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Alex Borhild

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May 18, 2005
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Un nuovo impero romano?

1 January 1936 A.D.
The beginning of 1936 was quite peaceful, compared to New Year's of 20 years prior, or of nearly any year prior in the history of Earth. Granted, at the moment Italy was at war with Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and the Chinese Republic (ROC or Nationalist China) was at war with some Communist rebels holed up in the mountains around Yan'an. There probably were other conflicts going on somewhere in the world, but most likely they were on a local and unimportant basis not fitting the grand scale of international Machtpolitik.

Benito Mussolini, former schoolmaster, veteran of the Great War, and current "Head of Government" of the Kingdom of Italy, had abstained from alcohol on New Year's Eve 1935. Later they would say that it was because he didn't want to be unfit to analyze the war in Abyssinia, or perhaps he just didn't want to deal with a hangover, but regardless he awoke that morning in a cold sweat, having seen images in his mind's eye of massive battleships and aircraft carriers, firing salvos and launching their aircraft, and... Flying the Italian flag. He then sat up in bed, struggling to remember the rest of his dream... Thousands of aircraft bombing cities to pieces and the Emperor of Ethiopia speaking before the League of Nations... And then a picture had popped into his head of the same Emperor of Ethiopia being shot by Italian troops somewhere in what looked like Ethiopia... Il Duce had dressed and seen a map before the final part of his dream burst into his memory - Italy, the Iberian and Balkan peninsulas, Turkey, the British and French mandates of Syria and Iraq, and Africa from Egypt to Morroco... All the same color. Written on the map in his mind's eye was the words - The Second Roman Empire.



Il Duce then made some phone calls and by 2 January Italy was arranged as follows...



Regia Esercito (Royal Italian Army)
With the exception of the divisions in Italian Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, most divisions are at 70% of their strength, which shall be remedied as soon as some industry is freed up.
Most of the 103,400 men in East Africa at the moment are auxiliaries, another word for militia, or in short "barely-trained recruits most likely from the colonies or the Fascist militia".

Regia Marina (Italian Royal Navy)
The Regia Marina consists of 4 battleships, 8 heavy cruisers, 12 light cruisers, 18 flotillas of destroyers, 11 squadrons of submarines, and 6 transport divisions. A cruiser, two battleships, and submarine squadron are currently being produced, with the cruiser tentatively being named RM Eugenio di Savoia and the battleships tentatively named RM Littorio and Vittorio Veneto The battleship is expected to be finished towards the end of 1937, but hopefully the rest of the class (projected to be a class of 5) will have been laid down by then. Also research is proceeding on an aircraft carrier.

Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force)
The Regia Aeronautica consists of 3 squadrons of interceptors, 3 squadrons of tactical bombers, 1 of transports, and 3 squadrons of torpedo bombers. No current air force development is currently planned, perhaps after one of the current research projects is completed...



Well, I was going to post a screenshot detailing how I plan to go about regarding the Conquest of Abyssinia, but I didn't press the correct button as it turns out and it's very late, so I need to get to bed. However, let's just say that it involves surrounding Addis Ababa (no troublesome Emperors going to escape to the UK and speak before the League of Nations...) and a corps reaching Addis Ababa in February. That of course assumes that there's no resistance, and I've already bombed some Ethiopian militia that happen to be right in my path. I think I might post it next time.

And by the way, suggestions are open as to what exactly I should do with Ethiopia - should I annex it or puppet it are basically the two options. I was reading Mare Nostrum earlier, however, and liked the idea of making Ethiopia a puppet and giving them my East African colonies, but I don't want to do that because then I feel like I'll have just ripped the author of that off, which I don't want to do.

This will be played in 1.3 with Normal/Normal settings.
 
puppet them and give them the italian colonies next to them - they get stronger - you dont have to supply your troops (you cant since the brit are going to close Gibraltar and Suez when at war) - and even if not - you waste escorts and convoys and you need your troops elsewhere, let the Negus fight the brittish militia divisions in eastafrica and hit them where it hurt with your own armies....

its not about copying - its what is best for the Italian empire - I do that myself when playing Italy - its the same reason for having the Manchu around - less negative impact on the world and you are in the position to attack some more important target - say Spain if the reps win the CW

oh - and good luck
 
Take spain anyway. I always puppet them before scw starts.
 
January- December 1936

Thanks for the comments, and now, for the story -

On January 2nd, the Italian East Africa High Command under Marshal of the Air Force Italo Balbo was ordered to move from Massaua to Asmara, in order to be closer to the front. On January 9, III Corps of the Army of East Africa captured Denakil. On January 11th diplomats from Czechoslovakia arrived in Rome for talks with and the Spanish Republic canceled a trade agreement that it had with Italy.
On January 12, the first action of the year at 11:00 GMT came when Ethiopian forces were engaged near Dire Dawa and at the same time another Ethiopian force attacked near Denakil. III Corps defeated both forces, then engaged more Ethiopians at Dire Dawa. This second group was defeated quickly also. In other news, a trade agreement was negotiated and agreed upon with the US, trading supplies for energy and metals. On January 17, RM Eugenio di Savoia was deployed.

First Battle of Addis Ababa - 19 Jan 1936
BattleOfAddisAbaba.png


To say the least, Ethiopian forces have no chance of defeating Italian forces.

With Italian troops having defeated a division of militia and with those same troops within sight of the Ethiopian capital, Ethiopia offered a peace. Naturally, this was declined, as il Duce wanted to dictate peace on his terms, not have them worked out in desperation by a government on the run.

The Second Battle of Addis Ababa involved the Abyssinian Imperial Bodyguard and a division of Ethiopian militia against the Italian forces. The Imperial Bodyguard was nearly destroyed in the two-day battle before it retreated (23-25 January 1936).

The Battle of Dese raged January 26-29, with one Italian regular infantry division and 1 Italian militia divisions against 2 Ethiopian miltia divisions. Tactical bombing of the Ethiopian forces helped to bring about the inevitable Italian victory. At about this time, during late January, the Ethiopian border with British and French Somaliland was secured by Italian troops.

The IV Olympic Winter Games were opened on February 6th by Adolf Hitler in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Italy sent athletes to compete, but unfortunately did not make it into the top ten rankings by medals awarded.

The Italian Government's attentions were elsewhere, however - the Olympic Games were just getting started, while this Ethiopian Venture had been started several months before - On February 6th at 22:00 GMT the Imperial Bodyguard and militia that had been driven out of the Ethiopian capital in the Second Battle of Addis Ababa were attacked in Gambela by II Corps of the Army of East Africa under Geloso.

The Battle of Gambela, February 8 1936
Gambela.png


At 1:00 GMT on February 8, I Corps of Army of Italian East Africa under General Guzzoni arrived in Addis Ababa. As soon as he heard the news, il Duce sent his congratulations. At 8 GMT the same day, an Italian major was dispatched from Addis Ababa to the Ethiopian government, which was at last report operating out of Gambela. Under the terms of the peace, Ethiopia is to become a client state and protectorate of Italy - given few alternatives, the Ethiopian government accepts and all territory captured by Italian forces is restored to Ethiopian rule. The Army of East Africa is ordered to move to Italian Eritrea.

On February 11, the US cancelled a trade agreement. Most unkind of them. Three days later, The Andrea Doria-class battleships RM Andrea Doria and RM Caio Duilio are assigned to their own squadron of the Regia Marina to be called 2nd Squadron. On February 17, the Italian ambassador to the Spanish Republic noted in a routine dispatch that in recent elections a left-wing coalition of parties calling themselves the Popular Front had won and would now form the Spanish Government. The Italian Government in Rome resolved to watch the situation, and become involved only if strictly necessary. On February 29 Fougier is removed from command of 1st Air Squadron and Ranza becomes his replacement.

On March 1st, three Air Fleets were formed to handle aerial operations in Italy. North Air Fleet is based at Genoa, Venice, and Milan, Central Air Fleet at Rome, Naples, Taranto, and Sardinia, and South Air Fleet is based at Palermo, Tripoli, Tobruk, and Bengasi. Only some of these bases currently have aircraft at them currently. Also on March 1 RM Eugenio di Savoia is added to 2nd Squadron, and Vice Admiral Iachino is installed in command.

On March 9, a trade agreement is worked out with the Netherlands after a lack of essential materials handicapped Italian industry, having a negative effect on productivity. Under this agreement, supplies will be traded to the Netherlands for metals and energy. Finally, to relieve the strain on Italian industry, the second battleship building is cancelled. The next day, German influence led to an increased emphasis on having a standing army. On March 19, a trade agreement with the US was worked out trading supplies for energy and metals. Not much else happened during March.

April 5th a trade agreement with Austria was negotiated and on April 6 Italian East Africa Air Command was ordered to rebase to Venice. On April 11 Marshal of the Air Force Italo Balbo was put in command of North Air Fleet with his head quarters at Genoa.

On May 9th, Italian Somaliland was handed over to the rule of Ethiopia. On the same day the last Italian troops ordered to Eritrea after the peace treaty with Ethiopia arrive. Requirements for a new monoplane fighter aircraft were also issued. In the same deal that resulted in Italian Somaliland coming under the rule of Ethiopia, blueprints for various modern infantry, cavalry, and mountain infantry equipments (Read: 6.5 mm Carcano rifle and variants) were given to Ethiopia. Two days later Balbo was relieved of command of the former Army of Italian East Africa High Command and Amadeo Duca degli Abruzzi replaces him. On May 30, the requirements for a new light bomber were issued

On June 19, the new submarine squadron, 1st Submarine Flotilla, was assigned to 2nd Submarine Fleet. The 31st Submarine Flottila of obsolete submarines was decommisioned.

On 3 July, funding for studies into a new class of aircraft carrier was authorized, and whether this could be accomplished by converting a current vessel or whether constructing a new vessel would be neccessary. On July 18 civil war broke out in Spain and to ensure their safety the Italian diplomatic staff in Madrid were withdrawn. The agents that were in place, however, remained so. On 23 July, after some debate by the Fascist Grand Council, aid was sent to the 'Nationalists', as the conservatives, right-wingers, and Catholics were calling themselves, in opposition to the left-wing and anarchist 'Republicans' in the form of supplies, weapons, and men.

On 17 October, the last troops of the former Italian Army of East Africa were unloaded on the Italian peninsula and Massaua, Asmara, and Assab were handed over to Ethiopia. November 30 Macchi's MC. 200 model was authorized for production.

At midnight GMT on December 1, "Cruiser Squadron 1" under Rear Admiral Brivonesi was ordered to the Straits of Gibraltar to observe the situation along the southern coast of Spain. 2nd Squadron had already been off the eastern coast of Spain for some time.

OrdersROrders.png
 
Good luck. I played an Italy game recently and got totally anihilated by the time 1940 rolled round. I'm not exactly a very good HoI player. Maybe I'll pick up a few tips here.
 
Jape: Puppetting Ethiopia instead of annexing them outright makes a more positive impression on the world community (or less of a negative impression, but that's the same thing ;) ) and giving them Somaliland lets Ethiopia handle the defense of those territories, which frees up my troops for operations in the Mediterranean Theatre, such as homeland "defense", "police actions", "protecting Italian citizens" and that sort of thing. Plus, supposing I was to go to war with Britain, they could cut off my supply at Suez, which naturally would prevent me from supplying anything south of that.

Garuda and whoever else it may concern: The one tip I have so far is that it's a bad idea to research Rocket Test Facility in 1936/37, at least with FIAT - I have no idea how long it's taken them, but I really want that research slot to be filled with something useful... Like, say, a team researching Early Artillery.

_______________________________________________

On December 6, in light of the limited industry available, it was decided that reinforcing all divisions to full strength was more of a priority than upgrading the Royal Army and Air Force with more modern equipments, and thus all the industry that had been dedicated to producing more modern equipment was reassigned to produce gear for the reinforcements.

Generale di Divisione (Major General) Cona was removed from command of Central Reserve in Rome on 12 December, and was replaced by Generale di Divisione Bitossi. On the same day the 40th Submarine Flotilla under Cattaneo was ordered to the Southwest Bay of Biscay to observe the situation in Spain from the northern coast. This was also viewed as a training oppurtunity, at least by Comando Supremo - most of the submariners involved could have sworn that Naval High Command was crewed by sadists, considering winter weather in the North Atlantic.

The New Year came and went, and the only major event was a proposal conveyed by the Italian Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano to the Austrian Government for a military alliance between Italy and Austria. Officially, no mention was made of the justification, but privately it was believed at the highest levels of the Italian Government that sooner or later Germany would try to take over Austria, just as they had tried to do in 1934. To the surprise of the Italian Government, the Austrians rejected the proposal - many at the Foreign Ministry, including the Italian ambassador to Austria - had thought that there was a fairly good chance that Austria might accept. On 5 January, the plans for the new class of aircraft carrier, dubbed the Aquila-class, were presented to the Government. The requirements for a new interceptor aircraft were issued and funds were allotted for this research.
On 18 January, Germany, Italy, and Japan signed the "Anti-Comintern Pact" which was aimed at resisting the Communist International. (mostly signed due to the free Interventionist slider move... Who would want to be more isolationist anyway?).

On 11 February, the 19th and 5th Squadrons of the Regia Marina were combined into 5th Squadron. The RM Bartolomeo Colleoni, formerly of the 19th Squadron, was moved to Taranto and 5th Squadron was ordered to rebase at Genoa. 6 days later, on 17 February, 5th Squadron was renamed to Transport Squadron A. On 20 February, the former XXIII Corps, composed of the 6th and 7th CCNN (Blackshirt) divisions that had fought in the recent war in Ethiopia, was renamed to the 3rd Blackshirt Legion or "Tiberius Legion", both names meaning the same. Two other Blackshirt Legions had already been formed, and these had been called the 1st Blackshirt or Caesar Legion and the 2nd Blackshirt or Augustus Legion. In addition, on the same day, what remained under the name of I Corps, Army of Italian East Africa was renamed to what it had been de facto for some time - simply the 30th Infantry Division "Sabauda".
On 24 February Ethiopia and Italy formally signed a treaty of alliance.

On 4 March, improvements to the static anti-aircraft artillery in place around Italy were recommended in a report to the Government. On 18 March the heavy cruiser RM San Giorgio was assigned to 5th Squadron and on 20 March 6th Squadron had a squadron of transports (Squadrone Asmara) and 6th Squadron was renamed Transport Squadron B. Shortly after it was renamed and on the same day, RM Bartolomeo Colleoni was also added to the new Transport Squadron B. (Each Transport Squadron at the moment consists of a light cruiser, two destroyer flotillas, and 3 squadrons of transports).

On 1 April various designs for the new light bomber design per the official requirements were submitted to the government. Breda's design was authorized for production as the Breda Ba.65. Specifications for a new heavy fighter were also issued.
5 April the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla was assigned to escort the San Giorgio since it had been found that only the newest destroyer class had a range equal to the old cruiser (unlike the older light cruisers). On 6 April the 4th Destroyer Flotilla was assigned to 1st Squadron, to replace a flotilla of the Great War-vintage destroyers there. On 16 April a trade agreement was negotiated with South Africa and three days later Generale d'Armata (General) Graziani replaced his equal in rank Vercellino as commander of First Army Group.

During mid-May RM Trieste was assigned to 4th Squadron based in Venice. 4th Squadron was renamed Cruiser Squadron D, which consisted of RM and the light cruisers RM Alberico da Barbiano and Alberto da Guissano.

On 19 May, the Spanish Republic announced to the world that it had crushed the rebelling "Nationalists" and that the Nationalist leaders that had allowed themselves to be captured would be tried for treason. Upon hearing of this news, il Duce ordered Comando Supremo and the Fascist Grand Council to consider the options that could be followed in this scenario. After a somewhat rushed Cabinet meeting, the options essentially came down to declaring war on the Spanish Republic and establishing a more friendly government to prevent communism and other left-wing poisons from spreading, or doing nothing. Also, the Italian diplomatic staff that had been withdrawn from Spain was ordered to await further instructions before returning.

The keel of the new aircraft carrier was laid 4 June, and most estimates placed it as being completed sometime in December 1938.

Italian ships off the coast of Spain, 5 June 1937
ItaliansOffSpain.png


2 battleships, 4 heavy cruisers, a submarine flotilla, 3 light cruisers, and various screening ships (AKA I'm too lazy to look right now) are, at the moment, off the coast of Spain, formerly observing the situation and now awaiting further orders. Aside from the two battleships, the other ships are fairly new, having been designed and built within the last 5 years.

What to expect - Italian Production as of 5 June 1937
ItalianPipeline.png


Italian R&D
ItalianRD.png


and last, but most certainly not least... Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...

The Italian Government
ItalianGov.png


________________________

Unfortunately, I will be unable to update either of my two AARs running at the moment for some time, but probably this one before "Our Gulf" since, right now, this one is quite frankly a lot more interesting. Any suggestions?
 
June 1937-April 1938

Fighting broke out in northern China between Japan and the Chinese Republic on 16 June 1937. A satisfactory casus belli was never supplied by the Japanese- according to them, some Chinese soldiers guarding a bridge in Beiping had attacked Japanese forces in the area. Anyway, the same day X Corps was ordered to Foggia from Anzio and III Corps of the Army of Italian East Africa was also ordered to Foggia. On 20 June FIAT (finally) finished research into a rocketry research facility. In view of a possible future war with the Spanish Republic, research into Anti-tank artillery was funded. On 24 June the Reggiane Re. 2000 "Falco" was authorized for production. FIAT was directed to develop new field artillery and the 5th Infantry Division was added to III Corps of the Army of Italian East Africa, which is then renamed V Corps. The 1st Blackshirt Division "23 Marzo" is assigned to an independent command under Frusci. During late June, industry assigned to upgrading Italian artillery was ordered to shut down in order to be able to stockpile the materials necessary for industry.

To avoid possible confusion, on 10 July V Corps in Foggia was redesignated IV Corps, since a V Corps already existed in Venice. Ten days later, Generale di Divisione Romegialli replaces Gandin as commander of the 30th Infantry Division. On 30 July, various improvements in industry were recommended to the government.

Nothing of note occurred during August. On 20 September, the 10th Destroyer Flotilla was deployed to 1st Squadron in Taranto. The 25th Destroyer Flotilla, equipped with the obsolete Curtatone class of destroyer, was disbanded.
On 2 October, modern artillery was developed and FIAT began top secret research into encryption machines. This research was considered a state secret, and only the highest echelons learned anything of it.
On 8 October, the new 37 mm ant-tank gun was developed and showcased to the government. The design was originally German, and had been seen by the Italian troops that had fought in Spain under the Nationalists. The same day, the requirements for a new class of submarine were issued. On 10 October, Italian units protecting Italian interests in the face of the Sino-Japanese War and a few Italian civilians in the area reported that a dike on the Yellow River had been opened up and Huayuankow had been flooded, leading to widespread destruction and a slowing down of the Japanese advance. Around this time, several companies submitted their design for the new heavy fighter design. After some evaluation, on 23 October FIAT's CR.25 was selected to go into service. The specifications for a new class of aircraft carrier and new carrierborne aircraft were also issued.

On 30 October, RM San Giorgio, accompanied by 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, was ordered to depart Sardinia and once underway open the sealed orderes that had been supplied by Comando Supremo. Once opened by Contrammiraglio (Rear Admiral) Inigo Campioni, Campioni learned that he was to convey a separate set of orders - marked Molto segreto - to Ammiraglio di Squadra (Vice Admiral) Iachino, the commander of 2nd Squadron, currently off the eastern coast of Spain. On 1 November San Giorgio arrived in the Balearic Sea and as soon as was practical Campioni met with his superior aboard Iachino's flagship. Iachino's orders stated that he was to return his squadron to Taranto and await further orders there. 2 days after San Giorgio arrived in the Balearic Sea, 2nd Squadron departed for Taranto and arrived there at 1800 GMT on 6 November.

On 5 December RM Littorio was completed and assigned to 1st Squadron. RM Giulio Cesare was decommisioned (for some reason, I thought if I disbanded it, maybe it would let me 'upgrade' it by building a Basic Battleship under the same name... Instead, the only battleship name it would come up with was RM Vittorio Veneto... Basically, an accident). A light bomber division and brigade of anti-tank artillery was ordered. On Christmas Day, 1937, the Republic of China formally annexed the territory controlled by the Communist rebels. (I think it was just the scripted AI thing that prevents Japan from getting the victory points, I don't think Communist and Nationalist China were actually at war).

On 4 January 1938, techniques for improving crop production and quality were reported to the government. Research into improvements in oil refining were authorized. On 8 January the 11th Destroyer Flotilla was deployed to 3rd Squadron, replacing the 13th Destroyer Flotilla equipped with obsolete destroyers, which was then decommissioned. Several days later on 22 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Galeazzo Ciano conducted talks with the Austrian Foreign Ministry. These talks improved relations between Italy and Austria. Five days later on 27 January, the anti-tank artillery brigade completed production. After a few days, Comando Supremo selected the 1st Blackshirt Division as the division to which it would be attached and it was officially attached on 3 February.

On 6 February, Austria signed an alliance with Italy. This was dubbed the Innsbruck Pact. On 18 February, the top secret research into cryptography was completed and presented to the Government - or at least Comando Supremo. To help protect Austria in the event of a German attack, the 3rd Mountain Division "Julia" was ordered to Innsbruck. 2nd Army under Lieutenant General Pirzio Biroli was ordered to Salzburg. II Corps of 2nd Army under Gandin, formerly XI Corps under Lieutenant General Canale, was ordered to Salzburg as well. On 19 February, the 13th Bomber Division "Pegaso" was upgraded to the FIAT BR. 20 "Cicogna". This upgrade was recognized as convenient in case Germany attempted to take over Austria.

The new FIAT BR.20 "Stork"
Fiat_Br.20.jpg


On 26 February, the amount of industry devoted to upgrades was roughly doubled. During late February and early March, The roughly thirty-seven thousand men of Second Army, which consisted of all Italian troops in Austria, arrived in Austria. Second Army consisted of the 13th and 14th Infantry Divisions and the 3rd Mountain Division, plus an artillery brigade attached to the 13th Infantry Division.

On 9 March, blueprints for improved industrial machinery was given to Austria.
4 days later, on 13 March, Austria officially became part of Germany. Naturally, this did not sit well at all with the Italian Government, having just formed an alliance with the Austrian Government to prevent something like this happening. (In-game, relations with Germany decreased from +95 to -55, and from this you can learn that the AI will generally choose to become part of Germany, instead of fighting. Granted, I might not have won against Germany, but at least it might have been something of an equal fight)(Ok, maybe not so equal. But it would have been interesting if it would have happened.) The Italian Ambassadors in the United Kingdom, France, and Czechoslovakia improved Italian relations with those countries by discussing the situation with the Foreign Ministries of those countries. An earlier proposal to make Adolf Hitler an honorary corporal in the MVSN (Blackshirts) was rejected out of hand by Mussolini, who said something along the lines of "That Austrian deserves to be a corporal of swine, not a corporal in the MVSN."
On a more positive note, on 19 March the 3rd Infantry Division and the artillery attached to the 22nd Infantry Division were upgraded to modern standards. During late March, RM Littorio was assigned to 2nd Squadron, which then was ordered to the Balearic Sea.

On 8 April, RM San Giorgio was ordered to the central part of the Gulf of Leon. On 18 April, the 6th Infantry Division "Cuneo" was upgraded to modern specifications.

20 April-

A cabinet meeting reviewed the world situation and discussed what might happen in the event of a war with Spain. According to Comando Supremo, there might be some difficulty establishing an initial foothold in Spain, but with the most modern battleship in Europe (the RM Littorio) on the scene, not too many difficulties were foreseen, in regards to naval combat. True, the aircraft carrier wouldn't be completed for another several months, but aircraft could be deployed in Spain once an airfield was secured. Ideally, if a war was to be fought starting tomorrow, it could be won and over with before 1939.
Granted, the English and French would probably be angry at Italy for violating the London Naval Treaty, which said no new capital ships were to be built before 1937, and going to war with Spain without provocation from Spain, but
hopefully any negative impact on relations could be assuaged before 1940. At some point perhaps another battleship would be laid down, but even if that were to happen before May it wouldn't be finished before 1939. Several slides were presented to the meeting, presented by Mussolini himself in his capacity as Interior Minister, as well as one on the situation in China by Ciano and Ame.

Italian Production and Strategic Stockpiles as of 1500 GMT, 20 April '38
EyetalianProduct.png


Italian Research and Development, 20 April 1938
ItalianRD-1.png


The Situation In China
China1938.png

"As you can see, the Republic of China still holds its capital and most of the coast, but Japan will probably fix that before too long."

As the Cabinet meeting began to wrap up, Mussolini said, "Gentlemen, it appears that we are in a very good situation if we go to war with the Spanish Republic fairly soon." How soon was never mentioned, and would surprise the government, never mind the world, when they heard the news.
 
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War in Spain - the first month

(Apologies to everyone for not updating this in a month - I've been busy, and will be busy for the remainder of this week, but after this week will primarily be sitting at home doing nothing, which should give me more time to update my AARs.)

At 23:00 GMT, 20 April 1938, orders were sent from Comando Supremo to Sardinia Air Command to patrol for enemy forces along the Algerian coast until 20 August of the same year. Despite inquiries sent in reply, Comando Supremo was silent about what exactly "enemy" meant, so patrols were launched for any kind of waterborne activity. At the same time, in Genoa and Taranto troops were loaded aboard Transport Squadrons A and B. At midnight GMT, the order went out to commence Operazione Romolo (Operation Romulus). The Spanish embassy was notified that a state of war now existed between the Kingdom of Italy and the Spanish Republic. Later the same day (21 April) the US cancelled a trade agreement it had with Italy.

The Situation - 21 April 1938
SituationPreWar.png


The Economy at the time of the Declaration of War - midnight 21 April 1938
EconomyPreWar.png


Once arriving off the coast of Spain, First Army, I Corps, and IV Corps (under Messe, Beraudo di Pralormo, and Carboni respectively, all of whom hold the rank of Generale di Divisione, or Major General) were directed to assault Valencia at dawn on 22 April, 1938. After the Battle of Valencia had already been going on for 10 hours, at 16:00 GMT shore bombardment by 2nd Squadron began.

The Battle of Valencia, approximately 10:00 GMT 22 April
4HoursAfterAssaultOnValencia.png


23 April saw the approval of the new submarine design tentatively known as Calvi-class, and at 8:00 GMT the same day RM San Giorgio was ordered to join in the bombardment of Valencia. On 24 April the 1st Blackshirt Division "23 Marzo" and the 19th and 24th Infantry Divisions joined in the assault on Valencia.

The naval base at Sardinia had been coming under attack by Spanish bombers, so an interceptor squadron of the Central Air Fleet was ordered to maintain air superiority above the Ligurian Islands. Due to the assault,

The only aerial combat thus far
AirApril241938.png


After a three-day battle, Valencia was secured by the Italian forces.
VictoryInValencia.png


It was decided that perhaps Murcia could be secured, since there was only one enemy division there, so the 1st Blackshirt Division assaulted Murcia supported by two infantry divisions.

FeintTowardsMurcia.png


(In hindsight, this was a mistake - attacking across a river? With this province of unsure utility?)

On 27 April 2 parallel production runs with three flotillas of the new submarine class each were ordered and the 4th Bomber Division of tactical bombers under Gamondi were ordered to Valencia to provide aerial support in a future offense. Trade deals were made with Ethiopia and Romania on 28 April.

The Beginning of the End?: Second Battle of Valencia
DefenseOfValencia.png


On 4 May, after a 14 hour battle (the Second Battle of Valencia), the 6 Italian divisions in Spain (more properly, in Valencia) surrendered to a slightly larger Spanish force attacking from the surrounding area. The commanders managed to evacuate after the surrender, and the 4th Bomber Division was rebased to Venice. (Next time, I need to bring in a general, not 4 major generals and a lieutenant general...)

On 7 May, 3 divisions were unloaded in Valencia, but quickly came under attack and were nearly overwhelmed before being withdrawn to the transports offshore. The 29th Infantry Division 'Piemonte' and the 2nd Blackshirt Legion "Augustus" was ordered to attack Barcelona. Barcelona had not been attacked earlier due to a near-equality between the Italian forces and the Spanish forces in the area, but now there was only 1 Spanish division there.

On 12 May, Valencia was recaptured by Spanish forces and First Army Group under Graziani was ordered to sieze Mallorca.

On 20 May a three-hour sea battle led to no conclusive result other than the sinking by RM Andrea Doria of a Spanish flotilla of transport ships.


In conclusion, I have decided... It is a whole lot more fun to attack Spain in the vanilla version, where Italy gets the blitzkrieg doctrine tree. Especially in 1940 or '41 or '42, where Italy (at least when I did it) is guaranteed to have more organization due to the blitzkrieg doctrines....

Expect another update sometime in the coming weeks...
 
Bit tougher than expected, hm.