Very Well, Alone! A British H.P.P. Semper Fi A.A.R.

[Elastic Fish]

VERY WELL, ALONE!

In this, my second A.A.R., I will be exploring the H.P.P. mod for Hearts of Iron 3 Semper Fi for (literally) the first time. I have not (and will let you know if I start to) played ahead, and all the features of the H.P.P. mod that I encounter will be encountered by me for the first time. Therefore, this will be, as well as a history book / narrative A.A.R., a tutorial - gameplay - instructive A.A.R. and I will learn (I hope) as I play.

So, without further pomp and ceremony, I present to you:

VERY WELL, ALONE!

[Rensslaer]

Very good! I think you'll like HPP - it's well done.

Rensslaer

[Blackie27]

I actually just attempted a British 1936 HPP, did not go so well for me.

Will be following.

[Elastic Fish]

To the cabinet,

My friends, in place of my presence at today’s meeting (01/01/’36) due to certain difficulties (in no way related to any alcoholic beverages present at any New Year’s party or parties), I present this list of objectives. Study them well, I expect them implemented by the beginning of next month.

• The Soviets are our main enemy, and are not to be trusted. Britain shall have nothing to do with the Reds in the East.
• Hitler, whilst admittedly an insane expansionist dictator with designs on the West, is probably harmless. He should do a grand job of keeping old Stalin on the defensive. If he has to be fed with scraps of Eastern Europe, no matter.
• The French don’t amount to particularly much. The alliance between us and the French is a mere formality, a pointless little continuation of the Entente of 1914 that means an awful lot to the French. Keep it in place to pacify them.
• If France becomes a target of Hitler, which is, to be honest, absolute madness, then there is no reason to return to the slaughter of the Great War and send assistance. The French army is a capable force, and the Maginot Line should be more than enough for any German attack.
• If a war between the Bolsheviks and Germany should spill over, then there is no reason why some small campaigns to expand the Empire could not be undertaken. Should the Saudi Kings become a little ‘friendly’ with whatever enemy we might face, there is nothing to prevent ‘democracy’ being restored.
• Despite Stalin representing the real threat, we must be watchful over the colonies. An opportunistic attack by the Italians might dislodge us from Suez, and a Japanese attack on Singapore and Burma, whilst unlikely, cannot be ruled out.
• The Navy must be kept up to strength, and if you do nothing else, preserve that grand institution of British power.
• Oh, and Eden, do try and keep us out of as many wars as you can, they are a little expensive for my liking, and there is really no reason why we can’t get along with old Hitler, he seems a perfectly accommodating fellow.

The maps I have presented should be of some value, along with this chart of your cabinet positions.
















Stanley Baldwin.

[Comm Cody]

The pictures made me crack up. I shall be watching this AAR

[Hearth]

lol. I like this. Followed.

[Rensslaer]

Nice. So is this personality driven -- these are Stanley Baldwin's views, and they may change when you have a change of leadership? That's how I did my Fire Warms AAR -- was very fun!

Rensslaer

[TheBromgrev]

Don't forget the French concession in China, it might become important later...

[Elastic Fish]

'The Cabinet Meeting'

10, Downing Street. The Cabinet (minus Stanley Baldwin) are assembled and looking through Baldwin's letter to them

Anthony Eden: How did he get those pictures? And what on Earth are these ‘Strategic Warfare’ values?

Owen Boyd: It’s probably a good thing that they’re all on zero…

Hugh Sinclair: He appointed HIMSELF as security minister?

Winston Churchill: I’m not even in the cabinet! There must be some mistake…

Anthony Eden: Winston, how did you get in here?

Winston Churchill: You left the window open

*Winston helps himself to the whiskey cabinet*

Ernie Chatfield: What are these things below our names? He’s called himself a ‘Backroom backstabber’ and… oh dear…

Cyril Deverell: What, what is it?

Ernie Chatfield: I’m afraid your little description is ‘Guns and butter doctrine’!

*Everyone is helpless with laughter, except Deverell, who is white with fury*

Cyril Deverell: GUNS… AND… BUTTER!? WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT LUNATIC THINKING! WHAT THE HELL IS ‘GUNS AND BUTTER’!?

John Gort: Oh, I see why. Cyril, he expects a ten per cent reduction in supply consumption from you!

*Deverell is now screaming incoherently about respect and ‘that crazed madman’*

Neville Chamberlain: ‘Laissez Faire Capitalist’… oh.

*Chamberlain sits in the corner, practically tearful*

Anthony Eden: Err, perhaps we should move on to the maps?

*They move to the map room, with Deverell still spitting with rage, this time about supplies and impossible demands from ‘that crazed madman’. Churchill follows, with whiskey bottle in one hand and glass in the other*

John Gort: Oh, oh dear.

Anthony Eden: What is it?

John Gort: Stanley’s annotated these maps. By hand.

Anthony Eden: Winston, could you pass that whiskey please.

Winston Churchill: Whiskey? What whiskey? Ohhhh that whiskey… Well *hiccups drunkenly* I finished that!

Anthony Eden: We better not show this to the French. Come to think of it, we should probably not show these to anyone.

Hugh Sinclair: Why not?

Anthony Eden: He’s put France, Spain, Portugal, southern Italy, Greece, Albania, eastern Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Holland and Belgium under the title ‘Not up to very much’.

Hugh Sinclair: Point taken

John Gort: Did he really feel it was necessary to remind us where Britain is? He’s painted ‘US’ on the U.K.

Ernie Chatfield: Well, I say he’s bang on about Scandinavia!

[NOTE: ERNIE CHATFIELD AND STANLEY BALDWIN’S VIEWS IN NO WAY REFLECT MY OWN. KEEP ON BEING AWESOME SCANDINAVIA AND FINLAND!]

*Deverell has calmed down and is now talking about the strategy of Baldwin’s plans with Boyd, Gort and Chatfield*

Neville Chamberlain: I wonder whether he expects the entire ‘Barrier to Stalin’ zone to be under German control?

Hugh Sinclair: Why would Germany control half of Yugoslavia and northern Italy?
Anthony Eden: This is a map made by Stanley we’re talking about. Don’t expect realism.

Neville Chamberlain: He’s labelled all of east Africa as worthless! And he wants us to invade Saudi Arabia and Persia!

Anthony Eden: I’m surprised that Stanley was willing to put the effort in to annotate so many maps…

Hugh Sinclair: He was drunk…

Neville Chamberlain: Well, at least there are some sensible things…

Anthony Eden: Go on?

Neville Chamberlain: He’s ordered us to fortify and protect Malaya and Singapore, but also to attack Thailand. He has labelled Indochina as ‘French’.

Anthony Eden: Well, let’s try and salvage what logic we can…

Hugh Sinclair: You won’t like the last map then…

Anthony Eden: Why? Oh…

Neville Chamberlain: Why do you include a map when you don’t know where it is a map of?

Anthony Eden: Remember who wrote this…

*The door swings open; Stanley Baldwin walks in, with a full whiskey tumbler in one hand and a cigar in his mouth. He is wearing pyjamas.*

Stanley Baldwin: Afternoon, gentlemen. Started without me I see?

Neville Chamberlain: Well you are two-and-a-half hours late…

[Suirantes]

Gonna be following.

[Elastic Fish]

Before we begin, I feel it would be helpful to you guys if you knew what restrictions I was imposing on myself to reflect Baldwin’s opinions and views. More may be added in later posts (or removed!) as the global situation changes.

• No trade with the Soviets, and as little trade with the Americans as possible. Trade with Germany is encouraged.
• No influencing nations. Britain doesn’t need allies; the whole world hates the Communists and will join us in hemming them in.
• Minimal espionage will be carried out. It’s un-chivalrous and un-British.
• No putting troops into France to help defend. If she can’t protect herself, she deserves to fall!

January 1936 – Hitting the Ground Running

“A message for you, sir!”
“Who from, Davies?”
“Home Command, sir. It’s marked urgent. Courier came through with it just a minute ago.”
“I can see that. It’s dripping wet.”
“Yes sir, quite a blustery night.”
“And I was hoping for a quiet New Year’s.”

Some five minutes later, Commander Andrew Cunningham, Royal Navy, emerged from his office and informed the despatch rider that he could inform the communications staff to send his affirmation of the orders to Home Command. Cunningham himself started his car, and began the five minute journey from his Headquarters to the docks at Scapa Flow. Only twenty minutes later, as Scotland was waking up to January 1936, the H.M.S. Argus, with all crew aboard, set sail for Dover. The Home Fleet would follow, ten hours later, as soon as Admiral Chatfield returned from that morning’s cabinet meeting.



HMS Argus was the first ship on the move to Dover from Scapa Flow.

The ‘Naval Re-structuring 1936’ programme would take some time. Flotillas and squadrons from across the globe were all setting course for southern England. The Prime Minister had demanded naval superiority in changing times, and the Admiralty were determined to provide just that. For now, Cunningham was placed in command of what would soon be the entire arsenal of the Royal Navy. This force would then be divided up into fleets ready to fight a modern war. The days of Grand Fleets bearing all the naval power a nation could muster were passed. Such power could be placed on each ship, such destructive force that smaller fleets, more spread out and well balanced, would be required. However no start could be made until every battleship, seaplane, cruiser, destroyer, frigate, carrier and minelayer was assembled. The wait began.

It was not only the navy that was busy. The British Army began a flurry of operational decision making. However, all of this was concerned with keeping the British Army on the same course it had been set on for over a decade. Advances would be slow, methodical, and very well supported by artillery. They would follow what Lord Gort called a ‘Grand battle plan’. Gort’s appointment as Chief of Staff was largely down to his promise to make sure that, when his plans swung into action, the troops would move faster than the enemy. Indeed, the General claimed that he could speed up an advance by ten per cent in most cases.



Operational doctrine was decided by Lord Gort. He was supported by Cyril Deverell, Chief of the Army.

In order for the slow approach that the British were to favour to work, the infantry would need to outgun their opponents. As such, Cyril Deverell decided to focus on upgrading the quality and quantity of heavy firepower available to the infantry, and to continue doing so as long as he was able. This was widely regarded, by both his fellow generals and other members of the cabinet, as a good decision. Although Churchill called out for ‘fast-paced, manoeuvre warfare’ in the Commons, it was common knowledge that this approach could never break through heavy fortifications, like the French Maginot line.



The infantry would be well supplied with big guns under Deverell.

Despite the wonders that heavy artillery and powerful cannons could work, the General Staff were a little concerned of another trench war. It would not do to have the Great War repeating itself. For this reason, it was decided that infantry assaults should be well supported by heavily armoured tanks, to slog through enemy fortifications. Speed would not be in high demand, as the armour would only have to keep pace with infantry. These ‘infantry support tanks’ would be tasked with destroying fortifications and eliminating infantry. A high-penetration main gun would not be essential, therefore.



British armour would support the infantry in their advance.

These radical changes meant that the workers returning from Christmas breaks were met with many tough challenges, and in Singapore, these boiled over and caused a worker strike. The labourers had been tasked with renovating port facilities, in readiness for a fairly large fleet to be despatched to the Far East, but they felt that the wages given to them were not high enough to justify the long hours they worked. The governor of Singapore clearly felt so, too. A deal was quickly made and the strikers returned to work, very pleased with the government.



A major strike in Singapore was dealt with quickly, with both the unions and the government pleased with the result.

A little more un-nerving to Baldwin’s government was the news that the previously almost unheard of Social Liberal Party was gaining strength. Whether they were taking conservative votes or not was unknown, but Baldwin, always something of a political backstabber, organised a brief, but brutally effective campaign that removed a lot of support for the Social Liberals. Eden protested that this was very undemocratic, but Baldwin countered that Britain did not want a divided system of coalition government like the French, and were better off with the big parties staying big. In this, the Prime Minister was supported by all of the cabinet but Eden.



The Social Liberal Party was quietly side-lined in a discreet campaign by Baldwin.

By the 16th of January, the Admiralty had fully restructured its forces. Instead of resembling a navy of the Great War, with two large fleets and tiny stations around the colonies, the Royal Navy had become an efficiently divided, modern force. The main fleets would be concerned with destroying the Kriegsmarine, the Regia Marina, the Soviet Navy or the Imperial Japanese Navy in the event of any conflict, with the fourth given a low priority due to its distance from Britain. Submarine groups would raid in the Mediterranean and Pacific, whilst the three old escort carriers under British command would be heading anti-submarine fleets in the North Sea. Two task forces, headed by heavy cruisers, were also formed, ready to combat any smaller enemy powers that might emerge.






These two pictures show the British Naval Order of Battle, circa February 1936.

---

Authors Note: Some of you are probably wondering whether this AAR will be funny or serious, and my answer is: BOTH! (Hah! Didn’t see that coming! OK, you might have) At the top level, the cabinet meetings will always be humorous and slightly surreal, but the decisions made will be performed lower down the chain of command, and they will be carried out with all seriousness. Aside from at the top, my narrative parts will never (at least not yet) focus on one person solely. They will jump around, sometimes returning to people, sometimes not.

Updates beyond this (while at peace) will cover a good deal more time. This was an introduction for me, and I had a lot to write about therefore.

The H.P.P. Experience Part I

This will be a feature of every history-book style update. As I tell you what happened, I’ll also tell you what it’s like to play, as a new experience.

Well, it was pretty easy to pick up in the end. There are no huge changes to the layout of the game, but all the new countries certainly made things very interesting. Having India, Malaya and Egypt etc. as puppets, not just my territory made things quite interesting. I wonder, for instance, how much of a contribution Egypt will make to repulsing the Italians if war breaks out. My brief confusion at the fonts used for the names of countries (the neutral country font in HPP is the allied country font in vanilla and vice versa) was just that, very brief. I’m pleased with the strategic effects added (+25% IC for controlling India!). The tech layout has changed a lot, but I like the layout and it isn’t very confusing as it’s only the positioning of the updates themselves (and the addition of new ones) that has changed. I realise that I am not explaining this well, so I will try and put up some screenshots of the technology screen next time.

My resource situation was much worse than in vanilla HoI. No more huge surpluses from convoys, but they still made a major contribution. Nevertheless, my economic situation is stable.

The military changes feel great. Clicking on a level 1 infantry brigade and seeing ‘Experimental infantry brigade’ is really great and I look forward to seeing that change to as close to ‘Invincible Terminator brigade’ as I can. The doctrine changes are very interesting, and certainly change the way you play. The new event I encountered (the worker strike) was interesting, too. Reading HecNev’s great Japanese HPP AAR gave me a rough idea of what to expect, but they are still very much a new challenge.

Overall, my first impressions are great. The mod has not left me confused or lost, and the new additions seem inventive and polished. I look forward to continuing!

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Replies to comments:

Rensslaer: Bang on. Although things will probably always be a little crazy up top, just how crazy (and in what ways) will depend on which maniac is in charge!

TheBromgrev: I’ll get right over there and tell those Frenchies to stop concessing right this minute! Damn French, them and their concessing…. Don’t worry, I’ll remember. Are you referring to the Shanghai concession?

Remember, forum vampires like me can only be sustained with your blood, and I can only get at that sweet, sweet blood if you subscribe! (Just kidding, I can extract it while you sleep!)

[Avindian]

This is absolutely brilliant; I'm slowly (ever so slowly) coming to possibly downloading HPP, and each great AAR brings me a little closer. I want to make sure I've mastered vanilla (or at least understand it) before I go messing around with mods, though

[loki100]

fascinating start ... & the first British HPP AAR which makes it all the more interesting ... intrigued to see where you're taking this

[Thinker341]

AT LAST, finally another UK player that doesnt want to destroy the UK in another war, Germany can be a good friend to destroy Bolshevism, not an enemy. Maybe, possibly an alliance may well come with Germany if it is needed, well done!

[Elastic Fish]

Thanks for all these comments, guys. I apologise for the lack of updates, I will finish typing up the next one tomorrow!

[Elastic Fish]

February-July 1936: Guiding a Nation

‘Britain was, is and will continue to be a leading light in the World. The precious flower of democracy has flourished here, here fragile beauty guarded by the shores of our majestic island. Through the fires of war and the turbulences of revolution, our nation has prevailed as a stable, grand and powerful one. No conquering feet have marched through our lands for near 1,000 years. We built for ourselves an empire, and brought freedom to those who had not seen her fairness. Our Navy has been a true role model, a gleaming bastion of honour and courage. Our armies have paid the ultimate price in millions to safeguard French democracy. Sadly, that war was all but needless. It was a bitter conflict against a foe that faced us because of cruel and malicious alliances and pacts, which bound us and the German people, as if in the web of fate, the cackling spider, in a maelstrom of war. In the hell of Flanders, a generation sacrificed themselves, on both sides of No-man’s Land. The tiny foetus of German freedom was crushed beneath the jackboot of war. Only now has it begun to sprout anew, free from communist threats.”

An extract from Stanley Baldwin’s famed ‘Strive on, Britannia!’ speech.

By February 1936, the United Kingdom was widely considered to be a major power. She was a unified, democratic and powerful nation. She carried herself above the squabbles of the World; never unnerved by the on-going Italian conquest of Ethiopia, or by the gathering political storm in Spain.



Britain had ascended to become a truly major power by February 1936.

Although powerful, Britain had never been a nation to rest on her laurels. The Mediterranean, along with holding the entrance to the Suez Canal, was also hugely important to the French. Primarily at their insistence (the French were widely regarded as fearful of the Italians, who Baldwin believed were far more efficient and dynamic than the French). Therefore, the British Carrier Group and 3rd Battleship Squadron were dispatched to Malta, with the battle-cruiser raiding group based at Malta.



The First Carrier Group is ordered to the Mediterranean, primarily due to French demands for British naval assistance.

The vital importance of British Singapore was also recognised, with Sommerville’s Second Battleship Squadron, including, rather ironically, the HMS Malaya, being ordered to protect the key port. Rumours abounded that, with the Japanese being seen as less dangerous than even the Italians, the Royal Navy’s fleets would soon return home.



The Second Battleship Squadron was moved to Singapore.



HMS Malaya is pictured, on route to Singapore.

Winter soon turned into spring, with the early days of March passing without event. The only happening of note was a debate in the cabinet, with some more ‘interventionist leftie’ (in the words of Baldwin) ministers claiming that the country needed basic economic mobilisation to keep it at readiness for any eventuality. Although the motion was quashed, a large portion of the cabinet had given it their support. In parliament, Baldwin no longer had the total command that he had once experienced, and this show of defiance from many of his closest ministers was certainly worrying to him.



News of the debate in the cabinet reached the public, causing quite a stir.

Baldwin was very quick to agree to sign the Second London Conference. This move, widely disapproved of by the public, who had mostly supported him in the cabinet schism, only served to portray Baldwin as an increasingly desperate man, running out of ideas. Signing the treaty had made the French and Americans happy, but had not healed the wounds with his cabinet opponents. Instead, it had alienated the Prime Minister from the popular support he had still enjoyed.



The signing of the Second London Conference was seen as a bad move by many people.

Baldwin licked his wounds for the rest of March and most of April. Slowly regaining his composure, he began, very slowly, to win back popular support. He was, after all, a man that the nation still generally agreed with. When, on the 24th, reports of unrest began to filter through from Spain, Baldwin kept silent.



Unrest flickered up in Spain.

The Prime Minister kept silent about Italy’s annexation of Ethiopia (and the subsequent crowning of Victor Emmanuel as Emperor of Ethiopia), too. Support for him waxed. His ‘level-headedness around these major events across the world has been admirable’ declared one newspaper.



Italy annexed Ethiopia. Baldwin said nothing.

Less than a week after the first reports of civil unrest came in from Spain, a full civil war between the monarchists and republicans had exploded across Spain. Brother fought brother and friends became foes, stirred up by that bitter catalyst: politics. Italy and the Germans helped the Nationalists; the Soviets aided the Republicans, and made quite a show of it. Baldwin aided himself by aiding no-one. Opinion polls suggested that around 32% of the nation supported him, a far cry from the glory days of January and February, but a far cry from the near-fatal lows of mid-March.



Civil unrest turned quickly into civil war in Spain.

Despite Soviet help, the Republicans began sidling up to Britain and France, clearly anxious to cast in its lot with them. France was happy to accept them, Britain was guarded. The only action taken by Baldwin in reaction to the civil war was to despatch the Wessex division to Gibraltar to guard against any attack by either side.



The Spanish Republicans began affiliating themselves with the Allies.

By this time, the Royal Navy had been repositioned. New destroyers had been added to both transport groups, which had previously been woefully under-guarded. The factory space that the completion of the destroyers had freed up was used to reinforce Britain’s infantry. In order to give them offensive punch, four new brigades of infantry support tanks were ordered. These would assist the infantry in an advance, knocking out pillboxes and machine gun positions. Later, when several submarines were finished and joined the fleet near Gibraltar, five brigades of artillery were also ordered. Britain would have an army of infantry for now, but her foot soldiers would be very well supported.



The new Matilda II tanks ordered to reinforce the British infantry.

Almost immediately after approving the construction of the tanks and artillery that would supplement British infantry, Baldwin discreetly destroyed most of the National Liberal Party’s growing support. However, Baldwin did not carry out his political campaign very discretely. Snippets of rather dangerous information were leaked and this leached away at Baldwin’s shaky support.



News of the campaign against the National Liberals was leaked.

Baldwin snatched a political victory, despite this, when he prevented a major incident the very next day. Wehrmacht soldiers moved into the supposedly ‘de-militarised’ Rhineland. The French were outraged, and demanded an immediate attack and seizure of the Ruhr, much as in the 1920s. Britain vetoed any demands for action, however, and no French troops advanced into Germany. With this, Baldwin immediately regained what following he had lost, and even claimed a little more.



Britain chose not to react to the German re-occupation of the Rhineland.

Four days later, and Baldwin was reacting. Not, this time, to anything German, but to the death of the King. His Majesty George V had been seen across the World as a benevolent and wise King, who had granted the Irish independence and overseen a momentous period in British history. Baldwin heralded the end of an era, and the Kings funeral was a grand, imperial spectacle. His son was to be crowned King, taking the name Edward VIII.



George V passed away early on the 17th of May.

The only other occurrence of note in May was an investment opportunity proposed by a group of British bankers. It was too high risk for Baldwin’s liking, he turned the offer down.



A potential investment opportunity was declined.

By the 7th of June, the fate of the Spanish Civil War was swinging firmly in favour of the Nationalists. The majority of the British public was glad to hear this. The Republicans were, as the papers trumpeted, little better than communists.



The Nationalists appeared to be winning the conflict in Spain.

Little else happened throughout June. Baldwin consolidated his support. By July, he had an estimated 40% of the British vote. His slice of the vote was sizeable, to be sure, but not at all comforting when Baldwin was faced with the biggest dilemma of his political career. Edward VIII had always enjoyed the high life, with many a relationship. Recently, however, he had fallen in love with an American woman, Wallis Simpson. This would be of no matter, was Wallis Simpson not currently Mrs Simpson, not Ms Simpson. The dynamite had been simultaneously placed and lit. The fuse, as it happened, was very, very short. The press was informed only six hours after the Prime Minister. The King’s relationship appeared to be anathema to Britain. Baldwin thought so, too. He called for (very publicly and in no uncertain terms) Edward’s resignation. It was a decision that he rather regretted in the hours that followed. Public disapproval was far from unanimous, and was likely below half. The decision was now out of Baldwin’s hands. Would the King leave, and Baldwin remain in power, triumphant; or would the opposite happen?



Baldwin called for Edward VIII’s abdication. The public, however, were nearly evenly divided.


My friends, it comes down to you. Does Edward abdicate? Does Baldwin leave? I will tell you not of the effects of either decision, but perhaps you can guess what might take place. This WILL decide the future of the entire world. Every life that is and will be could be changed by this decision, but for better or for worse? That, my dear readers, is down to you…

YOU WILL HAVE ONE WEEK FROM WEDNESDAY, THE 8TH OF MAY TO VOTE!

Gameplay update and replies to follow!

Thanks for reading and commenting!

[masaakari]

good show old chap!
i think the H.P.P looks like a cool and realistic mod and i will be happy to have a go of it with Elastic Fish ...
Abdication

[loki100]

did I read properly that God annexed God .... what is the world coming too.

Well as you are doing a pro-German anti Soviet variant, I'd say he has to stay ....

[Elastic Fish]

That's right, loki, we can only guess at the implications (or which God annexed which - Zeus on Shiva? - for that matter). The celestial civil war will be adressed in the next gameplay post! Thanks for voting!

Abdication: 1
Non-abdication: 1

[Thandros]

I say Edward stays but Stanley leaves to be replaced by Winston Churchill allowing for massive arguments on Germany policy