This is my first AAR so please be gentle 
Any comments, feedback or ideas gratefully received.
I am playing 1.05c with the AI Tech Sharing Mod and the No Time Limit mod.
I cannot write, not even letters to friends, but I want to write my story as much for you to read it as for me to understand it. Lets kick off shall we?
Firstly a little history:
New Zealand was granted its dominion status in 1907 and since then has remained linked closely both with it's mother country Britain and it's larger neighbour Australia. In fact New Zealand's experiences mirrored those of Australia in many ways, New Zealanders served in the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and fought with great distinction from Flanders to Gallipoli to Egypt and Turkey. As a result they took disproportionate casualties for such a small nation with over 18,000 of an original overseas force of 100,000 killed in action. Nevertheless they earned a reputation for ferocity in battle which has never faded. By the 1930's the Great Depression hit New Zealand's economy hard with export prices plummeting and lay-offs soaring. By 1935 despite the best efforts of the National Party to remedy the situation New Zealand's economy was in shambles and the Labour party was brought to power as a result.
For immediate release:
1st January 1936. Wellington New Zealand.
The newly installed Labour government announced today that they would stand firm with the Britain and other allied countries against any fascist agression.
:Communique ends:
Meanwhile, in a seedy Cuba St drinking den Communist Party officials are drinking vodka and planning the overthrow of the government. And in an even seedier Vivian drinking den members of the nascent Fascist Party of New Zealand are dreaming of jackboots and military parades.
Will New Zealand proudly fulfuil her commonwealth duties and stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Britain and Australia? Or is a darker future just around the corner? These are troubling times my friend, both Communists and Fascists have supporters at all levels of government who knows what awaits.......
'Gentlemen, I would like to call to order this inaugral cabinet meeting. I believe William has some news for us regarding the future of our armed forces, William will you start us off please?'
'Most certainly sir, as you all know the situation in Europe seems to be deteriorating, intelligence sources suggest that the Spanish nationalists grow stronger, Hitler and Mussolini are making expansionist noises and Stalin would also seem to be a threat, we need to modernise our forces'
Walter Nash interrupts
'But as you know William, the government coffers are almost empty, unemployment is running high and I'm sure the population wouldn't support any more foolish European ventures at the moment!'
'Exactly Walter, but after my recent trip to Whitehall it would seem the Poms are looking into this new theory of Mechanised Warfare. I have a arranged with their top brass that we should share any military innovations amongst ourselves, for our mutual benefit so to speak. I have also arranged for Dr. Calkins at Otage University, who is currently investigating our medical services, to share his research with the Brits, I believe he is close to making a breakthrough in the area of in the field blood transfusions. In return they will pass on any new technologies or doctrines they should discover on a six monthly basis.'
'Very good William, do you have any further news'
'Yes sir, I believe we should disband our Cavalry divisions, I don't see them having any place on the battlefield of the future, plus our farmers are in need of new horses'
Again Walter Nash interrupts,
'Now this I like, it'll tie in nicely with the new industry modernisation standards I signed this morning!'
The meeting continues until morning tea, William and Walter both emerged happy.
For immediate release:
5th January 1936. Wellington New Zealand.
Today is a sad day, the government announced the disbanding of 1st and 2nd Mounted Rifle divisions. With their proud history this is truly a shock. Rumour has it the government means to replace them with new Motorised Infantry divisions.
On a happier note, the new government has announced a huge industry modernisation drive, this is expected to increase the industrial capacity in the provinces of Auckland, Hamilton, Gisborne, Wellington and Christchurch.
:Communique ends:
Thus the year of 1936 began, and was strangely boring. The industry modernisation occured and the cavalry regiments were disbanded. Over the course of the year New Zealand received many military innovations not only from Britain, but from all corners of the empire. Nash's reforms improved the economy. The country avoids any involvement in the Spanish Civil war (which the Republicans won). All was well in the land of the long white cloud.
more to follow soon......
Any comments, feedback or ideas gratefully received.I am playing 1.05c with the AI Tech Sharing Mod and the No Time Limit mod.
I cannot write, not even letters to friends, but I want to write my story as much for you to read it as for me to understand it. Lets kick off shall we?
Firstly a little history:
New Zealand was granted its dominion status in 1907 and since then has remained linked closely both with it's mother country Britain and it's larger neighbour Australia. In fact New Zealand's experiences mirrored those of Australia in many ways, New Zealanders served in the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and fought with great distinction from Flanders to Gallipoli to Egypt and Turkey. As a result they took disproportionate casualties for such a small nation with over 18,000 of an original overseas force of 100,000 killed in action. Nevertheless they earned a reputation for ferocity in battle which has never faded. By the 1930's the Great Depression hit New Zealand's economy hard with export prices plummeting and lay-offs soaring. By 1935 despite the best efforts of the National Party to remedy the situation New Zealand's economy was in shambles and the Labour party was brought to power as a result.
For immediate release:
1st January 1936. Wellington New Zealand.
The newly installed Labour government announced today that they would stand firm with the Britain and other allied countries against any fascist agression.
:Communique ends:
Meanwhile, in a seedy Cuba St drinking den Communist Party officials are drinking vodka and planning the overthrow of the government. And in an even seedier Vivian drinking den members of the nascent Fascist Party of New Zealand are dreaming of jackboots and military parades.
Will New Zealand proudly fulfuil her commonwealth duties and stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Britain and Australia? Or is a darker future just around the corner? These are troubling times my friend, both Communists and Fascists have supporters at all levels of government who knows what awaits.......
'Gentlemen, I would like to call to order this inaugral cabinet meeting. I believe William has some news for us regarding the future of our armed forces, William will you start us off please?'
'Most certainly sir, as you all know the situation in Europe seems to be deteriorating, intelligence sources suggest that the Spanish nationalists grow stronger, Hitler and Mussolini are making expansionist noises and Stalin would also seem to be a threat, we need to modernise our forces'
Walter Nash interrupts
'But as you know William, the government coffers are almost empty, unemployment is running high and I'm sure the population wouldn't support any more foolish European ventures at the moment!'
'Exactly Walter, but after my recent trip to Whitehall it would seem the Poms are looking into this new theory of Mechanised Warfare. I have a arranged with their top brass that we should share any military innovations amongst ourselves, for our mutual benefit so to speak. I have also arranged for Dr. Calkins at Otage University, who is currently investigating our medical services, to share his research with the Brits, I believe he is close to making a breakthrough in the area of in the field blood transfusions. In return they will pass on any new technologies or doctrines they should discover on a six monthly basis.'
'Very good William, do you have any further news'
'Yes sir, I believe we should disband our Cavalry divisions, I don't see them having any place on the battlefield of the future, plus our farmers are in need of new horses'
Again Walter Nash interrupts,
'Now this I like, it'll tie in nicely with the new industry modernisation standards I signed this morning!'
The meeting continues until morning tea, William and Walter both emerged happy.
For immediate release:
5th January 1936. Wellington New Zealand.
Today is a sad day, the government announced the disbanding of 1st and 2nd Mounted Rifle divisions. With their proud history this is truly a shock. Rumour has it the government means to replace them with new Motorised Infantry divisions.
On a happier note, the new government has announced a huge industry modernisation drive, this is expected to increase the industrial capacity in the provinces of Auckland, Hamilton, Gisborne, Wellington and Christchurch.
:Communique ends:
Thus the year of 1936 began, and was strangely boring. The industry modernisation occured and the cavalry regiments were disbanded. Over the course of the year New Zealand received many military innovations not only from Britain, but from all corners of the empire. Nash's reforms improved the economy. The country avoids any involvement in the Spanish Civil war (which the Republicans won). All was well in the land of the long white cloud.
more to follow soon......
