Chapter VI: The Road to Unification
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Mother Russia will take the road to unification. Mother Russia will liberate our oppressed Proletariat brethren. We won't be satisfy until she is complete.”
-Nikolai Bukharin
“We are now facing a dilemma. Should we sell our friend to gain a more powerful friend? But then that'll make our powerful friend, more powerful.”
-French Chairman, Daniel Guerin, asking his foreign minister, Amedee Dunois.
------------------------------------------------
Timur Rolling in His Grave
With their Socialist brethren in Spain cornered in Catalonia, Bukharin decided to make another call for volunteers now that Mongolia is liberated. Next month after, he wants another round of volunteers for CSA but New York was taken by Long's Minute Men. There are no more major ports to send help for Reed.
(apparently, I need to be at peace for this to fire. No events to help CSA)
--------------
The Second Congress of the People's Committee was held to sign the 1938 constitution, also known informally as the Bukharin constitution since Bukharin have personally drafted most of it. The constitution formalising the Soviet government as the new administration in Russia and clearly outlines the Soviet government and its roles and responsibilities, making it more efficient than before. It also marks the adaptation of the Gregorian calendar from the Julian calendar. (Note: In-game dates are unaffected)
The Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, it's official name, would now be ruled by a cabinet which will now be called as the Council of People's Commissars (SOVNARKOM). Every ministry were renamed as People's Commissariat headed by a People's Commissar to avoid the stinking bourgeois aura around it. This is a new order where the people rules, not as an exact replacement of the old and ancient regime.
The new Council of People's Commissars are composed of:
Chairman
People's Commissariat for Armaments (NKPV)
People's Commissariat for Defence (NKO)
People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs (NKPID)
People's Commissariat for State Security (NKGB)
People's Commissariat for Technology (NKPT)
People's Commissariat for Finance (NKF)
People's Commissariat for Trade and Industry (NKTP)
People's Commissariat for Agriculture (NKDSH)
People's Commissariat for Food (NKDPPP)
People's Commissariat for Education (NKPO)
People's Commissariat for Justice (NKY)
People's Commissariat for Art, Culture and Sports (NKPIKS)
People's Commissariat for Labour (NKT)
People's Commissariat for Health (NKZ)
People's Commissariat for Post and Telegraph (NKPT)
People's Commissariat for Radio and Print (NKPRP)
People's Commissariat for Infrastructure (NKPI)
People's Commissariat of Nationalities (NKPDNN)
People's Commisariat for Technology and People's Commissariat for Armaments were created to manage non-military research and military research, respectively. KGB (Committee for State Security) was renamed as NKGB (People's Commisariat for State Security). The GRU is now lowered down a level and put into subordination to the People's Commisariat for Defence. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food was divided into People's Commisariat for Food and People's Commissariat for Agriculture. Where the earlier manages the distribution of the food while the earlier manages the production of it.
Later on, People's Commissariat for Post and Telegraphs would be renamed as People's Commissariat for Communication (NKPVK) after the advent of telephone in Russia. People's Commissariat for Radio and Print would be renamed as People's Commissariat for Media (NKPS) after the introduction of the television.
The highest command in the Red Army was reorganised too. Tukhachevsky was promoted to People's Commissar for Defence but his role remains as the head of every branch of the military including the GRU. The now vacant 'Field Marshall of the Soviet Russia' was given to Kliment Voroshilov and it now only governs the ground forces. The Soviet Airforce was separated from the Soviet Army and lead by the Chief Marshal of Aviation of the Soviet Russia, the position was given to Yakov Alksnis.
One thing that is missing from Lenin's original design was the position of Secretary. Bukharin decides not to put anyone in there and should be remain vacant indefinitely.
--------------
Throughout the month of December, the Russia wasn't idle. The Trans-Siberian railway was busy again transporting huge amount of weight transporting them from Mongolia but stopped halfway. In the 13th of January 1938, with Bukharin's approval, Commissar Litvinov send the message for war and Commissar Tukhachevsky authorised Operation Janus.
Operation Janus is the codename for the invasion of Turkestan. The Operation was divided into three groups. Janus Right would have a large army of 25 divisions to march into the capital of the late Alash-Orda, the city of Alma-Ata.
Janus Left would have 6 divisions advancing towards the Caspian Sea and cut off any forces in Astrakhan. Another six would capture Astrakhan and destroy the resistance in the pocket. 22 divisions more would split up and capture the strategic points of Kazalinsk, Turgai and the city of Zhezkazgan.
Janus Centre will advance and assist Janus Left and Janus Right by destroying any forces on the Centre to keep the flanks of the two advances safe.
Kremlin claimed that the Turks have crossed the border and raided all the way to the city of Omsk, just north of the Soviet-Turko border. The war only received harsh words from Germany and Canada but the words are just words and won't do anything against the might of the Red Army trying to liberated the Russian, Cossack and Turkic proletariat from the few oppressive and backward ruling class of Turkestan. Soviet troops crossed the border the next day with no serious resistance met.
----------------
Outside Russia. Greece was annexed by Bulgaria in January 28 with the Ottoman Empire as the remaining Belgrade Pact member facing against Bulgaria and Mitteleuropa.
In South Asia, Bengal have smuggled weapons to Indochina. Its primary target was Burma. With enough firearms, training and indoctrination from the visiting Indian commissars, Burma was ready for her people's revolution. In February 23, the working class rose up to overthrow their masters. The uprising grew into a revolt, the revolt grew into a civil war. A month later, the capital, Mandalay, and the majority of the country was under Socialist control. Bengal recognized the new nation, sign an alliance with them and send an army to help crush the divided Burmese army.
In May 3, Qing Empire demanded that the Legation Cities, an alliance of Chinese Free Cities, would accept Pu Yi as their overlord. The Free Cities accepted. These move have worried Algostasien GmbH for her neighbour's aggression. Japan, Australasia, Canada, United States and Germany were worried too for these countries have economical agreements with the Legation Cities. Now the free passage to Chinese markets is now closed.
Many only thinks about the closing of the Legation Cities but only a few begin to fear the worst.
---------------
In Soviet agriculture, NKDSH (Agriculture) have finally transform the private farms in Russian Europe into proper collective farms. The final reform was received positively since many got used to collectivization system that started since the civil-war with Bukharin's preference on a step-by-step reforms rather than just one forceful and radical reform. The step-by-step reforms were now implemented on Siberia and Mongolia and on to the liberated Central Asian lands later on.
There are those, of course, fools who attack NKDSH commissars while trying to implement these reforms. Those who oppose these progressive reforms were, unfortunately, have to be taken and sent to Socialist schools to teach them the way of Socialism and correct their dangerous Reactionary ideas. We can't blame them for having those backward ideas.
The NKZ (Health) and the NKO (Defence) have established the modern system of war hospitals used by their western allies during the Great War. According to the NKO, the survival chance of the wounded have increased with this more efficient system.
The NKPV (Armaments) have presented their plans to modernized the cavalry. The only cavalry division would get rid of the horses and the troops would instead be using BA-10 armoured cars.
The current projects that are currently on going:
1.) The NKO implementing an idea called the “Rear Area Vehicle Repair Shop” where there are these repair shops setted up by the military behind the lines to make the distance for a damage vehicle significantly shorter than before.
2.) More modern factory machine tools to increase the efficiency of the factories.
3.) More modern computing machines for various People's Commissariats to increase their efficiency as well.
4.) The Great War hospital system was better than what they previous have but the system is still crude and the Red Army is formulating a better system for the war hospitals.
5.) And the Red Airforce are investing on a better model of bomber aircrafts.
(Note: Don't be mislead by the last one. It's an early bomber tech not those escort brigades.)
-------------
In the American Civil War, the Firsters seems to have “migrated” towards the North. After destroying the isolated army of Syndicalists in New York, they themselves were pushed by the Federal army towards the North-East. The CSA managed to gain some ground but they are still mainly on the Midwest.
The situation in Spain changed a little. The Carlists continued to advance south and the CNT-FAI have gained some ground. The whole picture is still pretty much the same.
-------------
The first month of the year was easy for the Red Army as they advance rapidly into the country and winning every battle against the Turks. The former Kazakh capital, Alma-Ata, was captured in February 29. The Astrakhan pocket is closing in on the West and the Pavlodar pocket at the North-East.
Frontline. 29th of February 1938
In the 2nd of March, the largest battle in the Soviet-Turko War happen near the city of Zhambyl. Where 18 Soviet divisions met 8 Turk divisions. The decisive battle ended with a Soviet victory. The Turks were driven out of the city.
Another battle has commence at the same day at the west. 6 Red Army divisions under the command of a rising star general, Lt. Gen. Shaposhnikov, are tightening the grip around the Astrakhan pocket and assaulted the city. The 2 Turk divisions were no match against the determination of the people's army.
With most of the objectives completed, the second phase of the operation was drafted and authorised in March 8.
Janus Left will slice towards Ashgabat and trapping the enemy forces in Fort Shevchenko. The 6 divisions on the North will move down south to assist the advancing army after they finish the assault to the city of Astrakhan.
Janus Right's objectives are simpler. They are ordered to capture the strategic city of Tashkent and the capital city of Samarkand.
Janus Centre was still struggling on keeping up with the progress. The objective, capture Kazalinsk, is still not done when they were defeat on that spot on March 17. After that drawback however, the Soviet divisions rest and tried again. The soldiers are on their way to Kazalinsk in March 25 with the Turk defenders in rout. Janus Centre have also achieved an encirclement trapping an estimate of 3 to 5 divisions in the Pavlodar Pocket.
A month later. 16th of April 1938. Janus Left under Lt. Gen. Shaposhnikov have entered the city of Ashgabat and trapped the army in Fort Shevchenko. After a quick battle, 2 division strong surrendered. Janus Left's purpose is pretty much over. They are now tasked to assist Janus Right on their march to Samarkand.
By April 27, Tashkent is captured. The Pavlodar pocket is neutralised. And the Chimkent pocket is closing in. The situation of Turkestan is inevitably hopeless.
Frontline. 27th of April 1938
Finally, on 8th of May 1938, Turkestan surrendered to the Red Army and her lands were annexed. The proletariat of Central Asia are now free! Mohammad Alim Khan and his crony cohorts were put to justice for their crimes against the Motherland and the Proletariat.
--------------------
Paris. 17th of January 1938. Operation Janus Plus Four.
The two men shook hands. “Welcome comrade. So what do you think of Paris during your short stay?”
“Beautiful city. The look is totally different from Moscow so it's a breath of fresh air, I would say.”
“You are quite a new face, comrade.” said Guerin. The visiting diplomat is nervous for the reply to the offer. It's only just a few words or two sentences, tops, yet it was important for Kremlin on how they will shape their foreign policy. “How's your boss? Litvinov?”
“Yes, comrade. I'm new to this job and Commissar Litvinov is doing well” he nod then went straight to the finish line “Comrade Guerin, about the offer...”
“So your troops have crossed the border as we speak, eh?” the chairman walks away from the envoy and picked up a cigar from his box and light it.
“Yes. That is true. They officially crossed the border into Turkestan 3 days ago.”
“I see.” the room went silent for short time. “I'm sorry if it took us a while to come up with a reply, comrade Molotov. Obviously, we need Britain's approval too.”
“We understand that comrade. For as long as you didn't accept theirs.” he noticed that the Frenchman picked up a fountain pen.
Guerin sighed “Comrade, we... have decided to accept your offer.” and lend him the pen. Relieved, Molotov was about to grab the pen when the Frenchmen swiftly moved his hand away from the Russian. “We never took this decision lightly so I expect comrade Bukharin would keep his word.” He stretched his arm towards Molotov again, offering the pen.
The two men stare at each other then the Russian looked at the pen, stare back at his face and said “Of course.” Guerin revealed a weak smile as Molotov grabbed the pen. He showed him to the desk and on top of it was a paper. Two signatures were already been implanted there. One from Daniel Guerin and one from Tom Mann.
The pen touched the paper gently, Molotov signed his own alongside the two.
------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------