The offensive goes well, and into the new year.
Hopefully the Russians remain quiescent.
Hopefully the Russians remain quiescent.
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Any chance at an operation after this to push south and cut off eastern Slovakia? That should bag a good number of German divisions and shorten your frontline substantially.
I had considered that option - especially because the Germans don't seem very thick here - but ultimately my goal is just to stretch the Germans enough that they unman the Maginot and give France some breathing space to start fighting - because I am on a time limit that you will see soon 
The other problem is that the divisions wont truly be destroyed - they'll just cross the border into Hungary and show up some other time - and there won't be any river lines to hide my broken divisions behind to hide how worn out I'll be lol.
The other problem is that the divisions wont truly be destroyed - they'll just cross the border into Hungary and show up some other time - and there won't be any river lines to hide my broken divisions behind to hide how worn out I'll be lol.
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January: Out of the Mouth Of Hell
An important change has come over our French friends - we hear that they have switched from a defensive stance to a "prepare" stance - whatever that means. So, perhaps they are indeed truly inspired by our acts of heroism.
As more winter storms roll in our offensive will be slowed - but so too will the German response!
By January 7th, we continue the offensive Northwards - but 2nd and 3rd Armies are about at their limit.
Shortly after noon, our soldiers of the FDZ announce the Germans have vacated Kolo and that they will be moving Northward - 1st Army is now truly in the fight!
We also strike hard to the North against German mobile forces.
Early in the morning on the 8th, however, our situation changes drastically. General Sosabowski reports that panzers have entered Herstadt - he cannot break them or push them aside. His men have to halt.
Even more German armor is sighted to the North of Sosabowski's position and has made an attack on his right flank. We think we'll be able to hold - perhaps the armor will recklessly attack us like the armor in the South did across the river?
In time more reserves arrive, and the Marshal orders Sosabowski to counter-attack into the German armor. If no more armor arrives we can finish 2nd and 3rd Army's portion of the offensive. But if there are tanks hiding behind *that* then we will have to rely on the offensive prowess of 1st Army alone to complete the drive to the Oder.
On the 9th, 1st Army informs us that they've moved beyond the FDZ and are headed into the plains. We inflicted 2:1 casualties on the Germans in this fight.
At noon, general Sosabowski reports that we have swept the panzers from the field - but a great cost to the manpower of 2nd and 3rd Armies.
Early in the morning of Jan 10, forces from first army report coming under attack by 2 additional panzer divisions - we will have to retreat from Kolo temporarily.
On the 11th, at 00:00 General Hanka-Kulesza reports even more panzer divisions have entered the front with 2nd and 3rd Armies and he is powerless to stop their assault - we will have to consider a retreat.
At 09:00 even more armor appears at attacks, from across the river, our garrison in Trebnits - they will be thrown back with ease.
19:00 General Sosabowski reports that the Germans have finally been thrown out of Hernstadt with massive casualties - 141 for us, 641 for the Germans.
At 12:00 on the 13th, Sosabowski's forces now in Hernstadt, come under attack from even more German armor! Where are they getting these tanks from!? But despite our growing concern, Sosabowski reports he can hold his ground.
However, later that evening even more German forces join the assault - Sosabowski is ordered to retreat.
The German counter attack to his right flank is also thrown back - but their position is now precarious as they'll be exposed to multiple avenues of attack - and even more armor has arrived in the field - thankfully they attack Trebnits, trying foolishly to drive across the frozen Oder.
By the 15th, the possibility of a general retreat for 2nd and 3rd Armies is being considered. More and more panzers are showing up and we have no answer to them. We count what appear to be 8 divisions in total now with 6 of them bearing down on 2nd and 3rd Armies.
Meanwhile, 1st Army reports that its counter assault in Kolo has gone well - 61 casualties for us to 866 for the Germans.
At 04:00 general Mossor has to retreat from Trebnits, we inflict massive casualties on the Germans, but with so much armor in front of us that means little.
Though we wish it weren't the case, on the 16 the Marshal instructs 2nd and 3rd Army to begin falling back - they can no longer hold their ground.
Just into the 18th, the tanks continue to push us back - 1st Army is instructed to assault to try to draw the Germans back - we do after all, have a secondary river-line to defend behind them, so if the offensive can develop towards the Baltic we may still be able to have some success.
By the 19th the tanks are rapidly moving South against us, our troops are exhausted as they must retreat, stand and fight so that any stragglers can catch up, and then retreat again.
By 0:00 on the 21st this is the general situation - full retreat for 2nd and 3rd Armies. We will try to push the tanks in the North aside!
In our retreat along the Oder we continue to inflict heavy casualties on the Germans - but not so much that we can hold our ground. We attempt to hide in the forests for extra defense.
It seems to be working as forward elements of the Germans can't dislodge us. Perhaps we have found our new lines?
At 09:00, troops of 1st Army announce that they've pushed the first of two armored divisions in their way from the field and could perhaps flank the Germans in front of Danzig.
However, on the 24th, those hopes are dashed as *yet another* armored division, with mobile infantry on the way, appear in front of 1st army - pushing 3 panzer divisions out of the way is surely too much to ask!
A retreat back to the FDZ is ordered.
On the 24th, the Germans push us from our forest positions along the Oder, but we inflict thousands of casualties upon them.
On the 26th, the Germans try to outflank our exposed divisions of 1st Army by attacking Sieradz again - but they find defenders already in their forts - their attempt to break our army will not succeed!
The Germans call off their assault at 21:00, and suffer 4:1 losses!
They attack again the next day - desperately trying to outflank 1st Army, but they won't, they will be smashed - our forts are too strong!
Finally on the 28th they try to do it with panzers - they too are not strong enough to overcome our forts, and 1st Army is nearly back in position.
Their assault on the positions of 2nd and 3rd Armies resumes - but we have dug into the forest, and they are taught even more about the prowess of Polish arms!
But on the 29th, the Germans throw even more reserves into the battle and 2nd and 3rd Armies are instructed to retreat to their starting positions in the old fort line. The forest is good defensive ground, but it's not as good as our forts.
The offensive is over.
Did it mean anything? Were the French encouraged to make a charge of their own? The British certainly weren't, as no new divisions arrived to us through the whole winter. Did we fight for nothing?
Yes - it meant nothing.
Yet, behind this offensive, we have only strengthened our forts. Despite our Armies' ragged condition - the Marshal believes we can hold indefinitely.
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Ah, as usual, the Germans are able to produce 3 times as many Panzer Divisions as they actually could in real life.
Not nothing - it forced the Germans onto the defensive and that is very worthwhile all by itself. It is the modern equivalent of a sally.
Yeah it was pretty funny I was actually beginning to think it might work having only seen 4-5 panzer divisions and having beaten 2-3 of them quite soundly and we eliminated one of their SUPER high experience light tank divisions in Konigsberg - as long as we kept fighting German infantry everything would be OK because of our superior firepower from artillery. But they must've finished 2-3 armored divisions in December and that was the end of offensives. Someday when I play again we'll have to try to give Poland tanks of her own. Maybe even German ones.
One of the more interesting things I ran across was that in the early game Poland aligning towards the Allies does almost nothing for relations, but maybe because of the paternal autocrat government type we could buy some German armor lol.
To humor myself I did try going South instead when it looked like they were breaking (in a save do-over just to see what would happen) but ultimately I just ended up with a bunch of Slovakia that gave be a touch of extra energy (the least useful resource to me) lol. It didn't accomplish anything because the French still stayed behind doing nothing although my lines did look a lot nicer than they do above.
My intention here was to deplete my divisions fighting and leave the worst-off ones behind to guard the river (thanks to winter and and river crossing they could hold even at very low % strength). Eventually make our way North and then cut off a sizable portion of German divisions up around Danzig with whatever army I had left. Then we'd be completely behind a river-line basically over the whole front, with the troops doing any fighting being completely fresh. But once 2nd and 3rd army broke I was badly exposed because the troops left in place at the river were sometimes at 30-40% strength.
One of the more interesting things I ran across was that in the early game Poland aligning towards the Allies does almost nothing for relations, but maybe because of the paternal autocrat government type we could buy some German armor lol.
To humor myself I did try going South instead when it looked like they were breaking (in a save do-over just to see what would happen) but ultimately I just ended up with a bunch of Slovakia that gave be a touch of extra energy (the least useful resource to me) lol. It didn't accomplish anything because the French still stayed behind doing nothing although my lines did look a lot nicer than they do above.
My intention here was to deplete my divisions fighting and leave the worst-off ones behind to guard the river (thanks to winter and and river crossing they could hold even at very low % strength). Eventually make our way North and then cut off a sizable portion of German divisions up around Danzig with whatever army I had left. Then we'd be completely behind a river-line basically over the whole front, with the troops doing any fighting being completely fresh. But once 2nd and 3rd army broke I was badly exposed because the troops left in place at the river were sometimes at 30-40% strength.
This is a great AAR.
I see PI continues to design HOI to be played by Germans, Russians, or Americans.
All other countries must be steamrolled.
Sigh.
I see PI continues to design HOI to be played by Germans, Russians, or Americans.
All other countries must be steamrolled.
Sigh.
Grand offensive - it was good while it lasted and must have been an exciting fight: both the initial advance and the fighting withdrawal. At least you are in better shape than the Germans were after the Bulge winter offensive in ‘45!
Your screenshot of the Western Front showed where all the panzers came from - they have stripped it bare of all the tanks and most of the infantry to fight mighty Poland. And still the French, despite your earnest pleas (ie the objectives set) refused to assist. Chickens, not roosters!
Your screenshot of the Western Front showed where all the panzers came from - they have stripped it bare of all the tanks and most of the infantry to fight mighty Poland. And still the French, despite your earnest pleas (ie the objectives set) refused to assist. Chickens, not roosters!
Yes, good to see Poland putting up such a strong fight.
Agree - it’s why I like to play countries other than Germany, in particular. I have Turkey in one and France in another AAR standing in front of the steamroller saying “you shall not pass!” marxianTJ is doing a great job of that here: he’s added a middle finger to the gesture of defiance!
February: The Gambit Ends
With 2nd and 3rd Armies involved in something teetering between a full retreat and a fighting withdraw, and 1st Army heading back into the FDZ NW of Warsaw, the military situation is dire. With 2/3rds of our army battered by countless battles against a superior foe, could Poland survive? The winter, which aided our defenses, will soon be a distant memory - we will have to fight the Germans on an equal footing.
Our situation as of February:
On February 1st, the Germans, seeking to cut off the retreating elements of 1st Army, come at the FDZ with their strongest attack perhaps of the war. Mackiewicz believes his men can hold fast, but the Marshal will send them reserves as soon as they become available to assure victory. Throw back the panzer!
By February 4th, the battle in the FDZ still rages, and 2nd and 3rd Armies have returned to virtually the same positions in which they started the war (original defense plan is overlaid). The difference between February 4, 1940, and September 1st, 1939, is that our divisions are mostly at 50% or less strength - some are even so badly broken that they must be sent away as garrisons, with our previously depleted garrisons being sent to the front as replacements.
On the 5th, Sosabowski comes under attack in Krepice by two fresh German infantry divisions - although many of our glorious guns were left along the Oder, we still have enough to throw these back! Our old fort lines in Krepice will aid us as well - they still stand and are in fact fully repaired (level 3 - so the Germans suffer at negative 27% to their attack).
The battle rages for 3 days - Sosabowski declares that his men are at their limit - he is sure the Germans are mostly played out, but our divisions are reduced to little more than regiments - and some have entirely ceased to exist.
They fell defending Polish soil!
In the early morning hours of the 9th, on the fourth day of battle, the Germans call off their assault on Krepice. Our beleaguered forces could not have held on much longer - but they inflicted extreme casualties on the Germans ~2,400, as opposed to the 600 we have lost.
The Germans call off their assault on the FDZ - 1st Army stands tall! There is no further offensive activity for 1st Army, and the Marshal will have to formulate a clever scheme how to send the exhausted elements of 2nd and 3rd Armies North, while sending our fresh troops from the North, to the South, to sure up our defenses there.
But that evening the German infantry come from Krepice *again* - Sosabowski's men are completely exhausted, but they will throw these back as well!
The battle concludes on the 10th we have had to abandon our forts again. Sosabowski's men could stand no more. Most of his divisions are at pre-war regimental strength - hardly divisions at all.
However, on the 12th, reserves from the North have made their way South - aided by the warmer weather - and counter attack into Krepice - at least if the forts are damaged we will have an easier time throwing them back again! This position is highly desirable as it makes the city due South much more defensible, and reduces the amount of ground we have to cover - plus there are 3 forts there.
With battles raging throughout the South, 3 more divisions shatter. Reduced to mere figures on paper.
By February 17th, reserves from the Slovakian border region are called in to reinforce the remnants of 2nd and 3rd Army.
On the 18th, Sosabowski has to call off his counter attack - German panzers block our operations. We will have to be content with a less focused situation - and with Katowice's flank exposed, it's only a matter of time before the city once again falls into German hands. A tragedy for her people.
The assault on Katowice begins mere hours after Sosabowski is forced to call off his attack
By the 19th, with our flanks exposed, even if we feel we could defend the city much longer - which we could! - it is pointless to expend our forces here when our line is so weak in this whole region of the front even if we exhaust our attackers - there will simply be more tomorrow.
On the 20th, the Germans try to drive a wedge between 1st Army and 2nd/3rd Armies by attacking us at Radomsko - but general Gott's 2nd Royal Marines are there and have dug in - they will throw the Germans back.
By the 24th the battle for Rodomsko grows - the Germans *really* want to strike a wedge between our 3 armies - all available reserves are sent to the area - even those which are badly exhausted, indeed which hardly can be said to exist anymore.
The battle finally ends at 7 AM, but with little artillery remaining - having been destroyed by German bombers or left behind - casualties are almost dead even - an exchange we cannot countenance.
As we enter the 7th month of the war with Germany and their Slovakian puppets no-one can say if we will be able to hold our ground or how much more of it we will have to give to stabilize our lines. General Anders' offensive has failed to achieve it's goal of destroying German divisions outside of Danzig, or securing the Oder as a defensive bulwark, and our forces have been very badly depleted by the exercise. 4 whole divisions have ceased to exist. The Germans if anything seem emboldened. Indeed even we did not think we could last this long - but the only support we've received are 30,000 marines, and while they have made a difference, much more is required of our Allies than that!
Our military situation as of March 1, 1940:
The Marshal himself is demoralized, but with our people's fort building program going on in our rear, perhaps we will stabilize?
Around the world, the Soviets, while we were fighting our mortal struggle against Germany, declared war on Finland - few Poles noticed however. Eventually they forced a Finnish surrender.
More brave resistance - but has the offensive fatally weakened the Polish Army after all? No relief is coming from the Allies. And the Soviets? You can trust them as far as you can throw them!
Still, all you can do is fight on - it has been a bold and entertaining one so far
And the Soviets? You can trust them as far as you can throw them! Still, all you can do is fight on - it has been a bold and entertaining one so far
Sadly realistic as far as the Allies go. In our timeline, they never had any intention of seriously aiding Poland.
Yet another of the significant failures of senior politicians in 1939.
Yet another of the significant failures of senior politicians in 1939.
You've done an amazing job giving Niemcy a bloody nose... keep fighting the good fight!
Fort Pilsudski: Waiting for the Knife.
Given that our armies, and our allies, have failed to defeat the Germans strategically, we must look forward to a 1940 that is spent fully on the defensive. Our armies have been devastated by the enemy's armor and air attack -=particularly their air attack, during some battles in the offensive, you could literally see the hourly decrease in STR when the German TACs were overhead=-.
2nd and 3rd Armies have been bolstered by forces from 1st Army, and 1st Army has taken on many of our most exhausted units - to quietly observe the Germans from the trenches dug in 1939.
It is thought that the Germans will, despite our numerical inferiority, be unable to breach our defensive lines so well prepared by the Marshal in the 3 years before the war - though the SW sector has remained a constant issue.
As such, our fort building program continues:
The Marshal, and his generals, must now also consider the problem of the Hungarian and Soviet borders. While it might be prudent, for the perpetration of war against Germany, to focus on building forts along the length of our lines, with the situation as it is in our strategic rear, we must build forts in and around Warsaw and the rear of our lines for when the knife should come to stab us in the back. Anders had sought to create a breakthrough which would enable the Allies to defeat Germany within the next year or two, and perhaps that would have put us in a different position. But now we are trapped, and our army was never capable of fighting both the USSR and Germany at once. No further attempts to break out from our lines will be attempted against Germany unless the situation changes massively - Poland's army could not survive another such offensive.
In honor of Marshal Pilsudski, the present Marshal has declared that this line of fortifications that will turn the interior of Poland into a massive fortress, shall be named the Pilsudski Line. Detractors in the press deride it as Fort Pilsuski.
After our consolidation, the Germans cease testing our lines on March 4th, 1940.
A week goes by with German movement in front of us, but no attack.
And another.
And another.
Soon, it is April - all is quiet on the Eastern Front.
Then, in the 8th month of war, our Allies start to make demands. We inform them curtly, that until more is done for Poland, Poland can do no such things for her allies! We are barely able to make it as it is; surrounded on all sides by darkness, with our merchant marine sunk or hiding in ports throughout the world!
In June, the British send us 2 more infantry divisions - these will be put to use on the front to sure up locations which appear to be weak - not that the cowardly Germans have made any test of them. When the inevitable comes, they will join the Polish army inside of the Pilsudki line.
In July, another division of Royal Marines arrives - 4 in all. There are now 60,000 soldiers from the UK in Poland - a welcomed addition.
All remains quiet on the Eastern, and Western fronts.
In September, after a year of war and 7 months of "sitzkrieg" Bulgaria joins the Axis, but does not declare war against us, thankfully.
Some of our politicians believe perhaps, we could try and ingratiate ourselves to the Soviets. That maybe if we show a willingness to trade, they will not stab us in the back. The Marshal thinks that such a policy is hopelessly naive, but it certainly couldn't hurt.
At the end of September, Finland, a nation we feel at least some connection to, having fought the USSR to a virtual standstill in the last winter, joins the Axis. What a shame.
Thus passes the year 1940 - a year in which many of our divisions are still far below their pre-war strength, but we have constructed a great many forts. The French, for their part, have still done very little, if anything.
Here’s hoping the respite is enough to help replenish your units a bit. If you’re going to sit still for a long time, would you consider some static provincial AA to bolster your forts?
If you can afford the extra production I’d get in early and start building some now - I think you’d want L5-6 AA to feel protected in a province (clearly that may not be possible for all forts, but you don’t have to specify the location in advance, at least). And the Heavy AA tech to improve its effectiveness?Yup