Bismarck's Spirit: A Pragmatic German Campaign

[Kensai7]

January 1, 1942

Almost three weeks have passed since the national tragedy at the Firth of Forth. Although we had managed to force the British fleet flee, the loss of the Bismarck was a terrible stain in the prestige of the Kriegsmarine and the nation as a whole. Nonetheless, Hitler was more adamant than ever. In his opinion, that last sea battle was the final test that everything was ready for the invasion. We could wait another couple of months for more divisions to get ready and the Italians reach and conquer Iraq, but why? We should finish with Great Britain and use our naval fleet to help the Japanese and force the USA out of the war. Then turn against the Bolsheviks for the final showdown.

The Japanese have hopped on another island in the Pacific. After Wake Island, there goes Midway.

The Italians have already joined with the Axis nation of Saudi Arabia and are rushing their armored division Southwards in Sudan, to destroy the entirety of British African forces. Another thrust goes against Iraq which will be no match for the Italians.

Europe and Northern Africa, as we enter 1942, looks firm in the grasp of the Axis power amongst allied or neutral nations. Only the British resist and are in retreat.

In Asia, Japan is defeating the British Empire and its Commonwealth as well. With the Netherlands neutral (and influenced by Germany) the Japanese can go against the British colonies almost unobstructed. Nonetheless, they will have a harder time once the American forces start concentrating in the Pacific...

 

[guillec87]

nice, it seems as if all is ready for the Invasion, let's hope the Home Fleet doesn't decide to sacrifce herself for the king

 

[GarfunkeL]

You'll just have to construct a new Bismarck!

 

[Kensai7]

All is ready, but I had this nasty surprise. I was thinking that because my raiders were raiding relatively safe in the Atlantic that the majority of British carriers had gone to the East (Asia) and sunk. Apparently the RN is still alive and kicking, let's hope the submarine blockade works as intended and I finish off the rest of their fleet in some kind of decisive naval action.

The new Bismarck is being constructed as we speak. It will be called "Friedrich der Große" and will have a very serious punch. :laugh:

 

[Kensai7]

January 2, 1942

Change of tactics regarding the way our submarines work. Instead of raiding convoys somehow afar from the British islands in order to be out of range from the naval bombers and sudden attacks by the Navy, now they are getting ready for Operation Sealion. They should attack every ship, including warships, in an aggressive way. There is a special concentration in the English channel which should be "sealed off" to protect our invasion barges.

(former policy)

(actual policy)

Our engineers are also working hard to deliver a new powerful engine, the Daimler DB605. With this engine we will have a great edge over any rival airforce and take fewer losses. Hear the sound of this sewing machine!

The weather looks great for operations to start. Albeit frosty midwinter, everything looks calm. Hitler has already given the order for the invasion to start the morning of 3rd of January, 1942.
If we succeed in this we will be indisputable masters of Europe!

 

[Baltasar]

There's still UK ships in the southern and south-eastern ports. Aren't they considered a threat?

 

[Kensai7]

Well, I am bombing them every day or so with the Luftflotten in Northern France. If you see in one of the previous screenshots where I show Dover for example, the port is in less than half of its normal ability. I guess those aerial attacks damage the ships as well, as it happens with the aircraft when I attack airfields. Nonetheless, the units in these airfield and port attacks are almost never completely destroyed, only damaged. Damaged airfields and ports, however, mean they cannot be repaired as quickly.

 

[sebas379]

What a shame the Bismarck was lost. Keep Tirpitz alive until FdG arrives and make the Royal Navy pay! If she is a modern ship model, she should outclass pretty much everything the British have.
Also, I'm not sure about the various speeds of your ships, but I noticed a bunch of different levels. Make sure the fleet isn't slowed down by old escorts, give them the fastest destroyers available! That should allow the fleet to get into range and kill the enemy, and to get out if things get too hot.

 

[Kensai7]

Good point! Yes, I should be making rearrangements. Fast ships with fast and slow with slow. I have noticed that as well, sometimes an older-generation destroyer flotilla or single cruiser slowing down the entire stack. I will do it a week (game time) or so as now we are upon the invasion date!

It is starting... anytime now! :laugh:

 

[guillec87]

you are risking your subs, I hope the strategy pays off

 

[Kensai7]

Better risk my subs than my surface ships, I think. I can quickly replace the latter, but the surface ships are an asset that is gonna be needed to face the RN and the American Navy later.

January 2-3, 1942

The invasion has started everywhere in the morning... the ships are moving against the British shores. The Tirpitz fleet has been commanded to provide shore support and destroy any British naval unit that escapes our submarine chain on the Channel. Four Army Corps are moving to the Southern coast of England and one to the East.

Already our troops are trying to break the defenses of Portsmouth by shock assaults. This tactic breaks their reaction capability, they tried to delay us but to no avail...

By the 3rd of January, the simultaneous attacks are happening everywhere and the 4 paratroopers divisions are getting ready on their planes in Lille to strike East Anglia...

 

[Ikarases]

So it begins...

 

[sebas379]

Ah, Seelöwe. Always a fun operation. I like the thorough aerial and naval campaign in preparation of this one. Good luck.

And about the escorts: remember you can always repurpose those outdated destroyers into sub-hunting units or something. a couple of packs should keep convoy routes secure from submarines, and little is lost if they are jumped by an enemy fleet. In fact I think that's what I should do with mine, rather than assign them to transport fleets to provide very limited protection.

 

[Surt]

At least its an relatively early invasion, not the horror of a '44 invasion ...

 

[guillec87]

At least its an relatively early invasion, not the horror of a '44 invasion ...

true, I never tried it, I tend to have a safe back before I finish them off

 

[Kensai7]

January 3, 1942

In the mid of the cold night four divisions of paras (2 brigades each) landed in East Anglia, seizing immediately a small airfield and naval station. Their surprise attack was virtually unopposed.

Meanwhile the 3rd Infanterie Division which had landed just South of the Thames river mouth (since I had invasion crafts for this Army Corps I want to imagine it as if they moved up the river as far as they could!!!) are attacking London itself! London, surprisingly was left only with its population and HQ stations, no serious defenders. It's gonna be ours in hours!

Some defenders from Southend are trying to harass us but the surprise attack has worked here as well. The British simply could not guess and protect the so many potential invasion routes.

A light cruiser HMS Coventry is trying alone to stop our invading armada... It is doomed.

In Cornwall things are not so good because our 5th Army Corps is facing an armored division that is counterattacking. Thankfully, we landed here with invasion crafts as well, thus our 3 Infantry Divisions quickly got into position and should only pin the enemy down as we sweep them coming from the East.

 

[Surt]

Any followup divisions that can reinforce your landings?

 

[Kensai7]

Yep, I could not move all the divisions at once, did not have enough barges and invasion crafts, so some troops have remained behind, especially the HQs (which I move now as you see for the 5th Corps). And there are also another three Corps of the 5th Army that are the second wave when the bridgehead in Southeastern England has been secured.

Most importantly, the battle of Portsmouth has been won! This was a tough one.

 

[JodelDiplom]

Where is the Royal Navy!! Oh damn you, AI...

Nevertheless, congratulations on a successfully coordinated landing. England will surely be yours in no time!

 

[Kensai7]

You asked for it, here it is! The Royal Navy apparently was hiding in the ports. We may be in trouble!

January 3-5, 1942

The 3rd Corps (two divisions, initially) is having a hard time against the combined attack of British forces. We must help it as soon as possible, its Elastic Defense may not last for long.

Our fleets have finally met with the British fleet and the Tirpitz is moving in to help our invading troops (with shore bombardment) before they get seriously harassed.

Later in the day it joins with our carriers, the battles are hard and include naval bombers and air battles from both sides. The invasion barges in Dover go back to France to get the second wave of our forces, including an armored division waiting in Calais.

The second wave of our invading barges is approaching but the main Schlachtflotte is in real trouble as the mainstays of the Royal Navy have sailed to meet them. And all this time we were thinking the RN was in Asia fighting the Japanese... the ensuing naval battle may mean everything for the invasion's chances... even our submarines have joined in.

Imagine the ad hoc invasion crafts for a moment... it is almost 1,5 year after the historical Sea Lion. New designs joined the unceremonious little barges. More here.