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Okay, let's post a mini update so we'll get to next page. This page is just getting too crowded.



High Operational Command of Second Republic of Spain
June 1936​

Operation Morningwood part 2


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On 16th of June our two divisions of international volunteers finally broke through the stubborn defense of Cádiz, liberating the city. Some 400 Republican heroes lost their lives in this bloody struggle.

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Traitors arrested in Cádiz. June 17 1936.

Some traitors managed to escape to Algeciras, but many choose to surrender in morning of 17th June. The escaped division was not pursued, but were simply cut off from all possible supplies. Unfortunately it was suspected that the perfidious British were secretly supplying traitors through their base in Gibraltar. We had received evidence that two British MI6 intelligence agents, Cecil Bebb and Major Hugh Pollard, had actually helped Franco to Spain from Morocce, where he had been posted. Though Britain was officially neutral, Second Republic was deeply skeptical about this matter.

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Gibraltar in June 1936, thorn in Republican side and hot-spot of British conspiracies.

In 17th June the Soria pocket was completely sealed. 4a División de Guardia Republicana lost 350 men (and one dog)in fierce battle of Covaleda, but held their ground. During these battles elements of Nationalist traitors tried repeatedly break out of their encirclement. Now Soria pocket was encircled 9 full Republican militia divisions, totaling some 105000 men, some of which were armed.

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Heroes of 4a División de Guardia Republicana counterattack, 17th June 1936.

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Republican militiaman prepares to fire his weapon during the many battles of Soria pocket. Republican forces generally suffered from not only lack of weapons, but lack of weapons that were not antique. This militiaman, however, seems adequately armed. Picture provided by Republican Intelligence Platoon (RIP). Chief of Staff commented; "Looks like lousy Photoshop work!"

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During next days many minor skirmished were fought. Typically Republican forces bore the blunt of the battle.

On 18th of June Columna Mangdata finally reached Barcelona, engaging with Nationalist forces just north of the city and certainly saving the population of Barcelona from bloody reprisal. The disorganized 9th Regimiento was quickly forced to retreat.

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After weeks of heavy fighting, in 20th June, the Nationalist attacks in Soria pocket finally begun to subside as trapped nationalist forces were running low on ammunition, food and hope. As a show of chivalry encircling Republicans summoned away the fighter that had been bombing the besieged Nationalists. Two hours later heavy bombers were called to continue the job.

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But finally in 21th of June 12a División de Guardia Republicana had reached the suburbs of captured Bilbao. The final phase of Operation Morningwood could finally begin, and in 0600 in 22th of June 12a Division begun the attack, crossing Nervión river. The battle proved short, as Bilbao was defended only by unfortunate Nationalist HQ.

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The final phases of Operation Morningwood; recapture of Bilbao, 24nd June 1936. The donkey on foreground was executed as suspected Nationalist spy. WWF send rather furious letters following this accident. President commented; "C'est la guerre."

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Victory parade in Bilbao my jubilant Republican forces, 25th June 1936. This celebration unfortunately proved too optimistic.

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Strategic situation in Bilbao region had declined. Now heroes of Bilbao were themselves in danger to be cut off, and feared Legion Condor had once again taken offensive.

That's all for today. It was a mini-update after all.
 
A mini-update is an update nontheless :) Keep it up!
 
Yeah, Spanish Civil War is much like the Second Sino-Japanese war in HPP. At first, you're not sure you can win, but you slowly gain enough momentum to force them back, and eventually destroy the enemy.

Only in this case, you gain back what you originally had anyhow. Nationalist/Communist China gain completely new territory.
 
Yeah, Spanish Civil War is much like the Second Sino-Japanese war in HPP. At first, you're not sure you can win, but you slowly gain enough momentum to force them back, and eventually destroy the enemy.

Only in this case, you gain back what you originally had anyhow. Nationalist/Communist China gain completely new territory.

True, but I think Sino-Japanese war is rather easy with China. You have good time to mop up most of the small potatoes and beef up the defenses. When Japs attack they usually get licked pretty bad. Actually taking the fight into Manchuko is difficult because of the terrain, but even automated commanders win it rather easy. China is a damn powerful country with some planning! Funny part with Spanish Civil War is that you probably want to win without destroying enemy formations, and it makes the war rather interesting.
 
High Operational Command of Second Republic of Spain
July 1936

After moving a flat, traveling for 40h and a good night's sleep brave Spanish commander shambles back to his command post, has a cup of coffee, grabs the rudder and skillfully steers the great Second Republic through stormy waters of Spanish Civil War. I wish I could do the same. While waiting the screen shots to load we could have a look on political situation in Europe of 1936.

A bit of background:

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Crude example of USA propaganda that proved spectacularly ineffective.

At beginning of July our government has noticed something that we should have noticed before - that most of the Europe is against us! The sticky situation run something like this; while we are the legal government of Spain, major democracies such as USA, UK and France are neutral, prohibiting sell of arms into our country, and to this end they have organized a Non-Intervention Committee.

However, We are not blind to the fact that both UK and USA are hostile to 'socialism and anarchist rabble', with which they mean us. Our cries for 'democracy' and 'legal government' are in vain. Governments of both countries are theoretically neutral, but silently supporting Nationalists. Their governments are not only conservative, but also afraid that support to Republican side would escalate into pan-European conflict. Cowards! We'll show them how wrong they are.

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That perfidious Salazar, dictator of Portugal and enemy of democracy

Also, Fascist states such as Italy, Germany and Portuguese Estado Novo (run by that perfidious Salazar) are openly supplying the Nationalist side with everything except the kitchen sink! Not only are they pouring fighters, bombers and experimental weapons into Spain, they are also supplying Nationalists with money, ammunition, trucks, volunteers and every other such luxury we have to do without. The help of Portugal was especially significant.

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Foreign support - Ilya Ehrernburg, Ernest Hemingway and Gustav Regler in Spain

On positive side, Spanish Civil War is by now the cause célèbre of lest-wing around the world. Thousands of frustrated, desperate, righteous or sometimes misguided people arrive from around the world to battle Fascism in Spain. To many this is not only an ideological crusade, but also a way to escape the 30's depression and unemployment. Many artists promote our cause, as well as such authors as George Orwell and Ernest Hemingway. Through their work we enjoy considerable sympathy and goodwill around the world - but very little direct help.

With no little irony Mexico was among the very few nations that was a considerable help for Republican side.

What a luck very little of this is simulated in the game.

And now back to action.

July 1936

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July 3 - Dire news arrive to our government and ends up into overwhelming pile of paper, chewing gum and cigarette butts that is our President's desk. Our brave opens the envelope and gasps! The message reads:

"We are at Civil War. We have legitimate Casus Belli for this war!"

"Buena." Says the president.

Fighting is especially confused during this week. The diabolical Legion Condor has finally taken the offensive and has smashed through the encirclement of Soria pocket despite heroic but helpless attempts to stop it. However, our dauntless troops of 11a Division receive orders to march to Pamplona and cut their supply lines. This is completely pointless since Bilbao is taken and Legion Condor did not have supply lines to begin with, but it's a nice gesture. Note how French border troops enjoy the show.

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Soldiers of Legion Condor relax with their Moroccan allies in this stolen photo. It was difficult to say which were more hated among Spanish people. Note immaculate row of boots.

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July 6 - Legion Condor has gone wild! After bitter fight they break through the southern wall of Soria pocket, routing Columna International in process. We lose 252 brave soldiers who managed to take 19 Fascists with them.

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July 8 - Our three still untouched Divisions mount an assault against Fascists in Soria. The attack was carried over major rivers, but our gallant civilians drove the enemy back.

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Now Nationalist troops inside the pocket were clearly running out of ammunition and morale. This photograph shows clearly their typical equipment that was far superior to that of our troops. July 8 1936

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July 12 - The overview of our situation. Our militias are trying to squeeze Fascists into multiple small pockets but some refuse to give up. Vigorous counter-action forced Legion Condor to give up it's offensive, and it seems they are finally running out of fuel.

In North-West Spain some sort of battle-line can be seen. Major offensives by our troops against now demoralized Nationalists has led to some major breakthroughs. General Rojo Lluch, that awkward-looking little man with spectacles, was quickly becoming one of the outstanding heroes of Spanish Civil War.

Enemy cavalries continue to harass our helpless civilians most nefarious manner, and they never seem to run out of will to do so. The cavalry clearly possesses one tremendous strength over tanks - the capability to go on with few supplies.

However, enemy is not beaten yet. They still possess some combat-ready divisions and our progress is becoming slower with every step.

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July 14 - Battle of Ponferrada. On left flank the Nationalist mount expected counter-attack we have no meant so repulse. Our strategy is to push toward El Coruña and pocket the remaining enemies, but we have only too few divisions holding the south. After bitter struggle 5a Division was forced to retreat with 323 casualties.

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This extraordinary map shows the carefully planned military maneuvers during July. We have honestly no idea why it is written in French.

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July 16 - New pride of our fleet, heavy cruiser "Baleares" is finally ready, featuring latest model 8" double turrets! Unfortunately nobody really gives a damn, since our struggle is completely landlocked. Stubborn enemy cavalries skirmish around Barcelona.

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Celebration in Barcelona, 16th July 1936

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July 18 - How are they going to explain this to Führer? Legion Condor was pushed back into tightly guarded pocket. They refused stubbornly our generous calls for surrender, but many Spanish troops did not.

By now we had finally managed to update both of our industrial techs, boosting our IC with 5%! Where is the champagne? Our cabinet takes a 24h bender to celebrate.

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July 23 - We receive reports of furious fighting from the main front, but also reports of retreating Nationalist units! Could this finally be the beginning of the end? Or the end of beginning?

In forests of Gudiña three surprisingly fresh infantry divisions attacked our loosely defended position, but were beaten back with some reinforcements. We lest 209 men in this this struggle for freedom, as usually with negligible enemy casualties. Lack of proper weapons is still a major disadvantage for our troops, but nothing can hide the exhilaration of victory despite the losses.

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These Finnish-Canadian volunteers were first among those who performed with courage and determination during the battle of Gudiña.

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July 28 - Holy Cow! I know we have been fighting a lot but I did not know that it was this much. It seems that the Civil War has hardened Spanish society into engine of effectiveness and determination. Well, at least relatively so. We gain the Veteran Army modifier! Hasta la Victoria Siempre!

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July 30 - Our best general Miaja Menant leads our best division into assault against once-proud Nationalist troops, now mostly broken remains. Only two enemy divisions are in any fighting condition under our artillery barrage. General Miaja performs so well...

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...that he gets his own poster! (But no raise in salary, thought)

That's all for today. Let's try to get those Nationalists next month.
 
I'm Loving this AAR
 
Snff, I'm touched by my loyal readers. I think I need a handkerchief.

Sorry people, there hasn't been updates for some days, had to change the country. Anyway, let's get back to action and wrap up those Nationalists. The quality of my screen shots was sometimes a bit blurry so I'm trying a new uploading method, hope it looks better. Not sure, but maybe those green letters in HPP 1.9.2 battle reports are just plain blurry no matter what you do.

High Operational Command of Second Republic of Spain

August 1936​

While waiting for our latest combat reports to load we have received some interesting data from our official news agency, League of Intelligence and Education of Spain (LIES), considering other activities of nefarious German Reich during summer of 1936(that is, other that sending panzer into Spain). The report received was something like this:

WARNING; Boring Historical Background information ahead:

Crazy Nazi Germany was great at multitasking and undertook several less-known activities during the summer of '36, in addition to re-militarizing the Rhineland and interfering with Spanish Civil War. Some rather unconventional if more peaceful missions included the favorite brainchild of Heinrich Himmler; The Research and Educational Society Ahnenerbe.

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Heinrich Himmler, commander of the Schutz Staffel (SS) and Geheime Staatspolitzei (Gestapo) was truly "the strong arm of Nazi State" Picture provided by our Republican Intelligence Platoon (RIP)

Word Ahnenerbe means "something inherited from forefathers" and was both a program for Nazi Germany to legitimize it's actions and also serving as a vanity project of Himmler, obsessed with idea of Aryan Race and supposedly great history of German People. To this end he hired a wide collection of crackpot scientists, charlatans and loose cannons, but also serious professionals who meticulously carried on his strange projects.

Two such projects took place during summer of 1936 outside of Germany, exactly at same time as Spanish Civil War raged. First expedition was launched in July, featuring a Dutch crackpot scientist Herman Wirth who was sent into Sweden to collect casts of bronze-age rock art, supposedly "earliest known writing system", naturally invented by brilliant, if fictional, Aryan Race. It was said that Wirth was "unable to distinguish between probable, certain, possible and impossible."

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Herman Wirth had all the looks of respectable scientist.

Second Ahnenerbe project was sen into Karelia, Finland, to research old songs and legends of backwood natives, supposedly long-lost myths of long-lost Aryan Race.

All this, naturally, during same period when Legion Condor stamped through Spanish hills. Oh those Germans!

End of boring background information

August 3 1936

So while Germans spend their reichmarks into crazy projects we are fighting for our lives. Actually, since we are winning, the Nationalist side is fighting much more desperately but it sounds better this way!

Now we are launching assaults toward final Nationalist strongholds, a operation that will hopefully result in total collapse of the rebellion. Spanish High Command struggled for weeks to come up with appropriate name for this operation, as many promising names were put forward.

Our Chief Of Staff Martínez Cabrera (aka "the Walrus")proposed 'Operation Titanic', which was deemed "too American." Operation Tequila was regarded as "too sober." Operation August Storm was also rejected as "too Russian."

'You never come up with good names, Martinez!' Cried the president and hit Chief of Staff with his microphone. 'Get back into the front lines and lead the attack personally!'

Finally it was decided by popular vote (President was the only person to vote) that capture of El Coruña would be named Operation Windmill.

At same time in front lines our general Miaja was still bravely leading his 'elite' division against Nationalist lines. With typical pincer movement Nationalists were attacked from multiple directions at same time, bringing our numerical superiority into full effect.

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The assault. The Legión Cóndor HQ seemed always to be in the wrong place. A stray Field Marshall was also spotted escaping with surprising velocity.

August 4 WTF is THIS?

We are fighting for our lives and they are jumping around in tights? Well we did want to take part of your bloody games anyway! This is again just one more example of Reich going to extreme Lents to maintain a public facade of rationality, fairness and middle-class respectability, but here in Spain we see rather different picture, mainly twin MGs of Mk.I Panzers.

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Luckily LIES reported that American Jesse Owens won many medals and Hitler nearly had an apoplexy. Also we managed to smuggle few pictures home.

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Berlin Olympic Games, August 1936. With close look one can see that athletes are not making the Nazi salute but some athletic gesture.

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Jesse Owens, August 1936.

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Anyway, they were great Olympics. Many countries, such as Partisans, the California Republic, the Sioux Confederacy and Israel were reported. Curiously we found out that these countries did not exist at all! Hitler was blamed for this strange detail.

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On home front we celebrated the Olympics by finally breaking the Nationalist defenses and routing the main rebel army. Many brave soldiers died in the fierce battle of Piedras Blancas.

August 9 - Now there had been a lull in the front lines, as our brave soldatos regrouped and resupplied. We also gave time for Nationalist soldiers to consider the folly of their situation, and called them in brotherly terms to give up their arms and surrender.

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Both sides resorted to propaganda that was labeled in USA as "strongly homoerotical." So this is what Fascists meant with "manly values!"

Unfortunately it became obvious that Nationalist troops could not surrender before El Coruña was taken, even if they wanted to! 'It's the rules.' many Nationalist soldiers said, without explaining further.

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North-African colonial troops were guilty of atrocities against civilians and were widely hated among Republicans. Many of these units fought bitterly to the end, even after Spanish soldiers had surrendered.

'Well, those Fascistos are begging for it! Unleash Operation Windmill!' President shouted so vigorously that Chief of Staff lost his hat. He was forty feet away at the moment.

Then, at 1500, 9th of August 1936, Operation Windmill begun.

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All top Republican commanders took part in Operation Windmill. It was estimated Nationalist would be forced to surrender within a week. This was later regarded as "reckless optimism". Breakthrough was accomplished as late as 12th of August, at cost of 319 brave Republicans.

August 12 - 'Who Diablo has scripted this rubbish?' Cried the President as he saw the news. Even thought we were having a civil war against the Fascists and right-wing elements, Carlists were gaining support! We are bloody fighting against these guys at the moment!

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This is Fascist conspiracy! Navia was finally won, but our political field was in danger.

August 17 More than week had passed and Nationalist still fought on, but two militia divisions had advanced to threaten remaining Fascists from the south, led by Chief of Staff himself. El Presidenté Ordered a full-scale assault on all fronts, and few bloody days followed...

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In morning hours of 17th August eleven Republican divisions launched the final assault against wavering Nationalist lines. During next five days Nationalist troops were routed, but not destroyed.

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Familiar faces were seen just before the assault. Hemingway had even lost some weight! Razors were rare among Republican militiamen.

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George Orwell, 17th August. It is not widely known that George Orwell was a deadly swordsman, and carried a katana with him during the war. He claimed it was the "most reliable weapon he had."

August 25 - The Final Battle

After a week of hard fighting, Republican forces were finally prepared to launch the final offensive against Nationalist forces on 25th August. Celebrated hero of Spanish Civil War, Rojo Lluch lead the five divisions that engaged Nationalist defenders in bitter house-to-house combat. Nationalist firepower counted for little in urban combat where Republican forced engaged their enemies with shovels, rifle-butts and golf-clubs.

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Typical but unidentified Republican militiaman during the savage Battle of El Coruña. Note that many militiamen wore civilian clothing and carried unconventional weapons. It was rumored that Nationalist defenders were found killed by improvised weapons, such as cattle-guns. Picture provided by League of Intelligence and Education of Spain(LIES).

El Coruña became an inferno of machine-gun fire and explosions as battle was often carried out in distances of few feet as attackers advanced toward the guns. However, Republican forces enjoyed crushing superiority of sheer numbers and superiority of fighting-spirit that had ebbed away from Nationalist troops. One by one, houses were cleared in bloody hand-to-hand combat and long chains of prisoners were led away into rear areas. Remaining Nationalist divisions were sent to reinforce the defenses of the city, but most obeyed their orders only reluctantly.

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Battle of El Coruña lasted for five days as Republican forces slowly advanced through the rubble, fighting with spirit and determination.

August 30 Victory, bloody victory.

After five days of bitter but hopeless fighting Nationalist soldiers finally broke under the inevitability of Republican assault. More than 55000 Republican soldiers had fought for five days over few acres of rubble, against more than 60000 Nationalist defenders. At 30th of August, year 1936, final defenders of El Coruña abandoned both their positions and the hopeless cause of their leaders, and Republicans rushed into the city. In savage battle determined Republicans were forced to kill over 700 of their demoralized opponents, at cost of 385 of their own. These men were to almost the last battle-casualties of Spanish Civil War.

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At 2100 General Rojo reports total victory from El Coruña, and Nationalist flee. The last major battle of Spanish Civil War was over.

However, mopping up-operations continued for many days, and last remains of Nationalist once-proud army arrived to city and tried to hold it. It took many days and many useless casualties still before Republican forces could truly claim the final Nationalist stronghold as their own.

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The end of the Spanish Civil War. With curious freak of fate breakthrough with census tabulation machine was made during the same day.

In dead of night, 4th of September 1936, General Rojo received delegation of officers from Nationalist side who proposed to surrender to spare their tired soldiers. Nationalist leaders had fled to Portugal and Italy, and remaining forces could not go on, reported the officers as they gave up their sidearms and signed the agreement to surrender. Shortly afterward order to lay down the weapons was broadcasted, and final shot of Spanish Civil War was reportedly shot 0:21, 4th September 1936. At this point those of Nationalist forces who could flee the country had done so, and those who could not offered no more resistance. There was no guerrilla war.

Nationalist side was defeated.

Next morning President broadcasted Republican call for remaining combatants to lay down their weapons. Official declaration to end the war signed two weeks afterward, 19th September 1936 in Madrid.

Spanish Civil War had lasted from 13th of May to 4th of September, and was now finally over.

That's it. There will be one more post about the aftermath of SCW.
 
Victory! But what now? What will the brave defenders of liberty do when the Nazi jackboot comes to stamp on all of Europe? And more importantly, what kind of incentive do the Allies have to provide for you joining their cause? I would go for at least all of Morocco and Gibraltar. And maybe Cuba back. Or the Philippines, too. :D
 
Victory! But what now? What will the brave defenders of liberty do when the Nazi jackboot comes to stamp on all of Europe? And more importantly, what kind of incentive do the Allies have to provide for you joining their cause? I would go for at least all of Morocco and Gibraltar. And maybe Cuba back. Or the Philippines, too. :D

...And Mexico and all of South America just to sweeten the deal! :D

What war? There shall not be any war! Certainly Hitler could not be that crazy! If war comes I could just liberate some new territories from Fascist rule, something small and insignificant....such as Italy.
 
Thank god the SCW is over... everytime you mentioned "EL CORUÑA" I pictured you saying it in the worst mexican fake accent :D

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What do you mean fake? I learned my Spanish from this great movie! :p

Thank god I did not play with Denmark ! Even my Norwegian buddies say that Danish is "not a language but a throat disease." Well, I guess I could help them against Germany anyway.
 
Did you badly fake that picture of Himmler or was the picture of Himmler badly faked by the Nazis? Surely one of the greatest propaganda machines in history could do better.
 
What do you mean fake? I learned my Spanish from this great movie! :p

Thank god I did not play with Denmark ! Even my Norwegian buddies say that Danish is "not a language but a throat disease." Well, I guess I could help them against Germany anyway.

Oi!!! Norwegian sounds like someone is trying to inhale a fish while speaking! :p Nah, just kidding... Great AAR, too bad it's allready ended :(