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RĂZBOIUL SFÂNT CONTRA BOLŞEVISMULUI
(The Holy War against Bolshevism)
November 30th 1939 – June 14th 1940
NEW POST NOVEMBER 29th
NORTH AMERICA SERIES GAME #5
Players (10/11): AXIS (Germany (2), Italy, Japan & Romania), ALLIES (UK, USA, Canada & Australia), KOMINTERN (USSR)
RĂZBOIUL SFÂNT CONTRA BOLŞEVISMULUI
Basarabia
Buna Vestire
June 15-28th, 1940
June 15th: Soviet Union announces to the League of Nations that it could claim Basarabia, as part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Conducãtor Antonescu meets King Carol II to assess the options Romania has, given Soviet intentions. Plan Pentru Patrie (For the fatherland), a preemptive invasion of Soviet Union, is also discussed. This preemptive invasion of Soviet Union is deemed impossible without the help of Germany. Gheorghe Tatarescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is sent to Berlin to ask for clarification on other unseen consequences of Germany’s Foreign Policy, and to present the highlights of Plan Pentru Patrie .
Operation Pentru Patrie
Official Plan to be unveil later
June 17th: People invade the street to protest against what they see as a potential profanation of Greater Romania by Soviet Union. Romania must say no to Soviet Union. Suspected communist sympathizers are hanged publicly. Houses are burnt. 4 representatives of the Leninist Party and 2 of the Stalinist party are reported killed by a paramilitary movement called the Nicadori; a newly formed death squad, obeying to unknown forces. Chaos is spreading throughout the country.
June 19th: The anger against Soviet Union and Germany keeps growing. The government is split on whether it should authorize military actions against the Giant Bear. Horia Sima, Minister of Religious Affairs, calls for implementing the crusade against Bolshevism right away. Sima, during a public gathering, strikes up the hymn(1) of the Guard's Camasile Verzi (2), quickly followed by thousands of believers and legionaries:
Moartea, numai moartea legionară
Ne este cea mai scumpă nuntă dintre nunţi,
Pentru sfânta cruce, pentru ţară
Înfrângem codrii şi supunem munţi;
Nu-i temniţă să ne-nspăimânte,
Nici chin, nici viforul duşman;
De cădem cu toţi, izbiţi în frunte,
Ni-i dragă moartea pentru Căpitan!
(Extract of the song, the second verse)
(1) Here’s a translation:
Death, only a Legionnaire's death
Is our dearest wedding of weddings,
For the Holy Cross, for the country
We defeat forests and conquer mountains;
No prison can frighten us,
Nor any torture, or enemy storm;
If we all fall, hit in the forehead,
Death for the Captain is dear to us!
Ne este cea mai scumpă nuntă dintre nunţi,
Pentru sfânta cruce, pentru ţară
Înfrângem codrii şi supunem munţi;
Nu-i temniţă să ne-nspăimânte,
Nici chin, nici viforul duşman;
De cădem cu toţi, izbiţi în frunte,
Ni-i dragă moartea pentru Căpitan!
(Extract of the song, the second verse)
(1) Here’s a translation:
Death, only a Legionnaire's death
Is our dearest wedding of weddings,
For the Holy Cross, for the country
We defeat forests and conquer mountains;
No prison can frighten us,
Nor any torture, or enemy storm;
If we all fall, hit in the forehead,
Death for the Captain is dear to us!
(2) NDLR: During those tormented years, there were the Brown Shirts in Germany, the Black ones in Italy and the Green ones in Romania.
June 20th: As a new example of current troubles in Romania, the Decemviri, so called because they numbered ten men, like their Ancient Roman equivalents (the Decemviri!), shoot Istrate Micescu, former Minister of Interior, 45 times, as he was leaving the Chamber of representatives. --- Riots and strikes erupt in Bucharest and Sofia. In Sofia, more than 1 000 rioters are killed by the police who fires at the crowd.
June 24th: What will later be know as the “June Coup” fails. A leftwing paramilitary group attacks the “Palatul Regal” (Royal Palace) 3, the Cercul Militar National 4 – housing the War Cabinet – and the Chamber of representatives. Combats are reported in Bucharest. The Army reacts quickly. By the end of day, it is clear the coup is a complete failure. The plotters, whose attempt to overthrow Garda de Fier failed miserably, are arrested during the night before they could leave the country. While some are shot while trying to escape, Cesare Vaida-Voievod, Minister of Interior, announces on the radio the next morning: “Survivors of this plot will be prosecuted swiftly”. Their trial will be held during the summer. --- In reaction to the se vents, the Chamber of representatives adopts the Vasile Marin Act5, officially banning all parties promoting leftist ideas. Leninist Party and Marxist Party representatives at the Chamber oppose the motion. They are later arrested, once the Act is enacted. List of parties’ members are seized by the police and thousands of sympathizers are arrested in the following days. The pressure on Bolshevism is reaching unseen level in Romania.
The Failed Coup of June 1940
3NDLR: The Royal Palace was erected between 1927 and 1937 in neoclassical style. The palace was home to King Carol II and to his son, King Mihai I, until 1947, when the monarchy was abolished in Romania. It was inside the halls of this palace that King Mihai, aged 18, led a coup that displaced the pro-Nazi government during the World War II and put Romania on the Allies' side. Today, the former Royal palace houses the Romanian National Art.
4NDLR: The Military Club, a neoclassical masterpiece, was designed by Romanian architect Dimitrie Maimaroiu. It was built in 1912 to serve the social, cultural and educational needs of the Romanian army. Banquets and official events are still hosted in the ballrooms, while the upstairs area is reserved for the army's library, as well as offices and classrooms for officer instruction.
5NDLR: Vasile Marin (Bucharest, January 29 1904 - Majadahonda, January 13 1937) was a Romanian politician, public servant and lawyer. A member of the National Peasants' Party until 1932, Vasile Marin become a prominent member of the Iron Guard. In 1936-1937 along with Ion Moţa, led a force of Legionnaires into Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Moţa and Marin died (January 13 1937) during the first day of fighting at Majadahonda on the Madrid front. Their funerals in Bucharest (February 13 1937) were an immense and orderly procession attended by the Ministers of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Francisco Franco's Spain, representatives of Portugal, the Japan of the early Shōwa period, and delegates of the Polish Patriotic Youth.
June 26th: USA joins the Allies, as Japan attacks them in Guam and Pearl Harbor. Italy declares war on Vichy, aiming to take control of Southern France most of Northern Africa. Canada expeditionary forces in Greece are caught with other Greeks in the peninsula.
June 27th: Soviet Union has yet to claim Bessarabia. Fear of a war against a well prepared Romania, and its allies, might be a cost Soviet Union does not want to bear. Stalin seems rather doubtful on the proper course of action.
Începe războiul sfânt (May the Holy War begin)
Buna Vestire
June 29th – August 2nd, 1940
June 28th At 06h00, Romanian troops cross the border or former Basarabia and attack Soviet Union troops. 2 hours later, Romanian ambassador in Moscow transmits official Romanian declaration of war. The day before, War Cabinet, after council with King Carol II, and considering that Germany confirms it will declare war against Soviet Union within hours, accepts Operation Pentru Patrie. Chamber of representatives meets during the night on a special order of King Carol II. By 04h00, the Declaration of War against Soviet Union is accepted by the Chamber. --- Stalin calls Communists to step up and fight the invaders. “For the Motherland!” is the Nation heart-cry.
June 30th: Romanian Armata Corp 1 & 3 attack the Soviet troops in Illchivsk. This area is crucial to allow Romania to cross the Dniepr as it holds two of the main bridges on the river in the Southern Bessarabia. Fierce combats follow. Soviet endure a daily artillery shelling, followed by aggressive assault by the Romanians: 6 divisions composed of 12 infantry brigades and 12 artillery brigades, half AT, half howitzer, assault the Soviet defenses. --- Goebbels Sportpalast speech is a success. Goebbels exhorts the German people to continue the war even though it would be long and difficult because both Germany's survival and the survival of a non-Bolshevist Europe are at stake (Destiny Event). --- Mexico joins the Allies.
July 6th: During a secret meeting in Bucharest, Mihail Moruzov, Head of Secret Services, detail the current special operations underway in Soviet Union. Romanians spies are active since mid-Spring. Multiple cells of agents were activated and have been assigned specific missions (on a rotating basis), mostly Military spying, Counterspying and Propaganda to help the war effort against the Bear. Population proved very receptive to Garda de Fier Ideology once freed from Soviet influence (e.g. after heavy counterspying OPS that drove down USSR spies level from 9 to 2 after 2 months of war). --- Echoes of the fall of Singapore reach Bucharest. The impregnable fell to the Japanese elite assault troops on July 2nd 1940.
July 10th: The 1st battle of the war is over. The Battle of Chiton is a Romanian victory. Losses are 277 men for Romania vs 778 for the Soviet.
July 13th: Illchivsk it is a total Soviet rout, who leave behind 3 165 dead, while Romania lost 2 194 men. The battle for the bridges is over. The Romanians prevail. Cavalerie Corp rushes, overrunning slowest Soviet troops, quickly exploiting the breach to cut soviet lines of communications and encircle Odessa.
From plan to battle: Operation Pentru Patrie Chapter I: Dniepr
July 15th: Romanians begin the siege of Odessa. General Glimnitz setup the Romanian Armata Corp 1 & 4 South of the city, while the Cavalerie Corp keeps pushing the Soviets, to allow, as soon as possible, for the complete encirclement of the city by the North. The city has been transformed into a fortress by its defenders, following Stalin’s order to stop the enemy on the frontier at all cost. 20 brigades are believed to be entrenched in the city, including Marines, Mountaineers and armor units. Highly trained units.
July 18th: Cavalerie Corp successful drive allows the Romanian Army to reach the River Bug (North of Odessa) by the end of the day. The Soviet’s attempt to stop the Romanians, shy and unconvincing, fails. The Romanians, after a short recon, quickly entrench themselves on the Southern shore of the river.
July 23rd: The 1st battle of Odessa is reaching its climax. After 9 days of continuous fighting and bombing, General Glimnitz stops the assault. Combats in the suburbs and downtown were fierce. Half the city is nothing more than rumbles, while the other half is in pretty bad shape. The fortifications built by the Soviet Army made a huge difference during the battle. So far, it held.
From plan to battle: Operation Pentru Patrie Chapter II: Odessa stands
July 29th: Movement toward the black Sea coast in underway, as Divizie 5 is completing the encirclement of Odessa.
July 25th: A new assault is ordered on the city of Odessa, as reports, of Soviet troops trying to leave the city trough the Northern side, come in. Conducãtor Antonescu latest orders are clear: “They shall not be allowed to leave the city. Exhausted, these troops must be captured at all cost.”
August 2nd: Odessa falls to Romania.
August 3rd: Soviet elite forces are caught North of the city, out in the open. The last battle of Bessarabia – The Battle of the pocket of Ochakiv – is about to begin, as the Soviet are pinned down by Cavalerie Corp, while reinforcements are coming in for the final confrontation. --- In the rest of the world, the news is grim for the Allies, as reports the New York Times.
Is it the End for the Allies ?
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The Axis certainly appear to be having most of the success. Really haven't heard much from the allied players. The USA looks to have been caught with its pants down.
First Strike
Part 2:
After the resounding success at Pearl Harbor, the IJN had enough breathing room to begin removing the remaining US presence in the Pacific and pacify the Australian resistance. The bulk of the RN's carriers had yet to reveal themselves, and the mysterious Australian battleships which had previously thwarted Operation Mo were still at full strength. The Imperial General Staff believed that the RN and RAN would try to link up on the Australian continent itself, so the Star Destroyer fleets lead by Admirals Ozawa, Koga, and Mikawa would break off from the Combined Fleet and protect the sea invasions in Oceania while the Yamamoto and the Death Star were tasked with capturing Midway and Wake.
July 7th, a new invasion force of 36,000 elite imperial marines began the second invasion of New Guinea. After the previous failure of Operation Mo, a star destroyer fleet was assigned to escort the landing craft. There was no naval resistance once the Australians realized carriers were present at the landing. Without naval support, the garrisons at Lae and Port Moresby had no choice but to surrender within days.
En route to Midway Island, Yamamoto's Death Star is intercepted by the ghosts of Pearl Harbor. The only casualty of the raid was a poor sailor that suffered a heart attack and died at the sight of the phantoms.
Mid July, the victorious SNLF that had just captured Pearl Harbor mere weeks ago began the assault on Midway Island. As the situation grew hopeless for the US garrison, Douglas MacArthur managed to sneak past the Japanese blockade at night, but before he did so he proclaimed "I will return". Return to pay his respects after the war perhaps.
July 19th, Vice Admiral Kondo led the invasion of Darwin with 45,000 imperial infantry. The Star Destroyers were busy supporting ongoing operations in Port Moresby and Java, so the invasion force was caught completely off guard by the Australian battlefleet.
July 20th, the Royal Navy's carriers make their first appearance in the pacific. The attack on Darwin is called off immediately as most of the ships of the invasion force are sunk trying desperately to escape.
July 23rd, a Star Destroyer fleet under the command of Admiral Nomura engages the RN CTF that is pursuing the fleeing survivors of Kondo's expeditionary force. The battle is evenly matched until the arrival of Ozawa's and Koga's Star Destroyer fleets a few days later. Admiral Fraser of the RN task force ordered a quick retreat as soon as the other 2 Star Destroyers were spotted.
July 28th, the second invasion of Darwin began, this time under the protection of all 3 Star Destroyer fleets. The RN and RAN battlefleets were in Darwin for repairs when the invasion took place and this time the Allied navies wisely chose not to interfere with the landings. After the Darwin defenders surrendered, the surviving carriers of the RN and battleships of the RAN tried to break the blockade. The tenacity of the Australian battleships shocked the Japanese admirals when they managed to close in on the fleet carriers and severely damage the Ryujo and Akagi. Both the RN and RAN managed to escape the blockade without losing a single capital ship while simultaneously putting one Star Destroyer fleet out of commission for several months.
Late July, meanwhile the panzers of the Siberian Army's landing force managed to close the pocket around an estimated 12-15 Soviet divisions, including some light armor. Having already destroyed 3 divisions in Vladivostok, the destruction of these forces would be the end of Soviet resistance in Siberia.
August 5th, the last American outpost in the Pacific is attacked by the same SNLF forces under Yamashita that stormed Pearl Harbor and took Midway. The resistance buckled after a few days under the brutal assault of the Japanese special forces.
Part 2:
After the resounding success at Pearl Harbor, the IJN had enough breathing room to begin removing the remaining US presence in the Pacific and pacify the Australian resistance. The bulk of the RN's carriers had yet to reveal themselves, and the mysterious Australian battleships which had previously thwarted Operation Mo were still at full strength. The Imperial General Staff believed that the RN and RAN would try to link up on the Australian continent itself, so the Star Destroyer fleets lead by Admirals Ozawa, Koga, and Mikawa would break off from the Combined Fleet and protect the sea invasions in Oceania while the Yamamoto and the Death Star were tasked with capturing Midway and Wake.
July 7th, a new invasion force of 36,000 elite imperial marines began the second invasion of New Guinea. After the previous failure of Operation Mo, a star destroyer fleet was assigned to escort the landing craft. There was no naval resistance once the Australians realized carriers were present at the landing. Without naval support, the garrisons at Lae and Port Moresby had no choice but to surrender within days.
En route to Midway Island, Yamamoto's Death Star is intercepted by the ghosts of Pearl Harbor. The only casualty of the raid was a poor sailor that suffered a heart attack and died at the sight of the phantoms.
Mid July, the victorious SNLF that had just captured Pearl Harbor mere weeks ago began the assault on Midway Island. As the situation grew hopeless for the US garrison, Douglas MacArthur managed to sneak past the Japanese blockade at night, but before he did so he proclaimed "I will return". Return to pay his respects after the war perhaps.
July 19th, Vice Admiral Kondo led the invasion of Darwin with 45,000 imperial infantry. The Star Destroyers were busy supporting ongoing operations in Port Moresby and Java, so the invasion force was caught completely off guard by the Australian battlefleet.
July 20th, the Royal Navy's carriers make their first appearance in the pacific. The attack on Darwin is called off immediately as most of the ships of the invasion force are sunk trying desperately to escape.
July 23rd, a Star Destroyer fleet under the command of Admiral Nomura engages the RN CTF that is pursuing the fleeing survivors of Kondo's expeditionary force. The battle is evenly matched until the arrival of Ozawa's and Koga's Star Destroyer fleets a few days later. Admiral Fraser of the RN task force ordered a quick retreat as soon as the other 2 Star Destroyers were spotted.
July 28th, the second invasion of Darwin began, this time under the protection of all 3 Star Destroyer fleets. The RN and RAN battlefleets were in Darwin for repairs when the invasion took place and this time the Allied navies wisely chose not to interfere with the landings. After the Darwin defenders surrendered, the surviving carriers of the RN and battleships of the RAN tried to break the blockade. The tenacity of the Australian battleships shocked the Japanese admirals when they managed to close in on the fleet carriers and severely damage the Ryujo and Akagi. Both the RN and RAN managed to escape the blockade without losing a single capital ship while simultaneously putting one Star Destroyer fleet out of commission for several months.
Late July, meanwhile the panzers of the Siberian Army's landing force managed to close the pocket around an estimated 12-15 Soviet divisions, including some light armor. Having already destroyed 3 divisions in Vladivostok, the destruction of these forces would be the end of Soviet resistance in Siberia.
August 5th, the last American outpost in the Pacific is attacked by the same SNLF forces under Yamashita that stormed Pearl Harbor and took Midway. The resistance buckled after a few days under the brutal assault of the Japanese special forces.
Addendum: Total capital ship losses in the Pacific for both sides
BBs and BCs sunk:
CVs sunk:
BBs and BCs sunk:
CVs sunk:
The difference between this AAR and the Carnage AARs is funny. Here, Japan is usually a major naval power that has no troubles with defeating a Europe-centered USA. In Carnage, Japan usually sticks to the Asian hemisphere, gets overextended, and dies.
Anyway, I'll congratulate KevinG on his great job.
Anyway, I'll congratulate KevinG on his great job.
Doesn't the carnage group start in 1938? There's a very big difference between what a 36 Japan that conquers China early is capable of, and the neutered 38 version.
Nice sequence on Dougy Mac, KevinG. He will return alright, because he was in such a rush to leave the island, he forgot some of his luggage.
Red Dawn
Part 1:
The defeat of the Allied fleets in the opening month of the war had been total. Only the Royal Navy was in a position to challenge the IJN, but the British had been reluctant to send the bulk of its fleet on a periphery front while war still raged in Europe. The imperial staff decided to take full advantage of the total lack of allied naval presence to strike with lightning speed in every direction.
August 9th, an elite panzer corps lands in Sydney and quickly subdues the Australian garrison. A lone RAN carrier arrives too late to do anything. The Empire fully annexes Australia after Rabul and a few other key cities are taken days later.
August 11th, the last American outpost in the pacific falls. American subs try to stall the invasion but just end up sacrificing themselves to no avail.
September 20th, the last soviet prisoner of war is taken in the Siberian front.
September 27th, Operation Red Dawn is commenced. Imperial forces land unopposed in San Diego and Oxnard and fight their way to the port in Los Angeles.
September 29th, 4 USN carriers under Nimitz arrive just to say they didn't give up the US west coast without a fight. They are quickly beaten back.
October 1st, Imperial panzers finish unloading in Santa Monica and the battle of Los Angeles begins. The veteran panzers had been trained in urban warfare and had no problems fighting in the dense city.
October 3rd, the USN destroyer fleet tries to escape with its transports from the burning city of Los Angeles.
October 4th, Nimitz's carriers sail straight into practically the entire IJN fleet in an apparent suicide maneuver to buy time for the transports to escape.
Ocotber 6th, Imperial panzers begin to form a pocket around the Los Angeles defenders.
More statistics!
Japanese leadership after gaining all of Asia and every strategic effect except the panama canal:
Japanese bonuses:
Part 1:
The defeat of the Allied fleets in the opening month of the war had been total. Only the Royal Navy was in a position to challenge the IJN, but the British had been reluctant to send the bulk of its fleet on a periphery front while war still raged in Europe. The imperial staff decided to take full advantage of the total lack of allied naval presence to strike with lightning speed in every direction.
August 9th, an elite panzer corps lands in Sydney and quickly subdues the Australian garrison. A lone RAN carrier arrives too late to do anything. The Empire fully annexes Australia after Rabul and a few other key cities are taken days later.
August 11th, the last American outpost in the pacific falls. American subs try to stall the invasion but just end up sacrificing themselves to no avail.
September 20th, the last soviet prisoner of war is taken in the Siberian front.
September 27th, Operation Red Dawn is commenced. Imperial forces land unopposed in San Diego and Oxnard and fight their way to the port in Los Angeles.
September 29th, 4 USN carriers under Nimitz arrive just to say they didn't give up the US west coast without a fight. They are quickly beaten back.
October 1st, Imperial panzers finish unloading in Santa Monica and the battle of Los Angeles begins. The veteran panzers had been trained in urban warfare and had no problems fighting in the dense city.
October 3rd, the USN destroyer fleet tries to escape with its transports from the burning city of Los Angeles.
October 4th, Nimitz's carriers sail straight into practically the entire IJN fleet in an apparent suicide maneuver to buy time for the transports to escape.
Ocotber 6th, Imperial panzers begin to form a pocket around the Los Angeles defenders.
More statistics!
Japanese leadership after gaining all of Asia and every strategic effect except the panama canal:
Japanese bonuses:
The Japs gone wild. Looks truely fearsome. I am surprised, and a little dissapinted, that you have such successes with those naval super-stacks. I kinda thought the system was built to prevent that.
Can't help the feeling that player skills are a bit one sided. It feels like a bunch of veterans against some random people (even the axis-allies post push this feeling). UK being an exception. That invasion of US should not be possible regardless of start date. Heck, even the AI would put up more of a fight.
Might seem harsh, but I don't mean to be disrespectful... perhaps I will be proven wrong.
Might seem harsh, but I don't mean to be disrespectful... perhaps I will be proven wrong.
@ Daffius
Well friend, I suppose that there are a lot of reasons. One reason is that when you stack 24 CV's into one sea zone, it makes it kind of hard to defend. Unless of course you're the USA player and had the foresight to build 24 CV's prior to SEP '40. Or perhaps the average USA player would have put 50 divisions on guard duty along the west coast in MAY '40. That would have been difficult when the manpower level is at like 100.
Well friend, I suppose that there are a lot of reasons. One reason is that when you stack 24 CV's into one sea zone, it makes it kind of hard to defend. Unless of course you're the USA player and had the foresight to build 24 CV's prior to SEP '40. Or perhaps the average USA player would have put 50 divisions on guard duty along the west coast in MAY '40. That would have been difficult when the manpower level is at like 100.
They should have never removed the 100% stacking penalty on planes. The cap at 80% makes super stacks possible and at a certain level of hugeness, fairly efficient.
As for the carriers themselves, until they make positioning affect anti-air and CAG efficiency, superstacking is the only way to counter a huge CV fleet.