The Sound of Drums - A British Hearts of Iron II AAR
- Thread starter Kan' Sharuminar
- Start date
Maniacal
the green Napoleon
A bunch of UNIT experts were killed by the Slytheen (spelling?). At a conference. In Downing Street. I don't see this as a good sign
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
Thankee
A bunch of UNIT experts were killed by the Slytheen (spelling?). At a conference. In Downing Street. I don't see this as a good sign
I sometimes use The Master as a name as well, and when he was Prime Minister of Britain...well, let's just concentrate on the war, shall we?
e350tb
Stupendously Illogical Englishman
[Takes Dramatic Speech Pose]
People of Britain, Airmen of the RAF, Soldiers of the BEF, Sailors of our Great Navy and my fellow cabinet members.
Many have been advocating peace in recent times. Men like President Roosevelt and Benito Mussolini, for example. They do not understand what Great Britain is capable of! May I ask you who was in command at Waterloo? Who beat of the Spanish Invaders of 1588? Who stopped the Jacobite Tyrants from controlling our nation? Britons, that's who!
But we must also remember the dark times. Who sent a million young men to thier deaths in muddy trenches just over twenty years ago? I saw these trenches for myself, before joining the Royal Flying Corps, back in 1916. I saw people I had become aquiantanced with die at the hands of German soldiers.
We must not repeat the mistakes of the Somme! If Hitler wishes to fight, then we shall do it properly, with tanks, guns,, aircraft and ships, not just bayonets at a machine gun!
Britain may well come under serious fear of invasion very soon. Indeed, the Italians have already begun to attack our possesions in North Africa. But if we can hit them now, and hit them hard, we can destroy them with a minimal amount of effort on our part. Mussolini has gutted the Italian military. They are, like we once were, lions led by donkeys.
Airman, I personally tell you this. Hitler has captured Northern France and its airfields. We must turn the skies into our defenses. If they use planes, even if they outnumber us, we will win. Why? Because we are British, damn it! We have the greatest airforce in the history of the world! Germany no longer has Manfred Von Richofen (sp?) to fly her planes, but you, my friends, are all aces in the making. Don't let me down.
I leave you to these final words, fellow Britons. You have hundreds of years of history before you. Now, history is finished. The future begins today...and the future will belong to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland!
People of Britain, Airmen of the RAF, Soldiers of the BEF, Sailors of our Great Navy and my fellow cabinet members.
Many have been advocating peace in recent times. Men like President Roosevelt and Benito Mussolini, for example. They do not understand what Great Britain is capable of! May I ask you who was in command at Waterloo? Who beat of the Spanish Invaders of 1588? Who stopped the Jacobite Tyrants from controlling our nation? Britons, that's who!
But we must also remember the dark times. Who sent a million young men to thier deaths in muddy trenches just over twenty years ago? I saw these trenches for myself, before joining the Royal Flying Corps, back in 1916. I saw people I had become aquiantanced with die at the hands of German soldiers.
We must not repeat the mistakes of the Somme! If Hitler wishes to fight, then we shall do it properly, with tanks, guns,, aircraft and ships, not just bayonets at a machine gun!
Britain may well come under serious fear of invasion very soon. Indeed, the Italians have already begun to attack our possesions in North Africa. But if we can hit them now, and hit them hard, we can destroy them with a minimal amount of effort on our part. Mussolini has gutted the Italian military. They are, like we once were, lions led by donkeys.
Airman, I personally tell you this. Hitler has captured Northern France and its airfields. We must turn the skies into our defenses. If they use planes, even if they outnumber us, we will win. Why? Because we are British, damn it! We have the greatest airforce in the history of the world! Germany no longer has Manfred Von Richofen (sp?) to fly her planes, but you, my friends, are all aces in the making. Don't let me down.
I leave you to these final words, fellow Britons. You have hundreds of years of history before you. Now, history is finished. The future begins today...and the future will belong to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland!
Maniacal
the green Napoleon
And Canada!
Kozmos
Jew Detective
BUILD MORE CARRIERS! /end contribution
Captain2
ಠ_ృ
show us the situation in India, I need up to date information for mens lives depend upon it!!!
*heads back to his croquet match*
*heads back to his croquet match*
IronMan2055
Korra 2011
You'll get information when I bloody well please to give it to you...some one get me the latest info from India!
GinandTonic
Saphire w/ Schweps + Lime
- Joined
- May 25, 2005
- Messages
- 8,898
God save the Queen. Rah. Or King. Whatever. One with the silly bloody outfit. Cant miss em. Ermine and whatnot.
Anyway lets keep the bloody froogs in the game as long as poss, eh. Dont want those tanks off wandering around the place. God knows what they could do over on the east.
Anyway lets keep the bloody froogs in the game as long as poss, eh. Dont want those tanks off wandering around the place. God knows what they could do over on the east.
rabidveggie
King
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2007
- Messages
- 697
It is suicide to stand against an enemy that, although it is hard to admit, are equal to our brave soldiers in skilland equipment. We cannot survive a slugging match against all of Germany, Hungary, and Italy, we do not have the manpower, or terrain advantage to win in such a fight. The Frech will to win will fall sharply with the capture of Paris which is all but inevitable. Bring our men home so that they can be used in theater's of war that are possible to win in. Such as against Italy in Africa or possibly Japan in India, or a third option...
Run away today to fight another day for with Italy's entrance to the war an opportunity has come about. Hitler thinks he has won an ally with Italian involvement, he has instead adopted a giant weakness, a giant weakness connected to Europe. In Italy the terrain is narrow, and just as importantly located exclusively along the sea. Once the Italian Navy, (if you can call it that) is recycled we can set up Naval bombardments to turn battles in our favor. Our Aircraft need not strike along a broad front, and all battles will have assured air support. The bulk of their forces will not be experienced Germans, but instead sniveling Italians who will flee in the face of our overwhelming combat abilities. Encirclements will become possible with Germany's amour flexibility greatly reduced by the terrain.
The plan is simple, withdraw from Europe, win in the Mediterranean, win in Africa, win in Italy, then win the war.
Run away today to fight another day for with Italy's entrance to the war an opportunity has come about. Hitler thinks he has won an ally with Italian involvement, he has instead adopted a giant weakness, a giant weakness connected to Europe. In Italy the terrain is narrow, and just as importantly located exclusively along the sea. Once the Italian Navy, (if you can call it that) is recycled we can set up Naval bombardments to turn battles in our favor. Our Aircraft need not strike along a broad front, and all battles will have assured air support. The bulk of their forces will not be experienced Germans, but instead sniveling Italians who will flee in the face of our overwhelming combat abilities. Encirclements will become possible with Germany's amour flexibility greatly reduced by the terrain.
The plan is simple, withdraw from Europe, win in the Mediterranean, win in Africa, win in Italy, then win the war.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
A fine speech, Mr. e350tb, a few points, if I may.
The threat of an invasion of Britain is unlikely. Even if we evacuate as few as half of the BEF from France, the British isles will still be protected by a dozen divisions from behind a fortified coast. In addition, how shall the German invade? Their transports have been destroyed or forced to withdraw from landings in Norway and France, even with the English Channel in their hands they will find it impossible to attempt an amphibious assault, let alone provide supplies for their troops.
You are totally correct then, that the battle will be purely airborne. Hitler will be unable to invade, so the only way to neutralise our island is through bombardment of our industries, which in turn can only be achieved by the destruction of our fighter shield.
Bear in mind then, the Luftwaffe has outnumbered the RAF Squadrons in northern France since the beginning of the war, and with a few exceptions has only seen defeat and destruction. Against the main airfleet in Britain Herr Göring will have no chance of victory.
Four carriers are under construction at the moment, though I'm sure that's still not enough for you
Order of Battle for India, 1940
I will not abandon our French allies while they continue to fight. If Belgium - a country that has formally surrendered to German and has lost their homelands - continue to field armies in France's defence, then why should we leave?
I quite agree with this plan, though bear in mind we have been preparing for war with Italy long before the thought of a belligerent Germany came about. The troops to win in the Mediterranean are already there, and the hope is they will be enough not just to win in Africa, but to take the fight to Italy itself.
The threat of an invasion of Britain is unlikely. Even if we evacuate as few as half of the BEF from France, the British isles will still be protected by a dozen divisions from behind a fortified coast. In addition, how shall the German invade? Their transports have been destroyed or forced to withdraw from landings in Norway and France, even with the English Channel in their hands they will find it impossible to attempt an amphibious assault, let alone provide supplies for their troops.
You are totally correct then, that the battle will be purely airborne. Hitler will be unable to invade, so the only way to neutralise our island is through bombardment of our industries, which in turn can only be achieved by the destruction of our fighter shield.
Bear in mind then, the Luftwaffe has outnumbered the RAF Squadrons in northern France since the beginning of the war, and with a few exceptions has only seen defeat and destruction. Against the main airfleet in Britain Herr Göring will have no chance of victory.
Four carriers are under construction at the moment, though I'm sure that's still not enough for you
Order of Battle for India, 1940
Spoiler :
I will not abandon our French allies while they continue to fight. If Belgium - a country that has formally surrendered to German and has lost their homelands - continue to field armies in France's defence, then why should we leave?
I quite agree with this plan, though bear in mind we have been preparing for war with Italy long before the thought of a belligerent Germany came about. The troops to win in the Mediterranean are already there, and the hope is they will be enough not just to win in Africa, but to take the fight to Italy itself.
A word of warning regarding Italy.
If\when we invade the Italian homeland we may well be facing german forces aswell as Italian, the same forces that have given us an utter shoeing in Northern France.
Likewise, in North Africa, we must move very quickly to wrap up the italian possesions there and control the north african coast so as to not give germany the chance to land reinforcements there. The terrain in North Africa, wide open flat spaces will be ideal for germanys advanced armoured forces.
If\when we invade the Italian homeland we may well be facing german forces aswell as Italian, the same forces that have given us an utter shoeing in Northern France.
Likewise, in North Africa, we must move very quickly to wrap up the italian possesions there and control the north african coast so as to not give germany the chance to land reinforcements there. The terrain in North Africa, wide open flat spaces will be ideal for germanys advanced armoured forces.
Captain2
ಠ_ృ
I be thanking ye for thar map
if not for tha' heads up I'd have missed me cricket match in Bombay
if not for tha' heads up I'd have missed me cricket match in Bombay
rabidveggie
King
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2007
- Messages
- 697
Germany isn't an issue in the Mediterranean since they have no national provinces along the coast to deploy landers and we control Gibraltar and Suez. They won't use Italian transports to ferry troops since a megalomaniac like Hitler likely has no faith in Italy. We just need to make sure Gibraltar is reinforced and we'll be fine.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
I quite agree. Don't forget Abyssinia either - it remains unprotected by Italy, and I hope to have it liberated and have its independence reinstated by the end of this year. I trust that this act will prove to the world that Britain has no territorial ambitions in this war.
This is (sadly for the story) quite true, we won't see German forces in Africa. Mr. Sheep21 seems to be more worried about encountering German forces in Italy itself however (a delightfully optimistic view on how the war will go, I must say). In-game, and if I recall correctly, the Germans will usually send troops to protect the Italian boot.
A quick aside: I have authorised the development of airborne troops at last. It is unlikely they will be ready until next year, but I believe they will be of use in invading Italian provinces, or to quickly get troops into Greece if they need our help.
rabidveggie
King
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2007
- Messages
- 697
Actually after I thought about it for a bit I remember that an event fires where the US demands bases from Vichy France which if refused leads to war so it is technically possible for the Germans to arrive. Its just highly unlikely.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
The Sound of Drums - A British Hearts of Iron AAR
Part Thirty-Three
Part Thirty-Three
8th -12th June 1940
The French had been defeated at Valenciennes, the British at Dunkirk and the Belgians had only disorganised and under-strength divisions spread along the dissolving front. Now, with the news that the Italians had entered the war alongside them, the German army began its drive for Paris.
It wasn’t their only operation begun on the 8th June, though it was the only one likely to achieve success. In Unternehmen Pfeil, in a rare attempt at a joint military venture by all three German military branches, a fresh attempt was made to seize Norway. It was a hardly notable venture - once again the Kriegsmarine’s contribution was cut short by the ever well-placed Admiral Cleric - except for one detail; for the first time paratroopers were used in invasion.
German fallschirmjäger descend on Norway
After seizing territories north of Oslo, the two airborne divisions quickly fortified their position, awaiting for the reinforcements that were to come by sea. Later, British intelligence would assume that had the amphibious landings began, the airborne units would have made a push for Oslo while its Allied defenders were focused west. In the end it made no difference, the British forces pounced the minute they realised the Norwegian interior was threatened, and after a two day battle nothing remained of the German divisions, their troops and equipment either destroyed or captured.
Though a minor note in the Norwegian campaign, the victory there provided the important knowledge that Germany had lost its entire airborne wing, and as far as British Intelligence could tell no more were being trained for the near future. If Germany wanted to invade the British Isles, it could only be by sea.
British fighters protect the fleet in the Mediterranean
There was more good news as the war against Italy began. Almost immediately after receiving the declaration of war, Royal Navy units in the Mediterranean were put to sea. Submarines began patrolling near Gibraltar and the waters north of Libya, hoping to catch Axis supply ships providing aid to Italian troops in Africa. They would see their first victory on the 11th, sinking four transport ships and an escort in the Gulf of Sidra.
For Admiral Germanicus’ First Armada and Admiral Pound’s Second Fleet it was a simple search-and-destroy operation. Their ships were to engage the main Italian fleet where possible, to assess their strength and what was needed to achieve total dominance of the Mediterranean. The first engagements were promising - Italian ships had nothing to counter British carriers, and were forced to retreat from every action without even getting their guns in range.
The first battles in North Africa
Despite plans for the campaign in North Africa being in place since 1938, they were not activated until one day after the Italian declaration of war. Officially weather conditions were blamed for the delay, though in reality the British High Command simply wished to see what Italy would do - they had initiated the war, why do so if they did not have plans for an immediate attack?
After 24 hours, there was still no reasonable answer to this question, and so Field Marshall PrinceScamp simply began his own campaign. Striking at Fort Capuzzo far south of the coast, British troops quickly routed the Italian defenders and achieved the first British land victory of the war (the defeat of the German paratroopers would come mere hours afterwards). Three days later the British army struck at Bardia, and once more the Italians were forced back.
Though these early victories provided hope that Italian forces would be thrown out of Libya by the end of the year, there was some cause for concern. The continuous reshuffling of Italian troops, as well as failures within British Intelligence meant that it was still difficult to determine how many enemy troops were in Libya until battle began. As such, PrinceScamp was twice forced into battles with equal Italian numbers rather than the weaker forces predicted. Though successful in both battles, he had required additional reinforcements to support the attacks in order to repulse the enemy - apparently Italian troops were not as weak as originally hoped.
It was also very early days yet in the African Front, and though they had proven their prowess in battle, British forces were yet to capture and hold enemy territory. They were also to face their first real test in the African desert - the heavily fortified province of Tobruk, where Italian forces were sure to put up a solid defence…
GinandTonic
Saphire w/ Schweps + Lime
- Joined
- May 25, 2005
- Messages
- 8,898
How bad is it around paris? Have the italians tried anything in SE france? Could this threaten champaign and congiac? I've had a word with housekeeping and no10 should be able to hold out for five or six years on it's cellars, so long as Mr Churchill isn't in residence.
Similar threads
