The Sword of Damocles (Gameplay Thread) (Early 1930)

[Lumine]

War Fronts, January 1929:

Spanish Civil War:

Hampered by the lack of success in the battlefield, Spain's revolutionary government has seen its military efforts collapse as 1928 reached its end, the Carlist troops entering Aragon despite tough opposition while keeping Catalonia besieged and Madrid in the frontlines. General Secretary Besteiro vows never to leave Madrid, just as thousands of armed militia proudly shout "No pasaran!" at the combined Franco-Carlist military. Across the South, young Alfonso XIV has imbued the Alfonsist troops with a sense of purpose and morale, allowing their mounting volunteer forces to perform a dash across Southern Spain.

Chinese Civil War:

Despite having to fight a larger war across the fronts, Japanese support and the loyalty of most of the army has kept Field Marshal Chiang at the winning position in the war, countering any possible Imperial offensive outside of Manchuria and making his own progress against the Beijing regime, whose coup is beginning to look like a mistake. The Communists have lost additional ground in the South thanks to the expeditionary force, but remain set on preparing an offensive on Nanjing that promises to be the largest battle of the war so far. In the meantime, Hong Kong continues to face a supply crisis, which means Great Britain will likely face an urgent decision.

Russian Civil War:

The Provisional Government has enjoyed from a successful streak against the ill-supplied, ill-armed militia still trying to keep Kamenev's dream alive, placing Northern Russia firmly into the hands of the Tsar and the Kerensky Government. The Siberian "hordes" of Admiral Kolchak have won a series of key battles against General Yudenich, making the initial offensive an all-out success as Yudenich and his Kazakh allies face a complicated war. In the meantime, warlords like Alexander Kutepov and the Transbaikal alliance of Ungern-Sternberg and Grigori Semyonov watch the moves carefully, and plot accordingly.

Balkan War:

The war has taken a turn for the complex as both sides face victory and defeat. Across the western front, Albania collapses against the twin assault of Greeks and Serbians, whereas Bosnia faces defeat after defeat and risks disappearing as well. On the other hand, Ottoman troops achieve breakthroughs on the march against Thessaloniki and Sofia, and the Romanian +German troops cross the Danube and enter Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Tsar does his best to resist as Switzerland, Sweden and other European nations severe their ties to the Romanian regime in Bucharest, but will Bulgaria collapse before its allies can turn the tide?

[Lumine]

Turn Five: Early 1929

All eyes set on Chancellor von Papen as the Balkan Crisis continues to flare up

USA:

Congratulations on your reelection for a full term, Mr. President. Vice-President Barkley and other key allies request a meeting, there is much to be addressed:

-With Congress divided, will you make any deals with other parties in order to be able to pass legislation? Do you have legislative programme in mind to hit the ground running?

-Your band of allies has proven successful in reviving some old aspects of the Democratic Party, although that particular institution is banned. Will you remain an independent along with your allies in Congress, or form a new political party?

-Although MacArthur is now safely in Italy, the insurgency in the South and the standoff with Cuba remain potent issues concerning the current establishment Many civilians question the necessity of the National Security Council, although the Generals are firm in their belief that the institution is needed to “guide” America during the next years. What will you do to address the NSC situation?

-Thanks to the lack of control in some cities, crime has risen in the form of local Irish, Italian, Jewish or other nationality gangs that make life difficult for places like New York City, Chicago and New Orleans. Chief among them is notorious gangster Antonio “Tony” Camonte, whose Chicago empire has been cemented after the assassination of various local mobsters. How is the Administration going to deal with the rise of crime?

United Kingdom:

(Most of this from the last turn, as they remain relevant)

Evening, Prime Minister.  Cabinet sessions again, with several crisis requiring decisions:

1.- The Hong Kong situation has reached the critical point, with the blockade lasting for a few months now. The Governor has managed to survive with current food reserves until now, but he warns he cannot sustain himself against the Chinese more than a few weeks. You must take action now, or Hong Kong will be lost.

2.- Mr. Lev Kamenev, former leader of the People’s Republic of Archangelsk has remained in MI5 custody after his arrest in Scotland, and his presence is a divisive factor between the Intelligence community (who could keep him as a valuable tool) and the Foreign Office (who wish him restored to Russia to stand trial). How will you act?

3.- Many of the welfare reforms proposed by the Cabinet months ago have been passed despite substantial friction amongst the Conservative backbenches, with Labour and Liberal support. Cabinet request instructions on potential legislation for the year, but be wary of Parliamentary revolts.

4.- With negotiations to end the Irish Civil War having taken place over the last few months, it’s time for the Government to make a decision. The original plan of Home Rule for Ireland finds support among moderate nationalists, but disdain from the radicals and, particularly, from the Unionist side which forms a large part of the Conservative Party. What will the Government do about Ireland now that a shaky, uneasy truce remains in place?

Japan:

Your Imperial Majesty, may the coming years prove successful to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

1.- A new Government enters office with Prime Minister Inukai and a large Seiyukai majority in the Japanese Parliament. What should the legislative priorities for this year be?

2.- The expeditionary force in China continues to find success in the struggle against Communism, although the army itself seems more and more radicalized as nationalistic officers act at times without permission from the Imperial General HQ. The local commanders there ask for more troops despite local Chinese opposition in Chiang's armies, what will you do?

3.- An ambitious proposal has come from the Zaibatsu, involving the construction of an enormously large and complex set of railways to connect the different areas of Japan, although the Finance Ministry is concerned about the large expense despite the current health of the economy. Should this project be granted a greenlight? And if so, should it come with private or state funding?

[Lumine]

Italy:

1.- The revolt in Libya and Tunis continues to grow despite the best efforts of the local government there, which prompts the necessity of action. There are different opinions in Rome, some suggesting the necessity of a Viceroy with a wide array of powers, others the necessity of martial law and a ruthless intervention by the army, and others, that the end of the conflict will not be found on Libya, but on a foreign power that may be bankrolling the revolt...

2.- The crisis has been averted with the solution of how Cardinals ought to vote on internal matters, although it will take time for the Consistory to get used to its new responsibilities. The Pope intends to widen the number of Cardinals by taking the bold step of including new members from Europe and perhaps even Latin America. Will you approve of this development?

3.- While personal rule seems to have worked so far for the Emperor-King, some argue that it is time for Victor Emmanuel III to take a step back and allow matters to be handled by a Prime Minister, who'd be able to serve as Head of Government while the Pope and the Emperor alike serve as the Heads of State. Should a PM be appointed? And who should he be?

France:

1.- An awkward matter has risen before the central committee of the Cross of Fire Party, as technically the next General Election and Presidential Election should both come by the end of the year. There are some who believe holding both elections to be unnecessary, others who believe they should be held in an "advantageous manner", and many in the opposition who demand free elections. What will you do?

2.- The Besteiro Regime continues to collapse, but Besteiro has holed himself up in Madrid and seems set for a bloody battle to the death, a similar situation about to happen in Barcelona. Should the Franco-Carlist forces assault both cites or continue their march while encircling them?

3.- Now that the French economy is gearing itself towards war, the General Staff is divided on how to best prepare for war. Some argue France should focus on fortifications and defence, setting up a long set of fortresses across the West. Others, however, believe the focus should be on more mobile forces, despite the gap of manpower comparing France with Germany and other rivals. What shall be done?

Kuomintang China:

1.- A new Government installs itself on Nanjing, and though it will be quite a headache to reform it into a democratic system representatives have nonetheless voted you as Prime Minister, and Wang Jingwei as the Deputy Prime Minister. Normal elections were scheduled by the end of the year before the previous system, but it is recommended by the offices to suspend those until more advances have been made.

2.- Some economic progress is finally being made despite the war, although spending on so many areas proves a heavy toll on government funds, with the Finance Minister asking to cut down on excessive spending as he tries to liberalize the economy. His other suggestion is for China to close more efficient trade details with European partners, although current cooperation with Japan is proving productive.

3.- The Chinese Intelligence Service has begun operating to great success due to the increase in funding, leading to the arrest and execution of many Communist and Imperial supporters. CIS warns though that some minor but well connected groups inside the Kuomintang appear to have ties to the enemy of different level (familiar, economic, others more concerning...). Should a purge be attempted on the party?

[Lumine]

Russia:

1.- As Admiral Kolchak and General Yudenich fight each other to the death across the borders, new opportunities arise for Russia. The small state still led by former Premier Vladimir Purishkevich appears to be buying large amounts of weapons, leading to many in the General Staff to recommend putting an end to his rule.

2.- Related to this, a shocking development reaches St. Petersburg from the Urals regime of General Alexander Kutepov. The no-nonsense Kutepov, who already collaborated in the fight against Kamenev's forces, has sent a peace missive to the Provisional Government via Field Marshal Wrangel. Kutepov proposes to reintegrate his Ural warlord regime into your government, in exchange for a key government position, the integration of his forces into the Russian Army, local autonomy for the Ural ethnic groups he dealt with, and a full pardon. The offer has Wrangel and Milyukin's support, but is heavily distrusted by the center-left that makes up for your own base. What will you do?

3.- As Russia expands, a pressing issue has arisen with the necessity for oil, current sources under the control of the various Caucasus warlords or ethnic regimes. How will you find the necessary oil to keep Russia being able to sustain its expansion into a world power again?

Germany:

1.- A new Chancellor, a new age. Your new Government enters office with a changed majority as SPD departs the coalition and the German center-right takes their place, signaling quite a shift for the Zentrum Party and for the politics of the country. What will the first policies of the von Papen administration be?

2.- As Bulgaria stands close to collapse, Greece and Serbia stand strong, and the Magyar Republic's rhetoric has become more and more violent. How will the new Government handle the Balkan Crisis, and will even more troops be committed to the frontlines?

3.- A new cinema festival has taken place in Berlin organized by the German Motion Picture Academy, handing over a well-recieved set of awards for foreign and national filmmakers nicknamed as the "Oskars". Quite noteworthy was the presence of dozens of US actors and directors, who left Hollywood in protest of either the McAdoo or MacArthur regimes. The question before cabinet is whether to subsidize the film industry or not, with the DVP resisting the idea due to the left-leaning nature of the German film industry.

Ottoman Empire:

1.- Ottoman forces continue to march towards Thessaloniki and Sofia, but the end of the war remains far to be seen as Serbia and Greece stand strong. Should another Peace Conference be attempted to prevent a larger conflict, or should the Armed Forces attempt a breakthrough towards Sofia?

2.- Assembly Elections are held across the Empire with substantial success for the more militant religious forces and the supporters of the Government, as the public becomes more aware of Enver Pasha's role and "benevolent rule" of the Empire. The reformists win seats of their own, but not nearly enough to prove a danger. The question is, should deals be reached with the vocal religious representatives to govern at the local level?

3.- The search for oil across Mesopotamia takes a turn for the better over the pat few months, with the Ottoman Empire finding several new oilfields to exploit and therefore compete with commercial rivals like Mexico, Iran and the Caucasus states in exporting it. The question is, will you flood the market with Ottomam oil or target its sale to specific countries?

[Lumine]

Economy and Popularity Ratings:

Popularity Ratings:

Prime Minister Alexander Kerensky: High
President Francois de la Rocque: High
Chancellor Franz von Papen: Medium
Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi (I will not rate the Emperor): Medium
Minister of War Enver Pasha: Medium
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Medium
Prime Minister Winston Churchill: Low
Emperor Victor Emmanuel III: Low
Prime Minister Chiang Kai Shek: Low

Economic Ratings:

German Empire: Strong
Japanese Empire: Strong
Republic of France: Moderate
United Kingdom: Moderate
Kingdom of Italy: Moderate
Ottoman Empire:  Moderate
United States of America: Weak
Provisional Government of Russia: Weak
Kuomintang China: Weak

Current Armies:

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[NeverAgain]

Kuomintang China

The Economy

• Create and Establish the Chinese Works Growth Administration to help manage Public Works products
• Establish the Nourishment Assistance Program to aid impoverished families with nutrition.
• Create the EMIC (Emergency Maternity and Infant Care, to cover the cost of medical, hospital, and nursing care for the wives and children of Chinese servicemen
• Establish Strong Education Reform through new Universities and a new national K-12 Mandate
• Increase alcohol taxes to attempt to end extreme alcoholism
• Continue the trade route around British territory towards the Ottoman people.
• Focus on rapid industrialization especially in mining
• Continue a migration of rural workers to coal mining and urban factory jobs.
• Continue Public Works programs under the Chinese Works Growth Department to assist ailing rural communities building adequate drinking wells, schools, and supporting local markets.
• Continue trade missions to Tokyo and other East Asian Nations
• Inquire on status of East Asian Trade Alliance
• Continue standardized fixed income for all citizens at starvation level
• Continuing public works like railroads and communication lines will be made a major priority in the Public Works programs.
• Continue to establish a market economy for China and her products.
• Attempt to find ways to eliminate fraud and waste in the budget/services to allow Finance Minister to liberalize the economy
• End essential trade with European Nations (Other than the Ottoman Empire)

Domestic

• Continue the Secret Police program and use it to crack down on anti-government sentiment and create law and order.
• Continue the Chinese Film Industry and use it to create anti-Communist ideals.
• Continue the intelligence network inside China from city to city to alert about Communist influences inside each city.
  
  • Create the Chinese Department of Entertainment in Nanjing
  • Create a real Chinese Military Reserves Program and expand to for all men 18-65 years of age, if needed.
  • Establish the Chinese Junior Program which promotes volunteer service, patriotism, and eventual military service for boys 8-18.
  • Modernize the Chinese Army through creating new tank, armoured infantry, and new aircraft units
  • Stop female discrimination through ending foot-binding and making sex slavery illegal
  • Set elections for June 1930.
  • Start an investigation of any possible Imperialist/Communist ties with up to 5 years in prison for involvement.
  
  
  Foreign Policy
  
  
  • Congratulate FDR and Inukai Tsuyoshi on their respective election victories
  • Demand the return of Hong Kong from the British to it's rightful place in our nation
  • Demand reparations from the British for the recent Opium outbreak
  • Seek a complete trade alliance and military from the Pashas in the Ottoman Empire
  • Attempt to continue to set up the Chinese-Ottoman-American Trade Alliance
  
  
  
  The Chinese Civil War
  
  
  • Meet with wounded troops and make anti-British and anti-Communist speeches to the local townsfolk along the way
  • Send 12 inf. divisions to the Anhui and Jingsu regions to defend against possible Communist attacks on Nanjing
  • Send all Battleships and other naval units (not involved in the Hong Kong Blockade) to the Yellow Sea and bomb any Imperial Ports or Ships
  • Send 2 bombers to destroy any Communist Airfields or Open Troops and with other aerial units attack the Communists in the Air. Send the other bomber to destroy Imperialist Ships/Troops
  • Send 10 inf., 3 cav., and 2 militia to invade Imperialist Territory and attempt to take back Beijing
  • Send 5 inf., 2 cav., and 1 militia to invade Communist territory from the North
  • Send 5 inf., 3 cav., and 1 militia to attack Communist territory from the East in Anhui and Jiangxi
  • Send the Expeditionary force to invade Communist territory from the South

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

External Relations:

1. The Ottoman Empire would like to propose the three fellow great European powers, presently engaged in hostilities in separate conflicts (that is Italy, France and Germany) to hold a four-side conference on a neutral ground, with no preconditions from the Sublime Porte. At this difficult point even an honest exchange of views would be a welcome development.

2. The Ottoman Empire had no wish to wage a war against Greece in the first place, but we can't show our willingness to settle things indifinitivelt with no reaction in kind from the Athens.

3. His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan is disappointed with actions of some European nations regarding Romania. It is his belief Romania remains a convenient beating boy, so to speak, for hostile foreign circles.

4. His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan is delighted with President Roosevelt's election to a full term. He believed that under a strong and capable leader such as him, the great American people will soon enjoy peace and stability.

5. His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan congratulated Prime Minister Inukai on his splendid majority.

6. The Ottoman-American-Chinese trade deal is a priority.

[White Trash]

The Italian Volunteer Corps parades in front of the Vatican

Foreign
1. Given the current situation on the African coast, the Holy Kingdom of Italy and the Vatican find it necessary to declare martial law on the inhabitants of the region in order to restore law and stability. In addition to this, the Italian Imperial Army will be activating two divisions for deployment in Tripoli and Tunis. The Italian government also encourages the Imperial Petroleum Cartel to increase production in the region tenfold, and will aid this by making aggressive moves into oil rich areas in Libya and Tunisia.

The Holy Kingdom would also like to stress that it is clear that a foreign interloper pulls the strings in the Libyan revolt. The Italian Imperial military would like to make a show of force by performing a naval war game in the Aegean sea, close to Ottoman territorial claims, with the permission of the government of Greece.

2. Despite the successes in Spain, it is clear to the Kingdom and the Holy See that the Communist menace still has not been wiped from the Peninsula. In response, the Italian Imperial Army will be activating an additional division to supplement the current forces in Spain, hoping for a united Franco-Italian-Carlist push on Madrid to finally quash all leftist opposition.

Domestic

1. The number of cardinals will be allowed to be expanded and will include new members from Europe, North and South America, as well as the Philippines. However, these Cardinals will be dealing solely with theological matters and will have no say in the domestic or foreign policies of the Holy Kingdom.


2. The Emperor will not address the issue of a Head of Government for the time being. Democratic, mob rule is a dangerous threat to the wishes of the Church and of Christ. As a compromise, the Italian government will establish city and town councils which will be made up entirely elected individuals and will have a good level of control over their elected constituency.

3. The Italian government has moved to nationalize the banking system and break up the larger, private banks. The legal-enforcement of interest rate contracts, otherwise known as usury, is abolished. The government will undertake a program of debt forgiveness for the peasantry and urban poor. In addition, the Emperor has declared a number of anti-trust edicts designed to break up large monopolies currently in the sphere of Italian business.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Any Naval intrusion in the areas of the Aegean Sea that are being currently occupied by the Ottoman Forces in the light of Greek aggression will be treated similarly as intrusion on the Ottoman territorial waters: a hostile act.

[White Trash]

Any Naval intrusion in the areas of the Aegean Sea that are being currently occupied by the Ottoman Forces in the light of Greek aggression will be treated similarly as intrusion on the Ottoman territorial waters: a hostile act.

It is not the intent of the Italian Imperial Navy to provoke the heathen government in Anatolia. We will take great measures to ensure that the Ottoman Empire's territorial claims are respected. But implore you to understand that mistakes happen, and should not be considered provocations.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Any Naval intrusion in the areas of the Aegean Sea that are being currently occupied by the Ottoman Forces in the light of Greek aggression will be treated similarly as intrusion on the Ottoman territorial waters: a hostile act.

It is not the intent of the Italian Imperial Navy to provoke the heathen government in Anatolia. We will take great measures to ensure that the Ottoman Empire's territorial claims are respected. But implore you to understand that mistakes happen, and should not be considered provocations.

We appreciate the clarification. The Ottoman Empire will not look for an excuse to provoke tensions.

[Spamage]

-We second the Ottoman call for a conference between ourselves, Italy, France, and the Ottomans and suggest the Netherlands as a site for neutral discussions to be held. Peace and stability  in Europe ought to be a priority for all European powers.

[Blair]

A public announcement  from the Government of Prime Minister Kerensky

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[windjammer]

A public announcement  from the Government of Prime Minister Kerensky

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xPresident Laroque
France is glad to revive this alliance

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

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On behalf of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan
x Enver Pasha
Minister of War and Foreign Affairs

[White Trash]

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On behalf of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan
x Enver Pasha
Minister of War and Foreign Affairs

x Emperor Victor Emmanuel III

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

No one is interested in the powers' summitt beside Germany? Sad!

We tried.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire has no intentions of destabilizing the oil market by flooding it with the products of our increased production of oil. Aside of our friends in Germany and the Izmir Treaty, our main area of interest shall be expanding markets with the East, as declared before: most notably China and Japan. In the case of the former we shall temporarily sell the oil on decreased price, due to the local government facing political and economic challenges.

[Lumine]

Russian Civil War: March 1929

Overall:

The tide of the war changes quickly as Russia takes further steps into potential unification. Admiral Kolchak continues to experience noteworthy success with his battlehardened units, pushing deep into Kazakh territory and winning a series of key battles that cement his prestige. But it is the Provisional Government that has scored a major coup: General Alexander Kutepov and his staff traveled via armored train all the way to St. Petersburg, where Kutepov has knelt beside the Tsar to swear his loyalty back (unconfirmed reports indicate the Tsar has taken Kutepov as a possible confidante).

While the move is heavily controversial among the social democrats, it was broadly welcomed as a sign of reconciliation as the Provisional Government increased its territory and land forces.  Indeed, with Vladimir Purishkevich's small state surrounded by Tsarist troops (and with his mercenaries deserting), international observers agree that the future of Russia will in all likelihood be a battle between the Tsarist Provisional Government of Kerensky and the Siberian forces of Admiral Kolchak, who many believe intends to keep young Tsar Alexei in power.

War Info:

Provisional Government of Russia:

-Russian Army: 63 divisions (46 inf, 10 cav, 7 mil)
-Russian Navy: 1 BB, 3 CR, 4 DD
-Russian Airforce: 8 Fighter Wings, 2 Bombing Wings, 2 Transport Wings.

[Lumine]

Chinese Civil War: March 1929

Overall:

The stalemate and meat-grinder of the Chinese Civil War enters 1929 without a clear winner, although signs point out to Field Marshal Chiang Kai Shek as the one on a better position as the Kuomintang has held control of western and central China and avoided the potential for warlords to arise thanks to their intelligence network. In the north, the Kuomintang forces have defeated the hastily assembled Imperial units and advanced into Manchuria and the fortified positions in the outskirts of Beijing, placing a lot of strain on the imperials. The war on the Communists, however, has been mixed. Whereas the isolated Chinese Soviets weaken everyday and the Japanese Expeditionary forces march ahead, the projected battle for Nanjing changing into a sudden race to connect the battlelines with the closest Soviet, a successful offensive stopped shortly become making contact. With Nanjing safe for the moment, the war continues.

War Info:

Kuomintang:

-Chinese Army: 47 divisions (32 inf, 8 cav, 7 militia)
-Chinese Navy: 2 BB, 3 CR, 8 DD, 4 SUB
-Chinese Airforce: 4 Fighter Wings, 3 Bombing Wings, 4 Transport Wings.
-Volunteer Force: 6 divisions (5 inf, 1 mar)

Communist China:

-Communist Army: 28 divisions (11 inf, 2 cav, 15 militia)
-Communist Navy: No navy.
-Communist Airforce: 3 Fighter Wings, 1 Bombing Wings.

Imperial China:

-Imperial Army: 10 divisions (7 inf, 1 cav, 2 militia)
-Imperial Navy: 1 CR, 1 DD.
-Imperial Airforce: 1 Fighter Wings, 1 Bombing Wings.

[Lumine]

Spanish Civil War: March 1929

Overall:

The war is close to an end.

While some French divisions abandoned the front (partly replaced by Italian reinforcements), the Second Spanish Republic has seen its rural fronts collapse almost entirely as the Alfonsist positions are reinforced and the Carlist armies flood Aragon. With the remnants of Spanish fleet sunk trying to end the blockade in Catalonia, the surrender of Barcelona looks inevitable unless relief arrives. Much different is the situation in Madrid, where Besteiro's militias have held firm against the enemy onslaught to turn the outskirts of the capital into a wide cemetery. Besteiro's forces now sport high quality armament that inflicts heavy losses amongst the siege forces, leading many to question which European power exactly is bankrolling the General Secretary on his desperate fight. Besteiro may have lost the war according to experts, but the full collapse could be a matter of days... or months.

War Info:

People's Republic of Spain:
-Spanish Army: 32 divisions (15 inf, 6 cav, 11 mil)
-Spanish Navy: All sunk
-Spanish Airforce: 2 Fighter Wings, 1 Bombing Wings, 1 Transport Wings.

French Republic:
-French Army: 117 divisions (92 inf, 20 cav, 5 mil)
-French Navy: 10 BB, 22 CR, 71 DD, 40 SUB
-French Airforce: 32 Fighter Wings, 12 Bombing Wings, 42 Transport Wings.

Kingdom of Italy:
-Italian Army: 72 divisions (53 inf, 12 cav, 7 mil)
-Italian Navy: 12 BB, 14 CR, 31 DD, 14 SUB
-Italian Airforce: 14 Fighter Wings, 4 Bombing Wings, 5 Transport Wings.

Kingdom of Portugal:
-Portuguese Army: 13 divisions (10 inf, 3 cav)
-Portuguese Navy: 2 CR, 6 DD, 3 SUB
-Portuguese Air Force: 3 Fighter Wing, 2 Bombing Wing.

Carlist Spain:
-Carlist Army: 30 divisions (10 inf, 20 mil)
-Carlist Navy: None.
-Carlist Airforce: 2 Fighter Wing, 2 Bombing Wing.

Alfonsist Spain:
-Alfonsist Army: 15 divisions (5 inf, 10 mil)
-Alfonsist Navy: None.
-Alfonsist Air Force: None.

[Lumine]

Second Balkan War: March 1929

Overall:

As 1929 rolls in the Balkan War continues to dangerously escalate, leading unbearable levels of tension by the month of March. Germany upped its investment on the war with an increment on its expeditionary forces in Romania, a move which was matched and doubled by the announcement that the Magyar Republic and the French Republic were sending forces of their own. Large amounts of Hungarian forces entered western Bulgaria and Bosnia as "advisors", all while eight French divisions were welcomed at Athens by King Constantine and deployed towards Thessaloniki at the instant.

The Ottoman-Romanian armies took the initiative in marching against Bulgaria, a move which prompted several battles of anhililation on which several Bulgarian divisions were shattered, but at the reward of slowing the Ottomans. When the Bulgarian fleet was sunk and the coastline captured entirely, the future looked for Sofia. It was then when Serbian and Hungarian divisions began to flood the country and reinforce the positions near the Bulgarian capital, leading a counteroffensive against the overextended Ottomans that pushed them back even as in other areas of the country they made their advances.

But the Athens Pact, bolstered by French and Hungarian support was able to redeploy its forces better, delivering the crushing blow to Bosnia and leaving the entire country occupied by a highly motivated Serbian force - it is rumored the Serbians are considering forming a new, larger nation -. French soldiers holding the frontier also allowed for a full offensive in Northern Greece, temporarily pushing the Ottomans back. Alas, tension is rising for Berlin, Istanbul, Paris and Budapest, for soldiers from all the countries sending expeditionary forces have already suffered losses and lead to the odd situation of European soldiers killing each other without being at war.

Alas, what seemed like clear gains by the Athens Pact were in a way negated by the crisis developing in the Aegean Sea. With the Italian Navy performing a series of naval excercises with the Greek Navy, what was a simple operation turned to tragedy when the Italian battleship Giolitti was sunk by what the Italians originally denounced as a Greek attack. What marked a turn of events was the presence of neutral ships on the area, with an observing Dutch cruiser capturing an Italian team of divers carrying several explosives, matching the type of explosions on the Giolitti. The Greek Government and King Constantine have openly denounced the Italian Navy and Emperor Victor Emmanuel as trying to conduct a false flag operation, leading to the expulsion of the Italian ambassador and Italian advisors from the country.

Rumblings grow across Rome as many in the higher echelons of power believe Victor Emmanuel to be cooperating with the Ottoman goals on the Balkans, leading Pope Alexander IX to call an emergency meeting of the College of Cardinals...

The Balkan War seems to have reached a turning point.

War Info:

Ottoman/German/Romanian Alliance

Ottoman Empire:

-Ottoman Army: 72 divisions (54 inf, 17 cav, 1 mar)
-Ottoman Navy: 4 BB, 8 CR, 17 DD, 10 SUB
-Ottoman Airforce: 10 Fighter Wings, 4 Bombing Wings, 5 Transport Wings.

Kingdom of Romania:

-Romanian Army: 24 divisions (21 inf, 3 cav)
-Romanian Navy: 1 CR, 4 DD
-Romanian Airforce: 2 Fighter Wings, 1 Bombing Wings.
-German Expeditionary Corps: 6 inf, 3 cav.

Crimea:

-Crimean Army: 6 divisions (3 inf, 3 cav)
-Crimean Navy: 4 DD
-Crimean Airforce: 1 Fighter Wing.

Athens Pact

Tsardom of Bulgaria:

-Bulgarian Army: 23 divisions (16 inf, 5 cav, 2 mil)
-Bulgarian Navy: All sunk
-Bulgarian Airforce: 1 Fighter Wings, 1 Bombing Wing.
-Hungarian Expeditionary Corps: 8 divisions (6 inf, 2 cav)

Kingdom of Greece:

-Greek Army: 32 divisions (26 inf, 6 cav)
-Greek Navy: 1 BB, 3 CR, 10 DD, 6 SUB
-Greek Airforce: 2 Fighter Wings, 2 Bombing Wings.
-French Expeditionary Corps: 8 divisions (8 inf)

Kingdom of Serbia:

-Serbian Army: 21 divisions (17 inf, 4 cav)
-Serbian Navy: No navy.
-Serbian Airforce: 1 Fighter Wings, 1 Bombing Wings.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire is greatly concerned about the developments in Greece, namely strange presence of the French troops there. This action is nothing short of declaring war.

We don't believe a responsible stateman such as President François de La Rocque is behind these dangerous and irresponsible actions. It clearly seems as a rogue action of elements within French military. Still, we request Paris in the strongest terms to put the end of this.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We find it even more troubling these events occured after we have proposed a four-part talks to prevent any escalation. Let the history record which side tried to mitigate and which to escalate.

[Dereich]

The Empire of Japan finds the situation in the Balkans deeply troubling. In the interests of avoiding general war, Japan calls for a "Balkans Conference" of the Ottoman Empire and their allies of the Kingdoms of Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Albania to meet with those of the "Athens Pact" of the Kingdom of Greece, the Kingdom of Serbia, and the Tsardom of Bulgaria.

We would suggest that this conference be confined to these countries, as the only parties in mortal peril from advancing armies, to sit down in conference to discuss ALL issues of import and to reach an equitable and just peace. It would seem to us that the inclusion of parties which have not issued a  declaration of war or without any critical stake in the region such as the German Empire, the Kingdom of Hungary EDIT: Magyar Republic, the Holy Kingdom of Italy, and the French Republic is both unnecessary and likely to create only further escalation. We trust that the German Emperor, in his wisdom, would respect any agreement made by his friend the Ottoman Sultan and that the French Republic would respect its friends in the Athens Pact.

The Empire of Japan offers any assistance possible in the achievement of both this conference and the resumption of peace in Europe.