Der andere österreichische Obergefreite - (The Other Austrian Corporal), A German AAR

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Der andere österreichische Obergefreite – (The Other Austrian Corporal)


Der andere österreichische Obergefreite – (The Other Austrian Corporal)


An AAR for Hearts of Iron 1936 – 1948
By Cpt. 2Coats (British Intelligence)
____________________________________

Historians have recorded what the premier corporal from Austria was doing around this time. For the world, a bleak time in the passage of mankind was about to unfold.

Unfortunately, like so many terrible things in this world, terrible men of power take the vision of one evil man and propel it into a maelstrom from which there can be no going back. When an evil act such as the one that was about to occur takes place, only two outcomes can there be. For the winner, victory and for the loser…….. defeat!

This is the story of the “other” Austrian corporal. Until now, kept hidden by governments and secret service agencies, but now, the time has come to reveal the courage, the determination, the inner belief and the vision that one man held for a better mankind, during the dark times of World War II.

......
EDIT: Was originally titled The Other Bavarian Corporal, I seem to remember in history class that my teacher/books said he was from Bavaria. Or maybe Im losing my memory....!!

Changes are due to input from Maximillian I and f_alk.

 

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I think this will be a fun AAR. I will be following this one.

 

[Maximilian I]

hey! that corporal was from Austria and not from Bavaria!


*grumbles and returns to the beergarden*

 

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Re: Das Andere BayerncObergefreite – (The Other Bavarian Corporal), A German AAR

Das Andere BayerncObergefreite – (The Other Bavarian Corporal)

Actually, apart from the guy being austrian and not bavarian, it should be:

Der andere österreichische(austrian) / bayrische(bavarian) Obergefreite

...

For all those actually interestes in german grammar :
- "das" is the neutral "the", "der" is the male form.
- capital letters only for nouns, names and at the beginning od a sentence.
- adjectives taken from a noun usually end on "-isch" (Bayern -> bayrisch, Österreich -> österreichisch).

Hope i was not too annoying with my 2 €-cents

 

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f_alk. I was waiting for this. Many thanks.

Im not German speaking, so I got it from babelfish!!! There will be more German in it (not much). Would appreciate some help with the translations.....

 

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2Coats,

don't worry about that, you are always welcome with any translation questions. Just send me a message with the englisch text you want to have translated.

Falk

 

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CHAPTER 1: 1936 - Plans of Domination



January, Reich Chancellery - Berlin


It has been a traumatic last few years for the German population, but now with Adolf Hitler as the newly installed Head of State, the fatherland could at last begin to rise to the challenge of recovering its greatness.

Gathered in The Marble Gallery, the figures sat and stood in groups around the warming fireplaces, sipping schnapps or brandy, while some smoked cigars. All congregated in the elongated high-ceiling room gave the impression of person of great stature, importance and social standing and all but one, was clothed in military attire.

The entire Reich cabinet was awaiting the summons of their revered leader. Each minister sat in the expensive leather clad armchairs in either one of two groups; civilian and military ministers. From left to right the first group consisted of Constantin von Neurath – Foreign Minister, Hjalmar Schacht – the Armaments Minister and Wilhelm Frick – Security Minister. While the second was made up of; Wilhelm Canaris – Minister of Intelligence, Ludwig Beck – Chief of Staff, Werner von Fritsch – Chief of Army, Erich Raeder – Chief of Navy and Herman Goering – Chief of Air.

The first group were pre-occupied with a discussion on the current industrial output of the nation’s industry and whether or not it would be enough for the leader’s upcoming plans. The second group’s discussion focused on the current technology in use by the nation’s military forces.

The sound of the combined chatter was suddenly cut off as a door at the far end of the long room was opened. All eight ministers immediately ceased what was being discussed and stood to attention. Through the door came a tall, well-proportioned man that the ministers recognised was the leader’s adjutant. Collectively and near silently each man present in the room gave a slight sigh of relief. Could this be nervousness perhaps? Wilhelm Frick catching the general feeling in the room almost sniggered. The adjutant, a serving corporal in the German army Staff Korps, strode forward shoulders level, chin up but relaxed. He gave the impression of a being confident and resourceful member of the leaders staff.

He stopped in between the two groups and clicked the heels of his boots together, gave both groups a glance and then said “Gentlemen,” paused then continued, “Our glorious leader is ready to receive you, now!” “Please follow me”, he continued. With that, the corporal swivelled on the balls of his feet and promptly marched back towards the room he had entered from. The ministers promptly gathered themselves and strode behind the adjutant each and every one of them composing themselves to meet their head of state.

Once the members of the cabinet were in the room, the adjutant clicked his heels together and saluted all that were gathered there. The Head of State turned and thanked his adjutant. Then he said, “Danke, Otto. Please prepare the slideshow for viewing in ten minutes.”

Germany’s head of state and his ministers proceeded to discuss what had brought them together……, the formation of the New German Order. The first objective would be the reoccupation of the Rhineland, next would be the rejoining of the Germanic people reclamation of the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia, then Memel from Lithuania and then lost provinces now belonging to Poland. The next phase would be, if all went well, the subjugation of the enemies of the German people……, the accursed authors of the Versailles Treaty and lesser nations. Then, ……… well, only time would tell.

Otto stood next to the projector thus signalling to the Head of State that the slideshow was ready. Upon receiving a command from the head of state, Otto dimmed the lights and the ministers sat down to watch the presentation. This reel of film was the culmination of years of planning by the ministers gathered in Hitler’s office together with a number of their predecessors, who had since departed this realm of existence!

All eyes turned to the screen, including those of the projector operator Corporal Otto Schmitt. Then as the head of state stroked the white feline that rested upon his arm, Otto began digesting more information than the officials listening to the head of state were taking in, committing all details displayed before him, to memory......

 

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Great start.

 

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CHAPTER 2: The Homecoming Parade


March, Main thoroughfare - Köln


It was a bright sunny day. The sky was completely devoid of clouds, and the sun beamed from high above. Trumpets flared. Drums snared. Symbols crashed. The fanfare for the heroes could be heard through every street in Köln.

The sound of the city’s gathered population roared above the sound of the military band leading the impressive procession. Flags were waved furiously by the young, the old, men, women and children who wore infinite smiles of joy on their faces. This was all for the homecoming of the soldiers of Germany’s undefeatable Heer.

At a hastily constructed stand stood the Mayor of Köln and other civilian dignitaries with Field Marshall Keitel, commanding officer of the Germany 6th Army. Either side of him stood his korps leaders; Generals Liebmann and Jodl A, and Lt. Generals Warlmont and Fromm.

The 6th Army (all infantry) totalled 110,000 men, but only the fourth korps, Liebman’s command, was taking the honour of participating in the parade. Numbering 20,000 men it formed two full divisions. The other korps were stationed in Saarbruchen and Essen. The procession passed, twenty men wide and took half of the day to complete its military salute.

At the front back of crowd, opposite the grand entrance to the Dom cathedral, a figure stood just in front of the crowds opposite the stand housing the dignitaries. On his jacket, was an id card which had written upon it the word ‘Press’. He was operating a camera with flash and was taking photographs of the triumphant procession using both hands.

One hand operated the flash gun, whilst the other was concealed under the black veil that covered his head while he took a photograph. For every regiment that passed, the camera operator’s hidden hand operated the switch that took a photograph.

What was not seen, or imagined by anyone in the crowd or parade, was that the camera operator was fingering another switch on the flash gun. This operated a mechanical counting device concealed inside the flash gun counting the number of troops that passed. The camera operator knew the significance of what was occurring today even if most of the crowd did not know or care. All he thought about was his rendezvous later that night...........

 

[Morpheus506]

Great writing style, 2Coats. Looking forward to more!

 

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CHAPTER 3: Midnight Rendezvous



Foreword: Thanks for the remarks guys. Ill try to keep this AAR entertaining. I promise that the action will start coming in think and fast.....


March, City Suburbs - Köln


That night at around midnight on a moonless night, a man moved through the shadows of the city street as nimbly, as a black haired pussy on the prowl. In his possession he had the small counting device which he had earlier removed from the flashgun and some photographic negatives from the photographs he had taken. He made his was way to the rendezvous, a large tomb located in the largest cemetery in Köln taking care not to attract attention to his presence.

At last he arrived and stood in the shadow of a large oak tree. His contact was already there waiting for him, half concealed in the tomb entrance. It was a woman wearing a dark dress and hat. He waited fifteen minutes surveying the area for any enemy agents. It was clear.

He approached her stealthily, his hand on his rather large knife. It would not be prudent to use his revolver, unless this was a trap, and then it would be too late. As he got within 10 yards, he revealed his presence by asking for the password. He whispered, “The Munchen Express wont get here till nine oh four.” She replied with “I’m afraid you’re correct!”, then continued “….but all the seats are taken!”

That was the correct reply.

He handed over the counting mechanism and the negatives and then made his way back to his hotel room.

 

[Maximilian I]

screenies eventually?

 

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CHAPTER 4: Rhineland Re-Occupied



Foreword: Yes Max. Screenies will be made available. I have 700MB of them for this game. Once combat ensues in the AAR, you'll get a bucket load!!


March, Reich Chancellery, Hitler’s Office - Berlin


Meanwhile, in Berlin the German cabinet gathered in The Marble Room. Each man held a champagne glass and toasted the head of state. Adolf Hitler was taking-in the glory of the military re-occupation of the Rhineland.

The day before, he had personally authorised the operation through his Chief of Army. Upon receiving the order, Chief of Staff Werner von Fritsch had telephoned his friend, Field Marshall Keitel.

He was the commanding officer of the German 6th Army, who were head-quartered in Essen. The next day the columns of 2nd Korps had headed toward Köln and in one decisive action raised the likelihood of conflict between the great world powers.

After all, the Versailles Treaty would be enforced by the great nations of the democracy. Wouldn’t they? This question momentarily filled the mind of one person in the room. Corporal Otto Schmitt.

Then he noticed that the leader’s glass was in need of refilling. He moved forward with a bottle of expensive champagne to refill Adolf Hitler’s empty glass and all those thoughts evaporated from his mind……..

 

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I like this.

Looking forward too all those screenshots.

 

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CHAPTER 5: AAA and R&D



April, Northern German Coast

Over the course of the next week or so, hundreds of men rushed from the hard-hidden air-raid shelters and manned the newly installed anti-aircraft guns. The practice drills of the men, who would operate the AAA, went on until each man had fully familiarised themselves with the new weapons of defence.

Ordered by the chief of Army at the beginning of 1936, the initial construction of anti-aircraft guns in Köln, Essen, Saarbrücken, Münster, Kiel, Hamburg and Wilhelmshafen was now completed.

These weapons would be invaluable if ever an enemy of the German people attempted to target the centres of industry in the north of the country with long range bomber attacks.


April, In a secret complex somewhere under Dresden

The staff car pulled into the high-walled compound entrance, through two fortified checkpoints and drove to where the entrance of the secret building was. The rear left side door of the car was opened by a soldier who saluted.

Chief of Air, Herman Goering and his assistant exited the car and proceeded to shake the hand of the man dressed in a civilian suit.

“Welcome, Air Marshall.” said Willi Messerschmitt greetingly.

“Hallo, Herr Messerschmitt. I trust you are well?” replied the Air Marshall. “I hope the others are also here?” he continued.

Willi Messerschmitt responded by saying “Yes they are down below, awaiting you’re arrival.”

Pleasantries were exchanged and other Reich officials joined the pair of men as they descended down to a set of underground rooms. Together these rooms took up the space of an aircraft hanger where over thirty men and a few women in white long coats worked on a variety of engines, chassis’ and mounted weapons.

Upon reaching the submerged workshop, the Air Marshall was greeted by Ernst Heinkel, Anthony Fokker, Walter Rethel, W. Evers and Alfred Gassner. The assembled party walked through the assortment of engines, weapons and chassis’ that were being worked upon. They stopped before three aircraft parts that looked completed.

Willi Messerschmitt gestured toward the objects and proclaimed “Air Marshall and gentleman, I am proud to announce the completion of research for the glorious Reich, of the following: basic medium-range bomber engine and basic medium bomber airframe.”

“Additionally, we have also completed the basic short range fighter engine”, he continued smugly.

He looked over and waited for the Air Marshall’s response. So did the rest of the gather party, which now included all the technician, scientists and engineers.

Air Marshall Goering wanted quantifiable results to show for the expenditure in time, industrial capacity and funds. He knew that this would not be enough to report to the Head of State, but the programmes were on schedule for his plans. He held his discontent inside. With research site staff gathered around, he did not want to undermine their morale.

“Wunderbar, ladies and gentlemen!” the Air Marshall said with faked optimism. “The Führer will be most impressed” he exclaimed.

“Carry On!” he concluded. With that, he turned and went back to the elevator that would take him to the surface and his awaiting staff car and escort.

 

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CHAPTER 6: Reports and Memos



June, Adjutant Office, Reich Chancellery

Corporal Otto Schmitt was sitting in his desk chair, attending to his daily duties. Having suffered an injury and then a bout of near fatal pneumonia during the first world war, he had been consigned to administrative duties in his beloved Heer. Then later, he had been forced out on medical advice.

During the time since, he had often thought about the Great War, his miraculous survival, and the reason for it, the sorts of philosophical concepts a man thinks about when faced with near death. During his stay in various hospitals and prison cells, Otto had done a lot of thinking during that time, and then some. Then on one occasion, he had met Adolf Hitler.

From that moment on, Otto had realised that this man could possibly bring his defeated and embarrassed nation back to the fold of greatness. It was at that moment of enlightenment, that Otto discovered what motivated him through the recent bad times.

For him, it was the thought of repairing the damage of four years of brutal bloodletting on the fields of France and rectifying the betrayal of the politicians who had signed up to the Versailles Treaty thus condemning his homeland to its current shame. If he could help restore his fatherland to its greatness then he would surely repay whatever omnipresent force had saved him from death.

Upon meeting Adolf Hitler and hearing his speeches, he had become convinced that this man could be the catalyst of a national revival. He had also wanted to do whatever he could to help this man achieve it. By doing so he had been reinstated into the Heer as the Head of State's personal assistant. Now however, he was not so sure………….

There was a knock on the door. Otto awoke from his waking recollections.

The door opened and a member of Field Marshall Goering’s staff entered the office that adjoined the Head of State’s. Marching up to his desk, the soldier cleared his throat.

Without looking up, Otto asked “Yes, what is it?”

The soldier replied, “Memo from Air Marshall Goering, for the Fuehrer.”

“Leave it there” replied Otto.

The soldier complied with Otto’s order, and then about-turned and left by the same way he had entered.

Without looking at it, he already knew the contents! It was this month’s memo detailing the achievements made by the scientists and engineers working on the ‘secret projects’. It was addressed to the Head of State and marked ‘Eyes Only’.

This month’s memo would declare that the research for Sheltered Airfields Organization, Basic Light Bomber Prototype Tests and the Home Chain Doctrine had been completed.

Otto arose and picked up an earlier memo that he had received confirming that Basic Electromechanical Computers had been researched, for use in any forthcoming research and also increasing industrial capacity, and took them to the Führer’s office.

‘No doubt the Führer, would be pleased’ he thought to himself.

Indeed the Führer was.

 

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Liked the part about the famous aircraft technicians (Fokker, Heinkel). In the game your research is just about numbers, stories like this give it an extra dimension. Don´t stop writing.

 

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CHAPTER 7: Guerra Civil Española



Foreword: Apologies for the delay in updating this. I lost my C drive whilst trying to fix problems uploading files to my website.... <Murphy's Law>. Luckly, I was able to recover virtually all files of any import.

I'd just like to point out that the AAR now has number of pic's located from the very beginning up to this post and its my intention to keep adding them as I find them.

Thx for your interest and I hope you enjoy it.


July, Adjutant Office, Reich Chancellery

2memos™ lay in the in-tray on Corporal Schmitt’s desk.

The first, from the Chief of Army, indicated the completion of the second round of anti-aircraft guns construction in Köln, Essen, Saarbrücken, Münster, Kiel, Hamburg and Wilhelmshafen.

The second, a memo was a compilation of the latest research reports from various military leaders, engineers, scientists, industrial experts and technicians. It indicated what had research had been completed this month. The completed technologies were: Improved Infantry Weapons, Amphibious Tanks, Cavity Magnetron, Basic Artillery Pieces and most importantly, Assembly Mass-Production.

He was about to deliver them to the Führer, but then remembered that the Führer was seeing his ambassador to Spain and had left strict instructions not to be disturbed.

They had been in a meeting for the past couple of days which didn’t seem would end anytime soon. The longer it went on, the more Otto knew it would be bad news for the Spanish people, but he hoped at least not, for the citizens of Germany.

Eventually the meeting ended and the Führer’s envoy left, directly for the airport and his urgent mission. Otto arose and proceeded to take the memos to the Head of State before he retired to rest.


July, German Ambassador’s Residence in Madrid

General Wilhelm Faupel, Germany’s foremost expert of Latin America opened the bay doors of the residence’s garden.

He entered the garden, closely followed by Francisco Franco, the leader of the growing Nationalist movement in Spain.

General Faupel had over a month ago been appointed as Hitler’s ambassador to the current Spanish Republic. However, over the last couple of months he had be in contact mostly with General Franco, the leader of a rapidly growing Nationalist movement.

They had just finished discussing a most important matter. A matter, that a week earlier, had seen Faupel in Berlin, speaking directory to the head of state. He had been instructed there to personally receive, the Führer’s orders regarding Franco’s request.

They both lit cigarettes and drank from large brandy glasses. Franco had a smile on his face. The German ambassador had just relayed the Führer’s support for the Fascist regime; planes, ships, troops and armour would begin to be shipped into Spain covertly. Together they raised their glasses.

Franco raised his glass for a toast “For the glory of Spain”. The ambassador replied “…and for the glory of the Third Reich”. The Spanish Civil War was about to begin….



Late July, In a Bar in central Berlin

Captain Coats was sitting at a table reading the newspaper and watching the commotion taking place in the street outside.

The headline read ‘Bürgerkrieg’. In-fact the Nationalists in Spain had just declared war on the nation’s Republican government.

Captain Coats was already in possession of a very important fact, the German government had already agreed to support the Nationalist uprising.

As the local surveillance commander for the province, he also knew that envoys for the Italian government had also met with the Führer on this matter and that the Italians had also agreed to help General Franco’s revolt. These items of important information had already been relayed to headquarters back in Blighty.

What he didn’t know was that later on that day the Soviet Union had pledged support for the militarily weaker Republican government. The question that he mulled over while sipping his schnapps was whether or not, his government and the French, would also support the Republicans.


July, Adjutant Office, Reich Chancellery

It was a question that was also on the mind of Corporal Otto Schmitt.

Otto looked down and checked over the latest memo to arrive for the Führer. This time the following techs had been completed: Basic Dive Bomber, Infantry Gun 70mm+ and Howitzer 90mm+.

Just in time for this war he thought as he got up to deliver the memo to his leader.


Across the Atlantic

Meanwhile across the Atlantic in the United States of America, worried government and military officials began a series of emergencies meetings in response to the events in Spain.

 

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CHAPTER 8: Year End



September – December

Barely a month had passed since the beginning of the civil war in Spain. It was going well for the Nationalists. As Adolf Hitler had planned, he had made sure that men, equipment and supplies had gone to General Franco’s uprising, through ‘unofficial’ channels rather than straightforward support with a German expeditionary force.

Furthermore, during September the German research machine operating at near maximum capacity reported additional successes in the fields of Basic Medium-Range Bomber Prototype Tests , Basic SR Fighter Prototype Tests, Anti-Tank Gun 40mm+, Anti-Air Gun 30mm+ and Tank Gun 40mm+.

Additionally, more anti-aircraft guns in Saarbrücken, Münster, Kiel, Hamburg and Wilhelmshafen were completed

Then in October, German scientists and engineers developed Penicillin, DDT and Mepacrine, Basic Sub-machinegun, Basic Gear, Basic Suspension and Basic Engine.

In November Franklin D. Roosevelt (Dem.) in the United States Presidential Election was re-elected by the American voters.

At this time more research was developed in Germany taking the form of Airborne Warfare, Basic Tactical Bomber, Infantry Gun 100mm+ and Anti-Air Gun 40mm+.

Then in December an accidental discovery was made by Willi Messerschmitt that allowed him to complete the basic interceptor he was working on ahead of schedule. For this he was called and thanked by the Führer personally. After that call, Herr Messerschmitt had wiped the sweat from his brow. He knew what would happen to him if he failed the government. ‘Failure was not an option.’

He looked at the list of technologies that the Führer and his henchmen had requested for completion by 1939. 2years™ was not going to be enough, he thought to himself. Then he dismissed all doubts and got back to the job. He looked up and saw one of the engineers incorrectly fixing a panel to a wire skeleton.

“Nein, nein, nein” he shouted. He showed the man how it should be placed and then let him take over. Willi was not a strict employer, but his own were. As he walked back to his office, he made a mental note of remembering to have the engineer replaced. After all, his employers would not be as forgiving of him if he failed them.


Looking forward

The final days of the year delivered a host of successfully completed research including: Blood Transfusions, Improved Battlefield C3I, Assault Guns & Tank Destroyers, Frequency Modulation, Basic Magnetic AT Mines and Basic Tank Gun Ammunition.

For the German government the year had ended on a high note. Research was ahead of schedule and had delivered many new technologies that would help in the upcoming project. Next year would also see a push for more technologies and to gain more resources so that stockpile levels would be enough to last the first phase of the initial actions. It would also see some political manoeuvring.

Their plans of global domination were slowly but surely becoming reality.

As for Otto, the good he'd had envisaged the Austrian and German people would receive from this government was diminishing rapidly. His doubts were compounded with stories of strange happenings to any dissenters. Stories that if true were too terrible to contemplate.

 

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Good AAR. I like all the screenshots.