Downfall

[TekcoR]

First off: Yes, I am crazy, I do have a few AARs going off at once. This one will most likely be rather short, as it is based off a testing game that is going horribly wrong.

Second off: I reaffirm my crazyness. This will be the first time doing a 'defeatist' after action report. The chances for victory in this AAR seem rather slim - think Germany in the 44 scenario - slight chance for victory but still winnable. However, the chances for victory seem less plausible.

Third off: People can certify me crazy. Let us begin.

Table of Contents​

Prolouge​

Introduction​

The Western Front​

The Unwanted War​

High Seas, Low Countries​

The Balkans​

Soviet Aggression & Shattered Dreams​

Nightmare​

The House Begins to Crumble​

Maps - October 1942​

October 22nd, 1942 - December 31st, 1942​

Southern Storm​

Painful Production​

Fierce Rhine​

Fierce Rhine (continued)​

Fierce Rhine (conclusion)​

Underbelly and Asia​

January 1st, 1943 - December 31st, 1943​

A New Hope​

A New Hope (continued)​

 

[TekcoR]

The Year is 1943, and Germany awaits its Downfall.​

Sirens raged across the capital of the ‘One Thousand Year Reich’ for the third time in the day, a new record for those keeping track. The construction of four enormous Flak Towers to defend the city had proved semi-effective as Allied bombers now faced considerable risks when flying over the city; however the city continued to be bombed. Though still far from the front, Berlin has become the effigy of Germany, buildings crumbled, holes torn through once great structures, citizens cooping with great tragedy yet managing to survive in horrendous conditions.

The Wehrmacht, the once great armed forces of a revitalized state now stand hunkered behind massive systems of fortifications. Once the definition of offensive, they have become the masters of defense, holding against numerically superior enemies. Pressured from the West by the combined powers of The United States of America, Great Britain, recently liberated France, Belgium and Netherlands, then confronted by the endless Mongol-like hordes of the Bolsheviks on the East, a nation patiently waits its Downfall.

 

[unmerged(70479)]

looks nice

 

[TekcoR]

The Western Front​

The situation is the direst on this front, as within nearly a one month period the majority of the Heer’s forces retreated without the direct consent of the Fuhrer. The disobedience shown by the Heer, has allowed the Reich a few more precious moments of life – though it is bound to be short as the only barrier between them and Germany is the Rhine.

In order to understand the complex issue the Reich currently faces, it is essential to relive the disaster of the war. When the Spanish Civil War broke out in the middle of 1936, the French deciding to show their might and resolve to the world, openly declared fullest support for the loyalists and republicans. Shown disdain by her Allies, she left the alliance and forged a strong friendship with the anti-fascists; which quickly resulted in the defeat of Franco’s rebellion. Shivers were sent through our spines, an aggressive France would certainly spell the doom of the One Thousand Year Reich.

To prepare for the aggressive nature of the Third Republic, the Westwall saw an increased level of defensive spending – creating fortifications on par with the Maginot Line, with lesser levels of defense along the banks of the Rhine towards Aachen. With the fortifications nearly completed by the spring of 1938, the Fuhrer’s home nation was brought into the Reich.

France protested fiercely, but no declaration of war ensued, sparing what could have been a bloody war. As 1938 progressed, the Sudetenland became a part of the Reich. To the disappointment of the French, the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain supported the Third Reich’s claims – thus preventing another war from engulfing Europe.

With no intention to honor the agreement hammered out at the Munich Conference, Hitler betrayed it when the opportunity presented itself. Near the end of March, 1939, Hitler pressed his claims for the dismantlement of the remainder of Czechoslovakia; little did Oberkommando der Wehrmacht or he know, this would be the last straw of peace.

 

[unmerged(65120)]

Good luck.

 

[unmerged(61606)]

good start, and good luck!

 

[TekcoR]

The Unwanted War - Eastern Front​

Disappointed by the Czech’s insistence to be an independent nation, the High Command was unwilling to allow new techniques recently learned go to waste. Although highly outnumbered German forces quickly dislodged the valiant Czechs whose fortifications fell into German hands with the Sudetenland. Prague, the virtually undefended capital of the Czechs, fell into German hands by March 31st.

As the good news reached the Fuhrer, reality set in. France, after much decision, declared that a state of war existed between the German and French state. Seeing an opportunity, the Polish followed suit and declared war. The lessons of the Great War seemed to be forgotten, the necessity to avoid a two front war. Despair sat in; which would quickly be thrown off with the quick defeat of Poland by the first week of March.

The majority of the Heer began redeployment to the Western Front, in order to begin with the demise of the Third Republic. Unable to reach a deal with the Bolsheviks, the entirety of a hostile Poland hand to be garrisoned with numerous troops with police attachments. The Plains of Poland offered a unique and precarious position – first off an ideal starting point for Hitler’s planned offensive of the Soviet Union. Secondly, the plains provided little resistance or defensive worth. If the paranoid Stalin were to strike first, the results were unimaginable.

Though the Fuhrer was against the plan, the construction of a permanent defensive line began along Vistula River, effectively dividing Poland into a “safe and unsafe” zone. The defensive plan called for low-level of fortifications able to hold off any Soviet aggression able to reach the Vistula, before German forces could form effective and devastating counter-attacks.

The Unwanted War - Western Front​

With the eastern front secured, the attention of the Heer and Luftwaffe turned towards the Third Republic and their Spanish lapdogs. The representation of Spanish forces on the Western Front presented a major threat – Germany was outnumbered, but not out experienced. According to the Schlieffen Plan, used in World War 1, passing through Belgian territory would provide the easiest route into France. However, the neutrality of Belgium was to be respected for fear of bringing the British into an unwanted war.

The alternative and most dreaded route consisted of a daring assault on the Maginot Line through the Duchy of Luxembourg. Though the British guaranteed the safety of Luxembourg, it was believed that they would throw aside the agreement once they understood the futility of Luxembourg’s existence. When the operations finally began, the French and Spanish were caught off guard as they expected an assault to be conducted through the Low Countries.

Luxembourg fell with little resistance, and the invasion force quickly went up against the vaunted Maginot Line; which proved little resistance for the juggernaut of force applied against it. Passing the Maginot Line, the Heer quickly encircled an approximate thirty French and Spanish divisions; which would soon surrender. From here, the war quickly deteriorated for the French, as the capital Paris quickly fell. In a sign of weakness, a treaty was proposed by the French ambassador; however it did not properly reflect the interest of the Fuhrer. The next day, a pro-German treaty was offered, ceding Alsace-Lorraine and the industrious northeastern France to the German state.

With the European continent entering a new phase after a brief and decisive conflict, the nearly unthinkable happened. The Commonwealth and the British Empire declared itself in a state of war against the Third Reich and its vile tentacles; which included Hungary and Bulgaria. The British would be in for a major surprise, the Kreigsmarine; the third branch of the Wehrmacht had sharp teeth it was waiting to test out.

 

[TekcoR]

High Seas, Low Countries​

The Kreigsmarine would pride itself on the handling of the British off the coast of Jutland during the early days of April 1940 – thus proving itself as a worthy investment in the war. Much to the horrors of the British, and clear violation of the defunct Treaty of Versailles, the Kreigsmarine witnessed the beginning of three super heavy battleships, the Bismarck, Tirpitz, and Friedrich der Große. In addition to the supreme firepower of three battleships, five aircraft carriers began construction they were to be the: Graf Zeppelin, Barbarossa, Peter Strasser, Seydlitz, and Clausewitz.

Shortly before the war with Britain began, the carriers were commissioned into the Kreigsmarine, with the battleships joining in December 1939. The battle; which would take off the coast of England, well in the range of the Royal Air Force, pitted the entire Kreigsmarine – except the Baltic Fleet – against a large detachment of the Royal Navy. In the battle that ensued, the Friedrich der Große took heavy damage and quickly sunk. The loss of the great ship would not be in vain, as Germany left victorious from the engagement sinking the battle cruisers Hood, Renown and Repulse; the aircraft carriers, Glorious, Ark Royal, and Illustrious; battleships Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign, Nelson and Ramillies.

During the engagements off the coast of England, the Heer began their action against the Netherlands and Belgium – who were authorizing Allied flights over their territory – a clear violation of their neutrality agreements. Though a majority of divisions had been transferred east, for offensive operations, thirty divisions remained on the Western Front capable of realigning the loyalty of the Low Countries. Offensive operations would begin one week after the deadly battle off the English Coast.

Striking from former French territory, the Belgians found themselves quickly overwhelmed by battle tested divisions – who lacked armor but had plenty of self-propelled artillery and anti-tank support. In the north, the Dutch believed themselves to be conducting a successful offensive into German territory. However, three well organized, and well armed Volkssturm divisions awaited them. The battle turned into a massacre, as the Dutch called off the attack after a day of heavy fighting. The People’s divisions had performed admirably, thus warranting the foundation of additional divisions to be used for a specific use later.

As the Dutch reeled from their failed attack, the professional soldiers began striking from the former Belgium. Quickly Amsterdam fell, bringing about the capitulation of the Dutch government – though a government-in-exile was created in London. The Dutch and Belgium state offered many possibilities for the Reich’s security forces to test their theories on proper and successful occupation.

Two days after the surrender of the Dutch and Belgian governments continental European holdings, the creation of Dietsland became official, uniting Holland, Flanders and a small portion of Northern France. Instead of occupying the country with professional soldiers, it was deemed that the task would be handed to Volkssturm divisions – who would see proper military equipment assigned to them, most notably being heavy artillery for the proper defense against amphibious invasions.

The puppet government in Dietsland quickly began a recruiting campaign to assist with the war effort against the aggressive Allied powers. At first, a few militia divisions were raised; which soon turned into sixteen infantry divisions, a sizeable force for the defense of the country’s coast.

 

[Deus Eversor]

ow i don't think eastern front was "unwanted" it was from the beginning Hitlers plan to use all of slavian countries as new territories for Germans
war with Allies was unwanted
Hitler didn't planed the war with Allies before creation of Greater Reich completion

 

[TekcoR]

ow i don't think eastern front was "unwanted" it was from the beginning Hitlers plan to use all of slavian countries as new territories for Germans
war with Allies was unwanted
Hitler didn't planed the war with Allies before creation of Greater Reich completion

I do agree with that in a sense. Though I should explain myself, since "unwanted" is happening beginning March 1939, not September 1939.

@rcduggan - Thanks for the encouragement and positive compliement. I'll really need luck once I start explaining the end of 1942.

@linque - Again, I'll need it.

@Somua53 - Thanks. Hope all of you appreicate the speed of the "updates" been kinda in a writing frenzy lately.

 

[TekcoR]

Another update

The Balkans​

With the Low Countries realignment complete, the next offensive operations were to begin with haste. At this time, a massive diplomatic campaign was focused on bringing additional allies of the Axis into the fold – most notable Italy and the oil-rich Romania. A fascist nation since 1922, Italy proved quite easy to bring into the fold against the Commonwealth and its puppet master. The difficult task would prove to be Romania – who stood steadfast against Hungarian and Bulgarian wishes to carve up the nation for themselves.

The war hawks would gain a powerful ally when Romania blatantly refused the protection of the German state. Immediately, a state of war existed between the Axis and Romania; as rumors of Allied planes taking off and landing from Romanian airfields spread. Simultaneously, Yugoslavia joined in the defense of Romania – providing another formidable opponent for the Third Reich to test its battle finesse.

One of the Reich’s new military techniques, airborne soldiers, had yet to be tested in combat. Ideally, these soldiers would be used in surprise attacks to quickly capture cities, important bridges or key locations – however due to the ever industrious need of the expanding Ostwall, and Atlantik Defense, the required number of suitable transport planes was severely lacking. The airborne soldiers, Fallschirmjäger, would fight like normal infantry on foot.

Two weeks into the Balkans campaign, the oil-rich producing facilities of Romania were operating for the Third Reich, though not at full production due mostly to Allied bombings from Yugoslavian airfields. Another week of fighting proved that resistance would be futile against the Axis, as Yugoslavia succumbed to defeat. The defeat of Romania and Yugoslavia would be the beginning of the partitioning of the Balkans. Hungary would reclaim Transylvania; which was lost during the First World War. Bulgaria, for its service would be granted Constantza, a key Black Sea port. The rest of Romania would be garrisoned with German divisions, specially handled for occupational duties.

The partitioning of Yugoslavia would prove more beneficial to the Bulgarians, as parts of Macedonia were transfered over to its authority. From the ashes of Yugoslavia, Croatia would be propped up by German economic and military support, creating a third regional power within the Balkans, all depedent on Germany for its survival.

 

[GeneralHannibal]

Interesting... Also, was that a custom peace w/ France, and are you using any mods?

Can we have any screenshots?

 

[TekcoR]

Interesting... Also, was that a custom peace w/ France, and are you using any mods?

Can we have any screenshots?

I was using the OFFICIAL SMEP for Doomsday, when the option for the Spanish Civil War came up - France directly intervened and declared war on the Nationalist. Because of its actions, France was kicked out of the Allies. France offered me a peace treaty - which was quite favorable because it would end the war. I thought, I'd be nice and grant them a more favorable treaty for me - gaining northeast France - the industrious area.

Screenshots soon, maybe

 

[GeneralHannibal]

OK

I eagerly await...

 

[TekcoR]

Soviet Aggression​

As the campaign aganist Yugoslavia and Romania came to an end, the Soviets came alive, bringing about feared aggression. Their first move consisted a declaration of war aganist Finland for a few particles of land to protect Leningrad. While in the midst of that effort, they declared war aganist the Baltic States of Lativa and Estonia. The Soviets, failing to notice Lithuania shortened our future front aganist them.

The Finns, performed admirably aganist the Soviets, holding off superior numbers for nearly three months before being overwhelmed by the Mongolish Bolshieveks. To say the Finnish people were defeated by numerically supreriority alone is an absurdity; they simply ran out of supplies, manpower but never the will to stand aganist aggressors. The defiance of the Finnish people would become soon become all too familiar with the German people.

While the Soviets attempted to squander the dreams of Finland’s independence, Estonia and Lativa offered little resistance aganist their former tyrannical country. Within a week, Soviets claimed two of the three Baltic states as national territory, still failing to recongize that Lithuania remained independent and slowly aligning itself with the Reich.

Shattered Dreams​

The end of offensive operations were called shortly after the Balkans campaign; which would allow the Wehrmacht, most notably the Heer upgrade the equipment of the professional [not Volkssturm] soldiers. In addition to the upgrade, the expansion of the Heer was to continue, to include an additional twenty infantry divisions, most likely to see action aganist the aggressive Bolshieveks, whom the Fuhrer profusely claimed the number one enemy to the existence of fascism.

In the midsts of a rapid restructuring of the Heer, the pro-fascist government of France fell. Quickly, a pro-Allies government, backed by the military who sought revenge for its recent defeat, came to power. The furious Hitler ordered the immediate assualt and utter destruction for the grand backstab played out by the French – though the majority of the Heer was stationed on the Eastern Front.

After the pro-Allies coup, British and Commonwealth troops began arriving on the front lines; which were similiar to the trenches of the First World War. A medicore defensive structure had been built to disencourage French from backstabbing in the middle of Operation Barbarossa; though its effectiveness had never been tested. Before professional soldiers could arrive, Volkssturm divisions from Dietsland quickly occupied the Hindenburg Line.

As French offensives began the questions arose – would the Volkssturm be capable of handling truly professional, well armed, determined soldiers? The answer was quite surprising, as three Volkssturm divisions held off five French – including one armored – from retaking Reims, a key city within the Hindenburg Line. Before additional offensives could be carried out by the Allies, the Heer arrived on the scene – though hardly capable of performing their own aggressive moves. The horrid screams of the Great War; which many had wished to forget would again become a reality on the Western Front.

 

[GeneralHannibal]

Was the stuff with France custom?

 

[The_Carbonater]

Like your strange AARs
Hope you won't slow down on your other ones though

 

[TekcoR]

Was the stuff with France custom?

Strangely, British did coup the French... #U$ing French!

 

[GeneralHannibal]

Strangely, British did coup the French... #U$ing French!

Wow

 

[TekcoR]

Nightmare​

The winter brought temporarily relief along the Western Front, as Allied offensives against the Hindenburg Line dwindled to a halt, allowing for reinforcements to arrive for the affected divisions. Deemed as a secondary front, most of the newly trained infantry, panzer, motorized soldiers were deployed to the Eastern Front for the upcoming Operation Barbarossa. Though, one panzer and two motorized infantry divisions were deployed as reserves to help prevent any breakout offensive launched by the Allies.

Seeking to prevent the unthinkable, Hitler urged the Japanese to cease their desire to crush the American Pacific Fleet. Regardless of the current state of Germany, the Japanese continued their current aggressive stance of tromping China and turning towards America. On December 8th, 1941, the United States of America joined the Allies, who included: United Kingdom and her Commonwealth, France, Republican Spain, Portugal, Belgium (government in exile), Netherlands (government in exile), Portugal, Yugoslavia (government in exile), and Romania (government in exile).

Italy’s situation in North Africa became desperate, as French and Spanish troops pushed eastwards from the west, and Britain and her Commonwealth pushed westwards from the east. Thousands of Italian soldiers began surrendering or deserting, attempting to spare themselves from the inevitable. Hitler ordered the creation of a Heer group to assist the Italians, though was later convinced that such an effort to only hurt the upcoming invasion of the USSR; which had already been postponed due to French betrayal.

By the beginning of February 1942, Italy had been kicked out of Africa, Libya was occupied, Ethiopia, and Somaliland freed. Within one month, daring Allied invasions were taking place in Southern Italy and Sicily – threatening the underbelly of the Third Reich. Italy would be a lost cause if German support was not guaranteed. However, with the French having crossed the Alps – additional troops would be needed to combat the French, hold the line while other troops pushed south to repel US invasions.

April. April, 1942 is when Italy collapsed. Its forces were placed under German command and attempted to race to the safety of German occupied Milan, Venice and Trento. Sneaking out of Taranto, shortly before the cities capture, the Italian Navy set course for Venice – where the majority of it would be placed under German control upon Italy’s surrender which occurred April 20th, 1942. Hitler’s birthday would become a sour note for the nation; which attempted to celebrate his 53rd year on the Earth.