-
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.
Another thrilling chapter! Thanks for the update on the global situation at the end - being engrossed in the French and Italian situation it's almost easy to forget that there's a WORLD war going on!
yeah ... I can get on to the forum and catch up. I'll agree with all above, this justs gets better as you go on & that from a high standard right at the start.
are you going to leave Vichy for now, suppose in a way its a good south flank to your advance in N France allowing you to keep well concentrated. On the other hand knocking them out nets you most of N Africa and links up France with Italy ...
are you going to leave Vichy for now, suppose in a way its a good south flank to your advance in N France allowing you to keep well concentrated. On the other hand knocking them out nets you most of N Africa and links up France with Italy ...
Thank you sir! Those words are a great compliment and I'm pleased you are enjoying the AAR. There are many fine writers on this forum, and I too like to read through the AARs, although with playing one through and writing it up, I don't perhaps get as much time to post on them as I'd like to. I am often taken by how much time and effort people put into these, and it clearly shows with many. There is also clearly a great fount of knowledge among the users of this site and a great deal of passion for history.
Thank you sir. Hopefully, this will be the first of three updates this week.
Thanks Iain.
I've tried to maintain a format of 1 month = 1 Part throughout, but its not always easy to make the game play fit that format. Nevertheless, I'd planned Part 40 to be an "overview of the situation" for the last few weeks, so hopefully the whole picture can be refreshed shortly
Thanks Loki,
The forum has been just dreadful over the last 3 days, but seems better today.
I think the problem with Vichy is that I'm not entirely sure what forces they possess, and more importantly what Naval presence they have in the Med, if any. I know Free France got much of their remaining fleet, but I really am not sure. However, I don't think they will present too much of a problem, and as you say, the strategic benefit of taking them out will be great. However, its does require a diversion of effort which I could really do without right now. I can declare war on them as my neutrality is low enough.
Part 40
The World at War
1st July 1943
1. HMS Indefatigable after her sea trials
At the midway point of 1943, just short of 4 years into the war, Britain had reached full capacity. She had re-armed and re-equipped her Army and Air Force and, despite combat losses, modernised her Navy. Her factories were now churning out weapons and munitions at maximum capacity and her technologies were well advanced. Her universities had kept pace with this revolution and all branches of the armed forces and the civil service were staffed with among the brightest minds in the world. Her government was strong and enjoyed popular support, while her standing in the world order had been exponentially improved by the single minded stand in the name of freedom in the years 1940-41.
In the theatres, Britain now had a foothold in Europe, and at their closest point, her divisions stood less than 100 miles from Paris, while in the Mediterranean, the expulsion of German forces from Italy now looked a definite possibility.
2. Everyone had to do their share
In South East Asia, the 3rd Army had driven the Japanese and her Allies back into Yunnan and the RN had established a marginal superiority in the Indian Ocean. Overall, considering the position she had been in back in 1940, Britain’s recovery had been remarkable. Yet this superficial look at the situation masked the scale of the task still ahead.
3. Factories worked round the clock making arms and munitions
The wider war had far reaching implications centred on the Soviet Union. Since the German invasion of 1941, Russia had recovered to an extent, but her situation remained precarious. In the European theatre, the front had see-sawed backwards and forwards and the Russians had recently regained ground. However, in the Far East, the Japanese had eaten up her territory at an alarming rate, and the Soviets appeared to have no forces with which to counter them. In London, the Allies judged the Soviet situation overall as grave, particularly as a new front had just been opened by Persia’s entry into the Axis and into the war. Persian forces had also been detected approaching British possessions in Western India. Essentially, if the USSR collapsed and the Germans were freed from the massive war her troops had been dragged into in Russia, Britain’s foothold in Europe would soon be overwhelmed.
As for Britain's Allies, the USA had been of only limited help. Financially, her lend lease aid had proved invaluable, yet practical help had not been forthcoming. She was still rearming and engaged in Island hopping operations against the Japanese.
France had helped in the colonies since her collapse, but remained largely impotent. Canada had helped secure a superiority of sorts in the Atlantic war, but had not supplied any independent land forces. Australia and New Zealand did not have the forces to spare outside of defending their homelands against the Japanese, and South Africa had only 4 divisions available in total. Only Belgium had supplied a divisional sized land force element. Nevertheless, Commonwealth soldiers served in all British Services, in many Regiments, Squadrons and Her Majesties ships, to serve the mother country.
Back in Britain, the two new Fleet carriers HMS Implacable and HMS Indefatigable became operational on 1st July. Once they had worked up and taken delivery of their CAGs, they would be sent to the Far East to join the Pacific Fleet. For as well as the Germans in Europe, Britain now had to bring the Japanese to battle both at sea and on land. What had gone before during the build up of strength and the defeat of Italy, would now seem small against the might of these two very powerful enemies. And if the losses of the previous six weeks were anything to go by, the worse of the war was yet to come.
.
The World at War
1st July 1943
1. HMS Indefatigable after her sea trials
At the midway point of 1943, just short of 4 years into the war, Britain had reached full capacity. She had re-armed and re-equipped her Army and Air Force and, despite combat losses, modernised her Navy. Her factories were now churning out weapons and munitions at maximum capacity and her technologies were well advanced. Her universities had kept pace with this revolution and all branches of the armed forces and the civil service were staffed with among the brightest minds in the world. Her government was strong and enjoyed popular support, while her standing in the world order had been exponentially improved by the single minded stand in the name of freedom in the years 1940-41.
In the theatres, Britain now had a foothold in Europe, and at their closest point, her divisions stood less than 100 miles from Paris, while in the Mediterranean, the expulsion of German forces from Italy now looked a definite possibility.
2. Everyone had to do their share
In South East Asia, the 3rd Army had driven the Japanese and her Allies back into Yunnan and the RN had established a marginal superiority in the Indian Ocean. Overall, considering the position she had been in back in 1940, Britain’s recovery had been remarkable. Yet this superficial look at the situation masked the scale of the task still ahead.
3. Factories worked round the clock making arms and munitions
The wider war had far reaching implications centred on the Soviet Union. Since the German invasion of 1941, Russia had recovered to an extent, but her situation remained precarious. In the European theatre, the front had see-sawed backwards and forwards and the Russians had recently regained ground. However, in the Far East, the Japanese had eaten up her territory at an alarming rate, and the Soviets appeared to have no forces with which to counter them. In London, the Allies judged the Soviet situation overall as grave, particularly as a new front had just been opened by Persia’s entry into the Axis and into the war. Persian forces had also been detected approaching British possessions in Western India. Essentially, if the USSR collapsed and the Germans were freed from the massive war her troops had been dragged into in Russia, Britain’s foothold in Europe would soon be overwhelmed.
As for Britain's Allies, the USA had been of only limited help. Financially, her lend lease aid had proved invaluable, yet practical help had not been forthcoming. She was still rearming and engaged in Island hopping operations against the Japanese.
France had helped in the colonies since her collapse, but remained largely impotent. Canada had helped secure a superiority of sorts in the Atlantic war, but had not supplied any independent land forces. Australia and New Zealand did not have the forces to spare outside of defending their homelands against the Japanese, and South Africa had only 4 divisions available in total. Only Belgium had supplied a divisional sized land force element. Nevertheless, Commonwealth soldiers served in all British Services, in many Regiments, Squadrons and Her Majesties ships, to serve the mother country.
Back in Britain, the two new Fleet carriers HMS Implacable and HMS Indefatigable became operational on 1st July. Once they had worked up and taken delivery of their CAGs, they would be sent to the Far East to join the Pacific Fleet. For as well as the Germans in Europe, Britain now had to bring the Japanese to battle both at sea and on land. What had gone before during the build up of strength and the defeat of Italy, would now seem small against the might of these two very powerful enemies. And if the losses of the previous six weeks were anything to go by, the worse of the war was yet to come.
.
Last edited:
it's nice to see the situation at the eastern front. so do you think soviet will fall ?
useful wider context in that post.
At first I thought the Soviets had managed a decent recovery and were on the borders of Hungary - thats till I realised that Hungary now consists of all the Ukraine. The Japanese have a long way still to go before they reach anything else of value & they must be running through their supply stocks. Hard to read otherwise, my guess is you're putting enough additional pressure on Germany to weaken them in the East, but that may just produce a stalemate rather than a Soviet recovery. In a way thats good but remember all those VPs the Germans hold in the USSR are added onto the ones Germany needs to hold to avoid defeat - in other words you may have to go a long east yourself to actually knock out Germany. So the best is if the Soviets more or less clear the Germans out the USSR, but you get to grab Eastern and Central Europe.
At first I thought the Soviets had managed a decent recovery and were on the borders of Hungary - thats till I realised that Hungary now consists of all the Ukraine. The Japanese have a long way still to go before they reach anything else of value & they must be running through their supply stocks. Hard to read otherwise, my guess is you're putting enough additional pressure on Germany to weaken them in the East, but that may just produce a stalemate rather than a Soviet recovery. In a way thats good but remember all those VPs the Germans hold in the USSR are added onto the ones Germany needs to hold to avoid defeat - in other words you may have to go a long east yourself to actually knock out Germany. So the best is if the Soviets more or less clear the Germans out the USSR, but you get to grab Eastern and Central Europe.
I think that if I can keep up pressure on the Germans now, the Soviets will survive. I'm not sure how good the AI will be in recognising that its "homeland" is under threat and respond accordingly. It seemed to respond well when Italy fell, and its initial response to the invasion has been fairly realistic
The Soviet AI defence has conducted counter offensives to recover Moscow and to drive the threat away from Stalingrad. Obviously, when Italy fell, that removed something like 20 Italian divisions from the Eastern Front (as well as German divisions to defend Italy) and had a positive effect, but the Hungarian forces seem to have themselves recovered now. At any event, it will be interesting to see how the German AI now responds to the threat in the West if it suffers more reverses there.
You're doing well in the West - might an invasion of Southern France be on the cards, to unite your two fronts?
I'm a little worried about Russia - If you can break out beyond the Alps, I think you should focus Eastwards to threaten Hungary, and hopefully destabilise the Axis advances there.
I'm a little worried about Russia - If you can break out beyond the Alps, I think you should focus Eastwards to threaten Hungary, and hopefully destabilise the Axis advances there.
"The life line is firm thanks to the merchant navy"... thats really a nice wall chart just seeping of reasurance. Who would not put their faith in men with such powerful chins? I enjoy that chart everytime a go to the Imperial War Museum in London where it hangs on the second floor to the right
But for your AAR it seem rather un-fitting when concidering ure merchant navy consists of 0 (!!!) ships :rofl:
I feel for you there. It sooo boring spending ICs on covoys and escorts, but without it there might be some really nasty effects for all your invasion forces....
But for your AAR it seem rather un-fitting when concidering ure merchant navy consists of 0 (!!!) ships :rofl:
I feel for you there. It sooo boring spending ICs on covoys and escorts, but without it there might be some really nasty effects for all your invasion forces....
Thank you Jape,
Vichy France is indeed on the cards, and to break out east would also be desireable. However, I don't have the divisions available to do both without diluting my force concentration levels, and that would be doing 2 tasks badly instead of one task well.
I shall try and catch up on NfN over the weekend.
"The life line is firm thanks to the merchant navy"... thats really a nice wall chart just seeping of reasurance. Who would not put their faith in men with such powerful chins? I enjoy that chart everytime a go to the Imperial War Museum in London where it hangs on the second floor to the right
But for your AAR it seem rather un-fitting when concidering ure merchant navy consists of 0 (!!!) ships :rofl:
I feel for you there. It sooo boring spending ICs on covoys and escorts, but without it there might be some really nasty effects for all your invasion forces....
Yes, it is a good picture CptEasy, typical British stiff upper lip types, what ho old chap? P
I had to allocate 15% of my production to building merchantmen/escorts from late 1939 until early 1941. Before I started the game I remember reading a post in the general section saying that you wouldn't be able to tackle the Submarine problem until later in the game, so the answer was to build your way through it. I've been able to reduce that recently to around 7%
I think the 0 figure relates to transports immediately available and the figure in brackets those available within a time period. At the moment, all of my convoys are running at full capacity with no shortfall in available ships.
Yes, you are right. Numbers in brackets are ships in production. Still, as Axis convoy raiding is an ongoing thing, having 0 extra convoys tend to mean that convoys are thinning out pretty quick. But maybe Axis raiding is not too bad any more? I remeber the awfull fealing in "Jolly Carnage" when my convoy pool just vanished. I tried to build more but I was too optimistic (read: scant) and couldn't keep up. I had to close down convoy after convoy until I only supported the most necessary ports with supply. Dreadful.
I never saw it mentioned in the earlier chapters - did Japan win in China and have they annexed it?
Amazing AAR, certainly one of the best out there!
I never read much of the text, but your story just adds to the pictures and all!
I never read much of the text, but your story just adds to the pictures and all!
Great update - looks like France is only the begining. You've got a long slog on your hands to help out the USSR.
Yes indeed. The Japanese annexed China in 1939-40
Thank you kindly, sir
I have indeed. And the next part starts that slog.
Part 41
Tipping point
July 1943
1. Paratroopers of 1st Airborne Division
As summer began in Northern Europe, the British Army continued to exert steady pressure on the German defences in Northern France. 9th Army fielded a German counter attack in the direction of Lucon and itself launched a supporting attack at St Hermine. To the north, 2nd Army’s IV Corps pushed into Alencon, bringing Paris within 60 miles.
2. Infantry platoon fighting in the bocage.
In Italy meanwhile, Lt General Gale had been pressing to get the 1st Airborne Division into action and put forward a plan to 8th Army’s General O’Connor to encircle the larger part of the entire enemy front. It would involve the first Airborne deployment of British paratroopers in the war, and O’Connor was sufficiently impressed with it to get approval from Gort. The plan called for the 1st Airborne to be dropped in Mantova, while XVI Corps were landed at the port of La Spezia, to then push on inland to link up with the airborne troops. The bulk of 5th and 8th Armies would pin the German forces in place while the trap snapped shut. The plan, codenamed “Harry”, had little in the way of preparation, but the advantage to be gained was considered big enough to press ahead. Therefore, on the hoof, the plan only being approved on the 28th June, it would be improvised and go ahead on the 4th July, before the Germans had time to recover their defensive capabilities.
On the late morning of the 4th July therefore, the sky over Mantova was suddenly filled with transport aircraft, much to the surprise of the local inhabitants, and the landing was a complete success, there being little in the way of opposition. By 2100hrs that night, V Corps had broken German defences at Prato and were pushing ahead at maximum speed to link up with the 1st Airborne. Further west, XVI Corps had taken the port of La Spezia without even a fight. With their whole front now engaged, things didn’t look good for the Germans in Italy.
On 5th July, news reached the Foreign Office that Persian forces had crossed the border into Western India and were busy looting and removing anything that could be taken away. The only forces that could respond were the 31st Indian Division, currently in reserve in Ceylon. Orders hurriedly went out to the division that afternoon, together with the 51st Defence Brigade, to begin prepaprations to move out.
By 8th July, 5th Army and element of 8th Army had encircled the larger part of 60,000 axis troops in a pocket centred on Pistoia, a mixture of regular German troops, disaffected Italian former soldiers and those loyal to the Italian Socialist regime. Fierce battles now began as these forces attempted to break out against the stretched line of XVI Corps and the 1st Airborne Division, and for a day or so it was touch and go whether they could be held. However, once they were attacked in the rear by the reorganised forces to the south, the result could no longer be in doubt. In France, 2nd and 9th Armies continued to make steady progress against skilled German defence which made excellent use of the many rivers that crossed the area as natural defence lines.
By the 12th July, the Axis forces in Reggio nell’Emilia collapsed, and the enemy were compressed into Pistoia. The fighting continued with 4 German divisions and at least 3 high level HQ brigades trapped.
3. Carnage of war. The results of air attack in the Pistoia pocket.
British Forces arrived in Karachi on the 17th July, in time to save the city, but not in time to do much about the Persian forces currently moving at will to their west. As there did not appear to be much more than a division sized enemy element, it was decided that 31st Indian would remain in a blocking position, at least until the supply situation could be improved.
At last, on 21st July, resistance in the Pistoia pocket came to an end. Nearly 5000 Germans and Italians had been killed and over 25,000 taken prisoner. The back of enemy capabilities in Italy had been broken. In France meanwhile, 9th Army was suffering reverses as it attempted to block the narrow corridor between the Vichy border and the Loire, up which up German forces based in the La Rochelle region were now attempting to escape. With Vichy still staying out of the fighting, GHQ was still reluctant at this stage to bring them into the war until the situation in Italy was beyond doubt. German defence was stubborn, taking full advantage of river obstacles, and by the 27th July, despite suffering over 3000 killed, 9th Army had still not managed to block the corridor.
4. The remains of German vehicles trapped in the pocket that did not manage to escape.
On 30th July, Edmund’s meeting with his new boss, Churchill himself, centred around news and intelligence from the Soviet Union, which both told a story of great Russian success in their Summer Offensive. In the North, Soviet forces had broken through to the White Sea, and were on the verge of retaking Archangel, as well as cutting off German forces to the North East and shortening the length of the front by over 1000 miles. In the South and Central areas, a German counter offensive aimed at Moscow had been repulsed, and Hungarian forces in the south had been defeated and pushed out of the Caucasus, while Russian forces now stood on the edge of the Donets Basin once more. At the present time, intelligence could not say what effect British operations in the west had had on this success, but it was certain that the Germans and Hungarians had been forced to withdraw some forces in order to shore up their defences in the west.
British operations in Italy opened again immediately that the ground forces were sufficiently reorganised, and his time, III Corps quickly broke through the thin German defences and reached Milan by 31st July. The following morning, the Italian Socialist Regime collapsed, and what German forces remained in the north attempted to flee for the border to the North East. For a few days, complete anarchy reigned, as bands of deserters, armed civilians, partisans and just plain criminals fought with each other, as well as the British and the Germans. It was complete chaos. But once the British could restore order, the situation in Italy was all but resolved.
5. Infantry advancing on Milan in late July 1943. By this time, resistance in Italy had virtually ceased.
.
Tipping point
July 1943
1. Paratroopers of 1st Airborne Division
As summer began in Northern Europe, the British Army continued to exert steady pressure on the German defences in Northern France. 9th Army fielded a German counter attack in the direction of Lucon and itself launched a supporting attack at St Hermine. To the north, 2nd Army’s IV Corps pushed into Alencon, bringing Paris within 60 miles.
2. Infantry platoon fighting in the bocage.
In Italy meanwhile, Lt General Gale had been pressing to get the 1st Airborne Division into action and put forward a plan to 8th Army’s General O’Connor to encircle the larger part of the entire enemy front. It would involve the first Airborne deployment of British paratroopers in the war, and O’Connor was sufficiently impressed with it to get approval from Gort. The plan called for the 1st Airborne to be dropped in Mantova, while XVI Corps were landed at the port of La Spezia, to then push on inland to link up with the airborne troops. The bulk of 5th and 8th Armies would pin the German forces in place while the trap snapped shut. The plan, codenamed “Harry”, had little in the way of preparation, but the advantage to be gained was considered big enough to press ahead. Therefore, on the hoof, the plan only being approved on the 28th June, it would be improvised and go ahead on the 4th July, before the Germans had time to recover their defensive capabilities.
On the late morning of the 4th July therefore, the sky over Mantova was suddenly filled with transport aircraft, much to the surprise of the local inhabitants, and the landing was a complete success, there being little in the way of opposition. By 2100hrs that night, V Corps had broken German defences at Prato and were pushing ahead at maximum speed to link up with the 1st Airborne. Further west, XVI Corps had taken the port of La Spezia without even a fight. With their whole front now engaged, things didn’t look good for the Germans in Italy.
On 5th July, news reached the Foreign Office that Persian forces had crossed the border into Western India and were busy looting and removing anything that could be taken away. The only forces that could respond were the 31st Indian Division, currently in reserve in Ceylon. Orders hurriedly went out to the division that afternoon, together with the 51st Defence Brigade, to begin prepaprations to move out.
By 8th July, 5th Army and element of 8th Army had encircled the larger part of 60,000 axis troops in a pocket centred on Pistoia, a mixture of regular German troops, disaffected Italian former soldiers and those loyal to the Italian Socialist regime. Fierce battles now began as these forces attempted to break out against the stretched line of XVI Corps and the 1st Airborne Division, and for a day or so it was touch and go whether they could be held. However, once they were attacked in the rear by the reorganised forces to the south, the result could no longer be in doubt. In France, 2nd and 9th Armies continued to make steady progress against skilled German defence which made excellent use of the many rivers that crossed the area as natural defence lines.
By the 12th July, the Axis forces in Reggio nell’Emilia collapsed, and the enemy were compressed into Pistoia. The fighting continued with 4 German divisions and at least 3 high level HQ brigades trapped.
3. Carnage of war. The results of air attack in the Pistoia pocket.
British Forces arrived in Karachi on the 17th July, in time to save the city, but not in time to do much about the Persian forces currently moving at will to their west. As there did not appear to be much more than a division sized enemy element, it was decided that 31st Indian would remain in a blocking position, at least until the supply situation could be improved.
At last, on 21st July, resistance in the Pistoia pocket came to an end. Nearly 5000 Germans and Italians had been killed and over 25,000 taken prisoner. The back of enemy capabilities in Italy had been broken. In France meanwhile, 9th Army was suffering reverses as it attempted to block the narrow corridor between the Vichy border and the Loire, up which up German forces based in the La Rochelle region were now attempting to escape. With Vichy still staying out of the fighting, GHQ was still reluctant at this stage to bring them into the war until the situation in Italy was beyond doubt. German defence was stubborn, taking full advantage of river obstacles, and by the 27th July, despite suffering over 3000 killed, 9th Army had still not managed to block the corridor.
4. The remains of German vehicles trapped in the pocket that did not manage to escape.
On 30th July, Edmund’s meeting with his new boss, Churchill himself, centred around news and intelligence from the Soviet Union, which both told a story of great Russian success in their Summer Offensive. In the North, Soviet forces had broken through to the White Sea, and were on the verge of retaking Archangel, as well as cutting off German forces to the North East and shortening the length of the front by over 1000 miles. In the South and Central areas, a German counter offensive aimed at Moscow had been repulsed, and Hungarian forces in the south had been defeated and pushed out of the Caucasus, while Russian forces now stood on the edge of the Donets Basin once more. At the present time, intelligence could not say what effect British operations in the west had had on this success, but it was certain that the Germans and Hungarians had been forced to withdraw some forces in order to shore up their defences in the west.
British operations in Italy opened again immediately that the ground forces were sufficiently reorganised, and his time, III Corps quickly broke through the thin German defences and reached Milan by 31st July. The following morning, the Italian Socialist Regime collapsed, and what German forces remained in the north attempted to flee for the border to the North East. For a few days, complete anarchy reigned, as bands of deserters, armed civilians, partisans and just plain criminals fought with each other, as well as the British and the Germans. It was complete chaos. But once the British could restore order, the situation in Italy was all but resolved.
5. Infantry advancing on Milan in late July 1943. By this time, resistance in Italy had virtually ceased.
.
Last edited:
Can we have political pictures after the fall of Italy? I'm very interested in especially the Illyrian area and those, what areas did the newly formed Italian Republic "cede" away?