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Just wanted to pop by and tell that you are doing a great work! I've started to play Poland just to see if I can withstand the German assault.

Thanks for the encouragement - playing rather than writing at the moment as I was only a day or so ahead.

Considering the tough time the Poles are giving me, you should do pretty well, especially if you start in 1936 to develop the right techs.
 
Nice perspective for an AAR. :)

Considering the tough time the Poles are giving me, you should do pretty well, especially if you start in 1936 to develop the right techs.
Well, the AI in 1.3 overproduces land units. It's bad for prolonged wars, since it drains reserves for reinforcements. But if you don't match those numbers at least in part, there might not be much conflict to speak of...
 
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You should try playing it! Every time I think the Poles are done fresh divisions show up. And when the French didn't attack in the first few days I thought they were sufficiently awed by the Westwall. As for the Danish attack .....That is opne thing I like about the AI - it will try things out so you can't relax and say "OK, I know what will happen for the next 6 months" or "No need to garrison that border, they won't attack".

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QUOTE]

I have a game going. I have had much more luck, though. Nat Sp is in the Axis, although it did nothing about Gibraltar. That is one thing I still miss, the ability to take command of the allied formatiions. I don't usually do that, but I always would when it came to the opportunity to take out the rock.
Poland collapsed in 26 days. I had to worry about the Netherlands, but neither they nor the French have done anything to upset the apple cart so far. Right now I am in the process of moving troops west to clear up some misconceptions the Allied powers seem to have. :D
 
Another great update. Watch out for the Hungarians. In one game I was trying out, the Poles never shifted any troops away from me. Hung had a cake walk, I ended up with a four province footage to attack the SU. Now I try to avoid calling on the Hungarians like the plague. I don't mind having Italy or Nat Sp, they keep the French honest.

Now that you have activated the Hungarians, you will really need to try to clear up the Polish problem as quickly as possible.
 
Another great update. Watch out for the Hungarians. In one game I was trying out, the Poles never shifted any troops away from me. Hung had a cake walk, I ended up with a four province footage to attack the SU. Now I try to avoid calling on the Hungarians like the plague. I don't mind having Italy or Nat Sp, they keep the French honest.

Now that you have activated the Hungarians, you will really need to try to clear up the Polish problem as quickly as possible.

Yes, that was the reason why I didn't bring them in straight away. But things were getting serious in France and I really need to release another armeekorps to the west. Now I can't as I need to rush to beat the Hungarians in the race east!:rolleyes:

I am a bit annoyed the Hungarians have (as far as I can see) only had to fight for one province, while I am still slogging my way forward. Surely the Poles must break soon?
 
Well, in my two AI controlled games as Germany it took them about one month to take Poland, but I used more optimised divisions in contrast to your more historical approach (and I used more bombers).

I would expect the Poles to last for about 2 more weeks ;)

CharonJr
 
May be the naval bombers could be better used attacking the Danish ports? I'd expect the Danes to return to port once they sunk something, so it might be easier to look for them there.
 
Well, in my two AI controlled games as Germany it took them about one month to take Poland, but I used more optimised divisions in contrast to your more historical approach (and I used more bombers).

I would expect the Poles to last for about 2 more weeks ;)

CharonJr

I would have to agree - I think about the end of June would be realistic. As I mentioned in my preview to this AAR (seems so long ago now!) I have made no effort to optimise my army - I like variety. My only concessions have been to minimise manpower costs to some extent.

Does anyone know how Poland is likely to be carved up? I have assumed the the country that took the capital gained the whole country but Forster's comment has me worried: I haven't played this far with 1.3 before.
 
May be the naval bombers could be better used attacking the Danish ports? I'd expect the Danes to return to port once they sunk something, so it might be easier to look for them there.

I think you are right. My intelligence report tells me the Polish Navy is holed up in Bornholm with some Danish transports and the rest of the Danes seem to be in Aalborg.

I should at least put one airwing onto the ports. They were supposed to alert me to any attacks across the Nordsee but these haven't eventuated.

BTW, I hope you didn't think I was having a go at you about the helmets: I was just pleased that I hadn't made a serious error. For a moment I did think I had got the photos mixed up.
 
Just wanted to say that I enjoyed this story very much :D It is unique among AARs in utilizing clerk as a main character and managing to retain focus on him. Excellent job with story and game :)
 
Rank and File
A Clerk’s War​


15th June to 16th June 1939


Anticipation made me hurry to work a bit earlier than normal, but everything seemed normal when I got there. I checked my office and wandered around hoping to overhear a snippet of conversation. Nothing. Finally, I decided to push things along a little (I have said that curiosity is a major weakness of mine) and called my counterpart in the Foreign Ministry. I don’t really like to call him much, he is a bit of a bore, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

After the normal formalities, I explained to him that we had a few meetings last night but I had no minutes to file. Given there were Foreign Ministry officials present I wondered if he had spare copies of the meetings for my files, as obviously my staff had lost ours. He was very condescending as he explained these were secret meetings (as if I didn’t know!) and no minutes were available as yet. He did say, however, that I would know all about it within 24 hours. So I just have to wait.

There was a pile of military updates on my desk that had arrived during the night so I quickly reviewed them. The first was depressing, even though expected. Von Wietersheim’s attempt to recover Allenstein has been called off after only a day: the Poles reinforced the province and we had no spare troops to increase our attack. Losses were kept low, only 126 on our side, to 225 Polish casualties.

Next were a couple of victories to cheer me up. Lubliniec in particular was a great result. 2nd Leichte Panzer and the Falkenburg Division are racing forward, having inflicted 1620 casualties on the Poles for the loss of 431 men. Von Kuchler is getting quite reputation as a successful commander.

polenpanzeriiimitpanzer.jpg


The crew of a Pzkpfw III of 2nd Leichte Panzer Division take a well earned break during the advance into Lubliniec.

The other win, although not as impressive, was still respectable. De Angelis finally took Sieradz, and did manage to kill 655 Poles, but lost 983 of his own men. In the battle report, he notes that his initial information was that all the Poles were fleeing in confusion, but that he found large numbers of enemy prepared to stand their ground. He was outnumbered two to one, so this meant some heavy fighting. As a result, the bulk of the Poles managed to escape. He is trying to explain his failure to achieve a resounding victory, but I know how the Heer works: it is all about results. De Angelis will not be getting promoted soon unless his performance improves.

Another battle for Sensburg began during the night. 68.Infanterie Division under von Both made a night attack, hoping to catch the defending 27 Dywizjon Piechoty off-guard. It doesn’t seem to have worked: Krzyanowski’s men are not moving so it looks like von Both will have to do it the hard way. Those East Prussian forests are proving a graveyard for both armies.

sensburgfainl.jpg


Battle of Sensburg

Some good news for a change from the west, as Christiansen with 5 geschwader caught two French bomber wings unescorted over Metz. The French aborted their mission and fled, and the action was so quick we are not even sure if they suffered losses.

At noon came to announcement I had been waiting for: the Hungarian Regent, Miklos Horthy and the Prime Minister, Pal Teleki, made a joint public announcement that, due to Polish intransigence in border negotiations, Hungary was joining Germany in her war against Poland. As Poland’s allies were supporting her, Hungary was regrettably also declaring war against the Allied coalition of the United Kingdom, France, Iraq, Oman, Yemen, Bhutan, Nepal, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Greece and Denmark.

We no longer fight alone! I have seen the maps of the disposition of Polish units: they have stripped the Hungarian border. The Magyar Honvedseg should be able to move north immediately. Surely the Poles must realise they have no hope and surrender?

m39csaba7ylfinal.jpg


A publicity photograph for the newspapers: a Hungarian 39M Csaba scout car and troops ready to cross into Poland

There was a lot of celebratory backslapping and cheering after the announcement, and some-one even opened a bottle of champagne. I think this was bit over the top, as while it is good news, we haven’t yet seen what the Hungarians will do. There are rumours that the Hungarian Government was not too keen to make this decision, and that enormous pressure was put on Tileki. We will just have to wait and see. It can’t be denied that the addition of 88 fresh regiments is a relief, even if privately our officers will cast doubts on the quality of the Hungarians.

The jubilation was tempered by news of yet another reverse in St Wendel as Zaiser once again was forced to retreat, leaving 482 dead on the battlefield. The French lost only 270 men. The report the general filed indicated he has now lost 20% of his original strength of 10,000 men.

We don’t know whether the Polish Army has spread the news of the Hungarian intervention, but it hasn’t affected General Anders. He is making an attempt to take back Lubliniec, but von Kuchler’s Falkenburg Division should have no difficulty repulsing his 6th Infantry Division. (I must make a note to have a word to the head of the Heer reports section. It is several weeks since the Fuhrer rewarded 4.Infanterie by allowing it to be renamed the"Falkenburg" Division, and we are still getting reports using the old name. I should not have to correct junior clerks. How can we run an army surrounded by such inefficiency?)

lubliniecfinal.jpg


Second Battle of Lubliniec

French fighters belatedly showed up over Metz, and there was a dogfight with roughly equal numbers of planes on both sides, but our Messerschmitts prevailed (or so the report says – it is noticeably lacking in verifiable details).

Early on the 16th Heeresgruppe East accelerated the pace in Poland. Two more attacks began, in Wloclawek and Tyrawa Woloska. General Neuling and his 71.Infanterie are already in contact with the enemy in Wloclawek, while Volkmann has two Gebirgsjager divisions (1 and 3) attacking from Krynica and Gorlice into Tyrawa Woloska. He is opposed by only one cavalry division (Nowogrodzko BK) but our information is that this is an over-strength unit with four full brigades totalling 12,000 men.

wloclawekfainl.jpg


Battle of Wloclawek

tyrawawoloskafainl.jpg


Battle of Tyrawa Woloska

Little else came in for the rest of the day, and while the Hungarians in the border areas are moving, there is no mention of ground combat. Let us hope they come into contact with Polish forces soon, and that they shoulder some of the burden of fighting. We don’t want them to have stroll in the countryside and end up occupying half the country for no effort.

There was a brief message from General Neuling to say he has managed to encircle some Poles in Wloclawek, but he is still heavily outnumbered. He wanted to know when 15.Infanterie will arrive from Torun to take the Poles on the flank.

Bombing summary

15th June

Allenstein: Kesselring with 4 x Ju 87B: 89, 81, 101, 73
Pirmasens: Sperrle with 1x Bf 109G, 2 x He 111: 82
Brodnica: Kitzinger with 2 x He 111: 175
Pirmasens: von Greim with 1 x Bf 109G, 2 x He 111: 159
Sieradz: Grauert with 2 x He 111: 84
Brodnica: Kitzinger with 4 x He 111: 177, 135
Pirmasens: Sperrle with 2 x Bf 109G, 4 x He 111: 154, 142
Ozenna: Keller with 2 x He 111 (and one Hungarian TAC): 115
Brodnica: Kesselring with 4 x Ju 87B: 81
Wieruszow: Grauert with 2 x He 111: 94
Sensburg: Kitzinger with 2 x He 111: 127

bombingozennafainl.jpg


Bombing Ozenna: the Hungarians join the fight!

ju86final.jpg


A Ju 86K of the Honved Legiero that assisted in the bombing of Ozenna – Hungary’s first combat action of the war.

16th June

Tyrawa Woloska: Keller with 2 x He 111: 99, 57
Wieruszow: Grauert with 2 x He 111: 101, 131, 73
Brodnica: Kesselring with 2 x Ju 87B: 92, 98, 63
Sensburg: Kitzinger with 4 x He 111: 146, 155
Ozenna: Keller: 2 x He 111 (with 3 Hungarian fighters and one TAC): 54
Ozenna: Keller with 2 x He 111: 71

bombingozenna2fainl.jpg


A second attack on Ozenna: more Hungarian planes join in

airbattlekrakowfianl.jpg


Keller’s He 111s were attacked over Krakow by Kalkus with 3 brigades of Polish fighters, but soon 2 geschwader of Messerchmitts and 3 Hungarian fighter units joined in. The Poles beat a hasty retreat.

fallweissendof166finale.jpg


Fall Weiss at end of 16th June (note the Hungarians preparing to cross the border)


westwallendof166fainl.jpg


Westwall at end of 16th June

Once again as I was leaving several conference rooms were being sealed off. And again, large numbers of Wehrmacht and diplomatic staff could be seen arriving. One noticeable difference between the attendees, however, was a large number of Kriegsmarine officers. My suspicions of what was happening were put beyond doubt when I saw a familiar face: Count Ciano, the Italian Foreign Minister.

I would be prepared to bet a week’s salary that I know what is being discussed tonight. Italy’s entry into the war! With another front to worry about, maybe some of the pressure will come off the Westwall. I suddenly remembered something that put it beyond doubt. In tonight’s military position papers there had been a map of the French Alps. I had simply flicked over it as an example of military thoroughness, showing all the information at hand. But off course, it was in preparation of a now area of combat.

alpsfainl.jpg


The French-Italian border

Things are really starting to move. Then I realised something. It is only one month since war began, and already half Europe is involved. What will happen over the next year?
 
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The Hungarians seem to be moving on a wide front, which was to be expected when facing no opposition.

The Italian entry in the war might shorten the fight for France, but remember that the British will probably throw out Italy from Africa, which in turn will also endanger the German occupation of continental Europe.
 
This war is pretty much within the realms of realisme. I just hope that it stays that way and you dont getter these weird bugs like Superstacks on Channel Islands and Washington and an idiotic Soviet AI that pulls all its forces to Finland while Barbarossa is taking place. That would be a real shame for such a well written and realistic AAR.

Anyway, nice to see the Hungarians on the scene. Also these Italians might be helpful (you hope of course). How are your relations with the Rumanians, Bulgarians and the Fins. Will they join the Axis soon?

Keep up the story (oh and I love that pic of the Pz III)!
 
The Hungarians seem to be moving on a wide front, which was to be expected when facing no opposition.

The Italian entry in the war might shorten the fight for France, but remember that the British will probably throw out Italy from Africa, which in turn will also endanger the German occupation of continental Europe.

Although my game only a few days ahead of the narrative, I have noticed a few Polish units moving away from the German front - hopefully heading to block the Hungarians. And the Hungarians are in at least one battle.

I realise that bringing Italy in is not good for them, but the French were in the process of stripping the Alpine provinces of troops. I didn't want to have the same situation as with Hungary, where if I brought them in later they have a clear run to Paris.

If all goes well I will take Spain in 1941 and seize Gibraltar, whihc should slow the UK down.

Do you know what happens if I take Warsaw and Poland surrenders? Do the Hungarians keep what they have of Poland? And if, heaven forbid, the Hungarians beat me to Warsaw, do I keep what I have? Or does the holder of the capital take it all? I don't seem to be abel to find anything that covers ver1.3.


This war is pretty much within the realms of realisme. I just hope that it stays that way and you dont getter these weird bugs like Superstacks on Channel Islands and Washington and an idiotic Soviet AI that pulls all its forces to Finland while Barbarossa is taking place. That would be a real shame for such a well written and realistic AAR.

Anyway, nice to see the Hungarians on the scene. Also these Italians might be helpful (you hope of course). How are your relations with the Rumanians, Bulgarians and the Fins. Will they join the Axis soon?

Keep up the story (oh and I love that pic of the Pz III)!

I have my fingers crossed that things go at least reasonably.

Yes, things were getting a bit slow trying to conquer the world single-handedly. I haven't spent a lot on diplomacy, preferring to concentrate on research and leadership, with espionage third. So the only country i have been influnecing is the USA (which is pretty safe).

So Romania, Finland and Bulgaria are a long way from being allies. Maybe next year I'll leave the USA alone and try for Romania and possibly Finland.

I am finding it very hard to keep spies alive in the USSR, so little progress in raising their threat.

Yes, it is a good picture. I think in a day or so I will start telling which photos are inaccurate. See if you can tell. As a start, the picture of the Reichskanzlei interior doorway in one of the first posts (1936) was not of the original Kanzlei building, but of the "new" building.

Great stuff as usual, Uriah. Keep an eye on those sneaky Hungarians. :rolleyes:

I am watching them like a hawk! But these damn Poles will not get out of the way to let me rush for Warsaw. Do you know how the surrender rules work (see above question for Baltasar)?
 
That's what happend to me. Left me with 4 provinces from which to attack the Soviet Union. I finally got the three key cities, but the Poles never really drew any forces off from my front, so the Hungarians just swept on through behind them. I was so frustrated I quit and started a new game. :mad:
 
IIRC with the Polish surrender your allies actually keep what they have taken (minus the provinces handed over to the Soviets), but I am not completely sure about this.

CharonJr

That's what happend to me. Left me with 4 provinces from which to attack the Soviet Union. I finally got the three key cities, but the Poles never really drew any forces off from my front, so the Hungarians just swept on through behind them. I was so frustrated I quit and started a new game. :mad:

To both Charonjr and Forster

Thanks for the replies: I just hope I can steamroll my way quickly to Warsaw (I'm pretty sure that should cause a collapse) and that at least one or two Poles move to block the Hungarians.
 
If you were getting worried about the hungarians advance, for the sake of future gameplay in your game, you could try logistical bombing of the provinces ahead of the hungraians to make their advance really slow.