I'm playing HOI 1.06C with normal/normal difficulty. Reactions and feedbacks are always welcome, since this is my first AAR 
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Chapter 1 – New Year’s Eve 1936th
Antonio Carmona entered the big room in Lisboa. Everything was fine, leading politicians at one place, celebrating a New Year’s Eve in National Palace. As Head of State, Carmona wanted to get their feedbacks about European’s future and Portugal’s place in it. Prime minister, A. Oliveira Solazar wished him welcome to elite party, but was very disappointed when he found out that Carmona wants to discuss about politics on this night.
Around 23:05, Carmona called for a brief meeting in Violet room in palace. He invited prime minister and members of his cabinet, military leaders, chiefs of staff, even the opposition. After 15 minutes of talking it was obvious that his idea is to start a buildup of military forces and try to capture every piece of land he can in next few years, as greatest party ever is going to start (World War II).
So, this were his decisions in last hour of 1935:
1. Improve industry in four colonial provinces (Nova Lisboa, Luanda, Bissau and Sao Tome)
2. Make changes in military forces, giving leadership of armies/corps/fleets to best generals/admirals.
3. Improve land doctrines and research armored forces.
4. Change few ministers.
In 1936, Portugal entered as “new” country, despite the fact that people don’t know about the changes, but Carmona explained that they will get information when the time is right. With only 2 infantry divisions, 1 bombers squadron, 1 submarine fleet, 2 destroyers fleets and 2 sea transports fleets it was obvious that they have to be improved, if Portugal wants to conquer new lands.
This was the ministers cabinet, just before New Year’s Eve:
Prime Minister – A. Oliveira Solazar
Foreign Minister – A. Oliveira Solazar (Ideological Crusader)
Armaments Minister – Raul Brandao (Resource Industrialist)
Minister of Security – Afonso Lucas (Silent Lawyer)
Minister of Intelligence – Pedro Teotonio Pereira (Dismal Enigma)
Chief of Staff – Tasso Miranda Cabral (School of Fire Support)
Chief of Army – J.A. Lobato Guerra (Guns & Butter Doctrine)
Chief of Navy – Jaime Afreixo (Base Control Doctrine)
Chief of Air – Manuel Gouveia (Vertical Envelopment Doctrine)
Portugal’s army:
Iberia Corps (under leadership of Field Marshal Norton Matos) - Lisboa
- Infantry division with artillery brigade attached – Batalhao de Artilleria
- Infantry division – Batalhao de Infantaria
Aereo do Portugal (under leadership of Mj. General Delgado) – Lisboa
- Pre-war tactical bomber squadron – Aviao de Bombardeiro Tatico
Transporte di Navio (under leadership of Vice Admiral Deus Tomas) – Porto di Lisboa
- Destroyer Flotilla (Douro Class) – Douro
- Destroyer Flotilla (Tamega Class) – Tamega
- Transport Flotilla – 1o de Transporte
- Transport Flotilla – 2o de Transporte
Delfimos (under leadership of Rear Admiral Teixeria) – Porto di Lisboa
- Submarine Flotilla (Delfim Class) – Delfim
So, in 1936, Portugal entered as a potential vulture, trying to get intelligence and use it smart way, grabbing some land in potential fight in Spanish Civil War, maybe some African crisis situation, or some minor country in SE Europe.
Antonio Carmona entered the big room in Lisboa. Everything was fine, leading politicians at one place, celebrating a New Year’s Eve in National Palace. As Head of State, Carmona wanted to get their feedbacks about European’s future and Portugal’s place in it. Prime minister, A. Oliveira Solazar wished him welcome to elite party, but was very disappointed when he found out that Carmona wants to discuss about politics on this night.
Around 23:05, Carmona called for a brief meeting in Violet room in palace. He invited prime minister and members of his cabinet, military leaders, chiefs of staff, even the opposition. After 15 minutes of talking it was obvious that his idea is to start a buildup of military forces and try to capture every piece of land he can in next few years, as greatest party ever is going to start (World War II).
So, this were his decisions in last hour of 1935:
1. Improve industry in four colonial provinces (Nova Lisboa, Luanda, Bissau and Sao Tome)
2. Make changes in military forces, giving leadership of armies/corps/fleets to best generals/admirals.
3. Improve land doctrines and research armored forces.
4. Change few ministers.
In 1936, Portugal entered as “new” country, despite the fact that people don’t know about the changes, but Carmona explained that they will get information when the time is right. With only 2 infantry divisions, 1 bombers squadron, 1 submarine fleet, 2 destroyers fleets and 2 sea transports fleets it was obvious that they have to be improved, if Portugal wants to conquer new lands.
This was the ministers cabinet, just before New Year’s Eve:
Prime Minister – A. Oliveira Solazar
Foreign Minister – A. Oliveira Solazar (Ideological Crusader)
Armaments Minister – Raul Brandao (Resource Industrialist)
Minister of Security – Afonso Lucas (Silent Lawyer)
Minister of Intelligence – Pedro Teotonio Pereira (Dismal Enigma)
Chief of Staff – Tasso Miranda Cabral (School of Fire Support)
Chief of Army – J.A. Lobato Guerra (Guns & Butter Doctrine)
Chief of Navy – Jaime Afreixo (Base Control Doctrine)
Chief of Air – Manuel Gouveia (Vertical Envelopment Doctrine)
Portugal’s army:
Iberia Corps (under leadership of Field Marshal Norton Matos) - Lisboa
- Infantry division with artillery brigade attached – Batalhao de Artilleria
- Infantry division – Batalhao de Infantaria
Aereo do Portugal (under leadership of Mj. General Delgado) – Lisboa
- Pre-war tactical bomber squadron – Aviao de Bombardeiro Tatico
Transporte di Navio (under leadership of Vice Admiral Deus Tomas) – Porto di Lisboa
- Destroyer Flotilla (Douro Class) – Douro
- Destroyer Flotilla (Tamega Class) – Tamega
- Transport Flotilla – 1o de Transporte
- Transport Flotilla – 2o de Transporte
Delfimos (under leadership of Rear Admiral Teixeria) – Porto di Lisboa
- Submarine Flotilla (Delfim Class) – Delfim
So, in 1936, Portugal entered as a potential vulture, trying to get intelligence and use it smart way, grabbing some land in potential fight in Spanish Civil War, maybe some African crisis situation, or some minor country in SE Europe.
Chapter 2 - Year 1936
Carmona woke up early, at 07:13, and immediately headed down to his office in National Palace. He was first who has arrived, only security was there all night long. He went to his office and did a few phone calls. Marcos Adriano was last one he ringed. Former chief of police was now in position of Carmona’s head of security and only person in which Carmona has full trust. They talked about several subjects, and at the end Carmona ordered Marcos Adriano to come down to the office. He was there in about 25 minutes.
First Adriano’s job was to engage his officers to track down and spy on some members of minister’s cabinet, just in case they are not for new changes from last night. Also, he contacted several his “friends” on high positions in Spain, France, UK and Germany trying to get some info about potential crisis. He found out that in Spain civil war is very close, as General Franco is gathering forces for revolutionary attack against Spanish leaders.
Around 22:00 Carmona called for another meeting with prime minister Solazar and his cabinet. They were talking about possibilities when Spanish civil war start and industrial changes. They agreed about researching light armored forces and close-combat bombers. In discussion, armaments minister, Brandao explained that Portugal’s industry is short of coal, iron and rubber, and its best to improve some more industry. Case closed, said Carmona, ordering Brandao to improve industry in Lisboa, Porto, Faro, Avora and Portalegre reducing current IC’s number to 18. Meeting finished at 23:15 and everyone was happy. Maybe Portugal can do something big in next few years.
Everything was peaceful in next few months. Researches for armored forces are being done with maximum speed, and Carmona was very pleased with progress.
Democratic elections in Spain went well on 17th of April, and nothing changed in politics of that country. Maybe Franco will attack now? Who knows, but Portugal army is ready and waiting for revolution on border with Spain in Porto.
On June, 26th Carmona and Solazar were really happy when they were watching basic light tanks prototypes. They ordered a design and production of Basic Light Tanks with 30mm Tank Guns.
July, 18th 1936 is the day when Franco began his operation starting a Spanish civil war. Carmona was delighted, but couldn’t decide which side he will attack first.
Meeting was called for 18:40 in Violet room in National palace. All ministers, chiefs of staff, navy, army and air, together with admirals and generals were there. Carmona opened meeting with short speech:
Today, generalissimo Franco and his troops started a civil war in Spain, our one and only neighbor. If we want to become a great nation, nation we were and will be, we must launch immediate attack. But, on which side? Our intelligence is saying that Republican Spain will get close to Soviets, and Nationalist Spain to Germans and other fascists. So, is it better to deal with Franco now, and then attack on Republicans? That is why I have asked you to come in this Violet room.
All possibilities were researched in past, and everyone was for attack on Franco. First of all, Portugal will get a status of peacemaking country, and after all if Portugal’s army deals with Republicans first, Nationalist Spain can get in alliance with Germany and Italy and then Portugal can’t attack them.
After four hours of discussion, field marshal Norton Matos got orders to attack Franco’s capital, Burgos. WAR HAS JUST BEGAN!!!
Carmona Fragosa, Portuguese general was leader of Batalhao de Infantaria, as Iberia Corps got split up. He was heading to unguarded Vigo, with Matos heading for Burgos with his Batalhao de Artilleria. It took 11 days for Fragosa to get into Vigo, while on the same day Matos retreated as our intelligence was saying that impressive Franco’s army of 11 division are heading towards Burgos. Carmona was in anticipation of Franco’s move as our two division started digging in Vigo and Porto. Delgado, air general got orders to bomb the hell out of Franco’s army, starting on August, 1st. Nationalist weren’t so good, as they lost Salamanca and Valladolid to Republican Spain’s army. So, our goal is to take Cordoba. Norton Matos got orders to move to Evora, and wait for good moment to start an assault. On September 10th, we lost control of Faro, but Fragosa was ordered to move south and launch an assault, while Matos was heading to Cordoba. Four days later Matos entered in Cordoba and our attack was triumphal. We were just waiting to see how will Fragosa deal with one Franco’s division in Faro. Fragosa launched his attack on Faro on September, 23rd, the same day we designed basic light tank. Production of one armored division started immediately. Day later we lost Porto to armored Franco’s troops, and it will be hard to get it back. But, first we will deal with division in Faro. On 27th, that division was completely annihilated and Fragosa decided to move north in case armored troops of Franco decide to attack Lisboa. Also Matos got orders to move to Portalegre and get Porto when Franco launch attack on Lisboa. Franco’s troops in Albacete will be attacked very soon by 2 Republican Spain’s division, that was the info Adriano got from his “friend” in Madrid. We lost Vigo also, and Franco’s state was only 3 towns big (Porto, Vigo and capital Burgos). On armaments meeting in Lisboa, it was decided to launch two-way assault on Porto and try to get it back. We were outnumber and had to retreat, so we digged in and started to wait what will happen. On November, 15th Franco launched one division attack on Lisboa, but Fragosa’s troops fight very well. That was the situation in 1936.
Carmona woke up early, at 07:13, and immediately headed down to his office in National Palace. He was first who has arrived, only security was there all night long. He went to his office and did a few phone calls. Marcos Adriano was last one he ringed. Former chief of police was now in position of Carmona’s head of security and only person in which Carmona has full trust. They talked about several subjects, and at the end Carmona ordered Marcos Adriano to come down to the office. He was there in about 25 minutes.
First Adriano’s job was to engage his officers to track down and spy on some members of minister’s cabinet, just in case they are not for new changes from last night. Also, he contacted several his “friends” on high positions in Spain, France, UK and Germany trying to get some info about potential crisis. He found out that in Spain civil war is very close, as General Franco is gathering forces for revolutionary attack against Spanish leaders.
Around 22:00 Carmona called for another meeting with prime minister Solazar and his cabinet. They were talking about possibilities when Spanish civil war start and industrial changes. They agreed about researching light armored forces and close-combat bombers. In discussion, armaments minister, Brandao explained that Portugal’s industry is short of coal, iron and rubber, and its best to improve some more industry. Case closed, said Carmona, ordering Brandao to improve industry in Lisboa, Porto, Faro, Avora and Portalegre reducing current IC’s number to 18. Meeting finished at 23:15 and everyone was happy. Maybe Portugal can do something big in next few years.
Everything was peaceful in next few months. Researches for armored forces are being done with maximum speed, and Carmona was very pleased with progress.
Democratic elections in Spain went well on 17th of April, and nothing changed in politics of that country. Maybe Franco will attack now? Who knows, but Portugal army is ready and waiting for revolution on border with Spain in Porto.
On June, 26th Carmona and Solazar were really happy when they were watching basic light tanks prototypes. They ordered a design and production of Basic Light Tanks with 30mm Tank Guns.
July, 18th 1936 is the day when Franco began his operation starting a Spanish civil war. Carmona was delighted, but couldn’t decide which side he will attack first.
Meeting was called for 18:40 in Violet room in National palace. All ministers, chiefs of staff, navy, army and air, together with admirals and generals were there. Carmona opened meeting with short speech:
Today, generalissimo Franco and his troops started a civil war in Spain, our one and only neighbor. If we want to become a great nation, nation we were and will be, we must launch immediate attack. But, on which side? Our intelligence is saying that Republican Spain will get close to Soviets, and Nationalist Spain to Germans and other fascists. So, is it better to deal with Franco now, and then attack on Republicans? That is why I have asked you to come in this Violet room.
All possibilities were researched in past, and everyone was for attack on Franco. First of all, Portugal will get a status of peacemaking country, and after all if Portugal’s army deals with Republicans first, Nationalist Spain can get in alliance with Germany and Italy and then Portugal can’t attack them.
After four hours of discussion, field marshal Norton Matos got orders to attack Franco’s capital, Burgos. WAR HAS JUST BEGAN!!!
Carmona Fragosa, Portuguese general was leader of Batalhao de Infantaria, as Iberia Corps got split up. He was heading to unguarded Vigo, with Matos heading for Burgos with his Batalhao de Artilleria. It took 11 days for Fragosa to get into Vigo, while on the same day Matos retreated as our intelligence was saying that impressive Franco’s army of 11 division are heading towards Burgos. Carmona was in anticipation of Franco’s move as our two division started digging in Vigo and Porto. Delgado, air general got orders to bomb the hell out of Franco’s army, starting on August, 1st. Nationalist weren’t so good, as they lost Salamanca and Valladolid to Republican Spain’s army. So, our goal is to take Cordoba. Norton Matos got orders to move to Evora, and wait for good moment to start an assault. On September 10th, we lost control of Faro, but Fragosa was ordered to move south and launch an assault, while Matos was heading to Cordoba. Four days later Matos entered in Cordoba and our attack was triumphal. We were just waiting to see how will Fragosa deal with one Franco’s division in Faro. Fragosa launched his attack on Faro on September, 23rd, the same day we designed basic light tank. Production of one armored division started immediately. Day later we lost Porto to armored Franco’s troops, and it will be hard to get it back. But, first we will deal with division in Faro. On 27th, that division was completely annihilated and Fragosa decided to move north in case armored troops of Franco decide to attack Lisboa. Also Matos got orders to move to Portalegre and get Porto when Franco launch attack on Lisboa. Franco’s troops in Albacete will be attacked very soon by 2 Republican Spain’s division, that was the info Adriano got from his “friend” in Madrid. We lost Vigo also, and Franco’s state was only 3 towns big (Porto, Vigo and capital Burgos). On armaments meeting in Lisboa, it was decided to launch two-way assault on Porto and try to get it back. We were outnumber and had to retreat, so we digged in and started to wait what will happen. On November, 15th Franco launched one division attack on Lisboa, but Fragosa’s troops fight very well. That was the situation in 1936.
Welcome! I applaud your bravery as english does not seem to be your first language, but you've done well so far...keep up the good work.
Cool game concept. Playing the vulture can be quite interesting sometimes. Sounds like Franco may have been a bit more powerful than you thought. Rooting for your victory! If you can survive this, I recommend taking Vichy France if / when it happens...lots of territory barely defended...(with nice resources )
Cool game concept. Playing the vulture can be quite interesting sometimes. Sounds like Franco may have been a bit more powerful than you thought. Rooting for your victory! If you can survive this, I recommend taking Vichy France if / when it happens...lots of territory barely defended...(with nice resources
)