Those of you of advanced years may remember that in the days when HOI3 reigned supreme, there was a long running AAR following the career of a filing section of a government department in Berlin, followed by an even longer (epic length!) AAR on the activities of the Fuhrer’s doppelganger.
Well, after many years, I have decided to again put fingers to keyboard. I have finally got to like HOI4 enough to play it seriously, as in for more than a week or so. And I feel the urge to bore the general public with my interpretation of what is going on behind the computer screen.
I had considered basing my story in either Tokyo or Rome, but after some thought I had to abandon those locales as my ignorance of pre-war Japan and Italy overwhelmed me. So it is Germany yet again. (The Allies, I find, are a bit boring to play as not a lot happens for long periods).
First – a little information.
I do not claim to be a great player, not even a good player. I play for fun, so if you are looking for tips on how to maximise division structures or find exploits, this is not for you. I don’t cheat, but if I forget to do something I will sometimes go back and do it. Not because it makes my position better, but because it annoys me when I am about to do something and my wife distracts me with reminders about RL, making me forget important things. (All mistakes are her fault).
Played computer games for decades – yes, my little ones, I played the original HOI when it came out. Also play boardgames, normally enormous.
Playing HOI4 Hydra 1.7.1 with Black Ice 4.1.3. No other mods.
I try to be a realistic so nothing too far from history. In case you think I will be plodding along a well worn path, I have not played BI further than 1936, so most of it will be a surprise for me. Though you may think "plodding" is the right word.
If I have not put you off already (I warn you, my AARs are long and no detail is too small), shortly I will start “The Schwartzeis Saga: a family trying to make sense of confusing times”.
PS If I get something wrong, either factually, in a photo, or (most likely) in my attempts to use to use the German language, feel free to tell me. With a wife and three daughters, I am well used to criticism, and am always ready to learn. I am naturally grumpy, but not on-line.
Spoilerette (for those who, like me, get confused by all the names)
The basic characters. It is likely more will be added – you have to be 21 to join the family business discussions. Hermann Schwartzeis is a traditionalist.
The Schwartzeis family, owners of Schwartzeis Lederarbeiter und Stoffhersteller GmbH. This AAR will follow their experiences from 1936 until their house on the Berliner Straße, Charlottenburg is blown up, occupied by invading forces or I run out of enthusiasm.
Herr Hermann Schwartzeis (70) b 1866 m 1890
Inherited Schwarteis Lederarbeiter GmbH in 1910 and has seen it grow since, despite the Depression. Too old for WW1 but active in the Freikorps. Now strictly non-political
And his wife
Frau Margarethe Schwartzeis (nee Vanille) (68) b 1868 m 1890
Active in the business, and in business circles
Margarethe’s friend Marthe Schneider: wife of Fritz who owns a road building company
The oldest child
Frau Ilse von Willemburg (nee Schwartzeis) (44) b 1892 m 1912
And her husband
Oberst Günter von Willemburg (47) b 1889 m 1912
Served in Army WW1, wounded Battle of Marne, Freikorps, now something in the Heer, close to von Seekt
And their children
Rudolf von Willemburg (23) b 1913
Journalist with „Berlin Illustrirte“
Karl und Kurt von Willemburg (21) b 1915
Karl – trainee pilot Luftwaffe
Kurt – electrical engineering student, Technische Hochschule of Berlin" ("TH Berlin")
Maria b 1918 d 1919
The oldest son
Erich Schwartkreis (40) b 1894 m 1920
Heir to the business. In Kriegsmarine during WW1, based in Wilhelmshaven, runs naval branch of Schwartzeis Lederarbeiter und Stoffhersteller GmbH
And his wife
Ingrid Schwartzeis (36) (nee Becker) b 1900 m 1920
Daughter of steel producer, contacts in armaments industries
The youngest child
Sigmund Schwartzkreis (36) b 1900 m 1930
Diplomatic corps, Nazi party contacts
And his wife
Adelaide Schwartzkreis (24) (nee Reimann) b 1914 m 1930
Housekeeper
Hilde
Her oldest son, Franz, employed in the Deutche Reichsbahn
Well, after many years, I have decided to again put fingers to keyboard. I have finally got to like HOI4 enough to play it seriously, as in for more than a week or so. And I feel the urge to bore the general public with my interpretation of what is going on behind the computer screen.
I had considered basing my story in either Tokyo or Rome, but after some thought I had to abandon those locales as my ignorance of pre-war Japan and Italy overwhelmed me. So it is Germany yet again. (The Allies, I find, are a bit boring to play as not a lot happens for long periods).
First – a little information.
I do not claim to be a great player, not even a good player. I play for fun, so if you are looking for tips on how to maximise division structures or find exploits, this is not for you. I don’t cheat, but if I forget to do something I will sometimes go back and do it. Not because it makes my position better, but because it annoys me when I am about to do something and my wife distracts me with reminders about RL, making me forget important things. (All mistakes are her fault).
Played computer games for decades – yes, my little ones, I played the original HOI when it came out. Also play boardgames, normally enormous.
Playing HOI4 Hydra 1.7.1 with Black Ice 4.1.3. No other mods.
I try to be a realistic so nothing too far from history. In case you think I will be plodding along a well worn path, I have not played BI further than 1936, so most of it will be a surprise for me. Though you may think "plodding" is the right word.
If I have not put you off already (I warn you, my AARs are long and no detail is too small), shortly I will start “The Schwartzeis Saga: a family trying to make sense of confusing times”.
PS If I get something wrong, either factually, in a photo, or (most likely) in my attempts to use to use the German language, feel free to tell me. With a wife and three daughters, I am well used to criticism, and am always ready to learn. I am naturally grumpy, but not on-line.
Spoilerette (for those who, like me, get confused by all the names)
The basic characters. It is likely more will be added – you have to be 21 to join the family business discussions. Hermann Schwartzeis is a traditionalist.
The Schwartzeis family, owners of Schwartzeis Lederarbeiter und Stoffhersteller GmbH. This AAR will follow their experiences from 1936 until their house on the Berliner Straße, Charlottenburg is blown up, occupied by invading forces or I run out of enthusiasm.
Herr Hermann Schwartzeis (70) b 1866 m 1890
Inherited Schwarteis Lederarbeiter GmbH in 1910 and has seen it grow since, despite the Depression. Too old for WW1 but active in the Freikorps. Now strictly non-political
And his wife
Frau Margarethe Schwartzeis (nee Vanille) (68) b 1868 m 1890
Active in the business, and in business circles
Margarethe’s friend Marthe Schneider: wife of Fritz who owns a road building company
The oldest child
Frau Ilse von Willemburg (nee Schwartzeis) (44) b 1892 m 1912
And her husband
Oberst Günter von Willemburg (47) b 1889 m 1912
Served in Army WW1, wounded Battle of Marne, Freikorps, now something in the Heer, close to von Seekt
And their children
Rudolf von Willemburg (23) b 1913
Journalist with „Berlin Illustrirte“
Karl und Kurt von Willemburg (21) b 1915
Karl – trainee pilot Luftwaffe
Kurt – electrical engineering student, Technische Hochschule of Berlin" ("TH Berlin")
Maria b 1918 d 1919
The oldest son
Erich Schwartkreis (40) b 1894 m 1920
Heir to the business. In Kriegsmarine during WW1, based in Wilhelmshaven, runs naval branch of Schwartzeis Lederarbeiter und Stoffhersteller GmbH
And his wife
Ingrid Schwartzeis (36) (nee Becker) b 1900 m 1920
Daughter of steel producer, contacts in armaments industries
The youngest child
Sigmund Schwartzkreis (36) b 1900 m 1930
Diplomatic corps, Nazi party contacts
And his wife
Adelaide Schwartzkreis (24) (nee Reimann) b 1914 m 1930
Housekeeper
Hilde
Her oldest son, Franz, employed in the Deutche Reichsbahn
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