Based on this thread here, I decided to try a game as Germany where I only built HQs.
The Premise
The only land divisions to be built or purchased are HQs and their brigades.
Starting infantry can be used for early wars, but not against the Soviet Union.
Settings are normal difficulty with IC and tech takeover disabled.
How it Went Down
It started with 2 runs of factories as per usual. Research was focused on land doctrines, self propelled artillery, aircraft carriers, destroyers, fleet in being doctrine, air doctrine (for CAGs), and the usual industry stuff. The entire Luftwaffe got shafted and were donated to Italy.
1939
By the start of the war in 1939 Germany had about 60 HQ-SPARTs, and roughly 45 infantry from the start of the game. Her Army was top-heavy to say the least, but nobody seemed to notice the disproportionate number of mobile commands. Driving like madmen in the "Vee Dubs", the officers would hit-and-run entire divisions of retreating Polish Infantry, even outracing armored divisions.
Poland would have been taken in 2 days, but there was a slight hang up at the rivers around Warsaw. After Poland, everyone rushed to France, and Vichy France was established about 12 days later in early October. Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands were also overrun by command centres in 1939. Nationalist Spain, Bulgaria, and Hungary joined the Axis, but their troops were only used to garrison beaches.
1940
In early 1940, Italy triggered a Balkan CF, so Germany had to go in and help them to annex Yugoslavia, Romania, Greece and Turkey. Norway also got the same treatment. Infantry and HQ-SPARTs were stockpiled in Dunkirk for operation Sea Lion. All that was missing was 6 brand new carriers needed to hold off the Royal Navy.
May, 1940(some numbers are slightly inflated due to useless expeditionary forces)
It seems that generals and clerks can fight after all
The HQs keep on coming
In June of 1940, the aircraft carriers finally arrive, and England is Germanized by October. Now it is the final run up to Barbarossa, and all industries are focused on building and upgrading the HQs. The new level III HQs seem to come equipped with rocket-powered racing cars, but fortunately it seems that self propelled artillery can maintain the same speed.
1941
By May of 1941, Germany's crazed military planners have constructed 108 HQs. Sweden and Finland have been invaded as preparation for a Western Offensive. In a bold and daring move, all non-HQ units are moved to the rear provinces. It seems counter intuitive on the surface, but the German war machine has evolved to the point where infantry are unnecessary. So meticulous is the combined planning power of over one hundred HQs that no enemy can face the enormity of their logistical and communication superiority.
May 9th, 1941: Barbarossa begins!
June 4th, 1941: The Soviet army is already in shambles
July 4th, 1941: All hope is lost; Moscow is surrounded
May 5th, 1941: Bitter Peace
Conclusion
HQs are a viable combat unit for IC rich nations, and it is nearly impossible not to win as Germany in single player.
The Premise
The only land divisions to be built or purchased are HQs and their brigades.
Starting infantry can be used for early wars, but not against the Soviet Union.
Settings are normal difficulty with IC and tech takeover disabled.
How it Went Down
It started with 2 runs of factories as per usual. Research was focused on land doctrines, self propelled artillery, aircraft carriers, destroyers, fleet in being doctrine, air doctrine (for CAGs), and the usual industry stuff. The entire Luftwaffe got shafted and were donated to Italy.
1939
By the start of the war in 1939 Germany had about 60 HQ-SPARTs, and roughly 45 infantry from the start of the game. Her Army was top-heavy to say the least, but nobody seemed to notice the disproportionate number of mobile commands. Driving like madmen in the "Vee Dubs", the officers would hit-and-run entire divisions of retreating Polish Infantry, even outracing armored divisions.
Poland would have been taken in 2 days, but there was a slight hang up at the rivers around Warsaw. After Poland, everyone rushed to France, and Vichy France was established about 12 days later in early October. Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands were also overrun by command centres in 1939. Nationalist Spain, Bulgaria, and Hungary joined the Axis, but their troops were only used to garrison beaches.
1940
In early 1940, Italy triggered a Balkan CF, so Germany had to go in and help them to annex Yugoslavia, Romania, Greece and Turkey. Norway also got the same treatment. Infantry and HQ-SPARTs were stockpiled in Dunkirk for operation Sea Lion. All that was missing was 6 brand new carriers needed to hold off the Royal Navy.
May, 1940(some numbers are slightly inflated due to useless expeditionary forces)
It seems that generals and clerks can fight after all
The HQs keep on coming
In June of 1940, the aircraft carriers finally arrive, and England is Germanized by October. Now it is the final run up to Barbarossa, and all industries are focused on building and upgrading the HQs. The new level III HQs seem to come equipped with rocket-powered racing cars, but fortunately it seems that self propelled artillery can maintain the same speed.
1941
By May of 1941, Germany's crazed military planners have constructed 108 HQs. Sweden and Finland have been invaded as preparation for a Western Offensive. In a bold and daring move, all non-HQ units are moved to the rear provinces. It seems counter intuitive on the surface, but the German war machine has evolved to the point where infantry are unnecessary. So meticulous is the combined planning power of over one hundred HQs that no enemy can face the enormity of their logistical and communication superiority.
May 9th, 1941: Barbarossa begins!
June 4th, 1941: The Soviet army is already in shambles
July 4th, 1941: All hope is lost; Moscow is surrounded
May 5th, 1941: Bitter Peace
Conclusion
HQs are a viable combat unit for IC rich nations, and it is nearly impossible not to win as Germany in single player.
