Yeah, at the bottom of the sea!
Will be fun to see how the Red Navy fights ze krauts and later on the Tommy's.
It's called submarine warfare.
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It's called submarine warfare.
I arrived home, sleepy as a sloth that just ran a marathon, and still spent the last hour around photoshop and Soviet Navy screenshots. Comrade Stalin will elevate me to the politburo!
I arrived home, sleepy as a sloth that just ran a marathon, and still spent the last hour around photoshop and Soviet Navy screenshots. Comrade Stalin will elevate me to the politburo!
"You are a credit to you community, sir."
Seriously though, I can't wait to see if you sank the beast. Or more exactly: I can't wait to see how you sank it, for it is not in my intention to doubt the glorious Red Navy.
The news from the North were terrible, and only served to boost the already frightening reputation of the Bismarck amongst Soviet sailors - and truth be told captains as well - but it would not be the last piece of bad news that month. Perhaps not even the worse.
In fact, the attempt to repeat what worked against Finland once was short-sighted. Naturally they were expecting it this time, and swiftly responded.
Heroic as our Naval Infantry is, the Finns know the terrain better, and had time to prepare. Retreat is the only option to prevent irreparable casualties.
As the troops are transported back to Leningrad, the Red Fleet's standing both abroad and in the USSR seems considerably diminished.
It seemed only too appropriate that repair techniques of all things would be perfected by the Fleet in these conditions. Indeed it seemed a great many things needed repairing, equipment being probably the least important of them.
So why lose time?
Lenin and Stalin didn't make the Revolution by waiting around.
Kriegsmarine Heavy Cruisers had proven the concept was valid and effective, while our own experience with the Chapayev class light cruisers had proven them good escorts, but totally inadequate to stand on their own.
The consequence was clear, and Commissar Koznetsov himself gave the order for work to begin.
But the prestige of the Navy couldn't wait for new designs - nor could the Admiral afford to look lost. And if the Naval Infantry had been part of the Fleet's rise to Glory, it would now be part ending the rough bit it was passing.
Lieutenant General Batov, a veteran of the Spanish Civil War, was put in command of the three divisions station in Sevastopol, and ordered to get ready for transport...
...while the Black Sea Fleet moved close to enemy shores.
A few days later, under the protection of old ships, Kuznetsov's hope for quick redemption sails to the Western Black Sea.
[URL=http://img14.imageshack.us/my.php?image=parizhskayakomunna01.jpg]
[/URL]
Photo of the Parishskaya Kommuna taken during the short voyage
In fact, the attempt to repeat what worked against Finland once was short-sighted. Naturally they were expecting it this time, and swiftly responded.
Heroic as our Naval Infantry is, the Finns know the terrain better, and had time to prepare. Retreat is the only option to prevent irreparable casualties.
As the troops are transported back to Leningrad, the Red Fleet's standing both abroad and in the USSR seems considerably diminished.
It seemed only too appropriate that repair techniques of all things would be perfected by the Fleet in these conditions. Indeed it seemed a great many things needed repairing, equipment being probably the least important of them.
So why lose time?
Lenin and Stalin didn't make the Revolution by waiting around.
Kriegsmarine Heavy Cruisers had proven the concept was valid and effective, while our own experience with the Chapayev class light cruisers had proven them good escorts, but totally inadequate to stand on their own.
The consequence was clear, and Commissar Koznetsov himself gave the order for work to begin.
But the prestige of the Navy couldn't wait for new designs - nor could the Admiral afford to look lost. And if the Naval Infantry had been part of the Fleet's rise to Glory, it would now be part ending the rough bit it was passing.
Lieutenant General Batov, a veteran of the Spanish Civil War, was put in command of the three divisions station in Sevastopol, and ordered to get ready for transport...
...while the Black Sea Fleet moved close to enemy shores.
A few days later, under the protection of old ships, Kuznetsov's hope for quick redemption sails to the Western Black Sea.
[URL=http://img14.imageshack.us/my.php?image=parizhskayakomunna01.jpg]
[/URL]Photo of the Parishskaya Kommuna taken during the short voyage
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An amphibious assault on Romania? Certainly it would have the advantage of surprise, and prove the value of the Black Sea Fleet (before people ask if having so many powerful units 'trapped' there is a good idea when the Bismark is running riot in the Arctic)
Well I think even old Black sea fleet would suffice for this task. For that battleship group there is only one purpose - shell Istanbul defenses for clinging to old imperialistic deals and not allowing safe passage into Mediterranean Sea thus preventing Stalin from obtaining nice, warm colonies at Crete or Cyprus.
A powerful shore bombardment fleet could be useful for defending coastal provinces like Leningrad or Sevastopol. But as for now... Open a second front in the Balkans and Mother Russia will be saved!
It seems as though Bismarck is running rampant and your new battleships have done nothing to right the situation. Not happy...
If the Bismarck is still lurking about North of Finland then there's not a great deal the Red Fleet can do about it as Germany controlls the Straits next to Copenhagen.
Once the Bismarck steams into the Baltic however, well that's a different story.....
Nice to see ambitious use of Marines on different fronts. I contemplated a large scale seabourne invasion of Romania/Bulgaria as the USSR before but decided against it. Wish I had now so I could warn you of what to expect.
Tanesis,
ooh dear, the marines are in disgrace now. they'll have to redeem themselves somehow - amphibious assualt into the heart of germany?
Planing a Sea-based Infantry offensive is hard work, all the more so when it is your very first outside training where the enemy is actually supposed to be in a position to defend itself in the beaches.
So it was no surprise that the sunset of July 13th saw Naval Commissar Nikolai Kuznetsov checking and re-checking maps, plans and recon reports over and over again, sitting in his room at the flagship Sovietsky Soyuz, while it and it's fleet patrolled the Baltic
For a moment, that's what what he told himself. That it had happened because he had been too busy with his Commissariat affairs. It didn't last long though, before Admiral Kuznetsov admited to the facts. For someone to managed to sneak up behind him and his two-carrier cover, it had to be someone more skilled than him. That and the composition of the approaching fleet told him the enemy was Grand Admiral Alfred Saalwächter, and his already legendary Bismarck.
The sun would set completely before either fleet was in range of the other, and when the crew of the Soviet Battleships was still preparing their guns, the experience of the German Admiral and Sailors showed.
The Bismarck was the first to fire, and with remarkable accuracy, all of it's shells landed on the Volya, producing a frightening explosion.
By having their flagship open a battle firing on the newest of the largest Soviet Battleships, a clear message was being sent by Saalwächter: "We're not afraid of you, we can take on anything you've got". The pride of the Red Fleet was being openly challenged by the Kriegsmarine.
It was a challenge Admiral Kuznetsov would only be too eager to accept.
However, he was no fool. He knew the sort of Legend had grown around the Bismarck since it's commissioning, he knew the raid in the Arctic Sea inspired much fear on the Soviet sailors, and he knew they were only rookies compared to the German sailors, trained against the Royal Navy itself.
Kuznetsov couldn't allow this battle to be over the Bismarck's success or failure. He had more and better ships under him, and he'd show the World - and his men - no single Battleship, no matter how legendary, could rule the waters alone.
And so the Soviet ships were ordered to fire on everything but the Kriegsmarine's monster.
Three hours later, Admiral Kuznetsov's strategy proved to be a winning one, as the German fleet ran away, leaving behind only a sinking Admiral Scheer.
Heavy Cruiser Admiral Scheer, spy photo from the Navy Intelligence Archives
Of course, Victory had come with a price, as a very battered Volya and it's mostly injured crew could tell. Three hours under the Bismarck's fire had left her essentialy useless for combat operations. A speedy return to the safety of Leningrad was ordered, where there would be hospitals for the wounded, and a small parade for the victorious crews.
Still, from that night onwards, the Red Fleet's reputation was restored, and every soviet citizen would knew - the Germans can be defeated anywhere!
Together, the Red Army and Red Fleet will destroy the fascist invader!
But, symbolic and this victory was, the Bismarck and his sister were still roaming the Seas...
So it was no surprise that the sunset of July 13th saw Naval Commissar Nikolai Kuznetsov checking and re-checking maps, plans and recon reports over and over again, sitting in his room at the flagship Sovietsky Soyuz, while it and it's fleet patrolled the Baltic
For a moment, that's what what he told himself. That it had happened because he had been too busy with his Commissariat affairs. It didn't last long though, before Admiral Kuznetsov admited to the facts. For someone to managed to sneak up behind him and his two-carrier cover, it had to be someone more skilled than him. That and the composition of the approaching fleet told him the enemy was Grand Admiral Alfred Saalwächter, and his already legendary Bismarck.
The sun would set completely before either fleet was in range of the other, and when the crew of the Soviet Battleships was still preparing their guns, the experience of the German Admiral and Sailors showed.
The Bismarck was the first to fire, and with remarkable accuracy, all of it's shells landed on the Volya, producing a frightening explosion.
By having their flagship open a battle firing on the newest of the largest Soviet Battleships, a clear message was being sent by Saalwächter: "We're not afraid of you, we can take on anything you've got". The pride of the Red Fleet was being openly challenged by the Kriegsmarine.
It was a challenge Admiral Kuznetsov would only be too eager to accept.
However, he was no fool. He knew the sort of Legend had grown around the Bismarck since it's commissioning, he knew the raid in the Arctic Sea inspired much fear on the Soviet sailors, and he knew they were only rookies compared to the German sailors, trained against the Royal Navy itself.
Kuznetsov couldn't allow this battle to be over the Bismarck's success or failure. He had more and better ships under him, and he'd show the World - and his men - no single Battleship, no matter how legendary, could rule the waters alone.
And so the Soviet ships were ordered to fire on everything but the Kriegsmarine's monster.
Three hours later, Admiral Kuznetsov's strategy proved to be a winning one, as the German fleet ran away, leaving behind only a sinking Admiral Scheer.
Heavy Cruiser Admiral Scheer, spy photo from the Navy Intelligence Archives
Of course, Victory had come with a price, as a very battered Volya and it's mostly injured crew could tell. Three hours under the Bismarck's fire had left her essentialy useless for combat operations. A speedy return to the safety of Leningrad was ordered, where there would be hospitals for the wounded, and a small parade for the victorious crews.
Still, from that night onwards, the Red Fleet's reputation was restored, and every soviet citizen would knew - the Germans can be defeated anywhere!
Together, the Red Army and Red Fleet will destroy the fascist invader!
But, symbolic and this victory was, the Bismarck and his sister were still roaming the Seas...
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Unsatisfactory. Only one enemy ship sunk. Good enough though to see that none of yours were destroyed.
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VERY impressive. I dont know how you did it but I never awaited the results of a battle in an AAR with the same kind of feeling as the end of a book before.
Anyways, good update, glad too see the fllet can hold it's own against teh Kreigsmarines. Really, it was a rather wimpy fleet they put up against you, and I'm surprised more didn't get sunk.
Hopefully next time You have two fleets to meet the Bismarck.
Hopefully next time You have two fleets to meet the Bismarck.
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Can we get back to praising the Volya's first kill?
Huzzzaaaah! Now the Germans will most certainly tremble in their panties!
Nice work in sinking the Admiral Scheer but the Red Fleet can't stop now. Leave the Volya in Leningrad and free the rest of the Baltic fleet to go out hunting.
Nice update all round.
Tanesis,
Nice update all round.
Tanesis,
Anyways..
I'm shure this is the first of many kills for your new SHBB's. Assuming you go against England, their might not be that many ships to sink.
Hopefully one of your ships becomes dominant, and e can have a race to see who sinks to most ships/tonnage, between you and the Bismarck.
Even if you sink it, it has a massive head start.
Also, I'm hoping you can find a way to work in the size and progress of your armies. Also the naval progress of other nations.
Edit: Happy New Years everybody!!!!!
I'm shure this is the first of many kills for your new SHBB's. Assuming you go against England, their might not be that many ships to sink.
Hopefully one of your ships becomes dominant, and e can have a race to see who sinks to most ships/tonnage, between you and the Bismarck.
Even if you sink it, it has a massive head start.
Also, I'm hoping you can find a way to work in the size and progress of your armies. Also the naval progress of other nations.
Edit: Happy New Years everybody!!!!!
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Was that BC Schleswig-Holstein? As a Pole, I'd love to see that vessel wrecked at the bottom of Baltic ^^
And hooray for admiral Kuznetsov and his glorious Red Fleet! <bottoms up!>
As a Pole, I'd love to see that vessel wrecked at the bottom of Baltic ^^And hooray for admiral Kuznetsov and his glorious Red Fleet! <bottoms up!>