AAR - Day 2
We brought yesterday's game to a close on April 1st, 1939.
The First Day of the game waas rather short, the '38 scenario was played for only 1 month, so we started around mid october '38.
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Hot Spot Iberian Peninsula 1938/39
Madrid, Spain. The spanish civil war is, after almost 2 years of fighting, still not over. Republican stronghold is still the south, whereas the National stronghold remains the north. Madrid, former capital of Unified Spain, has been changing sides for months now. It appears that when one side gains the upper hand, the other side does not seem to fall, but instead launch a counter offensive and stabilize the front again.
Well informed circles have told us of influencing either side by various alliances, the so-called Axis and the Allies, in particular. Despite of some expert's predictions, the Nationals seem not to be able to turn the tide and end the civil war. This appears to be a sign of an 'undeclared poltical war' between the major alliances, whereas the Allies, who appear to be on the Republican side, seem to have the most influence on the factions and passively force the Republican side to win by sending supplies, experts say.
However, these accusations were proven wrong and seem to lack any real background, as high ranking officials deny involvement in the Civil war.
These claims by Allied officials seem to be right, as a surprising alliance between the Comintern and Republican Spain was declared. The Soviet Union might have been the financial backup for the Republican forces.
This was a surprising move by the Soviet Union, which had remained quiet during the last years. Experts argue about the use of this move by the new Soviet leader. Will it be used as a measure of pressure against the allies? A communist stronghold in South Europe would only be the first step of creating a communist Europe.
There have been no reports of Communists and Allies having contact with each other, nullifying claims of Communist and Allied comradeship. However, the alliance might have been a reactionary move, since Portugal already joined the Allies. If tensions would increase, The Soviets might as well take Gibraltar and take control of the western entrance into the mediterranean and/or even threating France.
In any case, the Republicans have not won yet, despite Soviet ship movements noticed by german and british spyplanes. The Axis's step in this conflict remains to be seen. Risking a war with the Soviet union by further supplying the Fascist north, or even entrance of the Nationals into the axis would almost certainly would ignite the cowder keg which is the Iberian peninsula right now. A lot lies within the hands of the civil war's parties. If the Fascist north, despite all odds, should win, this would seriously cause a threat to France in the North, which will be surrounded by fascist nations. It would be in France's interest that no participant in the spanish civil war gains the upper hand, for now.
Pictured below: Spains factions in a stalemate
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Asian Crisis: The japanese question
Jakarta, Indonesia, '38. The new leader of Japan riddles western leaders. In late September of 1938, the Japanese Emperor brought fighting in China to a close. Since June '37 Imperial Japan had been at war with China, since then controlling most China in the North and East. All of a sudden, fighting disrupted and troops were immediately pulled back to the Eastern coast of China to be shipped back to Japan. It is not known what moved the Emperor to step back on claims of chinese soil. Only Machuria and the Eastern province of Nantong stayed in Japan's hands.
Some experts claim that unrest in Japan was due to the Japanese pullback of their troops. War had dragged along for more then a year, with no other result then a stalemate in eastern China. victory was no where near.
However, hopes of a peaceful Japan were utterly shaken by a sudden declaration of war on Holland. Until late '38, Holland held preciouse provinces known as the Dutch East Indies, which are known for their riches in raw materials as well for their strategical value. This sparked fears of Japan able to reach India, Australia and eventually threatening the united states.
Fighting started around October 15th/16th. Japanese forces where able to quickly occupy the Indonesian Islands, such as Sumatra, Java and Celebes. Fighting was basically over at the end of November, no more acquisitions were being done after that time. Hopes that Holland would accept peace offers were wrong, peace offers on the dutch side were denied from the Japanese, being "not enough".
Asian Crisis: The japanese question, Part 2: Japanese Aircraft carriers spotted in the North Sea
London, England, January/February '39. The general public was in shock when the word spread that Japanese Aircraft carriers as well as minor ships were spotted in the Channel. apparantly, the japanese leader decided to take out Holland once and for all. A mere month later, Holland had been puppeted by Imperial Japan and surrendered the Dutch East Indies to Japan. Pictures of Japanese soldiers fighting along the Grachten of Amsterdam quickly spread around the world. The fairly quick defeat of continental Holland sparked disbelief as well as anger in the houses of parliament.
We have yet to see what Japans further plans regarding expansion are. Only the infamous emperor knows for sure.
Pictured below: Japanese Indonesia
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Chiang Kai Shek joins the Axis!
Nanjing, China, late 1938. Yesterday the leader of National China, Chiang Kai Shek, announced that China will be from now on part of the Axis. This move was entirely surprising, foreign politics experts say. Western democracies see this as a step back of China towards extreme autocracy, we will of course inform you about the latest developments in this case.
Bulgaria and Romania join Axis powers!
Bukarest/Sofia, Southeastern Europe, ealry 1939. Further additions to the Axis powers now include Bulgaria and Romania. Western leaders are displeased to see the axis powers to grow, in terms of IC, Army, Naval size as well as Airforce size. Imminent conflict is looming in Old Europe.
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Comparative Figures:
Army size
Axis
Allies
USA
Asian Alliance
Comintern
