Germany - HOI4 - Italian Campaign (I)

15 Jun 1939: The focus Reichsautobahn has finished and the Italian left flank is now at breaking point. My objective is to reach Venice and cut off the Italian forces at the Yugoslavian frontline.
We have slightly less losses than the enemy but both sides have more than 40,000 casualties.
Breakthrough!
16 Jun 1939 and the Japanese have declared war on Communist China.
24 Jun1939: The research of the doctrine Schwerpunkt has finished. The breakthrough in the Tyrol is now larger while a second penetration in the East is threatening Trieste.
I now select the doctrine Blitzkrieg.
02 Jul 1939: Japan is now attacking Nationalist China too! Meanwhile my advancing troops will soon be in Venice.
03 Jul 1939: The Italians have about 40 divisions east of Venice and they are in grave danger of being surrounded.
07 Jul 1939: The Machinepistole 38 is now available for production.
I decide to research Mountain Infantry II next.
12 Jul 1939: A couple of dozen Italian divisions are still encircled - the others have been destroyed..
20 Jul 1939 and we are trying to encircle more Italian formations as well as breaking through their left flank.
22 Jul 1939: A second encirclement has been achieved. Also I appoint General von Fritsch to my General Staff.
27 Jul 1939: Italian casualties are mounting rapidly.
22 Aug 1939: Both pockets have been destroyed and our forces are advancing rapidly along the Adriatic coast. A second spearhead is at the gates of Genoa.
24 Aug 1939: The national focus German War Economy has finished.
I select the focus Re-establish Free Elections next.
30 Aug 1939: Milan, Genoa and Bologna have been captured. Italian forces in Piedmont need to be mopped up then we can advance down the Italian 'boot'.
I import more oil from the USA.
31 Aug 1939: I only see about a dozen Italian divisions south of the main frontline.
05 Sep 1939 and the doctrine Blitzkrieg has been acquired. Piedmont is mostly under our control. Our troops east of Genoa are taking a short break to help reorganize.
I choose to start developing the Fw 190 fighter.
11 Oct 1939 and the Japanese appear to have prevailed in their war against Communist China. Piedmont has been cleared and now we have encircled more Italian troops near Genoa. Our Panzers are near to Rome.
27 Oct 1939: The main frontline is now much further south and Rome itself is now threatened.
31 Oct 1939: Advanced Machine Tools has completed research.
Improved Oil Processing is selected next.
The first phase of the campaign is over and I intend reorganizing our forces for a drive south all the way to Sicily if necessary. Until next time.

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