Fall Schwarz
The year is 1968. A bomber of the Third Reich takes off from occupied Nova Scotia. Its target: Boulder City, Colorado, the American Redoubt's beating industrial heart. Aboard, a mysterious device known only as the Y-Gerat. And for the crew of this Luftwaffe aircraft, joined by a mysterious stranger, a mission that will change the world forever.
The initial premise of this RP is that of a strategic bomber crew which is preparing for a mission to utilize an experimental weapon. But it will soon become a horror story. Experiments have been conducted which have produced something ancient and terrible. This is not an RP about a bomber crew. This is an RP about survival in a hostile environment, surrounded by monsters and enemies, and the terrible consequences of calling upon creeping horrors that lurk and whisper and scratch in the dark between-places. Do not be fooled by the premise... this is a Lovecraftian horror RP.
The evacuation of Dunkirk failed, in this world, because Hitler decided not to listen to Goering and simply attacked the town with land forces instead of trying to finish it off from the air. Most of the British and French troops were captured. Subsequently, the Battle of Britain also went differently because of a more successful German effort to destroy some of the Chain Home radar systems along the Southern Coast, rendering the British effectively blind and unable to effectively scramble fighters. The Battle of Britain ends with the RAF in absolute ruins, with only a few airfields intact and down to less than 50 aircraft in flying condition. The Luftwaffe establishes air superiority, and the Kriegsmarine's barge fleet is assembled in Calais. Germany launches Operation Sea Lion on September 17, 1940; the invasion does well until it reaches the Thames, at which point supply lines become too stretched and the offensive must halt. This gives King George VI, the British Royal Family and Prime Minister Winston Churchill time to flee into exile in Canada. Edward VIII regains the British throne soon afterwards, with Wallis Simpson as his queen. The British government is set up in Oxford, and the BUF is given control. Although there is some dissent, they become more popular with time.
In May 1941, with Britain fully capitulated and the European phase of the war over, the Germans attack the Soviets. They have great success here, but the Germans push the Soviets to the Ural Mountains and go no further due to supply issues and it being winter. Battle lines are drawn, and the conflict there continues. This Soviet rump state continues to exist as a buffer between Japan and Germany.
Having achieved victory in Europe, Germany reorganizes Europe east of Poland into Reichskommissariats. Following the signing of the Treaty of Rome, Western Europe and Scandinavia are corralled into a pro-German trading bloc, the European Community. By 1964, the United States, Japan, and the Greater German Reich are involved in a Cold War. Each controls one sphere of the world.
The rump of the Soviet Union wages an endless guerrilla war with German forces in the Ural Mountains and Siberia. Mounting casualties (at least 100,000 since 1960) have sapped the German military, despite Hitler's statement about a perpetual war to keep the German people on their toes. Dead German soldiers are returned to Germany in the middle of the night.
The Holocaust never occurs; instead, the Madagascar Plan is carried out, and the Jews of Europe are shipped off to settle on Madagascar under a Nazi-controlled administration. This colony is hampered by its German administrators as much as possible, but despite the odds the millions of Jewish colonists turn it into a viable settlement, even as they displace the native population. Much like Israel in our timeline, Madagascar is rapidly improved and farmed.
Germany enjoys a high standard of living, with its citizens living off the produce of their European satellite states and freed from physical labour by thousands of Polish, Czech and Ukrainian workers. The European nations export high quality consumer goods to Germany (noted imports are domestic electronics from Great Britain) while also providing services, such as an SS academy at Oxford University and imported domestic staff. Hitler's personal tastes in art and music remain the norm for German society. Military service is still compulsory. Eastern Europe has been colonised by German settlers (although local partisan resistance movements are still active) and the German population has soared as a result of Nazi emphasis on childbirth.
As the original generation of Nazi leaders that founded the party and came to power alongside Hitler are now beginning to die off, increasing numbers of Nazi officials are well-educated technocrats in the mould of Albert Speer. Note that this is part of a general attitude change in Germany as the old guard of the Party has been replaced with the more open-minded younger cadre, like Albert Speer and Ernst Kaltenbrunner, who are now Fuhrer and head of the SS, respectively. Hitler's dead, Himmler's dead, Goebbels is dead, and most importantly, Goering is dead. The Luftwaffe is headed by OKW-L Paul-Werner Hozzel, who is responsible for allowing women to fly combat missions over the Urals and in the American War (albeit only as part of mixed aircrews). The Kriegsmarine is led by OKW-K Heinrich "Ajax" Bleichrodt, who has instituted similar liberalizations- although the U-boat service and the naval aviation service are still men-only, something he has been very strict about. The Heer's Oberkommando is Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven, who has not allowed women to serve in most roles, as the Heer has no shortage of personnel.
German settlers in the east live in many places, but especially in Wehrbauer towns. These "peasant-soldier" communities are limited to veterans and their families, and structured like feudal manors. They are models of the Nazi settlment plan, and most are actually as good as they say- though there are exceptions. To be given a tract of land in a Wehrbauer is the ultimate reward for faithful military service. The towns provide for their own defense against the Slav insurgents outside their borders in the spaces between settled regions.
The German space program is much more advanced than the American one, and the Japanese have almost no interest in rocketry whatsoever, coming in a distant 3rd. Germany will have a man on the moon within a decade, it is believed, and the people of the Reich and its satellites are very interested in science fiction- one of the few genres mostly regarded as being free of degenerate influences by the Nazi Party. ICBMs are in the hands of all three superpowers, though the Germans' are considerably more advanced, utilizing MIRV and other advanced features.
In the German military, to replace losses in the endless Ural conflict, the ranks have been expanded to include women and non-Germans. Many British men and women now serve, for instance. Women can serve in the Kriegsmarine, the Luftwaffe, and even certain non-combat branches of the Wehrmacht and SS, in special all-female units. They must be pure Aryans to be in the SS, and are barred from the Waffen-SS entirely. The Allgemeine-SS and SS-TV allow them, however. Though most sections of the German military are kept segregated by gender and nationality, the Luftwaffe is not. Paratroops are the exception, being all male and nationally organized.
The development of nuclear weapons never occurred in this world; the German nuclear program was abandoned, and the American government never joined the war. Japan only participated in the seizure of British, Dutch, and French colonies in SE Asia, and certain parts of Siberian USSR, therefore the Germans felt no need to share much technology with them. Their alliance still stands, but has become increasingly shaky. Japan has been developing other weapons of mass destruction, to help them counter the German and American long-range missile and bomber programs.
In 1967, the uneasy peace with the United States is finally broken. Germany and Japan invade North America, but run into difficulties before long. Resistance is strong, and the US government retreats to the Rocky Mountains. The Axis forces keep advancing, but the going is slow. Not to be disheartened, the Luftwaffe deploys long-ranged bombers to the captured airfield at Halifax. For the first few months, they are tasked with the destruction of critical targets in the American heartland.
This is where you come in. You are the multinational crews of a Heinkel He-777 strategic bomber. Along with the rest of your Operational Wing, you have been tasked with the bombing of an industrial complex in Colorado. Your mission is routine, save for the new type of bombs you will be dropping. Known only as Y-Gerat, they are large, oddly shaped, and for some reason are escorted by an Allgemeine-SS officer and guarded at all times. But there's no time to worry about that- the flight is departing soon. Better get on board the aircraft, and get ready for takeoff...
In May 1941, with Britain fully capitulated and the European phase of the war over, the Germans attack the Soviets. They have great success here, but the Germans push the Soviets to the Ural Mountains and go no further due to supply issues and it being winter. Battle lines are drawn, and the conflict there continues. This Soviet rump state continues to exist as a buffer between Japan and Germany.
Having achieved victory in Europe, Germany reorganizes Europe east of Poland into Reichskommissariats. Following the signing of the Treaty of Rome, Western Europe and Scandinavia are corralled into a pro-German trading bloc, the European Community. By 1964, the United States, Japan, and the Greater German Reich are involved in a Cold War. Each controls one sphere of the world.
The rump of the Soviet Union wages an endless guerrilla war with German forces in the Ural Mountains and Siberia. Mounting casualties (at least 100,000 since 1960) have sapped the German military, despite Hitler's statement about a perpetual war to keep the German people on their toes. Dead German soldiers are returned to Germany in the middle of the night.
The Holocaust never occurs; instead, the Madagascar Plan is carried out, and the Jews of Europe are shipped off to settle on Madagascar under a Nazi-controlled administration. This colony is hampered by its German administrators as much as possible, but despite the odds the millions of Jewish colonists turn it into a viable settlement, even as they displace the native population. Much like Israel in our timeline, Madagascar is rapidly improved and farmed.
Germany enjoys a high standard of living, with its citizens living off the produce of their European satellite states and freed from physical labour by thousands of Polish, Czech and Ukrainian workers. The European nations export high quality consumer goods to Germany (noted imports are domestic electronics from Great Britain) while also providing services, such as an SS academy at Oxford University and imported domestic staff. Hitler's personal tastes in art and music remain the norm for German society. Military service is still compulsory. Eastern Europe has been colonised by German settlers (although local partisan resistance movements are still active) and the German population has soared as a result of Nazi emphasis on childbirth.
As the original generation of Nazi leaders that founded the party and came to power alongside Hitler are now beginning to die off, increasing numbers of Nazi officials are well-educated technocrats in the mould of Albert Speer. Note that this is part of a general attitude change in Germany as the old guard of the Party has been replaced with the more open-minded younger cadre, like Albert Speer and Ernst Kaltenbrunner, who are now Fuhrer and head of the SS, respectively. Hitler's dead, Himmler's dead, Goebbels is dead, and most importantly, Goering is dead. The Luftwaffe is headed by OKW-L Paul-Werner Hozzel, who is responsible for allowing women to fly combat missions over the Urals and in the American War (albeit only as part of mixed aircrews). The Kriegsmarine is led by OKW-K Heinrich "Ajax" Bleichrodt, who has instituted similar liberalizations- although the U-boat service and the naval aviation service are still men-only, something he has been very strict about. The Heer's Oberkommando is Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven, who has not allowed women to serve in most roles, as the Heer has no shortage of personnel.
German settlers in the east live in many places, but especially in Wehrbauer towns. These "peasant-soldier" communities are limited to veterans and their families, and structured like feudal manors. They are models of the Nazi settlment plan, and most are actually as good as they say- though there are exceptions. To be given a tract of land in a Wehrbauer is the ultimate reward for faithful military service. The towns provide for their own defense against the Slav insurgents outside their borders in the spaces between settled regions.
The German space program is much more advanced than the American one, and the Japanese have almost no interest in rocketry whatsoever, coming in a distant 3rd. Germany will have a man on the moon within a decade, it is believed, and the people of the Reich and its satellites are very interested in science fiction- one of the few genres mostly regarded as being free of degenerate influences by the Nazi Party. ICBMs are in the hands of all three superpowers, though the Germans' are considerably more advanced, utilizing MIRV and other advanced features.
In the German military, to replace losses in the endless Ural conflict, the ranks have been expanded to include women and non-Germans. Many British men and women now serve, for instance. Women can serve in the Kriegsmarine, the Luftwaffe, and even certain non-combat branches of the Wehrmacht and SS, in special all-female units. They must be pure Aryans to be in the SS, and are barred from the Waffen-SS entirely. The Allgemeine-SS and SS-TV allow them, however. Though most sections of the German military are kept segregated by gender and nationality, the Luftwaffe is not. Paratroops are the exception, being all male and nationally organized.
The development of nuclear weapons never occurred in this world; the German nuclear program was abandoned, and the American government never joined the war. Japan only participated in the seizure of British, Dutch, and French colonies in SE Asia, and certain parts of Siberian USSR, therefore the Germans felt no need to share much technology with them. Their alliance still stands, but has become increasingly shaky. Japan has been developing other weapons of mass destruction, to help them counter the German and American long-range missile and bomber programs.
In 1967, the uneasy peace with the United States is finally broken. Germany and Japan invade North America, but run into difficulties before long. Resistance is strong, and the US government retreats to the Rocky Mountains. The Axis forces keep advancing, but the going is slow. Not to be disheartened, the Luftwaffe deploys long-ranged bombers to the captured airfield at Halifax. For the first few months, they are tasked with the destruction of critical targets in the American heartland.
This is where you come in. You are the multinational crews of a Heinkel He-777 strategic bomber. Along with the rest of your Operational Wing, you have been tasked with the bombing of an industrial complex in Colorado. Your mission is routine, save for the new type of bombs you will be dropping. Known only as Y-Gerat, they are large, oddly shaped, and for some reason are escorted by an Allgemeine-SS officer and guarded at all times. But there's no time to worry about that- the flight is departing soon. Better get on board the aircraft, and get ready for takeoff...
These slots do not all need to be filled- we'll be leaving as soon as we've got a pilot and an SS officer. For those who come along later, after the RP launches, there will be plenty of chances to join- you need only express your interest in this thread or over TG. As mentioned above, the Luftwaffe's desperate need for personnel means that citizens of other Reich satellite states as well as women serve in bomber crews just the same as anyone else.
Pilot: The captain of the aircraft. In charge of the crew, and the highest ranking officer, being a Hauptmann (Captain). Crew slot taken by Hauptmann Alexander Stenstrom (DE/SV).
Co-pilot: The second-in-command of the aircraft. Aids the captain in flying and leadership. Holds rank of Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant). Crew slot taken by Leutnant Richard C. Wallingford (UK).
Flight Engineer: Maintains the aircraft systems. The senior enlisted person aboard, and the theoretical third in command. Holds the rank of Oberfeldwebel (Tech Sergeant). Crew slot taken by Oberfeldwebel Ferdinand von Lichtreich (DE).
Radar Observer: Technician in charge of operating radar systems. Holds the rank of Gefreiter (Private First Class). Crew slot taken by Gefreiter Marlene Braun (UK).
Bombardier: Technician in charge of aiming and dropping ordinance. Holds the rank of Unteroffizier (Corporal). Crew slot taken by Unteroffizier Dieter Stein (DE).
Tail Gunner: Technician in charge of operating the remote-controlled 20mm tail gun. Holds the rank of Gefrieter (Private First Class). Taken by Gefrieter Vilhelm Svendsen (DK).
Allgemeine-SS Bomb Escort: Unfamiliar with the rest of the crew, this temporary addition is likely unwelcome. They are there to ensure the mysterious Y-Gerat bomb is not tampered with or stolen, and that it is delivered to its target safely and accurately. Holds the rank of Sturmhauptfuhrer (SS Captain), making them equal to the pilot in rank. Taken by Sturmhauptfuhrer Sieglinde Riese (DE).
Pilot: The captain of the aircraft. In charge of the crew, and the highest ranking officer, being a Hauptmann (Captain). Crew slot taken by Hauptmann Alexander Stenstrom (DE/SV).
Co-pilot: The second-in-command of the aircraft. Aids the captain in flying and leadership. Holds rank of Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant). Crew slot taken by Leutnant Richard C. Wallingford (UK).
Flight Engineer: Maintains the aircraft systems. The senior enlisted person aboard, and the theoretical third in command. Holds the rank of Oberfeldwebel (Tech Sergeant). Crew slot taken by Oberfeldwebel Ferdinand von Lichtreich (DE).
Radar Observer: Technician in charge of operating radar systems. Holds the rank of Gefreiter (Private First Class). Crew slot taken by Gefreiter Marlene Braun (UK).
Bombardier: Technician in charge of aiming and dropping ordinance. Holds the rank of Unteroffizier (Corporal). Crew slot taken by Unteroffizier Dieter Stein (DE).
Tail Gunner: Technician in charge of operating the remote-controlled 20mm tail gun. Holds the rank of Gefrieter (Private First Class). Taken by Gefrieter Vilhelm Svendsen (DK).
Allgemeine-SS Bomb Escort: Unfamiliar with the rest of the crew, this temporary addition is likely unwelcome. They are there to ensure the mysterious Y-Gerat bomb is not tampered with or stolen, and that it is delivered to its target safely and accurately. Holds the rank of Sturmhauptfuhrer (SS Captain), making them equal to the pilot in rank. Taken by Sturmhauptfuhrer Sieglinde Riese (DE).
If you need any information, don't hesitate to ask in the thread.
- Code: Select all
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Crew Position:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Sex:[/b]
[b]Nationality:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] (picture or description)
[b]Previous Assignments:[/b]
[b]Strengths/Weaknesses:[/b]
[b]Skills:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]Bio:[/b] (One paragraph minimum)
[b]RP Example:[/b] (Optional; only if you have very few posts)
1) Wil Wheaton's Law: Don't be a dick.
2) Posting IC once a day is HIGHLY encouraged, and posting OOC once a day is required. If you do not post in the OOC thread once a day, you risk being removed from the RP. Just post here and tell us why you can't manage an IC post, at least. All I'm asking for is a single sentence.
3) All the usual rules apply.
4) Good grammar and spelling are a must. Please make an effort. I'm not going to harp on people for this- I just expect you to use your browser's spell check, that's all.
5) We might be playing as Nazis, but we are, in fact, pretending. Additionally, this is a world where the Holocaust never happened. Please be at least a tad sensitive about such things.
2) Posting IC once a day is HIGHLY encouraged, and posting OOC once a day is required. If you do not post in the OOC thread once a day, you risk being removed from the RP. Just post here and tell us why you can't manage an IC post, at least. All I'm asking for is a single sentence.
3) All the usual rules apply.
4) Good grammar and spelling are a must. Please make an effort. I'm not going to harp on people for this- I just expect you to use your browser's spell check, that's all.
5) We might be playing as Nazis, but we are, in fact, pretending. Additionally, this is a world where the Holocaust never happened. Please be at least a tad sensitive about such things.
