Battle Royale: A WAAr agaist the world AAR.

[dutchmagnum]

The results are in and the chosen country for the first ever Hearts of Iron III Battle Royale is Italy.

Italy received 4 votes, ahead of Brazil (3), France (2), Poland (2) and the Soviet Union (1). I will start playing asap and get the first update out as soon as I can. I have a holiday coming up, so should have time for this. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[kelestra]

I would like to see a Nat. China or Brazil game. On the other hand I think a major power is giving you more possibilities to act.

I would also like to see you back on Germany again. Just because this gives you the most strategic opportunities...

@edit: foo... to late...

 

[TheDerpyBeagle]

Yay, Italy! I think it's good because it's still a major power, but not that strong that it will be easy to beat all of it's neighbours at once.

 

[Schweppenburg]

Eviva Italia! Looking forward to this, and wondering how you will deal with the immer pesky Royal Navy wandering around in your backyard.

 

[Gormytorysh]

So close, I demand a recount . So now that you've 'chosen' Italy, what will your strategy be like?

 

[dutchmagnum]

I started playing this game today and it's not easy. Choosing the correct strategy is of the upmost importance, as there doesn't seem to be much room for error. Every province with a resource counts, maybe more so than VP's. Also, with the war starting right from the start, my army is horribly technologically backward. However, I'm enjoying the challenge. Will give more details in the first update.

 

[Ikarases]

I started playing this game today and it's not easy. Choosing the correct strategy is of the upmost importance, as there doesn't seem to be much room for error. Every province with a resource counts, maybe more so than VP's. Also, with the war starting right from the start, my army is horribly technologically backward. However, I'm enjoying the challenge. Will give more details in the first update.

Zerg Ethiopia down!

 

[dutchmagnum]

Welcome to my newest AAR. The idea for this ‘battle royale’ concept was based on my experience in my previous AAR. I want to answer these questions; what would happen if everyone is at war with everyone
at the same time? Who would be the last man standing? Hopefully it’s Italy, but maybe someone else is stronger. We’ll find out.

Chapter 1, Part I: January 1st to 14th 1936​

Ok, so my country is Italy. It’s a good choice. I’m not an industrial superpower, not a stalwart of technological achievement, not a military powerhouse, but I’m no pushover either and have the potential to be on a par with the world’s
leading powers. I have decided not to aim for any writing awards this time around, although I will do my best to make it interesting. It will be a slow paced AAR where I talk about what I’m doing and why, and try and give an overview
of what is happening around the world.

As a bit of background information, to save time for myself, I modded in a decision that every country will take in the first days of the game. This decision puts the country at war with everyone else and gives a small increase to national
unity. In the interest of fairness, I have also decreased the bonus majors receive with their respective decisions. The war goal for each country, defender and attacker alike, is conquer, so I hope there is no puppeting or peace deals.

Ok, lets get this show on the road.

I’m not going to explain the geopolitical situation of Italy, as many of you probably know this already. However, as I will be at war from the start, so this is no conventional game. I have important decisions to make. Here are some things
I need to be aware of:

1) As there is no trading, I will need to prioritize resource-producing provinces
2) To avoid having too many fronts, I can’t attack everyone at once
3) I don’t have huge amounts of IC or leadership, so I need to choose wisely.

So here is my plan for Europe, so far. I would like to push into Switzerland and take Bern (A) and Zurich (B). This will allow me to take control of the country, which has some usefol fortified borders with France and Germany. Innsbruck (C)
is another initial goal of mine. This province provides 11 units of energy, a resource I am losing everyday. In fact, I may enter Yugoslavia to take Ljubljana (D) too as that’s another resecource producing province. Once these goals are
achieved, I will move on to Step 2.

In East Africa, I have several goals, with the troops to back it up. I will send troops north to Port Sudan (not shown here), west to Khartoum (A), east to Berbera (B) and south to Adis Ababa (C). Also, further south, I want the port
and airfield at Mombasa (D).

As for production, I will focus on infantry, to boost my defences. I will also start work on a tank division and a battleship to get my practicals up. Convoys will also be important, expecially if the Royal Navy focuses on the Mediterranean.

Time to get this war started. On 1st January 1936, Italian troops cross the border into Yugoslavia and Austria. There are no Yugoslav troops in sight, although I can see Austrian troops racing west to defend their territory.

The French border is much better defended and I need to be careful. I do have a couple of corps defending my territory, but they are poorly equipped. Albertville is undefended, so I will enter that province. I also want the port of Nice,
which I’m able to capture eventually, with the support of my bombers.

Surprisingly, Spain has a couple of strategic bombers and they decide to bomb Rome. I try to rebase an interceptor wing to Rome to help defend the capital, but the game won’t let me for some reason. In fact I can’t rebase any of my
airwings. I’ve never seen this before, so I’m not sure if it’s a bug, but it’s annoying. I don’t want to be losing any resources this early in the game.

My navy is pretty good for 1936, although I need some more modern capital ships. South of Sardinia, around the Gulf of Tunis, there are several skirmishes with the Royal Navy and the French navy. There are no losses on either side,
which is disappointing, as several transports were involved.

I finally come into contact with the Austrian army. They aren’t ready for war by the looks of it, but the mountain terrain is helping them out. It’s no easy battle, as it takes a while to get my infantry into place.

Luxemburg becomes the first casualty of the war, as France steamrolls into the little Duchy. In fact, the French are advancing into Germany as well, who lack troops in the area. I wonder what Germany’s priorities will be.

The Suez Canal is a critical strategic objective for me, so I decide to send my only division in North Africa eastwards. If I remember rightly, the British don’t start with many divisions here, but they may reinforce.

In Africa, I come into contact with Ethiopia for the first time. This is a battle I should win. I also approach Kenya. It would be nice if I could take the airfield in Mombasa.

On January 11th, I take the city of Ljubljana. The extra resources will be nice. I now need to form a (small) defensive line.

News of the world​

Here is Central Europe two weeks into the war. Czechoslovakia is looking a little smaller. With lots of borders, they’re in a tough position. Hungary is expanding in three different directions and Germany has entered Polish territory.

Panama is the second casualty of the war, as the US annexes them on January 13th. The United States is my favorite to win this Battle Royale, as they have the long-term industrial power. If the AI can handle it.

Two days later, Haiti doubles the size of its country as it annexes the Dominican Republic. Not sure it will help in the long run, but it’s a good effort anyway.

Over in North West Africa, Spain is enlarging its colonial empire. It looks like Spain could have been another fun country to play. Maybe another time.

Finally, in Central Asia, the British and Soviets are playing the ‘Great Game’ once more, as they aim to take control of as much territory as they can before they clash with each other.

That’s all for Part I. Feel free to give your comments or predictions. Who will be the last country standing?

 

[TheDerpyBeagle]

Very good start. It looks like the French are pushing deep into Germany. If they succeed in taking them over, a french behemoth could be major trouble for you. I expect the USA to really become the United States of America instead of the United States of North America. Going for the Suez Canal is a good move. But just incase the British reinforce, will you be willing to send reinforcements to Libya? Or do you not value Africa that much?

 

[Ikarases]

Shame that France has the MP and probably even production nerf (I doubt they would build too many ships if the world went haywire ), but whatever.

You're in a big advantage compared to other countries; you already had your forces mobilized as you started the game. Make some good use of it then

 

[borakapan]

I really liked your last AAR and this is looking even better than that. I hope the game won't end up in a stalemate.(You know, just like in 1984)

 

[Schweppenburg]

Very nice idea this, and indeed a shame you didn't manage to sink any Royal Navy or French transports. What is your research strategy?
Beware of UK landings on Sardinia, the UK is interested in the resources there!

 

[Mountainduke]

Its great to see the whole world at war like this as the situation can go all directions.
Hard to tell yet who comes out best at the end but the Us and the Soviets have the best cards on the long term.
But then again as a player you can always make a difference to those 'power houses'.
Good luck with it, I will be following this.

 

[dutchmagnum]

Very good start. It looks like the French are pushing deep into Germany. If they succeed in taking them over, a french behemoth could be major trouble for you. I expect the USA to really become the United States of America instead of the United States of North America. Going for the Suez Canal is a good move. But just incase the British reinforce, will you be willing to send reinforcements to Libya? Or do you not value Africa that much?

North Africa is very much part of the plan, but as you'll see in the next update, East Africa will be put aside for a while. Europe is where the true battleground is.

Shame that France has the MP and probably even production nerf (I doubt they would build too many ships if the world went haywire ), but whatever.

You're in a big advantage compared to other countries; you already had your forces mobilized as you started the game. Make some good use of it then

The advantage doesn't last long. In fact, the terrain cancels out any advantage at all.

Very nice idea this, and indeed a shame you didn't manage to sink any Royal Navy or French transports. What is your research strategy?
Beware of UK landings on Sardinia, the UK is interested in the resources there!

The main focus of my research will be infantry (weapons and doctrines), industry and resources. I will need to work a bit on armor and ships though too.

I really liked your last AAR and this is looking even better than that. I hope the game won't end up in a stalemate.(You know, just like in 1984)

Glad you're back for the next one. I'm hoping there won't be a stalemate either. If my Italy is defeated, I may tag into another country to keep things going.

Its great to see the whole world at war like this as the situation can go all directions.
Hard to tell yet who comes out best at the end but the Us and the Soviets have the best cards on the long term.
But then again as a player you can always make a difference to those 'power houses'.
Good luck with it, I will be following this.

I will tell you that I've played though February and there are some funny looking borders right now around the world. I'm having fun, although this is much harder than my previous AAR.

 

[dutchmagnum]

Chapter 1, Part II: January 15th to 31st 1936​

If there is one thing I’ve learned from the opening months of this game, it’s that this Battle Royale format is difficult. January 1936 is not a good
time for war, as technology isn't as advanced and there aren’t enough troops to go around. My infantry divisions consist of only 2 brigades each
and I’m already desperately waiting for new divisions to be produced. It’s fun. Lets see how the opening stages of the war progress.

In France, I launch an attack on a French division in Briancon (A). Despite my numerical advantage, there isn’t much chance of dislodging the better-trained
mountain division. In fact, the French launch a counter-attack into the Italian province of Pinarolo.

The odds are stacked against my two brigades in Pinarolo and I decide to let them retreat into the province of Asti. With two divisions of mine moving
forward on the left and right flanks, maybe I can lead the French into a trap.

By January 17th my motorized corps has reached the Swiss border and is advancing into empty provinces (I don’t want them confronting mountain divisions.
I should probably send this corps somewhere with better terrain, but they’re here now and they’ll have to do. If I can defeat the Swiss, then the motorized
corps will be needed in the flat terrain beyond. By the end of the month, I am getting close to the capital Bern. I hope I get there before the French do.

In Austria, my infantry attack the enemy in Innsbruck, a province I really want. The Austrians have mobilized quickly though, so it looks like I’ll need some
support to gain a victory here. Luckily support is on the way, albeit extremely slowly.

I also try my luck in Yugoslavia, but my infantry just isn’t that good yet. I decide to call off the battle. I don’t have the strength yet to advance into
the Balkans anyway.

At the start of the game, I had big plans for East Africa. What I forgot however, is that being at war with the UK has the disadvantage of no supplies
being able to reach my troops. Therefore I can’t do anything at the moment.

Because of this situation, I send two more divisions to support the march to the Suez Canal. I have a feeling I will need these reinforcements. Without success here, my entire African army is doomed.

Only one division in Africa is still going strong. In Kenya, this division is attacked by the British. The attackers are thrown back in disarray and a
counterattack ensures the port of Mombasa is now in Italian hands. For now at least.

News of the world​

Nothing much has changed in Central Europe. The countries with the ability to get new divisions into the field quickly will be the ones able to survive longest.

In the Low Countries it seems Germany has set Holland as a priority. Belgium is also getting a lot smaller. This could set up the big clash between Germany
and France. Hopefully that will be to my advantage.

In Iberia, Spain has taken half of Portugal. They will then confront the British in the South and, maybe, harrass the French around the Pyrenees.

The UK attacks it’s first obvious target and so Ireland will be gone soon. I wonder who the UK will focus on next. With a huge empire, it could be anybody.

In the Middle East, Iraq is starting well, advancing into French Syria, Persia and taking British Kuwait.

China is another hotspot that could be fun. It seems that Communist China has pretty much doubled the size of its country, while the Nationalists focus
on advancing south towards Guang Xi.

In South America, the huge distances involved will make it difficult for each country to gain an advantage. However Bolivia and Paraguay have been
able to expand at the expense of Brazil and Argentina.

Next time: How will my operation in France turn out?

 

[Gormytorysh]

I love the AAR already! Funny to see the AI invading countries that are normally allies and interesting to see how France is fighting on so many fronts. Will they keep it up or will you take over France? Can't wait for the next update .

 

[Belgiumruler]

This is interesting... Did you made a decision for this scenario setup? In that case, I like to have it

 

[Gormytorysh]

This is interesting... Did you made a decision for this scenario setup? In that case, I like to have it

Now that you mention it.... same here!

 

[Schweppenburg]

Really funny this. Taking Switzerland seems like a good plan, but where to go from there? Austria would be a good guess, then then your border with Germany will become quite long....

 

[dutchmagnum]

This is interesting... Did you made a decision for this scenario setup? In that case, I like to have it

Now that you mention it.... same here!

I did create my own decision for this AAR. I also deleted all faction members, alliances, puppets and guarantees. If you would like the code for the decision just 'pm' me. As long as you don't post an Italian AAR ; )