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Darui

Second Lieutenant
Feb 13, 2013
164
0
I have decided to begin new AAR, this time with the UK. It is always interesting to play as the UK on hard and i haven't seen many British AARs. Rules are simple, no cheating, reloading and gamey tactics (flying circus and stuff). I plan to post first update later today. Regarding my German AAR, I am not abandoning it. I just have time to write another. I will update both of them regularly.

Nation: The United Kingdom
Difficulty: Hard
Starting year: 1936
Version: TFH 4.01
House rules: No cheating, reloading and gamey tactics
 
Chapter I: Prologue

This chapter will be rather short, since nothing important happened by the January 1938' and see no point in posting screenshots of everything i have researched, produced... Just to inform, i have built 15 IC, 2 INT wings, 2 battleships, several infrantry division and few armored and motorised infrantry brigades. 2 carriers and 1 escort carrier are to be finished in few months. As you can see i have invested much in the Navy. I have primarly focused on doctrines but also researched armament, armor and engine for some types. Becouse of that, my land doctrines suffered so i am currently trying to catch up and research the important ones before the war starts. I am doing the same with the Air doctrines.


I have spent entire in-game year in just organising my navy. Since i am not a formmidable naval commander, I'd appreciate advices.

Naval organisation

I have divided my naval force i 3 theatres: Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian.


Atlantic theatre

Main objective of forces operating in this theatre is to prevent Kriegsmarine from reaching the open sea and protect convoys from the U-boats.

It consists of:

RN Task Force 1

2 Battleships (HMS Rodney, HMS Nelson)
2 Battlecruisers (HMS Hood, HMS Renown)
1 Escort carrier (HMS Argus)
5 Light cruisers

RN Task Force 2

2 Battleships (HMS Ramillies, HMS Resolution)
1 Battlecruiser (HMS Repulse)
2 Heavy cruiser (HMS Cumberland, HMS Suffolk)
5 Destroyers

RN Task Force 3

2 Battleships (HMS Royal Sovereign, HMS Royal Oak)
1 Escort carrier (HMS Hermes)
3 Heavy cruisers (HMS Dorsetshire, HMS Frobisher, HMS Effingham)
5 Destroyers

RN Task Force 4

1 Battleship (HMS Queen Elizabeth)
2 Heavy cruisers (HMS Cornwall, HMS Kent)
5 Light cruisers
4 Destroyers

RN Carrier Task force 2
1 Aircraft carrier (HMS Furious)
1 Escort carrier (still producing)
2 Heavy cruisers (HMS Hawkins, HMS Berwick)
4 Light cruisers

1st transport squadroon
6 transports
2 destroyers

2nd transport squadroon
2 transports
2 destroyers


Mediterranean theatre

Main objective: Destruction of RM (Italian navy), protection of Gibraltar and Suez

RN Task Force 5

2 Battleships (HMS Barham, HMS Valiant)
1 Heavy cruiser (HMS Shropshire)
6 Destroyers

RN Task Force 6

3 Battleships (HMS Malaya, HMS Warspite, HMS Revenge)
3 Heavy cruisers (HMS Devonshire, HMS York, HMS Exeter)
6 Destroyers

RN Carrier Task Force 1

2 Aircraft carriers (HMS Glorious, HMS Courageous)
2 Heavy cruisers (HMS Sussex, HMS London)
4 Light cruisers

3rd transport squadroon

3 transports
2 destroyers


Indian theatre

Main objective: Protection of Singapure and India

RN Task Force 7
2 Battleships (newly built: HMS King George IV, HMS ??? (forgot name, will edit)
1 Heavy cruiser (HMS Norfolk)
1 Escort carrier (HMS Eagle)
5 destroyers

RN Task Force 8

To be formed

RN Carrier Task Force 3

2 Aircraft carriers (under construction)
2 Heavy cruisers (under construction)
4 Light cruisers

Regarding Carrier task forces, i've seen many players merging 4 carriers with 4 light cruisers. Since i can't afford many carriers, my task forces will consist of only 2. I've also added 2 Heavy cruisers for extra protection.

I've also added one escort carrier to some of regular Task Forces. If you think they should be use differently, feel free to advise me.

Thats it for now. I will post pictures tommorow (edit) becouse i don't have time to upload right now.
Comment :)
 
Excellent! I love UK AARs but people hardly ever finish them. Hope this one gets finished. Also what's your plan for the war in Europe do you plan to defend France or not.
 
Excellent! I love UK AARs but people hardly ever finish them. Hope this one gets finished. Also what's your plan for the war in Europe do you plan to defend France or not.

First of all, thank you for commenting :) I plan to hold France as long as possible. At least, my commanders will level up. Regarding whole Europe, i will try to defend Greece and later (not before Barbarossa), invade Italy.

Edit: You can expect new update tommorow.
 
Last edited:
I recommend a Reserve Fleet to rotate damaged ships.
There are no big vessels required in Far East as Japan will be no threat until '41. As it will most likely conduct limited war with the US, it's your decision to start hostilities by inviting the states to the Allies. Battleships are rendered rather useless by the japanese carriers.

My current UK game went well with three big fleets : Home Fleet for Germany, Med Fleet for Italy, a 4CV-Task Force for the higher prio theatre. The italian navy got destroyed (no ship at all - I stumbled over an AI-exploit/stupidity to do it) and the Kriegsmarine has no major ships by 1941. Concentration of force helps to sink ships before the enemy fleet retreats (they always will ...)
You'll need a constant stream of convoys and dedicated ASW-groups - the german submarine-warfare will be very annoying.
 
Colour me interested!

I am as much of a naval noob as you claim to be, so unfortunately I can't give you any sensible comments on that.
Have you done anything special to the Army or Air Force?
 
I recommend a Reserve Fleet to rotate damaged ships.
There are no big vessels required in Far East as Japan will be no threat until '41. As it will most likely conduct limited war with the US, it's your decision to start hostilities by inviting the states to the Allies. Battleships are rendered rather useless by the japanese carriers.

My current UK game went well with three big fleets : Home Fleet for Germany, Med Fleet for Italy, a 4CV-Task Force for the higher prio theatre. The italian navy got destroyed (no ship at all - I stumbled over an AI-exploit/stupidity to do it) and the Kriegsmarine has no major ships by 1941. Concentration of force helps to sink ships before the enemy fleet retreats (they always will ...)
You'll need a constant stream of convoys and dedicated ASW-groups - the german submarine-warfare will be very annoying.

I will probably listen to your advice. There is no point in assigning large fleet to Singapore when there are not enough ground troops to protect it (I lost 15 divisions in France)

Colour me interested!

I am as much of a naval noob as you claim to be, so unfortunately I can't give you any sensible comments on that.
Have you done anything special to the Army or Air Force?

Air doctrines are up to date but RAF still gets it's ass kicked (probably due to difficulty penalty). Regarding army, i lost only 1 motorised division in France (of 15) so its not that bad.

Thank you both for coming by :) New update is coming out tommorow (100%).
 
Chapter II: War!

Germany declared war on Poland on the 5th September. By that time, Britain has already deployed its troops in France, organized in Army Group "France".

2ld94y1.jpg


1. and 2. armies were to dig in on the left bank of the Seine river. Initial battleplan involved 1. and 2. Mobile corps of the 3. (mot.) Army waiting for the enemy to breach the line and then launching counter-attacks. After much argument with French allies, it was decided to send the 3. Army in Belgium to help the allied struggle.


3. Army expedition

Order of battle:
1st Mobile corps (2 armored, 2 motorised infrantry divisions)
2nd Mobile corps(3 armored (1 light), 1 motorised division(s))


11vsill.jpg


British troops saw first combat at the Roermond where they counter-attacked and pushed back the Germans.

2s9qhef.jpg


5 days later, Germans were attacked at Wenlo, by 2 armored and 2 (mot). infrantry divisions.

2uy169x.jpg


After 4 days of fighting, Germans finnaly retread. Battle was won, but at the high cost.

2wpmt1i.jpg


Allies had succes in sustaining the German offensive only due to large number of their troops being deployed in Poland. Now, when the campaing has finised, bulk of their invasion force is being transported to the west. Allies must use advantage they currently have!

2zqegra.jpg


With enemy threating Amsterdam from the north, reinforcments were immidiately sent. 1st armored division is leading the counter-attack.

2ly0rxv.jpg


Germans once again tried to push deeper in the Netherlands. General Montgomery, commander of the 2nd mobile corps, quickly ordered counter-attack on the flanks of German spearhead, that was guarded by 1 panzer division.

2egh9op.jpg


After 2 days, pocket was closed. Germans tried to break the encirclement, but all their attacks were unsuccesful. 2 infrantry divisions surrendered!

s3zzh1.jpg


German attacks on the southern sector (Roermond and Wenlo) failed, once again. Sector was simply heavily defended, by British 2nd Mobile corps and few French and Dutch divisions.

1o3abr.jpg


The tide has turned. German forces from Poland arrived, immidiately launcing attacks on the allied positions. With danger of encirclement growing, 3. Army was ordered to retreat, leaving their allies at the mercy of enemy. There weren't many motorised and armored division at the British army at the time, so High Command didn't want to risk losing them.

346uamp.jpg


3. Army retreated in Belgium, requesting reinforcements. They were denied. British command decided it would be better to wait and confront the enemy at the Seine river. Montgomery realised it will be impossible to hold Belgium for longer period of time.

Naval warfare

Since i am naval noob, I have no intention in writing about naval battles. I'll just post some pictures. To make it clear. Kriegsmarine is licking its wounds. I was able to contain them in their ports and save my convoys from the subs.

2hdd79e.jpg


o70if9.jpg


330tdkz.jpg


2ym80ls.jpg


nzot9y.jpg


5buv5s.jpg


33vj42p.jpg


2z57zp1.jpg


dpe0eg.jpg
 
If it doesn't - I don't think we want to know the consequences...

Or strategic redeployment to the nearest port. Yay!

I´ve saved three Baltic divisions this way :)
 
Consequences are 15 divisions lost :D I planned to tie their forces at the river and land few divisions in Belgium (mot.) with 3. Army launching counter-attack at the same time. I had some initial succes and was close to encircle few German divisions BUT (there is always but) line was breached at the south so i had to abandon the whole operation. In the hasty retreat 3 corps were overrun.

To be honest, I like when things are not going as exactly as planned :)
 
To be honest, I like when things are not going as exactly as planned :)

"Reload, reload!"

"Not the gun you idiot, but the savegame!"
 
Or strategic redeployment to the nearest port. Yay!

I´ve saved three Baltic divisions this way :)

Yeah... The problem with doing that in France is that all French territory, including the ports, turns into German territory after the Vichy event.
So, no such luck SR'ing!


Consequences are 15 divisions lost :D I planned to tie their forces at the river and land few divisions in Belgium (mot.) with 3. Army launching counter-attack at the same time. I had some initial succes and was close to encircle few German divisions BUT (there is always but) line was breached at the south so i had to abandon the whole operation. In the hasty retreat 3 corps were overrun.

To be honest, I like when things are not going as exactly as planned :)

:eek: Major spoiler!

I had a feeling things wouldn't work out - although the feeling was probably based on one messed up Dutch gov-in-exile game.
And you're absolutely right, I'll take an unfortunate British AAR over a US WC AAR any day.
 
Yeah... The problem with doing that in France is that all French territory, including the ports, turns into German territory after the Vichy event.
So, no such luck SR'ing!

Getting close to the sea is good enough. Just click the adjacent sea province while holding Ctrl and if you have TPs in it, you can move these poor guys onto it! And being on Vichy territory doesn´t destroy your troops; they just take attrition and can´t be encircled anymore. It´s a win-win situation! :p

:eek: Major spoiler!

There is no point in assigning large fleet to Singapore when there are not enough ground troops to protect it (I lost 15 divisions in France)

Learn to read! He posted this yesterday already :p

You just can´t write good AARs if you don´t even know how to read them :p
 
Actually i lost those divisions while France was still French :D Loss of these division is what will make this AAR interesting, since i am now seriously outnumbered.

Retreat was a huge success after all (excluding unfortunate destruction of 3 corps). Not a single division was lost after that. I even managed to save 1 armored division left behind in Belgium.

Done spoiling :D
 
The German beast is rolling in while there panzers say: WE WANT MORE BRITISH MEAT!
Churchill: you can get it, here take some of my best divisions!
German Beast: I WANT SHEEP MEAT!