Stonewall?
Harumph. Stroph, Stonewall, sounds the same to me. All mods look alike!
I still like the read in this one.
-
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Stonewall?
Harumph. Stroph, Stonewall, sounds the same to me. All mods look alike!
I still like the read in this one.
Stroph1 said:Stonewall?
Harumph. Stroph, Stonewall, sounds the same to me.
Sorry :wacko: It was a long day, that might excuse it.
The war, Sept.28 - Oct. 6, 1938
OKW Diary (excerpts)
Sept.28th, 38 –
Sept.28th, 38
Armaments department
Reduced spending on consumer goods due to our mobilisation allows production of 12x1 inf.div.39 and 2x12 engineer brigades in serial runs.
6 hours – Declaration of War on Czechoslovakia.
Attacks on Usti, Ostrava and Brno commence.
Luftwaffe mission orders:
Luftflotten 2, 3, I.Fliegerkorps: Interdiction Slovakia.
Luftflotte 1: Interdiction Bohemia.
2.JgFlDiv.: Air superiority Bohemia day and night.
10 hours – Enemy counter offensive at Linz. VII.AK (Blaskowitz) attacked by 6 czech divisions.
14 hours – Defeat at Linz, VII.AK on retreat.
Battles at Usti, Brno, and Ostrava continue throughout the day. No progress to speak of.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
September 28th, 38
Operation had a bad start. Fortifications proof to be the feared obstacles. Attack on Usti didnt gain any ground, heavy losses. V.Leeb urges to call off attack.
Worse still, a strong czech counterattack hit Blaskowitz at Linz. Had to retreat after a few hours.
Führer lost his nerve, but I sense he is still unsure of himself when it comes to military leadership. I urged him to show patience. Too early for a change of plans. Linz is unimportant. Of greater concern is the lack of progress in our assaults at Brno and Ostrava (...)
Diary of OKW
September 30th
9 hours – Attack on Usti had to be aborted, all participating units are totally disorganized.
October 1st
Organizations departement
Jagdgeschwader 133 (Me109E) is ready for deployment.
New assignment: 12x1 inf.39 in serial run.
11 hours – Breakthrough at Brno after very heavy battle. V.Bocks Army seizes the province.
Battle at Ostrava continues.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 1st
Finally. Victory at Brno. The tanks made the difference. V.Bocks forces will now be able to attack Ostrava from the rear. That should lead to success. But czech counterattacks elsewhere are still a matter of concern. (...)
Diary of OKW
October 2nd
14 hours – III., IV.PzK. at Brno ordered to attack Ostrava from behind. VIII.AK to support attack.
October 3rd
15 hours – Czech forces seize Linz-province.
October 4th
14 hours – Victory at Ostrava. Our forces seize province.
- Heavy attacks by 10 enemy divs. On I.GebK. at Hollabrunn and III.AK at Cottbus.
17 hours – I.GebK. forced to retreat on Vienna.
19 hours – III.AK at Cottbus forced to retreat.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 4th
Gebirgsjäger at Hollabrunn had to retreat. The encirclement of Bohemia broken. Czechs are the expected though nut to crack. Führer seems much less determined and confident now. Czechs also advancing on Cottbus. Berlin threatened.
I manage to stay cool as ice at staff meetings. Führer seems intimidated by this. Good!
Now he might listen to me after all. Had he only listened sooner. Anyway, now its too late.
Still no declaration of war from Allies. God bless the inefficiency of democratic decision-making. A french offensive across the Rhine now and we are done.
Diary of OKW
October 5th
2 hours – New orders Luftwaffe: All formations interdiction Bohemia.
11 hours – Cottbus seized by czech mot.division. IV.AK at Dresden counterattacks.
New orders: I., II., III., IV.PzK. to attack Kutna Hora at October 6, 6 hours.
XIII.AK at Rostock ordered to Berlin to secure the capital.
22 hours – Now 5 enemy div. At Cottbus, counterattack aborted.
V.AK ordered on currently undefended Usti.
October 6th
6 hours – Battle at Kutna Hora begins.
17 hours – Czechs offer peace. Will cede Ostrava, Liberec, Strakonice, Brno, Zilinia.
Führer rejects offer.
20 hours – Victory at Kutna Hora.
New orders: October 7th, 6 hours, I.AK at Brno, II.AK at Breslau to attack Liberec.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 6th
The Czechs have offered peace, effectively ceding the Sudetenland and their fortifications to us. Führer rejects it right away. My deputy Warlimont looked as if he wanted to attack the Führer physically. The moment passed. I managed not to feint. Well, the Czechs marching on Berlin, the operation in jeopardy, and HE talks about total VERNICHTUNG (annihilation) of the Czechs.
Vernichtung is defenitely one of his favourite words these days. Well, if he wants the Czechs annihilated, he will better stay out of operational decisions and let us do our job.
It can still be done...
Battle at Ostrava.
GRÜN getting slightly out of hand.
OKW Diary (excerpts)
Sept.28th, 38 –
Sept.28th, 38
Armaments department
Reduced spending on consumer goods due to our mobilisation allows production of 12x1 inf.div.39 and 2x12 engineer brigades in serial runs.
6 hours – Declaration of War on Czechoslovakia.
Attacks on Usti, Ostrava and Brno commence.
Luftwaffe mission orders:
Luftflotten 2, 3, I.Fliegerkorps: Interdiction Slovakia.
Luftflotte 1: Interdiction Bohemia.
2.JgFlDiv.: Air superiority Bohemia day and night.
10 hours – Enemy counter offensive at Linz. VII.AK (Blaskowitz) attacked by 6 czech divisions.
14 hours – Defeat at Linz, VII.AK on retreat.
Battles at Usti, Brno, and Ostrava continue throughout the day. No progress to speak of.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
September 28th, 38
Operation had a bad start. Fortifications proof to be the feared obstacles. Attack on Usti didnt gain any ground, heavy losses. V.Leeb urges to call off attack.
Worse still, a strong czech counterattack hit Blaskowitz at Linz. Had to retreat after a few hours.
Führer lost his nerve, but I sense he is still unsure of himself when it comes to military leadership. I urged him to show patience. Too early for a change of plans. Linz is unimportant. Of greater concern is the lack of progress in our assaults at Brno and Ostrava (...)
Diary of OKW
September 30th
9 hours – Attack on Usti had to be aborted, all participating units are totally disorganized.
October 1st
Organizations departement
Jagdgeschwader 133 (Me109E) is ready for deployment.
New assignment: 12x1 inf.39 in serial run.
11 hours – Breakthrough at Brno after very heavy battle. V.Bocks Army seizes the province.
Battle at Ostrava continues.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 1st
Finally. Victory at Brno. The tanks made the difference. V.Bocks forces will now be able to attack Ostrava from the rear. That should lead to success. But czech counterattacks elsewhere are still a matter of concern. (...)
Diary of OKW
October 2nd
14 hours – III., IV.PzK. at Brno ordered to attack Ostrava from behind. VIII.AK to support attack.
October 3rd
15 hours – Czech forces seize Linz-province.
October 4th
14 hours – Victory at Ostrava. Our forces seize province.
- Heavy attacks by 10 enemy divs. On I.GebK. at Hollabrunn and III.AK at Cottbus.
17 hours – I.GebK. forced to retreat on Vienna.
19 hours – III.AK at Cottbus forced to retreat.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 4th
Gebirgsjäger at Hollabrunn had to retreat. The encirclement of Bohemia broken. Czechs are the expected though nut to crack. Führer seems much less determined and confident now. Czechs also advancing on Cottbus. Berlin threatened.
I manage to stay cool as ice at staff meetings. Führer seems intimidated by this. Good!
Now he might listen to me after all. Had he only listened sooner. Anyway, now its too late.
Still no declaration of war from Allies. God bless the inefficiency of democratic decision-making. A french offensive across the Rhine now and we are done.
Diary of OKW
October 5th
2 hours – New orders Luftwaffe: All formations interdiction Bohemia.
11 hours – Cottbus seized by czech mot.division. IV.AK at Dresden counterattacks.
New orders: I., II., III., IV.PzK. to attack Kutna Hora at October 6, 6 hours.
XIII.AK at Rostock ordered to Berlin to secure the capital.
22 hours – Now 5 enemy div. At Cottbus, counterattack aborted.
V.AK ordered on currently undefended Usti.
October 6th
6 hours – Battle at Kutna Hora begins.
17 hours – Czechs offer peace. Will cede Ostrava, Liberec, Strakonice, Brno, Zilinia.
Führer rejects offer.
20 hours – Victory at Kutna Hora.
New orders: October 7th, 6 hours, I.AK at Brno, II.AK at Breslau to attack Liberec.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 6th
The Czechs have offered peace, effectively ceding the Sudetenland and their fortifications to us. Führer rejects it right away. My deputy Warlimont looked as if he wanted to attack the Führer physically. The moment passed. I managed not to feint. Well, the Czechs marching on Berlin, the operation in jeopardy, and HE talks about total VERNICHTUNG (annihilation) of the Czechs.
Vernichtung is defenitely one of his favourite words these days. Well, if he wants the Czechs annihilated, he will better stay out of operational decisions and let us do our job.
It can still be done...
Battle at Ostrava.
GRÜN getting slightly out of hand.
The Czech army at the gates of Berlin? The humiliation! The humiliation!
Great update. As always, I love the way you portray the Führer in the eyes of his Generals. It feels very real.
Great update. As always, I love the way you portray the Führer in the eyes of his Generals. It feels very real.
cthulhu said:The Czech army at the gates of Berlin? The humiliation! The humiliation!
Great update. As always, I love the way you portray the Führer in the eyes of his Generals. It feels very real.
Yea great plans of Hitler not so true....
Should be able to turn this in German favor tho, if u the German advance continues the Czech will probably fall back.
Cthulhu: Glad you like it.
Oranje Verzet: Thanks for your interest.
Atrujedi: Thank you. If you refer to arrows on the screenies I must admit I have not yet mastered that art, but I promise I will look into it.
Update to follow.
Oranje Verzet: Thanks for your interest.
Atrujedi: Thank you. If you refer to arrows on the screenies I must admit I have not yet mastered that art, but I promise I will look into it.
Update to follow.
Interesting of you to attack the Czechs and not wait for the event. Should be an interesting outcome.
The war, October 7th - October 16th, 1938
OKW Diary
October 7th, 38
00.0 hours – V.Ak reaches enemy lines at Usti, suprised by 1 inf.division defending.
13 hours – Counterattack on Vienna by 3 czech divisions.
21 hours – Victory at Usti.
New attack orders: October 8th, 6 hours, III. And XIII.AK to retake Cottbus.
I., II., III., IV.PzK. to attack Prague.
October 8th
11 hours – Supported by I.GebK., retreating from Hollabrunn, 7.Grenzdivision defeated czech attack on Vienna.
22 hours – Attack on Liberec aborted. A disaster.
October 9th
6 hours – Victory of our armored formations at Prague.
12 hours – Victory at Cottbus.
New orders: Immediate attack by VII.AK at Munich on Linz, supported by I.GebK. at Vienna.
13 hours – II., III.PzK. seize Prague.
14 hours – Enemy counterattack at Kutna Hora.
October 10th
6 hours – I., IV.PzK at Kutna Hora defeated and in retreat.
III.PzK. ordered back from Prague to Kutna Hora.
October 11th
00.0 hours – 4.PzDivision ready for deployment. Reserve at Leipzig.
3 hours – XIII.AK liberates Cottbus.
IV.AK ordered on Cottbus.
9 hours – Now 3 enemy divisions at Usti, advance by V.AK aborted.
14 hours – Victory at Linz, VII.AK advancing on the province.
21 hours – New battle at Kutna Hora, III.PzK counterattacking against 5 czech divisions.
October 12th
6 hours – New attack on Liberec by II.AK, supported by XIII.AK from Cottbus and I.AK from Ostrava.
8 hours – Victory at Kutna Hora.
14 hours – III.AK reaches Cottbus and joins attack on Liberec.
18 hours – Victory at Liberec.
October 13th
18 hours – I., IV.PzK. reordered on Kutna Hora.
October 14th
5 hours – III.PzK at Kutna Hora attacks Pilsen, II.PzK at Prague supports attack.
7 hours – Victory at Pilsen, enemy totally disorganized by air attacks.
New orders: I.GebK. at Vienna to attack Hollabrunn at October 15, 6 hours.
I.PzK. at Kutna Hora -->Brno.
18 hours – II.AK occupies Liberec.
III.AK at Cottbus --> Ostrava.
23 hours – New battle at Pilsen, II., III.PzK against 1 enemy division.
October 16th
13 hours – Our Jagdflieger intercept czech bombers above Usti. Air battles continue troughout the day. Favourable outcome. No enemy air interference with our ground operations.
22 hours – III.PzK reaches Pilsen.
October 18th
2 hours – The ALLIES declare war on the Reich.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 18th
The Allies declared war. Well, there was no avoiding this. We will prevail against the Czechs now, but I pray with all might that its fast enough to wheel west in time...
Situation in Czechoslovakia a few days before ALLIED war declaration on October 18th, 38.
OKW Diary
October 7th, 38
00.0 hours – V.Ak reaches enemy lines at Usti, suprised by 1 inf.division defending.
13 hours – Counterattack on Vienna by 3 czech divisions.
21 hours – Victory at Usti.
New attack orders: October 8th, 6 hours, III. And XIII.AK to retake Cottbus.
I., II., III., IV.PzK. to attack Prague.
October 8th
11 hours – Supported by I.GebK., retreating from Hollabrunn, 7.Grenzdivision defeated czech attack on Vienna.
22 hours – Attack on Liberec aborted. A disaster.
October 9th
6 hours – Victory of our armored formations at Prague.
12 hours – Victory at Cottbus.
New orders: Immediate attack by VII.AK at Munich on Linz, supported by I.GebK. at Vienna.
13 hours – II., III.PzK. seize Prague.
14 hours – Enemy counterattack at Kutna Hora.
October 10th
6 hours – I., IV.PzK at Kutna Hora defeated and in retreat.
III.PzK. ordered back from Prague to Kutna Hora.
October 11th
00.0 hours – 4.PzDivision ready for deployment. Reserve at Leipzig.
3 hours – XIII.AK liberates Cottbus.
IV.AK ordered on Cottbus.
9 hours – Now 3 enemy divisions at Usti, advance by V.AK aborted.
14 hours – Victory at Linz, VII.AK advancing on the province.
21 hours – New battle at Kutna Hora, III.PzK counterattacking against 5 czech divisions.
October 12th
6 hours – New attack on Liberec by II.AK, supported by XIII.AK from Cottbus and I.AK from Ostrava.
8 hours – Victory at Kutna Hora.
14 hours – III.AK reaches Cottbus and joins attack on Liberec.
18 hours – Victory at Liberec.
October 13th
18 hours – I., IV.PzK. reordered on Kutna Hora.
October 14th
5 hours – III.PzK at Kutna Hora attacks Pilsen, II.PzK at Prague supports attack.
7 hours – Victory at Pilsen, enemy totally disorganized by air attacks.
New orders: I.GebK. at Vienna to attack Hollabrunn at October 15, 6 hours.
I.PzK. at Kutna Hora -->Brno.
18 hours – II.AK occupies Liberec.
III.AK at Cottbus --> Ostrava.
23 hours – New battle at Pilsen, II., III.PzK against 1 enemy division.
October 16th
13 hours – Our Jagdflieger intercept czech bombers above Usti. Air battles continue troughout the day. Favourable outcome. No enemy air interference with our ground operations.
22 hours – III.PzK reaches Pilsen.
October 18th
2 hours – The ALLIES declare war on the Reich.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 18th
The Allies declared war. Well, there was no avoiding this. We will prevail against the Czechs now, but I pray with all might that its fast enough to wheel west in time...
Situation in Czechoslovakia a few days before ALLIED war declaration on October 18th, 38.
Stroph1 said:
Well, it had to happen. If it wouldnt have, something would be seriously wrong with the game itself.
The war, October 18th - October 28th, 1938
OKW Diary
October 18th 38 –
October 18th, 38
2 hours – Kriegsmarine ordered to secure the Baltic Approaches.
1.JgflDiv. ordered on Air superiority mission Baden-Würtemberg day and night.
Newly formed 3.Jagdfliegerdivision (1 Jagdgeschwader, GenMj. v.Greim) air superiority over Mecklenburg day and night.
New orders OKH:
6 hours – I.AK at Ostrava, I.PzK. at Brno, attack Zilina, VIII.AK at Brno to support attack.
II.AK at Liberec, XIII.AK at Cottbus, IV.AK at Dresden, V.AK at Nuremberg, attack Usti.
12 hours – Victory at Zilina.
Attack on Usti aborted, fortifications still too strong.
October 19th
7 hours – First english air raid by naval bombers on Kiel. Intercepted and driven off by 3.JgflDiv.
17 hours – I.PzK. seizes Zilina. To hold position.
III.PzK (v.Manstein) at Pilsen is ordered to Brno.
Wehrwirtschaftsamt
Trade deal with Sweden, 4 Metal for 4,8 energy.
Trade deal with Romania, 2,2 supplies for 10,4 energy.
October 20th
3 hours – 3.JgFlDiv. intercepts 2 english naval bomber squadrons above Lübeck.
4 hours – New battle at Linz. VII.AK meets resistance of 2 fresh divisions.
VI.AK (v.Kluge, currently only 1 dvision) is ordered to support attack.
V.AK is ordered to Regensburg.
16 hours – I.AK reaches Zilina.
October 21st
13 hours – I.GebK. retakes Hollabrunn.
New attack orders: I.PzK at Zilina attack Bratislava.
I.AK at Zilina, VIII.AK at Brno, I.GebK. at Hollabrunn, 7.GrenzDivision at Vienna to support attack.
14 hours – I.GebK. at Hollabrunn under attack from Linz.
17 hours – Victory at Hollabrunn.
October 22nd
1 hours – Attack on Linz had to be aborted.
9 hours – Attack on IX.AK (GenLt. Busch) at Saarbrücken by 16 french divisions under General Georges.
23 hours – III.PzK reaches Brno.
Defeat at Saarbrücken. IX.AK retreats to Cologne.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 22nd, 38
French offensive in the West. Busch had to retreat. Saarbrücken will fall. If the French follow up north, the Ruhr area, our industrial heartland, will fall like a ripe fruit in their lap. And nothing to stop or even delay them. While Führer loudly claims his iron will and nerves, his digestive problems worsen. A new burden at staff meetings I surely could have done without.
Czechs are nearly finished.
Diary of OKW
October 23rd
1 hours – Victory at Bratislava.
III.PzK at Brno is ordered on Kosice.
3 hours – I.PzK seizes Bratislava.
XIII.AK at Cottbus is ordered to Kassel to meet french threat.
Likewise, 4.PzDivision (GenMj.Hoepner) is ordered to Frankfurt am Main.
17 hours – Counterattack at Hollabrunn by 2, later 5 enemy divisions. I.GebK. holds the line.
October 24th
Wehrwirtschaftsamt
Trade deal with Denmark. 1,1 supplies for 5,4 energy.
4 hours – 3.JgflDivision intercepts english naval bombers above Wilhelmshaven.
14 hours – III.PzK (v.Manstein) reaches enemy lines at Kosice. Opposition: 1 cav.div.
Battle at Hollabrunn continues.
15 hours – Victories at Hollabrunn and Kosice.
19 hours – French forces seize Saarbrücken.
October 25th
7 hours – VIII.AK at Brno to attack Tabor, IV.PzK at Kutna Hotra to support attack.
October 26th
5.PzDivision ready for deployment, deployed in Dortmund.
22 hours – Attack on Tabor aborted due to unbeatable fortifications.
October 28th
7 hours – III.PzK seizes Kosice.
Czech government flees to Hungary.
Resistance ceases.
Czechoslovakia is annexed by order of the Führer.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 28th
Czechs are annexed, resistance has ceased. All forces are ordered west. No indications of french movement out of Saarbrücken area. The fools are wasting their best opportunity.
Führer demands an operation to retake Saarbrücken.
Sure, but it will take time to bring Wehrmacht west. I order Warlimont to set up a plan in the meantime.
Meeting with Raeder (C-in-C Kriegsmarine) about Baltic approaches. Securing them has become a top priority, at least now ... after it has become apparent that the Reich will continue to exist a little while longer.
V.Mansteins Panzer on the way to the last strategic center left to the Czechs.
OKW Diary
October 18th 38 –
October 18th, 38
2 hours – Kriegsmarine ordered to secure the Baltic Approaches.
1.JgflDiv. ordered on Air superiority mission Baden-Würtemberg day and night.
Newly formed 3.Jagdfliegerdivision (1 Jagdgeschwader, GenMj. v.Greim) air superiority over Mecklenburg day and night.
New orders OKH:
6 hours – I.AK at Ostrava, I.PzK. at Brno, attack Zilina, VIII.AK at Brno to support attack.
II.AK at Liberec, XIII.AK at Cottbus, IV.AK at Dresden, V.AK at Nuremberg, attack Usti.
12 hours – Victory at Zilina.
Attack on Usti aborted, fortifications still too strong.
October 19th
7 hours – First english air raid by naval bombers on Kiel. Intercepted and driven off by 3.JgflDiv.
17 hours – I.PzK. seizes Zilina. To hold position.
III.PzK (v.Manstein) at Pilsen is ordered to Brno.
Wehrwirtschaftsamt
Trade deal with Sweden, 4 Metal for 4,8 energy.
Trade deal with Romania, 2,2 supplies for 10,4 energy.
October 20th
3 hours – 3.JgFlDiv. intercepts 2 english naval bomber squadrons above Lübeck.
4 hours – New battle at Linz. VII.AK meets resistance of 2 fresh divisions.
VI.AK (v.Kluge, currently only 1 dvision) is ordered to support attack.
V.AK is ordered to Regensburg.
16 hours – I.AK reaches Zilina.
October 21st
13 hours – I.GebK. retakes Hollabrunn.
New attack orders: I.PzK at Zilina attack Bratislava.
I.AK at Zilina, VIII.AK at Brno, I.GebK. at Hollabrunn, 7.GrenzDivision at Vienna to support attack.
14 hours – I.GebK. at Hollabrunn under attack from Linz.
17 hours – Victory at Hollabrunn.
October 22nd
1 hours – Attack on Linz had to be aborted.
9 hours – Attack on IX.AK (GenLt. Busch) at Saarbrücken by 16 french divisions under General Georges.
23 hours – III.PzK reaches Brno.
Defeat at Saarbrücken. IX.AK retreats to Cologne.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 22nd, 38
French offensive in the West. Busch had to retreat. Saarbrücken will fall. If the French follow up north, the Ruhr area, our industrial heartland, will fall like a ripe fruit in their lap. And nothing to stop or even delay them. While Führer loudly claims his iron will and nerves, his digestive problems worsen. A new burden at staff meetings I surely could have done without.
Czechs are nearly finished.
Diary of OKW
October 23rd
1 hours – Victory at Bratislava.
III.PzK at Brno is ordered on Kosice.
3 hours – I.PzK seizes Bratislava.
XIII.AK at Cottbus is ordered to Kassel to meet french threat.
Likewise, 4.PzDivision (GenMj.Hoepner) is ordered to Frankfurt am Main.
17 hours – Counterattack at Hollabrunn by 2, later 5 enemy divisions. I.GebK. holds the line.
October 24th
Wehrwirtschaftsamt
Trade deal with Denmark. 1,1 supplies for 5,4 energy.
4 hours – 3.JgflDivision intercepts english naval bombers above Wilhelmshaven.
14 hours – III.PzK (v.Manstein) reaches enemy lines at Kosice. Opposition: 1 cav.div.
Battle at Hollabrunn continues.
15 hours – Victories at Hollabrunn and Kosice.
19 hours – French forces seize Saarbrücken.
October 25th
7 hours – VIII.AK at Brno to attack Tabor, IV.PzK at Kutna Hotra to support attack.
October 26th
5.PzDivision ready for deployment, deployed in Dortmund.
22 hours – Attack on Tabor aborted due to unbeatable fortifications.
October 28th
7 hours – III.PzK seizes Kosice.
Czech government flees to Hungary.
Resistance ceases.
Czechoslovakia is annexed by order of the Führer.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
October 28th
Czechs are annexed, resistance has ceased. All forces are ordered west. No indications of french movement out of Saarbrücken area. The fools are wasting their best opportunity.
Führer demands an operation to retake Saarbrücken.
Sure, but it will take time to bring Wehrmacht west. I order Warlimont to set up a plan in the meantime.
Meeting with Raeder (C-in-C Kriegsmarine) about Baltic approaches. Securing them has become a top priority, at least now ... after it has become apparent that the Reich will continue to exist a little while longer.
V.Mansteins Panzer on the way to the last strategic center left to the Czechs.
The war, October 28th - November 24th, 1938
Report to Chief OKW
October 30th, 1938
Losses of Heer in GRÜN and in battle of Saarbrücken, Sept.28 – Oct.28, 38
(1 manpower= 1.000 men)
79.300 men (dead, wounded, missing combined)
(reinforcement cost total gamewise: 46,47)
Plane losses of Luftwaffe in GRÜN
14 tac.B. Do 17
55 tac.B. He 111
67 Stuka Ju 87
29 escorts Me 110
Total 165 out of 1.200
Sorties in operation: 48.000
Diary of Oberst Warlimont, Deputy chief of operational staff OKW
October 29th, 1938
We have managed to crush the Czechs after all. Mainly thanks to Becks impressive leadership. He stirred us through every crisis AND managed the dragon in our midst quite skillfully. But I foresee new problems with HIM in the future. HE was at times very small and quiet, clearly on the edge to panicking, at other times as madly shouting as usual. A madman, no doubt. Can no one else see it? Anyway, now HE is again on top, as his judgement about czech operation turned out to be correct in the end. But Wehrmacht won in spite of HIM. Beck has still a stronger position than before, but HE will not leave it at that. HE demanded an offensive to retake Saarbrücken. Beck just nodded and ordered my to make a plan.
Not easy, such an operation. Even if the French continue to sit tight, it will be winter and ground frozen until our forces are in place. Furthermore, all access to the province is across Rhine and Meuse, severe penalties for every attacking force.
On the other hand, we can use nearly every asset at our disposal. As long as the French dont reinforce their currently 12 divisions, we can achieve local superiority in numbers easily.
I went to work, calming myself with the reassuring tasks of operational and logistical planning.
OKW Diary
October 28th 38 –
October 28th
New order of the Führer: Retake Saarbrücken from the French.
A second staff group looks into an operation to secure Baltic Approaches by occupying Denmark.
Mass of forces in transit west, three Armeekorps ordered to polish border in case of a polish backstab.
Summary of reports on English Air strikes on our ports
October 29th – November 2nd 38
All in all 6 attacks of up to two squadrons of Naval bombers on Lübeck, Kiel and Rostock.
2.JagdflDiv. is rebased to Northern Germany to reinforce 3.JgFlDiv.
About 80 enemy planes shot down, own losses 7 interceptors.
Damage in Rostock naval base about 25%.
1.Transportflottilla (the only transport asset of Kriegsmarine) is sunk in Rostock harbour.
November 4th
First 2 engineer brigades deployed. The plan is to augment every inf.division with such a formation.
Upgrading of infantry- and Panzerdivisions continue.
Politics: Führer appoints new security minister: Franz Gürtner.
The central planning of our economy is reduced, strengthening the power of the free market.
Funding for diplomatic actions and research is dangerously low.
Production: Setup of 6 x 1 Panzerdivision PzIII in serial production, last completed in November, 1940.
November 8th
Foreign developments: JAPAN declared war on SINKIANG.
Sporadic air battles over Northern and Western Germany with english air planes continue, english strikes without military or economic significance.
November 14th
Logistics: Parallel construction of 12 airfields in Northwestern Germany is started, as Luftwaffe prepares for operations against Western Allies.
November 21st
All forces in place for operation SIEGFRIED, the retaking of Saarbrücken.
November 22nd
7 hours – SIEGFRIED commences.
IV.PzK – Dortmund,
I.AK, II.AK, III.PzK at Kassel,
V.AK, II.PzK, I.PzK, VIII.AK at Frankfurt,
X.AK at Stuttgart,
IX.AK at Cologne,
30 divisions total,
attack Saarbrücken.
Opposition: 12 french divisions.
Luftflotte 1, 3, I.Fliegerkorps Interdiction Saarbrücken.
November 24th
9 hours – After heavy battles, the French are in full retreat, relentlessly attacked by Luftwaffe and pursuit of Panzer formations.
10 hours – I., II.PzK retake Saarbrücken.
Second Battle of Saarbrücken, November 22nd - November 24th, 38.
Report to Chief OKW
October 30th, 1938
Losses of Heer in GRÜN and in battle of Saarbrücken, Sept.28 – Oct.28, 38
(1 manpower= 1.000 men)
79.300 men (dead, wounded, missing combined)
(reinforcement cost total gamewise: 46,47)
Plane losses of Luftwaffe in GRÜN
14 tac.B. Do 17
55 tac.B. He 111
67 Stuka Ju 87
29 escorts Me 110
Total 165 out of 1.200
Sorties in operation: 48.000
Diary of Oberst Warlimont, Deputy chief of operational staff OKW
October 29th, 1938
We have managed to crush the Czechs after all. Mainly thanks to Becks impressive leadership. He stirred us through every crisis AND managed the dragon in our midst quite skillfully. But I foresee new problems with HIM in the future. HE was at times very small and quiet, clearly on the edge to panicking, at other times as madly shouting as usual. A madman, no doubt. Can no one else see it? Anyway, now HE is again on top, as his judgement about czech operation turned out to be correct in the end. But Wehrmacht won in spite of HIM. Beck has still a stronger position than before, but HE will not leave it at that. HE demanded an offensive to retake Saarbrücken. Beck just nodded and ordered my to make a plan.
Not easy, such an operation. Even if the French continue to sit tight, it will be winter and ground frozen until our forces are in place. Furthermore, all access to the province is across Rhine and Meuse, severe penalties for every attacking force.
On the other hand, we can use nearly every asset at our disposal. As long as the French dont reinforce their currently 12 divisions, we can achieve local superiority in numbers easily.
I went to work, calming myself with the reassuring tasks of operational and logistical planning.
OKW Diary
October 28th 38 –
October 28th
New order of the Führer: Retake Saarbrücken from the French.
A second staff group looks into an operation to secure Baltic Approaches by occupying Denmark.
Mass of forces in transit west, three Armeekorps ordered to polish border in case of a polish backstab.
Summary of reports on English Air strikes on our ports
October 29th – November 2nd 38
All in all 6 attacks of up to two squadrons of Naval bombers on Lübeck, Kiel and Rostock.
2.JagdflDiv. is rebased to Northern Germany to reinforce 3.JgFlDiv.
About 80 enemy planes shot down, own losses 7 interceptors.
Damage in Rostock naval base about 25%.
1.Transportflottilla (the only transport asset of Kriegsmarine) is sunk in Rostock harbour.
November 4th
First 2 engineer brigades deployed. The plan is to augment every inf.division with such a formation.
Upgrading of infantry- and Panzerdivisions continue.
Politics: Führer appoints new security minister: Franz Gürtner.
The central planning of our economy is reduced, strengthening the power of the free market.
Funding for diplomatic actions and research is dangerously low.
Production: Setup of 6 x 1 Panzerdivision PzIII in serial production, last completed in November, 1940.
November 8th
Foreign developments: JAPAN declared war on SINKIANG.
Sporadic air battles over Northern and Western Germany with english air planes continue, english strikes without military or economic significance.
November 14th
Logistics: Parallel construction of 12 airfields in Northwestern Germany is started, as Luftwaffe prepares for operations against Western Allies.
November 21st
All forces in place for operation SIEGFRIED, the retaking of Saarbrücken.
November 22nd
7 hours – SIEGFRIED commences.
IV.PzK – Dortmund,
I.AK, II.AK, III.PzK at Kassel,
V.AK, II.PzK, I.PzK, VIII.AK at Frankfurt,
X.AK at Stuttgart,
IX.AK at Cologne,
30 divisions total,
attack Saarbrücken.
Opposition: 12 french divisions.
Luftflotte 1, 3, I.Fliegerkorps Interdiction Saarbrücken.
November 24th
9 hours – After heavy battles, the French are in full retreat, relentlessly attacked by Luftwaffe and pursuit of Panzer formations.
10 hours – I., II.PzK retake Saarbrücken.
Second Battle of Saarbrücken, November 22nd - November 24th, 38.
@Amona: you did not think you could hide this AAR from me, did you?
Glad to see you decided to make a HoI2 AAR. Excellent writing; the "house rules", the unusual start, the dry tone in the briefings and diaries. Keep 'em coming!
Glad to see you decided to make a HoI2 AAR. Excellent writing; the "house rules", the unusual start, the dry tone in the briefings and diaries. Keep 'em coming!
The French still have 1918 divisions? Maybe you could invede through the Maginot line...
GrimReaper said:@Amona: you did not think you could hide this AAR from me, did you?
Glad to see you decided to make a HoI2 AAR. Excellent writing; the "house rules", the unusual start, the dry tone in the briefings and diaries. Keep 'em coming!
Sir, outlooks have spotted the USS Grim Reaper on 1-2-5. - Rudder! All aheads full, come to new course 2-4-0. Maybe we can evade in time...
Serious, Glad you like it, and I will try to deliver.
Elbasto: French have 75 divisions to german 50, and Maginot heavily fortified. The czech line was nearly unbreakable. No way to get through Maginot...
The war, November 25th - December 12th, 1938
OKW Diary
November 25th 38 –
November 29th
Tech completed: Basic mountain division
New assignment: Rheinmetall to basic static anti air defence
December 1st
Deployment: JG 433 (Me109E) assigned to 3.JgFlDiv.
December 2nd
4 hours – Declaration of War on DENMARK.
Operation ZUGANG (approach) commences.
XII.AK (v.Küchler), 5.PzDiv. (Hubicki) advance from Kiel on Kolding.
IV.AK (v.Leeb) at Lübeck attacks Copenhagen.
Air support for ZUGANG by Luftflotte 2.
Opposition: 2 inf., 1 garrison division at Copenhagen.
December 2nd
20 hours – Hochseeflotte meets Danish fleets in Störebelt, 2 danish cruisers sunk, no own losses.
December 3rd
12 hours – Victory at Copenhagen.
December 4th
2 hours – Our forces seize Kolding.
5.PzDiv. advances on Odense, XII.AK on Aarhus.
December 6th
9 hours – 5.PzDivision seizes Odense.
December 7th
1 hours – XII.AK occupies Aarhus. Ordered on Aalborg.
December 9th
9 hours – XII.AK seizes Aalborg, IV.AK seizes Copenhagen.
Danish government fled to England.
Denmark annexed by order of the Führer.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
December 12th, 38
Great conference at Reichschancellery with C-in-Cs of Wehrmacht, armamentsminister Todt, my staff and the Führer.
Führer monologue about situation of the Reich, his determination to see the war through, and his plans. Excurse into history. French and English both lack will to fight – at least thats HIS opinion. Offensive at Saarbrücken only a token. They could have take Ruhr valley, but lacked determination. One strong blow to french army and morale, and they will cave. With France gone, England will sue for peace too. HIS conclusion:
Offensive in the West as soon as possible. Assembeld generals more than slightly aghast. I remained calm again, as I already saw that coming. Führer brushes every problem raised in discussion by my colleagues aside. At least he concedes that an assault on Maginot –line is impossible.
So its breaking the neutrality of Belgium again. Netherlands and Luxembourgs too by the way.
Wont look good, but this not strictly OKWs concern. Other factors are.
For example, securing Denmark and the polish border with minimum forces, leaves us with about 50 divisions max for a western offensive.
France fields now around 75 divisions, plus an unkown number of english ones.
To that add the Low countries, up to 30 more divisions.
Outnumbered two to one, how can we even think of going offensive? And I havent even started to speak of quality, fortifications, the winter weather etc.
I hadnt contributed anything to the discussion, while the Führer got more and more agitated by my lamenting colleagues.
Finally, I raised my voice and said:
“Mein Führer, (mein =my, usual form of adressing the dictator)our strength are the Panzerdivisions and the Luftwaffe. These can operate successfully only in good weather. We wont have that until spring. Furthermore, several new divisions will be ready by then, plus the completion of our upgrade-process with the existing ones.
If you order us to attack before, say, May, Wehrmacht will do its best, but I assure you, we will fail. And if you order the attack nonetheless, I will resign immediately.”
He stared at me. Then, after a long pause, he blurted:
“And in May you assure success?”
“That I do, mein Führer. The new Wehrmacht will prevail, and France be beaten, if we wait until spring.”
Again a pause. He still stared, then he shifted his gaze and said:
“So its May then. But not a single day later. Make a plan, Herr Generalfeldmarschall, to defeat France in May 39. I trust you more than any other of my generals. I am sure, you will not disappoint me.”
I am far from sure we will prevail in May, but I have bought us time. Maybe HE changes his mind until then. All this iron will and nerves, but under this rhetoric he is quite desultory.
And if nothing else, the weather WILL be better then.
Wehrmacht secured the Baltic Approaches in December 1938 by occupying Denmark.
OKW Diary
November 25th 38 –
November 29th
Tech completed: Basic mountain division
New assignment: Rheinmetall to basic static anti air defence
December 1st
Deployment: JG 433 (Me109E) assigned to 3.JgFlDiv.
December 2nd
4 hours – Declaration of War on DENMARK.
Operation ZUGANG (approach) commences.
XII.AK (v.Küchler), 5.PzDiv. (Hubicki) advance from Kiel on Kolding.
IV.AK (v.Leeb) at Lübeck attacks Copenhagen.
Air support for ZUGANG by Luftflotte 2.
Opposition: 2 inf., 1 garrison division at Copenhagen.
December 2nd
20 hours – Hochseeflotte meets Danish fleets in Störebelt, 2 danish cruisers sunk, no own losses.
December 3rd
12 hours – Victory at Copenhagen.
December 4th
2 hours – Our forces seize Kolding.
5.PzDiv. advances on Odense, XII.AK on Aarhus.
December 6th
9 hours – 5.PzDivision seizes Odense.
December 7th
1 hours – XII.AK occupies Aarhus. Ordered on Aalborg.
December 9th
9 hours – XII.AK seizes Aalborg, IV.AK seizes Copenhagen.
Danish government fled to England.
Denmark annexed by order of the Führer.
Diary of GFM Beck, Chief OKW
December 12th, 38
Great conference at Reichschancellery with C-in-Cs of Wehrmacht, armamentsminister Todt, my staff and the Führer.
Führer monologue about situation of the Reich, his determination to see the war through, and his plans. Excurse into history. French and English both lack will to fight – at least thats HIS opinion. Offensive at Saarbrücken only a token. They could have take Ruhr valley, but lacked determination. One strong blow to french army and morale, and they will cave. With France gone, England will sue for peace too. HIS conclusion:
Offensive in the West as soon as possible. Assembeld generals more than slightly aghast. I remained calm again, as I already saw that coming. Führer brushes every problem raised in discussion by my colleagues aside. At least he concedes that an assault on Maginot –line is impossible.
So its breaking the neutrality of Belgium again. Netherlands and Luxembourgs too by the way.
Wont look good, but this not strictly OKWs concern. Other factors are.
For example, securing Denmark and the polish border with minimum forces, leaves us with about 50 divisions max for a western offensive.
France fields now around 75 divisions, plus an unkown number of english ones.
To that add the Low countries, up to 30 more divisions.
Outnumbered two to one, how can we even think of going offensive? And I havent even started to speak of quality, fortifications, the winter weather etc.
I hadnt contributed anything to the discussion, while the Führer got more and more agitated by my lamenting colleagues.
Finally, I raised my voice and said:
“Mein Führer, (mein =my, usual form of adressing the dictator)our strength are the Panzerdivisions and the Luftwaffe. These can operate successfully only in good weather. We wont have that until spring. Furthermore, several new divisions will be ready by then, plus the completion of our upgrade-process with the existing ones.
If you order us to attack before, say, May, Wehrmacht will do its best, but I assure you, we will fail. And if you order the attack nonetheless, I will resign immediately.”
He stared at me. Then, after a long pause, he blurted:
“And in May you assure success?”
“That I do, mein Führer. The new Wehrmacht will prevail, and France be beaten, if we wait until spring.”
Again a pause. He still stared, then he shifted his gaze and said:
“So its May then. But not a single day later. Make a plan, Herr Generalfeldmarschall, to defeat France in May 39. I trust you more than any other of my generals. I am sure, you will not disappoint me.”
I am far from sure we will prevail in May, but I have bought us time. Maybe HE changes his mind until then. All this iron will and nerves, but under this rhetoric he is quite desultory.
And if nothing else, the weather WILL be better then.
Wehrmacht secured the Baltic Approaches in December 1938 by occupying Denmark.