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At the Gates of Paris: A Fascist France AAR

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Thanks for your continued support Che Guevara. :)

Yes, I have one mod installed, Yogi's New Order Events which adds an intersting and more in-depth dimension to the game.
 
The Spanish Civil War
July 18th 1936

“Fascism is like a disease, it spreads and takes over its host [a country] when the host is weak. It then simply exploits it [the country], and leaves it for dead…”
-Winston Churchill

On this momentous day for Spanish History, the country literally tore apart into two: The Nationalist Forces of General Francisco Franco and that of the democratic government and varies array of other anti-Fascist groups – the Anarchist movements, Socialists, left-wing military groups and many more. Francisco Franco was supported by the wealthy land owning elite and the Catholic Church, and hence was highly regarded amongst the conservative bourgeois class.

Prime Minister Sanvea immediately recognised General Franco and his military forces as the rightful leaders of Spain. Italy and Germany hastily followed, with communiqués expressing support for the General. By the end of July, large convoys of ammunitions and supplies were sent to the Nationalists from Italy and Germany. The Republican Forces also received much needed supplies and military advisors from the Soviet Union. It was clear that Spain was the proxy battlefield for Communism and Fascism. Great Britain, however, refused to support the Republicans materially, but heavily criticised Franco and his forces, citing them as no more than ‘common rabble’. Hundreds of anti-Fascist and Left-wing men flocked to the Republican side, ensuring that the spread of Fascism would end at Spain’s borders. These supporters formed the sizeable Foreign Battalions within the Republican armed forces.

On the 24th of July, Sanvea proposed France should also send supplies and military materials to Franco, but Avaneux strongly disagreed, and vetoed any action in aiding the Nationalist forces. This caused deep political rift between Sanvea and Avaneux, which stirred up great excitement in London. The British Foreign Secretary even hinted that Avaneux would overthrow Sanvea, and re-install a democratic government. A war of words broke out between Avaneux and Sanvea, which resulted in a bitter stalemate.

* * *

Crossing the Southern Frontier: French intervention in the Spanish Civil War
October 15th 1936

The violent civil war had broken out almost two months before. The Nationalist Forces, though superior in tactics and equipment, could not stand up to the pure numbers of the Republican Militia. Franco’s army, which had been only kilometres from Madrid in August, were driven back to the north of the country, and the prize of Madrid no longer seemed attainable to the General. The Nationalist Forces had also been encircled in the south, and 3 Infantry, 1 tank and 6 Militia divisions were trapped in the besieged city of Granada. Within months, one could assume, the Nationalist Forces would be overrun by the mass of anarchist and Socialist rebels.

Sanvea, who had been restrained from supporting Franco, was finally able to break from Avaneux’s decree declaring no French support. The old Field Marshall finally succumbed to the pressure from the Fascists, and fearing a Communist takeover in Madrid, reluctantly agreed to direct military intervention in Spain.

French forces were immediately mobilised, and by the 18th of October, some 18 infantry, 4 tank and 4 mechanised divisions were building up on the Franco-Spanish frontier, ready to join up with the Nationalist Forces in Bilboa. From there, the Iberian Peninsula lay waiting for the French onslaught...
 
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Sorry everone, but I have not had time today to post tne next update of this AAR. I will try my best to update tomorrow, and it will conentrate on France's intervention in the Spanish Civil War.
 
I'm sorry I haven't posted for while, but I've been in Germany for the last three weeks, and alas, far from my PC.

I will continue playing the game and update as soon as possible.







Tally Ho. :)
 
I have finally had the chance to continue the game, and I've had quite an interesting, if not frustrating war in Spain on the side of Franco.

I will post the latest update of this AAR very shortly.
 
The Protectors of Fascism in the South: A Journal of French Forces in Spain
October 1936 – April 1937

“France once again marches on the Iberian peninsula, to install her will on her docile southern neighbour”
-The Times, London 1936

Crossing the Frontier:
On the morning of October 19th, thousands of French soldiers, numerous tanks, artillery equipment and officer staff cars crossed the mist covered Franco-Spanish frontier just north of the town of Bilbao, in the heart of old Navarre. The Basque countryside lay still, and few local residents came to greet, or even watch the French forces as they entered into the foreign territory.

The ‘Iberian Army Group’, as the French Expeditionary Forces in Spain were named, was under the command of Field Marshall Gamelin, who set up his headquarters in the small town of Avaro Casias, just south of Bilbao. Gamelin not only commanded the entire Army Group, but also personally commanded the largest of the Army Corps in Iberia, the V. Army Corps, with 10 divisions, four of which were supported by modern heavy artillery, and one equipped with a newly established Engineers Brigade. The Army Corps was at full strength, and in extremely good health with full rations and supplies.

The Army grouped also sported the III. Army Corps of 8 infantry divisions, led by Field Marshall Juin, and the I. Armoured Army commanded by the charismatic Field Marshall Lattre de Tassigney.

The Order of Operations:
On the 23rd October, after considerable contemplation, and long hours of pouring over maps in his dank HQ, Gamelin decided that in the early hours of the following morning, V. Army Corps and I. Armoured Army would brake across the frontline south of Bilbao, and head towards the city of Pamplona.

As the troops crossed the frontline, they met with only futile erratic resistance, and by the 27th, the powerful French tanks under Lattre de Tassigney had the outskirts of Pamlona in their sights. The French thrust down towards the town, after establishing a secure a bridgehead to the north-west, in the small village of Donmario, which had been completely free of Republican forces, or even local militia.

The powerful French forces met with three seriously under-manned divisions in the city, under the command of an unknown Mj. General. The Republicans had retreated from the outskirts of the city into the centre, hoping to slow the French down with horrific and bitter street and door-to-door fighting. French artillery bombarded the town, and many Republicans, mostly unwilling peasants, fled to the countryside without firing a shot, abandoning their antiquated weapons in the process. Chaos broke loose in the city, and sporadic firing echoed between the brown sunbaked buildings.

As the sun set that night, much of the town was alight, and the sounds of gunshots and mortars ripped through the smoke-filled air. By morning, the French forces, without much rest, if any at all, had captured most of the town, and the Republican commander, held up in the basement of the town hall, surrendered at 0830 hours of the 28th . With a minimum of casualties, France had secured her first victory, and while excitement grew in Berlin and Rome, the worried talk of the British was to be heard in the halls of Westminster that day.

Later that same day, Nationalist forces finally captured the city of Salamanca, securing the wide local countryside. Franco began to build his forces up along the frontline, in a hope to attack Spain by the end of October. This would not be possible, as the Spanish Capital was heavily defended, with some 15 infantry divisions surrounding the city. Though the Fascists had secured two important victories, it still appeared that they had a long and gruelling battle ahead of them.

***
More updates coming soon!

;)
 
great AAR!

Keep it up,


Regards,

Low
:p
 
The Protectors of Fascism in the South: A Journal of French Forces in Spain

On the 1st of November, Gamelin issued the orders for “Operation Ferdinand”, the large scale French offensive that was directed towards the Republican stronghold of Zaragoza, only 350 Km north of Madrid. Zaragoza, an ancient city dating back to the Moors, was heavily defended by eight Regular Army Divisions of the Republican Government and six Militia Divisions, commanded by the Socialist officer General Cabanellas.

Zaragoza was not an easy victory, and Cabanellas commanded a very well supplied and well-organised Army Group, for Republican standards. Artillery was positioned strategically on the outskirts of the town facing the north and northwest, the expected pathway of the French invading force. The heavy artillery was in reaching distance of the Algora Fernanda hills, which overlooked the town from the north. The artillery, as Cabanellas and his Artillery commander, Lt. General Moreno had calculated, would reek devastating casualties on the French as they descended down the rolling hills.

spanien7.jpg
Republican soldiers waiting for the French advance

Gamelin, however, anticipated such a defensive measure, and requested air support from the French Air Force. Complying with the request, the I. Bomber Squadron, compromising two rather old tactical bomber squadrons, and three newly completed dive bomber squadrons landed at the Dorca Vita Airfield at Pamplona on the 2nd. During that night, the tactical bombers, under the cover of darkness, attacked the Republican defensive positions. The loud drones of the planes commenced the beginning of the devastating bombardment, and caused many soldiers to flee into the cover of darkness.

Cabanellas immediately ordered that the electricity to the city be shut off, so that the bombers would be unable to find their targets. This was to no avail, however, as the damage had already been done. The troops defending the outskirts of the city were in disarray, and many of the peasant militia, like at Pamplona, fled to their impoverished farms in the countryside.

The following morning, before the Republican forces could re-assemble and organise the frontline, French tanks and mechanised infantry in all-purposed Renault Halftracks began their advance down the hills north of Zaragoza. The French advance was rapid, and the outlying villages were captured before the defences could be organised. Cabanellas, fearing ‘Fascist atrocities’ cleared the city of civilians, yet the exodus was more spontaneous than organised. A large column of refugees left the city, fleeing into the relative safety of the Republican territory to the south of Zaragoza. Many, however, became trapped behind French lines due to the rapid advance.

The French tanks and mechanised forces established a bridgehead on the northwestern outskirts, and were ordered to ‘dig-in’ for the night. Trenches were hastily dug into the hard land. Throughout the night, small gun battles broke out along the frontline. The following day, the tanks and mechanised corps were reinforced by regular infantry. As the French troops began the advance, they met stiff resistance by the Republicans. By nightfall on the 3rd, the French had already reached the centre of Zaragoza, with little casualties.

The following day saw violent street fighting, and the city was engulfed by flames. That night, tanks from the 3rd Armoured Division dramatically broke down the gates of the abandoned city hall. The French and Nationalist flags were hoisted from the second story of the mortar-scarred building. Cabannellas, however had escaped, and ordered that the remainder of his forces retreat.

spanish-civil-war02.jpg

Residents of Zaragoza after the city was captured


The Republicans had suffered severe losses, with the total annihilation of four of the six-militia divisions, and two of the eight regular infantry divisions. The Divisions that did manage to escape existed in name only, and most of them were down to less than half there strength. That night, the French soldiers celebrated wildly, and their festivities were flamed by the large stocks of alcohol that had been commandeered from the local distilleries and storage facilities.

On the 6th of November, the I. Armoured Army commanded by Field Marshall Lattre de Tassigney sped towards the poorly held Republican town of Huesca, which was the gateway to Barcelona. Within days, the town had been easily captured and the roads to Barcelona were secured.

Within the next few days, the frontline was pushed considerably forward to less than 200km north from Barcelona. By the 10th, French forces, as well as six Nationalist infantry and 2 motorised divisions were ready for “Operation Citadel” – the major Fascist offensive against the heavily defended stronghold of Barcelona.

On the 12th of November, Sanvea visited Gamelin at his General HQ in Huesca. After inspecting the troops, and attending several of Gamelin’s conferences, the Premier gave the go ahead for Operation Citadel, and even promised Gamelin six additional infantry divisions, and naval support from the Mediterranean Fleet. The date for Citadel was set for the 15th November, and was the largest offensive of the Spanish Civil War.

French_19_small.jpg

Field Marshall Gamelin, commander of Ibérie De Groupe D'Armée
 
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kool. although i have a few questions. How did you do the whole anti facist rebels in the south and such, or was that just to make the stroy interesting. Also i want to know if you used the event 1150 cheat to switch your government, coz it never becomes facist with me.

Interesting AAR. keep it up.
 
Originally posted by Keledor
kool. although i have a few questions. How did you do the whole anti facist rebels in the south and such, or was that just to make the stroy interesting. Also i want to know if you used the event 1150 cheat to switch your government, coz it never becomes facist with me.

Interesting AAR. keep it up.
Click to expand...

I didn't use the event 1150 cheats, beacuse as you say, with France the government doesn't actually change with that event. For a Fascist France, I had to edit the French Government files before I played the game.

Whey you say 'anti fascist rebels in the south' I assume you are talking about the beginning of the AAR when the anti-Fascist general takes over Marsailles. Well, that was just to make the story interesting, and I hope it did!;)
 
The Protectors of Fascism in the South: A Journal of French Forces in Spain
(Continued)

The Battle of Córdoba
During the first half of November, Franco began a thrust down from the Nationalist strongholds of the north to his trapped army in Granada. Some eight infantry, five militia and two tank divisions were trapped in the besieged city. Supplies were running low, and the entire army was at risk of being annihilated.

On November 3rd, the Nationalist Forces had reached the Guadalquivir River, pushing the frontline south. The Republican held city of Córdoba lay on the southern bank of the river, heavily defended by some of the Republican’s most powerful forces. The Nationalist forces, personally commanded by General Franco, were able to surround the city by sunrise on the 5th, and a large-scale battle broke out for the control the city.

Heavy fighting in the vicinity of Córdoba lasted for days on end, and the Nationalist forces were unable to secure a steady frontline. Both sides encountered serious losses, and the battle became one of attrition. On the 11th of November, Nationalist reinforcements of six militia and one regular infantry division were able to save Franco’s forces from utter destruction at the hands of the Republicans.

On the 12th of November, Córdoba was finally captured, and around 18 000 Republican forces, mainly Socialists, were taken as POW’s, including some Soviet military consultants. Almost half of the Republican forces had been either captured, killed or wounded during the battle of Córdoba, around 42 000 men.

81827ch.jpg

Triumphant Nationalist Forces parade through Córdoba

As the frontile pushed southwards, the Nationalists were able to secure a very thin, but well protected passage to the troops in Granada. The forces in Granada, now fully supplied and reorganised, were able to break the southern frontline, and reached the Mediterranean Sea at Malaga on the 17th. The Nationalist forces had been saved, and now Republican forces were trapped in Sevilla, completely surrounded by Nationalist forces on land, and Nationalist submarines and destroyers at sea.
 
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The Protectors of Fascism in the South: A Journal of French Forces in Spain

Gamelin had set the 15th of November for beginning of Operation Citadel, but on the 13th, it was decidedn by the French command that the attack would not take place until the 20th, as the II. Army Corps, promised by Sanvea, would only arrive on the 18th. Large-scale preparations were undertaken, and the French Air Force began bombing defensive positions in Barcelona.

The Andalusian Front
After the capture of Malaga, the Republican troops in the southwest were surrounded by Fascist forces. The Republican forces, under siege, retreated to the Andalusian city of Sevilla. Franco’s forces began to build up on the frontline for the final strike against the Republican’s in the region.

On the 18th, Nationalists forces surrounded the city, and began bombarding Republican positions with heavy artillery. That same day, the French I. Bomber Squadron attacked the Republican forces in the city, to ‘soften’ them up for Franco’s army. The following day, the 19th, the major thrust into the city took place, and without much resistance, the Republicans surrendered. The Republican held territory was becoming smaller by the day.

Franco then turned his forces towards the east, with the major Republican strongholds of Albacete and Almeria within his sights.

Operation Citadel
The greatest of the Spanish Civil War offensives yet seen was set to take place on November 20th. On the eve of battle, the weather looked favourable, with not a cloud in the sky. Gamelin, at his General HQ in Granrosa, a small village just north of the frontline, gave the orders for the offensive to start in the early hours the next morning. The ageing, yet energetic Field Marshall retired early that night after a light dinner and a sherry to calm his nerves.

The Army Group Iberia, the largest composition of men and arms ever seen on the Iberian Peninsula consisted of the following:

ARMY GROUP IBERIA – commanded by Field Marshall Gamelin

I. French Armoured Army: 6 Tank divisions, 2 Mechanised Inf. Divisions
- Commanded by Field Marshall Lattre de Tassigney

II. Army Corps: 6 Regular Infantry Divisions
- Commanded by General Legentilhomme

III. Army Corps: 8 Regular Infantry Divisions
- Commanded by Field Marshall Juin

V. Army Corps: 10 Infantry Divisions
- Commanded by Field Marshall Gamelin

The Republican Army inside the city was ready for the offensive. The Defensive Force, under the command of Field Marshall Miaja consisted of 12 infantry divisions, 8 militia divisions, and 2 tank divisions. The Republican troops were well supplied, had much more effective weaponry and were well organised under more suitable commanders.

The French so far had only met with haphazardly organised and futile defences, but Barcelona, the second city of Spain, was heavily guarded, and the Republicans were willing to spill blood over the city. Troops waited in trenches, in buildings and guard towers waiting for the French onslaught, which they knew was coming soon. On the eve of battle, over the Republican Command Broadcast, the Spanish National Anthem was played, and Field Marshall Miaja urged his soldiers to stand up to the “Fascist scum” that was invading their homeland.

The Battle of Barcelona
At exactly 0400 hours on the morning of the 20th of November, Gamelin ordered the commencement of Operation Citadel. Within minutes, the barrage of artillery strategically positioned to the north and west of Barcelona was heard all over the city. Then, on the horizon, the Republicans saw the French bombers, a dreadful sight. The roaring of the engines caused civilians and soldiers to flee for cover.

Within just half-an-hour, the morning sky was alight with the orange radiance of the burning city. French tanks rolled down streets, destroying poorly constructed anti-tank defences. Troops poured down the alleyways, shooting through windows and at rooftops as they ran. To the north of the city, French troops had encountered stiff resistance from Republicans defending the northern outskirts.

By nightfall, the Republicans had suffered considerable losses, but they still were able to halt the French from advancing any further. The French were still encountering sporadic, yet devastating attacks from the defenders. The French forces were experiencing their greatest losses in Spain during the expedition. The fighting continued ferociously into the night, with both sides refusing to give an inch.

By morning, the French had barely advanced into the city, and on the northern side of the front, they had not yet reached the outskirts. Strong resistance in the northern villages of Garcia and Parvalisa had halted the French from advancing southwards to Barcelona. To the west, the main thrust of the French forces were still some 30km away from the city centre, and were only managing an average of 20m an hour in the devastating street fighting.

That day saw more ferocious fighting, but by dusk, the French troops in the north had broken through the northern defensive positions in the outlying villages, and had reached within 40km of the city centre. That night, the French bombers returned inflicting heavy losses on the defenders. Before long, the Republicans began to fear with much dread the sound of plane engines. Psychologically, the planes had an absolutely overwhelming impact on the defenders.

On the 22nd, after two days of vicious fighting, Barcelona was completely encircled by the French forces, and reinforcements of four Nationalist Spanish divisions arrived. With the extra manpower, Gamelin was able to thrust his forces to within 10km of the City Hall. Continuously, mortars fell on Republican defensives surrounding the City Hall and the Barcelona Military District Command HQ.

For another five days the fighting continued, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Republicans, however, were loosing men at a terrible rate, and most their divisions were only at half strength at best. Desertions became a major problem, and the defence appeared to be on the verge of collapse.

On the 29th of November, Gamelin sent an envoy to Field Marshall Maija offering surrender. It was immediately rejected, and in spite, Gamelin ordered another air strike on the defenders, which resulted in terrible casualties. On the 30th, tanks from the 5th tank division reached the city hall, and before long, the Nationalist and French flags were flying valiantly from the mortar scarred building. Fighting ceased the following day, as Field Marshall Maija surrendered the city from his new Headquarters in Tortosa. Amazingly, he had been able escape from the doomed city without the French and Nationalists even realising.

As peace finally settled over the war-scarred city, an uneasy calm drifted on the heavy smoke laden air. As French and Nationalist forces celebrated in a drunken frenzy, the residents of Barcelona searched through the rubble for missing valuables and even loved ones who had perished during the bomber raids and artillery barrages. Few people watched the Fascist soldiers as they virtuously paraded through the vanquished city.
 
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