I can't wait for the next update, this is indeed a very interesting AAR. I'm loving the build-up and the rising tensions.
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So, making new military units increases threat? What about strengthening old ones?
Would be a gamey trick... build lots of brigades instead of divisions, deploy them, merge them... et voila... lots of units for the same cost and no threat.
Every unit generates the same amount of threat, be it a dicision, a ship, a flotilla or a single brigade, if it is not a reserve unit. Using your suggestion, you would generate 4-5 times as much threat.
They do, they have no end research limit, you can improve them every 2-3 years as usual. If you use the instantresearch cheat (which affects ALL nations, woops) you can get to technology for the year 3000 in about a years time.
As it becomes increasingly obvious, as 1947 dawns, Germany and the Soviet Union are stuck in a “Cold War” of sorts – a potential war postponed by mutual agreement, but which could spark at any time, and which will almost certainly involve the use of atomic weapons, should it start. Preparations are being made in Berlin for the potential of war with either the USSR, or perhaps even with Britain or France who might feel threatened by Germany’s war preparations, as we approach the second half of the century.
We have recently advanced our naval technologies in anticipation of this future war, and we’re building a navy to serve in future decades. After successfully advancing our Heavy Cruiser technology, we begin building two new such ships. Mind you, by comparison to the historical timeline, these are probably equivalent to what you might have seen launched by Hitler’s Germany in 1941 or so, simply with more advanced electronics, radar, etc. Germany is far behind in the naval race, but so too is the USSR, we’re betting. If we go up against Britain or France, we might face a more concerning naval war, but you must also consider that they have not been participating in a real “arms race” – they’ve not really engaged their economies for a future war, like we have.
We look at the state of our Aircraft Carrier technology, and decide to defer our construction of such a ship until later, when we can further advance our technology. Building an Aircraft Carrier with, essentially, 1920s technology, in 1947 seems wasteful. Our naval architects go to work.
I’m going to skip over much of the technology achieved in these months. By the time you’re this far advanced, the inventions and discoveries seem to run together. Just trust that our aircraft, our tanks, our infantry techs, and our training for each of these, advances quickly during these years of the late 1940s. Escort Fighters and other Heavy Bomber techs are significant, because we still must rely partly on a Heavy Bomber fleet (up to 3 airwings now) to deliver our bombs, including atomic weapons, should the need arise.
In March of 1947, this is what we’re building – I’ve returned to the IC rushing strategy, as I really have no idea how long before Germany might be called to use its economic power. We’re also wary of building too many military divisions – some must be built and deployed, but in measure. One of the more interesting items on the list is a Radar/Intel Station being constructed in the southern mountains of Austria, meant to watch the Balkans and Adriatic once brought to full strength.
In May, you’ll see us deploy what are essentially U-Boat VIII models, or so – mid- to late-war (vs. historical) submarines with long cruising ranges and high-technology sonars and torpedoes. Submariners are the one naval force we’ve been keeping up the technology for, because they seem the most useful against a vastly more powerful surface navy such as the Royal Navy. KMS Hindenburg is basically a Bismarck-class battleship from the 1941 era (again, vs. historical, whereas the KMS Bismarck we’ve already deployed is really built with late ‘30s technology). Those destroyers at the bottom are Spähkreuzern – heavy scout destroyers – which were never completed by Nazi Germany historically.
By April, we’ve deployed more Motorized Infantry to the Polish Front, as well as beefed up our western defenses with more artillery. The French aren’t hopping mad, yet, but they’re clearly getting agitated. With more than 16 Threat, we’re starting to be a significant trailing concern to the USSR for them, though their Neutrality remains too high. This is partly (largely) why we never went through with the very threatening Munich Pact. Britain, for her part, is already concerned enough that she could declare war upon Germany based on her ratios, but she apparently lacks the will to do so, or else recognizes our difficult position and has taken an understanding position without overtly endorsing our military buildup.
It’s time to add a couple more Medium Tank divisions to the East. All of our major units are Combined Arms units, now. And our training is keeping pace – the Soviets will have to deal with some very highly trained tank commanders, should they come.
Below, you’ll see how we added to our Production Queue in spring of 1947 (top) – those destroyers, another Heavy Bomber airwing, our new medium armor, and some Type IXD U-Boats, placed in the stocks as our VIII models take to the sea. The IXDs will introduce the new “teardrop shape” hulls, which may be the first of their type in the world, considering that the Allies, as was mentioned, are not really into the arms race yet.
While tensions with both, the USSR and France, remain palpable, they are not so stiff as to prevent trade between each other. In November of 1947, we arrange key trades with each that keep us from losing our stockpiles.
Also around that time, we deploy those 2 new Armor Divisons near the Polish border. This would become the southern arm of our counteroffensive force, should war with the Soviets come.
Time passes… Technology advances… In April of 1948, despite the fact that we’ve seen no evidence of Soviet Heavy Tanks (or even Medium Tanks, for that matter) deployed along the border, our spies tell us they have the technology to produce them, and so we must be ready. We’ve researched these technologies ourselves – late in the game, because we really hadn’t intended to use them earlier.
The new Heavy Tank Divisons will be comprised of 2 Heavy Tank brigades, plus Mechanized Infantry support, and a battalion of artillery. Notice that the speed for this division is still 12 kph – that’s because these are the HPP mod’s own truck-drawn battalions of artillery, not the standard horse-drawn artillery brigades from regular SF. Because of the choices, even this Heavy Armor division is combined-arms capable. Notice we’ve also produced some MP brigades, meant to advance behind the lines and provide suppression and security as we take Soviet land.
By summer of 1948, things remain tense with both, the Soviets and French. We’re at 17 Threat now. The Soviets have armor on the border, and probably about 6 divisions in each border province. If war comes, it will be bloody. We continue to research high-tech infantry things, like Assault Weapons level 3 and Bridging Equipment level 4.
Our atomic forces continue to expand. We can now build one atomic bomb in far less time than just a year ago. We have 15 bombs on hand right now, with more on the way. This arms race will NOT be lost by us! The Soviets, if I had to guess, probably have about 2-3 atomic bombs by now, but perhaps more. Potentially, less, but who’s going to bet on that, huh?
More V2 Rockets deploy along the Polish border. Our Strategic Rocket technology has reached about level 3 in all categories, so these are quite potent rockets, which are fully capable of carrying atomic warheads well into the Soviet Union by now. Our bombers have a sufficient reach, too, and are quite formidable.
Thankfully, we reach Christmas Day, 1948, still at peace throughout Europe. We’re in negotiations with Finland, Iran, and Turkey to join the Axis in alliance against the dreaded Soviets. But war remains the potential it has been – not the reality.
At this point, I’m going to consider my experiment successful. I will not play on into 1949. I have made it 12 years through the World War II period without getting Germany involved in any war, and the Second World War has yet to occur. THIS is peace in our time. However….
Now I get to explain to you my cryptic remarks about how you will see a major war before this AAR ends…
You have all enjoyed, throughout this AAR, speculating about what might happen if the Soviets invaded at any particular point. At all times I had tried to keep a force around which might be capable of repelling such an invasion, but it’s always been uncertain, because of the wary eyes of the Allies from my rear flank.
It is my intent – in fact, I started this weeks ago – to return to a previous point in the game/AAR, and spark off just such a war with the Soviet Union!
The Soviets will invade, we will defend, and we will (hopefully!) eventually turn them back and begin to advance into the USSR. This invasion will be chosen to coincide with the best chances the Soviets might expect they would get – a war on their terms, when they believe they are likely to succeed. It’s my job to keep them from meeting those expectations!
And, to complicate things even further, there will always be the question in the back of everybody’s minds – will the Allies stand by, and let us fight it out? Or will the stab us in the back and attack in order to keep us from getting too powerful, fearing our expanded military as it is constructed and deployed to meet the onrushing Soviet hordes? I’ll be testing the Allies’ neutrality so much more with this scenario than I did in the previous phase of this AAR! What will they do?
In any case…. I hope you’ve enjoyed the First Phase of Kriegsgefahr! I also hope you’ll stick around for Phase Two!
We have recently advanced our naval technologies in anticipation of this future war, and we’re building a navy to serve in future decades. After successfully advancing our Heavy Cruiser technology, we begin building two new such ships. Mind you, by comparison to the historical timeline, these are probably equivalent to what you might have seen launched by Hitler’s Germany in 1941 or so, simply with more advanced electronics, radar, etc. Germany is far behind in the naval race, but so too is the USSR, we’re betting. If we go up against Britain or France, we might face a more concerning naval war, but you must also consider that they have not been participating in a real “arms race” – they’ve not really engaged their economies for a future war, like we have.
We look at the state of our Aircraft Carrier technology, and decide to defer our construction of such a ship until later, when we can further advance our technology. Building an Aircraft Carrier with, essentially, 1920s technology, in 1947 seems wasteful. Our naval architects go to work.
I’m going to skip over much of the technology achieved in these months. By the time you’re this far advanced, the inventions and discoveries seem to run together. Just trust that our aircraft, our tanks, our infantry techs, and our training for each of these, advances quickly during these years of the late 1940s. Escort Fighters and other Heavy Bomber techs are significant, because we still must rely partly on a Heavy Bomber fleet (up to 3 airwings now) to deliver our bombs, including atomic weapons, should the need arise.
In March of 1947, this is what we’re building – I’ve returned to the IC rushing strategy, as I really have no idea how long before Germany might be called to use its economic power. We’re also wary of building too many military divisions – some must be built and deployed, but in measure. One of the more interesting items on the list is a Radar/Intel Station being constructed in the southern mountains of Austria, meant to watch the Balkans and Adriatic once brought to full strength.
In May, you’ll see us deploy what are essentially U-Boat VIII models, or so – mid- to late-war (vs. historical) submarines with long cruising ranges and high-technology sonars and torpedoes. Submariners are the one naval force we’ve been keeping up the technology for, because they seem the most useful against a vastly more powerful surface navy such as the Royal Navy. KMS Hindenburg is basically a Bismarck-class battleship from the 1941 era (again, vs. historical, whereas the KMS Bismarck we’ve already deployed is really built with late ‘30s technology). Those destroyers at the bottom are Spähkreuzern – heavy scout destroyers – which were never completed by Nazi Germany historically.
By April, we’ve deployed more Motorized Infantry to the Polish Front, as well as beefed up our western defenses with more artillery. The French aren’t hopping mad, yet, but they’re clearly getting agitated. With more than 16 Threat, we’re starting to be a significant trailing concern to the USSR for them, though their Neutrality remains too high. This is partly (largely) why we never went through with the very threatening Munich Pact. Britain, for her part, is already concerned enough that she could declare war upon Germany based on her ratios, but she apparently lacks the will to do so, or else recognizes our difficult position and has taken an understanding position without overtly endorsing our military buildup.
It’s time to add a couple more Medium Tank divisions to the East. All of our major units are Combined Arms units, now. And our training is keeping pace – the Soviets will have to deal with some very highly trained tank commanders, should they come.
Below, you’ll see how we added to our Production Queue in spring of 1947 (top) – those destroyers, another Heavy Bomber airwing, our new medium armor, and some Type IXD U-Boats, placed in the stocks as our VIII models take to the sea. The IXDs will introduce the new “teardrop shape” hulls, which may be the first of their type in the world, considering that the Allies, as was mentioned, are not really into the arms race yet.
While tensions with both, the USSR and France, remain palpable, they are not so stiff as to prevent trade between each other. In November of 1947, we arrange key trades with each that keep us from losing our stockpiles.
Also around that time, we deploy those 2 new Armor Divisons near the Polish border. This would become the southern arm of our counteroffensive force, should war with the Soviets come.
Time passes… Technology advances… In April of 1948, despite the fact that we’ve seen no evidence of Soviet Heavy Tanks (or even Medium Tanks, for that matter) deployed along the border, our spies tell us they have the technology to produce them, and so we must be ready. We’ve researched these technologies ourselves – late in the game, because we really hadn’t intended to use them earlier.
The new Heavy Tank Divisons will be comprised of 2 Heavy Tank brigades, plus Mechanized Infantry support, and a battalion of artillery. Notice that the speed for this division is still 12 kph – that’s because these are the HPP mod’s own truck-drawn battalions of artillery, not the standard horse-drawn artillery brigades from regular SF. Because of the choices, even this Heavy Armor division is combined-arms capable. Notice we’ve also produced some MP brigades, meant to advance behind the lines and provide suppression and security as we take Soviet land.
By summer of 1948, things remain tense with both, the Soviets and French. We’re at 17 Threat now. The Soviets have armor on the border, and probably about 6 divisions in each border province. If war comes, it will be bloody. We continue to research high-tech infantry things, like Assault Weapons level 3 and Bridging Equipment level 4.
Our atomic forces continue to expand. We can now build one atomic bomb in far less time than just a year ago. We have 15 bombs on hand right now, with more on the way. This arms race will NOT be lost by us! The Soviets, if I had to guess, probably have about 2-3 atomic bombs by now, but perhaps more. Potentially, less, but who’s going to bet on that, huh?
More V2 Rockets deploy along the Polish border. Our Strategic Rocket technology has reached about level 3 in all categories, so these are quite potent rockets, which are fully capable of carrying atomic warheads well into the Soviet Union by now. Our bombers have a sufficient reach, too, and are quite formidable.
Thankfully, we reach Christmas Day, 1948, still at peace throughout Europe. We’re in negotiations with Finland, Iran, and Turkey to join the Axis in alliance against the dreaded Soviets. But war remains the potential it has been – not the reality.
At this point, I’m going to consider my experiment successful. I will not play on into 1949. I have made it 12 years through the World War II period without getting Germany involved in any war, and the Second World War has yet to occur. THIS is peace in our time.
However….THIS IS NOT THE END!
Now I get to explain to you my cryptic remarks about how you will see a major war before this AAR ends…
You have all enjoyed, throughout this AAR, speculating about what might happen if the Soviets invaded at any particular point. At all times I had tried to keep a force around which might be capable of repelling such an invasion, but it’s always been uncertain, because of the wary eyes of the Allies from my rear flank.
It is my intent – in fact, I started this weeks ago – to return to a previous point in the game/AAR, and spark off just such a war with the Soviet Union!
The Soviets will invade, we will defend, and we will (hopefully!) eventually turn them back and begin to advance into the USSR. This invasion will be chosen to coincide with the best chances the Soviets might expect they would get – a war on their terms, when they believe they are likely to succeed. It’s my job to keep them from meeting those expectations!
And, to complicate things even further, there will always be the question in the back of everybody’s minds – will the Allies stand by, and let us fight it out? Or will the stab us in the back and attack in order to keep us from getting too powerful, fearing our expanded military as it is constructed and deployed to meet the onrushing Soviet hordes? I’ll be testing the Allies’ neutrality so much more with this scenario than I did in the previous phase of this AAR! What will they do?
In any case…. I hope you’ve enjoyed the First Phase of Kriegsgefahr! I also hope you’ll stick around for Phase Two!
An interesting twist, and I congratulate you on another successful AAR, but I equally cannot wait until the next phase!
neatly done, I'm actually rather pleased you managed to use HPP for your original goal, so it is possible to dance through the traps of the 1930s and 1940s without war, but with that build up of forces, sooner or later someone was going to decide to use it all.
and a second AAR off the same premise - this is a bonus (& something that occured to me a few times, to take a clear decision point in a game and do a sort of compare and contrast treatment)
and a second AAR off the same premise - this is a bonus (& something that occured to me a few times, to take a clear decision point in a game and do a sort of compare and contrast treatment)
Very interesting to see that you were able to play through all those years without the war starting. However it shall be even more interesting to see how this war with the Soviet Union will play out. Looking forward to it!
Congratulations on achieving your objective! You have avoided WW2 but I fear WW3 may be just round corner...
Out of interest, have you checked how many bombs the did actually have at the end? It would also be nice to know if the USA or the UK had any kind of nuclear programme under way?
Looking forward to part II, what might have unfolded if deterrence had failed.
but I fear WW3 may be just round corner...Out of interest, have you checked how many bombs the did actually have at the end? It would also be nice to know if the USA or the UK had any kind of nuclear programme under way?
Looking forward to part II, what might have unfolded if deterrence had failed.
as act 1 comes to a close, the playwright leaves his audience on the edges of their seats.
soon the russians will feel the might of the Wehrmacht will you unleash a nuclear firestorm or fight it out old style?
soon the russians will feel the might of the Wehrmacht
will you unleash a nuclear firestorm or fight it out old style?
Bonus Time! Things are getting epic in this AAR! Depending on when you start, you could have a real struggle on your hands.
Congratulations on finishing this AAR in the spirit of things. That it can be done is one thing; that you managed to keep things interesting while doing so is quite another. It was certainly fun to read and not only for its sheer novelty value.
That said, I am looking forward to having the various 'what ifs' answered in part two.
Anyway, the takeaway here is that doing such a contrast/compare approach is extremely timeconsuming. Certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Well, enough of my soapbox! Back to the AAR!
That it can be done is one thing; that you managed to keep things interesting while doing so is quite another. It was certainly fun to read and not only for its sheer novelty value. That said, I am looking forward to having the various 'what ifs' answered in part two.
Ages ago, there was an EU2 AAR that did just that. Fella by the nick of Heagarty wrote 'Tales of the Gluttonic Knights', in which his goal was to conquer China as Bavaria (for the delectable Chinese cuisine). At some point, he posed the question to his readers: to get to China over land, or over sea? In the end, he did both, simultaneously: he kept switching back and forth between his two games, in the same AAR. Man, that was a labor of love... Funny, too. Ah, the memories.loki100 said:
Anyway, the takeaway here is that doing such a contrast/compare approach is extremely timeconsuming. Certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Well, enough of my soapbox! Back to the AAR!