The Germans launch a retreat of thousands of kilometers on the eve of the Arctic winter. The Soviets launch a major offensive in the north while the Finns press the Germans into the massive Sturmbock defensive line.

The Allies are planning the invasion of Normandy and are preparing a major deception operation in the north. Commando raids continue and resistance movement increases. Hitler continues his massive building projects in Norway, despite the threatening situation. He intends to hold on to the iron ore transports and the Petsamo nickel mine until the end.

The scale of the Second World War increases as the United States joins the war. Allied commandos strike the Norwegian coast. Spy bases are set up in the border regions and Norwegian resistance forces are activated. An invasion of Norway is also planned. Hitler becomes concerned and moves more resources northwards.

Hitler decides to take a risk and invades the Soviet Union. In the north, the aim is to seize the Petsamo mine, the port of Murmansk and the Murmansk railway. Finland enters the war alongside Germany.

The German war industry is in desperate need of more iron ore. Hitler turns his attention to the Norwegian coast, and in particular the port of Narvik, through which iron ore mined in Sweden is transported. The British Winston Churchill also makes his own plans to invade the Norwegian coast.

After the First World War, Europe is divided. The alliance between Germany and the Soviet Union, Hitler and Stalin triggers the Second World War. At the same time, the Arctic War begins, with Finland as the first theater.