The Atrocity- A British AAR

[hamsterwaffle]

Despite having been on these forums for quite a while, I only signed up recently and don't post much but I reckon I can just about manage an AAR so here goes. I will try to update as often as I can. Also because of my general distaste for playing historically, there will be a rather long prologue explaining the state of the world in 1936.

Prologue Chapter I

January 1936- A classified location- The Prime Minister of The United Kingdom solemnly approached the microphone, he had wanted to be PM for so long but now it was thrust upon him by a means that no man should endure and he didn't want to be PM any more. But regardless of personal feelings, he realised that King and Country needed him and that after the atrocity that these devils had inflicted upon his nation, the only response was WAR.

 

[unmerged(191057)]

Who are the mysterious devils?

 

[hamsterwaffle]

(Just for reference italics mean thinking rather than speaking)

Prologue Chapter II

April 1932- A basement in Paris- The French Red Faction rose to their feet to sing*
Proles of the world we shall unite
Rise up and ready for the fight
Soon or late the day will be
When states have fallen and we are free
Soon or late the day will be
When states have fallen and we are free

Though our lives be full of misery
Our limbs be tired and worn
Our dreams will not be broken
And our hearts will not be torn
Our dreams will not be broken
And our hearts will not be torn


The Commander of the French Red Army looked at his fellow conspirators, “I doubt these fools could even overthrow a table, let alone the financial government that plagues the world, I suppose it’s lucky they have a true revolutionary who has seen war before on their side” he continued to survey them, a motley crew of power hungry lunatics, backstabbing weasels and self interested fools, but then a young bearded man entered the room who caught his eye “By God…er who doesn’t exist…..that cannot be who I think it is” he quickly reached for his bag and pulled out a copy of ACTION!, the British Fascist newspaper, or ‘the funnies’ as he called it “by the righteous spirit of the international working class…it is”. This man, who’s presence here both filled the him with dread and curiosity walked over to him, “Greetings Commander Trotsky, I feel we may be able to help each other”
*With thanks to Animal Farm for the song

 

[trekaddict]

War against France? Yay! Roll out the White Ensign!

 

[hamsterwaffle]

Zeldar155: That is indeed quite a question
Trekaddict: Perhaps, but perhaps not, there is still quite a while left of this prologue.
Also quick preview before I post the next Chapter tomorrow

Prologue Chapter III
March 1932- British Union of Fascists, Imperialists and Corporatists Headquarters- Oswald Mosley was furious. “HAVE YOU LOST COMPLETE USE OF YOUR SENSES?”

 

[unmerged(191057)]

French communists plotting and a raging Oswald Mosley, What could be happening!

 

[Le Jones]

Who are the mysterious devils?

The French - it's bound to be the French. And with the 18th of June looming...

 

[trekaddict]

Indeed. As Sir Humphrey Appleby said, the reason for all british defence spending is still right across the Channel

 

[El Pip]

The French - it's bound to be the French. And with the 18th of June looming...

Time to confess my ignorance. What is the significance of the 18th of June 1932?

That aside I'm going to be contrary and make a wild guess at it not being France but in fact someone else who the French Communists have framed for the atrocity. As to who, I think Belgium if for no other reason than it would be amusing.

 

[Tigey]

England Expects...

 

[Le Jones]

Time to confess my ignorance. What is the significance of the 18th of June 1932?

That aside I'm going to be contrary and make a wild guess at it not being France but in fact someone else who the French Communists have framed for the atrocity. As to who, I think Belgium if for no other reason than it would be amusing.

Sorry, I meant the 18th of June generally - Waterloo Day and all that...

 

[Davout]

Time to confess my ignorance. What is the significance of the 18th of June 1932?

La bataille de Mont St Jean.

 

[El Pip]

La bataille de Mont St Jean.

That didn't actually happen in 1932, unless we are to be treated to a zombie spectacular where the 'Atrocity' in question is France raising Napoleon from the dead in defiance of the rules of man and god. However I suspect it will be something a tad more sensible than that.

 

[hamsterwaffle]

Having realised that this prologue is even longer than I expected, I've decided to post two of the chapters in one go today.

Prologue Chapter III

March 1932- British Union of Fascists, Imperialists and Corporatists Headquarters- Oswald Mosley was furious. “HAVE YOU LOST COMPLETE USE OF YOUR SENSES?”
“OH COME ON USE YOUR BRAIN!” The young bearded man retorted “If France falls to the Communists the people will look the us the stop Britain doing the same. It's the only way we are ever going to be able to get anywhere near power and be able to sort this country out, plus who gives a damn about some froggy aristocrats having their horses stolen?”
“I think that piece we had the newspaper do on you has gone to your head, ‘A true fascist’ HA!”
“Well I think that you spent a little too much time in the Labour party to be able to see sense and I also think that without me you would have simply been a footnote in history, what the hell kind of success do you imagine ‘The New Party’ would have had? Also what kind of name is that? Are you five years old?!?”
William Joyce entered the room “You weren’t going to have a fight an’ not invite me were you?”
“No of course not Joyce, we could hardly have a brawl without our Chief Blackshirt. Mosley and I were simply having a frank and open exchange of ideas on the pros and cons of me taking my fist and ramming it into his head until he sees sense”
“Really? I knew some of you Jews were okay”
“No of course not, you idiot!” Mosley barked “This idiot wants to help the Commies take control in France”
“Why the hell would you want that? Typical Bolshy Jew!”
“Oh shut it Joyce” The bearded man retorted “Witty aren't I” he thought to himself, “Think about it, if France goes red, the British people will turn to us to protect them as well as turning away from Oswald’s old friends the reds”
“That might just be crazy enough to work, plus if it fails I can always have your job and Oswald here might be able to get a normal blood pressure”
“Fine, but if this fails you are finished as far as the party is concerned”

Prologue Chapter IV

April 1932- A basement in Paris- “Why in the world would you want to help us?” Trotsky asked, genuinely perplexed for once.
“First allow me to introduce myself to those of you who may not be aware of who I am. I am Maximillian Stewart, Owner of Stewart Radio and Deputy Leader of the British Union of Fascists, Imperialists and Corporati..”
“That is all when and good, but tell us why you want to help us?” Trotsky, demanded, with a thinly veiled hint of anger.
“Well, I feel that our two sides have got off on a bad foot, I mean we all want the same thing really. You just use the word ‘people’s’ while we use ‘national’. We all recognise the failure of the modern capitalist system to look after the worse off and finally I feel it is good to have a strong France standing between Germany and the English channel, lest that vile anti-semite Hitler and his so called ‘National Socialists’ gain power.”
Trotsky was shocked, this man was clearly a fool who had misunderstood what communism was and he also probably thought that the world revolution Trotsky was aiming for wouldn’t apply to him and his vast fortune “Nevermind his ignorance” Trotsky thought “This fools money might just be what’s needed to liberate France from the capitalist yolk” “I agree with you on the latter, Hitler is so abhorrent that perhaps we may need to work together, what are you offering?”
“Well, thanks to the American congress passing it’s own Radio Act last year, I am left with more money than I have any idea what to do with, as well as a wide array of contacts within that vile colonial government, I will be able to provide you with enough US army equipment to ensure success, as well as funds to pay your soldiers”
“And what do you want in return?”
“Well I don’t know, I will be more than happy to have placed a decent military force in between myself and Hitler, but perhaps the exclusive rights to produce Radios for France after the revolution would be an adequate reward for aiding your struggle?”
“So that is his game, typical capitalist, always looking to enrich himself in all situations” “Sounds fair” Trotsky said sending a look to his fellow revolutionaries as if to say “And the Pope is going to be Minister for Transport too!”

If anyone has any problems reading the colour scheme please tell me as well as any other criticisms you may have.

 

[El Pip]

Assuming those two scenes are related and it was Stewart talking to Moseley before hand he's a cunning bugger, as the old advice goes "Once someone thinks they're superior to you they're childishly easy to manipulate". Trotsky has just been played like a cheap violin.

 

[hamsterwaffle]

Because I'm not fully happy with the chapter after this one, I've decided to post an extended version of Prologue Chapter V to make up for the delay (which shouldn't be more than two or three days).

Prologue Chapter V

April 1933- Prime Ministers office in Rome- “Magnifico” Il Duce said gripping the newspaper , “It would appear that the world has once more began to emulate our greatness”
“But my Duce, only the German National Socialists have managed to secure a majority, the British Fascists came second and have been kept out of government by a coalition of the Liberals and Conservatives.”
“Bah, don’t ruin my fun, this calls for a party, invite our British comrades that we might celebrate the British peoples awakening to Fascism”
“What of the National Socialists?”
“PFFTTT, those clowns? Just because they may copy my salute and title doesn’t mean they are any fun. Plus do you really want to spend an evening hearing about their ‘racial superiority’? I think not, especially considering their ‘superior’ ancestors were running around naked worshipping fire while we were creating civilisation and conquering the greatest empire the world has ever seen!”
“I’ll get right on it my Duce”

May 1933- The Prime Ministerial Palace in Rome- “Ah Signore Joyce, Signore Stewart, is this not wonderful? Are not the PNF the party who can throw a party?”
“Ah yes....err... wunderbar!” Joyce responded, resulting in Il Duce looking rather perplexed and Stewart having to try in vain to conceal his laughter
“It is rather unfortunate that your Duce was unable to attend, it is most tragic about his wife”
“Yes, but the tragedy aside, we are here to celebrate a victory for Fascism” Stewart said, desperate to prevent Mosley’s bereavement ruining the evening “and so I propose we celebrate the only way a red blooded man can celebrate, by drinking enough alcohol to kill a bull elephant and then showing the ladies how little we are affected by it”
“Not to mention heading over to the French embassy and beating the crap outta that commie ambassador” Joyce butted in, finally speaking about something he was knowledgeable about.
“If only I had more real men like you in the Italian party, most of them are a bunch of sycophantic weak men waiting for me to give them orders”
“As Oswald would assure you if he were here, I am anything but a sycophant, but onwards, the night is young and so are the ladies at this party, where do you get them all?”
“That is the thing about Power, women go wild for it, that and uniforms.”
“Benito, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”

May 1933- ???- “Anyone know where we are?” Stewart groaned.
“I believe I can narrow it down to Earth, although don’t quote me on that” Mussolini responded
“It looks like a field” Joyce said with some sense of pride, “Also I’m pretty sure we had a good night last night”
“Why?”
“My knuckles hurt and I‘m pretty sure Benny‘s trousers are on back to front”
“Well I suppose we better get looking for some way home”
*Some time passes*
“EXCUSE ME SIR!” Max shouted as politely as he could, “Would you mind telling me where we are?”
“Je ne parle pas anglais, vous Rosbif sale” The man responded with disgust
“Well that settles it, we are in France”
“Why? Was that French”
“No idea, but I can smell the garlic on him from here”
“Why would we have come to France?” Max pondered before looking around and noticing a sign. “Ahh Corsica, I remember, we decided to invade, a pity someone forgot the army”
“We should probably try and find a boat and sail to Sardinia, we can get a ferry back to Rome from there, plus I’m pretty sure I have a meeting or something”
“D'arrêt, où sont tes papiers?” A lone “People’s Liberation policeman” shouted.
“Any ideas?” Max asked
“Yeah I’ve one…” Joyce replied before punching the policeman in the face “….RUN!”

 

[hamsterwaffle]

I dunno if it's just me, but this reader would be glad if the colouring of the text remained a bit less schizoid, otherwise I can find myself loosing my marbles sooner than expected.

Or that's the atrocity we're atalking about?

Apologies with regards to the colouring, it was meant to show which character was talking and so remove the need for constant "X said", I'll leave all text the same colour for the next Chapter and depending upon the number of deaths threats I get for doing that I will either leave it or revert to the coloured thing.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Glad to help. Or you could also use the old trick of stating the name of the character before going to his/her/its tirade, e.g.

MOSLEY: We'll defeat the Syndies!
CHAMBERLAIN: SyNdIeZ, SyNdIeZ eVeRyWhEre!!!!

Sorry, I couldn't refrain myself...

 

[hamsterwaffle]

Penultimate prologue chapter time.

Prologue Chapter VI

September 1933- Peoples Palace of Paris- The other Leaders of the 4th International entered the room and found Trotsky sat, reading.
Norbert Barlicki: So what is the plan?
Trotsky didn't even look away from his book.
Norbert Barlicki: Comrade, what is the plan?
Leon Trotsky: You two will return to your countries and await delivery of the weapons provided by Comrade Browder’s contacts in the corrupt United States’ congress. Upon delivery you are to use them to seize your respective capitals and establish glorious People’s Republics like we have here in France. Comrade Barlicki, you must seize power rapidly to prevent that son of a bitch Stalin intervening, we all know his involvement corrupts our beloved communist system and even now he displays Comrade Lenins corpse like a trophy. Comrade Johnson, after you and Comrade Barlicki have attained power, you are then to execute Operation: Red Dawn. Once I reach word of it’s success I shall mobilise the People’s Liberation Army to keep to British from responding, they always did prefer a war with France to a war with…well pretty much anyone really. Comrades, you all have work to do, goodbye, long live the revolution and let us hope that I might actually be allowed to read this book without further interruptions.

Febuary 1934- Peoples Palace of Paris- Leon Trotsky was rather displeased.
Leon Trotsky: WHAT?!?!?!
Maurice Thorez: Poland has joined the COMINTERN.
Leon Trotsky: DAMMIT! Why on Earth would he do that?
Maurice Thorez: Stalin agreed to cede Poland it's claims, Russian troops have entered Poland and are helping building fortifications.

Before

After

Leon Trotsky: GOD DAMN THAT MAN!
Maurice Thorez: Comrade Barlicki always was a slippery bastard
Leon Trotsky: Not Barlicki Thorez you idiot. I MEANT STALIN! Must he ruin everything I do? I swear I will cut out his lungs and send them in the post to his mother
Maurice Thorez: At least Comrade Johnson has remained loyal, and Comrade Browder has shown no sign of Stalinist tendencies
Leon Trotsky: True, although if that fool Browder ever topples the United State of Corruption, I will personally run through the streets of Paris naked not to mention his pacifism meaning that when the final war comes he’s likely to just sit it out, typical American. Johnson is still stuck in the middle of a civil war his incompetence managed to start, sometimes I doubt he will even win.

What do you reckon? Is it easier to read in this format?

 

[unmerged(191057)]

Oh dear! I thought Trotsky was a friendly communist