Chapter X: The Fall of a Reich
On 27th June, Yugoslavia joins the Axis and declares war upon the Soviets, effectively signing its death sentence. You can see Poles have launched an uprising, hoping to liberate as much of their country before Soviets do.
On 1st July, Greece responds to their northern threats and joins the Allies.
We manage to advance a little in the center. Soviets have made their first gains in Poland as well as Romania.
Yugoslavia joint by Bulgaria declared war upon Allies sometime in June. As we roll over plummeting German defenses, our marines are attacking various ports in Yugoslavia, such as Split.
At the beginning of August, we manage to encircle one of the pesky German heavy armor divisions.
Hungary is holding out the best of Axis countries in the East. Meanwhile Greece is struggling valiantly against both Bulgarians and Yugoslavians. War has visited the Balkan nations once again.
Our armored spearhead punches a hole through German defenses in the south, one they won’t be able to respond anymore.
Detail of the breakthrough.
And a closer look on the overall front at the end August.
Soviets liberate Poland on 4th September. That has a nasty side effect of German troops now being trapped in the middle of this miraculously liberated territory.
We are at the gates of Berlin of 7th September!
After a probing cavalry attack, Berlin is attacked by each and every nearby unit, starting on 11th September.
Two days later, our units enter Berlin. The German Reich however keeps on fighting!
Bulgaria falls on 15th September after a surprise amphibious invasion by our marines redirected from Yugoslavia.
Finally, on 26th September, Germans concede defeat after the capture of Stuttgart.
On 13th October, Yugoslavia gives up the fight as well. The last Axis country to fight in Europe is Hungary.
The siege of Budapest starts on 16th October.
The pressure is however mounting up and Hungarians surrender a few days afterwards.
And how does the Europe look like after the Second World War?
Germany:
To begin with, huge territorial concessions/occupation zones were given to both France and Belgelands from Germany. Czech Republic was released as an independent nation, controlling Sudetenland once again. It was however decided against the creation of Austria, simply because of people’s will in a referendum. Part of Schleswig-Holstein had to be given to Denmark as well. Since Poland was restored by the Soviets, the borders with Poland returned to pre-war borders, as Soviets could hardly say they advanced any further than that. Needless to say Eastern Prussia was directly annexed to the USSR, now known as “Kaliningrad Oblast”.
Italy:
France gained several regions in northwestern Italy, Libya had to be conceded to UK, several border adjustments were made with Yugoslavia and Greece gained islands in the Aegean Sea.
Balkans:
Both Albania and Greece gained several border territories from Yugoslavia and Bulgaria respectively, for their efforts against the Axis. Dobruja region has to be given back from Bulgaria to Romania.
Soviet Union:
Soviets claimed what they perceived to be theirs; eastern Poland, most of northern Romania, as well as Carpathian Ruthenia. Outrageously for Hungary, Romania now controlled everything east from the Danube River.
Asia:
Nationalist China regained its lost territory on top of incorporating Manchukuo and Taiwan into their administration. Most of the former Japanese pacific holdings would be under control of either United States or United Kingdom.
