Europe 1947

In 1947 Nazi Germany is more than ever under total Nazi rule to the delight of the victorious masses of people. Its willpower will be hard to break!
Germany's industrial output has gained considerably, not just by Speer's genius...but by plundering Russia. Germany now has natural resources undreamed of 10 years before: iron, coal, copper, oil ...
The German armed forces are more and more National Socialist in spirit, with the SS leading the modernization of the Wehrmacht.
Armored, mechanized and motorized units are very widespread and tough to match.
The Panther is the backbone of the Wehrmacht anno 1947. Produced in outrageously high numbers all through the enlarged Reich it’s become the standard tank. In 1948 an improved version will come into production.
There are several other models including the Maus, the successful Pz IV-H (which will only be produced for another year) and the modernized Pz III version P. New Jagdpanzer variants are scheduled for production.
There is an improved guided variant of the A-4 in use, as well as a new short-range SSM and even a real SAM. These weapons, when used well, can deliver devastating results.

The permanent tension in the East kept the German forces on high readiness and proficiency.
On the new eastern frontier Hitler's huge defensive line is starting to take shape.
In the style of Hadrian's Wall -and built with slave labor- it is being manned by garrisons of highly paid and well trained volunteers, but it's only partially finished.
The Waffen SS has been training for guerrilla warfare and has “G” units ready to pop up behind Soviet lines if these launch an offensive.
Many divisions have been converted to reserve Volksgrenadier divisions which appear in several waves and have to be built up. They'll free up units for frontline duty
A large amount of lower quality reserve units and Volkssturmers will appear in case the Heimat comes under threat.

The Luftwaffe is much stronger than it ever was. With a strong force of airborne divisions and the new heliborne troops to vertically envelop the enemy and a large jet fighter force it claims to be invincible. In truth it was never tested by the US 8th Air force, only by Bomber command.
When Berlin comes under threat two SS Luftwaffe gruppen will appear, they are initially composed of various aircraft, war booty and older training aircraft.

The Kriegsmarine is still small compared to the US or British Fleets but can put up a strong fight.
The Graf Zeppelin carrier has finally been completed and there are a couple of U-boot units.
Hitler still has plans. Conquest of Kuwait can hamper Allied supply...

In 1947, Italy is still under the rule of the Duce. The king has been retired and the politics of the nation have been radicalized to the discontent of much of the people.
The large army has been modernized with the aid of German equipment, but morale is fragile and it's unknown how long the regular army will keep resisting. Quality of Italian units is very mixed.
New equipment includes German jets, an aircraft carrier and the M18/45 tank, which is nothing more or less than a license built version of the Pz IV-H.
The CSIR is still in Russia and now a virtually autonomous force in the Italian Army.
Several fascist units have been established... they have sworn to fight on till the bitter end in case of an Allied invasion... but will they?

Cannon fodder? These guys have been trained to hold the line for a couple of weeks. Not too bad a supply network but replacements are hard to come by ...
The National Socialist governments in these countries are puppets of the Nazis and their armed forces' morale will be quite doubtful.
The quality of their forces is only average due to lack of training but their coastlines have been fortified.
The French have a decent amount of local equipment but their factories have been converted to produce for the Germans, so replacements of French built equipment will be practically nihil.

Spain formally joined the Axis after the defeat of the Soviets. Tangiers was occupied but Franco didn't want trouble with the British and left Gibraltar untouched...an act he’ll regret...
Even with a modernized army, Spain is not strong. The long coastline is hard to defend and Franco will have to rely on speedy German -or Italian- intervention in case of an Allied invasion.

All Axis partners or puppet states with forces of different size and quality, limited co-operation amongst each other and in many cases lower replacement levels.
Loyalty to the Axis pact is shaky... Hungary may prove to be the most loyal ally Hitler has...
Rumania has units in the Kuban and Caucasus but its reserves will only come available when Portugal joins the Allied camp. (Turn 6 to 12)
Then there's the Vlasov Army.. can be useful in anti-partisan operations ...but will switch sides once again (by event of course)

Turkey was pressured to join the Axis and will try to seize defensive positions in Northern Iraq and Palestine.
Troublesome coastline to defend however and replacement level not good. The higher proficiency cavalry units can be useful
In Syria a fragile puppet regime is in power. The nearby SS volunteer units and the Turkish will have to assist.

I already mentioned the SS guerrilla units. UPA units will appear in the Ukraine as the Allies/Soviets advance.
There are the Cetniks in the Balkan and Iraqi rebels in the Middle East.
Note that these units do not reconstitute except for the Iraqi Rebels.

The USA has powerful forces, good output of equipment and high mobility, but some logistical issues. The majority of its units has to be ferried in from North America and the Pacific.
Rangers are mostly present from the start... ideal for recon raids.
The Yanks have the equipment to match the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine – USAF jet aircraft and the trustworthy US Navy- but fall somewhat behind in experience. Full co-operation with DeGaulle's units. Reinforcements will appear in waves from January till June 1947 and equipmentupgrades are scheduled.
Copied versions of German missiles will come in use in 1948.

De Gaulle, still disgusted with the British for their pull-out in 1940, demanded and will get action in 1947. He managed to unite all expats and exiles, and lobby the US to finally attack mainland Europe.
The result is a large Free French force, well equipped and trained by the US Army. Co-operation with the British will be limited and replacement priority is lower than US units.
Some units will be withdrawn once Paris is liberated. Reinforcements arrive in March 1947

The remains of the British Empire are quite strong with well trained manpower and decent equipment, but the ability to refit their units is rather limited due to insufficient production of local equipment.
Co-operation with the US and Free France is limited.
India is a troublesome factor. There is a chance that the country will declare its independence and abandon the war effort. With several well trained units in the line this has the potential of creating gaps in certain sectors.
There are practically no combat ready British units in the UK to start with, except for the ever present RAF and Royal Navy... no fear as the Germans can’t invade (house rule)
Reinforcements from Jan till June 1947. This includes overseas units. (CAN AUS NZL SAF)

Will join the Allies at some stage (somewhere from turn 6 till 12), providing ports on the mainland for US troops to disembark. Weak army can’t hold out long on its own. Limited co-operation with other Allies

Largely debilitated after the Axis invasion, it took the Red Army several years to recover, reflected in lower proficiency and a rather limited ability to distribute supply compared with the other major Allies.
Stalin was killed as the army took temporary control of what was left of the country...
Zhukov heads the military but there's still a strong Communist doctrine, and the NKVD is everywhere.
Production of homegrown equipment is not as impressive as would have been possible if they had been able to evacuate more of their industry.
A large airforce but no jet aircraft and only a small naval force Many partisan units will appear behind Axis lines by event. These won't be reconstituted.

Various occupied countries as well as minor allies either field small independent formations or have units incorporated in the Allied or Soviet OOB. Several appear on fixed turns, others by events.
Some will be withdrawn by event.
In Yugoslavia, besides fielding many partisan units, Tito also has a regular force in the making.

Many partisan units appear behind Axis lines by events triggered by the Allied advance...
Several of them will also be withdrawn as the Allies close in on Germany.