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Back to the FutuAARe - Part 3 - or: Back in the USSaaR

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Killerjes

Killerjes

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***Prologue***

January 1st 1936 - Back to the Future
Gorbachev almost wished that he was back in his cosy office at The New Kremlin in Magnitogorsk. The dungeon under The Old Kremlin wasn't (or rather isn't he corrected himself) all that comfortable, but what was to be expected from Stalin?
You couldn't really blame Stalin though, afterall Gorbachev had caused quite a commotion, with the sudden appearance of a rather large sphere with Gorbachev inside it, in the nude. On top of that the sphere disintegrated some of Stalins desk, most of one of his bookshelves, and his shoes, which had been standing beside his chair, only the heel caps remained. All that had of course not been part of the original plan - obviously! Gorbachev was supposed to have appeared in the private chamber behind Stalins office.
Then he could have taken some of Stalins clothes, and made his appearance in a front of Stalin with a bit of dignity, and hopefully Stalin would have listened to him for a few minutes, given the fact that it would have been impossible for Gorbachev to be there in the first place. As it turned out he had caused a lot of commotion, scared the shit out of Stalin, materializing in front of his eyes, and destroying his furniture AND shoes in the process.
The end result was that it had only taken the guards 30 seconds to seize him, after Stalins roar for help. And he was promptly thrown in the dungeons below The Kremlin, awaiting the arrival of the interregators from the KGB.
If it was not for the fact that this was a matter of the utmost importance for the future of the Soviet Union, he would have wished he was back in the future.
And on top of things this was actually his third trip back in time... Hopefully he would be better at guiding and pursuading Stalin this time.

***End***
 
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This is my first stab at an AAR, so be gentle with me ;)

HoI 1.05C
Played on very hard / aggressive
Trying to keep it more or less "historical" :)
No military access through neutrals
No swapping leaders around in order to gain high XP
No overdoing phony wars to avoid high consumer good demands (phony wars we leave that to France and UK)
There will be no roleplaying, but suggestions and advice are welcome, I will not be too far ahead in gameplay compared to the AAR.
My "reason" for making this AAR (and the title) is that this is my third try ever as Russia, having mostly played Germany up through the different patches. The first two tries failed miserably - it's time for round three!
BTW - there will be screenies :)
 
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Just popped in here to wish you good luck :)

Just a small nitpick:

Instead of "The dungeons under The Old Kremlin wasn't (or rather isn't he corrected himself" try "The dungeons under The Old Kremlin weren't (or rather aren't he corrected himself"
 
***Part one***

January 8th 1936 - The Plot Thickens
Gorbachev had been interrogated for several days now - having lost track of the hours and days, he didn't know if it was night or day. What he did now was that the KGB officer was convinced that he was out of his mind. Gorbachev stuck to his (true) story of travelling back through time from 1992 to 1936 to save the future of the USSR.
Stalin sat in his office, at his new desk, reading the report on the interregation of the naked man who had appeared and disintegrated his office (and shoes).
He claimed to be Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev, born in Stavropol 1931, and head of the Soviet Union in 1985!. He was pretty big for a five year old! Suppossedly he had been sent back from the year 1992, when his term had ended. The KGB has investigated and Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev was indeed running around playing like any other kid in Stavropol. What puzzeled and intrigued Stalin was that the investigating KGB officer claimed there was some resemblance between the two Gorbachevs. Stalin had been looking on, through a one way mirror, and Gorbachev had looked genuinely freightened when the interrogating officer had suggested a meeting between Gorbachev and his eledged younger self! Stalin understood the basic problems with time travel, but he didn't understand what could make it technically possible - Gorbachev claimed that he didn't either. He said that he was put into a sphere which could move living tissue through time, that was why he had appeared in the flesh (quite literally) in front of Stalin. Lastly the prisoner was sticking to his story after 8 days of interrogation! That had never happened before! So maybe it was worth spending some more time with this Gorbachev fellow...
"Bring me the prisoner, Gorbachev" Stalin shouted.
Moments later Gorbachev was escorted into the room, flanked by two huge guards.
"I have read the report of your interrogation, is there anything you would like to add, or confess, at this time?" Stalin asked.
"No, tovarich Stalin, I have told the truth, and if you will allow me, I will prove myself in due time!" Gorbachev replied.
"And how do you propose to do that?" Stalin asked.
Gorbachev replied: "As I suppose you have read in the KGB reports, we have made this attempt to save the USSR from the emberrasment of the bitter peace with Germany two times before. This is our third and final attempt, due to time and ressource limits. It is believed by our scientists that this may actually not be third attempt of altering the past, or future if you like. Actually it may have happened many times before, but it is hard to prove."
"So how do you intend to prove you tell the truth?!?" Stalin interrupted with a roar, ignoring the fact that this Gorbachev fellow had just accused him of being incapable of defending the Rodina, even when given a second chance.
Gorbachev went on: "Well, with you permission tovarich Stalin" (it ached him to call Stalin "comrade", as he despised more or less everything the man stood for, but now was not the time for glasnost, USSR needed a strong hand to lead it) "I will give you information concerning the near future. I'm sure I can convince you, as I have knowledge that is impossible to have, unless I indeed am telling the truth about being from the future, where tomorrow is history!"
"Very well." Stalin said. "Tell me something I don't now!"
"First of all." Gorbachev answered. "You need to improve our industry technologically and you must also start a massive build up of our industrial capacity, preferably in the areas with low industry, and preferably away from the Polish border. And also be wary of the Japanese, they have jumped our backs two times previously!"
"That has already been done" Stalin answered "But that's not what I want to know now! How about that future knowledge of yours?"
Gorbachev ignored that: "And remember, to stop expanding the industry and start moving resources from research to building up the army and airforce somewhere between the end of 1937 to the start of 1938. From mid ´38 focus should be on our defense forces!" Germany attacked as early as summer 1940 last time, because they saw we were weak!"
Stalin took a deep breath, but Gorbachev kept talking.
"Our focus for research should be medium tanks, basic medium range fighters, basic medium ranged bombers. Not anything too advanced, there is no time! The rest of our research efforts should be used on the nescessary doctrines, and technology to improve the equipment of our infantry."
Gorbachev was just about to go on, when Stalin interrupted. "Well, you don't waste your time do you? We will see in due time if you are the real thing, for now I don't think I will change my strategies because of a nutcase with an interessting story! Thrown him in his cell!"
"But we need perestroika! We need to restructure our industry!" Gorbachev exclaimed, as he was led out of the office, flanked by the two guards.
He turned and wrestled himself free from the grip of the guards, they immediatedly threw him to the floor and dragged him out by his feet. "Hey, nice shoes" Gorbachev said, as he landed on his stomach and got a good look at Stalins brand new shoes. Maybe not the most intelligent comment, but Gorbachev just couldn't help it.
Stalin could hear Gorbachev yell all the way down the hallway, his voicy trailing of, as the guards dragged him of "January 11th general strike in Syria, it will not stop until 1st of may..." Stalin heard just as the voice became unintelligible.

***End of part one***
 
***Part two***

January 12th 1936 - Truth is Dawning
He had been right! Gorbachev had been right about the general strike in Syria, there had been no clear indication, not anything a potential imposter could have used as a foolproof plan anyway.
Stalin would need to talk to this Gorbachev fellow again. A few minutes later he entered the office.
"Hello, tovarich Gorbachev!"
Gorbachev was suspicious, was this sudden friendliness a trap, or had the Syrian strike given him a much needed boost of trustworthyness in the eyes of Stalin. And had the strike actually happened? You never knew with this timetravel.
"Hello, tovarich Stalin, how are you today?"
"I'm fine" Stalin answerede "I hope they are treating you well?" Stalin asked smiling halfway devilish.
"Quite well, thank you very much." Gorbachev answered, which actually wasn't too far from the truth, the last couple of days had been quite pleasent, compared to the first week. Interrogations had been only during day times and could sleep in the night and he was given regular meals. But then again, the first week wasn't much of a comparision.
"I have to admit that you were spot on with the general strike in Syria" Stalin began, and continued before Gorbachev could say anything. "And KGB informs me that you have been giving them some usefull information, and also information which would be hard, if not impossible to obtain, unless you were head of the polit buro!" Stalin frowned at bit when he said this, clearly he did not feel comfortable about this fact. Stalin was know for his ability not to show any emotions, so this reaction really emphasized Stalins discomfort.
"Well, that I'm not" said Gorbachev, "but I can tell you that King George V of the United Kingdom is going to die on the 20th of january!"
Gorbachev looked at Stalin triumphantly (which might be considered a bit bold, as it was not yet the 20th and King George was very much alive). Stalin nodded to himself, as if making a mental note of the date.
"Very good, we'll see if you are right - GUARDS!"

January 21st 1936
Gorbachev was summoned to Stalins office, he was looking quite pleased with himself when he entered.
"And how is King George V today?" he asked, a smile creeping across his face.
"Not very well." Stalin answered
"Dead I presume?"
"Yes, quite dead. I don't know how you pulled this time travel of, or should I say we, as the USSR? Because I'm inclined to believe you."
Stalin did not look pleased. He rarely gave into a notion that wasn't his own, and then it wasn't really giving in... Normally he didn't make a desicion (or bought a new pair of shoes) unless he had planed it very carefully and knew he was in total control. Gorbachev had changed all that...
Stalin continued: "What do you propose? What have you seen in the future that may help Russia today?"
Gorbachev was about to talk when Stalin continued: "Mind you, you only give "information" and "facts" and may come forth with any suggestions you like, however, I make all the desicions!"
"Information" and "facts" was said in a tone that indicated that Stalin might listen, but he was not at all convinced, and he certainly didn't take orders from anybody!
Gorbachev proceeded to sketch his plans for the armed forces.
All armoured units were to be organised into 5 armoured corps, with MOT-E divs attached, one of these should be deployed in the far east, to counter the Japanese in Manchouko. Both previous campaigns had been lost against the Japanese, the first one mainly due to lack of troops and poor preparations, the second due to too bold a dash through Manchouko and Korea, while failing to hold onto Vladivostock (most embarrassing!)
Stalin listened in polite silence, with a puzzled look on his face.
Fighter aircraft were to be organised in 4-6 airgroups, with 2 or 3 fighter wings in each.
Bomber aircraft would be organised in 2-3 airgroups with 5-6 bomber airwings units in each, escorting fighters should be organized separately.
This called for a huge expansion of the airforce, when the appropriate techs were available.
War against Persia and Afghanistan is nescessary in order to gain land access around south of the Caspian Sea. War aginst Afghanistan isn't nescessary at the moment, actually it is mostly becasuse it will keep the Soviet people busy, so they don't think too much about their present situation, "and it will save me a lot of trouble later" Gorbachev said with a diabolic smile that didn't seem fit for him.
The Soviet armed forces began regrouping - dangerously close to the Persian border.

***End of part two***
 
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***Part three***

January 23th 1936 - The First Campaign
The Red Army was in posistion, the campaign against Persia could begin. The foreign minister Maksim Litvinov was given the task of making some excuse for the declaration of war - something about the special interests of the Soviet Union in Persia that had been given up during the twenties, blah, blah, blah, nothing of any real consequense, but enough to give the declaration of war some credibility. On February 25th 1936 the Soviet Union declared war on Persia, the tanks rolled over the borders, followed by the cavalry and infantry. All in all 20 divisions, among these were; 4 armored divisions, 3 motorized and 4 mountain divisions. Against them there was estimated to be one Persian cavalry division and one regular infantry division, plus any rif raf the Persians could manage to scrape together. With the greater mobility the Red Army expected no less than 5:1 numerical odds and on top of that superior equipment. Only two bomber airwings was assigned to the front, as Persian airforce was non-existant and the doctrines used by the Persians wouldn't leave many targets worth the use of fuel for thousands of aircraft.

February 23th 1936
The Persian border:
1936_feb_23_persian_border.jpg


On the international scene Stalin noted that on march 3rd, Italy had won the war in Etiopia and annexed it. As long as the Italians kept out of Russian areas of interest he couldn't be bothered less! The Italians was a problem for the future, and not a very big one.
On march 8th Germany re-occupied the Rhineland, without more than a raised eyebrow from France and Great Brittan - whimps Stalin thought, the predictions of Gorbachev kept being fullfilled, and German aggression became more and more apparent - the Rodina would have to prepare itself!
On march 23rd it was apparent that the 7th MOT DIV under general Larichev had been too confident in their rush to crush the Persians. They were skillfully ambushed and outmanouvered by lt. general Nizamshah on the plains of Rasht. The 7th. MOT DIV was badly mauled and didn't participate in the rest of the Persian campaign.

1936_mar_23_persia_larichev.jpg


Stalin was looking at the situation map for the Persian front.
Everywhere the red Army had been successfull - just as expected of them, the Persians wasn't much of a challenge for the combined might of army and the Red Airforce! Well appart from initial the initial setback of general Larichevs 7th DIV, which was mostly due to overconfidence.

1936_may_20_persia.jpg


On 18th july civil war broke out in Spain, the Soviet Union decided to send men and materiel to support the Republicans.
Stalin was plesased, by now he had more or less accepted that Gorbachev knew things. Just as he had predicted the general strike in Syria had lasted untill the 1st of march, at first it had been most unnerving, but Stalin was beginning to see the potential of his newly gained weapon (as he liked to think of Gorbachev), actually he had called him tovarich the last time they talked - "talk" not interrogation, another sure sign of Stalins warming feelings towards Gorbachev. And god knew (if Stalin had believed in him that was) that Stalin didn't think warmly of many men. But most men had their uses and hopefully Gorbachev would prove very usefull in the future...
The collaps of Persia was emminent, and Stalin had already conferred with Gorbachev concerning the Afghanistan campaign. What concerned Stalin most about Gorbachev (appart from the fact that he actually had travelled through time) was that he every now and then came up with some very weird ideas. Concerning future dissidents, as for instance
Afghani warlords, Gorbachev proposed that they should to be rounded up, that was understandable but probably difficult, but where possible their wifes and daughters (according to Gorbachev) should be rounded up as well. This in order to prevent marriages and future childbirth! That might be a reasonable thing to do, but there was A LOT of Afghani warlords, and Gorbachev had been very specific. Probably paving the road to his own rise in the future, but Stalin could not know if that part of his story was true - for obvious reasons! Head of the Soviet Union in march 1985 - that is many years from now, but Stalin could not know if Gorbachevs actions at the present was only for his own benefit or for the good of the Rodina - or even worse, if it could weaken Stalins grasp on the power. He would need to keep a close eye on tovarich Gorbachev, but for now he could prove very usefull. And, Stalin though, using people was something he knew how to do - Stalin smiled to himself - for now the next immediate "problem" was Afghanistan.
Persia was fully annexed august 16th 1936, thereby expanding the Soviet Union considerably, and most importantly giving it vital strategic advantages!
November 13th the Spanish Civil War ended. The Republicans were victorious, not least because of the continiued support of the Soviet Union, Stalin proclaimed in a radio speech.
Stalin was however a bit worried when he spoke to Gorbachev that same night, because this was one of the first signs that Gorbachevs influence and the changed course of the politics of the Soviet Union! In the "old" reality the Nationalists had won the war - Stalin couldn't figure out what this meant for the future, and more specifically for the near future advice from Gorbachev. Was his usefullness already spent? Was his knowledge of the future, which already now was altered, now wrong and useless?
So many questions - so few answers...

***End of part three***
 
***Part four***

1936 in review
During the year 1936 neither the red Army nor the air force had expanded, "only" accumulated valuable lessons in the Persian campaign.
On the scientific front great gains had been made in a great number of fields of expertise, all through the dedication of the Soviet people and its skilled scientists. Among these were, Assembly Mass-production, Basic Artillery Pieces, Combat Medical Services, Assult Guns and Tank Destroyers, and Cavity Magnetron.
Mostly basic research that in the months to come would result in several practical uses for the armed forces and the industry.
And speaking of industry, the industrial capacity, when measured in index numbers (IC), had from the start of the year fallen from 311 to 245 due to the resources dedicated to the expasion of the industrial capacity. At the end of the year it had soured to 350 (only to fall to 274 during the implementation of the second expansion plan).

In August nazi Germany held the Olympic sommer games in Berlin. Much to Hitlers irritation and therefore Stalins amusement Owens' won four gold medals and during the Games he broke 11 Olympic records - just like Gorbachev had said.

berlin%20olympics%201936.jpg


However, it still was a great propaganda victory for Germany. All sails had been set in order to make the games spectacular. It was the greatest use of the new media ever seen. Numerous live radio reportors interviewed the athletes and several film crews captured the events for the cinemas.
Germany really showed it self of as a modern advanced nation to be reckoned with. Russia would have to work harder in order to prepare herself for the battle to come!

Last, but not least, Persia was now considered a republic in the Soviet Union!

***End of part four***
 
update?

edit: sorry, I ment: "UPDATE!"
 
***Part five***

March 2nd 1937 - Oh, Ye of Little Faith
Stalin had made Gorbachev his officicial military and political advisor, as he had to have some title that could give him some legitimacy towards the polit bureau members that did not now his secret. Only a handfull knew - the fewer the better!
It had been discussed what use Gorbachev was now that history, and the Rodina, had changed it's course.
However, on this very date Gorbachev proved that his knowledge was still very much a power to be reckoned with!
It was early in the morning when Gorbachev entered Stalins office.
"Good morning, tovarich Stalin" he said as he closed the door behind him.
"Aah, tovarich Gorbachev, have a seat" Stalin said as he gestured towards one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"I was just making out a list of dissidents in the armed forces. I know you have mentioned that you have some reservations towards my cleaning out the traitors among our officers corps."
"Yes" Gorbachev started "Many of them are great assets to the units they are serving in. Some may not have the exact same oppinion as you on politics, but they are nevertheless skilled soldiers that can help us greatly in the battle to come against the facist tide!"
"Yeees" - Stalin stretched his answer, as if thinking about something. And then signed the paper in front of him. "That is why I have edited my list of officers to picked up is this first round of my purge, please take a look."
Stalin was handing the paper across the desk.
"I don't need to see the list tovarich Stalin." Gorbachev then started naming all the generals on Stalins list.
"What!" Stalin spluttered "How could you know?" Stalin look appaled "I've just now altered the list, and I actually included general Tribut, mostly to prove you wrong!"
Gorbachev smiled "Some things are simply not actually changed, despite the fact that we humans think we can make a difference and change things with our actions. You may think that you have changed the list, which I will not deny, but it is still the exact same list that I read in 1992 before going back in time."
"So your point is that I changed the list, but only for other reasons than previously?"
"yes, you could say that some things are just menat to be - predistined if you like." Gorbachev smiled inside, clearly Stalin did not like the notion that he was not in complete control of his own actions.
The following week Stalin actually surprised Gobachev when it turned out that he had ordered a hero funeral for general Tribut. The official story was that he died on the battle field in Persia, or rather of wounds sustained in a secret mission there. A very thin story when you thought about it, as Tribut had went about his business as usual, but nobody asked too many questions as that would only result in a similar faith for themselves.
Still Gorbachev was quite surprised by this gesture from Stalin, could it be that the man actually had a consciouns?

***End of part five***
 
Excellent story! But i can never get used to the NATO icons. There is just something about actually seeing your tanks about to crush the enemy :D
 
Exterous said:
Excellent story! But i can never get used to the NATO icons. There is just something about actually seeing your tanks about to crush the enemy :D
Click to expand...
I know what you mean, but after I found the counter mod I use, I couldn't go back :)
It's the same colours as the board game World in Flames, which I have played countless hours. It makes it so much easier to identify units IMO.
 
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