Build a beautiful surface fleet instead. Capital ships, heavy cruisers, battlecruisers, and battleships are just so much more majestic than submarines or aircraft carriers. 
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Why would the Weimar Republic use the "SMS" abbreviation for their ships? SMS is similar to the British HMS, a reference to the Monarch of the respective country.
Are you going to restructure your Infantry divisions later on? 3x INF + 1x ART seems too manpower intensive to me. 2x INF + 1x ART + 1x AT or 1x AA usuall fits better with the numbers I plan to raise.
Are you going to restructure your Infantry divisions later on? 3x INF + 1x ART seems too manpower intensive to me. 2x INF + 1x ART + 1x AT or 1x AA usuall fits better with the numbers I plan to raise.
He is playing HPP, so I guess he has to go 3 INF - 1 SUP (horse). What I don't get is the mix of INF in the tank divisions... unless I misread
He is playing HPP, so I guess he has to go 3 INF - 1 SUP (horse). What I don't get is the mix of INF in the tank divisions... unless I misread
In HPP you still can use two support brigades instead of two vanialla support units. The point still is to reduce manpower cost per division while maintaining or increasing their combat abilities.
Y'know, I had thought I read somewhere that Weimar stuck with the SMS designation, but upon further review it would seem they dropped a prefix entirely until the KMS came along. That's a 'whoops' on my part. Just consider it traditionalists sticking with a tried and true prefix I guess.
INF will be restructured later on, yes. Right now they are 3x INF/1x ART for both practical and roleplay reasons. They are more manpower intensive, but right now my ART and INF techs are a lot better than my AT techs, so its easier to build the good things on the off-chance that I end up in a war early for some reason or another. Once the AT tech catches up, the extra INF brigades will be spread out into new divisions, while AT brigades take their place.
The Roleplay reason being that the Reichsheer isn't entirely certain they need AT brigades, so they go for what they know outside the Panzer divisions...which is masses of infantry with artillery support.
He is playing HPP, so I guess he has to go 3 INF - 1 SUP (horse). What I don't get is the mix of INF in the tank divisions... unless I misread
As above, the INF in the tank divisions is a roleplay reason. Panzer divisions, the base model you can just select, are two light tank brigades and one INF brigade. I'm justifying that, in story, much the same as the INF/ART split...the leadership is still developing tactics. Much like with the others, those INF will either split into new divisions once my tank tech (and by extension story experience) go up, or they will be changed to mech INF. Debating that one.
Similarily, the navy of Nazi Germany never adopted the prefix KMS for their ships. They just had their names and that's it.
For RP purposes it could just be a way to keep the DNVP slightly less annoyed than usual, atleast while they remain a threat to Germany and her newfound democracy.
Considering the DNVP is expanding, it does work for RP purposes.
Update note: I've played through till about halfway through '38. Next update should hopefully be tomorrow, depending on how busy I am.
Ended up busy. Updates here now though!
While the young Republic in Germany had stabilized to a certain extent after the elections of 1934, the other newly proclaimed Republic in Europe was not so fortunate. Even younger than Weimar, having been formed in 1931, the Second Spanish Republic was a troubled nation from its inception with the abdication of Alfonso XIII. While at first it was arguably stronger than the German Reich, in that those who overthrew Rivera were staunch Republicans, this strength did not last long.
The Republic had unpopular policies, especially in regards to the Catholic Church, something that upset a large portion of the Spanish populace. These unpopular policies came to a head, when the Popular Front- a coalition of left-leaning voters -won the 1936 election. Members of the Spanish military had already been planning a coup for some time, and the Popular Front's...unpopularity...amongst the conservatives of every color (Carlists, Monarchists, Conservatives, and so forth) gave them an opening. Under Jose Sanjuro and Fransisco Franco, the Spanish Army rebelled, proclaiming a 'Spanish State' in Morocco and northern Spain.
What few units remained loyal to the Republic were bolstered by Socialists and Communists, including the soon to be infamous International Brigades. The Spanish Civil War had begun, and it quickly became a proxy war. Stalin and the USSR sent supplies and men to the Republicans, while Mussolini's Italy supported the Nationalists. France and Britain stayed neutral, refusing to aid either side. The German Reich was divided on the issue, with the DNVP firmly in the Nationalist Camp, due to their perceived Monarchist leanings. The SPD-lead Coalition was split, and eventually decided on non-intervention. Supporting either side would split the already fragile Weimar Republic even further, and that could not happen.
Spain was not the only nation at risk of war. The Republic of China, still recovering from its civil war with the Communists, was a state that controlled its territory in name-only. Large portions of 'Republican' territory were technically under Warlord control...Xibei San Ma, Xinjiang, Guangxi, Shanxi, Yunnan...all only 'technically' under control of Nanjing. This divided nation, long supported by Germany, was being eyed hungrily by the ever-growing Japanese Empire.
Already, Manchuria was under control of the Qing Emperor Pu-Yi, as a Japanese puppet state. It was an open-secret that the Japanese were hardly satisfied with the resources they were stripping from the Manchus, and that they wanted more. The Republic of China was a weak state, and the expansionist Empire at their doorstep was quite eager to take advantage of this. It was because of this fact, that both Weimar and the Soviet Union were supporting the Chinese.
In the German case, they had Alexander von Falkenhausen, a decorated general, helping modernize the Republican Army. Chiang Kai-Shek, leader of the Kuomintang, was quite happy with this assistance. The New Model Chinese Army, being developed along the same lines as the Reichsheer, might just be a match for Japan if given enough time to develop.
Unfortunately, storm clouds were gathering as von Falkenhausen reported the Chinese Army mobilizing in preparation for a war.
It was with the War in Spain and potential War in China in mind, that the German military and industrial machine continued to expand. War looked more and more likely everywhere, and the Reich did not want to be caught flat-footed. All of the modernization and expansion had a noticeable effect on German prestige however. The nation had been crippled after the Great War, but now...after years of recovery it was reclaiming its former pedestal.
Some even considered the Republic a Major Power once more, on a par with France.
This increase in prestige was noticeable around war-torn Spain, where the Reichsmarine sailed side-by-side with the Royal Navy on its Neutrality Patrols. The purpose of these patrols were simple...prevent Italian or Soviet supplies from reaching the Spanish. Non-interventionism was very much alive, and it was shown in the patrols. The success of them was debatable however. For all the work the Reichsmarine and Royal Navy put into their patrols, supplies still got through to both warring sides in Spain.
Even the French, non-interventionist themselves, shipped supplies across the Pyrenees to the Republican forces trying to hold on in Catalonia. Some of these supplies were used to shoot at the Patrols, as a squadron of Republican bombers attacked the German flagship, SMS Scharnhorst. The government would later claim their aviators thought that the Scharnhorst was a Nationalist vessel, but that changed little. Germany, stringent supporter of the Patrols, withdrew and were soon followed by the British.
In any case, even if the bombing had not happened, the Scharnhorst and her comrades were needed elsewhere. Specifically, escorting convoys of supplies to Republican China. For, as von Falkenhausen had predicted, Japan had struck hard against the disunited nation. Using the excuse of Chinese soldiers firing on them at the Marco Polo Bridge, the Empire of Japan had to 'teach them a lesson'. Such was the excuse they used, as swarms of Japanese and Manchurian soldiers poured over the China/Manchukuo Border, quickly overrunning the weak Shanxi Clique.
Chiang's German Model Army consolidated a line further south, but the Japanese were an enemy China was not ready for. The Ma and Communists held the West as best they could, while the Nationalists held the South. But even as the Chinese declared a 'United Front' against Japanese aggression, it was debatable how long they could hold. Von Falkenhausen was doubtful they could last more than two years, unless more support was sent to China.
Both Weimar Germany and Soviet Russia sent this support. Stalin's government had coined 'Operation Zet' an effort to supply the Nationalists, alienating Mao who had expected the support to come his way. Germany, meanwhile, increased their supplies and already existing cooperation.
Even as China fought against Japan, the other war that had been gathering world attention ended. The Republicans had held out as long, if not longer, than most had expected...fighting well into 1938. But, International Brigades and workers were no match for the hardened Army that the Nationalists wielded. With Sanjuro dead of a plane crash, it was Fransisco Franco who accepted the Republican surrender (even as a Government-in-Exile set up shop in Paris). War-torn Spain was united in a new 'Kingdom' of Spain, with Franco as the regent.
Europe was under no illusions however...much like Admiral Horthy was a 'Regent' in Hungary, Franco was little more than a dictator. Spain had fallen to fascism, and it was not a good thing...
3. War Never Changes...
While the young Republic in Germany had stabilized to a certain extent after the elections of 1934, the other newly proclaimed Republic in Europe was not so fortunate. Even younger than Weimar, having been formed in 1931, the Second Spanish Republic was a troubled nation from its inception with the abdication of Alfonso XIII. While at first it was arguably stronger than the German Reich, in that those who overthrew Rivera were staunch Republicans, this strength did not last long.
The Republic had unpopular policies, especially in regards to the Catholic Church, something that upset a large portion of the Spanish populace. These unpopular policies came to a head, when the Popular Front- a coalition of left-leaning voters -won the 1936 election. Members of the Spanish military had already been planning a coup for some time, and the Popular Front's...unpopularity...amongst the conservatives of every color (Carlists, Monarchists, Conservatives, and so forth) gave them an opening. Under Jose Sanjuro and Fransisco Franco, the Spanish Army rebelled, proclaiming a 'Spanish State' in Morocco and northern Spain.
What few units remained loyal to the Republic were bolstered by Socialists and Communists, including the soon to be infamous International Brigades. The Spanish Civil War had begun, and it quickly became a proxy war. Stalin and the USSR sent supplies and men to the Republicans, while Mussolini's Italy supported the Nationalists. France and Britain stayed neutral, refusing to aid either side. The German Reich was divided on the issue, with the DNVP firmly in the Nationalist Camp, due to their perceived Monarchist leanings. The SPD-lead Coalition was split, and eventually decided on non-intervention. Supporting either side would split the already fragile Weimar Republic even further, and that could not happen.
Spain was not the only nation at risk of war. The Republic of China, still recovering from its civil war with the Communists, was a state that controlled its territory in name-only. Large portions of 'Republican' territory were technically under Warlord control...Xibei San Ma, Xinjiang, Guangxi, Shanxi, Yunnan...all only 'technically' under control of Nanjing. This divided nation, long supported by Germany, was being eyed hungrily by the ever-growing Japanese Empire.
Already, Manchuria was under control of the Qing Emperor Pu-Yi, as a Japanese puppet state. It was an open-secret that the Japanese were hardly satisfied with the resources they were stripping from the Manchus, and that they wanted more. The Republic of China was a weak state, and the expansionist Empire at their doorstep was quite eager to take advantage of this. It was because of this fact, that both Weimar and the Soviet Union were supporting the Chinese.
In the German case, they had Alexander von Falkenhausen, a decorated general, helping modernize the Republican Army. Chiang Kai-Shek, leader of the Kuomintang, was quite happy with this assistance. The New Model Chinese Army, being developed along the same lines as the Reichsheer, might just be a match for Japan if given enough time to develop.
Unfortunately, storm clouds were gathering as von Falkenhausen reported the Chinese Army mobilizing in preparation for a war.
It was with the War in Spain and potential War in China in mind, that the German military and industrial machine continued to expand. War looked more and more likely everywhere, and the Reich did not want to be caught flat-footed. All of the modernization and expansion had a noticeable effect on German prestige however. The nation had been crippled after the Great War, but now...after years of recovery it was reclaiming its former pedestal.
Some even considered the Republic a Major Power once more, on a par with France.
This increase in prestige was noticeable around war-torn Spain, where the Reichsmarine sailed side-by-side with the Royal Navy on its Neutrality Patrols. The purpose of these patrols were simple...prevent Italian or Soviet supplies from reaching the Spanish. Non-interventionism was very much alive, and it was shown in the patrols. The success of them was debatable however. For all the work the Reichsmarine and Royal Navy put into their patrols, supplies still got through to both warring sides in Spain.
Even the French, non-interventionist themselves, shipped supplies across the Pyrenees to the Republican forces trying to hold on in Catalonia. Some of these supplies were used to shoot at the Patrols, as a squadron of Republican bombers attacked the German flagship, SMS Scharnhorst. The government would later claim their aviators thought that the Scharnhorst was a Nationalist vessel, but that changed little. Germany, stringent supporter of the Patrols, withdrew and were soon followed by the British.
In any case, even if the bombing had not happened, the Scharnhorst and her comrades were needed elsewhere. Specifically, escorting convoys of supplies to Republican China. For, as von Falkenhausen had predicted, Japan had struck hard against the disunited nation. Using the excuse of Chinese soldiers firing on them at the Marco Polo Bridge, the Empire of Japan had to 'teach them a lesson'. Such was the excuse they used, as swarms of Japanese and Manchurian soldiers poured over the China/Manchukuo Border, quickly overrunning the weak Shanxi Clique.
Chiang's German Model Army consolidated a line further south, but the Japanese were an enemy China was not ready for. The Ma and Communists held the West as best they could, while the Nationalists held the South. But even as the Chinese declared a 'United Front' against Japanese aggression, it was debatable how long they could hold. Von Falkenhausen was doubtful they could last more than two years, unless more support was sent to China.
Both Weimar Germany and Soviet Russia sent this support. Stalin's government had coined 'Operation Zet' an effort to supply the Nationalists, alienating Mao who had expected the support to come his way. Germany, meanwhile, increased their supplies and already existing cooperation.
Even as China fought against Japan, the other war that had been gathering world attention ended. The Republicans had held out as long, if not longer, than most had expected...fighting well into 1938. But, International Brigades and workers were no match for the hardened Army that the Nationalists wielded. With Sanjuro dead of a plane crash, it was Fransisco Franco who accepted the Republican surrender (even as a Government-in-Exile set up shop in Paris). War-torn Spain was united in a new 'Kingdom' of Spain, with Franco as the regent.
Europe was under no illusions however...much like Admiral Horthy was a 'Regent' in Hungary, Franco was little more than a dictator. Spain had fallen to fascism, and it was not a good thing...
So we have a right wing Spain and Germany supporting China instead of Japan. This might become interesting if China should join an alliance with Germany and Japan attacked the USA.
Even with a democratic Germany, a nationalist Spain is a good thing (thanks, Communism!).
Yep. Sino-German cooperation is more important in this timeline, if only because China is at least outwardly democratic, while Japan is a military-junta. That, and China's doing remarkably well this time around.
At least it does help the story. Spain may be far away, but every time a non-democratic state pops up, it gives me more excuse to beef up the military.
Yup.
Interesting development, let's hope you can support China so they can do something in return.
Do you intend to have them unifiy China later? That would turn them into quite a powerhouse, with probably more manpower than Stalin has. Imagine what that could do if it got a little lend-lease IC...
Do you intend to have them unifiy China later? That would turn them into quite a powerhouse, with probably more manpower than Stalin has. Imagine what that could do if it got a little lend-lease IC...
If possible, yeah. Having a unified China is a nice counterweight to Uncle Joe, more so than Japan+Manchukuo at any rate.
And look, an update too!
If there was any one European state having distinctly mixed feelings about Germany's return to power, it was their cousin Austria. The Austrians had once ruled an empire the rival of any other...older and more prestigious than their neighbors to the north. This empire had been torn from them following the Great War however, and for all the complaining over Versailles in Germany, the conclusion of the war was arguably harsher on their neighbors in Austria. Unlike Germany, who had merely lost Alsace-Lorraine, Danzig, and other relatively minor concessions...the Hapsburg domain was torn into a rump.
A rump that had wanted to join with Weimar, if only because it was economically crippled. However, perhaps spitefully, the Allied Powers had foreseen this. As a result, a clause of the Treaty of Saint-Germain made quite clear that "German Austria" was not to join the German Reich without League of Nations approval. With Britain and France dominating the League, this approval would never come without drastic measures being taken.
While Austria struggled to stay afloat, these drastic measures were taking place to the north.
The German Reich had been, for some time, planning on a way to unite Germany with Austria. While it was a fiercely debated subject in the Reichstag, the majority agreed that it needed to be done. If nothing else, because the Austrians were living in a fascist state, that could barely supply for its own needs. The Austrians knew this themselves, and as a result, talks had been going on between German and Austrian leadership about the union of the two states.
Both knew this would be a violation of both treaties that ended the Great War. And yet, it was highly unlikely that the Allies would do a thing about it. If they hadn't done anything about Rhineland, they wouldn't do anything here. Ironically, Italy was the bigger worry. Mussolini had been propping up the Austrians, especially once it became clear that Germany would not ally with him.
But, as German troops marched into Austria in early February of 1938, they met no resistance. The Austrians welcomed the Germans, and the two nations joined peacefully, with the Austrians getting special privileges to reflect their history apart from the greater German state. Italy protested the move, but made no moves against Germany. The Allies did nothing at all, once it became clear this was a unification supported on both sides of the border. It would violate every principle they held, if they didn't let national self-determination win through.
This unification had an immediate effect on the Reichsheer and Luftwaffe. The two forces absorbed their Austrian counterparts, drastically increasing the size of the overall Reichswehr. Several divisions of Alpine troops, several garrison forces, and a handful of infantry divisions, all joined the German Army. These troops were immediately redeployed, the garrisons going to the Yugoslav border and the north German ports. The infantry moved to the Czech border, while the Alpine troops moved to Tirol, along the Italian border. These troops, in concert with the already large Reichsheer gave Germany an army the envy of any state in the world.
The Luftwaffe was also considered a strong Air Force now, but that was much more an illusion than the very real strength of the Heer. The Austrian Air Force, improvement in numbers that it may have been, was neither large or advanced. Consisting of a few fighter squadrons, it lacked any real offensive punch. And the fighters themselves would need replacing, before they would be of any use. The Italian biplane fighters that Austria had been using, were found lacking in everything but maneuverability. They had to be replaced with the new Messerschmidt fighters before the units could be truly integrated into the Luftwaffe.
Nonetheless, these new units still brought Germany back to the world stage. The crippled Republic that had coasted through the 1920s, no longer existed. The new Weimar Republic was a Great Power, every bit on a par with the old Empire. It only lacked a navy to rival the High Seas Fleet, and that was being rectified by the dockyards of Kiel and Wilhemshaven. The German people could, for the first time in decades, truly feel proud of their nation.
A nation that was a true rival for the French and British once more.
And with the new Austrian land, one nation was suddenly very warily watching the rising star of the German Reich. For Czechoslovakia was surrounded on all sides now...and knew that they had a large population of Germans who would like nothing more than to reunite with their homeland...
4. Austria
If there was any one European state having distinctly mixed feelings about Germany's return to power, it was their cousin Austria. The Austrians had once ruled an empire the rival of any other...older and more prestigious than their neighbors to the north. This empire had been torn from them following the Great War however, and for all the complaining over Versailles in Germany, the conclusion of the war was arguably harsher on their neighbors in Austria. Unlike Germany, who had merely lost Alsace-Lorraine, Danzig, and other relatively minor concessions...the Hapsburg domain was torn into a rump.
A rump that had wanted to join with Weimar, if only because it was economically crippled. However, perhaps spitefully, the Allied Powers had foreseen this. As a result, a clause of the Treaty of Saint-Germain made quite clear that "German Austria" was not to join the German Reich without League of Nations approval. With Britain and France dominating the League, this approval would never come without drastic measures being taken.
While Austria struggled to stay afloat, these drastic measures were taking place to the north.
The German Reich had been, for some time, planning on a way to unite Germany with Austria. While it was a fiercely debated subject in the Reichstag, the majority agreed that it needed to be done. If nothing else, because the Austrians were living in a fascist state, that could barely supply for its own needs. The Austrians knew this themselves, and as a result, talks had been going on between German and Austrian leadership about the union of the two states.
Both knew this would be a violation of both treaties that ended the Great War. And yet, it was highly unlikely that the Allies would do a thing about it. If they hadn't done anything about Rhineland, they wouldn't do anything here. Ironically, Italy was the bigger worry. Mussolini had been propping up the Austrians, especially once it became clear that Germany would not ally with him.
But, as German troops marched into Austria in early February of 1938, they met no resistance. The Austrians welcomed the Germans, and the two nations joined peacefully, with the Austrians getting special privileges to reflect their history apart from the greater German state. Italy protested the move, but made no moves against Germany. The Allies did nothing at all, once it became clear this was a unification supported on both sides of the border. It would violate every principle they held, if they didn't let national self-determination win through.
This unification had an immediate effect on the Reichsheer and Luftwaffe. The two forces absorbed their Austrian counterparts, drastically increasing the size of the overall Reichswehr. Several divisions of Alpine troops, several garrison forces, and a handful of infantry divisions, all joined the German Army. These troops were immediately redeployed, the garrisons going to the Yugoslav border and the north German ports. The infantry moved to the Czech border, while the Alpine troops moved to Tirol, along the Italian border. These troops, in concert with the already large Reichsheer gave Germany an army the envy of any state in the world.
The Luftwaffe was also considered a strong Air Force now, but that was much more an illusion than the very real strength of the Heer. The Austrian Air Force, improvement in numbers that it may have been, was neither large or advanced. Consisting of a few fighter squadrons, it lacked any real offensive punch. And the fighters themselves would need replacing, before they would be of any use. The Italian biplane fighters that Austria had been using, were found lacking in everything but maneuverability. They had to be replaced with the new Messerschmidt fighters before the units could be truly integrated into the Luftwaffe.
Nonetheless, these new units still brought Germany back to the world stage. The crippled Republic that had coasted through the 1920s, no longer existed. The new Weimar Republic was a Great Power, every bit on a par with the old Empire. It only lacked a navy to rival the High Seas Fleet, and that was being rectified by the dockyards of Kiel and Wilhemshaven. The German people could, for the first time in decades, truly feel proud of their nation.
A nation that was a true rival for the French and British once more.
And with the new Austrian land, one nation was suddenly very warily watching the rising star of the German Reich. For Czechoslovakia was surrounded on all sides now...and knew that they had a large population of Germans who would like nothing more than to reunite with their homeland...
Very good update. Next the Sudetenland, then Czechoslovakia, then...well, it'll be interesting for sure. Especially in how you RP it.
Your map looks slightly off...why is Poland seemingly missing Upper Silesia and Vilnius? It looks like the regions were absorbed by Germany and Lithuania, respectively.