I've tried and failed as Poland to beat German, but then again I'm not too great at the game.
When it comes to Poland, I don't think it's about being good at the game; it's simply about going totally ahistorical. I don't think it's possible to beat Germany under normal conditions, regardless of your skill - the Reich has just too large an army and too ridiculous strength modifiers. Even if you achieve some local success (e.g. taking East Prussia) and prevent the Wehrmacht from blitzing it to your VPs, you'll be bled dry before Christmas due to manpower shortage.
Anyway - I'm glad you're enjoying the AAR.
And congrats on taking China as the commies - I've heard people can do it, but I can hardly imagine it myself, given the disproportion of forces.
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Chapter 3: The West
Part 1: The Fall of France
Since a DoW would bring me into conflict with all three Allied majors anyway, I could do it properly and declare war on the faction leader, signifying this is no mere land-grab with a cascade effect of alliances, but a clash to decide the fate of the world.
I was also hoping that once I'm at war through a DoW on another country, all wargoals against France would become available.
Sadly, the game continued to deny me a full conquest of Gaul, so I had to do things as originally planned. I added "Acquire territory: Northern France", and prepared to drag the war for another month. The incorporation of the Baltic States would also continue; it was time for Latvia now.
Two days later I figured I could just as well go for the rest of the Benelux; no point in wasting time.
A week into the war. Uhm... hello? Royal Navy? WHERE ARE YOU?
Here's a curious little thing. Just moments ago, this MECH division wasn't here. It wasn't broken and forced to fall back, or anything, it just wasn't on the map. The AI must've DEPLOYED it here. In a province under attack, where the unit can't gain org.
The Maginot line has mostly been taken and my forces are starting to spread around. The advance into Italy is going significantly slower; the Alps take a lot of time to cross.
Oh. Now I know where the whole French army was. Though it's a mystery as to why it was there in the first place...
Almost two weeks into the war, the advance is going surprisingly slowly. But now that most of the units holed up in the fortified area have been eliminated, it should take up pace, despite the trickle of reinforcements from Marseille. In contrast, the Belgians are putting up a very determined defence.
Wait. Where are these bombers even coming from? I didn't think this port was in range of any UK airbase... Will need to get them some fighter cover.
Oh, HERE you are! About time you showed up, Royal Navy. It's only shame that your 3 light carriers can kick the hell out of my 4 fleet carriers. I don't get it. There weren't even any RAF fighters around.
Both forces have cleared the initial obstacles. The northern group is done with the Maginot line and its few defenders, the southern one is finally free of the Alps.
Latvia has been incorporated and we proceed to Estonia right away.
Whoa, the US are here already? It's just a transport plane, but if the AI can react so quickly, it could just as well have an invasion fleet following somewhere behind...
It's the end for the brave Belgians; their forces surrounded and split. Nevertheless, their fighting spirit earned them much respect from the Polish soldiers. It's a pity that very few of them will probably decide to join the Polish army... they will keep to the loyalties towards powerless countries that their leaders chose for them.
The advance is progressing unhurriedly. I don't know. I think it's the lack of enemy. When there's no army before me, I don't know where to go!
Another famous name in command of a garrison. The French made some poor life choices in this game.
Huh, some Dutch transports... wonder if they're moving troops in or evacuating them... Too bad my fleet got shot up and is no shape to intercept.
Ok, so the transports must've been carrying reinforcements, cause there are Dutch units in the Netherlands that haven't been there just a moment ago. But why are they Belgian expeditionary forces?
Excellent, now all of eastern Europe is uniform in colour. Well, except that patch of land around Koenigsberg... sigh.
I was afraid I wouldn't be able to take Rome before the war ended, but thankfully it wasn't so. Most of the important Italian cities are now mine. And a good thing, that, cause a few days later, the war does indeed end. At least, war with France.
Note the insane amount of IC I have. Well, it's not insane in itself, but compared to the value from before the campaign, it means I'm getting full Italian IC, no revolt risk, no occupation policies, nothing - like it was my own land! Same goes for Leadership, it went through the roof! (sorry, didn't take a screencap in the excitement) It's crazy!
Well, it kinda makes sense - the Italians, crushed and forced to suffer under French occupation (not for the first time, to boot)... And now the Poles come, and sweep the French away. Polish soldiers must've been welcomed as liberators; no wonder that Italian workers went back to factories with renewed vigour, and Italian intellectuals offered their full cooperation - anything to aid the Polish war effort. Gee, among all this conquering the world, it's a really heartwarming moment, heh heh heh.
