Italy had Gearing up for War.

[Kaije]

I thought I'd give an actual AAR a try... 1936 scenario: Normal Difficulty, Aggressive Behavior, Tech Team Takeover, Half IC upon Annexation.

 

Italy begins with enough IC to support 4 tech teams, so I'm going to begin with a balanced approach to research as seen here:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Tech.png

 

I may reallocate the naval slot later to switch us over to the Blitzkrieg line of land doctrines, but first I want to get a couple ranks of Carrier researched.

 

 

A breakdown of the starting military:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Intro.png

 

In all fairness I began with a larger navy than shown, but most of the the Great War relics were sacked to cut supply needs. In the distant future I intend to phase out a few Early type ships by gifting them to an ally. Depends on how quickly the modernization process goes though...

 

 

The 1936 scenario has Italy already at war with Ethiopia:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Ethiopia.png

 

We have 20 divisions in the region, about half being milita. Ethiopia only has 5-6 divisions, so I doubt it will be a challenge. They do have horrid terrain and infrastructure in their favor though, third world bastards.

 

 

Since I'm already in a state of war, I think I'll send some boys into Albania:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Albania.png

 

Albania has zero armed forces, but does possess an oil producing province. Very nice. Any dissent caused by the DoW will be ground down in quick fashion while I deal with Ethiopia.

 

 

After a couple months of tromping around in deserts, hills, and mountains... Victory!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Puppet.png

 

Ethiopia was both annexed and liberated at the stroke of midnight. Since Libya and Somalia have no value, I'm more than happy to provide them with the illusion of liberty so long as I never have to set foot in those god forsaken wastelands again. A new foreign policy has now been initiated: To hell with Africa and it's colonies. But seriously, who's gonna care?

 

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Dissent.png

 

Shit. 10% atop the 11% dissent we already had...

 

 

Civil War!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SCW-1.png

 

Revolutionary brothers and sisters taking up arms against the evils of socialism? Consider your independence guaranteed my fascist friends.

 

Intervention?

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SCW-2.png

 

Oh yes we will!

 

Recon shows a grim start for the Nationalists...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SCW-3.png

 

Italy will avenge you, comrades!

 

A beneficial side effect of war is half the need for consumer goods, which in turn doubles the rate dissent decreases. Convenient? Yes.

 

Naval blockade in place, 3 divisions begin landing in Murcia...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SCW-4.png

 

Once the beach head is secured, another 3 divisions will be brought in for reserves. We're not here to win the war, just to play hell with the Republicans supply lines.

 

Fascist soulmates:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SCW-5.png

 

During six weeks of tooling around central Iberia, my l'il expeditionary force encountered a hefty amount of resistance. With an alliance secured now and only a handful of Republicans divisions left in the north, it's time to head home. We came here to fight for the Nationalists, not die for them.

 

 

Anti-Comintern Pact:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/ACPact.png

 

Sign me up. The slider movement toward Closed Society will most likely be undone in the distant future, but Interventionism now is good.

 

 

Fascism for the win:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SCW-6.png

 

How long has it been since I withdrew my expeditionary force? Unfortunately for the Nationalists, the Republicans holed up in the mountains, which in turn froze before a fatal strike could be organized. Long story short, both Republican Spain and my colonial dissent were put to rest with the coming of spring. A fairy tale ending indeed!

 

Closure:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SCW-7.png

 

Our reward for intervening is a couple a blueprints... I suppose it could be worse, I could've already completed those techs

 

 

Yay for IC!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Boost.png

 

Now if we could only get this to happen 7-8 more times...

[FullAuto]

A nice little start. Full participation in the Axis?

[Kaije]

Officially? Probably not. I've never seen Japan join the Axis, so why should Italy? But as often as the UK and USA have been spamming global manipulation and smear campaigns against me, I may be more inclined to fully participate in an unofficial capacity.

 

 

You say goodbye, while I say hello...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Japan.png

 

Spring of '39? Pfft. Slackers.

 

Germany and this Japan makes Italy feel like the red-headed step child.

 

 

Failed diplomacy:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Demand.png

 

Denied eh? Perhaps they misunderstood...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/War.png

 

Those poor fools don't stand a chance. One army group will drive south from Venice whilst another pushes upward from Albania. I've also prepared amphibious assaults against the coastal provinces of Split and Dubivnik.

 

While my army breaks through the Yugoslavic defenses, scientists on the home front have a breakthrough of their own:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Breakthrough.png

 

I hate you Belgium.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Intel-1.png

 

When one country at a time isn't enough, take on three!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/BeNeLux.png

 

After 18 days of Italian stallion blitzkrieg'n:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Victory.png

 

I'd prefer membership in my alliance to require at least 20 IC. If I'm going to be allied with somebody, they best be capable of pulling their own weight. Bosnia gets to be the exception since they're isolated within my borders, they just have to forfeit all rights of their military to me. I am a benevolent master, I am indeed.

 

Bad news for Greece...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Threat.png

 

Them be fightin' words. Why Greece though? Simple. Bulgaria is mostly mountainous terrain, thus a pain in the arse to attack. Conquering Greece allows me a broader front with Bulgaria, which should allow me to overwhelm them. Oh, and there's also the fact that Bulgaria's independence is presently being guaranteed by both Germany and the SU, but that's just delaying the inevitable. Sorry Greece. "Wrong place. Wrong time."

[Kaije]

After taking a month for preparations...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Greece1.png

 

Greece only has two VP provinces (Athens & Salonika), so I expect blitzkrieg in combination with amphibious assaults will make short work of them.

 

I love it when a plan comes together!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Greece2.png

 

Hello Vichy, Europe welcomes you.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Vichy.png

 

October? First time I've seen Germany struggle this long to topple France. They'd probably still be going at if it wasn't for Hungary and Romania recently joining the Axis.

 

Next!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Bulgaria.png

 

So you fellas want to demand territory from me, eh? I'll teach ya right and proper! I generally avoid fighting a winter war, but time is not on my side here. At any moment Bulgaria could sign up with the Axis - worst case sceanrio being while we're at war...

 

Nothin' to fret about though.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Bulgaria3.png

 

Banking Bulgaria was much easier than anticipated, now it's time to enjoy some well earned peace.

 

Respect, finally!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/TriPact.png

 

It's a brave new world, and now I'm entitled to a third of it. It's good to be Italy.

[FullAuto]

That is some nice empire building. Development right alongside ze Nazis. How's that dissent coming along? 10% is no laughing matter, never mind 20%.

[Kaije]

Yep, all that dissent disrupted production for a year or so, but has been under control for a while now.

 

The Swiss went down without too much of a fight, afterwards we regrouped to invade Turkey.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Turkey1-1.png

 

Once my armies began building up some momentum, Turkey began crying...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Turkey2.png

 

That wasn't a terrible deal, considering the few provinces that were occupied. But...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Turkey3.png

 

I think this deal is bit more beneficial for both parties

 

The other major powers have been pretty quiet the past few years, I'm going to wait to see what they do next before I plan my next move. I need to reorganize my armies anyway, and some peace time would be most helpful in that regard.

 

So here it is, the Fascist Roman Empire in all it's glory:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/World-1.png

[Kaije]

Persia had a democratic coup that resulted in them becoming a puppet of the UK while the Northern Persian provinces defaulted to the SU. Then the USA declared war on Germany and promptly joined the Allies once spring time rolled around. Even after that, all remained quiet until...

 

Operation Barbossova:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/War1.png

 

The Soviets open the door of opportunity, while Portugal joins the Axis. But what to do? Outside of Gibraltar and Suez, declaring war on the Allies doesn't offer much reward especially in terms of IC and resources. The Soviet Caucus is an entertaining prospect, but having acquired Turkey has already stretched my ground forces thin. For the time being, I think I'll just sit back and watch how this unfolds.

 

Pearl Harbor time:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/War2.png

 

I've been waiting for this. Hopefully, this will lure those pesky Allied forces out into the Pacific. But alas, it's winter, so I'll just stay on the sidelines a wee bit longer.

 

D-Day + 30 or so...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Intel-2.png

 

Oh crap. Now the Americans are like a disease spreading into Europe. The last thing I need is an Allied Europe...

 

The beginning of the end:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Join.png

 

For the Axis! I'll let Nat Spain deal with Portugal, while I try to chew through central Europe.

 

Facing sporadic resistance, Italy gains some ground:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Annex.png

 

The Soviets are beginning to break through on the Eastern Front while the Americans face little resistance in the west. I've been watching Germany regroup and reinforce it's forces along our front. My forces are already stretched thin. Real thin. So once I take the few remaining Czech provinces, I'm stuck on the defensive.

 

Italy, the liberator!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Allies.png

 

I also believe Ethopia has now earned the right to become a junior member of the alliance. Welcome the class of '43!

 

Congratulations, my Spanish friends.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Spain.png

 

Once again the Fatherland finds itself all alone. And the Germans don't like it. Or me, they've been constantly assaulting Czech provinces... I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out either. I may actually need the Americans and Soviets to come and save me...

[FullAuto]

Opportunism knocks, on all sides!

 

The world's a busy place ATM, it seems.

[Kaije]

Busier than I'd like, to be honest. Germans with their backs against the wall have a nasty bite.

 

But nothing motivates scientists like a bit of war.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Tech-1.png

 

Holding the Czech border has been tricky. I've been utilizing a lot of support defense and shuffling six armor divisions around to keep the Wehrmacht at bay. If I can just hold out a little bit longer...

 

 

And Germany surrenders!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Surrender.png

 

Poland gets screwed into becoming a puppet of the SU, while Denmark and Norway are free released as Stalinist regimes.

 

 

USA forfeits western Europe:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Release.png

 

But they get to keep some Polish provinces as consolation? Oh well, maybe it will lead the Allies and SU into an unfriendly border dispute. At least I made out pretty well by getting Austria and some French and German provinces.

 

 

With the Nazi's gone, Vichy needs a hug...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Vichy-1.png

 

At a cost of approx. $1500 and four months of persistant begging, the gap between Italy and Spain is finally bridged. Vichy doesn't have much of an army, but they do have a decent navy which will come in handy against the Allies.

 

 

'44 Fascist Roman Empire:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/FRE.png

 

'44 Fascist Japan:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Japan-1.png

 

Japan hasn't been gaining much ground. Probably due to the fact that I never tied up the Brits in N. Africa. Sooo, sorry l'il fellas.

 

 

Note to self - turn off expeditionary forces.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/FRG.png

 

In terms of resources and IC, the FRG is a goldmine. A poorly defended one at that. This almost feels like I'm exploiting the game. Almost.

 

 

The introduction of improved radar brings the FRG to it's knees.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Peace.png

 

I rejected that offer, but out of courtesy I countered by allowing them the honor of serving as my puppet...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/FRGPuppet.png

 

Wow, 85% warscore with 70% required to puppet and they accepted. I didn't see that coming. Well, welcome aboard I guess...

 

 

I hate this game.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Bullshit.png

 

I swear I'm going back to standard HoI2 after this campaign. Doomsday+Armageddon 'Intelligence' isn't worth the headache anymore.

 

 

Rant aside, it's nearly time for Italy to ante up. Next spring we'll be fighting the Allies for the reunification of France!

[FullAuto]

Expeditionary forces. Urgh. The best one is where they loan you completely useless units.

 

What's the plan for taking on France, then?

[Kaije]

Yet another technological breakthrough:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/RBT.png

 

Half of my IC has been dedicated to shore up my military for the upcoming war with the Allies. Unfortunately, a slew of upgrades will be forthcoming and I'll most likely have to cut production back a bit once some of these runs are completed.

 

 

Damn Soviets!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SUJap.png

 

This kinda irks me, I was hoping that I could link up with the Japs in Persia... Oh well, best of luck to ya l'il buddies.

 

 

The time has come...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/War-1.png

 

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Action.png

 

The bulk of my forces are set to push through France & BeNeLux. France has quite a bit of armor, but nothing my boys can't handle. I've got another 20+ divisions coming out of Turkey to take Iraq & Persia, 6 divisions in Ethopia, and 6 more in W. Africa to take Liberia and then will ferry down to the French colonies. Oh, and an amphibious landing against Suez with paratrooper support.

 

 

The FullAuto Jinx:

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Dammit.png

 

This is bad. This is very bad... Romania and the Czechs haven't had enough time to build up a sizeable defense yet and I'll have to hold up the majority of my Turkish forces to defend that border. Crappy-crap-crap. And shit.

 

Since my allies have yet to show any initiative on the frontlines...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Control.png

 

I'm also now taking exp. forces from Spain. Since they don't seem interested in Gibraltar I'll have to do it my damned self. I'll release control of the others once things get stabilized a bit.

 

 

The Soviets are comin', the Soviets are comin'!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Soviets1.png

 

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Soviets2.png

 

Bastards. The Turkish Province of Kars was attacked, but it doesn't appear that the SU wants to occupy it. I've mustered up a Czech-Romania defense force from scattered inf divisions from the Bulkans and Italy, about a dozen divisions in total, it's just going to take a couple of weeks to get all of them in place...

 

 

Paris falls, again.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Progress.png

 

Luxembourg is annexed, the Frenchies are being corraled into annihilation camps, while troop transports are floating along the coast of Africa waiting for orders to strike. Are you feelin' lucky, France? Well, are you?

[FullAuto]

The FullAuto Jinx

 

Hey!

 

Bloody Soviets. Peace-loving people my arse...

[Sunflash]

It's not a TRUE jinx unless you conquer the Soviets. >.>

 

or is that the counter-jinx?

[Kaije]

 

Basically, I was pulled into this war prematurely... which is now the war that will decide the game.

 

 

 

Soviets push further into Romania.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SUCR1.png

 

I'm holding my breath as the days pass by here. I think I can, I think I can! Just need to holdout for one more week.

 

 

Anyone else want to hit me while I'm not lookin'?

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Yanks.png

 

I've just about finished off the French, and now this. It appears I need to stick a foot in Spain and Vichy's arses, even under my control they're in no hurry to go anywhere.

 

 

Die commie bastards!

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SUCR2.png

 

In danger of losing Romania, my reinforcments finally make it to the Soviet frontlines and make their presence known. It appears the SU is a bit low on supplies as they keep running out around noontime. If their poor logistics keep up, I should be able solidify my defensive effort and then possibly organize a counteroffensive.

 

 

More Allies down, yet so many more to go...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Iraq.png

 

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Liberia.png

 

 

At last, the reunification of France! Well, kinda...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Frenchie.png

 

While I could use more IC, I'll be gifting some of my French provinces to Vichy. They need manpower and a third tech team more than I need IC and resources.

 

 

So, since I'm giving away land, why not add another member to my alliance?

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Flanders.png

 

Welcome Flanders, may fascism serve you well.

 

Unfortunately, those American divisions have grown like a cancerous tumor (about 18 of them there now.). I'm still waiting on Vichy troops to get up there and snuff 'em out for good. Well, I really hope Vichy can manage that, especially since I've already pulled most of my troops over to the Soviet front. At the very least, it won't be long before I'm bathing in sin - and commie blood. Tee hee!

[Kaije]

Apparently I was a tad over zealous about dealing with the Soviets... It's been a bloody slugfest.

 

Why's everyone always pickin' on me?

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Brazil.png

 

A few days later...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Vene.png

 

After a lot of give and take in Rennes, Brest is ready to fall. The US looks to lose 24 divisions and possibly a few air wings. That's gotta sting!

 

Venezuela kinda pisses me off though. After years of amiable relations and excellent trade agreements, they'll go even further and join the Allies as well. Oh well, I suppose S. America will make a nice staging ground for when I take on the USA.

 

 

Casualities of war...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Death.png

 

Note to self: assign proper leaders to all the misc. 'Old Guard' reserves I scrounged up to plug the Russian front. Good bye General whoever you were, you won't be missed.

 

 

The pacification of Africa is progressing slowly.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Africa.png

 

After months of marching, Ethopian diversionary forces manage to breakout and disrupt supply lines to Egypt & Sudan. Belgium should be annexed soonish... My forces are a couple provinces away from their last VP province, which will probably equate to 2-3 months of tromping through jungles. That takes forever.

 

 

Defend. Defend. Defend.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Stryj.png

 

The province of Stryj is utter death. It's taken 20+ divisions to hold this damn province, and they've been fending off attacks daily for well over a month. I've finally been able to relax and create a lull by bombing the Soviet's nearby infrastucture to bits. Otherwise I've been resorting to cycling divisions along the frontlines just to keep somewhat fresh units in Stryj. If a seasonal 'ceasefire' doesn't come with winter snow, I'm going to be in big trouble.

 

 

The situation isn't much better in Turkey.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Kars.png

 

Nothing suprises me more than being able to hold this front. Seriously, it's all due to a straight month of bombing the bloody piss out of nearby infrastructure. All Georgian provinces have had their infra reduced to 5-8% which allows me to fight the battle to a bloody loss, retreat, and then come back in for a another go. Thankfully, Fotifications in Kars will be coming soon.

 

Speaking of fortifications, the minister that gives a 10% discount to land forts is misleading. His discount is more along the lines of a ~33% reduction (possibly more) to fort build times. Not that I'm complaining, I definitely prefer it this way.

 

 

Japan is putting up a valiant effort, but slowly losing all the same...

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Manchu.png

 

Hang on l'il buddies, just hang on. I would say help is coming, but I'd be lying. Ultimately, the longer Japan lasts, the better things will be for me in the long run. Okay, the short run too.

 

 

Scratch another name from the list.

https://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Belgi.png

 

Jungle attrition is nearly a thing of the past. Thank heavens. Now to squash the 10ish Allied divisions trapped in the various pockets around Egypt & Ethopia and then we're off to S. Africa!

 

I really do hate commiting this much effort to Africa, but it's a necessary evil.

[FullAuto]

Certain provinces just become meatgrinders, for whatever reason. Particularly unpleasant is when you must hold a province, yet the Infra is rock bottom thanks to fighting.