We, the People -- A USA Interactive FTM AAR

[Avindian]

Ok, I sent a revised list and sent research too.
Also I think you may of misunderstood my suggestions for 2nd army. Mine us that along with 4th army, 2nd Army attacks Hungry through the south while 4th attacks westward. This should be followed up by assisting 4th army itno Austria or attacking Romania. An alliterative is to attack Romania right after we secure Greece, this is more of a high risk, high reward plan as I could nock out Romania. Giving a huge break to the Soviets as well as denying the axis fuel. A push into Germany right away is not very likely to get that far and I would not vote for it. I think the current choices should be move into Hungary or attack eastward into Romania

I see what you're saying ((I assume you mean 4th Army attacks eastward? I'd rather they not fire on our own troops. )) now. I will amend the question and extend the voting deadline until Thursday at 10 PM (-6 GMT). I should have the formal budget proposal tonight, or perhaps tomorrow.

New poll

With no voting on where to send the Brits for a while, I'll consider the question resolved and leave it to ATLCOM to suggest objectives in NW Europe for them.

Where to attack?

Even if you voted once, vote again, this time with either Romania or Hungary.

 

[SovietAmerika]

I say we advance into Romania. They have vast oilfields that we could use against the Germans.

- Senator Elexis Sinclaire (R - MA)

 

[Avindian]

I say we advance into Romania. They have vast oilfields that we could use against the Germans.

- Senator Elexis Sinclaire (R - MA)

Second Army?
Romania: 1
Hungary: 0

Unless somebody wants to write up a bill, I intend to "puppet" Romania/Hungary and then remove puppet status as I did for Italy, since Install Democracy doesn't work. If you want direct annexation, prepare a bill and get somebody to second it.

Oh, and Tom (Tank of Midgets) is officially ATLCOM, leaving PvtPrivate as Chief of the Army and Air Force. He just accepted a few hours ago!

I'm going to try to have budget stuff ready for you tonight, so we can vote on that too.

 

[SovietAmerika]

Oh, yes. I meant the Second Army. My apologies.

- Senator Elexis Sinclaire (R - MA)

 

[Avindian]

Budget Proposals for FY 1943​

Senators,

I have been instructed by the President to provide you with two alternative options for our next fiscal year -- one designed to help us defeat Germany first and one designed to help us defeat Japan first. I eagerly await your comments and votes. Tech divisions in both plans are 15 Navy/18 Army, Army Air Corps/2 Infrastructure.

Atlantic First (Option A)
Army/Air Corps share of the budget -- 331.53

9 Infantry Divisions (2 INF x 2 ART)
5 Armored Divisions (1 ARM x 2 MECH)
2 Ranger Divisions (4 x MTN)
1 Multi Role Fighter Wing
2 Strategic Bombers
1 Fighter
1 Close Air Support
1 Airborne Division (3 x PARA)
1 Transport Plane

Navy share of the budget -- 87.71
4 parallel runs of 99 Convoys
2 parallel runs of 99 Escorts
2 x CV
3 parallel runs of 10 Transports
2 x CVL
2 x CAG
4 x BB
Naval Base on Guam
Coastal Fort on Guam

Infrastructure -- 65
Atlanta Project

As you can see, this plan is designed to get as many men in the Atlantic Theater as quickly as possible. After the completion of Operation Belligerence, the Pacific Theater will receive no additional reinforcements apart from the carriers listed above. The battleships would be transferred to the Atlantic Theater to assist in amphibious landings. As convoy losses in the Pacific would necessarily be limited with a smaller naval presence, this plan also provides for increased production of convoys.

Pacific Plan (Option B)
Army/Air Corps share of the budget: 119.87

All aircraft above, plus one Fighter Wing and one additional Transport Wing and Strategic Bomber
2 Airborne Divisions (3 x PARA)
3 Marine Divisions (3 x MAR, 1 x ENG)

Navy share of the budget: 278.05

40 parallel CL
20 parallel DD
6 x CAG
2 x CV
3 parallel runs of 10 Transports
2 x CVL
3 x SS
Air bases on Sunset Beach, Midway, Phoenix Island, and Johnston Island
Naval bases on Guam, Wake, Phoenix, and Johnston Islands
Coastal Forts on Guam
Radar Installations on Phoenix and Johnston Island, and Colon, Panama

Infrastructure share of the budget: 65
Atlanta Project

Since there will be a much larger naval presence in the Pacific with this plan, additional Convoys and Escorts are deemed unnecessary. All ground troops above would be designated for the Pacific Theater. The Atlantic Theater would continue to have services of 2nd Army, but no additional reinforcements until the Japanese are defeated.

Chief of Staff Admiral Leahy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If a pair of enterprising Senators wish to work out a third option, that's acceptable as well. You have until Thursday at 10 PM (-6 GMT) to propose a third budget bill, propose a bill to annex Hungary/Romania (instead of Puppet), and vote on the direction of Second Army (Romania or Hungary). Please do not vote on the budget yet; you may offer comments, but I won't record votes until I officially open those polls on Thursday.

Second Army?
Romania: 6
Hungary: 1

 

[jeeshadow]

We should send second army to Romania. I belive they should just be puppeted.
- Alexander Anikin

 

[Avindian]

We should send second army to Romania. I belive they should just be puppeted.
- Alexander Anikin

Vote added.

 

[Saithis]

"Let the Second Army march into Romania, we'll cut off the Germans' supply of precious oil and simultaneously add pressure to the Soviet front. We cannot allow Uncle Joe to fall, even with the threat that Communism presents to America.

"I have also spoken to the Naval Office and I am convinced that the Pacific Plan (Option B) presents the greater long-term opportunity for America's victory."

~Senator Sarah Quentin O'Hanahan, D-OR

((Not sure if I get a vote as Naval Officer but I figured it couldn't hurt to RP my Senator's vote either way!))

 

[Avindian]

"Let the Second Army march into Romania, we'll cut off the Germans' supply of precious oil and simultaneously add pressure to the Soviet front. We cannot allow Uncle Joe to fall, even with the threat that Communism presents to America.

"I have also spoken to the Naval Office and I am convinced that the Pacific Plan (Option B) presents the greater long-term opportunity for America's victory."

~Senator Sarah Quentin O'Hanahan, D-OR

((Not sure if I get a vote as Naval Officer but I figured it couldn't hurt to RP my Senator's vote either way!))

Vote added.

((Tsk, tsk. Did you miss the part where we aren't voting on the budget just yet? ))

 

[PvtPrivate]

I'd vote for Romania,Hungary would be safer but Romania could put terrible pressure on the axis' southern flank,maybe even collapse it.
Also I would be willing to make a third indeterminate option that better balances the alt and Pacific theaters.

 

[Vrael_1492]

I do concur
With every good sir
Who is of the meaning
Which I believe in
That we should take Romania first
And prolong the Axis' thirst
for Ploiesti's oil
For which many work and toil
And if this goes ahead
Many less will be dead

- Senator Charles Beckendorf, D-MA

((Just felt for doing it in a poem style, as something diverse ))

 

[Novatheorem]

Pushing into Hungary will give the Germans pause as their flank becomes dramatically exposed. I strongly encourage the quickest way of ending this and suggest a trip through Hungary to get our point across. I leave the final decision in the hands of our brilliant boys in blue, however.

-Sen. Keon Monisset (D-NV)

 

[Avindian]

I'd vote for Romania,Hungary would be safer but Romania could put terrible pressure on the axis' southern flank,maybe even collapse it.
Also I would be willing to make a third indeterminate option that better balances the alt and Pacific theaters.

I do concur
With every good sir
Who is of the meaning
Which I believe in
That we should take Romania first
And prolong the Axis' thirst
for Ploiesti's oil
For which many work and toil
And if this goes ahead
Many less will be dead

- Senator Charles Beckendorf, D-MA

((Just felt for doing it in a poem style, as something diverse ))

((Very nice! At one point, I considered doing an entire AAR in Haiku; maybe I still will. ))

Pushing into Hungary will give the Germans pause as their flank becomes dramatically exposed. I strongly encourage the quickest way of ending this and suggest a trip through Hungary to get our point across. I leave the final decision in the hands of our brilliant boys in blue, however.

-Sen. Keon Monisset (D-NV)

Votes added to previous post.

Just so I know, is anybody working on a third budget? It's not due until Thursday, but if nobody's bothering I'll probably open budget voting tomorrow.

 

[robw963]

My esteemed Colleagues and Patriots,

Concerning the vote issue at hand: Where to attack: Romania or Hungary, I will put my support behind 2nd Army's push into Romania. Beyond the prospect of denying Ploesti oil from the German war machine, I foresee a future advantage in nabbing eastern Europe away from the Soviets who I believe will ultimately prevail against the Nazis. We have a responsibility to secure the freedom of as many of the oppressed peoples of Europe as possible, even at the cost of American lives. Securing freedom will require our sacrifice.

Regarding the budget proposal options presented by Admiral Leahy, I will give my apprehensive support to Atlantic First - Option A. I'm loathe to deny our grand Navy the support it deserves, but given these choices I'm choosing to back prioritization of Europe over Asia. If it weren't for my demanding cotillion schedule, quahoging commitments, winterization of the summer residence at Bonnet Shores, I would assist in preparing a third budget alternative. Such are the necessary sacrifices in my privileged life.

Faithfully (if not a tad selfish),

Senator Peter G. Gerry - Rhode Island (D)

 

[Avindian]

My esteemed Colleagues and Patriots,

Concerning the vote issue at hand: Where to attack: Romania or Hungary, I will put my support behind 2nd Army's push into Romania. Beyond the prospect of denying Ploesti oil from the German war machine, I foresee a future advantage in nabbing eastern Europe away from the Soviets who I believe will ultimately prevail against the Nazis. We have a responsibility to secure the freedom of as many of the oppressed peoples of Europe as possible, even at the cost of American lives. Securing freedom will require our sacrifice.

Regarding the budget proposal options presented by Admiral Leahy, I will give my apprehensive support to Atlantic First - Option A. I'm loathe to deny our grand Navy the support it deserves, but given these choices I'm choosing to back prioritization of Europe over Asia. If it weren't for my demanding cotillion schedule, quahoging commitments, winterization of the summer residence at Bonnet Shores, I would assist in preparing a third budget alternative. Such are the necessary sacrifices in my privileged life.

Faithfully (if not a tad selfish),

Senator Peter G. Gerry - Rhode Island (D)

Vote added.

As it's 11:31 PM in my time zone, I'm going to close the poll and the open budget window and convert this to voting for the budget. We will attack Romania with Second Army ((so naturally include that in your plans, Tom)).

Budget options
Atlantic: 4
Pacific: 1

This will remain open until Friday at 10 PM (-6 GMT). ((I included both Rob's and Sai's votes.)) Tom, Novatheorem, start working on/adjusting plans, because I hope to have a relatively short window between budget debate closing and new update. I listed in the budget proposal (which I'll link to again in case it gets bumped off) who would get which assets, but if you wish to discuss alterations I'm open to suggestions. Folding your shiny new toys into the OOBs will be your responsibility, as always. Let's say update by Monday at 10 PM (-6 GMT), unless the budget gets solved more quickly.

 

[Staf_De_Clercq]

(Got myself caught up on this thread because it's amazing and I want to join)



Frankfort Evening Times: "This afternoon in Frankfort, Governor Willis appointed former ambassador to Germany and US Senator, Frederic M. Sackett to replace the former Senator who had died in office. At age 73 Senator Sackett will be the oldest sitting senator in this congress. This appointment has the potential to push the balance of power in the senate to the Republicans who have suffered heavy losses since the 20s. Some members of the Communist Party USA have protested this selection based on Sen. Sackett's record as an avid anti-communist."

 

[jeeshadow]

I think our current navy is large enough to hold the IJN at bay untill Hitler is crushed. If this idea in mind I say go for an atlantic budget. - Alexander Anikin, D-UT.
(I have absolutly no experince with Hearts of Iron 3, so I have no idea if your navy is good enough to hold down the IJN. I am basing this on Hearts of Iron 2 experince based on reading aar's.)

 

[Avindian]

(Got myself caught up on this thread because it's amazing and I want to join)

View attachment 63706

Frankfort Evening Times: "This afternoon in Frankfort, Governor Willis appointed former ambassador to Germany and US Senator, Frederic M. Sackett to replace the former Senator who had died in office. At age 73 Senator Sackett will be the oldest sitting senator in this congress. This appointment has the potential to push the balance of power in the senate to the Republicans who have suffered heavy losses since the 20s. Some members of the Communist Party USA have protested this selection based on Sen. Sackett's record as an avid anti-communist."

Is that Frankfort, Kentucky, or another Frankfort (there are a lot of them!)? I'll add you to the roll as a Republican until you confirm. (Also, please keep your text white, as I use the EU3 forum color, and it's hard to read! )

I think our current navy is large enough to hold the IJN at bay untill Hitler is crushed. If this idea in mind I say go for an atlantic budget. - Alexander Anikin, D-UT.
(I have absolutly no experince with Hearts of Iron 3, so I have no idea if your navy is good enough to hold down the IJN. I am basing this on Hearts of Iron 2 experince based on reading aar's.)

In my opinion, we've given the IJN quite the bloody nose, so I'm not too concerned about them.

Vote added.

EDIT: Oh, and good news for SovietAmerika; you're the Republican faction leader until/unless son of liberty returns. If anybody wants the Secretary of War's job, which is mostly infrastructure, it's pretty low stress at this point. Just have to own FTM and, if we need it, allocate non-military infrastructure funds. I'll mark the post as vacant barring his return.

 

[Vrael_1492]

The Navy in the Pacific
is currently quite prolific
If the IJN is bloodied
we should not be too worried
Because the current USN
Will beat them back again

The Second Army of brave men
Long to see their families again
We should focus on the Atlantic plan
As Germany needs to be overrun
Then focus on the Japanese
As we can give the noose a tighter squeeze.

- Senator Charles Beckendorf, D-MA

((The poem might seem very glorified but I tried to make it rhyme as good as possible
In short I think that the current Pacific fleet is enough to keep the IJN at bay, and therefore we do not need a huge expansion of the navy. We should focus on taking out Germany first, and thereby eliminating a bigger threat first, and then use the men from Europe in the Pacific.

Oh, and your plan for writing an AAR in haiku style sounds interesting I would definitely follow! And if it is too hard, you could do normal poems ))

 

[Staf_De_Clercq]

(I thought I replied in the normal color but it came out blue for some reason. At any rate, your assumption is correct.Frederic Sackett R-KY)

Meanwhile in Louisville Sen. Sackett addresses a crowd on his way to Washington
People of Kentucky,
It is with great trepidation that I accept the governor's appointment. I am wholly concerned with the state of our armed forces and our great government. I plan to go to Washington and make sure we secure a world safe from the tyranny of Communism as surely as we curtail the warings of Hitler and Hirohito. This is no easy task, my friends, but we must endeavor to leave the world a safer place. This is our place, to be the guardian of liberty in world oppressed by hate. I go from here to the capital where I plan to support the war in the Atlantic theater until such time as a friendly government exists in Berlin. I, like many of you, am a German-American and we must make sure that this government can distinguish between the dictates of a madman and the soul of a people. We must strive for a properous ally in Germany, not a devastated hope-forgotten shamble that fostered a madman like Hitler to power. We must not repeat the mistakes of 1919 when the peace comes and I will make sure that such a thing does not come to pass. Thank you all and God be with our boys and God bless America.