Rank and File: A clerk's war Germany 1936 (Semper Fi)

I have decided to take a few days’ leave in the New Year, while the office is quiet. Some of my staff, both filing and secretarial, are also taking advantage of the relatively quiet period since the Armistice. So I am fairly occupied with personal matters at the moment, and have not time for a full report. We did receive the enormous files of documents from every Ministry detailing how wonderfully they had performed during the year, but luckily the Führer insists on a summary paper. Rather than waiting until I return to the office and catch up on the Swiss resistance and the siege of Copenhagen, I have just attached the summary sheets.




Diplomatic

As of 1st January 1940, we have a group of staunch allies. The two major partners are Japan (with its “puppets” Manchukuo and Mengkukuo) and Italy. Secondary nations are Hungary, Bulgaria and Portugal, while Yunnan, Slovakia and Siam are very junior members of the Axis. In addition, Argentina has expressed a strong desire to join us, but we are still considering their application.

Our main opponent is the United Kingdom. She is assisted by a motley group of countries who call themselves “the Allies”. In reality, these countries are several groups, each with different motivations and wildly varying ability to contribute to the war. The first group contains those countries directly administered by the United Kingdom: Iraq, Oman, Yemen, Bhutan and Nepal. We have heard from our Italian allies of Iraqi ground troops in action in North Africa, but no other indication of their involvement has been identified, other than their very effective espionage activities. The second group is the Commonwealth nations who have answered the call of the “Mother Country”. South Africa, Canada and New Zealand have joined the war. Again, we have reports of South Africans troops active in East Africa, but no direct contact. It is interesting to note that Australia appears determined to stay neutral: she is very similar in policies to the Reich but refuses to consider joining the Axis.

The third group is the Northern European League: the Scandinavian countries and Finland. While no Finnish troops have been committed to combat, both Norway and Sweden took part in the recapture of Copenhagen. They have considerable land forces and represent a real threat as they allow the Allies access to the Baltic and our vulnerable northern flank. Luckily their air and naval forces are minute.

The fourth group are referred to by the Foreign Ministry as the “Independent Allies”, but they are really two sub-groups. The first sub-group are the Latin American countries, Panama and Paraguay. By itself is Eire. We have no way of telling if any of these countries intend to actually send forces against us or whether they are making a political statement. Whatever their intention, they will provide bases and trade to the United Kingdom and are therefore to be treated as hostile.

The fifth and final group are the Governments in Exile. These are the countries whose Royal families or Heads of State fled to the United Kingdom (whether directly or through a neutral country) and have vowed to continue fighting. In most cases they have no ground forces, few aircraft and at best a small navy. Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands are the core group, together with those Frenchmen who refuse to recognise the Vichy government. Denmark is included in this group, even though a case could be made that it is in the Northern European League. However, it has already surrendered and its only hope is that the Swedes and Norwegians can free enough of its country to allow the GIE to return home. The Ministry has also included Switzerland: their analysis is that Zürich will fall within days, and our agents tell us that several key government minsters evaded our fighters in bad weather and flew to Yugoslavia several days ago.

Our ultimate foe, the USSR, has its satellites Mongolia and Tannu Tuva, but no other country looks close to signing an agreement with them. While our treaty remains, we seem secure on that border.

Of the neutral countries, the United States is obviously of paramount interest. Although we have stopped influencing them diplomatically, we monitor their policies very closely. They are drifting very slowly towards the Allies, but it will be a considerable time before we need to be concerned. Of the other nations, Colombia may join the Allies soon, and many South America countries are moving that way. Venezuela is of particular concern as the UK is using diplomatic pressure to bring her into line. The acquisition of access to Venezuelan oil would be very valuable to the UK (though there is still the matter of transporting it across the Atlantic past our U-boats!)

Two countries have been of interest to the Reich: Yugoslavia and Romania. Neither has shown a willingness to trade to enter into other negotiations. The Führer is losing patience with both governments, and unless there is a drastic change in attitude e.g. a coup or revolt, then we will cease attempts to bring them onside. Given that Yugoslavia has access to the Mittelsee and that Romania has the Ploesti oil-fields, both of which are of great value to us, we must consider other means by which we can achieve our aims.


Intelligence

The demands of our officer schools and research institutes have had the effect of cutting our espionage recruitment. As a result, we are down to only 110 spies overseas, as our enemies hunt down and break up our sleeper cells. Priority is given to the USSR, USA and UK (after home security of course. Although our spies in the USA have orders to keep low, the Americans have been very effective at identifying and arresting our agents and we have only one group operating. We have made a slow recovery in the USSR, where we now have ten agents. We have four cells in the UK. Both the UK and Russian groups are spreading rumours to that they are a threat to their neighbours.

At home, we have our full complement of Security officers. Last month 19 agents were apprehended, but those spies left are very effective. We know of three groups involved in falsifying data and sabotaging experiments in our research areas, and those three alone are responsible for the waste of 11% of our research time. While we haven’t pinned them down, we do know that they come from Russia, Republican Spain and our supposed friend, Vichy France. Another cell, Canadian this time, is sending military secrets overseas, where they are no doubt distributed to our enemies. It is hard to know what more we can do: though this year may see the influence of the Spanish decreased.


Politics

Of course, with the Party in complete control, we have a stable government. It has not been necessary for the Fuhrer to replace any ministers during the year. No major policy changes have been made since the implementation of Service by Requirement and Full Economic Mobilisation at the outbreak of war.

We have stuck with a policy of military government of our conquests (Poland, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland) other than the Channel Islands, where we have appointed a collaboration government. The occupied territories of France are of course, part of the Reich. We have elected to adopt a less aggressive occupation policy (than say full military control or total exploitation) as we want to encourage some of the local population to join the armed forces, attend our military colleges and universities and join or intelligence and diplomatic corps. While more productive capacity (which we could achieve through harsher methods) would be useful, the manpower and leadership cost is seen as too high.


Leadership and Technology

The Office of Skilled Personnel is still using the same unit of measurement as it adopted back in 1936, and I still don’t know what it is. (Thousands of man days?). It doesn’t matter – what is important is that it has risen from 28.92 back then to 38.62 now. About a 35% increase in talent in just 4 years! A very creditable performance. Because of this rapid increase we can now afford to have 29 research projects going simultaneously, while still generating 69 officers per day for the Wehrmacht. (Though the OSP does admit that our ratio of officers to requirements has dropped to 120%). Spy recruitment has suffered, with only 3 agents graduating per month, and diplomats are even rarer, being produced at one per month. But it has been decided that the Reich will be a leader in every field of technology, while still providing the Wehrmacht with the best officers possible. The days of diplomacy are over, and espionage is too slow for our leaders.

Infantry research

Militia Small Arms 2: Karibiner 98b
Infantry Small Arms 4: MP40
Infantry Support Weapons 4: 10cm NbW 35
Infantry Anti-tank Weapons 4: 5cm PaK 38
Assault Weapons 1: Flammenwerfer 41
Bridging Equipment 2: Brückenleger II

Armour and Artillery

Artillery Carriage and Sights 6
Rocket Artillery Ammunition 1: 15cm Nebelwerfer 41

Bomber Aircraft

Four Engine Airframe 1
Large Fuel Tank 1

Fighter Aircraft

Advanced Aircraft Design 1

Industry

Education 3
Electronic Computing Machine 1: Zuse 72

Theory

Supply Transportation 3
Supply Organisation 3

Land Doctrine

Operational Level Command Structure 2
Elastic Defence 3
Tactical Command Structure 1
Delay Doctrine 1
Mass Assault 2
Special Forces 3
Grand Battle Plan
Assault Concentration 3
Large Front 3
Guerrilla Warfare 3

Air Doctrine

Fighter Ground Crew Training Theory 3
Fighter Targeting Focus
Naval Air Targeting 3
Airborne Assault Tactics 1

The lack of naval research is noted but it is also pointed out that in the early years of the overall plan to modernise the Reich that considerable effort was put into bringing the Kriegsmarine up to date: now it is the turn of other areas. The large number of Land Doctrine research is because most of these projects were delayed until we had more opportunities to test them in the field: they are notoriously difficult to develop in peacetime.

The charts below show the improvements in our knowledge base over the past year. The huge increases in land, air and naval combat experience is to be expected, but many other areas have shown a massive improvement which will help us in further research and production.



Production

Our economy is operating at capacity. All 232 industrial complexes are working around the clock, and with our technological advances (and the encouragement of some of our more demanding Ministers!) are producing the equivalent of 417 base load factories. Although we are running down our steel and rare material reserves, we have sufficient (were all imports suddenly cut off) to last for roughly 800 and 500 days respectively. We have no more storage space for coal, and that is with a massive conversion to oil. The conversion process means that we are still able to build our oil reserves, and we now have nearly 40 million tonnes stored. Refined fuel is at 80 million tonnes, though we are using large amounts now as the Heer becomes more motorised. Military supplies are at close to 100 million tonnes, and we have cut back on producing them to allow more manufacture of equipment for new units.

With few countries willing to trade with us, our vast cash supplies are virtually useless. Any offer of goods at all will be accepted. After all, any payment will be made from the contents of the various national banks we have captured.

Production of new equipment is now the bulk of our economy. Only 25 of our industrial complexes are used to keep the civilian population in necessities. The upgrading of equipment requires the use of 7, and replacements for reinforcements require 5. As indicated above, although strictly speaking we need more than 50 factory groups to provide supplies for the Wehrmacht, in practice we only use about 32. The bulk of our industrial power (the equivalent of 350 industrial complexes) is used to provide equipment for the Wehrmacht or is constructing improved facilities for military use. Ongoing contracts are listed below.

Construction projects

40 x Provincial Infrastructure Improvements
6 x Radar installations
2 x Air bases

Heer

1 x Panzer Division (2 x Armour, 2 x Motorised Infantry)
1 x Panzer Division (2 x Armour, 1 x Motorised Infantry, 1 x Self-Propelled Artillery)
2 x Gebirgsjäger Divisions (3 x Gebirgsjäger, 1 x Pioniere)
2 x Motorised Division (3 x Motorised Infantry, 1 x Self-Propelled Artillery)
2 x Motorised Infantry (3 x Motorised Infantry, 1 x Tank Destroyer)
3 x Sicherungs Division (2 x Garrison, 1 x Police)
1 x Kavellerie Division (2 x Kavellerie)
1 x Fallschirmjäger Division (3 x Fallschirmjäger)
1 x Coastal Infantry Division (2 x Infantry, 1 x Rocket Artillery, 1 x Anti-Aircraft)

Luftwaffe

3 x Fighter geschwader
3 x Interceptor geschwader
1 x Transport plane geschwader
1 x Tactical Bomber geschwader
1 x Close Air Support geschwader
1 x Strategic Bomber geschwader

Kriegsmarine

1 x Aircraft Carrier
1 x Battle-cruiser
2 x Light Cruiser
2 x Destroyer flotilla
1 x U-boat flotilla
1 x Escorts

There are two reasons for the large number of infrastructure projects. The most obvious is the need to bring our interior lines of supply up to the best level possible to make troop transit and supply easier. This could be handled, however, by “corridors” of high infrastructure across the Reich. What Minister Schacht has in mind, however, is that within months we will be deep in Spain, Scandinavia and probably the Balkans, and next year we will be crossing the wide plains of the Ukraine. It will be essential that our road and rail gangs can bring road and rail up to standard as quickly and cheaply as possible. By investing now it is hoped that we will benefit in the future.

The charts below show the current size of the armed forces for the Reich and its allies. While the dramatic increase in the Wehrmacht is easily noticeable, our experts are concerned that the Regia Marina has taken heavy losses. Minister Blomberg is of course extremely pleased that his January 1936 promise that within 4 years the Heer would consist of 300 to 350 regiments has been exceeded.


Finally, there is the human element. Our manpower projections are very positive: we have 1,075,000 men available for call up, and 34,000 become eligible every month. The Wehrmacht is at nearly full strength, so all these young men can be used to form new units (as long as casualties are kept within reason).

In conclusion, the Reich is well placed to continue the 1936 master plan as well as the immediate plans for 1940.





As you see, the first 6 months of war have led to a boom in production and research. We face the New Year with a Wehrmacht that is immeasurably more powerful and more technologically advanced that a year ago. Our strength grows by the day. I hope that it is not pride before the fall. We have passed our first test and France is no longer a threat. But the British are still secure in their island fortress and will no doubt attempt to foment trouble. 1940 will be another interesting year.

Karaiskandar said:

Oh I just can't wait for the new OOB!

It seems that our dear narrator really enjoyed New Year's Eve, good for him.

Click to expand...

Working on new OOB now: a lot of moving around and some leaders to change. Taking a while.

And doesn't everyone enjoy Silvester?

Enewald said:

The Swiss army makes a last great stand.
It was not that wise to push them into Zürich.

Click to expand...

I didn't push them: they ran there! I have been amazed at how few men are holding me up: the mountains + fortifications are quite difficult.

Modo said:

You can airlift the paratroopers using transport planes. Load, rebase, unload. I think it even prevents the redeployment attack delay.

Click to expand...

I hadn't thought of that, but in any case I have plenty of time. The transports may be heading to Spain for supply drops until the weather improves in the north.

Forster said:

Going at the Swiss over the mountains hurts.
Glad to see it is about to fall.
Nice update. /Glad to see our clerk had someone to keep him warm finally.

Click to expand...

See above re mountains/forts! And he is very careful to avoid chills.

NilsS said:

I know it's a clichè, but I just have to tell all of you, that this dish is indeed really awesome. If you visit Germany some time, you have to try some "Kassler mit Sauerkraut und Salzkartoffeln"

Click to expand...

Throki said:

Try "Kartoffelpüree" or "Kartoffelstampf" instead of the "Salzkartoffeln" - way better!

Click to expand...

I read about this dish and it seemd just the thing for me: but I have never seen it here (ie in a restaurant). Maybe I should go to a German ex-pat club.

thebigj_a said:

A great update! I wonder if our little clerk will make an honest woman of Gisela?

I have to say, though, I'm quite baffled as to why you didn't accept Argentina. It's not a huge deal, but it grants you some small advantage to no detriment (unless I'm missing something). You can base some of your long range U-boats there, and maybe some surface raiders, to attack convoys in the South Antlantic, and they're far enough away to act with relative impunity. It would also keep the South American Allies tied down so they can't contribute to the war in more meaningful ways. I doubt it would push the Americans into the Allied camp. I'm curious as to your reasoning.

Click to expand...

It is early days.

With Argentina, I just didn't see an immediate need. I have only 8 U-boat flotillas (in 4 Flottes) and they are all scoring well. While a base in Argentina would be nice, I don't need it. What I had a slight concern about was if her neighbours mounted an attack and I couldn't support her (and the British went in). It was a cost/benefit risk analysis. (Makes any top of the head decision sound good).

lazygun78 said:

Maybe Admiral von Schneider will come to visit



Maybe it's just me but reading between the lines I am assuming Gisela stayed overnight? I am sure that is how a gentleman would tell about his conquest without saying anything.

Nice update by the way.

edit:

btw2: Kassler mit Sauerkraut... Mhhhhh!

Click to expand...

Even Goebbels' Gestapo could not get the narrator to discuss a lady's sleeping arrangements.

All this talk of Kassler mit alles: it is 7.30PM here and I have not eaten and am not likely to for another hour.

As for Admiral Schneider: Skal!

RobberChicken said:

Sterling stuff again, even if it is only plated.

I trust there will be a summary of what's been happening - if anything - with the herring-fondling, deer-worrying, seal-molesting Scandinavians? Seems to have been awful quiet. Perhaps everyone is sitting around waiting for the government to do something about the invaders.

The events of New Year were most delicately handled, which all went to waste when the oiks of this forum started pointing and sniggering.

I'll also put my vote in for another rip-snorting battle report, the clash in the North Sea was well done. One odd thing I've noticed with the casualties in these land battles - occasionally there's a right royal ding-dong with bodies strewn untidily about the place, then a whole string of casualty lists more suited to those suffered by static units engaging in patrolling for a few days. Three stubbed toes and Jimmy here shot his own thumb off sort of thing. The odd thing is it doesn't seem to reflect the time taken and numbers of troops involved.

And your narrator should not mock Yunnan - their contribution may become searingly critical for ultimate victory. But I doubt it.

Click to expand...

Wait for the Men of the North: things start again soon. Not much, but enough to dispel rumours that the Swedes hibernate every year.

Talking about delicate handling ..... No: my lips are sealed. A veil has been drawn over the events of New Year's Eve 1939.

I have decided that there will be some more detailed battles (watching The Pacific is very stirring). But give me time to get some combat going: I can't see the Swiss lasting long enough.

Baltasar said:

Your are aware that Dinner for one is a being broadcasted every New Years eve in Germany, too? Several times?

Click to expand...

I thought my post-modernist reference had been overlooked. It probably was by all the English speakers: we have never heard of Der 90.Geburtstag. I was amazed to find out it was the most repeated TV program in the world (coutesy of Stephen Fry and QI).

sneakey pete said:

Well he did clean the guest room out the week before, supposedly. wouldn't want all that hard cleaning to go to waste :rofl:

Will be interested to see how your proposed invasion of spain goes.

Click to expand...

Cleanliness is next to godliness and brings its own rewards.

I hope it goes well, but I am worried about supply. In the hope of a quick win I have sent my armour and motorised and this may be problem if Idevelop bottlenecks. I am racing to finish another transport plane, but it won't be ready for a while.

Another update that can be skipped by those with no interest in lots of detail. Some of my readers, however, love to know what the Wehrmacht is up to, so here is the most current OOB.

Don’t worry about the date of the update: I will be relating everything that has occurred from 1 Jan to Feb 3, I just wanted to get the OOB done and I had kept making changes up until February.

I must take this opportunity to thank the developer of the HOI3 Army Organiser. It makes the job of keeping control of the OOB so much easier. I would provide a link but can’t remember where I found it (and am trying to post this while I have a few minutes spare ) . So if anyone does know, can you please either let me know or (probably better) just put up a link?

EDIT: Link to HOI3 Army Organiser (thanks Modo)

HOI3 Army Organiser






February 3rd 1940

Well, my few days’ leave stretched out. Someone in the Ministry of Interior Staff Section noticed that over the past four years I have only taken the odd day or two leave, and that I had built up a considerable surplus. My immediate supervisor ordered me to use up all the leave I had accumulated, on the basis that it was best to use it when times were quiet in the office. So I have spent an idyllic few weeks just resting, reading, taking long walks and generally trying to forget the war. The weather, while cold, has been fairly reasonable, with just a few snowfalls. By a fortunate coincidence (perhaps related to a conversation I had with a clerk in the Staff section, who now has a couple of bottles of good Bordeaux for his cellar) Gisela also managed to get a few weeks off, so we have been able to spend a little time together.

But all good things must end, and now I am back at work. There have been many developments in the past 30 days, and a lot of things for me to catch up on. First, however, I must get on top of the reorganisation of the Wehrmacht. While the Kriegsmarine is virtually untouched (other than the losses incurred in the past few months), there have been wholesale changes to the structure of the Heer and the allocation of our air geschwader. Most are connected to the new realities we face in 1940, but some reflect changes in emphasis and the promotion of deserving officers.

Wehrmacht: Order of Battle as at 3rd February 1940​

Directly Attached to OKW​

1st Fallschirmjäger: Dietl: Skill 4: Experience 2.74: Winter Specialist, Commando: 3 x PARA

1st Jagdfliegerkorps: Klepke: Skill 3: Experience 0: Superior Air Tactician: 1 x INT
1st Seefliegerkorps: Stumpff: Skill 3: Experience .08: Fleet Destroyer: 2 x NAV
2nd Seefliegerkorps: Geisler: Skill 3: Experience .38: Fleet Destroyer: 2 x NAV
1st Truppentransporterfliegerkorps: Abernetty: Skill 1: Experience 0: 1 x TRA

Nordseeflotte: Raeder: Skill 4: Experience 4.07: Superior Tactician: 2 x BB, 2 x BC, 1 x CA, 4 x CL, 3 x DD, 3 x TRS
Baltischeflotte: Böhm: Skill 4: Experience 5.97: Superior Tactician: 2 x BC, 4 x DD
II Unterseebootsflotte: von Nordeck: Skill 5: Experience 170.47: Sea-wolf: 2 x SS
1st Unterseebootsflotte: Aßmann: Skill 4: Experience 116.97: Sea-wolf: 2 x SS
2nd Unterseebootsflotte: Dönitz: Skill 5: Experience 117.04: Sea-wolf: 2 x SS
3rd Unterseebootsflotte: Fricke: Skill 4: Experience 78.83: Sea-wolf: 2 x SS
4th Unterseebootsflotte: Wolf: Skill 6: Experience 187.36: Sea-wolf: 2 x SS
5th Unterseebootsflotte: Krause: Skill 2: Experience .67: Sea-wolf: 1 x SS
2nd Truppentransporterflotte: Menche: Skill 1: Experience 0: Blockade Runner, Old Guard: 1 x TRS

Oberbefehlshaber West: Schörner: Skill 4: Experience 0: Logistics, Defensive Doctrine, Commando: 1 x HQ​

Heeresgruppe West: Christiansen: Skill 3: Experience .11: Logistics: 1 x HQ​

Nordfrankreich Sicherungskorps: von dem Hagen: Skill 1: Experience 0: Logistics, Old Guard: 1 x HQ

143.Reserve: Ernst: Skill 1: Experience 0: Defensive Doctrine, Old Guard: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL
221.Sicherung: Brandt FW: Skill 1: Experience 0: Fortress Buster, Old Guard: 3 x GARR, 1 x POL
1.Kossaken-Kavellerien: Groppe: Skill 2: Experience 0: 2 x CAV
281.Sicherung: Vesely: Skill 1: Experience 0: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL
285.Sicherung: von Württemberg: Skill 1: Experience 0: Logistics, Old Guard: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL



II Armeekorps: Kämpfe: Skill 3: Experience 0: Defensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF

2.Infanterie: Jacob: Skill 3: Experience 16.11: Engineer: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
32.Infanterie: von Obstfelder: Skill 3: Experience 19.45: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
3.Infanterie: von Boehm-Bezing: Skill 2: Experience 25.66: 3 x INF
23.Infanterie: von Massow: Skill 2: Experience 36.95: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
71.Infanterie: Neuling: Skill 2: Experience 24.95: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART

XI Armeekorps: Herrgott: Skill 2: Experience: 0.02: Defensive Doctrine, Old Guard: 1 x HQ, AA

19.Infanterie: Hartmann O: Skill 3: Experience 7.73: Fortress Buster: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
31.Infanterie: von Schobert: Skill 3: Experience 8.08: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
12.Infanterie: Brämer: Skill 3: Experience 7.11: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
13.Infanterie: Leeb: Skill 3: Experience 0: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
9.Infanterie: von Chappuis: Skill 3: Experience 0: Defensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AA

VII Armeekorps: von Föhrenbach: Skill 1: Experience 2.27: Logistics, Old Guard: 1 x HQ, INF, 1 x AA

7.Infanterie: Hasse: Skill 1: Experience 0: Defensive Doctrine, Old Guard: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
10.Infanterie: Müller A: Skill 1: Experience .17: Defensive Doctrine, Old Guard: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
17.Infanterie: von Amann: Skill 2: Experience 4.17: Fortress Buster, Defensive Doctrine, Old Guard: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
27.Infanterie: Feketehalmy-Czeydner: Skill 2: Experience 1: Defensive Doctrine, Old Guard: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
57.Infanterie: Barger: Skill 1: Experience 9.2: 3 x INF, 1 x ART

4th Jagdfliegerkorps: Christiansen: Skill 3: Experience 14.68: 2 x INT



2nd leichte Panzerkorps: von Kleist: Skill 4: Experience: 31.4: Panzer Leader, Offensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ, 1 x MOT

1st leichte Panzer: Keppler: Skill 4: Experience 0: Panzer Leader: 2 x LARM, 1 x MOT, 1 x TD
3rd leichte Panzer “Angriff”: von Manstein: Skill 5: Experience 47.8: Panzer Leader, Fortress Buster, Trickster, Offensive Doctrine: 2 x LARM, 1 x MOT, 1 x TD
3.Infanterie (mot): Ott: Skill 2: Experience 11.22: 3 x MOT, 1 x AC
60.Infanterie (mot): de Angelis: Skill 4: Experience 87.17: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x MOT, 1 x AC


2nd Panzerkorps: von Mackensen: Skill 4: Experience 11.98: Panzer Leader: 1 x HQ

36.Infanterie (mot): Herzog: Skill 2: Experience 36.84: Fortress Buster: 3 x MOT, 1 x SPA
10.Infanterie (mot): Biess: Skill 2: Experience 36.15: Fortress Buster: 3 x MOT, 1 x SPA
3rd Panzer: Crüwell: Skill 2: Experience 0: Panzer Leader: 2 x ARM, 1 x MOT, 1 x SPA
2nd Panzer: Dietrich: Skill 4: Experience 28.85: Panzer Leader: 2 x ARM, 1 x MOT, 1 x SPA


1st Panzerkorps: Hausser: Skill 4: Experience 36.87: Logistics, Panzer Leader, Offensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ, 1 x MOT

29.Infanterie (mot): Blaskowitz: Skill 4: Experience 109.4: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x MOT, 1 x AC
5th Panzer: Model: Skill 5: Experience: 87.18: Panzer Leader, Defensive Doctrine: 2 x ARM, 2 x MOT
20.Infanterie (mot): Curtze: Skill 2: Experience 14.9: Offensive Doctrine, Old Guard: 3 x MOT, 1 x AC
1st Panzer: Nehring: Skill 4: Experience 24.81: Panzer Leader: 2 x ARM, 2 x MOT


1st Motorkorps: von Arnim: Skill 4: Experience 67.76: Logistics, Panzer Leader: 1 x HQ

14.Infanterie (mot): Jodl: Skill 3: Experience 9.87: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x MOT, 1 x TD
18.Infanterie (mot): Bremer: Skill 2: Experience 3.77: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x MOT, 1 x TD
2.Infanterie (mot): Petersen: Skill 3: Experience 0: Logistics, Commando: 3 x MOT, 1 x SPA
16.Infanterie (mot): Behlendorff: Skill 3: Experience 2.4: Engineer: 3 x MOT, 1 x TD

5th Jagdfliegerkorps: Bogatsch: Skill 2: Experience 19.2: Superior Air Tactician: 2 x INT

Heeresgruppe Nord: Paulus: Skill 4: Experience 0: Defensive Doctrine, Logistics: 1 x HQ​

IV Armeekorps: Hansen K: Skill 2: Experience 2.55: Old Guard, Logistics: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF, 1 x AA

4.Infanterie “Falkenberg”: von Küchler: Skill 4: Experience 13.38: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
14.Infanterie: Bergmann: Skill 2: Experience 5.66: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
24.Infanterie: von Brauchitsch: Skill 4: Experience 2.34: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
58.Infanterie: Lüdke: Skill 2: Experience 12.24: Fortress Buster: 3 x INF. 1 x ART


1st Marine Sturmkorps: Halder: Skill 3: Experience 41.51: Offensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF

1st Marine-Sturm: Böttcher: Skill 3: Experience 67.65: Trickster: 3 x MAR, 1 x ENG
2nd Marine-Sturm: Jahn: Skill 3: Experience 58.42: Fortress Buster: 3 x MAR, 1 x ENG
3rd Marine-Sturm: Alpers: Skill 3: Experience 4.1: Commando: 3 x MAR, 1 x ENG


IX Armeekorps: von Kluge: Skill 5: Experience 4.48: Winter Specialist, Offensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF

15.Infanterie: von Gimborn: Skill 1: Experience 1.62: Old Guard, Defensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
29.Infanterie: von Eimannsberger: Skill 2: Experience 0: Old Guard, Defensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
44.Infanterie: Barckhausen: Skill 3: Experience 5.25: Fortress Buster: 3 x INF, 1 x ART


X Armeekorps: Heinrici: Skill 3: Experience 6.39: Defensive Doctrine, Fortress Buster: 1 x HQ, 1 x AA

20.Infanterie: Müller An: Skill 2: Experience 7.08: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
22.Infanterie: Keitel W: Skill 2: Experience 13.59: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
30.Infanterie: von Kressenstein: Skill 2: Experience 5.94: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
50.Infanterie: Heinemann: Skill 3: Experience 3.76: Fortress Buster: 3 x INF, 1 x ART


2nd Gebirgsjägerkorps: Bayer: Skill 2: Experience 0: Trickster

5th Gebirgsjäger: Eppich: Skill 1: Experience 0: Commando: 3 x MTN, 1 x ENG
4th Gebirgsjäger: Engelbracht: Skill 3: Experience 41.89: Fortress Buster: 3 x MTN, 1 x ENG
6th Gebirgsjäger: Hell: Skill 3: Experience 35.57: Winter Specialist, Fortress Buster: 3 x MTN, 1 x ENG

7th Jagdfliegerkorps: Fisser: Skill 1: Experience .03: Superior Air Tactician: 2 x INT



XII Armeekorps: Kaul: Skill 2: Experience 0: Offensive Doctrine, Logistics: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF, 1 x AA

33.Infanterie: Brandt G: Skill 2: Experience 10.13: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
34.Infanterie: Petzel: Skill 2: Experience 12.03: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
36.Infanterie: Bock: Skill 2: Experience 28.55: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
61.Infanterie: Heunert: Skill 2: Experience 5.1: Fortress Buster: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
69.Infanterie: von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt: Skill 2: Expereince 11.47: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART

6th Jagdfliegerkorps: Waber: Skill 3: Experience 6.99: 2 x INT
1st Kampffliegerkorps: Sperrle: Skill 4: Experience 50.93: Tank Buster, Carpet Bomber: 1 x MRF, 2 x TAC
3rd Kampfliegerkorps: Kitzinger: Skill 4: Experience 24.2: 2 x TAC
1st Schlachtfliegerkorps: Kesselring: Skill 4: Experience 32.49: Tank Buster: 2 x CAS
2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps: Löhr: Skill 4: Experience 26.48: Tank Buster: 2 x CAS
3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps: Udet: Skill 4: Experience 15.38: Tank Buster, Superior Air Tactician: 2 x CAS

Oberbefehslhaber Ost: Busch: Skill 4: Experience 4.73: Winter Specialist, Logistics: 1 x HQ​

I Armeekorps: von Falkenhorst: Skill 3: Experience 6.02: Offensive Doctrine, Winter Specialist: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF, 1 x AA

11.Infanterie: von Wietersheim: Skill 3: Experience 3.89: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
21.Infanterie: Pfeffer: Skill 2: Experience 10.42: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
1.Infanterie: Erfurth: Skill 3: Experience 8.32: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
62.Infanterie: Felber: Skill 2: Experience 13.6: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF. 1 x AT
72.Infanterie: Agricola: Skill 3: Experience 1.47: 3 x INF, 1 x ART


XIII Armeekorps: von Reichenau: Skill 4: Experience 3.58: Offensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF

56.Infanterie: Hänicke: Skill 2: Experience 5.86: Offensive Doctrine, Old Guard: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
52.Infanterie: von Salmuth: Skill 4: Experience: 7.48: Fortress Buster: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
68.Infanterie: von Both: Skill 2: Experience 34.6: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
73.Infanterie: Brennecke: Skill 3: Experience 0: Winter Specialist: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
60.Infanterie: von Sodenstern: Skill 3: Experience 4.99: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT


VIII Armeekorps: von Witzleben: Skill 4: Experience 22.61: Offensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ

18.Infanterie: List: Skill 4: Experience 20.08: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
8.Infanterie: Feige: Skill 2: Experience 19.4: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
75.Infanterie: Dollman: Skill 3: Experience 0: Old Guard, Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x aT
28.Infanterie: Eicke: Skill 4: Experience 31.47: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AT



Polen Sicherungskorps Kleffel: Kleffel: Skill 2: Experience 0: Old Guard, Offensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ

213.Sicherung: Liebmann: Skill 1: Experience 0: Logistics, Old Guard: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL
141.Reserve: von Hirschburg: Skill 1: Experience 0: Engineeer, Old Guard: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL
207.Sicherung: Heye: Skill 1: Experience 0: Old Guard: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL
8th SS-Kavellerie: Behrend: Skill 1: Experience 0: 2 x CAV


Polen Sicherungskorps Franke: Franke: Skill 1: Experience 0: Old Guard, Logistics: 1 x HQ

201.Sicherung: Guhl: Skill 1: Experience 0: Old Guard: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL
203.Sicherung: Korfe: Skill 1: Experience 0: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL
1.Kavellerie: Endres: Skill 2: Experience 0: Old Guard, Offensive Doctrine: 2 x CAV
52.Sicherung: Boehm-Tettelbach: Skill 1: Experience 0: 2 x GARR, 1 x POL



V Armeekorps: von Leeb: Skill 4: Experience 2.72: Offensive and Defensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF, 1 x AA

5.Infanterie: von Briesen: Skill 3: Experience 0: 3 x INF, 1 x AT
25.Infanterie: von Berendt: Skill 2: Experience 3.38: Old Guard, Defensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
35.Infanterie: Zaiser: Skill 2: Experience 3.51: Old Guard, Defensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
45.Infanterie: Bock von Wülfingen: Skill 2: Experience 2.54: Old Guard, Defensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART


VI Armeekorps: Ringel: Skill 4: Experience 0: Logistics, Commando: 1 x HQ, 1 x AA

6.Infanterie: Bader: Skill 2: Experience 4.36: Logistics, Fortress Buster, Old Guard: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
16.Infanterie: von Bock: Skill 4: Experience 24.85: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x INF, 1 x ART
26.Infanterie: Hasse A: Skill 2: Experience 7.32: 3 x INF, 1 x AA
46.Infanterie: von Roques: Skill 3: Experience 7.84: Offensive Doctrine:3 x INF, 1 x AT


1st Gebirgsjägerkorps: Jänecke: Skill 3: Experience 13.17: Offensive Doctrine: 1 x HQ, 1 x INF, 1 x AA

2nd Gebirgsjäger: Friedrich-Willich: Skill 2: Experience 17.42: Trickster: 3 x MTN, 1 x ENG
1st Gebirgsjäger: Volkmann: Skill 3: Experience 21.01: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x MTN, 1 x ENG
3rd Gebirgsjäger: Brand: Skill 3: Expereince 30.28: Defensive Doctrine, Fortress Buster: 3 x MTN, 1 x ENG


1st leichte Panzerkorps: Hoth: Skill 3: Experience 16.44: Logistics, Panzer Leader: 1 x HQ, 1 x MOT

2nd leichte Panzer: Geyr von Schweppenburg: Skill 4: Experience 38.52: Offensive Doctrine, Panzer Leader: 2 x LARM, 1 x MOT, 1 x TD
4th leichte Panzer: Höpner: Skill 4: Experience 43.8: Panzer Leader: 2 x LARM, 1 x MOT, 1 x TD
13.Infanterie (mot): Köstring: Skill 3: Experience 5.44: Old Guard, Offensive Doctrine: 3 x MOT, 1 x AC
2.Infanterie (mot) “Vörwarts”: Ruoff: Skill 3: Experience 37.66: Offensive Doctrine: 3 x MOT, 1 x AC


2nd Jagdfliegerkorps: Felmy: Skill 3: Experience 17.5: Superior Air Tactics: 2 x INT
2nd Kampffliegerkorps: Schwartzkopff: Skill 4: Experience: 82.65: Tank Buster: 1 x MRF, 2 x TAC
4th Kampffliegerkorps: Grauert: Skill 3: Experience 40.54: Tank Buster: 1 x MRF, 2 x TAC
5th Kampffliegerkorps: Müller-Michiels: Skill 2: Experience 24.29: 2 x TAC
6th Kampffliegerkorps: Dörstling: Skill 3: Experience 49.6: Tank Buster: 1 x MRF, 2 x TAC

Modo said:

"nn.Sicherungs" should be "nn.Sicherung". The "s" was used in names when words were combined. "Sicherung" is just one word.

A picture of your high level OOB would be nice. There is a tool for that.

Click to expand...

Will do - I'll edit the above. I was in a bit of a hurry but have 30 mins now.

Karaiskandar said:

Great job so Far.
Only the Soviet or the Americans should be able to compete with you now.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately those are the ones I have to beat.

BoemsiBoemsie said:

Nice updates, Uriah. Gearing up for the second part of the show. Can't wait for it.

I only hope that somehow the USSR will give you a though time when you invade, because they seem to be a stroll in the park now because of the lack of manpower, officers, doctrines and just about everything. That is a really irritating game killing experience in HOI3 which needs some serious improvements in SF.

Click to expand...

A while ago (I think when I converted to 1.4) I adjusted the USSR. From memory I gave them enough MP to mobilise plus a few hundred: so they can build and when war begins they will have plent of MP with which to build. I also delted the scores of forsts, factories and AA installations from thier build queue. In hindsight I might have adjusted the research because I can see they are researching industrials when they have more raw materiasl than they could possibly use. Still: they will finish those soon and then it is up to them.

lazygun78 said:

You have 8 medium tank regiments and you are currently building 4 more. I think you need to build a lot more of them soon to break the russian lines in '41.

btw: the Mediterranean Sea is called Mittelmeer in german (instead of Mittelsee)

there is a reason for the saying: "deutsche Sprache, schwere Sprache"

update:



From what I read in the dev diaries they have adressed that (major) issue.

Click to expand...

I plan to have another 4 by early 1941 so probably 16 total: that should be enough to be competitive. I aim to have total air superiority.

Once again my mind has deceived me: I actaully looked at "Mittelsee" and thought it looked odd, but didn't check. I think you will find that elsewhere I have used "Mittelmeer" correctly, as I do know that is the right name. In my defence, in English a "Sea" is one level down from an ocean, while a "mere" is pond or a very small lake. Obviously a common root, but the meanings have drifeted over time.

But I still don't think you can beat English for complexity and downright evil-minded illogic.


I think ver 1.4 addressed some of the issues, but when I converted USSR was still unable to build anything. The problem originally was that many countries built so many units that when they came to war they could not reinforce them all and so the attacker was met by dozens of divisions at 20% strength. Ver 1.4 made them check aganst mobilisation requirements and, if insufficient MP available, they built something else. Unfortunately, Russia generally decided to build hundreds of installations, rather than low MP air or armour units. I did discuss what I was doing but can't remember exactly when: try early Sep 1939.

Modo said:

I don't. Having mostly infantry is better for logistics (lower supply requirements), and makes it cheaper (i.e. doable before 1942) to cover a very long front, like the one you get in USSR.

Click to expand...

I don't have enough infantry either!

Surt said:

With the current state of vanilla, Uriah might need to edit 2-3000 manpower to the Soviets if he wants to have any challenge any way

Click to expand...

See above

Threedog43 said:

Nice update. You seem to improve your writing every time. Can't wait to see what happens next! Good Luck!

Click to expand...

Thanks Threedog43: I'm interested to see what happen too.

lazygun78 said:

i thought he did that already?!

Click to expand...

Surt said:

He did? good

Click to expand...

He did indeed