September 1st, 1944. General Eisenhower and the mighty Army of the Ohio have successfully completed the Independence Day offensive and smashed through the "impregnable" and heavily defended southern border of the United States. The remains of the great US Third Army lay in ruins from the Mississippi basin to the hills of Kentucky and it's commanding General Omar Bradley entombed in the ruins of St Louis. Confederate President Lemke, basking in the glow of victory, calls for a second offensive on the heels on the last one that, if successful, will neatly sever the United States in half and ruin 50% of her industrial and agricultural output in one sweep. Calling an emergency meeting within hours of the capture of St Louis, he and General Dwight D. Eisenhower begin plans for a two-pronged offensive. The ultimate goals will entail the vital ship and rail yards in Chicago, Illinois and the steel and iron works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Secondary objectives include securing the major shipyards in chokepoints in the Great Lakes, and the capture of the mid-western cities of Des Moines, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Strengthening its political and economic ties with Nazi Germany, President Lemke promises increased raw materials and "disposable" labor in exchange for arms and equipment. Elated by impending victory in the East over the Soviets along with assisting in the destruction of the United States and the exiled British monarchy Adolf Hitler agrees to increase the exportation of arms. In addition, he relieves his prized SS "Adolf Hitler" division from the Russian Front and sends it along with several Luftwaffe units to assist in the Great Lakes offensive as "volunteers".

With its political back against the wall, and indeed the very survival of the nation at stake, expect the US Second Army to be a formidable adversary. National Guard Units in the majority of the affected states have been brought to full-strength with fresh equipment from US factories. While not armed with modern tanks and artillery, they present a threat through sheer numbers and dedication as the everyday soldier fights to protect his home and family. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the governments of Canada and the Exiled Kingdom of Great Britain have pooled industrial resources with the United States and sent divisions outfitted with modern equipment from reserves in the North and East. Although US supply is initially low after the defeat in the Independence Day campaign, if US forces are able to hold out against the CS onslaught, supply and reinforcement points will be awarded as US industry cranks up. Expect help from local partition forces as these cells form behind the advancing Confederate armies. Additionally, President Roosevelt has sent diplomats out around the globe to other nations, seeking to bolster the ranks of US forces with elite foreign cadre. Hopefully, talks will pay off and the US ranks will begin to swell with the opponents of facisism, tyranny and oppression.