The Return of the Empire (A British AAR)

[unmerged(143216)]

This is my first AAR so tell me if I should change what I am doing or anything to help me please. I am using the Steel Monsters mod, and the Commonwealth mod. Also I will place my armies under the control of the AI (with the exception of 1 or 2 divisions).

My goal is to return the British Empire to its former glory by retaking the seas, and defeating all who seek to destroy the empire. I started the game by lowering my neutrality to zero (by using a cheat), and began spending all of my leadership points researching destroyer guns, Battleship, Cruiser, Carrier, and some Industry techs. I changed my draft laws to three year draft, my training laws to specialized training, and my economic laws to war economy.

I immediately begin construction of 6 heavy cruisers, and 3 battle cruisers. While I wait for the time to pass I am already setting targets for my future expansion I plan to invade Afghanistan by 1937, and Ireland by 1938. I am also preparing for any future war in Africa by setting goals for El Iskandariya HQ (North Africa, and Middle East Command), and Dar es Salaam HQ (East Africa Command). So far my plan for expanding the Navy is to add 6 heavy cruisers 3 Battle cruisers and 10 light cruisers to the navy by mid 1939 as well as 4 SHBB's and 6 Carriers by late 1941.

 

[Myth]

Cheating? Tsk tsk, where's the fun in that? Otherwise, it looks like you're certainly building up your fleet a bit. Should be interesting.

 

[unmerged(152826)]

Maybe a few Screen Shots?

 

[unmerged(143216)]

Cheating? Tsk tsk, where's the fun in that? Otherwise, it looks like you're certainly building up your fleet a bit. Should be interesting.

It does seem a little too easy I might out my laws back to what they were before I cheated.

Maybe a few Screen Shots?

How do I post screen shots?

 

[unmerged(143216)]

So I decided to set my economic, and draft laws back to where they were before I cheated. I managed to finish my first 6 heavy cruisers by late January of 1937. Meanwhile the Conservative party, Nordic Leauge, and the National Liberal party are all growing in popularity. The Nordic leauge is now the third most popular party in the nation while the National Liberal party is in fourth. My naval theory is already past 30 after 1 year of nearly constant naval research. I have reached 1940 level Battleship parts in all categories, as well as super-heavy Battleship tech. After seeing the rate at which I built my heavy cruisers, I am thinking about increasing the size of my Navy even more than I originally planned. I already ordered 8 more light cruisers, and the AI ordered about 10 transport flotillas. I will post again soon.

Question which of the following should I build as my main fleet?
10 Carriers
6 Carriers, and 4 SHBB's
6 Carriers, and 6 BB's
or
6 Carriers and 2 UHBB's

 

[Jorath13]

How do I post screen shots?

Well, first you must take a screenshot. Either in-game (forget the command), printscrn button then copy/paste into a Paint program or something similar, or using FRAPS or another type of program that can take screenshots for you. Then, tweak the shots a bit by snipping out areas of the picture you don't want in the final shot, adding in your own graphics and such, and then upload the shot to a hosting site. Imageshack and Photobucket are two such...Google I think has their own, plus you can simply Google "Free photo sharing sites" or something similar.

When you've uploaded, some sites allow you to set the resolution - presume everyone reading your AAR has a 17" monitor, not that 45" plasma widescreen you've got. Adjust the resolution size accordingly so it'll fit in a browser screen properly (not too small, not too big). Then you'll want to include the picture location tag in your AAR. Most file/pic sharing host sites make this easy, just click on the "Share" button or something similar and it should give you a choice of what type of link you need. Also, above in the PI message pane there should be an easy way to include a link, click on the icon that looks kinda like a postcard; you may have to make IE allow this function but in any case you should see a popup window asking for the image's URL. Just insert the picture's URL into there. Alternatively you can use "open bracket, IMG, close bracket" URL site "open bracket, forward slash, IMG, close bracket" to post a pic.

Hopefully the above isn't too mind-boggling.

 

[Jorath13]

Question which of the following should I build as my main fleet?
10 Carriers
6 Carriers, and 4 SHBB's
6 Carriers, and 6 BB's
or
6 Carriers and 2 UHBB's

If you mean, Fleet One will have one set of the above, bear in mind that currently CAG is not working properly and you'll see stacking penalty issues. If you put 10 carriers into one fleet, you'll find major issues with the CAG on those CVs. Best to only have 2-3 CVs per fleet. Personally, I'd go with 2-3 CV/CVLs, 2-3 CA, 2-3 CL, and some advanced DDs. Alternatively, 2-3 CVs, 2-3 BB and/or BCs, 2-3 CA and/or CLs if your DDs don't have the range of your CVs yet.

 

[unmerged(143216)]

If you mean, Fleet One will have one set of the above, bear in mind that currently CAG is not working properly and you'll see stacking penalty issues. If you put 10 carriers into one fleet, you'll find major issues with the CAG on those CVs. Best to only have 2-3 CVs per fleet. Personally, I'd go with 2-3 CV/CVLs, 2-3 CA, 2-3 CL, and some advanced DDs. Alternatively, 2-3 CVs, 2-3 BB and/or BCs, 2-3 CA and/or CLs if your DDs don't have the range of your CVs yet.

I didn't mean that it was all for one fleet I meant for my whole navy.

On March 13 I finally ordered Bombay HQ to invade Afghanistan and avenge our defeat in the third Anglo-Afghan war. After 27 days of fighting the Afghan army surrendered, the war cost 2,193 Afghan soldiers, as well as 485 British soldiers. Meanwhile I ordered the production of 8 light cruisers. So far this is the composition of the Royal Navy.

Ship type # in service # under construction
BB 12 0
BC 3 3
CA 22 0
CL 30 8
CV 3 0
CVL 3 0
DD 32 (groups) 1 (group)
SS 9 (groups) 0
TP 13 (flotillas) 7 (flotillas)

So far my naval research is going well I am still around 30 in naval theory but am up to 15 in cruiser practical

Sorry that I couldn't get images on the fourth Anglo-Afghan war (that is a lot of wars) the war ended before I read Jorath13's posts. Thanks again Jorath13.

 

[unmerged(143216)]

WW2 started already. I was forced to face Germany, Italy, Japan, Manchukuo, Shanxi, and Ethiopia with just France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa to assist me. I decided to start my invasions of Ireland, and Saim early Ireland fell in a few days 10-20 days, but I only had 1 division near Saim so no progress has been made their yet.

I already ordered 12 reserve infantry divisions in series of 2 to help strengthen my armies. If only I had spent my time researching tanks instead of ships I wouldn't be in this situation. So far my strategy in Africa is to abandon East Africa and launch massive offensives from Egypt into East Africa, and Libya. While in Asia my plan is to launch an invasion of China through India, and Southeast Asia, and drive Japan out of China followed by an invasion of the home islands. In Europe my plan is to defend France for as long as possible while I prepare my Army for an invasion of Germany. What are your thoughts?

I will get pics later I can't right now.

 

[Myth]

I'm envious of your naval engineering theory and your cruiser practical. Sounds like your army isn't as tough as you thought it was, though.

 

[ComTrav]

Researching ships early on is fine, because they take so long to build, you'll want to make sure they're good tech before you start building them. And besides...you're not SUPPOSED to have a better army then Germany by '39 .

Since your starting army is mostly infantry, researching infantry weapons/doctrines probably the fastest way to increase your army performance. Researching/building tanks takes longer, but you'll obviously want them sooner or later.

 

[unmerged(143216)]

Researching ships early on is fine, because they take so long to build, you'll want to make sure they're good tech before you start building them. And besides...you're not SUPPOSED to have a better army then Germany by '39 .

Since your starting army is mostly infantry, researching infantry weapons/doctrines probably the fastest way to increase your army performance. Researching/building tanks takes longer, but you'll obviously want them sooner or later.

I continued playing my game and North Africa is collapsing, my forces in Egypt have been driven back to Alexandria, and France is on the verge of collapse. I decided to start making light tanks as well as infantry to improve my practical. I am all alone France is falling, the Commonwealth has abandon me, and every nation is moving away from me on the pyramid, it is me against the world.

My only hope now is to hold on until my infantry can begin to reinforce the rest of my army. Also I just ordered that Bombay command launch a blitzkrieg strike against Siam (trying to hurry up and knock them out of the war).

 

[Myth]

You're fighting the Italians in Egypt? Where's O'Connor when you need him?!

 

[unmerged(143216)]

In a stroke of genius General Auchinleck landed over 80,000 soldiers at Stettin to the Northeast of Berlin. We may win this war after all. Although Italy has finally crushed France if we defeat Germany we will separate Poland, and Italy, and we will gain a massive resource base. Auchinleck may have saved the United Kingdom of Great Britain from collapse.

The war is still hanging in the balance who will win, tune in next time to find out. My next update will probably be some time tomorrow. Also what will happen to my army in Germany now that I took control will it A. Be completely wiped out B. Drive back the Germans but later be halted C. completely destroy Germany or D, other (please explain).

 

[Myth]

Now that may be a stroke of genius or a stroke of disaster...

 

[unmerged(143216)]

Now that may be a stroke of genius or a stroke of disaster...

Hopefully it will turn out to be a stroke of genius. If this AAR goes well I might make another one that focuses on armored forces instead of naval forces.

 

[unmerged(143216)]

At last the tide has turned. I managed to gain a small foothold in Germany, I also managed to stabalize the situation in France (after losing the entire southern, and western parts of France.) In Africa I have nearly destroyed the Italian army, I also have begun to drive back Italy in East Africa. In Siam I am rapidly defeating the Siamese army, and have more a less stabalized my overall situation. So far I am considering Auchinleck, and Alexander (fighting in Germany, and Northern France respectivley) to be the heroes of the empire. New images.

 

[unmerged(62857)]

Gain sweet sweet victory for the Empire!!!

 

[gianlucad]

It doesnt even suprise me anymore that Italy is winning against France

 

[ComTrav]

Just finished a France game, and having played Italy, I suspect it's easier to get more IC-days of production as Italy due to the advantage of earlier mobilization. (Who knows how much the AI does; a human player OFC can game the war with Ethiopia a lot...) TBH the strong Italy is something I hope stays the same in 1.2 . I suppose the war started so early it doesn't matter that much in this AAR...

I'm actually surprised war started as soon as it did. Did you DoW Germany, or what happened?