Tensions were high in Europe at the beginning of 1939. Despite German efforts to get Italy to join their Axis alliance, Italy remained one of the many European nations that expected Germany to start a new world war in the next year or two. German armies hovered, like vultures, surrounding the rump state of Czechoslovakia, which had had her fortifications annexed by Germany so that she had no real defenses.
Italy was beefing up its defenses. By expanding the mountain airbase at Storo, and adding to its fixed and mobile anti-aircraft defenses, Italy prepared to fend off the vaunted Luftwaffe. It was not felt likely that we could fight an offensive war against them, but hopefully could hold our own over Italian airspace. Our Manpower improves, and we get a Defensive Support Weapons advance, which will aid in taking defensive stands in the Alps.
An advance in Armored Car technology allows us to begin building three regiments of armored cars, which will be ready in July. Our industry advances in its efficiency techniques and technologies, too.
Our priority toward unit upgrades (mostly the defensive support weapons) is increased, and otherwise we’re trying to get as many military and industrial units finished as we can before war comes (that surplus in consumer goods was fixed quickly, I’m sure – HPP does not allow such surpluses to be converted to money).
Sure enough, on 21 February, Czechoslovakia collapses, German troops move in, and Slovakia declares its independence and aligns herself with Germany. Tensions skyrocket – Italy is greatly upset, and France and Britain are ready to declare war, though elements in both governments counseled continued peace.
We acquire an improvement to our primary army rifle, which we push to get deployed very quickly. War is surely just around the corner, whether on our terms or Hitler’s. Foreign Minister Ribbentrop makes an emergency trip to Rome, urging Mussolini to join the Axis nations. He hints the obvious – that war is coming – offers a hope that Italy might stand to make territorial gains in such a war. The implied threat, unspoken, is that Italy would suffer terribly if she were on the wrong side. Indeed, that very fear motivated both sides of this argument.
This “last chance” was considered, seriously, in Rome. We could still change our plans. Mussolini railed at the inconstancy of his French and British allies, and wondered aloud if Italy would have to stand alone when war came.
Mussolini made the final decision with the King – it would be war. On Italy’s terms. Not Germany’s.
Two weeks after the end of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia mobilized its army. Bulgaria made a mutual defense pact with Yugoslavia, though there was question whether it would be in effect if Yugoslavia joined a war started by Italy. Count Ciano returned from Warsaw with bad news – the Poles remained militant, and intransigent, and yet insisted that they would not sign an alliance with any power, lest they provoke war.
On the eve of conflict, we increase our readiness throughout our military forces. Organization and Morale increase, dramatically. We get new offensive support weapons, and again make these a priority with new funding.
It seemed as if the month of March would pass by in similar manner – increasing, burning tension, and yet… nothing definitive. And then, on the last day of the month… Italy ordered its army and air forces to Mobilize for War!
A last minute suggestion by an army colonel caused the High Command to decide we should recruit Engineer battalions to help build entrenchments and assist in facilitating attacks. Three of these begin to form. Our northern radar stations expand, and another airwing of light bombers begins deploying.
We see a welcome improvement to our winter-weather equipment, and again we rush to get units prepared with the new gear. Since much of our campaign may well be in the cold, rugged mountain climes, even during summertime, this could pose quite an advantage for us.
The month of April passes, as we draw up our reserves and all units are subjected to intensive training. We are preparing for the war everyone now knows is coming. Surely, the Germans know, too.
The Germans seem poised to leap across the border into Poland, and yet the Poles still will not ally with us!
On 10 June, Italy is as ready as it will ever be. Germany is gaining strength constantly. Italy’s recent deployments, including that of yet another Alpini division to the northern mountains, have brought its army strength up to a reasonable level. The time is now…
WAR!!!
