Main Stratagy For Germany

[Saint Gwynllyw]

What would your guys main plan to start as Germany mine would be to get all the tank research bonuses that I could get and research the Panzer 3 early so I can build a decent tank before the war

Delay war with SU until 1942. Try to cripple the UK first by bombing into oblivion. Naval invasion is not possible as most IC would be used in prep for war with SU. You either defeat the UK and defend against the USSR or defeat the USSR and defend against the UK.

Invade in Spring 42 identical as case blue. Summer 1942 invade as normal barbarossa. Aim to hold all non Russian SSRs and North Caucasus by November. Sit out winter except a prolonged aerial war when weather is clear. If you survive winter surround Moscow and Leningrad by summer 1943.

I'm going to spam Panzer IVs (maybe IIIs for feints and variants as we all know quantity beats quality. Hopefully be fully motorised by spring 1942.

It took the SU around 18 months to seize the initiative (excluding the defence of Moscow) so hopefully Spring 1942 to summer 1943 will be enough .

I await june the 6th with trepidation

 

[HyperVoxel]

What would your guys main plan to start as Germany mine would be to get all the tank research bonuses that I could get and research the Panzer 3 early so I can build a decent tank before the war

1. Eat
2. Sleep
3. Conquer
4. Repeat

 

[fredgiblet]

If the game any realistic in terms of possibilities, then the historical route is probably the best till lets say 1941 minus some unused investment like the surface fleet and planes lost at Blitz. Germany overperformed IRL. Matching history is probably a success already.

Indeed, the Germans themselves didn't think they'd beat France until '42, and crushing the Soviets like they did in '41 was absurd really.

 

[panzerzombie]

There is an actual military strategy that does this, I forget the name though. Anyone?

Sound like Mansteins Backhand blow

 

[skotia]

I would suggest having tons of tanks and plans and before attacking the Maginot line march through Belgium where there is less resistance then when the french move to secure there flank then is the time to stike

 

[sirarthurharris'mixtape]

For my first Germany game i think i'd like to go a bit ahistorical.

Firstly i'd have historical campaign turned off. I'd follow the historical route but instead of taking over Czechoslovakia i'd befriend them and i'd try to expand the Axis faction by befriending the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden too. I will properly follow the "demand Slovenia" too. Regarding Poland i'm not sure whether to invade early in the hopes of evading any guarantees on them to seize Danzig, Poznan and set up the rest as a satellite state to buffer against the Soviet Union, or let the Soviets invade them as a pretext to war. Regarding the Soviet Union i will pursue the anti-Soviet pact in hopes of creating an alliance against them.

I hope i can get the Allies to stay out of the war, but i think it would be fun if Britain pursued a Scandinavian/Benelux intervention so they seem like the aggressor and thus alienate the USA, hopefully keeping them out of the war. I also think it would be fun if France turned communist so i could have a European Axis vs Communist war.

 

[Sleight of Hand]

Random related question, which I don't want to start a new thread for: what is the significance of the day in August the 1939 scenario begins on? I wonder why September 1st was not used, with the War already underway.

 

[evilcat]

Not starting a war with Russia and instead going through Turkey and the Middle East to secure the resources.

There is always a hypothesis that if not Hitler then Stalin would star East Front.

 

[safe-keeper]

I'm planning to invade Turkey to be able to start the invasion closer to the Baku oilfields. Fighting in the Causcaus mountain range will be interesting, though.

 

[evilcat]

Random related question, which I don't want to start a new thread for: what is the significance of the day in August the 1939 scenario begins on? I wonder why September 1st was not used, with the War already underway.

Some actions take a day to execute. Like planning bonus stacking, or choosing your govertment specialists.

 

[Marfach]

I think from a historical point of view Germany should have delayed starting the war as they had planned in the pact of steel to better prepare themselves and their allies for war. This could have allowed them to join the war in synchronization with Japan, and allow Germany to foster more military and technological cooperation with Japan before the outbreak of the war.
From a gameplay point of view, secure the Suez before beginning any war with Russia, the Iraqi and Kuwaiti oil would have prevented shortages and reduced Britains ability to repsond to changing circumstances in East Asia and possibly facilitate an invasion of India. More commitment to the African front rather than wasting resources trying to penetrate the fortress island. It's Probably possible to 'bluff' britain using ground based AAA to free up more luftwaffe squadrons and secure air superiority over the Mediterranean.
As some others pointed out, securing the middle East would allow for Invasions through the Caucasus, although, looking at the USSR and Russia's track record, going out of your way to fight in harsh terrain might not be the best move. The Austrian Carpathian Campaign in WW1 comes to mind, as does Napoleons invasion.
Imo Germany campaigns in HoI3 were trivial as the UK was horrendously bad at defending its coasts, this new Naval and Naval invasion system should make it a lot more interesting.

 

[OBRkenobi]

Wait for USSR to piss off the allies. Then join in the defence of poor little Finland in the second winter war. Conquer Russia with the blessing and (more importantly) without distraction of the west.

If the Allies don't guarantee Poland that is.

 

[electriccat]

There is always a hypothesis that if not Hitler then Stalin would star East Front.

True, the USSR might spark that war but I don't know when they would. And that could be a big key is if they can keep USSR out of it for long enough Germany can do a punch up from Turkey.

 

[Murkk]

What would your guys main plan to start as Germany mine would be to get all the tank research bonuses that I could get and research the Panzer 3 early so I can build a decent tank before the war

The problem with Hitler was he wasn't aggressive enough.

But seriously - Industry > all. Get greedy.

 

[Ricox]

Random related question, which I don't want to start a new thread for: what is the significance of the day in August the 1939 scenario begins on? I wonder why September 1st was not used, with the War already underway.

What is the day? If it's 23 August, then it was the day of Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, nothing else that significant in August 1939.

 

[fredgiblet]

I think from a historical point of view Germany should have delayed starting the war as they had planned in the pact of steel to better prepare themselves and their allies for war. This could have allowed them to join the war in synchronization with Japan, and allow Germany to foster more military and technological cooperation with Japan before the outbreak of the war.

I've heard it said repeatedly, though admittedly not seen proof, that Germany's economy was unsustainable, holding off for a couple of years might well have led to economic collapse. I believe this in part because the Germans themselves knew that they weren't ready for the war, it's possible that Hitler was simply over-eager, but I feel that's also reasonable to say that it could be because of a desperate need to start things before an impending disaster.

From a gameplay point of view, secure the Suez before beginning any war with Russia, the Iraqi and Kuwaiti oil would have prevented shortages and reduced Britains ability to repsond to changing circumstances in East Asia and possibly facilitate an invasion of India. More commitment to the African front rather than wasting resources trying to penetrate the fortress island. It's Probably possible to 'bluff' britain using ground based AAA to free up more luftwaffe squadrons and secure air superiority over the Mediterranean.
As some others pointed out, securing the middle East would allow for Invasions through the Caucasus, although, looking at the USSR and Russia's track record, going out of your way to fight in harsh terrain might not be the best move. The Austrian Carpathian Campaign in WW1 comes to mind, as does Napoleons invasion.
Imo Germany campaigns in HoI3 were trivial as the UK was horrendously bad at defending its coasts, this new Naval and Naval invasion system should make it a lot more interesting.

Agreed, though I think IRL North Africa was promised to the Italians, which would be a fair reason for why the Germans wouldn't want to expend all their energy there. I would be quite happy as Germany to take North Africa and then turn to the Soviets afterwards. The added oil combined with extra time to build-up could be extremely valuable.

There is always a hypothesis that if not Hitler then Stalin would star East Front.

I doubt it personally. From what I've seen it looks like Stalin was kind of a coward, or at least very conservative, in foreign relations. The Soviets didn't really have the ability to challenge the Germans in '41 and probably not in '42 either. Even with wartime economy they didn't start really pushing back until '43. Granted they likely would have been more effective than they were in '41 simply because there would have been some sort of planning instead of just throwing units at the front.

 

[evilcat]

I doubt it personally. From what I've seen it looks like Stalin was kind of a coward, or at least very conservative, in foreign relations. The Soviets didn't really have the ability to challenge the Germans in '41 and probably not in '42 either. Even with wartime economy they didn't start really pushing back until '43. Granted they likely would have been more effective than they were in '41 simply because there would have been some sort of planning instead of just throwing units at the front.

The question is: Does Stalin planned to attack in '43? Wasnt USRR preapring to war in 42?
The thing is that sudden attack of German catched USRR off guard. Before they was ready. That allowed some succes.

 

[sebirean6]

Befriend Stalin, and go full on Unholy Alliance. Avoid Japan to only fight the USA on my terms and in case Japan decides to pursue Soviet land in the east.

Go historical until the battle of Britain, but actually devote all of the resources to fighting Britain, and forcing it to capitulate, whether via the African-Mid east front or direct invasion.

Ultimately wait for the USA and Japan to get entangled while building up the capability to invade the USA, and then probably do so via Canada, claimed from the war with the UK, with built up infrastructure to support a nice wide front from the northern USA border.

 

[JerkyJerry]

For me none of that 'pussy footing around' will do.
I'm going to roll with armour and speed

Remove Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Yugo, Romania, Hungary, Greece, Turkey, Netherlands, Lux, France etc. I should have all that done by the end of 1940 easily.
Then while building up defenses on the western front I will attack Russia. I push them back far enough so that I am holding the line on most major rivers while Russia's capacity to wage war is greatly diminished due to the lack of territory (loss of factories, raw materials etc.). I then just hold them where I want them to be and allow them to go no further. I will advance slowing through Russia with my eye on the east waiting for the allied attack.

I don't try to defeat Russia before D-Day. I just put them in a place that makes it extremely difficult for them to mount an offensive. Then once the allies are pushed back into the sea I keep on pushing east. I don't feel I need to defeat Russia early I just need to cripple them. I'm not sure I can at the same time defeat Russia & the allies when they land. So as long as I can turn Russia into a minor player for just a year or two I can get a proper defense in the west which should hold off the Allies on their second D-Day attempt.

Germany is built for waring. They are built to destroy. I like to destroy! Panzer smash!

I try to maximize the positives and eliminate the negatives which is why I don't bother to waste any of my effort or resources on building a German navy until after I have secured the western coastal front and Russia is essentially a non factor. Then I build the most modern of navies I can.

 

[hammercat]

Befriend Stalin, and go full on Unholy Alliance. Avoid Japan to only fight the USA on my terms and in case Japan decides to pursue Soviet land in the east.

Go historical until the battle of Britain, but actually devote all of the resources to fighting Britain, and forcing it to capitulate, whether via the African-Mid east front or direct invasion.

Ultimately wait for the USA and Japan to get entangled while building up the capability to invade the USA, and then probably do so via Canada, claimed from the war with the UK, with built up infrastructure to support a nice wide front from the northern USA border.

You would have to capture Canada first. It was a sovereign nation. Britain falling wouldn't mean Canada falling. I am not saying it would take a lot but you would still have to fight there as well.