NationStates Jolt Archive

The Valencia Gazette

Partido Conservativo Popular, that is the name that the sad men revolting in Zaragoza have called themselves. Already the government has sent 50,000 troops to the city to take control. Many known conservatives have defected to the PCP includeing the once popular Colonel Fransisco Franco. His brother has declared his allegiance to the Partido de Monarcho-Syndicalism and Partido Socialista Obrero Espana. Both popular partys have declared allegiance to the King and Government and the Basque and Catalan seperatists have declared their opposition to the PCP as the current government has given them an equal representation in Parliament and allows limited autonomy. Colonel Franco has declared himself Caudillo de la gente Espana and many of his troops have defected to the PCP with Franco.

The Francist forces led a revolt in Cadiz which effectively took control of the province of Cadiz. The Francist forces are said to number 17,750 and are being bolstered by citizens pledgeing their support. Zaragoza is controlled by the PCP who have officially formed a coalition with the Francists in Cadiz. The total number of their forces is 43,750 and they are marching on Madrid. The 50,000 Government forces will arrive in Zaragoza within two days and 3 cruisers, a destroyer, and 23 torpedo boats have been sent to Cadiz to blockade the port.

King Alfonso XIII had read this news article well over twenty times. It had been written a week before the Battle for Valencia in which 73,000 Government troops fought off 61,300 PCP and Francist troops. The battle had lasted three days and took the lives of 2,743 Republicans or Government troops and 6,297 Fascist or Francist and PCP forces. They had already taken Cordoba and Madrid and the troops sent to Zaragoza had been forced to retreat to Barcelona where they were resupplied and reinforced by 30,000 men after which they began their march on Zaragoza with 300 tanks and 250 artillery pieces.

He had sent a telegram yesterday to the Russians, Germans, and Yugoslavians asking for support in their struggle. The Fascists were slowly gaining ground and the King and Prime Minister had called for all men and women of Spain to sign up for the army to help fight the Fascists. Their call was answered by 117,236 people of which at least a quarter were women.

The blockade of Cadiz had been effective as yet after stopping two attempts by the Fascists to transport troops. the Republicans awaited any aid from other nations as their men marched on borthers in Zaragoza who had gone astray and sought evil in mother Spain.

The Valencia Gazette

Partido Conservativo Popular, that is the name that the sad men revolting in Zaragoza have called themselves. Already the government has sent 50,000 troops to the city to take control. Many known conservatives have defected to the PCP includeing the once popular Colonel Fransisco Franco. His brother has declared his allegiance to the Partido de Monarcho-Syndicalism and Partido Socialista Obrero Espana. Both popular partys have declared allegiance to the King and Government and the Basque and Catalan seperatists have declared their opposition to the PCP as the current government has given them an equal representation in Parliament and allows limited autonomy. Colonel Franco has declared himself Caudillo de la gente Espana and many of his troops have defected to the PCP with Franco.

The Francist forces led a revolt in Cadiz which effectively took control of the province of Cadiz. The Francist forces are said to number 17,750 and are being bolstered by citizens pledgeing their support. Zaragoza is controlled by the PCP who have officially formed a coalition with the Francists in Cadiz. The total number of their forces is 43,750 and they are marching on Madrid. The 50,000 Government forces will arrive in Zaragoza within two days and 3 cruisers, a destroyer, and 23 torpedo boats have been sent to Cadiz to blockade the port.

King Alfonso XIII had read this news article well over twenty times. It had been written a week before the Battle for Valencia in which 73,000 Government troops fought off 61,300 PCP and Francist troops. The battle had lasted three days and took the lives of 2,743 Republicans or Government troops and 6,297 Fascist or Francist and PCP forces. They had already taken Cordoba and Madrid and the troops sent to Zaragoza had been forced to retreat to Barcelona where they were resupplied and reinforced by 30,000 men after which they began their march on Zaragoza with 300 tanks and 250 artillery pieces.

He had sent a telegram yesterday to the Russians, Germans, and Yugoslavians asking for support in their struggle. The Fascists were slowly gaining ground and the King and Prime Minister had called for all men and women of Spain to sign up for the army to help fight the Fascists. Their call was answered by 117,236 people of which at least a quarter were women.

The blockade of Cadiz had been effective as yet after stopping two attempts by the Fascists to transport troops. the Republicans awaited any aid from other nations as their men marched on borthers in Zaragoza who had gone astray and sought evil in mother Spain.


The Brazilian Government supports the Spanish Republicans but regretfully can offer no more than words now, as we are engaged in civil strife of our own. Nevertheless, best wishes for your fight against tyranny.

The Republicans thank the Brazilians and regret that we ourselves can not help you with your own problems.
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As King Alfonso XIII walked ithe three chairs, two already occupied, that had been set for the men attending this meeting. On his right sat an old man and one as renowned in political circles as well as hated. He was Pablo Iglesias, the founder of the Partido Socialista Obrero Espana. On his left was Primer Ministro Alejandro Lerroux...

"Well gentlemen, it appears that all my reforms can do is cause civil strife. I saw the evil of my former path and have mended my ways but now the people of Spain rise up in support of Fascists who will not allow them the freedoms I have granted. I wish to see Spain under a free liberal government who cares for the people and wants what is best for them not what is best for the corporations."

Lerroux took his seat and spoke "It appears as if the people do not favor our decisions and disapprove of your dealings with the Communists. We must combat the rebels for if we lose our allys in Russia, Germany, Yugoslavia, and Brazil then we will have nothing."

Iglesias stood after these two men had stopped and said "As you know I am an old man and my time will come soon enough. i do not wish to die with Spain still in the clutches of chaos. Already Brazil has announced its support for us and I am sure that our other allies will as well. We must be steadfast and ready and we must never faulter for if the people see weakness they will abandon us. We must fight!"
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"General! Zaragoza is five miles ahead!"

"Calm down Carlos, we know where it is and the time will come for fighting. we have our orders from Generalisimo de Aragon and soon he will take Madrid."

"My appologies General but it infuriates me that the people can not see the good Alfonso has done for us. If the Generalisimo takes Madrid then this Revelution of theirs may be over sooner than we thought."

"The future is yet to be written and you must always account for chance. Do not be so headstrong, it will get you killed."

The tanks rolled to a halt one mile outside the city of Zaragoza. As the men moved to the streets out of the city the General announced on a loudspeaker..."Citizens of Spain. Abandon the city and come towards our army. we will not harm you and only wish to free you from Fascist oppression. We will begin shelling in ten minutes!". If the Fascists tried to leave the city they'd be caught by the troops surrounding the city and if they stayed they would be buried under the ruble.

After ten minutes the 250 artillery pieces rangeing from 112 mm to 152 mm began shelling the city...
--------------------------------

"Generalisimo Franco!"

"Yes Colonel Marti?"

"The Republicans have begun shelling Zaragoza. The PCP reports massive casualties."

"Very well. We must hold Madrid at all costs and take Barcelona. Tell them they will have to fend for themselves."

"Yes, sir!"

It had been a month since the PCP was attacked in Zaragoza and it was a one sided battle. Superior fire power and numbers gave the Republicans a distinct edge and after two days of shelling the rolled into the city to find about 20,000 men left to resist. After they were slaughtered by tanks and Cei-Rigotti's they began surrendering. Since then General Juan Carlos had been consolidateing his position and drawing up plans to meet the Fascists at Barcelona. The battle would be a bloody one for if the Fascists took Barcelona they would hold the two largest citys in Spain. As he handed out his orders the officers began telling their men what was to happen. Within two hours they were on the move...
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Madrid was abuzz with action as the Fascists hastily set up their forces to begin a march to Barcelona. La Falangista would lead the attack on the city with 23,000 fanatical, militaristic troops. They would lead an army of 45,000 men gathered from conscripts and deserters from the Government. They headed to death, destruction, and the continuation of a senseless war...
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"Jorge, get me Major Ramon Franco."

"Yes, sir!"

Several hours later Major Ramon Franco, brother of Francisco Franco, was in King Alfonso's office sitting in front of the King himself.

"Sir, you called for me?"

"Yes. I have a special mission for you that I am sure you will be glad to lead."

"Lead a mission? Personally? Sir that is a great honor! What is the target and how many men will be with me?"

"I am sure you are aware that the fascists control Cadiz and it is where your brother leads from..."

They continued speaking and Francos eyes just got wider and wider. He would take part in the mission that would define his military career...

OOC: GB, I have to go to a football game but I was wondering if you could write up the Battle for Barcelona. Fascists number 68,000 with 23,000 real soldiers and the Republicans number 76,500 after the battle at Zaragoza. They have lots of artillery and armour. 300 tanks and 250 pieces. The Fascists have an experienced General from issues in Morrocco and the republican General fought in the Great War. I would be glad if you cold do this as I dont really have the time to today and I want this to end by Sunday.

SIC to Franco:

Well! About time somebody kicked the Socialist thug in his rear. If it pleases the Falangists, myself and 500 men would like to aid your forces in making things right.

-Park Dae-Jung
Captain
Korean Volunteers

France eyes the civil war with distaste, but parliament announces French support for the legitimate governemnt. The border is secured and any refugees attempting to enter France will be permitted to, but will be asked to return to Spain when and if the war ends.

Germany will aid the Rebels! we will send weapons and aircraft to Rebels. We will also send troops in need be!

Imperial Race, you are not in this RP, so please don't post.... in the future guys be sure and indicated closed or invite only when you create a thread.

The South African government, with a young poet by the name of Roy Campbell acting as their messenger, quietly approaches the Fascist leadership with offers of sanctuary in South Africa should things turn ill for the Falangists.

Wow! Germany does not support the rebels. If anything, Germany supports the rightful and fair socialist government and plans to begin militarily assisting the Government.

OOC: Thinking about sending in some tanks to get them up to speed, as well as using some more Stosstruppen paratroopers. Gotta talk to Warsaw first.

ooc: all your offers are accepted but korea just so you know the Fascists only have one port and its blockaded so you won't get in...also south africas offer is rejected as the Fascists are indeed also Nationalists and they wish to save their country or die...battle of barcelona coming soon i have some chores first

ooc: in my last IC post in here i asked GB if he could write up the battle and gave hime all the infoe on the armys and stuff...HE hasnt done it...also south africa was offering assylum for them not help...i accepted koreas help and if others would send it i know they would accept it...the only reason i didnt accept south africa's help was because he was offering exil to a Nationalist...you might as well have him kill himself

ooc: in my last IC post in here i asked GB if he could write up the battle and gave hime all the infoe on the armys and stuff...HE hasnt done it...also south africa was offering assylum for them not help...i accepted koreas help and if others would send it i know they would accept it...the only reason i didnt accept south africa's help was because he was offering exil to a Nationalist...you might as well have him kill himself

ooc
can't until monday

Czechoslovakia fully supports the Peoples Government against the rising tide of Fascist Opression. If the Spanigh government so wishes, we would be willing to deploy up to 50,000 troops together with armored cars and aircraft.

OOC: thanks i can wait as ur rps are always great

King Alfonso XIII and PM Lerroux both agree to this and await the arrival eagerly.

ooc: in my last IC post in here i asked GB if he could write up the battle and gave hime all the infoe on the armys and stuff...HE hasnt done it...also south africa was offering assylum for them not help...i accepted koreas help and if others would send it i know they would accept it...the only reason i didnt accept south africa's help was because he was offering exil to a Nationalist...you might as well have him kill himself
I deleted the post to which you are referring before you posted this.

ooc: sorry i was mad cus i try my hardest to abide by the rules

The Left Hand hereby expresses its desire to assist the true and proper Government of Spain. 300 Panzerkampfwagen II (Crew of 4, 30km/h, 10mm cannon, 15mm armor, 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun) will be sent, as well as 50 Carrier Zeppelins and 10 Paratroop Zeppelins. They will be placed under command of Brigadier General Rommel. He will be under command of a Spanish General.

OOC: Not to be a twit or anything bu the Pz. II wasn't around until the mid 30's...

OOC: I know. The stuff is different. The Name is the same. I used Panzer I's in Denmark and now have upgraded. Basically, I put a tank gun on it.

The Lefthand is welcome to help the Government. We woudl appreciate it if your troops headed straight for Barcelona to assist the troops heading that way.
-King Alfonso XIII

The Rebels under Franco soon find themselves in serious trouble. During the fall and winter, the government forces, reinforced by friends from the Socialist World, gradually cordon off the Rebel controlled area and between that cordon and the blockade, isolate it from the outside world. Franco can only reach the outside from Gibraltar, and the British are neutral in this war.

The constant skirmishes also bleed him down as troops are killed and ammunition is expended. By Christmas he is forced to pull back to Cadiz for a final stand. Inside that city a bloodbath has occured, as it has elsewhere in formerly Rebel controlled Spain. Trade Unionists, Socialist leaning teachers, officials and students, and a number of innocents who were simply denounced for personal reasons, all have been killed. Nearly 60,000 in all.

If the Rebels are going down they are determined to send as many Socialists to hell as they can.

OOC: GB do you mind if i do the battle for Cadiz as i had a special something cooked up...if not ill just tell you what it was so you can add it...

Brazil would like to send a division of 10,000 regulars under General Felix to help strike the final blow against the enemy. We will supply several heavy artillery pieces, mainly the fast firing French 75mm weapons we have. We are sorry we could not send help sooner but at least take this as a sign of goodwill from us.

The Rebels under Franco soon find themselves in serious trouble. During the fall and winter, the government forces, reinforced by friends from the Socialist World, gradually cordon off the Rebel controlled area and between that cordon and the blockade, isolate it from the outside world. Franco can only reach the outside from Gibraltar, and the British are neutral in this war.

The constant skirmishes also bleed him down as troops are killed and ammunition is expended. By Christmas he is forced to pull back to Cadiz for a final stand. Inside that city a bloodbath has occured, as it has elsewhere in formerly Rebel controlled Spain. Trade Unionists, Socialist leaning teachers, officials and students, and a number of innocents who were simply denounced for personal reasons, all have been killed. Nearly 60,000 in all.

If the Rebels are going down they are determined to send as many Socialists to hell as they can.
Akh! Uzhasno! Eto koshmar!
Western units of the Red Army arte being mobilized, and France will be requested to allow them to pass overland to help stop the slaughter in Spain.

All help is gladly accepted. I am glad that the international socialist community is so friendly!
-King Alfonso XIII

With the Nationalist forces on the verge of collapse, two officers decide to take up the South African government's offer for sanctutary. Rafael García Valiño and Luis Carrero Blanco, a gifted naval officer, contact Roy Campbell, who makes arrangements with some friends to get the two officers out of the country. Heading to Gibraltar, Campbell uses his Commonwealth citizenship to get the three into British territory, where they will wait out the war and then go to South Africa on the next British ship.

OOC: Well, that's two Fascists out of your hair, Spain.

OOC: thanks, and yes this was agreed upon throught tg by me and malkyer

To aid our socialist brothers against fascist opression, 4 divisions (12,500 men plus artillery and logistics each), 8 Fiat-Torino armored cars, 12 BH-17 biplane fighters, and 24 SM-1 reconaissance aircraft are to be deployed to Barcelone (OOC: or any convenient location). The Czechoslovakian government requests permission from Germany and France to use their territory and railroads to move the men to aid the Spanish government defeat the terrorist rebellions.

Your aid is welcomed and the Divisions shall be directed to Cadiz. Thank you!
-King Alfonso XIII

OOC: YAY 700 POSTS!!!

OOC: GB do you mind if i do the battle for Cadiz as i had a special something cooked up...if not ill just tell you what it was so you can add it...

thats fine as long as its realistic... the Nationalists, having thoroughly burned all their bridges, will fight to the end.

The Worker's Railroad welcomes the assistance of the greatest Tank makers, and offers free transportation from Czechoslovakia to Spain.

(OOC: So far I only have armored cars, but I intend to start tank production in 1925 :))
IC: Czechoslovakia is extremely greatful towards Germany for its assistance, we still wait for an answe from France however.

The Red Army's [OoC: de facto] Marine Corps, ordinarily stationed in the Far East, will be activated and shipped back West to Odessa, where they will rendezvous with the Mediterranean Squadron [OoC: Really, the Black Sea Squadron, but we call it the Mediterranean Squadron because it makes us feel more powerful] of the Red Fleet, for transport to Spain to assist the Government in suppressing the Falangista Rebels.

How long before the final assault on Cadiz? Oh and Felix and his troops should have arrived now as well.

The Left Hand also offers 2 Paratrooper Battalions (6 Companies) for the assault.

ooc
The Nationalists may not have the Navy behind them, but they do have a naval base at Cadiz to draw from. They also have every reason to be creative.

IC
Small boats begin laying mines all around the entrances to Cadiz and several larger boats dash up the coast and lay a few off the Spanish ports facing the Mediterranean Sea. A few faster boats are also equipped with torpedoes. They aren't ocean going by any means, but they are able to get in a surprise attack against the Government Navy and torpedo and sink a destroyer a couple of miles of shore in a confused night action. They also control the Spanish enclaves in Morocco, and Spanish Sahara, and they are able to buy several dozen used American aircraft.

Although obsolescent, their appearance nevertheless is a nasty shock when several of them take off from the enclave at Ceufa and cross over the narrow waters of the Straits of Gibraltar and intercept and shoot down 2 German Zeppelins and a pair of German Fokkers as well at the cost of 7 of their own.

It is the first air to air combat since the German Civil War, and a nasty shock to the German Air Service.

The mines also are a shock, as a Russian destroyer finds one the hard way as it approaches the Spanish port of Cartagena and blows up with all hands lost.

ooc
just to let you know the Nationalists are just as devious as the Socialists are

In the United States, the President is forced to order an investigation after the inevitable Spanish and German protests are received about American built aircraft showing up over Spain.

The investigation determines that no laws were broken, although the President assures both nations that the United States is neutral concerning the troubles in Spain and in fact strongly condemns the Nationalist atrocities (ooc those that are known)

ooc
we needed a good excuse for fighters to be invented

The mines also are a shock, as a Russian destroyer finds one the hard way as it approaches the Spanish port of Cartagena and blows up with all hands lost.


Well that is supremely annoying . . .

Bukharin (under a great deal of stress, after all), orders his commanders to give no quarter in the coming battle.

The Nationalists weren't done yet. A noted university chemistry professor and his friend, an engineering professor, both of whom happened to be a fiercely devout catholics of the old school, had come up with an idea. Cadiz was one of the principal Spanish ports, and naturally had plenty of salt water on hand. Partially boiled down this made for plenty of brine, the principal raw material needed to make Chlorine gas.

The naval base had a substantial number of dismounted naval guns taken off older ships that hadn't been melted down for scrap yet, and the shells for those guns were available. After some trial and error they came up with a way to put chlorine in the shells and place a small bursting charge that would detonate.

Franco had a weapon. All he needed was a dry day with the wind coming off the sea, and by luck he got one the last day of February. A section of the government seige line, that happened to be manned by a brigade of Yugoslavs and a brigade of Spanish government troops was selected as the target.

Early that afternoon, as the temperature reached a high in the low 70s, the Nationalist artillery opened fire. Soon a hell on earth was achieved as several hundred shells impacted in a hurried bombardment of a 3 mile section of the front. In minutes, hundreds of soldiers were clawing for air, or fleeing in terror, and right behind the shelling the Nationalists launched their attack. An entire brigade of Moroccan and Spanish Foreign Legion troops charged through the large hole in the line, wearing improvised masks. Sometimes the masks failed, and they joined their enemies in death or horrible pain. But for most it worked.

They drove a mile into the government lines, overrunning a divisional headquarters and a battalion of artillery, slaughtered everyone they could find and then retreated. Charges were left behind, and soon ammunition dumps were going off to cover their retreat.

At a cost of 300 dead, the Nationalists destroy a Yugoslav divisional headquarters, an infantry brigade and a Spanish artillery battalion and infantry brigade. Nearly 10,000 Yugoslav and Spanish soldiers are killed or crippled by the attack.

And a new horror had been added to war.

The success of the first attack was celebrated in the the Nationalist councils, and soon the two scientists were creating phosgene to add to the next batch of shells. Mixed with chlorine, it would be a deadly mixture.

Naturally retaliation was expected, and citizens of the town were handed pamphlets telling them how to improvise their own protection.

But the godless Socialists had suffered a serious blow.

OOC: I don't know how long it would take to develope an effective gas mask so i will let you be the judge of how long it takes for them to be developed and shipped.

IC: The Yugoslavian High Command, appalled at the loses demands military R&D develope a capeble protective mask and put it into production and use ASAFP.

Also to make up for the loses the 11th Armored Recon Division is being shipped and the unit that was devestated is being sent back to Yugoslavia for reorganization (probably the highest ranking person left would maybe be a LT. so i think they would have already retreated pretty far anyway). The armored cars of the 11th are being made sealed with an air filter to protect them, sadly only about 20% will have time to be retrofitted before deployment.

OOC: I don't know how long it would take to develope an effective gas mask

(OOC: *pees on the Spanish infantries socks* there ya go)

Considering that chlorine gas was first invented by the Germans (specifically, the Junkers) during the Revolution, the Germans have probably already invented effective gas masks. I doubt they would have been deployed (no reason to be, until now), but I would suspect it's largely just a matter of shipping them to the front.

The Brazilian Army in Spain, the 5th Army, though unnaffected by the gas and subsequent attack, hurriedly send out a batch of any protective gas masks that can be of any use. (ooc: though could we just use German masks when they arrive?). We send our condolences to the dead and their families and General Felix promises to lead the assault personally when they eventually attack to have his own vengeance on the perpetrators of this crime in Cadiz.

ooc: This post will lead to the actuall battle of Cadiz. GB if your program can do urban battles could you rp out the battle? This post is just to add another factor into the battle...

IC: The buzz of airplane engines could be heard overhead. Many of the natives of Cadiz did not think twice about it as the sound of airplane engines had become commonplace in the weeks after the Falangista acquired American airplanes. Unfortunately for the citizens of Cadiz this was not a normal practice flight for the Falangista but an air raid by the Government...

Ramon Franco sat in his cockpit looking out over Cadiz. He led a squad of ten planes each carrying five hundred pounds of explosive ordinance. As they neared the Mayors buidling, the seat of his borthers power the planes began diving towards the building and then set loose their load. They paid no heed to the men firing small arms at their planes as they climbed higher and away from the city...

The explosion was deafening and shook the ground. Guards staggered and fell, decorations and pieces of art shattered, and the roof began caveing in. Francisco Franco was in his office cowering under his desk when the roof of his office began crumbling and falling to the ground. As shouts from outside became louder and more numerous he decided it was ok to leave and survey the damage. As fate would have it the doorframe into his office had been severley weakened and as he opened the door and began to walk through the doorframe collapsed in onto the General. With an erie snap his neck broke and he collapsed under the piece of wall, dead.

ooc: Mind if I just post this?

General Felix orders that the 2 batteries of 145mm guns the Brazilians have brought be entrenched and used to fire deep into the city on suspected nationalist positions. The Brazilian Army will also deploy their 5 batteries of fast firing French 75mm guns that will be entrenched and used to fire on the outskirts of the nationalist defensive positions. Felix requests command of the allied artillery to focus the smaller calibre pieces on the outer defences and the heavier guns to fire deeper into the city. All gun positions are to be heavily defended and manned efficiently.

ooc: This post will lead to the actuall battle of Cadiz. GB if your program can do urban battles could you rp out the battle? This post is just to add another factor into the battle...

IC: The buzz of airplane engines could be heard overhead. Many of the natives of Cadiz did not think twice about it as the sound of airplane engines had become commonplace in the weeks after the Falangista acquired American airplanes. Unfortunately for the citizens of Cadiz this was not a normal practice flight for the Falangista but an air raid by the Government...

Ramon Franco sat in his cockpit looking out over Cadiz. He led a squad of ten planes each carrying one hundred pounds of explosive ordinance. As they neared the Mayors buidling, the seat of his borthers power the planes began diving towards the building and then set loose their load. They paid no heed to the men firing small arms at their planes as they climbed higher and away from the city...

The explosion was deafening and shook the ground. Guards staggered and fell, decorations and pieces of art shattered, and the roof began caveing in. Francisco Franco was in his office cowering under his desk when the roof of his office began crumbling and falling to the ground. As shouts from outside became louder and more numerous he decided it was ok to leave and survey the damage. As fate would have it the doorframe into his office had been severley weakened and as he opened the door and began to walk through the doorframe collapsed in onto the General. With an erie snap his neck broke and he collapsed under the piece of wall, dead.

ooc
edit as follows... change bomb size to 500 pounds as a 100 pound bomb will not actually do what you want. You also lose 4 planes to ground fire as they have to come in very low to actually hit the target you want. After you edit, I will delete this post to keep the story flow cleaner

ooc: Mind if I just post this?

General Felix orders that the 2 batteries of 145mm guns the Brazilians have brought be entrenched and used to fire deep into the city on suspected nationalist positions. The Brazilian Army will also deploy their 5 batteries of fast firing French 75mm guns that will be entrenched and used to fire on the outskirts of the nationalist defensive positions. Felix requests command of the allied artillery to focus the smaller calibre pieces on the outer defences and the heavier guns to fire deeper into the city. All gun positions are to be heavily defended and manned efficiently.

ooc
to move things along..

IC
The Government forces and their allies finally finished moving up artillery in late March and began bombarding the city with high explosive shells. However, they didn't have the ammunition to level the place, just inflict some damage. Most of the fire was relatively ineffective, as it took at least a 105 mm shell to penetrate most houses and even bigger to penetrate commercial buildings. But some fires were set and nearly 10% of the population (10,000 people) are killed in the bombardment that lasts for days. The Nationalists don't fire back though, saving their ammunition for special occasions, and after three days they get one. Another dry clear day with a light breeze blowing off the sea.

They attack with every plane they have, 24 total, each carrying 500 pound bombs filled with phosgene and chlorine. Meanwhile, every gun in the city over 100 mm opens up. Their target is the Brazilians, who they know (ooc their opinion) to be less well trained than their European counterparts. Bombs and shells blanket artillery and infantry positions, and once again the Spanish Foreign Legion and Moroccans sortie in a full scale raid.

Although their casualties are severe (nearly 50% killed or wounded, roughly 10,000 killed or wounded), the Brazilians manage to hold, and inflict serious losses (killing or wounding 2,000 Nationalists and gutting the brigade in the process).

A counterattack by Spanish government troops finishes off the Nationalist sortie, and almost manages to gain entrance into the city itself before it too is shattered.

In a single day, 3,000 Nationalists have fallen, but the Spanish Government has lost 4,000 men, and the Brazilians over 10,000.

In addition, 7 Nationalist planes are shot down by German fighters as they leave the area, at the cost of only 1 German aircraft.

In Cadiz, Brigadier General Munuz Grande takes charge and reorganizes the defenses. Every available man is conscripted, swelling his force to nearly 13,000 and another 1,000 men manage to get ferried across the Straits from Morocco by fast motor boats (although nearly 300 more die in the attempt).

The seige continues

France officially declares war on the Nationalists and the French fleet heads for Cadiz to provide air and artillery support for the Government troops.

The United States strongly condemns the Nationalist use of gas warfare and orders are sent to the European Squadron to intervene.

The Battleships New York and Texas, strongly escorted by 5 destroyers each, steam from Tangiers and take up station just outside the harbors of Ceuta and Melilla. Shortly after that, 14 inch gun turrets are trained on the cities and the order it sent to surrender at once to Moroccan forces just outside of town.

Realizing that the situation is hopeless, and at least this way they might actually survive the Rebellion, the Nationalist commanders promptly do so and the Sultan of Morocco takes over the two Spanish enclaves after a 500 year Spanish presence.

Meanwhile, American cruisers and transports reached the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canary, and US marines backed by cruisers take the surrender of the Nationalist garrison there, as well as the Nationalist garrison at Dakhka (modern day Western, formerly Spanish, Sahara).

Morocco takes possession of both the Canary Islands and what they call Southern Morocco as well.

In Cadiz, the Nationalists begin expelling women and children, sending them out in refugee columns with just the clothes on their backs. Unable to feed them any longer and still mount a reasonable stand, they can only kill them or expel them.

Nearly 40,000 people in all are sent out, while inside, every remaining man or boy 15 years of age or older is given a rifle and assigned to a unit. The garrison is now at 25,000, and every house is a fortress, every street a killing ground, and the Nationalists wait for their last battle.

With the loss of the colonies, they know that now they are completely alone. They no longer even have an air force to contest the Socialist bombing attacks. But every house that is destroyed becomes a pile of rubble, ready made for defense.

The French decide it's time to test out their new landing craft and prepare two divisions for an amphibious assualt against Cadiz. They plan to saturate the landing zone with shells and bombs from carrier aircraft and then send in the troops. They plan on using smaller gunships and destroyers for close-in fire support in place of regular artillery. The troops are issued make-shift gas masks in case the Spanish decide to use it again.

The French attempt to coordinate with the Spanish government so the attack goes off at the same time as the land assault.

The United States strongly condemns the Nationalist use of gas warfare and orders are sent to the European Squadron to intervene.

The Battleships New York and Texas, strongly escorted by 5 destroyers each, steam from Tangiers and take up station just outside the harbors of Ceuta and Melilla. Shortly after that, 14 inch gun turrets are trained on the cities and the order it sent to surrender at once to Moroccan forces just outside of town.

Realizing that the situation is hopeless, and at least this way they might actually survive the Rebellion, the Nationalist commanders promptly do so and the Sultan of Morocco takes over the two Spanish enclaves after a 500 year Spanish presence.

Meanwhile, American cruisers and transports reached the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canary, and US marines backed by cruisers take the surrender of the Nationalist garrison there, as well as the Nationalist garrison at Dakhka (modern day Western, formerly Spanish, Sahara).

Morocco takes possession of both the Canary Islands and what they call Southern Morocco as well.

OOC: I never stated that the Canary Islands were taken so your government will recieve backlash for takeing them and also if at all possible I want Ceuta back that is it. You are adding many garrissons that I did not say existed as at first Cadiz was all that was left. I allowed you to add the enclaves as I thought Id get them back. It seems awfully like you are expanding what you want at the same time your closeing up this civil war.

The new Yugoslavian general Julije Fritz is sent as a replacement for the previous general who was killed in the Nationalist attack on the division headquarters. With him are the first shipment of gas masks and the lighter elements of the 11th Armored Recon Division. After off loading several miles away from Cadiz, the 6th Infantry Divison(the one devestated by the attacks) is loaded up and sent back to be reorganized and reconstituted.

Preparing for the attack on the Cadiz cityscape, the Volci brigade has lended several flamethrower operators to be used in the assault.

OOC: I am listening to Rammstein right now, so the German Angry Music is getting to me. I want every schweinenhundtz to perish. In flames.

OOC2: Shoot! No napalm until WW2...

IC: Saddened at the loss of two Zeppelins, and half a dozen planes, the Worker's Air Corps decides it is time to update fighters. The old Fokkers are no longer enough to protect Zeppelins. However, the rebels must perish.

The Left Hand's plan was brutal. 30 Gotha G bombers were ordered from Hamburg. They were ordered to bomb Cadiz to ruin for a fortnight. As a special "present" for the schweinen, mustard gas was added to many bombs. After the two weeks of hell, nearly 40 Flame Tanks would also be brought. While the Worker's agreed that the Spanish must learn to fight, now was the time for vengance.

The French decide it's time to test out their new landing craft and prepare two divisions for an amphibious assualt against Cadiz. They plan to saturate the landing zone with shells and bombs from carrier aircraft and then send in the troops. They plan on using smaller gunships and destroyers for close-in fire support in place of regular artillery. The troops are issued make-shift gas masks in case the Spanish decide to use it again.

The French attempt to coordinate with the Spanish government so the attack goes off at the same time as the land assault.
It seems to me I have a Marine Corps there, too. I'll want them in on this. For experience.

OOC: Since we all have massive plans for the destruction of the Nationalist Swine, how about we coordinate :p

I'll bomb the living hell out of the place for two weeks, then a combined Amphibious and Paradrop attack commence with air superiority, and then Flame Tanks and infantry attacking the front for good measure?

Also, does anyone have the Chatzy link?

OOC: Sounds good, although France won't like the mustard gas...It will be awesome.

Chatzy (http://www.chatzy.com/684093003041)

OOC: I never stated that the Canary Islands were taken so your government will recieve backlash for takeing them and also if at all possible I want Ceuta back that is it. You are adding many garrissons that I did not say existed as at first Cadiz was all that was left. I allowed you to add the enclaves as I thought Id get them back. It seems awfully like you are expanding what you want at the same time your closeing up this civil war.

as WAR MODERATOR
The US is being opportunistic, which is in keeping with the way I have played it all game. As far as the garrisons go, I am using historical troop strengths that were present and the likely political leanings. Historically, the Spanish government has always sent the unreliable or the discredited to the colonies to keep them out of political trouble at home. These guys would be the most reactionary of the lot, and now that it is clear that the rebellion is doomed, the most eager to surrender to save their lives.

In addition, I gave you a huge amount of latitude in deciding how many rebels there are. In fact you seriously underestimated their numbers, but this at least balances things out. A stronger Nationalist resistance at Cadiz and in the colonies is the only game mechanic I could come up with to make the Civil War as bloody as historically it was.

IC (AS USA)
The US backs the government of Moroccos claim to its historic territory, land the Spanish stole centuries ago.

OOC: Oh, it will be bloody.... Chatzy?

Russian forces will be placed under German command. They consist of the Mediterranean Squadron (minus a destroyer) and the Red Army Marine Corps.

In April the bloody climax to the battle of Cadiz came about. The Germans bombed the city for 2 weeks, inflicting serious damage to some neighborhoods, but the technology of the day doesn't make for large bomb loads or a great deal of accuracy. It does manage to kill several hundred of the rebels though, and along with the now constant shelling, the city is now a ruin instead of one of the most beautiful, and oldest, cities in Europe.

Mustard gas and shellfire kills several thousand of the rebels, but the remainder, now completely resigned to death, just become more determined. Guns from the naval arsenal have been emplaced everywhere, with nearly every street covered by at least one gun, and the waterfront bristles with them as well. They remain silent, hidden, waiting for a last moment. Every mine available has been laid off the beaches and in the roadstead, and the last Nationalist motorboats are finally sunk after driving off repeated attempts by the enemy to check for mines.

On April 17, the Government and its allies are ready for the final assault. Only 30,000 Nationalists remain to defend the city, while 6 Government divisions, 1 Yugoslav, and 1 Brazilian division are available for the assault, and 3 French divisions are in reserve. Off shore, the battleships and cruisers of the French, German and Russian squadrons open fire, laying down a heavy bombardment on the beaches on either side of the city and on the port area.

Several transports and several dozen small craft are offshore as well, as dawn breaks, the small craft head toward the shore, crowded with French and Russian marines (6,000 in all, in 12 assault battalions). Meanwhile, dozens of Zeppelins flew overhead, each carrying a company of parachutists.

It was a textbook perfect assault, and something new in the annals of warfare, for even as the paratroopers and marines came in, the infantry ringing the city stormed toward their objectives.

A picture perfect scene, until the Nationalists opened fire and the first landing craft hit the first mine.

Then it became chaos.

No one had ever conducted an amphibious assault against a defended beach in modern history, and the reason became clear why it was risky when nearly 30 landing craft were blown apart by mines or hit by shell fire before they even reached the shore. Nearly 100 more were damaged, and in all only 50 boats managed to reach shore undamaged. Their Marines stumbled out, and in some cases found that they had only reached a sand bar and water chest deep or higher was between them and the actual beach. Not a single boat actually made it into the harbor, and the warships offshore fired as best they could, but without communications, they couldn't reach hidden batteries.

Of the 6,000 Russian and French marines who started, only 1,000 were still on their feet after the first hour. With their leaders mostly dead, without communications, and most of them scattered and disorganized, they could only cling to the beach and hope someone else won the battle and rescued them.

Meanwhile, the parachutists (nearly 6,000) were leaving their Zeppelins at 5,000 feet, well out of machine gun and light artillery range of the ground. In the last bit of darkness, some of the parachutists exited either too early or too late, and nearly 500 landed within their own lines, and nearly 300 landed in the water, where they immediately drowned.

Almost none landed at their planned drop zones, as landmarks were impossible to make out in the smoke of the pre assault bombardment and in the dust clouds. Parachutists landed all over the city, and quickly found themselves in close range duels to the death with defenders.

At the end of the battle, only 600 Marines and 1,000 Paratroopers would walk out, and most of them were wounded. The rest were dead or missing.

But their sacrifice did completely tie up what reserves the Nationalists had, and cut by half the amount of artillery firing at the assaulting infantry.

The 90 battalions of assaulting infantry (nearly 90,000 men in all) took heavy losses, nearly 21%, reaching the city. But they reached it, and fierce street by street, house by house, room by room fighting began.

It raged for three awful days. In the end, the French had to be committed as well, along with three more Spanish Divisions. Nearly 40% of the infantry (60,000 men) were dead or wounded (1:3 ratio) but the city fell.

Only 4,000 defenders surrendered or were captured. Nearly all old men or teenaged boys. Dead in the ruins were the rest, along with 20,000 civilians (women and children).

The Nationalist Revolt was over.

France issues a new medal, "The Order of Cadiz, " to all men that took part in the assault. Several Légion d'Honneurs are issued, some posthumously. Several marines also recieved the Labeyrere Cross for bravery in the face of the enemy.

However, lessons are learned and France takes note of them. The next time France will be better prepared.

Julije Fritz recieves a medal for his fight against the Facist powers, as well as all the men under his command. The Yugoslavian units are now being returned to Yugoslavia for reorganization, as the main fighting is over. Yugoslavia gives it's best graces to the defended government of Spain.

Yugoslavia also proposes an international treaty to prevent the use of chemical gas in warfare.

Cadiz, the oldest city in western city

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A1diz

ooc: by the way we only sent one division in in the first place to Spain but we can assume I would have reinforced so I had two divisions there, one for the mauling from the nationalists (but stubborn defence, hurrah!) and one for the attack on the city.

IC:

The Brazilian People are saddened by the news that General Felix has been killed in the attack on the city after vowing to lead the attack. The troops have recieved the 'Foreign Operation: Cadiz' Medal and several of our other highest battle orders have been given out as well (ooc: need to research Brazilian medals). Some for the defence of the artillery position and some for the city assault. Our condolences go out to the families of the soldiers killed, regardless of side and nationality. We are glad this conflict is over and wish Spain every good luck in rebuilding their nation.

Deepest Regards and Condolences,
The Brazilian People.

OOC: Didn't see my Flame Tanks mentioned. I am curious to see how they did.

Also, I am gonna give Rommel the Pour le Merit here. I haven't gotten around to doing medals so I am just going to keep the Prussian ones.

IC: For his extraordinary efforts in serving the Workers of the World in both Denmark and Spain, Colonel Erwin Rommel is awarded the Pour le Merit, the highest military award offered.

2 dozen Iron Cross Second class and 10 Iron Cross First class were awarded, 20 of them posthumously.

Vas Pokhoronim, acting on behalf of both the Union Supreme Council abd the Revolutionary High Command.

Every mine available has been laid off the beaches and in the roadstead, and the last Nationalist motorboats are finally sunk after driving off repeated attempts by the enemy to check for mines.

Several transports and several dozen small craft are offshore as well, as dawn breaks, the small craft head toward the shore, crowded with French and Russian marines (6,000 in all, in 12 assault battalions).

It was a textbook perfect assault, and something new in the annals of warfare, for even as the paratroopers and marines came in, the infantry ringing the city stormed toward their objectives.

A picture perfect scene, until the Nationalists opened fire and the first landing craft hit the first mine.

Then it became chaos.

No one had ever conducted an amphibious assault against a defended beach in modern history, and the reason became clear why it was risky when nearly 30 landing craft were blown apart by mines or hit by shell fire before they even reached the shore. Nearly 100 more were damaged, and in all only 50 boats managed to reach shore undamaged. Their Marines stumbled out, and in some cases found that they had only reached a sand bar and water chest deep or higher was between them and the actual beach. Not a single boat actually made it into the harbor, and the warships offshore fired as best they could, but without communications, they couldn't reach hidden batteries.

Of the 6,000 Russian and French marines who started, only 1,000 were still on their feet after the first hour. With their leaders mostly dead, without communications, and most of them scattered and disorganized, they could only cling to the beach and hope someone else won the battle and rescued them.

At the end of the battle, only 600 Marines and 1,000 Paratroopers would walk out, and most of them were wounded. The rest were dead or missing.


OoC: Well that sucked.

IC
The entire Red Army Marine Corps, dead and living, is declared "Vanguard of the Revolution" by the Union Supreme Council, a decoration is minted for them, and the survivors and their families (and the families of the fallen) are extended a number of special privileges by legislation. [OoC: I guess the Communists just invented a knighthood . . . how interesting.] Those who performed particularly well, of course, are granted the order of "Hero of the Revolution."

All survivors are interviewed as to their perspectives and positions in the battle, and their input is taken into account for future operations. Those who remain in the military after this (after taking such losses, any who wish are allowed to retire) are promoted to noncoms and officers, and made into a cadre for the new Workers' Red Army Assault Corps, which will include both Marines and Paratroopers, both Russians and Germans, and will be open to recruitment only to troops which have seen active duty, and voluntarily at that (recruitment will be incentive-driven, at least at first - if shortfalls are too large, we'll experiment with other methods).

IC (AS USA)
The US backs the government of Moroccos claim to its historic territory, land the Spanish stole centuries ago.

The Spanish Government condemns this action and the taking of the canary Islands by the United States. They demand the return of the Canary Islands and Ceuta. The land that we 'stole' from the Morrocans was under different rule at the time and was taken centuries ago. The US has also engaged in stealing land, or must we remind you of Manifest Destiny, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, and the Indian Wars?

On another note all troops who took part in the fighting during the war have been given the 'Order of Civil Valor'. Familys have recieved compensation for their losses, even on the Nationalist side, although in decreased amounts. Major Ramon Franco has been raised to the rank of Colonel and has recieved the 'Distinguished Flying Cross' as well as the men who took part in the raid on Cadiz.

It is sad that one of our greatest citys has been destroyed but legislation has been passed to rebuild the city as a rival to Gibraltar which will be completed over twenty years.

The Spanish people thank all who helped and hope that your genorous help will not end when the fighting does but will continue to help those devastated by the war to help Spain gain back some of its former prestige.