Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
IronMan2055 said:
nicely said
Inevitable Conflict? A First World War AAR
- Thread starter Kan' Sharuminar
- Start date
nicely said
IronMan2055
Korra 2011
hey WWI is important to just not as much. are going to finnish the HoI2 game first then come back here?
IronMan2055
Korra 2011
maybe but i'm not part of a war council here am i.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
No War Council indeed, just a standard game.
That, ahem, I will get back to. My thanks to the patience of the readers
That, ahem, I will get back to. My thanks to the patience of the readers
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
Part two of KAN' SHARUMINAR'S AMAZING UPDATE DAY!
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
May - August 1915
The start of summer saw the beginning of a great offensive in the western front. In the north, France battled to regain Brussels, while the British launched another attack on Reims. Both were to prove to be the two most epic battles of the war so far.
Brussels was easily taken by the French - Germany was exhausting most of her strength further south. However they quickly diverted troops to launch a counterattack, retaking the city in early June. French resistance was tough, though, and they managed to prevent a complete rout. They pressed forth once again, and took the city later in the month.
This was partially helped by the British offensive at Reims, which distracted the German High Command. After heavy bombardment by artillery brigades, the British infantry left their trenches and charged towards the German defences. They were greeted by the Germans own artillery, and some mildly shellshocked infantry.
The artillerymen
Although the first attack failed, it reduced the Reims defence to just pocket groups of soldiers. As the French sent reinforcements from Brussels, the Germans decided it would be best to abandon the city, allowing the 2nd BEF to take the city in June.
To boost morale further, the 3rd BEF set off to land south of Calais. They were to take part in the first offensive into German soil, scheduled for August. It was hoped this would relieve pressure on the eastern front - despite Russian advances into Eastern Prussia they were facing a major German/Austria-Hungarian invasion. As was Serbia, whose cities were now completely under seige.
The Western Front, August 1915
Europe was not the only place seeing action. Middle East Command had been reinforced earlier in the year with several new infantry, artillery and cavalry divisions. These took the form of the 2nd Egyptian Army - starting a long march to take Jerusalem, and the British Iraqi Army - marching north towards Baghdad.
It had been a year of war on an unprecedented scale, but it seemed at last the tide was turning…
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
May - August 1915
The start of summer saw the beginning of a great offensive in the western front. In the north, France battled to regain Brussels, while the British launched another attack on Reims. Both were to prove to be the two most epic battles of the war so far.
Brussels was easily taken by the French - Germany was exhausting most of her strength further south. However they quickly diverted troops to launch a counterattack, retaking the city in early June. French resistance was tough, though, and they managed to prevent a complete rout. They pressed forth once again, and took the city later in the month.
This was partially helped by the British offensive at Reims, which distracted the German High Command. After heavy bombardment by artillery brigades, the British infantry left their trenches and charged towards the German defences. They were greeted by the Germans own artillery, and some mildly shellshocked infantry.
The artillerymen
Although the first attack failed, it reduced the Reims defence to just pocket groups of soldiers. As the French sent reinforcements from Brussels, the Germans decided it would be best to abandon the city, allowing the 2nd BEF to take the city in June.
To boost morale further, the 3rd BEF set off to land south of Calais. They were to take part in the first offensive into German soil, scheduled for August. It was hoped this would relieve pressure on the eastern front - despite Russian advances into Eastern Prussia they were facing a major German/Austria-Hungarian invasion. As was Serbia, whose cities were now completely under seige.
The Western Front, August 1915
Europe was not the only place seeing action. Middle East Command had been reinforced earlier in the year with several new infantry, artillery and cavalry divisions. These took the form of the 2nd Egyptian Army - starting a long march to take Jerusalem, and the British Iraqi Army - marching north towards Baghdad.
It had been a year of war on an unprecedented scale, but it seemed at last the tide was turning…
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
AlCosta said:Great update.
Thanks muchly.I think I forgot that updating this is a lot, lot easier than HoI, which is a lot more detailed. It put me off, but when I started playing today it all came back again
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
August - December 1915
Despite the invasion of German soil in August, it would prove to be a slow offensive. Though German resistance was weak, it was widespread, forcing the 3rd BEF to slowly work their way to the Rhine. Their objective was Cologne.
At first they were supported by several French divisions, but several of these were forced to return to France in the wake of a shocking series of mass desertions among other French divisions. Indeed, when harsh sentences were carried out against the deserters, it resulted in nothing more than open mutiny by several divisions in October. Not only did this weaken the front, but it meant that the 4th BEF force - due to arrive at the end of the year - would be forced to assist the destabilising French government to restore order.
This did not affect the Middle Eastern Front, where two major British armies approached Jerusalem and Baghdad. In October, the great Battle of Jerusalem was to rival even the Battle of Reims five months earlier. Though the Ottoman defenders were only two divisions strong, one was a division of machine gunners. They quickly cut down the British cavalry charge - forcing them to retreat - and easily outgunned the advancing infantry. It took the loss of three full British infantry divisions before the city was captured, but Parliament declared the operation worthy, and preparations began for a follow-up attack further north.
British Infantry resting at Gaza before the offensive
What they did take into account was the effectiveness of the machine guns in the defence of Jerusalem, and ordered the training of such units to assist in France. Additionally, reconnaissance of Cologne revealed two machine gun divisions there, ending all hope of an attack. As such, the 3rd BEF took up position north of the city, while the French held the lines to the west. A campaign of artillery and, for the first time in the western front, aerial bombardment began to weaken the defenders.
A British Sopwith Pup during testing in late 1915
On the eastern front, it was nothing but massive battles on open ground and cities. The Russians held the advantage as they advanced into Poland, but now that it became clear that this was to be a long-term war the initial enthusiasm of the populace began to drop. Morale was not helped as Austria-Hungary continued to send in wave after wave of infantry divisions to attack, causing some of the bloodiest battles of the war. In addition, the Germans seemed to be stabilising their front after losing so much ground to the Russians.
Ultimately however, at the end of the year it seemed that the Entende were in control of the war. Sadly it was not over in December as hoped by many, but then there is always next Christmas
August - December 1915
Despite the invasion of German soil in August, it would prove to be a slow offensive. Though German resistance was weak, it was widespread, forcing the 3rd BEF to slowly work their way to the Rhine. Their objective was Cologne.
At first they were supported by several French divisions, but several of these were forced to return to France in the wake of a shocking series of mass desertions among other French divisions. Indeed, when harsh sentences were carried out against the deserters, it resulted in nothing more than open mutiny by several divisions in October. Not only did this weaken the front, but it meant that the 4th BEF force - due to arrive at the end of the year - would be forced to assist the destabilising French government to restore order.
This did not affect the Middle Eastern Front, where two major British armies approached Jerusalem and Baghdad. In October, the great Battle of Jerusalem was to rival even the Battle of Reims five months earlier. Though the Ottoman defenders were only two divisions strong, one was a division of machine gunners. They quickly cut down the British cavalry charge - forcing them to retreat - and easily outgunned the advancing infantry. It took the loss of three full British infantry divisions before the city was captured, but Parliament declared the operation worthy, and preparations began for a follow-up attack further north.
British Infantry resting at Gaza before the offensive
What they did take into account was the effectiveness of the machine guns in the defence of Jerusalem, and ordered the training of such units to assist in France. Additionally, reconnaissance of Cologne revealed two machine gun divisions there, ending all hope of an attack. As such, the 3rd BEF took up position north of the city, while the French held the lines to the west. A campaign of artillery and, for the first time in the western front, aerial bombardment began to weaken the defenders.
A British Sopwith Pup during testing in late 1915
On the eastern front, it was nothing but massive battles on open ground and cities. The Russians held the advantage as they advanced into Poland, but now that it became clear that this was to be a long-term war the initial enthusiasm of the populace began to drop. Morale was not helped as Austria-Hungary continued to send in wave after wave of infantry divisions to attack, causing some of the bloodiest battles of the war. In addition, the Germans seemed to be stabilising their front after losing so much ground to the Russians.
Ultimately however, at the end of the year it seemed that the Entende were in control of the war. Sadly it was not over in December as hoped by many, but then there is always next Christmas
IronMan2055
Korra 2011
of course not he's a duck and have you ever thought of hosting aparty with iggy
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
January - April 1916
By now the war was a truly fluid campaign. A year earlier it had seemed there was a risk of the western front becoming ground into a bloody campaign of trench warfare, but the summer offensive of 1915 had ended that. Now, after the new year, fears that it was the German’s turn to hide in the trenches were to be proved completely wrong.
In the Middle East however, things were a lot more simple. The British were winning the war against the Ottomans, though it was a long and slow process over the desert terrain. Only a few Turkish counter-attacks had happened, and all had been easily repelled. On the defence of their cities however, they were brutally resistant. The Battle of Baghdad was one such instance, as many British infantry divisions were cut down. The city was captured by the end of January however, thus cutting off Ottoman troops in southern Iraq.
Seeing that the British Iraqi Army had no chance for a follow-up attack, Middle-East Command decided to launch the offensive towards Damascus early. They left in late February without cavalry support to besiege the city north of Jerusalem.
The Middle-East, April 1916
The lessons learned from the many city offensives were taken to the battlefields outside Cologne, where in February it was decided to launch a true assault with combined arms. Most of the city defences had been reduced to rubble thanks to a persistent air and artillery campaign. Now in the lead-up to the battle, they focused on enemy units instead, so that when the 3rd BEF infantry launched their offensive, they came up against shell-shocked and considerably weakened opponents, and took the city with remarkably few casualties. Any criticisms of the usefulness Royal Air Force were gone overnight.
The Germans were not so keen to see their territory fall so easily however, and immediately began a massive counter-attack on the city, easily overwhelming the British garrison and recapturing the city in early April. This coincided with a combined Central Powers offensive in the east, where the Germans recaptured the city of Krakow from the Russians. It was a clear symbol of strength to the Entende - Germany was far from beaten…
January - April 1916
By now the war was a truly fluid campaign. A year earlier it had seemed there was a risk of the western front becoming ground into a bloody campaign of trench warfare, but the summer offensive of 1915 had ended that. Now, after the new year, fears that it was the German’s turn to hide in the trenches were to be proved completely wrong.
In the Middle East however, things were a lot more simple. The British were winning the war against the Ottomans, though it was a long and slow process over the desert terrain. Only a few Turkish counter-attacks had happened, and all had been easily repelled. On the defence of their cities however, they were brutally resistant. The Battle of Baghdad was one such instance, as many British infantry divisions were cut down. The city was captured by the end of January however, thus cutting off Ottoman troops in southern Iraq.
Seeing that the British Iraqi Army had no chance for a follow-up attack, Middle-East Command decided to launch the offensive towards Damascus early. They left in late February without cavalry support to besiege the city north of Jerusalem.
The Middle-East, April 1916
The lessons learned from the many city offensives were taken to the battlefields outside Cologne, where in February it was decided to launch a true assault with combined arms. Most of the city defences had been reduced to rubble thanks to a persistent air and artillery campaign. Now in the lead-up to the battle, they focused on enemy units instead, so that when the 3rd BEF infantry launched their offensive, they came up against shell-shocked and considerably weakened opponents, and took the city with remarkably few casualties. Any criticisms of the usefulness Royal Air Force were gone overnight.
The Germans were not so keen to see their territory fall so easily however, and immediately began a massive counter-attack on the city, easily overwhelming the British garrison and recapturing the city in early April. This coincided with a combined Central Powers offensive in the east, where the Germans recaptured the city of Krakow from the Russians. It was a clear symbol of strength to the Entende - Germany was far from beaten…
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
AlCosta said:Nice update. I'm thinking the Germans are going to cut you down soon.
You traitor to the crown! I ought to have you shot at dawn, what what?
IronMan2055
Korra 2011
you could place machine guns next to the cities and put them on one of the settings i forget which and the cities units will attack the machine guns.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
IronMan2055 said:
I don't like using gamey tactics.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
April - August 1916
What started as a relatively simple attack in February was now turning into a major slugfest for Britain and Germany. The battle of Cologne was still raging as both sides fought a major fight street by street.
After the British were ejected from the city in early April, they were quick to counterattack. As cavalry divisions charged in from the north-west, the artillery bombardment from the northern hills continued. With neither side truly fortified in place, it became a back-and-forth test of tactics and willpower.
The devastation of the city
Ultimately the British managed to break through and seize the city, and followed up with a cavalry attack on the withdrawing and nearby German divisions. A second German counter-attack was attempted, but failed to achieve any success. In order to distract the enemies attention away from the city, British High Command ordered a push towards the city of Hanover. The lines were dangerously overstretched, and it wasnt helped when the forward cavalry divisions were ambushed and destroyed outside the city outskirts. However it had the desired effect of effectively ending the Battle of Cologne in May.
The Middle-Eastern offensive finally reached its end with the Battle of Damascus, where Ottoman machine gunners cut down many thousands of British troops as they attempted an advance. Though the attack was successful, the slaughter meant that no further advances could be considered, especially with Ottoman pressure mounting in the region and at Baghdad, were the enemy were advancing.
British forces nervously await the Ottoman attack on Baghdad
While things were still clearly in the Entendes favour, the mounting pressure was beginning to take its toll. Britain was outstretched - both military and financially - while France was still in home ground - after putting down all the recent revolts they had to deal with a sudden German cavalry attack that had swung past southern Reims in June.
The good news was that Italy, who had backed out of joining their German allies when war broke out, had been influenced enough to join the war effort on the Entendes side. They had claims on the Austrian provinces of Trento and Trieste, and were determined to see them absorbed into Italy
April - August 1916
What started as a relatively simple attack in February was now turning into a major slugfest for Britain and Germany. The battle of Cologne was still raging as both sides fought a major fight street by street.
After the British were ejected from the city in early April, they were quick to counterattack. As cavalry divisions charged in from the north-west, the artillery bombardment from the northern hills continued. With neither side truly fortified in place, it became a back-and-forth test of tactics and willpower.
The devastation of the city
Ultimately the British managed to break through and seize the city, and followed up with a cavalry attack on the withdrawing and nearby German divisions. A second German counter-attack was attempted, but failed to achieve any success. In order to distract the enemies attention away from the city, British High Command ordered a push towards the city of Hanover. The lines were dangerously overstretched, and it wasnt helped when the forward cavalry divisions were ambushed and destroyed outside the city outskirts. However it had the desired effect of effectively ending the Battle of Cologne in May.
The Middle-Eastern offensive finally reached its end with the Battle of Damascus, where Ottoman machine gunners cut down many thousands of British troops as they attempted an advance. Though the attack was successful, the slaughter meant that no further advances could be considered, especially with Ottoman pressure mounting in the region and at Baghdad, were the enemy were advancing.
British forces nervously await the Ottoman attack on Baghdad
While things were still clearly in the Entendes favour, the mounting pressure was beginning to take its toll. Britain was outstretched - both military and financially - while France was still in home ground - after putting down all the recent revolts they had to deal with a sudden German cavalry attack that had swung past southern Reims in June.
The good news was that Italy, who had backed out of joining their German allies when war broke out, had been influenced enough to join the war effort on the Entendes side. They had claims on the Austrian provinces of Trento and Trieste, and were determined to see them absorbed into Italy
