About time you finally defeated France...
Nah, just kidding, GREAT JOB!!
Good luck in 1940!
Nah, just kidding, GREAT JOB!!
Good luck in 1940!
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Good progress still.
Do you think your investment in planes and subs paid of or would more ground units have made you more happy?
Also, save before each surrender as the game may crash.
Do you think your investment in planes and subs paid of or would more ground units have made you more happy?
Also, save before each surrender as the game may crash.
Haven't had that happen yet. Hope it doesn't. 
Another good update. Facinating how you keep coming up with all these photos and great story line.
Another good update. Facinating how you keep coming up with all these photos and great story line.
I intend to give a ful update (military, economic, research etc) at the end of the year - not long to go now.
I did wonder about that (and I noticed a "Swiss" unit led by a certain De Gaulle) but HOI3 ver 1.4 seems to convert all Exp Forces. I will just assume that rebel French units have signed up en masse to the Swiss Army.
Looks like you have time to clean up good and even rest a bit before a 1941 Barbarossa. Or was that moved ahead?
No change in timeline. I am hoping to get some building done without the continual drain of reinforcements to replace losses. I really need a lot more divisions.
Finally, the French have admitted defeat, about time!
Looking forward to the follow up. And its only 1939!
I keep forgetting I am more than 6 months ahead of RL.
I may need it - I will be pretty stretched with possibly 3 major operations.
The planes definitely paid off. Subs - not sure: sinking a lot ot transports but British National Unity is still 96.6%, all raw materials at close to 100k except oil (aboiut 35k). The big expense has been surface ships - jury is still out on value, but I love playing with them.
And I would love to have more ground units but I deleiberately kept numbers down to allow for higher officer ratio (while having a lot of research) and lower maintenance costs. Also, I like to keep a substantial reserve of MP when attacking USSR as reinforcements can be a steady drain - thouhg may be I overdid it. But, as I set out in my 1940 plan, I am hoping to build more than 60 divisions in the next 18 months: average 3.5 per month.
And I save at the end of every day - primarily because I never know when my updates will finish and I need "end of" screenshots and details of on-going battles etc.
(Well, sometimes I forget)
Haven't had that happen yet. Hope it doesn't.
Another good update. Facinating how you keep coming up with all these photos and great story line.
I actually spend a lot of time looking for good photos to fit the story. I take the view that I write an awful lot and the readers deserve a break!
As for the story line - I just play about 7 days ahead, then look at my notes and try to think of a valid reason for things to go that way. That way I can't anticipate what is going to happen as I don't know.
In fact, with that last update, I went right up to where I had played (I have been distracted by CORE for AOD). So I am now playing the last days of December 1939. Update in a day or so, followed by an end of 1939 report.
I did wonder about that (and I noticed a "Swiss" unit led by a certain De Gaulle) but HOI3 ver 1.4 seems to convert all Exp Forces. I will just assume that rebel French units have signed up en masse to the Swiss Army.
The Free French army of Switzerland.
Well they won't manage to flee to the United Kingdom this time.
great couple of updates again Uriah, can't wait for the final '39 raport
swiss will crumble soon, there is no way it can sustain both the whermacht and the italians
I was expecting brittish national unity to be lower than that, with all that sinkings your subs have done.
ahh well soon your northsea fleet can take harbour in those pretty french ports you took, and then surface raiding might dent their transport capacity a bit more.
/Krog
swiss will crumble soon, there is no way it can sustain both the whermacht and the italians
I was expecting brittish national unity to be lower than that, with all that sinkings your subs have done.
ahh well soon your northsea fleet can take harbour in those pretty french ports you took, and then surface raiding might dent their transport capacity a bit more.
/Krog
I finally catched up with this AAR. I did a lot of reading in the last weeks but it was well worth it.
The part that I enjoyed the most was when you were giving the description of the naval battles of the channel island invasion. I am hoping for more of that kind. (Maybe the two brothers can send some more letters where they describe air and tank battles?)
Keep up the good work!
The part that I enjoyed the most was when you were giving the description of the naval battles of the channel island invasion. I am hoping for more of that kind. (Maybe the two brothers can send some more letters where they describe air and tank battles?)
Keep up the good work!
Swiss proving to be a decent pain in the arse.
Great stuff, I've only read the last few pages but I'll be sure to catch up the whole thing. Looking forward to the end of year report.
Great stuff, I've only read the last few pages but I'll be sure to catch up the whole thing. Looking forward to the end of year report.
Rank and File
A Clerk’s War
A Clerk’s War
22nd December to 31st December 1939
Switzerland is proving to be as stubborn as was France, and though it has few divisions, they are fighting in perfect defensive terrain which they know well. Much of the country also has well-made and positioned fortifications. To make things worse, we are now aware that some French divisions which were in Switzerland at the time of the armistice refused to lay down their arms and decided continue the fight as Swiss units. Co-operation with Italy, however, sees our troops advancing with low casualties, and our combined air forces are proving devastating, blasting the Swiss out of their redoubts and bunkers.
An unusual letter was received from Argentina on the 22nd – they are interested in joining our coalition. There were a lot of memos and discussion papers attached, as the Foreign Ministry agonised for some time over the response. Eventually it was decided that it would be too risky to publicly announce that a country in the sphere of influence of the USA had become a full member of the Axis. Not only would it impact on the USA, but also on its neighbours. Several South American countries are very close to the British and our policy analysts believe it likely that some will be pressured to sign military agreements soon. If that occurred, Argentina could come under attack from several directions with no way that we could assist. As a result, we have advised Vice President Ramón Castillo (the effective leader of the country due to the illness of President Ortiz) that while we welcome the offer the time is not right.
There was considerable confusion around the time of the Armistice, and somehow the creation of 5th Unterseebootsflotte was not correctly recorded. Käpitan zur See Krause has been appointed to command the new unit, which at present is only one flotilla of Type VIIC U-boats.
Käpitan Krause addresses the crew of one of his new Type VIIC U-boats
While many of our troops will probably celebrate Christmas in Switzerland, most will be allowed some rest. Not our Fallschirmjägers though – they have been ordered to board trains for the long trip to northern Denmark, to the airbase at Aalborg. Although their transport planes are staying behind in France (there is vague talk of “other duties” – from what I can find out it is flying supplies into Spain), the 1st Fallschirmjägers are to prepare for the invasion of Norway.
On the 23rd, out Foreign Ministry experts were shown to be at least partly correct. The British announced with great fanfare that Paraguay was a full military ally in the fight against the Axis. No-one is worried about one small country, but my contacts in the Ministry tell me there is concern the British diplomats are organising a coalition of South American countries.
The only other news on the 23rd was the defeat of the Swiss in Aarau . The Hungarian General Vastagh managed to overcome the Swiss, despite a shaky start. He must have learnt quickly (or perhaps was aided by his huge advantage in numbers – he had 80,000 men against less than 10,000) because his losses of 176 were only a fraction of the Swiss casualties of 890. From our Italian liaison officers we understand that the only battle still unresolved is the battle for Zürich.
Battle of Zürich: Italian
After the cessation of hostilities in France just about everybody in the Berlin administration decided to have a break, and Sunday was Weihnachten, so this weekend I took both days off. I would like to say that I had a wonderful time, but the weather was so cold that I just stayed at home and caught up on all the domestic duties that had been neglected. There was a chance that I could have visitors either on Sunday or in for New Year’s Day, and my apartment definitely looked like a bachelor’s residence. My brothers would not mind, but I dreaded the reaction if my sister Helga decided to come to Berlin and saw my empty bottle collection or the state of the guest room, still just as Ernst left it some months ago. I am sure the mice and cockroaches will be upset, but it had to be done.
So Sunday morning my apartment was fit for human habitation. But there were no visitors and my first war-time Christmas was a quiet lonely day. The only bright point was a present from Gisela, a framed photograph of the two of us on our trip to Sanssouci. When I unwrapped it I felt quite sentimental, but perhaps that was the effect of a bottle of “liberated” wine that Heinz had sent me from Bordeaux. Warm winter gloves from Helga (always practical) and a phonograph from Ernst (apparently he won it during a serious card game with his fellow pilots – this is how they while away the time between missions!). Christmas lunch alone was quite depressing, and I wished I had accepted one of the offers from my staff to join their families. Still, Heinz had sent a dozen bottles from France and I spent the afternoon listening to records on my new second-hand phonograph, sipping wine and (occasionally) looking at the new photograph carefully positioned on my mantelpiece.
Ernst’s Christmas present: a Monochord phonograph player – the first one I have owned. Now I can actually play some of my records.
I spent Christmas evening alone at home, my brothers far away and my sister waiting and worrying for her husband. Towards the end of the evening, as my fire burnt low and I prepared for bed, I thought that I might as well have gone to work. But then I thought of the hundreds of thousands of our soldiers far away from home, many of them cold and in danger, and decided that self-pity was not an attractive character trait.
I didn’t miss much over my break. Very little happened on Saturday, but on Christmas Day we were informed by the Italians that they had captured Zürich. Their claim was a little hopeful, as within an hour we had a rather scratchy radio message from General Eicke to say that he had taken charge of the attack in the last major Swiss city. (Radio communications to our units in Switzerland are difficult due to the weather and the mountains). Eicke had no doubt that he would quickly complete his task – he has 108,000 men available and he is opposed by a single Swiss unit of less than 7,000 soldiers. He has encircled the enemy and intends to crush them within days. It will be a real test of his skills: he has 2 German divisions (28.Infanterie and 4th Gebirgsäger), 8 Italian Divisions (27a “Brescia”, 6th Motor Brigade, 21st Infantry Brigade, 4a Divisione Alpina “Cuneeense”, 14a Divisione “Isonzo”, 19a Divisione “Venezia”, 3a Divisione Alpina “Julia” and 3a Divisione “Eugenio di Savoia”), the Hungarian 11th Infantry Brigade (motorised) and the Slovak 13th Militia Brigade. I hope he has a good team of translators and unlimited patience.
Battle of Zürich: German
General Petzel arrived in Switzerland on Sunday and was straight into action. He had been given two divisions (16.Infanterie (mot) and 3rd Gebirgsjäger Division) as well as his own 34.Infanterie and ordered to clear Winterthur of the 10,000 Swiss and French who have fled there to regroup. Attacking from Konstanz, St Gallen and Todtmoos simultaneously will make the defenders’ job harder, though the 3rd Gebrirgsjägers may have a problem crossing the Rhine.
Battle of Winterthur
The RAF has reverted to night attacks, and instead of hitting our cities is now aiming at closer production centres: factories in occupied France! Newall’s strategic bombers were detected approaching Lille, already an important source of manufacturing for our military. Christiansen scrambled his two “Westwall” geschwader to meet them, but the bombers still got through, inflicting quite a bit of damage to the city. Christiansen defended his pilots, pointing out that our debriefings showed that we shot down 29 British aircraft for the loss of only three fighters, but this did not mollify Minister Schacht, who behaves as if every lost unit of production is like a dagger in his heart.
Air Battle of Lille
Damage Report Lille
On Tuesday our trade delegations lodged details of all on-going business deals. As I mentioned a while ago, increased production has seen a steady reduction in our steel and rare materials stockpiles. Von Neurath has been chasing our overseas embassies and delegations to help with trade details, with some success. Turkey has signed a contract for 6,000 tonnes a day of chrome and other non-ferrous metals, Hungary has promised 16,000 tonnes of steel per day, and a Romanian consortium will deliver 10,000 tonnes of steel, 3,000 tonnes of oil and a thousand tonnes of synthetic rubber per day. All this costs money, but the Treasury is flush with funds and has agreed to ensure that everybody gets paid.
General Petzel claimed victory in Winterthur, having lost 72 men to the Swiss 97. Like the Italians in Zürich, however, he had jumped the gun, as the Swiss launched a fierce counter-attack early the next day. The unfortunate recipients of the attack were the men of Behlendorff’s16.Infanterie (mot), who had been told that the roads were clear. Although not expecting to drive into combat, Behlendorf’s men are well trained and have responded quickly, and he reported that the situation was under control. In fact, only hours later he called back: he had lost only 7 men: the Swiss fled leaving 24 dead behind.
2nd Battle of Winterthur
The lead up to New Year was thankfully quite uneventful, as many staff were tied up in the massive end of year reports. Every Ministry wanted to summaries how it had performed during the first year of war, and there were rumours of a big military reorganisation.
There was only one out-of-the-ordinary item during the 28th and 29th. I knew our decision to provide deliveries of “take now – pay later” sales to Portugal was a mistake: now Yunnan has asked for the same deal! In my head I realise that we may never be called upon to actually deliver any goods, but it is the principle of the thing. If you can’t afford it, do without.
Finally Silvester arrived. As it fell on a Saturday in 1939, most of us were expected to work in the morning, but most employers were letting staff leave early if there was nothing pressing. Nearly everyone in the Reichskanzlei had been feverishly completing tasks in the last weeks of December, and my section was nearly up to date in its work. The 1939 reports had been sent to the printers, and the latest military position maps from around the world were to be attached in the New Year.
During the morning I reviewed the purchase and transfer papers for the start of a new sort of infantry unit: what the Heer is calling “Coastal Division”. It has two regiments of infantry, an anti-aircraft brigade and one of the new rocket brigades. According to the planning documents the Heer is concerned about the number of men tied up in the occupied territories, and is even more alarmed at the prospect of dozens of regular divisions guarding ports and vital coastlines in France. It is thought that the lower manpower requirements of these units will allow us to cover the coast, and that the rocket units will provide cheap artillery again invading infantry, while the AA brigades will double as air defence and “hard” firepower to use against enemy armour. These units will not be mobile, but will be expected to hold key positions until assistance arrives.
The 10cm Nebelwerfer 40 is a simple weapon that can be used for high explosive, chemical or smoke shells. We are busy working on an improved model to increase its range and calibre.
After lunch I had a quick look at the U-boat performance and bombing summaries and then it was time to tell my staff they could leave early and to wish them all a “gutes neues Jahr”. I must admit I was not looking forward to a lonely dinner for one on New Year’s Eve. Weihnachten had been depressing enough, but Silvester alone! Is this what I had to look forward to – the same procedure every year?
So it was a complete surprise when Gisela and a group of my staff grabbed hold of me after my announcement that the working year was officially over. With a cry of “Bring the Chef!” they whisked me off to a nearby bar, where over the first drinks they explained that Gisela had found out about my solitary Christmas and it had been decided that I was not to be allowed to turn into a hermit.
The afternoon is a blur (possibly due to the noise and all the drinks that were bought for me). I remember that at some point we ate a huge meal of the traditional split pea soup and Wiener Würstchen, followed by Berliner Pfannkuchen. During the meal we all had a try at Bleigieße. Dropping little balls of molten lead into the water and looking at the shapes. There was a lot of hilarity when my droplet resembled a bee – a proposal of marriage. But the whole crew went wild when straight after Gisela’s effort looked like a nest with eggs in it! The happy home starter! She didn’t seem to upset about all the jokes and comments, in fact she seemed quite pleased.
Some-one suggested it was time for the Feuerzangenbowle and then, glowing with alcoholic goodwill, we all marched singing to the Brandenburger Gate: we had forgotten that with the blackout there would be no fireworks this year. Somehow it didn’t seem to matter. We were carrying bottles of Sekt and the Polizei were turning a blind eye. That evening we could make our own fireworks.
The Brandenburger Gate at night: before the blackout
Sunday was a day of rest. For some reason I had a headache and felt a little queasy, but Gisela insisted that we have Kassler mit Sauerkraut for lunch – to ensure a profitable year. Cleaning up the apartment last week was not a waste of time after all.
Unterseebootsflotte activity report
Cape Finisterre: 1 transport and 1 escort (UK): Kuching – Plymouth: Wolf
Coast of Galicia: 1 transport (UK): Plymouth – Lagos: Wolf
Coast of Galicia: 1 transport (UK): Accra – Plymouth: Wolf
Breton Coast: 2 transports (UK): Plymouth – Mombasa : von Norberg
North-East Porcupine Plain: 1 transport (Danish): Copenhagen – Boston: Aßman
Breton Coast: 2 transports (UK): Plymouth – St Johns: von Nordeck
Cape Finisterre: 2 transports (UK): Trinidad – Plymouth: Wolf
Bombing Summary
Aarau: Kesselring with 1st Schlachtfliegerkorps, 13a and 35a Divisione Bombardi (2 x TAC, 2 x JU 87B): 107, 240, 170
Langenthal: Sperrle with 1st Kampffliegerkorps (1 x Bf 109E, 2 x Ju 88): 109, 196, 184
Zürich: Löhr with 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps, 3rd Kampffliegerkorps, 4a Divisione Bombardi (2 x Ju 87B, 2 x JU 88, 1 x TAC): 195
Zürich: Löhr with 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps, 4a Divisione Bombardi (2 x Ju 87B,1 x TAC): 208
Zürich: Kesselring with 1st Schlachtfliegerkorps (2 x Ju 87B): 64, 168, 50, 58, 90
Aarau: Sperrle with 1st Kampffliegerkorps (1 x M e109E, 2 x Ju 88): 124, 248
Zürich: Kesselring with 1st Schlachtfliegerkorps, 4a, 13a and 35a Divisione Bombardi (3 x TAC, 2 x JU 87B): 218, 161
Zürich: Kesselring with 1st Schlachtfliegerkorps, 4a, Divisione Bombardi (1 x TAC, 2 x JU 87B): 113
Winterthur: Kesselring with 1st Schlachtfliegerkorps (2 x Ju 87B): 91
Zürich: Löhr with 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps (2 x Ju 87B): 75
Zürich: Kesselring with 1st and 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps (4 x Ju 87B): 244
Zürich: Löhr with 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps, 4a Divisione Bombardi (2 x Ju 87B, 1 x TAC): 111, 124, 81
Zürich: Kesselring with 1st and 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps, 4a, 13a and 35a Divisione Bombardi (3 x TAC, 4 x JU 87B): 257, 209
Zürich: Kesselring with 1st Schlachtfliegerkorps, 4a, Divisione Bombardi (1 x TAC, 2 x JU 87B): 112
Zürich: the endless unopposed bombing is having its effects on the defenders
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The Free French army of Switzerland.
Well they won't manage to flee to the United Kingdom this time.
I really didn't need thousands of French holed up in the Alps. Still, as you point out, they aren't going anywhere.
Yes, we signed the pact early in 1939, and I am not going to break it! I am being very nice to Mt Stalin (unitl I have another 60 divisions).
great couple of updates again Uriah, can't wait for the final '39 raport
swiss will crumble soon, there is no way it can sustain both the whermacht and the italians
I was expecting brittish national unity to be lower than that, with all that sinkings your subs have done.
ahh well soon your northsea fleet can take harbour in those pretty french ports you took, and then surface raiding might dent their transport capacity a bit more.
/Krog
I too was surprised but I think all the strat bombing they have done has helped them. And they have probably sunk a lot of Italians.
Yes, I did enjoy writing those, but they are very hard work to keep accurate with what is happening in the game. But 1940 should be easier to keep under control, so I will try to work in some land and air battle descriptions.
Swiss proving to be a decent pain in the arse.
Great stuff, I've only read the last few pages but I'll be sure to catch up the whole thing. Looking forward to the end of year report.
You are aware of how many pages there are?
Working on EOY now: followed by January and the new OOB.
Oh I just can't wait for the new OOB!
It seems that our dear narrator really enjoyed New Year's Eve, good for him.
It seems that our dear narrator really enjoyed New Year's Eve, good for him.
The Swiss army makes a last great stand.
It was not that wise to push them into Zürich.
It was not that wise to push them into Zürich.
You can airlift the paratroopers using transport planes. Load, rebase, unload. I think it even prevents the redeployment attack delay.
Going at the Swiss over the mountains hurts.
Glad to see it is about to fall.
Nice update. /Glad to see our clerk had someone to keep him warm finally.
Glad to see it is about to fall.
Nice update. /Glad to see our clerk had someone to keep him warm finally.
I know it's a clichè, but I just have to tell all of you, that this dish is indeed really awesome. If you visit Germany some time, you have to try some "Kassler mit Sauerkraut und Salzkartoffeln"
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I know it's a clichè, but I just have to tell all of you, that this dish is indeed really awesome. If you visit Germany some time, you have to try some "Kassler mit Sauerkraut und Salzkartoffeln"
Try "Kartoffelpüree" or "Kartoffelstampf" instead of the "Salzkartoffeln" - way better!
A great update! I wonder if our little clerk will make an honest woman of Gisela?
I have to say, though, I'm quite baffled as to why you didn't accept Argentina. It's not a huge deal, but it grants you some small advantage to no detriment (unless I'm missing something). You can base some of your long range U-boats there, and maybe some surface raiders, to attack convoys in the South Antlantic, and they're far enough away to act with relative impunity. It would also keep the South American Allies tied down so they can't contribute to the war in more meaningful ways. I doubt it would push the Americans into the Allied camp. I'm curious as to your reasoning.
I have to say, though, I'm quite baffled as to why you didn't accept Argentina. It's not a huge deal, but it grants you some small advantage to no detriment (unless I'm missing something). You can base some of your long range U-boats there, and maybe some surface raiders, to attack convoys in the South Antlantic, and they're far enough away to act with relative impunity. It would also keep the South American Allies tied down so they can't contribute to the war in more meaningful ways. I doubt it would push the Americans into the Allied camp. I'm curious as to your reasoning.
Maybe Admiral von Schneider will come to visit
Maybe it's just me but reading between the lines I am assuming Gisela stayed overnight? I am sure that is how a gentleman would tell about his conquest without saying anything.
Nice update by the way.
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btw2: Kassler mit Sauerkraut... Mhhhhh!
Sterling stuff again, even if it is only plated.
I trust there will be a summary of what's been happening - if anything - with the herring-fondling, deer-worrying, seal-molesting Scandinavians? Seems to have been awful quiet. Perhaps everyone is sitting around waiting for the government to do something about the invaders.
The events of New Year were most delicately handled, which all went to waste when the oiks of this forum started pointing and sniggering.
I'll also put my vote in for another rip-snorting battle report, the clash in the North Sea was well done. One odd thing I've noticed with the casualties in these land battles - occasionally there's a right royal ding-dong with bodies strewn untidily about the place, then a whole string of casualty lists more suited to those suffered by static units engaging in patrolling for a few days. Three stubbed toes and Jimmy here shot his own thumb off sort of thing. The odd thing is it doesn't seem to reflect the time taken and numbers of troops involved.
And your narrator should not mock Yunnan - their contribution may become searingly critical for ultimate victory. But I doubt it.
I trust there will be a summary of what's been happening - if anything - with the herring-fondling, deer-worrying, seal-molesting Scandinavians? Seems to have been awful quiet. Perhaps everyone is sitting around waiting for the government to do something about the invaders.
The events of New Year were most delicately handled, which all went to waste when the oiks of this forum started pointing and sniggering.
I'll also put my vote in for another rip-snorting battle report, the clash in the North Sea was well done. One odd thing I've noticed with the casualties in these land battles - occasionally there's a right royal ding-dong with bodies strewn untidily about the place, then a whole string of casualty lists more suited to those suffered by static units engaging in patrolling for a few days. Three stubbed toes and Jimmy here shot his own thumb off sort of thing. The odd thing is it doesn't seem to reflect the time taken and numbers of troops involved.
And your narrator should not mock Yunnan - their contribution may become searingly critical for ultimate victory. But I doubt it.