Playing this using the Their Finest Hour addon. No mods except to change the leadership of Germany.The last chime sounded from the old grandfather clock marking midnight, February, 15 1944. The only sounds in the room were from the large fire in the fireplace fighting to keep the cold out and the sound of the wind from the snow storm outside. Staring out the window overlooking the courtyard, I watch as the gate opens and admits a single staff car. As it stops at the main entrance a guard steps forward opening the rear passenger door. A single in individual in an admirals winter coat exits and walks quickly into the palace.Turning to face the other men in the room with me, I announce that Erich has arrived. No one speaks, but a few nod their heads in acknowledgement. Its been a long contentious day for us. The decisions we are weighing are not light.Sitting to my left of the large round conference table is Johann Schwerin von Krosigk, my Prime Minister. A good quiet, and well organized man. He really hasnt committed to either proposed courses. A few in this room think he is too wishy washy since has brought good questions and points in both support and against to two proposals. But I know he is doing what he has done for me for the last 11 years, and playing the devils advocate and making sure that those advocating one course of action over the other have indeed done their homework.Going clockwise around the table next to Johann is General Ludwig Beck, my Chief of Staff. He has been my Chief of Staff since I came to the throne in 1933. He has been a leading advocate of manoeuver, having seen the horrors of what happens when your opponents are allowed to dig in. If either course of action is to succeed, it is because of his vision and leadership in preparing the military to execute that vision.Seated next is Hjalmar Schacht, my Industry Minister. A good man that has helped to bring our industry back to what is once was. His organizational skills have increased our industrial output significantly.My Foreign Minister, Constantin von Neurath has been good at his job. He has gotten several countries into our camp. There are others that we would like to have in camp. I think that after we undertake whichever course of action we decide upon, some of the other countries will join us.Hermann Goring, head of my Air Force. He has worked tirelessly to make the Luftwaffe a world leader in air warfare. Not just in equipment, but more importantly in doctrine and training. There is still some work that needs to be done, but the Luftwaffe is ready for whatever we ask of it. He always jokes that he would weigh 300 pounds except for all of the work that has gone into building the Luftwaffe.Sitting straight across me is my eldest son, the Crown Prince, Wilhelm. Willy as I have always called him. Sitting there in his colonels uniform. He had been strangely silent all day while the arguments raged back and forth. His position as an instructor at the Imperial War College has allowed him to war game out both options. Im therefore surprised he has decided to side with one plan over another.The seat to his left is empty. Wilhelm had been saving it for Erich. I hadnt thought that the two of them were particularly close. I wonder if this is why he hasnt entered the debate yet.Continuing one around the table is Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Security. He is very good at his job. I do need to keep a bit of a tight leash on him at times as his more radical ideas towards my subjects, seems to wonder back to the realms of that little Austrian corporal. If he wasnt so good at his job, I would probably of had him replaced long ago. But as long as he heeds the reminders that I give him and he stays effective in his duties, then there will be no need for it.Chief of the Army, Werner von Fritsch occupies the next seat at the table. A leading advocate of armored warfare. Along with Beck and Goring, Werner has been a leader in developing our tactical and operational doctrines and insuring that everyone from the General Staff down to the lowest private, whether they are in a combat or a support roll understands their place in making any operations we undertake a success.Finally, there is Wilhelm Conaris, my intelligence chief. Through his determined leadership we have a good understanding of our potential opponents strengths and weaknesses. Especially with the use of electronic intelligence gathering and deception methods.The door opens admitting Admiral Erich Raeder, Chief of the Navy. Walking around the table I reach out with my right hand to shake his hand. Welcome Erich. Sorry about having to drag you back here to Berlin from Wilhelmshaven in this snow storm.Quite alright your Majesty. I just wish the trains were able to run on time in this weather so I could have been here a lot sooner.Well, even the Kaiser cannot control the weather. But, I can offer you some food and drinkI had plenty to eat on the train ride down. But, perhaps some brandy would help warm my bones back up.Releasing his hand I walk over to the counter on the side of the room and pour a large glass of brandy for him. I can pretty much guess whom in the room disapproves of their Emperor personally pouring a drink for one of his subjects. Frankly, I dont give a damn if the like it or not. The day I cannot pour a drink for one of my people with my own two hands because I think its beneath me is the day I no longer deserve to wear the crown and lead this great nation or her people.Handing the drink back, I motion for him to be seated. Coming back around to my place at the table, I stay standing behind my chair.So, Erich, we have been debating the merits are starting active operations against either the Russians or the Allies. There are dangers in both and large rewards in both. Joseph, Werner, Ludwig and Wilhelm are in favor of going east. Frankly, with the Russian occupation of Poland and my desire to regain Danzig, Im leaning in that direction. Constantin, Schacht, and Hermann are favor of going west and securing the industrial capacity in both France and the Netherlands before turning on the Russians.Taking out Russia has the benefits of giving us all of the riches of that country and keeping them from ever stabbing us in the back. Plus, it would allow me to pay back those murdering Bolsheviks for what they did to Alexander and his family.While the Russians are at war with the Allies over Poland, Im not sure that they will launch land attacks against Russia. They would have to launch an amphibious assault somewhere in the western part of the county. To do that it will take several years to build up the forces needed. If they try to come from the east, they will be at the end of a very long and vulnerable supply line. All the while the Russians are pulling back toward their supply base.The main problem with going after Russia first is that our plans call for two Panzer armies. As of now, we have one. We have four divisions active now for the second, but it will be this winter before we the entire army is ready. We would also have to get the panzer brigades formed and to the infantry divisions on the east border and get as many of the infantry divisions transformed into mechanized units.Getting the units ready will cause a delay of one year. Intelligence believes that the vast majority of the Russian forces are along their western border, which is good for the operational plans that we have developed. At this time, we have no reason to believe that they will change their deployments. And, perhaps in that time, the allies will help us out some.If we go against the Allies, with the forces we have available now, we can take the Dutch quickly. France will be a much harder objective to take. We would either have to crack the Maginot Line or go through Belgium. The General Staff does not see a problem with the Belgium military. But from a diplomatic view point, it may cause some those countries that were hoping to bring under our guidance to move further away.Were sure that 1st Panzer Army can break through the Maginot Line at a couple of points. However, the major of the of the French army is close to the area. How much resistance theyll put up is hard to tell. But, we will be in a race against time to capture Paris and the major ports before the French forces in Asia can get back and help.While France and the Netherlands would give us a nice boost to our manufacturing base, and give us a jump off point to either invade England, or to launch an air war against their industrial base. On top of that, if we would have to leave a sizable force in the west in case the Allies should be able to launch an invasion. However, if we succeed, then we may be able to relieve the pressure from Japan and allow them to get back on their feet and become useful again to us.So Erich, what do think is our best option.No one in the room could have missed the look that Willy and Erich gave each other. The look of two boys who had just gotten away with stealing a fresh hot cookie from their mothers kitchen.Well, Majesty. Im not really in support of either plan. If fact, the colonel and I have been working on a plan since the Japanese declared war on the Allies. Erich stated while he and Willy wore very smug looks on their faces. So, thats why Willy didnt support either plan.Groans echoed around the table, and more than one person buried their hands and their hands. All figured we would be here for several more hours.Reaching into his brief case, Admiral Raeder pulled out a stack of papers. Keeping one for himself, he handed the rest to Willy, who stood up and started handing them out to the other.Gentlemen. The summaries that the colonel is handing out is for a plan that we have named Sealion. The short of the plan is ..