Black Crusaders - HPP mod Germany 1936 AAR

[Cybvep]

Hello!

I want to do a nice little AAR concerning Germany in HPP mod. It will be my first one, so don't shout at me too much. Constructive criticism is, naturally, fully appreciated .

It will be my first HOI3 game after a rather long break. I will play on custom Hard difficulty. Basically, I decreased AI combat bonus from 20% per difficulty level to 5% and increased its economic potency. However, I also transferred some of that "lost" combat bonus to increased ORG regain and higher ORG level. I also lowered my own ORG regain by 10%.

hard_ai = {
global_ic = 0.4
global_resources = 0.4

global_manpower_modifier = 0.5
officer_recruitment = 0.5
land_organisation = 0.10
org_regain = 0.2

reinforcement_bonus = 0.1

supply_consumption = -0.25
supply_throughput = 0.35
naval_base_efficiency = 0.5
}

I play with 2.03 patch and HPP mod (version 1.7.1). It will mostly be a Gameplay AAR.

I won't be playing classically, i.e. Anschluss in 1938, Danzing or War in 1939 etc. I will follow a different strategy - I intend to do a sufficient buildup before the war. Of course, that doesn't mean that everything will go as planned .

The first update will arrive today. Get ready, folks!

BTW can I post LINKS to videos containing Nazi symbols?


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TABLE OF CONTENTS:


1. The Buildup

2. The West, The East and The Wicked

3. Spanish Civil War, the Anschluss and the Winter War

4. End of Dreams 1940-1941

5. Emergency Plans

6. Naval Report 21th of April 1941

7. Invasion of Denmark

8. General Report Summer 1941

9. The Crazy 1941

10. Naval Matters

11. Invasion of France

12. The Hellish 1942

13. Brief Strategic Analysis of the German situation on 11th of April 1942

14. Taking On the Bear

15. Western Front in 1942

16. Encirclements and other matters

17. Busy Fall of 1942

18. General Report January 1943

19. Operation Sunflower 16th-24th of January 1943

20. The GhostWriter's Option

21. The Crusade Continues

21a. German Industry 1941-1943

22. Progress in the East

22a. Soviet Power Levels 1941-1943

23. To the East!

24. The North, The South and The Centre

25. The Push

26. Highway to Hell

27. Expansion of the Greater German Reich in 1943

28. The Final Hours

29. Finishing the Bear Off v.1

30. Finishing the Bear Off v.2

31. Finishing the Bear Off v.3

32. The Grim Reality

32a. Soviet Power Levels 1943

33. Here comes the unexpected!

34. The September Struggle

35. The September Struggle v.2

36. A New Hope

37. The Crusade Regains Momentum

38. The End Is In Sight

39.Logistical Nightmare

 

[Cybvep]

The Buildup

1936

In 1936 Germany is still weak. Surrounded by enemies, it must carefully build-up its military and industrial might. Step by step, the Great Nation will prepare itself for the European Crusade.

Construction of first batch of IC is expected to finish in December 1936. I don't intend to do much IC-whoring, but the more I construct now, the more powerful I get in the later years. Naturally, I don't want to overextend my fragile resource base and rather small budget. You've got to love those revised HPP resource values and stockpiling penalties! They actually started to matter and it's hard to stockpile endless amounts of them.

Fledgling German shipyards and aviation industry factories start proper military production. New submarines, light fighters and medium bombers were ordered. I intend to expand my low practicals - it's a must if somebody wants a big airforce and a navy that can put up a good fight.

Additionally, expansion of the existing airfields in Bitburg, Wilhelmshaven and Stuttgart was deemed necessary. Those airfields are strategically placed and allow us to cover most of Western Germany.

In order to secure the nation's stability and protect the German people from the Red Menace from the east and democratic mongrels from the west new infantry divisions must be formed. Guns, uniforms, ammunition and other equipment will be needed in abundance.

During the 1936 German technology and intelligence network must be greatly expanded. Focus is placed on the land forces, industrial techs and the navy. Tanks, trucks, aircraft and ships require heaps of oil that we don't have. Oil must be imported and refined, so proper oil refining technology is a must.

In HPP gaining oil is much harder than in Vanilla. Gone are the days where everyone could have 99999 oil stockpiles.

Industrial techs are very useful, because they increase the output of so-called "real" IC. I intend to improve my IC production, IC efficiency AND supply production techs in order to gain as much juice out of my factories as possible. In HPP they are even more important than usual, since you can access your MP reserves sooner than in Vanilla and you need to utilise them if you want to keep up with the major powers.

Because I need money for trading and because my resource base is still not secured, I decided to stay on "Full Mobilisation" for a while. "War Economy" laws will be enacted when the war is nearer.

I could, of course, increase taxes in order to gain more money, but as you can see on the screenshot the popularity of Nazi regime is by no means unshakeable and there is nothing more unpopular in the minds of general population than tax rises. It should be noted that enacting harsh economics laws such as "War Economy" can be harmful for popularity, too. Coups can and DO happen in HPP.

On the diplomatic front I have several goals in mind.

Firstly, I want to push USA back from the Allied side a bit. Last thing I need is the USA joining Allies prematurely. Therefore, I will keep my threat under control as long as it is feasible and influence the USA for a while. I don't know whether I will invite Japan to the alliance - they may mess things up too much. We will see.

Secondly, I want to influence Middle East countries rich in oil to my side. Persia and Saudi Arabia are my major targets. I will try to invite them to the Axis when things start to get messy and threat of Axis/Comintern countries skyrockets.

Thirdly, I want to curtail the Allied influence. I will monitor the diplomatic triangle and counter-influence European countries close to the Allied side. Because of my AI economic bonuses minor allies start to count, too.

Hopefully, war will not start anytime soon. Or at least that's the plan...

EDIT: Next update will have bigger pictures, I promise.

 

[TheBromgrev]

I'm for one looking forward to see what you have planned.

Also, will you go historical in Asia and ally with your old enemy Japan, or continue to bring China toward the Axis. I see in your screenshot that China is heading toward your point on the triangle. Did you do that, or was it the AI?


With the links, here's what the rules post says about it:

NOTE: There will not be any swastikas in the game, because it IS illegal to show them in Germany and various other countries. Same goes for other Nazi symbols (e.g. related to the SS) or Nazi propaganda material, including songs etc. Any links posted to a mod which includes a Swastika or other illegal Nazi symbols will be deleted. Any threads that complain about this issue will be closed.

I would interpret that as nothing should appear in-game. Unless you modded the HPP to include the banned material, you should be fine posting a link to a YouTube video or something similar. Then again, I'm not the mod for the AAR forum, so you should probably not do so until you hear from one of the moderators.

 

[Slan]

Wow Good luck

About those oil-rich minors: you should keep an eye on their Neutrality. Nations with high Neutrality tend to mind their own business, not joining factions. The "magic limit" is 85 if I remember correctly. Unless they are at war of course, in which case they will join just about anyone... (With a very few coded exceptions.) That is true for the USA as well. Their isolationism is reflected. Actually, it can be quite a challenge to overcome that as a player.

 

[PaxImperator]

I'm following this! Very curious to see where it'll lead.

I suppose you're using the standard victory conditions?

 

[loki100]

sounds intriguing ... will be interesting to see how the HPP mod plays out

 

[Cybvep]

Also, will you go historical in Asia and ally with your old enemy Japan, or continue to bring China toward the Axis. I see in your screenshot that China is heading toward your point on the triangle. Did you do that, or was it the AI?

That was the AI. I maintain good relations with Japan, but I don't know yet whether they will be useful. It depends on their performance in China and JAP-USA relations. If they f*** things up, then I think I will pass.

We will see about China.

Many nations are aligning to me, including Hungary, Italy etc.

About those oil-rich minors: you should keep an eye on their Neutrality. Nations with high Neutrality tend to mind their own business, not joining factions. The "magic limit" is 85 if I remember correctly. Unless they are at war of course, in which case they will join just about anyone... (With a very few coded exceptions.) That is true for the USA as well. Their isolationism is reflected. Actually, it can be quite a challenge to overcome that as a player.

Hmm... If things go badly and those nations refuse to comply, then I think I will have to ask my friend Mussolini to take out the trash.

I suppose you're using the standard victory conditions?

Not really.

I have no idea what VCs the other factions have, because I removed other VCs from the file ("complex" and "historical" versions) and manually deleted the default conditions in the main menu. Therefore, they have randomised VCs and I can only guess what they need to do in order to win. We will see how it will affect gameplay.

sounds intriguing ... will be interesting to see how the HPP mod plays out

This mod has been greatly expanded. It started out as a bunch of fixes and minor diplomacy changes and ended up as an overhaul comparable with ICE mod.

 

[CptEasy]

Interesting, Cybvep. I'll follow it.

 

[TheBromgrev]

That was the AI. I maintain good relations with Japan, but I don't know yet whether they will be useful. It depends on their performance in China and JAP-USA relations. If they f*** things up, then I think I will pass.

We will see about China.

If you're using my latest changes to the Chinese theater, then Japan should do better than they have in the past. The main thing is that I lowered China's starting militia practical from a monstrous 10 down to 3. That should slow down how quickly the militia horde is built, but I haven't finished a test game yet to see what the long-term effects are. If you aren't using the border changes, then nothing special should happen to affect AI Japan's performance.

 

[Cybvep]

The West, The East and The Wicked

1936 and 1937

[Somewhere in Berlin...]

Adolf: You see, Goering? I told you those mongrels were useless. Just look at them! Even when combined, those American, British and French weaklings could get just as many medals as the German people. 89 will be the number they will remember forever!

Goering: Indeed, Mein Fuhrer.

Adolf: Just wait until--

Shouting man: MEIN FUHRER, MEIN FUHRER!

Adolf: How impertinent. What is it, soldier?

Impertinent soldier: I am sorry, Mein Fuhrer, but situation in Spain went hot. The military revolted against Spanish government!

Adolf: Finally! It took Franco some time. Arrange for material assistance and gather volunteers immediately!

Impertinent soldier: Yes, Mein Fuhrer!

Adolf: You see, Goering. Even unwashed Spaniards can be useful.

Goering: And if they fail, Mein Fuhrer?

Adolf: They will not fail. Our volunteers could beat those socialists single-handedly.

Goering: Good point, Mein Fuhrer. The world will tremble to our knees.

Firsts months of Spanish Civil War went well for the Nationalists. They took Madrid and they have the upper hand. Germany and Italy intervened, while the so-called government of Spain did not even receive the help of western mongrels. Bolsheviks, however, supported them.

In order to secure the standing of the new regime, German spies started eliminating its enemies and planting the proper ideas in people's heads.

That was just one part of the improvements made in German intelligence network. We have already infiltrated the British, French, Austrian and Romanian governments. Local Nazi parties will be supported in Austria and Romania. When it comes to the French and the British, we will try to make their lives even more miserable than usual.

We are progressing nicely. Most of our practicals and knowledge levels are going up and we have 193 IC. If our spies can be trusted, IC-wise we outperform both France and UK, although not when those two are combined. However, we are still at "Full Mobilisation" and most likely democratic countries have lesser laws.

Our army has been greatly expanded. As you can see, mobility and brigade support are my priorities. However, I most likely will not try to brigade 100% of my INF units, because it's good to have some "pure" infantry for those low-infra provinces. Art is the main support brigade. AA brigades will be mostly used in the western campaigns (at least that's the plan). AT and TD brigades (both attached to INF units) will be used in a way I call "reactive", i.e. I will try to counter enemy armoured formations.

I will use 2xLARM+1xAC as exploitation units. AC is fast enough and such unit gets CA bonus. Those I call "Armoured Divisions". Heavier versions are called "SS Armoured Divisions" and are composed of 2xARM+1xMOT... For now. I will add support units later.

Things started to get hot in the Far East...

 

[Cybvep]

Spanish Civil War, the Anschluss and the Winter War

1938 and 1939

Nationalists continued to make progress in Spain until Republicans were finally beaten in late 1938. It's good to have a friendly regime there, as it opens up various possibilities for the Axis. It's unlikely that Spain will join the Allies.

In the Far East things are progressing very slowly. The Japanese are stuck in northern China and they will be for some time. It's a stalemate. However, BOTH Japan and China are on friendly terms with the Axis, so nothing is decided yet.

In November 1939 Germany annexed Austria. In HPP there are two possible versions of the Anschluss - a diplomatic (relations/faction membership/party organisation etc.) and a military one (army size - it doesn't necessarily mean war!). I went with the diplomatic option, as it is less threatening. I had the ability to force acceptance as early as December 1937, but I didn't want to generate too much threat early on.

As you can see nobody in Europe is dangerously close to the Allies (except maybe the Belgians) and Axis influence is strong. Italy joined our cause.

Italy has a vast army, although a good chunk of it is composed of garrisons. German army has been greatly expanded, too. You can see that I developed various modern equipment, including heavy tanks. I use 2xINF+2xHARM divs as heavy defensive units in the Maginot line (they can absorb much punishment). I also skipped HARM engine techs, because they are not needed at all.

Rocket Artillery is another of my new inventions (including the mobile version). It will get gradually more powerful, so it can be useful in mid- and lategame. While it's cheaper than standard Artillery, it consumes more supplies, so I will continue to use standard ART along with RART.

My new mobile divisions will supplement armoured ones. I will use 2xMOT+1xTD+1xSPART(or 1xSPRART) as heavy support unit. SPARTs and SPRARTs will be added to SS armoured divisions, too.

German airforce is magnificent, as it should be. We have various kind of fighters and bombers, including naval and CAG versions. The airforce will aid our expanding armies and the Navy greatly.

As far as Germany is concerned, we don't need another war anytime soon. War Economy has been enacted in order to increase IC output, as Germany's resource situation is good. Most of Europe is quiet.

Not everyone, however, has so much patience as German leadership...

 

[PaxImperator]

Cheers for showing the victory conditions. I'm curious to see how they'll play out, since I always use the 11 (I think) normal ones. With no apparent Axis VC in the Dutch East Indies, I wonder what an Axis Japan would do if it gets China under control.

And oh look, it's Mao! Things have just gotten very interesting indeed in Asia. I'm rooting for the Communists, since I've never seen a united Communist China yet.

I like your peaceful slow start. I hadn't ever considered trying that, but it seems to be working out well for you.

 

[Slan]

Despite of what I tought earlier, I see no indication now that the military AI attempts to fulfill the victory conditions. The Strategic AI (ie. the lua) definitely does not.

By the way I sense an 'attempt to make the Allies the aggressor' in the Force...

 

[Cybvep]

End of Dreams 1940-1941

Europe

Things have been going surprisingly well for the Axis alliance. All branches of the military were expanding and most of Europe looked favourably upon Germany and Italy despite some hostile acts such as the Anschluss. Some even said that Europe would wilfully accept Axis dominance and form a coalition against the Comintern. This, however, proved to be just wishful thinking. War would come to the German people sooner that they thought.

Finland resisted the aggressor for quite a while, but the Red Menace proved to be too much for this small country. By April 1940 everything was over and Finland was forced to sign peace with its neighbour.

[Somewhere in Eastern Prussia...]

Hitler: I told you, Goering, that the Bolsheviks are internally weak. It took them several months to win the war with puny Finland! Is that supposed to be the might of the Red Army?

Goering: Things look bright for the German people, Mein Fuhrer. We will crush the Bolsheviks when the time comes.

Hitler: Oh, yes, we will. Unlike Us, communists are incapable of performing any kind of real warfare. Those rotten worms are, in fact, unable to do anything that could be classified as bold action suiting true men. Yes, Goering, when we are rea--

Impertinent soldier: MEIN FUHRER, MEIN FUHRER!

Hitler: I cannot believe it. Your impertinence is astounding, SOLDIER!

Impertinent soldier: I am deeply sorry, Mein Fuhrer, but the situation is urgent! The Soviet Union has just annexed Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia!

Hitler: THEY DID WHAT?!?!

Impertinet soldier: Mein Fuhrer! Soviets gave those countries an ultimatum - war or annexation. The local governments chose annexation.

Hitler: Unbelievable. That is just UNBELIEVABLE! Those petty things succumbed to the Bolsheviks without firing a shot. How low can a living being get? It is unfitting to any--

Goering: I do not want to disturb you, Mein Fuhrer, but I think it would be wise to get back to Berlin.

Hitler: Ah, yes, yes, yes. We must revise our plans. Soldier, prepare our transport! We are coming back to the capital!

Soldier: Yes, Mein Fuhrer!

Goerings: Berlin calls us.

Hitler: Indeed, Goering. Indeed.

Things got ugly - we now share a border with the Bolsheviks and Eastern Prussia is in danger. I will reinforce the region immediately. I think it is time to speed things up. On 8th of July 1940 an ultimatum was given to the Czechs. German soldiers occupied the Sudetenland and were welcomed with cheers and flowers. Neither France nor United Kingdom were bold enough to protest.

--------------------

ARMY REPORT 1th of September 1940

We are strong, but still far from the point we would like to be. Our navy is not ready for intensive action - maybe we would be able to cope with the Soviets and the French, but we cannot dare to challenge the British on the high seas yet. Italian assistance may prove to be useful in the future - even if they don't have armoured divisions and their navy lacks carriers, they should make up for it with their numbers.

Our mobile divisions look good, but we need more infantry to cover all potential fronts properly. The priority is to gain the ability to defend every part of the German Reich while still being able to perform devastating attacks by concentrated effort. Cooperation between the army, the navy and the airforce will be of utmost importance.

-------
The Far East

Communist forces caused some mayhem, which, although temporary, gave the Japanese enough time to gain some ground and perform a daring amphibious assault in the Chinese coastal areas. However, they weren't able to conquer the whole territory of the Shanxi clique and one city still remains independent. We will see whether the Japanese forces will be able to advance further.

--------
End of Dreams

By 4th of April 1941 German forces were ready to annex the rest of Czech Republic. After all, what could this weakened country do? They were deprived of Sudetenland, their only significant line of potential defence. Right?

Wrong. They refused to give up and just before we were ready to attack major Czech cities they made an arrangement with the Allies.

THIS MEANS WAR!

 

[Slan]

Well, you can say goodbye to your cunning plans of peacefull expansionism, I guess

 

[SSmith]

Nice start. It will be interesting to see how this develops.

 

[Brad1]

I love the A-historical start of the war, I'll be watching

 

[Cybvep]

Emergency Plans

The situation at hand requires a very pragmatic approach. Czechs are almost defenceless, their only major defences left being the two major cities themselves - Prague and Bratislava. They will surrender easily if we capture those cities quickly.

Prague defences are heavier, so we will encircle the city before firing the main guns. We will not be aiming for attrition warfare, though, as from now on time no longer works in our advantage. Allies will outproduce us sooner or later, unless we restrict the frontline to the minimum or quickly take them out of war.

Diplomatic war is not over yet. In fact, it is only beginning, although with high threat we can expect more reserved approach to us from other countries.

Hungary and Bulgaria were invited to the Axis alliance and they accepted the offer. That means more men for our Crusade. Hungary will be especially useful, because they will help us in case of any attempt of Polish attack on eastern part of the Reich. Bulgaria can aid us in future conquests, too, but it's a more distant future.

It is pivotal to keep Belgium outside of the Allied block. Our listening stations provided us important information regarding Belgian army and its size is worrying. Besides, it would mean that France could attack us on a broader front. We cannot allow that to happen while we are busy with Czechs, Jutland is unsecured and Polish intentions are not clear. Despite our attempts, the warmongering Poles refused to sign a non-aggression pact with us. We will make sure that they will regret that decision in the future.

German technology, practicals and knowledge levels have been greatly improved. Priority has been given to the research of new war doctrines instead of new equipment.

Neither we nor our enemies were fully mobilised when the war started. We will focus our industrial production on required reinforcements. Unfortunately, we are falling behind in the army upgrades, but it should not hamper us against the Czechs.

We are not in direct need of fresh manpower, so we will not conscript older men. Basic conscriptions will remain in place in order to maximise our industrial efficiency. It should be noted that in HPP mod conscripting more men means that fewer people are able to work in the factories, i.e. IC efficiency is decreased.

Czech campaign is progressing well. We used our tanks to cut the country in half. The capital is almost encircled and siege of Bratislava is progressing well. The eastern half of the country is effectively ignored.

First British naval units have appeared near Jutland peninsula. That strange piece of land has strong historic connotations to the navy and our seamen are eager to kick some English butts.

And they score a first victory! English heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall was sunk. The rest of British fleet is fleeing. No major casualties were inflicted on our side and during 10th of April 1941 most sailors were able to return to their safe havens in harbours in one piece. This is certainly a good sign for the Kriegsmarine!

Bratislava, one of the two major Czech cities, has been taken! Prague is almost totally encircled, but continues to fight. Things are progressing very quickly!

The Jutland Clashes

A disaster! One of our SAGs has been caught by surprise near Jutland peninsula by enormous British task force. The rescue is coming!

The second SAG has arrived and engaged the enemy. Our battered SAG is returning to Kiel for repairs. We will let those Englishmen know that control over the Jutland WILL NOT be relinquished easily.

Our CTF has arrived and we have almost achieved numerical parity with the British! They are getting battered because of lack of reinforcements and air support.

The Battle of Kattegat is over! We have inflicted more losses to the enemy than he inflicted upon us, but this engagement marks first major casualties for the Kriegsmarine in the Second World War. Our seamen pursue the enemy with hellish ferocity. WE WILL NOT LOSE JUTLAND AGAIN!

The navies clashed again near Oresund. We have superior crew and air support. Our fighting spirit is simply frightening. The British cannot win this naval battle by numbers. They are bound to lose!

Victory! Our sailors will cherish this moment forever, as at 17:00 on 17th of April 1941 the filthy Englishmen got a bitter lesson of humility. They now know that Kriegsmarine will oppose any British attempt at gaining naval superiority near Jutland peninsula. When the first euphoria after victory fades, our seamen will mourn their dead friend, mates and comrades. Let it be known wide and clear that the German people will never forget the brave sailors that defended Jutland!

---------
Battle of Prague

Prague is encircled. The city is pounded by our bombers every day. The Czechs cannot hope for any kind of rescue - the defenders of Prague will fade in the ruins of their beloved city. None of this would happen if they accepted German authority.


Air battles

The Luftwaffe is fighting with French and British pilots for control over the skies. We will not allow the western mongrels to bomb German cities with impunity!

Our fighters intercept enemy strategic bombers before they reach IC-rich German cities. Even if enemy bombers manage to bomb our cities, German AA-guns make it certain that they don't leave the German skies without losses of their own. It should be noted that most of major cities in western Germany have good level of AA defence. It was a part of prewar buildup and even if not fully finished, it will surely be of some use.

The Allies cannot beat our fighters even with significant numerical advantage. In such battles German superiority is clearly evident, although we lose some planes, too.

----------

VICTORY!

The victorious siege of Prague marks the end of Czech campaign. On 20th of April the Czech have officially surrendered. Hitler decided to install Tiso in Slovakia as a puppet ruler and secede Ruthenia to our Hungarian allies.

We will make sure that this is just the first of many victories which await the German people!

Our Crusade has just begun!

 

[TheBromgrev]

What was your naval strategy? I see some carriers and BCs, and it looks like you neglected your BB techs. Are you going for fast SAGs supported by carriers? Also, what mod are you using for your counters? Those aren't in the HPP graphical supplement. I also see you haven't downloaded SF 2.03c yet, since your combat bubbles are blank.

I'm interested to see how much that extra year to prepare changes things. How's Japan doing?

 

[Cybvep]

What was your naval strategy? I see some carriers and BCs, and it looks like you neglected your BB techs. Are you going for fast SAGs supported by carriers? Also, what mod are you using for your counters? Those aren't in the HPP graphical supplement. I also see you haven't downloaded SF 2.03c yet, since your combat bubbles are blank.

I'm interested to see how much that extra year to prepare changes things. How's Japan doing?

I ignored BBs, but I still have 2 BBs Germany starts with - they will serve as replacements for BCs should things get ugly.

Yeah, I built carriers and I'm building more of them.

I research everything besides BBs, including subs, light cruisers, destroyers etc. Obviously not all ship types are equally developed, but there is always sth I call a naval "gap", i.e. you are always behind with your navy, since it takes some time to build ships, especially with low practicals. By the time my destroyers are ready I already have more modern techs etc.

I also use aircraft support often.

You can see Japanese progress by March 1941 in the previous update, i.e. the one before the last one. I'm using "pure" HPP 1.7.1 with difficulty changes.

As far as the counters go, I think those are from one of ICE mod's supplements. I'm not really sure.

Oh and yeah, I forgot about the hotfix until the war started. It's my first HOI3 game after some time. I will install it later. I don't know whether it is possible to update the game without corrupting the save file. Is it?