Homefront: Part I - The Red Front

Homefront is a fictional series based on various theatres of WW2.

Oleksandr Kovalenko, a captain with the NKVD, carries the weight of past losses. He's not commanding a well-equipped army; he's tasked with piecing together a defense from a depleted border guard regiment, integrating Red Army veterans, and relying on the raw courage of Tula's civilian population. His focus is on the practical: securing defensive positions, rationing dwindling supplies, and trying to maintain morale in the face of relentless pressure.

Ekaterina, another captain within the NKVD, is responsible for the city's western approaches. Her challenge is to transform raw recruits and local volunteers into a cohesive fighting force. She grapples with the logistical complexities of equipping and training her troops, while also navigating the political tensions inherent in a city under siege. Her concerns are immediate: establishing strongpoints, coordinating artillery fire, and ensuring her soldiers are prepared for the inevitable clash.

Ivan, a lieutenant, is burdened by a persistent unease. His analysis of intelligence reports has revealed a potential vulnerability in the southern sector, a sector that higher command has deemed less critical. He struggles with the frustration of being dismissed, knowing that his concerns could have dire consequences. His focus is on the detail, the small discrepancies that point to a potential disaster.

This is Tula, October 1941. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a city preparing for a siege. It's about the constant hum of industrial machinery repurposed for war, the hurried construction of defensive fortifications, and the growing sense of anxiety among the civilian population. It's about the smell of coal smoke and the taste of rationed bread, the daily routines of a city under threat. "Homefront" is a story of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, a human story of survival.