A Long Road Ahead...(Doomsday 1.2 with HSR2.08 German AAR)

[Rommel22]

(Doomsday 1.2 with HSR 2.08 on Hard/Normal.)

Outbreak of War

It is 1939, Germany stands ready for war. Its borders expanded dramaticly without a shot being fired in the past few years is good news to its leader and the people, but a concern to other nations around the world.

Now with Hitler bidding for another piece of land, European leaders had enough and are ready to stand against Hitler and his Germany. The piece of land that is now the focus of everyone’s attention is the Danzig corridor.

Will the European leaders finally stand up against Hitler or will he once again grab another piece of land as everyone sits by and watches helplessly?

Since 1936 Germany has focused on upgrading it military in every way, as well as its industry and other technologies secret to the other nations. Not only did the High Command (OKH) set its priorities on land forces, but also it’s navy, totally nullifying any treaties.

New divisions were built, new Aircraft Carriers, one completed this year (1939) and 3 others the following year. The goal was to make sure Germany was able to secure her borders abroad if so needed.

Wehrmacht

Luftwaffe

The Axis Alliance

The Technology

Because Germany being a closed society it is, not many people have the chance to enter its borders at free will. So other nations employed a good number of their spies to oversee Germany’s advancements and military standing. This of course didn’t go unnoticed, so the intelligence agency put forth a great effort the rid Germany of all the enemy spies.

Thanks to relentless and merciless work of Germany’s agents, by 1937, there were no enemy spies within Germany’s borders. However and effort was made to return the favor, so numerous spies infiltrated the UK, France and the Soviet Union. The “Big 3” as Hitler saw them.

Now it’s August 1939, the Danzig Corridor is the focus. The Soviet Union approaches Germany to seek a non aggression pact, and secretly proposing the splitting of Poland in case of war and post war. As well as to decide a respective sphere of influence.

Seems like a good proposition, but Hitler, considering his option will hear non of it and decides to reject the Soviet demands. The fact is, the agreement would allow the Soviets a free hand in areas the Reich swore to protect, mainly its allies, or possible allies. This would be a betrayal, Hitler wanted none of it.

However some people didn’t agree with this decision, and some higher ups didn’t either. They saw the offer as an opportunity, but Hitler only saw it as an attempt by the Soviet to further expand west. Another reason for Hitler’s decisions against this offer was to show other European powers, he didn’t really want war, and hoped they see it that way too.

When August 29th came he issued Poland a Final Ultimatum. Give Germany the Danzig corridor or Germany will take it by means of force. The Polish stood firm and rejected the Ultimatum. As a result, War was Declared on Poland. The Armed forces of Germany, the Wehrmacht, was already poised to strike, and an invasion plan forged few months earlier.

The plan called for the encicrlement of most of the Polish Army on its western frontier. The main thrust being made by Army Group South, which fields most of the armored and motorized divisions. In the North, Army group North would capture Danzig and drive through Prussia in Torun, where it would link up with Army Group South.

As a result a massive pocket would trap a majority of the Polish forces, the rest would be left to the infantry divisions to finnish off the Poles. The Luftwaffe is to gain air supremecy and allow the 2 Wings (8 sqaudrons) of Stukas to rain death, day and night, on the Polish defenders. The 2 wings of HE-111s are to interdict the Poles as well.

In the west, a total of 22 Divisions will stand gaurd over the the French/German border. While the rest of the Luftwaffe, 4 Airwings will patrol the skies against possible French and Brittish bombers.

The navy however, being no match so far agains the Brittish or French navies, will have to stay in port. The Graf Zeppeling, an aircraft carrier being just commisioned joined the fleet. And 3 more new carriers will in early 1940, maybe then, with the aid of 2 wings of Naval Bombers will the Kriegsmarine venture out to meet the allied navies.

However, right now the focus is on Poland, to finnish the war as quickly as possible, with the fewest losses possible.

The Graf Zeppelin aircraft Carrier.

The newly fielded 1. LSSAH Motorized division getting ready for the attack. Final orders are given to the troops.

 

[unmerged(60155)]

the allies wont know what hit them when they german CARRIERS along with subs in the atlantic

*subscribes* its always nice to see a good human controlled blitz

 

[unmerged(47162)]

good luck!

 

[Rommel22]

Soon after the Declaration of War on Poland, the allies declare war on Germany. However, the French government reconsiders and agrees to a peace with the Axis forces. Most likly the reason being is the fact that Nationalist Spain threatens France's souther border while Germany is to its eastern border. This the OKH and Hitler didn't really count on, but it is a relief at the same time.

While German forces roll into Poland, steam rolling over Polish defenses, the British, Canadian and Australian Air Forces send bombers to bomb German industry and cities. However, thanks to 2 Wings of interceptors (8 squadrons) they are kept at bay and never penetrate into German air space.

The workhorse of the luftwaffe, keeping the skies over Germany free of enemy aircraft.

In Souther Poland, positioned in Slovakia, Hungarian and Slovak forces launch and attack on Styr and Cracow. The Poles in Styr retreat after several days of combat, the Hungarians, proving themselfs to be a valuable ally. Cracow however is a different story, the Slovaks are unable to make any headway and are forced to call off the attack.

A few days later, another attempt is made, however with the aid of 3 German divisions. This is enough for the attack, and the Polish are thrown back.

German troops in the outskirts of Cracow engaged in intense close quarter combat.

With resounding success all across the front, the encicrlement of some 17 Polish divisions and the subsequent capture and destruction of these divisions, the German forces press forward. By September 10th Warsaw is captured, only 1 infantry division defending the Polish capital is quickly overun.

By September 20th, the Polish government sues for peace, and Poland is annexed into the Greater Reich.

The Polish campaign proved to be a quick succesfull campaign. As a result Germany's land mass doubles, and soon the Polish industry will be producing for the Reich. But this will take time however, many factories sustained damage, and many people despise the German rule. A 'peace keeping' force will need to be set up and quel any unrest.

The German Reich.

However, now a dilema shows itself. Without any strategic plan, the OKH and Hitler are left with the decision of what to do next. France, which everyone thought would go to war with Germany is at peace with the Axis. Altough be it an uneasy peace, both countries stationed a good number of forces on the border. The UK and it's allies are at war with Germany and constantly send bombers to try and penetrate German airspace.

So the dilema now is, what to do next? Should Germany still go to war with France, or remain peacefull and focus on building up it's navy and taking the war to Britian. Or possibly build up its land forces further and turn east. The threat of the Soviet Union is more worrying than the western allies, and Hitler and many other politicians, and Generals see the SU as the biggest threat.

That is why Hitler declined any deals with the SU in the first place, and now Stalin upset with the response might see Germany as a ripe target for his expansion west. He would be able to catch Germany in a possible 2 front war.

So what now? Turn East in 1940, or turn West and go to war with France? Or turn west, but remain at peace with France?

 

[Rommel22]

In Spain things are not looking to great, the British have landed 3 divisions and established a bridgehead. This is a little worrying, the Spanish government seems a little slow to respond and only sends 3 divisions, not to throw back the Brittish but to only contain them. The worry here is that the Brittish will obviously expand upon this and breakout into Spain. Something has to be done here.

In the meantime, Polish partisans are a major nusience in Poland. Some actully openly revolt in eastern Poland and capture the town of Lunice. Soon however, these partisans are dealt with. Which is another reason for a major peace keeping force in the area.

A new Waffen-SS division is also deployed, the 3. SS Tokenkopf Panzer Division. The 1. SS Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler already battle hardened took part in the Polish invasion, being the driving force behind the capture of Danzig and showing great skill and determination in battle. This elite branch of the German Army might prove usefull.

** Can a mod or an admin change the title of this thread. There is too may '...fatherland' names already and I didn't notice this. The title I'd like is "An uncertain future..."**

 

[unmerged(47162)]

who does that prov belong to on the russian border? romania?

 

[unmerged(60155)]

good luck. although you might want to help out your friends in spain first before you go east or west

 

[Rommel22]

@lifeless: No, partisans. They revolted and captured that province.

@chefportnen: I am going to try.

 

[unmerged(47582)]

Just edit ur first post. That way u can change the title.

And keep up the good work!!!

 

[Rommel22]

In November 1939, Polish partisans began harrasing German and Hungarian forces in earnest. Being as bold as to attack Hungarian forces face to face. It appeared as though the partisans would be crushed quickly, however it turned out othervise.

By November 25th, the Partisans and Hungarian forces were still battling it out, the partisans proved to be determined and fairly well armed. This alarmed the Hungarian and German leadership. The newly raised 3.SS Tokenkopf was immediatly dispatched to eastern Poland and help out the Hungarians.
Within a few days, the combined effort of the Tokenkopf and Hungarian forces crushed the partisans.

However the next day, on the 26th of November, more partisans, more organized rebeled else where in Poland. This odesity by the Polish partisans was evident, the sparse local forces couldn't hope to maintain order and the partisans knew this. Soon however, more forces, were dispatched to deal with them.

It is clear more police units were needed to quel these rebels, and soon!

 

[Rommel22]

November 13th 1939, the Soviets Declared War on Finland. Hitler vowed support for the Finns, supplies and resources were sent to Finland to help defend itself against the Soviet onslaught. However, it is evident it will not be able to hold out very long against the sheer might of the SU.

It was even proposed to send Finland several fully equiped German divisions, however on arrival would be issued Finnish uniforms. No decision was made however, as this action might prove disasterous. However it was not rejected, a close eye would be kept on events.

Else where in the world, the Spanish were not farring so well. The Brittish landed 6 divisions in spain, capturing Tarrangona and Barcelona. It seemed as if the Spanish were unable to do much about it.

Situation in Spain December 10th 1939.

By Febraury the Brittish expand their holdings and break out of their bridgehead. Things are not looking good, and a plan is put forth to help the Spaniards. First 2 fully equiped German divisions are sent to Spain. The 98th and 143rd infantry divisions. The second phase calls for the German Marine Korps, 3 marine divisions, to be shipped to Spain.

Situation in Spain 9th February 1940.

On Febraury 16th the Marines escorted by the Kriegsmarine fielding the Graf Zeppelin are intercepted in the English channel by the Royal Navy.

After several days of battle it is decided to withdraw, however the Kriegsmarine scores a victory and the HMS Argus is sunk, a carrier no less. It is hailed a victory by the Brittish, but the Kriegsmarine doesn't see it that way.

After resuplying and some repairs another attempt is made to ship the marines to Spain. Once more the Brittish intercept the transports and the escorting fleet. This time, the Kriegsmarine scores a total victory over the Brittish. However the fleet does take damage and so do the transports it is decided to head home once more. The risk of more damage and possibly loosing the fleet, the transports and 30,000 Marines is too of a high price.

The Royal Navy stays on the heels of the Kriegsmarine and engages in battle once more, however the superior technology of the Kriegsmarine shows itself once more and another Brittish ship is sunk a battleship. Even the mission wasn't accomplished, the result of the engagments with the RN are a success, the Brittish loosing a number of ships.

Brittish Ships sunk:

With this however, all hope of comming to the aid of Spain is lost, or is it?

 

[Rommel22]

In the meantime other events take place. Febraury 2nd 1940, a new Waffen-SS division is fielded, the Polizei division. However the shortage of SS uniforms prevents the division to be properly outfitted, however in time this problem will be made good. Only a few companies and recon elements recieve the proper uniforms.

Soldiers of the 4.SS Polizei division.

March 7th 1940, the supply ship Altmark is captured by the Brittish in the neutral waters of Norway. This enfuriates Hitler and it is decided to act, a plan is put forth for a possible invasion of Norway.

By March 8th 1940, the situation in Spain has totally fallen apart, and any hope of salvage is lost. Hitler promises Franco that his country will however be avenged and liberated from the yoke of the Brittish.

In the meantime, the Wehrmacht is busy in upgrading to newer equipment and training the troops. It is still not known what will come next, a possible liberation of Spain in the near future? A possilbe invasion of the Brittish home Isle? Norway? Or the invasion of Soviet Union to save Finland from certain destruction?

No one knows, and sadly enough, neither does OKH, the Generals or Hitler himself. No plans have been made prior to the war with Poland for strategic goals and this is troublesome to say the least. It would be a mistake to leave the western front open to attack if a war with the SU was to commence. Who knows what the French might do, they are obviously strongly in favor of the allies and are no doubt helping the allied war effort.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[unmerged(57302)]

I say kick the frenchies butt's: because they'll only get stronger everyday you let pass. The next thing to do would be the conquest of the Iberian peninsula - I suggest that a good part of the british land force could be crushed during this operation.

Keep it coming!

 

[unmerged(60155)]

good job bringing down that carrier and battleship

if you continue naval successes like those, then sealion wont be a problem

 

[unmerged(58737)]

Don't let the nationalists be crushed, after having fought so hard to just survive already! !

HSR seems very interesting. I might just try it out.

 

[unmerged(47162)]

well...at least you can always blame the incompetent ai for the loss of spain right...

 

[Rommel22]

@Sheepguard: I think you might be right, I need to take care of France, which will allow me to libirate Spain and at the same time give me a much better base of operations against Brittian.

@chefportnen: I hope so, I will have much better success when my other 3 carriers are finnished.

@HKslan: I tried to help, but I am not risking my small navy and 30,000 Marines. I already sacrificed 20,000 German soldiers. But, I will liberate Spain, soon.

@lifeless: well, for the sake of the story, I blame the Spanish High Command and the countries leaders. Maybe once a make it there, I can set up a new, more efficient government.

Thanks for the replies, thanks for reading.

 

[Rommel22]

Report from the Spanish Front by a German soldier.

I didn't have a problem with being shipped here, to help out the Spanish Government and fight along side Spanish troops. When we first got here, and learned of the situation report, we were hopefull, that our presense will boost the moral of the Spanish soldiers.

But now, after 2 months of fighting, the situation is hopeless. Here I am with my unit, in the 98th Infantry Division, defending Madrid from the Brittish. Where did it go wrong? We had such an opportunity to deal the Brittish a blow and throw them back into the sea, but the Spanish troops seemed unconcerned and more worrying the Spanish higher ups appeared very lathergic in their response.

My unit, the 98th along with the 143rd, fought side by side. However we all felt alone, as if our 2 divisions were the only ones fighting agains the Brittish. We attempted to hold them at Saragossa first, and we held off 5 Brittish divisions for over a week. The Spanish troops however who fought along side us, fled the very next day. We were in shock, how could they just abandon their own people and flee? No matter, we fought, we knew what we were fighting for and remained in our possition as long as we could.

We were only forced to withdraw when we got word another landing occured south of us. Threating to cut us off, so we withdrew, hoping to set up another defensive line. We were all a little depressed after the poor showing of the Spanish forces, but we were optimistic. Hoping that maybe it was an isolated incident and the next unit we were to fight along side with were determined to hold off the invasion.

A German soldier part of the 98th Infantry Division in Spain waiting on the next attack from the Brittish.

We set our defenses outside of Siguenza, the terrain was fairly similiar to that of our previous possition. So we got ready to dig in, but we didn't get to finnish, a report came in saying the Brittish have broken through to the North West and South East of us and advancing. We had to withdraw once more, not even encountering any Brittish soldiers.

We knew where we were headed now, Madrid. To any layman, this was obvious, perfect defensive possition, behind a river, in a big city. Everyone was in fairly good spirits, feeling good about our new mission. We however didn't know the extent of the situation is Spain. At the time, we had no idea we were trapped, surrounded. At the time, we were busy with building up the defenses. I was tasked with digging trenches, dug outs and chopping wood to build some primitive bunkers out of.

Not long after however, Brittish bombers were spotted overhead. They started bombing our possition, but with little effect. They missed most of the time, causing very light casualties and almost no equipment losses. We weren't sure what to make of it. Either they were blind, incompetent or we were just lucky.

German troops under Brittish artillery fire.

 

[unmerged(58737)]

These Spanish troops, pathetic. If the Civil War wasn't (IMO) so fun to play, I would remove this flag in my avatar right this minute.

Nice update, though.

 

[unmerged(51077)]

AIt looks like Franco needs to train his soldiers better