La Vanguardia contra el Fascismo! (A Republican Spain AAR)

[Panchito]

First off, hello! This is my first post on the forum, although I have been reading it for quite some time. I have played HoI2 since late 2005 and have acquired both of the expansions. I would have to say its one of my favorite games that I have ever played. This is my first AAR, so I extend my apologies in advance if I make any gross mistakes, also, Spanish is my native language, so I also excuse myself if some of my spanish grammar sneaks through to my english. Also, I decided to start recording this rather late, but theres only 5 months of action missing. The War triggered off as usual on July 17th, I quickly mopped up Seville and moved north. Battled for the Barcelona area for a long time, finally destroying the Inf36' division that the Italians had sent which was giving me so much trouble.

This AAR is done with HoI2D:Arma (patch 1.2)
Difficulty is Normal AI, High Aggressiveness
Only Mod I have is the one that modifies the icons.

Well, onwards with the AAR!


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La Vanguardia contra el Fascismo!

The war was dragging into its 6th month, 6 months of killing, 6 months of rations, 6 months of planes screaming overhead, 6 months of death.

Coronel Eduardo Alonso rode in the motorcar through the streets of Madrid. Madrid had been lucky, the only major city not to have seen any fighting, its walls were not marked with bullets, its buildings had not collapsed and spilled onto the streets in ruin. There was the occasional Falangistas that slipped through into the city to cause trouble, but they were often quickly subdued by both the police and the garrison of Madrid, which Eduardo commanded.

The car had arrived at the Cuartel General Supremo, where a meeting had been called by the President, and which would be attended by the cabinet and important military officers, as the local garrison commander, he had been invited. It was a cordial invitation, however, as he had relatively little to say. He made his way in quickly, with a brief "Compañeros" to the guards, who already knew him.

Inside the conference room he found the President, Manuel Azaña, the Foreign Minister, Augusto Trelles, the Armaments Minister, Jose Bonilla, the minister of intelligence, Juan Sarabia , the Chief of Staff, Jose Menant, the Chief of the Army, Nicolas Lobo, and the Chief of the Air Force, Ignacio Cisneros, only the Chief of the Navy was missing, but he was tending to the affairs of the fleet at Valencia.

The President spoke first, "Bueno, let us get started."

"Si compañero Presidente," responded the chief of staff, Jose Menant, who was directing the meeting, "We shall each give a brief overview of how the war is going in our respective fields, first, Compañero Lobos will give us the state of the army, followed by compañero Cisneros, who will update us on the state of the air force."

"Bien, things are going better than expected" said Lobo, commencing on an optimistic point, "We have 16 divisions facing the rebels, on a stable front. We have recently liberated the area of Saragossa, but we are unable to continue pursuit into the mountains, where the rebels are retreating. As you know, we destroyed three enemy divisions when we retook Barcelona a month ago, among them was one Italian division, which was better equipped than those available to us or to the rebels. Also, a new division will arrive on the 22nd, which will allow us to retake the offensive."

"Excellente, Cisneros, your report?"

"Si compañero" Cisneros drew out some papers from his briefcase, and whilst he did so, he started his explination. "The Air force has been playing a crucial role in the conflict, I shall note, especially, the destruction of one of the enemy armored elements, which had been giving us an enormous amount of trouble. The Soviet help has greatly helped the air force, giving much needed modern equipment to supplement our older Polikarpov I-15 Chatos and Tupolev SB-2s. Our bomber squadrons are currently repairing here in Madrid, and shall be ready to be taken on the offensive soon!"

"That is good news compañero, we shall now hear from Juan as to the status of the enemy" said Menant.

"We are superior, simple as that! It may take a bit of time, but the scales are definitely in our favor!" Exclaimed Juan Sarabia, with an obvious look of happiness upon his face. "We estimate that the enemy has somewhere around 10 to 12 divisions, two of them armored, but the good news is that these have been badly hurt by aerial bombardment. The enemy, also, only has 10 industrial centers operating, which is enough to supply and pay their forces, but likely not enough to upgrade or replenish their formations. Should we break them at Burgos, my agents estimate that their industry and military will be thrown into total chaos."

"This forecast is looking quite good" noted Menant, "but we still have to hear from our foreign and armaments ministers. Onwards, Trelles, Bonilla"

Trelles, the foreign minister, spoke first. "The news are not as good here, but they are not necessarily bad. We have maintained good relations with Portugal, France, Great Britain and the USSR, as well as the USA. The Germans and Italians despise us, but this is to be expected of their backing of the rebel forces. The Soviets have sent aid, while Britain and France have not. There have been international brigades forming, counting with citizens from all continents and countries. Our cause is seen as rightful and just in the world, and they expect us to crush the fascists"

Bonilla, armaments minister, spoke immediately after, "A new division is nearly ready, and research into advanced infantry formations is progressing steadily, nearly nearing completion. This research, once implemented, shall take our forces to parity with units such as the Italian formations we encountered in Barcelona."

Menant smiled, it was all going well. "Bien, compañeros, as you can see, victory is not assured, but it is highly probable. With the people of Spain on our side, we shall triumph over the fascists! My aide shall give you all more extensive reports, including the state of the navy, but you now know the generalities, and you know that we are ready to push the fascists into the sea!"

Eduardo and the other men all heartedly agreed, everyone was smiling and the mood had livened up considerably. As he walked out of the building and to his car, two Rata fighters sped through the sky, to the north, to give battle to the fascists!









The Republican Army is ready for combat against the fascist rebels. The plan is to attack Burgos immediately from three different provinces with 15 divisions. Secondly, some infantry will be dispatched to the North-west, and once that is secured, more infantry, with the support of tanks and aircraft, shall assault the fascist forces holed up in Bilbao.

[Vanguard44]

Nice AAR Fran. Hopefully you cna keep it alive unlike my four which died...

[rcduggan]

great start, keep it up!

[Merlowe]

Very enjoyable, what future ambitions does Spain hold?

[Maj. von Mauser]

Subscribed.

[Panchito]

Vanguard44, rcduggan, Maj. von Mauser: Thank you, I plan to keep this going.
Merlowe: I have some ideas in mind, and they all involve getting rid of fascists.

-------

La Vanguardia contra el Fascismo!



Anarchist militia in Barcelona celebrate upon hearing news of the rebel surrender.

22:00,
February 27th,
Mardid, Second Spanish Republic
The crowds spilled through the streets, the parade had lost all semblance of order, the joyful civilians had mixed with the proud military men, they were riding upon the trucks and tanks of the army, without any particular course.

Eduardo watched them from the balcony of the Ministry of War, their happy faces were untiring, the celebrations had started at the break of dawn, and had continued into the evening, and were likely to continue until the dawn of the next day. Eduardo knew that the festivities were not the same in the North-West, which had always been the rebel stronghold, but the rest of the country the celebrated tonight, from Barcelona to Madrid, to the Baleares, the people were cheering in the streets. Alas, Eduardo knew that while they could have their fun, he must get to work. The Republic had triumphed at home, but it still had to set its house in order.

"¡Eduardo! Come back inside quickly, por favor." a voiced called from inside. Eduardo turned his back on the hysterical mass of people in the street, that sea of waving flags, and walked back into the room. The atmosphere had changed, one could still hear the frantic yelling of the cheering masses, but one would notice that this was a place of work. The chairs had been pulled to the sides, and a massive wooden table stood in the middle of the room, covered with maps, charts and various papers. This is not to say that the mood in the room was sombre, the men inside were smiling, there was even a bottle of sidra being passed around, not enough to impair anyones judgment, but enough to celebrate.

"Bien, Eudardo, look at this, right here." Teniente Coronel Martin Javer handed him a chart displaying the forces of the infantry. "Your command is to be greatly increased, there will be now 4 divisions in Madrid, something which shall greatly add to the garrison, you must coordinate them."

"Excellent, excellent, they are moving south?"

"Si, most of the units are moving south, we are only leaving the most Republican of formations in the north to keep order."

"Quite, good idea, have we started thinning out the rebel formations?"

"We've removed up to half of the men in some divisions, and have mixed government troops with some of the less-enthusiastic rebel ones, some men were conscripted, no particular bearing on which side they were fighting for. With a bit of indoctrination and a little bit of propaganda, they'll be fully loyal."

"Yes, here, I've got the figures for the Italians and Germans." Eduardo handed Martin a bunch of papers, "Look, we've got nearly 20,000 of them on our hands."

"That many?"

"Si, command has said to deport them, we can't really go looking for trouble with the Italians and Germans. We're keeping all their equipment though."

"Hmm, yes, they're due to go through here, no?"

"Indeed, they're to pass here and they'll be shipped to Italy in late March, through the ports on the Mediterranean. I must inquire what we are going to do with the International Brigades?"

"We're keeping them, those who will stay, will get payment. We have to replace the Foreign Legion, which has been completely disbanded, they're all fascists. They'll be deployed to the French border, in the north."

"All goes well then?"

"Yes indeed, the militias will be kept around for a while longer, but all goes well."

"Well, I think we can take another small break."

"¡That is a proposal I will support!"

"¡Jaja! vamos a celebrar un poquito." Eduardo handed Martin a bottle of sidra , and they walked out to the balcony yet again.


The attack on Burgos is a clear victory, but the attack on Bilbao fails due to the troops being unorganized from the previous battle, and mountain terrain.


Our research teams developed an improved infantry division, this is great news, but will have to wait for the end of the war for its implementation. Our military minds start formulating advanced combat doctrines.


The attack on Huesca gives a rude shock, encountering a 36'inf division and a militia unit that were unknown to intelligence. Whilst we are thrown back at Huesca, we push through in Tarragona and break the enemy at La Coruña.


Late on the night of the 26th of February the remaining rebel forces capitulated to the government forces.


The Spanish military emerges from the war as a strong force. Once the formations are re-armed and upgraded, they will be a formidable opponent to anyone who dares oppose them. The army has expanded greatly, with rebel formations being mixed with republican ones, in order to increase the loyalty of the former fascist formations. The Air force has gained a fighter squadron, and the Navy has gained two transports and three much needed destroyer groups.


-----
Pondering activating "Democracies can declare war", in order to start kicking out the fascist regimes in other countries, particularly our not-so-good friend Salazar in Portugal.

[Panchito]

Anyone have any suggestion as to how to go after Portugal? My problem is Macau, it has a VP and I cannot reach it. The African colonies can be reached easy.

[Maj. von Mauser]

I don't have anyway that you can take Portugal without being slightly gamey.

Nice update though.

[Panchito]

Maj. von Mauser: I see your point, however, that particular issue will have to be pushed back for a while.

I do not have time to develop a good narrative so this update will be mostly pictures.

-------

La Vanguardia contra el Fascismo!

The Republican Armies were re-deployed after the rebel capitulation. They were arranged as to provide maximum defensive effectiveness. Although the majority formations are of 1918 quality, their positioning places a respectable amount of units on each border, and a strong force of 4 inf, 1 armoured, 2 light armoured and 1 cav in Madrid. Their location in the middle of the country allows for rapid deployment in any direction.


Research moves quickly with the recuperation of the third teach team slot. Agrichemistry is researched to improve manpower, as well as Delay Doctrine and better artillery. Once these are done, the focus will move to better cavalry and armored divisions, and after that, improved infantry formations.


Communist groups successfully coup the moderate left-wing government. Barcelona, a stronghold of Anarchists, revolts, but the quickly-formed militia is soon overcome by a battle-hardened militia formation acting with the support of the three divisions on the French border. The militia unit occupies Barcelona in order to prevent further uprisings. The cabinet, meanwhile, was reshuffled, however, socialists and other left-wingers still dominated the parliamentary system, they aligned themselves with the coup to advert further chaos.


French scientist defects to Spain, obviously having realized the superiority of the socialist system in its struggle against fascism. While the plans he brings along are not of the utmost importance now, they shall be very useful in due time. Production on the tactical bombers found in rebel hands continues, the assembly line had been overrun by Republican troops before the rebels were able to sabotage the production process. The rest of the military is nearly fully reinforced, and work will soon begin on upgrading the obsolescent equipment.


Czechoslovakia refuses to bend to Fascist demands, however, Germany pushes on and declares war on the small nation. The UK and its allies join the war a day later. The Government realizes the nobility of the cause and the chance to crush the largest pit of fascism in Europe, therefore, lobbying starts to influence the British. An entry into the alliance, and the war, is signed on the morning of March 30th.


The situation looks grim for Czechoslovakia, but nobody expected them to hold on so long in any manner against the might of the German army. The French do not budge from their positions on the Maginot Line, neither forwards nor backwards. Although the Spanish Army is outdated, and research has started on '39 quality infantry, all of France stands between Iberia and the Rhineland.


The UK and France commence bombing Germany, but without immediate effect. Poland joined the war to preserve Czech independence, and later joined the allied forces. However, after the annexation of Czechoslovakia, the German war machine turns on the Poles and the situation does not bode well for them.


Madrid is awash with debate. Will the armies be sent into France for an eventual advance? or to protect against a possible attack? There are others who think that it is best to wait for them to be outfitted with the new equipment, and even attempt a seaborne invasion in the area of Schleswig-Holstein. Yet other groups are pressuring for the army to stay in Spain, and await further developments, they insist that Italy might possibly enter the war, and the Spanish Army could make great gains in Libya.

[Milites]

This is great!

Republican Spain is easily my favorite HoI2 country (as if you couldn't guess that).

Here's something to keep you inspired

[Vanguard44]

Ooh... Sudetenland war, always good

[Maj. von Mauser]

I'd keep the troops in Spain, and prepare for Italian intervention.

Then you might be able to make gains in Libya, and attempt an Invasion of Sicily.

Good update though.

[Panchito]

Originally Posted by Milites

This is great!

Republican Spain is easily my favorite HoI2 country (as if you couldn't guess that).

Here's something to keep you inspired

Thanks for the comment and the link. I'll make sure to check that music out if I can find my headset (my speakers have gone insane as of late)

Originally Posted by Vanguard44

Ooh... Sudetenland war, always good

Shame the Czechs almost always die :P

Originally Posted by Maj. von Mauser

I'd keep the troops in Spain, and prepare for Italian intervention.

Then you might be able to make gains in Libya, and attempt an Invasion of Sicily.

Good update though.

Yes, the plan is to upgrade them as much as possible, and only send them to France if there is a complete collapse of the front.

---

Update incoming!

(Much more pics, much less text. Don't worry, the narrative will come back as soon as fighting reaches Spanish lands, or the Spanish reach the land where the fighting is!)

[TheHyphenated1]

Looks good, Panchito. AAR-writing in a non-native language is something that I'm sure takes a lot of courage to even attempt!

[Panchito]

La Vanguardia contra el Fascismo!

Research progresses steadily in all fields, with no silly rebels popping up, all teams are well funded and can work in peace. The Spanish military shall soon receive important upgrades, both on land and sea. The good news relating to research is meaningless, however, when compared to the news that the communist friends of the Republic have overrun the fascist government of Latvia.


The Polish government and its forces finally collapse. The Poles set up a government in exile in London, which is recognized by all the allied nations immediately, including Republican Spain. The front in the west is stable, but it will not be long before German troops go from east to west, and open an offensive in France.


Our research teams finish their work on Basic Cavalry division, upgrading our forces will start immediately. Also, Estonia, which also had a right-wing government, has fallen to the troops of the Soviet Union. It shall not be long before the Estonians see the wonders of socialism!


Germany violates the neutrality of Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg! Allied intelligence officers, among them Spanish ones, are completely baffled as to the deployment of German troops. While they are numerous indeed in the area in front of the Maginot Line, there are next to no Divisions on the Dutch frontier.


The Dutch and Belgian high commands cede command of their forces to French generals. They are quick to exploit the fact that there are no German troops on the frontier and advance in the north. Also, Belgian and French troops manage to seize Cologne, which was lightly defended.


We find and kill a German infiltrator, and at the same time, are successful in infiltrating a spy into Germany itself. However, alone, he cannot do much, and even he admits that the information he provides might be rather inaccurate. Further attempts to reinforce his position fail.


Our glorious research teams develop basic tactical bombers, this will go a long way to achieving parity with the forces of the enemy. Research is immediately commenced on Stand-Off doctrine, which shall greatly improve the fighting ability of our ground forces. Research into infantry and cavalry tech continues steadily.


The Germans are slow to react, although they did manage to overrun Luxembourg and annex it. They take back Cologne and push slightly into Belgium, but the French break out of the Maginot Line and take Saarbrucken.


Basic Infantry division is researched! Efforts immediately switch to our obsolete tank forces!

[Panchito]

Originally Posted by TheHyphenated1

Looks good, Panchito. AAR-writing in a non-native language is something that I'm sure takes a lot of courage to even attempt!

It is not as impressive as it sounds, I lived in the Anglosphere for quite a bit of time, however, there may be errors sometime with my grammar.


---------

La Vanguardia contra el Fascismo!

Holland falls in late September even though their troops have always fought bravely in the face of the fascist hordes. Three French/Dutch divisions surrender in Arnhem only days before. Belgium also looses a fair bit of land, although some is reclaimed by French troops. Saarbrucken is retaken by Fascist reinforcements, but they are unable to penetrate the French forces, who fell back in an orderly manner to the Maginot emplacements.


The Congress of Deputies debates long and hard about the fall of Holland and what is seen as the impending fall of Belgium. Some sectors insist that the army be dispatched to France, and assist the French in the area between the Maginot Line and the Channel. Others say that the army must stay in Spain. Finally, after intervention by members of the military, it is decided that the army will be deployed to the French frontier, but that there will be no offensive action until the army is upgraded. Units from all over the country are redeployed, and the militia units in the Balearic islands are deployed to Barcelona.


The worst fears of the Allies become a reality, the French line is broken as German tanks and trucks flow south from the Belgian frontier, the positions in the Maginot line have their flank seriously compromised. The Spanish military panics as the combat formations of the Spanish army are not comparable to their German counterparts, who are using much more modern equipment. Likely because the Fascist machine feeds the army instead of the people during peace time. We can only hope that the French react quickly and limit the German advance, as sending troops would take too long.


The Finnish government, propped by the fascist regime in Nazi Germany, refuses to give the Soviet Union lands that belong rightfully to the USSR. The Soviets realize that their cause is just, and declare war on Finland in order to retake what is rightfully theirs.


The news from the front could not be better! The French turn what was a critical situation into a sweeping victory for the allies. This French strategic movement initiates a new age in modern warfare, as they have used high-mobility troops in order to encircle an enemy. A mass of Germans surrender, untold numbers, estimates range anywhere from 10 to 30 divisions.


The Germans are wiped out.


The armies of socialism break Finland in two, not even help from the fascists in Nazi Germany will be able to keep the Soviets from regaining their rightful territory! As can also be seen, Estonia and Latvia are firmly under Soviet control, no one doubts that Lithuania, also being propped up by the fascist state, will soon fall.


The state of the Spanish Army and Air Force as of early January 1940. The infantry has been largely updated, and attention shall now turn to the air force and the armored divisions. Once these formations, already experienced and full of veterans, receive their new, up-to-date equipment, the Republic shall sally forth and free the world from fascist totalitarianism!

[Maj. von Mauser]

Is this just plain Doomsday? I'm quite suprised that the French were able to pull that encirclement off.

Anyways, glad to see the situation is under control. Also that the Army and Airfirces are up tp par with the fascists. Although it is time for Spain to once again rule the seas.

[Panchito]

Originally Posted by Maj. von Mauser

Is this just plain Doomsday? I'm quite suprised that the French were able to pull that encirclement off.

Anyways, glad to see the situation is under control. Also that the Army and Airfirces are up tp par with the fascists. Although it is time for Spain to once again rule the seas.

No this is Arma 1.2, no AI mods if thats what you were referring to though. I must admit I was surprised as well, I even took the game speed down a bit to make sure I fully took in the situation.

And yes, Spanish navies shall eventually rule the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic. Of course, not soon, but eventually!

[Remble]

Looking good for you. Looking very bad for the AI controlled Germany though.

[Kurt_Steiner]

Arriba la República! as some Spamiard would say

Dunno why, but I guess that Germany is doomed...