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HJ Tulp said:
What? No landing at Leningrad? :(:D
I think the perilous state of the Straits of Denmark argue in favor of a northen landing. Although the terrain there is abysmal and I don't know how well fitted the Empire's officer corps is with winter leaders. It seems to me reinforcing the Turks might best serve the Empire.

Vann
 
Thanks for the catch, Vann, corrections have been made.
 
If I may be the first voice of depression: Flee before the hordes of the Unholy Alliance! :eek:
 
I can imagine being confronted by the Drakes, when both are at what we shall call, in the nature of charitability, their 'best' is quite un-nerving. After all, these are two lads who are, amongst many other things, not going to be intimidating by being around prestigious persons. Moreover, as personal friends of the royal family their reaction to any possible insult is a good deal less diplomatic and more to the point than a professional diplomat would be. If people are aware of it, and I think Mannheim is (though I doubt the other Finns have quite cottoned onto this yet), they are also sure fire routes to get information speedily and efficiently to the King and his brother. Oh, and I am sure they are 'interviewing' the Finns in some fashion too. Assessign them would probably be a better word.

All in all, a formidable combination.
 
Oh, very nice, linking in the old attack upon the King(s) as their "declaration of war"!

Not sure how this will turn out, but... That's most of the fun of this AAR! :D

Great work!

Rensslaer
 
A northern landing would probably be the best option but that may be unfeasible. Also, what are the stances of Persia and Afghanistan, they might be able to help against the Soviets.
 
Hopefully Turkey doesn't get annexed for her troubles in the Caucuses. While on the surface the expanded nature of Britain's alliance seems to be a source of strength I continue to worry that it will be a weakness. Instead of multiple sources contributing to the fight it will be many vulnerabilities which need to be covered, drawing off strength. We'll see how it plays out.

(I've taken it on myself to be the voice of gloom-and-doom in this AAR. Just hurry up and get those damn Yanks into the war then I can relax a little.;))
 
Just to let you know, Drago has made it quite clear that he places little hope of the US having any impact. Doesn't need 'em, IYAM. Britain's allies ('cept for a state that will not be mentioned) have performed up to expectations. As long as Stalin concentrates on Finland and the Turks don't overstretch themselves, they can do some damage. How close is the Crescent to Baku, DR?
 
Fulcrumvale said:
If I may be the first voice of depression: Flee before the hordes of the Unholy Alliance! :eek:
SABOTEUR! Arrest that man!
 
Wonderful to see the Drake brothers together, they sure are a magnificent pair and I think that most people around the world would listen to these two if they arrive to discuses important matters. A leak is bad, but it seem like MI-6 has already taken care of this. I really look forward to see what the Empire has planned, but as the Germans has annexed Denmark HoI game mechanics makes it impossible to send fleets trough the Strait, so I guess we shall once more see the paratroopers into action, or are you going to invade the Soviets from the south or perhaps through Norway? Would be cool to see Norway in control of the Soviet Union…
Looking forward to see what you have got planned.




Edit: Post 2500 :D
 
Wonderful AAR, spent a long time reading it and of course, now I'm feeling a bit like the immortal Dan Cook.

The French are sitting in the Maginot because they have restaurants inside, if you posted the menu perhaps we'd all have a bit more sympathy with them :rofl:
 
Draco Rexus: ...“I, unfortunately, sir, am not at liberty to say or in fact discuss anything further, other than to say that the British Empire is quite confident that such a consummation will not occur, at least not while Stalin and Hitler remain alive and in power of their respective countries.”

that is one hell of a "guarantee" ! ! :D

most excellent update! ! :cool:
 
Looks like things are building up the ultimate clash of arms.
 
It sounds good that it might be some difficulties for Hitler and Stalin to agree to focus on their common enemy. What I'm still worried about is the Finnish situation. The allies can't afford the loss of yet another ally since that would really damage relations withing the alliance if Britain is unable to protect her allies. I'm not as worried for the Turks, yet that is.

Adamc1776 is waiting for american volunteers, I on the other hand restate that I'm looking forward to seeing the Ulster Volunteers in action.

Draco, an excellent update as always! Your updates never lets us down but I must say that you really have mastered the ability to write dialoge based updates. It's writing skills as yours (and the fact that my english spelling is even worser then my swedish) that keeps me from starting an AAR on own. Far better reading this one and others by the masters of AARs.
 
Soviet, Germany,Italy & Japan (worst case) against you.
well You have the British Empire Navy and Good old Monty, Will you be sending a Large amount of British forces to Finland?.
will you be looking for a long war with the Soviets or a Short Victories Winter war and then consolidate Finnish Support for the war against Germany?.
 
Mooses said:
Adamc1776 is waiting for american volunteers, I on the other hand restate that I'm looking forward to seeing the Ulster Volunteers in action.

QUOTE]

Wrong I'm offering to raise American Volunteers! Not all of us are pigheaded Isolationsist... Say the Word your Magesty and we will come.
 
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE - Part Two


mikkeli.jpg

Mikkeli, Finland
Commander-in-Chief Headquarters
February 4, 1940
10:20 A.M.



The room was beginning to cloud over from the smoke of the cigars been enjoyed by the Finns in the room, and while that was a hindrance to looking their hosts in the eye, the two important British guests, Major Malcolm Drake of the British Army and his younger brother Lieutenant-Commander Gordon Drake of the Royal Navy and Imperial Intelligence Office, were only affronted that they had as of yet been offered a cigar themselves. What the British Ambassador, Sir George Billingsley, and his aide thought of the matter was not even considered by the other men as only moments ago their presence was, by matter of conversation, revealed to be simply a matter of diplomatic courtesy, and the real discussion was solely being conducted by the military men in the room.

While the thee Finns in the room, Field Marshal Carl Mannerheim, General Aksel Airo and General Rudolf Walden, considered Gordon’s pronouncement that for all intents and purposes the British Empire was promising that the two enemies of the Alliance, namely the Third Reich of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, would never join cause with each other against the West, Gordon, who had grown tired of waiting to be offered a cigar, stepped up to the Field Marshal’s desk and with great aplomb reached past a startled Walden, purloined two prime cigars from Mannerheim’s humidor, handed one to Malcolm, then proceeded to fish a gold lighter from his pocket and then light the cigars. Grinning with pleasure at the taste of the fine cigar and the looks upon the Finns’ faces, Gordon took on the airs of a member of Britain’s upper echelons of aristocracy while exhaling a plume of his own cigar smoke. “Now that we are can all be confident that particular subject has been put to rest, perchance we can move ourselves back to the matter at hand and allow my dear brother to finish his briefing?”

Shaking his head as if attempting to dislodge a bothersome fly, Mannerheim glanced toward the map table behind his British guests and envisioning the invading Communist Russian hordes sighed wearily, “Since GAUNTLET cannot be carried out, what does London propose now? And cannot it be accomplished before the Communists are at the gates of Helsinki?”

Straining to keep the pity he felt for the stress being placed upon the shoulders of the elderly officer in front of him, Drake grimaced slightly before speaking. “It was never said that GAUNTLET could not be carried out, Field Marshal, rather that it is not being conducted as originally planned. In fact, the Imperial General Staff has determined the concept of the operation is completely valid and has therefore simply revised portions of the operation and changed some timetables.”

“Modified how, Major,” Mannerheim asked rubbing his chin thoughtfully while Walden and Airo leaned forward slightly with hope being reborn in their eyes.

Throwing a glance over his shoulder at the map table, the elder Drake answered simply, “If I may be so bold, sir, it would be easier to show you in relation to your current circumstances.”

“In circumstances you mean how badly the Communists are pushing back Finland’s defenders, eh? Never mind, do not bother to answer, Major. Very well, show me,” the old Finn said as quickly stood and strode around his desk and then through the Englishmen to stand with fists on the edge of the map, peering sadly at the information that gazed back at him. The Soviet invasion, despite being hampered by one of the coldest winters in recent memory, was proving to be quite disastrous for Finland, and the map showed the most recent results. The Kollaa River was still providing the main line of resistance for the Finns for the protecting both Viipuri and Mekkeli, the spirited defense of Petsamo against the Soviet attack out of Murmansk was still on going, but the Communist advance toward Oulu was grinding forward despite heavy losses. When Oulu fell, the discussion now comprised of simply how long the rapidly dwindling defenses could keep the railhead open, Finland would be cut in half, a situation militarily which would quickly prove to be untenable. Hiding another heavy sigh, Mannerheim again calculated the timetables of the rapid mobilization of his reserves and felt the sickening realization yet again that without the rapid assistance of Finland’s western allies, unless God himself intervened soon there was nothing that could stop the Red destruction of his beloved nation.

Gazing upon the bleak map and having the keen ability to empathize with the disaster looking the Finns in the face, Malcolm placed his attaché case atop the table and pulled a heavy folder stamped OPERATION GAUNTLET from inside. Looking up at the expectant looks that were worn by not only the Finns but also his British collegues, Ambassador Billingsley and his aide including themselves at the table, Malcolm wasted no time. “Field Marshal, Generals, the new GAUNTLET has the same goals as the original, namely, destroying the Soviet invasion of Finland. It is also has the goal of laying the foundation for the subsequent prosecution of the war into Communist Russia. To do that, the Imperial General Staff has authorized the deployment of the Second Royal Marine Expeditionary Unit under General William Slim as well as General Charles Willoughby Norrie’s Imperial Armoured Army from southeastern England to Finland with all dispatch.”

“And how is this deployment to be undertaken, Major Drake,” the old Finn said solemnly while attempting to keep his hope restrained lest it dashed. “You only moments ago stated that the Germans and the Communists already know of GAUNTLET?”

“By escorting the troop transports with the entire Home Fleet, sir,” Malcolm replied with aplomb. “Admiral Tovey has split the Fleet in half, Force A will work with the Norwegian and Swedish navies to hold the Skagerrak/Kattegat, while Force B will escort the transports through the straits, across the Baltic and after the troops are unloaded in Helsinki take the empty transports back through the straits and then to England.”

“Give me some numbers, young man,” Mannerheim said forcefully as plans began to form in his mind and the gleam of salvation for Finland began to be faintly seen.

“General Slim has six regiments of Royal Marines and four artillery brigades under his command, sir, and the Imperial Armoured Army is bringing eight armoured regiments, seven heavy armoured brigades, one engineer brigade and one heavy artillery brigade.”

“What orders to Generals Slim and Norrie have, Major?” General Airo whistled softly at both the number of war material and troops the Empire was risking in the attempt to assist Finland. Clearly His Majesty’s Government, and indeed His Majesty himself were taking their promises of assistance and revenge very seriously. Airo quickly decided that his original conclusion about the British was quite mistaken, and for once the Finn had no qualms about being wrong.

Having anticipated both the question and the unvoiced question that lurked just below the surface, Malcolm knew that the trickiest issue was coming to the fore. While he, and the Imperial General Staff, did not think that the Finns would take a similar position as the French had been taking since the war started, especially with the Russian Hordes rampaging across the Finnish frontier, there was always the possibility that they would demand that Generals Slim and Norrie submit their commands to Finnish control. London had been quite clear that if there had been no bending to Paris, there would not be any bending to Helsinki. If the Finns didn’t like that, the British Army did have a tradition of being able to live off the land, albeit not without keeping on friendly terms with the natives inhabitants. Glancing quickly at his brother, Malcolm replied evenly. “Both Generals have been instructed by the Crown to defend Finland’s territory by whatever means necessary, sir. The London is asking that liaison officers be provided for both commands from Army Headquarters down to the battalion if not company level. The IGS is hoping that having such liaison officers will provide for an environment of better command coordination between the Marines, the Imperial Armoured Army and yourselves, as well as giving General Slim’s Marines and General Norrie’s tankers assets with a greater deal of familiarity with their area of operations."

Holding his breath while putting a calm façade upon his face, Malcolm wondered if the Finns would ignore their desperate plight, act like the French and refuse to allow the British to operate in Finland without being under direct control of Field Marshal Mannerheim’s headquarters. The elderly Finn had the reputation of being a hardcore micromanager and just might try and force the issue, and so give the Communists that much more time to savage Finland before and agreement was hammered out. After a few seconds pause, just barely enough time for the three Finns to glance at each other and nod grimly, Mannerheim tapped some ash from the end of his cigar calmly and replied. “That will not be a problem, Major. General Walden will begin collecting appropriate candidates this afternoon.”

“Thank you, Field Marshal.”

Glancing back at the map, Mannerheim shook his head slowly. “A question for you, Major Drake.”

“Yes, sir?”

“When are these troops going to arrive? As you can clearly see, despite the assistance of Old Man Winters and the sacrifices of my troops, the Reds continue to advance and I truly do not know how long Finland can last before the civilian leadership begins to clamour for making peace with those Godless scum in Moscow.”

Wearing the smile of a gift giver about to deliver a prized endowment, the elder Drake delivered an announcement that was a surprise to not only the expectant Finns but also to the other Englishmen. “The Imperial Armoured Army will arrive in two weeks, sir. However, General Slim and all six regiments and four artillery brigades of combat ready Royal Marines, prepared to move into your main line of resistance as soon as they reach the beach, will arrive tomorrow with the morning tide.”

********

Up next: Gordon Drake travels into the belly of the beast! :eek:
Please note, I'm out for the rest of the week for the American Thanksgiving, so there won't be any updates until after the weekend.​