The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)
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  The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)
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Author Topic: The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)  (Read 23938 times)
windjammer
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« Reply #500 on: April 04, 2023, 11:19:04 AM »

Treaty between the german Empire and Poland

1) Poland cedes Mehmel to the German Empire
2) The German Empire cedes Zaolzie to Poland (OOC the little territory Poland got After the IrL Munich agreement in tchecoslovaquia)

X President Koc
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LAKISYLVANIA
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« Reply #501 on: April 04, 2023, 12:44:55 PM »

Statement by Mikhail Tukhachevsky

The USSR refuses to recognise Polish ceded territory of Memel to the German Empire as the USSR doesn't recognise Poland as the rightful owner of the Memel, that territory belongs to Lithuania and whether the territory of Memel should be ceded to Germany is up to Lithuania to decide, not to Poland. The USSR will refuse to sign peace with the German Empire as long the territory of Memel isn't returned to Lithuania.
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Lumine
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« Reply #502 on: April 04, 2023, 02:31:18 PM »

The Armies of the World:

German Reich
150 Divisions total
44 Division Army Group B
73 Division Army Group A + C
14 Division Army Group D
9 Division Eastern Front
10 Division Reserve Army
Extra Divisions: 1 White Russian Division
New divisions available: 25

British Empire
31 Divisions total
11 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: 5

Republic of France
106 Divisions total
97 Division Western Front
16 Division 1st Army Group
28 Division 2nd Army Group
37 Division 3rd Army Group
15 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 / 18 Belgian Divisions
New divisions available: 5

Soviet Union
165 Divisions total
50 Division Army of Poland
35 Division Army of Romania
15 Division Caucasus Front
25 Division Central Asia Front
25 Division Far East Front
20 Division Baltic Front
Extra Divisions: 6 Mongolian, Xinjiang and Tannu Tuva Divisions / 3 Armenian Divisions
New divisions available: 60

Kingdom of Italy
50 Divisions total
12 Division Army of Libya
5 Division Army of Albania
13 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: 10

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

Empire of Japan
53 Divisions total
5 Division Home Army
12 Division Kwantung Army
31 Division Army of China
Extra Divisions: 5 Manchukuo Divisions
New divisions available: 15

Republic of China
251 Divisions total
66 Division National Revolutionary Army
85 Division Warlord Armies
10 Division Ma Clique Army
40 Division Northern Coalition Army
40 Division Southern Coalition Army
New divisions available: 18

Eurasian Alliance
116 Divisions total
31 Division Army of Romania
26 Division Army of Turkey
20 Division Army of Iran
15 Division Army of Iraq
10 Division Army of Afghanistan
Extra Divisions: 3 International Legion Divisions / 3 Division Hellenic Expeditionary Corps
New divisions available: 6 ROM / 4 TUR / 3 IRN / 1 IRQ / 1 AFG

Polish Republic
60 Divisions total
50 Division Eastern Front
10 Division Western Front
Extra Divisions: 1 International Legion Division
New divisions available: 2

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

Kingdom of Bulgaria
21 Divisions Total
16 Division Army of Macedonia
5 Division Home Army
New divisions available: 0

Kingdom of Hungary
29 Divisions Total
14 Division Western Army
15 Division Army of Hungary
Extra Divisions: 3 Slovak divisions
New divisions available: 3

Kingdom of Greater Serbia
18 Divisions Total
8 Division Army of Macedonia
14 Division Army of Belgrade
New divisions available: 2

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
German Reich: Battleship-based / Medium
Dominion of Canada: Carrier-based / Small
Soviet Union: Battleship-based / Medium
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 / Very 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: Low 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
Kingdom of Hungary: Low Quality / Small
Union of South Africa: Low Quality / Small
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Chancellor Tanterterg
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« Reply #503 on: April 04, 2023, 03:50:58 PM »

Treaty between the german Empire and Poland

1) Poland cedes Mehmel to the German Empire
2) The German Empire cedes Zaolzie to Poland (OOC the little territory Poland got After the IrL Munich agreement in tchecoslovaquia)

X President Koc

x Chancellor Alfred Hugenberg
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Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)
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« Reply #504 on: April 05, 2023, 03:01:11 AM »

Public announcement from his majesty King Carol II of Rumania

 

People of Rumania, this war is one of defence of both eastern Christendom and of European civilization, a war we did not seek. A war that is entirely of the creation of the anti-human communist ideology. The brain child of its champion, a rat, by the name of Mikhail Tukhachevsky. His unprovoked attack on our honuorable, and sovereign nation. Is a crime against logic, reason, common decency, international fellowship, and sanity. You brave men and women of Rumania, along side the international volunteers of many nations, as well as the Forces of our solid friends and allies of the Eurasian Alliance, the Greeks, the Poles, and even most recently that of some of our former foes of the great war. You all have held back the Soviet war machine against all odds and for that you have not only my thanks, but that of many world leaders, peoples and the all mighty.

I further wish to thank all of you who continue striving to keep Rumania free from Soviet domination. The Soviets will not stop with the destruction of Rumania, they seek to dominate all of Europe. It is due to this very real threat, a threat greater than those posed in the great war. Our newest friends in Berlin, whom we thank for their decisive action in purging tens of thousands of the Soviet hordes from the precious soil of Rumania. This war has bought not only many of our former foes to be dear friends. But also many who would have considered each other to be foes to now be united in this fight. It is plainly clear to all who value truth, love, and civilization that a soviet victory would be a disaster not only for Rumania but to the whole of European civilization. I say this as someone who has held and prayed with our sick, wounded and dying and sons and daughters. This conflict and the loss of life in thus brought about, lays solely on the hands of the Red Rat Napoleon of Moscow, Mikhail Tukhachevsky. For this war would never have been without his ego and ideology.
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Lumine
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« Reply #505 on: April 05, 2023, 03:06:34 PM »

Economic Performance:
Republic of Finland: High

Popularity:
President Svinhufvud: Medium

Mobilization Level:
Conscription: Republic of Finland

Republic of Finland


Mr. President,

Two years into your second term, and having already governed the nation for eight years, Finland stands at a complex moment. Domestically, the economy has soared as recovery has consolidated, giving the nation an enviable prosperity. However, there is significant political strife. Your steadfast refusal to allow the center-left SDP to enter government has resulted in unstable center-right or centrist minority governments, the last of which has been presided by moderate Aimo Cajander, backed by the Agrarian League (agrarian, centrist), the Swedish People's Party (Swedish minority, centrist) and Cajander's National Progressive Party (liberal, centrist to center-right). In the opposition sit the SDP (center-left, progressive), your own National Coalition Party (conservative, center-right) and the Patriotic People's Movement (fascist, far-right). The Communist Party of Finland remains banned. With elections scheduled for this year, you must decide how to sort out the political instability, and deal with the ongoing expansion of the war in Europe.

The Armies of the World:

Republic of Finland
8 Divisions Total
8 Division Army of Finland
New divisions available: 0

The Navies of the World:

Republic of Finland: Small vessel-based / Small

The Air Forces of the World:

Republic of Finland: Medium Quality / Very Small
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DKrol
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« Reply #506 on: April 06, 2023, 08:27:22 AM »
« Edited: April 06, 2023, 08:53:44 AM by DKrol »

The Prime Minister will introduce a resolution amending the statute of the Canadian Wheat Board.

Quote
Canadian Wheat Board (Amendment) Act of 1939
1. The Canadian Wheat Board is reconstituted as the Canadian Grain Board.
2. The Canadian Grain Board shall be the sole purchaser and distributor of all wheat, oats, barley, flax, corn, rice, millet, sunflowers, and rapeseed grown in the Dominion.
3. The Canadian Grain Board shall purchase grain directly from producers at a rate set by the Board. The Board shall then sell the grain to manufacturers, bakeries, general stores, and exporters at a set profit margin.
4. 2/3 of the profit from the sale of all grain by the Canadian Grain Board shall be returned to the producers. 1/6 of the profit from the sale shall be kept by the Canadian Grain Board to fund its operations and 1/6 of the profit shall be remitted to the General Fund of the Treasury.
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GoTfan
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« Reply #507 on: April 06, 2023, 09:04:21 AM »

Formation of the Second Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (II ANZAC)


[Credit: Australian War Memorial]

Officer Commanding: Lieutenant-General Henry Wynter

Second-in-Command Major-General Bernard Freyberg

Chief of Staff: Brigadier Leslie Morshead

Initial Units:

1st Australian Infantry Division

2nd Australian Infantry Division

1st New Zealand Infantry Division

Motto: Shoulder To Shoulder!
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« Reply #508 on: April 06, 2023, 07:35:04 PM »

Quote
Treaty of Tokyo (1939)

Quote
With the power vested in our duly appointed representatives, the Republic of China (KMT) and the Empire of Japan agree to the following:

A. The Republic of China agrees to recognize the State of Manchukuo as a sovereign, independent state.

B. The Republic of China agrees to recognize Japanese economic interests and rights within Greater Manchuria, including rights to mineral extraction, industrial development, trade, and all other areas of commerce.

C. The State of Manchukuo agrees to cede all territorial claims to the provinces of Liaoning, southern Inner Mongolia, and the city of Jilin.

D. The Empire of Japan offers the Republic of China an apology for the behavior of traitorous, dishonorable rogues in the State of Manchukuo.

E. The Republic of China agrees to allow the Empire of Japan full and unconditional access to its domestic market.

F. The Republic of China and the Empire of Japan shall lower reciprocal tariffs on all raw materials and finished goods to zero.

G. The Empire of Japan and the Republic of China shall agree to protect each other's sovereignty from European intervention.

H. The Empire of Japan agrees to recognize the Republic of China as the legitimate government of continental China.

I. The Empire of Japan agrees to withdraw all troops from the city of Shanghai.

X Emperor Hirohito
X Koichi Kido
X Naruhiko Higashikuni
X Hayao Tada

The Empire of Japan thanks the German Reich for the successful conclusion of this treaty.
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Kuumo
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« Reply #509 on: April 06, 2023, 07:37:29 PM »

Quote
Treaty of Tokyo (1939)

Quote
With the power vested in our duly appointed representatives, the Republic of China (KMT) and the Empire of Japan agree to the following:

A. The Republic of China agrees to recognize the State of Manchukuo as a sovereign, independent state.

B. The Republic of China agrees to recognize Japanese economic interests and rights within Greater Manchuria, including rights to mineral extraction, industrial development, trade, and all other areas of commerce.

C. The State of Manchukuo agrees to cede all territorial claims to the provinces of Liaoning, southern Inner Mongolia, and the city of Jilin.

D. The Empire of Japan offers the Republic of China an apology for the behavior of traitorous, dishonorable rogues in the State of Manchukuo.

E. The Republic of China agrees to allow the Empire of Japan full and unconditional access to its domestic market.

F. The Republic of China and the Empire of Japan shall lower reciprocal tariffs on all raw materials and finished goods to zero.

G. The Empire of Japan and the Republic of China shall agree to protect each other's sovereignty from European intervention.

H. The Empire of Japan agrees to recognize the Republic of China as the legitimate government of continental China.

I. The Empire of Japan agrees to withdraw all troops from the city of Shanghai.

X Emperor Hirohito
X Koichi Kido
X Naruhiko Higashikuni
X Hayao Tada

The Empire of Japan thanks the German Reich for the successful conclusion of this treaty.

X Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek
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PPT Spiral
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« Reply #510 on: April 06, 2023, 08:39:46 PM »

Quote
Eurasian-Japanese Trade Treaty

1. The Eurasian Alliance shall lift all quotas and export restrictions on the export of coal, iron ore, tin, steel, scrap metal, copper, rubber, cloth, chlorine, petroleum products and distillates, aluminum, grain, salt, magnesium, chromium, cobalt, and other rare earth metals to the Empire of Japan.

2. The Empire of Japan shall lift all export restrictions on the sale of coal, textiles, machine tools, and capital equipment to the Eurasian Alliance.

3. The Empire of Japan shall compensate the Eurasian Alliance by providing technical and industrial assistance for the purposes of supporting mass industrialization in constituent nations of the Alliance.

X President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey
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« Reply #511 on: April 06, 2023, 09:19:54 PM »

Quote
Eurasian-Japanese Trade Treaty

1. The Eurasian Alliance shall lift all quotas and export restrictions on the export of coal, iron ore, tin, steel, scrap metal, copper, rubber, cloth, chlorine, petroleum products and distillates, aluminum, grain, salt, magnesium, chromium, cobalt, and other rare earth metals to the Empire of Japan.

2. The Empire of Japan shall lift all export restrictions on the sale of coal, textiles, machine tools, and capital equipment to the Eurasian Alliance.

3. The Empire of Japan shall compensate the Eurasian Alliance by providing technical and industrial assistance for the purposes of supporting mass industrialization in constituent nations of the Alliance.

X President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey
X Naruhiko Higashikuni
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Lumine
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« Reply #512 on: April 08, 2023, 01:56:08 AM »
« Edited: April 09, 2023, 06:28:13 PM by Lumine »

The World War
April 1939 to June 1939 (Part One)


"We are told the sight is beyond comprehension. That, horrific as it is to see thousands of soldiers burnt and mangled by the effect of the gasses, it is a thousand times worse to see those wounds in the faces of women and children. (Pauses, on the verge of tears) Children. Some of them no older than... my child, who was taken from us so young. Those are sights we never want to see in America. With the gassing, purposeful or accidental, of great and historic European cities like Konigsberg, Krakow, Belgrade and Craiova, I believe the final taboos of aerial bombardment and chemical weapons have been broken. We have well and truly crossed the threshold. And from this point onwards, it may well be that no city will be safe."

(Senator Charles Lindbergh (R-NJ), speech to the United States Senate)

Western Front

Battles of Cambrai (2nd), Lille and Compiegne

Stopped at Arras after large-scale use of phosgene and mustard gas by the Entente armies, Günther von Kluge's Army Group B underwent significant alterations, being forced to send two of its corps eastwards and preparing for an offensive as soon as possible. Contrary to their expectations, the French 1st Army Group advanced first, determined to recover Cambrai and expand their breathing space. Having obtained close to parity in numbers, Corap's offensive experienced early signs of encouragement, pushing Kluge back to Cambrai. It was here that the offensive suddenly stalled, clashing into makeshift trenches fortifications - many of them previously built by the French - as attacks on both sides were preceded by usage of available chemicals. Noticing that the mysterious German gas was seemingly out of stock, Corap pushed the attack to its absolute limit, hoping for the long-desired breakthrough.

The subsequent 2nd Battle of Cambrai, although fought on the sunny skies of spring, reminded the elderly of the worse moments of Verdun, the Somme, and even Passchendaele. Scores of men were gunned down by increasingly potent weaponry, a mixture of chemicals, artillery, automatic gunfire and aerial bombardment that rapidly eroded divisions and, at times, resulted in the virtual destruction of entire units. As soon as Corap made gains Kluge would erase them, and viceversa. Both armies engaged in destructive attrition for weeks, unable to disloge from the other under threat of pursuit. In the end, Corap was forced to relent. The Belgian Army was exhausted, and King Leopold forbade further attacks. In the subsequent pursuit, spearheaded by German panzers that not been able to be used in trench warfare, Kluge inflicted disproportionate casualties, threatening a collapse of the front. He was only stopped at Lille after violent chemical barrages and a final charge by the Belgians.

Southwards, Lord Gort's British Expeditionary Force ditched the previous approach that relied on the Somme, moving towards the Oise instead. Through innovative tactics, Gort was able to bypass the usual stalling of an offensive through chemical bombardment, starting a race to the river as Kluge's flanks threatened to collapse. The crossing of the river, however, was to turn into a debacle. In scenes reminiscent of Douglas Haig's reputation as a butcher, Gort pushed the BEF to the brink to cross, experiencing massive casualties in the process and, at some points, leaving the Oise red with blood. The sacrifice was not to be in vain, for the crossing was made and the BEF advanced as far as Compiegne, threatening the entire supply line to Paris whilst inflicting significant casualties. Both the cost, far superior than the previous battles around the Somme, left Parliament howling. Thousands upon thousands of British servicemen lay dead.

For Germans, Belgians, British and French alike, casualties in the north have been so heavy that morale is said to be collapsing, with many wondering for how long they can even be sustained.

Disaster at Chartes

After a season of fortifying and bloody skirmishes, Witzleben's Army Group A and Condé's 2nd Army Group were ready for the spring slaughter, which was to prove most spectacular. The first move again belonged to the French, who took advantage of large-scale German redeployment to attempt a feint so as to portray their main effort as directed against Paris. In this they ran right in the middle of German preparations for a even larger offensive, which threatened to engulf Condé's entire vanguard. The French general reacted swiftly, drawing his men back while avoiding encirclement. His defensive arrangements, however, were disrupted, all while Witzleben attacked with one of the highest German concentrations of force thus far and, it seems, the entire available stock of mysterious poison gas for the front.

Reports that reached Blanchard's HQ in Orleans proved contradictory. For some, Condé fought skillfully despite being heavily outnumbered. For others, he overreacted, creating a further vulnerability. Whichever the case, Condé died early at the Battle of Chartres, the victim - horribly and painfully so of a chemical shell. Entire divisions were torn to shreds, and the subsequent fall back of the Army Group back to the next line of defense at the Loire a debacle. Although Witzleben had paid a major price - including the loss of priceless scores of Panzers to superior French firepower -, his casualties, proportional to the size of his Army Group, could be stomached. The 2nd French Army Group was almost destroyed, having to cross the Loire to avoid total annihilation. It only did so with the timely arrival of a large array of Commonwealth forces (South African, ANZAC and Canadian), which, while underequipped, covered the withdrawal and avoided total disaster. Witzleben then entered Orléans as a conqueror at the end of the season, with the French General Staff forced to flee to Bordeaux.

The French strike northwards

If the main German effort was directed westwards, the French chose their target to look northwards. Believing that the key to victory was to be found in the destruction of the enormous German salient that threatened to engulf France, Marshal Blanchard shifted the bulk of his resources to the 3rd Army Group, leaving Orleans - unaware of the coming disaster - to personally supervise a major offensive alongside Army Group Commander Bouret. Nothing was to be spared. And facing over forty French divisions would be Army Group C, once again independent and now under Wilhelm von Leeb's command. Leeb, for his part, had orders to keep Bouret busy. Finding the bulk of the French offensive directed at his smaller Army Group was to prove a disastrous surprise. Making use of overwhelming concentration of firepower, chemicals, airpower and, crucially, armor - with Generals de Gaulle and de Lattre covering themselves in glory - Leeb was soundly defeated at Reims.

Giving him no respite, Blanchard had Bouret keep up the pursuit, capturing or destroying a number of divisions as they pushed hard towards Sedan. Leeb, threatened with potential encirclement, could either swing west or east. Under orders, he swung west to Paris, seeking fortified refuge. This, in turn, left the German flanks open. Aided by resistance units, which have started to show some promise, Bouret had to stop after outrunning his logistics, seizing Sedan and Hirson. A final effort was made to push beyond the Ardennes and cut the German supply line for good, but it was not to be. The French too had sustained losses - if far less than the Germans - and the tanks could be pushed no longer. In a note of irony, both Blanchard and von Blomberg (Reichswehr Supreme Commander) were said to have gone pale after celebrating the respective triumphs of Sedan and Orleans, realizing they were both in danger of being canceled by the enemy's other accomplishment.

Back to the Maginot Line

In Berlin, much was made of the prospect of a brilliant reconquest of the Saarland, one that would allow the encirclement of several divisions and, perhaps, deliver a major blow to a French Republic already struggling with manpower issues. It was therefore not surprising that, just as the Hungarian Expeditionary Corps left for the east, Gerd von Rundstedt was provided even larger - and more effective - reinforcements. His new Army Group D went into the offensive afterwards, finding immediate resistance by the 4th French Army Group, which had had time to fortify the region and dig in while trying to cycle out the most damaged divisions. A first, second and a third battle ensued, resulting in heavy German casualties which were nonetheless coupled with a growing inability by the French to hold the line. Gachery, in the end, withdrew, failing to sabotage the coal mines as hoped for, but managing to save his army and prevent the much desired encirclement. As the French resumed their posts on the Maginot Line, von Rundstedt toured the now liberated Saarland, received as a liberator by scores of German civilians.

Eastern Front

Battle of the Baltic Sea

With the destruction of the Polish and Lithuanian navies, the Baltic Sea Fleet had taken an important steps towards supremacy in the region. The biggest, and most dangerous target on its way was the Kriesgmarine, even after being crippled by British aerial raids early in the war. And with the start of hostilities between the Reich and the USSR, Moscow decided one of the ways in which it would seek revenge for Buzau was to strike first and to strike hard at seas. Departing from St. Petersburg, Soviet Admiral Tributs gathered the entirety of the Baltic Fleet, sailing towards East Prussia. Berlin, in turn, had decided on an almost identical course of action. Admiral Marschall, one of the rising - and daring - stars of the fleet, took with him the bulk of the Kriesgmarine, leaving behind the vessels still in repairs. Having relative superiority in numbers and, crucially, in more modern battleships, Marschall led the charge as soon as the Soviets were found.

Aided by aerial support - forcing the German naval bombers to scramble in return - Marschall's flagship Gneisenau was struck by a lucky hit that reached its armory, making the ship explode. It went downhill from there for the Germans, as the Soviet vessels successfully coordinated their fire with aerial support and made use of greater battle experience. Only the timely intervention of Admiral Lutjens from Gneisenau's twin Scharnhorst saved the Kriesgmarine from destruction, executing a withdrawal after significant losses. Though prevented from reaching their ambitious goal to destroy several major ports, Tributs was able to shell Konigsberg. It was not to be the last attack the city would experience. In the aftermath of the disaster, which has left the Kriesgmarine at parity - or worse - with the Soviets, Admiral Raeder has taken responsibility, and submitted his resignation to the Chancellor.

The Fall of Leningrad

Having normalized diplomatic relations up to a point during the decade, the Republic of Finland was nonetheless increasingly alarmed by the expansionist turn of the Soviet Union under Marshal Tukhachevsky. As Estonia signed a treaty and Lithuania was invaded twice, Helsinki saw reason for fear. And whereas this normally would have resulted in a defensive build-up to prepare for the worst, President Svinhufvud thought otherwise. As he would later tell a stunned Parliament and nation, the USSR was an existential threat to Finland. Citing a long list of "crimes against humanity", Svinhufvud took it upon himself to declare war on the Soviet Union, seemingly joining, in a sudden move, the efforts of the Eurasian Alliance. Parliament was then further shocked by the declaration of martial law and a national unity parliament. Upon the refusal of most parties to do so, citing the war as a dangerous gamble, Svinhufvud proceeded to form a new government under the National Coalition Party and pro-war MPs, particularly those supporting expansionist aims.

As overtures to other Scandinavian nations failed to produce much impact - being stunned that Helsinki would suddenly strike the Red Giant -, the Finnish Army mobilized into defensive positions, with Field Marshal Mannerheim personally leading the 1st Finnish Army into the Karelian Isthmus. Its target: the key city of Leningrad, formerly St. Petersburg, and not so long ago the capital of old Tsarist Russia. Despite the short distances and skeleton Soviet defenders, the large amount of fortifications and difficult terrain made a lightning advance impossible. Mannerheim, nonetheless, prevailed. Pushing his men southwards, his initial push was defeated by local garrison troops led by division commander Georgy Zhukov, forcing Mannerheim to rethink his approach. His second attempt broke through, and with a lack of immediately available reinforcements, Zhukov was forced to concede the city, but not after removing as much weaponry, supplies and valuables - including priceless artifacts - as he could. Citizen militias have already been forced outside the city, in the hopes of keeping the Finns contained.

For Marshal Mannerheim, the entry into Leningrad - to hundreds of thousands of stunned, quietly angry citizens - was a crowning achievement of his career. In one stroke, one of the key industrial cities of the USSR -producing as much as 10% of its goods - was captured. It was not, however, all well with the Finnish war effort. The fortress of Kronstadt had not fallen, making it impossible for vessels to sail into the city. More important still, the Finns are now responsible for three million Soviet citizens, forcing them to garrison the large city and find ways to feed a number of civilians which is almost as large as the entire population of Finland.

The Bombing of Konigsberg

Amidst large-scale German preparations for a potential Soviet offensive in the east, which led to the creation of a large Army Group E under the newly promoted Erich von Manstein, Berlin had air raid sirens installed across all major cities, with Konigsberg – largest one in East Prussia – being among the first to receive them. As people waited for a Soviet offensive that never materialized, the sound of the sirens led civilians to scramble, waiting for the city to be bombarded. To their surprise, the Soviet bombs – for the raid was extremely successful, with minimum Soviet casualties – had far less explosive potency than most would have expected, and came with strange green and yellow hues and smoke. Their relief lasted seconds, for soon the air turned unbreathable. A few tons of mustard gas had been dropped all across the city, resulting in thousands of civilians having their skin burned as they slowly choked into a horrifying death.

Although several others cities would be gassed by accident or as collateral damage, Konigsberg has entered history as one of the first to be subject to aerial bombardment, and as the first civilian target to be purposely bombed with chemical weapons. East Prussia has been ground to a halt, with Manstein having to deploy thousands of men to assist survivors and maintain order. As much as 30,000 civilians would die in the next few weeks, with even larger numbers of wounded, leaving only a minority of inhabitants unscathed. The operation, intended to avenge Buzau, has now opened up a terrifying prospect in warfare: the large-scale bombing of cities with chemical weaponry. And although some officers are already floating the possibility in various air forces, the majority of experts recoils in fear at the thought. With several nations barely being able to provide gas masks to troops – often of poor quality -, they must now also decide whether to try and provide it to defenseless civilians.

Assassination Season in the East

In the aftermath of attempts on the life of Marshal Tukhachevsky, the Eastern Front (s) would see a large array of attempted assassinations on the most prominent politicians in the region, resulting in unprecedented fear and paranoia. Near Krakow, before the successful Soviet withdrawal, a kill squad dressed in Soviet uniforms tried to cross the Soviet lines, presumably to kill the Marshal. While unsuccessful, they would escape into the woods. In Warsaw, while delivering a speech supporting the war effort, President Koc was shot in the arm by a sniper. His survival has been attributed to adopting preventive measures in time, but his attacker has not been found. Outside the Chancellery in Berlin, Chancellor Hugenberg was shot seven times by a man captured and identified as an NKVD operative. Despite initial panic, the victim was revealed to have been a body double, one of several measures adopted by a – as it turns out, properly - paranoid security detail.

In Stockholm, the head of the Lithuanian government in exile was murdered, further disrupting the beleaguered group of exiles. Following the assassination, the government in exile has reportedly maintained its protests against Polish occupation, but softened its tone against the Soviet Union. In the process of the battles in southern Poland, Marshal Tukhachevsky was shot at again – but remained uninjured - by what appeared to be Ukrainian nationalists, but who later confessed after torture of being part of an elaborate Kempeitai plot from Tokyo. Having thus survived multiple assassination attempts and opened up the deadly encirclement, the Marshal had to undergo surgery for his poisoning and gunshot wounds. Following unexpected complications, he went into cardiac arrest and perished on the operation table. Having rose to the highest office in Soviet Russia and become Europe’s most famous man, his career was now cut short at age 46.

The arrest and interrogation of his doctors did not reveal purposeful sabotage of the operation, with Tukhachevsky’s death being attributed to his IV being poisoned with Thalium. The news have caused shock and grief in Moscow, with the Communist Party’s elite widely reported to have vowed to avenge the Marshal and the foreign powers that caused his death.

Dash to the Vistula

Fresh from his conquest of much of Lithuania, General Rokossovsky occupied much of what left in Polish hands, more as a result of Polish withdrawal to conserve resources than due to battlefront triumph. Declining to enter Memel or German territory – which allowed Manstein to heavily fortify East Prussia, Rokossovsky turned south. This time, propaganda appeals to Lithuania finally showed some success as anti-Polish resentment grew, allowing him to form a number of volunteer units to support his rear. For several weeks, Rokossovsky was contained by enormous Polish fortifications in the Polish-Lithuanian border, painstakingly constructed over the past few years. Bloody assault after bloody assault, Rokossovsky was eventually able to prevail due to the Polish concentration of forces in the south, breaking one of the defense rings at the end of the season and moving towards the Vistula. Although his supply line is vulnerable, Rokossovsky is now in a position to threaten Warsaw.
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« Reply #513 on: April 09, 2023, 06:28:53 PM »
« Edited: April 09, 2023, 10:37:32 PM by Lumine »

The World War
April to June 1939 (Part Two)

Breakout in Southern Poland

Contrary to initial expectations, the Red Army did not choose a direct approach for breaking out of the massive pocket in southern Poland, choosing instead a large Romanian build-up. Thus, the Soviet launched a counteroffensive from both directions, all while the Polish Army did its best to stand their ground and, hopefully, annihilate the pocket. Devoid of tank superiority, General Mazcek did his best to continue the war of movement, but was eventually forced into a defensive stance as casualties piled up in both armies. Soon the battle for the so-called “Lwow corridor” turned into Western-style carnage, amplified by ceaseless use of chemical weapons to disrupt any offensives. Eventually, and by the slimmest of margins, Tukhachevsky prevailed, capturing a key Polish fortress and opening up a small corridor from which supplies dashed forward. The worst had seemingly happened.

The Soviet position, however, soon became untenable. Right as an attempted uprising in Zaolzie by local Communists failed, 13 Hungarian and Slovakian divisions – the latter acting to avenge Andrej Hlinka – stormed the Carpathians in what was called Operation Piros. Violent battles ensued as the Soviets held their ground, until the Hungarian forces finally broke through at the Battle of the Dukla Pass. Northwards, multiple Luftwaffe squadrons appeared in the air, carrying the same implements used at Buzau. They struck for an entire week at Soviet divisions stationed near Krakow, inflicting high casualties – if not as large as Buzau – at the cost of thousands of Polish civilian casualties in Krakow once the winds shifted west. Following Tukhachevsky’s murder, Chief of Staff Gamarnik ordered a general withdrawal.

For several days the remnants of the Soviet armies moved across the corridor, harassed at every turn by the Poles and suffering enormous casualties, leading at times to the surrender of entire units. The areas left behind – ruined by the use of chemicals - have been rapidly overrun by the Hungarians and turned over to Warsaw’s control once again. Gamarnik has restored the Soviet positions, preventing a Polish offensive into Romania and Ukraine, but the large army that struck at Poland six months ago is only a shadow of its former self.

The Fall of Romania

By all rights, the triumph of Bucharest and Buzau could have meant the end of the Romanian campaign, an unexpected victory for a nation previously expected to crumble after a few weeks. And as the Romanian and Eurasian armies moved onwards – despite their weakened state – they had reason to hope for final victory. It was not to be. In what observers initially described as a foolhardy obsession, the Red Napoleon directed most of his reserves at Romania, ordering a new offensive led by almost one and half million men. Albeit not as well trained and battle-hardened as their counterparts, they had total superiority in numbers, and months of occupation of Bessarabia and Moldova to support their logistics. Romanian General Nicolae Ciuperca overreached in its optimism, and the subsequent battles of Focsani were a complete debacle. The Eurasian divisions were on the run again, back to Bucharest.

Expecting to break out the mustard gas to slow down the Soviets and save the nation again, the Romanians had not counted on the Soviet Air Force. Finally making some progress in improving its performance, they launched a bombing campaign to target the Romanian oilfields, bypassing the already damaged Ploiesti to focus on the province of Oltenia. As luck would have it, the Romanian chemical stocks had been transferred and stored into the province. Two of the largest ones were hit around the city of Oltenia, covering it in a cloud of toxic smoke that killed thousands and crippled the local capabilities for chemical warfare. Forced to rely on more limited stocks coming from abroad, the Eurasian army experienced a second defeat in Ramnicu Sarat, leaving Bucharest open at last. Within the city, the patience of several junior officers finally ran out.

Romania’s survival had not come cheap. The economy was ruined and utterly dependent on foreign support. Millions lived in increasing poverty. The army had suffered horrific losses, even if the Soviets had suffered far, far more. And the King, while a symbol of resistance for many, remained apparently unwilling to accept the grim reality. Before Carol II, following contingency plans, could depart alongside the Royal Family to exile, the officers launched a coup and arrested his majesty, attempting to seek an armistice with Soviet commander Marshal Yegorov. Their overtures were rejected, dooming them. The Royal Family was let go, resulting in their immediate departure for Transylvania and then to an unknown foreign capital. Carol was delivered to Yegorov in a last ditch attempt by the plotters to court favor. Following instructions, Yegorov had Carol II summarily executed.

While resistance continues across much of unoccupied Romania, including Transylvania; from where General Dumitrescu and the remnants of the Romanian Army intend to fight to the end; and the Romanian-Bulgarian frontier, to where most of the Greek and Turkish forces have withdrawn, a Romanian Soviet Republic has been announced from the hollowed out, desolate streets of Bucharest. Its new leader, PCR General Secretary Lucretiu Patrascanu, has declared its intent to follow Moscow’s lead.

Balkan Front

Serbia under siege

The aftermath of the Serbian debacle at Debar saw the remnants of the Serbian troops experience little to no rest. The Bulgarian Army, having finally tasted victory, kept up the pursuit, forcing the Serbians to try and maintain a defensive front by relying on previously built-up fortifications. As the Bulgarian troops would soon start to notice, it seemed that the deeper they got inside Serbia, the more fortifications they found. They were, however, able to close the final Serbian salient that offered a threat to Sofia. Up north, the Italian build-up in Croatia continued, with General Roatta leading new campaigns to try and follow-up on recent struggles against the Croatian resistance (which has been recently described as "Partisans"). An attempt to chase the HSS into the Dinaric Alps was successfully resisted, resulting in high Italian casualties before Roatta ended the attempt. Eastwards, the Communists suffered another harsh defeat as the Italians replaced the Croatian Home Guard on the battlefield, destroying most of their permanent bases and forcing the Communist militias to move constantly to avoid encirclement. Tito's whereabouts, however, remain unknown.

Said Italian build-up, however, was far from directed at the Croatian partisans. The League of Rome had made a strategic decision that served as a follow up to the Third Balkan War: the invasion and destruction of the Kingdom of Greater Serbia. Following several incidents of violence and attempted uprisings in ethnically Hungarian areas, the Hungarian Army crossed the Danube, starting a general offensive - appropriately called "Ferdinand", in reference to Archduke Franz Ferdinand - that posed a direct threat to Belgrade. To the west, Italian troops crossed the border into Bosnia, being received either as liberators or without much resistance by ethnic Bosniaks. While the Regia Marina shelled Montenegro and closed up the Adriatic, the bulk of the Regia Aeronautica overran the small Serbian Air Force and began a campaign of unprecedented mass bombing across the country. Belgrade was targeted several times, resulting in the death of several leading government members. Upon Regent Pesic being declared dead, General Mihailovic is said to have taken command of the regency.

Crucially, the Italian Air Force targeted - without knowing - a series of factories that turned up to be producing stocks of mustard gas, the subsequent explosion filling the city with deadly poison gas and causing mass casualties. Over the next few weeks, all three armies charged ahead against the outnumbered Serbian army, which was forced to start a total mobilization of its population - with reports of children militias manning anti-aircraft weapons and performing other duties - to prepare for the onslaught. By and large, all three succeeded, liberating or capturing large territories. Whereas Italy would experience the lesser casualties, both the Bulgarians and Hungarians paid a significant price, with the Hungarian offensive in particular being stopped short of Belgrade. With mustard gas stocks seemingly low due to the bombing of Belgrade, the League's soldiers have been stunned to discover an unknown compound being used on the ground. While less lethal than mustard or phosgene, its extreme effects have made advances difficult - and seemingly have a downright poisonous effect on the ground -, leading the League's soldiers to respond in kind by using their own stocks of mustard gas.

Whilst the League has denounced Belgrade for its use of chemicals, General Mihailovic has appealed to the rest of the world for aid, denouncing that Serbia is being subject to a war of annihilation. The General has cited unconfirmed reports of forced and violent population transfers in Bosnia and in Italian/Ustashe occupied areas, pledging that Serbia "won't be exterminated without a fight".

Eurasian Front

The Iron Fist of the NKVD

For months the Turkish Emniyet had pulled off remarkable feats of disruption within the Soviet state, previously unthinkable under Stalin's merciless dictatorship. This, in turn, had forced the Soviets to start relying even more on the NKVD, whose director, Genrikh Yagoda, kept increasing his power in turn. And for the first time in several months, the Emniyet were dealt a more decisive blow, losing several agents as their resources became distinctly overstretched. Among other setbacks, the Kazan and Ufa uprisings were contained and repressed by the NKVD using the harshest methods possible, ending these revolts at the cost of significant industrial disruption. A similar attempt to create trouble in Omsk ended swiftly, with potential ringleaders arrested and executed without trial.

Perhaps more decisively, an attempt to provide an ideological base for would-be rebels in Central Asia failed, much like previous Soviet attempts to introduce a form of Islamic socialism either failed to appeal or couldn't breach security arrangements. It has not, however, been an entirely unproductive season for the Emniyet, which has earned the respect of European intelligence services. The Soviet lifeline to the Kurds is said to have been cut, at the same time in which a Turkish corps, after defeating the Kurdish militias in battle, has forced them to seek refuge in the mountains. Attempts to provide arms to rebels in Georgia and Azerbaijan showed remarkable success, expanding anti-Soviet sentiment. Most importantly, the Emniyet was able to show a would-be assassin just as he tried to shoot President Atatürk at the middle of a speech, leaving the President unharmed. The assailant, however, was shot before he could be interrogated.

Kirponos in Kabul

Having waited months for reinforcements, General Mikhail Kirponos finally received the armies he had long since been waiting for. Although this was to have later effects for the Far-East, he immediately set into the task, leading the Red Army to cross the Hindu Kush whilst the Eurasian armies - Afghan, Iranian, Iraqi and Turkish - consolidated. Facing parity in numbers, the Afghan King expected payback from earlier defeats, but it was not to be. A combination of superior training, equipment, and Kirponos' decisive leadership lead to a major Soviet victory at the Battle of Charikar, in which the Eurasian forces took heavy casualties. Kirponos then captured Kabul, with the King managing to escape with the Royal Family and the bulk of the Eurasian Army. As more reinforcements arrived, Kirponos was forced to stop his offensive, right as a new Afghan Soviet Republic was proclaimed in the capital.

A knife to Baku's throat

With the Soviet Army generally ignoring the Caucasus - in what was to have serious consequences for Ankara -, the Eurasian forces took the initiative, building up strength around Yerevan to launch an offensive seemingly aimed at the Armenian capital. Making significant progress and suffering less casualties than the Soviet-Armenian forces, their approach to Yerevan was interrupted right as the Soviet forces concentrated in the area. In a stunning example of misdirection, the 9-division Eurasian army swung rightwards, overrunning the Soviet left-wing and dashing into Azerbaijan. The Eurasian advance, supported by Iran and Iraq, was able to overrun most of the country, only failing to capture Baku at the last possible moment. Although a similar offensive in Western Georgia proved to be a failure and the oilfields were sabotaged by departing Soviet officials, the direct threat to Baku poses the risk of a  potentially crippling blow to the Soviet Union, which could be cut off from almost 80% of its sources of oil.

The Soviet Invasion of Turkey

Rather than rely on the Caucasus as its main front to deliver a blow to the Eurasian Alliance in the Middle East, Moscow decided that crushing Ankara and President Atatürk was the most direct way to win a war which, to the surprise of the world, had led to embarrassment for the Soviet Union. Over half a million Soviet troops started a direct march towards Turkey, with one wing of the army swinging from Georgia as the Black Sea Fleet - taking advantage of Eurasian naval resources being confined to the Bosphorus - provided logistical cover for large-scale amphibious landings and later, naval transport. One by one Trabzon, Samsun, Ordu and Sinope fell, delivering the bulk of Turkey's Black Sea cost into Soviet control. Outnumbered in Anatolia as a result of redeploying resources elsewhere, the Turkish Army made a defiant stand in the Pontic Alps to try and stop and advance on Ankara. At the Battle of Izkelib, the Turkish Army suffered brutal casualties, but it forced the Soviets to pay an even larger price. Hampered by terrible logistics and the Turkish stand, the Soviets were unable to push into Ankara, sparing the Turkish capital for now.

East Asian Front

An Unexpected Peace

Following a mostly quiet winter, featuring only limited fighting around Nanjing and Beijing, most observers expected the spring slaughter to commence between China and Japan. So did the Japanese generals, who were subsequently stunned into silence after a secretive meeting of the IJA's general staff and the Emperor in which they were told that, upon the discovery of a supposed Soviet plot to attack the Empire, the time was ripe for peace with China and a strike against Moscow. One by one most Generals, though confused and/our outraged, seemingly yielded to the Emperor's will, with even firebrands like Araki and Tojo forced to defer to His Majesty. Field Marshal Sugiyama, ominously, stayed quiet. Over the next few days, a peace treaty was announced - to the shock of the entire region - between Tokyo and Nanjing, seemingly ending a war which had caused hundreds of thousands of casualties. The Treaty of Tokyo, for all purposes, threatened to provide a seismic strategic shift.

In Tokyo itself, the civilian government was divided. Minseito and most of Seiyukai praised it as deft diplomacy, forcing Nanjing to recognize Manchukuo again and, crucially, delivering Japanese access to the resource-rich Chinese markets. For the Generals, it was marginally better - some said worse - than the Sino-Japanese Treaty in 1933, making them question what had been gained by their troops' sacrifice. During the next few weeks, as the Imperial Japanese Army was supposed to withdraw from China to launch the Emperor's new operation, observers began to notice the Japanese forces kept some positions around the coastline, not complying with the entire withdrawal even as the historic date for an attack on the Soviet Union approached.

In Nanjing, Chiang received unexpected backing from Wang Jingwei's supporters, relieved that the destructive war was at an end. The Ma Clique also offered its congratulations, believing the Soviet threat to them to be vital. But for the rest of China, the announcement was as stunning as it was furiously received. One by one the major warlords accused Chiang of capitulating to Tokyo, and Field Marshal Zhang furiously broke all ties to the Generalissimo. Soon afterwards, the Northern and Southern Coalitions formally abandoned the informal united front, reigniting the Chinese Civil War as the warlords vowed to remove "the traitor" from office.

The Far-East Offensives

At the designated date, several Japanese and Chinese divisions began their march towards Soviet and Comintern targets, mostly devoid of troops due to their redeployment elsewhere. In Xinjiang, Ma and NRA forces stormed into Xinjiang, defeating the Xinjiang People's Republic's forces, capturing Urumqi, and almost overrunning the entire Soviet satellite. In Manchuria proper, a planned offensive into Mongolia threatened to collapse after Zhang denied any logistical support, forcing the Chinese cavalry to take a longer route across the desert. Enjoying superiority in numbers, the NRA was able to defeat the Mongol cavalry on the first encounters, capturing significant territory but stopping far short of Ulaanbaatar. In Ulaanbaatar proper, the Chinese Air Force concentrated for a major air raid, which, while causing outright panic, failed to cause much harm. An enraged Prime Minister Genden - who was almost killed - promised to stand behind Moscow, summarily executing a number of alleged Turkish and Japanese agents.

Far to the east, the recently promoted General Yamash**ta led several Japanese divisions in a major offensive from Manchukuo into the Soviet Union, crushing the border forces after sustaining important casualties and then pushing on. Before events in Tokyo forced Yamash**ta to stop, Japanese forces had captured Chita and Vladivostok - forcing the Soviet Pacific Fleet to withdraw -, stopping short of their final goals. At sea, the Imperial Japanese Navy landed an entire corps in Sakhalin, quickly destroying the local garrison and seizing the Soviet half of the island.

Coup at the Imperial Residence

Over the past six years, Emperor Hirohito had been taken an increasingly active role in the government of the nation. Despite being only on his thirties, he had broken taboo after taboo, showcasing his voice and presence as, step by step, he fought to rebuild control over a mostly unruly military. In this he had achieved almost unimaginable progress, surviving the assassination of two premiers - Okada and Makoto -, the revolt of the Kwantung Army, the purge of the Kodoha faction, a deadlocked election, and many other perils. Perhaps the final task was posed by the sudden Chinese withdrawal, with many Generals found difficult, if not impossible, to understand and accept. At long last, it seemed, the Emperor had pushed his Generals too far. On May 23rd, tanks were seen on the streets of Tokyo, with dozens if not hundreds of Kempeitai officers being arrested and dragged into trucks. Prince Higashikuni was taken into custody outside the Imperial Diet, which was temporarily closed down.

Around the Imperial Palace, there was report of gunfire and bitter resistance, which died down during the afternoon. That night, a radio broadcast announced that the Emperor had suddenly developed a mysterious illness, and would be forced to rest for the following months. Due to his inability to govern, and the youth of the Crown Prince - only five years ago - a regency was needed. Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu, a known hardline nationalist and second in line to the throne, was confirmed as Regent. With the Emperor's apparent illness being dismissed as a cover story by the foreign press, it is believed that a military coup has taken place, with Generals Sugiyama, Terauchi and Umezu cited as possible ringleaders.
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« Reply #514 on: April 09, 2023, 09:42:26 PM »

July 1st, 1939



List of Conflicts:

German-Soviet War Soviet Union vs. German Reich (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)

Fourth Balkan War: Pact of Rome (Bulgaria, Italy, Hungary) vs. Kingdom of Greater Serbia (1938 - Present)

Soviet-Eurasian War: Soviet Union vs. Eurasian Alliance [Poland, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Romania, Finland Greece] (1938 - Present)

Soviet-East Asian War: Soviet Union vs. Republic of China and Empire of Japan

Chinese Civil War: Republic of China vs. Northern and Southern Coalitions (1939 - Present)
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« Reply #515 on: April 10, 2023, 03:19:42 PM »
« Edited: April 10, 2023, 10:08:16 PM by Lumine »

MID YEAR NEWS - with Radio Crusader


"In a significant political victory for Benito Mussolini, Cardinal Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster has been elected Pope by the College of Cardinals, adopting the name Benedict XVI. On his first public appearance, the new Pope has appealed to Berlin and Paris to cease hostilities, while condemning the Soviet invasion of Poland..."

"There is talk of an increasing rift within America First and the isolationist movement in the US, with Senator Lindbergh's call for a major defense build-up being echoed by some and bitterly resisted by others. Lindbergh, among other things, called for mass expansion of the Air Corps..."

"A new challenger appears in the oil market as American engineers discover massive deposits of oil in Saudi Arabia. King Ibn Saud, currently London's most reliable partner in the Middle East, has promised that the Kingdom will begin exports as early as 1940..."

"Several days of open mourning in Moscow as desolate crowds lament the death of Marshal Tukhachevsky, eulogized by Trotsky as "the first martyr of the new permanent revolution". In an emergency session, the Congress of Soviets chose New Opposition co-leader Lev Kamenev as the new Chairman of the State Defence Committee (GKO)..."

"According to government sources in Tokyo, Emperor Hirohito is said to be ill with a mysterious disease, necessitating a regency led by Prince Yasuhito. General Sugiyama has replaced Prince Higashikuni as Prime Minister, in what appears to be a fully-fledged coup d'etat..."

"Chaos in Madrid after botched elections provide unexpected results. Amidst protests and violence, the Spanish military is said to be considering steps to "restore order and stability" to the beleaguered Republic. President Alcalá-Zamora last seen boarding train to Bordeaux..."

"Large earthquake devastates southern Chile, leaving an estimated 30,000 dead. President Gustavo Ross has openly asked for international help as he continues to battle the rising local Communist and Fascist movements..."

"The Dominion of Canada and the Union of South Africa join the German-Entente War on the side of the Commonwealth, with the former declaring war through Parliament and the latter doing so de facto. Only the Dominion of India is left to join London's effort, as protests against British rule continue to escalate..."

"Following a drastic cabinet reshuffle, German conservatives rally behind Chancellor Hugenberg as Catholics return to the fold. Fears of a two-front war continue in the weary yet optimistic streets of Berlin, and the growing rate of casualties in the Western front has led to new protests in isolated industries, as well as strikes in Prague protesting the arrival of a new Reichskommissar..."

"There is escalating tension within the National Assembly at Bordeaux as casualties mount on the Western Front. Whereas the SFIO embraces Giraud as young volunteers chant "General, nous voila!", the right takes distance after the veto of an anti-Soviet motion at the LON. Citing the need for a peace with honor, Marshal Pétain has announced his presidential candidacy for later this year, although he has ruled out the prospect of negotiating over Alsace and Lorraine..."
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« Reply #516 on: April 10, 2023, 05:27:02 PM »
« Edited: April 10, 2023, 10:52:06 PM by KaiserDave »



The Establishment of the Ufficio Globale del Partito Fascista (UGPF)



Il Duce has ordered the establishment of the Ufficio Globale del Partito Fascista, or UGPF, the Global Office of the Fascist Party, too lead and coordinate the activities of the National Fascist Party on a global scale. The PNF conducts numerous operations across the world, for the interest of the protection of the fascist state and the projection of Italian power. There are numerous parties, organizations, and groups across the world that seek the self-strengthening of their respective nations against the degenerating forces of liberalism, plutocracy, degeneracy, and the civilizational threat of Bolshevism. Many of these organizations seek the friendship and support of the great Duce, who has singlehandedly smashed the plutodemocrats and Marxists of Italy, and reversed the terrible shame of the mutilated victory by force of arms.

Il Duce now stands as the great leader of Europe against barbarism. These groups, taking the inspiration of Il Duce, who has taken history into the palm of his hand, seek the support of the PNF to realize their own national destinies in line with the vision of Il Duce, and the UGPF will organize this mission. Fascism rejects the lies of internationalism in favor of a world of nations and struggle, the UGPF serves to defend the interests of Italy, and nothing else.

Marshal Italo Balbo will serve as the titular Secretary for the UGPF, though given his many responsibilities he will appoint a lieutenant of his choosing to govern the day to day operation. The UGPF will cooperate with the Fasci all'Estero (Fascists Abroad), the office responsible for the affairs of Italians abroad.






Il Duce Speech to the Front Soldiers



Il Duce delivered a radio address upon the assumption of hostilities with Serbia declaring the Balkans and the Adriatic to be the rightful dominion of the Italians, denouncing the Serbs as barbarians, and repudiating the Treaty of Paris (1936) as an imposition by the French to deny a total Italian victory. Since then Il Duce has toured many military camps, forts, airbases, and battlements of coastal artillery. Subsequently, after initial breakthroughs, Il Duce travelled by air to Zara, where he was greeted by ecstatic soldiers of the Army of Major General Roatta with salutes and cheers. Il Duce toured army camps in this area, before, under strict security precautions, entering the Independent State of Croatia, to tour camps of the front soldiers "on the line of fighting itself" (though in reality, Il Duce has avoided the actual front entirely, or partisan areas, due to the chemical exposure or risk of assassination). Il Duce spoke to men in one of these camps, with his speech recorded for the radio, before subsequently returning to Italy.  

Soldiers of Italy! You represent the vanguard of superior civilization! I sent you forth, my lions, to rip to pieces the Serbian menace, and you have done as I so ordered. As I speak to you now, our forces have occupied Bosnia, are on the attack in Montenegro, and with the support of our allies, they are rolling back the Serbs on all fronts, with low casualties on our side. The war will be short, swift, and victorious! I expect nothing less from my armies, the successors of the great Roman legions who brought Europe to heel and civilized her from Constantinople to Britannia.

This war has proven the barbarity of our fiendish enemy knows no limit. Our bombing strikes, which have totally crippled the enemy's industry, so much that they are melting down their spades and toasters into bullets, revealed that the enemy has been constructing chemical weapons. With no alternative, we have deployed gases to smash the enemy resistance. The enemy, total criminals and savages, are sending their own children into the fight, as young as 8 or 9. It is a senseless slaughter, but the sooner we are done with it, the better. This is an enemy that knows no love for civilization, or life. Fascism, it is a celebration of the energetic, enthusiastic life, the enemy, they are worshippers of death and killing. Surely, they will be destroyed by our superior forces, who fight for more than their own sadism.

The victory of fascism is the victory of life, of peace, and of the rights of Italy. With our victory will guarantee the Adriatic as a swimming pool for our children and grandchildren, as a reserve for our fisheries, and as a sea for our commerce. We shall permanently destroy the blasphemous Yugoslavian imposition, and we shall secure our future from the threats of monsters.

I ask you, my legions, for one last push. The fighting is fierce, the war is cruel, but we do not come to live forever. Every soldier who dies for Italy is a martyr, and every soldier who lives for Italy is a hero. We shall win, we shall win in the air, we shall win in the sea, and we shall win on the land! We will smash the enemy wherever the are, and with the great legions of the Magyars, Bulgars, and Italians, we shall uphold superior civilization! I have been in the trenches my soldiers, when I fought, I was betrayed by the politicians, by the plutocrats, by the speculators and by the European liberals. But soldiers, the Italian state has been purged of the traitor, of the scoundrel, and I stand with you, your sacrifices for our nation will birth a new future of victory and prosperity!

Long live Italy! Long live fascism! Hail Victory!
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« Reply #517 on: April 10, 2023, 07:36:16 PM »

Peace Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Empire of Japan

- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Empire of Japan shall end all hostilities
- The Soviet-controlled part of Sakhalin shall be ceded to the Empire of Japan
- The port of Vladivostok shall be considered a joint Soviet-Japanese economic area under Soviet jurisdiction and both countries shall have docking rights
- The troops of the Empire of Japan shall leave the territory of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics immediately

X Lev Kamenev
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« Reply #518 on: April 11, 2023, 01:57:45 AM »

Peace Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Empire of Japan

- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Empire of Japan shall end all hostilities
- The Soviet-controlled part of Sakhalin shall be ceded to the Empire of Japan
- The port of Vladivostok shall be considered a joint Soviet-Japanese economic area under Soviet jurisdiction and both countries shall have docking rights
- The troops of the Empire of Japan shall leave the territory of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics immediately

X Lev Kamenev
X Hajime Sugiyama
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RGM2609
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« Reply #519 on: April 11, 2023, 11:12:40 AM »

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on one side and Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan on the other side agree to a ceasefire and the beginning of a peace conference in Antalya.
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RGM2609
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« Reply #520 on: April 11, 2023, 12:02:30 PM »

Soviet-Chinese Treaty

- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Republic of China shall immediately cease all hostilities towards each other.
- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall withdraw its troops from Xinjiang Province and the Republic of China shall withdraw its troops from the Mongolian People's Republic
- Both countries shall lift tariffs towards each other and export restrictions on oil, coal, ore and steel.

X Lev Kamenev
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Kuumo
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« Reply #521 on: April 11, 2023, 12:04:28 PM »

Soviet-Chinese Treaty

- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Republic of China shall immediately cease all hostilities towards each other.
- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall withdraw its troops from Xinjiang Province and the Republic of China shall withdraw its troops from the Mongolian People's Republic
- Both countries shall lift tariffs towards each other and export restrictions on oil, coal, ore and steel.

X Lev Kamenev

X Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek
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YPestis25
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« Reply #522 on: April 11, 2023, 12:59:14 PM »

Reaffirmation of the Tokyo Accords

The French Republic and the Empire of Japan, bound together by common interests in the Indo-Pacific and desirous of continued free movement and commerce in the region hereby reaffirm the previously signed Tokyo Accords.

Quote
Tokyo Accords
The French Republic, and the Empire of Japan, hereinafter the Signatories, bound together by common interests, agree to the following:

1 . The signatories reaffirm their commitment to the preservation of their respective national sovereignty and independence.
2 . The Signatories agree to consult one another on all relevant security concerns in East Asia

xHenri Giraud
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LAKISYLVANIA
Lakigigar
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« Reply #523 on: April 11, 2023, 12:59:35 PM »

Reaffirmation of the Tokyo Accords

The French Republic and the Empire of Japan, bound together by common interests in the Indo-Pacific and desirous of continued free movement and commerce in the region hereby reaffirm the previously signed Tokyo Accords.

Quote
Tokyo Accords
The French Republic, and the Empire of Japan, hereinafter the Signatories, bound together by common interests, agree to the following:

1 . The signatories reaffirm their commitment to the preservation of their respective national sovereignty and independence.
2 . The Signatories agree to consult one another on all relevant security concerns in East Asia

xHenri Giraud

X Hajime Sugiyama
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LAKISYLVANIA
Lakigigar
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« Reply #524 on: April 11, 2023, 01:05:13 PM »

Statement by Japan

The government of Japan hereby declares its claim of ownership over the Paracel and Spratly islands in the South China Sea. We refuse to recognize any other claims to these islands, which we believe are rightfully ours. We will take all necessary measures to protect our sovereignty, and we warn any nations or entities that may attempt to challenge our claim that we will not hesitate to use force to defend our territory. We call on the international community to respect our sovereignty over these islands and to refrain from any actions that could escalate tensions in the region.
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