Nevermind all of Germany's great successes in France and Benelux, all that really matters is Zagreb. If the Croats can hold, then the Axis stand a chance...
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The Finns start this scenario at war with the Axis, having capitulated to the Soviets sometime in 1944. My knowledge about that part is a bit shakey.
I don't fancy their chances admittedly, pretty sure their manpower situation is even worse than mine. For my purposes, it would be better for them to capitulate and then get released again so they may inherit my doctrine and get to mobilize anew.
Anway, update on the way!
Intermezzo 1.2.1945
As February of the Anno Domini 1945 knocks on the door, the time has come for yet another overview of the general situation. After a war-torn winter, we may expect a very bloody spring to follow.
Diplomatically, Germany keeps painting the map in the west, while the east is *strategically* disregarded.
Western Front, where the Wehrmacht continues the noble sport of goosestepping across the French soil. The Allied resistance has been almost entirely broken, with the Heer enjoying full numeric superiority, a gap expected to widen after the destruction of the remaining pockets of Allied resistance.
*We do not talk about the East in the OKW.* Maybe the Soviet bear will spare us if we pretend to be dead. Thus far the Red Army still seems to be in the deployment phase, their tanks having outpaced the humble infantryman. The average Bohemian wonders at the geopolitical gymnastics that are currently happening across the land that was once Czechoslovakia. Hitler will, of course, award the entire populace of Prague an Iron Cross if this madness actually works.
Our circumstantial ally in Japan is still struggling, albeit less successfully than us. They have little in terms of navy left, and even less in terms of convoys. Their army luckily has the puppet regime in Manchukuo to draw their supplies from. It is still a great thing that they are surviving, as it keeps the full attention of the American behemoth away from us, allowing the Luftwaffe and the Kriegsmarine to score some localized victories and perhaps defeat them in detail, much like the Heer has done in France.
The German industry has certainly seen worse days. While low on ic due to giving the eastern part of the country up, we will soon be reaping the benefits of the repaired France. The dwindling stockpile of captured oil also helps the advance significantly for the time being.
Most of the remaining factories are focused on reinforcements and supply production. Dissent reduction will have to wait for the time being. New productions are more of a manpower bank, rather than any actually organized effort.
Finally, our loyal Croatian ally, devolved into a city-state. Not much to be said really, will probably last for the time it takes the Soviet divisions around Zagreb to reorg properly.
In about a month and a half, Germany has incurred additional 216k casualties. A sobering figure, despite the fact we have been trading shots extremely favourably. It can't be helped for now, but manpower issues will prove to be a huge brake on our progress in the future.
Anyway, I will try to post a bit more in the coming days, as I have been brutally busy sailing the vicious tides of real life. Thanks for all the support thus far, as always!
As February of the Anno Domini 1945 knocks on the door, the time has come for yet another overview of the general situation. After a war-torn winter, we may expect a very bloody spring to follow.
Diplomatically, Germany keeps painting the map in the west, while the east is *strategically* disregarded.
Western Front, where the Wehrmacht continues the noble sport of goosestepping across the French soil. The Allied resistance has been almost entirely broken, with the Heer enjoying full numeric superiority, a gap expected to widen after the destruction of the remaining pockets of Allied resistance.
*We do not talk about the East in the OKW.* Maybe the Soviet bear will spare us if we pretend to be dead. Thus far the Red Army still seems to be in the deployment phase, their tanks having outpaced the humble infantryman. The average Bohemian wonders at the geopolitical gymnastics that are currently happening across the land that was once Czechoslovakia. Hitler will, of course, award the entire populace of Prague an Iron Cross if this madness actually works.
Our circumstantial ally in Japan is still struggling, albeit less successfully than us. They have little in terms of navy left, and even less in terms of convoys. Their army luckily has the puppet regime in Manchukuo to draw their supplies from. It is still a great thing that they are surviving, as it keeps the full attention of the American behemoth away from us, allowing the Luftwaffe and the Kriegsmarine to score some localized victories and perhaps defeat them in detail, much like the Heer has done in France.
The German industry has certainly seen worse days. While low on ic due to giving the eastern part of the country up, we will soon be reaping the benefits of the repaired France. The dwindling stockpile of captured oil also helps the advance significantly for the time being.
Most of the remaining factories are focused on reinforcements and supply production. Dissent reduction will have to wait for the time being. New productions are more of a manpower bank, rather than any actually organized effort.
Finally, our loyal Croatian ally, devolved into a city-state. Not much to be said really, will probably last for the time it takes the Soviet divisions around Zagreb to reorg properly.
In about a month and a half, Germany has incurred additional 216k casualties. A sobering figure, despite the fact we have been trading shots extremely favourably. It can't be helped for now, but manpower issues will prove to be a huge brake on our progress in the future.
Anyway, I will try to post a bit more in the coming days, as I have been brutally busy sailing the vicious tides of real life. Thanks for all the support thus far, as always!
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Well, at least the Americans remain distracted?
Why do I feel like ignoring the Eastern Front is going to end up dooming the regime? The Soviets reached Berlin in OTL.
Why do I feel like ignoring the Eastern Front is going to end up dooming the regime? The Soviets reached Berlin in OTL.
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The Americans have very little in terms of land army left in Europe by now, so I don't particularly care. Not having to defend against their persistent amphibious attempts does help, or rather will, in the future, provided Japan keeps existing for a while. The Soviets are still our most powerful enemy, but the state of affairs is such that I can simply not afford to fight them at the moment. My manpower is down the gutter, and the only reason I can afford to reinforce my western push is because all the battered divisions in the east are on 50% strength and forbidden to reinforce. It will be a long long time before I am able to do anything against the Soviets, and the priority for now is to take all the Allied airbases in range of my core territory to avoid being carpeted by nukes once Truman presses the big red button.
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Chapter IVa - Like The Good Old Days
Chancellor Hitler assembles his minister cabinet once more so the recent happenings in the war can be discussed. The air in the room is not unlike it was back in May 1940, with everyone in barely suspended disbelief at the Wehrmacht's amazing successes against a more powerful enemy in France. Except this time around, the country is completely depleted of its manpower and oil reserves.
With a bittersweet half-grin, he concludes: "Gentlemen, we are finally done with the introductory part of the war. May our grandchildren love us or despise us, what comes now will be remembered as the greatest military success in mankind's history, or the last gasps of a dying Reich. Make sure it's the former. Dismissed!"
Back at the front, the victories continue trickling in. The first one is Manstein repelling the overly ambitious American assault on Vichy with relative ease. He immediately proceeds to counterattack the lone armored division in Limoges.
Demelhuber finally sends home the sweet news of victory in the marshes of Middelburg, his daring infantry push having dislodged the Americans from their lone supply lifeline. They are now doomed, much like the rest of their brethren in France.
Lt. Gen. von Hanneken adopts the von Lenski school of mobile warfare and speeds towards the Atlantic coast, in an effort to encircle the entirety of Bretagne. Ironic, considering the two German divisions are still encircled in Lorient. However, there is no Caesar among the Allied divisions, and no second siege of Alessia will be seen. This is merely a slaughter.
The pinning attack in Eindhoven fails, but it may already be too late for the pocket, as Middelburg had fallen during the time it took them to repel the attack. However, the attack is almost immediately instructed to recommence, to the dismay of troops involved, because the Allied troops mustn't be allowed to retreat to Middelburg in any case! The paper-thin Luftwaffe does what it can, which isn't much admittedly. Every little bit helps though.
The fools in Pontarlier are quite expectedly overrun. They will soon be added to the prisoner train, once they reach our soldiers waiting with them with polished handcuffs.
Hausser's tanks are instructed to advance on Bayeux, to destroy the remaining Allied pocket. A routine operation for him by this time.
A small American transport fleet is scuttled in port, as they hadn't managed to set sail in time before von Hanneken's motorized infantry swiftly captured the undefended port of St. Nazaire.
The battle of Eindhoven ends in a failure once more, their job thusly completed.
Demelhuber's infantry captures the Allied supply depot in Middelburg and turns to attack the encircled Americans. There will be no escape.
Regrettably, the attack proved to be too ambitious. It was called off before too many casualties were sustained and until the troops get some much-needed rest.
The Americans in Bayeux yield, but they continue their fighting retreat into the port of Cherbourg.
Von Hanneken is instructed to truck further into Nantes, to finally relieve the lone motorized division in La Rochelle. Of course, the men won't be informed that the OKW had resigned them to indentured labour in the Allied POW camps before the beginning of the operation.
The small submarine detachment from the East Indies is sadly sunk while passing through the Canarias archipelago. A regrettable loss, but there was a very slim chance of them surviving to begin with.
The defenders of Limoges are promptly routed by Manstein's panzers. The German advance is unstoppable now.
Lt. Gen. Gollnick reaches the shores of the Mediterranean with his lone motorized division once again. The remaining troops in France are now cut off from the supply depots of Italy.
The Americans launch a panic attack in La Rochelle, trying to destroy the division before it can be rescued. It is a miracle that the German soldiers don't surrender here and then in a last desperate attempt to avoid the continuation of this war that seems like it will be even more brutal than what had transpired thus far.
But alas, the hopes of the motorized infantry in La Rochelle are trumped by von Hanneken, who also destroys an allied bomber wing on the ground while he's at it.
Keitel's lone HQ division finds itself under attack, but he is not one to disappoint his beloved Führer. They will face the American Shermans with Lugers if they have to!
Lammerding advances into undefended Rennes, to try and capture the remaining Allied divisions, as the British infantry from there seems to have been evacuated by ship at some point.
Another bomber wing is destroyed on the ground by advancing German motorized infantry. Who said we needed planes to destroy planes? German Heer is resourceful, after all.
An attack is ordered on Chateauroux, while a lone division gets bounced from Limoges.
A tandem win in Bayeux and Middelburg is performed. The Allies are doomed to destruction in both cases.
The American rangers are evicted from Chateauroux without much hassle.
The Luftwaffe suffers yet another costly defeat above Middelburg, having shamelessly bombed for the past week unperturbed. They will have to be grounded again for the time being, as losing whole wings has become a possibility again if the Allies organize a proper air fleet.
The push in Aquitania continues, with Tours coming under attack as soon as Chateauroux was captured.
Demelhuber sounds the trumpet once more, and his infantry rises from the trenches in response. This will be the last time they engage the encircled Americans.
Simultaneously, Lammerding signals for the attack on St. Brieuc to begin. The defenders of Lorient have been rescued and now the roles are reversed, as they are the ones encircling their captors without even having changed the location.
Hasso von Manteuffel is allowed to advance onto currently undefended Turin, to try and set foot within the prewar borders of Italy and capture their industrial heartland. It seems the Allies don't even have the divisions available to man the front anymore.
The attack on Tours concludes with a resounding German victory. As that happens, the Soviets mount another attack onto our allies' capital. A somber toast is had at the OKW to our resilient yet doomed Croatian puppet.
The remaining American resistance in the Normandy pocket is broken, as they surrender en masse. Hausser's triumph is now complete, and he is hailed as a hero in the Reich.
The lone and foolish division finally surrenders to us. A costly mistake by the Allied high command that was.
With that, a new day dawns for France, once more under strict yet just and benevolent German authority. The immediate assault on Italy is looking ever so imminent, which will allow Germany to regain its productive capacities and perhaps have a breather to give the troops some well-deserved rest. Victory is starting to look the more likely option than Valhalla.
Chancellor Hitler assembles his minister cabinet once more so the recent happenings in the war can be discussed. The air in the room is not unlike it was back in May 1940, with everyone in barely suspended disbelief at the Wehrmacht's amazing successes against a more powerful enemy in France. Except this time around, the country is completely depleted of its manpower and oil reserves.
With a bittersweet half-grin, he concludes: "Gentlemen, we are finally done with the introductory part of the war. May our grandchildren love us or despise us, what comes now will be remembered as the greatest military success in mankind's history, or the last gasps of a dying Reich. Make sure it's the former. Dismissed!"
Back at the front, the victories continue trickling in. The first one is Manstein repelling the overly ambitious American assault on Vichy with relative ease. He immediately proceeds to counterattack the lone armored division in Limoges.
Demelhuber finally sends home the sweet news of victory in the marshes of Middelburg, his daring infantry push having dislodged the Americans from their lone supply lifeline. They are now doomed, much like the rest of their brethren in France.
Lt. Gen. von Hanneken adopts the von Lenski school of mobile warfare and speeds towards the Atlantic coast, in an effort to encircle the entirety of Bretagne. Ironic, considering the two German divisions are still encircled in Lorient. However, there is no Caesar among the Allied divisions, and no second siege of Alessia will be seen. This is merely a slaughter.
The pinning attack in Eindhoven fails, but it may already be too late for the pocket, as Middelburg had fallen during the time it took them to repel the attack. However, the attack is almost immediately instructed to recommence, to the dismay of troops involved, because the Allied troops mustn't be allowed to retreat to Middelburg in any case! The paper-thin Luftwaffe does what it can, which isn't much admittedly. Every little bit helps though.
The fools in Pontarlier are quite expectedly overrun. They will soon be added to the prisoner train, once they reach our soldiers waiting with them with polished handcuffs.
Hausser's tanks are instructed to advance on Bayeux, to destroy the remaining Allied pocket. A routine operation for him by this time.
A small American transport fleet is scuttled in port, as they hadn't managed to set sail in time before von Hanneken's motorized infantry swiftly captured the undefended port of St. Nazaire.
The battle of Eindhoven ends in a failure once more, their job thusly completed.
Demelhuber's infantry captures the Allied supply depot in Middelburg and turns to attack the encircled Americans. There will be no escape.
Regrettably, the attack proved to be too ambitious. It was called off before too many casualties were sustained and until the troops get some much-needed rest.
The Americans in Bayeux yield, but they continue their fighting retreat into the port of Cherbourg.
Von Hanneken is instructed to truck further into Nantes, to finally relieve the lone motorized division in La Rochelle. Of course, the men won't be informed that the OKW had resigned them to indentured labour in the Allied POW camps before the beginning of the operation.
The small submarine detachment from the East Indies is sadly sunk while passing through the Canarias archipelago. A regrettable loss, but there was a very slim chance of them surviving to begin with.
The defenders of Limoges are promptly routed by Manstein's panzers. The German advance is unstoppable now.
Lt. Gen. Gollnick reaches the shores of the Mediterranean with his lone motorized division once again. The remaining troops in France are now cut off from the supply depots of Italy.
The Americans launch a panic attack in La Rochelle, trying to destroy the division before it can be rescued. It is a miracle that the German soldiers don't surrender here and then in a last desperate attempt to avoid the continuation of this war that seems like it will be even more brutal than what had transpired thus far.
But alas, the hopes of the motorized infantry in La Rochelle are trumped by von Hanneken, who also destroys an allied bomber wing on the ground while he's at it.
Keitel's lone HQ division finds itself under attack, but he is not one to disappoint his beloved Führer. They will face the American Shermans with Lugers if they have to!
Lammerding advances into undefended Rennes, to try and capture the remaining Allied divisions, as the British infantry from there seems to have been evacuated by ship at some point.
Another bomber wing is destroyed on the ground by advancing German motorized infantry. Who said we needed planes to destroy planes? German Heer is resourceful, after all.
An attack is ordered on Chateauroux, while a lone division gets bounced from Limoges.
A tandem win in Bayeux and Middelburg is performed. The Allies are doomed to destruction in both cases.
The American rangers are evicted from Chateauroux without much hassle.
The Luftwaffe suffers yet another costly defeat above Middelburg, having shamelessly bombed for the past week unperturbed. They will have to be grounded again for the time being, as losing whole wings has become a possibility again if the Allies organize a proper air fleet.
The push in Aquitania continues, with Tours coming under attack as soon as Chateauroux was captured.
Demelhuber sounds the trumpet once more, and his infantry rises from the trenches in response. This will be the last time they engage the encircled Americans.
Simultaneously, Lammerding signals for the attack on St. Brieuc to begin. The defenders of Lorient have been rescued and now the roles are reversed, as they are the ones encircling their captors without even having changed the location.
Hasso von Manteuffel is allowed to advance onto currently undefended Turin, to try and set foot within the prewar borders of Italy and capture their industrial heartland. It seems the Allies don't even have the divisions available to man the front anymore.
The attack on Tours concludes with a resounding German victory. As that happens, the Soviets mount another attack onto our allies' capital. A somber toast is had at the OKW to our resilient yet doomed Croatian puppet.
The remaining American resistance in the Normandy pocket is broken, as they surrender en masse. Hausser's triumph is now complete, and he is hailed as a hero in the Reich.
The lone and foolish division finally surrenders to us. A costly mistake by the Allied high command that was.
With that, a new day dawns for France, once more under strict yet just and benevolent German authority. The immediate assault on Italy is looking ever so imminent, which will allow Germany to regain its productive capacities and perhaps have a breather to give the troops some well-deserved rest. Victory is starting to look the more likely option than Valhalla.
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I always love to see WW2 AARs which start in this scenario, had noticed this AAR but haven't been able to start reading it. Will do so now, from what I see seems you are quite good at it!
And glad to see the forum is still kept alive by a fresh AAR, .
And glad to see the forum is still kept alive by a fresh AAR,
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Good to have you, and thanks for the kind words. I've read your Korea AAR as well, great stuff. Regarding this run, there's still a lot of pain to be had, so feel free to hop onI always love to see WW2 AARs which start in this scenario, had noticed this AAR but haven't been able to start reading it. Will do so now, from what I see seems you are quite good at it!
And glad to see the forum is still kept alive by a fresh AAR,
A great AAR, I enjoyed it a lot.
If Germany conquered France and Italy, their additional manpower would help German's still worrisome low manpower situation a bit?
If Germany conquered France and Italy, their additional manpower would help German's still worrisome low manpower situation a bit?
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Yes, fighting them is a pain, luckily the AI is quite bad at managing its airfleets and even armies, so this sort of counterattack is possible.
Thank you kindly! The manpower from conquered territories increases the trickle very faintly, but a newly released puppet will churn units out for me with a full manpower pool. Sadly, a puppet France cannot be released as far as I know.
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Chapter IVb
The saga continues where it left off: amidst the total Allied collapse in France. The German war machine again looks like the unstoppable steamroller that it once was, if only one would ignore the dire manpower and oil situation.
The first attack of the day belongs to Ferdinand Schörner, who attacks the stranded American paratroopers in Cherbourg with their German counterparts.
A single division surrenders in Eindhoven, not willing to fight any longer. Spoiled Americans have surely gotten used to abundant oil and manpower reserves, so their weak will shows itself as soon as those are denied. The German soldier, however, is no stranger to such misery.
American paratroopers in Cherbourg finally surrenders, marking the end of the Allied presence in Normandy.
Kleist's panzer horde is stopped by a single brave, yet foolish paratrooper division. Purple hearts (and grave markers) will be in short supply in the US.
The *almost* dangerous Allied army in Eindhoven surrenders as well. Demelhuber and his infantry finally get some well-deserved rest.
Allies in St. Brieuc also retreat to the port of Brest, hoping to find better defensive ground in the streets of the port city. Lammerding's mechanized infantry is diligently following.
Von Manstein and von Schweppenburg reach Limoges and immediately proceed to attack Angouleme, to try and dislodge the divisions there. Shouldn't be too much trouble, considering they are currently busy assaulting La Rochelle.
Von Kleist's unstoppable march continues, this time being delayed slightly by some actual heavy weaponry. However, both numbers and expertise are on his side.
An attack in Grenoble is attempted as well against a single American motorized division. Due to the mountainous terrain and the fortifications left behind the Little Maginot line, dislodging them is easier said than done.
The Red Army seems to have reached the Oder in strength. Despite having a clear numerical advantage, they seem to have been dissuaded from attacking by the perceived preparedness of the German defensive line. It shall be seen whether this peaceful situation persists.
An attack on Poitiers is ordered, to pressure the Americans further.
Finally, some British infantry opposes von Manteuffel's advance into Turin, in the nick of time. The attack continues, as the German panzers still enjoy comfortable edge in numbers and quality despite their battered state.
Disappointed are the brave soldiers of the Wehrmacht who expected a pitched battle in Poitiers, as the Allied resolve disintegrated almost instantly. That, or they learned their lesson and won't permit themselves to be encircled so easily anymore.
The Soviet submariners, who have been harassing our convoys for some time now, have been sent to their watery grave by the floating trash occasionally referred to as the Kriegsmarine.
Manstein's relentless assault sees the defense of Angouleme completely demolished, as expected.
Regrettably, the assault on the port city of Brest fails, as another fully organized division is shipped there. The Allies seem to be determined to try and hold this piece of land, which should be prevented at all costs, or else Germany risks the repetition of 1944 while its forces are occupied down south.
The battle of Perigueux ends in a decisive victory for von Kleist's panzers. The armor from Poitiers manages to reinforce Angouleme in time, preventing an overrun of the retreating Americans. Won't do anything but slightly prolong the struggle.
A presumably attempted Allied amphibious landing is prevented by Dönitz and his submarines, who sinks a large part of the transport fleet along with its escorting destroyers.
The lone motorized division in Grenoble is forced to retreat despite the prime defensive terrain. However, further advance into Italy seems less and less likely by the hour, due to the increasing number of Allied divisions arriving there.
The final battle for La Rochelle ends in a German victory, its defenders finally permitted to enjoy some semblance of rest.
A somber toast is held for our Croatian allies, who defended their capital until their divisions practically disintegrated. They will be avenged once the currently desperately flailing Germany regains her footing.
The important airbase of Toulouse is the next victim of the unstoppable panzer horde. It won't help much with regards to constant air raids, but they may yet catch some of the Allied aircraft on the ground, Allied limited attention span permitting.
The attack on Turin is called off, as the British bring yet another division to man the forts of the industrial city. The ambitious immediate push into the Italian industrial heartland thereby fails. Nevermind, as our troops could use some rest as well, despite allowing the beleaguered Allies the same. It is better to take a breather and attack under our own terms at a later date, rather than waste our limited men and resources on an extremely unfavorable push against the well-rested and equipped Brits.
Finally, Heinz Guderian is assigned to the ministry of war to better utilize his charisma and perhaps attract some more recruits to the banner of the Reich. (Hitler had heard that some kindergarteners are incredibly mature for their age, so why not help them build their character by conscripting them?)
Thus ends the German string of astounding victories with a defeat at the gates of Italy. However, three things are certain in life: death, taxes and the German counterattack!
The saga continues where it left off: amidst the total Allied collapse in France. The German war machine again looks like the unstoppable steamroller that it once was, if only one would ignore the dire manpower and oil situation.
The first attack of the day belongs to Ferdinand Schörner, who attacks the stranded American paratroopers in Cherbourg with their German counterparts.
A single division surrenders in Eindhoven, not willing to fight any longer. Spoiled Americans have surely gotten used to abundant oil and manpower reserves, so their weak will shows itself as soon as those are denied. The German soldier, however, is no stranger to such misery.
American paratroopers in Cherbourg finally surrenders, marking the end of the Allied presence in Normandy.
Kleist's panzer horde is stopped by a single brave, yet foolish paratrooper division. Purple hearts (and grave markers) will be in short supply in the US.
The *almost* dangerous Allied army in Eindhoven surrenders as well. Demelhuber and his infantry finally get some well-deserved rest.
Allies in St. Brieuc also retreat to the port of Brest, hoping to find better defensive ground in the streets of the port city. Lammerding's mechanized infantry is diligently following.
Von Manstein and von Schweppenburg reach Limoges and immediately proceed to attack Angouleme, to try and dislodge the divisions there. Shouldn't be too much trouble, considering they are currently busy assaulting La Rochelle.
Von Kleist's unstoppable march continues, this time being delayed slightly by some actual heavy weaponry. However, both numbers and expertise are on his side.
An attack in Grenoble is attempted as well against a single American motorized division. Due to the mountainous terrain and the fortifications left behind the Little Maginot line, dislodging them is easier said than done.
The Red Army seems to have reached the Oder in strength. Despite having a clear numerical advantage, they seem to have been dissuaded from attacking by the perceived preparedness of the German defensive line. It shall be seen whether this peaceful situation persists.
An attack on Poitiers is ordered, to pressure the Americans further.
Finally, some British infantry opposes von Manteuffel's advance into Turin, in the nick of time. The attack continues, as the German panzers still enjoy comfortable edge in numbers and quality despite their battered state.
Disappointed are the brave soldiers of the Wehrmacht who expected a pitched battle in Poitiers, as the Allied resolve disintegrated almost instantly. That, or they learned their lesson and won't permit themselves to be encircled so easily anymore.
The Soviet submariners, who have been harassing our convoys for some time now, have been sent to their watery grave by the floating trash occasionally referred to as the Kriegsmarine.
Manstein's relentless assault sees the defense of Angouleme completely demolished, as expected.
Regrettably, the assault on the port city of Brest fails, as another fully organized division is shipped there. The Allies seem to be determined to try and hold this piece of land, which should be prevented at all costs, or else Germany risks the repetition of 1944 while its forces are occupied down south.
The battle of Perigueux ends in a decisive victory for von Kleist's panzers. The armor from Poitiers manages to reinforce Angouleme in time, preventing an overrun of the retreating Americans. Won't do anything but slightly prolong the struggle.
A presumably attempted Allied amphibious landing is prevented by Dönitz and his submarines, who sinks a large part of the transport fleet along with its escorting destroyers.
The lone motorized division in Grenoble is forced to retreat despite the prime defensive terrain. However, further advance into Italy seems less and less likely by the hour, due to the increasing number of Allied divisions arriving there.
The final battle for La Rochelle ends in a German victory, its defenders finally permitted to enjoy some semblance of rest.
A somber toast is held for our Croatian allies, who defended their capital until their divisions practically disintegrated. They will be avenged once the currently desperately flailing Germany regains her footing.
The important airbase of Toulouse is the next victim of the unstoppable panzer horde. It won't help much with regards to constant air raids, but they may yet catch some of the Allied aircraft on the ground, Allied limited attention span permitting.
The attack on Turin is called off, as the British bring yet another division to man the forts of the industrial city. The ambitious immediate push into the Italian industrial heartland thereby fails. Nevermind, as our troops could use some rest as well, despite allowing the beleaguered Allies the same. It is better to take a breather and attack under our own terms at a later date, rather than waste our limited men and resources on an extremely unfavorable push against the well-rested and equipped Brits.
Finally, Heinz Guderian is assigned to the ministry of war to better utilize his charisma and perhaps attract some more recruits to the banner of the Reich. (Hitler had heard that some kindergarteners are incredibly mature for their age, so why not help them build their character by conscripting them?)
Thus ends the German string of astounding victories with a defeat at the gates of Italy. However, three things are certain in life: death, taxes and the German counterattack!
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You're very good. I should learn from you when I come to face the Draka in my AAR.
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Thank you. Regarding your Draka run, what I'm doing here is poor man's warfare, you will likely be able to wage something much more resembling a blitzkrieg and much less a stroll through the Valley of Death.
My surface navy is a collection of vessels that would have been considered obsolete at the onset of the war, not even taking the fact that a single carrier could send it to the bottom of the sea due to game mechanics into account. I feel I was quite generous with "trash", even.
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Chapter IVc
The question everyone seems to have been asking at the OKW, but somehow never openly, was of course: "Has the Wehrmacht run out of steam once more? Has Italy finally marked the end of the German ambition to rule Europe?" Despite the news of a devastating victory in Angouleme, the general staff trembled with trepidation as the news of the Allied counterattack in Grenoble reached them.
As if to say "Nein, wir kämpfen immer noch!", Manteuffel hurries to reinforce the faltering defenders of Grenoble.
The French, never tired of losing the war, even after almost 5 years of humiliation, still eagerly surrender a whole division. Not that it will make a difference, their American brethren will soon follow suit.
Yes, Germany is here to stay. Manteuffel shows the Brits that his panzers mean business, and the Allied counterattack is promptly called off. France is firmly in the German hands for now.
As the concentration of the Soviet forces reaches alarming levels, Göring orders the newly finished V-2 rockets to be unleashed on their supply and communication hubs, to try and diminish their ability to wage offensive warfare before the troops from the West can bolster the ever-so-thin German lines on the Oder.
The German troopers are permitted a brief rest, as the frontlines are stable and the soldiers are exhausted. This is the state of affairs on the 1st of March, 1945.
However, the lack of offensive warfare is not a chapter in any of the German military strategy books, so the charge is sounded in Bordeaux. The German infantry, motorized in name only, marches forth to take the last major port in France from the Allied hands.
In Toulouse, several bombing wings have been destroyed on the ground. They will terrorize the quite literally down-to-earth Wehrmacht no longer.
Von Kleist's panzer horde is unleashed on Beziers, in what could be described as slight overkill.
However, the Allies offer us a rude awakening in Bretagne. Now reinforced with yet another fresh division, they launch an attack in Lorient. This beachhead must not be allowed to expand!
As expected, the battle of Beziers proves to be an easy victory.
The British, having somehow located their gonads and determined that a lone and battered division could indeed be pushed with 10 to 1 numerical superiority, launch a brave and daring attack into Nice.
As no reinforcements can be levied in time, the division leaves the battlefield to the British for the time being. No sense taxing our nearly bankrupt blood banks needlessly.
The offensive in Aquitania resumes, as it has become apparent that fronts slowly need to be reduced in number, for us to be able to wage war with a semblance of efficiency.
In a brave but risky maneuver, Lt. Gen. Lammerding relieves the defenders of Lorient, buying time for more troops to be brought to the front by train. How long will he be able to keep this elastic defense up, being pitched against a more mobile enemy, at least on paper?
For a while, it turns out, as he arrives in time to stop the Allied attempt at enveloping Lorient. The battle still needs to be won, though.
The enemy troops are evicted from Bordeaux, as yet another Allied stockpile falls into the hands of the Wehrmacht. At this point, the only oil that reaches the German troops (periodically at best) is the one meant for the Americans.
The arrival of additional divisions puts an end to the Allied hopes of a renewed push in Bretagne. The danger has been averted, for now.
Manstein dislodges the defenders of Agen, despite the planes bombing him outnumbering the soldiers they are actually trying to bomb (slightly hyperbolizing, don't hold it against me).
In Rotterdam, the Royal Navy attempts to bomb the docked German subs. Dönitz immediately orders a sally out, hoping to catch the British carriers with their air wings deployed far away.
The carriers regrettably manage to evade Dönitz with their superior speed and positioning, but no serious damage is sustained in return.
Not knowing when to quit, the Americans attempt another attack in Lorient.
As this is happening, Busch takes matters into his own hands to try and put an end to Allied shenanigans in Brest for good.
Regrettably, it has proven to be way too ambitious of an undertaking, due to the superior enemy organization. He elects to help Lorient instead.
The German push continues on the slopes of the Pyrenees.
Mont de Marsan is also wrestled from the American hands, with yet another stockpile falling into the German hands. With this, the remaining Allied troops no longer have access to the supply lines running through the Bay of Biscay and need to be supplied from the Mediterranean instead. The generals rejoice as that means the American logisticians inconvenience themselves more to deliver their oil straight into German hands.
The submarine port of Lorient is defended successfully one more.
The two-pronged attack on the Pyrenees pushes the defenders of Perpignan back. The Allies are in danger of starving while enjoying the view from the Pyrenees.
The coldest of showers has been received by the now almost complacent OKW: the British have launched an attack into the plains of Bavaria and threaten to break through into the heart of Germany itself!
Every man not absolutely required elsewhere is immediately dispatched to Bavaria, even the paratroopers from Berlin stop some kilometers short of the frontline due to a lack of foresight in their initial positioning. They will have to cover the rest of the distance on foot.
Feldmarschall Höhne is instructed to proceed with a distracting attack into Mozart's hometown, now an Allied playground.
He immediately manages to rout the lone British infantry division with his well-rested troops.
As it appears, the degree of panic experienced was disproportionate to the Allied resolve, as the additional supplies funneled to the troops in Landshut did the trick and secured a victory. However, this has been a reminder that Germany is fighting on borrowed time and needs to resolve the situation in the East as soon as possible, as every subsequent day brings an increased risk of the Allied High command growing a brain and actually punishing the extremely risky German war effort.
The now encircled Americans in Pau launch a desperate attack on Perpignan. A successful defense is far from certain, as the German tanks are extremely battered due to relentless air strikes.
Konrad Zuse meanwhile completes his research on advanced cyphering machines unperturbed by the country crashing around him, and continues to work on dismantling the Allied ones.
As such, Germany lives to fight yet another day. With France almost completely secured, but the victory in the East looking ever so uncertain, there is still a lot to be worried about for the big heads in the OKW. Let us hope that their offensive strategic prowess won't falter as it did before the gates of Moscow in 1941.
The question everyone seems to have been asking at the OKW, but somehow never openly, was of course: "Has the Wehrmacht run out of steam once more? Has Italy finally marked the end of the German ambition to rule Europe?" Despite the news of a devastating victory in Angouleme, the general staff trembled with trepidation as the news of the Allied counterattack in Grenoble reached them.
As if to say "Nein, wir kämpfen immer noch!", Manteuffel hurries to reinforce the faltering defenders of Grenoble.
The French, never tired of losing the war, even after almost 5 years of humiliation, still eagerly surrender a whole division. Not that it will make a difference, their American brethren will soon follow suit.
Yes, Germany is here to stay. Manteuffel shows the Brits that his panzers mean business, and the Allied counterattack is promptly called off. France is firmly in the German hands for now.
As the concentration of the Soviet forces reaches alarming levels, Göring orders the newly finished V-2 rockets to be unleashed on their supply and communication hubs, to try and diminish their ability to wage offensive warfare before the troops from the West can bolster the ever-so-thin German lines on the Oder.
The German troopers are permitted a brief rest, as the frontlines are stable and the soldiers are exhausted. This is the state of affairs on the 1st of March, 1945.
However, the lack of offensive warfare is not a chapter in any of the German military strategy books, so the charge is sounded in Bordeaux. The German infantry, motorized in name only, marches forth to take the last major port in France from the Allied hands.
In Toulouse, several bombing wings have been destroyed on the ground. They will terrorize the quite literally down-to-earth Wehrmacht no longer.
Von Kleist's panzer horde is unleashed on Beziers, in what could be described as slight overkill.
However, the Allies offer us a rude awakening in Bretagne. Now reinforced with yet another fresh division, they launch an attack in Lorient. This beachhead must not be allowed to expand!
As expected, the battle of Beziers proves to be an easy victory.
The British, having somehow located their gonads and determined that a lone and battered division could indeed be pushed with 10 to 1 numerical superiority, launch a brave and daring attack into Nice.
As no reinforcements can be levied in time, the division leaves the battlefield to the British for the time being. No sense taxing our nearly bankrupt blood banks needlessly.
The offensive in Aquitania resumes, as it has become apparent that fronts slowly need to be reduced in number, for us to be able to wage war with a semblance of efficiency.
In a brave but risky maneuver, Lt. Gen. Lammerding relieves the defenders of Lorient, buying time for more troops to be brought to the front by train. How long will he be able to keep this elastic defense up, being pitched against a more mobile enemy, at least on paper?
For a while, it turns out, as he arrives in time to stop the Allied attempt at enveloping Lorient. The battle still needs to be won, though.
The enemy troops are evicted from Bordeaux, as yet another Allied stockpile falls into the hands of the Wehrmacht. At this point, the only oil that reaches the German troops (periodically at best) is the one meant for the Americans.
The arrival of additional divisions puts an end to the Allied hopes of a renewed push in Bretagne. The danger has been averted, for now.
Manstein dislodges the defenders of Agen, despite the planes bombing him outnumbering the soldiers they are actually trying to bomb (slightly hyperbolizing, don't hold it against me).
In Rotterdam, the Royal Navy attempts to bomb the docked German subs. Dönitz immediately orders a sally out, hoping to catch the British carriers with their air wings deployed far away.
The carriers regrettably manage to evade Dönitz with their superior speed and positioning, but no serious damage is sustained in return.
Not knowing when to quit, the Americans attempt another attack in Lorient.
As this is happening, Busch takes matters into his own hands to try and put an end to Allied shenanigans in Brest for good.
Regrettably, it has proven to be way too ambitious of an undertaking, due to the superior enemy organization. He elects to help Lorient instead.
The German push continues on the slopes of the Pyrenees.
Mont de Marsan is also wrestled from the American hands, with yet another stockpile falling into the German hands. With this, the remaining Allied troops no longer have access to the supply lines running through the Bay of Biscay and need to be supplied from the Mediterranean instead. The generals rejoice as that means the American logisticians inconvenience themselves more to deliver their oil straight into German hands.
The submarine port of Lorient is defended successfully one more.
The two-pronged attack on the Pyrenees pushes the defenders of Perpignan back. The Allies are in danger of starving while enjoying the view from the Pyrenees.
The coldest of showers has been received by the now almost complacent OKW: the British have launched an attack into the plains of Bavaria and threaten to break through into the heart of Germany itself!
Every man not absolutely required elsewhere is immediately dispatched to Bavaria, even the paratroopers from Berlin stop some kilometers short of the frontline due to a lack of foresight in their initial positioning. They will have to cover the rest of the distance on foot.
Feldmarschall Höhne is instructed to proceed with a distracting attack into Mozart's hometown, now an Allied playground.
He immediately manages to rout the lone British infantry division with his well-rested troops.
As it appears, the degree of panic experienced was disproportionate to the Allied resolve, as the additional supplies funneled to the troops in Landshut did the trick and secured a victory. However, this has been a reminder that Germany is fighting on borrowed time and needs to resolve the situation in the East as soon as possible, as every subsequent day brings an increased risk of the Allied High command growing a brain and actually punishing the extremely risky German war effort.
The now encircled Americans in Pau launch a desperate attack on Perpignan. A successful defense is far from certain, as the German tanks are extremely battered due to relentless air strikes.
Konrad Zuse meanwhile completes his research on advanced cyphering machines unperturbed by the country crashing around him, and continues to work on dismantling the Allied ones.
As such, Germany lives to fight yet another day. With France almost completely secured, but the victory in the East looking ever so uncertain, there is still a lot to be worried about for the big heads in the OKW. Let us hope that their offensive strategic prowess won't falter as it did before the gates of Moscow in 1941.
- 5
The "allied high command growing a brain" is a risk as Germany continues to fight. ROFL.
You have to admire the sheer stubbornness of the French too.
You have to admire the sheer stubbornness of the French too.
- 2
Nice work so far! It's nice to see a gameplay AAR (and in DH!).
How do you think you would have fared if the Allies hadn't screened off such a large section of the eastern front?
How do you think you would have fared if the Allies hadn't screened off such a large section of the eastern front?
- 1
He'd lose already. But with cheesing and numerous restarts, he seems to be holding fine.
- 1
Man, that's a reference to a old AAR if I've ever seen one...
- 2