Kanitatlan said:
actually, a novel is considered a novel at 50,000 words. although most these days have at least 100,000
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actually, a novel is considered a novel at 50,000 words. although most these days have at least 100,000
Well that means that when this is finished it will be a long novel since I really haven't conquered a great deal of the Earth's surface just yet.rcduggan said:
Adjusted Plan
The previous plan required some significant adjustment since its force allocations clearly exceeded what was truly available. Now, in reality, there are 230 divisions available so I have a few more than previously suggested but this still requires significant trimming of the plan.
Force densities in Finland are relatively modest and my previous allocation was based around the potential difficulties in taking Murmansk. If we assume massive air support then it seems quite reasonable to achieve the Finnish campaign with quite modest ground forces.
Similar logic can be applied to all the campaigns since I already have over 100 bomber squadrons available. I am therefore going to proceed with a pro-rata distribution in forces so all campaigns are scaled down to a similar extent. Troop movements are also a great deal more haphazard than suggested by the plan. To some extent I am going to have to simply play the game and use my initiative to see where things go.
Rather than prattle on more about planning I’m just going to jump in and get things going.
The first issue that arises is that I cannot immediately DOW most countries since, apparently, I had some recent diplomatic contact. Unfortunately the last real play was such a long time ago I cannot remember what that was about, probably trading. So initially I allocate vast strategic moves of most of the forces.
Throughout the following it is worth remembering that TC load is up towards 200% of capacity due to strategic movement. This will be visible at times when ESE effects are shown but will be affected everything all the time.
07:00 August 7th 1940
During the comparatively peaceful few days after Barbarossa naval operations begin to take more prominence but only because nothing else is happening. This first engagement simply shows the known effect that large submarine fleets are not very good at achieving enemy fleet losses even when lead by large exotically coloured flightless birds. The rain and night is generally considered u-boat weather but only because it protects them from losses even better than the enemy. Unfortunately it means that a 4 hour battle is definitely insufficient to sink anything.
The previous plan required some significant adjustment since its force allocations clearly exceeded what was truly available. Now, in reality, there are 230 divisions available so I have a few more than previously suggested but this still requires significant trimming of the plan.
Force densities in Finland are relatively modest and my previous allocation was based around the potential difficulties in taking Murmansk. If we assume massive air support then it seems quite reasonable to achieve the Finnish campaign with quite modest ground forces.
Similar logic can be applied to all the campaigns since I already have over 100 bomber squadrons available. I am therefore going to proceed with a pro-rata distribution in forces so all campaigns are scaled down to a similar extent. Troop movements are also a great deal more haphazard than suggested by the plan. To some extent I am going to have to simply play the game and use my initiative to see where things go.
Rather than prattle on more about planning I’m just going to jump in and get things going.
The first issue that arises is that I cannot immediately DOW most countries since, apparently, I had some recent diplomatic contact. Unfortunately the last real play was such a long time ago I cannot remember what that was about, probably trading. So initially I allocate vast strategic moves of most of the forces.
Throughout the following it is worth remembering that TC load is up towards 200% of capacity due to strategic movement. This will be visible at times when ESE effects are shown but will be affected everything all the time.
07:00 August 7th 1940
During the comparatively peaceful few days after Barbarossa naval operations begin to take more prominence but only because nothing else is happening. This first engagement simply shows the known effect that large submarine fleets are not very good at achieving enemy fleet losses even when lead by large exotically coloured flightless birds. The rain and night is generally considered u-boat weather but only because it protects them from losses even better than the enemy. Unfortunately it means that a 4 hour battle is definitely insufficient to sink anything.
14:00 August 8th 1940
In the Middle East the order of the day is to try to defend my convoluted new border by destroying the Persian army before they can retake my new provinces. Their army is extremely primitive and an easy target since they are trying to move. I have scheduled numerous divisions to move to lots of different provinces in the hopes that most will get through. I am going to try and make sure I lose none but that could be quite difficult with only air power. There are only three divisions available in the entire Caucasus combat theatre and even they will take some time to reach the real front line.
22:00 August 8th 1940
The convoy warfare continues with this demonstration of success on the far side of the Atlantic. I am adhering to the principal that all zones from coast to coast must be patrolled to prevent the convoys from rerouting to a complete escape.
We can also see the current strength of the Brazilian army. I suspect this amounts to a full four divisions in every coastal province. This would make a fairly strong defence even if I was trying to land right now but actual landings are some way off.
23:00 August 8th 1940
The high seas fleet has been intercepted in what now counts as home waters by a fairly pitiful enemy fleet. The real concern is simply the demonstration that nowhere is safe. As ever, night action means the enemy can escape without loss. It is exactly this sort of target that justifies the use of some powerful gunfire fleets. The enemy will always flee as quickly as possible and even in good weather and daylight my carriers are not effective very quickly.
08:00 August 11th 1940
It is now time to attack Finland and I am going in with just the forces immediately to hand. The high seas fleet has sailed to give full support which allows an overwhelming advantage to be established without having dramatic numerical superiority
14:00 August 11th 1940
Ground attack is followed by air attack on a fairly grand scale. In the north the defences prove to be extremely flimsy which is a significant stroke of luck. As is clearly apparent, Murmansk will very shortly be undefended.
14:00 August 11th 1940 b
In the south more bombers begin to take their toll and we have met the Finnish air force. The have managed to avoid the German combat air patrols and attack my swarms of unprotect CAS. Unfortunately for them their obsolescence and inexperience is severe enough to make them relatively ineffective so my CAS can actually defeat them.
Early interceptor AA 5 AD 3, +25% intercept, +15% near base
Improved CAS AA 2 AD 1, +10% leaders, +40% experience, 4 times the number
It doesn’t look so bad for the interceptors but it isn’t enough for them. Their total AA is estimated at 28 whereas the larger CAS force has a total of 36. This gives the interceptors slightly higher losses distributed in a more concentrated pattern on fewer squadrons. The CAS win and can carry on bombing with no more harm than the loss of half a dozen aircraft.
15:00 August 11th 1940
Bombing of Teheran is already achieving is objective and is clearly going to protect my provinces from the Persians. Once these are finished off it will be time to look for attack from elsewhere (Iraq for example).
18:00 August 11th 1940
My fighter patrols have caught the Finish air force and despite it being a night encounter their overwhelming advantages are enough to put the enemy out of this war permanently (ie grounded until annexation).
seems like in both theatres the airforce is taking a very important role! like always 
lifeless said:seems like in both theatres the airforce is taking a very important role! like always
yes your right but of course the finish airforce is not match for the Luftwaffe.
lifeless, rcduggan The role of the Luftwaffe has been dramatically upgraded for the new form of the plan. Because of the delay in arrival of all ground troops the Luftwaffe will appear to be the dominant arm over the next few weeks. Generally there will be lots of air action followed by a very short ground campaign when troops actually turn up.
Keep reading I will be trying to update much more frequently over the coming period. Things develop in quite an interesting fashion generating rather more excitement than expected.
Keep reading I will be trying to update much more frequently over the coming period. Things develop in quite an interesting fashion generating rather more excitement than expected.
The Luftwaffe sure plays an important role especially since your ground troops will need some time to reach the front, also if the Luftwaffe is able to do its duty while the infantry is moving it should be a very quick ground campaign and that will ensure you don’t take large casualties. Also enemy ground troops disorganized by air forces will take large causalities and lose all fighting force, so this will certainly ensure you a quick victory
Kanitatlan: ...Keep reading I will be trying to update much more frequently over the coming period. Things develop in quite an interesting fashion generating rather more excitement than expected.
killer ! !
killer ! !
I am still astounded that the air forces that you encounter are so primitive and weak given the increased IC available to all of the other nations. What is the %age of IC dedicated to upgrades for the typical AI nation?
The problem that the smaller nations have is technology rather than IC. For unallied small countries this level of obsolescence is normal in 1940 (remember it is still 1940). The current position is that major nations are one generation behind me (because I pushed for early improved models) and the rest of the world is 2 generations behind me. This technology advantage is useful but numbers also make a difference. I am fairly certain that these AI air forces are bigger than normal but this isn't enough when faced by the main body of the Luftwaffe.Bafflegab said:
The Soviet air force was as big as mine but their showing during Barbarossa was pitiful. This is real issue with the AI, it has no idea how to use an airforce. On the other hand I am much happier being outnumbered 4:1 on the ground than I would be in the air.
Lord E That's only a quick victory if you don't count travel time.
GhostWriter Slight hicup tonight with blown up tele else there would have been an update earlier. But here is some pre-written material to be going on with....
00:00 August 12th 1940
Proof that there is some partisan activity. The actual occurrence of partisan uprisings is incredibly rare (I can’t remember the previous one) but will be easily dealt with. The mere possibility forces me to only use garrisoned bases.
10:00 August 12th 1940
My amphibious force begins its unopposed landing at Murmansk. This looks like it will have no trouble and therefore all that I need it to complete the sweep around southern Finland.
14:00 August 12th 1940
I am still every now and then losing provinces in overseas properties to the allies. This landing is quite close and is likely to lead to the loss of the remained of North Africa. This is not a big concern so I am not planning to do anything very much about it (for now).
11:00 August 13th 1940
My most recently built naval bombers have been assigned the partisans as a target to carry out extensive target practice. They are not very good at ground attack missions but may save a few lives in the counter-attacking infantry division.
17:00 August 14th 1940
A second encounter with the Finnish air force clearly shows their complete loss of org in their previous battle. Helsinki has fallen and all that I need do is drive around the coast. Unfortunately Finnish reserves have arrived at Turku and are being destroyed before the single motorised division can proceed.
10:00 August 15th 1940
The strike force for Lithuania has arrived so they are next to be taken down. With poor combat modifiers the odds here are not as good as I would like but my actual firepower after modifiers is around twice the Lithuanian army and they will shortly have some fairly basic air support (a swarm of interceptors). The battle is over in a few hours and all that is left to do is advance.
21:00 August 15th 1940
Just for once the submarines encounter a sufficiently weak enemy target to achieve so actual sinkings. The enemy losses are minor but a useful increment.
06:00 August 16th 1940
Fallschirmjägers complete the conquest of Finland and lead to an immediate annexation. The Finnish government are completely overawed by Kasakka’s assault on their regional centres of government leaving them with little choice.
After this operation ALL the airborne forces are on their way to Athens to prepare for further operations in the Mediterranean theatre.
The conquest of Finland has been achieved with a tiny fraction of the ground forces originally proposed. This is primarily because the northern VP in Murmansk was taken so easily. If I had 8 Finnish divisions to deal with up there as had looked to be a possibility then things might have been significantly different. The biggest issue is however the use of air power. This has done two things for me, firstly the Luftwaffe is strong enough to defeat a country like Finland on its own and secondly they have the flexibility to attack the Finns wherever they are. This is significant as the ground forces have to allow for different Finnish deployments whilst air units do not.
Over all a nice quick victory. It would be nice to say this allows quick redeployment of forces elsewhere but this is not the case. Defeating enemies is not the current time constraint, at the moment everything is determined by the rate of movement for shifting vast armies huge distances.
21:00 August 16th 1940
Our number 2 carrier fleet has encountered allied naval power in what must be the remote location from their bases proving again that absolutely nowhere is safe. The night naval engagement inflicts little harm but come daylight the tactical air force, no longer committed in Finland, takes its turn with somewhat more success.
21:00 August 17th 1940
Kaunas is occupied ending the existence of Lithuania. Two down several more to go.
00:00 August 18th 1940
Now something unfortunate happens. Italy declares war on the Soviet Union shortly followed by Turkey. This is unacceptable and after a bit of fiddling with clean up events I have decided that I will simply cancel the wars from the save and immediately DOW any country that is feeling this aggressive. These two countries clearly felt ready to fight their main national enemy, they just didn’t realise that was me. Therefore I am simulating this by DOWing them myself. This creates a somewhat disturbing situation where I am fighting two new countries when my armies are still some time away from being in position to oppose them let alone invade.
This will make things somewhat more interesting and I will continue the policy if anyone else starts getting a bit frisky. (which they do in a few more days).
Current situation report to follow
Kanitatlan said:
Thus we gain yet another valuable insight. A sudden and unexpected war with two fair-to-middling powers one with a land border right next to core provinces. There are no friendly forces nearby while Italy (presumably) has trooped massed on the border.
While others may fly into a blind panic with plans rent asunder and desperate troops movements Kanitatlan is 'somewhat disturbed', but not disturbed enough to do anything about the war, indeed the reaction is a promise to do it again. Is this knowledge troops will arrive in time? Belief the AI will be inept and not do much any time soon? Or an attempt to add challenge to your thus far utter domination of all who have foolishly opposed you?
Kanitatlan: ...Now something unfortunate happens. Italy declares war on the Soviet Union shortly followed by Turkey...This will make things somewhat more interesting and I will continue the policy if anyone else starts getting a bit frisky. (which they do in a few more days).
cool
Kanitatlan: Current situation report to follow.
looking forward to it ! !
excellent updates ! !
cool
Kanitatlan: Current situation report to follow.
looking forward to it ! !
excellent updates ! !
It would be really cool if someone converted your AAR to a PDF!
Good reading as always
Good reading as always