Ist Das Nicht Todeswahl? A Kriegsmarine AAR

[volksmarschall]

"Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!"
I couldn't help myself, I love that movie.

But I think it would be more appropiate: "Patton, you Rommel wannabe, I read your book!"

So the Japs are pushing into India, that's fantastic news for you! and the Soviets are having major problems (and I don't think they're winning Stalingrad this time around unless Zhukov makes a brilliant AI move -- that won't happen )

Beware though, if you're going to accept bitter peace, you might the Romanians to hand over that Soviet territory: Odessa and those other Black Sea regions, because when it fires, you keep the territory that (Germany) has taken, and everything else will go back to USSR. I know, first hand, as this happened to me before and there was this stupid red line that held Odessa, and went straight up to Kherson and stopped below Kiev.

 

[dublish]

Did Patton ever write a book?

Also, I did a little digging in the Arma1.2 event files.

##########################################################################
#  The Bitter Peace - Japan is not Axis
##########################################################################
event = {
	id = 2625
	random = no
	country = SOV

	#Triggered by GER 2024


	name = "EVT_2625_NAME"
	desc = "EVT_2625_DESC"
	style = 0
	picture = "Bitter_Peace"

	action_a = {
		name = "OK"
		command = { type = dissent value = 12 }
		command = { type = sleepevent which = 2646 }
		#command = { type = sleepevent which = 2790 }


                      	# Secede the west of Urals to Hungary
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = HUN value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
                      	# Secede the west of Urals to Italy
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = ITA value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
                      	# Secede the west of Urals to Finland
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = FIN value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
                      	# Secede the west of Urals to Romania
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = ROM value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
                      	# Secede the west of Urals to Bulgaria
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = BUL value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
                      	# Secede the west of Urals to SLO
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = SLO value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
                      	# Secede the west of Urals to Persia
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = PER value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
                      	# Secede the west of Urals to Scandinavia
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = SCA value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
                      	# Secede the west of Urals to Germany
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 212 }
                                ...
                                
#######if the soviets snatched poland early
								command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 303 }
								...
								
#######if romania doesnt exist
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 423 }
                                ...
                                
#######if croatia doesnt exist
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 380 }
                                ...
                                
#######if yugoslavia doesnt exist
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 454 }
                                ...
                                
#######if finland doesnt exist
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 132 }
			        ...
                                
#########if sweden doesn´t exist
	                        command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 96 }
                                ...
                                
#########if bulgaria doesn´t exist
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 416 }
                                ...
                                
#########if hungary doesn´t exist
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 456 }
                                ...
                                
#########if slovakia doesn´t exist
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 469 }
                                ...
                                
#########if persia doesn´t exist
                                command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 1859 }
                                ...
                                
					#command = { type = secedeprovince which = ROM value = 229 } 

					#command = { type = secedeprovince which = FIN value = 150 }  
					...

#########if manchukou doesn't exist
            			command = { type = secedeprovince which = JAP value = 1382 }
           			...
          			
# New in HoI 2
            			command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 194 }
            			...
            			
           			command = { type = peace which = GER }

            # Estonia
		command = { type = removecore which = 199 }
		...

		# Latvia
		command = { type = removecore which = 205 }
		...

		# Lithuania
		command = { type = removecore which = 577 }
		...

		# Bessarabia
		command = { type = removecore which = 434 }
		...

		# Claims on Finland
		command = { type = removecore which = 132 }
		...

		# If Slovakia doesn't exist, it Slovakian provinces to Hungary
		# If both countries don't exist, provinces of both go to Germany
            command = { type = secedeprovince which = HUN value = 496 }
            ...

            # In case Finland still exists:
		command = { type = secedeprovince which = FIN value = 145 }
		...

		command = { type = peace which = FIN }

		# In case USSR is still at war with Sweden:
		command = { type = peace which = SWE }

		# Bessarabia back to Romania:
		command = { type = secedeprovince which = ROM value = 434 }
		...

		command = { type = peace which = ROM  }

		command = { type = peace which = BUL }
		command = { type = peace which = PER }
		command = { type = peace which = SLO }




	      # Some to Japan:
		command = { type = secedeprovince which = JAP value = 1175 } # Northern Sakhalin
		...

		# Added because because original event didn't make peace with them
		command = { type = peace which = JAP }
		command = { type = peace which = MAN }


		# If Germany is at war with Norway, and USSR has captured a German-occupied Norwegian province,
		# gives it back to Norway
		# If USSR has annexed Norway, secede provinces to Germany

		command = { type = secedeprovince which = GER value = 129 }
		...

		# Hand back provinces to Norway in case it still exists
		command = { type = control which = NOR value = 129 }
		...

		#command = { type = dissent value = -15 }
		command = { type = set_relation which = GER value = 0 }
		command = { type = relation which = ROM value = 20 }
		command = { type = relation which = HUN value = 20 }
		command = { type = relation which = FIN value = 20 }
		command = { type = relation which = ENG value = -20 }
		command = { type = relation which = FRA value = -20 }
		command = { type = relation which = USA value = -20 }
		command = { type = domestic which = interventionism value = -2 }
		command = { type = belligerence which = SOV value = -50 }

		# Move the capital
		command = { type = capital which = 1548 } # Novosibirsk
		command = { type = province_keypoints which = 1548 value = 5 }

		#command = { type = headofstate which = 4011 }
		#command = { type = headofgovernment which = 4012 }
		#command = { type = foreignminister which = 4013 }
		#command = { type = armamentminister which = 4014 }
		#command = { type = ministerofsecurity which = 4015 }
		#command = { type = ministerofintelligence which = 4016 }
		#command = { type = chiefofstaff which = 4017 }
		#command = { type = chiefofarmy which = 4018 }
		#command = { type = chiefofnavy which = 4019 }
		#command = { type = chiefofair which = 4020 }

		command = { type = end_mastery which = TAN } 
		command = { type = end_mastery which = MON } 
		command = { type = end_mastery which = FIN } 
		command = { type = end_mastery which = ROM } 
		command = { type = end_mastery which = HUN } 
		command = { type = end_mastery which = BUL } 

		command = { type = non_aggression which = GER where = SOV }
		command = { type = non_aggression which = JAP where = SOV }

		}
}

I had to remove the vast majority of the secedeprovince commands to get under the character limit, but I think the issue with territory going back to the USSR has been resolved.

 

[Lord Strange]

Hmmm, interesting stuff. You seem to be sailing along quite easily, with little sign of any danger. The Brits are being slaughtered, and the Amercians cannot break out. Time to conquor America perhaps?

 

[unmerged(121713)]

Hmmm, interesting stuff. You seem to be sailing along quite easily, with little sign of any danger. The Brits are being slaughtered, and the Amercians cannot break out. Time to conquor America perhaps?

Without killing of the Brits completely?

Great update! Sadly no epic victories And what happened to Battleship Kaiserreich? Not finished yet?

Thanks for the Promotion anyway! Ship o Hoy!

 

[unmerged(87183)]

Ahh, a good update. It's very good to see you getting a good head start on the Electro-Subs. Hopefully you can mop up the Americans in Morocco quickly. Also, begin using Paratroops to assault VP's in the Soviet Union.

I'd like to note however that the Schleswig-Holstein is my favourite Warship (period), and it was really a Pre-Dreadnought. Paradox represented it as a BCI, but many people get confused. I think you should clear things up a bit.

But yes, never disband those old Capitols, by 1945 though I usually scrap the Screens and make the Heavies into "Museums", I just Dock them in a capitol or port, and let them sit there. I'm to proud to scrap a Marat or Schleswig-Holstein.

 

[unmerged(10727)]

Grand Admiral Doenitz shuffled papers on his desk, focusing on the latest results of Kriegsmarine actions opposing Operation Torch in Morocco. The Americans were starting to divert more forces to the area, but the sinking of the light carrier Princeton and the loss of many smaller ships were all they had to show for their new deployments.

Somewhat less heartening was the U-Boat campaign. Britain had deployed a large ASW group complete with their own light carrier Eagle. This task force had been torn to pieces by the gray wolves, but also at heavy cost to the U-Boat arm.

"I need those Walter boats," he muttered the words.

"Hard at work, Grand Admiral?" Doenitz snapped his head up from the paperwork to find the source of the calmly menacing voice.

Himmler stood at the door, flanked by two men from his secret police. These stone-faced killers were armed with MP-40s and looked ready to use them at the slightest excuse. The submariner felt a single drop of cold sweat slide down the side of his face.

"What is the meaning of this?" He made every effort to sound intimidating. Under the papers on his desk his hand closed around a silver letter opener.

"I am here to inquire about your loyalties." Black soulless eyes imprisoned behind round spectacles bored into the Kriegsmarine leader, pinning him to his chair.

"I would prefer to discuss such matters in private." Doenitz glanced at Himmler's thugs.

"Very well." With a motion of his hand the two men took their leave. "Now, where do your loyalties lie, Grand Admiral?"

"I am loyal to Germany." He let go of the letter opener. "I trust you are, as well?"

Himmler's face betrayed neither surprise, anger or any other emotion. "If a change of leadership should occur, you would obey that new leader?"

"It's not my job to play politics. It's my job to lead the Kriegsmarine in defense of the Fatherland." Himmler gave no reply. The silence hung heavy as Doenitz wondered if he'd just dug his own grave.

"Good. I have no more business with you at this time." With that, he swiftly turned and left.

Alone, Doenitz tried to make sense of the meeting. This was a wild-cat affair unfolding and he had no place in it.

Then he remembered Raeder's advice.

"Watch you back."

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Easy kills

Operation Blücher continued to be the focus of the Kriegsmarine in the final months of 1942. The hunting off Morocco proved rich, with the Americans sending weak ASW forces to try to disrupt the sinking of their transport fleet. Facing the combined might of our Battleships the outcome of these battles was never in any doubt.

Showdown in the Arctic

The USN began sending some small Carrier fleets east, the first of which was sighted off Norway and sent home bloodied by the Baltic Task Force. The second appearance would lead to even better results, as our Surface Attack Fleet crushed an American task force attempting to support Operation Torch, sinking the Princeton and her escorts.

I guess the Phoenix did come back...for about a week

Meanwhile the sinking of transport shipping continues. The Torch landing is proving difficult to dislodge, but each sunk transport means fewer enemy troops both now and in the future. There are also plans to divert some unneeded forces from the Eastern Front to finish driving off the Americans.

Cupcakes and baseball?

The U-Boat arm finished a rebuilding cycle, only to come up against massive ASW resistance. In the resulting battle the British took heavy losses, but also succeeded in driving back the wolf-pack to France. Only 52 supply ships were sunk in the last two months, but Electro-Submarine research is almost finished!

Heavy losses

Japan is having a lot of success in India and seems to be doing fine against the USN in the Pacific so far. Meanwhile, we have taken Stalingrad and Baku and are beginning the push into the rich industrial provinces beyond the Urals.

Far East, January 1st, 1943

Bitter peace soon?

Research on Advanced Light Cruiser has been finished and work on the Nautilus and Dresden was begun immediately after. The Scharnhorst was finished and defied the odds by going several weeks without being sunk. Sure, she was confined to port, but still. I'm adding her to the Baltic Task Force where hopefully my luck will improve.

The Carrier Barbarossa was also launched and with Graf Zeppelin nearly repaired it's time to take back control of the Central Atlantic!

Next: Carrier operations, Scharnhorst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some intelligence guesses on different navies:

Britain (Almost sure): 3 Battleships, 1 Carrier, 0 Battle Cruisers, 45 others
USA (Estimate): 5 Battleships, 6 Carriers, 0 Battle Cruisers, 49 others
Japan (Guess): 3 Battleships, 4 Carriers, 4 Battle Cruisers, 59 others

I'm assuming both Japan and USA have many more ships then our spies suggest. Also: where is the love for Battle Cruisers?

-------------------------------------------------------------

Kriegsmarine Profile

KMS Prinz Eugen

This "Hipper class" heavy cruiser was constructed during the war and saw her first serious action defending Norway and during Operation Blücher. Off the coast of Morocco she provided support for the Battleships of the Surface Attack Fleet and scored some nice kills of her own, including the Princeton. Right now the Prinz Eugen is the state-of-the-art for our Heavy Cruisers and will likely have a long career.

 

[TheLoneGunman]

Yet another great update!

With Himmler now officially in the mix you have definately made my salivate for every new update!

Also, great list for the Prince Eugen!

If your intelligence is to be believed, then Germany must have the strongest navy in the world by this point, an impressive feat given the circumstances.

Don't underestimate the might of US Industry though, if they want they'll start cranking out a ton of carriers and battleships!

 

[unmerged(10727)]

Beladriel: It's always nice to see those Great War ships have their moments. For picking off ASW forces or undefended transports they're nearly as effective as the most modern ships!

coz1: As far as I can tell Japan has a good-sized Navy. If my own success can draw off the USN they might get to Los Angeles just as I'm landing in New York. Now that would be something else: a two front land invasion of the United States.

Once you've consumed large amounts of "Milwaukee's Beast" it's hard to defend my beer snob credentials. I just like to educate people.

chefportnen: "Pre-Dreadnoughts," that is. Luckily we have excellent relations with the Japanese and will seek formal alliance once the Soviets are defeated.

TheLoneGunman: Estimates are up, but I just typed it because the post was already very image-heavy.

Stuyvesant: A lot of good news, although the Americans still hanging out in Morocco are getting annoying. At least it prevents them from trying another landing somewhere else, so I'll take it.

Pabst Blue Ribbon...must take calm pills...go happy place...

Those Walter U-Boats are going to be just the thing to put England away for good and maybe create some nice reefs out of USN Carriers...

dublish: Oddly enough, it was historical. The Schleswig-Holstein bombarded Danzig and may have fired the first shots of World War 2! Now there's a trivia question to win some bar bets.

Myth: I like how Operation Torch has been modified to make some sense with the way the game unfolded. Instead of picking on the ITs, it's the Spaniards! I just hope the end results are better.

Enewald: And give up the mighty Great War monster? At least I could put some brigades on her if I get a few spares. HOI 3 does sound pretty amazing, but I'm just starting to "get" part 2!

Time to ring in the New Year's with some Carriers!

MidEvil: My factories get bombed. I've got fighters/interceptors in the air, but they have a bad habit of getting shot down. I've been working to improve my air doctrines/technology after falling way behind. I'll need it for Sea Lion, I would think.

Dead William: It's funny that these Great War ships do so will for me when some advanced ones are little more than targets. Speaking of which, Scharnhorst! We can now start taking odds on when she'll sink, again.

I learned about the coast the hard way. Now, I'm going to focus on controlling the Central Atlantic while finishing the job off of Morocco.

When Nationalist Spain was created they seemed to get most of my land doctrines, which helped a lot. They're only building ASW fleets, but since that's the one thing I don't really build much it works out well.

I'm ready to wrap it up with the Soviets, but the game wants me to keep fighting. Do I have to reach Alaska, or what?

More Naval goodness is on the way!

volksmarschall: Any excuse for Patton quotes! I'm wondering if I'll eventually link up with Japan in the land war. It could happen, especially if I make my own attempt to drive south from Baku. I'm hoping the event is now fixed, but I think Romania only controls two or three Soviet provinces. It would look ugly, but if there's ever a continuation war it could be easily repaired.

Lord Strange: Playing defense against landings is far easier than pulling one off, but this is good practice for when the time comes. I'm going to need lots of convoys, escorts, ASW...there's quite a list. Congratulations on Lieutenant-Commander!

PhilleP: Battleships take an eternity to build. Check again in 1944. The epic victories are on the way, it just comes in cycles. With the Carriers ready to sail...watch out!

von Mauser: Morocco is becoming a static front, but I'm moving some Eastern Front veterans to try to wrap it up. I almost don't want to, here I've got the Americans bogged down in the sand, even if they win I won't miss what they take and I'm hammering their navy. Maybe a containment kill zone?

It's hard to classify a Great War ship by World War 2 standards. With a full displacement of only 14,000 tonnes the Schleswig-Holstein is actually closer to Heavy Cruiser range, even though she was used as a Capital Ship at Jutland. For comparison the Admiral Hipper has a displacement of 18,000 tonnes. I think calling her a Battle Cruiser is somewhat misleading (not fast, for one!) but it does fit the role she did play in the war.

That is until conversion into an AA ship, which is more of a Cruiser role. Ugh, head hurts.

I guess I use a ship as long as it is still above water. There's always a subsidiary role somewhere!

All: Congratulations to new Lieutenant-Commander Lord Strange!

Here's a question for everyone: what is the point of a light Carrier? Do you use 'em? What can they do that a heavy Carrier wouldn't do better? Just things I've been wondering.

Carrier operations are on the way, new U-Boats, defeating the Soviets (?). Lots of interesting things are about to unfold!

 

[unmerged(10727)]

TheLoneGunman: He's not just a trouble-maker but also walking evil, so Doenitz has lots to worry about! I think it is possible that we have the world's strongest Navy (certainly the most Battle Cruisers ) at this point, but the USN estimates sound very low. Maybe our spies aren't counting what they have in the Pacific. If I can keep them throwing away IC on a doomed invasion that will help a lot, but eventually the Battle of the Atlantic must be won! Thanks for reading!

 

[unmerged(87183)]

I use everything. CL is basically in between a CA and DD in terms of firepower. More firepwoer then a DD, and better ASW then a CA.

I hope Donitz is safe. I 'm surprised to see Himmler get into the act.

 

[Stuyvesant]

The Scharnhorst was finished and defied the odds by going several weeks without being sunk. Sure, she was confined to port, but still.

Excellent! Just put her in one of those impressive U-Boot bunkers and she'll be safe for the duration of the war! That is, unless the British invent the Tall Boy and Grand Slam...

So now it's Himmler playing games, plotting a conspiracy? Time for Doenitz to place a call to Goering and let the Fatty and the chicken farmer (failed) have at each other's throats.

With regards to your question about light carriers: in game terms, they don't carry their own CAG, so you can't use them for carrier operations, but they (apparently, I haven't used them myself yet) allow your task force to close within firing range of the enemy in case of an engagement. So if you attach a light carrier to your battle fleet, it will close to firing range in any engagement - even allowing your battleships to close with carriers. So in that case, your battleships could shred a carrier fleet with their weight of firepower.

At least, that is my understanding from reading a few threads in the forums. I'm sure that Blue Emu could give you a far more detailed and precise breakdown.

I also think CVLs are good for ASW, which might not be an issue for you.

 

[dublish]

With regards to your question about light carriers: in game terms, they don't carry their own CAG, so you can't use them for carrier operations, but they (apparently, I haven't used them myself yet) allow your task force to close within firing range of the enemy in case of an engagement. So if you attach a light carrier to your battle fleet, it will close to firing range in any engagement - even allowing your battleships to close with carriers. So in that case, your battleships could shred a carrier fleet with their weight of firepower.

At least, that is my understanding from reading a few threads in the forums. I'm sure that Blue Emu could give you a far more detailed and precise breakdown.

I also think CVLs are good for ASW, which might not be an issue for you.

IIRC, CVLs no longer help bring your fleets into firing range in the new beta patch. However, Paranoid Tsar isn't using the beta patch. CVLs FTW.

Besides the whole firing range thing, I'm pretty sure ASW work is the only thing CVLs are useful for.

 

[Enewald]

So CVLs are not really useful anymore.
Damm.

 

[unmerged(121713)]

Woo!

The first photo is the Bismarck or Tirpitz right?

You took some heavy losses there

 

[Lord Strange]

Hmmm, the allies seem to be doing quite well on the ASW front. Will the new subs really help that much, or will Kriegsmarine operations have to swithc more and more to surface action in the next few updates?

 

[unmerged(104560)]

Damn those Dutch people are always a pain in the back, killing all those subs.

Anyway good update

 

[Dead William]

Still doing some damage to the USN I see. Good work. As time progresses the value of submarines becomes less and less until finally the surface ship/naval bomber doctrines render them almost useless in my opnion. Even better technical (Walter) subs won't help very much there I've found.

Blue Emu is your man there too.

You lost a few of your older subs there, or were they already replacements? The good news is that subs build relatively quickly. The bad news is you need such a lot of them.

To achieve Bitter Peace you need a considerable number of provinces, I believe the Easternmost one is Sverdlovsk? It can be found on the Wiki at any rate. But you've got a fair distance to go yet....

Playing without patch CVL's are magnificent to get your ships within firing range. Hence the development of the Gamey destroyer and cruiser fleets. (Wonder how they'll handle those in HOI3?) Battleship and Carriers should not be mixed game wise, since the range of the Battleships is insufficient to engage and all they do is float and look majestic. In bad weather the best advise is to get your carriers and get the hell out of Dodge. Heavy Cruisers are my favoured damage soaks in such situations.

The Americans tend to pump dozens of divisions into the Torch landings, even when it should be obvious they can't win. A killing ground sounds like a good idea, with a nice fleet off shore to kill or engage the transports so the divisions can't load up again. Quite realistic too, since the US seldom knows when to retreat.

I love Cap Draa, one of my favourite killing grounds. The straits between Australia and New-Guinea is another. Are you going for world conquest or a peace with the Alies as well?

I tend to have at least one team on doctrines at all times, they are the cheap way of keeping your armed forces up to date, even if you lack the resources to upgrade the old or build new units. Modern doctrines result in fewer losses too. It all adds up. Germany has excellent aerial research teams as well. I never build (Seldom, ok) Strategic bombers, so I ignore that doctrinal path.

The only reason to anex and puppet Republican Spain is that they get better doctrines.

I am certain the Scharnhorst will live up to its reputation and sink soon.. Err, sink a lot of ships soon. BC's are not loved, having few of their RL advantages and all of their disadvantages, so HC and BB are built most often, even by the AI. I tend to rename a few bigger or smaller ships after my favourite BC's. Brigading will help, but has limits, especially in range etc.

Poor Dönitz, can't get a break. Nasty men come in and menace him. How did they get past the no doubt omnipresent marines anyway?

Looking forward to how this will develop.

DW

 

[son of liberty]

To answer your cvl question, you are better off brigading your ca with radar/fire control then researching/building cvl's. They no longer teleport you into firing range. I am trying a new cruizerg variant with 8 ca's having radar, aa, and imp hull while 10 cl's have fire control with aa. With high level leaders, I believe they will close fairly well. I am still in testing phase though.

 

[coz1]

Tough losses in that one battle, but with the new ships getting into the action, I look forward to German dominance in the Atlantic. I'd love to see a narrative scene aboard a U-boat while in battle, Das Boot style. Come on, PT, I know you can do it.

Himmler better watch himself, talking about a leadership change like that. All Doenitz has to do is put that word into Hitler's ear and Himmler's got some problems. I'm sure Goering and Goebbels wouldn't mind Himmler's absence, or Bormann either for that matter.

No advice other than to keep at what you are already doing. It seems to be working well.

 

[dublish]

So CVLs are not really useful anymore.
Damm.

To answer your cvl question, you are better off brigading your ca with radar/fire control then researching/building cvl's. They no longer teleport you into firing range. I am trying a new cruizerg variant with 8 ca's having radar, aa, and imp hull while 10 cl's have fire control with aa. With high level leaders, I believe they will close fairly well. I am still in testing phase though.

Paranoid Tsar isn't using the beta patch. He's still playing Armageddon 1.2. CVLs are very useful for him.