The Third German Empire II

[Marshall18]

The Third German Empire II (1936 - ???)

Contents:
Chapter 1: Good ol' boring peacetime - 22/08/2015
1 January 1936 - 1 June 1939
Chapter 2: Case White - 23/08/2015
1 June 1939 - 15 September 1939
Chapter 3: Why are they called Low Countries, when people are so tall? - 24/08/2015
15 September 1939 - 15 November 1939
Chapter 4: What about Luxembourg? - 25/08/2015
15 November 1939 - 10 December 1939
Chapter 5: To Besançon and beyond! - 26/08/2015
10 December 1939 - 1 January 1940
Chapter 6: Veni, Vidi, Vichy - 27/08/2015
1 January 1940 - 5 February 1940
Chapter 7: Operation Weser-Exercise - 28/08/2015
5 February 1940 - 15 March 1940
Chapter 8: Operation Weser-Exercise II - 29/08/2015
15 March 1940 - 1 May 1940
Chapter 9: Operation 25 - 30/08/2015
1 May 1940 - 1 July 1940
Chapter 10: Operation Green - 01/09/2015
1 July 1940 - 1 January 1941
Chapter 11: Operation Barbarossa part 1 - 03/09/2015
1 January 1941 - 13 February 1941
Chapter 12: Operation Barbarossa part 2 - 06/09/2015
13 February 1941 - 6 March 1941
Chapter 13: The fall of Paris - 07/09/2015
6 March 1941 - 20 April 1941
Chapter 14: Verhängnis - 27/09/2015
20 April 1941 - 21 May 1941

A small presentation:
Hello PI forum community. I'm back. After 3 years of a busy life I have returned. To those that don't know me I'm Marshall18. I've played PI games since HOI2 and bought Arsenal of Democracy the year it was released.
In 2012 (3 years ago) I started my first AAR. It was a huge emotional rollercoaster. Had problems taking over France, which ended up costing me dearly when taking over the Soviet Union.
It was quite entertaining for me (and hopefully for the readers too). I'm not so good at the game, which gives AI a chance.
It's been 3 years (haven't played AoD since the MP AAR), so I thought:
"What if I try again?"
"Will I remember all my mistakes?" *probably not*
"Will I be much better this time?" *probably not*
"Will it be fun?" *of course*

I'm starting in the 1936 scenario with everything in normal. Any questions, suggestions or advice, feel free to write here
Hope you will enjoy it

Other Notes: (News, Changes, and other random stuff)
- Most battles with both sides having loses under 5k have been left out.
- Any jokes in this AAR are about the fictional parallel universe of the AAR only in the period of 1930-1950. No people alive are mentioned in any jokes and no jokes or statements have double meaning.
- I will hopefully be adding a new chapter every week (possibly less, possibly more).
- Rule 1: This is for fun. Don't get angry
- Rule 2: No exploity stuff - It's like cheating. Also no cheating

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 1: Good ol' boring peacetime
1 January 1936 - 1 June 1939

The year is 1936. Adolf Hitler had a bit too much to drink and decides to resign, leaving a weird foreigner (Marshall18) in charge of the Reich.

Marshall, who is feeling deja vu, starts working on helping Germany rise to be the greatest nation in the World.
... in a peaceful way of course! He is not building up army or anything... those are false rumours!

Important events:
1936: Italy finally defeats Ethiopia. Wow! So impressed! [/sarcasm]
1936: German troops enter the demilitarized zone by mistake. "oops, my bad" - Marshall18
1936: Civil war breaks out in Spain. Germany sends some equipment to test out. "I wonder how well our flying horse brigade will do?" - last words of flying horse brigade soldier

(part of) the World in 1937​

1937: Japan decides they would like to own a bit more of China

I have a bad feeling about this...​

(part of) the World in 1938​

1938: The nationalists win in Spain, thanks to our secret weapons.

1938: Austria thinks we are so awesome that they want to be part of our country

Japan expands slow and steady. Just like the mold on my wall​

"We haven't expanded our military" - Marshall18 to the international press at the inauguration ceremony of new military bases​

1939: Hungary and Germany do the 50/50 thing with Czechoslovakia

I guess they are Hungary for lands ... hehe! ... I'll see myself out...

Memel is German. Duh!​

1939: After defeating the weakest nation, Italy goes for the next weakest nation.

Bahaha! Took them almost a month!
​

"There's always calm before the storm" - Pessimist ​

 

[General Awesome1234]

Subbed!

 

[Marshall18]

Thanks and welcome General Awesome1234!

Hopefully new chapter tomorrow.

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 2: Case White
1 June 1939 - 15 September 1939

Morning in late August, 1939:
"Alright, spoke to Shhhhhhhhhhhhtalin and we decided to split Poland between us. Would make the map so much prettier." - Marshall18
"Yes sir, it has a weird shape right now"
"Get me the map!!" - Marshall18
"Here you go Sir"
"... ... ... what are those squares on my map!?" - Marshall18
"Counters sir"
"Woooooooot!?" - Marshall18​

Counters?
​

On August 30th, 1939, Germany declared war on the mighty horse nation of Poland (no, it is a reference to when they sold all of us horse meat a few years back and Europe went crazy).

parapan parapan parapanpanpan! parapan parapan parapanpanpan! ...​

The allies decided they didn't like the idea of a German Poland and declared war.​

Indeed...
​

The German armies commenced the invasion of Poland.

"I'll race you to the Soviet border!" - German defector
​

After the capture of Danzig, the glorious Kriegsmarine started pursuing the Polish "fleet".

"Marco!..."
​

With their awesome skills, they found the fleet within a few hours.

"We are all on a sinking submarine, a sinking submarine, a sinking submarine..." - Polish sailors

"I'm sinking in the rain, I'm sinking in the rain..." - Sinking sailors
​

After three days of fighting, Germany defeats the polish army in 3 places.

1 ... 2 ...

...3!...
​

In the meantime a fierce battle for the skies of Germany is being fought

Another German victory. This time in Torun.

I guess the polish soldiers are forced To-run!! ... hahaha! ... yes, I know where the door is...
​

The airforces of all the mayors engage each other in Northern Germany.

von Greim doing his job​

The German blitzkrieg machine is too fast. Some of the polish troops are way behind the line.

Von Kluge learns the locations of all the good bars in Warsaw when he is put in charge of capturing it.

Party!!!​

Poland fails to recapture Torun

Nice try​

With the capture of Warsaw, Germany attacks the remaining Polish troops.

​

On the 11th of September, the Soviets take over half of Poland ... without any soldiers.

Shhhhhtalin! Are you a wizard?

A small sample of the German production
​

15 days after the declaration of war, Germany annexes Poland.

​

"In war, truth is the first casualty." - Some hippie​

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 3: Why are they called Low Countries, when people are so tall?
15 September 1939 - 15 November 1939

Winter had arrived and though the German troops where taking a short break from being awesome, the allied air forces kept trying to destroy Germany.

"Go back to Straya!" - Some guy that doesn't like the Aussie​

On the 10th of October, Germany officially declared war on Holland. It was after all the country with the name that sounded the most like Poland. They replied with "We are called the Netherlands! Learn some geography!!!", which didn't help their case that much in making Marshall18 change his mind.

I give them a week...​

The German army unleashed all its might against the small European nation.

This is the best they could do... pfff!!​

Within 5 days, the Netherlands were under full German control.

The Netherlands? More like the Nolongerlands... am I right guys?!! ... guys?​

In the meantime the allied bombing campaign was taking its toll on the German industry.

Ouch. ​

Now the only thing standing between the Reich and Paris was Belgium and Luxemburg. Nothing that can't be solved:

"Why can't we all just be friends?" - cast of Friends (1994-2004)​

The plan was simple.
"Come in like a wrecking ball" - Marshall18s orders

I give it a week​

The Belgian army offers a bit more resistance than the Netherlands did.

​

They even attempt a few counterattacks.

What's going on in Luxembourg?​

The allies attack Ghent while the Germans are busy taking over Namur and Luxembourg.

​

Finally, the battle for Namur comes to an end.

Namur? More like Nomore!!! ... hihi! ... man! tough crowd...​

By the 9th of November, 1939, all of Belgium is under German control. The French attack in Ghent continues, though German reinforcements have arrived. In the meantime, an overwhelming amount of French troops keep arriving in Luxembourg.

That night, the battle of Ghent comes to an end. Though in no way comparable to the battles in Poland, this was so far the bloodiest in this front. It seems like the battle for Luxembourg will be much, much worse.

"Do we even NEED Luxembourg to take over France?" - Last words of one of Marshall18s advisors
​

While a large part of the French army is busy in Luxembourg, the German army starts pushing into France.

"To the land of wine and frog legs!!!" - Weirdest motivational speech by a general​

In the meantime, the Soviets take advantage of the distraction that Germany is producing, and decides they don't have enough land that is covered in snow

​

"As long as there are sovereign nations possessing great power, war is inevitable" - Guy who helped make the atomic bomb​

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 4: What about Luxembourg?
15 November 1939 - 10 December 1939

As the winter intensified, the French resistance grew fiercer. Still the German advance was slow and steady.

​

Two weeks after the start of the battle for Luxembourg, the German army starts attacking the allied territories surrounding Luxembourg in order to try and cut off the 27 divisions defending this small European state.

Within a week of pushing into french territory, the German army finds itself at the doors of Paris. The French army throws everything it has at them, but they are no match for the German armor.

​

On the 22nd of November, Paris falls to the mighty German army. In the meantime, the French slow down the German attacks in the North and the South.

The French army, that is far from defeated, keeps trying to recapture Paris.

​

Slowly, the Germans advance in the channel coast.

How hard can it be?
​

The German army tries to widen the access point to Paris.

​

In other news, von Böhm-Ermolli became a Ranger.

Not that kind!

Yes

​

Finally, on a cold winters night, the battle for Luxembourg comes to an end. This engagement has cost over 46000 men their lives.

​

The attack on the Maginot line proved unsuccessful and extremely costly.

Ouch! At least we got a Power Ranger...
​

The battle for northern France continues, though the German armies have been weakened.

OMG! Here we go again...
​

Phone call between Mussolini and Marshall18
"Can I play with you" - 'Lini
"No!" - Marshall18
"Why!?"
"Because you are not strong enough!"
"I am, I'll prove it to you!"

Unexpected...​

Is there even anything left in Luxembourg anymore!?​

With the annexation of Luxembourg and fall of Metz, the German army starts a plan to encircle the troops in the Maginot line.

That took forever...

Will it work? That is a lot of troops retreating from Luxembourg...
​

"Let all hell break loose... " - Some guy on The Third German Empire 1​

 

[LimaTango]

This is a fun AAR. Good luck and keep it up!

 

[Marshall18]

Thanks and welcome LimaTango.

Nice to see that some of the early AoD members are still here

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 5: To Besançon and beyond!
10 December 1939 - 1 January 1940

On the 12th of December, the unexpected happened. Yugoslavia, that felt threatened by the Italian expansion, decided it was time to stop Mussolini. This forced the Axis powers to keep an eye on that situation and even start moving troops to that border.

Yugoslavia vs. Italy. Greece vs. Italy. Will 'Lini make it out of this alive?
​

On other news, the German plan to encircle the Maginot line met fierce French resistance.

Who is Mont, why are we saying "Chau" to him and where is he going? ... [/badjoke]
​

By mid December, the French army manages to stop the German advance in the North. Suddenly the threat of a counterattack becomes real.

Those Panzers need a rest dude!
​

In the South the story is quite different. The French army is no match for the German army which has most of it's power focused on successfully encircling them.

​

Though the French throw everything they have at them, the German war machine keeps advancing.

​

By the end of the year, the German army once again gets Northern France under control. A few days of rest of the troops might be wise.

​

Finally, the Germans encircle the 24 divisions left in the Maginot line. Even though they are cut off, the French army bravely tries to break the encirclement.

​

On the first of January, the German troops in the North restart their offensive.

​

The Reich's yearly status report

• The map of Europe has changed quite a bit within the last year (for the better).
• Italy is stuck
• The Soviets are stuck

​

• The Japanese have captured a lot of land, but still have far to go.

​

• We have a slight lead over the Soviets. Not good enough.

​

• Our military is expanding

​

• China has lost over 1 million men
• Japan has lost over half million men
• Poland has lost a quarter million men

​

• In our battle for the skies of mainland Europe, we have destroyed close to 2k enemy planes. We have lost around 1k.
• The UK has lost over 1k airplanes.

​

• We have lost over 1k trucks during these first months of fighting.

​

• Even though we have lost a lot of tanks, we have destroyed even more enemy tanks.

​

"The Mediterranean will be turned into an Italian lake" - Guy who can't even invade Greece​

 

[MagooNZ]

Great graphical analysis Marshall. That early attack on France looks like it cost quite a lot of manpower. In Paris 22 Nov or earlier. Now 1 Jan and no Vichy yet?

 

[Marshall18]

Hi MagooNZ and welcome.

Indeed. Though it is still under half in comparison to after the fall of France last time. No Vichy by the 1st of January. Hopefully soon though.

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 6: Veni, Vidi, Vichy
1 January 1940 - 5 February 1940

In what in Latin is known as a Lapsus Brutus, all troops in Dijon advanced to Besançon and left in unprotected. If the French reached Dijon before the Germans, the encirclement progress would be lost.

French still trying to break the encirclement
​

Luckily, the Germans reach Dijon first. The battle for Northern France continues.

Invincible Panzers
​

The Luftwaffe bombs the encircled troops day and night.

​

The battle for Northern France proves to be bloodier than expected.

Ouch!

Here we go again. They never learn.

"The bombs of the Luftwaffe go down and down, down and down, down and down!" - Politically incorrect children song
​

The German Panzer divisions prevail even when vastly outnumbered by the French army.

Victory and Mets, not something you often hear on the same sentence huh!? ... "Dude, this is Metz with Z!"
​

The German offensive starts onc more in Northern France.

99th time's the charm.

"I can't believe my own eyes!" - Jaden Smith
​

Breaking news! The Soviets have advanced!

​

Having gained momentum in Northern France, the Germans advance.

​

By February 1940, the Axis attack the weakened units in the Maginot line.

That easy, huh!?

Moving troops to Yugoslavia? Someone is a bit overconfident.
​

By the 5th of February, France surrenders.

And they say Germans are bad!!! pff!!! They just helped create 3 new countries.
​

"Today we are crushed by the sheer weight of the mechanized forces hurled against us, but we can still look to the future in which even greater mechanized forces will bring us victory. Therein lies the destiny of the world." - Bad French looser​

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 7: Operation Weser-Exercise
5 February 1940 - 15 March 1940

Even though France had surrendered, two French infantry divisions decided that they were strong enough to take on the whole German army.

Fools!
​

Germany sent 6 Panzer divisions to deal with this minor inconvenience.

☐ Not REKT ☑ REKT
​

The battle allowed von Manstein to become a Blitzer.

Blitzer, not Blitzen!!!

von Manstein is a true German Superman.
​

Japan had brought Indochina into its control.

​

And Italy finally decided to go on the offensive in Greece.

​

Now the Luftwaffe was fighting for control over the French skies against the Allies.

At least they are not bombing Germany any more.
​

On the 3rd of March, 1940, Germany declares war on Denmark.

Wow! A bit overkill, don't you think? ... Unless Denmark is not the final target...
​

The battle for Copenhagen starts. The Danes fight bravely, but are outnumbered.

​

Denmark surrenders 3 days later. The Brits capture Iceland and Greenland.

​

The Italian army seems to have woken up.

​

... In some places...

​

Germany receives 3 transport divisions (from God?) for declaring war on Norway. No complaints here.

​

Hopefully the allies are so busy bombing France that they won't notice what is going on in Scandinavia...

​

"I have seen war ... I hate war" - President of country that excel in war​

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 8: Operation Weser-Exercise II
15 March 1940 - 1 May 1940

After the German army caught its breath in Copenhagen, they continued into Sweden.

...and Norway too, apparently.
​

The sneaky Swedish fleet kept bumping into the Kriegsmarine and running away again.

​

A Panzer army starts a landing behind enemy lines.

The biggest battle of the invasion of Norway and Sweden... I guess you can't buy infantry divisions in IKEA yet...
​

The amphibious assault meets some minor resistance.

​

Italy annexes Greece. Next stop: Yugoslavia.

​

German troops reach the Norwegian border.

Sneaky Swedish navy.
​

Within 2 weeks of the declaration of war, Germany annexes Sweden.

Those panzers are too fast!

Norway split in two.
​

After the annexation of Sweden, the Kriegsmarine moves to the Norwegian coast.

​

To the surprise of the World, the Soviet Union decides to reject the peace offer from Finland and go for total conquest. This automatically cancels the non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union.

I guess things are about to get tense in the German-Soviet border.​

The Norwegian navy is not as sneaky as the Swedish.

​

On the way back to refuel, the Kriegsmarine catches a few British submarines.

​

A month after crossing Storebælt, Norway is annexed.

In the meantime, the US has taken control of Greenland and Iceland.

​

"It's cold" - every single German soldier in Scandinavia​

 

[Marshall18]

Chapter 9: Operation 25
1 May 1940 - 1 July 1940

​

On the 9th of May, Germany decided to help Italy and declared war on Yugoslavia. In a joint surprise offensive together with the Hungarians they pushed through the almost unprotected Northern border.

I guess not all of it was unprotected...
​

As the winter was over, Finland lost to the overwhelming Soviet force. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would be annexed a few weeks later.

​

The Hungarian army was at the doors of Belgrade and decided to stop in order to wait for the Germans.

​

The greatest Yugoslavian resistance was found along the coast line.

​

While patrolling the Baltic sea, the Kriegsmarine successfully eliminated the British threat in the area.

Those ship names don't sound very British to me...

Traitorous Swedes!!

​

By early June, Belgrade was captured.

They are SOOO late to the party...
​

The Italians officially join the Axis.

​

Yugoslavia surrenders 4 days later.

Who's next?
​

“The German people in its whole character is not warlike, but rather soldierly, that is, while they do not want war, they are not frightened by the thoughts of it." - Leader of nation that started this whole mess​

 

[MagooNZ]

Perhaps GER dow on SWE made AI SOV opt for total conquest of FIN?
Switzerland next?

 

[Marshall18]

Possibly... now war could brake out at anytime though...

Yes, Switzerland seems like a good next target.

 

[General Awesome1234]

Let's hope Italy does not screw this up for you

 

[Marshall18]

Indeed. Italy is always a wildcard.

In other news: Just started my last semester, so it will take longer between updates. I have one ready, hopefully I'll have the time to post it during this week