Technical Stats:
Campaign fought using version 1.05c with no mods.
No cheats or exploits were employed in the making of this war history. (Unless you count french military ineptness as an exploit)
This AAR is a-historical (what fun is repeating history?)
Extract:
This After Action Report primarily is a strategical overview of the German war upon the Soviet Union in the years 1940-1941. A brief synopsis will be given regarding the previous campaigns embarked on by the Germans from 1936-1940 so that the reader may get a better understanding of the current world order and political situation at the beginning of the Russian offensive. But the greatest emphasis will be given to covering the Russian campaign of 1940-1941. All attending maps are in reference to the Russian campaign.
The Coup of Coups
It is well known of the Austrian Corporal’s plans for revenge upon Europe, and as the Fuhrer of Germany, his plans to carry such revenge out, including with military vanquishment. The incredible idea to start the war off immediately instead of waiting for the army to be built up properly was inspired upon reading a novel late in 1935 written by a man merely named Panzer Leader entitled “A Lightning Blitzkrieg AAR.” It dealt with a German invasion into the pacifistic United States of America in the mid 1930's. Seeing opportunity here where most would see folly, Hitler took this idea before his top generals: With America completely unprepared for war of any sort, what if Germany was to launch a major invasion of the North America continent?
It was hypothesized and conjectured for many hours. But as it was discussed and ideas bandied about, it soon became apparent that this coup of coups could perhaps work. The benefit above all else was simple: resources and industry. The United States was a goldmine of industry, of wealth, and of coal and steel and oil. The defenses were nil, the army ridiculously small for such a large nation, the military technology still at 1918 levels, the leadership highly apathetic and the people more willing to roll over to an invader than to go to war.
The downside to such an audacious and bold plan of course was risk all out war from Britain and France, no small matter. But this was not a large problem, war against France and Britain would have come anyway, this would merely speed up the timetable. Transports were quickly built, and 18 divisions were sent across the Atlantic.
War against the United States was declared in May 1936 as German troops landed unopposed in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina as an absolutely dumfounded southern populace looked on. Britain and France immediately declared war on Germany, but that was of little significance: The french made several failed invasions across the Maginot with inferior forces, getting slaughtered each time by land and air, merely weakening their forces. In the states, the German panzers quickly advanced in all directions, thirstily aiming to seize the oil in Texas. The greatest battle of the north American campaign was around Washington D.C., where the ill equipped Americans put up a valiant fight before finally falling to Rommel’s panzers.
Germany was now awash in resources as they pillaged the storehouses. Stretched quite thin, but still advancing, the German forces made quick work of the continental United States, guarded by so precious few divisions. Canada being mostly undefended was annexed easily in August. So quick were the attacks, entire fleets were captured in Houston, Washington and California. Now the one thing Germany needed most they had: A strongly equipped navy to ward off the British fleet. Mexico was easily taken and annexed.
The pacific fleet was put to work capturing U.S. possessions, and on July 1st Guam was finally taken. The official annexation of the U.S.A. was delayed till July 4th, 1937, to the disgust of all Americans.
North America now fully German and fortified, the Pacific fleet was sent raiding Allied outposts: Hanoi, Singapore, Kuching. Much booty was carried back to Berlin, namely precious rubber. Australia and the Philippines were easily puppeted. With the help of the Aussies, the “raids” in Southeast Asia soon became permanent German holdings. Singapore, Kuching and Hanoi became German possessions, and much of the world’s rubber supply now went to Berlin.
The Conventional War In Europe
With the New World in German hands, and the Pacific a German playground (the vaunted British navy proved very average against an American fleet in German hands), the focus turned back to home. France and Britain continued weak invasions across the Maginot and landings at Wilhelmshaven, which merely weakened their cause greatly. This front stabilized, it was time to turn east.
July 1938 saw Poland fall quickly, with Stukas showing the value of air support in battle. There were never any talks with Russia over partitioning the fallen nation, and it was annexed in its entirety. With the German power having just conquered the new world and the world’s largest ocean, Russia wasn’t in a position to bargain or complain about this.
The German war machine now focused on their main threat: Western Europe. The plan was to skirt around the heavily defended Maginot through Luxembourg and Belgium. As the forces were shifted northwards to position for the attack, the french were wise to it, and there was much troop movement on the french side moving to the north to counter the German maneuvering. Intelligence reported they had over shifted, for in Colmar, one mere division was left defending the Maginot. Seizing the opportunity, many forces were quickly swung down from Luxembourg to seize Colmar before the french realized their mistake. What looked like a golden opportunity to break through the Maginot turned out in disaster in what is described as one of the greatest military blunders in history: Rommel’s panzer divisions mistook their orders and attacked Colmar a day ahead of the rest of the force, before even air cover could soften the defenders. The French thus alerted of their mistake and consequent German exploitation, quickly closed in with reinforcements before the rest of the German invasion force arrived, and after a short battle thwarted the German attack. A golden opportunity was missed. As a penalty for this mistake, Rommel was assigned Panzer III’s, and not given any newer tanks to fight with until well into the Russian campaign when he had fought his way back into favor. A lesser general never would have seen command again, but this was after all Rommel, and his services were soon to be needed in Russia.
At Christmas, Italy finally joined the Axis. This new development forced the french to shift some troops off the Maginot to guard the Italian border. The mistakes of history will always repeat themselves and the french are the same as everyone else in this regard. For the second time in a year, troop maneuvering resulted in Colmar being defended by one division. This time the Germans struck as one mass unit, and the Maginot was quickly breached as German troops stormed through the hole into the french interior.
Luxembourg and Belgium quickly fell, and with France fighting a two front war against Germany and Italy, the panzers of Guderian sacked an under defended Paris. It was merely a matter of time until France fell to the Germans, and a sympathetic Vichy France was puppeted. With America and France out of the way, Britain was the next victim. With relative control of the seas, an invasion was launched at Scapa Flow and Edinburgh, followed up with a mass landing at Portsmouth. Aside from logistical problems of fuel shortages, the countryside quickly fell, and after a massive battle for London involving 44 defending divisions, the home islands of Great Britain were in German hands.
While the pacific forces with the help of the Aussies waged an advancing war in India, the continental army turned its eyes on Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, slowly but surely defeating and annexing each one in turn. On November 28, 1939, the remaining British forces in India surrendered, and all of Great Britain and its holdings were annexed.
The only threat still standing in the way was the Soviet Union. With Vichy France and Italy guarding western Europe, most German forces were marched towards the east, lining eastern Poland and Romania like a line of ants. Waiting the winter out, troops were rested and refitted while equipment was upgraded. Panzers III became Panzer IV and Panthers. True to Hitler’s word, Rommel’s army received the older tanks to fight the Russians with, while Guderian and Manstein received the best equipment.
Campaign fought using version 1.05c with no mods.
No cheats or exploits were employed in the making of this war history. (Unless you count french military ineptness as an exploit)
This AAR is a-historical (what fun is repeating history?)
Extract:
This After Action Report primarily is a strategical overview of the German war upon the Soviet Union in the years 1940-1941. A brief synopsis will be given regarding the previous campaigns embarked on by the Germans from 1936-1940 so that the reader may get a better understanding of the current world order and political situation at the beginning of the Russian offensive. But the greatest emphasis will be given to covering the Russian campaign of 1940-1941. All attending maps are in reference to the Russian campaign.
The Coup of Coups
It is well known of the Austrian Corporal’s plans for revenge upon Europe, and as the Fuhrer of Germany, his plans to carry such revenge out, including with military vanquishment. The incredible idea to start the war off immediately instead of waiting for the army to be built up properly was inspired upon reading a novel late in 1935 written by a man merely named Panzer Leader entitled “A Lightning Blitzkrieg AAR.” It dealt with a German invasion into the pacifistic United States of America in the mid 1930's. Seeing opportunity here where most would see folly, Hitler took this idea before his top generals: With America completely unprepared for war of any sort, what if Germany was to launch a major invasion of the North America continent?
It was hypothesized and conjectured for many hours. But as it was discussed and ideas bandied about, it soon became apparent that this coup of coups could perhaps work. The benefit above all else was simple: resources and industry. The United States was a goldmine of industry, of wealth, and of coal and steel and oil. The defenses were nil, the army ridiculously small for such a large nation, the military technology still at 1918 levels, the leadership highly apathetic and the people more willing to roll over to an invader than to go to war.
The downside to such an audacious and bold plan of course was risk all out war from Britain and France, no small matter. But this was not a large problem, war against France and Britain would have come anyway, this would merely speed up the timetable. Transports were quickly built, and 18 divisions were sent across the Atlantic.
War against the United States was declared in May 1936 as German troops landed unopposed in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina as an absolutely dumfounded southern populace looked on. Britain and France immediately declared war on Germany, but that was of little significance: The french made several failed invasions across the Maginot with inferior forces, getting slaughtered each time by land and air, merely weakening their forces. In the states, the German panzers quickly advanced in all directions, thirstily aiming to seize the oil in Texas. The greatest battle of the north American campaign was around Washington D.C., where the ill equipped Americans put up a valiant fight before finally falling to Rommel’s panzers.
Germany was now awash in resources as they pillaged the storehouses. Stretched quite thin, but still advancing, the German forces made quick work of the continental United States, guarded by so precious few divisions. Canada being mostly undefended was annexed easily in August. So quick were the attacks, entire fleets were captured in Houston, Washington and California. Now the one thing Germany needed most they had: A strongly equipped navy to ward off the British fleet. Mexico was easily taken and annexed.
The pacific fleet was put to work capturing U.S. possessions, and on July 1st Guam was finally taken. The official annexation of the U.S.A. was delayed till July 4th, 1937, to the disgust of all Americans.
North America now fully German and fortified, the Pacific fleet was sent raiding Allied outposts: Hanoi, Singapore, Kuching. Much booty was carried back to Berlin, namely precious rubber. Australia and the Philippines were easily puppeted. With the help of the Aussies, the “raids” in Southeast Asia soon became permanent German holdings. Singapore, Kuching and Hanoi became German possessions, and much of the world’s rubber supply now went to Berlin.
The Conventional War In Europe
With the New World in German hands, and the Pacific a German playground (the vaunted British navy proved very average against an American fleet in German hands), the focus turned back to home. France and Britain continued weak invasions across the Maginot and landings at Wilhelmshaven, which merely weakened their cause greatly. This front stabilized, it was time to turn east.
July 1938 saw Poland fall quickly, with Stukas showing the value of air support in battle. There were never any talks with Russia over partitioning the fallen nation, and it was annexed in its entirety. With the German power having just conquered the new world and the world’s largest ocean, Russia wasn’t in a position to bargain or complain about this.
The German war machine now focused on their main threat: Western Europe. The plan was to skirt around the heavily defended Maginot through Luxembourg and Belgium. As the forces were shifted northwards to position for the attack, the french were wise to it, and there was much troop movement on the french side moving to the north to counter the German maneuvering. Intelligence reported they had over shifted, for in Colmar, one mere division was left defending the Maginot. Seizing the opportunity, many forces were quickly swung down from Luxembourg to seize Colmar before the french realized their mistake. What looked like a golden opportunity to break through the Maginot turned out in disaster in what is described as one of the greatest military blunders in history: Rommel’s panzer divisions mistook their orders and attacked Colmar a day ahead of the rest of the force, before even air cover could soften the defenders. The French thus alerted of their mistake and consequent German exploitation, quickly closed in with reinforcements before the rest of the German invasion force arrived, and after a short battle thwarted the German attack. A golden opportunity was missed. As a penalty for this mistake, Rommel was assigned Panzer III’s, and not given any newer tanks to fight with until well into the Russian campaign when he had fought his way back into favor. A lesser general never would have seen command again, but this was after all Rommel, and his services were soon to be needed in Russia.
At Christmas, Italy finally joined the Axis. This new development forced the french to shift some troops off the Maginot to guard the Italian border. The mistakes of history will always repeat themselves and the french are the same as everyone else in this regard. For the second time in a year, troop maneuvering resulted in Colmar being defended by one division. This time the Germans struck as one mass unit, and the Maginot was quickly breached as German troops stormed through the hole into the french interior.
Luxembourg and Belgium quickly fell, and with France fighting a two front war against Germany and Italy, the panzers of Guderian sacked an under defended Paris. It was merely a matter of time until France fell to the Germans, and a sympathetic Vichy France was puppeted. With America and France out of the way, Britain was the next victim. With relative control of the seas, an invasion was launched at Scapa Flow and Edinburgh, followed up with a mass landing at Portsmouth. Aside from logistical problems of fuel shortages, the countryside quickly fell, and after a massive battle for London involving 44 defending divisions, the home islands of Great Britain were in German hands.
While the pacific forces with the help of the Aussies waged an advancing war in India, the continental army turned its eyes on Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, slowly but surely defeating and annexing each one in turn. On November 28, 1939, the remaining British forces in India surrendered, and all of Great Britain and its holdings were annexed.
The only threat still standing in the way was the Soviet Union. With Vichy France and Italy guarding western Europe, most German forces were marched towards the east, lining eastern Poland and Romania like a line of ants. Waiting the winter out, troops were rested and refitted while equipment was upgraded. Panzers III became Panzer IV and Panthers. True to Hitler’s word, Rommel’s army received the older tanks to fight the Russians with, while Guderian and Manstein received the best equipment.
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