With Estonia, the Reds have cores on a part of you that is decidedly exposed. To face them and the Germans at the same time is madness! I like it...
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1938-1939
On march 22nd, after a well orchestrated internal overthrow of the Austrian goverment by the Austrian National Socialist party, the German troops marched into Vienna. No opposition was met and just a few days after, on a "public and free vote" the population voted for the union of two countries with a stunning 99.73% support rate.
Jubilant german troops dismantling a border post on the Austrian border.
After a long period of rethoric and pressure, Hitler had finally made its move. Prime minister Hambro, supported by King Christian X, pushed for immediate action, pointing out that according to the Versailles treaty the two countries could not be united and asked that United Kingdom and France took action. Unwilling to take their countries to war and agreeing that the union of those two countries was the will of their people, the goverments of both countries refused to take any action, other than sending a diplomatic note to Berlin.
Scandinavian Union, not being a signatory to the Versailles treaty, was bound by international law.
Still, much needed upgrades in equipment and new training methods began arriving in SCUA units by april 1938. A new field manual was issued, emphasising the use of superior firepower while maintaining a distant contact with the enemy. An emphasis was placed on artillery and the new army plan required additional artillery to be added to all front line divisions.
In asia, Japan set up a puppet goverment of Inner Mongolia. Her advances into China had been stopped however, after they had occupied most of northeastern china. Several attempts to force the Yellow river were repulsed by the Nationalist chinese forces.
In europe, Hitler didn't seem to be content with Austria. After Anschluss, speeches concerning the fate of german population in Czechoslovakian sudetenland were becoming more and more frequent. Tensions rose and for the first time since the great war, both Britain and France spoke openly of the possibility of war. Indeed, war seemed imminent and Germany, France, Britain and Czechoslovakkia mobilized their forces.
A final conference, dedicated to finding peaceful means was held in Munich in september 1938. After days of incessant discussions and talks a final agreement was reached. Despite the objections of C.J. Hambro, an agreement that dictated that Czechoslovakkia was to scede sudetenland to Germany was forced through by Neville Chamberlain and Eduard Daladier.
Neville Chamberlain waving the treaty in London
Upon his return to London PM Chamberlain held a speech, waving a small piece of paper that fluttered weakly in the strong wind and declared that through this paper he had achieved "Peace in our time". Two days later, on September 30th, german troops marched into Sudetenland, occupying the Czechoslovakkian border fortifications and leaving the last remaining democratic state in eastern europe to the mercy of the german war machine.
Military expenditure was increased and construction speeded up on the border fortifications in southern Jylland and Jutland. In late october 1938 the first radar stations were built there. A plan of six fighter squadrons, totalling almost 600 modern fighters, was set. All squadrons were scheduled to be operational by mid 1939.
The first SCU radar station south of Copenhagen
On february 14th, 1939, two battleships Lembitu and Lemminkäinen were finally commissioned. Together with the new destroyers and their sisters launched over a year earlier, they would form the backbone of the new scandinavian fleet. Realisation that airplanes could pose a threat to these new ships meant that investment into the SCUAF increased steadily.
The border defences against germany also were near completion. Massive tunnel, bunker and obstacle systems riddled southern Jutland, whilst huge coastal gun emplacements were steadily increasing in Jylland and other danish islands.
Artists impression of the Prior line.
A 254mm coastal gun firing during practice in late february 1939
In march 1939 Hitler moved again, now trying to gobble up the rest of Czechoslovakkia. He didn't consider the Czechoslovakkian will to fight however and thus, when the german troops tried to move into the country on march 15th they encountered stiff resistance. War was declared on the same day and for the first time again since 1922, there was an armed conflict in europe.
Situation in southern scandinavia on march 15th 1939
Mobilization was immediately ordered. The German border was protected by mere four divisions. Over 30 divisions were formed from the mobilized men and more were being trained to be operational in the coming months. Of those 30 divisions 23 were placed on the german border, the rest were used to fortify the very long and exposed SCU coastline.
The expected war failed to materialize however. The german troops swept the Czechoslovakkian defenders from their now exposed positions and declared the country annexed on April 6th. The only action the British and French managed was the inclusion of Poland, a most likely target for the next Nazi agression, into the alliance. While severly dissapointed and alarmed by the actions of Hitler the French and British goverments did little to save the czechs and slovaks. The price of "peace in our time" was steep and paid in blood.
The defence budget was further increased with conflict in the air and Nazi rethoric versus Poland increasing. In late april Saab industries put a new fighter aircraft J21B into production
New J21B
The new fighter was a lot faster although a bit less maneuverable than the old J20A. Armed with two 12.7mm and two 7.62mm machineguns it also boasted an increased firepower. With a top speed over 35km/h greater than the German Bf109C the new fighter was more than a match for the ever increasing Luftwaffe.
The SCUAF naval and bomber commands were also increased. Two additional naval bomber squadrons were ordered to be formed. Armed with the venerable T1 bomber based on Heinkel HD16 torpedo bomber the naval squadrons were somewhat vunerable but still a strong striking force.
T1 torpedo bomber, the mainstay of SCUAF naval command
It was realised that the old bombers needed escort to protect them from the fast modern fighters. Thus, in cooperation with the British Westland aviation company, the J22E was produced.The airplane was based on the rejected (due to engine trouble) Westland Whirlwind design. Powered by the now perfected Rolls Royce engines and armed with four 20mm cannons she was the fastest and most heavily armed fighter in Europe. The design did lack maneuvering qualities however so skillful piloting was required to make her successful in combat with more nimble fighters.
The new J22A, here in RAF colors
On August 24th the world was shocked to hear of a non-agression pact signed between Germany and Soviet Union. To SCU it meant that two of its main enemies had signed an informal alliance and the goverment realised that war was imminent. Soon the diplomatic circles were buzzing with leaked news of "secret clauses" in the treaty, dividing eastern europe into zones of influence. Territories of estonia and finland were under Soviet influence according to informators in Berlin and Moscow.
Quietly the fleet left the port for "maneuvers" and took up position north of Gotland. All ground forces were put to high alert and the fighter squardons started flying heavy combat air patrols over strategically important installations in southern scandinavia. Bridges and viaducts were prepared for demolition in southern Jutland.
The predictions proved true. On the morning of september the 1st, 1939, the German troops invaded Poland. Using a small border incident as an excuse, Hitler argued that Poland had invaded Germany and as such no war declaration was necessary. SCU, UK and France issued an ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of German forces from Poland. The Ultimatum expired by 3PM. Europe was now at war!
This looks to be very interesting, looking forward to seeing the Scandinavian forces in action. Good luck.
Disposition of forces and strategic objectives.
The armed forces
The current scandinavian army numbers as follows:
68 Infantry divisions
1 HQ
1 Militia division
1 Mountain division
50 Artillery brigades
4 Anti aircraft brigades.
Of those, 18 divisions are bordering Germany along with the HQ under the command of Field Marshal Mannerheim.
10 divisions guard the danish islands from german invasion under General Martin-Wetzer.
5 divisions are on the soviet border in estonia under Lt. General Malmberg
11 divisions are on the soviet border in finland under Lt. General Siilasvuo.
The rest, 26 infantry, 1 mountain and 1 militia division are used for garrisoning the extensive coastline.
Strategic objectives
The initial objectives are to secure Scandinavian borders against German agression. For this, the neutralization of the Kriegsmarine and the German capacity for amphibious invasions is necessary.
To achieve this a combined effort from the army, navy and airforce will be required. The Army will advance from Jutland and occupy the Kiel canal, thereby dividing the Kriegsmarine in two and trapping whatever ships there were in Baltic. After that, the Navy, with the support of aircover and naval attack squadrons from the Air force will destroy all Kriegsmarine warships and major transport ships in the baltic sea.
When this is achieved the transfer of the Navy to the north sea can commence and the garrisons of various beaches on the baltic coastline can be relieved to help in the offensive against the german heartland.
The longterm objectives will be the destruction of German warmaking potential and the removal of the National Socialist party from power in Germany. With the help of French and Polish armies and the British expeditionary forces a threepronged offensive can be launched, most likely in the spring of 1940.
The Scandinavian army will occupy northern germany, the polish eastern and the combined British and French forces western germany. The possible continuation of the german state will then be considered.
I would think that the ribbtrop-molotov pact would scare the pants of the nordic union but they seem intent to stop germany. lets just hope that our favorite georgian don't get any ideas while mannerheim is in denmark.
Cool AAR, isn't your navy vulnerable to Axis airforce when in port? Aren't Narvik etc the only ports you have outside of range of axis air? In that case I hope the Italian nav's don't come around and visit you... For the rest your position looks quite good, at least vs the Germans even though you're really, really close to German airbases with the majority of your valuable provinces.
That probably doesn't really matter that much as long as you don't move single divisions around as the German AI will probably only do ground-attack missions.
The German Navy itself is in a precarious spot. They're either locked in or locked out of the Baltic. Even with the usual dormant UK AI when it comes to the German Navy I can't see the Hochseeflotte living longer than a few months into the war. Perhaps it's an idea to park your fleet off Kiel/Wilhelmshaven to destroy whatever subs etc the Germans have while under your fighter's aircover.
Btw it wouldn't suprise me if the German AI lands a paradivision in the province to the North of the previous capital of Norway.
That probably doesn't really matter that much as long as you don't move single divisions around as the German AI will probably only do ground-attack missions.
The German Navy itself is in a precarious spot. They're either locked in or locked out of the Baltic. Even with the usual dormant UK AI when it comes to the German Navy I can't see the Hochseeflotte living longer than a few months into the war. Perhaps it's an idea to park your fleet off Kiel/Wilhelmshaven to destroy whatever subs etc the Germans have while under your fighter's aircover.
Btw it wouldn't suprise me if the German AI lands a paradivision in the province to the North of the previous capital of Norway.
Nice land fortifications. Very Maginot-esque. However, you must remember how well the Maginot line did for France (if you don't remember, the answer is 'not good'). The Germans will break through, somehow.
I don't think so. The AI doesn't easily attack fortifications. Especially not lvl10 ones; even a few infantry won't be attacked by giant stacks (at least that's my french turtle experience).
The German Navy will probably be extinct pretty fast too, so amphibs are not a threat either. That ofcourse as long as you keep an eye open to any German naval revival. As soon as he sees a german port with ships in them he could portstrike them to death inmediately.
I wonder if you could possibly send this scenario (and the necessary files) to glenroosaar@hotmail.com ? I'd really enjoy playing this one.
I'll be watching this AAR. It will be interestin to see Germany's and SU's reaction to the birth of a new superpower :rofl:
I'll be watching this AAR. It will be interestin to see Germany's and SU's reaction to the birth of a new superpower :rofl:
tinasõdur said:I wonder if you could possibly send this scenario (and the necessary files) to glenroosaar@hotmail.com ? I'd really enjoy playing this one.
I'll be watching this AAR. It will be interestin to see Germany's and SU's reaction to the birth of a new superpower :rofl:
If you are handing them out could you also mail to bs0u0140@fsmail.co.uk
The_Carbonater said:
Hosting it would be very kind of you.
That would also mean, that you wouldn't have to spend precious playing-time on sending numerous e-mails.
If you think just a nordic union is most important you got:
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244106
(But then it's Sweden which unified the nations).
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244106
(But then it's Sweden which unified the nations).