Who said Nazis can't have nukes? - German Reich TFH HPP AAR

[TheBromgrev]

I am using steam and I think due to steam my game randomly crashes when I attempt to take screenshot therefore I am trying to find another solution for making screenshots.

I have the game on Steam and the F11 and F12 keys work just fine for me. All of the pictures in the AARs in my signature were taken by pressing the F11 key. The thing to remember about Steam is that it has its own screenshot key, which you'll need to check and possibly change to make sure it isn't F11 or F12.

 

[SKOTy]

I have the game on Steam and the F11 and F12 keys work just fine for me. All of the pictures in the AARs in my signature were taken by pressing the F11 key. The thing to remember about Steam is that it has its own screenshot key, which you'll need to check and possibly change to make sure it isn't F11 or F12.

I know that steam has different screenshot hotkeys, but the problem is game crashing when I try to take screenshot with steam.

On other note, working on update right now.

 

[SKOTy]

2. Before Second Sino-Japanese War

Hello, I've decided to play a bit yesterday and actually the bit meant I will play till June 1937, in June 1937 Japan has opportunity to fire Marco Polo decision. S o this update will cover relatively boring 15 months period of research and buildup.

Here's a list which would be nice to have and I am hoping I will manage to build till war comes:

Heer

• for each province bordering France, Low countries and Poland I would like to have 2x INF/INF/SUP(H) division - this is if everything goes well. Absolute minimum will be 2 divisions to hold Siegfriedslinie (border with France) and in rest of borders 1 division.
• 3 tanks corps for Poland
• 2 tanks corps for low countries - I hope I will finish Poland fast so I will be able use tanks used in Poland in France
• 1 infantry corps and 1 corps consisting of 3 tanks divisions a 2 marine divisions for Denmark, It is possible that I will use paratroopers in Denmark
• GAR/GAR/SUP(H) into each harbor as guards and prepare some GAR/GAR/SUP(H) for immediate deployment in conquered harbors - last thing I want is surprise landing in Amsterdam when my tanks are encircling Paris

Luftwaffe

• At least 8 wings of 3x light fighters (basically interceptors), 1 wing for Poland will be enough, rest will be used for clashes with RAF and Allied airforce
• 2 wings of 3x light bombers (CAS), 1 wing wil be used in Poland
• 3 wings of 3x medium bombers (TAC), 2 for Poland to ensure Poland's quick demise
• 2 wings of 3x patrol bombers (NAV)

Kriegsmarine

• at least 6 battleships, which 2 of them are modernized Schlesien and Schleswich-Holstein (more about this bellow)
• 2 carriers
• 5 packs of SUBx2 - I won't begin convoy raiding till substantial part of Royal Navy is sunk
• 2 troop transport flotillas
• as screens I will be probably using heavy cruisers with some destroyers for CAG - in HPP heavy cruisers are screens

I also hope I will be able to stick nuclear research lab and rocket test site into this as I absolutely want nukes and wunderwaffe.

Now some images:

Here you can take a look on my country modifiers, notice especially those on bottom - when you accumulate too much of any resource you get penalty for further production so it's nearly impossible to gather 99999 rares and 99999 metal before war and do some IC whoring at top of it.

Looks like Japan decided to decline Naval treaties, Italy joined in declining shortly after.

Following decline of the treaties I've decided to reconstruct my old battleships Schlesien and Schleswich-Holstein, this will slightly increase power of the Kriegsmarine and provide me some BB practicals. Japan, Italy, UK and USA did also some reconstruction and up-gunning of old ships.

Looks like Spanish civil war has started, I immediately intervene favoring nationalists (Spanish State).

Unlike in vanilla in HPP Italy annexes Ethiopia.

Here's my research tab, I am starting with research of prerequisites for carries.

Finally I can advance towards Major power and thus gaining 7 leadership. For another 5 leadership and status of great power I need 300 brigades (I have 200 - I am expecting to have 300 after Anschluss), 20 planes (which I already have) and 30 ships (24/30) alongside with 200 IC.

I proposed anti-Comintern pact which hopefully will bring me some friends, each signer will get boost to relations with all other signers.

Nothing bad can come from this.

This is just interesting rather than game changing, I've never seen Thailand sign anti-Comintern pact.

I can invite Italy to Axis but it's too early, they usually join after first months of Sino-Japanese war. I can execute Anschluss via force but I am waiting for Anschluss via diplomacy because when you take Austria by force you won't receive cores on Austria.

Soviets decided to fire Great officer purge. They have modifier called Struggle for power which reduces their unity by 3.5% every month till they fire the Purge. But -- Soviets decimating their own lines, why not?

My production queue, practicals gained from reconstruction of Schlesien and Schleswich-Holstein hastened construction of Bismark and Tirpitz nearly by 5 months.

In HPP things are modded really into depth...

Yayy, I can finally build some ARM, also posting whole production screen so you can take a look on unit stats.

My national unity has reached 95% which provides me sweet modifier Nation United.


Game is now paused at 1.7.1937 and I will play earliest on Thursday afternoon, but if you want screenshot of something specific just say and I will provide it today in the evening.

Any questions and feedback is welcome.

 

[Ikarases]

You may want to use those GAR divisions for dual purpose; defending the Siegfried Line and after France is dealt with, you can use them to garrison their ports. I've seen this advice in another AAR recently and it might help you to free up some IC for your WMD toys

 

[SKOTy]

You may want to use those GAR divisions for dual purpose; defending the Siegfried Line and after France is dealt with, you can use them to garrison their ports. I've seen this advice in another AAR recently and it might help you to free up some IC for your WMD toys

Thanks for the tip! It saved me 18 infantry divisions so my armies for invading low countries and France have now 30 infantry divisions. And also there's beautiful coincidence that there are exactly 18 harbors ready to be guarded by those guards in France, Belgium and Netherlands.

 

[SKOTy]

Sino-Japanese War

Hello, in this update I've played till April 1938, not many interesting things happened in Germany so it will be mostly some domestic and Sino-Japanese war highlights.

On 1st of July 1937 Japan has opportunity to fire Marco Polo and in most cases it does the same day when the decision becomes available.

It looks like Japan is jabbing into hornet nest. In most of my games Guanxi were relatively long neutral but in this particular game they've joined the war immediately when Republic of China forged Unified Front. I am afraid how bad will Japan fare as in my test game they were fighting in China even in 1944 unlike in vanilla.

As usual China is moving its industry and capital.

Like pressure of nearly all China warlords wasn't enough! I want strong Japan in my game a not the one which is stucked in China for eternity.

This is the first time when nationalists win Spanish civil war and Francisco Franco Bahamonde does not get in power.

In HPP United States of America tries to intervene in Sino-Japanese war and usually both sides decide to continue in fighting. This is the first time I see something like that. Looks like Japan is scared of Unified Front.

I am finally able to mobilize for war and enact War Economy for the 25% IC bonus which comes handy when you look at list of units I want to have before war starts.

Looks like Japan is going well, but I've already seen games where they annexed Shanxi and PRC to get their asses kicked of China. Same day when Shanxi is annexed People Republic of China joins the Unified Front.

My favorite event fires. It looks I will be able to reach 100% unity before war to get the sweet 'Country United' modifier.

Bismarck and Tirpitz are finally completed and construction of two new battleships has immediately begun. I am tempting to make Bismarck pride of the fleet.

Finally some new Friends in the Axis. Japan could have joined Axis earlier but I've forgot to switch spies from counterespionage to raising threat in SU.

Situation in China. I am worried that Japan will be kicked of China and eventually out of mainland in year or two. Maybe we'll see some German adventures in China in this AAR.

Finally I have opportunity to fire Anschluss of Austria. Unlike in vanilla I actually received whole Austrian army and it will be incorporated into Heer after some upgrades. Cavalry will be upgraded to armor and will be used for armored corps in France.

With those new Austrian brigades I now have enough brigades (more then 300) to become Great Power, I've already met other criteria before so I was just waiting for Anschluss and those Austrian armies.

22nd January 1938 border frictions between Soviet Union and Japan escalated into war. 8 after when Japanese forces entered Soviet Union territory Japan claimed victory, at least in one conflict Japan claimed success.

I require more industrial capacity. I am already building one nuclear research lab to start nuclear research as soon as possible. But I think I will build all of the things I want. At 1939 I will start with upgrades and unit reinforcing.

So far I am missing only 3 light fighter wings (9 light fighters) and one NAV wing, 2 transport flotillas and 2 tank divisions from the builup plan I've mentioned in previous update.

I will play a bit today hopefully to the state where the war begins so update will come either tomorrow or on Sunday and we'll see if I manage to build all the things I wanted to.

 

[SSmith]

I assume you are playing 3.3.0? Both Japan and China should adjust their build plan to take account of how the Sino-Japanese war is progressing, so Japan should switch more IC to land forces if it's not achieving what it wants and should be able to keep up the pressure. As for the warlords joining the Unified Front, you will probably find that they are not actually at war with Japan just yet. The reason for them now entering into an alliance with China at the start of the conflict is so the Chinese AI doesn't keep large numbers of units guarding those borders when it should be fighting the Japanese.

 

[SKOTy]

Yes I am playing 3.3.0 with armor piercing hotfix.

Looking at the AAR it looks like I've forgot to add this screenshot :-[

You can clearly see Guanxi divisions on the front.

 

[SSmith]

I suppose the question is whether Japan is advancing or retreating and the piercing fix could be significant because of Japan's armoured cars so it will be interesting to see how that goes. If the flood decision hasn't been taken yet and Japan can get past the flood zone that could be helpful to them.

 

[SKOTy]

After PRC joining the fray it seems more like they're retreating. The decision to break the dams was fired in late April 1938, in my test game the dams were breaked in November 1937 and in my previous game they were also destroyed in late 1937 so it looks like Japan is 4 moths late with the piercing fix. Still it could be only RNG.

Now I am in July 1939, ready to go for war. I will provide update tomorrow.

 

[SKOTy]

4. Last days before war

In this update I've played till July 1939 to the point where my armies are fully mobilized and ready to go to rampaging spree. I will provide another update in the evening with my battle plans.

Looks like Japanese are advancing, they've taken control of Zhengzhou which means Chinese AI fired decision to break Huang He dikes.

Nuclear research lab construction is complete. Completion of it freed plenty of IC which I will use mainly for air wings construction. I am still missing 3 air fleets of light bombers and one fleet of 3 NAVs.

I will split this fleet into one CAG and 2 SAG, 2 additional BBs will be constructed in October 1939. I am hesitating whether to reinforce each SAG with one BB or create another SAG.

Last peaceful expansion (apart from claims on Memel)

In HPP you only get cores on Sudetland, this is more historically accurate as we Czech had underground resistance and fought the occupation. Revolt risk in my cored land is increased due to fact that dissent gives you revolt risk increase instead of IC reduction in HPP.

Italy declared war on Albania and conquered it few days later.

Las bit of land I receive via diplomacy...

Second and war between Japan and SU.

Look at the Japan text: After our last defeat ... Didn't they claim victory last time? I am glad that the conflict didn't escalate into real war as fighting with SU and in China would bring Japan on its knees.

I feel my armies are ready to march through Europe, it's time mobilize and reinforce the reserves. World will soon tremble before German Reich.

100% national unity has been reached and national modifier which comes it is also reached. Increased organization and organization regain rate is pretty sweet.


I have built everything I wanted except one light fighter air group. NAVs will be completed in first few days of war. Armies are positioned and ready to roll over Europe.

I've stationed my CAG and transport fleet in Genoa, hopefully they will clear Mediterranean of Royal Navy presence.

 

[SKOTy]

4. Fall Farbige

Hello in this update I would like to introduce my battle plan 'Colored'. I will execute all Germany's battle plans at once so that explains the name.

First, quick look at Sino-Japanese war:

Looks like Japan is losing, I've seen some Japanese divisions encircled. It looks like this ARR will really see German adventures in China.

All battle plans at once, will they fall or will the succeed?

I will use plains for rapid movement of my tanks hoping to slice and dice majority of polish army while infantry will advance into Poland, mainly from Slovakia, from the south and also from the east Prussia. Goal is to capture majority of all Poland major cities as soon as possible.
I am planning an airborne assault at or near Grodno (if aerial reconnaissance shows Grondo is empty I will drop paratroopers in Grondo) to as my armies needs to cross a river when attacking it. Combine it with attacking into marsh terrain and we have some terrible penalties here.

Danish front will be hopefully the easiest one. Run for Copenhagen while grabbing victory points assisted with airborne assault near Copenhagen.

This front will be probably most difficult one. First step will be encircling majority of Netherlands and Belgium armies so they won't escape to France. Then my tanks will rush towards Paris while encircling Frenchmen if an opportunity rises.

 

[Ikarases]

As far as I know, HPP Denmark surrenders when you set a foot on their soil. Historically, Germans were comfortable just with paradropping Copenhagen and the war was over before it really began

 

[SKOTy]

As far as I know, HPP Denmark surrenders when you set a foot on their soil. Historically, Germans were comfortable just with paradropping Copenhagen and the war was over before it really began

I know this fact but I don't want to exploit it so I have small army awaiting usage in Denmark

 

[SSmith]

Attacking everyone at the same time is an interesting idea. You will certainly have the element of surprise against a lot of countries that aren't mobilized yet, so that's a big plus. The question is whether you have enough forces to take advantage of the opportunity you've created?

As for Denmark, it's not quite that straightforward but yes they should fall quickly - what we don't usually want is Germany trying and failing to take Copenhagen.

 

[Ikarases]

As for Denmark, it's not quite that straightforward but yes they should fall quickly - what we don't usually want is Germany trying and failing to take Copenhagen.

At least you have as an excuse the historical paradrop

I also hope the Italians won't have trouble with Greece after you put those straits back into the game!

 

[Jagdpnzr]

With the IC used for the kriegsmarine, and the Nuke facilities, I wonder if you will have enough troops on the ground. That naval stack you have will certainly be enough to keep the Brits honest. I can't wait for the war to kick off, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. I hope its the wehrmacht doing all the punching.

 

[siempie78]

With the IC used for the kriegsmarine, and the Nuke facilities, I wonder if you will have enough troops on the ground. That naval stack you have will certainly be enough to keep the Brits honest. I can't wait for the war to kick off, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. I hope its the wehrmacht doing all the punching.

Agreed. I usually just build infantry, tank divisions and interceptors and transports in order to get my army large enough for Barbarossa, and then I game the system to get my troops in the UK. But honestly, defeating France is always a cakewalk.

Subbed.

 

[SKOTy]

Thanks for the feedback!

I hope that my forces are large enough, maybe the forces for Poland are way too large but it will hopefully hasten Poland's demise. After Poland falls I will be SR-ing part of army used in Poland (at least one infantry army and 3 tank corps I have there). In ideal World Poland will fall in 2 or 3 weeks and at the same time encirclement of low countries armies would be complete.

I was thinking and another way to deal with Poland would be to simply dig in and let Red army handle Poland as Soviets actually attack Poland in HPP. Maybe I will try that in my next game just for fun and to see the results.

And I've noticed that I've used same image twice in last update so I've fixed that.

 

[enigmamcmxc]

Agreed. I usually just build infantry, tank divisions and interceptors and transports in order to get my army large enough for Barbarossa, and then I game the system to get my troops in the UK. But honestly, defeating France is always a cakewalk.

Subbed.

Ha! Depends what version of the mod you used ... then you get stuck along some pretty tricky Belgium rivers to cross defended by a 300,000 strong Belgian army backed by three-quarters of a million pissed off Frogs and the British wanting to land half a million men in your backyard ... then the Fall of France is not so easy

With that said, SKOTy really looking forward to the launch of all these offensives at once! Very ballsy!

As for the comment about waiting to use your subs until the Royal Navy is taking care of, I would say as soon as you can get your subs based in France send them against those ships!