As for why Barbarossa never happened, perhaps the HoI2 Hitler recognised that such a war couldn't be won against me, all through the game I've had at least 100+ extra divisions than the Germans. 
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Situation in the east as of the 2nd of June 1944.
The Eastern Front
The Red Army spring offensive opened with a push in the centre, eventually aimed at Lvov, and an offensive in the east, aimed at capturing, amongst other provinces, Kiev, and also ending at Lvov. The aim of this operation was to pocket large numbers of German and Axis divisions in the Tarnopol region.
However by early summer this had largely failed, due mainly to stronger than expected German defences. STAVKA called off the offensive and planned for a continuation in the previous years strategy of slow and steady progress, across a largely broad front.
The situation in the east as of January 7th 1945.
The Eastern Front
After the failed spring offensive of 1944, STAVKA returned to a broad front strategy. This move was successful, and by 1945 the Soviet Union had clearly gained the upper hand in Europe. Huge swathes of territory had fallen to the Red Army, which had grown in size substantially from when the war in the east had begun. The Red Army could now field well over four hundred divisions in the east.
All but the most ardent Nazi in Berlin realised the war was increasingly unwinnable. Hitler himself was by this time making more and more of the decisions. He disliked and distrusted his generals, who he blamed for the reverses of 1944. That the only Axis success' in the East came as a result of good German generalship was a point lost on Hitler.
War News
Red Army divisions had slowly been built up during 1944 for the Norwegian campaign, with twenty-four infantry divisions in total being tasked to this theatre. Progress was slow but steady, and by late 1944 the shattered remnants of the German divisions posted to Norway made a last ditch defence of the country in the south. However, these forces were massively outnumbered and Norway was in Soviet hands by January 1945.
Many years previously Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov had begun the progress of bringing the left wing radical regime of Brazil under the Soviet sphere of influence. This was largely due to counter Axis and Allied influence in the region, but even if such pressures weren't coming from London and Berlin to South America, it has been argued that Stalin was keen to increase Soviet and Communist influence anyway. This was successful, and by early 1945, the left-wing radical regime in power in Brazil had agreed to join the Comintern alliance.
The United Kingdom had by 1945 gained an unassailable position in North Africa. The Italians had seen their earlier successes reversed, and Benito Mussolini was furious with his generals.
Looking good. No sign of a second front in France from the Allies, I take it?
Good luck in your inevitable spring campaign. Onward to Berlin, comrade!
Good luck in your inevitable spring campaign. Onward to Berlin, comrade!
Pacer, I was actually quite surprised when they decided to finally join the Comintern, I'd spent the best part of two years asking them!
Kan' Sharuminar, the British are still fighting mostly in North Africa, but I wish they'd open up a second front on the continent along with the Americans, I'm doing all the fighting!
Kan' Sharuminar, the British are still fighting mostly in North Africa, but I wish they'd open up a second front on the continent along with the Americans, I'm doing all the fighting!
OK, so I haven't updated in ages, the reason being that I played too far ahead to make any worthwhile updates. Apologies to those who have been following this, but this will be the last 'update'.
Basically, I won. By game end I had driven the fascist beast right back across western europe. Eastern Europe had been liberated and replaced with friendly Stalinist regimes, whilst France lay in Soviet hands, my Spanish campaign was nearly over, and the Italians only had months left before capitulation.
As for the Allies, well the British had regained territory in North Africa, but the Americans were making hard work out of the Japanese, making little progress.
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BTW, I shall be starting a new AAR soon, hopefully in a style that'll make updating easier.
Basically, I won. By game end I had driven the fascist beast right back across western europe. Eastern Europe had been liberated and replaced with friendly Stalinist regimes, whilst France lay in Soviet hands, my Spanish campaign was nearly over, and the Italians only had months left before capitulation.
As for the Allies, well the British had regained territory in North Africa, but the Americans were making hard work out of the Japanese, making little progress.
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BTW, I shall be starting a new AAR soon, hopefully in a style that'll make updating easier.