War for the South: The begining
Last days of March 2007
In the Spring 2007, American Union State started with very aggressive policy in it's neighbourhood. It was obvious that AUS leadership is becoming very brave due to German support. In this time, American Union state strenghtened it's defense capacities a lot. American Union Navy received state of the art improvements from German naval technician teams(this aid was offered as compensation for use of AUS naval and air bases by German forces). Three fleet carriers of American Union Navy(USS Huey Pierce Long, USS Minuteman and USS New Orleans) were brought to standards of rival navies in the region, technologically even outmatching carriers of Combined Syndicates Navy. Two outdated light cruisers, sister ships commonly known as ''Charles&Charles''(USS Charles Coughlin and USS Charles Lindbergh) also received some changes that made them equal to their counterparts in rival navies. Four existing destroyers(USS Fritz Julius Kuhn, USS George Patton, USS Kurtis LeMay and USS Henry Ford) were improved and accompanied by seven brand new destroyers(USS Prescott Sheldon Bush, USS Joseph Kennedy, USS Atlanta, USS Richmond, USS Miami, USS Norfolk and USS Undivisionable). Unkown number of new submarines and various small vessels was also constructed or purchased abroad. Commander of Union State Air Force General Granger was proud to have his collection of aircraft of home production being joined with some fine foreign pieces, like Messerschmitt Taifun fighters and Paneuropa Tornado strike fighters. Granger also wanted to order some Heinkel strategic bombers, but limited budget prevented his ambitious plans. Ground forces were also modernized and expanded. Some Leopard 2 tanks were purchased, altough AUS was more interested in using Leopard technology in their Crusader tanks. By combining technology of Leopard and Crusader, new tank was developed by Ford company. It was named Paladin MBT. This heavy tank amused even Germans who secretely started to experimentally manufacture tanks similar to Paladin: Germans named it Liger.
It was never discovered what brought leadership of American Union State to such drastic decision. Some say that Germans were pushing on their American friends to take out the Neo-Confederate Southern Commonwealth that was approaching Entente. Others say that Germans knew the risk of consqeuences that would cause such action in North America, and tried to keep American Union State of the troubles. However, border scratches and provocations turned into full-scale invasion of American Union Army on nation of Southern Commonwealth. But Canadians who were carefully observing situation had their plans. They knew German interests in North America and dangerous rise of American Union State was major threat to Canada. Canadians decided to risk: They had to stop AUS now, or it would be too late. First Soutern Commonwealth, then USA, American Union State would also come for Canada one day. This Canadian action could trigger new world war, but it was worth to risk. As protector of independence of Southern Commonwealth, Canada honoured it's duty. However, this decision didn't drag entire Entente into this war, as most of members saw this conflict as ''Canadian private war''.
National France that just came out of major internal crisis and still faced high dissent among citizens also decided to stay out of this mess. Algiers followed the decision of most of Entente nations and declared neutrality in this conflict. However, French republic decided to sent some observers to North America, as French leaders were interested what could be learned from the American way of war.
Decision of other Entente members wasn't really disappointing for Canadians. They know Germans will this way hope that American Union State can achieve it's goal, destruction of Southern Commonwealth, and force Canadians to sue for peace. It would be even better for Berlin if AUS could use it's technological advantages that were achieved with German help to score some naval victories against Royal Navy and use the power of American Union Air Force to beat Royal Air Force in the Southern skies. Canadian preditions proved to be right: Germans really trusted into strength of AUS forces and canceled chance of any potential serious intervention. They only sent additional aid to their friends in North America.
Canadians were glad to have avoided world wide conflict, but situation was still not bright for them. American Union State possessed magnificent power, their forces were large and armed with modern equipment. But Canada had to protect Southern Commonwealth. Strong RAF detachments were sent to prevent AUS domination of Southern skies, and Royal Navy searched for enemy in the seas. Canadians combined strong strike group and assigned fleet carrier HMCS Iroquois, pride of Canadian navy, as command ship of this group. Core of Canadian strike group contained three fleet carriers: Already mentioned HMCS Iroquois, HMCS Halifax and HMCS Victoria). They were escorted by several other surface ships.