Germany AAR

[mrchuck]

1954, July
Italy is attempting to reinforce the defenders in Sardinia. We will intercept this convoy.

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No carriers available. Could get hairy.

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July 24, 0314. Moving to intercept. Dawn in 20 minutes--this needs to be quick.

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0340: Radar contact. Increasing to flank speed. We will attempt a single pass and make off to the SW if we can, and hopefully evade any response from Cagliari.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

0349: We're going to have to go through the escort force. So be it.

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0413: Very few missiles available. Ordering flotilla attack: let's do this the old-fashioned way. Veering the heavy units off SW.

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The escort is heavy: 3 BCs and supports.

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Two Italian BCs disabled. Pressing the attack on the transports. DD attack not very effective--recalling.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

0450: BB Elsass struck by three torpedoes.
Looks bad.
0458: Plenty of mines around here. Two DDs have been mined so far.
0537: Escort scattered or disabled, making off to the SW with the heavy units at best speed.

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0553: Bagged our six transports so mission accomplished. Now to get the hell out of there.
0651: BB Elsass sinks. A sad day--the first capital ship we've lost for about 30 years.
Battle result--major victory, +2P but the battle line is now down to 4 BB.

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I guess I'll have to complete that Hannover-class that's been on the stocks since 1938 after all...
1954, August.
Peace feelers from the enemy. But no result.

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CA Prinz Eugen sunk by a submarine, along with a DD.
Reichstag authorises more funds, so resuming a BB, a CA, and commencing three more DDGs.

[mrchuck]

1954, September.
The naval staff heaves a sigh of relief.

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Taking reparations rather than territory. Possessions are becoming less and less viable, and everything is getting more expensive.

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Turned out to be a good call--budget is still in the black, which means I can afford new construction and more rebuilds.
Prestige of the Navy higher than ever before, at 211.

[mrchuck]

1954, October.
The alliance with USA has expired. I will renew the alliance with Austria despite the risk of being dragged into another war in the Med, as we have interests there.
1955, January.
We have a new security arrangement with USA. In view of the perennial hostility of Britain, no bad thing.
1955, February-April
Scrapped 20 old DDs which were too small to be upgraded to DDG (including some in service since 1915!). Installing missiles on everything else. So the build program will be to replace those DDs over the next few years.
1956, Apri-June.
Every surface unit in the fleet now has missiles. New DDGs are being commissioned to replace the scrapped vessels.
And BB Pommern has been commissioned no less than 18 years after being commenced. Straight to refit for missile upgrade.
1956, July.
Commenced six new CGs with 12x 10" and heavy missile armament. I intend to proceed with two of these at a time and the rest are keeping the yards busy since we won't be building any more really large ships now. Their day is just about over.

This is the idea behind the possessions I've taken over the years.There is not much need to keep building new carriers. I'll be upgrading the ones in service, and combined with land-based air that should be enough for what I need in the last 14 years of the campaign.

Even if we have to start giving the colonies their independence, from here on I'll be relying on what carriers I have, along with very heavy missile armament, to gain quick victories and retire.

Perhaps a more skilled player can expand Germany to the point where it has global commitments requiring a large carrier force, but I've never seen that Germany's resources will allow this. The North Sea, the Baltic and the Med are narrow seas where land bases really count, and this is where I've focused my strategy.

[mrchuck]

1959, June.
Nothing much has happened for 5 years. But one new diplomatic development--we have concluded an alliance with France. This will help to safeguard our interests in the Med, and should help to contain Britain and Italy if push comes to shove.
This is something of a revolution in foreign affairs, but is welcome enough at the moment.
1959, July.
War between our ally USA and Japan.

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Naturally we will help out--unlike them in the last war.

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There is the small problem of not having any bases anywhere nearby, but we'll see what we can do eh?

[mrchuck]

1950, January
Since we can't actually come to grips with Japan at sea, the army has proposed an offensive (presumably in co-operation with the Americans) to see if the matter can be decided on dry land.
For once, I'm inclined to go along with the landlubbers' mad schemes. Anyway, they can use the practice.

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1960, February.
Kudos to OHL. Nice work.

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1960, April
As usual, our subs are being chastised by enemy ASW. Not at all impressed by subs, and if the Kaiser hadn't insisted a while back, I wouldn't bother with them. They're all less than 5 years old, doesn't seem to help.
Meanwhile the destroyer arm is just about back up to strength (77 out of 80 TOE for 16 divisions), and them I do care about. And the new ones are vastly better than the ones we disposed of 5 years ago.
1960, October.
Moving the fleet to NE Asia. Let's see if we can do anything other than burn up fuel oil and eat hardtack.
Chances are it'll be over by the time we get there, but still.
The army has proposed another offensive--why not? Last one went OK.

[mrchuck]

1961, February.
Acceptable but expensive considering what was actually achieved.

The fleet will arrive in NE Asia next month. I could actually invade something if the battles go well.
1961, March
The fleet arrives at Gensan. Base accomodation rather cramped--crews a bit off their game after the trip half way round the globe.
The US base commander has invited us to their cinema, where a twenty-five year old movie has become quite popular:
'We joined the Navy
to see the world
but what did we see?
We saw the sea..'

Indeed.

1961, April
Meanwhile, it seems that the bulk of the Japanese fleet has redeployed to the Northern Pacific to try something up there, leaving behind a token force.
Very well--initiating an invasion of Southern Korea.

1961, May.
That focused their attention. There will be opposition--they came back.
28 May
Fleet battle. They have 12 CVs deployed so we have our work cut out. This might not have been such a hot idea after all. Still, what is the fleet for if not to fight? And long odds are something the fleet has always been able to handle in the past.

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1930: For some reason, in this part of the world it will be dawn at 2000 hours.

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I think the devs need to go back and have a closer look at these calculations. Plainly wrong.
1954: Radar contact
2008: We're getting much the best of it in the missile exchange. Retreating now, after only 10 minutes. At least two and maybe three enemy capital ships hit hard--as is BB Hannover.
These new weapons are extremely destructive.

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2010: Prinz Eugen hit by two torps, most likely done for. Ordering flotilla attack, we're outta there.
Sending the heavier units N to add their AA to the carriers.

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2027: I believe this battle will be unbelievably destructive.
(continues)

[mrchuck]

Both sides in great disorder.

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Whatever I can salvage out of this battle is going back to Europe. This was a bad idea, and I will suffer for it.
2041: Reversing course to cover the damaged ships. It is our way.
Prinz Eugen is in deep trouble, but BB Hannover has reported that the damage control parties are getting on top of the flooding.
While there is grave danger from the Japanese carrier force, we do not leave our sailors behind.
2122: Recalling flotilla attack. They have put some fish into the enemy BB division, but are getting badly mauled. I'm going to need them when the Japanese airstrikes arrive.

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BB Hannover has controlled flooding.
Now to get out of this mess somehow.
2126: First wave of enemy airstrikes arrive.
2130: BB Fuji class hit by 4 more torps. Done for I think, though the enemy ships seem pretty tough.
2159: Reversing course to turn on the Japanese BC division which is proving very aggressive--no surprises there!
I think we've driven off or disabled their BB division.

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2210: Fending off Japanese air attacks so far
2242: Reversing course again to cover the carriers and retreating ships.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

2247: German airstrikes proving more effective than Japanese so far. Multiple hits on the Japanese forces, though very hard to tell what exactly--most of the enemy are no longer in visual range.

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My eventual aim is disengage and head north towards friendly air cover. However there still seems to be a large enemy force to the south, and they must not be allowed to clean up my stragglers.

2304: Probably the last course reversal. Prinz Eugen will have to fend for herself, and the reports from her are not optimistic anyway.
2346: Receiving reports of multiple additional hits by German airstrikes. Hopefully it's enough to make the Japanese break off. Moving the surface forces in two groups to patrol with carriers, to make use of their CAP and add their AA.

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May 29, 0151: Prinz Eugen sinks after a heroic fight for the ship.
0308: More Japanese airstikes inbound.

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A Japanese force has gotten around to our NW. However I'm not going after them. The straggling destroyers in their way will have to do their best--the essential thing is to preserve the capital ships and carriers, and to do that, they have to stay together.
0350: DD Z17 has identified the force to the NW as two CVs and screens. This puts a rather different complexion on things. I will attempt to spoil their day.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

0350: Ordered carrier strike on the CVs found to the NW.
0401: DD Z17 transmits 'Good luck!' before the ship is overwhelmed by gunfire from the screening force.
0430: Strikes away. Target no longer within visual range but with a bit of luck we can find and hurt the CVs.
0755: Strikes failed, at extreme range only a few aircraft found the target, and failed to hit.
But that doesn't matter!

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Major victory, +2P and they sued for peace.
Once again, not taking territories. Time to get the fleet home and into reserve. The budget cuts this time are severe.
The carrier arm covered itself in glory yet again, shooting down twice as many planes as they lost, while only letting one or two raiders through. All this while facing odds of 4:1
And let's not forget the sacrifices of the destroyer crews--we lost no less than 8.

[mrchuck]

1961, November
All but a handful of ships that needed repair are back in home ports. Domestic situation is tranquil and the Navy is in great shape.
I'm not seriously expecting much else to happen in this game but we'll see.
1963, July
Everything very quiet among the nations. Chief of Navy looking forward to retirement in 1970, after 80 years in the job.
1963, December.
Increasing complaints from the rank and file have led to most ships being refitted with more pleasant crew quarters. This generation are pretty soft!
Using the opportunity to add more missile launchers anyway. Might as well make the best of it!
1964, February.
DD losses from the Japan expedition finally made good.
1965-66
Rebuilding all flotilla craft with spacious accommodation.

[mrchuck]

1967, April
In the fadeout of the game. Rumours of war with France, but we're ready and the fleet has mobilised.

1967, May
Looks like our ally USA is shaping up for war with Britain. There may be one last conflict after all. Standing by for instructions from the foreign ministry.

1968, April
International tensions rising. Build programme complete, nothing else will be finished by 1970 and I'm not going to play on past then.

[mrchuck]

1968, September
War with Britain seems to be inevitable.

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Their fleet is now larger than ours, but most of the difference is in CVs. With land bases all around the North Sea, and jet fighters and bombers now available, I feel we can face a showdown there. As for the colonies and possessions in the Med, they can fight for them if they want. The main game is in home waters.
They will no doubt be able to blockade Germany since the value of CVs is higher, but there is very little time left in the game to starve me out.
If we can win a couple of victories, most likely it won't come up.
Increasing the intelligence effort in Britain to high. I don't think it's possible to annoy them more than they are.

[mrchuck]

1968, October
These guys are so predictable.

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As luck would have it, the Navy team has just beaten Army so fleet morale is soaring.
Let's get this over with.
October 7, 2129
1 CL division is surprised on a routine patrol. Probably outnumbered here.

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2219: Quick exchange of missiles and away on the toes.

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Hah! Bagged a CL. First blood to us.

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[mrchuck]

1968, November
Cruiser action near Iceland and friendly air support.
Accepting this one. If the weather is good, we'll have strike aircraft available. If not, they won't either.

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November 26. Weather overcast. Air will be a factor.

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1029: Radar contact. Weapons free.
1032: about 100 missiles in the air going both ways.

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1035: Logs show around 55 hits by our missiles. Them: none so far.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

1045: DD Z16 hit by three missiles, damage looks fatal. They're not hitting anything else yet.
1048: Z91 also in deep trouble. But not as much as the British.

1050: supposedly we've hit a Royal Oak class BB, but the almanac says none of these are in commission. ??

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1057: Z91 sinks. These late game battles are savage.
Supposedly there are CVs to the north of our position. Investigating...this could be large!

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Can't find them. Heading back SE to clean up stragglers.

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1329: Done. Don't know where their carriers are, not sighted for three hours. British airstrikes been and gone, mostly shot down.
Battle over, heavy loss of DDs but they got off even worse. Major victory, +2P. We're still blockaded but won't be for long at this rate.

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Once again the carrier flyboys have proven their mettle, 28 confirmed kills for one.

[mrchuck]

1968, December
Here is the possibility for a major confrontation with the British. Right on top of my land airbases.
We are pretty much at full strength--accepting battle.

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December 29, 0720
Dawn in 5 minutes.

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A detached DD division is already in combat! Making towards them at battle speed.
0738: Weapons free

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0742: Early result. Off to a good start.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

0821: Friendly missiles have claimed at least two more CLs.
You have to admire their bravery, but I think those two CAs are doomed.

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0822: Not CAs. Two BBs. Their only two...

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0833: Both in bad trouble now.

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0843: One BB down
0903: Pursuing the remnants.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

0927: Second BB goes to the bottom.
Recon from Norway has found their carriers. Might conceivably get a crack at them.

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Once again failed to find the CVs. It's every surface commander's dream to get amongst carriers with heavy guns. Only been done twice in the history of naval warfare.
Not today I'm afraid. Heading back to Stavanger.

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Another major victory. Britain now blockaded.

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