RED DAWN: The Next World War, An Alt History of WW2 (IC)

by **The Traansval** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:04 am

San Dorligo della Valle
Italian Slovenia/Croatia Territory
Italy

August 30th, 1938

As Anders fought for his life, Captaen Johnson lay crouched with his revolver in hand, the men of First Platoon huddled with him as they exchanged shots with the enemy from behind a large wooden home. The fighting had been quick and brutal, with the Irish taking down partisan after partisan. But the numbers were beginning to show, as the Irish started loosing men while the Partisans just got more.

Johnson poked his head out over the side, firing a shot at a retreating partisan. Wait a minute, retreating?

He motioned with his hand for his men to move out, and the remaining Ten men of First Platoon moved out from behind the house, moving forward they reached the center of town, which was dominated by a stone fountain that had been hit during the mortar bombardment. Johnson pulled out a flare gun from his belt, firing off a red flare, telling the Mortar crews where the main assault was. The men moved down the street, with men from the other platoons coming out of other roads. They all moved in, closing in on the center from the left, the right and even Fifth Platoon from behind.

They moved, but all they found were bodies of the already dead. They found empty mortar pits, they found sandbags where machine guns once were. All around them, the civilians of the town poked their heads out of their homes, looking in at the soldiers now in their town.

Out in the field, Anders stood over the body of the last mortar man. The man had a neat hole in his head, right where the bullet from his Revovler had killed him. He moved forward, forwards towards the mortar pits where he now saw Irishmen. Where he saw his fellow soldiers. He made it to the town, before collapsing. A medic with Second Platoon saw him, and called for a few of his fellow Medical Men to follow him, picking up the wounded Sniper on a liter.

Captaen Johnson kept his men moving, he couldn't let these bastards run. His men moved through the streets, leaving one or two on street corners or strategic areas to ensure no hidden fighters would jump out and get them. They moved, clearing streets as they made their way east, following the enemy retreat.

The clog of the urban enviroment ended when they hit the end of the streets. The Irish coming out of the town limits to be greeted by a vast and open field. Out in the field, they could see the bodies of men of the fifth platoon, but there was movement. The men of the battalion, retreating through the vineyards and the fields, running like hell. Johnson cursed under his breath, their bicycles were too far to go and get, and on foot they would have trouble catching up. His only hope would be to fire on them from here, and hope he got enough of them.

"Take aim and fire at will! Kill as many partisans as you can!"

The men crouched or lay prone as the sighted and began to fire on the retreating partisans. A couple of men had taken the captured Russsian Maxim and moved it with them, and now set it up. The gunner took aim and began to fire, squeezing off bursts. Light Machine gunners fired their Lewis's and the fire from rifles filled the air as Partisans either ducked or were shot. The mortars had moved up to the enemy pits and began to fire on the enemy, dropping mortar rounds.

Partisans fell, but Johnson knew it wasn't enough. They were running, and there was no way to catch them. Johnson watched them running through the tall grass, and he said a silent prayer that something would come to stop them.

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:29 pm

San Dorligo della Valle
Italian Slovenia/Croatia Territory
Italy

August 30th, 1938

Major Mario Cadorna looked down on the battlefield from the edge of his vineyard, eyebrows furrowed as he angrily spectated the Communist retreat. "Garrison!" He ordered, calling his men to attention, "Fix bayonets!" The two formed battalions clumsily attached their 12-inch bayonets to the end of their rifles, turning the weapon into a mix between a gun and a short pike. "Charge bayonets!" Mario ordered, his men levelled their weapons, "Advance!" Mario ordered and his men began to advance quickly towards their Communist enemy. To his right, Mario's battery of German 75mm Infantry Guns stood ready to fire, Mario quickly ordered them to aim at the Communists retreating into the woods as his infantry would be hard pressed to catch them. The guns swung into action and within a minute was getting shells in on the retreating enemy.

The seventeen hundred men of the local garrison, under Mario's command, swept down the hill and towards the quickly dispersing Communist troops. From the town, Irish troops poured fire down on the enemy with mortars, machine guns and rifles and, as their original targets were now out of sight, the infantry guns on the hill turned to fire on the Communists in the open. The charging Italians opened up with their rifles, pouring inaccurate yet deadly and rapid gunfire on their enemies. Mario looked on from his gun battery as the Communists seemed as if they might escape, his attention, with a gasp, was drawn as a column of trucks sped along the road that both the Communists and the garrison were running towards. The motor vehicles ground to a halt and steel-helmeted soldiers dismounted bearing Beretta M38 SMGs, these men ran down the slope to the side of the road and sprayed automatic fire at the fleeing Communists, cutting many down and leaving the rest to be hit by the garrison's now flagging charge. The disorganised ranks of Mario's men crashed into the tiny remainder of the Communist forces, cutting many down with their bayonets and capturing those that survived. Upon the hill, Mario breathed a sigh of relief and sank down into the gun trench, a gunner to the right of him offering a hip flask of Irish Whisky which he gulped down gratefully, happy that his first action was over so bloodlessly.

by **The Vekta-Helghast Empire** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 2:08 pm

Northern Tyrol, German Austria.

As the conflict in Italy continued - news began to spread across Europe and the Kaiser Korps weren’t ones to let a chance at publicity and glory slip by. Posters were thrown up in a mad rush, preaching about the red menace and it’s incursions into Italian territory. One such poster which has found its way into the homes and streets of various German-speaking cities. Dozens of non-members had joined with volunteer forces from the order in Northern Tyrol, gathering just north of the Italian village of Brennero in the Austrian village of Lueg. The volunteers were made up largely of former Freikorps members and more recently discharged soldiers, but there was the odd bit of fresh-blood spread throughout and they numbered around Seven-Hundred and Fifty in total. Around six-hundred of the men were already armed, having brought their weapons from their days in the Freikorps or whatever they had at home, and with the order providing some with weapons from its own arsenal, smuggled in from further afield.

A runner was briskly sent ahead on horse-back to the Italian border to deliver a letter, informing the Italians of their intent:

”To whomever it may concern,

Following the news of the Bolshevik incursions into Italian territory, I - Lieutenant Peter Steiner do hereby announce my intent to enter Italian territory with a force numbering seven-hundred and fifty men as an expeditionary force from the Deutsch Konigs-Partie of Germany as to assist, however required, in the repulsing of the Bolshevik forces. Many of my men are veterans from the Great War, the risings and a vast majority of my men have some kind of military training. We do however require logistical support, as around one-hundred and fifty of our men are currently unarmed, but willing to fight to the last in the name of the Kaiser. And to ensure that Italy, a historical friend of the German people - despite more recent acts of treachery - remains free of any and all Bolshevik influences.

We are more than willing to abide by the Italian grand battle-plan and by Italian high-command for the duration of our stay. Should you decline our offer of aid, militarily - then perhaps consider accepting us as technicians and other support roles. As a few in our ranks have experience working with artillery pieces and in the construction of fortifications.

I do hope this letter reaches you in good health,

Regards,

Lieutenant Peter Steiner of the Kaiser Korps expeditionary forces.”

Meanwhile, additional logistical preparations were put in place - trucks, horses and donkeys were brought in from across the region as to aid in the movement of men and supplies. With additional crates of ammunition being brought in by Kaiser-Korps officials, some crates even containing hand-grenades, some being bundled together as makeshift anti-tank weapons.

by **The Traansval** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 6:19 pm

The Daily Mail

WORLD EVENTS | ECONOMICS | POLITICS | NEWS | EDITORIALS

December 21st, 1938
Distributed by the Irish National Postal Service
Price: 10 ¢

Irish Cavalry Scout troops fighting in Trieste

THE WAR IN ITALY
By: James Carney
For three months now, the government of the Kingdom of Italy and the Communist union of Slavic states known as Yugoslavia has been at war since the invasion of Italy by the Yugoslavian government back in August. Ever since the start, the Irish have been hand in hand with our Italian Allies, fighting with them since the Battle of San Dorligo della Valle. For three months now Irish soldiers of the cavalry scouts have been holding key positions within the city of Trieste, a major port city on the Adriatic sea. Soldiers of the Scouts have begun to show their quality to those back home and abroad, from their actions at San Doriligo della valle where they routed Eight Hundred enemy men or in their current action in holding positions on the front lines in Trieste against the Communists.
So far, the two companies sent to Trieste have both recieved Unit Commendations by President Higgins, along with soldiers like John Anders receiving the Distinguished Service Medal in their service for Ireland and her allies. We ask that all those readers keep our gallant soldiers in your thoughts and in your prayers.

THE CELTIC TIGER

Thompson and Sons Factory #2

By: Sean Douglas
The Irish Industry has seen a huge spike in production following large military contracts and foreign contracts. The largest of these are contracts for the Rotating Periscope, which was invented by Thompson & Sons of Carlow. The company has seen massive growth
after an influx of money due to many western nations buying their design for a periscope that can rotate 360 degrees. Nations like Britain, France and the United States have contracted Thompson for use of the Periscope in their tank, and this has led to an expansion of the company. They've now expanded outside of Carlow, buying up other industrial works and repurposing them for use by the company. By the writing of this article, Thompson and Sons own Thirty Five Factories, and have exclusive contracts with the Ministry of Land for use of Peat in their factories. This has cause outrage by some, stating that this has led to Thompson and Sons having a monopoly on Irish Manufacturing. If this is or not true has yet to be seen, but the Irish Government is pleased with this, as this has allowed for increased domestic production of Industrial goods. Its rumored that the reason Thompson is allowed to maintain its huge Monopoly is because they are one of Irelands main producers of Armored Vehicles for the Armed Forces. Either way, the company has begun expanding, buying and putting to work more specialize facilities, like Arms Plants, Munitions Plants, and more civilian endeavors like the Cork Bottling Plant and Dublin Canning Facility. The effects of this have already been seen, with the Irish economy steadily rising to levels not seen since before the Potato Famine.

VIOLENCE IN THE NORTH
By: James Dean
Three days ago, another tragic bombing claimed the lifes of twenty citizens of Northern Ireland.
The Bombing was claimed by the Ulster Defense Force, UDF, who formed in response to attacks on
the Royal Ulster Constabulary by members of the Irish Republican Army. In response,
a blank envelope was sent to the Daily Mail, the contents being a letter that at the top read "Please Publish".

DEAR ULSTER DEFENSE FORCE
WE'RE COMING FOR YOU!

This threat seemed to be reinforced by reports of violence between members of the UDF and IRA.

Two IRA Soldiers pose for a picture

Witnesses gave accounts of men wearing black masks and Irish Tricolors on their shoulders dragging
men into the streets, and shoot them, crying "FREEDOM FOR IRELAND!" before running off.
Officer Charles Clark of the Royal Ulster Constabulary has given a statement to the Daily Mail on the conditions in North Ireland.
"We're begging anyone truly loyal to the North Irish Government, to not engage these ruffians.
The law will soon bring every single one of the bastards in, but until then we ask that you all leave this to the police".

The words of the Officer has fell on deaf ears, and members of the IRA and UDF countinue the violence. So far,
no members of the UDF have taken any official response to the actions of the IRA, but citizens of North Ireland
have begun to fight amongst themselves. Those who support British Rule have become increasingly hostile against those
who wish to be reunited with the Irish Nation.
Time will tell if this situation will blow over, or perhaps boil into something larger.

by **Greater Slavic Union** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 6:54 pm

Západosłovánska Zviązék Řečýpospolitých Radzěckích
Western Slavic Union of Soviet Republics

35th Mechanized Division, San Dorligo della Valle, Jugoslav-occupied Italy - December 25

Finally, they had arrived in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, which was one of the various sub-entities that made up Jugoslavija. It had been a long march, the one the Thirty-fifth Mechanized Division of the Western Slavic Army had undertaken since they had left the city where they were based, a small town not too far from Břeść. They had marched through the marshes and woods of the southern part of Belarus, through the river-rich countrysides of southeastern Poland and western Ukraine, through the mountains and woods of Slovakia, to finally arrive in Hungary. Once in Hungary, they had yet to pass the Danube and march towards Slovenia, which they did. They arrived at the Mura river and passed it. They then arrived at the Drava river and passed it. Later, they arrived at the Sava river, just a few kilometers away from Ljubljana, and passed it. They had done it: they now were in Ljubljana, waiting for their assignment to the front lines.

Yes, it had been a long, long march for the men of the Thirty-fifth Mechanized Division. Most of them were young conscripts who had just chosen to remain in the army for longer than due (and receive a pay higher than due). As it was normal, many of them feared their beloved ones could have betrayed them because of their prolonged absence, and had consequently written many letters to their family, their girlfriends, in case they were males, or boyfriends, in case they were females, of fiancees, or even spouses.

Now, after having been Ljubljana for some weeks, they had been assigned a very important role: to defend the city of Pola, Pula in Serbo-Croatian and most of the Slavic languages. Pula was a very important harbour, one of the major harbours of the Adriatic Sea, and a developed industrial city nonetheless, being one of the centres of the Jugoslav shipbuilding industry. Furthermore, being the most populated and the industrial centre of the territory, it was by far the most important city in Istria, a status acknowledged by the Jugoslav government which made it the capital of the region, making it a major political centre. It also was, however, a major historical centre, as described by Dante with the words "Sì come ad Arli, ove Rodano stagna,/sì com' a Pola, presso del Carnaro,/ch'Italia chiude e suoi termini bagna" in the Commedia's IXth Chant, meaning "As in Arli, where the Rodano stagnates,/just as in Pola, close to the Carnaro,/which Italy encloses and her tips bathes".
The soldiers had already been told all of this many times and, by now, knew almost everything possible of their objective. Just one thing they did not know: by now, December 1, the Jugoslavs had elaborated different plans for them.

After having reached Ljubljana, they moved to Rijeka, the closest city to Pula within the territory of Jugoslavija. There, they stayed for a few weeks. The days passed and no order came, and the soldiers became increasingly frustrated and eager to enter action, as a definitely unexciting routine started to define their lives in the region of Rijeka: running in the morning, physical exercises in the late morning, lunch, then once again physical exercises in the early afternoon, exercises with weapons (with salvo rounds tho) in the late afternoon, dinner, and free exit. Day after day, every single day, they prepared themselves. There, on December 10, they received their new orders: to move to the recently-conquered San Dorligo della Valle. And there they went.

Among the soldiers of the Thirty-fifth Mechanized Division was Jan Pulaski, a young man aged just 19 from Warsaw. He was actually one of the few who had decided to join the army as a job and had declared his will to do so at the enlistment office of his district when he had been called to serve his two years of military service. Jan was an average person: he had studied at high school and got a diploma in a languages-focused high school, he had a girlfriend with whom he would have wanted to marry before both of them reached the age of 25, and he was currently serving his two years of mandatory military service, even though he wanted to continue his career after the completion of his mandatory service.
Today was the twenty-fifth day of December, and the officer in command of his brigade had decided to give them a free half day. Subsequently, most of the soldiers in the unit went to breweries or brothels, but that was not what he wanted to do. He knew that the day after they would have been engaged in combat with the Italians, and possibly the Irish as well, for the control of Trst. He decided to find a nice place where to sit together with some friends (a couple of girls and another guy, all of which were from his unit), and do a thing he had not done in a while: write.
They ended up in a small, nice, tavern in the centre of the town. It was a bit crowded by the high number of WUSR soldiers, and civilians (especially women) who were spending some time in there, but it was alright.
Jan started to write, from time to time taking a sip of the beer he had ordered, and the more he wrote the more he had to think about his young, beautiful, and beloved girlfriend he had left at their home in Warsaw.

December 25th, 1938
Dolina, Italy

Dear Žywia,

Many days have passed since I last wrote to you. I don't remember well now, but maybe the last time I sent you a letter we were about to pass a river called Mura, not too far from the border separating Jugoslavija and Hungary. Well, now, as you will see from the upper right tip of this sheet of paper which I am using to write to you, we are in Italy. We have passed the Mura, the Drava, and the Sava rivers, before arriving in Ljubljana where we stayed for a very limited time, five or seven days, but my memory is not clear in this moment (and not because of alcohol, don't worry, you know I can limit myself).

We have then been assigned to Pola, where we stayed for a few months. We were supposed to defend the city in case of naval invasion, but there was no real necessity to do so. There, we waited until we were given new orders. To be honest, we just spent the whole day with the exact same routine for about three months: breakfast, running, physical exercises, lunch, physical exercises again, firing exercises, and then dinner. After dinner, a couple of hours before going to bed.

Now tho, it's Christmas, and I should not talk about this. You should see what kind of wonderful things do they have here in Italy! And no, I am not talking about everyday life objects such as shoes or dresses, but more about ancient things. You can really find a lot of ancient artifacts here in Italy. I have already made sure to send you a box with a Roman amphora, and I plan on sending you and your parents more things in the future.

Again, my beloved Žywka, it is Christmas, and you should be happy about it. Forget for a moment that I won't be there with you this year, and enjoy Christmas with my family and yours gathered together.
I want you to be happy, Žywka, and I want you to remember me as the one who made your Christmas of 1938 happy and joyful, in case I might not come back.

Because that is the harsh reality, Žywka. I might not come back. Tomorow we will enter Trst and fight against the Italians and the Irish soldiers that defend the city. We will be alongside our Jugoslav brothers. I might fall, just as I might survive, my love. This is the judgment of Fate, my love, nothing that I or anybody else could ever possibly try to dictate. I want you to be happy, and to know that if I die, I will have died with you in my head, and with a photo of you hanging from my pendant over my heart. But most of all, I will die corageously, proud to serve my country, proud to serve you, to defend you, my love.

Please, read this letter at the table with my family and yours gathered together.

I love you, Žywka.

Yours completely,
Janek

He was done. The letter was finished. He could now enjoy that free time left, and he did. Two hours later, he gave that letter to the postman, asking him to bring it personally to the address that was written on top of it. It was 2:36 pm. The plane with the letters started one hour later. The letter was delivered that same day, at 7:30 pm.

35th Mechanized Division, Trieste/Trst, Italy - December 26

On the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of battle in Trst, everything was calm: not a gun, from both sides, was being shot. To a cynical, both sides were silent because they were eating. To a realist, both sides were silent because they were preparing. To an insider, both sides were silent because one of them was preparing and the other one was trying to understand what was going on.

It took one hour and two minutes for everybody to really realize what was going on, because exactly one hour and two minutes after 11:11 am, on the thirteenth minute of the twelfth hour of the eleventh day of battle for Trst, a song could be heard in the distance, being played from all of the sides surrounding the city and from the parts of the city under Jugoslav control as well: Warszawianka 1831 roku, a popular polish song about the 1830-31 November Revolution, was being played at extremely loud volume.

All of a sudden, artillery shells started to fall on the port of the city of Trst, whereas in the same moment, the mortars of the 35th Mechanized Division started shelling Irish-Italian positions inside the city, namely the Gretta, Barriera Vecchia, Chiadino, and Cologna neighbourhoods. A few minutes after the shelling had started, the infantry advanced, divided companies, in the nrighbourhoods of Gretta, Roiano, Cologna, and Chiadino.

They advanced, entering building after building and launching grenades inside all homes and rooms they found. They pitied at being killing civilians as well, but that was war, and they had been ordered not to risk losses in the early stages of the battle.

by **The Free Territory of Makhnovia** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 11:53 pm

Pula, Socialist Republic of Croatia
December 24th

SYN "Omiški Gusar" was one of the deadly "Sablja" class submarines. This submarine class was developed by Croatian engineers who had confined nature of Mediterranean sea in mind - they were about 50 meters in length, armed with two torpedo tubes, small, practical and easy to produce. Alongside "Omiški Gusar", "Uršulanka", "Terezijanka" and "Bilećanka" were getting ready to take off from Pula. Commander Krsto Chiagli went through the cramped corridor of "Gusar"towards the bridge. Small submarine seemed to be overfilled with shouts of sailors who made final repairs and prepaired the ship for take off.Yesterday, a thousand of Pula citizens watched Yugoslav navy destroyer squadron take off to start naval blockade of Trieste port. There were songs, flowers, long speeches by party officials, girls kissing sailors as they boarded those huge armored ships, their mighty cannons larger than Slavonian oaks.

There will be no such glamourous send-off for the submarine crews- they were ordered to sail out from a secret dock, east of the Uljanik plant and go to the bay of Trieste under the cover of dark sea. The battleships will patrol the bay openly: when Italian navy is send to deal with them- the "Sablja" submarines will strike from their hiding place and try to Damage the Italian fleet as much as they can.

He stood by Irina Peterlin. The dark-haired helmswoman was only 25, and a woman at that, but she was one of the most talented submarine helmsmen Yugoslavian navy ever produced. Chiagli gave order to move. Srong diesel engines purred and submarines sailed off to the bay of Trieste. Chiagli remembered Christmas evenings in his old house in Trieste. Scent of pine and cakes. Carols sung in the streets... Those were the days before he lost everything thanks to Badoglio's purge. Just because his wife was member of the Union, he got dishonourably discharged and was forced to emigrate while wife... He was looking forward to every ship he sunk, for every damn King's servant that ends up on the bottom of the bay.
And of course...To walk the streets of Trieste once again."

Kolomban, Socialist Republic of Slovenia, same day

To: General Secretary, Comrade Leon Trotsky
From: Palmiro Togliatti

Esteemed comrade:

Tonight, the first official meeting of the Workers Council of the Free City of Trieste was held in the Industrial Zone, in the great hall of FIAT factory. Although I was sorrily unable to attend, (my Yugoslavian friends consider Trieste to be unsafe for me because of the fighting) decisions of the Council were reported to me and I am herefore forwarding them to you.

Regards
Palmiro Togliatti:

Belgrade, SFRY

"It seems that the Franch had so far stayed neutral regarding the Trieste Revolution." Gorkić blew smoke into the air looking at Pijade. "Your letter seemed to have worked, for now."

"Yes...for now. Although it is possible that French government will soon buckle under pressures of international capital and decide to help Badoglio and his pompous King. In the meantime, I have another letter for you." Pijade passed another piece of paper towards Gorkić

"Seriously....The Venice separatists? But they are irredentists who want our coast. If Croats or Slovenians learn that I am even considering them as partners I am dead!"

"Come on, Milan. You had made a deal with beys of Sarajevo even though every other member of the presidency, including myself considered them class enemies. By the way, they might make temporary concessions. They will fight Badoglio's troops. Disrupt his transport trains...Make a mess. And if they secede, it is going to be easier to deal with them then with Badoglio."

"Alright, I'll call their representatives to Belgrade to see if we can arrange something. But this will never leave this room, are we clear on that, Moshe?"

"I swear upon my mother, Milan. This stays between us."

San Cipriano monastery, Free City of Trieste

Three battalions, made in equal parts from Italians and Slavs, lined up in the yard of the monastery. An hour earlier several bigger artillery pieces were brought and placed on the hills surrounding the monastery.

Soldiers walked about the monastery yard, not talking much.Cold and damp December air was deep in their bones, and southern wind was blowing, irritating them, putting out matches they would scratch to light their cigarettes. They were anxiouslybiding their time and waiting for the signal. And when the signal goes off two thousand of them will come through the woods between the monastery and the Miramare castle and take it, probably leaving no surviviors. Ever since the crisis in Trieste happened,majority of arms and ammunition of the Royalist garrisson was held there, guarded by local carabignieri. Now all of this will belong to them, defenders of the Free City. There were shots coming from the city. And then suddently, there was signal. Brought by the southern wind, slow and tender sounds of Warsawianka filled the air. It could mean only one thing-the 35th Mechanized was in Cologna, and it will be able to stop any reinforcements coming along Via Miramare. Soldiers grabbed their rifles and descended upon the castle. As first shots of the defenders rang out, artillery pieces started whipping the castle. Attackers used pine forest for cover, placing precise sniper shots towards the Italians that guarded narrow strip of land connecting Miramare with the coast. This enbled infantry to advance towards the entrance to the castle, their advance hampered by machine gun fire from the roof.

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:34 am

Monfalcone
Italian Province of Gorizia
Italy

December 24th, 1938

The headquarters of the 4th Italian Corps was within the Monfalcone Town Hall, an old building in the centre of the town. The officers lived in requisitioned buildings surrounding the square. All except Colonel Cadorna. Mario was exceedingly unpopular amongst the town’s residents as his father, the infamous General Luigi Cadorna, and his incompetence had condemned the town and its residents to near decimation in his disastrous Battles of the Isonzo, specifically the Eighth in which a large portion of the town’s population and its infrastructure were destroyed.

The gathered staff of Lieutenant General Isidoro Arlotti sat in leather-backed chairs around a long oval table adorned with gilding and covered with refreshments and snacks. No officer except Colonel Cadorna had taken any more than a glass of wine, Cadorna had a small bounty in baked goods and cheese laid out before him and was happily munching away.

“So, gentlemen…” Arlotti began, “The enemy have already reached the outskirts of Trieste and our forces within the city are essentially surrounded.”

“No, sir,” Colonel Vinci cut in, “The city is surrounded… The enemy completed the encirclement an hour ago.”

“We still have the port” Ceannfort Dean Donegal, Chief Officer of Irish Forces in Italy, stated. “We’re still able to ship in supplies and men to the town over the sea, although I expect the Yugoslavians to challenge us there. For now, boat shipments keep the men in Trieste fed and clothed, but naval supply lines do only so much.”

“I had thought about the port,” Arlotti replied, “I’ve spoken to High Command, they’ve dispatched a squadron of ships to defend our sea routes. I’m told that enemy forces are quickly approaching the industrial sector of Trieste, therefore I’ve ordered the police and carabinieri to move into the sector to help with the defence and evacuate industrial equipment and specialists.”

Cadorna joined the conversation, “My troops are unlikely to hold the outskirts for long, it’s too hard to get supplies there with the enemy so close, I’m told there are cases of our troops and the enemy’s holding buildings quite literally next to each other. I’m going to have to pull them back... Unless you give your permission to bombard the area.”

“No, Colonel, I’ve said this time and time again,” Arlotti frustratedly replied, “Until the enemy turns their guns on Trieste, I will not.” He turned to Donegal, “What about you, Commandant? How many Irish troops are in Trieste, and what the hell are they doing?”

“Two Companies of Irish Cavalry Scouts, comprising a total of One Hundred and Sixty-four men, are operating in Trieste. The men are currently camped out with an Italian Battalion inside the Zona Industriale. We’re trying to hold the enemy while you evacuate the industrial materials. And might I say, sir, allied troops are only just holding the enemy at the Torrente Rosandra, it's only a matter of time before they cross the river and then push to the town.” Ceannfort Donegal stated.

“Hmm, quite the predicament, eh Baldy?” Arlotti remarked.

“Yes, sir…” Major General Cornelio Baldovini replied, he irritably scratched at the few grey hairs that remained on his smooth head, “I believe we must pull back if we are to have any chance of holding the city. Evacuate from the Zona Industriale all equipment, specialists and goods that we can and pull all forces back to a line along the Via Sergio Forti, there we might defend the train sidings.”

Arlotti agreed, “Very good, Baldy. Commandant? What role would you suggest your troops play in this?”

“We can cover the retreat of Italian troops. Our mobility will allow us to quickly catch up once the retreat has been covered. Although we’ll only be able to cover so much, so we’ll need the support of some Italian Troops, Motor Rifles to be specific would best. We can cover the retreat at the Zona Industriale and Bagnoli della Rosandra, but the gaps will need to be filled in by the Motor Rifles, such as at Mattonia.” Ceannfort Donegal said, rolling an unlit cigarette in his hand.

“Motor Rifles, eh?” Arlotti mused, before grinning cheerily and offering his lighter to Donegal to light his cigarette with. He said, smiling, “I can offer you better than that, the Royal Mechanised Brigade arrived today from Roma, carried across by boat… Light tanks, troop carriers, everything we could hope for. They are with you until the withdrawal is finished. How about that?”

“I think they’ll be more than enough to hold the line as the Italian Division’s retreat back to Trieste.”

“You’ve nothing more to say, Commandant?” Arlotti asked, curiously, one eyebrow raised. “Very well… My dear officers and generals,” He announced, “Let us eat!” Officers began to pile their plates with food, Colonel Cadorna, who was already stuffed, just sat back in his chair and groaned. The scene was almost as chaotic as the battle itself.

Trieste
Italian Province of Trieste
Italy

December 25th, 1938

The fighting on the outskirts of town had been heavy, with casualties mounting steadily on each side. Truth be told, very few men had actually been killed, but many had been wounded in the fighting. The Yugoslavian troops had pushed hard and the town was surrounded, luckily the enemy had not got into the town itself but there were leftist groups who sympathised with the Yugoslavians within the town. One such group had met in the FIAT factory a couple of days before completely unchecked by the defending forces. The Royal Mechanised Brigade had yet to fully throw itself into the fight, the pair of light tank companies along with the armoured reconnaissance group had stayed back in reserve whilst the heavy infantry units of the brigade moved forward to cover the retreat of the Italian troops that had been fighting in the city suburbs.

Christmas day brought very little respite to the beleaguered defenders who, if anything, simply resented their enemy more for their renewed efforts even on the holiday. Someone had finally informed General Arlotti that the enemy had, in fact, brought up their guns and thus permission was granted to bombard the enemy positions on the outskirts of the town, CANT Kingfishers swept over the region, brimming with 1,200 kilos of bombs, dropping their payloads on enemy strongpoints and artillery positions whilst the Italian heavy artillery smashed 6 inch shells into the enemy positions on the northern outskirts of the town.

Co-op'ed with The Traansval, bold text is his writing.

by **The Traansval** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 11:32 am

Trieste Outskirts
Italy

December 25th, 1938

Captaen Johnson huddled near the fire as the cold winds screeched through the streets. His cotton padded jacket, the standard winter uniform for the Irish Army, didn't help keep out the cold from the Italian Biting wind. They'd told him stories, but he didn't believe them until now. The winds had died down now, but just hours previous the winds whipped through the Italian City, so fast that men who stepped out were knocked off their feet. It had died down now, but the cold winds still stund the men as they stood their posts, the only comfort coming from the fires they'd lit.

The men of the Irish Cavalry Scouts, Easy Company, were huddled next to men of the Royal Italian Mechanized Brigade. Together, they were holding the line as the regular Italian Army retreated. Teams of cooks from both the Irish and Italian Companies, distributing food to the men. Todays meal for the Irish was a Special one, for it was Christmas. Mass had been held, and the Irish joined their Italian Catholic brothers in praying before a makeshift altar. Trees had been erected, although most were really just what ever had been lying around the old Factory. Those who weren't manning the windows and machine guns, sat back inside the buildings, huddled around fires while they drank Coffee and ate Chocolate they'd gotten from the local shops. Italian chocolate was damn good.

The Irish and Italians had worked out a system of rotating teams of men to man the machine guns and the windows of the buildings they they defended. Easy Company and one of the Italian Companies were defending the Industrial Zone, while Oxford Company was at the Bagnoli della Rosandra, and the majority of the Italian Brigade holding the rest of the line. They wouldn't be here for long, their job was simply to make sure the Yugoslavians didn't know the retreat was in effect, so they way the Italian Divisions wouldn't get hit from behind as they left their previous positions.

Machines guns fired bursts, and rifles fired into the abyss every once in a while. They weren't aiming for anything, they were just firing to make sure the Enemy knew they were still there. Making sure that they wouldn't try to cross the river, and making sure that they stayed in their buildings. Although it wasn't all worthless fire, as Ceannaire Anders could attest. Back from the Italian Field Hospital at Trieste, he'd returned to front line duty weeks before, right as the Irish were ordered to cover the retreat. He'd been issued a new rifle, and had begun the process of getting used to it. He was getting good with it, as the Yugoslavia Private who now lay dead in the frosted ground could tell you. Poor man just wanted to take a piss, but unfortunatly he did it right in Anders sights.

Cycling the bolt, he hand fed a new cartridge in, before setting down the rifle against an old office cabinent. A fellow Marksmen, Ceannaire Saul, had his back up against a wall while to his right some barely hot embers smoldered, a tin of coffee on it. Anders motioned to it, and Saul handed over the cup. The sweet, sweet taste of the dark and rich coffee filled Anders mouth, and he sighed in relief as its stimulating effects took hold.

"I swear, now a days Coffee is the only reason i can keep going. Good things these Italians got themselves some good Coffee Beans, way better than the stuff they got back home"

Saul grunted his agreement, pulling the rim of his helmet down over his eyes, trying to find sleep. The sky was a purple twilight as the sun had only just dipped below the horizon, and the only light came from those of the street lamps and the fires that soldiers on both sides had lit. Anders moved a tipped over filing cabinent to block the view of the embers, he didn't want anything giving away his positions.

Below the old industrial building that the men were camped out in, the streets of Trieste stood in silence. No one dared walk the streets, which now collected a very very fine layer of frost on it. The icy waters of the river that seperated the Allies and the Communists churned violently, sending spray up every once in a while. And through it all, the men on both sides huddled together, silently celebrating Christmas Day.

by **Hashirajima** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:19 am

[Location: Institute for Physical and Chemical Research, Tokyo]

"Dr Nishina, the newspaper... Sir, have you stayed overnight at the lab again?"

"... yes. I was negotiating the purchase of a cyclotron from Berkeley."

"You really must take care of yourself, you know. Your wife worries for you."

"Yes yes... now, can you help me get another cup of coffee?"

As his assistant trotted off, Dr Yoshio Nishina straightened out the copy of Asahi Shimbun left on his desk. "Let's see...

"'Labour Ministry Extends Employee Rights Legislation to Overseas Territories, Raises Minimum Wages for Women' Hmm... about time."

[Location: Tohoku University, Sendai]

"'Mitsubishi, Nakajima to Open Plant in Dutch East Indies' Hmm...." Glancing at the headline, Hidetsugu Yagi nodded. Then, his teaching assistant entered his office. "Professor. You do remember you have a presentation to the IJN this afternoon, right?"

Cue chaos.

[Location: HIJMS Houshou, Sagami Bay]

"'His Imperial Majesty Issues Statement Condemning Yugoslavia's "Unprovoked War of Aggression"; Urges All Parties to Seek Peaceful Resolution.'" Nodding to himself, the flight instructor folded up the newspaper and turned towards the assembled cadets.

"ALRIGHT, YOU ALL! Today you will be conducting your first flight training. Congratulations on getting this far into the course. For your plane assignments... Plane 1, Tetsuzō Iwamoto. Plane 2, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa. Plane 3, Shigeharu Murata. Plane 4, Joichi Tomonaga..."

One by one, the cadets ran to their assigned aircraft, complete with waiting instructor, and took off the flight deck of Japan's (and possibly the world's) first purpose-build aircraft carrier.

[Location: Kwantung Army HQ, Manchukuo]

"'First Batch of Manchukuo Officers Graduate, 2nd Lt. Jin Haoran Amongst Top 10 Cadets.' Knew he had a spine..." Grunting, GEN Hideki Tojo set down his newspaper. Glancing at his calendar, he picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Taiwan Army, Lieutenant-General Yamashita speaking."

"It's me, Hideki."

"What is it, Tojo?"

"I heard you started joint exercises with the KMT. What's that about?"

"Joint exer... oh right. Yes, joint exercises. I felt that the new airborne unit would do well learning from those who've actually fought the Communists before. So I sent them abroad. Just for a short stint."

Frowning, Tojo grabbed a nearby file and flipped through it. "But I don't remember such an exercise being announc... wait. It's Exercise Peak Green? That was approved?"

"Just a few hours ago. I sent the troops out immediately after HQ replied."

"... your call. It's your command."

"I'm aware. So, I heard something about the Exercise Blizzard?"

Snorting, the Commander-in-Chief of the Kwantung Army thought back to last month. The inaugural winter operations exercise conducted between different units of the IJA on a rotational basis. "That was in November. This month it's Yi Un's turn."

The one with the Ainu regiment as OPFOR.

[Location: Karafuto/Sakhalin, Northern Territories]

"'Home Ministry Announces Return of Territorial Rights to Ainu, Ryukyuan People' Huh... that's new..." Looking around, the commanding officer of the newly formed 1st Ezo Regiment, COL Ito, observed the men of the 20th Infantry Division. Including one Officer Cadet Yoshida, temporarily granted leave to participate in this exercise.

"Good morning gentlemen. Our goal today is simple - to acclimatise you to fighting in this weather." All around them was the beginnings of what seems to be a blizzard. "Now, out in the north, my men have prepared a typical winter fortification. Your job, is to take it. You may proceed now. Move it!"

As the troops trudged into the snow-covered fields, Lieutenant-General Yi Un turned to the colonel. "I didn't hear you mention the snipers. Or the ski troops."

"This is war, general. You don't always know what you're facing from the onset. It's up to your men to find out." Then, a shot rang out, and the observers declared the first casualty. From the 20th. "That's one for me."

Eyeing the Ainu officer, the Korean only got a feral grin in return.

by **Lan Khao Xang Hom Krung Tai** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 5:14 pm

République française

The French Republic

Paris, Élysée Palace, President's Office
"Mon dieu, our hands are full aren't they, Marcel?"

"Very much so. Our soldiers our aiding the Chinese and now another conflict has broken closer to home. Sometimes I wonder why these nations do not very much focus on their own being, Sébastien."

"The Italians are very much holding their own, however, it seems that to supply their needs would do wonders for the effort. Schneider makes wonderful guns as it has been told from our fellow servicemen."

"Perhaps we'll have some sent their way if need be. I hear that the professors are doing something interesting at the Collège de France are doing some interesting work. Send Joilot-Curie my regards sometime, will you."

"I will ask your secretary on my way out. But speaking of the Curies, you know of their former assistant Bertrand Goldschmidt? The one who was recruited to Institut du Radium a few years back? I hear he is off to great things."

Le Creusot, Schneider et Cie

"While the 75 mm guns, in the roles of anti-air, anti-tank, and anti-infantry had served well, there is concern within the army, over the next step of being able to keep up. Today's state-of-the-art equipment will become tomorrows relics. Which is why I have been sent to ask of Schneider, on behalf of the Army of France, to see to the production of the 90 mm contre-avion, for the army.

"Well, I see as it would be needed, yes, and I'm sure such a thing can be negotiated, Général, but I feel as if there is more to ask. Do not hesitate to ask Schneider about production of your guns."

"There is another. A variant of the 90 mm contre-avion, but modified for use against and on armored vehicles. The highest caliber of our dedicated anti-tank guns are only goes to 47 mm. It is no secret that we have fallen short recently. Only recently have our tanks been armed with 75 mm tank guns."

"I see. But we have time and resources. By the time we are able to produce them, we will have no worries on fighting a superior armored enemy."

by **Greater Slavic Union** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 2:08 am

Západosłovánska Zviązék Řečýpospolitých Radzěckích
Western Slavic Union of Soviet Republics

35th Mechanized Division, Trieste, Contested zone of Italy - January 1, 1939

Jan was awoken by a sudden sound, one which was not really strong, but that made him end his sleep all at once nonetheless. He opened his eyes and saw that what had wakened him up was just one of his comrades, Marcel Zych, telling him to wake up. It took him a while before actually being able to recognize all the words Marcel was saying, but, eventually, he managed to.

"Oh, finally! I thought you would have never woken up, Jan! Come with me, there is something I need to give you."

For a moment, Jan had even forgotten where he was. He just knew to be in a safe place, one where he was able to sleep during the night without having to fear the possibility of a mortar shell falling down in his proximities, without having to duck at every noise, without having to limit himself and pay attention to every single word and rumour he could eventually make. Yes, it was a safe place, but where was he? What place was this, where war seemed to be a place as distant from him as his beloved Žywia was? He did not realize it until he finally left his white bed, with its white blankets and its white pillow, to stand on his feet together with Marcel.

"Where am I, Marcel?" he asked, as he could feel a very strange, and very strong, pain in his right arm. It was intense; he had to bite hard for a while, and almost lost his senses while standing up, but he eventually did manage to, somehow, ignore it.

"Look around you, Jan." Marcel asked, helping his friend and fellow countryman and serviceman to stand up and to not fall when he was losing his senses. "Look around you and tell me what you see."

Jan was not a guy for jokes and question-dodging - in fact, he could barely withstand this kind of answer - but, for this time, he decided to ignore it and give it a go. He did look around himself, and what he saw was other people, lying on other white beds, with white blankets and white pillows, with white mattresses supported by steel structures. A quick thought made him connect that environment in which he found himself and the pain he had felt in his right arm: probably, it was a hospital. Then, he saw the emblem of the Red Cross at the end of the structure, which was a very long and very wide white tent, and he realized that yes, his assumption was indeed true: he was in a hospital.

"I am in a hospital... why?" he asked Marcel "I mean, I realize it's because something happened to me, and it's likely to be connected to the pain I feel in my right arm, but what is the exact reason why I am here, in a hospital? What happened to me that made me be transferred here?" he said while following his friend and comrade through the hall.

"Well, you got hit by a bullet while the Irish were using a light MG to saturate your platoon's position. Not one of your comrades was hit, just you were. I don't honestly know how could you be both more unlucky and luckier at the same time, you bastard, but whatever..."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you got hit by the shard of a light MG's bullet, while the enemy was really just trying to hit your position to stop you from fighting, OK, but you know, you were the only one to be hit, and you weren't even the one who was the most exposed to the machine-gun's fire!" Marcel exclaimed "Besides that, you also managed to survive it, or else we would not be talking right now, and that really is a big deal of luck..."

"Oh, I see... well then, where are we going?"

"The Post Delivery officer told me to bring you to him. He has something for you."

"Huh... wait what day is today?"

"It's January 3rd, Jan. And before you ask me: you have been at the field hospital for three days."

"What do the doctors say about my arm?"

"It looks like you can already hold your weapon again. I mean, you won't be sent back to the proper front line before a week or two, more or less, but if you were needed, you could still do the job, somehow."

"Are you implying that I am not needed on the front line?!" Jan replied to Marcel, smiling and patting him on the left shoulder "Do you even have an idea of what would my platoon do without me?"

"They wouldn't lose a guy due to a freaking light machine gun when they have a heavy one, I suppose..." Marcel responded.

"Pfft... fuck off..." said Jan, laughing.

After some several minutes of walking, they did, finally, manage to arrive at the Brigade's Post Office, where there was a very, very long and stressful queue to get the letters their dear ones had sent them or to send their dears one, or more, of their own. Jan and Marcel placed themselves at the end of the queue, waiting for their turn while everybody in front of them seemed like unable to stop mumbling about how inefficient, slow, and so on it was, without realizing that it was slow only because out of the three people usually assigned to this role, two had been wounded that morning by an Italian sniper, later tracked down and shot by a sniper of the 35th Mech. Division. To those standing, the queue seemed an inferno. Imagine to be stuck on foreign soil for more than a month, neither with the possibility to see your loved ones, your family, your friends, nor with the possibility to call them because of the recent shutdown of the phone lines due to bombings, and with only one possibility a day to receive news from them (in theory two possibilities, but usually the soldiers were on the front line in the city during the morning, and those who weren't there in the morning were there in the night, so everybody only had one real chance of getting that letter from his, or her, fiancee, or parents, or friends): if you couldn't get that goddamn letter you have been waiting for a whole week, you would be angry, no matter what avoids you from getting it.

Finally, after what seemed like an unending eternity, they managed to reach the head of the queue and talk to the Post Delivery officer. Once they had talked, and joked, and laughed, and pitied themselves for being in Italy, the officer finally handed him a letter, which came, according to the officer's words, "directly from Warsaw". That could mean just two things: either somebody in the upper echelons of the Army, or the State in general, had for whatever reason decided to waste their time in writing a letter to an injured soldier at the front line, or simply Žywia did. And for some reason, Jan thought that the second one was the most likely of the two options.

He thanked the officer and opened the letter's enevelope while still walking. Inside it was a letter which, judging by the writing style being more than well-known to Jan, obviously did not come from some obscure person within the State apparatus, but rather from the clearest, finest, and sweetest of all possible senders (at least under his point of view): Žywia.

He read that letter, and as he did, his mind could not help but think of her.

December 28th, 1938
Warsaw, WUSR

Dear Jan,

I am extremely sorry for not answering you earlier, but it has been very difficult to make my personal life and my school career coexist lately, so that is why I haven't written to you immediately after receiving your letter. And no, this is no excuse, Janek. Before yo could even think about it, I want to tell you that never once did I contact the Army to ask about you: I was, and still am, always faithful about your survival.

Now though: you told me about what you have been doing in these three months, and I want to tell you wat I have done, if that is fine for you. If that is not strong or heroical enough, you could as well stop reading this letter, because I think it will take a great deal of space on this sheet of paper before I end writing about it.

So, first off: my exams. I have given twelve exams in these three months - exactly: one exam per week - and I really hope I was done with it, but guess what? I'm not done with it. Yet. I mean, I will eventually be done with it once I finish High School, but that is not happening before at least some four months, so I have a long way to go before I can actually declare this High School career of mine a success.

Second shot: personal life. What can I say? Beyond the simple and pure fact that I miss you really too much to handle it? Besides the fact that my father is increasingly preoccupied by a possible escalation of the current conflict in Italy, and that this is amplified in me by the fact that I have you over there, putting your life at risk for Our flag, for Our heritage nad Our culture? I can't say anything besides this, because reality is as plain and simple as that, Janek mój...

And by the way, you idiot, do not even try to die, OK?! I don't want to be a widow at 18 years of age (yes, I do realize that I could only be a widow if we two were married, but that is not the point).

I must end writing for now, Janek mój, but expect me to come there, if you do not come here in the next two months.

I love you, Janek.

Forever yours,
Žywka

What did Jan feel after reading this letter he had just received from Žywia through the hands of an unknown, and, honestly, rather bad-looking person? Nobody knows, and probably neither did he. As soon as Jan put the letter back in the envelope, Marcel asked him what was written in the letter: was it from Žywia or from somebody else? Was it good or bad news or none of them? Jan did not answer. Unless you count a perpetuous silence as a response to a rapid series of curiosity-based questions, then he surely answered Marcel's questions.

By the time he arrived at the platoon's position, Jan had already recovered a decent facial expression, one with no roots at all in fear, depression, or whatever bad feeling home-sickness can cause to a person. He also managed to leave his home-sickness behind, as he was greeted by his comrades as he re-joined them after three days of absence. He would not write to Žywia immediately, no. He simply couldn't, as it looked like not only his platoon but his whole regiment wold be going back to the front lines soon.

17th Motorized Division, Istria, Jugoslavija - January 6

Nataša Vondráčková sat on the seats in the back of the truck where she and her comrades were sitting, being transported all the way to Trst. The men and women of the 17th Motorized Division were coming in as a reinforcement to the 35th Mechanized Brigade that was currently fighting to seize the city of Trieste, or Trst, one of the main centres of Italy's northern region. But the 17th Motorized Division was not actually the only division coming in to help the valiant men of the 35th Mech. Division, not at all... together with it there were another five divisions, of which three were tank divisions, and the other two were both mechanized divisions.

Just as the 35th Mechanized Division, the men of these five reinforcement units had been marching through portions, both large and small, of the WUSR's territory, then advancing into Hungarian territory, then entering the part of Jugoslavija that was called Slovenia, and then, finally, arriving in Istria. Unlike the 35th Mechanized Division, however, there had been no order to defend Pola: they had been immediately told they would be sent to Trst, to push north of the city in order to deny the italians the possibility to launch a somewhat-serious-looking counter-offensive against the Jugoslav and WUSR forces in the city.

And so now they were, advancing in a column heading north towards Gorizia and the surrounding area. In the meanwhile, they had been given leaflets stating the current situation in Trst, with a map depicting the various zones of Trieste with their respective names, and stating what zones were under whose control.

TO THE FELOW COMPATRIOTS AND FIGHTERS OF THE 17^TH MOTORIZED, 19^TH, 21^TH AND 23^ND TANK, AND 47^TH AND 39^THMOTORIZED DIVISIONS

Fellow countrymen and servicemen, this leaflet is not propaganda as some might say or think, but the pure truth about what is happening in Trst. As you can see in the map, Trst is divided in 28 neighbourhoods, and out of these 28 neighbourhoods, we already control many, as the neighbourhoods marked with the following numbers were completely under our control before the attack carried out five days ago: 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
The remaining neighbourhoods of the city were either contested - such as those marked as number 12, 15, and 16 - or completely under enemy control, such as the zones marked as 1 and 2.

However, the 35th Mechanized Division has been pushing for five days inside the city, and the zones marked as 3, 5, 7, 15, and 16 have been captured. The assault has been halted, but it is likely to resume in the near future; no furhter info can be provided.

Now, you have orders and duties of your own, and I expect you to carry them out completely: be efficient, be ruthless, be what you are. While fighting remember your history, remember your people: how many times did we fight for the freedom of others and ours?
Many, too many times without receiving anything in return: neither help, nor real friendship. We helped the Italians establish a state of their own under Napoleon, and now they kill us and our Jugoslav brothers. This has to come to an end, and that resposnsibility is yours and yours only.

Jiděmy napřed! Za Słavu naší Otčizný!

Prezydent ZZRR,
Michal Kovařícki

"Good to know" thought Nataša "Michal in persona has written to us for no actual reason. Well, I just hope I and my men don't get killed on the first day of fighting..." she added, still thinking in her mind. Only at that point she noticed that everybody was silent. Surely it was a normal thing not to make too much mess when moving through hostile territory towards an enemy-held town, but that kind of silence she was faced with was scary. The only noises being the noise of tanks and trucks moving.

Whenever they did arrive, they would smashed any resistance they could possibly face: they had the numbers, they had the will to fight, and they had the equipment edge needed to secure a victory (two of the three tank divisions were equipped with the new ST vz.39, the tank developed by Škoda based off of the RSFSR's T-34, but with a more powerful 85mm main gun and a thicker frontal armour around 65mm thick).

The Italian Army would fall soon. And hard.

by **Independent States of Tula** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:44 pm

The Federal Republic of Germany
January, 1939

Frankfurt, Closed-Door Session of German Parliament, Chancellor Jonas Wechsler...

"...and so my fellow Members of Parliament, under advisement from Grand Admiral Erich Raeder I wish to bring forward the proposal for the future of the Kriegsmarine which calls for the Kriegsmarine to be composed of Four Aircraft Carriers, Ten Battleships, Three Battlecruisers, Fifteen Panzerschiffe, Five Heavy Cruisers, Thirteen Light Cruisers, Twenty-Two Scout Ships, Sixty-Eight Destroyers, and Ninety Torpedo Boats among other surface craft and U-Boats by the year of 1945. With this navy control of the Baltic Sea would be assured and the Communists will find themselves with no place to hide in their Northern Seas. The support such a Kriegsmarine could provide our Heer would be impressive and allow our glorious Republic to further our goals of establishing a greater Germany to stand against the bulwark of Communism!" Chancellor Wechsler passionately argued to the members of Parliament sat before his stand.

Before him countless other politicians, naval officers, and shipbuilding corporate representatives had spoken, each and every one calling for the acceptance of this "Plan Z". It would be expensive, yes, it would take six years, yes, and would require upwards of 200,000 personnel yes...but it would be worth it to outmatch the Communists who sought to claim the Baltic for their own. Their launch of the Karl Marx had not gone unnoticed in Germany, and so they needed to be countered by the Western nations...even if the other Allies weren't completely thrilled with Germany's rearmament. Still, that mattered little to Wechsler or any of the MP's before him for that matter, after all this debate was more for show to the other parties that Democracy was alive and well than anything else. The result was already known, Plan Z would be voted in thanks to the Coalition and the NSDAP MP's, they needed no other MP's to vote for the plan to pass it.

Still, the Republic was young and debates still needed to show that it would last...even if they were long and pointless. With that in mind the Chancellor took his seat as the next speaker stepped up to the Podium, this time from a Union-led party to argue against the Plan...or at least that's what Chancellor Wechsler thought he was doing, in honesty the German paid the man little attention.

///

Frankfurt, Presidential Estate, President Max Hoffman...

Things were going well for the young German Republic, production of the new Panzer V medium tanks and Panzer VI heavy tanks were taking place to replace the outdated and outgunned Panzer III Ausf. L and Panzer IV Ausf.H from the Panzer Divisions, something aimed at being achieved by 1941, the Luftwaffe was growing exponentially and new aircraft were being tested constantly to keep the force modernized, and the Heer stood at nearly 4 million soldiers strong...more than enough to overwhelm occupied Germany if need be. Still, the time was not yet right to begin the invasion, the German High Command had warned Hoffman and his Chancellor that preparations would not be finished until 1941 at least...something Hoffman had not wanted to hear. He also did not want to hear how Germany needed more raw materials than itself could provide for the creation of it's planned Naval Fleet and Heer. But what he wanted to hear didn't matter, only the facts, and the facts were grim. The UESR held vast amounts of resources, manpower, and industry to counter Germany's...the Federal Republic could not face it alone...but it could with Allies. Germany had burnt many bridges since it began re-militarizing, France and the United Kingdom, the two superpowers of Europe had seen their treaty with Germany torn to shreds...but perhaps they could be persuaded to aid their former enemy against the UESR.

And then there was Italy to the South, fighting the Yugoslavs in a small skirmish over the city of Trieste, they would make a valuable ally in the war to come and offered the fastest one to make if Germany was to offer aid in their border skirmish. The Japanese were also making headlines with their actions in the Pacific and could prove a useful ally to force the UESR into a two-front war...especially if America could be convinced to aid them. Still, these were plans for a much larger conflict, a second World War of sorts...and so for the time being Hoffman would focus on two potential allies that may be easy to secure...France and Italy.

To: French Diplomatic Ministry
From: Federal Republic of Germany's Ministry of Diplomacy
Subject: Meeting between Presidents

President Max Hoffman would wish to welcome the French President to Frankfurt to discuss future diplomatic relations between our two great nations as well as to speak on recent events troubling both our nations' governments and citizens. The Ministry has been informed that sensitive information would need to be discussed at said meeting and as such cannot provide more details than these. A prompt response would be appreciated.

Good tidings,
Minister Schmidt

To: Italian Diplomatic Ministry
From: Federal Republic of Germany's Ministry of Diplomacy
Subject: Offer of Support

The Federal Republic of Germany wishes to express it's support of the Italian people in their defense of Trieste. We wish to express this in more than just words, if acceptable the Republic requests the right to send a Military Adviser to meet with Italian High Command in order to assess the situation so as to be able to offer a reasonable German Volunteer force to aid Italy in their time of need. A prompt response would be appreciated.

Good tidings,
Minister Schmidt

///

Frankfurt, Presidential Estate, President Max Hoffman and German High Command...

Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Göring was an interesting character, a member of the NSDAP and the man in charge of Germany's Luftwaffe, he had considerable political and military power. Still he was useful to President Hoffman and Chancellor Wechsler and their Coalition, a capable leader and a war hero of the Great War...he inspired many German citizens. Now, sitting alongside Großadmiral Erich Raeder and Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch, the man held a telling smirk as if he knew that the report he was about to give to Hoffman would make the Head of State very happy. In truth it probably would, the Luftwaffe had been working hard to create new aircraft capable of completely revamping Germany's air fleets and putting them ahead of the Communists, Göring had made sure to see to that. Hoffman knew the reason of course, the more successful he was, the better it looked for the NSDAP and the more seats they'd win in Parliament.

The Freedom and Justice Coalition had been wary of the NSDAP, far too authoritarian for their own tastes, their anti-Semitic beliefs made it hard for many within the Coalition to stomach the idea of working with the Nazis...but they were necessary to ensure the Coalition could keep a 75% hold on Parliament, making all challenges to their power pointless. Without the NSDAP supporting the Coalition they'd only hold around 55% of the seats of Parliment...a very dangerous proposition for the Coalition. Nevertheless, the alliance was purely off political convenience, there were many in the Coalition hoping to outlaw the NSDAP much like had been done with the other Socialist parties that had tried to grasp Germany's political system...but for the time being they had to be tolerated...besides their efforts to improve Germany's military had not gone unnoticed and even Hoffman had to admit that without the Nazis the Coalition couldn't have gotten to this point. Setting this all aside however Hoffman nodded to Göring who began by laying out a heavy folder on the small table the four men were sat around.

"Mr. President, I am happy to report that the next generation of aircraft for the Luftwaffe is ready for production. Calls for a better general fighter have been answered with the Focke-Wulf 190, it far outclasses the Bf109 and will be an easy fighter to move to for our current pilots. In addition Focke-Wulf has also offered a more advanced reconnaissance plane the One-Eighty-Nine. There is also great advances in our bomber strategy, the Do-217 will be able to bridge the gap between our heavy and light bombers and will be able to replace the He-111, the Ju-188 will be able to act as a light bomber capable of operating in a tactical sense alongside our dive-bombers, while finally the He-177 will fulfill our need for heavy strategic bombers now that a proper variant has been created without the flaws of previous variants. Furthermore, as to your requests for a military that can be supplied from the air just as well as the land, well...we have made quite some progress.

"The Focke-Wulf 200 Condor will be able to replace our fleet of Ju-52's as the premier Paratrooper transport and will be able to pull plenty of DFS-230 Gliders with which we have already had great success, these will compliment much heavier aircraft capable of truly enhancing our Airborne Forces...the Me-323 and its glider counterpart the Me-321 will be able to land hundreds of troops and many tons of equipment for our Heer forces wherever an airfield can be constructed or a glider landed." With that said the Head of the Luftwaffe sat back and allowed Hoffman to overlook the files and pictures of said aircraft before he pulled out a smaller folder.

"While those aircraft can be brought into production immediately, there have been some...breakthroughs in more advanced technologies." The Generalfeldmarschall stalled, obviously awaiting a response from Hoffman.

"What kind of breakthroughs?" The President asked, he truly was intrigued now.

"Two aircraft are currently in the prototype stage, neither has taken flight yet, and probably won't for months...but they are faster than any aircraft before them if the scientists are to be believed." Hermann stated before opening the folder and throwing two photos on the table before starting "The Me-262, a jet-powered fighter that will outclass any prop-plane the Communists can throw at us. As well as the Ar-234, a jet-powered bomber that will be able to drop its payload and outrun any fighters sent to down her without issue. It's bombload is very small, but it could be used to hit vital tactical targets without the fear of being lost to enemy air forces. Again, these two aircraft are years from production...but for the time being I felt you needed to know of them. They'll give us a true advantage against the Communists in the years to come."

The room was silent for a few minutes, the three other men eagerly over looking the files before composing themselves to continue the discussion, Hoffman for one was beyond delighted but kept his outward calm as he responded "Hermann, you have done the Fatherland a great duty, and I promise you that a proper reward will be found for such effort."

"Thank you Mr. President, my duty is my life." The General stated, his smirk returning.

Looking over to the Kriegsmarine's Commander-in-Chief Hoffman then asked "And you, Admiral? How will Plan Z look?"

Großadmiral Erich Raeder looked a little nervous, Goring was going to be hard to outdo...if not impossible, still he spoke calmly "Work on our first aircraft carrier is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, the full plan is scheduled to be completed by 1945, our Kriegsmarine will be finally a force to be reckoned with in terms of surface ships, and with the work of our Submariners we will be able to fully rule the Baltic Sea without allied help."

"Good. Keep me updated Admiral." The President responded, just then an aide stepped in and whispered in his ear that the Chancellor needed to meet with him to report on the proceedings of Parliament that day, with that he dismissed the three men and assured the Field Marshall that they would meet in private to speak on the Heer's work as well.

by **The Vekta-Helghast Empire** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 3:03 pm

The British Empire.

The House of Commons, Westminster, London.

”The situation in the Raj has been allowed to deteriorate for too long - we must begin mobilizing additional forces at once and put an end to these would-be revolutionaries. Thankfully for us, they’ve played it perfectly into our hands. The regions of Kashmir, West Pakistan and East Pakistan are all predominantly Muslim heathens. The Hindus of the Raj will be chomping at the opportunity to put them down. As such, I’d recommend the immediate conscription of Hindu soldiers from the Raj and the mobilization of a British force from Kenya to support, we should also redeploy the Battleships Rodney and Revenge to the region as to provide coastal support to our offensives.” Concluded the minister of defense, taking up his seat to roaring applause and a chant of, ”Here here!” from both sides of the Commons, all sharing the belief that the integrity of the Empire should be maintained, regardless of the cost.

After a brief discussion, the terms were agreed and telegrams were sent to Kenya to instruct the colonial forces to mobilize, meanwhile letters were sent out to recruiting stations throughout the Empire - with tensions arising across the globe, particularly with recent events unfolding in Italy, the Empire needed to be ready. Recruiters were urged to double their efforts and debates were being had in the commons regarding compulsory military service of up to four years for unemployed school-leavers.

In other news, other discussions of a non-military nature took place and additional funding was to be allocated for the expansion of African infrastructure and exploration for oil in some of the more suitable colonial possessions such as Palestine, Yemen, Kuwait and Nigeria. Where some experts had indicated that finding oil may be a real possibility. They also placed an order for four new destroyers to be produced for the Royal Navy as to counter the possibility of a new era of unrestricted submarine warfare, as they’d witnessed in the Great War before. They’d even discussed opening a special facility in Birmingham as to look into developing synthetic rubber in the UK itself, as to reduce the import costs from the Dutch East Indies.

A few days later, British Kenya.

”Colonel Adams sir, we’ve a telegram from London - We’re to rally the local colonial forces and await an additional detachment from the mainland then prepare to move out - we’re being sent to the Raj sir, to suppress the Kashmiri alongside the Hindis.” He immediately followed up with handing over the letter to his superior, and within the next few hours, riders were sent to more isolated garrisons, requisitioning a portion of the troops from each and in the following weeks, ships would begin arriving from Britain, mostly for transport purposes, but along with them came two British Battleships, destined for the Raj.

On the foreign affairs front.

The foreign ministry was aloof with activity - people darting arounds, telegrams pumping out messages and receiving responses from the British Embassies globally, mostly routine messages, however there were a few that stood out and a few very important telegrams were sent with summons to various other nations. The first of which being to the French Ambassador in London..

...Message begins…

To his most esteemed Ambassador,

I do hereby on behalf of his Majesty’s government, summon you to the Prime Minister’s residence at number ten, Downing Street. To discuss a matter of the utmost diplomatic importance, with regards to the events unfolding in Italy and with regards to the future of the treble Entente’s status as a political entity. I do hope this message reaches you in good health and that you’re able to attend our meeting tomorrow evening at the time of Four O’clock, or sixteen-hundred hours.

Kind Regards,

The British Foreign Ministry.

...Message ends...

The next letter of importance, rather than coming from the British Ministry to a foreign Ambassador was far more discreet, it came from the British Embassy in Yugoslavia to the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry, delivered by telegram under diplomatic encryptions.

...Message begins…

To the Foreign Minister of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia,

As Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, I do humbly request a meeting with yourself at the earliest convenience. Understandably, there are those in London who express concerns about the recent events unfolding in Istria and the recent outbreak of violence in the region and I’d like to be able to provide them with assurances that the Yugoslav government and its allies in the UESR shan’t be a threat to British assets worldwide.

In addition to this, there are a number of other matters which his Majesty’s government would like me to discuss, which I’m sure you’ll agree, upon hearing of the topics’ nature, should be discussed privately and in person. I do hope this message reaches you in good health.

Kind Regards,

Reginauld Winchester, British Ambassador to Yugoslavia.

...Message ends…

Another message was sent from an Embassy on the other side of Europe, from Stockholm, the British Embassy to the Kalmar Union, it had a much more positive ring to it and was clearly looking to achieve some kind of diplomatic progress.

...Message begins…

To the Foreign Minister of the Kalmar Union,

I write to you this evening to formally invite you to dinner with his Majesty’s Foreign Secretary one week today in London to discuss the future of our two nations - as his Majesty’s government has proclaimed that it intends on pursuing close and amicable relations with the Kalmar Union, a state with which we believe we share many common values. We believe that through our cooperation, our nations can continue to thrive and prosper. Going above and beyond our current limits as one united front. Giving both of us peace of mind geo-politically. I do hope this message reaches you in good health sir.

Kind Regards,

Ambassador William Bruce of the British Foreign Ministry.

...Message ends...

Next there was a message to the West German authorities, in hopes of reducing the tensions that arose from the Treaty of Versailles and the peace of 1918. The two nations had unfortunately grown apart since the demise of Napoleon at Waterloo and the Unification of the German people. But once they were close allies and proud of their shared culture and history. And such things were pursued once more.

...Message begins…

To the esteemed Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany,

I write to you this evening in hopes of arranging a meeting with yourself at the earliest convenience. His Majesty’s government has gathered and has come to the agreement that our nations have been at odds for far too long - our grandfathers would’ve stood proudly alongside one another as allies, but since then, inumerous quarrels and issues have been allowed to divide us and war has plagued our people. It’s time for us to shake the chips from our shoulders and extend our hands in friendship once more - in the hopes that peace can be allowed to reign victorious and that our common values, culture and history can dominate our inner hatreds, jealousies and scepticism. I hope this letter reaches you in good health.

Kind Regards,

Ambassador Thomas Oswald of the British Foreign Ministry.

...Message ends…

And finally a message to a nation that many would frown upon the British entering discussions with, the Union of Eurasian Socialist Republics, directly to their Chairman, Mikhail Bukharin of the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic.

...Message begins…

To his most esteemed Chairman, Mikhail Bukharin of the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic.

I write to you this evening in hopes of arranging a private meeting between ourselves as to discuss recent events globally and the pursuit of more.. Amicable relations between our two nations. Clearly tensions are high between yourselves and the west, and we’d like to put some reassurances in place as well as pursuing certain assurances from your own government. We believe that our two states can both exist in peace and prosperity, free of espionage and deceit. We need only reach out to one another. I do hope this message reaches you in good health.

Kind Regards,

Ambassador Gregory Larby of the British Foreign Ministry.

...Message ends...

by **Arventum** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:13 am

THE UNION OF SCANDINAVIAN KINGDOMS

Replies Needed from the Following

The Independent States of Tula
The Vekta-Helghast Empire

The Five Year Plan

Coming out of World War I, the Scandinavian Union was one of the richest nations in the world and maintained that position while growing its economy through intelligent management and expansion - primarily with the guidance of Sweden. This had insured that, for the most part, a Swede would have the position of Chancellor as the value of the Scandinavian krona only grew with time and the population of the Scandinavians, and the Chancellor guided them further. With the stability in economy that the Scandinavians have possessed, essentially all has been well except for the danger posed by the Red Cloud and the need for an even stronger economy, an even better military to maintain sovereignty. With that in mind, Chancellor Sigrid Svensson and President Finn Philipsen have been working alongside the governing monarchs and the Scandinavian parliament with the intent to produce a fine plan that would better the nation over the period of the next five years. The benefits of such an action cannot be ignored when it comes to the kind of development that will inevitably position Scandinavia in such a manner that it can fend off the economic and military threats of the Soviets.

At the center of every five year plan is the construction of the infrastructure seen as necessary to allow movement to and from factories, important towns, and the nation itself. For the first two years or so, roads, ports, and railways will have over a 385 million Scandinavian krona pumped into them. The result of things at sea will be the production of ports like the Great Port of Iceland, build better infrastructure to prepare for a larger merchant fleet and more sea traffic. Inland, throughout Scandinavia railways and roads will come to connect every factory to a city or town, every major city, every port, and every economically important region in general, with the added advantage of allowing the quick and efficient movement of war materials. A Transportation Maintenance Fund will be created by the Scandinavian Union’s treasury that will insure the continuing upkeep of all roads, rails, transport planes, cargo and public transport planes/trains, the merchant fleet, and anything else operated by the Scandinavian government itself - meanwhile, 30 of the 80 million krona in the fund will allow the Ministry of Transport & Shipping to aid private ventures. An added upside is that many current ports and roads are to be expanded.

During the construction of these facilities and after, throughout the course of the five year plan, another 450 million Scandinavian Krona of the large budget for the Scandinavians will result in the construction of factories in Scandinavia. In Denmark, as the the expansion of the Danish agricultural sector by 30% takes place over the course of five years so that exports there can increase, over 50 new factories will be constructed while using as little arable land and fresh water for industrial projects as possible. Throughout the rest of Scandinavia, about 200 new factories of varying sizes will be constructed, and an additional 40 new factories devoted to exclusively to military purposes will be nestled in that number. Consumer as well as the usual industries will find that they have new factories, with things such as clothing, shoes, typewriters, and even cars finding that they have new state-owned and privately owned companies to make use of these new factories.

The hope is that consumer products made by Scandinavians will improve the economy, and find their way into other markets while competing with foreign offerings. The factories in Denmark will shore up a Danish economy that is rich, but relies on agriculture for 60% of its bustling GDP. The result of an economy that produces 23.348 billion Scandinavian krona, about half that of some much larger countries, is that there is plenty of money to go around into improving an economy that, though stronger thanks to Scandinavians staying together, still leaves room for improvement and expansion.

In Denmark, the expansion of the agricultural sector to the goal of 30% will come along with several changes to Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia. Instead of focusing on smaller parcels of land, the return to larger, more viable farms will significantly improve the yield. The reservation of the best land for agricultural purposes, and the laws regarding the disposal of waste mean that Danish land will likely remain pristine and beautiful as it is used more. An invitation to certain foreigners will result in more farmers and workers, with 20 million krona set aside for building homes on farmland for foreigners when they come to claim land and positions as workers. Part of that 20 million krona will be used to create a new irrigation system that is set to be completely replaced in the 50s.

For the military, the navy is the primary focus as the air force and military continue drafting up their plans, and hoping to find someone who wishes to put their minds together to develop a new technology together. Plans for new classes of vessels will be drifted, and plan for rapid and significant expansion of the Scandinavian navy over the next five years has been made. As new vessels are completed, some vessels will be scrapped so that their crew can join these new vessels. The Svergie-class coastal defense ships and the Goteburg-class destroyers will stay in service and receive modernization updates with the hope that German technology will aid them. Over a period of five years, other vessels such as minesweepers and minelayers will receive modernization updates as well. Over the next ten, the hope is that all vessels will be modernized.

12 Trots (Defiance)-class mine laying vessels
8 Alla Sokare (All Seeker)-class minesweepers
24 Sinkar det roda (Sinking the Red)-class submarines (if a cargo variant is devised, an additional 12 will be built for that purpose)
32 Grymhet (Ferocity)-class destroyer/torpedo boats
2 Gustav Adolfus-class extended-range (it has limited blue-water capabilities) heavy coastal defense ships
2 Forebud (Harbinger)-class aircraft carriers (to replace the current ones)

Airliner Development

Transport and shipping are two of the most important economic sectors in the entirety of the Scandinavian Union, with Scandinavia’s merchant fleet acting globally, and further ambitions always being prepared for carefully. The continuing rise of technology means that the Scandinavian Union will only be able to take advantage of opportunities as they grow and appear. Played smartly, Scandinavia’s position and assets could be leveraged to raise the GDP by several million in a handful of years. It’s playing smartly that is the hard part, however. Enemies and potential threats are at every corner, with the intent of each nation involved in Scandinavian affairs being relatively murky.

To play its position smartly, Scandinavia has decided to design a new set of airliners so that it doesn’t have to rely exclusively on modified transport planes for transporting people. They will have much nicer internals and passenger space, thankfully. The increasing prevalence of airliners means that they will begin to get cheaper, and Scandinavia will be able to offer economy, business, first class, and private travels for people at prices that, as they get lower, will bring popularity to Scandinavia’s airlines. Eventually.

Scandinavia’s fledgling dominance of transport and shipping will grow as trains, trucks, cars, planes, and boats are all used to facilitate travel, and the transport of goods and secrets.

The New Air Bases

Scandinavia only possesses two naval vessels capable of carrying an even remotely notable number of aircraft - one of which is a seaplane carrier that probably isn’t all that great, and the other is an increasingly outdated aircraft carrier. The threat of Soviet vessels in the Baltic sea has been an issue which has plagued the minds of Scandinavian strategists for over a decade. Some funding has thankfully been allocated to make up for the lack of a more significant presence in the Baltic sea. The UESR’s navy isn’t known for its engineering, but it would pose a definite threat to Scandinavian interests in the Baltic sea. Without a stronger presence, Scandinavian people could be threatened right at home - and Sweden will have none of that.

The hope is that the changes resulting from building primary air bases on a set of five islands in the Baltic sea will allow Scandinavia to counter vessels like Soviet battleships by torpedo bombing them into oblivion. That’s the hope, anyways - a hope that came out of the fear of Soviet vessels possessing the intent to do harm to Scandinavia. Work will need to be done to take full advantage of the new naval bases, but the Scandinavians have a plan that they think
will result in a strong defense. Defense is really the only option that the Scandinavians possess when it comes to the UESR. Starting a war is out of a question, while losing a war that someone else started is also definitely out of the question.

With a total of five islands possessing new air bases, the dream of eventually having the capacity to launch over a hundred aircraft to counter Soviet forces when you take all islands into account must be realized. Gotland and Oland, respectively the first and second largest islands that Scandinavia possesses in the Baltic sea, will possess the largest of the five new air bases. Thanks to three of the islands being in the Slite archipelago with Gotland, that is where most of the air power will be focused. Faro, Gotska Sandon, and Furillen will help further Scandinavian interests in the Baltic sea. Depending on how things go and what goes on around the world, the plan could adapt, or it could continue onwards as is. In the end, though, everything will depend on Scandinavia’s maneuvering on the international scale.

Education & the Grand Library of the Scandinavian Federation

Education, language, and books have made the people of the Scandinavian Union capable, intelligent, and given them a kind of alignment that has allowed them to easily combine into a single nation of three different states. Scandinavia wants to improve its capabilities in these areas, and provide the world with a symbol of Scandinavian intelligence that will stand strong and continue to expand itself over the course of many decades. The method through which they will do that is the Grand Library of the Scandinavian Federation, an organization that will have three primary libraries in each of the states of the Union. All libraries in the nation will be brought into the organization to streamline things. Over time, they too will receive more expansions and more funding as they each provide knowledge that will brighten the lives of all citizens and immigrants.

Each library in the Scandinavian Union become places where the Scandinavian languages will have parts of them taught to all citizens to help unify the languages, and where they will teach foreign languages to both children and adults; to help, schools will do the same closer at home. Federal library cards and translations for those great books that have yet to be translated to a Scandinavian language, combined with putting the printing presses into action to provide each library in the Union with classics will help bolster the Scandinavian library systems. Programs will be started where each person with a library card can easily enjoy things such as reading lists to bring people up to date on things such as fashion, while the libraries will help connect people to subscription-based services people will be interested in for a reference fee from those places they do subscribe to. A book store will be built in each of the Grand Libraries, and every Scandinavian library will have a book store on location within ten years - these bookstores will be privately owned so as to not kill private industry in this area. Creating new markets for subscription-based services that range from magazines to experiencing products from another culture, offering pen pals with foreigners, and creating places where new, up-to-date typewriters can be found and used freely will bolster the economy and international relations between the public of many nations in the long run.

On Foreign Affairs

Heading to London

Minister Sebastian Ronning was a Norwegian of about 30 years of age, with the blonde hair and pale skin of a Northerner. He spoke with a subtle accent when asking his staff to remember to ready his bags in two days when they were to board one of the transport planes modified for carrying diplomatic officials; his secretary added it to the schedule. This foreign minister had a soft voice, and was quite the attractive man. He was wearing a light smile, having just gotten out of a meeting with other ambassadors and Gustav the Fifth.

The formational period for a new project that had to do with an alliance of some sort to aid in the defeat of the Soviets had started. He had been smiled upon when he received the letter a day prior to the meeting, and that combined with Gustav the Fifth’s offer to Germany through the ambassador to that nation created the start of something fantastic. The world was a tense place in these days, and the minister and his staff were leaving early to take a few days to enjoy another nation before meeting with the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdoms. A letter confirming that they were to arrive had already been sent forward.

To the Foreign Ministry of the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,

It has been decided - with much joy, I might add - that I will be attending this dinner with the esteemed foreign minister in one week’s time. I hope to take a handful of days to enjoy your beautiful country alongside my stuff before I dine with you. As I am personally writing you, I would like to express that I have been waiting for a long time to have this kind of opportunity. There is much in store for our two nations.

Sincere Appreciations,
Sebastian Ronning
Foreign Minister of the Federal Union of Scandinavian Kingdoms

Two days was enough time for the Foreign Ministry to receive a reply from the Germans. Then,
negotiations could really take off. They would need to reply through a letter sent by the Ambassador to Germany, whom King Gustav V had told to make a huge offer to the Federal Republic that could only result in a stronger Scandinavia.

The black-haired Ambassador Bjorn Strenstrom was going to expertly keep things quiet, and a Scandinavian woman with a German passport would find her way into the German Embassy to speak to German intelligence officers only to do much the same at a later point.

“I am Katarina Paulsson. I wish to speak to a German intelligence officer on behalf of the Scandinavian Union.” She said in a rather quiet voice. After they were alone, she would quietly hand over the letter, and then leave after saying that the Union expected a prompt reply. She seemed almost bored, as if even this was too mundane for her, and she’d rather be killing Soviets. Well, that last part wasn’t so obvious, but Miss Paulsson quite despised Russia even more than the usual Scandinavian Intelligence agent.

Before opening, the agent will notice that, in bolded German, the envelope says: EYES ONLY Should they open envelope, it will be encoded by the same code that the Scandinavians and Germans have used since World War I, one of the stronger codes in the West. Once what it says is revealed by someone with knowledge of the code, however, Scandinavian intent becomes clear.

To the Foreign Ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany,

Our nations have worked together since before the dawn of the Great War with increasing efficiency, and increasing closeness. Perhaps it is because of how closely related we are to your great peoples. Perhaps it is because we understand that barely any nation can truly be considered ‘neutral’. Though Scandinavia is essentially a neutral nation, we never have been truly neutral, and we hope to reaffirm our relationship with the German republic.

We hope that you accept our offer, which begins with being able to offer lower tariffs on Scandinavian steel, iron, and coal. In the future, more economic opportunities could be provided. If you do accept our offer and its terms, 1 billion Scandinavian krona will be sent by merchant vessels in four separate shipments.

Our terms are that we operate together, developing technology with one another and perhaps a select group of allies in a covert manner, sharing technology in yet another covert manner (our scientists will make sure that our technology looks very little like yours), operating intelligence agents together, and one day we believe that we will offer more through nations such as the British Empire.

We request all information on foreign targets such as the UESR in exchange for all Scandinavian information on the same. We also request technology from your tanks, your U-boats for our submarines, gunnery information - especially pertaining to naval vessels - and enough information to make our navy strong enough to aid our allies abroad while also being able to handle the Soviet threat at home. I understand that this is a lot, but our citizens vilified and demonized the UESR themselves without us having to lift a hand. We are explicitly pro-German. Our support will likely be unwavering.

Additionally, we hope that we are able to found an airline, and expand our transport and shipping business into Germany. Perhaps our merchant fleet can be used to transport files, as well as German products around the globe. Within five years we believe that our presence could be leveraged to perform the mass evacuation of German officials and citizens in numbers reaching the thousands should Germany be attacked. Germany is strong, and will likely survive, but should your nation ever have even the slightest chance of falling, your people will be given refuge, homes, jobs, and a promise in writing that Scandinavia, her people, and her allies will one day rip Germany from the grasp of those… barbarians.

My mother was German. She is in Soviet-controlled Germany, as she was visiting family there when those fools turned against the rightful heirs of that land, backed by barbarians that the Western world must not let harm us. I miss her, and believe that this relationship will help me bring her back. I always regret that I was too busy with school to go with her. I know she is not alone, but my heart still aches, and tells me that we can do something. Perhaps your intelligence agents, and ours could even work together to bring people like her back home. I would appreciate it, my friends.

Looking Ahead,

Bjorn Strenstrom
Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:30 am

Monfalcone
Italian Province of Gorizia
Italy

January 11th, 1938

The retreat had been a huge success, as retreats go, that is, the frontline units on the southern flank of the 4th Corps had withdrawn further into the city under the enemy's very noses, taking with them dozens of pieces of priceless factory equipment and evacuating many skilled workers and thinkers who remained loyal to their country. Eleven thousand men had taken up more suitable defensive positions further back alongside the Irish troops and the forces of the Royal Mechanised Brigade.

The 4th Corps command, along with that of the Irish forces, were once again seated in Monfalcone's Town Hall, Lieutenant General Arlotti sat in his chair at the head of the table and addressed his officers favourably, "Very well done, gents, well done indeed. The withdrawal, while regrettable, was handled masterfully." He turned to one officer in particular, "This was your handiwork, was it not, Colonel Vinci?"

"Yes, sir... But Colonel Cadorna oversaw the retreat itself and, might I say, handled the situation commendably." Vinci replied, smiling.

Cadorna choked on his second glass of wine and sputtered, "Thank you, Colonel Vinci..." He coughed into his sleeve and wiped his mouth with a tissue, "Although special mention should be given to the Irish troops, they held their nerve rather well, not to say that our boys didn't, by now our men should be used to this kind of combat."

“Yes well, while we’ve been able to retreat to more favourable ground, the enemy simply keeps up its attacks. Just yesterday some men of Oxford Company got into a skirmish with a WUSR Mechanized Unit. The enemy is really starting to beef up, to be frank. This with the halt on our naval supply lines by the submarine attacks is starting to put pressure on the men.” Ceanfort Johnson said, his face showing age beyond his years and his shoulders hunched.

“It’s not all bad…” Arlotti replied, “We’ve received reinforcement too, the Royal Mechanised has proved itself a worthy unit and seven hundred and fifty Germans arrived today, volunteers it seems. Perhaps we should write to His Majesty and the Government, asking if they can send out a call for foreign volunteers?”

“I have done already, sir.” Cadorna replied, “And I’ve asked for more men and supplies. Unfortunately, we’ve received some very troubling news from our scouts and intelligence officers… More and more non-Yugoslavian units arrive each day and I’m told T-34s and other tanks much more capable than our own have arrived recently. The enemy pushes cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.”

“That’s a good point, we’ve enough men in this city for a gun in each window, how do they keep moving without resistance?”

“We can’t really be sure, sir, our men are trained, armed and moderately well led, it’s possible that they are low on ammunition but there’s enough stockpiled at the docks to supply a force double our size.”

“Hmm… Commandant, you’ve been able to visit the front recently, I hear, do you have any idea what could be going on here?” Arlotti asked.

Before Johnson could reply there was a knock at the door, a knock which surprised General Arlotti, General Baldovini, however, had a beaming smile on his face at the interruption. “A friend, Baldy?” Arlotti asked.
“Yes, sir,” Baldovini replied, “likely bearing very good news.”

The door swung open and a neatly uniformed man with entered, Arlotti and several other officers sighed as they saw his black attire clearly thinking that he was sent to spy on them by Badoglio’s Fascist government. Baldovini simply laughed, stood and saluted the man, the officer returned the salute. “This,” Baldovini announced, “Is Lieutenant General Percival Ayers, he has been chosen by Badoglio to command His Majesty’s armoured units, the black uniform is that of the new armoured wing of the army.”

“A Brit?” Asked Arlotti, inquisitively.

“Maltese,” Ayers corrected, “But I am English by birth.”

“Badoglio was adamant that someone British must command the tanks as they invented the tanks, turns out we had one on Messe’s staff and so he was given the position.”

“Gentlemen,” Ayers said, “I haven’t come all this way for nothing, there are two packages waiting for our inspection outside... He led the way out of the building and into the dark evening outside, searchlights and old-fashioned iron streetlamps lit the area as, positioned neatly in the town square, stood two imposing armoured vehicles like large steel sentinels watching over the square. One, the largest of the two vehicles, was quite clearly a medium tank of some fashion with a long barrel protruding from the low yet boxy turret, Ayers sighed happily at the tank and explained, "This, gentlemen, is the P24/39 or Principale 24, 39, so named as it weighs twenty-four tons, the design was finalised this year and it has been designed to serve as a main tank for the Royal Armoured Corps. I'm told it is quick to build, effective, well armed and armoured with a multi-purpose 50-millimetre gun and between 38 and 62 millimetres of armour angled at 57 degrees at the front and 78 degrees on the side."

Several members of the party nodded and muttered in approval. Ayers continued, “Anyway, it has all the most modern equipment available to us so despite its quick construction speed it is rather expensive so we have to limit the amount available to each division, it is crewed by five men and it’s prototype engine and suspension means it can travel at 40 kilometres per hour on roads and a fairly decent 26 off road, it will have a hard time on particularly rough terrain however.” Ayers moved slowly over to the second vehicle, “And this…” He continued, “Is the CA8/39, it weighs 7.8 tons which has been rounded up to eight. This half-track armoured carrier is designed to carry nine men along with a crew of two, it is armed with a single 7.7 millimetre Breda machine gun with 1000 rounds and four grenade dischargers with thirty smoke grenades, you gentlemen will be familiar with the design, it is the same as the ones attached to the rifles of our assault troops. The vehicle goes at 42 kilometres per hour on roads and 30 offroad, it has between 7 and 14 millimetres of angled armour all around. All in all, the design is very efficient but it would be cheaper and quicker to produce were it open-topped rather than enclosed, this is a problem I am trying to rectify now.”

There was approval from all around and, happy with this result, Ayers excused himself following a few comments about cost, production quotas and crew training periods to see himself to bed. He had been billeted on the other side of town, away from any prying eyes that might be lurking in the open town square. He retired to his rented quarters to write.

To: Royal Army - Board of Design, Armour Department
From: Lieutenant General Percival Ayers, CO Royal Armoured Corps

I have inspected the prototype vehicles that were presented to me today, these being the CA8/39 and the P24/39, I am completely satisfied with the overall designs but I believe several small changes will increase the effectiveness of the vehicles without adding any major costs. For a start, good visibility is key for our armoured vehicles and thus I would recommend that the enclosed hull of the CA8/39 be instead replaced by an open-topped model with railings to hang a canvas cover from, sheltering the inhabitants from the elements but allowing for maximum visibility and quick evacuation. The P24/39 will also need fitting for maximum visibility and targeting, with an open top clearly out of the question I would recommend a design of periscope from Ireland, The Thompson Device is the only 360-degree rotating periscope available in Europe and I have heard from reliable sources that it is incredibly well designed by Thompson and Sons of Carlow.

There are, I'm sure, plenty of places for improvement but what I've seen today is perfectly acceptable and has exceeded my expectations, the parts seem simple enough to allow for quick if not entirely cheap mass production. For only six months of work the design seems polished enough to send into battle after the last minute alterations are made and the design is put into production. I would recommend production quotas of 150 models of the P24/39 by March as well as 350 models of the CA8/39.

Good job chaps, you've done us well, Percival Ayers

To: Minister Schmidt, The Federal Republic of Germany - Ministry of Diplomacy
From: Tullio Fausto Borgogni, Chief of the Italian Diplomatic Service

His Majesty's government thanks you for your kind support for our cause, the Yugoslavian attack, while expected, was in betrayal of all the laws of civilised men. Having discussed your message with the Army General Staff and GHQ as well as the Ministry of Defence I would be quite happy to accept your offer for advisors and volunteers. I'm sure both our troops on the front line and our staff officers would benefit greatly from German military expertise. The free world is humbled by Germany's readiness to defend those threatened by the infectious cancers of Communism and Socialism, the forces of the leftist plague will surely wilt before those of the Federal Republic.

Yours, with the greatest respect and admiration - Tullio Borgogni

To: The ambassadors to the Kingdom of Italy from the United Kingdom, the Scandinavian Empire, the United States of America and the French Republic
From: Tullio Fausto Borgogni, Chief of the Italian Diplomatic Service

His Majesty's Government and Armed Forces thank your respective nations for the support that has already been offered to the Kingdom of Italy. It pains me to admit that we are forced to request more, as the frontier against Bolshevism in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, the Kingdom of Italy is under heavy strain made even more prevalent due to the recent fighting around the city of Trieste which, as I'm sure you're aware, is sovereign Italian territory that the Communists in Yugoslavia have incorrectly and barbarously claimed as their own. The Royal Italian Army's Fourth Corps along with soldiers of the Irish Army, our primary ally in this conflict, are holding their own within the town but they are put under greater strain each day. Having discussed this matter along with others with the Army General Staff and GHQ, we are forced to request further aid in the form of volunteer units, armoured vehicles, artillery pieces, ammunition and other supplies along with aerial support. It is imperative that the nations of the free world band together to show the Bolsheviks that we will not be divided and barbaric expansionism will not be tolerated.

Yours, with the greatest respect and admiration - Tullio Borgogni

Co-op'ed with The Traansval, bold text is his writing.
Replies required from:
Independent States of Tula
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by **The Federation of Democratic Regions** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:31 pm

Port of Halifax, Halifax, Dominion of Canada

The frustration of motorists commuting to work through the complex web of roads in Halifax was palpable around the dock facilities, as traffic was held up by officers of the Halifax Regional Police to make way for a large column of soldiers marching downhill towards the port proper, where an awaiting rented passenger ship, the SS Arandora Star, was berthed at one of the port’s many piers. As the band played the Invercargill March and the colors blazed from the head of the column, motorists began to exit their cars to watch the passing soldiers, eight hundred young men from the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regiment. With khaki drill dress, Lee Enfields at the shoulder, and brodie helmets firmly planted on heads, the Canadian boys marched past the crowd of onlookers as the end of the street finally appeared. A cordon of police automobiles blocked off the street from a large crowd of well wishers and family of the soldiers, attentive patrol officers watching over the crowd for the slightest disturbance. Cheers and flowers greeted the soldiers as they came into sight over the hill, some proud mothers and siblings sobbing as flowers rained upon the column. The eight hundred soldiers assembled just inside the grounds of the port, dividing into blocks by company to stand at attention before the colonel of the regiment and his command staff, who had been waiting for the regiment to arrive. The bark of orders silenced the crowds as the band stopped playing, the mass of Canadian soldiers standing to attention and presenting arms.

Several minutes later, the formations broke up at the orders of the sergeant major and began to board the Arandora Star. As the crew began to unmoor the ship from the docks, soldiers assembled at the railings, waving helmets and flowers. Half an hour later, the large ship was being assisted out of harbor by a small horde of tugs to the mouth of the port, where a single destroyer was waiting to escort the ship across the Atlantic. The pair of ships were due to arrive at Bremerhaven in the German Republic within eight days, where the Royal Winnipeg Rifles would assume its role as the Canadian military delegation to the fledgling democratic country, liasoning with the German military.

In two weeks, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade would also depart from the Port of Halifax onboard chartered transports along with the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment and the 1st Anti-Tank Regiment from 1st Canadian Infantry Division, proceeding to the Port of La Spezia from which they would take rail transport Gorizia, where they would be in a position to attempt to relieve Trieste in conjunction with Italian and Irish forces.

Inverness, Nova Scotia, Dominion of Canada

The cool breeze off of the Atlantic was extremely comforting to the workers toiling away under the harsh sun, exposed as they chipped away at the terrain, working to level the earth as the noise of heavy machinery resounded from several kilometers away from the work party. It consisted mostly of young men, unemployed due to the economic crisis, and finding temporary work with the Canadian Public Work Corps, building and improving infrastructure all over Canada. This specific work party was clearing away forest and rock for a four lane highway, improving the road connection between Inverness and the major cities further west such as Halifax. If the workmen had been able to perhaps see further away, past the terrain obstructions and maybe over a few hills, they would’ve seen the purpose of this project rather clearly, for roughly twenty kilometers away, a far larger work party consisting of Royal Canadian Engineers was working on the construction of facilities within the future Royal Canadian Air Station Whycocomagh. An additional road connection would allow building materials to arrive in far larger amounts, not to mention the vastly reduced travel times. Thus, the workmen labored away under the harsh and unforgiving sun for their small wages and free meals in a sturdy barracks to protect them from the weather, conditions far better than what they had on the streets when their savings had gone, and any hopes of employment had scuttled the chances for preserving their old lives.

The Canadian Public Work Corps had done wonders for the average unemployed Canadian, taking him off the street and providing the essentials alongside a basic wage in return for improving Canada for their fellow Canadians. Improved park facilities, new bridges, repaired and expanded roads, and in some cases even civilian aerodromes, all existed in increased abundance due to the efforts of the CPWC. It employed an estimated forty thousand young male Canadians, and had done wonders for the popularity of the Mackenzie King government. Now, their potential could be turned to improving military infrastructure in preparation to defend Canada proper and the democratic way of life from the savage reds with their lack of civilization. Every Canadian would be expected to do their part for Canada, and this was one such part.

Overall, the highway was just a minor part of the National Infrastructure Revitalization for 1938, which would be repairing several thousand kilometers of highway, in addition to existing railroad systems, canals, and airports. The centerpiece of the NIR was the Trans-Canada Highway, a revolutionary road that would link all nine Canadian provinces from coast to coast with thousands of kilometers of asphalt, and would involve tens of thousands of young Canadians, all employed by the CPWC. Meanwhile, the scale of airport construction ranged from state of the art metropolitan facilities to obscure regional facilities, linking small towns and outposts in the wilderness to larger bastions of civilization for emergency, transit, and shipping. One such facility, Malton Airport, was located in Toronto, and while still under construction, was a project rather ambitious in scale compared to more contemporary airports in other western nations. Military infrastructure was also covered in the NIR, albeit much more discretely, and saw the construction of coastal gun batteries and searchlight emplacements, and in a far more discreet case, flak batteries in urban centers.

York Redoubt, for example, had seen the outdated Sandwich Point Battery guns replaced with four BL 6-inch Mk VII guns, while the Sleepy Cove Battery had seen its outdated 12-pounders replaced with a quartet of 6-pounders. Two flak batteries were also constructed on York Redoubt, solid emplacements each armed with six 40mm flak guns. Connaught Battery, also defending Halifax Harbour, was armed with three 4.7 inch guns and a single flak battery of 40mm guns. The expansion of defences, while expensive, had given the Canadian Armed Forces some much needed breathing room when it came to domestic affairs, and when coupled with the construction of barracks, firing ranges, training grounds, and administrative buildings, had altogether vastly increased the capabilities of the CAF.

by **Independent States of Tula** » Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:43 pm

The Federal Republic of Germany
January, 1939

Frankfurt, Presidential Estate, President Max Hoffman...

The President of Germany was overlooking the documents pertaining to the rapid expansions to the Heer that he'd never gotten to with the last meeting as the sun outside was beginning to set. It had been a long day but it was going to be longer still, thankfully the news was mostly good on the Heer's end. The new Organization charts had come along and the full acceptance of the FG-42 into the Fallschirmjäger infantry and the MG-42 into the regular infantry had be completed. Furthermore the initial production of the G43 had begun in hopes of replacing the Kar98k by 1941, this along with multiple prototypes that would soon begin production in 1940 made sure that Hoffman's mood remained well lit. Going over the organization tables Hoffman was pleased with what he saw.

(OOC: Note that the specifics of what's in the boxes is not known to none ally nations of Germany. All divisions also carry with them 8x Supporting Battalions that can be rotated to fit the needs of specific Divisions these support battalions are typically Supply/Logistical, Medical, Combat Engineers, Anti-Aircraft, Artillery, etc. These 8 Battalions add 6,400 Men to each Division.)

Organization of a Panzergrenadier Division

1x Recon Battalion composed of 300 Men, 75x Sd. Kfz. 222, 35x BMW R75 and 3x Kübelwagen

3x Infantry Regiments composed of 3 Infantry Battalions of 800 Men (total of 2,400 Men per Regiment of 7,200 Men total) and both 1 Anti-Tank Company of 100 Men and 1 Infantry-Gun Company of 100 Men (total of 200 Men per Regiment or 600 Men Total), 240x Sd.Kfz. 251, 40x Sd.Kfz 7, 60x Pak 40, 60x Infanteriegeschütz 18

1x Anti-Tank Battalion composed of 3 Anti-Tank Companies (See Above) and 1 Heavy-MG Company of 100 Men, 20x Flakvierling 38, 60x Pak 40, 80x Sd.Kfz 7

1x Engineer Battalion composed of 800 Men, 80x Opel Blitz

1x Motorized Artillery Regiment composed of 3 Light Artillery Battalion of 780 Men (2,340 Men Total), 1 Heavy Artillery Battalion of 800 Men, and 1 Observation Battalion of 300 Men, 240x Sd.Kfz 7, 80x 15cm sFH 18, 130x 10.5cm leFH 18/40

1x Signals Battalion of 300 Men

Total Men: 13,040
Total Vehicles: 360x Sd. Kfz 7, 240x Sd. Kfz. 251, 80x Opel Blitz, 75x Sd. Kfz. 222, 35x BMW R75, 3x Kübelwagen
Total Pieces: 130x 10.5cm leFH 18/40, 80x 15cm sFH 18, 120x Pak 40, 60x Infanteriegeschütz 18 20x Flakvierling 38

Total Number of Panzergrenadier Divisions: 72

Organization of a Motor-Rifle Division

1x Recon Battalion composed of 300 Men, 75x Sd. Kfz. 222, 35x BMW R75 and 3x Kübelwagen

3x Infantry Regiments composed of 3 Infantry Battalions of 800 Men (total of 2,400 Men per Regiment of 7,200 Men total) and both 1 Anti-Tank Company of 100 Men and 1 Infantry-Gun Company of 100 Men (total of 200 Men per Regiment or 600 Men Total), 280x Opel Blitz, 60x Pak 40, 60x Infanteriegeschütz 18

1x Anti-Tank Battalion composed of 3 Anti-Tank Companies (See Above) and 1 Heavy-MG Company of 100 Men, 20x Flakvierling 38, 60x Pak 40, 80x Opel Blitz

1x Engineer Battalion composed of 800 Men, 80x Opel Blitz

1x Motorized Artillery Regiment composed of 3 Light Artillery Battalion of 780 Men (2,340 Men Total), 1 Heavy Artillery Battalion of 800 Men, and 1 Observation Battalion of 300 Men, 240x Opel Blitz, 80x 15cm sFH 18, 130x 10.5cm leFH 18/40

1x Signals Battalion of 300 Men

Total Men: 13,040
Total Vehicles: 680x Opel Blitz, 75x Sd. Kfz. 222, 35x BMW R75, 3x Kübelwagen
Total Pieces: 130x 10.5cm leFH 18/40, 80x 15cm sFH 18, 120x Pak 40, 60x Infanteriegeschütz 18 20x Flakvierling 38

Total Number of Motor-Rifle Divisions: 110

Organization of a Mountain Division

1x Recon Battalion composed of 800 Men

3x Infantry Regiments composed of 3 Infantry Battalions of 800 Men (total of 2,400 Men per Regiment of 7,200 Men total) and both 1 Anti-Tank Company of 100 Men and 1 Infantry-Gun Company of 100 Men (total of 200 Men per Regiment or 600 Men Total), 60x 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 42, 60x Kz 8cm GrW 42

1x Mountain Artillery Regiment composed of 3 Light Artillery Battalions of 780 Men (2,340 Men Total), 1 Heavy Artillery Battalion of 800 Men, and 1 Observation Battalion of 300 Men, 130x 7.5 cm Gebirgsgeschütz 36, 80x 10.5cm Gebirgshaubitze 40

1x Signals Battalion of 800 Men

Total Men: 11,740
Total Pieces: 130x 7.5 cm Gebirgsgeschütz 36, 80x 10.5cm Gebirgshaubitze 40, 60x 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 42, 60x Kz 8cm GrW 42

Total Number of Mountain Divisions: 10

Organization of a Fallschirmjäger Division

1x Recon Battalion composed of 800 Men

3x Infantry Regiments composed of 3 Infantry Battalions of 800 Men (total of 2,400 Men per Regiment of 7,200 Men total) and both 1 Anti-Tank Company of 100 Men and 1 Infantry-Gun Company of 100 Men (total of 200 Men per Regiment or 600 Men Total), 60x 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 42, 60x Kz 8cm GrW 42

1x Anti-Tank Battalion composed of 4 Anti-Tank Companies (See Above), 80x 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 42

1x Airborne Artillery Regiment composed of 3 Light Mortar Battalions of 780 Men (2,340 Men Total), 1 Heavy Mortar Battalion of 800 Men, and 1 Observation Battalion of 300 Men, 130x Kz 8cm GrW 42, 80x 12 cm GrW 42

1x Signals Battalion of 800 Men

Total Men: 12,140
Total Vehicles: 450x Ju-52, 450x DFS-230 Glider
Total Pieces: 190x Kz 8cm GrW 42, 80x 12cm GrW 42, 120x 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 42

Total Number of Fallschirmjäger Divisions: 4

Organization of a Panzer Division

1x Recon Battalion composed of 300 Men, 75x Sd. Kfz. 222, 35x BMW R75 and 3x Kübelwagen

1x Panzer Brigade composed of 2 Regiments with 2 Battalions Each comprised of 1 Staff Company (1x Staff Platoon of 2x Panzerbefehlswagen and 1x Pz. III Ausf L and 1x Platoon of 5x Pz. III Ausf L) and 3 Companies (1x Command Section of 2x Pz. III Ausf L and 4x Platoons of 5x Pz. IV Ausf H). Total of 8x Panzerbefehlswagen, 48x Pz. III Ausf L, 240x Pz. IV Ausf H and 3,000 Men. Note that 32 Panzers are in reserve per Brigade for losses (2x Panzerbefehlswagen, 10x Pz. III Ausf L, 20x Pz. IV Ausf H).

1x Motor-Rifle Regiment composed of 3 Infantry Battalions of 800 Men (total of 2,400 Men) and both 1 Anti-Tank Company of 100 Men and 1 Infantry-Gun Company of 100 Men (total of 200 Men per Regiment or 600 Men Total), 280x Opel Blitz, 20x Pak 40, 20x Infanteriegeschütz 18

2x Engineer Battalion composed of 800 Men each, 80x Opel Blitz, holds Panzer Reserve

1x 1x Motorized Artillery Regiment composed of 3 Light Artillery Battalion of 780 Men (2,340 Men Total), 1 Heavy Artillery Battalion of 800 Men, and 1 Observation Battalion of 300 Men, 240x Opel Blitz, 80x 15cm sFH 18, 130x 10.5cm leFH 18/40

1x Signals Battalion of 300 Men

Total Men: 11,040
Total Vehicles: 10x Panzeerbefehlswagen, 58x Pz. III Ausf L, 260x Pz. IV Ausf L, 680x Opel Blitz, 75x Sd. Kfz. 222, 35x BMW R75 and 3x Kübelwagen
Total Pieces: 130x 10.5cm leFH 18/40, 80x 15cm sFH 18, 80x Pak 40, 20x Infanteriegeschütz 18, 20x Flakvierling 38

Total Number of Panzer Divisions: 12

///

Frankfurt, German Parliament Building, Chancellor's Office, Chancellor Jonas Wechsler...

It was rare for the President of Germany to visit the Chancellor in his office, far more often it was appropriate for the Chancellor to visit the President at his Estate. But today was not a normal day, three major issues involving Germany's neighbors had come up practically all at once. Immediate responses were needed for all of them.

The first was Great Britain, the easiest one to deal with, it was decided to accept the British offer and have Minister Schmidt type the reply to London immediately.

To: Ambassador Thomas Oswald of the British Foreign Ministry,

I thank you for the telegram Ambassador. It truly has been too long since our nations have held any true talks or even relations, and we appreciate greatly that your nation would have any interests in revitalizing those relations. I would be willing to meet with you as soon as is possible in order to reopen talks between our nations. Please set the date and location of the meeting for whatever is most convenient for you and I will make room in my schedule to meet with you.

Kind Regards,

Minister Schmidt of the Diplomatic Ministry of Germany.

The next was Italy, they needed help, and so a message was sent to them informing them that Generalleutnant Heinz Guderian would meet with the Italian High Command to formulate a strategy and to send a request back to Frankfurt for troops. The General was on a Ju-52 within the day.

Finally...there was Scandinavia, a longtime shadow ally of the German nation. The Northern friends of Germany were offering a staggering amount, 1 Billion Krona and a dropping of their tariffs on their natural resources, in return they wanted access to German technology and the economic market revolving an airline and shipping. This one was most difficult, the Scandinavians were vocally neutral in the affairs of Europe, and Germany could not expect them to aid militarily...but that money could be useful...it would allow the Germans to build up their industry in the Ruhr, far away from Communist bombers' ranges, and double if not triple their production of tanks, planes, and guns. Not to mention the resources needed for that all. It would allow Germany to not only further outnumber the WUSR and the People's Republic...but potentially match the UESR entirely in numbers of equipment while consequently using equipment of far greater quality then anything the Communists could come up with.

After hours of deliberation the President and Chancellor decided on their course of action, and a coded message was carried by an Abwehr agent with a Scandinavian passport into their embassy in Frankfort. Inside was a simple message.

Germany Accepts

Actions:

Reply sent to Great Britain
Reply sent to Scandinavia
Generalleutnant Heinz Guderian is sent to Italy to meet with their officers, by next post he will have written up a full operational report and a request for military resources to Italy.

by **Hashirajima** » Fri Aug 04, 2017 2:27 am

[Location: Imperial General HQ, Tokyo]

"And this defence line, along the Manchukuo-Korea border, will be completed in a year. It will compose of bunkers, various tank traps, and other defences. The Manchukuo Army will also be notified, and in the unlikely event that the Soviets successfully push through Manchukuo, this will form a final coherent defence line on the mainland. A further line is planned ahead by Pu Yi and his generals along his border with UESR, though no firm details have been passed on to us thus far. I understand he plans to utilise the old fortresses that dot the border."

Nodding, Hirohito gave the map one more glance, before turning towards GEN. Tojo. "I understand your armour units have been outfitted with the new Chi-Nu tanks?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Any feedback from your troops?"

"So far, internal training drills have worked perfectly fine, and the men are adapting well to their new hardware. A few mock battles amongst the platoons have produced excellent results, especially compared to the older tanks. We'll conduct further evaluations in the upcoming inter-unit exercises with General Yi Un's Joseon Army and certain units from the Manchukuo Army."

"Ah yes. How fares our neighbour?"

"It appears that they are heading towards a smaller, but intensely trained army organised around the Manchu's traditional socio-military structure of the Eight Banners. At the moment, Pu Yi seems to be aiming for eight division-sized units as he slowly rotates his current troops through re-training to meet operational standards. There seems to be at least two divisions, the Bordered Yellow and the Plain Yellow Banners, that have been declared operational, and one - the Plain Red - in the midst of constituting awaiting senior officers."

"He seems to be doing well, then?"

"As it seems. But his troops remain untested in battle, so may I suggest we reserve judgement for the time being?"

"In that case... before we end, is there anything else that needs to be discussed?"

At that, Marshal-Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto stood up. "Your Majesty. The new carrier Musashi will undergo sea trials in the upcoming days, and commissioning is scheduled for next week. Also, the plans for the modified Taihou-class have been approved. Five ships are planned, and the Navy would like to seek Your Majesty's opinion regarding their names."

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet sat down, a buzz arose from the Army side. "FIVE carriers? What is the point of building this many? Have we not already decided that the main point of conflict in the upcoming years will likely be the main continent. This funding will be much better used in construction of more tanks for the Army-"

"And this funding have, also, been allocated to shipbuilding a few years back. We just never used it, Major-General Tasuku Okada. The ships have, effectively, been paid for."

"Fine."

Musing, Hirohito flipped through the Naval Register while the little spat broke out. "Say... Isoroku. You've once mentioned that the capital ships of tomorrow will be carriers, did you not?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"In that case... why not we use the names of our first battleships? Fuji, Yashima, Shikishima, Hatsuse, Asahi. What do you think?"

[Location: Sasebo Naval Base, Japan]

The docks of Sasebo Naval Base were sparsely populated this day, considering the event that would be taking place. Then again, this was conducted with utmost secrecy, attended only by the construction crew and some of the navy personnel stationed at the base.

At 0830H, the massive vessel that was the fleet carrier Musashi was released from her drydock at Mitsubishi Shipyard, Nagasaki for the last time, signifying the end of her fitting out. Having proved herself admirably during her sea trials, the Chief Equipping Officer - CAPT. Kaoru Arima - had given her the green-light for service.

Cruising the short distance to the naval base, she arrived at 0900H exactly. A gangway was lowered, and her awaiting crew marched up to the flight deck, Warship March playing in the background. The leading NCO saluted CAPT. Arima. "Sir, the crew of Imperial Japanese Navy carrier Musashi, reporting for duty, sir."

Returning the salute, Arima nodded. "Good." Pivoting, he marched up to the awaiting Vice-Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. "Sir, all hands accounted for."

"Very well. ALL HANDS, MAN THE RAILS!" At the command, the crew headed for their positions at the edge of the flight deck. Kimigayo rang out from the band, and as it ended, the massive carrier set off for its first assignment.

To join the rest of her battle group, at Maizuru Naval District. Where her sister ship awaited.

[Location: Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan]

CMDR. Tameichi Hara
C.O. Amatsukaze

You're hereby tasked to provide observations with regards to the unfolding conflict in Italy. You will be assigned your crew for the duration of this voyage. Accompanying you will be LTA. Shirou Ishii and CPT. Wakasugi as Army representatives.

This mission will be for the duration of the conflict, or to a point when the high command considers appropriate.

Imperial Japanese Navy HQ

Frowning, Hara sat on his seat at his cabin, thinking. Ishii was somewhat infamous in military circles for the closed-door scandal behind his former unit, Unit 731. Found to have conducted unauthorised human experimentation, he was demoted significantly and placed under heavy scrutiny. It was only the lack of medical officers that allowed him to stay on. While the other officer was, in fact, the one who uncovered the whole fiasco in the first place. And apparently, serves as Ishii's minder.

His thoughts were interrupted when an ensign notified him about the arrival of the very people he was considering. Heading for the deck, he arrived just in time to see the (somewhat recently demoted) lieutenant step on board sullenly. Must have gotten another earful from the captain, it seems. The two army officers stopped before Hara, saluting. "Captain Wakasugi and Lieutenant Shirou Ishii, reporting for duty."

Returning the salute, Hara took in the background where his crew busied themselves with last-minute preparations. "Welcome on board. Let me bring you to your quarters." Ducking into the ship's interior, he led the two officers to the cabin prepared for them. "I'm afraid you'll have to share. Room is rather sparse on board a destroyer."

"It'll do." Watching the two head in, a thought occurred to CMDR. Hara and he tapped Wakasugi on the shoulder. "A moment, if I may?" Intrigued, the army captain followed the naval officer to a side corridor.

"What's the matter?"

"... I'll be frank here. Why him?"

"Ishii? The HQ is concerned that biological weapons may be in play during the conflict, and he is, for all his trangressions, the leading expert in the field. I'm here partly to keep an eye on him."

"Leading expert, is it? Is this why he wasn't discharged in the first place?"

Shrugging, Wakasugi could only sigh. "The whole matter is way above my paygrade. And yours, Commander. It won't do for either of us to poke too deeply into it, lest we stir up a nest of hornets. Rest assured, I'll make sure he sticks to his tasking."

"As will I."

[Location: Telegram, to Italy]

TO: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kingdom of Italy
FROM: Foreign Ministry, Empire of Japan
ENCRYPTION: SECRET

To the Foreign Minister,

I am writing to you bearing great concern regarding the border conflict that is ongoing between your nation and that of Yugoslavia. In the spirit of protecting peace and stability, we will offer the services of a select contingent of military officers. They will be tasked with observing the conflict, as well as providing any necessary diplomatic assistance in efforts towards a peaceful resolution.

They are expected to arrive at your territorial waters in 25 days by means of a destroyer in the service of the Imperial Japanese Navy, barring unforseen circumstances. Exact details will be conveyed closer to the date. We kindly request the use of a port of your choosing for resupply and any necessary disembarkment, and all costs will be paid by the government of the Empire of Japan at the end of this mission.

Regards,
Hirota Kouki
Foreign Minister
Empire of Japan

[Location: Telegram, to the UK]

TO: Foreign & Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom
FROM: Foreign Ministry, Empire of Japan
ENCRYPTION: SECRET

To the Foreign Secretary,

On behalf of the government of His Imperial Majesty, I would first like to express our utmost regret regarding the acrimonious disassociation of the Empire of Japan from the League of Nations. However, at this day we wish to put aside the circumstances of the incident, and re-establish the close relationship our nations once shared. We feel it is of utmost importance that allies are treasured and supported, and peace be protected whenever possible. Recalling the warm relations that once saw our nations stand together, it is our hope that this will once more be the case, to the benefit of both sides.

As a first step towards cultivating flourishing bilateral ties between our nations, I wish to arrange a meeting with a diplomat of your choosing, at your earliest convenience.

On a side note, we wish to request the use of any port facility situated at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent for refueling purposes. This is with regards to our observation mission in Italy. The vessel undertaking this mission will by the destroyer Amatsukaze, in the service of the Imperial Japanese Navy. All costs incurred will be paid by the government of the Empire of Japan after the departure of the vessel.

I hope this letter reaches you in good health.

Regards,
Hirota Kouki
Foreign Minister
Empire of Japan

by **The Vekta-Helghast Empire** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 7:35 pm

The British Empire.

Surat, India.

After weeks of mobilization, the British reinforcements from Africa had arrived, and an additional three thousand men are to be brought in from the mainland Britain. All-in-all, ten thousand men were to be deployed to the Raj from other territories and another five-thousand had been mobilized internally. The men flooded from the ships and were almost immediately sent to train cars, bound for Patna in the east, whilst a secondary force had been mobilized in Burma and had redeployed to Kale. Meanwhile, the two British warships which had been called in for support were headed from Sri Lanka deep into the Bay of Bengal, to rebase near Balasore, south-west of Kolkata. For weeks heavy weapons and artillery had been brought into Patna, Mandalay and various other locations around the Rebels’ eastern bastion. It was clear that the Imperial War Ministry had finally had enough of this little insurrection.

Foreign affairs.

...Message begins…

To Tullio Fausto Borgogni, Chief of the Italian Diplomatic Service.

His Majesty’s Government understands the troublesome situation that the Kingdom of Italy currently finds itself in. However, we’re unable to provide any material support in your ongoing conflict. His Majesty’s Government informs me that Britain has formally declared itself neutral in the current conflict and states that it cannot be seen to openly support any party. But, I am to inform you that a member of the British Embassy in Rome’s staff shall be in touch over the next few days as to discuss other matters. I do hope this letter finds you in good health.

Kind Regards,

The British Foreign Ministry.

...Message ends…

...Message begins…

To Minister Schmidt of the Diplomatic Ministry of Germany,

With the utmost respect, I do hope that we’ll be able to meet at Wednesday afternoon at the Embassy here in Frankfurt. I do hope that by the end of our discussions, we’ll be able to begin the long and no-doubt difficult task of Anglo-German reconciliation. There are many wounds from our long history that need to be healed and it shall be no easy task, nor a cheap one. Together we’ll create a new world, a better world. I hope this letter reaches you in good health.

Kind Regards,

Ambassador Thomas Oswald of the British Foreign Ministry.

...Message ends…

...Message begins…

To Hirota Kouki, foreign minister of the Empire of Japan.

It must be said that the Foreign Secretary was incredibly pleased to receive your telegram and your sorrow for the events that recently developed, particularly with regards to your status in the League of Nations. As such, I’m more than happy to meet with yourself in person at the Embassy here in Tokyo, whenever it best suits yourself. I have also spoken with the Minister of Defence and he has granted me permission to authorize the docking of the IJN Amatsukaze in the Indian Sub-Continent. I hope this letter finds you in good health.

Kind Regards,

Ambassador Anthony Pryor of the British Foreign Ministry.

...Message ends…

by **Arventum** » Sun Aug 06, 2017 1:30 pm

THE UNION OF SCANDINAVIAN KINGDOMS

Replies Needed from the Following

Vionn-Frankenlisch
Independent States of Tula
The Vekta-Helghast Empire

Social Democracy, Part 1: The New Tax Plan

There was a plan brewing in Scandinavia that far surpasses the scope that the new tax plan could influence things in, and prepares Scandinavia to grow even truer to itself with all this will occur. The money for the tax plan will go into the every sector of the government, but will also pay for things like education, healthcare, and welfare on a large scale that only higher tax rates could encourage. To keep the population from becoming one that is encouraged not to achieve, that loses its ambition, that has not working hard enough and squandering opportunities overlooked, the population must be encouraged. There will be writing and studies done on increasing productivity, the benefits of rising higher in the workplace, the advantages of wealth, and there will also be a tax for higher income families that doesn’t raise when it comes to the highest earning, though it will certainly be higher than that for those in lower earning families, so as to not discourage earning wealth - however, this may change in the future.

The tax rate for higher income families will be raised to 61%, while the tax rate for lower income families will be at 29%. Value added tax will be at 24%, though there will be exceptions for food and services like room rentals (14%), and for the sales of things such as publications, or admission tickets to cultural events, or travel within Scandinavia (8%). In the future, the tax rate will be adjusted on a state basis should it become better for each individual state’s population. The progressive income tax will be 0% for the lowest income, 31% (7% county, 24% municipality tax) for the second lowest earning, 31% + 17% for the second highest earning, and 31% + 23% for the highest earning. A flat tax rate of 35% will be placed on capital gains. The corporation tax for Scandinavia will be 22%.

Should tensions with the UESR and its various branches reside, however, people will find that their taxes have received cuts that will raise the individual wealth of every person residing within Scandinavia. The tax on lower income families will be lowered to 25%, while the tax on higher income families will be lowered to 54%. Value added tax will be reduced to 18%, and the exceptions for things like food and services like room rentals will be lowered to 12%. Things such as the sales of publications, or admission tickets to cultural events, or travel within Scandinavia will be reduced to 6%. The progressive tax income for the lowest income families will stay the same, while for the second lowest earning there will be a 28% tax (7% county, 21% municipality tax), the second highest earning will be reduced to 31% + 17%, and the highest earning will be reduced to 31% + 23%. Corporate gains will be reduced to a 32% tax. The corporation tax for Scandinavia will stay at 22%, as growth is expected in that area.

The reason for this is because the extra money that will be received from such matters will be placed into growing industry and the military for the sake of safety, with gains from industry and in corporate wealth expected to make up for the loss in tax money should taxes be lowered.

This new tax plan was designed by the Chancellor of Scandinavia, Sigrid Svennson, who will push it through the Parliament to find that a majority of 538 individuals support the new tax plan when they see what changes will come next. The accompanying goal is to move towards a much, much lower amount of unemployed workers, while also working to raise the wealth of the population so that the average Scandinavian will still be twice as wealthy as their Italian counterparts.

Fortifications

Ever since the Germans agreed to send the Scandinavians technology, those that were setting up the fortifications in the northern frontier and on the border separating Denmark and occupied had gotten a bit excited. Setting up the fortifications for both areas would probably take some time, but once the amazing German flak towers had been acquired, every single major city in the Union and the most important points and border towns on the borders would be protected by triple, quadruple, or even quintuple flak towers. Aside from the benefit of German technology, there would be a mobilization of men that would bring the numbers of the Scandinavian forces up significantly, with the founding of the Scandinavian National Guard creating a ready-to-go force that also tended to domestic issues.

The Scandinavian National Guard would make up the reserves of Scandinavia, which were to be increased in size by 200,000 over the course of a year to bring the total number of officers in the now-existent Scandinavian National Guard up to 280,000 men. These men would be used as a National Guard should be, as a sort of domestic force that includes army and air branches so that it may be called upon with ease. The benefit of preparing for this war is that these men and women could be encouraged to take it upon themselves to go into service almost immediately, and the value of Scandinavian efforts elsewhere would offset the cost of founding a national guard excellently.

In both the northern frontier and the Denmark-Occupied Germany border, bridges will be ready to blow at a moment's notice should Soviet forces attempt to cross over them. On the Denmark-Occupied German border, flak towers and smaller anti-tank towers based off of them, artillery, bunkers and forts will be joined by heavy mining and frequent patrols, as well as stations capable of sounding alarms, perhaps in the flak towers, that will tell people in another town that the Soviets are coming. Meanwhile, during the attempted Soviet invasion other bridges that the Soviets could use will be prepared with explosives in case the Soviets break through certain areas, both in the North and elsewhere. Dragon’s teeth will be littered behind the minefield, with mines within the dragon’s teeth as well, so that the Soviets might see their tanks and infantry made fewer so that when they meet Scandinavian tanks and infantry the battle can go in their favor.

Coastal towns and islands will be outfitted with new artillery, with the most heavily reinforced coastal cities likely capable of being used to destroy much of a nicely sized fleet meant to bombard Scandinavian coastal cities. That may not be the most effective thing, but the Scandinavians think they will be capable of creating a good enough defense that they can at the least repel an attack when their artillery is used in combination with their navy. Stockholm would be protected by the Starlight Grid, which placed powerful artillery on every island that Stockholm was on, and would eventually grow to include German flak towers. Stockholm was to be the most heavily defended position in the Baltic sea, and any enemy ships or planes attempting to cross it were likely to be destroyed by one of the many encampments that would be provided by the government’s efforts, as well as the forts on each of the islands that Stockholm was in.

On and around the Sweden-Norway-Occupied Finland, and Sweden-Occupied Finland, and Norway-Occupied Finland borders one will find the heaviest of reinforcements, which will allow one to enjoy the greatest of defenses to be hosted. Frequent patrols, bunker and fort systems, flak towers (once acquired), consistent and constant deliveries of supplies by train, and more will be built in and around the borders. The border where Sweden, Norway, and Finland meet will be used to host a powerful counter-offensive if the Soviets invade. Around the thinnest and most strategic parts of rivers in the north, including those that are frozen over, will be the heaviest concentration, aside from the Sweden-Norway-Occupied Finland borders. Scandinavian Ski Infantry would find themselves in the north and everywhere else that they can defend, readying themselves to obliterate Soviet mechanized infantry and their tanks as one of the most capable fighting forces in the region. The Soviets always underestimated Scandinavians, including their Finnish neighbors. That’s why their superior ski infantry in the North might lead to the repulsion of an attack.

Once the German flak towers are acquired, the islands of Oland, Gotland, Faro, Gotska Sendon, and Furillen will be littered with them, as well as standard anti-air artillery. A modification to the flak towers will be the addition of heavier anti-armor weaponry with some of the larger ones, and sets of artillery cannons - some massive - will be placed nearby. They will become true fortresses capable of being used to hold off the Soviets, and prevent them from just being gone around. They will blanket the air to prevent Soviets from crossing, and blanket the ground to obliterate Soviet ground forces.

Intelligence operatives will provide troop movement, troop numbers, as well as other information, and perform black operations that include blackmail, kidnapping, torture, and murder/assassinations. Special operation officers will be prepared for deployment, especially when it comes to paratroopers such as the Parachute Rangers or those that will be deployed for ski warfare.

Within a year or two, Scandinavia will likely be capable of withstanding far more than it could now, and any kind of war against the nation could much more easily result in the defeat of of an invasion force. German technology will take that far, and the Soviets will be in for a nasty surprise when they realize that Scandinavia is more advanced than they had expected it to be. Unified for strength, Scandinavia will realize its potential by finding itself capable of fielding an
army of just over 2.5 million men at their peak should a new Great War come, and fight hard with against its enemies.

Venice, Italy

Wherever he may be, whatever he may be doing, the man with the decent clothes and intriguing past had the name of Milos Venezio. Ever since he had become the legend he was given, the black haired man with pale skin had been carrying out his duties. These duties were for a master afar, and not the usual duties for the son of an Italian merchant and a Slavic seamstress. He carried out his duties well, with a perfect northern Italian accent that had a bit of corruption from the neighboring Slavic state, the knowledge of a merchant, and the skill of a tailor. He was an exceptional individual, who possessed a keen mind for the kind of business that he was in.

From where he had been when the Ukrainians sent military aid to Yugoslavia, Milos was able to spot what could be up to 80,000 men reinforcing the Yugoslavian forces. He had promptly made way to Trieste, where he made his way into a staff officer’s uniform. He held a package in both hands, clutched to his chest. He seemed to be anxious, sweat rolling down his forehead, breath a little heavy.

Then he bumped right onto Marshall Giovanni Messe, he panicked as his package went down, bending over immediately to pick it up as if it contained precious cargo, close enough to the Marshall to covertly stick a message from Scandinavian Intel into his pockets.

“I’m so sorry, sir.” He said, and then he looked up. He blinked in surprise at seeing the Marshall, “oh. Marshall Messe.” He gave a quick bow of respect. “I apologize sincerely. May I please go? I must deliver this package to my superior, the Commander Dolce, rather soon.” He said, seeming to get more anxious with every moment that passed.

The most ingenious part of that excuse is that he was just a staff officer, and so he would indeed deliver the package, which Commander Dolce had requested, and no one would be the wiser. That, and he would use someone else’s name if asked who he was. Milos Venezio was no fool. He was good at what he did. However, Marshal Messe had needs that only Scandinavian Intelligence could meet.

In the message he dropped, is this in an encryption:

From Scandinavia

We cannot give aid through military force. However, we can give aid through other methods. The Ukrainians have sent what appears to be 2 divisions of men to aid the Yugoslavians. Stay strong, friends. One day we shall fight together.

Meet me at your favorite restaurant in Trieste at noon tomorrow, Marshall. Wear a disguise, for your safety. My friends will be able to help you escape should there be a threat, it’s just that I have been recalled. I shall be wearing a rather posh navy and white outfit, with a deep blue scarf. There we shall speak about your needs.

The German Shipment

Five shipments of one-fifth of one billion Scandinavian krona, which could fund years of war and give the Germans the capacity to obliterate the WUSR, were to be made by ship over the period of five weeks. Two hundred million krona over the course of five weeks will be exchanged for the most advanced technology in the world - plans for flak towers, German tank and gunnery technology, engines and equipment for vessels. The revolution of Scandinavian forces so that the onslaught of the UESR that barked and clawed at the borders of Scandinavia, and the heart of her people could be withstood came with a hefty price. Scandinavia and her rulers would pay that price, while her people would have willingly paid it should they have known about the deal in the first place. Germany was Scandinavia’s shadow ally - entire generations have supported the German peoples, and Scandinavia hoped that they would never cease, that one day their alliance would be safe for the world to know about.

The shipments would come by merchant ship, each of the ships being a vessel that was scheduled to arrive, each arriving at the scheduled time, and no one ever being the wiser about such a thing happening. It was a present, almost a bribe, part of a deal that could very well change the odds of whatever war was soon to come at a price that could perhaps even help Scandinavia to take back Finland. With what was coming, with the storm that everyone could feel in the air about to take form as a twister and ravage the nations of Great Europa, there was no way that the Scandinavians would sit by. War was inevitable explicitly because everyone knew that the UESR’s goals were nothing short of world domination. Europe could not, under any circumstances, allow itself to fall to the Red Cloud, for once that Red Cloud settled it was known that everyone would choke.

The Great City of London, Heart of the West

London stood as one of the greatest cities of the world, one of the beating hearts that drove all of the world to strive to be better, and inspired other cities to become as great as they can be, encouraging entire nations to make their cities able to compete. A city of cultured people, and the center of the greatest empire that ever was and perhaps ever will be, London was a city that the Federal Minister of the Scandinavian Union and his staff were going to take time to enjoy. It had been a long time since the Sebastien Ronning, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, had seen the great city, and he and his staff were quite happy that they were going to do so. Having arrived a few days before the meeting with the British government, Sebastien and his staff would see the sights, take in the scents, and explore the sounds.

London wasn’t the most beautiful of cities, nor was it the quietest, and some might call it loud, uppity, and ugly, but there was a certain charm that it held when you were able to avoid the smog created by the industrial giant that the United Kingdoms were. The constant moving about in the streets, the many people with many stories that you could find, the intrigue of a homeless man that once held great wealth, but lost it all in a gamble. London was as much an inspiration for its successes and nature as it was a warning to people through each of its sometimes very intimate flaws. With smoke puffing into the air as though the city were a chainsmoker, and greatness afforded to the wealthy, the city could symbolize everything someone wanted, and everything a city wanted to avoided at the same time. Its greatness, however, cannot be understated, for it possesses a certain esteem that one can rarely acquire for a city.

Information & Trivia

((OOC Note: No one outside of the Scandinavian military and its advisors is aware of these numbers. If you think you have a reason to be aware, such as having joint military operations, please send me a PM on Discord or a TG through NationStates before making any kind of mention.))

((OOC: Hearty credit goes to ViVi, AKA Vionn-Frankenlisch for providing this division set-up.))

Thanks to a deal being figured out with the Germans, technology has been purchased to complete infantry divisions

Organization of an Infantry Division

+ Supply Company - 150 Men (40 x trucks)
+ Armored Recon Company - 120 Men (20 x Pansarbil m/39)
+ Logistics Battalion - 400 Men (80 x Trucks)
+ Field Hospital Company - 150 Men

Rifle Brigade - 2,480 men

+ Brigade HQ - 60 Men (3 x Kubelwagers, 4 x trucks)
+ 4 x Rifle Battalion - 550 men
+ MG Company - 120 Men (10 x m/1940 Light Machine Guns)
+ AT Company - 100 Men (10 x Bofors 37mm AT Cannons)

Rifle Brigade - 2,480 men

+ Brigade HQ - 60 Men (3 x Kubelwagen, 4 x trucks)
+ 4 x Rifle Battalion - 550 men
+ MG Company - 120 Men (10 x m/1940 Light Machine Guns)
+ AT Company - 100 Men (10 x Bofors 37mm AT guns)

Rifle Brigade - 2,480 men

+ Brigade HQ - 60 Men (3 x Kubelwagen, 4 x trucks)
+ 4 x Rifle Battalion - 550 men
+ MG Company - 120 Men (10 x m/1940 Light Machine Guns)
+ AT Company - 100 Men (10 x Bofors 37mm AT guns)
+ Pioneer Battalion - 600 Men (Bridging Equipment and Entrenching Equipment, 4 x Flammenwerfer 35)
+ AA Company - 100 Men (4 x Bofor 40mm, 2 x Bofor 75mm)

Artillery Regiment - 1,050 Men

+ Observer Company - 100 Men (4 x BMW R75, 2 x Kubelwagen)
+ Artillery Battalion - 400 Men (24 x m/34 10.5cm Howitzers)
+ Artillery Battalion - 400 Men (16 x m/14 12cm Howitzers)

Next you will see the tank/armored and mountain divisions, as well as the number of divisions over a period of several posts

by **Independent States of Tula** » Thu Aug 10, 2017 9:09 pm

Federal Republic of Germany
January, 1939

Monfalcone, Italy, Generalleutnant Heinz Guderian...

After a tour of the frontlines and a full debriefing with the Italian High Command, Heinz Guderian, a man widely regarded as a genius in terms of Armored Warfare...had finally finished his report to be sent back to Frankfurt. The message was encoded with the enigma machine and had a straightforward message:

To: President Max Hoffman
From: Generalleutnant Heinz Guderian
Subject: Reinforcing the Italian Front

I have had wide access to the Italian point of view of the situation and have seen the Frontlines for myself, it is of my professional opinion that Germany should aid our Italian allies in the defense of Trieste. As such, Operation Case Black, which has been sent to Frankfurt over secure channels...has been reviewed and accepted by the Italians as a general operational guideline. However, the situation in Trieste and the Eastern Front is uncertain at best and hanging on by a thread at worst. Despite Italian air superiority the Yugoslavians have been able to make advances into Trieste itself despite the mountains which surround the city. More worrying is that the land bridge connecting the rest of Italy to Trieste has been cut by Yugoslavian forces, forcing the Italians to undertake the dangerous operation of shipping men and materials into the city by it's seaport. This venture has been targeted by hostile naval forces.

Italian High Command is not certain that Trieste is able to hold until the date of attack of Operation Case Black, as such they have been floating plans of lifting the blockade on the city with a relief force capable of knocking the Yugoslavians back. With your approval I would like to request that Panzer Corps IX be brought into Northern Italy to secure this objective. It would provide an excellent testbed for our new Panzers in mild winter conditions, as well as provide our soldiers with a baptism of fire, they are the best trained soldiers in the world...but not a one of them has seen combat. Finally this message shall end on the note that Italian Intelligence believes that the WUSR has deployed forces in aid to the Yugoslavians, this could be a great opportunity to gauge their fighting effectiveness.

END MESSAGE.

The message was reviewed by Hoffman hours later, and a day after that Panzer Corps IX was pulled off the western Border with France, leaving the border without any Panzers.

///

Frankfurt, Outside British Embassy, Minister of Diplomatic Relation Wilhelm Schmidt...

The minister had arrived in a simple Volkswagen Beetle, not only in a sign of humbleness but also to maintain anonymity from both the Press and any potential threats. After the Great War there was still much hatred for the British and French, though it was nothing compared to the hatred of the Communist Traitors to the East it was still substantial and Germany's politicians had to be careful in how fast they publically eased relations with their former enemies...privately was different matter though...at least in private no voting citizens would see what their government was doing behind their backs. As Minister Schmidt stepped out of his Beetle so too did his three guards, they wore thick grey winter coats that went down to their knees and hidden behind those coats were batons, a pair of handcuffs, and a Walther P38 pistol. They were there simply to keep any assassins at a distance from the Minister and so when Schmidt got to the doors of the Embassy the three men simply made themselves scarce with one by the car and the other two keeping an eye on the doorway for when the Minister returned. Schmidt on the other hand would surely have been met at the door by British guards and maybe a diplomatic employee and swiftly escorted inside to begin talks with his British Counterpart.

///

Abwehr Activities...

The shipments from Scandinavia were secretly offloaded amongst other regular materials under supervision of the Abwehr, Germany's Intelligence Service, and with Chief Wilhelm Canaris taking especially large interest in the operation to ensure nothing was misplaced or done out of order. Overall, Operation Vigilant Resolve (as it was called by the Abwehr) was a complete success and the 1 Billion Krona was moved into the German State Reserve for the immediate use to build large factories in the Ruhr to exponentially increase the Industrial power of an already powerful industrial giant.

In addition to this with the inclusion of both portions of the SS (about 11,000 men from the Sicherheitspolizei and Sicherheitsdienst) and the Kaiser-Korps (a force of approximately 70,000 men in West Germany, East Germany, Silesia, and East Prussia) the creation of a Secret Police called the Gestapo was created to act as the Paramilitary wing of Abwehr under the command of Director Reinhard Heydrich, a diehard Nazi who had been granted the position as a reward for Hermann Göring's work in the Luftwaffe. Their first mission was to aggravate anti-communist sentiment in former German territories and East Germany as well as to begin espionage and sabotage activities in these areas against the Communist regimes. Furthermore their second mission was to begin operations domestically to route out Communist infiltrators, sympathizers, and agents as well as to infiltrate Communist groups hiding underground.

Actions Taken:
Panzer Corps IX is being transported to Northern Italy, to be placed under command of Heinz Guderian, Operation Case Black is put into preparation for its start date.
German Diplomatic Minister arrives at British Embassy
Scandinavian shipments begin being received, tariffs are lifted on Scandinavian shipping and transport companies as they are treated as domestic corporations.
Creation of the Gestapo to begin Anti-Communist activities both inside and outside of the Federal Republic of Germany.

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:33 am

To: The Foreign Ministry of the Empire of Japan
From: Tullio Fausto Borgogni, Chief of the Italian Diplomatic Service

Your concern towards our current situation in and around Trieste is noted and appreciated, His Majesty's Government is in dire need of support as the majority of our forces are tied up protecting other borders and cleaning up after the trouble in Abyssinia. Much of our funds are also committed elsewhere, expanding our industrial base and mechanising Italian agriculture in Libya and the colonies, having to now procure enough armoured vehicles to build up two armoured divisions by May is putting a strain on our economy and industry so any help would be greatly appreciated.

For now, however, the generous support of Japanese military officers will be a much-coveted asset in this small border conflict, our Summer counteroffensive will surely be improved utilising their expertise. The port of Venice would be a perfect place for your vessel to dock as it is the Headquarters of both the Second Army and the Eastern Military District. His Majesty's Government and Armed Forces thank the Empire of Japan greatly for their support.

Yours with appreciation and respect - Tullio Borgogni

Trieste
Italian Province of Trieste
Italy

January 13th, 1938

Marshall Giovanni Messe, disguised as a Major in the 7th Infantry Division, sat in Antica Trattoria Suban, a quaint little restaurant hidden amongst the ruins of Trieste's outskirts. The building was frighteningly close to the frontlines against the Yugoslavians but Messe had faith in the 7th Division that it would hold the line for the duration of his meeting. He sat chewing Michetta which he tore apart with his hands eagerly, on the table in front of him sat a small stack of letters that he read nonchalantly while eating. One called him to Rome for dinner with the King followed by a ceremony and two day celebrations, he was to be named Count of Trieste, possibly just to spit in the face of the Yugoslavians or hopefully to reward Marshall Messe's competence.

"More wine, sir?" A plain-faced serving girl asked, her head cocked to the side cutely.

"Yes..." Messe replied, he was fifty-five now but the Majors uniform he was wearing along with the serving girl hanging around him reminded him of his days as a Major in the Arditi during the First World War. He remembered the fighting around Monte Grappa and how it claimed the lives of so many young men. His reminiscing was interrupted when the girl returned with a jug of wine... And a visitor. Marshall Messe smiled, he knew exactly who this man was and what he meant to the Kingdom of Italy.

He stood and shook the man's hand, waving the serving girl away, he sat and said, "Colonel Venezio, I presume?"

Replies required from:
Hashirajima
Arventum

by **The Vekta-Helghast Empire** » Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:49 am

The British Empire.

The City of London, heart of the British Empire.

As the Scandinavian representatives arrived in the city, they were met by a large police escort who guided them through London’s many winding streets - that’s one thing that set it apart from most European or American cities, it wasn’t anywhere near as systematic and organised. It was an ancient city and continued to grow on ancient principles. Winding streets with harsh turns, in many cases terribly narrow by nature, making motor traffic a pest anywhere but in the centre, where the streets tended to be a tad wider thanks to forced land-clearances and redesigns. The drive itself only took around a few hours and they’d be taken to their housing. Over the few free days they had prior to the meeting, they’d be given the opportunity to see all the sights, the Palace, Westminster Abbey, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, among other glorious wonders. But soon the day would come - and they’d find themselves collected from their hotel by an entourage of Ministry of Defense agents who’d guide them to the very steps of power in Britain - downing street.

Then with due haste, they’d be escorted inside, following a brief photoshoot by the BBC. The images and story of the meeting to be published in the following morning’s newspapers. Once inside, they’d be greeted by the Prime Minister - Neville Chamberlain, ”I must say gentlemen, it’s a great honour to welcome you to these halls..” He commented in brief welcome. A translator then repeating it in Swedish for those in the Scandinavian party who lacked a formal education in English.

Frankfurt, the British Embassy to the Republic of Germany.

Quickly the German Ambassador would be guided through the lively hub that was the British Embassy - it was clear its purpose was for more than diplomacy from almost the moment he entered, security personnel wearing full British Army uniforms, people carrying folders and documents with great haste from room to room, people yelling across the open-plan offices and detailed maps of various regions across Europe. Telegrams coming and going at an unbelievable rate and an office designated ‘intelligence officers’. Yet there wouldn’t be time to linger on its other functions, as the diplomatic staff escorted the Minister of Foreign Relations quickly to the Diplomat’s office - a fine and cultured room. Within resided three men, the British Ambassador, an Intelligence Officer and what could only be described as a civilian, a man with a British pin-badge clinging to his suit and a fine pair of round spectacles.

”Ah, Herr Schmidt, please take a seat - I’m so glad you could make it with such haste. I trust your drive went unhindered? I must say, this is a meeting well over-due, could I interest you in a drink? A Scotch Whisky, or perhaps it’s a tad too early for such things, in which case we can offer coffee, fresh from India at that.” The ambassador quickly spoke - motioning to his desk, the other guests sat at either side, with a number of chairs placed directly opposite him for the German Minister and any other staff he’d brought with him.

by **The Free Territory of Makhnovia** » Sun Aug 13, 2017 8:39 pm

Kumrovec, Socialist Republic of Croatia, 13th of January 1939

Josip Broz Tito, esteemed Croatian communist and hero of the revolution had enjoyed much quiter job of Secretary of Foreign Affairs after serving four years as President of Croatia and a year as President of Yugoslavia. He retired to his small peasant home in Kumrovec, in the peacefull hills of Hrvatsko Zagorje. All of the documents that needed his signature or response were send to him from Belgrade and he responded to them promptly- if he wasn't working in his metal workshop.

"Comrade Tito" said his secretary from the door. "You got some kind of mail..."

"It can wait, Ambroz." Tito was engraving an iron fence door with a scene from the peasant uprising in Stubica in 1572. It was a touchy work.

"It cannot actually. It' something coded."

"Coded? You been opening my mail again?"

"Comrade Tito, I am sorry, but you told me to open it and to answer it myself if it's not top priority. This looks like top priority."

"Alright.The guy doesn't even know the fool name of our country. Such arrogance." Tito rose from his workbench and read the letter. Then he went to his study and wrote following answer:

From: Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Socialist Federative republic of Yugoslavia
To: His Excellency Ambassador Reginauld Winchester

Excellency
On behalf of people's government I can guarantee that people of Yugoslavia never meant to threaten any of the British assets. We can arrange meeting this weekend in Belgrade in my office. I will arrive this Saturday at 10 am and You can come to me at Your convenience!

Regards
Tito

Kolomban, Socialist Republic of Slovenia,15th of January 1939.

General Gustav Globočnik Edler von Vojka was one of the most experience Slovenian military leaders. After helping Austrian war effort in the World War I he was honorably retired. However, revolution brought him back from retirement to fight Italian occupation once again. Now, nearing his 80th birthday he was fighting those Italians for the third time.
Globočnik Edler von Vojka never cared much for communists- he came from the line of old Steiermark nobles, but he believed man never turn their backs on their countrymen, whatever form of government thry might choose to follow. Now he was presiding over other officers that coordinated final attacks on Trieste. There were several top Slovenian and WUSR commanders.

"As it is shows on map" G. E. von Vojka was showing enlarged version of map of Trieste divided into districts from WUSR' leaflet. "the Italians are still holding the Trieste port and several neighbourhoods adjactent to it. However, they won't be holding them longif we coordinate this attack. First of all we must keep or supply lines safe from some attack from the north. It is of greatest importance to cut Trieste off from rest of the Italy as soon. Therefore, two of the batallions from Miramare must head north and station themselves in Devinski grad to cut troops in Monfalcome off from Trieste. You must fortify yourselves well in Miramare and Devinski grad, using weapons from Miramare to arm as many worker brigades as possible and fight for every street. In the meantime we will send 2nd armored corps from Ljubljana, with me in command to defend outskirts of town and reinforce our supply lines against attacks from the north whether they be Italian or German. On the outskirts of Trieste we have 4th Slovenian infantry division and relatively fresg 17th motorized infantry division of WUSR. They will coordinate a quick attack to the harbour this very evening. They must be reinforced with as many Italian volunteers as we can possibly arm.Any questions?"

There was slow murmur as venerable general's plans were discussed. But there were no questions. Come evening the port of Trieste will fall and the Republic of Trieste is soon going to be liberated.

by **Fascist Republic Of Bermuda** » Mon Aug 14, 2017 6:48 pm

Hungarian Socialist Republic

Tank Proving Grounds
68 km outside of Budapest, Hungarian Socialist Republic

"As you can see, People's Commissar," General Béla Miklós of the First People's Armored Corps was saying, pointing at the chip in the paint on the T-34's upper glacis, "Our current 40mm light anti-tank gun is completely ineffective against the newest generation of armor. It can only penetrate from point-blank range, and has no explosive filler. Thus, we must consider ramping up production of the 75mm 40M L/46." General Miklós and People's Commissar for Defense József Pogány were both entirely too dressed-up for being where they were, that is, standing in the middle of the field looking at the impacted frontal plate of a T-34, a GAZ-64 Russian-made light utility vehicle sitting nearby, engine idling, the driver out smoking a cigarette, with a 40mm 40M L/51 light anti-tank gun and bored crew sitting a hundred meters away. An army truck trundled along the dirt road behind the AT gun, its uncovered bed revealing the assorted maintenance gear it had been packed with. "I see," Pogány nodded, stroking his chin as he contemplated, "We can re-arm the Turan Is to Turan II standard, correct?" "Correct, People's Commissar," General Miklós said, "But Horthy and I hope the Turan II to be a stop-gap at best until the Turan III is ready to be produced." Horthy and Miklós were inseparable, the two prominent sour thumbs of the Hungarian Red Army, the noblemen in the sea of the Proletariat. When Pogány was younger and more idealistic he would have liked nothing more than to sack the two, send the reactionaries packing! But as time had went on, Pogány had mellowed, and had come to accept, and even respect, in some ways, Horthy and Miklós. They were noblemen, sure, but they were patriots, and served Hungary and only Hungary.

While it would be a stretch to call Pogány's relationship with Horthy and Miklós a friendship, the three at least had a good working relationship. Pogány, who was painfully aware of his own military inexperience, used his powers to make the military dreams of Horthy and Miklós a reality. Of course Pogány had at first been resistant to these new ideas, these fanciful talks of lightning-fast tanks and trucks loaded with infantry, the trenches of the last war forgotten in favor of a rapid war of movement, but eventually he relented, and it had paid off well. "Perhaps we should consider the T-34?" Pogány offered. He lacked in military talent, sure, but he did try to offer his opinion in matters of the military. It was his own way of maintaining parity with the noblemen. "The T-34 is indeed a good option, but our industry is keyed to produce Turan-series tanks," Miklós dismissed, glancing at the hole where a near-point blank 40mm shell had finally penetrated it, "It would be cheaper to utilize new engines and a new turret for the Turan III. Besides, you know how the Chairman insists we manufacture domestically and emphasize largely domestic designs." "I read that the turret on the Turan II is cramped," Pogány interjected. "It is," Miklós admitted, "In fact, for the Turan III, we at first considered the Russian 57mm, which offers increased anti-armor performance than the 75mm 40M and has a smaller gun breech." "And?" Pogány said, raising an eyebrow. He had not been informed of this little consideration. "And nothing. The 57mm lacked in anti-infantry performance. Its caliber was too small and shell velocity too fast for its shells to contain much explosive filler. The 75mm is bulkier and has less armor penetration, but has much better explosive filler than the 57mm." Pogány nodded at Miklós’ response. "Ah," he said, "So it appears the Turan III is stuck with the long-barreled 75mm?" "It would seem that way," Miklós agreed as the two started to head back to the GAZ-64.

People’s Commissariat for Justice
Budapest, Hungarian Socialist Republic

“I don’t like it, Commissar Rónai!” Béla Kun, President of the Hungarian Socialist Republic and Chairman of the Hungarian Communist Party, exclaimed as he paced around in front of the desk of People’s Commissar of Justice Zoltán Rónai, “The counter-revolutionaries are multiplying! You are the Commissar of Justice, you are supposed to deal with those people!” Zoltán Rónai shrugged. “They are of little concern. If we were to just loosen up…” “No, no, that will never do!” Kun waved dismissively, “They are scheming, conspiring, to overthrow everything we have built! The Russians are of no help, you know they would like to see nothing more than a puppet state installed here!” It was the same paranoid line, over and over again. There were counter-revolutionaries at every corner, they had to be killed to preserve the Hungarian Socialist Republic. And lately it had been getting worse, especially with the ever-persistent rumors of several conspiracies against the government. “Commissar Rónai, I want you to find the leader of the monarchist conspiracy, and capture him! We will make an example of him. They will pay, the Worker’s Revolution will never die!” Without waiting for a response, Kun stormed out, leaving the People’s Commissar of Justice to sigh and pick up his phone to dial the relevant people in the Red Guard, the Party’s paramilitary secret police force. In truth, Rónai was considering resigning. He was, at heart, a moderate communist, content in a small-scale democracy like in East Germany. Kun was something else. He was too paranoid and too heartless. The rigors of power had taken its toll on the man and left a paranoid Hungarian afraid to lose what progress he had made in bringing communism to Hungary.

Streets of Pécs
Pécs, Hungarian Socialist Republic

In the backseat of the car, General Mátyás Rákosi of the Red Guard exhaled, watching the smoke curl out in front of him as the car trundled down the busy street. The General had been attending a formal function when he had received a call from his aide, Colonel Tamás. The People’s Commissar of Justice had tried to call Rákosi while he at a formal function. Rákosi was an infamous man in Hungary, easily one of the more disagreeable members of the Kun government, even moreso than Kun himself. It was largely on Rákosi’s shoulders Kun placed the duty of ensuring the security of the Hungarian state against its internal enemies. In practice, this meant that the purges, the scare tactics, the massacres, all were orchestrated by the young Rákosi. And for that reason he was hated, reviled, and feared all at once. Even Kun, who viewed him as one of his most loyal subordinates, did not consider him anything close to a friend. But it was all necessary sacrifices, in Rákosi’s eyes, for the protection of the Revolution. This was why he had to die.

The plan had been in the making for weeks. The appropriate palms had been greased, deals cut, materials procured. They just had to wait for an opportunity. Like now. The car turned a corner. A soldier with a 39M submachine gun was walking past, not entirely an uncommon sight. A man in a trench coat exchanged a glance with the soldier as the car trundled towards them. The man nodded. The soldier nodded back, and brought up his submachine gun. He opened fire on the car, spraying the vehicle with long bursts of fire. The windshield shattered, the driver ducked his head and yanked the steering wheel, sending the car careening into the brick face of a building. The front of the car crumpled and caught fire. The man in the trench coat whipped out a stick grenade and threw it into the car. The car exploded in a fireball, all occupants killed instantly. Civilians were running and screaming in terror. Now more soldiers appeared, opening fire at the two assassins. The man in the trench coat went down, but the soldier let loose a burst from his SMG and downed one of the other soldiers. A shotgun blast sent another soldier tumbling down, the apparent civilian having produced a sawn-off double-barrel from somewhere inside her coat. A soldier fumbled with his 35M bolt-action, only to be downed by the second shotgun blast from the woman. A Hungarian officer raised his 37M pistol, firing a couple of shots into the woman. The assailant dropped dead. The original soldier turned to run. Another soldier skidded to a halt, raised his rifle, and fired once. The assassin dropped dead. But the damage had been done. General Mátyás Rákosi, commander of the Red Guard, was dead by rebel hands. Things were not looking up for Hungary.

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RED DAWN: The Next World War, An Alt History of WW2 (IC)

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