So I just installed this game, fresh with zero mods. When I try to start a campaign, I click "go!" on the brief. The game loads the tank, freezes, and then loads back to the camp, where it shows me a screen saying I failed the mission. I also get yelled at by my commander, that makes me feel bad.

Is it a setting that I accidentally hit or something? All my tanks have fuel/ammo/crew, are brand new, etc. Thanks in advance.

No, the issue is that the game was designed long before anyone though graphics cards would have more than 2GB of memory. Try lowering your resolution to 800x600 and running the 3d settings app. If you still can't select direct 3d as a source, then try adding dgvoodoo, it can simulate old directx cards too. I got things working with a combination of both. After that, any mods and such will work too.

addendum: run the mod manager in compatiability for xp and as admin at 800x600 as well. I was getting crashes on it when enabling mods.