Fatherland - Deutschland über alles

[Kanitatlan]

All Thankyou for the ongoing support. Those of you who don't have medals will get your oppotunity in the future.

Please note, I am paying attention to those of you who are posting in the AAR and will try to make sure that you receive active commands. The idea was that the audience should be involved but I can only focus on the audience I know about

Aldous I decide to follow a simple pattern for the medals so that it was pefectly clear what the awards meant. The bronze, silver, gold sequence is an international standard and hecne clear to everyone how they rank even if they are only skimming the AAR.

DCP, Delta I believe the M-R pact issue is already settled on the issue that I want my cores and will therefore go with a full pact to guarantee them whilst trying to grab the Baltic states before the Russians do. If they get really upset then so be it - I'm will be ready.

blue emu I suspect the image colour balance problem was due to the allied intelligence service trying to compensate for the lighting effect of your underwater status. They must have believed the blue colour was an artifact of this and compensated to get the incorrect image.

Ghostwriter You are getting carried away. I did try to do air battle report and I am very disappointed that there isn't one but there isn't. A pity really. If someone would like me to e-mail them the history file so they can try and put one together then I'm happy to oblige but I suspect it may be more trouble than it is worth.

Mahrabal, -Delta-, Ghostwriter, VILenin I guess you've resolved the Lenin discussion amongst yourselves.

DCP bang on, those are the sort of medals we are looking for. Now all we have to do is persuade someone to allow them in signatures.

EvilSanta Nice acceptance speech

VILenin I feel like I have been fairly restrained. I know there are bronze stars galor but there aren't that many silver and only one gold. You can't really deny Kenneth his gold, after all he did sink 5 CVs and 3 BCs.

Also, very nice speech.

 

[Kanitatlan]

VILenin, Alexus

We stand at the edge of darkness: now is the time for the workers of the world to unite

Alexus, you missed half the quote. VILenin is showing he has read up properly on used the full title.

Anyone who doesn't know what this is about should proceed immediately to my signature and read Edge of Darkness. When you have done that you should read A Harvest of Sorrow to make yourselves feel a bit better.

 

[unmerged(51702)]

When will I get my Panzer army?

Also is it the time for the Sealion strategy?

 

[Kanitatlan]

I'm still waiting for a volunteer for medal monitor.

Anyone ?

 

[Kanitatlan]

When will I get my Panzer army?

Also is it the time for the Sealion strategy?

Pantience is a virtue. All posters will get a turn during the French campaign.

 

[Kanitatlan]

THE FALL OF FRANCE​

May France

May Belgium

May UK

06.00 May 15th 1939

 

[Kanitatlan]

The AAR is now open for preparatory discussion for the French campaign and its follow on operations. I am intending to follow my plan as previously described and more forces are more or less lined up for this operation.

I am planning to reorganise the Soviet Union at this point by replacing a number of their ministers with volunteers. I have several people already installed but I haven't redefined any ministers. I appoint VILenin as the Soviet leader (well who else could it be) and will put in whatever minister types he says (I presume he will be open to suggestions). They will be named after anyone who wants a place and I will be renaming the best Soviet leaders after any volunteers who don't mind being defeated quite a lot.

The Soviets seem to have several supporters. I presume you all think they are strong enough already but if you want any additional benefits then drop us a line. I don't mind bolstering them a little.

 

[unmerged(51702)]

I am going to start sketching the Sealion...How many Fallschirmjäger divisions do we have? what about transports? I'd also like if our fleet could do a reconnaise mission to see how many divisions the British have at the beaches.

 

[blue emu]

I am still solidly in favor of the original plan of a strong right-hook through the open plains of Northern France. My only reservation concerns the hinge of the line in the Aachen-Cologne sector... it seems a bit weak, considering the force that the Belgians and French can throw against it.

Naturally, the Belgian Capitulation can be triggered by taking the Liege/Bastogne/Arlon area... but unfortunately that sector does not lie in the path of our projected breakthrough. It may be neccessary to support our defenders in the Ruhr with air assets, should they be strongly attacked by the French and Belgians.

Still... I am confident that even if the Ruhr does come under attack, a quick success in Northern France will rapidly restore the situation.

 

[unmerged(24320)]

Kanitatlan: ...Ghostwriter You are getting carried away.

really? ? after all, even though you did not write up an Air Battle Report, i don't remember any air battle losses of importance! !

good job on the recovery of the Naval Assets! !

Kanitatlan: The AAR is now open for preparatory discussion for the French campaign and its follow on operations...

this is an area that i don't consider myself proficient at, therefore, i agree with your decisions already made as well as what-so-ever you decide in the campaign. that said, i also agree with Blue Emu in his assessment of the probable situation and solution.

the only thing i was wondering about is will we be able to add an air envelopment and/or a sea invasion to the mix along the coast of France. and, i would not be adverse to any opportunistic use of paratroopers, say for example, the capture of a vacant Paris...

 

[unmerged(51709)]

I think your plan as far as we've seen it looks great, go for it

If I'm not been planned in anywhere else, would it be possible to get a position somewhere in the US? Anything would be nice, from HoG down to some leader (naval would be nice as I guess that's the most probable to show up here once in a while )

 

[dublish]

If the Maginot wasn't countered by fortified hill provinces garrisoned by crack Alpenjager regiments, I'd call that setup suicidal. As it is, I can only say that it worries me... but only a little.

I can't remember the details of the Master Plan, but it seems like the stack in Amsterdam will push straight to Paris, possibly with detachments splitting off to cover the flanks and keep the defenders as spread out as possible. The Eindhoven stack by itself could probably take on the rest of Belgium, but that Luxembourg stack puzzles me. Given the number of troops in Metz, the Luxembourg stack can effectively advance only to Reims, in my humble opinion. I suppose it could link up with the advancing Eindhoven forces and trap the Belgians in their own country, but trapping the French on their line would be more useful, albeit amazingly difficult. In the end, I don't think it'll make much of a difference. Lots of those French divisions will probably stay far away from your main force until its too late.

I say you're good to go.

 

[Hamminator]

Won't the French and Belgian forces rush into Aachen and Cologne and try and break out into Germany? That is what they always try on me! Or is that apart of your plan. Do you intend to use it as bait and trap the French troops so they are away from Paris and the Panzers.

 

[unmerged(12895)]

Comrade VILenin,

Presented is a Precis on the Present situation, beginning with a military analysis of the situation regarding France, a political analysis of the world situation, and following up with recommendations for future political action.

The Germans are obviously massing for a campaign on an unprecedented scale. Their Mass is focused in Belgium, and their intent is obviously to France what has been done to Poland. ComIntern volunteers in Holland report the Mass is located in Amsterdam. A secondary Mass is clearly known to be operating in Luxembourg according to KPD sources. The plan is obvious. An axis of advance is planned from Amsterdam to Chaumont, pocking the main French forces. The Germans will then reduce by seige and operational eschelon waves. Germany has no hope of forcing a political crisis in France by seizing territory or the capital, and thus hopes to destroy forces in the field (as demonstrated in Poland and in the North Sea). This is typical of the primitive strategic mind of the capitalist warmongers.

As far as the international situation is concerned, past attempts by Comrades to develop a doctrine of a Popular Front against Fascism have failed. The Western Imperialists are incapable of unity beyond a very primitive unity. See the non-involvement of Italy or the United States. The prospect is clear: wait and let each destroy the other. The solution: seek rapproachment with Germany rapidly.

Regarding present arrangements in the life of the Union and the Party, we must reestablish ourselves in preparation for war and subsequent revolution. Intelligence must be focused on internal security and the generation of dissent amongst the working classes of the world. Military production must be subsumed to the initial period of blunting: infantry, air superiority, mobile defence. Those responsible for the failure of the Popular Front should be investigated for their links with the British and French security apparatus.

yours,
Li2CO3

 

[Brad1]

May I suggest that there be a minor infantry attack from cologne and luxembourg into belgium to distract forces situated along the maginot line. These attacks could be coupled with air forces to reduce the strength of enemy divisions.

The main attack force should be mostly motorized and armored with the airforce clearing the way and using logistical strikes on enemy forces in the area, to more quickly win battles. I also volunteer to lead the tactical and logistical air campaigns against enemy ground forces in France.

Perhaps a landing onto the western coast of france sometime after the capture of Paris to grab up VPs could be considered, If you Blue Emu could distract the British Fleet.

 

[dannyboy2016]

I am pleased with our Fuher's recognition and support of our glorious armed forces. The airmen of our Luftwaffe have been doing exceptional work protecting our industries and Volk from the cowardly attacks of the heirs of pirates and villains like Drake. The army and navy have likewise acted with the greatest professionalism in pursuit of our Volk's objectives. The Navy has won a fantastic victory for us and has avenged our loss at Skagerak. The army has skillfully restored our country to more natural borders. I am proud to accept the bronze star and wear it in recognition of our great airmen whose vigilance and sacrifice secures our inevitable victory, but I shall also wear it to honor our victorious sailors and soldiers as well.

With recent Naval successes and the damage we have dealt to the English fleet it might be prudent to pull most squadrons off of duties in the sea and above the Reich's skies to assist in the quick destruction of allied armies in France. How many squadrons do we have that are prepared for operations in the west?

I look forward to assisting in the coming campaign that will crush Franco-English power and forever put an end to the shame we have suffered as a result of Versailles. Long live the Fatherland, long live the German Volk, and long live Kanitatlan!

 

[unmerged(41995)]

I come back from a 7 day holiday and Poland is mincemeat!

I am glad that I was able to protect the Fatherland, even when on holiday!

Question: Would you plan differently if you did not know of the Vichy trigger? I think the move along the north coast would still be beneficial. But would Paris still be the target it most certainly is (vichy trigger et al)?

I have enjoyed everyone's input! But I think our intelligence assets better pull their socks up! And whats with the Russian megastacks! God-in-heaven! Our Feuher had better be on his toes is all I can say!

Please don't let me - your humble commander of TACs be left to wonder accross the seas. I would dearly love to blast apart enemy formations as they flee and scuttle - vainly attempting to hide from the onslaught of the tidalwave of steel and cordite that is about to engulf them.

 

[Kanitatlan]

I am going to start sketching the Sealion...How many Fallschirmjäger divisions do we have? what about transports? I'd also like if our fleet could do a reconnaise mission to see how many divisions the British have at the beaches.

We have 3 Fallschirmjäger divisions with improved transports giving a range of 500 Km. We have no marines and the first marine tech hasn't been researched yet so our amphibious landing penalty is 50% or 33% for mountain divisions (Inf 39 SA is 18, Mtn I is 16 - with improved artillery). I'm holding off from a naval reconnaissance for the time being as I don't want to put the main fleet in harms way. The fleet is at sea for the France campaign and I will send Blaues Emu up the coast for reconnaissance of the UK.

We have 14 transports and they are in port at Amsterdam.

The main fleet currently has only 4 CVs operational and it will be about a month before the other two are back in service. However, there are another 6 CVs due on 19th May. By mid-June I will have an operational fleet with 12 CVs.

Blue EmuThe weakness along the German / Belgian border should not be an issue as the Belgians are weak and by the time French forces get there I will be threatening Paris. I consider any additional forces in this area to be idle forces and if this worries you then the deployment for Barbarossa will scare you to death.

Ghostwriter I believe a naval envelopement along the French coast would be dangerous as we would have insufficient fighter cover against the British naval bombers. It is also unnecessary as the normal land operations should be more than adequate.

Air envelopment will have to be targets of opportunity. The Fallschirmjäger stand ready but I have no paricular targets for them to address. They may be used in a similar way to the Polish campaign, targetted at capturing airfields and reducing the journey time into key provinces. I see little opportunity for encirclement by paradrop but it will always be considered.

Delta I believe you are in there somewhere already. I will make sure.

Dublish The Luxembourg stack is for a probe into Arlon designed to get the AI's attention. This will help distract the French and in particular draw the attention of the huge stacks in the Maginot line.

Hamminator The Luxembourg group advancing into Arlon creates a huge threat to any forces in central Belgium as soon as my coast force reaches a position to cut them off. The French will not have time to cause any problems against my weak points before I have utterly defeated them.

therev I guess that without the Vichy event my strategy would be somewhat different but I would still aim for a breakout into the main body of France so as to engage the enemy on ground of my own choosing and draw them out into a more dispersed battlefield.

therev, danielshannon Unfortunately I believe that the air force will remain to some extent concentrated in secondary theatres. This is partly an unfortunate consequence of the incomplete upgrade process. I may leave a lot of bombers gathering experience against the Danish ships and Polish army. The biggest commitment in the west is all 32 interceptor squadrons since we definitely need air superiority.

Brad1 See above, attacks from Luxembourg to Arlon and from Eindhoven through central Belgium.

Li2co3 Normally I don't talk to traitors but under the circumstances perhaps we could become friends.

 

[unmerged(56211)]

I consider any additional forces in this area to be idle forces and if this worries you then the deployment for Barbarossa will scare you to death.

Mein Fuhrer!

I most humbly suggest that we do not satisfy ourselves with 'just enough' forces. I request that it be reconsidered, for our intelligence may prove unreliable - with all the due respect to the Abwehr - and we may find ourselves facing greater odds than our force at hand will be able to tackle. It is a known strategic principle to employ a force that is overwhelming to the force of the enemy, or if the enemy be of a force overwhelming to our own - a force as near as possible to that of the enemy.

I very well understand the principles of leaving a significant force in the east, but my thinking is that we cannot allow ourselves the comfort of waging a prolonged war in France. We must strike wie ein blitz! Only this will allow us to secure the Greater Europe for our Faterland and relocate proper forces to the East.

That said, I also understand that our Fuhrer relies on the audacity and genius of his generals. I assure you, Mein Fuhrer, I am ready for the battle that awaits!

 

[blue emu]

Mein Fuhrer:

Diffidently, I direct your attention to what is essentially a side-issue...

My reconnaisance/decoy U-Boat force suffered signifigant casualties while carrying out the Phase-1 missions against England. Are plans in hand to maintain the strength of our U-Boat forces at six to twelve squadrons?

If the strength of our decoy squadron should fall too low, the lessened Visibility of our force might result in the opponent's failure to spot it... thus vitiating its effect as a decoy.

Also, a strength of at least six flotillas is, in my opinion, the minimum needed to remain on station at sea, in the face of enemy Naval-Air attacks. If twelve flotillas were available, half could act as reserves, recuperating in port and replacing damaged squadrons at sea... thus ensuring that a squadron was at all times ready to react to changing events.

Heil und Sieg,
Blaues Emu,
Commander, UnterzeebootesLockvogelFlotille