The United States: 'Advantages without Obligations'

rollothepirate: I don't have marines or paratroopers yet, so nope.

CatKnight: You can tell I don't retreat early simply by the casualty level. My corps end up with over 50% losses because I stay in the battle too long actually, since my commanders are stubborn. Not sure who the oil barons will turn too. Taft probably not. Dewey don't know.

poppy: I think it's well established by now that Veracruz is an option.

Semi-Lobster: Yes, silly me, they're Field Marshals now. And they are .50 cal tankettes with Vickers suspensions. They'll use tanks, but they're not too keen on them!

Prufock451: Actually it's a lot of fun to play. How many AARs have a country conquering the world? This is the complete opposite? A country having difficulties conquering a weak neighbor.

Copper Nicus: Yes, the Mexican AI has responded well. They've shifted ground troops as needed and aircraft the same way. They've put up a good fight.

pkdickian: Thanks! Another Wilkiyite. Doesn't anybody like Al Smith? Or Dewey perhaps?

The Archduke: Thank you, sir!

Frankie, Johnny Canuck: I think Patton's already been reprimanded several times by busting up a few offices in anger when hearing the news of these offensives. He's down to Major by now. Another Wilkyite!

Miral: I wonder if I ever knew how to play good! A Lindenbergher at last!

La France Libre: Thanks. I think.

April – June 1940: The Election of 1940: Part II

Scarcely had the last boot of the last soldier stepped on to the soil of Texas then the news of the disastrous Operation Doniphan reached the major cities of the United States. The casualties were unprecedented and there was nothing to show for it. It was a scathing indictment of the leadership, strategy, and tactics of the past two years of the Mexican War. The press exploded in outrage over the debacle and the centerpiece of their fury was President Landon and the bungling team of commanders he had appointed to be his Chiefs of Staffs. Practically demanding their heads on a silver platter, it was clear that the failure of the Christmas Offensive was an electoral disaster of the highest order for the Landon administration.

In the polls, the incumbent began to slip badly. After the Doniphan defeat, most of the subsequent primaries would be won by Taft and some by Dewey. Overnight, it seemed, the Republicans began to flirt with an isolationist bent as their President’s ship of state began to list dangerously to port. In Washington, President Landon called a meeting to consider whether to sack his commanders immediately or whether to attempt one final offensive before November. In New Orleans, Mr. Dolman reported to his superiors that perhaps new options should be sought.

The Democrats gleefully went on the offensive, decrying the woeful lack of military preparedness when the war began, the massive budget cuts, the antiquated strategies employed in the war, and the fossilized relics placed in charge of the war thus far. Particularly benefiting from the shift was Wilkie, whose focus on military strength and overseas focus took on renewed interest in the eyes of voters. Whereas previously Al Smith had been winning a solid proportion of the primaries, Wilkie now began to narrow the lead entering into spring. Dynamic and forceful, his speeches began to tell on his more traditional opponent. With his trademark, ”just a short distance from Mexico City to London” speech, his star was clearly in the ascendant.

As April shifted into May, the news from Europe grew worse. German panzers advanced into France and by the end of the month would be in Rheims, poised on the outskirts of Paris. Then came the stunning news from the southwest:



In a surprise attack in early May, five Mexican divisions suddenly crossed the Rio Grande in a large-scale raid, causing widespread damage to towns and facilities throughout the river valley. Although the attack was eventually fought off by the III Corps under General Herren, the propaganda value was enormous, which was likely the Mexicans’ intention to begin with. Once again American newspapers howled with fury at government incompetence and there were dire predictions of Mexicans crossing the Mississippi River. Landon’s numbers continued to slip in the polls while the other candidates continued to rise.

On May 20th, the war expanded as, encouraged by the Mexican attack into Texas, Guatemala declared war on the United States to help Mexico repel invasion.


In the midst of this chaos, as May turned into June, the dark horse emerged at last. On June 1st, in front of a cheering crowd of 20,000 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Charles Lindbergh announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Condemning an administration that gutted the armed forces and then expected it to fight, blasting leaders that wasted the lives of good men, and calling for renewed focus in “America’s own backyard”, Lindbergh’s announcing speech electrified the crowd and his candidacy was off and running. Though an independent candidate, from the start his polling numbers were competitive with both parties, primarily due to his exposure as a leader of the America First Committee and most certainly due to his fame as an aviator and being the first man to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic in 1927. Lindbergh’s speech called for ”strength and security” and ”the Americas first!”. Lindbergh advocated ‘overseas isolationism’ and the Monroe Doctrine.


It was clear that the election of 1940 was going to be a close three-man race.