BorgeoisBuffoon
Local Idiot
Very, very excellent work, good sir, and keeping up with intrest. I'd only wish you could do a regular epic game like this-seeing you catalogue an entire six thousands' years worth of history would be quite the read. 
Inevitable Conflict? A First World War AAR
- Thread starter Kan' Sharuminar
- Start date
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
BorgeoisBuffoon: Cheers! I have thought about doing that after this, but I really need to conclude some other AAR's I'm doing. Maybe one day 
Nuclear Kid: As ordered
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
February - June 1918
Following the artillery barrage into Cologne, British forces began a slow push towards the city. It was a difficult process - not least due to hostile fire, but because the bulk of the British army was attacking from the west over rivers. Pontoon bridges had to be set up - a particular difficulty for the heavy armoured divisions - and were constantly harassed by German infantry raids.
However, by the beginning of March the city itself was reached, and the tank units were allowed their baptism of fire at last. Striking at enemy outer defences, they caused massive damage with little casualties of their own, and breach an area large enough to allow the infantry units to move into the city itself. Such defeats were not enough to dissuade the Germans from continuing to defend the city - indeed, several more divisions were sent from Strasburg through the southern sector of Cologne - a region unaffected by the assault. Despite this, British High Command authorised the final attack to go ahead, despite this fast becoming the costliest campaign of the entire war.
It was only to get much worse - even as the city was ultimately retaken in April, German forces were openly preparing for another counter-attack, one that was unlikely to be held given the weakened and tired British forces now in the city.
Italian forces prepare to fight for Veneto
Elsewhere, the Allied Powers continued to wage war together. The French reinforcements in northern Italy allowed a combined strike from both armies in an attempt to retake Veneto - captured in December 1916 - from the Austrians. While the offensive itself was a rather rushed affair (the French hadn’t been sure they could send reinforcements anywhere, let alone the Italians), it succeeded in achieving maximum surprise against the Austrians. Veneto was retuned to Italian control, though under temporary French administration while proper garrison forces could be rushed north.
And in Turkey, the British launched what could very well be their final offensive in the region for some time. The ‘small offensive’ into eastern Asia Minor revealed the city of Sivas - poorly defended by just a couple of infantry units. As such, a surprisingly costly offensive was ordered to take the city, which fell in late April. Along with the heavy casualties that were involved in taking Cologne a week earlier, it was little wonder that April 1918 was unofficially labelled ‘The Black Month’ of the war. A name that made the news that Germany had recaptured Cologne at the beginning of May a little hard to accept.
Even as the Germans had been preparing a counter-attack against Cologne, several intelligence reports came in that offered hope that a push could soon be made for Berlin. One was an announcement from the Americans that they had launched an amphibious assault near the city of Bremen - where British forces had spent most of the previous year in a long siege. The other was that RAF reconnaissance missions had revealed the capital was poorly defended - particularly in comparison with the border cities. As such, it was hoped that a fast armoured offensive could succeed in threatening Berlin - a severe moral blow, even if it was not captured.
The obvious risk was the continued problems at Cologne, where British forces were already attempting another assault. Having not been thrown completely out of the city, they were able to dislodge the German attackers before they could reinforce themselves, and as such the city returned to British hands before the end of May. The Germans however, had apparently set their hearts into keeping the city as their own, and launched a second counter-offensive to retake the city, this time in far greater numbers and strength. In June, the city once again was under German control, and far better defended.
The western front in summer 1918
Despite the fact that the city had been reduced mostly to rubble, and that the bulk of the population (early reported as much as 72% of the citizens had fled the region by now), Britain simply had to retain control of the city - particularly if it wanted to keep supply lines to Hanover open. Given that reinforcements were arriving at the front-lines every month now, there was hope that it could be done, and at any rate the battle was tying down the main German Army. However, it was widely feared that any victory at Cologne would be pyrrhic, regardless of what opportunities it would open…
Nuclear Kid: As ordered
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
February - June 1918
Following the artillery barrage into Cologne, British forces began a slow push towards the city. It was a difficult process - not least due to hostile fire, but because the bulk of the British army was attacking from the west over rivers. Pontoon bridges had to be set up - a particular difficulty for the heavy armoured divisions - and were constantly harassed by German infantry raids.
However, by the beginning of March the city itself was reached, and the tank units were allowed their baptism of fire at last. Striking at enemy outer defences, they caused massive damage with little casualties of their own, and breach an area large enough to allow the infantry units to move into the city itself. Such defeats were not enough to dissuade the Germans from continuing to defend the city - indeed, several more divisions were sent from Strasburg through the southern sector of Cologne - a region unaffected by the assault. Despite this, British High Command authorised the final attack to go ahead, despite this fast becoming the costliest campaign of the entire war.
It was only to get much worse - even as the city was ultimately retaken in April, German forces were openly preparing for another counter-attack, one that was unlikely to be held given the weakened and tired British forces now in the city.
Italian forces prepare to fight for Veneto
Elsewhere, the Allied Powers continued to wage war together. The French reinforcements in northern Italy allowed a combined strike from both armies in an attempt to retake Veneto - captured in December 1916 - from the Austrians. While the offensive itself was a rather rushed affair (the French hadn’t been sure they could send reinforcements anywhere, let alone the Italians), it succeeded in achieving maximum surprise against the Austrians. Veneto was retuned to Italian control, though under temporary French administration while proper garrison forces could be rushed north.
And in Turkey, the British launched what could very well be their final offensive in the region for some time. The ‘small offensive’ into eastern Asia Minor revealed the city of Sivas - poorly defended by just a couple of infantry units. As such, a surprisingly costly offensive was ordered to take the city, which fell in late April. Along with the heavy casualties that were involved in taking Cologne a week earlier, it was little wonder that April 1918 was unofficially labelled ‘The Black Month’ of the war. A name that made the news that Germany had recaptured Cologne at the beginning of May a little hard to accept.
Even as the Germans had been preparing a counter-attack against Cologne, several intelligence reports came in that offered hope that a push could soon be made for Berlin. One was an announcement from the Americans that they had launched an amphibious assault near the city of Bremen - where British forces had spent most of the previous year in a long siege. The other was that RAF reconnaissance missions had revealed the capital was poorly defended - particularly in comparison with the border cities. As such, it was hoped that a fast armoured offensive could succeed in threatening Berlin - a severe moral blow, even if it was not captured.
The obvious risk was the continued problems at Cologne, where British forces were already attempting another assault. Having not been thrown completely out of the city, they were able to dislodge the German attackers before they could reinforce themselves, and as such the city returned to British hands before the end of May. The Germans however, had apparently set their hearts into keeping the city as their own, and launched a second counter-offensive to retake the city, this time in far greater numbers and strength. In June, the city once again was under German control, and far better defended.
The western front in summer 1918
Despite the fact that the city had been reduced mostly to rubble, and that the bulk of the population (early reported as much as 72% of the citizens had fled the region by now), Britain simply had to retain control of the city - particularly if it wanted to keep supply lines to Hanover open. Given that reinforcements were arriving at the front-lines every month now, there was hope that it could be done, and at any rate the battle was tying down the main German Army. However, it was widely feared that any victory at Cologne would be pyrrhic, regardless of what opportunities it would open…
Emp. Killyouall
EVIL Emperor
3 Population? Pretty low, considering that Cologne is the highest hammer city in the beginning, and is the second highest optimally (Strassburg doesn't start with a factory).
Swein Forkbeard
Nintendo Fan
Cologne (the real one) has a famous cathedral inside it. In your game, the city is being reduced to rubble, it seems.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
502nd PIR: That's the Dutch
Swein Forkbeard: Well, I don't think the mod has cathedrals in it, but I'll tell my artillerymen to be extra careful in future.
Emp. Killyouall: I totally didn't expect the city to change hands so much this last turn. The first time the Germans retook it was unlucky on my part, the second time they sent a dedicated force - they can be quite stubborn, those Krauts!
Swein Forkbeard: Well, I don't think the mod has cathedrals in it, but I'll tell my artillerymen to be extra careful in future.
Emp. Killyouall: I totally didn't expect the city to change hands so much this last turn. The first time the Germans retook it was unlucky on my part, the second time they sent a dedicated force - they can be quite stubborn, those Krauts!
Emp. Killyouall
EVIL Emperor
I noticed that too- when they attacked France they sent peanuts, but when I threatened a city they attacked with a stack that could have wiped the floor if they attacked France with it.
Swein Forkbeard
Nintendo Fan
Ever heard of Gothic Cathedrals? Well, Cologne has the largest one (I think) and you are blasting the city to smithreens. That actually did happen in the real World War 1, though.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
June - November 1918
The end of any foreseeable offensives against the Ottomans (although it was rumoured a Mr Churchill of the Admiralty had a plan for Gallipoli in the making) meant that all focus could be on the European western front. Recent intelligence indicated that Britain was now the top military power in Europe, and its High Command was determined to show their enemy why. All gestures at honourable combat, any reminders of a bygone era of proper warfare was to be thrown aside - it was now to be a bloody fight to the end.
Cologne was the first deciding point. Though some reinforcements were being diverted to Hanover in preparation for a push into central Germany, the city needed to be taken. Virtually reduced to rubble, Hanover represented a symbolic statement of the war in western Europe so far - Britain versus Germany, with some help from France. A bitter assessment, to be sure, but the struggle certainly galvanised British spirit at home to carry on the war.
Americas war in Europe
Of great help in winning the battle was the Americans near Bremen. Their initial landings had resulted in nothing but disaster - the Germans had allowed them to push inwards before ambushing them further south, essentially wiping out the Second US Expeditionary Force. They were not to be fooled with the second landings in July, in which they made a direct push for the city - capturing it later in the month with little casualties. America had their foothold in Germany, and Hanover could finally be safely resupplied.
The great advantage of America seizing Bremen was that it lay open all of northern Germany to them, and they quickly took advantage of this by pushing for Hamburg in October. They were covered by the ships of the British Royal Navy, who did not hold back as they bombarded the city defences throughout the months.
Cologne however, remained the greater prize for British High Command. They were not willing to launch such brash attacks into the city as they had in the first half of the year, and as such slower offensives - aimed at wiping out German defensive forces but not actually advancing - occurred throughout June and July. Finally in August, a massive armoured offensive began into the city, sweeping aside the garrison and pushing them away from the rubble remains of Cologne. For fear of another fast German counterattack, all nearby infantry was ordered to cancel whatever orders they had, and move to defend the city.
The remains of Cologne
As expected the counter-attack came swiftly, in the form of a joint German-Austrian offensive. Fuelled by the memory of being pushed out of the city twice before in the year however, gave the British garrison enough strength to hold on throughout the end of August, and held the city long enough for the armoured forces to arrive in the city and secure the perimeter. By November, the bulk of the German army attempting to retake Cologne had left, forced to retreat to other areas under threat.
Not that this defeat was any indication of the Central Powers doom. The Ottoman Empire continued to threaten Serbia and Romania, though they were totally unprepared for a Greek offensive that saw the capture of Philippopolis. Austria-Hungary, bruised by their losses at Veneto and Cologne, took solace as they retook Krakow from Russia in the same month as Germany made a desperate push up the Baltic coast towards Rostov.
Not that standard war news was the only problem on Russian leader Nicholas IIs mind. Months earlier his government had avoided a coup by extremist elements, however now these same revolutionaries - Bolsheviks - were gaining support in the regions north of Moscow, tying down much needed Russian forces that would be better spent pushing west!
Regardless, British High Command had long since learnt how to fight a war without taking allies into account, and as such were already preparing for some form of killing blow against Germany. That said, American forces had proven their worth - taking one city and threatening another in a mere few months - that meant that British forces could be sure their northern flanks were secure. All that was left to decide was to push south - towards the powerful industrial regions of Germany - or a dangerous push east towards the head of the beast - Berlin
June - November 1918
The end of any foreseeable offensives against the Ottomans (although it was rumoured a Mr Churchill of the Admiralty had a plan for Gallipoli in the making) meant that all focus could be on the European western front. Recent intelligence indicated that Britain was now the top military power in Europe, and its High Command was determined to show their enemy why. All gestures at honourable combat, any reminders of a bygone era of proper warfare was to be thrown aside - it was now to be a bloody fight to the end.
Cologne was the first deciding point. Though some reinforcements were being diverted to Hanover in preparation for a push into central Germany, the city needed to be taken. Virtually reduced to rubble, Hanover represented a symbolic statement of the war in western Europe so far - Britain versus Germany, with some help from France. A bitter assessment, to be sure, but the struggle certainly galvanised British spirit at home to carry on the war.
Americas war in Europe
Of great help in winning the battle was the Americans near Bremen. Their initial landings had resulted in nothing but disaster - the Germans had allowed them to push inwards before ambushing them further south, essentially wiping out the Second US Expeditionary Force. They were not to be fooled with the second landings in July, in which they made a direct push for the city - capturing it later in the month with little casualties. America had their foothold in Germany, and Hanover could finally be safely resupplied.
The great advantage of America seizing Bremen was that it lay open all of northern Germany to them, and they quickly took advantage of this by pushing for Hamburg in October. They were covered by the ships of the British Royal Navy, who did not hold back as they bombarded the city defences throughout the months.
Cologne however, remained the greater prize for British High Command. They were not willing to launch such brash attacks into the city as they had in the first half of the year, and as such slower offensives - aimed at wiping out German defensive forces but not actually advancing - occurred throughout June and July. Finally in August, a massive armoured offensive began into the city, sweeping aside the garrison and pushing them away from the rubble remains of Cologne. For fear of another fast German counterattack, all nearby infantry was ordered to cancel whatever orders they had, and move to defend the city.
The remains of Cologne
As expected the counter-attack came swiftly, in the form of a joint German-Austrian offensive. Fuelled by the memory of being pushed out of the city twice before in the year however, gave the British garrison enough strength to hold on throughout the end of August, and held the city long enough for the armoured forces to arrive in the city and secure the perimeter. By November, the bulk of the German army attempting to retake Cologne had left, forced to retreat to other areas under threat.
Not that this defeat was any indication of the Central Powers doom. The Ottoman Empire continued to threaten Serbia and Romania, though they were totally unprepared for a Greek offensive that saw the capture of Philippopolis. Austria-Hungary, bruised by their losses at Veneto and Cologne, took solace as they retook Krakow from Russia in the same month as Germany made a desperate push up the Baltic coast towards Rostov.
Not that standard war news was the only problem on Russian leader Nicholas IIs mind. Months earlier his government had avoided a coup by extremist elements, however now these same revolutionaries - Bolsheviks - were gaining support in the regions north of Moscow, tying down much needed Russian forces that would be better spent pushing west!
Regardless, British High Command had long since learnt how to fight a war without taking allies into account, and as such were already preparing for some form of killing blow against Germany. That said, American forces had proven their worth - taking one city and threatening another in a mere few months - that meant that British forces could be sure their northern flanks were secure. All that was left to decide was to push south - towards the powerful industrial regions of Germany - or a dangerous push east towards the head of the beast - Berlin
Swein Forkbeard
Nintendo Fan
Nicholas II has to use the Russian Army to quell Bolshevik revolts in your game. I read in the manual for Sid Meier's Railroads! that Czar Nicholas II was killed during the Bolshevik revolution because of a misunderstanding of his citizens and because of harsh reactions to growing labor unrest in the country.
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive has truly begun!
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive has truly begun!
Not quite. In the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the Americans attacked much further south. In fact, most American troops didn't fight in the Argonne forest. But needless to say, I know what you mean. The great Allied push into Germany.
Is France still a waste of space here, or are they doing something? Oh, and I would recommend ripping out Germany's industrial heart.
Is France still a waste of space here, or are they doing something? Oh, and I would recommend ripping out Germany's industrial heart.
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
Swein Forkbeard: I certainly hope so, it has become a very bitter battle!
502nd PIR: Let's just say I'm surprised the French even reached Veneto, let alone retook it for the Italians. And the RAF is happily taking out any mines the Germans have left.
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
November 1918 - February 1919
The winter months of 1918 were largely spent setting up the armies needed for what was hoped to be the most important operations of the war. To the north, the Americans continued their attacks along the coast towards Hamburg. In the south, France and the British RAF launched small raids in order to pin down enemy troops. Finally, in the centre, British forces began to gather for a great push towards Berlin.
Not that the Middle-Eastern front had been left out. Despite the apparent end of major British operations the previous April, Winston Churchill - First Lord of the Admiralty, brought up a plan to put together forces to attack Gallipoli, a bold operation to strike a region immediately south of Constantinople - a region discovered to be poorly defended. With the arrival of armoured forces in Egypt, the plan seemed feasible, and Middle-East Command was ordered to prepare and carry-out the attack.
The British Navy pounces
In December, the American offensive managed to capture and hold Hamburg, forcing out the German warships there. The Royal Navy, who hadnt seen ship-on-ship action in many years, quickly chased down the fleeing vessels and sunk them, an act that quickly boosted morale back at home. It was happy news that lightened an otherwise troubled Britain - support for the war was dwindling to dangerously low levels. The populace was simply too exhausted to continue supporting a war that should have been over months - if not years - ago. It was a dangerous situation, and the British Government had seen the problems France and Russia were suffering with rebel uprisings. They were determined not to let it happen on home soil, and as such held back several armoured and infantry reserves to quell civilian worries.
The American forces in Europe did not need to worry about such things. They - and their government and people - were quite happy to believe this would be a quick and simple war. So far, their quick capture and occupation of Bremen and Hamburg went a long way to proving themselves right, and as such they began an immediate offensive on all fronts, including into southern Germany. The British were only too happy to have a reliable ally securing their southern flank, and as such were glad to hold back several RAF Squadrons to protect the American attacks.
The Western Front at the height of the British-American offensive
British control in the Middle-East - indeed, any nation's control in the region - was suffering a crisis. Several independent rebel groups had begun launching violent campaigns against British and Ottoman forces. For the British, this meant that any reinforcements to the captured territories in eastern Asia Minor were pinned down as they defended against both rebel and Turkish forces - a scenario that quickly saw the city of Sivas under threat. Several divisions had been withdrawn from the city to take part in the Gallipoli campaign - an opportunity the Ottomans would probably seize in the future. However, High Command had indicated that the loss of Sivas was acceptable, if it meant the capture of a city so close to the Ottoman capital.
Similarly, as British troops approached Berlin in the early weeks of 1919 they faced heavy resistance - not least in the form of Germanys own version of the tank, finally putting an end to the advantage Britain had held for several months. Despite this - and the threat from Intelligence that the Germans were planning a major offensive over the summer months - High Command gave the go-ahead in February to launch the attack on the German capital. The Battle of Berlin had begun
502nd PIR: Let's just say I'm surprised the French even reached Veneto, let alone retook it for the Italians. And the RAF is happily taking out any mines the Germans have left.
Inevitable Conflict? The British Fight the Great War
November 1918 - February 1919
The winter months of 1918 were largely spent setting up the armies needed for what was hoped to be the most important operations of the war. To the north, the Americans continued their attacks along the coast towards Hamburg. In the south, France and the British RAF launched small raids in order to pin down enemy troops. Finally, in the centre, British forces began to gather for a great push towards Berlin.
Not that the Middle-Eastern front had been left out. Despite the apparent end of major British operations the previous April, Winston Churchill - First Lord of the Admiralty, brought up a plan to put together forces to attack Gallipoli, a bold operation to strike a region immediately south of Constantinople - a region discovered to be poorly defended. With the arrival of armoured forces in Egypt, the plan seemed feasible, and Middle-East Command was ordered to prepare and carry-out the attack.
The British Navy pounces
In December, the American offensive managed to capture and hold Hamburg, forcing out the German warships there. The Royal Navy, who hadnt seen ship-on-ship action in many years, quickly chased down the fleeing vessels and sunk them, an act that quickly boosted morale back at home. It was happy news that lightened an otherwise troubled Britain - support for the war was dwindling to dangerously low levels. The populace was simply too exhausted to continue supporting a war that should have been over months - if not years - ago. It was a dangerous situation, and the British Government had seen the problems France and Russia were suffering with rebel uprisings. They were determined not to let it happen on home soil, and as such held back several armoured and infantry reserves to quell civilian worries.
The American forces in Europe did not need to worry about such things. They - and their government and people - were quite happy to believe this would be a quick and simple war. So far, their quick capture and occupation of Bremen and Hamburg went a long way to proving themselves right, and as such they began an immediate offensive on all fronts, including into southern Germany. The British were only too happy to have a reliable ally securing their southern flank, and as such were glad to hold back several RAF Squadrons to protect the American attacks.
The Western Front at the height of the British-American offensive
British control in the Middle-East - indeed, any nation's control in the region - was suffering a crisis. Several independent rebel groups had begun launching violent campaigns against British and Ottoman forces. For the British, this meant that any reinforcements to the captured territories in eastern Asia Minor were pinned down as they defended against both rebel and Turkish forces - a scenario that quickly saw the city of Sivas under threat. Several divisions had been withdrawn from the city to take part in the Gallipoli campaign - an opportunity the Ottomans would probably seize in the future. However, High Command had indicated that the loss of Sivas was acceptable, if it meant the capture of a city so close to the Ottoman capital.
Similarly, as British troops approached Berlin in the early weeks of 1919 they faced heavy resistance - not least in the form of Germanys own version of the tank, finally putting an end to the advantage Britain had held for several months. Despite this - and the threat from Intelligence that the Germans were planning a major offensive over the summer months - High Command gave the go-ahead in February to launch the attack on the German capital. The Battle of Berlin had begun
Swein Forkbeard
Nintendo Fan
The Battle of Gallipoli, eh. Maybe you should get a unit of ANZACs (Australian/New Zealandic troops who fought as a unit in the real Battle of Gallipoli).
Yay, Americans! And Winston Churchill!
Yay, Americans! And Winston Churchill!
Emp. Killyouall
EVIL Emperor
Sign OB and destroy the German oil. taking Luebeck would do it too. No more German tanks!
sirtommygunn
Emperor
nice update berlin looks almost certain to be captured, the war for germany is preety much over and the war with austria-hungary for british forces is about to begin
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
sirtommygunn: Sadly, the battle for Germany is anything but over. Damn Huns are stubborn when they're in a corner.
Emp. Killyouall: I've been trying to sign OB with the Danes/Swedes for some time now, to no avail. Either America takes the city there, or we'll have to find another way to destroy that oil supply.
Swein Forkbeard: I considered writing in the ANZACs into the Gallipoli campaign, but I figured that if I haven't written Commonwealth or overseas forces into the story yet, there's little point in including them now. They're there in spirit though
Emp. Killyouall: I've been trying to sign OB with the Danes/Swedes for some time now, to no avail. Either America takes the city there, or we'll have to find another way to destroy that oil supply.
Swein Forkbeard: I considered writing in the ANZACs into the Gallipoli campaign, but I figured that if I haven't written Commonwealth or overseas forces into the story yet, there's little point in including them now. They're there in spirit though
Just remember, with Gallipoli, don't do whatever the hell the British did in 1915. Good luck though. and I agree with what you said about the Krauts. Look at Berlin, 1945. The war was lost and they still took out 600,000 Russians.
Fiend777Fits
Social Parasite
nice story. when is the end date on this scenario?
Kan' Sharuminar
Fluffy
I believe it's August 1920, or around that
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