Well i could make you an account on an estonian web provider... it gives you 10 mb of free space.. and offers direct linking.
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Thanks! That would be great! Just PM, to discuss it further. You'd have to make the account though as the Ontario education system puts so little emphasis on Estonian
1941: January-March Cont.
The positions in the European Theatre by early 1941 was a sporadic one. Vichy France had lost control of it's poorly garrisoned African possessions. They had miraculously annexed Syria but all French divisions in the Middle East where destroyed by the Lebanese who where still loyal to the Free French. Meanwhile the Italians fought a see-saw battle between the forces of Il Duce and the combined Anglo-Egyptian forces. Britain though could not send more troops directly to Africa after a few weeks of fighting. The ports of Alexandria and Matruh where occupied by the Italians, who advantage in numbers had diminished by the moderate amount of Egyptian troops.
Italian armour advancing through Matruh
The Eastern European front was like a tidal wave. The Germans had encircled Moscow and the tenacious Finns vowed to fight the Soviet's to the last man, regardless of losing Helsinki. The Soviet forces in Scandinavia where trapped in a massive, well supplied pocket.
Finnish Alpine troops in Murmansk
In Northern East-Asia the situation looked bad for the Soviets. Manchu cavalry rode through Eastern Russia like a massive wave. Encircling and destroying any unlucky Soviets in their wake. The Soviet navy was quickly neutralized by the Manchus who where eager to prove their worth to their Japanese overlords.
Fighting in South East-Asia was a slow, monotonous affair. Neither the Thai's nor the Anglo-Indo forces dared to make any sudden moves. The Thai occupation of parts of Burma had given them an excellent platform for an offensive against the British but the punitive Thai forces, now stretched between the still active Northern Front in China and now vicious jungle fighting in Burma, was overstretched but more divisions where on their way.
Singapore soon became a city under siege every few weeks. Dutch and ANZAC forces made attempts to retake the port city but the Thais defended the city like it was one of their own. The 5th Tahan Division soon was renamed the Singapore Garrison. It was the only Tahan Division not taking part in the fighting in Burma.
In Northern China the Japanese halted almost all troop movement. They made no move to finish off the Chinese. The only thing they seemed to do was retake the occasional province where a communist lead uprising had occurred.
America, still steadfastly neutral, had not lifted a single finger so far in the conflict. Content to sit back and watch the world become swallowed by the flames of the world. It soon became like a sleeping giant, ignoring the rest of the world and creating hundreds of escapist movies to lull it's citizens into a complete lack of interest in the development overseas. The state newspapers rather would talk about the New York Yankees than the occupation of France.
During the fighting many Thai generals had become better and better. General Ananda Mahidol of the 1st Thai Royal Army was the world most talented General under drinking age (although, also being king, he could do whatever he wanted as long it didn't involve politics).
Three lt. Generals where promoted to full-fledged generals swell. General Maghaviphulaya of the 3rd Thai Royal Army, General Chitnasongkhla of the, 5th Thai Royal Army and General Punyaketu of the 6th Thai Royal Army where promoted from lt. Generals and had become expert tacticians. Two quickly rising generals where lt. General Thishampula of the Singapore Garrison and lt. General Wichitwathakarn of the Wudu Garrison.
The Wudu Garrison consisted of the 2nd and 3rd Tahan Mah divisions who have thrown back the Chinese on several occasions. The battles where epic, with the Thais outnumbered two to one by the Chinese, the continued to fight and win.
Over the villages and towns of Burma and Thailand massive dogfights where fought. At first Thailand became the victim of the largest bombing runs ever performed. Fairey Battles roared over the cities of Mae Sot, Tak, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan. Phibunsongkhram demanded retaliation over what he called a 'cowardly attack on the Thai people by an old, toothless lion'. Retaliate Thailand did. Even though the skies became black with the shadows of British bombers and the droning of their engines, the Thai's unleashed their new arsenal of the sky. ASW BK. 13 Hayabusa II's soared into the air shooting down hundreds of the poorly designed bombers. The Battle of Burma as it was called soon overshadowed the smaller Battle of Britain. Thousands of Thais flocked to the movie theatres, which where even popping up in rural villages. Almost all the movies where about the brave pilots of the 1st and 2nd Bin Tham Lai. Anurak Kruthanawat soon became a legend in Thailand. With forty-three kills, by mid-March, he had gained the admiration of the young and old of the country and the object of affection of young Thai girls who kept pictures of him and Rama VIII in their lockers.
The Young King, Ananda Mahidol
Lieutenant Kruthanawat was a natural show boater and rumours spread he spent as much time in his cockpit as he did on the silver screen. Or as some said, as much time in his cockpit as in bed...
The war soon became even more international. Argentina and Bolivia made it a true World War by joining the Axis. The Greeks had also joined the Axis, making the Mediterranean, practically a Fascist lake.
Siam had gained a great new friend in the Axis. Bulgaria was keen to trade with Thailand. Along with the Italians, Germans and Hungarians who all had sent scientists and military officers to the small Asian nation. The Germans had sent von Falkenhausen himself twice to deliver various schematics on electronic devices and aircraft doctrines.
Field Marshal Alexander von Falkenhausen
von Falkenhausen had never been to Thailand before, he had only been in China and Japan and reported back to Berlin that Bangkok was a heavily industrialized city with breathtaking architecture, comparing it to an Asian Rome. A working city of beauty and at it's core, a strong military government who ruled with an iron-fist.
With the help of such powerful allies the Thai people themselves seemed assured that victory would be theirs and what was their’s would be taken back.
The positions in the European Theatre by early 1941 was a sporadic one. Vichy France had lost control of it's poorly garrisoned African possessions. They had miraculously annexed Syria but all French divisions in the Middle East where destroyed by the Lebanese who where still loyal to the Free French. Meanwhile the Italians fought a see-saw battle between the forces of Il Duce and the combined Anglo-Egyptian forces. Britain though could not send more troops directly to Africa after a few weeks of fighting. The ports of Alexandria and Matruh where occupied by the Italians, who advantage in numbers had diminished by the moderate amount of Egyptian troops.
Italian armour advancing through Matruh
The Eastern European front was like a tidal wave. The Germans had encircled Moscow and the tenacious Finns vowed to fight the Soviet's to the last man, regardless of losing Helsinki. The Soviet forces in Scandinavia where trapped in a massive, well supplied pocket.
Finnish Alpine troops in Murmansk
In Northern East-Asia the situation looked bad for the Soviets. Manchu cavalry rode through Eastern Russia like a massive wave. Encircling and destroying any unlucky Soviets in their wake. The Soviet navy was quickly neutralized by the Manchus who where eager to prove their worth to their Japanese overlords.
Fighting in South East-Asia was a slow, monotonous affair. Neither the Thai's nor the Anglo-Indo forces dared to make any sudden moves. The Thai occupation of parts of Burma had given them an excellent platform for an offensive against the British but the punitive Thai forces, now stretched between the still active Northern Front in China and now vicious jungle fighting in Burma, was overstretched but more divisions where on their way.
Singapore soon became a city under siege every few weeks. Dutch and ANZAC forces made attempts to retake the port city but the Thais defended the city like it was one of their own. The 5th Tahan Division soon was renamed the Singapore Garrison. It was the only Tahan Division not taking part in the fighting in Burma.
In Northern China the Japanese halted almost all troop movement. They made no move to finish off the Chinese. The only thing they seemed to do was retake the occasional province where a communist lead uprising had occurred.
America, still steadfastly neutral, had not lifted a single finger so far in the conflict. Content to sit back and watch the world become swallowed by the flames of the world. It soon became like a sleeping giant, ignoring the rest of the world and creating hundreds of escapist movies to lull it's citizens into a complete lack of interest in the development overseas. The state newspapers rather would talk about the New York Yankees than the occupation of France.
During the fighting many Thai generals had become better and better. General Ananda Mahidol of the 1st Thai Royal Army was the world most talented General under drinking age (although, also being king, he could do whatever he wanted as long it didn't involve politics).
Three lt. Generals where promoted to full-fledged generals swell. General Maghaviphulaya of the 3rd Thai Royal Army, General Chitnasongkhla of the, 5th Thai Royal Army and General Punyaketu of the 6th Thai Royal Army where promoted from lt. Generals and had become expert tacticians. Two quickly rising generals where lt. General Thishampula of the Singapore Garrison and lt. General Wichitwathakarn of the Wudu Garrison.
The Wudu Garrison consisted of the 2nd and 3rd Tahan Mah divisions who have thrown back the Chinese on several occasions. The battles where epic, with the Thais outnumbered two to one by the Chinese, the continued to fight and win.
Over the villages and towns of Burma and Thailand massive dogfights where fought. At first Thailand became the victim of the largest bombing runs ever performed. Fairey Battles roared over the cities of Mae Sot, Tak, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan. Phibunsongkhram demanded retaliation over what he called a 'cowardly attack on the Thai people by an old, toothless lion'. Retaliate Thailand did. Even though the skies became black with the shadows of British bombers and the droning of their engines, the Thai's unleashed their new arsenal of the sky. ASW BK. 13 Hayabusa II's soared into the air shooting down hundreds of the poorly designed bombers. The Battle of Burma as it was called soon overshadowed the smaller Battle of Britain. Thousands of Thais flocked to the movie theatres, which where even popping up in rural villages. Almost all the movies where about the brave pilots of the 1st and 2nd Bin Tham Lai. Anurak Kruthanawat soon became a legend in Thailand. With forty-three kills, by mid-March, he had gained the admiration of the young and old of the country and the object of affection of young Thai girls who kept pictures of him and Rama VIII in their lockers.
The Young King, Ananda Mahidol
Lieutenant Kruthanawat was a natural show boater and rumours spread he spent as much time in his cockpit as he did on the silver screen. Or as some said, as much time in his cockpit as in bed...
The war soon became even more international. Argentina and Bolivia made it a true World War by joining the Axis. The Greeks had also joined the Axis, making the Mediterranean, practically a Fascist lake.
Siam had gained a great new friend in the Axis. Bulgaria was keen to trade with Thailand. Along with the Italians, Germans and Hungarians who all had sent scientists and military officers to the small Asian nation. The Germans had sent von Falkenhausen himself twice to deliver various schematics on electronic devices and aircraft doctrines.
Field Marshal Alexander von Falkenhausen
von Falkenhausen had never been to Thailand before, he had only been in China and Japan and reported back to Berlin that Bangkok was a heavily industrialized city with breathtaking architecture, comparing it to an Asian Rome. A working city of beauty and at it's core, a strong military government who ruled with an iron-fist.
With the help of such powerful allies the Thai people themselves seemed assured that victory would be theirs and what was their’s would be taken back.
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*Looks around*
Nothing like a game that encourages world wide co-operation through ideas of world domination (or at least expansion)
Great story line!!
Originally posted by Exterous
*Looks around*
Nothing like a game that encourages world wide co-operation through ideas of world domination (or at least expansion)
Great story line!!
here's to that Exterous!! (ps. thanks for the praise. I have self-esteem issues! :wacko: ) Now you can finally get your screenshots. Well at least eventually! Hey, I think I should add a certain scar faced German in the AAR just so I can kill him off and see how many people yell at me!!
You would have a mass boycott of your AAR and your PM box would be full of hate mail
I'd have to secretly read your AAR and couldn't post in it for fear of being blacklisted
Well if you put it that way ummm....maybe it's not such a good idea then! Skorenzy may make an appearance but I won't kill him off!
1941: Summary
Chinese Troops defending the front
Renewed Japanese movement into Central China finished off the remnants of the Chinese republic and was annexed in April. This was a great relief to both the Thais and Japanese, as now they could move much needed troops away from China and back to the new fronts, Manchuria and Burma.
The annexation of China was also very good news for Thailand because of industry. The new, expanded Thailand now was as industrialized as Australia.
Finland and Germany had dealt a massive blow to the Soviets who where forced to retreat to Leningrad, which had become a desolate urban wasteland from months upon months of bombing. The Germans, after taking Moscow continued to advance into Russia. Leaving the Stalingrad pocket with thousands of starving Soviet soldiers behind it's walls.
Italy though had been handed a terrible loss. The combined South African, Egyptian and English forces had crushed the Italians. Who where now kicked out of Libya. There was even an invasion attempt by the British in Sicily but it was quickly repulsed into the sea.
After the pro-German coup in Iraq the Middle Eastern nation was quickly swallowed up by the Soviet Union in the same manner it had done Persia. The Soviets may be losing to the Germans but they showed their muscle when it came to dealing with smaller countries.
Manchuria, after it's surprise trouncing of the Soviets had it's fortunes change. Soviet tanks smashed through the Manchurians and had cut off Korea from the rest of China. Many in Thailand wanted desperately to send expeditionary forces to aid the Japanese against the Soviets but they had their hands full with the British and the rest of the Allies. The Thai military was much more adept at fighting in the jungles of South East Asia than the British who made massive attacks on Thai positions only to be thrown back into the jungle by mortars, artillery and sub-machine gun fire. Every time they did these massive European-style offences into the inhospitable Burmese jungle the British lost and where forced to retreat. Sometimes Thai troops would be outnumbered four to one but still fight of the British in battles that where fough weeks on end. Slim, a British mj. General and his chindits fought valiantly at every opportunity they received but the inflexibility of the British High command proved their own downfall. The High Command in London wanted total victory and the only way they could invision total victory was by excessive force and excessive force meant to them, massive amount of troops.
Chindits crossing a river
Bit by bit, counter offence by counter offence the British where pushed back, by the speedy Thais, nearly to the Ganges itself. Thai military planners already believe they would be in Rummindei, the birthplace of the Buddha, by mid-1942. The capture of this town would be a massive boost to all of Asia, showing that Thailand was not fighting for itself, but to protect Buddhists throughout the world, this would hopefully give it legitimacy in the eyes of the Chinese and Burmese people. Singapore became reduced to rubble, the Thai defenders in the city consistently resisted the ANZAC forces who came in increasing numbers to the shores of the port city. The Thai Royal Navy was stationed in the city now and hopefully would provide protection for it.
In late August, the Empire of Japan had done what many political planners had viewed as a completely stupid. Provoking the United States into war. Although too Communist to consider joining the Allies and too Democratic to join the Comintern, The US and it's puppets in the Philippines and Liberia went to war with the Axis. Japan quickly advanced from the North and South of the Philippines from where they had landed and intended to perform a pincer-attack on Manila.
The entry of the United States was not a good sign for the Americans in exile, many where put under house arrest, including Dr. Ellis. American business' and assets where seized by the People's Party and either nationalized or auctioned off to Thai business'. Also during this time there was a small minority of Thai's that had opposed the war with the Allies but bit by bit many dissenters where arrested and 'convinced' that the war was a just cause. Other's simply disappeared. Other people who 'disappeared' where the Thai Christians and Muslims, all of whom met the same mysterious fate. Many just stopped showing up to work and where never heard from again along with their families. Other came back after a few months professing their renewed belief in the Buddha's Middle Path. Churches and mosques where converted to temples and for the most part, nobody noticed or chose not to notice.
Chinese Troops defending the front
Renewed Japanese movement into Central China finished off the remnants of the Chinese republic and was annexed in April. This was a great relief to both the Thais and Japanese, as now they could move much needed troops away from China and back to the new fronts, Manchuria and Burma.
The annexation of China was also very good news for Thailand because of industry. The new, expanded Thailand now was as industrialized as Australia.
Finland and Germany had dealt a massive blow to the Soviets who where forced to retreat to Leningrad, which had become a desolate urban wasteland from months upon months of bombing. The Germans, after taking Moscow continued to advance into Russia. Leaving the Stalingrad pocket with thousands of starving Soviet soldiers behind it's walls.
Italy though had been handed a terrible loss. The combined South African, Egyptian and English forces had crushed the Italians. Who where now kicked out of Libya. There was even an invasion attempt by the British in Sicily but it was quickly repulsed into the sea.
After the pro-German coup in Iraq the Middle Eastern nation was quickly swallowed up by the Soviet Union in the same manner it had done Persia. The Soviets may be losing to the Germans but they showed their muscle when it came to dealing with smaller countries.
Manchuria, after it's surprise trouncing of the Soviets had it's fortunes change. Soviet tanks smashed through the Manchurians and had cut off Korea from the rest of China. Many in Thailand wanted desperately to send expeditionary forces to aid the Japanese against the Soviets but they had their hands full with the British and the rest of the Allies. The Thai military was much more adept at fighting in the jungles of South East Asia than the British who made massive attacks on Thai positions only to be thrown back into the jungle by mortars, artillery and sub-machine gun fire. Every time they did these massive European-style offences into the inhospitable Burmese jungle the British lost and where forced to retreat. Sometimes Thai troops would be outnumbered four to one but still fight of the British in battles that where fough weeks on end. Slim, a British mj. General and his chindits fought valiantly at every opportunity they received but the inflexibility of the British High command proved their own downfall. The High Command in London wanted total victory and the only way they could invision total victory was by excessive force and excessive force meant to them, massive amount of troops.
Chindits crossing a river
Bit by bit, counter offence by counter offence the British where pushed back, by the speedy Thais, nearly to the Ganges itself. Thai military planners already believe they would be in Rummindei, the birthplace of the Buddha, by mid-1942. The capture of this town would be a massive boost to all of Asia, showing that Thailand was not fighting for itself, but to protect Buddhists throughout the world, this would hopefully give it legitimacy in the eyes of the Chinese and Burmese people. Singapore became reduced to rubble, the Thai defenders in the city consistently resisted the ANZAC forces who came in increasing numbers to the shores of the port city. The Thai Royal Navy was stationed in the city now and hopefully would provide protection for it.
In late August, the Empire of Japan had done what many political planners had viewed as a completely stupid. Provoking the United States into war. Although too Communist to consider joining the Allies and too Democratic to join the Comintern, The US and it's puppets in the Philippines and Liberia went to war with the Axis. Japan quickly advanced from the North and South of the Philippines from where they had landed and intended to perform a pincer-attack on Manila.
The entry of the United States was not a good sign for the Americans in exile, many where put under house arrest, including Dr. Ellis. American business' and assets where seized by the People's Party and either nationalized or auctioned off to Thai business'. Also during this time there was a small minority of Thai's that had opposed the war with the Allies but bit by bit many dissenters where arrested and 'convinced' that the war was a just cause. Other's simply disappeared. Other people who 'disappeared' where the Thai Christians and Muslims, all of whom met the same mysterious fate. Many just stopped showing up to work and where never heard from again along with their families. Other came back after a few months professing their renewed belief in the Buddha's Middle Path. Churches and mosques where converted to temples and for the most part, nobody noticed or chose not to notice.
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A nice update
but you really should consider dividing your posts into paragraphs.. in such a way it wont be a hell to read
but you really should consider dividing your posts into paragraphs.. in such a way it wont be a hell to read
Yah, I think I will, there are paragraphs......just....really big ones!Originally posted by String
A nice update
but you really should consider dividing your posts into paragraphs.. in such a way it wont be a hell to read
February 1942: Mandalay
Life in the Royal Engineering Corps was easier then Wiset expected. At first he thought he would be ostracized for gaining 2nd Lieutenant so quickly but his fears where soon put to rest. His brigade in the 8th Tahan division seemed to have almost all been in the same situation as he was, regular soldiers who had promoted several ranks up. What Wiset didn't enjoy though was the constant action the 6th Tahan division had been going through. Wiset wasn't used to all the walking in an infantry division, as he had been cavalry. He was usually the first one to ask to stop for a place to rest. The 12th Tahan was also the most battle-hardened division in the war even though it had not even existed a year ago. Their skills in bridge building, mine laying and machinery where constantly needed. From Prome to Bhamo, the engineers where there to fix everyone else's problems. Thailand had also started manufacturing, the M3A1 'Stuart' as the Americans called it.
The M3A1 Stuart 1 Light Tank
The tank was not legally obtained from the Americans as they where now at war with each other, they had bartered with an American businessmen in-exile who had agreed to hand over the schematics and diagrams for the light tank to the Thais in exchange for his freedom. The Stuart was a big improvement over the handful of Vickers-Armstrong Six ton tanks the Thai army had been using. It had thicker armour and was much faster, with a longer barrelled 40mm gun, which was much more useful for anti-tank purposes compared to the short 37mm gun of the Vickers. Wiset’s first expierence with the Stuart did not go too smoothly, even though he eventually came to appreciate how easilt they could be fixed. While marching to Akyab, Wiset noticed a column of Stuarts heading for where he and his men where marching. Although they where never used in the jungle, The British also used Stuarts. The 2nd Lietenant deduced they where English tanks. He panicked when he realized nobody seem to notice the tanks approaching from the other direction so he took it upon himself to take out the brigade's anti-tank rifle and shoot at the lead Stuart. Wiset would have been court-martialled if he was so badly needed in Akyab and that it had recently been found that the Stuart could take an anti-tank rifle's shot very well. What he didn't know was when he got to Prome he was going to in over his head.
Akyab
A Hayabusa flew over Wiset's head as he reloaded his Japanese built Type 100. Eight divisions with heavy air-support from Thai fighters and the new Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-30 dive-bombers where supposed to capture the city.
A Thai Ki-30 in Rangoon
The lush, green forest did not hide the Swedes well. In 1941 Sweden and Norway had joined the Allies to defend themselves from the threat Germany posed to them. Swedes and Norwegians now made a considerable portion of the Allied forces in Burma.
Wiset ducked behind a tree as he heard his men whisper to each other on the possible location of the Scandinavians. Wiset was not a very good commander but he new how his opponent thought. One private said they where probably in the tree tops somewhere, this made Wiset remember something.
"They're probably in a clearing, near a river somewhere" he whispered to the closest man beside him.
"That's the last place they'd be. There's no cover there", he replied, in an equally hushed tone.
"Exactly, the Swedes are idiots. They don't know anything about fighting in the jungle. They're in a clearing because it's cooler there and there are less bugs flying around. They're probably sweating to death right now. Besides they'll stick out in the jungle, the blonde hair gives them away". Wiset had never seen a man with blonde hair before. He knew the Germans seemed to like people with blonde hair but the idea of yellow hair was very odd to him. He had obviously seen a a few westerners before, but they all had black hair or brown hair, the idea of yellow hair made him wonder if Europeans where even from the same planet as he was.
Several hours later they had found the Swedes, just as Wiset had told them they would be. They where all sweating, pink and babbling incoherently. They where actually speaking Swedish but the Thais did not pay much attention as they where glad the Swedes simply surrendered rather than fight.
--------------------------------------------
Japnese A6M's over Vladivostok
During the early part of 1942 a bizarre situation had occurred in Northern China. Although China had been formally annexed, the people of Northern China had refused to be ruled by the Japanese, but rather, they wanted to be occupied by the Thais. This would not have been serious but a problem soon became apparent. The Three provinces where of strategic importance, all of them bordering Communist Mongolia and Sinkiang who where still at war with the Axis, and had even joined allies in their struggle against the foreign invaders. Since Thai convoys or transports did not have any way of reaching the provinces. Japanese where also not eager to fight through a 'Thai' province and in return, give their winnings to their southern allies who had become increasingly boisterous over their successes against the British.
The only remedy for this situation was to go through Tibet. On April 9th, 1942 Siam declared war on the Kingdom of Tibet. Although the Thai's made promises that they would respect Tibetan culture and certainly religion, many in Thailand where now very sceptical of the declaration of war on one of the most pious Buddhist nations in the world. Although Tibetan Buddhism differed from Theravadan Buddhism many felt a kinship with the mountainous kingdom and riots broke in the streets, but where eventually pacified.
----------------------------------------------
During the previous year Thailand's research into naval transports finally paid off. Dozens of converted cargo vessels where now sitting in Bangkok's harbour. Three weeks later these exact ships, with thousands of troops from the 7th Tahan Division on them poured on to the beaches on Manado. This marked Thailand's entry into the South Pacific Theatre.
For years Japan had been struggling with the Dutch over the huge chain of islands that made up Malaysia and Indonesia. The fighting went back and forthwith the Japanese having the upper hand one minute and then the Dutch having the advantage only days later. Thailand's aggressive naval programs promised that fighting in the region would finally come to an end. Leaving Australia and New Zealand to fend for themselves.
Meanwhile in the Philippines the Japanese had run into a massive roadblock. Tens of thousands of local Filipinos took up arms against the Japanese and made the city of Manila into a fortress.
As the year ended the Thais had made massive gains in Burma but The British where not willing to let their empire die so quickly.
Life in the Royal Engineering Corps was easier then Wiset expected. At first he thought he would be ostracized for gaining 2nd Lieutenant so quickly but his fears where soon put to rest. His brigade in the 8th Tahan division seemed to have almost all been in the same situation as he was, regular soldiers who had promoted several ranks up. What Wiset didn't enjoy though was the constant action the 6th Tahan division had been going through. Wiset wasn't used to all the walking in an infantry division, as he had been cavalry. He was usually the first one to ask to stop for a place to rest. The 12th Tahan was also the most battle-hardened division in the war even though it had not even existed a year ago. Their skills in bridge building, mine laying and machinery where constantly needed. From Prome to Bhamo, the engineers where there to fix everyone else's problems. Thailand had also started manufacturing, the M3A1 'Stuart' as the Americans called it.
The M3A1 Stuart 1 Light Tank
The tank was not legally obtained from the Americans as they where now at war with each other, they had bartered with an American businessmen in-exile who had agreed to hand over the schematics and diagrams for the light tank to the Thais in exchange for his freedom. The Stuart was a big improvement over the handful of Vickers-Armstrong Six ton tanks the Thai army had been using. It had thicker armour and was much faster, with a longer barrelled 40mm gun, which was much more useful for anti-tank purposes compared to the short 37mm gun of the Vickers. Wiset’s first expierence with the Stuart did not go too smoothly, even though he eventually came to appreciate how easilt they could be fixed. While marching to Akyab, Wiset noticed a column of Stuarts heading for where he and his men where marching. Although they where never used in the jungle, The British also used Stuarts. The 2nd Lietenant deduced they where English tanks. He panicked when he realized nobody seem to notice the tanks approaching from the other direction so he took it upon himself to take out the brigade's anti-tank rifle and shoot at the lead Stuart. Wiset would have been court-martialled if he was so badly needed in Akyab and that it had recently been found that the Stuart could take an anti-tank rifle's shot very well. What he didn't know was when he got to Prome he was going to in over his head.
Akyab
A Hayabusa flew over Wiset's head as he reloaded his Japanese built Type 100. Eight divisions with heavy air-support from Thai fighters and the new Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-30 dive-bombers where supposed to capture the city.
A Thai Ki-30 in Rangoon
The lush, green forest did not hide the Swedes well. In 1941 Sweden and Norway had joined the Allies to defend themselves from the threat Germany posed to them. Swedes and Norwegians now made a considerable portion of the Allied forces in Burma.
Wiset ducked behind a tree as he heard his men whisper to each other on the possible location of the Scandinavians. Wiset was not a very good commander but he new how his opponent thought. One private said they where probably in the tree tops somewhere, this made Wiset remember something.
"They're probably in a clearing, near a river somewhere" he whispered to the closest man beside him.
"That's the last place they'd be. There's no cover there", he replied, in an equally hushed tone.
"Exactly, the Swedes are idiots. They don't know anything about fighting in the jungle. They're in a clearing because it's cooler there and there are less bugs flying around. They're probably sweating to death right now. Besides they'll stick out in the jungle, the blonde hair gives them away". Wiset had never seen a man with blonde hair before. He knew the Germans seemed to like people with blonde hair but the idea of yellow hair was very odd to him. He had obviously seen a a few westerners before, but they all had black hair or brown hair, the idea of yellow hair made him wonder if Europeans where even from the same planet as he was.
Several hours later they had found the Swedes, just as Wiset had told them they would be. They where all sweating, pink and babbling incoherently. They where actually speaking Swedish but the Thais did not pay much attention as they where glad the Swedes simply surrendered rather than fight.
--------------------------------------------
Japnese A6M's over Vladivostok
During the early part of 1942 a bizarre situation had occurred in Northern China. Although China had been formally annexed, the people of Northern China had refused to be ruled by the Japanese, but rather, they wanted to be occupied by the Thais. This would not have been serious but a problem soon became apparent. The Three provinces where of strategic importance, all of them bordering Communist Mongolia and Sinkiang who where still at war with the Axis, and had even joined allies in their struggle against the foreign invaders. Since Thai convoys or transports did not have any way of reaching the provinces. Japanese where also not eager to fight through a 'Thai' province and in return, give their winnings to their southern allies who had become increasingly boisterous over their successes against the British.
The only remedy for this situation was to go through Tibet. On April 9th, 1942 Siam declared war on the Kingdom of Tibet. Although the Thai's made promises that they would respect Tibetan culture and certainly religion, many in Thailand where now very sceptical of the declaration of war on one of the most pious Buddhist nations in the world. Although Tibetan Buddhism differed from Theravadan Buddhism many felt a kinship with the mountainous kingdom and riots broke in the streets, but where eventually pacified.
----------------------------------------------
During the previous year Thailand's research into naval transports finally paid off. Dozens of converted cargo vessels where now sitting in Bangkok's harbour. Three weeks later these exact ships, with thousands of troops from the 7th Tahan Division on them poured on to the beaches on Manado. This marked Thailand's entry into the South Pacific Theatre.
For years Japan had been struggling with the Dutch over the huge chain of islands that made up Malaysia and Indonesia. The fighting went back and forthwith the Japanese having the upper hand one minute and then the Dutch having the advantage only days later. Thailand's aggressive naval programs promised that fighting in the region would finally come to an end. Leaving Australia and New Zealand to fend for themselves.
Meanwhile in the Philippines the Japanese had run into a massive roadblock. Tens of thousands of local Filipinos took up arms against the Japanese and made the city of Manila into a fortress.
As the year ended the Thais had made massive gains in Burma but The British where not willing to let their empire die so quickly.
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Just a head's up for anyone reading my AAR. I will no longer be updating this AAR daily. I have a very bizzare and hectic schedule to keep up with so expect updates every few days! Also I'll be getting screenshots up soon hopefully!
Images, screenshots and other stuff coming SOON!!!
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1943: Victory On the Sub-Continent
Lhasa
The freezing Thais marched through the streets of the ancient Tibetan capital. The Tibetans where dazzled by the Thais. Even though five out of the six divisions sent to Tibet where just Tahan Mah cavalry, left over from the Chinese front, the Tibetans where stunned at the sight of the Thais, especially the M3A1 Stuarts they had brought along. The Thais also slowly began to realize why they where so stunned. Only a few years ago Tibet and Thailand where not too dissimilar, both having weak industry and considered backwards by Europeans. Now it became obvious how much Thailand has changed. As the Thais marched through the narrow street, with their sub-machine guns, mortars, artillery, and tanks; Thai fighters roared overhead in formation, making low dives and loops completely in unison.
The Tibetans where awed by even seeing motorized vehicles, most had never seen a car before, let alone an armoured fighting vehicle. When they reached the Potala Temple the troops stopped and the loud speakers roared the Phleng Chat.
Thailand embraces in its bosom all people of Thai blood.
Every inch of Thailand belongs to the Thais.
It has long maintained its sovereignty,
Because the Thais have always been united.
The Thai people are peace-loving,
But they are no cowards at war.
They shall allow no one to rob them of their independence,
Nor shall they suffer tyranny.
All Thais are ready to give up every drop of blood,
For the nation's safety, freedom and progress
The formal declaration of annexation was signed by the Dalai Lama and Prince Rama VIII (who was in command of the Thai forces operating in Tibet). The document promised that Tibet would become a self administrated province under Thai rule. Tibet would be given free reign over social and religious issues while any political power and control of industry and infrastructure would be under the control of Bangkok.
With the annexation of Tibet, the Thai borders extended to parts of Kashmir, Sinkiang and Communist Mongolia, a whole new front had opened up to the north. Poor roads would hamper any advance into such a desolate territory so cavalry once again at the brink of uselessness soon found another role to fulfill.
Meanwhile in the south, using Tibet as a spring board; Thai tanks encircled a free French militia (the last French units to see combat before the annexation of the last remnants of the great power where annexed by Argentina later that year), and two British divisions, who soon capitulated in the face of their now perilous position. The Ganges was crossed thanks to the, enlarged Royal Engineering Corps which by mid 1943 had grown to four divisions. Calcutta was captured several days later to much fanfare in Bangkok. Now that Sikkim and most importantly the birthplace of the Buddha was secured, more troops from Burma whose ports had been secured by Thai garrison divisions, could be sent deeper into India.
Meanwhile, Thailand's closest ally Japan had finally ran out Mao's Communists.
Mao's 8th Route Army makes it's final stand Yunnan
In the South Pacific, The Empire of the Rising Sun had finally crushed the armed civilian hordes in the Philippines
Japanese tanks parade through Manila
while at the same time Japanese and Thai expeditionary forces fought on the beaches and in the jungles of Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Timor and the Celebes against Dutch Colonials and local troops. Many Thais where angered by the fact that Thailand, rather than take territory for itself that was so close to home, would help the Japanese take it, but Japan had promised that after the war exchanges could be made in overseas gains made by the two allies. Two months after the fall of Manila, The Netherlands where split up, Holland would go to Germany and the Pacific (for the moment) would go to the Japanese. Australia and New Zealand now laid bare for the ambitions of the two Pacific powers.
The term ‘after the war’ soon became common to many places in the Axis countries, even though Italy had been kicked out of Africa, Germany seemed unable to make it past the Black Sea and Japan fought desperately to retake Northern China, Manchuria and Korea from the Soviets, the victories of the Thai forces bolstered the spirits of many Axis military strategists. The Thais proved time and time again that they where as an important member of the Axis as Germany, Italy and Japan. While battles raged and bombs where dropped, Thai scientists and engineers where quietly closing the technological gap between themselves and the rest of the Axis. Seeing as how Thailand did not have the manpower to train and raise as many troops as even Romania, the industry and labour usually spent on military expansion, was instead, spent on military research. Although every once in a while gaining a doctrine or military schematic from German submarines who sailed under the waves of the Cape of Good Hope would arrive, Thailand was needing to receive fewer hand-me-downs. Although in the field of electronics Thailand needed aid from other countries; tanks, infantry equipment and artillery soon became the focus of Thai research. Soon from Berlin to Tokyo, many Axis troops where using Thai designed 80mm AA guns and the ‘Rama VIII’ assault rifle became increasingly popular amongst German special forces for it’s reliability, high rate of fire and the ease in which it took to repair the machine gun. Even becoming the weapon of choice with Otto Skorenzy.
The main focus of Thai research was spent on the navy. Thailand was already underway constructing three new light cruiser of the Taksin class. The Maha Chakrkri, the Maha Phichaiathep and the Regent. These vessels, although not having the same fire power as the Sri Ayuthia class armoured cruisers and their 203mm guns, where faster and cheaper to build. The pride of the Thai Royal Navy was still being researched, a super-dreadnought battleship, the Mongkut class . Contemporary of the American Tennessee and English Queen Elizabeth class super-dreadnoughts.
The Mogkut class battleship was to be heavily based on the Queen Elizabeth class battleship
These massive ships where to have eight 380mm guns, fourteen 152mm guns and dozens of 80mmm AA guns. It would have a displacement of 34, 268 tonnes and would be 198.7m x 28.2m x 10.2m. The point of these ships where so that the Thai Royal Navy could patrol the Indian Ocean while Japan could focus on the Pacific. With ships in the ocean, bombers and fighters in the air and tanks on the ground, Thailand had come along way from it’s humble roots as Siam.
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1943: Victory On the Sub-Continent
Lhasa
The freezing Thais marched through the streets of the ancient Tibetan capital. The Tibetans where dazzled by the Thais. Even though five out of the six divisions sent to Tibet where just Tahan Mah cavalry, left over from the Chinese front, the Tibetans where stunned at the sight of the Thais, especially the M3A1 Stuarts they had brought along. The Thais also slowly began to realize why they where so stunned. Only a few years ago Tibet and Thailand where not too dissimilar, both having weak industry and considered backwards by Europeans. Now it became obvious how much Thailand has changed. As the Thais marched through the narrow street, with their sub-machine guns, mortars, artillery, and tanks; Thai fighters roared overhead in formation, making low dives and loops completely in unison.
The Tibetans where awed by even seeing motorized vehicles, most had never seen a car before, let alone an armoured fighting vehicle. When they reached the Potala Temple the troops stopped and the loud speakers roared the Phleng Chat.
Thailand embraces in its bosom all people of Thai blood.
Every inch of Thailand belongs to the Thais.
It has long maintained its sovereignty,
Because the Thais have always been united.
The Thai people are peace-loving,
But they are no cowards at war.
They shall allow no one to rob them of their independence,
Nor shall they suffer tyranny.
All Thais are ready to give up every drop of blood,
For the nation's safety, freedom and progress
The formal declaration of annexation was signed by the Dalai Lama and Prince Rama VIII (who was in command of the Thai forces operating in Tibet). The document promised that Tibet would become a self administrated province under Thai rule. Tibet would be given free reign over social and religious issues while any political power and control of industry and infrastructure would be under the control of Bangkok.
With the annexation of Tibet, the Thai borders extended to parts of Kashmir, Sinkiang and Communist Mongolia, a whole new front had opened up to the north. Poor roads would hamper any advance into such a desolate territory so cavalry once again at the brink of uselessness soon found another role to fulfill.
Meanwhile in the south, using Tibet as a spring board; Thai tanks encircled a free French militia (the last French units to see combat before the annexation of the last remnants of the great power where annexed by Argentina later that year), and two British divisions, who soon capitulated in the face of their now perilous position. The Ganges was crossed thanks to the, enlarged Royal Engineering Corps which by mid 1943 had grown to four divisions. Calcutta was captured several days later to much fanfare in Bangkok. Now that Sikkim and most importantly the birthplace of the Buddha was secured, more troops from Burma whose ports had been secured by Thai garrison divisions, could be sent deeper into India.
Meanwhile, Thailand's closest ally Japan had finally ran out Mao's Communists.
Mao's 8th Route Army makes it's final stand Yunnan
In the South Pacific, The Empire of the Rising Sun had finally crushed the armed civilian hordes in the Philippines
Japanese tanks parade through Manila
while at the same time Japanese and Thai expeditionary forces fought on the beaches and in the jungles of Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Timor and the Celebes against Dutch Colonials and local troops. Many Thais where angered by the fact that Thailand, rather than take territory for itself that was so close to home, would help the Japanese take it, but Japan had promised that after the war exchanges could be made in overseas gains made by the two allies. Two months after the fall of Manila, The Netherlands where split up, Holland would go to Germany and the Pacific (for the moment) would go to the Japanese. Australia and New Zealand now laid bare for the ambitions of the two Pacific powers.
The term ‘after the war’ soon became common to many places in the Axis countries, even though Italy had been kicked out of Africa, Germany seemed unable to make it past the Black Sea and Japan fought desperately to retake Northern China, Manchuria and Korea from the Soviets, the victories of the Thai forces bolstered the spirits of many Axis military strategists. The Thais proved time and time again that they where as an important member of the Axis as Germany, Italy and Japan. While battles raged and bombs where dropped, Thai scientists and engineers where quietly closing the technological gap between themselves and the rest of the Axis. Seeing as how Thailand did not have the manpower to train and raise as many troops as even Romania, the industry and labour usually spent on military expansion, was instead, spent on military research. Although every once in a while gaining a doctrine or military schematic from German submarines who sailed under the waves of the Cape of Good Hope would arrive, Thailand was needing to receive fewer hand-me-downs. Although in the field of electronics Thailand needed aid from other countries; tanks, infantry equipment and artillery soon became the focus of Thai research. Soon from Berlin to Tokyo, many Axis troops where using Thai designed 80mm AA guns and the ‘Rama VIII’ assault rifle became increasingly popular amongst German special forces for it’s reliability, high rate of fire and the ease in which it took to repair the machine gun. Even becoming the weapon of choice with Otto Skorenzy.
The main focus of Thai research was spent on the navy. Thailand was already underway constructing three new light cruiser of the Taksin class. The Maha Chakrkri, the Maha Phichaiathep and the Regent. These vessels, although not having the same fire power as the Sri Ayuthia class armoured cruisers and their 203mm guns, where faster and cheaper to build. The pride of the Thai Royal Navy was still being researched, a super-dreadnought battleship, the Mongkut class . Contemporary of the American Tennessee and English Queen Elizabeth class super-dreadnoughts.
The Mogkut class battleship was to be heavily based on the Queen Elizabeth class battleship
These massive ships where to have eight 380mm guns, fourteen 152mm guns and dozens of 80mmm AA guns. It would have a displacement of 34, 268 tonnes and would be 198.7m x 28.2m x 10.2m. The point of these ships where so that the Thai Royal Navy could patrol the Indian Ocean while Japan could focus on the Pacific. With ships in the ocean, bombers and fighters in the air and tanks on the ground, Thailand had come along way from it’s humble roots as Siam.
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