Yeah an overview of skill levels and victorious battles would be nice.
Indeed. Great idea.
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Indeed. Great idea.
Karaiskandar, quaazi: The Brits have a surprisingly large army left (around 60 divisions), the bulk of which are in India. I've considered leaving a strong mechanized corps in England, but I figure my airforce and navy can level the playing field if the Brits invade again. I've beefed up the beach garrisons however.
FlyingDutchie: When it comes to Germany and the Soviet Union, its definitely a case of one-shall-stand-one-shall-fall. The only question is when.
All: I'll get to work on a post detailing all custom made leaders and their units.
FlyingDutchie: When it comes to Germany and the Soviet Union, its definitely a case of one-shall-stand-one-shall-fall. The only question is when.
All: I'll get to work on a post detailing all custom made leaders and their units.
Chapter 12
Fortress Europe (cont)
Fortress Europe (cont)
The Wehrmacht has expanded to the point that the chain of command is, at times, grossly overloaded. A multitude of promotions in all three branches of service, combined with an increase in the number of headquarters troops and staff officers, serve to remedy this problem.
Recruiting centers across Grossdeutschland have exhausted every method of pulling more men into the army. An overhaul of the selective service department, orchestrated by propoganda minister Dr Joseph Goebbels, will hopefully rectify Germany's manpower woes.
Before too long, Germany has greater problems than the lack of new recruits for her armed forces. The Empire of Japan has combined brilliant tactics with backstabbing treachery in attacking the neutral USA at their naval base in Hawaii. Part of Japan's larger war in south-east Asia, the attack on Pearl Harbor has drawn the USA into alliance with the Netherlands and Britain, and therefore into the war against the Fatherland.
Intelligence on the USA, which we have no choice but to accept as 100% reliable, indicates that the Americans have already mustered a medium sized army to go along with their large but somewhat obsolescent Navy. The most immediate concern is the USAAF. This is the only force in the world which can rival the Luftwaffe's strength.
The US does not waste much time in showing her aerial capabilities. Overconfident American pilots and their Douglas A-20 Havoc bombers, flying most likely from Gibraltar, attempt to send a message to Germany that she is vulnerable. Loerzer's Focke-Wulf 190 pilots have other ideas.
The air battle above Dax on February 22 is proof that Luftwaffe expertise, acquired in 3 years of savage fighting, has done more to hone the skill of its pilots than the American training regimen of Jazzercise and marathon bragging sessions. 226 American aircraft are destroyed in 4 hours of combat.
Despite the shattering defeat inflicted on the USAAF above Dax, the British apparently feel that the influence of American aircraft will be sufficient to ensure the success of another invasion of their homeland. 3 divisions assault the shores of Sheffield on the morning of February 26. At first the German high command is alarmed, but Field Marshal Himmler, in overall command on the British Isles, is confident that his well dug-in infantry can repel the invaders, provided that they are not significantly reinforced.
That afternoon, Mj. General Keller's Ju-88s, hunting for the invasion fleet off Sheffield, spot a large British battle fleet in the Wash, led by the modern battleship HMS Prince of Wales. Ironically, Prince of Wales is sister to the King George V, sunk in action less than a year ago in the same area. Keller is under orders to provide intelligence on the British dispositions for the Kriegsmarine. Bismarck, Tirpitz and Graf Zeppelin have raised steam and are heading at high speed towards England.
Later that same evening, German forces in Dover report that they are also under intense amphibious assault. The Luftwaffe begins mobilizing more and more squadrons to ascertain the strength of the British forces in the area.
The RN battle fleet withdraws in darkness from the Wash, leaving the invasion fleet at the mercy of Bismarck and Tirpitz. Grand Admiral Raeder is not interested in sinking transport ships, however, and immediately requests more intelligence reports on the status of British ships in the area.
Bombers and long range fighters from Lt. General Sperrle's Luftflotte V locate the British off Dover later that morning. Sperrle's pilots are able to put a pair of bombs onto the forecastle of HMS Royal Oak before withdrawing in the face of intense AA fire.
On February 27, German defenders report that the British have withdrawn their assault on Sheffield, due to the presence of the German fleet just off the coast. Another attack, however, is launched simultaneously on Portsmouth. Once again, German infantry commanders are confident they can contain the situation, provided that the heavy units of the Royal Navy do not bombard their defenses.
The waters around south eatern England are rife with Allied shipping. Sperrle's aircrews spot an Anglo-Canadian transport fleet in the Channel, escorted by a pair of old French cruisers.
In the small hours of the morning of February 28, the High Seas Fleet engages the Anglo-Canadian-French fleet for several hours, with Me-155s from the Graf Spee scoring 2 direct hits with 125kg bombs on the deck of the old cruiser Foch.
Later on the morning of the 28th, Keller's bombers track the RN battle fleet, aided by the smoke issuing from the Royal Oak to the mouth of the river Tyne. Operating at extreme range, the Ju-88s do not have the necessary fuel to make a coordinated attack, and the British escape to the north.
With the Allied invasion fleet in disarray due to constant attacks by the Kriegsmarine, it is not difficult for the defenders of Dover to repel the British, and with heavy loss.
Surrounded by the Kriegsmarine and bombarded by the Luftwaffe, the combined Allied fleet off the mouth of the river Thames is annihilated on February 24. Many thousands of troops, recently evacuated from Dover, are drowned when 3 transport flotillas are sunk beneath them.
Yet another large fleet of transports is hung out to dry by the cowardly Royal Navy. Using 15-inch shells from Bismarck and Tirpitz to sink transports is overkill, and many German sailors are sickened by the sight of thousands of corpses floating in the choppy waters of the Channel.
Sailors and soldiers from the converted liner Empress of Canada await rescue alongside the German light cruiser Augsburg.
With the defeat of the Allies in the English Channel, Portsmouth is completely secured by the evening of February 29.
Ahahaha foolish Ango-Canadians their landings turned into disasters.
I'm now confident in the defense of the British Ilses.
The US Army will grow quickly though.
I'm now confident in the defense of the British Ilses.
The US Army will grow quickly though.
Could just be coincidence, but that looks like a well coordinated invasion attempt by the French, English and Canadians. I'm impressed by the AI on that score.
Work needs to be done to make Britannia defend her shores however. The RN was still plenty strong enough to prevent a Sealowe, but they basically disappeared at the critical juncture.
Work needs to be done to make Britannia defend her shores however. The RN was still plenty strong enough to prevent a Sealowe, but they basically disappeared at the critical juncture.
Ditto their airforce. During the fighting, only the Dutch, Australians and Canadians made an appearance. The RAF was conspicuously absent.
Karaiskandar: Indeed. We have to knock the USSR out before the USA can begin throwing its weight around.
Chapter 13
The Big Prize
The Big Prize
The world balance is completely upset on May 17 1942. The Soviets are apparently fed up with Japan's ruthless war of aggression in Asia, and have declared war on the Empire of the Rising Sun.
The German high command is taken aback somewhat, but quickly recovers its composure. Deciding that a war on the Soviet Pacific front will provide the necessary advantage to invading Russia, Hitler pushes a declaration of war through the Reichstag the following morning, May 18.
For the invasion of the USSR, which has been given the name Unternehmen Barbarossa, in honor of the Holy Roman Emperor, Friedrich I, OKW has allocated over 220 divisions. The invasion will be spearheaded by 4 Panzergruppen made up of the bulk of the panzer troops, supported by most of the Luftwaffe's offensive strength, and backed up by well over 100 divisions of foot troops. Rumania has given consent to the operation, but the quality of her troops is questionable, and may not be counted upon to advance far into Russia.
Order of Battle:
Army Group A, based in East Prussia, is tasked with surrounding and destroying the large Soviet armies in the Baltic States. Strong mobile forces will then lead the advance upon Leningrad on the Baltic. Field Marshal von Kluge will retain overall control in the theater, with Field Marshal Geyr von Schweppenburg having command of the mechanized forces. 2 Fallschirmkorps will be dropped behind enemy lines to confuse the Soviets and disrupt communications.
Heersegruppe A - Field Marshal von Kluge
-Panzergruppe 'Schweppenburg' - Field Marshal von Schweppenburg
--5. Panzer Armee - General Fernando Torres
---XXXII Panzerkorps - General Fernando Torres
----8. Panzer Division - General Fernando Torres
----2. Panzer Division - Lt. General Stumme
----1. Panzer Division - Mj. General Senger und Etterlin
---XXXIII Panzerkorps - Lt General von Middelkerke E.
----3. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt General von Middelkerke E.
----16. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General Schmidt R.
----233. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General Schaal
---XXXIV Armeekorps - Lt. General Hell
----197. Motorized Division - Lt. General Hell
----143. Motorized Division - Lt. General Jaenecke
----2. Motorized Division - Mj. General Badinski
--8. Panzer Armee - Field Marshal Geyr von Schweppenburg
---XXXV Panzerkorps - Field Marshal Geyr von Schweppenburg
----22. Panzer Division - Field Marshal Geyr von Schweppenburg
----10. Panzer Division - Lt. General Vietinghoff-Scheel
----6. Panzer Division - Mj. General Schwerin
---XXXVI Panzerkorps - Lt. General Henrici
----3. Panzer Division - Lt. General Henrici
----4. Panzer Division - Mj. General Gille
----5. Panzer Division - Lt. General Lutz
---XXXVII Armeekorps
----16. Motorized Division - Lt. General List
----20. Motorized Division - Lt. General von Rothkirch und Trach
----10. Motorized Division - Mj. General Krebs
--3. Fallschirm Armee - General von Sternreiter
---I Fallschirmkorps - General von Sternreiter
----1. Fallschirmjager Division - General von Sternreiter
----2. Fallschirmjager Division - Lt. General Student
----7. Flieger Division - Mj. General Haeckel
---II Fallschirmkorps - Lt. General Schorner
----5. Fallschirmjager Division - Lt. General Schorner
----4. Fallschirmjager Division - Mj. General Volckamer von Kirchensittenbach
----3. Fallschirmjager Division - Lt. General Peterson
--1. Marine Armee - Lt. General Jacob
---I. Marine Korps - Lt. General Jacob
----5. Marine-Sturm Division - Lt. General Jacob
----6. Marine-Sturm Division - Mj. General Forster
----4. Marine-Sturm Division - Lt. General Becker
--1. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General Witzelben
--2. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General Nehring
--10. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General Glokke
==========
Field Marshal von Rundstedt and Army Group B's main priority is to pin down the strong Soviet forces in the Pripyat Marshes. Following the destruction of these armies, SS Panzergruppe 'TheRealKestrel', with its concentration of PzKpfw VI Tiger tanks, will spearhead the advance along the Minsk-Smolensk-Moscow highway towards the Soviet capital.
Heeresgruppe B - Field Marshal von Rundstedt
-SS Panzergruppe 'TheRealKestrel' - Field Marshal TheRealKestrel
--6. SS Panzer Armee - General Model
---X. SS Panzerkorps - General Model
----1. SS Panzer Division 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' - Lt. General Reinhardt G.H.
----2. SS Panzer Division 'Das Reich' - General Model
----3. SS Panzer Division 'Totenkopf' - Lt. General Dietrich
---XI. SS Panzerkorps - Lt. General Rendulic
----28. SS Panzergrenadier Division 'Wallonia' - Lt. General Rendulic
----11. SS Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General Hubicki
----1. SS Panzergrenadier Division 'Germania - Mj. General Kleinheisterkamp
---XII. SS Armeekorps - Lt. General von Leeb
----20. Estische Motorized SS Division - Lt. General von Leeb
----14. Galizische Motorized SS Division - Lt. General Geib
----19. Freiw. Motorized SS Division - Lt. General Sponheimer
--7. SS Panzer Armee - Field Marshal TheRealKestrel
---XV. SS Panzerkorps - Field Marshal TheRealKestrel
----5. SS Panzer Division 'Wiking' - Field Marshal TheRealKestrel
----9. SS Panzer Division 'Hohenstaufen' - Lt. General Hoth
----SS Fallschirmpanzer Division 'Hermann Goering' - Mj. General Conrath
---XIV. SS Panzerkorps - Lt. General Hausser
----17. SS Panzergrenadier Division 'Gotz Berlichin' - Lt. General Hausser
----16. SS Panzergrenadier Division 'Reichsfuhrer' - Lt. General Brandenberger
----18. SS Panzergrenadier Division 'Horst Wessel' - Mj. General Kleemann
---XVI. SS Armeekorps - Lt. General Busch
----30. SS Motorized Division 'Walkure' - Lt. General Busch
----29. SS Motorized Division 'Italien' - Lt. General Fretter-Pico M.
----15. SS Motorized Division - Mj. General Lieb
--3. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - Field Marshal von Blomberg
--4. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General von Hammerstein-Equord K.
==========
Army Group C has the largest concentration of mobile forces, with 2 full Panzergruppen and an army of motorized infantry. This force will shatter the Soviet defenses in Galicia, opening a hole in the Red Army's lines 180 miles wide. Advancing onto the steppe of Belarus and Ukraine, these forces will surround and destroy the bulk of the Red Army, preventing its retreat across the Dniepr river. Field Marshal Schwarz A. has overall command of the Armeegruppe, with Field Marshals Guderian and von Manstein commanding their respective Panzergruppen.
Armeegruppe C - Field Marshal Schwarz A.
-Panzergruppe 'von Manstein' - Field Marshal von Manstein
--1. Panzer Armee - General von Dutchie
---XVII. Panzerkorps - General von Dutchie
----10. Panzer Division - General von Dutchie
----13. Panzer Division - Mj. General von Randow
----21. Panzer Division - Mj. General Weidling
---XVIII. Panzerkorps - Lt. General Kemper
----20. Panzer Division - Lt. General Kemper
----17. Panzer Division - Lt. General Wunnenberg
----16. Panzer Division - Lt. General Kruger W.
---XIX. Armeekorps - Lt. General von Muffin
----254. Motorized Division - Lt. General von Muffin
----262. Motorized Division - Lt. General Hohne
----29. Motorized Division - Lt. General Sanne
--2. Panzer Armee - Field Marshal von Manstein
---XXI. Panzerkorps - Lt. General Paulus
----12. Panzer Division - Lt. General Paulus
----14. Panzer Division - Mj. General von Lenski
----26. Panzer Division - Lt. General Knobbelsdorff
---XXII. Panzerkorps - Field Marshal von Manstein
----Panzergrenadier Division 'Brandenberg' - Field Marshal von Manstein
----20. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General Kruger Wa.
----25. Panzergrenadier Division - Mj. General von Langermann und Erienkamp
---XX. Armeekorps - Lt. General von Grebe Jr
----18. Motorized Division - Lt. General von Grebe Jr
----345. Motorized Division - Mj. General Pannwitz
----386. Motorized Division - Lt. General von Falkenhorst
-Panzergruppe 'Guderian' - Field Marshal Guderian
--3. Panzer Armee - General von Kleist
---XXIII. Panzerkorps - General von Kleist
----11. Panzer Division - General von Kleist
----19. Panzer Division - Lt. General Fischer K.
----9. Panzer Division - Mj. General Balck
---XXIV. Panzerkorps - Lt. General von Arnim
----15. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General Steiner
----29. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General Harpe
----90. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General von Arnim
---XXV. Armeekorps - Lt. General Brand
----25. Motorized Division - Lt. General Demelhuber
----36. Motorized Division - Mj. General Grasser
----60. Motorized Division - Lt. General Brand
--4. Panzer Armee - Field Marshal Guderian
---XXVI. Panzerkorps - Field Marshal Guderian
----15. Panzer Division - Field Marshal Guderian
----23. Panzer Division - Mj. General Raus
----24. Panzer Division - Mj. General von Rottiger
---XXVII. Panzerkorps - Lt. General von Thoma
----Panzergrenadier Division 'Grossdeutschland' - Lt. General von Funck
----10. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General Keppler
----18. Panzergrenadier Division - Lt. General von Thoma
---XXVIII. Armeekorps - General Churchill J.
----246. Motorized Division - General Churchill J.
----239. Motorized Division - Lt. General von Chappuis
----255. Motorized Division - Lt. General von Rabenau
--16. Armee (9 Motorized Divisions) - General von Smirnoff
--5. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General Angry Gorilla
--6. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General von dem Bussche-Ippenburg
--11. Armee (5 Infantry Divisions) - Lt. General von Wietersheim
==========
Field Marshal Krzycki's Army Group D contains lots of mountaineers but no mechanized divisions. Krzycki's primary task is to engage and defeat the Soviets defending Ukraine, whilst not allowing the enemy to escape before the mobile divisions further north can complete the encirclement. Field Marshal Mico has command of 2 mountaineer armies, and will push through Ukraine as quickly as possible in order to seize the Caucasus.
Heeresgruppe D - Field Marshal Krzycki
-Gebirgsjaegergruppe 'Mico' - Field Marshal Mico
--1. Gebirgsarmee (6 Mountain Divisions) - General Dietl
--2. Gebirgsarmee (7 Mountain Divisions) - Field Marshal Mico
--9. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General von Cochenhausen F.
--8. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General Ulex
--7. Armee (9 Infantry Divisions) - General Brandt G.
==========
The Luftwaffe has committed virtually every asset except for the interceptor wings defending the west and the new naval bombers. Based in airfields as far north as Memel and as far south as Bucharest, the air force will be able to bring to bear an unprecedented fleet of level bombers, dive bombers, and multi-role fighters. Total strength is 28 wings of Ju-88s, 12 wings of Ju-87Gs, and 20 wings of Me-109Gs. Also deployed are 3 wings of transport planes, in Memel.
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And so it begins !
And I have my own Heeresgrupe.
66 Divisions, the treacherous soviets are going to suffer.
And I have my own Heeresgrupe.
66 Divisions, the treacherous soviets are going to suffer.
And I have my own Heeresgrupe.
66 Divisions, the treacherous soviets are going to suffer.
Pssh... Panzergruppe 'TheRealKestrel', with its 12 brigades of Tigers, could thrash you guys!
I haven't started the war with the Soviets yet, but I can already imagine what it will be like. They only have 314 Infantry and 22 Armored divisions, and a lot of those are not deployed in Belarus (they are at war with Japan). It's not only going to be a cakewalk, it'll be a joke. I'll inflict a defeat on the Reds so crushing it'll make Operation Sealion look like a close fight. There are a couple of things I could do:
1) Play on and laugh while Soviet rivers become choked with dead Russians. This won't be challenging, even if I save and reload on Very Hard/Furious.
2) Redeploy some of my divisions (particularly mobile units) to other theaters and handicap myself. For instance, invade Turkey and go for the Suez.
3) Edit the savegame file and give the Russians more everything. More units, more infrastructure, more IC, more money, etc.
4) Load up as the Soviet Union and try and survive.
5) Load up as the USA and play on.
The last 2 would be challenging and fun because Germany is a ****ing powerhouse right now (550 IC and colossal armed forces), but frustrating because TheRealKestrel would be Blitzkrieging the heck out of me. :wacko: What do you guys think?
Attack Sweden (if you don't control it anyway), Turkey and the USSR all at once. That's more challenging without having to leave troops behind for not "historical" reason.
I´m fine with options 1 and 2, but I probably like 2 more.
And whoa, I didn´t notice it was 1942 already.
And whoa, I didn´t notice it was 1942 already.
I would say 3, give the Soviets something like 200 Divisions to defend the west and so on.
Wir kämpfen für Deutshcland! Sternreiter will lead his troops in the glorious landings on Leningrad and Moscow and whatever the hell comes in his way!
I'd like if you'd give the soviets a buttload of IC and troops rather than handicapping yourself, frankly.
I'd like if you'd give the soviets a buttload of IC and troops rather than handicapping yourself, frankly.
I think I'll do a combination of adding more divisions to the Soviets, and using some of my troops in other theaters. It'll take me a bit to edit the savegame, so it may be a few days. Also, I have work...
Edit: Using the HoI2 editor was actually pretty fast, although I didnt make names for most of the added divisions. The Russians now have around 550 divisions and almost as much IC as Germany. We shall see if they are able to hold.
Edit: Using the HoI2 editor was actually pretty fast, although I didnt make names for most of the added divisions. The Russians now have around 550 divisions and almost as much IC as Germany. We shall see if they are able to hold.
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my gebirgsjeager gruppe will blast through the Russians like a hot spoon through butter! :rofl:
First stop- Caucasus
Second stop- Urals
Third stop- ???
Fourth stop- to infinity and beyond!
First stop- Caucasus
Second stop- Urals
Third stop- ???
Fourth stop- to infinity and beyond!
Chapter 13
The Big Prize (cont)
The Big Prize (cont)
The German plan for the invasion of the Soviet Union is geared towards a single goal: destroying large elements of the Red Army before it is able to withdraw to the east. Strong infantry attacks will engage the enemy forces and enable our panzer formations to break through line to encircle and destroy the Russians. Due to the nature of this plan, casualties amongst the infantry divisions may be extremely high as the Russians will have the advantage in terms of numbers and terrain. This is necessary in order to ensure that the Panzer Armies have the space and freedom to maneuver around the enemy's flanks and ensure his total destruction.
OKW is hopeful that the first phase of Operation Barbarossa, including the isolation and elimination of Russian forces in East Poland, South Ukraine, and Lithuania, will be completed by the middle of July. We will then establish a new offensive position on the line Jelgava - Smolensk - Kiev - Rostov, in preparation for further operations. The following map has been prepared showing our proposed armored thrusts (Red), infantry attacks (blue), and expected pockets of Red Army forces (yellow). Note that this plan will leave a large gap between our advancing panzer groups and the following infantry. Much will depend on the Luftwaffe's ability to scout and interdict enemy counter attacks.
A message from the head of OKW, Walther von Brauchitsch, is broadcast to German troops on May 12th:
"Soldiers and Airmen of the Reich, you are about to take part in the greatest struggle in the history of mankind. The Godless Reds in the East will stop at nothing to crush our Fatherland to dust; we must therefore strike first, and strike hard! By now you have all know that America has come into the war on the side of the Western Allies. We shall not repeat the mistakes of the last war; there shall be no second front. I now set before you this glorious mission: destroy the Red Army utterly before the onset of winter. By simply doing his duty, every mechanic, rifleman and tank driver is a hero to the Fatherland! Remember, the eyes of Germany are upon you, so go now and march to victory!"
X hour is 0700, May 18th, 1942.
EPIC!!! 90,000 soldiers that will die for the will of the Angry Gorilla
More, since 5th Armee is fully brigaded with artillery.