Panzer, MaaAARsch ! An (almost) historical AAR

[Nicegil]

So it just dawned on me as I was reading your last 2 updates...Nicegil is from Paris, he's writing in English, and using German in his AAR. Awesome! I admire being multi-lingual.

Yeap ! Being multi-lingual is quite useful. Writting this AAR in german would have been much easier (not to mention french, of course !) but the short sentences / expressions in German are just there to add some "flavor". RP, what else...?!!

So I have just a few questions, I noticed in the previous update you're researching Strategic Air Command. Is there any particular reasoning for that? Maybe I need to better understand what the benefits are using this mod. And it appear that an Axis Argentina (at the very least) is within your grasp. Can you share any plans you / Hans / Admiral Canaris may have with South America? Now I'm excited at the prospect that you may actually attempt some kind of German deployment down there.

- Strategic Air Command : even if I don't plan to build a massive STRAT force (at least, not until 1942-43), I still could use my TACs to carpet bomb some cities/Infra and/or airfields in the UK (Battle of Britain) if the Luftwaffe isn't too badly mauled after "Fall gelb".
As Strategic Air Command applies (AFAIK) to strategic bombing also performed by TACs and since the Luftwaffe had, historically, some experience in carpet bombing (see Guernica, Warsaw, Rotterdam...), it was logical to study this tech... at least the first level.

- South America : Right now, I don't have plans for South America but who knows what will happen in the future...?
My primary intention for the moment is to have some "friends" down there, whose ports could be useful for my Panzerschiffe (Graf Spee a.o.) and some of my Hiflskreutzer, to conduct sealanes interdiction in Southern Atlantic.
But I'll let Admiral Raeder explain that to you in a few days...

nice updates Nicegil...your pace of producing updates is impressive.

Up to now, updates weren't that much of a concern : peacetime updates are quite simple but war is closing in (I've played until July 1939) and I have to prepare all those OoBs and planning/strategy updates : a monster work to say the least...

 

[misterbean]

monster work allright! prior to Fall Gelb, prior to Barby... logistical nightmare!

 

[Nicegil]

Chapter 13 : The Z-Plan
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ReichsMinisterium für Bewaffnung und Munition, Berlin - 1939, January the 5th - 0900
ReichsMinister Fritz Todt meets the Chiefs of Staff, General Halder (Heer), General Stumpff (Luftwaffe) and Admiral Schniewind (Kriegsmarine).

- "Meine Herren. Danke, dass Ihr gekommen Seid...
I just came out of a meeting with the Führer and ReichsMinister Funk and I wanted to inform all of you about the work progress of constructions and defense installations you requested.

Air Defenses - Ruhr Area - Summer 1939
​

General Stumpff, the airbases of Münchengladbach, Bittburg, Leipzig, Nürnberg, Münster, Magdeburg, Bremen are now fully operational (lvl 4). The last, and the biggest one, Köln (lvl 10) will be ready in August at the latest. Concerning the radar installations controlled by the Luftwaffe, Stuttgart, Bittburg, Breslau and Wuppertal are fully functional either (lvl 4), or they will be this summer at the latest.
- That's great, Herr ReichsMinister, but we still need to improve them and to increase the density of this early-warning line. I would remind you that we also have hearing stations which provide accurate informations and they need to be improved too.
- I take note of that, General, but you'll quickly understand that our budget will be dratically reduce because of the priority given to the army units.

Kriegsmarine Naval Stations - Summer 1939
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Admiral Schniewind, the submarine base of Bremerhaven is fully functional (lvl 4) and the coastal defenses of this base, as well as of Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg and Kiel have been completed too (lvl 4). The Kriegsmarine-controlled radar stations of Wilhelmshaven, Kiel, Wollgast and Koenigsberg are either operational or they'll be ready very soon (lvl 4).
Although I'm not a strategist I think we now rely on a warning system covering both our northern and western frontiers, and a little bit of the eastern one...
- Herr ReichsMinister, as my colleague from the Luftwaffe told you, we also need to improve our radar and hearing installations. I can assure you that the detection coverage is barely enough to detect ennemy aircrafts and really insufficient for coastal early warning. We don't have a lot of ships so we must be able to engage them at best...
- Once again, Admiral, I'll see what can be done but don't expect too much !

The Siegfried Line (No washing hanging... yet !)
​

Und jetzt zu uns, General Halder. As you know, the Führer ordered last year to start working on a line of defense on our western border : the Siegfried Line. A great job has been done so far but it seems to be insufficient, right ?
- Indeed, Herr ReichsMinister. I visited the line and we need to improve it ASAP. I wrote a report on that.

Siegfried Line - Planned Improvements
​

- And the Führer read it and agreed. As a result, exceptional funding has been granted to enlarge/improve the current Siegfried Line and the entire production of AAA for the next 5 months will be awarded to it. That's the best we can do according to the economic situation : have the Army to take care of the rest for our protection.
As I told you, meine Herren, we won't be able to do much this year. Please keep in mind that we also have to make some infrastructure works in Silesia and in the Klagenfurt area. We're still going to produce AAA at the same rate to increase our air defenses of the Ruhr and I'll see what's possible to do concerning radar installations. Ich bedanke mich..."


Reichskanzlei, Berlin - 1939, January the 28th - 1100
The Führer meets Admiral Raeder, OberBefehlsHaber der Marine, and Kommodore Dönitz, Führer der U-Boote.

- "Kommodore Dönitz, congratulation for your well deserved promotion !
- Thanks a lot, mein Führer. I just do my best to serve Gott und Vaterland.
- So... Admiral Raeder, is this the famour Z-Plan I've heard about ?
- Jawohl, mein Führer. After 2 previous attempts, some passionate discussions and studies, we have lowered our expectancies and came up with this.
- I'm all ears, Admiral...
- Mein Führer... With the Z-Plan, we are following two-parts strategy.
The first one, being the building of an high-sea fleet which doesn't intend to dispute sea-supremacy all around the world but which should be able, at least, to engage into a fight against the Royal Navy in the North Sea and probably in the North Atlantic too. This fleet will mainly focus on battleships with some aircraft carrier support.
a) to the existing batteships Bismark and Tirpitz (still under construction) and to the battlecuisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau (newly commissioned), we plan to build 6 heavy- battleships from class H-39. 2 of them will be started this year, H-39 and H-40, and then, one every year till 1943.
H-39 and H-40 BB will be armed with 406mm main artillery but we intend to have greater guns on H-41 and following.
b) to the two aircraft carriers currently under construction (Graf Zeppelin and Flugzeugträger B), we are going to add two smaller aircraft carrier (CVE), one in 1940 and one in 1941. Naval version of the Me-109 and Ju-87 are being studied to be used as CAG.
c) no change concerning heavy cruisers : we stay by the 2 already commissioned (Admiral Hipper and Blücher) and the three currently under construction (Lützow, Seydlitz and Prinz Eugen).
d) to our existing 6 light cruisers, we're going to add 16 others at a rate of 3 or 4 per year starting in 1940.
e) 36 "Spähkreutzer" (9 heavy destroyers flottillas) are planned too : 2 flottilas per year, starting 1940.
f) 36 new destroyers (6 flottilas) added to the 30 existing ones : 2 flottillas per year starting 1941.
and g) 48 new torpedoboats (8 flottillas) added to the 30 we already have : 2 flottillas per year starting 1941 too.

Panzerschiff H-Klasse
​

- A very ambitious plan, Admiral. Go on...
- Thanks, mein Führer. The second part of our strategy is the sealanes interdiction supported by Kommodore Dönitz and Admiral Saalwächter. For this, we're going to develop our Pocket-Battleships and our current submarine fleet.
a) To the existing 3 Deutschland-Class P-BB (Deutschland, Admiral Scheer, Admiral Graf Spee), we plan to build 12 others of the 'O' and/or 'P'-class, with a main armament of either 280 or 380mmm.
b) 144 ocean-going submarines (24 flottillas) of either type VII or IX and 48 coastal submarines (8 flottillas) of type II. Right now, we don't have any schedule but 30 of them (7 flottillas) are currently under construction in our shipyards.
and c) though not part of the Z-Plan but already ordered (3 already commissioned), 11 converted freighters to serve als "Hilfskreutzer".

Hilfskreutzer 'Atlantis'
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- I'll do my best to support you, Admiral, but you surely know that our industry is already running at its extends.
And what is your future strategy ? I don't want to finance ships which are going to stay in port like Admiral Tirpitz did with his fleet during the last war !!!
- Our plan is to use our main battle fleet to attract the Royal Navy and to make it stay in the british waters. If a good opportunity occurs, our fleet may sortie and engage the fight, supported by our naval aviation.
In the same time, we're going to send our submarines in the North Atlantic to disrupt british sealanes.
- And the pocket-battleships ? The Hilfskreutzer ?
- For them, we have an other plan, mein Führer. Now that we have some transit agreements with Portugal, Spain and of course our Axis partners, mainly Japan, we plan to send our pocket-battleships and Hilfskreutzer in remote ports of the South Atlantic, Indian Ocean or even Pacific Ocean ; this, BEFORE hostilities begin ! From there, we should be able to start raiding british shipping lanes with some success along the coasts of Africa, Capetown area or Malacca Strait near Singapore.
Either the Brits spread out their fleet to face the threat... and their Home Fleet will be more vulnerable or they do nothing and run the risk of having their communication lines severed. In both cases, we can take advantage of that.
But to realize this plan, we need time, mein Führer.
- Ja, ja... I'm aware of that...

 

[robw963]

Really good stuff Nicegil. Most of my experience in this game is playing as Germany and I'm always interested in seeing how different people approach the same problems. For example, I almost never build up the Siegfried line beyond what's already in place, preferring instead to invest IC into units instead. I'd be curious to understand your thinking behind that. I can definitely see the value of improving radar installations near France since they not only assist you in your effort against the French, but later also will be useful once the Strategic bombers start to go after the Ruhr. I have to love your decision to go for an aggressive Kriegsmarine Z-Plan. I'm dying to see how well you perform with that. It's a lot of fun when you can make a burly Kriegsmarine...hopefully it won't cost the Heer too dearly.

 

[Jagdpnzr]

I'm with you Rob, I'm also enjoying the buildup. I'm looking forward to see how well the Z plan Kriegsmarine matches up with the Allied fleets.

 

[Nicegil]

Really good stuff Nicegil. Most of my experience in this game is playing as Germany and I'm always interested in seeing how different people approach the same problems.

Thanks. I exactly feel the same and enjoy the different approaches other players might have. In your case, I (obviously !) love your graphisms but surprinsingly, I found some of your stats very useful even if, as player, I always rather follow a more "historical" way (that's my art of playing). Instead of "optimization", I rather rely on strategic foresights, planning, and operational or tactical manoeuvrability/flexibility.

For example, I almost never build up the Siegfried line beyond what's already in place, preferring instead to invest IC into units instead. I'd be curious to understand your thinking behind that.

The "thinking" is double : first, this intends to be an historical AAR (up to 06/1941 !) ; in such a way, I HAVE to build the Siegfried Line. It is also an essential part of my "Wacht am Rhein" strategy and able me to concentrate (as IRL) my "Schwerpunkt" further north.
In a second time, who knows what's going to happen in the future ? Having a fortified defense line in such a good position (behind the Rhine !) is much better as no defense at all. In case of allied invasion, I could always use some reserve or replacement divisions from the ErsatzsArmee (Reserve Army) to hold the line while I'm redeploying other (and more effective) combat units, either to launch a counter-attack somewhere else or to launch it from this "maul" of resistance.

I can definitely see the value of improving radar installations near France since they not only assist you in your effort against the French, but later also will be useful once the Strategic bombers start to go after the Ruhr.

Besides gathering intelligence on french (and belgian, dutch) units, improving radar installations has one major purpose : to kick the RAF (and later the USAAF) in the b...! That's why I have a radar installation in Wuppertal, covering all 4 major cities of the Ruhr. As "historically stipulated", I can only have 8 radar stations in 1939 but I intend to improve the early-warning line in the future.

I have to love your decision to go for an aggressive Kriegsmarine Z-Plan. I'm dying to see how well you perform with that. It's a lot of fun when you can make a burly Kriegsmarine...hopefully it won't cost the Heer too dearly.

he, heee... I knew I was going to learn something today (i. e. "burly"). Thanks for helping me to enrich my vocabulary...
However, I feel sorry in advance (well... almost) but remember, it's an historical AAR so you probably know what's going to happen with the Z-Plan... don't you ? Up until Barbarossa, Heer and Luftwaffe will always have priority !

I'm with you Rob, I'm also enjoying the buildup. I'm looking forward to see how well the Z plan Kriegsmarine matches up with the Allied fleets.

As I told Robw963, don't expect too much from the Kriegsmarine. But it's not only because of the History. As a player, I'm a sort of "Sunday sailor" : defending coasts, launching naval counter-attacks, interceptions (with propernaval aviation support), that's ok but launching major naval operations far away from home... huuuuu !!! For you from the USA, I'd be Lockwood rather than Halsey.
In such a way, I'm a "real german player" : I love "commerce raiding" (with subs, HSKs or PBs) and this is part of my global long-term strategy. However, the development of a "burly" Kriegsmarine is planned too... just not now.

 

[Barvinok]

Why spend the resources on carriers then? Or is this just to simulate the near completion of the Graf Zeppelin? I do look forward to seeing a real effort in convoy raiding.

 

[Nicegil]

Why spend the resources on carriers then? Or is this just to simulate the near completion of the Graf Zeppelin? I do look forward to seeing a real effort in convoy raiding.

For the same reason I build divisions (replacement, reserve...) which I'm (hopefully !) never going to need : historical accuracy. That's also why I try to pay attention to the techs research to have the right tanks, planes, etc... at the right moment. Not that easy, btw. :blink:
As I wrote in my introduction, I never intended to "optimize" neither production, research, leaders or combat units. I'm playing with what I'm "historically allowed" to, as far as my knowledge and/or the game mechanic allow it. I hope, for example, that Barbarossa will be a much more interesting challenge with 20 PzDs (17 to be accurate) equipped with PzIII and Pz38 rather than 40 "Panther/Tiger" divisions.

Convoy raiding is on the top of my "to do" list for the Kriegsmarine. I intend to turn the North Atlantic into an "Iron Bottom Pond"...

 

[Nicegil]

Chapter 14 : Die Wacht am Rhein.
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For flavor... and as warm-up.

"Die Wacht am Rhein" (The Watch on the Rhine) is a German patriotic anthem. The song's origins are rooted in the historical French–German enmity : Max Schneckenburger wrote first the poem "Die Wacht am Rhein" in the years 1840s.
It was then set to music by Karl Wilhelm in 1854. This song was particularly popular in Germany during the Franco-Prussian War and the First World War.
From World War I through 1945, the "Watch on the Rhine" was one of the most popular songs in Germany, again rivaling the "Deutschlandlied" as the de-facto national anthem.
In World War II, the daily Wehrmachtbericht radio report began with the tune, until it was replaced by the fanfare from Liszt's "Les préludes" in 1941.
​

OKH Hauptquartier Wünsdorf - 1939, March the 1st - 1100
Meeting between GeneralOberst von Brauchitsch, Chief of the OKH und General Halder, Army Chief of Staff.

- "Herr GeneralOberst, is it true ?
- What do you mean, Halder ?
- Slovakia ! There are rumors about a possible independence of this part of Czechoslovakia.
- Fully true, mein lieber Halder. Actually, the Wilhelmstrasse is urging them to proclaim Slovakia's independence otherwise they could become "victimes" of their hungry neighbours, Hungary and Poland. As part of Czechoslovakia, a state which will eventually disappear, they're vulnerable. But as independant nation, "protected" by the german Reich, they're safe...
- How hypocrit it is ! But as soon as they'll proclaim independence, what will happen to the rest of Czechoslovakia ?
- In this case, mein lieber Halder, the Czech gouvernment will have no other choice but to call us to "protect" them.
- In other words, we're going to "swallow" the rest of Czechoslovakia as well, gell ?
- Something like that... in a few days, the Wehrmacht will enter Prag.
- And what about the Frenchs and the Brits ? GeneralOberst, do you seriously think they'll let us do that without any reaction ?
- The Führer and Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop are fully confident they'll do nothing but...
- But you aren't that sure either, are you ?
- Let's say, I'd rather to be cautious and that's why I had to see you this morning. I wanted to review with you the organisation of the Heer and more particulary, our defensive plan "Wacht am Rhein".

​

- As you know, Herr GeneralOberts, after the Anschluss of Austria and the annexation of the Sudetenland, we have done a major restructuration of our Armed Forces. The main difference is that we now have some reserve units under our direct supervision. I'll come back on that later...

From the existing Arbeitstab "von Rundstedt", we formed a effective Army Group HQ, the HeeresGruppe 'Süd'. This Army Group, under GeneralOberst von Rundstedt, is in charge of defending the Silesia and observing Czechoslovakia.
We also created another Army Group, the HeeresGruppe 'Nord', under GeneralOberst von Bock. Newly created, it has no real mission yet but in theory, it has to defend East-Prussia, Pommern and Mecklemburg, as well as the "Oder Quadrilateral" i.e. our fortified positions in the region of Küstrin.
In the West, the former Heeresgruppenkommando 2 has been renamed. It is now a fully functional Army Group HQ, the HeeresGruppe C, under GeneralOberst von Leeb. This Army Group is in charge of defending our western borders, from Switzerland to the North Sea.

​

This is the planned organisation of our OKH Strategic reserve in case of a confrontation against Poland AND France/Britain : the two-front war we should try to avoid at all costs !
- General Halder... Please...
- Sorry, Herr GeneralOberst. From the 13 divisions of the General Reserve, 9 of them are to be sent to the HeeresGruppe C : 5 Infantry Divisions to the 5. Armee and 4 to the 1. Armee. 3 Infantry Divisions will go to the HeeresGruppe 'Süd' and the 10. PzD is allocated to HeeresGruppe 'Nord'.
The Brandenburger unit stays at our disposal for whatever we need it to do...
- Das klingt vernünftigt.

​

- And here, Herr GeneralOberst, here's the HeeresGruppe C. The Chief of Staff (CoS) is Generalmajor von Sodenstern.
All together, it represents a fighting force of roughly 40 divisions for a total of nearly 350.000 men, not counting the units of the General Reserve I've mentioned before.
Its major weakness is the lack of armored/motorized troops. Only 2 divisions : the 76. ID of General De Angelis and the SS-Totenkopf-Verbände of GruppenFührer Eicke. I have to point out that the military value of those SS guys is quite unsure...
- Better than nothing. Go on, General Halder...
- Sehr wohl, Herr GeneralOberst.
The HeeresGruppe C comprises 3 armies, the 1. Armee, 5. Armee and 7. Armee plus one army detachment, the Armee-Abteilung A. Here's the deployment along our borders.

​

As you can see, Herr GeneralOberst, the bulk of our forces is concentrated in the Eiffel and Saarland regions which are the most likely to be attacked.
GeneralOberst von Leeb has adopted a defensive posture whereas the main striking force is in the second line, ready to reinforce threatened sectors.
Strategic reserves are in the triangle Nürnberg-Frankfurt-Hannover and can reach any part of the front in less than a week.

​

The 1. Armee of General von Witzleben (CoS General Mieth) is in the most exposed sector, the Saarland, but it's the biggest army of HeeresGruppe C.
It has 2 Armeekorps, IX. AK (General Geyer) and XII. AK (General Schroth) plus a corps-sized sub-command, the GrenzschuztAbschnitt Kommando 'SaarPfalz' (General Kuntze).
All together, 137.000 men within 16 divisions.

​

The 5. Armee of General Liebmann (CoS General Sixt von Arnim) is in the Eiffel sector. We don't expect any trouble from Belgium that's why General Liebmann kept one corps and most of his reserves south-east from Köln, ready to move toward Trier and Saarlouis.
The 5. Armee is made of 3 Armeekorps, V. AK (General Ruoff), VI. AK (General Förster) and XXVII. AK (General von Präger) plus a corps-sized sub-command, the GrenzschuztAbschnitt Kommando 'Eiffel' (General Raschick).
A total of 111.000 men within 14 divisions.

​

The 7. Armee of General Dollmann is in charge of defending the Rhine. It's a good defensive position and the ennemy should mass huge amount of troops if he ever attempted to attack over there. Such movements would be easy to observe and we would have enough time to react and to bring reinforments too.
The 7. Armee has only one corps-sized sub-command, the GrenzschuztAbschnitt Kommando 'Oberrhein' (General Wäger).
It represents a fighting force of 68.000 troops within 7 divisions.

​

Last but not least, the Armee-Abteilung A of General von Hammerstein-Equord.
- Ach... der liebe Kurt ! What is he doing ? Taking vacations on the North sea ?
- Almost, Herr GeneralOberst. His main Sub-Command, the XXX. AK (General Hartmann) is just made of some border-guard units. Sort of military presence on the dutch border... 13.000 men all together.
- Sehr gut. And what about air support ?

​

- Herr GeneralOberst, we have the Luftflotte 2 (General Felmy) in Hannover and the Luftflotte 3 (General Speerle) in Nürnberg to support our troops.
It represents a total of 900 fighters (Me-109), 200 heavy-fighters (Me-110), 700 bombers (Do-17 or He-111) and 100 dive-bombers (Ju-87 'Stukas).
- Quite impressive but I'm worried about the fighters placement. Aren't they a bit too far behind ?
- Herr GeneralOberst, I've spoken with Oberst Jeschonnek, the newly appointed Luftwaffen Chief of Staff, about that. The fighters also have the mission to intercept ennemy bombers targeting our vital industries. Therefore, they have been assigned like this. But in case of emergency, General Sperrle is agree to move the fighters of the LuftGau Kdo VII closer to the Rhine, in Stuttgart or Frankfurt...
- Gute Arbeit, General Halder. I'll report all that to the OKW.

 

[LoftenHenderson]

brilliant so far, Keep it Up!!!

 

[misterbean]

very nice, and very thorough presentation.

 

[Nicegil]

brilliant so far, Keep it Up!!!

Thanks. Don't worry, I'm intending to... War is closing in and things are getting tougher.

very nice, and very thorough presentation.

After performing some tests, I came up with this form of presentation. But I'm still opened to suggestions...
"Wacht am Rhein" is the OoB part concerning the Western front as it will be on September the 1st, 1939.
"Fall weiß" OoB will come soon.

For the Heer, I've kept the historical COs (commanding officers) for all Army Groups, Armies, Corps and divisions.
The special sub-commands attached to each AGs and Armies represents their general Staff (or KoRück - Rear Area Command). It's the best way to manage the reserves respectively attached to them.
Some COs are still missing unfortunatly... In some cases I will fill the empty positions, if possible, either with the last commander or with the next one.
Concerning the Luftwaffe, things were a bit more challenging but so far, this OoB is as close as possible to the historical one.

 

[Nicegil]

Chapter 15 : Großdeutschland
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OKH Hauptquartier, Berlin-Wünsdorf - 1939, March the 22nd - 1500
Meeting between General Franz Halder, Chief of the General Staff and GeneralOberst von Rundstedt, CinC Heeresgruppe 'Süd'.

- "Guten Morgen, Herr GeneralOberst. I hope you had a pleasant journey.
- Forget about the courtesy, General Halder, I'm not in the right mood.
- I see... Still this renown prussian sense of humour, gell ?
- What did you expect ? Do you want me to refresh your memory ?

March the 15th, 1939 - The Wehrmacht entered Prague
​

First, not even a week ago, we humiliated France and Britain while occupying the remaints of Czechoslovakia. And don't tell me the usual official bullsh... ! You perfectly know that the Czech gouvernment didn't "call upon us to restore order". Czech President Emil Hácha wasn't invited in Berlin : he was summoned !!! Neither didn't he ask for help ; on the contrary, he only gave in and accepted the Führer's conditions under the threat of a Luftwaffe attack on Prague !!!
- Accepting our demands was a reasonnable decision.
- Suuuure, General Halder. And President Hácha was soooo happy to take it that he suffered a heart attack during the meeting, and had to be kept awake by medical staff ! Are you pulling my leg ?
- I know... I know... May be we've gone too far...

March the 22nd, 1939 - Memel territory annexed.
​

- Obviously not ! Today, as if the situation wasn't tense enough, our troops went for a walk, entered Klapeida/Memel and our country annexed this part of Lithuania. I don't know what's going on in the Wilhelmstrasse but if they want a war, they're just doing the right thing !!!
- I share your mind, Herr GeneralOberst, but I also want to remind you that Memel was, once, part of Germany. Our claim was legitimate and we didn't take the town : it was given to us by the Lithuanian gouvernment.
- ja, ja... Tell that to the french troops. I'm quite sure they'll fully understand...
- Are you done, Herr GeneraOberst ? Can we come to the point ?
- Sure, go on... Why did you want to see me ?
- Poland. We...
- WHAAAAT ?!!! Have you lost your mind ??!!!
- GeneralOberst von Rundstedt !!! First, I haven't "lost my mind" as you say, and Second, I'm a soldier, like you btw, and I have to follow orders.
Currently, our Gouvernment is negociating with the Poles for the return of Danzig into the Reich as well as a strip of territory across the Polish corridor on which a road and a rail link could be built.
But... even if our demand is reasonnable, the Poles might not willing to compromise. So far I know, the Führer is firmly decided to take it by force if necessary.
- General Halder. Let's be calm and serious. You know, as well as I do, that it will mean WAR with France and Britain !
- The Führer is fully confident that no one will move but, like you, I don't share this evaluation. We alreay have a defensive plan to protect our western borders but I want YOU, Herr GeneralOberst von Rundstedt, to set-up a plan to attack Poland.
It has to be quick ! It has to be deadly ! In 4 weeks, at the upmost, things have to be over in Poland so that we can transfer the bulk of our forces to face France.
- General Halder... This is pure madness...! Poland won't be a match for our troops, that's for sure, but France... Britain...
- Anyway, Herr GeneralOberst. Whom do you want in your staff for establishing such a plan ?
- General von Manstein, the CO of the 18. ID, and Oberst Blumentritt, Chief of the 4th Department at the OKH. There are the best suited officers for this job.
- Von Manstein ? Dieses arrogantes Schw... ?
- Yeap ! He might be arrogant but he's a cunning strategist ; actually, he's the best I know ! You want success ? I want him !!!"


ReichsWirtschaftsMinisterium (Ministery of Economics), Berlin - 1939, March the 24th - 0930
Meeting between Walter Funk, Ministry of economics, and his Secretary of State Rudolf Brinkmann.

- "Na... Brinkmann ? is it done ?
- Ja, Herr Reichsminister. We just received the confirmation from the Auswärtigen Amt (Foreign Office). The commercial agreement has been signed between us and Romania.

German-Romanian Oil Agreement
​

- And ? Is it as good as we hoped ?
- Even more, Herr Reichsminister. In a few days, we're going to multiply by two our current stockpiles of crude oil and fuel. Furthermore, the steady oil deliveries we're going to receive from Romania, will make us almost self-sufficient on that point in a very near future.
- And the best part of it : as far as I can see, it didn't cost us that much.
- You're right, Herr Reichsminister. Either Romania needs money that bad or... they really want to make buddy-buddy with us.
Mhmmm... May be they're afraid of the "big bad Bear", aren't they ?
- May be... I wouldn't be surprised if the Military should send soon a german military mission in Romania.
Anyhow, it's not my concern. The Sweeds first, the Romanians now... Finally, this Ribbentrop isn't that bad after all. I still think he's useless as Foreign Minister but as salesman for the "German Reich Ltd", he's doing fine. That's exactly what we needed, Brinkmann...

​

- You're right, Herr Reichsminister. Our stockpiles are growing bigger and bigger and cash is coming in too.
- We're going to use it to by extra supplies on the international market. This would relieve our industry and help it to concentrate on other fields of production. I'll make a report to Fritz Todt on that..."


Reichskanzlei, Berlin - 1939, April the 20th - 1430
The Führer meets Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop.

- "Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, mein Führer !
- Thanks a lot, mein lieber Ribbentrop. So... What did you brought me as birthday present ? Some good news, once again ?
- Well, it's not that simple, mein Führer. I'm afraid the annexation of both Czechoslovakia and Memel territory in the same week made the Brits and the Frenchs quite angry.

Polish Independence guaranteed by Britain
​

As you know, mein Führer, last month, they both guaranteed the independence of Poland and...
- So what, Ribbentrop ? They've done the same for Czechkoslovakia and see what happened... Nothing !!! This state doesn't exist anymore and no one lifted a finger !!!
- You're right, mein Führer. But Poland is different... as are the Poles. They feel confident that both Frenchs and Brits will support them. Under such circumstances, negociating with them will be quite hard.
- I don't give a damn, Ribbentrop ! The Danzig corridor, this monstruosity of the Versailles Treaty has to disappear... and it will !!! I'm telling you Ribbentrop : neither France nor Britain will move, simply because nobody over there wants to die for Danzig.
Any other news ?
- Aber sicher doch, mein Führer. And good ones !

Nationalist China surrenders
​

We have the confirmation through the japanese embassy in Berlin. The war in China is over : Nationalist China surrendered on April the 4th and Chiang Kai-shek fled into exile... somewhere in India, I guess.
Your instinct was right, mein Führer. We've picked up the right allies !
- In der Tat, mein lieber Ribbentrop ! In case of a war, the Brits are going to be busy dealing both with us in Europe and with our japanese friends in Asia.
- Don't forget the Italians, mein Führer...

April the 7th, 1939 - Italy annexed Albania
​

Your friend Mussolini seems "hungry" too : 2 weeks ago, Italy annexed Albania and I'm quite sure the Italians won't stop there. They're already looking further, may be Greece or the british possessions in Egypt. It's no longer a secret that Mussolini intends to turn the Mediterrenean Sea into his new private lake... "Mare Nostrum".
- We should keep an eye on that, Ribbentrop. Mussolini is a faithful friend but he's ambitious and I have some concerns with the italian military...
- I agree with you, mein Führer. I'm currently discussing with italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, and we're about to come with an agreement between our two countries : I feel confident Italy will join the Anti-Comintern Pact in a few weeks and the signature of a pact of cooperation is also a matter of days...
- Wunderbar, Ribbentrop ! Keep up with this great work.
One last thing : not that I'm happy with this but with this polish concern, I would like you to find a solution, an agreement, with the USSR. I need to have free hands in the East just in case France and Britain want to play fools.
- I'm already working on that, mein Führer.

Großdeutschland !
​

Anyhow, we're now a Great Power in Europe. Thanks to you, the Great German Reich has become a reality.
- There's still a lot to do, Ribbentrop. Ja, soooo viel zu tun..."

 

[Davy]

I am amazed, this is so well-organized. This AAR is so much fun to follow.
Really, a big congrats

 

[LoftenHenderson]

great update!

 

[Nicegil]

I am amazed, this is so well-organized. This AAR is so much fun to follow.
Really, a big congrats

If you're talking about the presentation, thanks a lot, Davy.
As I previously wrote, I came up with this form which appeared to me as the easiest to overview an OoB.
I'm aware it might be sometimes repealing but this AAR is mostly done for OoBs, historical and organisation freaks. I wish I had the talent of robw963 for graphisms...

Now, if you're talking about the organisation of AGs, Armies and such, I have no merit : I just took historical datas and "translated" them into game datas. I have to admit that, at least for the first campaigns of the war, the planners of the Wehrmacht knew their job. Follow the historical build-up and you simply CAN'T lose : the game mechanic reflects that quite good. We all just have to keep in mind that's only a game...

great update!

Thanks a lot for your interest, LoftenHenderson.
With the war closing in, I'm getting a headache when I'm thinking about how to present tactical operations, battle reports, air raids, etc, etc...
Another tough challenge between being interesting and not boring you with too much datas.
I guess I'm going to use "Fall weiss" as a bed test.

 

[Jagdpnzr]

Great update. Excited to see how you present your battle plans. It has been a pleasure to read this far. Great work!

 

[Davy]

Where did you found these historical buildups actually becourse I am also most interested in this.
The level of story is great just like the OOB's, in this AAR it is actually possible to see where the action is.

 

[Nicegil]

Great update. Excited to see how you present your battle plans. It has been a pleasure to read this far. Great work!

Thanks a lot for your interest, Jagdpnzr, and I'll try to make you enjoy the follow-up.
I'm currently working on the updates August-September the 1st, but I'm not fully satisfied : Too long, too detailled... too boring. I have to come up with a more easily digested stuff.
The goal is to give you the battle plan with my intentions so you can see if everything I've planned goes right... or wrong.
IRL, a General Staff don't push its armies straight ahead but it gives them objectives, directives (every 400km as a rule of thumb) and, of course, some means !
I'll try to do the same : I want to force my opponent to REACT to my moves.

Where did you found these historical buildups actually becourse I am also most interested in this. The level of story is great just like the OOB's, in this AAR it is actually possible to see where the action is.

The starting reference is of course the renown "niehorster.orbat"...
But it is sometimes incomplete or there is some (little) mistakes so I have to cross references with some other sites like "lexikon der wehrmacht" (you have to be german speaking) or "axis history", for the most important ones.

Concerning the "stories", there are the result of cross-refenced books and Internet searchs, personal knowledge or contacts in Germany.
As an example, the famous (and very controversed !) "Hossbach Memorandum" : I knew it has existed since I read it in german but it took me some time to find a complete, (well-) translated english version. Then, as it was written in the third person ("he") I had to change it into the first ("I") for this AAR. And last but not least, I had to "clean it up" to be politically correct by cutting some paragraphs.

 

[Nicegil]

Chapter 16 : Axis
​

Truppenübungsplatz Grafenwöhr, N-E of Nürnberg - 1939, May, the 5th - 1430
ReichsMinister for Armament Fritz Todt meets Karl Becker, Chef des Heereswaffenamtes (German Army Weapons Agency).

- "Netter Krach, gell ?
- It sounds like Hell opening a new branch on Earth !!! What's that, Herr Becker ?
- This, Herr Reichsminister, is the new Nebelwerfer prototype to replace our old Mk 35 and incoming Mk 40. With a 150mm warhead and a range of 2000m.
We still have implementation concerns but it's getting better...
- Herr Becker ! I wanted to speak with you about the studies you're currently conducting on tanks and other AFVs (Armored Fighting Vehicles). General Guderian and I, we would like to know how things are going so we can organize the production.
- Well... Right now, and as you know, we have different types of AFVs :
Concerning light tanks : following General Guderian recommandations, we have stopped all researchs on the first 2 models, the Pz I and Pz II. he just wanted to keep the Pz II for reconnaissance purpose. But since we annexed Czechoslovakia, we are quite interested in their Pz35 and Pz38 light tanks. They're quite good, you know, Herr Reichsminister...

Annexation of Czechoslovakia and its benefits
​

- Of course I know... So does General Guderian. We seized a lot of them from the former Czech Military and we use them to reinforce our new light Panzer-divisions which were quite short on tanks. The czech works in Plzen and Prag will now produce the Pz38 for us now and up until we can replace them with heavier tanks, they'll form the backbone of our Panzer-divisions.
- We're doing our best, Herr Reichsminister, and our current medium tanks, the PzIII Ausf. G, is doing fine. It has a 50mm main gun and it's a good compromise between speed and protection. We also have some PzIV, heavier and with a 75mm gun, but it still didn't give full satisfaction.
- And what about heavy tanks ?

Tanks currently in the Wehrmacht - 1939
​

- Our research budget for tanks had suffered some cuts, Herr Reichsminister. The OKH wants to improve our artillery systems first, like the one you just saw. Right now, we're still to the same point with our Kampfpanzerwagen Nb.Fz. prototype. It's not even what we can describe as an heavy tank and the only thing we've learned with it so far is... what NOT to do !
- What about the assault guns, and the other Panzerjäger ?

​

- I thing the assault gun of type StGIII Ausf. B is ready now and you can start the production. It's more suited to support infantry but it's well armored.
We also worked on the Panzerjäger I. We use the chassis of the Pz I. It's quite light but it has an excellent Czech Škoda 47mm AT-Gun. So far, and according to our budget, we can't do much more, Herr Reichsminister."


AussenMinisterium (State Department), Berlin - 1939, May the 21st - 1100
Meeting between Foreign Minister Konstantin von Neurath and Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister

- "Count Ciano, I'm glad we finally came to an agreement.
- Vereheerter Reichsminister, it was a pleasure to work with you. This cooperation Treaty between our two countries will be of mutual benefit.

The Pact of Steel and its benefits
​

Il Duce didn't forget the german back-up during the war in Abyssinia. And I would like to apologize, once again, for the misunderstanding about Austria in 1934.
- Never mind, dear Count, it was 5 years ago and it's an old story now. Italy can be assured that Germany will be on her side anytime. If I would dare, I recommand you, however, to inform us the next time you want to invade an other country like you did with Albania...
- May be you should be so king and do the same. Il Duce was quite surprised when the Wehrmacht entered Prague...
- Anyway, dear Count, it's no longer a concern. Our two countries will take the lead in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea will soon be your "Mare Nostrum".
- Germany didn't have any interests in the meditarrenean sea ? Or in the Balkan Region ?
- The Führer considers those places as being in the sphere of influence of Italy. We do have other concerns...
- You mean the Danzig corridor, Herr von Ribbentrop ?
- Yes. The Führer ist firmly decided to solve this problem once for all !
- Herr Reichsminister. You know it might result of a war with France and Britain. In this case, I'm not sure Il Duce will be willing to participate...
- We'll see, dear Count. For the moment, we just want your friendship and to enforce our cooperation like we do with Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.

​

- Herr Reichsminister, we'll see each other tomorrow for the signature. I'll now informe Il Duce and report him the good news."


ErsatzsArmee Hauptquartier, Leipzig - 1939, June the 14th - 0930
Meeting between General Fromm, Befehlshaber der ErsatzsArmee and General von Oven, General Inspekteur der ErsatzsInfanterie.

- "General Fromm, Kommen Sie schnell ! You have to see this !!!
- What's the problem, von Oven ?
- Read that, Herr General ! It just came with the mail.

Army corps & Landwehr-Div. being renamed
​

- Oh-hoooo... It doesn't smell good, von Oven. Not good at all !!!
- Does it mean what I think it is, Herr General ?
- I'm afraid so : all but one Landwehr-divisions are being renamed and "federalized". From now on, they are to be considered as active divisions... 10 new army corps have (or will) to be formed... all under Army control.
- But... Herr General, what's the reason for that ? An exercise ? It can't be... "that".
- Mein lieber von Oven. There's only ONE good reason for activating 20 divisions and to form 10 new army corps at one time...
- You mean... war ?!!
- Do you have a better explanation ? What you see here is the first step before full mobilisation. And see... here... the date : some corps, most of them on our western border, must be renamed by October the 15th. This means "IT" is going to happen very soon... May be this summer, and in the East.
- Poland ? But it' pure madness, Herr General !
- Madness or not, Befehl ist Befehl, General von Oven.

Wehrkreise (military districts) - June 1939
​

Let issue the orders to all Wehrkreise. And make sure everyone understand them !!!
- Zu Befehl, Herr General. But as you know, not all our units are combat-ready. What should we do ? Shall we let them to continue training or not ?
- Like the Großdeutschland Regiment, for instance ?

​

- Yeap ! It is currently training and reorganizing into a motorised infantry regiment. And it's not the only one.
- Well... I will call General Halder at the OKH. If they want to drag us in this sh..., they sure have a plan and they'll tell us what to do."