Plan Z. Uber Kriegsmarine Pt Deux

[Zardnaar]

German troops move to crush pockets in western Poland.

The battle for Warsaw is over. Surviving Polish troops surrender.

Before the campaign is over German Panzers are ordered west. Infantry units continue sporadic fighting but the Poles are all but defeated.

The Soviets take their time honouring the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. Numerous German troops are already on their way west and the Kriegsmarine are transporting soldiers from East Prussia. Manstein, Guderian, Model and Rommel have a date in Paris.

 

[Zardnaar]

France Sep 29 1939

The dust had barely time to settle once the Panzers rolled off the trains. Rommel and some of the other Generals were worried about this campaign. The army was still using obsolete equipment and less divisions were going to attack France directly than what had advanced into Poland. To make things worse the Luftwaffe (such as it was) for all intents and purposes was grounded due to casualties incurred over Poland. No air support, no air cover. Raeder was nuts. Most Germans would have been happy to wait until 1980 or so before the army was thrown at the Maginot line. Nevertheless

The infantry under Von Runstedt got to assault Antwerp first. They got to do all the dirty work and once the battle was won.... Rommel the glory hound.

Further to the north Holland was also attacked, along with Denmark.

Von Bloombergs forces got the job of invading Luxembourg. Conveniently any French counter attack was likely to hit them the hardest.

Once Antwerp was in the bag the Panzers were given orders to rush forwards to Ghent.

Advance. Von Runstedt assaults Namur. Achtung Panzer!!!!

The Panzers flank the French lines through Lille. Orders to break out are assigned.

Denmark throws in the towel. 3 Divisiosn spend a lovely few days walking around the Danish countryside admiring the view.

 

[Zardnaar]

Panzers blitz towards Amiens the key to the front.

Paris is defended. The Panzers advnce in a different direction looking for a safe river crossing.

The Dutch are resisting a bit more than anticipated. Nothing the Wehrmacht can't handle.

German units flank Reims avoiding a messy river assault. While not fully rested speed is crucial

Time to start finishing the Belgians- and any Allied troops caught in the crossfire.

The Panzers sneak into Argentan. Orders are to scatter and break out behind the French lines hopefully causing haoc and capturing Paris

 

[Zardnaar]

Belgium must die in order for Germany to live.

Panzers advance with little resistence.

Sorry Belgium. Nothing personal.

The advance outpaces some Allied units who reform behind German lines cutting off 3 armoured divisions. Order to break out of the kessel are immediate. Reims is assaulted with all available units.

Autumn rains slow the advance. Time is running short and some large French formations remain on the field.

 

[Zardnaar]

Time to mop up the Dutch.

Italy declears war. Various German, Portugese and Slovakian generals try not to snigger. At least the Greeks should get some target practce.

So long far well, never liked tulips anyway.

Uh oh. Italy could be in trouble. Conveniently 9 divisions are guarding the Yugoslav/Reich border and al 4 mountaineer divisions are there as well. The French surrender but alas the ceremony was a private one (and some dumbass screwed up the foto). 4 Sale. 1 million French rifles. Only dropped once. Also fine white French linen

 

[Zardnaar]

With the fall of France and the lowlands, large production orders are placed. The breakneck upgrade speed can be relaxed as winter draws close and the Wehrmacht will have months to upgrade. Finally new planes are ordered for the Luftwaffe.

Raeders plan is all coming togather. German generals are slightly puzzled. Why would Germany need marines, naval bombers and production of capital ships continues at full pace.

Germany can no longer tolerate the war on its borders. Be a good neighbour and help the Italians out.

Reasonably straight forward attack. Hate these winter campaigns.

Race vs the Italians. Who will win?

German troops advancing. Yawn.

 

[Zardnaar]

Hungarys asks to join the Axis. The more the merrier right?

Sorry Italy. To slow

Attack

Poor Finland. Raeder feels guilty as Germany may be partially to blame. Another potential Axis convert- assumung they survive.

 

[Zardnaar]

Advance, whats the green blob in the east?

Uh Italians

Are winning the race in the east.

2 more battleships slightly delayed (thanx England)

Finish Them

Not far to go

Almost there

Italy Annexes Yugoslavia. A dark day for the German army

 

[Mico94]

...and greeks attacking italian rear :rofl:

 

[Zardnaar]

Around 60% of Germany's research is aimed at the Kriegsmarine

And they done it all by themselves.German diplomats consider bringing Italy into the Axis.

Italy driving the English back. The devil wears iceskates on the way to work.

More allies for the Axis

 

[unmerged(157789)]

Italy actually seems capable in this AAR. How delightful !

 

[Zardnaar]

April 15 1940 Koniigsberg

Emergency Cabinet Meeting

Raeder was in an optimistic mood. "Gentlemen due to a series of unfortionate events such as the Altmark incident, I have decided it is time to teach the Norwegians a lesson".

The silence was deafening. While thos present had very few concerns about the Norwegian army they did have some concerns about Germany's ability to pull of a naval operation since Norway didn't share a border with the Reich. Then again Raeder had been devoting an excessive amount of the Reichs resources to just such a purpose.

" I will have to make this quick as I personally will be leading the Kriegsmarine into battle. The fleet is ready as you can see"

In Konigsgerg harbour reasonably safe from allied bombs was the pride of the German navy. The Tirpitz and Bismarck perhaps the most modern battleships in the world stoopd ready joined by 10 sister ships. Each had support ships such as destroyers and escort carriers as well. In fact Raeder has assembled 20 flotillas of destroyers along with a 3rd fleet made up of destroyers, cruisers and the remaining pocket battleships such as the Graf Spee.

"Just this very day"Raeder continued "our fine engineers have just finished upgrading the fire control my personal fleet. Shortly extra fire control and radar will be ready for installation as well. Also for the first time in 20 years German naval marines are ready. In addition this will be a combined arms operation. The Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht have important roles to play".

"The marines will force a landing in the Oslo area, while I will excort a second group to Narvik. We believe this will force the Noregians to surrender. The Luftwaffe will fly naval strike missions in case the Royal Navy decides to make an appearence while some bombers will be used in the ground attack role around Oslo. Once the initial landings are complete follow up divisions of the Wehrmacht will secure the country. Any question"?

There were none for what can they say? Representitives of the army looked somehwhat worried. Recently due to a lack of self propelled artillery brigades had been reassigned from the Panzer arm to the naval marines. More were being built but it would be several months before they were replaced.

Leaving the room Raeder made his way to the docks. The glory of the Kriegsmarine was at stake. The ships were ready to sail as soon as he arrived.

 

[Zardnaar]

Italy actually seems capable in this AAR. How delightful !

I think its because they attack in late 39 instead of mid 40. In these types of games (I've played a few prep ones) they normally end up anywhere between Suez and Persia. Depends on how well Sealion goes and what state the Kriegsmarine is in to race Italy. Theres a reasonable chance that while victorious the Kriegsmarine will take a severe mauling at the hands of the RN- less than 50% strength capital ships sunk etc. I haven't taken control of Italy or even helped them out in the Balkens except when we dorked on Yugslavia toagther and Italy wasn't in the Axis then. I got them to join march 40.

 

[Zardnaar]

Bismarck+ friends off the coast of Norway. The light cruiser Emden and a few destroyers and transports are missing but thats more or less everything but the kitchen sink.

Norwegian fleet comes out to party

But loses and marines assault Oslo.

Oslo falls and the Norwegian fleet is pounced on. I almost feel guity. Almost.

Narvik doesn't do any better. And its all over. Wehrmacht troops wait confirmation to rush in and garrison the country.

Task Force Himmler (TFH) may be running low on supplies, or may have fought off an Allied assault unnoticed. Oh well. The Fuhrer sends his regards. Just checked they're starving. I'll draft a letter to the Portugese regarding supplues or maybe the RN is intercepting convoys.

 

[Zardnaar]

Cabinet Meeting-Classified Time/Location

The cabinet filed in looking apprehensive.

It seemed that Raeder had no lack of ambition for one thing. Recently Raeder had recieved some imortant news.

"Welcome gentlemen it seems the Reich has prospered under our guidence. I have recieved some news which makes me happy. Also Von Bloomberg and Von Rundstedt have sent in the following reports".

Raeder also hands out some folders marked top secret and sealed with wax. Intrigued Jodl breaks the seal and opens it.

Unternehmen Seelöwe

A quick scan reveals its purpose. The invasion and subjugation of England itself. Looking pale he stammers "impossable we're not ready, and England hasn't been invaded since 1066". Another folder is passed around.

Unternehmen Kondor
This one was timed to conicide with Sealion. Looking even sicker Jodl read it. A simultaneous strike through Spain with the intention of assaulting Gibraltar.

 

[unmerged(157789)]

I have a feeling things are about to get a lot more interesting.

 

[The_Frozen_1]

i have a feeling things are about to get a lot more interesting.

+1

 

[ddiplock]

I'm hopeful the British will pull off a heroic defence...but the size of your fleet should give them pause for thought.

That and you've got your naval bombers to sink any RN ships that may attempt to interfere with the landings.

 

[Zardnaar]

The Channel Dash

In order to get in postion the Kriegsmarine has to run the gauntlet so to speak.

Meanwhile in the south. The civl war still rages and the Wehrmacht rushes to Francos rescue.

Kriegsmarine cover the approaches while marines hit the beach. Once the beachhead is established reinforcments are rushed in from Cherbourg.

Breakout

Time to mop up the pockets.

 

[Zardnaar]

Meanwhile at sea the Kriegsmarine encounters the royal navy. In the largest encounter since Jutland an epic battle is fought. While technically a German victory the Ludendorff and Tirpitz join spanish galleons from the armada. Along with the Graf Spee and the entire German battlecruiser fleet as well. Something or other about rule Brittania. Raeder transfers his command and the survivors limp back to Danzig. 3 new battleship keels are immediately laid down. Industrial shortages mean replacement escort carriers will have to wait. Future German SAGs may also have to be cobbled togather out of whats available.

In Spain the advance continues.

The English put up little resistence

Move Out