Eastern Crusade
Normal/Furious, Vanilla 1.2
The year is 1941. The Second World War never happened. However, what did happen was the Second Polish-Soviet War, which pitted Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Romania and, eventually, Persia against the Bolsheviks.
Second Polish-Soviet War, 1940-194? -
Campaign of 1940
In June of 1940, the Pripet Marches spanning both sides of the border between Soviet Union and Poland became a deadly trap for almost 40 Soviet divisions as German armored spearheads penetrated the "thin brown line" south of Minsk and at Mogilev-Podolski. Soon enough, another 20 divisions were encircled in Transnistria and eliminated. The German armored force, having bested the vast tank armada of the Red Army, swept up towards Moscow, capturing it in early August without any intent to hold it, but sending shivers up the spines of Soviet leadership. Meanwhile, another 9 divisions were caught at Bryansk by this maneuver and consequently reduced by combined German and Slovak efforts. In late august, all ground combat operations in the European theater were stopped for the Fall and WInter. There was one other theater left, however...
In early October, Persia, after teetering on the brink for almost 5 years, finally succumbed to von Neurath's diplomacy and entered the war against Communism. As almost 50% of the Red Army were destroyed during the summer, it was fully expected that Persia would encounter only limited resistance in the Caucasus and, to supplement their efforts, the 1. Alpenjaegerdivision was sent to Iran by sea. The hopes of Shah Reza Pahlavi for a quick victory were soon disappointed, however, as Soviet troops began their assault upon his country from Central Asia. Most of the Iranian army had to be diverted for the protection of Teheran, leaving paltry forces, which were constantly harassed by enemy aircraft, to take Baku - the gambit succeeded, but Persia remains in a precarious situation, as the European theater will be dormant until at least late April.
Naval Operations in 1940
The original expectation that the Soviet navy would attempt a breakout from its bases in Sevastopol and Leningrad was satisfied in the summer on several occasions. As a result, German land-based aircraft and the Baltic Fleet had destroyed both the Marat and the October Revolution, while Romanian navy obliterated Chervonaja Ukraina (CL). The Soviet surface navy ceased to be a threat, and their vast submarine force remained a barely noticeable threat to German convoys in the Baltic.
Air Operations in 1940
The Luftwaffe and, at times, the Polish airforce were used closely in conjunction with land forces to interdict retreating and encircled Soviet troops. Doing so entailed heavy casualties in some airgroups, but, as German troops advanced and newer fighter models were introduced, the Soviet airforce lost the best of its airbases and a good portion of its airforce. By the Fall of 1940, Axis had undisputed air superiority, even though the Soviet Union still has the second largest airforce in the world. Currently, most of the fighter airgroups at the front at engaged in air superiority operations, while tactical airgroups continue to hinder runway repairs at Opochka.
Plans for the Future
German political and military leadership, expecting a war with the Allies by 1945, has agreed to fund some of Heisenberg's and von Braun's outlandish research, so far producing little practical benefits. Yet, the scientists promise that, by 1945, Germany might well have a weapon of awesome power capable of destroying England in mere hours. That would be crucial in any war with the West, as Germany utterly neglected the development of its naval forces, pouring most of its resources into the largest airforce on the planet.
The Eastern War, as it is now known in Germany, will likely continue with a repeat of the 1940 campaign, this time along the upper reaches of the Don. Final objective - vast industrial complexes along the mighty Volga. Additionally, German military intelligence has gained some contacts among the Russian emigrant communities in France, England and USA, as well as some communications with the increasingly disgruntled Bolshevik commanders. It is now known for sure that, if German and Polish troops advance any further into European Russia, the Soviet Union may be so destabilized as to beg for a humiliating peace. Knowing full well that a super-Poland is undesirable and that Russia would be uncontrollable if left occupied, Germany now plans to create a new Russian state capable of finishing off the Comintern on its own, as well as partitioning Poland once the opportunity arises...
(Out of Character - I only need to control 25% of Soviet national territory, or roughly 75 provinces, to trigger Bitter Peace, since I am not at war with the Allies. I currently have about 40)
Normal/Furious, Vanilla 1.2
The year is 1941. The Second World War never happened. However, what did happen was the Second Polish-Soviet War, which pitted Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Romania and, eventually, Persia against the Bolsheviks.
Second Polish-Soviet War, 1940-194? -
Campaign of 1940
In June of 1940, the Pripet Marches spanning both sides of the border between Soviet Union and Poland became a deadly trap for almost 40 Soviet divisions as German armored spearheads penetrated the "thin brown line" south of Minsk and at Mogilev-Podolski. Soon enough, another 20 divisions were encircled in Transnistria and eliminated. The German armored force, having bested the vast tank armada of the Red Army, swept up towards Moscow, capturing it in early August without any intent to hold it, but sending shivers up the spines of Soviet leadership. Meanwhile, another 9 divisions were caught at Bryansk by this maneuver and consequently reduced by combined German and Slovak efforts. In late august, all ground combat operations in the European theater were stopped for the Fall and WInter. There was one other theater left, however...
In early October, Persia, after teetering on the brink for almost 5 years, finally succumbed to von Neurath's diplomacy and entered the war against Communism. As almost 50% of the Red Army were destroyed during the summer, it was fully expected that Persia would encounter only limited resistance in the Caucasus and, to supplement their efforts, the 1. Alpenjaegerdivision was sent to Iran by sea. The hopes of Shah Reza Pahlavi for a quick victory were soon disappointed, however, as Soviet troops began their assault upon his country from Central Asia. Most of the Iranian army had to be diverted for the protection of Teheran, leaving paltry forces, which were constantly harassed by enemy aircraft, to take Baku - the gambit succeeded, but Persia remains in a precarious situation, as the European theater will be dormant until at least late April.
Naval Operations in 1940
The original expectation that the Soviet navy would attempt a breakout from its bases in Sevastopol and Leningrad was satisfied in the summer on several occasions. As a result, German land-based aircraft and the Baltic Fleet had destroyed both the Marat and the October Revolution, while Romanian navy obliterated Chervonaja Ukraina (CL). The Soviet surface navy ceased to be a threat, and their vast submarine force remained a barely noticeable threat to German convoys in the Baltic.
Air Operations in 1940
The Luftwaffe and, at times, the Polish airforce were used closely in conjunction with land forces to interdict retreating and encircled Soviet troops. Doing so entailed heavy casualties in some airgroups, but, as German troops advanced and newer fighter models were introduced, the Soviet airforce lost the best of its airbases and a good portion of its airforce. By the Fall of 1940, Axis had undisputed air superiority, even though the Soviet Union still has the second largest airforce in the world. Currently, most of the fighter airgroups at the front at engaged in air superiority operations, while tactical airgroups continue to hinder runway repairs at Opochka.
Plans for the Future
German political and military leadership, expecting a war with the Allies by 1945, has agreed to fund some of Heisenberg's and von Braun's outlandish research, so far producing little practical benefits. Yet, the scientists promise that, by 1945, Germany might well have a weapon of awesome power capable of destroying England in mere hours. That would be crucial in any war with the West, as Germany utterly neglected the development of its naval forces, pouring most of its resources into the largest airforce on the planet.
The Eastern War, as it is now known in Germany, will likely continue with a repeat of the 1940 campaign, this time along the upper reaches of the Don. Final objective - vast industrial complexes along the mighty Volga. Additionally, German military intelligence has gained some contacts among the Russian emigrant communities in France, England and USA, as well as some communications with the increasingly disgruntled Bolshevik commanders. It is now known for sure that, if German and Polish troops advance any further into European Russia, the Soviet Union may be so destabilized as to beg for a humiliating peace. Knowing full well that a super-Poland is undesirable and that Russia would be uncontrollable if left occupied, Germany now plans to create a new Russian state capable of finishing off the Comintern on its own, as well as partitioning Poland once the opportunity arises...
(Out of Character - I only need to control 25% of Soviet national territory, or roughly 75 provinces, to trigger Bitter Peace, since I am not at war with the Allies. I currently have about 40)
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I picked a +5% IC one now, to pour even more ICs into upgrades and maintain the two current projects - 1 rocket test site and 1 reactor. Once K. Zuse is done with Bas. Elec. Computers, I'll probably have him research the last remaining decrypt. tech, and if that doesn't help, I'll assign a logistics specialist. Currently I am relying largely on air recon and whatever limited information I can gather from enemy counters.