Poles Apart – an HOI4 Ahistory

[TheButterflyComposer]

I am required by ancient tradition to note that the only people who think Sweden is a source of Tungsten are Paradox, and they are (as almost always) catastrophically wrong.

...it isn't?

Hmm. This may impact HOI4 and my AAR. It's the only resource they make in large quantities...

Nooooooooooooooo. You utter fools.

I look forward to Italian War Mk.III when the French inevitably cockup their occupation. Again.

Maybe next time they'll try to puppet it and install a disloyal monarch instead. Go through their greatest hits list?

 

[Bullfilter]

I am required by ancient tradition to note that the only people who think Sweden is a source of Tungsten are Paradox, and they are (as almost always) catastrophically wrong.

I was mildly curious about this so did a quick online check. It certainly doesn’t seem to have been a major historical or current producer of tungsten (wolfram) ore, though one thing I found did mention “The area of Bergslagen in central Sweden comprises the most important known tungsten province in Scandinavia. Several mines have been in operation for brief periods. Currently only the deposits at Yxsjoeberg and Hoegfors are in production.” Whether it was (or would have been) sufficient for commercial production and export during WW2 was not clear and fell beyond my powers of quick research (or more specifically, degree of enthusiasm I could muster)!

Fortunately, I tend not to worry too much on such things AAR wise as I usually take the AAR world as the game presents it, but can see how such things can rankle a bit. And it does make good comment material!

Nooooooooooooooo. You utter fools.

I look forward to Italian War Mk.III when the French inevitably cockup their occupation. Again.

I know. If it happens again, we’ll probably send a force again, if only to have some more battles to write about. Not sure how often HOI4 rinses and repeats these things.

I see the Atomic Physics Institute on the focus tree, thus it is entirely legitimate to suggest that Poland just nuke Wilkie's America, it's the only way to be sure.

Certainly don't come crying to me when the undoubted evil behind his "intervention" becomes apparent.

Not a path I had considered taking Poland down, I must admit! Despite knowing full well that hope is not a strategy, it’s all we’re left with at the now regarding Willkie’s undoubtedly nefarious intentions! I wonder what the Willkie Doctrine will look like if he survives to and is re-elected in 1944!?

...it isn't?

Hmm. This may impact HOI4 and my AAR. It's the only resource they make in large quantities...

I just shrug my shoulders and continue pushing the boulder up that hill.

Maybe next time they'll try to puppet it and install a disloyal monarch instead. Go through their greatest hits list?

They should import some ideas from the TT universe for Italy. Governor General Vito Corleone, perhaps?

To All: Next session played, will start writing it up in the next little while.

 

[El Pip]

...it isn't?

Hmm. This may impact HOI4 and my AAR. It's the only resource they make in large quantities...

It really should be iron ore that they have in excess, it was high quality and available in large quantities. Or if you want something 'strategic' then maybe ball bearings?

There is a mildly amusing trend in Swedish academia to try and downplay how important these things were, I believe driven by a desire to excuse away all their collaboration with the Nazis.

Maybe next time they'll try to puppet it and install a disloyal monarch instead. Go through their greatest hits list?

I vote for the Kingdom of the Three Sicilies and the Padania League. Old ideas updated so that they can go wrong in new and exciting ways.

I was mildly curious about this so did a quick online check. It certainly doesn’t seem to have been a major historical or current producer of tungsten (wolfram) ore, though one thing I found did mention “The area of Bergslagen in central Sweden comprises the most important known tungsten province in Scandinavia. Several mines have been in operation for brief periods. Currently only the deposits at Yxsjoeberg and Hoegfors are in production.” Whether it was (or would have been) sufficient for commercial production and export during WW2 was not clear and fell beyond my powers of quick research (or more specifically, degree of enthusiasm I could muster)!

The Imperial Mineral Institute reckoned that Sweden just about doubled Tungsten production between 1939 and 1944 so those mines may well have been in operation, but double a small number is still a small number. Even after that effort Sweden were still outside near the top 10 producers and an order of magnitude lower than the big producers.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Thank you for the updates. The bear and the eagle sleeps. Sicily as a last stand rather than a jumping off point seems more historical than OTL WW2 model.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

It really should be iron ore that they have in excess, it was high quality and available in large quantities. Or if you want something 'strategic' then maybe ball bearings?

One or both of those then, I suppose.

There is a mildly amusing trend in Swedish academia to try and downplay how important these things were, I believe driven by a desire to excuse away all their collaboration with the Nazis.

Hmm. Well I knew they traded a ton with the nazis, and with tungsten being the thing they made in game which has strategic impact, I guess I just assumed it was that.

Oh well. Iron ore for steel (?) I guess is the AAR thing. Mind you, they own a lot more of Scandinavia but also a bit less of Sweden than they do OTL so that might impact things.

I vote for the Kingdom of the Three Sicilies and the Padania League. Old ideas updated so that they can go wrong in new and exciting ways.

Such things are possible in HOI4 so competly tearing Italy apart and having three or four large industrial puppets for armies and resources sounds like a good idea. Probably the most stable and useful long term gameplay wise also.

 

[Bullfilter]

It really should be iron ore that they have in excess, it was high quality and available in large quantities. Or if you want something 'strategic' then maybe ball bearings?

There is a mildly amusing trend in Swedish academia to try and downplay how important these things were, I believe driven by a desire to excuse away all their collaboration with the Nazis.

I vote for the Kingdom of the Three Sicilies and the Padania League. Old ideas updated so that they can go wrong in new and exciting ways.


The Imperial Mineral Institute reckoned that Sweden just about doubled Tungsten production between 1939 and 1944 so those mines may well have been in operation, but double a small number is still a small number. Even after that effort Sweden were still outside near the top 10 producers and an order of magnitude lower than the big producers.

If only I could make the French do that! The Polish European ready response force will be on hand for the next time our glorious allies stuff up their occupation of Italy and Musso pops back up like a noxious toadstool.

I wonder how much Swedish iron ended up in Tigers etc on the Eastern Front?

Thank you for the updates. The bear and the eagle sleeps. Sicily as a last stand rather than a jumping off point seems more historical than OTL WW2 model.

You're very welcome - great to see you back after the holiday break! Hope all is well. I'm glad we didn't have to actually invade Sicily this time around, either.

One or both of those then, I suppose.

Hmm. Well I knew they traded a ton with the nazis, and with tungsten being the thing they made in game which has strategic impact, I guess I just assumed it was that.

Oh well. Iron ore for steel (?) I guess is the AAR thing. Mind you, they own a lot more of Scandinavia but also a bit less of Sweden than they do OTL so that might impact things.

Such things are possible in HOI4 so competly tearing Italy apart and having three or four large industrial puppets for armies and resources sounds like a good idea. Probably the most stable and useful long term gameplay wise also.

Sweden? Exporting their iron ore via tanks to the rest of Europe? Italy - well, shrugs, shakes head, moves on until the next shamozzle!

All: New chapter follows shortly.

 

[Bullfilter]

Chapter Twenty-Five – The Road to Urumqi (Part 1)
(October 1942)

Left, southern Urumqi looking towards the mountains, c. 1920s. Right, the Southern City Gate, c. 1910.

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1-6 October 1942: Small Steps Forward

In early October, the Polish political campaign in Romania had seen popular support for the non-aligned FRN increase to over 21%, with the democratic PNL still well ahead of the fascistic Garda de Fier. The parallel diplomatic campaign saw Romania’s opinion of Poland riding high as well.

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In Sinkiang four exhausted Polish divisions were withdrawn from the font line to recuperate in better supplied territory to the west on the night of 1 October.

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In the ‘Urumqi Hook’, 5 DP secured the eastern approaches to the enemy capital early on the 3rd, an hour after the spoiling attack in Dabancheng was defeated. But they were unable to push on any further for now, as they had become completely disorganised during the fighting.

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To its south, the long Chinese battle to secure that province continued, with China now gradually gaining the upper hand. They would win that battle and advance into the mountains by the early afternoon of 5 October. Meanwhile, 5 DP was slowly recovering its organisation as the Poles pushed more units further into the salient.

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Polish radar technology was further improved on 6 October, with the researchers directed next to improved encryption, while another team continued to develop an advanced computing machine.

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An expansion of the two existing stations supporting the air force in eastern Poland were immediately inserted into the constructions schedule, to be the next priorities after the completion of improved infrastructure in Wołyn.

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The stockpile of PZL.37 tactical bombers was also deployed into a new wing at Lwów.

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At this time, the Allies reported further Communist encroachment on the approaches to Chongqing.

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More widely, Mao was rapidly occupying Xibei San Ma and making swift progress in Manchuria. The fighting seemed heavier and the going slower for them slower against Quangxi in the south. China was again slowly slipping backwards but still held on.

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7-31 October 1942: The Pincers Close

With little action from 7-9 October, on the 10th Sinkiang tried another attack on the Polish divisions holding the north-eastern flank. Three days later the mixed cavalry and infantry force defeated the attack with heavy casualties.

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Spoiler: OTL Event: Stalingrad

The Germans gained control of the Stalingrad Tractor Factory on 17 October.

German troops in the Stalingrad Tractor Factory, October 1942. A victory perhaps – but pyrrhic.​

By 18 October, the four recovering Polish divisions over the border in the British Raj were well on their way to recovery [ave 72% org, 89% str].

Late on the 21st, Communist forces had appeared opposite the Allies to the south on the XSM border.

​

By 23 October, another division had joined 5 DP east of Urumqi as the two Polish divisions to the west of the city suffered from attrition in the mountains, but bided their time, waiting for sufficient forces for another attack to be mounted. Two more divisions (grey below) were on their way, but the hard terrain made the going slow.

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Spoiler: OTL Event: El Alamein

The Second Battle of El Alamein began, an attack by Montgomery’s British 8th Army, began on 23 October.

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The Axis positions at El Alamein proved a tough nut to crack, but from 2 November Operation Supercharge finally began to punch its way through near the coast. The battle ended in a decisive Allied victory on 11 November.

Spoiler: OTL Event: Stalingrad

Operations of the German 6th Army in Stalingrad slowed down considerably on 24 October due to exhaustion after two weeks of intense fighting as well as the weather growing appreciably colder.

“Not much fun in Stalingrad, no!”​

​

7 DP was south of the eastern Urumqi pincer by 27 October, but still had some days before it could join the other two waiting there and preparing for the assault.

As October ended, reports of Communists attack the Fascists due east of the Allied screening positions guarding the Urumqi breakthrough were being received. The crimson tide was getting closer.

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But the main focus remained on the Sinkiang capital as two more Polish divisions approached from the south behind the protecting eastern screen (marked in pink below).

​

At this time, two of Poland’s mountain divisions began embarking on trains from the Czech border to Nice, where they would ship over to the Middle East and thence eventually to the Sinkiang front. Though there was some risk in removing them, the constant mountain warfare in the east and desire to give them some experience saw the decision taken.

Soldiers of the Polish 2nd Podhale Rifle Regiment parade in dress uniform, Sanok, 1936.​

Spoiler: Podhale Rifles

Podhale Rifles (Polish: Strzelcy podhalańscy, nicknamed "Podhalańczycy") is the traditional name of the mountain infantry units of the Polish Army. Formed in 1918 out of volunteers of the region of Podhale, in 1919 the smaller detachments of Podhale Rifles were pressed into two mountain infantry divisions, the 21st Mountain Infantry and 22nd Mountain Infantry Divisions, as well as into three brigades of mountain infantry and were considered elite units of the Polish Army.

The traditional symbols of the Podhale Rifles include the edelweiss flower and the Mountain Cross, a swastika symbol (not related to NSDAP) popular in folk culture of the Polish mountainous regions [but still blanked out in the above image to ensure compliance with Paradox forum rules]. The units of Podhale Rifles, both historical and modern, are notable for their high morale and distinctive uniforms. Prior to World War II the mountain units were one of only two infantry units wearing non-standard uniforms based on Mountaineer folk garment rather than military uniforms.

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Monthly Summaries

Asia remained the sole active theatre of the war as October 1942 ended, as the Communists continued to advance to the north-east, west and south.

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China remained under heavy pressure from both Fascist and Communist attacks, but Chongqing continued to be held.

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But in Indochina, the Allies were slowly rolling the Fascists back again.

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In Sulawesi, the Allied advances of September had halted. They were under pressure again as Dutch and Canadian defenders tried to hold of a Japanese counter-offensive.

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On the diplomatic front, the political campaign to boost the non-aligned Belarussian Socialist Assembly had gained ground, making it the second most popular party to the Communists, while the charm offensive had seen Byelorussia’s opinion of Poland improve significantly.

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During October two new lend-lease donors joined the three existing ones, all assisting Poland to reduce its large AT gun equipment deficit. Since their programs started in July and August, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand had already provided 134 AT guns, with Belgium and South Africa promising more in November.

​

The AT deficit still remained quite high but was reducing appreciably with these welcome donations and local production. Light SP artillery was also in demand, to help equip new light armoured divisions.

 

[El Pip]

The stockpile of PZL.37 tactical bombers was also deployed into a new wing at Lwów.

Those poor pilots.

Since their programs started in July and August, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand had already provided 134 AT guns, with Belgium and South Africa promising more in November.

*Sobbing in Polish Quartermaster Intensifies*. Not only are all those guns in different calibres from each other, none of them are in the calibre Poland actually uses. It's almost impressive.

On the diplomatic front, the political campaign to boost the non-aligned Belarussian Socialist Assembly had gained ground,

I look forward to the next stage of the campaign when they try to reconcile their party name with being non-aligned. Then again Belorussia is a communist dictatorship so I'm mildly surprised such a group is even allowed to exist, this is the country that left the Soviet Union but decided to retain the KGB with the same name and powers.

Mixed progress, overall it seems positive though and those Polish mountain divisions should make a big difference. Units trained for the terrain is the last thing the AI will be expecting, certainly it's not something it would ever do itself (except by accident).

 

[jak7139]

The mountaineers should hopefully help on the Sinkiang front.

Also, is that the UK that owns South Tirol?

 

[SSmith]

August began with news from Sinkiang: 4th Army and CSE commander General Lucjan Źeligowski had succumbed to the same kind of problem many of his men had.

Indeed so, and not what you need right in the middle of a tough campaign.

The opportunity was also taken to adjust production priorities, with light tank production discontinued (due to a great excess in the stockpile).

Sometimes this has to be done - but I never enjoy shutting down a production line that's operating at peak efficiency!

Of interest, liaison officers reported that the large German troop presence noted earlier was largely deployed along the Austrian and Czech borders. The Poles were unaware of any plans by either side for imminent action. It was assumed for now that the strong border presence was merely a precaution on both sides.

Hopefully this is just precautionary, but it's good to know there are significant German forces nearby in case something bad happens in the east!

It was all too much for the Italian resistance, with Mussolini capitulating yet again on the morning of 7 August 1942. He again went on the run and evaded apprehension, while British forces took the surrender but the peninsula was handed back over to French occupation.

Was Mussolini overheard saying "I'll be back!" by any chance? Very foolish to hand the occupation back to the French...

The Polish troops were soon back on the trains again and heading back to Warsaw.

Perhaps they should just wait on the French side of the Italian border so they're ready for the next round?

The overall map of current front lines in Asia showed how far the Communists had advanced in recent months. It looked like the days of the various Chinese fascist regimes may be numbered. Though once they were defeated, Mao and his Japanese backers would be even stronger.

The communists are beginning to look like the strongest faction in this three-way war, unfortunately. At least the Allied position is holding firm for now.

While the US remained neutral in the war. Their current focus was on Willkie’s policy of ‘Intervention in the Americas’, though it was not fully understood what this might mean.

Given what we've seen of the game's ahistorical focus trees I think we have every right to be worried about the implications of this one.

During the entire campaign, casualties and disorganisation caused by attrition in the harsh terrain and weather had caused far more casualties than had combat. By the end of the month, it would have the commander of the CSE considering another round of rotations to the rear to allow some divisions to recover.

I fear it's going to be very tough indeed taking Urumqi in these conditions, even if you succeed in surrounding the city. So far, so good, I suppose. Let's hope the CSE can sustain itself long enough to get the job done!

The Allied recovery in Indochina also continued as the fascists, now beset to the north and south, slowly lost ground against the Franco-German led revival.

I think it's the German reinforcements that have turned the tide?

While at the command level, the defensive expert Field Marshal Władisław Sikorski was given command of the newly created Army Group East, which commanded the 44 divisions of the powerful 1st and 2nd Armies that guarded the border with the Communists.

Polish economic and military strength continues to grow. The home front is looking solid.

 

[SSmith]

In early October, the Polish political campaign in Romania had seen popular support for the non-aligned FRN increase to over 21%, with the democratic PNL still well ahead of the fascistic Garda de Fier. The parallel diplomatic campaign saw Romania’s opinion of Poland riding high as well.

On the diplomatic front, the political campaign to boost the non-aligned Belarussian Socialist Assembly had gained ground, making it the second most popular party to the Communists, while the charm offensive had seen Byelorussia’s opinion of Poland improve significantly.

I have no idea if these diplomatic overtures can deliver any tangible benefits or not. Possibly so, as I noticed earlier that Romania will eventually receive an event. While It would be nice to flip Belarus, I suspect they're locked into Trotsky's faction.

As October ended, reports of Communists attack the Fascists due east of the Allied screening positions guarding the Urumqi breakthrough were being received. The crimson tide was getting closer.

There are ominous signs that the communist offensive against the fascists is gathering pace, so you don't have much time before they make their presence felt. Time enough to knock out Sinkiang? We'll see.

At this time, two of Poland’s mountain divisions began embarking on trains from the Czech border to Nice, where they would ship over to the Middle East and thence eventually to the Sinkiang front. Though there was some risk in removing them, the constant mountain warfare in the east and desire to give them some experience saw the decision taken.

Good move! China is definitely where these troops need to be. Do you have any more mountain divisions?

 

[Bullfilter]

Have had some more RL diversions of late, but here goes with some comment feedback, hopefully a new chapter to follow shortly.

Those poor pilots.

Ah well, I guess it's all comparative. Not sure what the Trotskyite Soviets are fielding these days ...

*Sobbing in Polish Quartermaster Intensifies*. Not only are all those guns in different calibres from each other, none of them are in the calibre Poland actually uses. It's almost impressive.

Yes, as far as I know HOI4 doesn't impose a logistics penalty for the varying types, though it may.

I look forward to the next stage of the campaign when they try to reconcile their party name with being non-aligned. Then again Belorussia is a communist dictatorship so I'm mildly surprised such a group is even allowed to exist, this is the country that left the Soviet Union but decided to retain the KGB with the same name and powers.

Perhaps it can be rationalised more as support in the community - maybe underground - than an overt or sanctioned opposition political party. Then again, perhaps we shouldn't cut them that much slack

Mixed progress, overall it seems positive though and those Polish mountain divisions should make a big difference. Units trained for the terrain is the last thing the AI will be expecting, certainly it's not something it would ever do itself (except by accident).

It will take them a while to get there, but we can hope so. Depends whether there's much left to help by the time they do!

The mountaineers should hopefully help on the Sinkiang front.

Ditto. Wherever the front is by then, they should be of great use.

Also, is that the UK that owns South Tirol?

Yes, they seem to have scored an enclave after the last Italian revolt and reconquest.

Re August-September:

Indeed so, and not what you need right in the middle of a tough campaign.

Still, he did recover in the end.

Sometimes this has to be done - but I never enjoy shutting down a production line that's operating at peak efficiency!

I know, but the surplus was growing too great and we'd probably get left with a big inventory of obsoloete vehicles if designs advance before they can be deployed.

Hopefully this is just precautionary, but it's good to know there are significant German forces nearby in case something bad happens in the east!

It seems to be. And yes, given how many they have sent to (and lost in) China and the rest of Asia so far, it is something for if the Soviets get pushy.

Was Mussolini overheard saying "I'll be back!" by any chance? Very foolish to hand the occupation back to the French...

I'm sure he did! Can only faintly hope it's not as badly botched as last time.

Perhaps they should just wait on the French side of the Italian border so they're ready for the next round?

But the salami and vodka there is second rate!

The communists are beginning to look like the strongest faction in this three-way war, unfortunately. At least the Allied position is holding firm for now.

They definitely are. The war with the Fascists seems to have have slowed but not stopped that against the Allies in China.

Given what we've seen of the game's ahistorical focus trees I think we have every right to be worried about the implications of this one.

Yes, really not sure what that one (the Americas interventionism) may do. I won't look it up but will see if it has much significance.

I fear it's going to be very tough indeed taking Urumqi in these conditions, even if you succeed in surrounding the city. So far, so good, I suppose. Let's hope the CSE can sustain itself long enough to get the job done!

The next month will see whether the latest Polish plan has any better luck than the first, rather more impromptu attack did.

I think it's the German reinforcements that have turned the tide?

Probably, though I don't know for sure.

Polish economic and military strength continues to grow. The home front is looking solid.

I think it is. The Soviets are big, but now have some very long fronts through Central Asia if they end up attacking the Allies, while having German and other Allied support in the Wset should be a game-changer.

Re October:

I have no idea if these diplomatic overtures can deliver any tangible benefits or not. Possibly so, as I noticed earlier that Romania will eventually receive an event. While It would be nice to flip Belarus, I suspect they're locked into Trotsky's faction.

Me neither! But I have the spare capacity to try and one never knows. Maybe if the Soviets lose, we might be able to work with something. Shouldn't do any harm, anyway.

There are ominous signs that the communist offensive against the fascists is gathering pace, so you don't have much time before they make their presence felt. Time enough to knock out Sinkiang? We'll see.

Yes, we should know before the end of the year. November, coming up soon, will be informative in that regard.

Good move! China is definitely where these troops need to be. Do you have any more mountain divisions?

They should be handy in some way, for sure.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Yes, as far as I know HOI4 doesn't impose a logistics penalty for the varying types, though it may.

Units need equipment to finish training and be deployed, and then need to have upgrades and reinforcements/replacements as time and combat goes on.

So lendlease essentially aids you getting the deployment and replacement stages sped up, so long as you have supplies to give. The issues being that you can easily get reliant on lendlease if it outstrips your home capacity to build stuff and your army needs new equipment.

This is more of an issue for smaller or less developed nations with a low development ceiling, that haven't grown and expanded for whatever reason. This is especially true for South amercian, African and Asian minors. Owning the entirety of either former two contiennts probably doesn't net you as many build slots as germany starts off with.

 

[Bullfilter]

Units need equipment to finish training and be deployed, and then need to have upgrades and reinforcements/replacements as time and combat goes on.

So lendlease essentially aids you getting the deployment and replacement stages sped up, so long as you have supplies to give. The issues being that you can easily get reliant on lendlease if it outstrips your home capacity to build stuff and your army needs new equipment.

This is more of an issue for smaller or less developed nations with a low development ceiling, that haven't grown and expanded for whatever reason. This is especially true for South amercian, African and Asian minors. Owning the entirety of either former two contiennts probably doesn't net you as many build slots as germany starts off with.

Thanks, useful info! If the game was meant to be very realistic (which is clealry limited, it being a game rather than a specific simulation), there would be some kind of supply penalty, even a general one, applied where multiple ammo and parts requirements exist. In this run, we'll just take what we can get while domestic production ramps up.

 

[Bullfilter]

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Road to Urumqi (Part 2)
(November 1942)

Nationalist Chinese attacking on the Urumqi Front in Sinkiang, November 1942.

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1-20 November 1942: The Battle for Urumqi

By the afternoon of 2 November, Polish forces continued to build up east of Urumqi, as 7 DP arrived and 34 DP marched north. The Chinese had helpfully started an attack on the province south of Urumqi.

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That Chinese attack continued into 4 November, as it began to slow in momentum (progress in balance, 62%), with three Chinese divisions attacking two under Sinkiang command (one an EF from Kwantung). The Allied supply situation remained poor in the areas surrounding it.

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Two days later, the Chinese attack south of Urumqi was making slight progress again as 34 DP closed on the main Polish position east of the city. Two more Polish divisions were dug-in to its west.

Back home, later that morning a new standard infantry division was deployed and allocated to 2nd Army in the north-east. A new light armoured division was started with all equipment available except for just another three of the 50 required light SP artillery.

And measures to improve relations with the Byelorussian SSR [now up to +48 opinion of Poland] were renewed, for whatever good that might ever do.

Spoiler: OTL Event: Op Torch

On 8 November British and American forces began Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa. It would end in victory on 16 November.

On 10 November, the two Polish mountain divisions being transferred to the east embarked in Nice for their trip across to Beirut.

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That afternoon, the great Polish Urumqi attack was ready, with six divisions thrown in – all of them suffering from attrition and lack of supply – against one fully organised, full-strength and entrenched Sinkiang formation. The Chinese attack to the south was also steadily gaining momentum.

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Early on the 12th, four of the Polish divisions that had been recovering for some weeks behind the lines over the border with the Raj were largely reorganised and back at strength and began their strategic relocation back to the front.

The Urumqi attack had been going for five days and was making fair progress [58%] by 15 November. Two days later, it received a real boost when a fresh Chinese division joined in from the north-west – which also brought an increase in tactical air support. This was just as well, because though the enemy were becoming disorganised, the Polish divisions had started from a low base and were fading quite rapidly.

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Exhausted Polish divisions, principally those in the west (which had started in a weaker state), began to drop out of the fight from the morning of 18 November: 34 DP was the first. But in good news, the Chinese had just won and soon occupied the province due south of the capital. The four rested Polish divisions were approaching from the south-west but while near full strength, they would need to reorganise after their strategic redeployment.

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From then until early on the morning of the 19th the battle approached the nine day mark. Another three Polish divisions – all those attack from the west – dropped out of the fight and two more were nearing exhaustion. The Chinese 25 Bubing Shi fought on, while the two as yet uncommitted Polish 10 and 28 DP were thrown into the fight, boosting the odds a little against what were now two defending divisions.

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By the end of the day, it was just the strong 25 Bubing Shi against the almost spent Sinkiang 20th Div, with the Poles in reserve and trying to reinforce.

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Spoiler: OTL Event: Stalingrad

The Soviets launched Operation Uranus on 19 November, a counterattack aimed at surrounding Axis forces at Stalingrad. Two days later Hitler forbade the German 6th Army from retreating. Operation Uranus ended in decisive Soviet victory with the German 6th Army completely encircled at Stalingrad on 23 November. Case Blue had ended in strategic Axis failure.

Op Uranus progress from 18 November 1942.​

Early on the 20th, 10 DP had reinforced and by 1000hr the gruelling battle had been won, with heavy (for the Sinkiang Front) casualties for the enemy in particular. It was estimated it may take up to another six days to occupy the province, however, as the six original attacking formations had all pulled out by then.

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21-30 November 1942: More Work Required

The Polish Air Force marked another advance in its lead fighter design on 21 November. The new PXL.56 Kania would now gradually take over from the earlier Jastrząb model (and before that the older PZL.11, some of which remained in service).

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Research was then directed into improved anti-tank rifles for the infantry.

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Construction priorities were altered to install a new fuel silo in Kielce, as Polish production had improved while use of armour had been limited for some time, causing the current storage to reach 100%.

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The two most exhausted division from the west of Urumqi were rotated back for R&R later that night as their comrades advanced to secure the enemy capital. But at 0500hr on the 22nd, the enemy’s Kwantung EF slipped into Urumqi, requiring a new attack to be launched as an encounter battle. With Altay [2 VP] in the far north set to become the new Sinkiang capital if Urumqi fell, it was unknown whether they would capitulate or fight on.

By the evening, it was another tough fight with three Polish divisions (7 DP only barely rested in the east) against the one enemy formation. Worried about the endurance of the attackers, three more were thrown into the fray.

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Just as the enemy looked like breaking, the now largely recovered Sinkiang 20th Div was spotted heading back towards Urumqi. Desperate to close this second battle out, the still tired troops east of the capital were ordered to put in a holding attack on the afternoon of the 24th.

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Three hours later, the Chinese 25th made a welcome attempt to join the holding attack from the south-west. They would reinforce the fight a day later. This coincided with the end of enemy resistance in Urumqi itself.

​

Two days later, reports came that Communist forces had attacked Allied troops in Sinkiang for the first time, in the south of the sector also bordering fascist Xibei San Ma.

​

Urumqi finally fell to the Poles at 0100hr on 30 November, almost 20 days after the first of the attacks that month was launched. Alas, this did not quite force the capitulation of Sinkiang, whose government relocated to Altay. Four hours later, the new occupiers of Urumqi and another two worn out formations from its east were sent to reinforce the holding attack north of the capital. The drive would need to be continued through the difficult terrain to the north if Sinkiang were to be forced out of the war.

​

Spoiler: OTL Events: Tunisia and Libya

Pushed back from both the east and west, on 29 November German forces in Tunisia clashed with the British and Americans at Tebourba and Djedeida while Montgomery’s 8th Army stopped their westward advance at El Agheila after making some 1,000 km in 14 days.

=======​

November 1942: Monthly Summaries

Communist China had been the big winner on the Asian Front in the period leading up to the end of November 1942. Imperial Kwantung had been almost fully occupied and there was heavy fighting along the whole south-western front along the Nationalist Chinese and Guangxi borders. They had also advanced over most of Xibei San Ma and into eastern Sinkiang. Both the Fascists and the Nationalist Chinese were now heading towards oblivion.

​

Mao’s forces were enveloping Chongqing from the north and also pressing XSM hard.

​

The Allies remained in the stronger position in Indochina, but the front there was currently in a pause.

​

The Allies were attempting to counter-attack in Sulawesi, but were making little progress against a strong Japanese defence.

​

The Polish equipment stockpile remained in good shape, with the AT deficit being significantly reduced, from both local production and lend-lease shipments.

​

After a delay the mountain divisions finally left on trains from Beirut for distant Sinkiang at the end of the month [no alerts for arrived units in HOI4 that I’ve discovered, so they stayed in port for a while before I remembered them].

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Thanks, useful info! If the game was meant to be very realistic (which is clealry limited, it being a game rather than a specific simulation), there would be some kind of supply penalty, even a general one, applied where multiple ammo and parts requirements exist. In this run, we'll just take what we can get while domestic production ramps up.

Supplies are slowly being brought in. Trains, supply depos etc. Waging war in Western Europe is going to end up being vastly different to waging war anywhere else. Slower, harder, tons more attrition and worse performance for everyone not adapted to supply chain and living off the land issues.

 

[SSmith]

The Urumqi attack had been going for five days and was making fair progress [58%] by 15 November. Two days later, it received a real boost when a fresh Chinese division joined in from the north-west – which also brought an increase in tactical air support. This was just as well, because though the enemy were becoming disorganised, the Polish divisions had started from a low base and were fading quite rapidly.

It does seem that the Chinese divisions are coping with the terrain and/or the supply situation much better than the Polish? Could this have something to do with China being the province controller?

By the end of the day, it was just the strong 25 Bubing Shi against the almost spent Sinkiang 20th Div, with the Poles in reserve and trying to reinforce.

Again, this only confirms the impression that the Chinese are able to perform much more effectively here. Not sure why. Probably their suppy consumption is lower? Maybe they are less dependent on fuel?

Early on the 20th, 10 DP had reinforced and by 1000hr the gruelling battle had been won, with heavy (for the Sinkiang Front) casualties for the enemy in particular.

Gruelling is certainly the word!

But at 0500hr on the 22nd, the enemy’s Kwantung EF slipped into Urumqi, requiring a new attack to be launched as an encounter battle.

And this is what you just know is going to happen after you've fought and won a long battle against an entrenched enemy...

Urumqi finally fell to the Poles at 0100hr on 30 November, almost 20 days after the first of the attacks that month was launched. Alas, this did not quite force the capitulation of Sinkiang, whose government relocated to Altay.

Very bad news indeed, after all that effort to secure the city! Taking Urumqi seemed a sure way of knocking Sinkiang out of the war.

Mao’s forces were enveloping Chongqing from the north and also pressing XSM hard.

Losing Chongqing might just push China over the edge. Hopefully the city won't fall and China will hold out, but it's certainly a worrying development.

 

[Historywhiz]

Is Urumqi a supply hub? Can you build a railroad to connect it to the nearest allied supply hub down in India?

 

[Bullfilter]

Is Urumqi a supply hub? Can you build a railroad to connect it to the nearest allied supply hub down in India?

Quick answer to this one: I guess it is a supply hub, but I’m unaware of any way to build a railroad (improve infra) through an area you don’t control. But then I’ve hardly played HOI4 before.

 

[Historywhiz]

Quick answer to this one: I guess it is a supply hub, but I’m unaware of any way to build a railroad (improve infra) through an area you don’t control. But then I’ve hardly played HOI4 before.

One of the few good things a recent dlc added was the ability to build railways through alied controlled territory