Chapter 24: Weeks 36-39 - Belgium & Ireland fall, the Siege of Paris Begins
These four weeks were marked by several important events. The first was the capitulation of the Belgian government on February 20, which fled to its Kongo colony. The final fate of the Belgian and Dutch nations was unknown at this time frame, although rumors suggested that both nation's European holdings were to be annexed into the Reich. The final status of both nations wouldn't be known until later.
The Belgian government goes into exile. (Author's note: this event is important, as it actually helps the Allied supply situation should they attempt to retake the BeNeLux)
Five days later, after the Luftwaffe's paratroopers captured the town of Cork, Ireland surrendered. For the time being, the Reich annexed the nation directly, but had no long-term plans for Ireland to become a province of the Reich. Instead, Germany would administer the nation until the UK falls, which would prompt the creation of a local German-friendly government covering the entire Irish Island.
Later, on March 9, the South African invasion of Amsterdam was defeated. While losses were low and the overall invasion appeared to be nothing more than a nuisance, the damage was done. Armee 3 was forced to disengage from the French front to repel the invaders, and the result was a much slower and bloodier battle in France.
Also on March 9, the I. Marinekorps began its assault on the Parisian suburb of Etampes. Due to the Heer's proximity to its capital, France relocated its government to Bordeaux. The resulting confusion allowed the Heer to progress quicker than anticipated, and the Battle of Etampes had begun. (Author's note: the capital transfer isn't apparent in the screenshot below due to some graphical bug. If I had saved and reloaded, then the capital would've shown up in the right spot)
The paratroopers which had defeated Ireland had also finally regrouped, and commenced attacks on the French ports of Brest and Cherbourg, with the intention of opening another front and distracting the French defenders.
However, following the South African's example the British, on March 12, also invaded Amsterdam. The initial invasion fleet consisted of the four battleships HMS Barham, HMS Ramilies, HMS Royal Sovereign, and the HMS Oak supported by the light carriers HMS Eagle and 4 destroyers flotillas let by Admiral Fraser. This fleet was protecting four transports flotillas. 4 hours later, 4 more transport flotillas in addition to Admiral Fraser's fleet were intercepted by Flotte 1.
The fighting was fierce, but when it ended at 5am, March 13, 7 RN transport and 1 destroyer flotillas were sunk, with Flotte 1 losing 4 destroyers (out of 5) and its CAG's being reduced to 25% strength.
The opening of the British Invasion of Amsterdam
The result of the British Invasion of Amsterdam
On March 15, at midnight, the Siege of Paris began, after the French relocated its battered divisions south, in order to prevent the city from being surrounded. To the Reich's leadership, it was only a matter of time until France fell, and the West was pacified.
Also during this time period, 27 Allied convoys were sunk, or around 7 per week.
The Siege of Paris begins
The status of the war in Scotland on 39th week
The status of the war in France on 39th week
The status of the war in North Africa on 39th week
The status of the war in East Africa on 39th week
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@Elastic Fish: Welcome aboard and thanks. Barbarossa will come, but France must be dealt with first.
@Morrell8: Welcome! Czechoslovakia was left as-is in order to experiment with a different diplomatic route. There's a 50% chance in the HPP that Poland will fight Germany over Danzig if Czechoslovakia exists, and I got lucky when they gave in. Don't worry, the Czech's time will come, after the French are finished.
@All: Sorry for the short post. I had originally written up a nice long one four days ago, but lost it after my cat rolled on top of my keyboard and hit the F5 key (refresh page). I finally got around to rewriting it today, but the quality isn't the same.
These four weeks were marked by several important events. The first was the capitulation of the Belgian government on February 20, which fled to its Kongo colony. The final fate of the Belgian and Dutch nations was unknown at this time frame, although rumors suggested that both nation's European holdings were to be annexed into the Reich. The final status of both nations wouldn't be known until later.
The Belgian government goes into exile. (Author's note: this event is important, as it actually helps the Allied supply situation should they attempt to retake the BeNeLux)
Five days later, after the Luftwaffe's paratroopers captured the town of Cork, Ireland surrendered. For the time being, the Reich annexed the nation directly, but had no long-term plans for Ireland to become a province of the Reich. Instead, Germany would administer the nation until the UK falls, which would prompt the creation of a local German-friendly government covering the entire Irish Island.
Later, on March 9, the South African invasion of Amsterdam was defeated. While losses were low and the overall invasion appeared to be nothing more than a nuisance, the damage was done. Armee 3 was forced to disengage from the French front to repel the invaders, and the result was a much slower and bloodier battle in France.
Also on March 9, the I. Marinekorps began its assault on the Parisian suburb of Etampes. Due to the Heer's proximity to its capital, France relocated its government to Bordeaux. The resulting confusion allowed the Heer to progress quicker than anticipated, and the Battle of Etampes had begun. (Author's note: the capital transfer isn't apparent in the screenshot below due to some graphical bug. If I had saved and reloaded, then the capital would've shown up in the right spot)
The paratroopers which had defeated Ireland had also finally regrouped, and commenced attacks on the French ports of Brest and Cherbourg, with the intention of opening another front and distracting the French defenders.
However, following the South African's example the British, on March 12, also invaded Amsterdam. The initial invasion fleet consisted of the four battleships HMS Barham, HMS Ramilies, HMS Royal Sovereign, and the HMS Oak supported by the light carriers HMS Eagle and 4 destroyers flotillas let by Admiral Fraser. This fleet was protecting four transports flotillas. 4 hours later, 4 more transport flotillas in addition to Admiral Fraser's fleet were intercepted by Flotte 1.
The fighting was fierce, but when it ended at 5am, March 13, 7 RN transport and 1 destroyer flotillas were sunk, with Flotte 1 losing 4 destroyers (out of 5) and its CAG's being reduced to 25% strength.
The opening of the British Invasion of Amsterdam
The result of the British Invasion of Amsterdam
On March 15, at midnight, the Siege of Paris began, after the French relocated its battered divisions south, in order to prevent the city from being surrounded. To the Reich's leadership, it was only a matter of time until France fell, and the West was pacified.
Also during this time period, 27 Allied convoys were sunk, or around 7 per week.
The Siege of Paris begins
The status of the war in Scotland on 39th week
The status of the war in France on 39th week
The status of the war in North Africa on 39th week
The status of the war in East Africa on 39th week
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@Elastic Fish: Welcome aboard and thanks. Barbarossa will come, but France must be dealt with first.
@Morrell8: Welcome! Czechoslovakia was left as-is in order to experiment with a different diplomatic route. There's a 50% chance in the HPP that Poland will fight Germany over Danzig if Czechoslovakia exists, and I got lucky when they gave in. Don't worry, the Czech's time will come, after the French are finished.
@All: Sorry for the short post. I had originally written up a nice long one four days ago, but lost it after my cat rolled on top of my keyboard and hit the F5 key (refresh page). I finally got around to rewriting it today, but the quality isn't the same.
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