NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: The sign up for this rp is here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=11957577#post11957577). The sign up page is also the ooc page, so please all those who joined, keep your occ talk to there. Thank you and rp well.

Europe | 10th March, 1938
The world is one of worry and frantic diplomacy. Adolf Hitler, who first came to power in Germany in 1933, has created a more powerful Germany more than every before with the help of his Nazi Party. Britain and France have thus far been upon a road of appeasement to Hitler, trying to feed the monster what small amounts they believe will sate his lust for more land.

Germany and the United Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) have become more havily inertwined with trade agreements and preliminary planning, deciding if eastern europe is ripe for the dividing.

The United States is in a dead-lock concerning international relations. The majority of the public wish to remain isolated and apart from the heating cauldron of Europe, having no wish to become entangled in another foreign war. At the same time they look to the West and the encroaching power of Imperial Japan.

South East Asia trembles under the heavy footfalls of Japan as this great island nation thrusts forth its military might in the conquest of China and other nations, while casting a warry eye to the North and the Russian border.

===

Berlin

Hjalmar Schacht stood nervously outside the Fuhrer’s office. He held in his hands the newest report on the ‘dummy’ companies that he had set up five years earlier when the Fuhrer had given him the responsibility of getting Germany’s economy back up to its former capacity. To bring the economy back up Schacht had had the government then to expand the money supply through massive deficit spending. However at the same time Schacht imposed a 4.5% interest rate ceiling, creating a massive shortage in borrow-able funds. But Schacht’s genius paid off, it was resolved by setting up a series of dummy companies that would pay for goods with bonds. The most famous of these so far was the MEFO Company, people used the bonds as currency so often that they became known as mefo bills. These complicated maneuvers also helped conceal armament expenditures that the Fuhrer was making that violated the Treaty of Versailles. But then, when did any German care about that farce of a treaty? And the English and French were too much of fools to look too closely.

Two SS guards, their black uniforms stark and well fitted to their muscular forms, stood at attention on either side of the door; their blue eyes staring out in front as if they were gazing into infinity. Schacht thought them crazy fanatics, but still took great pride in them; after all, they had gotten rid of the Jews from the cities of Germany.

Suddenly the white doors opened and Martin Bormann, the head of the Party Chancellery, stepped out. “Sie Hail!” said Schacht, the man snapped into a sloppy attention, his right arm outstretched and up. Bormann smiled and returned the salute. “The Fuhrer will see you now Hjalmar, hopefully you have good news,” Bormann said.

Schacht stepped through the doors, and Bormann closed them behind him. The office was large, with windows behind a large polished wooden desk looking out over Berlin. The Fuhrer stood behind his desk, back strait and hands behind his back gazing out over the city. Schacht stepped up to the desk and raised his arm. “Hail Hitler!” Schacht said. Hitler turned and looked at his head of Economic Policies. He raised his right arm, but not as high, and nodded. “Welcome Schacht, I hope your report is ready and that it holds good news,” Hitler said. “Please be seated.” Hitler motioned to the two cushioned chairs in front of the desk. Schacht sat down and held the manila folder in his lap.

“I have the report here mein Fuhrer, I believe you will be very happy with the news,” said Schacht. Hitler turned away from the windows and walked over to his desk. He stuck out his hands, and Schacht quickly handed over the folder. Hitler unhooked the wire and opened the folder. “Give me a summary of what’s in this report Herr Schacht if you will,” said Hitler. He sat down and turned his energy filled bright eyes to rest on Schacht. Schacht swallowed.

“Well mein Fuhrer, when you asked me in August of last year, to bring the Krupps Arms company back up to its full capabilities and establish more heavy industry, I took the problem to a small board of analysts and ‘thinkers’ and have come up with this: in the Rhineland, we now have all 23 Krupp factories back up to full capacity, and have begun building 7 more,” said Schacht, his pride showing on his face. Hitler leaned forward in his chair and looked down at the documents.

“This is a year ahead of schedule! Incredible, how did Johan Krupp manage it?” asked Hitler, he seemed very excited. Schacht nodded. “He sent his nephew to America where he was learning from the Ford Automobile company; from them he learned a more ‘orderly’ fashion of building factories and of managing machine lines. From his input now in my team of scientists and engineers we should be able to get your military programme into full swing mein Fuhrer,” said Schacht.

“Dies ist sehr gute, gute Arbeit Schacht! You are to continue your efforts,” said Hitler. Schacht took the hint and rose to leave. He raised his arm, “Hail Hitler!” Hitler raised his arm again and nodded.

“Schacht, because of you, Germany will rise greater than ever before,” said Hitler ominously. Schacht smiled slightly. “It is but my duty, mein Fuhrer,” replied Schacht. He then turned and left the office.


Bormann closed the door behind the wizened banker and turned to the Fuhrer. He smiled when he saw that Hitler was smiling as well.

“We’re advancing even more than I expected,” said Hitler. He looked at his confidant and friend with a keen eye. “Perhaps we should advance our other operations as well. What is on the rest of the agenda for today?”

“Just a meeting with Herr Spear,” replied Bormann, looking down at a clipboard that kept track of the Fuhrer’s daily schedule. Hitler nodded and rubbed his chin, leaning back he looked up at the ceiling. After a few moments he turned to Bormann.

“Call a meeting of all High Command officers, as well as korp commanders, and group commanders. We’ll meet at the Military Ministry’s war room. Make it a meeting for 9 o’clock.”

“Jawohl mein Fuhrer,” said Bormann. He saluted and left the room, leaving Hitler to himself. Hitler turned on the wheel of his chair and stared at the map of Europe which was pinned to the wall behind him.

Colonel Erwin Rommel stood on the steps of the War Ministry awaiting with members of the Wehrmacht High Command. The evening was growing darker, the sun just dipping over the top of Berlin’s larger buildings. Several black cars, each emblazoned with different branches of the military began driving down the street.

Several high ranking officers, generals and admirals, had already arrived; some of high repute, like General Bock and General Hoth. General Manstein had also already arrived with a hard set face and carrying a thick folder of paper. Two aides followed him carrying maps and other large items.

“On perfect time,” murmured Rommel. He saluted as Lieutenant General Kluge stepped out of his car.

“Welcome sir,” said Rommel. “There are refreshments waiting in a side room of the entry way. The Fuhrer has said that the proceedings will not take place for another 20 minutes to a half hour. You are free to enjoy yourself until then.”

General Kluge nodded at Rommel and stepped up past him into the building. Rommel was slightly miffed but took it in stride, for walking up the steps was Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda. Goebbels smiled as he walked up to Rommel and shook the man’s hand before he had a chance to salute.

“I’m not an officer Erwin, no need to salute me every time I walk up,” said Goebbels patronizingly. “Have the war hawks already arrived?”

“Yes sir, the generals and most of the chiefs of staff are already here,” replied Rommel, keeping to his station. Goebbels smiled at him and gave a knowing wink.

“All right you stiff, I’ll see you after the proceedings. You should be in there with them, I’m sure if you asked for a position within the Wehrmacht that the Fuhrer would give you one. You’re a rising start, just like Guderian. It’s just those old war dogs in the upper echelons that don’t like you.” Goebbels laughed and slapped Rommel on the arm. He jaunted up the steps and into the building.

Rommel just smiled at his friend’s retreating back and shook his head. Goebbels had taken a liking to Rommel right from the start when he had been placed in command of Hitler’s bodyguard in August of 1937. Rommel shook his head again and got back into his bodyguard mode, he had to concentrate on the arriving generals.

Moscow, Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic(RSFSR), 10th March, 1938

Stalin stared out the window of the meeting room in the Kremlin. He struck a match and used it to light his pipe, contemplating. Behind him sat the major and minor ministers of the Soviet Union, it was one of those rare occassion where every single one of them was in the meeting. They were chatting absent mindedly about themselves, but not so absent mindedly that they would betray a word that may get them shot.

Finally Stalin turned and cleared his throat, "Comrades..."

Everybody promptly shut their mouths and turned to face Stalin.

"Please, give your reports." Stalin said, "Comrade Molotov?"

The Foreign Minister stood up and began to speak.

"We are surprisingly getting along well with some nations that have previously stated they would wipe socialism out." He chuckled a little, "We're growing a little closer with Germany every-day, and although our relations with Japan could be better, given those border skirmishes we have had."

"And the Capitilist-Bourgieous nations?" Stalin asked.

"Same as always..." Molotov said, "Trying to undermine us."

"Good, comrade Beria?" Stalin turned to the bald man who(surprisingly) wore a pair of shades.

"Comrade, our rooting out of traitors in the military is going very well... so well in fact that I have a recommendation." Beria said.

The entire room got VERY quiet, the last time anyone had said that, they wound up infront of a firing squad about a few hours later.

"We should stop sweeping the military for traitors, I am highly confident that any of them are already dead." Beria said, "As a matter of fact, any spies may have fled to amongst the civilian populace."

There was a awkward silence... then Stalin nodded.

"Very well, comrade. However, to prevent traitors and spies from getting back in, all officers already given charges will stand. All charges that are not settled within the next hour will be dropped."

Ministers sitting next to Beria could have sworn they heard a sigh of relief. The meeting continued on without incident.

Helsinki, Finland, 11th of march, 1938
Marshal Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim was at his conference room with his six Full generals. He called the meeting to discuss the Soviet threat looming on the Horizon.
"Well gentlemen, what do you propose?" said Mannerheim.

"I, for one, believe we must establish a first line of defense to fend off a Soviet attack." replied General Vilho Nenonen, head of the Tykistönkenraali, the artillery of the Finnish military. "If we can maintain a strong line of defense with the combined use of artillery and earthworks, we would have the might to stop even the largest Soviet invasion."

The other generals nodded in agreement.

"It is settled then." stated Mannerheim. "Begin construction of earthworks and move our artillery to the Karelian Peninsula. I proclaim the "Nenonen Line" Project officially started.

Lieutenant General Von Kluge stepped out of his staff car, he looked around at all the important figures arriving at the set location of the meeting..

Very good he thought to himself..

The General cleared his throat then proceeded up the stairs nodding to Erwin Rommel who had saluted him. Once inside Von Kluge strided across the floor jackboots clicked loudly, he stopped beside General Von Manstein and General Von Bock bringing his heels togeather...

"Gentleman" He raised his hand giving a weak Nazi salute..

"I trust everthing is in order?" He looked at them both..

OOC: A way for guys like this to say whats up? lol...^^^^^

March 12, 1938
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The House of Saud was gathered to the royal palace to meet while the King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud ordered some of his generals to talk with him. It was time for them to discuss what was to be done about the tensions in Europe. The king was the first to speak, "My loyal men, as you all know Europe is changing greatly. I wish to hear you opinions of how they should be handled."

The first general was to say, "I believe if anything, we must not attempt to ally ourselves with Nazi Germany or any other Axis powers. Not only will they more than likely reject, but asking so would mean certain death to our new kingdom."

The king agreed, "That is true. We cannot ally ourselves with the Axis. They will only reject our offers, and if they do reach Arabia one day, we must be prepared to face their armies."

The second said, "I must agree as well. We would do best to remain neutral with the Axis and the issues in Europe. However if the Axis should come to Arabia, we must find out what to do of their coming."

The third spoke, "Yes indeed, and I believe I have an idea for what should be done. You know that we were able to unite two kingdoms under your rule my lord, but I believe that soon, the time is coming to take that further."

The king asked, "You believe that we should take the surrounding British colonies?"

The general answered, "Yes. Britain is a crumbling empire my lord, and the oil in those territories could make our kingdom into an economic power. With it, we can gain enough money to modernize our army and buy the equipment from both sides."

The first general spoke, "That could work, but we must keep ourselves from showing preferance to any side. We must remain neutral in these conflicts."

The King thought about this for a while and decided, "It shall be done then. We shall attempt to take the colonies from the British, but it should start as slowly as we can. We shall send our men outside Qatar and wait for the right moment to strike at the colonies. Once Britain is weakened enough by the conflicts, we shall strike and take the colonies. You men have given me great wisdom. I shall think on what you offer. God be with all of you."

The generals bowed and left the King's throne room. The army was set outside of Qatar, enough to keep it from appearing that an invasion was about to take place. The King gave his orders to supply his army as often as possible, and would wait for the right moment to challenge the British....

IC:
Mussolini rose up from behind his desk to greet the figure of his son-in-law, Galeazzo Ciano, with a firm handshake. They exchanged pleasantries before getting to the business at hand.

"I assume you've hearde the news of the German take-over of Czecolovakia" said Ciano "How do you propose we handle the situation?"

Benito sighed before answering "Having lost Austria as an ally and without european support in my anti-Hitler endevours I don't think we have much of a choice as to what we do. We will continue on with our current relationship with Germany."

"It is your choice Il Duce, but it that wise?"

"For now it is our best option. If we turn against him he will do to our northern provinces what he did to Austria and the Czechs. And with the direction our foreign policy has taken in the past years there will be no support from the British or French."

OOC: sorry, guys, can't do a good IC post today, i'll do one tomorrow. Carry on without me for npw.

Oslo, Norway
11 March, 1938

"To be fair, much of our military equipment is obsolete," said Oscar Torp, the Minister of Defense. "We've got four Panserskipet dating back to the late 19th century, and most of our coastal defense guns are of the same vintage. Our fighter planes can barely reach 400 kilometers per hour, newer types can hit 515 or more. Most of our aircraft are biplanes. We have basically nothing in the way of mechanized infantry vehicles."

"But we don't want to look like a militarized nation," said Halvdan Koht, Minister of Foreign Affairs. "We've been fairly successful with neutrality, any sort of modern military equipment could make it look like we want a war."

"I wouldn't say neutrality is totally successful, we lost many merchant ships and sailors during the Great War," followed Torp. "Now I'm not saying we become militarized. I am merely suggesting we get some modern equipment, or work on updating others. For instance, our Panserskipet could really use torpedo defenses. It would have been better if we'd have had those Bjørgvin-class ships, but there's little we can do about that now."

"It is a delicate balance," said Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold. "We do not wish to look like we want war, but at the same time we don't want to continue using obsolete equipment. Defense Minister Torp, I would like if you could look into this matter more, present more specific information, and we shall continue this at a later time."

[OOC: That's all for today, I'll try and post more tomorrow.]

Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King sat in a large chair, awaiting the King. Finally, he entered. "Good evening, my King," said Rex, as William King was often called. "Good evening, Minister," answered the King. "My King, I firmly believe, as I have said before, that forces be readied, immediatly... as you know, I believe Hitler will begin showing his strength soon. He already has built up his military, probably more than we know, and he will soon begin either scaring smaller nations into the German empire, or perhaps forcefully-" "Enough, I already OK'ed the mobilization of our forces. Prepare them all you want. But for now, we will wait and see what the British do, ay?" A secratary entered, "My King, a caller awaits." The King took the opportunity to run out, supposedly apologizing for his early leaving. "See what the Brits do, heh. If he had his way, we'd do just what was done in WWI. He'd wait for the exact second the Brits made a move, and copy it, order for order, and send it to our troops...," the Prime Minister mumbled. He then gathered his papers, of which he had not even had a chance to show the King, and stomped out.

OOC: I can't find the name of the King/Monarch of Canada in the 1930's or 1940's.

placeholder For Tomorrow Morning

Ic

Encrypted Communique to: The Third Riech of the German Nation
From: The Great Empire of Japan

Good morning. As I am sure you are aware times are changing, communisism is growing powerful and there are few to stop it. Perhaps however there should be a few less. Japan feels that the USSR could be a valuable ally, or at least not a sworn enemy. The Empire believes that the Anti Comintern pact, signed between us should end as quickly as possible. This move would surely dampen the friction between Fascists and Socialists. This in no way implies that we shall not hamper the advance of communisim, but will merely remove our intentions from paper. In it's place we offer a full and formal alliance to last 8 years between the Third Riech and Japan. The Japanese cruiser Togo shall arrive in the Baltic in nearly two months with the treaty and other items to be used for the betterment of society. We hope our relations shall continue to be good.

Signed:
Emperor Hirohito of Greater Japan

The Emperor finished signing it, the seal could not be Telegrammed so he left the Imperial to the side collecting dust. The paper was handed to an aide who silently rushed off a door to the back of the throne with the paper held in reverence.

"Admiral come forward." The Emperor called in a rough voice, using the fractured English. He had insisted that most of his Staff learn a major language, to 'better deal with foriegners.' "You shall accompany the letter. Germanland shall not be your destination though, you will travel first to Spain then to Portugal, then to Greece. In everyone of these nations is Fascists groups in need of supplies and uh...Bullion. You are my arm in this do not fail." The Empeor finished stood causing the room to whoosh with the sound of bodies folding into humble positions. "With Togo there will be another ship distribute the wealth as you see fit to allies of our cause."

"At once gracious lord," Admiral Mahajosari snapped up and left the room back never facing the Emperor. The rest of the room left as well when the Emperor dismissed them with the wave of a hand. The throne room echoed with the lumbering feet of ancient and weighed down military men who he gathered around him as a shield against liberal ideas. The room overlooked a military parade groud below, where at least a 1000 men were drilling under flowering plum trees. He watched them for hours watching them march back and forth, bayonets out, it fast as anything. He walked away from the drilling and looked at a map on a side table of his territories in China.

"German troops are faster....." he said quietly before studying the island of Taiwan, and it's position.

OOC Spain will recieve about a ton of silver, and maybe 8000 Small arms. One Forth less for Greece and half less for Portugal.

Guys, somebody else be the UK. I have too much on my hands to RP something of this scale right now, so I'm relinquishing my postion. See you guys later.

Field Marshal Keitel used a large silver serving fork to spear three sausages and put them on his silver plate. They slid next to his small mound of Danish cheese and small cut pieces of German black bread. Around him were dozens of army officers talking in small groups and equally serving themselves to the food provided. As the commander in chief of the Wehrmacht, Kleist was the highest ranking officer in the room, meaning that most of the lower army group commanders were, by protocol, too shy to talk much to him.

He looked around and spotted General Manstein speaking with General Guderian. Manstein was the newly appointed commander of the 3rd Army; a position that put him in command of 14 infantry divisions, 4 of the new motorized divisions, and 1 panzer division. Guderian was the commander of the 1st Panzer Group, containing the 1st and 3rd Panzer Divisions and as such fell under the command of General Kleist who commanded the 6th Army. Keitel wandered over to them and listened in as they were talking.

“Heinz have you seen the new models?” asked Manstein. Guderian nodded animatedly.

“They’re wonderful, exactly made to what I told the manufactures,” said Guderian with a smile. “The Panzerkampfwagen IV will be going into full production within the month. I’ve already been given the Fuhrer’s assurance that the Panzer I models are already ceasing to be made. They’re also bringing the Panzer III into main production as well.”

“Ah, yes,” said Keitel, making both men jump slightly at his sudden presence. “Your new little contraptions, panzers…you really think they’ll be of such good use?” asked Keitel. Guderian considered with a shrewd eye before answering. Keitel was an officer of the old school doctrine, where infantry and artillery did all the fighting. Guderian knew that Keitel was less than enthusiastic with the introduction of the Panzertruppen (Tank Korp) into the Wehrmacht.

“I think it is the most vital thing, perhaps even more so than Reich Marshal Goring’s Luftwaffe,” answered Guderian. Keitel nodded.

“Thank you for your honest opinion General Guderian. I know how defensive we can all get when defending out view points on doctrine. The French never cease to argue on it.”

“French,” muttered Manstein.

“I’ve already been collecting more information on British and French tanks, and thus far from what I see, our present tank force could fight them and most likely win,” said Guderian. “And we captured more than 250 tanks from the Czechs. I’ve just been down to Augsburg where they are setting up a shop for them.”

“I read your memorandum on the topic, of panzer comparison, it was well written,” commented Keitel. Guderian nodded in thanks at the compliment.

“Perhaps we’ll put it into practice one day,” said Guderian.

“Maybe,” said Keitel. “Ah, here comes General Kluge.”


"Gentleman" Klgue raised his hand giving a weak Nazi salute. "I trust everthing is in order?" He looked at them expectantly.

"Everything that we know of," said Guderian. "But then this meeting could change our course."

"Indeed," said Manstein with a growl. "I just hope the right direction."

"Oh come now, we must have faith in the Fuhrer to guide us. Why else would we follow him?" asked Keitel. All three men nodded in solemn agreement. They could hardly say anything against the statement anyway.

Guderian turned to Kluge. "How is your new post with 6th Army Group?"

===

Personal Telegram
To: Benito Mussolini
From: Minister Ribbentrop

Esteemed sir, it is my pleasure to invite you on behalf of the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, to attend a grand ball in Munich, Germany within a weeks time. The Fuhrer wishes to speak with you concerning several private matters and to discuss more trade options. The Fuhrer extends his compliments and wishes you good health for when you arrive in Munich.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Joachim von Ribbentrop

Nenonen Line, Summa, Finland
Vilho Nenonen and Baron Mannerheim watched the workers and tractors work on the defensive line. Opel trucks carried in 98K field guns were pulled into newly constructed artillery bunkers placed on the outskirts of Summa, about a third of a kilometer from the main line. "What do you think, Carl?" asked Vilho.
"Vilho, I must say, you have outdone yourself."
The men stayed there and watched as more workers from goverment and private construction firms moved in to assist in the construction.

"Gentleman" Klgue raised his hand giving a weak Nazi salute. "I trust everthing is in order?" He looked at them expectantly.

"Everything that we know of," said Guderian. "But then this meeting could change our course."

"Indeed," said Manstein with a growl. "I just hope the right direction."

"Oh come now, we must have faith in the Fuhrer to guide us. Why else would we follow him?" asked Keitel. All three men nodded in solemn agreement. They could hardly say anything against the statement anyway.

Guderian turned to Kluge. "How is your new post with 6th Army Group?"

Kluge nodded while removing his officers cap tucking it under his arm,

"It is going well, the troops seem to be well trained...very good morale...i think things will change for us this time around, Hitler shows great promise..."

Almost has me convinced He thought...

"I wonder what all this is about? my instinct's tell me somthing is in the planning stage my friend...why else would be all be brought togeather?"

Keitel smiled at him. As Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces (Wehrmacht), Keitel was privy to a lot of what the Fuhrer was planning. He know that since the take over Czechoslovakia Hitler was growing more ambitious. Since the French and British seemed to have no wish to stop them, then they indeed seemed to make more steps.

"Who knows," said Guderian, who caught Keitel's eye. "But all I can say is that it had better not be war; least not for another year."

"Indeed," said Manstein. He was a man of few words, something that got on the nerves of a lot of generals. "We need more men, tanks, planes, everything."

"We'll see," said Keitel. "Have you set up your new staff yet General Kluge?"

Keitel smiled at him. As Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces (Wehrmacht), Keitel was privy to a lot of what the Fuhrer was planning. He know that since the take over Czechoslovakia Hitler was growing more ambitious. Since the French and British seemed to have no wish to stop them, then they indeed seemed to make more steps.

"Who knows," said Guderian, who caught Keitel's eye. "But all I can say is that it had better not be war; least not for another year."

"Indeed," said Manstein. He was a man of few words, something that got on the nerves of a lot of generals. "We need more men, tanks, planes, everything."

"We'll see," said Keitel. "Have you set up your new staff yet General Kluge?"

Kluge also knew Hitler had some plans in store, todays meeting was obvious, he too glanced at Keitel when the word, 'war', was mentioned...Germany in truth, was not ready at this moment just as Guderian had said moments ago....

General Von Kluge stared off in space visualizing the loss of the first world war in his head, the thought made a shiver go down his spine.....he snapped back into it all of a sudden when Keitel had asked him,

"Have you set up your new staff yet General Kluge?"

Kluge nodded,

"I am currently in the process at this moment, there are lots of good soldiers out there and minimal space"

He grinned for the first time sence he entered the room, but it quickly faded and the General straightend up and cleared his throat...

Personal Telegram
To: Minister Ribbentrop
From: Benito Mussolini

Please inform your Fuhrer that I will meat with him. I also wish to discuss the future of the friendship between our Axis friendship.

Peime Minister of Italy
Benito Mussolini

Personal Telegram
To: Minister Ribbentrop
From: Benito Mussolini

Please inform your Fuhrer that I will meat with him. I also wish to discuss the future of the friendship between our Axis friendship.

Peime Minister of Italy
Benito Mussolini

Personal Telegram]
To: Benito Mussolini
From: Minister Ribbentrop

The Fuhrer will await your arrival. The date is set for March 17th.

Reich Foreign Ministry
Minister Ribbentrop

Nenonen Line, Summa, Finland
Baron Mannerheim was in his communication building in the Summa post office. He decided to send a message to the Norweigans in search of a possible deal between the two nations.
"Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold,
I, Baron Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim come asking a favor. We have recently begun on a defensive project, dubbed the Nenonen Line after my artillery commander Vilho Nenonen. We are frightened by the Soviet Union's view towards us and wish to defend ourselves. Therefore, to complete this as soon as possible, we ask for skilled engineers to assist us in the placement and construction of larger artillery, command, and machinegun bunkers. Rewards will be given to those who step forward.
Signed, Baron Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim"
Mannerheim suspected that some would comply, which will hopefully lead to a faster rate of construction for the defenses.

OOC: Cand, hate to say it...but please stop posting dates. It hasn't advanced that fast just yet. We're not going to be going day-by-day, but keep it more fluid. I'll notify everyone when the months change. For now you should just concentrate on adding more personality to your characters.

I'm sorry, I will edit immediately.
EDIT: Okay Thrashia, all dates have been edited. I'm sorry for the inconvenience :)

ooc: no problem, thanks

IC:

The far wall doors opened behind the entry way. Eyes turned and everyone watched as Martin Bormann, bedecked in all his party uniform’s splendor, stepped through the door and into the entry hall. He raised his arm in the Nazi salute and said “Sieg Heil.” The generals followed suit and returned it.

“Welcome gentlemen, the further is waiting in the planning room. Please enter.” With a wave of his hand Bormann stepped aside and let the 13 army commanders through, followed by other generals who were charged with different assignments. Grand Admiral Raeder, the only naval officer there, walked through chatting with Herman Goring.

They stepped into a great hall, similar to a drinking hall or dining hall except that instead of row upon row of tables, there were rows upon rows of maps and physical models of European countries. Aides worked around some of them. On the far wall sat a large map of Germany, large magnets with markings on them showing where armies were emplaced.

There at the end of the hall standing before the largest map of Europe was Adolf Hitler, the Fuhrer. The officers all marched up to him and saluted. Hitler looked at each and saluted back to the group.

“Welcome generals. I hope you found the refreshments to your liking. Goring, I see you still have your plate,” said Hitler. The group of generals all laughed a bit at that, even Goring did.

“Indeed my Fuhrer, I found it too good to surrender,” Goring said at a length. Hitler nodded with a smile. But he then turned more serious and tapped his finger on the map that lay in front of him.

“What is this gentlemen?” he asked. No one answered. Finally General Guderian coughed.

“It is the map of Europe sir.”

“True, but wrong,” said Hitler. He smiled at the assembled generals’ confusion.

“This is a map of Germany. The only detail that lacks in that it is painted in different colors, and not all in red as it should be,” said Hitler. He poked a finger at Poland, France, Romania, Hungary and many others. “This is a map of Europe as it should not be. I plan to change that.”

“How sir?” asked General Manstein.

“Napoleon had the dream of uniting Europe. I have that same great dream. Only I will accomplish it where he failed.” Hitler stood up strait and put his hands behind his back as he was prone to out of habit.

“I want each of you to consider several of these nations. You will all begin drawing up invasion plans of each country. I want detailed reports when you are finished. Yes Colonel Student?” Hitler turned to the colonel standing next to Kleist.

Colonel Kurt Student, commander of the Wehrmacht’s fledgling paratrooper program, cleared his throat. “Are we ready to begin a war?”

“I have faith in General Guderian’s new doctrine,” replied Hitler, nodding to Heinz who stood over to his right. “With his new ideas on combat combined with the natural superiority of German arms…how can we lose?”

No one answered the question. Hitler nodded and looked at each commander. “Now, are their any questions?”

ooc: no problem, thanks

IC:

The far wall doors opened behind the entry way. Eyes turned and everyone watched as Martin Bormann, bedecked in all his party uniform’s splendor, stepped through the door and into the entry hall. He raised his arm in the Nazi salute and said “Sieg Heil.” The generals followed suit and returned it.

“Welcome gentlemen, the further is waiting in the planning room. Please enter.” With a wave of his hand Bormann stepped aside and let the 13 army commanders through, followed by other generals who were charged with different assignments. Grand Admiral Raeder, the only naval officer there, walked through chatting with Herman Goring.

They stepped into a great hall, similar to a drinking hall or dining hall except that instead of row upon row of tables, there were rows upon rows of maps and physical models of European countries. Aides worked around some of them. On the far wall sat a large map of Germany, large magnets with markings on them showing where armies were emplaced.

There at the end of the hall standing before the largest map of Europe was Adolf Hitler, the Fuhrer. The officers all marched up to him and saluted. Hitler looked at each and saluted back to the group.

“Welcome generals. I hope you found the refreshments to your liking. Goring, I see you still have your plate,” said Hitler. The group of generals all laughed a bit at that, even Goring did.

“Indeed my Fuhrer, I found it too good to surrender,” Goring said at a length. Hitler nodded with a smile. But he then turned more serious and tapped his finger on the map that lay in front of him.

“What is this gentlemen?” he asked. No one answered. Finally General Guderian coughed.

“It is the map of Europe sir.”

“True, but wrong,” said Hitler. He smiled at the assembled generals’ confusion.

“This is a map of Germany. The only detail that lacks in that it is painted in different colors, and not all in red as it should be,” said Hitler. He poked a finger at Poland, France, Romania, Hungary and many others. “This is a map of Europe as it should not be. I plan to change that.”

“How sir?” asked General Manstein.

“Napoleon had the dream of uniting Europe. I have that same great dream. Only I will accomplish it where he failed.” Hitler stood up strait and put his hands behind his back as he was prone to out of habit.

“I want each of you to consider several of these nations. You will all begin drawing up invasion plans of each country. I want detailed reports when you are finished. Yes Colonel Student?” Hitler turned to the colonel standing next to Kleist.

Colonel Kurt Student, commander of the Wehrmacht’s fledgling paratrooper program, cleared his throat. “Are we ready to begin a war?”

“I have faith in General Guderian’s new doctrine,” replied Hitler, nodding to Heinz who stood over to his right. “With his new ideas on combat combined with the natural superiority of German arms…how can we lose?”

No one answered the question. Hitler nodded and looked at each commander. “Now, are their any questions?”

Upon entering the room Von Kluge knew right away that offencive actions were being planned, he glanced at all the maps, charts and models set up as he moved towards Hitler, he came to attention with the click of his heels then gave the Nazi salute. He listened as the men in the room spoke, when Hitler was giving the details of his plan Von Kluge eyes looked left to right glancing the other officers reactions, when the Fuhuer was finished talking he asked for questions,

Von Kluge cleared his throat,

"Mein Fuhrer, if i may enquire to when this is going to take place? is there a set date..and..how will we cover our massed military movements so that we still manage to gain the element of suprize when we choose to attack?"

Upon entering the room Von Kluge knew right away that offencive actions were being planned, he glanced at all the maps, charts and models set up as he moved towards Hitler, he came to attention with the click of his heels then gave the Nazi salute. He listened as the men in the room spoke, when Hitler was giving the details of his plan Von Kluge eyes looked left to right glancing the other officers reactions, when the Fuhuer was finished talking he asked for questions,

Von Kluge cleared his throat,

"Mein Fuhrer, if i may enquire to when this is going to take place? is there a set date..and..how will we cover our massed military movements so that we still manage to gain the element of suprize when we choose to attack?"

Hitler looked at Kluge with an appraising look. He half nodded as he answered. "This, as in your plannings, will take place now. As for any actual operations...there are not set to take place. In the event of such a thing, we will be shielded by the Luftwaffe from any enemy observation, have no fear."

"Here, here," said Goring. "Nothing will get past our nets."

Hitler looked at Kluge with an appraising look. He half nodded as he answered. "This, as in your plannings, will take place now. As for any actual operations...there are not set to take place. In the event of such a thing, we will be shielded by the Luftwaffe from any enemy observation, have no fear."

"Here, here," said Goring. "Nothing will get past our nets."

Von Kluge nodded once to Hitler, he turned his head towards Goring and nodded a second time..

"Danke Mein Fuhrer"

He slightly raised his nose in the air accepting Hitlers reply...

General Von Kluge thought about asking where the Sixth army was assigned but decided it was not his place to ask such a question at this time, for the other Generals had not, he simply stayed quiet knowing he would find out in time...the Fuhrer's plan had him curious.

Nenonen Line, Summa, Finland
Baron Mannerheim was in his communication building in the Summa post office. He decided to send a message to the Norweigans in search of a possible deal between the two nations.
"Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold,
I, Baron Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim come asking a favor. We have recently begun on a defensive project, dubbed the Nenonen Line after my artillery commander Vilho Nenonen. We are frightened by the Soviet Union's view towards us and wish to defend ourselves. Therefore, to complete this as soon as possible, we ask for skilled engineers to assist us in the placement and construction of larger artillery, command, and machinegun bunkers. Rewards will be given to those who step forward.
Signed, Baron Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim"
Mannerheim suspected that some would comply, which will hopefully lead to a faster rate of construction for the defenses.

"I, Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold, have been informed of several persons who are willing to help improve the Finnish defense. Among them are 6th Division commander Generalmajor Carl Gustav Fleischer, as well as a team of engineers from the Kongsberg Gruppen defense consortium. We hope their skills will prove useful in your service for the construction of your defensive line.
Signed, Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold"

Prime Minister Nygaardsvold,
We thank you for your aid of engineers to help build the defeses. The project is supposed to take about 8-10 months to complete for the main line wit addotopnal bunkers being constructed afterwards. The second phase of construction with the bunkers is supposed to take close to 4-6 months to complete. If your workers wish to stay with the full brunt of the build, They shall be well rewarded.
Signed,
Field Marshal Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim

IC:Moscow, RSFSR, March 13th, 1938

"Comrade Koshkin..." Stalin said to the engineer Mikhail Koshkin, of the Kharkov Komintern Locomotive Planet(KhPZ), "I trust you have the new designs?"

"Da, Comrade Secretary-General." Koshkin said, laying the plans. "This is our first design draft of what we are calling the A-32, this is a prototype name of course, to be changed once it goes into production."

"Give me the details..."

"It is planned to be armed with a 76.2mm high velocity main gun and 45mm of frontal armor. The true revolution in the armor design is its slope, we have found that armor is more able to stop shells when sloped. It also has wide tracks, allowing it good mobility over the snow."

Stalin looked over the designs, and nodded, smoking on his pipe.

"Impressive, comrade... how soon can you have a prototype ready?"

"Producing the prototype is not the hard part. It is the retooling of the factory. I predict we can have a prototype ready approximately a year from now." Koshkin predicted.

"Very good comrade! Once the prototype is ready and tested, we can approve a REAL production name." Stalin replied, genuinely impressed.

"Thank you, comrade!" Koshkin said, feeling a tad relieved.

As Koshkin left, Stalin sat back down in his chai and began to look over economic reports, then the secretary phone rang. Stalin picked up the phone.

"Da?"

"Comrade Secretary-General... the Head of the NKVD is here too see you. He says its urgent..." Stalin's secretary said.

"Send him in..."

As Beria entered he smiled and greeted, "Hello, comrade!"

"Greetings Comrade Beria. What may I enquire for this meeting?" Stalin said, leaning back in his chair.

"The Finns..." Beria said, "Our spies indicate they are expanding their fortifications even more then that are already there! Artillery, bunkers, gun nests, tank obstacles, everything!"

Stalin sat up, "But why would they do that? We are not planning to attack them..." soon

"I do not know Comrade, maybe they want a fall back position in case they invade us." Beria suggested.

"Nyet, I do not believe the Finns would be so stupid..." Stalin swivelled around and looked at the map of the Soviet Union and its bordering countries hanging on the left wall.

"Comrade... call my generals, there are plans to be made." Stalin said.

Later that day, it was decided that 750,000 soldiers would be deployed all along the Finnish border... both in Leningrad and along the Eastern Finnish border.

Curiously enough, another 250,000 troops were stationed next to Lithuania... Stalin had plans for that country, a big plan.

OOC: In case your outside of the know, the A-32 was the prototype design for the T-34.

Éamon De Valera looked out the large window at the end of the boardroom of the Dáil. His small round glasses sat uncomfortably upon his bony nose, even as he shifted them about. From here he could see straight down O’Connell street, once the sight of so much political upheaval, and once more the same. A large contingent of men paraded down the middle of the street, with crowds being held at bay by members of the Garda Siochana, Éire’s newly formed police force.

The parade was being led down the street by Eoin O’Duffy. Whilst being Chief Commissioner of the Garda Siochana and a constant thorn in De Valera’s side, he was also leader of the Blueshirts – Éire’s fascist party. De Valera looked disturbedly as people on both sides of the street cheered and gave him the Roman salute that Hitler’s Nazis had brought back into fasion. He turned back towards the boardroom and sat at the head of the large ornate oak table.

“What do we do?” he asked in his strange accent. Son of a Spanish merchant and an Irish immigrant, he was born in the United States. His accent was a mixture of Spanish, American and Irish. The mixture was so dense it was often hard to follow.

Around the table sat six of Éire’s most powerful men:

Éamon De Valera – Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Éire
Seán T. O’Kelly – Deputy Prime Minister
Frank Aiken – Defense Minister
Seán MacEntee – Minister of Finance
P.J. Rutledge – Chief Justice Minister
Seán Lemass – Minister for Industry and Commerce

Lemass sat forward in his chair and sighed. “I don’t know, Taoiseach,” he said, his thick Dublin accent echoing around the room. “O’Duffy has mass support from the people. We can all see that. Just look down O’Connell street – a sacred sight of Irish change and revolution.” Several of the men nodded, albeit reluctantly.

“Its not a surprise O’Duffy chose to parade down that particular street!” added O’Kelly, his voice filled with irony.

“He has been spending a lot of time in Italy and Germany. His intentions are blatantly clear, Taoiseach,” Rutledge added. The men nodded, fearful of what had happened to the previous governments of those two countries.

“I am well aware of his intentions,” De Valera said wisely, taking off his round glasses and setting them on the table in front of him. “However this places us in a very difficult position. We are not a stong nation. We are not well armed or economically independent. To ally with Britain against the fascists if anything happened would rip the country apart. The Civil War would start up again and no one on this island wants that.” The other men nodded gravely. “On the other hand to ally with a fascist state if anything were to happen, Britain would have the ability to invade us illegally. That strip of land they still call their own shows that they still withold from us displays their attitude. They will never trust an Irishman.”

A roar errupted from the round outside. And another. And another. The six men exchanged several nervous glances. Lemass sat back in his chair and sighed. “I’m starting to distrust some of them myself,” he said gravely. The room fell silent and listened to the cheering outside in the heartland of Dublin, a city on the knife edge of anarchy….

Von Kluge nodded once to Hitler, he turned his head towards Goring and nodded a second time..

"Danke Mein Fuhrer"

He slightly raised his nose in the air accepting Hitlers reply...

General Von Kluge thought about asking where the Sixth army was assigned but decided it was not his place to ask such a question at this time, for the other Generals had not, he simply stayed quiet knowing he would find out in time...the Fuhrer's plan had him curious.

The generals chatted for a few minutes, Hitler speaking with a few individuals and pointing to different places on the map. He was slowly assigning a country to each of the generals, giving them encouragement and continuing to look like the confident leader that he was. Then Hitler stepped over to Kluge. The man saluted and Hitler returned it.

"You are a far-off thinker herr Kluge," said Hitler. "And I think I know what to do with you; just what to do with you."

The generals chatted for a few minutes, Hitler speaking with a few individuals and pointing to different places on the map. He was slowly assigning a country to each of the generals, giving them encouragement and continuing to look like the confident leader that he was. Then Hitler stepped over to Kluge. The man saluted and Hitler returned it.

"You are a far-off thinker herr Kluge," said Hitler. "And I think I know what to do with you; just what to do with you."

Von Kluge nodded and raised his chin,

"Mein Fuhrer?"

Joachim von Ribbentrop sat in the back seat of his volkswagen car as it drove through the grand streets of Munich. The city was the on of the largest in Germany, an a hive center for his foreign ministry. It was here that he, as Minister of Reich Foreign Affairs, handled most of the international relations.

Ribbentrop could have had his officer be in Berlin, like other ministries, but had wanted to keep himself removed from the majority of any political in-fighting, which he saw as nothing more than a nuisence.

"We're here sir," the driver said. His driver came to a smooth stop and slid to the side of the curb.

"Good. Wait here for me," replied Ribbentrop. His driver nodded and settled back into his seat. Ribbentrop's door was opened by a black-clad officer, one of the foreign ministry's guards. The man saluted as Ribbentrop got out and said the normal thing. Ribbentrop raised his right hand and replied in turn. He marched up the granite steps of the Foreign Ministry, its great columns and high helenisitic architecture giving Ribbentrop a small bit of pleasure as he looked up at it.

His aide, Johann Stadt, awaited him by the door.

"Good day to you sir, I hope your trip was pleasent?" Stadt asked, opening the door for Ribbentrop. Ribbentrop gave him a scowl and stepped through.

"I find them never to be that pleasent. Flying in a Heinkel 111 is fun, even if its the fastest and earliest flight you can take."

"The Luftwaffe must have been generous to allow you to use one of their bombers," said Stadt. He entered after Ribbentrop and two walked through the marble halls and past several rows of desks and clerks. Men and women stopped what they were doing around them and saluted Ribbentrop as he passed. He paid them little attention.

"Goring was in Berlin for a meeting of the Wehrmacht High Command, and we had a luncheon togethor. I said that I needed a way to get to Munich in less than 8 hours, and he offered his Luftwaffe's 3rd Bomber Group. They were going on some sort of training run, and Munich was a stop point for them."

They climbed a large grand staircase of marble steps and came up the third floor of the building. There at the end of a long hall was Ribbentrops office. Two black-clad guards, pistols at their belts, stood at either side. They saluted as Ribbentrop walked past them and into the door.

"How nice of the Reich Marshal to give you them," said Stadt. His tone was so mellow that Ribbentrop didn't know whether or not his was being sarcastic.

"He's a bellicose, ignorant, fool is what he is, but I needed the favor. Anyhow I have plans for the "Il Duce" to arrive here."

"Ah, yes, Mussolini," said Stadt. He helped Ribbentrop out of his great coat and took his peaked cap. Ribbentrop sat down behind his extra large german oak desk and relaxed for a moment in his chair.

"Yes he's going to be arriving tommorow. I've already notified the local garrison that the Fuhrer will be arriving as well, later this evening. The two are going to be discussing some matters of importance," said Ribbentrop.

"And I have to notify Saburo Kurusu and invite him to the meeting."

"The Foreign Minister of Japan?" asked Stadt.

"Yes," sighed Ribbentrop. "He is here in Germany on another negotiation mission. Hitler wants to speak with him."

"I will notify him of this immediately sir."

"Thank you Stadt. Remind General Vorst that his XX (20th) Division will be marching for the parade tommorow as well."

"Of course sir," replied Stadt. He left the room and gently closed the door down behind him. He had a lot of work ahead of him.

===

Peronal Message
To: Saburo Kurusu
From: Johann Stadt, Deputy Minister

Dear sir. You are invited to join the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, for a luncheon and meeting in Munich upon the 17th of March, tommorow, to speak upon current events. The Fuhrer has expressed a wish to speak on more subjects concerning our nations' cooperation. Benito Mussolini, leader of Italy, will also be attending the meeting.

Reich Foreign Ministry
Deputy Minister Stadt

===

Von Kluge nodded and raised his chin,

"Mein Fuhrer?"

"You my dear General, will be going to Russia," said Hitler. "You will be going to the Soviet-German tank school that we have there. When we, the Russians and us, made a trade alliance several years ago one of the underlying agreements was for the sharing of information on the advancement of new technology and the practising of that art."

Hitler turned looked at Kluge carefully. "You will be attending the school, learning all you can so that your new assignment of the 6th Panzer Division will be useful. You are also going to be my messenger and voice there in Russia. Do you accept?"

Joachim von Ribbentrop sat in the back seat of his volkswagen car as it drove through the grand streets of Munich. The city was the on of the largest in Germany, an a hive center for his foreign ministry. It was here that he, as Minister of Reich Foreign Affairs, handled most of the international relations.

Ribbentrop could have had his officer be in Berlin, like other ministries, but had wanted to keep himself removed from the majority of any political in-fighting, which he saw as nothing more than a nuisence.

"We're here sir," the driver said. His driver came to a smooth stop and slid to the side of the curb.

"Good. Wait here for me," replied Ribbentrop. His driver nodded and settled back into his seat. Ribbentrop's door was opened by a black-clad officer, one of the foreign ministry's guards. The man saluted as Ribbentrop got out and said the normal thing. Ribbentrop raised his right hand and replied in turn. He marched up the granite steps of the Foreign Ministry, its great columns and high helenisitic architecture giving Ribbentrop a small bit of pleasure as he looked up at it.

His aide, Johann Stadt, awaited him by the door.

"Good day to you sir, I hope your trip was pleasent?" Stadt asked, opening the door for Ribbentrop. Ribbentrop gave him a scowl and stepped through.

"I find them never to be that pleasent. Flying in a Heinkel 111 is fun, even if its the fastest and earliest flight you can take."

"The Luftwaffe must have been generous to allow you to use one of their bombers," said Stadt. He entered after Ribbentrop and two walked through the marble halls and past several rows of desks and clerks. Men and women stopped what they were doing around them and saluted Ribbentrop as he passed. He paid them little attention.

"Goring was in Berlin for a meeting of the Wehrmacht High Command, and we had a luncheon togethor. I said that I needed a way to get to Munich in less than 8 hours, and he offered his Luftwaffe's 3rd Bomber Group. They were going on some sort of training run, and Munich was a stop point for them."

They climbed a large grand staircase of marble steps and came up the third floor of the building. There at the end of a long hall was Ribbentrops office. Two black-clad guards, pistols at their belts, stood at either side. They saluted as Ribbentrop walked past them and into the door.

"How nice of the Reich Marshal to give you them," said Stadt. His tone was so mellow that Ribbentrop didn't know whether or not his was being sarcastic.

"He's a bellicose, ignorant, fool is what he is, but I needed the favor. Anyhow I have plans for the "Il Duce" to arrive here."

"Ah, yes, Mussolini," said Stadt. He helped Ribbentrop out of his great coat and took his peaked cap. Ribbentrop sat down behind his extra large german oak desk and relaxed for a moment in his chair.

"Yes he's going to be arriving tommorow. I've already notified the local garrison that the Fuhrer will be arriving as well, later this evening. The two are going to be discussing some matters of importance," said Ribbentrop.

"And I have to notify Saburo Kurusu and invite him to the meeting."

"The Foreign Minister of Japan?" asked Stadt.

"Yes," sighed Ribbentrop. "He is here in Germany on another negotiation mission. Hitler wants to speak with him."

"I will notify him of this immediately sir."

"Thank you Stadt. Remind General Vorst that his XX (20th) Division will be marching for the parade tommorow as well."

"Of course sir," replied Stadt. He left the room and gently closed the door down behind him. He had a lot of work ahead of him.

===

Peronal Message
To: Saburo Kurusu
From: Johann Stadt, Deputy Minister

Dear sir. You are invited to join the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, for a luncheon and meeting in Munich upon the 17th of March, tommorow, to speak upon current events. The Fuhrer has expressed a wish to speak on more subjects concerning our nations' cooperation. Benito Mussolini, leader of Italy, will also be attending the meeting.

Reich Foreign Ministry
Deputy Minister Stadt

===



"You my dear General, will be going to Russia," said Hitler. "You will be going to the Soviet-German tank school that we have there. When we, the Russians and us, made a trade alliance several years ago one of the underlying agreements was for the sharing of information on the advancement of new technology and the practising of that art."

Hitler turned looked at Kluge carefully. "You will be attending the school, learning all you can so that your new assignment of the 6th Panzer Division will be useful. You are also going to be my messenger and voice there in Russia. Do you accept?"

Von Kluge clicked his heels,

"Jawhol Mein Fuhrer, it is a respectable task which i intend to carry out to the best of my abilitys"

"When will i be going Mein Fuhrer? i am ready as soon as possible"

Von Kluge was pleased with the Fuhrer's decision to send him to Russia, it would give him a chance to become familiar some new tactic's on tank movements. During the first world war he had served as a staff officer, the British had introduced tanks at the the battle of Vimmy ridge causing the German lines to fall into retreat in complete and utter chao's...

The large double doors opened to the chamber room, pushed open by two men dressed in identical uniforms. They both wore knee length black leather boots, black trousers, a blue shirt and a black waistcoat, covered in medals and symbols, one of which was the Saltire, a variant of the St. Patrick’s cross, but with blue filling the four segments. They fully opened the doors and then stood in front of them, holding them against the wall. Suddently, the two blueshirts snapped to attention, and raised their left hands in the Hitler style salute. “Hoch O'Duffy!” the two men shouted in unison. The tapping of boots gradually grew louder until tall man rounded the corner and stood at the entrance to the room. He was wearing a dark blue buttoned bomber jacket and trousers, a highly polished pair of black leather boots and a large navy hat with a Saltire on the front. He had a belt with a long sword hanging from it beside his left hip, its decorative lace resting on his thigh. He also had a gun, firmly holstered on his other hip. Four more men dressed identically to the first two came in after O’Duffy, holding small sub machine guns of a German style. They stood in the doorway ominously blocking it.

De Valera rose from his place at the end of the table, placing his round spectacles back upon his face. The other five men in the room stood as well. De Valera inhaled deeply and looked at Eoin O’Duffy as he walked into the room. “Mr O’Duffy, what can we do for you?” he asked, his thick accent showing signs of stress.

O’Duffy walked forward and placed an A4 sized manilla folder in front of De Valera, and walked back to the opposite side of the table. He looked at De Valera as he sat, flicking open the file and reading. After several seconds he took of his glasses and placed them upon the table, rubbing his nose. “Mr O’Duffy, can I ask what exactly your intentions are?” he said calmly. The fear in his eyes however was blatantly obvious.

O’Duffy placed his fists upon the oak table in front of him and looked De Valera sternly in the eyes. “That Taoiseach is your letter of resignation, and your declaration of myself as your successor and leader of the Dáil,” he said simply. The other five men in the room started shouting. Lemass and Rutledge got to their feet, the former slamming his fist on the desk.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” he roared. We allowed you to remain Garda Comissioner, we granted you and your ACA this march, against our better judgement I may add, but we followed the will of the people, as we always have done!” O’Duffy turned and walked over to Lemass.

“The people have spoken, and they are sick and tired of your left wing Communist ideals. The Fianna Fáil regime has done nothing but wreck this country domestically, destroying our true place on the main stage.” O’Duffy walked back to the head of the table and stood up straight, brushing down his uniform. “And gentlemen, that stage is the one of our fascist brothers in arms. Men like Mussolini and Hitler. Great men. Not pathetic excuses of leaders such as Roosevelt and Chamberlain. This country diserves more! This country deserves me.”

De Valera sat back and looked at the document. “What if I refuse to sign?” he said bravely. O’Duffy raised a hand and the four men blocking the doorway walked swiftly in. Two walked behind O’Duffy, flanking him, as the other two did the same with De Valera. The four men cocked their guns in what seemed liked a well pracised move. O’Duffy walked towards De Valera slowly, his boots clicking with each step as they struck the wooden floor. As he reached De Valera, he removed a black pen from his pocket and held it out to him. “I don’t think that’s going to happen, Taoiseach.” De Valera looked at him for several seconds, before snapping the pen off him. The Free State of Éire had just taken its first fascist steps…the first of many…

Von Kluge clicked his heels,

"Jawhol Mein Fuhrer, it is a respectable task which i intend to carry out to the best of my abilitys"

"When will i be going Mein Fuhrer? i am ready as soon as possible"

Von Kluge was pleased with the Fuhrer's decision to send him to Russia, it would give him a chance to become familiar some new tactic's on tank movements. During the first world war he had served as a staff officer, the British had introduced tanks at the the battle of Vimmy ridge causing the German lines to fall into retreat in complete and utter chao's...

"You will be leaving immediately," said Hitler. "After this meeting in fact. A plane is waiting at the nearby Luftwaffe airfield to take you to East Prussia. There you will go to Konigsburg where another plane will take you to Moscow. I am told that you will be meeting with Foriegn Minister Molotov, one of Stalin's lackies."

Hitler clapped Kluge on the arm in a friendly fashion and smiled. "I have faith in you general. Also, as your aide, my friend Major Gerd Leister will be accompanying you. He is a member of the 1st SS Grossdeutchland Division. He'll help be your eyes and ears in any tricky situations that may arise."

Hitler turned and walked over to another group of generals, leaving Kluge to his thoughts.

"You will be leaving immediately," said Hitler. "After this meeting in fact. A plane is waiting at the nearby Luftwaffe airfield to take you to East Prussia. There you will go to Konigsburg where another plane will take you to Moscow. I am told that you will be meeting with Foriegn Minister Molotov, one of Stalin's lackies."

Hitler clapped Kluge on the arm in a friendly fashion and smiled. "I have faith in you general. Also, as your aide, my friend Major Gerd Leister will be accompanying you. He is a member of the 1st SS Grossdeutchland Division. He'll help be your eyes and ears in any tricky situations that may arise."

Hitler turned and walked over to another group of generals, leaving Kluge to his thoughts.

Von Kluge nodded listening closely to Hitler speak, when he was finished Von Kluge replyed

"Very well Mein Fuhrer, i will head to the airfield at once, and i thank you for your compliments"

He paused then spoke again,

"Also i must thank you for the company of your friend, im sure we will work well together"

General Von Kluge watched as Hitler strolled over to another group of officers, he stood there for a second and turned to head back to his staff car that was waiting out front, Von Kluge said good bye to afew of the officers and headed out.

He walked through the front doors of the building placing his cap back on, when he reached the bottom of the stairs an SS honor guard opened the staff car door allowing him to enter,

"Sieg Heil!"

Von Kluge gave him the salute then hopped in the car,

"My hotel then the Luftwaffe air base" He said to the driver..

"Jawhol Heer General"

The car pulled out on the street and drove off towards the hotel where the General was staying so he could have some things packed.

A member of General Von Kluge's staff packed his things and soldiers brought them out placing them in the car, when everything was loaded up they left for the airfield. As they drove through the streets Von Kluge watched people out and about taking care of their daily buisness or just out for a walk, two childern waved at the car as it drove by,

"Aha, hello!" The General mouthed while waving back with a smile...

They left the city and drove down a countryside road, the airbase was just comming into veiw,

"Step on it, im always early!"

"Jawhol Heer General!" The driver replyed speeding up...

They pulled up to the gate and a Luftwaffe ground soldier approached,

"Papers..Heer General!" He clicked his heels and came to attention..

"Did you not see my flag on the front of this car!" He raised his voice..

"Nein Heer General!"

Von Kluge sighed,

"I would ask your name but i havn't the time, dismissed!"

"Jawhol Heer General!" The soldier stepped backwards and saluted as the car drove away..

"Hah, the Luftwaffe should stay in the air.." The General said quietly...

The car pulled out on the runway where a plane was waiting, the driver stopped and got out to open the General's door...Von Kluge emerged from the vehicle,

Now, where is this friend of the Fuhrer's?

Kremlin, Moscow, RSFSR, March 10th 1938

It was just after the meeting, Stalin had called Molotov into his office for a little meeting.

"Comrade Molotov..." Stalin said, puffing on his pipe.

"Da Comrade General-Secretary?" Molotov asked.

"In a couple of hours, an important German General called Hans Gunther von Kluge will be landing at the Moscow Airport. He is here to attend or inspect, I am not sure which, the joint tank school we have set up with the Germans." Stalin said, puffing on his pipe, "I wish for you too accompany him to the school, you will be provided with a dossier on the man and the aide that is being sent with him."

Molotov nodded his consent, "Very well, comrade."

Stalin smiled, "You are dismissed."

As Molotov left, Stalin began to go checked his schedule again... according to it, Mikhail Koshkin of the KhPZ would arrive to demonstrate his new tank design.

Saburo Kurusu was taking tea in an airy room in the Japanese embassay in Berlin. A wet wet blew in the window sending papers on his desk flying across the room. It was a very modern space, telephone, radio, type writers for his swarm of secretaries that attended his every need.

"March 17. Shizo prepare my car I leaev for Munich in a hour." Saburo said quietly to an aide who bowed slightly an left bringing another two youthes with him, going down to ready. "Should have seen this coming." He spoke getting even quieter." He stood, knees creaking, fine oak chair blowing dust out of it's old cushion. A closet was opened and Saburo Kurusu dressed in a, tan military coat with a black oil slicker. After some time he added a bowler hat, and after quite a lot of thinking a swastika arm band.

He then closed the window and gathered the flung papers and piled them in the trash can. The emissary paused drew out a watch, marked the time, and begin to fumble through his desk. He pulled out a hip flask and dumped it over the dust bin which was at least half full. A match was soon lit and droped on the can. To the smell of smoke the door closed and the distinguished looking diplomat dashed down a shallow staircase to a waiting limosine on the curb. Saburo tapped the side of the car and it pulled away into the cloudy March day.

"Forty Three Seconds..." He then pulled up his sleeves and removed a envelope that had been taped to his bicep. He cringed, opened it and began to eat. "Damn Politicians can't keep an idea in their heads." The documents disappeared, Germany might have to be an ally.

OOC Some German player can Rp his arrvial, it takes to much time to do the whole "Permission to come aboard" routine.

Munich

Joachim von Ribbentrop stood in his funnel uniform dress as he waited in the cool summer afternoon. He stood by a large formation of Wehrmacht soldiers, a company, which stood at attention. A band was also in attendance next to them. Ribbentrop and a small escort of SS soldiers waited by a red carpet on the air field's east side.

Flying down through the air came an Italian air plane. It slowly decelerated and touched to the ground. It sped down the road slowly losing speed. Finally it taxied out to where the reception was. It came to a halt and german ground crews rushed to place break blocks in front of the wheels, securing the craft.

Ribbentrop signalled and the band began playing a popular marching song. The company of soldiers brought their rifles to their shoulders. As the side door of the craft openend they snapped their feet together in near perfect unison. Ribbentrop walked forward to greet the figure stepping out of the plane.

===

Berlin

Major Leister stood at the air field by the large Heinkel 111 bomber sitting in the launching area. His black uniform was a stark disfference from the field tan and gray of the Luftwaffe uniforms that the men wore around him. Something which they took great care to see and as such avoided him as much as possible. No one ever wished to get on the bad side of the SS.

Leister lit a cigarette and took a long drag. As he smoked he thought about his upcoming assignment. He had to watch over this general and keep an eye open to anything the Soviets were up to. It was not a difficult assignment, but from experiance Leister knew that it would be a pain in the ass.

He heard a car engine and turned to see one coming through the main east entrance of the field. The car had a generals marking flags on the front, as well as the tell-tale marking of the 6th Army. General Kluge had arrived. When the tall figure got out of the car and stepped forward Leister saluted.

"Greetings General Kluge," said Leister. "I am Major Gerd Leister of the 1st SS Grossdeutchland Division, 5th Battalion, 1st Company. I have been assigned by-"

"By the Fuhrer to assist me as my aide," finished Kluge.

"Yes sir. You made good time in getting here. We will be departing in less than half an hour. Are there any questions I can answer?"

Munich

Joachim von Ribbentrop stood in his funnel uniform dress as he waited in the cool summer afternoon. He stood by a large formation of Wehrmacht soldiers, a company, which stood at attention. A band was also in attendance next to them. Ribbentrop and a small escort of SS soldiers waited by a red carpet on the air field's east side.

Flying down through the air came an Italian air plane. It slowly decelerated and touched to the ground. It sped down the road slowly losing speed. Finally it taxied out to where the reception was. It came to a halt and german ground crews rushed to place break blocks in front of the wheels, securing the craft.

Ribbentrop signalled and the band began playing a popular marching song. The company of soldiers brought their rifles to their shoulders. As the side door of the craft openend they snapped their feet together in near perfect unison. Ribbentrop walked forward to greet the figure stepping out of the plane.

===

Berlin

Major Leister stood at the air field by the large Heinkel 111 bomber sitting in the launching area. His black uniform was a stark disfference from the field tan and gray of the Luftwaffe uniforms that the men wore around him. Something which they took great care to see and as such avoided him as much as possible. No one ever wished to get on the bad side of the SS.

Leister lit a cigarette and took a long drag. As he smoked he thought about his upcoming assignment. He had to watch over this general and keep an eye open to anything the Soviets were up to. It was not a difficult assignment, but from experiance Leister knew that it would be a pain in the ass.

He heard a car engine and turned to see one coming through the main east entrance of the field. The car had a generals marking flags on the front, as well as the tell-tale marking of the 6th Army. General Kluge had arrived. When the tall figure got out of the car and stepped forward Leister saluted.

"Greetings General Kluge," said Leister. "I am Major Gerd Leister of the 1st SS Grossdeutchland Division, 5th Battalion, 1st Company. I have been assigned by-"

"By the Fuhrer to assist me as my aide," finished Kluge.

"Yes sir. You made good time in getting here. We will be departing in less than half an hour. Are there any questions I can answer?"

General Von Kluge looked the Major up and down and nodded, he wasn't a big fan of the SS, SA or the Gestapo, they were violent fanatic's and acted more as the Fuhrer's henchman than soldiers, but the General could not control who he was assigned to work with, this Major Leister wasn't a bad head anyways..he seemed like a professional soldier and might be useful to have around.

"Thank you Major Leister, it's always good to be early...especially on the battlefield, i was attached to an artillary unit during the first war...we used to say, on time, on target!"

Von Kluge surveyed the plane from beside his staff car,

"Do you hunt Major?" Asked Von Kluge wondering if him and the Major had somthing in common to pass the time..

After clearing his throat he got back on topic..

"I..have no questions for you at this time Major, have you any for me?"

General Von Kluge was speaking casual with the Major trying to get a feel for what his new aid was like, he would be around him constantly so he had to get to know the man, SS or not.

Oslo, Norway

"Now, Mr. Torp, I understand you have come up with a preliminary report for improvements to the defense force," said Prime Minister Nygaardsvold. "I should like to hear about them now."

"Indeed, Mr. Nygaardsvold," Torp said. "First off, for the Navy, I suggest we take the Tordenskjolds and Eidsvolds into dock to be fitted with torpedo belts. It is particularly of note that while they have torpedo launchers, they are quite vulnerable to torpedoes themselves."

"Aren't those vessels somewhat obsolete?" asked Nygaardsvold.

"In reality, yes. However, at the current time we can't afford to purchase or build new vessels of equivalent firepower and armor. Also, at the moment we're still in the process of constructing three more Sleipner-class destroyers."

"Wouldn't we be vulnerable to attack if all those ships are in dock?"

"Well, sir, we don't intend to refit them all at the same time. One at a time was the plan, hopefully they should all be finished in two-years' time."

"I still don't believe that we really need to make any changes to the military," said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Halvdan Koht. "There are no specific threats against us."

"Mr. Koht," said Torp, "a military with outdated equipment isn't much better than no military at all. It is imperative that we have good equipment, because we simply do not have the numbers."

"Is there anything further, Mr. Torp?" asked Nygaardsvold.

"Yes, there is. We are also looking into new aircraft. The Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk is working on an improved version of their MF-12 seaplane, the MF-13, which they hope to have flying before the end of the year. Also, we have done some research into new fighter aircraft with which to replace our Gladiators. Now, there are two circumstances with these fighters; we can acquire what is available now, or we can wait a little while and purchase other aircraft."

"And which ones are we looking in to?"

"Of what's available now, the best option is the British Hawker Hurricane. However, we're also looking into the American Grumman Wildcat, which would be more suitable for us. However, the Wildcat isn't ready for production yet, the Americans are still working out the details with it."

"I should think, though," said Minister of Finance, Kornelius Bergsvik, "that by the time the Wildcat is ready for production, we will likely have finished at least one or two more destroyers, and we will be able to free up funding so that we can purchase a larger number of Wildcats."

"Excellent, point, Mr. Bergsvik, I would have to agree," said Torp.

Nygaardsvold thought for a moment, considering the options. "Alright, gentlemen, make it so. And Mr. Torp, be sure to inform me on when those Wildcats will be available."

"Yes, Mr. Nygaardsvold."

OOC:
I wanted to get a better RP in, but time restrictions left me with little time, so I will update this to be better if I get the chance.

IC:
Mussolini, adorned in his finest garments, boarded the first of several trains headed into Germany with his personal guards; his final orders before he leaves having been left in the hands of his ministers.

Telegram
To: The Saudi Arabian King I'm afraid I don't know the name]
From Italian Foreign Minister, Galeazzo Ciano

Our nation lacks many of the recourses needed to run an army appropriately sized for our nation. Most notable of them is oil for our artillery and naval vessels. As your nation is believed to have a great supply of untapped oil we would like to purchase oil from you.

Munich
"Greetings General Kluge," said Leister. "I am Major Gerd Leister of the 1st SS Grossdeutchland Division, 5th Battalion, 1st Company. I have been assigned by-"
OOC: Grossdeutchland was a Heer division. There weren't any SS-Divisions at this point (but I paln to change this, if possible) ;)


IN THE MEETING

"Mein Führer, may I speak with you for a second?"

The question was asked by Heinrich Himmler, the leader of Gestapo, Sicherheitsdienst (SD) and Schutzstaffel, better known as SS. It was pointed towards the ultimate leader of the whole of Germany, Adolf Hitler, who had just finished a discussion with the last group of Heer generals. Most of them were already leaving, to do as Führer had just ordered them to do - plan some invasions.
Himmler had naturally been there, and with him stood a man not yet too well known in the highest circles of power in the Third Reich.
This man was Paul Hausser, a man in his late 50's, a veteran of the Great War, lieutenant general of the Reichswehr and now a Brigadenführer of SS - and Himmler's favourite man of the military.

"Hausser here has a suggestion that I hope you find as interresting as I did, mein Führer."

OOC:
I wanted to get a better RP in, but time restrictions left me with little time, so I will update this to be better if I get the chance.

IC:
Mussolini, adorned in his finest garments, boarded the first of several trains headed into Germany with his personal guards; his final orders before he leaves having been left in the hands of his ministers.

Telegram
To: The Saudi Arabian King I'm afraid I don't know the name]
From Italian Foreign Minister, Galeazzo Ciano

Our nation lacks many of the recourses needed to run an army appropriately sized for our nation. Most notable of them is oil for our artillery and naval vessels. As your nation is believed to have a great supply of untapped oil we would like to purchase oil from you.

IC: Having recieved this telegram from Italy, King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud asked for one of his advisors to help him contemplate a decision. The advisor's reaction to the idea was, "I believe that we should try doing so. Their need of our oil may cause the Axis to not invade our country after all."

The King answered, "Yes, however there is another factor to consider, Britain. Britain is so close to us that this gesture could begin an attack on our country."

The advisor reminded, "Perhaps that is all the more reason we should agree to this my Lord. Are we not already planning to take their colonies for ourselves?"

The King concluded, "Indeed we are. We could use the money they have to offer to gain more modern equipment for our invasions. Very well, we shall begin to supply them."

OOC:
Voxio, Sorry I'm too lazy to to the TG to Italy right now, just assume you got one saying that they agreed to it.
Ostroeuropa, I would really like to see how you would respond to this.

"The plane is ready now sir," said Major Leister. He turned and looked at the flight crew and got the heads up signal. He nodded and waved at the man. He turned to the General.

"If you'll get onboard, we'll be on our way and be to Moscow in no time sir."

"Very well Major," said Kluge. "I expect to get my breifing papers and notifications on the plane."

"Of course general," said Leister. He and the general stepped onto the plane and other men loaded their luggage and other equipment. A half-squad of Wehrmacht soldiers were already onboard, an honor guard for the general. Leister took a seat and Kluge took the one next to him.

As the engines roared Leister took out his travelling case. He pulled out a large manilla folder with "top secret" written on top of it. Leister broke the seals and opened it. It carried a lot of papers and a few photographs. Leister also came across several blue prints, prints of the new Sturmgeschütz III assault gun.

He handed it to General Kluge. "Here is your breifing and files sir. Keep them close."

Within the files was a memorandum from Hitler, outlining Kluge's mission.

General von Kluge,

You are authorized to be a personal embassador of the Third Reich and my voice in Moscow. You are travelling there not only to visit the Soviet-German tank school, but also to arrange new economic deals concerning production of panzers. Other subjects concerning Reich and Soviet cooperations will undoubtably be raised, and these you are to handle with my full authority to the best of your abilities. Reichs Foreign Minister Ribbentrop will be travelling to Moscow within three weeks to accompany you and help.

Once you have arrived at the tank school, you will begin classes as a student. It is never too late to learn. General Model and General Bittrich are already there in attendance as well. Do the Reich and the Fatherland proud.

Signed,
Adolf Hitler


Berlin

Hitler turned to Heinrich Himmler and smiled at his friend. Himmler was a personal advisor and commander of his secret police, the SS and the Gestapo. Himmler had with him Brigandfuhrer Hausser.

"Ja Heinrich, what would you like to discuss? Talk to me as I walk, I have a plane to catch on the way to Munich."

"Well, go ahead then Paul" Reichsführer-SS said, nodding to Hausser, who begun his speech as they accompanied Hitler towards the doors.

"Mein Führer, as you know, the most loyal and reliable warriors you have under your disposal are those of SS. We have more than 60,000 armed members, but of all units, only one regiment - your elite bodyguard, Leibstandarte A.H. - is currently ready for any sort of armed combat. Besides it, we have four regiment-sized SS-VT's (OOC: Verfügungstruppe, "Battle group") and 12 separate battalions."

Hausser kept a short pause, taking his coat from one of the hotel's servants, helped Hitler's mantel over his shoulders and then continued;

"Around these, mein Führer, I think we could and should create an army of atleast five divisions. Elite force, separate from the Heer. As these men gained experience, they could be used as a nucleus around which your new sword, Waffen-SS, could be even further expanded. If you had that, mein Führer, there would never be a fear of a coup anymore, and should there be any sort of a conflict within our borders, our capabilities to crush it without using Wehrmacht troops during it would be much better."

He lowered his head. "That is all, mein Führer. I most humbly thank you for this opportunity to speak with you."

Himmler smiled to him as he clicked his heels and let out a loud "Heil Hitler!".
Turning to Führer, he said, still smiling;
"Not a bad plan, huh? Paul has said that we could have 5 divisions within 9 months, 8 within 16, 20 in two years! But, sooner we have atleast couple of fighting SS divisions, the better. What do you think, Führer? To me, this sounds like a very clever plan, I must admit." He lowered his voice, before continuing.
"As he said, should we have such a force under our disposal, it would 1.act as our massive party advertisement in the battlefield, 2.greatly impress the conquered peoples about you and your power (as they'd see the bravery and sheer fanatism that your followers show) and 3.make all possible enemies internal enemies of you to think twice, even if they had some backing within the ranks of our old army."

Eoin O’Duffy sat back in the chair and smiled to himself. De Valera’s letter of resignation and denounciation of power sat on the large oak table in front of him. He lifted it up and smiled wider upon seeing the barely legible scribble that was Éamon De Valera’s signature. He set the piece of paper down again and picked up his round hat, placing it squarely ontop of his head. O’Duffy sat up and walked out of the large board room, his boots clicking on the highly polished wooden floor as he did so. The two men at the door snapped to attention and followed him out of the boardroom.

Checking his ornate gold pocket watch, O’Duffy quickened his pace. Just before two. Time to shine, he thought. He walked round the maze of corridors inside the Dáil until he came to the parliament chambers. He stood in front of the doors and took a deep breath.

The two guards who were following him walked round and opened the two doors, slamming them against the walls behind. The assembled men fell silent as the doors opened, but then murmors began to arise as the looked in abject horror at O’Duffy. Two O’Clock on a Fridays was always the Taoiseach’s address to the house. Where was Éamon De Valera? O’Duffy walked up to the speaker’s podium and placed a sheet of paper upon it. Ten men, all armed with the German style sub machine guns and dressed in the typical Blueshirt uniform marched in formation into the room. Shouts arose from the seated ministers. The doors to the chamber room were closed and sealed, the exit guarded by two of the new Blueshirts who had entered with the submachine guns. O’Duffy called for silence. The men obediently observed his command.

“Gentlemen,” he began, his tone sounding humble and calm. “You all know who I am. You all know what I stand for. Violence, citizenship and virility – the makings of an Irish Fascist. Now, what I want to know is how many of you stand for the same things. The church and the state are one. Why? Because we want it?” he said, lessing the question hang in the air until several men murmured ‘yes’. O’Duffy smiled. “Wrong,” he said calmly. “The state is all one. This great state, this free state, this Irish state. Well gentlemen, the people believe that this weak and pathetic parliament is to blame for their hardships. Look at Italy and Germany. The people are happy, the system works. Why do we cling to the ediface of a decadent past. Democracy is dead. And today, friends, it dies here as well. Ireland is now truly a free state. The days of our so-called liberation are over. The people have spoken. You are dismissed, permanently.”

The men looked at eachother in abject horror as O’Duffy folded the sheet of paper and put it inside his jacket. The two Blueshirts opened the large wooden doors and stood back, holding them open. O’Duffy walked out of the chambers, having a word with one of the Blueshirts at the door as he left. The man nodded and snapped to attention, saluting O’Duffy as he left. The parliament members left slowly one by one, looking at the armed men as they left.

Two armed Blueshirts stood at the front doors of the Dáil, opening them as the group of men approached. The two guards walked out in front of them. Upon leaving the Dáil, the men were horrified to see the steps lined with Blueshirts, holding back the press. They shouted over their armed barricades at the had-been politicians ad they walked down the steps, following the two Blueshirts. They were lead to a large Garda armoured van. The two guards ushered them in. The politicians looked in horror as they were told to get into the wagon. Several ranks Blueshirts suddenly marched out of the Dáil, armed with submachine guns and blocked their escape. Surrounded by armed Blueshirts, the men had no option but to get into the van. Several Blueshirts climbed in with them, and the van drove away, down O’Connell street swifty. Seconds later, O’Duffy walked down the steps of the Dáil, waving to the crowd, a wide smile on his face.

“Citizens of Éire. Welcome to the new order of fascism. Disobedience, voilence, crime, disillusionment. All of these words are now defunct in this triumphant state. Peace, justice and unity for all of this glorious island’s citizens will follow this declaration of freedom. We are now a truly free nation. That is all.” And with that, O’Duffy retreated back inside the walls of the Dáil, followed by all the armed Blueshirts, leaving the public to ponder over their future, and the international community to wonder about the direction of a once neutral state....

Outpost 11N-D, About 86km up the Nenonen line from Summa
The Outpost was a lonely place, secluded from the rest of the line on either side by 14km each way. Manned by ten guards at the time, it was a front line of defence against the Soviets. Their only communication to the outside world was a small radio belonging to Vilho, a guard at the time, and a telegraph line moving at either direction down the trench. In front of the outpost lay a sea of dragons teeth, tank traps, and barbed wire thickets.
"Vilho, can you turn the radio to 94.1 for a moment."
"Sure thing Lauri." 94.1 was the military broadcast station in the region.
"...has been going smoothely on the Nenonen line, the front line of defense versus the Soviets. Attention all troops on the Nenonen Line. You are to report to command at Summa immediately for a special announcment from Marshal Mannerheim."
"We should go soon, darkness is coming near." said a gloomy man named Carl.
With that, the men adorned their winter white coats and began their treck down the trench to the truck depot.

OOC: This post is just showing about how far the work has gotten at the moment on the defenses. It is also setting up for another post in which Field Marshal Mannerheim will announce a new program the Finnish military is putting into place.

Munich, Germany| March 17th

Joachim von Ribbentrop stood in his full uniform dress as he waited in the cool summer afternoon. He stood by a large formation of Wehrmacht soldiers, a company, which stood at attention. A band was also in attendance next to them. Ribbentrop and a small escort of SS soldiers waited by a red carpet on the train stations east side.

Flying down the track came an italian train, flags of the Italian royal family on it next to the Italian nationalist flag. It slowly decelerated, losing speed as it came. Finally it taxied down to where the reception was. It came to a halt and german ground crews rushed to place break blocks in front of the wheels, securing the craft.

Ribbentrop signalled and the band began playing a popular marching song. The company of soldiers brought their rifles to their shoulders. As the side door of the car openend they snapped their feet together in near perfect unison. Ribbentrop walked forward to greet the figure stepping out of the train.

"Welcome to Germany, herr Mussolini," Ribbentrop said.

Zilina, Czechoslovakia

Army Group commander, General Ritter von Leeb, sat in his staff car outside the main governor's building in the city of Zilina contemplating his small case of maps that sat on his lap. Leeb commanded the 11th, 12th, and 9th armies in a single army group. These troops, his men, had occupied the Sudatenland less than three months prior. And now the Fuhrer had set him a new task.

"Herr general, colonel Schieffmann is asking to speak with you," said a voice. Leeb turned in his seat to where his aide, a lieutenant, held out a radio phone. Leeb nodded and took the carrier.

"Thank you Jurgen," said Leeb. He cleared his throat and pressed his ear to the reciever.

"Ja? Leeb here."

"Sir," came the voice of Colonel Schieffman, commander of the XXXth Division, 8th Korp. "We've reached our assembly areas as prescribed in your main breifing. Awaiting your orders."

"Execute Fall Blua."

"Jawohl mein general."

Leeb gave the radio set back to Jurgen and held the maps in his hand. As he sat there in his car, more than 300,000 Wehrmacht soldiers were crossing the new Czech border into what remained of non-german czechoslovakia. Germany was occupying the rest of it in a bold move of grabbing more land.


Berlin

Hitler nodded at Himmler and Hausser's idea. In fact he was quite taken with it. The more he thought about it the more he liked it. He could create an army of super soldiers, men who were undeniably loyal to him and would not shirk from any duty.

Hitler turned to Himmler. "See that it is done. Talk with Albert Speer. As my new Minister for Weapons, Munitions, and Armament he will help to properly equip the SS in this new venture." Hitler turned to the two men as he pulled on his gloves.

"I thank you for the inspiration. For now, create only 10 divisions. I am currently raising the Wehrmacht already to 2.3 million men, from the 1.3 that it is now. Once that is complete the SS will grow abundantly," promised Hitler. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must get to the air port."

Official Telegram
To: Joachim von Ribbentrop, Foreign Minister for The Thrid Reich
Galeazzo Ciano, Foreign Affairs Minister for Italy
From: Office of High Chancellor Eoin O'Duffy

Dear sirs. You are invited to join the High Chancellor of Éire, Eoin O'Duffy, for a luncheon and meeting in Dublin upon the 23th of March, next week, to discuss changes to the political orientation of the state of Éire in the stead of your distinguished heads of state, Der Fuhrer Adolf Hitler and Il Duce Beneto Mussolini respectively. The High Chancellor has expressed a wish to speak on the subject concerning our nations' co-operation in the near and extended future. Other members of the CAUR Fascist International Committee shall be in attendance also. Many thanks in advance for a swift reply.


Office of High Chancellor Eoin O'Duffy,
International Secretariat of CAUR Fascist Internation Committee,
High Chancellor of the Eireann Impeareacht (Irish Empire).

"The plane is ready now sir," said Major Leister. He turned and looked at the flight crew and got the heads up signal. He nodded and waved at the man. He turned to the General.

"If you'll get onboard, we'll be on our way and be to Moscow in no time sir."

"Very well Major," said Kluge. "I expect to get my breifing papers and notifications on the plane."

"Of course general," said Leister. He and the general stepped onto the plane and other men loaded their luggage and other equipment. A half-squad of Wehrmacht soldiers were already onboard, an honor guard for the general. Leister took a seat and Kluge took the one next to him.

As the engines roared Leister took out his travelling case. He pulled out a large manilla folder with "top secret" written on top of it. Leister broke the seals and opened it. It carried a lot of papers and a few photographs. Leister also came across several blue prints, prints of the new Sturmgeschütz III assault gun.

He handed it to General Kluge. "Here is your breifing and files sir. Keep them close."

Within the files was a memorandum from Hitler, outlining Kluge's mission.

General von Kluge,

You are authorized to be a personal embassador of the Third Reich and my voice in Moscow. You are travelling there not only to visit the Soviet-German tank school, but also to arrange new economic deals concerning production of panzers. Other subjects concerning Reich and Soviet cooperations will undoubtably be raised, and these you are to handle with my full authority to the best of your abilities. Reichs Foreign Minister Ribbentrop will be travelling to Moscow within three weeks to accompany you and help.

Once you have arrived at the tank school, you will begin classes as a student. It is never too late to learn. General Model and General Bittrich are already there in attendance as well. Do the Reich and the Fatherland proud.

Signed,
Adolf Hitler

General Von Kluge was glad that things were finally moving and he was on his way to Russia. After he read the assignment from Hitler he placed the it back in the dossier and cleared his throat,

"Very good Major, this outlines our ojective rather well i think"

He nodded towards the SS man in the seat next to him. Once the plane took off Von Kluge stayed quiet looking over the other documents he was given, specificly the plans for the Sturmgeschütz III which he was quite interested in the idea of mobile artillary,

Outstanding...amasing peice equipment this Sturmgeschütz III is..if only we had these blueprints in the first war.. He thought..

After awhile he packed up the documents and put them away leaving the dossier on his lap,

"You will find it rather simple being under my command Major, your duty has been assigned to you, and mine to me aswell, we both must carry out our orders professionally and in the correct manor..it will reflect upon the Fatherland during our stay.."

"But, i shouldn't have to tell you this of course..an officer of the SS" Von Kluge looked directly at him for a second then turned his attention toward the front of the plane..

"How long untill we switch planes?"

Summa, Finland
Field Marshal Mannerheim sat before the mass of soldiers at the assembly area in front of him.
"My sodiers, I ask for Volunteers to join a new branch of our glorious military. A new force charged with the frontal defense of Finland versus the evil Soviets. This Force, the Rynnäkkö ja Soluttautumis Isku Osasto, Or the RSO, will be taught guerilla tactics, ski warfare, anti-tank fighting, and other special training excercises. All volunteers will be tested, and those who pass will adorn the Blue Berets and the Gold Fox of the Rynnäkkö ja Soluttautumis Isku Sasto.
OOC: Rynnäkkö ja soluttautumis isku osasto=Assault and Infiltration Group.

Horten Navy Main Yard
Horten, Norway

Captain Odd Willoch never thought he'd see the old Tordenskjold being used again, let alone as an actual combat ship. It dated to nearly a decade prior to the split of the union between Norway and Sweden. Willioch, himself, commanded the slightly newer Eidsvold, which was also a pretty old ship.

But there was the Tordenskjold, laid up in the Horten navy yard, being prepped to be fitted with torpedo belts, and to have her 1-pounders and 3-inchers to be replaced by much newer 40mm anti-aircraft guns. Her sister ship, the Harald Haarfagre, as well as the Eidsvold and the Norge were to recieve the same modifications over the coming years.

Off in another corner of the yard, Willoch could see the Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk, where the Norwegian seaplanes were manufactured. Their newest model, the MF-12 monoplane trainer, was set to go into production at some point to replace their older models. Rumor had it that they were working on another plane, the MF-13, which was supposed to be an actual combat plane and was set to be much larger than their previous aircraft.

BERLIN

"Jawohl, mein Führer! Und thank you! I will not disappoint you, mein Führer!"

With this Paul Hausser saluted, turned on his heels and moved quickly to his car.

Happily smiling Himmler gave a weak, silly-looking nazi salute and yawned as Hitler's car moved out of the yard. He scratched his bottom, and wondered if there was anything to do before he could go back to his "lover" that he had waiting in his mansion. Propably just the plain old Jew-hunting. He yawned again.


_____________________________________


Bad Tölz Officer School of SS

Joseph “Sepp” Dietrich, Felix Steiner, Wilhelm Bittrich, Artur Phleps and Fritz von Scholz formed a line in front of Hausser’s desk, standing in perfect silence, completely motionless.
On Hausser's side stood Ferdinand Schörner, a man famous for his organizationing abilities. He had been given the task of helping Hausser in his extremely challenging task - turning the group of regiments and small paramilitary units into a working elite fighting force in a very, very tight schedual. He was originally a Wehrmacht officer, but was now also a part of SS, with the rank of Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS. There was only one person above him in the SS-Waffen - Hausser who had just been promoted to General der Waffen-SS. The men in front of them were the five most promising leaders of the organization, and were now made to be the first Generalmajor(s) der Waffen-SS.
They were to lead the 5 fighting divisions that were to be in deployment readiness in June 1939.

Hausser and Schörner smiled at the group of stone-faced men for a moment, glancing at each other and smiling even wider, before Hausser begun to speak.

"Ok, guys. Rest, rest... no need for such a stiffness now. This is a damn' happy moment, do you realize that? Führer approved my suggestion! Don't look so dead, this is an order!"

The men in front of him looked a bit confused for a second, before starting to smile, giving up their parade-standing. Hausser nodded, and continued.

"Now. You were right in your dreams last night... yea, you were. Don't look so lost, Sepp. I know what you all think. You were made Generalmajors, and that suggests that you'd inded get the same commands as your fellows in the Heer. A command of a division. Well, that's exactly what this is about."

Felix Steiner took a deep breath, Sepp Dietrich and Wilhelm Bittrich shut and opened their mouths a few times, Artur Phleps looked like he was struck by a lightning while Fritz von Scholz seemed to have serious difficulties with not jumping in the air and cheering.

Hausser and Schörner laughed. After giving the group a few seconds for getting this magnificent news into their heads and getting used to the idea, Schörner begun to speak.

"Ok, so... this is how it is to be: five divisions will be created, by Führers order our stingy-Albert (Speer)" he said with a warm, joking tone - Speer was a well respected man - "has already ordered all the needed equipment. It will be handed to us as soon as the formations start to... well, form up. The plan is to create three armoured and two motorized infantry divisions, all of which should be battle-ready in the summer of the next year. Existing regiments - LSSAH, Totenkopf, Germania, Deutschland and Der Führer - will be used as nucleus' for the soon-to-be divisions. The rest of the men are to be recruited from all the small companies and battalions we have around the Reich, and from Heer, Hitler Jugend and streets with incresed advertising and excessive propaganda."

Five Generalmajors managed to hide their awe pretty well this time, but when Hausser continued where Schörner had stopped, it became impossible:

"In fact, these five divisions are to be nothing but nucleus' themselves. Around them will five additional divisions be sooner or later created, and after our Heer's expansion program has been completed, even more units may be created. This is truly a historical day. Today is the day of Waffen-SS... the New Teutonic Order!"

The men cheered and clapped their hands, laughing and hitting eachothers backs.

Hausser gave them a little time again, before telling the rest of the deal.

"Here are the appointments:
Dietrich! 1st SS-Panzerdivision LSSAH!
Steiner! 2nd SS-Panzerdivision Das Reich!
Bittrich! 3rd SS-Panzerdivision Niebelungen!
von Scholtz! 4th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision Germania!
Bittrich! 5th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision Valkyrie!"

Schörner gave no pause this time.

"Panzerdivisions will have one regiment of tanks and two of panzergrenadiers. It is a new word we created for our motorized infantry, and it sounds much better than that, doesn't it? Panzergrenadierdivisions have three regiments of motorized infantry and a panzerabteilung of yet uncertified size, propably about a battalion. No ordinary motorized division has this, as you know. We are to be not only better trained and motivated, but also better equipped than any other formations in the Wehrmacht, or world. Panzergrenadierregiments have three battalions, and atleast one of each division's nine battalions is to be of armoured infantry - that means halftracks. Plus these, one pioneerbattalion and possibly a machinegunbattalion also. AT-battalion, AA-battalion, artillery regiment, all motorized, are also included. Not to forget the reconaissance battalion."

He grinned.

"Heer guys will get green of jealousy after hearing about this. All equipment will, as said, be the best our Reich has to offer, and we have the first place before any other formations of the armed forces. These divisions will have about 22,000 men each. For every division, training/replacement battalion will naturally be created also."

New divisional commanders looked like they were in the seventh heaven, laughing, joking and - most importantly - planning already. Hausser and Schörner gave the last glances to eachother, and Hausser put and end to the meeting;

"There you go, boys. The folders that include all the needed information for getting started are here" - he handed them - "and you can start choosing your regiment and battalion commanders. That doesn't mean that you'd get them, but we will take all suggestion under consideration. Staffs are already formed, and shall assemble tomorrow in respective divisional headquarters that are mentioned in the folders. That's all. You're dismissed! Sieg Heil!"

OOC: Ylimääräinen juna Hyökkäys ja Soluttautuminen Joukko translation: Special Assault and Infiltration Force.

OOC: Ylimääräinen junahyökkäys=Extra train attack :D Babelfish is crap man, just ask me if you want to translate something to Finnish. Now you're looking for something like Rynnäkkö-ja Soluttautumisiskuosasto, or just Soluttautumisiskuosasto (Rynnäkkö=assault, ja=and, soluttautumis=infiltration-,isku=strike,osasto=unit/group/formation.)

The evening of March-10, Moscow Airport, Moscow, RSFSR

Molotov stood at the planes assigned disembark position, patiently waiting... it had gotten rather cold, but not 'Russian Winter Cold' given the time of year. With Molotov was a few companies of the 'Red Gaurd' Division, the elite unit assigned to defend the Kremlin. Also there was a Platoon of NKVD Troops, they were arrayed in parade formation, awaiting the guests of the Soviet Union... they knew exactly where the guests were from once the Heinkel-111 with the Swastika painted on its tail landed.

The aircraft taxied into the disembark area and the staircase were drawn up. As Kluge and Major Leister began down, the Red Guard and the NKVD snapped into a perfect(non-Nazi) salute. Once they made it down the stairs, Molotov walked up to them and introduced himself.

"Greetings, General Kluge..." He said in surprisingly good German, although his accent was pretty heavy, "Welcome to the Soviet Union. I am Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Minister of Foreign Affairs."

Molotov was wearing his usual attire... that is, a black buisness suit with a tie. To anybody outside the upper heirarchy of the Soviet Goverment, he would just look-like a standard Goverment Buerucrat... which was exactly the image he wanted to project.

The evening of March-10, Moscow Airport, Moscow, RSFSR

Molotov stood at the planes assigned disembark position, patiently waiting... it had gotten rather cold, but not 'Russian Winter Cold' given the time of year. With Molotov was a few companies of the 'Red Gaurd' Division, the elite unit assigned to defend the Kremlin. Also there was a Platoon of NKVD Troops, they were arrayed in parade formation, awaiting the guests of the Soviet Union... they knew exactly where the guests were from once the Heinkel-111 with the Swastika painted on its tail landed.

The aircraft taxied into the disembark area and the staircase were drawn up. As Kluge and Major Leister began down, the Red Guard and the NKVD snapped into a perfect(non-Nazi) salute. Once they made it down the stairs, Molotov walked up to them and introduced himself.

"Greetings, General Kluge..." He said in surprisingly good German, although his accent was pretty heavy, "Welcome to the Soviet Union. I am Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Minister of Foreign Affairs."

Molotov was wearing his usual attire... that is, a black buisness suit with a tie. To anybody outside the upper heirarchy of the Soviet Goverment, he would just look-like a standard Goverment Buerucrat... which was exactly the image he wanted to project.

General Von Kluge stepped off the plane followed by his SS aid, Major Leister and the other Wehrmacht troops who lined up preparing to disembark aswell. Once off the plane the General was impressed by the Soviets 'welcoming party' they had arranged for his arrival in Russia, he raised his arm giving the Nazi salute, raised his nose, and proceeded towards the Minister of Forgin Affiars that waited patiently on the landing strip.

"Greetings, General Kluge..." He said in surprisingly good German, although his accent was pretty heavy, "Welcome to the Soviet Union. I am Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Minister of Foreign Affairs."

General Von Kluge stopped, clicked his heels and nodded standing tall in front of the man, he extended his hand,

"Good evening Mr. Molotov, as for formal introductions i am General Gunther Hans Von Kluge"

He paused briefly,

"Thank you for your welcome, it is a pleasure"

He cocked his head to the side slightly then lowered it, quickly he regained his posture and gestured towards the Major at his side...

"This is my aid, Major Leister of the SS"

General Von Kluge wore his General's uniform, a heavy great coat with a belt that held his lugar on his side, tall shiny black jackboots, officers cap and black leather gloves...he also held the dossier close by his side.

Von Kluge stood tall and proud with a perfect military posture for a German high command officer.

Molotov took the generals hand and shook it, his first impressions about Kluge had, so-far, been very good. He noted the aid and the dossier, briefly wondering what was in the dossier but pushed it out of his mind, concluding that it was the NKVDs job to snoop around, not his.

"Well, comrades..." Molotov paused, "I hope you dont mind being called that, if you follow me, we can begin the journey to the school."

He led Kluge into a waiting car, as soon as they were out of site, the men from the Red Gaurd split up their formation and began to prepare for their journey back to the Kremlin.

Molotov took the generals hand and shook it, his first impressions about Kluge had, so-far, been very good. He noted the aid and the dossier, briefly wondering what was in the dossier but pushed it out of his mind, concluding that it was the NKVDs job to snoop around, not his.

"Well, comrades..." Molotov paused, "I hope you dont mind being called that, if you follow me, we can begin the journey to the school."

He led Kluge into a waiting car, as soon as they were out of site, the men from the Red Gaurd split up their formation and began to prepare for their journey back to the Kremlin.

General Von Kluge gripped his hand firm and shook, after bringing it back to his side he replyed,

"Of course not Mr.Molotov, we are Commrades are we not?"

A short lived grin crossed his serious face,

"Very well, let us be on our way...my men..will also need transportation of course.."

He gestured towards the Wehrmacht troops formed up on the runway stading at attention, a lone SS honor guard stood in their ranks aswell.

With that said General Von Kluge moved towards the car with Major Leister at his side following Molotov....

RSO HQ, Lahti, Finland
Commander Emil Ryakko watched as his men were running through the obastacle course, firing their Suomi SMG's at Pop-up targets. The complex, set up in an old Lahti Warehouse, had numerous courses for Urban and Rural fighting along with a firing range and other commodities.
Realizing that though their training was good but needed to be better made Emil make a fateful decision. He went to the comm station and sent a message to Germany.

"German Military command,
I, Commander Emil Ryakko, ask for assistance. We have established an elite group of soldiers and ask for your help in training them. We ask only for two or three Drill Masters of your military to assist in Urban War, Anti-tank fighting, ect. I hope to hear your reply soon.
Best Wishes,
Commander Emil Ryakko"

"German Military command,
I, Commander Emil Ryakko, ask for assistance. We have established an elite group of soldiers and ask for your help in training them. We ask only for two or three Drill Masters of your military to assist in Urban War, Anti-tank fighting, ect. I hope to hear your reply soon.
Best Wishes,
Commander Emil Ryakko"

Reply Telegram
From: Field Marshal Keitel, Commander-in-Chief of Deutchland Wehrmacht
To: Commander Emil Ryakko

Herr Ryakko, greetings. The Wehrmacht high command has been given permission by the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, to provide training for this "elite group of soldiers." The Destroyer Das Richtor will be arriving within a few weeks to pick up these troops. We will provide training here in Germany with them, where they will be paired with SS troops.

A Major Yeager will be sent by plane to be a military advisor to your command, Commander Ryakko. He is well trained and a good officer. He will provide you with how to train your military better.

In return the Fuhrer requests that more of Finlands natural resources be for sale by your merchants for german merchants, exclusively. This, he hopes, will not be a problem in consideration of the great favour he has paid you in offering to train your men.

Signed,
Generalfeldmarschal Wilhem von Keitel
Wehrmacht Commander-in-Chief

Ruhr Area, Germany

Albert Speer sat in his officer pouring over the latest production notes, cost transactions, mechanical failures, and other details that soaked up the time he spent in his officer as head of the Reichs Ministry for Weapons, Munitions, and Armament. He was stressed as it was, trying to keep up with Hitler's demands of increasing development of panzers.

Then, just adding wood to the fire, was Paul Hausser of the SS breathing down his neck with a new directive from Hitler saying that the SS were to be out fitted more heavily than any Wehrmacht unit.

He'd had an arguement with Grand Admiral Raeder when he was forced to completely stop production of the admiral's surface ships. He had gave him some saving grace however in pushing for more U-boats, which Raeder had a liking for, and which allowed Speer to take more assets for his heavy factories in southern germany.

Speer looked up as his officer door opened. In stepped his personal aide and deputy minister, Josef Dobbermann. "Here is some tea for you Albert," he said. he carried a cup of tea in his hands and in the other some more papers.

"Are those papers? Because I don't want to see another paper," said Speer, taking his tea from Dobbermann.

"They're good ones, have no worry. We've just recieved this new report from the testing grounds. The StuG III, or Sturmgeshutz, performed marveously and the Fuhrer has ordered it onto full production."

"I've already taken the damned Panzer I and II off of the lines," said Speer, running his hands through his hair. "Now I'll have to start tapping our newly gained factories in the former Czechoslovakia."

Dobbermann nodded. "They were set up pretty well to be building tanks. You saw how quickly the Fuhrer had the Wehrmacht swallow up their already built panzers?"

"Yes I saw that. Not half bad, but with some major flaws if that last report from the engineers is correct. Anyway, I want you to take care of putting this new "assault gun" onto production. I don't want to step out of this office until I've finished that report the Fuhrer asked for," said Speer in exasperation.

"Very well, no hard feelings Albert," said Dobbermann with a smile. "I'll have Gretal bring you up some lunch later." With that the deputy arms minister left Speer's office, leaving Speer to plundge once again into his dreary and hard work.

General Von Kluge gripped his hand firm and shook, after bringing it back to his side he replyed,

"Of course not Mr.Molotov, we are Commrades are we not?"

A short lived grin crossed his serious face,

"Very well, let us be on our way...my men..will also need transportation of course.."

He gestured towards the Wehrmacht troops formed up on the runway stading at attention, a lone SS honor guard stood in their ranks aswell.

With that said General Von Kluge moved towards the car with Major Leister at his side following Molotov....

"They can go to with our own men, they have their own barracks with some extra bunks." Molotov said, in referrence to the question about Kluge's troops.

The car rolled through Moscow, heading towards the Tank School. The vehicle was taking the lane that was specially set aside for the party elite, so the travel time would be rather short.

"In case you are wondering, here is a list of everybody attending our nations tank school." Molotov said, handing over a list, "Do you have any questions about the school? I have been told about some of the details..."

Reply Telegram
From: Field Marshal Keitel, Commander-in-Chief of Deutchland Wehrmacht
To: Commander Emil Ryakko

Herr Ryakko, greetings. The Wehrmacht high command has been given permission by the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, to provide training for this "elite group of soldiers." The Destroyer Das Richtor will be arriving within a few weeks to pick up these troops. We will provide training here in Germany with them, where they will be paired with SS troops.

A Major Yeager will be sent by plane to be a military advisor to your command, Commander Ryakko. He is well trained and a good officer. He will provide you with how to train your military better.

In return the Fuhrer requests that more of Finlands natural resources be for sale by your merchants for german merchants, exclusively. This, he hopes, will not be a problem in consideration of the great favour he has paid you in offering to train your men.

Signed,
Generalfeldmarschal Wilhem von Keitel
Wehrmacht Commander-in-Chief

Generalfeldmarschal Wilhem von Keitel,
If it is possible, have Major Yeager be flown to Viipuri. From there, we can transport him to the Nenonen Line where he can meet with Field Marshal Mannerheim and visit the training centers there.

As for the RSO, we can ship them to you. Consider it a part of our thank you for their further training.

Also, as another thanks, I will speak to Marshal Mannerheim to see about the shipments to Germany. I am positive that my nation will allow greater shipping to Germany and decrease shipping to other nations.

Hopefully our two nations will grow closer together through the years.
Best Wishes,
Commander Emil Ryakko"

"They can go to with our own men, they have their own barracks with some extra bunks." Molotov said, in referrence to the question about Kluge's troops.

The car rolled through Moscow, heading towards the Tank School. The vehicle was taking the lane that was specially set aside for the party elite, so the travel time would be rather short.

"In case you are wondering, here is a list of everybody attending our nations tank school." Molotov said, handing over a list, "Do you have any questions about the school? I have been told about some of the details..."

Von Kluge nodded once he was told where his troops were to go. The General watched through the car window at all the buildings they passed along the way..

Such craftmenship, detail.. He thought as he admired the sights, Von Kluge also liked the private road for the Elite members in society...

He looked over at Major Leister,

"Magnificent isn't it?" He said

"It is sir!" He replyed

Molotov had asked him if he had any questions concerning the tank school, Von Kluge was very interested in the subject and turned his attention from the sights of the city,

"Which details would these be Commrade Molotov? i have been given a dossier but im afraid i havn't had the chance to read it in depth..."

He patted the dossier at his side then started to go over the list of names....

OOC: What do i do with the blue prints? just know them?..or?

"Mainly it was the equipment being used... I am a diplomat, not a real soldier, so I really memorized the names and not much else." Molotov said, staring out the window for awhile, "Primarily, there are some of your nations Panzer 1s and a bunch of our nations T-26s. I hear that the Military is considering donating a BT-7, but that is about as advanced as its going to get."


Then Molotov turned back to Kluge, switching topics. "I have heard of a new... what do you call it? Doctrine? I think that is the name, that your country developed. It was by one of your tank generals. I cant for the life of me remember the name of him. I think it started with a G..."

OOC: What do i do with the blue prints? just know them?..or?
ooc: you acknowledge them when you and whoever is in charge of soviet designs lets you see the T-34. Red Tide will undoubtably have you speak with Zhukov and Stalin on the matter.

IC:

Generalfeldmarschal Wilhem von Keitel,
If it is possible, have Major Yeager be flown to Viipuri. From there, we can transport him to the Nenonen Line where he can meet with Field Marshal Mannerheim and visit the training centers there.

As for the RSO, we can ship them to you. Consider it a part of our thank you for their further training.

Also, as another thanks, I will speak to Marshal Mannerheim to see about the shipments to Germany. I am positive that my nation will allow greater shipping to Germany and decrease shipping to other nations.

Hopefully our two nations will grow closer together through the years.
Best Wishes,
Commander Emil Ryakko"

From: Generalfeldmarshal Wilhelm von Keitel
To: Commander Emil Ryakko

Very well sir. We will be expecting your RSO to arrive in Eastern Prussia, at Konigsberg. Major Yeager will, as per say, be flown into Viipuri within the month.

Minister Ribbentrop will be contact within time to speak further on a tighter economic tie between our nations.

Signed,
Wilhelm von Keitel

"Mainly it was the equipment being used... I am a diplomat, not a real soldier, so I really memorized the names and not much else." Molotov said, staring out the window for awhile, "Primarily, there are some of your nations Panzer 1s and a bunch of our nations T-26s. I hear that the Military is considering donating a BT-7, but that is about as advanced as its going to get."


Then Molotov turned back to Kluge, switching topics. "I have heard of a new... what do you call it? Doctrine? I think that is the name, that your country developed. It was by one of your tank generals. I cant for the life of me remember the name of him. I think it started with a G..."

General Von Kluge nodded understandingly when Molotov explained the school, then when he changed the subject refering to the doctrine the General spoke,

"Ahh, yes General Guderian is who you mean, a good man!

Von Kluge glanced out his window,

"The tanks Commrade Molotov, lets see the tanks.."

ooc: you acknowledge them when you and whoever is in charge of soviet designs lets you see the T-34. Red Tide will undoubtably have you speak with Zhukov and Stalin on the matter.

IC:



From: Generalfeldmarshal Wilhelm von Keitel
To: Commander Emil Ryakko

Very well sir. We will be expecting your RSO to arrive in Eastern Prussia, at Konigsberg. Major Yeager will, as per say, be flown into Viipuri within the month.

Minister Ribbentrop will be contact within time to speak further on a tighter economic tie between our nations.

Signed,
Wilhelm von Keitel

"Generalfeldmarshal Wilhelm von Keitel,
The RSO troopers and I are on the way. 5000 have been sent aboard the gunboats Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, Uusimaa, abd Hämeenmaa and will arrive in Konigsberg in about a day or so.
Best wishes,
Commander Ryakko"

PM churchill is overseeing the war maps.

"Hrumpf."
The war minister enters.
"We need our orders sir." he says rather meekly.
"Defend the colonies that are profitable, destroy all buildings and resources if we are to lose a colony. issue the natives with weaponry, however basic. They shall be the front line troops. Once the colonies are secure, expand from Australia to take indonesia. Got that?
"Yes sir."
The war minister clicks his heels and leaves.
The Interior minister follows shortly after. "You called for me sir?"
"Yes... every man is to be drafted. Every man. See if we can force the women to work on farms and munitions factories and get a reasonable output. and fetch the war minister would you?"
"Yessir."
War minister enters.
"Sir?"
"Make an offer of peace to the germans for a while. we need to sort out our own defences first. Besides... better him than the communists."

OOC: any good? im not sure i get the whole thing..

Field Marshal Keitel sat in his Berlin office holding in hand the single most important piece of paper yet to come to him. The Fuhrer, as of three months prior, had set the conscription rate higher in order to more than double the present size of the Wehrmacht. Now, he was ordering it even more enlarged.

At present the Wehrmacht had some 1.5 million soldiers, 1.3 of which were assigned and battle ready. 200,000 were in training or sitting in reserve depots where they would eventually be given a new assignment. The new order sent by Hitler totally changed that.

"He wants another one million men," said Keitel, awed by it. A major, one of his staff officer, stood off to the side.

"Wouldn't that mean even more strength for Germany, sir?" asked the major.

"It would...and at present we are keeping up with this other rate of conscription but I...I can't really visualize how as yet we will organize it all. Its going to take one hell of a job. We'll have to promote...at least every brigade commander to division command, and every divisional commander to army command," said Keitel, already a tone of exhaustion reaching him.

He leaned back and rubbed his eyes. It was of course a good thing that the Fuhrer was interested in the Heer and Luftwaffe, but it was also a greater undertaking than Keitel thought he or Germany were presently able to do.

"We'll just have to see how it all turns out," said the major. "Also, I heard just this morning that Colonel Erwin Rommel has been promoted to General and given command of an division."

Keitel put his hands down to his sides and looked at his aide. "You mean the officer who was in command of the Fuhrer's body guard?"

"The same."

"Whatever did he do?"

"I'm told that he showed a keen interest in commanding combat troops, and as a friend of Minister Goebbels, he was able to get his commission," said the major.

"What are things coming to when some ceremonial guard commander gets put in charge of an army," said Keitel. "Who knows how that'll go, maybe he'll just burn out like a candle in no time."

Konigsberg Harbor, Germany
The four gunboats sailed into the Harbor, led by the Väinämöinen. The German Harbor crews hooked up the boats. The RSO troopers hopped off and were greeted by a German Officer. "Greetings, sir." Said Commander Ryakko. "I am Commander Ryakko, leader of the RSO. May I ask what your name is?"

Major Vilym Gunter, commander of the 5th Jaeger Battalion that was stationed in Kongisberg, saluted Commander Ryakko. He had been fore warned of the Finnish troop's arrival, but he was still put-out by having to be garnered for greeting duty.

"Welcome to the German Reich, commander," said Major Gunter. "I hope your men are prepared for a bit of challenging training. I believe the SS attache will be along in a short time. Until then you may begin unloading your men onto the dock. I have several cooks and their stations standing by."

Gunter pointed behind him where several stations of large steaming cooking pots were, tables of bread, and large wooden barrels of drink sat in lines.

"Your men are free to feed themselves. It must have been a long journey so I can believe that they may be hungry."

Gladiator F.MK.II, Hæren Luftforsvaret No. 421
2,500 ft above the Oslofjord, Norway

Sersjant Erling Munthe Dahl quite enjoyed to fly the Gladiator. It might not be a technological wonder, and it was easily outpaced by more modern British and German fighters, but it was excellent for manuverability due to it being a biplane. Dahl was leading a flight of four Gladiators from Gardermoen, past the capital Oslo, down the Oslofjord, past Oscarsborg Fortress, and past the navy yard at Horten.

Down on the water, Dahl could see one of the new destroyers, the Æger, steaming south from Horten. His wingman, Sersjant Rolf Thorbjørn Tradin radioed him, "It looks like they're building a new plane at the yard." What Tradin had spotted was the Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk MF-13, though still without wings and its engine, it was a good deal larger than the planes previously built by the Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk, which were mostly used for maritime recon or as trainers. Rumor was that it was going to be a torpedo bomber, and it was supposed to be somewhat fast for a floatplane, once completed.

Diplomatic Telegram
To: Johan Nygaardsvold
From: Joachim von Ribbentrop

Dear sir,

It is with great expectation that I send this message to you today. I as the German Reich's foreign minister am always seeking new allies and new economic partners in an ever changing world. The Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, wishes to add more to our present trade agreements.

Norway's raw ore mines have been very expediant in their deliveries to the Reich, for this alone the Fuhrer has sent his compliments and thanks. However he wonders if perhaps there could be a tighter bond between our nations other than just that of economics.

The Fuhrer has expressed the wish to visit you, Mr. Nygaardsvold, and his majesty King Haakon at a summit in either Oslo or Berlin. I will be your current contact on this at the moment until the Fuhrer is free to speak with you on his own.

Sincerely,
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Reich Foreign Affairs Minister

Diplomatic Telegram
To: Joachim von Ribbentrop
From: Johan Nygaardsvold

Dear sir,

We would certainly we interested in a conference of sorts. At the moment, the King is unavailable due to his being on vacation in Tjøme, however, I will be available to meet with the Fuhrer in Berlin in two days' time.

Sincerely,
Johan Nygaardsvold
Norwegian Prime Minister

Major Vilym Gunter, commander of the 5th Jaeger Battalion that was stationed in Kongisberg, saluted Commander Ryakko. He had been fore warned of the Finnish troop's arrival, but he was still put-out by having to be garnered for greeting duty.

"Welcome to the German Reich, commander," said Major Gunter. "I hope your men are prepared for a bit of challenging training. I believe the SS attache will be along in a short time. Until then you may begin unloading your men onto the dock. I have several cooks and their stations standing by."

Gunter pointed behind him where several stations of large steaming cooking pots were, tables of bread, and large wooden barrels of drink sat in lines.


"Your men are free to feed themselves. It must have been a long journey so I can believe that they may be hungry."

"The food looks delicous!" said Ryakko as he stared at the tables of food. "When does our training begin, Major?"

Diplomatic Telegram
To: Joachim von Ribbentrop
From: Johan Nygaardsvold

Dear sir,

We would certainly we interested in a conference of sorts. At the moment, the King is unavailable due to his being on vacation in Tjøme, however, I will be available to meet with the Fuhrer in Berlin in two days' time.

Sincerely,
Johan Nygaardsvold
Norwegian Prime Minister

To: Prime Minister Nygaardsvold
From: Foreign Minister Ribbentrop

The Fuhrer will be expecting your plane and is eagerly awaiting your arrival.

Signed,
Joachim von Ribbentrop

"The food looks delicous!" said Ryakko as he stared at the tables of food. "When does our training begin, Major?"

Major Gunter smiled as the Finnish commander stared hungrily at the food tables. He could only imagine what it must be like aboard the Finnish troop ships and their kitchens there. The major waved his hand.

"Please, you may get something to eat first. Your training does not start for some days yet. The SS will be organizing your men into units to train along side other SS units. That will take a few days at most," replied Major Gunter.

"Now, please, feel free to relax for a few hours and relieve your men of their grumbling stomachs!" Major Gunter said with a smile. He laughed a little at his own joke and signalled the cooks to start serving up food.

To: Prime Minister Nygaardsvold
From: Foreign Minister Ribbentrop

The Fuhrer will be expecting your plane and is eagerly awaiting your arrival.

Signed,
Joachim von Ribbentrop



Major Gunter smiled as the Finnish commander stared hungrily at the food tables. He could only imagine what it must be like aboard the Finnish troop ships and their kitchens there. The major waved his hand.

"Please, you may get something to eat first. Your training does not start for some days yet. The SS will be organizing your men into units to train along side other SS units. That will take a few days at most," replied Major Gunter.

"Now, please, feel free to relax for a few hours and relieve your men of their grumbling stomachs!" Major Gunter said with a smile. He laughed a little at his own joke and signalled the cooks to start serving up food.

"Thanks again, Major." said Ryakko as he walked towards the food.
The crowd of RSO troopers filed into lines and sat at the tables eating their meals.

The first SS-men these Finns saw in their lives were the Generalmajor der Waffen-SS, Wilhelm Bittrich, three other officers and about 12 NCOs, plus a platoon of young recruits, all from 5th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision Valkyrie. With one exception.
Otto Scorzeny, a young, scarred Austrian Hauptmann (captain) was in lead of the sixth independant formation of Waffen-SS; "616.Separate Pioneer Battalion". Allthough it wasn't actually a pioneer unit at all, despite the name and the fact that the men wore pioneer insignia and uniform, and were all under pertty much the same training the pioneer had to go through. No, they were quite something else - one of the most secret and unknown groups in the world.
They were what would form the Kommandoabteilung der Waffen-SS. This was yet however known to only a handful of the highest ranking men of Heer, and a bit more numerous group of SS officers.


The group had disembarked from few trucks and Kübelwagens, and walked without any strick march order or rhythm towards the eating Finns. Bittrich raised his hand to the nazi salute, but switched it in the middle to the normal military one.
"Good evening, kamaraden! I am Wilhelm Bittrich" he extended his hand for a shake towards the Finnish officer, nodding to major Günther ", leader of the 5th Panzergrenadier - it meens motorized, actually - division Valkyrie. Otto here..." he pointed towards Scorzeny "is leading an independant, mobile pioneer unit. He and his men know well certain... special skills of somewhat unconventional warfare. As a payment for what we are to teach to your unit, we only ask you to teach us skiing and forest/winter fighting. The barracks are only a few kilometres away from here, and we can begin as soon as you feel ready for it. If you want to rest for the day, that's of course ok."

King Gustav V stood outside the pariliment building from the top hatch of a Stidsvagn m/42 tank. The loyal men circled the perimeter making sure none escaped the flames. Gustav was a kind man in nature but with the ever growing threats of the Soviets and Nazis he had to reclaim his power. He had tried to solve the matter peacefully through negotiations and regulations but it had failed. The parliment had voted to take away his title as King saying it was an archaic tradition far below the modern level of the Sweden. This is how he replied. The military was still loyal to him and he used them. That night he called up three companies of men and circled the parliment building. Twenty minutes later his men fired at it setting it ablaze. All that was left to do was watch it burn and wait for the embers to bring rebirth and renewal to the mighty Swedish Empire.

Munich, Japanese Ambassador Arrival

Deputy Minister Kurt Waltur stood at the side of the wide street on Dopplestrasse, waiting for the motorcade of the Japanese ambassador to arrive. Behind Minister Waltur were a row of ceremonial, black garbed Foreign Ministry guards. Long red banners bearing the swastika upon them hung from the columns and roof of the grand Munich Hall behind them. It had once been an opera house, but had then been converted to the use of Joachim von Ribbentrop's ministry for foreign affairs.

Kurt looked up from his watch as he saw two motor-cycles ridden by armed SS soldiers came roaring around the corner followed by a long black Mercedes. The Japanese ambassador had arrived.

"Attention, company!" called out the Ministry Guard sergeant. The ten men snapped to attention and held their rifles at the salute. The car drove up and Kurt bowed in respect as the small man in an immaculate business suit stepped out.

"Konichiwa, Ambassador Saburo," said Minister Waltur. "We have been expecting your arrival."


Berlin

Herman Goring sat at his dining table eating yet another exquisite meal made by his master chef. He had taken off his uniform belt with its ceremonial dagger and set it to the side to allow his gut to take on the full pleasure of its feast. He was equally pleased with the vintage of the wine, a French one from 1869.

"Ah, this is the life!" Goring said to himself with a chuckle. He was just about to start eating into his after dinner cake when the door chime rang. He grumbled for a moment.

"Who is it?" he called.

A servant, wearing a black uniform suit and white towel over his arm, entered the room. He bowed in the curt German fashion. "Sir, there is a General Kesselring and Deputy Foreign Minister Kolister here to see you."

Goring sighed. "Let them in then."

The servant bowed again and left the hall only to replace within moments by two tall gentlemen. The first was dressed in the dual Luftwaffe-Heer uniform that was unique to General Kesselring's command. The other was dressed in the usual business suit of all ambassadors and government ministers who were not involved directly with the military, in this case the foreign ministry.

Kesselring saluted. "Good evening Herr Reich Marshal Goring, excuse us for interrupting your meal."

"No matter, the deed is done and I'll have it finished," said Goring. "What have you come for?"

"It is a matter of great importance," said Deputy Foreign Minister Kolister. "We've received urgent news from our contacts in Scandinavia."

Goring looked surprised. "Why are you telling me this?"

"The Fuhrer is still in Munich at present, leaving you the highest ranking officer and government official," said Kolister. "General Kesselring, after hearing the news, directed me to you."

"For what!? Tell me before I grow old," demanded Goring.

"We are informed sir," said Kesselring. "That the Swedish parliament and government has been overthrown by King Gustav in resurgence for monarchy. They've already destroyed the parliament building with a fire, killing most of its members. Sweden is in anarchy."

Goring took the napkin out of his collar and stared at the two men. Kesselring had a grim look of determination on his face and Kolister looked frightened. Both of them mirrored Goring's astonishment.

"Have you informed the Fuhrer?"

"A telegram via my headquarters has been sent but there has been no reply. However sir the main reason for telling you this is because I wish to recommend that we take advantage of the situation," said Kesselring. "As I speak, four divisions of my army are stations at the port of Kartstadt where there is a large group of kreigsmarine (navy) ships and cruisers. I want you permission, or the Fuhrer's, to take ship and land in Sweden."

Goring was shocked. The very idea of such a move could spark...or could it, he thought. "How prepared are you?"

"I've already loaded an entire division, some 22,000 men, into more than 4 cruisers and 23 transports. I informed Grand Admiral Raeder and he is in agreement with me, having already alerted the majority of his large battleships," answered Kesselring.

"However," interjected Kolister. "We need the Fuhrer's approval to go through with this operation. To save Sweden from civil war and gain much more in return."

Goring stared down at his unfinished food, the cake all but forgotten. He thought about it more, and the more he thought about it the more the idea appealed to him. He looked up at Kesselring.

"You've already alerted your Luftwaffe Group?"

"Ja, Reich Marshal."

"Then continue preparing and I will see to it personally that the Fuhrer is informed of this," said Goring.

"We must act quickly now while this is still fresh. The other nations of Europe will not oppose us in an operation to save a country from itself. Kolister, you are to contact Minister Ribbentrop and make him cognizant of the situation. Have him contact Prime Minister Nygaardsvold of Norway and see if we can secure their cooperation in this."

"Yes sir," both men answered. Together all three men left the room.

Oslo, Norway

Prime Minister Nygaardsvold was instructing his aides on things to be packed for his trip to Germany when the Foreign Minister, Halvdan Koht, entered his office rather abruptly.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I have some urgent news to inform you of."
"Well, make it quick, Mr. Koht," Nygaardsvold said, "I have to leave soon to meet Mr. Hitler in Berlin."
"Sir, we've got word from Sweden, the King has overthrown the Parliament. Apparently he's trying to institute an old-style monarchy, we don't know many other details. But the Swedish parliament, it appears, has ceased to exist."

Nygaardsvold stood motionless for a moment, absorbing the information Koht had told him.

"I certainly could not have seen this coming, it is most unexpected. I expect this will be a topic of discussion with Mr. Hitler. In the meantime, place the military on alert, and be sure to telegram me any changes in the situation."

Hitler was on his way to the air port to get aboard his private plane when the telegram arrived, the carrier saying that it was an emergency of the greatest importance from Riech Marshal Goring.

"What is going on now Herman?" Hitler thought. He took the telegram and read the message. His eyes grew big and turned electrical with energy. Hitler almost felt like doing a jig.

He immediately took to his plane and ordered that General Kesselring and Admiral Raeder continue in their operation, now code named: Gross Neuman. Hitler also ordered that the arrival of the Norwegian prime minister and all the preperations for that be made as well.

Ribbentrop, who was riding with Hitler, also reminded him of the Irish ambassador who would be arriving within a few days as well. Hitler simply nodded and told the pilot to get on with his duty.

Mussolini stepped off the train car. Taking in the sound of the band he strode forewrd.

"Welcome to Germany, herr Mussolini," Ribbentrop said.

The Prime Minister sighed, took Ribbentrop’s outstreached hand and said “Thank you Von Ribbentrop, it’s nice to breathe the fresh air once again.”

Mussolini was quickly lead to a car waiting for the men. He turned to his guard and saluted them in the roman fashion to dismiss them before entering the car.

“At least your fuhrur and I can speak of our future and the future of Europe.

OOC:
Sorry that I haven’t posted in a while. I just got a new job and it’s left me a bit tired. I’ll post more often now.

Thrashia, if I don’t reply right away and you don’t need me to give my imput on the situation just continue to RP so that the RP wont slow down.

[[ Hausser in his room, Himmler enters, tells him about the situation in Sweden (the same day the coup happened there) and anticipating what will soon start to happen as Germany can't just sit idle when something like this happens, orders Hausser to start preparing his troops, Hausser gets excited and summons his divisional commanders, each of them is ordred to select few thousands of their best men, to form a single ad-hoc unit of divisional size. 50,000 is decided to be the strength, in five 10,000-strong brigades, three of them armoured. Hausser will lead, each divisional leader is taking one of the brigades. The rest of the Waffen-SS are to continue their training.]]


OOC: I wrote that in a decent post, about 8 x That Above. Mozilla crashed. Can't find the energy to rewrite it all, so... :rolleyes:

OOC: crap I totally missed this post before lol

"Good evening, kamaraden! I am Wilhelm Bittrich" he extended his hand for a shake towards the Finnish officer, nodding to major Günther ", leader of the 5th Panzergrenadier - it meens motorized, actually - division Valkyrie. Otto here..." he pointed towards Scorzeny "is leading an independant, mobile pioneer unit. He and his men know well certain... special skills of somewhat unconventional warfare. As a payment for what we are to teach to your unit, we only ask you to teach us skiing and forest/winter fighting. The barracks are only a few kilometres away from here, and we can begin as soon as you feel ready for it. If you want to rest for the day, that's of course ok."

IC:"It is good to meet you, too" said Ryakko as he shook Bittrich's hand."My men and I are proud to train with your troops. As for the winter warfare, each of my men came from Jaakari Light Infantry groups and are highly skilled in cross-country skiing and winter guerilla war." Ryakko looked back at his men. A young man walked up to Ryakko and whispered in his ear. Ryakko nodded. "Captain Torni here has reported that my troops are ready for our training." Ryakko smiled as he went over to his table and gathered his things. "By the way, General Bittrich!" Ryakko yelled back to the departing soldier."The food was wonderful!"

OOC2: Yes, The young soldier who whispered to Ryakko is Lauri Torni, the famous Finnish light infantry man who trained with Waffen SS.

General Von Kluge nodded understandingly when Molotov explained the school, then when he changed the subject refering to the doctrine the General spoke,

IC1: "Ahh, yes General Guderian is who you mean, a good man!

Von Kluge glanced out his window,

"The tanks Commrade Molotov, lets see the tanks.."

"Patience, Comrade Kluge," Molotov couldnt help but smile, "You must be tired, I am sorry, but I have to leave you. There is some more buisness I must attend too, you probably understand that having a job such of mine is sort of demanding. Please, have a nice stay here..."

And with that, the car doors opened, Kluge and his aide were led out. There were some tanks nearby, two T-26s and a Panzer 1 that were undergoing track replacements.

OOC:Ill let you roleplay at the tank school... I am probably going to be a tad busy with Sweden...

Speaking of which, what day is the Royalist coup'd'tat happening in Sweden?

4:25 pm January 1st Inside the Palace in Stockholm

"Sir, the parlimentary representivies have arrived."

"Thank you Gerad. Bring them in." The king knew that his burning of the parliment building would start a civil war but he hoped it would end within the year and a hefty compromise. The representitives entered the room and sat in front the Gustav's desk.

After a discussion it was evident that a peaceful solution was possible if the parliment agreed to keep Gustav as the king AND gave him the power to veto.The King knew they would agree. It had cost him a few hundred acres of land and several thousand dollars but the war just got several months shorter.

"Good to know that you liked it!" Bittrich responded, smiling.

"Here, get your heavy stuff to the trucks. We will naturally march to the camp. If possible, I would like to put your men to march side by side with mine, not in separate columns or units, so that they can get to know eachother as we move. It makes some 20 kilometres. One 10 minutes break in every hour. Let's start lightly."

"Good to know that you liked it!" Bittrich responded, smiling.

"Here, get your heavy stuff to the trucks. We will naturally march to the camp. If possible, I would like to put your men to march side by side with mine, not in separate columns or units, so that they can get to know eachother as we move. It makes some 20 kilometres. One 10 minutes break in every hour. Let's start lightly."

"Good plan, General. We have a few heavy supplies that must be driven out but I believe the Gunship crews can handle that on their own. Ryakko said with a grin."Shall we begin the march?

Kartstadt Port, Northern Germany on the Baltic

Grand Admiral Raeder stood on the command bridge of the battleship Tirpitz, the greatest ship in the entire German Navy (kriegsmarine). Next to the Tirpitz in the water were the battlecruiser Scharnhorst. Each was filled to the brim with Heer soldiers from General Kesselrings 4th Army. The entire harbor of Kartstadt was filled with naval vessels. All of the Reich's pocket-battleships were present, as well as several light cruisers and dreadnoughts added to the dozens of merchant ships converted to troop ships.

Raeder had prepared all of it within four days. With Kesselring's help and with the Fuhrer's blessing they had marshalled well over 12,000 men and some 300 tanks in less time than would have been usual.

Admiral Raeder looked through his binoculars at the city's docks and watched as the last transport was being loaded. The SS tanks, part of one of the new divisions, had been the last to be loaded. They had arrived late, having driven north up from their base camps. Raeder had expressed curiosity with them when he noticed that most of them were the newer models.

"Sir," said a voice behind Raeder's shoulder. "We've just recieved a message from Berlin."

Raeder turned and looked at his adjutant, Captain Helmut. He took the piece of paper out of the captain's hands and read it.

From: OKW High Command
To: Grand Admiral Raeder, General Kesselring

The sky fell at 18.00 hours.

End.

"Captain, prepare all ships for sea voyaging. Alert all ships that we'll be going to sea within eight hours. Prepare all last minute procedures and see to it that all troop ships are fully ready," ordered Raeder.

"Yes sir."

Royalist Headquarters Stockholm Sweden
23:00

King Gustav read the report with dismay. New of the German navy gathered and loaded with troops worried him greatly.

"Gerad, get to the navalyards and tell them to hurry production on the Adolphus, go quickly"

Gerad saluted and exited quickly. Gustav then called in another messenger and told him to ready the smaller vessels of the navy. He would be contacting the Fuhrer shortly for a meeting.

9:45 am Royal Palace Stockholm

The king had just sent news to prepare the army and ready the airforce. The entire country was on high alert. The German navy now approaching his country could be dealt with but the elite troops and lufwaffe were a different story. Along with this was the news that the Parlimentary rebels had taken control of the city of Goteburg in the south. It was then that he formulated his plan.

Diplomatic Telegram
From:King Gustav V King of Sweden
To:Fuhrer Adolf Hitler

Fuhrer, I am aware that you are a sensible man that wishes what is best for his country.I also know the troops on those ships are not for stability of Sweden but for its conquest.I implore you, the men you are sending to my country are strong and young. I know the gains of this venture would be great but at what cost?The country is in uproar already. What will forign troops do to the peoples attitude? Sweden has been neutral ever since the fall of Napoleon and means Germany no harm. For this one favour we could surely find a suitable compromise in the price of materials and resources. I hope you consider this compromise deeply and longly for the sake of peace.


King Gustav V

After the king wrote the letter he called in an attendant and began to get ready for his 28th hour without sleep. His last command before drifting off was to Gerad,

"Call up the Parlimentary representitives I have an idea that may save us all."

Hausser and his men had all been rather disappointed when they were informed about the "tiny" (compared to what they had thougt) force that was to be sent. Only about half-a-division of SS troops, instead of atleast a full or even strengthened one. He had already promised that all divisions would be presented with a brigade-size kampfgruppe, but since it became clear that this would not happen he had to rethink what should be done. nevertheless, he had given his word, and his word he would indeed keep. The armoured regiment that SS sent had units from all three armoured divisions, and each of them had also a company or so from their panzergrenadier regiments, while the rest of them came from PzGrD's Germania and Valkyrie.
Hausser didn't really understand why there had to be Heer men in the division, for it would have been much easier to have it comprised of solely SS-Truppen, but he hadn't complained it. If this was how they wanted it, then so be it. Differences in military culture and formalities were quite notable, and the Heer officers somewhat disliked these new "party soldiers", but as Hausser had managed to get himself appointed as the divisional commander, he was quite sure that things would go smoothly anyways. Even though he had no intentions of letting those arrogant old Heer nobles gain any prestige from the battles,should they get into any.

Panzerdivision 'Hausser' - this ad-hoc division was named after its commander as usual in the German army - would fight with its SS-elements. Heer guys would have to just sit back and relax.


Now they were in the ships already, sailing to Sweden. Against who would they fight, no one seemed to know. Even Hausser and other divisional commanders were uncertain, while the men didn't actually have the slightest clue. Not that they cared though. They were ready to expand the Reich, and to protect it and its intresses, and trusted someone above them to know what was necessary for achieving the goal. For Paul Hausser the goal was clear. They would show the homefront and the world that Waffen-SS was the best tool of warfare in the modern times history. They would fuckin' show them all!

Kesselring sat in his command cabine aboard the Tirpitz and studied the map that lay before him. There in all its detailed splendor lay Sweden and the surrounding countries in detail. (Map)

Given verbal orders from the Fuhrer Kesselring had been given over-all command of Operation Himmel-Fall (Sky fall); to achieve a "political and military standpoint from which the Reich can manuevere for a better bargaining chip." Or so were the reasonings of the orders. Truly Kesselring didn't care. His Fuhrer had given him a responsiblity and he would carry it out.

He looked out the port hole that was in his cabin and looked at the night sky. As he looked he imagined what was happening in the air. As he studied his maps Luftwaffe bombers were flying all over southern Sweden and the major population centers there. However instead of bombs they were dropping leaflets.

Each leaflet pronounced Germany's intentions to bring King Gustav to justice. To free the good aryan descended peoples of Sweden from such terrible and destructive ruling as a monarchy surely was. It told the Swedish people that the Germans came as liberators.

Liberators or not Kesselring had planned his operation in great detail and care.

His first concern was the Swedish navy. Grand Admiral Raeder had already assured him that the U-boat squadrons were already patrolling the Baltin in all major and minor shipping lanes with orders to sink any Swedish man-of-wars flying the Royal Emblem. The surface fleet of Sweden was no match for the Reich's either, the Tirpitz alone being able to take on more than half the fleet by itself.

The second concern was air power. The Swedes had an airforce and from what his reports said was small but decently well trained. To establish superiority he had to obtain a new airfield station, the ones in Germany allowing for only short-termed flights so far north. Therefore he reached his first objective: the island of Gotland.

Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic sea and within less than 150 miles from Stockholm. Its capture would give the Luftwaffe a new base of operations from where to launch strikes up the length of Sweden.

Instead of landing his Heer corps there in full, he had gained the support of Colonel Kurt Student, commander of Germany's falschrimjaeger corp (paratroopers). The paratroopers were charged with capturing the two air fields that were on Gotland and the capture of Visby, the provincial capital of Gotland. They were flying over the Baltic even at that moment.

Kesselring himself would land with his men at the city of Karlskrona, a major train location and port. From there the panzer division, under SS general Paul Hausser were to advance up the coast with orders to capture Vastervik within 72 hours. The XIX Infantry Corp would advance in its wake and advance north-west along the rail lines to Vaxjo.

In conjunction with Kesselrings men, a further Heer Panzer division from 1st Army and other infantry brigades from 4th Army would land at the port city of Ystad, the most southern port and major city of Sweden. Here under General Guderian the 1st Panzer Division were to advance on Lund and capture it within 48 hours. If they completed these objectives within a timely manner, Kesselring had told Guderian that he would then have free reign to advance of his own choosing, so long as he advanced north in support of the first landing.

It was a daring plan. Kesselring just hoped it worked. He sipped his tea and looked once more at the map. It was going to be interesting to say the least. Even as he drank he heard the faint drone of over-flying planes.

===

"Green! GO! GO! GO!" The first out of the plane was of course me, Colonel Student. Officers are always to be the first onto the field of combat to be an example unto their men, to inspire bravery and courage. I however know that my men do not need inspiration, for they are such onto themselves by being the elite of all the armed forces in the great German Reich.

Colonel Student's parachute opened up as it was was suppose to and he watched as dozens of planes all around him were emptying their loads like a bird releases its prey, hundreds of soldiers dropping into the sky and held up only by the special cloth made from their parachutes. The bright full moon lit the sky just enough to allow them to see.

The 1st Brigade, which Colonel Student was landing with, was making ground upon Gotland in the area around the city of Roma Kyrkby in the center of the island province. The 2nd and 3rd Brigades were landing at the same time at the outskirts of Visby.

1st Brigade was to capture to the airfield outside of Roma Kyrkby and if possible occupy the town. 2nd Brigade was to do the same at the air field at Visby. 3rd brigade, equipt with new kubelwagens and light trucks in their gliders, would land at Visby as well. To them went the responsiblity to drive south and link up with the 1st brigade and help 2nd brigade take its airfield.

They were to hold the position for three days until Wehrmacht troops landed to take over and the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine occupied the airfields and important port of Visby.

Student hit the ground hard and roled as he did so. He coughed a bit and picked himself up and stared up at the stary night sky. He listened as others landed and made their own private prayers of explitives to whatever god they chose to curse at. Within a few minutes he was out of his parachute harness and had buried the parachute in the ground. Armed with his MP-40 and several grenades he gathered his men into their companies and led them off into the direction of a bright light: Roma Kyrkby.

Royalist HQ

The King just finished speaking with the Rebel leaders and had a plan to win this fight. He left the room and walked out onto a balcony over a crowd of a thousands of people.

"People of Sweden." He paused to let it quiet down.

"A great threat lies on the horizon, and its shape is not that of a Stuka or a German Battleship. It is our own civil problem. If we do not band togather again we will be overrun by a power far worse than the elected government or even myself." The crown cried out different things, agreements, curses and defiance. Gustav raised his arms and motioned for the crowd to quiet down.

"I have no say in this matter. It is truely up to you, the people of our land, to choose what you want. You can return to your normal lives and live under the Nazi rule, join with the Parliment or you could join me and unite our great power once again." The crown cried out again, more ofr him now.

"I tell you three simple facts all of which you are all aware.The first is,as you all know a German fleet with troops is on the way."The crown yelled.

"The second is, if the Germans come and I am overthrown they will not withdraw peacefully. We will be an occupied nation-"The crown agreed.

"Quiet!" He waited yet again.

"The third is, it is true I have made a move for power, but what has our friend the corpral done to gain power? Kill his rivals and overthrow his betters until only he had total control. I ask for far less. I wanted the right to remain your king for what little time i have left in this world and restore the former glory of our great country." The crowd gave their agreement.

"Now I ask you all, which do you want, a monarch or a tyrant? I tell you this,
'Only tyrants have to worry about tyrant killers' so why should we stand for it. I fear not the people of this country or the next. I will not sit in a concrete bunker and watch my people die for me. I will be out with them, facing the same horrors i expect them to face. I knowthat we as a nation can persevere. Your fathers,brothers and sons have been called up not to fight for me but to fight for a cause that we have always held dear WE FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY!" The crown cheered and clapped. Gustav re-entered the Royal Headquarters and hoped the Rebels would keep their end of the bargin.

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

The Rebel leaders sat looking at eachother after explaining the Kings plan. It was risky, but the reward far out weighed it.

"Are you sure this is what he said?" The messengers replied silently with a yes.

"Very well then, we shall give it a chance. As much as I despise our old friend he is 100% correct."

"Sir, the subs and fighters are ready for launch."

"Proceed with your orders. We will remain pawns...for now."

Reports had been streaming in from local fisherman to merchent shippers heading to and from Germany that a large fleet headed towards Sweden. Field Marshal Mannerheim was concerned of this, feeling that he was out of the loop since the Swedish overthrow. He decided to ask Hitler what was up.
DIPLOMATIC TELEGRAM
"Mr. Hitler,
As your friend and ally, I would just like to ask what is happening with the German Navy heading to Sweden. Hundreds of reports have been filed by local Fisherman of a massive surface fleet chugging across the sea. If there is anything we can lend a hand with, just ask us. We are happy to be of service.
Signed,
Field Marshal Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim"

Caproni Ca.308
On approach to Berlin-Tempelhof

Prime Minister Nygaardsvold had a relatively uneventful flight to Berlin. The Caproni Ca.308 was perfectly alright as a passenger transport, even though it wasn't particularly fast. The Ca.310 light bomber, however, was a different story. The Norwegian Army Air Force had so far recieved four of them, and while there wasn't anything inherantly wrong with them, their performance was a bit below what was expected. Something to discuss with the Italians the next time the opportunity arose.

For another time. Right now there were other matters to discuss with Mr. Hitler, in particular the problems occuring in Sweden. As the plane was approaching the Tempelhof airport, Nygaardsvold prepared for his meeting.

Caproni Ca.308
On approach to Berlin-Tempelhof

Prime Minister Nygaardsvold had a relatively uneventful flight to Berlin. The Caproni Ca.308 was perfectly alright as a passenger transport, even though it wasn't particularly fast. The Ca.310 light bomber, however, was a different story. The Norwegian Army Air Force had so far recieved four of them, and while there wasn't anything inherantly wrong with them, their performance was a bit below what was expected. Something to discuss with the Italians the next time the opportunity arose.

For another time. Right now there were other matters to discuss with Mr. Hitler, in particular the problems occuring in Sweden. As the plane was approaching the Tempelhof airport, Nygaardsvold prepared for his meeting.

Colonel Manfied von Donitz, a member of Hitler's personal staff, saluted along with a company of Wehrmacht soldiers as the Prime Minister of Norway stepped out of his plane onto the tarmack of the Luftwaffe landing fields just outside Berlin. Donitz had been ordered to greet the Prime Minister and then rush him with all speed to the main Ministry building where the Fuhrer was waiting.

"Welcome to the Greater German Reich, Prime Minister. I am Colonel Donitz, personal aide to the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. I am ordered to take you in a timely fashion to a meeting with the Furher at this very moment. He sends his compliments and apoligies for having to rush you," said Donitz.

He waved his hand to where a nearby black Mercedes with party flags on it and the flag of Norway sat waiting. "If you'll follow me, we can get going."

Reports had been streaming in from local fisherman to merchent shippers heading to and from Germany that a large fleet headed towards Sweden. Field Marshal Mannerheim was concerned of this, feeling that he was out of the loop since the Swedish overthrow. He decided to ask Hitler what was up.
DIPLOMATIC TELEGRAM
"Mr. Hitler,
As your friend and ally, I would just like to ask what is happening with the German Navy heading to Sweden. Hundreds of reports have been filed by local Fisherman of a massive surface fleet chugging across the sea. If there is anything we can lend a hand with, just ask us. We are happy to be of service.
Signed,
Field Marshal Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim"

To: Field Marsal Mannerheim
From: Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer of Germany

Field Marshal, at this time the Reich is attempting to liberate the people of Sweden from the crutch and chain that is Monarchy and Anarchy. At this time my armed forces are landing at key locations in Sweden with the aim of advancing on Stockholm from the south.

If your government will allow it, I would appreciate if the Finnish Army would advance across the border from the North with the purpose of helping us Liberate the Swedes from King Gustav.

Signed,
Adolf Hitler

Question:I have never rped before and i wonder how we settle combat manuvers and such?

DIPLOMATIC TELEGRAM
Mr. Hitler,
We are able to comply with your request. At the moment, two Jaakari Battalions are crossing the border. These light infantry are highly trained and will do their job well. The Finnish Military Command looks at this also as a way to acquire new military equipment designs for field guns and tanks.
Signed, Field Marshal Mannerheim

Question:I have never rped before and i wonder how we settle combat manuvers and such?

OOC: Look in the OOC thread, and be sure to keep further questions in there.

IC:

To: Field Marshal Mannerheim
From: Field Marshal Keitel

Your forces are asked to occupy the city of Boden, and from there march south until you reach Stockholm.

Signed,
Field Marshal Keitel.

(map of sweden link: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/europe/sweden.jpg)

Visby Local Militia

"I say we surrender. We cant win this fight." The man sat down and got some murmers of agreement.

"I disagree friend, if we fight on they may leave when they learn we dont want to be helped." Said local Garrison commander Charles Bresslov. With that the matter was settled.

Colonel Manfied von Donitz, a member of Hitler's personal staff, saluted along with a company of Wehrmacht soldiers as the Prime Minister of Norway stepped out of his plane onto the tarmack of the Luftwaffe landing fields just outside Berlin. Donitz had been ordered to greet the Prime Minister and then rush him with all speed to the main Ministry building where the Fuhrer was waiting.

"Welcome to the Greater German Reich, Prime Minister. I am Colonel Donitz, personal aide to the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. I am ordered to take you in a timely fashion to a meeting with the Furher at this very moment. He sends his compliments and apoligies for having to rush you," said Donitz.

He waved his hand to where a nearby black Mercedes with party flags on it and the flag of Norway sat waiting. "If you'll follow me, we can get going."

"Not a problem, it is quite understandable for the rush," Nygaardsvold said. "There are issues of great importance to discuss."

"Not a problem, it is quite understandable for the rush," Nygaardsvold said. "There are issues of great importance to discuss."

Colonel Donitz nodded in approval. He liked it when politicians were not in a mood to complain or made a fuss over such things. It was refreshing to meet another man who was of like demeanor as the Fuhrer was. "This way, please."

Donitz and Prime Minister Nygaardsvold got into the car and the driver drove off at high speeds.

They sped through different lanes of traffic through the streets of Berlin. Two military escort motor-cycles led the way blaring their lights and sirens so that citizens knew to move out of the way. Another black Mercedes followed filled with SS guards as well.

Within several minutes the car came to a sudden stop outside a tall grey stone building with Greek esque columns and large case of marble steps. Nazi Party flags and banners hung from all over the building and black uniformed SS guards stood at attention beside the columns.

Colonel Donitz exited the car and led Nygaardsvold up the steps, through the door, and into the building. They went through a few different rooms, some filled with aides and desks stacked with papers, and others filled with radio equipment and telegraph machines. Finally they came to a large room with plush chairs, a large table with a map of Northern Europe on it, and Adolf Hitler sitting in a chair sipping tea.

Colonel Donitz saluted, his right hand shooting up. "Heil! Mein Fuhrer, may I present Prime Minister Nygaardsvold of Norway."

Adolf Hitler stood up and walked forward and greeted Nygaardsvold with a warm handshake. "Welcome Herr Nygaardsvold. I hope your journey was fairly decent?"

Railroad Junction, About 80km East of Boden, Sweden

The Swedish railroad watchmen stared out across the snowy expanse from the warmth of his hut. It was his job to report suspicious activity. Little did he know that 100m in front of hima line of Jaakari Ski troops moved in a silent line towards the city of Boden. They traveled light, bringing along only small arms such as the Suomi-24 SMG and the Lahti Anti-Tank rifle. Their largest artillery were man-packed 81mm Tampella Mortars and three Tampella K1 Light field guns, small 70mm cannons that were dragged behind three men as they skied through the night. The Division Commander suspected that it would take another day to reach their target and a half day after that to take it. Then the heavy equipment would be shipped in.

Visby, Gotland

"Ja Lieutenant?" asked Colonel Student. He stood leaning against the side of one of his precious armored cars, one of eight which had accompanied the paratroopers in gliders to capture Visby. A lieutenant stood in front of him and was saluting.

"We have captured a large amount of the town. 1st Battalion has occupied the south-eastern side of the town and 2nd has occupied the harbor. 3rd Battalion along with elements of the 3rd brigade have just now captured the air field," the eager junior officer reported.

Kurt Student smiled. "Very good! Have they encountered any resistance?"

"Not really sir. The guards at the air field seemed confused at our pressence but had little in the way of arms to stop us. Captain Langer has ordered them detained in a cell block along with any pilots we found there until further orders."

"Very well. And what of 3rd Battalion?"

"They've taken most of the north-west side of the city, but at the old church and at the Visby militia headquarters they've encountered road blocks and men armed with rifles. So far none have fired but they refuse to let our men pass."

Kurt nodded and saluted the lieutenant. He took out a cigarette and lit it. It had been less than eight hours since he had landed outside Visby. As ordered, just as the sun rose, he had red smoke set off at the surrounding country side. Luftwaffe reconniascience planes would see it and know that they had suceeded in capturing their objectives.

Now he just needed 3rd Brigade to link up with 2nd at Roma Kyrkby.

Road to Roma Kyrkby

"Move that fucking cow out of the road!" howled the officer who stood up out of the top of his armored car. "Clear the road!"

A long line of kubelwagens, requisitioned civilian trucks, and four armored cars were sitting on the road less than twenty miles from the city of Roma Kyrkby and their objective of linking up with 2nd Brigade. Paratroopers were lazing about in their cars or talking with paserby Swedes who were selling fruit and fresh morning baked bread.

The column had halted when a large wagon filled with hay and led by four cows blocked the road. Two of the cows were sitting on the road and had thus far not moved no matter how many curses the farmer that had led them yelled.

The old farmer was sweating profusly and trying to curse the cows and apoligize to the yelling officer at the same time.

"If you don't get them off this road in ten minutes, I'm going to shoot them!"


Roma Kyrkby

Pzing! Crack! Pzing!

"Fuck!" The four troopers ran hard and slammed up against the side of the wall and clung to the building. "Fuck," one of them shouted again.

"Where is he?" asked another.

"How the hell am I suppose to know!?" responded a third.

The 2nd company was charged with occupying the south end of Roma Kyrkby and had unexpectantly come up against what seemed to be a group of militia and policemen who had not headed the order to stand down from German forces. Their defence was in holding a large government building, most likely the governors office, and also a local medieval fort.

"Hanz, can you tell where that damned sniper is?" asked the first man.

"Well sergeant, if I were him..." He poked his head around the corner.

Crack! Pzing!

Hanz fell over backwards as he jumped back. Dust from where the sniper bullet had hit the brick covered his face. He coughed and cursed as he leaned on one of his comrades.

"If I were him, I'd be in the tower, right above that old gate," finished Hanz. "Its the only high ground in the area."

"Right, well, we gotta take it," said the sergeant with determination. He raised his hand and down from the end of the street came the rest of their platoon, 35 men in all, came forward. Most of them were armed with the new MP-40, an advantage in the sergeants opinion.

"Ok, Hanz get your machine gun set up and give us covery fire. Halder, your squad will go up the right and strait into the gate. I'll take the 2nd squad up the left and skirt around the wall to that breach the mortars made...understood?"

"Ja herr sergeant!" the men roared.

"Go!"

An MG-32 poked around the corner and roared as it sprayed the tower with bullets. At the same time the group of men ran around the corner and charged. 15 of them on the left and 15 on the right. The sniper rifle opened fire and two men went down.

The first squad made it to the gate and entered. 2nd squad under the sergeant reached the wall and began jogging around the side of the castle-fort walls.

Hanz shouldered the machine gun and looked around the corner. He heard yelling, the patter of the MP-40, a grenade exploding, and the cry of wounded men.

His machine gun partner, Halder, looked around the corner with him. "Should we go forward?"

"Yea, just wait a minute though."

"Yea, I wouldn't want to go in there either."

Karlskrona, Sweden Mainland

With the dawn arrived the German navy and troop transports into the harbor of Karlskrona. Local fisherman were shocked at the sight of a giant ship sitting off the shore and more so when the large transports slammed into the harbor and watched as scafording and ramps were lowered.

Wehrmacht infantry stormed down them and into the harbor. More than three companies were into the harbor and taking up defencive positions within 20 minutes. Armored cars sped off the transports and reinforced the infantry.

Colonel Jacob von Mannerwitz stood on the ramp of one transport and watched as men were hanging laurels and flags on their vehicles. The infantry were waving at Swedes who were looking out their windows. A few small children were in the street and two soldiers were smiling at them and waving chocolate rashion bars at them.

"Looks like all is going well," he said aloud.

"Maybe," said a voice behind him. Colonel Mannerwitz turned and watched as SS General Paul Hausser walked down the ramp. Behind him roared to life a Panzer III which began rolling down the ramp. Green laurels and flowers hung from its sides, a boquet of flowers were sticking out of its barrel.

Mannerwitz saluted. "Sir."

"See to it that your men begin occupying the city. My panzertruppe will be unloading and marshalling here at the harbor," he said. Mannerwitz turned and looked at the open market square by the harbor, a wide clear area that would be ideal for the tanks.

"I will do so at once."

The Germans advanced down the main streets of Karlskrona waving and throwing out chocolate bars to children. Armored cars led the way, decked in greenery and flowers, their gunners sitting on rims of their cars and waving at the children who laughed and ran away from them with their big goggles.

However they advanced with caution. It was still early in the morning but they hoped that the few cheering citizens would not have to suffer their town becoming a battlefield. Or so Colonel Mannerwitz hoped.



Grand Admiral Raeder stood on the bridge of the Tirpitz and watched through binoculars as the troops unloaded from their transports and began marching into the city. It was a successful landing.

They had not spotted any Swedish Royal naval ships in any of these waters but they weren't taking chances.

"Have the Scharnhorst and seven other destroyers and two of our pocket battleships up the coast for 300 nautical miles until they reach our U-boat rally point," Raeder ordered. The officer behind him nodded and went about his duty.

http://www.panzer-reich.co.uk/gallery/mixed/mixed-vehicle/37.jpg

Boden, Sweden
"Erik! Report!"
"Sir, all outward lines have been cut. They are mute."
"Good. Move Company A on the South side of town. Companies B and C are to move in with the man-packed artillery and hit the fortress! Go"
The three Jaakari Battalions had surrounded the city and cut all outgoing phone lines and telegraph lines. The attack was to begin soon. Companies A, D, and E were to move up from the South of town. Companies B and C were making a frontal assault on Boden Fortress while F and G flanked. H and I hit town from the north while J, the mortar and artillery company, layed down fire on the fortress. Unfortunately, nothing could be done until they gave a formal opportunity for the Swedes to surrender. Kapitan Gern Tornonen walked out on the field with a squad of men and hailed the Fortress via radio.
"Attention Swedish Defenders. I am Kapitan Gern Tornonen of the Finnish Army. We demand that you surrender Boden to us immediately and no harm or damage shall come of the town or its people. We come as liberatiors, not conquerors. You have one chance to comply."

OOC: do they surrender or do I have to assault the town? It's totally up to you Shakal. But trust me, if they dont surrender, the people will pay.

Office of the Ministry of National Defense and War
Paris, France

Maréchal de France Maxime Weygand was due to meet with Édouard Daladier at any moment. Èdouard Daladier's office was adorned with many plaques acknowledging his accomplishments in the gouvernement.

The situation in Europe had slowly been deteriorating since Adolf Hitler had taken control of Germany. Now the Prime Minister, Paul Reynaud, was trying to make plans to keep war away as long as possible. With the fall of social order in Sweden, France had found out through informants in Denmark, that a fleet of German ships was heading to Sweden.

Prime Minister Reynaud had not made any formal statement about the situation in Sweden, Ludovic-Oscar Frossard, the Minister of Information, had released a statement to the French Republic stating:

"Citoyens de la France, the events in Sweden are troublesome to all in Europe. Never would it be suspected that such a neutral nation as Sweden, would be pulled into the difficulties facing the powers of Europe this day.

The Ministère des Renseignements (Ministry of Information) has become aware that a fleet of Nazi ships in bound for the nation of Sweden. It is not known what the nature of this "visit" is. We can only remind the French people, that actions of this nature will not be tolerated in France. We are a people of civilized nature and we have long astounded ourselves in the greatness of our country. I will leave you with three words, that I think fits the sentiment of all men, women and children of France: Viva la France!"

The speech delievered by Frossard had caused an increase in enlistments within l'armèe de terre (French Army).

Prèsident Lebrun himself had asked Daladier to draft a plan to increase relations with Great Britain. Everyone in the gouvernement knew that relations with Great Britain were crucial. France is just starting to pull itself out of the scars of the First World War.

Suddenly as Daladier was thinking to himself, his aide Jean-Pierre Aladouz entered to inform him the Marèchal Weygand had arrived and was waiting.

"Send him right in Jean," Daladier said with an urgent tone of voice.

"Oui, monsieur" his aide replied instinctively.

As Marèchal Weygand entered he looked around, he didn't realize how decorated Monsieur Daladier was.

"Welcome Maxime, It is a pleasure to finally meet you!" said Daladier welcomingly.

"Merci ministre, it is my pleasure to be here," Weygand said with a smile.

Daladier began with out hesitating,

"Well let us not waste time, as you know Premier mistre Reynaud has asked me to device a plan strengthening ties with Great Britain. While this is possible, and I feel we can be successful; I must implore you to speak with the Premier mistre to divert the funds for the new school system in Bordeaux to develop new weaponry for our Army."

Weygand stood there contemplating what the mistre had just told him.

"I understand monsieur, I will speak with him immediately. I agree with you full heartedly. To ignore the fact that La République will be at war in the near future is suicide. I am sure that the Premier mistre will understand."

Daladier nodded, happy that Weygand had understood

Weygand smiled, "Au revoir mon ami" he said calmly

"Merci Maxime, It makes me very happy that you are doing this. The future of la Rèpublique is in our hands, I fear we have many enemies with the downfall of order in Ireland and the sympathizers in Norway and Finland."

Weygand made a simple nod then turned around and walked out the door.

Daladier stood up and walked over to the table where his aide had put a telegram earlier.

Daladier read the text carefully:
------------------------------------------
TO: Èdouardo Daladier, Ministry of National Defense and War
FROM: Henri Queuille, Ministry of Supply

Èdouardo,
I am happy to inform you that after researching the current state of our supplies, we can afford to construct three more training camps in Lyons. Our timber and clothe reserves are full.

Your friend,
Henri
------------------------------------------

Daladier was very happy by this news.

Office of Colonel Charles de Gaulle
Lyons, France

Colonel de Gaulle spoke enthusiastically on the phone,

"Oui monsieur, the new Hotchkiss H-39's are ready for deployment. I have been in direct contact with Monsieur Geneu in Nantes, and he assures me we will be very happy with the new light tanks."

He paused for a second,

"Merci monsieur, I am happy to be of service to la Rèpublique."

"Au revoir," he ended confidently

Colonel de Gaulle had personally been picked by Gènèral Blanchard of the 1st Armèe to oversee the implementation of the new Hotchkiss H-39 Calvalry tank.

The tank had been developed to counter the German's Panzer II, which it effectively did. Now he was to oversee the implementation of the Char B1-bis after it was finished being tested. The Char B1-bis effectively challenged Panzer III's and could with support effectively resist the Panzer IV.

Colonel de Gaulle had just finished his conversation with Prime Minister Reynaud informing him of the success of the Hotchkiss H-39. The Prime Minister seemed overjoyed and wished the Colonel luck in his endeavors concerning the Char.


Office of Prime Minister Paul Reynaud
Paris, France

"Merci Monsieur de Lietue, this is very troubling information indeed, decisions will be made using this info, Au revoir."

Before the man on the other end could finish Prime Minister Reynaud had hung up the phone.

He had just been informed by an official in the Ministry of National Defense and War, that a telegram from Norway to the Nazis pledging their allegiance in Sweden, had been intercepted.

It was as he feared. Scandinavia had been poisoned by the Nazis, the only country not seeking their help had been Sweden and it was about to be invaded by a force much bigger than theirs.

The only options left were stronger ties with Great Britain and the United States. It appeared they were the only two powerful countries left that were not siding with the Fascists.

Colonel Donitz nodded in approval. He liked it when politicians were not in a mood to complain or made a fuss over such things. It was refreshing to meet another man who was of like demeanor as the Fuhrer was. "This way, please."

Donitz and Prime Minister Nygaardsvold got into the car and the driver drove off at high speeds.

They sped through different lanes of traffic through the streets of Berlin. Two military escort motor-cycles led the way blaring their lights and sirens so that citizens knew to move out of the way. Another black Mercedes followed filled with SS guards as well.

Within several minutes the car came to a sudden stop outside a tall grey stone building with Greek esque columns and large case of marble steps. Nazi Party flags and banners hung from all over the building and black uniformed SS guards stood at attention beside the columns.

Colonel Donitz exited the car and led Nygaardsvold up the steps, through the door, and into the building. They went through a few different rooms, some filled with aides and desks stacked with papers, and others filled with radio equipment and telegraph machines. Finally they came to a large room with plush chairs, a large table with a map of Northern Europe on it, and Adolf Hitler sitting in a chair sipping tea.

Colonel Donitz saluted, his right hand shooting up. "Heil! Mein Fuhrer, may I present Prime Minister Nygaardsvold of Norway."

Adolf Hitler stood up and walked forward and greeted Nygaardsvold with a warm handshake. "Welcome Herr Nygaardsvold. I hope your journey was fairly decent?"

"Quite so," he said. "Herr Donitz expedited the trip from Tempelhof with much speed."

And what a car, Nygaardsvold thought. It wouldn't be a bad idea to acquire a Mercedes for official state duties, but his mind turned back towards more pressing issues.

"I would imagine that the most important issue at the moment for Germany, as well as for us, is that of Sweden. Now, other than the overthrow of Parliament by the King, I've only heard bits and pieces of information. This alone, though, is certainly a serious issue, and could threaten the stability of the region. So, I'm wondering, Herr Hitler, if you could fill me in on any important changes in the situation in Sweden, if there are any."

Office of the Prime Minister
Paris, France

--------------------------------------------------------
TO: Department of State, Washington D.C
FROM: Office of the Prime Minister, Paris

Most esteemed friends of France,
We find ourselves in a very bad situation in Europe. Our Scandinavian friends to the North seem to be deeply involved with Hitler and the Nazis. With the recent collapse of civil order in Sweden, we cordially invite you to a meeting in Paris on the 21st of March. We wish to discuss the troublesome situations facing Europe and the United States.

I hope you will accept,
-Paul Reynaud
Prime Minister of the Third Republic of France
--------------------------------------------------------

As he finished writing the letter, he stood up and walked out to the secretaries desk just outside two large oak doors to his office. He handed the letter to the secretary who looked up to the Premier minstre and then got up and left the room to send the letter off to the Americans.

Reynaud hated Germany, but he was wise enough to know, that if another war was to occur with Germany; it would be worse than ever before. The rise of Hitler, had successfully created a series of alliances within Europe. France itself had a defensive pact agreement with Poland, and a non-aggression pact with the USSR; and should any invasion occur, the British would surely help.

Reynaud hated the situation, but more so than anything, he hated that Prèsident Lebrun was a lazy goat. Few times had Albert ever exercised his role as le prèsident. Reynaud was playing le prèsident more than anyone, which he didn't mind, as long as Albert continued to give him support.

"Monsieur?"

Reynaud jumped slightly from the disturbance,

"Oui, Louis? he said quickly, recovering from the surprise

"Monsieur, Màrchel Weygand is outside waiting,"

"Really? Well send him in please."

The secretary turned around and walked out to invite the Màrchel de France into the Prime Ministers office.

"Bienvenue Màrchel, I was not aware that we had a meeting today.." Reynaud said inquiringly

"Well we did not have a meeting today monsieur, I come because I must speak to you about something."

Reynaud motioned Weygand to take a seat in front of his desk, as he walked around to take a seat.

"I've come to speak to you about the schools in Bordeaux," a hint of hesitation could be heard in his voice.

"Oui? What about them?"

"Monsieur Reynaud, it is in my professional and military opinion that we halt all production in Bordeaux immediately."

Reynaud's expression instantly turned to one of shock,

"Why? There is no reason for that Weygand, those schools date back to the early 19th century!"

"Oui monsieur, I understand that, but you cannot forget the situation we are currently facing. Monsieur if I may be so blunt, we are going to war. When we do not know, but Hitler wants Europe. He has already successfully annexed Czechoslovakia and Austria. I heard Monsieur Frossard's speech, and now it appears he is invading Sweden. We must prepare for war monsieur, we must halt the production of the schools! We have to begin training the army, and integrating our weapons!"

"Are you nuts?!?!? If we do that, the German's will know for sure that we are planning something! Mass-mobilization will only result in the war coming faster! Not to mention we would be fighting on the ENTIRE eastern front, that puppet, Mussolini would surely help a German led invasion of France."

Weygand sat there silently, he knew that the Prime Minister was correct.

"Weygand.....Maxime, my friend. I understand the stress we are all under right now. But we cannot fight, if we sit here and all argue in this dire hour, we will only bring about the collapse of the mighty Rèpublique. Now, I will halt production of four of the schools and divert the funds to training and research. We cannot do anything, yet, with the other five schools right now."

Weygand nodded with a look of accomplishment on his face

"Weygand, also, I've been meaning to talk to you about something. We need to setup a meeting with Chamberlain. I am going to write up the letter when our meeting is over, I am curious if you would be willing to meet him in London?"

"Of course monsieur, anything for the Rèpublique"

"Merci Weygand, I will send the letter immediately, I will also have Louis give you the necessary papers so that you are not confused."

Weygand smiled slightly and stood up, putting his hand out. Reynaud stood up quickly and shook his hand. Weygand smiled slightly then turned around and left the room to speak with Reynaud's aide.

Reynaud promptly sat back down and began to write the letter to Chamberlain:

--------------------------------------------------------
TO: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
FROM: Office of the Prime Minister, Paris

Greetings to our friends in the North,
Due to the deterioration of relations in Europe, we would like to meet with you, preferably in London. We are particularly curious to British sentiment fin regard to the situations in Ireland and Sweden. Please reply hastily to our offer, Monsieur Chamberlain.

Signed,
-Paul Reynaud
Prime Minister of the Third Republic of France
----------------------------------------------------------

Boden, Sweden
The Jaakari had taken the town without a fight and took over the large government center in town to set up a base. Crude Roadblocks were set up and The windows were boarded up to an extent. Kapitan Tornonen was pleased with the progress his men had made and decided to radio General Hausser to report.
"General Hausser, our progress has gone well. We have occupied the town of Boden, or at least most of Boden, save the Fortress. We are waiting for their men to surrender but may be forced to assault. At the moment, we are fortifying Boden in case of a Swedish Counter-Attack, which would be deemed highly unlikely, but we are better safe than sorry.
Kapitan Tornonen, out."

"Quite so," he said. "Herr Donitz expedited the trip from Tempelhof with much speed."

And what a car, Nygaardsvold thought. It wouldn't be a bad idea to acquire a Mercedes for official state duties, but his mind turned back towards more pressing issues.

"I would imagine that the most important issue at the moment for Germany, as well as for us, is that of Sweden. Now, other than the overthrow of Parliament by the King, I've only heard bits and pieces of information. This alone, though, is certainly a serious issue, and could threaten the stability of the region. So, I'm wondering, Herr Hitler, if you could fill me in on any important changes in the situation in Sweden, if there are any."

"Ah yes, Sweden," said Hitler. He led Nygaardsvold over to a comfortable chair and the two of them sat. A servant entered and served them fresh tea in fine china.

"As of right now I have ordered the Wehrmacht to enter mainland sweden, march on Stockholm, and then depose and capture King Gustav," Hitler stated simply. He sipped his tea with a sigh of content and then looked at Nygaardsvold sharply.

"There is a civil war taking place within Sweden. My intelliegence agencies have been following up on it for some time. My own forces are linking up with parliamentary forces in the south."

Hitler set down his tea and folded one leg over the other, setting himself in a very business-like fashion.

"The reason I invited you here Herr Nygaardsvold is to see if Norway can be counted an ally of the Reich...and that in this particular matter at this time, be able to lend support of its military to the liberation of Sweden from the tyranny of monarchy."


===

World Broadcast Radio

We have now recieved a written message from the leader of Germany, Adolf Hitler. According to all reports and reliable sources, as of right now, a civil war is taking place in Sweden.

King Gustav has destroyed the democraticly elected government and murdered the vast majority of parliament. The country is in chaos and its citizens do not know where to turn for help.

In a move to counter this upsurge of a monarchy returning to true power and extending its tyranny, Germany and Finland have pledge to liberate the country from its predicament. As I now speak ladies and gentlemen, a joint force of soldiers from Germany and Finland are entering Sweden with an attempt to overthrow this mad monarch and bring him to justice for the sake of stability in all Europe.

The USSR has failed yet to comment or act upon this new situation, and nothing has been heard from Britain or even her majesty Queen Victoria who is a blood relative of King Gustav. Reports from our news reporters in Oslo report that Norway may also possibly join this liberating operation.

And now onto reports...

===

Nazi-Soviet Tank School, deep interior Russia

General Alfred Model sat wrapped in his thoughts outside in the sun of Russia. He had been there for well more than a year. With only General Bittrich and a few other German officers he had had little practice with his mother-tongue and had gained more than a little russian. But then cooperating with the their soviet counterparts was important as well.

Model sat at a bench and table beside a large barracks building where they held lectures and meeting halls to discuss openly what they all learned and had thought of to improve upon the tank school and its purpose. He had even taken a trip to see the pilot training centre at Lipetsk (Voronezh oblast), where thus far more than 2,000 German pilots had been trained.

The tank school where Model was at, called Kama near the city of Kazan, had received ten German tanks and thus far trained 65 Soviet officers. Already a second cadre of officers was expected to join them out here.

"Oi! Alfred!" yelled a voice behind Model. He turned and saw General Bittrich standing next to a soviet officer. grumbling Model stood up and walked over to the pair.

"General Model, I would like you to meet General Zhukov," said Bittrich. "He's going to be joining the tank school I believe. Also good news! General Kluge is in Russia. He's in Moscow at present but he may be here any time soon."

"Thats good news," said Model. He shook Zhukov's hand and smiled. "Welcome general. How impressed are you yet by this little operation?"

===

World Broadcast Radio

We have now recieved a written message from the leader of Germany, Adolf Hitler. According to all reports and reliable sources, as of right now, a civil war is taking place in Sweden.

King Gustav has destroyed the democraticly elected government and murdered the vast majority of parliament. The country is in chaos and its citizens do not know where to turn for help.

In a move to counter this upsurge of a monarchy returning to true power and extending its tyranny, Germany and Finland have pledge to liberate the country from its predicament. As I now speak ladies and gentlemen, a joint force of soldiers from Germany and Finland are entering Sweden with an attempt to overthrow this mad monarch and bring him to justice for the sake of stability in all Europe.

The USSR has failed yet to comment or act upon this new situation, and nothing has been heard from Britain or even her majesty Queen Victoria who is a blood relative of King Gustav. Reports from our news reporters in Oslo report that Norway may also possibly join this liberating operation.

And now onto reports...

===



Radio Room of the Ministry of Information
Paris, France

Monsieur Frossard cleared his throat before he began to speak into the microphone sitting at the dark oak table in the middle of the room.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens of France. As you all are aware, Adolf Hitler has released a statement suggesting that Germany and Finland are "liberating" Sweden, or so they say. But let me remind you citizens, the Germans have already annexed the sovereign nations of Czechoslovakia and Austria. Their actions in Sweden are of the same intentions but hidden behind false pretenses. And they continue to use the governments of Italy, Norway and Finland to support their conquest filled malice. The French Government will begin research of our own, to discover the true situation in Sweden.

Do not believe the exaggerated words of Hitler and his Nazi party, do you honestly believe that an honest man such as King Gustav, would murder his own countrymen, especially in the world we live in today? The answer is no. In closing, I ask all citizens, to pray for those in Sweden and to pray that they do not suffer under the oppression of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party."

"Ah yes, Sweden," said Hitler. He led Nygaardsvold over to a comfortable chair and the two of them sat. A servant entered and served them fresh tea in fine china.

"As of right now I have ordered the Wehrmacht to enter mainland sweden, march on Stockholm, and then depose and capture King Gustav," Hitler stated simply. He sipped his tea with a sigh of content and then looked at Nygaardsvold sharply.

"There is a civil war taking place within Sweden. My intelliegence agencies have been following up on it for some time. My own forces are linking up with parliamentary forces in the south."

Hitler set down his tea and folded one leg over the other, setting himself in a very business-like fashion.

"The reason I invited you here Herr Nygaardsvold is to see if Norway can be counted an ally of the Reich...and that in this particular matter at this time, be able to lend support of its military to the liberation of Sweden from the tyranny of monarchy."

"I'm not sure how much we would be able to contribute militarily to the situation, Herr Hitler," Nygaardsvold said. "At the moment, we're going through a rennovation of our military forces, which should take at least a year or more. To make a long statement short, we're not really prepared at the moment for a major military operation."

"We would," he continued, "certainly be willing to hold a sort of conference in Olso, following the conclusion of this conflict, with regard to the future status of the Swedish state. The absolute monarchy currently exercising control over Sweden, which I doubt has the full support of the actual Swedish population, should not be allowed to have total power over all of the nation."

"I believe it would be quite beneficial to determine a future makeup of the Swedish government to ensure continued stability in the region, much like that of the roughly three decades past. Perhaps with representatives of the overthrown Swedish parlimentary government present, as well as those of Norway, Finland, and Germany, I should think."

"I'm not sure how much we would be able to contribute militarily to the situation, Herr Hitler," Nygaardsvold said. "At the moment, we're going through a rennovation of our military forces, which should take at least a year or more. To make a long statement short, we're not really prepared at the moment for a major military operation."

"We would," he continued, "certainly be willing to hold a sort of conference in Olso, following the conclusion of this conflict, with regard to the future status of the Swedish state. The absolute monarchy currently exercising control over Sweden, which I doubt has the full support of the actual Swedish population, should not be allowed to have total power over all of the nation."

"I believe it would be quite beneficial to determine a future makeup of the Swedish government to ensure continued stability in the region, much like that of the roughly three decades past. Perhaps with representatives of the overthrown Swedish parlimentary government present, as well as those of Norway, Finland, and Germany, I should think."

"Indeed, that is a good suggestion," said Hitler. "Though it is disapointing that we will not have any ground support from Norway at this time." Hitler snapped his fingers and Colonel Donitz appeared at his shoulder.

They held a breif, quiet conversation and then Colonel Donitz snapped his heels together in response and nodded. He turned and walked out of the room. Hitler turned back to the prime minister.

"Anyway," said Hitler. "It is simply good to know that I can count on you and your nation. I will indeed request that a conference be held in Oslo after these proceedings are over. Now if we are done on that note, I believe dinner is served."

OOC: Sorry for not posting for a bit i was on a trip. Just so i know whats going on. Finland has taken Boden and is adavncing, Gotland is still resisting and Norway will eventually support you.

Stockholm Royalist HQ 14:00 Hours
The King sat grimly in his desk. The news of Finnish support for the Germans has deeply disturbed him. His first thought of a plan was blown away with the news. He had hoped to be able to have an ally on the baltic but that was over. Along with this was the fact that the number of Parliment rebels had doubled with news of German and Finnish support.

"Gerad, call a gathering of the people i have a...final statement to make.Oh and Gerad meet with the German commander and tell him that if Germany and Finland leave Sweden after my downfall thay will recieve 100% of our Iron production." Gearad hesitied but did what his King asked.

Stockholm Royalist HQ 22:00 Hours

"People, I am adressing you this final time to say that I am truely sorry for what I have done to you and our country. As of now I have come to the decision to give myself over to the Germans as a final hope that they will leave our lands and let you live the way you have always done." This was met with a roar of anger fro mthe crowd who didnt want this to happen.

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

Gotland Secret Militai HQ 22:10 Hours

"Quick turn on the radio the King is adressing us." The militiamen gathered around the radioa and listened to the Kings speech. When it was over only Charles Bresslov could speak.

"This is a most disturbing turn of events for us. The King must know that he will be killed if he goes to the Germans he must have some sort of plan."

"What plan? I say we go peacefully and live our lives."

"If you really wanted that you wouldnt be here now would you?" The man that spoke fell silent. "No, I think the King has a plan. We will fight on, we have friends. I just learned from a letter that the main body of the Swedish army is gathering at Vaxjo and that the fleet is moving for a decisive battle.No, the King has a plan, and I hope for all our sakes its a damn good one."

Gotland

Final resistance from any members of the ad-hoc force of royalists had been crushed under the firm boot of 2nd Brigade after the taking of the medieval fort on the outskirts of Roma Kyrkby. Those who were still alive gave up their arms and surrendered. Major Vanns turned them over to the local police and made sure that all remaining traces of royalist supporters were caught.

2nd Brigade suceeded in their mission to hook up with 3rd and created a link between Roma Kyrkby and Visby. With 2nd brigade's armored cars the air field of Roma Kyrkby was taken by assault the very day they arrived.

In Visby itself a short fight had taken place at the sight of the city's police headquarters. Royalist sympathizers had managed to convince the majority of the militia and police forces to join them and fight. Colonel Kurt Student on location was given no choice but to crush them, and did so with several armored cars and even help from newly landed Wehrmacht infantry and a few tanks.



A line of men with hands on their heads were coming out of the burning building. Wehrmacht infantry and paratroopers stood in a funnel formation, gathering them up into a tight circle where they could collect them. A sergeant went among them and tore off any weapons or devices that could be used for weapons.

A lieutenant stepped up to the group. "You are the last royalist rebels to be captured or killed. After King Gustav's announcement I would think you people would surrender peacefully. Pitty that you did not. Now, give me your names or I will simply have a loyal citizen of Sweden give them to me."


Outskirts of Stockholm

General Kesselring sat in the rear seat of his personal field command car and listened as more radio reports came in from his officers and generals. The invasion had been a complete success. The taking of Gotland had taken less than a day with the paratroopers and had been completely pacified in three.

The combined SS and Wehrmacht panzer division had advanced at such a pace up the coast that they had read Nykoping before he had to personally order Paul Hausser to halt. They had advanced more than 150 miles in two and a half days. Impressive if nothing else.

General Guderian, who had landed in the very south on the 2nd day, had just reported that they had occupied the city of Malmo and Lund. The Swedish military forces there had surrendered without much of a fight due to the King's announcement and saw to it that Kesselring's order of all armed forces of Sweden be disarmed carried out. Even rebel forces were ordered to comply with that demand.

And now Kesselring was to see if the King Gustav would really step down.

"Lieutenant, send in a rider with a white flag into Stockholm. Have him give the King Gustav this letter," said Kesselring. He held forth a white paper folded into an envalope. "If he wishes to have peace and leave the throne before he causes any more violence and war then he will comply with it."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Paris, France
-------------------------------------------------
TO: Monsieur Hitler, Chancellor of Germany
FROM: Monsieur Jeucoup, Deputy of Foreign Affairs

Dear Monsieur Hitler,
We ask you kindly to provide evacuation of all French citizens in Sweden. We ask that you provide transportation to Copenhagen, Denmark where their families will be informed to fetch them. This act of gratitude will not go unnoticed.

Merci Monsieur,

Jean-Pierre Jeucoup
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-------------------------------------------------

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Paris, France
-------------------------------------------------
TO: Monsieur Hitler, Chancellor of Germany
FROM: Monsieur Jeucoup, Deputy of Foreign Affairs

Dear Monsieur Hitler,
We ask you kindly to provide evacuation of all French citizens in Sweden. We ask that you provide transportation to Copenhagen, Denmark where their families will be informed to fetch them. This act of gratitude will not go unnoticed.

Merci Monsieur,

Jean-Pierre Jeucoup
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-------------------------------------------------



Diplomatic Telegram
To: Jean-Pierre Jeucoup
From: Joachim von Ribbentrop

Minister Jeucoup,
At this turbulent time we are incapable of such an action. Our government is currently unaware of King Gustav's intentions and should they be toward a heightening of this current problem, then a far larger conflict could arise. However I have been asked by the Fuhrer to inform you that any and all French citizens will be given safe passage via the port of Karlskrona and thither to Copenhagen where the Danish government has allowed German wounded to be taken.

In return for this favour the Fuhrer has asked that the French government put pressure on the Swedish King to surrender his power and allow peace to return.

Signed,
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Reich Foreign Minister

-------------------------------------------------
TO: Monsieur Ribbentrop
FROM: Prime Minister Reynaud

Monsieur Ribbentrop,
While we thank you for your actions, we cannot condemn the actions of King Gustav. The government of France, cannot openly condemn a nation that has been internationally neutral. We do remind Monsieur Hitler, that his actions created a much bigger schism within Sweden, than any revolution would have.

Sincerely,
Paul Reynaud
Prime Minister of the Third Republic of France
-------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------
TO: Monsieur Ribbentrop
FROM: Prime Minister Reynaud

Monsieur Ribbentrop,
While we thank you for your actions, we cannot condemn the actions of King Gustav. The government of France, cannot openly condemn a nation that has been internationally neutral. We do remind Monsieur Hitler, that his actions created a much bigger schism within Sweden, than any revolution would have.

Sincerely,
Paul Reynaud
Prime Minister of the Third Republic of France
-------------------------------------------------


TO: Herr Reynaud
From: Foreign Minister Ribbentrop

The Reich would like the French government to remember that any stance of neutrality that Sweden represented was void the moment the Swedish parliament was destroyed and murdered by King Gustav. The government that previously pronounced neutrality no longer exists. Had not the Fuhrer stepped in, Sweden in the hands of a tyrranical monarch would have caused an even great schism within Europe itself.

Signed,
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Reich Foreign Minister

(OCC: Not sure if historical elements of 1938 are allowed, or if 1938 is the cut off point)
-------------------------------------------------
Telegram from Paris, France inbound Berlin, Germany
TO: Monsieur Ribbentrop
FROM: Monsieur Reynaud

Dear Monsieur,
The Republic of France is fully aware of Monsieur Hitler's intentions. The invasion of Sweden, is merely an effort to bring the last non-fascist nation in Scandinavia to Fascism. While we do not know fully the reason for this, we have our suspicions. If I may be so blunt also sir, I do believe it is your Nazi Party, that has oppressed the Jewish people in German controlled areas. Your leader has continually expressed his hatred and malice for the Jewish populations. I think you should look at your own leader before you blame King Gustav.
Good day to you!

Paul Reynaud
Prime Minister of the Third Republic of France
-------------------------------------------------

As Paul Reynaud finished writing he took a deep breath and asked his aide to send it off. He was wary of what the German response might be.

Moscow

Gunther Von Kluge stood in front of a mirror ensuring all was correct on his uniform before heading outside to his waiting car, he stood there looking at himself for a breif moment then walked out the door closing it behind him. The General was to head over to the tank school outside of Kazan where he would meet with fellow officers of the Third reich.

During the drive Von Kluge thought about the recent news, Germany was at war with Sweden, the details of this situation were unclear to him at this time, it was somthing the General was going to find out once he arrived at the school. Von Kluge had been really busy working with German and Russian tank crews at his posting, he felt given this new situation he would request a transfer...but that would be up to the Fuhrer of course...

The way Von Kluge thought about it was,

"Men are fighting, men are dying, and every night im sitting in my comfortable quarters drinking fine wine while eating 3-4 course dinners"

Von Kluge leaned foward in the seat,

"Driver, step on it..."

"Jawhol Heer General"

Outskirts of Södertalje, Sweden

Sturmbannführer Eduard Deisenhofer stood in SdKfz 232 (http://www.tracks-n-troops.com/archive/SDKFZ%20232.jpg), his sharp young eyes glancing through the binoculars, over the small Swedish city. It's name was Södertalje, or so the road sign few metres from his armoured car stated. Why not to believe?
Sure, officially the Panzerdivision 'Hausser' was located in Nyköping, some 60km South from Södertalje, but this didn't mean that it couldn't do some reconaissance a tiny bit further! And so his battalion was here. Reinforced one, to be presice. Well, a reconnaissance battalion strengthened with 2 motorized infantry companies and a company of Panzer III's, another with IV's is hardly a battalion anymore... but SS wasn't so strict with formalities anyways. General Hausser had told him to "have a closer look on Stockholm", just to see that there weren't any hostiles waiting in the bushes around their road. This far they had encountered none, with the exception of an extraordinary big and patriotic stray dog. Its resistance was however swiftly dealt with, and it now formed an important part of his battalion, as a great friend of his soldiers and a mascot of the unit.

Thor's (the dog) pretty much like their army, Deisenhofer thought, still trying to see a threat somewhere, failing.

"Everyone thought it would fight to the bitter end, but with a bit of friendly talking it turned out to be the nicest fellow you could hope meet."

Södertalje was indeed close to Stockholm. Deisenhofer was almost certain that should he advance even one kilometre further, there would be more fighting that he could hope to be able to deal with. Part of him wanted to run at them and use all his ability, training, strength and skill to break his way to the city. The part that controlled him had however still managed to silence that recless part, explaining that it would be strictly against orders, and could quite possibly mean the end of his career, if not life.

And so he ordered his "battalion" to stop, as much as giving the opposite order tempted him. As his unit started to spread from the road again, secure positions for the night and prepare some defences, he gave his last glance over the town that waited in front of him. The gate to Stockholm.

Someone please come and shoot us. Damnit! Please! Come and give me an excuse!



~30km North from Nyköping, Sweden

Hausser sighed. Oh, how he hated this! He had a division under his disposal, half of it from his very own Waffen-SS, the best mobile troops the world had seen. And to be honest, the Heer boys weren't all that bad, either. But what did the Swedes have?
Nothing! Or so it seemed, at least. No one shot at them. No one tried to stop them, seriously. Only few rounds had been used during the whole campaign, and the anxiousness of Hausser's was starting to infect him too. Kesselring himself had just recently ordered him to stop, and he had naturally obeyed, but as the German doctrine, and especially that of Guderian - the Armoured Spearhead doctrine - emphasized reconnaisance with substancial force, he had explained to himself that sending Deisenhofer's battalion and few extra panzers and -grenadiers a bit further wasn't actually against the orders.

His HQ was still in Nyköping.

Even though he wasn't.
He sat in a small mansion, halfway between Nyköping and the supposed location of Deisenhofer's Aufklärungsabteilung, staring the map, trying to figure out something to do. He had the armoured regiment of the division with him, as well as the rest of his division's SS elements - 2 battalions of panzergrenadiers. Heer units were either in Nyköping or securing the supply line to South.
Hausser didn't expect any major battles before just peacefully moving into Stockholm, to accept the surrender of the defenders, if there were any, but he didn't want to take the risk of letting any prestige to slip from him to Heer books, when he still had enough SS troops to do the fighting. Now the long line to South even gave him an excuse to keep them out of his way. Now, all he needed was another excuse. From the Swedes. Why didn't they fight?

Last Militia Headquarters Gotland

Bresslov had just sailed off the island and was on the way to Stokcholm in a small fishing boat owned at one time by his grandfather. He looked in awae at the German ships still at sea around the island and knew that it was a futile hope, but it was a hope none the less...

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

Royalist HQ Stockholm

King Gustav read the letters from the Germans on the news of his resignation. The terms were astounding he had hoped that the Germans would leave if he resigned. He still hoped this could happen even after the letter. He began to write a reply;

To:General Kesserling
From:King Gustav V King Of Sweden

I will comply with your demands and i ask you come to my palace to gather the resignation. I give you my word and swear on the life of my children that no Swed shall hurt a single man of yours as you enter the city so long as i have breath in my body. If you meet me here i will give you my resignation and agree to your terms. You may bring as many men as you wish as i said before we will not be hostile.

He sent off a messenger with the letter. He then called in Gerad and told him to prepare the room for the Generals arrival.

General Kesselring's HQ, Norrkoping

When Kesselring got the letter that arrived via an unarmed Swedish soldier he was close to slapping his thigh and laughing. King Gustav, in all his wisdom, had agreed to the given terms. He would surrender his throne, his army, his weapons, his rights to rule, his country and go into exile in Eastern Prussia. All of this was now complete.

According to Kesselring's reports the fiercest fighting during the entire campaign had been in Gotland where a surprising number of royalists had been. He had spent most of the 2 week long campaign from Karlskrona to Stockholm trying to keep Hausser on a leash. The SS general had proven his metal and skills in capturing town after town in the space of time that in the previous war would have seemed like the work of some god.

The invasion was truly a success.

Kesselring turned to his aid. "Get a message to General Hausser's HQ. Inform him that he is to enter Stockholm in peace, but with caution. He is given full authority to act upon an threat of arms. Threat of arms being defined as being fired upon by enemy troops. Also, remind him to collect all weapons and to take over the duties of the local police. Stockholm will be under martial law for 48 hours until I arrive."

The aide nodded and carried his orders off. Kesselring worked at his station and wrote a report for Field Marshal Keitel.

----------------------
TO: Field Marshal Mannerheim, Finnish Army
FROM: Field Marshal Keitel, Wehrmacht Commander in Chief

Dear sir,
The Reich and the Fuhrer would like to thank you for your help in stomping out this flame in Sweden. In accordance with King Gustav's surrender, a percentage of Sweden's ore resources and mining shall be given over to Finland. I would like you to withdraw your troops back over the border.

As I speak, a detachment of Heer troops will be landing Lulea, just south of Boden, to occupy your former positions. A formal ceremony of the changing of the guards would be a fairly nice appraisal for our ground commanders. Thank you again for your participation.

Signed,
Field Marshal von Keitel
Wehrmacht Commander-in-Chief
--------------------------------

Radio Message to General Kesselring
"General, I am happy to oblige with your command. The majority of the Jaakari have departed back across the border. The Kapitan and a small MP contingent are still there awaiting your replacements. I have been happy to serve alongside you and hope to have the oppurtunity again. Mannerheim, out."

Berlin, Germany August 1940
Adolf Hitler sat in his study examining the maps of Europe and drinking his afternoon tea. It had become a habit of his to sit and look over these maps in detail while he took a break from his busy work as Fuhrer. The tea of course was his favourite, lemon with three sugar cubes. Beside his cup sat a small plate with his favorite biscuits.

The map in front of him that lay upon the hardwood desk was one of Eastern Europe. There was Poland sitting between the reaching arms of the Third Reich and Soviet Russia. Poland's freedom and returned sovereignty after the Great War had been a heavy blow to German pride. After all, they had won all of Poland and some land beyond that from the Russians when the Tzar fell and the Communists signed a treaty at Brest-Litovsk. Germany had gained all of Poland and some of western Russia.

However with the back-stabbing Jews and leftist politicians the war was lost. Germany's armies, sitting on foreign land, were told to surrender their arms and return home. Throughout the entire war not a single battle had been fought on German soil, and then suddenly the army was told that they had lost. Russia had surrendered, the Americans had yet to prove that they could make much of a difference, and Northern France was still in German hands...yet they were told they had lost.

Hitler and his followers had never forgiven the Weimar Republic and its gang of crafty politicians. Men who had betrayed Germany and the Army at a time when victory was in their grasp. It was unforgivable.

Now however those fools were long paid in their dues and Hitler was ruler of Germany, the greatest and most powerful Third Great German Reich.

Hitler sat his tea cup down again after sipping the last of it down. He rested his hands and his eyes once again looked over the map, terrying over the names "Silesia" and "Danzig".

Stockholm

Bresslov looked in the direction of the sound of the German Panzers approaching the city.

"This is it then." He said ebfore walking down the street and into the woods with his Mauser 98K hung on his shoulder. His country and King may have deserted him but he wouldnt give up this easy.

In one long column they came, the men and armour of the Panzerdivision 'Hausser', and as the advance guard of this rather massive formation moved the strengthened recon battalion of Sturmbannführer Deisenhofer. Couple of battalions were naturally scouting around the main column that paraded into the Swedish capital, guarding the flanks. Majority of the people that had gathered to see the arrival of the Germans was however quite unaware of these smaller forces.
The crowd stood almost motionless, staring at the lines of trucks, armoured cars and tanks as they passed, heading towards the king's castle. Some kids cheered, amazed by the sight, but their parents and other adults around them quickly silenced them with angry glances. Germans saw this, and some of the men were even somewhat angered - they saw themselves as liberators, and couldn't understand this kind of attitude - but officers understood the caution of the populace and concentrated on keeping the parade going in perfect order, to make good impression to these newly con- AHEM, liberated aryan cousins.

There were however some who refused to stay silent. Few hundreds of Swedish Nationalsocialists had assembled around their party house in the downtown, in front of which they now stood in lines, saluting the SS-Truppen (who were naturally leading the parade, while Heer parts of the division came behind or scouted around the column) with raised arms, roaring "Heil, Kamaraden! Heil Hitler!" and trying to look as militant as possible. Every German unit passing these fellows turned to them and returned the salute. As Hausser's staff car passed, he laughed shortly, greatly amused for this marvellous sight.



Finally Hausser, few of his staff officers, Deisenhofer and his battalion arrived to the gates of Kungliga Palatset, and Deisenhofer shouted from his SdKfz 232, machinegun pointing at the man standing in front of it;

"In the name of German Reich and Adolf Hitler, open the gates and lay down your arms!"

Paris, France

The entire country of France was unified in their disgust by German conquest of Sweden. After the previous night's radio report of parades of German military throughout Sweden, twelve French National Socialist had been shot down just in Paris. It was estimated that a total of almost 200 French National Socialist had been killed throughout France.

Paul Reynaud was not sure what France's next moves would be. Telegrams to the British and the Americans had never been answered. It appeared, the current state of Europe, placed France solely as the opposition to Nazi Germany and their puppets.

Official World Proclomation; Berlin

"My people have been through hell and back again in the past. In 1918 we were ruthlessly scavanged upon by the would-be ravishing of the French and her allies. Our national soveriegnty was taken from us! Land that was German since the beginning of time, stolen from us! Our Fatherland! Ours! Stolen by the evil and coniving Juden and French socialists.

What shall we do about this you ask!? I tell you, that we will demand for our land back! We will demand our heritage back! We will demand our birthright as aryans and Germans be returned to us!

Now, I say to you, the world leaders! Give Germany back what is his! Return what was lost! Return so that a people may be united! United as they have never before been in history." Hitler stepped back from his podium and swept his hair back into place. The audiance in front of him roared with dreadful approval and with a great cresendos of volume. They clapped and cheered.

"We have freed a nation from tyranny! Our mighty soldiers and our allies have given freedom back to the land of Sweden! We have given them back their pride and soveriegnty! This gift that we give, so freely, we simply ask back in return; as is our right! Sieg heil!"

Hitler gave the Nazi salute and stepped back from the podium. The call of "sieg heil" was taken up by the crowd. Thousands roared and raised their right arms in the salute. Men cried as the passion and fire entered their veins. Women screamed out their support and demands. Children cheered and squelled in delight, waving their little party flags.

Above it all Hitler stood like a resolute statue. He looked out into the crowd and beheld them as his children. People would walk away from that great meeting and swear that the Fuhrer had looked strait at him, that he had spoken to him alone.

Hitler left the podium after one last salute and was quickly ushered away by his private guard and close friends. Geoseff Goebbels smiled at Hitler as they got into their private black Mercedes. Joachim von Ribbentrop entered from the other side and smled as well.

"Well done mein Fuhrer," said Ribbentrop. "I don't think I've ever seen them so enthusiastic."

"No I," said Goebbels.

"Joachim, you've prepared the demands?" asked Hitler.

"Yes my Fuhrer," said Ribbentrop. "The Polish government will be receiving them tommorow morning."

"Good. Things should always be done with in the morning. To do so afterwards wastes time," said Hitler.


---
Demand of the Polish Government
FROM: The German Third Reich, Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer
TO: Polish Government, Prime Minister

The German nation demands of the Polish nation the return of what was once German territory. Those provinces directly being the return of Silesia and the return of the Polish Corridor, between Germany and Eastern Prussia. The German people demand the return of their land. Failure to comply would mean great dissettlement of Polish-German relations.

Signed,
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Reich Foreign Affairs Minister
---

Helsinki, Finland
After the instance in Sweden, Mannerheim decided in the interests of National Security, it was time for more troops. He drafted two new divisions; a Jaalkavaki infantry and Jaakari light infantry. The Nenonen Line was progressing fantastically, and the reports from the RSO said that training was going fine as well.

In front of the Storting Building
Oslo, Norway

Having just seen over a session of the Storting, Prime Minister Nygaardsvold, accompanied by the new Minister of Defense, Birger Ljungberg, and King Haakon VII, escorted by members of The King's Guard, was walking out of the Storting Building on a fairly nice Friday in early August of 1940. Ljungberg was discussing the new MF-13 torpedo bomber with the King, and with the general hustle and bustle of the various workers walking about in front of the building, it wasn't surprising that neither of them noticed the line of cars and trucks parked nearby. Nygaardsvold himself almost didn't notice were it not for the distinctive orange-and-red crossed circle emblem painted one of the car's doors. The emblem of Nasjonal Samling. Nasjonal Samling? The Norwegian fascist party, led by that nut Vidkun Quisling, who seemed to always have an angry expression on his face.

Suddenly, everything seemed terribly wrong. Nygaardsvold noticed that the cars and trucks were packed with passengers, NS members, dozens of them at least. For a moment, he thought he saw the sun reflecting off of a rifle barrel in one of the cars, and further noticing that the group was not near any form of cover, realized that they were in a very, very bad situation.

"Stop!!" Nygaardsvold shouted. Ljungberg, Haakon, and the guards stopped, and saw what was looming ahead of them.

At this point, Nasjonal Samling’s cover was blown. Figuring that, even if they fled the scene, they would likely later be arrested for conspiracy to overthrow the government, and given fairly harsh sentences, they decided to open fire.

Nygaardsvold was hit square in the chest and dropped to the ground almost immediately. Haakon, partially blocked by three guards, was grazed by a bullet in his right upper arm. Ljungberg was hit in the left shoulder. Three guards were also struck and were wounded, one dead on impact.

The surviving guards returned fire, causing the interesting situation of opposing forces firing at each other with nearly identical firearms, namely, the popular Krag-Jørgensen bolt-action rifle. The guards bought time for Haakon and Ljungberg to limp back into the Storting building, dragging Nygaardsvold along with them. Security guards in the building, having heard the shootout, rushed outside to assist the remaining members of the King’s Guard, but all of them were soon back inside to take cover from the incoming fire. As the guards returned fire through open doors and windows, Nygaardsvold attempted to speak, but was no longer able to breathe and he expired.

The shootout had been radioed in to the Ministry of Defense, but other units of the King’s Guard were several kilometers away, and might not be able to arrive in time to stop the NS forces from toppling the government.


Gloster Gladiator F.Mk.II, Hæren Luftforsvaret No. 421
2,500 feet above Oslo, Norway

It was a great day to fly, thought Lieutenant Erling Munthe Dahl. The visibility was excellent, one could clearly see the people down on the streets. In fact, as he banked past the Storting Building, he could make out the group of people in front…that were firing upon the building? Something was seriously wrong down there, so he decided to radio it in.

"Command, this is Lieutenant Dahl, I can see people firing upon the Storting building, what in God’s name is going on down there?"

A few moments passed before a reply came.

"Lieutenant Dahl, those people are members of Nasjonal Samling attempting to overthrow the government. They have fired upon the King, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Defense. You are ordered to engage the hostiles and keep them occupied until reinforcements arrive."
"Roger that, Command, engaging the hostiles."

It was a disgusting thought having to fire upon one’s own countrymen, but not only had they been well into the wrong, but it was also his duty to follow orders. And so it was time to do his duty, much like how the British said it, "For King and Country."


In front of the Storting Building
Oslo, Norway

The NS members were winning, so they thought, most of their targets had been killed or wounded, and reinforcements wouldn’t arrive for a while. Plenty of time to finish the job. Even though they weren’t particularly accurate shooters, they were making up for it in volume of fire, their 50 or so remaining forces far outnumbering the half-dozen remaining guards.

However, they hadn’t expected Lieutenant Dahl and his Gladiator, nor had they even thought of how to try and defend against any attacking planes. The ambush in the open area in front of the Storting had been brilliant, but they had completely forgotten about an attack from the air.

And so when Dahl and the Gladiator made the attack run, there was very little they could do about it. Their 6.5mm bolt action rifles versus the Gladiator’s four Browning .303-inch machine guns, and the Gladiator had the advantage of being a fast moving target compared to people on the ground. It wasn’t really even a contest, in the few seconds of the run, half of the NS forces were either killed or wounded as the four Brownings clattered away, further striking the cars and trucks, setting some of them alight.

Now realizing that they were entirely vulnerable, some of the NS forces remaining standing decided to make a run for it, several of them only to get chopped down as Dahl made a second pass. As they came to the conclusion that their luck had run out, reinforcements of the King’s Guard had arrived, using commandeered civilian vehicles. After all that had proceeded, the survivors surrendered with little trouble.

What would later become known as the Black Friday of 1940 claimed the lives of 21 Norwegians, including Prime Minister Nygaardsvold, and wounded another 27, including King Haakon and Minister of Defense, Birger Ljungberg.

Chiang Kai Chek saw a storm approaching. What lay upon the Korean Penninsula was a firey dragon, a maelstrom of death and carnage from which there would be no escape.

"Oh God," He whispered to himself. "Do the tyrannical Japanese see what they are going to do? The horror they shall invoke? These will be dark times indeed."

His aide, behind him during his talking, spoke up, "Sir, I fear this Dragon may be spreading it's wings. Should this occur, we must ready our forces. They are vast, but not as technologically advanced as the Japanese. It shall be a long and brutal struggle."

Turning to face his Aide, Chek smiled weakly. "Then it is one we must face. A Dragon is but flesh and blood. Though it's scales may seem impenetrable, and its fires intimidating, there is always the honorable who may slay it."

"Wise words, may they hold true."

Nodding, Shek continued looking out his window into the sun lit streets of Peking.

---------------------------------
Diplomatic Telegram
TO: King Haakon of Norway
FROM: Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer

Dear sir,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to you. The recent tragedy that has sprung up from hate and fear is terrible and the price more than I care to think of. Herr Nygaardsvold was a good man and I liked him very much. He will be missed among the living.

I write to you personally to explain that the Reich had nothing to do with this attempt on your life and the life of your government. The would-be assassins were not in any way connected to the Nazi Party nor any of my various organizations. I have ordered an investigation to take place to find those responsible for this tragedy.

With hopes that this does not break relations between us, I am sending you a gift of the finest Austrian wine, sweet bee honey from Czechoslovakia, and the finest German beer. These gifts are shallow in the comparison of the lost, but they are meant to be in good faith of friendship between our two nations.

Signed,
Adolf Hitler
Fuhrer of Germany
----------------------

Office of the Prime Minister
Paris, France

Paul Reynaud was watching the plaza outside his window when he received the news of the death of Prime Minister Nygaardsvold in Norway by Fascist Party members. He quickly told his aide to send a telegram of condolences to the nation of Norway:

---------------------------------------------
TO: Ministry of Defense, Oslo, Norway
FROM: Hôtel Matignon, Paris, France

Most esteemed peoples of Norway,
The French Government and her peoples offer their deepest condolences upon learning of the death of so many of your countrymen, including Prime Minister Nygaardsvold. We hope that those who are behind this terrible travesty will be brought to Justice. The threat of Fascism and Nazism is very prominent in the Europe we now live in. We only hope that another Great War will not be caused by ignoring and supporting these extreme ideals.

Sincerely,
Prime Minister Paul Reynaud
The Third Republic of France
---------------------------------------------

Paul Reynaud hoped that this fascist uprising would result in Norway's decreased relations with the nation of Germany. He could only wait anxiously.

---------------------------------
Diplomatic Telegram
TO: King Haakon of Norway
FROM: Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer

Dear sir,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to you. The recent tragedy that has sprung up from hate and fear is terrible and the price more than I care to think of. Herr Nygaardsvold was a good man and I liked him very much. He will be missed among the living.

I write to you personally to explain that the Reich had nothing to do with this attempt on your life and the life of your government. The would-be assassins were not in any way connected to the Nazi Party nor any of my various organizations. I have ordered an investigation to take place to find those responsible for this tragedy.

With hopes that this does not break relations between us, I am sending you a gift of the finest Austrian wine, sweet bee honey from Czechoslovakia, and the finest German beer. These gifts are shallow in the comparison of the lost, but they are meant to be in good faith of friendship between our two nations.

Signed,
Adolf Hitler
Fuhrer of Germany
----------------------

Diplomatic Telegram
To: Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer
From: King Haakon VII

Dear sir,

We are most thankful for your kind words and gesture in light of this horrible tragedy. Nygaardsvold was a great leader and indeed he will be sorely missed among us.

Further, we have no reason to suspect that Germany or any of her people had any responsibility in the attack. Our information thus far has lead us to the conclusion that Nasjonal Samling's leader, Vidkun Quisling, is likely to have planned out and ordered the attack independently of any outside influence. Quisling has, unsuprisingly, not turned up at his residence in Oslo, and we are currently on the search for him and his accomplices.

Finally, as for your gift, I think a fitting and proper use for it would be to drink while fondly remembering Johan's time on Earth. We thank you for your words and consideration during this dark time.

Signed,
His Majesty, Haakon VII
King of Norway

---------------------------------------------
TO: Ministry of Defense, Oslo, Norway
FROM: Hôtel Matignon, Paris, France

Most esteemed peoples of Norway,
The French Government and her peoples offer their deepest condolences upon learning of the death of so many of your countrymen, including Prime Minister Nygaardsvold. We hope that those who are behind this terrible travesty will be brought to Justice. The threat of Fascism and Nazism is very prominent in the Europe we now live in. We only hope that another Great War will not be caused by ignoring and supporting these extreme ideals.

Sincerely,
Prime Minister Paul Reynaud
The Third Republic of France
---------------------------------------------


To: Paul Reynaud, Prime Minister of France
From: Oscar Torp, Acting Prime Minister of Norway

Dear sir,

We are most grateful for your kind words during this terrible time. We should like to state that we are firmly commited to maintaining our way of government and our parliament, despite the attack from within our own borders. We are currently on the hunt for those responsible for this outrageous violation on our leaders' lives, and we intend that they will be subject to the supreme penalty that our law can provide for.

Sincerely,
Oscar Fredrik Torp
Acting Prime Minister, Kingdom of Norway

Outside Royalist Headquarters Stockholm

King Gustav went outside and greeted Hussar with dignity. He however did not tell his men to stand down. He knew his letters would reach the generals soon enough.

"Greetings General it is with highest regand that I will regret to inform Kesserling of your sucess, howver little it will now mean."

Vaxjo Southern Sweden Army HQ

To: General Weldheimer
From:King Gustav V

You know the mission carry it out.

The general ordered his men to begin moving towards Karlskronva. The entire force of 4 regiments of infantry and an armored brigade began moving towards their objective as the Swedish air forces stationed their took off and headed north to help free Stockholm.

Umea Northern Sweden Army HQ

To: The Good General Gerhardt
From:King Gustav V

Begin The Operation.

"Capitain tell the men to move. We just recieved the orders from the king." With this the men hurried away to perform their tasks. All the men under Gerhardts control, 3 infantry regiments and an armored brigade moved north to retake what had been lost.

Gulf Of Bothnia

Admiral Schraepl got word from Gerhardt that now was the time to act. The entire Swedish navy went to sea including the new heavy cruiser Adolphus. They headed south carrying some 5000 men to retake Gotland.

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

Just Outside Stockholm

'The great offensive had begun at last.' Bresslov thought. ' I knew the good King had a plan. Bresslov saw the smoke over Stockholm and knew what had happened. He set off back towards Stockholm with a few more men that had flown to the woods with their weapons.

Fokker CVX over North Sweden
The drumming and buzzing was loud to Wilhelm's ears as he flew over the frozen expanse. His lonely recon flights were long, tedious, and very, very cold. On his way back into Finland, he spotted something. A cloud of snow drifted behind some gray objects moving in towards the North where Boden and some other towns were. He decided to get a closer look.
Ten minutes later...
He threw the CVX into a dive and overflew the tanks that lead the group. For a second he thought he saw the Iron Cross, but something was odd about it. It was Blue. At that time, an MG opened up and bullets whizzed by him. He pulled up hard and rolled out of the path of several MG's. As he reached a safe altitude, he looked at his plane. Some light-gray smoke came from the back end and there were a few holes, but hopefully it would manage. He radioed base to report in.
"Boden Control, Boden Control, I have taken fire from a large Tank force. Believed to be Swedish Rebels of some sort. I didn't get that close of a look. This is urgent. Get the Marshal informed quickly."
"Are you alright, Wilhelm?"
"My plane has taken fire but otherwise..." a series of pops went up as the smoke grew darker and the plane shook slightly. "Nevermind what I said, I am going to start losing altitude fast. I suspect to crash about 89km south of Boden. Try to get someone there to help me when I hit."
"Wilco, Wilhelm"

One hour later...
"A tank force?" asked Mannerheim.
"Yes sir, thats what the recon plane reprted before contact was lost due to damage taken from the enemy." said a Major.
"Boden has to stand. Send reinforcements there immediately. I want Two Jaakari and three Jaalkavaki Battalions there by tomorrow. Also, reinforce the troops with some of those 98K/02 guns.(76mm AT or field artillery gun)"

Mannerheim went to the communication station and hailed Kesselring.
"General, I am sorry this is going over your head, but I have ordered 5 Battalions of infantry to supplement the forces already in Boden and the surrounding area. A recon plane spotted a large tank force moving towards the North and hailed us before they were shot down. Pilot status is unknown as of yet, but we are sending a Jaakari force to find the wreckage and hopefully the pilot. I request that anti-tank gunnery and infantry be sent to Boden if possible to push them back. Otherwise, I believe my men can handle themselves fine. Mannerheim, out."

Mannerheim sighed. He knew Kesselring was a good man and hoped he wouldnt be angered at the Finnish movement back into town.

OOC: semi-Bump
IC: Somewhere in north Sweden, about 71km south-southwest of Boden
The scene was bad. A small wooden shack sat with a plane smashed into it. The CVX was burning and had left a trail of wreckage about 50 feet from where it had crashed to where it came to a halt at the shack.In a small patch of pine trees 100 feet away from the wreckage a white parachute was caught in a tall pine.
"Agh, damnit...here we go...."a loud Zip came out as the harness released its user who fell 15 feet into the snow pile below. "That was fun." he said as he made his way over to the wreck. He checked his wreckage trail and found three important things: a canteen, a Suomi SMG, and a pack of cigars. Wilhelm took one of his cigars and lit it with a burning piece of wood. The radio was scorched and he had no way of telling any of his comrades where he was. All he had was some cigars, an SMG, a pistol, and a small puch with some jerky that he had on his person. Night was coming near and he had to find shelter. He went into the shack and made a makeshift sleeping hole with a shovel he found and tried to get his rest. He knew that if he wanted to survive, he had to get to Boden before the Swedes did.

OOC: Bump...again
IC: Finnish Frontline HQ, Boden, Sweden
The Finnish troops had set up a shelter in the fortress where the civilians from the town were sent. Food was being rationed out to them there. Meanwhile, in town, the City was being fortified just as much, if not more, than the fortress itself. It had been given the name The Boden Turtle by its occupants who had been setting up raodblocks and makeshift bunkers the whole day. The 98K/02's came in the day before and were set in bunkers constructed of Cinderblocks, iron bars, and wood on the south side of the town. In the government building, a force was readying for battle.
"Is everyone ready?" asked Liutenant Kairn.
"Yes, sir." the troops said.
They were Jaakari light infantry. Their mission was to find the pilot.
"We have to head down about 75km south, where his last recorded position was from. From there, we must denend ourselves until pickup. Are there any questions?"
"I have one, sir." said a young corporal,"Will we be back for dinner?"
The men all laughed as they walked out the big doors into the street. The infantry loaded into the 5 aromored cars that sat in the road. The cars moved out and headed out the roadblock onto the cold, icy field.

Crash sight, Somewhere south of Boden, Sweden
Crack!The pistol reported. The rabbit fell dead to the ground.
"Oh, thank god." Wilhelm said as he walked over to the rabbit and brought it back to the shack. He skinned the rabbit and started cooking the meat in the fire. Wilhelm needed to get out of there fast, for the tanks would be there soon.
Ten minutes later...
As Wilhelm sat outside the shack eating the rabbit skewer, he saw something that made his heart sink. Five grey objects moved tawards his position, kicking up a trail of snow and ice behind them. "This is it..." Wilhelm said. He headed over to a pile of snow and buried himself in it. He readied his Suomi SMG and waited.
One mile north of the crash site
Liutenant Kairn looked throught the lenses of his tank goggles at the pillar of smoke rising up over the plain.
"There it is, Corporal. Speed up."
"Roger, sir."
The Armored Cars sped up and zoomed towards the site.
Crash site, seven minutes later...
The armored cars sat in front of the burnt wreckage and their occupants dismounted. "What the hell?" said Wilhelm as he saw the blue Hakaristi on the side of the car.

The Yacht "Valkyrja"
North Sea
Three days later

Vidkun Quisling was starting to think his luck was going to run out. His coup d'etat against the government had succeeded in killing Nygaardsvold, but was unsuccessful in the total scheme of things. "If it hadn't been for that damned fighter plane it would be me as acting Prime Minister, and not that arrogant Oscar Torp," Quisling thought.

Realizing that his plot had failed, Quisling had made his way to his private yacht, and set sail out of the Oslofjord early on the day after. He had barely escaped one of the old lumbering coastal battleships, the Eidsvold, and was only able to avoid certain death or arrest by a patch of fog which hampered the battleship's ability to target its guns.

Later on the second day, he was spotted heading west out into the Norwegian Sea by one of the Army Air Force's Ca.310 bombers operating out of Sola Air Station, which attempted an attack but was unable to hit the small yacht. Quisling figured it would not be at all suprising if Torp had the entire Navy sent out to hunt him down. Having sailed out in the North Sea, he was almost killed again when a rogue wave nearly capsized his yacht.

But now, he had to decide where he was going to next. He hated thinking of it as running and hiding, even though that was exactly what his situation was. Any of the other Scandinavian countries would be too obvious, as would Germany. Russia wouldn't be expected, but then Quisling also expected his yacht would be stolen by those Bolshevik mongrels, and that he would be likely sent to the Gulag and would never return. In England he'd stick out like a sore thumb. France wouldn't be much better, but he did have some connections within the French National Socialist party. Perhaps they could help him.

With little other option except starving to death or getting blown up in the North Sea, Quisling ordered his crew to sail towards the English Channel, and eventually, to the port of Dunkirk.

"Bloody hell!"

The shout echoed thru the corridors of Mussolini's mansion. Summoned by the voice rushed his adjutant into the room, carrying a pistol in his right hand and a coffee pot in another. He released his finger from the trigger as he saw Benito reading something with the state's seal on it. It wasn't an attempted murder of the boss after all. The adjutant poured coffee in Il Duce's empty cup. Mussolini took a sip and put the papers in his desk.

"I want to make a call."

The call was arranged. It was a telephone call to Italy's chief of army, Rodolfo Graziani, currently staying in Rome.

"Sì", answered a voice in the other head.

"Hello, it is your commander speaking. Benito. Yes. Listen. I have just received news from our... allies. Sweden is under control of Germany's troops. So ”Führer”, as he likes to call himself, actually did it. He invaded the country."

Mussolini had a sip of his coffee. The other head remained silent.

"It wouldn't look too good not to react in this situation. After all, we, Italy, are the leading nation of the Axis. We should be the one claiming back our lost lands! I've made the promise of liberating our ancient lands, and my promise for the people will keep. Therefore, cancel all your plans for tomorrow. There shall be a meeting for you, me Il Duce and my generals."

Things felt good for him. No power in world could resist the great nation of Italy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Diplomatic telegram
To: Adolf Hitler, the head of state of Germany
From: Benito Mussolini, Il Duce

Dear friend,

The news from your latest liberation has reached me. I must say, I am stunned. Stunned how two great nations can do great things in turbulent times like these. Liberation of Sweden is a fine example. As brothers in arms and firm allies Italy and Germany can certainly accomplish great things and therefore I am asking you, dear führer, and Mr. Ribbentrop to come visit rome in order to negotiate the terms of a pact of friendship which I, with my most trustworthy ministers, have been preparing.

Your ally and friend,

Benito Mussolini
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Crash site, Sweden
"Halt!" Wilhelm yelled at the men walking around the site. They drew their arms and pointed it at the pile of snow. ZThe Liutenant walked over to the pile.
"Identify yourself."
"I am Wilhelm Tor. I was on that plane."
Liutenant Kairn sighed."Oh thank god. We are the rescue force, Colonel Tor."
Wilhelm emerged from the snow pile and brushed off.
"Well, thank you for coming when you did. I only had a puoch of jery left. I wouldn't have made it back to Boden on that."
A group of men started lifting up pieces of the plane and put the pieces on some trailers mounted behind two of the Armoured Cars.
A Sergeant walked up to the Liutenant and Wilhelm."Sir, we have spotted a tank force south of us. We need to go now."
"Alright." said Kairn."Listen up! We have tanks moving in on our position! Were moving out!"
"What about whats lefto of the plane?" said a Corporal.
Kairn looked at the fuselage and engine of the plane."Get the engine. Destroy the rest."
"Yes, sir!" replied the Corporal.
As the engine was lifted onto the last trailer a team of men placed some TNT inside the fuselage. After everyone was in the cars, one man lit the fuse and they sped off. They were 500 feet away when the TNT blew the fuselage sky high, leaving a massive pillar of smoke and fire where it stood seconds before.

60Km South Of Boden

General Gerhardt knew this could work. He had a good 18 000 men at his disposal to take a city guarded by, from his intel, around 10 000 most of which were Finnish troops with only abour 1800-2000 Germans. He knew his armor had to worry about the anti-tank guns and defences the Germans had. He had secret weapons of his own.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Diplomatic telegram
To: Adolf Hitler, the head of state of Germany
From: Benito Mussolini, Il Duce

Dear friend,

The news from your latest liberation has reached me. I must say, I am stunned. Stunned how two great nations can do great things in turbulent times like these. Liberation of Sweden is a fine example. As brothers in arms and firm allies Italy and Germany can certainly accomplish great things and therefore I am asking you, dear führer, and Mr. Ribbentrop to come visit rome in order to negotiate the terms of a pact of friendship which I, with my most trustworthy ministers, have been preparing.

Your ally and friend,

Benito Mussolini
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Diplomatic telegram
To: Benito Mussolini, Il Duce
From: Joachim von Ribbentrop, Reich Foreign Minister

Dear sir,

The battle is not yet entirely over, but a German victory is assured. It pleases the Fuhrer to inform you that he will take your offer of a visit to Italy and will join you on that date. The discussion of the future of Europe is on the Fuhrer's mind as are other things. My Fuhrer asks if perhaps the Italian Navy, which has such a reputible history, would perhaps be shown on maneuvers? In the mean time farewell and good health to you.

Sincerely,
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Reich Foreign Minister
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Finnish Frontline Military Command Center, Boden, Sweden
The engineers and soldiers worked in shifts, one group digging trenches and fortifying buildings while the otehrs sat in the Boden Beer Hall chatting with resting Germans about various things. The AT guns were snugly set in tehir bunkers while Lahti teams (Finnish Anti-Tank riflemen) sat in buildings sipping warm beer and other hot beverages. Recon flights by spare CVX's had shown that the Tanks were indeed heading to Boden and would arrive the next day.

-------------------------------------------------
URGENT TELEGRAM
TO: King Gustav, Royal Monarch of Sweden
FROM: President Lubrun, President of the Third Republic of France

Dear sir,
The French Government would like to inform you that in the event that resistance measures by the Swedish Armed Forces against the Germans, fail. You will be given political asylum in France, and the government of France will work with the United States to secure your safe passage to North America. We hope that if this dire time comes, you will accept our offer.

Your friend,
Albert Lebrun
President of the Third Republic of France
-------------------------------------------------

Reports of massed Swedish troops within the north of Sweden had reached German High Command within hours. The Finns were already preparing defenses around the city of Boden and had made contact with the German forces in the area. However Kesselring was not merely satisfied with that. He wanted to use all the advantages the Germans had.


* * *

"Falke Group this is Falke Captain speaking," radioed Luftwaffe Captain Fredrick Alderrman. "We're presently five minutes from the target. I want a fuel check now."

"Falke 1 reporting 4 hours more time," radioed back one pilot.

"Falke 2 reporting the same," said another.

The radio crackled as Captain Alderrman listened as all eight of his Stuka dive bomber planes reported in that they each had roughly 4 hours of fuel. That gave them just under on hour to make their attack runs and then return to the airfields on Gotland island.

"Very well Falke Group, we're here. Mark your targets...and have fun. Follow you training and take targets of opportunity."

"Jawohl! " They chorused together.

There on the ground were large groups of advancing Swedish forces. Luftwaffe recon flights had marked their progression, as well as Finnish planes. Lieutenant General Falher, commander of the Luftwaffe Division that had take up possession of Gotland, had ordered a concerted attack against them.


The shriek was terrible to behold. It was if the very halls of Hell had been opened and set loose were the greatest demons and monsters, ready to set upon the frailty of man. The Stukas dived at their terrific speeds, firing off their heavy machine guns and letting loose their bombs with dead-on precision.

The Swedes scrambled for cover, but in the open north plains there was little to be had. The explosions ripped into formations of tanks and men alike. The 10 Stukas dropped more than a hundred small bombs and strafed with their machine guns for well over half an hour. Even when they ran out of ammo they still made dives, terrifying the enemy with the mere sound of their approach.

After 40 minutes of intense action the Stukas returned beyond the clouds and did not return. Instead, a light bomber group of Heinkel 111 bombers took up the offensive less than an hour later, dropping load after load of high explosive bombs.

Stockholm

General Kesselring stood in front of King Gustav and stared at the man. He didn't really hate the man, but he didn't really like him either. The King had given a last ditch order for his men to resist and it would cost them for it. All the same however Gustav seemed not to care. However he had new orders from Berlin.

"Sir, you are to be escorted out of Stockholm tonight. A plane is waiting to take you to Gotland and from there to Denmark. The French Government has made overtures to the Fuhrer and he has agreed to them. You will be taking asylum in France and not in Eastern Prussia," said Kesselring.

"Now will you come or must I have you removed by force?"

Stockholm

The King looked as Kesserling and nodded. He would go to France, he would return one day but defeat was now imminent. He had two requests.

"General, I assume my family will be coming with me so that is not a problem. I have only two requests for you. I ask if my former Admiral and one of my Generals may come with me." King Gustav didnt wait for the response before continuing. "I also ask if i may have the cruiser Adolphus as the ship i get transported on. You may have all the ammunition for every one of the weapons on the vessel it will be unarmed I just ask to be allowed to keep it." He hoped that Kesserling would be kind to him. He had lost everything over this war already he only wanted t okeep a small part of it.

Goteburg Parlimentary HQ

Per Albin Hansson the former Prime Minister was even more worried now than before. The country was totally occupied and the army defeated. News had reached his ears of a small group fighting in the north but this would fail.

"Gerad, it is good to see you again." Per had been a close friend of the kings assistant for several years.

"Same to you old friend."

"Why are you not with the King on the way to France?" Per didnt really care he just wanted information.

"Because our country is in ruins. Germans own the streets and we can do nothing." The Prime Minister eyed Gerad carefully before speaking again.

"You are wrong we can do something..."

Finnish Fokker CVX, About 55km South of Boden, Sweden
"Yes command, coordinates are at 16A, 23B. I am increasing altitude to a safe level, over."
"Roger, recon. Barrage is incoming."
"Roger that, comand. Recon out."
Boden, Sweden
"Fire the 02's!" screamed Kairn. The boom of the artillery thundered across the frozen plain. For ten minutes shells were blasted towards the coordinate box given by the CVX of where thee tanks were. After the time was up, saturation was complete.One battalion of men set off across the field with Standard Issue and anti-tank weapons. They would arrive in six hours at their target, the tanks.

Around Boden

The artillery barrage had cost the Swedes only about a dozen armor. It was an expected attack and was well prepared for. General Gerhardt readied the men for an ambush on the advancing Finns. Most of his 20 000 men set into strong defensive positions as the tanks rolled forward supported by a regiment of Infantry with trucks as transportation. Gerhardt was an good tactician. He wanted his city back and he would get it even without the support of most of the army.

France

Plans were quickly being drafted to arrange the safe arrival of the King of Sweden at the Port of Dunkirk. Elements of the 4th Armèe led by Commandant Borgdeaux, complete with 500 Soldiers, 50 Policemen, 20 Panhard 178's, 3 Hotchkiss 39's and 1 Somua S35, were sent to ensure the protection of the King when he arrived on French soil.

The Armèe de l'Air had also been informed of his arrival. Reconnaissance missions were already being done by 6 Dewoitine .520's in the North Sea, to ensure no German submarines or other threats would harm the King's ship. On mainland France, 3 Hawk 75's had been called from Paris to fly over Dunkirk ensuring no snipers were on top of any buildings and to make sure domestic aircraft were not airborne.

From the Port of Dunkirk he would be moved to Hôtel de Marigny, which was always used for foreign guest's. Meanwhile, President Lebrun had asked Contre-Admiral Beutouge to personally see to the maintenance of the King's ship. The King would never have less than 100 soldiers guarding him.

The French Government was very prepared for the King's arrival.

Another arrival however, they were not so blatantly prepared for. Spies within the French National Socialist Party had informed Èdouard Daladier that Quilsing, the man who had assassinated the Prime Minister of Norway, was going to arrive somewhere in France.

Daladier had hand picked two of his finest Agents from the newly founded French Foreign and Domestic Intelligence Agency. He had also sent a highly secret telegram to the Norwegian Government.

----------------------------------------------------------
CLASS 3-A ENCRYPTION, CLASSIFIED TELEGRAM
TO: Norwegian Intelligence Services
FROM: French Foreign and Domestic Intelligence Agency

To whom it may concern,
The French Government has recently learned that Mr.Quilsing, the man behind the assassination of Prime Minister Nygaardsvold, is going to arrive somewhere in the country of France. Due to the nature of this predicament, the French Government has already sent a Bloch MB.220 to pick up a maximum of two Norwegian Intelligence Agents from Oslo. We look forward to tracking down this madman with you.

Signed,
Èdouard Daladier
Minister of National Defense and War
The Third Republic of France
----------------------------------------------------------

Only two people in the entire country of France knew about this telegram, Èdouard Daladier and Albert Lebrun.

Another arrival however, they were not so blatantly prepared for. Spies within the French National Socialist Party had informed Èdouard Daladier that Quilsing, the man who had assassinated the Prime Minister of Norway, was going to arrive somewhere in France.

Daladier had hand picked two of his finest Agents from the newly founded French Foreign and Domestic Intelligence Agency. He had also sent a highly secret telegram to the Norwegian Government.

----------------------------------------------------------
CLASS 3-A ENCRYPTION, CLASSIFIED TELEGRAM
TO: Norwegian Intelligence Services
FROM: French Foreign and Domestic Intelligence Agency

To whom it may concern,
The French Government has recently learned that Mr.Quilsing, the man behind the assassination of Prime Minister Nygaardsvold, is going to arrive somewhere in the country of France. Due to the nature of this predicament, the French Government has already sent a Bloch MB.220 to pick up a maximum of two Norwegian Intelligence Agents from Oslo. We look forward to tracking down this madman with you.

Signed,
Èdouard Daladier
Minister of National Defense and War
The Third Republic of France
----------------------------------------------------------

Only two people in the entire country of France knew about this telegram, Èdouard Daladier and Albert Lebrun.

Oslo Airport-Gardermoen
Ullensaker, Norway

Gunnar Sønsteby and Max Manus, through their discussion while waiting at Gardermoen, had agreed that their current assignment likely had something to do with the former Prime Minister Nygaardsvold's assasination. However, one important detail that they had also been informed of is that they weren't allowed to tell anybody about what they were doing, and those orders had come directly from the acting Prime Minister, Oscar Torp.

As such, they also made sure their appearance didn't give anything away. To the unsuspecting, they merely looked like businessmen off to some important meeting outside of the country. Further, little attention was paid to the MB.220, bearing no unusual identifying marks, which came and landed in the civilian section of the airport. Could probably be from anywhere.

Max and Gunnar, however, were informed beforehand that that specific plane would be landing to pick them up.

Oslo Airport-Gardermoen
Ullensaker, Norway

Capitaine Chirac stood up slowly from his seat after the long flight from Paris. He had already sworn an oath of secrecy to the reasons for this flight. He knew that he was here to pick up two Norwegian spies, who were to help the FFDIA (French Foreign and Domestic Intelligence Agency) find Quilsing, the man who had murdered Norway's Prime Minister.

Chirac walked to the boarding door, opened it, and let the stairs down. He looked around, the tarmac for the two men but didnt see anything. Suddenly he saw two figures walk out from the Waiting Area of the small terminal.

As the two men got onboard, he looked at them and gave a weak smile. He closed the door and got in the cockpit.

Within 20 minutes they were flying back to France.

OOC: Shakal: how the hell do you have 20,00 people still? there isnt any cover on the tundra and that German Stuka attack would have wiped the floor with your tanks. adjust numbers.
IC: CVX 34km south of Boden, Sweden
"Boden Command, artillery strike has caused minimal casualties. I repeat, minimal casualties. Advise pull back of Jaalkavaki Battalion A, over."
"Uh, roger that, Recon, we have men on it right now, over."
"Roger that, Command. I advise an air strike, over."
"I'll get on that, Recon. Hold position."
Helsinki AFB, Finland
The 9 Fokker CVX bombers taxied to the runway and took off, heading towards Boden. Armed with a 150lb bomb each along with a Bofors MG on the back, they were prepared to fight.

Stockholm


Not a single SS-man had been raported to have surrendered thus far. That was the most important thing for Hausser and his officers, as they tried to get a grasp of the situation, and to start planning.
Up till now, it had all been chaos.
The Swedes had surprised them, in a way that hadn't been considered possible, and their king had even managed to wound Hausser himself in that despicable ambush of his. Hausser hadn't, luckily, taken but a rather insignificant fleshwound, and it wasn't even enough to keep him out of the frontline (even though the actual location of that was yet to be found out - the whole city seemed to be a battlefield) fighting.

The commander of the Waffen-SS stood in a 2nd floor of a captured down-town appartment house, in his temporary HQ, taking raports and giving orders. Those orders were pretty much based on instinct instead of affirmed information about the real time situation, and he intentionally tried not to get too spesific with his orders, as he held a great trust for his subcommanders in the field.
He and his staff thought that they would get better results by letting the battalion- and company commanders to try to follow some brief instructions than by trying to completely control all of them. This was something quite different than what was the usual tradition in world's armies, including that of Swedes. In this they had an advantage in a situation like this.

However, the Swedes had several advantages of their own, to counter the supposedly more suitable, effective and harsh training of the Germans and their definitely better equipment and material predominance:
1st, like mentioned, they had completely surprised the Germans with their ability to attack at all.
Nothing like this had really been expected to happen - Hausser had given instructions for situations such as few to few dozens of Swedish Royalist fanatics committing suicidal assaults or ambushing attempts against smaller contigents of German troops. Not a real military offensive of any sort.
2nd, the volume. There were thousands of Swedes attacking, which was more than German intelligence had even anticipated the Swedes to have in or close their capitol. Now they were coming from several directions, with a clearly well-thought plan, trying to encircle and crush the majority of 'Panzerdivision Hausser', located in Stockholm.
3rd, the Swedes knew the city. SS-men had difficulties in using their heavy material, namely their armour and heavy artillery, in the urban terrain, and the enemy held the initiative, as it knew where to strike, how to strike there and where to run after the Germans brought heavier forces to counter them.
4th, the ferocity. These units fought in almost as hard and determined manner as the Germans did.

OOC: I wrote what is above just after Shakal had posted about the beginning of the offensive in the city, but couldn't post it and decided to continue later. RL kept me out of PC to this point however. What comes next is what I wrote now.

It was not enough. Germans, after recovering from the initial shock and after getting 2 divisisions of infantry to the city to strengthen the defense, Hausser decided to go to offensive. Most of the city was in German hands, and even though it seemed like the battles would last quite long still, as the mop-up was would propably be pretty slow and difficult, the possibility of Swedes winning the battle over the city against three German divisions seemed to be rather nonexistant.
So, after two days of intense fighting, 'Panzerdivision Hausser' struck with all of it's armour and SS-elements of the infantry, straight to South, then turning to West, then North, and finally to East, effectively encircling the city. Heer parts of the division's motorized infantry were used to protect the rear as the armoured fist swung around the city.
As the Swedes had very few troops outside of the city, their forces being fully committed to the battle within it, these Blitzkrieging panzers supported by Luftwaffe's extremely accurate dive bombers and gunfire from the vessels of Kreigsmarine floating in front of Stockholm were able to disperse the few units their enemy was able to throw at them. Infantry divisions fighting in the city were also ordered to attack, to make it impossible for the Swede Royalists to turn around and try to fight the SS.
In the end of the 3rd day of Battle of Stockholm, Swedish troops held a bit less than a half of their capital, desperately trying to hold back two Heer infantry divisions coming at them, while SS-Panzers and panzergrenadiers started to move in from the Northern suburbans of the city.

It didn't seem like the battle would see it's 5th day.

Shakal, Trashia? Everyone?

"Fire!" yelled the officer before the 98K/02's blasted their rounds across the tundra. Mannerheim ordered a constant barrage to slow down the Swedes, and it seemed to be working to this point. One more Jaalkaviaki Battalion had shipped in and a convoy of trucks had been loading and unloading shells and mail to and from Boden.

Office of the Prime Minister
Paris, France

Paul Reynaud had just been informed that two Norwegian Intelligence Agents had been picked up. He was fine with this, however he was worried by the possible repercussions of this visit.

As everyone knew, a war for France would break out at some point. Who it would be with, no one knew, the obvious suspect however was Germany. And who was Germany allied with? Norway.

Reynaud was worried by the possible intel that the Norwegian spies could get. And upon that what if they just decided to escape into the French population, we are looking at possible sabotage in that case.

Reynaud had decided to give a highly classified order.

Where ever the French and Norwegian agents were, there would always be a group of special police somewhere hidden nearby. And in the event that the spies attempted to escape, the police had permission to use deadly force to stop them. Reynaud had also personally been in contact with Jacques DeNoie, the head of the French Foreign and Domestic Intelligence Agency. He had told Jacques to inform the two French agents, that under NO circumstances were they to take the Norwegian agents into sensitive areas such as military bases, industrial quadrants, arms factories, etc.

Reynaud figured that they Norwegians had no hidden plan, but who knew what they were planning with Hitler and his Nazi thugs.

Bloch MB.220
Over the North Sea

Now airborne, Sønsteby and Manus could open their orders. They had been instructed not to do so until they were in the air and on their way, lest somebody potentially blow their cover while still in the country. It stated:


FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

French intelligence agents have come upon information suggesting that Vidkun Quisling, leader of Nasjonal Samling and suspected of orchestrating and ordering the assasination of Prime Minister Nygaardsvold, is en route to France to meet with members of their National Socialist party. You are to accompany and assist members of the French intelligence towards successfully capturing and arresting Quisling. Under no circumstances should this information be told to persons outside of this operation.

Oscar Fredrik Torp
Prime Minister, Acting

"I'm assuming that we can tell these French agents about anything related to this operation, yes?" Manus asked. Sønsteby laughed for a moment, "Well of course we can, Max, they're a part of this operation too. You're one odd character, you know." Both shared a laugh for a moment, then the seriousness of their mission set in and they went towards discussing what lay ahead of them.

Villeneuve-le-Roi, France

The plane landed very smoothly at Orly Airport just south of Paris. The pilot glided the plane towards the band of cars waiting at the nearby hanger.

When the plane stopped, the pilot stood up and walked out to the cabin.

"Welcome to France" he said with a smile on his face as he opened the door and climbed out the plane.

He quickly walked ahead of the men to the band of cars, and began to speak to one of the French agents in very fast French.

"It was a good flight, they only talked a little bit. I couldn't make out all of it though."

Little be known to the Norwegian agents, but the pilot of the aircraft parent's were from Norway and he was partially fluent in Norwegian. This is why he had been chosen to fly the aircraft.

"All I made out was that they could tell us everything about the operation."

The agent shook is head, and ushered the pilot away as the two men walked towards the cars.

The Yacht "Valkyrja"
Approaching the port of Dunkirk

When one is on the run, paranoia is a fairly common occurance. For Vidkun Quisling, it started to set in during the late afternoon of his fourth day on the sea. Suddenly, every ship sighted was a Norwegian destroyer, every plane was a Norwegian bomber, any odd water current was a Norwegian submarine, all ready to annihilate his little yacht. In fact, unknown to Quisling, a Norwegian merchant ship transisting the English Channel had radioed in his position early that morning, and nearby KNM ships were being vectored towards his position.


KNM Odin
Sleipner-class destroyer

The nearest ship happened to be the destroyer Odin, which had been steaming for three days at high-speed across the North Sea. The sun was starting to go down, and Captain Leif Welding-Olsen was about to return to his quarters when a lookout spoke up.

"Captain, I see a sail! Very faint, long ways out, sir."
"Can you make a positive identification?" the Captain asked.
"Not from this distance, sir. But we should be able to catch her in not too long."

Captain Olsen grabbed the binoculars from the lookout and looked towards the Valkyrja. She's sailing to the south, he thought, right towards...land.

"Navigator, what's our location?" the Captain inquired. After some checking of the maps, a reply came, "Just outside French territorial waters sir, north-northeast of the port of Dunkirk."

Damn it, the Captain thought. By the time we catch up to her, she'll be within French territorial waters, and he couldn't proceed without asking French authorities for permission, as he didn't want to cause an international incident.

Captain Olsen decided it was best to contact French authorities before proceeding. "Signalman," he said, "write down this message. 'Norwegian destroyer Odin, in pursuit of fugitive Vidkun Quisling, suspected to be sailing towards French port of Dunkirk. Request permission to enter French territorial waters to search for him.' Now send the message out, we don't want to lose him!"

The signalman ran off to relay the message to whomever in the French military he could contact.

Port of Dunkirk
Dunkirk, France

Louis Pelldeu, Commander of Forces in the Port of Dunkirk, was sitting in his office, when he received a telegram from a Norwegian ship in the North Sea. He immediately sent a reply:

---------------------------------------------
TO: Destroyer Odin, North Sea, Norwegian Navy
FROM: Louis Pelldeu, Port of Dunkirk, France

The French Government must most respectfully deny your request. An action such as this could easily spark outrage in our country. We are very sorry.

Signed,
Louis Pelldeu
Commandant of Forces in the Port of Dunkirk

Reviewed by: Edouard Daladier
---------------------------------------------

KNM Odin
Sleipner-class destroyer
English Channel, North of Dunkirk

Upon hearing of the reply from the French authorities, Captain Olsen promptly removed his cap and threw it angrily on the floor of the bridge. For the next few moments, nobody said anything, until Olsen broke the awkward silence. "All right, then, let's get in contact with command, figure out what they want us to do."

One of the radio operators quickly walked off to send a Morse signal to Navy command at Horten, while the Odin crawled along at 6 knots outside of the French territorial waters. Some time later in the day, a reply came back:

CAPTAIN OLSEN
FUGITIVE QUISLING BEING SUSPECTED IN DUNKIRK PORT ACKNOWLEDGED.
RETURN TO PORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
END TRANSMISSION.

And so it was, Olsen thought. "Okay, helmsman, bring us about, we're going home."

uh...bump?

uh...bump?

Yeah, according to Thrashia, this RP is dead...as in, not being revived.

god damnit why does this always happen to me