Is it a mistake to not develop navy and air before the war?

[LouiST]

I'm still playing the save that Poland gave me Danzig. Now I've attacked Belgium and ready to attack France. After the war started, The British and the French just bombed my cities non-stop but it seems that their plans doesn't work due to my anti-air artillery.

But.... I actually didn't develop any air and naval technologies before war. I just put the industry, infantry and armored units on the first place. Is this a big mistake?

By the way, I've occupied all the provinces of Belgium but I can't annex the country. Does anyone know why? Or making Belgium a puppet is the only choice?

 

[Connavar]

You can't annex Belgium because they still have Victory Points (VP) in Africa (Belgian Congo). You can only annex a country once you have ALL their VP.

As Germany, you can easily skip out on navy, if you so prefer. You just cannot do a Sealion (invasion of UK) early on. Conquer the mainland first, then worry about the Brits.

As for skipping air technologies, I wouldn't recommend it, because you will get bombed to pieces. The AI will tear up your units and your IC. At least build interceptors / fighters, so you can stop their bombing. You don't really need any offensive air wings if you are strong enough with your land units.

 

[LouiST]

Thx bro
So I can only make it a puppet. But there are two choices and I don't know the difference...

Now I have infantry IV, Improved MG and just about to develop Blitzkrieg.

 

[unmerged(59863)]

Hello;

Usually, when war is finish in the West, belgian and netherland provinces became german ones. Don't offer them peace, because it's WAD.

For aerial and naval doctrines, it's better to research it before the war for two reasons: you will have a very strong armed forces, and your speed of research will be increased due to the low skill of the doctrines (2-4) and the bonus they give (0,2%;0,7%). For germany, good aerial doctrines are a real advantage in all the operations where it's involved. With naval bombers, and the correct doctrines, you can seriously damage the Royal Navy; if you combine it with air superiority, and a serious interdiction and installation attack on coastal provinces, Sea Lion became a real option.