Rank and File: A clerk's war Germany 1936 (Semper Fi)

[MajorMayhem]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MajorMayhem
as it those tell-tale blisters that hide the cannon?

The blisters were only used to modify the earlier Me 109s that were originally fitted with machine-guns. To hold the larger magazines for the Hispano cannon they had to make the blisters. Later models were OK.

But I am impressed that 1) You read the whole thing and 2) You remembered it- from memopry it was only a line in a phot description.

Thanks, Im enjoying this greatly, distracting me from more pressing efforts!

And how long do you think before the US gets involved?

[Uriah]

I though all Bf109s had square wingtips, I stand corrected ! I am now relieved that your brave workers are still faithfully working for the motherland.

Well, apart from the workers who are really agents of the USSR and who are busily sabatoging our industrial efforts.

No square wingtips, but they do have the squared "hard to see out of" canopy that were the bane of many a Luftwaffe pilots existence. You can see the squared canopies very clearly in the photograph as well.

Nice AAR by the way, long time lurker, first time poster.

Your AAR inspired me so much I knocked the dust off this game after a 2-3 month hiatus and started playing it again.

Thank you very much!

I was going to mention the distinctive cockpit canopies but when I looked in the factory photo is was not very clear.

Thanks for the positive comments. One reason I started this AAR was there were so many negative posts about HOI3 and I wanted to show how much enjoyment I was getting from the game. Not to paint over the flaws, but maybe "accentuate the positive".

Not long untill Vichy event.. the road to Brittany and beyond seems as desolete as a wasteland.. perhaps you could use that for exploitation?

When France finally sees the light, I have to give Scandinavia a good slapping, persuade Spain that I need Gibraltar, and probably help out Italy in the Balkans. I want the Ruamanian oil somehow, and if diplomacy won't work or is too slow ....

Uriah, if you check the diplomacy tab for the country you are attacking, it shows a green bar that turns red as you acquire victory point cities. Hovering your mouse pointer over it will give you the percentage of conquest, so you will have an idea of how many more need to be captured.

You live and learn. I have played this game solidly for 6 months and never noticed that. An indication of how much time I spend on the diplomacy screen. (As will be clear inthe next update - which I had better get back to).

EDIT: In all the excitement, I forget to actually answer the question: France's surrender likelihood up to 84%. National Unity is 50%, captured cities 42.2%.

The AI seems to be able to conquer Scandinavia by itself at a decent pace, but it has a lot of trouble in Finland if it doesn't have a ton of troops: The AI needed 5 full Corps with air support. If you don't plan to attack Russia until late 40, you could just send 2 armies to Scandinavia, and let the rest take over Spain.

Now, the Soviets will probably have little other than infantry, and are a piece of cake when a human is controlling the German troops, but the AI will take plenty of time before they force a surrender. This is because the AI just can't seem to use Armor effectively. To blitz, a human would use a small number of troops to break a line, leaving 4+ divisions patiently waiting behind them to exploit any weakness. The AI Makes every division enter combat, so while it manages to defeat the first line of defense faster, it makes the Armor have to wait for a few days due to the delay between attacks, so the line moves a whole lot more like WWI than WWII. The AI only gets a semblance of speed when it can break the entire defensive line all at once, and then its troops just chase the routed enemy.

With an OOB not very different from yours, 1.4.RC10 with human control, France was capitulating in July, and the Soviets were surrendering in two months.

In early 1.3 I tried an experiment, and the AI actually beat Poland quicker than me, though I am pretty sure with more casualties. (I think I was a little too cautious.)

I haven't decided yet if I really want another border with the USSR. As I expalined earlier, I have given the USSR two big advantages: +500 MP and dropped its neutrality to 35% to allow it change laws earlier. It may not have much armour, but it should have 300+ inf divs at near full strength. It seems to have a lot of divisions in reserve (ie not in the fornt line) When I last checked some weeks ago (I don't like doing it) it was building planes. My plan is to hit them in early 1941 (as soon as the weather clears). This should allow me plenty of time to sort out everything else and make sure Italy doesn't self destruct.

Thanks, Im enjoying this greatly, distracting me from more pressing efforts!

And how long do you think before the US gets involved?

Thanks - by more prssing efforts I take it you mean actually playing?

Hopefully the USA will be sorted with 1.4 and things will happen. I have been influencing them for several years to ensure they stayed neutral, but I will soon use the leadership for research and officers. I hope that the Japanese are busy plotting.

[Threedog43]

Seems like final patch will be out soon.

[MajorMayhem]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MajorMayhem
Thanks, Im enjoying this greatly, distracting me from more pressing efforts!

And how long do you think before the US gets involved?

Thanks - by more prssing efforts I take it you mean actually playing?

Hopefully the USA will be sorted with 1.4 and things will happen. I have been influencing them for several years to ensure they stayed neutral, but I will soon use the leadership for research and officers. I hope that the Japanese are busy plotting.

Well, by more pressing efforts, im meaning trying to write a AAR in the shadow of yours, so I hope nobody minds the advertiszing ()


And how exactly is the Japanese position in Asia as far as you can tell?

[Uriah]

Rank and File
A Clerk’s War

1st November to 3rd November 1939

The start of new month is always a cheerful time in the Kanzlei. With the end of month Cabinet meeting out of the way, we can look forward to some interesting decisions being made. More importantly for the staff, we have usually cleared the backlog and can relax a little. So on Tuesday 1st of November I and most of the staff did not arrive until well after 8AM.

We had not missed anything from our Ministers: obviously they are still mulling over the decisions that need to be made. The Heer, however, has been active.

Perhaps one decision has been made. OKW has ordered the Army of Ardennes to add a new objective to its list: the Channel Islands. Although on the face of it an insignificant addition, from a diplomatic viewpoint it is quite a step. For the first time the Wehrmacht has a target on British soil. There would have been some lengthy discussions in the Foreign Ministry about this. My normal sources of information (the morning coffee groups in the corridors) were engrossed in this subject, and the feeling was that General Blomberg was not happy to leave a potential enemy bridgehead on his right flank and had pushed hard to be allowed to occupy the islands. Minister von Neurath, cautious as ever, would have opposed any attack that could be presented to the British public as an invasion of the British Isles. Apparently he still believes that we may be able to negotiate with the British after the Fall of France. He must be the only one. The fact that approval has been granted means that the Fuhrer and the Cabinet see little hope of peace talks with the British in the foreseeable future. So we are in for a long war. I must admit I had hoped for a year or two of peace before we turn east. But it seems as though the Luftwaffe and the Kriegsmarine at least can expect to fight the British until we can turn back west and concentrate everything on an invasion of England.

Regardless of the politics behind the decision to attack the Channel Islands, it will not be an easy task. The garrison is not a group of second rate soldiers but a frontline fighting division. It has had plenty of time to prepare its defences, it can expect constant air cover from several nearby airbases, and the Royal Navy has major ports nearby. Our marines are a long way away, so the invasion must be made by regular troops. While the Channel Islands are just off-shore, any attack involving landing craft is very difficult, and using untrained soldiers will magnify the risk. We will have to keep our fingers crossed.

Maybe forlorn hopes are popular today – nobody can see any other reason for Behlendorff’s attack on Cattenom. Not one person here in the Kanzlei can work out why 16.Infanterie (mot) is attempting to dislodge the French 48th Infantry from the heavily fortified Maginot Line. Are we testing the resolve of the divisions left holding the redoubts and underground defences of France’s eastern defensive line? It only took a few hours to find out. Behlendorff lost only eight men before he called off the attack. The French lost no-one.

Battle of Cattenom



Why Behlendorff failed: anti-tank defences with infantry casemates in the background. 16.Infanterie had no chance against determined defenders.

General Ruoff is more likely to achieve success in Buzancais, but even so his opponent will not be a pushover. The French 8th Infantry Brigade in fact contains at least one tank regiment, and is at close to full strength. The French General Vauthier is competent, and while his men have not been in the area long, he has managed to improve the defences slightly. 2ID (mot) “Vorwarts” could face their biggest challenge since the Polish campaign.

Battle of Buzancais

The absence of enemy bombers during the day was, I imagine, a great relief for our boys at the front. The Luftwaffe definitely appreciated the lack of interference, not only by slightly increasing its own bombing missions, but by busily repairing the losses of the past week or so.

Maybe it was the break from being bombed, maybe it was the additional accuracy of the Luftwaffe, or perhaps it was just coincidence, but we won two major battles on Tuesday. The first was Neufchateau, where General Eicke has overcome the resistance of the 1st Mountain and 4th Motorised Brigades and 4ème Armée Headquarters. It was not an easy battle, and if it had not been for the arrival of 2nd Gebirgsjäger Division it may have been touch and go. However, 28.Infanterie absorbed the heavy casualties (463 men) and the French cracked under the increasing pressure. French losses are put at 645.

Heavy casualties were not restricted to Neufchateau. General List’s troops took severe punishment in Les Ricey before they could throw out Magnan’s 40,000 troops. We lost 1,076 to take the province, but we now hold the vast airbase and can start to repair the damaged runways and move our planes to the front. Having airfields close to the front speeds Luftwaffe rotation incredibly, leading to extra bombing missions per day. The French fought bitterly to hold the airfields, obviously also aware of their importance, but after losing 729 men and facing an increasing breakdown of communications and control, General Magnan had no choice but to order a general retreat. Some of his men may have pre-empted the order, as our local commanders saw French units in full flight.

Wednesday 2nd November was great day for the Kriegsmarine. The battleship “Tirpitz” was commissioned, ready to join the fleet! As you may have discovered, I have a soft spot for the magnificent capital ships of the Krigsmarine, and the “Tirpitz”, sister-ship to the imposing “Bismark” is a worthy addition to the Nordseeflotte. Unfortunately the pressure of work did not allow me to travel to see the ceremonies and wave a flag with the thousands of people celebrating. I did, however, have a photograph I took of the “Tirpitz” when I was last at Wilhelmshaven, when she was undergoing her final fit-out, and looking at it brought back memories. Not as good as being there, but a substitute.

The “Tirpitz” some months ago, almost ready for action.

Some production decisions are appearing as a result of the October Cabinet meeting. Not surprisingly, Messerschmitt has been awarded a contract for another 100 Bf 109E fighters. What did surprise me was that the only other contracts seem to relate to the formation of two more garrison divisions (both of three regiments, one being a police unit), and another two-brigade cavalry division. Where are the armour and motorised troops that General Blomberg asked for? I can understand that the Kriegsmarine’s ships may have to wait a while, as must Minister Schacht’s infrastructure and anti-air, but surely the Heer needs more combat units? A little thought, however, and it made sense. We have three panzer and three motorised divisions under construction, as well as two Gebirgsjäger divisions. It will take a long time to complete a unit started today. By raising some garrison divisions, which do not take long to fit out, we will be able to free up combat units who would otherwise have to maintain order in the occupied territories.

Talking of surprises, General Feige amazed everyone by the speed of his victory in Charmes. Although his opponent, General Bucknall, had the Moselle to guard his front and received another 10,000 men as reinforcements, 8.Infanterie stormed across the river and did not stop until the British were on the run. As is always the case with an opposed river crossing, initial losses were high, but to take the province for only 238 men lost, while inflicting 187 casualties, is a really commendable effort. Senior officers in OKH are starting to take note of this new general: his transfer from a cavalry unit has paid off for him.

A coded telegram from our Portuguese Embassy relayed the information that Fricke’s U-boats had added to their tally, having intercepted a convoy in the Western King’s Trough. Apparently there had been some fighting, as they had not only sunk a merchantman (heading to the UK from St John’s with a load of frozen meat and fish) but had sunk a British corvette. Either Fricke is getting daring (which is not advisable as he has been ordered to be cautious) or the escort turned up at the wrong moment. Von Nordeck, of course, could not let this go unanswered, and also sank a corvette escorting a convoy from Bombay, though he missed getting any of the merchantmen which all raced for Plymouth at top speed. The 11.5 km/hr speed of the Type IIBs is a drawback.

We were all a bit bored with the routine despatches and I at least was contemplating an early departure when the bombshell broke. The Swiss have joined the Allies! For the first time since 1515 the Swiss have abandoned neutrality! The Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation has announced that, effective immediately, the Swiss have joined France and Great Britain in their war against Germany and Italy. In addition, the Swiss General Assembly has been called together and it has elected a General, Henri Guisan. I was a bit confused about this, but my sources in the Foreign Ministry assure me that the Swiss don’t normally have generals, and only appoint them in times of national emergency or war. Seems very odd to me. How can you run a modern state with no generals?

An urgent task force in the Foreign Ministry put together a package (a very slim package) of what we know of the Swiss. Despite their avowed neutrality, we did keep three spy cells operating in the country, in what turned out to be a very wise precaution. From an economic point of view, they have plenty of raw materials, military supplies and petrol. Military production is very low, perhaps because every man is in the army. Manpower reserves are non-existent. They have about 9 divisions, including at least one armour, one motorised and one mountain. No air force to speak of, and obviously naval power will not be an issue.

Heeresgruppe West has instructed General Andrae to assume responsibility for what are now the border provinces of Kostanz, Friedrichshafen, Bregenz, Bludenz and Pfunds. He has been given no additional troops so he will have to juggle his existing divisions to cover the extra distance. This will be his first real test since taking over from the late General Kesselring. We have no word of any Swiss border incursions, so maybe the Swiss Army is not ready either. We know very little of the new General Guisan, but a few Wehrmacht officers who met him before the war remember him as speaking of the wonderful natural defences of Switzerland. Could Switzerland’s involvement be purely passive? Time will tell, but I am sure General Andrae will make sure that he is not called to Berlin to explain any failure to protect the Reich.

As if to end the day on a dismal note, Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte passed on news from Wuppertal. The head of the local Luftgaukommando reported seeing enemy strategic bombers overhead, hotly pursued by at least 4 fighter geschwader. (His report was checked before being filed – some of these part-time officials cannot tell the difference between “pursuit” and “escort” and they have no idea how to use aircraft recognition sheets. More “gut-feel” types. In this case he was right, as Jadgwaffe command confirmed that Major-General Bogatsch had intercepted British intruders.) The dismal part of the news was that despite the fighters’ efforts the bombers did get through, and Dortmund again suffered severe damage.

Air Battle of Wuppertal

I found out the following day that Newall’s strategic bombers were not so fortunate on their way home from Dortmund: Major-General Felmy intercepted them over the city with 600 fighters and by the time the RAF bombers escaped they had lost more than 60 aircraft. Minister Schacht took the opportunity (he is becoming quite a politician) to remind his follow Cabinet Ministers of his demand for more fixed anti-air guns: Dortmund was on his priority listing. No need to labour the point, I am sure he will get increased funding at the next budget discussion.

Air Battle of Dortmund

Enough of bad news. General Nehring has continued his armoured progress across the French country side by taking on the ubiquitous de Lattre de Tassigny in Montbard. While de Tassigny’s divisions are a rag-tag bunch of disorganised and demoralised units who have probably seen enough of war to last them for some time, there are nearly 45,000 of them and 1st Panzer, though fully reinforced, still has only 12,000 men. It will be an interesting tussle, but my money is on Nehring: the French are in no state to resist his Panzers and their already shaky morale will only allow them to handle minimal casualties before they start to drift to the rear.

Battle of Montbard



The speed of Nehring’s advance means his despatch riders must continually check their whereabouts on captured French maps. I hope the soldier on the bicycle has not ridden the whole way.

More good news came from our U-boats, with Fricke reporting the Akademik Kurchatov Fracture that although unsuccessful in an attack on a Plymouth bound convoy from Nauru, one of his torpedoes did hit a small destroyer escort, sinking it in minutes.

The threat to the Maginot Line became stronger when General Engelbrecht attacked Lunéville with his 4th Gebirgsjägers. General Garchery has the 1st Mountain Brigade and support from a few thousand headquarters troops, is behind the Meuthe-Moselle River and has had plenty of time to prepare for an assault. Nevertheless, the Gebirgsjägers with their Pioniere regiment are sure to cross the river and take the fight up to the French, and Engelbrecht has a reputation for getting the job done. He will have planned this attack down to the last detail.

Battle of Lunéville

Which is more than can be said for the last attack of the day. How this misguided operation received approval is something I cannot understand. General von Arnim’s 75.Infanterie was ordered to cross the Marne and take on General Anderson’s 46th Brigade, a fully rested and dug-in unit in superb condition. Anderson could also call on the Belgian 1ère Cavalry, which, although badly mauled, has previously demonstrated that it is a foe worthy of respect. It was to be expected that the initial attempt to cross the river was a debacle, with 12 men lost without the slightest chance of anyone making it to the opposite shore. Von Arnim’s artillery commander claims his spotters could confirm two British killed in the preparatory bombardment, but really, who cares? A defeat is a defeat.

Battle of Clefmont



A 21cm howitzer attached to von Arnim’s division to assist in the river crossing: the artillery may have inflicted the only Allied casualties in Clefmont

Late in the evening another change of orders for the Army of the Ardennes. With Tours now behind the lines, although ungarrisoned, OKH wants the faster moving units to keep pressure on the French. Cholet, La Rochelle and Bordeaux have been added to the objectives for the Army. I hope that it is not getting overstretched, but the intelligence we have on hand indicates that there are few if any French combat units in the west of the country. Most of our advances here have been unopposed.

We can now rely on the Führer der U-boote (or perhaps I should use the new title, Befehlshaber de U-boote) to provide a positive note for the end of the day. Today was no exception. Commander Wolf had a very good win off Cape Finesterre, sinking two freighters from Kuching. That seemed a good time to head for home, before something unpleasant was delivered. I sleep so much better on good news.

Bombing Summary

Neufchateau: Kesselring with 1st Stukakorps (2 x Ju 87G): 60, 107
Charmes: Sperrle with 1st Taktischeluftflotte (1 x Bf 109G, 2 x He 111): 105, 206, 188
Les Ricey: Löhr with 2nd Stukakorps (2 x Ju 87G): 73, 150, 152
Cosne-Cours: Kitzinger with 3rd Taktischeluftflotte (2 x He 111): 91, 186, 164
Charmes: Kesselring with 1st Taktsicheluftflotte, 1st Stukakorps (1 x Bf 109G, 2 x He 111, 2 x Ju 87G): 113
Buzancais: Kitzinger with 3rd Taktischeluftflotte (2 x He 111): 156, 182
Cosne-Cours: Löhr with 2nd Stukakorps (2 x Ju 87G): 82
Buzancais: Sperrle with 1st Taktischeluftflotte (1 x Bf 109G, 2 x He 111): 67
Buzancais: Kitzinger with 1st and 3rd Taktischeluftflotte (1 x Bf 109G, 4 x He 111): 213, 261
Cosne-Cours: Kesselring with 1st Stukakorps (2 x Ju 87G): 116
Cosne-Cours: Kesselring with 1st and 2nd Stukakorps (4 x Ju 87G): 191

France at end of 3rd November: note German and Italian units moving to the Swiss border



Libya at end of 3rd November

[Uriah]

Seems like final patch will be out soon.

Looks that way: maybe late Monday if no horror stories with RC 11?

Well, by more pressing efforts, im meaning trying to write a AAR in the shadow of yours, so I hope nobody minds the advertiszing ()


And how exactly is the Japanese position in Asia as far as you can tell?

Never apologise for advertising. And remember the AAR writer's fall back: Love yourself and nobody gets hurt.

The Japanese having conquered the whole of China are sitting back in amazement at their achievement ie doing nothing as far as Ican see. But of course, there may be devious plans and strategems being developed (at least I hope so).

[Karaiskandar]

Treacherous Switzerland! I can't believe it.

[BoemsiBoemsie]

These Swiss, are they crazy? Ah well Swiss gold will fill the treasury of the Reich just nicely. And Swiss Guards might fill the ranks of the Wehrmacht also.

So the Kriegsmarine is getting more powerful with the addition of the Tirpitz, looking forward to the next clash with the Royal Navy. There is some revenging to do for the Admiral Scheer.

[Baltasar]

Well, at least you won't see the Italians wasting troops guarding their Swiss border later on, that's something!

The Swiss generally have a number of units, but lack the manpower to reinforce themonce they suffer losses. It's just a matter of time until they are overrun here.

The Italians again seem to make quite some progress and they seem to send troops towards Switzerland as well. I imagine that the Vichy event should fire any moment now.

Did the narrator recollect the bombardment losses from the Polish campaign yet?

[Forster]

The Swiss leadership will of course soon learn the error of their ways.

Baltasar, what is it with you and the Polish bombardment statistics? Talk about fixations.

I am surprised Uriah hasn't been able to nail down the last one or two cities needed for Vichy to fire yet, especially with the Italians eating up terrain.

[Zapped0815]

Hoi Uriah

First fantastic story.

Started two weeks ago with my first HOI3 game and while searching for help with a tech problem I stumbled over your AAR.
Since then I read it (couldn’t stop) like a thriller novel.
Can’t wait how the story will go one.

And by the way. Never underestimate the Swiss ;-)

“ Die Schweiz hat keine Armee, die Schweiz ist eine Armee. Hopp Schwiz“

[Morrell8]

The Kavallerie will throw themselves onto the Swiss fortifications and this will be a war of attrition.

[kigrwik]

The same thing recently happened to me while playing Italy: the germans were bogged down in France (yep, can't figure out why, everything looked good and then they stopped) and the Swiss joined the war with the Allies.

I (ITA) had not entered the war at the time but was compelled to do so, as the Swiss and French were storming through Bavaria and Austria. I had a *terrible* time fighting in the Alps, it tooks months of Verdun-style WWI fighting. But it also opened a way through the french line: we exploited a break through the front lines in Geneva and did a double encirclement of both the Maginot line (to the north) and the units still fighting in the Alps (to the south).

We're in mid-1941, the french have just capitulated (and Vichy triggered, robbing me of hard-bought land, grrr !) and I am in control of most of Africa. The japanese have kicked the british out of india. Interesting times, but I fear Barbarossa.

[Uriah]

Treacherous Switzerland! I can't believe it.

I hope the AI has upgraded the pikes and funny uniforms from the Vatican Guard.

These Swiss, are they crazy? Ah well Swiss gold will fill the treasury of the Reich just nicely. And Swiss Guards might fill the ranks of the Wehrmacht also.

So the Kriegsmarine is getting more powerful with the addition of the Tirpitz, looking forward to the next clash with the Royal Navy. There is some revenging to do for the Admiral Scheer.

Without getting too far ahead, there is some serious naval action coming.

Well, at least you won't see the Italians wasting troops guarding their Swiss border later on, that's something!

The Swiss generally have a number of units, but lack the manpower to reinforce themonce they suffer losses. It's just a matter of time until they are overrun here.

The Italians again seem to make quite some progress and they seem to send troops towards Switzerland as well. I imagine that the Vichy event should fire any moment now.

Did the narrator recollect the bombardment losses from the Polish campaign yet?

The Swiss seem content to watch: maybe the Italais will wipe them out but I doubt it.

I know I did say I was going to try and do a count of the Polish losses but I just can't find the time. I've been tied up the past few days (which is why no updates) and I would rather play/write than go throughmy notes.

But if anyone is keen, all the figures are in the updates: feel free to total them up and post them

The Swiss leadership will of course soon learn the error of their ways.

Baltasar, what is it with you and the Polish bombardment statistics? Talk about fixations.

I am surprised Uriah hasn't been able to nail down the last one or two cities needed for Vichy to fire yet, especially with the Italians eating up terrain.

I think a couple more will do it - the French have just been lucky.

Hoi Uriah

First fantastic story.

Started two weeks ago with my first HOI3 game and while searching for help with a tech problem I stumbled over your AAR.
Since then I read it (couldn’t stop) like a thriller novel.
Can’t wait how the story will go one.

And by the way. Never underestimate the Swiss ;-)

“ Die Schweiz hat keine Armee, die Schweiz ist eine Armee. Hopp Schwiz“

Withmy skill level I don't underestimate the Luxembourgers. I am still scratching myhead how you found my AAR while looking for a technical query: did you find the answer in here?

The Kavallerie will throw themselves onto the Swiss fortifications and this will be a war of attrition.

The French armour has been in the Alps for months - I am reluctant to sent anything but a mule in there.

The same thing recently happened to me while playing Italy: the germans were bogged down in France (yep, can't figure out why, everything looked good and then they stopped) and the Swiss joined the war with the Allies.

I (ITA) had not entered the war at the time but was compelled to do so, as the Swiss and French were storming through Bavaria and Austria. I had a *terrible* time fighting in the Alps, it tooks months of Verdun-style WWI fighting. But it also opened a way through the french line: we exploited a break through the front lines in Geneva and did a double encirclement of both the Maginot line (to the north) and the units still fighting in the Alps (to the south).

We're in mid-1941, the french have just capitulated (and Vichy triggered, robbing me of hard-bought land, grrr !) and I am in control of most of Africa. The japanese have kicked the british out of india. Interesting times, but I fear Barbarossa.

I hope that the French will collapse any day: then I'll mop up the Swiss and loot the banks.



One bit of bad news: although I have been too busy to update the past few days, I had played up to 10th November. (Actually writing 3-6th).

But made a critical mistake - downloaded 1.4 at 11.30 at night while tired. All save games correctly copied and re-inserted. Forgot all the screenies that I had neglected to remove from the HOI3 file. So when I did a clean install I deleted the lot.

Normally I remove all screenshots as I go - put them in my AAR folder. Because I was busy I didn't do it after I played, then because I was tired I forgot they were still there. So not many screenshots fro the next 6 days, which is a pity, as there are a couple of big sea battles.

So apologies - on the bright side, less screenshots means a lot less time to do an update.

And let this be a lesson to you all - if only I had put off to tomorrow what I could do today.

[Morrell8]

Why are you so scared of French tanks? The Kavallerie will own tanks

BTW, how do you feel about the Eagles losing to the Lions?

[Uriah]

Why are you so scared of French tanks? The Kavallerie will own tanks

BTW, how do you feel about the Eagles losing to the Lions?

I'm not scared of the tanks - I'm scared of the mountains! Looks like it takes some time to get through them. (Though the French may be just out of fuel).

With one daughter Eagles and one daughter Dockers I have no preference..

I follow MLB - which starts in less than a week.

[Forster]

Put some mountain troops with engineers and watch them go. You can use armor, but you have to come in from the east and stay in the valley. You can sweep right up knocking off the Swiss VPs.

[hibikir]

With human control and those national unity numbers, I'd send panzers to the western coast of France instead of assaulting the Maginot: The french defenses tend to be pretty weak over there, and you are only a few VPs away from Vichy. The much slower attack speed of the AI might make the VPs in the Maginot a better target though.

Against the Soviets, the larger front helps if you have a big enough troop quality advantage: When you declare war, they are probably not mobilized, so you can do immense damage in the first week or two of battle. Encircling dozens of divisions is not out of the question. However, if you do not have the Finns on your side, any troops that they have stationed there will head south, and by the time you engage them, they'll be at full strength, unlike the troops further south, which will be extremely disorganized by the time they get to full strength.

An extra bonus is that, even though the front start larger, it gets far smaller in about two weeks: A bunch of Soviet troops get trapped in the Kola peninsula, while the rest can just hold the fort in Osterland, only advancing enough to shorten the front and take the VPs around Leningrad. This makes it rather unnecessary to put many troops in Heeresgruppe Nord, and lets you put extra strength on the troops heading for the long march towards Stalingrad: That Heeresgruppe needs two Panzergruppe to have any chance of getting to Stalingrad before the bear's huge manpower bonuses start to compound enough to be a problem.

Now, if you don't have enough troops for an attack of that scale (say, 21 Armeekorps, and four full Panzergruppe), the bigger front might not help.

Either way, I recommend setting some planes aside for strategic bombing, or you might have to take every VP as far as Baku to trigger the bitter peace before winter sets in.

[Forster]

Well, 1.4 is out. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

[Servant]

Why did the Swiss declare war? Was it your Threat?

And I know it's a bit too late, but I cheer on the Finns for not siding with the Germans!