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Not that much actually...
It's true I now have some time to get prepared for Barbarossa. But... as this intend to be an (almost) historical AAR, I have to be ready for Seelöwe (August-September) and Marita (April).
According to this, I only have a tiny time window and it's closing very fast.
As you already said, once Barbarossa started, you'll stop go historical, so, even a simple decision like preparing for winter will turn the course of history
Correction : I won't deliberatly stop to play historical after June 1941 but I will be "forced" to (sort of...) if, or when, the "Bear" collapses...
But I'll still keep the historical set-up of units as long as possible.
Chapter 28 : 'Seelöwe'
PropagandaMinisterium, Berlin - 1940, July the 4th - 0930
PropagandaMinister Dr. Goebels meets Abwehr Chef Admiral Canaris (Head of Intelligence)
- "Herr ReichsMinister. The french newspapers don't lie. It has been confirmed by our contacts to the spanish marine attaché in Alger.
Yesterday, the Royal Navy opened fire on its former french allies at Mers-el-Kébir, near Oran.
- Whaaa !!! How could such a thing happened ?
- Since the armistice between France and Germany, the United Kingdom is very much concerned about the possibility of us taking control of the French fleet. Despite the assurances given by the Armistice terms at Article 8 paragraph 2 as well as by Admiral Darlan, the British government feared this possibility. They set up an operation to take the French ships into British control or destroy them.
The british commander apparently delivered an ultimatum to the french Admiral Gensoul. The French were given the possibility either to sail with the Brits to continue the fight against us, or to sail with reduced crews to a British or a US port, or... to scuttle their ships.
- It seems they choose none of these possibilities.
- Indeed, Herr ReichsMinister. As consequence of that, at 17:54, the british fleet opened fire.
Mers-El-Kebir
- Too bad for them, but good for us and my Propagandastaffeln, Admiral. It surely will rekindle anglophobic feelings in France and make our occupation easier.
- That's a way to see the things, Herr ReichsMinister. On my humble opinion, it mainly demonstrated Britain's resolve to continue the war, alone if necessary..."
Reichskanzlei, Berlin - 1940, July the 7th - 1430
The Führer meets Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop.
- "I hope it's important, Ribbentrop, I have plenty of work !
- Sicher doch, mein Führer. It's about Romania.
As you know, mein Führer, the Pact I've signed with Minister Molotov last year recognized the Soviet "interests" in Bessarabia. Because France and the United Kingdom guaranteed the independence of the Kingdom of Romania, the USSR didn't dare to move but now that France surrendered and British forces are out of continental Europe, the assurances that both countries had made to Romania are meaningless and the Soviets took advantage of it.
They sent an ultimatum and Romania agreed to give up Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina. Two thirds of Bessarabia are now combined with a small part of the Soviet Union to form the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. The rest (Northern Bukovina) has been apportioned to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Romania joins the Axis
Romania and her oilfields are vital to the Reich's war effort. We have to do something !
- No need to, mein Führer. These unfavorably resolved territorial disputes caused the popularity of Romania's government to plummet. 3 days ago, Ion Gigurtu was forced to take the Iron Guardist minister, Horia Sima in his government. With the help of General Antonescu, and some suppport from us, no doubt the country will set course towards the Axis camp. Romanians aren't Slavs, after all...
- Keep an eye on that, Ribbentrop. I want Romania to joign the Anti-Komintern Pact as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'll check with General Fromm to send a german military mission over there.
What about Yougoslavia and Bulgaria ?
- We're working on it, mein Führer. Willy-nilly, they'll eventually joign our side too..."
OKL Hauptquartier, Berlin - 1940, July the 12th - 1030
GeneralOberst Milch, GeneralInspektör der Luftwaffe, meets General Hans Jeschonnek, Chief of Staff.
- "General Jeschonnek... I've heard there was an other air raid last night ?
- Indeed, Herr GeneralOberst. Siegen, once again ; 300 british medium bombers...
- I really don't get it. Why Siegen ? Apart from the railroad, there's nothing valuable there...
- A lot of the inhabitants are workers of the numerous steel mills of the Ruhr. Since everytime the Brits tried to attack the Ruhr, they've been quite "warmly" welcomed, may be this time, they were looking for a much softer target...
Reichsluftverteidigung (Air defense)
Over half of the attacking force was destroyed and the damages to the town are very minor. In a couple of weeks, everything will be all right."
MarineMinisterium, Berlin - Same day - 1700
Meeting between GroßAdmiral Raeder, CinC Navy (OberBefehlsHaber der Marine) and Generaladmiral Otto Schniewing, Chief of Naval Command Office.
- "Admiral ? We just received the final reports. Unternehmen 'Wikinger II' has been a success but we got lucky once again. May be we shouldn't pull the string too much Admiral...
- What happened ?
- As you know, Unternehmen 'Wikinger' left a british squadron still patrolling in the Kattegat Area. Admiral Lütjens established a battle plan to get rid of it.
The Geschwader "Deutscland-Admiral Scheer", "Lützow" and "Admiral Hipper" were to sail from Wilhelmshaven to meet the british squadron in the Kattegat Area. In the meantime, Admiral Lütjens with the Geschwader "Scharnhorst-Gneisenau" and "Schlesswig-Holstein Schlesien" was to sail from Kiel and do the same. We expected to outnumber the british ships and to destroy them...
- But something went wrong, gell ?
- Yeap ! Off the western coasts of Jutland, our Geschwader sailing from Wilhelmshaven bumped unexpected into an other british squadron centered on the battleship 'Nelson' !
- And ?
- Like I previously said, Admiral... We got lucky. Both cruisers 'Blücher' and 'Königsberg' have been heavily damaged and we sank some british destroyers. However, due to the damages sustained, our
Geschwader were forced to sail back to Wilhelmshaven...
- And, of course, Admiral Lütjens was informed right away ?!!
Lucky once again...
- So he went alone with two battlecruisers and two old junks against a british carrier fleet ?!!
- With two battlecruisers only, Admiral... It seems both 'Schlesswig-Holstein' and 'Schlesien' couldn't follow and fell behind. Admiral Lütjens entered the fight alone.
- Is it me or something is not turning right in this Navy ?!! Did you all become insane or what ?!!
- Thanks God, Geissler's X. Fliegerkorps had just rebased in Denmark. The Luftwaffe could provide a decent air support to our ships while its fighters neutralized the british carrier air groups.
It appears that one british light aircraft carrier has been sunk as well as two, may be four, light cruisers and probably some destroyers too. But the real good news is that the british surviving ships left the area and sail back to their home ports. The Danish Straits are now free of british presence !
- And what about our ships ?
- All heavily damaged but on their way to Wilhelmshaven. like I said... Lucky !
- You bet !!! I'll have to go to Wilhelmshaven right now to congratulate Admiral Lütjens. Such heroic acts deserve a promotion.
May be I should consider appointing him as the new commander of the newly commissionned 'Bismarck'..."
OKW Hauptquartier, Berlin-Wünsdorf - 1940, July the 19th - 1745
Meeting between (General-)Feldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel, Chief of the OKW and General Alfred Jodl, Chief of the OKW General Staff.
- "Herr GeneralOb... Sorry, Herr Feldmarschall. Congratulation for your well-deserved promotion !
- Danke sehr, mein lieber Jodl. But you deserved to be congratulated as well : from Generalmajor to General der Artillerie...
- Quite nice to see when one's work is rewarded, Herr Feldmarschall.
- Well... I'm afraid we're going to have a lot to do in the next months : England rejected the peace offer the Führer has made.
As consequence... This !
Directive Nr 16 : Unternehmen 'Seelöwe'
- Destroying the RAF is one thing. My main concern, as well as the one of Admiral Raeder, is the mighty Royal Navy. From their bases in Orkney Islands or in the Sea of Ireland, british warships can enter the Channel within few hours, destroy our invasion forces and/or severe our supply lines.
Needless to point out that, despite the success of the past weeks, the Staff of the Kriegsmarine is all but enthousiastic ; most of their ships need to undertake long repairs and according to the Kriegsmarine's Chief of Staff, it is very unlikely he can commit the required forces to support the operation.
- At least, the ground elements are ready. Feldmarschall von Brauchitsch gave me the list of the units allocated to the HeeresGruppe A, in charge of the invasion.
All together, 30 divisions among them 6 are armored/motorized. Mhmmm... I guess it should be enough to establish the required bridgeheads on the coast and to drive to London.
The Luftlandekorps of the Luftwaffe is standing by and some units of the 6. Armee too.
- Don't expect too much from them, mein lieber Jodl. Our Fallschirmjäger are still recovering from the Western Campaign and most units of the HeeresGruppe B will redeploy to Poland real soon. 4. Armee at first, then the 6. Armee.
- The Führer wants to attack the USSR, Herr Feldmarschall ?
- I have a small discussion with him on this topic and if you want my opinion, he's thinking about it.
We'd better get back to work on Unternehmen 'Fritz' and the sooner, the better..."
Hauptquartier der ErsatzsArmee, Leipzig - 1940, July the 25th - 1000
GeneralOberst Fromm, Befehlshaber der ErsatzsArmee, meets General von Oven, General Inspekteur der ErsatzsInfanterie.
- Herr General ! They really did become crazy in Berlin !!!
- Still busy with the set-up of the new Panzerdivisionen, mein lieber von Oven ?
- Busy ?!! It's a real headache. especially if you consider the short amount of time they grant us...
10 new divisions until X-Mas !!! They still believe in Santa Claus or what ?
- Actually, it's going to be 11, sort of... but the last one should be merely a light division.
- Even better...!!!
- Well... It seems General Lutz managed to do his part and...
- Herr General !!! With all due respect, General Lutz's only concern is to provide the Panzer-Regiments and even on this point, he simply "cheated" for the most part.
- Sorry but I don't get it...
- It's quite simple, Herr General. How do you make 20 Panzerdivisionen when you already have 10 with 2 Pz-Rgts each ?
You simply remove one in each existing division and tadaaaa !!! You've got 20 panzerdivisionen with one Pz-Rgt each.
- Don't you think it's a bit exaggerated, von Oven ? He only took 6 Pz-Rgts from the existing divisions and set up 6 other brand new regiments.
- And now, it's up to us to find enough men and equipment to turn these regiments into combat-ready Panzerdivisionen.
As if I hadn't enough issues with the 7 infantry divisions I have to turn into motorized ones !
- I thought it was 8 ?
- 60. ID (mot.) got his 92. IR back. It's now a full combat-ready division.
- Sehr gut, von Oven.
And I feel confident you already have some ideas to fulfill our task, gell mein Lieber ?
- Well... combining, disbanding and/or upgrading some of the existing units and using some of the captured French equipment, we should come to some positive results, Herr General.
- Let's review it.
- All right :
11. PzD
We're going to use the Pz-Rgt 15 of the 5. PzD. Unfortunatly, its old Pz35-38 need to be replaced by more modern PzIII, so it's going to take some time.
The infantry will be the one of the already existing 11. Schützen-Bgd and its support units will be provided by new units which just completed their basic training.
12. PzD
Basically, we're going to use the bulk of the 2. ID (mot.) and add the newly formed Pz-Rgt 29.
13. PzD
Same as for the 12. PzD but we're going to use the 13. ID (mot.) and add it the Pz-Rgt 4 of the 2. PzD.
In both case, assets left-over will return to their parent Wehrkreise.
14. PzD
The Pz-Rgt 36 will come from the 4. PzD and the bulk of the division will be formed from the 4. ID provided, of course, enough trucks can be found to fully motorize infantry and artillery units. Same goes for the Panzerjäger-Abteilung (AT).
15. PzD
Same thing as for the 14. PzD but we're going to use the 33. ID and the Pz-Rgt 8 will come from the 10. PzD. Same issues too...
16. PzD
Using the bulk of the 16. ID as the Pz-Rgt 2 will be provided by the 1. PzD.
Remnants of the 16. ID will be used to form the new 16. ID (mot.)
17. PzD
Using the 33. Id and the newly created Pz-Rgt 39.
In all three cases (14, 15 and 16. PzD), the Pz-Rgts also need to be upgraded. With only one regiment instead of two, we obviously need better tanks.
Assets left-over of the 4, 27 and 33. ID will return to their parent Wehrkreise.
18. PzD
This is one of the divisions which is going to keep 2 Pz-Rgts (18 and 28. Pz-Rgt, both newly created). The infantry will be provided by one regiment of the 3. ID and the other one by the 14. ID. The Art-Rgt 18 is still to be set-up...
19. PzD
It will be formed using the newly created Pz-Rgt 27 and the 19. ID.
20. PzD
Newly created Pz-Rgt 21. 18 and 36. ID will provide each one Inf-Rgt. The support units are currently being set up.
5. Leichte-Division
Men and equipment for the support units are ready. As soon as the 3. PzD will have upgraded its two Pz-Regiments, it will give one of them, Pz-Rgt 5, to this division.
- Sounds good to me, von Oven, great work !
What about the Panzerdivisionen which have lost one of their Pz-Regiment ?
9. PzD's TO&E remains unchanged and the 6, 7 and 8. PzD will keep their 2 Pz-Rgts structure.
- Pz38 for them, right ?
- Jawohl, Herr General. That's the reason why they keep their 2 regiments. Our industry won't be able to produce enough PzIII for every division...
- Do you think all these Panzerdivisionen will be ready before the end of the year ?
- I think so, Herr General. Unfortunatly, we're going to experiment some delays for other formations. It will affect the motorization of some infantry divisions.
- What divisions have been chosen ?
- 3, 10, 14, 16, 18, 25 and 36 IDs, Herr General. It won't be a major organization concern.
Since the 3, 14, 18 and 36 already gave up one of their regiments to form the new PzDs, so we just need to focus on providing them enough transportation means.
The 10. ID will give one of its regiments to the 16. ID and the 25. ID will do the same to the 4. Gebirgsjäger-Division.
We're within schedule for all the support units of these divisions. We just need trucks, Herr General... A lot of them !!!
- I think it's going to be a major concern for everyone. I've heard that Himmler wants to develop his SS-Security forces in Poland as well as some of his Waffen-SS units : 11 regiments, among then 5 fully motorized ! Guess who's going to be given priority ?
Rückwärtiges Heeresgebiet 101, 102 and 103
- Have you made progress on that point ?
Set up of RHG 101
- Great work, von Oven. The OKW is pretty much concerned with our eastern borders. I've heard the 18. Armee is being redeployed to East Prussia and they're rumors we might "turn to the East" in a very near future...
What about our Gebirgsdivisionen ?
- the 1. Gebirgs-Division just received his engineer btn. 2. and 3. Gebirgs-Divisionen are back from Norway and also get some support units added.
The 6. will be ready next month ; 4. and 5. in September. No issues on that point, Herr General.
To a lesser extend, same goes for our 4 light infantry divisions. They should be ready in October-November.
Infantry divisions of the 13, 14 and 15th mobilization waves are currently deploying for the most part. The only concern is about the ones of the 10, 11 and 12th mobilization waves. I already ordered to postponed the formation of the 10th wave's divisions... Not enough equipment available.
11 and 12th waves units should be ready for next Spring.
- And the security/occupations forces in France, Belgium and Netherlands ?
- Netherlands have been taken care of, Herr General, and the command structure for both France and Belgium is also in place. Unfortunatly, we won't be able to create the 13 security regiments the OKW required for these two countries. Our drawers are empty, Herr General. We can't even provide replacements for the casualties sustained during the Western Campaign !
- Is it that bad ?
- We're very short of men and officers, Herr General. The last reorganization forced us to create much more headquarters as expected. Something huge is underway...
(NotA : over 40 new HQs created => MP 0 ; Officers 93%)
HQs set up and renamed
- I'll see that with the Führer in person..."
OKH Hauptquartier, Berlin-Wünsdorf - 1940, July the 28th - 1330
Meeting between Feldmarschall von Brauchitsch, Chief of the OKH, and General Franz Halder, Chief of the General Staff.
- "Mein lieber Halder, I just come back from an OKW meeting ; things aren't looking good for our italian friends.
- I'm not surprized, Herr Feldmarschall. Tobruk has fallen ?
- Not yet... but it's only because the Brits are outnumbered 1 to 4 ! Should they receive some reinforcements, and believe me they will, the italian front will collapse in less time to say "spaghetti".
The Führer and the OKW agreed that we should set up an german expeditionnary corps and to have it ready to be sent over there. Just in case...
- After all the reports I read, I was expecting something like that but right now, only one division was planned... "sort of" : the Infanterie-Division zbV "Afrika"
- It won't be enough...
- I fully agree on that, Herr Feldmarschall. May be we could join the 5. Leichte-Division...? It has a strong Pz-Regiment, experienced crews, and fast support units. Ideal for the desert warfare.
- Still not enough : we need a powerful "iron fist", not only capable to stop the enemy but also with the capability of launching strong offensives.
- A full Panzer-Division ? I know that 10 new divisions of this type are being set up right now but I doubt the OKW will authorize one of them to go in Afrika, Herr Feldmarschall. Not after the casualties the Regia Marina suffered within the last month. The italian Navy seems to go from one defeat to the other !
- This aspect has been put on the table during the meeting. General Jeschonnek, the Luftwaffen Chief of Staff, agreed to send some air units over there too. Not only to support our troops but also to help neutralizing the Royal Navy and its "hornest's nest", Malta ! Geissler's X. Fliegerkorps will start to deploy in Sicily next month.
Deutsches Afrika-Korps
And last but not least, we also need the right man to lead this "Afrika-Korps"
- Well... The first name to come in my mind is von Manstein.
- Herr Feldmarschall !!! I don't think he...
- Ja, ja, ja... I know you don't like the man, mein lieber Halder. However, he's one of the most competent officer we've got. Ideal for this task...
- With all due respect, Herr Feldmarschall, he's not the only one. Look at these generals of the XV. AK (mot.) : Lemelsen, Crüwell, Rommel ! They performed very well during the Western Campaign and I feel confident they're as suited for the task as von Manstein... and a lot less arrogant.
- I grant you that. I'll put their names on the list I'll give to the Führer."
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How do submarines work in HPP? Can they surprise carriers(like the attack on the Courageous)?
So I take it you are actually going to fight the Battle of Britain too? Now that's brave (either that of foolhardy 
)
)
A very bold and brave decision, but isn't the SOviet AI scripted to break the MR Pact if you seize London?
Ooops. Well, I hope submarines can bag some carriers easier in that mod, than in the normal game.
I usually play as Germany in my B.I.C.E. games and I've never seen one of my submarines bag a carrier. Must be the game's limitations. :glare:
no, they can't sink CVs. However, properly teched up, an experienced player can, with some micromanaging, just about paralyse the British import/export with 25 subs.
Nice......Seelowe is a go!! Too bad the Kriegsmarine is so beat up, but at least not sunk..
What's the point of playing historical if there's no Battle of britain ?So I take it you are actually going to fight the Battle of Britain too? Now that's brave (either that of foolhardy
The interesting part will be to deal with the in-coming aircraft casualties, their replacement and the current units production. IC is already stretched to its limits... :huh:
Good to know... :mellow:
However, I already started to transfer a lot of divisions to the eastern borders. just in case...
Each time I've seen subs in a naval combat (SF), they get sunk real quick. So I'd rather use them for reconnaissance or (mainly) for convoy raiding.
To counter the Royal Navy, I mainly use the tandem Naval Aviation-Surface Action Groups. It works fine for me... until now.
Too bad I'm playing historical... I can barely deploy 3 flotillas at the same time.
However, they're performing quite well and the number of freighters sent to the bottom of "the Pond" is increasing.
I assume the game designers introduced the subs more as a concept tending to commerce warfare, as it was in RL.
Though it happened in some (rare) occasions that subs scored a hit a enemy carriers, their primary purpose was to hunt freighters. Only the IJN sub doctrine was leaning to chase enemy warships.
Actually, "Wikinger I & II" brought me more or less to the historical situation in which the german navy was after the invasion of Norway... with less casualties. Now, the Kriegsmarine badly needs some R&R !
In one game the 18 subs of the Soviet Baltic command managed to maul up my old BB fleet so it had to flee with its smokestacks between its boilers, that is the closed to useful I have seen subs.
re: subzerg. I did a test once in SF/ICE to see whether Dönitz' pre-war statements were true. They were. I build 25 subs (most type VII, only a handful type IX). I had at any given time between 10 and 18 subs hunting and the rest either waiting to replace losses or under repairs.
I don't know if that would work equally well in TFH (it didn't in FTM), and I didn't check the UK's ASW techs at the time (which are more involved than vanilla).
But by the end of 1940, UK was short on every resource and had 0 spare convoys. They were building a ton of new convoys (in other words, wasting IC).
BUT
It requires your subs to be single flotilla on passive stance. you have to space them apart far enough so that you create a nice red semi-circle of doom across the Atlantic. Make sure they are outside land-based range (don't underestimate the range of a tac or an MR!) and set your messages to pause and pop-up as soon as naval combat starts.
Slow down to speed 1. Disengage ASAP! Most of the time, they will be badly damaged but alive. Rebase them to a German port and send one of the others to take its place.
I don't know if that would work equally well in TFH (it didn't in FTM), and I didn't check the UK's ASW techs at the time (which are more involved than vanilla).
But by the end of 1940, UK was short on every resource and had 0 spare convoys. They were building a ton of new convoys (in other words, wasting IC).
BUT
It requires your subs to be single flotilla on passive stance. you have to space them apart far enough so that you create a nice red semi-circle of doom across the Atlantic. Make sure they are outside land-based range (don't underestimate the range of a tac or an MR!) and set your messages to pause and pop-up as soon as naval combat starts.
Slow down to speed 1. Disengage ASAP! Most of the time, they will be badly damaged but alive. Rebase them to a German port and send one of the others to take its place.
Great update. By saying what would the war be without the battle of Britain, do you mean you are only going to do the air war, and not do an invasion?
Chapter 29 : "Adlertag"
OKL Hauptquartier, Berlin - 1940, August the 13th - 0930
Reichsmarschall Göring, CinC Luftwaffe, meets General Hans Jeschonnek, Luftwaffen Chief of Staff.
- "Na, General Jeschonnek ? I've been told that, once again, the Brits paid us a visit last night...?
- True, Herr Reichsmarschall.
At first, I thought they would try to make a pre-emptive strike on our airfields. Since 'Adlertag' is supposed to begin tomorrow, our airfields are currently full of airplanes, ammunition and fuel reserves. A great opportunity for a pleasant firework...
But no... They were after industrial targets deeper inside the Reichs territory.
- Where ?!!
RAF bombers are back... again and again !!!
Our air-defense fighters took off from their airfields of Münster, Holland, Belgium and Northern France. I must admit we had some coordination problems and most of our pilot don't have the proper training, nor the equipment, for night fighting.
However, we managed to shoot down about a third of the attacking force, i.e. 100 bombers while losing 23 fighters on our side.
- Damages on the ground ?
- Slight to moderate, Herr Reichsmarschall. Under normal conditions, it wouldn't be a major issue but as you know, infrastructures in this area have already been seriously damaged during the western campaign ; therefore, it will take quite some time to repair everything...
- Well... Though recently annexed, Metz isn't really the Reich's territory per say. People at home won't care very much about it and the impact on our economy should be negligible. Besides, the Brits will have more serious issues to deal with within the next days.
Is eveything ready for the 'Adlertag', General ?
- Jawohl, Herr Reichsmarschall !
1.400 fighters, including 300 Me-110, 1.900 Bombers (Do-17, He-111 and some new Ju-88) and 300 Stukas are just waiting for the 'Go' order.
- That's all ? According to the reports of each Luftflotten Commanders, it seemed we had more airplanes at our disposal.
Luftschlacht um England
Look at the 3. Luftflotte for instance : aircrafts of the FliegerFührer 'Deutsche Bucht' (Bremen) are to far away and their primary duty is to secure the Reich's air space. To a lesser extend, the same goes for the FliegerFührer 'Nederland' and 'Belgien', as well as for the aircrafts of the LuftGau Kdo VI. All together they represent 400 Me-109 and 100 Me-110.
2. Luftflotte has its Fw-200 of the I/FliegerFührer 'Atlantik' engaged in convoys raiding missions in the western Bay of Biscay...
- Carry on, General !
- For the 5. Luftflotte, it's merely a matter of distance, Herr Reichsmarschall. Only the FliegerFührer 'Stavanger' will be able to participate to this battle.
- What about the X. Fliegerkorps ?!!
- As you know, Herr Reichsmarschall, Geissler's units have been ordered to redeploy in Sicily very soon. Besides, they have suffered quite some casualties during the last weeks operating against the Royal Navy and we sent them back in Germany for R&R.
Nevertheless, it leaves us over 3.500 aircrafts for this struggle over England ; I think it will be more than enough, Herr Reichsmarschall.
- I sincerely hope so, General ! My reputation is at stake...!!!
- Herr Reichsmarschall, we don't expect this to be a walk in the park but our plan should give us air supremacy within a few days.
Luftwaffen main targets
In the same time, we are going to undertake some port strikes in the same areas to clear the Channel of enemy warships. This will be the though part.
- And the most important one too, General ! GroßAdmiral Raeder is already reluctant to conduct Unternehmen 'Seelöwe' because of the threat posed by the Royal Navy.
- I have to say, Herr Reichsmarschall, that GroßAdmiral Raeder isn't totally wrong. The sudden irruption of some british battleships in the Channel during our landings could turn the whole operation into a disaster...
- We'll see. As planned, the Battle of Britain will start tomorrow. Issue the orders !
- Zu Befehl, Herr Reichsmarschall."
Hauptquartier der 2. Luftflotte, Lille - 1940, August the 17th - 0800
Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring meets Generalmajor Speidel, his Chief of Staff.
- "You look tired, Wilhelm. You should get some rest : you won't be useful as CoS if you're exhausted.
- I'm aware of that, Herr Feldmarschall, but there was some work to be done.
- How's the situation ?
Dogfights over England
According to our reconnaissance flights, RAF airfields of Dover and Portsmouth look like plowed fields and the Fleet Air Arms airbase of Norwich doesn't look any better. Their installations are almost totally destroyed as well as their fixed AAA but our aircrafts are still subject to heavy Flak fire from the numerous british units stationned in those areas. Naval AAA also remains a major concern.
- The Brits still have ships in their southern harbours ?
- At least enough to cause concern to the Kriegsmarine Chief of Staff. Admiral Schniewing makes us very clear that we should make their destruction our top priority.
We've identified some destroyers and transport ships in Dover. The II. Fliegerkorps is taking care of them. Unfortunatly, port installations will suffer heavy damages but there's no alternative solution.
The biggest concern is the area of Lowestoft/Norwich : 2 CV, 2 CVL and 2 CL have been sighted in the harbour of Lowestoft with all their air assets based in Norwich... A bunch of them !
- For sure, it must be the carrier fleet our friend Geissler chased out of the Kattegat Area. We must destroy them !!!
Cry Havoc !
- Is there some other issue I'm not aware of ?!!
- Not at all, Herr Feldmarschall, but our men, both air and ground crews, are exhausted and the casualties are quite heavy.
For the I. Fliegerkorps alone, we've lost 62 bombers and 29 fighters in the last 3 days... about 20% of its fighting force. In the same time frame, II. and IX. Fliegerkorps lost 55 bombers and 18 fighters.
We're now down to 85% of our initial bombers strenght... in barely 3 days ! We won't be able to sustain such a casualties rate very long, Herr Feldmarschall. Within a week, the 2. Luftflotte won't no longer be combat-ready.
- What about Sperrle ?
- I spoke to Oberst Korten, the Chief of Staff of the 3. Luftflotte : they've got the same problem.
The 3. Luftflotte lost 141 bombers and 62 fighters in the same 3 days. Their StukaGruppen lost over 25% of their fighting force. The VIII. Fliegerkorps has been sent to Paris to reorganize and it has been replaced in Cherbourg by the IV. and V. Fliegerkorps.
According to Oberst Korten, there's a british battleship squadron in Plymouth and they're gonna have a hard time to destroy it...
- Well... Too bad for Sperrle but it's not our concern. Make sure we can get rid of those carriers in Lowestoft, Wilhelm, and I will be happy enough."
Reichskanzlei, Berlin - 1940, August the 21st - 1400
The Führer meets Reichsmarschall Göring, CinC Luftwaffe, and GroßAdmiral Raeder, CinC Kriegsmarine.
- "Meine Herren, it has been a week now since we started our air offensive against England. Let's review the situation. Göring ?
- Danke, mein Führer.
The Luftwaffe has reached its primary objective i.e. to ensure air supremacy over the Channel. All british airbases in the southern and eastern part of the country have been destroyed and they won't be operational before a very long time. British aircrafts are pinned down to the ground or they were forced to rebase further north.
Anti-ship operations wen't well too : 4 aircraft carriers, 2 cruisers and 18 destroyers have been sunk as well as 7 transport ships.
(NotA : 2 CV, 2 CVL, 3 DD, 1 L-TP, 6 TP)
Results after one week
- You just need to strike and strike again, verdamnt !!!
- Mein Führer, it's not that simple : battleships are very well protected targets and the AAA fire is murderous. Besides, and that's the current issue, I had to cancel all operations for the next two week. We lost 726 airplanes, roughly one-fourth of our potential, in a single week, mein Führer.
Men and equipments need some time to recover. But, and that's the worse of all, the industry isn't simply able to replace the missing aircrafts quickly enough.
- That's not acceptable !!! I'll check that with Armement Minister Todt...
Admiral Raeder ? What do you think ? Can we launch 'Seelöwe' under the present conditions ?
- I'm afraid not, mein Führer. Most of our heavy units are still undertaking repairs after the rough engagements in the danish Straits and the ones available would be easy preys for the Royal Navy.
- What about the 'Bismarck' ?
Baltic Sea cleaned-up
Please keep in mind that Scapa Flow, the main british naval station is only a few hours away and british naval stations of the Sea of Irland are even closer. I'm not willing to take the risk of a landing as long as the threat posed by the Royal Navy exists !
- Risks are parts of the war, Admiral !!!
Anyhow, I'm ok to grant the Luftwaffe some weeks to recover.
Göring, I'm waiting for an accurate report on September 8 ! Dismiss !!!"
Hauptquartier BfH der U-Boote, Lorient - 1940, August the 31st - 1100
Vizeadmiral Dönitz, Führer der U-Boote, meets Generaladmiral Saalwächter, CO MarineGruppenKommando West.
- "Congratulation for your well-deserved promotion, mein lieber Dönitz !
- Vielen Dank, Admiral, but it won't be official until next month.
Make yourself comfortable ; I assume you didn't make the journey only to watch me blowing out the candles on my celebration cake... nicht wahr ?
- Well, not exactly... Though it is also a courtesy visit. How's your new headquarter ?
- Surely not as pleasant as yours, Admiral. I've heard you moved the MarineGruppenKommando 'West' in Paris...
- Like you, mein lieber Dönitz, I'd rather stay close to my men ; It is my intend to rebase the Geschwader 'Scharnhorst-Gneisenau' in Brest as soon as possible. What do you think of that ?
- A powerful SAG could be very useful to support my subs. It is true that the Luftwaffe achieved some great success over England but the Royal Navy is far from being beaten and remains very dangerous. If you want my opinion, our Navy is unable to provide efficient support for Unternehmen 'Seelöwe'...
As consequence of that, the only way to force the Brits to make peace is to severe their supply lines.
- As former U-boat commander, I came up to the same conclusion. Hence, my intend to rebase some ships, here, in french ports.
- I admit that the use of french port facilities makes our task easier : shorter ways reduce stress on men and equipment so they can spend more time on patrol. The 2. and 7. U-Flottillen just rebased in Lorient and Saint-Nazaire last month and their killing ratio is already sky-rocketting. Roughly 80 freighters and 25 escorts have been sunk in August ; twice as many as in July !
However, we are far too close from the british airbases and the port defenses really need to be strenghtened by building bunkers for the U-Boote and by adding much more Flak to hamper enemy bombers. Without such improvements, Admiral, your ships and my boats will be like sitting ducks.
- Well... I grant you that point, mein lieber Dönitz. But for now, we've achieved total air superiority over the Channel so the air threat isn't a big deal.
What's the situation in the Atlantic Ocean ?
U-Boats deployment, end of August 1940
1. U-Flottille from Bremerhaven will relieve the 3. U-Flottille in the british waters and the 7. U-Flottille, still in good shape, will take the place of the 2. U-Flottille off the coasts of Spain.
I'm now waiting for the 6. U-Flottille from Kiel to fill the gap between Portugal and the Azores. Its new crews are just about to complete their training and I'll soon be able to deploy a 12 boat's wolfpack over there.
U-BootsWaffe TO&E - Summer 1940
My crews are doing a great jo but if we want better results, I need more boats : it's a simple question of maths, Admiral !"
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