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Grey Finland
continued

0700 March 13th 1945
The skies above Tornio, Finland

This time the Luftwaffe acted aggressive and moved onto Finnish skies, as they had to protect the dive bombers. Five Soviet squadrons would learn that it was not advisable to send bombers against fighters.​

052-11-Air.jpg

No squadron was completely destroyed, but damage was significant while the Luftwaffe had received almost no damage in return.​

1600 March 13th 1945
Vaasa, Finland

With one division down and another one rapidly declining, the Soviets still stubbornly refused to give up.​

052-12-Vaasa.jpg

The 'no retreat' policy of the Russians was much welcome this time both for Hausser and the Luftwaffe.​

052-13-Air.jpg

Amidst the narrow sea that separates Finland from Sweden, Soviet squadrons accidentally collided with a foe three times bigger. The Luftwaffe accidentally shot one entire squadron down and damaged another one.​

0600 March 15th 1945
Tornio, Finland

As the freezing climate stayed as such, bitter fighting ensued in Tornio, where Ringel could not break the stalemate.​

052-14-Tornio.jpg

One day later that division would be reinforced by an Infantry division; seeing that the Soviet attack in Vaasa was untenable, it was finally called off and sent troops northwards against the menace that now spelled 'Ringel'.​

052-15-OuluBombing.jpg

The Luftwaffe was not finished with the troops in Oulu yet. The divisions that attacked Vaasa saw even more suffering with yet another division in the brink of extinction.​

052-16-VaasaWonRetaliate.jpg

In an attempt to gain momentum against a temporarily shocked foe, Hausser made an attempt to link up with Ringel by attacking Oulu, and in the meantime ease the work of the dive bombers.​

0700 March 16th, 1945
Foreign Ministry, Berlin, Germany

"Greetings Ambassador. What can I do for your Country today?"

"Certify its annexation."​

052-17-Yunnan.jpg

The Yunnese ambassador made von Ribbentrop aware that he was now jobless. Which would've been a terrifying issue if it weren't for the fact that the British were dangerously linking up with the Chinese.​

0800 March 16th 1945
Oulu, Finland

Hausser's attempt at a revenge was short-lived. At first the three defending divisions sustained, as usual, horrendous casualties due by the Luftwaffe.​

052-18-Oulu.jpg

But the divisions sort of multiplied, and from three they were now seven, full of troops to bomb out. It would take so much time to bomb them all however, that Hausser was forced to call off the attack.​

0000 March 17th 1945
Foreign Ministry, Berlin, Germany

"If your stockpiles allow it, I'd continue with our routine transaction, Ambassador."​

052-19-Oil.jpg

It could not be said that von Ribbentrop's work was not dull at times.​

0900 March 17th 1945
Tornio, Finland

As there were too many troops in Oulu, the Luftwaffe thought well to shift its attention to the less numerous Soviets under attack in Tornio.​

052-20-Bombing.jpg

Many more hundreds of casualties were to be added to the ever growing tally of the ever growing fearsomeness of a possibly ever growing Luftwaffe.​
 
Last edited:
Most of the pictures wont show up for me... :(
 
DvD-IT said:
Problem solved, check it again. I did forget to add the links :)


Works now.
 
Enewald - No fast progress is possible until the snow melts. And even then, this mod makes life for those who like encirclement tremendously difficult, as it takes much time to perform a battle. If you want to encircle an enemy you can no longer rely on speed. You must also keep the other sectors busy with diversionary attacks, as it should be afterall.

Update to conclude March, with some interesting news.
 
Grey Finland

0000 March 17th 1945
Intelligence Department, Berlin, Germany

A brief report was on the desk of Kaltenbrunner.​

053-1-Espionage.jpg

"Our relations with the Soviet Union will be affected. Ah, the sarcasm. As if they could care less."​

0500 March 18th 1945
The skies above Luleå

Soviet aircraft was so kind to pay a visit again to Luftwaffe fighters.​

053-2-Air.jpg

The Soviets had offered scrap metal, German pilots offered lead in return. The Soviets got the worse part of the deal and were kindly invited to leave the Swedish area.​

1100 March 18th 1945
Tornio, Finland

Ringel was making his way across Tornio, supported by the ever-present Luftwaffe.​

053-3-Tornio.jpg

Another entire division fell under the heavy hammer of German bombers, thus making it easy for Ringel to clear the path for his destination, even under harsh climatic conditions.​

053-4-TornioWin.jpg

After nine days of fighting, the Soviets realized they had to march eastwards faster than the Germans could.​

0000 March 20th 1945
Finland, Strategical Situation

German estimates on the Soviet numbers were quite incorrect, and the low quantity of Spies among Soviet ranks did not help such estimates. The loss of one hundred and twenty divisions had been a hard blow for the Soviets, but not enough to force them to be outnumbered - and German commanders did warn not to be too enthusiastic.​

053-5-VaasaAttackedSnow.jpg

The Soviets were still more than enough able to punch through a still inferior Wehrmacht, and Finland made no exception. Numbers showed that there were surely more than sixty Soviet divisions in Finland, and had Ringel not invaded Sweden at all, Hausser and the Finnish troops might have well succumbed just after the snow melted. This means that, in foresight, the invasion of Sweden was necessary to Finland survival, as it was allowing Ringel to link up with Hausser and save Finland from certain defeat.

Unfortunately for Ringel, he was attacking in Oulu where Winter still held his grip, while the Soviets were attacking in more favourable climatic conditions in Vaasa.​

053-6-OuluAttack.jpg

Forty-one divisions against nine was almost a safe bet, but many more Soviet troops were coming from the rearguards.​

1000 March 20th 1945
The skies above Oulu

German aircraft went on to the offensive and met an understrenght Soviet squadron which got completely annihilated after one hour of battle.​

053-7-Air.jpg

On their trip back to their bases, however, three German squadrons were intercepted by an enemy twice as big. Fortunately for the Luftwaffe, they were no match for the better equipped and trained German aircraft.​

2300 March 20th 1945
Oulu, Finland

In one day, the Luftwaffe destroyed yet another Soviet division.​

053-8-Oulu.jpg

Even if slowly, that was a battle the Soviets would lose and at a high price. Provided that Germany could afford the oil to run her aircraft with.​

0700 March 22nd 1945
Vaasa, Finland

Despite Ringel coming to the rescue and an ever-active Luftwaffe, the odds were just too overwhelming for the defenders of Vaasa, which were also defending in a climate that was much more hospitable for the Soviet attackers.​

053-9-VaasaLost.jpg

Three divisions were ordered to fall back, while the Garrison division surrendered to the advancing Soviets.​

053-10-Oulu.jpg

German troops did not despair however, as with the current rate of Soviet casualties what was lost could also be regained and at a high price for the Soviets. The attack on Oulu was now being conducted against only two Soviet divisions, as the other divisions had moved onto capturing Vaasa. Ringel was becoming a master at pulling off encirclements at the expense of his enemies, and he could now hope to end the battle of Oulu in short time.​
 
Grey Finland
continued

053-11-Oulu.jpg

Hoping to end the battle of Oulu in short time was not possible however, as the Soviets had reinforced Oulu with yet more divisions coming from central Finland. A Motorized division was about to succumb however; it was a grace that, while ground troops would face the harshness of climate every day, under the constant threat of being killed, the Luftwaffe could not care less if it snowed or the sun shined: enemy troops were to be bombed relentlessly with the same precision and the same ruthlessness.​

0600 March 25th 1945
Reichstag, Berlin, Germany

"So what's so important that you had to call an emergency cabinet just before the end of March, Joachim?" Martin Bormann was asked by von Ribbentrop to call an emergency cabinet along with Heinz Guderian.

"The matter is of the most extreme importance, gentlemen. I could not wait for the end of this month as the news I received are not bright at all. And there are several implications that are even worse than the event itself... but for that I ask for the opinion of someone who understands military matters more than me, that is Heinz."

"We're waiting Joachim. What happened?"

Von Ribbentrop opened a folder, extracted a map and a brief report.​

053-12-TokioFalls.jpg

"Today, five American divisions entered Tokyo. Emperor Hirohito along with his cabinet moved North, but the only thing defending what's left of Japan are two IJA divisions. There is nothing left opposing the Allies, which have an estimate of seventeen divisions and captured all of Japan up to Tokyo."

The room was filled with three people: Martin Bormann, Heinz Guderian and Joachim von Ribbentrop, who had just finished analyzing his document. The room was now silent for half a minute.

"I... am flattened. How could the Allies capture Japan with such ease?" Guderian finally broke the silence.

"This is outrageous! Japan will become an American protectorate!" continued Bormann.

"Please gentlemen, we're not here to discuss about how bleak is this news."

"You are right, Joachim, but there's little we can do it about it. The only implications are the obvious ones: with the Japanese mainland subdued, Japanese troops in China will melt like snow under the sunlight. Allied aircraft will pour on Western Europe. Allied transport fleets will cross the Atlantic up to the French or Balkan coasts. All we can do is keep our beaches safe, make a successful campaign against the Soviet Union, and hope we can revenge our Ally one day."

"If such is the situation, there's little else we can talk about and I may well declare this short emergency Cabinet over. Crying over spilled milk is just not useful. Let's get back working harder than before: we'll need it."​

0600 March 25th 1945
Tornio and Vaasa, Finland

In the meantime, other commanders had far better news. Two Soviet squadrons were almost destroyed in an aerial engagement above Tornio, and German troops counterattacked at Vaasa aiming to recapture lost territory and forcing the Soviets to abandon their thrust against mainland Finland.​

053-13-Air.jpg

As usual, another Soviet division teetered on the brink of extinction.​

0000 March 27th 1945
Reichstag, Berlin, Germany

Speer received slightly better news. The first batch of V2 missiles had been completed. It was now to test if they were cost-effective or not.​

053-14-V2.jpg

Not all of them would be used immediately, however.​

1400 March 27th 1945
The skies above Aachen

The Luftwaffe could spare some Fighter squadrons for the defense of Western Europe, and most importantly, Germany. After the failure of Operation Overlord, Allied bombings on German industrial cities became rare, but at this period of the year started intensifying again, and Germany could not allow its precious industry to be damaged.​

053-15-BombersGermany.jpg

Above Aachen, three Fighter and Interceptor squadrons intercepted a scary number of British Strategical bombers with escorts attached to them. German aircraft was superior luckily, and while numbers did not allow for much damage to be done, some of the British squadrons did suffer significant damage anyways.​

1700 March 27th 1945
Vaasa, Finland

The effects on the German counterattack at Vaasa started to show, as Soviet troops hastily pulled back to defend the position, bringing the number of divisions from two to seven in less than one day.​

053-16-Vaasa.jpg

Having fewer Soviet troops spread over Oulu and Vaasa was actually better for the Luftwaffe, which was in turn less exposed to concentrate AA firepower.​

0600 March 29th 1945
Reichstag, Berlin, Germany

"What is it that we're here once again, Joachim? What else could have happened in so few days?"

"It's just one of those 'implications' of the fall of Tokyo, Martin. Not a light one, though."​

053-17-MengkukuoAnnexed.jpg

Mengkukuo had been annexed by, of all things, a British division roaming through thousands of miles of wasteland. This told much about the Japanese ability to wage war in 1945.​

0600 March 29th 1945
The skies above Northeast Gulf of Bothnia

It seemed that for each bad news, the Lufwaffe had something to answer with. And this was true again, as while German fighters were flying to Finland, two unfortunate Soviet bomber squadrons stumbled upon them.​

053-18-Air.jpg

One was completely destroyed to debris, and the other one barely stood the tragic confrontation alive.​

1500 March 29th 1945
Oulu, Finland

Climatic conditions did not seem to get any better in Finland despite the end of March, and Ringel was still forced to fight with the only advantage of air superiority.​

053-19-Oulu.jpg

Air superiority was fundamental though, as he was now facing only six divisions, some of which showed signs of peril too.​

053-20-OuluBombing.jpg

Over the course of a day, two more divisions filled the ranks of the Soviet defenders in Oulu, but this did not prevent the Luftwaffe from running its routine Ground Attack mission. This time an Armored division was paying the highest toll.

Soviet recruitment centers should've been really busy.​
 
SouthCarolinian - Thanks. Japan is a walking zombie.

Enewald - Hopefully what's going to happen to the Soviets will be scarier.

BoemsiBoemsie - I am quite surprised by the effects of my airforce. Mods with prolonged battles really make CAS and Tactical Bombers much more worth them as battle-swinging factors. You're right about rest and refitting, I'm already doing something about it.

Now for something different: I have played till May 1st. Towards the end of April, something happens that is quite unrealistic and too much good for me. At that point I will ask you what course shall I take.

Cabinet update for now.
 
Cabinet Meeting April 1945

0000 April 1st 1945
Reichstag Building, Berlin, Germany

"Welcome again, gentlemen. Julius is not here as he's busy commanding his troops against the Soviets in Oulu, Finland. But as we need an Army report, Heinz is first today."

"Good day to you all. What we have this month is a delicate month, full of new aspects."​

054-1-Europe.jpg

"This is how Europe stands as of April 1st. It doesn't look like much of a change from the last three months, except for Sweden, which is now in our hands, and some parts of Finland. We'll have to look closer at it however."​

054-2-Finland.jpg

"Snow has started to thaw out in southern Finland, allowing the Soviets to attack the much weaker Heeresgruppe Finland, protecting what's left of our Ally. This has forced us to anticipate our Summer plans: Ringel needs to link up with Hausser's Heeresgruppe Finland by attacking those Soviet forces which are now attacking Hausser. This is why we decided to attack Oulu even before Spring sets, because if we waited there would've been chance that Finland would've disappeared under the belt of Soviet forces. In hindsight, the choice of invading Sweden has been an excellent one, as it allowed us to carry more than forty divisions right at the doorstep of Soviet-occupied Finland."​

054-3-FinnishWeather.jpg

"Here we have a few good news. Just yesterday snow thawed out in Oulu too; this means our attack will proceed a lot faster than it did up to now. Should we succeed in capturing Oulu, we'll have linked our forces with Hausser, and we'll be able to push through all of Finland at once.

Since the start of this hurried operation - that is, a few days after the capitulation of Sweden - we have taken only very light casualties, while we have been able to destroy around seven Soviet divisions, and more are perishing under the bombs of the Luftwaffe. May I say however, and this is something Speer will have a word about, that it is imperative, now more than ever, that we protect our aerial assets and that we acquire as much Oil as possible. As our stockpiles are now, we can let all our planes drop off for just seven days."​

054-4-ArmyComparison.jpg

"I have concluded a report about our ground Armed Forces status, and that of our allies. At the dawn of this greatly anticipated offensive against the Soviets, we have three hundred divisions, many being lent by our allies. Japan still has a fairly good Army, with shortly less than 150 divisions, but most of it is in China and it won't do nothing if they haven't got anything left to defend their Japanese mainland with.

As things stand now, I think that even if Japan is to fall this month, we're more than well prepared to face the Soviet Union again. We did not expect to start attacking them so fast, but their attack against Heeresgruppe Finland more or less forced us to. My main advice is to let our other Heeresgruppen stay on defense and let the hard blow fall on Finland up to Leningrad. And acquire as much Oil as possible. Without it, we're sitting ducks. That's all from me."

"Thank you Heinz. That's good news to hear about Finland. Let's hope that now that snow is thawing out we can come to a fast conclusion of the battle of Oulu. Ernst, intelligence."

"Thanks Martin. I have some news to bring to you, mainly because we've been able over the last month to increase our espionage budget a bit."​

054-5-USEspionage.jpg

"Last month we had 4 spies in the USA, now we have 5, which provide for a slightly more correct report. Their ever-growing industry has reached a new high, mainly because of the conquest of Japan. Last report showed numbers such as 88 infantry divisions, while today we have 113, while the number of armored divisions is almost the same. Airforce numbers also stay the same, that is, incorrect the same way.

Our spies tell they have 13 Battleships, which may be true, while their Carriers number dropped from 16 to 9, which might be a more reliable number."​

054-6-UKEspionage.jpg

Ground and Air forces for Great Britain are almost the same even if we have two more spies among their ranks. Only the numbers about their Navy are a bit different: eight Battleships instead of last month's fourteen, seven carriers instead of four. Their Industrial Capacity is almost the same. I hope our V2 production is going to alter this a bit, even if not forever."​

054-7-SOVEspionage.jpg

"We have four spies in the Soviet Union, whereas in the last month we just had two. Numbers about their Ground Forces should be more correct now, even if not perfect. Their infantry divisions show a reasonable number of 368, compared to last month's 217. They also seem to have sixty-one armored divisions, but I think that's a bit too high of a number. If these estimates prove to be correct, we are facing an enemy that outnumbers us only slightly in the battlefield. Their Industrial Capacity is almost the same as last month."​

054-8-TechTeams.jpg

"Our research is progressing fairly well, with an Advanced Electronic Computer device coming up from Konrad Zuse; a new Tank design should also come up before Summer hopefully. Next goes an Improved Hospital System being devised by von Manstein, then Heisenberg's Nuclear Fuel Analysis, and finally I.G. Farben's work on Synthetic Oil Plant, which should lead to an improvement to our Industry Efficiency - and only marginally to our Oil problem. I'm finished."

"Albert."

"Quite a few news to announce here. Our Industrial Capacity has seen a minor setback due to recent Allied bombings, but there's little we can do about them as they're just too many for us to counter them in a harmless way for our Fighters. So we'll let it go until we have subdued the Soviet Union, I think. Anyways, our production is going nicely, with the first three V2s completed and ready to select their target in Cherbourg. Stockpiles are fairly good except for Oil as usual, which at the current rate we're using it we have enough for only nine days. Manpower should not be an issue, with more than a thousand men being raised daily and nearly three hundred thousand currently not being used.

There is some news about our current Production however. Me and Martin have talked about this for a long time, and now we have come to a conclusion."​

054-9-Production.jpg

"We have decided to start work on a Nuclear Reactor. If we can allocate all our spare capacity without interferences, work on our first, small Nuclear Reactor will be completed August 26th. Reasons behind this decisions are many: first, the need to bridge the gap between us and the Allies; second, we believe that this field of research may yield great and many innovations, as our Nuclear physicists tell us; third, we may always put this work to a halt shall the need of diverting production to other sectors arise."

"I do believe indeed this field of research will lead to something never seen before. As we've been the first to learn the secrets of Rocketry, and it has greatly enhanced our Airforce, we'll want to learn about the secrets held by a Nuclear reactor. Ernst, you are last. I assume you don't bring good news."

"I don't, Martin. April will probably be the last month in which we can talk about Japan.."​

054-10-SunkShips.jpg

"Naval losses have been somewhat light, with all the IJN already decimated. They could do worse however, and they did, by losing the IJN Shinano, yet another Carrier, and the glorious battleship IJN Yamato. That's a shameful end for the IJN, the Yamato being the last of the great Japanese ships being sunk. Was it just for the Naval issue, however, we'd be talking about good news. But it's not."​
 
Cabinet Meeting April 1945
continued

054-11-Busan.jpg

"Hirohito and his Cabinet fled Japan and set their new Capital in Busan, Korea. Their hurried escape will probably last some days, as Korea itself is completely devoid of troops. But so is Japan, as you'll see shortly."​

054-12-Tokyo.jpg

"American troops have occupied all of mainland Japan, and are in the process of attacking what's left of the IJA in Japan: that is three divisions in total."​

054-13-China.jpg

"Only China shows the slowest Allied progress, but with the downfall of their mainland chance is that the Japanese government will seek peace under the terms of unconditional surrender very soon. Alas, I have little more to add."

"The consequences of Japan subdued are quite scary, if you ask me" Heinz Guderian intervened "but, to put it bluntly, the only thing to fear if we lose Japan is our Western European beaches and nothing else. We may even see tensions arise between the United States and the Soviet Union. Roosevelt is an aging man and his demise might alter the balance between the two superpowers. Also, the death of Japan leaves a hole in the balance of power in Asia. Who's going to control Korea? Will the Nationalists and Communists in China remain peaceful? I doubt so. Will the Soviet Union avenge his rights over mainland Japan or Korea? I think that, ultimately, the fall of Japan is going to cause the Soviet Union and the United States more than a headache."

"That might be, but we still lose our most valuable Ally and we'll be forced to fight against the entire world alone. Gentlemen, we must avenge them one day."​
 
Grey Finland

0000 April 1st 1945
Tampere, Finland

Seeing that Finland was the primary target for Ringel and Hausser's offensive against the Soviet Union, seventeen Luftwaffe squadrons had been ordered to rebase to Tampere after a long period of rest in Warsaw.​

055-1-EvenMoreLuftwaffe.jpg

They would see action almost immediately. At this point, Air Superiority had to be uncontested.​

055-2-Oulu.jpg

Now that the Soviets defenses were no longer covered in snow, morale and organization of the eight Soviet divisions began to crumble fast.​

055-3-Vaasa.jpg

Hordes of Luftwaffe bombers would invade the skies of Finland once again in April 1st. Air General Bülowius targeted Vaasa first, and then Oulu, whose divisions had been brought to ten.

Bülowius had thirteen squadrons against less than ten thousand men. That is to say, almost one thousand and three hundred Tactical bombers and Close Air Support against ten thousand soldiers. There was one bomber per thirteen.​

055-4-Oulu.jpg

As April 2nd approached night, one Soviet armored division was about to cease to exist, while the other nine suffered a great amount of damage.​

1700 APril 3rd 1945
The skies above Vaasa

Control of the skies remained uncontested, with a great number of Luftwaffe fighters flooding the skies of Finland. This time, however, damage to Soviet fighters and bombers would be quite light, but something would happen that would eradicate Soviet air presence in Finland totally.​

055-5-VaasaAir.jpg

For now, they were content with bringing one Soviet bomber squadron down.​

2100 April 4th 1945
Vaasa and Oulu, Finland

While the attack on Vaasa progressed nicely, Soviet troops had flooded in Oulu, menacing to stop Ringel's advance. While many of such Soviet divisions suffered horrendous casualties, many more were high on morale and equipment, while Ringel's troops started to tire.​

055-6-Vaasa.jpg

Ringel started to consider calling off the attack, even if temporarily, to give respite to him and to Luftwaffe bombers.​

0000 April 7th 1945
Foreign Ministry, Berlin

Von Ribbentrop would seek another partner.​

055-7-Oil.jpg

Romania simply had all its Oil stockpiles traded with Germany and it would take time before the Oil fields of Ploesti would replenish Romania's depots to a satisfying level. But Germany was in dire need of Oil, and von Ribbentrop was forced to strike a deal with Bulgaria, which had a small Oil reserve.​

1200 April 7th 1945
Vaasa, Finland

After many days of bitter fighting, Vaasa was finally liberated by Finnish and German troops.​

055-8--VaasaWin.jpg

Three of the Soviet divisions liked Finland so much they wanted to retreat in the interior, instead of pulling back to Oulu. Finnish troops would await their arrival eagerly.​

0500 April 8th 1945
The skies above Oulu

Bülowius encountered six Soviet fighter squadrons in the skies of Oulu that, while not very organized, caught several German bomber squadrons and inflicted moderate casualties before being forced to leave.​

055-9-OuluAir.jpg

It could not be avoided that, sometimes, even escorted bombers would suffer casualties.​

2100 April 8th 1945
Vaasa, Finland

Three Soviet divisions took the happy decision of retreating just among Finnish troops.​

055-10-PoriEncircle.jpg

Gratitude from German and Finnish divisions was shown with several thousands of bullets. The Soviets eventually surrendered nine hours after.​
 
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Grey Finland
continued

1300 April 10th 1945
Oulu, Finland

Soviet forces grew desperate and threw their last reserves in Oulu, in a last effort to try and stop Ringel.​

055-11-OuluFarStretched.jpg

They were quite successful at that, as even Ringel's divisions were too much tired to continue fighting. They could have continued fighting, but it was preferred that the attack be ceased for the moment.​

055-12-OuluRetreat.jpg

On April 10th, Ringel called off the attack which lasted for twenty days exactly. The main reason behind this decision was to regroup and to let the Soviets attack the weaker German defenses in Finland, so to leave their flank exposed to a renewed attack from Ringel's forces.​

055-13-SeinaAttacked.jpg

Ringel's prediction proved to be correct: only five hours after the cessation of the attack, twenty understrenght Soviet divisions launched an attack on the far weaker Finnish soil of Seinäjoki. Now Ringel would retaliate.​

055-14-OuluAttackAgain.jpg

Two days after, Ringel led thirty-three of his divisions against twenty-seven Soviet divisions. Mysteriously enough, the Soviet commander made the choice of pulling some of his most organized divisions out of combat. Just two days after, a Soviet Armored division and an Infantry division retreated East, leaving Ringel with forty-one divisions against a desperate defense consisting of twenty-five divisions that could barely man a gun and fight.​

0000 April 13th 1945
Washington D.C., United States of America

It was announced to the world that the President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, had just deceased.​

055-15-FDRDies.jpg

To the Americans he was the man of the New Deal, the man of the Great Depression, the man of Pearl Harbour. To Germany it made little difference if it was Roosevelt or Truman: the US would be Germany's enemies until the demise of either the Axis or the Allies.​

0500 April 15th 1945
The skies above Finland

Bülowius was flying his usual bombing run against the decimated Soviet troops in Oulu, whose number now hardly reached two hundred thousands.​

055-16-OuluBombs.jpg

The Soviet Air Force desperately tried to keep Bülowius to the ground, but their efforts were useless.​

0825 April 17th 1945
Reichstag Building, Berlin, Germany

"Sorry to call a meeting this early gentlemen, but the reason for doing it is grave." von Ribbentrop had received a disturbing report on his desk and he had to inform the cabinet.

"Did Japan surrender already?" asked Bormann

"Not yet Martin, but I think we're very close to."​

055-17-SiamSurrenders.jpg

"Siam just surrendered to the Allies and became neutral. The Japanese lost their last puppet and I don't think it will be long before I receive a report from our Japanese envoys carrying news about a possible Japanese formal surrender. It will be just days from now, I think."

"That's the end of Japan for sure. So Siam is neutral, I see?"

"Yes it is. The Allies have kindly decided to let Siam rebuild by letting it stay out of any conflict for the moment. Not that it would make much a difference to us, but it is still a striking news nonetheless. It was expected, but not that early."

"Well, indeed it was expected, and there's little we can do about it. Gentlemen, let's go back doing what we were doing up to half a hour ago. Siam is lost and Japan too. We will not."​

1800 April 18th 1945
Oulu, Finland

Far more pleasing news reached Ringel's tent. The renewed attack shattered Soviet resistance in Oulu.​

055-18-Oulu.jpg

The trail of fresh Soviet divisions had been brought to an end: there were no more reserve troops for the Soviets to help their defenders with, and now Ringel and the Luftwaffe were left with paper divisions to fight with.​

0000 April 20th 1945
Reichstag Building, Berlin, Germany

Speer did not travel much beyond the Reichstag. Much of his work was there.​

055-19-V2.jpg

He now had to certify that three of the commissioned V2 had been released from Germany's industry. He gave word to Mj. General Rudel, commanding the 2nd V2. Division in Cherbourg, to strike East England with two V2 divisions, while the last three V2 divisions would be deployed in France awaiting reorganization.​

055-20-V2Attack.jpg

The attack was successful with Norwich's industry and material production razed to the ground for the time being. Counting that Germany had spent eight of her industrial complexes for twenty-seven days to build two V2 divisions, and that the UK would lose an average of five industrial complexes every twenty-seven days, such devices were not really cost-effective. The production queue would still be maintained however, as they could still prove useful some way.​
 
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Enewald - Tsk, you call that a battlefield. What will it be when Marine divisions will march in London? :D

Now, there's something important here. This is the last update till at least 5 people vote for a decision I am going to tell you as soon as you finish reading this update. Before spoiling anything, I will post the update first and then explain what you shall vote upon.