Lion of Judah - An Abyssinian AAR

[walkerstown]

For my very first AAR I decided to choose the unlikely nation of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). The settings are - normal difficulty and normal AI, with no cheats throughout.

LION OF JUDAH

Introduction

Much of Abyssinian history in the period immediately before the Italian invasion focuses on the Emporer, Haile Selassie. His fortunes and the fortunes of Abyssinia itself are inextricably linked.

Haile Selassie was born Tafari Makonnen in Ethiopia in 1892. He was named regent and heir to the throne in 1917, but had to wait until the death of the Empress Zauditu to assume full kingship. During the years of 1917-1928, Tafari travelled to such cities as Rome, Paris, and London to become the first Ethiopian ruler to ever go abroad, absorbing many of the ideas that marked his subsequent attempts at modernisation. November 1930, Zaubitu died and Tafari was crowned emperor, the 111th emperor in the succession of King Solomon. Upon this occasion he took the name Haile Selassie, meaning "Might of the Trinity."

Ethiopia was a culturally and resourcefully rich land recognized by the European colonial powers as sovereign from as early as 1900. Selassie's predecessor expanded his empire successfully in the 1880's and formed treaties with the Italians, who recognized the imperial potential of northern Africa. Relations became strained, however, in the 1890's when Britain and Italy agreed that Ethiopia should fall under Italian influence. Despite occasional conflicts, Ethiopia under Menelik remained sovereign, and thus we see a stage set for the leadership of Selassie: a free Ethiopia with Italian, British, and French colonies nearby, and an Italian will to expand its territorial claims when its power and opportunity arise.

Well before Selassie's crowning as negus (king), he began work modernizing Ethiopia to rival that which he saw in Europe during his time abroad. He took steps to improve legislation, bureaucracy, government schooling, and health and social services in preparation for his new reign. More importantly in a diplomatic focus, Selassie acted to promote Ethiopian power and sovereignty and secure allies abroad. In 1919 Ethiopia applied for membership into the League of Nations but was banned because its practice of slavery was still strong. By 1923, working with the Empress Zauditu, the slave trade was abolished and Ethiopia was unanimously accepted into the League. He further acted to seek approval of other nations by emancipating existing slaves and their children and created government bureaus to do so. Also prior to his taking of power, Selassie promoted a twenty year treaty of friendship with Italy in 1928 and established legislation in 1930 to ban illegal sales of arms in Ethiopia, and to establish the government's right to procure arms for protection and internal unrest.

Haile Selassie

In 1931, upon assuming power, Selassie established the first Ethiopian constitution, which aimed to re-focus governmental power from many rases to his blood line solely. This move was effective in aiding Ethiopia's modernization through bureaucracy and solidarity, and forced the many regional rases to either oppose him treasonably or join him with their support. By 1934, after several suppressed revolts, all the major rases were either supporters or outside the empires influence in the outer regions of Ethiopia. Much of Selassie's loyalty was fostered by the building of schools, universities, and newspapers, as well as increased availability of electricity, telephone, and public health services. The Bank of Ethiopia was also founded in 1931 and introduced Ethiopian currency.

The Swedish officers who helped to train the Abyssinian Army

Though the changes in Ethiopia sponsored by Selassie and his new progressive government seemed very promising, there lingered a new threat to the growing country when Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy in 1922. The north African colony of Eritrea, held by the Italians, was harmonious in its African/Italian co-existence from the 1890's until 1922, when Mussolini's administration began to emphasize the superiority of Italian inhabitants, and even enforced the segregation of the population. As late as 1928, motions of peace were made by Italy, but it seemed as though Mussolini wanted Eritrea only as a strategic base for future conquest in Africa. In December 1934, there was an incident seemingly provoked by Italian forces that involved an Ethiopian escort to the Welwel wells used by desert nomads. The League of Nations exonerated both parties in the battle in September 1935, and it seemed to Mussolini that he would not be condemned for his future hostilities. Italy invaded Ethiopia one month later without declaring war; the League of Nations condemned Italy as the aggressor, but no actions were taken.

Benito Mussolini, Italian dictator and demagogue

[walkerstown]

From the unpublished memoirs of Haile Selassie - translated into English by the department for African studies, Oxford University.*

"And so the year 1936 began much as 1935 had ended, the fascist forces of Benito Mussolini encamped around our borders in ever increasing strength, and the world ignorant and uncaring of our situation."

"In early January I was approached by one of my most trusted advisors - the owner of the Gemgiabiet munitions factory in Addis Ababa. He suggested the development of new battlefield tactics to replace those taught by our advisors before the war. I assented - recognising the advantage this would give us, and that we would need any advantage available to triumph over the fascists and their modern weapons of war."

"The economy was, at this point, relatively stable. The only industrialised areas of the country were far to the west - if they were to fall into enemy hands the war would be lost. Despite the restrictions of the war, the government under my control was able to ensure that adequate supplies and goods for the population were procured."

"It was at this point that I decided to issue my war order no. 17, a copy of which I enclose below

War Order no 17 - to the Commanders of the Northern and Eastern Fronts
The order is given to all units to make their way to the capital, Addis Ababa, where reorganisation and re-equipping will commence. The withdrawal is to be carried out in an orderly manner to reduce the risk of Italian bombing.

At the time I was much criticised for this, but I felt it the only option able to guarantee our ability to fight on."

*Please note that this is entirely fictional

[KuzuX]

Welcome to the forums with your first post and first AAR.I hope this will be the first comment .

This game will be difficult

[walkerstown]

From the Italian Official History of the Campaign, published 1936 by Lupo Press, Rome

"The barbarian forces of pretender to the throne Haile Selassie at this point began a headlong and rapid retreat towards Addis Ababa. Despite the fact that there were few enemies left to fight, our glorious fascist armies performed admirably. On a number of occasions, despite being armed only with rifles, planes, tanks, artillery and mustard gas they managed to destroy forces of native tribesmen several times their size. The Duce in Rome quite rightly described these victories as 'the greatest since the days of Caesar and his legions'."

Letter, Haile Selassie to Minister for War Desta Damtew dated February 1936

"I advise you to take steps to improve the defences of Addis Ababa. My personal suggestion would be the formation of a garrison trained by officers from the Imperial Bodyguard and equipped with our remaining rifles and the materiel captured from the Italians in the early stages of the war."

[walkerstown]

KuzuX - Thanks It certainly will be difficult, last stand, backs to the wall stuff, but that will make victory all the more rewarding.

[stnylan]

All the best with this. And I hope you enjoy the experience of AAR-writing as much as the rest of us

[walkerstown]

Thanks stnylan, it's been fun so far

I'll just reitarate that every 'source' I use is made up by me. I also forgot to say that I'm using HOI2 (not DD) with the 1.3 patch.

From 'The War For Abyssinia', Pierre Quinn

"The Abyssinian retreat from its fixed positions on the borders with Italian Eritrea and Somaliland continued throughout the month of February. Keen to preserve their honour in the face of their enemy, several Abyssinian commanders conducted a gallant and successful rearguard action. This persuaded the Italian forces to pursue at a safe distance, and lessened the damage from air attack. However, casualties were heavy and some units reached Addis Ababa with barely half their strength intact. Much time and effort would be needed in order to reinforce the formations for offensive action."


Italian troops prepare to advance towards the Abyssinian capital

From the memoirs of Haile Selassie

"At this time the press in a number of European nations - especially Britain and France, began to question the courage of myself and those under my command. I was incensed, and found it difficult to believe that these comfortable Liberals could criticise men who had fought like lions in the face of all the terrors of modern war. Relations were soured between the allied powers and my own government, to the extent that Britain refused to conduct any trade at all with us. Battered and assailed but still alive and prepared to continue the fight, we were forced to rely completely on our own resources."

[stnylan]

Until there is a victory over Italy, nothing will look up I fear.

[lifeless]

ooo good luck!

[grayghost]

Very well done so far. You will make Anonymous4401 very happy and probably earn some Anonymous4401 dollars that may happily be spent at your local Anonymous4401 retailer.

[rcduggan]

my first post in this aar. good luck! you'll need it.

[Guangxi]

subscribing.

[Arthulian]

What are you going to do if you defeat italy?

[Dextrous]

Originally Posted by Arthulian

What are you going to do if you defeat italy?

Personally, I think if he beats Italy he should remain at war with them, then join the allies when Italy enters the Axis, and help the Brits in the North Africa campaign and invasion of Italy. Call me boring and unoriginal, but hey, that's what I would do.

Fantastic AAR btw, very interesting!

[walkerstown]

@Dextrous
Thanks

@Arthulian
That would be telling, but one option's an Abyssinian-inspired revolt against colonialism.

@rcduggan & lifeless
Thanks, I've a feeling luck will play a large part in any successes I have.

@grayghost
I wonder if that Anonymous4401 retailer sells '36 infantry in large quatities.

Commander Northern Front to HRH Haile Selassie, dated March 8th 1936

“Having arrived at the outskirts of Addis Ababa we have succeeded in stemming the Italian tide for the time being. The enemy seems cautious, perhaps as a result of our fighting retreat, and is sending divisions in one at a time. If this continues we should be able to hold out for a long period of time. Although the recapture of territory is at this stage impossible, as long as we ensure that the fascists cannot build up their forces or completely surround us this is no great problem.”

Reply, HRH to Commander Northern Front

“Indeed, it is endurance, not victory, that we place our hopes on for the time being.”



Commander Northern Front to HRH Haile Selassie, dated March 19th 1936

“Cannot continue latest attack without unacceptable loss of life and morale. Have come up against a regular Italian division as opposed to the Blackshirt or Colonial troops we have been fighting thus far. Reports that chief of the Italian army himself is leading the Defence. Fear encirclement and advance on Addis Ababa in the near future, as enemy now too strong to be turned back in several places.




HRH Haile Selassie inspects weapons on the Northern Front.

Viking Tamm [Swedish Advisor] to HRH Haile Selassie, dated March 20th 1936

“First ‘Garrison’ division has been trained and equipped. I suggest placing it in Gambela, as there is a chance we can keep the border with British Sudan open long enough for them to stop their embargo.”



From ‘The War for Abyssinia’

“Unfortunately the formation placed in Gambela was quickly overrun, as the forces in Addis Ababa could no longer conduct spoiling attacks against the rapidly growing Italian divisions in neighbouring provinces. It was at this time that Haile Selassie’s Swedish advisor Viking Tamm disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Soon afterwards Selassie was seen wearing a magnificent new uniform of European cut, with medals that looked strangely Swedish in design … ”




Italian troops scavenge weapons from the destroyed garrison.

Will Abyssinia survive? Find out next time!

[Guangxi]

i think militia would be better, since they can retreat.

[lifeless]

so its going to come down to the fight for the capital...good luck!

[Edge of a Knife]

I really hope you can pull this off...

Why don't you send one of your units to attack Ginir and Moyale, and another to take Debre Mark'os; you would encircle 2 Italian divisions.

But keep the AAR up, it's good.

[stnylan]

Capital fight - when surrounded - could be nasty.

[Myth]

pretty good so far, it'd be a shame if you lose