Only if the Axis players agreed to it.
If the game is a hopeless case, then the Allies can always surrender and you can start a new game.
-
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If the game is a hopeless case, then the Allies can always surrender and you can start a new game.
Far from a hopeless cause. Even if England falls (its up in the air right now) the Allies and USSR are still plenty strong. The entire UK fleet is untouched and much of the UK army surely could evac and fight another day leaving Germany to occupy England with no way of getting its heroes home.
Folks, just be cautious here. CARNAGE AL DENTE thread was closed recently because people discussed there the Home rules. I would strongly advise you all to discuss this in our MP game thread :
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum...america-series-game-3&p=13913353#post13913353
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum...america-series-game-3&p=13913353#post13913353
German Transport Vessel Lucille
September 1st 1939
2:00AM
Unterfeldwebel Erich Heinz felt his stomach knot as the transport vessel jerked back to life. They had been idling in this same area for over a week. At this point he was just glad to be back on the move. He had volunteered for duty in the Marine-Sturm Korps because he could handle the sea better than most and he didn't want to be a sailor. It seemed like a perfect fit. Now after being on this cursed ship for over two weeks, he wasn't so sure anymore. He didn't even know where he was...
German Transport Vessel Lucille
September 2 1939
4:00AM
Erich joined the line of other troops exiting out the freshly opened doorways on the sides of the transport vessel that had been his home for way too long. He didn't know where they were going, that information was reserved still for Hauptmanns and above. The men just seemed to disappear out the door as if they were falling into the ocean, only there were no splashes. Just the hushed whispers of the other members of the 1st Marine-Sturm division eagerly anxious, just like Erich. Of course, rumors had abounded about where they were going, the most believable speculation was Norway. Yet, as he approached the door, the air while crisp, was not as frigid as he would have expected from the waters of the North Sea. He now saw where the other men had gone, and a wave of excitement began to fill his body. They were boarding a landing craft. It was finally happening, he was getting off this boat!
Aboard Landing Craft 26
September 2, 1939
6AM
Erich still did not know where they were headed. The fog was beginning to burn off the water, and he could faintly start to make out the shape of land. Off to the south, Erich could make out lights in the distance, many lights, and too much fog. He began to suspect it was a large city. As those pieces were just falling into place in his mind's eye, his concentration was broken by Oberst Faulkner. "Gentlemen", he said, "as of two days ago, the United Kingdom has declared war on the German Reich as a result of our attempts to assert hegemony over our kinsman in the free city of Danzig. This is an outrage that the German people cannot suffer. The United Kingdom played a major part in destroying our country over the past twenty years. Gentlemen, we are here to repay that favor."
Aboard Landing Craft 26
September 2, 1939
6:45AM
Erich clutch his MP-40 tightly to his chest. He peered up over the side of the land craft. With the fog now almost completely gone, what he saw overwhelmed him. He could see what looked like thousands of land crafts on both sides of him. Mein Gott in Himmel thought Erich. Where is the Royal Navy? I hope for all our sake it is a thousand miles away from here. No sooner had that thought passed when the hushed whisper came through. 15 seconds. He put everything out of his mind but the task at hand. The Oberst had given each company its objective. That was all he was focused on now. Getting to the objective without getting himself killed. No one knew what lurked beyond that door. And then, with a crash, a crash that honed Erich's mind like a strap hones a barber's razor, the landing craft door opened.
September 1st 1939
2:00AM
Unterfeldwebel Erich Heinz felt his stomach knot as the transport vessel jerked back to life. They had been idling in this same area for over a week. At this point he was just glad to be back on the move. He had volunteered for duty in the Marine-Sturm Korps because he could handle the sea better than most and he didn't want to be a sailor. It seemed like a perfect fit. Now after being on this cursed ship for over two weeks, he wasn't so sure anymore. He didn't even know where he was...
German Transport Vessel Lucille
September 2 1939
4:00AM
Erich joined the line of other troops exiting out the freshly opened doorways on the sides of the transport vessel that had been his home for way too long. He didn't know where they were going, that information was reserved still for Hauptmanns and above. The men just seemed to disappear out the door as if they were falling into the ocean, only there were no splashes. Just the hushed whispers of the other members of the 1st Marine-Sturm division eagerly anxious, just like Erich. Of course, rumors had abounded about where they were going, the most believable speculation was Norway. Yet, as he approached the door, the air while crisp, was not as frigid as he would have expected from the waters of the North Sea. He now saw where the other men had gone, and a wave of excitement began to fill his body. They were boarding a landing craft. It was finally happening, he was getting off this boat!
Aboard Landing Craft 26
September 2, 1939
6AM
Erich still did not know where they were headed. The fog was beginning to burn off the water, and he could faintly start to make out the shape of land. Off to the south, Erich could make out lights in the distance, many lights, and too much fog. He began to suspect it was a large city. As those pieces were just falling into place in his mind's eye, his concentration was broken by Oberst Faulkner. "Gentlemen", he said, "as of two days ago, the United Kingdom has declared war on the German Reich as a result of our attempts to assert hegemony over our kinsman in the free city of Danzig. This is an outrage that the German people cannot suffer. The United Kingdom played a major part in destroying our country over the past twenty years. Gentlemen, we are here to repay that favor."
Aboard Landing Craft 26
September 2, 1939
6:45AM
Erich clutch his MP-40 tightly to his chest. He peered up over the side of the land craft. With the fog now almost completely gone, what he saw overwhelmed him. He could see what looked like thousands of land crafts on both sides of him. Mein Gott in Himmel thought Erich. Where is the Royal Navy? I hope for all our sake it is a thousand miles away from here. No sooner had that thought passed when the hushed whisper came through. 15 seconds. He put everything out of his mind but the task at hand. The Oberst had given each company its objective. That was all he was focused on now. Getting to the objective without getting himself killed. No one knew what lurked beyond that door. And then, with a crash, a crash that honed Erich's mind like a strap hones a barber's razor, the landing craft door opened.
Hey Pags. I nominated you (with gang) and this AAR for the Weekly Showcase. Well deserved
WoW ! I'm honored ! Thanks a lot ! Next chapter was delayed because of our "rules interpretation/issues". So, it should be online soon (not tonight as we play but probably tomorrow or on Friday). I apologize to our readers.
LEBENSRAUM
January 2nd 1939 – September 1st 1939
NEW POST JUNE 8th
NORTH AMERICA SERIES GAME #3
Players (10/10)
Until August 1st 1939: AXIS (Germany, Italy, Japan & Hungary), ALLIES (UK, USA, France, Canada & Nationalist China), KOMINTERN (USSR)
After August 1st 1939: AXIS (2 Germany, Italy, Japan & Hungary), ALLIES (UK, USA, France & Canada), KOMINTERN (USSR)
USA-CHINA: 3 YEARS OF COLLABORATION
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
January 1939
My wife. A wonderful agent in America. Working for a greater China. Her work paid off. USA is fully committed on our side against the Japanese. They are sending material, equipment weapons, and ammunitions. I need something? I just have to ask. Everything goes through the Burma road, through Yunnan. With those weapons, our troops were able to withstand the Japanese threat for more almost 3 years so far. Since July 1937.
…
Yesterday, I visited our training facility South of Nanjing. I met those new war counsellors, from USA. I was right to follow Bai Chongxi advice. The Americans are deeply invested in helping us. Of course, nothing is official. I asked USA not to publicize this help. They were reluctant but, once again, my wife was able to convince them. I’d rather not know how she’s doing it. Results are all that matters now.
They are helping us building a modern army. Doctrines is the 1st key: the art of ground fighting, the guerilla knowledge, the centralized planning, the massive assault technique, the wide scale front approach and, of course, militia recruitment and training. Training. Training of troops. Training of officers. We reached recently the excellent 140% officers to grunts ratio. The more officers we have, the stronger and disciplined us are.
…
We can’t afford to hurt our relations with USSR. We never know when we could need them. So, we still need to play them both. USA for weapons and counsel, USSR for airplanes and rares.
Rares… we are truly lacking them as we speak. Production is down by almost 40% in January as our stockpiles were drawn to zero. To zero because of Chen Guofu. Talking of which… I wonder how he likes his cell. I made sure he got the smallest one. The darkest one. The worst one. And, of course, I asked his jailers to make sure he gets daily “entertainment”.
USA Cooperation and the Burma Road Benefits
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=e6af355183388b4a#cid=E6AF355183388B4A&id=E6AF355183388B4A%21215
(1) Click to enlarge the pictures.
THE 4th CHINESE OFFENSIVE: ROAD TO BEIPING
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
February 1939
Commander Zhou-Shang Fu gave me results beyond my most foolish expectations.
Once again, China did it: we hit hard, broke through the enemy lines and drove straight into their supply lines. Results were unique. The Japanese front is, again, in total disarray.
It all began on January 28th, as combats were raging South of Yan’an. Japanese elite mountains troops were trying to push back the 24th and 26th Popular Army corps on the Yellow River, when the 23rd corps made rather sudden and lethal breakthrough in the center. Quickly reinforced, the 23rd corps pushed forward, while the 24th took care of the East flank and the 26th held the Western one. With that support, 4 divisions were able to move break quickly behind Japanese lines in Xhangxi. They met little resistance and were able to push forward as far as Dagu and Beiping. Beiping was a key area for leadership but the taking of Dagu would have broken the whole supply chain of Japan.
…
The reports are positive. While the Japanese managed to counter attack and push back our forward units toward the Yellow River, Commander Zhou-Shang Fu ordered the retreat of the supporting units. A well planned retreat, nothing that would look like a rout. At the same time, knowing there would be no tomorrow, 3 out of 4 divisions, deep into Japanese territory, kept on ravaging and destroying Japanese supply lines. After 2 weeks, they were almost at Dagu, while Beiping fell in our hands 2 days before.
…
The Japanese are desperate. They called in whatever forces they had left on their island and sent all of them in Dagu to stop our advance. Just before our units could enter the city, reinforcements got in, leaving their boats and being sent straight into the battle for the suburbs. They sent many soldiers. Too many for the 234th and 235th brigades. By dawn, our troops were retreating.
…
By end of March, Commander Zhou-Shang Fu sent me his final report. All our troops (3 divisions) were lost. But damages inflicted to Japan bought us another 3 months. At this rate, we shall still be at war with Japan by late 1940.
The Breakthrough
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=e6af355183388b4a#cid=E6AF355183388B4A&id=E6AF355183388B4A%21213
(1) Click to enlarge the pictures.
THE JUNK RIGS OF HOPE
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
April 1939
The situation was critical. In February, because of the lack of rare, our production dropped to an unsustainable level. If we can’t train new units and supply our troops decently, we won’t be able to win this war. Accordingly, I asked Admiral in chief Zen Yiding – yeah, the administrative pawn of mine – to find a solution. I told him that if he needed to sacrifice every Junk rigs in china to get rares in, he should not hesitate.
…
That fool took my words… ad litteram.
…
Each morning, I receive a new report of the exploit of our sailors in the China Sea and the Taiwan Channel. Those brave men. Fathers and brothers, all defying the Imperial Japanese Fleet. Our ships are doing it. Rares are coming in again!
At first, we had no casualties. As if the Japanese thought we would never try to sail again after the Shanghai disaster. Rares were coming in masse. Of course, the situation changed in the following weeks, as the increasing maritime traffic drove Japanese attention. A strange nautical ballet then began.
No one can better describe what our sailors had to endure than the old sailor I met in Shanghai market last week. This old man, who lost four of his sons to the sea and another one during our last summer campaign in Qingdao, told me that they were leaving the shore at night, to avoid the Japanese patrol boats. Then, they would meet US merchant ships near Taiwan, where they would load the precious rare. Then, the hardest part was ahead: getting back the precious material without getting your junk rig sunk. Many were called. Few came back alive.
But those sacrifices were not in vain as we managed to increase our production back to their previous level and this, for the whole spring. If we can maintain that effort (read, if our convoys don’t get all sunk before summer), we shall be able to sustain a longer war of attrition with Japan.
QUINGDAO PENINSULA UPRISING
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
June 1939
Chen Lifu came to me at the end of 1938 summer. At the time, his idea looked no more than a foolish hope. But, as we worked it together, it finally took shape, a rather ignominious and terrible shape: we shall organize cells behind enemy lines, to feed an uprising, uprising we shall use to weaken the Japanese and act as the opening of a much stronger offensive. The 5th Chinese offensive. But the offensive would need to be prepared in advance, as building the network would take time.
As we agreed on the last details of this operation, Chen Lifu sent his best men behind Japanese lines. Our underground offensive was launched.
…
Chen Lifu’s men organized meetings, corrupted Japanese bureaucrats, threatened Chinese administrators… All this allowed them to amass weapons and ammunitions, steal supplies and even train our people to fight the invader. I can feel their spirit, their will to avenge China. Every day it gets stronger.
…
In January 1939, there were 2 cells behind Japanese lines. By May, that number grew to 6 cells. In June, there were 8 of them. The network was in place.
…
On June 20th, as I gave him my approval, Chen Lifu ordered the uprising. The surprise was complete!
In less than 2 days, thousands of Chinese took their weapons and attacked the Japanese. Garrisons and their barracks were burnt. Trucks and supply depots destroyed. Planes on airfields burnt. Officials killed. Traitors… hang. We brought destruction and chaos to the enemy.
A week earlier, I ordered all officers to launch a massive attack on the whole Eastern Front. Freeing Nanjing and pushing back the enemy was our main goal. The uprising, by getting Japanese attention and disrupting their supply even further, gave us a hedge we were hoping to take advantage of.
…
At first, our June offensive made some strides: Lianyungang and Xuzhou quickly fell in our hands. Japanese were not retreating, they were fleeing! Then, we took Changyuan, Fengqiu and Fengxian on June 3rd.
But those moments of joy did not last long. Japanese counter attack in force. We lost those three provinces 2 days after conquering them (June 5th). Then Japan even threatens to encircle Zhengzhou when they took Kaifeng and Pingdingshan (June 6th and 7th). Our offensive was deemed to fail. A failure. I could not believe it myself. We were not only being drove back, we were losing ground.
…
I called in reinforcements. The encircling of Zhengzhou had to be broken quickly. And so we did. Then, we put more than 500 000 men in the melee. Overwhelming the Japanese. Rotating troops. Putting fresh combatants on the front line as soon as previous ones were exhausted by the battle. Waves after waves of Chinese soldiers were sent on the Japanese lines. Our logic was simple and undeniable: we have more men and we shall be able to prevail, somewhere down the line… whatever the cost.
And we did prevail.
…
By June 20th, when I ordered the uprising behind Japanese lines, the Japanese were back on the starting positions and we were still holding Lianyungang and Xuzhou. Zhengzhou was safe. We were, again, on the offensive.
The front then stabilized. Both sides were exhausted. But our lines were stronger than before. We had plenty of reserves. Nanjing and Zhengzhou were strong and nothing Japan could do would threaten them soon.
…
The offensive was not a complete victory.
My enemies in the Kuomintang surely noticed this.
I will have to strike swiftly if I don’t want them to take advantage of that weakness.
Qingdao Peninsula Offensive
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=e6af355183388b4a#cid=E6AF355183388B4A&id=E6AF355183388B4A%21214
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=e6af355183388b4a#cid=E6AF355183388B4A&id=E6AF355183388B4A%21212
(1) Click to enlarge the pictures.
JOINING THE ALLIES
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
July 1939
Today, on Lin Sen advice – well he thinks so and I shall lure him so – I sent a missive to the British Ambassador in Hong-Kong. My request is simple: We asked to join the Allies. By doing so, we hope to get better trades terms and some help soon against Japan.
My letter:
Dear Ambassador,
Since late 1936, China has been aligning itself on British policies, giving preferred trade rights to British and Americans companies, building strong bonds with your communities and working to present its candidacy to the League of Nations.
China, caught for the last 3 years in a turmoil not of its choosing, now appeals to the Allies for help, either in the form of better trade conditions, of indebtedness or for a call to arms.
China is facing a strong enemy and, as it feels the enemy is, without a doubt, a common enemy, would it only be for the threat its growing presence in Asia is creating. We urge you to accept us in your alliance and hope this request will be met with all respect due to our country.
Chiang Kai-shek
Father of the Kuomintang
…
The answer was quick. 2 days after the delivery of my letter, the British Ambassador came to us, with the positive answer of His Majesty. The answer came with trade proposals for rares and lend-lease facilities. China is now a member of the Allies and, should the war spread, we can now rely on very powerful allies. The day is July 15th 1939.
JASMINE LEAF DOWNFALL
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
August 1939
They made their sneak attack in the morning. Before I could act against them. They had a well design plan. Otherwise, I would have seen them coming. I would have countered them. But I failed to do so. And I paid a hefty price.
…
I was in my safe house, in the Southern suburbs of Nanjing. Chen Lifu was with me, as we were assessing how to build on our June offensive and how to make a better uprising next time. The uprising was not as strong as we hope it to be. We would need it to be stiffer next time.
Then, as I was looking at the window, to the North, I saw the light armored car breaking through the gate. Shots were fired at the guards. The alarm bell rang before the first guard touched the ground. But damages were done. They took us by surprise.
I ordered Chen Lifu to call Bei Chongxi and to tell him we were victims of a coup. He would need to bring his reserves here quickly to derail that coup attempt. But Lifu was not able to get to the phone as he was shot by an officer in the room. Traitors here? Inside my war room? I picked the machine gun on the table and shot 2 quick bursts. The officer went down.
I could hear shots being fired throughout the building. My valiant praetorian guards were giving their life to prevent this coup to succeed.
As the phone rang, I picked it and yelled to send us reinforcement: “We are under attack, send everything you have”. The officer on the line answered that he was getting those assembled right away and that he would come quickly. Then I heard some noise on the line and shots fired there too. The line was then cut. I could only guess that Bei Chongxi’s Headquarter was also under attack.
I could hear some footsteps in the stairs. They were getting closer.
Another burst of machine gun. Maybe two. And then?
…
Chen Lifu, my Chief of Secret Services, is dead. So is Bei Chongxi, Chief of the Army. Zeng Yiding (Naval Admiral) apparently fled. Bao Wenyue and Chan Changu are with me.
We are… cellmates.
…
How could this happen?
I was Kuomintang.
I was China.
…
I was a fool…
… not to take care of Lin Sen earlier. That old fool played his cards rather nicely. He outsmarted me. Me!
Maybe I will be of some use to him. Maybe I can play that card and wait for him to make a mistake. After all, I am a national hero. China could not have lasted a year without me and here we are, three years deep into this war.
Yeah… Lin Sen… You can’t kill me yet and you will have to keep me alive. Alive and able to take my revenge.
Soon.
__________________________
NDLR: As I switched over to Germany coop, I had to leave my post as Commander in Chief of Nationalist China. I’m doing this with regrets but no sorrow as I would say we played a very good game against Japan.
As we speak, there are more than 600 brigades in the Chinese army. Add to this partisans cells and 4 air units. No more ships as we were a bit too eager to use them and no more convoys as we spent all of them to get more Rares when it counted most.
Of course, now the future of China is in the hands of the AI (e.g. Lin Sen). I will keep on reporting on Nationalist China as the Diary is not yet completed.
FIGHTING THE “DEMOCRATIC TYRANNY”
The Völkischer Beobachter
September 1st 1939
From the coast of England to Middle East, legions of believers delivered the Wrath of the 3rd Reich, of our Fürher.
Our Allies, Hungarians and Italians, launched coordinated attacks throughout the Balkans, the East, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, in support of our own decisive actions: the invasion of Poland, to reunified Germans currently submitted to dictatorship of Polish rulers, and, above all, the landing of our liberating forces in England, to free the souls of those under the hegemonic ruling of a so-called Democratic government of London.
Yes, it is done. The World, who refused to allow our vision to unfold as told, to allow the Lebensraum to take shape in this world, at this time, is now enduring the consequences of its ill-advised collective decision. Our Wrath, the Wrath of our Fürher, is now upon them.
Yes, ill-advised decision, as UK & France, those demonic powers of the West, while refusing our legitimate demands on Danzig, push the offense beyond by declaring war on us, on Germany, on the 3rd Reich… on our Fürher. Ill-advised, as the Bolshevism is spreading, as we speak now, throughout Romania, while those Westerner traitors agreed to let this disease spread, unchecked.
We cannot let this happen.
They dare challenge the wisdom of our Fürher. Our Fürher who finally united us against tyranny and oppression. The one who delivered the unique vision of a GrossDeutschland, of the Lebensraum, of the future of Germany and Humanity.
We shall unite to stop bolshevism from spreading.
We shall fight to bring freedom to all Germans, either in spirit or in flesh, wherever they are.
We shall create the Lebensraum!
Extract of a speech by Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
__________________________
NDLR: Next AAR will have an extensive report on the European War as the Axis launched a very ambitious plan against the Allies: PLAN « WELTEROBERUNG ». *
* World Conquest
January 2nd 1939 – September 1st 1939
NEW POST JUNE 8th
NORTH AMERICA SERIES GAME #3
Players (10/10)
Until August 1st 1939: AXIS (Germany, Italy, Japan & Hungary), ALLIES (UK, USA, France, Canada & Nationalist China), KOMINTERN (USSR)
After August 1st 1939: AXIS (2 Germany, Italy, Japan & Hungary), ALLIES (UK, USA, France & Canada), KOMINTERN (USSR)
DIARY OF A CHINEESE WAR LORD
USA-CHINA: 3 YEARS OF COLLABORATION
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
January 1939
My wife. A wonderful agent in America. Working for a greater China. Her work paid off. USA is fully committed on our side against the Japanese. They are sending material, equipment weapons, and ammunitions. I need something? I just have to ask. Everything goes through the Burma road, through Yunnan. With those weapons, our troops were able to withstand the Japanese threat for more almost 3 years so far. Since July 1937.
…
Yesterday, I visited our training facility South of Nanjing. I met those new war counsellors, from USA. I was right to follow Bai Chongxi advice. The Americans are deeply invested in helping us. Of course, nothing is official. I asked USA not to publicize this help. They were reluctant but, once again, my wife was able to convince them. I’d rather not know how she’s doing it. Results are all that matters now.
They are helping us building a modern army. Doctrines is the 1st key: the art of ground fighting, the guerilla knowledge, the centralized planning, the massive assault technique, the wide scale front approach and, of course, militia recruitment and training. Training. Training of troops. Training of officers. We reached recently the excellent 140% officers to grunts ratio. The more officers we have, the stronger and disciplined us are.
…
We can’t afford to hurt our relations with USSR. We never know when we could need them. So, we still need to play them both. USA for weapons and counsel, USSR for airplanes and rares.
Rares… we are truly lacking them as we speak. Production is down by almost 40% in January as our stockpiles were drawn to zero. To zero because of Chen Guofu. Talking of which… I wonder how he likes his cell. I made sure he got the smallest one. The darkest one. The worst one. And, of course, I asked his jailers to make sure he gets daily “entertainment”.
USA Cooperation and the Burma Road Benefits
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=e6af355183388b4a#cid=E6AF355183388B4A&id=E6AF355183388B4A%21215
(1) Click to enlarge the pictures.
THE 4th CHINESE OFFENSIVE: ROAD TO BEIPING
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
February 1939
Commander Zhou-Shang Fu gave me results beyond my most foolish expectations.
Once again, China did it: we hit hard, broke through the enemy lines and drove straight into their supply lines. Results were unique. The Japanese front is, again, in total disarray.
It all began on January 28th, as combats were raging South of Yan’an. Japanese elite mountains troops were trying to push back the 24th and 26th Popular Army corps on the Yellow River, when the 23rd corps made rather sudden and lethal breakthrough in the center. Quickly reinforced, the 23rd corps pushed forward, while the 24th took care of the East flank and the 26th held the Western one. With that support, 4 divisions were able to move break quickly behind Japanese lines in Xhangxi. They met little resistance and were able to push forward as far as Dagu and Beiping. Beiping was a key area for leadership but the taking of Dagu would have broken the whole supply chain of Japan.
…
The reports are positive. While the Japanese managed to counter attack and push back our forward units toward the Yellow River, Commander Zhou-Shang Fu ordered the retreat of the supporting units. A well planned retreat, nothing that would look like a rout. At the same time, knowing there would be no tomorrow, 3 out of 4 divisions, deep into Japanese territory, kept on ravaging and destroying Japanese supply lines. After 2 weeks, they were almost at Dagu, while Beiping fell in our hands 2 days before.
…
The Japanese are desperate. They called in whatever forces they had left on their island and sent all of them in Dagu to stop our advance. Just before our units could enter the city, reinforcements got in, leaving their boats and being sent straight into the battle for the suburbs. They sent many soldiers. Too many for the 234th and 235th brigades. By dawn, our troops were retreating.
…
By end of March, Commander Zhou-Shang Fu sent me his final report. All our troops (3 divisions) were lost. But damages inflicted to Japan bought us another 3 months. At this rate, we shall still be at war with Japan by late 1940.
The Breakthrough
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=e6af355183388b4a#cid=E6AF355183388B4A&id=E6AF355183388B4A%21213
(1) Click to enlarge the pictures.
THE JUNK RIGS OF HOPE
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
April 1939
The situation was critical. In February, because of the lack of rare, our production dropped to an unsustainable level. If we can’t train new units and supply our troops decently, we won’t be able to win this war. Accordingly, I asked Admiral in chief Zen Yiding – yeah, the administrative pawn of mine – to find a solution. I told him that if he needed to sacrifice every Junk rigs in china to get rares in, he should not hesitate.
…
That fool took my words… ad litteram.
…
Each morning, I receive a new report of the exploit of our sailors in the China Sea and the Taiwan Channel. Those brave men. Fathers and brothers, all defying the Imperial Japanese Fleet. Our ships are doing it. Rares are coming in again!
At first, we had no casualties. As if the Japanese thought we would never try to sail again after the Shanghai disaster. Rares were coming in masse. Of course, the situation changed in the following weeks, as the increasing maritime traffic drove Japanese attention. A strange nautical ballet then began.
No one can better describe what our sailors had to endure than the old sailor I met in Shanghai market last week. This old man, who lost four of his sons to the sea and another one during our last summer campaign in Qingdao, told me that they were leaving the shore at night, to avoid the Japanese patrol boats. Then, they would meet US merchant ships near Taiwan, where they would load the precious rare. Then, the hardest part was ahead: getting back the precious material without getting your junk rig sunk. Many were called. Few came back alive.
But those sacrifices were not in vain as we managed to increase our production back to their previous level and this, for the whole spring. If we can maintain that effort (read, if our convoys don’t get all sunk before summer), we shall be able to sustain a longer war of attrition with Japan.
QUINGDAO PENINSULA UPRISING
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
June 1939
Chen Lifu came to me at the end of 1938 summer. At the time, his idea looked no more than a foolish hope. But, as we worked it together, it finally took shape, a rather ignominious and terrible shape: we shall organize cells behind enemy lines, to feed an uprising, uprising we shall use to weaken the Japanese and act as the opening of a much stronger offensive. The 5th Chinese offensive. But the offensive would need to be prepared in advance, as building the network would take time.
As we agreed on the last details of this operation, Chen Lifu sent his best men behind Japanese lines. Our underground offensive was launched.
…
Chen Lifu’s men organized meetings, corrupted Japanese bureaucrats, threatened Chinese administrators… All this allowed them to amass weapons and ammunitions, steal supplies and even train our people to fight the invader. I can feel their spirit, their will to avenge China. Every day it gets stronger.
…
In January 1939, there were 2 cells behind Japanese lines. By May, that number grew to 6 cells. In June, there were 8 of them. The network was in place.
…
On June 20th, as I gave him my approval, Chen Lifu ordered the uprising. The surprise was complete!
In less than 2 days, thousands of Chinese took their weapons and attacked the Japanese. Garrisons and their barracks were burnt. Trucks and supply depots destroyed. Planes on airfields burnt. Officials killed. Traitors… hang. We brought destruction and chaos to the enemy.
A week earlier, I ordered all officers to launch a massive attack on the whole Eastern Front. Freeing Nanjing and pushing back the enemy was our main goal. The uprising, by getting Japanese attention and disrupting their supply even further, gave us a hedge we were hoping to take advantage of.
…
At first, our June offensive made some strides: Lianyungang and Xuzhou quickly fell in our hands. Japanese were not retreating, they were fleeing! Then, we took Changyuan, Fengqiu and Fengxian on June 3rd.
But those moments of joy did not last long. Japanese counter attack in force. We lost those three provinces 2 days after conquering them (June 5th). Then Japan even threatens to encircle Zhengzhou when they took Kaifeng and Pingdingshan (June 6th and 7th). Our offensive was deemed to fail. A failure. I could not believe it myself. We were not only being drove back, we were losing ground.
…
I called in reinforcements. The encircling of Zhengzhou had to be broken quickly. And so we did. Then, we put more than 500 000 men in the melee. Overwhelming the Japanese. Rotating troops. Putting fresh combatants on the front line as soon as previous ones were exhausted by the battle. Waves after waves of Chinese soldiers were sent on the Japanese lines. Our logic was simple and undeniable: we have more men and we shall be able to prevail, somewhere down the line… whatever the cost.
And we did prevail.
…
By June 20th, when I ordered the uprising behind Japanese lines, the Japanese were back on the starting positions and we were still holding Lianyungang and Xuzhou. Zhengzhou was safe. We were, again, on the offensive.
The front then stabilized. Both sides were exhausted. But our lines were stronger than before. We had plenty of reserves. Nanjing and Zhengzhou were strong and nothing Japan could do would threaten them soon.
…
The offensive was not a complete victory.
My enemies in the Kuomintang surely noticed this.
I will have to strike swiftly if I don’t want them to take advantage of that weakness.
Qingdao Peninsula Offensive
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=e6af355183388b4a#cid=E6AF355183388B4A&id=E6AF355183388B4A%21214
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=e6af355183388b4a#cid=E6AF355183388B4A&id=E6AF355183388B4A%21212
(1) Click to enlarge the pictures.
JOINING THE ALLIES
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
July 1939
Today, on Lin Sen advice – well he thinks so and I shall lure him so – I sent a missive to the British Ambassador in Hong-Kong. My request is simple: We asked to join the Allies. By doing so, we hope to get better trades terms and some help soon against Japan.
My letter:
Dear Ambassador,
Since late 1936, China has been aligning itself on British policies, giving preferred trade rights to British and Americans companies, building strong bonds with your communities and working to present its candidacy to the League of Nations.
China, caught for the last 3 years in a turmoil not of its choosing, now appeals to the Allies for help, either in the form of better trade conditions, of indebtedness or for a call to arms.
China is facing a strong enemy and, as it feels the enemy is, without a doubt, a common enemy, would it only be for the threat its growing presence in Asia is creating. We urge you to accept us in your alliance and hope this request will be met with all respect due to our country.
Chiang Kai-shek
Father of the Kuomintang
…
The answer was quick. 2 days after the delivery of my letter, the British Ambassador came to us, with the positive answer of His Majesty. The answer came with trade proposals for rares and lend-lease facilities. China is now a member of the Allies and, should the war spread, we can now rely on very powerful allies. The day is July 15th 1939.
JASMINE LEAF DOWNFALL
Chiang Kai-shek Diary
August 1939
They made their sneak attack in the morning. Before I could act against them. They had a well design plan. Otherwise, I would have seen them coming. I would have countered them. But I failed to do so. And I paid a hefty price.
…
I was in my safe house, in the Southern suburbs of Nanjing. Chen Lifu was with me, as we were assessing how to build on our June offensive and how to make a better uprising next time. The uprising was not as strong as we hope it to be. We would need it to be stiffer next time.
Then, as I was looking at the window, to the North, I saw the light armored car breaking through the gate. Shots were fired at the guards. The alarm bell rang before the first guard touched the ground. But damages were done. They took us by surprise.
I ordered Chen Lifu to call Bei Chongxi and to tell him we were victims of a coup. He would need to bring his reserves here quickly to derail that coup attempt. But Lifu was not able to get to the phone as he was shot by an officer in the room. Traitors here? Inside my war room? I picked the machine gun on the table and shot 2 quick bursts. The officer went down.
I could hear shots being fired throughout the building. My valiant praetorian guards were giving their life to prevent this coup to succeed.
As the phone rang, I picked it and yelled to send us reinforcement: “We are under attack, send everything you have”. The officer on the line answered that he was getting those assembled right away and that he would come quickly. Then I heard some noise on the line and shots fired there too. The line was then cut. I could only guess that Bei Chongxi’s Headquarter was also under attack.
I could hear some footsteps in the stairs. They were getting closer.
Another burst of machine gun. Maybe two. And then?
…
Chen Lifu, my Chief of Secret Services, is dead. So is Bei Chongxi, Chief of the Army. Zeng Yiding (Naval Admiral) apparently fled. Bao Wenyue and Chan Changu are with me.
We are… cellmates.
…
How could this happen?
I was Kuomintang.
I was China.
…
I was a fool…
… not to take care of Lin Sen earlier. That old fool played his cards rather nicely. He outsmarted me. Me!
Maybe I will be of some use to him. Maybe I can play that card and wait for him to make a mistake. After all, I am a national hero. China could not have lasted a year without me and here we are, three years deep into this war.
Yeah… Lin Sen… You can’t kill me yet and you will have to keep me alive. Alive and able to take my revenge.
Soon.
__________________________
NDLR: As I switched over to Germany coop, I had to leave my post as Commander in Chief of Nationalist China. I’m doing this with regrets but no sorrow as I would say we played a very good game against Japan.
As we speak, there are more than 600 brigades in the Chinese army. Add to this partisans cells and 4 air units. No more ships as we were a bit too eager to use them and no more convoys as we spent all of them to get more Rares when it counted most.
Of course, now the future of China is in the hands of the AI (e.g. Lin Sen). I will keep on reporting on Nationalist China as the Diary is not yet completed.
LEBENSRAUM
FIGHTING THE “DEMOCRATIC TYRANNY”
The Völkischer Beobachter
September 1st 1939
From the coast of England to Middle East, legions of believers delivered the Wrath of the 3rd Reich, of our Fürher.
Our Allies, Hungarians and Italians, launched coordinated attacks throughout the Balkans, the East, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, in support of our own decisive actions: the invasion of Poland, to reunified Germans currently submitted to dictatorship of Polish rulers, and, above all, the landing of our liberating forces in England, to free the souls of those under the hegemonic ruling of a so-called Democratic government of London.
Yes, it is done. The World, who refused to allow our vision to unfold as told, to allow the Lebensraum to take shape in this world, at this time, is now enduring the consequences of its ill-advised collective decision. Our Wrath, the Wrath of our Fürher, is now upon them.
Yes, ill-advised decision, as UK & France, those demonic powers of the West, while refusing our legitimate demands on Danzig, push the offense beyond by declaring war on us, on Germany, on the 3rd Reich… on our Fürher. Ill-advised, as the Bolshevism is spreading, as we speak now, throughout Romania, while those Westerner traitors agreed to let this disease spread, unchecked.
We cannot let this happen.
They dare challenge the wisdom of our Fürher. Our Fürher who finally united us against tyranny and oppression. The one who delivered the unique vision of a GrossDeutschland, of the Lebensraum, of the future of Germany and Humanity.
We shall unite to stop bolshevism from spreading.
We shall fight to bring freedom to all Germans, either in spirit or in flesh, wherever they are.
We shall create the Lebensraum!
Extract of a speech by Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
__________________________
NDLR: Next AAR will have an extensive report on the European War as the Axis launched a very ambitious plan against the Allies: PLAN « WELTEROBERUNG ». *
* World Conquest
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Sorry for taking that long to comment. In fact, it was a huge invasion (30+ divisions). Soon to be posted about.
That IS massive; I'm curious to see how that turns out. My question is: how did it get to the point where the UK couldn't stop the transport fleet? Was Italy and Germany able to divert the RN and RAF? Also, I'm guessing there was an agreed upon rule that Nat. China wouldn't call the UK and friends to war when they joined as that would almost certainly mean an early start to WWII? In any case, with war so close one would expect that getting Nat. China is a major potential boost to the Allies, especially if the AI can hold off just long enough.
That's the whole story. We (GER) pre-positionned our fleet Norht of Ireland before Danzig as the Sea is no one property. ITA did the same against Palestine, Oman and Suez.
Then we spent a whole week arguing with the Allies over the fairness of that move. Then we all agreed that if London were to fall, USA would automatically be allowed to join the war. Then we played our last session and USSR DoW GER early...
As you can guess, the game is still up in the air.
To be honest, UK acknowledged he wouldn't been able to intercept a GER fleet coming from the Strait anyway. But our feet was prepositionned, so no onoe will ever know.
If you check our main thread in the Multiplayer zone, you'll be able to follow this discussion.
We had no particular rule for Nat China as it was our 1st game with a player as Nat China. So, while I was playing Nat China, I chose to align early on the Allies. When I was reday to get in the faction, I just ask and UK answered positively. So far, so good. At the time, Nat China was at war with japan only and UK was not at war. So there were no problem, unless Nat China would call UK in. Which I did not.
When I switched over as GER coop, I left Nat China to AI.
Then, when GER played the Danzig event, Nat China, as a member of the Allies, was automatically at war with GER, so did UK with Japan. We did not expect that result and we all agreed that, for our next game, we will have to manage the Chinese alignement differently. Probably preventing it for being asked to join until UK or USA is at war with Japan. Or something like that (like you said).
I guess we had to play it to understand what would be going on :closedeyes:
What if the RN simply moved an overwhelming force to the Irish coast? It's not that the Kriegsmarine would have survived a battle with 4 British CVs or sth, especially without air cover.
I will add the first Italian AAR of this game on Monday, stay tuned. As always Pags well done.
That's what the debate was all about between Axis and Allies.
In our opinion (Axis), if RN had patrolled its shores and kept a reserve fleet nearby, this landing would have failed. It was not the case. Of course, we did plenty of things to make sure UK would have his hands full as there were simultaneous 6 attacks on UK: Malta, Gibraltar, Suez, palestine, Oman, and Albion itself. So, we were expecting him to fail to get such a fleet in time as we planned to get his full attention elsewhere... And, to make sure we would lure him elsewhere, the Albion assault was not the 1st one... Gibraltar and Malta came 1st, as nice diversions.
We did not know there were no succh fleet (!).
To the Allies, USA most of all, the move was seen as gamey and unfair.
Mote in our main thread: http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?606444-North-america-series-game-3
Thanks! Eager to read you !
Must say I missed much of your OPS as I had my hands full with USSR, France and Poland...
Obviously from a RL standpoint the Germans wouldn't be allowed to preposition their whole navy near Ireland before the DOW, but let's face it - most naval matters are represented poorly in HOI games. However, from a gameplay standpoint I don't really see what's so unfair about it, given the overwhelming advantage of the RN at sea and considering that the Germans most likely didn't have air cover.
However, for the sake of AAR you should allow the USA to join and see how the game plays out.
However, for the sake of AAR you should allow the USA to join and see how the game plays out.
Honestly if he wasn't already patrolling the waters of the Home Islands (including Irish waters) that is a failure of the player. I'd at least invest in some cheap subs or DDs to station in as many sea provinces as I could so that I would have a forewarning. but then, I'd also consider everything UK owns overseas expendable; the Home Islands are to get the majority of the attention. And this is where I will stop this, at least in this thread. Will have to check out the associated thread and comment there vis-a-vis this issue.
Also, totally right; live and learn. Sort of like DM-ing a pen and paper RP game, eh? Must try and anticipate the unexpected and the players ALWAYS ruin your well-laid plans.
Can't wait to see more postings by the other players.
Also, totally right; live and learn. Sort of like DM-ing a pen and paper RP game, eh? Must try and anticipate the unexpected and the players ALWAYS ruin your well-laid plans.
Can't wait to see more postings by the other players.
Dispatches from the Italian Player-From the Perspective of the San Marco Marine Division commanded by Graziani.
Human Players-Usa, UK, Canada, France, Russia co-op, Italy, Germany co-op, Hungary, Japan, Nationalist China(Now AI controlled)
The San Marco, Italy's First Marine Division, has been formed for almost a year. It remains Italy's only Marine Division, and Italy's finest division. It is as if when the San Marco was first seen by the Royal Italian Army, all other orders for the formation for Marine Divisions were cancelled, as there could be no finer example of a Marine Division. I, Graziani, simply had to command that division. There was a war coming, that much was obvious to anyone with brain and a bit of homemade cynicism, and I wanted glory. Glory followed that division, so I wanted it.
Aug. 1939, Ship's Hold at an Undisclosed location.
Finally, the engines in our boat have stopped, I and the other commanders were allowed to look at the envelopes we were given. Each division in the Italian Army was given 1 envelope to be opened at a synchronized time. That time had come. Cautiously we open the envelopes and the true scale of our undertaking was clear. I was going to lose a little money on this. I had bet my second-in-command that this was only a drill, he said it was to go to war. He has a girlfriend in the War Ministers office so I think he cheated me but I soon got over that when I saw the first map, the one detailing all the invasions that were to happen. We were just one of many. Suddenly a got a huge lump in my throat, the idiots at central command had decided to take on the whole damn British Empire. And the French Colonial empire as well. What were they thinking?
-To call it an ambitious plan is to do diservice to the word. Ambitious plan's are feasible this was just crazy. Simultaneous invasions at Gibralter, Malta, Eastern Libya, Palestine, Oman, Yemen, Northern Ethiopia, Northern Kenya, and Iraq. The main plan appears to be to heavily rely on our Eastern Ports to achieve surprise in Yemen, Oman, and Iraq, Quickly puppet these countries and use them to funnel supplies to our troops. Gibralter and Malta attacks were sacrificial attacks that the poor lads who were conducting the attacks didnt know. Just a single transport and a single two brigade militia division against fortress Gibralter? It was insulting. Our Generals let us down on that one, but it is clear that that diversion would buy the rest of our troops and our German allies the time they needed. 4 Miltia brigades and two transports would be lost in the attack. The San Marco would get the task of pacifiying Tel Aviv and readying its airport for use. We had 4 days to study the plan as our transports sat idle and waited for the invasion alarm to sound. BAAAAAA! BAAAAAA! BAAAAAA! There it is, time to start this.
Our initial landing went extremely well in Palestine as there was just one very confused Headquarters unti who thought this was some kind of drill. He kindly saw the futily of resistance and surrendered. Just like that the Holy Land was ours. The other attacks went extremely well that day.
4 Divisions attacked the Omani capital and it immediately fell. It became Italy's second puppet of the war. Followed up with the capture of Yemen and it was joked that Italy was now Puppetmaster with 3 puppets now, Eithiopia, Yemen, and Oman. This also meant the execution of the second part of the total war plan, the denial of ports to the British Navy. It was felt by Italian high command that the best way fight the British Navy was to keep an eye on them and push them as far away as possible. For this reason special emphasis was placed on eliminating and capturing British Ports in the Mediterranean and East Africa. If we could limit the areas were they could operate we might have a better chance of focusing our fire and air power on them in one area. This was the thought at least. Unfortunately for us, the second wave of the invasion into Palestine was unsuccessful as the British Navy Intercepted 1 division attempting to land, a fierce naval battle developed that was starting to go bad for our side. The Italian Navy withdrew. As we watched the guns on guns battle from the shore we were worried when our force started to retreat. Where would our supplies come from?
On the other fronts of the War, Messe, in direct command of three divisions driving across Eygpt made straight for Alexandria.
Defense was stout around the Suez and the Western Units driving from palestine became stalled taking horrific casualities when they tried to cross it. Messe's units could only make so much progress. There were only 3 Divisions against almost 5.
Overall the West Asian/African campaign went extremely well. This is the situation after about 1-2 weeks.
Another major victory came when we found out that our Hungarian allies assisted us in capturing Yugoslavia.
After enjoying life in Tel Aviv for two weeks we got word of disaster. With the Fall of Poland the Soviet Union had opted to join the war. Those treacherous Bolsheiviks violated the MR pact that was supposed to secure the back door to the axis. Suddenly things went from Exciting to grim. High Command order us to strike deep into Russia to slow down the Russian Bear. The San Marco already performing well added to its legendary status by Capturing Sevastopol without a shot.
We were hailed throughout the Empire as heroes but we knew it was an empty victory we pulled our less than 24 hours later and left local Italian Empire Sympathizers in charge. Needless to say there are not many of those in Sevastopol. But they aren't Bolsheviks and are doing fine administering the city.
High Command then sent us on another impossible task. Take Malta. The fortress had been bombed for a solid month now and there was little fight left in it. Still I used this oppurtunity to further enhance the stature of the San Marco. Palestine, Sevastopol, and Now Malta. All in a single month. All by one division. All led by One man.
The war continued to go well for us but we as ever felt the pressure of the Russian Bear. As a result the San Marco was sent to the Eastern Front to dig-in behind a river line in Yugoslavia and await the Reds. We waited with dread.
Meanwhile-a crazed cavalry commander who Hi-Jacked a transport took his cavalry brigade on a sightseeing tour of the Russian Countryside. This is exactly why I had advocated mental screenings for all brigade level commanders. This "cowboy" apparently fancies himself a modern day Ganghis Kahn and as such is driving across the Russian Steppe. We wish him well and if he could take Stalingrad that would be great.
Good news, sorta. We are starting to hear Russian artillery as they approach our lines. Partisans are slowing them down but they will soon be here. Alexandria has been capture!!! The Suez is now ours. We use it to desperatly ship men and material back to the Eastern Front to slow the bear. Huge gaps in our lines can only be closed by the veterans of Afrika.
A huge naval battle was fought by the Alexandria fleet and a large part of the Italian fleet. The British took frightful casualties as the BB-HMS Nelson and the BC-Repulse were taken down by our modern battleships.
And finally IRAQ fell. the initial objectives of the campaign have all been fulfilled. Unfortunately I have around 60,000 Russian troops staring at us across this little river. We are dug in deep, but with the loss of Hungary, High Command wisely has us pull back and consolidate our lines less we be overrun. Things are very grim, the writing is most definately written in a bloody red along the wall. How long will Italy last. will the allies make an overture for Italian Peace? Will the Reds ever stop? Or will they go straight through France? The current situation looks like we only have a few months till all is over. I am just trying to save my men as we walk back to Trieste.
Map withheld for Security purposes. The Russians are at the gates of berlin though.
November 24th Dispatch-Naval Update-San Marco Division
The Royal Navy as clearly taken a beating in the 3 months we have been at war. In direct engagements with the Italian fleet the losses stand at
Italy-
TP-2
CA-1-The Fiume
UK-
TP-1
CL-2
CA-1
BB-HMS Nelson
BC-Repulse
German-Japan v. UK engagements losses.
UK
CL-6
DD-8
TP-1
CA-2
BB-1
BC-1
German-Japan Losses
Japan-Nil
Germany-around 3 CL and a DD.
Total Losses
UK-
TP-2
DD-8
CL-8
CA-3
BC-2
BB-2
Japan/Italy/Germany
TP-Many-Germany has lost a lot in the Invasion of Britain.
DD-1-2
CL-3
CA-1
Human Players-Usa, UK, Canada, France, Russia co-op, Italy, Germany co-op, Hungary, Japan, Nationalist China(Now AI controlled)
The San Marco, Italy's First Marine Division, has been formed for almost a year. It remains Italy's only Marine Division, and Italy's finest division. It is as if when the San Marco was first seen by the Royal Italian Army, all other orders for the formation for Marine Divisions were cancelled, as there could be no finer example of a Marine Division. I, Graziani, simply had to command that division. There was a war coming, that much was obvious to anyone with brain and a bit of homemade cynicism, and I wanted glory. Glory followed that division, so I wanted it.
Aug. 1939, Ship's Hold at an Undisclosed location.
Finally, the engines in our boat have stopped, I and the other commanders were allowed to look at the envelopes we were given. Each division in the Italian Army was given 1 envelope to be opened at a synchronized time. That time had come. Cautiously we open the envelopes and the true scale of our undertaking was clear. I was going to lose a little money on this. I had bet my second-in-command that this was only a drill, he said it was to go to war. He has a girlfriend in the War Ministers office so I think he cheated me but I soon got over that when I saw the first map, the one detailing all the invasions that were to happen. We were just one of many. Suddenly a got a huge lump in my throat, the idiots at central command had decided to take on the whole damn British Empire. And the French Colonial empire as well. What were they thinking?
-To call it an ambitious plan is to do diservice to the word. Ambitious plan's are feasible this was just crazy. Simultaneous invasions at Gibralter, Malta, Eastern Libya, Palestine, Oman, Yemen, Northern Ethiopia, Northern Kenya, and Iraq. The main plan appears to be to heavily rely on our Eastern Ports to achieve surprise in Yemen, Oman, and Iraq, Quickly puppet these countries and use them to funnel supplies to our troops. Gibralter and Malta attacks were sacrificial attacks that the poor lads who were conducting the attacks didnt know. Just a single transport and a single two brigade militia division against fortress Gibralter? It was insulting. Our Generals let us down on that one, but it is clear that that diversion would buy the rest of our troops and our German allies the time they needed. 4 Miltia brigades and two transports would be lost in the attack. The San Marco would get the task of pacifiying Tel Aviv and readying its airport for use. We had 4 days to study the plan as our transports sat idle and waited for the invasion alarm to sound. BAAAAAA! BAAAAAA! BAAAAAA! There it is, time to start this.
Our initial landing went extremely well in Palestine as there was just one very confused Headquarters unti who thought this was some kind of drill. He kindly saw the futily of resistance and surrendered. Just like that the Holy Land was ours. The other attacks went extremely well that day.
4 Divisions attacked the Omani capital and it immediately fell. It became Italy's second puppet of the war. Followed up with the capture of Yemen and it was joked that Italy was now Puppetmaster with 3 puppets now, Eithiopia, Yemen, and Oman. This also meant the execution of the second part of the total war plan, the denial of ports to the British Navy. It was felt by Italian high command that the best way fight the British Navy was to keep an eye on them and push them as far away as possible. For this reason special emphasis was placed on eliminating and capturing British Ports in the Mediterranean and East Africa. If we could limit the areas were they could operate we might have a better chance of focusing our fire and air power on them in one area. This was the thought at least. Unfortunately for us, the second wave of the invasion into Palestine was unsuccessful as the British Navy Intercepted 1 division attempting to land, a fierce naval battle developed that was starting to go bad for our side. The Italian Navy withdrew. As we watched the guns on guns battle from the shore we were worried when our force started to retreat. Where would our supplies come from?
On the other fronts of the War, Messe, in direct command of three divisions driving across Eygpt made straight for Alexandria.
Defense was stout around the Suez and the Western Units driving from palestine became stalled taking horrific casualities when they tried to cross it. Messe's units could only make so much progress. There were only 3 Divisions against almost 5.
Overall the West Asian/African campaign went extremely well. This is the situation after about 1-2 weeks.
Another major victory came when we found out that our Hungarian allies assisted us in capturing Yugoslavia.
After enjoying life in Tel Aviv for two weeks we got word of disaster. With the Fall of Poland the Soviet Union had opted to join the war. Those treacherous Bolsheiviks violated the MR pact that was supposed to secure the back door to the axis. Suddenly things went from Exciting to grim. High Command order us to strike deep into Russia to slow down the Russian Bear. The San Marco already performing well added to its legendary status by Capturing Sevastopol without a shot.
We were hailed throughout the Empire as heroes but we knew it was an empty victory we pulled our less than 24 hours later and left local Italian Empire Sympathizers in charge. Needless to say there are not many of those in Sevastopol. But they aren't Bolsheviks and are doing fine administering the city.
High Command then sent us on another impossible task. Take Malta. The fortress had been bombed for a solid month now and there was little fight left in it. Still I used this oppurtunity to further enhance the stature of the San Marco. Palestine, Sevastopol, and Now Malta. All in a single month. All by one division. All led by One man.
The war continued to go well for us but we as ever felt the pressure of the Russian Bear. As a result the San Marco was sent to the Eastern Front to dig-in behind a river line in Yugoslavia and await the Reds. We waited with dread.
Meanwhile-a crazed cavalry commander who Hi-Jacked a transport took his cavalry brigade on a sightseeing tour of the Russian Countryside. This is exactly why I had advocated mental screenings for all brigade level commanders. This "cowboy" apparently fancies himself a modern day Ganghis Kahn and as such is driving across the Russian Steppe. We wish him well and if he could take Stalingrad that would be great.
Good news, sorta. We are starting to hear Russian artillery as they approach our lines. Partisans are slowing them down but they will soon be here. Alexandria has been capture!!! The Suez is now ours. We use it to desperatly ship men and material back to the Eastern Front to slow the bear. Huge gaps in our lines can only be closed by the veterans of Afrika.
A huge naval battle was fought by the Alexandria fleet and a large part of the Italian fleet. The British took frightful casualties as the BB-HMS Nelson and the BC-Repulse were taken down by our modern battleships.
And finally IRAQ fell. the initial objectives of the campaign have all been fulfilled. Unfortunately I have around 60,000 Russian troops staring at us across this little river. We are dug in deep, but with the loss of Hungary, High Command wisely has us pull back and consolidate our lines less we be overrun. Things are very grim, the writing is most definately written in a bloody red along the wall. How long will Italy last. will the allies make an overture for Italian Peace? Will the Reds ever stop? Or will they go straight through France? The current situation looks like we only have a few months till all is over. I am just trying to save my men as we walk back to Trieste.
Map withheld for Security purposes. The Russians are at the gates of berlin though.
November 24th Dispatch-Naval Update-San Marco Division
The Royal Navy as clearly taken a beating in the 3 months we have been at war. In direct engagements with the Italian fleet the losses stand at
Italy-
TP-2
CA-1-The Fiume
UK-
TP-1
CL-2
CA-1
BB-HMS Nelson
BC-Repulse
German-Japan v. UK engagements losses.
UK
CL-6
DD-8
TP-1
CA-2
BB-1
BC-1
German-Japan Losses
Japan-Nil
Germany-around 3 CL and a DD.
Total Losses
UK-
TP-2
DD-8
CL-8
CA-3
BC-2
BB-2
Japan/Italy/Germany
TP-Many-Germany has lost a lot in the Invasion of Britain.
DD-1-2
CL-3
CA-1
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Wow ! I had my hands so full handling the Bear i mssed all this nice action !
Great naval battle !
Maybe a counter offesnive through Yugoslavia ?
P.S. German AAR soon to be posted.
Great naval battle !
Maybe a counter offesnive through Yugoslavia ?
P.S. German AAR soon to be posted.
You've got to be kidding me. The UK player did not guard the Middle East and used 1 BB against the RM? That was a big mistake, it's sth which the AI does in every SP game and is one of the prime reasons why winning in NA is so easy as Italy - you don't have to go through Alexandria only, you can land in Israel or in Sinai easily and attack from both sides. A human player should know that.
Also, 1 GAR for Malta? It isn't enough, to say the least, but I can actually understand this, because the UK has a lot of ground to cover and Malta isn't as important in HOI3 as it was IRL.
However, it gets worse. The UK player withdrew his fleet to Alexandria, knowing that the Italians were attacking from both sides. After Alexandria was conquered, his fleet gained the OOS status. Again, this is one of the mistakes the AI makes frequently and I cannot believe that a human player did sth similar. I guess that the UK player was under a lot of stress.
On the other hand, the Italy player executed everything perfectly. His plan is sth which would most likely have been outside of Italian capabilities IRL, but it wasn't that gamey if we take MP-standards into account. TBH it looks rather standard to me. One-two clashes with RN's CTFs outside of the range of Italian INTs could have caused a failure of the entire operation.
However, not everything is lost. The bulk of the RN is unscathed, including all carriers. If the SU stalls the Axis, the UK may have a chance to cover.
Also, 1 GAR for Malta? It isn't enough, to say the least, but I can actually understand this, because the UK has a lot of ground to cover and Malta isn't as important in HOI3 as it was IRL.
However, it gets worse. The UK player withdrew his fleet to Alexandria, knowing that the Italians were attacking from both sides. After Alexandria was conquered, his fleet gained the OOS status. Again, this is one of the mistakes the AI makes frequently and I cannot believe that a human player did sth similar. I guess that the UK player was under a lot of stress.
On the other hand, the Italy player executed everything perfectly. His plan is sth which would most likely have been outside of Italian capabilities IRL, but it wasn't that gamey if we take MP-standards into account. TBH it looks rather standard to me. One-two clashes with RN's CTFs outside of the range of Italian INTs could have caused a failure of the entire operation.
However, not everything is lost. The bulk of the RN is unscathed, including all carriers. If the SU stalls the Axis, the UK may have a chance to cover.