1st January 1936:
The German Reich military was expanding, but the focus of this expansion was in heated discussion between the 3 arms of the Reich military. The final decision was made in favor on the Kriegsmarine, and the Z-plan proposed by Admiral Raeder, Chief of the Navy.
Hitler and Raeder shaking hands after the decision to favor the Navy
The plan for a strong Kriegsmarine involved having the following operational navy:
-4 Aircraft Carriers
-10 Battleships (2 Pocket-Battleships ready in 1936)
-8 Heavy Cruisers
-44 Light Cruisers
-14 Destroyer groups
-25 u-boat wolfpacks
For implementing the plan, the industry was expanded, with over 22IC's ordered (5x2, 12x1). And out of 17 research project the government can support, 14 were dedicated for Navy tech.
Intel and Diplomacy:
The foreign ministry was focused on influencing Romania for its oil fields, and Hungary as a strategic ally to the south. Our intelligence in the meantime were focused on the home front, to support the ruling party.
The world alignment in 1936
Military reorganization:
On the 13th January 1936, the Reich Order of Battle (OOB) was modified as following:
-OKH: East Prussia, and Polish borders
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Heeresgruppe A:
1. Armee (2 korps, 6 Divisions)
2. Armee (3 Korps, 9 Divisions including 3 Panzer Divisions)
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Heeresgruppe B:
4. Armee (2 korps, 6 Divisions)
5. Armee (2 korps, 5 Divisions)
-OKW: French borders
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Heeresgruppe C:
3. Armee (4 korps, 13 Divisions)
In the 25th January, the government decided to investment more into the education, giving a huge boost to officers and research projects funding. Next month, new military laws regarding training were enacted as well. It also saw Italy annexing Ethiopia.
Education and Training Laws
The next months the allies tried to negotiate the second London Naval Treaty. Both Japan and Italy refused to sign it. Germany government didn't participate as well.
Other notable events:
-On May, 1936, our government started taking steps ignoring the Versailles Treaty. German troops begun deploying in the Rhineland.
-Mid June: Spanish civil war intervention on the Nationalists side.
Extending the Siegfried Line
November:
In November, fortifications along the French borders were completed. Extending the Siegfried Line to the Swiss borders. 17 new IC's started operating in East Prussia, mostly dedicated to Naval armament for the Z-plan. The free and new IC's were initially used to upgrade some of our infantry brigades, to be followed by the following order:
- 6 DD's
- 1 BC
- 1 CA
- 3 CL's
- 3 Bismark-class BB's
Bismark-Class Battleship Blueprint
By 5th of May, 1937 our military forces have barely increased.
1937-1938
A Type VII uboat, hundreds of these were ordered.
July 1937:
In July, war broke out in the east. The Empire of Japan declared war on China after the "Marco Polo Bridge Incident". Japanese attacks were swift, and the chines were crumbling on all fronts offering no resistance.
Japan Declaration on 2nd of July
Later that year, Japan installed a puppet government in the conquered territories.
Germany wasn't inactive during that period. Our intel was working hard to support our party ideology in Austria, and this cumilated in the Annexation of Austria in 20th, Januard 1938.
The Reich almost fully united!
The world reaction to the take over was hostile, but they had nothing to do except recognizing our new status as a Major regional and world power.
Germany takes its rightful place among the world
In late August 1938, the chines became desperate with their diplomats requests to form an alliance. Even though they offered a huge economical benefits to Germany in the case of defeating Japan, our government had to turn them down. The Reich was not yet in shape for a war with a major power...a Naval Major power nonetheless.
Situation in China at the time
September 1938:
The Z-plan was to focus on the German Navy, but that didn't mean our armies would be neglected. In 6th of September, 4 new Panzer divisions were formed (5th, 10th, 6th and 2nd SS). Orders were given to form 3 new motorized infantry divisions to support them.
Production of new army units and submarines.
Czechoslovakia Fate:
Celebration over uniting with Austria didn't mean that we forgot our brothers elsewhere. In the summer of 1938, demands to secede the Sudetenland increased. The European powers saw the wisdom in such a move, and the treaty of Munich was born.