The Transvaal Accord - A CSA-SAF-ITA-GER Axis

[Redcoat893]

Hello, this is my first AAR but I've been toying with the idea for a while, due to .ini tweaks and custom made events I have made a very, um, unique scenario where there is a Axis-Aligned South Africa, The Confederate States are also a member of the Axis and the United Kingdom is ruled by the British Union of Fascists. To balance this I have made the U.S and the Sioux more aligned to the Allies.
A bit of background for this scenario:
Dissatisfaction with British influence in the Union's affairs reached a climax in September 1914, when impoverished Boers, anti-British Boers and bitter-enders launched a rebellion. The rebellion was quashed and at least one officer was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad. This is how the rebellion went down in our world. However in this world, the Boers were able to hold onto rebellion for several years, with the British Crown occupied with the Great War, the British crown found that the resources needed to keep South Africa were not worth the price needed to divert troops from the front and the colonies. This led to the "The Transvaal Accord" where the crown recognized the Union as a self-governing republic, as opposed to a Self-governing dominion of the British Empire, with several territorial concessions given by the British government. This also led to the agreement that if South Africa still committed it's troops against the Germans, upon victory they would be awarded German South West Africa as a reward. In 1920 when the first election happened the Afrikaner-dominated newly founded South African Gentile National Socialist Movement came to power in a coalition government with the National Party. Afrikaans, previously regarded as a low-level Dutch patois, replaced Dutch as an official language of the Union. English and Dutch became the official languages in 1922.

South Africa, as per the Transvaal Accord

In America, inspired by the rebellion against British rule in South Africa, and the start of the great depression in 1929 a coalition of State Governors and Army Officers declared their independence from the United States, declaring the Confederate States of America, using the old confederate battle flag as their national flag. After 3 Years of conflict and 2 other rebellions (The California Rebellion and the Sioux Independence War) the United States found itself unable to find funds or equipment to fight on 3 different fronts. The Rebellions found no difficulty in this department, with the Canadian Government providing funding and equipment to the Sioux, the newly appointed Fascist British government (Appointed in 1931 following anti-government sentiment for lax restrictions on Germany and the current ruling party's acceptance of South African Independence) and South African government providing support to the CSA and California.

The United States

Now onto the major events that happened during gameplay until March 1937

In the Second Italo-Ethiopian War Italian troops supported by the 1st "Springbok" SA Infantry and the 2nd "Trannsvaal" SA Infantry made quick advances into Ethiopia. The British government also declared war on Ethiopia, to consolidate and expand their territory.

Ethiopia, 1937

During the Spanish Civil War the Nationalists, supported by Nazi Germany, Italy, the Confederate States (Having joined the Axis Powers in January '37) and South Africa made quick advances and victories. Several Factions sent forces and volunteers to Spain, including the South African Volunteer Legion. With the war reaching it's end, and the Republicans having less and less support France declared war and the Republic and took several territories at the end of the war.

Map of Europe

The Political Situation of the more unique factions

I Hope this post has peaked your interest, I will try to update this as often as possible (If I remember to take screenshots!)

 

[Nikolai]

Very interesting!

 

[Nuada Airgetlám]

It's a bit of an odd world but interesting!

 

[Idhrendur]

That's a curious setup, but it's got a solid backstory.

 

[Redcoat893]

Chapter 1
16th March 1937 - 1st April 1937

During this time South Africa enjoyed a time of peace, with the volunteers sent to Spain and Ethiopia returning back to South Africa, and the country demobilizing and employing less severe laws. It also led to time to build up and reconsolidate the army and police force. It also led to many trade argreements put foreward by J.F Van Rensburg and D.F Malan (Later Pierre van Ryneveld) exchanging surplus coal for oil.

J.F Van Rensburg, Prime Minister of South Africa

D.F Malan

Following what we can only interpret as a severe falling out between the foreign minister (D.F Malan) and the Prime Minister (J.F Van Rensburg) the foreign minister was replaced by a army officer by the name of Pierre van Ryneveld, Ryneveld immediately went about cementing the alliance and increasing resources by buying stores of oil from the Confederate States.

During this period South Africa also attempted to build up their air force, beginning construction of Airbases in Durban and Walvis Bay. And beginning to recruit forces for garrison duty on those airbases and the areas surrounding them. At this point the air force was horribly ill-equipped with ancient WW1 era warplanes, and thus plans were made to research better and faster airplanes.

The Planned Base in Durban



The armament minister (J.G. Strijdom) arranged for a production license to build a division of light tanks from Nazi Germany. The tanks would be based on the Panzer 2 chassis, with a modified British tank turret on top. These tanks would be christened the "Ridder", or "Knight" in British.

Ridder Turrets Under Construction

Meanwhile the returning South African Legion of Volunteers sent a radio message back to the South African Naval Command in Cape Town, informing them of increased Portuguese activity off the Eastern African coast, with several regiments of infantry being landed in the area. This led to a change of plans in Army command, with a division being sent to the Portuguese border and plans for the S.A.L.V to march north as soon as they arrived to re-enforce the garrison in Nelspruit.

The Convoy spots increased Portugese Activity along the coast.

The 2nd Infantry Division moves to the border.

South African Troop Deployments

Increased troop movements near the border in turn led to Portugal withdrawing a trade agreement with South Africa, to make up for this South Africa forged a trade agreement with California, increasing SA's oil reserves. In a worrying trend the Netherlands also withdrew their similar trade agreement.

This month long period brought even more worrying news, that Italian troops were beginning to surround one of the British territories awarded after the Ethiopian war. Correspondence between the British prime minister Oswald Mosley and the King show us that the British government was considering moving large amounts of troops to the area to discourage and further Italian troops being moved into the area.

Italian Troops begin to surround the colony



C&C Welcome, and thanks for the support!

 

[Vukodav]

As others have said, interesting setup. Although, I don't see what will pose a challenge. In regular games fascists very much roll over Europe and then duke it off with Soviets with USA dominating in late war.

Here, UK is fascist so German AI probably won't waste too many troops for holding Atlantic ports and thus have greater force available for the East. Fascist UK also means easy time for Italy who can then help out Germany. So everyone in Europe will gang up against the Soviets.

And I doubt that the USA will be that much of a threat in late war as it is divided and an attempt to unify itself will have them face off against Canada, Sioux and CSA. And I guess you didn't edit Japan so there is that cookie in the fascist jar as well.

But hey, if the story turns out good, who am I to argue

Oh, and a friendly tip - use counters. Sprites you can barely see like this. Or use zoom out when showing territory and zoom in almost all the way down so that camera tilts and we can actually see the soldiers standing. But I would always suggest counters as that way we can see what actual units are there. For instance, infantry units in Ethiopia - those could be Militia, regular Infantry, Garrison, Paratroopers, Marines or what ever - those things you simply cannot see on sprites, but you can on counters. Also, flags are small and difficult to see, but counters have colored rim so we can always see how many troops are stacked, what type and of what nation.

Good luck mate! Bring the New Order to the world.

 

[Macke11]

Intresting setup (I think that's been said before)! Will definately follow this and see how it ends! Also, good luck on your first AAR!

 

[Redcoat893]

Vukodav: Yeah, I thought about changing the Japanese alignment, I changed it so it was a bit more neutral at the beginning of the game, I also changed a few other factions (mostly in Asia) to be more pro-allies or comintern. And the USA and Sioux were almost entirely in the allies corner at the beginning of the game. And thanks for the tip on counters, I will try that.

And to pretty much to everyone above, yes it is a *bit* of a interesting setup!

 

[Redcoat893]

Chapter 2


1st April 1937 - 1st May 1937


During the month of April 1937 several events happened that appeared to change the world's view towards German re-armament, namely Benito Mussolini hosting Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg in Venice. Mussolini explained that since the Rome-Berlin-Cape Town-Richmond Axis had been formed, Schuschnigg could no longer count on Italian military support if Hitler made a move against Austria, another major event that happened during April was the launch of the HMS Ark Royal and the English engineer Frank Whittle's successful prototype jet engine. The British prime minister Oswald Mosley said in his monthly radio report (Hurrah for the Blackshirts) that this was a new step in returning the British Empire to greatness. Whether that statement bore any truth to it is something that many politicians at the time questioned, and from correspondence between South African P.M. J.F Van Rensburg and Head of Intelligence B.J Schoerman shows that South Africa withdrew one of it's agents from occupied Ethiopia and moved him (or her) to London, to "Keep an eye on that squirrelly Hitler wannabe's grip on power".

Oswald Mosley during the monthly Hurrah for the Blackshirts, April 1937

After several months of Anti-British (namely anti-fascist) rioting in Burma the king decided to release it as a "independent" colony, although able to control a portion of the government the British Crown was unable to predict that the rest of the government would vote a majority on joining the other former colonies of Australia and New Zealand in the Allies. This led to a very interesting situation wherein if war broke out Burma would be split between fighting the people who created it, and fighting it's allies. April also led to a rather strange occurrence wherein Pro-Ally sentiment built up within the British general population. (OOC: Like a very smart person I forgot to take Burma's allies flag of its nation file. I'm smart, honestly!)

Members of the Pro-Fascists in Burma meet with some of their British counterparts


With the airbases in Durban and Walvis Bay nearing completion, J.F Van Rensburg appointed one of the founders of the SAAF Pierre van Ryneveld to the position of Chief of the Air Force, having established the SAAF in 1920 and been the unofficial commander of it since then all it was was a alightly different official title. Wasting no time Ryneveld and his advisors drew up plans for a new bomber the "Arend" or "Eagle" in English, after several prototypes plans were finalized and a order was placed for a division of the new aircraft to be stationed at Durban AFB, on the south-eastern coast of Africa, where the largest concentration of both South African and Portuguese troops were based.

A AE-4 Arend No.1 SAAF Bomber Command (Look upon my paint skills and weep!....In despair)

Pierre van Ryneveld in front of a prototype Arend Bomber


The month also saw several advances in the weapons issued to the SADF, and the 1st Motorised Division (Riding in copies of the German Opel Blitz) and the Legion of Volunteers were both sent to Nelspruit to watch the border incase of Portuguese Invasion. 2 new weapons were also put into production, a modified portable mortar and a light machine gun based on the British "Bren", or Czech "Brno". This allowed for better movement and flexibility amongst the South African Army.

South African Troops in Nelspruit


With growing tensions in Europe, Africa and Asia several signers of the "London Naval Treaty" decided to enact a clause allowing them to upgrade their warships, this especially benefitted Britain because it allowed them to achieve a even higher level of dominance over the seas if they so wished.

Hope you enjoyed this installment of 100% historically accurate 1937! C&C Welcome and appreciated.
For some reason I've decided to post a update every in-game month, because you know, reasons.


Bonus Picture of Ethiopia:

 

[Macke11]

The Portugese build-up is interesting.... I want to ask if it's something you've programed, but your answer would be a spoiler if it is.

Did you really draw the aircraft? Because it's very well done.

 

[Nikolai]

So why is not Germany and the UK allied, I wonder? Hitler would have loved an alliance with Britain and here's his chance.

 

[Redcoat893]

@Macke11

Oh no, I didn't draw it myself, it's based on a British interwar bomber, with the SAAF and Old SA flag added to it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Hampden

And I'm not going to answer the first question.



@Nikolai

I'm not really sure, for some reason in game the UK keeps flitting between a Allies and Axis bias.

 

[Macke11]

Oh, okay.... I should have recognised it, shouldn't I?

As of your second answer, then only time will tell (and that is probably best for the story).

 

[Redcoat893]

Chapter 3
1st May 1937 - 1st September 1937

During May-September 1937 several significant events happened, Austrian police raided the headquarters of the Nazi Party in Vienna, finding evidence of collaboration between German, Confederate and Austrian Nazis, as well as in London, representatives of the CSA, Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, South Africa, Germany and California reached an agreement to stop the dangerous reduction of the world's whale stocks through whaling, The German Postal Ministry decreed that all non-Aryans must retire, The Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred in China, marking the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War and South Africa Celebrated it's 20 Years of Independence from the United Kingdom with several parades being held, with Army units being withdrawn from the borders to participate. J.F van Ransburg gave a aggressive speech from which we have several excerpts: "Those who threatened the Independence of our great nation were crushed under our heel, and if anyone tries it again they will suffer the same fate", "We threw off the yoke of our colonial oppressors" and "We will not kneel to any attempts to enslave us, we will fight!"

Transvaal Independence Day Parade, Johannesburg

Transvaal Independence Day Parade, Cape Town



In Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Transvaal Independence Day Van Rensburg has commissioned a new Infantry Division, the 4th "De La Rey" (Named after a Anglo-Boer War General) was raised in Kroonstad and the surrounding area, they would complement the troops already in Nelspruit upon the ending of their training, transcripts between the Colonel of the regiment and Army HQ in Cape Town indicate that spurred by national pride the unit was having to turn away volunteers, and as such it was one of the best trained units in the Army.

Soldier in the 4th Division

On the night of 7 July, the Japanese units stationed at Fengtai crossed the border to conduct military exercises. Japanese and Chinese forces outside the town of Wanping—a walled town 10.2 miles southwest of Beijing—exchanged fire at approximately 23:00. The exact cause of this incident still remains a mystery. When a Japanese soldier, Private Shimura Kikujiro, failed to return to his post, Chinese regimental commander Ji Xingwen received a message from the Japanese demanding permission to enter Wanping to search for the missing soldier. The Chinese refused. And, although Private Shimura returned to his unit, by this point both sides were mobilizing, with the Japanese deploying reinforcements and surrounding Wanping. It is still unknown the official stance that South Africa took to the conflict, although there was the Confederate "Freedom Fliers" who unofficially fought alongside the Japanese Invasion troops, and there is evidence that there was a South African in their ranks by the name of Petrus Hugo.

Aerial Photo of the Bridge by a Japanese Scout Plane, Courtesy of the Tashiro Trust.

Petrus Hugo and His Aircraft

The 1st "Springboks" Infantry Division was moved from Cape Town to the north in response to a Portuguese Motorized division arriving and garrisoning in Porto Alexandre. The Springboks have begun fortifying the frontier, and have armed local police and militia units with rifles from the Cape Town armory, a photo we have been able to obtain shows that there was even a WW1 Tank amongst the militia units.

The Militia Tank, Courtesy of the Transvaal Veterans Association

In response to the Japanese Invasion several warring factions set aside their differences and forge a Unified Front against the foreign invaders, although after several years of war many soldiers were unable to work together, and a single unified army did not form, instead the different factions fought the Japanese along their borders, the Republic of China being the only one to make any progress in the fight back against the Japanese. This led to the Republic of Chinas ports being hit heavily by Japanese and Freedom Flier bombers and fighters, and many of the Republic's aircraft were shot down in the face of the sheer number of aircraft the Japanese were able to launch. This led to the Republic moving their manufacturing to the interior, as well as allowing them to cover the factories with a supported Air Force. This allowed the Chinese forces to make advances in the east while holding the Japanese down along other fronts.

With the Soviet Union still worried about Japanese expansion and still reeling from the Kanchazu Island Incident and the Suiyuan Offensive they decided to support the Republic of China's attempts to resist the Japanese invasion by sending their own version of the "Freedom Fliers" the "Soviet Air Force Volunteers". With tensions between east and west escalating South Africa decided to update their infantry equipment, this led to even higher numbers of Militia units being armed with old army equipment. The "Grootgeweer" was a copy of the British "Boys" adapted to be used in mountainous terrain. Unfortunately only a small number were ever produced, and many that were have been lost to history. One of the last remaining Grootgeweer is currently at the Onafhanklikheidnasie Museum in Johannesburg.

Grootgeweer at the Onafhanklikheidnasie Museum

On August 15th 1937 a Assassination attempt was made on the leader of the Social Democrats Charles Stallard. This led to widespread rioting between the pro-governmental Greyshirts and the Anti-Governmental and Pro-Unionist Bluebands. In 1937 the Social Democrats were one of the largest opposition parties in South Africa, coming In just after the National Socialist party. The Social Democrats were led by the staunchly Unionist Charles Stallard, During the First World War, he served on the staff of General Louis Botha in South West Africa against the Boer Rebellion (1914-16) and later in Flanders - where he was wounded - and Italy. Stallard was thrice mentioned in dispatches and was awarded the DSO and MC by the British Crown. Based on transcripts recovered from the Ministry of the Interior it is belived that the Gunman was a Boer dissident, and the government had prior knowledge of the attack and did nothing to stop it. In the wake of the assassination attempt several riots erupted in large and small cities and townships across South Africa and Van Rensburg decided to send several units of Militia armed with discarded Army equipment. Stability was soon restored, however the Militia's harsh methods led to several deaths in the process. In the aftermath of the riots a government law was quickly passed into effect prohibiting the wearing of a blueband on either arm (The symbol of the Social Democrat strongmen) and several small parties that were opposed to the government were made illegal. However the larger parties were left untampered with.

The Durban Daily Standard,16 August 1937

In 1937, as the Chinese Civil War raged, the Uighur population of independent Xinjiang (East Turkestan) faced a complex and potentially lethal situation. To the east and the south, Chinese Communist forces were fighting a vicious civil war against the Nationalist Army led by Chiang Kai-Shek.
The Chinese Communists were receiving aid from the Soviet Union, to the north. The Soviets, who had control of most of Central Asia, hoped to take power over Xinjiang and add it to their list of Soviet Socialist Republics. Meanwhile, the Japanese had invaded China , Under these extremely complicated and trying circumstances, the Uighur military leadership performed a bold maneuver to try to protect their independence and fend off multiple adversaries. Amongst this Uighur Soldiers, fearing the worst for their safety tried to rebel against their governor, whom they did not recognize. as legitimate.

Map of (Part of) China, 1st September 1937

 

[Macke11]

It feels sad to see an AI Japan do a quite successful invasion of China, while I did not last I tried (Using the BlackIce mod though).

Otherwise, slow but sure expansion of the South African Armed Forces.

 

[Nuada Airgetlám]

It's a dangerous world. South Africa needs to be prepared.

 

[Sir Dippingsauce]

CHINA I BELIEVE IN YOU KUOMANTING STRONK REMOVE JAPAN.

 

[Redcoat893]

Sorry guys (and gals), I have some bad news. On about the 12th of September my gam started crashing every 5 minutes, and then I found out that it was because my gam was corrupted, I must have deleted something important during the setup, and as such I am no longer able to continue this AAR. Sorry

 

[Nikolai]

Sorry to hear that.

 

[Macke11]

Well, such things happen. Trust me, I've got experience of it. Although the problem was presumably slightly different, the result was the same.
Would definately follow again if you restarted (or made another AAR, for that sake).