAR for M35 tunic models: Add Shinel 'Skatka' bedroll for some or few of those models, carried over their left shoulder.
- It would make more sense if the original Soviet belt buckle is worn by only NCOs like Daletski and Reznov.
WISB for the common soldiers: They should have worn a regular style of belt buckle instead.
- Since the mission was set on September 17th, 1942. A majority of the headwears among Soviet soldiers should be Ssh40 helmet and Pilotka (field cap). While the Urshanka (fur hat) can still be maintained in the mission, but it should be decreased in numbers.
And the same with tunic, base colors for the Pilotka could be various, depending on the color of each tunic: Tan yellow, Olive/Greenish Khaki, and Khaki shade of brown.
- For Ssh40 helmet: a regular version of the helmet with no marks or insignia on it could be appeared along with the original helmet with marks.

New models for the Red Army soldiers:
1) Enlisted men with 'M41 Shinel/Greatcoat' (similar or same with COD2 version), and they should be wearing the regular belt buckle and jackboots. The insignia of ranks are unnecessary for them. But if Treyarch wants to make it, they will have to the insignia with '1940-43 style' for this mission.
This model can be used in this mission mainly as corpses, and optionally appear along with M35 tunic models as Sgt. Daletski's men.
2) Soviet Sappers: They played an important role during the Battle of Stalingrad, should be featured in this mission. Appearance: Camo uniform with AMOEBA pattern (Makirovochnyi Kamuflirovannyi Kostium or MKK) + SN-42 Steel breastplate (armor) + Ssh40 helmet and Jackboots.
Some of them can be used in this mission as Sgt. Daletski's men (randomly appear with other models). While a few of them can appear as corpses in the fountain section.

- There should be more Soviet corpses scattered around the outer area of the fountain also, mixes between M35 tunic + M41 greatcoat and few sapper models.
- [Optional] Some of the Soviet corpses don't need to have gears/equipment with them.
- A STANDARD M91/30 version of Mosin Nagant rifle MUST replace the original M38 carbine model in this mission. ESPECIALLY its scope counterpart + turned down bolt handle.
- DP-27 should be included in this mission for Daletski's sappers (randomly appear with PPsh-41).
- SVT-40 could be equipped by a few of Daletski's men also.
- A MAIN purpose of PTRS-41 is to be used as ANTI-TANK gun, not a sniper rifle. Recommend to replace the pickable Anti-tank gun with either SVT-40 + PU scope or German's Kar98k + ZF42 scope.
But if Treyarch still wants the PTRS-41 to be included just for the GIBBING reason so bad, I'd recommend replacing its original scope with the 'PU scope.' Well, this version of PTRS-41 really existed but it's RARE. And this strange combination could appear in Multiplayer mode also.
- Few of Daletski's men can equip with captured German MP40.
- In conclusion, Daletski's men can be equipped with: PPSH-41 and M91/30 for a majority, SVT-40, and DP-27 (sappers) in few amounts.
But IF Treyarch wants to portray Daletski's group as a 'Shock Trooper', then just remove M91/30 out from the list should be enough. (And using the greatcoat models for Daletski's men is also unnecessary at this point)
- Replaced the American Mk2 grenade with the Soviet's 'F1 grenade' for Soviet troops.
- There should be weapons scattered around nearby corpses in the fountain section, their ammo is all depleted, some can be broken. Most of them can be M91/30 (some can still equip with bayonet) and PPSH-41. While the rest is SVT-40 and DP-27.
- Sgt. Reznov should pick up his M91/30 with scope properly, not waiting for the gun to bounce up from the floor then grab it.
- There should be some wreckages (props) of Soviet's ZIS-6 trucks that appeared throughout this map.
[Optional] Add a few wreckages of 'T-34-76' with either model 1941 or 1942 in this map also.
The wreckages of 2 vehicles above can appear in the street that entirely replace the fictional canal I had mentioned.

- [UPDATED] **For every Soviet/Eastern front mission: Russian surname 'Fedorova' is a feminine form of a regular 'Fedorov,' this should be changed properly in the new version.

- [UPDATED] **For every Soviet/Eastern front mission: A single Soviet shoulder strap on regular red army soldier models should be removed since it was mainly used by the Soviet officers.

- [UPDATED] **While Reznov can still have Mosin with PU scope as a starting weapon, the rest of Scoped Mosin we can picked up along the way should be the version with PEM SCOPE. Since PEM ver was far more common than PU ver in 1942.

- The main version of the German HEER (Army) model's uniform (tunic+trouser) could be the 'M40' version.
And for the tunic:
1) A regular tunic with sleeves (formal-looking) can appear along with the original rolled-up sleeves version.
2) A position of German epaulettes/shoulder boards MUST be in a corrected direction (original version is backward/opposite).
3) [Optional] Add 'Button-up collar' version for the German models, mixed up along with the original opened-collar (casual style) version. And the opened-collar in the original version should be a bit narrower.
4) A corrected version of the Wehrmacht Belt Buckle for the HEER models (the original one belongs to Waffen SS).
5) A grey T-shirt inside the tunic should be replaced by a regular German undershirt.
- The main version of the German helmet should be 'M40', and this helmet usually got only 'Eagle' Decal on the left side (no shield decal on the right).
More variations of M40 helm:
1) 'No Decal' version of the helmet - randomly appear with the Decal version.
2) 'Rubberband/leather straps' - many German soldiers wore this kind of helmet variation in Stalingrad.
3) 'Netting wires' from the original game can still be used for German helmets.
4) 'Camouflage covers' - there are quite various kinds of camo helmet that Heer troops really uses in Stalingrad. What I'd recommend: Wehrmacht Splinter camo pattern (Heer), M1938 Hungarian pattern, and hessian (burlap) cloth.
For more info: Alexanderandsonsrestorations.com
- M43 field cap NEVER EXISTED during the first stage of the Stalingrad battle (especially for September).
- Here is my thought on the randomization of the helmet among the common German troops in this mission (not included snipers and other scripted AIs throughout the entire campaign):
Regular helmets (both with and without decals) = 40-50%, Rubber band and wires = 30%-40%, Camo covers = 10-20%.
- [Optional] As for M40 tunic models, recommend to include some of the models with 'EXEMPTED' enlisted men insignia for them. Overall appearances:
1) Their insignia of ranks on the uniform could be 'Obergefreiter' and 'Gefreiter' (both were equally as Lance Corporal).
2) 2 models per 1 German 'Squad/Gruppe' (10 men).
3) Those who equipped with 'Light Machine Gun' and 'Flamethrower' can be Gefreiter.
- [Optional] As from above, at least 1 German model per 10 soldiers (squad) could be 'NCO'.
Insignia of rank: Either 'Unterfeldwebel' (Sergeant) or 'Unteroffizier' (Corporal) on the shoulder boards and collars (white stripes).
- A paper bag on some of the German submachine-gunner models could appear in a fewer number.
- The Pertrix flashlight no.667 (torch flashlight) that originally used on some of the German models is LIKELY to be anachronistic (post-war).
WISB: Use the older model of torch flashlight, but for the EASIEST way: Just simply remove it, it's unnecessary for the models.
- Not every German model had to be equipped with the 'suspenders', according to several real war-time photos during the Battle of Stalingrad.
WISB: About half of them could have 'cotton webbing' suspenders, while some models like the optional NCOs could equip with the original leather ones and no suspenders for the rest.
- [Optional] Additional model for German faction - M36 tunic and trouser + M35 helmet version (full decal on both sides).
- Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General) Heinrich Amsel should wear a REAL Wehrmacht General uniform with proper insignia and General's visor cap.
But honestly, a man with the highest position among the German's 6th Army like him shouldn't be wandering around the FRONTLINE like that. Especially in the place crawled with snipers like Stalingrad.
[Optional] WISB: CHANGE his role into something that makes more sense like 'Oberst' (Colonel), with proper uniform and insignia. Also, change his rank on the mission's cutscene also.
- It's obvious that Lt.Gen. Amsel is a fictional character, likely to be inspired by 'Field Marshal Walther von Reichenau' who was leading the German 6th Army and DID involve with massacres + other atrocities during Operation Barbarossa. However, Reichenau died on January 17th, 1942 before he could lead his army into Stalingrad (August 23rd). And his position was soon taken over by Lt.Gen. Friedrich Paulus instead.
- Amsel's personal DRIVER should have his own appearances: A formal M40 uniform + Gefreiter insignia (quite many of German personal drivers got this insignia, according to from the war-time photographs) + either M38 or M40 field/side cap and with no suspenders.
- German snipers (one during the 'cat and mouse' sequence and another who is protecting Amsel) should also have their own appearances: M40 uniform + Camo covers.- Few of the 'scripted' German soldiers who were acting as a leader of the group/squad throughout this mission should have either 'Obergefreiter' or other 'NCO' insignias.
- Kampfmesser (German knife) handle needs a proper wooden color.
- New weapon, MG34: Commonly used by a machinegunner during the Battle, and it can be used as a replacement for (every or most of) MG42 in this mission.
Performance: Higher accuracy, but with a lower rate of fire than MG42.
- As from above, since the MG42 was still uncommon for the German army, especially during the first stage of the Stalingrad battle. It can still appear in this mission, but fewer.
- [Optional] As for MG42 in this mission only, from this info: Imfdb.org
"...the game's depiction commits the common error of showing the weapon with the post-1943 vertical charging handle instead of the period-appropriate and rare slab-sided horizontal handle."
WISB: This might could be changed properly in the new version.
- MG34/42's 50-rounds drum magazine is ANACHRONISTIC in this mission.
WISB: For the emplacement/deployed version, they should use a regular 'ammo belt' instead, also add some ammunition boxes scattered nearby the MG.
- Few of German soldiers can equip with captured PPSH-41, and even fewer of them can equip with captured SVT-40 (both actually existed).
- [Optional] Kar98k with bayonet version can appear randomly among regular German soldiers with the rifles.
- German snipers should equip with Kar98k with scope.
- New weapon: Luger P08, can be equipped by Lt.Gen. Heinrich Amsel and few German soldiers in this mission.
- In some sections of the game, German troops got quite too many of MP40 as their main equipment.
Such as; The first German patrol, the second patrol with flamethrowers, those who were shooting from the Balconies, and those we have to encounter along the corridor sections.
WISB: The MP40 could be atoned by Kar98k (common weapon), a few captured PPSH-41, and a fewer captured SVT-40.
- The American’s M2 flamethrower among the German troops in this mission (also Heart of the Reich and Downfall) MUST BE REPLACED by either Flammenwerfer 35 or 41.
- Panzer IV Ausf.H or J MUST be replaced by older variants like Panzer IV Ausf.F2/G, or even another panzer like Panzer III variants (Ausf.J or G are recommended).
- The new color base for the German vehicles in this mission (Half-Track, Panzer IV and Opel Blitz truck): Field Grey color aka Dunkelgrau.

[UPDATED]
- Panzers in this mission should have the insignia of the 24th Panzer Division. While Half-Tracks should have what belongs to 71st Infantry Division.
- The wreckages King Tiger and 88mm Flak props MUST be replaced by Russian vehicle props (ZIS-6 truck and T-34-76) or wreckage of the German armored car like Sd.kfz 222 (originally cut content).
- There should be more than 2 German soldiers riding on Opel Blitz trucks (reinforcement at the last section of the mission).
- [UPDATE] There were too many Focke Wulf 200 Condor in this mission. Most or all of them should be replaced by Heinkel He 111 and JU 87 Stuka. And the amount of the 'Bombers' during the starting sequence until the sniping event (cat and mouse) should be decreased.
- At the starting sequence, when one of the bombers flew by close on the top of the player and Sgt. Reznov, it caused the ground to start shaking. But strangely, when another bomber (with its engine on fires) flew by at the same height again, there is NOTHING happened at all.
- Since this mission 'til the end of the campaign, there should be more variation of the face/head models for both Soviets and German/Axis faction. Especially for the latter one.
And for the Soviets side, few of the new face models could be the 'Asian' lookings, which represent the Asian ethnicities that actually existed in the Red Army.
- [Optional] According to the information and sources about flamethrower I had mentioned in PART 1, the flamethrower CAN'T be exploded easily by just a single bullet shot.
From above, when the player has to snipe on a German soldier equipped with a flamethrower, there are 3 other ways to make its fuel tank exploded (thanks to this great modder, Aleksandr D Vasilkov, for helping me with this info).
1. Put some burning pile of debris or woods or corpses on the scene. (Among Stalingrad ruins, there could be plenty of debris and perhaps with a few burning fires). Then put the German with his flamethrower stand near the flames, and all you have to do next is shooting at the fuel tank to make it start leaking. After the leaking fuel hits those flames, then it should explode.
2. Put some burning barrels in the scene. Then same as above, all we need to do is shoot at the fuel tank.
3. This one sounds complicated, but it just for another recommendation; after the player shoot at the fuel tank, then it should be just leaking and alerted every German in the scene. But at the same time when Sgt.Daletski and his men start firing at Germans, Sgt. Reznov would have said some swearing word and pick up his ‘Incendiary/KS bottle’ (which he could receive from one of Daletski’s men, before Reznov climbing up the ladder). Then he lights it up, and throw it among the Germans down below, including the flamethrower guy. And that's when the fun begins.
Note: Because the name ‘Molotov cocktail’ was used by Finnish troops during the winter war, while the Soviets had adopted their own 'Incendiary bottle' which also known as the "KS Bottle."
Source: Sovietguns.blogspot.com
4. This one sounds even more complicated, but great for the scenario and quite hilarious as well: Put a German soldier who smokes a ‘cigarette’ behind or near the first German with the flamethrower.
Then all we need to do is shoot right at the fuel tank to make it leaks, then the smoking German will flip his own lighter (or cigarette) and it will expose the flame on the fuel tank. After that, we will have to shoot at the tank again, and it will be exploded. The fires should be spread throughout the areas and left some burning debris or several piles of fires around the areas as well. Then we can take down other flamethrower guys by using the same tactic as no.1 choice.

[UPDATED] Extra historical accuracy details according to The Frosty 1's video - "Listing Every Historical Inaccuracy in Call of Duty World at War":

Vendetta

- In cutscene, some part of Turkey still captured by German forces.
- In cutscene, the footage of Gen. Heinrich Guderain were used for the fictional Gen. Amsel.
- ***For every Soviet/Eastern front mission: Soviet emblem on Ushanka/fur hat is misplaced/disarranged.
- **For every Soviet/Eastern front mission: Scope Mosin rifle got wrong crosshair layout. It should be the "German #1", and yep Soviet use the same scope layout as German side.
- **For every Soviet/Eastern front mission: I hate to say this but yeah, Reznov should have no beard at all. For better reference: His facial appearance in BO4.
- **For every Soviet/Eastern front mission: Soviet soldiers with SMG should have proper magazine pouches/bags with them.

- **Although also being known as DP-28 LMG, but it's a name that commonly used by the western sources. To this day, the Russian still called it as DP-27.

Guess that's all for Part 2! If you have any disagreement, questions or even more suggestions, feel free to leave it here in the comment section or contact me personally in a private message box.

See you and please wait for Part 3!

FeReise