NationStates Jolt Archive

Basic Rules: You must be in the E20 RP to be involved with this. Please keep OOC comments to a bare minimum. Either TG me, or post in the various other threads (military, economic or general news thread are preferred). This thread is to report on what is happening in the Second Great War, and that only. Everything else should go in the other threads.

Nations at war on July 20, 1924

London Treaty Alliance Nations
USA
United Kingdom
Canada (NPC under UK control)
Australia (NPC under UK control)
New Zealand (NPC under UK control)
South Africa
India
Colombia
Chile (not yet at war)
Argentina
Ecuador
Portugal

Warsaw Pact Nations and associated powers
Russia
Brazil
France
Yugoslavia
Germany
China
Hungary
Czechslovakia

conquered
Spain (LTA)
Burgundy (Pact)
Belgium (Pact)

US and British forces versus Russian, Spanish and French forces July 20, 1924

LTA 6th Fleet
Battleships Texas (US), New York (US), Royal Oak (UK), Resolution (UK), Ramillies (UK), Revenge (UK), Light Cruisers Effingham (UK), Frobisher (UK), Hawkins (UK), Cavendish (UK), St. Louis (US), Charleston (US), 20 US destroyers, 15 RN Destroyers, 8 US Submarines (2 others refitting at Casablanca) , 4 UK submarines, Carrier Argus (UK) with 1 squadron of fighter / scout planes

Air support
From Morocco
3 Squadrons Seaplanes (USN) (armed with torpedoes or depth charges)
1 squadron fighters (USMC)
1 squadron fighters (RN)

PACT COMBINED FLEET
Russian squadron
Battleships Paris Commune, Nikoleyev, Volya, Light cruisers Provorny, Obraztsovy, Odarenny, Otvazhny, Steregushchy, Reshitelny, 24 destroyers (6 others refueling at Marseilles), 7 submarines (3 others at home under refit), 12 Russian transport ships

French squadron
Battleships Courbet, France, Paris, light cruisers Duguay Trouin, Lamotte-Picquet, Primaguet, Edgar Quinet, Waldeck-Rousseau, Ernest Renan, Carrier Bearn with 1 squadron scout planes, 30 destroyers, 10 submarines, 12 transport ships

On this date, no French, Russian or Spanish naval attack aircraft are in the area, however the Spanish and Germans have some aircraft in the area for scouting, and German Zeppelins are present and provide scouting assistance as well.

Morning July 20
The situation is as follows:
The American squadron of 2 battleships and 10 destroyers has rendezvoused with the British squadron of 4 Battleships, 4 cruisers and 10 destroyers directly off Gibraltar, and they block the strait. Coming up fast from the Canary Islands are 2 American cruisers and 5 destroyers, while further south are 5 American destroyers and 3 transports remaining in the Canary Islands. A picket line of American submarines is between the combined American and British battle group and Cadiz. In addition, the carrier Argus and 5 destroyers is to the east of the American and British surface group. East of them are 4 British submarines in a picket line.

The Russian and French forces begin off Cadiz, having just completed supporting the battle there a short time ago. They are hampered by the need to protect nearly 24 tranports, and also have to watch out for British forces coming down from their bases in England, which can reach them before French forces coming out of Brest can do so.

The French split off their 6 cruisers, 30 destroyers, and the carrier to cover the transport force, which is behind the main battle force of 6 battleships, 6 cruisers, and 23 destroyers. The French submarines cover the fleet in an arc to watch the west, north and south, while the Russian submarines will follow behind the battle force at their best speed in hopes of killing any LTA cripples. However, their slow under water speed will leave them trailing well behind and they will not be a factor in the fleet action.

The LTA ships have thicker armor, are larger, and have heavier guns than the approaching Russian and French battleships. In addition, the LTA cruisers and destroyers are also bigger and have more firepower. Another advantage the LTA has is superior damage control procedures and fire control The Pact has advantages in speed, recent combat experience, but have not worked together before the past week, while British and American ships have routinely worked together for almost 2 decades.

The action starts as the American submarines spot the oncoming Russian and French ships and several fire spreads of torpedoes. This immediately forces the entire Pact fleet to take evasive maneuvers, but nevertheless, the Americans score hits on 2 Russian destroyers, which immediately come to a stop, sinking.

Admiral Madden, the British commander and overall commander of the LTA fleet, orders his ships to attack, and the Royal Oak leads the way. The Allied fleet is in a line with the 4 British battleships leading the way and the 2 American ships right behind. The American destroyers are in the lead, with the British destroyers behind the fleet as a reserve.

At 22,000 yards, the Allied line spots the Pact line and opens fire, just at the edge of effective Pact range. The brutal slug fest lasts nearly 15 minutes, before the Pact fleet is forced to veer off, leaving the Russian battleship Nikoleyev and French battleship France sinking, and all 4 of the other ships damaged to various degrees. The Allies don’t get off without a scratch though, bad luck results in the Ramillies catching the fire of 2 of the Russian ships, and it is left a burning sinking wreck, but all of the Allied ships have been hit as well.

Meanwhile, the light ships have engaged in a furious melee between the battlelines. The British cruisers Effingham and Frobisher are sinking, as are 3 US destroyers, but so are 10 Russian destroyers. Both remaining British cruisers and 10 British destroyers are damaged, along with all 6 Russian cruisers and all of their remaining destroyers.

Badly battered, the Pact Fleet retires, heading back toward Cadiz, while the Allied fleet turns south and retires toward Tangiers.

At that point, the Americans launch the first air attack against a fleet in history. All the night before, the Americans had hurriedly armed the seaplanes based at Casablanca and Tangiers with torpedoes and worked on a battle plan. It had never been tried before, but they were eager to attack. As the surface action finally ended, the American attack force of 20 Curtis Seaplanes escorted by 10 Packard fighters found the enemy fleet. Through sheer luck, they managed to recognize their own fleet and avoid it and instead they found the retiring Russian and French squadron. The attack was poorly carried out, and frequently unorganized, but nevertheless, they managed to score a torpedo hit on the French battleship Courbet (that was not fatal, but still more damage to repair) at the cost of 3 planes shot down to anti aircraft fire, and 2 crashing into the sea do to pilot error. Meanwhile, the British flyers off the Argus patrol in front of the fleet, ensuring that no Pact ships are waiting in ambush.

Aviation history had been made.

Meanwhile, the Russian submarines and American submarines encountered one another and both groups fired torpedoes blindly at one another based on their best estimates from hydrophones. Neither side scored, and both sides decided to call it a day and retired to their ports as well.

Results
UK – Battleship Ramillies, light cruiser Effingham, Frobisher, sunk, Battleship Revenge heavily damaged, cruisers Hawkins, Cavendish, 10 destroyers damaged,
US – 3 destroyers sunk, 5 aircraft lost

4 Battleships, 1 carrier, 7 destroyers available for action. Strait is under LTA control

Russia – battleship Nikoleyev, 12 destroyers sunk, battleship Paris Commune, Volya heavily damaged, cruisers Provorny, Obraztsovy, Odarenny, Otvazhny, Steregushchy, Reshitelny, 9 destroyers damaged.
French – battleship France sunk, battleships Courbet, Paris heavily damaged

6 cruisers, 30 destroyers, 1 carrier available for action, but retiring at 15 knots toward Cadiz and then Brest.

As it turns out, the Pact fleet is able to make it to Brest safely the night of July 22, as the British fleet of 4 battleships and numerous cruisers and destroyers is slow to form up, and doesn’t reach the area before they are safely in port. The British Admiral in charge of that fiasco is relieved of duty.

ooc
the British and Americans simply have much more firepower here than the French and Russians do. Basically its superdreadnoughts versus dreadnoughts, and that is a huge advantage for the LTA. Also, American and British destroyers of this era are larger and better armed, which is decisive as well. However, the light cruisers on each side were equal.

The situation was such that the submarines were not in a position to do much, they are far to slow to keep up in a fleet action, especially if submerged, and have no training or doctrine to fight one another. Aircraft didn't do to much here either, but an important milestone occurs.

The Attorney General has submitted a request to the Superior Court, Northern District of Santiago for declaration of France as a Hostile Power under the Hostile Power Trading Acts of 1912, and requested impoundment of all French property in Chile. Judge Xavier Dominguez is now hearing the case.

The Foreign Ministry has warned all Chilean citizens in France to leave as soon as possible. Although war has not been declared, we believe the hostile act of Declaration of War against the USA puts our citizens in a precarious state.

Battle of the South China Sea July 22, 1924

French Pacific squadron versus Japanese and American squadrons

Location: 50 Miles to the north of Paracel Island (a little islet in the South China Sea)

French Forces:
Battleships Jean Bart, Charlemagne, Carrier Castet (1 fighter squadron, 1 scout squadron) , light cruisers Amiral Aube, Conde, Gloire, Marseillaise, Sully, 5 destroyers, 2 oilers, 2 colliers

US Forces
Asiatic Fleet with Light cruisers Honolulu, Juneau, 10 destroyers, 5 submarines

Japanese Forces
Battleships Haruna, Kirishima, Carriers Kongo, Hiei (2 torpedo squadrons, 2 fighter squadrons, 2 scout squadrons between the two ships), Light cruisers Kuma, Tama, Kitakami, Oi, Kiso, 20 destroyers, 10 submarines

Afternoon, July 22
The French squadron, having just received word that the Japanese have entered the war, find themselves in trouble. The British are to the south, guarding Singapore with several cruisers and destroyers, and at least a few submarines. The Dutch East Indies are neutral, and guarded by a pair of old Dutch pre dreadnoughts, plus some cruisers and destroyers and submarines. To the east were the Americans, a small fleet, but the Philippines were a substantial barrier. Only the north or east held safety, and the fleet had orders to link up with the Russians at Vladivostok. That was clearly impossible now. The Russians would have to come to them, as the entire Japanese Navy was between them both.

The French commander ordered a change of course and headed east toward Haiphong and hoped for safety.

The Allies were moving in however.

Between Haiphong and his fleet was a chain of Japanese submarines, 10 in all. To the west, the Americans had a similar chain of submarines, and air patrols out of Subic Bay. To the North, approaching fast, was a fleet of Japanese ships steaming south out of Keelung at 30 knots, and they had been doing so since July 18. To the south, the Americans were coming up fast from Cebu, having left their anchorage there on July 18 as well. A long planned LTA move originally planned just to blockade French Indochina and keep an eye on the Chinese was about to snap shut on a French squadron at the wrong place and wrong time.

Just after noon, a Japanese search plane found the French, a mere 50 miles to the south, and moving at 20 knots compared to the 30 knots of the Japanese and American forces. The Japanese plane returned to its carrier, and immediately a wireless message was flashed to the Americans and British. The French picked up the message almost immediately as well, and found themselves at a disadvantage. The wind was coming from the south, which allowed the Japanese to maintain course and continue to launch aircraft, but the French would have to turn into the wind and change course to launch their own aircraft.

Coming up from the south at this time were the Americans, a mere 30 miles away. But the French didn’t know that, and turned south to launch planes to find out what if anything was closing on them. The launch took 30 minutes, and by the time it was over, the French pilots were frantically signaling by Aldis lamp that a squadron of warships was directly south of them.

The French commander immediately ordered his screen to engage the Americans, and the cruisers Conde, Sully and Gloire, along with 5 destroyers, accelerated to full speed and charged toward the American fleet, which immediately turned to the west to unmask their guns.

The Japanese had not been idle however, and as soon as the spot report had been received, had began arming their torpedo bombers to launch a strike at the French fleet.

Even as the Americans and French light squadrons were opening fire at 6,000 yards, 48 Japanese torpedo planes escorted by 12 Japanese fighters were approaching at 100 mph. The French had 12 fighters up as well, and the first air to air combat outside of Europe began at 1500 hours local time, even as shells were being exchanged between the Americans and French.

It was a vicious dogfight, and 7 French and 12 Japanese aircraft dropped into the sea in less than 5 minutes. The French ships opened fire with every gun that could bear, and discovered that like all warships, they didn’t have nearly enough guns designed to engage aircraft. They dropped 5 Japanese torpedo bombers into the sea, and damaged several more, but the Japanese concentrated their attack on the carrier Castet and gutted her with 5 torpedo hits. She rolled over and sank in less than 30 minutes, taking with her most of her crew.

As the air battle raged, the Americans and French dueled. American gunfire was telling, and the cruisers Sully and Gloire both dropped out of the fight, the Sully sinking by the stern. American destroyers also sank 3 French destroyers, and damaged another at the cost of one their own damaged. However, the rapidly approaching battleships forced the Americans to turn and retreat at full speed to avoid the rain of 13.5 inch shells heading their way. This time the damaged destroyer Stewart was unlucky, and a pair of hits blew her apart.

Now painfully aware that at least 2 Japanese carriers were in the area, the French turned to the west and headed for Haiphong at full speed. However that speed was limited to the best speed of the colliers and oilers attached to the fleet, a mere 20 knots.

The Japanese were still coming on, and the Japanese Admiral detached his battleships and cruisers, and ordered them to pursue, while the carriers and destroyers recovered aircraft.

At 1700 hours, the Japanese finally intercepted the French, which were under observation by a Japanese float plane, and the two fleets met on a converging course. A long range duel lasted an hour but the heavier guns of the Japanese battleships proved telling. Several hits left the Jean Bart a blazing wreck and slowed the Charlemagne to a mere 10 knots. With both fleet commanders killed, as well as the screen commander, the senior French officer was aboard the Charlemagne and he orders his remaining ships to attack, and the colliers and oilers to scatter.

This action saved the officers and men of those four ships from capture, but dooms the remainder of the French fleet. A fierce duel between the Japanese and French last for another hour, but it finally ends with every French ship sinking or ablaze and soon to go down, along with the Japanese cruiser Kuma and 2 destroyers.

French naval power in the Pacific is destroyed.

Results
French losses:
Battleships Jean Bart, Charlemagne, Carrier Castet (1 fighter squadron, 1 scout squadron) , light cruisers Amiral Aube, Conde, Gloire, Marseillaise, Sully, 5 destroyers sunk (10,000 men lost)

Japanese losses:
Light cruiser Kuma, 2 destroyers sunk, Battleship Haruna lightly damaged, 3 destroyers damaged

US losses
1 destroyer sunk

ooc
Basically the French are overwhelmed here. There were some lucky die rolls by the American cruisers, but it was a matter of being overwhelmed more than anything else. The French fleet was simply run down and destroyed by a force superior in firepower (the Japanese) in a situation the Americans and Japanese had been planning for 3 years.

Weather and combat rolls are always randomly determined using rules developed from a pair of board games and a computer game that I routinely play. Just like in the Great War.

Secret IC: The Palestinian embassy in France has hand delivered the following note to the French Government.

Prime Minister Blum,

It is with regret that I must inform you that Palestine cannot openly join the war at this time. Our ally, the Ottoman Empire stalls and stutters and cannot decide whether to join this great undertaking. We will covertly assist you and your allies in any way possible. All you must do is ask. We are prepared to ship ammunition and guns to you via rail. If you wish, we will implant spies in Egypt and Libya. Simply ask and we shall do what we can. Palestine has not forgotten the brave Frenchmen who laid their lives down for our liberty.

Your Friend and Ally,
Prime Minister Ibrahim Al Hussef

Battle of Tsushima July 21– 24, 1924

Russian Forces
4 Gangut class battleships (Gangut, Petropavlovsk, Poltava, Sevastapol)
3 Markarov class battle cruisers (Markarov, Stark, Rozhdestvenski)
14 Diana class light cruisers (Diana, Rurik, Pallada, Aurore, Variag, Askold, Boyarin, Novik)
10 Ognevoy class light cruisers (Ognevoy, Slavny, Stroyny, Smyshleny, Smely, Sovremenny, Bezuprechnyy, Bezboyaznenny, Besstrashnyy, Bezuderzhannyy)
30 destroyers (6 squadrons)
60 submarines

Japanese Forces
4 Nagato class (Nagato, Mutsu, Tosa, Mikasa
4 Fuso class (Fuso, Yamashiro, Ise, Hyuga
3 Kaga class (Kaga, Akagi, Hosho)
6 Nagara class light cruisers (Nagara, Isuzu, Natori, Yura, Kimu, Abukuma)
40 destroyers
30 torpedo boats
30 coast defense submarines

July 21
The Russian Pacific Fleet receives orders to steam south and meet the French fleet off Taiwan and then turn and destroy the Japanese Navy. It couldn’t be too difficult, the Japanese have never fought a European enemy before, just the Chinese, and the pre modern Chinese at that. But the Americans and British fleets would certainly be steaming across the Pacific, and they were the two largest navies on the planet. Better to crush the Japanese now before they appeared and with any luck, the Japanese would sue for peace.

But to be certain of victory, better to act like the Japanese were at least as competent as the Austrians had been during the Great War. The entire submarine fleet was sent to sea, all 50 of the boats that weren’t under refit or otherwise not available due to repairs. The problem with being on the opposite side of Russia from the nearest fleet base was getting spare parts. But 50 should be more than enough.

The boats steamed across the Sea of Japan and took up station covering every single Japanese port on the eastern side of the Home Islands, as well as the Korea Straits, Tsushima Straits, Kitakyushu Strait, Tsugara Strait, and La Perouse Straits. The Japanese would walk into an ambush if they tried to enter the Sea of Japan, and the fleet would be well warned. Air patrols from Vladivostok ranged as far out as they could (200 miles) but the lack of bases in China and Korea would prevent any further air support after that.

The worrisome part would be the voyage past the Tsushima Straits past Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands, but as the Russian ships were faster than their Japanese counterparts for the most part, this was not expected to be a problem.

Meanwhile, the Japanese mounted air patrols of their own beginning July 19, and their submarines had already left port, taking up station guarding the 5 straits they had to watch. Their fleet assembled in the Inland Sea, and then steamed out the Bungo Strait into the Pacific, before swinging around Kyushu and dropping anchor at Nagasaki.

Well to the south of the Russian submarines.

July 22
The Russians steamed across the Sea of Japan at a steady 25 knots, the speed of their slowest ship. It was an impressive sight, just as the assembled Japanese fleet at Nagasaki was impressive.

Late that afternoon, a Japanese patrol plane out of Shimonoseiki spots the Russians 200 miles north northwest of the Tsushima Strait, and after it lands, a report is sent by telegraph to the assembled Japanese fleet, which immediately gets up steam and within a couple of hours is on its way to its ambush position.

In Japan itself, several squadrons of seaplanes are ordered to take off at first light, and fly to Sasebo to refuel and prepare to attack the Russians along with the carrier aircraft.

The Japanese strategy was daring. Let the Russians pass through the Strait, and then close it behind them with torpedo boats and aircraft, while the fleet met them south of it.

The Russian submarines passed on the message to the Russian commander that the Japanese fleet was nowhere in sight. But the most dangerous part of the voyage was just ahead, and the Russian Admiral knew it.

July 23
The Russians came on the strait just after dawn, and still the Japanese were no where in sight. The Russian commander wished at that point he had carriers, but alas, he only had a couple of scout planes aboard the three Markarov battle cruisers. He decided to launch two of them, although the fleet wouldn’t stop to recover, the pilots had orders to fly to Korea when fuel was low and seek internment.

Meanwhile, Japanese patrol planes were already over the Russian fleet, and the larger flying boats actually could carry wireless, and they transmitted a spot report to Fleet Command. Orders went out, and the Japanese carriers began launching fighters.

The Russian float planes scouted both the Tsushima and Korean Straits. For one crew, the Korean Straits choice would save their lives. For the other, flying over Tsushima gave them a brief view of the bulk of the Japanese fleet, and then short lived terror as they were blasted out of the sky.

Russian ships passed through the straits, 2 squadrons of destroyers and the light cruisers in the van, then the heavy ships, and then the remainder of the destroyers trailing. Submarines were already shifting from their positions watching the Japanese to the north to move to new scout positions, but their slow speed (15 knots surfaced) would mean they were out of the battle to come.

Japanese boats had orders to let the Russians through, and to remain submerged. They had a mission later.

As 1200 hours, the Russians were through the strait, and only 50 miles south of the island of Tsushima itself when the first Japanese air attack began. An attack force of 72 torpedo bombers launched from the three carriers came winging in. Braving heavy fire, they bored in, targeting the heavy ships. The Russians shot down 27 of them, either before they launched their fish or after, but the Japanese fliers bored in to within 2,000 yards of the Russian ships and launched their torpedoes with fierce dedication. In spite of their sacrifice, most of the torpedoes missed, but three torpedoes ripped into the battle cruiser Stark, causing her to lurch out of line and come to a stop.

At that moment, the Russian commander finally got the much delayed message that the French fleet had been wiped out and his mission was in vain. He was faced with no choice but to turn around.

The appearance on the horizon of the Japanese fleet at that moment was terribly unwelcome.

In the lead where 6 light cruisers and 40 destroyers, all speeding up to their best speed of 33 knots, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to outrun them. He ordered the Stark to either abandon ship or attempt to reach Pusan, and sent his cruisers and van destroyers into the attack while reformed his scattered heavy ships into a battle line (they had scattered to avoid the air dropped torpedoes minutes before).

The Russian van of 24 cruisers and 10 destroyers fought a fierce action with the Japanese van of 6 cruisers and 40 destroyers. The Japanese cruisers Natori, Yura, and Abukuma and 2 destroyers were sunk, and the cruiser Nagara, Isuzu and another destroyer broke off heavily damaged. The Russians lose the Aurore sunk, along with 6 destroyers, and the Diana is damaged along with another 4 destroyers.

Meanwhile, the Japanese and Russians battleships finally come into range. The Japanese have a substantial advantage, as their ships have 16 and 14 inch guns compared to the Russian 15 and 12 inch guns. An important difference in throw weight and range. The Russians are also outnumbered, 8 battleships to 6 at this important moment, and that turns out to be fatal. Shells blast the Gangut, Poltava, Markarov, and Rozhdestvenski into blazing sinking wreckage and practically wreck the Petropavlosk. The fleet commander and most of his junior admirals are also killed and only the battleship Sevastapol comes through intact. Russian gunnery is good, blasting the Ise into sinking wreckage and crippling the Nagato and Mutsu, both of whom pull out of the fight, but the battle is effectively over.

Seeing no choice, the senior Russian Admiral left stares at the disaster aboard the bridge of the Sevastapol and orders all ships to retreat at their best speed for Vladivostok.

The Japanese are in some confusion at that moment as their fleet commander is dead as well, but eventually manage to send the 5 remaining battleworthy battleships in pursuit, along with all the remaining destroyers, while the remaining cruiser and the battleship Tosa and the carriers begin picking up survivors and finish off the now helpless Stark and Petropavlovsk.

Although the crippled Russian ships are indeed finished off, the effort has to be suspended when Russian submarines torpedo both the Tosa and Hosho, sinkjng the battleship and forcing the carrier to limp away.

Nearly 5,000 Russian and 1,000 Japanese sailors were rescued, but several thousand Russians and several hundred Japanese die as a result of this action as they are left in the cold waters.

The Russians once again race through the strait, steaming at nearly 30 knots, and at this moment the Japanese launch their next attack. A force of 30 torpedo boats and 20 submarines has been waiting, and torpedo wakes are everywhere. Much to the chagrin of Japanese high command later on, they fired too soon, targeting the rear destroyers instead of the much more valuable cruisers and battleship that remained, but the damage was bad enough. Torpedoes sink 15 Russian destroyers, and damage 5 more, and throw the entire Russian fleet into confusion. Counter fire is severe though, and 12 Japanese torpedo boats are blasted to pieces, and another 6 limp away severely damaged. The Russian destroyers clear the way though, and the rest of the fleet makes it through.

At that moment weather took a hand, and a rain squall descended on the Russian fleet, foiling a planned air attack by seaplanes from Saesebo.

By the time the weather cleared, the Russians were well away, and beyond pursuit.

July 24
The victorious Japanese fleet regroups and heads for home through the eastern passage into the Inland Sea. This turns out to be an error, as a Russian submarine torpedoes the crippled Mutsu, which detonates and a vicious explosion leaving no survivors.

Meanwhile, the Russians make it home, a much smaller fleet than before. Now well aware that the Japanese were the force to be reckoned with in the Far East. For now at least.

Results
Russian Losses
Battleships Gangut, Petropavlovsk, Poltava, Battle cruisers Markarov, Stark, Rozhdestvenski, light cruiser Aurore, 21 destroyers sunk, 1 cruiser, 10 destroyers damaged, 25,000 killed or missing

Japanese losses
Battleships Mutsu, Tosa, Ise, light cruisers Natori, Yura, Abukuma, 2 destroyers, 12 torpedo boats sunk, battleship Nagato, carrier Hosho, light cruiser Nagara, 1 destroyer, 6 torpedo boats damaged, 10,000 killed or missing

ooc
Once again, the Allies have superior firepower and its critical. I had the Japanese attempt to carry out a typically complex Japanese naval battleplan and naturally it didn't completely work. Although its pretty bad for the Russians. A simpler battle plan might have bagged the entire Russian fleet, or maybe not. Weather helped the Russians some here, but superior air power at the scene of the battle was decisive, as was the heavier Japanese gunpower compared to the Russian battleships. Submarines are simply too slow to actually take part in a fleet engagement, but as can be seen here, are deadly in ambush or against stragglers.

The aircraft carrier has proven to be a critically important weapon in the first week of World War II (now isn't that ironic as it did the same thing early in the historical Great Pacific War)

The first three battles are a bit of a shock to both sides, and everyone hurriedly analyzes lessons learned.

The Americans, British, Australians, South Africans, Italians and Japanese immediately begin sweeping the seas of Pact merchant shipping, while seizing anything that was caught in port. Nearly 20% of the German, French and Russian merchant marine is caught either in port or at sea and is captured. Another 10% manages to hide in neutral ports (much of it in China, some in Venezuela, Mexico and Peru). Another 10% of the French merchant marine is caught in ports belonging to its colonial possessions and sits there (mostly in Algeria and Tunisia). Without escorts, they have little chance of making the trip home. Maritime geography favors the LTA, as they control the exists to the Mediterrean Sea, North Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan and also are close to the principal Pact ports in Southern France.

In all, the Allies sweep up nearly 2 million tons of shipping, including several passenger liners belonging to France. Another million tons is effectively trapped and out of the war for the time being.

The Japanese begin laying minefields at the important straits blocking the Russians in the Pacific. They don't have enough to do the job, but a good start is made, and standing patrols by their submarine fleet are added to the mix.

The Panama Canal is immediately closed, and the US announces a formal blockade against Brazil, and ships of its Caribbean Fleet, now renamed the South Atlantic Fleet, begin patrolling near the principal Brazilian ports. American submarines formerly based in Panama and now based at Ascension Island begin sinking any ships attempting to run the blockade after the Pact begins unrestricted submarine warfare elsewhere.

The US Navy concentrates its entire battlefleet on the East Coast, less battleships assigned to defend the Straits of Gibraltar. The US also begins assembling merchant shipping of its own, and also charters substantial amounts of British shipping in order to begin running troop convoys to Morocco, Britian, and elsewhere.

The US also concentrates its carrier fleet, which begins a major exercise in the Caribbean in preparation for an operation.

However, the LTA fails to appreciate the threat posed by submarines against merchant shipping, in spite of the loss of nearly 125,000 tons (combined for all oceans, remember, average ship is 5,000 tons) to Russian, French, and German submarines.

The Allied newspapers loudly complain of the violation of the laws of war and the sea that is unrestricted submarine warfare. Since the days of sail, merchant ships have always been given the opportunity to surrender and abandon ship. The submarine torpedoeing ships without warning is a war crime under the old rules. Diplomatic protests are made (pro forma), and soon after that the Allies lifts the rules on its submarines. The war at sea had become total.

The LTA swiftly announces a blockade of Germany, Yugoslavia, France and Russia, and announces a sink on sight policy against its ships. However, neutral shipping bound for neutral nations will not be touched at this time. This is a hole in the blockade, but it also has its uses. It portrays the Pact as war criminals and makes the LTA protector of the seas. At least that is the hope.

The only other significant naval problem is the sudden and unexpected Russian invasion of Sakhalin Island, which is weakly defended and quickly overrun. The small Japanese garrison however does not surrender, and 20,000 of them are killed, along with nearly 40,000 Russians.

The British, Americans, Colombians, and Japanese all begin crash building programs. All ships currently under construction now have three shifts a day working, while the US and British begin a crash effort to massively expand their shipyard capacity, already the largest in the world. Plans are made to build hundreds of destroyers and smaller warships, thousands of transports and merchant ships, and the American beaching craft used with such success in Venezuela are reexamined, and ideas for larger and more capable landing ships are examined. The US Marines and Royal Marines are given the task of developing a doctrine for conducting amphibous assaults under fire. Lessons from Cadiz, Venezuela, and the long history both organizations have in landings will be examined.

In the Caribbean, the US secures Martinique and Guadalupe by having destroyers drop by and order their surrender. As neither has a sizeable garrison, and Martinique actually has a US base on it with a Marine garrison larger than the small French garrison, both promptly do so. In French Guiana, the Americans have a base as well, and US and French marines fight a series of small actions that end when the Colombian fleet and 30,000 of its troops arrive, reinforce the American base and force a French surrender shortly after.

In Canada, the Canadians simply occupy the small French islands at the entrance of the St. Lawrence River by sending a few RCMP and a couple of gunboats to ensure prompt surrender.

Clipperton Island near Mexico, unhabited, is seized by a US Coast Guard Cutter.

Defeated in three major battles, the Pact Naval leaders are a bit stunned initially. Especially by their defeats by the Japanese, who had not been taken too seriously before the war.

In the Mediterranean Sea the French and Spanish had plans to ships huge numbers of troops to Algeria. However, they faced an Italian Fleet at full strength, the Anglo American Fleet with 4 battleships at Gibraltar, and the British Mediterranean Fleet with several cruisers and a number of destroyers and submarines at Malta. For now reinforcing Algeria and Tunisia waited as none of the French admirals wanted to take responsibility for what would likely be an extremely costly endevour.

The Germans too had planned to reinforce their holdings in the Azores and Madaria, as well as send troops to Brazil. The quick actions by the LTA had made that impossible, and short of risking the German battlefleet in battle with the British and Americans in the North Sea, they were locked in the North Sea. Attempting to shift down the Channel was too risky as well, as British guns, destroyers, submarines and minefields made a Channel dash potentially disastrous.

However, the Pact did have an offensive weapon that had already proven useful at Tsushima. They had a number of submarines. 100 German submarines based in Germany, similar numbers of French submarines in covering the Med and Atlantic, a few Spanish and Yugoslavian boats, and Russian boats in the Pacific. Commanders were told to seek out LTA shipping and sink it on sight, the Hague Convention be damned.

Of course the Pact did collect some merchant shipping as well. Nearly a million tons of British, American and Japanese shipping was caught in French and German ports, and even a few stray cargo ships were caught by the Russians.

The Germans, Russians and French stepped up orders for submarines and began a crash effort to build shipyards to make more, as well as other ships.

Brazil however was now completely isolated from its European allies, and only the imports it could get from Uruguay and Argentina were available. War materials from Europe to substain their war dried up after the last German merchant ship finished unloading in Rio de Janario and Belem.

In Algeria and Tunisia, local commanders took stock of their supplies, and wondered if they had enough to carry out the orders they had been given.

ooc: GB scratch my troop movements to Morrocco they are staying at home and fortifying the coast

Remember, July is really on 11 days long, so not a lot happens instantly. It takes time to mobilize troops, move them to start lines etc...

after all, railroads can only handle so many trains at a time etc

I have had complaints about my objectivity. Its simple, I do the best I can. The Allies are strongest at sea, and the Pact fought them on essentially LTA terms in the battle the British, Americans and Japanese had been preparing for decades to fight (although in truth, they half expected to fight each other).

I do the best I can to be objective. The Allies will lose battles and campaigns, and so will the Pact. I am using every source book, game and online source I can find, and I use historic figures for similar situations whenever possible to save myself time and to ensure accuracy. I have read military history since I was 8 years old, and that was in 1970.

The other referees and I have some sharp disagreements on some things. Hopefully we can work around them.

An important thing to remember is this. There is an old saying "Amauters study tactics, Professionals study Logistics." This is a global war, fought between the greatest empires (governments) the world has ever seen. It willl last for years. I have no idea who will win, but remember that the LTA has twice the industry and economic strength of the Pact. Including the British dominions on the LTA side, and potentially China on the Pact side, they are pretty evenly matched in terms of population as well.

Whoa... I understand the LTA having more industry, I mean, the US had a ton of Steel... well more than a ton but....

But equal Population? No. China has 500 Mil, Russia 200 Mil, Germany 80 Mil, France 60 Mil, Spain 50 Mil?, Yugoslavia 40 Mil, Brazil, 35 Mil. That's almost a Billion, not including colonies. Britain probably only has what China has, and America only has 150 mil. Italy has like 50 Mil, and South America is still very small. Japan probably has a relatively small population, too.

Parthini']Whoa... I understand the LTA having more industry, I mean, the US had a ton of Steel... well more than a ton but....

But equal Population? No. China has 500 Mil, Russia 200 Mil, Germany 80 Mil, France 60 Mil, Spain 50 Mil?, Yugoslavia 40 Mil, Brazil, 35 Mil. That's almost a Billion, not including colonies. Britain probably only has what China has, and America only has 150 mil. Italy has like 50 Mil, and South America is still very small. Japan probably has a relatively small population, too.

look at the economics thread, and the population of India in 1920.. and then you will see both are roughly close in population. Neither China or India can mobilize their population fully in any case. Too much of it is involved in subsistance farming. Japan has a population of nearly 60 million at this point, and it has a higher literacy rate than all of your allies except Germany and France. Possibly Russia, although the various non Russians are an issue in that respect. You also forgot the rest of the British Empire.

OOC: What about my boatload of volunteers, or are they going to have to put in at a Neutral port to avoid being seized?

OOC: What about my boatload of volunteers, or are they going to have to put in at a Neutral port to avoid being seized?

a neutral port

OOC: What about my boatload of volunteers, or are they going to have to put in at a Neutral port to avoid being seized?

Just have them return to Palestine and then get on the Trans-Eurasian until they get to France. No charge :D

Quito Daily News


1924
Jose Luis Tamyo has declared war on the Warsaw nations. He says he is allying with the London Treaty Alliance. He is calling all men in the military to active duty. He also sent 50 more men to Fuerte Ecuador on the Galapogos.

Radio Nacional deChile 9:00 AM Report

In a midnight ruling by Judge Xavier Dominguez, France has been declared a Hostile Nation. All assets of French companies have been placed under the Recievership of the Department of War. Guards have been posted at the Michelin facilities at Valparaiso. Colonel Julius Borges has been named Custodian of the Michelin properties and is now operating the company.

The Navy has warned all powers that French shipping is barred from all Chilean waters. French flag vessels will be escorted to port and impounded for the duration of hostilities.

The Foreign Ministry has assured Brazil that Chile does not intend to participate in any military activities against that state. The decision follows a review of treaty obligations and similar actions by Columbia and Argentina.

Radio Nacional deChile 9:00 AM Report

In a midnight ruling by Judge Xavier Dominguez, France has been declared a Hostile Nation. All assets of French companies have been placed under the Recievership of the Department of War. Guards have been posted at the Michelin facilities at Valparaiso. Colonel Julius Borges has been named Custodian of the Michelin properties and is now operating the company.

The Navy has warned all powers that French shipping is barred from all Chilean waters. French flag vessels will be escorted to port and impounded for the duration of hostilities.

The Foreign Ministry has assured Brazil that Chile does not intend to participate in any military activities against that state. The decision follows a review of treaty obligations and similar actions by Columbia and Argentina.


Would you consider a similar non-aggression pact with ourselves? It is of our opinion that nations in South America, regardless of their sympathies outside the continent, should not go to war.

Deepest Regards,
Brazil's Politburo and Parliament.

The 3 ships carrying the civilian volunteers turn and head for Albania. Secretly, they plan to skirt the Albanian coast and land in Yougslavia. Some of the volunteers are ex-Army men, who resigned in order to get in the fight. In addition, some of them carry pistols, or even the JerArms Mk. I rifle, a copy of the French Mas-15.

Five Ecuadorian ships with Five Infantry Battalions, One Artillery Regiment, and the 1st Sniper Force is on it's way threw the Panama Canal to British Guyana. The five ships will be guard by the battlecruiser Guayas. It will take two weeks to get to British Guyana.

GB: See my TG for British land battleplans.

Five Ecuadorian ships with Five Infantry Battalions, One Artillery Regiment, and the 1st Sniper Force is on it's way threw the Panama Canal to British Guyana. The five ships will be guard by the battlecruiser Guayas. It will take two weeks to get to British Guyana.

Do you plan to make war in South America?

It has always been our objective not to fight our South American neighbours and we have non-aggression pacts with most of them.

No I haven't declare war on you, but all of the rest of the Warsaw nations. I have gotten the British permission to put men there. My force is there just to protect British Guyana from invaders.

No I haven't declare war on you, but all of the rest of the Warsaw nations. I have gotten the British permission to put men there. My force is there just to protect British Guyana from invaders.

:)

Czechoslovakia hereby declares war on all enemies of the pact; we are prepared to send 150,000 troops, 20 armored cars, and 150 aircraft to aid our socialist brothers. Any Czech technology (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9775503#post9775503) that our allies wish to produce is availaible freely to them.

The Argentine Army and Navy have been organizing for their first major campaign of the war. The following units are in the process of being loaded into ships for transfer to South Africa's port of Durban:

1st Expeditionary Army - 73,000 men

I Corps - 36,000 men

1st Infantry Division: (15,000 men)
1st Infantry Regement (5,000)
3rd Infantry Regement (4,500)
4th Infantry Regement (4,500)
201st Artillery Battalion (1,000)

6th Provincial Guard Cavalry Division: (10,000 men)
104th Reserve Cavalry Regement (4,500 men)
105th Reserve Mounted Infantry Regement (4,500 men)
306th Artillery Battalion (1,000)

2nd Provincial Guard Infantry Division: (11,000 men)
110th Reserve Mounted Infantry Regement (5,000 men)
54th Reserve Infantry Regement (5,000 men)
302nd Artillery Battalion (1,000)

II Corps - 37,000 men

5th Mounted Infantry Division: (15,000 men)
3rd Cavalry Regement (4,000)
5th Mounted Infantry Regement (5,000)
3rd Mounted Infantry Regement (5,000)
205th Artillery Battalion (1,000)

9th Provincial Guard Infantry Division: (11,000 men)
53rd Reserve Infantry Regement (5,000 men)
309th Artillery Battalion (1,000)
62nd Reserve Infantry Regement (5,000 men)

10th Provincial Guard Infantry Division: (11,000 men)
56th Reserve Infantry Regement (5,000 men)
52nd Reserve Infantry Regement (5,000 men)
310th Artillery Battalion (1,000)

Naval Expeditionary Force:

BB- Satsuma-Class Buenos Aires, Rawson
C - Republica-Class Republica, Tierra del Fuego
DD - 5 Total

Other Argentine Destroyers and Crusers are tasked with escourting supply convoys for those Divisions once they have arrived on station.

The Expeditionary forces are ordered to link up with South African soldiers at the port, and wait for further orders.

July 1924
The Italians mobilize and rush their armies to the Alpine frontiers, and reinforce Sardinia. The French, Spanish, Yugoslavs, Germans, Czechs and Russians do the same, and assemble a French Army group on the western Italian border, a German Army group on the northern border, and a combined Yugoslav/Czech/Russian Army group on the eastern Italian border.

The Yugoslavs also assemble forces on the Greek and Albanian borders just in case. In North Africa, the Italians, French and Moroccan/Americans prepare for action in Libya, Algeria/Tunisia, and Morocco (respectively).

The Americans, British, Argentines, Australians, Ecuador, Colombians, Japanese, New Zealanders, Canadians, and South Africans assemble expeditionary forces and assemble transports, escorts and troops at embarkation ports. In India, the Indian Army reinforces Burma and the Northwest Frontier, as well as British garrisons in southern Arabia. In Central Asia, the Russians assemble a vast army, while assembling another large army near Vladivostok.

All of this takes time, so no significant air or ground operations take place during this period. A few border skirmishs and aerial combats erupt where the opponents are close to on another, but these first 10 days of the war are marked by mass movements of men and supplies.

In addition to the belligerent powers, the neutrals aren't idle. China, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Greece fully or partially mobilize, as does Bolivia.

Siam also mobilizes its army, and covertly asks for British help in the event of a Chinese or French invasion.

French Order of Battle

European Theater of Operations

Supreme Headquarters

SHQ Reserves

-1er Groupement Cuirassé (GC 1)

-XXIe Corps d'Armée (XXIe CA)

-XXIIIe Corps d'Armée (XXIIIe CA)

Army Group 1 (GA 1-Currently Located on the Italian-French Border)

7e Armee

-Ier Corps d'Armee (Partially motorised) (Ier CA)

-XVIe Corps d'Armee (XVIe CA)

This army contains two tank brigades, in addition to two motorized infantry units. The rest are horse or truck drawn artillery, regular infantry, or armored car units.

9e Armee

-IIe Corps d'Armee (partially motorized) (IIe CA)

-XIe Corps d'Armee (XIe CA)

-XLIe Corps d'Armee de Foreresse (XLIe CAF)

1re Armee

-Corps de Cavalerie (CC)

-IIIe Corps d'Armee (IIIe CA)

-IVe Corps d'Armee (IVe CA)

-Ve Corps d'Armee (motorised, Ve CA)

2e Armee

-Xe Corps d'Armee (Xe CA)

-XVIII Corps d'Armee (XVIII CA)

Army Group 2 ( GA 2-Currently on the Atlantic Coast and in the Paris Area)

3e Armee

-Corps d'Armee Colonial (CAC)

-VIe Corps d'Armee (VIe CA)

-XXIVe Corps d'Armee (XXIV CA)

-XLIIe Corps d'Armee de Forteresse (XLIIe CAF)

4e Armee

-IXe Corps d'Armee (IXe CA)

-XXe Corps d'Armee (XXe CA)

5e Armee

-VIIIe Corps d'Armée (VIIIe CA)

-XIIe Corps d'Armée (XIIe CA)

-XVIIe Corps d'Armée (XVIIe CA)

-XLIIIe Corps d'Armée de Forteresse (XLIIIe CAF)

Army Group 3 (GA 3-Currently on the Mediterrean Coast. Elements are currently garrisoning Corsica)

8e Armee

-VIIe Corps d'Armée (VIIe CA)

-XIIIe Corps d'Armée (XIIIe CA)

-XLIVe Corps d'Armée de Forteresse (XLIVe CAF)

Army Group Reserves

-XLVe Corps d'Armée de Forteresse (XLVe CAF)

Armee des Alpes (On the French-Italian Border with GA 1)

-XIVe Corps d'Armée (XIVe CA)

-XVe Corps d'Armée (XVe CA)


North African Theater of Operations

Algeria

-XIXe RM

[/u]Tunisia Command[/u]

French Expeditionary Force to North Africa

-1re Division Légère d'Infanterie (1re DLI)

-1re Division Légère de Chasseurs (1re DLCh)

-2e Division Légère de Chasseurs (2e DLCh)

-2nd Tank Brigade

-2re Division Légère d'Infanterie (2re DLI)

Colonies

French West Africa

-AOF

Vietnam

-Division du Tonkin (DT)

-Division de Vietnam (DV)

French Equatorial Africa

Congo and Cabon

-BTS de l'AEF

Tchad

-RTS du Tchad

-BTS de l'Oubangui-Chari

-Cie Portee de Largeau

-Sect Portee de Largeau

Cameroun

-RT du Cameroun

RTS: Régiment de Tirailleurs Sénégalais

RT: Régiment de Tirailleurs

BTS: Bataillon de Tirailleurs Sénégalais


[Madagascar[/u]

-?

French Tanks

The current number of tanks in service is 875.

Char 2C Heavy Tank

Click (http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/france/France-Heavy.html)

300 Char 2Cs are currently in use.

FT-20 (FT-17)

Click (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FT-17)

There are currently three variants ofthe Ft-20: one with a machine gun, one with a 37mm gun, and another with a flamethrower.

200 of the 37mm gun variant are un use.

300 of the machine-gun version are in use.

75 flamethrower tanks are in use.

The French also use the Pugeot 18 Armored car extensively.

Armee de l'Air

Zone d'Operations Ariennes Nord-Z.O.A.N.

Goupment du Chasse 21 (Fighters, flying D.510s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewoitine_D.510) Unless otherwise noted, fighter groups are using this.)

-HQ Gpt 21-2 aircraft

-G.C. I/1-23 aircraft

-G.C. II/1-25 aircraft

-G.C. III/3-32 aircraft

-G.C. II/10-23 aircraft

-G.C. III/10-30 aircraft

Groupment du Chasse du Nuit (night fighters, flying older planes)

-E.C.N. 1/13-12 aircraft

-E.C.N. 2/13-12 aircraft

Groupment de Bombardment 6 (Bombers, flying Amiot 120s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiot_120))

-G.B. I/12-14 aircraft

-G.B. II/12-14 aircraft

OOC: OK...more later. Until then here's the link GB gave me...click (http://france1940.free.fr/adla/ada_may.html)

Italian Military

Since we are (apparantly) switching to 1932 tech, and because I believe GB has asked us to post our brand spankin' new military stats here, I'm posting it here. I'm using the link you gave us, and am pretty much halfing the air units (as you said) and assigning them to new locations. Also, I am using only a quarter of the tanks in the source you gave, as you said. Finally, I am assuming that a bomber wing/army division/various other military units are all equally the same size.

I don't have much time right now, so I haven't gotten it all finished. I just barely started the Air Force, but I must go shortly.

Italian Army

Regia Marina



Regia Aernautica

1st Air Region

4th Bomber Division "DRAGO"

43rd Bomber Wing:
98th Bomber Squadron (BR.20 - Cameri)
99th Bomber Squadron (BR.20 - Cameri)

7th Bomber Wing:
4th Bomber Squadron (BR.20 - Lonate Pozzolo)
25th Bomber Squadron (BR.20 - Lonate Pozzolo)

13th Bomber Wing:
11th Bomber Squadron (BR.20 - Piacenza)
43rd Bomber Squadron (BR.20 - Piacenza)

OOC: Wait, we now in 1932, then to 1924 of 1925...did we do a timejump or something...I am confuse...

OOC:Comstan, Germany doesn't own Suriname, there is only French, Dutch and British...no German holdings in South America, I think you mean French.

July 1924

The Ecuadrian troops in British Guyana invaded German Suriname. The 1st Sniper Force went in a day ahead to attack soliders. Then the Artillery Regiment opened fire at 1:00 o'clock A.M. Then 30 minutes later Four Infantry Battalions crossed the border. One Infantry Battalion stays in British Guyana to held build up defences around the main captial. OCC: GB will say the statics for this battle.

not yet...

OOC:Comstan, Germany doesn't own Suriname, there is only French, Dutch and British...no German holdings in South America, I think you mean French.

Which fell all ready to the Colombians and Americans in July (it was relatively easy as the US already had a base there and neither side had a lot of forces on the ground, the arrival of a relatively huge Colombian force ended it quickly)

OOC: Wait, we now in 1932, then to 1924 of 1925...did we do a timejump or something...I am confuse...

It is July 31, 1924 in the game, however, you may use 1932 or older technology. That represents the fact that we have had a period of increasing tensions for several years, and more money than historical was spent on military developments, and that also accelerated aircraft and armor development.

Time is frozen until Saturday, that way, all of the current belligerents in the war can post their military forces in this thread. Neutral nations please just post your forces in the military thread, or your news thread as I don't need them as urgently and to save clutter in this thread.

This will make the war go a lot more smoothly as a referee for me, and allow the three of us who are refs to also deal with whatever the neutrals want to do so they don't get slighted while the war is going on.

Navy
Cotopaxi- 300-ton gunboat
Liberator Bolívar- 750-ton torpedo gunboat
Libetad- 750-ton torpedo gunboat
Guerree- Invincible class battlecruiser

Air Force
200 planes
200 pilots

Army 57,600 men
Twenty-Five Infantry Battalions
Six Cavalry Regiments
Fourteen Artillery Regiments
Six Engineering Battalions
1st Sniper Force
2nd Sniper Force
3rd Sniper Force
4th Sniper Force
1st Miltia Group
2nd Miltila Group

Expeditionary Marines-10,000
1st Marine Unit
2nd Marine Unit
3rd Marine Unit
4th Marine Unit

En Route to Spain- Ten Infantry Battalions, Three Artillery Regiment, and One Marine Unit.
Madagascar-Three Infantry Battalions, One Artillery Regiment, and the 2nd Sniper Force.
French Somalia-Four Infantry Battalions, One Artillery Regiment, and the battlecruiser Guerree.
Galapagos Island- 100 men from 1st Militia Group, 20 planes, and torpedo boat Libertad.

OCC: Remeber German Took over Denmark , so pretty much they own Suriname. German at least has some men to protect the gold in the country. There is probably at least 1,000 to protect it so I invade and I don't invade French Guiana German Suriname.

What?!?! Dutch Guyana is controlled by Holland/The Netherlands not Denmark....

OCC: Remeber German Took over Denmark , so pretty much they own Suriname. German at least has some men to protect the gold in the country. There is probably at least 1,000 to protect it so I invade and I don't invade French Guiana German Suriname.

ooc
which would matter except for the fact that the Netherlands owns Surinam (that is Dutch Surinam), the Danes had the Virgin Islands, which the US secured already.

Japanese Expeditionary Army

In three Military Districts

Northern Military District
Hokkadio:
4 Divisions
25th Imperial Infanrty Division
26th Imperial Infantry Division
27th Imperial Infantry Division
28th Imperial Infantry Division


Kuril Island:
1 Division
38th Imperial Infantry Division

Home Islands Military District
Honshu:
10 Divisions
1st Imperial Infantry Division
1st Imperial Guard Division(Tokyo)
2nd Imperial Infantry Division
3rd Imperial Infantry Division
4th Imperial Infantry Division
5th Imperial Infantry Division
6th Imperial Infantry Division
7th Imperial Infantry Division
8th Imperial Infantry Division
9th Imperial Infantry Division

Shikoku
4 Divisions
69th Infantry Division
70th Infantry Division
71st Infantry Division
72nd Infantry Division

Kyushu:
3 Divisions
83rd Infantry Division
84th Infantry Division
85th Infantry Division



Ryukyu Islands:
3 Divisions
92nd Infantry Divsion
93rd Infantry Division
100th Infantry Division



Southern Military District

Formosa:
5 Divisions
42nd Imperial Infantry Division
49th Imperial Infantry Division
53rd Imperial Infantry Division
56th Imperial Infantry Division
57th Imperial Infantry Division




Hainan Dao
1 Division
60th Imperial Infantry Division



Japanese Army Air Force
Fighter:
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/gustin_military/db/
Kawasaki KDA-5

Boeing P-26

Bombers
(Light)
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/gustin_military/db/
Mitsubishi Ki.2(well I'll get em in 1925)

(Medium)
Mitsubishi Ki.1 (same as above)

(Heavy)
Boeing B-9


Japanese Navy
Battleships 7 in service, 3 Being layed down/Construction
Nagato(oil)
Mikasa (Current Flag of Japanese Fleet, oil)
Fuso(Coal)
Yamashiro(Coal)
Huyuga(Coal)
Kirisihima(Oil)
Haruna (Oil)
Amagi(Laid Down, est commisioning date July 25th, 1927)
Atago( Laid Down, Est. Commissioning date August 14th, 1927)
Takao(Laid Down, Est. Commissioning Date September 1st, 1927)

Carriers 4 in service, 2 Under Construction
Kongo (60 aircraft)
Hei (60 aircraft)
Akagi (60 Aircraft)
Kaga (60 Aircraft)
Hosho(90 aircraft)(sunk during attack on Vladivostok)
Hiryu(Under Construction)
Soryu(Under Construction)

Heavy Cruisers: 7 in service 5 in construction
Furtaka
Kako
Myoko
Nachi
Aoba
Kinugasa
Haguro
Ashigar (Under Construction) April 1925
Takao (Under Construction) July 1926
Atago (Under Construction) August 1926
Maya (Under Construction) September 1926
Chokai (under Construction) October 1926

Light Cruisers: 10 in service
Kitakami
Oi
Nagara
Isuzu
Kimu
Yubari
Sendai
Naka
Jintsu
Hiraga

Japanese Naval Air Force



Japanese Imperial Marine Corps
1st Regiment (Hainan Dao)
5th Regiment (Honshu)
2nd Regiment (Hokkadio)
3rd Regiment (Hokkadio)
4th Regiment (Hokkadio)
8th Regiment (Okinowa)
6th Regiment (Formosa)
7th Regiment (Kuril Islands)




OOC: I'll actually fill these in once I find some stats on numbers.

US, British and Japanese deployments July – August 1924

The Allies, under existing war plans, organize the world into area commands where all US, British (including South African, Canadian, and Australian forces) and Japanese forces will be under a single commander. Other allied forces will work in cooperation with these area commands.

British Home Forces (headquarters London) composed of the British Army Home Forces, British Home Fleet, American European Fleet, and associated forces for the defense of Great Britain and also organizing to begin offensive operations against Spain, France and Germany and intervention if needed into the Low Countries and Scandinavia

British Home Fleet (Scapa Flow) (North Sea blockade)
Battleships Nelson, Rodney, Royal Soveriegn, Royal Oak, Resolution, Texas (US) New York (US), Arkansas (US), Arizona (US), 25 destroyers, 30 fleet submarines plus 30 converted liners, sloops and other misc patrol vessels guarding the G-I-UK gap

British Force Z (Liverpool) (Bay of Biscay blockade)
Battleships Queen Elizabeth, Warspite, Barham, Valiant, Malaya, Carrier Hermes, 30 destroyers, 30 fleet submarines, plus 20 misc patrol vessels maintaining the distance blockade of the French and Spanish Atlantic coasts, plus 10 monitors available for shore bombardment

Mediterranean Command (headquarters Malta) composed of the Mediterranean (British), Moroccan (American), Libyan (Italian) and Egyptian (British) operations areas. In addition, the Italians also have the Italian Front (Italian command) and their navy will work in cooperation with Mediterranean Command

American 6th Fleet (Casablanca)(Gibraltar / Algerian blockade)
Battleships Colorado, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, California, 10 destroyers, 30 fleet submarines,

British Mediterranean Fleet (Malta)
Light cruisers Chatham, Dublin, Southhampton, Birmingham, Lowestoft, Adelaide, Nottingham, Caroline, 20 destroyers, 20 fleet submarines

Italian Mediterranean Fleet (Naples, Taranto, Syracuse, Brindisi, Genoa)
Adriatic Force
Light Cruisers Pisa, Arnalfi, 10 destroyers, 20 submarines

Ligurian Force
Light Cruisers San Giorgio, San Marco, 10 destroyers, 20 submarines,

Taranto Force
Light cruisers Basilicata, Campania, Quarto, Nino Bixio, Marsala, 9 destroyers, 5 training submarines

Naples Force
Battleships Dante Alighieri, Conte Di Cavour, Giulio Caseare, Leonardo Da Vinci, Carrier Vittorio Emanuele, 20 destroyers

Atlantic area (headquarters in Belfast) composed of North Atlantic (British), Western Approaches (British), South Atlantic (American) and Central Atlantic (British) operations areas

American 2nd Fleet (Norfolk)
Battle cruisers Hood (UK), Renown (UK), Carriers Roosevelt, McKinley, Washington, Lincoln, Light cruisers Omaha, Milwaukee, Cincinnait, Marblehead, Trenton, Detroit, Concord, Richmond, Memphis, 10 destroyers,

Escort Command Atlantic (bases in New York, Norfolk, Liverpool, Iceland, Halifax, and Bermuda) (also backs up auxiliary cruisers and patrol ships watching the G-I-UK gap)
British Light Cruisers Cordelia, Calliope, Champion, Cambrian, Canterbury, Castor, Constance, Centaur, Concord, Caldeon, Calypso, Caredoc, Cassandra, Calcutta, Cairo, Colombo, Danaae, Dauntless, Delhi, Despatch, Diomede, Dublin, Emerald, Enterprise
40 US destroyers, 40 British Destroyers, 5 Canadian Destroyers,

Blockade Command South Atlantic (Ascension Island)
US 10th Fleet
Light Cruisers Houston, San Diego, Brooklyn, Boston, San Francisco, Albany, New Orleans, Charleston, St. Louis, Charleston, Colombia, Minneapolis, 25 destroyers, 10 gunboats, 30 fleet submarines, 4 seaplane tenders, 2 squadrons NC4 Flying boats, 2 squadrons HSL2 Flying boats, plus 6 Blimps

British Western Approaches
10 destroyers, 10 training submarines (also backed up by Escort Command)

Southern Area (headquarters in Capetown) composed of the African (British), Indian Ocean (British) and South Asian (British) operations areas.
Southern Fleet (Capetown)
Carrier Eagle, Light Cruisers Natal (RSAN), Durban (RSAN), Capetown (RSAN), Pretoria (RSAN), 10 RSAN destroyers, plus Argentine Expeditionary Force and its naval element (2 semi dreadnoughts, various escorts), plus 10 British monitors

Asian Area (headquarters Tokyo) composed of Northern Pacific (American), Western Pacific (Japanese), Japanese Home Forces (Japan), Philippines (American), and Malaysian (British) operations areas, and also responsible for organizing to begin offensive operations against French Indochina, Russian Siberia, and if necessary, other parts of Asia.

Japanese Combined Fleet (Sasebo)
Battleships Mikasa, Fuso, Yamashiro, Hyuga, Carriers Kaga, Akagi, 50 destroyers, 14 fleet submarines, 40 coast defense submarines, 10 training boats, 12 torpedo boats,

US 11th Fleet (Cavite)
30 US Fleet Submarines

Japanese Southern Fleet (Taipei)
Battleship Kirishima, Carriers Kongo, Hiei, heavy cruisers Furutaka, Kako, Myoko, Nachi, Light cruisers Naka, Jintsu, 50 destroyers, 4 fleet submarines

US 7th Fleet (Cavite)
Battleships New Mexico, Mississippi, Idaho, Pennsylvania , 20 destroyers,

British Eastern Fleet (Singapore)
Battle cruiser Repulse (RAN), 10 destroyers (RAN/RNZN)

South Asian Area (headquarters Delhi), composed of Northwest Frontier area (British), Burma area (British), Indian Approaches (British),
British Indian Ocean Fleet
Indian Navy plus Light cruisers Carysfort, Cleopartra, Comos, Conquest,

South Pacific Area (Headquarters Hawaii) composed of Eastern Pacific (American), South Pacific (American), Southwest Pacific (Australian), Southeast Pacific (Chilean)

US 5th Fleet (Pearl Harbor)
Light cruisers Honolulu, Juneau, Manila, San Juan, 10 destroyers, 5 gunboats,

Australian Pacific Fleet
Light cruisers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, 5 destroyers, 10 gunboats

North American Home Forces (headquarters Washington) composed of the North American Eastern Sea Frontier (American), Caribbean (American), Colombian Home Forces (Colombia), US Army Home Army (American), Canadian Home Army (Canada), Western Sea Frontier (American) and Alaskan area (American)

US 1st Fleet (San Francisco)
5 destroyers, US Coast Guard Pacific,

US 8th Fleet (New York City)
5 destroyers, 10 training submarines, US Coast Guard Atlantic, US Coast Guard Gulf of Mexico,

US 4th Fleet (Colon)
5 destroyers, US Coast Guard Caribbean,

Colombian Home Fleet

Army forces will be posted seperately

OOC
as you see, the LTA are very prepared to deal with any surface threat.. They are substantially less prepared to deal with the submarine threat. That will be taken into consideration.

The LTA also has a number of ships being repaired

Japan
battleships Nagato (5 months), Haruna (6 months), carrier Hosho (4 months), light cruiser Nagara (3 months), 10 destroyers (3 months), 6 gunboats (2 months),

British
Battleship Revenge (4 months), cruisers Hawkins, Cavendish (3 months), 10 destroyers

Also being hurried to completion
British carriers Glorious, Couragous, Furious (available September, October, and November)

US carriers Lexington (January 1925), Saratoga (February 1925) 20 destroyers (5 a month September, October, November, December)

The US Navy has 500 assault craft (about the size of a World War II LCM) that are being loaded up on ships for transfer to England, South Africa, Singapore, and two operations planned for the Atlantic (100 boats each operation or area)

The US has 9 million tons of merchant shipping, the UK has 12 million tons, the Japanese 5 million tons, plus another 3 million tons was taken over from their previous owners (German, French, Russian, Brazilian, Yugoslav) and distributed evenly amongst those the US, UK and Japanese. Italy also has 2 million tons

In addition, the major neutral nations of Greece (3 million tons shipping) and Norway (3 million tons shipping) are still traveling back and forth and will continue to do so initially.

At war start the Allies lost 1.125 million tons in July, mostly to seizures in Pact ports, and some to combat (125,000 tons). The Allies build about a million tons a year in peacetime.

The Pact has about 2 million tons in the Baltic, another 1 million tons hiding in neutral ports, about 1 million tons in the Black Sea and another 2 million tons locked up in Spanish and French ports under blockade.

OOC
The Allies are not prepared for unrestricted submarine warfare. They will immediately go to it themselves (which is really bad news for the Brazilians for one thing) but it will take a few months of nasty losses before it becomes clear they need to go to the convoy system.

Warnings, similar to those sent to Belgium, are sent to Norway and Greece asking nicely to stop trading with LTA nations. No threats are sent at the moment, but should trading continue, it is expected that more threatening moves will follow.

Parthini']Warnings, similar to those sent to Belgium, are sent to Norway and Greece asking nicely to stop trading with LTA nations. No threats are sent at the moment, but should trading continue, it is expected that more threatening moves will follow.

ooc
They won't because to a far greater extent that Belgium their very economic survival requires trade. Both are poor countries that depend on the sea for a living. Your sources in Norway warn that if the Norwegians are pressed they will join the LTA to get naval protection, which would cut off completely ore shipments from northern Sweden that can only come via Norway during 6 months of the year (the winter months), and if Sweden joins in it would cut them completely. Important nickel iron ore shipments that your economy needs to make things like armor for example, and that otherwise will have to be shipped for more expensively from Russia. (now you know why Hitler invaded Norway in World War II)

Greece doesn't have that kind of economic value to you, however, if invaded, most of their merchant fleet will be able to escape to Allied control. A Greece joining the LTA would also allow the Allies to deploy troops in Europe outside of Italy.

Spanish Army
Total: 850,000

1st-3rd Armys are fortifying the French-Italian Border along with French troops

4th-17th Armys are fortifying the coast and Spanish posessions.

9th-17th Armys are training and being armed at this very moment

Neutrals, bah!

IC: With the Union's realization that the blockade on Britain will not succeed if neutrals continue trading with it, decisions have to be made. While threatening Belgium alone worked well enough, threatening Scandinavia, where vast resources are, and Greece, which would open another front, has become too much. Some of the old Prussian advisors told Trotsky an old saying: When war doesn't work, try peace.

So Trotsky ordered a conference to discuss the war with the neutrals on the Eurasian Continent. They were to meet in Kiel to discuss matters of trade, war, and political sides. Messages are sent to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Albania, Rumania, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire, Palestine, Burgundy, Portugal, Siam, Korea and China.

France has agreed to a deal in which they will hand over control of Vietnam to China. This has apprently been a hard decision to make, but Vietnam is no longer considred viable with LTA control of the seas.

Secret IC: It is made clear to Vietnamese leaders that this will be only for the duration of the war.

France has agreed to a deal in which they will hand over control of Vietnam to China. This has apprently been a hard decision to make, but Vietnam is no longer considred viable with LTA control of the seas.

Secret IC: It is made clear to Vietnamese leaders that this will be only for the duration of the war.

Secret communique to France:
From: Greater China

We shall honor the deal. The war shall not occur in Vietnam, meaning thousands of lives will be saved by this deal, as the LTA will not be able to invade Vietnam or risk being seen as the aggressor by attacking China.

We shall return Vietnam to you after the war, to preserve all French property, equipment, material, people, and so forth.

Thank you and go in peace.
~Emperor Guozu

Union Defense Force

Royal South African Army:
1st RSA Division (Eight regiments):
5 Infantry Regiments (3500 troops)
3 Artillery Regiments (detached sections among the Infantry)

2 Regiments (Cape Town Rifles and Natal Natives) are currently in Albania (having left Yugoslavia for neutral territory) and are awaiting pickup by a friendly navy.

Reserves (Active Citizen Force):
400,000 troops (some units called up for basic training and outfitting)

Royal South African Naval Service:
First Squadron (based at Cape Town):
2 Light Cruisers
5 Destroyers
3 Minesweepers
Second Squadron (based at Durban):
2 Light Cruisers
5 Destroyers
3 Minesweepers

Royal South African Air Reserve:
First Aerial Squadron (based at Bloemfontein):
100 SN5 fighters & pilots (40 British-trained, 60 new cadets)

*trembles in fear of the really, really big armies of other countries.*

OOC: Revised from earlier, less tanks and a few more planes, i added in the IKARUS Mali Branderburgs since they are Yugoslavian built and though not impressive serve a role, and are already existing in the country so all i had to do was requistion them. I also moved the 1st Combat air wing to the italian front, these two changes should take a few weeks to a month to complete i would guess.

Seperate Brigades:
1st Volci Brigade-Italian Border
11th Armored Recon Brigade-Attached to 1st Infantry Division, Equipment: 64x Austin Putilov ACs

Air Units:
1st Combat Air Wing - Italian border(all of these have been bought) 8xTB-3's, 64X FOKKER D.XVII's

1st Recon Air wing - Split 25x Fizir-Maybach http://www.yumodel.co.yu/history_of_yugoslav_aviation/fizir.htm

Prof. infantry Divisions:
1st Infantry Division- Italian Border

2nd ID-Italian Border

3rd ID-Italian Border

4th ID-Albanian Border

5th ID-Italian Border

6th ID-Split

7th ID-Defending Coastal Regions

8th ID-Albanian Border

9th ID-Sarajevo

10th ID-Italian Border

11th Armored Recon Division-Italian Border-Commander Julije Fritz Equipment: 28x FT17s, 124x Austins http://derela.republika.pl/austin.htm#paint, 20x Skoda PA-II "Zelva" ACs and 10x KH-70 tanks

1st Mountain- Italian border

Reserve Infantry Divisions mobilized for the war

12th Inf. Italian Border
13th Inf. Italian Border
14th Inf. Italian Border
15th Inf. Italian Border
16th Inf. Italian Border
17th Inf. Italian Border
18th Inf. Italian Border
19th Inf. Italian Border
20th Inf. Italian Border
21th Inf. Italian Border
22th Inf. Italian Border
23th Inf. Italian Border
24th Inf. Italian Border
25th Inf. Italian Border

Reserve Divisions not mobilized for war:
26th Inf.
27th Inf.
28th Inf.
29th Inf.
30th Inf.

Navy: In Split
1 Danae Class Light Cruiser(FRYN Sarajevo)
5 W Class Destroyers (FRYN Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia)
1 Pangbourne Class Minesweeper (FRYN Doce)
25 Torpedo Boats

The British Amalgamated Military Post!

Royal Armoured Corps:

British Armoured Car Organisation:

Motor Machine Gun Brigade (30 currently in service)

Brigade HQ with a wireless section mounted in an truck
two MG Battalions
one Motorcyclist Battalion (300 cyclists)
one Battery of trench Mortars

[Each MG Battalion consisted of 4 x 8 gun batteries, & 8 armoured cars]

The MG battalions infantry MG sections and the trench mortars are all mounted in trucks and the cyclists can be mounted in trucks as well. All armoured cars are of the Austin light variety, but independant organisations of Heavy Rolls Royce armoured cars exist as following:

Indendent Heavy Armoured Car Company (around 100 currently in service)

Company HQ (inc. wireless section) in a truck
3 Heavy Armoured Car Sections (each with 3 vehicles)
2 Heavy MG Batteries (each with 8 Heavy MGs)

Light Tanks:

Vickers 6 Ton, a revolutionary design fairly quick (22mph) and with a couple of MGs as armament. Design features included a fireproof wall between the engine and fighting compartment and a laryngaphone communications system. Currently more than 1000 in service.

Vickers Light Amphibious Tanks A4E11, A4E12,

Experimental tanks for amphibious use developed in 1931. More of a tankette than a light tank. Flotation was achieved via balsa wood and propulsion by propeller. Steering was achieved by use of a rudder. The British Army will adopt these units and a trial production run has begun. Only 50 yet in service and final testing has just been completed an order for 1000 more of these vehicles is in place.

light tanks link (http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/BritishLightTanks.html)

Medium:
Vickers Mark I and Mark II tanks, fairly armed with 3pdrs should see good service in anti-infantry and anti-light tank roles. 750 of each mark in service and an order for 1500 more placed.

Medium Tank Mark III, only prototypes built at the moment but with the war on it's way a few hundred will be rushed into production. Design shows promise. Once the initial 200-300 are produced and tested an order for 700 more will be placed.

medium tanks link (http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/BritishMediumTanks.html)

Heavy:

Vickers A1E1 Independent (never produced historically, but will be now)

Mark VIII "Liberty" Tank (leftover from WWI era)

heavy tanks link (http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/BritishHeavyTanks.html)

Royal Flying Corps:

British Aircraft Currently in service:

Fighters:

Hawker Demon - A fast (182mph) biplane fighter, brand new only prototypes available as yet. An order for 200 for testing is set to be delivered within the month and if successful a further 1300 are to be ordered.

Hawker Fury - Another brand new and even faster aircraft (297mph) currently in a limited initial production run, the RFC orders 1500 more of these aircraft in addition to the 200 already in production.

Fairey Fawn - almost brand new fighter but with good aerobatics and a small turning circle, 1000 in use 2000 more planned.

Bombers:

Avro Aldershot - Extremely heavy bomber with 2000lb of bombs carried. BAse don a triplane design. 100 in service and 1000 more planned.

Vickers Virginia - Night bomber with a 3000lb bomb capacity. Around 100 in service, 1500 more planned.

HANDLEY PAGE H.P.24 HYDERABAD - A heavy bomber with almost 1500lbs of bombs, a 850km range and 3 MGs to defend itself with. Around 100 in useage and 900 more planned

Navy Aircraft:

Blckburn Dart - Torpedo bomber capable of carrier launch and landing. 150 in service and 1000 planned.

Supermarine Southamptons - An extremely reliable reconaissance aircraft with a good range and a hefty speed. One of the first metal planes and packing a couple of MGs. Almost 50 in useage, more than 200 more planned.

Parnall Plover - A good carrier based fighter though with a fairly short range due to a wuick speed. Around 150 in useage, more than 700 more planned to equip the next generation of carriers.

Troop Transport:

Vickers Vernon - With space for 12 passengers and a massive wingspan, a stable transport vehicle experiments have been made for adaption to paratrooper useage. Around 100 already in service, with plans for another 800 by next year.

Long Range Monoplane - In production and around 30 with the RFC mainly for long range journeys and limited cargo carrying capabilities. Shows promise as a long (5000km+) range potential bomber. After tests show suitability 500 extras are ordered.

Colonial useage: Many colonies make do with older aircraft and the follwoing seem to be fairly reliable: SE5A, Sopwith Camels etc. (Basically WWI era planes).

The Territorial Army:

The country is divided up into 14 distinct regions where recruiting and formation of home defence forces can be made. The forces will usually consist of 1-3 infantry divisions and 1-2 yeomanry cavalry brigades per region though this may be increased if recruitment allows. These forces are known as the Territorial Army and are under no obligation to serve overseas unless a majority vote of the division shows that they wish to (historically most divisions did volunteer to serve abroad). The regions are as follows:

East Anglian Division
East Lancashire Division
Highland Division
Home Counties Division
Lowland Division
1st London Division
2nd London Division
North Midland Division
Northumbrian Division
South Midland Division
West Lancashire Division
West Riding Division
Welsh Division
Wessex Division

Each division will consist of 3 brigades each of 4 battalions plus a pioneer battalion, an engineer company and a signals unit.

The Yeomanry cavalry will be organised as standard cavalry units (ie. mounted infantry) and each brigade will include one battalion of armoured cars and another of light machine guns.

Foreign Militia:

Present Strength:

German East Africa - 40 battalions
Hong Kong (On lease from China until 1997) -8 battalions
Christmas Island - 1 company
British Honduras - 8 battalions
British Guiana - 6 battalions
Gambia - 8 battalions
Sierra Leone - 10 battalions
Gold Coast - 12 battalions
Nigeria - 55 battalions
South Rhodesia - 25 battalions
North West Rhodesia -20 battalions
North East Rhodesia - 20 battalions
British East Africa - 30 battalions
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan - 45 battalions
Egypt - 35 battalions
British Somaliland - 25 battalions
Oman - 6 battalions
Kuwait - 2 battalions
Aden - 3 companies
India - DOMINION
Burma - 30 battalions
Malaya - 10 battalions
Sarawak - 10 battalions
Brunei - 4 battalions
North Borneo - 4 battalions
New Zealand - DOMINION
Jamaica - 10 battalions
Gibraltar - 3 battalions
British Central Africa - 10 battalions
Ceylon - 3 battalions
Malta - 4 battalions
Cyprus - 6 battalions
The Falkland Islands - 3 companies
New Hebrides - 3 companies
Maldive Islands - 3 companies
Italian Somaliland - 4 battalions
Eritrea - 4 battalions
Afghanistan - 25 battalions
Western Samoa - 4 battalions
Chatham Islands - 3 companies
Kermadec Islands - 3 companies
Soloman Islands - 3 companies
Vanatu Islands - 1 company
Tuvalu Islands - 1 company
Fiji Islands - 2 companies
Tonga Islands - 1 company
Nive Island - 1 company
Tokelau Islands - 2 companies
Phoenix Islands -1 company
Gilbert Islands - 2 companies
Cook Islands - 2 companies
Line Islands - 2 companies
Christmas Island Chain - 2 companies
Pitcairn Islands - 1 platoon
American Samoa - 2 companies
Palau - 1 company
Naura - 2 company
South Aden - 3 battalions

All armed with old Lee Enfield no.1 Mk. 6 rifles (same calibre as regular army rifles). Where necesary (ie. in large numbers) they follow standard British Army organisation (see below).

Royal Navy:

Battleships
Queen Elizabeth class
HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Warspite, HMS Barham, HMS Valiant, HMS Malaya (1914)
Revenge class
HMS Royal Oak, HMS Royal Sovereign, HMS Revenge, HMS Resolution, HMS Ramillies (1915)
Nelson class
HMS Nelson, HMS Rodney (1925)

Battlecruisers

Renown class battlecruiser
HMS Renown(1916)
HMS Repulse(1916)
Courageous class battlecruiser (later converted to aircraft carriers)
HMS Courageous(1916)
HMS Glorious(1916)
HMS Furious(1916)
Hood class (sometimes called "Admiral class")
HMS Hood(1918)
Howe (not built) RENAMED HMS Cornwallis and begun 1923
Rodney (not built) RENAMED HMS Beresford and begun 1923
Anson (not built) RENAMED HMS Napier and begun 1923

Heavy Cruisers
County class thirteen ships (subclasses Kent 5, London 4, Norfolk 2, York 2) (1928)

Light Cruisers
Adventure class
Adventure (1904), Attentive (1904)
Forward class
Forward, Foresight (1904)
Pathfinder class
Pathfinder, Patrol (1904)
Sentinel class
Sentinel, Skirmisher (1905)
Diamond, Amethyst, Sapphire, Topaze (1904)
Boadicea class two ships (1905)
Blonde class two ships (1906)
Active class two ships (1908)
Town class twenty-one ships (subclasses: Bristol 5, Weymouth 4, Chatham 6, Birmingham 4, Birkenhead 2) (1910)
Arethusa class- eight ships (1912)
C class thirty-two ships (subclasses Caroline 6, Cambrian 6, Centaur 2, Caledon 4, Ceres 5, Carlisle 5) (1914)
Danae class- eight ships (1917)

Destroyers
Acasta class 20 ships, 1912–1913
Laforey class 22 ships, 1913–1915
M class 107 ships, 1914–1916
Lightfoot class 7 ships, 1915–1916
Faulknor class 4 ships, 1914
Talisman class 5 ships, 1914–1916
Parker class 6 ships, 1916–1917
R class 62 ships, 1916–1918
S class 77 ships, 1916–1920
V and W class 67 ships, 1916–1919
Town class 50 ships , 1917–1920

Corvettes
Acacia class 24 ships, 1915
Arabis class 36 ships, 1915–1916
Aubretia class 12 ships, 1916–1917
Anchusa class 28 ships, 1917–1918

Sloops
24 class — 22 ships, 1918–1919

Submarines
H_class— 44 boats, 1915–1919
J_class_— 7 boats, 1915–1917
M_class_ — 3 boats, 1917–1918
L_class_— 34 boats, 1917–1919
R_class— 12 boats, 1918

Aircraft Carriers
HMS Argus (1916)
HMS Furious(1916)
Glorious class
HMS Glorious (1916)
HMS Courageous(1916)
HMS Vindictive (1918)
HMS Eagle(1918)
HMS Hermes(1923)

The Regular Army:

Organisation:
1000 men to a batallion (around 800-850 combatants), 3 or 4 batallions to a brigade and 4 brigades to a division. Giving a figure of 12-16 batallions in a division.

Additional company, batallion, brigade and divisional level artillery is added to this total alongside the following special units: 1 motorcycle company per brigade, 1 medical company per batallion, 1 signals company per batallion, 1 HQ company per batallion, 1 armoured car platoon per brigade, 1 MG company per batallion.

Infantry equipment is as follows:

Pattern 1908 Mills Gear, (one 3" waistbelt, two 2" cross braces, a left and right side ammo pouch set with 5 pouches each able to hold a maximum of 150 rounds, a haversack for personal items, entrenching tool, and large pack attached to the cross braces in back. The No.1 Mark VII Short Magazine Lee Enfield .303 caliber rifle with the 1907 Wilkinson 17" blade bayonet, 100 rounds of extra ammunition held in cloth bandoliers, gas mask and a mark II pattern steel hemet.

The uniform was made of khaki material patterned in the 1902 service dress fashion. The typical battle uniform consisted of a 5 button tunic with closable collar, straight trousers held up by suspenders, a light blue collarless undershirt, black ankle boots, puttees or leg wraps which were wound from the ankle to the calf, a single breasted greatcoat or trenchcoat, trench cap, and leather jerkin during cold weather. Wellington boots are also available in trench or muddy conditions.

English and Welsh: 200 battalions
Scottish: 50 battalions
Irish: 50 (included as it is an NPC dominion)
Canada: 100 (included as it is an NPC dominion)

TOTAL= ~28-29 divisions (with 17-18 coming direct from the UK).

In times of war with increased spending and recruitment this total can rocket up to around 100 divisions from the UK plus more from the dominions. In peacetime the UK maintains a small but highly trained army of long service regulars but is capable of raising a larger but less elite conscript/partly trained army. Plus the TA can be sent abroad to supplement the regulars.

Other Stuff:

Will have regular tank unit organisation posted up later once I have done some more research.

ooc
beginning Friday combat results will be posted covering July, August, September and October. To make life easier for me, I will be posting by theater of operations.

Here are the theater of operations:
North Atlantic (includes Britian, US East Coast, Iceland, Greenland, British Western Approaches, English Channel, North Sea)

South Atlantic (includes Brazilian coast, all West African operations)

Western Mediterranean (includes Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, and waters around them, including Spanish Balaeric Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, and western coastal waters of Italy, French southern coast, Tunisia and Malta)

Eastern Mediterranean (includes Libya, Egypt, Aegean and Adriatic seas, coastal Yugoslavia, Sicily, Crete, other islands)

Balkans (should anything develop)

Italian Front (all of Italy, and its borders, including internal Italian problems if any)

Scandinavia (should anything develop, includes Denmark, Sweden, Norway)

British Home area (if needed)

Northwest Europe (France, neutral nations of Belgium, Burgandy, Switzerland, Netherlands)

Middle East (if needed)

Central Asia (Afghanistan, Russian Central Asia, what is now modern day Pakistan but it still part of India at the moment)

Indian Ocean area (if needed)

Southeast Asia (Burma, Indochina, Malaya, Siam, Dutch East Indies, Portuguese Timor, Philippines, South China Sea, Philippine Sea)

China (if needed)

Far East (Korea, Russian Siberia, Japan, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, North China Sea, Bering Sea)

South Pacific (south of the equator, east of Southeast Asia area)
Pacific (north of equator, east of Far East area)

North America (as needed)
Caribbean (as needed and includes Central America)
South America (as needed, includes Brazil, the only Pact nation at the moment in the area)

Italian Front July 20 – August 31 1924
Weather is clear, and will not affect combat or movement

July / August
On the Franco-Italian border the Italians have deployed 4 infantry and 1 Alpini corps, and are sitting in strong permanent fortifications, hastily dug entrenchments and hold the approaches and ridgelines leading into France. The French find that the most they can deploy are 5 infantry corps and 1 alpine corps

OOC
French strength 4 x 6 point infantry corps, 2 x 7 point infantry corps, 1 x 5 point alpine corps, 3 x 3 point artillery groups. Italian strength 3 x 5 point infantry corps, 1 x 5 point alpine corps, 1 x 3 point infantry corps. Italian defense strength is 10, 8 and 5, with the infantry tripled (mountains and fortifications) to 30, 24, and 15. The French concentrate their attack throwing 49 points (everything they have) at the central Italian position. On a 1d6 a roll of 5 is rolled, and 1 Italian corps are eliminated, but all of the French units are disorganized and will not be able to attack the remainder of the turn unless reorganized. The French choose to reorganize both of the 7 point corps, the Alpine corps, and 1 of the artillery groups (leaving them with 22 attack points to try again). However, they are unable to switch out their forces to continue the attack.

On the Italian turn, the Italians shift forward another 3 point corps, a 3 point artillery unit, (having chosen to eliminate a 3 point corps originally in place), and the situation remains unchanged on that front. They are also able to attack as they remain organized, and they choose to attack a stack of 2 x 6 point corps and 1 artillery group (defensive strength 15 x 2 =30) with 26 points or 1:2 odds. However, they get a +1 to the die roll because the units in the target hex are disorganized. They roll a 4 which becomes a 5, and 1 French and 2 Italian units are eliminated. The French lose a 6 point unit, and the Italians chose to eliminate another 3 point corps and their artillery unit. They are also disorganized but are able to reorganize their Alpine unit, and 2 x 5 point units, but a 5 point unit remains disorganized and alone in its hex.

The next phase comes along and the French player now have 22 points to attack with unless airpower is able to make a difference. The French and Italians both have fighters available, and the air combat results in both sides losing a fighter counter (representing nearly half of their total fighter strength available), however the French bomber counter gets through and attempts to disrupt the Italians. It rolls poorly and is unable to do so.

It is now 22 to 15, or 1:1 odds, with a +1 to the French player. A 3 is rolled, which costs the French a unit to no losses to the Italians, and once again all of the French units are disorganized. The French chose to lose an artillery unit. At this point, neither side is able to reorganized again or attack until next turn. The disorganized units cannot move, and they take up too much space to allow additional units to move into their hexes. The only exceptions are that the French and Italians can each move up one corps. The Italians have a 4 point corps, while the French have a 5 point corps available. But after the last attack the French are unwilling to attack again at 4 to 15 odds, and so the fighting dies down for now.

French Losses: 1 corps and 1 artillery group (representing 100,000 men and roughly 1,000 guns). No ground gained. 1 Fighter unit lost, representing half of the French Air Force fighter strength.
Italian Losses: 2 corps and 1 artillery group (representing 200,000 men and roughly 1,000 guns). No ground lost. 1 Fighter unit lost, representing half of the Italian Air Force fighter strength.

Meanwhile, on the Slovenian front

The Germans have a 10 point corps, 2 x 9 point corps, and 5 x 8 point corps (the best eight corps in their army), plus 3 x 4 point artillery groups. The Yugoslavs have 3 x 4 point corps, 1 x 5 point corps. This allows the Pact to create a 24 point stack, a 23 point stack, a 13 point stack, and 2 x 12 point stacks. Facing them are the Italians with 1 x 7 point corps, 3 x 5 point corps, and 2 x 4 point corps, plus another 2 x 4 point corps are in Trieste (behind the front). They create an 11 point stack, 2 x 10 point stacks, and a 9 point stack. The 11 point stack is in fortifications but is in rough instead of mountain terrain and is worth 22 points. The other stacks are in fortifications and mountains and are worth 30 points or 27 points. The Germans have 2 fighter counters, 2 bomber counters, and will get to use a +1 to the die roll in one attack representing their airborne capability, while the Yugoslavs have 1 fighter and 1 bomber counter. The Italians have 1 fighter counter, and 2 bomber counters. The Germans also have 4 more 8 point corps in reserve, plus a pair of 5 point Czech corps. The Italians have a single 3 point corps in reserve.

First phase
The Pact commits three stacks to the attack (24+23+13 vs 27 points, or 2:1 odds +1 to die roll. They decide to attempt to disrupt the Italians and commit both bombers and both fighters. The Italians intercept with their single fighter, and actually manage to eliminate one of the German fighter counters. However, the Germans are able to only drive the Italians away and prevent their bombers from being intercepted (Italians roll an 11 on their attack, the Germans rolled a 9 on their attack, and the Italians got an elimination result against their target, while the Germans only got a abort result for theirs). The German bombers attack, and get really lucky, disorganized both Italian corps. This now gives the Pact a final result of 2:1+2. They roll a 2 which becomes a 4 and both sides lose a corps. The Pact eliminates a 4 point Yugoslav corps, and the Italians eliminate a 4 point corps. All three German stacks are disorganized however, and they are able to only reactivate all of them by spending all of their reorganization capability for the turn in that area.

Italian phase
The Italians chose not to attack, but do move up their single 3 point reserve corps to plug the hole.

Second phase.
The Germans try again, and move up a reserve 8 point corps to fill in the gap of the dead Yugoslav corps. This gives them 65 points vs a defense of 24, which is still only 2:1. They decide to not commit their 10 point corps, as well as both artillery units for a following phase, giving them an attack force of 5 infantry corps (49 points). Still a 2:1 and they still get a +1 because an Italian unit remains disorganized. They also decide to attack the 22 point stack with 2 x 12 point stacks, (a 1:1) in hopes of getting further attrition against the Italians, and commit the Yugoslav air force to the attack. The Yugoslavs roll poorly however and are unable to disrupt the Italians. So 2 attacks are made this phase. The 1:1 attack gets an extremely poor roll of a 2, and this results in the loss of 2 pact corps. So a German and a Yugoslav corps are each eliminated and the remaining 2 corps are disorganized. The Italians suffer no losses and are not disorganized. The 2:1 +1 attack gets a 3 which becomes a 4, and once again 1 Pact and 1 Italian corps are eliminated. The Germans lose an 8 point corps, and the Italians lose a 3 point corps. All four of the remaining German corps are disorganized and cannot attack again this turn.

Italian phase
The Italians decide to crush the Yugoslav corps which is disorganized and in clear terrain. They attack with 20 points (2 stacks) and have 4:1 odds with a +1 because the Yugoslavs are disorganized. They get a 6 which destroys the Yugoslav results and as a side benefit because of high odds and a high result, the Italians are not disorganized in exchange.

3rd Phase
The Pact is still in a position to attack however. They first move in 2 German corps to fill the hole created by the stack that was destroyed the previous phase. They also move up another 8 point corps to replace the destroyed corps in the stack where the 10 point corps is. They now attack once again with 28 points vs 15 points. A 3:2 +1 however. They choose not to attack elsewhere as they cannot get higher than 1:2 odds.

The Germans roll a 3 which becomes a 4. This does no damage to the Italians and costs the Germans another corps, and the remainder of their force is disorganized. They chose to eliminate another 8 point corps, as artillery groups are more expensive to replace and harder to move into that area.

At this point combat is done on this front
Pact losses: 3 German corps, 2 Yugoslav corps, 1 German fighter unit (nearly a quarter of their air force). No ground gained.
Italian losses: 2 Italian corps.

In IC terms, none of units destroyed are wiped out really. What happens is that their combat echelons have taken over 70% losses and are no longer combat effective. However, as the game used does not break down losses, and certainly losses happened elsewhere, I have decided that a dead corps is 100,000 casualties, and a dead artillery unit is 1000 guns lost.

So in IC terms: 200, 000 French, 1,000 French guns, 200,000 Yugoslav, 300,000 German casualties, plus 500 French aircraft, 500 German aircraft lost vs 400,000 Italian casualties and 500 aircraft lost.

The Italians have the capability to replace all four of the corps they lost, as well as their single air unit lost plus build one more fighter unit (infantry cost 2 points, each, as do fighters for a total of 12 build points. They are also able to replace their artillery unit which costs 3 points. However, these replaced units will not be available until November 1924. The Germans are easily able to replace all of their losses, but the Yugoslavs are only able to replace one of their corps. Once again the rebuilt units will not show up until November. The Germans use their remaining points to start a pair of carriers, and 2 U-boats, which uses up their production capability. The Russians use most of their production capability to build fighters, cavalry and to improve rail capability to the more isolated sections of their empire.

This is how things will be resolved throughout the game. I will post a list of how much things cost, and what everyone has for build points and how they can get more. Most likely next week on either Monday or Tuesday.

From now on I won't be posting like I did in this instance, but will use IC terms instead. Basically IC wise, the French and Yugoslavs/Germans assaulted with everything they had and failed to get through the mountains and in one case lost an entire army. They also bled the Italians heavily, and ensured that the Italians will be spending most of their resources just trying to stay alive. Now you know why I said assaulting Italy wasn't going to be easy.

OOC: Just two questions: Up top, after teh French offensive it says I lost 100,000 men. LAter on it says 200,000. Clarfication, please? Is that a typing error or did I actually lose 200,000 men?
Secondly, There is nothing about wether or not I can replace my losses.

Thanks.

That's an interesting system you're using. What is it? I'd like to pick it up.

I will be gone all day today and part ofSunday, unless where I'm going has a computer.

ooc: Im also gonna be gone most of today. And GB you didnt incorporate my 2 corps sent to help the French. Im also sending another Corp over there now since the fighting is bad.

ooc: Im also gonna be gone most of today. And GB you didnt incorporate my 2 corps sent to help the French. Im also sending another Corp over there now since the fighting is bad.

France, your overall losses in July - August were 200,000 men and yes you can replace them (your production being what it is at the moment, you can replace both infantry corps, your artillery, and your air unit... which all return in Nov, and repair your damaged ships and replace 1 submarine group, which will return in March, and thats about it) Production is still transititioning from peacetime to wartime, so overall production is still somewhat limited.

Spain, there was no room to deploy your 2 corps, so they did not contribute to the initial attack. They will in Sept / Oct.

OOC: Just two questions: Up top, after teh French offensive it says I lost 100,000 men. LAter on it says 200,000. Clarfication, please? Is that a typing error or did I actually lose 200,000 men?
Secondly, There is nothing about wether or not I can replace my losses.

Thanks.

That's an interesting system you're using. What is it? I'd like to pick it up.

I will be gone all day today and part ofSunday, unless where I'm going has a computer.

game is called "World In Flames, Final edition", its a mere $300 new

The Allies begin a massive sealift of troops, vehicles, aircraft and supplies all over the world, and the Pact makes a determined effort to not only disrupt that movement, but also attacks merchant shipping in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. The Allies also begin attacking Pact shipping with the same ferocity that Pact is attacking their shipping. Aircraft and Zeppelins become important weapons in the war at sea, and the mine and submarine reaffirm their importance.

Active theaters are the Caribbean, North American East Coast, North Atlantic, Central Atlantic (includes the Azores area), Western Approaches, Barents Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Gibraltar Approaches, Western Mediterranean, Central Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, Japan Approaches, Western Pacific, Philippine Sea

The Pact commits 90 German, 50 French and 10 Spanish submarines, as well as 50 Zeppelins and landbased air operating out of France, Germany, Spain, and the Azores. In addition, the German Fleet sorties into the North Sea. The British commit 30 submarines against Pact shipping in the Barents and Baltic Seas, as well as guarding the German ports. Meanwhile, British, Italian and American submarines operate in the Mediterranean Sea and Bay of Biscay to isolate France and Spain, while Russian submarines attack Allied shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and in the Pacific.

The Channel Dash
On August 12, the German fleet, commanded by Admiral Scheer, of 4 battleships, 6 battlecruisers, 16 light cruisers and 50 destroyers leaves its principal bases and enters the North Sea. They are immediately spotted by British submarines which send out a report to their home bases, and the Allied fleets at Scapa Flow, Liverpool, and Casablanca go to sea shortly after.

In early August, there are also 10 troop convoys at sea, along with over 100 escorts as well as the Allied fleet operating out of Norfolk and already rapidly closing in on Casablanca to deliver aircraft to US forces there before shifting to other missions.


The Home Fleet, commanded by Admiral Jellicoe, with the 9 British and 3 American battleships, 1 British carrier plus 25 destroyers and also reinforced with 10 British cruisers is quickly informed that the Germans are heading due south, and on the just after dawn on August 23 the two fleets meet. The Germans ships are faster, but the Allies have managed to move into position so that the Germans must fight their way past to proceed south toward their destination, the English Channel and the French base at Brest.

The Allies are well within range of land based air cover, and along with fighters from the carrier Hermes, beat off attacks by several Zeppelins, shooting down 6, along with 13 German fighters at the cost of 14 British fighters. Its an important preliminary however, as it prevents the Germans from interfering with the battle with their aircraft, and the French are still out of range to provide cover. The opening battle begins with an exchange of fire between 8 Allied and 9 German heavy ships, and for nearly an hour they hammer away at each other. The British fire is not terribly effective, and although hits are scored, no major damage is inflicted. American fire is somewhat more effective however, as they have superior fire control, and the Texas, New York and Arkansas manage to blow up the German battle cruiser Mackenson and severely damage the battle cruiser Lutzow to the point where she is forced to seek shelter in a Dutch port, unable to continue. German fire is also accurate, reducing the battleship Royal Sovereign, New York and Arkansas to sinking wrecks and forcing the Allied fleet to drop back. However, just after noon, the second Allied attack begins as 10 British cruisers and 25 destroyers attack and the Germans send 10 cruisers and 25 destroyers of their rear guard to meet them. Heavy mist plagues both sides, and fire is heavy but mostly inaccurate. However, it does sink the British light cruiser Enterprise and German light cruiser Madgeburg, and 6 German destroyers and 4 British destroyers. Both sides break off, having expended their torpedoes, and the German rear guard turns back north to return to Germany.

Meanwhile, the British Naval Air Service manages to put together an attack force, and 37 torpedo planes make a determined attack. The Germans shoot down 11 of them, but several torpedo hits are scored on the German battleship Hessen, crippling her, and the attack also costs the Germans time as they are forced to maneuver to avoid torpedoes. Enough time so that the British fleet, now reinforced by 4 additional battleships from Force Z under Admiral Beatty are able to catch the Germans and a second long range gunnery duel begins as they Germans attempt to outrun the Allies. This time Allied gunnery is significantly better, and the German battleships Bayern and Rheinland, and the battle cruisers Derflinnger and Blucher are heavily hit, slowing the fleet even further. German fire is still good though, and the Royal Oak is left sinking, and the US battleship Texas is hit nearly 40 times and blows up in a few seconds, killing all aboard.

With only 2 battle cruisers undamaged, the Admiral Scheer decides to return to base, but also orders Admiral Hipper to take his 2 battle cruisers, and the van with 8 light cruisers and 25 destroyers on to Brest, while the rest of the fleet turns for home.

The Allies fail to notice the German move as at that moment a rain squall envelopes both fleets, and so the Allies continue south, and miss the retreat of the battered German heavy ships and are unable to catch the faster German fleet under Hipper.

As night falls, the Germans enter the Pas de Calais and into the English Channel. Soon after, mines sink 5 German destroyers and damage 4 more, but the Germans continue through the night and by dawn of August 13 are nearly out of the Channel and about to turn for Brittany and the safety of Brest. Waiting for them are several American submarines however, and they sink the light cruiser Regensburg and 4 more German destroyers at the cost of 2 American boats (both to depth charges).

But the Germans have managed to get 2 battle cruisers, 5 light cruisers and 16 destroyers to Brest to reinforce the French fleet. However the other force of damaged heavy ships is ambushed by British submarines still lying in wait near the Helgoland Bight and torpedoes finish off the battle cruiser Derrflinger and heavily damage the Baden.

Losses Channel Dash
USA – Battleships Texas, New York and Arkansas, 2 submarines, 3,000 men
UK – battleships Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign, cruiser Enterprise, 4 destroyers, 2,000 men. 26 aircraft lost.
Germany – battle cruiser Mackenson, Derrflinger, light cruisers Regensburg, Madgeburg, 15 destroyers, 3,000 men plus battleships Bayern, Baden, Hessen, Rheinland, battle cruisers Lutzow, Blucher out of action. 6 Zeppelins, 13 aircraft lost.

Although the Germans claim victory in the Channel Dash, the Pact surface fleet is still out of the fight for the next 2 months.

In early August, the 2nd Fleet, with 6 American and Colombian aircraft carriers, and heavily escorted, steams across the Atlantic in just over a week and a few miles off the coast of Colombia flies off 180 American bombers and fighters who land at the Casablanca military air field. Advancing right behind them is a steady stream of convoys, a day apart, stretching all the way across the Atlantic. As the first one approaches the Azores, the 2nd Fleet, having finished its first mission, moves into position to begin air attacks against German naval and air forces in that island chain to support the convoys.

The convoy battles are intense and last all the way across the Atlantic as 100 Allied escorts and 70 Pact submarines engage in a fierce struggle to defend or destroy the convoys. Both sides also commit aircraft when they can, and the Zeppelin is proven to be a death trap when committed within range of Allied fighters, as 26 are shot down over three months. At the cost of the Colombian aircraft carrier Sheridan (torpedoed by a French submarine), the German airfields and naval base facilities are flattened beyond the ability of the garrison to repair, and all of their aircraft are eliminated at the cost of 100 Allied aircraft.

Between attacks on convoys and attacks on unescorted shipping in the Caribbean and Atlantic the Pact manages to sink 310,000 tons of shipping (some 70 ships in all), but at a heavy cost as 6 Spanish, 20 French and 24 German submarines are sunk as well. The Pact discovers that attacking heavily escorted convoys is not a recipe for success.

In the Pacific and Mediterranean, the Russians attack unescorted shipping and 320,000 of shipping are sunk approaching or leaving Japan (80 merchant ships), and in the Mediterranean operating near Suez, the Russians sink another 140,000 tons (20 ships).
However, Russian losses are heavy in the Pacific, as they have to pass through narrow passages to reach the Pacific going to and from their principal bases, and although they can refuel elsewhere, they have to rearm at Vladivostok. Mines, air attacks and patrol vessels manage to sink 14 Russian submarines. In the Mediterranean the Russians lose a boat as well when it is caught by a pair of British sloops near Suez and depth charged and sunk.

In the Baltic, British submarines inflict some serious damage as well, sinking 160,000 tons of German shipping, mostly cargo ships carrying ore from Sweden, at the cost of 5 British submarines, all to mines.

Although nearly 800,000 tons of merchant shipping have been lost, along with 8 capital ships, the Allies are satisfied with the results. Over 500 aircraft and their crews (either assembled or crated and then assembled) have reached Morocco, along with the entire US 1st Army and nearly 100,000 engineers and labor troops who quadruple the size of the port facilities at Casablanca and also build minor ports and bases elsewhere along the Moroccan coast.

In addition, the US 3rd Army and British 1st Army, each with 6 divisions, along with another 4 divisions of Colombians, and several hundred American and Colombian aircraft reach Italy, and they begin deploying north to reinforce the hard pressed Italian defenses, and also raise the morale of the Italian people significantly as solid Allied help has arrived. Many of the American divisions have substantial numbers of 1st and 2nd generation Italian Americans in them as well, and that also is a big bonus to the morale of the Italian people.

However, the desperate convoy battles do provide some lessons to the Pact navies.

So Trotsky ordered a conference to discuss the war with the neutrals on the Eurasian Continent. They were to meet in Kiel to discuss matters of trade, war, and political sides. Messages are sent to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Albania, Rumania, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire, Palestine, Burgundy, Portugal, Siam, Korea and China.

TO: Berlin, Germany
FROM: Bruxelles Belgium

Premier Trotsky:

The Belgian Government has recieved your request for a conference at Kiel and is willing to send Diplomatic Representatives to the proceedings.

Any further information pertaining to this conference would be greatly appreciated.

Signed,

Antonie Jaques Martinique
Foriegn Minister
The Federal Republic of Belgium

Well, the main game is down, so I guess that we won't be able to send war plans until it gets back up [/obviousness].

IC:

King Umberto II surveyed the reinforcements from Colombia, America, and Britain. It had certainly inspired his generals and the common soldiers that nations on the other side of the globe had come to Italy's aid. Perhaps the war was winnable now. Defending the Alps would now get a whole lot easier, and there could probably be some kind of strategic reserve. He let out a hopeful smile, but then transformed back into the stern general that he made himself to be before these Allied reinforcements. He began a short, spur-of-the-moment, speech.

"Gentlemen, I thank you and your nations for making sacrifices to defend Italy. It brings a tear to my eye thinking that brave soldiers from foriegn lands have come to Italy to die for Italy. But that is not all that this war is about. It is about freedom and democracy, capitalism versus communism. Us versus them.

We shall, before war's end, march over the Alps, through the county side of France, Germany, and Russia. Paris, Berlin, Moscow--they shall fall before the cause of freedom. We Italians have held the line and kept the enemy from defiling Italian soil with the indignity of defeat against many nations. With the mighty Allied soldiers I have standing before me, I suspect that we will not have to worry about our lands being taken. The enemy will die in the Alps, and we will simply have to throw our caps at the enemy and what few remain will fall."

After that, he began walking amongst some of the Allied soldiers, shaking hands and thanking them.

The factorys have been turning out arms at record pace while recruitment initiatives have been rewarded with the creation of another two full armys of 50,000 men. This brings the total up to 20 Armys and 1,000,000 men. Two more of the armys have been armed and trained for combat bringing the number of combat ready troops up to 500,000 and 10 Armys. Three Armys are now engaged in the Alps alongside the French.

The Coastal Defence Initiative has wrought rewards as well as the Bay of Biscay and long stretches of the eastern coast have been thoroughly fortified with pillboxes and long range artillery. The Airforce has been sortying in the Strait of Gibraltar and off the Bay of Biscay attempting to keep LTA submarines and ships away from the coast.

OOC: A few things...First, it's going to take you weeks to get around Africa, unless you want to run through the MEd. And even then it would probably be faster to just go around.

Second...I probaly have a regiment or two there, plus a squadron or two of planes.. It's not like there's anything that improtant. There's probably a refueling base and a small airfield.

Third...There are no special forces. A "Sniper OFrce" is simly impractical for the militaries of this time. There are infiltrators, but they are mainly used on assualts, etc. I'll let GB take vare of this....

GB, if you would?

The Sniper Force was created for the sole purpose to create snipers. They are noting buy Snipers. Also the ships were in the port of Durban.

OOC: No, they weren't. The Argentine Navy, which has the dual advantage of being closer and having left earlier, still hasn't reached Durban. Yet somehow within three posts you sent a battleship [are you even capable of supporting a battleship at this point?] to Madagascar and captured the island. No, we're going to need GB to rule on this one.

I have a battlecrusier not a battleship. The time in this universe is October 1924. The Ecuadrian navy left late July. So they should have gotten to South Africa the same with the Argentinan Navy.

The 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th Infantry Divisions are being sent by rail to the Italian front. They will support the next offensive there. Also the first Yugoslavian Ace has emerged, Bozhko Petrovich, having shot down his 5th Italian plane over the front today.(okay so he was born in 1911, i can alter history a little for my purposes and say he was born in 1907 right?!)

Also, the 4th infantry Division and 8th Infantry Division are being moved from the Albanian border to the Bulgarian border following Bulgarian unrest.

I have a battlecrusier not a battleship. The time in this universe is October 1924. The Ecuadrian navy left late July. So they should have gotten to South Africa the same with the Argentinan Navy.

Where in the world did you get a Battlecruiser (which by all rights IS a battleship)

Where in the world did you get a Battlecruiser (which by all rights IS a battleship)

ooc
I think the Colombians sold him one... however, his country can only afford to operate it because the US is supplying the funds needed to do so, and half the crew would half to be Colombians as well.

ooc
I think the Colombians sold him one... however, his country can only afford to operate it because the US is supplying the funds needed to do so, and half the crew would half to be Colombians as well.

his thread says he has 3

his thread says he has 3

ooc
he doesn't, and he doesn't have special forces or commando type troops.. I have been very firm on that. I haven't resolved Madagascar yet because the various forces involved would not have reached that area until late August (including loading and preparing etc), and that operation doesn't take place until September....I have resolved it. It will be posted shortly.

French / Italian border
The Italians remain dug in behind their fortifications and are as strong as ever. However, at the moment they are short on reserves until units from southern Italy are able to reach the area. The French have air superiority, but the rugged terrain and increasingly bad weather in the high altitudes renders that relatively meaningless. The snow falls early in the mountains, and although its not what it will be later, it does make movement more difficult and cloudy conditions are normal. Without navigation aids, aircraft losses are heavy because of accidents and air plays little role in the fighting.

The fighting is costly, and gains are often measured in feet, but eventually, after 8 weeks of fighting, the French and Spanish manage to secure the region around Mount Blanc, and reach the foothills down slope into Italy, threatening Turin. The Spanish and French pay dearly though, as 2 Spanish, and 2 French corps are bled out. However, Italians losses are also severe, with 3 corps, including their elite Alpine corps bled out, and Italian reserves are getting slim. However, the Italians still hold the coastal mountain region, and manage to put together an army in front of the Spanish and French Alpine divisions to hold the line.

Yugoslav / Italian border
The weather is just as bad in the Alps in this area, but in the lower hills east of Trieste, it remains fall, and aircraft can still be used to effect. The Italians still hold their initial positions and retain a small reserve, but more German divisions have arrived to replace losses (although this does strip Germany of half its reserve temporarily). The Pact chooses to focus its effort on Trieste, and smash through the Italian front in that area, reaching Trieste by September 20. Fierce attacks further north in the mountains fix the Italians in place and prevent further release of reserves although in the process several of the best divisions in the German army are gutted. In spite of fierce attacks the rest of the month and into October this is as far as the Pact gets. 2 Yugoslav and 5 German corps are bled out, including some of the best units in both armies. The Italians also suffer heavily, with 5 of their corps bled out. But they hold the line and although the Pact has penetrated the border, they have not managed to fight their way through the mountains or take Trieste yet.

Italian Losses
800,000 casualties plus 200 aircraft

German Losses
500,000 casualties plus 200 aircraft

Yugoslav losses
200,000 casualties plus 50 aircraft

French losses
200,000 casualties plus 1,000 guns, 200 aircraft

Spanish losses
200,000 casualties plus 100 aircraft

most of the aircraft losses are due to operational accidents (ooc which historically often killed more pilots in World War I and World War II then enemy action did).

Incidently, remember casualties aren't dead necessarily. Typically out of every 10 men 2 are killed, 3 are seriously wounded or permanently crippled, 1 is missing (captured or dead and can't be found), and 4 are wounded but return to duty within 3 months or less (often within a week).

so although Italy has suffered 1.2 million casualties since the war began, only 120,000 are dead, another 360,000 are still in the hospital, 120,000 have either been killed or captured (roughly 30 Killed /70 captured ratio), and the rest have since returned to duty.

Elsewhere in the world, other actions of note occured. In Africa, Colombian troops arrived in British Nigeria and along with some British troops, smashed the German troops in West Africa, securing German Cameroon by the end of October. They also seize French Cameroon as well.

A landing involving the Argentine, South African, British and Ecuadorian navy occured at Diego Suarez in Madagascar, but even though a Argentine and South African corps was landed (along with a few battalions of Ecuadorians), and the port is taken and the defenses captured, the French defenders fall back and continue to resist.

They finally surrender exactly 181 days after the landing on September 12, which as it happens, is the exact period of time required for an increased pension for distinguished service in wartime (ooc, this really worked out like this historically in World War II, and therefore deserves a place in history in this timeline).

Losses are light on the Allied side, with only 500 Argentine, 200 Ecuadorian, and 1,000 South African dead from wounds, and several thousands sent home to recover from disease. The French garrison of 50,000 loses around 1,100 dead.

Australian forces seize the French possessions of the Comoros, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion and a few even smaller islands. Little fighting occurs as the French garrisons are generally very small and have few heavy weapons. In India, the Indian Army forces a quick surrender of the French colonial possessions of Pondicherry, Karikal, Yanaon, Mahé, and Chandernagore, ending nearly 2 centuries of French presence on that sub continent.

Economic resources available per turn

LTA nations
USA 34 (in other words, 204 a year)
UK 15 (includes resources from British Empire)
Canada 2
South Africa 2
Japan 7
India 2
Australia 2
Colombia 3
Italy 10
Ecuador 1

Pact nations
Germany 16
Russia 17
Czechslovakia 2
Yugoslavia 3
France 12
Spain 4

Other nations
China 7
Korea 2
Netherlands 3
Belgium 3
Burgundy 3
Norway 2
Sweden 4

Costs of Units / turns (each turn is 2 months)
Light surface ships (5 cruisers or 20 destroyers or 50 smaller vessels) 1 / turn for 8 turns
Submarines (represents 20 submarines) 1 / turn for 6 turns
Capital ships (2 battleships or battlecruisers) 1 / turn for 12 turns (10 turns for US, UK, Germany)
Carriers (2 carriers or 4 smaller carriers or 10 escort type carriers, includes their airgroups)
1 / turn for 12 turns (10 turns for
US, UK, Germany)
Merchant shipping / amphibious shipping (500,000 tons) 1 / turn for 5 turns (4 turns for US)
Fighter (represents 1,000 aircraft) 1 / turn for 4 turns (3 turns US, Germany)
Bombers (represents 1,000 aircraft) 1 / turn for 5 turns (4 turns US, UK)
Maritime bombers & fighters (1,000 aircraft) 1 / turn for 5 turns (4 turns for US, Japan, UK)
Transport aircraft (US, Germany, UK, France, Russia only) 1 / turn for 5 turns (4 turns US, UK)
Garrison troops (includes fortifications) 1 / turn for 3 turns
Infantry corps (represents 2 –10 divisions depending on quality of army) 1 / turn for 2 turns
Mechanized corps (represents 3 divisions) 1 / turn for 4 turns
Horse cavalry corps 1 / turn for 2 turns
Alpine corps 1 / turn for 3 turns
Amphibious troops (marines and assault craft) 1 / turn for 6 turns
Factories (economic development, increases resource points available) 2 / turn for 6 turns
Repair damaged warships (includes carriers) 1 / turn for 2 turns (1 turn US)
Fortifications 1 / turn for 2 turns
Headquarters units (allows reorganized of disorganized units) 1 / turn for 6 turns

Tell me at the start of the year how you plan to spend your points, and how much you plan to leave in reserve to replace losses, repair ships etc and for contingencies.

In other words, each Monday. I would prefer you post that in the economics thread. This should not be telegrammed as to ensure everyone is comfortable that no funny business is going on.

If nothing is received, I will assume everything is held in reserve for contingencies.

This is from the game "World in Flames" and yes, the US does have a substantial industrial advantage.

GB, that system look pretty interesting but is somewhat confusing.

I'd like clarification on this. Take China for instance.

China = 7 points.

What do these "for X turns" mean? For instance, Carrier = 1 point for 12 turns? What does this mean- do I spend 1 point every turn, or a one-time payment of one point?

This system needs some more clarification if you don't mind, GB? :)

GB, that system look pretty interesting but is somewhat confusing.

I'd like clarification on this. Take China for instance.

China = 7 points.

What do these "for X turns" mean? For instance, Carrier = 1 point for 12 turns? What does this mean- do I spend 1 point every turn, or a one-time payment of one point?

This system needs some more clarification if you don't mind, GB? :)

ooc
1 point a turn, although it would be easier if you posted what your planned spending is for 3 turns of 1924 and 6 turns of 1925. Its also an excellent idea to leave points in reserve.

So for example, you have 42 points for 1925 + 21 points for 1924. Gives you 63 points. It would take you 9 points to build that carrier almost to completion (which actually represents 2 fleet carriers plus their airgroups or 4 smaller or 8 escort carriers and airgroups). Which means you have to spend 3 more points in 1926. Or you can spend the whole point cost at once, but it will still take 12 turns for it to be finished.

You can't build the Yamato class ship until you reach tech level 6 (which is the time frame I originally gave you)

the other good part of this is that it prevents nations that cannot realistically build certain things (like battlecruisers) can't do it unless some one helps them.

ooc
1 point a turn, although it would be easier if you posted what your planned spending is for 3 turns of 1924 and 6 turns of 1925. Its also an excellent idea to leave points in reserve.

So for example, you have 42 points for 1925 + 21 points for 1924. Gives you 63 points. It would take you 9 points to build that carrier almost to completion (which actually represents 2 fleet carriers plus their airgroups or 4 smaller or 8 escort carriers and airgroups). Which means you have to spend 3 more points in 1926. Or you can spend the whole point cost at once, but it will still take 12 turns for it to be finished.

You can't build the Yamato class ship until you reach tech level 6 (which is the time frame I originally gave you)

the other good part of this is that it prevents nations that cannot realistically build certain things (like battlecruisers) can't do it unless some one helps them.

Works for me. I appreciate you clearing this up for me, GB. I must say, I like this point system, helps us to know who's building what, without godmodding and crap.

Kudos to you. :)

I'm still thinking about the point distribution- China has 63 points, correct? How would you handle odd points? I mean, if I used 62 points, and chose another "2 point" thing, how would you handle that?

With late fall, operations come to a halt in the mountains as both sides have enough problems just keeping supplies moving to keep their soldiers alive. Additional reinforcements reach Trieste, and the front has stabilized once again.

The Italians have 6 corps facing the French/Spanish, and 8 facing the Germans/Yugoslavs. They have 2 more corps in reserve on each front, plus a headquarters on each front, plus another headquarters equal distance between the two fronts and 2 more corps on the German border in case the Germans attempt to cross the Alps.

Also in reserve are 2 American mechanized corps and 2 British mechanized corps, and both also each have a headquarters unit that are moving up to the Po Valley in order to backstop the Italians and provide a reserve if a breakthrough occurs. A Colombian corps is also in Italy, and it is in Rome to provide a garrison and strategic reserve in case something unexpected occurs. An Italian garrison unit holds Tripoli, another is in Sardinia. The Italians have 2 fighters and 1 bomber available, and the Americans and Colombians also have provided a fighter (units)

The Germans have 10 Infantry corps in Yugoslavia, plus 2 headquarters units. The Yugoslavs are up to 6 corps, and 1 HQ unit, plus another 2 corps watching Albania and 2 more watching the Greeks. Germany has another 20 Corps available, plus 2 Mountain Corps watching the Alps, and 1 HQ unit available. The Germans have 2 fighter units and 1 bomber unit available as well.

France has 6 Infantry and 1 Alpine corps, plus 2 headquarters units facing the Italians, alongside them is 1 Spanish Alpine corps. The French also have 2 fighter units and 1 bomber unit available.

France also has 2 Infantry and 1 cavalry corps in Algeria and Tunisia (1 each holding Tunis and Algiers, with the Cavalry corps watching the Moroccan border). Facing them in Morocco is 1 American mechanized corps, 1 American cavalry corps, 1 American HQ unit, 1 Moroccan cavalry corps, plus 2 Moroccan garrison units (holding Tangiers and Casablanca). (the South Africans are too small to represent on this scale but assume they are part of the American Cavalry corps). The Americans also have 1 fighter, 1 bomber and 1 naval air unit in Morocco.

France has 4 other Infantry corps, 2 cavalry corps, and 1 HQ corps available, plus a garrison unit in Senegal, and another in Corsica. The remainder of their overseas colonies have miniscule forces that are not capable of stopping a serious attack. while Spain has 2 Infantry and 2 garrison corps and 1 cavalry corps, plus a garrison unit in the Balaerics. The French also have 1 fighter available, while the Spanish have 1 bomber unit. The British have a garrison unit in Gibraltar.

ooc
other theaters haven't been forgotten, and the war at sea also continues during November December 1924.. more on that later. Everything should be caught up to 1925 within 24 hours of this post.

OOC: Should I assume the FFL is part of one of the Infantry corps? And I thought Corsica was French. You must mean Sardinia or whatever that other island is.

OOC: Should I assume the FFL is part of one of the Infantry corps? And I thought Corsica was French. You must mean Sardinia or whatever that other island is.
yes, the Legion Estranger is part of one of the infantry corps in Algeria, and also has several smaller battalion sized units at various other overseas places. Sardinia is indeed Italian and Corsica is indeed French

GB: I made Amphibious troops before you started this whole point system. So do I still have to pay the points to make them? Also how many men can fit into your landing craft? How come you never metion Prisioners of War or does the army executed all POW troops?How come Ecuador is never listed as a country in the economics thread? What is the tech level of Ecuador? Sorry for all of the questions.

GB: I made Amphibious troops before you started this whole point system. So do I still have to pay the points to make them? Also how many men can fit into your landing craft? How come you never metion Prisioners of War or does the army executed all POW troops?How come Ecuador is never listed as a country in the economics thread? What is the tech level of Ecuador? Sorry for all of the questions.

Ecuador has a tech level of 3, has 1 infantry corps which has been broken down into 2 divisions (which can be landed). You do not have the industrial capability to build landing craft or warships. I explained casualties earlier in the thread, but basically figure 1 out of every 10 casualties is missing, and half of those are POWs. Unless special circumstances arise. I simply forgot about Ecuador in the economics thread, but you have 6 build points a year to spend, which you can use to buy stuff from the bigger industrial nations or use the whole 6 points to build a factory, which will move you up to tech level 4 and allow you to build other units like garrison units or mountain troops.

incidently, posts like these would be better in the military, economic or main thread.

I also wondered how many men can you fit into one of your landing craft? I plan on buying some to use with my Marine Force.

War at Sea November 1924 – February 1925
In the cold waters separating Siberia from Sakkalin, the Japanese and Russians engage in a series of vicious little battles as the Japanese attempt to cut off the supplies to the Russian occupation force. In four months of costly fighting, the Russians barely manage to keep the supplies flowing, but at the cost of 7 light cruisers and 9 destroyers sunk, and the Russian Pacific Fleet is left with a single battlecruiser, 10 light cruisers and 1 destroyer, plus it loses another 4 submarines, reducing it to 36 boats, and 16 of these require repairs. However, the Russians manage to sink the Japanese cruisers Tenryu, Tatsuta, Tama, Kiso and 4 destroyers as well as 200,000 tons of shipping. American insistence the Japanese set up convoys (which assemble at Guam and Truk and then steam into Japanese waters escorted by American and Japanese destroyers and smaller escorts) makes a huge difference and only 4 oil tankers are lost during the winter.

With the Russians left with a remnant of a fleet, the Americans request that the Japanese handle all LTA fleet duties in the Pacific so that British and American warships can be transferred to the Atlantic. The US will leave 10 light cruisers and 40 submarines in the Pacific as a reserve, and the rest steam to the US West Coast and from there via Panama to the Atlantic.

Operation Tidal Wave
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, the American 2nd Fleet tries a novel approach to reduce the threat of the Pact surface and submarine fleets. Six American carriers and one Colombian carrier, including the brand new Lexington and Saratoga, steam through the night until just before first light they are 150 miles from the French base at Brest. Heavily escorted by 2 British and 2 Colombian battle cruisers, 9 American light cruisers and 20 American destroyers, and commanded by Admiral Sims, they launch 345 dive and torpedo bombers and 200 fighters and coincidently launch a new era in the war at sea.

The Allied aircrews had instructions to concentrate on parked aircraft at nearby airfields, moored submarines, warships in drydocks, and the heavy ships of the combined Franco-German fleet, and that’s just what they did. Bombs and torpedoes blow up 18 French submarines, completely destroy the French battleship Courbet which was being converted into a carrier (and the drydock it was in), sink the partially converted Paris (which rolls over and goes down in shallow water and is also a total loss), and score a torpedo hit each on the German battlecruisers Gneisnau and Scharnhorst. The attacking Allied planes also destroy or shoot down 140 French aircraft and severely maul French airbases in the area. The Allies get away at an extremely light cost, losing only a dozen aircraft.

The French counterattacked with every plane they could get in the air, and the French and Germans sortie their fleet, hoping to engage and defeat the Americans where they had air cover. American and Colombian fighters and a thick umbrella of anti aircraft fire shoot down 90 French aircraft, damage dozens of more, and break nearly all attacks, but several torpedoes and bombs hit the Colombian aircraft carrier Salvador, causing it to sink and a torpedo and bomb hit the William McKinley, heavily damaging it. American torpedo and dive bombers score heavily against the French however, sinking 7 destroyers, and the Allies avoid a surface action. Facing further air attacks, the Pact ships retire to base, having exhausted their ammunition, and the 2nd Fleet steams away.

Three days later they attack again, this time hitting the Spanish base at Bilbao and utterly level the base and sink 5 submarines, 6 destroyers, 2 light cruisers and an old battleship at the cost of 8 aircraft. A Spanish submarine is also sunk as it attempts to penetrate the American and British destroyer screen.

The operation, the brainchild of Admiral Sims and his young assistant Marc Mitcher is a great success.

The fiercist fighting at sea though occured near Gibraltar. The Germans commit 30 U-boats in an effort to stop reinforcements from reaching Italy, and the French commit 10 more. The Spanish also send every plane that will fly at Allied convoys. However, the Americans have a large number of aircraft in Morocco and are able to provide nearly constant air cover and the convoys are also heavily escorted. The Germans lose 15 boats in the fighting, and 6 more French submarines as lost as well. In addition, the Spanish Air Force is gutted as well, losing nearly 700 aircraft in 4 months, far outstripping their ability to replace such losses, and although nearly 250,000 tons of shipping and 13 American destroyers are lost, the Allies consider the losses well worth it.

However the Allies do pay a cost for this. Merchant shipping is unescorted still, and the 20 German boats and 20 French boats available manage to sink 500,000 tons in spite of poor weather conditions, and the Americans begin pressuring the British to adopt the convoy system for the Atlantic. Worse, only 3 French and 3 German boats are lost in exchange for this heavy toll.

In February, the Allies launch a new attack. A massive convoy escorted by the 2nd Fleet carrying the new I Marine Expeditionary Force of 3 divisions assaults the Azores islands after a week long bombardment. Losses are heavy, with nearly 20,000 Marines becoming casaulties, but the German garrison of 50,000 is either killed or forced to surrender after three weeks. (28,000 surrender plus 10,000 wounded who are captured). At the same time, British Marines assault and captures weakly defended Madaira and its 3,000 man garrison surrenders after a brief fight.

Determined to prevent further air raids against their ports, the French shift a signficant portion of their fighter strength to guard their coasts.

OOC: Apparently the LTA aircraft carriers and their escorts have more AA than the entire fortified port of Brest. How interesting.

OOC: Apparently the LTA aircraft carriers and their escorts have more AA than the entire fortified port of Brest. How interesting.

ooc
in game terms the LTA got complete surprise (no radar exists for one thing), came in just at first light, had the advantage of being alert and ready for the attack, and no one has ever launched an attack like this, so also gained strategic surprise. The French counterattack met a wall of flak, and historically, American warships have had the greatest success of all navies in shooting down attacking planes with AA fire (US ships also carry more anti aircraft weapons than other navies), and the fleet all total does have more flak guns than the entire port of Brest. In addition, the LTA fleet had fighter protection, while Brest did not. Any other questions? Read "War at Sea", "Victory in the Pacific", "Two Ocean War", and "Guadalcanal,Decision at Sea". You might also read up on Pearl Harbor, the Taranto Raid, and US attacks against Truk and Rabual during World War II.

supplementary units:
Artillery Corps 3 points, or 1 poiint a turn for 3 turns (takes 3 turns to build), can be designated as Flak, Coastal Defense or Heavy artillery. Flak provides substantial defense for a specific area (and does not move except by rail), Coastal Defense provides substantial defense from amphibious invasion (and also doesnt move), and heavy artillery adds firepower to attack and defense.

Normally in game terms no more than 2 corps can stack together. In addition to this, you may add an artillery corps to the stack without penalty.

Armored Corps: 6 points (1 point a turn for 6 turns). Represents large concentrations (nearly 1000) of tanks. Weak in defense, but can also stack free with 2 infantry corps. These are assault tanks basically, very slow, better armored than regular tanks. Think of World War I era tanks, not Tigers. Used as a breakthrough weapon. Cannot operate in mountains, rough terrain, swamps, heavy forests, and cannot be used in amphibious assaults. Only Germany, France, Russia, UK, and US can build these units.

Armored corps are different from mechanized corps, which are a standard infantry or cavalry corps completely equipped with motor vehicles (mainly trucks) and also equipped with light tanks, armored corps and self propelled guns of various types. Armored corps are a breakthrough unit, while mechanized corps are an exploitation and mobile battle unit. Mechanized corps are more of what we think of as far as an armored division is concerned.

(you are allowed to readjust your builds if you want these type of units)

In Italy, the front remains mostly quiet except for skirmishing. The poor weather prevents much in the way of major operations.

Algeria is invaded by 2 Cavalry corps (Moroccan and American) and 1 Mechanized corps (American) supported by headquarters units. The French cavalry falls back in before the Allies to prevent itself from being encircled, and after 7 weeks the Allies reach the gates of Algiers, the captial of French Morocco. The Moroccans keep order behind the lines, while the American cavalry circles around the city and dashes forward to seize Oran, opening up a supply port from Italy. A fresh American corps arrives and lands at Oran and Algiers and its garrison are surrounded by the end of February and cut off from reinforcement by sea as well.

In Afghanistan, a massive Russian army crosses into that country and begins heading south. The tribes split, with the Pathans siding with the British, and the Turks siding with the Russians. Although serious skirmishing occurs, the British and Indian Army falls back slowly avoiding prolonged contact with the much larger Russian force.

In Germany, the High Seas fleet completes its repairs but remains in the Baltic Sea, reinforcing important convoys coming from Norway loaded with Swedish iron ore coming out of Narvik. The British decide to avoid attacking this traffic for the moment as much is carried aboard Norwegian ships to Oslo, and only there transferred to German ships for the run across the Baltic. The Danes heavily mine the Skagarak but maintain their neutrality otherwise. After 3 British submarines are lost trying to penetrate the mine barrier, the British halt attempts for now.

The world is at war, and fighting has literally occured on every continent or off the coast of every continent except for Australia and Antartica and Australia is in the war as well.

In the northwest Pacific, Japan and Russia continue to spar at sea, but the Russian fleet is reduced to a hollow shell, with only a few cruisers and submarines available to go to sea. The Russians took Sakkalin, but at a heavy price in troops and further heavy price in ships to keep it supplied.

In Central Asia, Russian forces have invaded Afghanistan on an apparent drive to India.

In Italy, a fierce campaign to conquer Italy in a quick blow barely failed, as once the snows and storms of winter end in the Alps, that campaign will resume with new ferocity.

In Africa and elsewhere, LTA forces have secured many of the French and German colonial possessions, sometimes after desperate fighting. Only a few French possessions remain in Africa. In the Mediterranean and Atlantic, fierce battles have wrecked most of the Pact navies, but at a serious cost to the LTA navies as well, and heavy losses to merchant fleets as well.

The LTA consists now of the following nations:
United States
British Empire (including the Dominions of South Africa, India, Australia, Canada and New Zealand)
Colombia
Chile
Ecuador
Italy
Argentina
New Zion
Cuba
Honduras
Japan
Morocco

The Pact consists now of the following nations:
France
Russia
Germany
Yugoslavia
Czechslovakia
Spain

Brazil has made peace with the LTA, particularly the United States, and its horrific Civil War seems to finally drawing down into a victory by the Socialist government, although only the substantial aid (nearly $6 Billion) will enable it to have a reasonably quick recovery when the rebels are finally crushed.

The Zeppelin as a weapon of war rapidly saw its day end, but the submarine, airplane, tank, aircraft carrier and destroyer are quickly becoming the most important weapons of the new era. Even the battleship is vulnerable to the submarine and aircraft, and that formerly all important weapon requires aircraft and destroyers to protect it.

Four Infantry Battalions, One Artillery Regiment, 3rd Sniper Force, and the battlecruiser Guerree are on their way to the Gulf Of Aden from South Africa.

The LTA consists now of the following nations:
United States
British Empire (including the Dominions of South Africa, India, Australia, Canada and New Zealand)
Colombia
Chile
Ecuador
Italy
Argentina
Japan
Morocco

(OOC: *waves hand*)

In response to US insistence and to try to stem increasing shipping losses Britain has relented and allocated small vessels (cruisers, destroyers etc.) to convoy duty to protect merchant shipping in the Atlantic. It is hoped that some reduction will occur in the losses from subs for the next season. A few vessels are also allocated to patrol the Atlantic and attack subs on sight (though this will be fairly ineffective unless they spot a sub which has surfaced, which they usually do when not attacking anything).

British Home Forces (headquarters London) composed of the British Army Home Forces, British Home Fleet, American European Fleet, and associated forces for the defense of Great Britain and also organizing to begin offensive operations against Spain, France and Germany and intervention if needed into the Low Countries and Scandinavia

British Home Army (as of March 1925)
4 fighter units, 2 bomber units, 2 naval air units, 5 infantry corps, 3 garrison units, 3 mechanized corps, 3 headquarters units plus 2 Canadian Amphibious units, 1 Canadian HQ unit,

British Home Fleet (Scapa Flow) (North Sea blockade)
Battleships Nelson, Rodney, Queen Elizabeth, Warspite, Barham, Valiant, Malaya, , Light Cruisers Cordelia, Calliope, Champion, Cambrian, Canterbury, Castor, Constance, Centaur, Concord, Caldeon, Calypso, Caredoc, Cassandra, Calcutta, Cairo, Colombo, Danaae, Dauntless, Delhi, Despatch, Diomede, Dublin, Emerald, 41 destroyers, 60 fleet submarines plus 30 converted liners, sloops and other misc patrol vessels guarding the G-I-UK gap plus 20 misc patrol vessels maintaining the distance blockade of the French and Spanish Atlantic coasts

British Force Z (Liverpool) (amphibious operations)
Battleships Resolution, Arizona (US), California (US) Carrier Hermes, 20 destroyers, plus 10 monitors available for shore bombardment

US 7th Fleet (Charleston)( US amphibious operations)
Carriers Roosevelt, McKinley, Washington, Lincoln, Battleships New Mexico, Mississippi, Idaho, Pennsylvania , 20 destroyers,

Mediterranean Command (headquarters Malta) composed of the Mediterranean (British), Moroccan (American), Libyan (Italian) and Egyptian (British) operations areas. In addition, the Italians also have the Italian Front (Italian command) and their navy will work in cooperation with Mediterranean Command

Italian Front
20 Italian Infantry corps, 1 Italian Alpine corps, 3 Italian HQ units, 1 US HQ unit, 2 US mechanized corps, 1 UK HQ unit, 2 UK mechanized corps, 1 Colombian Infantry corps, 1 Colombian fighter unit, 1 US fighter unit, 2 Italian fighter units, 1 Italian bomber unit, 1 Italian naval air unit

North African Front
1 UK garrison unit (Port Said), 1 UK infantry corps (Suez), 1 UK Cavalry Corps (Sudan), 1 Italian garrison unit (Tripoli), 1 US cavalry corps (Algeria), 2 US mechanized corps (Algeria), 1 US HQ unit (Algeria), 2 US infantry corps (Morocco), 1 Moroccan Cavalry corps (Algeria), 2 Moroccan garrison units (Tangiers and Casablanca), 3 US fighter units (Morocco), 2 US naval air units (Morocco),

American 6th Fleet (Casablanca)(Gibraltar / Algerian blockade)
Battleships Colorado, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, 10 destroyers, 30 fleet submarines,

British Mediterranean Fleet (Malta)
Light cruisers Chatham, Dublin, Southhampton, Birmingham, Lowestoft, Adelaide, Nottingham, Caroline, 20 destroyers, 20 fleet submarines

Italian Mediterranean Fleet (Naples, Taranto, Syracuse, Brindisi, Genoa)
Adriatic Force
Light Cruisers Pisa, Arnalfi, 10 destroyers, 20 submarines

Ligurian Force
Light Cruisers San Giorgio, San Marco, 10 destroyers, 20 submarines,

Taranto Force
Light cruisers Basilicata, Campania, Quarto, Nino Bixio, Marsala, 9 destroyers, 5 training submarines

Naples Force
Battleships Dante Alighieri, Conte Di Cavour, Giulio Caseare, Leonardo Da Vinci, Carrier Vittorio Emanuele, 20 destroyers

Atlantic area (headquarters in Belfast) composed of North Atlantic (British), Western Approaches (British), South Atlantic (American) and Central Atlantic (British) operations areas

American 2nd Fleet (Dublin)
Battle cruisers Hood (UK), Renown (UK), Sheridan (Colombia), Salvador (Colombia), Carriers Lexington, Saratoga, Light cruisers Omaha, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Marblehead, Trenton, Detroit, Concord, Richmond, Memphis, 10 destroyers, 10 Colombian destroyers

Allied 10th Fleet - Escort Command Atlantic (bases in New York, Norfolk, Liverpool, Iceland, Halifax, and Bermuda) (also backs up auxiliary cruisers and patrol ships watching the G-I-UK gap and covers North American East Coast) US carriers, Light Cruisers Houston, San Diego, Brooklyn, Boston, San Francisco, Albany, 52 US destroyers, 40 British Destroyers, 25 Canadian Destroyers, 40 US sub chasers, 10 US gunboats,

British Western Approaches
60 subchasers and corvettes, 10 training submarines (also backed up by Escort Command)

Southern Area (headquarters in Capetown) composed of the African (British), Indian Ocean (British) and South Asian (British) operations areas.

African theater forces
1 SA Cav corps, 1 SA Inf corps, 1 Argentine Inf corps

Southern Fleet (Capetown)
Carrier Eagle, Light Cruisers Natal (RSAN), Durban (RSAN), Capetown (RSAN), Pretoria (RSAN), 10 RSAN destroyers, plus Argentine Expeditionary Force and its naval element (2 semi dreadnoughts, various escorts), plus 10 British monitors

Asian Area (headquarters Tokyo) composed of Northern Pacific (American), Western Pacific (Japanese), Japanese Home Forces (Japan), Philippines (American), and Malaysian (British) operations areas, and also responsible for organizing to begin offensive operations against French Indochina, Russian Siberia, and if necessary, other parts of Asia.

Japanese Home Army
12 Inf, 2 Ampib Inf (available May / June), 3 HQ, 2 fighter, 2 nav air, 1 bomber

Japanese Combined Fleet (Sasebo)
Battleships Nagato, Mikasa, Fuso, Yamashiro, Hyuga, Carriers Kaga, Akagi, Hosho, light cruisers Kimu, Naara, Yubari, Sendai, 20 destroyers

Japanese Escort Fleet
Heavy cruisers Furutaka, Kako, Nachi, Myoko, Kitsugari, Aoba, Kinugasa, Haguro, Ashigara, light curisers Kitakami, Oi, Kiso, Naka, Jintsu, 100 destroyers, 40 corvettes

US 11th Fleet (Cavite)
30 US Fleet Submarines

Japanese Southern Fleet (Taipei)
Battleship Kirishima, Haruna, Carriers Kongo, Hiei, 20 destroyers

British Eastern Fleet (Singapore)
Battle cruiser Repulse (RAN), 10 destroyers (RAN/RNZN)

South Asian Area (headquarters Delhi), composed of Northwest Frontier area (British), Burma area (British), Indian Approaches (British),

Indian Army
1 HQ, I Cav, 1 Inf (Afghanistan)
6 Inf (Pakistan area), 2 Garrison (Delhi, Ceylon)
1 Inf (Burma)
1 UK Inf (Malaya)
1 US Inf, 1 US HQ (en route from Philippines)
1 Anzac Cav (en route)
1 Anzac Amphib (Australia)

British Indian Ocean Fleet
Indian Navy plus Light cruisers Carysfort, Cleopartra, Comos, Conquest,

South Pacific Area (Headquarters Hawaii) composed of Eastern Pacific (American), South Pacific (American), Southwest Pacific (Australian), Southeast Pacific (Chilean)

US 5th Fleet (Pearl Harbor)
Light cruisers Honolulu, Juneau, Manila, San Juan, New Orleans, Charleston, St. Louis, Charleston, Colombia, Minneapolis, 25 destroyers, 5 gunboats,

Australian Pacific Fleet
Light cruisers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, 5 destroyers, 10 gunboats

North American Home Forces (headquarters Washington) composed of the North American Eastern Sea Frontier (American), Caribbean (American), Colombian Home Forces (Colombia), US Army Home Army (American), Canadian Home Army (Canada), Western Sea Frontier (American) and Alaskan area (American)

US 1st Fleet (San Francisco)
40 subchasers, US Coast Guard Pacific,

US 8th Fleet (New York City)
40 subchasers, 10 training submarines, US Coast Guard Atlantic, US Coast Guard Gulf of Mexico,

US 4th Fleet (Colon)
40 subchasers, US Coast Guard Caribbean,

War at Sea November 1924 – February 1925
In the cold waters separating Siberia from Sakkalin, the Japanese and Russians engage in a series of vicious little battles as the Japanese attempt to cut off the supplies to the Russian occupation force. In four months of costly fighting, the Russians barely manage to keep the supplies flowing, but at the cost of 7 light cruisers and 9 destroyers sunk, and the Russian Pacific Fleet is left with a single battlecruiser, 10 light cruisers and 1 destroyer, plus it loses another 4 submarines, reducing it to 36 boats, and 16 of these require repairs. However, the Russians manage to sink the Japanese cruisers Tenryu, Tatsuta, Tama, Kiso and 4 destroyers as well as 200,000 tons of shipping. American insistence the Japanese set up convoys (which assemble at Guam and Truk and then steam into Japanese waters escorted by American and Japanese destroyers and smaller escorts) makes a huge difference and only 4 oil tankers are lost during the winter.

With the Russians left with a remnant of a fleet, the Americans request that the Japanese handle all LTA fleet duties in the Pacific so that British and American warships can be transferred to the Atlantic. The US will leave 10 light cruisers and 40 submarines in the Pacific as a reserve, and the rest steam to the US West Coast and from there via Panama to the Atlantic.

I know I'm on sabbatical, but before I did I left very clear instructions about what my plans on Sakhalin were, and they definitely did not include losing any ships over it. They didn't include keeping it. What gives here?

I know I'm on sabbatical, but before I did I left very clear instructions about what my plans on Sakhalin were, and they definitely did not include losing any ships over it. They didn't include keeping it. What gives here?

ooc
Send me a telegram and I will explain what happened

The weather clears earlier than usual (ooc, weather die roll was apparently pro Pact today).

In Tyrolia at the Brenner pass, and in the Julian Alps facing Slovenia and part of Austria, the Pact launches a nearly continual series of offensives aimed at breaking the Italian Army. After 7 weeks, they finally do, shattering 9 Italian corps, isolating the lone surviving corps in Trieste, and throwing the remaining 2 corps back to Venice. But the cost is extremely high, as 5 German Infantry corps, 1 German Alpine Corps, 2 Yugoslav infantry corps and 2 Russian infantry corps are shattered, and another 11 Pact corps are left disorganized. However, 4 Russian Infantry corps manage to drive into Italy itself, and they are on the outskirts of Venice. In addition, 2 Czech corps drive through the Brenner Pass and take the city of Trento.

Although the Russians and Germans commit thousands of aircraft, they accomplish little (ooc well, not entirely all Pact here, die rolls evened out between combat, weather and air strikes and the air strikes were ineffective)

Meanwhile, the French also launch their own attack. On this front the Italians and Americans have committed the bulk of their fighters, hoping to break at least one prong of the offensive and the French are viewed as the weaker threat in the long run. The Allies score heavily, and at the cost of 1,000 Italian and 200 American aircraft, the French lose 2,200 aircraft and manage to accomplish little against the Italians. In return, the Italians hit a French headquarters heavily (which prevents it from reorganizing anyone, here the Allies got lucky).

The Italians lose 2 corps wrecked but wreck 3 French corps and the remaining 6 French corps are disorganized and unable to continue the attack.

However, the Italians on this Front will have to hold out on their own, as all available reserves are now desperately needed to the east.

losses
Italians -- 11 corps, 1.1 million casaulties, 1 fighter unit destroyed (1,000 aircraft)
Americans -- 200 aircraft
Germans -- 5 infantry corps, 1 alpine corps, 600,000 casualties
Russians -- 2 infantry corps, 200,000 casaulties
Yugoslavs -- 2 infantry corps, 200,000 casaulties
French -- 3 infantry corps, 1 fighter unit, 1 bomber unit, 300,000 casualties, 2,200 aircraft

GB TG'd you.


Le w00t.

In Algeria, the French garrison surrenders, and 100,000 French and Algerian colonial troops go into captivity. The Americans immediately organized a provesional Algerian government and try to bring the French Colons and the Algerians to the table to create an independent Algeria. Additional American forces meanwhile arrive at Bone and Philippville, and 2 American mechanized corps and the American Cavalry corps advance into Tunisia, aiming for Bizerte and Tunis. By the end of April they are besieging the last French garrisons in those 2 cities and offering terms to the French colonial forces there.

(ooc, at least the good weather helped out the Allies in North Africa)

At sea, the Germans and French navies regroup to reconsider their tactics and wait for new submarines to join the fleet. However, Brest is massively reinforced with anti aircraft guns to ensure that Operation Tidal Wave is not repeated. Allied shipping losses are the lowest in the war so far, with only 100,000 tons lost in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. A tight blockade of the French Riveria prevents the French Mediterranean Fleet from steaming out of their harbor, although mines and torpedoes sink 7 Italian destroyers.

However, Corsica is now isolated, although as yet has seen just occasional air attacks at its port.

In the Pacific, the Japanese finally manage to isolate Sakkalin, as the Russians aren't willing to expend surface ships any longer. However, Russians submarines sink another 200,000 tons of Japanese shipping but 3 more Russian submarines are lost in exhange. However, toward the end of April, the Russians find the bulk of Japanese shipping is finally steaming in well escorted convoys, and attacks are now more difficult and costly.

In North America and Britian, huge numbers of tranports and hundreds of warships are assembling. Aboard are several corps of troops, including amphibious troops.

Bolivia shows interest in joining the LTA.

The Russians surge forward with 6 cavalry corps and bring the Anglo-Indian army in Afghanistan to battle near Kabual. The Anglo-Indians are driven back, and the Indian Cavalry is gutted, as is a Russian corps. However, both sides are too disorganized to continue. Both sides suffer 50,000 casualties and it becomes clear that the Allies will have to defend the Northwest Frontier south of Afghanistan.

The Japanese send 5 carriers into the Sea of Japan, heavily escorted by the rest of the Combined fleet (6 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 6 light cruisers, 30 destroyers) and begin launching a series of air attacks against Vladivostok, with additional long range bombers (ooc a single Nav air unit and a single bomber unit) striking Vladivostok from bases in Hokkaido. Russian fighters fight back fiercely but the Japanese carrier fighter pilots are simply better trained and flying slightly better Boeing fighters and over a month 1,000 Russian aircraft are shot down at the cost of 200 Japanese planes. Japanese land based bombers manage to suppress Russian air defenses, and the last Russian battlecruiser and all 10 light cruisers are wrecked or sunk at their moorings.

Russian submarines continue to strike at Japanese shipping, but between running the now tighter gauntlet of Japanese defenses controlling the exits into the Pacific, and the now heavily escorted convoys. In spite of that, they manage to sink 50,000 tons of shipping at the cost of 5 boats lost at sea, plus 9 more destroyed in harbor. Unable to operate out of Vladivostok, the remaining Russian submarines seek shelter in Chinese ports and are interned. The Russians also strike back as best they can at the Japanese fleet, and although they lose nearly 200 aircraft attempting strikes against the massive fleet, they manage to sink 6 Japanese destroyers and the Japanese carrier Hosho before damage to airfields forces them to pull back further west.

Realizing that further occupation of Sakkalin is now pointless, the Russians evacuate that island by ferry and small craft, although before leaving they conduct a thorough scorched earth campaign against the economic resources of the island, destroying mines with explosives.

With the Russians Pacific fleet essentially destroyed, the US Navy lands troops based out of Alaska at the weakly defended and now isolated port of Petropavlosvk in Kamchatka, as well as the small ports of Magadan, Gizhigo, and Okhotsk on the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk. Essentially isolated from the rest of Siberia by the some of the coldest mountain ranges on the planet, and with only a few Siberian native tribes in the area, the American hold is secure as long as naval supremacy is maintained. Of course as victories go they are small affairs, but nevertheless good news. The Japanese reoccupy Sakkalin by the end of June.

ooc
posting is a real pain in the ass at the moment, but I am determined

IC
ITALY
The Allies shift every available reserve to try and stop the horde of Pact troops flooding through the Alps toward the Po River Valley. The remnants of the Italian Army make a stand at the Piatva River in front of Venice, and at Verona. Meanwhile, the Americans and British move into position behind the front, and every available Allied aircraft concentrates in the East. The Pact discovers that it is outnumbered in the air by Allied fighters, and although the Italians lose nearly 1,000 fighters, and the Americans and Colombians lose 200 each, the Germans lose 2,000 fighters and the Russians lose 1,000 fighters, and are unable to penetrate the wall of Allied aircraft into the Allied rear areas. American and Italian bombers concentrate on the German rear and hammer it hard (ooc, both German HQs are disorganized).

On the ground, the Yugoslavs assault Trieste and that city falls, although two Yugoslav corps are gutted in the fighting even as the survivors of the last Italian corps defending the city surrender. At the Piatva River, the Russians and Czechs assault the Italian positions, but the Italians hold, although an Italian and Czech corps are each gutted in the fighting. At Verona, the Germans assault the city with 4 corps, and once again the Italians hold, although 1 Italian and 2 German corps are gutted.

But then the Americans and British launch a counterattack, and although inexperienced, the British and American reservists are very well armed and fully motorized. The British completely shatter two German corps, destroying one, and sending the other retreating in full disarray (ooc in game terms, the British rolled a 12 and had a +1 to the attack because the Germans were disorganized, destroying 1 corps and the other will come back next turn without having to be rebuilt). At the same time, the Americans catch the Czechs disorganized and on the Allied side of the river, and shatter them as well (ooc, Americans get a 9 +1 for Czech disorganization, and the Czech corps will come back next turn. In addition, neither the Americans or British are disorganized by their counteroffensive because of their good luck).

Meanwhile, the French launch another offensive on their front, and gain some ground as two more French and 2 more Italian corps are wrecked. The Italians commit the last reserves they have to plug the gap but choose not to counterattack.

Although the victories at Verona and Padua are sweet, the situation is still serious for the Allies. Four more German corps arrive, including heavy armor and mechanized German troops, while 4 Russian corps move up to plug the gap left by the Czechs. The Germans chose to launch a full scale attack against the British, and the first massive tank battle of the war (and indeed, in the history of warfare) occurs in rolling hills near Verona. The British are thrown back, disorganized, but losses are relatively light on both sides as the British refuse to stand their ground and face destruction. However the attack does disorganize the Germans as well, and the situation around Verona stabilizes for the moment.

At Padua, the Russians attack, and they also renew the attack along the Paitva River. They smash the last Italian corps in front of Venice and take the undefended city. (ooc they also roll an 11, and are not disorganized either).

Against the Americans, the Russians have some success as well, driving them back in retreat, but at the cost of another gutted Russian corps (ooc and both sides are disorganized as well).

Meanwhile, the French launch another attack, trying to break through and link up with their allies to the east. Once again the Italians hold, although at a heavy cost as another Italian and French corps are wrecked, and the French are now too disorganized to attempt another offensive until July.

However, along the Swiss border, French and German alpine troops link up. As there are no rail lines or roads in the area, it is mostly just symbolic.

With the French, Germans, Yugoslavs and Czechs out of it, and the Americans and British able to successfully reorganize, the 4 Russian corps of their 10th Army are left with the burden of carrying on the offensive. Having captured Venice, they are ordered to swing to the north and take Verona. The last Italian corps in the area fights hard, and wrecks 2 Russian corps before it to is gutted and Verona (its ruins at this point) falls to the Russians.

The Americans and British are determined to take it back however, and launch another attack, and shatter both Russian corps and drive them out of the city and the British reoccupy it. Then they attack again, smashing the Russians in Padua, and retake that city as well, and the front is nearly completely restored except for Venice.

Losses
Italians
Trieste and Venice fall, 6 corps destroyed, 1 fighter unit destroyed, 600,000 casualties including 100,000 prisoners, plus 1000 aircraft. In addition, nearly 2 million refugees, and 300,000 civilian casualties.
American losses
200 aircraft, 20,000 casualties
British losses
20,000 casaulties
Russian losses
1 corps destroyed, 4 corps broken (they come back next turn in Ukraine after being reorganized), 1 fighter unit destroyed, 200,000 casualties including 20,000 prisoners, 1000 aircraft lost
German losses
3 corps destroyed, 1 corps broken (comes back next turn in Bavaria), 2 fighter units destroyed, 320,000 casualties including 50,000 prisoners, 2,000 aircraft destroyed,
Yugoslav losses
2 corps destroyed, 200,000 casualties
Czech losses
1 corps destroyed, 1 corps roken (comes back next turn in Prague), 120,000 casualties including 40,000 prisoners
French losses
2 corps destroyed, 200,000 casualties

The Italian Army has been reduced to 3 corps and 1 HQ holding off the French, 2 headquarters south of the River Po, and 4 infantry corps due to show up in July, plus 2 fighter units, 1 bomber unit and the Italian Navy.

However, the US has 2 mechanized corps, 2 mountain corps and 1 HQ in Italy, plus 2 fighters and 1 bomber, the UK has 2 mechanized corps and 1 HQ, the Colombians 1 infantry corps and 1 fighter unit, and additional assistance is about to be provided.

AFRICA
Madagascar finally surrenders and that campaign comes to an end. Meanwhile, an Ecuadorian task force lands troops at Djibouti (French Somalia) and occupies that weakly defended area, securing the Horn of Africa.

In Tunisia, American bombers pound Tunis (ooc, disorganizing one of the two French corps) and the American 3rd Army assaults the city, which falls after both French corps are shattered, along with an American corps. North Africa is now entirely under allied control.

Losses
US 1 cavalry corps destroyed and 100,000 casualties
Ecuador 3,000 casualties
French 2 corps destroyed, 200,000 casualties including 150,000 prisoners

In the US, the Pulitzer Price winning political cartoon for 1925 features the ghosts of Romeo and Juliet crying over the a ruin marked Verona. Under the cartoon is the caption "In fair Verona, where we lay our scene."

The Union of South Africa is raising another Corp of troops. The 2nd Zuid Afrika Korp will be an inheemse eenheid, or native unit. The black soldiers will be commanded by white officers and non-coms of the Active Citizen Force.

The 1st ZAK will be rerouted to supplement other LTA operations. The 2nd ZAK will be used to help secure LTA-held territory in Africa.

The French High Command orders the Mediterranean fleet to attack Allied convoys approaching Italy in the Tyrrhenian Sea. In addition, it will provide distant cover to a convoy carrying needed reinforcements to Corsica, which the High Command is worried may see an Allied invasion soon.

French Med Fleet:
Battleships Bretagne, Lorraine, Provence, Light Cruisers Duguay Trouin, Lamotte-Picquet, Duqesne, Tourville, Victor Hugo, Jules Ferry, Carrier Bearn, plus 30 DDs

The French also has substantial naval aircraft available as well (ooc, 1 nav air counter).

On May 1, the French fleet sorties, even as the guns open fire as the Pact begins offensives on three major fronts in northern Italy. The French sortie is quickly spotted however, and a pair of American submarines radios warnings to the Allied command center at Malta. (ooc and also fires torpedoes and miss). The French manage to damage one of the American boats however, and drives both off.

On May 1, there are 6 convoys in the Tyrrhenian, with 3 outbound for Gibraltar and 3 inbound. A total of 200 merchant ships and transports escorted by 40 Allied destroyers. Providing distant cover is a small force of 2 Italian cruisers and 10 destroyers, plus several Italian submarines, and the Italian battle fleet is on 12 hour alert status as a reaction force. Normally the American 6th Fleet is available, but its battleships and destroyers are providing gunfire support for the American assault on Tunis.

However, the British carriers Hermes and Eagle, with 6 light cruisers and 10 destroyers are escorting a major American troop convoy, and within range to assist.

The French are able to get through the narrow waters separately Elba and Corsica without much trouble escorted by their naval aircraft and by dawn are approaching the principal sea lane between Naples and Gibraltar. However, an Italian submarine and a British search plane from the Hermes spot the French, and the Italian battle fleet, which had left harbor a few hours earlier, steams northwest to intercept, while the British close in from the west, the Italian Lingarian fleet closes in from the north and the convoys either reverse course or turn sharply south.

Just after dawn, the French spot the Italians, and launch air strikes from the Bearn as well as aircraft staging out of Corsica. Torpedoes severely damage the battleship Dante Alegheri, forcing it to turn back, but fighters from the Vittorio Emmanule and flak manage to down 8 planes from the Bearn and 35 land based aircraft. The French are unable to locate the British squadron and miss completely the cruisers and destroyers coming in from the north, which intercept the French as they turn back into the wind to recover aircraft. The Italians immediately attack, determined to die bravely like their comrades have done ashore, and indeed they do sacrifice themselves. The entire force, the cruisers San Giorgio, San Marco and 10 destroyers are sunk or left sinking, but they manage to torpedo 5 French destroyers in return, all of which sink as well.

But the engagement allows the Italian fleet, fast ships all (although under armored) to close on the French and at noon a full scale fleet engagement begins. Heavy caliber shellfire sinks the Bretagne, and damages the Lorraine and Leonardo de Vinci, while the cruisers Victor Hugo, Jules Ferry, Basilicata are left sinking by medium caliber guns, and the cruisers Duguay Trouin, Lamotte-Picquet, Duqesne, Campania, and Quarto are damaged, and 6 French and 2 Italian destroyers are damaged as well. Now facing a firepower disadvantage, the French decide to withdraw, under the cover another airstrike that causes the Leonardo de Vinci to roll over and sink after 6 torpedoes hit her on the starboard side (taking with her practically all her crew).

Somewhat battered, the Italians decide not to pursue, but air strikes from the British carriers manage to sink 6 more French destroyers, and an American submarine heavily damages the Provence.

The Allied sea lanes remain open.

French losses
Battleship Bretagne, cruisers Victor Hugo, Jules Ferry, 11 destroyers sunk,
OOC 4 points will be needed to repair the damaged ships

Italian losses
Battleship Leonardo De Vinci, cruisers Basilicata, San Giorgio, San Marco, 10 destroyers
OOC 4 points needed to repair the damaged ships (which will have to steam to the US for repairs as the Italians have no points to spare at the moment).

Meanwhile in the Atlantic, the war at sea undergoes a lull as the French and Germans are working on bringing up the number of submarines they have available to make a stronger attack later. The vast stream of Allied merchant ships and convoys continues between the Americas and the Old World. As June ends however, French and German submarines and Zeppelins spot nearly 3,000 ships near Portugal and northern Spain, apparently heading straight for them.

The Chilean Navy reports the a French flag freighter has been interdicted attempting to enter the Straits of Magellan. It is being escorted to port in Tierra Del Fuego by the Cruiser Anotfagosta.

President Jose Luis Tamayo applauds the victory in French Somalia. He give his sympathy to the Italian Government. He hopes one day we will crush the Warsaw Pact.

The British and Indians pull back behind the mountains seperating Afghanistan and British India (modern day Pakistan). The Russians occupy the rest of Afghanistan and complete their rail line from Kabul to Samarkand and to the rest of Russia.

Both sides prepare for continued operations in July. The Russians are joined by an Afghani Cav corps (ooc representing the northern tribes while the British get a partisan attack each turn against the Russian, representing the southern Afghani tribes)

The war has gone on for a year, and the massive bloodletting in Italy has hurt the Pact as much as the Italians.

Russian forces Deployment: July 1925
Siberia: 6 Infantry, 1 Garrison, 1 HQ unit (all near Vladivostock) plus 1 Infantry in Sakkalin, plus 2 Infantry at Chita. 1 fighter unit at Vladivostok
Pacific Fleet: 1 submarines, 1 Naval air unit,
Central Asia: 1 Mountain, 8 Infantry, 7 cavalry, 1 HQ, 1 fighter unit (all near Tashkent or approaching Afghani border)
Western area: 2 Infantry, plus 1 Garrison, 1 infantry in Moscow
Ukraine/ Caucasus: 12 Infantry, 12 Cavalry
Poland: 2 Infantry,
Italy: 6 Infantry, 4 mechanized, 1 HQ, 2 fighter units, 4 bomber units
Black Sea Fleet: 1 submarine, 1 merchant shipping unit, 1 amphib unit,
Atlantic Fleet (at St. Nazaire) 2 capital ships, 1 light ship

losses to date: 3 infantry, 1 amphib unit, 1 cavalry, 1 fighter, 1 naval air unit, 4 capital ships, 5 light ships, 3 submarines, 1 merchant shipping unit
casualties: 600,000 (including 120,000 dead)

newly completed: in May a rail line was completed running from Tashkent to Kabul (Afghanistan), another was completed from Alma Ata to Urumchi (China, providing an alternate to the Trans Siberian), and the Trans Siberian was converted from a double track rail line to a quadruple track rail line. Chita has been converted into a fortified area

Under construction (date available)
Sept 1 sub
Nov 1 light ship (20 destroyers) in Baltic
Jan 26 1 light ship (20 destroyers) in Black Sea, 1 light ship (5 light cruisers) in Baltic

Russia will not have points to spend again until Jan 1926

Russian submarines and warships are built in either the Black Sea or Baltic Sea. They may transfer by river and canal to Murmansk from the Baltic Sea, but Black Sea ships must start in Black Sea and travel by sea to move elsewhere. Submarines built in either the Black Sea or Baltic Sea can be transferred by rail to Vladistock. This takes 2 turns to accomplish. Russian Atlantic Fleet was the major part of the Black Sea fleet that suffered defeat near Gibraltar early in the war and recently completed repairs.


German Forces July 1925
Germany: 12 Inf (guarding coast and western borders), 1 HQ, 2 Inf, 1 Alpine, 1 heavy artillery unit, 1 paratrooper, 1 air transport unit, 1 fighter unit, 1 naval air unit,
High Seas Fleet: 2 capital ships, 2 light ships, 4 submarines
Atlantic Fleet (Brest): 1 capital ship, 3 light ships,
Italy: 2 Alpine, 2 Inf, 1 Armor, 1 mech, 2 HQ, 2 fighter units, 2 bomber units,

Losses to date: 1 Zeppelin unit, 1 capital ship, 3 light ships, 3 submarines, 15 Inf, 2 Alpine, 3 fighter units, casualties 2,000,000 including 300,000 dead, 150,000 POW, total colonial territorial losses

Under construction (date available)
Sept 1 sub, 2 bomber units, 3 fighter units, 1 paratrooper, 1 air transport unit, 2 flak units, 1 heavy artillery unit,
Nov 1 sub, 3 bomber units, 4 fighter units, 2 flak units, 2 naval air units

No other points available again until Jan 1926

French Forces
France 1 Alpine, 5 Inf (Cherbourg, Le Havre, Bordeaux, Calais, Verdun), 3 garrison (Paris, Brest, Corsica), 1 flak unit (Brest), 1 nav air unit, 1 fighter unit,
Italy: 1 armored corps, 3 mechanized corps, 1 Inf, 1 Alpine, 2 artillery, 2 HQ, 1 fighter unit, 2 bomber units,
Spain: 1 fighter unit, 1 nav air unit, 1 flak unit, 1 coast artillery unit (both at Tarfa), 1 HQ, 1 Inf
Atlantic Fleet: 3 submarines, 3 light ships
Mediterranean Fleet: 1 submarine, 1 capital ship, 2 light ships

Effective in July the French will have an extra 2 points a turn (industrial expansion). (extra 6 points for the year). They have spent their points for the year at this time, but can allocate those extra 6 points for replacing infantry or other uses.

In May 1925 the French will have radar

Losses to date: 3 capital ships, 1 carrier, 3 light ships, 10 Inf, 1 Cav, 2 heavy artillery units, 2 fighter units, 1 bomber unit, casualties 1,200,000 including 250,000 dead, 250,000 POW plus extensive colonial territorial losses

Spanish Forces
Home Forces: 3 Garrison (Balaerics, Barcelona, Vigo), 1 heavy artillery, 2 Inf (Cadiz), 1 Inf (Portuguese border), 1 Inf (Cartegena), 1 fortified area (Vigo), 1 fighter unit (Cadiz), 1 bomber unit (Cadiz)
Italy: 1 Alpine, 2 Inf, 1 HQ,

Losses to date: 1 light ship, 1 submarine, 2 infantry, 1 fighter unit, 1 bomber unit, 250,000 casualties including 50,000 dead, 20,000 POW

Other Pact forces
Czechslovakia: 3 Mechanized Corps, 1 HQ (plus lost 1 mechanized corps, 150,000 casualties including 30,000 dead, 30,000 POW)
Yugoslavia: 6 infantry corps, 1 HQ (2 Inf, 1 HQ in Italy), (losses are 1 mechanized, 3 inf corps, 400,000 casualties, including 90,000 dead, 20,000 POW)

Important Neutrals:
Belgium: 5 Inf Corps, 1 Mech corps, 1 fighter unit (average is 5 points)
Netherlands: 1 garrison unit (Batavia), 1 Light ship in Java, 3 garrison units (Rotterdam, Hague, Amsterdam), 1 Light ship, 1 fighter unit at home (average is 4 points)
Burgundy: 4 Mechanized corps, 1 HQ unit (average is 7 points)
Switzerland: 1 Alpine, 1 Inf, 2 garrison (Bern, Zurich), 1 fighter unit (average is 7 points)
Sweden: 2 Alpine (actually arctic trained, but same type of troops), 2 Inf, 1 garrison (Stockhom), 2 light ships, 1 submarine, 1 fighter unit, 1 bomber unit, 1 fortified area (Stockholm), 1 flak unit (Stockholm), 1 Coast defense unit (Stockholm)

Both Switzerland and Sweden are almost entirely reservists, but can mobilize and deploy everything very, very quickly, so although their standing army is far smaller than posted, their real military strength is as above.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

British Home Forces (headquarters London) composed of the British Army Home Forces, British Home Fleet, American European Fleet, and associated forces for the defense of Great Britain and also organizing to begin offensive operations against Spain, France and Germany and intervention if needed into the Low Countries and Scandinavia

British Home Fleet (Scapa Flow) (North Sea blockade)
Battleships Nelson, Rodney, Queen Elizabeth, Warspite, Barham, Valiant, Malaya, , Light Cruisers Cordelia, Calliope, Champion, Cambrian, Canterbury, Castor, Constance, Centaur, Concord, Caldeon, Calypso, Caredoc, Cassandra, Calcutta, Cairo, Colombo, Danaae, Dauntless, Delhi, Despatch, Diomede, Dublin, Emerald, 41 destroyers, 60 fleet submarines plus 30 converted liners, sloops and other misc patrol vessels guarding the G-I-UK gap plus 20 misc patrol vessels maintaining the distance blockade of the French and Spanish Atlantic coasts

British Home Army
4 Infantry corps, 2 mechanized corps, 2 headquarters, 3 fighter units, 3 bomber units, 3 garrisons (Scapa Flow, Dover, Portsmouth, with fortified areas),

in addition Britian effective July gets +1 points per turn (industrial expansion), and Canada gets

British Builds
Sept 1 light ship, 1 submarine,
Nov 1 light ship,
Jan 26 1 light ship
Mar 26 1 carrier, 1 Can Light ship
May 26 1 capital ship

British Force Z (Liverpool) (amphibious operations)
Battleships Resolution, Arizona (US), California (US) Carrier Hermes, 20 destroyers, plus 10 monitors available for shore bombardment

US 7th Fleet (Charleston)( US amphibious operations)
Carriers Roosevelt, McKinley, Washington, Lincoln, Battleships New Mexico, Mississippi, Idaho, Pennsylvania , 20 destroyers,

Iberian Front
Portugese Army 2 Inf corps, 1 mountain corps, 1 light ship
US Expeditionary Force 2 amphib units, 12 mechanized corps, 1 HQ, 3 fighters, 3 bombers, 2 nav air, 2 transport air,
UK Expeditionary Force 2 Amphib units, 2 mechanized corps, 2 HQ, 2 fighters, 2 bombers, 1 nav air

(it will take two turns for all of this to reach Spain and Portugal, but that is what is on the way or designated)

Mediterranean Command (headquarters Malta) composed of the Mediterranean (British), Moroccan (American), Libyan (Italian) and Egyptian (British) operations areas. In addition, the Italians also have the Italian Front (Italian command) and their navy will work in cooperation with Mediterranean Command

Italian Front
6 Italian Infantry corps, 1 Italian Alpine corps, 3 Italian HQ units, 1 US HQ unit, 2 US mechanized corps, 2 US mountain corps, 1 UK HQ unit, 2 UK mechanized corps, 1 Colombian Infantry corps, 1 Colombian fighter unit, 2 US fighter unit, 2 Italian fighter units, 1 Italian bomber unit, 1 Italian naval air unit, 1 US bomber unit

African Front
1 UK garrison unit (Port Said), 2 UK infantry corps (Suez), 1 UK Cavalry Corps (Sudan), 1 UK Inf corps (Kenya), 1 UK Inf Corps (Aden), 1 Italian garrison unit (Tripoli), 2 US mechanized corps (Tunisia), 1 US HQ unit (Tunisia), 1 Moroccan Cavalry corps (Algeria), 2 Moroccan garrison units (Tangiers and Casablanca), 3 US fighter units (Morocco), 2 US naval air units (Morocco), 1 SA African mechanized corps (South Africa), 1 SA Inf corps (South Africa), 1 Argentine Inf (Madagascar), 1 SA garrison unit (with fortification at Capetown)

South Africa gets +1 point beginning July for industrial expansion

American 6th Fleet (Casablanca)(Gibraltar / Algerian blockade)
Battleships Colorado, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, 10 destroyers, 30 fleet submarines,

British Mediterranean Fleet (Malta)
Light cruisers Chatham, Dublin, Southhampton, Birmingham, Lowestoft, Adelaide, Nottingham, Caroline, 20 destroyers, 20 fleet submarines

Italian Mediterranean Fleet (Naples, Taranto, Syracuse, Brindisi, Genoa)
Adriatic Force
Light Cruisers Pisa, Arnalfi, 10 destroyers, 20 submarines

Ligurian Force
20 submarines,

Taranto Force
Light cruisers Basilicata, Campania, Quarto, Nino Bixio, Marsala, 9 destroyers, 5 training submarines

Naples Force
Battleships Conte Di Cavour, Giulio Caseare, Carrier Vittorio Emanuele, 20 destroyers

Atlantic area (headquarters in Belfast) composed of North Atlantic (British), Western Approaches (British), South Atlantic (American) and Central Atlantic (British) operations areas

American 2nd Fleet (Dublin)
Battle cruisers Hood (UK), Renown (UK), Sheridan (Colombia), Salvador (Colombia), Carriers Lexington, Saratoga, Light cruisers Omaha, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Marblehead, Trenton, Detroit, Concord, Richmond, Memphis, 10 destroyers, 10 Colombian destroyers

Allied 10th Fleet - Escort Command Atlantic (bases in New York, Norfolk, Liverpool, Iceland, Halifax, and Bermuda) (also backs up auxiliary cruisers and patrol ships watching the G-I-UK gap and covers North American East Coast) US carriers, Light Cruisers Houston, San Diego, Brooklyn, Boston, San Francisco, Albany, 52 US destroyers, 40 British Destroyers, 25 Canadian Destroyers, 40 US sub chasers, 10 US gunboats,

British Western Approaches
60 subchasers and corvettes, 10 training submarines (also backed up by Escort Command)

Southern Area (headquarters in Capetown) composed of the African (British), Indian Ocean (British) and South Asian (British) operations areas.

(see African front)

Southern Fleet (Capetown)
Carrier Eagle, Light Cruisers Natal (RSAN), Durban (RSAN), Capetown (RSAN), Pretoria (RSAN), 10 RSAN destroyers, plus Argentine Expeditionary Force and its naval element (2 semi dreadnoughts, various escorts), plus 10 British monitors, 20 SA submarines

Asian Area (headquarters Tokyo) composed of Northern Pacific (American), Western Pacific (Japanese), Japanese Home Forces (Japan), Philippines (American), and Malaysian (British) operations areas, and also responsible for organizing to begin offensive operations against French Indochina, Russian Siberia, and if necessary, other parts of Asia.

Japanese Home Army
12 Inf, 2 Ampib Inf, 3 HQ, 2 fighter, 2 nav air, 1 bomber

builds
Sept 1 shipping unit
Nov
Jan 26
Mar 26
May 26 1 carrier

Japanese Combined Fleet (Sasebo)
Battleships Nagato, Mikasa, Fuso, Yamashiro, Hyuga, Carriers Kaga, Akagi, light cruisers Kimu, Naara, Yubari, Sendai, 10 destroyers

Japanese Escort Fleet
Heavy cruisers Furutaka, Kako, Nachi, Myoko, Kitsugari, Aoba, Kinugasa, Haguro, Ashigara, light curisers Kitakami, Oi, Kiso, Naka, Jintsu, 100 destroyers, 40 corvettes

US 11th Fleet (Cavite)
30 US Fleet Submarines

Japanese Southern Fleet (Taipei)
Battleship Kirishima, Haruna, Carriers Kongo, Hiei, 20 destroyers

British Eastern Fleet (Singapore)
Battle cruiser Repulse (RAN), 10 destroyers (RAN/RNZN)

South Asian Area (headquarters Delhi), composed of Northwest Frontier area (British), Burma area (British), Indian Approaches (British),

Indian Army
7 Inf, 1 Anzac Cav, 1 HQ (Pakistan area), 2 Garrison (Delhi, Ceylon)
1 Inf (Burma)
1 UK Inf (Malaya)
1 US Inf, 1 US HQ (Ceylon)
1 Anzac Amphib (Ceylon)

British Indian Ocean Fleet
Indian Navy plus Light cruisers Carysfort, Cleopartra, Comos, Conquest,

South Pacific Area (Headquarters Hawaii) composed of Eastern Pacific (American), South Pacific (American), Southwest Pacific (Australian), Southeast Pacific (Chilean)

US 5th Fleet (Pearl Harbor)
Light cruisers Honolulu, Juneau, Manila, San Juan, New Orleans, Charleston, St. Louis, Charleston, Colombia, Minneapolis, 25 destroyers, 5 gunboats,

Australian Pacific Fleet
Light cruisers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, 5 destroyers, 10 gunboats

North American Home Forces (headquarters Washington) composed of the North American Eastern Sea Frontier (American), Caribbean (American), Colombian Home Forces (Colombia), US Army Home Army (American), Canadian Home Army (Canada), Western Sea Frontier (American) and Alaskan area (American)

Colombian Home Army
1 Alpine, 1 Mech corps, 2 fighters

US Home Army
Alaska 1 Inf
Hawaii 1 Inf
US Home Army 7 mechanized corps, 2 nav air unit, 1 bomber unit, 1 fighter unit,

US Sealift 20 shipping counters (10 million tons)

US builds
Sept / Oct 3 light ships
Nov / Dec 3 light ships
1926
Jan / Feb 3 light ships, 1 capital ship
Mar / Apr 3 light ships, 1 capital ship
May / June Radar becomes available

US 1st Fleet (San Francisco)
40 subchasers, US Coast Guard Pacific,

US 8th Fleet (New York City)
40 subchasers, 10 training submarines, US Coast Guard Atlantic, US Coast Guard Gulf of Mexico,

US 4th Fleet (Colon)
40 subchasers, US Coast Guard Caribbean,

LTA losses
US -- 2 capital ships, 2 light ships, 1 shipping unit, 1 cavalry (casualties 200,000 including 40,000 dead)
UK -- 2 capital ships, 2 light ships, 2 shipping units (40,000 casualties including 10,000 dead)
India -- 1 cav (100,000 casualties, 20,000 of which are dead, another 10,000 POW)
Italy -- 1 capital ship, 2 light ships, 1 shipping unit, 29 infantry, 2 fighter units, 2 artillery units, casualties 3 million (600,000 dead, 200,000 POW)
Japan -- 1 carrier unit, 1 capital ship, 2 light ship, 2 shipping unit, 1 inf, (150,000 casualties including 100,000 dead, no POWs)

(ooc in progress of updating)

OOC: As I said my army would be fully functioning by april-may 1925 so i now have 20 50,000 Person* armys totalling 1,000,000 people

*person because women are being allowed into the army like the soviets in WWII

OOC: As I said my army would be fully functioning by april-may 1925 so i now have 20 50,000 Person* armys totalling 1,000,000 people

*person because women are being allowed into the army like the soviets in WWII

That works out to be the strength posted above. A Corps represents roughly 100,000 troops including support troops and misc other attachments in addition to the divisions that are part of it.

Some nations have bigger corps than others, and some smaller, but the average size runs 75000 - 150,000 men depending on the army, the degree of motorization and mechanization, the mission of that corps, etc...

Alright thanks. Also i wont need a sub just move my troops in italy with the french and the rest that are still in Spain are bulding coastal defenses.

Northwest Frontier of India
The Russians, with nearly 2 million men (including support and labor troops) have overrun Afghanistan. A double tracked rail line has just been completed linking Kabul with Russia, and 6 cavalry corps provide occupation forces to ensure that the Afghanis, who have a tradition of raiding everybody in sight, even theoretical friends, don’t cause any problems. This still leaves the Russians with 1 Mountain, 8 Infantry, and 1 Cavalry corps, plus an Afghani cavalry corps, available to invade the Northwest frontier region of Indian. However, the Hindu Kush mountains, part of the Himalayas, and the Toba Kakkar hills, along with 7 corps of Indian troops and an Anzac cavalry corps are in the way..

The Indian Army is concentrated in Peshawar, Kyber Pass and near Quetta, and the Russians decide to demonstrate with 6 corps to keep the Indians in place, while sending the remainder of their army into the Toba Kakker hills to flank both Quetta and Kyber Pass. It takes weeks to accomplish this, but by mid August the Indians decide that they have delayed as long as it is prudent, and pull back to the Indus River, adding 200 more miles to the already lengthy Russian supply line out of Kabul while shortening their own.

Casualties on both sides are light, and mostly caused by exposure and occasional skirmishes. However, the Indian Army is still expanding, and another infantry corps will join the army at the Indus, bringing the Indian Army to 2 million men as well. (ooc including support troops and garrisons).

Siberia
Concerned about a possible invasion, the Russians deploy their army of 7 infantry corps to cover Nikolayevsk (2 Inf), Govan (2 Inf), and Vladivostok (1 Inf, 1 garrison in fortifications) and retain a reserve at Khabarovsk (1 HQ, 2 Inf).

It turns out to have been a prudent move, as the Japanese Fleet of 5 battleships, 9 heavy cruisers, 40 destroyers and nearly 2,000 transports and merchant ships appears on the morning of July 10 off the coast of Govan. They land 2 amphibious corps of Japanese Special Naval Landing force and Imperial Marines along with several hundred landing craft under the guns of the powerful armada. In support of the invasion are all 4 of the Japanese carriers and a cloud of land based aircraft from Hokkaido and newly refurbished airfields in Sakkalin. (ooc, the Japanese have a 3:1+1 due to combat strength, banzai attack rules and naval gunfire support, but it is a win or die situation). In a bloody battle, the Japanese clear the beachhead and wreck both Russian corps although at the cost of wrecking both of their own corps as well.

However, the transports off shore are carrying 2 more corps of infantry and considerable headquarters and support troops, and these troops are able to get ashore and establish a solid beachhead before the reserves in Khabarovsk are able to reach the area.

The Russians dig in, while the Japanese expand their beachhead, bringing in another 6 corps by the end of August while the Russians build a front with 4 corps and ask for reinforcements from European Russia. Those reinforcements quickly begin to arrive, and by the end of August the Russians have 10 infantry corps facing the Japanese. Moreover, the terrain is rugged, and the Japanese advance comes to a halt. However, the Russians do evacuate Vladivostok, sending its garrison and its fixed artillery (which is dismounted for rail shipment) to Khaborovsk, and destroying the port facilities and anything else military useful by the end of August. A Japanese detachment arrives at the port even as the Russians pull out and send word of the Russian move.

Losses
Russian: 2 Infantry corps, 200,000 casualties (including 40,000 dead, 20,000 POW)
Japanese: 2 Amphibious corps, 200,000 casualties (including 100,000 dead)

*cheers* I can log on now!

/irony

However, I have to go to a football game tonight and won't be on until Sat Afternoon. I leave command of the Germans to Jensai, in case anything fishy happens.

Oh, and move 4 of those guarding Corps to Italy. They don't do anything else.

ooc
apparently Jolt is back up so the war can continue, although now I am a bit behind because of the mess the last couple of days.. sigh.. but I should be able to get us all to Monday and January February 1926. There will be an updated build point list coming soon, and I will resolve the theaters of action as they occur and I can resolve them.

After a fit of rage and frustration I have decided to continue as war mod.

On neutrals. Historically neutral states in Europe have been willing to fight in order to preserve their neutrality and soveriegnity. In World War II, in spite of ferocious pressure, the Swedes only allowed on one single occasion the Germans to transport troops from Norway to Finland by rail, and that was in early 1942 when the Germans appeared to be winning in the East.

Belgium, in spite of having a small army in 1914, and with only the legal guarantee of a treaty 30 years old, decided to fight rather then let the Germans simply pass through to France. In spite of German promises that after the war was won they would pull out of Belgium. Beligium in the late 1930s and even up to May 10, 1940 refused point blank to let the French and British even conduct map and survey work in Belgium in spite of the clear threat posed by Germany and bitter historical experience. In addition, in August 1940, Spain and Turkey declined to enter the war on the German side even though the Germans were clearly winning, because they saw that the British were still hanging in the fight (although in Spains case it simply couldnt afford to get involved in the war, also a major factor). Both nations also however had leaders who saw that the Allies were likely to win, and were unwilling to fight them.

In this situation we have 4 neutralis, who have already received from Germany demands to cease trading with the Allies or else, and Burgundy has allowed the passege of war materials and economic goods from Germany to France and vice versa. However, objectively, there is no clear indication that either side is winning the war. The Pact appears to be finally winning in Italy, but that is far from clear cut. The Allies certainly appear to be winning at sea and outside of Europe (except possibly in Central Asia), and so the issue is such that a prudent neutral would be inclined to hedge its bets. So I believe very strongly based on the above the Burgundy and Switzerland would not allow the passage of Pact troops (or Allied ones either), nor would Belgium (although it has a player and should be allowed to make its own decisions)

Regarding Burgandy specifically. Germany had its civil war 1914 -18, and even though historically a far weaker and shattered Germany crushed a communist revolt completely and utterly, we decided to let it slide. Then Germany decided to export its reactionaries to Venezuela and the US said not only no, but threatened war, and instituted a blockade. I also pointed out emigrants typically emigrate to places most culturally similar to their homes or failing that, where economic opportunities (or freedom) offsets the newness and adjustment issues.

So why would German Junkers emigrate to Venezuela when they could easily move to Burgundy (where they speak German, its nearby, its in Europe, and its a conservative Christian area), or the US and British Empire nations, where economic opportunities are substantial, many of the them speak English, and the US for example has a very large German community.

That is why I firmly believe that Burgundy would be a home to a lot of the Junkers, and even more likely, the aristocrats for Western Germany. In addition, when Burgundy had a player, he posted that he was building his army, and that was in 1920. In real life, in less than three years, the German Reichsweer organized by those very same Junkers and Rhinesh Aristocrats organized the best army in the world, one that became the basis of the Wehrmacht. The Burgundians certianly would have reason too, as the Germans and French are both having serious political turmoil, and I can see French rightests moving there as well.

These people don't just dissappear you know, if they can't win, they move, and they are going to move where they can move to easiest first. Burgundy, Belgium, and Switzerland, or North America or the British Empire.

ooc
I will game the first part of the turn for both Italy and Spain. This will give players chance to react. The second part of the turn will then be gamed out. Initiative for the turn went to the Pact, and the weather is acceptable for military operations in all major theaters.

Situation at turn start in Italy
The Italians have managed to hang on to 2 of the 3 hexes on the Italian French border and the vital fortifications, and have a 4 point corps in each hex, plus an HQ unit behind that and another corps (essentially in the hex that contains Turn). In addition, they just rebuilt 2 more corps, and those 2 corps (2 x 4 point infantry) are in Milan. The French have 2 corps remaining after the bloodbath of the last 2 turns, 6 point corps facing each of the border hexes (each is also stacked with a 3 point heavy artillery group), plus a Spanish and French Alpine corps (2 x 5 point corps) hold the only border hex the French have managed to take. With the Italians in Milan and Turn, that force cannot advance until another border hex is taken, or Milan is taken, or Turin is taken (any one of the 3).

The Germans have 2 5 point Alpine units one hex away from the French and Spanish Alpine units directly south of the Swiss border. Brenner pass is held by 2 more 7 point Inf German units and an HQ. A 6 point armored corps and an 8 point mechanized corps, and another HQ are in Trento. A vacant hex is between them in Milan. If they move into that hex they remain in supply from the Brenner Pass and can organize an attack south against Verona (again). Which at this point is held by 2 x British 6 point mechanized corps (and is a major city). 4 Russian 5 point infantry corps are deployed in the 2 hexes along the Po River directly across from Verona and Padua (which is held by 2 x American 6 point mechanized corps). The only other hex on the front line is Venice, which is currently not occupied by anyone but is under Russian control. Behind the front are 2 more Russian infantry corps with a Russian HQ (they are behind the group in front of Padua), while still on the border are 4 Russian mechanized corps (taking up two mountain hexes).

Behind the Americans and British are 2 HQs (American and British), while another 2 x 5 point Italian corps (1 Inf, 1 Alpine) and an HQ are in Bologna. The Allies have 1 Colombian fighter, 2 US fighter, 2 Italian fighter, 1 US bomber, Italian bomber able to reach either front, plus 2 US mountain corps are in Rome, 2 US mechanized corps are in Naples, and 1 Colombian Inf Corps is in Florence.

In addition, Germany has 2 fighter and 2 bomber units in Bavaria that can reach the front, Russia has 2 fighter and 4 bomber units that can reach the front, and additional Russian and German and French forces are available. Behind the French front are 1 (6 point) armored and 3 (6 point) mechanized corps, plus 2 HQs, and they have 1 fighter and 2 bomber units that can reach the front. However, until the Alps are cleared up (at least 2 hexes wide) they cannot enter completely. They can add a corps to reinforce the French troops already deployed but that is it at the moment.

As the turn begins the situation in Iberia is that Pact Intelligence has learned Portugal intends to join the LTA, and a massive number of transports and merchant ships are either getting ready to dock in Portuguese ports or will do so over the next couple of months.

Last orders received where to attack however, and the French reinforce their 2 corps with 2 mechanized corps (armor is halved in the mountains, so it isn't much use).

The French can attack the northern most front line Italian hex with a maximum of 40 points on the ground. They committ both fighter and both bomber units in an attempt to disrupt the Italians, who have a modified (by terrain and fortifications) strength of 12. A 9 or better on 2d6+1 will give them on a 3:1 attack of destroying the Italians while not being disorganized themselves, and therefore its worth committing the planes.

Meanwhile, the Germans take both infantry corps, and stack them each with the armored corps and mechanized corps, giving them an attack strength of 28 points vs the UK ground strength of 24 (doubled because of river). If they can disrupt the British, they can get a 1:1+1 which gives them an 3 out of 12 chance of killing at least one British unit and a 4 out of 12 chance of pushing the British out and a 1 out of 12 chance of doing so without being disrupted. The Germans commit both fighters and both bombers to attempting to disrupt the British. The Russians, facing the Americans who have 24 points as well (because of the river), have only 20 points. If they pull the infantry back, they have 4 x 6 point mechanized corps, but that still only gives them a 1:1. The Russians decide instead to use 10 points of Infantry to help out against Verona. Which improves the odds there to 3:2, a 6 out of 12 chance of pushing the British out, and a 3 out of 12 chance of doing so without being disorganized. However, if it is worth a chance to attempt to disrupt the American and British HQs, stacked together, so they commit both of their fighters and all 4 bombers in an attempt to do so.

(next, what happens in the air)

ooc (partial quote for brevity)
The French can attack the northern most front line Italian hex with a maximum of 40 points on the ground. They committ both fighter and both bomber units in an attempt to disrupt the Italians, who have a modified (by terrain and fortifications) strength of 12. A 9 or better on 2d6+1 will give them on a 3:1 attack of destroying the Italians while not being disorganized themselves, and therefore its worth committing the planes.

Meanwhile, the Germans take both infantry corps, and stack them each with the armored corps and mechanized corps, giving them an attack strength of 28 points vs the UK ground strength of 24 (doubled because of river). If they can disrupt the British, they can get a 1:1+1 which gives them an 3 out of 12 chance of killing at least one British unit and a 4 out of 12 chance of pushing the British out and a 1 out of 12 chance of doing so without being disrupted. The Germans commit both fighters and both bombers to attempting to disrupt the British. The Russians, facing the Americans who have 24 points as well (because of the river), have only 20 points. If they pull the infantry back, they have 4 x 6 point mechanized corps, but that still only gives them a 1:1. The Russians decide instead to use 10 points of Infantry to help out against Verona. Which improves the odds there to 3:2, a 6 out of 12 chance of pushing the British out, and a 3 out of 12 chance of doing so without being disorganized. However, if it is worth a chance to attempt to disrupt the American and British HQs, stacked together, so they commit both of their fighters and all 4 bombers in an attempt to do so.

(next, what happens in the air)

The Allies have 2 Italian, 2 American and 1 Colombian fighter unit. They choose to commit 2 Italians to defend the British, and 2 American and 1 Colombian to defend the HQs, figuring that even success against the French won't really help a whole lot.

2 Italian 6 point fighters engage 2 German 6 point fighters (aircraft and pilots are equal at this point). Its even odds, and combat is considered simaltanous and each side gets to roll on the +0 Table this round until a fighter is eliminated.. High rolls will result in bombers getting through, low rolls result in dead planes, and mid range rolls result in planes going home without completing their mission. First German roll is a 10, and 1 bomber gets through, the first Italian roll is a 2 and the Italians chose to eliminate 1 German bomber. At that point the fighters return to base, and the surviving bomber attacks as all of the bombers have penetrated or been shot down. It has a bomb strength of 2, which means it must roll a 2 or less on 1d6 to disrupt a target, and can attack each target in the hex (both corps). It rolls a 1 twice. So the British are disrupted. The Germans attack at 1:1 +1 and get a 7 which becomes an 8. This results in the British retreating one hex (into the hexes where both HQs are, HQs do not count for stacking) and no German losses but all 4 German units are disorganized.

Meanwhile, the 3 Allied fighters battle the 2 Russian fighters. The Americans have a 7 point and 6 point fighter, the Colombians a 5 point fighter, and the Russians have 2 x 5 point fighters (US has better planes at this point, in this sector, at this time). This gives the Allies 15 points vs 10 Russian, a +5 advantage to the Allies. The Russians are rolling on the -5 table, and get a 3, which results in one of their planes aborting (a bomber goes home). The Allies roll on the +5 table and get a 8, aborting another Russian bomber. Each rolls again, Russians with a 7 (no effect), and the Allies with a 4 (and they chose to eliminate a Russian fighter). Next phase the Russians are now facing even worse odds and call of the strike entirely as the Allies are certain to kill at least 1, maybe 2 Russian planes with no chance of losing any of theirs.

Only one other combat remains, and the French attack the Italians. The French bombers require a 2 on 1d6 to hit, and both bomb the single corps, and get a single hit (1 and 6 are rolled). Then ground combat of 3:1 +1 is resolved and the French get a painful 2 on the die roll, which becomes a 3. As bad as it gets, and 1 French corps are eliminated, the other rest disorganized, and once again the Italians manage to hold. (even a 3 would have been better as it would have killed the Italians at least).

Now the Pact phase is done. They chose to spend both of the German headquarters to reorganize their German units plus the 2 Russian corps. The French spend both of their HQs to reorganize all of their corps, and no doubt jump up and down with frustration. All aircraft in theater have been used except for the Allied bombers.

Allied phase
The Allies decide to bomb the German armored /infantry corps stack, and the Russian HQ. American bomber has a 3 rating, Italian bomber has 2 rating, and the American roll a 1 and 6, and chose to disrupt the armored corps. The Italians need a 2, and roll a 6 and achieve nothing. The Allies choose not to attack anywhere, move both of the Allied HQs back a hex, and the UK corps reorganizes the 2 British Corps, while the Italian HQ reorganizes the Italian corps.

Losses first phase
1 French corps, 1 German bomber, 1 Russian fighter, no Allied losses.

combat could possibly last at least one more phase, potentially as many as 3 more.

ooc
Meanwhile, in Spain (remember all of this is happening at the same time).

The Pact still has the initiative and goes first. Looking at the map they will see a rather huge fleet of 10 transport counter holding 6 American corps, 2 HQs, and 2 fighter units, escorted by practically the British Force Z plus 2nd and 6th Fleets (10 carriers, 4 battle cruisers, 6 battleships, 20 cruisers, and 60 destroyers). Plus 60 American submarines are deployed to cover the Bay of Biscay should the Pact decide to leave port to engage. The Portuguese have declared war and have 2 x 4 point infantry corps deployed opposite of a single 4 point Spanish corps on the border (central Portuguese border). This of course is a serious problem.

The Spanish have garrison units at Barcelona and Vigo, and another in the Balaerics that can only move by rail. Units that move by rail are disorganized and cannot move again that turn unless reorganized. Vigo might be needed, the Balearic unit can only move by sea, so only the Barcelona unit is worth moving. The Spanish have 2 Infantry corps (1 5 point, 1 6 point) in Madrid, 1 x 5 point infantry and a 3 point artillery unit facing Gibraltar, and a 4 point unit at Cartegana. All of the infantry units have a movement allowance of 3, and therefore, as Madrid is 4 hexes from Portugal and Cartegana is 7 hexes from Portugal and the troops at Gibraltar can enter Portugal but are 5 hexes from Lisbon the Spanish cannot move into position to bottle up the expected invasion. At least this turn. Instead, they move their infantry to form a line so that they can control 8 hexes to prevent the Allies from just waltzing through, rail their garrison unit and the artillery unit to protect Madrid, along with their fighter and bomber unit. The French have corps in Spain, and it remains opposite of Gibraltar to prevent the Allies from using that as an debarkation port. The French also have an HQ in Spain, and that is near Gibraltar as well, and it moves 2 of the 5 hexes needed to get to Madrid. The French flak unit and coast artillery unit at Tarfa remain in place.

Allied phase
6 American mechanized corps come through Lisbon (the limit of its port capacity). American mechanized corps have a movement allowance of 6, and it cost 2 points to unload. They are able to move to the Portuguese border and beyond and immediately do so, with 2 moving north, putting them in position to attack Vigo, 2 moving south, allowing them to attack the Spanish corps guarding the southern Portugese border, and 2 move up next to the Portuguse on the Central border. Also, the US and Canadian HQs come ashore, the Canadians moving up to Vigo, and the US to the central area, and both fighter units are now based in Lisbon.

The Americans then commit their carriers to assist the southern attack. The American carriers get 4 rolls, with a 2 or less disrupting the Spanish corps, and they get a 2, 4, 5, and 6. Which is enough. The Americans have 16 points on the ground, against 4 Spanish in rough terrain becoming 8 points. The Americans have a 2:1 +1 and get to use the mobile warfare results table and roll a 9 which becomes a 10 which results in the Spanish unit becoming shattered (which means it reappears next turn in a Spanish city for free) but the American roll is high enough that they are not disrupted. At Vigo, the Spanish have a 3 point garrison unit, and a 2 point flak unit for 5 points doubled because of the fortification. The Americans have 14 points (2 x 7 point corps) plus 6 points of sea bombardment plus also bomb using the British carriers (2 x 2 point strikes). The strikes manage to disrupt the garrison although the carriers Glorious and Courageous suffer heavy air group losses (essentially the ship is considered damaged and returns to port and has no aircraft unit the British spend 2 points to repair the air groups).

The Americans attack on the 2:1 +1 assault CRT (instead of the mobile one because of the fort) and get an 8 which becomes a 9. Both Spanish units are destroyed and Vigo falls although both American units are disorganized (they are reorganized when the American use their HQs).

So at the end of the first phase the Allies are in position to advance unopposed across the entire northern coast of Spain, attack the French trying to keep the British contained at Gibraltar, hold 2 major ports (Vigo and Cadiz) and a quick look will show that the British have 10 transports with 4 British corps, 1 HQ, 2 American corps, and 3 American aircraft (1 fighter and 2 bomber) that can come by sea, plus 2 more transports and some more British cruisers holding 2 Canadian Amphibious units, and 2 more transports and some American cruisers hold 2 American amphibious units. While the Spanish have no northern flank, have a front 10 hexes wide that they have 3 units to defend it with (or fall back and they can defend 8 of those hexes weakly). They also face the strong possibility of additional landings on the northern coast, possible landings on the southern coast, and the certainty of substantial additional Allied forces coming ashore somewhere.


Spanish losses
1 garrison, 1 flak unit

British losses
1 CV counter damaged

The new Bolivian president, Mariano Hernando Siles Reyes, wishes to join the LTA. He is less of an isolationist then the former president Mallea.

updated the build points system, and added some more things to build.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9819493&postcount=390

Chile has begun transportation of Battalion A, 2nd Infantry Division to Los Angeles for integration with American Expditionary Force in Spain. The Battalion is sailing through Cape Horn under escort en route to Lisbon.

The Five Infantry Battalions and One Artillery Regiment,from British Guyana, are going to meet up with Five Infantry Battalions,Three Artillery Regiments, and One Marine Expeditionary Unit from Ecuador. They are en route to go to Spain.

The Five Infantry Battalions and One Artillery Regiment,from British Guyana, are going to meet up with Five Infantry Battalions,Three Artillery Regiments, and One Marine Expeditionary Unit from Ecuador. They are en route to go to Spain.


The Brazilian Government is deeply critical of the Ecuadorian state's intervention in European affairs. It seems she is siding with the LTA for some obscure economic reasons and is hoping to profit from the war. She is threatening the interests of our friends on the continent and our sharp dissaproval of the Ecuadorian nations government should be noted.

Regards,
Brazil's Politburo and Parliament.

Secretly


PRF (People's Revolutionary Front) troops, becoming frustrated with the lack of opportunity for conflict in Brazil with the largescale destruction of the rebels since Western support dried up, are considering taking up arms against the Ecuadorian state. Using captured rebel arms, small groups begin to infiltrate Ecuador, linking with local dissident groups and training them in the guerilla tactics honed against the rebels in Brazil. The total dispositions of the PRF is as follows:

76,000 fighters (men and women) altogether.

7,000 infiltrate in small groups over the Ecuadorian borderlands and link with local dissidents and left wing agitators. No action is planned yet, just a training period for local sympathisers.

The other 71,000 continue their actions in Brazil, using guerilla tactics to match the rebels in their own field.


OOC:

The PRF is a hardline Communist body within Brazil and, although officially it is a political movement, it is merely a face for an armed body of paramillitaries under the watchful eye of the government. However, the government is slightly nervous as to the motives of the Front and so is eager to see it used effectively against opponents of Brazil and is willing to arm them to a certain degree to this end. Mainly they used captured American and Bolivian arms that the rebels have been using in Brazil. They are now being deployed, without official governments consent, but by their own commanders, into Ecuador while many of Ecuador's troops are away. Remember, there is NO government assent for this action by the PRF, the PRF has simply taken the above statement by the Brazilian Government as license to attack Ecuador.

The PRF will be travelling mainly by riverboat and foot through Peru to reach Ecuador.

The Brazilian Government is deeply critical of the Ecuadorian state's intervention in European affairs. It seems she is siding with the LTA for some obscure economic reasons and is hoping to profit from the war. She is threatening the interests of our friends on the continent and our sharp dissaproval of the Ecuadorian nations government should be noted.

Regards,
Brazil's Politburo and Parliament.

Secretly


PRF (People's Revolutionary Front) troops, becoming frustrated with the lack of opportunity for conflict in Brazil with the largescale destruction of the rebels since Western support dried up, are considering taking up arms against the Ecuadorian state. Using captured rebel arms, small groups begin to infiltrate Ecuador, linking with local dissident groups and training them in the guerilla tactics honed against the rebels in Brazil. The total dispositions of the PRF is as follows:

76,000 fighters (men and women) altogether.

7,000 infiltrate in small groups over the Ecuadorian borderlands and link with local dissidents and left wing agitators. No action is planned yet, just a training period for local sympathisers.

The other 71,000 continue their actions in Brazil, using guerilla tactics to match the rebels in their own field.


OOC:

The PRF is a hardline Communist body within Brazil and, although officially it is a political movement, it is merely a face for an armed body of paramillitaries under the watchful eye of the government. However, the government is slightly nervous as to the motives of the Front and so is eager to see it used effectively against opponents of Brazil and is willing to arm them to a certain degree to this end. Mainly they used captured American and Bolivian arms that the rebels have been using in Brazil. They are now being deployed, without official governments consent, but by their own commanders, into Ecuador while many of Ecuador's troops are away. Remember, there is NO government assent for this action by the PRF, the PRF has simply taken the above statement by the Brazilian Government as license to attack Ecuador.
OOC: thats funny...........LOL

Funny?

OOC: Remember, Ecuador has a strong communist background, so it makes a good deal of sense.

What I've got in July 1925
Siberia: 6 Infantry, 1 Garrison, 1 HQ unit (all near Vladivostock) plus 1 Infantry in Sakhalin, plus 2 Infantry at Chita. 1 fighter unit at Vladivostok
Central Asia: 1 Mountain, 8 Infantry, 7 cavalry, 1 HQ, (1 fighter unit to Italy)
Western area: 2 Infantry, plus 1 Garrison, 1 infantry in Moscow
Ukraine/ Caucasus: 12 Infantry, 12 Cavalry
Poland: 2 Infantry,
Italy: 6 Infantry, 4 mechanized, 1 HQ, 3 fighter units, 4 bomber units

This is approximately what I want:
Siberia: 12 Infantry, 1 Garrison, 1 HQ unit (all near Vladivostock) plus 1 Infantry in Sakhalin, plus 2 Infantry at Chita. 1 fighter unit at Vladivostok
Central Asia: 1 Mountain, 11 Infantry, 7 cavalry, 1 HQ, 1 fighter unit (all near Tashkent or approaching Afghani border)
Western area: (2 Infantry to Germany), 1 Garrison, 1 infantry in Moscow
Ukraine/ Caucasus: (6 Infantry to Siberia, 3 to Italy, 3 to Central Asia), 12 Cavalry
Poland: (1 Infantry to Hungary, 1 Infantry to Italy)
Italy: 10 Infantry, 4 mechanized, 1 HQ, 2 fighter units, 4 bomber units

Political Initiatives

In August, the Union declares the establishment of a free Pashtun Kingdom of Afghanistan (in modern-day southern Afghanistan), under Amanullah Khan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanullah_Khan), an anti-British royal. Tajik and Uzbek regions in Northern Afghanistan are given independence, while Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are raised to the status of full Democratic Republics (i.e., Dominions) within the Union, with plebiscites scheduled on: (1) union with Tajik and Uzbek areas in northern Afghanistan and, (2) whether to seek full sovereignty or continued affiliation with the Union. This is a calculated political risk on Moscow's part, but the Supreme Council believes that even independent Tajik and Uzbek republics would be sufficiently friendly to Moscow to justify their possible secession, and Central Asians have in general benefited from Moscow's post-Revolutionary ethnic policies. The plebiscites are scheduled for March and July 1926, respectively.

The Ottoman Times
Sept, 1925
The Chief Regional Governor of Ottoman Persia- Seyyed Zia'eddin Tabatabaee(who is of Persian backgound) ,has release this statement on the Russians entering Afghanistan

"The Communist have enter another part of the Islamic world and have claim to free it from British rule, yet they set up their puppet states that are base on non Islamic ideas and made them dependents of the evil Communist empire, I called upon the Ottoman Government to rise up and call this act of Communist imperalism and give its voice of damnation against the Russian Government!"

The Reaction from the Ottoman Government from this offically statement from the Governor was one of mixed feelings, yet the Prime Minster and the President call for him to step down for these uncalled for remarks, The Sultan order for him to step down and Sultan replace him with a new governor for Persia, that new Governor was Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, who did not reflect the ex- governor mad veiws.

Note: OOC: This was part of the agreement with the British for Kuwait, also this guy in rl was very pro British,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seyyed_Zia%27eddin_Tabatabaee

Secret IC:

The French troops still languishing in Chinese controlled Vietnam have begun asisting the Chinese in troop training, getting them up to Western Standards.

Ecuadorian Government has heard that threats from the communists. The President permits no meeting of any Communist parties. Also the border is closed off to any people from Brazil.

The ex-British governer of Afghanistan David Coombes urges the local people and people of neighbouring Muslim nations to respond to Seyyed Zia'eddin Tabatabaee's words with further condemnation of this invasion of the Muslim world and for bringing war to the Middle East. Britain urges any strong minded Muslims to join the fight against the Communist opressors and form irregular partizan bands to take the fight to the enemy. Britain will provide supplies to such guerrilla groups and support them in any way possible.

Seyyed Zia'eddin Tabatabaee is offered a job as a senior advisor to the British Foreign Office on Muslim and Middle Eastern Affairs.

OOC: Much of the above is obviously propaganda designed to bring about a small uprising against the Union forces in the Middle East.

Funny?

ooc
do me a favor and start a new thread for the the Ecuador / Brazil problem

The war has gone on for a year, and the massive bloodletting in Italy has hurt the Pact as much as the Italians.

Russian forces Deployment: July 1925
Siberia: 6 Infantry, 1 Garrison, 1 HQ unit (all near Vladivostock) plus 1 Infantry in Sakkalin, plus 2 Infantry at Chita. 1 fighter unit at Vladivostok
Pacific Fleet: 1 submarines, 1 Naval air unit,
Central Asia: 1 Mountain, 8 Infantry, 7 cavalry, 1 HQ, 1 fighter unit (all near Tashkent or approaching Afghani border)
Western area: 2 Infantry, plus 1 Garrison, 1 infantry in Moscow
Ukraine/ Caucasus: 12 Infantry, 12 Cavalry
Poland: 2 Infantry,
Italy: 6 Infantry, 4 mechanized, 1 HQ, 2 fighter units, 4 bomber units
Black Sea Fleet: 1 submarine, 1 merchant shipping unit, 1 amphib unit,
Atlantic Fleet (at St. Nazaire) 2 capital ships, 1 light ship

losses to date: 3 infantry, 1 amphib unit, 1 cavalry, 1 fighter, 1 naval air unit, 4 capital ships, 5 light ships, 3 submarines, 1 merchant shipping unit
casualties: 600,000 (including 120,000 dead)

newly completed: in May a rail line was completed running from Tashkent to Kabul (Afghanistan), another was completed from Alma Ata to Urumchi (China, providing an alternate to the Trans Siberian), and the Trans Siberian was converted from a double track rail line to a quadruple track rail line. Chita has been converted into a fortified area

Under construction (date available)
Sept 1 sub
Nov 1 light ship (20 destroyers) in Baltic
Jan 26 1 light ship (20 destroyers) in Black Sea, 1 light ship (5 light cruisers) in Baltic

Russia will not have points to spend again until Jan 1926

Russian submarines and warships are built in either the Black Sea or Baltic Sea. They may transfer by river and canal to Murmansk from the Baltic Sea, but Black Sea ships must start in Black Sea and travel by sea to move elsewhere. Submarines built in either the Black Sea or Baltic Sea can be transferred by rail to Vladistock. This takes 2 turns to accomplish. Russian Atlantic Fleet was the major part of the Black Sea fleet that suffered defeat near Gibraltar early in the war and recently completed repairs.


German Forces July 1925
Germany: 12 Inf (guarding coast and western borders), 1 HQ, 2 Inf, 1 Alpine, 1 heavy artillery unit, 1 paratrooper, 1 air transport unit, 1 fighter unit, 1 naval air unit,
High Seas Fleet: 2 capital ships, 2 light ships, 4 submarines
Atlantic Fleet (Brest): 1 capital ship, 3 light ships,
Italy: 2 Alpine, 2 Inf, 1 Armor, 1 mech, 2 HQ, 2 fighter units, 2 bomber units,

Losses to date: 1 Zeppelin unit, 1 capital ship, 3 light ships, 3 submarines, 15 Inf, 2 Alpine, 3 fighter units, casualties 2,000,000 including 300,000 dead, 150,000 POW, total colonial territorial losses

Under construction (date available)
Sept 1 sub, 2 bomber units, 3 fighter units, 1 paratrooper, 1 air transport unit, 2 flak units, 1 heavy artillery unit,
Nov 1 sub, 3 bomber units, 4 fighter units, 2 flak units, 2 naval air units

No other points available again until Jan 1926

French Forces
France 1 Alpine, 5 Inf (Cherbourg, Le Havre, Bordeaux, Calais, Verdun), 3 garrison (Paris, Brest, Corsica), 1 flak unit (Brest), 1 nav air unit, 1 fighter unit,
Italy: 1 armored corps, 3 mechanized corps, 1 Inf, 1 Alpine, 2 artillery, 2 HQ, 1 fighter unit, 2 bomber units,
Spain: 1 fighter unit, 1 nav air unit, 1 flak unit, 1 coast artillery unit (both at Tarfa), 1 HQ, 1 Inf
Atlantic Fleet: 3 submarines, 3 light ships
Mediterranean Fleet: 1 submarine, 1 capital ship, 2 light ships

Effective in July the French will have an extra 2 points a turn (industrial expansion). (extra 6 points for the year). They have spent their points for the year at this time, but can allocate those extra 6 points for replacing infantry or other uses.

In May 1925 the French will have radar

Losses to date: 3 capital ships, 1 carrier, 3 light ships, 10 Inf, 1 Cav, 2 heavy artillery units, 2 fighter units, 1 bomber unit, casualties 1,200,000 including 250,000 dead, 250,000 POW plus extensive colonial territorial losses

Spanish Forces
Home Forces: 3 Garrison (Balaerics, Barcelona, Vigo), 1 heavy artillery, 2 Inf (Cadiz), 1 Inf (Portuguese border), 1 Inf (Cartegena), 1 fortified area (Vigo), 1 fighter unit (Cadiz), 1 bomber unit (Cadiz)
Italy: 1 Alpine, 2 Inf, 1 HQ,

Losses to date: 1 light ship, 1 submarine, 2 infantry, 1 fighter unit, 1 bomber unit, 250,000 casualties including 50,000 dead, 20,000 POW

Other Pact forces
Czechslovakia: 3 Mechanized Corps, 1 HQ (plus lost 1 mechanized corps, 150,000 casualties including 30,000 dead, 30,000 POW)
Yugoslavia: 6 infantry corps, 1 HQ (2 Inf, 1 HQ in Italy), (losses are 1 mechanized, 3 inf corps, 400,000 casualties, including 90,000 dead, 20,000 POW)

Important Neutrals:
Belgium: 5 Inf Corps, 1 Mech corps, 1 fighter unit (average is 5 points)
Netherlands: 1 garrison unit (Batavia), 1 Light ship in Java, 3 garrison units (Rotterdam, Hague, Amsterdam), 1 Light ship, 1 fighter unit at home (average is 4 points)
Burgundy: 4 Mechanized corps, 1 HQ unit (average is 7 points)
Switzerland: 1 Alpine, 1 Inf, 2 garrison (Bern, Zurich), 1 fighter unit (average is 7 points)
Sweden: 2 Alpine (actually arctic trained, but same type of troops), 2 Inf, 1 garrison (Stockhom), 2 light ships, 1 submarine, 1 fighter unit, 1 bomber unit, 1 fortified area (Stockholm), 1 flak unit (Stockholm), 1 Coast defense unit (Stockholm)

Both Switzerland and Sweden are almost entirely reservists, but can mobilize and deploy everything very, very quickly, so although their standing army is far smaller than posted, their real military strength is as above.


this is what was available at the start of July 1925, that turn is still in progress.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

British Home Forces (headquarters London) composed of the British Army Home Forces, British Home Fleet, American European Fleet, and associated forces for the defense of Great Britain and also organizing to begin offensive operations against Spain, France and Germany and intervention if needed into the Low Countries and Scandinavia

British Home Fleet (Scapa Flow) (North Sea blockade)
Battleships Nelson, Rodney, Queen Elizabeth, Warspite, Barham, Valiant, Malaya, , Light Cruisers Cordelia, Calliope, Champion, Cambrian, Canterbury, Castor, Constance, Centaur, Concord, Caldeon, Calypso, Caredoc, Cassandra, Calcutta, Cairo, Colombo, Danaae, Dauntless, Delhi, Despatch, Diomede, Dublin, Emerald, 41 destroyers, 60 fleet submarines plus 30 converted liners, sloops and other misc patrol vessels guarding the G-I-UK gap plus 20 misc patrol vessels maintaining the distance blockade of the French and Spanish Atlantic coasts

British Home Army
4 Infantry corps, 2 mechanized corps, 2 headquarters, 3 fighter units, 3 bomber units, 3 garrisons (Scapa Flow, Dover, Portsmouth, with fortified areas),

in addition Britian effective July gets +1 points per turn (industrial expansion), and Canada gets

British Builds
Sept 1 light ship, 1 submarine,
Nov 1 light ship,
Jan 26 1 light ship
Mar 26 1 carrier, 1 Can Light ship
May 26 1 capital ship

British Force Z (Liverpool) (amphibious operations)
Battleships Resolution, Arizona (US), California (US) Carrier Hermes, 20 destroyers, plus 10 monitors available for shore bombardment

US 7th Fleet (Charleston)( US amphibious operations)
Carriers Roosevelt, McKinley, Washington, Lincoln, Battleships New Mexico, Mississippi, Idaho, Pennsylvania , 20 destroyers,

Iberian Front
Portugese Army 2 Inf corps, 1 mountain corps, 1 light ship
US Expeditionary Force 2 amphib units, 12 mechanized corps, 1 HQ, 3 fighters, 3 bombers, 2 nav air, 2 transport air,
UK Expeditionary Force 2 Amphib units, 2 mechanized corps, 2 HQ, 2 fighters, 2 bombers, 1 nav air

(it will take two turns for all of this to reach Spain and Portugal, but that is what is on the way or designated)

Mediterranean Command (headquarters Malta) composed of the Mediterranean (British), Moroccan (American), Libyan (Italian) and Egyptian (British) operations areas. In addition, the Italians also have the Italian Front (Italian command) and their navy will work in cooperation with Mediterranean Command

Italian Front
6 Italian Infantry corps, 1 Italian Alpine corps, 3 Italian HQ units, 1 US HQ unit, 2 US mechanized corps, 2 US mountain corps, 1 UK HQ unit, 2 UK mechanized corps, 1 Colombian Infantry corps, 1 Colombian fighter unit, 2 US fighter unit, 2 Italian fighter units, 1 Italian bomber unit, 1 Italian naval air unit, 1 US bomber unit

African Front
1 UK garrison unit (Port Said), 2 UK infantry corps (Suez), 1 UK Cavalry Corps (Sudan), 1 UK Inf corps (Kenya), 1 UK Inf Corps (Aden), 1 Italian garrison unit (Tripoli), 2 US mechanized corps (Tunisia), 1 US HQ unit (Tunisia), 1 Moroccan Cavalry corps (Algeria), 2 Moroccan garrison units (Tangiers and Casablanca), 3 US fighter units (Morocco), 2 US naval air units (Morocco), 1 SA African mechanized corps (South Africa), 1 SA Inf corps (South Africa), 1 Argentine Inf (Madagascar), 1 SA garrison unit (with fortification at Capetown)

South Africa gets +1 point beginning July for industrial expansion

American 6th Fleet (Casablanca)(Gibraltar / Algerian blockade)
Battleships Colorado, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, 10 destroyers, 30 fleet submarines,

British Mediterranean Fleet (Malta)
Light cruisers Chatham, Dublin, Southhampton, Birmingham, Lowestoft, Adelaide, Nottingham, Caroline, 20 destroyers, 20 fleet submarines

Italian Mediterranean Fleet (Naples, Taranto, Syracuse, Brindisi, Genoa)
Adriatic Force
Light Cruisers Pisa, Arnalfi, 10 destroyers, 20 submarines

Ligurian Force
20 submarines,

Taranto Force
Light cruisers Basilicata, Campania, Quarto, Nino Bixio, Marsala, 9 destroyers, 5 training submarines

Naples Force
Battleships Conte Di Cavour, Giulio Caseare, Carrier Vittorio Emanuele, 20 destroyers

Atlantic area (headquarters in Belfast) composed of North Atlantic (British), Western Approaches (British), South Atlantic (American) and Central Atlantic (British) operations areas

American 2nd Fleet (Dublin)
Battle cruisers Hood (UK), Renown (UK), Sheridan (Colombia), Salvador (Colombia), Carriers Lexington, Saratoga, Light cruisers Omaha, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Marblehead, Trenton, Detroit, Concord, Richmond, Memphis, 10 destroyers, 10 Colombian destroyers

Allied 10th Fleet - Escort Command Atlantic (bases in New York, Norfolk, Liverpool, Iceland, Halifax, and Bermuda) (also backs up auxiliary cruisers and patrol ships watching the G-I-UK gap and covers North American East Coast) US carriers, Light Cruisers Houston, San Diego, Brooklyn, Boston, San Francisco, Albany, 52 US destroyers, 40 British Destroyers, 25 Canadian Destroyers, 40 US sub chasers, 10 US gunboats,

British Western Approaches
60 subchasers and corvettes, 10 training submarines (also backed up by Escort Command)

Southern Area (headquarters in Capetown) composed of the African (British), Indian Ocean (British) and South Asian (British) operations areas.

(see African front)

Southern Fleet (Capetown)
Carrier Eagle, Light Cruisers Natal (RSAN), Durban (RSAN), Capetown (RSAN), Pretoria (RSAN), 10 RSAN destroyers, plus Argentine Expeditionary Force and its naval element (2 semi dreadnoughts, various escorts), plus 10 British monitors, 20 SA submarines

Asian Area (headquarters Tokyo) composed of Northern Pacific (American), Western Pacific (Japanese), Japanese Home Forces (Japan), Philippines (American), and Malaysian (British) operations areas, and also responsible for organizing to begin offensive operations against French Indochina, Russian Siberia, and if necessary, other parts of Asia.

Japanese Home Army
12 Inf, 2 Ampib Inf, 3 HQ, 2 fighter, 2 nav air, 1 bomber

builds
Sept 1 shipping unit
Nov
Jan 26
Mar 26
May 26 1 carrier

Japanese Combined Fleet (Sasebo)
Battleships Nagato, Mikasa, Fuso, Yamashiro, Hyuga, Carriers Kaga, Akagi, light cruisers Kimu, Naara, Yubari, Sendai, 10 destroyers

Japanese Escort Fleet
Heavy cruisers Furutaka, Kako, Nachi, Myoko, Kitsugari, Aoba, Kinugasa, Haguro, Ashigara, light curisers Kitakami, Oi, Kiso, Naka, Jintsu, 100 destroyers, 40 corvettes

US 11th Fleet (Cavite)
30 US Fleet Submarines

Japanese Southern Fleet (Taipei)
Battleship Kirishima, Haruna, Carriers Kongo, Hiei, 20 destroyers

British Eastern Fleet (Singapore)
Battle cruiser Repulse (RAN), 10 destroyers (RAN/RNZN)

South Asian Area (headquarters Delhi), composed of Northwest Frontier area (British), Burma area (British), Indian Approaches (British),

Indian Army
7 Inf, 1 Anzac Cav, 1 HQ (Pakistan area), 2 Garrison (Delhi, Ceylon)
1 Inf (Burma)
1 UK Inf (Malaya)
1 US Inf, 1 US HQ (Ceylon)
1 Anzac Amphib (Ceylon)

British Indian Ocean Fleet
Indian Navy plus Light cruisers Carysfort, Cleopartra, Comos, Conquest,

South Pacific Area (Headquarters Hawaii) composed of Eastern Pacific (American), South Pacific (American), Southwest Pacific (Australian), Southeast Pacific (Chilean)

US 5th Fleet (Pearl Harbor)
Light cruisers Honolulu, Juneau, Manila, San Juan, New Orleans, Charleston, St. Louis, Charleston, Colombia, Minneapolis, 25 destroyers, 5 gunboats,

Australian Pacific Fleet
Light cruisers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, 5 destroyers, 10 gunboats

North American Home Forces (headquarters Washington) composed of the North American Eastern Sea Frontier (American), Caribbean (American), Colombian Home Forces (Colombia), US Army Home Army (American), Canadian Home Army (Canada), Western Sea Frontier (American) and Alaskan area (American)

Colombian Home Army
1 Alpine, 1 Mech corps, 2 fighters

US Home Army
Alaska 1 Inf
Hawaii 1 Inf
US Home Army 7 mechanized corps, 2 nav air unit, 1 bomber unit, 1 fighter unit,

US Sealift 20 shipping counters (10 million tons)

US builds
Sept / Oct 3 light ships
Nov / Dec 3 light ships
1926
Jan / Feb 3 light ships, 1 capital ship
Mar / Apr 3 light ships, 1 capital ship
May / June Radar becomes available

US 1st Fleet (San Francisco)
40 subchasers, US Coast Guard Pacific,

US 8th Fleet (New York City)
40 subchasers, 10 training submarines, US Coast Guard Atlantic, US Coast Guard Gulf of Mexico,

US 4th Fleet (Colon)
40 subchasers, US Coast Guard Caribbean,

LTA losses
US -- 2 capital ships, 2 light ships, 1 shipping unit, 1 cavalry (casualties 200,000 including 40,000 dead)
UK -- 2 capital ships, 2 light ships, 2 shipping units (40,000 casualties including 10,000 dead)
India -- 1 cav (100,000 casualties, 20,000 of which are dead, another 10,000 POW)
Italy -- 1 capital ship, 2 light ships, 1 shipping unit, 29 infantry, 2 fighter units, 2 artillery units, casualties 3 million (600,000 dead, 200,000 POW)
Japan -- 1 carrier unit, 1 capital ship, 2 light ship, 2 shipping unit, 1 inf, (150,000 casualties including 100,000 dead, no POWs)

(ooc in progress of updating)

as above

Northwest Frontier of India
The Russians, with nearly 2 million men (including support and labor troops) have overrun Afghanistan. A double tracked rail line has just been completed linking Kabul with Russia, and 6 cavalry corps provide occupation forces to ensure that the Afghanis, who have a tradition of raiding everybody in sight, even theoretical friends, don’t cause any problems. This still leaves the Russians with 1 Mountain, 8 Infantry, and 1 Cavalry corps, plus an Afghani cavalry corps, available to invade the Northwest frontier region of Indian. However, the Hindu Kush mountains, part of the Himalayas, and the Toba Kakkar hills, along with 7 corps of Indian troops and an Anzac cavalry corps are in the way..

The Indian Army is concentrated in Peshawar, Kyber Pass and near Quetta, and the Russians decide to demonstrate with 6 corps to keep the Indians in place, while sending the remainder of their army into the Toba Kakker hills to flank both Quetta and Kyber Pass. It takes weeks to accomplish this, but by mid August the Indians decide that they have delayed as long as it is prudent, and pull back to the Indus River, adding 200 more miles to the already lengthy Russian supply line out of Kabul while shortening their own.

Casualties on both sides are light, and mostly caused by exposure and occasional skirmishes. However, the Indian Army is still expanding, and another infantry corps will join the army at the Indus, bringing the Indian Army to 2 million men as well. (ooc including support troops and garrisons).

Siberia
Concerned about a possible invasion, the Russians deploy their army of 7 infantry corps to cover Nikolayevsk (2 Inf), Govan (2 Inf), and Vladivostok (1 Inf, 1 garrison in fortifications) and retain a reserve at Khabarovsk (1 HQ, 2 Inf).

It turns out to have been a prudent move, as the Japanese Fleet of 5 battleships, 9 heavy cruisers, 40 destroyers and nearly 2,000 transports and merchant ships appears on the morning of July 10 off the coast of Govan. They land 2 amphibious corps of Japanese Special Naval Landing force and Imperial Marines along with several hundred landing craft under the guns of the powerful armada. In support of the invasion are all 4 of the Japanese carriers and a cloud of land based aircraft from Hokkaido and newly refurbished airfields in Sakkalin. (ooc, the Japanese have a 3:1+1 due to combat strength, banzai attack rules and naval gunfire support, but it is a win or die situation). In a bloody battle, the Japanese clear the beachhead and wreck both Russian corps although at the cost of wrecking both of their own corps as well.

However, the transports off shore are carrying 2 more corps of infantry and considerable headquarters and support troops, and these troops are able to get ashore and establish a solid beachhead before the reserves in Khabarovsk are able to reach the area.

The Russians dig in, while the Japanese expand their beachhead, bringing in another 6 corps by the end of August while the Russians build a front with 4 corps and ask for reinforcements from European Russia. Those reinforcements quickly begin to arrive, and by the end of August the Russians have 10 infantry corps facing the Japanese. Moreover, the terrain is rugged, and the Japanese advance comes to a halt. However, the Russians do evacuate Vladivostok, sending its garrison and its fixed artillery (which is dismounted for rail shipment) to Khaborovsk, and destroying the port facilities and anything else military useful by the end of August. A Japanese detachment arrives at the port even as the Russians pull out and send word of the Russian move.

Losses
Russian: 2 Infantry corps, 200,000 casualties (including 40,000 dead, 20,000 POW)
Japanese: 2 Amphibious corps, 200,000 casualties (including 100,000 dead)

I suspect some people missed this

ooc
I will game the first part of the turn for both Italy and Spain. This will give players chance to react. The second part of the turn will then be gamed out. Initiative for the turn went to the Pact, and the weather is acceptable for military operations in all major theaters.

Situation at turn start in Italy
The Italians have managed to hang on to 2 of the 3 hexes on the Italian French border and the vital fortifications, and have a 4 point corps in each hex, plus an HQ unit behind that and another corps (essentially in the hex that contains Turn). In addition, they just rebuilt 2 more corps, and those 2 corps (2 x 4 point infantry) are in Milan. The French have 2 corps remaining after the bloodbath of the last 2 turns, 6 point corps facing each of the border hexes (each is also stacked with a 3 point heavy artillery group), plus a Spanish and French Alpine corps (2 x 5 point corps) hold the only border hex the French have managed to take. With the Italians in Milan and Turn, that force cannot advance until another border hex is taken, or Milan is taken, or Turin is taken (any one of the 3).

The Germans have 2 5 point Alpine units one hex away from the French and Spanish Alpine units directly south of the Swiss border. Brenner pass is held by 2 more 7 point Inf German units and an HQ. A 6 point armored corps and an 8 point mechanized corps, and another HQ are in Trento. A vacant hex is between them in Milan. If they move into that hex they remain in supply from the Brenner Pass and can organize an attack south against Verona (again). Which at this point is held by 2 x British 6 point mechanized corps (and is a major city). 4 Russian 5 point infantry corps are deployed in the 2 hexes along the Po River directly across from Verona and Padua (which is held by 2 x American 6 point mechanized corps). The only other hex on the front line is Venice, which is currently not occupied by anyone but is under Russian control. Behind the front are 2 more Russian infantry corps with a Russian HQ (they are behind the group in front of Padua), while still on the border are 4 Russian mechanized corps (taking up two mountain hexes).

Behind the Americans and British are 2 HQs (American and British), while another 2 x 5 point Italian corps (1 Inf, 1 Alpine) and an HQ are in Bologna. The Allies have 1 Colombian fighter, 2 US fighter, 2 Italian fighter, 1 US bomber, Italian bomber able to reach either front, plus 2 US mountain corps are in Rome, 2 US mechanized corps are in Naples, and 1 Colombian Inf Corps is in Florence.

In addition, Germany has 2 fighter and 2 bomber units in Bavaria that can reach the front, Russia has 2 fighter and 4 bomber units that can reach the front, and additional Russian and German and French forces are available. Behind the French front are 1 (6 point) armored and 3 (6 point) mechanized corps, plus 2 HQs, and they have 1 fighter and 2 bomber units that can reach the front. However, until the Alps are cleared up (at least 2 hexes wide) they cannot enter completely. They can add a corps to reinforce the French troops already deployed but that is it at the moment.

As the turn begins the situation in Iberia is that Pact Intelligence has learned Portugal intends to join the LTA, and a massive number of transports and merchant ships are either getting ready to dock in Portuguese ports or will do so over the next couple of months.

Last orders received where to attack however, and the French reinforce their 2 corps with 2 mechanized corps (armor is halved in the mountains, so it isn't much use).

The French can attack the northern most front line Italian hex with a maximum of 40 points on the ground. They committ both fighter and both bomber units in an attempt to disrupt the Italians, who have a modified (by terrain and fortifications) strength of 12. A 9 or better on 2d6+1 will give them on a 3:1 attack of destroying the Italians while not being disorganized themselves, and therefore its worth committing the planes.

Meanwhile, the Germans take both infantry corps, and stack them each with the armored corps and mechanized corps, giving them an attack strength of 28 points vs the UK ground strength of 24 (doubled because of river). If they can disrupt the British, they can get a 1:1+1 which gives them an 3 out of 12 chance of killing at least one British unit and a 4 out of 12 chance of pushing the British out and a 1 out of 12 chance of doing so without being disrupted. The Germans commit both fighters and both bombers to attempting to disrupt the British. The Russians, facing the Americans who have 24 points as well (because of the river), have only 20 points. If they pull the infantry back, they have 4 x 6 point mechanized corps, but that still only gives them a 1:1. The Russians decide instead to use 10 points of Infantry to help out against Verona. Which improves the odds there to 3:2, a 6 out of 12 chance of pushing the British out, and a 3 out of 12 chance of doing so without being disorganized. However, if it is worth a chance to attempt to disrupt the American and British HQs, stacked together, so they commit both of their fighters and all 4 bombers in an attempt to do so.

(next, what happens in the air)

once again, I think some people missed this... the July turn is still in progress as orders are clarified, and I then have a chance to game it and post it

What I've got in July 1925
Siberia: 6 Infantry, 1 Garrison, 1 HQ unit (all near Vladivostock) plus 1 Infantry in Sakhalin, plus 2 Infantry at Chita. 1 fighter unit at Vladivostok
Central Asia: 1 Mountain, 8 Infantry, 7 cavalry, 1 HQ, (1 fighter unit to Italy)
Western area: 2 Infantry, plus 1 Garrison, 1 infantry in Moscow
Ukraine/ Caucasus: 12 Infantry, 12 Cavalry
Poland: 2 Infantry,
Italy: 6 Infantry, 4 mechanized, 1 HQ, 3 fighter units, 4 bomber units

This is approximately what I want:
Siberia: 12 Infantry, 1 Garrison, 1 HQ unit (all near Vladivostock) plus 1 Infantry in Sakhalin, plus 2 Infantry at Chita. 1 fighter unit at Vladivostok
Central Asia: 1 Mountain, 11 Infantry, 7 cavalry, 1 HQ, 1 fighter unit (all near Tashkent or approaching Afghani border)
Western area: (2 Infantry to Germany), 1 Garrison, 1 infantry in Moscow
Ukraine/ Caucasus: (6 Infantry to Siberia, 3 to Italy, 3 to Central Asia), 12 Cavalry
Poland: (1 Infantry to Hungary, 1 Infantry to Italy)
Italy: 10 Infantry, 4 mechanized, 1 HQ, 2 fighter units, 4 bomber units

Political Initiatives

In August, the Union declares the establishment of a free Pashtun Kingdom of Afghanistan (in modern-day southern Afghanistan), under Amanullah Khan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanullah_Khan), an anti-British royal. Tajik and Uzbek regions in Northern Afghanistan are given independence, while Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are raised to the status of full Democratic Republics (i.e., Dominions) within the Union, with plebiscites scheduled on: (1) union with Tajik and Uzbek areas in northern Afghanistan and, (2) whether to seek full sovereignty or continued affiliation with the Union. This is a calculated political risk on Moscow's part, but the Supreme Council believes that even independent Tajik and Uzbek republics would be sufficiently friendly to Moscow to justify their possible secession, and Central Asians have in general benefited from Moscow's post-Revolutionary ethnic policies. The plebiscites are scheduled for March and July 1926, respectively.

sakhalin island fell at the end of June.

Sakhalin didn't "fall." I withdrew, as per my original plan. I just cut and pasted, so there's no need to be a twit.

Sakhalin didn't "fall." I withdrew, as per my original plan. I just cut and pasted, so there's no need to be a twit.

no need to insult, that was like the third time i saw someone posting that you still had an Infantry Corps there.

If I didn't keep insulting you, how would you know it was me?

ooc
things quieted down, so I was able to resolve some fighting at sea

IC
Mediterranean Sea
The French and Germans commit torpedo and patrol bombers and manage to sink along with Russian and French submarines nearly 150,000 tons of Allied shipping at the cost of 100 aircraft and 2 Russian and 5 French submarines. But the flow of Allied supplies and reinforcements to Italy continues.

North Sea July 13 and July 16
The Germans send their High Seas fleet out to draw the British Home Fleet away from the Pas de Calais and Dutch coast and the 2 fleets meet off Jutland on July 13. However, even before meeting, British submarines and mines sink 10 German destroyers, while German U-boats manage to send the battleship Nelson limping back to port and sink the cruiser Concord and a destroyer. The two fleets meet late in the afternoon on July 13, and the Germans discover that British gunnery has improved. The Germans lose 2 battleships, a light cruiser and 7 destroyers sunk, while the British lose 1 battleship, 2 light cruisers and 5 destroyers sunk. In addition, 2 German battleships, 2 German battle cruisers, 3 German light cruisers and 3 German destroyers are damaged, as are 2 British light cruisers and 9 destroyers are also damaged. However, the German fleet is too battered to continue its mission and retreats back to Bremerhaven.

Three days later, when the Germans and Russians exit the channel, only 10 British cruisers and 20 destroyers are in position to meet the slower Russian task force at Dogger Bank. They sink 4 more Russian cruisers at the cost of 1 British cruiser and 5 destroyers.

Bay of Biscay and the English Channel July 14 -15
The German fleet at Brest, and the Russian fleet at St. Nazaire put out to sea, and American submarines immediately manage to sink the Russian light cruisers Ryshelelnvy and Stevegashen, and the German cruiser Coln. Most of the Allied fleets are off the coast of Portugal and western Spain, and are out of position to catch the Germans and Russians when they turn up to the north of the English Channel. However, the US commanded 2nd Fleet, under Admiral Sims, was loitering in the Irish Sea near Dublin, having just refueled, and raced to intercept the enemy at their best speed of 30 knots, faster than the average speed of both Pact fleets. At the same time, the British send up every plane that will fly, and although nearly 100 planes are shot down, they sink the German battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisnau and 8 destroyers and damage 2 more German light cruisers.

Strikes from the American carriers Lexington and Saratoga sink 2 Russian light cruisers, the Stegushchy and Olvazhny as well.

The air strikes also allow the American light cruisers to catch the Germans in a night battle of Slapton Sands, and the Americans send the German cruiser Elbing to the bottom, although French air attacks the next morning damage 4 American light cruisers and sink 5 American destroyers (some of which were damaged from the night action).

The British and Colombian battle cruisers manage to catch the Russians at about the same time of Beachy Head, and sink both Russian battleships at the cost of a Colombian battle cruiser.

The Russians and Germans manage to make it to Bremerhaven but at a heavy cost.

Losses (in units, 1 capital ship equals 1-2 battleships, 1 light ship equals a combination of 5 cruisers and / or 20 destroyers or mix of the 2)

Russian 1 capital ship, 2 light ships sunk, 1 light ship damaged
Germans 3 capital ships, 3 light ships sunk, 2 light ship damaged
Colombia 1 capital ship (battle cruiser Sheridan) sunk
US 1 light ship damaged
UK 1 capital ship (Barham), 2 light ships sunk, 2 capital ships, 2 light ships damaged.

Atlantic
However, the French, Germans and Russians also send their Atlantic based submarines to attack Allied shipping. The Allies now have organized nearly all merchant shipping into convoys, and all shipping approaching the Iberian and French coast is also in convoys. Nevertheless, the Pact manages to sink 360,000 tons, plus several Allied escorts and damage a number of others at the cost of 6 German, 6 Russian and 10 French submarines.

Losses (in units)
US 1 shipping unit sunk, 1 light ship damaged
UK 1 light ship sunk
Russian 1 submarine sunk (Russians were operating with Germans)
French 1 submarine sunk

ooc
land fighting in Spain and Italy tomorrow, plus a nasty suprise for the Pact somewhere

A French naval officer, Commander Darlen, wrote a scathing report on July 31 criticizing the Pact naval strategy so far in the war. "Once again our allies have thrown away their sea power. In spite of strong recommendations from this office (Departmente of Marine), the Germans and Russians chose to challenge the Channel in the teeth of British and American airpower, mines, submarines, destroyers and cruisers and paid the price.

While certainly an arguement can be made that our forces were doomed anyway, at least if they had engaged the Allies off Spain and Portugal they would have done more damage to the Allies. Perhaps they would have done enough damage so that the Allies could not have attempted a landing in northern Spain or on our Atlantic coast. Now, our naval air units are exhausted after the fierce fighting in the Channel and our remaining surface ships too few in number to stop a determined Allied fleet from landing anywhere from Dunkirk to Bilbao.

At least the leaders of our submarines are starting to learn the vital lesson that the most important element of Allied seapower is not their warships, but their transports, tankers and cargo ships. Perhaps now their political leaders will listen when this office urges that from now on submarines ignore Allied fleets and focus on Allied convoys."

ooc
I did hint really, really strongly that the Pact needed to engage the Allied fleets off Spain and Portugal. However, the orders I received (and indeed where reemphasized to me) were that the they do what occured in the sea action post for July 1925. Trust me, when I hint at something, it is generally to your advantage to consider it. I realize that nearly all of you do not have the background in military history that I do, which is why I give you hints.

The Allies held off committing some of their troops and all of their amphibious capability until sure of Pact sea movements. I assumed that I would not be able to consider invasions other than reinforcing forces in Spain and Portugal. I expected to lose or suffer damage to nearly all of my covering forces, which would have prevented any further Allied offensives from the sea this turn, and next turn the weather is almost certain to prevent amphibious assualts. That however is not what I am faced with.

So like I said, when I give you a hint, I am not trying to screw you over.

Wow this war is going to last a long time. It is going to be very blood.

When are my Ten Infantry Battalions, Four Artillery Regiment, and Marine Unit going to get to Spain to fight? Also who is this goering? Is he a new country?

Oooh yay! A nasty surprise! Perhaps Hamburg gets nuked tommorow! I'm so excited. /angry sarcasm

OOC: I'm getting better at calming my firey emotions. Aren't you all proud!

ooc
I did hint really, really strongly that the Pact needed to engage the Allied fleets off Spain and Portugal. However, the orders I received (and indeed where reemphasized to me) were that the they do what occured in the sea action post for July 1925. Trust me, when I hint at something, it is generally to your advantage to consider it. I realize that nearly all of you do not have the background in military history that I do, which is why I give you hints.

So like I said, when I give you a hint, I am not trying to screw you over.
Are you kidding? I've taken your hints before and gotten completely hosed. So what's the difference if I get completely hosed for not taking your hints?

The new Bolivian president, Mariano Hernando Siles Reyes, wishes to join the LTA. He is less of an isolationist then the former president Mallea.

Bump for responce.

Are you kidding? I've taken your hints before and gotten completely hosed. So what's the difference if I get completely hosed for not taking your hints?

when? the opening naval battles were defeats for Russia, but the Russians did inflict some damage as well, and military geography was working against you, as was the quality of your ships. They were good ships, but too lightly armed as they were designed for a sea raiding mission, which you specifically selected instead of a battle force back when I organized and designed you and Parthinis navy.

Certainly not elsewhere this war, as I haven't given you any hints regarding land warfare.

I'm going to complain if I damn well want to. You won't stop me. It's a free country.

The new Bolivian president, Mariano Hernando Siles Reyes, wishes to join the LTA. He is less of an isolationist then the former president Mallea.

Britain would welcome Bolivia into the LTA as long as other members are agreeable with the idea. Input is particularly requested from the dominions and the US.

We can't accept Bolivia. They have been allies with the Brazilians. Plus they are we two gung ho. What is the tech level of Bolivia ? Two that's my guess.

We can't accept Bolivia. They have been allies with the Brazilians. Plus they are we two gung ho. What is the tech level of Bolivia ? Two that's my guess.

It is a Non-Aggresion pact, not an allaince.

We can't accept Bolivia. They have been allies with the Brazilians. Plus they are we two gung ho. What is the tech level of Bolivia ? Two that's my guess.


ecuador if i had my way we wouldn't have accepted you either.
And i'm not interested in Bolivia joining either.


And have you cleared any of these attacks through GB?

Two Artillery Regiments at Vinhais, Portugal open fire at 12o'clock this moring. Another Two Artillery Regiments at Valenca, Portugal open fire at 12o'clock this moring also. A hour later Five Infantry Battalions stationed in each town acrossed the border. At 3o'clock the Marine Unit landed at the Port of La Coruna. Ecuador officers plan on taking everything above Portugal that is owned by Spain. GB can you please say the results. Once the battle is done now we can spilt Spain into two.

no shipping has yet been made available for Ecuadorian or other troops to get to Portugal and Spain yet. The Allies are still landing initial forces and air units at the moment. Other troops, including a provisional corps of troops from Latin America, will be sent to Spain beginning in September.

Argentina suggests allowing Bolivia into the LTA as "cannon fodder" in Italy. Argentina will glady spare the shipping needed to get Bolivian troops to Italy as soon as can be feasably arranged.

South Africa sends a quiet message to London stating that as a Dominion it has no qualms about allowing Bolivia into the Alliance, if only as meat for Pact guns.

Opiate of the Masses, you guys are ruthless...

A secret IC message to all LTA members:

When Britain proposed Bolivia as a new member of the LTA it was not meant as a economic or serious fighting power. It was merely proposed as a member in order to utilise any extra manpower that we can. The recent fighting in Italy and the new front in Iberia have sapped much of the firepower and manpower of many LTA nations. The recent pact invasion of Afghanistan and Pakistan have left the British Empire in some dire straights and any extra manpower is welcomed.

Whilst Bolivia will never be at the same tech level as the rest of our fine nations some of her resources (such as population) can of course be put to good use in stemming the tide of Pact forces, particularly in Italy.

However Britain understands your concerns and will abide by any LTA group decision on the matter.

OOC:

Opiate of the Masses, you guys are ruthless...

Who says we can't be evil too!

MUHAHAHA! The evil British Empire will rule this world with an iron fist!

anyway back to reality...

or why you can't move everything everywhere at once

Strategic movement

Each turn (2 month period) nations can move units around the map using strategic movement, which allows them to move any distance by rail or sea (not both) with relatively few limits.

Air units and ground units can be moved this way, as can submarines (with a restriction). Ground units include all corps, artillery units, garrison units, corps etc. Air units represent not only the aircraft and aircrews, but also the ground support personnel and equipment. Typically an air unit will have 10 ground support personnel for every aircraft, and air units represent between 500 -1000 aircraft (depending on type).

Each country has a limit and that limit cannot be exceeded. It represents the limit of their rail road capacity (in other words, how many trains are available and how much traffic their rail systems can handle). Any unit that is strategically moved is considered disorganized for the remainder of the turn and can only move or attack if reorganized by a headquarters unit, or air transport unit. However, it is considered reorganized at the beginning of the next turn.

A unit cannot strategically move if it is in contact with the enemy and cannot strategically move to a position that places it in contact with the enemy. In addition, if enemy forces block the rail line that the unit needs it cannot strategically move beyond that point (no trains get through) and once again ends its move 1 hex away from the enemy.

Rail moves
US 12 (relevant only if combat reaches North America)
Canada 4 (as above)
Russian 11
Britain 8 (as for US however)
Germany 8
France 7
Italy 4
Spain 2
Japan 2
Turkey 4
China 4
All others 1 (if tech level 3 or better)

Special rule: The Russian railways and Spanish railways use a different gauge than the remainder of Europe. Spanish railroads are narrower, and Russian railroads are wider. Therefore, units that are strategically moved into or out of Russia or Spain count against Russian and Spanish strategic move limits. Once out of Russia or Spain, they then count against the owning players strategic move limits. Example: The Germans want to send a naval air unit to help the Russians out in Siberia. First, the unit is shipped from Germany to Poland (using 1 German strat move), then it is shipped from Poland to Chita (Siberia) using 1 Russian strat move.

Standardizing railroad gauge takes 12 points for each strategic move Russia or Spain has (so 24 points to standarize Spanish rails, 132 points for Russian railroads).

Sea moves
Nations can also move units by sea. They get 1 strategic move for every 2 shipping units available (which is determined at the start of the turn). Units that are shipped by sea can move half of their movement allowance after arrival at a port, but cannot move adjacent to an enemy unit and are disorganized just like units moved by rail.

So for example, in July 1925, the US and Britain have 20 shipping units each, Japan has 8, Italy has 4.

Strategic movement by sea is only allowed if your alliance has control over all sea areas between the embarkation port and debarkation port. Submarines do not control sea areas (they just kill shipping units).


Scale
By the way, a hex is roughly 50 miles across in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Europe and North Africa (and their adjacent waters), while 100 miles across everywhere else (. Stacking limits not only reflect doctrinal limits on front line combat units, but also the rather extensive combat support and logistical support units that are also in a corps. Typically a 50 mile hex with 2 corps and an artillery unit is holding roughly 150,000 soldiers in that hex, of which only the combat elements (roughly a third or less) are actually on the line, and the rest are spread out all over the rest of the hex. Elsewhere stacking can be up to 4 corps and 2 artillery units.

Headquarters units are essentially abstractions as they are headquarters for army groups and theaters of operations and they have support units all over the place. Think of them as more of a place holder than an actual combat unit, but the unit also does represent where the headquarters is physically located.

Combat strengths and movement allowances
Each Corps represents 60,000 men and 3-5 divisions.

Armored Corps – represents heavy tanks that are slow Attack of 6-8, defense 3-4, move 3
Allows attackers to ignore the effects of fortifications (the defenders are no longer doubled). Represents 1,000 tanks organized in brigades.

Armored Cavalry corps – represents combined arms formations with tanks, infantry, artillery, engineers etc designed to work as a team. What we think of today as an armored division. Attack and Defense 6-10, move 6 Represents 2 armored cavalry divisions and a 1mechanized infantry division.

Mechanized Corps – all units in the corps have sufficient trucks to carry all men, and also has significant numbers of tanks assigned. Attack and Defense 5-8, move 6. Represents 3 mechanized infantry divisions (which have at least a couple of companies of armored cars and tanks) plus a brigade of tanks.

Motorized Corps – as mechanized corps, but few tanks and trucks are not generally 4 wheel drive equipped. Attack and Defense 4-6. Represents 3 infantry divisions. Attack and Defense 4-6, move 5

Infantry and Cavalry Corps – US, UK (and its Dominions), Japan, Germany – 3 divisions, Russia, Italy, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, France – 4 divisions, All other nations 5 divisions. Attack and Defense 3 – 10. Move 3

Cavalry (horse) Corps – Same as infantry corps, but attack 1 – 4, move 4

Garrison units -- represents not only garrison infantry, but fixed artillery, antiaircraft units etc. Attack 0, Defense 3-10, move 0 (can only strategically redeploy). If forced to move anyway, becomes an infantry unit at half of its orginal strength.

Fighter units – represents 1,000 fighters and their aircrews (sometimes fewer but combat strength is adjusted to reflect that). Air combat strength 4 -9, Ground strike rating 1, naval strike 0, range usually 4 hexes but can be as high as 10.

Bomber units – represents 500 – 1,000 bombers (single or multiengine, varies). Air combat strength 1- 6 (cannot intercept though), Ground strike rating 1 -3, Naval strike 0 – 2, Strategic bombing 0 -1, range 3 – 15.

Naval air units – represents 500 – 1000 aircraft, mixed fighters, seaplanes, scout planes, bombers etc trained to attack shipping. Air combat 2 – 6, ground strike 1 -2, naval strike 2 -4, strategic bombing 0, range 3 – 15

Air transport units – represents 500 aircraft, air combat, ground strike, naval strike and strategic bombing rating of 0, range 8, however, can reorganize 1 unit, or paradrop 1 unit.

Carrier aircraft – each carrier (which are organized in pairs) carries 100 – 200 aircraft, however, even though carriers operate fewer aircraft than land based units, the level of training is also significantly higher. Landing on a pitching carrier in weather or at night is considered by most historians and pilots as hazardous as combat in most cases.

GB- I am bit foggly about my gound and air forces atm...I have about 70 Inf Divisions, so I am guessing I have about 7 Inf Corps, and I am conventing about two to Mech corp, which won't be ready intill like late 1926 and early 1927...could you help me on this matter...So I can a clear idea where I stand at the moment.

Pact Phase 2
Strategic moves.
The Russians send 6 infantry from the Ukraine to Siberia, and 2 more from the Ukraine to Central Asia. This leaves them with 3 strategic redeployments available for the turn. They send 3 infantry from the Ukraine to Poland (where they will be able to strategically redeploy elsewhere in Europe next turn).

The Germans strategically redeploy 8 units to France (passing through neutral Burgundy). A headquarters and 2 infantry go to Toulouse (Spanish border), 2 infantry go to Bayonne (Spanish border), and 2 infantry go to Toulon (near the Italian border). In addition, a naval air unit is sent to Marseilles.

The French strategically redeploy their coast artillery and HQ unit to Bordeaux (using both Spanish strat moves, and 2 of their own as well). The infantry corps at Verdun is sent by rail to Paris as well. (leaving the French with 4 strategic moves).

All of these units are now disorganized.

Italy
The French move all three of their mechanized corps and their armored corps, with the mechanized corps reaching the Spanish border near Barcelona, and the armored corps halfway between Marseilles and Barcelona. One of the two headquarters in the area also moves toward Spain, and is with the armored corps. This leaves the French with a single 6 point corps and 2 artillery units, plus a headquarters available on the Italian border. They also have the Spanish and French Alpine corps, and both of them are just north of Turin.

The Germans still have 2 infantry corps, 1 mechanized corps, and 2 Alpine corps available, plus a disorganized armored corps in Verona and both of its headquarters are still present (but have used up their reorganization capability for the turn). Another Alpine corps and 3 more infantry corps are sent in to Italy (which means after strategic moves and other moves the Germans have gone from having 14 infantry corps in Germany to 5).

The Russians have 6 infantry and 4 mechanized corps in Italy, plus a HQ (that has used up its reorganization capability for the turn).

Facing them is the following:
2 Italian 4 point corps still holding border hexes facing Nice and just north of it, and are still in fortifications. In Turin another there is a 5 point Italian corps plus an HQ (which has used up its reorganization capability). In addition there are 2x 4 point corps in Milan. On the other side of the Po River from Milan there are 2 British 6 point mechanized corps, and east of them along the river are 2 x American 6 point mechanized corps. The Americans moved up the boot to Rome 2 x 7 point mechanized corps, and from Rome they moved 2 mountain corps to La Spezia. The Colombian 5 point infantry corps and an Italian 5 point infantry corps are east of the Americans and are south of the Po directly across from Venice. The Italians have 1 HQ and 1 infantry corps in Florence.

The Pact looks at the situation. On the other side of the Po are 3 hexes, defended by 20 points, 24 points, and 24 points (adjusted) going east to west. At Milan the are 16 points (adjusted). A German Alpine corps is joined by another so that 1 French, 1 Spanish and 2 German Alpine corps now block Italy entirely from Switzerland. A disorganized armored corps takes up valuable space next to Milan and cannot attack, nor can it attack across the river. The Russians shift all 6 of their infantry units (each 5 points) to cover the line from Venice opposite the Americans, British, Colombians, and Italians. They will not attack this turn. The Germans decide to attack Milan with a mechanized corps (in Verona) and both Alpine corps giving them 17 points vs 16 points and hope for a good die roll. They roll an 8 which costs them their mechanized corps and destroys an Italian corps and both remaining German Alpine corps are now disorganized. A bit frustrated, the Russians decide to bleed the Colombians, and attack with 4 corps across the Po river hoping to bleed the Italians and Colombians opposite Venice. They have 20 points facing 20 points, and get a 8 as well, and the Colombian corps is destroyed as is a Russian corps and all three remaining Russian corps are disorganized (the dead Russian corps comes out of the stack in Venice as the Allies will suffer serious propaganda embarrassment if they attack Venice directly).

Meanwhile, the French decide to try again to clear out that Italian border hex that they failed to get last phase. This time they have 1 infantry corps, 2 artillery units stacked together (13 points) plus both French and Spanish alpine corps (10 points) versus 12 points of Italian defensive strength. This time they are attacking at 3:2 odds and finally destroy the Italian corps at the cost of another corps of theirs. The Spanish Alpine corps is destroyed (as it is likely Spain will collapse this turn and it will go away in any case next turn). They take the hex, but all remaining French units are disorganized.

Losses: 2 Italian, 1 Colombian corps (200,000 Italian, 100,000 Colombian casualties), 1 Russian, 1 Spanish, 1 German corps (100,000 casualties each).

Allied phase 2
The Allies move 2 American mountain corps into Genoa (where they will be tripled in defense as it is a major city in rough terrain), both British mechanized corps go to Milan, the Italian corps there moves south to Leghorn, 2 American 7 point mechanized corps move up to replace the British, and the Allies look at their options. They decide to attack Verona with its 22 (adjusted) points of disorganized Germans with 12 points of British mechanized, and 26 points of American mechanized. As they have forces on both sides of the river the Germans are not doubled in defense. The Allies have a 3:2+1 and get an 11, destroying both German corps while the Allies take the city and are not disorganized. Verona is taken back once again by the Allies (both 6 point American mechanized corps).

In addition, the Americans use 3 of their naval strategic moves and shift 2 mechanized corps from Tunis to Naples. (Which means they can’t move until next turn).

Losses: 1 German armored corps and 1 German mechanized corps destroyed (200,000 casualties)

Pact phase 3
The Pact supreme commander is once again highly annoyed, and realizes that further progress isn’t going to happen until September, but decides to bleed the enemy some more while he can. A Russian 7 point mechanized corps is moved into Venice and ordered to attack the Italians across the river at 1:2 odds. (Russian is hoping for a good roll). The Germans move up 2 infantry corps and with their other 2 infantry corps manage to put together 30 points to attack Verona again (1:1). The Germans get an 8, and push the Americans out of Verona and each side losses a corps. All three remaining German corps are disorganized. Meanwhile the Russians get an 11, and manage to destroy the Italian corps opposite of Venice although the Russian mechanized corps is destroyed as well.

Losses: 1 German infantry corps, 1 Russian mechanized corps destroyed (100,000 casualties each), 1 Italian infantry corps, 1 American mechanized corps destroyed (100,000 casualties each)

Allied phase 3
The Allies decide to fill the holes in the line. The Italians move their remaining infantry corps out of Turin and send it to reinforce the last hex of the border they control. The 2 American mountain corps move up from Genoa into Turin, while the Italian headquarters remains in Turin. The Americans pull out of Verona and spread out along with Po with 1 mechanized corps in each hex and 2 more in reserve behind the main front

Pact phase 4
The Russian supreme commander looks over the situation with disgust. The entire front line is disorganized, but at least Verona is empty. He sends another German infantry corps into that city, along with a Russian mechanized corps, certain that this time the Allies wouldn’t be taking it back. Another Russian mechanized corps is sent to Venice. His last available corps, a German Alpine corps, pass through the lines to replace the destroyed Spanish Alpine corps north of Turin. However, he decides not to attack as nowhere can he get better than 1:2 odds and the chances of getting a desirable outcome is too slim to warrant further losses.

Allied phase 4
The Allies also decide not to attack and have moved everything they can as well. Combat ends on this front for the remainder of the turn.

Total Allied losses July August 1925
3 Italian infantry corps, 1 Colombian infantry corps, 1 American mechanized corps (500,000 total casualties).

Total Pact losses July August 1925
1 French infantry corps, 1 Spanish Alpine corps, 1 Russian infantry corps, 1 Russian mechanized corps, 1 German armored corps, 1 German mechanized corps, 1 German infantry corps, 1 German bomber unit, 1 Russian fighter unit (700,000 casualties and 2,000 aircraft).

Situation at turn end.
The Allies hold one hex on the French border with 2 Italian infantry corps (24 points defense strength), Turin with 2 American mountain corps (30 points of defense), Milan with 2 British mechanized corps (24 points of defense) and an Italian headquarters can support all three positions. The British have a headquarters at Genoa southwest of Milan with 2 American mechanized corps (both are 7 point units), and the river line with 3 American mechanized corps (12, 12, 14 points defense). Behind the American front is an American headquarters at Florence. 2 Italian infantry and a headquarters have been pulled back to Leghorn to hopefully be upgraded into either mountain or mechanized corps.

The French have 1 infantry and 2 artillery units next to Turin, along with a headquarters behind that. The Germans have 2 infantry corps in Toulon in position to move up to the French Italian border. North and northeast of Turin is 1 French and 3 German Alpine corps. In Verona there is 1 German infantry corps and 1 Russian mechanized corps, with two German headquarters 2 hexes north and 2 hexes east of the 2 Alpine corps and Verona. The Russians have 1 headquarters just inside the border and have moved it up so that is behind the hexes of their side of the Po River, and they have 1 mechanized and 1 infantry corps in Venice, and 2 more stacks of 2 infantry corps each on the opposite side of the river from the Americans, and 2 more mechanized corps next to Verona.

The Germans have 2 fighter units, 1 bomber unit, and 1 naval air unit in the area, the French have 1 fighter unit, 2 bomber units and 1 naval air unit in the area, and the Russians have 1 fighter unit and 4 bomber units in the area.

The Americans have 2 fighter units and 1 bomber unit in Italy, the Colombians 1 fighter unit, the Italians 2 fighter units, 1 bomber unit.

The Pact is in position to attack Milan and Turin next turn.

Now for how this would look in IC terms
IC
The Pact launches series of powerful offensives aimed at clearing Italy north of the River Po of Allied forces. Along the Franco-Italian border, the French launch a massive offensive involving 2 armies against the remnants of the Italian 2nd Army which holds grimly to its fortifications in the forbidding alpine valleys and ridges along the shared border. In spite of being attacked from three sides, the Italians hold for nearly 6 weeks, inflicting severe casualties on the French, Spanish and later on German forces arranged against them. Eventually they give way however, and the Pact gets a few miles closer to Turin.

Meanwhile, at the gates of Milan and the ruins of Verona the fiercest battle of the war so far occurs, also marked by the first large scale use of tanks. Massive air battles in the skies about pit American, Italian and Colombian fighters against Russian and German fighters and bombers. The Allies beat off the Pact in the air shooting down over 2,000 aircraft in two months. On the ground, the Pact manages to take Verona three times, while the Allies take it back twice, but in the end the Pact holds the smoking ruins of a once beautiful city made famous in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. However, the German panzer force is a gutted shell and the Allies pull back to strong positions at Milan and behind the River Po.

Meanwhile along the Adriatic coast, strong Russian attacks shatter the Colombian Expeditionary Force and the remnants of the Italian 4th Army but casualties are so severe the Russians are easily thrown back across the river by Allied counterattacks.

In two months of continued savage fighting the Pact has made headway further into Italy, but Allied defenses remain as strong as ever because of the arrival of more American troops, and the campaign is a long way from being over.

Situation
The Portuguese have entered the war and American troops have arrived in Lisbon and both armies have poured into Spain, taking Vigo, and threatening Cadiz and are on the road to Madrid. Through hurried efforts, the Spanish manage to put together a weak defense line at the Portuguese border that was almost immediately flanked in the north and the south.

http://www.fiestavillas.co.uk/images/spain_map.jpg

Second Phase, July August turn
Pact positions
1 French coast artillery, 1 French flak, at Tarfa. 1 French infantry corps (7 point) adjacent to Gibraltar. 1 French HQ at Granada. 1 Spanish 6 point infantry corps at Cordoba, 1 Spanish 7 point infantry at Talavera, 1 Spanish 5 point infantry corps at Salamanca, 1 4 point garrison unit and 1 3 point artillery unit at Madrid. Plus a garrison unit in the Balaerics. The Americans have 2 x 8 point mechanized corps in Seville, 2 x 8 point mechanized corps and an HQ in Vigo, and 2 x 7 point mechanized corps and a Canadian HQ is at Badajoz. The Portuguese have 2 x 4 point infantry corps at Cuidad Rodrigo. The Americans also have 2 fighter units, both based within range to cover Lisbon, Ferrol, and Vigo (the principal ports on the Atlantic coast) and the British have a 5 point garrison unit at Gibraltar.

Pact Second Phase
The French strategically redeploy and pull their HQ and coast artillery unit to Bordeaux so that they can protect that vital port and provide HQ support for units that will be moving up to take positions in the Pyrenees. This uses up the available rail capacity for Spain. However, French mechanized forces organized as the 7th Army rush from the Italian border toward Toulouse in order to either counterattack or prepare a defense line.

Although it isn’t made clear to the Spanish officially, it rapidly becomes clear that the French have no intention of fighting a decisive battle in Spain itself. The French infantry corps and flak unit retreat to make a stand in the rugged terrain around Granada, which provides a southern flank to the Spanish line. However the Spanish do not have a northern flank and have to hope that the French will be able to drive the Americans back if they move around the north.

Allied Second Phase
The American forces in Tunisia and a Moroccan Cavalry corps arrive by sea at Gibraltar and the Americans move their HQ to secure Cadiz, while a 6 point mechanized corps moves up to the Spanish position at Cordoba and the French position at Granada. The other two American corps move to Bardojoz, while the Canadian HQ reembarks at Cadiz for deployment elsewhere. The 2 American corps at Bardojoz swings around the entire Spanish line (using those 6 movement points) and reaches Soria, northeast of Madrid. Meanwhile the American HQ at Vigo advances and secures Ferrol, while the two American corps use their mobility to drive along the coast and reach the Basque port of Santander. The Americans then use their some of their strategic redeployments to bring 1 bomber unit, 1 fighter unit, and 4 US mechanized corps to Ferrol and Santandar (2 US mech each, and both aircraft to Santander) plus 1 Colombian Alpine corps (to Vigo) and 1 Latin American Corps (mixed Ecuador/Colombia/Chilean)(to Cadiz). In addition, 2 fighters strategically redeployed by sea to are sea lifted Gijon.

In addition, a major fleet of several cruisers and dozens of destroyers, covered by the US 2nd and 6th Fleet and British Force Z, and transports carrying 2 US amphibious corps and 2 Canadian amphibious corps arrive in the Bay of Biscay, threatening everything from Bayonne to Brest.

Pact Third Phase
Although no combat has occurred except for skirmishing the Pact forces are in serious danger of encirclement in Spain. In addition, a major landing is likely somewhere on the French coast, and the French only have strong defenses at Brest and Bordeaux, along with some German forces at Bayonne (which are disorganized).

http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/france-map/images/map-france-departments-6-460k-1100x1220.jpg

http://www.flemming.net/estagel/picture/Map_of_France.jpg

They shift their forces so that they have an HQ at Toulouse and Poiters, and send mechanized corps to the La Rochelle area (as far as they can get). Their armored corps is moved by rail to Paris, as it lacks the movement to get anywhere on the coast. The forces holding the Channel coast are forced to remain in place in cast the Allies shift to the English Channel and land there. However, the French Navy, which at this point has 20 destroyers available for action, prepares to make a desperate sortie should the Allies come ashore.

Allied Third Phase
The Allies, covered by 6 battleships, 4 cruisers and 20 destroyers, land 2 US Amphibious corps and 2 Canadian Amphibious corps at Lorient and St. Nazaire (repectively) and easily overcome the weak local French defense forces in the area (coastal hexes have notational defense strength of 1, however the Allies came ashore at better than 12:1, which is an automatic victory with no chance of failure or disorganization).

Meanwhile, in Spain, the Americans seize Bilboa with 2 mechanized corps and those 2 corps have now cut the rail line linking Bayonne, France to Madrid. The 2 American mechanized corps at Soria swing through the northern part of Spain and reach Barcelona, and attack the 3 point garrison there at 16:6 (2:1) odds, and get a 9, destroying the Spanish garrison and taking the city (although both American units are left disorganized).
This cuts the only other rail line into Spain.

The American corps at Badojoz swings around to Soria, putting it into position to attack Madrid from the relatively flat ground of the east next turn. All other Allied units remain in place. However, the French corps at Granada is now out of touch with its supply lines.

At the end of the Phase, the British use strategic movement to bring in a HQ, and 2 fighter units to Lorient (using 3 of their 10 strategic moves for the turn).

Pact Fourth Phase
The French rapidly shift forces. The French corps at Cherbourg is hurriedly brought down to defend Rennes in hopes of preventing an Allied breakout east into the rest of France. The corps at Le Havre and the corps at Calais assemble at Rouen to move south later this turn or next turn. The mechanized forces at La Rochelle lauch an all out attack against the Canadians at St. Nazaire, committing all three of their 6 point mechanized corps (18 points) against 16 points of Canadian infantry plus 16 points of American naval gunfire support. The odds are poor, 1:2 but the French feel they have no choice. They roll a 7, and both the French and Canadians lose a corps. However the French mechanized corps are left disorganized and are in Nantes. The Brittany Beachhead holds.

At sea, the French send their 20 destroyers into action in a desperate night attack and are meet by the Allied Force Z, consisting of 3 battleships and 20 destroyers. The French manage to sink the British battleship Resolution and American battleship Arizona, along with 5 British destroyers, but are completely destroyed, with all 20 destroyers sunk or heavily damaged and forced to limp back to Brest.

In the air, the Germans commit l naval air unit, but this is intercepted by a British fighter unit operating out of England and forced to abort (landing at Cherbourg to avoid being caught on the ground).

In Spain, the French are unable to move their forces as that would disorganize them and units out of supply that are disorganized see their defense strength fall to a 3 (if a good unit) or 1 (if an average unit). As this would reduce them to a 4, they remain stuck in Granada. However, the Spanish hurriedly pull back from western Spain and pull everything into positions defending Madrid, preparing for a final stand.

Allied Fourth Phase
The 2 American Amphibious corps (both US Marines, the entire US Marine Corps), advance on Brest, and supported by heavy navy gunfire support and air attacks from the Fleet assault the French fortress. The Allied carrier planes from the Saratoga, Lexington and Hermes manage to disorganize the Flak unit and the Garrison unit, but losses are heavy and the Saratoga and Lexington have to return to the US to replace their tattered air groups. The Americans have 20 points on land plus 10 points of naval fire support versus a French defense strength (including adjustment for fortification) of 15 points. They have a 2:1+1 and get an 9 which becomes a 10, and take the city destroying both French units at the cost of 1 US unit (ooc, my son the Marine would be proud, the traditional bloody US Marine victory tradition of World War II is upheld).

In Spain, the Americans occupy the abandoned Spanish positions, content to wait until next turn to finish things in Spain.
At the end of the turn, the British strategically deploy 2 Headquarters, 2 mechanized corps, 2 fighter units, and 1 infantry corps (2 fighter units, 1 HQ to Brest, 2 Mechanized corps and 1 HQ to Lorient, 1 inf to St. Nazaire). A fleet from southern Africa arrives in the Bay of Biscay and lands a South African mechanized corps and Argentine at Lorient, which advances to St. Malo, establishing a defense line across the base of Brittany. Meanwhile, another fleet from Ceylon brings 1 US HQ, 1 US infantry corps, and 1 Anzac infantry corps to Lisbon.

At this point the random die roll ends the turn. (random die roll to end turn each phase after phase two, modified by poor weather, so winter turns tend to be short).

Losses
Allied – 2 battleships, 5 destroyers, 300 aircraft, 1 US amphibious corps (100,000 Marines), 1 Canadian amphibious unit (100,000 Canadians), 2 carriers damaged (air groups wrecked)
Pact – 1 Spanish garrison,1 French garrison, 1 French flak unit, 1 French mechanized corps, 20 destroyers,

Now how I would write it in IC terms

IC
The Portuguese join the LTA, catching the Pact completely by surprise. American forces pour into Portugal and sweep into Spain, taking Seville and Vigo and outflanking the hurriedly constructed Pact defense line. By July 20, the Americans are in the Basque country and have seized Cadiz, taking every single one of the Spanish Atlantic ports, and more troops from the US and Latin America arrive and drive into Spain. The Americans avoid battle, and use their superior mobility and the fact that the Spanish are too few to defend the whole front to cut the rail roads linking Spain with France and reach the Mediterranean coast at Barcelona, which falls after putting up desperate resistance on August 15.

Meanwhile, on August 1, with the Pact navies driven out of the area or bottled up in Brest, the Allies land 12 US Marine and Canadian infantry divisions along the south coast of Brittany, taking St. Nazaire and Lorient, and quickly threatening Brest and Nantes. The French launch a desperate counter attack with their mechanized forces, but in spite of inflicting heavy losses on the Canadians, they fail to break through and suffer heavy losses as well and are forced to put together a line across the neck of the Brittany Peninsula. The US Marine Corps launches a strong assault against Brest, and that fortress falls after a costly battle. The British send across everything they can ship, and by the end of August the Allies have strong armies in both France and Spain. The Spanish fall back to Madrid for a final stand, while the Germans and French find themselves facing an assault on France from two fronts.

GB- I am bit foggly about my gound and air forces atm...I have about 70 Inf Divisions, so I am guessing I have about 7 Inf Corps, and I am conventing about two to Mech corp, which won't be ready intill like late 1926 and early 1927...could you help me on this matter...So I can a clear idea where I stand at the moment.

your 70 divisions would form 8 infantry corps, 2 cavalry corps, 1 mountain coprs, 1 amphibious corps, and 2 garrison units. You also have 1 HQ unit. Average strength of your infantry is 4 points, cavalry is 2 points, mountain is 3 points and garrison units are 5 points. Your amphib unit is a 4 point unit. You have 1 fighter unit (which has some bombing capability) which represents you entire air force and has an air combat rating of 3, bomb rating of 1, naval strike rating of 1 and a range of 2.

The French Government made an impassioned plea to the French people through Prime MInister Leon Blum. His speech is being published in all major newspapers.

His speech spoke of the LTA landings on French soil and the battle fought by the valiant French navy. Of the battle won in Italy against the Italians.

A portion of the speech:

"The enemy has brought the fight to French soil and plans on subjagating us and attempt to bend us to their will. We will show them that the French are not a weak people. We will not falter and we will not fail. The enemy will be driven from our soil. He shall not conquer us. I call upon all French people to resist the invader. Dog his steps, destroy his supplies, and send information to our brave fighting men. We must not allow ourselves to be intimidated. This may very well be France's darkest hour since the Revolution, but we will prevail. We will go forward to the light and the enemy shall be cast down before us. This is no longer a war against Imperialism. THis is a war fopr France's survival as a nation."

OOC: Essentially a call to arms to all French people.

September / October 1925

Initiative: Allied (roll was a 6)
Weather: Roll was a 4
Mud north of Pyrenees, north of Alps (and east and west), north of Greece, north of European and Asian Turkey, (basically all of Europe and a lot of Asia). Also in all of China, Indochina, Siam, Japan, India, Pakistan, Burma, Malaya, and the Philippines.

Mud effects: HQs can only move by strategic movement, supply is reduced in range, all units pay double costs of terrain to move. Except for deserts. It is always clear in deserts. Although supply is more difficult (same effect as mud in deserts)

Snow in all mountains that are surrounded by Mud effects. Snow effects: no invasions, no aircraft, attacks reduced one odds level, supply range reduced, HQ units move only half.

Everywhere else has clear weather.

This means the turn will probably have only two phases each, with a slim chance of third phase (2 out of 6 chance, rolled at the end of the second phase).

OOC
(which means I could have invaded France this turn instead of last one, but the weather could also have been clear (a low roll) or an early winter (higher roll).

Technically of course players wouldn’t know in advance the effects, but its too hard to try and get orders constantly when I roll the weather after you give orders and you would have a chance after all to react accordingly in any case.

Weather hasn't been hugely important until now as most of the fighting has been in Europe or occured during summer turns in Asia. However, as the war is getting a bit larger in scope, it will become more of an issue.

Basically you cannot expect to have good weather except during the May June and July August turns in the northern hemisphere and in Nov Dec and Jan Feb in the southern hemisphere. During winter turns expect snow and mud, in the spring and fall turns be ready for mud and sometimes snow, and in the tropical regions like India and all of the regions surrounding the Indian Ocean be aware that Monsoon season is during the summer (north of equator) and there is a chance of mud both before and after that, while mid winter is the dry season. South of the equator in the Indian Ocean reason it works the opposite way.

Also remember that I roll initiative every turn, and there is an equal chance your enemy will move before you.

On September 1, President Cox gives a radio address to the nation from the House floor. It is also widely covered by the Press.

"The French say they are in a war of survival. But who started this war? The Russians declared war after the United States occupied the Canary Islands and brought to an end a rebellion against Spain. Rebels who were using gas warfare against their own people and were an enemy to all mankind. The Canary Islanders asked for independence and like all those the US has liberated from Colonialism, America gave them the opportunity to vote for it, and they did.

For this Russia declared war against us, followed by the French and Spanish and all of the nations deluded by the false prophets of socialism. So we have taken away the empires of Spain, Germany and France, and now we bring war to them. A war they started.

It was they who invaded Italy and have killed hundreds of thousands of brave Italians. It was they who began the war by torpedoeing unarmed merchant ships without warning. It was the Socialists who forced this war on us.

Now they say they are in a war of survival. Well we in the Alliance have always known that we were. The Socialists made their point clear from the beginning. It is time that they learned that we will do what we must to survive.

I call for nothing less the the unconditional surrender of Spain, France and Germany. If not now, then when our brave soldiers reach their capitals and force it on them. I call for Russia to reject this war and return to developing their own nation. The United States has no quarrel with Russia except for the fact that Russia declared war on us.

I call for the neutral nations of the world to reject the call to war by the Socialists and avoid the bloodshed that so many must endure. But if you must enter the war, then join the fight for freedom. Help us liberate the enslaved peoples of Poland, Catalonia, the Basque homeland, Brittany, Austria, and the Baltic peoples. Liberate the Finns, who saw their land stolen nearly 2 centuries ago. Bring freedom to the Turkish peoples of Central Asia.

As we have done for Algeria, bring freedom to these people.

I call on Americans and all of the peoples of the Alliance to Bring Freedom and to become Liberators. Not to some future promise of economic utopia, but to have the freedom to chose their destiny. A choice the British Empire gave India, and Australia and our neighbors to the north in Canada.

Reject the false prophets of Socialism, and embrace the Liberation of the Peoples of Europe!"

On September 1, President Cox gives a radio address to the nation from the House floor. It is also widely covered by the Press.

On 3 September, Karl Radek, President of the General Council at Warsaw, replies on the Council floor, also covered by radio and the press:

Mr. Cox seems to have an interesting view of what constitutes "survival" if he feels that that is what the Allies are fighting for.

Was it survival, then that drove him to seize sovereign Spanish territory in the midst of Spain's Civil War? I think not. Amoral opportunism, more like.

Was it survival that drove him to reject his own country's treaty, that had for years kept militarism on the seas at bay? Expansionism, I should think.

Mr. Cox insists that Moskva declared war. A lawyer could wrangle otherwise, but I shall not bother. Whether Moskva declared war is beside the point when the Americans so patently began it, by seizing another people's land in the midst of their most desperate hour. If Moskva declared war then that is only further proof of our own honor, and of Washington's piracy.

Mr. Cox and Mr. Churchill say they fight for freedom. Freedom for whom? Not for us. Not for the Finns, not for Poles, nor Ukrainians, nor Algerians, nor Frenchmen, nor Germans, nor Turks, nor Indians. Ask the slaveowner what he means by "freedom" and you will get a very different answer than the one his chattel would give. We have already chosen our destiny. We fought our Revolution for freedom, for democracy, and for justice. They fought theirs for the right to own other men. Make no mistake. Their freedom is the freedom of the Spartan over the helot, the Senator over his slave, the Tsar over his serf. The Allies come to enslave us, and that is all. They will not rest until the whole world is owned by their fat bankers and arrogant militarists.

Mr. Cox has an interesting view of the world. I have often wondered how he sleeps at night, and now I know - he is blind to his own evil. We are not.

We fight for our freedom, our homes and hearths, our families, and our Fatherlands. We fight for the rights of every man to stand proud beneath the sun as his own master. We fight because we must, not because we love war, or desire territory or power.

We fight for survival. They fight for conquest. But in this, if nothing else, Mr. Cox is not false. To his kind, survival is conquest.

And that is why they must be fought.

<drowned out by applause>

GB, check you TG's.

What a rotten night.

new unit types available for 1926

anti tank units 3 points / 2 turns attack strength 1 defense strength 3 (doubled against armored, armored cavalry and mechanized), move 3

Katyusha / Multiple Rocket launcher units 3 points / 2 turns attack strength 3 (doubled against infantry and horse cavalry in clear terrain not in a fortification) defense strength 1, move 3

Theater supply units 2 points / 2 turns, no attack, defense 1, move 4, extends supply range

artificial ports 4 points / 3 turns, no attack, defense 1, move 0, can only move by sea movement (must be carried by transport), acts as a minor port or makes a minor port into a major port.

Map can be found here. It is even prettier than the one I have, but the features are still the same. Ignore production centers listed on this map. The resource centers do matter, but do not have the same values. The raised fists are to be completely ignored as well as the various national flags on the map. They are based on 1940 situation, not our situation.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/fullimage/95677

The weather is clear in the South Monsoon and Mediterranian climate zones, all other climate zones have mud. Exception is mountain hexes. All mountain hexes in the climate zones that have mud have winter instead (although the ports don't freeze up yet).

Japan
The Japanese hold Konstantinovsk and the two hexes adjacent to it (1 directly north, 1 directly south). They also hold the Vladivostok hex. In addition, Japan holds Sakkalin, the Japanese home islands, Ryukus, Okinawa, Kurile islands, and Formosa. Japan also holds Petropavlosk, and a couple of hexes on the Siberian coast not pictured (Magadan area)

Forces: 6 Inf deployed in the three hexes around Kostantinovsk, plus 1 HQ in Konstantinovsk. This port freezes up on the first turn that winter effects occur and is no longer a supply port until the first turn that clear weather returns. There are no Japanese forces in Vladivostok yet, but they do control it and can move in forces without having to fight. Vladivostok only freezes up during winter turns (so thaws even during winter months if any result but winter weather comes along).

In Japan they have 2 infantry corps, 2 HQ, 1 fighter, 1 naval air, 1 bomber,
In Sakkalin they have 1 infantry corps at Toyohara.
In Formosa the Japanese have 1 infantry corps, 1 fighter unit, 1 naval air unit

Japan has a fleet of 5 battleships, 2 carriers, 4 light cruisers, and 10 destroyers at Hiroshima, Another fleet with 10 heavy cruisers, 100 destroyers, and 40 corvettes based out of Yokohama, and another fleet with 2 battleships, 2 carriers, and 20 destroyers based at Taipai. In addition, the Japanese have 40 submarines based out of Fukukoa. Japan has 16 sealift counters.

Korea
Is neutral, controls only its own country, and has 2 x4 point Alpine corps, 2 x 5 point garrison corps (Seoul, Fusan)

China
Is neutral, controls all of China, plus Tibet, Mongolia, French Indochina,

Forces: 4 Infantry corps in Manchuria (2 each Harbin, Port Arthur), 2 infantry corps in Vietnam (1 each Saigon, Hanoi), 1 infantry corps in Laos (Vian Tiane), 3 infantry corps, 1 HQ Cambodia (Phom Pinh or adjacent), 1 garrison each Hanoi, Canton, Shanghai, Mukden,

Fleet at Shanghai with 2 battleships, 20 light cruisers, 60 destroyers, 240 various patrol craft (corvettes), 20 submarines, 3 sealift counters (a lot that used to belong to France, Russia and Germany)

1 fighter, 1 bomber and 1 naval air unit at Foochow

Russia
Russia controls all of Russia except for what the Japanese currently hold. In addition, the Russian control Afghanistan (conquered), and India west and north of the Indus River.

Forces
Siberian Front
2 Infantry corps in mountain hex between Khabarovsk and Konstantinovsk. 1 Garrison,1 infantry corps, 1 HQ in Khabarovsk. 8 Infantry corps within two hexes of Khabarovsk. 1 Figher unit at Khabarovsk. 2 Infantry corps at Chita.

Central Asia Front
1 HQ Kabul, 4 Inf corps in India (west of Rawalpindi and Multan), 2 Cav corps in India (south of the Multan group), 6 Infantry in Afghanistan (with 1 hex of Kabul), 1 Mountain unit in India (west of Lahore), 5 Cav corps in Afghanistan (with 2 hexes of Kabul), 1 fighter unit at Kabul, 2 Infantry corps at Samarkand.

Siam
Neutral, controls its own territory, 1 2 point garrison unit in Bangkok

British Empire
The British (or their Dominions) control India, Burma, Ceylon, Malaya, North Borneo, Nicabar Islands, Andaman Islands, Seychelles, Maldives, Diego Garcia, Christmas Island, Australia, New Zealand, Papau, New Ireland, Solomons, Reunion, Maurtius, Madagascar, Cormoros, (basically anything marked CW), plus have joint control of Persia.

Forces: 8 Indian Infantry (2 each) Peshwar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, 1 Anzac cavalry, 1 Indian Infantry at Karachi, 1 HQ Delhi, 1 Indian garrison each at Delhi, Colombo, 1 Indian Infantry corps at Rangoon (Burma), 1 UK infantry corps at Singapore, with an Indian mechanized corps showing up on Sept and Nov turns in Delhi

1 battlecruiser, 10 destroyers at Singapore
3 cruisers, 7 destroyers at Sydney
3 cruisers, 10 destroyers at Bombay

USA
Philippines, Hawaii, Palau, Caroline Islands, Marianas Islands, Marshal Islands, Midway, Hawaiian, French Polynesia, Alaska

Forces: 1 Garrison, 1 Inf at Manila, 1 Garrison, 1 Inf at Oahu, 1 Infantry corps in Alaska (off map), Fleet with 10 light cruisers, 25 destroyers, 5 gunboats at Pearl Harbor, Fleet with 30 submarines at Manila

Other notes:
All Russian and Japanese units are trained for winter warfare and ignore winter effects in regards to combat. All mountain corps also ignore winter effects regarding combat, as do the Norwegians, Canadians, Swedes, Swiss, and the US infantry unit in Alaska (which has a lot of Inuit in it),

Situation Europe and the Atlantic September 1925

The Map can be found here
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/fullimage/95676

Weather is mud in all climate zones except for Mediterranean Climate zone, plus all deserts have clear weather (as they always do).

Burgundy
Doesn’t exist on this map, so we will have to add it in. Essentially Burgundy consists of all of Luxembourg, (which isn’t on the map either), plus the Rhineland and Saar regions. For our purposes, Burgundy consists of Saarbrucken, Metz, and Strasbourg, plus the 2 wooded hexes running south west of the Rhine to Switzerland, plus directly east of Saarbrucken and northeast of Metz. The Burgundians have 2 6 point Motorized corps and 1 HQ at Metz. The fortresses indicated do not exist, and neither does the Maginot Line. Burgundy is neutral at this time.

Belgium
Also neutral. Everything shown as Belgium except the 1 hex that is part of Burgundy.
Liege is a fortified hex, with a 6 point garrison unit. The Belgians also have 4 x 6 point infantry corps (Antwerp and Brussels), and 1 fighter unit representing its entire air force

Netherlands
Neutral, and as pictured. Has 1 x 3 point garrison unit each at Amsterdam and Rotterdam, plus 2 light cruisers, 8 destroyers, 1 coast defense battleship at Rotterdam. The Dutch also have a garrison unit, 2 coast defense battleships, 2 cruisers and 5 destroyers plus 10 submarines in the Dutch East Indies. In addition, the Dutch have 6 shipping units.

Denmark
Neutral, as pictured. No significant military forces

Sweden
Neutral, and as pictured, Stockholm is a fortified hex, and has an 8 point garrison unit, plus the Swedes have 6 point infantry corps at Gothenburg, Karlskrona, Malmoe, Norrkoping, plus 1 fighter unit Stockholm, 2 coast defense battleships, 4 light cruisers, 20 destroyers, 10 submarines at Karlskrona. The Swedes have 2 shipping units. All Swedish units are considered mountain units as far as winter effects are concerned.

Norway
Neutral and as pictured. Oslo is fortified and has a 3 point garrison, plus 2 coast defense battleships, 10 destroyers, 6 submarines. Also a 3 point garrison at Narvik. The Norwegians have 6 shipping units

Bulgaria
Neutral and as pictured. 2 x 4 point Infantry corps

Rumania
Neutral and as pictured but add region marked Transylvania. 4 Infantry corps, 1 HQ, 2 Cav corps, 1 garrison (Ploesti), plus fleet (to be determined) at Constanza
Hungary
Neutral (somewhat) as pictured but minus Transylvania. 2 Infantry corps

Switzerland
Neutral, as pictured. Berne and Zurich are fortified and have 10 point garrisons, also 2x 7 point Mountain corps

Greece
Neutral, as pictured, but controls Rhodes and Leros (and the little island in between). 2 6 point Infantry corps, 1 x 5 point mountain corps, 1 x 3 point garrison (Athens), plus a fleet of 5 destroyers, 15 torpedo boats, plus 8 shipping units.

Turkey (Ottoman Empire)
Neutral, controls Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, co owns Egypt,
Forces: 8 infantry corps, 2 cavalry corps, 1 mountain corps, 1 amphibious corps, and 2 garrison units. 1 HQ unit. Average strength of infantry is 4 points, cavalry is 2 points, mountain is 3 points and garrison units are 5 points. amphib unit is a 4 point unit. 1 fighter unit (which has some bombing capability) which represents the entire air force and has an air combat rating of 3, bomb rating of 1, naval strike rating of 1 and a range of 2.

Palestine
Neutral, as pictured, 2 x 3 point infantry corps, 1 x 2 point cavalry corps

Other neutrals
Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and San Marino are too small to be pictured but do exist. Andorra now finds itself on the front line of the war and the war is moving closer to San Marino. Neither can defend themselves

ooc
this replaces earlier postings for the neutrals, which after further review, had some flaws.

ooc: Is Bolivia a part of the LTA now?

OOC: Just to point out GB, I also own Persia.

The nations at war Europe September 1925
Weather is Mud everywhere except for deserts and Mediterranean climate zone

PACT FORCES
Spain
controls Balearic Islands, Madrid, Valencia, Cartagena, Almiera, and everything within two hexes of those cities.

Forces: 1 x 5 point Garrison Balearics, 1 x 4 point Garrison, 1 HQ Madrid, 1 x 7 point, 1 x 6 point , 1 x 5 point infantry within 1 hex of Madrid.

France
controls all of France except Brest, Lorient, St. Nazaire, St. Malo, and 3 hexes west of the St. Malo-St. Nazaire line (inclusive). Plus French West Africa (including Dakar)

Forces
1 garrison,1 infantry corps, (Paris), 2 mechanized corps (Nantes), 1 infantry corps (1 hex north of Nantes in woods), 2 infantry corps (Rouen), 1 infantry corps, 2 artillery units (between the Italian and French resource marker hexes), 1 armored corps (between Pais and Rouen), 1 Naval air unit (Corsica), 2 fighters, 2 bombers (Toulen), 1 garrison (Corsica),

Mediterranean Fleet with 5 cruisers, 20 destroyers, 20 submarines (Marseilles) plus 2 damaged battleships (Toulen, requires 2 points to fix),

Germany
Controls all of Germany (also area marked as Polish corridor, Danzig, Poznan and all Polish hexes adjacent to those two cities

Forces:
French Front: 2 Infantry (Bayonne), 2 infantry (Toulon), 1 headquarters, 2 infantry (Toulouse), 1 naval air unit (Marseilles), 1 coast artillery, 1 HQ (Bordeaux), 1 HQ unit (French resource hex next to Italy),

Italian Front: 2 HQs (Brenner Pass), 2 Alpine corps (northwest mountain hex from Milan), 1 Alpine Corps and 1 French Alpine Corps (northwest of Turin), 2 infantry corps (northeast hex from Milan), 2 fighter units, 1 bomber unit (Munich),

In Germany: 6 infantry corps, 1 fighter unit, 2 paratroopers, 2 air transport unit, 1 heavy artillery unit,

Fleet: needing repair 2 battleships,2 battlecruisers, 3 light cruisers, 8 destroyers
Available: 60 submarines, 7 light cruisers, 40 destroyers, 40 torpedo boats

Russia
Controls all of Russia, the Baltic States, Finland, the rest of Poland

Forces:
Italian Front: 1 infantry, 1 mechanized corps (Venice), 2 infantry corps (east of Milan), 2 infantry corps (1 hex north of Venice), 2 mechanized corps, 1 HQ (clear hex between Venice and Trieste), 2 Yugoslav infantry corps (Pola), 1 fighter unit, 2 bomber units (Trieste), 2 bomber units (Pola),

French Front: 2 Czech mechanized corps (Vichy),

Poland 1 Infantry corps,
Hungary 1 infantry corps
Ukraine 12 cavalry corps
Moscow: 1 garrison, 1 infantry corps
Riga: 1 infantry corps
Helsinki 1infantry corps
Petrograd Fleet: 20 destroyers, plus 12 destroyers, 18 corvettes needing repairs, plus 40 submarines
Black Sea Fleet (Sevastapol) 1 amphibious corps, 1 shipping unit

Yugoslavia
All of Yugoslavia
2 Infantry corps, 2 Alpine, 1 HQ, 1 fighter unit

Czechslovokia
1 mechanized corps, 1 HQ, 1 fighter unit

LTA FORCES

USA
Controls Iceland, Tangiers, Casablanca, Algeria, Tunisia, All of Spain that isn’t Spanish controlled, Liberia,

Forces:
Italian Front: 2 mountain corps (Turin), 7 mechanized corps (2 in Naples, 1 each hex of southside of River Po, 2 in Florence), 1 HQ (Florence), 2 fighter units, 1 bomber unit,

Spanish Front: 2 mechanized corps (Bilboa), 2 mechanized corps (Barcelona), 1 HQ Ferrol, 1 HQ, 1 Infantry (Lisbon), 1 Colombian Alpine Corps (Vigo), 2 mechanized corps (Saragossa), 2 Portuguese Infantry Corps (where the big fist is on the map) 1 Latin American inf corps (Cadiz), 2 mechanized corps (Ferrol), 2 mechanized corps (Santandar), 1fighter unit, 1 bomber unit (Santandar), 2 fighter units (Lisbon, Ferrol),

French Front: 1 Amphibious unit (Brest)

Casablanca – 6th Fleet with 4 battleships, 5 light cruisers, 20 destroyers, 40 submarines
Gibraltar – 2nd Fleet with 4 battleships, 20 destroyers

East Coast USA (available for deployment)
10th Fleet (escort duty plus Caribbean and East coast patrol)
2 carriers (Lincoln, Washington), 5 light cruisers, 80 destroyers, 160 subchasers (9 light ships), 20 shipping units, plus 20 Canadian destroyers (1 light ship), 2 Naval air units
plus 5 heavy cruisers, 20 destroyers joining fleet in November, 4 carriers undergoing repairs and return in November (Lexington, Saratoga, McKinley, Roosevelt), plus 5 cruisers undergoing repairs available in November as well.

US Army strategic reserve (available for deployment) 10 mechanized corps, 2 air transport units, 2 fighter units, 2 bomber units, 2 naval air units

Morocco
Controls Morocco, joint control of Tangiers, Casablanca, Canary Islands,

Forces: 2 Infantry corps (Casablanca, Tangiers), 1 Cavalry Corps (Malaga, Spain), 1 infantry corps converting in Alpine corps (Casablanca). Alpine conversion will be completed by Nov turn start.

UK (includes Canada, South Africa and other Dominion forces)
All territories marked with CW (except what belongs to Turkey) on the map, plus all of Ireland. In addition, the UK controls St. Nazaire, Brest, Lorient, St. Malo and 3 other hexes already indicated.

French Front: 1 Canadian Amphibious Corps, 1 UK Infantry (St. Nazaire), 2 UK mechanized corps, 1 HQ, (Lorient), 1 South African Mechanized corps, 1 US mechanized corps (St. Malo), 1 UK HQ (Brest), 2 fighter units (Lorient)

Spanish Front: 1 Anzac amphibious corps (Lisbon)

Italian Front: 2 mechanized corps (Milan)

Egypt: 1 UK garrison (Suez), 1 UK garrison (Port Said), 1 UK infantry (Alexandria)

UK home forces: 3 UK infantry corps, 2 mechanized corps, 1 fighter unit (London), 3 bomber units (Southhampton) plus 2 naval air units,

UK Western Approaches (Liverpool) 3 carriers (Argus, Hermes, Eagle), 60 destroyers, 120 corvettes, (6 light ships)

Mediterranean Fleet 10 (Malta) 10 light cruisers, 20 destroyers

UK Home Fleet (Scapa Flow) with 2 battleships (Queen Elizabeth, Warspite), 1 battlecruiser (Renown), 1 Colombian battle cruiser (Santiago), 3 carriers (Glorious, Furious, Courageous), 15 light cruisers, 40 destroyers

Needing repair 6 battleships (Hood, Nelson, Rodney, Barham, Malaya), 5 light cruisers, (all sent to US for repairs and modernization)

Italy
Controls Italy south of the River Po plus Genoa, Turin, Milan, plus resource hex on French border, plus 2 hexes directly east of Turin and resource hex)

Forces: 1 garrison unit (Tripoli), 2 infantry corps (resource hex), 1 HQ (Turin), 2 infantry, 1 HQ (Leghorn), 1 HQ (Naples), 2 fighter units, 2 bomber units (Genoa), 1 naval air unit (Naples), 1 fighter unit (Naples)
Mediterranean Fleet: 2 battleships, 10 cruisers, 40 destroyers, 40 submarines (Naples), 5 cruisers, 20 destroyers (Taranto),

other forces: South Africa has 1 infantry corps, Argentina 2 infantry corps,plus 1 mechized corp in madagascar, Colombia 1 mechanized corps in their homelands, plus assorted other forces

Ottoman Times
Sept 12, 1925

Today is sad day for the Khailfah..last night Sultan Mehmed VI has died in his slept at the age at 64 years old. His heir to the thone is Abdul Mejid II , who was proclaimed the thirty-seventh padishah. We will never forget what Sultan Mehmed VI did for the empire after the last Great War and how he lead the nation to new heights. Also help in rebuilding and reforming our great state. The new Sultan Abdul Mejid II, states he will keep true the last Sultan policy of building the empire and states, one day the Ottoman State will regain all its lost lands once and for all.

OOC: Quick note GB..i htough there was an Alpine Corp on the Italian Border and shouldn't I have Infantry at Calais and other strategic points along the coast? I could've sworn I had more infnatry scattered around somewhere. There was an infantry at Verdun that I moved to Paris...I left the ones along the English channel alone. And why are there Germans in Toulon?

OOC: Quick note GB..i htough there was an Alpine Corp on the Italian Border and shouldn't I have Infantry at Calais and other strategic points along the coast? I could've sworn I had more infnatry scattered around somewhere. There was an infantry at Verdun that I moved to Paris...I left the ones along the English channel alone. And why are there Germans in Toulon?

you did, read the post on the second half of July August and you will see what happened. It was spelled out.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9831729&postcount=163

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9831734&postcount=164

Ottoman Times
Sept 12, 1925

Today is sad day for the Khailfah..last night Sultan Mehmed VI has died in his slept at the age at 64 years old. His heir to the thone is Abdul Mejid II , who was proclaimed the thirty-seventh padishah. We will never forget what Sultan Mehmed VI did for the empire after the last Great War and how he lead the nation to new heights. Also help in rebuilding and reforming our great state. The new Sultan Abdul Mejid II, states he will keep true the last Sultan policy of building the empire and states, one day the Ottoman State will regain all its lost lands once and for all.
Former Premier Aleksandr Kerensky and Commissar of International Affairs Viktor Chernov will attend the funeral as representatives of the Union.

France Allied First Phase (Allied forces have initiative this turn)
Although heavy rains begin in France, the Allies decide to push their advantage in Brittany while they have it. The Canadian HQ is landed at St. Malo, while British bombers pound the French positions at Nantes (3 bombers, bombing strength reduced from 2 to 1, however both French units are still disrupted when the British roll two 1’s out of 3 against one unit, and one 1 against the other). The British move up their two 8 point mechanized corps from Lorient, and have 32 points on the ground plus 24 points of naval gunfire support from the US 2nd Fleet against the 28 French points giving the British 2:1+1. At the same time, the US 6th Fleet covers the landing of the Australians at Cherbourg who with naval support have 12:1 against the notational strength of the defense there. Finally, the South Africans and Americans attack the French 6 points at Rennes (the wooded hex) and 16 points to the French 8 (2:1). The British roll at 12 at Nantes, destroying the French and taking the city (although all four British units are disorganized) at no cost to themselves (also taking 3 points of production from the French, although it will have to be repaired before the British can use it). At Cherbourg the Australians get ashore and are not disrupted. At Rennes the Allies get a 10, destroying the French corps at the cost of the American mechanized corps and the South Africans are disrupted. The Pact no longer has a front in Brittany and now face an enlarged bridgehead into France.

The British strategically redeploy 3 infantry corps (2 to Lorient, 1 to Cherbourg), 2 mechanized corps (both to St. Nazaire), while the Americans bring in 2 mechanized corps and a headquarters (to St. Malo). The British bombers rebase at St. Malo, and the British also use a strategic movement to shift the American marines from Brest to the US East Coast, and their last move to shift the garrison at Gibraltar to Brest.

During the reorganization phase the British use both of their headquarters and the Canadian headquarters and reorganize the 2 newly arrived American corps, the 2 British corps at St. Nazaire, the British corps at Nantes, and 2 British corps next to Nantes, and the Canadian corps at Nantes and the South African corps. This means that the Allies will be able to move all of their units next phase.

Losses: 2 French mechanized corps, 1 French infantry corps, 300,000 casualties, 1 US mechanized corps (100,000 casualties).

Spain Allied First Phase
The Allies begin moving forces to close in on Madrid. 2 mechanized Corps in Ferrol move to central Spain (crossroads hex directly above the fist), with the HQ at Ferrol moving to 2 hexes behind it. A mechanized corps from Bilbao moves to the wooded hex northeast of Madrid.. A mechanized corps out of Barcelona moves along the coast and takes Valencia and threatens Cartagena. The Americans move 2 mechanized corps from Saragossa, and 2 mechanized corps from Santander adjacent to Madrid (moving to the mountain hex to the northest, and the clear hex to the east). Madrid is defended by a 7 point infantry corps, a 4 point garrison, and a HQ unit (1 point of strength). Giving Madrid 12 points vs 30 points of American forces. The bomber unit from Santandar (Boeing B9s making their debut) attacks Madrid, and manages to disrupt the garrison (gets a 3, plus 2 x 6s which don’t affect the HQ and infantry corps). However, it is enough to give the Americans a +1 to their attack. Elsewhere in Spain the Colombian mountain corps marches from Vigo to a position 2 hexes southwest of Santander in the mountains. The Portuguese move north and south of the Spanish 5 point corps southwest of Madrid, preventing it from moving anywhere except to Madrid assuming Madrid survives the turn. The Latin Americans move next to the French to keep them out of trouble.

The Americans roll a 9 which becomes a 10, destroying the garrison and Spanish HQ, and shattering the infantry corps, which is also effectively eliminated. Madrid falls, although an American mechanized corps is also eliminated. This places all Spanish troops in Spain, and the French out of supply immediately.

ooc
In addition, when all production centers of a nation have been conquered, and the capital as well, that nation is considered conquered. When that happens, all units of that nation are eliminated (they surrender essentially or at least go home via desertion). The remaining troops of the Spanish Army are therefore eliminated from the map. However, Spain is a player country, so I am going to assume that the garrison in the Balearic Islands remains pro Pact, and the Spanish government has managed to flee there. However, all other Spanish units surrender. In addition, this leaves a French infantry and a flak unit stuck in the middle of Spain, out of supply and with no hope of getting any. Outnumbered about 20 to 1. That corps and its flak unit also surrender.

Generals usually try to preserve their men’s lives if no purpose is served by resisting, at least in European and North American armies.

Allied losses: 1 mechanized corps (100,000 casaulties)
Spanish losses: 1 garrison, 1 HQ, 3 infantry corps (500,000 casualties including 400,000 POWs). The French also lose 200,000 POWs.

Vigo and Bilbao are available for American or other LTA production purposes, but Madrid will require repairs to be useful.

Italy Allied First Phase
The Allies move 2 American mechanized corps from Naples to Florence, and 2 mechanized corps from Florence to La Spezia. No other Allied activity in the first phase in Italy.

Siberia First Phase
The Japanese land 2 infantry corps at Vladivostok and send their fleets to sea. The Main Fleet (from Hiroshima) will provide fire support for the units near Konstantinovsk, while the Southern Fleet out of Taipei covers the arrival of the Japanese army at Vladivostok and remains on hand to provide fire support in case of a Russian counteroffensive.

North and South China Seas
American submarines continue their normal patrols to keep an eye on the Chinese, which neither the US or Japan expect to remain neutral forever. Although the American ships have orders not to engage the Chinese unless directly ordered, they still watch in case the Chinese decide to make use of distractions elsewhere to move south toward vital LTA resource areas by sea. (ooc which is why the US has kept 30 submarines in the Philippines for over a year now)

India and Southeast Asia Allied First Phase
The British and Indians remain on the defensive behind the Indus River and in Karachi (no Allied moves in this area). Meanwhile garrisons in Singapore and Burma are thankful that their areas are quiet.

In the US, the news of the destruction of the Spanish Army and conquest of Spain is met with public celebration and a great deal of relief that at least now the vital supply lines to Italy would no longer be in danger if the Pact assualted Gibraltar. It is recognized that the Spanish were the weakest of the Pact nations in the West however. News of victories in France make many Americans wonder what will happen next.

In Spain, the LTA occupation authorities begin talks with local Catalonian and Basques leaders about possible independence or at least autonomy from Spain, and offers are made to the Spanish governmetn. Surrender the Baelerics, and a peace settlement where the territorial integrity of Spain is recognized or the LTA will be forced to find alternatives. The Spanish are given the opporunity to keep the Balaeric Islands and mainland Spain in exchange for LTA occupation for the remainder of the war, and essential disarmament.

They are given until January 1926 to accept the terms, or alternative arrangements (which are not specified) are made. As a gesture of good faith, all POWs from the Basque and Catalonian regions are given parole, disarmed and allowed to go home. Other Spanish soldiers with the rank of sergeant or below who are 35 years old or older, or 30 years old with more than one child, are also given parole and allowed to go home.

The US begins also to institute some useful economic and social measures in Spain. Women are given the right to vote and hold office, as well as own property in their own name. Minimum wage laws and the right to strike are given to workers. The government is given the right to tax all church property except for the property where an actual church is located and even then only the portion of the property housing the actual chapel is exempted.

This naturally creates some grumbling by the right in Spain, but the real fanatics got themselves killed off during the Civil War before the war, as had many of the real fanatics on the Left during the Civil War and this war.

The US shifts Spanish production from war to peace, so that the local economy serves Spanish needs. In addition, substantial aid is promised beginning in 1926 (ooc, 3 points a turn to rebuild Madrid's production). This will be treated as payment for the Spanish loss of the Canary Islands and their enclaves in Morocco, as well as some reparations.

The Spanish Army and Navy is formerly disbanded for now as well although a Coast Guard consisting of patrol boasts and minesweepers is authorized with advisors from the US Coast Guard brought in to help set it up. Whenever possible troops from Latin America, or Spanish speaking American troops are used for occupation duties.

I call for Russia to reject this war and return to developing their own nation. The United States has no quarrel with Russia except for the fact that Russia declared war on us.

And Moscow has no quarrel with Washington save that the Americans seized without cause or compensation the soveriegn territory of a nation and people we were pledged to defend, and continues to wage war upon our sworn allies and comrades in other lands.

The Union never sought war, nor do we seek it now.

In truth, we would have peace. But it cannot be upon the terms of unconditional surrender for France and Germany. We see in your reconstruction of Spain and the apparent restoration of its democracy that you are not entirely without humanity or decency, yet Paris and Berlin have done naught to earn the humiliation your President demands of them. They defended an ally, and you cannot make a crime of that.

Let things stand as they were before the war in France and Germany. Let us send observers to Spain to ensure that your forces are doing right by them. Let the Pashtun, Uzbeks, and Tadzhiks have their liberty, and let the Yugoslavs have Trieste. The General and Supreme Councils may consider other steps to assure the diminution of the likelihood of hostilities resuming in the future between our friends and yours.

But we will never surrender.

To the last, the Red Army will stand for freedom, even if it betrayed by all others. Know this in your hearts before you answer.

To All Pact and Associated Capitals, a simpler message is sent:

We have inquired as to the American apetite for armistice, but there will be no surrender.

We stand or fall together.

A note forwarded to the Russians via the Swiss

The US is willing to accept observers from the International Red Cross, as well as the Swiss, Norwegian and Peruvian governments to observe the LTA occupation of Spain. The withdrawal of all Pact forces from Afghanistan, and a joint agreement between the Dominion of India and the Russian government promising no intervention or presence in Afghanistan would also be accepatable to the United States. However, the agreement of the British and Indian governments will be required as well.

An immediate withdrawal of all Pact forces from Italy and the pull out of all non French forces from France, and that nation agreeing to peace terms acceptable to the LTA would be a required step toward peace as well.

If the Italian government is willing to accept the loss of Trieste, and is given Corsica in recompense, (ooc, Corsica did once belong to France), than perhaps a peace can be had as well.

However, the central issue that is of concern to the United States government is the 25 year history of German interference in the Western Hemisphere. Peace with the United States and Germany can only be had if the German government agrees to permanently to not interfere with the affairs of the Western Hemisphere, scuttles all of its warships larger than 1,000 tons in the full view of American observers, and signs a peace treaty with Italy and pays sizeable reparations for the damage it has inflicted on that nation (3 build points a year for 10 years or 30 build points total).

Once again, this will require the acceptance of the other members of the LTA (ooc specifically Britian and Italy).

As to territory, the Pact and LTA will keep all territory that they hold now with the exception of LTA gains in France and Siberia, and Pact gains in Italy (with the exception of Trieste, assuming that portion of the proposal is accepted by Italy).

Other needed provesions to prevent future outbreak of hostiles and for the US government to agree to peace are as follows:

The Russian government agrees to no longer station submarines or more than 20 destroyers in the Pacific.

The French government be restricted the same as the German government except would be allowed to keep 2 battleships, 4 cruisers, and 20 destroyers.

Most French and German submarines be scrapped, and no more built for 10 years. The French and Germans would be allowed 20 submarines each, but cannot replace them until 10 years have passed.

The Spanish government is to immediately surrender, and all Spanish forces lay down their arms. Allied troops will occupy the Balaerics. Spain to be occupied for 5 years, and to the Basque and Catalonian people to have autonomy or independence depending on an election by them in 2 years. In addition, Morocco will keep the territory it acquired in July 1924, and the Canary Islands remain indepdendent under joint Spanish and American protection.

A general treaty be signed outlawing the use of chemical weapons in war, as well as the attack of merchant ships without warning.

A general treaty be signed restricting the amount of money that can be spent on armies and navies be signed (basically reducing to 20% of current production points and no more than 1 corps or air unit for every 2 million people)

These proposals are acceptable to the Supreme Council. We will discuss it with our allies.

These proposals are acceptable to the Supreme Council. We will discuss it with our allies.

ooc I was still editing (chuckle), added a section regarding Spain.

Pact September October 1925

France Pact First Phase
The Pact High Command hurriedly works to reorganize the defenses in France and assemble forces for an eventual counteroffensive. The first priority is to establish a line to defend Paris along the river Seine. 2 French corps spread out so that there is a corps each in Rouen and the hex between Paris and Rouen. The infantry corps is Paris moves to the wooded hex to the southeast of Paris to extend the river line further. Along the French border, the French infantry corps pulls back to the French resource hex in the Rhone valley so that it can be moved elsewhere during strategic redeployment. The armored corps is shifted off the front line and back one hex toward Lille so that if the Allies land on the Channel coast the French will be able to counterattack. The 2 Czech mechanized corps at Vichy remain where they are to provide a flanking force should the Allies assault the Seine Line, and to provide coverage to prevent the Allies from driving straight to the Burgundian border.

The next priority is to contain the expected American drive into France from newly conquered Spain. The Germans leave their 2 corps in Bayonne, and shift the 2 corps at Toulouse to the clear coastal hex right on the French / Spanish border to prevent American moves into France. The HQ in Toulouse cannot move except by rail, and remains where it is. The 2 German corps in Toulon move so that both are in Nice, and the 2 French artillery units so that one is stacked with the Germans and the other pulls back with the French infantry.

Strategic moves
The Germans have 6 infantry in Germany at this point. An infantry corps each is left at Kiel and Bremerhaven. The other 4 infantry corps are shifted by rail to cover four hexes of the Seine Line (Rouen, Paris, hex north and south on Seine). The French use 2 of their strategic moves to shift the Czech HQ from Prague to Vichy, and the other Czech mechanized corps from Prague to Lyon. Two more French strategic moves are used to shift their coast defense artillery and HQ from Bordeaux to Calais, to keep the Allies from making yet another landing. The remaining 2 French strategic moves are used to shift both fighters from Toulon to Lille. The Germans add to of their strategic moves and the 2 French bombers are shifted from Toulon to Lille as well.

The Russians send 2 cavalry corps from the Ukraine, 1 infantry corps from Poland, and 1 Infantry corps from Moscow (using 4 of their strategic moves) to Poland, and from there the Germans use 2 strategic moves to shift those 2 cavalry corps to La Rochelle. The Czechs and Yugoslavs use their strategic moves to send both of these corps to Toulouse. The French HQ at Paris then reorganizes the 3 German corps in Paris and adjacent to it. All this covers Paris, the Spanish border and the approaches to Burgundy and the Pyrenees.

Italy Pact First Phase
The Russians and Germans remain in place and the decision is made not to launch an offensive. For the first time since March the blood letting subsides to occasional patrol actions.

Central Asia Pact First Phase
The Russians remain in place, unwilling to advance and outrun their supply lines.

Siberia Pact First Phase
The Russians shift a pair of corps so that they are adjacent to Vladivostok move adjacent to the Japanese all across the front, but do not attack.

Southeast Asia Chinese First Phase
Chinese forces move to the border of Burma, and the Chinese navy moves into the South China Sea very near Singapore. However, no hostile action occurs as yet.

OOC
Russia has 7 strategic moves left, and can shift some forces if desired.

Allied forces in France shift forward so that a solid line running from Caen to St. Lo to Le mans to Nantes is established but do not advance further. The US strategically redeploys 6 mechanized corps from the US to France, and 2 fighters from Spain to France, as well as 2 bombers from Italy to France and 2 naval air units from the US to the Philippines.

In Spain, 2 US mechanized corps move up to Bilbao and Barcelon respectively, 2 rail moves (Spanish) are used to shift 2 HQs so that they are Santander and Barcelona.

Elsewhere the Allies are content to wait until better weather turns up or are content to remain in their defense positions. The only exception is that the Royal Australian Navy enters the South China Sea (1 BC, 10 destroyers) to keep an eye on the Chinese, and American submarines beginning shadowing the Chinese fleet, while other US and Japanese submarines move into position off Chinese harbors in case the Chinese enter the war on the Pact side.

A force of 5 Japanese heavy cruisers and 20 destroyers also goes to sea from Yokohama and moves to the waters near Formosa, while other American, Japanese and Australian ships continue escorting merchant shipping to Japan.

With talks underway with the Russians through diplomatic back channels, the LTA decides to hold off on further offensives until the alliance figures out what the Pact has in mind.

We realise we havn't been very active here but that has simply been because we aren't very important since we quit the war. Just say all of our build points we have accumulated go on infrastructure and factories.

Britain will agree to an armistice on the following conditions:

-The territories of Togoland and Cameroon remain under British control,

-The French give up the following African territories to British rule: Gabon, Congo, Benin, Cote de Ivoire. But France will be allowed to have direct rule over remaining French territory in Africa including the valuable Atlantic coast link at Senegal as well as Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Central African Republic and Niger (NB Modern territory names used here).

-The above territories will form a contiguous British colony to be known as British East Africa. A vote will be held amongst inhabitants as to whether to grant Dominion status to this new colony, a vote in the affirmative is expected and will create a new dominion.

-The Union withdraws from Afghanistan and maintains pre-war borders there

-France and The Union allowed to take control of any currently held LTA territory within their own nations.

-China to withdraw from Indo-China and return control to France (As previously agreed)

All in all a fairly generous offer with France allowed to keep much of it's African territory. This is, of course, in addition to US conditions.

-The Union withdraws from Afghanistan and maintains pre-war borders there


The Kingdom of Afghanistan is a sovereign state, and the Supreme Council does not speak for King Amanullah Khan any more than Premier Bukharin* speaks for Premier Blum or Chancellor Liebknecht.

It is to be expected, however, that the Pashtuns would not be pleased at the idea of giving up their freedom, and the Union will not compel them to. We are not an empire that comes to conquer.


*Believe it or not, the war has been too short for the change in leadership from Bukharin to Trotsky to have taken place.

Japan rejects any sort of armistice in which they give up territory gained by blood or that was promised to them for their participation in the war.

Britain acknowledges that Afghanistan is now a sovereign state and that it has been forcefully seceded from the Dominion of India. All that we ask is that all Pact forces are removed from the country and it is allowed to police and govern itself without outside interference. I can assure you that no LTA forces will be involved with Afghanistan during this time, but Britain reserves the right to renter Afghanistan to quell rebel uprisings and to put down banditry which has plagued the area throughout history. In addition Britain requests that land taken from the Afghans to increase the size of Uzbek and Tadzhik is returned to Afghanistan. Once this has been agreed to and implemented further discussion as to the future of the area can take place and the Afghans can have a say on the matter without being influenced by forign troops on their soil. I hope that Premier Bukharin can see the need for a decision from the Afghans as to their own future and whether it lies in independence or under the protection of a foreign entity.

OOC: I have stayed out of the Western Hemisphere since Venezuela was invaded. Those Naval restrictions are humiliating. However, I am willing to consider it.

Japan, you have nothing to complain about. You took Siberia without any problem and barely lost any soldiers.

Togoland and Cameroons were given indepenance a while ago. Either way, I demand that they be granted independance and not be under control of Britain.

Also, I demand that the Azores and Madiera be returned to Union control.

Lastly, if the Union is unallowed to interfere in the Western Hemisphere, we demand that America be unallowed to interefere in affairs of the Eurasian Continent (not including Britain and Japan as they are not part of the continent. India is British)

However, we believe that for the time being, an overall armistace should be made until negotiations are complete or fallen.

In which case it seems that the war must go on and more men on both sides will lose their lives. Still the side of good wil prevail in the end and peace will be brought to the world.

Prime Minister Churchill.

Parthini']

Japan, you have nothing to complain about. You took Siberia without any problem and barely lost any soldiers.



losing nearly 200,000 dead not just casualties but dead would not be in my book light casualties.

Britain acknowledges that Afghanistan is now a sovereign state and that it has been forcefully seceded from the Dominion of India. All that we ask is that all Pact forces are removed from the country and it is allowed to police and govern itself without outside interference. I can assure you that no LTA forces will be involved with Afghanistan during this time, but Britain reserves the right to renter Afghanistan to quell rebel uprisings and to put down banditry which has plagued the area throughout history. In addition Britain requests that land taken from the Afghans to increase the size of Uzbek and Tadzhik is returned to Afghanistan. Once this has been agreed to and implemented further discussion as to the future of the area can take place and the Afghans can have a say on the matter without being influenced by forign troops on their soil. I hope that Premier Bukharin can see the need for a decision from the Afghans as to their own future and whether it lies in independence or under the protection of a foreign entity.
The Red Army has no wish to remain in in the God-given Kingdom of Afghanistan any longer than necessary, and will happily withdraw and allow it to police and govern itself, as it has been doing. But we cannot support the idea of a British "right" to invade Afghanistan at their discretion to put down "rebels" whenever they wish. Negotiate with the King.

Plebiscites are already scheduled in Tadzhikistan and Uzbekistan and the Tadzhik and Uzbek districts formerly ruled by the British. Surely London does not object to the workings of democracy?

losing nearly 200,000 dead not just casualties but dead would not be in my book light casualties.
OoC: Dude, they're just Japanese. I still don't see what you're complaining about.

OOC: ooo so who's the racist here :-p

hey man, nothing personal, but i didn't just enter this war for nothing, honorable defeat in battle is a lot better than defeat at the armistice tables while winning.

OoC: Dude, they're just Japanese. I still don't see what you're complaining about.

(OOC: dude, that is harsh)

Indeed any "invasions" to put down rebels will be negotiated with the KIng prior to any action. However this government will not needlessly risk the lives of British and colonial citizens and troops over mere diplomatic precedent and any raiders or bandits that make their way into British territory in the future will be dealt with severely and action taken to tackle the problem at it's roots. Surely Moscow would do the same if bandits attacked her people from a neighbouring country.

As to your democratic processes in Tadzhikistan and Uzbekistan Britain will not support their outcomes. They are merely attempts to land grab and profit at the expense fo the Afghan peoples. I am sure that if a similar poll was taken of British citizens in the UK as to whether they wished to rule over France then the result would be an affirmative. However this is not precedent for the taking of land from France and claiming it for Britain on the basis that it is supported by democracy. If such a move is allowed then democracy could be used as the basis for almost any action.

The decision on whether this bloody and needless war should be allowed to continue now rests in teh hoands of yourselves and your allies and I urge you not to make the wrong decision and risk the lives of your people and the very future of your antion over this matter.

Yours,

Winston Churchill
Prime Minister, Great Britain and her Empire.

the US quietly lets its allies, and the nations that it is at war with know that if the Pact, specifically Germany, does not indicate willingness to accept the terms of the proposed treaty on territorial issues and overall disarmament then the US will have no choice but see the war to its inevitable conclusion. With the US resuming offensive military operations on November 1.

ooc
which isn't much of a sacrifice as the British and Americans won't be ready to resume large scale operations until then anyway.

OoC: You think you're winning, huh?

Message from Moscow's Charge d'Affaires in Washington

It seems that our respective European allies are at least willing to negotiate, so the Supreme Council would like to propose a European Armistice and Peace conference to take place at the Hague, on neutral ground. The red Army will make no further advances into India for the duration of the Conference, either, but the Japanese Imperial Army continues to wage war upon our soil, and we must reserve the right, such as constitutes the essence of nations, to defend our homes and our peoples.

We hopefully await your reply.

OoC: You think you're winning, huh?



OOC: I'm in your land, your not in mine, and i've wiped your fleet from the planet at the moment i appear to be winning or it would seem that way to my high command. And goddamnit i'm getting something out of this war one way or another, even if its a defeat.

As to your democratic processes in Tadzhikistan and Uzbekistan Britain will not support their outcomes. They are merely attempts to land grab and profit at the expense fo the Afghan peoples. I am sure that if a similar poll was taken of British citizens in the UK as to whether they wished to rule over France then the result would be an affirmative. The Supreme Council has scheduled Referenda in Tadzhikistan and Uzbekistan concerning their full independence from the Union. Would London schedule such elections in Wales and Scotland? Ireland?

The Union seeks no expansion of territory, and indeed is contemplating the loss of it. Mr. Churchill's grasp of the matter is typically lacking in understanding, as befits a man who can only think in imperialistic terms.

We will allow both British and neutral observers in the elections.

The fact that they will gain independence, whilst reassuring, is besides the point, land has been taken from a sovereign nation to add to another. Whilst Britain, based on past issues, may not be the best speaker for such matters of imperialism she does hold many morals and these are offended by such blatant land grabbing.

However I believe that these matters should wait until the conference, which Britain is glad to attend as long as the other members of the LTA approve of the conference and an armistice is likely to be made. Britain will not tolerate of a farcical of a conference organsied only to stall LTA attacks whilst teh enemy redeploys and builds her strength.

ooc
Italy hasn't commented, and there cannot be an armistice without Italy. So for now the war will continue. However, peace talks can begin in the Hague while we are fighting, that is pretty common practice in most wars, with only the Great War being an exception. In addition, based on planned builds, the US has no trust that France and Germany are interested in peace, and economic information like that is very obtainable through conventional intelligence. US military forces will continue operations until a general peace treaty is signed. It will urge the British to continue as well, along with our other allies.

IC
The German reply to American suggested terms angers President Cox and he orders military operations to continue. Disquiting information that the Germans intend to massively enlarge their Army further reinforces his decision.

I believe the Red Army knows their orders, then.

Pact Fourth phase in Italy and Spain
In Italy, the Pact forces stand in place while the Russians dismantle every factory they can in the occupied zone and begin preparing them for shipment next month (ooc, that will require 3 Russian strategic moves, 1 for each point but they can be sent anywhere Russia can rail them, Venice is considered destroyed as a production center, althought the city itself and its magnficent and culturally important art and architecture is untouched).

In France, the Pact has assembled everything they can, but are unwilling to leave their defenses to meet the LTA armies which have not yet advanced to contact.

ooc
September October turn is now over in Europe, still have to resolve Asia

Pact Fourth phase in Central Asia
Weather and lack of supply is still a factor and both armies wait in their defenses for better weather. A lull continues except for patrol actions and occasion Afghan raids at whoever happens to be close by and not paying attention, a traditional activity in this region.

ooc
turn ends here

Pact Fourth phase in Siberia
The Russians attack the Japanese defenses north of Kostintivosk with 6 corps (30 points vs 24 Japanese points). The Japanese hold, but lose 1 corps destroyed and two Russian corps are destroyed. The Russians reorganize three of their disorganized corps however.
Plans to shift another 2 Russian corps forward and to try again are thwarted as the turn ends.

Casualties
Russians 200,000, Japanese 100,000

Pact Fourth Phase Southeast Asia
China enters the war on October 1

Battle of the South China Sea

October 1, 1925
The Chinese Fleet, with 2 Zhuge class battleships, 4 Hong class heavy cruisers, 12 Xiang class light cruisers, and 20 Yangtze class torpedo boats suddenly turns toward the trailing Australian squadron consisting of the Battlecruiser Renown and 10 destroyers 200 miles east of Kuantan and moves to engage it. The Chinese cruisers, faster than even the old British built destroyers assigned to the fleet, rapidly surround the Australians.

The Australian commander hasn’t even received word that war has been declared but immediately orders action stations.

It only results in the Australians dying bravely and getting in a few licks of their own. The Renown manages to get hits on both Chinese battleships, heavily damaging them before vanishing in a ball of flame as 16 inch shells detonate the inadequately armored Australian battlecruiser. The destroyers last little longer, their torpedo attacks failing as they are wiped out in a flurry of 8 and 5 inch shells. In less than 20 minutes the entire Australian squadron is destroyed. Nearly 4,000 Australians are dead as well, as few survived the flurry of gunfire.

The Chinese retire content in their victory.

Meanwhile, Chinese forces cross the border into Burma and manage to reach Myitkana (both northern hexes of Burma, the jungle hexes). However the Chinese have outraced their supply lines and are disorganized.

The Chinese also overrun Portuguese Macao and British Hong Kong. The Portuguese, with only a few border guards surrender immediately but the British brigade sized garrison fights for three days before surrendering.

OoC: You think you're winning, huh?

Message from Moscow's Charge d'Affaires in Washington

It seems that our respective European allies are at least willing to negotiate, so the Supreme Council would like to propose a European Armistice and Peace conference to take place at the Hague, on neutral ground. The red Army will make no further advances into India for the duration of the Conference, either, but the Japanese Imperial Army continues to wage war upon our soil, and we must reserve the right, such as constitutes the essence of nations, to defend our homes and our peoples.

We hopefully await your reply.

Message to the Russians
"Regrettably other nations in the London Treaty Alliance are not yet ready to negotiate, so therefore the US is forced to continue military operations. However, it is vital that talks continue so that eventually an end to this war can be found and therefore the US recommends that general talks begin in the Hague until a permanent solution ending the fighting can be found, one that does not mean an immediate return to fighting or another war as soon as the belligerent nations in this conflict recover sufficiently to try again."

ooc
think of the Paris Peace talks during Vietnam and the Korean Armistice negotiations during that war. Soon after talks begin, the Russians and Americans get into a serious and long lasting debate over the shape of the table. Little is accomplished during October.

The only shape for a table that makes any sense whatsoever is oval.

October 1, 1925
The Chinese Fleet, with 2 Zhuge class battleships, 4 Hong class heavy cruisers, 12 Xiang class light cruisers, and 20 Yangtze class torpedo boats suddenly turns toward the trailing Australian squadron consisting of the Battlecruiser Renown and 10 destroyers 200 miles east of Kuantan and moves to engage it. The Chinese cruisers, faster than even the old British built destroyers assigned to the fleet, rapidly surround the Australians.

The Australian commander hasn’t even received word that war has been declared but immediately orders action stations.

It only results in the Australians dying bravely and getting in a few licks of their own. The Renown manages to get hits on both Chinese battleships, heavily damaging them before vanishing in a ball of flame as 16 inch shells detonate the inadequately armored Australian battlecruiser. The destroyers last little longer, their torpedo attacks failing as they are wiped out in a flurry of 8 and 5 inch shells. In less than 20 minutes the entire Australian squadron is destroyed. Nearly 4,000 Australians are dead as well, as few survived the flurry of gunfire.

The Chinese retire content in their victory.

Meanwhile, Chinese forces cross the border into Burma and manage to reach Myitkana (both northern hexes of Burma, the jungle hexes). However the Chinese have outraced their supply lines and are disorganized.

The Chinese also overrun Portuguese Macao and British Hong Kong. The Portuguese, with only a few border guards surrender immediately but the British brigade sized garrison fights for three days before surrendering.

Actually, I have a couple of questions about this.

First, didn't you say I had 60 destroyers and 240 patrol boats / torpedo boats? You stated that in the other thread. Yet in this attack, you said I have only 20 destroyers and 20 patrol boats / torpedo boats?

Second, I'm curious how did a battlecruiser be able to engage both of my battleships and heavily damage both of them, somehow bypassing my screen of (what should be) 60 destroyers and 240 patrol / torpedo boats? I can see the lone battlecruiser going on a suicide run aganist one of my battleships, but two at the same time?

Just a curious player here- I don't have any issues with the other stuff though.

China has entered the war on the side of the Pact on October 1, 1925.

The September / October 1925 turn is now over. I will post where everything is, and then weather and initiative will be determined.

Due to family plans this weekend (I am taking my wife to a resort without children.. much excitement in my household) don't expect much in the way of fighting until Monday, perhaps Sunday night.

Current situation
Pact
Russia
Germany
France
Yugoslavia
Czechslovakia (maybe an NPC?)
China
Spanish exile government (in the Balearics)

LTA
USA
British Empire
South Africa
Canadia (NPC)
India
Australia (NPC?)
New Zealand (NPC)
Italy
Portugal (NPC)
Colombia
Argentina (limited)
Bolivia
Ecuador (now an NPC country)
Iceland (NPC)
Morocco (NPC)
Japan

pro LTA (based on actions taken)
Korea

pro Pact (based on actions taken)
Rumania
Bulgaria

everyone else is neutral

Actually, I have a couple of questions about this.

First, didn't you say I had 60 destroyers and 240 patrol boats / torpedo boats? You stated that in the other thread. Yet in this attack, you said I have only 20 destroyers and 20 patrol boats / torpedo boats?

Second, I'm curious how did a battlecruiser be able to engage both of my battleships and heavily damage both of them, somehow bypassing my screen of (what should be) 60 destroyers and 240 patrol / torpedo boats? I can see the lone battlecruiser going on a suicide run aganist one of my battleships, but two at the same time?

Just a curious player here- I don't have any issues with the other stuff though.

British Naval history is full of examples.. read about the Battle of Coronel

Your destroyers as listed in the military thread are too big to be destroyers and I am rating them as light cruisers. Your patrol craft are the size of World War I era torpedo boats and are considered such. Actually, you have no destroyers, which are about 1000 tons at this point in history. Your other warships were not directly involved in the battle. The Australian ships could only make 24 knots and simply couldn't get away.

The only shape for a table that makes any sense whatsoever is oval.

ooc
and just as obviously to the Americans it should be a rectangle (the same shape as a dollar bill for example)

British Naval history is full of examples.. read about the Battle of Coronel

Your destroyers as listed in the military thread are too big to be destroyers and I am rating them as light cruisers. Your patrol craft are the size of World War I era torpedo boats and are considered such. Actually, you have no destroyers, which are about 1000 tons at this point in history. Your other warships were not directly involved in the battle. The Australian ships could only make 24 knots and simply couldn't get away.

Ah- then where is the rest of my fleet then?

ooc
and just as obviously to the Americans it should be a rectangle (the same shape as a dollar bill for example)
An oval is a peaceful and contemplative shape which favors no-one over anyone else. A dollar bill-shaped table would simply trumpet American exploitation and hegemony. It is completely out of the question.

everyone else is neutral

(OOC: i'm not)

IC: The Chancellor sees this debate on the shape of the table as frivolous and foolish. Apparently, America is unwilling to move on even the slightest issue, even though thousands of young people's lives depend on the conclusion of the issue.

The Chancellor is also deeply offended at the statements of the serpent that resides in the throne of so called "liberty." Young Germanic men and women have died defending their allies against the imperialist aggressor, only to be scoffed by a demon who frivolously throws soldiers into battle, only caring at the gains he can make.

However, Hamburg is willing to join Muskova and Washington at the table in the Hague. He expects that London, Tokyo and Roma, as well as honorable France, will join him.

OOC: Also, an unofficial apology to GB. It was a bit rash, but not unprovoked. The same rash statement applies to the entity however. Hate the game not the player :D

The Chinese Admiral had a scowl on his face after the battle with the now destroyed Australian Navy.

"Both battleships damaged. We must protect these battleships as they are China's only heavy hitters capable of hurting the enemy's own heavy hitters, besides our heavy cruisers.

For the attack upon Singapore, we must utilize our entire fleet. We must protect our battleships with a screen of destroyers to absorb any shell impacts from the British vessels. Have the destroyers ram any British ship trying a suicide run aganist the battleships.

Send the four heavy cruisers, 30 destroyers, and 200 torpedo boats in front to engage what appears to be two British battlecruisers, along with 30 destroyers of their own. Cover the rear with the remaining naval forces to prevent any flanking manuevers.

Thus, after Singapore, we must reorganize our formation for our journey back towards Canton. We must surround the two battleships with everything we have to prevent submarine attacks."

The officers assembled before the admiral nodded and spoke as one.

"It shall be done, honorable sir!"

The Chinese Navy continues on its course towards Singapore with deadly intent.

Ah- then where is the rest of my fleet then?

home waters... they are available for action in November December turn..

I have no idea what you have in mind for Singapore. You can shell it, but its has mines and some defenses, so entering the harbor is going to be a might tough. It is considered a fortified area from sea borne attack (note the way it is marked on the World in Flames Asia map). You can blockade it though.

home waters... they are available for action in November December turn..

I have no idea what you have in mind for Singapore. You can shell it, but its has mines and some defenses, so entering the harbor is going to be a might tough. It is considered a fortified area from sea borne attack (note the way it is marked on the World in Flames Asia map). You can blockade it though.

I TG'ed you orders yesterday (or earlier today) that I desire to attack the British fleet at Singapore. As I recall, they're now up to 2 battlecruisers and 30 destroyers. The 30 US subs are in the Philippines. I also specifically said I'll employ my entire navy, not a part of it.

Besides, is the British Navy anchored inside Singapore, or holding position off Singapore's coast? You didn't quite make that clear.


EDIT:

If the British fleet is *inside* Singapore, then what options do I have other than blockading? My plan was originally to catch the British fleet at Singapore and then sink them using overwhelming Chinese numbers (4 battlecruisers to UK's 2, and 60 Chinese destroyers to UK's 30, and my 240 patrol boats to UK's apparent no patrol boats).

I TG'ed you orders yesterday (or earlier today) that I desire to attack the British fleet at Singapore. As I recall, they're now up to 2 battlecruisers and 30 destroyers. The 30 US subs are in the Philippines. I also specifically said I'll employ my entire navy, not a part of it.

Besides, is the British Navy anchored inside Singapore, or holding position off Singapore's coast? You didn't quite make that clear.

the current strength of the Royal Navy at Singapore was 1 battlecruiser and 10 destroyers, which was actually Australian. The other battlecruiser and 20 destroyers got sent to the Atlantic and fought the Germans and Russians in the Second Channel Dash.

At this point the only LTA warships in Southeast Asian waters are the American submarines, and a few minesweepers at Singapore and Manila. Although you ordered everything to attack, your Admirals know what is actually present and had more than sufficient strength for the job. British shooting was extremely good (they got lucky twice), but although your shooting was average, you had a lot more shots than the Australians did.

If your ENTIRE Navy had shown up, the Australians would not have come out at all, and it would have been considered immediate Causa Belli by the LTA for a declaration of war. As you were trying to get a surprise attack, some flexibility therefore had to be observed to get the effect you wanted. You do not have amphibious troops, while the British have an entire 6 point infantry corps in Singapore, and its tripled in defense. Singapore harbor, like that of all major bases for all sides, is liberally surroundered by mine fields and has some coastal guns. You cannot directly attack by ship or submarine a defended harbor with any chance of success. Aircraft are a different matter all together. However, your aircraft (and practically everyone elses for that matter) do not have the range to reach Singapore and return if based in the closest available base you have (Saigon). So an air attack isn't going to happen either.

As far as the Australians knew, they were not at war until your ships began deploying for an attack. As far as they knew, the Japanese Navy was supposed to defend LTA holdings in the Far East as well. When I posted Allied sept oct Second Phase actions, I included a Southeast asia post showing that the Australian squadron went to sea to watch what the Chinese were doing, and I posted what the Chinese had in the area.

Unless you have an amphibious unit, you cannot make amphibious landing. The unit represents not only the troops, but also the landing craft needed to make the landing. You have neither.

So Singapore is pretty safe from the Chinese Navy as far as a direct attack is concerned. Your other option is a land assault, and that will take time as you will have to march through Siam to get to Malaya, and then down the Malay pennisula.

your battleships are considered a single capital ship counter (2 ships) and is damaged, and will require 2 build points to repair, and if points are allocated for Nov to fix them, they will return in January.

France is willing to negotiate peace if an armistice is called. The French have no wish to see their people and country destroyed in the flames of war. However, it should be noted that they will fight on if neccessary.

But the French people want peace. They are agreeable to most of the terms set down in the proposed treaty, but there are a few terms that they wish to negotiate upon.

Ahhh. I appreciate your clarification, GB.

In this case, I shall withdraw my Navy to Canton for repairs and defense. However on the way back, my admiral orders my fleet to keep an eye out for subs and protect my two battleships at all costs.

France would like to point out that Indochina, with the exception of Vietnam, was sold to the Chinese. And that China was given control of vietnam at the beginning of the war.

Pact Forces
Seine River line (Army Group Nord)(1.9 million men)
1 French 6 point infantry corps, 1 German 6 point infantry corps (Rouen), 1 French 6 point infantry corps, 1 German 6 point infantry corps (between Rouen and Paris north of Seine), 1 French 8 point garrison, 1 French HQ, 1 German 5 point infantry corps (Paris), 2 x 6 point Czech mechanized corps (east of Paris, north of Seine), 1 French 6 point infantry corps, 1 German 6 point infantry corps (wooded hex north of Seine southeast of Paris), 1 Czech 5 point mechanized corps, 1 French 6 point armored corps, 2 French fighter units, 2 French bomber units (Lille), 1 French coast defense unit, 1 French HQ (Calais),

Southern France (Army Group Sud)
2 German 7 point infantry corps (Bayonne), 2 Russian 5 point infantry corps, 1 German HQ (Toulouse), 2 German 7 point infantry corps (clear hex on coast on French/Spanish border), 2 Russian 4 point cavalry corps (Vichy)

Southeast France (Army Group Alpine)
2 German 7 point infantry corps, 1 French artillery unit (Nice), 1 French 7 point infantry corps, 1 French artillery unit, 1 French HQ (resource hex on Rhone valley), 1 German naval air unit (Toulon), 1 French naval air unit, 1 French 5 point garrison (Corsica), 1 Spanish 5 point garrison (Balearic Islands), 1 French 5 point Alpine corps (adjacent and northwest of Turin)

French Mediterranean Fleet 2 light ships, 1 submarine (4 light cruisers, 22 destroyers, 20 submarines) plus 2 damaged battleships, 8 damaged destroyers (requires 3 points to repair)




Allied Forces
Brittany / Normandy beachheads: 2 US 9 point mechanized corps (2 hexes east St. Malo), 2 US 8 point mechanized Corps (St. Malo), 1 Australian 8 point amphibious unit (Cherbourg), 2 US 9 point mechanized corps, 1 US HQ (Brest), 2 US 8 point mechanized corps, 1 British HQ (Lorient), 1 South African 8 point mechanized corps (1 hex east of St. Malo), 1 Canadian 8 point amphibious corps, 1 British 7 point infantry corps, 1 Canadian HQ (St. Nazaire), 2 British 7 point infantry corps, 1 British HQ (Nantes), 2 British 9 point mechanized corps (wooded east between St. Malo and Nantes), 2 British 8 point mechanized corps (resource hex east of Nantes), 2 British 9 point mechanized corps (hex east of wooded hex), 2 US fighters, 2 US bombers (St. Malo), 1 UK fighter (Brest), 1 UK fighter (St. Nazaire), 2 UK bombers (St. Nazaire),

Total Allied forces in France: 13 mechanized corps, 2 amphibious corps, 3 infantry corps, 4 headquarters, 4 fighters, 4 bombers, (3 million men) organized into US 12th and British 21st and 15th Army Groups.

Spain/Portugal
2 US 8 point mechanized corps (Madrid) 1 US 8 point mechanized corps (clear hex east of Madrid), 1 US 7 point mechanized corps (Bilbao), 1 US 7 point mechanized corps (Barcelona), 1 US 6 point mechanized corps (1 hex northeast of Cartegana), 2 US fighter units, 1 US HQ Santender), 1 Colombian 4 point mountain corps (Ferrol), 1 Latin American 3 point infantry corps (Malaga), 1 Portuguese 4 point infantry corps (Viggo), 1 Portuguese 4 point infantry corps (1 hex west of Madrid), 1 Moroccan 3 point cavalry corps (Seville), 1 US 10 point infantry corps, 1 US fighter unit (Lisbon)

Total Allied forces Spain: 6 mechanized corps, 1 Alpine corps, 4 infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps, 1 HQ, 3 fighter units, (1.6 million men) organized into the US 19th Army Group and Occupation Forces, Espana

Also available is 1 Moroccan Alpine corps, 2 Moroccan corps, all of which are in Morocco at the moment.

Allied Naval Forces Europe:
US 6th Fleet 2 capital ships, 2 light ships (4 battleships, 5 light cruisers, 20 destroyers), plus 2 subs (40 submarines) (Casablanca)
US 1st Fleet 2 capital ships, 2 light ships (4 battleships, 5 light cruisers, 20 destroyers)(Gibraltar)
British Home Fleet 2 capital ship, 2 carrier units, 5 light ships, 3 submarines (2 battleships, 1 UK, 1 Colombian battle cruiser, 3 carriers, 15 light cruisers, 40 destroyers, 60 submarines),

British Home Forces: 1 fighter unit (London), 1 bomber unit (Dover), 2 Naval air units (Dover, Aberdeen), garrison units (in fortified areas) at Dover, Scapa Flow, Portsmouth)

British Builds
Jan 26 1 light ship (5 heavy cruisers)
Mar 26 1 carrier (2 Ark Royal class), 1 Can Light ship (40 corvettes_
May 26 1 capital ship (2 Lion class battleships)


North America: 4 US 7 point mechanized corps, 2 air transport units, 1 fighter unit, 1 US 10 point Amphibious unit,

US 7th Fleet (Norfolk) with 3 CV, 5 LS (carriers Lexington, Saratoga, McKinley, Roosevelt, Lincoln, Washington, plus 10 heavy cruisers, 10 light cruisers, 60 destroyers,

US builds
1926
Jan / Feb 3 light ships(5 heavy cruisers 20 destroyers, 40 sub chasers), 1 capital ship (2 North Carolina class battleships)
Mar / Apr 3 light ships (5 light cruisers, 20 destroyers, 40 sub chasers), 1 capital ship (2 North Carolina class battleships)
May / June Radar becomes available

Allied Atlantic Fleet (escorts convoys to and from Europe, North America, Caribbean and North Africa)
8 US light ships (80 destroyers, 160 subchasers), 2 Canadian light ships (20 destroyers, 40 subchasers), 6 British light ships (40 destroyers, 120 corvettes), 1 carrier unit (3 light carriers),

At US shipyards needing repairs (all British ships) 6 battleships (Hood, Nelson, Rodney, Barham, Malaya), 5 light cruisers, (8 points needed)

ooc
builds posted are units the British and Americans already paid for that will enter service after the required time delay

Italian Front
Pact Forces:
1 German 5 point Alpine corps, 2 German HQ (Brenner Pass, mountain hex 2 hexes southwest of Munich) 2 German 5 point Alpine corps (hex northeast of Milan), 2 German 7 point infantry corps (hex directly east of Milan), 2 Russian 5 point infantry corps (mountain hex northwest of Venice), 1 Russian HQ, 2 Russian 5 point infantry corps (clear hex northeast of Venice), 2 Russian 6 point mechanized corps (Venice), 1 Russian 7 point mechanized corps, 1 Russian 5 point infantry corps (mountain hex northwest of Trieste), 1 Yugoslav 5 point infantry corps, 1 Russian fighter unit (Trieste), 1 Yugoslav 4 point infantry corps (Pola),

Yugoslav fleet 1 light ship (Zara)
Yugoslav home forces: 2 Yugoslav 5 point Alpine Corps (Greek border), 2 Yugoslav 4 point infantry corps, 1 HQ (Sarajevo)

Allied forces:
2 British 6 point mechanized corps (Milan), 2 US 7 point mechanized corps (hex east of Genoa), 2 US 6 point mechanized corps (one in each hex south of River Po), 2 US 7 point mechanized corps, 1 US HQ, 2 US fighters (Florence), 2 US 5 point mountain corps, 1 Italian HQ, 2 Italian fighters (Turin), 1 US 6 point mechanized corps (La Spezia), 2 Italian 4 point infantry corps (mountain resource hex on French border, fortified hex), 2 Italian 5 point infantry corps,1 Italian HQ, 1 Italian bomber (Leghorn), 1 Italian 5 point garrison unit (Tripoli, Libya).

Italian Battlefleet 1 heavy ship, 4 light ships, 2 submarines (2 battleships, 10 cruisers, 40 destroyers, 40 submarines) (Naples)
Italian Adriatic Fleet 2 Light ships (5 cruisers, 20 destroyers) (Taranto)

British Mediterranean Fleet 2 light ships (Malta)(5 cruisers, 20 destroyers)

British Egyptian garrison – 2 British 6 point garrison units, 1 British 7 point infantry corps

European Neutrals remain the same, and can be found here
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9836068&postcount=173

the entry of the Ottoman Empire, Palestine,Burgundy and Central America are being discussed by referee Vas and myself

Egypt / Levant / Turkey / Fertile Crescent / West Persia / Arabia
LTA forces
British 6 point garrison (Suez), British 6 point garrison (Port Said), British 7 point infantry corps (Alexandria)

Available if needed US 6th Fleet (Gibraltar), British Mediterranean Fleet (Malta), Italian Fleet (Naples)

Other forces within easy reach
1 South African 5 point infantry corps (Capetown), 1 Argentine 6 point Mechanized corps (Diego Suarez, Madagascar), South African Navy with 2 light ships (4 light cruisers, 10 destroyers), Argentine Fleet 1 light ship (1 semidreadnought, 2 cruisers, plus destroyers), British Indian Ocean Fleet 1 light ship (5 British and Indian light cruisers),

Pact or possible Pact
Ottoman Empire
Based on this post
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9785451&postcount=591 (for locations)
and this post (for actual strength)
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9836068&postcount=173

Egypt
1 Turkish 4 point infantry corps (Suez), 1 Turkish 4 point infantry corps (Suez), 1 Turkish 3 point infantry corps (Alexandria,),

(yes, they share the same hexes with the British at start)

other garrisons
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/fullimage/95677

Persia -2 Turkish 4 point infantry corps (Tehran, Bandar Shapur)
Iraq – 1 Turkish 3 point infantry corps (Basra), 1 Turkish 4 point garrison unit (Baghdad)
Arabia – 1 Turkish 2 point Cavalry corps (Riyadh)
Syria – 1 Turkish 3 point infantry corps (Damascus), 1 Turkish 3 point Cavalry corps (Damascus)
Home Forces – 1 Turkish 5 point infantry corps, 1 Turkish 4 point Amphibious unit, 1 fighter unit, (Istanbul), 1 Turkish 6 point garrison (Gallipolli), 1 Turkish 4 point Alpine corps (Ezrurum),
Turkish fleet – 2 capital ships, 1 carrier, 9 light ships (3 battle cruisers, 2 battleships, 34 light cruisers, 48 destroyers, 30 torpedo boats) plus 2 submarines (40 boats)

Palestinian forces
1 x 3 point infantry corps (Jerusalem), 1 x 3 point infantry corps (Beruit), 1 x 2 point cavalry corps (Haifa)
South Asian Front
LTA forces
Indus River front
2 Indian 6 point corps(Peshwar,), 2 Indian 5 point infantry corps (Multan), 2 Indian 6 point infantry corps (Rawalpindi), 2 Indian 7 point infantry corps Infantry (Lahore) 1 Anzac 4 point cavalry, 1 Indian 5 point Infantry at Karachi,

1 HQ Delhi, 1 Indian 5 point garrison, 1 Indian 6 point mechanized corps (Delhi),

Pact forces
Russian
1 HQ Kabul, 4 Russian 6 point Inf corps in India (west of Rawalpindi and Multan), 2 Russian 4 point Cav corps in India (south of the Multan group), 6 x 6 point Infantry in Afghanistan (with 1 hex of Kabul), 1 x 5 point Mountain unit in India (west of Lahore), 5 x 3 point Cav corps in Afghanistan (with 2 hexes of Kabul), 1 fighter unit, 1 bomber at Kabul, 2 x 5 point Infantry corps at Samarkand.

LTA Forces
Southeast Asia front
British / Indian
1 Indian 6 point Infantry corps at Rangoon (Burma),
1 UK 6 point infantry corps at Singapore (in fortification against amphib attack only)
1 Indian 7 point mechanized corps (Dacca)
1 Indian 5 point garrison (Colombo)
also available are Indian Ocean, Southern Fleet and Australian home fleet 1 light ship (3 cruisers, 5 destroyers)
US Asiatic fleet 2 subs (30 submarines)
US Pacific fleet with 3 light ships (10 cruisers, 25 destroyers)

Siam
2 point garrison at Bangkok

Pact forces
Chinese
Burma theater
1 Chinese HQ (Kunming), 2 Chinese 5 point infantry corps (1 hex northeast of Mandalay)(out of supply), 1 Chinese 5 point infantry corps (northeast of Burmese oil resource hex)

Indochina
1 Chinese 5 point Infantry corps, 1 Chinese 6 point garrison (Hanoi), 1 Chinese 5 point infantry corps (Saigon), 1 Chinese 5 point corps (Vientane)

Chinese home forces
3 Chinese 6 point garrisons (Canton, Shanghai, Mukden),
2 Chinese 6 point infantry corps (Mukden)
2 Chinese 6 point infantry corps (Port Arthur)
1 fighter, 1 bomber, 1 naval air (Canton)

Chinese combined fleet 20 heavy cruisers, 60 heavy destroyers, 120 torpedo boats (14 light ships)(Canton) plus 2 battleships (needing repair, cost 2 points)
Chinese western fleet 120 torpedo boats, 20 submarines (3 light ships, 1 submarine)(Shanghai)

Siberian Front
Japanese forces
5 Japanese 6 point Inf deployed in the three hexes around Kostantinovsk, plus 1 HQ in Konstantinovsk. This port freezes up on the first turn that winter effects occur and is no longer a supply port until the first turn that clear weather returns. There are 2 Japanese 7 point infantry corps. Vladivostok only freezes up during winter turns (so thaws even during winter months if any result but winter weather comes along).

In Japan they have 2 HQ, 1 fighter, 1 naval air, 1 bomber,
In Sakkalin they have 1 x 5 point infantry corps at Toyohara.
In Formosa the Japanese have 1 x 5 point infantry corps, 1 fighter unit, 1 naval air unit

Japan has a fleet of 5 battleships, 2 carriers, 4 light cruisers, and 10 destroyers at Hiroshima, Another fleet with 10 heavy cruisers, 100 destroyers, and 40 corvettes based out of Yokohama, and another fleet with 2 battleships, 2 carriers, and 20 destroyers based at Taipai. In addition, the Japanese have 40 submarines based out of Fukukoa. Japan has 16 sealift counters.

Korea
Is neutral, controls only its own country, and has 2 x4 point Alpine corps, 2 x 5 point garrison corps (Seoul, Fusan)

Pact forces
Siberian Front
1 x 8 point Garrison,1 x 7 point infantry corps, 1 HQ in Khabarovsk. 8 Russian 7 point Infantry corps within two hexes of Khabarovsk. 1 Figher unitk, 3 bomber units at Khabarovsk. 2 x 6 point Infantry corps at Chita.

Russian home forces (available for deployment)
Poland 2 x 3 point cavalry corps
Hungary 1 x 6 point infantry corps
Ukraine 8 x 3 point cavalry corps
Moscow: 1 x 10 point garrison,
Riga: 1 x 7 point infantry corps
Helsinki 1 x 6 point infantry corps
Petrograd Fleet: 12 destroyers, 18 corvettes needing repairs (considered one light ship, needs 2 points to go back into action), plus 40 submarines
Black Sea Fleet (Sevastapol) 1 x 6 point amphibious corps, 1 shipping unit

November December weather roll was a 1, which isn't going to be pleasant for anyone.

Severe Winter in Arctic weather zone... no invasions, HQs may not move, no aircraft available, land attacks -2 odds columns (unless winter warfare trained), all units not adjacent to a HQ unit or not in a hex with a city hex in their own country or not in a port (which is not frozen over) are out of supply. If they move they become disorganized, and out of supply units may not attack.

All Russian and Siberian ports in this weather zone, as well as all ports in Finland are iced over, as is the ports in Sakkalin are frozen over. This includes Vladivostok.

Winter in Northern Temperate Zone. No invasions, Bombing strength is halved, HQs can move 1 hex a phase, land attacks -1 odds level unless winter warfare trained. Rivers are considered clear terrain, supply range is reduced by two hexes in Europe map, 1 hex on other maps. (normally 6 on Europe/North Africa map except desert hexes where it is 4, 3 everywhere else).

Mud in Mediterranean Weather zone. HQs cannot move, terrain costs twice as much to move through, no attacking across rivers. supply reduced by 2 hexes in European map, 1 hex for other map.

Clear in Northern and Southern Monsoon as well as Southern Temperate weather zones.


INITIATIVE DIE ROLL goes to the LTA this turn.

Make your plans accordingly

European Map http://www.boardgamegeek.com/fullimage/95676

Asian Map http://www.boardgamegeek.com/fullimage/95677

or why you can't move everything everywhere at once

Strategic movement

Each turn (2 month period) nations can move units around the map using strategic movement, which allows them to move any distance by rail or sea (not both) with relatively few limits.

Air units and ground units can be moved this way, as can submarines (with a restriction). Ground units include all corps, artillery units, garrison units, corps etc. Air units represent not only the aircraft and aircrews, but also the ground support personnel and equipment. Typically an air unit will have 10 ground support personnel for every aircraft, and air units represent between 250-500 aircraft (depending on type).

Each country has a limit and that limit cannot be exceeded. It represents the limit of their rail road capacity (in other words, how many trains are available and how much traffic their rail systems can handle). Any unit that is strategically moved is considered disorganized for the remainder of the turn and can only move or attack if reorganized by a headquarters unit, or air transport unit. However, it is considered reorganized at the beginning of the next turn.

A unit cannot strategically move if it is in contact with the enemy and cannot strategically move to a position that places it in contact with the enemy. In addition, if enemy forces block the rail line that the unit needs it cannot strategically move beyond that point (no trains get through) and once again ends its move 1 hex away from the enemy.

Rail moves
US 12 (relevant only if combat reaches North America)
Canada 4 (as above)
Russian 11
Britain 8 (as for US however)
Germany 8
France 7
Italy 4
Spain 2
Japan 2
Turkey 4
China 4
All others 1 (if tech level 3 or better)

Special rule: The Russian railways and Spanish railways use a different gauge than the remainder of Europe. Spanish railroads are narrower, and Russian railroads are wider. Therefore, units that are strategically moved into or out of Russia or Spain count against Russian and Spanish strategic move limits. Once out of Russia or Spain, they then count against the owning players strategic move limits. Example: The Germans want to send a naval air unit to help the Russians out in Siberia. First, the unit is shipped from Germany to Poland (using 1 German strat move), then it is shipped from Poland to Chita (Siberia) using 1 Russian strat move.

Standardizing railroad gauge takes 12 points for each strategic move Russia or Spain has (so 24 points to standarize Spanish rails, 132 points for Russian railroads).

Sea moves
Nations can also move units by sea. They get 1 strategic move for every 2 shipping units available (which is determined at the start of the turn). Units that are shipped by sea can move half of their movement allowance after arrival at a port, but cannot move adjacent to an enemy unit and are disorganized just like units moved by rail.

So for example, in July 1925, the US and Britain have 20 shipping units each, Japan has 8, Italy has 4.

Strategic movement by sea is only allowed if your alliance has control over all sea areas between the embarkation port and debarkation port. Submarines do not control sea areas (they just kill shipping units).


Scale
By the way, a hex is roughly 100 kilometers on the European Map, and 235 kilometers on the Asian map Stacking limits not only reflect doctrinal limits on front line combat units, but also the rather extensive combat support and logistical support units that are also in a corps. Typically a 100 kilometer hex with 2 corps and an artillery unit is holding roughly 150,000 soldiers in that hex, of which only the combat elements (roughly a third or less) are actually on the line, and the rest are spread out all over the rest of the hex. Elsewhere stacking can be up to 4 corps and 2 artillery units.

Headquarters units are essentially abstractions as they are headquarters for army groups and theaters of operations and they have support units all over the place. Think of them as more of a place holder than an actual combat unit, but the unit also does represent where the headquarters is physically located.

updated and some corrections made.

Combat strengths and movement allowances
Each Corps represents 60,000 men and 3-5 divisions.

Armored Corps – represents heavy tanks that are slow Attack of 6-8, defense 3-4, move 3
Allows attackers to ignore the effects of fortifications (the defenders are no longer doubled). Represents 1,000 tanks organized in brigades.

Armored Cavalry corps – represents combined arms formations with tanks, infantry, artillery, engineers etc designed to work as a team. What we think of today as an armored division. Attack and Defense 6-10, move 6 Represents 2 armored cavalry divisions and a 1mechanized infantry division.

Mechanized Corps – all units in the corps have sufficient trucks to carry all men, and also has significant numbers of tanks assigned. Attack and Defense 5-8, move 6. Represents 3 mechanized infantry divisions (which have at least a couple of companies of armored cars and tanks) plus a brigade of tanks.

Motorized Corps – as mechanized corps, but few tanks and trucks are not generally 4 wheel drive equipped. Attack and Defense 4-6. Represents 3 infantry divisions. Attack and Defense 4-6, move 5

Infantry and Cavalry Corps – US, UK (and its Dominions), Japan, Germany – 3 divisions, Russia, Italy, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, France – 4 divisions, All other nations 5 divisions. Attack and Defense 3 – 10. Move 3

Cavalry (horse) Corps – Same as infantry corps, but attack 1 – 4, move 4

Garrison units -- represents not only garrison infantry, but fixed artillery, antiaircraft units etc. Attack 0, Defense 3-10, move 0 (can only strategically redeploy). If forced to move anyway, becomes an infantry unit at half of its orginal strength.

Fighter units – represents 250 -500 fighters and their aircrews (sometimes fewer but combat strength is adjusted to reflect that). Air combat strength 4 -9, Ground strike rating 1, naval strike 0, range usually 4 hexes but can be as high as 10.

Bomber units – represents 100 -500 (single or multiengine, varies). Air combat strength 1- 6 (cannot intercept though), Ground strike rating 1 -3, Naval strike 0 – 2, Strategic bombing 0 -1, range 3 – 15.

Naval air units – represents 100 – 250 aircraft, mixed fighters, seaplanes, scout planes, bombers etc trained to attack shipping. Air combat 2 – 6, ground strike 1 -2, naval strike 2 -4, strategic bombing 0, range 3 – 15

Air transport units – represents 100-250 aircraft, air combat, ground strike, naval strike and strategic bombing rating of 0, range 8, however, can reorganize 1 unit, or paradrop 1 unit.

Carrier aircraft – each carrier unit (which are organized in pairs) carries 100 – 200 aircraft, however, even though carriers operate fewer aircraft than land based units, the level of training is also significantly higher. Landing on a pitching carrier in weather or at night is considered by most historians and pilots as hazardous as combat in most cases.

updated and some corrections

incidently, Nations States is down, so until it is up again if you sent me telegrams I have no way to check them for a while

secret IC
the US is attempting to contact Vietnamese Nationalists living in either LTA or neutral nations and bring them to the Philippines to discuss the possibility of creating an independent Vietnam after the Chinese are eventually driven out. Especially how they can help with that. Once there, information on potential leaders inside Vietnam itself is sought.

ooc
Ho Chi Minh would be ideal to make an appareance about now, he is the right age, and so is a young school teacher named Giap.

The Russian railways and Spanish railways use a different gauge than the remainder of Europe. Spanish railroads are narrower, and Russian railroads are wider. Therefore, units that are strategically moved into or out of Russia or Spain count against Russian and Spanish strategic move limits. Once out of Russia or Spain, they then count against the owning players strategic move limits.
I missed that thing about railway gauges the first time (well, come to think of it, I'd never seen it before at all).

I'm not sure that this would be true in our world, since the Germans and Russians have been allies for so long and building each other's (and other people's) railroads so much.

Can you give me the history behind this? If I'd ever heard it before believe me I would've changed the gauges.

Just to add another headache to you before you leave for your romantic weekend.

secret IC
the US is attempting to contact Vietnamese Nationalists living in either LTA or neutral nations and bring them to the Philippines to discuss the possibility of creating an independent Vietnam after the Chinese are eventually driven out. Especially how they can help with that. Once there, information on potential leaders inside Vietnam itself is sought.

ooc
Ho Chi Minh would be ideal to make an appareance about now, he is the right age, and so is a young school teacher named Giap.
Ooh. And another headache. As moderator, I'm still insisting for the sake of game balance that no significant rebellions may be provoked by the belligerents against other player characters.

However, Ho Chi Minh (he'd still be calling himself Nguyễn Ái Quốc) and Giap will certainly start operations against their foreign occupiers. But no game effects will occur unless the Allies occupy Vietnam. Then their presence will alow the Allies to form a collaborationist government. What have the Chinese done with Emperor Bao Dai, anyway? He should have been crowned just this year.

Also, GB has asked me about forming an Arab government in Algeria. I'm going to allow that, though it probably won't very stable or much help to the Allies beyond propaganda value, which is pretty much exactly what I myself have done in Afghanistan, anyway.

I missed that thing about railway gauges the first time (well, come to think of it, I'd never seen it before at all).

I'm not sure that this would be true in our world, since the Germans and Russians have been allies for so long and building each other's (and other people's) railroads so much.

Can you give me the history behind this? If I'd ever heard it before believe me I would've changed the gauges.

Just to add another headache to you before you leave for your romantic weekend.

Russian railways were built that way from the start in the late 19th Century. Partly it has do with the usefulness of wider tracks and locomotives when pushing aside snow (a bigger problem in Russia than even in Canada or Europe), partly as a defensive measure and partly after a while because all of the other raillines were that gauge. Anyway, thats how they built them.

the Spanish gauge has to do with economy measures, as so much of the Spanish railway is through hilly or mountain terrain, and they had less money to spend on their railways than anyone else in Europe. I have no idea otherwise, but that is what they did. Once the US fixes Madrid, it will then regauge the Spanish railways.

I am pretty sure you sent me a telegram about that at some point, but its lost in the mists of time now.

Ooh. And another headache. As moderator, I'm still insisting for the sake of game balance that no significant rebellions may be provoked by the belligerents against other player characters.

However, Ho Chi Minh (he'd still be calling himself Nguyễn Ái Quốc) and Giap will certainly start operations against their foreign occupiers. But no game effects will occur unless the Allies occupy Vietnam. Then their presence will alow the Allies to form a collaborationist government. What have the Chinese done with Emperor Bao Dai, anyway? He should have been crowned just this year.

Also, GB has asked me about forming an Arab government in Algeria. I'm going to allow that, though it probably won't very stable or much help to the Allies beyond propaganda value, which is pretty much exactly what I myself have done in Afghanistan, anyway.

that works for me, it will be useful when I liberate Vietnam

OOC:

A couple of things.

First, I'm in the process of democraticizing China (which I haven't had the time to RP out) but I'm modeling the government after Singapore in RL, and keeping my Imperial Family as Emperor being elected for president for life, and the princes / princesses elected as governors for life (although princes and princesses can be impeached if overwhelming support for it).

This should allow the Vietnamese to have a say in governmental affairs for as long as Vietnam is a temporary Chinese protectorate (until the LTA invades it or it is given back to France).

Second, pretty much the only things I've been doing in Vietnam in this timeline is fortifying it aganist any LTA invasion, improving living standards in Vietnam, and doing good works for the Vietnamese people which is supposed to increase their positive opinion of China as a benevolent nation and not as a conqueror (even though I acquired Vietnam from France even for a temporary time period).

So pretty much any Vietnamese leaders or such like the Trinh Sisters or Ho Chi Minh or Giap or Bao Dai are all still alive. My China is much more benevolent in this timeline as it doesn't execute national leaders or do similiar atrocities.

well, the Trinh sisters aren't, they date back from one of the times China occupied Vietnam.. many centuries back. China has occupied Vietnam several times of the centuries (plus the fact that the ethnic Vietnamese are descended from the same people as the Polynesians and some of the ethnic Chinese tribes, but that is a different story that we only figured out in the last 20 years). In every single occasion, the Vietnamese fought back and made the occupation too expensive to continue. The Vietnamese hate only one people more than the Chinese, and those would be the primitive hill tribes who seemed to be the people who lived in Vietnam first (first displaced in the 5th and 6th Centuries AD apparently).

So Vietnamese hatred of the Chinese is pretty much an eternal fact.

But this will only matter if the LTA kicks China out of Vietnam

an example can be found here
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/generasian/voice.html

and here

http://impropaganda.blogspot.com/2005/06/added-in-translation.html

Well, Chinese rule in Vietnam lasted about a thousand years once. But it was a hard thousand years.

Governing Vietnam will be difficult for the Chinese, but the moderate form of government they're enacting should help.

But guys like Nguyen Ai Quoc and Vo Nguyen Giap aren't going to be happy with any arrangement that leaves any foreign power controlling them, including the Americans (obviously). But they'd work with anyone who credibly promises them independence. Giap, by the way, is only, like, fourteen years old. Nguyen (i.e., Uncle Ho) is the chief man on the scene.

Russian railways were built that way from the start in the late 19th Century. Partly it has do with the usefulness of wider tracks and locomotives when pushing aside snow (a bigger problem in Russia than even in Canada or Europe), partly as a defensive measure and partly after a while because all of the other raillines were that gauge. Anyway, thats how they built them.

I am pretty sure you sent me a telegram about that at some point, but its lost in the mists of time now.
I'll buy the thing about the snow. But wouldn't the Germans have switched over to our gauge, then, when we started cooperating on building tracks in China, the Balkans, and (if I recall correctly) the Middle East?

I'll buy the thing about the snow. But wouldn't the Germans have switched over to our gauge, then, when we started cooperating on building tracks in China, the Balkans, and (if I recall correctly) the Middle East?

up to you.. there are advantages to Russia for having a different gauge, and disadvantages.. however, once decided, you are stuck with it unless you pay to change it at some future point. China will have the same gauge as the Russians (as Russia pretty much built their railroads in Manchuria and the line connecting Central Asia to Beijing)

'K. As pertains to Germany and most of Eastern Europe, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in my estimation. We'll still have to switch gauges in France. We built the Ottomans' railways, too, but I'll let the Turks decide which they prefer. Our standard is better for trading with us, but the Western European standard would be better for trading with France, Britain, and India.

The US begins also to institute some useful economic and social measures in Spain. Women are given the right to vote and hold office, as well as own property in their own name. Minimum wage laws and the right to strike are given to workers. The government is given the right to tax all church property except for the property where an actual church is located and even then only the portion of the property housing the actual chapel is exempted.

This naturally creates some grumbling by the right in Spain, but the real fanatics got themselves killed off during the Civil War before the war, as had many of the real fanatics on the Left during the Civil War and this war.

The US shifts Spanish production from war to peace, so that the local economy serves Spanish needs. In addition, substantial aid is promised beginning in 1926 (ooc, 3 points a turn to rebuild Madrid's production). This will be treated as payment for the Spanish loss of the Canary Islands and their enclaves in Morocco, as well as some reparations.

The Spanish Army and Navy is formerly disbanded for now as well although a Coast Guard consisting of patrol boasts and minesweepers is authorized with advisors from the US Coast Guard brought in to help set it up. Whenever possible troops from Latin America, or Spanish speaking American troops are used for occupation duties.
Uhh...GB my country has had universal suffrage for 18 and up since about 1917 and women have had the same rights as men since about 1919...its a socialist government for gods sake! in fact all of those acts have been enacted i mean come on the socialists won the civil war! also i saw that theres a spanish government in exile ummm can we say that king alfonso and PM Lerroux accept the terms and only ask that the LTA Occupation be moved to the borders and that all LTA troops in Spain be disbanded after the war. They would also want to keep the baelerics...sorry i have to do this so late but circumstances have not been in my favor...im pretty sure ill be able to get back on like i was before within a week or two...could you please try to incorporate this?

'K. As pertains to Germany and most of Eastern Europe, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in my estimation. We'll still have to switch gauges in France. We built the Ottomans' railways, too, but I'll let the Turks decide which they prefer. Our standard is better for trading with us, but the Western European standard would be better for trading with France, Britain, and India.
I'll answer that, the true is it was the Germans who have help the Ottomans build up their railroads since the 1890s, do the German Ottoman relationship..so I am guessing, with the heavy investment from the Germans, Russians and British that my rail net reflect this, I think my rail system is mainly base on the Western European Standard, since that what the Germans used, yet I belive few rail links that were build in the 1910s would be of the Russian system...yeah its a bit confusing.

I'd also like to point out, with Vietnam, that the Vietnamese have been promised indpendence by the French within the next 15-30 years or possibly less.

Uhh...GB my country has had universal suffrage for 18 and up since about 1917 and women have had the same rights as men since about 1919...its a socialist government for gods sake! in fact all of those acts have been enacted i mean come on the socialists won the civil war! also i saw that theres a spanish government in exile ummm can we say that king alfonso and PM Lerroux accept the terms and only ask that the LTA Occupation be moved to the borders and that all LTA troops in Spain be disbanded after the war. They would also want to keep the baelerics...sorry i have to do this so late but circumstances have not been in my favor...im pretty sure ill be able to get back on like i was before within a week or two...could you please try to incorporate this?

I figured as much in regards to rights, the US basically ensures that they remain and aren't rolled back. US terms are as follows for Spain:
1. Unconditional surrender of all Spanish military forces.
2. All Spanish military forces turn over their arms and equipment to US.
3. US occupies Balaeric Islands as well as Spain.
4. Occupation will continue until war ends.
5. LTA forces will withdraw from Spain after war ends.
6. Spain gets to keep Balaeric Islands, plus all of Mainland Spain.
7. US rebuilds Madrid production (which it is beginning to do) and improves Spanish railroad system (which it will start soon). Consider this reparations and payment for Spanish Morocco and Canary Islands.
8. Spain limited to an army of 100,000, of which only 5% can be officers.
9. Navy limited to ships 1,000 tons or smaller, no submarines
10. No armed aircraft with more than one engine for airforce, which is limited to 250 aircraft.
11. King is allowed to continue to sit as head of state, if a referrendum held in 12 months has a majority calling for that.
12. Catalonia and Basque regions have autonomy on local issues, and be allowed to use their language as ther official language.
13. Reforms on Church taxation and property are made part of Spanish law.

I'd also like to point out, with Vietnam, that the Vietnamese have been promised indpendence by the French within the next 15-30 years or possibly less.

however the Chinese are in Vietnam, and did China promise Vietnam independence in 15 -30 years?

This is the US track record (in this RP)
The Filipinos for example know that they will have independence on July 4, 1945. The US has already given independence to Cuba (1902) and offered it to Puerto Rico (which chose to remain part of US) and offered it to Algeria and guaranteed it to Morocco and provided independence to Iceland and the Danish Virgin Islands. It also pulled out of Venezuela when it said it would as well. Which gives the US some advantages here.