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German AAR: Tank Treads of Doom

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Dravah
Mar 23, 2001
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My last AAR, American Empire: Eagle's Talons ended when a mod I installed somehow corrupted the savegame file. It crashed whenever I tried to load it. This time I am hoping for better luck.

Settings:
Trip's Mod
1.02, Very Hard/Aggressive
1936 Scenario
Germany

Goals:
Semi-realistic German victory. I'm not seeking global domination, as Germany really couldn't even hold what it conquered at its height. Hoping to see how Trip's improvements affect the grand campaign as a major. I'll be puppetting rather than outright annexing in some cases.
 
The Turtle Shell of Europe

1936
Germany stands friendless in a sea of enemies. The French, the Poles, various third rate potentates would dearly love to see the fatherland kept weak. Kept broken and hobbled by the chains the victors of the Great War forced upon us.

They are in for a suprise.

Heinz Guderian,
The Hamburg Soldiers' Circle, 3 Jan 1936


Plans for Massive Fortifications Outlined
London, England - Interior Ministry officials today announced plans to run a barrier of fortifications to run counter to the French Maginot Line. Says Press Secretary Heinrich Hess, "Our nation will never again face invasion and defeat. No, the Maginot Line is not a defensive structure but is intended as a secure base from which a strike into the heart of Germany is planned."

This, on top of reports of German troop movements to the demilitarized Rhineland has raised diplomatic alarm bells in all Allied capitols. A meeting of Allied Foreign Ministers is planned in Paris to discuss these rumblings from central Europe.....
 
Scandinavian Slaughter

Denmark Invaded! German Troops Swarm Jutland!
Oslo, Norway - Fleeing aboard one of the last merchant ships to leave the harbor, the Danish royal family has announced its intention to set up a government-in-exile in Norway. The attack came without warning or declaration of war. Denounced as an act of barbarity by western governments, German armour and infantry completed the destruction of Denmark's small army in a few days.

More ominous still, the German High Seas Fleet was seen steaming out of harbor three days ago and heading north. Whether to cut off fleeing Danish ships or another, darker purpose, remains unknown as yet.

Copenhagen's residents reported few outrages by German troops - primarily Major General Pieper's 2 Panzer division - and hopes are high in London and Paris that a diplomatic solution can be found to avert the looming crisis.

Newsclipping from the Oslo Times, 4 March 1936

The meeting of the Western Alliance's military High Command - if such grandiose terms could be applied to that illustrious group of feuding egos - took place in Paris on the 4th of March in the year 1936. As was the norm the temperature in the room could best be described as arctic, although attempts by British general Charles Emerson Cutler III to warm relations with a French serving lass proved successful.

"Well its a rum business, no doubt about it. But then what can we do? Can't start a war over a something like this what?" Col. Sherman Taylor, British Intelligence, expounded. "People won't stand for it. That's for sure. Can't blame them. The Danes have to fight for their country. Can't save the world."

"True, Colonel, as always." His French counterpart exclaimed, tipping his champagne glass in mock salute. "After all, last time we went to war over some insignificant country it cost us untold lives. Hmmph, if the jerries want some frozen hell let them have it."

Thus, secure in their chateau of complacency the Allied Command went about forgetting the German Beast.
 
Scandinavia Slaughtered - Sweden Swallowed

It is clear, now, that the German's had no intention of stopping with Denmark. Military Intelligence has confirmed two infantry divisions landing in southern Sweden approximately 3 days ago now. Our spies also report that the bulk of German armour will soon be debarking for Sweden as well.

I think it is time that we thought seriously about our actions. Whatever Hitler promises, we have no way of knowing where this will start - especially now that Swedish steel will be reinvigorating the German industrial base. And I don't like the look of some of these new tanks Berlin has cooking.

Sir, with your permission I will contact Paris and arrange for another meeting.

Major General Sir Henry Ogdensmith, British Imperial General Staff
15 March 1936

____________________________________________________

It really frosted his chops. Guderian this, Guderian that. So what if Stockholm surrendered to the man. It just as well could have been him, Colonel General Manstein, as that young puppy commanding the 1st Panzer Corps - the Lightning Legion bah!

Well, at least Headquarters had seen fit to give him the new panzer grenadier corps. Snarling at his aide to prepare his command track for the planned training maneuvers he stormed out of his office.

"Sir! Oh Sir!" his aide came running after him. "General, the French and British have declared war on us! Our fighters barely beat back hundreds of bombers over Frankfurt. Looks like we have a chance to upstage the 'Lightning Legion' jokers."

10 December 1936
Excerpt from the mind of Colonel General Manstein
 
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Western Front: Stalemate '37

British Offensive Stalls in South! English Army's March of Death
Copenhagen, Germany - Having been defeated by German troops, the imperialist English have attempted the impossible. Evading capture - and their own lines - a remnant of the decimated 7th Infantry Division force marched accross the plains of Germany.

The troops crossed the straits via captured boats and declared Copenhagen the property of the British Empire... No comment as yet from the German military, save that following the as yet unexplained freedom these renegades enjoyed in their march a number of low level German officers have been dismissed. The 7th was at last brought to heel by Heinz Guderian's Lightning Legionaries during what is called "Second Copenhagen" on 30 January.
2 Feb. 1937 Washington Times

___________________________________________________

"I say, old man, are you sure you're reading that map correctly? By my estimates not only are we behind enemy lines, but we are marching North," Col. Edward Thomas said.

"We are heading North sir. Orders from the brigadier. We are going to march to Copenhagen and liberate the brave men of the 7th," replied his assistant.

"What!? Did he get into the wine again? Half the German army is between us and Copenhagen, and how the bloody hell do we get out of Denmark once we do find the prison camp? And for that matter how do we know the camp is even in bloody Denmark?!" Thomas' voice was steadily rising in pitch.

"Whats all this?" The brigadier asked as he appeared out of the night. "We need not fear the jerries. God will provide us safe passage to Denmark. All we need do is have faith and march. After the example those brave aussies who landed in Ebblinng how can we not try?"

"Those brave australians were massacred!"

"Tut tut. Organize the columns, lets be off."

All in all there were no less than 4 British attempts to liberate Denmark. They attempted this by sending single divisions to attack my lines around the French border, then once they were defeated rather than returning to friendly lines they marched through my troops and up to Copenhagen. If I had a unit in Copenhagen then they took the island next to it by marching through the unit in Copenhagen as if it didn't exist.

Friggin bug
 
Lol. Gotta love storytelling about the bugs.

MP Game "After a day long discussion in Geneve, the leaders of Germany, Italy, France, England and the Soviet Union have decided to scrap their air force, as using them as tactical weapons would surely destroy the world."
 
Belgian Blasted

German Declaration of War Catches Belgium Off-Guard
Storming the Belgian border forts the men of the German I Infantry Corps successfully overcame stiff resistance. Supported by combat engineers, the Germans swiftly broken the fortresses and allowed Lightning Heinz' Panzers to strike north, towards the coast......
Boston Herald
18 April 1937

Manstein nearly screamed. A week long battle with British troops had blasted open the road to Paris, but who were the newsies crawling over? HIM! That glory hogging bastard Guderian hadn't been anywhere near the bloody battle. In fact, he had been "stopped for refitting" on the flipping coast. While he and his boys had fought Belgian and British and French soldiers without let up.

It should be his face in the Times, not HIM.
Excerpt from the mind of Colonel General Von Manstein
8 May 1937
 
France Frenzy

Having broken through Belgium, the German juggernaught turned south and west. The bulk of the French army was facing off against 30 odd German divisions in the Maginot Line, so even the handful of troops - including the famed "Siegebreakers", the I Infantry Corps - were able to over run the French border troops.

Belgium is now firmly under German control. The royal family is under 'special protection' and the remaining military under control of officers loyal to Berlin. The French, for their part, are aclimating to life under German control. The Vichy Gov't proved true to its word, and shut its borders to those French troops who refused to surrender. Their end was swift and complete.

Speaking with General Von Manstein, commander of German heavy infantry, revealed that Germany has no further plans for territorial conquest. In fact, he said, that the Berlin had plans to withdraw from occupied France within a year, once the peace loving German people had assured themselves that the French would never again attack Germany.

Bob Hoskins,
Boston Globe Correspondent
15 June 1937
 
Eastern Campaign

Things are progressing well. Following the unification - re-unification as the hard core Germanists say - with Austria and the breaking of the Chechs, I feared I'd never see another battle. Fortunately the brass isn't totally clueless.

I can't tell you where I am now, save that it is in the south. Big buildup down here. I think we are going to be doing some "peace keeping" operations in the Balkins. Perhaps in Romania too. You'll likely find out before us poor grunts do! More later!

Your brother, Albert
7 December 1937

_________________________________________________

Brother!
Are you as amazed as I? We were just about to cross the Hungarian border when emergency communications arrived from Berlin. The Poles had signed on with England! Can you imagine it. I have it on high authority that we were going to put paid to them in another year, but who'd a thought they would have attacked US?

Things are hairy over here. We chew these cretins to mush, but they keep coming, proof that Poles have more courage than brains. I just KNOW those damned Russians are watching. We'll have to deal with the Bolshies sooner or later.

Good by from the front!
Albert,
182nd Infantry

___________________________________________________

Fierce fighting today across western Poland. Exceptionally brutal was the battle between Kruger's II Infantry Corps the "Iron Knights" and the Polish 4th Army. Slugging their way through the ravaged defense lines was the 7th Polish Cavalry, which achieved great success against the isolated and decimated IV Infantry Corps of the German Army. One of the survivors of the encirclement reports that the Poles systematically eliminated all captives and hunted down as many fleeing Germans as they could.

Following similar massacres in Krakow German armour was dispatched to Southern Poland, in hopes of rebuilding the front lines and driving back the Polish troops. In the lead istank visionary Heinz Guderian and his Lightning Legionaries. Few here in Berlin doubt that the arrival of the panzers, fresh from as yet unexplained 'training manuevers' in south-eastern Germany, will spell a swift end to Allied resistance. Curiously though, Colonel General Von Manstein became extremely agitated on mention of Guderian and threatened this reporter with a fire arm.

Also of interest is the political situation in South-Eastern Europe. As many of my readers know, there has been a great deal of tumult in this region. Coups and counter-coups have created a fair amount of chaos in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, and Yugoslavia. My sources also tell me that the Germans were planning on sending troops to prop up their pet regimes in the area prior to the Polish attack. How true this is may never be known now. What we do know is that Bulgaria is now under the control of a fascist strongman; Turkey is suffering as the military government has come under attack by internal dissidents; and in Yugoslavia where German diplomats are pressuring that nation's government to join with the Axis or face a new enemy.

William T. LaGrange
Boston Globe Correspondent
 
A Pause for Reckoning: The War Thus Far

The year is 1939. The Axis has experienced un-expected diplomatic victories over the past year and a half. Turkey was destabilized to the point that a onetime unknown colonel was able to seize power, destroying the reforms of Attaturk. Soon enough Turkey signed on with Germany and Hungary. On its heels - terrified of being gobbled up - was Bulgaria. That left Romania effectively surrounded by hostile powers: The Axis and the Soviet Union.

Soon Romania was begging Berlin for admittance. Which in turn left Yugoslavia feeling isolated and, seeing the greedy eyes of the over-ambitious Mussolini, swiftly entreated Berlin for entry into the alliance. Thus the entire Balkin peninsula was brought into the Axis pact. Unwillingly of course. More to stave off attacks from each other than any great desire to be entrapped in the war. Italy, seeing Britain on the ropes joined Axis on 5 July 1938. Two days after Italian troops in Libya marched unopposed into Egypt, and soon the Suez was in Italian hands - although they remained unable to use it for some reason.

Thus we come to a crossroads in the war. Earlier promises of withdrawal from France, alas!, were not honored. Mostly, as the Ministry of Public Informaiton explained, to prevent the British from invading and terrorizing the French people. Vichy France, ruled by Marshal Petain, was steadfastly neutral.

Poland's ill-adviced entry into the war cost it independence and terrible civilian losses. Although it was absorbed into the Greater Reich few German troops ventured out of Warsaw - around which a network of fortifications was being built of awesome strength. Following its surrender German troops withdrew to Warsaw or further West, to the Blue Line. A line of fortifications running along Germany's eastern most border.

Konigsberg was also heavily fortified, and vast formations of armoured troops and mobile infantry was based there. Like Warsaw, it seems that this was meant to be a base of supplies and troops in the event of war with the USSR.
 
Panzer Pounded: A Mountain Too Far

Somewhere in northern Greece...
The young German soldier huddled behind a large rock. It had rained for days without let up. The temperature was only slightly above freezing. The supply situation was bad. The Greek artillery had gone on for three hours unabated. Division had promised relief not less than twelve hours ago, and yet no help had come.

Why was he here?

Well, its good of you to ask. As you know, the new Axis Alliance was built on rickety foundations. An alliance made up largely of petty goons more intent on killing each other than working together would not win the war. Nor would it hold back the hordes of Asia when they came.

So, the solution? Well. The new ruler of Turkey rallied his apathetic subjects with dreams of a return to Empire. Back to the days when the Ottomans were a power to be feared. The most hated enemies were the Greeks. Before even bothering to pull his troops out of Asia Minor a declaration of war was delivered to the Greek embassy in Ankara. The first attacks stalled out soon thereafter.

Ah, now we have a situation! The Greeks begged England for help. The Greeks were well protected and could hold out indefinately against whatever pitiful forces the Balkan members of the Axis could throw at it. The British could land troops, roll up and threaten Germany from the south! The horror! Not that the British were capable of it. For that matter they seemed quite content to launch their bombers and sip tea in merry ole England instead of fighting.

Hah! So the Axis is held together by mutual suspicion. Why not use Turkey's little war to cement together the Axis military? Send a German expedition down - we know we'll do the real work - get the rest of the Axis to send some token forces. A joint military exercise is just the thing. The Greeks cant be that bad eh?

German High Command's Collective Un-Concience
 
Firestorm: 841st's Last Stand

Ducking behind the wreck of his armored car, the young German NCO took quick stock of his situation. The 841st Infantry of the 5th Panzer Division had led the assault two hours ago, and all hell had broken loose. Normally that was a good thing.

The Greeks were well dug in and their cannon had been pre-sighted to every meter. Shultz had no idea how the rest of the brigade was doing, but here at least things were pretty hairy.

"Damn, where is the damn armor? This is a panzer division isn't it? Where are the damned panzers?" This from a private he didn't recognize. The artillery raining down upon them competed with the thunderstorm in sheer destructive energy. From what he had heard even the light tanks of the panzer units were near paralyzed on the broken and muddy terrain.

"Who knows, who cares? We can't wait for the tank boys to show up. We have never lost a battle, and I'll be damned if I see us loose one now." Shultz looked around. The remnants of his squad were huddled about the former platoon leader's car. Moron. Taking that thing up against entrenched positions was suicide.

"Sergeant! Runner from 2nd Platoon reports two companies of Greek infantry approaching from the east! The heavy equipment is bogged down in the mud. Captain wants to know if we can hold on for thirty minutes."

Shultz sighed. "Fix bayonets!" He drew his own. Like many of the so called Lightning Legionaries he had carved a thunderbolt on his bayonet. "We'll hold for half that. In fifteen minutes either help will have arrived or we'll be knocking back drinks in Valhalla...."
 
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Lightning Rod - Panzer Storm

Two Kilometers Away

"Captain, this is Colonel Hessen. Listen carefully. The Greeks have used a previously unknown pass and slipped two reinforced battalions into the division's rear areas. I'm sorry son, but all of brigade's artillery is being diverted to keep headquarters from being overrun. Do what you can and good luck."

Hell. He had been with the Corps since the beginning. Fought Danes, Swedes, French, Belgians, and any Englishman stupid enough to come to the mainland. Never before had he any doubt of the outcome. He patted his Lynx affectionately. Best light tank in the world. Named the Jaguar, it was a weapon of suprise and maneouver. Not! a siege engine capable of taking on the mountanous forts.

He sighed and keyed his radio. "B Company, we are effectively cut off from any aid and looking down the barrels of Greek heavy artillery. Their counter-attack looks to have raised holy hell behind us so keep an eye out, you don't want a Greek taking you from the rear." His gunner let out a course guffaw. He signaled the tank to stop and looked out from his capola. The remaining eight functioning panzers were spread around him in a wedge formation.

"OK, we need to stop and let the infantry set up a perimeter. I doubt the enemy's anti-armor is as effective as our own but let's not take chances." Seeing the attached light infantry platoon fanning out he breathed a sigh of relief. At least he had a secure buffer between him and any hunting Greek AT team.

"Karl," he said to the driver, "until things are sorted out back there I want at least one of us on watch at all times. I'm going to meet with the platoon leaders, you have first watch."
 
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Grecian Gumbo! The Undefeated Defeated?

The newest recruits shuffled uncertainly into the clearing. The dirty veterans looked on with expressions ranging from apathy to contempt. Since the first two assaults had been thrown back with heavy casualties, it had twice been necessary to send back to Germany for replacements.

Unfortunately for Guderian's men Germany was gearing up for a massive war with the Bolsheveks. Everybody knew it was coming. Just not when. What that meant for the Alliance Balkan units was that those men who could be spared were untrained. The new faces were a painful shock to the veterans, who had fought through so many battles together with little in way of loss.

The Colonel walked into the clearing, followed by armed guards. It was not unknown for enemy raiders to penetrate the perimeter to pick off a few officers, although it was always fatal to the snipers. "You are now part of the 1st Panzer Corps, the Lightning Legion under the over all command of General Heinz Guderian. For the duration of our deployment in this rather dismal place we have been designated the Balkan Security Force. You men have been fortunate enough to be thrown into the 309th Infantry Battalion. We are classified as a motor infantry unit, however, as the transportation network is shit we will march. Your training will be... 'on the job'. Beginning tonight."

With a perfect about face he stalked off. Immediately stern faced sergeants began calling off names and herded the recruits off to their new units. In the night the distant rattle of a heavy machine gun alerted the more perceptive of the troops to their eventual fate.
_________________________________________________

Berlin, Greater German Reich
Manstein was ecstatic. Guderian had been made a fool of before the world. While his imbecilic goons had dashed themselves against heavily fortified troops the Turks had broken through the eastern lines and occupied Greece within weeks. Guderian's reputation was as dead as the Greek king.

Now that old 'lightning' and his beat up little toy panzers were creaking home it would soon be time for new officers to take the spot light. "Who was it who seized Paris?"
 
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