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We won't be discussing a banning in an AAR thread or anywhere else. If and when th3freakie has rights to post again, he can let a mod know to reopen this thread.
EDIT - Thread reopened.
EDIT - Thread reopened.
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A clearest sign of Soviet confidence would be hard to find. When Alexander Arkhangelsky completed his prototype for a Naval Bomber, the experimental aircraft itself was flown to Admiral Kuznetsov for him to admire from his Baltic Fleet stationed on the Dutch shores.
Unfortunately for Arkhangelsky's career prospects, the Ar-2 project was designed for a Soviet Navy that focused on the Baltic and Black Seas. Claiming that the present and future needs of the Fleet go well beyond those two Seas, Kuznetsov judges the design outdated and the performance insufficient. Funding is granted to the Ilyushin Design Bureau to continue the Naval Bomber project.
Meanwhile, the situation in Europe had started to resemble more of a comedy and less of a War, with the few remaining German forces almost unable to put up even a token fight. Most of the Wehrmacht did nothing but march West, and not in a disciplined manner. The German Government had declared Essen a temporary capital, but by the lack of defenses, it seemed they were already thinking of Paris.
Considering the above, it's somewhat surprising that the events of Wednesday, 18th of November 1942, caught the Soviet Leadership unprepared. The German collapse was, of course, expected, but no-one anticipated that, after the Valkyrist Government refused to surrender at the time of the coup, it would now unilaterally declare their unconditional surrender to Zhukov's army.
The news spread fast, of course, and in the following hours and days many celebrations were held all over the Soviet Union and indeed the World, but privately, Stalin was furious at the German move, and quite convinced it had been spurred by British and American agents.
The problem was, of course, that the USSR now nominally controlled a vast amount of territory that wasn't de facto held by the Red Army, and was thus subject to slipping out of Communist hands.
Worried about the actions of the Western Allies and the Governments in Exiled they supported, Stalin feels the urgent need to put a trusted Member of Government in London, where it seems much of Western Europe's future is being arranged, away from Soviet eyes. Commissar Kuznetsov was closest, so he was sent to represent the Father of the Peoples - with quite the escort!
It was via London that the Soviet leadership first heard another piece of bad news - the Italian Army had moved against Mussolini, killed him, and put Pietro Badoglio at the helm. The fascist Marshal then hurried to find a British representative in the Mediterranean, and signed a quick surrender, which the Western Allies claimed to accept as a fast road to peace.
Not only was the USSR cornered into accepting the Anglo-Italian Treaty (on the penalty of being seen as waging unilateral war), it was also confronted with a worsening situation in occupied territories, as Italy's retreat was followed immediately by the re-establishment of pre-war governments, supported by the Capitalists.
The situation was quickly evolving against the USSR! Warned by Kuznetsov that the Czechoslovakian, Polish, Hungarian, Danish and Norwegian governments in exile were about to return to their respective capitals and undo the conquests of Socialism brought to these nations by the Red Army, Stalin ordered new Governments to be declared in all territories occupied by the Army, including a new and Socialist Germany.
A few days later, just like the Admiral said, the British and Americans indeed sent allied capitalist-friendly politicians to their former countries by aircraft. These succeeded in to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxemburg and Oslo, but were too late in all other liberated nations.
As a price for support against the Italians, Churchill had to accept the independence of Egypt as well as that of a rump Libya, composed of little else than sand in the Sahara, but with an Italian promise to concede the rest.
In Syria and Lebanon a joint Prime-Minister was thankful to the fascists for removing the former French colonial dominance.
In Yugoslavia at least, Partisan Leader Tito had managed to impose himself over the capitalist puppets, but it was a mystery whether he'd stay loyal to Moscow...
Unfortunately for Arkhangelsky's career prospects, the Ar-2 project was designed for a Soviet Navy that focused on the Baltic and Black Seas. Claiming that the present and future needs of the Fleet go well beyond those two Seas, Kuznetsov judges the design outdated and the performance insufficient. Funding is granted to the Ilyushin Design Bureau to continue the Naval Bomber project.
Meanwhile, the situation in Europe had started to resemble more of a comedy and less of a War, with the few remaining German forces almost unable to put up even a token fight. Most of the Wehrmacht did nothing but march West, and not in a disciplined manner. The German Government had declared Essen a temporary capital, but by the lack of defenses, it seemed they were already thinking of Paris.
Considering the above, it's somewhat surprising that the events of Wednesday, 18th of November 1942, caught the Soviet Leadership unprepared. The German collapse was, of course, expected, but no-one anticipated that, after the Valkyrist Government refused to surrender at the time of the coup, it would now unilaterally declare their unconditional surrender to Zhukov's army.
The news spread fast, of course, and in the following hours and days many celebrations were held all over the Soviet Union and indeed the World, but privately, Stalin was furious at the German move, and quite convinced it had been spurred by British and American agents.
The problem was, of course, that the USSR now nominally controlled a vast amount of territory that wasn't de facto held by the Red Army, and was thus subject to slipping out of Communist hands.
Worried about the actions of the Western Allies and the Governments in Exiled they supported, Stalin feels the urgent need to put a trusted Member of Government in London, where it seems much of Western Europe's future is being arranged, away from Soviet eyes. Commissar Kuznetsov was closest, so he was sent to represent the Father of the Peoples - with quite the escort!
It was via London that the Soviet leadership first heard another piece of bad news - the Italian Army had moved against Mussolini, killed him, and put Pietro Badoglio at the helm. The fascist Marshal then hurried to find a British representative in the Mediterranean, and signed a quick surrender, which the Western Allies claimed to accept as a fast road to peace.
Not only was the USSR cornered into accepting the Anglo-Italian Treaty (on the penalty of being seen as waging unilateral war), it was also confronted with a worsening situation in occupied territories, as Italy's retreat was followed immediately by the re-establishment of pre-war governments, supported by the Capitalists.
The situation was quickly evolving against the USSR! Warned by Kuznetsov that the Czechoslovakian, Polish, Hungarian, Danish and Norwegian governments in exile were about to return to their respective capitals and undo the conquests of Socialism brought to these nations by the Red Army, Stalin ordered new Governments to be declared in all territories occupied by the Army, including a new and Socialist Germany.
A few days later, just like the Admiral said, the British and Americans indeed sent allied capitalist-friendly politicians to their former countries by aircraft. These succeeded in to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxemburg and Oslo, but were too late in all other liberated nations.
As a price for support against the Italians, Churchill had to accept the independence of Egypt as well as that of a rump Libya, composed of little else than sand in the Sahara, but with an Italian promise to concede the rest.
In Syria and Lebanon a joint Prime-Minister was thankful to the fascists for removing the former French colonial dominance.
In Yugoslavia at least, Partisan Leader Tito had managed to impose himself over the capitalist puppets, but it was a mystery whether he'd stay loyal to Moscow...
All of Germany vs. Albania, a fair trade it seems.
Badoglio that canny bastard and the evil Capitalists that support him!
And now, political games begin?
Badoglio that canny bastard and the evil Capitalists that support him!
And now, political games begin?
no thats so wrong to give away such a chunk of europe! i understand italy to be saved, but france i believe would face same situation as poland did in rl
Yeah it's back. So, I wonder how the Red Fleet will fare against the Royal Navy, the Us Navy and the Marine Nationale...
I am quite pleased to see you back here, Freakie.
Now, let's wait for a convenient moment to attack the West and get on with it
Now, let's wait for a convenient moment to attack the West and get on with it
Yes! This AAR is back.
I'm excited to see what Europe will look like after the Soviet Navy decides to kick more ass
Good luck
I'm excited to see what Europe will look like after the Soviet Navy decides to kick more ass
Good luck
Hello there comrades! Happy to see me again?
I must tell you that the Committe's decision to send me to that re-education camp in Siberia did wonders. I am now a fully changed man, with no hint of doubts about the supremacy of the Paradoxian People's Republic. I heartly thank Comrade Castillion's most generous pardon and Comrade coz1 for preserving the ideological and ethical purity of this thread.
Maj. von Mauser - My official sentence was related with a case of double personality, which I readily confessed to. Clearly, inside of me lived a rabbid anti-socialist slave of capitalism.
SovietAmerika - It is only as Glorious because it stands in this our Forum of Free Men. And quite honestly, I had no idea a Navy would make such a difference either. It was a welcome surprise.
Stuyvesant - I am commited to increased productivity in the name of Our Wise Leader's 5 Year Plan, indeed.
Deus Eversor - Good question. As you could see, no. First off, because SEMP didn't have an event for it. Second, because it wouldn't make much sense historicaly, considering how anti-Germanic the leadership and populations of allied countries had become by this point. Third, because it would benefit me gameplay-wise, with the Allies wasting their troops in a land-war I was already winning, without France having time to recover, and without the Cold War events firing.
Maj. von Mauser - Not permanently, no.
Asalto - If they don't, it means no Comintern presence in the Med, which is a major strategic weakness. But quite honestly, I'm not counting on them staying.
RGB - Now? Thet began the second Germany surrendered! And Albania was never soviet-controled really. SEMP gives you the countries you captured the capital of. I never got to Tirana, so... all fair.
SovietAmerika - I was dealing with them, when the independence events fired and the troops got kicked to Moscow.o But I'll offer the province once I capture it back anyway.
Deus Eversor - That's just how SEMP works. At least I didn't get the fusked-up Europe the game normaly creates. And it's more fun this way! France might actualy put up a fight if anything happens. It will at least provide a place for UK and USA troops and ships to be placed in peace-time.
General_Hoth - Why are you assuming it will have to face them at all? Why, how beligerant of you!
gooy - They're under Historical circunstances I guess. Not a menace anymore, no longer equiped with CAs... if they don't ally with the UK or USA, they should live a few years more.
Emperor_krk - No, no! They're the imperialist ones! We would never attack unprovoked! Who told you otherwise? Must I call the Security Services?
Arya V. - Me too. I just hope there are events for ito
ColonelIronboot - Why, many thanks!
I must tell you that the Committe's decision to send me to that re-education camp in Siberia did wonders. I am now a fully changed man, with no hint of doubts about the supremacy of the Paradoxian People's Republic. I heartly thank Comrade Castillion's most generous pardon and Comrade coz1 for preserving the ideological and ethical purity of this thread.
Maj. von Mauser - My official sentence was related with a case of double personality, which I readily confessed to. Clearly, inside of me lived a rabbid anti-socialist slave of capitalism.
SovietAmerika - It is only as Glorious because it stands in this our Forum of Free Men. And quite honestly, I had no idea a Navy would make such a difference either. It was a welcome surprise.
Stuyvesant - I am commited to increased productivity in the name of Our Wise Leader's 5 Year Plan, indeed.
Deus Eversor - Good question. As you could see, no. First off, because SEMP didn't have an event for it. Second, because it wouldn't make much sense historicaly, considering how anti-Germanic the leadership and populations of allied countries had become by this point. Third, because it would benefit me gameplay-wise, with the Allies wasting their troops in a land-war I was already winning, without France having time to recover, and without the Cold War events firing.
Maj. von Mauser - Not permanently, no.
Asalto - If they don't, it means no Comintern presence in the Med, which is a major strategic weakness. But quite honestly, I'm not counting on them staying.
RGB - Now? Thet began the second Germany surrendered! And Albania was never soviet-controled really. SEMP gives you the countries you captured the capital of. I never got to Tirana, so... all fair.
SovietAmerika - I was dealing with them, when the independence events fired and the troops got kicked to Moscow.
o But I'll offer the province once I capture it back anyway.Deus Eversor - That's just how SEMP works. At least I didn't get the fusked-up Europe the game normaly creates. And it's more fun this way! France might actualy put up a fight if anything happens. It will at least provide a place for UK and USA troops and ships to be placed in peace-time.
General_Hoth - Why are you assuming it will have to face them at all? Why, how beligerant of you!
gooy - They're under Historical circunstances I guess. Not a menace anymore, no longer equiped with CAs... if they don't ally with the UK or USA, they should live a few years more.
Emperor_krk - No, no! They're the imperialist ones! We would never attack unprovoked! Who told you otherwise? Must I call the Security Services?
Arya V. - Me too. I just hope there are events for it
oColonelIronboot - Why, many thanks!
General_Hoth - Why are you assuming it will have to face them at all? Why, how beligerant of you!
Because they are oppriming their people and stand in the way of proletarian emancipation!:rofl:
Because they are oppriming their people and stand in the way of proletarian emancipation!:rofl:
ok i will agree on giving back france if it will be stated that for that moment of soviet control french felt better and when you will invade france great forces of britain and usa will be backstabbed by french revolution
Well, then, how about Stalin revised somewhat his theories, in a bit... Brezhnev-Trotskian manner? Exporting the revolution in a more, you know, explicit way?
Oh, am I happy to see this AAR return back out of the Siberian Wastes, and right into a Socialist Europe (more or less)!
I am ashamed I had taken this for dead, and had removed it from the "Approved List" (I do that, if the AAR either dies, or does something unnapporved), however, it will be ReApproved ASAP!
I am thinking you let some of the nations like France, Norway etc... "slip away", so we see some further drama in Europe! However, some of the nations are having no leader in the photo. Also, is there already a revolt against Romanias Supreme Rule!
I did not expect Germany to surrender either, that is a surprise.
Anyways, I'm just glad to see this back, as I was really enjoying it!
I am ashamed I had taken this for dead, and had removed it from the "Approved List" (I do that, if the AAR either dies, or does something unnapporved), however, it will be ReApproved ASAP!
I am thinking you let some of the nations like France, Norway etc... "slip away", so we see some further drama in Europe! However, some of the nations are having no leader in the photo. Also, is there already a revolt against Romanias Supreme Rule!
I did not expect Germany to surrender either, that is a surprise.
Anyways, I'm just glad to see this back, as I was really enjoying it!
Ah, good to see you posting again! And you're back with a blast (no, I'm not talking about that level one naval bomber development)! Post-war Europe appears to have taken you for a mighty spin - you went from undisputed master of Europe to, well, still the undisputed strongest power there. But the political map lost a lot of its approved color.
Apart from the fact that the reappearance of all those nations evens the odds a little bit, it also means you have a bunch of satellites that can churn out ground forces, which leaves you free to focus on the proper arm of the military, i.e. the Red Fleet.
I wonder how long it will be until shameless capitalist agitation and sabotage forces the peace-loving Socialist republics to (ever so reluctantly) bring the joys of socialism to the unwashed masses of Western Europe (and beyond)?
Apart from the fact that the reappearance of all those nations evens the odds a little bit, it also means you have a bunch of satellites that can churn out ground forces, which leaves you free to focus on the proper arm of the military, i.e. the Red Fleet.
I wonder how long it will be until shameless capitalist agitation and sabotage forces the peace-loving Socialist republics to (ever so reluctantly) bring the joys of socialism to the unwashed masses of Western Europe (and beyond)?
On his way back home in Leningrad, the People's Commissar for Naval Affairs finally had time to look back at the war he'd just seen finished. The actual length of it had only been 18 months, but it had felt much longer. In fact, for the Red Fleet and it's reputation, that year and a half had been a true generational leap. No Naval thinker in the World could deny it any more: the USSR was a Great Naval Power!
Commissar Kuznetsov and his secretary Viktor Andreev wouldn't have too much time to look back, however. With being a Great Naval Power came increased planning obligations. No longer limited to the simple defence of a handful of points in the Baltic and Black Seas, the Red Fleet now had to consider both defence and offence at a different scale.
Slicing up the issue by relevant seas, the Navy Offices in Leningrad would spend the months following Germany's surrender working on evaluating the key defensive and offensive points for each of the Navy's post-war operating areas. This is what they concluded:
In the Baltic, 4 points were identified.
In the Atlantic, the North Sea was deemed prime strategic area, as it is the most likely field of battle if War ever breaks out again. Here, again, 4 points were identified.
Farther away from the Leningrad Offices, the Black Sea defensive plans contained little real change from the pre-war situation. Here, 2 main points and 2 secondary ones were identified.
Plans for the Mediterranean itself were abandoned, not because it lacked any strategic points, but because no plan to access it existed that was feasible from a military or political perspective.
Further still from Leningrad stood the renewed Pacific fleet, and the mystery within it. Would Japan attack? Would the Fleet be adequate to battle the Empire of the Rising Sun? Doubts like these limited the plans to 5 main points.
One other Sea of great interest to the USSR was, of course, the Barents Sea. But here only one strategic point was identified. Murmansk itself, where the new Kirov-class cruisers were being built. It was also in Murmansk that the Great Scrapping began, when all outdated ships and submarines were officially retired from duty.
The Great Scrapping, as the sailors called the Operational Means Reform, was intended to guarantee the best use of manpower and resources in relation to the previously established Defence Axis. It was applied in all red Fleet Bases, and it was especially hard on Submarine forces, with all but the 3 stationed in the Pacific being retired.
In the Baltic, the Operational Means Reform meant splitting the battleships into two Forces. The Baltic Fleet proper was assigned to Admiral Smirnov, while the 10th Fleet (the name given to the unofficial Atlantic Fleet) was put under direct command of Admiral Kuznetsov. A separate 11th Fleet was created for Transport duties only.
The question of what to do with Marat, Hero Battleship, Avenger of the Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya was solved by maintaining it in theoretical operational service, while in practise turning it into a Moral Booster stationed in Leningrad.
Down South, the Black Sea Fleet was limited to two Karl Marx-class Battleships, with the bulk of the fleet's strength being committed to the 13th Fleet, an independent force made thinking about the Mediterranean, if access ever presented itself. A transport fleet was also set up, and the old capital ships kept operational because, if worst came to happen and a forceful opening of the Bosporus became needed, every floating gun would count.
With the Strategic Defence Axis established and the Operational Means Reform enacted, only one question remained unsolved. What to do with Danish Greenland? The decision was left to the future.
Commissar Kuznetsov and his secretary Viktor Andreev wouldn't have too much time to look back, however. With being a Great Naval Power came increased planning obligations. No longer limited to the simple defence of a handful of points in the Baltic and Black Seas, the Red Fleet now had to consider both defence and offence at a different scale.
Slicing up the issue by relevant seas, the Navy Offices in Leningrad would spend the months following Germany's surrender working on evaluating the key defensive and offensive points for each of the Navy's post-war operating areas. This is what they concluded:
In the Baltic, 4 points were identified.
- Leningrad, the USSR's main Naval base.
- Copenhagen, the gatekeeper between the Baltic and the Atlantic.
- Gdansk, the first (or last) Naval Base beyond of the Soviet Motherland.
- Stockholm, the Capital of the only Baltic Navy outside of Soviet Control.
In the Atlantic, the North Sea was deemed prime strategic area, as it is the most likely field of battle if War ever breaks out again. Here, again, 4 points were identified.
- Wilhelmshafen, the Red Fleet's westernmost available full Naval Base.
- Oslo, the Capital of Britain's puppet Norway, most likely support point for any offensive move on Copenhagen.
- Dover, the UK's easternmost full Naval Base.
- Reykjavík, the USA's easternmost Naval Base, and a bridge between America and Europe.
Farther away from the Leningrad Offices, the Black Sea defensive plans contained little real change from the pre-war situation. Here, 2 main points and 2 secondary ones were identified.
- Sevastopol, the USSR's only full Naval Base in the Black Sea.
- Istanbul, the gatekeeper to and from the Mediterranean Sea.
- Constanta and Batumi, the probably focal points for any offensive or defensive action related with Turkey.
Plans for the Mediterranean itself were abandoned, not because it lacked any strategic points, but because no plan to access it existed that was feasible from a military or political perspective.
Further still from Leningrad stood the renewed Pacific fleet, and the mystery within it. Would Japan attack? Would the Fleet be adequate to battle the Empire of the Rising Sun? Doubts like these limited the plans to 5 main points.
- Vladivostock, the USSR's only Naval Base in the Far East.
- Kanazawa, the Empire's closest Naval Base in the Home Islands.
- South Sakhalin, the main Soviet land claim over Japan.
- Busan and Fukuoka, the gatekeepers to the China Sea.
One other Sea of great interest to the USSR was, of course, the Barents Sea. But here only one strategic point was identified. Murmansk itself, where the new Kirov-class cruisers were being built. It was also in Murmansk that the Great Scrapping began, when all outdated ships and submarines were officially retired from duty.
The Great Scrapping, as the sailors called the Operational Means Reform, was intended to guarantee the best use of manpower and resources in relation to the previously established Defence Axis. It was applied in all red Fleet Bases, and it was especially hard on Submarine forces, with all but the 3 stationed in the Pacific being retired.
In the Baltic, the Operational Means Reform meant splitting the battleships into two Forces. The Baltic Fleet proper was assigned to Admiral Smirnov, while the 10th Fleet (the name given to the unofficial Atlantic Fleet) was put under direct command of Admiral Kuznetsov. A separate 11th Fleet was created for Transport duties only.
The question of what to do with Marat, Hero Battleship, Avenger of the Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya was solved by maintaining it in theoretical operational service, while in practise turning it into a Moral Booster stationed in Leningrad.
Down South, the Black Sea Fleet was limited to two Karl Marx-class Battleships, with the bulk of the fleet's strength being committed to the 13th Fleet, an independent force made thinking about the Mediterranean, if access ever presented itself. A transport fleet was also set up, and the old capital ships kept operational because, if worst came to happen and a forceful opening of the Bosporus became needed, every floating gun would count.
With the Strategic Defence Axis established and the Operational Means Reform enacted, only one question remained unsolved. What to do with Danish Greenland? The decision was left to the future.
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A nice-looking update. Those propaganda pictures are so pretty.
Greenland should be released as an independent country, but with a Soviet naval base.
...Stalin could also forcibly move some people there to create IC....
I wonder if Soviet-influenced countries will develop their own navies and if so, do you have any plans how to shape them?
P.S. Also, one of your maps has Wilhelmshafen instead of Kiel as a point of "North Sea Defence Axis", and you also missed a few swastikas in the picture with Marat.
Greenland should be released as an independent country, but with a Soviet naval base.
...Stalin could also forcibly move some people there to create IC....
I wonder if Soviet-influenced countries will develop their own navies and if so, do you have any plans how to shape them?
P.S. Also, one of your maps has Wilhelmshafen instead of Kiel as a point of "North Sea Defence Axis", and you also missed a few swastikas in the picture with Marat.