D2R - Das 2. Reich - The Second Empire

[Sonja89_1]

I have just read the book "Blitzkrieg-Legende" by Karl-Heinz Frieser, which is also available in English (The Blitzkrieg Legend). It is primarily about the German Western campaign of May/June 1940 and specifically about the phase from May 10 to June 4 ("Operation Gelb").

But there are also overarching themes that help us to better understand the context of the time. On the subject of "flanking the enemy", for example, Schlieffen wrote about the ancient battle of Cannae: "The battle of annihilation can be fought today according to the same plan as Hannibal devised in forgotten times. The enemy front is not the target of the main attack. It is not against it that the masses need to be assembled and the reserves deployed; the essential thing is to press in the flanks. Destruction is completed by an attack against the enemy's rear."

A major difference between the Allies' and the Germans' way of fighting in the First and Second World Wars was the emphasis on operational thinking on the German side. The Germans were always trying to maneuver, flank, surround and use every opportunity to get into a better position. This was less due to the fact that the German general staff was so much smarter than the other side. Rather, it was because the Allies had such strategic superiority that the German side had the only chance of victory in the superior operation. Churchill once described this very vividly: "The Germans had to win every battle, we only had to win the last one." This was mainly due to the fact that they had maneuvered themselves into an isolated and disadvantageous political position before the two wars. What politics had messed up, the first-class military was supposed to pull out again. But even a good army (fortunately) cannot perform miracles.

Due to the emphasis on the operational level, the German air force developed during the Second World War, focusing on ground combat and direct army support (Stuka and tactical bombers), while the Allies focused on strategic bombers. The command of the tanks and the associated technology were also subject to this. There was hardly any German tank production in the 1st World War. Although there were a sufficient number of German tanks in 1940 during the Second World War, also thanks to the Czech models, the quality was rather inferior to the British and especially the French vehicles. However, there were two technical weaknesses in the Allied tanks - the radio and the refueling. Both of these points were less important in France, as the operational doctrine was completely different, still based on the 1918 scheme. These two plus points (radio and refueling), together with the better articulation, made even weaker German tank models more dangerous attackers than the French Somua and Char B, which in individual cases caused the worst losses on the German side. But these remained rare isolated cases. The book contains a quote from a French tank general (Delestraint) that describes this in exaggerated terms: "We had 3000 tanks, similar to the Germans. While we deployed 1000 groups of 3 tanks each, the Germans had 3 groups of 1000 tanks each."

In US films, German soldiers are usually portrayed as stubborn followers of orders who are repeatedly outwitted by their much more agile British and American opponents. This means that such films are far removed from reality. It was not the supposed Prussian cadaver obedience, but the pronounced order tactics, the foundations of which were developed by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and which Moltke applied to excellent effect during the wars of unification (1864-71), that determined the deployment of the German military in the two world wars. This victory in May 1940 was also due to these operational principles. "The independence of the leaders down to the sub-leader and the individual infantryman, which no other army cultivated to the same extent, held the secret of success." (Manstein)

The descriptions of the famous halt order of May 24, 1940, which made it possible to save considerable parts of the BEF, were also very interesting. Initially, it had only been planned as a brief halt for the tanks on May 23 to allow infantry to catch up. Rundstedt of the decisive Army Group A gave the corresponding order, which had not been absolutely necessary. The OKH (v.Brauchitsch and Halder) did not like this halt of the tanks on May 24. They reacted with a trick. The subordination of Kleist's Panzer Corps was withdrawn from Army Group A (v. Rundstedt) and placed under Army Group B (v. Bock) as of 8 p.m. on May 24. This meant that the halt of the German tanks at Dunkirk would only have been a short chapter that would not have had any serious consequences. But at 11:30 a.m. on May 24, Hitler visited v. Rundstedt, who had been "robbed" of his tanks. Hitler was very upset afterwards, as the OKH had carried out this regrouping without his permission and even without informing him. Hitler felt that his most sensitive point had been hit; he had been ignored. He then rescinded the OKH's order and the tanks remained with v. Rundstedt, who was now to decide at his own discretion when to continue the attack. As a result, v.Rundstedt delayed the attack until May 27. This meant that the armored divisions had to stand around for just over 3 days, while the British and French were able to form a sufficiently strong defensive ring around Dunkirk, which made a more extensive evacuation possible in the first place. To put it bluntly, you could say that two "petulant toddlers" (von Rundstedt and Hitler) were determined to get their way, even if this meant losing the strategic victory. After the war, von Rundstedt put all the blame for stopping the tanks on Hitler, although his own behavior in the incident was more serious. This is particularly regrettable as von Rundstedt can otherwise be regarded as a very capable officer.

I can only recommend this book to any interested reader. It has very good descriptions, maps and pictures - a clear recommendation to buy. The book "Blitzkrieg" by Len Deighton, which I read many years ago, is also very well presented and written.

Finally, a quote from Napoleon on the formation of the center of gravity, which applies timelessly from antiquity to the present day and is also valid in the game "Panzer Corps": "The art of warfare can be reduced to a single principle - concentrate on a single point a greater mass than the enemy."

[rubyjuno]

Great book review Sonja, I will look out for it - I found it on Amazon but it is very expensive!

Interesting details about the different strategies of the Germans and the Allies, and about how two "petulant toddlers" allowed the Allies to evacuate the BEF at Dunkirk.

[Sonja89_1]

As already described, the book “Blitzkrieg” by Len Deighton is also very good and just like his book “Battle of Britain” filled with many interesting illustrations, maps and statistics. I suspect that some players here on the forum have read one or both of these books, which were published about 45 years ago.

One really interesting aspect of “Blitzkrieg” was the description of the deployment of the French air force, which I would like to briefly describe here. In May 1940, the French had around 2000 modern fighters at their disposal. However, not even 500 of these were deployed on the north-eastern front. Between May 10 and June 12, 1940, the French squadrons received 668 new fighters. The French had not even lost that many fighter planes during this main combat period. In other words, the strength of the French fighter force continued to grow until the collapse in June.
So where had the planes gone?

In order to avoid losses from attacks on airfields, the planes on the French side were spread out as much as possible. This was initially a good idea. Unfortunately, there was a lack of well-functioning coordination, which meant that although the planes were safely parked away, it was not possible to get them back to the firing points quickly enough. The top command staff assumed that the war would last for years. The French military leadership in 1940 was thinking of a different war.

In the summer of 1940, an Italian control commission reported from North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) that over 2500 modern French aircraft had been discovered. More than 700 of these were fighters, many of them brand new.
And who says the AI in games such as “Panzer Corps” makes strange moves - humans do even crazier things.

[rubyjuno]

I read the Blitzkrieg book back in the 1980s, but don't remember anything specific about it. Fascinating story about the French aircraft. Crazy, as you say.

[Sonja89_1]

Here I have found 3 interesting contributions to the German unification wars in the 19th century as Youtube videos. They offer a lot of background knowledge about the first campaign (1863-71) of my modification.

The Second Schleswig War, 1864 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-AjTS_NRT8

The Austro-Prussian War, 1866 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f_h3WGSIbA

The Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8BGTE0JQbs

[bondjamesbond]

Here I have found 3 interesting contributions to the German unification wars in the 19th century as Youtube videos. They offer a lot of background knowledge about the first campaign (1863-71) of my modification.

The Second Schleswig War, 1864 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-AjTS_NRT8

The Austro-Prussian War, 1866 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f_h3WGSIbA

The Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8BGTE0JQbs

Thank you that was enlightening ) Congratulations dear from the bottom of my heart on all the New Year holidays and Christmas )

https://y4astkoviu.livejournal.com/1162998.html


Italian soldiers hoisting a cannon, a soldier and a dog to the top of a mountain. Alps, World War I, 1915.

[Sonja89_1]

Thank you that was enlightening ) Congratulations dear from the bottom of my heart on all the New Year holidays and Christmas )

Happy New Year to you too, and I'm glad you were able to do something with the video tips.

[Sonja89_1]

The DMP (Design Mod Project) website has been down for four years now. When I presented my D2R modification on this site in the summer of 2021, I had already posted a few mission examples on DMP. Since I haven't published these old presentations here yet, I will now do so at irregular intervals. For those who are not yet familiar with this mod, the screenshots and descriptions may be quite interesting and helpful.

The last mission from the 1864 war against the Kingdom of Denmark dates back to the landing of Prussian troops on the Danish island of Alsen in late June – early July 1864.

Alsen3.jpg (881.19 KiB) Viewed 215 times

The small map that has been added shows the entire area covered by the scenario. The island of Alsen is separated from the mainland by the narrow Alsen Sund and is defended by a strong Danish contingent. Transport ships and a ferry service are used to cross over to the island. The landing is made more difficult by Danish ships, in particular the Rolf Krake, which was a modern ship at the time.

Alsen5.jpg (795.01 KiB) Viewed 215 times

The small landing force was able to establish a foothold and fought its way southwards. In doing so, it came under fire from Danish coastal artillery and ships, which led to casualties. Meanwhile, its own artillery fired on the Danish guns.

Alsen7.jpg (844.17 KiB) Viewed 215 times

In the meantime, it is possible to reach the island safely via the ferry area. Fortunately, the enemy no longer has a view of this zone, otherwise there would be heavy losses. Instead, the lancers and hussars on the eastern side of the peninsula come under fire from the Danish ships. A Danish cavalry unit launches a counterattack.

[Sonja89_1]

Alsen10.jpg (874.91 KiB) Viewed 212 times

The bulk of our own troops has arrived on the island. With this force, we can now launch an all-out attack. In addition, we have our own small flotilla providing support, which is shelling the coastal area in Alsen Sund. However, these smaller ships cannot venture into Augustenborg Fjord. The Rolf Krake would simply shoot them down.

Alsen12.jpg (845.29 KiB) Viewed 212 times

Our own advance is already reaching Sonderborg. A Danish infantry unit is on the verge of collapse in its position. To the west, on the North Schleswig mainland, you can see the town of Düppel, which was the scene of the fiercest fighting in this war just two months earlier.

Alsen15.jpg (825.32 KiB) Viewed 212 times

Engineers have entered Sonderborg. The guard is also attacking the garrison from the east. The town will fall shortly. However, our own losses are gradually mounting. The Danes are not surrendering any ground without a fight.

[Sonja89_1]

Alsen16.jpg (891.32 KiB) Viewed 206 times

After Sonderborg has fallen, we will swing eastward. In Sundersmark, a badly battered Danish guard is still defending itself, supported by some cavalry and artillery. Our infantry is also badly exhausted and could use reinforcements. A hussar regiment is approaching from the north, having previously landed in a remote location past the Danish ships. With 4 fields of vision, it provides very good reconnaissance information.

Alsen21.jpg (891.89 KiB) Viewed 206 times

It's coming to an end. The last two primary targets are under attack. Our artillery is engaged in a duel with the Danish tower ship, which has already taken a few hits. Meanwhile, our cuirassiers have earned a medal. Other exhausted units can be seen on the left flank. They have been withdrawn from the front line to avoid the risk of total loss.

This view concludes this small series of screenshots and the campaign against Denmark. However, the next conflict is already looming on the horizon. Austria, which was still a good ally against Denmark, is becoming the next opponent.

[bondjamesbond]

Hello Sonja89_1 ! I hope you are doing well in your personal life because thanks to your mod I have learnt a lot about the Second Reich and its events ! I have a question if there will be African missions of the second reich ?
https://cat-779.livejournal.com/276895.html
https://cat-779.livejournal.com/277757.html
https://pikabu.ru/story/kak_vtoroy_reyk ... yu_5164714

[Sonja89_1]

Hello Sonja89_1 ! I hope you are doing well in your personal life because thanks to your mod I have learnt a lot about the Second Reich and its events ! I have a question if there will be African missions of the second reich ?
https://cat-779.livejournal.com/276895.html
https://cat-779.livejournal.com/277757.html
https://pikabu.ru/story/kak_vtoroy_reyk ... yu_5164714

You already asked about this in March 2023.

viewtopic.php?t=106249&start=140

However, my opinion on the matter has not changed. No, I will not be adding any scenarios related to the Colonial War.

[cw58]

Hi Sonja
I played this mod quite awhile back and was pleasantly surprised by how well the PC game engine portrayed this era. And your scenarios are really top-notch. I wanted to thank you for all the work you've put into your mods. I'm currently nearing the end of the first campaign in your other mod, DAW, and I find it also quite enjoyable. Although, if I had a dollar (or euro) for every camouflaged MG nest that I've run into, I'd be rich

[Sonja89_1]

... Although, if I had a dollar (or euro) for every camouflaged MG nest that I've run into, I'd be rich

Thank you for your encouraging words. Yes, I like to use camouflaged units in missions. However, once you've fallen into these traps a few times, you slowly start to get a feel for where these little devils are hiding. I particularly like to place them directly behind bridges, where they cause maximum damage. It's best to think about where you would place one yourself and check it out with a scout beforehand.

Incidentally, these machine gun nests can even be found in my new project, the first version of which I will soon be presenting on these pages. So you'll still be able to dream of ‘wealth’ later on.