wAARmongers V

[Diefledermas]

Washington Post, evening edition - March 11th, 1936

Hjalmar Schnacht, a former member of Parliment in the Weimar Republic and current Minister of Production under the Reichsfurhrer was hung today after being accused of conspiring against the Fatherland. It is suspected Mr. Schnacht may have insulted the Reichsfurhrer personally in some way, but, details are as yet unconfirmed.

Sturmbannfuhrer Kohl’s Journal

May 28th, 1936

Landed at the port of Shiraz with Asia Korps under Field Marshall von Brock. Minimal casualties although lack of air support was noticed. The guns of the Nurmburg decimated the Persian defenders before we set foot on the beaches. Very dry and dusty; equipment is holding up well, although our lack of desert camouflage is a concern.

Sturmbannfurher Kohl’s Personal Journal

June 9th, 1936

Helena,

These Italians need to be toughened up. Always camplaining about the lack of olive oil. German steel should take care of that. Bolshevik and Anglo "volunteers" were found mixed in with the Persian company we captured at Esfahan. My new command of the Totenkopf regiment under von Brock is quite the honor. The Field Marshall assures me I will be back in Bavaria drinking schnopps with you and the twins by harvest season.

New York Times, morning edition - June 1st, 1936

The Middle East threatens to become a powder keg. Italian forces, now into their third week of invasion, have been bolstered by German "volunteers". The British Royal Marines have landed to assist the Shah while the Soviets have attacked thru the no-man's land of the northern hinterlands taking advantage of the confusion.

Sturmbannfuhrer Kohl’s Journal

January 17th, 1937

The squad leaders are reporting great happiness with their new Schmeissers, always asking for more of them. The tactic of centering the squads around the mg34 is proving most effective as well. The traitorous pseudo-fascists of Franco were still using our old trench warfare tactics, foolish. General Guderian’s blitzkrieg strategy proved quite a surprise for them. My Italian attaché Giribaldi seemed most impressed. Colonel Kurtz send down orders to head to Seville for a return to Wilhelmshaffen, the men are in high spirits.

Sturmbannfurher Kohl’s Personal Journal

Helena,

How are the boys? I had hoped to be home for Christmas after the Persian Campaign but our great Furhrer’s mandate to rescue the Fascists from Franco must come first, eh? I have that tapestry from Tehran hidden away in my personal stores for you. Benefit of “rank”. You’ll love it. Is my little brother Wilhelm watching over the farm? Should be home before Spring.

Boston Globe - editorial by Jimmy Doolan, January 19th, 1937

On January 15th, The Spanish forces surrendered unconditionally to Field Marshall Kietal of the German Army Group Iberia at Vigo after 6 months of hard fighting supported by French Foreign Legion and British Expeditionary Forces. The Axis Powers of Italy and Germany cut Spain up into pieces causing this historic nation to cease to exist. The Italians installed a governor general in Seville similiar to their tactics in Ethiopia and Persia. Officials from Washington expressed concern but continued to posture the troubles across the Atlantic are a "European Problem". This reporter feels the inaction of our government and the climate of appeasement can only lead to further Fascist aggression.

 

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Viva Italia! Viva Il Duce!

Mussolini decides that the New Roman Empire must rise again!

A quick campaign in Ethiopia erases the stigma of earlier defeats, and once the indigenous militia troops falter, they decide it is better to work the steel mines of Addis Ababa than to feel the wrath of superior Italian firepower. After a month long campaign, Ethiopian steel begins to find it's way to factories on the Italian mainland.

The next step is to secure a reliable oil reserve. Italian Marines land at Shiraz, in Persia, in Spring 1936, aided by elements of the German Kreigsmarine. A small German force went ashore to observe the Italian amphibious tactics. Initially, things went well, with the new Breda LMG's mowing down the lightly armed and poorly trained Persians. However, the appearance of heavily armed Indian mercenaries, hired by the Shah and supported by the Royal Navy, began to bode ill for the Italians.
Fortunately, the superbly trained and equipped German advisors were able to tip the balance in the Italian's favor, and the Indians withdrew.

Taking advantage of the bogged down Italian invasion, Russian cavalry swept through the swamps of Western Persia, securing 3/4 of the Persian oil supply and cutting off any further Italian advances westward. After a close race with the Russians through the Zagros Mountains, The 21st Alpini Division reached Tehran in late fall of 1936, adding another jewel to the Italian crown.

Italy also supported the fledgling Fascist, Franco, in his bid to rid Spain of the oppressive wealthy landowners, sending elements of the Regia Aeronautica. Franco returned then with thanks after his eventual victory, and hinted that he considered Mussolini "like a brother" and promised future concesions.

In February 1937, the first G55 naval bomber rolled out of the hangar at the Aeromacchi plant in Bologna. Upon seeing it for the first time, Mussolini was heard to exclaim "Between our intrepid aviators and this wondrous example of Italian technology, The Mediterranean will be our private pond!", and promptly ordered it's production prioritized. To back it up, Fiat SpA purchased state-of-the art fighter designs from Germany and began production as the CR.25.

An economical alternative to massive warship modernisation was found by purchasing torpedo designs from the empire of the Rising Sun. Mussolini watched Japanese engineers setting up the machinery to manufacture these new weapons and marvelled at their efficiency.

In the Summer of 1937, Italy joined Germany's Axis Alliance, to attempt to create an empire to span Europe, if not the globe.

Throughout 1937, the Axis courted Franco, who pulled an about face and began high-level talks with France. Seeing this as a slap in the face, Mussolini declared war on Spain in August 1937.
Italian troops began by landing in Valencia, with German Army Group 'Iberia' landing in Cartagena. Spanish troops, backed up by British and French expeditionary forces, showed surprising resilience, and Field Marshal Bono was forced to retreat to the German beachhead at Cartagena.
As German troops, spearheaded by the new PzII tanks, advanced on Madrid, further Italian landings were carried out at Barcelona, Almeria, and Sevilla, throwing Spanish troops into confusion.
In a bold and daring move, British expeditionary forces landed at Messina and Taranto, threatening the Italian mainland. However, a naval surface group, led by the flagship Caio Duilio, sank the Spanish supply fleet, cutting off the British forces and forcing their surrender in November 1936. The British soldiers were comfortably interned at the monastery at Monte Cassino.

By January 1938, Spanish resistance had all but collapsed, and French expeditionary troops had fled north. The Spanish armistice was signed near the end of January at Vigo. Italy retained several provinces in southern Spain, as well as Barcelona, leaving the rest to the valiant Germans.

 

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America waits...

In the meantime, in far off America, a former German scientist has impressed Roosevelt with his strange ideas about a "new weapon". Research has begun in a desolate place in the mountains.....

 

[Mr.Bigglesworth]

Soviet Perspective​

The discussions in the Politburo dwell on the situation in the middle east. Italy's illegal occupation of a majority of Persia is a major point of contention. The hawks in government propose all-out war against Italy to drive them from the Soviet borders, but moderate voices propose a diplomatic solution.

There were some territorial squabbles in Europe, but nothing to get worked up over.

 

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Hey, Bigs

I hope I set you up in good shape. I was not planning on any DOWs but to build and research, set you up a nice Dniepr Line and powerful infantry. Italy took me by surprise with the attack on Persia. I did not want the Axis sitting in Tabriz, so I DOWed Persia to get Tabriz. As it turned out, the Italian player fell asleep at the switch and we were able to sneak in and grab the oil province. When UK saw what was happening, that player gave an expeditionary force and grabbed Bandar Abbas for us. So Italy got no oil out of the deal.

 

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Re: Hey, Bigs

Originally posted by fpolli
I hope I set you up in good shape. I was not planning on any DOWs but to build and research, set you up a nice Dniepr Line and powerful infantry. Italy took me by surprise with the attack on Persia. I did not want the Axis sitting in Tabriz, so I DOWed Persia to get Tabriz. As it turned out, the Italian player fell asleep at the switch and we were able to sneak in and grab the oil province. When UK saw what was happening, that player gave an expeditionary force and grabbed Bandar Abbas for us. So Italy got no oil out of the deal.

Close Italy did not 'fall asleep at the switch', but was delayed by the damned British If not for the assistance of the Germans, I wouldn't have been able to get off the beach

BTW, Shiraz has 40 oil, and is the catchbasin for some steel and coal. Also, what I got of Iran was worth about 12 IC. So although I didn't get everything I set out for (hey that's life), it was still well worth the effort, lost no divs.

Having said that, it was a very cool idea to do what you did and took me completely by surprise, just couldnt shake the British fast enough to make a race of it

 

[Diefledermas]

Sturmbannfurhrer Kohl’s Journal

April 9th, 1938

The men have adapted quickly to our new directives. The SdKfz 250's are proving sturdy machines. Totenkopf has been attached to IX Mechanized Korps. The PzIII is quite the beast as well. A nice change, supporting armor instead of fighting in the mountains against guerillas. The citizens of Zagreb met us with flowers. Reports say Sarejevo is all but rubble from our Luffewaffe's relentless bombing.

Sturmbannfurhrer Kohl’s Personal Journal

May 1st, 1938

Helena,

Memories of Easter Dinner keep me warm. These Serbs are a stubborn people. I'm glad you liked the tapestry. The twins are getting so big. Wilhelm looked sharp in his new uniform, eh? What a debutante he'll be flying above the clouds, not like his older brother in the mud.

Pravda - September 13th, 1938

The Fascists' demands for the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia was rebuked by the Imperialist conspirators Chamberlain and Laval. The Germans blustering, as expected, were empty threats. Their claims were withdrawn. As was also forseen, the Capitalists ignored this opportunity and continued to cower behind their Maginot Line.

Sturmbannfurhrer Kohl’s Journal

February 3rd, 1939

Sniper attacks claimed 3 last night. And this new "weapon", the Molotov Cocktail, is causing more damage to morale than men. These Lithuanians are proving most disagreeable. One would think when a people is defeated they would know it. Field testing of the new panzerfaust proved most effective, however. If they had only given us our rightful claim on Memel, we would not be sleeping in Vilnius tonight.

OSS Communique - top secret - eyes only

from: Col. Jackson Masters
to: BrGen Dale Clark

The Germans have flown a plane utilizing a new type of engine. It apparently utilizes some type of super heated combustion. While this was definately a prototype, if it ever reaches production stage, it could poise a serious threat to our planned bombing operations.

Luietenant Kohl’s Personal Journal

August 14th, 1939

Heinrich,

It is so cold. Thank god the my He129 is quite warm. With the new drop tanks I was flying for 8 hours on the last mission; quite exhausting. The sirens on the Do17's terrify the Swedes! They scattered before us like rats! They are moving the squadron north, I can't say where. Have you reached Oslo yet? Hopefully I will see you and Helena soon. I am told the campaign will soon be over.

Washington Post - October 6th, 1939

In a shocking turn of events, Emil Romano, the new president of Mexico signed a mutual defense treaty with Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics and closed the border with the United States. The White House could not be reached for comment.

 

[Diefledermas]

Map of the Third Reich as of September 1939

With the expansion of Axis control over large territorial regions it has been determined to split administrative duties under various Military Governors.

 

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Dagger to heart of Germany

Boston Hearald Editorial

Doesn't Czechoslovokia look like a "Dagger for Democracy" aimed at the evil heart of Germany. The brave Czech's were not cowered by Hitler's multiple attempts to claim their rightful lands. We in America should stand by these brave men and woman should Hitler continue his aggression. Send your letters to Congress.

Editor, Boston Hearald

 

[Diefledermas]

All Quiet on the Eastern Front - editorial from the Daily News, February 1st, 1940

With the annexation of Poland by the Germany and Soviet Russia, it has become apparent that the dictators of these two powers have signed a pact of non-aggresion to counter the threat of the free nations of the West. The Poles steadfast refusal to collaborate with the invaders has reportedly caused both the Reich and the Communists to devote troops to the region both need elsewhere.

letter to Heinrich Kohl from Helena Kohl

January 16th, 1940

Dearest Husband,

My mother safely escaped the Kohn when the invaders besieged the city but I fear she was one of the lucky ones. Stories of British soldiers executing citizens are escaping out of the occupied zone. News of Wilhelm's death must be bearing heavy on your heart.

Sturmbannfurhrer Kohl’s Journal

March 7th, 1940

The division is down to 65% combat effectiveness. Most of III Panzer Korps was destroyed at the battle of Saarbrucken. I recommened Corporel Hanns for the Iron Cross posthumously for his actions on the Rhine. Rommel's brillant counter-offensive relieved Totenkopf in the nick of time. Or regiment alone captured 20,000 Brits. The sight of their abandoned tanks is an eiry sight.