• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

unmerged(25871)

Recruit
Feb 17, 2004
9
0
La Retour du Roi - the Return of the House of Bourbon​

france-rest.jpg


Morning November 25th 1935 - The Elysee Palace

Président Albert Le Brun lay slumped across the desk in his study overlooking the baroque courtyard of the Presidential palace, the tricolor outside hanging limply from the flag pole. Dressed in black tails, with his top hat flung loosely onto an armchair, cigar ash marked his sleeves. He was asleep, his face creasing the state papers below him.

There was a firm knock upon the door, and his eyes opened with a start. Swearing mildly he dragged himself up and glanced briefly around, giving the order to enter. What stood before him was not the expected servant with his early morning croissant, but Premier-Ministre Pierre Laval, closely followed by the Ministre pour L’Intérieur Joseph Paganon. Their faces were not encouraging, and as he motioned for them to sit, he noticed Monsieur Laval hesitate a moment.

“Something wrong, Pierre?” he murmured.

“Président, I don’t think it wise for me to dilly-dally too long. I have something of the utmost urgency to attend to.” He eyed the door.

“Oh? But surely you would not disappoint an old friend by not obliging his request?” Le Brun replied amicably.

Laval nodded, seating himself, hands bound together, beside the stoic Paganon. Le Brun continued, with a rather jaunty smile, “So, my friends, what is it that gets you two up before nine?”

A pause. This time Paganon started, “Monsieur Le Brun, there have been some developments.” The Minister fumbled with some documents in his hand, before bringing out this photograph. He passed it over the green baize of the desk.

hain.jpg

Le Brun quirked an eyebrow, pensively peering at the photograph in detail, "And who exactly is this man?"

Paganon sharply breathed inwards, "Oh, it's so ridiculous, Président, it's simply not possible. But they, the people, are saying that he.. he is the King. Francorum Rex."

The Président rapped his fingers upon the desk, leaning heavily back. He seemed to dissapear from reality for a moment, his head tilted behind and his lips quivering with contemplation. The two men opposite anxiously maintained their delicate silence.

Before long, Le Brun sat back up straight. "And what does this exactly mean?"

Hesitantly Laval responded, "Perhaps Monsieur Paganon didn't explain everything - they say he is the King. And he's calling for your resignation."


*** *** ***​

This is my first ever AAR so please tell me if you think its worth continuing etc, or just give me some tips.

Cheers :)
 
Last edited:
France seems to be a very popular country to edit around with and make alternate governments! So far so good, that was a very good intro and I hope to see more!
 
Seems to be off to a good start. I am intrigued by this "King" character :D
 
Sounds like a interesting variation. I'll be eager to see how this develops.
 
Im writing a French AAr at the moment so it'll b intresting to see how yurs develop, and also an intiguing storyline.
 
Evening 25th November 1935 - La Cathédrale Sainte-Croix, Orleans

SteCroix01_g.jpg

Deep within the vaulted tombs of the gothic cathedral, low susurrations mumbled along a flight of steps leading to the mausoleum of some ancient dignitary. Chairs were arranged in a circle around the cold aloof chamber. Yet as of yet not one was occupied. Only two men were present; one, wearing a crumbled blue suit, his round face roughly bearded, was leaning anxiously against a bare stone wall, the other, his stance proud, even arrogant, reclined with little preoccupation against a sculpted sarcophagus. The rather timid man was garrulously blabbing away at the other, who happened to bear the martial uniform of a Général.

“Général Georges, what should I do? Will they believe me? What will happen to me if they don’t believe me?” the suited man started in his thin, wavering voice.

“They will believe. They want to believe, Henri. You think they are satisfied with Monsieur Le Président?”

“Oh, oh, no certainly not. But isn’t there a chance they might think me a fraud?”

“How possibly could such a noble and grand man as yourself not be the great King of France?” Georges smirked slightly, idly fingering a strand of hair. Meanwhile a voice rebounded down the staircase, strong, and charismatic. He glanced at his pocket watch, stood up straight and clasped his hands together before striding forth towards the door opening onto the stairs. He flung the portal open before greeting the descending man with a wicked smile.

“Général, so delightful for you to join us. Please come in.” He stood backwards slightly, and in came the unmistakeable figure of Jean-Marie de Lattre de Tassigny. Following him came his entourage; Lt. Gen. Emile Bethouart and Général Pierre Chardigny, both of whom nodded at the man opening the door.

“We haven’t got all the time in the world, Monsieur Georges, where is this present of yours?” asked Lattre de Tassigny tersely. Général Georges chuckled calmly, extending an arm backwards to the shabby figure behind him.

“Might I present Henri de Bourbon-Condé. Your King Henri V.” Lattre de Tassigny looked witheringly at the man in his crumbled blue suit.

“Right. And what do you want us to do with him?”

“We have a meeting with Monsieurs Paganon and Laval tomorrow morning, Général. You will hear more once they are on side. I am quite certain they will be most amenable - they are patriotic Frenchmen after all.”
 
Last edited:
This is a good AR, sorry that the title of my new AAR is almost the same as yours, I cant see past the end of my nose, again, I am sorry, may your AAR prosper, grow and be read!
 
Resolution

The events of the subsequent days proved to be devastating for Third Republic. On the morning of the 26th, in a room deep inside the Interior Ministry, Joseph Paganon, along with Premier-Ministre Laval met with the supposed figure of ‘Henri de Bourbon-Condé’ and his mentor Général Georges. The discussions were said to have lasted hours and little was reported of their contents, so clandestine they were. Yet there were increased rumours amongst the upper echelons of the army that a conspiracy was afoot, mostly revolving around this currently mysterious character that claimed to be of royal lineage. Finally on the bitter evening of 2nd December 1935, events began to unfold.

duclos.jpg

Jacques Duclos, an outspoken figure on the Communist Party’s Central Committee, made a speech that was to be the spark that ignited the dynamite of what he conceived to be a ‘royalist plot’.

26big.jpg

On the ledge of the obelisk in the Place de la Concorde he claimed ’corrupt elements in the oppressing armed forces’ intended to seize power for ‘a man that can only be perceived as morally and socially degenerate’. He called on his brothers in arms to take to the streets and kill the ‘absolutist scum’. True to form, communist dissenters ran amok through the narrow alleyways and wide avenues - and yet the rally-call appeared to be far thinner than hopes had aroused.

Almost immediately after the first reports of this violence emerged at the Headquarters of the 9ème Armée, Général Lattre de Tassigny ordered the dispatch of all infantry divisions to construct road blocks and to quell unrest inside Paris. Almost simultaneously, Général Georges’ 2ème Armée was ordered to ‘nip the bud’ of any further Communist rebellion in the countryside around the capital ‘by any means necessary’.

The official line of what followed was released at midday on the 3rd of December;

‘After the brutal unrest caused by hard-line members of the Communist Party, the leadership and leading members of said party were arrested and taken immediately to stand trial in military court. All were found guilty and executed by firing squad. It was later discovered that these terrible excuses for human beings had seized control of the Elysee Palace, official residence of Président Albert Le Brun and murdered him in cold blood. A funeral will be held in his honour.’

But no such funereal preparations were necessary. In the power vacuum after the death of the Président, a nervous figure stood to take charge of the moment.

versailles.jpeg
On the 15th December 1935, in the glittering Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, in the presence of foreign officials and press, Général Alphonse Georges, Head of the Interim administration declared Henri de Bourbon-Condé King Henri V of France and Her Empire.
 
Just to note I'll be playing this AAR on C.O.R.E version 0.71 with modified files to represent a return to the monarchy. The government, of course, is Paternal Autocrat.

*** *** ***​

1st January, 1936, Versailles

By now the majority of the fighting had either ebbed out or been crushed by a resurgent military. Regional rebellions in Marseilles, Bordeaux and the ancient town of Quimper had been firmly put down by loyal commanders, and Général Lattre de Tassigny, now Chief of Staff and Head of Army was proud to inform the King that his armed forces had all been well obliged to support him - with the notable exception of Général Charles de Gaulle, who has hitherto been rotting in his own forces' custody. And thus in the great palace of Versailles, the Council of Ministers of His Gracious Majesty, Henri V, Francorum Rex, met.

At the immense mahogany table were seated as follows;

*** *** ***​

His Royal Highness, King Henri V​

france-juillet.jpg

King's Chamberlain, Head of Government, and Minister of Industry and Armament
Général Alphonse Georges

01312.jpg

Minister to the Overseas Territories and Foreign Lands
Monsieur Pierre Laval

pierre-laval.jpg

Minister of the Interior and Chief of Military Intelligence
Joseph Paganon

Photograph not available

Chief of the Armed Forces and Commander of the King's Armies
Jean-Marie Lattre de Tassigny

lattrek.jpg

Grand High Admiral of the King's Fleets
François Darlan

darlan.jpg

Head of the Air Force
Victor Denain

Photograph not available
 
Last edited:
1st January 1936, Versailles

Ministers Present - All

Rex: Gentlemen, please, please sit.... Alphonse do begin.

Georges: Your Highness, Ministers, we have not inherited a favourable situation. There are, as I see it, four strata over which we must triumph. The first of these is the economy. You have current figures on the memorandum before you.

Coal production: 451 units produced a day
Steel production: 365 units produced a day
Rubber production: 218 units produced a day
Oil production: 47 units produced a day


Currently we are working at a surplus, Your Highness. However I do not have exact figures as of yet. The way I see it, it would be beneficial both to your Noble Reign and to France to increase use of these materials by industrialising all currently agricultural regions. For the period of expansion we will be able to stockpile any required resources. Do we have concensus on this issue?

Lattre de Tassigny: During periods of expansion will not Research and Development and construction of new divisions be put on hold?

Georges: This is why I am Chief of Industry and you are not, Jean-Marie. The answer to your question is yes; in the short term. But no; in the long term. Your Highness, what are your feelings?

Rex: <Dozily> Oh, yes, yes, very good.

Georges: The next strata that needs to be triumphed over is the military. Clearly Monsieur Le Brun, may God bless his soul, was not a man of vision. He put too much trust in the Maginot Line, which despite its potency is fundamentally flawed. (On a side note, I recommend renaming said defenses 'Royale Ordonnance Internationale' or ROI for short). I believe the secret for France's continued prosperity is a glorious army for the King. Jean-Marie, would you like to outline our current army's military capability?

Lattre de Tassigny All details are on the following memorandum.

French mainland

1er Armee - Sedan
<No Commander>
2 Infantry Divisions
1 Motorised Division
1 Armoured Division (Hotchkiss H35)

2eme Armee - Rouen
General Georges
3 Infantry Divisions
1 Cavalry Division

3eme Armee - Strassbourg
General Chardigny
6 Infantry Divisions
1 Cavalry Division

4eme Armee - Orleans
Lieutenant General Bethouart
3 Infantry Divisions

5eme Armee - Nancy
General Garchery
3 Infantry Divisions
1 Mountain Division

7eme Armee - Chaumont
Field Marshall Gamelin
2 Infantry Divisions
1 Motorised Division
1 Armoured Division (Somua S35)

8eme Armee - Saint Malo
Lieutenant General de Verdillac
3 Infantry Divisions

9eme Armee - Paris
Field Marshall Lattre de Tassigny
2 Infantry Divisions
1 Cavalry Divisions
1 Motorised Division

Armee des Alpes - Grenoble
Lieutenant General Gonzalez de Linares
2 Mountain Divisions

Army Capability on the French Mainland:

24 Infantry Divisions
3 Motorised Divisions
2 Armoured Divisions
3 Mountain Divisions
3 Cavalry Divisions

Africa

Troupes de Maroc - Casablanca
Major General Garbay
1 Infantry Division

XIX Region Militaire - Algiers
Field Marshall Juin
2 Infantry Divisions

Armee de Tunesie - Tunis
General Giraud
2 Infantry Divisions
1 Cavalry Division

Army Capability in Africa:

5 Infantry Divisions
1 Cavalry Divisions

Indochina

Troupes d'Indochine - Saigon
General Goislard de Monsebert
2 Infantry Divisions

Army Capability in Indochina:

2 Infantry Divisions

Worldwide Infantry Capability:

31 Infantry Divisions
4 Cavalry Divisions
3 Motorised Divisions
2 Armoured Divisions
3 Mountain Divisions


Georges: Thankyou, Field Marshall.. however I would urge warning on considering this good enough - the fact is that it is not! I'm sure Jean-Marie would agree with me in that our equipment is out of date or obsolete. Our armoured technology also leaves much to be desired. A powerful army backed up by a strong navy will be the spine of any colonial and European expansion our King might desire. Am I correct, your Majesty?

Rex: Mmm.. oh, oh yes quite so.

Georges: We must also consider who should take over the command of 1ere Armee now that de Gaulle is no longer with us. A later date perhaps. Now, Grand Admiral Darlan. How go the King's fleets?

Darlan: Do beg my pardon, Monsieur, but I also have a lengthy memorandum on the matter.

France

Atlantic Fleet - Brest
Grand Admiral Darlan
2 Battleships - Courbet, Paris
4 Cruisers - Duquesne, Foch, Duguay Trouin, Lamotte-Picquel.
4 Destroyer Groups

1eme Atlantique Soumarins - Brest
Vice Admiral Kahn
3 Submarines

Compagne Generale Transatlantique - Brest
Rear Admiral Leloup
3 Transports

Training Squadron - Lorient
Vice Admiral Gensoul
2 Cruisers - Pluton, Jeanne d'Arc
1 Carrier - Bearn

2eme Atlantique Soumarins - Lorient
Vice Admiral Esteva
3 Submarines

Transport Generale - Nantes
Rear Admiral Collinet
3 Transports

Mediterranean Fleet - Marseilles
Admiral Richard
3 Battleships - Bretagne, Provence, Lorraine
3 Cruisers - Tourville, Suffren, Colbert
4 Destroyer Groups

France Mainland Naval Capability:

5 Battleships
9 Cruisers
8 Destroyer Groups
11 Submarines
1 Carrier
6 Transports

Africa and the Indian Ocean

3eme Atlantique Soumarins - Casablanca
Read Admiral Graziani
1 Submarine

North African Squadron - Oran
Admiral Luc
3 Cruisers - Dupleix, Algerie, Primaguet
2 Destroyer Groups

Transport Expeditionaire - Oran
Rear Admiral Berrois
3 Transports

West African Squadron - Lome
Vice Admiral Decoux
2 Cruisers - Savorgnon de Brazzo, Altair

Madagascar Squadron - Fianarantsoa
Vice Admiral Labord
2 Cruisers - Dumont D'Urville, Cassopee

Indian Ocean Squadron - Mauritius
Rear Admiral Auboyneau
2 Cruisers - D'Iberville, Ville d'Ys.

African and Indian Ocean Naval Capability
9 Cruisers
2 Destroyer Groups
1 Submarine
3 Transports

Miscellaneous Other

Lebanese Squadron - Beirut
Vice Admiral Abriol
2 Cruisers - Bourgainville, Adebaran
1 Destroyer Group

Indochine Squadron - Saigon
Vice Admiral Musolier
2 Cruisers, Amiral Charner, Regulus
1 Destroyer Group

Indochine Soumarins - Saigon
Admiral Godfroy
3 Submarines

American Soumarins - Fort de France
Rear Admiral Estinene d'Orvers
1 Submarine

Total Naval Capability:

5 Battleships
22 Cruisers
12 Destroyers
1 Carrier
16 Submarines
9 Transports


*** *** ***​

This is getting dull, so continued later...
 
Georges: Intriguing, intriguing, Grand Admiral. I also note we have a further number of ships currently being constructed. Now..the Airforce - well there is little of note. I personally recommend the complete abolition of said airforce.

Victor Denain stares incredulously at General (now Field Marshall) Georges, his sharp eyes flickering between the Armament Minister and Henri V.

Denain: This is preposterous! You, Georges, you have no idea!

He leans over to the King.

Your Majesty, your Majesty please do not listen to this heathen of a man. He does not realise my worth.

The King sits in his high-backed sculpted throne a little pertubed. He glances fleetingly at Denain before edging anxiously over at Georges. He whispers something beneath his nervous breath, receives his reply, and again straightens up.

Rex: I fear I.. I agree with Field Marshall Georges. Beg my pardon, Monsieur Denain.

At that point a furious Air Marshall Denain swept up his papers and stormed from the room, leaving a silent cabinet chamber. However Georges, notably, continued in his calm calculated tone.

Georges: Now, my next two resolutions are rather entertwined, Your Majesty. As you well know, France is not currently what it once was. I propose to seize resources in parts of the globe that will be necessary for our nation's expansion. However, the question is, how can we do this without angering the British Empire?

Laval: You do realise that we are currently in alliance with the English and their Commonwealth?

Georges: Of course.

Laval: And they will not support us in any expansionist war?

Georges: Of course

Laval: Then we must leave their alliance?

Georges: Of course. But not immediately, no Laval. We shall maintain friendly relations in the hope of mutual assistance until such time as we are ready, Laval. Is that clear?

Laval nods. Not out of satisfaction, mind, but rather out of solemn necessity. Meanwhile, the King begins to become restless.

Rex: I.. I.. I'm sorry to interrupt, but..but..but what about the Germans?

Georges: The Germans, Your Majesty?

Alphonse Georges glances rather pityingly at Henri.

Oh I wouldn't worry your Noble cerebrum about them.

Georges: So, Ministers, to sum up. I believe the following matters are necessary.

1) The expansion of industries in agricultural provinces.
2) The purchase of new weaponry and armament for the army and navy
3) The expansion of said army and navy
4) The lengthening of the R-O-I (formerly the Maginot Line) - However we shall not complete this action at present, in order not to anger the Belgians.
5) Finally, the envelopment of strategically important regions for the benefit of the King and His nation.


Dieu, Roi, Pays
 
In my French AAr i used the same technique of a meeting to show the strength of my Armed Forces and Navy etc. Good so far keep it coming...... :)
 
Action..

2nd January, 1936

The first actions came into force early on this fresh morning. The (relatively) small air force of the Kingdom of France was dramatically destroyed on ground by loyal members of the Regal administration acting under the orders of General Georges (who else?). Military aerodromes around the country were closed as a result of 'economic pressures' that sapped too much of the nation's resources. Explosions rocked the quiet countryside in the south of the country.

darwin-raaf-wrecks.jpg

All members of this fledgling airforce were immediately conscripted into the Army - bringing to full strength the divisions mysteriously depleted during the years of Democratic mismanagement.

04_landingcraft.jpg

Further commands from the highest point saw the 7eme Armee move to Metz, and the 5eme Armee to Colmar to man the defenses of the R-O-I. Also, most importantly the 9eme Armee was absorbed into the 1eme Armee, under the new command of Field Marshall Lattre de Tassigny.

Once military considerations had been taken into account, the King's Industrial Minister announced, from his new offices in the Elysee Palace, a new governmental initiative to stimulate Bio-Chemistry and Mass-Production in Industry, to significently increase the capability of the nation.

brickworksview.jpg

He also outlined plans to the crowd outside for a replacement of the tradition French slogan 'LIBERTE, EGALITE, FRATERNITE'. The uniformed General, surrounded by the former trappings of the Third Republic, vaguely mentioned the trislogan 'God, King, Country', which is doubtless to gain the favour of the Pontifficate of St. Peter.

Finally, in a grand ceremony attended by the new Governor of French Morocco, the Cruiser La Gallisoniere was launched at the Port of Oran - the newest addition to Admiral Luc's North Africa Squadron.

So far events had gone to plan.