Polish German war

[Greywall]

The insanity of the Germans could no longer be tolerated. Slaughtered citizens, women and children.

President Duda with the entire confederate Congress behind declared a state of war on Germany.

Drones and satellites would go ahead and pull up German positions that could be relayed as fast as possible.

Artillery batteries positioned at the border would open fire on German positions and tanks and infantry divisions crossed the border. The navy began their campaign to cut the coastline off and secure landing zones for the assault in the north.

Fighter squadrons would enter German airspace and begin hunting enemy fighter craft while allowing helicopters to provide close air support to the ground offensive.

Polish troops engaged enemy forces at any front established.

“We will not stop, until this menace to humanity is eradicated. Poland shall lead the charge to kill racist fascist monsters!”

[Alexander]

The Hellenic Forces had not been anticipating this war. In fact they had not been anticipating such a large war. All preparations had been on striking at Malta with overwhelming force. The fate of their compatriots however meant that anticipated or not, this war was going to happen. Due to its size and the nature of its ships the Atlantic Fleet had already been moving towards the Atlantic Ocean and as such was in an excellent position to blockade the German’s access to the seas. Led by the HNS Empress Athanasia the fleet would establish positions in the North Sea at a safe distance from shore-based defences but close enough to stop any traffic to German ports and when called upon to provide support. This fleet was set to play a major role in the opening moves of this most righteous of wars. At the same time the remainder of the Hellenic Forces were fully mobilized. Initial planning had anticipated a fully singular effort to beat down Germany and as such the logistical feat of a large enough Marine landing had been considered. The news that both Poland and Finland were providing support and satellite images showing French movements towards the borders eased those concerns. They could safely deploy forces and vehicles to allied territory to aid in the invasion, requiring a much smaller naval landing. With that in mind using secured communications the Hellenic Forces Joint Command would send a message to Poland that the Hellenic Army would deploy 300,000 soldiers, 2,000 tanks, 3,000 mechanized vehicles and 5,000 other vehicles in a combination of SAMs, RADAR and artillery. These transports would happen over a prolonged time using the full transport capacity of C-5Ms, C-17s and C-130-Js, focusing on soldiers initially and vehicles later.

The opening strike however would not require these ground units and be the exclusive domain of the Hellenic Air Force and Hellenic Navy. The first stage of the attack would consist of an effort to annihilate German air capability. Operating from air bases in Slovenia and Croatia a force of 200 F-22s and 300 Su-57s would go into the air and force themselves past German defences to take down all German military aircraft in the air to establish a no-fly zone. Going into the air together with these air superiority fighters were 160 F-35Cs from the HNS Empress Athanasia and HNS Alexander the Great off the German coast and another 300 F-35As from Slovenian and Croatian airbases. The F-35s, carrying JASSM-ERs and AGM-88G AARG-ERs, fired these missiles from stand-off ranges to take out German anti-air forces and German hangars, fuel depots and munition depots to take down its air capability once and for all. The F-35Cs would meanwhile focus on the weaker but sizeable German fleet.

Using the cover of the air superiority and Anti-Air operations the country’s full force of 75 B-2s would take the lead on stage 2 of the operations. The extensive Athenian satellite network had been used to find and identify major German military facilities. In addition there were a few symbolic locations. Containing a combination of GBU-38s and GBU-31s this force contained enough explosive power to annihilate more than one small country. Bombers would be sent to the Chancellor’s residence, the Kaiser’s residence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Police Headquarters, the Ministry of Defence and the 70 largest army, navy and air facilities. Each bomber unloading their full capacity over each target would seek to completely destroy the German government and military. If successful the way was to be cleared for a rapid invasion with as few casualties as possible. After the wave cleared satellites would again be used to ascertain what was left standing. The Zeus, Ares and Athena Class guided missile vessels would fire Tomahawks and CJ-10s at those locations left standing as well as the remaining (smaller) military facilities and survivinng ships spared the initial attack.

In all these air operations E-3Gs and E-2Ds would provide EWAC.

Total Forces:

• F-22: 200
• Su-57: 300
• F-35A: 300
• F-35C: 160
• Boeing E-3G: 10
• Northrop Grumman E-2D: 2
• 2x Empress Athanasia Class Aircraft Carrier (Gerald R. Ford Class)

1. HNS Empress Athanasia
2. HNS Alexander the Great

• 10x Poseidon Class Nuclear Attack Submarine (Virginia Class)
• 20x Zeus Class Guided Missile Battlecruiser (Zumwalt Class)
• 15x Ares Class Guided Missile Cruiser (Type 055 Destroyer)
• 10x Athena Class Guided Missile Destroyer (Horizon Class)
• 5x Hecate Class Guided Missile Destroyer (Type 45 Destroyer)
• 15x Nemesis Class Anti-Submarie Frigate (FREMM IT-ASW)
• 20x Artemis Class Anti-Air Frigate (FREMM FR-AAW)
• 10x Nyx Class General Purpose Frigate (FREMM IT-GP)

[Blitzmeister]

A war with Poland had long been on the wishlist of Berlin, as such it in addition to the French and Dutch border regions were well protected and patrolled. Taking advantage of natural and urban hiding spaces German artillery positions were dug in and not immediately in sight. As Polish artillery shot at German positions, the information on launch locations gathered from Eurofighters in the air and triangulation would be used for German artillery and the aforementioned Eurofighters to engage in counter-battery fire. In a war of attrition the 7000 German howitzers and 7000 MLRS would be more than capable of making their enemies suffer. As Polish soldiers advanced on the borders they would find themselves engaged by German border units as well as the infantry and armour in the region. At the same time when possible, German military forces were authorized to pursue forces beyond the border and strike at Polish roads and bridges to halt their advance.

The ferocity of the Greek assault had been expected, but nevertheless the coordination, focus and lack of the same in the German Navy and Air Force proved quite decisive. Army focused thinking in the political top had always made the Air Force and Navy the unwanted stepchildren, and while the Air Force benefited from its joint role with the Army, the Navy was decidedly less equipped and capable.

Lacking much in the way of anti-air and with the Greek fighters extremely difficult to attack, the losses inflicted on the German Air Force was immeasurable. Hundreds of fighters went down in the first sorties while those in the air rapidly found themselves without their landing strips owing due to bombings on Air Force facilities. Those fighters that did make it back likely would not be able to get back up in the air with air operations throughout the country rendered impossible. Only the most secure air zones remained protected. Likewise the bombing runs on other military facilities would mostly hit their target affecting logistics. By that point, however, most senior staff had moved underground to continue leading the German war effort. The Chancellor’s Residence, Imperial Palace, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Defence and the Police Headquarters were leveled with tens of thousands of casualties. Most of these non-military. In a twisted sense of irony however, these strikes would go counter to the Greek’s very intent for the war. Seeing as the camps to hold them were still being built many prisoners were kept in military facilities and government installations due to the greater ease of securing them. As such a large number of casualties would be the very same Athenians they wanted to save.

Finally there was the Navy, even though prepared the air and naval onslaught was devastating, within minutes dozens of ships were all but immobilized and ten were sunk outright. On the bridge of the Otto von Bismarck, Admiral Schneider looked over the reports as they came in. The navy was defeated and had never been a fan of the fascists. To continue this effort would be a useless sacrifice of his sailors for a war he did not believe in. Ordering the Captain to open communications to the remaining German ships and the Athenian fleet Schneider moved to the communications station.

“Hellenic Navy, this is Admiral Wilhelm Schneider of the Reichsmarine. We hereby surrender to your forces. We request your forces to disengage immediately and allow our sailors to engage in search and rescue operations and attend their wounded. All German vessels are hereby ordered to stand down and cooperate with Athenian orders” Scheider reluctantly finished the message as he turned back to the rest of the crew. On their faces he could see defeat but also agreement. This was one war the Navy did not want to fight.

Meanwhile in the Chancellor’s Bunker in Munich Schmidt almost broke the table in half as news of the naval surrender reached the war room. “Traitors! All of them! When we win this war Schneider and his entire basket of snakes will be hanged using piano wire!”

Still expecting attacks from the French and the Dutch, all forces on those borders would be placed on high alert as well, however where possible forces would be redirected to the Polish border while the Volkssturm was mobilized to defend Berlin and the German core together with the regular Army.

[Alexander]

The message from the Otto von Bismarck was surprising to say the least, as it was relayed to Hellenic Forces Joint Command many were expecting it to be some kind of German trickery. When however German ships obeyed the orders, the Athenians were almost stunned in amazement. After some quick back and forth a message would be sent from Athens and relayed via the HNS Empress Athanasia

“German Navy, you are hereby ordered to submit to boarding parties. Any resistance against Athenian orders will be considered a violation of the ceasefire and result in a lethal response. You are to stand down all weapons, radar and sonar systems and all submarines are to surface pending further orders.”

The Hellenic Navy would send Marine and Naval boarding parties to each of the ships. All crew except those needed for the continued operations of the ships would be transported back to POW camps in Bulgaria while those that remained were placed under the command of Athenian officers. Under Athenian command the ships were to sail to Estonia where they could be removed from combat pending the resolution of the war. Admiral Schneider along with other officers ranked O-5 and above would instead be detained in Athens and placed under complete isolation for now.

With air superiority established, Athenian fighters would refuel at Polish airbases and initiate around the clock patrols of German airspace. A general notice was sent out that the entirety of German airspace was now a no fly zone and that only coalition aircraft would be allowed access. Any German aircraft entering taking off illegally would be intercepted and destroyed. At the same time F-35s and B-2s would engage in around the clock strikes on German ground formations to support Polish and the future Athenian ground offensive.

With the German Navy defeated and the coastline seemingly undefended, the Hellenic Marine Corps saw its opportunity to shine. Operating from the 10 Greece Class Helicopter Carriers 9,000 Marines and 50 Leclercs would land at Wilhelmshaven. After securing the city and facilities there, and leaving behind 500 Marines the remaining vanguard would move onto Hamburg. Considering these soldiers did not have the capacity to take prisoners yet, any German forces encountered would face lethal force. Their goal was clear. Establish control of Hamburg and most importantly its airport. With both Wiilhelmshaven and Hamburg under Athenian control the Hellenic Forces would have a resupply base in the heart of the German state. If control was established, forces being deployed to Poland would be split in two with one half instead being diverted to the Athenian enclave in North-West Germany. Of course air to ground and surface to surface support from the Navy and Air Force would be used to protect the vanguard. Even if outnumbered, that would already give them the edge.

[Greywall]

Fierce German resistance met the Polish assault on all fronts, the widespread Polish assault had been slowed down but remained determined to not falter.

Northern Campaign Zone.

The surrender of the German fleet to Athens was a shocking turn, Polish ships were now bombarding the German coast of any defenses picked up by satellite and drone recon. Polish infantry and armor would assault the beach town of Lubmin, over 60,000 troops would land ashore to establish a beachhead to allow light armor off the transports. This ground detachment would seek to seize Griefswald and make it the Northern staging ground headquarters. Northern forces would then begin a plan to drop South and attempt to flank Berlin, but for now they settled their focus on the beach.
Air units off Polish carriers would commit deep strikes into Northern Germany, targeting infrastructure such as major bridges, power stations, and communication facilities.

The largest ground assault consisted of the Central Zone, massive spread of 400,000 Polish infantry and the bulk majority of their armor. When German artillery fire rained, it cut their progress to a grind. Polish infantry were now having to identify enemy artillery and commit risky assaults until air units could come in and take them out. With German resistance being stronger than expected, Polish commanders settled with taking the town of Prenzlau.
A severed detachment would be sent to spread the front to link up with Polish commanders in the South. The German town of Scwedt became a vital link to the offensive forces.

To the South Polish forces were pushing South of Cottbus to seize the town of Hoyerswerda trying to draw German forces further South and spread their defense. Reports showed fiercer than expected German resistance, request for reinforcements from the reserve Confederate forces was sent to bulk the assault and break deeper into German territory. But for now the Poles were stuck in a brutal stalemate needing their air force and the Athenians to assist in breaking through.

In the air, several Polish bombers and fighter squadrons would target military targets on the front to assist in the ground campaign. Polish Mig fighters performed hunter killer ops looking for German aircraft to intercept and maintain aerial superiority. Polish strategic bombers in the 67th squadron were given the highly risky task of bombing Berlin itself at any cost to send a clear message to the German people.

Polish forces hunkered down against German fire, the German defense has stalled the Polish offensive.

[Blitzmeister]

With the acceptance of their surrender the German navy would follow the orders of their new captors. Junior, Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officers would submit to their general POW status while senior officers were taken to isolation without resistance. Those Germans left on their ships would sail to Estonian ports with all systems that posed any military significance disabled while Athenians oversaw them. Many feared what would happen to them now, but all feared what would happen to them and their families if Germany somehow managed to win this war.

The German Air Force was quite frankly in deep shit. Those planes on the ground could not take off and those still in the sky were running out of fuel and hunted by their enemy. In acts of desperation pilots would land wherever they could and if they couldn’t land they would just eject. But Germany had lost its airspace completely. The price of angering the world without state of the art technology. Pilots found after landing or ejecting would be arrested by the Gestapo for cowardice to be prosecuted by emergency military tribunals. Usually those caught would be dead within a day.

The army was the only element of the Greater German Empire still making its country and its Chancellor proud. Reports had confirmed that the Kaiser had died in one of the Athenian airstrikes on his palace, leaving the Chancellor in full control of the country. Without a navy and Air Force, the challenge for the Army was bigger than ever. Facing constant tactical and strategic bombing by the Athenian and Polish Air Force while shore bombardment by their navies created entire no go zones deep into German territory, the German Army could focus only on the defense of its most important locations. Berlin, the industrial heart in the West and the political heart of the movement in the South.

The Athenian Marines would face no trouble taking Wilhelmshaven, however as they marched on and the number of German soldiers increased, resistance was increasingly stronger. For now.

In Hamburg an elderly gentleman entered City Hall, the uniform he was wearing barely fit. Probably owing to the consumption of Bratwurst after retirement. General Reinhard Steiner was the regional commander of the Volkssturm. The reserve and militia force of the German military that served to defend the Empire when all else failed. With the numbers they were facing this force had been activated and integrated into the regular German army. This was something Schmidt would soon find out to be a fatal mistake. Where the German army were zealots, completely brainwashed by the philosophy of the Chancellor, the Volkssturm had not yet been subject to the same. Its command was mostly from the old Republic and its soldiers were politically ambivalent or opposed. There were some that supported Schmidt, but that number was going down by the day. Especially in the North-West of the country that traditionally leaned more to the left. As Steiner walked past the active duty Lieutenants and Colonels, very little thought was spent on the dozen soldiers that escorted Steiner. After all, the elderly were known to suffer from delusions of grandeur and expecting a full force of security to be with them at all times. As he entered the room where the Army Generals prepared their defense of Hamburg the soldiers would raise their rifles and promptly disarm the soldiers standing guard inside. “Gentlemen, I will keep things simple. The German People’s Republic has declared you all war criminals. I have been ordered to arrest you for extradition and prosecution by the Athenian Federation” While Steiner spoke throughout the city units of the Volkssturm overtook their active duty counterparts. The German Army might be more experienced and have better weapons, however the Volkssturm outnumbered them and had the element of surprise with them. As soldiers were disarmed and facilities that held Athenian prisoners placed under Volkssturm control these reserves and militia units would act quickly to prevent a power vacuum and established martial law.

“What the hell are you doing Steiner? The German People’s Republic? Has the beer gone to your head?” General von Appen, Reichskommandant of the province said as he moved towards the Volkssturm general. Only to be stopped by one of the soldiers.

“I am the only one here who hasn’t lost his mind. This war is unwinnable and we deserve to lose it. The Chancellor has betrayed Germany by making the German people responsible for genocide again. If you care about your soldiers you will order them to stand down. The Volkssturm has surrounded this building and is taking over the streets. The Greater German Empire has no authority here.”

The Army commanders were unwilling, however they were even less willing to give up their lives. In the end they would agree to issue the order to all soldiers under their command to submit to the Volkssturm. As this happened a broadcast would be aired within Germany and internationally. From the Hanseatisches Oberlandesgericht a woman with red hair appeared.

"Germany is under attack. Not by the forces from Athens or Warsaw but by those from Berlin. Rudolf Schmidt and those that have condoned his behavior have invited devastation to Germany. Many have warned for years that the policies proposed had only one way they could end, and all have been proven right. It is the responsibility of all good people to rise up against evil. I am pleased to say that there are still good people in Germany. People that will fight injustice, as long as they have a cause then can rally behind. I today offer all of you that cause. I am hereby declaring the existence of the German People’s Republic as the true and rightful German state in line with the peace treaties signed after World War 2 and am declaring the administration of Rudolf Schmidt to be illegal. For their crimes against the German and Athenian people I am ordering their arrest. As we speak the Volkssturm are disarming the German Army and establishing security within Germany. Do not fear these soldiers, they are only here to protect you against the fascist forces.

To the world, in particular the governments in Athens and Warsaw. You do not know me, you likely do not trust me. My name is Julia Bonk and I have fought this government for years. The German people are not your enemy, the crimes committed against the Athenian people are unforgivable but I beg you to not punish innocent Germans for a crime forced upon them by the forces of evil. I will gladly meet with you to discuss the future of a free Germany. I have ordered the Volkssturm to not engage your forces. Germany does not want war, only the fascists do.

As the message was broadcast Polish and Athenian forces in the North would find the resistance very suddenly dropping and likely would even see German soldiers fighting other soldiers as those areas where the Volkssturm and Army were more evenly matched turned violent. When Athenian soldiers arrived in Hamburg the local Volkssturm command would offer to meet with their unit commander. The same would happen in Lubmin.

While the Volkssturm and DVR controlled the North and North-West, the rest of the country was either up in the air or still solidly under control of Berlin. Initial confusion and fights with Volkssturm units meant that Athenian and Polish forces could likely advance quite a distance. But by the time they reached major German cities the defense would once again be solidly under Army control. High Command would issue orders to shoot any traitor on sight and to dig in to halt the enemy offensive as long as possible.

[Greywall]

Polish command quickly picked up the German air defenses collapsing and seized the moment to propel the offensive ahead. It was blood in the water, Polish air forces targeted and would likely decimate fascist German forces engaged with Polish ground troops. All fronts began their push forward, if a fascist group provided issue Polish air units would decimate them.

With the rebellion in the West now pulling fascist away from the Eastern front, Polish armor was ordered to move forward and seize as many assets possible and converge all fronts to Berlin. German rebel forces were permitted to function without being engaged by Polish troops, but they were kept under surveillance as the Confederate government did not trust them fully. Infantry divisions spread out in occupied zones clearing out any fascist resistance and getting civilians to relief zones, medical camps were set in Eastern Germany for refugees to be housed, fed and receive medical attention.

President Vizimir ordered all German fascist to surrender now, refusal would mean increased aerial strikes on Berlin and committed fighting within the historic city.

[Jeanne]

Admittedly the war in Germany had been progressing a lot faster than even the most optimistic analysts predicted and their help was likely not needed, however Jeanne had committed her aid to the Athenians and she would not be caught as a liar. And there was of course also a strategic element. Border realities had meant that most of the German south was unaffected by the invasion. Rather than letting the nazi forces flee back to Munich, a French invasion could strike them in the back while the Athenian and Polish forces pushed them from the front. By now the Queen’s Army was in place along the border and getting ready to strike. All that was left was the formal order to proceed from Versailles. The order that came was as short as it was complete. ‘Bring me Schmidt’s balls’.

Without declaring war the soldiers and tanks of the Queen’s Army engaged the German forces on the border while artillery bombarded their positions and own artillery sites. Meanwhile F-35s from the Queen’s Air Force would support their push with targeted air to ground strikes against German positions. Using allied intelligence, as well as sharing their own, the French had a very precise image of what their enemy was doing and where they were which made the push almost cheating. The goal was to reach Stuttgart on the first day of the offensive and Munich by the third. By the end of the week the goal was to reach the Czech and Austrian borders and make the occupation of South Germany complete. While Athenian and Polish airstrikes had taken out almost everything of value, French bombers and fighters with air to ground weapons would take advantage of the lack of air defence to strike whatever infrastructure was left that could be used for the war effort. As the naval war was over, the Queen’s Navy would remain at their pre-war footing. This time they weren’t needed after all, their time would come soon enough.

[MistaPuddin]

The leadership of the German state has clearly demonstrated that it is unable and ill equipped to exist in a modern, civilized society. Although Britain may not be able to participate in the liberation of the German people from the radical right-wing government we offer whatever support we can to the coalition of nations coming to save them from their oppressors.

[Alexander]

The German revolution hit just at the right time, as hundreds of thousands of Athenian soldiers stood at both sides of the country and with the introduction of French forces to cut off their southern withdrawal it was time for the ultimate pincer movement. Half the deployed ground forces still embarked with the Polish would join their brothers in arms in their movements while on the western front the Hellenic Army soldiers and Marines would take a more assertive push as they advanced through the country. As the East was committed to taking Berlin and the French the south, the western forces would push for Leipzig, on the way there taking over Bremen, Hannover and all other towns and cities in between. Their orders were simple, advance until you meet friendlies.

In a final effort to make sure that hostilities in Berlin wouldn’t result in more Athenian deaths the Hellenic Army and Air Force prepared a bold plan. By all available intelligence the area was still fortified and any army would struggle to force their way through, however the Berlin air defence was completely gone. This provided opportunity. 15,000 soldiers of the Hellenic Army Airborne Corps Fifth Division had already been mobilized and would now be deployed over Berlin. These light infantry were highly trained and great at rapidly taking over enemy controlled territory. Even if said territory was well defended. In several operations all 15,000 soldiers would be dropped on relatively open locations within Berlin from where they were to engage the defending forces with all they had. Their mission was simple. Take Berlin at all costs.

[Blitzmeister]

The combination of the ongoing Athenian-Polish strikes, the internal revolution and now even the French invasion had completely broken what was left of command and control. Lacking confidence in their commanders and their Chancellor, German soldiers surrendered en masse. Fearing worse treatment by the Poles and French German soldiers and officers rushed to make it to the Athenian front so they could surrender to them. However when that wasn’t an option they would surrender to whichever army they were facing. As a result the French would rapidly push beyond Munich and reach their endgoal of the Czech and Austrian borders. From the North-West the Athenians and rebels would likewise achieve their goals of conquering as far south and east as Magdenburg and Leipzig, with the French already owning the territory south of that. Everything to the west would rapidly fall to the Polish and Athenian forces attacking from Poland. The only remaining city fighting was Berlin and with the current status they could hold out for a while. All of that would change however when the Athenians deployed paratroopers. With all of the attention of the remaining soldiers focused on the soldiers outside the city, these new additions would overwhelm the city centre and rapidly occupy most of Berlin. With the defence broken from within even the final soldiers in Germany surrendered. In the end the Athenians would occupy most of the territory west of Magedenburg and north of Chemnitz and Heidelberg while the Polish occupied everything to the east of that and the French occupied everything south of Würzburg. The city of Berlin would by the end of hostilities be almost evenly split between Athenian and Polish soldiers, with most of the centre and north of the city surrendering to the Athenians while much of the south surrendered to Poland.

As he saw his Empire collapse from within unable to do anything from the bunker as the generals and commanders on the other side of the line simply didn’t pick up anymore, Rudolf Schmidt had only one choice. Were the French to find the bunker and break through he would almost certainly be prosecuted. If he were lucky in the Hague, if less lucky in Athens or even worse Paris. Taking the forces still loyal to him with him, Schmidt and about twenty elite German soldiers would try a risky breakthrough attempt. Sneaking out at night their goal was to reach Switzerland before dawn and from there travel to South America where he could rally German expatriates for a new attempt. Unfortunately one of these soldiers was less loyal than the others, having been promised a reward by the interim government of the DVR he had revealed the plan to them. Julia Bonk afterwards swiftly contacted the French ambassador. Before Schmidt got even close to Switzerland the convoy would be stopped by French foirces and swiftly disarmed. With Schmidt now in French custody, the Kaiser dead and the rest of the government disintegrated, the Greater German Empire truly was no more. Now the only hope of the German people was for their conquerors to be merciful and to let the DVR take its place.