Ah, those are some excellent screenshots! It really helps to be able to see what's going on. I love how things are shaping up. Onward, for the glory of Rome!
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September 1st- January 1st
In the background of a small sitting room loud revelry can be heard. Mussolini in sitting in a large leather chair. With a small fire going to his side and quiet music that be just made out with all the noise in the distance. From the sound of things a new years party is going very well in the next room. Mussolini is writing again in his journal, a small smile on his face and a large glass of champagne next to him.
It has been a productive fall and start to the winter. It did not take long for our forces to win in Jimma. Oh the Tribesman fought hard but in the end they had no choice but to lay down their arms and march off to the coast to captivity. After our units stood down at the capital there was much grumbling from our forces who wondered why with victory so close they were told to fall back to defensive positions and maintain the siege. Now some can see why.
After less then 2 weeks of the capital siege starting, the enemy surrendered in Jimma. They were marched to the coast near the encampments of most of our defensive troops. Our victorious soldiers in close attendance. I had passed orders that all units that had fought in the battle of Jimma be brought home for a rest and refit. It would allow them time to visit families and also to march in the capital with the select enemy commanders brought home for propaganda purposes. It would take some weeks to get them moved to the coast and for them to board ships but it would eventually get them home for retraining.
The 14th of September we had more research advances. These were key to helping us to get the most from our industry with Production and efficiency. Our production efficiency was now world class so that team researched was stopped for now.
The next day I was going over updated reports from our Military analysts. It seems with the mass surrender of most of the Ethiopian army losses could be calculated for our overall war. Given the conditions and the time in battle the numbers were so one sided it was hard to believe really. With all the weapons supplied by the western powers and arms merchants the time to build all this in factories had been totaled. Our losses were of course much lower and with the experience of this war hopefully our next one will be just as one sided.
After that it was very quiet for some time besides more technical advances and new divisions completing training. This allowed more time to overlook the siege of Addis Ababa. With 6 divisions surrounding the capital nothing was getting in our out and it was believed in merely a few months the Tribemans would surrender the capital and the war would end. This of course is what we are telling the people in all the propaganda films and in the newspapers. With stories of desperate attacks by units trying to flee the capital. It should be enough to keep the people on a war footing for a little longer before they start asking questions. On the 28th of September our next 3 infantry divisions finished training and were assigned to the Yugoslavian front. We were still short of the number of divisions I would like but it was getting better.
This opened up Production capacity and once again I was listening to ministers demanding resources for one project or another. Overall things were getting better. Our upgrade list was slowly falling with units receiving new equipment and vehicles. Our airforce was still being badly neglected but for the time being little could be done. With almost all our resources going to either the army to field new divisions and the navy for new capital ships we had little else. With 6 new infantry divisions already completed our speed was getting better, not at training but with arms construction. We still needed an entire fleet of new ships to expand our fleet and replace destroyers and light and heavy cruisers still in service since the Great War only 20 years ago.
However I mentioned a great deal of resources were already going into the navy with 4 battleships under construction and 2 Fleet carriers it was nearly half our production capacity just in fleet units. We were still desperately short of divisions. We needed more units on the Yugoslavian border as well as north Africa which had almost no units. I decided on 2 more infantry division with the remaining space going to help finish the 2 submarine fleets under construction and complete more upgrades.
After that little changed until November. Oh there were meetings and party rallies and a massive celebration with the Divisions from Ethiopia arriving in Rome to the adulation of the crowds. However no ships were coming out of the yards and no new divisions. Our light tanks were almost all built and assigned which was going very well. In only a year 3 Calvary divisions had been retrained and reequipped with light tanks from Fiat. Certainly at great cost and by no means would they win a war for us but it would be a start for an entire armored corps. With that as our vanguard we would roll over our enemies and crush them. On November 6th our first new submarine arrived out of the yards. On the 27th another light armor brigade was finished and assigned which left us only two more to go.
On December 2nd I was informed by our propaganda minister that the party popularity had been raised back to medium overall again. With all the other parties trying to vie for the peoples support, the war we were fighting and the Illegal printing press still operating it had been difficult keeping our popularity up at all. Our victories in the field had helped and with the divisions returning from Africa our people had become very pleased with how we have been doing.
On December 7th our first new light Cruiser was completed. One of the newest designs in the world and far superior to any other comparable ship in the sea. This was assigned to 2a Squadra di Marina. This fleet already had our newest Heavy Cruisers and would also receive our new Battleships when they were completed. The destroyers were older models but would do for now. When newer destroyers were completed they would be rotated out for anti submarine duty or transport escort.
With that completed I ordered no changes to production. Our next light tank division would be finished all the sooner this way. 2 Days later our medical teams returned with another advance in their research. It was still a great improvement but they implored for more funds as they felt they could still do better. I sent them off with all they requested. With our limited manpower we needed to get every man back into the field we could.
On 11th December I was told by a very happy army team that they had come up with training and standards for our first engineer brigades. Finally we would have an answer for the rivers we had to cross in Ethiopia. If our soldiers thought they few they had to cross there were bad wait till the saw the rivers in Europe we would have to cross. Now we could start training engineers to lay pontoon bridges under fire and to help rebuild roads and bridges once the fighting had moved on.
I ordered work to begin on new light artillery and mortars for our infantry. It would take awhile and then we would need to refit all our divisions with new tubes but it would be worth it. Anything to help our units pound the enemy before they charged.
As the year was coming to an end all our divisions from Africa not on siege duty were returned home and had been given time to rest. Our loyalest units were shown the Italy they had been fighting for and many were overwhelmed by all there was to see. Many renewed their enlistments and many were chosen for officer training. Now was the time to begin the long process of retraining them with new weapons and tactics into proper infantry divisions.
A few would be selected to be light infantry brigades. These units would be able to move faster with lower supplies and would be re stationed to Africa later on. Their speed would be essential. Our Calvary was again reassigned to a light armor refit. In addition all units with them were to be refitted with trucks for full motorized infantry brigades. This would take the longest and be the most expensive task. However this would allow Italy to field almost an entire Motorized Corps to work with our Light Armored Corps.
On December 31st our 2nd new Submarine fleet was completed. With no change to production it was time to devout more resources to upgrading our units from Africa. Soon our 2nd new Light Cruiser would be completed as well as our new infantry divisions. Once those were completed changes could be made. At no time could we not have more infantry divisions in training. We would be playing catch up for some time to bring the army to the size needed to merely hold all the land we have now. Once the war in Ethiopia was completed garrison divisions would be needed there, as well as border guards against the French and British holdings.
We also needed more divisions in the North of Africa. With the reserve army available for quick movement more garrison divisions would be needed to hold the ports they would be leaving. The navy was still screaming for more escort ships to go with the capital ships that would be completed next year. We only had one fleet that had newer escort ships. While we had more escorts most were very old and much slower ships.
Still much to do but with the new year upon us it would be another great year for the Italian empire. Our lands will grow. We will reclaim what was once ours and again take our place among the great nations of the world.
Mussolini closes his journal and stands and stretches. With a glance out the window at the falling snow he picks up his champagne and goes back out to the party. Although quieter it seems many are into their drinks now and still celebrating. If the mood could only continue among the people all year.
In the background of a small sitting room loud revelry can be heard. Mussolini in sitting in a large leather chair. With a small fire going to his side and quiet music that be just made out with all the noise in the distance. From the sound of things a new years party is going very well in the next room. Mussolini is writing again in his journal, a small smile on his face and a large glass of champagne next to him.
It has been a productive fall and start to the winter. It did not take long for our forces to win in Jimma. Oh the Tribesman fought hard but in the end they had no choice but to lay down their arms and march off to the coast to captivity. After our units stood down at the capital there was much grumbling from our forces who wondered why with victory so close they were told to fall back to defensive positions and maintain the siege. Now some can see why.
After less then 2 weeks of the capital siege starting, the enemy surrendered in Jimma. They were marched to the coast near the encampments of most of our defensive troops. Our victorious soldiers in close attendance. I had passed orders that all units that had fought in the battle of Jimma be brought home for a rest and refit. It would allow them time to visit families and also to march in the capital with the select enemy commanders brought home for propaganda purposes. It would take some weeks to get them moved to the coast and for them to board ships but it would eventually get them home for retraining.
The 14th of September we had more research advances. These were key to helping us to get the most from our industry with Production and efficiency. Our production efficiency was now world class so that team researched was stopped for now.
The next day I was going over updated reports from our Military analysts. It seems with the mass surrender of most of the Ethiopian army losses could be calculated for our overall war. Given the conditions and the time in battle the numbers were so one sided it was hard to believe really. With all the weapons supplied by the western powers and arms merchants the time to build all this in factories had been totaled. Our losses were of course much lower and with the experience of this war hopefully our next one will be just as one sided.
After that it was very quiet for some time besides more technical advances and new divisions completing training. This allowed more time to overlook the siege of Addis Ababa. With 6 divisions surrounding the capital nothing was getting in our out and it was believed in merely a few months the Tribemans would surrender the capital and the war would end. This of course is what we are telling the people in all the propaganda films and in the newspapers. With stories of desperate attacks by units trying to flee the capital. It should be enough to keep the people on a war footing for a little longer before they start asking questions. On the 28th of September our next 3 infantry divisions finished training and were assigned to the Yugoslavian front. We were still short of the number of divisions I would like but it was getting better.
This opened up Production capacity and once again I was listening to ministers demanding resources for one project or another. Overall things were getting better. Our upgrade list was slowly falling with units receiving new equipment and vehicles. Our airforce was still being badly neglected but for the time being little could be done. With almost all our resources going to either the army to field new divisions and the navy for new capital ships we had little else. With 6 new infantry divisions already completed our speed was getting better, not at training but with arms construction. We still needed an entire fleet of new ships to expand our fleet and replace destroyers and light and heavy cruisers still in service since the Great War only 20 years ago.
However I mentioned a great deal of resources were already going into the navy with 4 battleships under construction and 2 Fleet carriers it was nearly half our production capacity just in fleet units. We were still desperately short of divisions. We needed more units on the Yugoslavian border as well as north Africa which had almost no units. I decided on 2 more infantry division with the remaining space going to help finish the 2 submarine fleets under construction and complete more upgrades.
After that little changed until November. Oh there were meetings and party rallies and a massive celebration with the Divisions from Ethiopia arriving in Rome to the adulation of the crowds. However no ships were coming out of the yards and no new divisions. Our light tanks were almost all built and assigned which was going very well. In only a year 3 Calvary divisions had been retrained and reequipped with light tanks from Fiat. Certainly at great cost and by no means would they win a war for us but it would be a start for an entire armored corps. With that as our vanguard we would roll over our enemies and crush them. On November 6th our first new submarine arrived out of the yards. On the 27th another light armor brigade was finished and assigned which left us only two more to go.
On December 2nd I was informed by our propaganda minister that the party popularity had been raised back to medium overall again. With all the other parties trying to vie for the peoples support, the war we were fighting and the Illegal printing press still operating it had been difficult keeping our popularity up at all. Our victories in the field had helped and with the divisions returning from Africa our people had become very pleased with how we have been doing.
On December 7th our first new light Cruiser was completed. One of the newest designs in the world and far superior to any other comparable ship in the sea. This was assigned to 2a Squadra di Marina. This fleet already had our newest Heavy Cruisers and would also receive our new Battleships when they were completed. The destroyers were older models but would do for now. When newer destroyers were completed they would be rotated out for anti submarine duty or transport escort.
With that completed I ordered no changes to production. Our next light tank division would be finished all the sooner this way. 2 Days later our medical teams returned with another advance in their research. It was still a great improvement but they implored for more funds as they felt they could still do better. I sent them off with all they requested. With our limited manpower we needed to get every man back into the field we could.
On 11th December I was told by a very happy army team that they had come up with training and standards for our first engineer brigades. Finally we would have an answer for the rivers we had to cross in Ethiopia. If our soldiers thought they few they had to cross there were bad wait till the saw the rivers in Europe we would have to cross. Now we could start training engineers to lay pontoon bridges under fire and to help rebuild roads and bridges once the fighting had moved on.
I ordered work to begin on new light artillery and mortars for our infantry. It would take awhile and then we would need to refit all our divisions with new tubes but it would be worth it. Anything to help our units pound the enemy before they charged.
As the year was coming to an end all our divisions from Africa not on siege duty were returned home and had been given time to rest. Our loyalest units were shown the Italy they had been fighting for and many were overwhelmed by all there was to see. Many renewed their enlistments and many were chosen for officer training. Now was the time to begin the long process of retraining them with new weapons and tactics into proper infantry divisions.
A few would be selected to be light infantry brigades. These units would be able to move faster with lower supplies and would be re stationed to Africa later on. Their speed would be essential. Our Calvary was again reassigned to a light armor refit. In addition all units with them were to be refitted with trucks for full motorized infantry brigades. This would take the longest and be the most expensive task. However this would allow Italy to field almost an entire Motorized Corps to work with our Light Armored Corps.
On December 31st our 2nd new Submarine fleet was completed. With no change to production it was time to devout more resources to upgrading our units from Africa. Soon our 2nd new Light Cruiser would be completed as well as our new infantry divisions. Once those were completed changes could be made. At no time could we not have more infantry divisions in training. We would be playing catch up for some time to bring the army to the size needed to merely hold all the land we have now. Once the war in Ethiopia was completed garrison divisions would be needed there, as well as border guards against the French and British holdings.
We also needed more divisions in the North of Africa. With the reserve army available for quick movement more garrison divisions would be needed to hold the ports they would be leaving. The navy was still screaming for more escort ships to go with the capital ships that would be completed next year. We only had one fleet that had newer escort ships. While we had more escorts most were very old and much slower ships.
Still much to do but with the new year upon us it would be another great year for the Italian empire. Our lands will grow. We will reclaim what was once ours and again take our place among the great nations of the world.
Mussolini closes his journal and stands and stretches. With a glance out the window at the falling snow he picks up his champagne and goes back out to the party. Although quieter it seems many are into their drinks now and still celebrating. If the mood could only continue among the people all year.
Last edited:
Alright a new update and all the pictures fixed. That only took a couple hours. The good news is I have played to early 38 where it starts to get really interesting. I will try and get this updated to the end of 37 by the end of the week. After that the fun begins.
January 1st to July 1st The Quiet Time
In a well furnished sitting room in Mussolini's personal quarters there is light classical music playing. Sitting near a fire in a large backed leather chair he is writing in a large leather bound journal. To the side is a table full of maps and sheets of papers with reports. On another table is a large map of the world full of figurines with flags. An outline is draw around a number of countries in Europe.
Perhaps it was the lull in fighting in Ethiopia as the siege dragged on. More and more of the prisoners were looking to fight for Italy when the war ended. More loyalist divisions were being draw up to place them into when the war was over. Although there was a pile of projects that were close to completion nothing much happened of note until spring. On 15th of January our 2nd new Light Cruiser was completed and assigned to 2a Squadra di Marina. Now with 3 new Heavy Cruisers and 2 Light Cruisers it would be a force to be reckoned with once the new Battleships were completed. It would be able to take on and easily sink any similarly sized fleet in the world. The next day our 2 new infantry divisions were completed and assigned to new IV corps which had a division from the earlier round of training. It now had 3 divisions in the corps and was almost completed.
On the 18th of January our industry advanced on it's overall production. Efficiency and supply production went up as well. This research would need to continue as it was a great advantage to squeeze more capacity from our small industrial base. On the 30th of January our research teams returned with fully functional prototypes of Carrier based planes we could use. This would be critical is our new Fleet Carriers were to be of any use. They were set to be built as the Carrier hulls were being filled in. It would not do any good to have them completed before their Carrier homes although they could preform actions from an airfield just as easily.
The very next day another critical research project was completed. We would now be able to manufacturer motorized artillery. Some Divisions had some prototype brigades already in service. We would now be able to make more for all our new armor and motorized infantry Divisions. This would be critical for my plans. Speed would be our advantage. We would hit hard and fast. Blast through defensive lines and surround and overwhelm the opposition before they knew what was happening.
Researching was going well, many more projects were close to completion would be very helpful. This was adding to our long list of upgrade to complete as well. The most important new projects were likely our marine infantry project and mountain equipment. With our sheer number of mountain divisions and the terrain we were likely to need new and better equipment for them. We would be fighting in more mountains yet so even our regular infantry would be needing new equipment to deal with the terrain they would be moving in. Our mountain divisions could not be everyone at once.
On 3rd February our industry was ready for further expansion of synthetic material. I ordered more expansion. Although I was hesitant at first after the loss of industry the increase in our energy production was making a huge dent in our need for foreign resources. With our increase in production it might be wise to invest some research into more efficient extraction of resources. This news was tempered with increased unrest among the population which was still affecting our popularity. The next day another advance was made in educating our people. Although we were starting from a small number of researcher teams this was helping build on that. I ordered more work done. If we could do more we might be able to almost double our projects. This would likely take years but as more and more nations fell under the empire we would have a large base to expand on.
on 21st of February research was completed on new engines for all our vehicles. This meant an increase in speed and of course more upgrades. Only a few days later an improvement in Tracks and Suspension systems for our vehicles was also completed. This meant another increase in speed and additional upgrades. In the end the increase in speed for all our units was a great relief. Although fast now this meant our tanks and trucks could move over twice as fast as regular infantry. They could now overrun some divisions before they could successfully withdraw from the field. We can make no more improvements on engines or Suspension systems now but soon perhaps we can look again and see to increase our speed again.
On the 2nd of march our popularity increased again, still not as high as I would like. It would take time but perhaps with the end of the war in Ethiopia the people will again look upon our party as a beacon of advancement and power. A week later on the 9th our first study from the war in Ethiopia was completed. After the summer offensives I ordered our general staff to begin looking at improvements to our tactics and coordination. It seems in many cases our training manuals and ideas were still stuck in the last Great War. After this recent study was completed I ordered more studies conducted. It would be key to bring our strategies and tactics in line with other offensive and forward thinking powers. This would not be a defensive war we planned to conduct to retake our lands.
A day later a very interesting proposal was brought to my attention from a number of leading industrialist and economists as well as research teams working on transportation. After my last meeting with similar men last year I was reluctant to consider any new "major" undertaking. However this time I demanded all information on this project up front as well as any anticipated costs. It seems our railway companies would like to electrify a major line. This has the potential to allow trains moving at hundreds of kilometers an hour to move between cities on these lines. It would also mean incredibly fast movements of troops and supplies as well. They anticipated about 6 months of work. It would require a massive amount of supplies upfront for steel and power lines. In addition a small amount of our industry would need to be devoted for more supplies as well as work on new cars and engines. More research teams would be needed as well to test trains and designs. Although we needed the industry and research teams working at all times this seemed like a very worthwhile project that would benefit the Empire for years to come. Reluctant but believing in it's potential I gave the go ahead for construction to begin.
After that, more meetings, more research presentations but nothing else of real note. However on 2nd of April I had the honor of opening our new highway through Libya along the coast. Years in the making and at great cost but it would make a major difference in movement along the coast. Besides helping the local economies with quicker movement of goods it would also mean faster movement of supplies and troops. When we made advances in North Africa against the French and the British this would be very helpful. At the same time an advance was made in our agricultural production. This meant more men our of the fields and into uniform. With our low manpower pool to draw on this would be very helpful over time. We would need dozens of additional divisions for our armies as well as dozens more to garrison our new territories.
After that things were very quiet. No new units were completed. With most of our production going to new ships for the navy with very long build times there was little to do. Our retraining of our African units was proceeding well but since most were being converted to motorized brigades it would take a long time to build all those vehicles. Once a unit was equipped it was replaced by another unit waiting for equipment. Research was proceeding apace but our great increase in completed projects was done, now it was time to sit and wait for more to complete and plan out additional research.
Around May and into June more papers in the Empire were starting to question how long this "Siege" would last against the Ethiopians. With no new battles, attacks, skirmishes happening it was getting harder and harder for the propaganda ministry to put out some kind of news besides the siege was continuing and eventually we would force the Ethiopian king to surrender. It seems they had no intention to do so. Although I had sent multiple peace offerings to the king suggesting a peaceful exile on an island in the Mediterranean no word had ever come back. By the end of June at a meeting of the general staff I asked how long an assault would take on the city. It seemed no major desertions had happened, most were men hungry and tired of waiting for the end. They marched off to camps in ones and twos but no brigade sized surrenders. I had hoped by now with no reinforcements and no hope eventually the king would relent and offer peace terms of some kind.
The generals present believed with the lack of supplies coming into the capital it would take no more then a few days to overwhelm the defenses and force the kings surrender at gun point. The units in theater were bored and tired of being in the heat anyways. They were eager to finish what they had started and with the mood of the public shifting back and forth it seemed prudent to end the war to allow us to prepare for the next one.
On the first of July the order was given, Attack.
Mussolini lays down his pens and relaxes in his chair. Tomorrow events would begin moving to a great and terrible storm of death and destruction. He looked rested but restless. There was yet much to do and many other powers to face down. However the spoils of victory would be great.
In a well furnished sitting room in Mussolini's personal quarters there is light classical music playing. Sitting near a fire in a large backed leather chair he is writing in a large leather bound journal. To the side is a table full of maps and sheets of papers with reports. On another table is a large map of the world full of figurines with flags. An outline is draw around a number of countries in Europe.
Perhaps it was the lull in fighting in Ethiopia as the siege dragged on. More and more of the prisoners were looking to fight for Italy when the war ended. More loyalist divisions were being draw up to place them into when the war was over. Although there was a pile of projects that were close to completion nothing much happened of note until spring. On 15th of January our 2nd new Light Cruiser was completed and assigned to 2a Squadra di Marina. Now with 3 new Heavy Cruisers and 2 Light Cruisers it would be a force to be reckoned with once the new Battleships were completed. It would be able to take on and easily sink any similarly sized fleet in the world. The next day our 2 new infantry divisions were completed and assigned to new IV corps which had a division from the earlier round of training. It now had 3 divisions in the corps and was almost completed.
On the 18th of January our industry advanced on it's overall production. Efficiency and supply production went up as well. This research would need to continue as it was a great advantage to squeeze more capacity from our small industrial base. On the 30th of January our research teams returned with fully functional prototypes of Carrier based planes we could use. This would be critical is our new Fleet Carriers were to be of any use. They were set to be built as the Carrier hulls were being filled in. It would not do any good to have them completed before their Carrier homes although they could preform actions from an airfield just as easily.
The very next day another critical research project was completed. We would now be able to manufacturer motorized artillery. Some Divisions had some prototype brigades already in service. We would now be able to make more for all our new armor and motorized infantry Divisions. This would be critical for my plans. Speed would be our advantage. We would hit hard and fast. Blast through defensive lines and surround and overwhelm the opposition before they knew what was happening.
Researching was going well, many more projects were close to completion would be very helpful. This was adding to our long list of upgrade to complete as well. The most important new projects were likely our marine infantry project and mountain equipment. With our sheer number of mountain divisions and the terrain we were likely to need new and better equipment for them. We would be fighting in more mountains yet so even our regular infantry would be needing new equipment to deal with the terrain they would be moving in. Our mountain divisions could not be everyone at once.
On 3rd February our industry was ready for further expansion of synthetic material. I ordered more expansion. Although I was hesitant at first after the loss of industry the increase in our energy production was making a huge dent in our need for foreign resources. With our increase in production it might be wise to invest some research into more efficient extraction of resources. This news was tempered with increased unrest among the population which was still affecting our popularity. The next day another advance was made in educating our people. Although we were starting from a small number of researcher teams this was helping build on that. I ordered more work done. If we could do more we might be able to almost double our projects. This would likely take years but as more and more nations fell under the empire we would have a large base to expand on.
on 21st of February research was completed on new engines for all our vehicles. This meant an increase in speed and of course more upgrades. Only a few days later an improvement in Tracks and Suspension systems for our vehicles was also completed. This meant another increase in speed and additional upgrades. In the end the increase in speed for all our units was a great relief. Although fast now this meant our tanks and trucks could move over twice as fast as regular infantry. They could now overrun some divisions before they could successfully withdraw from the field. We can make no more improvements on engines or Suspension systems now but soon perhaps we can look again and see to increase our speed again.
On the 2nd of march our popularity increased again, still not as high as I would like. It would take time but perhaps with the end of the war in Ethiopia the people will again look upon our party as a beacon of advancement and power. A week later on the 9th our first study from the war in Ethiopia was completed. After the summer offensives I ordered our general staff to begin looking at improvements to our tactics and coordination. It seems in many cases our training manuals and ideas were still stuck in the last Great War. After this recent study was completed I ordered more studies conducted. It would be key to bring our strategies and tactics in line with other offensive and forward thinking powers. This would not be a defensive war we planned to conduct to retake our lands.
A day later a very interesting proposal was brought to my attention from a number of leading industrialist and economists as well as research teams working on transportation. After my last meeting with similar men last year I was reluctant to consider any new "major" undertaking. However this time I demanded all information on this project up front as well as any anticipated costs. It seems our railway companies would like to electrify a major line. This has the potential to allow trains moving at hundreds of kilometers an hour to move between cities on these lines. It would also mean incredibly fast movements of troops and supplies as well. They anticipated about 6 months of work. It would require a massive amount of supplies upfront for steel and power lines. In addition a small amount of our industry would need to be devoted for more supplies as well as work on new cars and engines. More research teams would be needed as well to test trains and designs. Although we needed the industry and research teams working at all times this seemed like a very worthwhile project that would benefit the Empire for years to come. Reluctant but believing in it's potential I gave the go ahead for construction to begin.
After that, more meetings, more research presentations but nothing else of real note. However on 2nd of April I had the honor of opening our new highway through Libya along the coast. Years in the making and at great cost but it would make a major difference in movement along the coast. Besides helping the local economies with quicker movement of goods it would also mean faster movement of supplies and troops. When we made advances in North Africa against the French and the British this would be very helpful. At the same time an advance was made in our agricultural production. This meant more men our of the fields and into uniform. With our low manpower pool to draw on this would be very helpful over time. We would need dozens of additional divisions for our armies as well as dozens more to garrison our new territories.
After that things were very quiet. No new units were completed. With most of our production going to new ships for the navy with very long build times there was little to do. Our retraining of our African units was proceeding well but since most were being converted to motorized brigades it would take a long time to build all those vehicles. Once a unit was equipped it was replaced by another unit waiting for equipment. Research was proceeding apace but our great increase in completed projects was done, now it was time to sit and wait for more to complete and plan out additional research.
Around May and into June more papers in the Empire were starting to question how long this "Siege" would last against the Ethiopians. With no new battles, attacks, skirmishes happening it was getting harder and harder for the propaganda ministry to put out some kind of news besides the siege was continuing and eventually we would force the Ethiopian king to surrender. It seems they had no intention to do so. Although I had sent multiple peace offerings to the king suggesting a peaceful exile on an island in the Mediterranean no word had ever come back. By the end of June at a meeting of the general staff I asked how long an assault would take on the city. It seemed no major desertions had happened, most were men hungry and tired of waiting for the end. They marched off to camps in ones and twos but no brigade sized surrenders. I had hoped by now with no reinforcements and no hope eventually the king would relent and offer peace terms of some kind.
The generals present believed with the lack of supplies coming into the capital it would take no more then a few days to overwhelm the defenses and force the kings surrender at gun point. The units in theater were bored and tired of being in the heat anyways. They were eager to finish what they had started and with the mood of the public shifting back and forth it seemed prudent to end the war to allow us to prepare for the next one.
On the first of July the order was given, Attack.
Mussolini lays down his pens and relaxes in his chair. Tomorrow events would begin moving to a great and terrible storm of death and destruction. He looked rested but restless. There was yet much to do and many other powers to face down. However the spoils of victory would be great.
Gotta say I'm liking this forward-thinking and intelligent Mussolini. If Italy presents itself as a genuine threat during the next big war, the Allies will have a helluva time hanging onto North Africa. It also means Germany won't have to prop them up and can commit more to fighting the commies in the East.
Though I wonder how Hitler would react to Italy using African soldiers? Hopefully it will remain a non-issue if Mussolini is strong enough to resist German interference in his politics.
Though I wonder how Hitler would react to Italy using African soldiers? Hopefully it will remain a non-issue if Mussolini is strong enough to resist German interference in his politics.
Blitz: I have wondered at times reading history how Germany might have done without Italy holding it back at times. All the delays with the invasion of Russia, the troops sent to Africa. What if Italy had held it's own? Hard to say.
Ikarases: Yea I have played a few vanilla games at war the whole time but besides being a historical it is also cheap. There comes a point when plausibility turns into cheap gaminess, I was trying to avoid to much of it.
Alright on to the next fun update. I have played into mid 38.
Ikarases: Yea I have played a few vanilla games at war the whole time but besides being a historical it is also cheap. There comes a point when plausibility turns into cheap gaminess, I was trying to avoid to much of it.
Alright on to the next fun update. I have played into mid 38.
July 1st - December 31st
The Fall of Ethiopia and the friendship of the Third Reich
In a small sitting room near a large conference room sits Mussolini on a couch, lounging with his journal. It seems he has been writing for a long time, in the background another celebration. Only a small table with maps sits to his side. This time Mussolini seems to be content as he writes, slowly and thoughtfully. At times taking a drink of Champagne.
It seems our siege lines were not as complete as the Generals on the ground had thought. With so little activity besides sitting in trench lines no one had been checking on our adversaries to see how they were doing. Besides the occasional deserter it was thought eventually they would run out of food. Not only were they doing well on supplies but they had managed to field weapons for 2 new divisions of trained infantry. Where they managed to smuggle in the weapons it seems no one knows. Intelligence has been given a great talking to. It seems our lack of investment in new spies has been a detriment.
No matter, with the forces surrounding the city it would not be long before they would be overwhelmed. It would just mean longer for us to keep the people sacrificing. However they were getting very restless. With the long awaited assault on the capital we had more then enough evidence that we had held out all hope they would surrender. Now the papers would be full of news of a glorious charge on the capital to finally relieve the suffering of the people held hostage by a king that would not yield when the war was lost.
A few days later word reached us via the BBC that some women pilot had gone missing. I had not followed her exploits in any way but I understand a number of our aviators did. Very surprising to see a woman flying a plane at all let alone trying to undertake a journey as long as the one planned. Perhaps it will be a warming to others about long distance flying, or she will be found with new improvements suggested that we can use for our bombers. Only time will tell.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/0ohoi3165j/]
Not long after that it seems a boost to our industrial output occurred. Most of the council believed it to be a surge in support for the end of the War in Ethiopia that should last for some months. It may use up more funds for supplies but the increased production was certainly worth it.
By the 15th of July 2 weeks into the offensive the fighting was still continuing with no definitive end in sight. It seems one of the enemy divisions was getting close to collapse and with the fighting occurring on all sides that was to be expected. They were facing the 29th division on the southern front which was a regular infantry division with full artillery support. They were breaking through in many locations and about to overrun the Divisions primary command post when. It seems they would be surrendering in short order. At the same time another Research team returned to report more advances in our overall industrial production.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/0mhoi3166j/]
A week later with the public growing curious why this final battle was taking so long, the same as I was, another major breakthrough in research was completed. Our infantry specialist teams returned with training and equipment plans to outfit Marine infantry. This was critical to my plans to retake the Mediterranean. We would have many islands and ports to assault and we would need specialized teams to advance from the water from landing ships and storm the beaches.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/4jhoi3167j/]
Although there was no industrial capacity open to begin manufacturer of equipment or training of these units I added it to my long list of needs. For the time being other operations that were closer to execution would take priority.
By August the public was growing restless and angry. Now open threats were being made that our Grand Assault on the Ethiopian capital was one big lie. Given how quickly we seized the country and then settled in to siege and starve out the capital the public wanted results. They wanted an end to the war, to rationing, to casualties coming in from the battlefield. So did I. To the world this made us look weak and we needed to show the world that no force could stand against the might of the Italian Empire.
In an effort to distract the public's attention and also show our might to the world I ordered the rebuilding of our 2 oldest battleships. With our 2 newest Battleships the Conte di Cavouronly and Guilio Cesare only weeks away from completion and being ready for sea trails we would not be long without Capital ships in the water. With how old and slow these ships are it would be worth taking the time to modernize them. They would be long in the dry dock but once our new Battleships are in the water our Naval Engineers assure me with the knowledge we have from their completion they would be able to modernize them cheaply and quickly. The Andrea Doria and Caio Duilo were once the most modern ships in the sea and the pride of our fleet but no longer. However they could be used again.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/emhoi3168j/]
This would give our engineers more experience working with capital ship designs. It is currently being listed as a very cheap upgrade overall compared with building an entirely new ship from scratch.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/f1hoi3169j/]
We were only days away from finishing the training of our newest Garrison divisions to hold ports that some parts of the Reserve army was guarding. Once these units were assigned more Garrison divisions would be trained. We had a few more ports to assign permanent guards to as well as needing more for conquered land.
However this was not enough to distract the public or myself from our standstill in Ethiopia. As hard as our troops pressed we were not yet able to crack the lines around the capital. Currently our Generals on the ground have been using massed artillery barrages to hammer the enemy for a few days before a charge. Their hope is that the sheer overwhelming firepower will frighten and shock our untrained enemies into fleeing the lines but so far it has not been enough.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/nhhoi3171j/]
Next research teams returned with new designs for our light armor tanks. Fantastic news, faster and stronger. All the things we need. However it seems now with these designs they can be improved further into more "medium" armor designs doing a better job of protecting the crews with the loss of some speed. Right now I still believe we need speed above all to overwhelm our enemies. However we will eventually face the French and the English and they already field some medium armor prototypes somewhat like the massive heavy tanks of the great war. To be able to face them we must have similar tanks. I ordered our teams to begin research on these Medium tanks. We would have need of them before long.
Finally at the end of August the news I have been waiting weeks for arrived. Our victorious troops were marching into the Capital of Abbis Ababa.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/0dhoi3172j/]
It took almost 2 entire months but the losses were so one sided it is hard to believe it took so long to break into the capital. Less then 200 of our men died for the loss of almost 3300 Ethiopians. Finally the war in Africa was over. Now there was much to do. First our forces would need to be demobilized. Our reserves would be allowed to go home while our regular soldiers were brought home from Ethiopia to a hero's welcome. All save one division of Black Shirts who would be left to keep order while the country was integrated into the Empire.
Next would be the changing of a few laws. Our countries industry was toned down and switch to a mixed production of consumer products as well as war material. In addition service by requirement would be stopped for a 3 year draft. Nothing to major but a shift in the public's mood was quickly noticed. A few days after our victory our synthetic industry was ready for further expansion. Now with the war over the resource load had dropped but we were still short of many items especially coal. I ordered another expansion which was making a serious dent now in our import of coal and steel.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/f5hoi3174j/]
A few days later I received a message Adolf Hitler from Germany would be making a proclamation confirming our sovereignty over Ethiopian lands. This was well received although ignored initially by the world at large. It would be a start for us to have at least one friend in Europe confirm our achievements and gains.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/5ghoi3176j/]
By mid September I was ready to give a glorious speech on the Proclamazione Dell'Impero to the Nation. With the spoils of Ethiopia seized it was time to declare our intentions to the people of the world to retake our rightful place. It was a small increase in resources overall but it would still help add to our stockpiles and it make the people happy to know their sacrifices were not in vain and that we would again be great. Now with our parties popularity rising was the time to get more work completed.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/jlhoi3177j/]
The Legge Mussolini would help get some Veterans back to work and improve our country overall. It was costly but very helpful in expanding our available workforce and production of military supplies. Like many things it would take time to bear fruit but Italy would be all the stronger for it.
Some months back I had noticed to the production ministry a consistent drop in our coal reserves. It was getting harder and harder to find countries with any surplus we could order from. In addition contracts for Italian military supplies were drying up denying us hard currency we could use to barter for more coal. When a key contract for 50 tons was stopped from America which was a major source of Coal I was very concerned. With our synthetic industry coming along we were producing more coal at home however it was still not enough. I ordered our research teams to begin looking at ways to increase our production. By late November it was announced their research was complete. With new digging machines and sorting processes they estimated a 7% increase in production. Not a huge increase but it would still help wean us from imported energy.
Following our Victory in Ethiopia little other major events occurred after that. I was stuck in meetings for weeks working out how to govern our new territory. What would we teach in schools? What laws would we enforce? How would we use all the prisoners of war now going home with a new sense of Italian superiority? For now I left most of the work to the council to work out. It would take weeks if not a few months to set up a new system but with almost nothing in place it would be easier then getting old laws and systems removed first.
However by mid December the International mood was restless. Concerned with our takeover of Ethiopia which was at first viewed as a noble expedition to remove a mad king, the world thought we would go home and leave the savages to fight over who would be crowned next. Not believing we would swallow the whole mountainous country more and more complaints were being lodged at the League of Nations. Although it was really a toothless organization it would not due to have Italian honor infringed this way day after day. On December 10th I ordered our ambassadors to withdrawn.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/f6hoi3182j/]
Once again as with our declaration of War on Ethiopia nothing happened. Not words of warning from the old Great Powers England and France. No alliance of nations warning us to behave. Nothing. It seems the nations of the Europe have grown weak and fearful. Unable or unwilling to face war at any price. Now they will do anything to keep the peace.
With our Navy requesting more and newer escorts I had sent up research teams to look at improving our destroyers. The first team reported back on 28th December with new main armaments. It would be a little bit longer before the other teams were done with new armor and engines but this team was moved on. Next year we could begin production on new destroyers with a longer range and more firepower to hunt for submarines and protect our transports and fleets. For now we would have to make do with what we had.
After that it was time to celebrate the new year and all that had been gained. Now I will return to the celebration and drink my fill. For next year Italy will begin it's rise back to it's rightful place.
Mussolini gets up from his couch and finishes his champagne. Setting down the glass next to his journal he leaves the room. On the other side of the door is a large celebration with all the major cabinet members and military leaders in Rome. Many are already tipsy from celebrating. Near Mussolini's journal a small map is being held down by his glass. The glass has been placed on top of Rome, to the East an arrow is pointing in red.
The Fall of Ethiopia and the friendship of the Third Reich
In a small sitting room near a large conference room sits Mussolini on a couch, lounging with his journal. It seems he has been writing for a long time, in the background another celebration. Only a small table with maps sits to his side. This time Mussolini seems to be content as he writes, slowly and thoughtfully. At times taking a drink of Champagne.
It seems our siege lines were not as complete as the Generals on the ground had thought. With so little activity besides sitting in trench lines no one had been checking on our adversaries to see how they were doing. Besides the occasional deserter it was thought eventually they would run out of food. Not only were they doing well on supplies but they had managed to field weapons for 2 new divisions of trained infantry. Where they managed to smuggle in the weapons it seems no one knows. Intelligence has been given a great talking to. It seems our lack of investment in new spies has been a detriment.
No matter, with the forces surrounding the city it would not be long before they would be overwhelmed. It would just mean longer for us to keep the people sacrificing. However they were getting very restless. With the long awaited assault on the capital we had more then enough evidence that we had held out all hope they would surrender. Now the papers would be full of news of a glorious charge on the capital to finally relieve the suffering of the people held hostage by a king that would not yield when the war was lost.
A few days later word reached us via the BBC that some women pilot had gone missing. I had not followed her exploits in any way but I understand a number of our aviators did. Very surprising to see a woman flying a plane at all let alone trying to undertake a journey as long as the one planned. Perhaps it will be a warming to others about long distance flying, or she will be found with new improvements suggested that we can use for our bombers. Only time will tell.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/0ohoi3165j/]
Not long after that it seems a boost to our industrial output occurred. Most of the council believed it to be a surge in support for the end of the War in Ethiopia that should last for some months. It may use up more funds for supplies but the increased production was certainly worth it.
By the 15th of July 2 weeks into the offensive the fighting was still continuing with no definitive end in sight. It seems one of the enemy divisions was getting close to collapse and with the fighting occurring on all sides that was to be expected. They were facing the 29th division on the southern front which was a regular infantry division with full artillery support. They were breaking through in many locations and about to overrun the Divisions primary command post when. It seems they would be surrendering in short order. At the same time another Research team returned to report more advances in our overall industrial production.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/0mhoi3166j/]
A week later with the public growing curious why this final battle was taking so long, the same as I was, another major breakthrough in research was completed. Our infantry specialist teams returned with training and equipment plans to outfit Marine infantry. This was critical to my plans to retake the Mediterranean. We would have many islands and ports to assault and we would need specialized teams to advance from the water from landing ships and storm the beaches.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/4jhoi3167j/]
Although there was no industrial capacity open to begin manufacturer of equipment or training of these units I added it to my long list of needs. For the time being other operations that were closer to execution would take priority.
By August the public was growing restless and angry. Now open threats were being made that our Grand Assault on the Ethiopian capital was one big lie. Given how quickly we seized the country and then settled in to siege and starve out the capital the public wanted results. They wanted an end to the war, to rationing, to casualties coming in from the battlefield. So did I. To the world this made us look weak and we needed to show the world that no force could stand against the might of the Italian Empire.
In an effort to distract the public's attention and also show our might to the world I ordered the rebuilding of our 2 oldest battleships. With our 2 newest Battleships the Conte di Cavouronly and Guilio Cesare only weeks away from completion and being ready for sea trails we would not be long without Capital ships in the water. With how old and slow these ships are it would be worth taking the time to modernize them. They would be long in the dry dock but once our new Battleships are in the water our Naval Engineers assure me with the knowledge we have from their completion they would be able to modernize them cheaply and quickly. The Andrea Doria and Caio Duilo were once the most modern ships in the sea and the pride of our fleet but no longer. However they could be used again.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/emhoi3168j/]
This would give our engineers more experience working with capital ship designs. It is currently being listed as a very cheap upgrade overall compared with building an entirely new ship from scratch.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/f1hoi3169j/]
We were only days away from finishing the training of our newest Garrison divisions to hold ports that some parts of the Reserve army was guarding. Once these units were assigned more Garrison divisions would be trained. We had a few more ports to assign permanent guards to as well as needing more for conquered land.
However this was not enough to distract the public or myself from our standstill in Ethiopia. As hard as our troops pressed we were not yet able to crack the lines around the capital. Currently our Generals on the ground have been using massed artillery barrages to hammer the enemy for a few days before a charge. Their hope is that the sheer overwhelming firepower will frighten and shock our untrained enemies into fleeing the lines but so far it has not been enough.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/nhhoi3171j/]
Next research teams returned with new designs for our light armor tanks. Fantastic news, faster and stronger. All the things we need. However it seems now with these designs they can be improved further into more "medium" armor designs doing a better job of protecting the crews with the loss of some speed. Right now I still believe we need speed above all to overwhelm our enemies. However we will eventually face the French and the English and they already field some medium armor prototypes somewhat like the massive heavy tanks of the great war. To be able to face them we must have similar tanks. I ordered our teams to begin research on these Medium tanks. We would have need of them before long.
Finally at the end of August the news I have been waiting weeks for arrived. Our victorious troops were marching into the Capital of Abbis Ababa.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/0dhoi3172j/]
It took almost 2 entire months but the losses were so one sided it is hard to believe it took so long to break into the capital. Less then 200 of our men died for the loss of almost 3300 Ethiopians. Finally the war in Africa was over. Now there was much to do. First our forces would need to be demobilized. Our reserves would be allowed to go home while our regular soldiers were brought home from Ethiopia to a hero's welcome. All save one division of Black Shirts who would be left to keep order while the country was integrated into the Empire.
Next would be the changing of a few laws. Our countries industry was toned down and switch to a mixed production of consumer products as well as war material. In addition service by requirement would be stopped for a 3 year draft. Nothing to major but a shift in the public's mood was quickly noticed. A few days after our victory our synthetic industry was ready for further expansion. Now with the war over the resource load had dropped but we were still short of many items especially coal. I ordered another expansion which was making a serious dent now in our import of coal and steel.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/f5hoi3174j/]
A few days later I received a message Adolf Hitler from Germany would be making a proclamation confirming our sovereignty over Ethiopian lands. This was well received although ignored initially by the world at large. It would be a start for us to have at least one friend in Europe confirm our achievements and gains.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/5ghoi3176j/]
By mid September I was ready to give a glorious speech on the Proclamazione Dell'Impero to the Nation. With the spoils of Ethiopia seized it was time to declare our intentions to the people of the world to retake our rightful place. It was a small increase in resources overall but it would still help add to our stockpiles and it make the people happy to know their sacrifices were not in vain and that we would again be great. Now with our parties popularity rising was the time to get more work completed.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/jlhoi3177j/]
The Legge Mussolini would help get some Veterans back to work and improve our country overall. It was costly but very helpful in expanding our available workforce and production of military supplies. Like many things it would take time to bear fruit but Italy would be all the stronger for it.
Some months back I had noticed to the production ministry a consistent drop in our coal reserves. It was getting harder and harder to find countries with any surplus we could order from. In addition contracts for Italian military supplies were drying up denying us hard currency we could use to barter for more coal. When a key contract for 50 tons was stopped from America which was a major source of Coal I was very concerned. With our synthetic industry coming along we were producing more coal at home however it was still not enough. I ordered our research teams to begin looking at ways to increase our production. By late November it was announced their research was complete. With new digging machines and sorting processes they estimated a 7% increase in production. Not a huge increase but it would still help wean us from imported energy.
Following our Victory in Ethiopia little other major events occurred after that. I was stuck in meetings for weeks working out how to govern our new territory. What would we teach in schools? What laws would we enforce? How would we use all the prisoners of war now going home with a new sense of Italian superiority? For now I left most of the work to the council to work out. It would take weeks if not a few months to set up a new system but with almost nothing in place it would be easier then getting old laws and systems removed first.
However by mid December the International mood was restless. Concerned with our takeover of Ethiopia which was at first viewed as a noble expedition to remove a mad king, the world thought we would go home and leave the savages to fight over who would be crowned next. Not believing we would swallow the whole mountainous country more and more complaints were being lodged at the League of Nations. Although it was really a toothless organization it would not due to have Italian honor infringed this way day after day. On December 10th I ordered our ambassadors to withdrawn.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/f6hoi3182j/]
Once again as with our declaration of War on Ethiopia nothing happened. Not words of warning from the old Great Powers England and France. No alliance of nations warning us to behave. Nothing. It seems the nations of the Europe have grown weak and fearful. Unable or unwilling to face war at any price. Now they will do anything to keep the peace.
With our Navy requesting more and newer escorts I had sent up research teams to look at improving our destroyers. The first team reported back on 28th December with new main armaments. It would be a little bit longer before the other teams were done with new armor and engines but this team was moved on. Next year we could begin production on new destroyers with a longer range and more firepower to hunt for submarines and protect our transports and fleets. For now we would have to make do with what we had.
After that it was time to celebrate the new year and all that had been gained. Now I will return to the celebration and drink my fill. For next year Italy will begin it's rise back to it's rightful place.
Mussolini gets up from his couch and finishes his champagne. Setting down the glass next to his journal he leaves the room. On the other side of the door is a large celebration with all the major cabinet members and military leaders in Rome. Many are already tipsy from celebrating. Near Mussolini's journal a small map is being held down by his glass. The glass has been placed on top of Rome, to the East an arrow is pointing in red.
Last edited:
January 1st - April 30th
In a small room next to the War Council room sits Mussolini. In the background a great deal of shouting can be heard. It is hard though to make our if it is merely orders being given or mean swearing about orders to give. In front of Mussolini sits a great stake of papers all in a heap in a table. Writing in his journal he look's determined.
Ah how the new year has dawned on us. How strange it started. First we found the people so happy with our conquest of Ethiopia that the parties popularity hit a high note. Weather this was from celebrations from the new year or just no more rationing in stores who is to say. At the same time I was approached about what to do in Spain. I had paid no mind to the country after sending a wave of volunteers and supplies. Most reports were of stalemates. I assumed Francisco would manage in time with help from Germany coming in as well. However it seems the other nations of the world have sent help to the Republicans who stand as such in name only being chiefly backed by the Communists in Russia. Now we are being asked for more help. Although I am loath to send any more men into the meat grinder that is the country I can not let the Communists win.
For the time being we could only sit back and hope our side is victorious. Although I believe we have a free hand to press our claims in Europe I am hesitant to join a war for any cause already in progress. That could invoke the French to press their interest as well and we are not yet ready to face them. However should things continue as they are that may change in the future. We can not let the Republicans win but we can also not wait forever the the Nationalist to achieve victory.
Previously with the completion of research on Marine infantry our Naval engineers reported that they believed they could produce plans for a dedicated transport and landing ships these Marines would need to successfully assault a defended shore. I had ordered them to being with all haste. On 6th January they returned with plans for a hull that would allow us to begin construction of ships when we were ready. Right now we have a number of older vessels suitable for moving men but not for landings. For now this will have to do until more dockyard space is open, perhaps after our next Battleships launch.
After the major battles in Ethiopia had been concluded and most of our men had returned to Italy I had ordered the general staff to begin detailed research on everything we could learn from the battles we had fought. How could our men work better and be better organized. How could they be better lead and motivated. How can our artillery work better with our infantry. A number of projects had been completed last year. New training for our mountain units, new rolling artillery barrages, new training for our Infantry. We had many more projects to complete but it made a major difference in the army itself. In addition I had ordered research into our air force. It was small and not likely to play a major part soon but we would still need planes to defend Italy and our forces even if we did not have the strength to bomb our enemies to pieces. The first recommendations had been for new air frames for our fighter planes.
We still had a ways to go for better planes but it would be a start. We would also need to work on our bombers but we only had 2 wings for the time being. We had more naval bombers then medium bombers as it stood. Our greatest threat right now was from the sea from England or France. However the beginning of 1938 was uneventful until I received news on more trials in Russia. As I was looking over more staged excuses for Stalin to execute his enemies I was informed of the death of Gabriele D'Annunzio. This took me by surprise. I had no idea my operatives would be able to stage his death so soon but it served it's purpose all the same. A state funeral would be expensive but necessary to cover any suspicions of my involvement.
Later in march a new fuel tank for our fighters was finished allowing our factories to produce new and better planes which would also enhance our naval planes for our carriers once they were completed as well. This meant we still needed to upgrade our existing planes but they would preform much better in the end.
On 9th March another research team finished working on command and control procedures for our infantry divisions. This was wonderful news but the next day I had a meeting with our foreign ambassador to Germany and our Intelligence and diplomatic heads. It seems with the victory in Ethiopia and our internal advances in Italy itself the public has lost almost all semblance of neutrality. They hunger for greatness and more victories. It seems Germany is looking for friends for it's new Axis alliance. A somewhat secret pack to oppose the Communists of Russia. Now with the change in the public attitude it is believed they would welcome joining with the Germans. This would involve great risk as our fortunes would be tied to the Germans. Should they lose in their ambitions so would we. However it would also give us a powerful and hungry ally willing to take on all enemies with us if need be.
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/0clsrfj/]
[URL=http://imageshack.com/i/1nnlukj/]
After that a great flurry of work begin. My plans to attack the Balkans were known among close members of the General Staff however little had been done yet so as not to alarm our future opponents. We would be able to attack immediately if desired however patience would be needed. Just because we could attack at any time does not mean we should. First we would need to move our units into position and pick a launch date. This would need to be done by secrete otherwise it could bring in the French who would want to staunch our growth.
Our first target would be Yugoslavia. This made up kingdom held several lands that belonged to Italy. In addition it was cobbled together of peoples and cultures that once swore fealty to Rome. The army in place might be enough on it's own but we would likely need more divisions to overrun the Yugoslavian army. Besides we would really need more mountain divisions for the terrain. It was still the last weeks of winter. Ice and cold swept the mountains our men would cross, better to wait till spring. It would be warmer and the roads should be easier to cross when they were not full of ice and snow. Time would be needed to move troops up, perhaps under the guise of a training exercise. We would need no more on the northern border but we would on the south in the port of Zeta.
The terrain did not open to plains and grassland for some miles, it would make our initial advance tough and then we would face rivers. Although engineers had been developed no new divisions had any equipped yet. They were slated to be trained this summer long after our attack began. However what we did have were men and officers tempered in the War in Ethiopia. This would be more then enough to offset any lack of equipment. A great shuffle was begun in our officer core. Many men who served on the front lines in Ethiopia were promoted to corp and army rank passing other older men. Their knowledge of battle would be needed.
As units were reassigned and captains raised to the rank of major and colonels our research teams returned with more good news for our need for fast support. After completing work on motorized artillery they were able to motorize all our support teams as well. No more horse drawn cannons.
As units were reassigned and placed into position on the border I received work from our industrial teams we could expand our Synthetic industry further. This was becoming very necessary as our continued depletion of energy reserves was making apparent. We were in desperate need of more production of energy and more sources. The other news was of our desert special forces teams. After the completion of the war in Ethiopia, certain members of the general staff saw the need for units that could operate autonomous of the normal chain of command. Quick thinking units that could operate behind the lines, destroying supplies depos and bridges. These units would come in very handy I believed and we had completed one division and had another in training.
April 13th
To the great people of Italy. Today marks a great day in the history of our nation. Today we launch 2 of the newest and most powerful Battleships the world has ever seen. These ships will help us hold our rightful lands and control our sea. No one will challenge us on the water now that we can out range any ship in the sea. Rome will again take it's rightful place among the major powers of the world.
Ah what a great day, a fine speech the papers say. Short and to the point I thought, however at the advise of my advisers I switched the last sentence. They thought saying we would be the only major power in the world might anger our alley more then the French and English and was not worth the risk. The RM Vittorio Veneto and it's sister ship RM Littorio were assigned to the 9a Fleet. It had our newest light and heavy Cruisers, however the destroyers were older ships scavenged from other fleets. The Industrial capacity from the ships were switched into upgrades for our forces. We had dozens of brigades from Africa that had been retrained but not yet reequipped. All free capacity was to be shifted to getting them new weapons for the upcoming attack.
We now had almost everything in place. Intelligence did not indicate the Yugoslavian army had changed it's readiness in anyway. I had ordered a corp of Ethiopian veterans to the port of Zeta. This movement was listed as a training deployment. Fleets were patrolling the waters off the coast with the same news reports. With our new battleships having only just been deployed it was time for a major fleet exercise to train the crews. It seems this was believed by our enemies and the world at large. Major news organizations had arrived to film the launching of our Battleships along with our own propaganda crews. Now they could film our fleets off the coast working together for training, or so it seems. Now it was just time to give the order to attack.
As Mussolini sets down his journal more shouting could be heard from the next room. Mussolini walks in and yells for quiet. As a hush fills the room he looks at the massive map on the table. It is filled with figurines, all holding flags. Small soldiers and trucks and tanks, only a few are planes but a large number are ships. As he looks over the map an aide stands off the side with a radio link in hand. Mussolini looks up at the clock and as the second hand and minute hand come together he raises and drops his arm and gives the command, attack.
In a small room next to the War Council room sits Mussolini. In the background a great deal of shouting can be heard. It is hard though to make our if it is merely orders being given or mean swearing about orders to give. In front of Mussolini sits a great stake of papers all in a heap in a table. Writing in his journal he look's determined.
Ah how the new year has dawned on us. How strange it started. First we found the people so happy with our conquest of Ethiopia that the parties popularity hit a high note. Weather this was from celebrations from the new year or just no more rationing in stores who is to say. At the same time I was approached about what to do in Spain. I had paid no mind to the country after sending a wave of volunteers and supplies. Most reports were of stalemates. I assumed Francisco would manage in time with help from Germany coming in as well. However it seems the other nations of the world have sent help to the Republicans who stand as such in name only being chiefly backed by the Communists in Russia. Now we are being asked for more help. Although I am loath to send any more men into the meat grinder that is the country I can not let the Communists win.
For the time being we could only sit back and hope our side is victorious. Although I believe we have a free hand to press our claims in Europe I am hesitant to join a war for any cause already in progress. That could invoke the French to press their interest as well and we are not yet ready to face them. However should things continue as they are that may change in the future. We can not let the Republicans win but we can also not wait forever the the Nationalist to achieve victory.
Previously with the completion of research on Marine infantry our Naval engineers reported that they believed they could produce plans for a dedicated transport and landing ships these Marines would need to successfully assault a defended shore. I had ordered them to being with all haste. On 6th January they returned with plans for a hull that would allow us to begin construction of ships when we were ready. Right now we have a number of older vessels suitable for moving men but not for landings. For now this will have to do until more dockyard space is open, perhaps after our next Battleships launch.
After the major battles in Ethiopia had been concluded and most of our men had returned to Italy I had ordered the general staff to begin detailed research on everything we could learn from the battles we had fought. How could our men work better and be better organized. How could they be better lead and motivated. How can our artillery work better with our infantry. A number of projects had been completed last year. New training for our mountain units, new rolling artillery barrages, new training for our Infantry. We had many more projects to complete but it made a major difference in the army itself. In addition I had ordered research into our air force. It was small and not likely to play a major part soon but we would still need planes to defend Italy and our forces even if we did not have the strength to bomb our enemies to pieces. The first recommendations had been for new air frames for our fighter planes.
We still had a ways to go for better planes but it would be a start. We would also need to work on our bombers but we only had 2 wings for the time being. We had more naval bombers then medium bombers as it stood. Our greatest threat right now was from the sea from England or France. However the beginning of 1938 was uneventful until I received news on more trials in Russia. As I was looking over more staged excuses for Stalin to execute his enemies I was informed of the death of Gabriele D'Annunzio. This took me by surprise. I had no idea my operatives would be able to stage his death so soon but it served it's purpose all the same. A state funeral would be expensive but necessary to cover any suspicions of my involvement.
Later in march a new fuel tank for our fighters was finished allowing our factories to produce new and better planes which would also enhance our naval planes for our carriers once they were completed as well. This meant we still needed to upgrade our existing planes but they would preform much better in the end.
On 9th March another research team finished working on command and control procedures for our infantry divisions. This was wonderful news but the next day I had a meeting with our foreign ambassador to Germany and our Intelligence and diplomatic heads. It seems with the victory in Ethiopia and our internal advances in Italy itself the public has lost almost all semblance of neutrality. They hunger for greatness and more victories. It seems Germany is looking for friends for it's new Axis alliance. A somewhat secret pack to oppose the Communists of Russia. Now with the change in the public attitude it is believed they would welcome joining with the Germans. This would involve great risk as our fortunes would be tied to the Germans. Should they lose in their ambitions so would we. However it would also give us a powerful and hungry ally willing to take on all enemies with us if need be.
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After that a great flurry of work begin. My plans to attack the Balkans were known among close members of the General Staff however little had been done yet so as not to alarm our future opponents. We would be able to attack immediately if desired however patience would be needed. Just because we could attack at any time does not mean we should. First we would need to move our units into position and pick a launch date. This would need to be done by secrete otherwise it could bring in the French who would want to staunch our growth.
Our first target would be Yugoslavia. This made up kingdom held several lands that belonged to Italy. In addition it was cobbled together of peoples and cultures that once swore fealty to Rome. The army in place might be enough on it's own but we would likely need more divisions to overrun the Yugoslavian army. Besides we would really need more mountain divisions for the terrain. It was still the last weeks of winter. Ice and cold swept the mountains our men would cross, better to wait till spring. It would be warmer and the roads should be easier to cross when they were not full of ice and snow. Time would be needed to move troops up, perhaps under the guise of a training exercise. We would need no more on the northern border but we would on the south in the port of Zeta.
The terrain did not open to plains and grassland for some miles, it would make our initial advance tough and then we would face rivers. Although engineers had been developed no new divisions had any equipped yet. They were slated to be trained this summer long after our attack began. However what we did have were men and officers tempered in the War in Ethiopia. This would be more then enough to offset any lack of equipment. A great shuffle was begun in our officer core. Many men who served on the front lines in Ethiopia were promoted to corp and army rank passing other older men. Their knowledge of battle would be needed.
As units were reassigned and captains raised to the rank of major and colonels our research teams returned with more good news for our need for fast support. After completing work on motorized artillery they were able to motorize all our support teams as well. No more horse drawn cannons.
As units were reassigned and placed into position on the border I received work from our industrial teams we could expand our Synthetic industry further. This was becoming very necessary as our continued depletion of energy reserves was making apparent. We were in desperate need of more production of energy and more sources. The other news was of our desert special forces teams. After the completion of the war in Ethiopia, certain members of the general staff saw the need for units that could operate autonomous of the normal chain of command. Quick thinking units that could operate behind the lines, destroying supplies depos and bridges. These units would come in very handy I believed and we had completed one division and had another in training.
April 13th
To the great people of Italy. Today marks a great day in the history of our nation. Today we launch 2 of the newest and most powerful Battleships the world has ever seen. These ships will help us hold our rightful lands and control our sea. No one will challenge us on the water now that we can out range any ship in the sea. Rome will again take it's rightful place among the major powers of the world.
Ah what a great day, a fine speech the papers say. Short and to the point I thought, however at the advise of my advisers I switched the last sentence. They thought saying we would be the only major power in the world might anger our alley more then the French and English and was not worth the risk. The RM Vittorio Veneto and it's sister ship RM Littorio were assigned to the 9a Fleet. It had our newest light and heavy Cruisers, however the destroyers were older ships scavenged from other fleets. The Industrial capacity from the ships were switched into upgrades for our forces. We had dozens of brigades from Africa that had been retrained but not yet reequipped. All free capacity was to be shifted to getting them new weapons for the upcoming attack.
We now had almost everything in place. Intelligence did not indicate the Yugoslavian army had changed it's readiness in anyway. I had ordered a corp of Ethiopian veterans to the port of Zeta. This movement was listed as a training deployment. Fleets were patrolling the waters off the coast with the same news reports. With our new battleships having only just been deployed it was time for a major fleet exercise to train the crews. It seems this was believed by our enemies and the world at large. Major news organizations had arrived to film the launching of our Battleships along with our own propaganda crews. Now they could film our fleets off the coast working together for training, or so it seems. Now it was just time to give the order to attack.
As Mussolini sets down his journal more shouting could be heard from the next room. Mussolini walks in and yells for quiet. As a hush fills the room he looks at the massive map on the table. It is filled with figurines, all holding flags. Small soldiers and trucks and tanks, only a few are planes but a large number are ships. As he looks over the map an aide stands off the side with a radio link in hand. Mussolini looks up at the clock and as the second hand and minute hand come together he raises and drops his arm and gives the command, attack.
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Von Thoma returns from the SCW usually as a level 6 with 15-20 traits in Black I.C.E.
I was really blow away the first time I did a short play through with black ice. The opening attacks take months because of troop rotation but I figured my generals would cap at a few traits like in vanilla. Now you get back from Africa and most frontline generals have at least ten. I need to clean these posts up and finish thr last one but it was midnight and I was trying to hurry just to get them posted. I played last night to the end of July. spoiler, speed is key. 
May 1st - May 13th
In the corner of the general staff conference room sits Mussolini writing with leisure in his journal. 2 Blackshirt guards stand next to an open leather messenger bag where the journal has emerged from. Sipping a glass of wine Mussolini looks to the massive map with all it's scattered pieces. Generals stand to each side discussing movements of divisions and potential plans.
Events have moved quickly, faster then I had planned in some cases. As dawn rose on the 1st of May our divisions on the border moved from their defenses as a massive artillery bombardment began. As our 2 bomber wings flew over head our men advanced in Jesenice, Novo Mesto, Sisak, Gerovo and Rijeka on the border. All along the border reports of progress were made. Before the Yugoslavian army could react our troops were passed their overgrown defensive lines and taking prisoners to shocked to resist. As the sunset on our first day our victories were reported in 3 provinces. With only a few loses the Yugoslavians were retreating before us.
Gerovo reported victory only 2 hours later. With only 9 loses the Yugoslavians lost 143 units killed and taken prisoner. If progress continued like this it would go even better then our victory over Ethiopia. However I do not expect that to be the case. At the end of the first day we had taken the border provinces with few loses. However the enemy was retreating in good order in front of us, not fleeing in disorder as I would like. When they actually stood to fight things could go very differently. On the morning of the next day I ordered 2 of our divisions in Zeta to assault the nearby port city of Split. This would force the Yugoslavian navy to sea where our new Battleships would finally get some target practice against live targets. This would also reduce the number of ports their navy could shelter in.
It seems my fears are justified. As our units moved into Gerovo a probing attack was launched by a cavalry unit, 2. Vojska Reserve checked out defenses and fell back after 30 of their scouts failed to return. It will not stop our advance but it indicates the Yugoslavians are not planning on just giving up. To the north in Jesenice our units were able to push the Yugoslavians our of the mountains. 98 of our men were lost but 257 Yugoslavians were killed as well. These divisions stood longer then their comrades but it was believed it was the challenge or crossing the mountains passes that slowed our advance as opposed to a stronger will to resist.
Our initial attacks were only made by single divisions on the 1st of May. The other divisions on the border were able to advance with these assaulting divisions without the encumbrance of waiting for the accompanying artillery to re-limber their guns and follow. As soon as they advanced ahead they could begin attacking without delay. This meant before the Yugoslavians could dig in they were under attack again. It would be only a question of our other divisions preparing t advance as quickly as possible to keep up the pace. If we could keep pushing to the Hungarian border at this pace we would cut off the north of the country and trap numerous enemy divisions.
As soon as the attack was launched on Ribnica we were advancing again. The Yugoslavians could not stop us, 4 of our loses to 176 of theirs. To the south our units in Zeta had already advanced unopposed to Gospic directly north. With the arrival of the corp of African veterans the Yugoslavian army had never redeployed to cover more ground. Previously with only a garrison division it seems they had felt no need to guard the northern border. Now we had a chance to link up with our advancing forces from the north. By midday our forces had advanced to victory in Slunj. We might be able to trap a few divisions in the south against the coast.
What might prove to be our biggest enemy is time. It seems many divisions that lack motorized transport for their heavy guns need up to a week to re-limber the guns, organize supply lines and prepare to advance again. In Ethiopia this had rarely been an issue as it had taken weeks in some cases to advance over the mountains after a victory. Now in the hills of Yugoslavian this was a major impediment. How could we keep the pressure on even with fresh divisions leap frogging forward. We did not have enough men to keep up that pace without having to stop for previous divisions to catch up. Research will need to be directed to get our headquarters units working more efficiently. They will need to have better plans in place to keep up the pace. That would have to be enough to offset our lack of truck transport for ever division. Perhaps in the future we could have a completely motorized army but for now that is a dream.
My midday on May 5th our units in the south were victorious in Otocac. Only 1 province separated us from our units advancing in Gospic. These headquarters units could not withstand the ferocity of our advance. We lost 8 men, but the Yugoslavian army lost 750 of it's 1375 defenders. A storm of screaming men had overwhelmed these defenders who were shattered.
To the north our units were advancing divisions seemed to be causing the Yugoslavians to rethink their defensive plans. Reports from air reconnaissance craft indicated multiple divisions on the move trying to get south along the river line. Many were under strength calvary divisions where they would be of little help in the mountains. If we could keep moving at speed we could cut off all these divisions and trap them to the north in the mountains. In the south things were going very well. With no resistance our units were moving into Gracac, 2 loses to 2 loses. If we could link up with the units moving south from the north we could form a hard defensive line in the mountains in case any more units of the Yugoslavian army moved in to stop us before we could cut off their northern army. This would need to be done as soon as possible, to the north resistance was stiffening as Yugoslavian divisions were being crowed together.
On the morning of May 9th word was received on the victory in Kranj in the north. Another lopsided victory, 53 on our side to 593 of our enemies. Weather it is our weaponry that is making the difference or the skill of our soldiers or our generals I do not know. If only all our battles could go so well. With the victory in Kranj our mountaineers moved forward again along the border to San Pietro. This would keep the Yugoslavians moving and not allow them time to dig in. As long as we kept them moving back, that is all that mattered. Only a few key cities would need to be taken to break their will to fight. We do not need to beat them everywhere, just en route to the capital.
To the south things were getting more interesting. The battle at Split continued. One of the headquarters divisions had quit the port but the other would not dislodge. It is very strange, they are terribly outnumbered and out gunned but reports from the ground are our men are having to route them out of every building. A much longer battle then I had planned. Otherwise we had made headway north. It seems more divisions should have been sent, without a link up with the north a breakout could not be achieved without a risk to our supply lines and encirclement. For now it would have to be enough to harry the enemy and tempt them south instead of north.
On the evening of May 9th our units achieved victory in Glina, this brought us very close to Zagreb, one of the first major goals of our northern advance. This would allow us to control the river and easily cut off the army in the north. However first we must cross the river and seize the city. A hard task regardless of the foe. Made even harder by our lack of engineers. Current plans call for fords to be made across the river to either side of the city and the assault begun from the rear.
The morning of the 10th I was awoken very earlier in the morning. I had given strict orders, if the Yugoslavian navy was seen leaving port I was to be awakened no matter the hour. I had been finally leaving the general staff council chambers at midnight. At 4am a aide came to wake me to tell me the 9a Fleete had engaged the Yugoslavian navy as it left it's port at Split. However by the time I had gotten myself dressed and into the radio room it was all over. Reports were coming in from the bridge of the Littorio that the Yugoslavian navy had left port slowly in the middle of the night hoping to slip away. However our men were wide awake and searching and sighted them only a few miles from shore. Guns opened fire immediately and 14 inch shells rained down on the enemy fleet. Only a few shells had landed and the Yugoslavian navy made all speed back to port. However they left the Sarajevo transport flotilla burning in the water. It seems an auxillary fleet of tanker and cargo ships was also lost in the scramble to retreat. A small victory but a victory on the water none the less and in the middle of the night.
For being woken so early in the morning I figured I might as well stay up and see to the days events. I had hoped for a major naval victory but with one less transport the forces in Split would not be trying to flee by sea any time soon. Perhaps the news would have more good news. A few hours later it was proved true. Advancing toward Zagreb our forces were victorious in Karlovac across the river from the city. 8 of our men for 275 Yugoslavians. Still retreating in good order they could not hold any open ground it would seem. So much the better for us. I was starting to worry though if it was just an orderly withdrawal to the river. Could we force a crossing with no engineers?
Not long after another report came in from the radio room. Battles at San Pietro and Gospic were won, 29 of ours for 205 in San Pietro, another easy victory. In Gospic it was much loser run, 64 to 75. Still lower loses for us but not a ratio I want to continue. However Gospic was a mountainous province to the south taken by one of our Ethiopia veterans who were still awaiting newer weapons. What a difference they would make once they were equipped. It would pay off in short order to get all those divisions new weapons and quickly. Although we would need to divert a lot of our industry to replacement weapons and guns it must be done with all haste. These men were not fighting undisciplined Savages any more.
Midnight on May 11th another report came in of victory. Perusic was ours, cutting off an enemy division against the coast. An even better victory with no losses on our side and 24 Yugoslavians left on the field. Now a link up with the north could be made as well. If we could move fast enough we could swing around to the south to cross the river and cut off all the units upstream by Zagreb.
However that may not be an option. Disturbing news came in from our reconnaissance planes. Romanian troops have been seen marching toward our lines. They had arrived much sooner then I had planned. Romania was the biggest minor country in the Balkans. They had guaranteed the territorial boundaries of all the nearby countries to keep the peace. This meant any advance we made we would face them. It seemed the best place would be on our borders where we could be easily supplied. This would draw them hundreds of miles from their land to fight for people they care nothing for. In addition I assumed it would take them a month to equip their forces and march to the field. It seems they were able to commandeer a number of railway cars to transport 2 divisions forward.
This could make a major change to our offensive. We can take on the Yugoslavian army with the forces in theater, we also had the reserve army we could dispatch as well. However that is likely to turn this swift advance into a much harder slog against 2 full enemy armies. Oh but that would play into their hands. Now it was time to draw up a defensive line and wait, if we can advance across the river so much the better.
Later that day as I was reading more reports with the general staff on troop movements we received word on another victory. The city of Ljubljana was ours. It had cost the lives of 91 men but in it's defense the Yugoslavians had lost 595 trying to hold the city. An amazing job was done by our men taking an urban environment. Hours later another confusing radio message came in. Karlovac had been taken, again. Which was strange since no report of more fighting had come in until we received another report that while moving in to the province a semi motorized Yugoslavian division had rushed in to stop our men. 94 of those men were still lying on the ground with 3 of our men. A poor showing for a division with some trucks. Now we would be across the river from Zagreb, unless another division rushed in to stymie our progress.
After lunch more bad news from the front. Romanian bombers had rebased and were bombing our men in Bosanski Petrovic in the south. Our mixed support brigade was able to offer some anti air resistance to the old bombers over head but it was still galling. Not only could we not get larger guns but our fighters were powerless to help. Only 1 fighter wing had been replaced with newer and longer range designs and even these were coming up short. We must get more fighters into the air to stop bombings like this. For now all we could do was ask our men to grin and bear the bombs, ineffectual as they turned out to be. Another Yugoslavian bomber came into the skies in the north at Glina. These were meet by our fighters from 9a divisione caccia. Ecstatic to finally get into air to air combat our pilots tore into the bombers sending many down in flames.
The next day I had to prepare for a major event. Our ally Hitler was coming for a formal visit and also to view progress on our attack. Once we were alone he became heated and demanded to know why he was not informed of our attack right next to his border before we began. We could have set the French off he said and caused all of Europe to come to the aid of the Balkans. I responded that I could not trust radio or written messages. Any warning to him might have been captured by the Yugoslavians or the French or English. Besides tipping off our enemies we might have been accused of aggression before we could shape events. Besides if things turned for the worse he could denounce us and rightly claim no knowledge of the attack.
He grudgingly admitted that we were currently winning and besides weak protests from the French and English they seemed content to stay out of the powder keg that was the Balkans. It seems German spies had also intercepted messages that the English believed the Romanians and Yugoslavians would hold us in the mountains and we would eventually have to offer peace asking for some land. With that matter settled he was content to review plans we had made for the upcoming invasion of Romania. I admitted our fleet was sitting off the coast of Romania on patrol. This had been passed off in the press for any on lookers they were searching for pirates and raiders from Yugoslavia.
Looking over the map I had laid out in my personal study I showed him to coast of Romania and our planned landing. His first question was how we could land troops on a defended beach, it had not been done since the Great War in Turkey and the English had suffered huge losses for no gain. I pointed out we would not attack a defended beach, intelligence showed almost the entire Romanian army had rushed to Yugoslavia to offer their aid which left the coast with only a small coast guard force. These would be swept away by our Battleships and early landing parties. His next question was where our light tanks were. It had been well known we had been working on new models and could field an entire corp along German lines. He expected these to be marshaled behind the lines in Yugoslavia to break out to the planes once we cleared the mountains. No I said, I had major plans for our tanks, they would spearhead us into Romania.
After more meetings and tours and a large state dinner Hitler and his entourage boarded the train back to Berlin. Our ally seems impressed by our advance and our audacious plan. He could also be worried if we win how large we would become. We would almost double our landmass in Europe in one stroke, we would still be much smaller in manpower and industrial base then Germany, still the underdog to them. Once they had left I retired to my personal chambers to look over our plans. This had to succeed. The Romanian navy could not hope to stop us, not with 2 massive Battleships escorting our transports. All reports from the front indicated their divisions were rushing to the front with no appearance of turning around to defend their homeland. Now to set the largest invasion in history in motion. We needed to land almost an entire Army but at least it was an undefended coast. Still, we needed to supply them and rush them forward to bucuresti, if we seized the capital, the Romanians were likely to lay down their arms...hopefully, otherwise we might have an army defending itself in hostile territory with no easy way to retreat back to their ships.
Mussolini sets the journal in the messenger bag and locks it with the straps. He hands it to one of his Guards who march off to deliver it to his quarters. Walking over to the map table he looks over all the figurines sitting on the water. He looks very concerned but determined.
In the corner of the general staff conference room sits Mussolini writing with leisure in his journal. 2 Blackshirt guards stand next to an open leather messenger bag where the journal has emerged from. Sipping a glass of wine Mussolini looks to the massive map with all it's scattered pieces. Generals stand to each side discussing movements of divisions and potential plans.
Events have moved quickly, faster then I had planned in some cases. As dawn rose on the 1st of May our divisions on the border moved from their defenses as a massive artillery bombardment began. As our 2 bomber wings flew over head our men advanced in Jesenice, Novo Mesto, Sisak, Gerovo and Rijeka on the border. All along the border reports of progress were made. Before the Yugoslavian army could react our troops were passed their overgrown defensive lines and taking prisoners to shocked to resist. As the sunset on our first day our victories were reported in 3 provinces. With only a few loses the Yugoslavians were retreating before us.
Gerovo reported victory only 2 hours later. With only 9 loses the Yugoslavians lost 143 units killed and taken prisoner. If progress continued like this it would go even better then our victory over Ethiopia. However I do not expect that to be the case. At the end of the first day we had taken the border provinces with few loses. However the enemy was retreating in good order in front of us, not fleeing in disorder as I would like. When they actually stood to fight things could go very differently. On the morning of the next day I ordered 2 of our divisions in Zeta to assault the nearby port city of Split. This would force the Yugoslavian navy to sea where our new Battleships would finally get some target practice against live targets. This would also reduce the number of ports their navy could shelter in.
It seems my fears are justified. As our units moved into Gerovo a probing attack was launched by a cavalry unit, 2. Vojska Reserve checked out defenses and fell back after 30 of their scouts failed to return. It will not stop our advance but it indicates the Yugoslavians are not planning on just giving up. To the north in Jesenice our units were able to push the Yugoslavians our of the mountains. 98 of our men were lost but 257 Yugoslavians were killed as well. These divisions stood longer then their comrades but it was believed it was the challenge or crossing the mountains passes that slowed our advance as opposed to a stronger will to resist.
Our initial attacks were only made by single divisions on the 1st of May. The other divisions on the border were able to advance with these assaulting divisions without the encumbrance of waiting for the accompanying artillery to re-limber their guns and follow. As soon as they advanced ahead they could begin attacking without delay. This meant before the Yugoslavians could dig in they were under attack again. It would be only a question of our other divisions preparing t advance as quickly as possible to keep up the pace. If we could keep pushing to the Hungarian border at this pace we would cut off the north of the country and trap numerous enemy divisions.
As soon as the attack was launched on Ribnica we were advancing again. The Yugoslavians could not stop us, 4 of our loses to 176 of theirs. To the south our units in Zeta had already advanced unopposed to Gospic directly north. With the arrival of the corp of African veterans the Yugoslavian army had never redeployed to cover more ground. Previously with only a garrison division it seems they had felt no need to guard the northern border. Now we had a chance to link up with our advancing forces from the north. By midday our forces had advanced to victory in Slunj. We might be able to trap a few divisions in the south against the coast.
What might prove to be our biggest enemy is time. It seems many divisions that lack motorized transport for their heavy guns need up to a week to re-limber the guns, organize supply lines and prepare to advance again. In Ethiopia this had rarely been an issue as it had taken weeks in some cases to advance over the mountains after a victory. Now in the hills of Yugoslavian this was a major impediment. How could we keep the pressure on even with fresh divisions leap frogging forward. We did not have enough men to keep up that pace without having to stop for previous divisions to catch up. Research will need to be directed to get our headquarters units working more efficiently. They will need to have better plans in place to keep up the pace. That would have to be enough to offset our lack of truck transport for ever division. Perhaps in the future we could have a completely motorized army but for now that is a dream.
My midday on May 5th our units in the south were victorious in Otocac. Only 1 province separated us from our units advancing in Gospic. These headquarters units could not withstand the ferocity of our advance. We lost 8 men, but the Yugoslavian army lost 750 of it's 1375 defenders. A storm of screaming men had overwhelmed these defenders who were shattered.
To the north our units were advancing divisions seemed to be causing the Yugoslavians to rethink their defensive plans. Reports from air reconnaissance craft indicated multiple divisions on the move trying to get south along the river line. Many were under strength calvary divisions where they would be of little help in the mountains. If we could keep moving at speed we could cut off all these divisions and trap them to the north in the mountains. In the south things were going very well. With no resistance our units were moving into Gracac, 2 loses to 2 loses. If we could link up with the units moving south from the north we could form a hard defensive line in the mountains in case any more units of the Yugoslavian army moved in to stop us before we could cut off their northern army. This would need to be done as soon as possible, to the north resistance was stiffening as Yugoslavian divisions were being crowed together.
On the morning of May 9th word was received on the victory in Kranj in the north. Another lopsided victory, 53 on our side to 593 of our enemies. Weather it is our weaponry that is making the difference or the skill of our soldiers or our generals I do not know. If only all our battles could go so well. With the victory in Kranj our mountaineers moved forward again along the border to San Pietro. This would keep the Yugoslavians moving and not allow them time to dig in. As long as we kept them moving back, that is all that mattered. Only a few key cities would need to be taken to break their will to fight. We do not need to beat them everywhere, just en route to the capital.
To the south things were getting more interesting. The battle at Split continued. One of the headquarters divisions had quit the port but the other would not dislodge. It is very strange, they are terribly outnumbered and out gunned but reports from the ground are our men are having to route them out of every building. A much longer battle then I had planned. Otherwise we had made headway north. It seems more divisions should have been sent, without a link up with the north a breakout could not be achieved without a risk to our supply lines and encirclement. For now it would have to be enough to harry the enemy and tempt them south instead of north.
On the evening of May 9th our units achieved victory in Glina, this brought us very close to Zagreb, one of the first major goals of our northern advance. This would allow us to control the river and easily cut off the army in the north. However first we must cross the river and seize the city. A hard task regardless of the foe. Made even harder by our lack of engineers. Current plans call for fords to be made across the river to either side of the city and the assault begun from the rear.
The morning of the 10th I was awoken very earlier in the morning. I had given strict orders, if the Yugoslavian navy was seen leaving port I was to be awakened no matter the hour. I had been finally leaving the general staff council chambers at midnight. At 4am a aide came to wake me to tell me the 9a Fleete had engaged the Yugoslavian navy as it left it's port at Split. However by the time I had gotten myself dressed and into the radio room it was all over. Reports were coming in from the bridge of the Littorio that the Yugoslavian navy had left port slowly in the middle of the night hoping to slip away. However our men were wide awake and searching and sighted them only a few miles from shore. Guns opened fire immediately and 14 inch shells rained down on the enemy fleet. Only a few shells had landed and the Yugoslavian navy made all speed back to port. However they left the Sarajevo transport flotilla burning in the water. It seems an auxillary fleet of tanker and cargo ships was also lost in the scramble to retreat. A small victory but a victory on the water none the less and in the middle of the night.
For being woken so early in the morning I figured I might as well stay up and see to the days events. I had hoped for a major naval victory but with one less transport the forces in Split would not be trying to flee by sea any time soon. Perhaps the news would have more good news. A few hours later it was proved true. Advancing toward Zagreb our forces were victorious in Karlovac across the river from the city. 8 of our men for 275 Yugoslavians. Still retreating in good order they could not hold any open ground it would seem. So much the better for us. I was starting to worry though if it was just an orderly withdrawal to the river. Could we force a crossing with no engineers?
Not long after another report came in from the radio room. Battles at San Pietro and Gospic were won, 29 of ours for 205 in San Pietro, another easy victory. In Gospic it was much loser run, 64 to 75. Still lower loses for us but not a ratio I want to continue. However Gospic was a mountainous province to the south taken by one of our Ethiopia veterans who were still awaiting newer weapons. What a difference they would make once they were equipped. It would pay off in short order to get all those divisions new weapons and quickly. Although we would need to divert a lot of our industry to replacement weapons and guns it must be done with all haste. These men were not fighting undisciplined Savages any more.
Midnight on May 11th another report came in of victory. Perusic was ours, cutting off an enemy division against the coast. An even better victory with no losses on our side and 24 Yugoslavians left on the field. Now a link up with the north could be made as well. If we could move fast enough we could swing around to the south to cross the river and cut off all the units upstream by Zagreb.
However that may not be an option. Disturbing news came in from our reconnaissance planes. Romanian troops have been seen marching toward our lines. They had arrived much sooner then I had planned. Romania was the biggest minor country in the Balkans. They had guaranteed the territorial boundaries of all the nearby countries to keep the peace. This meant any advance we made we would face them. It seemed the best place would be on our borders where we could be easily supplied. This would draw them hundreds of miles from their land to fight for people they care nothing for. In addition I assumed it would take them a month to equip their forces and march to the field. It seems they were able to commandeer a number of railway cars to transport 2 divisions forward.
This could make a major change to our offensive. We can take on the Yugoslavian army with the forces in theater, we also had the reserve army we could dispatch as well. However that is likely to turn this swift advance into a much harder slog against 2 full enemy armies. Oh but that would play into their hands. Now it was time to draw up a defensive line and wait, if we can advance across the river so much the better.
Later that day as I was reading more reports with the general staff on troop movements we received word on another victory. The city of Ljubljana was ours. It had cost the lives of 91 men but in it's defense the Yugoslavians had lost 595 trying to hold the city. An amazing job was done by our men taking an urban environment. Hours later another confusing radio message came in. Karlovac had been taken, again. Which was strange since no report of more fighting had come in until we received another report that while moving in to the province a semi motorized Yugoslavian division had rushed in to stop our men. 94 of those men were still lying on the ground with 3 of our men. A poor showing for a division with some trucks. Now we would be across the river from Zagreb, unless another division rushed in to stymie our progress.
After lunch more bad news from the front. Romanian bombers had rebased and were bombing our men in Bosanski Petrovic in the south. Our mixed support brigade was able to offer some anti air resistance to the old bombers over head but it was still galling. Not only could we not get larger guns but our fighters were powerless to help. Only 1 fighter wing had been replaced with newer and longer range designs and even these were coming up short. We must get more fighters into the air to stop bombings like this. For now all we could do was ask our men to grin and bear the bombs, ineffectual as they turned out to be. Another Yugoslavian bomber came into the skies in the north at Glina. These were meet by our fighters from 9a divisione caccia. Ecstatic to finally get into air to air combat our pilots tore into the bombers sending many down in flames.
The next day I had to prepare for a major event. Our ally Hitler was coming for a formal visit and also to view progress on our attack. Once we were alone he became heated and demanded to know why he was not informed of our attack right next to his border before we began. We could have set the French off he said and caused all of Europe to come to the aid of the Balkans. I responded that I could not trust radio or written messages. Any warning to him might have been captured by the Yugoslavians or the French or English. Besides tipping off our enemies we might have been accused of aggression before we could shape events. Besides if things turned for the worse he could denounce us and rightly claim no knowledge of the attack.
He grudgingly admitted that we were currently winning and besides weak protests from the French and English they seemed content to stay out of the powder keg that was the Balkans. It seems German spies had also intercepted messages that the English believed the Romanians and Yugoslavians would hold us in the mountains and we would eventually have to offer peace asking for some land. With that matter settled he was content to review plans we had made for the upcoming invasion of Romania. I admitted our fleet was sitting off the coast of Romania on patrol. This had been passed off in the press for any on lookers they were searching for pirates and raiders from Yugoslavia.
Looking over the map I had laid out in my personal study I showed him to coast of Romania and our planned landing. His first question was how we could land troops on a defended beach, it had not been done since the Great War in Turkey and the English had suffered huge losses for no gain. I pointed out we would not attack a defended beach, intelligence showed almost the entire Romanian army had rushed to Yugoslavia to offer their aid which left the coast with only a small coast guard force. These would be swept away by our Battleships and early landing parties. His next question was where our light tanks were. It had been well known we had been working on new models and could field an entire corp along German lines. He expected these to be marshaled behind the lines in Yugoslavia to break out to the planes once we cleared the mountains. No I said, I had major plans for our tanks, they would spearhead us into Romania.
After more meetings and tours and a large state dinner Hitler and his entourage boarded the train back to Berlin. Our ally seems impressed by our advance and our audacious plan. He could also be worried if we win how large we would become. We would almost double our landmass in Europe in one stroke, we would still be much smaller in manpower and industrial base then Germany, still the underdog to them. Once they had left I retired to my personal chambers to look over our plans. This had to succeed. The Romanian navy could not hope to stop us, not with 2 massive Battleships escorting our transports. All reports from the front indicated their divisions were rushing to the front with no appearance of turning around to defend their homeland. Now to set the largest invasion in history in motion. We needed to land almost an entire Army but at least it was an undefended coast. Still, we needed to supply them and rush them forward to bucuresti, if we seized the capital, the Romanians were likely to lay down their arms...hopefully, otherwise we might have an army defending itself in hostile territory with no easy way to retreat back to their ships.
Mussolini sets the journal in the messenger bag and locks it with the straps. He hands it to one of his Guards who march off to deliver it to his quarters. Walking over to the map table he looks over all the figurines sitting on the water. He looks very concerned but determined.
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Victory will be hard paid in blood, but Italy will achieve it... after your neutrality drops that much, does the Albanian Event take place anyways?
