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Perhaps the time has come to disable AI control and fight to the death!

No, that defeats the whole point of the game. Also, this way if I fail I can blame the military. :D
 
Hearts of Iron 3 (Their Finest Hour AAR): ‘The March of the Machines’
Chapter Thirty-Three : 1st of August 1940

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Overview Time! Again.

Another short chapter. Not just to help you get a big picture but to help me get back into the game - I have been gone from the game so long because I am getting ready to decide who to vote for. Anyway, both the German and Italian Fronts have collapsed AND because I was setting up this chapter I noticed the Italian Front was sending units NORTH to link up with the German Front. Ouch. Millions of French troops could be trapped!

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The African Front is in our hands. Easily. Sadly, once France is defeated those provinces will likely end up in Vichy France's territory or may end up belonging to the Axis. I assume the Italians may get their land back. Both ports in the image are getting supplies so that should help. We still have Malta at least.

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Not much to say about the Italian Front. It is gone, dead, out of order. And two Divisions are heading north to hit the Strasbourg HQ from behind. If you were able to follow the last chapter you know that this Front is gone - not much be defeated Divisions and a ton of useless HQ staff. I am not too sure Spain will do anything at all on this Front.

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The Strasbourg HQ is the only one still holding some kind of organized battlefront in Europe against the Axis military machine. And it will not hold on for long as the left flank is starting to crumble and the Italians are about to head it from the south. Not even the Brits can hold up under the pressure of the German bombers and tanks. There is a real danger that the whole region may end up cut off from the rest of France and the millions of brave wine drinking French will be taken to POW camps where they will be served German beer and inferior bread. The horror!

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Paris is likely going to be encircled this month and maybe even fall. I have little hope for the French defenders. I think they have the numbers but not the equipment needed to hold back the German heavy tanks and hardened soldiers.

List of our Research Projects:
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The Production Screen.
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As you can see our manpower has been corrected but the losses are still too high for France replace as fast as I would like.

Well, I plan to take the next chapter slowly, maybe recording and editing it a week at a time and then putting all together in one chapter. So still one month per chapter just done carefully so I don't run out of memory and fail to save the images. Thanks for reading. Sorry for the delay and that it was so short.
 
Are there any provinces in the Maginot-line with more than one division? Than send the second one back to stop the Italians!

Are your ships and planes going to rebase to British Ports and airbases soon to safe them for the allies?

And jungle warfare is really on time. If you can't stop the Germans now, the remaining troups of the free french will need it.
 
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Are there any provinces in the Maginot-line with more than one division? Than send the second one back to stop the Italians!

Are your ships and planes going to rebase to British Ports and airbases soon to safe them for the allies?

And jungle warfare is really on time. If you can't stop the Germans now, the remaining troups of the free french will need it.

Well, one, I don't control the Divisions. So I can't adjust the lines.

I don't know where the ships and planes will rebase. It depends on who has control of the units when France falls. We will have ports and such in Africa and the Middle East. So there is that.

And Jungle Warfare does seem to be a good idea for the Free French. We will see. We will see.
 
Sadly, once France is defeated those provinces will likely end up in Vichy France's territory or may end up belonging to the Axis
Is this defeatism?!? France will never fall!

But seriously, your manpower is going to be a big problem soon. And then there's the breakthrough on the Italian front to deal with...
 
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Is this defeatism?!? France will never fall!

But seriously, your manpower is going to be a big problem soon. And then there's the breakthrough on the Italian front to deal with...

Defeatism? Maybe, have been watching the latest Doctor and he is a tad of a downer, isn't he? I prefer Missy.

Anyway, I will let my AIs continue to fight their way and trust in them. Maybe Spain will help some. I pray for the UK joining in. And for America to do something - declare war maybe.
 

Hearts of Iron 3 (Their Finest Hour AAR): ‘The March of the Machines’
Chapter Thirty-Four : August 1940

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Paris Has Fallen!

Just a little over-view of this month before we get into the different layers of this creamy conflict.

First off, it seems Turkey has started to align itself with the Allies while Tibet is leaning towards the Comintern. I am not sure if this is important - a sign that Germany and Japan are becoming bigger threats? Who knows.

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The French Military is starting to feel the pinch in the supply lines. Many Divisions will be cut off or just not get the material they need to keep fighting at 100%.

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On the 11th of August we start using our influence to pull Portugal into the Allies. This is a long shot on my part but on the 17th of August Italian troops entered Figueres. In other words they invaded Spain. I assume, as Italy digs deeper into Spain two things will happen. One, they will send more Divisions into Spain and out of France. Two, they may make the Axis forces more of a threat to Portugal.

Jungle Warfare Equipment was finished and replaced by Small Arms (4). We also finished Light Tank Armour Advancement (Level 3) and Destroyer Anti-Aircraft Armament Advancement (Level 3). Even as we stare defeat in the face we march on in the fields of SCIENCE!

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On the 25th we are declared a Veteran Army. Oh, and by the end of the month Paris falls. That needed to be mentioned.

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The Naval War​

There were five Naval Battles. Three of them were in the English Channel - suggesting the German surface fleet is becoming bolder now that the Allies lost total control of the Channel. The only result of the battles was the Italians losing a Flottigilia of Torpediniere. Italy lost some Destroyers, in other words.

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The Navy of France sank seven Axis transports and seven escorts. The Axis sank ten of our transports and two escorts. Total submarine warfare this is not. The Air War on the other hand...

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The Air War​

The Germans launched a hundred-ninety-six Ground Strikes killing 20,053 soldiers of France.
They also carried out nine Port Strikes.

The Italians launched eighteen Ground Strikes killing 1,226 soldiers of France.
They also carried out two Port Strikes (on Tripoli) and four Naval Strikes. I think the small number of Ground Attacks is due to the fact that their battle line has pushed so far into France but their aircraft have kind have been left behind. The Italians need more airbases in the forward areas.

The French/Allies launched thirty-seven Ground Strikes killing 1,344 soldiers of the Axis Forces. They also carried out three CAG Duty attacks. One on Dieppe, one on Neufchatel en Bray, and one in the Western English Channel. In other words two Port Strikes and a Naval Strike.

There was a total of sixteen Air Battles. We lost about three of them, so we didn't do too badly. Lucky, the RAF is on our side. And they are still bombing German cities. I assume the Battle for Britain has been placed on the back burner as much of the German Air Force seems to be over France. Blasting us to pieces.


The Ground War

The German Front
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First off, on the 2nd of August German Panzers were just north of Paris. Heavy Tanks outside of Paris ISN'T as dangerous as they may look. Tanks didn't do well in urban combat and this German Division is unsupported and worn down.

On the 16th the Chain of Command under Strasbourg is shattered when a large part of the Theatre is cut off from the rest of France. A quick, and messy, repairing of the Chain of Command was carried out but I don't really know how much damage was down to the Theatre.

This would happen AGAIN on the 22nd and the result is many of these units would end up under the control of Paris HQ. By that point the Strasbourg HQ was pretty much pulling back into the Paris Theatre leaving many of its Divisions trapped in the Maginot Line. This was caused by some units being pulled out to face the Italians - which allowed a German Division to walk right into the right most province and just take it. After that the Germans and Italians linked up and formed a pocket.

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The Forummar's Foxes are still fighting on the Paris Theatre - at one point they were in two battles at the same time. The Devils were doing badly, down to 95 effective planes, they spent a lot of time in Cherbourg, recovering.

The city of Paris was attacked four times. Sadly Paris, after beating off the first two attacks, falls by the end of the month. But you already know that.

The Italian Front
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I noticed, around the 4th of August, that the Hoyte's Heroes have disappeared. I assume they were either totally wiped out or, more likely, just collapsed and faded away from lack of men, equipment, food, and ammo. The HQ is retreating and was retreating the whole month. I could not even change objectives while it was in such a state. Now many Italians Divisions are attacking the units on the German Front from the south. Funny enough they are not doing so well - seems that those French troops are not impressed by Italian units after fighting the Germans for so long.

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Italian and German Divisions had also started to crawl into Spain. Once again, not a smart move. A war in Spain, as any player can tell you, is hell.

The African Front
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Tunis HQ is told to make Bengasi, a Italian held port, as its next objective on the 4th of August. Tripoli is no longer a objective though it is unlikely in danger from Italy, outside of Port Strikes, because I don't think the Italian Navy can land troops on it. So even while I am focused mostly on Europe I trusted the French troops in Africa to dig deeper into the Italian territory.

This is a important goal as on the 10th the UK took Tobruch. This meant that the last Italian city-port in North Africa was Bengasi. By the end of the month our troops were just outside of Bengasi. The Grunts were alive and well by the way but not in the vanguard like before.

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Final numbers for the month?​

Losses in Ground Battle- Germans/Italians: 19,666 French: 28,252
Losses to Air Strikes- Germans/Italians: 1,344 French: 21,279

Total Losses Pre-August - Germans/Italians: 49,889 French: 131,296
Total Losses For August - Germans/Italians: 21,010 French: 49,531
Total Losses For the War - Germans/Italians: 70,899 French: 180,827

So join us next Chapter where....France is still fighting. I have no idea how that is even possible. But it does kind of mess up the whole timetable. I mean, if the Germans and Italians are still fighting us and invading Spain, how will they handle Greece and the UK in Africa? And what about the USSR? Who knows. I don't. I plan to go cry in the corner now. Thanks for reading!
 
This is like Tannenberg, 1914. The time it takes to beat you down will be the Axis' undoing...

I hope so. Though I still failed to save France. I feel the major failure on my part was putting too many Divisions in Africa. If those units had been kept in Europe, let us say in the Italian Front, I feel I would still have solid Fronts in Europe. But hind-sight is 20-20. And the German Air Force is a killer.
 
How did you fall as soon as August? In one game I saw an unaided French AI hold out until January 1941.
In real life France fell well before August, so I think I did a good job. As for a French AI I bet it did not place so many units in Africa and likely built a better balance among its armies but that is just a guess.

Edit: Also, mainland France will fall in September not August - Paris fell not the nation. Not yet.
 
Hearts of Iron 3 (Their Finest Hour AAR): ‘The March of the Machines’
Chapter Thirty-Five : 1st of September to 16th of September 1940

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Mainland France Has Fallen.

Welcome! Before we continue the war let us look at the damage of the Fall of Paris and a over view of this time period. First off, we lost a lot of money and resources which were piled up in Paris.

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We can keep some the units supplied and reinforced but making new units is impossible. Also, many of our units are already low on supplies or cut off completely from the supply lines, so everybody is hurting. The new Capital became Bordeaux. Sadly the Italians would take that province on the 5th, switching our Capital to Brest. Where it would stay till 4:00 AM on the 16th of September.

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On the 2nd I told Spain to forget Lyon as a military objective they have their own problems. New Zealand asks to be allowed to go into debt with us. I decline - what do we have to trade with them? That same day Bulgaria took lands from Romania - which no doubt pushed the latter towards the Communists. I try to influence Bulgaria to join the Allies which in hindsight is stupid. They join the Axis the very next day and were mobilizing their armed forces by the 6th.

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On the 10th Italy claims to have 8 million bayonets. Now, I wonder if they have 8 million guns and 8 million men to go with those bayonets, because they will need them as they get deeper into Spain.

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The Naval War​

From the 2nd to the 16th there are four Sea Battles all of which the Allies win. The French Navy also sinks three transports and three escorts in this period of time.

The Air War​

The Germans launched forty-six Ground Strikes killing 5,581 soldiers of France.
They also carried out two Naval Strikes.

The Italians launched twenty-nine Ground Strikes killing 3,486 soldiers of France.

The French/Allies launched three Ground Strikes killing 77 soldiers of the Axis Forces.

There were also seven Air Battles which is about right for half a month.

The Ground War
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The European Front​

This will be the meat of the chapter. Oh the horror! Though, the month does start off on a nice note as the first six battles are French victories. Maybe having veterans is a good thing? Well, it does not last.

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The UK lands two HQ units in Southern France. Oh, how helpful. One of them would wander off into Spain and I have no idea what happened to the other one. At least the RAF is still carrying Ground Attacks and Bombing Runs.

Also, Strasbourg’s chain of command will collapse twice, forcing me to reassign some Divisions to the Paris HQ’s command structure. In fact by the 13th the Strasbourg HQ will disappear, no doubt being wiped out because it was in the thick of battle just southeast of Paris. All Divisions once under it were reassigned to the Paris HQ.

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The African Front
The African troops capture Bengasi on the 12th and cut off the poor Italians from the rest of their Empire. And their supplies. Now they are trapped between the French and the British.

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On the 16th Germany conquers France and the UK revokes their Lend-Lease agreement with us. Thanks a lot England. All land and air forces that were in mainland France disappear. BUT the Naval Units survive! Yes, the French Navy lives and is assigned to the Tunis HQ. For now I also still have Africa and all other foreign territories.

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Vicky France has not formed and this means Japan will NOT be getting Indochina just handed over to it on a silver platter. It will have to declare war on France, and the Allies, if it wants that piece of property. And the Axis forces have to beat down Spain still unless they want a two front war when Italy invades Greece.

Total costs of the war up to the 16th of September:

Losses in Ground Battle- Germans/Italians: 11,231 French: 13,999
Losses to Air Strikes- Germans/Italians: 77 French: 9,067

Total Losses Pre- September - Germans/Italians: 70,899 French: 180,827
Total Losses For 1st-16th Sept. - Germans/Italians: 11,308 French: 23,066
Total Losses For the War - Germans/Italians: 82,207 French: 203,893

So, France still fights on, even if France itself is occupied. While I failed all my objectives I still feel kind of good. Let me put it this way - if this was a AAR I was playing as a German player I would be very upset by now.

Thanks for reading this chapter! See you in the next chapter where we turn Africa into NEW FRANCE! And maybe I can find out where my new capital is. *Le sigh*
 
Tunis? Just wanted to say...a good effort in documenting the Fall of France.:)

I agree with VonMudra...you are directly behind the 8-ball. I imagine you must get LL from the USA? How about a status-report covering your remaining Forces, MP and Economy.
 
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Did you manage to evac any units from France? If not, you're gonna have a hell of a time raising new divisions >:

None from mainland France. Only the Tunis Theatre, the other HQ Theatre units outside of Europe (useless really), and the Navy survived.


Tunis? Just wanted to say...a good effort in documenting the Fall of France.:)

I agree with VonMudra...you are directly behind the 8-ball. I imagine you must get LL from the USA? How about a status-report covering your remaining Forces, MP and Economy.

LL from the USA? They have not joined the Allies yet. And yes, I will show remaining forces, man power, and so on, in the next chapter. This one was kind of thin.
 
Hearts of Iron 3 (Their Finest Hour AAR): ‘The March of the Machines’
Chapter Thirty-Six : 8 AM, 16th September, 1940​


Welcome readers! Sit back, open a bottle of wine and let it breath, enjoy some well aged cheese and some bread, and read this overview of the French position at 8 AM in the morning, on the 16th of September, of our Lord's Year Nineteen-Forty.

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Let us look at what we have. First, the only HQ Theatre that matters is the Tunis. We do have other Theatres in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, but those three have no units under their command, though we may spread out some of the subs to allow them access to unused ports.

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We are building two new Air Wings. To be honest I am surprised we can build anything. Our man power is down to 39 from over 300. But that is what happens when a majority of your populace become conquered. As a member of the Allies we still have some Strategic Resources , which is nice.

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The National Statistics show we still have 34 Victory Points out there before complete defeat. I left German and Greece in there for comparison

The following screenshots of information about our military. The France Army is two Anti-Aircraft Brigades, a lone Anti-Tank Brigade, a Cavalry Brigade, twenty-one Infantry Brigades, and one Motorized Infantry Brigade. All under Tunis HQ. All Veterans. We have 26 Ground Units. Compared to us Canada has 29 and the UK has 139.

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The French Navy is six Battleships, seven Destroyers, six Heavy Cruisers (also known as Armoured Cruisers), four Light Cruisers, fourteen Submarines, and three transports. The Submarines can be spread around. And if we plan to return to France we will need to build new transports sooner or later. So we have 40 naval units. Compared to us Canada only has 19 while the UK has 157.

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And we have one Tactical Wing. The Netherlands have more planes than we do.

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And we even won a battle while the game was paused. The African Front continues to fight even when time stands still. Damn French Time Lords. The Battle of El Mechili is another Victory for the French soldiers in Africa. We have only had one defeat in Africa is my records are correct.

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And the Grunts still are alive. But seem to be pulling back for some reason.

The results so far?

Losses in Ground Battle- Germans/Italians: 55 French: 51

Total Losses Pre-8 AM 16th Sept. - Germans/Italians: 82,207 French: 203,893
Total Losses For 8 AM 16th Sept. - Germans/Italians: 55 French: 51
Total Losses For the War - Germans/Italians: 82,262 French: 203,944

So, join use in the next chapter where we start time again and finish the month. After that, maybe we will go year by year and go faster. Thanks for reading!
 
Given that Vichy hasn't been formed, I'd edit the save game and give yourself a little more manpower. 200 should suffice. Historically, the reason the Free French armed forces were so small for the duration of most of the war was because most Frenchmen believed their true allegiance was to the Vichy government. A good example of this was Henri Dentz's surrender of Syria, where most Vichy POWs refused to join the Free French, because de Gaulle's government was seen as lacking legitimacy. In this alternate history, where Vichy hasn't been created, it's feasible that more men would be ready to fight for the Free French.
 
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Given that Vichy hasn't been formed, I'd edit the save game and give yourself a little more manpower. 200 should suffice. Historically, the reason the Free French armed forces were so small for the duration of most of the war was because most Frenchmen believed their true allegiance was to the Vichy government. A good example of this was Henri Dentz's surrender of Syria, where most Vichy POWs refused to join the Free French, because de Gaulle's government was seen as lacking legitimacy. In this alternate history, where Vichy hasn't been created, it's feasible that more men would be ready to fight for the Free French.


I am not sure how those men would make it to Africa from France. Also, I would not be able to equip or feed them. :D But this alternate history is turning out to be interesting. But will it be worth playing after totally failing all my original objectives.