Let's Play Hearts of Iron 2 (Preparing for D-Day in Asia)

Cassidy · Dec 23, 2008

Now with an Index(not considering the first try to which the save game was lost)

1938-1939

1940

----- WHAT IF SCENARIO ----

What if Poland did not intervene, the aliens send no more waves and if no alliance ever happens in the world?

----- WHAT IF SCENARIO ENDS ----

Winter 1940 and 1941: Year of ITZ

1942: Year of the begginning of the Amerikwan Liberation

December 1941 to mid February 1942: The Beggining of a new year, and of the Final Liberation of South America.
February to October 1942: Victory in South America Day: Delayed by Winter, achieved by courage.
The Christmas of 1942 in Kwanzania.

1943: Liberation of Post-ITZ Australia and Japan

1944: A year to live in Infamy.

1945: The Battle of Britain: Dawn of the Turbojet Aviation.

January - July 1946: Liberation of Africa and D-Day in Europe

August - December 1946: Time of legends, time of trenches.

1947: The End of Battle for Africa and the beginning of the Asian D-Day

--------------
Once there was a time when Internet polls about which was the best RPG of 2007 wouldn't have "The Witcher" as the most voted choice, a time when the closest thing to a network was the exchange of punchcards between census tabulating machines. A time of...

Darkness.

But such was also a time for great men, generals and soldiers ready to die for their beloved nation, to surface, to fight for their land, to be the first to fight against the awakening red and dark menaces.

Could they be the first to victory as well? This is a question which answer will soon be unfolded.

Let's Play Hearts of Iron 2: First to Fight

In 2150, a Polish scientist with German relatives called JarlFrank invented a time machine, and soon many ideas came to his mind on how to reshape the past of his nation to something he believed to be better, and this of course, involved him to become a WorldDictator in the past. After meeting the greatest generals of his era, aware of modern tactics, of the improvement of many of the concepts that began more than a hundred of years ago, this scientist realized how any sending of technology back in time could be a severe threat, to the point of making a paradox that would void his very existence. His ambitions to change history however were much greater than his fear for the risks, and thus he attempted for months to convince the best general of their time, to return in time with nothing but his uniform and assume the daunting task of not only leading Poland against the Blitzkrieg but towards the footsteps of a great empire. There was only one problem however, for the time machine wasn't very accurate, and thus, the general could be sent to any date from 1936 to 1939, and thus, luck or bad luck would in many ways determine this expedition.

The general stepped in the time machine as the scientist prepared it, to vanish into the Annals of History(no pun intended). He was never heard of again.

If he had the luck to arrive in 1936, and to prove his wisdom in grand strategy, he would have many opportunities to prepare for an enemy which exact plans and strategy, differently from those who belonged to this time, he already knew about. Even though, the challenge would not be small, and many difficulties would have to be overcome.

If he had the misfortune of arriving in 1938, time to prepare and build-up would be severely limited, and thus every choice would have much more significant consequences, meaning that a mistake could be fatal, however such wasn't the worst case scenario.

To arrive only a few months, or even a few days before Fall Weiss during 1939 would lead the general to face an impossible mission, to hold Poland with only the available assets of such time, without the strategic insight of a man who knew how this history would end.

Thus the question remains: in which year did the general arrive back in time?

It is up for you to decide.

JarlFrank · Dec 23, 2008

1938.

Krash · Dec 23, 2008

36

It's going to be really tough even surviving otherwise

Serious_Business · Dec 23, 2008

POLAND

FIRST TO LOOSE

That was way too easy

WhiskeyWolf · Dec 23, 2008

1936 - we don't want you quiting to fast.

In 2150, a Polish scientist with German relatives called JarlFrank invented a time machine, and soon many ideas came to his mind on how to reshape the past of his nation to something he believed to be better, and this of course, involved him to become a WorldDictator in the past. After meeting the greatest generals of his era, aware of modern tactics, of the improvement of many of the concepts that began more than a hundred of years ago, this scientist realized how any sending of technology back in time could be a severe threat, to the point of making a paradox that would void his very existence.

Have you read this by any chance?

http://www.literatura.gildia.pl/tworcy/marcin-ciszewski/www.1939.com.pl

Sovard · Dec 23, 2008

1938

Trash · Dec 23, 2008

1938. Let's see what you're made of.

LCJr. · Dec 23, 2008

Serious_Business said:
POLAND

FIRST TO LOOSE

That was way too easy

Apparently it wasn't.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loose

HOI2 literally puts me to sleep for some reason so with the caveat I haven't played a massive amount. If you start in 36' isn't it possible for Poland blitz the Germans before they have a chance to build up?

Seldon · Dec 23, 2008

Cassidy · Dec 25, 2008

As General WhiskeyWolf reached a newspaper stall, he immediatelly realized that luck was not on his side. The year and months clearly stamped, September and 1938, meant he had only one year to prepare Poland for the storm that was coming, and perhaps change the course of history.

The first challenge was to convince the government he was not a madman. Disobeying JarlFrank's order, he brought a DVD set of The Witcher 7 Collectors Edition with him, and it wasn't long before his tactical and strategic skill would shine during a war game.

Now he had the chance, some people however said history could not be changed. Of course, telling them beforehand what happened to Poland wouldn't help with morale, so a big lie served, and he claimed to be there only to minimize the casualties in the conflict, rather than to change the fact they didn't win it.

The Ministry of Science came first, and for a prolonged war, two things were important: manpower and industrial might. Likewise, when he received the reports of how much it would cost to modernize the entire Polish Military, the general decided to prioritize land warfare doctrines over better equipment. Unfortunately he would be developing improvements over the same 1918s trench warfare. Aerial warfare on the other hand seems like trying to break a knife's edge with a punch. The radical possibility of disbanding the entire Navy and Air Force is being considered by the general.

Now maybe is time to push some politics. Although the Hawk Lobby is already strong, lobbying for it is the most logical choice when it's necessary to build a force against powerful threats, and do it fast. The general is not a politician, but he pondered on firing the Armaments Minister. Until the army grows exponentially and industry develops too far from what national resources could support, the benefits from a more efficient logistical chain won't trade-off a more efficient industry, specially when time is running out.

Unfortunately, the only alternative is a minister with a particularly unpopular mustache, and because of comparisons between his and Hitler's mustache, a few began to protest against the minister change. Producing Panes et circensis will cut off precious days from training and arming soldiers, but better to solve it at once than to endure a permanent productivity hit from commie-liberal strikers for a long time. Every working backyard "factory" is going to make a difference here. If only Jews could turn cash into bullets.

Knowing that for the next ten months Poland is going to be safe, and that every scrap of resources must be saved, there is no more logical choice than to assign as many Logistic Wizards as possible to simply keep the corps, armies and divisions running. Sulik would be better smashing Nazis with a super sledgehammer, but he can do the job, and as a survivalist, he knows how to avoid waste of supplies.

A preliminary plan was already set. Once the invasion begins, the white and red flag shall fly across Eastern Prussia. Managing to cut off and defeat the German forces there will be instrumental to increase the chances of succeeding, and if it fails, all that can be done is to hold them off until the probably inevitable defeat. However, this maneuver will be risky as it'll oblige forces that could be defending the west to be relocated for a massed strike against Königsberg. Fighting a defensive war will delay the inevitable, and the French are unlikely to come for help even if the war prolongs to the first months of 1940. Building a new mobile HQ instead of many infantry divisions also seem and is a risky, but necessary maneuver. Militias aren't much useful to attack, but the brave patriots are ready to sacrifice their lives to spare and support the professionals. :salute:

--------------

Adding more another day... not many interesting moves to do or post before the real fun starts. Difficulty is Normal, AI Agressiveness at max. Standard rules(No full IC or tech team take over, etc.). It's actually possible to annex Germany with the Poles in a 1936 game, so it wouldn't be as interesting as this one.

Darth Roxor · Dec 25, 2008

The general is not a politician, but he pondered on firing the Armaments Minister.

If there's one guy you should be firing, it's Rydz-Śmigły.

Cassidy · Dec 25, 2008

Darth Roxor said:
The general is not a politician, but he pondered on firing the Armaments Minister.

Click to expand...

If there's one guy you should be firing, it's Rydz-Śmigły.

Once the "People's War"(for peacetime) / "Small Unit Tactics"(for wartime) and "Guns and Butter" ministers become available, he will be gone.

WhiskeyWolf · Dec 25, 2008

As General WhiskeyWolf reached a newspaper stall, he immediatelly realized that luck was not on his side.

- We're fucked... I forgot my Music Player.

but the brave patriots are ready to sacrifice their live

The question is are they ready to take lives.

LCJr. · Dec 26, 2008

Have you considered selling off your unwanted units instead of disbanding them? Or is the cost of diplomatic action too high? Might try a friendly country and see if you can make back the $ cost and get some supplies/resources or maybe even a blueprint rather than just throw them away.

Cassidy · Dec 26, 2008

It has been a time since the last time I played HoI2, but as far as I remember it's only possible to trade units with allies. I only went through a superficial sweep. Depending on the chances to join the Allies(read: relation with England in 1938 scenario), I might either sell them or just disband them. Also 75 $ with currently negative outcome means either an all-in-one trade deal or that I'll have to waste more IC into supplies for trading in exchange of $. If they sell for enough cash to save the IC that would be needed to balance the daily research expenditures for months, then certainly I would.

LCJr. · Dec 26, 2008

You can trade/sell units to anyone with the "Open Negotiations" option. Thing is your limited to 5 units at a time. I just fired it up and had 100% chance of selling the US(relation +2) the DD, SS, 2xInt-F and 1 TacB for $286. $245 for the DD, SS and 2xTac.

I think the amount of resources of the country your selling to matters more than your relation.

nomask7 · Dec 29, 2008

I played the Road to War scenario as Germany, but couldn't avoid war. Didn't march to Poland, yet Britain and France declared war on me. Didn't attack the Soviet Union, yet the Soviet Union attacked me. Always knew that would happen.

Burning Bridges · Dec 29, 2008

@Cassidy: having played Hoi2 only several years ago, and only barely skimming the thread I see that the interface in your screens looks much nicer than I remember, especially the unit icons. Is this a feature of the latest version or some mod?

JarlFrank · Dec 29, 2008

The unit icons are definitely a mod.

LCJr. · Dec 29, 2008

Scytth & Kristoff I think.
http://www.hoi2icon.prv.pl/

Burning Bridges · Dec 29, 2008

Thanks. Pretty amazing stuff those icons. If the icons are not courtesy of Tamiya / Hasegawa, I wonder why paradox does not hire the guy for HOI3.

Cassidy · Dec 30, 2008

I'm having a technical issue, though for now it is irrelevant, as it's primarily intended for a future, ahistorical LP: how do I edit a scenario to have Lebanon, Syria and Israel as starting nations in 1936 with their proper national provinces? I can't liberate them by starting the game with either England or France

Anyway, here it goes...

---------------------------

Poland can't win the war alone. The general knew that there was no way to assemble the necessary army and develop the necessary technological parity of at least ground forces in time for such, thus allies were needed. Equally, any attempt of challenging the Kriegsmarine was folly, and thus there was only one purpose for the entire Navy(a tug destroyer and an old u-boat) to exist: trade agreements between friendly nations.

: We need to form an alliance with the old Entente now to secure our future.

Ignacy: I am not sure. If we join this alliance we automatically enter in war with Germany, once they decide to oppose it.

: The reds and nazis want to grab our Polish land, the faster we manage to find allies willing to trade technology and resources for, no offense intended, junk that would be worthless in face of a nazi invasion, the greater our chances to achieve victory with minimal losses.

Ignacy: As I see you won't leave this cabinet until I agree, I'll meet Chamberlain

Taking a PZL. whatever, Ignacy flew to London in an attempt to forge a new alliance, in the hopes of securing the future of his nation. And thus the negotiations began...

Chamberlain: We can always find a peaceful solution. Diplomacy always work, and the Germans just are looking to reestablish their ethnic unity.

???: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TOTALLY AVOID COMBAT IN WORLD WAR 1 and 2

Ignacy: Forgive me, it seems that a madman has managed to bypass security.

Chamberlain: Nevermind, just more troublemakers protesting against our foreign policy.

Ignacy: I believe a mutual defense pact is important for the future of our nations in face of so many changes in Europe. Shall we proceed?

Chamberlain: Very well, I concur with the addition of your fine nation among our allies, as long as you can ensure your nation will not attempt to break the careful balance that have secured peace so far.

Ignacy: Democracies cannot start wars, and Germany has not been sufficiently belligerent for such fact to change.

Chamberlain: Why not?

Ignacy: Game balan... I mean, because there is a Congress that must approve it as well, and to convince them without a casus belli. I think you know what I mean.

Chamberlain: Your visit has been appreciated, I hope we can make many fruitful agreements from this new seed of friendship we have planted.

Ignacy: I have a deal already to offer. I offer you a trade of the entire Polish Navy, two interceptors which I admit to not be very advanced, and our knowledge of Battlefield Interdiction in exchange for your knowledge of Trench Warfare and Mechanized Agriculture

Chamberlain: Mechanized Agriculture? I like such unique way to describe it. Deal.

Ignacy: Very well, it is a deal then. Now if you excuse me, duty calls. I believe we have discussed everything for the moment in these last nine days.

Chamberlain: Good luck, and remember: everything can be solved with peaceful and diplomatic ways.

It's arguable what point a nation like England would see in acquiring such obsolete naval assets in a pack with equally obsolete interceptors that would probably be outmatched by a Stuka, but the fact they belonged to the Glorious Polish Navy and Glorious Polish Air Force may have helped a lot in such regards. Everybody knows that a Polish pilot in an Interwar PZL.whatever interceptor can outmatch a Me-262

As time passed, militias and soldiers were trained. Artillery was built by both major and backyard factories. At this rate, for each infantry division trained by the Polish, the Germans would have forty. It wouldn't be easy at all. There is an old stereotype about Poles being dumb, and if this war was somehow won, it would be completely dismissed. Never again in the future someone would come with jokes about Poles. It is a pity that only a miracle could have led Ethiopia to victory in 1936, or otherwise many nigger jokes would no longer make sense. But with enough rambling, 1938 was mostly an year of preparations. Trench Warfare and Agricultural Mechanization were developed really fast by the Jew scientists with the aid of Brit blueprints, while better industrial machines would have to wait for the next year. Business were done, the French became generous and now our supply of bananas and chicken fry(also known as rare materials) wouldn't run out in the factories, which would be able to run continually for many years to come. Provided the nazis don't manage to take them of course.

Ignacy and General WhiskeyWolf visited to Czechoslovakia in the hopes of trying to convince them of not ceding to Nazi pressures. The Czech military could be a valuable ally, and offering a guarantee of independence in exchange of not letting Chamberlain's excessive pacifism to interfere with their decisions, they hoped that the "first to fight" title would be stolen from them by the Czechoslovaks. Unfortunately, leaving aside commentaries about the manliness of the Czech president due to respect, they gave in to the Germans, and Sudetenland, which would otherwise serve as a formidable defensive line, tougher to break or bypass than the infamous Maginot, now became German territory. There was no hope for the Czechoslovaks, but could there be hope for Poland with such a skeleton army compared to what the Germans could bring?

Christmas and the New Year Eve were celebrated of course. But among the traditional commemoration, WhiskeyWolf pondered on what has been achieved so far. Ideally, There should be at least twelve divisions defending each segment of the vast Polish borders, and enough spares to amass a legion of two hundred forty thousand men in Suwalki against Konigsberg, supported by twelve divisions. One of the greatest battles of history perhaps, right in September 1st. However, the reality was much direr. Now way in hell it would be possible to train so many divisions until then. If he arrived it 1936, it would be more than possible. Nonetheless, taking Eastern Prussia is very important, if possible by then. By the first days of January 1939, the situation wasn't very hopeful for a man who knew how things would develop, and Mass Assault Doctrine wouldn't help much to change this fact. Likewise, many Polish officers prayed that the Soviets wouldn't try anything, for there was no way in hell that a two-front war could be won.

That a political scandal led to serious protests last years didn't help either, and once again much of the industry had to focus in panes et circensis to make the dissenters forget about the scandal between Kwiatkowski and Rydz-Smygli involving bribery to unban a nazi propaganda encoded as "TNP". WhiskeyWolf knew that Ignacy wasn't much of a staunch supporter of democracy, but lobbying for the Hawks was still more relevant, and once it would be possible to pave the way for JarlFrank to become WorldDictator, the war against Germany would be either already won or lost.

One important thing had to be done. A man like Rydz-Smygli had to be fired, with extreme prejudice. Not because of the scandal, but because anyone thinking that a purely defensive war would hold off the Germans would help more them than Poland. Wladyslaw Sikorski became the new Chief of Staff and Army, for expertise in deployment speed would help much more than expertise in sitting duck defenses, while logistical expertise had a significant strategic importance.

The action of building another mobile HQ instead of mass infantry divisions has been questioned many times, and all those times the argument was that it was pointless to have legions of infantry forces if only a handful of them could be deployed offensively, or if a lieutenant general wouldn't be able to command six divisions simultaneously to retake lost ground. Only time would tell however.

Only dreams were limitless, dreams of a...

POLISH EMPIRE

PS: Spelling and typing the minister names correctly has been the greatest challenge so far.

PS2: I should have changed all US ministry db entries to kingcomrade before I started this LP

sheek · Dec 30, 2008

Could you invade Bulgaria? Are they protected by anybody?

I'm thinking that Poland is going to be conquered anyway, so you may as well expand your territory and hope the Germans don't follow you.

Erzherzog · Dec 30, 2008

All the Balkans got a ton of guarantees that make it an absolute shit storm to DoW one of them. So do the Baltic nations, to a far lesser extent.

wjw · Jan 3, 2009

Has the Polish empire expanded yet?

Let's Play Hearts of Iron 2 (Preparing for D-Day in Asia)

Arcane

I like Thief THIS much

Arcane

Best Poster on the Codex

RPG Codex Polish Car Thief

Sovereign of CDS

Pointing and laughing.

Erudite

Educated

Arcane

Rattus Iratus

Arcane

RPG Codex Polish Car Thief

Erudite

Arcane

Erudite

Arcane

Enviado de meu SM-G3502T usando Tapatalk

I like Thief THIS much

Erudite

Enviado de meu SM-G3502T usando Tapatalk

Arcane

Arbiter

Magister

Augur