The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Statement by Japan

The government of Japan hereby declares its claim of ownership over the unclaimed territory in Antarctica, defined as the region between the South Pole and the southern boundary of the Antarctic Treaty System, located between meridian 80° west and meridian 160° west, which includes the majority of what is known as Marie Byrd Land.

We assert that these lands are rightfully ours, and we refuse to recognize any other claims to them. Japan is committed to preserving and advancing scientific research in the region, and we will work with international partners to ensure that this unique and valuable environment is protected and utilized for the benefit of all.

[RGM2609]

Soviet-Finnish Treaty

- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Republic of Finland shall immediately cease all hostilities
- The Republic of Finland shall immediately leave Leningrad and other occupied areas
- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall cede parts of East Karelia to the Republic of Finland

X Lev Kamenev, Chairman of the State Defence Committee

[Lumine]

Soviet-Finnish Treaty

- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Republic of Finland shall immediately cease all hostilities
- The Republic of Finland shall immediately leave Leningrad and other occupied areas
- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall cede parts of East Karelia to the Republic of Finland

X Lev Kamenev, Chairman of the State Defence Committee

x Pehr Evind Svinhufvud, President of Finland

[Lumine]

The Armies of the World:

German Reich
146 Divisions total
37 Division Army Group A
31 Division Army Group B
20 Division Army Group C
27 Division Army Group D
30 Division Army Group E
1 Division Reserve Army
Extra Divisions: 1 White Russian Division
New divisions available: 20

British Empire
28 Divisions total
8 Division BEF
10 Division Territorial Army
6 Division Middle East Command
2 Division Far East Command
2 Division Africa Command
Extra Divisions: 12 Indian Colonial Divisions (can't be shipped away due to strife)
New divisions available: 15

Republic of France
87 Divisions total
11 Division 1st Army Group
17 Division 2nd Army Group
35 Division 3rd Army Group
14 Division 4th Army Group
4 Division Army of North Africa
2 Division Army of Levant
2 Division Army of Indochina
Extra Divisions: 7 African and Asian Colonial Divisions / 14 Belgian Divisions
New divisions available: 20

Soviet Union
161 Divisions total
25 Division Army of Poland
57 Division Army of Romania
34 Division Army of Turkey
3 Division Caucasus Front
24 Division Afghan Front
18 Division Baltic Front
Extra Divisions: 4 Mongolian, Xinjiang and Tannu Tuva Divisions / 2 Armenian Divisions
New divisions available: 50

Kingdom of Italy
60 Divisions total
10 Division Army of Libya
13 Division Army of Albania
17 Division Army of Croatia
20 Division Army of Italy
Extra Divisions: 1 Slovenian and 2 Croatian Divisions / 2 White Russian Divisions / 1 Ukrainian Division
New divisions available: 5

United States of America
10 Divisions total
New divisions available: 0

Empire of Japan
52 Divisions total
3 Division Army of Sakhalin
40 Division Army of Far East
9 Division Army of China
Extra Divisions: 5 Manchukuo Divisions
New divisions available: 20

Republic of China
158 Divisions total
63 Division National Revolutionary Army
85 Division Warlord Armies
10 Division Ma Clique Army
New divisions available: 25

Eurasian Alliance
85 Divisions total
24 Division Army of Turkey
23 Division Army of Romania
19 Division Army of Iran
14 Division Army of Iraq
7 Division Army of Afghanistan
Extra Divisions: 2 International Legion Divisions / 3 Division Hellenic Expeditionary Corps
New divisions available: 3 ROM / 10 TUR / 4 IRN / 2 IRQ / 2 AFG

Polish Republic
54 Divisions total
49 Division Eastern Front
5 Division Western Front
Extra Divisions: 2 International Legion Division
New divisions available: 10

Commonwealth Armies
10 Divisions total
4 Division Army of Canada
3 Division Army of South Africa
2 Division Army of Australia
1 Division Army of New Zealand
New divisions available: 1 AUS / 1 NZ / 2 CAN

Kingdom of Bulgaria
19 Divisions Total
14 Division Army of Macedonia
5 Division Home Army
New divisions available: 3

Kingdom of Hungary
27 Divisions Total
5 Division Army of East Prussia
9 Division Army of Carpathians
13 Division Army of Serbia
Extra Divisions: 2 Slovak divisions
New divisions available: 5

Kingdom of Greater Serbia
12 Divisions Total
12 Division Army of Serbia
New divisions available: 10

Spanish Republic
15 Divisions Total
12 Division Army of Spain
3 Division Army of Africa
New divisions available: 5

The Navies of the World:

British Empire: Carrier-based / Very Large
United States of America: Carrier-based / Very Large
Japanese Empire: Carrier-based / Very Large
Republic of France: Battleship-based / Large
Kingdom of Italy: Battleship-based / Large
Dominion of Canada: Carrier-based / Small
German Reich: Battleship-based / Medium
Soviet Union: Battleship-based / Medium
Spanish Republic: Battleship-based / Small
Republic of Turkey: Battleship-based / Small
Commonwealth of Australia: Cruiser-based / Medium
Republic of China: Destroyer-based / Small
Union of South Africa: Small vessel-based / Very Small
Kingdom of Bulgaria: Small vessel-based / Very Small
Polish Republic: Non-existent
Kingdom of Romania: Non-existent
Kingdom of Hungary: Non-existent

The Air Forces of the World:

German Reich: First-Rate / Large
British Empire: First-Rate / Large
Japanese Empire: First Rate / Large
Republic of France: High Quality / Large
United States of America: High Quality / Medium
Kingdom of Italy: High Quality / Large
Soviet Union: Medium Quality / Large
Polish Republic: High Quality / Small
Dominion of Canada: Medium Quality / Medium
Commonwealth of Australia: Medium Quality / Small
Kingdom of Bulgaria: Medium Quality / Small
Republic of Turkey: Medium Quality / Very Small
Kingdom of Romania: Medium Quality / Very Small
Republic of China: Low Quality / Small
Spanish Republic: Low Quality / Small
Kingdom of Hungary: Low Quality / Small
Union of South Africa: Low Quality / Small

[RGM2609]

Lev Kamenev's first speech as Chairman of the State Defence Committee

"Comrades!,

First of all let me express my deep regret and mourning over the death of our great leader Mikhail Tukhachevsky. He died as a hero, a martyr of the proletarian revolution. His death has not been in vain, and we will all fight to live up to his legacy by building the utopian communist society he so desperately wanted.

I have been appointed in this crucial position at a time which could not be more dire. Not since Lenin has the Revolution been in such a danger. The forces of Reaction have come upon us, and their desperate knowledge that their time is over made them more violent and ruthless than ever. In these times, what we must do is return to Lenin, the founder of our great state, and look in his deeds for inspiration and his thinking for guidance.

My friends!,

It is time, now more than ever, to fight for the Revolution! However, however, we can not continue to get bogged down in the various distractions the Reaction has placed before us. We must go straight for the Reaction's heart! That heart, comrades, is in Berlin. The Kaiser and his mass murderer of a puppeteer lay in Berlin, oppressing millions, placing the will of a nation in their chains, using various countries as a shield against the fury of the workers. I say no more! The murderers of Comrade Tukhachevsky are in Berlin! We must focus our entire might, our entire fury on the German oppressors.

Comrades,

We must gear up for this one decisive battle. We will take the fight directly to the Reaction and we shall not stop! We shall not stop until the Germans will have broken their chains! We shall not stop until Hugenberg pays for every single death he caused! We shall not rest until the red flag flies over Berlin! We shall not stop until the Reaction is no more!

Thank you!"

[Lumine]

EVENT

Coup d'etat in Spain!

Shock election results see deadlock, left-wing revival,
Spanish right further radicalized, Gil-Robles flops,
Spanish Army launches coup, General Franco takes over

By all accounts, José María Gil-Robles had assumed he was to be the next Prime Minister of Spain, and perhaps even the next inevitable dictator. He had the wind on his back, his party filled with cash, and his enemies appeared helpless. And, on the moment of triumph, he stumbled. Equivocating on the issue of a monarchic restoration made enemies out of the Alfonsists and the Carlists, with Alfonsist leader José Calvo Sotelo repeatedly outflanking Gil-Robles from the right as the CEDA Youth, known for its hardline instincts, began to defect. And as the center imploded despite President Alcalá-Zamora's efforts, the President played his last card to stop the CEDA: he lifted most government restrictions on the left. As the Spanish right and the military seethed in sheer disbelief, the PSOE and Azaña's IR removed the shackles put by Lerroux to run a major campaign.

Even so, Gil-Robles might have averted disaster. But he now had a target at his back, and his enemies at the press - now temporarily free of freedom of press restrictions thanks to Alcalá-Zamora - shot to kill. Headline after headline did the same thing to Gil-Robles that was done to Lerroux, spreading innuendo and false accusations of corruption, abuse of power and even unsavory behavior. When the dust cleared, the CEDA had taken a step backwards, undermined by the exponential growth of Carlists, Alfonsists and Fascists alike. The moderate PRR was smashed into a million pieces, but the left was able to avoid previous voter suppression to obtain almost 30% of the vote. The new Cortes were near ungovernable, and Gil-Robles, far short of a majority, would have to try to court both the right and either the center or the autonomist Basque and Catalan parties. To his credit, he tried. But when the Cortes resoundingly voted him down - with Calvo Sotelo leading a right-wing rebellion -, he was left humiliated.

To all of this, the Spanish Army had enough. Enough of the left, which seemed to be rearing its head again. Of Alcalá-Zamora, who stood in the way of properly conservative and patriotic government. Of Gil-Robles, who roleplayed as a cheap Mussolini and failed to deliver results. But above all, of sitting on the sidelines. As protests - both left and right-wing - took place across all Spanish cities, with mounting chaos and violence forcing the President to flee before he could be killed (eventually reaching exile in Bordeaux via train), General Francisco Franco, Chief of the General Staff, decided he would wait no longer. Tanks stormed the Presidential Palace, arrested Alcalá-Zamora's loyalists, closed down the Cortes and expelled the deputies from Madrid, and established a Military Junta presided by Franco.

After only eight years, the Spanish Republic has seemingly perished.

1939 Spanish General Election:

Party		Votes (%)		Seats
CEDA (Right)		26% (-2)		116 (-22)
IR (Left)		17% (+6)		81 (+28)
PSOE (Left)		12% (+4)		55 (+19)
RE (Alfonsism)		7% (+3)		45 (+18)
Lliga (Catalonia)		8% (+1)		39 (+5)
PRR (Center)		8% (-12)		36 (-65)
PAE (Right)		4% (-1)		22 (-5)
CT (Carlism)		4% (+1)		18 (+4)
PNV (Basque)		4%		17 (+2)
Falange (Fascist)		3% (+2)		9 (+8)
PRC (Right)		2%		7 (-5)
Others		5% (-2)		28 (-6)
Total				473 MP's

[Lumine]

Spanish Republic

General,

As the Spanish Army continues to mobilize across the country to bring an end to parliamentary government, you are, at least for now, master of the entire nation. The President has fled and the Cortes have been shut down, but it will be up to you to decide the nature of this new regime: A Republic, with controlled elections? A restoration of the monarchy? Personal rule as a formal or informal dictator? The possibilities are varied and fascinating. Aside from the constitutional future of Spain, you must also make decisions on the fate of the Spanish left, the hostile autonomous governments in Catalonia and the Basque Country, the war in Europe, and the Spanish economy, which has been some unexpected prosperity in the past few months. What are your orders, excellency?

Soviet Union

Comrade Chairman,

Seven years ago, the late Stalin had you expelled from the party. Today, as the nation mourns the Red Napoleon, you are the new leader of the Soviet Union. Many perils await. Leningrad and Vladivostok have fallen. Baku is under siege. Ethnic strife threatens to rip the USSR apart. The Red Army has taken a pounding, with new divisions of far different quality than the professional army that has been destroyed in Poland and Romania. And yet, the situation is far from disastrous. Romania has all but collapsed, and the Eurasian Alliance is at distinct risk. You stand at the crossroads, and your decisions will shape the fate of the war, the shape of the Soviet government, and, perhaps, the fate of the nation. What will you do?

Empire of Japan

General,

After years of fighting in Manchukuo, you are now Prime Minister by the grace of the military. His Majesty is now suitably under guard, with new Regent Yasuhito being more than ready to follow your leadership. Many decisions await, including the fate of the new war against the Soviet Union, and whether this shocking treaty - a betrayal for the Generals - with Nanjing ought to be respected or ripped to shreds. Domestic politics will also fracture in your decisions, with the Imperial Diet being critical of recent events, the population confused by the sudden disappearance of the Emperor, and more than a few Generals being suspicious of this change in leadership. What is your will?

[NewYorkExpress]

All Political Parties are banned in Spain until further notice. The Cortes is to remain closed indefinitely.


All individuals in the leadership of any left wing party, such as PSOE are to be executed.

xGeneralissimo Francisco Franco

[NewYorkExpress]

The Basque Country and Catalonia shall have devolved governments, with their governments being elected every fourth year.

Their governments shall be parliamentary in nature.

The Catalan and Basque Governments shall pay up to 1/6 of their tax revenue to the central government in Madrid if there is surplus, and shall pay no tax revenue if there is a tax deficit.

The Capital of Catalonia shall be Barcelona, and the Capital of the Basque Country shall be Vitoria-Gastiez.


xGeneralissimo Francisco Franco

[NewYorkExpress]

All Adults in Spain between the ages of eighteen and fifty shall now have to complete five years of national service.

Those completing National Service can choose between serving in the military, serving in the intelligence corps, or serving as a nurse, police officer, firefighter, or other civilian public safety officer. The time training for any of these positions will not count towards the five years of national service.

x Generalissimo Francisco Franco

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Treaty of the Rising Sun and the Setting Sun

The Empire of Japan and the Republic of Spain, desiring to strengthen the bonds of friendship between their two nations and promote mutual interests, have entered into this treaty of alliance.

Article I
The Empire of Japan and the Republic of Spain agree to form an alliance for the purpose of maintaining peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as in the Mediterranean and surrounding areas.

Article II
Both signatories agree to share intelligence and cooperate in matters of mutual interest, including but not limited to trade, cultural exchange, and scientific research.

Article III
This treaty shall remain in force for a period of ten years and shall be automatically renewed for successive ten-year periods, unless either signatory provides written notice of its intention to terminate the treaty at least one year prior to its expiration.

Article IV
This treaty shall be ratified by both signatories in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures, and shall come into effect upon the exchange of instruments of ratification.

Done in duplicate, in the Spanish and Japanese languages, both texts being equally authentic, in Madrid and Tokyo

X Hajime Sugiyama

[NewYorkExpress]

Treaty of the Rising Sun and the Setting Sun

The Empire of Japan and the Republic of Spain, desiring to strengthen the bonds of friendship between their two nations and promote mutual interests, have entered into this treaty of alliance.

Article I
The Empire of Japan and the Republic of Spain agree to form an alliance for the purpose of maintaining peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as in the Mediterranean and surrounding areas.

Article II
Both signatories agree to share intelligence and cooperate in matters of mutual interest, including but not limited to trade, cultural exchange, and scientific research.

Article III
This treaty shall remain in force for a period of ten years and shall be automatically renewed for successive ten-year periods, unless either signatory provides written notice of its intention to terminate the treaty at least one year prior to its expiration.

Article IV
This treaty shall be ratified by both signatories in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures, and shall come into effect upon the exchange of instruments of ratification.

Done in duplicate, in the Spanish and Japanese languages, both texts being equally authentic, in Madrid and Tokyo

x Fransisco Franco

[KaiserDave]

For the Defense of Poland: Il Duce Addresses Europe

The speech over the radio is preceded by news from the frontline in Poland, and various propaganda stories demonizing the Red Army. The speech is to be delivered live in Italian, and subsequently delivered in Spanish, English, German, Polish, Hungarian, French, Arabic, Dutch, and Portuguese across the world.

Men and women of Italy. It is your Duce speaking from Rome. I have spent the day reviewing the news from the frontlines of the world. The world is at war. Italy is at war. War swallows up the weak and elevates their strong. History teaches us that the maelstrom of war produces strong men, and dispenses with the weak. Steel is only forged in the flames. War produces strong nations and crushes weak ones. The Italian nation has survived centuries of war, and centuries of foreigners attempting to dominate and destroy us. Mostly recently in the Great War, the foreigners attempted to denigrate our sacrifices by stealing from us our rightful spoils. Doing this they thought they could destroy Italy. Indeed they almost did, if not for Fascism Italy would have dissolved into competing fiefdoms and Marxist guerrillas. But fascism has redeemed us, and we have reconquered what is rightfully ours in Dalmatia, and in Albania. Now we are engaged in war against barbarism to secure our conquests and uphold the truths of our superior civilization. We are at war against the Serbian menace, and against international Bolshevization.

One such other nation which has stood the test of history, and which now stands as the vanguard against Bolshevism is Poland. With the tragic fall of Romania, despite the catastrophic casualties inflicted upon the red enemy, Poland now stands as the frontline against the destruction of Europe. The Polish people, clinging to nationalism and their Holy Catholic faith, are the immediate bulwark between Europe and the forces of destruction. There are those pseudoscientific theorists beyond the Alps who say that Poland is not real, that it is a creation of Transatlantic liberals. This is a lie! This is a slander and those who promote it are scum. Poland is a national that has stood for a millennium. It was civilized by Latins and Catholics, and has stood proudly despite the designs of foreigners for centuries. It is a nation of deep tradition and embraces nationalism without compunction or apologies to liberals. It is the sworn enemy of Marxism, and it stands as a Knight in shining armor against the red horde.

I told you many months ago that Poland defeated the Red Napoleon Tuchashevsky before, and shall do so again, and I was right! The Marshal is dead, killed traitors in his own ranks, by conspiracies and schemers. Now they have a new leader, Lev Kamenev, who is a but a weak puppet for Leon Trotsky, the bloodthirsty scourge of the world. Kamenev is even married to the sister of Trotsky. The entire Bolshevik so called society is an incestuous disaster.

Whoever leads the Bolsheviks, they remained determine to destroy Poland, Hungary, and Italy. For as long as Poland, Hungary, and Italy exist, Europe cannot be Bolshevized. As long as fascism exists, Europe resists Bolshevism. So I tell all the fascists of Europe, all the nationalists, and those who prefer civilization to soulless Marxism, to come to the aide of Poland. Italy has already sent her sons, and the fruits of her industry for the defense of the Polish people. I call upon all those who wish to see Poland live, and Europe remain blessed by the fruits of Latin civilization to go forth to the defense of Poland.

Though Romania fell, it was not without the destruction of the professional soldiery of the Red Army. Now what is left is crude barbarians. They know the crudest and most brutish violence and torture and nothing else. Poland cannot be allowed to fall to such creatures. History dictates that only the strong will survive. This is the hour of destiny for Poland, if she will survive, or if she will be lost forever to internationalist Marxism. But Poland will live!

Italy stands on guard for Europe! For the defense of Poland, Europe shall live! Long live European civilization! Long live Italy, the leader of Europe! Long live Fascism, the guarantor of Italy!

[RGM2609]

Lev Kamenev's second speech as Chairman of the State Defence Committee

"Comrades!,

Over 20 years ago, the founder of our state, Vladimir Lenin, stood before the oppressors in revolutionary fury, and liberated the Russian people. Back then, he had a dream. He had a dream of a federation, a federation of equals. A federation where every worker, no matter the nationality, stood together in defiance of chauvinism and imperialist nationalism.

As with so many things, Joseph Stalin failed to understand that dream. During his reign, he let himself guided by chauvinism and he ruined the bridges Lenin built. He made many of nationalities other than Russian despise this Union. Stalin was wrong, the Revolution is supposed to erase all discrimination and privilege, and look at all people, no matter their ethnicity, the same.

This Soviet government will fix these mistakes. I pledge you this on my very life. We will allow true self-governance exercised by the workers through the Soviet Socialist Republics. We will never deny someone the right to express his or her own culture. We will never separate our citizens in first class and second class. This nation will be a home to all those who reside in it. I pledge you this by my very own life.

These days, a war is looming above us. It is the final war, it is the war Marx and Lenin could have only imagined. We are in a total, life-or-death battle against Germany. Today, each and everyone of you must take a stand! Do you stand with the Revolution, with the socialist freedom, with the bright future of communism, or do you stand with reactionary oppressors, imperialist aggressors and murderers, those who don't care how many people die as long as they cling to a Throne or a mansion! I call on all of you! Our mistakes will be rectified, but in this dark hour, we must put aside all of our differences and stand by the red flag, by the revolutionary might!"

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Reichskonkordat

With the power vested in our duly appointed representatives, the Holy See and the German Reich agree to the following:

1. The German Reich guarantees freedom of profession and public practice of the Catholic religion. It recognizes the right of the Catholic Church to regulate and manage her own affairs independently within the limits of the law applicable to all and to issue – within the framework of her own competence – laws and ordinances binding on her members.

2. The German Reich shall provide funding to support religious schools and hospitals.

3. The German Reich shall commit to the defense of Poland, Hungary, and the rest of the nations menaced by the Red Army.

4. Catholic organizations and associations whose activity is devoted exclusively to religious, purely cultural and charitable purposes and which are, as such, subordinated to Church authorities, are protected as to their institution and activities. Catholic organizations which, apart from religious cultural or charitable purposes, have other tasks such as social or professional aims, shall also enjoy the protection of this article, provided they guarantee to develop their activities outside political parties.

5. The German Reich and The Holy See shall stand united and in full cooperation in combating the Axis of Evil formed by Communism, atheism, and sexual deviancy.

6. The Holy See, recognizing the German Reich as the preeminent leader in the global struggle against Communism and as the sole great power that has thus far shown a willingness to dedicate more than empty words to that struggle, calls upon Catholics in all nations to form volunteer divisions under German or Polish command so that they may join the fight to save Eastern Europe from Communist aggression.

7. This agreement shall go into effect on June 1st, 1939.

x Alfred Hugenberg, Chancellor of the German Reich

[Lumine]

Reichskonkordat

With the power vested in our duly appointed representatives, the Holy See and the German Reich agree to the following:

1. The German Reich guarantees freedom of profession and public practice of the Catholic religion. It recognizes the right of the Catholic Church to regulate and manage her own affairs independently within the limits of the law applicable to all and to issue – within the framework of her own competence – laws and ordinances binding on her members.

2. The German Reich shall provide funding to support religious schools and hospitals.

3. The German Reich shall commit to the defense of Poland, Hungary, and the rest of the nations menaced by the Red Army.

4. Catholic organizations and associations whose activity is devoted exclusively to religious, purely cultural and charitable purposes and which are, as such, subordinated to Church authorities, are protected as to their institution and activities. Catholic organizations which, apart from religious cultural or charitable purposes, have other tasks such as social or professional aims, shall also enjoy the protection of this article, provided they guarantee to develop their activities outside political parties.

5. The German Reich and The Holy See shall stand united and in full cooperation in combating the Axis of Evil formed by Communism, atheism, and sexual deviancy.

6. The Holy See, recognizing the German Reich as the preeminent leader in the global struggle against Communism and as the sole great power that has thus far shown a willingness to dedicate more than empty words to that struggle, calls upon Catholics in all nations to form volunteer divisions under German or Polish command so that they may join the fight to save Eastern Europe from Communist aggression.

7. This agreement shall go into effect on June 1st, 1939.

x Alfred Hugenberg, Chancellor of the German Reich

x Federico Tedeschini, Cardinal Secretary of State

[Lumine]

SIDE STORY ONE – THE PRISONER

Siberia, 1939

-Put your backs on it, you dogs! -

The Commissar was shouting into an acoustic megaphone, his voice almost hoarse from the cold and from hours of berating his prisoners.

– And you, Dmitry! What do you think this is? The Bolshoi? – He pointed at a prisoner with an accusatory glance – Get moving or I’ll shoot you on the spot! –

The Prisoner was tired. It hard enough to face the grueling logging work at the gulag for a man in the flower of youth, and he was pushing sixty. As the months had passed, he’d begun to suspect it wasn’t his body carrying through the daily task anymore, but his will. And his will wasn’t broken yet. Not if the look of harsh, cold hate he returned to the Commissar was any indication.

They called him Dmitry, as a mockery of his claims, repeated day after day for the past three years. Dmitry, like the Tsarist pretenders who claimed to be one of those dour Romanov princelings in the Time of Troubles. Dmitry, a madman, to be mocked but not feared, oppressed but not killed, beaten but never shot. The Commissar took particular pleasure in calling him Dmitry at all times, even calling that name – neither the one the Prisoner claimed to have, nor the one the guards at the NKVD processing station gave him – whenever lists where read.

Only two prisoners called him by his name. One was a frightened, decrepit and miserable old man, solely surviving because he could cut hair and thus avoid the logging work. The other was an equally frightened young man, no older than boy, who had been a party official in the brief Kirov interlude. The Prisoner knew neither men believed him in their hearts. Rather, he suspected both were just too afraid of the possibility of being wrong. Still, there was a brief flash of pride and satisfaction whenever his comrades spoke his name with proper reverence. A reminder of better times.

For better times there had been. Times in which countless scores of spineless brownnosers bid his bidding and cheered his every word. He only had to make a command and someone would follow it. He’d humiliated, exiled or shot everyone who’d attempted to resist.

Until that night.

Even after three years, he still wasn’t sure what had gone wrong. The speech had been perfect, designed to stun and terrify opponents into silence. The night at the Kuntsevo Dacha had been even better, another of those grand John Ford Westerns followed by the usual drinking contest, until Kaganovich, Khrushchev and Beria could no longer stand. The men had left for the Kremlin, and he had dozed off into dreams of triumph and slaughter of his foes.

He hadn’t realized at first the meaning of the trucks filled with soldiers and NKVD agents approaching the residence. Only with the first shot did he suddenly come to terms with the reality of being betrayed, right as the door was brought down and soldiers dragged him from the bed, lining him up with all the impersonators he kept for his safety. To his surprise, they didn’t shoot him then and there. They didn’t shoot him on the uncomfortable and cold trip in the truck. They didn’t even shoot him in that forest, where he saw Kaganovich and other officers shot by firing squad. Nor when Beria was brutally hacked off, alive. Not even after they’d finish up digging the graves.

Even today, he was unsure as to why. The more time passed, the less likely it seemed that anyone had saved his life. None of his followers was still standing, that was for sure. He’d heard about the trial of Molotov, Voroshilov and the others. Loyal Khrushchev was missing, probably lying in a ditch or another mass grave. None of them would have had the opportunity to keep him from harm. Perhaps it was all bureaucratic incompetence, confusing all the impersonators as they were sent to the gulags. Were it not so painful, the irony would almost force laughter from his grim face.

But he was alive. Alive! That traitor Kirov had come and gone, ripping Yezhov apart in the process. Tukhachevsky had led his silly Children’s Crusade into the west and gotten poisoned for his troubles. And now, what few news they received told that Kamenev was in charge. Kamenev! The Prisoner was still in disbelief. That pansy, that third-rate intellectual, that… that Jew. How dare he stand where the Prisoner once stood! And with Trotsky at his side. It was enough to make the Prisoner’s blood boil.

-Stop daydreaming, you bastard! – The Commissar hit him with a rifle –

The Prisoner fell to the cold ground, cursing the Commissar. Three years ago, he would not have dared raise his voice. And should he ever regain what he had lost, the Prisoner would make sure the Commissar would get what was coming to him.

-An iron cage. – The Prisoner muttered –
-What’s that, Dmitry? Stand up! –
-Nothing sir. It’s the lice sir, they distract me. –

Which wasn’t a lie. All the prisoners, aside from their terrible health, suffered from lice. Living conditions saw to it. The Prisoner, having had proper medical care before his ordeal, weathered them better than others. Perhaps his will also helped, for he did not get squeamish at the sight of rat meat.

The Prisoner returned to work. In another gulag, his turns may have turned into escaping. No hope here. One could certainly flee into the wilderness and the forests, even with all the guard towers and the machine guns. And he would be found the next morning, perhaps some kilometers away, frozen to death. Or worse, turned over by the locals, but not after deeply unpleasant treatment.

Besides, a man like him was not made to escape.

No. He knew what he was. And when he finally left that desolate, hellish camp, he’d do so by the front gates, saluted by the Commissar and the guards, properly dressed and with his head held high. And he’d take the train, arrive back at the Kremlin… and shoot every man and woman in sight.

-It’s time for the meal, Joseph Vissarionovich! – His elderly comrade shouted, arriving at the work area and saluting him –
-Praise be. – Said the young comrade, halting his work – Perhaps it won’t be rotten today. –
-I see you remain an idealist, comrade. – Stalin said, straightening his back –
-There are worse things to be, Comrade Stalin. – The young man replied, with a tone of respect –
Indeed there are. – Stalin’s eyes glowed with fire, directing his glance at the Commissar – Indeed there are... -

[PPT Spiral]

Antalya Accords

The following terms are mutually agreed upon by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (henceforth referred to as the Soviet Union); and the Republic of Turkey, Imperial State of Iran, Kingdom of Iraq, and Kingdom of Afghanistan (henceforth collectively referred to as the Eurasian Alliance):

1. The Eurasian Alliance and Soviet Union shall immediately end hostilities and withdraw respective forces back to their countries of origin.

2. Romania shall be recognized as territory under the sphere of the Soviet Union and shall not be obstructed by the Eurasian Alliance.

3. Afghanistan shall be recognized in its fully independent status with boundaries intact from prior to hostilities encompassed in the Soviet-Eurasian War. The Afghan Soviet Republic shall cease to be recognized by all signatories.

4. All other boundaries prior to the Soviet-Eurasian War shall be regarded as valid.

5. A commitment to non-aggression in foreign policies shall be affirmed by the Eurasian Alliance and Soviet Union.

6. Embargoes by the Eurasian Alliance and Soviet Union against one another shall immediately be lifted and economic relations shall become normalized.

7. A voluntary population transfer program shall be organized for members of the Kurdish community residing in the Republic of Turkey and Kingdom of Iraq. Willing participants shall receive ample accommodations for relocation to the Soviet Union, where upon arrival new Kurdish communities shall be established within Central Asian territory of Soviet borders.

8. For damages incurred over the course of the Soviet-Eurasian War, the Soviet Union shall institute a military compensation program to members of the Eurasian Alliance. Military aid shall arrive in increments of each quarter of the year until the Eurasian Alliance is supplied to equivalent levels as prior to the conflict.

X President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey

[RGM2609]

Antalya Accords

The following terms are mutually agreed upon by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (henceforth referred to as the Soviet Union); and the Republic of Turkey, Imperial State of Iran, Kingdom of Iraq, and Kingdom of Afghanistan (henceforth collectively referred to as the Eurasian Alliance):

1. The Eurasian Alliance and Soviet Union shall immediately end hostilities and withdraw respective forces back to their countries of origin.

2. Romania shall be recognized as territory under the sphere of the Soviet Union and shall not be obstructed by the Eurasian Alliance.

3. Afghanistan shall be recognized in its fully independent status with boundaries intact from prior to hostilities encompassed in the Soviet-Eurasian War. The Afghan Soviet Republic shall cease to be recognized by all signatories.

4. All other boundaries prior to the Soviet-Eurasian War shall be regarded as valid.

5. A commitment to non-aggression in foreign policies shall be affirmed by the Eurasian Alliance and Soviet Union.

6. Embargoes by the Eurasian Alliance and Soviet Union against one another shall immediately be lifted and economic relations shall become normalized.

7. A voluntary population transfer program shall be organized for members of the Kurdish community residing in the Republic of Turkey and Kingdom of Iraq. Willing participants shall receive ample accommodations for relocation to the Soviet Union, where upon arrival new Kurdish communities shall be established within Central Asian territory of Soviet borders.

8. For damages incurred over the course of the Soviet-Eurasian War, the Soviet Union shall institute a military compensation program to members of the Eurasian Alliance. Military aid shall arrive in increments of each quarter of the year until the Eurasian Alliance is supplied to equivalent levels as prior to the conflict.

X President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey

X Lev Kamenev

[Lumine]

The World War

July to December 1939 (Part One)

"Thus we expose the savage, hateful barbarity of atheistic Communism, its nefarious plots against Christianity, and their vile designs not just for Europe and the West, but for the whole world. This will be the struggle between Man and God, with a defeat carrying with itself the death of Religion and the enslavement of Men on the yoke and scourge of godless Atheism. The rights of nations to self-defence notwithstanding, there is shortsightedness in the minds of politicians who do not recognize the danger. Or worse, those that, even though they claim to understand the danger, put their narrow self interest first, and above their Church and their God. No man of faith and no true statesman can sit aside and ignore that the battle being waged today in Poland and Germany may be repeated tomorrow across all of Europe..."

(Pope Benedict XVI, international broadcast from Vatican Radio)

Western Front

The 2nd Race to the Sea

Spring operations in northern France had ended in slaughter and tears, with the German counteroffensive pushing northwards just as the BEF - at great cost in men - fought its way to the Oise, posing a major threat to shaky German supply lines into Orleans. Keen to push deeper and make Paris untenable for the Reichswehr, Lord Gort was to press on a major offensive through the second part of the year, aiming to seize Chateau-Thierry. Using innovative tactics ordered by the Imperial General Staff, which had the virtue of reducing casualties and matching the use of land chemical bombing by the Germans by introducing aerial chemical bombing in the West, Gort crossed the Oise, ditching the trench warfare into a war of movement. Von Kluge, however, had received major reinforcements, which he used to blunt the British spearhead and, after the Battle of Chantilly, force a withdrawal. Over the next few weeks, Kluge and Gort saw their chemical bombing lose all effectiveness to the rapid movement of their forces, the race concluding at Rouen as the Germans cleared the area between the Somme and the Seine of the BEF.

In unprecedented fashion, casualties dropped dramatically due to the fast-paced fighting, with the Germans sustaining some attrition and Gort managing to skillfully extricate his forces to Normandy with only minor losses. With the BEF cleared from the area, Kluge turned northwards to the 1st French Army Group, which had had enough time to regroup, build-up its defenses, and even surprise the Germans with new - if not top of the line - aircraft, of a kind not previously seen on the front. Kluge clashed into Corap and King Leopold's desperate efforts for several days, being unable to cross the Lys river despite moving as westwards as possible while suffering heavy casualties. The Germans would eventually find victory at St. Omer, only for Corap to follow Gort's lead and cede territory in return for me. Kluge ended the year by seizing Calais and Dunkirk, expelling the 1st AG from France proper. However, the Germans had sustained horrific casualties, and Corap had salvaged his forces. Despite fears of a possible surrender from King Leopold, the Belgians stayed in place, preventing a catastrophe.

Struggle for the Loire

The fall of Orleans made it plain to Giraud and the French General Staff that, by crossing the Loire westwards and southwards, German spearheads could well overrun most of western France, and perhaps reach the provisional capital of Bordeaux. In spite of this, the prospect of cutting off the Reichswehr proved too seductive, leading instead to a strategy of holding the line. Aside from the eight Commonwealth divisions as reinforcements, the late Condé was replaced with Marie-Pierre Koenig, given the supervision of new front commander Alphone Juin, and even Marshal Blanchard for morale support. Koenig would face Von Rundstedt, transferred from the east with his Army Group - now Army Group C - under orders to renew the offensive. Despite instructions to march east should the main German effort fell there - a correct prediction -, Rundstedt's eventual assault demanded all of Koenig's attention, resulting in a large campaign across the Loire.

Though outnumbered, Rundstedt won the twin battles of Vendome and Blois at a high cost to his armored units, opening the way to Tours. Forced to close the gap, Koenig threw the Commonwealth units in, stalling the Germans and forcing the struggle for Tours into a weeks long siege as chemical warfare began having a renewed effect due to stalled frontlines. Stalled on his first attempt at an encirclement, Rundstedt pushed north, intending to lay in a pincer from Le Mans. There the Germans would meet an embarrassing defeat inflicted by a joint ANZAC-French force, around the same time a French-Canadian force managed to hold onto Tours. His flanks suddenly weakened, Rundstedt was victim to the subsequent French counteroffensive, forced to withdraw back into the Loire and even abandon Orleans in the confusion, before ending the year back at Chartres. It had been a costly failure, matching the northern operations with minor Entente casualties and a German slaughter. But this time, without ground to show for it.

Dash to the North, Dash to the South

The arrival of newly promoted Field Marshal Alfred Jodl, the new German Supreme Commander in the West amidst a drastic shake-up of the Reichswehr, signaled the German intent to shift its main effort eastwards, matching up the French efforts in the same area. With Jodl taking over the combined Army Groups of Witzleben and Leeb - the latter of which, to great surprise, was not sacked - with their commanders as his underlings, he was to face General Bouret, whose armored commanders de Gaulle and de Lattre had made quite a name for themselves. Though increasingly and heavily outnumbered, Bouret was to make Blanchard proud on the first assault, humiliating Jodl at Rethel, destroying an entire German corps through armored and chemical warfare, and then renewing his push to Laon, in what threatened to be the final strike on the German supply line despite the territorial gains to the north. And it was at Laon that Bouret's skill ran out, being spot by a desperate defensive effort by Von Leeb, keen to redeem his name.

Whilst Leeb blunted the French assault as a shield, Witzleben became Jodl's sword, swinging with the armored units - and land chemical warfare - to crash into Bouret's left flank in a race southwards. Forced to give up his efforts at the risk of encirclement, Bouret dashed southwards to prevent being surrounded, with the 1st Armored Corps meeting Witzleben head on. At the Battle of Troyes, the Panzers beat back De Gaulle's tanks, with the histrionic French commander managing to buy time for the French redeployment at the cost of his own life. During the subsequent chase, Jodl's Army Group A encircled and destroyed the entire Fourth French Army at Bar-le-Duc, a disaster that threatened the 4th Army Group with being trapped at their positions in the Maginot Line. In late December, Bouret and de Lattre won a costly victory at Langlais just as oil shortages slowed down the German spearheads, bringing an end to a successful German dash that has ended up any threat to their logistics.

Eastern Front

2nd Battle of the Baltic Sea

Despite the mauling sustained early in the year, the Kriesgmarine was not one to quit, particularly when Soviet control over the Baltic Sea directly threatened its war effort. Determined to regain the initiative, the Kriesgmarine - including vessels damaged by Britain and now repaired - sailed under Lutjens' command to regain their honor, backed by whichever Polish airpower could be spared. The Soviet Baltic Fleet was forced to sail back to counter them, undermined by the assassination of their victorious commander Admiral Tributs. His successor, Admiral Levchenko, resolved not to be cowed, fighting the subsequent battle on Lutjens' terms. At the 2nd Battle of the Baltic Sea, the Kriegsmarine forced the Soviets to withdraw back to the Gulf of Finland after an intense struggle. It was, however, something of a disappointment to the Germans, as the flagship Scharnhorst sustained heavy damage and Levchenko staged a successful withdrawal, preserving his command.

Romania rises again

For the most part, European capitals were quick to write off Romania after the fall of Bucharest, assuming that any remaining forces would be rapidly overrun. The assessment was matched by the Eurasian Alliance and the Greek Expeditionary Corps, both of which returned after peace with Moscow was signed, to the bitter disappointment of the Romanians. For their part, the Romanian forces proved unwilling to yield, even after being abandoned by their former allies. General Petre Dumitrescu successfully lobbied for Hungarian and German support, allowing the Romanian Army in Transylvania to gather up strength and replenish its supplies as massed columns of Soviet troops leaving Romania for Poland were subjected to heavy chemical bombing by the Luftwaffe. The bombing, however, was to prove unsuccessful, causing disruption but not mass casualties. Ultimately, and as Patrascanu's regime was tasked with mobilizing support for the pro-Soviet regime, only thirty divisions remained in Romania, with only a third being initially directed at Dumitrescu.

Having the terrain and men advantage, Dumitrescu won a clear cut victory at Alba Iulia, seizing new equipment and, more importantly, restoring morale to his previously despondent men. Forced to concentrate their forces, the Soviets were defeated against and more decisively at Sibiu, losing scores of men to the Luftwaffe and Dumitrescu's men. On the final part of the year, Dumitrescu made an exceedingly risky gamble, gunning for Bucharest. Taking advantage of familiar terrain, friendly locals, and growing hostility to invaders after the Bulgarian Army - with the apparent acceptable of Patrascanu and Moscow - unilaterally occupied southern Dobruja, Dumitrescu moved before the Soviets could rearrange their lines, capturing the hollowed-out Bucharest as Patrascanu and the Communist government fled and relocated to Ismail. Although the city only gave a tepid welcome as scores of unemployment Romanians clamor for an end to warfare, it was a previously unthinkable victory.

Hoping to take advantage of the situation, Patrascanu immediately had the 18 year old Crown Prince crowned as King Michael I of Romania. The new royal government, while not intending to remain in Bucharest, has issued a call for Romanians to rise up and for international support, whilst condemning "Turkish cowardice" and "Bulgarian betrayal".

A New Assassination Season

The death of Marshal Tukhachevsky and the failed attempts on several leaders significantly raised the personal stakes for Kamenev, Koc and Hugenberg, all of which were rumored to put extreme measures in place to avoid assassination. Some of Kamenev's underlings, however, were not as successful. On the brighter side for Moscow, the attempted poisoning of Marshal Yegorov and assassination of Chief of Staff Gamarnik failed. On the darkest side, other separate plots claimed the life of Admiral Tributs (with a known poisoning modus operandi that was rapidly linked to the Abwehr in Berlin), General Altsinis, head of the Soviet Air Force (killed in spectacular fashion at a music performance), and most crucially, General Rokossovsky, the latter of which was murdered right in the middle of the East Prussian campaign.

East Prussian and Corridor Campaigns

To general shock and surprise, new GKO Chairman Lev Kamenev chose to drastically alter the Soviet strategic outlook in mid-1939. Instead of carrying on the struggle against the Eurasian Alliance and Japan, Kamenev reached accords with all, surrendering Sakhalin, East Karelia and captured regions in return for Romania and a free hand for the Polish war. Surprising even more observers, Kamenev used a dramatic speech to point to Berlin and the Kaiser as the main Soviet foe, putting Russia in a direct course of action against the ever stronger Polish-German association. Gambling his personal prestige in this drastic shift - which has earned him no shortage of quiet dissent -, Kamenev fully rehabilitate Leon Trotsky, entrusting him with full command of the war in what amounted to a restoration of his previous role as People's Commissar for Military Affairs in the Russian Civil War. Leaving Poland as a secondary front, Soviet troops began moving from as far as Afghanistan to take part in the largest offensive in history: the Soviet march on Berlin.

Halting the move to Warsaw and the Vistula, Rokossovsky's rapidly growing forces turned westwards, facing a combined German-Polish army under Julius Rommel and Erich von Manstein. An early victory by Rokossovsky at Memel opened up the gate for East Prussia, leading to violent tank battles coupled with an almost obsessive use of chemical bombing on both sides. Unlike the west, every inch of ground was contested, resulting in a horrific carnage that quickly dwarfed that of the west as more than 200 divisions - over three million men - were committed in total for both sides. Rokossovsky's assassination led to a moment of Soviet panic, only solved when Trotsky saw fit to promote Leningrad defender Georgy Zhukov to command the offensive. Zhukov proceeded to defeat Rommel and Manstein at Konigsberg, ending the East Prussia campaign in a Soviet victory that, nonetheless, wrecked both armies.

Leaving forces behind to prevent an encirclement, Zhukov pressed on the assault despite the state of his forces, reasoning the opportunity was unique. As millions of refugees fled west from the Soviet assault, sparking panic across much of Europe and outrage from anti-Communist groups and leaders, Zhukov and Trotsky entered Poland and seized the Free City of Danzig, starting what eventually became the Battles of the Danzig Corridor. On the 1st Battle, Zhukov slammed into the German forces, being deterred from entering Pomerania and putting Berlin at risk. On the 2nd, an attempt to enlarge the Soviet spearhead against the Poles failed. In the meantime, anti-communist volunteers and units kept massing, with some Soviet POWs joining Polish-created White Russian divisions. In a dangerous international incident, General Franco sent several Spanish divisions via airbridge, almost causing a war when his planes were initially shot over French skies.

Forced to find another route, they crossed instead through Northern Italy. Despite this breach of sovereignty, the Regia Aeronautica failed to stop them, allegedly under orders by Marshal Balbo right as Rome faced a political crisis. With the anti-communist forces now concentrated, the 3rd Battle of the Corridor finally broke the Soviet lines, forcing Zhukov and Trotsky back to East Prussia as the Corridor - but not Danzig - were liberated. Unlike East Prussia, in which both armies shared casualties, it was the Red Army took the share of them at the Corridor, erasing their numerical advantage as dozens of thousands of prisoners and corpses litter the poisoned ground.

(Ukraine) is so close, yet so far

With General Gamarnik assuming temporary command of the forces in Poland proper, the Red Army switched to a defensive approach, just as the Poles prepared for another offensive of their own. Though lacking in material and having inferior numbers due to their order commitments, General Mazcek wasted no time in pushing to break the Soviet strangehold at Lwow, reasoning that a triumph could open the long desired gate into the Ukraine. This, at a time in which rising discontent has caused ever growing revolts by militias, farmers and even terrorist units. Bolstered by Hungarian units, Mazcek won the first battle, inflicting significant damage on the Soviets as he threatened to liberate southern Poland as a whole. Polish efforts, however, stalled as oil started to become sparse and equipment losses difficult to replenish, robbing them of enough mobility to push into Ukraine. Gathering his reinforcements, Gamarnik was able to push Mazcek back, failing to inflict significant damage while, nonetheless, expanding the bridgehead he had six months ago.

[Lumine]

The World War

July to December 1939 (Part Two)

East Asian Front

The Brief Peace

The aftermath of the unexpected and seismic "peace" between Nanjing and Tokyo was always expected to be brief, but the Japanese coup and their mutual yet separate accords with Moscow - earning the former Xinjiang and the latter Sakhalin - all but confirmed peace would be even shorter than hoped for. Nanjing, for what its worth, made efficient use of limited time available, overrunning Xinjiang - an operation that, due to distances, consumed most of the year for available forces -, keeping the Ma Clique on side and blockading the Southern Coalition's main port at Guangzhou. Crucially, Nanjing was able to purchase goods as possible after the temporary end to the Japanese blockade. No longer being a belligerent country, US companies were no longer subject to the Neutrality Acts, resulting in a welcome flow of weaponry and material to the battered National Revolutionary Army. In Tokyo, Field Marshal Sugiyama and Regent Yasuhito did not waste time either, reaffirming previous accords with France while the Regent conducted a successful PR tour across the nation as internal efforts solidified internal control over the military.

Third Sino-Japanese War

It was, of course, not to last long. Chinese forces were quick to notice the Japanese build-up at the coastal areas that Sugiyama and his generals had refused to abandon last Spring, warranting immediate action from Nanjing. Offensives were launched against Shanghai, Fuzhou and Shandong, featuring initial success that had to be instantly halted the moment the scale of the Japanese build-up became apparent. ROC forces, however, were able to pull out before sustaining major casualties, conserving strength for a major Japanese push. All but ignoring the Southern and Northern coalitions, the IJN struck across Central China, seeking to capture Nanjing and deliver a crippling blow to Chiang's weakened regime. As the NRA massed, Yunnan returned to the fold under the call for a new United Front, and the Southern Coalition, while refusing to join Chiang, stopped its hostility for the time being. Still, the Chinese odds were extremely low when compared to the far better equipped and trained enemy.

The final months of 1939 were consumed in two separate campaigns: the push across the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. As the Japanese advanced, the NRA made its doomed stance. And against all the odds, the ROC held the line in multiple battles. Even as casualties mounted - more so than for Japan - and ground had to be ceded, full control of the rear and replenished resources enabled the NRA to retreat in order every time, avoiding the sort of annihilation battle that the IJA was hoping for. Eventually, the Japanese advance stalled, having gained some ground across the Yellow river but frustratingly little across the Yangtze. To everyone's shock, the defensive lines around Nanjing held once again, preventing an evacuation of the capital and giving Chiang a badly needed morale boost.

Manchukuo in Danger

Taking on a risk on purpose, Tokyo left surprisingly few forces across Manchukuo, expecting only an attack by the Northern Coalition. To the shock and gloom at Hsinking, the NRA forces previously stationed in Mongolia moved into Manchukuo from the north, an inexplicable logistical feat that has led to immediate suspicions of Mongolian - or Soviet - collusion. Facing limited resistance and being only slowed down by previous fortifications, difficult logistics, impossible terrain and massed infighting with the Northern Coalition, the NRA nonetheless succeeded in crossing the Greater Khingan Range. Now ready for the kill, the Chinese managed to reach and seize the key strategic hub of Qiqihar before the end of the year, in what poses a direct challenge to the remaining industrial hubs of Manchukuo, and a risk of encirclement should a deal not be reached with the Northern Coalition.

Marshal Zhang, on the other hand, was not as lenient to Chiang as the Southern Coalition. Vowing to fight both Chiang and the Japanese, Zhang expanded into Sichuan and Hubei provinces, seizing some of their northernmost areas after defeating local warlords. Being also distracted with fighting the NRA cavalry forces up north and in Shaanxi, Zhang also attempted his own invasion of Manchukuo, getting close to Hsinking - to the subsequent panic of Emperor Pu-Yi, who fled to Harbin - before the Manchukuo forces were able to win a last minute victory, halting the Young Marshal's advance before he could deliver the main blow.

South East Asian Front

Malaya and Burma Campaigns

Abiding by their arrangement with Paris to mutually respect their areas of influence, Marshal Sugiyama turned instead to another new enemy: Britain. Judging the British Empire to be weak and vulnerable on account of their bloody struggle against Germany, Sugiyama set a substantial part of the IJA and the bulk of the IJN against the isolated and diminished Far East Command, finding immediate and instant success. Though not invaded, Brunei and Hong Kong were mercilessly bombarded by Japanese naval assets, crippling both British possessions and preventing their intervention in future events. After a days-long chase in which he attempted not to give battle, Admiral Percy Noble and the British East Asian fleet clashed with the IJN at the Battle of the South China Sea. It was to be a crippling British defeat, resulting in the loss of two battleships, several minor vessels, and crucially, an aircraft carrier, a setback that left Malaya utterly vulnerable.

Having signed an alliance and comprehensive pact with Siam, now renamed Thailand, joint Japanese-Thai armies marched south and west, aiming at the British colonial possessions. General Bond, head of Malaya Command, only had a division plus garrison forces against a vastly superior enemy force, forcing him to surrender Malaya quickly after brief delaying actions to try and sustain a siege in Singapore. It was not to be, as devoid of naval power, Bond was blockaded and shelled mercilessly until a Japanese assault broke his defenses. Singapore, the Gibraltar of the East, fell to the Japanese, in what has been seen as a stunning blow to the British Empire from an "inferior" power. Outwest, the IJA moved into Burma, defeating General McLeod and the single British division stationed there at Rangoon. Seizing the key logistics hub, the Japanese seized and closed the Burma road, seizing Mandalay as well.

The arrival of Indian divisions from the British Raj - pulled despite the mounting chaos - helped the British establish a new defensive line around the Indian-Burmese border, being otherwise forced to cede the entire country. The Japanese, in the meantime, saw their logistics reach an end for the season, preventing any moves against the defensive lines at Imphal or an attack on India proper. The approach of Japanese troops, however, was to severely undermine the carefully prepared British plans to deal with Indian discontent.

Pacific Front

The New Guinea Campaign

Ignoring other tempting targets to focus entirely on the British Commonwealth, the final part of the massive Japanese assault was directed at the Pacific, facing an Australia that had sent all of its experienced forces and the bulk of its fleet into Europe. With distances and logistics being their major challenge, the Japanese concentrated their forces at the large naval base at Truk, with General Imamura leading several waves directed at various places. Manus Island and New Britain fell first, with the Australian garrison at Rabaul putting on a strong resistance before being overrun. As Imamura settled his temporary HQ at Rabaul, another Japanese wave stormed its way across the Solomons, taking Bougainville and engaging in "island hopping" as soon as logistics would allow. By the end of the year, Japanese troops would land in Guadalcanal, brushing aside all resistance from the small British and Australian garrisons and laying claim to the Solomons.

Southwards, Imamura deployed the bulk of his forces against the eastern tip of the New Guinea peninsula. In the subsequent battles against natives and small Australian units, Milne Bay and Lae fell in rapid succession, before the Australians made their stand at Port Moresby with remaining land and naval units. Harsh battles ensued, consuming valuable time for the Japanese as the Australian garrison - dubbed the "Rats of Port Moresby" - refused to yield. By the time they finally did, surrendering the vital port that made a future invasion of Australia possible, the year had passed. Imamura had overrun the Australian and British targets in the area, but moving any further escaped his grasp for now. In the meantime, panic gripped Australia as angry crowds demanded the return of the ANZAC forces from France, blaming the Prime Minister - whose war propaganda had thus far been successful - for leaving the nation vulnerable.

In the meantime, from the joint American-Filipino base, Field Marshal - under Filipino rank - Douglas MacArthur has sounded the alarm, calling on Washington to immediately intervene against Japanese expansion. For its part, the government in Manila has asked for reinforcements, seeking to bolster the Philippines against any future invasion.

Balkan Front

Carnage in Serbia

Due to the odds, few expected Serbia to survive the combined onslaught of the League of Rome. As far as an organized state can be described, they didn't, but the struggle has continued even as the nation has been overrun to massive and horrifying casualties on both sides. With the Bulgarians having adopted a defensive stance, casualties proved to be minimal, more the result of prolonged use of the mysterious Serbian gas and the subsequent poisoning of large parts of captured ground, as well as injures to the Bulgarian units, than any major battles. Up in the north, the Hungarian advance into Belgrade stalled as the Serbians, contrary to expectations, broke up new supplies of mustard gas, forcing the Hungarians to use their own as every advance proved to be a bitter and costly experience. Not only that, as soon as mass relocations of Serbians began in Banat and Vojvodina - to the cheering of local Hungarians - resistance behind the lines stiffened radically, resulting in endless guerilla warfare.

From Belgrade itself, Regent Mihailovic denounced the relocation and claimed to reveal that the League of Rome intended mass-scale ethnic cleansing of Serbia, mobilizing the population to fight under the prospect of complete ethnic destruction should they lose. The Italian forces proved to be more successful, ending the Bosnian campaign - only for Bosniak resistance to begin once the Ustashe authorities began implementing new and harsh policies -, overrunning Montenegro, and, after seizing Sarajevo, moving on Belgrade from the flank. Pummeling Belgrade daily with relentless terror bombing to force a surrender, Italian observers were aghast at noticing the bombardment only seemed to stiffen resistance, forcing an all out assault to seize a city that had been almost turned into pure rubble. It would take two months for Belgrade to fall, forcing Hungarians and Italians to fight block by block, street by street, until even teenagers and the elderly were found manning some of the trenches.

After it fell, with only a few high ranking officers captured - including Prince Paul, who was under captivity -, Serbia was finally overrun in terms of territory. Entire Italian and Hungarian divisions have been ravaged, with survivors reportedly disturbed at some of the sights they endured while trying to break enemy resistance. A radio communique, issued from the mountains, claims that General Mihailovic and King Peter are on the run, and that resistance will continue regardless. For the moment this appears to be true, as occupation forces endure guerilla warfare, militia attacks, and the aftereffects of chemical usage from both sides. To make matters more difficult, resistance has hardened in both Croatia - with Tito making a dramatic speech from Slovenia, announcing his return - and Albania - with adherents of King Zog rallying against Italian migration and a proposed Albanian transfer to Turkey.

Aside from Greece, the League has now successfully overrun most of the Balkans. Holding onto it in the face of mass ethnic resistance, however, will be a different challenge.

[Lumine]

January 1st, 1940

List of Conflicts:

Great Eastern War Soviet Union vs. German Reich, Polish Republic, Free City of Danzig,  Kingdom of Hungary, Kingdom of Romania (1939 - Present)

German-Entente War Republic of France, British Empire (UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand), Kingdom of Belgium vs. German Reich, Kingdom of Hungary (1938 - Present)

Pacific War: Empire of Japan, Kingdom of Thailand vs. British Empire (UK, Australia, British Raj)

Third Sino-Japanese War: Empire of Japan, Manchukuo vs. Republic of China vs. Northern Coalition vs. Southern Coalition

Chinese Civil War: Republic of China vs. Northern and Southern Coalitions (1939 - Present)

[Lumine]

End of 1939

In the News:

TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE: Not awarded (No suitable candidate)

The Vatican's Roar

Papal Encyclical Ingruentium malorum declares war on Marxism,
Benedict XVI denounces Giraud and Mussolini over supposed appeasement,
Political crisis in Italy and France, Catholic volunteers to march eastwards

For the most part, the strongest reason wielded by half the College of Cardinals' to oppose Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster as Pope was the fear of his supposed pro-fascist views, which would turn the Vicar of Christ into Mussolini's virtual puppet. The fear prevailed even as Schuster prevailed over Cardinal Villeneuve - whose social views might have split the Church - and into Benedict XVI's first months in office. The first sign that something was not going according to predictions came with the signature of Federico Tedeschini, the new Cardinal Secretary of State, who signed an unexpected Reichskonkordat with Berlin - coming after substantial efforts by Hugenberg to appeal to German Catholics - that endorsed their joint struggle with Poland against the Soviet Union and offered a rare rebuke of other leaders, read by many - to the sheer disgust of leading pro-Mussolini Cardinal Ascalesi - as an implied condemnation of Mussolini.

By and large, the Duce had until recently been seen as the champion of the anti-communist cause, aided by roaring speeches and a significant material contribution to the Eurasian Alliance and Poland. But, as many observers noted with increasingly cynicism, without troops. The fall of Romania proved a troublesome development for this image, as the Duce's calls - though embraced and cheered by fascists and most conservatives abroad - were increasingly met with questions on when Italy would truly commit to the struggle, being otherwise occupied in the Balkans. Still, matters would have remained there were it not for a series of shadowy developments in the Vatican, a series of highly secretive late-night meetings that left His Holiness - so an American journalist claims - deeply distressed. Soon afterwards, Pope Benedict released his first encyclical, Ingruentium malorum (" In the face of approaching evils"), a thorough denunciation of Communism - and of Tukhachevsky, Kamenev and Trotsky personally - which exceeded by far Pius XI's previous thoughts on the subject.

Substantially raising the states, Pope Benedict all but declared a religious war - if not crusade - on Communism, calling it a vital threat to mankind as the Red Army seized Romania and moved towards Berlin. This was followed by an unprecedented speech via Vatican Radio, in which the Pope renewed the call for Catholic volunteers from around the world to join the anti-communist forces in Poland, Romania and Germany, and calling on belligerent powers to allow access to volunteers and material support. But where the Pope truly crossed the line was in his fiery, personal denunciation of French Premier Henri Giraud and his open rebuke of Mussolini. Citing intelligence and diplomatic reports given to the Vatican, the Pope denounced a conspiracy from the French government to collude with Moscow, accusing Giraud of personally pressuring nations to allow the Red Army's march westwards, and going as far as to have designed a partition of Germany, if not Europe.

While steering well clear of condemning the French war effort - even paying tribute to France's collective bravery and faith -, Benedict called Giraud an "appeaser", who would sell Europe to the "Reds" for his own sake. His criticism of Mussolini, while far less direct, were still harsh. Benedict went onto state that he had received intelligence that Rome had pressured nations to make peace with the Soviets, and condemned the "duplicitous attitude" of the Duce in, allegedly, claiming to be a champion of anti-Communism while withholding his troops at such a crucial moment. Giraud, the Pope claimed, had no salvation possible. But the Duce could still follow Adam Koc, Petre Dumitrescu and Alfred Hugenberg's lead, and help save Christianity - Catholic or not - from the Red Menace. The fallout of this, even as members of the College of Cardinals broke ranks to criticize this unprecedented speech, was noteworthy.

Mussolini's image immediately took on a major blow, leading pro-Fascist leaders and parties - particularly in Latin America -, the first of them being Brazil's Getulio Vargas, to disavow the Duce and side with the Pope. Still, others defended the Duce as best as possible, with Oswald Mosley delivering a thundering speech at the House of Commons - to Progressive and Labour jeers - calling Mussolini the "defender of Western Civilization" and dismissing the Pope as an "embittered old man". In Italy proper, leading Fascists closed ranks in public, but the hit was nonetheless severe. It is speculated Marshal Balbo may have authorized the Spanish air bridge as a direct result, seeking to avoid any further controversies with the Vatican. The ailing ultranationalist Gabriele D'Annunzio has taken the lead in public criticism of Mussolini, finding an audience in outraged conservatives.

The King is reportedly distressed, and the Duce is said to have received two separate calls to convene the Grand Council of Fascism: one, by D'Annunzio, to debate the crisis; and another by a triumvirate - Grandi, Federzoni and Giuriati - to address the criticism by, allegedly, declaring war on the Soviet Union.

Adieu, Mon General

After stormy debates on rumored Soviet appeasement,
Laval brings down Giraud government, Lebrun appoints caretaker,
Marshal Petain elected President, Laval PM appointment vetoed

1939 French Presidential Election:

Party		Votes
Philippe Petain (IND)		495
Albert Lebrun (AD)		175
Albert Bedouce (SFIO)		113
Édouard Herriot (PRRRS)		103
Absent		29

Incoming President:
Philippe Petain (Ind)

To say that General Giraud did not fight hard for his nation and for his political survival would be an understatement. Showing as much zeal as Daladier on his prime, Giraud spent the summer of 1939 aggressively touring the nation, making public speeches favoring resistance - even as concerns over the large loss of manpower grew louder -, being actively seen at the front - which did wonders for his popularity with the ordinary soldiers -, denouncing German atrocities and the mere prospect of a "peace with honor", and generally championing any success that could be found. To his added luck, Giraud oversaw the arrival of new oil and grain shipments to alleviate past shortages and the terrible harvest of 1939 - poisoned by chemicals -, as well as the greenlight from Washington to several Wall Street loans to fund the war effort in a scheme reminiscent of the Great War.

Even as the National Assembly and Senate deadlocked in several endless ballots for the Presidency, featuring a strong but ultimately hopeless bid by Fernand Buisson as Petain stayed silent, Giraud kept hold over the reins while an aggressive campaign did its best to discredit Laval, Giraud's loudest critic in the National Assembly. Although the loss of territory in the north harmed Giraud, his cause appeared to be bolstered with lower casualty rates, until the scale of the disaster in the East and the loss of an entire army - as well as the death of Giraud's protege De Gaulle - threatened to derail the whole thing. Laval, in one of his best parliamentary speeches, denounced the carnage and, around the time Benedict XVI made his historic speech, launched a tirade of his own, accusing Giraud of appeasement towards the Soviets and of selling out Eastern Europe to Kamenev.

The subsequent debates proved to be ugly. Many Radicals and the SFIO closed ranks behind the General, calling Moscow a lesser evil or denouncing Laval's rhetoric and his call for a vote of no confidence. The right, however, was apoplectic. Having previously promoted near fanatical anti-communism, having elevated Giraud in trust of his conservative views, and already suspicious of his veto of a anti-Soviet motion at the LON, they unleashed their anger. Anti-Giraud tirades even took on an anti-semitic mood, as the radical right - and even some otherwise moderate deputies - condemned the General for "selling half of Europe to a Marxist Jew". Despite a brilliant defense by men like Leon Blum, the anti-Communist panic won over. Giraud, much like Daladier, was deposed in a parliamentary coup.

Panicking, yet unwilling to give up that easily, President Lebrun prepared for war, appointing the pro-war Paul Reynaud to lead a caretaker government while launching his own re-election bid. It was not to be. Sensing defeat, Bouisson willingly stood aside for Marshal Petain, who ran on a platform of anti-communism, a peace with honor, and a refusal to give an inch of Alsace-Lorraine. For the paranoid deputies and senators, there was no better guarantee that the Old Hero. Petain won in a landslide, easily defeating Lebrun, a vanity bid by SFIO, and a symbolic bid by Herriot. However, the new President was quickly frustrated by the National Assembly, which voted down Laval's bid to be Prime Minister. Despite Giraud's fall, he had wounded Laval enough to deny him the ultimate price. Now in need of a Prime Minister, Petain has been rumored to leave a new German peace offer unanswered.

The Rising Age of Oil - II

Expectation at future production from Saudi Arabia,
Eurasian bloc splinters, Soviets and Mexico lose significant ground,
US and Venezuela gain ground, increase production

As the struggle for oil continues, significant changes have taken place in the global market over the past year, most of them fueled by the ongoing worldwide conflict.

The largest winners in terms of growing market share are indisputably acknowledged: Venezuela, which has seen near unprecedented demand as scores of tankers leave its coast for neutral ports; and the United States of America, which in spite of losses due to Mexican nationalization has profitted both from its neutrality and by President Borah's decision to significantly expand oil drilling in the American West, a most welcome development to increasingly hostile oil barons. The Commonwealth has also seen some progress, with the island of Trinidad in particular starting to outpace far larger rivals in Argentina and Peru. The recent discovery of massive oil reserves in Saudi Arabia, to be exploited by American companies starting this year, also has experts scrambling for numbers, believing that the size of Saudi exports could be a factor on prices for neutral countries.

Perhaps the major loss has been felt by the Eurasian Alliance, which previously threatened to rival Soviet and Venezuelan production. Losing the Romanian oilfields has cut off its main supply line into Europe, only somewhat alleviated due to new shipments crossing the Mediterranean. The Soviet Union, in the meantime, has been hit with multiple sanctions and embargoes - particularly from Catholic nations - and disrupted by the previous Turkish invasion of Azerbaijan, significantly dropping its influence on the global market. The third major loser has been Mexico, with US sanctions starting to show their impact while President Cardenas stands firm on his decision to nationalize his oil industry. Still, there are signs other nations could be affected further: a British decision to subject tankers to heavy inspections in Suez and Gibraltar has recently jammed up oil shipments into the Mediterranean, a decision that directly threatens both supplies and, more importantly, those who are supplied.

Although some previously threatened nations like France have found replacement after Romanian supplies were cut, others seem to be struggling, as Chinese, Polish and German operations have shown. As always, finding and maintaining sources of the vital resource will be crucial for long-term prospects in the never ending conflicts.

Oil Production, January 1940

Country

Market Share

United States		57,5% (+1,5)
Venezuela		14,7% (+2,7)
Soviet Union		9,5% (-1,6)
Eurasian Alliance		8,2% (-2,8)
Dutch East Indies (NLD)		3,4% (+0,2)
Mexico		2,2% (-0,6)
Colombia		1,3% (+0,1)
Trinidad (UK)		1,1% (+0,3)
Argentina		1,0% (+0,1)
Peru		0,8% (=)
Canada		0,5% (+0,1)
Egypt		0,3% (=)

* IRAN: 5,2% /  IRAQ: 3%

Coup in South America

Amidst response to major earthquake, President Ross assassinated,
Chaos in Santiago due to fears of left-wing uprising in Chile,
Former dictator Ibañez returns to power in Fascist military coup

In the aftermath of the deadly Chillán earthquake in the Republic of Chile, liberal conservative President Gustavo Ross - usually acclaimed for his economic prowess and derided by his prickly character - toured the affected areas with substantial foreign support, particularly from Turkey, Venezuela and Brazil. It was the promise of a quick recovery, which saw Ross experience an upsurge of support after a bitter 1938 contest that saw him defeat former minister Pedro Aguirre Cerda and his center-left Popular Front, and general - as well as former dictator - Carlos Ibañez del Campo and his nationalist and pro-fascist Popular Freedom Alliance. The President, however, could only bask on that accomplishment for a few days, being shot six times by an assailant just as the entered the Presidential Palace. Ross was the first assassinated head of state for the young Republic, his death causing great commotion.

The assassin was linked to the Popular Front by the police, resulting in mass protests as the new Acting President quickly lost control of the situation. Several days of political intrigue ensued, featuring open fears of a left-wing uprising or of a military takeover of the government. But in the end, it was Ibañez who struck the blow. Leading a Mussolini-style "march on Santiago", Ibañez entered the capital surrounded by thousands of loyal supporters, seizing control over the government in a swift coup as most of the military closed ranks. Aided by the rapid arrival of a Spanish military mission, Ibañez - who had been deposed in 1931 - wasted little time in closing down Congress and expelling key democratic rivals, establishing a dictatorship backed by the Chilean Army and the multiparty Popular Freedom Alliance, in which the Chilean Fascist Party (PFC) is expected to play a leading role.

President Ibañez has been quick to offer praise of President Atatürk and General Franco as rolemodels, his previous sympathies for Mussolini being tempered - if not outright hidden - in the aftermath of the Papal speech. In the meantime, Ibañez's rise and the apparent Spanish influence have caused alarm for neighboring leaders, all of which have reasons to distrust the new pro-fascist government: Argentina, recently returned to civilian rule after the Justo-Roosevelt affair; Peru, whose vaguely conservative military regime is battling local fascists; and Bolivia, whose socialist military regime has turned to revanchism after its defeat at the hands of Paraguay. Although not yet a battlefield, South America is rapidly growing in importance for main powers keen to expand their influence and/or reach key resources, a development which is likely to cause a response from Washington.

The Dark Rise of Anti-Semitism

As Kamenev and Trotsky take over in the Soviet Union,
Anti-semitic theories gain a new foothold in Europe,
Jewish migration to Palestine and the USSR keeps growing

For the most part, the first half of the 1930's proved to be a kinder decade for European Jews in particular, with the overt antisemitism present in several nations being either toned down or contained by more tolerant governments. Indeed, the decade saw multiple attempts at the League of Nations to push for a Jewish state, efforts which saw the Soviet Union - starting with Stalin and built upon by Tukhachevsky - take on a leading role as a pro-Jewish state. The signs of trouble, of course, were still there. French Socialist Leon Blum, who played a leading part in the Daladier governments, became a target of criticism by the French right over his heritage - leading to the infamous slogan: "Better Hugenberg than Blum". In Palestine, the flow of Jewish migration caused riots and protests from the Arab majority, often going without direct response from successive Prime Ministers in London. And, as denunciations of Marxism and Communism grew amidst the rhetorical war, so did the conspiracy theories speaking of "Judeo–Bolshevism".

As government propaganda across much of Eastern and Central Europe switched full gears to denounce  the Soviet Union and Tukhachevsky's wars of permanent revolution, the dehumanization of Communism in general became increasingly effective, culminating in one unforeseen outcome: the arrival of Lev Kamenev, the first Jewish leader of the Soviet Union. In the minds of anti-semites in general, this was the reveal of the truth they knew all along, strengthened by the appointment of Leon Trotsky to command the war effort. Across the continent, and even as governments have steered clear of promoting such views, anti-semitism has seen a major rise, with worrying consequences. Reports of incidents, rhetoric and/or calls for action have emerged from Bulgaria and Hungary. In Italy, key Mussolini ally Guido Jung has been under assault by anti-semitic publications. In Germany, former Nazis have tried to make a comeback to public life by portraying themselves as having been right in their far-reaching theories, and in Poland, Cardinal Hlond has provided a voice to many in Sanation by criticizing the local minority for "not supporting the war effort".

But the biggest impact has taken place in France, as anti-semitic theories have spread - espoused not only by the far-right, but by conservatives and even socialists - to explain battlefield loses, entering the war in the first place, and/or any perceived failings of Giraud or Daladier, leading to racial incidents in places like Algiers and Oran. The collective effect of this, in turn, has been to further strengthen the resolve of Jewish organizations, who have drastically accelerated immigration to Palestine or the Soviet Union as a result, all while other leaders and/or organizations have come in their defense. The issue, ultimately, threatens to have far-reaching consequences, particularly after the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem has issued a stark warning to Britain to halt such migration.

[Lumine]

America wakes up?

After years of isolationist backlash and legislative strangehold,
President Borah amends Neutrality Acts to arm anti-communists,
Isolationist v. Internationalist debate more and more relevant for 1940

For many despairing diplomats whose nations were at war, having to lobby for support in Washington D.C. ever since 1936 was a self-defeating, deeply demoralizing exercise. Congress had asserted its power with the Neutrality Acts backed by a wave of intense isolationist sentiment, and the Borah administration, elected party as a result of the backlash to FDR's corrupt intervention in South America, chose to carefully pick the battles. Having rejected Borah's first attempt reach an agreement with the French Republic, few expected matters to change in 1939. But they did. Although isolationism remains strong in America, with America First gaining more and more members even as Lindbergh and Kennedy battle each other - the former favoring a large defense build-up, the latter opposing it on economic grounds -, the steady Soviet advance to the west, the destruction of the Netherlands and the collapse of entire nations have reawakened internationalist sentiment, at least up to a point.

The White House cleverly chose to settle for what he could get, and after intense negotiations with the Democratic House, President Borah and Speaker Sumners - an internationalist Southern Democrat - were able to get an amendment to the Neutrality Acts through Congress. While falling far short of what internationalist advocates demanding - urging Washington to arm France and Britain before they succumbed to the Kaiser -, the amendment nonetheless lifted restrictions on arming nations fighting the Soviet Union and/or communist powers. As such, Poland, Germany and Royalist Romania - if recognized - are now technically open ground for the US armament industry or the Administration, assuming shipments can get through - or allowed passage - the large British blockade of the Reich and their disruption of the Mediterranean. Borah followed the victory by authorizing Wall Street to provide loans to France, saving Bordeaux from economic collapse for the time being.

It was not, however, an entirely free achievement. President Borah took substantial flak during the debate, which saw isolationists split between those opposed to any intervention - including Republican firebrand Gerald Nye - and those prepared to put anti-communist feeling first - led by Lindbergh himself -. Whether Congress or the public can be moved any further remains unclear, but there are those who believe the surprise Japanese offensive across the Pacific may yet lead to further changes as "Field Marshal" MacArthur clamors for US intervention from Corregidor Island. And, as the 1940 Presidential Election approaches, it is clear that it will be very much fought on foreign policy. For the Republicans, the question will remain whether Borah can maintain the delicate balance and avoid a primary challenge. For the Democrats, hopelessly split between isolationism and internationalism, it will remain to be seen if they can find a candidate who can avoid a repeat of the 36' debacle.

The Indian Uprising

Narrowly escaping death, Viceroy Linlithgow seeks reform,
Despite promising start, Japanese invasion derails efforts,
After failed coup, Bose launches national uprising

Resisting his every instinct on receiving orders from London, Indian viceroy Lord Linlithgow refrained from a direct move against either Subhas Chandra Bose or Muhammad Ali Jinnah, targeting instead some of the more violent lieutenants who had already issued calls for violence against the British Raj administration. Seconding this move with a surgical use of censorship to blunt Bose's speeches calling for disobedience, Linlithgow won some much needed time before making a crucial announcement: elections for the Dominion of India would finally be held in June of 1940. Bose was the first to reject the announcement, reiterating his intent for a full boycott in any event. He was, however, overruled both by Gandhi, who saw it as an opportunity to showcase the INC's real strength, and by Jinnah, who began cooperating and holding talks with the Viceroy without demobilizing his supporters. Although India remained a powder keg with daily strikes, protests and even a few casualties, the explosion appeared to be on the verge of being contained.

That is, until Japan struck the Empire. Having been used to the reality of British domination, the fall of Singapore, the Battle of the South China Sea and the Burma campaign all showed very clearly that Britain could indeed be beaten. What is more, than an Asian power could do it. And as the British retreated across Burma, Viceroy Linlithgow himself was targeted for assassination, only surviving after taking extensive precautions to save his life. The damage, however, was done. Bose, deciding it was now or never, attempted a coup from within the British Indian Army, expecting it to be the shortest way to victory. Having overplayed his hand while still disavowed by Gandhi and Nehru, he failed to carry enough units with him, but got a handful of divisions to actually defect. Evading arrest in the aftermath, Bose then called for revolution and open warfare, in what amounted to the start of civil war.

Until now, Linlithgow - backed by the civil servants and the British officer class - has kept a shaky hold over most of the Dominion, standing strong in Delhi and Madras while keeping the Princely States - most of them personally hostile to Bose's socialism - behind Britain for now. Bose, for his part, has overrun Bombay and Calcutta, the latter of which serves as capital to an improvised state. Having successfully seized control over parts of Maharashtra, Bihar and Bengal, his rebels have also deposed the Muslim ruler in the Hindu-majority state of Junagadh, allowing them to seize most of Gujarat. Jinnah, for his part, has declined to get directly involved, mobilizing his All-India Muslim League and fleeing west while entreating Linlithgow to accept Muslim independence before it is too late.

Greatest Year for Movie Pictures?

US and European audiences flock to cinemas in great numbers,
Gone with the Wind storms the box office as a behemoth,
How will the war affect movie productions in the future?

Having almost crashed into the ground as a result of the Great Depression, the slow but steady economic recovery in America has allowed Hollywood and the US film industry to recover as well, making a return even as film studios battle their nemesis: California Governor Upton Sinclair. Even though many studios have outsourced or relocated plently of operations into Texas and Florida, most have remained, fighting Sinclair at every turn over proposed regulations and attempts to empower film unions. To their disappointment, studio bosses narrowly failed to oust Sinclair last November, raising the terrifying prospect of the pro-socialist Governor running for the Democratic nomination. Still, in spite of such shackles, this year the studios have stormed the box office gates, drawing Americans - and Europeans when the war allows - into cinemas.

First it was I Claudius, a Roman epic in which the hapless Claudius (Charles Laughton, who based his performance off Polish President Koc) survives the reign of terror instituted by Tiberius (Ray Collins, in a satire of Soviet communism) and Caligula (Emlyn Williams, in a satire of Italian fascism). Then Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, a political comedy-drama in which inexperienced Senator Lincoln Smith (James Stewart) battles a political corruption scandal reminiscent of the Roosevelt-Justo affair. Audiences were then enchanted by The Wizard of Oz, a stunning and costly technical achievement featuring child star Shirley Temple as Dorothy Gale. The year was closed off with the triumph of Gone with the Wind, a Civil War romance-epic that has enthralled audiences. It has proved particularly popular in Europe, with audiences identifying - or reflecting their fears - with the downfall of the South and the struggles of heroine Scarlett O'Hara.

The revival of Hollywood coincides with the previous loss of steam of government propaganda as cinema, an area in which Italy and Japan both experimented mid-decade to some success. As nations clash and bolstering civilian morale becomes ever more important, many wonder if belligerent countries will once again start producting patriotic or propaganda films, and, of course, where Hollywood - and Governor Sinclair - will go next.

Election season in the East

President Kemal’s CHP wins another landslide, Parliament offers him “Atatürk” title,
Tsar Boris restores democratic rule in Bulgaria, Popular Bloc returns to power

Having risked it all as the Red Army approached Ankara, President Atatürk - who has managed to remain in office despite ill health - came out a winner of the Antalya accords, keeping his alliance together despite the loss of Romania (and the Egyptian defection) and, ultimately, securing an unlikely survival from the Soviet behemoth. Albeit a disappointment to many would-be rebels within Soviet territory - most of whom have been mercilessly crushed under the boot of the NKVD -, it was salvation for a regional power that had proved its ability to punch far above its weight, closing the year with the - bloody - defeat of the Kurdish uprising. Although the Kurds have generally refused any thought of relocating to the Soviet Union, it could well be that they won't have much a choice in the future, as King Faisal of Iraq has taken advantage of the victory to "cleanse" a number of regions.

For his part, Atatürk had to face the polls, certainly at a convenient time after facing such danger. To the shock of many, Atatürk made the elections at least nominally multiparty, that is, after restricting a number of "harmful" ideologies that could contaminate Kemalism. With several smaller outfits failing to gather support or being banned, four small entities arose to challenge the ruling CHP: the revived Liberal Republican Party (liberal, centrist), Democrat Party (liberal, center-right); the Villagers' Party (agrarian); and the Nation Party (nationalist, militaristic). For the most part, the balloting itself was reasonably fair and well guarded. The campaign was less so, if only due to the CHP controlling all levers of power and featuring Atatürk prominently on his campaign. With a CHP victory being assured, it was still left for these small opposition parties to find openings. All four did to some degree.

The Liberal Republicans would narrowly lead the "opposition" after making gains in the cities, returning Fethi Okyar to the role of loyal and constructive opposition leader to Atatürk. The Villagers' would encounter significant success in rural areas and with some ethnic minorities. Nation would appeal to those regions occupied by the Soviets and desiring revenge. And the Democrats, while a relative flop, still found some success in Ankara and Instabul. Still, it was one thing to ban harmful ideologies, and a different one to keep them from infiltrating the new parties, particularly as conservative Islamists - the permanent thorn of Kemalism - could still vote. Atatürk enters what could be his final term with a multiparty parliament, but it remains to be seen whether it will hold.

1939 Turkish General Election:

Party		Votes (%)		Seats
Republican People’s Party (CHP)		68%		382
Liberal Republican Party		11%		38
Nation Party		9%		24
Villagers' Party		7%		21
Democratic Party		2%		1
Others		3%		4
Total				470 MP's

Incoming Prime Minister:
Ismet Inonu (CHP)

Incoming Government:
CHP Majority (294 Seats)

In Bulgaria, the elections would be held right as Greater Serbia fell, with the Tsar benefiting directly from the lower rate of casualties. Having decided not to allow troublesome parties again, the Bulgarian contest was another straight battle between the vaguely center-right Popular Bloc and DA-NLP Opposition. The campaign, while bitter - including the use of anti-semitic tactics - did not feature major ideological differences, but it did show clear areas of disagreement. Whereas the Popular Bloc continued to defer to the King while taking on a softer line on anti-Semitism and territorial expansion, the Opposition dialed up the jingoism - championing the return of Dobruja - and anti-semitism while favoring a less prominent role for the monarchy, seeking to consolidate Tsar Boris' steadfast refusal to seek a royal dictatorship. In the end, the Popular Bloc prevailed again, with a much lower share of the vote.

Although, strictly speaking, the Tsar can expect a less deferential treatment from the new Parliament, it is no less true that in only a few years Bulgaria has achieved most of its territorial ambitions, correcting several of the wrongs from the Great War. It has ended military restrictions, occupied Macedonia to the IMRO's acclaim, and regained Southern Dobruja. This, of course, leaves Turkey and Greece, with difficult implications such the Tsar continue the path. Losses have been heavy and the nation remains severely underdeveloped, but for now, Bulgaria can count itself among the powers that have managed - like Atatürk's Turkey - to punch above their weight.

1939 Bulgarian General Election:

Party		Votes (%)		Seats
Popular Bloc		52% (-9)		162 (-43)
DA-NLP Opposition		40% (+11)		111 (+43)
Others		6% (-2)		0
Total				273 MP's

Incoming Prime Minister:
Nikola Mushanov (Popular Bloc)

Incoming Government:
Popular Bloc Majority (51 Seats)

[Lumine]

SIDE STORY TWO – THE ACTRESS

Hearst Castle, 1940

- Lan Pang? – Asked a drunk Errol Flynn, slurring his words – Lang Peng? –
- Lan Ping. – She said, wanting nothing more than to slap him hard in the face –
- Ping... Lan Ping! – His breath smelled of bourbon – The hell does that mean? –

Having stared at them for a few minutes, Anna May Wong intervened.

-It means “Blue Apple”, Errol. – She spoke softly but firmly –
-That’s a… that’s a pretty name miss. – Flynn straightened up – Want to take a stroll through the gardens with me, Miss Apple? –
-No. – Lan Ping gave him a venomous look –
-She’s promised to walk with me, Errol. – Wong gave him a seductive look, then winked – Sorry. –
-Oh! Oh. – Flynn suddenly remembered all those rumors of Wong and Marlene Dietrich – My bad. Excuse me… -

Lan Ping sighed. Upon seeing Wong’s mischievous smile, she wanted to slap her as well.

Against her better judgement, she had been dragged to a party at the Hearst Castle, mostly as the result of the machinations of a producer – yet another one – who’d made his intentions about Lan plain and clear. Having only arrived eighteen months ago to Hollywood, Lan wasn’t necessarily unaccustomed to the grandeur and decadence of the Hearst parties. There was no debauchery in Hollywood that didn’t take place in Shanghai as well. But whereas the Chinese film industry could always explain some of the most outrageous behavior on heavy doses of opium, the decadent westerners with whom Lan was expected to socialize had no such excuse. Quite the contrary.

-You better stay clear of Errol Flynn, my dear. – Wong took her by the arm – Too much of a womanizer, and not of a kind nature. –
-As if you couldn’t tell by just looking at that… vermin. –
-My! – Wong arched one of her brows – Sooner or later, you’ll have to lighten up a bit. –

If only I could, thought Lan. Helpful as Wong had been since they first crossed paths, she found it hard to stomach her. Lan thought of herself as a dutiful patriot, and Wong had been in all those Japanese films before Governor Sinclair had taken a sledgehammer into the Japanese film industry in California. She had made a show of her patriotism after the war started, but what did Wong know? Unlike Lan, she hadn’t been there at Shanghai. She hadn’t seen the siege, and the battle, and the carnage. She hadn’t made the trip on foot to Nanjing, surrounded by refugees as the dead piled up amidst artillery barrages.

- Shall we walk for a minute? –
-No. – Lan said, before softening her tone – Later, if you can. I think I better start socializing before they throw me out. –
-No problem. – Wong slightly bowed, as if gently mocking Lan’s demeanor – If you excuse me. –

She’d been a star in Shanghai. Having starred three years ago in “Red Detachment” and “Wolf Mountain”, both deeply anti-Chiang and vaguely pro-CCP, she had become the muse of all the Communist directors in the metropolis, and the face of continued defiance even after Mao’s heroic death. And then the Japanese had wrecked the city, leaving her with two choices: make the impossible trip to one of the isolated Soviets under comrade Zhang Guotao’s control to join the Revolution, or pursue her film career elsewhere. Her burning ambition led her into the second path. Leaving behind yet another useless husband – the third – she’d made the trip to Guangzhou, and then found passage to Honolulu and then San Francisco. Against the odds, she’d managed to get through the immigration net, and into America.

After a year and a half, she suspected she shouldn’t have bothered. Just like at school, where they looked down her for being poor and an illegitimate child, they also looked down on her on Hollywood for her broken English, Asian looks, and defiant – all too defiant – personality. As Wong told her after meeting at a party, if things went well Lan could aspire, at most, to be a “Dragon Lady” or a “Butterfly”. There were no other roles to be had, often courtesy of the Hays Code. Not even Wong had broken through that barrier after years, having to showcase her talent instead in B-films instead of actual meaningful productions. It was frustration after frustration. Even more so after realizing that, unlike several of the mindless blondes plaguing every studio, she actually had talent and not just her still youthful looks.

- Good evening, miss. –

Lan looked behind her. It was the man of the hour, Mr. Gable. Rhett Butler himself, who’d stunned audiences by saying “damn” in a film.

-Evening, Mr. Gable. – Lan faked a seductive smile – And congratulations. –
-Why thank you. – Gable smiled – Was that you on North of Shanghai the other day? If so, you were really good. A bit wasted if you asked me. –

She blushed – genuinely this time – at the compliment. At last, a kindred spirit.

-Thank you, Mr. Gable. – She shook his hand – I’m Lan Ping. -

They struck a conversation. Any dreams of conquest were shattered at the arrival of Carole Lombard, Gable’s wife. Strictly speaking, a wife posed no moral barrier to Lan – the idea was a laughable in Shanghai as it was in Hollywood -, but you could tell Cable adored Lombard and viceversa. Still, it was a pleasant enough conversation. Enough so that Lan finally dropped her guard and asked the question she’d avoided asking Wong all these months.

-Excuse me, Mr. Gable, I’m curious. I have been to other parties and seen many famous actresses, but… - She hesitated – I’ve never seen Miss Garbo. Why is that? -

Clark Gable gave a hearty laugh.

-Nor would you be likely to see her. She’s highly reclusive. –
-She loathes the press. – Carole Lombard intervened – And what’s more, she dislikes all of us. –
-And she can afford to, quite frankly. – Said Gable – She’s done just fine without social functions. –

Lan gave a disappointed look, even if the mystery had finally cleared. Gable and Lombard went their away after some pleasant chatter, and the Chinese actress went into one of the balconies of the immense fortress posing as Hearst's residence. Having taken the time to learn about Hollywood in the good old days before the war, she’d grown to admire Greta Garbo most of all. She even dressed just like her in Shanghai, mimicking dresses, make up and heels in what made for a most exotic look. Here, she would have looked ridiculous, so she had to settle for more traditional Chinese outfits to get a few extra glances.

If only… if only she could meet her idol, get a better part than all of these insufferable and stereotypical secondary roles. If only she could find a proper producer with a brain, and not another of these mindless degenerates. If only she could wield some power on this industry, she would show them. Perhaps, just perhaps, the Lan Ping persona would not do anymore. A communist? Married three times? The studios would blacklist her if they gave a closer look. Perhaps she needed another name after all.

She’d thought about it before deciding to move to America. Had she managed to reach one of the CCP strongholds, she would have left the bourgeoisie image of Lan Ping. She’d even picked out a name: Jiang Qing (Blue River). Perhaps she would get to use it still. But one thing she would not do was surrender. She’d keep at it, until the climbed that disgusting, greasy pole, and lorded over them all. It was better than try the same at the CCP hideouts, where the most she could aspire would be to marry one of them high ranking comrades. A Madame Zhang. Or a Madame Mao, had he lived.

-There you are, Lan. – Wong approached with two drinks in her hand – Still dreaming of conquest? –
-As long as I live, dear friend. –

As long as I live.