Los Caudillos de las Pampas - An Argentinan AAR

[Klavo Hunter]

(Playing on Normal/Aggressive, with all DAIM packs and a couple buxfixes. Let's see where this goes, shall we?

January 1st, 1936

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Presidential Estate

There was a knock on the thick oak wood door, a polite series of three raps on the knuckles. The man behind the desk slowly turned, setting down a handful of papers.

"Bueno. Come in, señor Hueyo." the stocky man ordered, crushing out a cigarette butt in the ashtray on his desk. The door opened, and a lean-looking man, with long features and a set of glasses perched on his nose, entered.

"Hola, Generalissimo Justo. You wished to speak with me?" the man asked. He was Ministro Economia for all of Argentina, and he wasn't looking forward to this at all. Not with the poor state of Argentina's industries after the civil wars.

"Yes, Alberto, yes I did. Sit down... because I'm going to give you a second chance." President Agustin Justo said, pointing to a chair. The ex-General could be frightening when he wanted to be, and he was looking very much like a tiger to Hueyo, who felt like a chicken being pushed into the tiger's cage to be eaten. Hueyo sat down and remained silent.

"Argentina has been wracked by civil war and strife for a long time. And the purpose of it all, Alberto, was to get us to where we are today, in this position. We may not have arrived in very good of shape, but we are here now. And it is this country's destiny to be a great power, afforded the same respect when spoken of as countries like Great Britain, France, Russia... and we must seize our destiny. We will seize it with every method at our disposal. And, before turning eyes to the rest of South America, something must happen, Alberto, and do you know what that is?" Hueyo was silent for a moment, nervously speaking up after a few long moments.

"No, señor, I do not know what it is you speak of. Would you tell me?"

"Of course... the first steps to power must be made at home. Only through modernization can we dig ourselves out of obscurity, only through knowledge can we become strong. I want you to begin an economic revival, Alberto. I want to see roads, I want to see factories. I want to see people working, I want to see people thinking. I want to see innovation and creativity. I want to see this country succeed! Do you think you are up to the challenge, Alberto?" Justo continued, his voice crescendoing louder and louder until the end, where his voice dropped to just a whisper with the question. Hueyo was still, his lips grasping dryly for words.

"Y... yes. If you order it... I am up to the challenge, señor Justo." Hueyo said, slowly.

"Good. I want you to begin immediately. From here, we will launch a campaign for the hearts and minds of our people, to make them open up to the world around them. Argentina must see past itself to the larger world around it. As for you, the economic power of all Argentina is at your disposal. Best of luck, señor Hueyo. You will need it." Justo said, and gestured for the stunned Economic Minister to leave. There was not a word said until well after the door was closed tightly.

"This is just the beginning..."

 

[Klavo Hunter]

Buenos Aires Herald

Government Issues Call for Workers
Unemployment drops dramatically

Caption: Cameras capture this scene of newly-employed men taking a moment off the job outside of Buenos Aires, having just started work on the new road system proposed by President Justo yesterday.

Unemployed young men are flocking to government construction jobs today after yesterday's announcement of a widespread project of economic improvement, starting with the old road system that has recently been found to be inadequate to the needs of commuters and shipping in Northern Argentina. Furthermore, the government is giving financial backing to a number of entreupeneurs who are finding it the ripe time to open up their pockets to build new factories and businesses. Leading economists say that the country will be seeing the benefits of this New Years' government program before the end of the year. Or, hopefully, even sooner, they speculate.

 

[elbasto]

Nice start.

There a lot of Argentinean aars but most of them have been abandoned, let's hope you do a lot better.

Good luck!


EDIT: What are the mods that you are using? And what do they do?

 

[Klavo Hunter]

Just a couple of event fixes for pesky, stupid stuff like Vichy not getting Marseilles when it should. DAIM, on the other hand, is a serious change to the AI files of a number of countries, making them act more intelligently. Like, Japan gets off its duff and does stuff in China, or the Pacific... Germany and Russia aren't so feeble under the AI, the UK actually deploys stuff overseas in a worthwhile fashion... the US... heh. *shrug* I haven't used DAIM before, so this'll be a good show, I hope.

Anyways, on to the next "event"... hopefully things in the future will be more noteworthy than this!

IC:


January 15, 1936

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Presidential Estate

"What?!? This is... this is mierda de caballo, Carlos! We were counting on this diplomatic deal with the US to go through without a problem! Without the coal and metal, our economy will grind to a halt within months! We even gave them generous offers in terms of foods and domestic goods, yet they refused us? HOW DARE THEY?!?" Alberto Hueyo thundered, not quite the frightened man that had been in Presidente Justo's office two weeks earlier. Still, some of that fear was there... fear of failing.

"I know that, Alberto! I offered the deal in the most equitable terms possible, and after having to wait for a reply telegram for over six hours, they sent back a dismissal! Those rich pricks don't NEED our supplies the way we NEED their coal and metal... so they can blow us off!" Alberto's fellow minister, Carlos Lamas, replied. Lamas was in charge of foreign affairs, and due to the current downtime in political affairs involving Argentina, Lamas had been able to take personal attention in the matter. The two men continued to rage at the injustice of it, standing in the main hallway of the President's building, not more than twenty feet away from the door to Agustin Justo's office. The two guards stood there stiffly, like statues, holding their rifles at port-arms.

"Well, dammit, we'll just need to find an alternative! If the United States isn't in a mood to be accepting of our offers, then we'll find someone else who will!" Alberto finished, twisting the knob of the door to the President's office, having walked down there as he spoke. There was a pause as he stepped in, his voice dying down as he realized he was still shouting.

"Hmmm. Alberto, there seems to be a problem... how about you tell me what is going on?" Agustin Justo asked, calmly sitting in his chair, fingers steepled. He seemed amused, even, if not for the fact that he could be so threatening.

"Ahh... señor Presidente, there is indeed a problem. The Americans have refused our offers of trade, and we were unable to secure a supply of the coal and metals that we need... to say nothing of the more expensive materials that we will be needing! I am here, sir, to ask for an alternative..." Alberto replied, taking a moment to compose himself. Justo let the silence linger for a short while afterwards, letting tension build up. Then he broke it.

"I'm not that surprised, Alberto... in fact, I'm rather glad that they refused, in a way. For shipping concerns, the United States is of course a more attractive trading partner... but there are those across the Atlantic Ocean who I am more than willing to trade with..." Agustin started, then trailed off, forcing his wary Economic Minister to venture forth and ask for him to continue. Foreign Minister Lamas quietly entered the room, closing the door and remaining silent.

"Who is it you are referring to, señor?" Hueyo asked, a bit shakily.

"Germany is in a ripe economic position for us to take advantage. The river Rhine runs strong, and so much of Germany is kept lit up in the night by the hydroelectrics along it. The Ruhr Valley has a wealth of iron and other metals, more than they could ever use on their own. Agriculture, though, on the cheap...? I respect señor Hitler's methods, but I can tell that the man will jump at the opportunity to keep up traditionally good ties with us. So, try again. See if Germany is willing. I suspect you'll find it much easier to make a deal with them than it was with the Americans."

Several hours later, events proved Agustin right. The call went out for collection of the supply goods of all kinds for orderly transport to Buenos Aires, and convoy ships began to sail both ways across the Atlantic...

Justo filed away the reports, and looked at the map of Uruguay again, lighting a cigarette. He leaned back, inhaling as his eyes fell over it...

 

[unmerged(40779)]

Seems pretty good this far.... But i'd like to hear what is the condition of ure armed forces and what cinda development/building of land, air and sea forces have u started?

 

[Semi-Lobster]

I usually am unable to start reading new AAR's but this is a great start!

 

[elbasto]

Nice.

Poor Uruguay...

 

[Patrick Harte]

Really nice. Better Germany than the US.

 

[elbasto]

Maybe you should try with the UK.

If you manage to ally them after the US has allied them, then all Latin Amercia will be at your mercy... unless of course that they ally the US first...

 

[Klavo Hunter]

Thanks, guys. I'm a compulsive writer, almost, I have... let's see, with this AAR, I have three totally different projects on my plate

I have done... Nothing. Nothing with my Armed Forces.

25 ICs is NOT enough to support building up infra and factories AND troops... besides, it's not like I need to upgrade my military for what I have planned initially.

Pffft, ally the UK? Nah, they have the same rating of +74 to me as the US does. Besides, I don't like joining the Allies... why support the 'winning' side?

 

[Klavo Hunter]

Buenos Aires Herald

Illegal Uruguayan Immigrants Caught, Deported
Unemployed Uruguayans attempt to steal Government jobs

Caption: Argentinan Border Police intercept and detain convoy of Uruguayan immigrants crossing the border, seeking recently-created jobs building roads and factories in Buenos Aires and the economically-important Mar del Plata region.

Over the past weeks as February draws to a close, officials are taking notice of a significant increase in illegal immigration along the Argentina-Urugauy border, and increased patrols have caught significant numbers of these vagrant wanderers, detaining many for processing before deporting them back to Uruguay. Reporters for the Herald were allowed to conduct a number of interviews with the would-be immigrants, and we have a first-hand account for this rash of border-jumping.

"Back home in Uruguay, I have no job... I am treated like scum on the street because I have no money. My friends come and tell me, 'Go to Argentina; there you will find many jobs, pave roads, build buildings,'. I get on the bus with seventy others, and we drive for days... then we are caught. I don't want to go back, but I am forced to." was one man's statement, among his fellow immigrants sitting along the dusty roadside while members of the Argentinan Guardia Civil kept watch until appropriate measures could be taken.

News of this has caused outrage in neighboring Uruguay, and there is unrest on the streets there, caused by would-be immigrants, encouraging others to try again. A statement from President Justo just yesterday showed his intent as being that he "condemns these actions taken by private citizens of Uruguay," and that he "strongly urges the government of President Terra to restrain his people from such foolhardy ventures". The Uruguayan government has made no comment as to the situation.

 

[Klavo Hunter]

Buenos Aires Herald

Anti-Argentina Riots on the Streets of Montevideo!
Argentinan Tourists captured, murdered, violence in Concordia

Caption: Rioting Uruguayans pursue a fleeing Argentinan tourist. Seconds later, this man was thrown into the crowd and murdered by the mob.

The month of March opened with a horrifying rash of violence from Uruguay. Angered deportees, who in the past few weeks were attempting to enter Argentina illegally for jobs, have began inciting riots in the streets of the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo. These riots have been directed towards a growing anti-Argentinan movement, and the Uruguayan government did little to stop the outbreak of violence, where Argentinans were targeted by the mobs. An estimated 17 Argentinans were killed in the riots, names are not being released to the public at this time.

Similarly, the issue of illegal immigration has taken a step up, and instead of simply attempting to enter the country, illegal immigrants are enacting a reign of terror over the rural population of the Concordia region, where almost all of the immigrants are passing through. Local police found a farmhouse 50 miles out of the city of Parana, where a family of four had been brutally murdered, and many belongings stolen. Several sets of tire tracks were discovered in front of the house, and all evidence points to the perpatrators being a group of illegal immigrants. Other reports have come in of stolen goods from other rural families, along with dozens of dead livestock.

President Agustin Justo, in a public speech yesterday, demanded that "... if Uruguay cannot keep its restless masses under control in regards to their neighbors, then actions must be taken to ensure the safety of our people." Again, there has been no public comment from Gabriel Terra or any member of his government. In addition, a private ultimatum was delivered to the Uruguayan government, the details of which were not disclosed to our liasons.

Furthermore, three divisions of the Army under Lieutenent General Fasola Castano have been ordered into the Concordia region, to assist the local authorities and Border Patrol in keeping order in the area. It is hoped that this increase in security will suppress the enroachment of illegal aliens, and the violent actions that they have been committing.

 

[Klavo Hunter]

March 7, 1936

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Plaza del Mayo

"... and with the continuing disregard for the anti-Argentinan sentinments running wild in his country, Gabriel Terra has answered my ultimatum to bring the situation under control. He has chosen his fate, and it is with great reluctance that I, President Agustin Justo, do declare war on the Nation of Uruguay as of this day, March seventh, in the the year of our Lord 1936. May God have mercy on us for the neccessary evils we must do."

With that, President Justo concluded his speech, stepping down from the podium, and a cordon of bodyguards surrounded him as he walked from the central plaza of the city from the crowd. Argentina was at war.

Entre Rios Front, Argentina
The Front Lines

The radio crackled a bit as the orders went out to each unit in all three divisions of the Argentinan 1st Army Corps. Advance. As night swiftly came on, 45,000 soldiers advanced slowly, crossing the border with rifles unslung. They did not march in parade-style columns, for even though their equipment dated back to the Great War, their tactics had improved.

The average Argentinan soldier carried a German-licensed Mauser, the dependable 7.98mm Gewehr 98, built locally in Argentina, and a number of a tried-and-true series of hand grenades, the ever-popular Stielhandgranate. Officers and some others had MP18s, forcibly sold off at the close of the Great War, some having even seen action in the trenches of France and still firing as cleanly as the day they were built. Three-man machinegun teams toted a mostly-disassembled Maxim MG, along with jugs of water for cooling, and tins of ammo to feed the hungry weapon's demand for ammunition.

Motorized transportation was at a premium, most of it being tasked to the two brigades of artillery that followed, hauling the heavy pieces forward so that when battle commenced, they could be set up and begin firing in a few short minutes. General Castano was lucky enough to have a vehicle of his own, not having to muddy his boots so much, and he even had a driver. In the seats behind him, his two senior aides were going over a map with a flashlight as the car bounced through the hilly countryside of Uruguay.

"If the... *bump* .. Uruguayan army is deployed HERE..." the first aide shouted over the noise of the further-back artillery units, pointing at several marks on the map, "then we'll be encountering them just as they move in by sunrise!"

"Yes... but how prepared are.. *bounce* they?" the other aide asked loudly, the light of the flashlight twitching across the map quickly as the car hit another bump.

"Probably too well."

Morning, March 8

Only a hair less than 50 miles into Uruguay, the opposing armies had their first looks at one another. Over the past few days, President Terra had already made up his mind that he wouldn't bow to Justo's demands. The army was mustered, and set up in a line of hastily-dug trenches in front of the city of Trinidad.

It only took a few Argentinans being cut down by a quick-fingered machinegunner to make the Argentinan army pull back to a safe distance. But as the soldiers in the trenches wondered if that was all it took to scare them off, over ten thousand eyes looked skywards as a terrible, shrieking whistle began to come down...

Heavy-caliber shells came crashing down , sending some men diving for cover, sending those who didn't either through the air, or to hell. There was a piercing series of whistles, as the Argentinan officers ordered their men forward, rifle fire cracked through the brush at the trenchline as the advancing soldiers opened fire. It took a short while for return fire to begin replying. The Battle of Trinidad was on.

Ten grueling hours later, the shattered Uruguayan army had retreated to their last defensive positions, and were dug out of them, and they fled, discarding their weapons in their flight. It would take a grand total of 20 further days to secure the country, ending with the removal of Uruguayan President Gabriel Terra from office, and, shortly thereafter, from life.

The only protests from the rest of the world as the Argentinan flag was raised over Montevideo would be the cancellation of a minor treaty by the United States.

In his office, President Justo smiled at the telegraph message he recieved, and put his signature in ink over the treaty of annexation concerning Uruguay, and then lit a match, lighting the cigar between his teeth. Today was the first great step...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: I did a touch of save-file editing, to cut the dissent to 5, to fit the characterization of the cause of the war. Enjoy, folks, and do comment!

 

[Agent SMith]

Interesting beginning, I will def follow this one!

 

[elbasto]

nice

how are you (or had you) modified the domestic policy bars?

 

[Klavo Hunter]

nice

how are you (or had you) modified the domestic policy bars?

I suppose I didn't make that one part too clear in my opening post... I slid it towards being more Interventionist.

I just hate it when you want to change your ideology, but then also have Interventionism set way low and have to fix that if you want to do much... I mean, the major countries get events that dramatically ramp up your Interventionism and other stuff... It almost tempts me to do a little Robespierre to boost the sliders along a bit.

*cough* Apologies for whoring in the other thread, just wanted to make sure that this wasn't a newbie AAR that was already dead... :wacko:

 

[Desertfox]

Comments?
It depends on your end goal in war.
If you plan to ultimately defeat the USA, you should ignore small countries that do not lead to USA.
You can only conquer so many countries until your belligerence is so high that USA can declare war on you. That`ll be about 4-5 countries. Hope that Wilkie becomes USA president, that`ll lower their Interventionism a bit.
So it is best to limit your conquests to countries that 1) lead closer to central America 2) give great benefits (Brasil for IC, Venezuela for oil). Go e.g. for Bolivia instead of Montevideo.
Once USA is at the brink of declaring war due to your belligerence, you should take a strategic pause to prepare for that war. Like building extra armies and naval bombers, and catching up with the tech thanx to the extra research slots you get from conquest.
To get to USA overland you have to conquer a lot of middle American states which costs dearly in dissent. Once you are at war with USA, you don`t like to have to still conquer countries like Colombia to get to Colon. So I`d say leave Uruguay alone and use the Belligerence room to conquer other nations instead.
Your advantage over Brasil is a much bigger fleet and a naval bomber. If you have the time to build some transports and convoys, attacking Brasil by sea is much easier than over land (getting over the mountainprovince in south Brasil is a pain)

 

[Klavo Hunter]

Spring Break's over, so time to continue on this AAR!

 

[unmerged(42797)]

You could later on launch some paratroopers or marines in the Malvinas Islandas(NOT FAKLANDS!!!). This would attract Hitler's attetion a maybe you could join the Axis. Also this would be better than the war of 1982

Mike Wittman.

 

[unmerged(42797)]

Now that i reconsider, you should wait for at least 2 years to build up a war industry...but to maintain that you should first annex Paraguay.

Mike Wittman.