Breaking into the great Paradox abyss

[Jarhead0331]

My reorganized western divisions swept through the Netherlands. All Dutch provinces are occupied, but those stubborn SOBs refuse to capitulate. Their divisions fight on. I've also swung into parts of Belgium, but like the Dutch, they are putting up one hell of a fight. I sustained heavy losses taking Antwerp and Brussels just does not want to fall. My last attack cost me over 9000 men. It's still 1940, and I'm confident the Dutch and Flemish will surrender...the question is, can I force that before the French go on the offensive?

Although the French are assisting Belgium and holland with considerable divisions, they seem to have the majority of their forces guarding our mutual border. I want it stay that way, even though I'm forced to commit considerable forces on the border, as well. If the French attacked into Germany, I suspect it would tip the balance in the allies' favor. My units fighting in Holland and Belgium are tired.

The Russians seem to be quiet too. I need that war to stay cold for now.

JH...does the campaign continue? I was enjoying your updates, they read like an AAR. Have you invaded France?

Thank you! Yes, I was hoping the discussion would shift away from DRM and back on to the topic.

Anyway, I have invaded France, but it would be disingenuous to describe the war as anything, but a stalemate. I just cannot crack them enough to make significant gains. I have occupied all of the Netherlands and 95% of Belgium; the Belgians are holding out in one province. I've made some gains in France along the Northern coast, reaching as far as Calais. I've also broken through in the South, but do not have enough divisions to maintain the front line in the north and take advantage of the gains in the South. Slowly, I am creeping towards Paris.

The problem is that despite losing clearly, neither the Dutch, nor the Belgians have surrendered. They still have significant formations in the field that tie down a significant percentage of my offensive power.

If I keep at it, I am confident I will eventually take Paris, but it probably wouldn't be until late 1942. I'm thinking of redeploying even more of my Eastern front forces to the west, but to do so will leave me exposed in East and may encourage Russian intervention. I am building new divisions all the time, but this is a slow process and new formations are added to the front in piecemeal fashion.

Italy has joined me in the war against France, but they are not doing shit to help me. The French do have a lot of force stationed on their border with the Italians, but I want the Italians to attack. Diplomatically, I do not see an option to help me encourage that sort of action.   I hope to be in a position to get Nationalist Spain to join the Axis and then enter the war against France, as well, but who knows when, or even if this will happen.

[Gusington]

^Sounds like an historically authentic Italian response :)

[undercovergeek]

Holland and Belgium have holdings elsewhere - I had this with Portugal thinking I'd kicked their ass but they were hiding across the globe I had to go there to force surrender

[Jarhead0331]

Holland and Belgium have holdings elsewhere - I had this with Portugal thinking I'd kicked their ass but they were hiding across the globe I had to go there to force surrender

Yes. They are, in essence, governments in exile.

[Jarhead0331]

Well, I've spent hours trying to crack the code of the western front. Unfortunately, I just don't have enough strength to make a lasting breakthrough.  Typically, any gains I make in the north are offset by losses in the south and vise-verse. My forces are still creeping towards PAris, but it is all too frustrating and I know there must be a better way.

So, I'm going to try one more strategy for shits and giggles and if it doesn't work, I am probably going to start over. Now that I know the potential force necessary to succeed in the West, I would make different production decisions in the years leading up to the war.

Anyway, as a last ditch effort, I am going to redeploy the majority of my divisions guarding the eastern front.  That means redeploying 10 to 15 divisions (2 to 3 Army Corps) over to the West. That will leave the border with the USSR dangerously unguarded. I'll have maybe one army corps with 5 divisions left in the east. If the Russians wanted to, they could literally walk into Poland, and then continue through most of Germany. It would be more of a leisurely sight-seeing vacation for them, then an actual invasion.  At this point though, I figure, what the hell do I have to lose?

[sandman2575]

Well, I've spent hours trying to crack the code of the western front. Unfortunately, I just don't have enough strength to make a lasting breakthrough.  Typically, any gains I make in the north are offset by losses in the south and vise-verse. My forces are still creeping towards PAris, but it is all too frustrating and I know there must be a better way.

I've never been able to pull off the von Manstein plan for encircling the French/BEF.  The game map just isn't nuanced enough.  What has always worked for me is the Schlieffen plan of WWI vintage, where I outflank the French/BEF by spearheading along the coastline, while applying pressure and tying down enemy forces along the rest of the front.

German invasion of France is always more of a slog in HOI3 than it was historically.  It's worse if you play with BlackICE mod, which enhances the BEF and makes for tougher fighting and more attrition. 

[Jarhead0331]

^This is good to know. I was starting to believe that I really just sucked at this.

[Jarhead0331]

Seems like my last ditch gamble paid off. I have strong formations right on the outskirts of Paris. Taking the city won't be easy, but I do feel it is inevitable. If the French do not surrender after Paris falls, I am going to lose my shit and probably never play this game again.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

I'm not sure if you're aware of this or not but you can check a country's surrender likelihood on the diplomacy screen.  There's a green bar above the country stats.  If you hover the mouse pointer over that bar for a few seconds, a pop up will appear that shows surrender progress.

I don't think France counts as a core of Germany so it's unlikely they'll surrender but there might be some Vichy rule that I am not aware of.  I've never played as Germany.

[undercovergeek]

And head for the big vp provinces.   8)

[Jarhead0331]

I was just about to surround Paris and felt as if the French were finally beginning to break when...the USSR declared war. Son of a b*tch!

[MetalDog]

Sounds like you are toast.  You should fire up EUIV so we can both flail around Europe.  Check out the Wiki.  I am reading through it now.  It's been super helpful.


http://www.eu4wiki.com/Main_Page

[Jarhead0331]

Sounds like you are toast.  You should fire up EUIV so we can both flail around Europe.  Check out the Wiki.  I am reading through it now.  It's been super helpful.


http://www.eu4wiki.com/Main_Page

Yeah. I think I'm going to tap out of HOI3 for now. I'm supposed to leave for Florida tomorrow if I can beat the snow. I'll install EUIV on my laptop. Hopefully it will run ok. I'm sure I'll have some down time next week while I'm away to connect and play.

[Nefaro]

Sounds like you are toast.  You should fire up EUIV so we can both flail around Europe.  Check out the Wiki.  I am reading through it now.  It's been super helpful.


http://www.eu4wiki.com/Main_Page

I've been sorely tempted in getting the latest DLC and starting a fresh game of EU4.  Hopefully the randomized New World option is in decent shape.

Was trying to play a long stretch of CK2 and then convert that campaign to EU4.  Curious as to how well that works.  But playing about 500 years of CK2 would take quite awhile. 

[undercovergeek]

I was just about to surround Paris and felt as if the French were finally beginning to break when...the USSR declared war. Son of a b*tch!

really? what year?

thats harsh