KangAARoos

[Heretic]

This is a first attempt at an AAR.
I thought about doing one before but really didn’t have the time, or forgot to make a few notes as I went along.

The premise is simple; I shall take part as a loyal (ish) member of the commonwealth in defending against aggression. I shall also pursue a private obsession with rockets.

Australia is conveniently isolated and has decent resources, but unfortunately limited manpower. There is a need to concentrate on a small but good quality offensive force. Thanks to the Prime Minister’s unfortunate obsession with rocketry, there will not be enough resources to get our army, navy and air force all up to scratch. Our commonwealth allies may assist, but this will pretty unpredictable to say the least.

1. Preparations.

Researching ‘Basic rocket design’ proceeds for a few months, then NZ provide us with the information. A bit late mate! You could have done it a bit earlier to save us the effort…
Developing New Guinea into a rocket production facility, all IC s to be improved. General focus on improving industry around all of Oz.

Research into solid rocket fuel and anti tank rifles underway.
Troops shipped up to Hobarth to prepare against threats from north. Mass penguin attack not considered imminent, so defences on south coast deemed adequate. Squadrons of tactical bombers to be constructed to augment the airforce.

NZ also donates ‘Military test & research facility’ info, thanks cobber.
Troops shipped off to horn of Africa, basing in Berbera, aim being to help UK against potential Italian menace, following their recent conquest of Ethiopia.

Canada donates ‘Laboratory produced fission’ secret research into feasibility of future developments cancelled due to excessive cost. ‘Small rocket flight testing’ underway at Woomera. Mass Abo protests. UK gives ‘Improved rocket design’ & ‘Wind tunnels’, word has clearly spread around the Commonwealth of our aims.

UK scientist defects, bringing ‘Advanced synthetic rubber’. Claimed he had left in order to spend more time on the beach with his family. Private beach-hut made available. Oz research into aircraft assembly in order to reduce future costs has been underway for months, when UK gives us info. Again, a bit late cobber.

Diplomats sent off repeatedly to Denmark, to try to bring them to the allies. It would be useful to have a toehold on the north of Germany. All attempt singularly unsuccessful.

Troops shipped off to Aden & Quadat. Desert conditions compare reasonably to home. Surf is poor though. Air force unable to get there due to lack of carriers, and long distance to any allied land bases. Carrier fleet commissioned, although not available until ’41.

Good research developments along artillery lines, aiming for rocket artillery. Early experimental models codenamed ‘Joey’ aiming for a full adult strength ‘Roo’ version. Final tests completed 25th June 1939. Mass production to ship ‘Roos’ out to all artillery brigades. Around 50% of all divisions to be equipped with ‘Roos’ to companesat for lack of armour, trucks, halftracks, air support, etc.


Further chapters to follow
(sorry, no screenies, but since there has been no action yet, I hope you aren't too worried)

Heretic

[Frankie]

Aussies the first with rockets? Certainly interesting. I'll be watching the developments.

[w31rd0]

Ah an Australian AAR mixed with good aussi humour. Good one !

[cassa61]

an aussie aar, are you going to just bomb japan from afar with icbms are you? cause that would seriously put a dent in their war plans

[Heretic]

OK,
thanks for the comments..
Humour is unfortunately not native Aussie humor, but I hope people will bear with that.
Also, ICBMs are probably available to Australia by about 1957 given the level of ICs required to fund nuclear research. Alternatively we could not fight anywhere at all, but I don't think that that would be very entertaining.
So, on with the show..



2. First attacks

Axis begins aggression, with Germany annexing Czech lands, and Italy declaring war on Albania. Mussolini curiously does not actually despatch any troops to make good the threats.

UK conveniently shares information on ‘Liquid rocket fuel’ Jet engine design is now possible. Cabinet aides have failed to pursuade the PM that this will occupy many of our scientists to no obvious benefit.

Germans attack Poland, the Allies are now at war since Poland asked for our protection some years before. Oz fleet outside Aden engages with surprisingly strong Italian fleet. Non invasion of Albania must be due to their commitment of naval resources to Africa. Oz fleet limps back into port, only a shadow of its former self, unable to engage Italian navy for the forseeable future. Italians march from Tobruk through Alexandria, forcing British out of Egypt. Italian campaign in the Holy land also successful. Poor defence put down to a complete lack of preparation by the UK.

Canada helpfully shares ‘Desert operations’ tech with us as our ‘Roo’ brigades march off to battle. Memories of Gallipoli are kept firmly out of our minds. Sweep of troops down African coast in south-west direction successful. Italians retreat & surrender. Attacks due west less successful. Overall movement into Ethiopian highland on broad front from the south.

Germans annex Poland, and declare war on Denmark. If only they had listened to us. Manginot line holding out well. Netherlands join the allies, in the face of German aggression. Military access to their airbases granted, and Oz AF starts long journey to the Gulf of Aden. ‘Roo’ supported infantry pushes Italians out of Addis Abbaba, and up the Nile. Advance units finally reach the mediterranean coast at Port Said. Barbies held to celebrate. Italians counter attack from Cairo & across the Suez. ‘Roo’ brigades isloated and destroyed or captured. Flag at half mast on government house in Melbourne. Generals advised to advance slowly and protect their rear to avoid recurrence.

Follow up attacks achieve vengeance, Italians pushed back across the Nile. PM contemplates the fact that brave Aussies have been fighting for months now, but that the UK has reclaimed ownership of all the land in Egypt. His level diplomacy fails to alter this. A new approach is required.


Part 3 will follow..

[Armfeldt]

Hm yes why don't you grab some land for yourself? =)

[Heretic]

Thanks Armfelt, I think I just might...

Part 3:

3 Our Land

(June ‘40) Face off against Italians in Tobruk. Advances across Suez proceed well, although a lengthy battle east of Jerusalem leads to defeat. Italians also sneak troops around the battle, and capture all three squadrons of tactical bombers. Bang goes our air support. Retreat & regroup in Port Said, troops re-equipped, surf still not a patch on that back home. Some divisions shipped back home thanks to the UK Royal Navy clearing the route back. Stopover in Calcutta for a brief shore leave.

Germany clearly has high ambitions, and declares war on USSR on 26th June.

Oz troops loaded into a fleet only composed of transports, and with intermittent protection from the RN, land in Bengazi behind the Italian lines. Skirmishing commences, and motorised div sent west along the coast. Additional landings of secondary force in Tunis grab more land. Some Vichy troops arrive to assist the Italians. Lengthy battle, with Oz reinforcements arriving in the port just as the defenders had retreated into the city. Frogs & Wops sent packing by ‘Roo’ action. It certainly does kick like a mule.

North African coast from Tobruk to Tunis now wholly under Oz control. UK issues muted diplomatic protest, but frankly they don’t have a leg to stand on. Oz industry minister replaced by industrial specialist. Production boosted. Development of rocket facilities in Wewak continues apace.

Spreading attacks along coast of N Africa reach Atlantic by mid October. Canadians land an expoditionary force to assist.

Landings on Sardinia by ‘Roo’ divisions, with some air support. Island secured on 9th November, capture of a small Italian fleet in port a definite bonus. Landings in the Dodecanese fail against strong Italian defence.

Japanese declare war against Communist China, a state that they do not come within 500 miles of bordering and are unable to reach. A questionable decision. The next month the problems have obviously been made clear to the leadership, who declare war on Nationalist China too. Increased war in the east raises hopes that the US may intervene in the conflict.

Finland opts to join the Axis, after loosing the winter war, and having had to cede some territory to USSR.

[Heretic]

ach, well,
time for part 4 methinks..
yes, it is a bit shorter.
yes. i am working on the screenies..
may make the whole thing more readable..
must discover how to use edit..

4 A Beach Too Far

12th Dec ’40, landings of infantry divisions in Nimes, Marseilles and Toulon occur unopposed. Muted response form civilian population. Divisions spread a little north into France, and east into Italy. Troops sent up into mountains. Attack on Turin repulsed by well prepared defenders. Italian advance along the coast to Toulon captures half of our transport fleet. Heavy aerial bombardment, and a strong advance from the Italians forces Oz retreat. Our men will not die on a foreign shore for no reason.

Vichy troops advance but do not attack. Perhaps the Germans do not wish to test their morale? Perhaps the French fighting spirit died at Waterloo? Troops ferried out in the few remaining transports, shuttling back and forward from Marseilles to Tunis.

German advances in USSR have reached Novgorod. Advances through the southern provinces somewhat slower. USSR counter offensive through Axis Romania and Bulgaria result in additional states being former in the Union of Soviet republics. Hugary and Slovakia may now regret their compliance with Germany’s demands.

UK lands a small force in Lille, which is repulsed easily.

Oz plans new advances, and continues production for the Oz AF and Navy.


(more imminent)

Heretic

[Heretic]

ach, i'm getting impatient,
here is your next batch..


5 The Cold Shoulder

Germans occupy Leningrad. A bleak day for the non-Fascist states. The US declines proposals to set up a Lend-Lease system, declaring that the problems of the old world do not affect the new world.

Black news continues on the 23rd March ‘41as Japan joins the Axis. We are now officially at war with our nearest threat. Surely further operations will need to concentrate on our own half of the globe. Also, Japan pursuades Siam to join the Axis, having also taken control of French Indo-China from Vichy France.

April brings some consolation, in that the Finnish Soviet Republic is declared, and Leningrad re-occupied. However, Yugoslavia opts to join the axis, leaving the UK deeply isolated.

Oz troops being shipped back to the east, first divisions returned to Calcutta, whilst the transports turn back west again for their comrades. Much curry eaten.

Ambitious Oz fleet attempt ‘Roo’ supported landing in Bangkok, leapfrogging UK attacks up the peninsula from Singapore. Some air support available. Japanese navy arrives to disrupt the party, sinking all the transports after the troops have disembarked. Tough Thai resistance, and a lack of escape routes results in the annihilation of all five divisions. Final radio reports describe regimental mascots (Roos) being cooked up by the Thais. Suggestions of dramatisations quashed. Flags at half mast in Oz and also on the new states of the Australian Republic, Tunisia & Algiers.

Other divisons act to support UK advance into Siam from the boders.

Soviet Republics of Bulgaria & Yugoslavia formed, as the armies of the USSR carve through the weaker members of the axis. German advance now approaching Moscow, static around Novgorod.

Due to the destruction of the main carrier fleet, the Northern Command, who were stranded in Calcutta, march across the sub-continent, and down to Burma. Final arrival of troops on foot in Bangkok acts as a memorial for the divisions lost there earlier in the summer.

[Heretic]

the worst problem with running throught he game & writing up afterwards is that you have loads of spare text,,


6 Reshuffles and new directions

Cabinet reshuffle brings in a new armaments minister, GA Street, who acts to eke out more from our existing capacity. New carrier and transports fleet launched in August. Some navy strategists suggest that some destroyers, cruisers or battleships would help. Strategists told that they should have mentioned that two years ago when the fleet was commissioned.

‘Roo’ troops ferried into Saigon, local defenders generally placed on the borders. Some small Jap sub attacks, but they are fended off. Divisions advance meeting little resistance to the heel of Indo-china. UK forces in Bangkok isolate Jap defenders in the highlands to the east.

USSR now launches attack on Venice, with troops also marching to the Po. There are rumblings of national discussion about the evident strength of communism.

Attack on Hanoi in November are unsuccessful, although a large UK force is approaching. Hopes of claiming Hanoi for the Australian Republic fade.

Jet engine research completed. Aides braced to let PM know that although the engine works on the test bench, we have no way of using it for the forseeable future.

Divisions sent off to land on Palau and the Caroline islands, claiming them from Japan. Some resistance faced. New armoured divisions nearing completion in Adelaide, transported by rail to Darwin to form up for shipping.

Greece joins the Axis, those German diplomats must be persuasive, since the whole of Greece’s north border is with the USSR. Soviet armies now control most of the north Baltic coast.

Armoured divisions landed on Marshall Islands, new Oz sub fleet acting as long range defence. Slow battles for the islands continue, dislodging defenders like limpets. Kwajalein captured, bombers based there, a surprise Jap attack results in loss of planes.

Syndey Rowell installed as chief of army, fire support classes instituted for all commanders. Basic tube launched rockets now being produces & issued to all troops. PM delighted, and issued with his own private launcher. Rumours of hardboard cut out Japs being set up at the bottom of his garden to be blown up.

[Heretic]

7 Advance, Australia Fair

30th July ’42, Soviet troops advance on Berlin. Surely the fortunes of the Axis must now be waning. Netherlands launch an attach on the island of Naha, capturing it from the Japanese by early August. Dutch troops also capture Kwajalein. Surely this was only possible because we softened the defences up first?

PM notes evident weaknesses in the Japanese defence, calls together chiefs of staff for plans for an ambitious attack. Direct to main islands ruled out, due to strength of Imperial Japanese navy. Island hopping approach chosen, target: Taiwan.

Dutch plans are clearly more advanced, as they land on the southernmost tip of Japan, and establish a beachhead.

Taiwan landing force secures the northern half of the island by 27th October ’42, after a difficult advance from the south. Mountain equipped ‘Roo’ brigades assist in rooting out the defenders from the hills. German/Soviet front now lies west of Berlin. Hitler deposed, Heydrich now commanding form Koln. Marxism is now brought home to it’s birthplace.

Oz troops land in Nagoya in early November, spreading out to cover the central provinces. An attack on Tokyo fails, additional divisions are required, also greater preparation before attacking. There is difficulty with transporting troops and supplies due to prevalent Imperial navy. Gradual push of Jap troops back off main island in the south, they retreat to mountainous Kochi. Attacks not advisable, due to lack of numerical superiority. Other armies push north, with battles around Akita hampered by worsening winter weather. Jap troops evetually pushed back to Sapporo. Heavy snow prevents follow up attacks. Evidence of large scale mobilisation of militia by the Japanese. Concern about the number of troops lost, with few remaining Australians left of fighting age in May ’43.

Problems continue with convoys transporting resources to supply our troops. Lack of spare naval capacity means that they are at the mercy of the Japanese navy. Some progress in beginning to ship rubber from the new State of Vietnam to it’s confederates in the wider Australian state. Australia now has about four official languages, although a heavy drawl is encouraged to all speakers.

[Heretic]

8 Wars of Attrition

Fleet collects newly constructed vessels in Darwin & heads back to the Mediterranean to bring the garrisons there home. Landings on the Balearic islands prompt the USSR to establish the Soviet Spanish Republic. Crete liberated on 3rd July. Repeated attacks on Malta for the remainder of the year fail through lack of air support and the well dug in nature of the Italian defenders. The Italian navy severely damages our carrier fleet. The island is eventually taken by the UK in Jan ’44 as it happens.

A poll suggests that –31% of the Australian nation support entry to the war. What this means, nobody can tell.

US still reluctant to take part in the conflict, or even contribute resources to the Allies or the Comintern, being wholly isolationist.

Occupation of the Kuril islands undertaken, although the forces are later withdrawn to the main island to better defend against Jap offensives. Cyril Bingham-White appointed as chief of staff, to attempt to muster more troops. Some success although available manpower still low. Withdrawal of troops from Hiroshima required due to Japanese offensive.

In early October ’43 troops are gradually ferried to Japan from Malta via Calcutta. The fleets used are actually captured Japanese merchant and fighting ships that were refitted in the Italian built dockyards in Tunisia. Vive l’Internationale! Nationalist Chinese army advances to the north china sea, splitting the Japanese occupied lands into two. Our donation of basic military information and technologies may have helped their advance.

Flying bomb research completed on 17th Oct ’43. Further researches required to make this an operational weapon. Hopes high that this may reduce further loss of Aussie lives.

Mass invasion of Hiroshima from the sea successful in Feb ’44. Old Aussie bases re-opened. Japs retreat to Kochi again, and again insufficient forces are available to remove them. Japanese also unwilling to accept peace, even with the offer of reinstatement of all Oz held lands. Perhaps they fear the rest of the allies & the USSR. Complaints from PM to UK, Netherlands, Canada, SA, etc. about complete lack of support for our invasion of Japan. Complaints noted, although little support forthcoming.

Advanced hand launched rockets developed and deployed to infantry divisions, designated ‘Wallaby’ class. Troops delighted, impromptu target practice on pagoda roofs strictly repressed.

[Heretic]

9 An end in sight?

Oz navy still losing ships to the IJN in March ’44. We must obtain information about where the Japs are getting their fuel from! Suspicions of a vibrant UK black market. Chinese armies have now almost removed the Japanese from China. Unfortunately this means that the Japanese efforts to liberate their homeland will concentrate on us.

17th May ’44, development of flying rockets now completed, but again, operational versions are not yet available.

Attack and retreat goes for the next three years, with little apparent effect Heavy casualties every time, with little available manpower to reinforce. Armoured divisions with ‘Roo’ brigades key to holding the line in the assaults. Intelligence unable to glean how well Jap supplies are holding out, or whether they are able to get reinforcements.

Netherlands troops on adjacent island not eager to join in the slaughter. Aussie air force also in tatters as desperate Jap aviators take them out of the skies. Even assaults on ground forces prove deadly as the Japs clearly have advanced AA. Assaults planned around re-supply and available troops. Eventually, 80 divisions of troops from various parts of the Commonwealth are garrisoned in Hiroshima. Assaults to Kochi meet with uniform lack of success.

PM calls for decisive weapons to be developed. Nuclear program continuing, requiring giant commitment of national resources. Development of various fuels underway, reactor technologies also in development. Similarly, items like launch catapults, gyroscopes, and ramjet engine also being developed. Progress slow, with outlook for development of all items uncertain.

PM furious about inability to deploy V1 and V2 brigades anywhere near the war zone. Scientists are apparently unable to figure out a way to transport them.

A fleet of strategic bombers flying direct from Katherine to Kochi delivers that final solution in 13th April 1947. UK mechanised divisions arrive sometime later to survey the wastelands. Japanese archipeligo formally joined to the Australian state in August 1947. Victory celebrations extensive and long lasting.

Bolivia claims to still be fighting the war, but with no troops deployed abroad, this is more of a diplomatic stance than a serious threat.

An ‘Iron Shower-Curtain’ descends on southern Spain, as UK troops in ‘Greater Gibraltar’ face off against the Soviets. An uneasy time seems to be ahead, as Communism strengthens it’s grip on Eurasia.


FIN

[Frankie]

Well, seems like this one left behind one huge mess. Those bloody Soviets...

[Heretic]

oh yeah,
I think it's a problem with playing a minor allies country..
either germany or USSR will end up ruling eurasia, and allies sink slowly..

I was honestly hoping that an Allies/USSR war would start..
after germany got gobbled up, there wasn't quite as much tension.

I also wish I'd read the 1.05 update about not being able to re-base V1s.. It really sucked to have spent 8 years doggedly developing rockets with very limited ICs, only to find I couldn't even deploy them.

Ah well

Heretic