"Reich Redux" A Sparse TRM 1.08.4 AAR

[LimaTango]

Hello Readers!

Gringoesteban has updated my favorite mod again, actually twice, and I have to have another go at it. I did a full AAR on this last year with all the little jokes I could think of as well as imaginary in-character dialogue. This AAR will have a more simplistic sportscaster theme, mostly just reporting the actions as they occur.

Rules: I will abide by Gringoesteban’s guidelines for the game, setting Normal/Normal, shipbuilding restrictions, etc. I will follow a generally historical path, with the usual Axis partners. All the European minors will be MC but I will not ally with Japan, though blueprints will be exchanged beginning after war with Russia ensues. When war with the Soviet Union breaks out I will select Bring ‘Em On and Total Occupation. I will not attempt any Sea Lion before Bitter Peace is forced on the Soviets, if the Axis get that far. I will attempt to strangle England with commerce raiding (though I have no confidence that I can manage that).

Because I only play occasionally I will have to try a few new things along the way to keep it fresh for me. I will ally with Nationalist Spain to some degree for the SCW and try some new things in Africa. I will trade some units to my allies and I may try a couple other new strategies just to see what happens. I will post clearly about any console commands used to fix or alter an issue.

 

[Mkoll13]

Huzzah! I look forward to seeing what you will do!

 

[LimaTango]

The main focus of Third Reich Mod of course is the life or death struggle with the Soviet Union. This AAR will rush along to that point and we can see then what happens.

Research technologies will be listed in this format after the first ones are started:
Research Completed/Research Begun

January 1936 Actions
The economy is moved toward Central Planning.
New ministers are installed:
Rudolf Diels in Security
Fritz Bayerlein as Chief of Staff
Ulrich Grauert in Air Force

Research is begun on:
Basic Machine tools
Basic Interceptor
Long Range Submarine
Early Airborne Division
Basic Destroyer
Rear Area Vehicle Repair
Basic Escort Fighter

Most forces are gathered in Berlin under Logistics Wizard commanders, though some infantry is sent to re-occupy the Rhineland and show those Limeys and Frogs that the German people will not be intimidated.

With little in the way of outside threat, military payrolls are slashed to a fraction of optimal levels.

Since Gringo has made the versions increasingly difficult, a much more ambitious economic build plan seems desirable. Work is begun on many aspects of German infrastructure and industrial output.

June 1936:

Early Airborne Division/ Early Close Air Support Aircraft

July 17, 1936

The Spanish Civil War erupts. The High Command decides to support Franco over and above the scripted goods and units. A console command binds Nationalist Spain and Germany as allies. Germany sends three LARM and 2 TAC to Spain.

Basic Machine Tools/ Improved Machine Tools
Basic Destroyer/ Early Light Carrier

August 1936

Rear Area Repair Shop/ Forest Warfare

October 1936

New Slot: Early Tank Destroyer begun

November 1936

Basic Computing Machine/ Basic Encryption Devices

Spanish Civil War ends with Franco triumphant. Nationalist Spain is then banned from the Axis alliance but Military Access into Spain is retained. Germany now has some access to the Atlantic and the Med without having to brave the North Sea.

December 1936

Basic Interceptor/ Basic Fighter
Basic Escort Fighter/ Basic Light Tank (escort production for 8 TACs begins)
Production of Paratroop Divisions begins
The Hitler Youth movement is approved and instituted.

February 1937

Early Tank Destroyer/ Basic Field Artillery
Early Light Carrier/ Improved Computing Machine
Interceptor Production Begins

March 1937

Improved Machine Tools/ Advanced Machine Tools
Forest Warfare Training/ Advanced Construction Engineering
Long Range Submarine/ Indirect Approach Doctrine (4 submarine production lines added)

April 1937

Basic Close Air Support/ Basic Infantry Division

May 1937

Built the Rocket Test Site
Basic Field Artillery/ Early Self-Propelled Artillery

June 1937

Basic Encryption Devices/ Basic Decryption

July 1937

New Slot: Basic Mountain Division
Signed Anti-Cominterm Pact

August 1937

Cavalry Production Begins

September 1937

Basic Light Tank/ Improved Light Tank

October 1937

Early slider move to Standing Army

November 1937

Early Self-Propelled Artillery/ Basic Anti-Tank Artillery
Basic Fighter/ Basic Motorized Division (Fighter production begins)

January 1938

Advanced Machine Tools/ Production Control
Advanced Construction Engineering/ Production Planning
CAS production begins

 

[LimaTango]

February 1938

Basic Mountain Division/ Battlefield Interdiction Doctrine
Mountain Division production begins

March 1938

Anscluss of Austria
Austrian forces moved to Berlin for refitting.
Improved Computing Machine/ Basic Tactical Bomber
Basic Anti-Tank Artillery/ Blitzkrieg Doctrine (production of AT brigades begins)
HQ Division production begins.

April 1938

Basic Decryption/ Improved Encryption
Basic Infantry Division/ Strafing Doctrine (Infantry Division production begins)

May 1938

Garrison production begins.
The High Command declines to build up the Westwall.

June 1938

Battlefield Interdiction Doctrine/ Logistical Strike Doctrine
Basic Motorized Division/ Improved Motorized Division (Motorized Division production begins)
Armored division production begins.
General von Brauchitisch is made Army Chief of Staff

July 1938

Improved Light Tank/ Basic Medium Tank
Production of Radar and AA Guns begins.

August 1938

Slider move towards Standing Army.

September 1938

Indirect Approach Doctrine/ Decisive Interdiction Doctrine
Strafing Doctrine/ Wolfpack Doctrine
2nd line of Infantry production begins.
Germany demands and receives the Sudetenland.
October 1938

Production of MOT INF brigades begins (to equip on armored divisions).

November 1938

Production Control/ Assembly Line Experimentation
Production Planning/ Fist Strike Doctrine
Logistic Strike Doctrine/ Strategic Destruction doctrine
Basic Tactical Bomber/ Improved AT Artillery

December 1938

Blitzkrieg Doctrine/ Agrichemistry

January 1939

The High Command went with Plan Z for the simple reason that the alternative gave all blueprints already obsolete. No additional hulls were laid down, to the chagrin of the Kriegsmarine.

The Abwehr makes a quick check in the Far East…

 

[LimaTango]

February 1939

Improved Encryption Devices/ Early Hospital

March 1939

Improved AT Artillery/ Improved Decryption Devices
Strategic Destruction doctrine/ Plotting Room
Partitioned Czechoslovakia, created Slovakia, gained Hungary as ally.
Economic accord with Romania.
Head of Intelligence Hans Oster

April 1939

Basic Medium Tank/ Improved Medium Tank
Italy annexes Albania.

May 1939

First Strike Doctrine/ Fighter Veteran Initiative
Agrichemistry/ Frontal Missions Doctrine

July 1939

Decisive Interdiction doctrine/ Commerce Raider Doctrine
Slider move to Free Markets
Chief of Staff General Jodl

August 1939

Wolfpack Doctrine/ Improved Interceptor
Plotting Room/ Night Strafing Doctrine
Went with Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact – historical.

 

[LimaTango]

September 1939 WAR With the Allies!!

On the home front, the Folk Pest Law is turned down.

Whilst abroad, the Luftwaffe, Heer and Kriegsmarine all go into action. The Polish Air Force is swept from the sky as German ground forces surge forward. Ironically, after serving as a flashpoint for war, Danzig falls without a shot being fired there.

As the Blitzkrieg continues, the Royal Navy and the Kriegsmarine have their first deadly engagements on the high seas. The RN comes off the loser in the first round.

Torun proved a tough nut to crack but elsewhere the Poles are overwhelmed and pushed back.

On September 12 Warsaw falls and finally on the 14th Poland is annexed. The Soviets are perturbed at the seizure of several provinces by the Hungarians, and then demand their return.

With Poland subdued, forces are moved to likely future targets. The first SS Division stands up.

October 1939

Assembly Line Experimentation/ Vehicle Assembly Line
Improved Motorized Division/ Basic Mechanized Division

On October 24, the High Command decided to execute a contingency plan and invade both Denmark and Norway.

Just as the month is coming to a close, and Denmark teeters on the brink of capitulation, an epic battle breaks out in the North Sea. Unlike the previous naval skirmishes, the really big guns sally forth.

The initial engagement is between a 12 vessel RN Battleship SAG which took on a 6 U-boat wolfpack. Both sides rushed in additional forces, with the actual instigators long retired from the scene when the battle finally ended.

At last the guns fell silent and the survivors limped to port. At the cost of two submarines and a destroyer flotilla, the Kriegsmarine sank two fleet carriers, a battleship and two battle cruisers.

The actual ship sinkings do not quite tell the tale. Apparently many or all of the Royal Navy’s capital ships suffered very heavy damage in the terrible battle, as they are completely absent from the seven seas for months to come. Small detachments of RN vessels occasionally foray from harbor, to be pounced on by Wolfpack or Commerce Raiding SAG alike. For all intents and purposes, the Kriegsmarine rules the sea from this point forward.

November 1939

Fighter Veteran Initiative/ Aircraft Assembly Line
Frontal Missions Doctrine/ Small Arms Assembly Line

Denmark capitulates and the invasion of Norway continues.

 

[LimaTango]

January 1940

Early Hospital/ Dispersed Fighting Doctrine
Commerce Raider Doctrine/ Capital Ship Raider Group Doctrine
Night Strafing Doctrine/ Perimeter Defense Doctrine
Improved Decryption Devices/ Advanced Computing

The ascendant German Navy enforces its new dominance on any British warships willing to put to sea.

With the Royal Navy in the yards for refit, other Commonwealth members have a go.

Most of these men perish as the transport fleet is sunk beneath them.

March 1940 – WAR in Yugoslavia

Two different strategies are tried in March. One is to finish off the Yugoslavians before the Low Countries and France. The other is to use some forces stationed in Spain to invade Northwest Africa, seeking access to the Mediterranean.

Before war broke out, the following were stationed in Spain.
Paratroop division
2 x Mountain division
Motorized division
Air Transport squadron
3 x Transport flotilla
SAG of 1 each CA, CL, DD

After sitting idle for months, the small Iberian Command joined the wider war. A combined amphibious assault and air drop on Oran netted a port and airbase in this strategic location. While the air transport and paratroops recovered in Oran, the rest of the small force moved cross-country, hoping to take Casablanca before the French could reinforce it.

On March 13, Germany declared war on Yugoslavia and the Blitz was on towards Skopje. Back in Africa the paratroops had rested enough to drop in on Ceuta, and the Kriegsmarine now had free access to the Med.

Over in Yugoslavia, after some tough fighting on the border, the
Wehrmacht picks up speed and drives towards the Greek border.

In Africa, Casablanca is captured, but Oran is lost. The Heer has to pivot back to reopen the port.

April 1940

Improved Interceptor/ Improved Fighter
The puppet nation of Croatia is formed, with two divisions of Croat Volunteers joining the Heer.

On the 2nd, Yugoslavia is annexed and the majority of the Wehrmacht reorients towards the Low Countries. Some forces stay alert on the Greek border.

The Abwehr looks to the Far East again…

The Heer begins to deploy for operations to the West. May looks to be a busy month.

 

[LimaTango]

@ Mkoll13 & Titan- Thanks for reading and the support. I hope that even a sparse AAR will be fun to check in on.


@ Gringoesteban- I have long thought that it was historically plausible that Germany could have sought some basing rights in exchange for their help in the Spanish Civil War. In this particular game it really made sense as the Nationalists got a bad “draw” when war broke out and many of their divisions, including the armored ones, were cut off and destroyed. Germany came to the rescue and here we are. I think your suggestion about Ceuta later in the game is a good one, and I may follow it depending on how things play out.


Since my game crashed again I went back in time to show a quick view of how badly the heavies of the Royal Navy are beat up by November 6.

 

[LimaTango]

May 1940 WAR in the West


May starts out quietly with corps and wings moving into position. Off the coast of Norway, a force of New Zealanders is mowed down scaling the rocky coastline in Bergen.

The Abwehr details the current Wehrmacht force structure.

On May 6 war is declared on Belgium, and assaults are launched against Liege and Antwerp. On May 7 the Netherlands and Luxemburg joined in, but the Allied line had already cracked at Antwerp. A third assault was now initiated against Luxemburg.

By the 8th, most of Belgium is overrun. Minister Shacht recommends assailing the capitals when they are established, to capture as many stocks of rare materials as possible, and the High Command follows this advice.

German paratroops drop into Bastogne to support the infantry moving that way.

At sea the Dutch Navy is forced from port into the waiting arms of the Kriegsmarine. On shore an Allied counterattack against Ghent sputter out and the Heer readies for a leap towards the City of Lights.

When Lille falls, von Kleist rushes to form a pocket at Dunkerque, where the British lack the naval strength to relieve or withdraw their trapped forces.

Paris falls on the 14th and the Heer’s mobile forces pick up speed, heading south towards Marseilles on the Mediterranean, and sparing the Brittany coast from most of the ravages of battle.

The pocket is eliminated at Dunkerque, and the Low Countries are overrun.

Italy declares war on Greece!


In France, the drive to the Med picks up speed.

Remaining French forces stumble about as Gen. Hausser leads his proud Waffen SS forces against the relocated capital of France.

Norway is “liberated” as the Heer fans out into the French countryside. Rumors of armistice are in the wind…

Vichy France is formed May 30. The Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe iommediately rebase forces to the newly available ports and airfields, as the Heer sets up garrisons and rudimentary beach defenses.

The Abwehr prepares some reports for the General Staff.

 

[LimaTango]

June 1940


Dispersed Fighting Doctrine/ Advanced Battleship

Basic Mechanized Division/ Improved Mechanized Division (Mechanized production begins)

Perimeter Defense Doctrine/ Basic Recon

Improved Medium Tank/ Improved Infantry Division


Slider move towards Free Market


U-48 arrives with fanfare.


GAR+ENG traded to Hungary.



July 1940


Capital Ship Raider Doctrine/ Infrastructure Destruction doctrine


Italy is making some progress in Greece at last. Several more Royal Navy ships are sunk in the Atlantic.

On July 2 Italy joins the Axis and the Heer jumps off into northern Greece.

On July 20 Bulgaria asks to join the Axis and is accepted. Days later Syria, Lebanon and Iraq split off from their former masters, with Syria coming all the way over into the Axis camp.


Italy provides blueprints for Basic Naval Bomber, Basic Static AA Artillery, Desert Warfare Training.


Syria provides blueprints for Agricultural Production, Basic Heavy Tank, Early Marine Division, Floating Fortress Doctrine, Support Carrion Role Doctrine (these are forced via console command as for some reason Syria never shares blueprints with her partners).

August 1940


Vehicle Assembly Line/ Formation Fighting Doctrine

Small Arms Assembly Line/ Recon Skirmisher Doctrine


Heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen joins the fleet.


The Heer lands in Palestine to support Italy’s operations around the Med. Mainland Greece is long since overrun but Crete remains defiant.

On August 20 the attack goes in on Malta. German and Italian infantry, mountaineers and paratroops storm the island in waves, supported by a dozen bombers and the shellfire of the entire Italian capital fleet.


Nine days later, the second set of attackers is making good progress.

The German flag goes up over Malta on the last day of August.

September 1940


The Vienna Diktate is decided in favor of Romania, which joins the Axis in response.


In the Middle East, Axis forces close in on the stronghold of Suez. In the Atlantic, a German strike force assembles for a separate assault in Africa.

The British Parliament is surprised at the report of German troops coming ashore in Freetown.

A small Royal Navy CTF is caught by patrolling Kriegsmarine detachments and battle ensues.

On September 17 the siege of the Suez begins, as reports trickle in about another victory at sea.

On the 20th the last defenders in Suez are rounded up.

The High Command decides to attempt the capture of a half dozen Commonwealth

divisions in Egypt and launches an assault to encircle them.

 

[LimaTango]

War is declared on Saudi Arabia and mobile forces race south to Riyadh.



October 1940


Advanced Battleship/ Improved Close Air Support Aircraft

Aircraft Assembly Line/ Kampfgruppe Doctrine


The mighty Bismarck joins the fleet.


ON October 15th the seven Allied divisions bunkered down in Crete are attacked. The first wave of Axis forces are beaten back, with losses, but the second wave is making good progress, aided by airborne support.

Crete falls on the 19th, as Saudi Arabia and Yemen also capitulate. On the other side of Africa, the Heer pursues the Belgian government-in-exile into the Congo. Germany needs rare materials and leaves no stone unturned to acquire them.

November 1940


Basic Recon Tactics/ Night Fighting Training

Infrastructure Destruction Doctrine/

Advanced Computing/ Advanced Encryption Devices


Oman is annexed.

The Abwehr reports the Nationalist China is nearly overrun.

Rare satellite imagery of the Axis sphere, including the many task forces at sea interdicting convoys.

More Abwehr reports come in…

In the Battle of the Atlantic, the Kriegsmarine ravages Allied shipping. All escorts appear to be sunk at this point, and transports are hunted day and night. Yet Britain has a seemingly endless supply of new ships and crews willing to brave the dangers.

Belgium is annexed, but their stockpile of rare materials is unimpressive. The High Command begins a withdrawal to the coast in search of more lucrative targets.

 

[Gringoesteban]

Your campaign is going quite well. Hopefully you will have continued success once you launch Barbarossa.

I noticed that your BC's only have four attachments. In TRM, they can have five. (You may be waiting until you discover ship assembly line so you can put improved hulls on them).

Also, I saw in one of your posts that you have undeployed brigades in the force pool. If you load from a save, due to hardcoding issues, all brigades in the force pool will revert to model 0 so ensure you deploy brigades before closing out the game and reloading. (In your specific case, it did not matter because the SP-Arty and AG brigades were probably model 0 anyway).

What research are you skipping to be able to tech rush panzers, mech infantry, and naval doctrines? It appears that you may have not researched provincial AA guns, radar 1940, AT 1940, or jet engines. Anything else major that you skipped to open up research slots?


edit - not sure if you caught these two posts in the TRM thread...

1) I forgot to include the splash for the TRM 1.08.4 loading screen in the zip file. You can download the pic at the link below. Paste the file into the folder Arsenal of Democracy / gfx. Overwrite the original Load_1024.bmp file that is there, and then you will experience flavor every time you load the mod. This has no impact on play, is completely optional if you want to do it or not, and is fully save game compatible.

http://www8.zippyshare.com/v/h2Bl054D/file.html

2) I found a small bug in 1.08.4 related to the new Elastic Defense Doctrine event that fires on 15 March 1943 whereby you can appoint von Manstein as head of the OKH (Chief of Army Minister in normal AoD terminology). You need to edit your save game .eug file in the folder Arsenal of Democracy / scenarios / save games. Don't forget to backup both the .cfg and .eug.cfg files before making any changes. Use Notepad or Notepad ++ to find the data below. (I suggest searching for the text "Erich von Manstein" because that should take you right to the correct spot).

minister = {
id = { type = 9 id = 229 }
name = "Erich von Manstein"
picture = "Manstein_Erich_von1_ger"
position = ChiefOfArmy
category = paternal_autocrat
cabinet = ruling
personality = "elastic defence doctrine"
year = 1948
}

Change the year to from 1948 to 1943:

minister = {
id = { type = 9 id = 229 }
name = "Erich von Manstein"
picture = "Manstein_Erich_von1_ger"
position = ChiefOfArmy
category = paternal_autocrat
cabinet = ruling
personality = "elastic defence doctrine"
year = 1943
}

Save the file.

 

[LimaTango]

@Gringoesteban Thank you for the pointers about the brigade attachments. I was not aware of either of those issues.
Regarding the research, I am posting every research begun and ended, but to make a better evaluation I will post screens of all the techs I have before the DOW of Russia. I know I am behind in CAS doctrines but not sure what else.

 

[LimaTango]

December 1940


Improved Fighter/ Improved Escort Fighter

Formation Fighting Doctrine/ Deep Logistics Organization


In addition to annexing Belgium, the German cavalry in Central Africa overruns the Free French capital multiple times, siphoning off resources for the war effort.


The English in Egypt are rounded up and eliminated.

After gathering about 20 divisions into the area, including three airborne, a combined German-Italian fleet begins shelling Gibraltar, as several waves of bombers make runs over the fortress. On December 21st the first wave of amphibious attackers begin coming ashore and attempting to scale the heights.



January 1941


The first two waves of assault troops make little headway against the defenders of The Rock, but the third wave begins to get some traction and the defenders are starting to show some wear.

January 12, the fourth wave of attackers finally clears the last tenacious British defender from his bunker and the Med is sealed to Allied traffic. The High Command is jubilant over the news, as the coastal defenses lined along the Mediterranean shores are now safe from depredation.

(Author’s note: I have never been able to take Gibraltar in any game where Spain was not a full ally so this was pretty exciting.)



February 1941


The Tirpitz arrives and joins in the convoy raiding in the Atlantic.


Improved Infantry Division/ Basic Hospital System

Recon Skirmisher Doctrine/ Decentralized Command

Bomber Veteran Initiative/ Direct Ground Support Doctrine


Finland joins the Axis and gives Arctic Warfare blueprint.

Italy provides Deep Logistic Organization blueprint.


The European Axis powers are all in place…

The English command makes a few attempts to intervene in Norway to little effect.

 

[LimaTango]

March 1941


With all forces withdrawn from the Congo, The Italian High Command orders an incursion into India proper. Germany contributes the Afrika Korps and some mountain divisions. Progress is swift.

Back in Berlin, most of the economy is committed to upgrading air wings and divisions for the coming war in the East.



April 1941


Improved Mechanized Division/ Improved Armored Railway Transportation

Deep Logistic Organization/ Agricultural Production


The SS Wiking division arrives, ready for action.


A Secret Weapon is discovered: Electronic Computers


On April 20th, assembled forces launch a coordinated assault on Karachi.

A considerable landing force suddenly materializes off the coast of Bordeaux. German ships and planes scour the coast for them to no avail, until several divisions actually complete their debarkation under the noses of the Kriegsmarine.

Units are diverted south to hold the British in place and attempt to push them into the sea.


May 1941


Improved Combat Air Support Aircraft/ Home Defense Doctrine

Advanced Encryption Devices/ Improved Recon Tactics

Decentralized Command/ Improved Decimetric Radar Warning Sites


Received Night fighting Training blueprint from Italy.


New units 716th Static Infantry Division and Leibstandarte SS Adolph Hitler divisions are stood up for duty.


The English commander surrenders in Karachi.

While in Bordeaux, Field Marshal Montgomery is forced to withdraw under fire and attempt to rally further south. Five loaded transports are sunk by German heavy cruisers in this theater with the loss of all hands.

Italian TAC bombers flying from Casablanca announce a Royal Navy SAG entering the Gulf of Morocco. The High Command sorties a half dozen U-boats and the small Bismarck group to intercept them. The Regia Marina attempts to join in but its slow moving battlewagons cannot close in time.

It’s another major defeat for the Royal Navy, with two battleships and several smaller vessels sunk at the cost of one KM destroyer flotilla. The Prinz Eugen, barely afloat, is escorted to Athens to effect critical repairs.


The Abwehr submits some reports…

 

[LimaTango]

June 1941


Direct Ground Support Doctrine/Night Strikes Doctrine

Improved Escort Fighter/ Advanced Decryption

Night Fighting Training/ Basic Static Anti Air Artillery


Italian forces continue to invest India. The rare materials depot at Columbo is attacked with vigor.

Mussolini is gratified to see the flag of Italy flying over such a swath of the globe.

On June 20th, the German High Command meets to debate the coming efforts in the East. The Abwehr prepares numerous reports which are studied and weighed with great interest by the assembled leaders.

The Battle of the Atlantic rages on, with the Kriegsmarine in pursuit of every merchant ship in the entire ocean.

German technology on the brink of war…

And the die is cast. Germany declares war on the Soviet Union on June 20. The High Command has settled on the general plan:


In the North, German and Finnish troops will seek to capture the entire Karelian Peninsula, and then German troops will move Southeast into Molotovsk. The Heer has provided 6 Infantry and 6 Cavalry divisions, 1 HQ unit, a SAG and three transports to support this operation.

In the West, the coastal defenses are in place. The Kriegsmarine rules the seas. Two German and two Italian Interceptor wings keep watch over the lands of the Reich.

In the South, the plan is to support the invasion force from the Black Sea. The first step is bombing the Russian Black Sea Squadron into uselessness and for that is assembled a wing of Italian NAV, a wing of German CAS, a wing of German MRF and the Romanian Air Force.


Once the Russian Navy is rendered ineffective landings will be made along the coasts to facilitate the drive to Baku. The assembled force is 8 German MTN, 3 Romanian MTN and 2 Italian MTN divisions, with an Italian HQ.


In the East the plan is to drive east along two corridors depicted in Red. On order the secondary phase will begin, as seen in Yellow, and if possible a tertiary phase will be conducted as seen in Violet.

 

[MagooNZ]

Good Luck LimaTango. TRM 1084 appears to be much harder than 1082 or earlier. The infrastructure levels in SOV are lower (I think). My first attempt got to Jan 42, but I need a restart. JAP made little progress in CHI, & ITA's capital ships all got sunk.

 

[LimaTango]

June 20, 1941


Here we go!


At down on the 20th, the Luftwaffe Fighters and Interceptors leap into the skies, seeking to tear into the hastily assembling Red Air Force. On the ground, the High Command holds back all the troops except those assaulting Alytus, Stryj, and those in the Karelian Peninsula.

On the 21st, the Heer launches attacks on Lvov and Kowel.


The battles in the far North conclude quickly with surprised Russian formations quickly in flight. To add to their woe another specialized German formation arrives in that theater. To compensate, STAVKA raises 19 militia divisions.

When Alytus is occupied the assault on Grodno begins.

An airborne assault goes in at Tarnopol to cut off withdrawing Red Army forces. The Romanians begin their work to reclaim their lands.

Another airborne assault goes into Kaunas, even as the paratroops in Tarnopol are forced to retreat. They held long enough though to seal the fate of the soviet Border Guards.

Murmansk is occupied by the Finns as both pincers of the Wehrmacht advance move a step eastward.

With the land battle won at Minsk, Army Group Nord begins setting the pieces for their secondary objective, a linkup with an amphibious landing at Riga.

There’s a setback in Siauliau as withdrawing troops are set upon, but all other fronts see advances, including another Romanian success at Beltsy.

STAVKA raises the first new front in their attempt to slow the Heer. There will be many more…

Victories from India and Finland. Army Group Mitte begins the push into Kiev.

The operation against the Soviet Black Sea Squadron begins in earnest as the venerable vessels are pounded at their moorings.

Another Soviet Front rushes to the sound of the guns, blunting the Heer’s spearheads.

Kiev and Riga are taken. The Finnish Army continues its advance. STAVKA stands up a third new front in less than a week!

June ends with the Red Army in disarray, seeking its footing. The Heer has taken casualties but is still moving forward.

 

[MagooNZ]

Congratulations, more remarkably quick progress LimaTango (although playing it probably doesn't seem that way). I notice that you use +20% organisation regain. Has this been proven superior to +10% defence? It is often the counterattack immediately after taking a province that causes the most GER manpower losses. However other good players appear to use +20% organisation regain too.

 

[LimaTango]

@ MagooNZ Thank you for reading along! I think everyone else is lost in new-forum-land!



I know that TRM 1.08.4 is harder for sure and so I put more into the buildup of economy and forces. Now to see how it plays out. The “rail lines” infrastructure is reduced to level 40 from previous level 50 so that will slow things up across the board.



Regarding the org regain minister, I don’t have a clear basis for which ministers to use, so I just go with whatever seems to make the most sense to me. I have stuck with Herr Jodl for most of my German games and it seems to be a universal boon to air, land and sea forces. The defense bonus might well be better overall, I just don’t know.