Thanks yet again loki100. I am trying to give detail but still make it a story.
Had hoped to get another update this evening but too many mistakes slowed me down. Tomorrow morning.
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Thanks yet again loki100. I am trying to give detail but still make it a story.
Had hoped to get another update this evening but too many mistakes slowed me down. Tomorrow morning.
All will be revealed soon - I think the AI takes a little while to work out how to use air assets. Whenever I have given it aircraft it moves them around, splits them up etc, but it generally does use them effectively.
Rank and File
A Clerk’s War
A Clerk’s War
16th May 1939 - afternoon
Gisela and I had hardly entered the front doors of the Reichskanzlei when a secretary ran past and asked if I had heard the news. At my blank face, she whispered that we were being bombed, that thousands of British bombers were at this very moment pulverising our cities. Needless to say, I told her that spreading these rumours could get her into serious trouble and she ran off looking quite upset. But far better that she be stopped before one of Minister Frick’s toadies think that informing on her could get him a promotion.
When I got to my desk, I soon found that as usual, the rumour was based on fact, but had been dramatically embellished. A telegram from Leipzig with a time stamp of 2PM stated that British bombers had been sighted over the city. Radio intercepts delivered from Luftwaffe listening posts reveal that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Strategic Air Wings, commanded by Air Chief Marshall Cyril Newall, were carrying out bombing of our factories and mines in the area. There was no information of Luftwaffe interceptors. My brother Ernst is based with JG 26 “Schlageter” at Stuttgart, a long way from Leipzig, but surely there are other fighters that can drive off the British. I am sure I am not the only one asking: “Where is the Luftwaffe?” Ernst has told me that his Staffel is in the process of getting new Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighters (already nicknamed “Emils”) but surely this would not affect their ability to respond to attacks on the Fatherland?
Ernst sent me this shot of taken during service and re-arming of one of the first Emils to be assigned to his geschwader.
While we were still digesting the news of the first attack on the Reich, a sombre official from around corner at the Foreign Office came with more bad news. He delivered a simple message from Washington: President Roosevelt has ordered that the USA be placed on a war footing. While there is a tendency at the highest levels to be flippant about the USA, in reality everyone remembers how the arrival of limitless numbers of men and equipment hurt the morale of our armies on the western Front in the last war. We really don’t want a repeat (at least not until we are ready). Von Neurath was ordered to maintain his diplomatic efforts to keep the USA neutral until otherwise notified. The research teams, Intelligence services and officer schools have been told this a final decision, there will be no arguments. Priority is to be given to the allocation of leadership material recruits to the diplomatic service.
Damage reports started to come in from the Leipzig area. The three factory complexes in the area will need to be closed for some time for repairs. The one anti-aircraft system is out of operation and we have lost substantial coal, iron ore and base metal production.
At last the Luftwaffe responded to the queries from the Army commanders: at 5PM we were advised there had been some delays in getting information to the airfields, but all was now resolved. Major-General Grauert was at this moment leading KG 4 “General Weaver” and KG 26 “Lowen” to bomb enemy positions in Rybnik. Ernst Udet, commanding 3rd Stukakorps, is to target Ostroleka. 1st Stukakorps under Kesselring is on its way to Leszno , Kitzinger’s KG 53 “Legion Condor” and KG 2 “Holzhammer” are to hit Ostreszow and KG 30 “Adler” and KG 28 are assigned to Poznan (under Major General Sperrle). The troops have been fighting all day with no air support. In their position I would be more than a little upset at the “administrative failings” that have caused the delays. I suspect that heads will roll somewhere in the Luftwaffe, but Goering will keep it very quiet.
Heinkels of KG 28 head for Poznan, loaded with bombs intended for 28 Dywijza Piechoty and 15th Infantry Division.
Within 3 hours the ground troops started to send back estimates of the effectiveness of the bombing missions. Grauert’s Heinkels are believed to have killed 88 enemy, Udet’s Stukas only 44, probably due to the difficulty in locating targets in the forests of Ostroleka. Guderian’s headquarters report 54 casualties inflicted in Leszno, paling into insignificance to the effect at Ostreszow, where 109 Poles were counted as killed. But the best results came from Sperrle’s Heinkels hitting the Poles spread out on the plains of Poznan: 118 confirmed dead.
The news brought smiles to the faces of the Luftwaffe liaison officers in the Reichskanzlei, who had been keeping very quiet all day as their counterparts from the Heer took centre stage. Now it was their turn in the spotlight.
Our high spirits did not last long. Within hours report after report came in confirming the bad news. The Poles had not been completely surprised, but had obviously made preparations in expectation of our attack. Five simultaneous but separate night counter-attacks have been launched, and in some areas our troops are under intense pressure. We have launched one night attack ourselves, but this did not serve to dispel the concern on the faces of the military men on duty.
Battle of Suwalki
Our attack was on the province of Suwalki. General von Sodenstern, using his gift for offensive action, has thrown 52.Infanterie Division from Lyck and 60.Infanterie Division from Goldap against the single defending division, 55 Dywizja Piechoty (Rez). The Polish General Zongollowicz is not young, but we have been told he is more than competent on the defence, so the odds of two to one may be needed.
Battle of Rosenberg
The first counter-attack reported was by General Erfurth of 1.Infanterie Division in Rosenberg. He claims that three Polish divisions (16th, 29th and 32nd) have hit his position from the three adjoining provinces of Brodnica, Rypin and Wabrzezno. With multiple threats, he is finding it difficult to mount a good defence and has requested urgent reinforcements and air support.
Battle of Schneidermuhl
Hardly had the shock been absorbed when messages from Scheidermuhl were passed on from the radio room. General von Obstfelder sounded worried for his 32.Infanterie Division, outnumbered three to one by the 24th and 10th Infantry Divisions attacking from Naklo nad Notecia and the 32nd Infanty from Gniezno. Captured Poles have revealed that the attack is commanded by General Stanislaw Maczek, one of the best of the enemy commanders. Again he asked for support, but from the looks on the faces of the officers in the Kanzlei, he may have to wait some time: all available units of the Army of Polen Nord have been committed.
Battle of Allenstein
The third attack was also in the north: at Allenstein in East Prussia. 11.Infanterie Division under General von Wietersheim is resisting strong pushes from 44 Dywijza Piechoty (Rez) and 2nd Infantry Division in Mlawa and Rypin respectively.
Battle of Marienburg
General Proglowski has launched nearly 35,000 troops against Major General Pfeffer’s single 21.Infanterie Division. Even though 45 (Rez) and 24 Dywizja Piechioty are attacking across the Vistula from Danzig, the 17th Division from Brodnica and the 33rd from Grudziadz have no such barrier. Attacked on 3 fronts and outnumbered four to one, Pfeffer has used his skill advantage to start a tactical withdrawal from Marienburg, which will reduce the width of his front as well as the effectiveness of the enemy attacks, though it will have a slight negative effect on his ability to fight back.
Battle of Falkenberg
The final attack was on 4.Infanterie Division in the province of Falkenburg. General von Kuchler states that at least three Polish divisions have attacked his troops: 6th Infantry Division from Karpowskie Gory, 11 Karpacka Dywizja from Lubiniec and 35 Dywizja Piechoty (Rez) from Namyslow. This three pronged attack has probably contributed to the shock that has affected the 2.Infanterie’s ability to defend. General von Kuchler is a far more capable leader than his opponent, Podhorski, but regardless of this he will need more than a little luck to hold on long enough for reinforcement.
As a consequence of this sequence of attacks, 11.Infanterie is no longer a reserve for the Battle of Ostroleka and 32. and 71. Infanterie are no longer in reserve for the Battles of Poznan. The Poles have chosen their targets well.
Extremely low flying Fieseler Storch reconnaissance aircraft managed to get this photograph of Panstwowe Zaklady Lotnicze P.11 fighters about to take off for Danzig. Unfortunately all available bombers were already assigned to front line attacks, so the opportunity to hit them on the ground was missed.
The last report for the day came from Major General Bogatch, commander of the 4th Fliegerkorps. His Messerchmitts have challenged control of the skies above Danzig, meeting with 3 brigady of Polish interceptors. The enemy planes are mainly PZL P.11 fighters, which have a good reputation, but the design is now 6 years old. Our Bf 109D and E aircraft are far more modern, so we hope to clear the skies of the Poles before they find our bomber formations.
Fall Weiss at the end of Day 1. Note the air battle continuing over Danzig.
Just before midnight the military situation map for the day was prepared, based on all information that had come in during the preceding 24 hours. To my eye it looked fairly depressing, but the military theory analysts seemed quite pleased. They believe that our divisions are inherently stronger than the Polish units and that we will crack their defences before our lines are broken. This will allow us to outflank their units, forcing them to break off the counter-attacks. A lot will depend on the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe and its ability to keep the Polish Air Force away from the ground fighting.
I hope they are correct: my brother is right in the thick of the fighting.
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Your descriptions continue to hold our interest. Could you recap your allies for us? I didn't realize that if you did not declare a limited war, you still had to issue a diplomatic call to arms to get them involved. By the time I did figure out why the Italians and Spanish were summering at the beach, it was too late. Rats!
o
o
Most likely Goering was somewhere out in the country on a hunt and forgot about the imminent war...
CharonJr
CharonJr
Your descriptions continue to hold our interest. Could you recap your allies for us? I didn't realize that if you did not declare a limited war, you still had to issue a diplomatic call to arms to get them involved. By the time I did figure out why the Italians and Spanish were summering at the beach, it was too late. Rats!
My loyal allies are Italy, Japan, Hungary, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Slovenia.
As I understand it, Poland is a limited war so I need to invite them (except Slovakia which as a puppet does what I do). Until I attack France, I think I'll leave them out.
Most likely Goering was somewhere out in the country on a hunt and forgot about the imminent war...
CharonJr
At least most of the Luftwaffe has joined in. The MPF aren't doing anything, and I have the Osterreich HQ miles away so his air will be delayed. I am more worried by the lack of response to strategic bombing - I have 7 interceptors in West Germany.
As I pointed out before, any poor decisons are the responsibility of the AI, not me.
I won't interfere with the generals' decisions unless really necessary. This is only Day 1, plenty of time for the Heer to hit its straps. I am interested in seeing how the German AI will respond the the aggressive Polish AI.
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IIRC I always had my interceptors under manual control (assigned them areas and essentially forgor about them).
Due to this I have no idea if the AI is actually performing any interceptions, but since I saw nothing about this on the forums I either missed the thread, nobody tried this before or eventually they will do something
CharonJr
Due to this I have no idea if the AI is actually performing any interceptions, but since I saw nothing about this on the forums I either missed the thread, nobody tried this before or eventually they will do something
CharonJr
It's a nice change for once.
It'll be interesting to see how this war works out, though.
In my games i usually spread out 2-3 squadrons of interceptors (did 3 per squadron before, but i think 2 would be just as effective, but beter economy) over germanly, all on air intercept over their airfield, with the maximum possible range set. this way they'll intercept anythign that flys into the zone, and continue to engange it as the bombers move towards their targets. seemed to work well.
IIRC I always had my interceptors under manual control (assigned them areas and essentially forgor about them).
Due to this I have no idea if the AI is actually performing any interceptions, but since I saw nothing about this on the forums I either missed the thread, nobody tried this before or eventually they will do something
CharonJr
I am actually a bit ahead of my AAR and can tell you the AI does intercept. It doesn't do it the way I would, but then the AI Army doesn't act that way either. My goal is to build the Armed forces, set the stage and hand over control of the troops to the AI.
I'll only take over if I believe that something is beyond the AI capabilities, it's something I really want to happen or if the AI has demonstrated it will not do.
That means that sometimes I get annoyed at it.
It's a nice change for once.
It'll be interesting to see how this war works out, though.
That is one of my main drivers: to see how well the AI does work at a micro level.
As mentioned above, I want to see how the AI handles it. It seems to split my interceptors into pairs, and it moved them to their current air bases. I am just giving it a bit of time to respond. One thing I do know about the AI is that it takes time to use air assets.
While I enjoy reading your AAR, I wonder if you will keep up that update frame of one update per game-day *Can't help thinking about Barbarossa*
No - I was getting a little concerned about that too!
The first day I had a lot happen, and the second day I am getting a routine settled (so it will be one update for the 17th). Things settle down after that, I am working on about 3-7 days per update while heavy fighting goes on, depending on any interesting events (naval actions etc). And probably weekly/fortnightly in between. I am too old to contemplate one update a day from 1939 to 1948 (with time off for good behaviour), even if I could maintain anyone's interest (which I greatly doubt!)
Note that I assume I will not be beaten by the Poles and lose the game before the end of 1939 - think positive!
Rank and File
A Clerk’s War
A Clerk’s War
17th May 1939
Having left very late yesterday (and after a very early start) I contemplated sleeping in, but the need to know what is happening saw me in my office before 8AM. In my absence, files continued to land on my desk, but the top ones were only transfer documents so I quickly reviewed them before picking up the military updates.
2nd Leichte Panzer Division will be pleased: a detachment of Hetzers has been rushed to the front to reinforce them and will probably be in service today. As the 2nd has been ordered to move from Grottkau to Falkenburg to assist 4.Infanterie Division which is under heavy attack, the addition of mobile anti-tank weapons will be appreciated. 30.Infanterie Division (currently with X Armeekorps in the Benelux Army)with its anti-air regiment has been ordered to rail from Lubeck to Stuttgart where it will join V Armeekorps in the Westwall Army. Apparently French manoeuvres have alarmed General von Bohm-Ermolli and it has been decided to reinforce his korps to 5 divisions. This will give him a reserve (a luxury few other commanders enjoy!)
Newly arrived Hetzers of 2nd Leichte Panzer Division travel down the narrow roads of a village in Grottkau, heading to Falkenburg to take on 11 Karpacka Dywizjon, 35 Dywizjon Piechoty (Rez) and 6th Infantry Division.
During the night fighting has continued. General Guderian reported from Leszno that he has achieved a breakthrough. The 1st Leichte Panzer Division is moving forward at speed and, although it is taking heavier than normal casualties, it is inflicting far more on the enemy. General Felber also reported a breakthrough in the forests of Ostroleka while General Pfeffer continues his tactical withdrawal in the province of Marienburg .
We appear to have started to recover after the shock of the Polish night attacks. In Schneidermuhl, General von Obstfelder has rallied his men and has mounted a counter-attack, increasing his ability to withstand Maczek’s three divisions.
Air Marshall Newall has his pilots flying around the clock, as we were told of a night bombing raid on Leipzig. The same targets were hit, with all our repair work on the factories and anti-air nullified, and more reductions in mining output.
The Polish Air Force is also active. The Luftwaffe liaison officer in the Kanzlei believes that Kalkus has deliberately flown his fighter brigady to Danzig to tie up our interceptors. While Bogatsch and his Messerchmitts are busy over Danzig, Pawlikowski’s 1 Dywizjon Bombowy is hitting 60.Infanterie in Goldap and Heller’s Dywizjon Bombowy 2 and 6 are bombing 52.Infanterie in Lyck. Both attacks caused the loss of 56 men, and have adversely affected our attempt to seize Suwalki.
The rest of the morning was quiet, but in the afternoon more reports of air action came in. At 1PM were told that Pawlinowski was again over Goldap (54 casualties), but Heller had switched targets to Johannisburg, where 72. and 56. Infanterie (78 casualties) were attacked as they fought to gain control of the neighbouring province of Ostroleka. Questions are starting to be asked about the air units based in Konigsberg. We have about a hundred modern Bf 109G fighters based there – why are they not in the air?
The Luftwaffe, after its delayed start, has decided to make up for lost time. On the 17th it carried out no less than 8 bombing raids:
Rybnik: Grauer with 2 x He 111: 96 casualties
Tarnowskie Gory: Lohr with 2 x Ju 87B: 73 casualties
Gniezno: Muller-Michiels with 2 x He 111: 82 casualties
Poznan: Wolff with 2 x He 111: 102 casualties
Leszno: Kesselring with 2 x Ju 87B: 61 casualties
Naklo nad Notecia: Kitzinger with 2x He 111: 99 casualties
Danzig: Sperrle with 2 x He 111, 2 x Ju 87B: 143 casualties
Poznan: Muller-Michiels with 2 x He 111: 102 casualties.
Our bombing analysts have been poring over these results, and believe they show conclusively that the terrain has a big impact on the effectiveness of the bombing. Both Danzig and Leszno are heavily forested, while Naklo nad Notecia is lightly wooded. All the others are open plains. It is also apparent that the Heinkels with their heavier bombloads are more deadly, but they are also far more expensive to build. We intend to study how the skill level of individual commanders impact results, but will require far more data. For example, Wolff is rated a better commander than Muller-Michiels, yet they achieved the same result with units of similar experience.
Weather has had no effect to date, as we have had clear skies since dawn yesterday.
A welcome sight to our troops on the front line: a staffel of Stukas preparing to hit Polish positions.
The clear skies cut both ways: the Poles hit both Lyck (24 casualties) and Johannisburg (35 casualties) late at night.
Newall’s Strategic Bomber Command is proving to be efficient as well as effective: they hit Dortmund this time, knocking out two manufacturing plants and reducing power and metal and mineral output. For Goering’s sake I hope the interceptors can find him soon. (And maybe Ernst can get an emblem to paint on the side of his fighter!)
The daily report on events at the front was very thin today. Little has changed since yesterday. What is new is that each commander has been asked to provide a judgment call on success, as a percentage. I have doubts as to how accurate this is, but it may give an idea of our overall progress.
From Leszno, General Guderian reported that his breakthrough has petered out. 2.Infanterie is still moving up, but is not likely to join combat soon. He estimates he has achieved 80% of his objectives.
Von Obstfelder has bad news: his counter-attack has failed and his troops have been shocked by the aggressive tactics of the Polish hero, Maczek. He believes his chances of holding the province of Scheidermuhl are less than 50%, unless 8.Infanterie Division can get into position quickly.
General Maczek, already a feared opponent, is pushing 32.Infanterie back, and seems to have the measure of General von Obstfelder. This is the only photograph we have of him, but I suspect he will appear often in these pages.
My brother’s battle, in Poznan, is going well. 71.Infanterie is not yet ready, but von Manstein is 80% confident of success.
Pfeffer is now standing his ground in Marienburg, but is under extreme pressure and thinks he has a one in four chance of holding off the Poles. Von Wietersheim situation in Allenstein is nearly as bad, as Wolkowicki has broken through his defences, and he is aware of another Polish infantry division moving up as a reserve. In Rosenburg, where General Dabek has launched a major assault, General Erfurth has a similar view to Pfeffer: his men are taking increased losses and the likelihood of a successful defence is less than 25%. 4.Infanterie has weathered the shock of initial contact with the Poles, but Falkenburg is also at risk, despite von Kuchler’s clear skill advantage over Podhorski.
The rest of the reports were fairly standard: Rybnik going as expected, Suwalki better than expected and General Ruoff getting slowed down in Ostrzeszow. Felber’s breakthrough in Ostroleka has not gained him the advantage he expected and he reports only a slightly better than even odds of success.
Not a good day overall, apart from the intervention of the Luftwaffe. Our plan requires a quick victory over the Poles, before the French can get organised and use their numerical advantage against the Westwall. The military advisers remain confident, pointing out that morale, organisation and strength of all our combat formations is relatively untouched. They believe that the Poles will not be able to sustain their attacks, particularly as they will be hammered by our bombers. By leaving their prepared positions, they have given up a significant advantage. “Give our boys time” is their mantra, and I suppose we just have to accept it. I just wish we would see some real progress.
British strategic bombers (Handley Page Hampdens) heading back unscathed from the bombing of Dortmund.
Still no word from the Luftwaffe about the lack of air defence over our cities. I am starting to get quite concerned. Leipzig, then Dortmund. When will it be the turn of Berlin? As I make my way home, are Newall’s bombers already leaving their bases in Kent and heading my way?
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Thanks for the very kind words.
(I hope I am not missing some subtle irony - or do I mean sarcasm?)
Surely you meant Slovakia.
You are of course correct. I could claim it to be a deliberate mistake to see if any one reads the replies, but must admit I was in a hurry and dashed it off from memory - which is odd, as I know very well that it is Slovakia and not Slovenia. So it must have been something to do with Microsoft Word.
I wonder when or if those Interceptors finally start earning their money or what effect the static AA actually has on the British bombers. Btw, any news from the Kriegsmarine? They should be shelling Polish positions around Danzig.