American Caesar: An United States AAR in Kaiserreich

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

That is quite the inner circle, but if Eisenhower is the Antony, then young Douglas is the Octavian... (Who could be Lepidus?)

And who sides with who in the inevitable conflict once old Douglas dies? And who is the Cleopatra? (Mexico? Canada?)

 

[Nikolai]

And so, it begins. America is between a rock and a hard place.

 

[Bullfilter]

Regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence for Young Cesar, I have been forced to it. I don't like it at all, as it takes away some of the realism from the AAR.

As these are works of alternate reality and sometimes (especially as things go on and diverge) I think it is fine to use AI to fill in the gaps. That photo of MacArthur II was excellent.

The government members are all the advisors available in the game and that I have used throughout the game. I think talking about them makes AAR much more realistic.

Agree - a good sweep through the who’s who of the new authoritarian wannabes.
The stage is now set and it will soon switch from politics to strategy: interested to see if MacArthur tries to save the western states or concentrates on a ”Northeast First” strategy.

 

[jak7139]

That is quite the inner circle, but if Eisenhower is the Antony, then young Douglas is the Octavian... (Who could be Lepidus?)

And who sides with who in the inevitable conflict once old Douglas dies? And who is the Cleopatra? (Mexico? Canada?)

And who is Brutus?

Thank you for the update! I hope your exams go well.

 

[Bloodfelt]

Chapter 6: Long Road West.

"No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation."
-Douglas MacArthur

Eisenhower had to be in desperate circumstances to enter William's temporary office. With many officials missing or locked up, the White House was virtually empty. And now that MacArthur was the country's ruler, William had a great responsibility as his biographer. "Ike" walked in with a worried face and sat in the visitors' chair. With respect to the 2nd command of Caesar, William stopped writing.

- How can I help you, general?
- Are you comfortable in this office, William?
-Yes. I chose it.- William rose to the drinks shelf. -Do you want anything, General?
-No thanks. And call me "Ike" or Dwight. Whatever you prefer.

William did pour himself a whiskey. After the emotions of the last few days, I needed it. And although the news did not seem to reach the capital, the journalist did find out everything thanks to his boss, Hearst. Many of MacArthur's soldiers knew nothing about the outside. Through Hearst, William had learned of Patton's treachery and the uprising in the north. However, were things going so badly that "Ike" himself went to see him?

-MacArthur -said Eisenhower- says you're someone you trust. That you share values and ideas.
- Not all of them. But as his biographer, I think I have much of his confidence.
- Hoover told me that you knew about the coup from the beginning.

It had been difficult not to say anything, not even to his father. Fortunately or unfortunately, his father had died just in October, in time not to see the rise of socialism in the USA. But with no siblings and with his parents deceased, he had no one to tell the secret to. The person William talked to the most at the end was the general. He had even been kind enough to invite him to spend New Year's Eve with him at his home in Washington, D.C. Finally, he rejected the offer. He also didn't feel prepared to interrupt the general's family's Christmas in such a way.

-Yes. The general trusted me from the beginning.
- And how long has it been since you last spoke to him?

William remembered.

- Almost two days, I think.
- The general has been locked in his office since yesterday afternoon. He has not eaten and does not let anyone enter. I haven't dared to go in.
-Fuck. And what are we going to do? He is the head of the coup. Without MacArthur, we are lost.
- Someone needs to talk to him. Make it move. We can't be paralyzed, with Long and Reed preparing to march here.

-Do you want me to try?-offered William.

Eisenhower smiled warmly at him.

- Thank you, William. Let us pray that you will succeed.

Now, as William opened the door to the Oval Office, he could only think of two things. First, he had now taken a stand in favor of the coup. I was no longer just writing about him, but now he would appear in the history that would be told in the future. On the other hand, he couldn't help but think that Eisenhower had manipulated him into doing his dirty work. "Ike" may have seemed harmless and always smiling, but he was certainly capable in politics. MacArthur, supreme leader of the federal forces and supposed savior of America, was smoking his pipe without his uniform, sitting in the president's chair. He did not seem surprised to see him.

- Oh, William.Sit down, please. Do you want something?
- No thanks, sir.
- Did he send you "Ike"?
- Yes, the truth.
- Typical of him.
- We need orders, General. Long and Reed are organizing and we can't lower the lair.
- The coup has failed, William. One must know when one has lost.
- And that's it? Do we surrender to the first one who gets here?

The General looked at him with annoyance. He threw him an FBI document.

- Marshall and almost the entire Air Force have gone over to the government of Sacramento. We are not facing only two rebel governments but three. Things have become complicated.
- And that's why we're going to give up? When we designed the War Plan White didn't we have this planned?
- Not at this level. I never thought this would reach this level. Reed did not destroy America. I have done it.

William looked down on MacArthur.

- I never thought that the American Caesar would give up in the face of a setback.

MacArthur glared at him and threw an ashtray against the wall.

- I don't give up, fuck! But all my plans have gone wrong.
- Behave like a general, not a child! There are hundreds of men under your command and waiting for your orders. An entire country needs you, MacArthur.
- We have destroyed our country, William.
- No. To save a rotten system, you have to cut it to the chase, general. You've done what was necessary. And now, we have to face the consequences.

At that moment, something seemed to have awakened in the general, who looked at Washington's portrait in the room.

- You're right William. It's time to manage and face the consequences.

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"Perhaps it was in that moment of weakness that someone could have stopped the general's ambition. Someone else, such as Bradley or Eisenhower, would have relieved the general of the heavy burden of the state. But no one did because everyone knew that MacArthur was the only one suited for the task. In defense of the general, from this moment of weakness, his mind was occupied by a single thought: to win the war.

And so, as if unintentionally, I became a member of Caesar's clique. The member with the least influence and no interests. But I was in there, in every decision, in every vote. And maybe without me, things would have been different."

From American Caesar, by William J. Prescott

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Once the meeting was called at the White House, two main ideas for crushing the uprisings emerged.

The first choice came from Eisenhower. In general, he suggested withdrawing a large part of the troops from the West to Washington D.C., where they would be able to stay on the defensive. This, in turn, would aid an offensive into the industrial north, from the capital and New England. Once the two areas were connected, the goal would be to secure all East Coast ports with the help of the U.S. Navy, cutting off all outside aid. With that, the rebel militias would end up crushed by the professionalism of the federal forces.

The second plan came from MacArthur himself and was far less orthodox. He called it "War Plan White: San Jacinto." This plan sought to withdraw federal forces to the Great Plains and establish headquarters in Denver. With control of the Midwest and thus much of the industry built in the Hoover period, the federal forces could choose which of all their rivals to destroy first. Although it would mean leaving Washington, thereby losing a lot of legitimacy for the government, it was the best thing to do from a strategic point of view. After a vote from the high command, MacArthur's plan was decided.

To mask the entire relocation operation, MacArthur announced to the rebel governments that they had 30 days to surrender or else "the forces of the state would prepare to crush them." It was clear that no government would surrender, but these 30 days would be vital for the operation. Federal forces then began to move west on railroads. With them went the gold reserves, the high officials, and everything that could help in the future.

While all the generals moved to Denver, MacArthur was left with a small garrison in the capital. He thought he would be the last to leave Washington. As was typical of the General, he was not afraid of danger and did not mind submitting to it. However, the news of the transfer of troops did not go unnoticed in the North. New England, increasingly unstable, found itself between its back and the wall. That is why, when MacArthur finally left the capital, New England made the Boston Manifesto, where he asked Canada to invade it so that they would not fall into syndicalism. Canada, delighted to expand, did so. But to the dismay of the northern elites, the Canadians never thought of freeing them. New England would remain under Canadian military occupation during the Civil War.

MacArthur finally left the capital on March 3, with socialist forces less than 50 kilometers from the capital. The next day, the syndicalist forces entered Washington. However, the CSA kept the capital in Chicago. The story goes that the General looked east, toward the capital, while boarding the plane that was going to evacuate him to Denver. While watching the first fires in the city now fallen under Reed's army, the general is said to have uttered his famous words: "I shall return."

March 4, 1937, at Denver airport. Within minutes of his arrival, General MacArtur would be proclaimed president in the presence of the remnants of Congress, loyalist governors, and some members of the inner circle.

As soon as he stepped off his plane at Denver's airport, MacArthur was greeted by all the governors of the loyal regions and what was left of Congress and the Senate. There, he was proclaimed president of the United States. Just two hours later, the last federal troops were crossing Chattanooga. The San Jacinto Plan was complete.

However, federal forces with the help of the FBI had not been standing still. With the help of loyalists and companies in the area, such as Texaco, units managed to regain control of all of Texas. Not only did this secure Texan oil, but it left Huey Long's capital, Baton Rouge, just a few hundred miles from the front.

However, the real surprise came from Eastern Europe. After months of political crisis, President Savinkov merged his position with that of the prime minister. Now, the Vozd could exercise its reforms without problems and without the Senate being able to stop it. Although the news was received coldly in Europe and America, the Federals soon rejoiced in it. Soon, the international press reported the presence of Russian-speaking "volunteers" and Russian-made weapons in ports such as Houston. Russia had chosen to support MacArthur, America's new strongman.

The strategic position, far from being perfect, was not bad. Although they had lost legitimacy with the loss of Washington, federal forces now had a central position. With the help of the railroads, they could redirect forces between fronts, while using the factories built under Hoover to produce the necessary equipment. As East Coast troops relocated, pro-federal militias began to organize.

When the 30 days granted by MacArthur ended on March 31, these were the disposition of the federal forces:

1st Army: Commanded by Omar Bradley. It was made up of regular divisions and supported by the small federal air force. Its spearhead was the Mobile Reserve Unit, the only tank unit in the American army. Its mission was to carry out Operation Majestic, which sought to surround and destroy the forces of the American Union State, as well as capture New Orleans and all the major cities.

2nd Army: Commanded by Dwight Eisenhower. His forces were garrisons, along with some irregular guerrilla units. Its task was to capitulate the revolt in the West. However, the presence of Japanese and Irish volunteers meant that General Eisenhower and his forces were outnumbered two to one.

3rd Army: Led by Walter Krueger. It was made up of militias and irregulars. Its objective was to retain the syndicalist forces as long as possible, using Saint Louis and the rivers as a defensive wall.

4th Army: Led by McNair. Did not see combat until well into the year. Unlike the militias and irregulars, McNair's aim was to reprofessionalize army units and thus crush the enemy through quality.

On March 31, the entire world realized that America was headed for a conflict not seen since 1860. But now, it was not a fight between North and South. Nor between Democrats and Republicans. The fight was a battle to define the word "America." What did those letters mean, what did those symbols mean?Will America be a new French-style socialist republic? Will the American nation become a corporatist oligarchy led by the Kingfish? Could democracy still be saved? And if so, at what price?

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Surprise! Using some of my breaks, I've finally managed to finish Chapter 6. I wanted to get it out of the way so I could get the action started.

I hope to be able to post again after the weekend. If not, you'll have to settle for it. Also, in two weeks I have to moderate a MEP (European Parliament Model). It's the first time I've done it as part of the "Staff", so who knows if I'll have time or not

That is quite the inner circle, but if Eisenhower is the Antony, then young Douglas is the Octavian... (Who could be Lepidus?)

And who sides with who in the inevitable conflict once old Douglas dies? And who is the Cleopatra? (Mexico? Canada?)

And who is Brutus?

Thank you for the update! I hope your exams go well.

For this alternate history, I'm obviously using lots of references to Julius Caesar and Augustus. But unfortunately, I don't think we'll be getting any Cleopatra, at least not yet. As for the alignment of the inner circle members, I'll deal with that once the war is over. It's a very diverse group, so we'll get a lot of political intrigue and action. I hope "Doug" is ready for what's coming his way.

And so, it begins. America is between a rock and a hard place.

Certainly, the average American doesn't have many options when it comes to choosing sides. I think I'd side more with the Pacific States, since they are the "least bad option" in the game. However, reading about Merrinam, I've realized that he was someone who was quite influenced by the companies in the area and that according to some, he was nothing more than a puppet. That's why I've given them this darker tone in my AAR.

Agree - a good sweep through the who’s who of the new authoritarian wannabes.
The stage is now set and it will soon switch from politics to strategy: interested to see if MacArthur tries to save the western states or concentrates on a ”Northeast First” strategy.

In the end, the General Staff prefers MacArthur's option, despite what it entails. Now it only remains to see how Operation Majestic goes. I can't wait to show it to you.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

I see from the map that New England has been annexed by Canada, so a war with the Entente is presumably on the cards in the future.

 

[Nikolai]

I see from the map that New England has been annexed by Canada, so a war with the Entente is presumably on the cards in the future.

I think Canada gets the option to return it when the war is over. Let's hope.

 

[jak7139]

was smoking his pipe without his uniform

Without his uniform, or with nothing on at all?! That's a pretty funny image.

The true USA looks like it can take Long out quickly. But I don't know about the PSA or CSA.

 

[son of liberty]

Without his uniform, or with nothing on at all?! That's a pretty funny image.

The true USA looks like it can take Long out quickly. But I don't know about the PSA or CSA.

My usual strategy in hoi2 and dh is to put up a militia wall to stall the psa then full blitz on csa and worry about aus after csa. I am interested to see how hoi4 handles the multifront war especially if syndi Mexico joins in.

 

[Bloodfelt]

Chapter 7: Operation Majestic.

"Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more."
-George S. Patton

At the start of the war on March 31, federal forces were only 250 miles from the capital of the American Union State. Therefore, the bulk of Huey Long's military efforts were directed toward defending the province of Louisiana from MacArthur's troops. To do so, Long created the Army of Mississippi, under the command of General Joseph Collins. His orders were to delay the federal forces as long as possible until Long could mobilize his available resources. Long's other army was Patton's army, which sought to conquer Washington and the North to gain industry there, as well as a stable front with which to defend against the syndicalists. Although the plan was not entirely bad, it was questionable. Long's efforts to take Washington D.C., as in the first Civil War, would ultimately destroy his army. Because just before Patton began his offensive on April 1, Bradley's forces had begun the race to New Orleans.


This offensive caught Collins by surprise, who expected the Federals to try to finish the conquest of the West first. Thus, with the pioneers creating pontoon bridges the night before, Bradley's forces crossed the Mississippi at several points and outflanked Long's forces. Thus, after surrounding three divisions, the Federal forces entered Baton Rouge on April 7. New Orleans, after further resistance, fell to Bradley on the 12th.

Naturally, this blow to the Southern forces upset Long's government, now in Montgomery. Long ordered Patton to stop his offensive and move west, to plug the gaps in the front. But while Patton's forces moved west by railroad, Bradley and his First Army continued to move east. On April 20, the Federal forces were at the gates of Mobile and had taken Jackson. Once again, Long's capital was only 250 miles from the federal forces.

At this point, Patton's troops reached the front, and despite Long's recommendations, they launched an offensive. But waves of militia were no match for the First Army's military machine. They only slowed down progress and further disorganized Patton's army, which was entangled with Collins' army. So, after stopping the militia attacks, MacArthur's forces took Birmingham on May 6, staying at the gates of Montgomery. Once again, Long's government moved, this time to Atlanta. But his fortune did not last long. On May 15, just two weeks later, Bradley's forces reached the outskirts of Atlanta and began bombarding the city. Long fled to Savannah with Patton and proclaimed Atlanta a fortress city. Now it only remained to be seen how long the city would manage to hold out.

On the international scene, the first foreign volunteers arrived to fight for their respective factions. However, many of these volunteers, deluded into thinking that it would be an easy war, were soon surprised by the ferocity of the war. This was seen when a column of Mexican volunteers tried to penetrate Saint Louis through the sewers. Many imagined themselves as the heroes and liberators of the city. However, they were soon defeated and most of them were eliminated.

This had two main consequences.On the one hand, it showed the foreign forces that MacArthur's troops would have no mercy, even for volunteers. Its other consequence was the indignation of the totalist Mexican government. Some of its most radical members asked for intervention in the war, either to help their American brothers or to reclaim their territories lost almost 100 years ago. But Plutarco Elias, the Mexican leader, had other plans. Now was the time to protect themselves and prepare to spread the revolution.

In the West, things did not change much. On the one hand, Canada took Alaska, again under the excuse of protecting it from a syndicalist invasion. Even the Canadians themselves were impossible to fool under that pretext. That was simply shameless imperialism.

On the Western Front, the Pacific forces suffered a terrible defeat without firing a shot. In the so-called Operation Jurst, federal forces, together with the remnants of the FBI, carried out an internal coup against the governors of Washington and Oregon, bringing them over to the federal side. Now, Eisenhower's forces also prepared for an attack from the north. But the attack was soon halted, as it was impossible to break through Marshall's lines.A large part of these troops were armed and trained by Japanese aid. They were deployed following the Osaka Agreement, which ceded the Pacific to the Japanese sphere of influence. But Japan arrived too late in Hawaii, which, although ceded by treaty, revolted with the support of the Third International. Soon, the Hawaiian commune joined the International. Now the syndicalists had a large port in the Pacific.

Back in Atlanta, the supposed fortress city did not last more than two days, as on May 17 its commander, Matthew Ridgway, surrendered to avoid the loss of American lives. General Ridgway was declared a traitor by the AUS in a court-martial, but this was exploited by Hearst, who presented him as an anti-syndicalist American patriot, who was forced to fight for a cause he did not believe in. Despite being mostly propaganda, this was not entirely false, as Ridgway was an anti-authoritarian democrat who had joined the AUS simply because he had found himself under Patton's command at the time of the MacArthur coup.

Matthew Ridgway, in 1939. Although he was opposed to Huey Long's government, Ridgway participated on the AUS side at the beginning of the war. He was the first president of the AUS Army Veterans Association. Thanks to Hearst, his national figure would be exonerated of treason.

After the fall of Atlanta, Bradley's First Army continued to advance toward the Atlantic, as if it were a repeat of Sherman's March to the Sea. On May 30, the Mobile Reserve Unit entered Savanah and cut the AUS in two.

Now it only remained to clean up the remains. This was exploited by the CSA, which began to retake part of North Carolina. But finally, after Long's flight to Brazil and General Patton's surrender in Tallahassee, Charles Lindbergh signed a surrender agreement with the MacArthur government.

Without a doubt, Operation Majestic was a genuine military success. In less than two months, Bradley's veteran forces had defeated one of the rival governments, with minimal casualties. Thanks to the conquest of the South, the US Navy was able to begin attacking the syndicalist convoys. Now, however, several decisions had to be made. How would the newly conquered territories be governed? What would happen to all those AUS troops who had surrendered? And what would happen to Patton, Lindbergh, and Ridgway? Now, with the South in his hands, the Supreme Commander had to decide. First the CSA? Or the rebel forces in California? Only the American Caesar knows.

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Express update! I know this may seem like a stupid question, but do you prefer bigger or smaller fonts on my AARs? I decided to increase them today, but I still can't decide.

I see from the map that New England has been annexed by Canada, so a war with the Entente is presumably on the cards in the future.

I think Canada gets the option to return it when the war is over. Let's hope.

I find it very strange that Canada has not liberated New England. Well, I'll allow myself to roleplay a somewhat imperialist and opportunistic Edward VIII, who seeks to expand in order to somehow return to his homeland. Let's hope this doesn't interfere with MacArthur's plans. If they don't give back what is ours... poor Canadians.

Without his uniform, or with nothing on at all?! That's a pretty funny image.

The true USA looks like it can take Long out quickly. But I don't know about the PSA or CSA.

I can't stop thinking about it now
The story would have definitely gone in a different direction. It seems that with Long eliminated, it remains to be seen who is next. Although it won't be easy.

My usual strategy in hoi2 and dh is to put up a militia wall to stall the psa then full blitz on csa and worry about aus after csa. I am interested to see how hoi4 handles the multifront war especially if syndi Mexico joins in.

I've probably played the campaign with the Federals (with and without MacArthur) at least 6 times. Normally, I retreat to Washington and reconquer the entire country from there. But this time, I don't know why, I did it differently. Let's hope it's just as effective.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

The Canadians continue their imperialist expansion in the name of 'protection', the sooner the Civil War ends the better for regaining New England and Alaska.

 

[Nikolai]

Express update! I know this may seem like a stupid question, but do you prefer bigger or smaller fonts on my AARs? I decided to increase them today, but I still can't decide.

Bigger font is good for my eyes.

 

[Crimson Lionheart]

Good Grief. The Longists were crushed within two months, what a curb stomp that turned out to be. How embarrassing.

Great chapter btw! Really enjoying this AAR

 

[jak7139]

The AUS was a pushover. But the two remaining enemies won't fall as easily. I think you'll finish off the Syndicalists first.

Express update! I know this may seem like a stupid question, but do you prefer bigger or smaller fonts on my AARs? I decided to increase them today, but I still can't decide.

Bigger fonts are easier to read.

 

[Bullfilter]

Without a doubt, Operation Majestic was a genuine military success

A real blitz.

I decided to increase them today, but I still can't decide.

The one used in the latest chapter was fine.

But this time, I don't know why, I did it differently.

Variety is the spice of life! Probably makes it a bit more interesting for you to play and maybe to write about for us with more spice. So far, the war has been quite easy, but I guess the Syndies have now had more time to consolidate and get their industrial base into gear.

 

[Bloodfelt]

Chapter 8: Operation Freedom II

"A house divided against itself cannot stand"
- Abraham Lincoln at the Republican state convention nominating him to run for U.S. senator, Springfield, Ill., 16 June 1858

William sat in the back of a military truck, next to some soldiers from the "Mobile Reserve Unit", the spearhead of the federal army. Most of them remained silent, although they were happy to have been chosen for this task.

William, with his camera in hand, took photos from the back of the truck. Surely, the movement would spoil the photo, but only after it had developed would he know. At that moment, they passed a burning vehicle. The smell of decomposition made William look disgusted. Next to him, a veteran laughed.

- Why aren't you with the rest of the journalists? I heard they had a great tour prepared for them: prisoners, destroyed material...
- You seem like an expert on the subject.
- Mike Caulfield. - the veteran introduced himself. - I fought in Nicaragua against the socialist scum of Sandino. I know perfectly well what journalists are like in wars.
- William Prescott, a journalist from the Washington Herald.

William looked at the veteran. He was wearing his somewhat wrinkled military uniform with a gold and blue medal and an eagle in the center. William hung his camera around his neck and took out his notebook.

- Can I interview you, Mike?
- Hell, of course. There's nothing like being in the papers.

Mike pointed at the medal with his pen.

- And this?
- I won it in New Orleans. Nothing important.

One of the soldiers in the truck hit the veteran on the shoulder.

- He saved our lives, sir. We were ambushed and this genius got us all out of there, alive!
- Don't listen to him, William.
- It's true, I swear!
- I believe you. - said William with a smile. - They certainly give that medal for nothing.

At that moment the truck stopped. Mike gave him a friendly punch on the leg.

- It's here, journalist. We'll have to do the interview another time.

The soldiers, faithful and disciplined, waited in a neat row by the landing strips. Many of them smiled, others did not. William could not resist taking a photo. William heard the complaints of the rest of the journalists, behind the security fence. No one would have the same accessibility as he did.Soon the murmurs increased behind him. Seconds later, a car entered the landing strip. The AUS flags on the vehicle stood out.

A figure got out of the car, completely alone. Despite the situation, the man tried to smile and look proud. Charles Lindbergh, vice president of the AUS, ex-aviator, and the only remaining authority in Long's government tried to look dignified in defeat. His army had dissolved, his cities were in anarchy and his Kingfish had abandoned him, fleeing to Vargas' Brazil. All the man had left was his dignity.

At that moment, another car entered the runway. But this entry was applauded by local reporters and attendants. The soldiers stood to attention. Two men got out of the vehicle: MacArthur and Bradley. But neither of them stayed long. This was just finishing off a matter, nothing more.

Once the important leaders had left, William asked for someone to take him to a war prisoner camp. He wanted to get some photos for the article. Maybe he could even talk to one of them. He spoke directly to Major General Leonard T. Gerow, asking for an escort or companions to visit one of these camps, just 15 kilometers away. The general granted him an escort platoon, along with a car. He did not want to neglect MacArthur's biographer.

But when he got into the car, he discovered that he was not alone. Sitting in the back was a man, somewhat older than him, also with the same destination. He was dressed in an American army uniform, specifically an officer's uniform. He remained silent, his features showing no emotion. Perhaps curiosity. His face reminded William of someone, though he didn't know who. But the cold gaze on his neck was something he didn't like.

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"That look I saw through the rearview mirror taught me nothing. In my youth, I considered myself good at reading people. I could tell if someone was lying, if someone was hiding their sadness or their joy. But that man, in his military uniform, was like a wall to me. When we both got out of that car, each of us went our own way. And without knowing it, I had just met the Young Caesar."

From American Caesar, by William J. Prescott.
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Once the remnants of the Long government signed the surrender, it was time to decide what to do with everything that was left. The main problems to be solved were the following: The remnants of the AUS army, what to do with its leaders, and the occupation of the territory.

On the one hand, the occupied territory was transferred to a new government: the Southern Military District. Its high commissioner was General Joseph Stilwell, whose orders were to keep the territory quiet and avoid conflicts with the population. That meant maintaining the segregation policies, to the discontent of some in the cabinet. Regarding its leaders, they were locked up in Denver itself and MacArthur ordered a judicial investigation of their actions, led by Judge Frankfurter. However, the discrepancies came when it came to talking about the captured soldiers.

The opinions of the MacArthur government members were different. On the one hand, Douglas MacArthur II, along with some apolitical members of the cabal (such as Morgan, Wagner, or Knudsen) supported the incorporation of these soldiers into the federal army. They believed that this would compensate for the lack of population and recruits that the federal government had. Another of their supporters was General Ridgway, who after his surrender in Atlanta had been incorporated into Bradley's army as head of the planning division.

On the other hand, military commanders such as Bradley or McNair opted to keep them simply as prisoners of war, because they feared the possible problems of incorporating them into the army. The final word was left to the supreme commander.

MacArthur signed an Executive Order which allowed the AUS soldiers to re-enlist as volunteers in exchange for being pardoned and treated as normal soldiers. Without a doubt, this order was a triumph for the so-called "MacArthurists" of the Young Caesar. But it came at a price, as Douglas MacArthur II and Riggway were assigned to the Third Army's top brass, where they were expected to lose influence over the Supreme Commander and be forgotten by the population. But Hearst, seeing the General's nephew as a possible ally, let the public know that they had been the creators of the Executive Order . The former AUS soldiers began to adore them. And with them, much of the Southern population. However, Young Caesar was not the only one favored by the American Caesar. Edgar Hoover also got what he wanted. Thanks to MacArthur's help, Hoover managed to rebuild the FBI and be able to run it without any supervision.

Following the fall of the AUS, federal attention temporarily turned to the North. Hundreds of empty miles of land lay between Bradley's army and the syndicalist forces, with no authority. However, under the Executive Order, the AUS governors went over to the federal side and held back the socialist forces, losing only a few miles of territory. One of the biggest losses was the port of Norfolk, without which the federal forces had supply problems. However, Bradley's forces did capture Louisville, which served as a defensive bulwark against the Syndicalists. Bradley's forces soon dug in against the syndicalist forces. Without replacement forces, the veteran forces of the First Army stood still against the many superior syndicalist divisions.

In turn, the federal fleet, led by William Halsey, Jr., began a campaign to destroy the material sent to the CSA. Its secondary objective was to slowly wear down the red fleet, forcing it into a decisive battle. Once destroyed, supremacy would go to MacArthur.

However, the attention of the federal forces was focused on the West, where George Marshall's forces launched "Operation Freedom." The objective was to use the volunteer forces (Japanese in the South and Irish in the North) to capture Seattle and Albuquerque. From the beginning, it was seen that the operation had serious flaws. This operation was not launched as a strategic blow, but as a propaganda and political one, which sought to hit the federals in order to obtain an armistice on the appropriate terms, since the California economic elites had decided that after Long's defeat, it was sensible to seek a compromise with the federals, either amnesty or independence.

But despite the lack of opportunities, the foreign units supported by the air force advanced a few hundred kilometers before being stopped by the reserves of the 2nd Army. However, General Eisenhower saw an opportunity in the center of the front and launched a deep reconnaissance, but no one could stop his forces. Two weeks later, and to the surprise of the entire world, federal forces entered Sacramento on June 19, amidst abandoned buildings and burned papers.

However, the situation was not as easy as much of the international press portrayed. Eisenhower controlled a small corridor to the city, 50 kilometers in diameter. Federal forces were attacked in the corridor day and night, with no apparent success. But the campaign was tough. In addition, the Pacific Fleet supplied both armies, maintaining cooperation between the two sides.

However, not all was a success for the federal forces. On July 12, MacArthur appointed McNair commander of the newly formed Fourth Army. Immediately, and against McNair's advice, MacArthur pushed for the new army to launch a lightning offensive on Chicago from a small salient north of St. Louis. McNair told the general that Bradley's army should be used for this decisive offensive, while his group of rookies should garrison the East. However, this move would take two months, something unacceptable to MacArthur. Finally, the federal soldiers, many of them with only basic training, launched an offensive on September 9, without any real planning.

It was a repetition of the First World War, but this time on American soil. On the 13th, McNair called off the offensive, after having advanced 50 kilometers against the entrenched enemy and with 15,000 casualties at his back. In just four days of the offensive, the federal forces had suffered more casualties than in the rest of the war. It was a tremendous failure that tarnished McNair's image, although the real blame lay with the American Caesar, who put too much pressure on the 4th Army.

This weakness was exploited by the syndicalist forces, who occupied Louisville on the 16th. Although Bradley quickly ordered a counterattack, the syndicalist forces would resist for two more months in the city.

Bradley then launched Operation Adams, with the goal of taking Norfolk and the cities of Charleston and Cincinnati. Unlike the Fourth Army's attack, the veteran troops of the First Army advanced slowly through the gaps left by the Syndicalist troops. Although they barely gained ground, this offensive caused the CSA's armored vanguard (made up of French and CSA troops) to try to break through Bradley's lines, without success. CSA casualties numbered in the thousands.

The international situation also helped MacArthur's government. On September 18, Italian Syndicalist forces skirmished with Sicilian forces north of Rome. Unlike France, Italy was not totalist and governed through its Congress. However, the Italian leader was Benito Mussolini, who governed with a totalist minority. This minority was unable to push through a formal declaration of war, so on the 19th the world slept peacefully, thinking that Italy would remain at peace. On the 20th, Red Guard units began their invasion of the south on the orders of Mussolini. Although the Congress considered pushing through a motion of censure, it was finally decided to postpone it until the end of the war. The war had begun in Italy. With the outbreak of war, part of the International's effort shifted to the Italian theatre. This meant less material for the CSA and less priority. Valois even intended to move the entire French 2nd Panzer Corps from near Norfolk to Italy. Only a pleading call from Reed convinced him to send Alpine divisions instead.

But the war in Italy was not the only war that began that week. Following the notorious Canberra conference, the Raj and the southern Indian principalities began a joint invasion of the Indian syndicalist government. With international attention elsewhere, the Indian socialists were left to fend for themselves.

On the Eastern Front, the First Army was back in the fight, launching Operation Watchtower, which sought to capture cities near the front, such as Charleston, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. The second objective was to capture Norfolk. The operation began on September 20, with Bradley's troops overwhelming General Heitke's exhausted troops. On the 25th, Bradley's troops entered Cincinnati, cutting off supplies to much of the local troops. Meanwhile, the International's volunteer forces had been preparing for a counterattack against St. Louis in mid-October. But the breakdown of the front meant that they had to be rushed to close the gaps. On October 1, the 4th Corps surrounded the town of Norfolk, trapping Commander Milton Wolff and uniting several Red Guard units. Taking advantage of this, the Third Army launched a small offensive, remaining just 150 kilometers from the city of Madison.

On the other hand, the syndicalist analysts had lost contact with McNair's Fourth Army, which had disappeared from the front. A few days later, General McNair appeared with Eisenhower and the Second Army, launching an attack on the enemy "encirclement" north of Sacramento. Shortly after, the only port of this Paficic Northern army fell. Now all that remained was to surrender the insurgent units.

And although victory was within reach, a small miscalculation was about to destroy MacArthur's confidence in Eisenhower. Believing that the enemy troops south of Sacramento were weak, General Eisenhower moved a large part of the units to the north, to end the enemy resistance. What Eisenhower did not know was that this weakness was part of a disinformation campaign. On October 20, reports reached Eisenhower Headquarters: enemy forces had recaptured Fresno. Although the public was initially clueless, as the morning progressed the news leaked out to the public.

Taking advantage of some traitorous contacts in the 2nd Army and the confidence of the enemy, General Marshall started the idea of "Operation Freedom II," where Pacific States troops penetrated eastward hundreds of miles with heavy air support. The enemy troops had nothing between them and Denver.

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Well, it seems that we have an incredible screw-up by Eisenhower. The fact is that I accidentally assigned all his troops to the northern front. But let's just say that it's Ike's fault

The Canadians continue their imperialist expansion in the name of 'protection', the sooner the Civil War ends the better for regaining New England and Alaska.

Let's hope that Edward realizes that we are his best option to get home.

Bigger font is good for my eyes.

The one used in the latest chapter was fine.

Bigger fonts are easier to read.

Well, it seems that the font size needs to be increased!

Good Grief. The Longists were crushed within two months, what a curb stomp that turned out to be. How embarrassing.

Great chapter btw! Really enjoying this AAR

It must surely have been a catastrophe for many Americans that Long's reactionary dream should have collapsed so quickly. Although it seems like someone who can pick up some of that discontent. And thanks for the support! It's always good to be reminded that your work is appreciated.

The AUS was a pushover. But the two remaining enemies won't fall as easily. I think you'll finish off the Syndicalists first.

Well, although MacArthur has made progress on both sides, it seems that after Operation Freedom II there are priorities. Reed will have to wait!

A real blitz. (...) Variety is the spice of life! Probably makes it a bit more interesting for you to play and maybe to write about for us with more spice. So far, the war has been quite easy, but I guess the Syndies have now had more time to consolidate and get their industrial base into gear.

Maybe. I was actually a bit worried about what the Syndies are capable of. In my first campaign as Long, when I was just starting to play Hoi4, I thought I had them cornered... And then suddenly an offensive and an invasion of Florida surrounded about 30 of my divisions and made me capitulate! I've gotten better now, but all those foreign divisions can be pretty annoying.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

Well, it seems that we have an incredible screw-up by Eisenhower. The fact is that I accidentally assigned all his troops to the northern front. But let's just say that it's Ike's fault

That would be good for young Douglas and his supporters to become the next ruler once old Douglas is no longer around.

Edgar Hoover also got what he wanted.

He may become a bit of a problem down the line, he might be content with dictator of the FBI for now, but surely he'll covet the Presidency at some point?

 

[Nikolai]

A screw up on Eiserhower's part does not bode well for his future "I like Ike" campaign!

 

[jak7139]

I don't think this war will be over by Christmas. But I don't see the fighting continuing past 1938. We will see.

Ike screwed up, but the PSA has little to defend the Bay Area or LA. Can he redeem his image?

 

[Bullfilter]

The fact is that I accidentally assigned all his troops to the northern front. But let's just say that it's Ike's fault

These things happen But overall things had gone well in the west and a Federal defence will be scrambled no doubt.

As the world devolves into a mess of civil wars, distractions abound and something big will be triggered at some point. But for now, American focus is inwards and will remain so for some while yet.