Red Curtain Rising

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Facts :

Soviet Union AAR
scenario : 1939 version 1.05 (unmodified/uneditied)
objectives : defeat Germany (of course) and bring as much glory to the communist way as possible (of course)
difficulty : very hard
aggersion : furious

 

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Editors Introduction

World War Two. An event so horrible, so terrible, that it still affects the world we live in today. Even after sixty years, the events that happened in the early 1940's are still fresh in the memories of those who lived through them. War had never been fought in such a way, even the horrors of the great war pale when compared to the war that began way back, in September of 1939.

Every side has its own view as to what is truely the cause of this war that destroyed so many lives, in and outside of Europe. In many places of the world, especially here in America, World War Two is considered a war of nazi aggression. Would this be the same if Hitler had succeeded in his mad plan? who can tell.

What we do know is that, when all looked dark for the fate of Europe, a bright spark rose in the east. The Soviet Union rose up to meet this challenge, and stopped the invading panzer's in their tracks. The war began to turn against Germany, and soon Hitler would start to grow desperate.

The man responsible for stopping the German onslaught of the Soviet Union, and conquering all of Russia : Field Marshal Zhukov. In the pages that follow is his diary, from the begining of the war to its very final days, in its first English translation. Zhukov tells a masterful tail, enabling us to experience first hand what it must of been like in those first trying months when the Germans broke the truce. Zhukov is a man of iron will, clearly a true representative of what the communist ideal can be at its shining moments. But, let me not waste any more time, because in the next pages you will discover this for yourself. So, I present to you Zhukov's own diary, in its first Enlish publication : Red Curtain Rising

 

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Chapter I : The Begining of the End

September 1st, 1939
There is a word that has been on the tongue of every sole in Europe for half a decade now. It is a word that strikes fear in the weak, and brings out greatness in the strong. It is a word as old as life itself. It is a word that is about to change the lives of many, those that live through it that is. The word is War!

September 15th, 1939
Germany is on the move. Nazi tanks are rolling over Polish defenses with unheard of easy. In scarely two weeks, German is in full control of half the nation of Poland. Not that Poland was expected to put up much resistance, but the way the nazi's attack, first plane then tank then troops, it is devastating to even the most entrenched positions. I swear that none shall hear this from my lips, but Russia is lucky for her truce with Germany. The army of the defender of communism is mighty, but she needs time to grow. We are but a young man, full of high hopes and big potential, while Germany is an aged veteran, currently at her mightest moment. I just hope this peace last long enough that we shall have time to grow, for time is on our side.

Stalin has kept me busy since the outbreak of war. The westerners have always kept a close eye on our Soviet Union, meddling in our afairs as only capitalist can meddle! But now they are busy, too busy to be concerned with what happens in the east. While they scrambled to set up fortifications in France and send what little aid they could to Poland, we have made our move. In fact, I write this very day on the return trip from the Baltic shore. We rolled Russian tanks, bearing the red star of communism down their wide avenues. No resistance did we met, these weaklings submitted at the very sight of our strength. The small nation of Lithuania is still yet to be opressed into our glorious union, but I leave this duty in the hands of one of my capable underlings while I press on south for more ergent matters. Stalin has deemed that the Rumanians have been a throne in our side long enough, and I go now to convert them to our ways by any means nessecary, for Russia has declared war against this tiny nation.

October 1st, 1939
One month has passed since war began. First the Germans, and now us. With the unsupectedly passive annexation of the Baltic nations, I was anxious to arrive in the south. A general of Soviet blood is only truely happy in battle, when he, and his men, risk all for the glory of the motherland. my 1st Red Army and Blucher's 2nd Red Army took Chisinau with relative ease. Unfortunately for my plans, the 3rd and 4th Red Armies were turned at Beltsy, so our two commands turned north, to attack the weakened Rumanians in Beltsy before they could fully recover. I ordered the 5th Red Army to move up from Odessa to take over our formerly held positions in Chisinau. That gave me 59 divisions either inside Rumania or at the border, with only one division lost in the 4th Red at Beltsy. After my victory against the remaining Rumanians there, we had already met and beaten the majority of the their army, and while the 3rd and 4th would be in the rear for a while, I see no more set backs along the way to Bucuresti. Once their capital is in my hands the Rumanians will have no choice but to surrender to our greater forces.

October 23rd, 1939
In the palace at Bucuresti, news has reached me that Lithuania has finally backed down and agreed to become one of our grand socialist republics. This very much pleased me, I was begining to fear I might have to leave my cuzy acomodations here in the palace to see to matters myself. As it is, Stalin has ordered that one Soviet army stay in Rumania, as sort of a deterent to any who think to destabalize the new communist government in place. Also, this nation makes for a useful staging point for any future wars in Europe. What, and where, those wars may be I have no clue. I am simply a warrior, put on this earth to fight. When the supreme leader decides I go to battle, I shall with all my heart, untill then I shall prepare for the worst.

As of a few days now, Germany, or the Axis as the nazi's call their alliance, has invaded the dutch nations of Belgium and the Netherlands. Adding these nations to the list of enemies my prove to slow down the nazi advance, as it did in the first world war. Reports have come to me of negotiations between Hitler and Mussolini, and I think that if the war goes well for Germany in France, Italy will join sides in an attempt to reap as much of the spoils as it can. Some things change, but Italians never do.

Soon, I shall move from the capital of the newest communist nation, back to my headquatres in Moscow. The military has much to do. In the west there can only be one winner, and Russia needs to be strong enough to face whatever dangers this victory might bring. But, for now, the union is at peace, if peace can be found with such chaos in the world of late. Rumanian is conquered, and I am to return home to a heros welcome, rightfully deserved I must say.

 

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Chapter II : Fallout in the West

December 9th, 1939
The Russian winter is full apon us. It makes my tasks more difficult, but progress is coming quicker than expected. The men are proud, happy to be serving in such a glorious army. The pilots have been organized into capable groups: the bombers with their fighter escorts and then the fighter groups, charged with defending Russian skies. The last two months has sceen much progress in the Soviet Union, progress that will make all the difference in the coming years if my worries come to be realities.

Germany has achieved almost a total victory in the west. Belgium, Netherlands, and even small Luxemburg have not been spared from the German wrath, even with the help of its powerful allies France and Great Britian. Even worse, the German advance did not stop there. Panzer tanks have beaten back French forces and now rumble through the streets of Paris. Germany has achieved a greater victory in the last three months than it has in the last fifty years. The French still fight on, but word is expected any day of a formal surrender. Britian declares it shall continue this war, no matter the fate of the French, and Germany seems inclined to do its part also. We easterners are uninvolved, but for how much longer I can not say. Leaders in Moscow push Stalin to act, most of them want to join the nazi side, inorder to spare Russia the same fate as France. Stalin has made his attempts, but from what I can tell, Hitler remains aloof. He claims he has no dispute with the Russians, but this is a man who can not be trusted. Stalin has put all the faith of the Soviet people in my hands, intrusting me that we shall be ready for anything. I plan to do the best I can in my task. Our fate, and my life, depends on it.

January 1st, 1940
A new year brings ill news. France is defeated, with just a few straggling forces, scattered around the globe. A new government, seperate from Paris, now rules in Vichy. This government is loyal to the nazis as one, just as the Rumanians are loyal to us. Britian has put full efforts into preventing a nazi invasion. I see little hope for the British, but I would take more joy from their defeat than from even a nazi defeat.

Rumanian has caved to Soviet demands, and now officers in their military are to accept Soviet commands as if they came from the Rumanian capital itself. Field Marshal Shapostnikov, commander of the 5th Red Army, has been give command of the 31 Rumanian divisions I now command. Our forces now exceed over 200 divisions, with each side growing more powerful by the day. Soon I shall command to most powerful army ever heard of in the history of man.

January 19th, 1940
I have spent the last 12 hours going over reports. Something bothers me, its a feeling I have felt before, one a soldier learns to trust. Germany is supposed to be preparing to launch an all-out assualt against the British Isles. Or so thats what the world expects. My spies report that Germany has moved in 40 new divisions along the border our two great nations share. If Germany was planing to attack Great Britian, these men would be needed. If Germany wasn't planing to attack, it would make sense to keep them along the English Channel, incase of a British invasion. The only reason to move these men away from the front lines would be because they were needed somewhere else. I trust my spies, I trust myself, and I dont trust Hitler. All signs are pointing to one thing, but all I can do is prepare for the worst. The only incuraging news I've heard in weeks is that Mussolini is irate with not being allowed any spoils from France, and though my spies say an alliance is soon to come, one has not formed yet.

Febuary 18th, 1940
Hitler seems to have gone mad. German troops move freely along the border now, no longer hidden from my observers view. What he is up to I dare not try to guess, otherwise I shall leave myself vulnerable. I must prepare for everything, and yet nothing at the same time. Our border is secure, we have no weaknesses. It could be that he has rethought his plan once he saw no chance for swift victory here in the Soviet Union. We are not weak like the men of the west. We are as harsh as the winter, and unbreakable as an iceberg. It seems to be hard times for the people of the Soviet Union, because it is taking much effort to keep things civilized. My attempt to prepare the military through massive recruitments and modernize it with the best equipment have been slowed because of this. Stalin wishes to be able to defend his people, but he also knows how dangerous the people can be if provoked. Therefore, for now, military spending is second on his mind.

 

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Chapter III : A Traitor Exposed

April 8th, 1940
The Word spread from Lenningrad to Moscow, and Moscow to Stalingrad like a cold, arctic wind. German tanks had crossed the border a day earlier, Hitler had betray the truce. Word also came that Stalin has ordered me to Moscow at once for a briefing. I do not like the idea, but since the base of my command in Minsk is only a few days travel by train it shouldn't be long before I return to set order to things. Along with the message came a note from Stalin himself. He has finally agreed to construct the three tank divisions I have been asking for for almost a year now. Why he does this now, when Russian scientist say they are close to completing the research on a newer and better tank, is beside me. I shall soon meet these Germans, along with their Slovak and Hungarian allies, in the battlefield. I fear them not, Russians can endure. We face more danger in one winter than these Berliners have seen in their entire lives. We shall prevail, this I am sure of.

April 23rd, 1940 .
Reports of the first land battle arrived today. The battle for Memel ended in failure. both sides recieved heavy loses, but German reinforcements arrived in time to repell the attack. I have never heard of such a failure in my time in the army. The 8th, 9th, 15th, 7th, and 6th Red Armies were still not enough to take the city. These men are in retreat, and likely will not be able to hold if their positions are assualted. I will now have to spread the lines thin in order to cover all the areas while they regroup. These commanders are lucky to have their lives after such a failure!

News to the south is much better. Hungary is in the retreat, with Rumanian commands soon to assualt the capital. Slovakia fares no better. I am going to attempt to push hard to the south, hoping to force the Germans to divert their troops and be as thinly spread as us for the time being. This Memel failure is upsetting, but will not prevent us from teaching the world what happens to those who try to take advantage of Soviets.

May 16th, 1940
Today is at once the best day and worst day of the war. Russia faced almost sure defeat, and I face sure death, when the 4th, 10th, and 16th Reds become trapped by German forces. The 33 divisions that make up those armies were barely ably to ford the river to Grodno, the 13th Red Army arriving just in time to make sure they could cross safely. Losing 3 armies in one battle might of hurt our plans to the point of no recovery.

Its been over a month now, and the Germans have impress me thus far. Their allies were weak and have been totally defeat, with their lands going to our sister nation Rumania, but the nazi armies are armed well and trained well. Russia must fight more defensive, my troops can not match the firepower of our enemy. I have blundered, but that can be marked up as testing the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy. Any more mistakes as the one that just happened and I don't doubt a visit from one of Stalins men, redeploying me somewhere deep in Siberia. The one thing saving me respect right now is that as weak as we look in the north, the Germans look just as weak in the south. If only I had more men, or more capable men, I could exploit this and be sitting in Berlin in a month. But, be it as it is, I must stay stationed, and cover the retreat of my commanders. The Germans have left Memel undefended, and this time there will be no stoping us from taking it.

 

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this part soon to come...