Seed of the Magyar - Hungarian A.A.R.

[Elastic Fish]

I had considered just waiting to get Cluj etc., but I reckon it's more fun if I just go in and invade them...

I'm not really sure whether I will keep playing this once I have conquered Eastern Europe. I might hang on for Barbarossa, but I can't be sure, depends on how the rest of Eastern Europe falls...

 

[Elastic Fish]

Lightly spraying his hair back off his forehead, but not shaking him, supported on his rifle as he was, he smiled a little, as much as he could, at the cooling November wind. He remembered Bulgaria. He looked down, embarrassed that that had once been him. The shaking, the terror of death, the sheer cowardice was alien to him now, light years away from his new self.

The Bulgarians had been soft, they made him soft too. There was never any real threat, so his young mind, unsure and nervous, had wandered into the jaws of fear. He had been terrified, incapable of fighting. Had he been in a front line platoon his death would have been almost certain. But after the end of Bulgaria, as he and his unit were marching into the foothills of Northern Hungary, he had felt something different. A hardness inside, a solid core around which rose an encompassing sphere of grim, but unbreakable determination. Over the past weeks, all he had heard about the Czechs and their army, had begun to affect him. The tanks, the mountains, the weapons, the strength; all these made one thing all to clear. From here on in, it was fight or die.

This had not affected him as much as he had expected. His mind was calm, his heart was steady, his breaths calm and collected. He had drilled, as all had drilled. He had learned to shoot, by no means excellently, but he could aim and shoot, and shoot to kill, too. He knew his bayonet like a trusted sheepdog, his helmet as a dear friend of many years. He had, without realising, become a soldier.

When he did not train, he waited. When he was not waiting, he ate. When eating had finished, he slept. As soon as dawn broke, he trained. Never the strongest in the unit, but never the weakest. He was able to shoulder his load and carry on unaided, no matter what came. He had a remarkable affinity for grenade throwing - he had always been good at skimming stones - and was, therefore, given the few AT grenades that their platoon possessed. The four heavy projectiles were slipped into the spare pockets of his bandolier.

Finally, a message was received by the CO. War had just been declared, the advance was to begin immediately. They had known this would happen for several days, and had been uneasily waiting for the final message. They moved immediately, platoons forming, tents disappearing, rifles grabbed and helmets strapped on. With communications silenced, Elek’s platoon moved into the front and began climbing the hill which marked the border. The small border post was manned only by Hungarian guards, the Czechs presumably eliminated earlier. With a grin and a wish of good luck, the barriers were opened and the men of the platoon moved swiftly onwards, searching for the nearby Czech infantry. The Czechs had deployed, but were at very low strength. Elek and Csaba were first to spot them, a thin trench line, just behind a weak stream. Crawling to remain unnoticed, Elek slipped past a pine tree and slipped into long grass. From there he slithered to near the banks of the stream, took a grenade, careful to ensure that the AT grenades remained untouched, and tossed it deftly into the Czech trench. Three seconds later, the grenade exploded and suddenly rifle fire shattered the air. It was mostly Czech, but they could not see where the Hungarians were shooting from, so none of their volleys hit home. As most of the fire paused, the Czechs foolishly firing all at once, forcing them to reload at the same time, Elek’s platoon scrambled into the trench and swept through, bayonets fixed. The grenade had been well placed, it had killed four, one clearly an officer and the other with a light machine gun. The rest of the trench was soon cleared, and, as the platoon regrouped and radioed back to HQ, there were five bayonets sticky with blood. Elek had shot one more with his rifle after his grenade, a young lad, whose death he regretted as much as the putting down of an old sheepdog, no longer useful. His hardened core held firm, he felt little.

It appeared that the trench had been all the Czech defences in that area. As Elek’s platoon moved on, they found no more resistance and little more than fields and paths until the rally point. There, they found that other platoons had found the same, thin line of Czech resistance. Several AT guns had been captured, the Czechs had clearly expected a tank attack.

As rations and supplies were handed out, the men loosened up and laughed a little. If this was the invasion of Czechoslovakia, then long may it last. They did not know it would last very long indeed.

 

[unmerged(203997)]

Nice AAR, I'll follow this

 

[Elastic Fish]

That November afternoon, six months earlier, could have been someone else’s memory. There was nothing like that pervasive feeling of hope, none of the optimism. The swaying grass, birds soaring southward, wishing serene farewells, golden leaves drifting through sun-filled air, the infectious optimism throughout them, the feeling that they were young, young and right and free and unstoppable, was gone now. Now all that remained was mud. Rain fell in place of glimmering leaves. Birdsong had given way to machine-gun fire, as the indefatigable Czechs fought for every metre of sodden mountain path, or sold themselves dear in once sleepy hamlets.

Too many men had died. Elek had seen fields of the dead. Stacks of rotting men, some in two pieces, some in more. Some with no face, unidentifiable. Infinitely worse, were the dying. A repulsive chorus of groans and choking and quiet, rasping sobs. Men with holes in their throat who suffocated because what little air they could breathe in trickled out the bullet-hole. Men who had less healthy flesh than burned and shrapnel scarred. Men who had little attached to their torso but their bloodied heads. There had been too many, far too many.

Remembering the Czech pocket, he shivered and stifled a tear. At Ruzomberok, about a thousand of the enemy became trapped, between a flooding river and the Hungarian lines. An order had came to destroy them. The noise of the artillery lasted for eight days. The noise of the wounded, fifteen. By the end of the sickening bombardment, when Hungarian patrols were sent out to find survivors, they found four, two of whom had been driven insane from the sheer terror that had been mercilessly thrown upon them.

Later on, when the last remnants of resistance in the Czech pocket had been brutally stamped out, Elek and his division marched West, to the mountains that were the frontline, where they would become part of the brutal advance towards Prague. It was here that they learned the true meaning of fatigue. Those that were not shot at from mountain caves, or mortared from behind the peaks, or machine-gunned as they rounded a bend, learned to march and sleep at the same time. Any moment could bring an ambush, and an ambush, to all but the quick to react, meant death. Csaba was not fast enough one day. From behind an icy ridge, a flurry of grenades were hurled, followed by a barrage of machine-gun fire. Whether Csaba was first caught by grenade or bullet was never established. Their was far too little left of him.

As the days drew on, the weather warmed, but the rain was still constant. Whenever they were not in the mountains, they waded through lagoons of mud, sometimes lumbering into body parts, sometimes whole horses, submerged and asphyxiated in all-consuming mud. Even close to Prague, the mud was still present, only with more Czechs and more machine-guns. They never surrendered, only eventually retreated to even more secure positions. How Elek survived, he would never know, through sniper’s bullet and tank’s shell, he limped through, firing as he marched.

After an eternity of tiredness and death, he and his unit reached Prague itself. There was no mud, but the Czechs hid in buildings instead. Sometimes the Hungarians set fire to the buildings, letting the Czechs burn and leap out of high windows, falling and breaking on the pavements. Sometimes they went in themselves, shooting the Czechs from behind, as they fired at their comrades from windows. Occasionally, they pulled back and watched as artillery obliterated the entire street. Often the Czechs were still there, so they attacked, and moved on. They paid no attention to the huddled groups of terrified civilians, always alert for the next ambush.

After a day when every window seemed to hide a machine-gun, a message was read. The war was over, the Czechs had at last surrendered. There were to be no more ambushes, no machine-guns on mountain roads, no grenades from windows, no platoons hiding in the mud. They were to weak to cheer. They slept instead.

 

[Elastic Fish]

Operation Vihar: 17th July - 3rd August 1938

The successful invasion of Czechoslovakia had strengthened the Hungarian economy somewhat, but she still leaked away money, and lacked any real export opportunities. To counter this, Horthy demanded that Fabinyi, the minister of armaments and production, find some way of securing Hungary’s economic position. By slowing the pace of military upgrades, and overproducing munitions and other supplies, Fabinyi was able to do this. Soon, Hungary established lucrative deals with Brazil, Portugal and, most pleasing to Horthy, with their rich near-neighbour: the USSR.

The concluding of the trade deal with Brazil was of great interest to Fabinyi, the armaments minister.

After Czechoslovakia, a strategic review was initiated, the purposes of which were to determine just how powerful Hungary was in comparison to its fellow Axis members. The results were interesting. Hungary and Czechoslovakia, with 50 and 67 divisions respectively, were the most powerful of the smaller, more regional Axis powers. Ethiopia and Mengkukuo had no true armies, but rather small bands of government militia, and Manchukuo and Austria were both some way behind their more powerful allies.

The findings of the military review.

Hungary had always viewed Romania as the eventual jewel in their crown of Eastern European conquests. Their richer, more powerful neighbour harboured rich oilfields, and powerful industry. They were a ripe target, but near impossible to claim with Hungary’s resources. Even after the invasions of Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, their annexations and the subsequent harnessing of their industry, an invasion of Romania was near impossible. Only after the successful invasion of Czechoslovakia was the Hungarian army strong enough to take on its neighbour. After a firmly pro-Hungarian government was planted in Prague, High Command turned their attentions, at last, to Romania. The strategic situation was excellent, Bucuresti and Ploiesti were very close to the border, they could be quickly secured. However, further North, the strategically important city of Cluj was a long way into Romania. If its taking became required, the war could drag on for months.

A map of important regions in Romania, used by High Command.

It was decided, at some length, that the tank divisions currently under production would not be required for the invasion of Romania. The location of important cities favoured the Hungarians strongly enough to not warrant waiting for the arrival of the tanks. So it was that the date was set for the offensive, codenamed Vihar (storm) and, on the 17th of July, 1938, Hungarian infantry crossed the border, in direct violation of the international laws established by the League of Nations, just like they had done three times before. Romanian troops were quickly met and engaged. Outnumbered and unprepared, the situation looked bleak for Romania. Horthy opened a case of champagne to celebrate the newest conquest of Greater Hungary.

The opening skirmishes on the border, swinging decisively in favour of the Hungarians.

All this, however, was on the Southern Front. In the North, a remarkable piece of deception had been carried out, with remarkable success. Codenamed ‘Szablya’ (sabre), to impress upon the Romanians that it was to be an offensive operation, Szablya involved the entire 2nd Corps of the Hungarian army moving to Hungary’s North-Eastern border with Romania; and waiting. Their presence and strength caused a heavy redeployment of Romanian troops to meet the ‘main thrust of the Hungarian invasion’ as one Romanian general said in an intercepted radio message. This redeployment included, to the delight of High Command, some of Romania’s only tanks. They would sit there till the end of the war.

Operation Szablya in full swing.

The first week had seen fairly slow progress in terms of distance covered, but to High Command, the advances were brilliant. Bucuresti was now under direct assault by leading Hungarian divisions, and the battle was going well. The Romanians had been wholly unable to hold back the Hungarian drive, yet their Northern divisions did not move.

Bucuresti under attack.

Two days later saw even better news, Bucuresti was now under attack from East and West, as Hungarian forces scythed through the weakly defended flanks of Southern Romania. The strategic situation could not have been better, with the strategically important port city of Constanta already occupied and Bucuresti under attack.

Bucuresti under attack from both sides.

The next day saw Bucuresti face offensives on three sides, as Hungarian forces relentlessly attacked. The Romanians still faced off forces from Operation Szablya, uneasily glancing backward at their crumbling nation. Bucuresti could surely not last very long.

Bucuresti, attacked on three fronts.

The 29th of July brought bad news, however. Romanian forces, completely unopposed, had simply marched into Eastern Hungary. There were no available troops to resist them, let alone beat them back. Though they presented little serious threat, they were damaging to morale and impossible to get rid of.

Romanian troops march into Greater Hungary.

Despite this momentary turn for the worse, the penultimate day of July saw celebration in Hugh Command. Bucuresti had fallen, many of its garrison surrendering. Now an undefended Ploiesti was the final target for the Hungarian army. Advancing Romanians were soon forgot, victory was all but won.

Bucuresti falls.

Romanian POWs, having surrendered during the battle for Bucuresti.

The strategic situation after the fall of Bucuresti.

The single remaining target, Ploiesti, was barely defended at all. Hungarian troops began to march in, with an estimated time of arrival on the 5th of August. They outdid themselves thoroughly. All resistance in Ploiesti was crushed by the 2nd, and the city was occupied on the same day. Surely the Romanians would not fight on? As it happened, they would not. The surrender was issued in the early hours of the 3rd of August. Romania as a nation ceased to exist, part of a Greater Hungary. Horthy opened more champagne.

Ploiesti occupied.

Romanian surrender.

The new borders of Greater Hungary.

 

[Elastic Fish]

The August 1938 Crisis

August 1938 brought one major change to the Hungarian cabinet. Fabinyi, the minister of armaments, had done well with what he had, and improved the economy by improving the unsteady flow of resources to Hungary’s factories, allowing, perhaps most importantly, the first Hungarian tanks to enter production. However, now that Romania had been annexed, many more natural resources were being extracted and, it appeared, the time had come for someone who could coax more out of the factories across greater Hungary to enter office. Fabinyi left office like a gentleman, with a speech thanking his staff for their loyal and untiring labours, his fellow cabinet members for supporting him, Horthy for understanding the sometimes esoteric nature of his work, and the factory workers for working tirelessly, despite the difficulties they often faced. He wished his successor well, and retired from frontline politics, a happy and accomplished man.

The appointment of Fabinyi’s successor is announced.

Soon after his departure, something rather alarming became apparent. Fabinyi’s contributions to the economy had clearly been more essential than thought. The Hungarian economy was losing energy at incredible rates, metal at a steady pace, and held the greatest rare materials deficit in the world. Something had to be done before Hungarian industry lost momentum and ground to a total halt. There was not time for research to be made into improving extraction techniques for metal and the like, the economy would be running on empty long before the effects of such advances were felt. The only way to halt the tide of resource losses would be to arrange trades with other nations. From any nation who would agree, and for the most possible amounts, resources would be brought in. As long as this could be done, disaster could be averted. However these trades could not be all one way. The Hungarian economy was profitable, but the margin was so small that sustaining the necessary trades with the current levels of income would be an impossibility. More trades would be necessary to keep the economy balanced. Fortunately, the overfunding of supplies begun previously in the year had left enough of a surplus for profitable trades to be considered. Furthermore, the annexation of Romania had unlocked huge oilfields. The large volumes of crude oil now being stockpiled were also ripe to be traded away. The diplomats were sent out, to any country which was judged to be a likely target for the purchasing of raw materials, or the selling of supplies and oil.

The first vital trade agreement shipped more capital into Hungary.

The second trade shored up Hungary’s energy stores, although it did not solve the problem completely.

The third contract, with Chile, effectively solved the metal deficit.

The Polish were willing to provide enough metal and energy to ensure surpluses in both resources.

The Dominicans secured for themselves some vital crude oil, in exchange for much needed money.

A large dent was made in the rare materials shortage, when the ‘Turkish deal’ was signed.

Eager to secure much needed supplies, the Persians quickly agreed to provide the Hungarians with money.

The Belgians, albeit reluctantly, permitted the sale of some of their rare materials.

Siam, low on money, signed another rare materials deal.

Finally, the monetary situation was brought back into profit by a supplies deal with Saudi Arabia.

These ten crucial trade deals provided, undoubtedly, a secure economic future for Hungary. Without them, the economic ruin that the Kingdom would have faced can only be guessed at. The road was now firmly paved for the invasion of Greece. The nation breathed a collective sigh of relief. Disaster had been adeptly averted. This time with guile and handshakes, rather than brute force.

 

[Elastic Fish]

Operation Vörös Farkas, December 1938 – February 1939


The invasion of Greece had been the logical next step after the Czechoslovakia campaign. Although the Greek army had been mobilised for some time, the weight of numbers possesed by the Hungarian army had convinced High Command that the Greeks were incapable of halting an invasion. Nevertheless, High Command thought it necessary to wait till it had tanks at its disposal. This meant a wait at least till September (where the first, weaker division was ready) or November, when the second was complete.

The first ever Hungarian tank division, ready for deployment.

In fact, any plans for invasion were postponed until mid December, when both tank divisions were ready and organised for full combat operations. They were placed into the newly created 1st Armour Corps, attached to 2. Hadtest. All infantry divisions were already in position, along the Greek border. That this clearly warned the Greeks of Hungarian intent was of no concern to High Command. The Greek army was already mobilised, and any attempt at a pre-emptive strike from them would result in the entire might of the Axis armies crushing them. The plan developed by High Command was simple: A huge attack (with both tank divisions) at Edessa and then Meliki would cut off all divisions that this division would separate from Athens, leaving Salonika open for the taking, and hopefully decimating Greek military power. It would be necessary also to mount pinning attacks on all border provinces within the pocket-to-be, to prevent the troops simply marching out before the pocket could be closed.

The assembled might of the Hungarian army, along the Greek border.

Hoping to catch the Greeks on Christmas leave, the declaration of war was issued at 2300 on the 27th of December. It was curt and short, reading as follows:
’The purpose of this document is to state, as has also been stated by the Hungarian Foreign Ministry to you, the Greek Embassy and the representatives of your nation, that a state of war now exists between your nation and the Kingdom of Greater Hungary.’

The declaration of war is issued to the Greeks.

Immediately, operation ’Red Wolf’ began. Every soldier on the Greek border began his advance. Every tank and armoured car coughed into life and rolled forward. Every general waited anxiously by his map-table, counting the minutes until news came in from front line units. The eyes of high command lay fixed on Edessa and Meliki, the centre point of all of Red Wolf. The invasion had begun.

Hungarian divisions move out.

The first engagements, on the border.

One event that High Command had most certainly not planned for was the deployment of Greek submarines. Soon after the declaration of war, they ruthlessly began to make raids on Hungarian convoys. With no actual navy to face them, High Command had no choice but to cancel all convoys until the war was over.

The convoys which had to be cancelled due to Greek submarines.

Somewhat unnervingly for High Command, the first breakthrough came, not in Edessa, but in one of the provinces the main Hungarian thrust was attempting to cut off. Whilst not bad news in itself, High Command were anxious that troops were not pushed out of the pocket by such advances. On the other hand, Salonika was now a very short leap away, and such a tantalising target was not to be ignored. The order was given for the advance to continue in the direction of Salonika.

The first break in the Greek lines, near Salonika.

Soon after the first breakthrough, Edessa was captured and Meliki assaulted. Although many divisions had made it to Meliki and were attempting to pull out, they were in poor order and, even if they escaped, they were unlikely to be capable of serious resistance for some time. There were still several divisions within the soon-to-be-pocket, and the advance to Athens would, it appeared, soon be possible against little or no resistance. On top of this, the city of Salonika was now under direct attack by Hungarian divisions. The war was going rather well.

Salonika under attack.

The mass of disorganised Greeks retreating from Meliki, constantly under Hungarian fire.

Elsewhere, Greek resistance crumbled under the unrelenting Hungarian pressure. There was nowhere for routing troops to fall back to without coming under attack. Although engagements were few and casualties low on both sides, this was mostly due to the near total unwillingness of the disorganised Greek troops of resisting.

Quick and decisive Hungarian victories, despite the low death count.

Without any major resistance, Larisa fell. The Greeks could not retreat fast enough. Hungarian tanks rolled through the streets of Larisa itslef, never having to fire a shot, and stopping only to refuel, before continuing towards Athina. Behind them, rank upon serried rank, marching as if on parade, the Hungarian infantry moved on. One division was left to guard Larisa, the rest kept going.

The fall of Larisa.

Hungarian soldiers posing near Larisa.

A subpocket in the larger pocket formed by the taking of Edessa and Meliki, the Thasos pocket in fact held most of the troops in the entire major pocket. Totally cut off and outnumbered, the cornered Greeks had still put up spirited resistance, grimly holding on for a long time, before finally, with little or no ammunition or food remaining, giving up.

The end of the Thasos pocket – over 18,000 men were captured or killed.

The strategic situation in Greece by the 10th of February 1939.

Six days after the strategic review which displayed the above map to Horthy, Athina itself was besieged. Six Hungarian divisions, of which two were tank divisions, were attacking a skeleton Greek garrison of one guard division. By now, the fate of Greece had been sealed. The Greeks knew it too, and what little resistance that remained elsewhere was a pale shadow of what it had been just a few weeks ago, with whole formations of troops simply surrendering at the first sight of the enemy.

Athina under siege. The huge gulf in attacking power between the Hungarians and Greeks is apparent.

Given the ridiculous odds, the Greeks in Athina resisted well. The city lasted three days. Although poorly equipped, over 100 Hungarians were still killed by the Greeks. Despite their best efforts, Athina fell. One day later, the Greeks surrendered. That same day, Greece ceased to exist as a sovereign nation.

The Greek surrender.

The annexation of Greece is announced.

Crowds celebrate victory over Hungary in Budapest.

Greater Hungary.

 

[Baltasar]

I'm afraid a Hungary which has grabbed so much land will make it impossible for Germany to attack anyone successfully. Italy will be likewise struck by a shortage of material. Unless you plan to greatly support both these nations, you'll probably end up being the strongest of all Axis nations, at least in Europe.

 

[Elastic Fish]

Well, I might have a fair bit of land, but only a base IC of 60, so I doubt Germany will be too much impaired. Besides, I hardly intend to rest on my laurels as World War 2 breaks out, and, give that I'm in the Axis, I hardly can. Whether Barbarossa will even occur, let alone whether I will play the pivotal role is very much undecided. I don't paticularly want to help in France, but I do intend to do some damage to the Allies in a few other ways...

On a different note, I'm glad I managed to gather together enough willpower to revive this dormant A.A.R. and I expect many great things (hehehehehehehe)...

***Edit*** Just realised I probably own a landmass larger than Germany (=D)!

 

[Baltasar]

Given your rather less-than-impressive mapower pool and army strength, do you intend to go for high tech forces?

 

[Elastic Fish]

My current levels of leadership allow me to research 5 techs at a time. High-tech forces are a little tricky...

I think my role will likely be the 'deal with the smaller countries because we aren't that powerful' one, but still, we shall see...

 

[HecNev]

Just stumbled over this! Nice read, especially the last few chapters.

I like the idea of a Greater Hungary. This isn't seen very often
The Germans won't be that much influenced by it, because, normally, they are only going at Yugoslavia, which doesn't give that much resources and IC. So they shouldn't have any trouble during their conquests.

 

[Baltasar]

Hm, what is your manpower income then? I mean... once Barbarossa starts, you will be hard pressed out there... Any plans for fortifications along the Soviet - Hungarian border? 0 Dissent, 200% officer ratio.. seem quite neat.

 

[Elastic Fish]

@HecNev

Thanks, your approval sustains me! (drinks approval -- 'Aaaah, that's better!') I do hope I have got better over time since that first chapter (written in Notepad, THE HORROR!), and I hope it gets better still...

As for the German question, my thoughts exactly!

@Baltasar

The 200% officer ratio was mostly from the beginning when I still didn't really know what I was doing so pumped probably a lot more leadership than necessary into officers. I've got it pretty stable now (hopefully), but I'll provide screenshots of technology and maybe politics in my next update. The fort idea is a good one, I think I may implement it, however with my levels of IC it will be tricky to provide forts of any reasonable level unless I start pretty soon. Whether they will be ready in time (if I do construct them), will most likely rest in the hands of Germany.

 

[unmerged(205558)]

Meh... Now crush those puny Albanians

 

[HecNev]

@HecNev

Thanks, your approval sustains me! (drinks approval -- 'Aaaah, that's better!') I do hope I have got better over time since that first chapter (written in Notepad, THE HORROR!), and I hope it gets better still...

As for the German question, my thoughts exactly!

Yes, your style has improved indeed.
It is much more readable now and the pictures are providing some nice info!

 

[Elastic Fish]

@FinnishFish

Is there not an Italian event for taking Albania? I remember in a HoI2 Greek A.A.R. that I read, the player took Albania before that event and so the Italians declared war on him because he controlled Albania. If this doesn't exist, then rest assured, Zog I will be destroyed!

 

[sprites]

there is one , in 1940 if i remember it right

 

[Elastic Fish]

Thanks, I'll keep away from Albania. I had a soft spot for Zog I anyway...

NEXT OBJECTIVE: ***classified***

MWAHAHAHA!

You can probably guess...

 

[unmerged(205558)]

Thanks, I'll keep away from Albania. I had a soft spot for Zog I anyway...

NEXT OBJECTIVE: ***classified***

MWAHAHAHA!

You can probably guess...

You invade Poland