Hyperextended my knee in a game which we lost in double-overtime
by 1 inch apparently 1 inch. So I was able to catch up nice job.
by 1 inch apparently 1 inch. So I was able to catch up nice job.
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Wow!
Just finished an exhausting play session starting shortly after the war started, and reaching about a month or two in. Game slowness isn't an issue for me -- I was moving slowly because I had to plan things out and very carefully issue orders that won't sacrifice temporary advantages which can be built into longer-term advantages. Lots of challenges, lots of opportunities, lots of the unexpected, and having to deal with those...
The AAR updates on that month or two will be fascinatingly complicated!
I'll try to do feedback later. Just wanted you to know I've been busy!
Rensslaer
Can't wait to see it. Of course, it's probably years in the games future and you're just teasing us mercilessly.
Are you handling all of your units yourself or are you letting the AI manage some of it?
Can't wait to see it. Of course, it's probably years in the games future and you're just teasing us mercilessly.
Are you handling all of your units yourself or are you letting the AI manage some of it?
Naw, if the AI makes one mistake, my empire collapses, so... I'm sticking to taking advantage of the enemy AI's mistakes!
It's not that the AI is that bad. It's that the things I have to do to make this work are just so utterly complicated, there's no way to teach the computer to do the calculations.
Rensslaer
Just not true, forts in Hoi2 did exactly that, reduce the effectiveness of an attacker, not boost defence.
The only difference is that bonuses and maluses were multiplicative, not additive. That means that forts are better when the attack is likely to face other maluses as well (say amphibous landing), but can potentially be not quite as effective as they used to be, when there are bonuses for the attacker (i.e. good generals)
Naw, if the AI makes one mistake, my empire collapses, so... I'm sticking to taking advantage of the enemy AI's mistakes!
It's not that the AI is that bad. It's that the things I have to do to make this work are just so utterly complicated, there's no way to teach the computer to do the calculations.
Rensslaer
True, and I suppose the relative small size of Porutgal's military makes it a little more manageable, even though your forces are likely to be quite spread out. I have nightmares of trying to micro-manage the eastern front.:wacko:
There's no really critical timing with joining Axis, except that you get the -25 neutrality bonus (which wasn't useful at the time I joined, but may be by about where the updates are now), plus you generally want to join before the war starts if you want to be in on the war. License runs from Germany are also easier if you have better relations, and Axis tends to help that.
Welcome, VA_Magoo! Thanks for keeping up through my sporadic posting -- hope it's still worth it!
Welcome, Xavion! Thanks!Yep, another lurker here
Well, the way I have it planned, the first target will not come until WW II starts, and when it does, there will be multiple "first targets" -- I'll be jumping right into the action, from a variety of bases. It's just not practical to attack any country before WW II starts, because then I would risk involving myself in a general war without Germany necessarily at my back (or even without Germany being prepared, which could be worse).
Yes, I'd rather end up at peace with Spain. If ever I end up at war with them, then it becomes the whole focus of my being, and it probably doesn't matter what I did -- I'd lose!
Actually, you're exactly right. Lisbon was kind of like the "Babylon 5 of World War II" -- spies from both sides would congregate there and try to gain advantage on the others, use Lisbon as a base for expanding into the rest of Europe (both sides used Lisbon as a stepping off point for spies), etc. Fascinating story behind all that -- someone should write a whole book on it (I've read books that touch on it, briefly). Maybe they have.Good to see the SCW finally getting resolved. It seems that if nothing else joining the axis has made you a prime holiday destination for foreign spies
There are certain things in common between Hungary and Portugal -- Hungary would be a fun country to play, too. They don't have the same international reach as Portugal, but they have the advantage of concentration, and a relatively good strategic position for expansion if the "back door" is guarded by an ally. Welcome, HungaryForBlood! Glad to have you following along!
Welcome, Tantor! Yes, Portugal could do so if she so wished. I suppose there's some potential for war against the Netherlands, or even Belgium, but as Chief Ragusa mentions, I think there's a guarantee for Belgium. Any grasping for power without major allies will get us in trouble, I fear.
Thanks! Actually, I've found that weeding out enemy spies in v1.2 is not that hard -- it just takes some focus. It won't take a long time, but it disrupts your plans and requires attention, which is distracting from other goals.
Yeah, Spain is not vital to my plans. I already knew it would be difficult to get them involved. They seem to have some special reluctance, though, and I don't know that I can blame them.
Juggling is very like what it is! And it's time consuming and slow, because you have to pay attention to so many little details at once to avoid screwing up. Higher speed would not benefit me, as I'm a detail hog. Thanks!
Yes, definitely not a short AAR, though there's still every potential that it could end very quickly!
Hopefully not, though! Most of your speculation is already answered in my reply to Chief Ragusa above. But you're right in your analysis.Well, a fort is relatively useful on isolated islands because any fort benefit is on top of the amphibious penalties. It magnifies the strength of any defender (essentially). Land forts are relatively less useful, but if you've just got one province to defend, and a limited number of defenders, a fort may be all you can do to help defend it. Unfortunately, that's the situation I'm in at Macao. Welcome, Theokrat!
Welcome, TheArchduke! Great to see you again, and reading! Glad you're enjoying it. I hope to do both -- to expand, and to be a factor in bringing the Axis to victory against the great powers.
I'm hoping, too! Portugal really doesn't have the capacity to build airpower at all, but I'm going to pretend, really hard.... !Nice, some Airpower! Hopefully you get those Nav's done in time!
Without defending Africa, there's not much left to defend...Is it really worth it to defend your African provinces?
You're certainly seeing the potential I am!
However, S. Africa is actually a regional power in her own right. I'm going to have to play a defensive war on that front at first.It probably should (add threat), but I'm not 100% sure it does. I learned enough "exhaustivity" about the game to fill 250 pages, and this item would have been on page 260.
You're absolutely right about the potential of a sea invasion. I frankly doubt the British will have the capacity to mount an amphibious invasion early in the war, which means I'm going to be worried about Japan and/or Guangxi invading by land (or Japan by sea, but I don't expect they'd do so unless they somehow ended up at war with the Axis and hadn't already taken over Guangxi). I believe it's far more likely that Japan will join the Axis and entangle me in war with the Guangxi. The way to head that off would be to preemptively get Guangxi in the Axis (which I briefly tried), but then that would lock the Japanese out of the Axis. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.Ouch! Don't tell me that. My son's playing college football, now.Hyperextended my knee in a game which we lost in double-overtime
What level do you play at, and what position? Sounds like a frustrating near-victory! Sorry to hear! But glad it gives you time to read! Cyrus, when have you EVER known me to tease my readers....Can't wait to see it. Of course, it's probably years in the games future and you're just teasing us mercilessly.
Are you handling all of your units yourself or are you letting the AI manage some of it?
Yeah, it's heavy-duty micro, but I actually enjoy it. True, I recently started to try a side game as Germany against USSR, and quickly put it on hold because it would require too much attention. But as a primary game, I could really, really get into it! Maybe after this AAR is over.
Thanks, everybody, for reading and commenting! I have the screenshots ready for the next update, and will probably try to push it out tomorrow at lunch.
Rensslaer
Been lurking this thread since page 2 or 3. Nice job, bud! Keep it up! Easily one of my new favorites to the AAR forum.
You may notice that, at different times in my game, I’ve seemed to exhibit a most erratic and schizophrenic policy toward which items are my priorities to build. This is no illusion, but neither is it a mistaken confusion!
Here, you see, in March of 1938, I’ve placed my FW 200 naval bomber at the head of my priority list, clearing the queue and placing everything else on hold. In January, you’ll remember, I had escorts and cavalry (the cav scheduled for completion in April at 100%) at the head of my queue, with only 34% going toward the bomber (scheduled for Oct 1940). Now, before that same cavalry unit has even been produced, I’ve swapped the two, and placed cavalry on the back burner (not scheduled until August, at 17%). The bomber, now, is scheduled for Feb 1939.
It’s not that I expect or intend to have the bomber done by Feb 1939. But I do want to get a more significant number of “IC days” on record for it before I again place other things in priority. The cavalry unit, at 17%, wouldn’t be done until August – about 135 days at 17% allocation. But once I place the cavalry back at the head of the queue, it’ll only take another 22 days to complete it – i.e. it’s basically almost ready to deploy. I’m just choosing to leave it until I urgently need it, whereupon I have only 3 weeks to wait until I have it. I’m doing the exact same thing with the FW 200 – I’ll progress it along the production line until it’s not going to take a huge effort to finally get it ready for war, and then I’ll place it back to 2nd or 3rd priority while other things take precedence. This is a calculated strategy, and while I don’t know that I can mathematically prove it’s better than producing one thing at a time, I have a good sense that it’s the wisest way to do it. My production lines, essentially, are converging upon this unknowable, but estimate-able, future date of war start. I don’t feel a special demand to get all of these items done so soon before war – I’d rather have a lot more things almost ready before the war.
Notice that I’ve zeroed out my supply production in order to focus on the FW 200. But also notice that many of my trades which create the 8.38 demand for supplies are actually not active right now because of cash shortages on the other end, so I don’t think this will seriously harm my stockpiles of supplies.
In April, Germany annexes Austria. This is a clear sign of growing power, and also is a warning sign to Germany’s allies and enemies alike that conflict is just that much closer. Seeking to beef up my stockpiles, I set up a substantial trade with the USA (already shown contributing to my stockpiles since it’s been a few days – see the green?)
Now, only a month after the previous production screen, you’ll see I’ve already downgraded the FW200. Now I can get it ready by June ’39 at that lesser rate of production (instead of February), and that’s acceptable to me. I anticipate I’ll complete it either just before, or just after, the start of war. I think I’ve just completed the cavalry unit you were watching earlier, and now I’m working on more escorts and on infantry.
That Industrial Production advance boosts me from 29 IC to 30, which is very welcome! Supplies are still zeroed out, and my stockpile is dwindling, but at this late date in the game, I’ve chosen to prioritize certain items for production, and I need that extra IC. You may notice my demand for supplies now is only half what it was in the previous screenshot – I canceled those bogus trades that weren’t doing anything. You see the new trade with the USA there now – at this rate of consumption of cash, I could theoretically stretch that trade for almost 2 months without change.
Quick on the heels of the Industrial Production advance, I also get a boost to Industrial Efficiency. That will help me – ever so incrementally – get these units produced before war.
In May, 1938, Hitler makes the Allies bow before him at Munich. He is seeming ever more powerful, now, and like the horse to bet on, don’t you think? With those Czech forts in his hands, Czechoslovakia won’t hold long if he goes to war with them, which to realistic minds is his next natural step of expansion.
In June we get a brief boost from 30 to 32 IC, thanks to a Nationalization event. And my militia techs finally work their way through the research queue. It’s time to implement those upgrades and improve the fighting strength of my many garrison units.
A splitscreen here, showing the beginning and end of July, shows my thinking over time. Supplies are a priority again – I don’t want to get too depleted. I’ve also thrown some IC into upgrades. Production IC is being crowded out, as a result, and even though I’m focusing my full 11 production IC allocation on the FW200 now, it’s not due out until November (at 50%). I’ll prioritize it again when I can.
You’ll notice I’ve canceled that trade with the USA (after 2 months, like I said), and my stockpiles are being lessened again, though. I’m a little worried about how quickly it’s happening, too! In just a month, my Energy is down almost 1,000, my Metal down 250, Rares down almost 100, and Oil almost 200 – that’s losing 8 per day, and that alarm-bell alert you see peeking out from the left hand corner of the July 5 screen? It tolls for oil!
By the end of July, though, you’ll see I’m starting to shift IC again away from the reduced need for upgrades, and I’ve shifted away from CG spending (to pay for resource purchases and build my money back up – nearly $100 in a few short weeks), and placed it all back toward Production, which is now trying to finish my land fort in Macao and getting that cavalry ready, while still contributing drips and drabs to the FW 200.
New research priorities – supplies would be nice, as I’m depleting them so quickly, the Industrial Production again, and a small arms increase for Infantry (so they can chew up their targets on offense).
In August, I set up another trade with the USA to draw down my cash reserves but boost my Oil and Energy stockpiles. This has become an exhausting game (not HOI 3, but rather the resource manipulation) – trying to keep the stockpiles high enough for war while keeping cash on hand without using too much IC on consumer goods or for supply production (for trades). What a complex interplay of priorities!
Finishing the land fort in Macao on schedule, in August, frees up 7.5 IC for other projects. But instead, I start building a 2nd level at first. You’ll see below, though, that I’ve quickly decided that cannot be my first priority. Infantry and cavalry must be finished before the end of the year, just in case war breaks out early, and allowing time to get them into position beforetime.
Obviously, I’ve chosen again to extend my trade deal with the USA to keep Oil and Energy heading skyward, without compromising supply production. The only way to do that is to reduce Production and steer that IC toward consumer goods. More money goes into Oil purchases with Romania – that’s the trade I will hope to keep going through the war, because it’s not subject to interception by the enemy.
I’m really starting to feel the crunch, now, knowing war is pressing in upon me, and yet not feeling ready for it. A quick check eases my fears, though. Upgrades are mostly implemented, my units are mostly in place, with more coming before the end of the year. I have roughly a 4:2:1 ratio between Energy, Metal and Rares, and my Crude Oil reserve is growing back to where I want it for wartime. Maybe I’ll be okay.
I don’t know if you’ll find this chart useful or not. There are not a lot of easily recognizable demarcations in where things go up or down.
The Energy started high, and continued to grow until mid 1937, when I decided it was more important to get the other core resources (Metal and Rares) up relative to the Energy. The cost of doing that was my Energy supply dived, but leveled off around its equilibrium point. At the end of the chart, you’ll see almost exactly the 4:2:1 ratios for these commodities.
Fuel, of course, is the always-upward line. Rares really never grew, and I lacked the cash resources to build them higher. Oil never really grew either. Metal rose, but then fell again. I could have maintained far better stockpiles in these commodities if I’d been willing to sacrifice production for resource purchases, but then I wouldn’t have the military to keep me going in war. So this was an unfortunate, but inevitable choice.
The supply curve is interesting. I ended up, at the end, selling off my enormous stockpile of supplies in order to raise money for my resource purchases. In the end, I’m happy with where my resources ended up by the end of 1938.
Here, you see, in March of 1938, I’ve placed my FW 200 naval bomber at the head of my priority list, clearing the queue and placing everything else on hold. In January, you’ll remember, I had escorts and cavalry (the cav scheduled for completion in April at 100%) at the head of my queue, with only 34% going toward the bomber (scheduled for Oct 1940). Now, before that same cavalry unit has even been produced, I’ve swapped the two, and placed cavalry on the back burner (not scheduled until August, at 17%). The bomber, now, is scheduled for Feb 1939.
It’s not that I expect or intend to have the bomber done by Feb 1939. But I do want to get a more significant number of “IC days” on record for it before I again place other things in priority. The cavalry unit, at 17%, wouldn’t be done until August – about 135 days at 17% allocation. But once I place the cavalry back at the head of the queue, it’ll only take another 22 days to complete it – i.e. it’s basically almost ready to deploy. I’m just choosing to leave it until I urgently need it, whereupon I have only 3 weeks to wait until I have it. I’m doing the exact same thing with the FW 200 – I’ll progress it along the production line until it’s not going to take a huge effort to finally get it ready for war, and then I’ll place it back to 2nd or 3rd priority while other things take precedence. This is a calculated strategy, and while I don’t know that I can mathematically prove it’s better than producing one thing at a time, I have a good sense that it’s the wisest way to do it. My production lines, essentially, are converging upon this unknowable, but estimate-able, future date of war start. I don’t feel a special demand to get all of these items done so soon before war – I’d rather have a lot more things almost ready before the war.
Notice that I’ve zeroed out my supply production in order to focus on the FW 200. But also notice that many of my trades which create the 8.38 demand for supplies are actually not active right now because of cash shortages on the other end, so I don’t think this will seriously harm my stockpiles of supplies.
In April, Germany annexes Austria. This is a clear sign of growing power, and also is a warning sign to Germany’s allies and enemies alike that conflict is just that much closer. Seeking to beef up my stockpiles, I set up a substantial trade with the USA (already shown contributing to my stockpiles since it’s been a few days – see the green?)
Now, only a month after the previous production screen, you’ll see I’ve already downgraded the FW200. Now I can get it ready by June ’39 at that lesser rate of production (instead of February), and that’s acceptable to me. I anticipate I’ll complete it either just before, or just after, the start of war. I think I’ve just completed the cavalry unit you were watching earlier, and now I’m working on more escorts and on infantry.
That Industrial Production advance boosts me from 29 IC to 30, which is very welcome! Supplies are still zeroed out, and my stockpile is dwindling, but at this late date in the game, I’ve chosen to prioritize certain items for production, and I need that extra IC. You may notice my demand for supplies now is only half what it was in the previous screenshot – I canceled those bogus trades that weren’t doing anything. You see the new trade with the USA there now – at this rate of consumption of cash, I could theoretically stretch that trade for almost 2 months without change.
Quick on the heels of the Industrial Production advance, I also get a boost to Industrial Efficiency. That will help me – ever so incrementally – get these units produced before war.
In May, 1938, Hitler makes the Allies bow before him at Munich. He is seeming ever more powerful, now, and like the horse to bet on, don’t you think? With those Czech forts in his hands, Czechoslovakia won’t hold long if he goes to war with them, which to realistic minds is his next natural step of expansion.
In June we get a brief boost from 30 to 32 IC, thanks to a Nationalization event. And my militia techs finally work their way through the research queue. It’s time to implement those upgrades and improve the fighting strength of my many garrison units.
A splitscreen here, showing the beginning and end of July, shows my thinking over time. Supplies are a priority again – I don’t want to get too depleted. I’ve also thrown some IC into upgrades. Production IC is being crowded out, as a result, and even though I’m focusing my full 11 production IC allocation on the FW200 now, it’s not due out until November (at 50%). I’ll prioritize it again when I can.
You’ll notice I’ve canceled that trade with the USA (after 2 months, like I said), and my stockpiles are being lessened again, though. I’m a little worried about how quickly it’s happening, too! In just a month, my Energy is down almost 1,000, my Metal down 250, Rares down almost 100, and Oil almost 200 – that’s losing 8 per day, and that alarm-bell alert you see peeking out from the left hand corner of the July 5 screen? It tolls for oil!
By the end of July, though, you’ll see I’m starting to shift IC again away from the reduced need for upgrades, and I’ve shifted away from CG spending (to pay for resource purchases and build my money back up – nearly $100 in a few short weeks), and placed it all back toward Production, which is now trying to finish my land fort in Macao and getting that cavalry ready, while still contributing drips and drabs to the FW 200.
New research priorities – supplies would be nice, as I’m depleting them so quickly, the Industrial Production again, and a small arms increase for Infantry (so they can chew up their targets on offense).
In August, I set up another trade with the USA to draw down my cash reserves but boost my Oil and Energy stockpiles. This has become an exhausting game (not HOI 3, but rather the resource manipulation) – trying to keep the stockpiles high enough for war while keeping cash on hand without using too much IC on consumer goods or for supply production (for trades). What a complex interplay of priorities!
Finishing the land fort in Macao on schedule, in August, frees up 7.5 IC for other projects. But instead, I start building a 2nd level at first. You’ll see below, though, that I’ve quickly decided that cannot be my first priority. Infantry and cavalry must be finished before the end of the year, just in case war breaks out early, and allowing time to get them into position beforetime.
Obviously, I’ve chosen again to extend my trade deal with the USA to keep Oil and Energy heading skyward, without compromising supply production. The only way to do that is to reduce Production and steer that IC toward consumer goods. More money goes into Oil purchases with Romania – that’s the trade I will hope to keep going through the war, because it’s not subject to interception by the enemy.
I’m really starting to feel the crunch, now, knowing war is pressing in upon me, and yet not feeling ready for it. A quick check eases my fears, though. Upgrades are mostly implemented, my units are mostly in place, with more coming before the end of the year. I have roughly a 4:2:1 ratio between Energy, Metal and Rares, and my Crude Oil reserve is growing back to where I want it for wartime. Maybe I’ll be okay.
I don’t know if you’ll find this chart useful or not. There are not a lot of easily recognizable demarcations in where things go up or down.
The Energy started high, and continued to grow until mid 1937, when I decided it was more important to get the other core resources (Metal and Rares) up relative to the Energy. The cost of doing that was my Energy supply dived, but leveled off around its equilibrium point. At the end of the chart, you’ll see almost exactly the 4:2:1 ratios for these commodities.
Fuel, of course, is the always-upward line. Rares really never grew, and I lacked the cash resources to build them higher. Oil never really grew either. Metal rose, but then fell again. I could have maintained far better stockpiles in these commodities if I’d been willing to sacrifice production for resource purchases, but then I wouldn’t have the military to keep me going in war. So this was an unfortunate, but inevitable choice.
The supply curve is interesting. I ended up, at the end, selling off my enormous stockpile of supplies in order to raise money for my resource purchases. In the end, I’m happy with where my resources ended up by the end of 1938.
Excellent insight into your production strategy! I'm sure this one update alone would be a must-read for anyone who wants to play a minor power.
Plus, that nationalization event was quite lucky!
Plus, that nationalization event was quite lucky!
Hi, this is really informative - presume that units almost built but hidden in the production queue till you need 'em also have the advantage of not adding to your supply or CG costs.
Can't wait to see how this works out!
Can't wait to see how this works out!
Seems all the resources are going down, but if Hitler continue his conquest of Central-Europe I think you will soon have more important thing to think about than your resources… but then again without resources you can’t fight a war can you, so something needs to be done, especially your oil situation seems bad. So you have two choices I guess, trade for as much as possible or conquer some land with the resources you need. The first strategy is perhaps the easiest
Welcome, Velko! You're very welcome to catch up later, too, though. You're getting in early, though! This hasn't reached 150 or 200 pages yet, and so it's still small compared to my other AARs.
Excellent! This is about to get ALOT more entertaining.
Thanks! Glad to hear! And I think you've already commented previously, but Welcome again!
Indeed! Quite helpful, if only for 2 IC over 2 months. Still... Thanks for your praise! A high compliment, coming from you!Excellent insight into your production strategy! I'm sure this one update alone would be a must-read for anyone who wants to play a minor power.
Plus, that nationalization event was quite lucky!
Thanks, Loki! Yes, you're correct about the CG costs, etc. And this will work in most games. I've developed a long-term habit of this with Paradox production queues. I'm not sure I've ever remarked upon it in quite this way before, though, so perhaps it's not widely known. Old habits seem like they're obvious, you know...
Yeah, it's getting down to the wire, all right! Thanks.It's nice to see things finally shaping up!
Yes, there are resources around... Madrid wouldn't be my first choice, though. Eeek!Hmm... you could get a bit more resources by conquering let's say Madrid.
Well, this is true IF the fuel is enough, and that's what's in question. I'm probably fine, but if I get blockaded and don't have access to Oil or Fuel on the market or by convoy, it may be a really long war. Plus, I may need to sell Fuel, too.
Yes. My economic expansion has dictated a lessening of my stockpiles, because I don't have enough resources to really keep up this level of economic mobilization forever. Hopefully I can fix this soon.Seems all the resources are going down, but if Hitler continue his conquest of Central-Europe I think you will soon have more important thing to think about than your resources… but then again without resources you can’t fight a war can you, so something needs to be done, especially your oil situation seems bad. So you have two choices I guess, trade for as much as possible or conquer some land with the resources you need. The first strategy is perhaps the easiest
Well, this is a little odd, considering the importance I'm placing on it. I don't actually expect immediate action, despite the nearness of Hong Kong. I think it will be a potential battleground later, when Japan joins in. And since it's so isolated, a fort would help (a little, at least) in combat.I take you are expecting more than a little bit of action in Macau
All right.... I do have another update almost ready to post! Probably within a few hours.
Thanks again for reading and commenting, everybody! Any new lurkers?
Rensslaer
Been lurking here a while. Absolutely fascinating aar... . I'm not sure which is harder, sorting out an OOB for the USSR or the intense balancing of multiple requirements facing a minor (got to love the range of problems this game throws at you!). How have you put the graph together, from save data or did you record it?
Plus the FW200 is a beautiful aircraft, and I loved your intro!
Looking forward to the next update.
Plus the FW200 is a beautiful aircraft, and I loved your intro!
Looking forward to the next update.
Then you'll enjoy this!
Thanks!_________________________________________________
He looked quite silly, actually.
The dark-haired German who had been introduced simply as Wolfram was dressed in a white, cotton, tropical suit. But he was entirely too husky – too muscular – to be entirely contained by unstretched fabric over his arms and shoulders. Aristides supposed it was the largest summer suit the embassy had to spare. The Germans were a cold people, Ari thought. They stood out, here in temperate Portugal.
His square chin jutted forward, and his shaved head was only partly concealed by the straw hat which Ari feared would blow off at the slightest breeze. What would hold it on, he wondered? The whole aspect – even the comedy of it – reminded him of Benito Mussolini.
The tanned brute had been sent by the Germans to train Portuguese pilots in how to fly the newly licensed long-range Kondor scouting bombers which were gradually working their way along the production lines at a shop in Lisbon. Wolfram’s gruffly accented voice revealed that he was not, indeed, Mussolini. “That’s not what you normally fly,” the man asked, seriously. “Is it?” He nodded his chin in the direction of the nearest aircraft.
A little startled by the question, Ari allowed a long, puzzled pause. As each second ticked by, the German’s eyes grew a little more… fearful? Why? Ari turned, quickly, and saw he was looking at a small, Serviços Aéreos Portugueses airliner – a single-engine model that held five passengers.
“No!” Ari squeaked quickly. This was professionally embarrassing. “No, I fly the Junkers G 24 – a trimotor.” The G 24 was a luxury liner, even equipped with sleeping accommodations for some of the passengers. Wolfram seemed very relieved , and he nodded his head. He was concerned that he would have to train Ari in multi-engine skills. “There are just none here,” Ari explained further. “Portugal doesn’t operate them.” Was too poor to, he avoided saying. “I’ve been flying for a company in Spain and Morocco.”
Next to Ari, a wiry young man piped up. “And I fly Fords in Brazil,” Paulo explained, referring to the smaller Ford Trimotor. When the Portuguese had sought experienced pilots for the Focke Wulfs being license-built for Portugal, Aristides Caldeira and Paulo de Sousa had been among the pilots and copilots selected.
Wolfram led them around the corner of the building, and Ari saw a beautiful Lufthansa liner – one of the few long distance transports that he envied beyond his own. Compared to the graceful lines of this elegant bird, his Junkers was a crate – a corrugated metal monstrosity that hulked through the air. He loved his plane – it was a solid, dependable aircraft. But he knew it could not hold a candle to this Focke Wulf design.
As they began training, Ari discovered there was very little operational difference between the trimotor he was accustomed to, and this new craft. More, and more modern instruments, of course. The primary difference which mattered, however, was that his vision was not obscured by the whirring arc of the forward propeller. The noise was more muted, and vibration less. If his own Junkers was meant to be rugged, this Kondor was styled as an organic, imitation bird. Its movements were so blissfully smooth.
Briefly, he considered how more useful his sturdy trimotor might actually be, if they were to engage in combat. But he would not miss this chance for the world. The thing practically purred, like a cat, compared to the horse he normally flew. The comparison stuck in his mind, and would recur to him during this flight and beyond.
Ari sat in the pilot seat next to Wolfram, while Paulo observed for this part of the training from the navigator’s seat behind the pilots. “Put it over,” Wolfram ordered, “in a hard banking turn to the left.”
Easily done. Ari acknowledged the instruction with a nod, as he gently leaned the plane over into a 45 degree sloping turn…
“Ach! Nein!” came the exclamation. “Airline pilots!” Ari had been “clearing the airspace,” looking off past his left wingtip to make sure he wouldn’t collide with anyone – an absurd thought, in 1938 Portugal. He was only half through the motion of swinging his gaze to see Wolfram’s cause for concern when his hands felt the German’s hamfists seize his own control yoke and take over.
Suddenly, the yoke swung, and the aircraft wheeled, and plunged! With the wing pointing alarmingly almost straight down, there was no lift to keep the aircraft aloft, and it fell. The earth spiraled, but Wolfram immediately began to pull out of the dive and level the wings on the desired heading. The aircraft steadied, set aright again, and Ari tried to still his thumping heart to match. He made a conscious effort to close his eyelids, which had snapped full open at the beginning of the maneuver.
“You must be firm! The airplane can handle it.” Wolfram’s tone was stern, but level. Then it took on a growling edge. “This is NOT civil aviation, anymore! You must think like a warrior.”
Aristides looked over his shoulder at Paulo, who appeared to be just as frightened as he. But then he stared into Wolfram’s eyes, sensing his sincerity, absorbing his passion… and he finally grasped the lesson that was being infused. “Sim, sim,” he said, affirmatively. “I understand.”