Back with an AAR I thought of doing all the way once all AO campaigns are done, but since I've figured out how to make necessary edits to maps and lua scripts I'll be doing some silly stuff. This might not be as fast paced as my previous AARs, but given there's still tons of time before the next DLC, I though I might as well do something unusual again.
The aim of this campaign is to take Italian Generalissimus Alberto Bertorelli (homage to a great TV show) on an alternative history campaign AO based where Germany leaves the difficult work to others. Starting from SCW, Italy creates a combined force first with volunteers and later with nations who willingly or not so much join the Axis. This force is then sent to all the most difficult fronts for the hard task. Historical accuracy not intended in that regard.
As for the rules:
1. I will only be deploying Italian, Spanish, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Finnish and Slovak troops. I know the Bulgarian involvement is a bit iffy, but this is not meant to be historically accurate and gives me more room to try out different units.
2. Only one unit per type allowed, but multiple nations can share the same unit (for example Hungarians and Romanians can both use their Bf 109E). Exception will be basic infantry units and potentially paratroopers/bridge engineers if required by a scenario.
3. I will keep the Units file mostly unedited, with some tweaks only to assign existing gift units to proper nations (Verdeja 2 and Azul Infantry to Spain for example).
4. Captured equipment and caches might get altered in some cases to have equipment not assigned to nations right now, but historically used (Gladiator fighters for the Finns possibly, or similar things). It will not be done for all of them, but whenever it makes logical sense. I made a list of what captured equipment was used in decent numbers and will aim to stick to this when deploying both cache stuff, but also plainly captured units. I can also just add some limited amounts of such equipment as captured so it's available for purchase where it makes sense.
5. Heroes will be turned off by setting their chance to appear to 0 (just in case it affects CP hero scripts). However, at the start of each DLC I will assign 3 heroes myself based on historical figures. These heroes will have 2 traits or two stat modifiers each (or a combination of both). Commendation Point award heroes will be changed to more prominent historical fighters as well, those with 4 traits/stat changes available, but will mostly preserve the intended original class. So goodbye Galland, you will be replaced accordingly. Note that those heroes can be only assigned to their own nation's units.
6. I'll also try to add a bit of flavorful narration style to the comments, as written by the Generalissimus himself.
7. Core is pre-edited, but within the 35 core slot limit in Seville. Further modifications will be bought normally.
8. Units will be named accordingly - feel free to suggest changes if you're a native speaker. 
Difficulty - Generalissimus - The time has come to try this difficulty level out. Prestige as usual should not be an issue, but the added accuracy combined with the nature of this run will for sure make things challenging, especially with each next year of the campaign.
Traits - Infantry General, Panzer General, Terrain Expert, Inefficient Supply, Force Dispersion
Both Infantry General and Panzer General should allow me to use more units from all 7 (wow...) nations I'll be using in the campaigns. It's to allow as many units as possible and as a side effect, alter in the war this will help with inferior unit power. Terrain Expert likewise is meant to help balance things out in 1943 and 1944, but is a rather neutral trait and also nothing impacting the game style. Inefficient Supply is extra flavorful for the idea of having a mixed force using all sort of different ammo and parts and Force Dispersion combines with the limited number of heroes I'll be using to prevent being tempted by any strange combinations like "instant surrender" vehicles.
AO Spanish Civil War - Seville
The general looked on his troops busily boarding planes and ships in Tangier. Things were not going according to plan for sure. Contrary to initial statements, Germany did not yet made a move and only provided transport planes for the troops that were supposed to be transferred from Africa. They have also not provided the promised modern equipment aside from some fighters granted to the Spanish pilots, hence all that was available was just some hastily gathered vehicles and artillery. Not the most advanced and surely not adequate for the conflict that was about to unfold. At least Regia Aeronautica did not disappoint, providing a large number of bombers ready to cover the planned landing near Cadiz. While not entirely certain of the reasoning behind this delay, it seemed that Germany was under a lot of political pressure and the secrecy regarding the increasing rearmament made things more difficult and as such, Italy was asked to intervene instead. A small amount of Hungarian and Bulgarian pilots are sent as well, part of the recent plane sales to those countries. It was though that a few volunteers could help get some actual combat experience without getting the countries directly involved. Politics was a mess as usual. still, there was not much time to think about such things, as there were more pressing matters to attend to. The war was about to begin, and something was telling the general it would not end soon...
Ignoring that pessimistic thought, he recalled the three promising officers that were formally assigned to him just yesterday. Having talented people around made as much of a difference, if not more, than having the technical edge.
Heroes
Teodoro was assigned to an infantry unit directly under the general's command. It was expected that after making the landing and securing a foothold, the Nationalist forces would operate relatively independently, but a small portion would remain under direct Italian control. This new infantry officer could help make sure that it does not feel off to the other troops involved. He was an expert in defensive tactics and getting mens' morale up even in the most dire circumstances, which could potentially be of immense help.
The second officer joining the general as a direct report was his fellow Italian, commanding an artillery regiment. He was known for having his units aim, fire, reload and switch targets faster than anyone else in the force, being extremely efficient when it comes to preserving ammunition as well. In all the war games prior to this deployment his unit almost counted for two regular ones, so the general insisted he would be transferred under his command form the start.
Finally there was also a young Italian pilot whose maneuvering skills were top notch and impressed even the old veterans at the flight school. He was fine operating either fighters or bombers and would be the go-to advisor on matters of aerial combat against any opposing planes. Having someone on the front line who could provide such expertise was invaluable.
Starting Prestige: 74
Starting Army Composition:
Infantry
1º Reggimento di Cavalleria - IT - IT Cavalry
1º Reggimento Fanteria - IT - IT Infantry
I Batallón de Infantería - ES - Regulares - Teodoro Palacios Cueto
Tank
1º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS11 - L3/35
I Batallón de Carros de Combate - ES - OS11 - L3/33
Recon
1º Battaglione Autoblindo - IT - OS11 - Lancia IZM
Anti-Tank
1º Battaglione Cannoni Controcarro - IT - OS12 - 47/32 M35 (Wagon)
Artillery
1º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - 105mm 105/28 (Wagon) - Giuseppe D'Amico
2º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - 100mm 100/17 (Wagon)
3º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - OS11 - 75mm 75/18 (Wagon)
4º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - OS11 - 75mm 75/27 (Wagon)
Fighter
1/1. Vadászszázad - HU - OS11 - CR.32
1º Grupo de Caza 1ª Escuadrilla - ES - OS11 - He 51
Tactical Bomber
1º Gruppo Bombardamento Veloce Sq 1 - IT - OS11 - Breda Ba.65 - Giuseppe Cenni
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 1 - IT - SM.79
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 2 - IT - OS11 - SM.81
1 Bombardirovŭchen Polk 1 Yato - BG - OS12 - He 45
Highlights
Despite some initial chaos, the troops moved to broad their transports in Tangier and cross the sea. There was no proverbial calm before the storm.
The landing surprised Republican forces. Almost no resistance happened and the few troops stationed near the all-important Cadiz airfield were surrounded and quickly overwhelmed.
Scouts spotted potentially dangerous armored reinforcements down the eastern road to Seville, but an air raid by Regia Aeronautica bombers and some Bulgarian planes covered by 1/1. Vadászszázad quickly stopped the enemy from successfully catching the ground troops ofguard.
The push towards Seville was slow and careful. Not knowing what to expect, the troops preferred to cut off small enemy groups and force them to surrender rather than face them head on in full force. This careful tactics seemed to pay off.
After capturing Seville, the genaral diverted some of his units towards the airfield just north of the city to prevent any air presence within close proximity of the army.
Republican tanks appeared, and luckily got stuck on some hills north of Seville. Their armor and armament outclassed the Italian tankettes in every aspect, so facing them in the field would be a death sentence.
Summary
Final Prestige: 2134 (up 2060)
Overall
Taking Seville was not as difficult as the general feared, but the immediate Republican counterattack made it obvious, that this was just a small victory in along upcoming conflict. While the troops celebrated and felt things will be over soon at this pace, this did not seem to be based on any facts. Republican forces offered heavy resistance and the superior tanks encountered made it obvious that reinforcements were needed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, High Command already mentioned that transferring a lot of new equipment in a short time frame is just out of the question and only some selected few supplies van be provided. However, the general had an idea in his head already. If the enemy tanks and artillery was so well made, why not repurpose it if captured? This would not work for everything, the technical expertise and spare parts were a thing for sure, but if the conflict was indeed as long as he expected, it just might be the saving grace until the promised help arrives.
