Heart of Darkness - Freistaat Mittelafrika KR AAR

[Emperor Ike]

Heart of Darkness
Freistaat Mittelafrika

"Mittelafrika was created after the 1921 treaty by a victorious Germany, with the aim of centralizing the governing of Germany's newly acquired African colonies under one administration headed by Wilhelm Solf and Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the undefeated commander of German forces in East Africa during the war. Almost from the start Mittelafrika became a semi-autonomous region, with its own government and its own armed forces. Its territories were greatly expanded in 1925 when the political turbulence in England caused Germany to move troops into Britain's African colonies and from this point on the Freistaat was the hegemonic political force in Africa, if only due to its size.However it remained economically backwards, sucking in German money and manpower for little return gain, as minor colonial insurrection continually plagued it through the 1920's and 30's. In 1934 Lettow-Vorbeck was replaced by Hermann Goering- a politician whose actions and right-wing extremist views were embarrassing the Kaiser's government. Goering saw the move as an opportunity to create his own power base, and by 1936 has begun to enlarge the army and now looks greedily at his neighbors, especially the Portuguese colonies and the native state of Abyssinia." - Scenario description.

Hello and welcome back to one of my "silly*" AARs. You might be remember me of "great" works like "Empire Strikes Back - KR Canada", "Battle of Religions: Rise of Islam" and many other AARs that were either completed, semi completed or abandoned all together. I think CK and KR are the ones that I've tried to make the most AARs of so it is natural that I return to KR. So that is why I chose Mittelafrika. Why? Because I could have gone with Finland but I find the opportunities as Finland to be rather small. So I wanted something with a powerhungry leader and things to expand to, thus the Free State of Central Africa.

The goals of course are what Göring in his megalomania want's, all of Africa under his rule while keeping the money flowing from the Fatherland. And of course making the Dark Continent an industrial superpower.


INDEX
Africa 1936

Act 1
All in honor of the Empire
Göring makes his move
Göring's Little War
The Wars that no one remembers
Offer that Göring couldn't refuse
Economic Expansion
Coup!
Katanga Revolt
Era of Civil Wars
One does not simply rise
Like a disease they spread trough the world
Rise of Syndicalism
End of the Beginning

Act 2
Offensive Stalemate
South African Politics Update
You Must Appease Us
Troubles in Africa
Spring Offensive
There Can Only Be One Empire in Africa
Quick War for Horn of Africa

Act 3
German Empire Capitulates
Europe of 1941
Either Willingly....
or by Force
It's the socialist sir
War continues in Europe
Entering the war
Up the Nile
Pharaoh Görin
Arabian Nights​

​

*

oi, I even read some of your rather silly AARs!

 

[Enewald]

wtf man, I get an alert from a thread I have never heard before because you quote me here from another thread?

impressive new forums mechanics, anyone could quote anyone from other threads in random parts of the forum to get random alerts....

 

[Migthy]

I'm definetely looking forward! Good luck!

 

[Emperor Ike]

Africa1936

​

Here we have the situation of Africa as of today January 1st 1936. Almost fifteen years has passed since the end of Weltkrieg and the victory of German Empire and the Central Powers over Entente. In our current form the glorious Freistaat was established in 1925 to govern and protect the interests of German Empire in the newly acquired colonies. Hero of the Weltgkrieg, Generalfeldmarschall Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck became the first Statthalter in recognition of his services during the war in Africa. His legendary actions against the British Empire in the colonies are taught to every children in the Freistaat schools as well as in Germany. Together with Wilhelm Solf, his good friend they laid the foundations for military and economic autonomy of Mittleafrika from German Empire. But even they couldn't control the vast corruption that existed in the state and managing the budget deficit with several major German projects all around Africa drained money and manpower, proved to be hard. Not to mention the tribal revolts against the new German rule of Africa. These revolts were of course branded as the spread of socialism and syndicalism in the world and both Union of Britain and Commune of France were accused of these troubles.

Soon Wilhelm Solf realized these troubles couldn't be handled so he decided to retire himself and moved to German Samoa to live the rest of his life. Left with a corrupt and troubled state to control and being abandoned by his friend von Lettow-Vorbeck gave his resignation as Statthalter, on February, 26 1934. He returned back to Germany where resigned his position in the military and became a true politician in the ranks of Nationalliberale Partei. The Empire now searching for a new Statthalter for the African colony decided to appoint Hermann Göring, another war hero and a national populist as the new Statthalter of Freistaat Mittleafrika. Hoping that in Africak Göring would cause less controversy than he had did as a politician in Germany. Göring of course realized that his appointment was only due to his controversial speeches in the Reichstag and that German leadership wanted to get him as far away as possible. But to Göring this was a chance to begin a new and bring glory to the Empire so he took his office seriously. In less than two years in office Göring relaunched oil and gold search in the Katanga, ended the constant guerrilla warfare with the Native tribes by naming Prince Alexander Duala Manga Bell as Secretary of Domestic Security, later replaced by Major General Herman Detzner of the Colonial Security Forces when Duala Bell was appointed the Foreign Minister, and took responsibility in the build of the railway throughout Abyssinia.

Cabinet of 1936

​

Just like his predecessors had done Göring included many Germans to his cabinet put also realized that working with the natives was needed in order to keep the peace in Africa. His second in command was the former Governor of German East Africa Dr. Heinrich Schnee, a man whose orders von Lettow-Vorbeck had defied during the Weltkrieg. To appease the native population Statthalter Göring appointed Prince Alexander Duala Bell as the Foreign Minister of Mittleafrika to represent them on the world stage and Zacharias Lewala as the Minister of Armaments. Major General Hermann Detzner replaced Duala Bell as the Minister of Domestic Security, he also serves as the Commaner-in-Chief of the Ground Schutztruppe. Other prominent figure of Görings cabinet were Chief of Staff Theodor von Hippel, officer who served under von Lettow-Vorbeck and Chief of the Colonial Navy Max von Looff former commander of the SMS Königsberg during the Weltkrieg.

Colonial Security Forces of 1936

​

Military might of the Freistaat rested upon the shoulders of the Colonial Security Forces or the Mittelafrikan Schutztruppen even if consisting of just few regiments and brigades of mixed white and coloured personnel most of them being Native brigades taken in charge by officers of German origin, or from the former Belgian army. But their have a reputation of exceptional courage and efficiency thanks to von Lettow-Vorbeck's heroic actions during the Weltkrieg. Even though during the administration of von Lettow-Vorbeck the budget of the Colonial Army was mostly used for internal security and repressive measures, the new Statthalter Göring has revived the rearmament and seriously considers using it for expansion or offensive goals.

Colonial Army

Colonial Army currently consists of 8 armies with 12 divisions in total. With two of these divisions consisting only of native people also known as referd to as Askari Rifles. Two of the prominent of these divisions are the Ugandan Warlors and the Outer Heaven Warlords. Both command under command of their tribal leaders. Rest of the Army is made of colonial troops and is divided between six regional Landswehrs. Gold Coast under command of Erns Jünger, former right wing writer now turned soldier. Southwest under Major General Mobutu, East Africa under command of Major General Schörner, Equatorial forces in the command of Major General Tamm, Nyasaland under Major General Eicke and Kongo under Lieutenant General Rammstedt.


Colonial Air Force

The Mittelafrikan Colonial Air Force consists of three tactical bomber divisions, organized into three commands: the East-African Command commanded by Herman Göring himself, the Southwest African Command under the command of a native Major General Diabate and the Gold Coast Command under the command of Major General Pascal.

Colonial Navy

The Mittelafrikan Colonial Navy is divided into two squadrons: the Western Squadron, tasked with protecting the Mittelafrikan Atlantic Coast, and the Eastern Squadron, tasked with protecting the Mitteafrikan Indian Ocean coast. The squadrons both consist of two battleships and their screens. The Eastern Squadron also has a torpedo boat squadron. Ships of the Mittelafrikan Colonial Navy are designated DAS, for Deutscher Afrikaner Schiff. The Eastern Squadron is commanded by Vice Admiral Bastian while the Western Squadron rests in the hands of Admiral Max von Loof.

Foreign Relations

​

Under the political, economic and military authority of Germany, Freistaat Mittleafrika is expected to join the German-led Mitteleuropa alliance in case of conflict. Göring has kept good relations with Austro-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire and Spain, outside the official policies of German Empire. All socialistic powers are included on the list of enemies of the Free State. These include Commune of France, Socialistic Republic of Italy, Union of Britain. Also the remnants Entente powers Canada and National France are also on the list of enemies and the latter is in possession of colonial lands Göring has his eyes on. Göring has vowed of territorial expansion and also declared hostility towards African countries of Portuguese Colonies and South Africa. When taking office Statthalter Göring announced that Angola and Mozambique were constituent parts of Mittelafrika and that new talks would be organized during the year 1936, and declared that he was ready for war: even if Portugal could resist with difficulty to the Mitteleuropa armies, troops in Angola could easily cut Südwestafrika from the rest of Mittelafrika. For the Empire, it's a diplomatic deadlock: if it strongly supports expansion of its colonial demesne, Portugal is one of the few stable and anti-Syndicalist countries in Europe, next to the boiling Kingdom of Spain, and could be a true ally in the war against the Internationale but could easily be isolated by German support for Göring.

The other independent states in Africa have cordial or non-existent relations with Mittelafrika. South Africa negotiated its quietness in the early times of her independence offering Northern Rhodesia (now Nyassaland) to Mittelafrika. In fact, many South African politicians, in particular the rightist Afrikaners, consider Mittelafrika as their best ally to protect them from the Entente. For Abyssinia, Mittelafrika succeeded Germany in the role of economic caretaker, financing most of the projects undertaken by Haile Selassia I politically backing him against the conservative elements in his country. As associate of the Ottoman Empire, Egypt-Sudan has cordial relations with Mittelafrika, as Göring's projects of dams and hydroelectric plants on the Nile don't threaten Egyptian interests.

The French government in exile, still well implemented in Northern Africa, has left little from its territory in the Peace with Honour in 1921. The military junta in Algiers still claims Equatorial Africa and Dahomey, which are now parts of the Freistaat Mittelafrika. The French government in exile could easily pretend to be the leading nation in Africa, both economically and military. But Göring and Field Marshal Pétain still share a common hatred against Syndicalism but their hate for each other would cause Sahara desert and Northwestern Africa to become bloody battlefields in case of an conflict.

 

[Enewald]

And now just waiting for the first war to start.

 

[Ericafaq]

My best wishes for your game process

 

[Emperor Ike]

Act 1
All in honor of the Empire

Expansion Policies of Göring

​

To secure security in Africa we must drive to secure our borders and expand. We know that the Portuguese has all ready said no several times for German offers to buy Angola, island of Sao Tome & Principe and Mozambique but it is imperative that we push this issue and force Portuguese government to negotiate. Even if we must threaten them with force, even though it would force us to hold back on our industrialization plans. Acquiring Portuguese colonies is our number one priority. Everything else comes as a second. We have all ready send lobbyist to Germany to gain us favor of the Empire on our endeavor to grow the Empire but if the Portuguese complain, we might have to risk our relations with the Fatherland. If the unfortunate would happen and the Empire doesn't support us, fear not, we have begun working for "Projekt Zanzibar" that will provide us safety if it is needed. In the mean while we shall search for opportunities for our industry around the Katanga region.
​

For long term expansion of our land and the colonial empire we must also look into the possibility of buying Bata from the Spanish, even though the land is worthless having an unified coastal border will provide us security and allow our to be navy to operate freely in case the Syndicalist & Totalist forces threaten the people of Africa. Also it provides Germany with more ports in Africa. Bata though is not high on our priority list and we can leave it alone for now. For the biggest concern after Portuguese colonies is the Republic of South Africa. The former member of Entente is now independent and ripe for taking and we must make sure that it will stay that way or become part of the Free State. We know that for years the United Party has been working to reconciliate with the British and seek to rejoin Entente. This is something we must prevent! National France bordering us in the north is all ready too much to bear but having our southern borders in the hands of Entente would mean end of African freedom. We are aware that National Party in South Africa favors South African independence and works against the UP efforts to join their former allies. Now for Africa to be safe and secure there can only be one State and that state is ours. Incorporating South Africa will be a priority after gaining Portuguese colonies. There is also precious resources to be had in the Southern lands and with those we could boost our economy.

As of now we shall concentrate on greasing Portugal to give up their colonies while we move CSF in locations where, if Portugal refuses, we can strike quickly to the heart of their colonial power and end the war before it even begins. Orders have been given to our Generals to begin movement. Also Admiral von Looff has agreed to instruct our DAS squadrons to be ready to strike against our enemy from the sea. CAF stands ready under my command to support our land forces from the air. Let us hope that conflict is averted and we can concentrate on industry. Gott mit Uns!​

 

[Enewald]

Do the Portuguese colonies have anything worth anything, or do you just like pretty borders?

 

[Emperor Ike]

Do the Portuguese colonies have anything worth anything, or do you just like pretty borders?

Nothing big. Only 1 industry, some manpower and some resources. But as Mittleafrica there isn't really many places I can spread my industry so every bit helps and we need to exploit the natural resources.

 

[Gukpa]

[video]

Good luck![/video]

 

[500Artichoke]

I am waaaaaaaay too ok with this.

Good luck with accidentally creating Pan-Africanism or something. Also, don't be afraid to set your eyes on Abyssinia - the new KR version allows you to invade them if the civil war goes haywire, and we all know that an Africa led from GORINGSBURG could use a port on the Red Sea... or the Med, of course.

(Secretly hoping you'll just say "screw it" and go Syndicalist for a laugh.)

 

[Dr.Livingstone]

Subbed!

 

[BBBD316]

Will follow this with interest.

I know that the Portugese do sell up from time to time, do you know the triggers to make them more amiable to the deal?

 

[Emperor Ike]

I am waaaaaaaay too ok with this.

Good luck with accidentally creating Pan-Africanism or something. Also, don't be afraid to set your eyes on Abyssinia - the new KR version allows you to invade them if the civil war goes haywire, and we all know that an Africa led from GORINGSBURG could use a port on the Red Sea... or the Med, of course.

(Secretly hoping you'll just say "screw it" and go Syndicalist for a laugh.)

Well Africa shall be united under Mittleafrika freedom. And if we need to protect our Horn from Imperialist scum we must do it.

I guess the syndicalism part could happen if German Empire goes and steam rolls trough the Syndicalist block whenever Weltkrieg II happens but other than that I think I'm going to stay Göring unless the AI miraculously coups me xD . Also I think the only option via events can only happen if Portugal complains to Germany and the Kaiser says Göring is nuts and demand his resignation. In that point I guess my choice is either to get Another German or African government.

Will follow this with interest.

I know that the Portugese do sell up from time to time, do you know the triggers to make them more amiable to the deal?

I think if Germans are involved on my side the Portuguese will usually sell. Though I'm aware that there is an event chain where even with German backing the Portuguese refuse and war breaks out and lots of tears from Portugal.

 

[Emperor Ike]

Göring makes his move​

Our deployment to the border regions is going well. The Portuguese suspect nothing and our delegate to Germany is on it's way with the plea to Germany back us in our colonial ventures. Everything is going well and the world seems to roll on wards.


January 6th 1936

News has reached Africa about the assassination of Russian President Kerensky. The man who helped establish a democratic Russia was brutally shot by an unknown party. Russia has told us that the election for a new president had been done only few hours after the news had reached the Duma and Grand Duke Dmitri Romanov now rules as the president with his Aristocrats majoring in the government. Interesting news indeed.

January 11th 1936

A group of colonial geologists in Nigeria has come to the conclusion that the oilfields found on the coast Nigeria are bigger than expected. This is excellent news for our economy. Plans have been set to motion to exploit these fields to our benefit and new oil rigs are being constructed.

April 1st 1936

It was time to pursue our goal of buying the Portuguese colonies. Surely they would see the light in our offer and accept the fact that Angola and Mozambique were only draining their economy and the people needed freedom. Portugal had said no before to this issue but maybe if we can get the Kaiser and the German Empire behind us they would be more willing? Word was sent to our delegate in Berlin to persuade the Reichstag to support us. Even if the plan was all ready in motion and German support was simply a formality to ease our efforts.

April 2nd 1936

News from Germany. The Kaiser is backing us on this matter and the offer to negotiate has been sent to Portugal.

April 4th 1936

The Portuguese government has refused to even negotiate with us despite the German efforts. How unfortunate. For them. Well we cannot wait for the Portuguese to grow more willing, the issue must be solved here and now. And thus official declaration of war has been sent to Portugal as they are a threat to well being of Freistaat Mittelafrika and the well being of Africa as whole. Orders have been sent to the generals to march against our new enemy and crush them, all of them.

 

[Enewald]

Boo hiss, evil imperialists again oppressing the honest imperialists and threatening their legit colonies.

 

[KaiserWilhelmI]

Oh, interesting. I will be following. Heil Göring!

 

[BBBD316]

Ike, following reading this I had a dip with Goring and chums.

Just a query cause I couldn't get over $150, if I did it just disappeared, do you have the same problem?

Also silly Portugese, I went peaceful and they just sold it. Hope your troops enjoy slogging through the jungles.

 

[DKM]

Just a query cause I couldn't get over $150, if I did it just disappeared, do you have the same problem?

That's because you're a puppet state thus it all goes to Germany.

 

[BBBD316]

Ahhhh, thanks for the info. Makes sense.