A Classic HOI AAR
Hello! I have no idea how to do a real intro for this so… /shrug. I miss the old style of AARs from the HOI3 era. They are actually what got me into HOI originally. With the release of Hoi4, It feels like meme-y youtube videos replaced these AARs, which is disappointing! So, I am going to attempt to create a classic HOI AAR. It is something I have wanted to do for a while and finally decided to pull the trigger. Usually AARs end when the creator gets too busy or bored of it. I refuse to allow that to happen here. I have something like 8 parts already written up, so you won’t be stuck on a cliffhanger (hopefully). I will be playing as Germany (historical) because it feels like the most “classic” country to do an AAR as. Also, the Gotterdammerung made Germany more interesting to play with MEFO bills now. Well anyway… let’s get started!
Overview
Mod list - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3479300542
Mods are mostly graphical. I am trying a few different AI mods and Smarter AI was next up. Game is set to historical and normal difficulty. Giving AI static buffs feels really annoying in any game I play. Also, I am not like an amazing player by any means and not completely min/maxing so it’s fine. I messed up a bunch of stuff on the build up since I don’t play Germany often haha….
January 1st, 1936
On New Year's Day all high ranking military staff were called to meet with the German Political Leadership. Many of the military staff were hungover and apparently not too attentive initially. It was not until leadership outlined that war in Europe would begin in roughly 4 years. Germany was to not only reconquer lost territory from WW1, but bring all of Europe under German control.
Journals and memoirs from military staff of the time all noted that war was not expected to break out until mid-late 1941 (in 6 years, not 4). The staff were under the assumption that the war would be limited and only to reconquer lost territory from WW1. This change of plans was a massive shock catching them all off guard.
German Political Leadership seemed to change their mind due to the impending MEFO bills. The build up would be impossible to sustain for 6 years and therefore the timeline shortened to 4 years. It was only upon examination post war that people fully understood the situation Germany was in. Without any injection of gold, Germany would be unable to pay the MEFO and in turn, the economy would collapse.
German Political Leadership told the military staff to figure out a plan and then left. The staff had been experimenting and theorizing new combined arms warfare since the last World War. If Germany was to succeed in the upcoming war, they would need to do everything they can to avoid a prolonged conflict. Initial military factories would be allocated to basic equipment until a new generation of tanks and aircraft could be developed. The standing army needed to be increased to 120 divisions of Infantry and as many Armored divisions as possible before war started. The Luftwaffe argued that to ensure enough fighter aircraft were available by war, the Heer could get by with current models for CAS missions. CAS didn’t need crazy advanced aircraft providing the Luftwaffe could keep the skies clear of enemy planes. In return, this could free up resources for more tanks. In return, the Wehrmacht would also get special resource projects.
The Kriegsmarine argued for a massive expansion of the surface fleet. If Britain was to be neutralized, then their fleet must be destroyed. The room went silent before several members from the Heer and Luftwaffe began asking about the logistics of such a plan. Germany had only so much construction capacity to expand facilities. There was only so much funding to go around. Even if Germany invested everything it could into building up a surface fleet, Britain would STILL outbuild them. One staff member then brought up that this isn’t including the French fleet or potential for the US to get involved. Erich Raeder, commander of the Kriegsmarine continued to argue that a surface fleet was vital to keeping shipping lanes open to avoid a repeat of WW1. With the Heer and Luftwaffe having more influence, it was decided that any resources devoted to the Kriegsmarine would be to build up uboats. It was theorized that modern uboats were strong enough to completely shut down any shipping to Britain. Conveniently, a uboat fleet was also significantly cheaper. Days later Erich would be relieved of his command.
Infantry Division 1936
Initial Build Up
Initial Production
1936
German Leadership accelerated investments into industry and infrastructure to support the war effort. New ministers were added to aid in increasing production output and decreasing construction times for new factories.
In the latter half of the year, the Heer got the first of their special projects with the Flammpanzer concept. With the Wehmacht expanding rapidly, new laws were passed. Conscription levels were increased to all eligible men up to the age of 22. Then more factories were required to be under direction from the state.
Investment into the industry
Hjalmar Schacht added
Franz Seldte added
Conscription Law
War Economy
Flammpanzer Vroom by Porche
In November, Austria held a referendum on whether to join Germany or not. The results were delayed for a month and a half due to rumors of interference. Nevertheless, on December 30th, the Austrians announced they would be joining Germany. Historians are unable to discern the actual results as ballots were destroyed across the country soon after the results were announced.
Anschluss
German Political Leadership parading through Austria
December 10th, 1936
In Spain, a civil war broke out between Nationalist and Republican forces. Many of the major powers at the time sent volunteers to assist on either side. The Soviet Union sent several armored divisions on the side of the Republicans. Italy, Japan, and Germany all sent divisions to fight alongside the Nationalists. German leadership ordered three divisions worth of men and an air wing to Spain. The Wehrmacht was more than willing as it was a great chance to test out doctrines with modern equipment.
Armored Divisions Sent to Spain
“Volunteers” in Spain
January 7th, 1937 the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Panzer Divisions arrived in Central Spain on the first of the year. Lead by Wilhelm Lust, and Erich von Manstein overseeing, the units began preparing for a simple offensive.
Operation Little Duck
1st Panzer Division would attack just west of Toldeo. 2nd and 3rd Panzer Divisions would stay north of the river. After breaking the frontline, all three divisions would group up just west of Madrid before assaulting the city.
The Initial Assaults
German forces overlooking enemy positions.
The initial assaults succeeded as expected. Several divisions of infantry from Nationalist Spain held flanks for the armored units to push forward. Just outside of Toledo, 1st Panzer Division encountered a light counter attack from the Republicans trying to slow the advance down.
Sad Excuse for a counter attack
Once the counter attack was repealed, the divisions continued their advance towards Madrid
German Panzers fighting Republican forces
Nationalist forces push just north of Madrid cutting off a couple divisions. Including a Soviet armored division
Once the Operation was successful, German divisions quickly changed course and began to assist southwest of Madrid. The goal was to push to the coast cutting off as many Republican divisions as possible.
Offensives South of Madrid. Units preparing to cross the Jarama river
German divisions in conjuncture with the air wing showed off the power of combined arms warfare. The 3rd and 2nd Panzer Divisions are able to make quick work of any Republican forces and move quickly south. Airpower was key in destroying any defensive positions deep in Spanish territory.
Another Soviet armor division and many Republican forces are trapped in the Ciudad Real Pocket. List makes the decision to continue pushing to the coast ensuring the trapped units have a tougher time breaking out. This was a key moment in discussions of doctrine within the Heer. For a long time, German doctrine would specify to destroy the pocket. Pushing past and seizing the opening in the enemy’s lines enabled German Divisions to keep momentum. The Republican forces were unable to dig in in time before the Panzers and bombers started attacking. The Wehrmacht theorized what this could achieve on a much larger scale.
German bombers on their way to provide fire support for ground troops
A race to the coast
Once the German Panzer divisions reached Murcia, the Republican army was all but defeated. Their lines were collapsing across all of Spain. On May 1st, 1938, the Republican army surrendered. The war may have ravaged Spain, but it provided the German military with great experience.
Upon arrival back in Germany, The 3rd Panzer Division received a medal for being the first division in Murcia.
1937-1938
The Wehrmacht continued to prepare for war. Ludwig Beck assumed command of the Heer in early 1937. His staff immediately began implementing reforms around filling out the officer corps. If the military is to expand, there needs to be a large base of officers to fill out the ranks. There is special emphasis on training logistics. To support a large and mechanized army, a general must understand how to ensure it can stay supplied.
Army Command
Organization Todt
The German Political Leadership brought on Organization Todt to help streamline construction across Germany. In the summer of ‘37, they demanded the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia. Leaders from Germany, Britain, France, and Italy discussed how to handle the impending crisis. France and Britain, still recovering from the great depression, could bear little resistance and agreed to recognize the claims. Germany promised that they would not claim any more territory. Czechoslovakia, interestingly enough, wasn't even invited to the conference. With the signing of the Munich agreement and no allies, Czechoslovakia agreed to cede the Sudetenland.
The Munich Conference
A few months later, German Political Leadership once again, claimed territory from the Czechs. Although this time, they claimed everything. Once again, France and Britain were in no shape to fight Germany and conceded any resistance. Czechoslovakian leadership, realizing they were alone against Germany, surrendered without a fight.
Fate of Czechoslovakia
The Wehrmacht took many lessons from the Spanish Civil War. The first was a need for a “better” tank in their armor divisions. The Panzer II was fine but lacked the firepower and armor needed for a modern army. A design competition was opened and MAN won the bid. There was one hiccup though, the gun wasn’t ready yet. So MAN would begin producing the vehicle and refurbish later once the gun was complete. This was seen as acceptable since war shouldn’t start for another 2 and a half years. In the meantime, production would continue on Panzer IIs for recon. Modifications were made based on experiences in Spain.
Panzer II-B
Panzer III No Gun, initial design to start building chassis until the gun has been developed
Panzer III
The state of the New Fighter Program for the Luftewaffe wasn’t in as good of shape as the Panzer III. All of the new airframes proposed by companies were “complete piles of garbage”. To ensure there were any fighters at all come time for war, the Luftewaffe ordered new fighters based on the BF 109 airframe. This design was considered “good enough” until a new airframe could be built.
BF 109 G
Continued review of performance in the Spanish Civil War led to several changes in German Military Doctrine and other general reforms. A promising officer Erwin Rommel was added on as an advisor. His understanding of how to use armor in wargames was unmatched.
As part of the reforms, new Panzer Division composition
March 31st, 1939
On the 3st, the world was shocked to learn that Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to a nonaggression pact. Military and Political leadership in Germany had been discussing it for months. It was clear France and Britain would actually go to war to defend Poland. Germany needed resources from the Soviets. There was no way to win a two front war, especially with the need to import resources. The plan was to Blitz Poland at the same time as the Soviets. This would ensure Poland falls quickly and then Germany could send everything they have at the Western Front. France and Britain would need a few months to mobilize which would give German forces enough time to build up for a quick knockout blow to France. At that point, Britain would likely come to a white peace with Germany. With the Western Front dealt with, Germany would be free to fight the Soviet Union without worrying about another front. So the pact gives Germany guarantees it only fights on one front at a time.
A little more than a month later, internal discussion began of when exactly to start the war. It was roughly 6 months earlier than planned for but German Political Leadership felt it was time. The Wehrmacht was begging for at least a few more months to get ready. The Panzer divisions weren’t fully equipped with tanks yet. The Lufftewaffe was still low in fighters and the new modern fighter was almost ready. Their concerns were dismissed as “it’s just Poland. Then there will be plenty of time to get ready for France”. So on June 6th, an ultimatum was sent to Poland, give Germany Danzig or War. Poland and the Western allies had already made it clear, appeasement was over. The demand was purely symbolic. June 8th, Poland responded with a firm “no”. Hours later, Germany declared war.
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