HOI3 TFH: How to set up South Africa for beginners...

[21oliver]

South Africa is a nation that often intrigues players but they find it limiting and difficult. It is one of those nations that if your content being a support nation and set modest goals you can have alot of fun. For the purpose of this AAR I will align myself to the Axis. Are you ready for the challenge?

 

[21oliver]

THE PLAN

My goal is to join the Axis and provide them support in a variety of ways. I intend to conquer as much of Africa (bottom to top) as I can, acquiring Strategic and regular resources to assist my faction. My main unit will be a home grown INF x 3 with GAR x 3 for my ports. I want to build a sizeable sub fleet via PL's to harass allied shipping as well.

 

[21oliver]

INITIAL STEPS

Playing a nation like South Africa is what we call the long game. You must be patient, it takes time to achieve each little goal and over time it will all come together. First I align to the Axis and fire the prepare for war decision.

5 Convoys and 5 INF x 3 are my initial builds...

 

[21oliver]

TRADE & THE ECONOMY

It doesn't take much to keep the South African economy going. I first trade 10 supplies to the USA, I want to wait until i fire better laws to see what I need to buy. Half way through January 1936 I fire Basic Mobilization. By the end of March I have War Economy and Three year draft, so thats in the bag early enough. I make one more trade of 5 supplies to the US and buy a few rares and Im in the green across the board, building up a surplus of cash for future PL's.

 

[21oliver]

GETTING TRACTION

Mid 1936 my first INF Division completes. My focus is on the Industry & supply techs mostly, later on ill worry about infantry techs and doctrines. In the meantime every industry or supply tech as well as Agriculture or Education I try and put at the top of my queue as often as I can. With such a limited Leadership I have to.

 

[21oliver]

PRODUCTION

For the first few years I alternate 5 x INF x 3 and 5 x Convoys in production, as one group finishes I replace them. In January of 1938 I get an IC Minister which is good, I need it!

 

[21oliver]

JOINING THE AXIS

The drift takes forever and the UK is hampering me every step of the way trying to counter influence me. Finally in August of 1938 I join the Axis!

 

[21oliver]

INFRASTRUCTURE

In April of 1938 I gain the infrastructure tech and begin filling my production queue with Infra...

My countries Infra looks like this;

 

[21oliver]

1939

 

[21oliver]

HOW THINGS STAND

I have 3 ports, each has 1 x GAR x 3 in it. I have 17 x INF x 3 Divisions covering all potential launch points into British or Portuguese territory. I have 3 x INF x 3 in production along with 2 Subs.

 

[21oliver]

CONCLUSION

I chose to play this game as land based (I scrapped the initial TP x 6 for MP). However you can easily build a small CL fleet through PL's if you desire. You are in a strong position to jump early and start gobbling up territory in Africa. Remember once war starts get Lend lease from Germany, Japan and Italy... thats when you want to start building air or naval units. Keep the supply techs up and try to get the Infantry techs and doctrines likewise and you may just drive the Brits out of Africa! Hope this was helpful..have fun!

Below is the August 25, 1939 saved game file;

http://www.gamefront.com/files/25000569/SAF___Aug_25_1939_rar