AAR - Germany 1936

[bestofff]

A brief introduction about this AAR: I am not an expert in military strategy but since long time ago I am interested in the WW II facts. I have been playing strategy games for more than 20 years but this is my first AAR (which I discovered in the HoI 2 forum) and it will be written supported in others AAR and in my research (pictures, photos, texts, etc.).

A few notes more: I’ll play the game since the beginning of 1936, Normal/Normal and my campaign will follow (if possible) the historical sequence but trying to create a realistic alternative history of WWII that will take Germany to victory, achieving the military missions and objectives.

I hope to post my AAR threads as soon as my campaign goes on, adding new episodes every week.

Hope you like it.

Introduction

World War I ended in 1918 with a total of 16 million casualties, including 9 million dead combatants. German propaganda had not prepared the nation for defeat, resulting in a sense of injured German national pride.

The German population swallowed the bitter pill of defeat as the victorious Allies punished Germany severely. In the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was disarmed and forced to pay reparations to France and Great Britain for the huge costs of the war.

Treaty of Versailles

When a new government, the Weimar republic, tried to establish a democratic course, extreme political parties (from the right and the left) struggled violently for control. The new regime could neither handle the depressed economy nor the rampant lawlessness and disorder.

The German Workers' Party espoused a right-wing ideology, like many similar groups of demobilized soldiers. Adolf Hitler joined this small political party in 1919 and rose to leadership through his emotional and captivating speeches. He encouraged national pride, militarism, and a commitment to the Volk and a racially "pure" Germany. Hitler condemned the Allies, communists and anyone he could think of, exploiting antisemitic feelings that had prevailed in Europe for centuries. He changed the name of the party to the National Socialist German Workers' Party, called for short, the Nazi Party. By the end of 1920, the Nazi Party had about 3,000 members. A year later, Hitler became its official leader, the Führer.

Adolf Hitler's attempt at an armed overthrow of local authorities in Munich in November 1923, known as the Beer Hall Putsch, failed. The Nazi Party seemed doomed to fail and its leaders, including Hitler, were subsequently jailed and charged with high treason. However, Hitler used the courtroom at his public trial as a propaganda platform, ranting for hours against the Weimar government. By the end of the 24th day trial Hitler had actually gained support for his courage to act. The right-wing presiding judges sympathized with Hitler and sentenced him to only five years in prison. Hitler was released from prison after one year and other Nazi leaders were given light sentences also.

While in prison, Hitler wrote volume one of “Mein Kampf” which detailed Hitler's radical ideas of German nationalism, antisemitism, and anti-bolshevism. Linked with social Darwinism, the human struggle that said that might makes right, Hitler's book became the ideological base for the Nazi Party.
After Hitler was released from prison, he formally resurrected the Nazi Party. He began rebuilding and reorganizing the Party, waiting for an opportune time to gain political power in Germany. The conservative military hero Paul von Hindenburg was elected president in 1925, and Germany stabilized.

Hitler skillfully maneuvered through Nazi Party politics and emerged as the sole leader. The “Führerprinzip” established Hitler as the one and only to whom Party members swore loyalty unto death. Final decision making rested with him, and his strategy was to develop a highly centralized and structured party that could compete in Germany's future elections. Hitler hoped to create a bureaucracy which he envisioned as "the germ of the future state”.

The Nazi Party began building a mass movement. From 27.000 members in 1925 it grew to 108.000 in 1929. The SA was the paramilitary unit of the Party, a propaganda arm that became known for its strong arm tactics of street brawling and terror. The SS was established as an elite group with special duties. By the late twenties, the Nazi Party started other auxiliary groups: the Hitler Youth, the Student League and the Pupils League were open to young Germans, the National Socialist Women's League allowed women to get involved and different professional groups - teachers, lawyers and doctors - had their own auxiliary units.

From 1925 to 1927, the Nazi Party failed to make inroads in the cities and in May 1928, it did poorly in the Reichstag elections (2.6% of the total vote). The Party shifted its strategy to rural and small town areas. Party propaganda proved effective at winning over university students, veterans organizations, and professional groups, although the Party became increasingly identified with young men of the lower middle classes.

The Great Depression began in 1929 and wrought worldwide economic, social, and psychological consequences. The Weimar democracy proved unable to cope with national despair and the existing "Great Coalition" government, a combination of left-wing and conservative parties, collapsed while arguing about the rising cost of unemployment benefits.

Reich president Paul von Hindenburg's advisers persuaded him to invoke the constitution's emergency presidential powers. These powers allowed the president to restore law and order in a crisis. Hindenburg created a new government, made up of a chancellor and cabinet ministers, to rule by emergency decrees instead of by laws passed by the Reichstag.

Heinrich Brüning was the first chancellor under the new presidential system. He was unable to unify the government, and in September 1930, there were new elections. The Nazi Party had an important score (18.3% of the vote) to make it the second largest party in the Reichstag.
Hindenburg's term as president was ending in the spring of 1932. With 84 years old, he was reluctant to run again, but knew that if he didn't, Hitler would win. Hindenburg won the election, but Hitler received 37% of the vote.

Germany's government remained on the brink of collapse (the SA were a part of daily street violence and the economy was still in crisis) and in the election of July 1932, the Nazi Party won 37% of the Reichstag seats. For the next six months, the most powerful German leaders were embroiled in a series of desperate political maneuverings.

On January 30, 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor.

On February 27, 1933, the Reichstag building went up in flames. Nazis immediately claimed that this was the beginning of a communist revolution and this incident prompted Hitler to convince Hindenburg to issue a Decree for the Protection of People and State that granted Nazis sweeping power to deal with the so-called emergency.

Parliamentary democracy ended with the Reichstag passage of the Enabling Act, which allowed the government to issue laws without the Reichstag.

The SA had been instrumental in Hitler's rise to power. In early 1934, there were 2.5 million SA men compared with 100,000 men in the regular army. Hitler knew that the regular army opposed the SA becoming its core. Fearing the power of the regular army, Hitler curried their favor by attacking the leadership of the SA in the "Night of the Long Knives". Ernst Röhm and other SA leaders were shot by the SS, which now rose in importance.

On August 2, 1934, President Hindenburg died. Hitler combined the offices of Reich Chancellor and President, declaring himself Reichsführer.

During late 1934 and 1935, monumental stadiums and other Olympic facilities were constructed as Germany showpieces for the Berlin Olympics in 1936 which Hitler considered a perfect opportunity to promote a favorable image to the world.

December, 27 1935

In the early morning hours, some of the most important German personalities received a calling-up-letter to a secret meeting.



Head of Government Office

26th December 1936

Dear Sir

In accordance with the Head of State orders, your presence is requested for a meeting to be held in Berchtesgaden, on the 1st of January at 08.00 h.

Sincerely,

Rudolf Hess

07:00 - January, 1 1936
Berchtesgaden

The German Head of State sits quietly, puffing away on his ivory pipe and looking the sun rising over the snow covered Alps. He is remembering the long way since 1919 until the moment he decided to promote the meeting that shall change the face of the World and transform Germany into the dominant power on Earth.

Five minutes before eight o’clock, he stands up, take a quickly look to the map over the table and whispers: “It’s time”.

Two SS guards open the doors and the German Head of State came in the planning room where the ministers and several senior officers of the Reichwehr were waiting.

THE GAME

08:00 - January, 1 1936
Berchtesgaden

- Good morning and happy new year to you and your families!

- Gentlemen, the time as come to right the wrongs of history!!!

- During the last 3 years we saved Germany from the clutches of the Weimar Republic. This meeting is the first step that will conduct the Third Reich to rule the world for the next 1.000 years and the German people to walk proud again!!!

- This task will be leaded by the German cabinet with:

Head of State : Adolf Hitler
Head of Government : Rudolf Hess
Foreign Minister : Constantin von Neurath
Armaments Minister : Werner von Blomberg
Minister of Security : Wihelm Frick
Head of Intelligence : Wihelm Canaris
Chief of Staff : Ludwig Beck
Chief of the Army : Werner von Fritsch
Chief of the Navy : Erich Raeder
Chief of the Air Force : Herman Göring

- The most important issues for the Reich economy are described in the Armaments office report and their development will measure the success of our policies. A description of the German armies, on this date, is included also.


REPORT
January, 1 1936 Armaments Office


Berlin resource depot

Energy 1.000
Metal 1.000
Rare materials 500
Oil 500
Supplies 495
Money 70

Manpower – 850
Dissent – 0

Industrial capacity – 0 / 135 / 142

Consumer goods Need : 36,23 %; Allocated : 36,3 %;
Production Need : 8,80 %; Allocated : 8,8 %;
Supplies Need : 15,40 %; Allocated : 15,5 %;
Reinforcements Need : 0,00 %; Allocated : 0,0 %;
Upgrades Need : 78,52 %; Allocated : 74,5 %;

Transport capacity – 63 / 223

Production

KMS Graf Spee – ETA : January, 7 1936
4.Unterseebootsflotille – ETA : March, 2 1936
8.Zerstörergeschwader – ETA : March, 2 1936

Force pool – (empty)

Trades

Italy, Netherlands, Soviet Union and Sweden
Give - 40,00 energy and 9,00 supplies; Receive – 9,00 metal, 8,00 rare materials, 23,00 oil and 2,00 supplies;

Convoys

Stralsund – Elbing
Elbing – Stralsund


Wehrmacht
January, 1 1936 Armaments Office

I Armeekorps – Lt.General von Bock
1.Infanterie-Division, 11.Infanterie-Division (with artillery brigade), 21.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Königsberg

II Armeekorps – Lt.General von Kluge
2.Infanterie-Division, 12.Infanterie-Division, 32.Infanterie-Division (with anti-tank brigade);
Location : Stettin

III Armeekorps – General von Rundstedt
Heeresgruppe A, 3.Infanterie-Division, 23.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Berlin

IV Armeekorps – Lt.General von Brauchitsch
4.Infanterie-Division, 14.Infanterie-Division (with artillery brigade), 24.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Dresden

V Armeekorps – Lt.General Blaskowitz
5.Infanterie-Division, 25.Infanterie-Division (with artillery brigade), 35.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Stuttgart

VI Armeekorps – Lt.General Halder
6.Infanterie-Division, 16.Infanterie-Division (with anti-tank brigade), 26.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Münster

VII Armeekorps – General Fleck
7.Infanterie-Division, 10.Infanterie-Division (with anti-tank brigade), 17.Infanterie-Division, 27.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Munich

VIII Armeekorps – Lt.General von Küchler
8.Infanterie-Division, 18.Infanterie-Division, 28.Infanterie-Division (with engineering brigade);
Location : Berlin

IX Armeekorps – Lt.General List
9.Infanterie-Division, 15.Infanterie-Division (with anti-aircraft brigade), 29.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Frankfurt-am-Main

X Armeekorps – Lt.General von Kressenstein
20.Infanterie-Division, 22.Infanterie-Division (with artillery brigade), 30.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Hamburg

XI Armeekorps – Lt.General von Leeb
13.Infanterie-Division, 19.Infanterie-Division (with anti-aircraft brigade), 31.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Hannover

XII Armeekorps – Lt.General Becker K.
33.Infanterie-Division, 34.Infanterie-Division (with engineering brigade), 36.Infanterie-Division;
Location : Dortmund - Moving to Cologne

I Panzerarmee – Lt.General Hauser
1.Panzer-Division , 2.Panzer-Division, 3.Panzer-Division;
Location : Berlin


Luftwaffe
January, 1 1936 Armaments Office

II Luftflotte – Air General Göring
KG 2 “Holzhammer” (tac.bomber), KG 3 “Blitz” (tac.bomber), Sturzkampfgeschwader 51 (tac.bomber), JG 2 “Richthofen” (interceptor), JG 26 “Schlagater” (interceptor);
Location : Berlin

III Luftflotte – Lt.General Kesselring
KG 53 “Legion Condor” (tac.bomber), KG 30 “Adler” (tac.bomber), Kampfgeschwader 25 (tac.bomber);
Location : Breslau

IV Luftflotte – Lt.General Milch
KG 1 “Hindenburg” (tac.bomber), JG 3 “Udet” (interceptor);
Location : Kassel

V Luftflotte – Mj.General Sperrle
KG 4 “General Wever” (tac.bomber);
Location : Munich



Kriegsmarine

January, 1 1936 Armaments Office

Baltische Flotte – Rear Admiral Densch
KMS Schleswig-Holstein (Battlecruiser), KMS Schlesien (Battlecruiser), 1.Zerstörergeschwader (Destroyer G7), 2.Zerstörergeschwader (Destroyer G7), 3.Zerstörergeschwader (Destroyer G7);
Location : Lübeck

Kriegsmarine – Vice Admiral Saalwächter
KMS Deutschland (Heavy cruiser), KMS Admiral Scheer (Heavy cruiser), KMS Nürnberg (Light cruiser), KMS Leipziz (Light cruiser), KMS Königsberg (Light cruiser), KMS Karlsruhe (Light cruiser), KMS Köln (Light cruiser), KMS Emden (Light cruiser), 4.Zerstörergeschwader (Destroyer Z1);
Location : Wilhelmshafen

I Uboot gruppe – Rear Admiral Böhm
1.Unterseebootsflotille (type IIA);
Location : Wilhelmshafen

II Uboot gruppe – Rear Admiral Nordeck
2.Unterseebootsflotille (type IIB), 3.Unterseebootsflotille (type IIB);
Location : Kiel

- The objectives for the next several years are:

1 - Incorporation of all the Teutonic people under one Greater Reich.

• Germany will reclaim its territory from the 1st and 2nd Reich (the Holy Roman Empire). Those territories are: Austria, Czechoslovakia, Slovenia, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, Alsace-Lorraine and Poland.
• All the colonies taken from Germany at the end of I World War and the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark shall be reclaimed also.
• In order to be self-sufficient in terms of natural resources and as a buffer against the Soviets, the Eastern Europe countries of Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria shall be “liberated”.

2 – German hegemony in Europe.

3 – Control of the Middle East oilfields.

4 – These issues shall be achieved as soon as possible, with the limit date of December, 30 1947.


- In order to obtain the desired results the German cabinet shall implement the following ideas:

Domestic policies

1 - The German cabinet shall pursue a policy that conducts to an absolute respect for authority and absolute control over strategic industries.
• The central planning shall be increased at once.

2 – Germany shall be prepared to have the best trained armies, maintaining a large professional military force.
3 - The German cabinet shall seek opportunities to intervene in world affairs and bring new territories and people into the Reich.
• The XII Armeekorps shall reoccupy the Rhineland immediately.

Diplomacy

1 – At the moment of a new country appearance, the German cabinet shall start influencing and supporting it in order to join the new country to the Axis.

2 – The Reich shall assist (if possible) the natural allied countries (Japan and Italy). This will support German strategy in secondary theatres, especially in the Mediterranean Sea.

3 – To increase the national resources stored in the German depots, the trade agreements shall be smartly performed with the countries with best relations with Germany (ex: Argentina, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland). The exception will be the Soviet Union, where we shall try to trade all kind of resources.

Technology

1 – In a 1st phase Germany shall research the technologies that can increase the man power, the industrial capacity, the industrial capacity efficiency, the research efficiency and reduce the production time.
• New contracts shall be signed with:
I.G.Farben – Research of “Basic machine tools”
Junkers – Research of “Agrichemistry”
Krupp - Research of “Basic decimetric radar warning sites”
Porsche - Research of “Basic computing machine”
Opel - Research of “Rear area vehicle repair shop”

2 – Germany’s land and air forces shall be built in accordance with Heinz Guderian’s theory – the Blilzkrieg. The research of the technologies and doctrines that can allow the production of a highly mobile force spearheaded by fast and powerful tanks, supported by close air support under a veil of fighter air supremacy shall be the 2nd priority of research teams.
Please remember the Sun Tzu words : "Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness, travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions".

3 – The navy and the naval doctrines shall have their focus on the indirect attack. Long range U-boats, with the ability to operate autonomously, shall be produced to convoy interdiction. The surface fleet is tasked with control of the Baltic Sea, ASW duties and (limited) raiding against convoys with heavy escorts.

4 – The development of the technology that can conduct Germany to the production of secret weapons in a near future shall not be forgotten.

Production

The German expansion will cause, inevitably, an armed conflict with the other major European powers (Great Britain, France and Soviet Union) and with United States. Until middle 1939, we shall prepare Germany and the German armies to win the war.

1 – Germany’s industrial capacity shall be increased.
• The following improvements shall begin:
2 factories in Cottbus
2 factories in Regensburg
2 factories in Potsdam
2 factories in Magdeburg
2 factories in Leipziz
Increase of Oppeln’s infrastructure from 80% to 100%
2 – The defense of Germany industrial regions shall be foreseen.
• Beginning the production of anti-aircraft guns (2 parallel runs of 5 serial runs).

3 – New production projects to start:
• Naval transports (3 serial runs)

- I believe this is the road that will take Germany to victory!!!

- Gentlemen, please, raise your glasses to a toast:

- To the Reich and Victory!!!

On the 3rd January, welcomed with wide spread support of the population, troops of the XII Armeekorps boldly marched into the Rhineland demilitarized zone and arrived to Cologne.

As expected, the relations with France and United Kingdom deteriorated. The French government was horrified to find German troops on their border but were unwilling to take action without the support of the British. The British government argued against going to war over the issue and justified its position by claiming that "Germany was only marching into its own back yard". The French, though cautious to act, wanted to act in a manner that would give the impression to Germany that would not stand idle. The end action of the French response was to station more troops along the Maginot Line for defensive purposes.

On the 7th January, the Kriegsmarine received the first vessel to the Atlantische Flotte, the heavy cruiser “KMS Graf Spee”.

During January the German diplomatic corps engaged in frenetic activity with foreigner embassies to acquire large stockpiles of metal, rare materials, oil and supplies in exchange for our surplus of energy production. New trade agreements were concluded with Argentina, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Yugoslavia.

The months following January, until end of June, were calm but very interesting ones for Germany with the development of new technologies and new trade deals with Hungary, Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Romania, Argentina and Sweden. Some Wehrmacht divisions were reinforced with brigades, new units began their training while some of the existing German divisions were modernized.

Meanwhile, the Kriegsmarine launched the I Transportertruppenflotte and reinforced the II Uboot gruppe, the Luftwaffe created the interceptors Jagddivision 1, to provide the air defense of Berlin and the interceptors Jagdkorps 1 to protect the West front and the industries in the neighbor provinces and the X Armeekorps arrives in Kiel to defend the Denmark border.

On the 15th June, the newspaper “Der Stürmer” transcribes the Head of State speech for the German Labour Front in Hamburg, sending some messages, not only for the German workers, but also for the world:

“The German nation in its history has often suffered a bitter fate, as other nations have, but it has never been destroyed by such events, as our enemies once believed. When they struck at Germany's heart in 1918, they did not recognize that they had, thereby, created the deepest basis for a German resurrection. What at that time they regarded as a death blow, was in reality nothing else than the signal for a new and stronger unification of the German nation.
I do not desire anything further than that the German nation shall take its place and grow into the unity and cooperation of the European community, contributing for the development of all countries.
However, Germany has to work hard to wrest a few square kilometers from the ocean and from the swamps while others are swimming in a superfluity of land!
If we had the Ural Mountains with their incalculable store of treasures in raw materials, Siberia with its vast forests, and the Ukraine with its tremendous wheat fields, Germany would swim in plenty!
But this is not our plan. We want additional work for our unemployed and the use of the volume of their increased production to increase every man's share in consumption. Wages are not based on production; production itself is the wage.
The German workers production combined with trade and our scientists’ researches has yielded very good results, which we can see in the increasing of our resource stockpiles and industrial capacity.
Yet that does not mean either that we wish to let things drift as they please. Our fundamental economic principles are, first, to unite all the existing forces and secondly to educate our people better in their use. The Labour Front is the greatest element in such education!
It is hard to build up a new life out of your poverty, but I am not complaining. On the contrary, I find it wonderful to face difficult problems.
Some people say, 'He has brought out another plan. When he had completed the first, why couldn't he leave us in peace? Now he is tackling problems that cannot be solved.
I say that they can be solved; there is no problem that cannot be, but faith is necessary. Think of the faith I had to have eighteen years ago, a single man on a lonely path. Yet I have come to leadership of the German people.
People complain of a shortage of this and that - for instance, of a shortage of cotton. I say that in a few years we shall produce our own cloth.
Others raise the question of rubber. I tell you that factories will spring from the earth and that in a few years we shall ride on our own rubber tires.
It may then be asked, 'With what motive power will you drive you cars? I say that we shall take gasoline from our own oil and coal.
And to prove you that my words are not empty, I’m proud to announce that new technologies for “Basic machine tools”, “Agrichemestry” and “Rear area vehicle repair shop” were developed by the German scientists.
Whenever I see the Labour Front I am impressed by the word “front”. It signifies one will and one goal of achievement. Life is hard for many, but it is hardest if you are unhappy and have no faith. Have faith in you and in your government. We are not a helpless state.”

18:00 - July, 1 1936
Lichterfelde Kaserne - Berlin

Head of State

- Good evening Gentlemen.

- I called this meeting to inform the cabinet that our plans are running very well and in accordance with our best expectations. However, I would like to ear from Herr von Neurath and Herr von Blomberg a brief description about the results got during the last six months.

Foreign Minister

- In accordance with the policies defined during our last meeting, the Foreign office developed great efforts to supply the resources needed for our factories. Special attention has been given to rare materials and oil, but all the good trades are welcome. We are giving 227,90 energy, 4,40 metal and 21,00 supplies to Argentina, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Yugoslavia and receiving from them 77,70 metal, 41,50 rare materials, 71,50 oil and 16,30 supplies.

- After the re-occupation of the Rhineland, we had reduced our belligerence rate to 3 and, supported by the trade relations, we improved our friendly relations with several countries.

Armaments Minister

- Due to the trades, our resource stockpiles are growing at a good pace. Actually, at the Berlin depot we have stored 27.975 energy, 10.802 metal, 2.584 rare materials, 14.305 oil and 307 supplies. The money on the Reichsbank was increased to 521 and the manpower is now 913.

- Our research is making good progress and our scientists developed new technologies for “Basic machine tools”, “Agrichemestry”, “Rear area vehicle repair shop” and “Basic decimetric radar warning sites”. New contracts were signed with I.G.Farben (research of “Improved machine tools”), Kriegmarinewerft (research of “Basic destroyer”), Messerschmitt (research of “Basic interceptor”) and Heinkel Flugzeugwerke (research of “Basic close air support aircraft”).

- All these allowed us to increase our industrial capacity to 0 / 156 / 142 (no wastage is permitted) and Germany is now producing brigades (anti-aircraft, anti-tank, artillery and engineering), naval transports, semi-motorized cavalry divisions, anti-aircraft guns, mountain divisions, infrastructures, factories, infanterie divisions and interceptors.

Head of State

- Very well Gentlemen. Trade agreements and research shall continue a priority to support our production.

- Germany still lacks the forces to begin the required territorial expansion but, in the near future, and taking advantage of the weaknesses and ills of both East and West that will be possible. The military strategic plans shall begin to be prepared including a scenario with Germany allied countries.

- On the internal affairs, I must say that Herr Frick is doing also a great work (our dissent rate is 0) and the German people is happy and supporting us strongly.

- Gentlemen, that’s all. Have a nice evening and let’s continue the good work that will take Germany to victory!!!

[Oranje Verzet]

Is this a HOI2 AAR?

If Yes, a Mod can move it to the HOI2 AAR forum

If Not, which game is it.

[lifeless]

great start! its all long and detailed...

[Nameless]

My best tip as playing as Germany:

When you overrun Signapore, put some divisions there, as the Australians will land in the Malaya ula like crazy. Yes, this does happen.

[bestofff]

On the 18th July, the expected conservative coup, finally, took place in Spain.

After the February elections, the left wing Popular Front government upset the conservatives by releasing all left-wing political prisoners and introducing agrarian reforms that penalized the landed aristocracy. Other measures included transferring right-wing military leaders to posts outside Spain, outlawing the Falange Española and granting Catalonia political and administrative autonomy. As a result of these measures the wealthy took vast sums of capital out of the country that created an economic crisis and the value of the peseta declined which damaged trade and tourism. With prices rising workers demanded higher wages with a series of strikes all over Spain. Most ominously, the Popular Front was a strongly anticlerical government in a nation known for its firm Catholic faith.

All this resulted in the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

As often happens when a nation collapses into civil war, it was not long before other nations took an interest and began to favor one side or another in the struggle. Italy was eager to back the Nationalists because Mussolini was naturally inclined to favor the right-wing faction in any civil war, and the Republic's anti-clerical policies were an excellent propaganda device in staunchly Catholic Italy. Meanwhile the Soviet Union would support the Republic with arms and supplies, while the Commintern and NKVD would attract many left-wing volunteers from around the world to fight for the Republic.

In the 25th July, after the German diplomats influenced the policies of Franco’s cabinet, Germany sent material and volunteers to support the forces fighting in the Nationalist cause.

[gilf]

USSR stands for Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, not what your map says

and WWI ended with 16 million casualties

[cthulhu]

Interesting AAR you've started, Bestofff. I'll be reading.

[trezza_cz]

Nice!!!! I like your style

[lifeless]

very interesting!

[bestofff]

Despite this important event, Germany continues the hard work and at the end of 1936, Porsche researched new technologies of “Basic computing machine” and “Basic encryption devices”, Kriegsmarinewerft researched “Basic destroyer”, I.G.Farben researched “Improved machine tools”, Messerchmitt researched ”Basic interceptor” and Heinkel Flugzeugwerke researched “Basic close air support aircraft”.

Armies training, reinforcement and modernization still continue and in the 20th October, with the presence of the Head of State and the most important officers of the Wehrmacht, an impressive demonstration of the new German army was done with the 8-SS-Kavallerie-Division “Florian Geyer” assignment to the I Kavallerie armee.

The production increased after the 17th December with the new factories installed in Cottbus, Leipziz, Magdeburg, Potsdam and Regensburg and Oppeln infrastructures were improved to 90%.

However, the year finished with a scandal in the German government. The revelation that Werner von Blomberg’s new bride was a former prostitute shocked all the cabinet, specially the Head of State who was witness at the wedding. This disgrace, in an army concerned with tradition and honor, lead to the minister’s resignation and the nomination of Hjalmar Schacht as new Armaments minister on the 1st January 1937.

10:00 - January, 2 1937
Deutscher Hof Hotel - Nuremberg

Head of State

- Good morning Gentlemen!

- Last year was a great year for Germany and I am sure that 1937 will be even better!

- The Olympic Games were a great symbol of the Reich power and Germany showed the world and to our people that, even with the reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, we are again a new and powerful country!!!

- Our strategy for international affairs was very well conducted and as we thought our enemies did not even voice a complaint after the re-occupation of the Rhineland and the support we are giving to Nationalist Spain on the Spanish civil war. The battle is still undecided at the moment, but a victory of General Franco might provide us with access to the Mediterranean Sea.

- The resource stockpiles continue increasing but, during last months, the opportunities in the international markets are limited for the good trades. Herr von Neurath shall continue to seek all the chances for a good trade agreement in order to achieve the surplus needed for the future.

Foreign Minister

- As referred the resources international markets are not easy and only one trade agreement, with Switzerland was signed. We began 1937 giving 229,40 energy, 4,40 metal and 21,00 supplies to Argentina, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Nationalist Spain, Netherlands, Romania, Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Yugoslavia and receiving from them 77,70 metal, 41,50 rare materials, 72,50 oil and 16,30 supplies. In these figures, it is included 0,50 energy that Germany is sending to Nationalist Spain to support their war efforts.

Head of State

- Great progress was made in the technology development, especially in those related with production and manpower. Those matters shall not be forgotten but we need to research the war doctrines and advanced armies and equipments that can give us quickly and decisive victories in battle. Herr Schacht can you detail the situation about these issues?

Armaments Minister

- The resource stockpiles continue to grow and the Berlin depot had, in the 1st of January, 57.531 energy, 22.903 metal, 5.113 rare materials, 29.098 oil and 2.144 supplies. Due to the support given to Nationalist Spain, the money on the Reichsbank decreased to 170 but the German manpower is still increasing to 923.

- The research of new technologies is now more dedicated to armies’ technologies and the contracts signed with Kriegmarinewerft (research of “Early air carrier”), Messerschmitt (research of “Basic escort fighter”), Ernst Udet (research of “Strategic destruction doctrine”) and Mauser Werke (research of “Early marine division”) will allow Germany to produce powerful armies but we also count on the contract signed with I.G.Farben (research of “Agricultural production”) to increase the manpower.

- The industrial capacity is 0 / 169 / 147 and Germany is producing brigades (anti-tank and anti-aircraft), semi-motorized cavalry divisions, improving infrastructures, factories, radar stations, air bases, “Stukas”, infanterie divisions, armored tanks, interceptors and tactical bombers but with help of the five new factories and the improvement of Oppeln infrastructures we will be able to develop our production.

- During this year, the 1st phase of the Germany industrial regions defense was concluded with the anti-aircraft guns deployment.

Head of State

- Despite the fact you began working on these matters only a few days ago, it seems that you are prepared to perform a great work!

- Now, let’s talk about the military issue. Herr Beck, can you give us an overview about our armed forces?

Chief of Staff

- The most important facts happened during 1936 were the conclusions of four new units: the I Transportertruppenflotte and 3 Gebirgskorps. Furthermore, several units began their training and in the near future will be prepared to be included in our armies.

- Some decisions are already taken about the constitution of German forces. The Wehrmacht Panzerarmees shall have only motorized divisions and the Heeresgruppes shall have, at least, two infanterie divisions. The Luftwaffe bomber aircrafts shall be protected by escort fighters, close air support aircrafts shall be protected by interceptors and the Jagddivisions shall have three Jagdgeschwader units. The Kriegsmarine shall be prepared to support our land attacks while the Uboot gruppen will be dedicated to convoy raiding and shall avoid naval combats with enemy fleets.

- However, our best efforts are now the development of the “Strategic Plan for the Europe conquest” that shall be undertaken when adequate forces are at our disposal, which we estimate that will happen at middle 1939. Our first concern is to solve an eventual Czech problem, to be implemented if the diplomatic means will fail.

Head of State

- The production and modernization of the German armies shall be prepared carefully and in order to have a strong and professional military force we will increase the central planning in 1937 and the standing army rate shall be increased next year.

- Gentlemen, I think that’s all. Let’s continue our work for the glory of Germany!!!

[lifeless]

great update!

[bestofff]

Due to the rapid expansion of the industrial sector along with the advancement of technology, the year of 1937 was dedicated by the German cabinet trying to keep the industry running at full capacity and increasing the stockpiles of resources. New trade agreements, concluded with Italy, Soviet Union and Romania and the development of industrial technology, new contracts awarded with I.G.Farben to the research of “Agricultural production”, “Advanced machine tools” and “Improved oil refining” supported the government efforts.

The development of new military units and new war doctrines were also very well succeed in 1937 with the contracts signed with Kriegsmarinewerft for the research of naval vessels (“Early air carrier”, “Long range submarine” and “Improved destroyer”), Messerschmitt and Heinkel Flugzeugwerke for the research of aircrafts (“Basic escort fighters and “Basic tactical bombers”), Krupp and Rheinmetall for the research of armor and artillery equipment (“Basic light tank” and “Basic field artillery”), Mauser Werke for the research “Early marine division” and Ernst Udet and Hermann Göring for the study of new air doctrines (“Strategic destruction doctrine”, “Battlefield interdiction doctrine” and “Strafing doctrine”).

The German armed forces grew, in number and in quality during the year. Two Kavallerie armies, two Armeekorps one Jagdkorps (constituted by 4 Jagddgeschwader) and one Jagddivision were deployed near the Germany West and East borders to provide their defence, a new air base began to be built in Küstrin and the 2nd phase of the industrial centers protection began with the installation of radar stations. But several other units were trained and kept in secret (Force pool) and far away from the eyes of the world.

However, other important facts occurred throughout the year

In the 15th January, the “Anti-Comintern Pact” is signed. This agreement, negotiated between Germany, Italy and Japan, declares the hostility of the three countries to international communism and in case of an unprovoked attack by the Soviet Union against one of those nations they agree to consult on what measures to take "to safeguard their common interests". It also agrees that neither nation would make any political treaties with the Soviet Union and agrees to recognize the Japanese puppet regime in Manchuria.

In the 24th August, four days after the Nationalist army entered in Madrid, Francisco Franco announced the end of the Spanish civil war with the victory of the Nationalist Spain.

Francisco Franco, the commander of the Army of Africa, joined the revolt and during the first two months of the war organized its airlift to Spain mainland where these troops played an important role in gaining Nationalist control of South-Western Spain and become commander of the Nationalist Army and appointed as chief of state by the generals involved in the military uprising.
After the proclamation of revolt in Navarre by General Emilio Mola, there were about 500.000 deaths from all causes (200.000 died in combats) and great battles such as:

Badajoz

In the Spanish province on the border with Portugal, controlled by the Republican army during the early days of the war, a bloody and bitter street fighting took place when the troops of the Nationalist army entered in Badajoz city.

Madrid

The siege of Madrid began when the Nationalist troops reached the western and southern suburbs of Madrid and tried to take the capital by frontal assault. After failing to cut the Madrid-La Coruña road, General Franco sent a Nationalist force of 40,000 men, including men from the Army of Africa, to cross the Jarama river and cut the road that linked the city to the rest of Republican Spain but General José Miaja (commander of the Republican Army in Madrid) sent his troops to the Jarama Valley to block the enemy advance.

At what became known as Suicide Hill both armies suffered heavy casualties and forced to retreat back until the moment the Republican Army established defensive positions along a sunken road. Unwilling to attack again, the Nationalist Army decided to attack Guadalajara, forty miles northeast of the capital, but after took Guadalajara and began moving rapidly towards Madrid a Republican Army counter-attack obliged them to retreat, suffering important losses.

Ebro

After the Barcelona events, known as the May Riots, with the assassination of prominent anarchists in their homes and the use of Assault Guards to take the control of the city, that severely damaged the Popular Front government, the Nationalist Army broke through the Republican defenses and reached the sea and General Franco moved his troops towards Valencia with the objective of encircling Madrid and the central front.
Juan Negrin, head of the Republican government, in an attempt to relieve the pressure on the Spanish capital, ordered an attack across the fast-flowing Ebro and General Juan Modesto, placed in charge of the offensive, with over 80,000 Republican troops began crossing the river in boats. The men then moved forward towards Corbera and Gandesa and attempted to capture Hill 481, a key position well protected with barbed wire, trenches and bunkers at Gandesa. The Republicans suffered heavy casualties and after six days were forced to retreat to Hill 666 on the Sierra Pandols successfully defended from a Nationalist offensive but once again large number of soldiers were killed.

During the battle, the Republican government decided the International Brigades withdraw from Spain and the rest of the Republican Army had to endure continuous attacks until be forced to retreat and finally destroyed as an effective fighting force.

[lifeless]

yep, carriers are the way to go! hopefully, they wont get crushed under the massive numbers of the RN...

[Burgundy]

great, will be following this one

[bestofff]

16:15 - November, 5 1937
Reichkanzlei - Berlin

Head of State

- Good afternoon Gentlemen. The subject for this conference is to explain my ideas about the development of our position in the field of foreign affairs and its requirements.

- The aim of our policy is to make secure and to preserve the German community in order to enlarge it. It is therefore a question of space!!!

- The German community comprises over 85 million people and, because of their number and the narrow limits of habitable space in Europe, constitutes a tightly packed community such as is not to be met in any other country and such as implied the need to a greater living space than in the case of other peoples. Territorially speaking, as a consequence of centuries of historical development, there exists no political result corresponding to this German community, but in the continuance of these political conditions lay the greatest danger to the preservation of our community at its present peak. Political and ideological ideas remain effective only so long as they furnish the basis for the realization of the essential vital demands of a people. Germany's future is therefore wholly conditional upon the solving of the need for space in the near future!

- Before turning to the question of solving the need for space, it has to be considered whether a solution for the future is to be reached by means of autarchy or by means of an increased participation in world economy.

- Autarchy is an achievement only possible under strict governmental leadership of the state, which is assumed; accepting its achievement as possible, the following could be stated as results:
In the field of energy - total autarchy; in regard to metal - autarchy is possible; oil requirements can be met from home resources but a permanent solution is impossible; in the field of rare materials and supplies the question of autarchy is to be answered by a flat "not possible". Thus, autarchy is untenable in regard both to supplies and to the economy as a whole.

- Analyzing our participation in world economy there are limitations which we are unable to remove. The establishment of Germany's position on a secure and sound foundation is obstructed by market fluctuations, and commercial treaties afford no guarantee for actual execution. We are living in an age of economic empires and for countries outside them, opportunities for economic expansion are severely impeded. The boom in world economy caused by the economic effects of rearmament could never form the basis of a sound economy over a long period, and the latter was obstructed above all also by the economic disturbances resulting from Bolshevism. There is a pronounced military weakness in those states which depended for their existence on foreign trade. As our foreign trade is carried on over the sea routes dominated by Britain and France, it is more a question of security of transport than one of foreign exchange, which reveals, in time of war, the full weakness of our economic situation. German policy has to reckon with two hate-inspired antagonists, Britain and France, to whom a German colossus in the center of Europe is a thorn in the flesh, and both countries oppose to any further strengthening of Germany's position either in Europe or overseas. Both countries see in the establishment of German military bases overseas a threat to their own communications, a safeguarding of German commerce, and, as a consequence, a strengthening of Germany's position in Europe.

- The question for Germany run: where can we achieve the greatest gain at the lowest cost?

- The only remedy lay in the acquisition of greater living space - a quest which has at all times been the origin of the formation of states and of the migration of peoples!!!

- If, then, we accept the security of our economic situation as the principle question, the space necessary to insure it can only be sought in Europe, not in the exploitation of colonies. It is not a matter of acquiring population but of gaining space and resources for our use. Moreover, areas producing supplies, metal, oil and rare materials can be more usefully sought in Europe in immediate proximity to the Reich, than overseas.

- The history of all ages - the Roman Empire and the British Empire - had proved that expansion could only be carried out by breaking down resistance and taking risks; setbacks were inevitable. There had never in former times been spaces without a master, and there are none today; the attacker always comes up against a possessor!!!

- Germany's problem could only be solved by means of force and this is never without attendant risk!!!

- Then, there remain still to be answered the questions "when" and "how."

- The equipment of the army, navy, and Luftwaffe, as well as the new war tactics is nearly completed. Equipment and armament are modern; in further delay there lay the danger of their obsolescence, n particular, the secrecy of our future "special weapons" could not be preserved forever. If we do not act by 1939-40, any year could, in consequence of a lack of resources, produce a crisis, to cope with which the necessary foreign exchange is not available, and this must be regarded as a "warning point of the regime." Besides, the world is expecting our attack and is increasing its countermeasures from year to year. It is while the rest of the world is still preparing its defenses that we are obliged to take the offensive. Nobody knows today what the situation would be in the years 1939-40. One thing only is certain, we can not wait longer and to achieve our objectives we shall be prepared to develop the 4 phases of the “Strategic plans for Europe”.

1 - In the south:
a) We seek to incorporate Austria and Czechoslovakia into our lands. This shall be achieved through diplomatic means which can give Germany the opportunity to get new army units in those countries without partisans or dissents problems and acquire their economic base, specially the factories of their industry. An Austrian party near our ideology will be instrumental in finding a method to achieve this goal but overrunning Czechoslovakia and occupation shall be foreseen if the diplomatic means will fail.
b) We will look, also, for allies in Hungary, Italy, Romania, and Bulgaria to have the control of the Ploesti oil fields and other resources. Their large standing armies are of low quality and dubious leadership but bringing those countries to the Axies will allow us to take their military control and help our war effort.
2 - In the north:
a) Control of the Baltic Sea is a must to secure our Baltic coastline and to prevent hostile forces from entering into said sea. For this, Denmark and Norway must be overrun and the approaches and straights leading to the Baltic must be occupied.
b) In the foreseeable future, it is deemed that leaving the status quo in Sweden and Finland is the most beneficial, keeping these nations as possible trade partners in case of other foreign sources of materials are no longer available to us.
3 - In the east:
a) The destruction of Poland is job one. Large swabs of Polish held land was taken from Greater Germany in 1919 and in the coming years this will be rectified. Poland will be annexed wholesale and the lands of its former residents will be returned to them.
b) The existence of the Soviet Union is both an asset and detriment to our own security. By winning favor with them, we acquire a limitless pool of resources for our war effort that the English and French cannot interfere with. Their own relations with the Soviets are low meaning they are isolated from the Soviets. Stalin can be drawn into aiding the eventual invasion of Poland with grants of former Polish territory and concessions of the three Baltic nations. Keeping Stalin on good terms will enable us to fight on a single front against Poland, then the west, and only then can Germany assault its ideological enemy in the east. Our ideals must be placed on the backburner while our immediate goals are completed! Currently, groups to incite the Ukrainian populations and other minorities of the Soviet Union are being organized. Disrupting Soviet affairs will enable us to win the support of the enemies of Stalin within his nation and quicken our schedule of occupation of the Soviet Union. Promises of independence for the minority groups may be granted if their support to our effort warrants it.
4 - In the west:
a) Due to the threat of the Maginot Line, France will have to be invaded through Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (to be annexed outright into Germany). Their neutrality is irrelevant and is the only current alternative to direct assault of the Maginot Line.
b) Destruction of French and English military power is required to install German hegemony in Europe. France will be occupied but the question of the English mainland will be decided later.

Foreign Minister

- I must disagree of all these belligerent actions that can place us in a total isolation in the world. The alliances with “friendly” countries are not certain and depending on a long and hard work by our diplomats. Furthermore, Britain and France must not appear in the role of our enemies due to their economic power over other countries that can cancel their trade agreements with Germany, which can contribute for a dangerous lack of resources in Germany. I think that a careful policy in the foreign affairs can bring Germany more profits.

Chief of the Army

- In the military matter, the advanced state of French defense preparations must be taken into particular account, and it must be remembered, apart from the insignificant value of our present fortifications, that our troops intended for the West are not in conditions to defend our borders from a strong attack. Even in case of reinforcement of the French defense of the Alpine frontier, to prevent an Italian attack, a strong French superiority will still remain on the western frontier, with the role of invading the Rhineland.

- In regard to the strength of the Czech fortifications, which had acquired by now a structure like a Maginot Line, they can gravely hamper our attack. I had ordered a study to examine the possibility of conducting operations against the Czechs with special reference to overcoming their fortification system. I strongly recommend some patience in the preparation of the plans for the “Fall Grün operation”.

Head of State

- Gentlemen, my decision has been taken thorough deliberation and the experiences of the years of power in the Reich as the only way to the acquisition of Lebensraum. I do not believe in the probability, in case of our invasion of Czechoslovakia and Poland, of a belligerent action by France against Germany and I am convinced of Britain's nonparticipation before we develop any direct action against France.

- It is all for today. In the next Cabinet meeting, scheduled for the beginning of 1938, we will discuss the military budget for next year. Have a nice evening Gentlemen!


During December, several meetings were held with Constantin von Neurath by the Head of State and the Head of Government in order to prepare the diplomatic actions but due to his disagreement with the aggressive war plans and with the justification that his office was marginalized in all the process he resigned as Foreign Minister. A public justification was given with the fact that von Neurath was suffering from health problems and the need to rest from the heavy work that he was performing.
He was succeeded by Joachim von Ribbentrop, on the 1st January 1938, but he remained in government as a minister without portfolio.

[bestofff]

11:00 - January, 5 1938
Reichkanzlei - Berlin

Head of state

- Good morning Gentlemen. As scheduled, this meeting is dedicated to the military issue, especially to its budget. But, before we begin the discussion about this subject, Herr von Ribbentrop will explain the most important actions to be developed by the Foreign Office.

Foreign Minister

- During 1937, we had few possibilities to get good trade agreements, but Nationalist Spain, after the finish of Spanish civil war, joined to Argentina, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Yugoslavia that continue trading resources with Germany. In the beginning of 1938, we were receiving from those countries 77,70 metal, 52,50 rare materials, 74,00 oil and 23,80 supplies and sending to them 262,00 energy, 4,40 metal and 24,00 supplies.

- In the next months, as foreseen, difficult conversations are expected with France and England that fear the new and strong Germany. Our diplomats were instructed to increase the political influence on “friendly” governments (Hungary, Italy, Nationalist Spain and Bulgaria) in order to reinforce the trade relations and get their support for our claims in Austria and Czechoslovakia. The Reichsbank support for these actions is fundamental due to the large amount of money needed.

Armaments Minister

- All our budget and industrial capacity (0 / 169 / 147) is now dedicated to war efforts and the treasure is not a priority but I can assure that all efforts will be done to create the conditions to achieve the Foreign Minister objectives.

- As requested by the Head of State, I will describe the figures related to the German economic expansion. In the 1st January, the Berlin depot had the following resources: 110.206 energy, 31.743 metal, 4.819 rare materials, 55.456 oil and 36.211 supplies. The manpower increased to 1.024 and the money in the Reichsbank is 435.

- With the new factories in Cottbus, Regensburg, Potsdam, Magdeburg and Leipziz and the infrastructures at 100% in all Germany we expect to increase the industrial capacity during 1938 and finish the production of, among others, 3 Marine divisions and to complete the I Luftflotte (with the CAS aircrafts needed) and to complete the II Luftlotte and III Luftlotte (with tactical bombers). The existing units will continue their upgrade in accordance with the technological development achieved by our scientists and new ones will begin to be trained, but I can announce the beginning of the KMS Bismarck construction as one of the most important facts for this year.

Head of state

- Great news!!! Everything is going well and in accordance with our expectations. Herr Beck, what can you tell to the Cabinet about the plans you are developing?

Chief of the Staff

- I would like to refer that, as foreseen, the standing army rate was increased and this is one of the most important issues to train and prepare our troops for the future fights. I Kavallerie armee and II Kavallerie armee finished their training last year and they will be one of the key troops of the land forces but we continue deploying the new divisions in the force pool to maintain them as secret as possible.

- Some more decisions were already taken about the way to conduct our armies in battle. The Armeekorps, that will perform attack actions, will be constituted by 3 Infanterie divisions with 1 engineering brigade, 1 anti-tank brigade and 1 artillery brigade attached, the Armeekorps for defensive proposes shall have 3 Infanterie divisions and, at least, 1 anti-aircraft brigade attached, Panzer armies shall have 3 Panzer divisions with 1 engineering brigade, 1 anti-aircraft brigade and leaded by a General, any Heeresgruppe shall have with it 2 Infanterie divisions with 1 engineering brigade, 1 anti-tank brigade and 1 anti-aircraft brigade attached.

Chief of the Army

- Last November, I have explained my reasons to disagree about the aggressive policy that Germany is preparing and today I must insist. Gentlemen, I do not believe that Wehrmacht can be prepared to conduct victorious campaigns against strong countries as England, France and probably United States of America. A German defeat will be a disaster with severe consequences for the future, maybe worst that Versailles treaty brought to our people. Our weak economy, the lack of resources…

Head of state

- Herr von Fritsch, I thought that my explanation about Germany’s future was clear enough!!!

- Decisions were taken and actions in order to obtain the desired results are being prepared by loyal Germans that believe that the future of the Reich is above all “feelings”. Once again I tell you all, this is the way for the 1.000 year Reich!!!

- This meeting finishes now. Good evening Gentlemen!!!

Some days after this meeting, rumors began about the sexual conduct of von Fritsch. The Head of State, supported by proves prepared by SS officers, who bribed a streetwalker, accused the Chief of the Army of being homosexual and forced him to resign. In 29th January Walther von Brauchitsch was nominated new Chief of the Army.

[bestofff]

On the 12th March 1938 the first step for the "all-German Reich" took place with the Austria annexation by Germany in an action known as the Anschluβ.

Since 1918, many German-speaking Austrians hoped to join with Germany in the realignment of Europe, but the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain of 1919 explicitly vetoed the inclusion of Austria within a German state. Austria shared the economic turbulence of post-1929 Europe with a high unemployment rate and unstable commerce and industry. Similar to its northern and southern neighbours, these uncertain conditions made the young democracy very vulnerable and the First Republic, dominated by the catholic nationalist, gradually disintegrated from 1933 to 1934 and evolved into a pseudo-fascist,corporatist model of one-party government with absolute state domination of labour relations and no press freedom.

In 1930, popular support for union with Germany remained overwhelming, and the Austrian government looked to a possible customs union with Germany in 1931 but the Hitler's rise to power in Germany left the Austrian government with little enthusiasm for such formal ties.

The failed coup attempted by the Austrian Nazi party, on the 25th July 1934, resulted on the assassination of Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss and in the increasing of terrorist attacks against the Austrian governmental institutions supported Austrian Nazis that coordinate the actions from Germany. The new Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg who followed the political course of Dollfuss, took drastic actions against the Nazis rounding up them in internment camps.

Strong pressure from Germany, since the beginning of 1938, obliged Schuschnigg to comply with the demand to remove the chief of staff of the Austrian Army Alfred Jansa from his office (Jansa and his staff had developed a scenario for Austria's defence against a German attack a situation that Germany wanted to avoid at all costs). On the 12th February, Hitler met Schuschnigg in Berchtesgaden and complied with Hitler's demands to lift the ban of the Austrian Nazi party, reinstate full party freedoms, release all imprisoned members of the Nazi party and to appoint some Nazi members in the Austrian government. Otherwise he would take military action.

German pressure continued on 20th February with Hitler’s a speech to the German Reichstag in which he warned that Germany would know how to protect the ten million Germans living on its borders. Schuschnigg answered with a speech in the Austrian Bundestag declaring that Austria had reached the limit of concessions "where we must call a halt and say: This far and no further." and "Austria, would never voluntarily give up its independence”.

During the following weeks, Schuschnigg realized that his newly appointed ministers were gradually working on taking over his authority and tried to gather support throughout Austria and inflame patriotism among the people. As a last resort to preserve Austria's independence, the Chancellor scheduled a plebiscite on the independence of Austria but Hitler declared that the plebiscite would be subject to major fraud and that Germany would not accept it and in addition the German government issued press reports that riots had broken out in Austria and that large parts of the Austrian population were calling for German troops to restore order.
Hitler sent an ultimatum to Austria demanding that Schuschnigg hand over all power to the Austrian National Socialists or face an invasion. In the hours following the ultimatum Schuschnigg desperately sought support for Austrian independence but, realizing that neither France nor the United Kingdom were willing to take steps, he resigned as Chancellor that evening with a speech in the radio broadcast-

“This day has placed us in a tragic and decisive situation. I have to give my Austrian fellow countrymen the details of the events of today.
The German government, today, handed to President Miklas an ultimatum, with a time limit, ordering him to nominate as chancellor a person designated by the German government and to appoint members of a cabinet on the orders of the German government; otherwise German troops would invade Austria.
I declare before the world that the reports launched in Germany concerning disorders by the workers, the shedding of streams of blood, and the creation of a situation beyond the control of the Austrian Government are lies from A to Z. President Miklas has asked me to tell the people of Austria that we have yielded to force since we are not prepared even in this terrible situation to shed blood. We have decided to order the troops to offer no resistance.
So I take leave of the Austrian people with the German word of farewell uttered from the depth of my heart: God protect Austria.”

Meanwhile, Austrian president continued to refuse to appoint Seyss-Inquart chancellor to lead a Nazi government Hitler ordered to publish a forged telegram containing a request by the Austrian government for German troops to enter Austria. On the morning of 12th March the German Wehrmacht crossed the German-Austrian border facing no resistance by the Austrian army and were greeted by cheering Austrians.

Hitler's car crossed the border in the afternoon at Braunau, his birthplace and in the evening, he arrived at Linz and was given an enthusiastic welcome in the city hall.

Hitler's further travel through Austria changed into a triumphal tour that climaxed in Vienna, when around 200.000 Austrians gathered on the Heldenplatz to hear Hitler proclaim the Austrian Anschluβ.

All this support was referred by Hitler in a speech, on the 25th March

“Certain foreign newspapers have said that we fell on Austria with brutal methods. I can only say; even in death they cannot stop lying. I have in the course of my political struggle won much love from my people, but when I crossed the former frontier (into Austria) there met me such a stream of love as I have never experienced. Not as tyrants have we come, but as liberators.”

The Anschluβ was given immediate effect by legislative act subject to ratification by a plebiscite, Austria became a province of Germany, and Seyss-Inquart was appointed Governor. The plebiscite was held on 10th April and officially recorded a support of 99,73 % of the voters.

The international response to the expansion of Germany can be described as moderate. France and Britain protest, but weakly. Chamberlain said "use of coercion, backed by force, against an independent State in order to create a situation incompatible with its independence” and The Times commented that 200 years ago Scotland had joined England as well and that this event would not really differ much.

This event brought to German forces two new interceptors Fliegergruppen and nine new land divisions. German economy was reinforced with the Austrian stockpiles and the production of the existing factories. The construction of a new factory in Hollabrun and the production of 8 garrison divisions with police brigades will continue to be developed.

[Pureone.]

Wow, Really great detail, quite a read. The plebescite wasn't actually a fair democratic vote, because you had to give to a nazi soldier your ballot. Those who voted "against" Were never seen in Austria again. Or anywhere else.

[Nathan Madien]

This is a very impressive AAR! I love the attention to detail and am looking forward to reading more. I have one question, though: have you given any serious thought to a German Manhattan Project? If the Third Riech is to last 1,000 years, they are going to need the massive destruction of the bomb to keep people in line.

[lifeless]

very nice!