• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Zardnaar

Field Marshal
62 Badges
Oct 8, 2009
5.445
629
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Divine Wind
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Darkest Hour
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • 500k Club
  • Victoria 2
Greetings humbel reader. I have just patched HoI2 up to Armgeddon 1.3 so hopefully this time round the game will be alot more stable than by previous incomplete AAR that was bugged with numerous problems. The relevent info.

Germany 36 Campaign
Arm 1.3
Normal Difficulty
Tech Team Capture/Full IC takeover off.

Unlike most Geman games this game will focus very heavily on the Kriegsmarine. I will build 2 SAGS y Danzig or war. The immediate goals of theis AAR.

1. Have fun.
2. Smash the Royal Navy (or enough of it at sea) mano a mano
3. Still achieve normal German goals depsite the naval buildup.
4. Rough timeline (major countries to defeat. Probably be others in there)

39 Invade Poland, France
40. Sealion, engage the RN at sea. Also Netherlands/Belgium
41 Launch Barbarossa aiming for Bitter Pece and more or less total defeat of the USSR
42. Invade the USA and defeat their navy at sea as well.
43. Annex USA if it hasn't been done already. Conduct aggressive negotiations against Japan. Annex the UK.

43-45 Annex Japan and the Soviet Union Remnant. Probably end the game due to no one else left worth worrying about.
 
A Date in Berlin 1936

"Admiral Raeder to see you mein Fuhrer" Bormann announced. While disliking the Reichkanzler Raeder was smart enough to know who needed to be appeased. His supposedly private meeting with the Fuhrer had the odious Goring in attendence. "Mein Fuhrer thank you for seeing me at such short notice" Raeder announced. Tucked under his arm were several maps and industrial and scientific reports.

"As you know the Reich has not recovered from the injutices of the Treaty forced upon us in 1919 mein Fuhrer". Raeder drew in a deep breath as he had his work cut out for him. "In order to avoid a repeat of 1914-1918 in the future and to secure long term access to the required resources I have prepared a briefing for you". The Fuhrer had heard it all before but looked less than impressed. Numerous underlings were braying for resources to fill out their pet projects. Even loyal Himmler was wanting to expand his beloved SS.

"As you know meni Fuhrere the Allied blockade in the Great War had devastating efects on the German economy" stated Raeder. "While some early plans have been formulated regarding submarine warfare in the event of a war with England in the future, I have a more ambitious plan" Raeder handed Hitler an artists impression of Kiel. Just 4 years in the future there was a fleet of 12 new Battleships. Goring looked as if he would explode. While not impossable to produce there would be very little spare resources left should such a fleet be built, let alone the support vessels required. It didn't take a genius to see the army would get most of what was left, leaving the Luftwaffe out in the cold. Hitler himself looked less than enthused as he was very focused on the Bolshevik menace and would be reluctant to divert resources away from the Wehrmacht. Nevertheless Raeder continued. " I realise I am asking for much but great efficience can be achived in the economy to reach this goal and to expand the Wehrmacht to required standards". "With such a navy I can secure all the required resources and then Herman can have his flying toys, starting with a second planned rearmament in 1940 mein Fuhrer". "With Gorings help to play a important role I can destroy the Royal Navy, leaving you free to concentrate on the Soviets- if required of course". Raeder pulled out several maps as he had some large promises to make. In grey he had mapped out future German campaigns- but only in the even Germany was provoked into a war of course. Contingency plans don't hurt after all.

1939 Poland, France, Denmark Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands as part of the Reich.
1940 England, Spain, Yugoslavia, Greece, and the Middle East
1941 the USSR

Raeder of course had saved his trump card for last. Hitler had never left Europe and was unfamiliar with the world at large. Raeders final map had the date 1942-43???? On it. The USA was grey along with various islands in the pacific. "I present you the thousand year Reich mein Fuhrer" Raeder announced..................

A glint in the Fuhrers eye gave the game away. Goring put up some initial protests, but Raeder was the man of the hour. Hitler gave permission for Plan Zon the condition the Wehrmacht was not neglected (to much). Goring left in a huff as he would have no new planes until late 39 if he was lucky, and probaby more like 1940.
 
With the Fuhrers blessing, Raeder went out to reform the Reich and becoming its unofficial head of state. Raeder had to promise Hitler a nice retirement village somewhere in the Bahamas. Germany had insufficent production for Raeders goals and some enforced retirement was in order.


Werner Von Blomberg and William Frick were given marching orders. Goring was also a bit miffed and threw a wobbly and quit and was replaced by Karl Koller.

Convening the future of Germany a hastily arranged meeting is planned. With the new ministers the future of Germany is in the hands of the select individuals.

ScreenSave1.jpg


Hitler is quite thrilled at the prospect of a peaceful retirement in Bermuda where he can paint to his hearts content, Raeder in effect is the head of state. Raeder continues "Good morning gentlemen, the future of the Reich will be a glorious one". Raeder outlines his plans. Koller looks somewhat disappointed but is happy he is in charge of the air force due to Gorings retirement. Von Fritch looks somewhat concerned due to the proposed plans leaving the Wehrmacht somewhat weak. Raeder is in no mood to listen and dismisses his concerns but not before he gets Fritch to forward orders to Von Leeb to reoccupy the Rhineland as the dismissed ministers were somewhat popular in parts of the Reich.

ScreenSave3.jpg

"My friends Raeder continues. I have given orders that industry starts making the move to a more centrally planned economy so as to be more efficient and we are German after all". "I have also placed the following jobs out to tenders which have been accepted by the following companies".

ScreenSave2.jpg


Raeder pauses for breath. "And finally

Kriegsmarinewerft are researching new destroyer type
Blohm and Voss Early Air carrier"

Some shocked faces reveal the fact that fully 40% of Germany's research ability have been devoted to the navy. Von Fritch in particular is looking somewhat pale. Thinking he had is easy so far he unveiled the next part of his plan. With a faint smile and remembering his promise to the Fuhrer not to neglect the Wehrmacht (and Hitlers Bermuda retreat). Raeder states " I have ordered the following lines to be constructed" privately he suspected a near revolt at this point.
ScreenSave5.jpg


ScreenSave6.jpg

The Graf Spee wil be complete in 6 days and I have cancelled the destroyer and submarines in production. Additionally I have disbanded all of the Reichs submarine forces, all destoyers, and the ancient battlecruisers predating the Great War. The cabinet sat stuned. Not only had Raeder commited most of Germany's industry to the Kriegsmarine, he had disbanded all of the submarines, destroyers and capital ships the navy possessed leaving a few heavy cruisers. Hitler was currently outside the room painting a nice picture of his Bermuda retreat. "Finally we have excess resources for trade and I'm sure more than a few nations will make us reasonable trade agreements.
 
Last edited:
After a few days of acceptig trade offers from numerous countries, reoccupying the Rhineland and the changes made earlier the Reichs industry can almost complete Raeders order although it is stretched to near breaking point.

ScreenSave9.jpg


Resources are in short supply and there is little excess production for trade. Constantin Von Neurath decides to approach various nations as there is a shortage of rare materials. Also the Reichs energysurplus wil be donated to potential allies and trading partners in order to improve relations. Additional money in the future will be allocated to improve relations with.

Portugal
Finalnd
Italy
Hungary
Romania
Bulgaria
Venezula

Hopefully some of them can be convince to ally with the Reich.

IG Farbin completes their research and is immediately contracted again to reasearch improved machinery for Germany's industry.
ScreenSave11.jpg


A new destroyer model is also researched but Raeder beleives further research is required before he expands his beloved Kriegsmarine.
ScreenSave12.jpg

With improvements in German industrial efficency a production line of militia units is ordered to fill out the ranks of the Wehrmacht.
 
Last edited:
"Welcome gentlemen, time for the annual report on the Reich. Unfortionaetly Von Neurath has had to resign for health reasons and Von Ribbentrop is our new foreign minister. Herr Hitler is also.... indisposed Thank you for joining us Herr Ribbentrop. As Grand Admiral of the Kriegsmarine I would like to inform you that we now have 4 transports added to our forces. On the 29/12/36 a new model of destroyer was researched. I'll be putting in an order tomorrow.
Ribbentrop how are things in the foreign office"?

"We enjoy excellent relations with the nation of Portugal which is refusing to join our alliance. Also civil war broke out 6 months ago in Spain. Of course we are provding aid to the nationalists. Unfortionately they have been reduced to a pocket in the north eastern part of the country.
ScreenSave20.jpg

We expect the nationalist casue to fall within the year. We have good relations with our trading partners, and funds permitting some influence will be gained in Hungary. "That is all for the moment, I will pass the floor over to Herr Schacht.

" Thank you all for your efforts. Germany continues on its path towards a centrally panned economy. new units continue to be produced and stockpiles of all resources are increasing. Kriegsmarine has recently researched new destroyers and I will contract out 4 production lines to the relevent companies". Despite earlier misgivings things are looking not to bad. How is the intelligence gathering going William"?

"Despite compettition from the foreign office for the funds available,we have increased funding. Funds permitting we will hopefully start to engage in some aggressive operations to aquire blueprints. Von Fritsch how about the mighty Wehrmacht. How are they coming along with the Admirals pet service hogging all the resources?

"My friends the Wehrmacht has been expanded. Over the past year 16 new divisions of infantry have been raised, along with 6 Luftwaffe field divisons who will serve on the ground. In addition 2 new panzer divisions have been raised. At this rate we might be able to fight off a particuly aggressive Luxembourg or Denmark". That is all only the mighty Luftwaffe is left to report".

Karl Koller stands up at the table and announces in a bored voice. "Nothing to report. No new planes have been delivered and no new ones are in the forseeable future. No upgrades have been performed"

"Thank you for the reports everyone". The Grand Admiral leaves the room.

The next day an order was placed for some new model destroyers.
ScreenSave18.jpg


German research teams in progress.
ScreenSave19.jpg
 
1/1/38

Raeder was fuming. The first of his new toys were available. Only one slight problem.

ScreenSave27.jpg

Only four new battleships were available. Raeder was sure he ordered 6. With barely controlled fury he snapped out" Canaris what do you know of this".

The head of intelligence was nervous. Under Hitler and the Night of the Long Knives he didn't want to annoy Raeder anymore than he had to. Privately he wondered were Hitler was as it had been 2 years since anyone at the table had seen him. "Admiral it would seem saboteurs have been causing unrest at the dockyards, tools have gone missing. I filed this report but did you not read it?
ScreenSave22.jpg


The cabinet held their breath. So far Raeder hadn't shown any of Hitlers tendencies to fly into a rage. Still there ws always a first time. Strangely enough Raeder actually smiled.

"You see gentlemen. The powers that be in London already fear us. A minor hold up, nothing more". The new ships were around 6 months behind schedule. For a microsecond Raeder was tempted to order a new battleship constructed, just to spite the English. 18" guns, armor thicker than any ship yet built but any super sized battleship would have to wait. German industry couldn't quite match the required construction needs. Not without having to cancel something else urgently needed.

Raeder dismissed everyone as he wasn't interested in any further reports. The Reich was short of money, stockpiles of resources were decent but nothing to get excited about. Most of all the Fuhrer was safe. Pulling out a file Raeder checked on the progress of Germany's research.
ScreenSave28.jpg

Smiling to himself he pulled out another file marked "Top Secret". His agents in Austria were showing progres......
 
A few months later some good news arrived. Summoning Himmler to Berlin Raeder had a plan.
ScreenSave2-1.jpg


"Good afternoon Herr Himmler.How would you like a field command? The Reich needs your unique skills for a very very important mission. I can't stress enough how important this is. Flattered Himmler couldn't help himself. He was a General after all- hnourary but still.
"Yes Grand Admiral that would be fantastic" he enthused. "Excellent" replied Raeder. "Just give me a few days to make the arrangements".

Under great secrecy "Task Force Himmler" was assembled. The cruiser Emden was going to act as escoort for his army corp. After several days travel they reached their destination. The Fuhrer disembarked to pleasant sunshine and Himmler was excited with his task. He was in command of 20 000 crack SS troops prepared to lay down their lives for the Fuhrer. In fact all the SS were here. The new Fuhrer bunker didn't seem to have any phone however which was disappointing. In addition they seemed to be cut off and out of contact. Nevertheless the Grand Admiral was clear. Secrecy was paramont and Hitlers life was in danger in the Reich. In the distance the Emden steamed off over the horizon.
ScreenSave5-2.jpg


And to keep the good news coming.
ScreenSave1-1.jpg


4 mountaineer divisions were also inherited along with nmerous divisions. After canceling Austrian production orders Raeder orcered an extra HQ unit to be produced and for some upgrades to be done.
 
Last edited:
4/3/39

The Sudetenland was now German and the generals were starting to panic. War clouds loomed on the horizon as Raeder continued to provoke the Allies. Munich, Sudetenland where would the madness stop? The Wehrmacht was obsolete, a large amount of it was poorly trained militia units. The Luftwaffe was tiny and still the Kriegsmarine continued to drain Germany dry of resources. Where was Adolf when you needed him? Production was assigned away from new infantry units in order to upgrade the existing armor and infantry units. It was unlikely the Wehrmacht would be ready for operations in 39........

ScreenSave6-1.jpg


ScreenSave7.jpg
 
What the hell is going in Germany (I must say I enjoy what you did with Hitler and Himmler though) ... If you can pull off a victory here, I will pay homage to you.
 
Ye of little faith TemplarComander:) I suspect how it will go but its the 1st time I've tried it under Arm1.3 which is slightly different than 1.1 (intelligence, and getting Portugal to join took longer/was harder).
 
Aug 30 1939.

TheCabinet was in an uproar. Raeder had taken it upon himself to move the Wehrmacht up to the Polish border.

ScreenSave9-1.jpg


Raeder asked for quiet and proceeded.
"Sorry for the late briefing my friends. The will be no reports. Our destiny is clear. Recently we have signed a agreement with the Soviets to partition Poland".

von Bloomberg stands up. "Are you mad???? That will involve a war with England and France. The armed forces are less than 50% upgraded. We still have units with equipment left over from we convinced the Fuhrer to holiday in The Azores".

ScreenSave15.jpg

400+ upgrade left to go. Oh well

Koller interjects "And the Luftwaffe was only upgraded a few days ago and it is tiny. You refused to expand it. Even your vaunted Kriegsmarine isn't ready due to English sabotage. We're missing 2 Battleships and a lightcarrer that your plans called for".

Even Alfred Jodl the Chief of Staff speaks up. "Also you are deployed wrong. Over 70 divisions facing the west, most of them obsolete, task force Himmler is cut off in the Azores, while 6 divisions are holding beaches in Portugal. Additionaly we have no more Allies and you have failed to convince the Hungarians, Bulgarians, Or Italians to join our cause, let alone Finland or anyone else". 9 divisions mostly militia are also defending the Yugoslav border.


ScreenSave12-1.jpg

Bad French. Bad.

ScreenSave10.jpg

The Yugoslavians might get antsy

Frustrated Raeder stood up. You will notice the modern forces are deployed in Poland while the Kriegsmarines signifigant transport fleet stands ready to ship them west. The Kriegsmarine also has a fleets with 6 modern battle ships, 10 destroyers and 2 escort carriers. The second fleet will be ready in 1940 and the Graf Spee is a fine ship and can do double duty until extra battleships are available. The Wehrmacht will be upgraded in time for a summer offensive in 1940".

Flustered Bloomberg raised his voice. "Just in time for a May 1940 assault vs France and the Maginot line, assumig they don't destroy our obsolete screens and march on Berlin. Madness, bring back Adolf or wait a year".

Leaning forward a glint in his eye the Grand Admiral calmly says. Poland 1st-7th September, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, France 2 weeks, late September or first week of October start. The Generals have been assigned their orders, I expect you to follow yours. In 4 hours we ATTACK.
 
German Order of Battle 30/8/39
Wehrmacht
Polish Border-97 Divisions
3 HQ units
16 Armor (7 Panzer III, 9 Panzer II, some with SPA)
75 INf (71 39, 6 36)
2 3 36 Slovakian Inf
2 Militia
1 Cavalry (obsolete)

Western Front (France-Danish Border) 72 Divisions
44 36'Inf
16 Militia
12 39 Inf

Yugoslavia, Portugal, Azores
18

6 36 Inf, 12 Militia

Luftwaffe
10 Tac Bombers
3 Int

Kriegsmarine
1st SAG
6 Bismarck BB
2 CVL
10DD

2nd SAG (English Sabotage grrrr)
4 BB
2 BC
1 CVL
10DD

Transports
21

Support
1 Battlecruiser
6 Cruisers (various models)
8 destroyers

And a grand total of 0 subs.
 
The Poles refused our reasonable offer of taking Danzig off their hands.
ScreenSave18-1.jpg


General Von Rundstedt leading the offensive into Torun
ScreenSave19-1.jpg


Field Marshall Von Bloomberg coordinating German offensives. A Young Major General named Rommel leads the charge.
ScreenSave21-1.jpg


General Model with support from Guderian, Manstein lead Panzers into southern Poland. Major General Student and Schorner also advance leading elite Alpenjager into battle.

ScreenSave24.jpg


Good news from the front.
ScreenSave1-2.jpg


Poor Slovakians
ScreenSave3-2.jpg


Further German advances.
ScreenSave5-4.jpg
 
Last edited:
German panzers blitz in the south.

Meanwhile the Kriegsmarine outclass the obsolete Polish navy. 1st naval engagment sine 1918
ScreenSave8.jpg


Rommel impresses the high command. The 1st pocket forms and Polish troops attempt a breakout vs Rommel.

ScreenSave9-2.jpg


Immediate couterattacks are ordered to support Rommel. German troops advance into the murky night. ATTACK ATTACK
ScreenSave11-1.jpg
 
The Battle for Cracow still rages. German Panzers advance east with no opposition.
ScreenSave13.jpg


Polish defenses start to crumble.
ScreenSave15-1.jpg


Rundstedt and Bloomberg eliminate a pocket near Lodz. IN the east Guderian and Co advance on Warsaw. Poles counterattack Lomza.
ScreenSave17.jpg


German attack is launched to break up Polish counterattack and to drive back divisions in Suwalki.
ScreenSave19-2.jpg


Warsaw is surrounded. The assualt is ordered. German Panzers crash in from the east.

ScreenSave21-2.jpg
 
Last edited: