Burning horizon - Third reich cooperative TRP AAR

Great, chief air force reports in. I see that we have very few air commanders, I think it's priority to recruit more.Also what about creating new command structure for mobile forces - OKW ? That would give more well paid jobs for our best panzer generals.

Yay! (Calms self) Reporting SIR! Hail!

Foxbat said:

OKW and OKH must ensure restoration of Reich's rule in Rhineland by March of this year.

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Führer, my fellow officers. As a Chief of Staff of Oberkommando der Wehrmacht I am pleased to hear that we intend to fully free our great nation from foreign oppression. Yet I must state that this proposal is highly risky, and it is my duty to note that should the French troops react to our operation by crossing the border, things might soon escalate with disastrous results. Yet I will give this order to to the OKH and wait for their early comments.

Foxbat said:

That is why, Fuhrer approved continuation of Wehrmacht development into a full battleforce, capable of defending our interests worldwide. OKW must create emergency re-armament programm to complete this task, along with complete report on. Highest priority should be given to new, prommising types of weapons and new types of military strategy and tactics. Fuhrer expects detailed plans and reports from OKH, OKL and OKM considering future development and mobilization plans.... Thus herr Dublish is appointed responsible for Reich's industrialization and Werhmacht's re-armament programm. I expect to hear your thoughts on this subject as soon as possible.

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OKW has actually allready created an early proposal for a re-armament program of our ground forces. The memo, titled "Heer 1940", can be found from here with initial comments from herr Dublish attached.

As a summary the plan proposes to reform the Heer into a force that by early 1940 would have the following forces:
69 infantry divisions, organized into 23 three-division Corps, with single corps consisting of three infantry divisions supported by artillery, anti-aircraft and engineer brigades.
3 Army-level HQs supported by anti-aircraft brigades.
6 Gebirgs-Divisions, organized into 2 Mountain Corps, with single corps consisting of three Gebirgs-Divisions supported by three artillery brigades.
3 Marine Infantry Divisions, used as a single Marine Corps (3 divisions, 3 artillery brigades)
2 Airborne Divisions with artillery brigades attached.
3 Motorized infantry divisions, organized into single Motorized Infantry Corps and supported by three light panzer brigages.
6 Panzer divisions, organized into two 3-division strong Panzer Corps, each corps supported by two additional medium panzer brigades and one self-propelled artillery regiment.

OKW still waits official comments from OKH conserning the current plan, and also requires Chiefs of OKL and OKM to report their specific plans and demands so that we could formulate a similar, unified build-up plan for all three branches of Wehrmacht. That is all for now, gentlemen, now specific tasks:

Official orders to Heer, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine leadership:

OKH:
OKH must create a plan for quick occupation of Rhineland, and create an early defense plan of our Western border using the troops of V, VI, VII, IX, X and XI Armeekorps. The plan should prepare for a worst-case scenario where our troops re-militarize the Rhineland and France responds by attacking from Elsass-Lothringen and through Belgium.

OKH is also hereby ordered to name the C-n-Cs of OB Nord, OB Süd, OB Ost and OB West and is now tasked to divide our current troops between these four commands, bearing in mind that only Field Marshals are qualified for command positions.

OB Nord is to be responsible for the defense of our northern coastline, and will be tasked to operate in the whole Baltic region and Scandinavia in a case of war.

OB Süd will be responsible for the defense of our southern border, and will be tasked to operate in Italian peninsula, the Balkans, and the possibly in the whole Mediterranean region in a case of war.

OB Ost will be responsible for the defense of our eastern border, and will be tasked to operate in Eastern Europe and European Russia in a case of war.

OB West will be responsible for the defense of our western border, and will be tasked to operate in Benelux countries, France, Switzerland, Iberian peninsula and the British Isles in a case of war.

Additionally the Führer has ordered OKH to report "new promising types of weapons and new types of military strategy and tactics."

OKL: OKL must create an early defense plan of our Western airspace using our existing interceptor squadrons. After OKH creates our plan for western defense, OKL is also tasked to create a plan that provides maximum support for our ground forces. The plan should prepare for a worst-case scenario where our troops re-militarize the Rhineland and France responds by attacking from Elsass-Lothringen and through Belgium.

OKL is also ordered to state the future needs and plans of Luftwaffe, and report "new promising types of weapons and new types of military strategy and tactics" to Führer, who is keen to know the latest developement in the field of air warfare.

OKM:OKM must create an early defense plan of our Baltic coast, using all avainable Kriegsmarine units. The plan should prepare to defeat possible enemy amphibious assaults to our coastlines before the enemy is able to establish a defendable bridgehead.

OKM should also state the future needs and plans of Kriegsmarine, and report "new promising types of weapons and new types of military strategy and tactics" to Führer, who is keen to know the latest developement in the field of naval warfare.

Edzako said:

Great, chief air force reports in. I see that we have very few air commanders, I think it's priority to recruit more.Also what about creating new command structure for mobile forces - OKW ? That would give more well paid jobs for our best panzer generals.

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The operational-level command of Heer is up to OKH, and more specifically to the current Field Marshall in command of those troops. Once their operational plans are accepted by OKH and OKW, the actual implementation and command structures are in their hands. In general I agree, using individual panzer divisions as separated Kampfgruppen might be quite beneficial in right circumstances. But then again that´s the decision of the operational commanders.

Mj. general Mangudai whispers to his führer: Mein Führer, I am puzzled by this intelligence. Why does the Netherlands lose out to Belgium in terms of industry? And the map we see before us contradicts what I know about the British use of Egypt...

*Addressing the Supreme Command*

Gentlemen, I believe that we should shift more focus onto not just developing the Blitzkrieg warfare, but also on more advanced models of tanks. Our spies from France show that even they have tanks to rival our own, so a great deal of research should be devoted to moving ahead with newer, more modern tanks. I can send a request to Krupps to begin research immediately.

Although only being a lowly Lt General I do have some experience with the TRP mod and recommend some attention being paid to our airforce, especially when we expand east to stake our claim on the fertile Russian plains. At the very least 15 fighters and 10 interceptor squadrons will be required.

Mein Fuhrer! I, the Baron, have devised a plan for international diplomacy so nefariously clever that not even the forces of the former Entente could stop us!

Firstly! I suggest that we improve relations with the Italians and Austrians. Our ideological similarities with the two of them means we should work together against the cursed forces of liberty and freedom! In the case of the Austrians, this could lead to a union between our two lands down the road, a subject which the Fuhrer has expressed interest in before!

Secondly! I wholeheartedly endorse the expansion and modernisation of the Wehrmacht, particularly the Luftwaffe and the Heer. However, in the event of war with Great Britain, I suggest we develop the Kriegsmarine aswell, so we may atleast hold our own against their vaunted naval superiority.

Thirdly and finally! We will need to befriend a major Asian nation. In the event of war with Great Britain, a major ally present in Asia could paralyse them with fear for losing their precious Indian crown jewel. The Chinese Nationalists or the Japanese Empire would be excellent to this effect.

Gentleman! With this strategy I have proposed, we shall cleave apart our enemies, and fulfill our national destiny!

Karelian: I've been running the numbers on Heer 1940 again, and I believe you've underestimated the costs of several divisions, notably panzers (18+ ICs with full Hawk, Armored Spearhead CoA, all relevant doctrines), motorized infantry (12-13 ICs with full Hawk) and Marines and Mountaineers (between 9-10 ICs with full Hawk). Those numbers represent the divisions with no added brigades. I have not checked Paratroopers or HQ units, though I believe you underestimated the cost of them as well.

Midge: I would like a proposal for the expansion of the Luftwaffe. So far, the only suggestion we've received was 15 fighters and 10 interceptors, and that came from Solo?.

Considering our issues with many of our neighbors, I'm going to assume the Kriegsmarine's expansion will take a back seat to the Heer and Luftwaffe. Do I hear any objections from OKM?

EDIT: Apologies for the mistype- Edzako has offered his thoughts on expanding the Luftwaffe, and Midge needs to discuss the state of the Kriegsmarine.

dublish said:

I've been running the numbers on Heer 1940 again, and I believe you've underestimated the costs of several divisions, notably panzers (18+ ICs with full Hawk, Armored Spearhead CoA, all relevant doctrines), motorized infantry (12-13 ICs with full Hawk) and Marines and Mountaineers (between 9-10 ICs with full Hawk). Those numbers represent the divisions with no added brigades. I have not checked Paratroopers or HQ units, though I believe you underestimated the cost of them as well.

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Those numbers were made based on the early estimations and the whole memo was prepared rather hastily, so such mistakes are likely true. Yet I´m quite confident that our estimation of numbers of avainable reservists is correct, and thus the plan is still viable, allthough the speed of the build-up might be slower.

And for the issue of Luftwaffe modernization, Solo?´s suggestion is our first concrete proposal. But the 2500 modern fighter aircrafts he´s talking about would only allow us to retain air superiourity above the skies of the Reich and the possible warzones outside our borders. That´s not enought, Luftwaffe should also be able to support Heer by tactical bombing and close air support, and in addition provide some backup to Kriegsmarine as well. Thus OKW strongly supports the necessary expansion and modernization of Luftwaffe as well, but we need exact figures and plans from OKL in order to make concrete plans.

Hello gentleman, I must express my concerns about current state of Luftwaffe. Our air forces are well prepared to do offensive actions, but defense of our industries and troops can cause problems. We have 3 squadrons of 3 old Heinkel HE-51. I would suggest keeping them in Essen, that way they could cover all W-Germany and northern side till Rostov.
Luftwaffe have impressive force of Ju-52 tactical bombers - 7 squadrons all escorted with escort fighters. I have no intel about our neighbors but I feel confident that we could provide air support in 2 theaters in case of early war.
Also we have 1 close air support plane group, excellent planes if you ask me, with great firepower but I expect that they will need more reinforcements since their tasks is more dangerous that these that do tactical bombers. I would suggest keeping them in one combat group with 3 TAC since we don't have enough fighters to protect our bombers.


I also think that in case of Luftwaffe expansion new air bases will be required. I think it would be beneficial if they could also be used as forward bases in case of possible conflict in east. I have marked possible locations of these air fields.

Air production plans for 1936-1938.​

Before starting producing new planes I would suggest to develop new models, particular new interceptor and fighter planes. As soon as it is done 2 serials of interceptors and 2 serials of fighters will be required. Yes I know that is heavy strain on industry, but without them there could be no industry at all in case of enemy attack. Production of new bomber planes will be optional, I want to her armament ministers thoughts before placing new orders, but nevertheless research and development process mustn't stop.

As a General i can only say that the dissent needs to be gone before wartime. My troops need to give 100% when fighting with(under?) me.

I know it is early but could you tell us our commanders current positions and placements.

calum the VI said:

I know it is early but could you tell us our commanders current positions and placements.

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Herr rcduggan has received his orders, and he has my full confidence in this matter.

Yes Sir!!

Since Dublish believes that cost of Karelian's proposal to expand the Heer is higher than expected, should we look into expanding our industrial capacity; or is it a consensus that what we have enough factories to bring our plans to fruition?

During some recent military exercises; it has become clear that panzers will be a key component for future victories. I hope the higher command will take that into consideration.

It is also clear that control of the skys will become paramount in any future wars; and thus heartily support any plans for the modernization of our Luftwaffe especially in the area of CAS.