Until the bitter end - A German Third Reich Mod AAR

[Mr_B0narpte]

March 1945

Eastern front
As with last month, it was filled with German counter-attacks. A Soviet attack on Cherny Yar was repulsed with the help of the Luftwaffe.












Soviet infrastructure continued to be heavily bombed.




The Red Air Force actually managed to achieve a victory, something it had not managed for months if not years. However it was just against one German tactical bomber wing, with little damage inflicted. German interceptors followed the bomber in its succeeding attacks, with no Soviet aircraft to be found. The Luftwaffe also sent aircraft over the Kaluga airfield, managing to destroy a Soviet interceptor and one fighter wing.





The Luftwaffe's war
As was realised last month, the German Air Force needed down-sizing. 14 interceptor wings were disbanded and a more concentrated effort will be made to repulse the Allies and Soviets in the air. An air battle between German and American aircraft in central France on 12th March ended in a stalemate, while all the others ended in Axis victories. It appears the Americans decided to focus on bombing the Axis minors in order to avoid the full force of the Luftwaffe, with little success as the Hungarian and Romanian Air Forces were well prepared to defend their homeland.









V1 attack
Several rocket wings were launched simultaneously with great effect on the UK's infrastructure. The RAF seemed to respond by bombing Lille's airfield.




Slovakia had a coup?
The German leadership was surprised to see that the Slovakians had a right wing coup d'etat, baffled as-to who or what would instigate such a thing.



Production priorities



Losses




Hope for a summer offensive
With the continuing success of the German counter-attacks and disruption of Soviet supplies it is believed the time is right for an offensive once the ice has thawed and the terrain is dry. The German leadership view an attack in the south as the best strategy, especially now the infrastructure there has been improved. Stalingrad will be the main aim, but the rest it still to be decided. Currently the winter is still in full force.

 

[Commander666]

WOW! I had not noticed until now. Great to see you found time to continue.

So Truman is another dip stick sending unescorted TPs into hostile waters. But real surprising that USA is not reinforcing their airforce. That seems to be the ONLY arm of the military the USA AI is actually quite good at. Seems the Yanks can bomb like nobody else. You being able to cut Luftwaffe expenditures will be a major help.

Well, your reinforcements slider is looking excellent, as usual. So is province repair. 75% is remarkable although, of course, it is also indicating a change to a more static situation. Nice to see Rommel is trying to change that.

But your upgrading slider. Oh my gosh! Not even 10%. I think Pang is right. Hopefully, you will shift more IC into making your existing units stronger. I am a bit surprised that it appears you are not micro-managing the "don't upgrade icon" so you could control exactly what can be upgrading at 100% for whatever IC you can give that slider.

I greatly enjoy following your AAR; and it would have been even more interesting for me if your Production Priorities had been a complete screen shot to show what you are building.

Good luck winning the War. I actually think this will continue a VERY long time. Beware of continental drift moving Moscow further away every day than your divisions are moving closer.

 

[birdike12]

Hi,

just finished reading through this AAR of yours and I enjoyed it very much!

Keep up the good work!

I'll be following this one!

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

WOW! I had not noticed until now. Great to see you found time to continue.

Thankyou, and now I can continue some more.

So Truman is another dip stick sending unescorted TPs into hostile waters. But real surprising that USA is not reinforcing their airforce. That seems to be the ONLY arm of the military the USA AI is actually quite good at. Seems the Yanks can bomb like nobody else. You being able to cut Luftwaffe expenditures will be a major help.

We'll see how much of a 'major help' it'll be in the upcoming updates.

Well, your reinforcements slider is looking excellent, as usual. So is province repair. 75% is remarkable although, of course, it is also indicating a change to a more static situation. Nice to see Rommel is trying to change that.

Thankyou, a summer offensive and its' results will be shown soon enough.

But your upgrading slider. Oh my gosh! Not even 10%. I think Pang is right. Hopefully, you will shift more IC into making your existing units stronger. I am a bit surprised that it appears you are not micro-managing the "don't upgrade icon" so you could control exactly what can be upgrading at 100% for whatever IC you can give that slider.

I have been micro-managing the 'don't upgrade', 'no reinforcing' and 'priority unit' options since I started the game, but never felt the need to show myself doing so. But yeah, production will be cut, with some interesting things happening about it...

I greatly enjoy following your AAR; and it would have been even more interesting for me if your Production Priorities had been a complete screen shot to show what you are building.

Duly noted, they will be posted as well.

Good luck winning the War. I actually think this will continue a VERY long time. Beware of continental drift moving Moscow further away every day than your divisions are moving closer.

Thankyou, I think I'll need all the luck I can get. I think I agree that the war will last a very long time too, but, as always, time will tell!

Hi,

just finished reading through this AAR of yours and I enjoyed it very much!

Keep up the good work!

I'll be following this one!

Thankyou, I'm glad you've enjoyed it. Another update is to follow.

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

April 1945

Eastern front
Rommel maintained his attacks on weak and under-strength Soviet units; hopefully this is a sign of an ever diminishing Red Army.





German, Italian and Vichy bombers helped create chaos and disorganisation amongst all the Soviet units in the region.

A Soviet attack on Cherny Yar was held off by 4 German infantry divisions. However, a Soviet attack on 2 Romanian divisions in Bashanta lead to an Axis defeat and the withdrawal of the 4 divisions from Cherny Yar. However Bashanta was to be re-captured just weeks later by German and Hungarian forces.

Air war in general
The USAAF's many incursions into Axis territory continue to be repulsed, but unfortunately some battles were quite costly for the Luftwaffe. American bombers managed to target undefended parts of the Rhineland by surprise; but once the element of surprise was gone so were the bombers.

The German interceptors above Kaluga pursued and destroyed an entire Soviet CAS squadron, as well as crippling many other Red Air Force units.

The UK
The British people continued to suffer for pursuing a war they can't hope to benefit from.

Regardless of this the British army successfully invaded and captured Gibraltar from 2 starving Vichy divisions. It is assumed the Allied navies had starved the two divisions as they fought at half strength from the start, and were completely out of supply within hours of combat. The territory was of little importance to the Axis ever since the fall of Suez; it is believed that Fortress Mediterranean is impenetrable after the previous failed US attempts to land in the region. Even Sardinia, Crete and Malta are held by Italian forces.

KMS Bismarck, Tirpitz and others managed to sink two UK light carriers by sheer chance as they were ordered to leave Kiel harbour and head for the coast of Gibraltar to sink the UK amphibious force there, but little avail as just one Royal Navy destroyer was spotted and sunk. However the surface fleet did report back to Berlin with the news that an estimated 85 Allied divisions were based in Casablanca alone, it is hoped this gigantic force never leaves North Africa.

German production
There was a bonanza of completions on 8th April to the surprise and glee of the German leadership.

German production and its' priorities for the variety of industries.

Germany's resource situation
Due to the perilous situation of Germany's stockpile of rare materials and oil some very costly trades had to be made. Out of the rare materials bought from Japan, only ~30% arrived after 100% of the resources we had given them left German shores.

Hopes for a summer offensive
The German leadership continues to plan for one against the USSR, as it had to put any hopes on hold during April because of the muddy terrain.

 

[Titan79]

You've almost run out of everything... metal being the only resource still apparently available in the Reich. What are your plans to avoid a collapse of the German industry?

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

You've almost run out of everything... metal being the only resource still apparently available in the Reich. What are your plans to avoid a collapse of the German industry?

To be honest my plan is more of the same, which is trading with countries that have rares and oil to spare. Which is just Italy and Romania by the looks of things (Japan has plenty of rares, but at 30% efficiency it's just not worth it).

Well I've reached June 1945 in my game, just need to find the time to post another update or two; maybe tomorrow (well later today now it's past midnight here) but most likely Wednesday. I only have 6 hours a week of lessons at university; but that hides all the independent work I have to get my lazy arse to do!

 

[Cybvep]

The important thing in life is to have proper priorities. That's why every HOI geek knows that university is nothing when compared to the hours spent playing HOI3 .

@down DH, AOD and ARMA count, too .

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

The important thing in life is to have proper priorities. That's why every HOI geek knows that university is nothing when compared to the hours spent playing HOI3 .

Haha, I have yet to be accustomed to HoI3 so perhaps I could one day be an HoI geek

Update to come.

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

May 1945 - everything excluding the eastern front

Air war
The USAAF attempted to gain air superiority over the Rhineland to no success as the Luftwaffe readily fought back every American squadron.

The Vichy airforce also had continued troubles in dealing with the USAAF.

Naval war
The hopeless of the U-boat situation was shown in one battle: 6 modern-ish German U-boat units against 2 UK destroyers, one made in 1918, still suffered a loss of one U-boat unit for no casualties one the other side. Dönitz felt a stone in his heart as he realised his prized U-boats were near enough useless in the face of destroyers, even when his submarines outnumber, and outdate them, 3-to-1!

V-1 Attacks
Britain's infrastructure continued to face devastation to the most advanced technology on earth: Germany's V-1 rockets.

Partisan uprising
There was an uprising in Bjelovar, after years of occupation. Clearly the majority people in this territory enjoy being under German rule; because tacit consent is consent, right? o Nearby Bulgarian units were able to deal with the commotion.

Crisis in industry
German leaders were shocked to see they had such a low resource base that Germany's industry was at 83% capacity and declining. Not due to a lack of rares, but due to a lack of coal; the only resource that is abundant in the Reich! The situation is now extremely worrying, the only way out of it seems to be trading with other nations; in particular Italy for rare material and Romania for oil.

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

May 1945 - eastern front

With the muddy terrain drying up the German High Command ordered a general offensive across the Dnieper and beyond. The aims of the offensive were not specified; with just the general directive to attack where and when it is favourable. The attacks get off to a great start, with many under-strength Soviet divisions being quickly put on the retreat. Perhaps the USSR is low on manpower, perhaps they are over-spending their production on new units. Either way it's a good sign for Germany's fortunes.

The city of Kharkov was rapidly taken by Axis infantry forces with the help of Vichy and German bombers.

Soviet counter-attacks were easily repulsed, and with the Red Army taking much higher casualties in the process. Germany's flanks are secure for now.

As the attack continued, the offensive split so Axis forces pushed east and northwards. When Heer forces reached Tula the USSR rapidly raised 6 divisions in its' defence, German forces there were put on the retreat temporarily. By the 24th the German forces were able reorganise and defeat those 6 fresh 1943 Soviet infantry divisions with ease, a sign that the Wehrmacht cannot be stopped.

The city of Stalingrad began to be encircled as the situation favoured it.

It was also decided that the flanks were so secure that those units could also go on the offensive. With the capture of Bryansk and Kursk the encirclement of 30-40 Soviet units has now become a possibility.

The Red Air Force was only sighted once throughout the entire onslaught, with it quickly defeated, a further sign of the USSR's dire position.

The layout of the eastern front has rapidly changed in the space of a month, and it is hoped that the German forces can crush once and for all the Soviet menace. The destruction of 30-40 Red Army divisions coupled with the capture of Stalingrad should be enough to at least remove any serious threat from the Soviets. Even the most pessimistic forecasts by the German High Command predict a defeat of the Soviets by mid-1947.

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

@down DH, AOD and ARMA count, too .

I guess that makes me a HoI geek then

 

[Cybvep]

It appears that the Soviets are on the brink of collapse. Without a second front, I think that the SU will fall eventually. I'm wondering whether the USA will start nuking your cities...

 

[Commander666]

Well, I had thought I would start my comment with that your offensive is much looking like Marshal18's hopes sounded (with those fantastic "we are here but hope to be there" map battle lines he funnily drew) when you got to your "Hopes for a summer offensive...The German leadership continues to plan for one against the USSR."

But seems instead that your German leadership planning resulted in hopes realized - across the Tula, against Stalingrad; and maybe 30 SU divisions getting surrounded. Certainly this new offensive is working in spite of your monumental resource problems.

But I'm wondering, "Do Romania and Italy not realize what will follow if you fail?" So why are those cheapskates not giving you free oil and rares as best they can so you can cut back on your energy exports (as you desperately must) instead of trying to work it into somehow better new trades to recover some few lumps of coal?

Germany giving Italy 500 supplies and $230 for 512 rares is most desperate indeed as you yourself need both things that you are giving. But I must say that the late trading of ample plans to Vichy France to now avoid a "coal collapse" really looks like Speer's mis-management to put you exactly where you are. In fact, I wonder how many other plans exist to be traded to your friends for resources that should have occurred long ago, IMO, and at an exchange that hopefully includes them paying the diplomatic cost to give you just that extra "edge". Of course that is the problem of being a one-human manager against an AI - there's just too much to do when there's all those important battles that also need attention!

Thanks for the production shots. Seems you agree with Pang's views and much better handling the upgrading now.

Anyway, I side with your probable own view that this war is very long from won and - even though cracks are showing in the enemy - there may be much more coming that might be most bitter indeed.

Now, Cybvep, why would you think that?

Also, those 30 Yankee divisions in Casablanca will remain to keep a significant tension - if that AI ever gets its act together now that the Allies again have access to the Med. Don't be so cocky sure about the defences there. Seems your premise is based only on the USA AI's earlier failures.

Real glad you found time for an update, it is most appreciated; and hope occasionally there might be more. THANKS!

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

It appears that the Soviets are on the brink of collapse. Without a second front, I think that the SU will fall eventually. I'm wondering whether the USA will start nuking your cities...

I hope they collapse. I have my faith in the Luftwaffe being able to stop any bombings. However, the USA can already produce nukes, research-wise anyway, I don't know if it has enough reactors. It's currently researching the fission bomb.

Well, I had thought I would start my comment with that your offensive is much looking like Marshal18's hopes sounded (with those fantastic "we are here but hope to be there" map battle lines he funnily drew) when you got to your "Hopes for a summer offensive...The German leadership continues to plan for one against the USSR."

But seems instead that your German leadership planning resulted in hopes realized - across the Tula, against Stalingrad; and maybe 30 SU divisions getting surrounded. Certainly this new offensive is working in spite of your monumental resource problems.

Indeed the plans are coming to fruition,and I definitely hope this success continues! Monumental resource problems they are, but Italy's rare stockpile should last me for a few weeks or so. Vichy's energy stockpile is at least 10k so I'll keep trading with them too.

But I'm wondering, "Do Romania and Italy not realize what will follow if you fail?" So why are those cheapskates not giving you free oil and rares as best they can so you can cut back on your energy exports (as you desperately must) instead of trying to work it into somehow better new trades to recover some few lumps of coal?

True, that was would a great help, too bad the AI cannot think.

Germany giving Italy 500 supplies and $230 for 512 rares is most desperate indeed as you yourself need both things that you are giving. But I must say that the late trading of ample plans to Vichy France to now avoid a "coal collapse" really looks like Speer's mis-management to put you exactly where you are. In fact, I wonder how many other plans exist to be traded to your friends for resources that should have occurred long ago, IMO, and at an exchange that hopefully includes them paying the diplomatic cost to give you just that extra "edge". Of course that is the problem of being a one-human manager against an AI - there's just too much to do when there's all those important battles that also need attention!

Yeah I should've spent more time handling resources. I've also realised I did not maximise infra in Breslau, Saarbrucken and other resource rich provinces that would've definitely helped in this situation.

Thanks for the production shots. Seems you agree with Pang's views and much better handling the upgrading now.

That, on top of not having enough manpower to produce many more units.

Anyway, I side with your probable own view that this war is very long from won and - even though cracks are showing in the enemy - there may be much more coming that might be most bitter indeed.

Time will tell!

Also, those 30 Yankee divisions in Casablanca will remain to keep a significant tension - if that AI ever gets its act together now that the Allies again have access to the Med. Don't be so cocky sure about the defences there. Seems your premise is based only on the USA AI's earlier failures.

My premise has to be based on those failures, it's the only relevant information available! My biggest worry there are the small defences on Vichy's coast, hopefully Gringo forgot to add the Vichy coast to USA's list of targets!

Real glad you found time for an update, it is most appreciated; and hope occasionally there might be more. THANKS!

I hope there will be more too, your welcome.

 

[Commander666]

My biggest worry there are the small defences on Vichy's coast, hopefully Gringo forgot to add the Vichy coast to USA's list of targets!

Very funny! Good luck.

 

[MagooNZ]

I hope they collapse. I have my faith in the Luftwaffe being able to stop any bombings. However, the USA can already produce nukes, research-wise anyway, I don't know if it has enough reactors. It's currently researching the fission bomb.

Mr_B0narpte, the USA will definitely nuke you, probably immediately after they produce their first nuke. They dont appear to research ICBM's too early, so whatever their strategic bomber range from their airfields is at the time is what is vunerable. Not sure what you can do about this. If you concentrate land forces in a province close to the front, the AI likes to nuke that (this could be preferable to Berlin). Since their bombers are based in UK, any German city could be a possible target. There is a pressing need for you to invade UK asap. :excl:

If the USA hasnt already defeated JAP, the USA might use their first nuke on JAP.

You could try to fly continuous CAP over Germany, but I dont like your chances of being able to always intercept everything, just in case it might be a strategic bomber carrying the A-bomb.

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

June 1945

The Heer continued its offensive on Stalingrad, decisively encircling the city as it was able to repulse the Red Army with ease. Italian and German bombers were soon ordered to bomb Stalingrad to the ground.







Offensive in the centre
As the German armies advanced on Stalingrad, attacks were also made in the centre in the hope to encircle 30-40 divisions by taking Kaluga and Roslavl. Hungarian units unintentionally captured Chernigov in the process, they and other units were ordered to attack the province but only in order to force a retreat for Red Army units in the province.






However any hopes of encirclement were lost as 41 Soviet divisions counter-attacked, tearing apart the 5 German divisions leading the attack with reinforcements being stopped as they would not have stood a chance against such a large force. These Soviet troops were fresh from the northern part of the front, which has remained quiet for several months. An attack on Moscow was instead planned, with Stalingrad's encirclement secured divisions in the area were moved northwards to prepare for the offensive on the Soviet capital.








Success in the offensive was achieved at first, with the Heer being within a hair's breadth of the capital. However the attack was met with fierce opposition, so much so that it had to be called off; so close yet so far. The Soviets perfectly timed their counter-offensive, attacking both Noginsk and Tula at the same time. A retreat from Noginsk was ordered in order to avoid encirclement. Tula was forcibly lost at a massive cost, which included the loss of two (presumably Hungarian or Romanian) divisions. This is a grave day for the German army. Its hopes of comprehensively defeating the USSR, at least for 1945, has been shattered. Nonetheless, attacks will continue to be made, just on a minor scale for the time being.








At least Stalin's cowardice was revealed, as he retreated from Moscow to Sverdlovsk after German forces had taken Noginsk.



In the north the Red Army finally decided to re-take Riga, something that had been expected several months ago. However it is unfortunate that von Leeb's 3 divisions had to take such heavy losses before retreating. The fortifications at Jelgava and Jekaplis were strengthened, which was either pointless as no Soviet attacks on them were made, or successful as it perhaps deterred them from further attacks.



The Soviet Air Force took even more losses, losing an interceptor wing after it unsuccessfully attacked German tactical bombers. It then proceeded to completely lose four already tattered tactical bomber wings as German interceptors spotted them over Mozhaisk. The Luftwaffe's interceptors experienced so many upgrades to its interceptor force that the majority of them became turbojet planes.







A record of all the losses on both sides




Another major V-1 attack was launched against the UK.



On 21st June 1945 Okinawa was lost to the USA, showing the precarity of Japan's situation. Saipan was lost to American forces early in the month, but retaken by Japanese forces in late-June.

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

Mr_B0narpte, the USA will definitely nuke you, probably immediately after they produce their first nuke. They dont appear to research ICBM's too early, so whatever their strategic bomber range from their airfields is at the time is what is vunerable. Not sure what you can do about this. If you concentrate land forces in a province close to the front, the AI likes to nuke that (this could be preferable to Berlin). Since their bombers are based in UK, any German city could be a possible target. There is a pressing need for you to invade UK asap. :excl:

I certainly cannot invade the UK considering most of the German navy is in tatters and most of the German army is occupied in the east! But I certainly see the need to do something about it.

If the USA hasnt already defeated JAP, the USA might use their first nuke on JAP.

Indeed the USA is still occupied with Japan, so hopefully it focuses all its' nukes on them!

You could try to fly continuous CAP over Germany, but I dont like your chances of being able to always intercept everything, just in case it might be a strategic bomber carrying the A-bomb.

Well, unfortunately that seems like the best option at the moment.

 

[Mr_B0narpte]

July 1945

The Soviets continued to counter-attack around Stalingrad, but all at high cost to their forces with no success. Stalingrad was soon to become a German city. Field Marshal Wietersheim led the attack on the city itself, which was only held by three garrison units. German and Italian bombers soon made mincemeat of the Soviet defence. The German leadership rejoiced at such a victory; it was a major propaganda victory for Germany, the loss of an important industrial base for the USSR (11 IC on the Third Reich Mod), and the German forces had captured tonnes of supplies, metal, rare materials and coal that were stored in the city.












While the city itself was captured, the territory east of the Volga was lost as the repeated Soviet counter-attacks and the emergence of fresh Red Army units has finally broken the back of German forces there.







The Luftwaffe continued to destroy Soviet infrastructure.





The German leadership was surprised to discover that the UK held elections, and even more surprised to see Churchill and his cabinet voted out! Hitler prided himself in knowing that he had now outlived, in the political arena, two of his major opponents. Only Stalin is left. But as soon as this good news came, Attlee and his new government appeared to stamp their authority by launching port strikes against German ships in Bordeaux and Athens. The u-boats in Bordeaux attempted to retreat, but were hammered by the fleet waiting for them. After another port strike, the remaining u-boat squadrons were disbanded.








The V-1 attacks continued, this month them being used as a vengeance for the British attacks on German ships.




The USAAF continually failed in its air attacks. It is hoped that the Americans will also fail in any nuke attacks!





Germany continued its expensive trading with Italy, which still has over 7,000 tonnes of rare materials.




The USA decided to end the Axis' month on a sour note by launching an attack on Malta. The Italian surface has been ordered to respond.