Since this is one of my first HOI2 games and I’ve never played HOI, you’ll have to excuse my general incompetence. Also, since I did not plan to write an AAR about this, the pre-war description is rather sketchy. Anyway…
Nation: USSR
Scenario: 1936
Version: 1.1
Difficulty: Normal/Normal
Goals: Spreading Socialism
During this period, the aggressiveness of the fascists grew as the weakness of the capitalists became clear for all to see. Italy subdued first the freedom loving Ethiopians and then the peaceful Albanians and the West did nothing. Germany annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia, and the West signed papers. When the Russian people sent aid to help their Spanish comrades against the rebel fascist generals, the West spent their time in committees. At last Stalin grew tired of this uneven fight for freedom and equality. As a result, the 24th August 1939, Soviet signed a treaty of non-aggression with Germany, the so-called Molotov-Ribbentorp pact.
Having thus secured the friendship of the USSR, Hitler could continue with his dreams of conquest. He attempted to pressure Poland to give up Danzig, their sole port. They refused. The 30th August, Hitler declared war against Poland. Surprisingly, France and England lived up to their promises for once, and declared war. However, unsurprisingly, they did nothing but sit along their border and watched as the German armies grinded the Polish defenders to dust. The Poles made a valiant last stand at Warsaw, but in vain. By the 3rd October, the city was completely encircled and it fell four days later. It was now self evident that the Polish government could no longer protect its millions of Russian subjects. Therefore Stalin felt it necessary to annex Poland’s eastern provinces.
Meanwhile the process of improving the Red Army continued. By September, most of the old artillery guns had been exchanged by new improved ones. The 1st November a new tactical bomber, the Petljakov Pe-2, went into the production lines.
The 14th November, the Soviet government politely asked Finland for permission to lease the military port at Hankö. Also some concern was shown for the well-being of the Russian minority living in Karelen. When the stubborn Finns refused to listen to reason, it was decided to teach them a lesson. The following forces were brought up to do this:
1st Mechanized Corps at Leningrad, commanded by General Primakov
- 7th, 15th & 163rd Motorized Divisions
- 8th, 177th & 191st Infantry Divisions
7th Army at Petrozavodks, commanded by General Frolov
- 11th, 18th, 23rd 54th & 71st Infantry Divisions
- 9th Tank Divison
26th Army at Murmansk, commanded by Lt. General Navrocki
- 99th & 240th Infantry Divisons
- 240th Motorized Division
In the South, the Finns had built up great line of defences, and the first attacks by Gen. Primakov on Vipurii failed. However, on the other side of Lagoda, Frolov was able to punch his way through with the help of his tank division. Therefore, when Primakov renewed his attack, the Finns found them selves flanked from the Northeast, and were forced to withdraw. The first Russian soldiers were inside Vipurii by 1st December. Seeing that the enemy was fleeing, Primakov pressed on and captured Helsinki the 13th. He also briefly held Turku, but sadly had to withdraw to avoid being cut off by Mannerheim, the Finnish general. After a few days spent regrouping, new attacks where made and Primakov drove Mannerheim out of Mikkeli while Frolov advanced into Jonesuu.
Although important gains had been made, the Finnish army was not yet broken, and Navrocki had not yet taken Petsamo despite numerous assaults. It was therefore decided to bring up more troops to ensure total victory:
6th Corps at Kandalakuja, commanded by Lt. General Chuikov
- 20th & 52nd Infantry Division
- 84th Motorized Division
8th Corps at Helsinki, commanded by Lt. General Bulov
- 104th Infantry Division
- 12th Tank Division
The new offensive began the 27th January, and proved to be a complete success as our victorious soldiers advanced along the whole front. The 1st February, Bulov chased the Finnish government out of its refuge at Piri, It was now clear that the Finnish army could no longer hope to stop our forces. However, the stubborn Finns refused to give up, and needless bloodshed continued until the end of the month.
1st March 1940, Stalin announced the creation of the Peoples Republic of Finland, led by the esteemed Otto Ville Kuusinen.
Nation: USSR
Scenario: 1936
Version: 1.1
Difficulty: Normal/Normal
Goals: Spreading Socialism
The Road to War 1936 – Aug 1939
During this period, the aggressiveness of the fascists grew as the weakness of the capitalists became clear for all to see. Italy subdued first the freedom loving Ethiopians and then the peaceful Albanians and the West did nothing. Germany annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia, and the West signed papers. When the Russian people sent aid to help their Spanish comrades against the rebel fascist generals, the West spent their time in committees. At last Stalin grew tired of this uneven fight for freedom and equality. As a result, the 24th August 1939, Soviet signed a treaty of non-aggression with Germany, the so-called Molotov-Ribbentorp pact.
The War breaks out Aug 1939 – Nov 1939
Having thus secured the friendship of the USSR, Hitler could continue with his dreams of conquest. He attempted to pressure Poland to give up Danzig, their sole port. They refused. The 30th August, Hitler declared war against Poland. Surprisingly, France and England lived up to their promises for once, and declared war. However, unsurprisingly, they did nothing but sit along their border and watched as the German armies grinded the Polish defenders to dust. The Poles made a valiant last stand at Warsaw, but in vain. By the 3rd October, the city was completely encircled and it fell four days later. It was now self evident that the Polish government could no longer protect its millions of Russian subjects. Therefore Stalin felt it necessary to annex Poland’s eastern provinces.
Meanwhile the process of improving the Red Army continued. By September, most of the old artillery guns had been exchanged by new improved ones. The 1st November a new tactical bomber, the Petljakov Pe-2, went into the production lines.
The Winter War 18th November 1939 -1st March 1940
The 14th November, the Soviet government politely asked Finland for permission to lease the military port at Hankö. Also some concern was shown for the well-being of the Russian minority living in Karelen. When the stubborn Finns refused to listen to reason, it was decided to teach them a lesson. The following forces were brought up to do this:
1st Mechanized Corps at Leningrad, commanded by General Primakov
- 7th, 15th & 163rd Motorized Divisions
- 8th, 177th & 191st Infantry Divisions
7th Army at Petrozavodks, commanded by General Frolov
- 11th, 18th, 23rd 54th & 71st Infantry Divisions
- 9th Tank Divison
26th Army at Murmansk, commanded by Lt. General Navrocki
- 99th & 240th Infantry Divisons
- 240th Motorized Division
In the South, the Finns had built up great line of defences, and the first attacks by Gen. Primakov on Vipurii failed. However, on the other side of Lagoda, Frolov was able to punch his way through with the help of his tank division. Therefore, when Primakov renewed his attack, the Finns found them selves flanked from the Northeast, and were forced to withdraw. The first Russian soldiers were inside Vipurii by 1st December. Seeing that the enemy was fleeing, Primakov pressed on and captured Helsinki the 13th. He also briefly held Turku, but sadly had to withdraw to avoid being cut off by Mannerheim, the Finnish general. After a few days spent regrouping, new attacks where made and Primakov drove Mannerheim out of Mikkeli while Frolov advanced into Jonesuu.
Although important gains had been made, the Finnish army was not yet broken, and Navrocki had not yet taken Petsamo despite numerous assaults. It was therefore decided to bring up more troops to ensure total victory:
6th Corps at Kandalakuja, commanded by Lt. General Chuikov
- 20th & 52nd Infantry Division
- 84th Motorized Division
8th Corps at Helsinki, commanded by Lt. General Bulov
- 104th Infantry Division
- 12th Tank Division
The new offensive began the 27th January, and proved to be a complete success as our victorious soldiers advanced along the whole front. The 1st February, Bulov chased the Finnish government out of its refuge at Piri, It was now clear that the Finnish army could no longer hope to stop our forces. However, the stubborn Finns refused to give up, and needless bloodshed continued until the end of the month.
1st March 1940, Stalin announced the creation of the Peoples Republic of Finland, led by the esteemed Otto Ville Kuusinen.
