"Uber Allen" A Third Reich Mod 1.08.2 AAR

I think I did well, but I have not played many games so I don't have much to compare to. The first time I achieved Bitter Peace in May 1943, and the game that I just completed I got it Oct. 2, 1942. I am eager to get into Gringo's new updated version though. What I really like is the looming difficulty that feels like I have to hit the ground running right out of the gate.

Overall I used the same strategies, but I had Slovakia once, once not. I puppetted Norway once, once not. I researched and built some carriers once. The first time I drove towards the Caucasus, the second time towards Moscow. So some variations but mostly common theme. I will try a few new things this time to keep it fresh but I expect surprises from Gringo.

Ooorahhh!! We just had a birthday!

Berlin: January 1936

Although the chambers were appointed for celebration, complete with cigars and brandy for the taking, the mood of those present was somber. They had achieved much and more to come this far, taking the reins of power through means fair and foul. It was one thing however to climb to power, and another thing to wield it.

A.H.: Gentlemen, we have made many plans and improvised madly when the plans were not enough. Now though we are faced with the long term, for which we have not made provision. The rest of the world can know and recoil from my intentions but you men are those that can bring them to pass. Today we start on the path to our glorious reign, and now we must fashion that map. What is your counsel on the first steps?

H. Schacht: Mein Fuehrer, the German people are poised to labor for our glory, but our economy remains too fragile to support the weal of the folk or the demands of the military. If we are ready to face the long path to victory we must lay the foundation. I propose a large scale buildup of roads, mines, foundries, forges, and expansion of the large production sites that will build our tools of war. We can take other steps to support this as well, such as temporarily increasing our oversight of the national economy.

A.H.: The folk will see the rise of our industrial might and will rally to the banner, I foresee. And what say the Chiefs of Staff regarding their next steps for the Wehrmacht?

E. Raeder: I will speak first, for my counsel is simple. The Kriegsmarine needs time to prepare. We need better tools and training than we have been able to procure in the past. Our foes have every advantage on the seas, save the sheer fortitude of our sailors themselves. We are grossly outnumbered in every type of surface vessel. We have no remaining overseas bases and thus have but one access to the Atlantic and no influence on shipping lanes covering 98% of the high seas.
Even with better tools, mein Fuehrer, my overriding initial goal will be simply to DENY the sea lanes to our enemies. Once we gain the initiative other things can be proposed.

A.H.: To endure a thousand years, we will need to master the high seas. The Royal Navy must be defeated or beguiled to our cause. How will you do this, Admiral.

E. Raeder: I will use the one weapon system that we have the mastery of, both in construction and in tactical employment. The U-Boat will be our lever against the surface fleets arrayed against us. Supported by the ships that we have already under construction, we may be able to contest for the sea lanes. <looking to Jodl and Goring> Of course, this ties in for all of the Chiefs. Any support from the Luftwaffe will be a force multiplier and in turn we may be able to move the Heer effectively to and from our theaters of combat, which should be most useful.

H. Goring: The Luftwaffe will assist with your plans, Erich, but we also have big plans of our own. That damned treaty has kept my branch as a circus sideshow for far too long. We too need the tools of war, and lots of them. When we have these tools we will need to train the daredevils that will pilot them through the fires of hell for the glory of the Fatherland.

A.H.: You too need time and capital in the long run. What do you do now?

H. Goring: For now, we will complete the production embarked on and then work on airbases and training with what we have. When Krupp and Dornier and Focke Wulf have had their plants enlarged and when their new models are available, we will whip them to full production and darken the skies with my fabulous machines!

W. von Fritsch: Mein Fuehrer, the Heer has been built for self-defense and is not fit for a war of conquest at this moment. We can use it for some intimidation of the smaller states on our borders, but we need to raise new corps and modernize those we have in order to enforce your vision. For now, I propose completing Herr Schacht's economic expansions as groundwork. When our economy is more robust we can draw on it for war materials and arm the Heer for success on all fronts.

A.H.: This talk is all of patience and waiting and Wehrmacht inadequacies! <pacing the floor> I asked for your counsel and I have received it with equanimity, though it reeks of half measures and even the taint of cowardice.

R.Hess.: Could we not use what we have to challenge our eternal foes, yet put the onus on them to respond? We have force enough to reoccupy the Rhineland. Would the western powers respond to this? It would be good to know, and the masses will be emboldened by our success.

A.H.: That’s it! We will not simply stall for time. I will play those around us like strings on a violin and test their breaking point. Gentlemen, proceed with your planning. We will meet as needed to keep this pot on the boil.

Here is a synopsis of events, in case anyone wants to point out a dumb move (or two) that I have made.

H. Schacht moves the economy one step towards Central Planning.

The Foreign Minister denied aid for Afghanistan, deeming it “A Nation Too Far”. Surprisingly, he then approved closer ties with Nationalist China, starting mutterings of inconsistencies

Researchers sharpen their pencils and divine the secrets of:
(first is completed tech, followed by tech begun)
June: Early Airborne/ Basic Interceptor
July Basic Machine Tools/ Improved Machine Tools
Aug: Rear Area Repair/Basic Escort Fighter
Basic Destroyer/ Close Air Support

There is a brief confrontation in the Heer HQ, as Generals Beck and Guderian quibble over the future of armor in battle. Von Fritsch uses some reverse psychology and selects Beck’s proposal, in order to drive Guderian’s adherents to greater efforts.

The Ninth District Research facility opens in September (9th slot achieved).

Oct.: Basic Computer/Basic Encryption

The Hitler Youth takes form, combining youthful inexperience with a great amount of firepower. German leaders chuckle over their antics and wonder, “What could possibly go wrong?”

A crisis arrives with the heat of summer, with hot blooded Nationalist Spain rebels seeking to overthrow the government there. A cabinet meeting is called and it is decided to support a fellow Fascist, even though Franco is extremely slippery when asked about recompense for Germany.
.


*****************************
A.H.: Done. I approve both the transfer of materials to Franco’s forces, and the clandestine use of our “volunteers” in his service. <rubs hands together> This is a great moment, when the vaunted German spirit and determination can be tested in the fires of combat.

J. von Ribbentrop: Unfortunately, I could not get any commitment regarding alliance, favorable trading terms or basing arrangements for us near Gibraltar, as you had hoped for mein Fuehrer. He seems to be utterly lacking in gratitude for our expenditures at his behest.

A.H.: I am sure that he will come around in time. He and his realm could be a useful ally if the war widens.
******************************





Jan. ’37 Jungle Warfare/ Advance Construction

The Chief of Staff promulgates a move towards Standing Army.

Feb: Basic Light Tank/Early Tank Destroyer
Mar: Strategic Destruction Doctrine/ Basic Field Artillery
Basic Interceptor/ Basic Fighter (Interceptor production begins)
Improved Machine Tools/ Advanced Machine Tools
Long Range Submarine/ Improved Computing (Submarine production begins)



May: Basic Escort Fighter/ Basic Tactical Bomber (Escort prod. begins)
Early Tank Destroyer/ Improved Light Tank
Basic Encryption/ Basic Decryption



A.H. mutters, “So much for instilling them with a sense of awe.”

June: Basic Close Air Support/ Battlefield Interdiction
Basic Field Artillery/

The Tenth Research Department is founded and put to immediate use investigating Improved Destroyer.

Oct: Battlefield Interdiction/ Strafing (Cavalry production begins)
Nov: Advance Construction Engineering/ Production Control
Dec. Advanced machine Tools/ Production Planning



Jan. 1938 The Chief of Staff promulgates another move towards Standing Army.

In February, the new nation of Manchukuo appeared at the door and Ribbentrop recognized it.

Hitler spearheaded a reorganization of the army, bringing in the newly formed OKW to muddle up the formerly clear chain of command. General officers fought secretive administrative battles until a proper pecking order was restored.

Mar: Improved Computing/ Indirect Approach
Basic Motorized Division/ Blitzkrieg Doctrine (MOT prod. Begins)
Basic Decryption/ Basic Mountain Division

Von Ribbentrop increases trading relations with corporate America.

Austria agrees to unite with the Fatherland. Even Hitler’s detractors are impressed with this feat of diplomacy.

Apr: Basic Tactical Bomber/ Plotting Room
Improved Destroyer/ Logistic Strike
May: Improved Light Tank/ Basic Medium Tank

Chief of Staff E. Hoepner spoke against “wasting resources on the Seigfried line” stating that “our troops are our shield”.

July: Basic Mountain Div./ Decisive Interdiction (Mountain Div. prod. begins)
Sept: Basic Anti Tank Artillery/ Improved AT Artillery
Logistic Strike/ Bomber Veteran Initiative
Plotting room/ Early Hospital
Basic Infantry Division/ First Strike Doctrine (INF and GAR production begins)
Oct: Production Control/ Agrichemistry
Nov.: Production Planning/ Assembly Line Experiments
Blitzkrieg Doctrine/ Improved Fighter

Dec: A rocket test site was completed at a top secret location (It is at Kustrin but mum’s the word.)

Dec: Improved AT Artillery/ Improved Encryption (AT production begins)

Jan. 1939: The Chief of Staff promulgates the final move towards Standing Army.
Bomber Veteran Initiative/ Night Strafing

Hjalmar Schacht threatens to resign, but is cajoled back into his post watching over the German economy.

Hitler strides around the Reichstag, casually dropping copies of Time magazine on desks, preening while he waits for the cover layout to be noticed. Secretly he yearns to be named “Man of the Century” but that will take a redoubling of his efforts, he feels, and vows to get started right away.

Grand Admiral Raeder reluctantly agrees that Plan Z must be abandoned in favor of Donitz’ U-Boat fleet. There is not enough time to conjure a fleet from thin air, as the nation careens ever more rapidly to a shooting war.

Feb: Basic Medium Tank/ Rocket Engine (medium tank prod. begins)
The Autobahn opens and Germans enjoy moments of cruising rapidly around on the roads before becoming snarled in ever-increasing military maneuvers.

Mar: indirect Approach/ Commerce Raider
Czechoslovakia falls and Slovakia is puppeted. Later Ribbentrop appeases Hungary in a local conflict and that nation becomes Germany’s first allied nation for whatever is to come.
Additionally, Romanian diplomats sign codicils with Germany for an extremely close trading partnership.
Almost as an afterthought, Hitler demands and receives the province of Memel.
Italy annexes Albania, to the bemusement of Wehrmacht staffers, who offer witty comparisons of hitting ants with hammers.

Production screens:





Apr: Agrichemistry/ Wolfpack
First Strike Doctrine/ Frontal Missions
Hitler celebrated his birthday and all had a mandatory extremely good time.

June; Night Strafing/ Basic Recon Tactics
Rocket Engine/ Improved Interceptor

Okay, that was a long post of minutia. Please tell me if I begin to bore you! I thought maybe someone would want to know what to do or not do, depending on the outcome of the AAR.

Great question! Here's a look on the eve of war with Poland.

@MagooNZ Thank you for the kind words. The IC build speed is from an analysis by Pang I read. Actually he states to use triple speed in some cases but I cannot go that far myself. Yes, it was June 37 for the tenth tech team. I will attempt to have the CAS upgraded for Barbarossa as otherwise I agree with you on their effects. I just started building my multi-role fighters as you will see in an update.
When Czechoslovakia fell I installed Tito in Slovakia. A few months later I sided with Hungary in a border dispute and thus got Hungary as an ally.

UPDATE:

July 1939: Early Hospital/ Perimeter Defense
Improved Encryption/ Improved Motorized Division

Aug: Foreign Minister Ribbentrop laughs up his sleeve at bearding a whole pride of lions in their den. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact is signed, freeing Germany to launch a war of aggression at their own pace and intensity, later to return to the Soviet issue.

Minister of Security Rudolf Diels, fearing the reaction of the German citizenry, declines the Folk Pest Law

Sept: Decisive Interdiction/ Improved Close Air Support

Hitler addresses his cabinet: “The Foreign Minister and I agree that this time, the Western powers are unlikely to stand idly by. I am sending an ultimatum to the Poles and it will almost certainly mean war with the Western Alliance. Please recap the battle plans for my personal secretary.”

Raeder: “The Kriegsmarine will support the assault with shore bombardment of Danzig, and will eliminate the small Polish navy. The bulk of the fleet will remain near port completing some vital training maneuvers. The High Seas fleet units need another month or two before they can engage the Royal Navy with confidence.”

Milch: “The Luftwaffe will conduct 48 hours of fighter sweeps, then our bombers will begin to support our attacks. We have three full wings in the west to maintain air superiority over the French and English. We stand ready to drop paratroops within range of Konigsberg.

Von Brauchitsch: The Heer is deployed against French incursion to the west. The lines are dug in with engineers and supported by some small mobile elements. The rest of the Heer is posted In Konigsberg and along the German and Slovakian provinces bordering Poland. We will attack immediately and the bombers will join in when the skies are cleared for them.”

As expected, on September 1st the Danzig demands blossom into a shooting war…




Some in the back of the Chancellery are heard to mutter, “WE need more allies.”




The Wehrmacht is baptized in blood, following in the footsteps of their fathers just a generation before. The volk hope that the result will be much different this time around.



The Poles fight valiantly but the Heer is more than a match for them. The end nears, as Soviet troops mass on Poland’s eastern border.
On September 9, Poland is annexed and divided with the Soviets.

Almost as fast as the troops can be rested and redeployed, another opportunity presents itself. The North Atlantic is clear of storms and Ribbentrop has laid the groundwork for a daring grab for Norway.



At nearly the same moment, the first of the SS divisions stood up. The “Das Reich” would be an inspiration to friend and a terror to foe for the coming conflicts.




Grand Admiral Raeder looks out over the bridge of the Scharnhorst worriedly. He knows that the Kriegsmarine is not quite ready for this sortie, but orders are orders. Curse those pencil pushers in the Reichstag! Half his U-Boats and a third of his battle cruisers are trapped in Kiel by the Danish blockade. He knew that powerful fleets of the Royal Navy have sailed to interdict the planned landings in Oslo and Narvik.

Plus there was that “special mission” proposed by Admirals Saalwaechter and Donitz. Hitler had blessed the attempt, stretching naval resources to the breaking point. Raeder lifted his binoculars and scanned the gray horizon again….






And the Royal Navy does appear, but is wrong-footed from the start. An 18 ship task force including four carriers trails up the Norwegian coast, harassed by German tactical bombers. It stops off Bergen and conducts an ineffectual port strike, which the bombers repulse, leaving the carriers nearly helpless. Raeder falls on them with his SAG and two wolfpacks of six U-boats each, sinking one carrier and inflicting heavy damage on the rest.

Just as the carrier task force escapes west, another 18 ship fleet of the Royal Navy steams into range, this one including five battlewagons looking to make their mark on the Kriegsmarine.

Fortunately the Royal Navy heavies are without modern escorts, and the U-boats manage to inflict losses as well as covering Raeder’s SAG as it withdraws and staggers back to Wilhelmshaven. All in all it is a triumph, with two large RN fleets send back to Scapa Flow for months of repairs, but German admirals note the empty berths in port and mourn their losses.

Incredibly, the special mission goes off without a hitch, taking Iceland unopposed and gaining a vital base for Atlantic interdictions.





With the long shot capture of Iceland complete, the Heer and Luftwaffe are unleashed on Denmark, which capitulates immediately.




The undamaged elements of the U-boat fleet take to sea immediately so as to shepherd transports moving occupation forces to Norway and Iceland. Leaders ponder the implications of Finland going to war with the Soviets and also rue the appointment of Winston Churchill, who appears far more capable than his predecessor.

Hah! The mission to Iceland is undone when the land reverts to the USA and the German liberators are strategically deployed home (fie on you Gringo).

Dec: Early Self Propelled Artillery/ Advanced Battleship
Wolfpack Doctrine/ Capital Ship Raider
Basic Recon Tactics/ Direct Ground Support Doctrine

The Royal Navy put forth an even more enormous effort, bringing a 36 ship fleet to bear on 18 U-boats. Donitz choreographed the battle as well as possible against such great odds. He eventually retired, battered and out of torpedoes, but the RN was badly mauled in their victory and will be tying up welders and pipefitters in drydock for some time to come. The RN lost 4 DD, 1 CA, 1 CL against 4 U-boats sunk with loss of all hands. The Enigma machines were destroyed by their operators to prevent capture of such vital instruments.

January brought visitors to snowy Norway. First five divisions of Australians came calling...



Then some South Africans stopped by as well...



All of them were granted a one meter by two meter tract of land that they can sleep under forever.

The Head of Government, Rudolf Hess, put policies into place moving towards a more free market, reducing the central planning. (slider move)

Jan. 1940: Perimeter Defense/ Formation Fighting

The Abwehr and Luftwaffe report that the air defense network is holding up well. Enemy bombers are routinely devastated when they appear over Germany, and the few RAF fighters that appear now and then are fought off vigorously.

Note to readers- I spend about 50% of the time away from the PC that I game with, so updates will tend to come in bursts a few days apart. I basically update as I play so events are close to "real time" and I don't know what will happen.

And a big Hurrah! that I found the file to make the units show the normal German flag. What a relief to not have to edit nearly so much.

If I should be showing more or less screens, please let me know what to add or eliminate. Cheers!

@MagooNZ I want to reduce upgrade costs for sure. I'm not sure how the math works out expenses and income-wise but I tried this last time and it seemed to work out.
Yes, Iceland goes to the USA by event so that was a waste of time and effort. I keep trying for naval bases but no joy so far.

@Cybvep If my U-boats are successful (and Gringo has reduced them in ability again in this update) then the RN may not intercept too many convoys. That remains to be seen.

Update:


The Abwehr and Grand Admiral Raeder had expected the Royal Navy to disperse and protect the sea lanes (historical) but the RN seems rather to be spoiling for large scale fleet engagements. Admiral Donitz’ Underseeboat arm of the Kriegsmarine means to accept the challenge. In response to the unexpected consolidation of the RN fleet assets, Admiral Donitz directs his subordinates to utilize the new wolfpack methodology exclusively. In addition, he positions them into mutually supporting patrols where they operate in adjacent sea zones, ready and able to respond to a distress call if another wolfpack is engaged by superior forces.

Once rested and refit, the four intact wolkpacks leave port under cover of night and take up positions around Scapa Flow. Nervous but determined, they cross and re-cross their patrol areas, a wary eye on fuel states. From a squall line silhouettes suddenly appear. As Rear Admiral Fricke begins organizing his attack formation, he is shocked to see to see not a handful, but dozens of grey hulled ships of war emerge from the mist, bearing the French ensign. He shouts to the radioman to call in any available forces as he activates the dive klaxon and girds for the coming carnage.

The revealed French battle fleet consisted of 36 ships of every type, initially engaged by six U-boats. The German detachment suffered greatly but was able to withdraw and steam raggedly back to Kiel as three other wolfpacks gradually entered the fray. The French were mauled but withdrew with only a minor loss of vessels. The U-boats had to be recalled to port to recover as well, but they will sail again much sooner then the French heavies. Donitz and Fricke both breathed a long sigh of relief at this result, but knew that more battles were in their immediate future.

Incredibly, five more divisions of Australian regulars are landed in Alesund, passing unnoticed through patrolling U-boats and tactical bombers. This force is too much for the local garrisons to take on and reinforcements are dispatched from Rostock. Grand Admiral Raeder fumes in exasperation as the five elusive transports slip through his nets again after dropping their troops. Where will these phantom ships strike next?




The High Command is preparing in earnest for Fall Gelb. In Berlin, refitted armored divisions parade for the Fuehrer and then move southwest to join the buildup there. Aircrew and their ground support staff rebase closer to the French border. Generals are carefully matched to their commands and each molds his corps in his image, using his special talents.

This is how the Wehrmacht is arranged at present, not counting troops in Denmark/Norway.

Kriegsmarine:
Wolfpack of 6 LR SUB x 5 (wolfpacks will be reduced to 3-4 subs per if/when the battle for supremacy with the RN subsides)
Shore Bombardment SAG with two old BC and Emden.
SAG with 4 BC, 4 CL, 2 DD
SAG with 2 BC, 2 DD
Damaged SAG with 3 CA, 3 CL refitting in Rostock from pounding taken off Norwegian coast).
Transport groups of 1 DD, 3 transports x 3
Mission: Deny control of seas to Allies. Move limited resources (troops) rapidly to flash points.
I attempt to damage the RN to keep them in port. I have never sunk enough convoys to make a difference but I have got good results from Battle of the Atlantic events.

Luftwaffe:
Wing of 4 INT x 5
Wing of 2 CAS x 3
Wing of 2 TAC x 4
Wing of 1 TRA
Wing of 4 FTR x 0 (under construction)
Mission: Protect the Fatherland from incursions. Achieve air superiority over the Heer and support their combats.
Small bombing wings are used initially to get vital experience for air commanders. Later everything will be wings of 4 squadrons.

Heer:
Corps of 3 INF x 9 brigaded either 1 ART, 2 AT or 3 AT (mostly Offensive Lt. Generals)
Corps of 3 MTN x 2 brigaded with 1 ART, 2 AT (Lt Generals Student & Dietl)
Corps of 1 ARM, 2 MOT x 4 brigaded with MOT INF (ARM) and AG (MOT)
Corps of 3 ARM x 1 brigaded with MOT INF (Lt Gen. Rommel)
CAV is split into 1-2 division groups brigaded with AG
PAR single divisions x 3 brigaded with ART (Commando Major Generals)
HQ single divisions x 5 brigaded with AA (Trickster Generals)
GAR brigaded with AA, MP or ENG (or none). They are used with AA in the West, ENG in the east and MP in partisan rich areas.
Mission: Destruction of enemy will to fight through isolation and destruction of troops while capturing key terrain.
I generally use corps of 3 divisions, 4-6 occasionally for great leaders, single divisions to train up generals with low skill but good traits. I immediately promote Boch, von Leeb, Guderian, Rundstedt to General. Leaders Jodl and Keital are not used as they are in Berlin making plans. I rarely promote to Field Marshal.

Production continues at breakneck speed as Germany “gears up for war”!






This next display is not a game screen shot, but rather a planning tool that I used to measure my build results and work to improve them. I’m not sure if this is appropriate for an AAR, so I will remove it if anyone thinks it does not belong. As explanation, the columns mean the following: BASE is what Germany begins with. AUSTRIA is what is roughly gained from Anschluss. FREE lists the units that arrive by event in TRM. The pink column is what I started Barbarossa with the first time I played TRM 1.08. The yellow column is the same for the second time on 1.08. Column 2ND 6/42 is the force structure one year after Barbarossa the 2nd game. The green column is what I am hoping to have to begin Barbarossa in the current 1.08.2 game. The blue highlights are builds that are completed or are fully on track. EXTRA is what I am building above the original plan in green.



Chancellery, April 1940

A.H: I have taken a hiatus from my vital speechmaking tour in order to review the plans for our next leap forward towards the 1,000 year Reich. I have approved the large scale operational plan some time ago. Tell me, what is the latest evolution of the battle plan?

Goring: The Luftwaffe will use the same strategy perfected over Poland. When war is declared we will sweep the skies clean over France and the Low Countries. After two days of aerial combat I will release the bombers to support our schwerpunkt. When the breakthrough is achieved we will go to a more general campaign, attacking targets of opportunity. Our transport is standing by to support the Heer with an air assault as well.

Raeder: The Kriegsmarine will initially deploy off the coast of Holland and Belgium, to engage any forces that sortie from their ports and to block any attempt by England to reinforce those areas. When the Heer secures these ports, any available KM assets will refuel and then sail around England to engage any French assets that set to sea from Brest or the French southwestern ports. There is another possible follow–on operation, as you know, but this plan is still in development and awaiting your approval.

Jodl: The Heer has a bigger task than we took on in Poland. The Western powers have many more assets and much better training than we faced in Poland. Of particular note are the Maginot fortifications, which we could indeed assail, but at tremendous loss of lives, equipment and munitions. We instead will leave the frogs nestled in their comfy forts and carry the war elsewhere.
Our garrisons in Norway, Poland, Denmark and along the French border will stand fast, ready to repel any attacks. Those abutting France are equipped for immediate advancement, should the French at any time attempt to leave their breastworks unguarded.
Upon declaration of war with Belgium we will pause for a full day, maybe two. The purpose is to allow the Luftwaffe to clear the skies on our behalf, as well as to tempt any foolhardy French or Belgian commanders to attempt a spoiling attack on our front. When we do step off a combined infantry and mountaineer force will smash an opening at Antwerp and Liege and allow our mobile forces to pour through to their first objective, the province of Ghent. From there the mobile forces will strike south for Paris and Brest.
As soon as Holland and Luxembourg join the war we will attack them with forces moving now to their borders. Neither is expected to offer serious resistance, but Luxembourg can be quickly reinforced by, or assaulted by, the bulk of the French army. Any advance into this province must be in force to withstand such a counterattack.
Phase two involves marching infantry south through the breach formed by the mobile forces. If we maintain our momentum the French will be forced to abandon their precious fortifications and into making desperate attacks against our strong left flank. After consultations with the Foreign Minister and others, we believe that their government will collapse if we shock them and prove their army powerless to defend them.
Phase three, if necessary, will involve encirclement of the French forces in northwest France and the measures needed to eliminate them completely. I sincerely hope it will not come to that. They must capitulate at some point.
In addition, we are planning for follow-on operations with the Kriegsmarine, and we will redeploy any available forces as soon as possible to guard our southern borders and prepare for potential operations in the Balkans. That is all.

Intelligence: The Abwehr continues to function with reduced budget, so our efforts are often circumscribed. We have no agents in France whatsoever, focusing our limited means on the USSR, England, USA and Japan, in that order. I can report that regular contacts with Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Italy are developing. I have heard that success against France may open the door to alliance with any or all of these nations. In addition I have received one report that Iraq is beginning to chafe under the Commonwealth’s heavy hand.

A.H.: Indeed! I foresee that many nations will rally to the Fatherland as the leader of all of Europe. Now, put up the map for me.



Jodl: The initial phase is delineated in Red. Phase two is in Violet and Phase three in Yellow. Operations will no doubt continue beyond these points but additional plans will be made as Fall Gelb progresses.

Update

April 1940: Improved Motorized Division/ Basic Mechanized Division
Improved Interceptor/ Improved Escort Fighter
Direct Ground Support/Night Strike Doctrine

On the eve of battle. The weather is not cooperating...



Force Summary



War is declared on Belgium May 2 and the Heer launches itself forward in Blitzkrieg fashion. The Belgian lines are breached in hours. The Netherlands and Luxembourg immediately join the war, as the High Command had hoped. General Guderian took the time to encircle his opponents, even as he dashed through their lines.