The exiled - the Netherlands in CORE

[cegorach]

Ah, I never played CORE so I wouldn't know.
So you're basically screwed in Europe, right?

With all my experience I can say that those nine divisions/brigades I have might stop 5-6 German divisions, but probably just barely...

I don't expect the Germans to use only such a modest number of units... so I will try to perform a fighting retreat, but more about my plans in the next update - hopefully tomorrow.

The Balbinater

wow the war comes ealier then usual. not good for a small country trying to get things prepared...

good job so far

Hmm.. thank you.
Of course I am trying to act in some rather realitic manner, so no major military investments untill it seemed more than justified.
Still I will remain a neutral country if possible and I have no knowledge about any German plans to attack me.

That is what I love about alternative history - trying to think as they thought which means there will be mistakes I will eventually commit. Perhaps I have already made those...

 

[cegorach]

Today is the day...

Anyway I thought I will show some results from my efforts to improve CORE.

Here is the latest addition - will take some time to develop, but I think I have about 40 % of work already done - mainly information gathering, but some things are implemented already.

Let the pictures speak for themselves:

P.S. Of course there will be very few available techteams at a time, but with some knowledge about the subject it is easy to notice that fact.

 

[cegorach]

The storm that gathers*



Don't worry the guy responsible for this title doesn't work here anymore.
In addition I want to ensure you that no weather conditions will be mentioned... unless it is about the weather in the game.


Tension in Europe is almost tangible...

We are trying to accomodate the Germans and save our neutrality. Trading some resources might help.
But some have switched to war production already.


Some, however prefer peaceful solutions. Prime minister Put... Stalin decides to eliminate some problems he has with its western enemy.

See negotiations can actually work, even if you are a despotic, paranoid... excuse me I need to ...(* what the hell are you doing !? Do we really need problems with HIM as well ???* )
.... ok, I meant a respectable leader of an empire.

To show our... readiness for war we recall one of two naval squadrons from East Indies.

But before it arrives the sitation is much, much different....

We decided to switch even a larger part of our production towards military needs...

Our experts observe as German divisions advance in Poland.
To our amazement they do not manage to exploit their recently gained positions in eastern Slovakia and attack in the center instead...

Soon the war engulfs half of the world - in the sea at least, strategic bombing of Germany begins....

Terrible, bloody struggle in the western front starts as well. Soon millions of soldiers will be involved in an exhausting conflict - in trenches, in mud in...

Err... I apologise it was over 20 years earlier... always confusing one war with another...



** Notice the fact that German forces apparently got stuck in central Poland - most likely because unlike in real life Poland was completely mobilized for war in this AAR.


As Europe and the rest of the world reacts. Some countries remain neutral.
Much like the USA.

or the Soviets who... errr...

Anyway Poland falls and its army either crosses the border, hides weaponry for guerill struggle or destroys it before surrendering.




As the war in the sea starts with the first German submarine destroyed by an Indian escort sloop.

We are adjusting our research and production...

Some question the idea to build more destroyers and submarines, but we are also facing the Japanese danger in the east and after all we are planning to stay neutral.

Some people have a slightly different idea how neutrality works.

Finland's insulting existence pushes the Soviets to declare war.

Soon it seems rather obvious that this conflict will leave very few options, for many uninvolved countries...

Still the winter of 1939-1940 is quite calm.


Yet we decide to increase our production. it never actually hurts.

The Japanese are still fighting in China, while Finland folds to reasonable Soviet demands losing second largest city, main defensive line and some other insignificant territories...

At least our intelligence is busy.

Such a pity we have little use for their blueprints....



It is spring 1940 and all is quiet in the western front - quite quiet actually because the French score a victory against Kriegsmarine, humilating the Royal Navy somehow...

At the same time our intelligence reports about amassing German forces close to our borders.

We decide to move some units and start military exercise to show we are fully prepared to defend our neutrality, or rather that we are not worth the trouble.
The exercises will start in May 1940, so in a while. Some divisions will be moved towards the border

OH my....

 

[cegorach]

To answer your questions - yes I am screwed, yes I wasn't expecting that so soon...

This game is so full of suprises. Will be interesting for sure, but at this moment I wish it wasn't SO interesting.

 

[unmerged(104668)]

Hey but you knew you would be screwed on the mainland so the trick is to go with a bang and to mget as many units as possible to the east.

 

[unmerged(47582)]

What do you get from the mobilisation event?

 

[Hagar]

Hey but you knew you would be screwed on the mainland so the trick is to go with a bang and to mget as many units as possible to the east.

Exploit, doesn't work within CORE.

 

[Hagar]

What do you get from the mobilisation event?

Increase in IC, increase in manpower, slider move towards 'drafted army'...

Oh, and for the record: that mobilization image is actually an image of the 1939 Dutch mobilization. Should you use the CORE in color graphics pack it's actually in color.

 

[unmerged(55489)]

Keep this going pls

 

[cegorach]

Don't wory.

I lost my web access last week for some time and later I was away for a couple of days.

How it is possible in a large city the very center of Europe in the XXIst century is a mystery to me...

Anyway everything is fine now so I will update the AAR tomorrow.


Some fighting to show , finally.

@RamsesII

Hey but you knew you would be screwed on the mainland so the trick is to go with a bang and to mget as many units as possible to the east.

Hagar said that already, besides I am attempting to make this AAR quite realistic, though not too much - it would be some very dull and boring AAR if I go to far.

IN the end some units most likely will be saved (I am praying that my cavalry unit survives - I see some great future waiting for them.
Plus I will try to take at least one- two warships with me - I guess these will be finished in Britain or the USA.


Of course I didn't expect to survive in the mainland, but at least I hope it won't be a complete disaster, though the odds are against me.

We will see and (hopefully) NOT weep.

 

[robw963]

phew! that's a relief...thought we lost you there. I'm really curious to watch this AAR unfold and learn more about this C.O.R.E. mod and your hand in it.

 

[gianlucad]

NOOOOO! If the Egyptians had entered the war things would be diferent. :rofl:

 

[cegorach]

I will update the AAR tomorrow - I had some rough time with the AI in my pack.

Adding the Secret State apparently discouraged AI controlled countries from researching most important infantry techs and although it didn't affect this AAR it consumed most of my spare time.

The good thing is that I plyed for a couple of months in 1940 and I can promise... it will be different than in most of AARs... :rofl:

You will see tomorrow... it won't be pretty. In other words blood, BLOOD everywhere.

@robw963

phew! that's a relief...thought we lost you there. I'm really curious to watch this AAR unfold and learn more about this C.O.R.E. mod and your hand in it.

My internet connection suffered, but fortunatelly not me - but I am indestructable, much like my favourite superhero - bare chested, karate master, prime minister.

NOOOOO! If the Egyptians had entered the war things would be diferent. :rofl:

I certainly agree - their airforce (if they have it...) for example would save at least France and perhaps, just perhaps lead the offensive to kill the AXIs.

Or so my Egyptian friend tells me - you know the one - the exiled guy with lots of money he wants to send me, If I just give him my credit card number.

 

[cegorach]

The Fall of Holland

With the German invasion so utterly suprising very little could be done.

Dutch army consisted of roughly 12 divisions/brigades with only 8 deployed so they could engage the foe where it attacked.

In addition there was no second line of defence except in Ultrecht so the enemy could break through border defences and quickly pursue more important targets leaving mopping up to second line, in general infantry divisions.


It was soon easy to notice how devastating the initial attack was.

The only bright (relatively) spot was Arnhem where three infantry brigades managed to hold for more than a couple of hours.



Which, as was hoped would buy some time to support the defences with the mobile reserves.

The invasion was a total suprise, but nevertheless the Dutch were not going to surrender so easily.

The pride of the armed forces - the two fighter wings and the Dutch navy were put into action.

Our modern submarines will soon threaten enemy trade routes, while some, re-deployed naval squadrons would seek enemy warships which would be trageted by the coastal surface fleet.




With Arnhem held there was some good news at the end of the day - our new allies decided to share technology with us.

At the ame time our production would soon finish first rada stations - which ultimately would support the last stand of the Dutch Army in Amsterdam and Rotterdam if everything else fails.

Unfortunatelly that would be much more difficult with the fall of Arnhem defences.

Marely hours before the support managed to arrive and was overwhelmed..

Similar was the fate of the reserves coming to the south....

But the worst news came from the north...

Enemy armoured-motirized units managed to penetrate our defences and cut of three retreating brigades...

Amsterdam was defenceless !!!

Two remaining divisions/brigades were directed to cover this path of enemy attack.

While our bombers were sent to slow down enemy columns only to attack the wrong targets due to communication problems...

The speed of enemy advance was breathtaking, but civilian authorities and the most modern naval squadron were both evacutated.

Efforts were made to form solid defences in Rotterdam.

While Amsterdam was taken... Fortunatelly Her Majesty was safely transported by the navy.

With 1/4 army destroyed, and everything except the single corps in Ultrecht retreating in hurry (we never simply flee !) the choice was obvious....

But the fight will continue !




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Comments
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Pretty much, no question here, a total distaster...

Still it could be hardly any different all things considering:

- enemy had almost 2 times larger ORG and morale and outnumbered the defenders at least 4 to 1 if not worse (my brigades/divisions are smaller and with outdated equipment, except the AT weaponry you can spot),

- their commanders were much better and their three armoured divisions simply monstrous...

- all my divisions are smaller and slower - usually not motorized,

- the attack in the north destroyed the entire wing and it was little I could do to plug the hole,


The only good news is that the attack involved almost 20 enemy divisions, including three armoured and one-two motorized.

We will see how the French and the Belgians will use that fact to their advantage.