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One of the what if scenarios in ToF is a Grand Campaign West. I'm not sure how long I'll go forward with the AAR - depends on how different from the normal scenarios this becomes. I've never played it before, and have no idea if there are special events set up for it, how aggressive Poland will be in coming to the aid of its western allies, whether the USSR will get involved, and so on.

Hmmh, how would this situation have possibly developed in real life ....

a new generation of French political and military leaders has come to the fore in the '30s, rejecting the so-called lessons of WWI that had guided the country throughout the '20s. Churchill has become Prime Minister in the early '30s also and has succeeded in stiffening attitudes and policies in the UK also. In the face of unceasing German aggression, threats, and provocations - culminating in serious incursions across the Polish border, the Western Allies decide to forestall any further bloodless German successes. They prepare to come to the aid of Poland, should the Germans invade that country.

The German government decides to steal a march on any Western action by mobilizing faster and acting more swiftly, and attacks in the West. Poland will be dealt with afterwards.

The situation in Sept. '39:

On the eastern front, the Germans are relying on border guard units and militia just called up to contain any effort by the Poles.

In the Silesian region, Germany is especially vulnerable.

One week into the war:

The Wermacht has declared war on Belgium and Luxembourg, pursuant to the Manstein plan. Armored forces have crossed the Somme at Sedan and are striking into France, hoping to cut in behind French forces advancing to the defense of Belgium.

On the Eastern front, Polish forces have prredictably invaded East Prussia, but the Wermacht is sure that it can contain any advance well forward of Konigsburg.

.

Sept 24

Three weeks into the war. The Manstein plan in the west is proceeding per schedule. French forces have advanced into Belgium, only to discover that German armor is about to cut them off from Paris.

On the Eastern front, the Poles have made minor advances in East Prussia, but with reinforcements coming in by sea, the Wermacht has stabilized the front there. Elsewhere the Poles seem content to hold in defensive positions, much to the dismay of the French.

No sign of any British expeditionary force.

Two weeks makes a big difference in war: The situation on the Polish border has tensed a bit, with the Poles continuing their pressure in East Prussia, and pushing hard now in Silesia. The Wermacht is stretched to the absolute limit, attempting to inflict a decisive defeat of France and the UK, while holding off Poles. The numbers are against Germany, for the time being, with neigher foe on their knees.

The situation in the east:

and in the west:

Nov 1

Certainly Germany was better prepared for war than the Allies, but two months of fighting, on two fronts, have strained the war machine to the limits. Wear and tear alone, on hardware which is getting its first real test in battle, is showing its effect.

High command is getting reports from every area of every front, that fighting efficiency is down. General staff estimates are that the Wermacht fighting capability is down 30% due to increasing shortages of ammunition and material, need for repair and refit, and of course the weather.

[player's note: Germany was just hit with the above event, reducing overall effectiveness for the next six months while the war economy is ramped up to supply the forces better.]

The economy is currently producing peacetime results, for all practical purposes. The strain of war spending is seriously slicing into available production.

The planning division predicts only a quick, successful conclusion to the fighting in the West will turn the tide, adding the production capabilities of the France and Belgium to the Reich.

Current upkeep for the military:

Thanks Gary, looking forward to seeing how far you go. [:)]

[player's note] Not sure if this is as designed or a side-effect of the efficiency hit for the Germans, but my SMPs are at zero now.

Mid December '39

The near collapse in the over-burdened German rail system, attempting to supply a two-front war and ramp up a war economy, is causing a static front to develope everywhere. Except where the Poles are relentlessly pushing all along their front.

Notwithstanding repeated reinforcements by sea to East Prussia, the Poles forced an armored thrust all the way into Koenigsburg. This of course has caused a major crisis in the German High Command, with heads soon to roll amid cries of incompentence and even treason.

This scenario has been fun, with the Poles kicking the German butt, but the AI scripting needs more work. Immediately after pushing an armored spearhead into Koenigsburg, the Polish AI started a major redirection of effort, and pulled its forces from East Prussia! So my defeated East Prussian force, which had retreated north into the hinterlands, was able to move back in. The Wermacht now has Koenigsburg under siege and has reentered Allenstein.