'The Soul of Spain' - A Spanish Civil War HoI3 AAR

[Eurasia]

The Spanish Civil War AAR :The Soul of Spain.

Chapter Eighty : May 10th to May 31st, 1940

German troops in occupied Holland​

May 10th, after a small party with his staff, Franco quickly sent fresh orders.

First, the subs would be deployed to Gibraltar, along with the 2 TAC group and 2 Interceptor Group. The bomber group was sent back to Madrid and the 1 TAC Group was sent to La Coruna.

The 13.2 Corps was redeployed back to Marbella while the 1.31 would stay in Gibraltar.

The idea was the subs would patrol east, just poking around, scouting things out, while the Battle Group patrolled near Gibraltar itself.

That idea disappeared when the first report of a Spanish transport sinking came in on the 16th of May.

After that Franco demanded that the two Sub Groups be rebased to La Coruna so they could operation closer to the UK.

On that same day New Zealand joined the Allies.

On the 18th, much to Franco’s annoyance another transport was lost. Sad to say, much of his staff and government officials pointed out that escorts would cost too much to make and would be too little too late anyway.

On May 19th Germany offered to let Spain go into debt to be paid after the war. This did little to cheer Franco up.

On the same day, after refueling and taking on supplies, the two Sub Groups started hunting for Allied convoys.

On the 22nd the Navy reported an enemy transport, from one of the British convoys, was sunk. This DID cheer Franco up a tad.

That same day the Navy also reported a small exchange of fire with British naval ships. There was few details but for the fact that the English broke off first.

On the 24th the Navy reported another enemy transport had been sunk.

On the 26th A Spanish transport was lost. But the Navy reported two more enemy cargo ships sunk, one that day on the 26th and one on the 27th.

By the end of the month having lost three transports to the Allied convoy system losing four made Franco feel slightly better. Not dancing with joy but he felt things were not as one sided as he had felt.

“The British don’t have as much control of the sea as they think!” he stated with a smile to his staff.

 

[Yearzero]

Great to see the Spanish Armada finally getting back at the Royal Navy even if by indirect means Would Generalissimo Franco by chance have any Navs or Cas at his disposal?

 

[Eurasia]

Great to see the Spanish Armada finally getting back at the Royal Navy even if by indirect means Would Generalissimo Franco by chance have any Navs or Cas at his disposal?

No. The TAC Groups could go after naval units (if the enemy unit would stand still for them). But nothing like that within his grasp. Any idea of trying to take on the world in naval or air battles is a dream.

He was thinking of Malta but...that's more of a thing that Germany or Italy should do. And if Italy takes the Suez Canal then Malta is just a holiday island.

Vichy France looks nice...but it also acts like a barrier against all that fighting in Africa.

 

[Yearzero]

Then what shall be Spain's next move? Try to support the Italians in Africa and the Middle East? Or prepare for an (Eventual ) Allied Invasion?

Come to think about,i suspect that Franco also wants to have a shot at Bolshevism...

 

[Eurasia]

Then what shall be Spain's next move? Try to support the Italians in Africa and the Middle East? Or prepare for an (Eventual ) Allied Invasion?

Come to think about,i suspect that Franco also wants to have a shot at Bolshevism...

Well, in our time line Franco had some very strong views on Communism but was only willing to enter the war if Hitler promised him north Africa. There were Spanish on the Eastern Front, the Blue Division, made up of extreme anti-Red Spanish volunteers. Franco was happy to let them go fight and get them out of Spain.

We will see what happens based on what Spain can do and what Franco wants.

 

[Eurasia]

The Spanish Civil War AAR :The Soul of Spain.

Chapter Eighty-One : June 1940

Franco leaned over the map and frowned as he listened to the reports. It was a review of that month's activities.

First off there had been three sea battles outside the Straits. The Battle Group had lost two of them (one had been fought by the 2 Sub Group) but Spain had not lost any war ships.

The enemy had also sunk 15 Spanish transports while the Spanish subs had only sunk 8. There was a chance that these low numbers were because of mishandled management of one of the Sub Groups.*

There had also been some changes in the chain of command. The Infantry Corps of Commander Yague Blanco was now attached to the 1.3 Army while the African Command was now under the 1.2 Army. It made things simpler and also helped the African troops by adding them to a proper command structure.

Also, there was Operation Bread Crumbs. On the 10th the 13.2 Corps, made up of three Divisions, boarded transports and launched out of port under the cover of night. By the 17th the Spanish troops were swarming onto the shores of Malta.

Amazingly the British was slow to react to the attack. They launched a naval attack against the Spanish Naval Group by the 18th. And lost.

By the 20th it looked like the Spanish were about to take Malta. That was, until the British launched another naval attack. With carriers. The Spanish lost the engagement and had to withdraw.

The end result? The Spanish lost 273 men, no ships lost. The British? 364 men lost, no ships lost.

Franco started to chuckle to the surprise of his staff. "The logistics are getting to them."

The staff looked at Franco and then the map. Was he seeing something they could not?

"Sir?" asked a junior Naval Officer.

Franco pointed to the Atlantic. “The British and French have large fleets and are controlling the open waters. No doubt of that. But they are fighting the German ships and the Italian ships, when they leave the Mediterranean. They have their hands full. But they will likely win any large sea engagements in the Atlantic.”

Franco then pointed at Malta. “There. No ground fighters. Their first attack failed and the second, while forcing us to retreat, did not sink a ship EVEN WITH CARRIER SUPPORT.”

He then pointed at the Suez Canal. “They can still get supplies and forces in. But only after traveling all the way from Great Britain. Which means attacks from the German subs, Italian subs, and our own subs.”

“The cracks are starting to show,” he added while pointing at Malta. “That is just a sign of a great sickness. They don’t have the supplies or forces they need to hold the Mediterranean.”

Franco stood up straight, smiled, and remarked, “There are two types of people in the world. Those who know their history. And those who UNDERSTAND their history. July we will re-launch Operations Bread Crumbs. But with a greater Naval Force! Come, we must plan it!”

North Africa: July 1st, 1940

Norway: July 1st, 1940

​

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* OOC : Somehow they were not told to go on convoy raiding. My fault.

 

[Eurasia]

The Spanish Civil War AAR :The Soul of Spain.

Chapter Eighty-Two : July 1940

Franco was in the war room again, bent over the maps, his face grim. Things had not gone as he had hoped. It was if the Allies had known he was going to try again.

He had reformed the two Naval Groups. He had transferred all the warships from the two groups into 1 Naval Group, making sure it had just enough transports to carry the 13.2 Corps. He had also waited until the ships were in good condition before having them launch. One addition had been the Light Cruiser the ARE Espana. Maybe not the pride of the Navy but still a powerful ship.

The attack started on the 20th. And went downhill from there. The British were waiting with a much larger fleet AND air support. The Spanish troops, while winning at first, were once again forced to withdraw back to the transports and flee out to sea.

The 13.2 lost 67 men this time. The British lost around 88. And the Navy lost the ARE Espana.

Now the remaining warships, all of them, had been put into two Battle Groups, stationed in Gibraltar while the transport ships were now in two Naval Groups. Franco had decided they would only have escorts when leaving ports. The war ships would be used to keep the Allies away from the Straits.

Even the fact that the Spanish subs had sunk 26 Allied transport, while Spain had only lost 7, was not enough to cheer him up. The thing was, the loss of the Light Cruiser was NOT what was depressing him. Something much worse had happened.

On the 13th, before the invasion fleet even left port, reports started to pour in that the USSR had started to mobilize.

 

[Markinthepast]

Silent Hunter

 

[Eurasia]

Silent Hunter

Yeah, I have SH4 and SH3. Did a Let's Play for SH4, but nothing went right in it, so now doing a SH3 Let's Play. Horrible at it too, but not giving up. Funny, when not recording games I do very well. When trying to talk, play, and not look like an idiot, I do badly.

 

[Eurasia]

The Spanish Civil War AAR :The Soul of Spain.

Chapter Eighty-Three : August 1940

British Convoy Escort​

Much of August was spent repairing damaged warships and transports while trying to keep all branches of the military supplied with what they needed. This was becoming harder as there were not only shortages but also it was almost impossible to get fuel, food, and ammo to the African Command.

Franco demanded, and got, a convoy set up to go between Gibraltar and Tanger. He hoped it could supply the African Command with enough supplies and fuel to keep them fit for battle.*

It was in place by the 2nd and by the 4th enough supplies and fuel was pouring into Africa to stop the African Command from complaining.

Funny enough the Spanish government even started to build three escorts, without any more prompting from Franco or the military, but once again this was very likely too little too late.

On the 8th another wing of FIAT "Chirri" was assigned to the 1 SAC Group.

The sea conflict was continuing with mixed results. While the subs had sunk 12 enemy transports (and one escort) the subs were taking damaged from aerial attacks.

The 1 Interceptor Group WAS trying its best, getting into a few scraps with the RAF, in trying to protect the subs. Spain had only lost 2 transports but this was still a big loss because Spain had so few to start with.

The maps, and reports, in the war room showed that the Germans had a massive amount of divisions in Norway waiting to be removed. They would wait a long time as there seemed to be few German transport available (at the time) to remove them.

And in Africa few things had changed. In fact it looked like the British forces were becoming stronger. This was NOT as surprising as it would seem taking into account that the UK, France, and South Africa had taken over much of South and East Africa. They had control over the Suez Canal as well as many African ports well outside of the range of Axis aircraft and surface ships. This meant a small but steady stream of supplies, fuel, and reinforcements, as well as new units, were likely reaching the Middle East.

And it was not like the Allies had any thing else to do.

It also seemed that Vichy France was having problems in Africa.
------------------------------------
*OOC I made a supply convoy - they really need smarter government AIs in the future.

 

[sebas379]

Wait, all I see is the loss of the Republica light cruiser (who allowed a ship of that name in Franco's navy btw) but you mentioned a battleship? Isn't it just a light cruiser that asked to be sunk because of its name?

Hmm energy seems to be a big problem. Someone had better find some coal somewhere or the Spanish industry will suffer.

 

[Eurasia]

Wait, all I see is the loss of the Republica light cruiser (who allowed a ship of that name in Franco's navy btw) but you mentioned a battleship? Isn't it just a light cruiser that asked to be sunk because of its name?

Hmm energy seems to be a big problem. Someone had better find some coal somewhere or the Spanish industry will suffer.

Oops, your right.

Addition: that ship use to be Republican. Like the Africa Command the Navy is a mixture of Nationalist and Republican veterans. Only the Air Force is purely Nationalist.

 

[Eurasia]

The Spanish Civil War AAR :The Soul of Spain.

Chapter Eighty-Four : September 1940

British Universal Carrier in North Africa​

On the first day of September the two Battle Groups were sent convoy raiding west of the Straits. Also both TAC Group were sent out to hunt down and attack any surface ships they could find. Funny enough, they would end up getting into a lot of dog fights.

On the 8th the 123.2 Division had returned, now a Mountain Division, and was attached to the 12.3 Corps on the border with Portugal.

On 12th the air forces started to intercept Allied air units, mostly CAG, who seemed to moving air wings through Spanish air space. There was a debate about releasing the other "Chirri" from the SAC Group to join their fellow pilots in protecting Spanish air space but it was vetoed by Franco.

On the 14th the 123.4 Division was pulled from the border from Portugal to be upgraded for mountain combat.

But for the dog fighting happening just off shore the rest of the month was pretty slow for the people of Spain.

Out in the Atlantic things were warming up for the Allies, as Spanish sub commanders (and the Battle Groups) were able to sink 41 transports and 8 escorts. Spain only lost 17 - but those 17 transports sinking to the bottom of the ocean really hurt the industrial.

If seemed that the Germans had decided to continue their fight with Norway. Was this due to their need for more resources? Or the fact that those troops were kind of trapped there? Or maybe the Germans were just trying to make their borders look pretty? Who knew.

Bored Germans in Norway​

Africa looked the same.

The German-Russian border was looking very crowded.

VERY crowded.

Franco had always been impressed by the German military might. But it was starting to look like it might not be enough against the might of the Reds. Franco wondered how the Allies would react to an invasion of Europe by the Soviet Union?​

 

[Eurasia]

The Spanish Civil War AAR :The Soul of Spain.

Chapter Eighty-Five : October 1940

Japanese officers examining the Maginot Line - 1940​

The month started out with the announcement from the BBC, which almost everybody in Europe listened to, that Canada had joined the Allies.

​

As the numbers of sunk Allied transports increased Franco ordered, on the 12th, for the TAC Groups to join in.

On the 17th there were rumors of a Allied paratroop drop in Belgium but this was felt to be just that - a rumor. The Allies were not stupid enough to drop only a unit or two into Fortress Europe. Where would they get their supplies and ammo?

On the 20th a line of Coastal Forts were finished in the province of La Coruna. The local military were happy to have it and the local populace were also excited. It gave tourists another reason to come see the, already, somewhat famous city. After all, it had been the home of the La Coruna Head Quarters and some of the most bitter fighting during the Civil War.

The Air Force continued to have dog fights with the RAF. But the encounters were fewer and fewer and the number of enemy craft involved seemed to decrease over the weeks.

The most important piece of news was delivered to Franco on the 28th by his friends in the German government. The Japanese had joined the Axis and had already received French Indochina as a gift for doing so. Much to the annoyance of the government of Vichy France.

By the end of the month the Navy and Air Force were able to report that a total of 51 enemy transports had been sunk along with 10 of their escorts. But 18 Spanish transports had also been destroyed and Franco was getting very worried about Spain’s trade with other nations.

More and more he turned his focus towards Portugal ponder its energy and metal resources. If only Spain could go to war with it before it joined a side...

Norway: November 1940

North Africa: November 1940

Japanese Invasion of China: November 1940

 

[sebas379]

Japan took its sweet time getting into the Axis. It looks like Germany is slowly turning its attention east.

 

[Eurasia]

Japan took its sweet time getting into the Axis. It looks like Germany is slowly turning its attention east.

Oh yes. Funny enough the USA NOW thinks of Germany as the biggest threat (no doubt because Japan was really doing nothing). That MAY help Japan as it is still not in the wider war with the Allies. If it can take China before it enters the world war that could really give it a nice boost. And yes, while Germany seems less aggressive than I would be it seems to be taking the Soviet threat VERY seriously.

 

[Eurasia]

The Spanish Civil War AAR :The Soul of Spain.

Chapter Eighty-Six : November 1940

Tankers of Siam​

November started out as any other month in Spain. The aircraft buzzed overhead, heading out to sea, hunting transports and Allied aircraft. The old men and women complained about how better the good old days were and the young men and woman ignored them as they flirted. The farmers and sheep herders and business owners wondered if they would make enough money to keep their family fed and Spanish children played games and didn't notice anything was wrong at all.

On the 5th the news was released by Berlin that Yugoslavia (once allies of France) had joined the Axis. It was said that the Italian government was less than pleased with their new partner. And the nation of Romania was even less pleased.

On the 7th Siam announced that it was joining Japan in its war with the Chinese. Franco found this interesting for two reasons. One, from his understanding those two nations were not really the best of friends. It was likely Siam was trying to take back what it had once belonged to it before the Europeans (the French) had come. Two, if they could open up a second front the Chinese would be forced to split their forces into two directions. And it would take some time to redeploy which meant Siam could end up taking a lot of Chinese territory before it could be stopped. Depending on, of course, how aggression it was on the battlefield.

On the 14th the forts for the coastal province of Tarragona was finished. There was much rejoicing.

The air war with the Allies had slowed down a tad but it was noticed that the Allies were focusing some attention to the Spanish fleets when they were in port. They did some damage but not enough to keep the Battles Groups from raiding convoys. Once again it was discussed among the Air Force officers if the SAC Group should give up its fighters to make a new Interceptor Group to protect the ports.

The end of the month numbers were both encouraging and not so encouraging. The Allies had lost 53 transports and 5 escorts. The Spanish had lost 13, low but still painful. A close examination of this reports showed a lot of the Spanish transports were being sunk within the Mediterranean and sparked a debate among the officers of the Navy. Maybe the two Battle Group should be directed to patrol the waters east of Spain? The debate would rage for a few months but Franco had decided it was likely easier for the Battle Groups to find and sink slow enemy transports then find and sink swift enemy raiders.

 

[Eurasia]

The Spanish Civil War AAR :The Soul of Spain.

Chapter Eighty-Seven : December 1940

Captured And Bitter Norwegian Soldiers​

On the 1st the German army finally occupied all of Norway, forcing the nation to surrender, though the government (now in exile) promised to keep fighting.

It was also decided that the fighters from the SAC Group would be split off to make the 3 Interceptor Group which would help the other groups in keeping the skies of Spain clear of enemy aircraft.

This would increase the chances of Allied aircraft bumping into air patrols and made it all the more dangerous to invade Spanish air space.

On the 3rd the United Kingdom signed a Non-Aggression Pact with Norway. No doubt a very feel good moment for all involved.

On the 14th a new wing of fighters was assigned to the 1 Interceptor Group in La Coruna.

More importantly on the 14th Italy declared war on the Greece (much to the surprise of everybody including the Germans). It seemed that Greece joined the Allies during or slightly after the announcement (nobody among Franco’s staff could find the exact date in which this event happened). The rumors were that Hitler was NOT amused.

It forced the German military to scramble to get divisions down to Greece’s border. Italy was also joined by Bulgaria and Yugoslavia who declared war against the Allies on the 17th. It was doubtful Greece would be getting much help from her Allies. At least not enough help to defeat the swarm of enemies hitting her borders.

On the 31st the Province of Valencia a series of coastal forts were finished. And there was much rejoicing.

The news at the end of the month from the Navy did a lot to cheer Franco up. While the Allies were starting to get better at protecting their convoys, sometimes making an attack impossible, they still lost 37 transports and 2 escorts to Spain only losing 1transport.

On the 1st of January the maps were updated, allowing Franco to get a good picture of the world at war. It seemed that the British was finally pushing the Italians back having taken Tobruk.

Greece: January 1st, 1941

North Africa: January 1st, 1941 (The UK takes Tobruk)

China: January 1st, 1941 (Western Front)

China: January 1st, 1941 (Eastern Front)

 

[sebas379]

The situation in the Balkans is definetly heating up now, with Greece and Yugoslavia. Japan is still heavily engaged, amazing.
The airforce is so far able to keep the British CAG away, but will they be able to stand up to proper land based RAF fighters if it comes to that?

 

[Eurasia]

The situation in the Balkans is definetly heating up now, with Greece and Yugoslavia. Japan is still heavily engaged, amazing.
The airforce is so far able to keep the British CAG away, but will they be able to stand up to proper land based RAF fighters if it comes to that?

I think the major points of the upcoming conflict will be the war between Germany and the Soviet Union AND what Japan ends up doing. If Greece is 'liberated' before the German-Soviet war that could help the Axis a lot. OF course, Turkey may feel threatened....

Yes, I think the only reason I have kept the RAF away is that they are not TRYING to attack my ports. I think they are transferring wings between England and the the Middle East. So they keep getting attacked while passing thru my air space. Only a few attacks are directed at the ports by the UK. I am pretty sure they have bigger fish to fry.