"Don't let that big bugger near me" - a british '39 AAR

[Mjarr]

On 31st of August, it was another rainy day in England. Couples were happily singing in the rain, walking in the park and be all merry. However, suddenly the mood became obnoxious, dark, depressing, as if some black magic was cast upon the skies.

Shortly after, a table was thrown out of the House of Commons. Someone was cursing as their mother-in-law showed up to complain, but this time it was something else. Something grim, as if The Groke had frozen the building. In this case, The Groke was no else than Adolf Hitler of Germany. England, France and their allies were under war. Some politicians were not happy of the new tea restrictions to conserve supplies to the soon-to-be frontlines. Everyone went crazy as they'd sniffed too many pounds of sugar at once. However, in the sense of madness a secretary decided to talk about some facts:

September 1st, 1939. Not only our daily tea rations were reduced, but we are also at war against Germany. Seems like Chamberlain's appeasement policy didn't pay off as expected. Nevertheless, the cabinet is currently yelling as if possessed. I heard that Sir John Simon was appointed as new armanents minister and the old one - whoever the hell he was - was booted supposedly due lack of competence. Minister of Security was also changed, Anthony Eden said that they're going to need more men - and Templewood could get the job done. I think they should appoint a writer or an artist instead, they atleast could sound more credible in their monotone voice and actually make something, but I am just a mere secretary.

However, another thing that is debated currently is the military funding and production. They ordered immediatly to expand the army, RAF and RN. For some unknown reason they decided to comission two Hood-class battlecruisers aswell, presumably to be extra target practice for the germans. They have no problems comissioning obsolete ships, yet they howled like buggered when the tea restrictions were announced. It remains to be seen how it happens, as currently the army and navy are very secretive about their spendings and planning.

This is my first AAR, and this is also my first time trying to play AoD properly. I initially thought about starting in '36 but I find it more amusing to start when you're caught pants down. Some notes should be mentioned:

-There are more or less modifications done to the game; unit buildtimes increased in general (capital ships takes 2-3 years to build without any bonuses, and for the same reason IC costs are not yet updated to reflect real status on few ships), combat is also greatly modified.
-This AAR's focus is not so greatly in powergaming, so be prepared to have boring moments while reading.
-I'll try to update this fairly regularly

 

[Mjarr]

September 20th, 1939.

Our polish friends were unable to mount any serious resistance after several weeks of fierce fighting. Chamberlain requested an expedictionary force to be sent but obviously it didn't work out as planned. The chaps from the intelligence department said that the germans were just too good. I doubt that, as some polish accounts says the germans yelling "Panzerrush kekekeke" occasionally - whatever that is even suppoed to mean? Military lingo? Orders? Operation name?

Another threat we've noted is the Kriegsmarine. Their u-boats are sinking convoys at will while we don't have any real way to counter this threat. What's up with the lack of foresight? You could probably detect them by their laughter than with the RN destroyer eguipment.

 

[unmerged(166917)]

Great a new British AAR, subscribed!

 

[Mjarr]

Between the past few months, there has been alot of activity going on. Between October and early November, one carrier and one heavy cruiser was almost sunk in ASW due by sneaky german u-boat aces. Luckily they were able to retreat rather than sleep with the fishes.

The morale on the homefront was bit poor. Several air raids have been attempted - mostly at night - but under Dowding's leadership the RAF has shot down 44 bombers. It's enough to keep the locals happy, but it was not until 20th of November that the british press made fun out of the germans:

The Kriegsmarine ships were all sunk at the cost of few dents and minor damages on HMS Nelson. However, shortly before this event we heard that Soviet Union declared war to Finland. I was expected finns to surrender the first moment they could, but it's been almost a month since the declaration of war and our reporters in Finland are saying that they haven't been able to advance a single inch.

Our leaders have also finally found some consensus about what to do next. Italy has greatly been increasing its activity on our North African border, and our intelligence suggests that more troops are being prepared in Rome. After we re-establish sealanes around the coast of Portugal another four divisions are going to be shipped in Africa.

 

[Mjarr]

Feburary 26, 1940.

I am losing faith in my country's ability to do something. German u-boats have damaged total 9 ships in the past two months (two of 'em which are capital) and in return we have only sunk few submarines. They are unchallenged for the moment, but luckily our new destroyers were approved and first ones are already being built, and some of the new sailors are already under training. By summer we should be able to deploy them against the growing u-boat threat. However, another problem we're currently facing is partly related to u-boats: we're having problems trading stocks of important rare materials. Bloody yanks won't trade much and some other countries are simply incapable of such trade due u-boats. The Royal Navy leadership should be shot for the lack of foresight.

But we managed to ship several extra divisions in North Africa, but since late January no sightings of troop movement or transportation have been reported. However, in Finland - what is called as 'winter war' - the situation is unexpected.

According to our reporters in Finland, not only they repelled the massive Soviet juggernaut, but they launched their own counter offensive and have occupied Murmansk and advanced hundred miles almost across the whole border. The story goes that entire Soviet corps is encircled and dependant on small port for supplies.

 

[unmerged(166917)]

Go Finland!
Poor Stalin, hehe.

Concerning the U Boat threat, are your researching new naval doctrines?

 

[unmerged(155178)]

The shortened line will make it harder for the Soviets to break the Finns. Perhaps we will see Finland bombed into submission? Mass casualties?

 

[son of liberty]

You are brave starting UK in 39. Good luck! Go Finland

 

[Mjarr]

Go Finland!
Poor Stalin, hehe.

Concerning the U Boat threat, are your researching new naval doctrines?

Yes, I've been concentrating on them since the start of scenario but they're slower to finish than new destroyers.

Besides, getting new destroyers which are capable of sinking subs more efficiently than 10-30 year old ones is a priority for the moment. So far my light cruisers have sunk more subs than destroyers

Perhaps we will see Finland bombed into submission? Mass casualties?

I think the next update will answer to your question.


March 30th, 1940. After the germans occupied Poland with their new ally, there has been major lack of operations in general. Several air raids were attempted on UK late last year, but after that they have mostly been concentrated in France. The aerial activity in France has been massive; they claim most of their AA batteries are shooting more bullets than they can replenish. My theory is that they are so much on wine that they can't shoot straight. They also requested an expedictionary force as the germans have been moving troops towards the belgian border, probably reattempting the Schlieffen plan. Chamberlain accepted the request and two motorized divisions and one HQ staff is being shipped to France ASAP.

However, shortly after the decision the germans declared war on Norway and Denmark. Sir John Simon suggested that we deploy two recently mobilized infantry divisions to Norway and The Royal Navy to block invasion attempts. For some reason no-one argued against the decision and they are going to be shipped within a week. I personally doubt about their capabilities to survive in the cold mountains.

There has been rather unsurprising turn of events in Finland aswell. One part of their army has been isolated and cut off in Kola and the Soviets have reclaimed their former borders. I would say it is only a matter of time before the peace treaties are signed, even though considering how they already humiliated them bit over a month ago, I'd rather not make any too serious estimations.

One thing our foreign minister pointed out aswell is the situation in China. After several years of bloody war, Japan has slowly gained territory and has the upper hand. Our troops in India are being prepared for potential invasion, and Hong Kong garrison has also been ordered to commence extra exercises in case of japanese attack.

 

[unmerged(166917)]

Yes, I've been concentrating on them since the start of scenario but they're slower to finish than new destroyers.

Besides, getting new destroyers which are capable of sinking subs more efficiently than 10-30 year old ones is a priority for the moment. So far my light cruisers have sunk more subs than destroyers

Oh I see, you definitely need new shiny destroyers.

 

[Mjarr]

Shortly after The Royal Navy went off to establish a blockade, the Kriegsmarine came off the docks en masse. Ironically it was almost as the Battle of Jutland over twenty years ago, albeit not as huge in terms of size. After initial contact Force B was called in as reinforcements while the other would retreat after suffering heavy damage. After the battle raged for bit over a day, neither sides claimed victory even though germans did lose one ship. After the event, both Forces had to be pulled off for repairs due major damages taken in the engagement.

However, Denmark fell after one week of fierce resistance. It was quite quiet around Norway until a month later Germany managed to establish a beachhead Bergen. The expedictionary force arrived in Norway a week prior the beachhead and were given orders to hold their positions in the north and delay german advance as much as possible. The situation in Finland remains unchanged.

However, as they established a beachhead in Norway they also declared war and launched a major offense in Europe. By the look of it, they are going for Schileffen rerun and the BEF has been given orders to move in Belgium.

 

[son of liberty]

So it begins. Best of luck.

 

[Mjarr]

It took some time before the british even saw any real combat. Dempsey's single division was en route to Brussels when it was under attack. They held out for two days before having to retreat in order to avoid unnecessary casualties; most of the belgian defenders two days after being completely disorganized by their earlier retreats. Also, Soviet Union announced that they signed peace treaty with Finland. I still find it interesting that a small country held massive juggernaut back for nearly six months before peace talks began.

Of course, the germans pressed on after few days. It was not until the Luftwaffe concentrated massive bombardments and reserves to the battle before retreat became inevitable. After three days of fierce fighting and ultimately retreating to Dunkirk, the british prepared to restock their supplies and wait for the french response.

Another massive Luftwaffe bombardment was en route, but this time the RAF disorganized the wave. About 35 bombers were shot down within the next few hours while few british pilots had to bail out on french territory.

As a grim turn of events, the BEF - among with several other french divisions - was encircled in Dunkirk. Churchill almost choked to death after inhaling cigar while lads from the army intelligence told him the information. He immediatly ordered the evacuation of the BEF. Luckily the transports responsible for shipping them in were stationed in Dunkirk, thus the evacuation could begin with minimal delays.*

The press have made the event to sound like a propaganda victory, while the situation in France is hopeless. Pincer attack from Belgium and through the Ardennes have left the french army to retreat en masse. I wonder where their miraculous AA batteries or fighter pilots are when they're truly needed. Churchill, Dowding and Brooke have already discussed plans about what to do next, but they are secretive about them and the room is too well sealed to allow eavesdropping properly.


I wasn't really planning to relive the Dunkirk thing but sometimes the irony can be quite amusing :rofl:

 

[unmerged(166917)]

Oh a Miracle at Dunkirk...what a surprise!
I hope that you're prepared for the inext german invasion.

 

[son of liberty]

Dunkirk, :rofl: Good job getting out of there though.

 

[deadmeat1471]

Dunkirk, :rofl: Good job getting out of there though.

Yeah, I didn't. Rub it in.

 

[Mjarr]

It was getting late June and France was still holding out with its last units, probably using broken winebottles as their weapons while the germans were throwing peace treaties - or just prepared the white flag, knowing their history.

Situation in Africa is a phoney trench war. Even though between few months they've increased their activity on land, so far only real engagements have been fought on the sea with mixed success: Initially the italians were even too afraid to leave the ports after several engagements, but once they got out they sure put up a good fight as several destroyers and cruisers were lost during one month. Seems like they are capable of fighting after all. In the meantime, the Luftwaffe have put up major aerial offense over the skies of England. While they initially were able to roam free without any real resistance, things are getting more settled after night raids to german airfields and more limited (but concentrated) patrols on single areas. Many of the pilots are aces currently and few are already credited with over 10 confirmed kills. Approximite losses for german fighters are unknown while bomber losses are estimated to be near 300 while RAF has lost 120 Hurricanes. Due intense AA batteries and radar coverage it's hard to estimate damaged and irreparable losses.

However as of August, their numbers have increased as they have been able to transport more troops due the RN having only one fleet that isn'tfull of holes in the area and it needs to restock its supplies first.

 

[unmerged(166917)]

You're clearly outnumbered in Egypt, but it's still not enough for the Italians.

 

[Mjarr]

In early November it became obvious that Churchill wanted some sort of action as the public was quite melancholic about the situation. The threat of Blitz is mainly neutralized and luckily they mainly targeted military targets rather than industry or other civilian related, and Operation Cigar was announced. Even though the italians had numerical superiority in Egypt, their quality was another thing and italian planes were virtually absent. Those few skirmishes fought mostly ended up as turkey shots for Spitfires. The date for the operation was 8th of November by early morning hours.

Initial success was excellent: armored and motorized thrust with major air support in the south caused italian lines to break after three days, and followed by a coordinated thrust to the north afterwards making use of the salient that was created and exploiting the slow italian reaction.

Second part of Operation Cigar was to expand the front further south to force italians to have its troops spread out more, but here's where everything went down the toilet so to speak. Shortly after the infantry arrived to the area, italians launched their own counter offense and due low supplies and exhausted troops, even engineers with their improvised minefields were unable to stop them properly and thus a retreat was in order.

After retreat the italians kept pushing on with their divisions and as a result the flank was exposed greatly and the centre was on the danger of encirclement. After Montgomery and Horrocks delayed the italian divisions fir a brief moment, Field Marshall Brooke issued an order to retreat to pre-operation positions. Had he not done so, it would've probably resulted into partitial destruction of the army, including our only armoured divisions. By the time they retreated Montgomery was reporting that several of his battalions were literally out of shells while the italians kept pushing onward. While Churchill got mildly furious when he heard about it, after having brief negotiation with Field Marshall Ironside - the chief of staff - he realized that it was for the best. The press on the other hand are making bit fun out of it, as not only the Luftwaffe manages to pull the strings occasionally but so did the italians now. On a positive side, the italians are suffering from the same exact problems.

It was back to square one. Almost, until another threat appeared. Not completely out of the blue, but still rather unexpectedly.

 

[unmerged(166917)]

Treacherous Japanese!
They were supposed to attack in December, not in February!
But it's not that bad, now the US are your allies.