The Great War, part 2. A GD AAR.

[cpdeyoung]

There is a 1972 book from Duke University Press by Walter Ansel titled "Hitler and the Middle Sea"which will give anyone the itch to "what if".

Hitler with Rommel had some real success in North Africa but he was focused on the East to such a degree that he was deaf to requests for more shipping and troops for the Panzerarmee Afrika. Reading very good book will make the war gamer want to test the efficacy of giving more to this theater.

Trying what If in a war game is a huge part of the pleasure.

[lion_of_judah]

### Caucasus / Middle East Front

The situation along the Caucasus and Middle East Front continues to escalate.

The Soviet **10th Army has now arrived on the Baghdad front**, joining the Soviet **16th and 13th Armies**, which have already taken up their defensive positions. Alongside them, the **Turkish 1st Army** is also firmly established. Three Soviet armies and our Turkish ally now stand ready for whatever comes next.

Stavka reported to Comrade Stalin that the British had sent a request for peace. However, almost simultaneously, British aircraft launched bombing attacks against our forces along the **Aegean coast**.

The news sent Stalin into one of his worst rages yet.

According to those present, Stalin slammed his fist onto the table and demanded that the **Middle East be drenched in British blood**. Any possibility of negotiations was immediately cast aside.

Stavka has therefore issued new orders to all forces on the **Caucasus/Middle East Front**:

**The war will continue.**

Soviet and Turkish forces are to remain on full alert. The armies around Baghdad will hold their defensive positions while preparations continue for the next phase of the campaign.

The British have chosen war.

**The Red Army will answer.**

[cpdeyoung]

The Middle East standoff:

As the Soviet press release indicated there are multiple Armies preparing to do battle with the British, and/or French. Currently these Armies are in defensive position making use of river lines. There have been some small engagements between British mobile forces and small Soviet formations, but no serious fighting. With poor campaigning weather in Europe the focus can shift to the South. There has also been some sparring by air forces.

The Italians are showing themselves on the Egyptian border which will attract British attention. Britain would have been glad if the USSR had accepted the offered Peace. Stalin seems to be watching this front very carefully.

[PythonMagus]

**DER FÜHRER! / GEHEIM! / STRENG VERTROULICH!**
Copy Nr. 1

From: General der Panzertruppe Helmuth Volkmann, Commanding General, 10th Army
To: Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH), Attn: Generaloberst Franz Halder
Date: 14 August 1939
Subject: Operational Status and Tactical Requirements, French Theater of Operations

I. Situation Report: Paris Sector

We stand at the historic gates of Paris. The 10th Army has subjected the French capital to a ceaseless, punishing campaign of artillery bombardment and heavy Luftwaffe bombing. The morale of the city is presumed to be crumbling under this sustained terror. We are preparing the final assault phases to reduce the heart of the city.

Barrage of Paris by David Bowman, on Flickr

II. Situation Report: Western Flank (Lower Seine/La Havre)

While the drive on Paris proceeds, the secondary offensive thrust toward La Havre has stalled completely. The enemy is utilizing this critical corridor to pour fresh British Expeditionary Force (BEF) divisions onto the continent.

spitfire swarm by David Bowman, on Flickr

Our advance here has been suffocated by overwhelming enemy air interdiction. Swarms of RAF Spitfire I fighters dominate the skies, operating with near impunity. The numerical superiority of these Spitfire formations is attriting our Bf-109Es at an alarming rate; we are losing the vital fighter-versus-fighter battle.

tactical Chuck by David Bowman, on Flickr

Consequently, our exposed Panzer columns, consisting predominantly of light PzKpfw IIc tanks, are being relentlessly strafed and destroyed on the roads. These light vehicles offer zero protection against 20mm cannon fire, leading to severe personnel and material losses in the armored regiments.

III. Situation Report: Eastern Front (Maginot Sector)

Our strategic deception in the East has borne fruit. French intelligence, apparently convinced our main effort would be a direct assault on the fortifications, has led to the complete abandonment of the Maginot Line. These divisions are now redeploying westward too slowly to affect the defense of Paris or Lyon. Our forces are advancing unopposed into the evacuated fortresses, securing our right flank.

Abandoned Maginot by David Bowman, on Flickr

IV. Tactical Requirements and Recommendations

To translate the seizure of Paris into a decisive operational victory and prevent the enemy from reinforcing La Havre, I urgently request the following immediate allocations from OKH:

* Priority 1: Luftwaffe Reinforcement. Total immediate air superiority over Normandy is required. The current allocation of Bf-109Es is insufficient against the RAF concentration. I require the transfer of at least two additional *Jagdgeschwader* equipped with the latest Bf-109 variants to this sector immediately.
* Priority 2: Armored Reinforcement (PzIIIE). The PzIIc is obsolete for offensive operations against this caliber of enemy. While we acknowledge the undeniable superiority of the British Matilda II heavy tank (which our current anti-tank weaponry struggles to penetrate frontally), we require the immediate shipment of Panzer III Ausf. E chassis.

peerless matildas by David Bowman, on Flickr

* Tactical Doctrine Shift: The PzIIIE, mounting the 3.7cm KwK L/46.5, cannot defeat the Matilda II head-on. However, its thicker frontal armor allows it to survive the battlefield environment. We will employ the PzIIIE not to engage the Matilda II directly, but to operate immediately behind the PzIIc screen. Its primary mission is to suppress and destroy the British *infantry* attempting to protect the Matilda's flanks. By stripping the heavy tanks of their infantry screen, we can force the Matilda IIs into reactive, buttoned-down positions, negating their breakthrough capability.

driving infantry away from Matildas by David Bowman, on Flickr

V. Conclusion

The campaign hangs in the balance. We possess the momentum at Paris, but the Normandy flank threatens to bleed the army dry if air superiority and appropriate armored support are not immediately forthcoming.
Heil Hitler!

[Signed]
Volkmann
General der Panzertruppe

GEHEIM!

[lion_of_judah]

# AAR — November 13th, 1939

### Turkish Front

In a surprise move that has thrown **STAVKA into something of a panic**, British troops have landed in Turkey and captured the Turkish city of **Izmit**. The sudden British landing has forced an immediate change in Soviet plans.

The **9th Army** has been diverted toward Turkey to reinforce our Turkish allies. In addition, two Rifle Corps from the **10th Army** have been ordered to begin digging defensive positions outside **Ankara**. Soviet commanders fear that the British landing may be the beginning of a larger offensive against Turkey and possibly the Caucasus.

### Iraq Front

In Iraq, Soviet armies continue to dig in and prepare for the coming offensive. The front remains tense, with Soviet commanders concentrating their forces and strengthening defensive positions while waiting for the proper moment to strike.

### Persian Front

In Persia, Soviet forces continue building up for the second phase of operations. The **4th Soviet Army, the 19th Army**, is now moving into Persia, further strengthening the Soviet position and bringing additional troops toward the front.

Stalin is demanding that the offensive begin immediately. However, Soviet military command has warned the Soviet leader that launching **Phase Two** before our forces are fully prepared would be unwise.

For now, STAVKA has chosen preparation over haste.

The British landing in Turkey has changed the strategic situation considerably. Soviet forces must now be prepared for an offensive in Persia while simultaneously protecting Turkey and the southern approaches to the Motherland.

**The second phase will come—but STAVKA will not gamble the entire southern front by attacking before we are ready.**

[lion_of_judah]

**AAR November 13th, 1939**

The situation in Persia continues to develop rapidly. Soviet forces now have a total of **six armies deployed in Persia**, while the arrival of the **4th, 13th, and 19th Armies** brings Soviet strength in the theater to **nine armies in total**.

STAVKA has concluded that time is no longer on our side. The enemy is being given too much time to reinforce and strengthen their defensive positions. The longer we wait, the more difficult the coming offensive will become.

Comrade Stalin has been briefed on the situation. STAVKA now believes that the moment has come to strike.

**The Soviet offensive in Persia must begin soon.**