Is UK's Secure the Oil Imports focus too OP and makes no sense?

[ThaHoward]

It makes plenty of sense given that the British cared about neutrality about as much as the Germans. They invaded or threaten to invade all of these counties. Really the ideology restrictions and inability to declare war for democracies doesn't match up with how the world actually worked.

Why do you "respectfully disagree" with my post then?

 

[STABBY5]

Why do you "respectfully disagree" with my post then?

The Germans would not have been able to use Iceland as a base. It would have been unsustainable with the Royal Navy around. The British wanted it as a base, and they took it despite its status as a neutral democratic country that had refused Britain's "requests".

 

[Caeric]

The Germans would not have been able to use Iceland as a base. It would have been unsustainable with the Royal Navy around. The British wanted it as a base, and they took it despite its status as a neutral democratic country that had refused Britain's "requests".

I mean, being given the option of agreeing to a "request" or try to negotiate over just being flat out invaded with no say whatsoever no matter current circumstances seems far more sensible to me at least.

 

[Axe99]

It makes plenty of sense given that the British cared about neutrality about as much as the Germans. They invaded or threaten to invade all of these counties. Really the ideology restrictions and inability to declare war for democracies doesn't match up with how the world actually worked.

There were still differences - even in Imperial Britain or France, flat-out invasions of neutrals for simple expansionism or acquisition of resources that weren't already 'owned' commercially would be very much frowned upon (I'm not aware of an instance of this during the time period), whereas in Germany, Italy and Japan, it was far easier for the Government to do this kind of thing (and HoI4 is based on the war that came about because of these flat-out expansionist wars/acquisitions).

The Germans would not have been able to use Iceland as a base. It would have been unsustainable with the Royal Navy around. The British wanted it as a base, and they took it despite its status as a neutral democratic country that had refused Britain's "requests".

There was serious and legitimate concern in the UK that Germany would establish a military presence in Iceland. There was an interest in bases as well, but if you're interested in a well-rounded view, it's important to keep in mind the concern over Germany getting air and submarine bases at the top of the GIUK gap (don't think it was called that at that stage, that's more of a cold war term) was real. It would have been difficult for Germany to supply, but not impossible.

 

[DystopianAlphaOmega]

Also, while obviously there are other examples of the UK's resolve to intervene militarily if necessary, Iceland can't really be called a "neutral country." It was a semi-devolved personal union of the Danish Crown. Denmark had been invaded and occupied by a hostile foreign power. Even if their king (again, also the King of Iceland) and cabinet were willing to negotiate with the Germans about the terms of occupation, it was clearly under duress. Like it or not, and despite (out of necessity) being forced to take greater control over its affairs due to the aforementioned situation in Copenhagen, Iceland was involved in the war.

If Germany thought they could coerce their new collaborationist regime in Denmark into giving them support for U-Boats out of Iceland, or even just things like weather reports, information on passing convoys, etc. they certainly would have.

 

[CantGetNoSleep]

Historically speaking, the focus is arguably more accurate than the historical ones of secure Iraq, then secure Iran.

Why? The UK and the Soviet actually did a joint pre-emptive strike against Iran (Operation Countenance) to secure the oil imports / stop them potentially going to Germany.

In game, you can only do the "historical" focus if Iraq first goes fascist then Iran does. And it never happens during historical games, so Germany can continue to import oil through the Turkey land bridge until 1944/5 when Turkey finally joins the Allies, by which time the game is already over one way or the other anyway.

I know it's all for balance, but oil was a much bigger issue for Germany in real life than in-game. That's why they still used horses for most of their logistics.

 

[ThaHoward]

The Germans would not have been able to use Iceland as a base. It would have been unsustainable with the Royal Navy around. The British wanted it as a base, and they took it despite its status as a neutral democratic country that had refused Britain's "requests".

They would likely not have been able to. Still the Allies were in shock. Poland was beaten in.around a month. Germany pulled off a combined arms invasion of Norway and routed the Allies there. The fear of Germans utilizing it, and their own desire to use it as a base, drove them invade Iceland.

Both denying a German foothold, no matter how unlikely, and gaining a foothold on Iceland was of great strategic importance to the Allies.